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An assassination attempt is made on the ambassadorial couple Shesain and Derak Andehar. Derak loses his right arm and left leg during the attempted murder. Fortunately, his wife is unharmed and taken to a safe place. In critical condition, Derak must get a new body, and his soul is preserved in a safe place until his new body is ready. The Orion Syndicate is behind the assassination attempt. They used a weapon that will prevent Derak’s body from healing itself. Once Derak is finally out of the woods, he gets a new body, and his soul is transferred to it. However, he encounters another obstacle. He has barely adjusted to his new body when he must stop Senator Kamar, a corrupt politician, from destroying the Thumarian values.
Murray successfully introduces aspects of Thumarian culture in his fiction. One example is when a man gets married to a woman, he takes his wife's last name. The dialogue effectively highlights each character's personality so that they stand out. For instance, Derak is described as a devoted ambassador, husband, and father. He is ready to fight for his government and face off against those who are against it. As such, he embodies justice, whereas Senator Kamar stands for anarchy. The author also explores how far opposing forces within the culture will be willing to go to overthrow a government. Tactics such as intimidation, kidnapping, threats, or murder are all possibilities. In addition, the author exposes how Thumarian politicians play dirty to achieve their goals by any means necessary without thinking about the consequences. Additionally, Murray tackles xenophobia and intolerance in the narrative. Readers will likely enjoy this book not only for its thematic elements but also because of its many twists and turns.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review