Official Review: Makers of Destiny by David Crane

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 04 Mar 2018, 13:12

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Makers of Destiny" by David Crane.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Makers of Destiny is a sequel to David Crane’s 2013 science-fiction post-apocalyptic novel Die to Live Again. The story skips over more than 50 years to follow the narrator-protagonist Tanya Gray in her new life in a world still recovering from the devastating consequences of a nuclear holocaust.

The novel belongs to that special category of works of fiction with a catchy first sentence that lures the readers into the realm of fantasy: “Every time I enter a forest, I am reminded of the best years of my human life. Civilization ends where wilderness begins.” Tanya Gray used to be an ordinary college girl. Not anymore. The black trees have changed her into a Panther. The same happened to many others who had to choose whether to survive or die. Now Tanya is a warrior-healer and adviser to President Gaetani of New America. Everything becomes a round-the-clock battle for supremacy.

What I loved most about Makers of Destiny is David Crane’s ability to give birth to a whole new world populated with fascinating creatures such as Hunter Leeches, mutant wolves and bears, tree-jumping snakes or smoke cacti. There are some really beautiful pages describing the metamorphosis process from a human into a Panther. Unlike humans, sapphire-eyed Panthers have a 400-year lifespan and they do not suffer from the viruses and bacteria that affect ordinary humans. Although they are physically and intellectually superior to humans, they made a pledge not to harm them without a cause and to help them whenever they need the serum made of their own blood. Fans of the Avatar movie would be thrilled to read a story which basically reiterates the same key elements: Panthers are magnificent apparitions and they live peacefully in their tribes until humans’ lust for power and control threatens not only their lifestyle, but their very existence.

With President Gaetani’s death, New America plunges into chaos. The balance between the two species she struggled so hard to preserve can no longer be taken for granted. On the contrary, extremists emerge on both sides: the Human Liberation Front (HLF) and the Pure Humanity Order (PHO) gain more and more adepts whereas tough Panthers use atrocious killings to ensure the victory of the strongest species. Apart from them, an even more dangerous enemy comes to light. The Neo Spartans rely on advanced cybernetics and biotechnology to make a move against Panthers and gain access to Helios 2, the nuclear-powered laser canon in space used by New America for global dominance. Among all these players, Tanya Gray is true to her words: “Fortune always favors the bold”. She is caught up in a twirling up-and-down adventure to save her family and her tribe and to protect the world from a new catastrophic failure.

With an alert and gripping storyline, the novel also excels in a large number of characters ranging from innocent victims of cruelty and terror to representatives of the high echelons of power. Moreover, there are detailed explanations about what happened to some of the characters in the first novel of the series for those who have read it to fill in the missing data. At times, these explanations were obsessively repeated and became rather tiresome especially since the second book of the series is a good independent read.

Last but not least, David Crane shows talent in portraying the image of the Other impersonated by Tanya and her fellow Panthers who are time and again subjected to prejudice and racial hatred; this is also the reason why Panther tribes do everything they can not to share the fate of the Native Americans who were violently forced from their lands and placed onto reservations. Besides, with all major religions gone, a Neo-Paganism takes hold and fathers numerous cults praising the forces of nature. In addition, the author makes pertinent mythological references with Tanya fighting the Hunter Weed feeling like the almighty Hercules confronting the deadly Hydra or the American eagle rising from the ashes like the legendary Phoenix.

Since there are only a few minor typos, I find the editing more than satisfactory. Due to both plot and character complexity, I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars. Nevertheless, I have to strongly warn sensitive readers that the novel has its amount of blood and gore scenes. Some may find them far too shocking and off-putting although I could understand their role in the narrative since it is after all a post-apocalyptic novel based on the survival of the strongest.

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Makers of Destiny
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prettysmart · Post by **prettysmart** » 05 Mar 2018, 13:53

I love fictional novels with Armageddon and apocalypse scenarios....stimulating review!

