Setting of a Cruel Sun

The threat of the Darkwing to destroy the sun hangs heavy in Gibbons’ finale to the ‘Lost Souls Stories’ bringing an oppressive sense of urgency to Cusha and Vishta, the Holy Children, who must save the world. Over-arching themes of attaining personal freedom for the Helati slaves and the despotism of the Hotec-Ra are familiar territory for Gibbons, but are here given a new context in this fantasy setting. The ideas in the novel often outweigh their execution, proof that laudable aims and ethical considerations do not alone make for a wholly convincing fantasy. Use of Indo-Assyric traditions gives a fresh range of influences that underpin Gibbons’ fantasy world, however, there feels to be a cautious reticence and an under-confidence in the narrative drive. Despite this, Setting of a Cruel Sun is an important addition to the children’s fantasy oeuvre, opening the doors, as it does, to the widening of influences of the form away from the Occident.