The Visitor by Sheri S. Tepper - SF - SFBookcase.com - Reference of Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels/Authors.

Series: Misc
Genre: SF
ISBN: 0380979055
Pages: 416 pages
Publisher: Morrow,William & Co
Price: $25.95
Reader Rating: Not rated

The Visitor by Sheri S. Tepper

Description: When an asteroid crashed into the Earth hundreds of years ago in the twenty-first century, much of what was considered civilization was obliterated. The "magic" that once was America died horribly, along with most of the planet's inhabitants. But a wasted world is coming back alive - despite the tyranny and cruel punishments that the repressive ruling order inflicts daily on a greatly reduced populace.

Dismé Latimer's entire family was lost forever, though not as a result of global cataclysm. Rather, much more recent and mysterious circumstances made Dismé an orphan, leaving the gentle, troubled young woman at the mercy of a cruel stepmother, an abusive stepfather ... and a book.

A sacred, unsettling tome written by an ancestor - the courageous scientist Nell Latimer, who left a husband and family behind in her attempt to salvage something of the post-catastrophe world - Dismé's book contains disturbing ideas and revelations that are compelling a shy youth to take bold and dangerous action. but common "wisdom" and lore warn of malevolent entities out in the world, and advise would-be adventurers to stay where they are. Yet other myths suggest that the selfless band of planet-repairing scientists - including Dismé's brave forebear - have somehow, miraculously, survived to this day. And Dismé Latimer will uncover the truth and reclaim the lost world, whatever and wherever it might be.

And far away, in the depths of the Earth, a gargantuan beast has roused itself after centuries of slumber. And it has begun to stir...