After the dropping of the next big bomb called "Medusa" the world and its politics made a major change. Now all government is religiously affiliated and if you don't have a religion, you're breaking the law. Added in to the mix is the new world order of the LINK. More than the internet, it is a cyberworld that can suck you in and make you a cyberjunkie. A world, which has for many, taken over reality and become a religious experience itself, complete with cybernetic angels and a Second Coming Messiah.

Deidre is a former cop turned professional investigator after her partner went haywire and killed the Pope, leading her to be excommunicated. No longer part of the LINK Deidre is considered to be a subversive Jezebel, when all she really wants is to go back to her life as it was. When Officer Michael Angelucci shows up at her office and offers her the chance to not only get back on the LINK but to expose the hoax being perpetrated on mankind through it, she is understandably suspicious. What he is proposing goes against everything she has believed in and holds a death sentence if they are caught.

This story is a bit of an amalgamation of worst case scenarios. What if another bomb with the destructive force and lasting consequences of the nuclear bomb was dropped? What would happen if we become exceedingly dependent on technology? What would happen if the internet takes over everyday lives? What would happen if religion takes over the politics of the world? It is an interesting speculative piece in that respect. The action part of the story is the pretty standard sci-fi running around dodging laser blasts and driving futuristic vehicles. I did have a little trouble with suspension of disbelief of the cyberworld created but then again I'm not a techie and am not really sure what really can and can't be done. I really enjoyed Michael and thought that the author, in rather short fixes, created some interesting facets to his personality. He was not at all the traditional romantic hero with all the answers and seemed much more realistic for it. I also liked Page, the AI mouse with a heart of gold. Unfortunately I didn't like the main character of Deidre quite as much. I found her a bit abrasive and closed minded.

I'm pretty sure that anyone who doesn't have an open mind about hot button topics such as politics and religion might find the book a bit offensive. I thought it was a unique, rather enjoyable story although cluttered in parts which made the reading somewhat slow-going. I would recommend it to lovers of sci-fi who can stand alternative viewpoints to some sensitive issues. ( )

http://fantasycafe.blogspot.com/2008/... ( )

Despite the fictional status, it's very thought provoking. The world designed by Lyda Morehouse is intricate and intriquing. A good read for anyone who likes sci fi and religion all mixed together. ( )

religion, politics, gender, cyber-future, social strata, the nature of reality, the unity of all religion, the messiah, and a romance. Somehow, all seemed superficial and poorly done (except the cyber stuff. And especially the gender stuff. And did the religion somewhat OK, which only made the mistelling of satan more irritating).

I'm not at all sure why this gets the rave reviews it gets. But while saying that, I have to admit I had difficulty putting it down. Is there a word for that? Books you don't really enjoy but are drawn into anyway? ( )