Title: Diunthum: Illumnesia
Author: Spector Grove
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1-6641-4370-8
Pages: 241
Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction/Fantasy/Apocalyptic Fiction
Reviewed by: CC Thomas
Hollywood Book Reviews
The opening scene of Spector Grove’s Diunthum: Illumnesia grabs the reader by the shirtfront right away and thrusts us into a stark and haunting futuristic world, one devoid of plants, insects, or birds. Only humans are left to struggle their way through each day, desperately searching for and refining a dwindling water source left in decaying pools. Residents of the Dead City wear filters to mask out the poisonous air and deliver water, “canisters of life,” to residents.
Pagan is one of the main characters, a resident of the dying city. One night, on his rounds, he encounters an intruder and chases them into the adytum, the sacred source of the community’s water supply. This close and lethal encounter with a potential assassin leaves him with only one thought: the girl’s eyes, so blue they enchant him and cause sleepless nights. Pagan can’t get the girl out of his head and crafts a tin doll likeness of her. Almost as if this were a call, the real assassin appears once again. This time, determined not to be left behind, he leaves the city for the first time, not at all sure there is anything beyond his view. She shows him something he has never seen before and only heard about: trees, although now petrified. Even more startlingly, she encourages him to remove his mask. In just a few days, the assassin has caused Pagan to live more of his dreams than he ever thought possible. She lifts him from his existence in decay to believe he can affect the future.
The story’s second plotline involves the failed assassin, Elena. Elena lives outside the Dead City and had to abandon Pagan in adytum, which leaves lingering guilt. Although she is supposed to be a heartless killer, she can’t forget the boy. She is welcomed home as a hero…until they see she has failed at her task of killing the ruler in charge of the water source. Elena originally blames her failure on the boy Pagan, but she realizes that the stone Pagan was wearing opens up interesting new avenues to explore. The path that Elena and Pagan open for each other, and for their world, is one that is irresistible and readers will turn each page in anticipation.
Throughout, there are also other fascinating characters, like the mysterious man who can filter water with a handheld device and Irelyne, who delivers the water to the community. She works as a water purifier and cares as much as Pagan about seeking answers to his questions, but has her own way of doing it. And, then there is Izak, a man who frequently appears and leaves with no words. Pagan knows, though, that he has something important to say.
Spector Grove’s Diunthum: Illumnesia is a classic fantasy and, yet, it’s so much more. Grove is a master of seamlessly weaving realistic and unrealistic details, making the unbelievability of such a world all too believable. It boldly blazes into the apocalyptic genre with characters that are likeable enough for readers to believe (hope) that any future worlds would have such brave and fearless leaders like Pagan and Elena. Normally, this would be one of those reads you hate to put down, but the ending is optimistic, inviting the readers to join the two characters into the future.