Oceans Eleven meets a Blade Runner-like dystopian magic kindgon
343778
Patrick Weekes doesn't do predictable. With a badass black woman as the lead character, an Oceans Eleven-esque recruitment process of misfits and exiles, a floating magic kingdom and a seemingly never-ending support cast with unique abilities AND a magic safe with more type of locks than the bedroom door of a Catholic-school girl with paranoid cops for parents, you're going to get some entertainment mileage out of this book.

This book could have gone off the rails badly were it not for the skillful writing of Mr. Weekes. It is ambitious - lots of characters, a world of magic where magic has been taken to extreme levels of complexity (ala the safe in Oceans Eleven) and a lot of material to cram into one relatively short book. There are authors today that would have made this a trilogy (or longer). I'm glad that Mr. Meekes put a reasonable page limit on it.

There's something for everyone in this book, Comedy (endless though amusing 'yo mamma jokes') - check. Combat? Check. Cool magic. Check. Witty dialog? Check. Demon-powered airships? Yep. Invisible assassins? Of course. A Thief guild with a pissed off leader? Why not.

Parents of younger readers can rest assured that the combat is not gory, nor are there other graphic adult themes. It's fun, different and a good addition to a young reader's library.
1144402
This story has a dystopian (future Earth) background for an epic sci-fi action adventure, which reminded me of Joss Whedon's excellent series 'Firefly' and the movie 'Serenity'. The characters are very well drawn and in particular I liked Jason and Sophia and their unusual relationship. The world is vividly described and much of the sci-fi is well conceived and believable with a pinch. The plot unfolds as Jason is sent on a mission by his employers to a wasted corner of the Earth, where he discovers secrets and revolution. The pace is well structured and I kept turning the pages with enthusiasm. Without doubt, a great start to what looks to be a very promising series. Highly Recommended
755776
Im not a big fan of dystopian fiction, but Im an admirer of author and blogger Roz Morris. When I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, I was willing to give it a chance. Im glad I did.

Lifeform Three takes place in a future time at a theme park called The Lost Lands of Harkaway Hall. Picture a dystopian Disneyworld where intrepid guests ride around in pod cars taking pictures with their pebbles (smart phones) . The story is told through the eyes of Paftoo, a redo bod who works with a team of fellow bods to clean up animal dung, leaves and other debris from the park. The park is one of the few pristine tracts of land left in this future world, ravaged by environmental degradation that has laid waste to the seashore and other bucolic vistas.

The bods are programmed to perform menial tasks and they receive points for the amount of waste they can clear in a day. Shovel the leaves; don't think. Hum a tune. Thats the way to make it easier, Morris writes, through the prism of Paftoo. A bods life is redoing. Because all the time, the Lost Lands are being undone. By the lifeforms, the rain, the wind, the seasons that strip the trees in autumn and make them grow like nonsense in the spring. And by the Intrepid Guests, who drive where they shouldnt, break the fences, spread litter and set fire to the barn.

When the bods finish their daily work, they power off at night into a sleep mode, all except for Paftoo. In the opening scene, Paftoo is struck by lightning while trying to coax a huge horse into a lorry (truck) during a thunderstorm. At night, Paftoo dreams of riding horses and finding a lost door in the woods, but his memories are fragmented. While the other bods sleep, Paftoo roams the grounds and discovers a secret world. He tames one of the horses that roam the pasture at night in an effort to piece together his past.

He dares not disclose his nocturnal experiences with the other bods for fear of being shared, a process by which a bods mind is wiped clean of all past experiences. A trouble shared is a trouble deleted, is the oft-repeated phrase used to explain the benefits of sharing.

Morris raises questions about the issues of the day, from climate change to social media. The visitors to this theme park rarely exit their vehicles to enjoy the natural beauty; instead they snap pictures with their phones. The bods entertain the arriving visitors with dances and performances designed to sell products.

The author gives readers a glimpse of how the planet might look and feel in a future age when rampant consumerism ruins the environment and people don't talk to each other and don't care about their own memories or their planets storied past.
3411862
Much of the current divisive political climate echoes throughout this far-future sci-fi world. Dystopian ruling cultures have taken hold on multiple worlds in the galaxy and the ensuing conflicts are rapidly pushing planets toward an apocalyptic event horizon. And it's not the first time it's happened.

