Sentience

 Unknown to all but a few, the planet Topirakh has evolved under the influence of extraterrestrials. Some are there for the benefit of the planet; others for their own interests, regardless of the costs to the planet's environment or populous. After a pandemic eliminates a third of its population, the United States survives under the "e;wild-west"e; laws of a bygone era. Entire nations have destabilized, some have crumbled. The balance between good and evil boggles.Two nomads, one with an eye to the future, the other running from the past, are enlisted by one faction of other worldly beings to save their world from future disaster. Seemingly unlikely candidates, Marvél Komachs and Diane (Wednesday) Knight are recruited by an enigmatic shaman. Given only a few extraordinary tools they bravely stand up to the threats of a foe willing to go to any lengths to accomplish their desires. But being only human (at least one of them), they make mistakes, survive dire consequences, then plod ahead with explosive determination. Along the way they learn that there is no such a thing as Mere Coincidence nor is the quality of Sentience all that it is cracked up to be.Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina two gruesome murders have shaken the town of Brown Mountain. Frank Service, Marvél's best friend, is arrested for the crimes. Hoping to prove his innocence, Marvél and Wednesday face a diabolical foe but there is wild card in the deck that poses an equal threat. 300 pages.