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Celebrate the superhero in us all in this unique exploration of the connections we forge.
Somadina, a young Nigerian telepath, faces a crisis. Since being forced into a frightening marriage, her sister, Nwanyi, has disappeared into thin air. Not even Somadina's gift can help locate her sibling. Terrified and desperate, she reaches out to fellow telepath, Lola--a Texas scientist--for assistance.
Lola, however, has been steadfastly ignoring the disturbing phenomenon in her mind for decades, and has no intention of embracing it now--much less for a total stranger. But once it becomes apparent Nwanyi is a pawn in a dangerous political game, the stakes rise for everyone, and Lola is forced to reconsider.
Can these powerful women overlook their differences and use their unique gifts to stop a fanatic willing to kill anyone to alter his nation's future?
Somadina, a young Nigerian telepath, faces a crisis. Since being forced into a frightening marriage, her sister, Nwanyi, has disappeared into thin air. Not even Somadina's gift can help locate her sibling. Terrified and desperate, she reaches out to fellow telepath, Lola--a Texas scientist--for assistance.
Lola, however, has been steadfastly ignoring the disturbing phenomenon in her mind for decades, and has no intention of embracing it now--much less for a total stranger. But once it becomes apparent Nwanyi is a pawn in a dangerous political game, the stakes rise for everyone, and Lola is forced to reconsider.
Can these powerful women overlook their differences and use their unique gifts to stop a fanatic willing to kill anyone to alter his nation's future?
324 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2012
30 people are currently reading
2,352 people want to read
About the author
Sherrie R. Cronin
10Ìýbooks619ÌýfollowersSherrie Cronin is the author of a collection of six speculative fiction novels known as 46. Ascending and is now in the process of publishing a historical fantasy series called The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters. A quick look at the synopses of her books makes it obvious she is fascinated by people achieving the astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had.
She’s made a lot of stops along the way to writing these novels. She’s lived in seven cities, visited forty-six countries, and worked as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. Now she answers a hot-line. Along the way, she’s lost several cats but acquired a husband who still loves her and three kids who’ve grown up just fine, both despite how odd she is.
All her life she has wanted to either tell these kinds of stories or be Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise. She now lives and writes in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where she admits to occasionally checking her phone for a message from Captain Picard, just in case.
She’s made a lot of stops along the way to writing these novels. She’s lived in seven cities, visited forty-six countries, and worked as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. Now she answers a hot-line. Along the way, she’s lost several cats but acquired a husband who still loves her and three kids who’ve grown up just fine, both despite how odd she is.
All her life she has wanted to either tell these kinds of stories or be Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise. She now lives and writes in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where she admits to occasionally checking her phone for a message from Captain Picard, just in case.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 24, 2012
(also known as To The Power of Zero when said aloud) by Sherrie Cronin is a thrilling science fiction novel with a global twist. Lola Zeitman's life has been pretty standard up to now. And the birth of her and her husband's firstborn son, though arduous, was the beginning of a pleasant family life, filled with school lunches, neglect for her geologist career, and love. For Somadina and her sister Nwanyi, though, the death of their mother during those years ended any change for real family relationships with either parent. In their hometown in Nigeria their father withdrew into his shell of pain and anger and remarried, leaving the girls to grow closer and closer together. Nwanyi relied on Somadina for everything. Then, after Lola's 40th birthday and re-entry to the workforce, sixteen-year-old Nwanyi is given in marriage to a stranger from another tribe and city. The bride price is higher than expected, the groom is a complete unknown, and Somadina is uneasy. Half a world away, Lola begins to feel uneasy about her own sister, and cannot shake the emotions.
That is the start of a slow trickle of feelings, sensations, and thoughts between the two women. Somadina and Lola, two very different women, begin to realize what is going on - then they discover they are not alone in this phenomenon. As Nwanyi edges closer and closer to complete disaster, she cries out to Somadina and Lola, who must work together to discover what has happened to her.
This story is amazingly well-researched and has many multi-media links embedded in the text to help you engage with the culture and story. The relationships are complex and satisfying. I found the premise - telepathy on various levels - fascinating. The mystery and search for Nwanyi offers a convincing and dramatic plot.
It is difficult to get much benefit from the multi-media links on the traditional Kindle device - but it's not a problem to read the story without stopping at each one. A Kindle Fire is recommended to get the full benefit, or you could read it with Kindle for PC or refer to your computer as necessary. The story is tight at the beginning of the book, but does start to unravel slightly at the end. It finishes well, but feels a little unbalanced. The author tries a little too hard to scientifically justify the telepathy - I didn't think it really needed that much explanation.
