The Map of Bones

Haig’s second Fire Sermon novel continues the postapocalyptic saga in which humanity has survived in the form of pairs of genetically “perfect” Alphas and sterile, “deformed” Omegas. Each Alpha-Omega pair is psychically connected so that if one twin dies, so does the other. The Alphas have systematically oppressed their siblings and are moving ahead on an aggressive plan to place them in suspended animation using taboo technology. Omega and seer Cass is determined to thwart this, especially since her own twin, Zach, is its mastermind. But to save Omegas everywhere, she has to rekindle an all-but-destroyed rebellion and locate the fabled Ark, a last-ditch storehouse of information and technology predating the nuclear war that destroyed civilization. Haig fleshes out her radiation-scarred dystopian setting and its intrigues, as well as touching upon the last survivors of the old world. It’s a grim, atmospheric tale featuring unpleasant decisions and morally compromised characters, with very little brightness to balance it out, but Haig does interject the occasional positive note. Much is left unresolved, of course, setting up the final installment. [em]Agent: Juliet Mushens, United Talent Agency. (May) [/em]