August 1, 2004
In the not-so-distant future Richards envisions, women warriors guard their peaceful, self-sustaining California enclave, hunting, planting, harvesting, and keeping watch over the men and boys essential to survival after most males perished along with electric power and fossil-fuel-driven engines. When Dian and her pregnant sister, Judith, discover two strange wagons headed their way, they are suspicious and, when they recall a single, armed wagon's devastation on a settlement called the Smithy village only a year ago, frightened. With men, children, and elders safely hidden in a cave, however, the visitors are carefully welcomed in a well-guarded, open area. They hail from southern Oregon, 300 miles away, and bring valuable gifts: Isaac, a grown man, and his small son. They wish to join forces with the Californians to escape the waterborne, irradiated contaminants let loose by an aggressive group led by one Queen Bess. This sets in motion an engaging adventure in which Dian must make a hazardous journey to investigate the northern dangers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)