THE DREAM CATCHER

by Monica Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1987

After the End of Oil, the universities established protected enclaves to preserve humanity. Ruth's enclave has stressed philosophy and empathy to create a mind-linked web for support of all. However, Ruth, 14, has rare talents which set her apart from her comrades and put her in contact with another faraway enclave. There, science and technology have become perverted, resulting in a slave society with the masters surrendering control to the computer. Ruth leads a party to the twisted enclave, where, with Luke, who also has special powers, they subdue the computer and free the slaves. An example of anti-science fiction, where technology gone wrong is the villain. Although the story is well-paced and holds interest, the adults are too conveniently altruistic, and things go too smoothly to build much dramatic tension. A sequel to the author's Devil on My Back, with echoes of an earlier love story between escaped slave Rowan and Lord Tomi of the enclave, this book stands alone but would benefit from knowledge of the earlier book. Slight but passable fare.

Pub Date: March 1, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 176

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S