Sci-fi – Page 9 – My Good Reads

‘The Many Selves of Katherine North’ – Emma Geen

When we first meet Kit, she’s a fox.

Nineteen-year-old Kit works for the research department of Shen Corporation as a phenomenaut. She’s been “jumping”–projecting her consciousness, through a neurological interface–into the bodies of lab-grown animals made for the purpose of research for seven years, which is longer than anyone else at ShenCorp, and longer than any of the scientists thought possible. She experiences a multitude of other lives–fighting and fleeing as predator and prey, as mammal, bird, and reptile–in the hope that her work will help humans better understand the other species living alongside them.

Her closest friend is Buckley, her Neuro–the computer engineer who guides a phenomenaut through consciousness projection. His is the voice, therefore, that’s always in Kit’s head and is the thread of continuity that connects her to the human world when she’s an animal. But when ShenCorp’s mission takes a more commercial–and ominous–turn, Kit is no longer sure of her safety. Propelling the reader into the bodies of the other creatures that share our world, The Many Selves of Katherine North takes place in the near future but shows us a dazzling world far, far from the realm of our experience.

‘The Many Selves of Katherine North’ by Emma Geen is due for publication in early June 2016. The kinds of scientific advances that are focused on in this novel will, naturally, explore ethical considerations and this is quite a leap into the unknown.

There is just enough of reality to keep the reader engaged and able to see the plausibility of the set-up, but it is quite a leap of faith to accept the reactions of key characters.

There’s a lot of vocabulary linked to the procedure, and I did find myself wondering what was going on at a number of key moments. If I’m being honest, I never felt that connected to the character – possible because we are witness to her jumping in and out of animal bodies and, as such, she doesn’t seem to ever really know herself – and this did make it difficult to settle into the story in the way I hoped I would.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

‘The Last Star’ – Rick Yancey

Described by publishers as the final thrilling instalment in The 5th Wave series, but I was left feeling unsatisfied and found it quite a frustrating experience.

I’m so pleased that I had only recently read The Infinite Sea or it would have made even less sense to me.

In this novel, we are told that this is the final push to stop the Others ending humankind. While there were passages that I thought were really well written, and moments of real beauty, there was just so much that seemed to conflict with what had come before or that was simply confusing.

The survivors seemed to spend the novel playing a cat and mouse game that nobody really seemed to know the rules to. Random characters appeared, simply to develop the story, and this was so frustrating.

From some way off I had a feeling about what might happen. Full credit to Rick Yancey for not taking that option – which is where it is clearly signposted as heading – but the actual ending just didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s designed to offer a comment on humanity and our need to trust…but it just was not satisfying.

‘The Infinite Sea’ – Rick Yancey

The second book of The 5th Wave trilogy, and I have to say that I was expecting to see more of Cassie’s story. I was thrown a little by how much to the fore other characters were. The varying perspectives meant, at times, I felt it difficult to keep track of exactly what was happening and how everything linked. However, this doesn’t stop it from being a great read.

In spite of my personal desire to have certain elements given more importance, there was plenty of action to keep me reading.

Ringer was a character that I never felt we knew enough about in the first instalment, though I don’t think she was interesting enough to focus on her to the extent that we are forced to. Perhaps it’s part of a bigger plan, but I must admit to feeling somewhat uncertain about how certain characters fit into the grand scheme. The hints of what is to come do, however, make it sound like we’re in for an explosive finale. Now I just need to wait for my eldest son to finish the book before I can find out what will happen!

‘The Paladin Prophecy 1’ – Mark Frost

Will West has spent his life trying not to stand out. His parents have drummed it into him that he should live by the rules they have taught him. He must keep below the radar, not draw attention to himself and the rules must be followed – at all times.

Not knowing much more than this means you are a little unsure what’s going on initially. The opening of the novel starts with dramatic chases, mysterious alien-like characters and some seriously odd stuff. I couldn’t help but be sucked in, and found myself desperate to find out what Will would do.

Will ends up in a special place, a school that you have to be invited to. There’s all manner of odd things going on, and watching Will trying to work out who to trust and what’s going on makes for a thrilling read. When he uncovers a secretive plot involving a number of students in the school he has to rely on his own judgement.

The supernatural features heavily, and this did make me less convinced in places. We’re asked to accept a lot, without really being prepared for it or given a satisfactory explanation.

On the whole, this is an exciting idea and involves some great characters. I’m curious to see where Frost takes this next.

‘What’s Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles 1)’ – Kat Zhang

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

This is an intriguing idea, though I was not convinced from reviews I’d read that this would be a novel I’d find satisfying.

Initially I found the novel quite confusing. As a number of readers have commented, there’s a lack of detail to help explain why this world is as it is. However, there are some details given later on, and it’s strongly suggested that more answers will be given in part two of the series. On balance, this lack of detail doesn’t interfere with enjoyment of the story itself.

The creation of two distinct characters is handled well by Zhang. I felt deeply for both girls as they struggle to do something they’ve been brought up to believe is dangerous though it might bring them happiness. It doesn’t ruin the reading experience to know that there are some unscrupulous people who are running experiments on children like Addy, and that a lot of the novel is set in the clinic where these experiments are taking place.

Personally, I felt parts of the novel dragged but the pace picks up towards the end and brings us to a satisfying conclusion.

‘The Sudden Appearance of Hope’ – Claire North

Listen.
All the world forgets me. First my face, then my voice, then the consequences of my deeds.
So listen. Remember me.

My name is Hope Arden, and you won’t know who I am. We’ve met before – a thousand times. But I am the girl the world forgets.

It started when I was sixteen years old. A slow declining, an isolation, one piece at a time.

A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A teacher who forgets to chase my missing homework. A friend who looks straight through me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the people I hurt, the crimes I commit – you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life tricky. But it also makes me dangerous . . .