This book is definitely not for children. There are several adult situations, including some physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. I didn't feel they were gratuitous - the sense of urgency accelerates throughout the story. There are also racial and societal issues discussed, including culture, terrorism, and eugenics. I rate this book as appropriate for Adults (who know what they're getting into) on the Aardvark Scale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
The above links are affiliate links to Amazon.com. See my disclosures .
May 15, 2013
X0 by Sherri Cronin
Lola Zeitman is pregnant, 26, and a geoscientist. She interprets seismic data for an oil company to assist in determining fault lines for offshore drilling. She works in a male-dominated office. Much of the time, she feels isolated and excluded from most of the group. Even the women working at her place of employment tend to shun her. She is more educated, and the women, for the most part, seem to hold this against her. The men treat her pregnancy as a weakness, as a sort of communicable disease that proper people in their positions should know how to avoid. Lola continues to mature in her profession and in life; she has three lovely children with her extremely wonderful husband.
Somadina, who lives in Nigeria, has lived a life whose early years were marked by sadness. Her father, Ikenna, dearly loved her mother, his first wife, which is not always the case with first wives in Nigeria. Somadina was a perceptive child, quick to pick up on people’s moods. She was very intelligent as well. She was lovely and not demanding, seeming to know if the time was not right for play or for questions. When her mother died in childbirth due to the incompetence of a mid-wife, giving birth to a daughter - a daughter that was supposed to be a son, no less - Ikenna became emotionally unavailable to either. He quickly selected two wives to produce sons for him, ignoring his two existing daughters. Somadina vows to grow up to be powerful so that she can always protect her little sister, Nyananyi.
Somehow, Lola in the United States and Somadina in Nigeria begin to form a bond, a bond that grows in strength and in power.
Sherri Cronin has a written a novel that is compelling, intelligently written, and filled with riveting historical and factual information about both countries. Her characters are so compelling, the story so riveting, it stays long after the novel has been finished. The ideas contained within XO are phenomenal and raised a number of “what-ifs� within the reader’s mind. Few authors have the ability to both grab the imagination and compel the intellect the way Cronin manages to do in this novel. This is simply a must read for those who like to be intellectually challenged by their authors. Cronin is amazing.
This is an excellent book that opens a window in the mind for the consideration of unlimited, unexplored vistas. It welcomes everyone, though the narrow-minded may be a bit challenged to understand.
This book was a First Reads win provided by the author in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ competition.
Lola Zeitman is pregnant, 26, and a geoscientist. She interprets seismic data for an oil company to assist in determining fault lines for offshore drilling. She works in a male-dominated office. Much of the time, she feels isolated and excluded from most of the group. Even the women working at her place of employment tend to shun her. She is more educated, and the women, for the most part, seem to hold this against her. The men treat her pregnancy as a weakness, as a sort of communicable disease that proper people in their positions should know how to avoid. Lola continues to mature in her profession and in life; she has three lovely children with her extremely wonderful husband.
Somadina, who lives in Nigeria, has lived a life whose early years were marked by sadness. Her father, Ikenna, dearly loved her mother, his first wife, which is not always the case with first wives in Nigeria. Somadina was a perceptive child, quick to pick up on people’s moods. She was very intelligent as well. She was lovely and not demanding, seeming to know if the time was not right for play or for questions. When her mother died in childbirth due to the incompetence of a mid-wife, giving birth to a daughter - a daughter that was supposed to be a son, no less - Ikenna became emotionally unavailable to either. He quickly selected two wives to produce sons for him, ignoring his two existing daughters. Somadina vows to grow up to be powerful so that she can always protect her little sister, Nyananyi.
Somehow, Lola in the United States and Somadina in Nigeria begin to form a bond, a bond that grows in strength and in power.
Sherri Cronin has a written a novel that is compelling, intelligently written, and filled with riveting historical and factual information about both countries. Her characters are so compelling, the story so riveting, it stays long after the novel has been finished. The ideas contained within XO are phenomenal and raised a number of “what-ifs� within the reader’s mind. Few authors have the ability to both grab the imagination and compel the intellect the way Cronin manages to do in this novel. This is simply a must read for those who like to be intellectually challenged by their authors. Cronin is amazing.
This is an excellent book that opens a window in the mind for the consideration of unlimited, unexplored vistas. It welcomes everyone, though the narrow-minded may be a bit challenged to understand.
This book was a First Reads win provided by the author in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ competition.
June 22, 2013
I received this book via LibraryThing's Member Giveaways.
This was a good, unique, fresh book. Cronin crafts a seamless story from the perspective of three people, two of them learning how to manage their telepathy, the other trying to make a violent, political statement.
Cronin weaves in current events, providing links to the news items affecting our main characters. She shows us the struggles Lola and Somadina face in their regular lives as well as coping with their gifts *and* try to save Somadina's sister from a violent, dark existence.
