THE OPHELIA PROPHECY

Post-apocalyptic romance, from the author of Ghost Planet (2012).

Humans engineered a race of warriors with mingled human and insect genes, the Manti, who proceeded to make war on their creators. Now, following devastating plagues, humans survive only in Sanctuary, a city in the Utah desert. Asha St. John, a Sanctuary archivist with expertise in Manti origins, wakes near the border of Sanctuary unable to recall her recent past. Nearby are two Manti, Paxton and his sister Iris, who arrived in their intelligent flying craft, Banshee, and whose job is to keep an eye on Sanctuary. Due to his irresistible biological imperatives—he needs all his willpower not to rape her on the spot—Pax finds himself bonding with Asha despite Iris’ hostility. Banshee, fortunately, likes Asha. After a stopover in Ireland, where a ragged and desperate band of humans clings to existence despite attacks by huge intelligent wasps, they arrive in Granada, the Manti capital. Pax reveals that his father is amir, or supreme leader, and will not be at all happy about Pax’s association with Asha. Asha recovers her memory and realizes she arranged to be brought to Granada in order to find her father, whom the Manti snatched after he found out the truth about Sanctuary. Our star-crossed lovers continue to mistrust one another. There are threats, backstabbing, alliances and disputes, much of it involving the Manti religion. The historical background, while underdeveloped, has at least a modicum of plausibility. The lovers have personality and charm, and the sex is well-handled. But Fisher pushes an awkward association between the Manti and elves or fairies, and the plot makes no sense whatsoever.

If you can suspend your critical faculties, you’ll enjoy the romance parts.