Santa Olivia

SANTA OLIVIA
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Copyright May 2009
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-446=19817-2
Paperback $13.99
341 pages
Fiction, Science Fiction
Santa Olivia is a place between the United States and Mexico that neither government wants to claim. The people who make this town their home are not allowed to leave and the U.S. Army decides their daily freedoms. These are people who originally came to this town to avoid a plague, but somehow were not allowed to recoup their lives, but to establish a new life with very restricting rules in this small community.
Apparently during the time of the plague, the U.S. Army was also experimenting with creating the ideally genetically-modified soldier. These men were created to have no fear and physically were stronger, faster with longer times of endurance, enhanced senses, and not emotionally involved when in a battle situation. Because of this, they were considered to be a type of werewolf.
This is the story of Loup Garron, who was born on the day of celebration in remembrance of Santa Olivia, actually in front of the statue. Loup’s father had been one of these genetically altered beings, even though her mother was completely a normal human.
Loup’s father and half-brother were also involved in the major entertainment for the community which was occasional boxing matches between the locals and the champions from the army. The agreement was that if anyone could beat the army fighter, they could leave Santa Olivia along with one other person. So far, no one had achieved this dream.
When Loup’s mother dies, her older brother has to give Loup to the church to live with the orphans. A priest and two sisters are responsible now for this small, but loyal group, who develop a true appreciation of each other’s natural gifts.
SANTA OLIVIA is an outstanding and unusual tale of the town and how Loup decides to use her natural gifts for others.
Jacqueline Carey currently lives in Michigan. She has won numerous awards for her books in the Kushiel Legacy series.
Personally, I would not place this book in science fiction, but general fiction. The idea of genetically-altered soldiers, I don’t believe is that far-fetched and not fantasy. I would find it harder to believe that our military was not looking into some way of enhancing a soldier’s genetic code.
I was delighted to have the opportunity to review this page-turner. I also am hoping that there will be more books following the life of Loup Garron.
　
By: Teri Davis July 15, 2009
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