Broken Angel

March 24, 2008
In this addictively readable futuristic Christian dystopia, Brouwer (The Last Disciple
) takes readers inside a state run by literalistic, controlling fundamentalists. There, reading is a serious crime; citizens are drugged into submission; and those who break rules are either sent to slave labor factories or stoned to death. Occasionally, a few brave souls try to escape to “Outside.” At the center of this novel is Caitlyn, a disfigured but graceful and brave young woman whose father essentially orders her to make a run for it. For reasons not revealed (even to Caitlyn) until the very end, she is chased by a variety of people who want her dead or alive. While trying to escape, Caitlin meets up with two traveling companions who have their own reasons for fleeing, and she is aided by a sort of underground railroad. Its leaders believe the fundamentalist government has distorted true Christianity, so they risk everything to help people get Outside to freedom. The terrific pacing is surpassed only by the character development; the many supporting characters are extremely well-drawn. Brouwer adds even more suspense by regularly revealing that some of these characters are not who they appear to be.

April 1, 2008
In a future United States, six-year-old Caitlyn, who suffers from extreme physical deformities, learns early on that she is different from other children. Her father, Jordan, tries to protect her from an intolerant world but is forced to send her off alone to escape bounty hunters from the controlling Bar Elohim group who want Caitlyn. Some more liberal-minded readers may view this title as antistem cell research propaganda, and scenes of detailed violence will make the squeamish flinch. Recommended for readers of visionary and science fiction and for larger CF collections.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.