A TRICK OF THE LIGHT

An outsider’s perspective sends a civilization in a new direction in Okell’s SF novel.

Teenager Kimi leaves his underground land of darkness to explore the hint of light that keeps creeping through from outside. Dazzled in the land of the Light, he gets captured and put into a retraining program for misbehaving youths. Kimi gets picked on by the others there with the exception of Marvus, his eventual bunkmate. Burgiss, a teacher in the program, takes pity on Kimi and offers to become his mentor. Burgiss learns how Kimi functions back home and teaches him how to survive in this new place. Noting Kimi’s aptitude for math and science, Burgiss introduces him to Halmo, a friend who’s a mechanic for the Light, a living light source that functions as an object of religious devotion. Halmo lets Kimi in on the Light’s dark secret, which Burgiss couldn’t bring himself to tell him: The Light is powered by humans. Each year, the trainee who fares worst is fed to the Light, and Kimi is expected to be that year’s sacrifice (“They are all expecting that you will fail”). After indulging a funk about his likely fate, Kimi begins scheming ways to power the Light using natural resources from his land. Okell’s thought-provoking story suggests how science can overcome the failings of religion—rather than depending on the sacrifice of a person whom proper society deems unworthy, Kimi uses reason to find a long-lasting, more humane solution. The author has created a well-rounded cast of supporting characters to populate what is essentially a juvenile prison. Her best character is Kimi, who proves remarkably adaptable in a world radically different from his own. Okell’s narrative hinges on this bighearted, intelligent boy who comes up with solutions not just to his daily problems, but also to his new home’s long-term concerns. A handful of late twists bring the tale to a satisfying conclusion, offering hope for the future.

Rich characterizations and a compelling message distinguish this speculative story.