Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing
Review: The line "What if you discovered you're not who you think you are?" can range from the angst of an adoption story to the massive deceptions of "The Matrix."This particular story, once published in Cyberteens, is a science fiction tale of a pair of teens on the world of Cyberion. One of them, Orion, is haunted by sinister, disturbing dreams, in which a brilliant light is being shone down and parents are unable to hear cries for help... Orion and Maya soon discover strange artifacts buried inside a cave. What are they? What does this mean to them? They are not normal archaeological finds, as they portend a massive and disturbing discovery for the kids.... This is a nice SF read, which poses some absorbing questions as the plotm goes along. Writing is evocative and descriptive, especially for descriptions of landscapes and surroundings. All is suitably otherworldly without being bizarrely so. Atmosphere is handed EXTREMELY well in this novel; the beginning dream, with its aura of loneliness and powerlessness, is enough to send chills down the spine. Another scene I found immensely powerful was the "quest" in the desert, when Maya encounters a dead friend of hers. Richner's use of language effectively makes the reader see and feel these events. Occasionally the pace becomes uneven, though characterizations are strong and well-made. A very enjoyable SF novel! Very recommended.
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