“Thunder sighed, ‘That is beautiful. All life has a soul, but to live with love, too . . . that is the ultimate.'”
Uneek, as his name implies, is a one-of-a-kind being. Born in the Esoterica Nebula, “At birth, Uneek was simulated into a variable spark of energy, a star-like being. In some ways, he was like a super-intelligent humanoid inside a luminescent body.” As Uneek’s vast intelligence grows, “His mind eventually developed into a flowing current of truth. He grew to know and understand the intricacies as well as the vastness of the perplexing universe with its natural laws.” Uneek is particularly drawn to “life on planet Earth and the turbulent history of its formation.” Earthlings both fascinate and dismay him. Their evolution is far behind what it should have been, and they are fast destroying their planet. Having studied the Milky Way and Earth’s history, Uneek is well-suited for his first mission—travel to Earth and “ascertain and assess the problems facing Earthlings in their spiritual evolution and technological progression.”
Uneek is eager to enjoy his journey through the vastness and beauty of space. He knows that the Milky Way and Earth are filled with hostile forces and that their number and activities have increased. A dream along his journey reveals to Uneek that Earth is now “a world being destroyed by dominance, carelessness, ignorance, greed, and neglect.” He visits Crossroads, a large, bustling hub which “served as a meeting place to conduct galactic commerce, to share and obtain higher learning, and to deal with interstellar socio-political affairs.” Hoping to find information and assistance to help him on his mission, he visits The Learning Center, where he wanders into an amphitheater and is suddenly transported to a celestial realm, where he learns of Earth’s dire state. The Celestial Council of Life reveals that Dark forces seeking to exploit Earth’s resources have infiltrated the minds of many humans, leaving them enslaved to their evil agenda. Uneek continues his journey to Earth, where he meets Thunder, a prehistoric apatosaurus who has been trapped in a time warp for 66 million years. They develop an unlikely friendship as Uneek is determined to save Earth and return Thunder to his prehistoric home and family.
Omerzu’s novel is a wonderful addition to the science fiction fantasy genre. With its star-like main character who journeys through the universe and its philosophical musings about the nature of humanity, it is reminiscent of Antoine de Sainte-Exupéry’s classic, The Little Prince. At its heart, the novel is about friendship and self-discovery. Uneek and Thunder journey to the western United States in hopes of returning Thunder home. They develop a deep friendship as they encounter many interesting beings who share their knowledge and perspective with the two. The author uses this story of Uneek and Thunder’s journey to reveal themes such as good vs evil, perseverance in the face of difficulty, and the importance of friendship. She also adeptly educates her readers about Earth’s geographical and evolutionary history through Uneek’s quest for knowledge and the fireside chats he has with Thunder. It is a fascinating educational experience that makes learning a fun adventure.
As Omerzu is a visual artist as well as a writer, she includes her own illustrations to enhance the text. These depictions are wonderful additions and are as mesmerizing as the text they accompany. Many readers will find themselves revisiting these visual marvels. The author creates worlds and characters through descriptive and imaginative language and vivid images. Her blend of story, art, education, and commentary hits just the right balance for an intriguing read. This is a wonderful romp through the galaxies.