On Earth, humanity drove itself extinct in the biological and nuclear nightmare known as the Old War, or World War III. Their sentient AI survived them. The "Chines" evolved, expanded, and then restarted the human race from embryonic stock. After nurturing the humans and establishing them in mostly underground cities, the Chines abandoned eden to give the humans space and to create their own worlds deeper into the galaxy.

Interestingly and not inaccurately, for both humans and Chines, the other race is their mythic creator race. For humans, the promise of the Chines returning is their only hope when a hostile insectoid alien race arrives on Earth and threatens extinction of humans, again.

In alternating chapters, two separate and barely related storylines follow two distinct heroes and their very different responses to the threat on Earth.

Sheemi, a largely disgraced military grunt, is sent by her high ranking general father off-planet to find the new world of the Chines on a mission to obtain their help against the alien Hexi. Sheemi's boredom in space leads to her sexual laxity and eventual, disgraceful pregnancy--all before finding hints of the Chines. The military space travel involves skirting parallel universes to make instantaneous deep space jumps.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Kellan is a living cultural myth--and not a liked one. "Special" humans emerge and are shunned in the new cities of Earth. Like a recessive gene or a latent computer program, some rare humans are born with the urge to either dig, tinker, draw or sing. The subject of their focus is always ancient Chines. Get the four together, and extraordinary doors and locks hidden across Earth open . . .

The breadth of the historic world-building is astounding. The fallibility of the protagonists is commendable. The novel is highly recommended.

I received my copy of this novel directly from the author through bookreviewdirectory.wordpress.com.
3942238
A Thai dystopian Blade Runner. The local details and culture are interesting, writing style very good, and the mood is intensely foreboding. Not exactly a fun read, but well-executed and meticulous, if more than a little paranoid. I could have used a little info about how we arrived at such a horrendous state of affairs, but you can choose not to worry about those things, accept the premise, and wade in.
3651478
Set in a dystopian world where things are not always what they seem; where humans are able to manipulate nature and animals and yet, captive to the forces of Mother Nature. The Spire is the key. The story takes place between a fallen society, years after the aftermath of a global plague that has destroyed a world not too different from ours and a primitive tribe with an ancient culture that has learned to coexist with the wilderness. The last vestiges of humanity with clash and the responsibility of rebuilding a lost planet rests with the Wild Man.

The landscapes that the author creates are oddly familiar and alien. He weaves social drama and science fiction together to carry the reader on a fantastic voyage into a post-technological world. There are epic battles between man and nature, fearsome hybrid animals and a journey to discover the truth about the history of the Scourge and the mysteries of Spire. For fans of Ender's Game, Oryx and Crake, the post-apocalyptic genre, nature-minded individuals, young readers and science fiction buffs alike, this is a must read! I am looking forward to other Wild Lands sequel and new works from this emerging author.
4270276
For bold readers, The Edge of Worlds would be a fascinating way to dive into Martha Wells Raksura series. Like the books that have come before it, its a rich world populated by bizarre creatures and strange landscapes. From floating islands to winged, shapeshifting humanoids, its a feast for the imagination, especially considering there are no humans whatsoever in the series. With this being the beginning of a new adventure, new readers can dive in here if they don't mind missing out on the references to previous books. For the longtime readers, however, get ready for another fun journey.

In this tale, the Indigo Cloud court shares a shared dream of a Fell attack. Then a strange flying vessel arrives in the Reaches. It leads to an adventure out into the ocean toward an ancient, impenetrable city. The Raksura must brave Fell attacks, strange groundlings, and unlock the mysteries of a forerunner/foundation builder citadel knowing their very doom could lie just around the corner. Cloud lies at the heart of the story, serving as the readers touchstone as it unfolds. Jade, Chime, Stone and several other familiar characters join him, including the groundling Delin and the sealing Rorra. They encounter new species, secrets and threats.

For those new to the Raksura series, its not an action packed story littered with violence. Rather its a slow build of colorful characters and imaginative surroundings that engulf and submerge the reader. Its more of a peaceful escapism than an action packed adventure. But there is action, there is violence, and there is turmoil. What begins as a scientific expedition eventually turns into chaos. It also leaves the book on a cliffhanger making the next book in the series a must read.

