This is a young adult fantasy novel that is nothing short of extraordinary. Set in the distant future, during a war between Heaven and Earth, it tells the story of friendship between two enemies - Miriael, the Fourteenth Angel of Observance, and Ferren, a Residual from one of the primitive, isolated human tribes. In this epic story, Miriael and Ferren attempt to bring an end to the war and the reign of the evil Humen on Earth.

Earth has been at war with Heaven for a thousand years. The Supreme Trinity has withdrawn to heaven’s highest altitude, leaving a war council of archangels in charge. Portions of heaven’s lower altitudes have broken away and fallen to Earth, making whole continents uninhabitable. And human beings have changed. The artificial Humen, controlled by the Doctors, now dominate the world; with primitive Residuals living parochial lives in small communities.

This is the setting for the Heaven and Earth Trilogy of young adult novels begun with Ferren and the Angel.

Reviewed by George Ivanoff

Publisher: Jacobyte Books

Lurid cover, cheap feel and one too many typos don’t make for a good first impression. But it’s the contents that count.

This is a collection of bizarre horror stories. Several have previously been published in magazines such as Orb and Bloodsongs, but the majority are making their first appearance here. Unfortunately there was nothing about this collection that really stood out for me. The stories range from ho-hum ("An Oldie But A Goodie") through to interesting but uninspired ("Territory").

The author certainly shows imagination and he’s capable of stringing words together to form a coherant plot… so I can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t particularly like this book. Perhaps is just a matter of personal taste. Read it and make up your own mind.

Scene 1. Cyberpunk Future.

Setting: A future of legal snuff films, where stars battle to stay alive from one flick to the next. A future in which you can sign your life away and get your fifteen seconds of fame, in return for your family’s financial security.

Protagonist: Calloway veteran of numerous splattie films and Rhinestone studio’s hottest property.

Fade Up:

Reviewer sitting alone in living-room, having finished reading Cyberskin. He puts the book down and proceeds to have a conversation with himself.

“Hey, this is a pretty good book.”

“Yep! It’s got it all. Good plot, interesting characters and…”

“… a morbidly fascinating setting.”

“Indeed! The whole concept of legal snuff films, where actors are either the property of the studio or poor schmucks willing to die on screen so their families get paid compensation is simultaneously intriguing and disturbing.”

“And Calloway is a great character to have in this setting. He’s a part of this callous, barbaric film-making system and yet there is such humanity in him.”

“Mmmm. Very nice dichotomy.”

“And the script-like writing style?”

“I found that a little disconcerting at first. But once I got used to it, I thought it to be very appropriate for the subject matter.”

“So overall, what do you think?”

“Damn good read. I’d certainly recommend it.”

The reviewer nods to himself, picks up the book and starts to read it again.

Fade out.

ROLL END CREDITS