Synopsis: By the end of the fifth millennium AD, the homunculi created by the human species - clones, cross-breeds, fighting-machines and artificial intelligences of all descriptions - outnumbered humanity by more than thirteen to one.

• A Review by Stuart Gutteridge
• A Review by John Seavey

A Review by Stuart Gutteridge 4/6/03

Continuing where Sabbath Dei left off, In The Year Of The Cat is much more of a dialogue-lead audio than an all out action piece. However there is much to commend here, such as Justine`s showdown with the homunculus and the results of which that bring Lolita back to the centre of the action at the tale`s conclusion. In their own way, the Faction Paradox tales are developing into almost something of a soap opera and it will be interesting to see how long it can be sustained.

A Review by John Seavey 23/5/04

Pretty much wraps up the major plot points from Sabbath Dei and more fully explains Lolita's motivations, while setting up a new status quo for Justine and Eliza as they continue in their efforts to try to stop her. Except, of course, that like the previous three chapters, it ends on a cliffhanger... Loads of fun to be had here with Peking Homonculi -- although I don't think they're anything like Mr. Sin from Talons, and they don't recapture the feel of the character they were based on at all well, Lawrence's versions are excellent in their own right, filled with apologies for being forced to dispatch their opponents, and willing to congratulate their enemies for striking excellent blows against them. It's funny, in a twisted way. Come to think of it, that sums up the Faction Paradox series quite well.