The Visitor

When an asteroid crashed into Earth hundreds of years ago in the twenty-first century, much of civilisation was obliterated. All that remains of that time are some fragmented memories of science and life coloured by myth and superstition. But a wasted world is coming back alive, despite the tyranny and cruel punishments inflicted by the repressive ruling élite.

Dismé Latimer’s entire family is lost in mysterious circumstances, leaving the gentle, troubled young woman at the mercy of a cruel stepmother, an abusive stepsister… and a book.

Dismé’s book is a sacred, unsettling tome written by an ancestor, the courageous scientist Nell Latimer, who left a husband and family behind her in her attempt to salvage something of the post-catastrophe world. It contains disturbing ideas and revelations, though common “wisdom” warns of malevolent entities out in the world, and advises would-be adventurers to stay where they are.

Yet other myths suggest that the selfless band of planet-repairing scientists – including Disme’s brave forebear – have somehow, miraculously, survived until this day. Destiny, it seems, has chosen a most improbable defender to lead an imperilled planct out of the darkness.

But there is evil also, a malevolence beyond imagining. And far away, in the depths of the Earth, a gargantuan beast has roused itself after centurics of slumber. And it has begun to stir …