Faith Hunter, Seraphs Review

Overall Rating

Seraphs

Roc, May 2007, $17.00, 368 pp.
ISBN: 0451461479

The end of the world didn't destroy all life on Earth but it did kill billions of people and created a new life form - neo-mages. They were born from humans in the first trimester of pregnancy when the first plague, pestilence and other things that changed the fetus's DNA. They are said to be soulless and when they die there will not go to the High Host but simply disappear. Earth is now in a mini-ice age and Seraphs watch over humanity and the new mages. It is forbidden for a seraph to mate with a mage.

Thorn is a neo-mage who owns a jewelry store in Mineral City and was outed to the humans when she saved the town. She is put on trial but the charges against her are proved false and she goes free. The town is invaded by shadow spawn and she as well as others fight these evil beings. In the pit of the mountains of Trine, a Watcher is held captive by a demon as is a cherub and another seraph. An evil is coming out of the Trine and Thorn and her guardian must go down there to stop the dragon from escaping as well as rescuing the Watcher, Seraph and Cherub. It will take a miracle, even with a Seraph's help to win a battle without dying in the attempt.

Faith Hunter has written her take on what happen after the apocalypse; the world she has created is unique and bleak. Humans fear Neo-Mages and most of them live in enclaves free from humanity and prejudice but the heroine is an independent, solitary creature who needs her space and chooses to be free of the gilded prison. She is stronger than she knows and has the courage to fight evil even though she will be ignored by the High Hosts. SERAPHS is an action pick, exciting, science-fiction thriller.

Harriet Klausner