As a fan of the series, I really enjoyed The Edge of Worlds. Martha Wells laid out another exotic trip into the realm of the Three Worlds and the Raksura. Theres peaceful moments, mystery, exploration, discovery, action, pain, betrayal and adventure. The ending left me pumped for the next book and I cant wait to see what happens next. The Three Worlds is one of my favorite places to escape to, and this book delivers. I give it a five out of five.
3559934
A unique and futuristic  world that brings your imagination to life
4011001
It's nice (and extremely rare) to find a Middle-Grade dystopian novel that will actually make you feel better about the world after you have read it, and that's what Chase Bartholomew Hastings accomplishes. This is a world where the only electricity is generated by windmills on roofs, where people have to ration food and view all newcomers with suspicion. Chase spends most of his time with his friends, Henry and Aaliyah, and children will enjoy reading about the ways they have fun even in an altered world.

A few areas in the book I felt could have been developed a little more. Packages from a mysterious benefactor keep appearing with almost impossible to the world gifts. Chase believes these come from "Niceness Ninjas" but the origins are never explained. I also felt some of the events where a bit rushed and could have been explored further, but it works for the targeted age group. All together, a fun little book you can hand to your child without a worry.
122735
I can summarize this descriptive, dystopian book, with a consideration about dreams: never stop dreaming. And the corollary attached to it: be careful what you dream, your dreams might come true.
Three, almost unconnected, societies/castes - each of them revealing the author's thoughts about our future, a pessimistic one, for sure - share an Earth that is very different from the one we now know.  A future ruled by an AI (Admin) morphed into an almost divine overseer,  keeping people separated  in Nomads, Landeds and Orphans, in order to rule them easier. The "ruled" know only what they "need" to know, and they are pushed to despise each other. Yet, information is always a slippery thing that likes to mock any controller, and that's why, from all characters, I prefer Dos, the librarian. He is the proof that Admin's mind conditioning can be overcome by determination, not by luck.
And, to end, one of the most appealing things about science-fiction/fantasy novels is that they usually take place in fantastic and imaginative worlds, bringing up exciting images in a reader's mind. "Orphans" world is one of them.
4756449
3.75

An interesting soft biopunk/cyberpunk sci-fi story with lots of twists, turns, and complex emotions. The premise reminds me a bit of Total Recall, actually. The setting of New Venice, which is really located on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, is a fresh dystopian world I've yet to encounter in YA lit. It's really not heavy science fiction at all. So those who find the idea of reading cyberpunk an intimidating notion need not fear. The author touches lightly on explanations and the story explains itself. The main character is in a perpetual state of internally filing away information, leaving the reader clued in at all times.

If you read The Across the Universe Trilogy, then you'll appreciate some fun connections, which I won't share. I'll just leave you with that teaser... :-)

And oh my, that cover is beautiful! I must confess, that is what drew me to the story before I ever read the synopsis :-)
111660
The is a very good dystopian story that was written by Brian Wood and illustrated by Kristian Donaldson and Garry Brown. It takes place in the 2010s, shortly after over a dozen different natural and man made disasters occur in a year's time and leave the Earth in a state of death, disaster, and famine. The first volume established the characters and set the tone. The second and third volumes are outstanding stories and are all around well crafted.

The Massive is the larger of two ships that make up the Ninth Wave - a pacifist group that is dedicated to protecting the seas from environmental problems. The Massive has gone missing, and the Kapital is searching for it. This story follows the Captain and crew of the Kapital. In the post crash world, the command and crew of the Kapital debate their role and if they need to change tactics.

Callum Israel, a Bangladeshi, is the Captain. He is a former mercenary soldier who has now become a pacifist. The first mate is Mag, another former mercenary who was a child soldier in Pakistan. He is anything but a pacifist. Mary rounds out the command staff. Her nationality is unknown (as is her age and powers...it seems like she has powers). She is romantically involved with Callum, but she is also provides strong moral support and believes that the Earth can be made better. Other characters are Lars the Scandinavian pilot, Ryan the young idealistic American woman, and Georg the lifelong Russian warrior whose entire life has been seeped in violence.

