Dying Embers

Adams's muddled debut is a confused mix of SF and mysticism written that feels more 1940s than 2010s. Following an alien civil war that resulted in a variety of shape-shifting aliens appearing on Earth, Drake McCarty is called upon to save three alien children, known as embers, from experimentation. Drake's success depends on his psionic ability and the help of his biologist sister, Amadahy. Numerous characters, both human and alien, are introduced in rapid succession with little to differentiate them. Keeping them straight is made more difficult by the aliens occasionally having human characteristics. Adams has clearly created a complex backstory and a variety of interesting alien races and cultures, but that information is never fully displayed on the page, and her author's imagination unfortunately exceeds her writing skill. (Aug.)