By Katherine Maria Scott (Virginia USA) - view all of my reviews
Drumwall is a captivating tale that thrusts an unsuspecting, confident priest into an alien world, where the fabric of his faith is challenged. It was just another assignment at an isolated colony on the planet Cumaron. The mining colony Olgatec sat behind the fortress the colonist call Drumwall; a fitting name for an edifice of cisterns. Father Andrew soon discovers that the assumption that the prior Priest Menlo met with unfortunate circumstance two years ago was in fact a mysterious disappearance that prompted the departure of the Protestant minister to a mental health facility and transfer requests for the remaining staff. The Mother Superior and her nuns were the only religious staff left; a fact that was not relayed to the Provincial.
Despite the assurances from the Colony Administer that the colony was safe, Father Andrew quickly becomes apprehensive in regards to a placement of a garrison and the colonist Dr. Reed, who did not consider the native people of Cumaron as equals. The neglectful treatment of a Mautlaut women and her demise during childbirth is the first death to plague the priest. His failure to protect the woman from a doctor filled with anger and hate influenced his endeavor to remain true to God, his faith, and his vows. Soon the Father makes it clear; he will not turn a blind eye to cruelty and is determined to finish the work Father Menlo began: translating the word of scripture to the Mautlaut language. A coincidental find of ancient writings allows Father Andrew to master the language of the Mautlaut quickly.
However, Father Andrew's undertakings were halted when a kindness he paid to a Mautlaut slave boy who was stolen from the rival Danon tribe offended the tribal Lord Banyon of the Mautlaut. Banyon was a man who acted in malice and vengeance without considering the consequences. Thus began Father Andrew's many trials and trepidations, while the guilt of many souls weighed heavily upon him. He experiences first hand the brutality of a pagan culture, yet finds kindness from those he would not have thought could posses such traits. He comes face to face with images of what he may become if he falters in his faith and often wonders if he can resist the temptations. His bewilderment of why he was allowed to live, forced to live, after enduring such pain and lost slowly fades as he realizes God has a plan. He and his visions were a necessary element to that plan. He stands firm in his beliefs while growing into a stronger man and realizes one man and his faith may change a world. This is a tale that was well written and will be liked by those interested in science fiction, particularly those who may ponder how religion will fit into the worlds of tomorrow.
© Katherine Maria Scott, Scott Writing & Com. Design
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