Kiyama

Diana Kemp-Jones

3/8/2000

Review by Patricia White

Giving a capsule synopsis of Kiyama is next to impossible but I'll try and confess that I am using material I copied from the publisher's Website (but I am re-writing it).

The Omoro race is dying. They create three empathic neurosynths, psycho-genetically created hybrids to act as the soul of the race. The three represent salvation of their home world, Omori, which was invaded and conquered long ago. Their quest leads them far into the future and they encounter many dangers along the way.

This is an audiobook, but I reviewed it from a manuscript so I can't tell you about the quality of the recording, how long it lasts, or how intriguing the narrator is. I can tell you that the author's words flow, lead you gently into her world, and make you feel right at home in a very strange environment.

Diana Kemp-Jones has a masterly way with words, with plots, with character development, and I wish I could have listened to Kiyama. I read parts of it aloud to get some idea of the cadence. The prose is lyrical, so much so that I became involved more with the ebb and flow of the words than with the actual story--which is enigmatic but compelling.

Note From Jandy: The above review forwarded to me. It was originally published and can be found at Scribe's World, a site for readers and writers. Also, Diana Kemp-Jones' website has more information.