There are two stories in this volume. Georg stole a nuclear sub from the rig-station off of the Indian sub-continent and has been leading the Kapital on a chase around the world. This comes to a climax in NYC (which is underwater up to near the top of the Brooklyn Bridge) when the Kapital, the sub and some remnants of the US Navy all find themselves in the bay and at odds with each other.

The second story takes place in Norway. A number of villages are killing whales, but they are doing so for subsistence living. Callum is against this, and a few crew members state that this was one of the original missions of the Ninth Wave. Mag argues against fighting - "they eat 10 whales a year" and they are not doing it for profit. The debates are interesting. As with the last volume, I side with Mag.
1903215
Disclaimer: the author sent me this book in exchange for an honest review

"Home World" is an exotic story filled with futuristic techno-marvels, a little fantasy, and a lot of the age-old human foibles that a hundred thousand years of evolution and a few centuries post-Enlightenment just haven't weeded out of us.

Letticia, daughter and sister, is one of the Van Burens who rule the new earth (which is in a state of dystopia when the story opens) and all the earth's various "satellite" planets which house humanity. The human race has been genetically engineered into various species with differing skills and dialects. Letticia is not the protagonist, but she stands out for the intriguing way she's plugged her mind into a computer grid, some kind of MindScape, MindNet, and she manages to be omniscient, omnipresent and (she's hoping) omnipotent. Trouble is, she can't be omnipotent when her brother wears the Ring that makes him heir to the kingdom, ruler of Earth.

The story opens with Jezekia flying over the ruins of Hawaii, his former home, but he dreads the landing. He doesn't want The Ring and all the responsibilities that go with it. He doesn't want to face his mother and all her duties for him, nor his sister, who has set an assassin after him. The "Pretty Boy" hired to pose as Jezekiah stepping off that plane might face a hail of bullets. Or not. Jezekiah poses as a commoner. Does it work? Let's just say nothing goes according to plan, in life, or in fiction.

The most intriguing prospect for Letticia is not ruling the world, but hearing out her brother on his insane idea of striking a truce with earth's ruling class, the Lupans, by marrying off Letticia to their leader, Strongarm. The marriage would offer her safety, which could come in handy at a time when Lettitia's own mother is plotting her execution. Jezekiah urges her to consider the Lupan, whom Lettitica sneeringly dismisses as a dog (put Luna, moon, dog, and man together, and what do you get?)  -"One of the deadliest warriors for your own personal protection...A man who will belong to you and you alone, heart and soul, always and forever," Jezekiah promise. A man "who'll love you, not for your title or not what you can do for him."

Letticia should listen to her brother.

To avoid plot spoilers, I'll say as little as possible about Mother. Oh, and the Hawaiian assassin girl. She's sure to turn up in a sequel. There has to be a sequel. The final scene is much too poignant otherwise.

In all, this is an engaging story. A little wordy for my liking, with more dialect spelled out than I care to read. At times the dialogue struck me as a little last-century (Letticia's in particular). She came across as a spoiled brat, and didn't impress me as sounding as intelligent as she really is if she could plug into MindNet the way she did.

I believe another round of trimming and tightening would help. Still, a lot happens to a lot of interesting people, and this is a novel fans of several different genres can appreciate.
4026265
Based on the cover, This Alien Shore is marketed to readers who want to read books about young women in an exotic future.  Don't be misled - This Alien Shore is real science fiction, reminiscent of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Starfish-Rifters-Trilogy/dp/0812575857/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Starfish (Rifters Trilogy)</a>, with a dash of River Tam from&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Firefly-The-Complete-Series/dp/B0000AQS0F/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Firefly - The Complete Series</a>&nbsp;thrown in.

This Alien Shore's apparent story of a young woman in a cyberpunk future, trapped by choices made for her, takes a back seat to a cyberthriller set in that future.  That's not a bad thing.  Friedman lays out a fascinating future where the humans are the aliens.  Earth has cast its spawn far and wide and the journey has changed them.  Earth itself holds ten billion plus more on corporation-owned space stations.  Every human is given brain-integrate software at birth to enable Innernet connection and monitor his or her health.

