"McCoy’s imagery is raw and brutal and his narrative harrowing..."

• ASIN: ‎ B0C2498M3S
• Publication date: ‎ June 15, 2023
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 452 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏: ‎ B0C5Z3FZD6
• Genre:  Galactic Empire Science Fiction

The BookViral Review:

With the second book in his ‘Chronicles of Remedy’ series, MJ McCoy takes us deep into a newly formed fantasy world where the Grove, a settlement formed after Armageddon-style destruction by dark energy, grows rapidly into a functioning society.

Protagonist Remedy, the re-named Cinthian from book 1, sets about using his gifts and knowledge for the greater good, manipulating atoms and molecules in carbon and sand to form gemstones used for energy, allowing him to create water purifiers, energy panels, ecological sewage and waste recycling, whilst his like-minded daughter and her boyfriend, Derrick create self-propelling hoverboards for travel. McCoy’s detailed and scientific narrative lends an air of believability to these contraptions, as the reader can imagine planet-friendly inventions taking the place of old technology and pollutants.

However, whilst all seems well in the Grove, with people living in harmony and Remedy and Summer’s relationship going from strength to strength, human nature once again rears its ugly head.

Other settlements in the area are not blessed with such altruistic leaders. Wicked and power-hungry men use the opportunity to climb to the top, evolving into dark Cinthians, vampires and trolls, who enslave and torture and plot to expand their Kingdoms. McCoy’s imagery is raw and brutal and his narrative harrowing as he drags his reader with him into the dark depths of despair, leaving no doubts of the dark side of the human psyche-his commentary implicitly instilling a sense of guilt and responsibility towards our present reality as his fantasy world hurtles further and further towards turmoil.

Nevertheless, when the terrible ogre Morfran rises up against Remedy and the people of the Grove, Remedy steps into the saviour’s role as he uses his gemstone energy shields, lightning-speed hoverboards, and fearsome animals with which he has become telepathically connected to fend off the attack. A ferocious and addictive battle scene ensues which keeps the reader cemented to the page, as good and evil fight it out in a desperate confrontation. With a conclusion well set up to receive another addition to the series, the reader nevertheless concludes his read replete and fully satisfied.

Another immersive and well-constructed novel from MJ McCoy and a must read for avid science fiction and fantasy readers.