Califia's Daughters

Writing under a pseudonym, Laurie R. King ventures into the science fiction/fantasy genre with a novel that takes her to the end of the twentieth century and a time when the male population has been decimated by disease. Dian's skills as a hunter and warrior are a great benefit to her village. Alyssa Bresnahan's presentation of Dian as a strong, self-reliant woman who has set out on a trip to discover the true story of a new group of settlers also reveals the character's sensitivity and vulnerability. Bresnahan uses pauses and timing to good advantage in drawing out the suspense and complexities of the plot. Dian's reactions and relationships with a broad cast of characters are vivid and clear. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine