The dreams of the chosen by Brian Caswell
Deucalion sequence, bk 3. University of Queensland Press,
2013. ISBN 9780702236051.
(Age: Teenagers+) Recommended. 'It was fear. Of what we might find
there. Or might not find . . .'
The colonists of Deucalion have had no contact with mother earth for
centuries, but now that is about to change. Using new and untried
technology, an intrepid group of explorers will return to earth and
discover what exactly went wrong.
Brian Caswell has written a plethora of brilliant books and the
third book in the Deucalion sequence The dreams of the chosen
is no exception. Caswell's books are wonderfully descriptive and
draw the reader into his world of words. The crew of the Cortez, a
faster-than-light spaceship, embark on a journey from the colony
world of Deucalion to Earth to discover why there has been no
contact for centuries and what exactly happened to the most advance
civilisation ever.
When the Cortez arrives in orbit around earth, the only trace of
human civilisation visible is a scattering of Feudal age settlements
amid the ruins of ancient cities. When the crew land, they discover
a world of superstition and fear, ruled over by a group of
tyrannical 'families' who maintain power with an iron fist. With the
help of a group of outcasts the crew set out to find what caused the
post apocalyptic civilisation.
All in all, The dreams of the chosen is an excellent example
of a well written piece of science fiction, one that provides the
reader with an in-depth setting and characters. Though this book is
primarily intended for teenagers I would recommend it to any lover
of science fiction.
Alex Leuenberger (Student)