The term “speculative fiction” might fit Kathryn Mackel’s Birthright Project better than any other series. Certainly Trackers, this month’s CSFF Blog Tour feature, lives up to that name.

If you visit Mackel’s site, the Birthright Project page opens with the question, “What if we finally went too far?” This is quickly followed by another “what if.” Those questions are the perfect groundwork for this science fantasy with a spiritual warfare twist.

“Science” because the story is set in this world at some future time when society has ravaged nature through endless war and through hybrid experimentation. By the way, with the advent of cloning, the kind of experimentation Mackel imagines does not seem so very far-fetched.

“Fantasy” because the endless wars have stripped the world of technology that makes life easier or comfortable, plunging civilization back into a primative Dark Ages and giving the story a medieval feel.

“Spiritual warfare” because the experimentations with nature have opened up the world to more overt demonic involvement, and this spiritual force is the one that must ultimately be confronted.

On Wednesday, I’ll be doing a complete review of Trackers at A Christian Worldview of Fiction. For now, suffice it to say, I enjoyed the book so much, I will eagerly look for Outriders, the first in the series, and would encourage others to start there as well. This recommentaion from someone not drawn to science fiction nor to spiritual warfare stories. Mackel simply lured me in, captivated me by her interesting world and intriguing characters.

If you’re interested in learning more about Mackel and her writing, I suggest you stop by Beth Goddard’s blog to read her interview with the author.

Other bloggers participating in the tour include