Heather Hayashi, To Save the World

To Save the World

Heather Hayashi

Synergy Books, Sep 2006, $21.5

ISBN 193353835X

On the continent Zultar on the world of Arhka, war between the two humanoid races Teregians and the Vampires remains heated as it has for generations. On another large landmass called Venin reside the Dragons who manipulate ITH'RYA energy magic with goals of becoming the solo supreme species and the mysterious Derus. Since their feeding has collapsed due to the near extinctions of humans, the Vampires prove necessity is the mother of invention by creating a technology that enables them to feed on humans on other orbs.

Sixteen-year-old high school student Stephanie Milianis and her mother Elsie move onto the estate of her late maternal grandfather. Not long afterward, the two female Milianis and Stephanie's best friend Eris are accidentally yanked through the Vampiric portal to Arhka. However, as shocking as the trip proves, even more stunning to Stephanie is that her mom knows this world, having been here before. That disclosure turns out to be minor as her late-forties mom is considered "The Power" by those strange humanoids they have met. The Teregians believe their goddess has come home to lead them to victory, but also feel Stephanie was brought here for a reason too. They need her help to win the war and prevent extinction, yet the Dragons offer a different perspective of the future that splits mom and daughter.

This is a terrific fantasy tale that feels fresh because of the changing relationship between mother and daughter. The issue of trust plays out on a global stage as Stephanie struggles with the revelations about her mother that mom never mentioned to her. Thus besides the global war and the realism of the four species and their respective cultures and geography, fans will appreciate the coming of age of a tomboy who struggles with what to do as everyone seems right yet everyone seems wrong.

Harriet Klausner