In a nightmare, post-holocaust Russia, a new dictator has arisen: Solntse, 'The Sun'.

Amid the ruined cities left behind after a devastating nuclear war, he sets out to create a grim 'Utopia' based on the principles of Plato's republic.

Humanity is divided into sub-race and super-race - and, among the latter, the elite are the Guardians or Opyekuni, an intellectual and physical master race who rule with a fist of iron.

Separated from their parents at birth, the Opyekuni are brought up in special institutes separated from the real world, where they are indoctrinated to believe in Solntse's Utopia.

But Sifte, the young Opyekun girl being raised in Institute 1, knows she is different.

In this compulsively-readable novel, Bryant follows Sifte's gradual awakening and growing horror as she realises how false the oppressive world she is being brought up in really is.

Eventually she escapes - paving the way for a showdown with Solntse in his palace in the City of the Sun.

The denouement is a little silly and overblown.

But until then Sifte's battle to preserve her individuality and her growing refusal to believe the propaganda she has been fed since birth make for a compulsive and thought-provoking read.

Da.

Updated: 11:35 Saturday, June 18, 2005