PATTERN SCARS

Nola was born into poverty and sold by her mother to a brothel because she has the gift of Othersight, seeing the future. She thinks she’s been rescued from that life by Teldaru, who is also an Otherseer, but it turns out he’s a psychopath who is plotting against the king. Claire Christie humanizes Nola despite the dark deeds she’s involved in. Christie accentuates the contrast between Nola’s vulnerability and softness (shown through her inner life and writings) and the evil that swirls around her. The overall effect is chilling. Be forewarned, the bloody imagery in this story is graphic. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]