OBSIDIAN: BIRTH TO VENUS

In Victus’ SF debut and prospective series launch, the next step in human evolution is not necessarily welcome.

It’s the early 22nd century, and Jai Dean knows she’s special. She’s strong, she heals quickly, and, though 60-plus, she looks 21. But she isn’t the only special one. Deeming these individuals “the next evolutionary step,” scientists name them Homo sentients. In New York, Jai befriends other sentients. They maintain a low profile since sentients covertly “siphon” energy from humans. Jai herself has abilities she initially keeps from her new friends, like “mind-sync[ing]” with others and reading their thoughts. Not all sentients are good, and conflict escalates when one murders a human. This puts sentients in danger of exposure when humans respond to the killing by demanding all the new superhumans identify themselves. As tensions skyrocket, Jai discovers abilities that could mark her as the world’s most formidable sentient. Victus’ novel is an understated but engrossing introduction to its protagonist and the series. Readers will surely sympathize with Jai, who spends decades suffering various tragedies, like losing loved ones. Jai’s mother shines among the cast; she helps hone her daughter’s martial arts skills and mind synchronization. This first installment offers little on the sentients’ possible origin; instead, the fast-paced adventure focuses on the sentient-human friction. It’s brimming with romance and revenge plots, capped by a frenzied, final act. The author even adds a colorful visual detail to otherwise abstract siphoning. In one instance, Jai is “blinded, as if a thousand rainbows were shooting through her.”

An indelible futuristic heroine headlines this SF opener.