"A dark,sinister tomorrow awaits...."

Three young people have dreams of a doomed, distant future. In the case of Ginny and Jack, they are transported to Kalpa without warning, leaving their bodies behind while carrying their consciousness forward, into the minds of two Kalpa residents.

Ginny and Jack take up "residence" in a wannabe warrior named Jebrassy and Tiadlba, an inquisitive explorer. Having been genetically retro-engineered to possess qualities of ancient humanity, these two Kalpasians are receptive for such an exchange.

Not as fortunate as Ginny and Jack, the third youth, Daniel, only dreams of empty darkness. But there are more than dreams that link these three characters; they are also fate-shifters, born with the ability to skip like stones across the surface of the fifth dimension, inhabiting alternative versions of themselves.

Also, each of the three youths guards an object whose origin and purpose is unknown. Called "sum-runners", these objects have remained unchanged through all versions of time.

Drawn into a mission to rescue the future, Ginny, Jack and Daniel must protect the sum-runners from a terrifying goddess-like entity known as the Chalk Princess. Along with her fate-shifting minions, the princess wants to possess the artifacts and the power they represent.

With two Hugos and five Nebulas to his credit already, Greg Bear has carved a niche for himself in the science fiction genre. The accomplished writer's ability to combine strong characterization and riveting plots with bold scientific speculation has earned a place for his fiction on best sellers lists throughout the world. Bear's in top form in this latest novel, so if you are a sci-fi fan you won't want to miss "The City at the End of Time"!

Reviewed by Bob Walch
Posted October 10, 2009