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This apocalyptic fantasy describes the Earth as "a dark place" in which the information age has collapsed. Most human beings have mutated into parts of other species, and "Humans" are subordinate to the various new species. The traditional structures of government, business, and other forms of human society have ceased to exist. Simon Crandall is the protagonist who makes a deadly discovery and is pursued on all sides by those who want to prevent his use of it. Simon is a tortured soul who has been betrayed in many ways. He is also incarcerated and tortured. He is often unsure of his motivation. Of what use is the secret when he knows that his existence (because he knows the secret) is a loveless and apparently hopeless misery?
The plots and subplots in the author's novel are tortuous and violent. McBee's tale has shades of Fahrenheit 451, The Planet of the Apes, and 1984. All are stories about civilizations that have collapsed and been replaced either by totalitarian structures or other societies in which humans are marginalized or enslaved. In all, the protagonists discover the reasons for the societal upheavals and are in danger because of the knowledge. The threat to Crandall may even be likened to Adam and Eve's eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis. However, McBee's book contains graphic violence and complicated plot twists. The writing could benefit from additional editing, but the author conveys well the message of humanity having created its own downfall. This book is a contemporary warning for humans to be vigilant, sensible, and careful.