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Continuing on the theme of axioms from yesterday's Secant... there's certain things you never say. One of the most classic is "it can't get any worse" or any variation therein. Thus I look at TwoKinds and the bright and chipper tone of Flora as she lists off all the horrible things that they've gone through with each town they visit... and then Trace's response... and start looking for a bomb shelter because there's nukes on the horizon.

I must admit to being conflicted by TK. The blatant portrayal of the animalistic Keidran as akin to the American Indians (to the point of there being a "thanksgiving" celebration, recently banned, as well as humanity being from overseas) got on my nerves. While it's tradition to steal from history and work it into fiction, I prefer it to be less obvious. But I'm also absolutely fascinated as I watch Trace's descent from the innocence brought about by amnesia. What we know of his past shows a truly evil individual, and he's walking step by step down that path once again.

I even wonder if the love he has found for Flora, of a species his considers inferior, can temper the darkness in his soul... or if it may end up fanning the flames and bring forth an even greater darkness. For man has done some of the greatest evil in the name of love. I may have some issues with plot from time to time, but TK is still a truly intriguing look into prejudice (some of it seemingly justified at that!) and love, and helps raise the question: if an evil man loses his identity, is he reborn? Or is he destined to walk in darkness once again?