"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When Sarah vanKampen conceives a child after years of trying,
and after giving up all hope, she is ecstatic. She is told by
an Antiqutian that the child she carries is a daughter and that
she will play a vital part in saving mankind. Sarah knows that
she must keep the contact with the Antiquitas, who are the
Keepers of Knowledge, a secret, to be shared only with her daughter.
As Destiny goes through childhood, she is comforted by the
soft colors and haunting music that had comforted her mother
during her pregnancy. Destiny experiences these supernatural
events when she is disturbed emotionally.
After a devastating world war, the city that Destiny now lives
in is damaged by earthquakes. Travel is severely curtailed and
some unlucky people are forced to live in the streets. The
building that Destiny lives in is one of the few standing and
she feels safe until the day her apartment is ransacked by an
intruder that poses as a family member. One of the policemen
who respond to her frantic call is Brett Young. The couple are
instantly drawn to one another and Brett is shocked to find
himself offering any help that the woman might need.
That evening, the Antiquitas inform Destiny that she is in
danger and must stay with Brett, who will be the only one
that will be able to keep Destiny alive in the upcoming days.
The couple find themselves on the run, in danger from people
possessed by the Antiquitas' enemy, the Eletarii, and face danger
at every turn. Destiny and Brett come to understand that their
mission is vital even as Destiny discovers unknown powers that
help them survive.
Embracing the Skull is the beginning of an epic science fiction
series that will hold the reader entranced and impatient for the
next book. The descriptions of the Earth in its death throes are
chillingly portrayed and vivid in detail. The action is fast-
paced, the secondary characters are well described and the
suspense will hold the readers attention, making the novel
impossible to put down. But the best part of this novel is
the growing relationship between Destiny and Brett. The
chemistry is instantly obvious between the two and both
discover a feeling that their meeting was meant to be. As
they run from virtually everyone, Destiny and Brett discover
that they can only relay on one another.
If you want a spellbinding novel that will have your pulses
pounding and a story that you can become involved with, Embracing
the Skull is for you. The authors end the novel in a
cliffhanger that will have you counting the days until the
second book in this series comes availing. I enjoyed this
book enormously and found that I snarled at any interruption
as I read the book. I am looking eagerly forward to the
remaining books in the series. I highly recommend Embracing
the Skull to lovers of epic science fiction and suggest you
don't start the novel in the afternoon unless you plan on
not going to sleep that night!!! Bravo, Ms Jardin & Ms Kemp-Jones!
Reviewed by Pat Cavender MSF&F"
Martine Jardin, Resident Diana Kemp-Jones Scholar
"Human/alien hybrid Destiny van Kampen must lead a besieged Earth to salvation. Gifted with unique powers, her journey is one of danger and self-discovery as she evades pursuit to reach her destination -- the celestial portal."
Martine Jardin and Diana Kemp-Jones, Resident Diana Kemp-Jones Scholar
"In a post-apocalyptic Earth, a part-human, part-alien woman and her predestined soulmate have until a specific time to save what is left of their world from a virulent alien threat."
Diana Kemp-Jones, Resident Diana Kemp-Jones Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Culture clash-
- feelings as an alien growing up among humans
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- business executive
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can see into the future
- super strength
- can read emotions
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Main Adversary
Identity:
- An "It".
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a substantial amount
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
Earth setting:
- near future (later in 21st century)
- distant future
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
