Altima and Bartokhrin are not at war; how could they be? Altima is a major military power, while Bartokhrin is a collection of semi-nomadic tribes. The authorities in Altima feel quite justified in treating Bartokhrin as one huge building site, and the Bartokhrians feel justified in sending their young men into Altima as suicide bombers. Chamus survives one of the suicide attacks, and soon after finds himself stranded in Bartokhrin. He is found by Riadni, a Bartokhrian tomboy eager to fight for her country. At first seeing one another as enemies, Chamus and Riadni soon find themselves on the run, with Bartokhrian freedom fighters pursuing them and a terrible conspiracy closing its jaws on them from the ivory towers of Altima.

Review: In The Gods and Their Machines, Oisin McGann has created a powerful fantasy which touches on the most relevant issues of the day. By alternating between Riadni and Chamus, McGann favours neither side over the other. His young protagonists are both close to the factions who wish to perpetuate the war, but their youth makes them able to view the world from another angle.

This is a powerful novel, with a number of very gritty scenes despite the somewhat fantastic setting. The issues involved would recommend it more for older readers, but it is a tense adventure thriller rather than a political sermon.

2008-09-12