Savage Breed — L.A. Hudson

This fantasy novel could quite easily be reality. A genetically engineered species who look like humans is not too far fetched and probably a possibility in the future. Along with mutants from a nuclear war and species from other dimensions there is bound to be conflicts. Humans are caught in this holocaust and have to find a way to survive. The planet is in a bad situation and without the help of the reluctant Canidae will become a barren wasteland. Life has regressed to the dark ages but with the remembered skills and knowledge of the present day all differing breeds are making progress working together in this new era. You have to be strong willed and cunning to survive in this new vicious, lawless world. When the planet revolts with the eruption of volcano's and tsunami's. The upheaval and disarray lasted years.Earthquakes destroyed cities, oceans covered the land. Countries who thought they were being attacked retaliated adding to the confusion and disintegration of Governments. Not one country was left unscathed and as the chaos abated, death still came from diseases, hunger,thirst; and still the humans would kill each other. Not for their lands, or their religions, not for gold or precious jewels; they slaughtered man and beast for food, for good water, basic instincts for survival were foremost in the befuddled minds of the living. Now it was every man for himself, those few who survived. The technology was still remembered and maybe one day in the distant future it will be utilized again but after the initial shock and grief came anger and the need to justify their existence. In the years that followed, many humans and animals were born with disabilities from the nuclear fallout. If you were born too weak, you were left to die; benevolence and compassion for others barely existed. Gradually healthy babies were born and once again the people started to look for good land to settle on, banding together for protection, making their own laws, naming their own clans and tribes. The humans needed social company; they needed to know they were not alone in this frightening new world. New species evolved quickly in the aftermath, one of the most dangerous was the Canidae. They too banded together, forming their own communities. They were feared more than the strange, dangerous animals that evolved during the great upheaval. I think it may have something to do with their genetics but the species bred more males than females and they were full-blooded creatures who needed women. Sometimes the women could be bartered for; mostly they were stolen girls, young and fresh, able to breed. These women either integrated into their way of living and gave them children or they were used and killed. In this era that's the way it is. What would have been unacceptable years ago is now accepted as the norm. This species of men was scornfully named the Canidae by the humans but they took pride in the name and relished the fear it brought. The Canidae were physically human in all but their abnormal strength and senses. Their complete lack of empathy and tolerance towards those less fortunate was now a trait of nearly every human being in this new world. In the north west corner of Wyoming was the Yellowstone Caldera, known as the Yellowstone super volcano. After this erupted, a colossal jagged edifice appeared with a square hole running through it. The onlooker would see a mirage of cold refreshing ice but the reality was searing hot death to anyone foolish enough to touch it. This square hole has to be filled with a diamond, the heart of Earth or Earth will disintegrate and implode. Someone has to be brave enough to do this? Young people and creatures from another dimension are trapped when the holocaust starts and have to live their lives among all the other species inhabiting earth. The sea dwelling Serhombi, the Canidae, the mutating Gapylloi and humans. A fast paced novel that will leave you wondering about the future of mankind.