Reviewed by J.B. Scott

Reviewer Rating: * * * * 1/2 Stars
Title: Embracing the Skull
Category:  Paranormal/Sci-Fi
Author: Martine Jardin & Diana Kemp-Jones
Publisher: Clocktower Books
ISBN: 0-7433-0104-8
Release Date: Available Now

Embracing the Skull, Book One of the Destiny Series by Martine Jardin and Diana Kemp-Jones is a science fiction quest adventure where avid readers of this genre will relish pulses drumming with the chill of evil and the warmth of good seeking to make right. 

The reader is introduced to the birth of Destiny, to overjoyed parents Sarah and Chris, who had been trying to have children for many years. This little girl is so much more than special. Throughout her childhood and pursuing years, she is comforted not by teddy bears or lollypops, but beautiful melodies and colourful spheres of light. An event, she later realises is not the norm, but rather the guiding light of the Antiquitas. 

As Destiny meets her majority, the reader is carried along with her in a discovery of Earth being strangled by the universal fist of WWIII in the form of natural disasters and hellish disease. Where the green aura of malevolence, empowered by the Eletarii, seek to conquer Earth and bring power to their dark, sinister ways. 

Jardin and Kemp-Jones generate through descriptive phrases and photographic scenery a mood of doom that bleeds through the text at every turn of the page. Yet around every corner is the sound of hope with the realisation of Destiny's unique gift and powers. 

And, yes for those romantic at heart, where would a heroine be without her hero? Enter Brett Young, police officer, roommate, soul mate, the ying to her yang -a man who is her equal, in desiring a better place with a brighter future for humankind. 

This novel clearly shows the rare privilege of finding authors that blend so well together. There is no trace of two voices, but rather one, which is strong and confident. Dialog and the interaction between the characters are believable and well suited. 

This is a chilling journey to save Earth, a quest containing danger, mysticism, and the powerful synergy of good over evil, a sci-fi adventure-seeker would struggle to find better.

 Copyright © 2001 by  J.B. Scott