When an asteroid crashed into the Earth hundreds of years ago in the
twenty-first century, much of what was considered civilization was
obliterated. All that remains of that time are paltry fragmented
memories of science and life colored by myth and superstition. The
"magic" that once was America died horribly, along with most of the
planet's inhabitants. But a wasted world is coming back alive - despite the tyranny and cruel punishments that the repressive ruling order
inflicts daily on a greatly reduced populace.
Dismé Latimer's
entire family was lost forever, though not as a result of global
cataclysm. Rather, much more recent and mysterious circumstances made
Dismé an orphan, leaving the gentle, troubled young woman at the mercy
of a cruel stepmother, an abusive stepsister... and a book.
A
sacred, unsettling tome written by an ancestor - the courageous
scientist Nell Latimer, who left a husband and family behind in her
attempt to salvage something of the post-castastrophe world - Dismé's
book contains disturbing ideas and revelations that are compelling a shy youth to take bold and dangerous action. But common "wisdom" and lore
warn of malevolent entities out in the world, and advise would-be
adventurers to stay where they are. Yet other myths suggest that the
selfless band of planet-repairing scientists - including Dismé's brave
forebear - have somehow, miraculously, survived to this day. And Dismé
Latimer will uncover the truth and reclaim a lost world, whatever and
wherever it might be.
Destiny, it seems, has chosen a most
improbable defender to lead an imperiled planet out of the darkness.
Perhaps somewhere beyond everything Dismé has ever known is her true
identity - and, hopefully, others similarly inclined who will fight
alongside her for the common good. But there is evil also, a malevolence beyond imagining.
And far away, in the depths of the Earth, a
gargantuan beast has roused itself after centuries of slumber. And it
has begun to stir...
