The Dream Compass

First in the Merquan Chronicles, a science fiction adventure of a revolt against tyranny in a postapocalyptic world from “a writer to watch closely” (Roger Zelazny).
 
Earth has been devastated in a long-forgotten conflict. From the ashes of myriad nations and civilizations rose a martial state under the reign of a merciless dictator. Despite ruling most of the planet, the Monitor will not permit any competing population to threaten his realm. To ensure his empire, he plans to unleash a weapon of mass destruction with the potential to destroy the world he so desperately wishes to subjugate under his dominion.
 
But there are those unwilling to bow before the Monitor: Anton Takk, a labor-camp escapee driven by dark secrets; Rosenthal Webb, an aging revolutionary hiding deep within a mountain, waiting for the right time to return; Tha’Enton, a glory seeking warrior and musician; and Pec-Pec, clever magician, Rasta mystic, and master manipulator. In their fight for their individual freedoms, they will inspire a revolution that will save the world.
 
Author Jeff Bredenberg “writes sustained action sequences which twist like mating serpents; his themes are important ones; and his voice is different from anyone else’s in the business” (Roger Zelazny).

Jeff Bredenberg spent the first two decades of his publishing career working for newspapers, primarily writing and editing in Chicago, Denver, St. Louis, and four other cities. He published three science fiction novels—The Dream Compass, The Dream Vessel, and The Man in the Moon Must Die—plus several short stories in magazines and anthologies.

In his “day job,” Bredenberg was an independent writer and editor specializing in how-to and health topics. He wrote, edited, or contributed to more than twenty-five books. He was a frequent contributor to home-oriented magazines, as well. Bredenberg made frequent media appearances, including spots on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Rachael Ray Show, and the CBS Early Show. Bredenberg lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and two sons.

Jeff Bredenberg died on March 2, 2010, of glioblastoma, a brain tumor. He was fifty-six. Learn more about Jeff at jeffbredenberg.com and howtocheatbooks.com.