Eden's Trial: Book Review

Lydia Manx

Eden's Trial, by Barry Kirwan.

Lightning fast, Barry Kirwan launches his reader back into the world of the future, Eden. The familiar cast of characters from the first of the Eden books have become more dimensional as they fight for their very lives.

It's hard to put down Mr. Kirwan's book, but at the same time, you don't want to race ahead, but rather savor the complexities of personalities and the well-crafted story line. There are new worlds and new enemies entwined with the main characters nearly as closely as their lovers.

The introduction of the reptilian Ranger Ukrull nicely enhances the new topography of Barry's novel. The evil of the Q'Roth are shadows of the coldness of Ukrull. The mentioning of the slave Bartran and the mind-plexing are two of the touches about Barry's work that pulls the reader into the otherly future seamlessly. The blood debt introduces a new depth to the workings of the complexities of the ever-growing politics in the Eden series. The character Louise reminds me of the battery advertisement with the bunny that keeps on going. Every twist and turn lets the reader see just how formidable the character is while still leaving remnants of her bit of humanity.

To the very last page the reader is tormented by the what-ifs as much as the what-will-be. Endless possibilities are alluded to and given dimensions. I can't wait for the next journey along side the Eden pathway!

Lydia Manx's review of the first book of the Eden Trilogy, The Eden Paradox can be found here.

Article © Lydia Manx. All rights reserved.
Published on 2011-12-19