THE SHORT OF IT:
A star-spanning theocracy hounds two sisters to the limits of space in this story of consequences, religious terror, and persistence against repression. Within this reality, endurance becomes the measure of humanity. But is there any point to the struggle? For out in the black, a hell of crushed dreams stalks victor and victim alike. Only a stout and loving heart can withstand its evil influence.
THE LONG OF IT:
A star-spanning dictatorial theocracy hounds two sisters to the limits of space in this story of consequences, religious terror, and persistence against repression. Miranda St. Billiart is one of those sisters, a former soldier of the Community of God who once made her living staking, burning, and crucifying the enemies of the religious state. The other sister, twin to Miranda, is Ilyanya St. Apolinaris Ravenna Hunt, a former inquisitor of Church, now a traitor to its authoritarian Reverend Mother. These two women, once enforcers for the theocracy, now fight against it for the betterment of mankind. Together, and allied with the rebel monks who have fomented schism within the Community of God, Miranda and Ilyanya have bloodied the all-powerful government. They’ve destroyed or crippled several government battle cruisers, have wrecked the holy Bastion ship of the Church, and have brought violent justice to the Reverend Mother herself, leaving her frozen body floating dead in space.
But now, a new Reverend Mother seeks vengeance for those sins; she has dispatched the whole of the Community fleet to track down and destroy the heretics. Within this grim reality, endurance becomes the measure of humanity. But is there any point to the struggle? For out in the black, a mysterious hell stalks victor and vanquished alike. This thing, this destroyer, devours crushed dreams and spits them back at humanity with spite. Only a stout and loving heart can withstand its evil influence.
A Light in the Black is the sequel to Stephan Michael Loy's allegory against theocracy, Shining Star. Together, they dramatize the adage that only faith, hope, and love matter in the world, and the strongest of those is love.
Space Fantasy - Mild Language - Action/fantasy violence - Scenes of Graphic Torture