The world consists of three parallel realms; the Grey where Greyborn?preternatural creatures of legend live; the Ether which is the realm of Heaven and Hell; and the Absolute where humans make their home, blissfully unaware of the tripartite nature of their world.
Formed by a group of enslaved men during Trinidad's British colonial occupation, The Order has maintained the delicate balance between the three realms for centuries, but not everyone believes these worlds should be separate. Some long for the days when fear ruled the earth, and The Order finds itself embattled by enemies outside and traitors within who conspire to unite the Absolute and the Grey.
With the very essence of human existence under attack, Rohan, the last surviving member of the Stone Chapter of The Order, must act. Assisted by Katharine, a soucouyant who has lived on the outskirts of a Trinidad swamp for more than a century, Rohan takes up the Order's mantle, combining Kat's wits and his fighting prowess to risk torture, dismemberment, zombification, and death as they face grave threats and gruesome creatures.
Kirkus Review dubs Derry Sandy "a name to watch."
In Sandy's debut fantasy novel, the last surviving member of a Trinidad-based group must stop evil from sweeping civilization. ...
Sandy crafts a ghoulish tale from elements of Caribbean folklore and shows a great love for gory action. History plays a vital role, as well, as scenes set in the early 19th century depict plantation culture and add weight to the brief appearance of Katharine, a helpful "soucouyant" (blood-drinker). Characters such as Tarik Abban, a young pickpocket, and Clarence Jeremy, a terminally ill sex worker, represent more realistic horrors of city life. The author truly excels, however, in his meticulous plotting involving supernatural elements. Artifacts such as teleportation boxes and creatures such as the gigantic Moongazers generate entertaining mayhem. There are also moments of unnerving prose, as when "Fat grubs with black beady heads" were "hitting the ground...like rain on leaves," which make this an unforgettable read?and Sandy, a name to watch.
A masterful tale that illuminates terrifying creatures in Caribbean lore.
