The Gods and Their Machines

by Oisin McGann

Overview

The Gods and Their Machines marks the debut of a compelling new voice in science fiction and fantasy, set in a world that bears a disturbing resemblance to the Middle East and the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

To the scientifically advanced people of Altima, the primitive "Fringelanders" of Bartokhrin are superstitious barbarians and terrorists. Their suicide warriors carry dark magic into the heart of the Altiman cities, killing innocent civilians. To the people of Bartokhrin, the Altimans are godless conquerors and oppressors, who bomb their town and villages from their high-flying aeroplanes. They revere the Blessed martyrs who carry the battle back to the Altimans.

Chamus Aranson is a young Altiman student, training to be a fighter pilot in his nation's air force. Riadni Mocranen is a rebellious Bartokhrian tomboy, who dreams of joining the heroic freedom fighters in their crusade against Altima. Chamus and Riadni come from two completely different worlds, but when Chamus is forced to make and emergency landing deep in enemy country, Riadni becomes his only hope for survival. Now they must work together to stop an unimaginable catastrophe from setting both their worlds on fire.



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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466842380
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/01/2004
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	699 KB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Oisin McGann grew up in Dublin and Drogheda, Co Louth. A freelance illustrator/artist serving the publishing and design industires, he has also worked in Britain and Ireland in advertising and film animation. He now lives full time in Dublin. The Gods and Their Machines is his debut novel

Oisin McGann grew up in Dublin and Drogheda, Co Louth. A freelance illustrator/artist serving the publishing and design industries, he has also worked in Britain and Ireland in advertising and film animation. He now lives full time in Dublin. The Gods and Their Machines is his debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

The primitive people of Bartokhrin see the technologically advanced Altimans as godless tyrants and conquerors, while the Altimans see the Bartokhrin as superstitious terrorists. When Chamus Aranson, an Altiman pilot, lands inside Bartokhrin territory, he meets a girl named Riadni, who dreams of being a freedom fighter but decides to help her young, lost enemy prevent the destruction of both their countries. McGann's first novel draws on today's headlines to tell a tale of understanding and peace in the midst of terror and prejudice. For most libraries. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

McGann's facility with both character and world building makes this impressive debut as rewarding as pure fantasy as...provocative allegory.

Booklist

The weird and wacky is combined with the complex emotion and adventure to give birth to an exciting read.

Irish Farmers Monthly

The Gods and Their Machines is an eminently readable adventrue story, with a gripping plot that's firmly rooted in current reality.

Books Ireland

This book has all the ingredients to make it one of your science fiction favourites: originality, intelligence and contemporary relevance.

The Evening Echo

...an excellent and well-plotted debut novel.

The Evening Herald

McGann has created a clever, sharply constructed novel with credible characters and dialogue and tension-filled action. An excellent read.

The Sunday Tribune - Mary Arrigan

New Irish writer, Oisin McGann has created a believable world, but best of all, believable characters, ones you'd like to know.

RTE Guide - Mary Finn

This excellent novel is a fantasy, yet every word of it has direct and understated relevance for our own political world. The book is a fine achievement and is strongly recommended.

The School Librarian (UK) - Peter Hollindale