In a future Earth ravaged by pollution and climate change, the only hope for the survival of humanity lies in a parallel dimension. Portals lead through to the pristine world of Gaela where the title character of the novel, Rosette, has been raised in ignorance of the secret heritage encoded in her DNA. The novel opens as the young woman is forced to flee for her life, following the brutal murder of her family. Rosette gradually comes into her own however, as she learns the truth about her past and develops her magical powers. The most interesting aspect of Falconer’s debut novel is the manner in which she incorporates science-fiction ideas into what would, otherwise, be a fairly standard fantasy scenario. Discussions of quantum computing and the hole in the ozone layer sit alongside astrology, telepathy and witchcraft. The author manages to carry off this unlikely combination remarkably well. The narrative style is engaging and highly readable, marred only by a somewhat abrupt ending. Otherwise, a promising first book (in a projected series) that will appeal to fans of both Sara Douglass and Sean Williams.

James Francis is a bookseller at Reader’s Feast in Melbourne

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

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