Faster than light travel and communications are made possible by wormholes that are controlled by the Guild.  The Guild is based on the planet Guera, where the inhabitants are outwardly human, but honor every difference of the human mind.  Gueran society has an elaborate system to accommodate and integrate people we'd call crazy or mentally disabled - not only to tolerate them, but tap into the gifts that accompany their differences.  Friedman gives us tantalizing glimpses of how this works.

All wormhole pilots belong to the Guild, and someone is targeting them with a lethal, and nasty, brainware virus.  It's an exciting rate to the finish to find the rogue programmer and learn his or her agenda before the virus cripples communication to the outer worlds, or broadens its target.  Dig in and enjoy!
4488807
Quite enthralling and a brilliant picture of Portland Oregon in a Dystopian future. Some very clever imagining of a society in decline with a froth / scum of Super Rich floating on the surface. Good tech, good characters and very readable. My favourite so far is the private SuperMax prison based in the Tucson area airplane graveyard. Recommended for SF & Crime lovers.
41004
In her first-ever novel, Amanda Davis tells the story of a dystopian future wrought with manipulation, danger, and helplessness. Even so, hope has an interesting role to play as well--through many sacrificial and kind-hearted characters--which sets this tale apart from most others in its genre.

The fictional world of Cantral is inhabited by various classes of people, all of which have been implanted with small microchips. These chips force obedience from their hosts, or cause their deaths if certain tasks and rules are not followed completely. As the only one in Cantral without a chip, Monica is the world's one hope of freedom from these deadly devices and the supercomputers that govern them.

All-in-all, the world system in Precisely Terminated runs well with the story. As this dystopian tale keeps otherwise-complex subjects relatively simple, it's a great entry novel for adults and teens alike who have never read the genre. Monica's goals are instantly clear, and the workings of Cantral are easy to grasp and equally plausible. Some readers may feel a bit empty for answers by the end, as the novel doesn't say much about how the world came to be in its current condition, but I have confidence that--with two books to go in the series--there's still a lot of ground left to cover.

As a Christian author, Amanda Davis keeps her novels free of language, sex, and other blights that plague a majority of the secular YA shelf. Parents and readers should note that a sort of despair hangs over portions of the book, however, and that there are a few instances of violence that may give younger readers pause. For example, one character loses part of a finger to a whirling blade. It is also discussed that--in order to get one of Monica's earliest chips--a council member had used a fan to slice open the skull of a dead girl. This mature content makes Precisely Terminated an excellent read for teens, though some of younger readers may be bothered by the few instances of graphic violence.

Though there are few references to Christianity at the start of the novel, by the end these things start to seep in. Between an entry in a character's diary and a not-so-subtle hint from the author in the acknowledgements, it's clear that Amanda plans to slowly pour more and more Christian allusion into her trilogy. I expect the second novel, Nobel Imposter, will contain even more.

A relatively small cast keeps this tale of light in darkness quite simple. The central characters are delightfully flawed and relatable, and I look forward to seeing new additions introduced to the core group. Through clever and creative devices, Amanda gives Precisely Terminated an interesting, but adrenaline-laced, edge. Most importantly, this is one dystopian novel that doesn't leave readers in the depths of helplessness. Hope acts as a silent vigilant throughout the story, and by its end, the dawn of freedom begins to break over the horizon of despair.

I wish my best to Amanda and her journey as an author. She has succeeded in producing an eye-catching tale of courage, sacrifice, and faith. If you're looking for a clean, exciting new trilogy to sit alongside your Chronicles of Narnia, Dragons in our Midst, and Sword of the Dragon series, then go pick up Precisely Terminated. It's a great way to enter the dystopian genre without wading through all of the depressing, godless muck.

In the mean time, I think I'll pick up Noble Imposter and see what trouble Monica lands herself in next...
4667453
I really enjoyed Conviser's first book Echelon--a great mixture of action, adventure, spy thriller, and gritty science fiction.  Empyre, in my opinion, surpasses it with an intense pace and an even better connection with the core characters (Ryan and Sarah) where you feel completely along for the ride with them.

Conviser's versions of New York, DC, and even Trenton, NJ demonstrate a truly novel vision of the future and a winking social commentary.  I particularly loved the floating city sequence.

Frankly, I could not put this book down and finished it in a couple of quick sittings.