Mfv · Post by **Mfv** » 05 Mar 2018, 13:57

This seems like a very interesting book... thank you for your review! I might just check out the book sometime.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 05 Mar 2018, 14:24

Interesting. I read the first one, and although I thought the writing was good, I just didn't find it extremely unique or new. Of course, it always amazes me how different people can experience different things while reading the same book. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

Sahani Nimandra · Post by **Sahani Nimandra** » 05 Mar 2018, 20:15

The plot seem very fascinating and what is even better is that it is a independent book of its series. Very engaging and the writing style seem good. I think I will try this! Thanks!

uchebest24 · Post by **uchebest24** » 06 Mar 2018, 01:40

I like the novel because of Tanya a brave character frghting for his people nice Review

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 02:45

prettysmart wrote: ↑05 Mar 2018, 13:53 I love fictional novels with Armageddon and apocalypse scenarios....stimulating review!

Thank you. If you love (post)apocalyptic novels, then David Crane's series could be a good choice for you.

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 02:55

kandscreeley wrote: ↑05 Mar 2018, 14:24 Interesting. I read the first one, and although I thought the writing was good, I just didn't find it extremely unique or new. Of course, it always amazes me how different people can experience different things while reading the same book. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

We normally read the first book in a series and then we are anxious to see what happens next. In this case, I haven't read the first one, but while I was reading the second I kept wondering what the first one is like. From what you say, I think maybe the writer's style got better with the second novel. Sometimes it happens like this. For example, I think J.K. Rowling developed her plots and her characters to a higher level from one novel to the other in Harry Potter. It could be just a question of getting more relaxed and allowing your imagination to run wildly. I think David Crane is a good storyteller. I could sense it here and there in the text. He may need to let the reins loose from time to time and trust his own talent. I have this feeling he is afraid of losing control of his narrative and that's why there may be syncopes.

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 02:56

Mfv wrote: ↑05 Mar 2018, 13:57 This seems like a very interesting book... thank you for your review! I might just check out the book sometime.

I am glad you found it interesting. Thank you.

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 02:59

Sahani Nimandra wrote: ↑05 Mar 2018, 20:15 The plot seem very fascinating and what is even better is that it is a independent book of its series. Very engaging and the writing style seem good. I think I will try this! Thanks!

You're right. The plot is indeed multilayered and at times surprising. It could be read independently, but if you are curious you can start with the first book of the series and then move on to this one. Thank you!

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 03:05

uchebest24 wrote: ↑06 Mar 2018, 01:40 I like the novel because of Tanya a brave character frghting for his people nice Review

True. Although Tanya is an ordinary girl in the first novel of the series, she later becomes a Panther, an exceptionally endowed creature fighting not only to protect her family and her own kind, but for a better world on the whole. She could be the hidden hero in every one of us because we don't know how we would react in extraordinary circumstances.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 06 Mar 2018, 08:16

cristinaro wrote: ↑06 Mar 2018, 02:55
kandscreeley wrote: ↑05 Mar 2018, 14:24 Interesting. I read the first one, and although I thought the writing was good, I just didn't find it extremely unique or new. Of course, it always amazes me how different people can experience different things while reading the same book. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
We normally read the first book in a series and then we are anxious to see what happens next. In this case, I haven't read the first one, but while I was reading the second I kept wondering what the first one is like. From what you say, I think maybe the writer's style got better with the second novel. Sometimes it happens like this. For example, I think J.K. Rowling developed her plots and her characters to a higher level from one novel to the other in Harry Potter. It could be just a question of getting more relaxed and allowing your imagination to run wildly. I think David Crane is a good storyteller. I could sense it here and there in the text. He may need to let the reins loose from time to time and trust his own talent. I have this feeling he is afraid of losing control of his narrative and that's why there may be syncopes.

You make a good point. It would be interesting to read this one and see how it compares to the first. Like I said, I could tell he was a good writer. Maybe it just seemed like he played it safe in the first book? Didn't want to take a whole lot of risks?

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 06 Mar 2018, 08:57

Yes, something like this. He writes a whole lot better when he is no longer stressed to explain everything and set everything right and provide background information, etc. At least this was my impression. I don't know about the first novel, but in the second he has these moments when he develops more on what he brings new to the genre. You were mentioning the lack of uniqueness in the one you read. Maybe he understood that following the same old path is not the answer. Focusing on the things where he can innovate is the answer. Thanks for reading! I apologize for writing too much. I'm talking a lot too. I've been teaching for some years now and I simply can't help it. I'm driving my family crazy too.