The Long Home

Mortals and immortals reintroducing science and technology to New Earth have their peaceful realm threatened by evil beings planning an uprising in this second installment of a fantasy series.

Adam and Nim, who died together in a car accident, find each other again as immortals. They live in Protection, a town on New Earth, many years after Prince Kristos purified the planet of the chaos that the wicked Teufel had instigated. The realm’s also inhabited by mortals, including Adam and Nim’s old pal Rocky, now going by Pete, who may be looking for redemption after giving his soul to Teufel. The inhabitants try to make sense of the world’s new natural laws (a north-south equator as well as East and West Poles) while getting assistance from educated, recognizable immortals, not the least of whom is Isaac Newton. Adam and others are likewise striving to maintain a “peaceable kingdom” led by the prince, son of Rule, “Omnipotent of all universes.” Unfortunately, an insurrection may be on the horizon, starting with the imminent release of Teufel and his demons from their chained imprisonment in the hellish Pit. But there are signs of rebellion against the kingdom elsewhere, as a tragedy claims the life of 30 men and an attempted kidnapping is nearly successful. To ensure tranquility is preserved, those on the side of Rule may have to wage war for Earth. Though much of the story’s akin to religious allegory, Stilson (The Long Home: Now & Then, 2014) makes it abundantly clear what’s good and what’s evil. There are elements of (primarily) Christianity: references to original sin coupled with more ambiguous turns, like Adam conceivably being chosen by the prince—a prophet, perhaps? This second series entry focuses a bit more on science, and characters’ speculative conversations become intriguing (the Earth is possibly larger in mass than the spun-out-of-orbit moon that’s apparently missing). There are even touches of sci-fi, with immortals capable of “translating” (essentially teleporting) through space and time. The narrative builds toward an inevitable confrontation that, despite scenes such as an organ recital slowing down its steady momentum, delivers a climactic battle.

A sequel presents an ample and pronounced Christian doctrine but has a tale of individuals protecting their home against malicious baddies at its core.