Author: G Lloyd Helm
Publisher: PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1-4137-7577-2
Pages: 355
Genre: Science Fiction
Date: Feb. 2006
Available at Amazon
“The Designer is like a weaver of tapestries… only his weaving is the world and all that is in it.”
So begins Design by G. Lloyd Helm. A rich tale that follows a young man who questions all he has been brought up to believe in order to follow his heart?
And where does this young man, Indi Ransis follow his heart? He leaves his “life well planned” in order to study under the cult of Design, a religious sect located far from home and whose followers are shunned. Under the tutelage of an elder Design master, Indi changes his name to Javi Holis (to honor the man who inspired him) and happens upon the mysterious symbols/designs known as the Dark Mandala. It is through the intricacies hidden within the Mandalas and his own mind that the true power of the Design is revealed to him.
The first five chapters of Design succeed where others sometimes fail. Javi’s faith is strong and it becomes clear to the reader early on that Javi’s choice to follow his heart and his mind will eventually lead to a destiny greater than himself. This is what keeps the reader turning the pages.
The story of Javi is not without its antagonists. These come in the form of the black ships of the new gods when Javi is forty-two years old. Descending from the heavens these “new gods” wreak havoc on Javi’s world and enslave his brethren. Upon learning of the plight that has befallen the city of Javi’s birth he returns, armed with the powers of the Dark Mandalas. Reunited with his brother, Javi studies the “new gods” from afar and realizes that to truly resist their ways he must convince the Design elders to release the Mandala designs to his care.
Who are these “new gods” that threaten Javi’s homeworld? And does the power within the Mandalas hold the key to its salvation? It is these questions which are surely to push the reader past the fifth chapter in order to find the answer. Mr. Helm managed to hold this reviewer’s attention enough to ensure that the entire book will be read.
Copyright 2009, Absent Willow Publishing, LLC
Comments on this entry are closed.