“Carey makes a huge change of pace here, creating a stand-alone tale set in a grim and gritty near-future town that finds itself in a no-man's land between the US and Mexico after an influenza outbreak (making the author seem prescient after the Swine Flu news). The town is dependent on the army outpost, the citizens unable to leave, supposedly because of the threats of terrorism and military action.
The novel opens, setting the scene by following Carmen Garron, who has seen the town go from ordinary to isolated and restricted. Along the way she has a son, Tommy, by one of the soldiers who was later killed in action and then a daughter, Loup, by a deserter on the way to Mexico who was part of a military genetic experiment to create superior soldiers. The tale is mostly a coming-of-age story about Loup, who has inherited her father's abilities and, after her mother's death, along with other kids sheltered by the Church, helps revive the belief in the patron Saint Olivia when the town most needs a sense of hope. Her beloved brother Tommy is following his own dreams of defeating the army's boxing champion and winning a way out of the town for himself and his sister.
Despite the unusual situation, life goes on in the town and Loup also spends time trying to fit in and grow up with the other orphans, exploring friendships and sex and dealing with the dangers of rapacious soldiers, local gangs, poverty and more flu outbreaks. Loup's character is sympathetic, despite her being different--primarily being unable to feel fear. Other characters, the children and the soldiers and the various townsfolk, are also well-drawn and interesting. The setting of the book is limited to the town, but the world-building is strong enough for us to see that there are things going on outside and that make sense, despite the strangeness of the town being cut off from news and essentially in limbo.
Carey shows herself to be a more versatile author than previously, creating a compelling read that is different in form and style and subject and genre (more SF than Fantasy) than her other books.
”
aprillee wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009.
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