The Gods and their Machines

by Oisín McGann

Two worlds. Two different lives. Divided by hate and violence. Thrown together by chance. Chamus's nightmare begins when he survives a massacre. Suicide-bombers from neighbouring Bartokhrin are terrorising his country, Altima. How do you fight someone who isn't afraid of death? Across the border, Riadni is no ordinary Bartokhrin girl; she dresses like a boy, fights like a boy, spits and rides her horse like a boy. When the Hadram Cassal set up camp on her father's land, she is drawn to these rebels who are prepared to fight -- and to die -- for their homeland. A crash-landing in Bartokhrin territory forces Chamus and Riadni together and they find themselves on the run, hunted by killers. Danger and death are closing in on them from all sides.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Novels, Fantasy

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Born in Dublin in 1973, Oisín spent his childhood there and in Drogheda, County Louth. He started writing and illustrating stories in copybooks when he was about six or seven, setting himself on a path that would steer him well clear of ever obtaining of a proper job.

Despite his writing habit, he spent most of school convinced he was going to become a zoologist, an aspiration he lost after taking his first art exam in third year at St. Olivers Community College. Unable to conceive of a way to make a living from writing fiction after his Leaving Cert., he decided to fund his dreams of being an author by working as an illustrator. He signed up for a design and print foundation course in Ballyfermot Senior College, Dublin, in 1990 and then studied animation at Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design.

In 1992 he dropped out of college to set himself up as a freelance illustrator/artist, serving the publishing and design industries. In 1997, he took up a position as Background Layout Designer for Fred Wolf films, working on the animated series of Zorro. After completing his contract, he decided to expand his horizons and left for London in February 1998 to seek his fortune. He found gainful employment as a security guard, watching over trains and then hospitals.

In January 1999, he joined the M&M Consultancy, a small advertising and design firm, as art director and soon expanded into copy writing. After three and a half years of working in advertising he became increasingly concerned for his immortal soul. He returned to Ireland in the summer of 2002 much as he had left – with no job, no home and some meagre savings. He set himself up as a freelance illustrator once more, before getting his first books published in 2003.

Oisin now works full-time as a writer and illustrator. He lives somewhere in the Irish countryside, where he won’t be heard shouting at his computer.

Reviews

[Chris Bissette · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best thing about this book, by far, is the title. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters, and as a result I didn't care about anything else. The politics of the war were far too simplistic, everybody was incredibly two-dimensional, and everything that happened felt like an attempt by the author to keep the story moving rather than a natural unfolding of the action. The exploration of racism/cultural prejudice was obvious and heavy-handed, and to add insult to injury the writing is pedestrian at best. I also have no idea why McGann chose to run the chapter numbers in reverse, as it adds nothing to the story but more confusion.

Not recommended.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

The neighboring lands of Altima and Bartokhrin have been at odds for generations. The small, technologically advanced Altimans have occupied parts of their larger, pre-industrial neighbor, devastating the Bartokhrin’s resources regardless of ecological consequences, and punishing dissent ruthlessly. After Chamus, the teenage son of a defense contractor, survives a suicide bomber’s massacre of his fellow air cadets, he crashes in Bartokhrin while on a training mission. He’s found by Riadni, a mutinous tomboy who defied her father to train at a camp of Hadram Cassal terrorists. When Riadni refuses to allow the terrorists to execute Chamus, the teenagers find themselves on the run, hunted by killers. "The Gods and Their Machines" is an allegory for the vicious cycle of 21st century terrorism. Altima and Bartokhrin may symbolize Israel and Palestine, or England and the author’s native Ireland, but each land holds ugly stereotypes of the other, some merited. The author shows how generally false stereotypes and miscommunication lead to the unrelenting hatred and retaliatory violence that divide these two nations. He further shows that wickedness exists on both sides. Stereotypes aren't born in a vacuum; they inevitably have some basis to them. The novel’s effectiveness relies on the choices made by the two teenagers, thrown together in a life or death situation, who begin by loathing each other, but are capable of recognizing each other’s merits, and work together to prevent a catastrophe. Their cooperation gives the reader hope for their future.

[Melvyn Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethnic conflict, the demonisation of one's enemies, the hopelessness of internecine warfare are the themes of this story, told from the perspectives of teenagers on both sides of the divide. The most obvious analogy is Israel/Palestine but it could represent so many other situations. I'm glad I read it, and waded through some of the clunkiness and repetition to hear its message. I've not read anything else by this author - I hope he has a better editor on his team now.

[Mick Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was an interesting way to look at war and conflict from a kid's perspective. The "us versus them" is set in an alternate world, but it manages to feel very real (if also slightly tinted by Star Wars - maybe it's the cover, maybe it's just me...)

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out great, but as you go more and more into it, it grows darker, and you have a wierd sense of de ja vu.

[Landon · Rating 2 out of 5]

\