The Sudden Appearance of Hope is the tale of the girl no one remembers. But this gripping story – of love and loss, of hope and despair, of living in the moment and dying to leave a mark – is novel that will stay with you for ever.

From this I was expecting a very different story to the one we got; not bad, but it took me a while to adjust to what was happening.

Hope Arden is our narrator. We’re told that moments after meeting her, people forget her. This started when she was in school, and I got the impression some considerable time had elapsed since then, though this is never explicitly said.
Having realised that many of the things we take for granted are not an option for someone who is forgotten the moment they walk out of a room, Hope turns to criminal activity to survive. We meet her during a fairly audacious theft, and it’s clear that this time she has tangled with the wrong people.

Hope’s story is intertwined with what sounds like a very plausible, though terrifying, app called Perfection. This in itself could have made for a fascinating book, but it is intertwined cleverly with Hope’s story.

Throughout the novel I felt myself fascinated by the character of Hope and her relationships with some of the people that she meets time and time again. Though it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, this was an entertaining read.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Prey’ – Tom Isbell

In the start of a trilogy that seems perfectly suited to the big screen, ‘The Prey’ lands us in the Republic of the True America. Rumours abound of radiation sickness, Crazies and mutated animals that everyone is warned about. Sometimes, though, those closest to you are the ones to be most afraid of.

We are introduced to a number of characters, each with their own stories (some of which get developed). We meet Hope and Faith, twins on the run with their father. When he dies, he urges the girls to separate. What does he know that makes this the best choice? We meet Book, a studious boy who seems haunted by his past. There’s also Cat, a mysterious boy running from his own demons.

These characters end up together, where they hatch a daring plan to escape the danger from within the camps they are contained in.

If I’m being honest, this was full of exciting action though it had the sense of scenes written with an eye on movie rights being obtained. I liked the characters and there was enough focus on them developing to keep me engaged. My main gripe is that I cannot imagine that, having been through what they had endured during this book, they would willingly turn their backs on their chance of freedom in order to return from where they came in an attempt to rescue the others.

‘Red Queen’ – Victoria Aveyard

Published in early 2015, I am kicking myself that it has taken me so long to feel in the place to read this debut novel.

‘Red Queen’ is the story of seventeen-year-old Mare Barrow, a Red who is regarded as lesser than the ruling Silver elite simply because of the colour of her blood. Mare is a petty thief who, through some pretty powerful intervention, finds herself living in the Royal Palace. As a threat to the established order – because she has a talent like nothing that has been seen before – Mare is given a whole new persona and so begins a very dangerous game.

From the opening pages of this book I was gripped.

Throughout the book we are introduced to numerous characters and situations that were quite compelling. Mare’s relationship with Prince Cal was an obvious device on which key plot elements hinge…but as you’re reading it, it doesn’t matter. As the characters get caught up in the machinations of the Silvers and the desire of the rebellious Red Guard to overthrow the status quo, it’s hard not to get caught in the intensity of this novel.

Mare, along with a number of characters, is but a pawn in a much bigger game and this novel perfectly illustrates the adage of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

While I was desperate to finish this book, I was also quite upset at the realisation that there will never again be a first meeting with a new favourite.

‘The Sign of One’ – Eugene Lambert

With a tagline that makes it clear this is no easy world to live in, I was not sure what to expect of ‘The Sign of One’ when I received a pre-publication copy from NetGalley.

Due for release in April 2016, this novel tells the story of Kyle and the desperate world he lives in. The opening chapter was a little confusing, and I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I quickly changed my mind. By the end, I didn’t want to stop reading and I think that’s a good sign in a book.

In the Barrenlands it is common practice to separate identical twins and, through a very public ‘Unwrapping’ procedure, identify which twin needs to be killed. That’s right, killed. Publicly. With people going to watch, for entertainment!

Once I’d got to grips with the brutality of this world – and do not under-estimate the brutality – I was intrigued by this story. The writer’s interest in engineering and science are evident throughout, but there’s a very human touch to the story that I found really exciting.

There is definitely something for everyone in this novel. A thoroughly recommended read.

‘Flawed’ – Cecilia Ahern

First things first, I love Cecilia Ahern’s adult novels. This isn’t anything like, and it was interesting to see a writer focus on very different things. Some worked more successfully than others.

The novel opens with Celestine and her family at a dinner party. We see she is part of the ‘perfect’ society that is about to be brought down. Through Celestine we are encouraged to see the perceived benefits of the society in which she lives-at least while everyone follows the expected behaviours.

In the initial setting-up of this world I felt Ahern gave us just enough information to explain what was going on, though I was keen to know more about those characters who challenge it.

Very early on Celestine carries out an action that has far-reaching consequences. She helps someone. Not a big deal, other than the man is Flawed and her actions are punishable by the Guild (which just happens to be run by her boyfriend’s father).

At this point it would have been easy in reality for nothing to happen. However, Celestine shows her true character and refuses to toe the line. For showing compassion she is branded-a constant reminder to everyone of her ‘crime’.
What follows is disgusting. Here I think anyone in their right mind would have been outraged, but Celestine is so indoctrinated that she questions herself and what she has done to cause this action.

On occasion I felt the plot could have moved a little faster or focused on some of the more intriguing characters (I wonder if some of these ‘cameo’ appearances are setting the characters up for bigger roles in the next book). Carrick Vane is obviously going to be important, and it was more than a little frustrating to not really learn more about him until later on.

As I was reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s the kind of book that I will recommend to people and I will definitely be interested in finding out just where this goes in the next part. I need to see Craven brought down!

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy – though I am really frustrated that I need to wait for the next part to find out the answers to what Celestine does next.