How can I 'go home' when I have no memories of that place at all?' With her health deteriorating, how will she summon the courage and strength to stand her ground? And how far will she go in the pursuit of a dream?Įmbark with Elisa on this puzzling Gothic adventure set in the late Victorian era, between the world of the Living and the picturesque, melancholic Duskland. Trapped between the nuances of life and beyond-life, Elisa finds herself struggling for a better tomorrow. He robs her of almost everything she holds dear: her health, her wealth and what is left of her family. Her life becomes a dark, cold, lonely cage the day the devil takes her as his wife. Sometimes, life and love can follow the most obscure paths, just as they did for Elisa. The book is bound with 30+ pencil illustrations of ornaments, characters and objects and a unique layout.

Its writing experimental, mixing influences of cinema, genre fiction and comic books. As a speculative piece set in ancient times, it doesn’t.The Night of Elisa is a dark tale for adults.

However, Newland cultivates many creative story elements, and as a science fiction story, it totally works. Flying machines in ancient Egypt? Pyramids and obelisks built by aliens? For history fans, this disappoints. Language and mindsets are too modern in their references, making it difficult to reconcile the setting with its characters. Only Horque’s mother shows initiative to influence the plot, which comes at great cost to her.ĭespite its “speculative” classification, if the historical setting isn’t supported by strong research, the story’s not believable. This, consequently, removes opportunities for character growth. Threats are solved not by human effort but by mysterious forces telling people what to do or removing obstacles. At first, Akasha finds Horque odd and arrogant, but after the diving blessing, she’s insta-love crazy for him. Plot-wise, most progression happens due to divine intervention. People didn’t say “fire at will” things like chessboards and bridesmaids didn’t exist yet 3rd, 4th, and 18th Dynasty names are haphazardly mixed in the country wasn’t called Egypt (a Greek name), it was Kemet and Thebes (another Greek name) was called Waset. Unfortunately, the research is bare minimum with incorrect facts sprinkled throughout. Set in the Old Kingdom, The Genes of Isis is a speculative tale about the evolution of man to homo sapiens sapiens. Akasha is human, while Horque is a Solarii, aliens/“angels” in human form stranded on earth until an old curse can be made right. Their progeny will survive the flood and repopulate the earth.

However, when Akasha and Horque lock eyes for the first time, divine beings known as the Watchers bless the two as the last hope for humanity. A flood is coming, one capable of wiping out all life on earth.

The Night of Elisa by Isis Sousa