Things get weirder.
When we last encountered Lewis and Clark's expedition, they had their first encounter with the 'monsters' they were warned about.
With elements from various sci-fi franchises, it distinguishes itself with how it reveals the supernatural shades, peeling one layer after another.
Dingess focuses more on advancing the plot than the characters, but there are good moments spread throughout. But one thing that has taken a massive turn is the gore. People die here.
This is a mature book and has adult language as well. There is a tonal shift but it works because the plot moves fast here and we are given the new status quo very quickly.
But the detailed artwork by Roberts and co remains crisp and solid. Whether showing the changing moods of the group to the mythical creatures, Roberts outdoes himself.
SPOILERS FOLLOW...............................
We get a very detailed (and disturbing) description of the dissection of the bull centaur. Lewis and Clark are at a loss to classify the creature while Clark deals with a panicky crew.
The medical notes from Lewis' journal are well written and nicely foot-note the images. One of the major points is that the huge beast, as Lewis tells Clark, is still a young one and the adults must be bigger.
Elsewhere, Clark tells the crew that they had agreed to the exploration's terms, including it's fauna. He's no-nonsense and strong-willed, and motivates his crew very well. There's a soft side as well as we see later on.
La Charette is finally reached after exhaustive travel. The crew are still afraid, but all concerns are put aside when they spy a beautiful naked female human-like being on top of a cliff. Lewis is utterly captivated while Clark remains wary.
Suddenly, the being drops down the cliff and this causes a rush among the crew. Searching for her, they find a patch of moss looking like a human being, causing Clark to grow more concerned.
As they continue to the fort, Clark tells Lewis that the creature dropped on her own (also recalling what they did to the Indians in Ohio). Clark comes across as tormented here and it seems he is still fighting a guilt complex.
Coming close to the fort, they are suddenly attacked by the bull centaurs and a soldier is the first casualty (and rather graphically at that). The crew scatters and hides among the foliage and trees, avoiding the creatures and reaching the fort. But Seargent Karp is too late and despite keeping the fort door open, he is taken by the creatures.
Posting guards at the entrance, Clark and the rest hear Karp's bones cracking and his pleas of rescue throughout the day. Lewis spies someone in the church and they go to investigate.
Going inside, they find strange looking statues behind the pulpit and coming closer, they find moss covered people!
SPOILERS END............................
Upping both the supernatural elements and the gore, Dingess progresses the plot quickly and while the artwork doesn't suffer, it seems he's doing too much right now.
There is an intriguing air to the story though and makes you want to know more about this strange place of plant people and bull centaurs.
So, I give it 8.0 out of 10
+The mystery is done well
+Some nice character moments
+Brilliantly done artwork
-Too much is done too fast
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