Tor, May 2001, 15.95, 416 pp.
ISBN: 0312875479
By the middle of the fortieth century, the Call continues its domination of animal life in North America by hypnotizing humans to die like lemurs into the oceans. Few spots remain that can deal with the Call's mysterious siren. Over the centuries, Mounthaven has formed a chivalrous society to survive more than just the passing Call. Air duels between honorable men is how disputes are settled.
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The relationships between the Mouthaven kingdom changes when a group arrives that can resist the Call. These genetically engineered Aviads want to destroy the humans. Their plan is to use the pettiness of the users of the kingdoms to fight one another outside the acceptable code of honor. Ultimately this group of invaders hopes to raise the level of the Call to penetrate even the oasis that allow some survivability. A small group led by John Glasken must save the world before Mounthaven becomes overwhelmed with a disastrous civil war.
THE MIOCENE ARROW continues with the same post-apocalyptic world originally established in the SOULS IN THE GREAT MACHINE. The story line is as complex as science fiction seems to get and needs time to form, but once it does the plot never looks back. John and his weird band of heroes are a wonderful team while the villainous but clever Machiavellian invaders are treated more like cannon fodder by author Sean McMullen. Still his latest tale is an entertaining look at a frightening future that science fiction readers and some fantasy fans will find quite intriguing.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
