Title: Osiris
Author: E. J. Swift
Publisher: Night Shade Books
Genre: post-apocalyptic science fiction
This is a well written book with rich imagery. What I liked most about it was the setting. Imagine a city of glass towers rising from the ocean, linked by high bridges, and with boats plying the waterways at their base.
Synopsis
Rising high above the frigid waters, the ocean city of Osiris has been cut off from the land since the Great Storm 50 years ago. Most believe that Osiris is the last city on Earth. Adelaide is the black-sheep granddaughter of the city’s Architect. A jaded socialite, she wants little to do with her powerful relatives — until her troubled twin brother disappears mysteriously. Vikram, a third-generation storm refugee, sees his own people dying of cold and starvation. He hopes to use Adelaide to bring about much-needed reforms — but who is using whom? As another brutal winter brings Osiris closer to riot and revolution, two very different people attempt to bridge the gap dividing the city, only to find a future far more complicated than either of them ever imagined.
Essentially this is a book about political & social corruption, unfair treatment of refugees, and a couple of unlikely allies trying to change things against seemingly impossible odds. The themes and characters are well drawn and the plot interesting, but I found the pacing a little uneven. The beginning moved along well enough, but the following section dragged, then it picked up again towards the end.
It’s basically a good book and I wanted to like it, but I found it too dismal for my taste. Adelaide was shallow and heartless and though I felt for Vikram’s plight, he wasn’t a particularly likeable character either. This is an entirely personal view, of course. Others may relate to him better. I like my books to have hope as well, but this is pretty bleak, and the ending, though a nice switch, left me feeling cold. I don’t require a happy ending, but I like a bit of hope, some inspiration or at least a glimmer of possibility.
I recommend it for people who like beautiful writing, stunning settings, a cruel society and a bleak story.
we were just talking about this book at my bookclub earlier today. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a bookclub book (hardcover price, yikes!), but both my husband and I thought it looked promising. Even if it isn’t perfect, it could still be a satisfying read.
Sure, perfect books are rare, anyway.