Sometimes from paragraph to paragraph we'd transition from Lola's world (Texas) to Somadina's world (Nigeria), which I felt was well done on Cronin's part to show us how Lola and Somadina were taking two different paths to the same destination.
I did not enjoy reading from Djimon's perspective. I'm not saying it was unnecessary, but it did indeed make it hard for me to read the terrible things he was inflicting on Nwanyi. Abuse is an ugly thing, and it is heartbreaking to think that this goes on and how many people turn a blind eye to it, not just in Nigeria, but everywhere. Cronin doesn't shy away from it, and even at the end, she doesn't sugar coat Nwanyi's recovery. I appreciated this honesty and realism.
The cover art is beautiful, with vibrant colors while showing a hint of the connection in the Power of One philosphy. The typography for the title is distinctive and the art is something I would hang on my wall.
I have the next two books in the series to review, Y1 and Z2. I look forward to reading them.
This was a good, unique, fresh book. Cronin crafts a seamless story from the perspective of three people, two of them learning how to manage their telepathy, the other trying to make a violent, political statement.
Cronin weaves in current events, providing links to the news items affecting our main characters. She shows us the struggles Lola and Somadina face in their regular lives as well as coping with their gifts *and* try to save Somadina's sister from a violent, dark existence.
Sometimes from paragraph to paragraph we'd transition from Lola's world (Texas) to Somadina's world (Nigeria), which I felt was well done on Cronin's part to show us how Lola and Somadina were taking two different paths to the same destination.
I did not enjoy reading from Djimon's perspective. I'm not saying it was unnecessary, but it did indeed make it hard for me to read the terrible things he was inflicting on Nwanyi. Abuse is an ugly thing, and it is heartbreaking to think that this goes on and how many people turn a blind eye to it, not just in Nigeria, but everywhere. Cronin doesn't shy away from it, and even at the end, she doesn't sugar coat Nwanyi's recovery. I appreciated this honesty and realism.
The cover art is beautiful, with vibrant colors while showing a hint of the connection in the Power of One philosphy. The typography for the title is distinctive and the art is something I would hang on my wall.
I have the next two books in the series to review, Y1 and Z2. I look forward to reading them.
December 1, 2016
The ancient group x0 hides in the shadows until a young Nigerian beauty forces them to emerge. Thinking that her telepathic abilities are perfectly normal, this Igbo woman draws upon her powers to seek an ally to rescue her captive sister. Unfortunately, the telepath she finds is cranky Texan lady who doesn't believe in nonsense and who insists that the disturbing phenomenon in her own mind isn't there. Realizing that her sister has become a strategic pawn in a dangerous game of international politics, she vows to do anything to get the attention of this uncooperative fellow psychic. As the women struggle with each other, common links begin to forge these two radically different women together in ways that even x0 does not understand. They could intervene, but should they?
This was an interesting book, it has aspects of science fiction, paranormal, fantasy and political fiction all wrapped in one. The book does start off a bit slow, but the plot quickly picks up shortly afterwards. The author took the time to do the correct research into Nigeria, including both social, historical and political aspects when writing this book. Overall, I thought the character development was well done and found it easy to become interested in the lives of all the main characters. It was an interesting read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy stories about telepathy and other such science fiction. Also, the cover art on the paperback version of this book is beautiful. This is the first book in the series. Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the book.
This was an interesting book, it has aspects of science fiction, paranormal, fantasy and political fiction all wrapped in one. The book does start off a bit slow, but the plot quickly picks up shortly afterwards. The author took the time to do the correct research into Nigeria, including both social, historical and political aspects when writing this book. Overall, I thought the character development was well done and found it easy to become interested in the lives of all the main characters. It was an interesting read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy stories about telepathy and other such science fiction. Also, the cover art on the paperback version of this book is beautiful. This is the first book in the series. Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of the book.
March 22, 2018
won off of
was signed by author
was signed by author
August 20, 2012
x0 is a compelling tale of worlds apart and how they come to interact. The author has drawn extensively on her own personal experience in the field of geophysics where she has interpreted seismic data in the oil industry for many years, as well as her research into Nigeria: covering its historical, political, economical and social aspects.
While the leading plot appears to be the tale of a woman ruthlessly misused as a pawn in a dangerous political game, and the efforts of those who set out to save her - what I found most compelling is the web of human interaction, not only weaved through our increasing immediate access to each other through technological means, but also through the telepathy of the key characters.
When we think of telepathy, many of us still think back to the Duke University experiments, where a person in one room was meant to transmit, through mind alone, images to a person in another room. x0 takes a much more sophisticated approach to the whole notion of telepathy - or better stated: levels of communication which go beyond what is generally accepted as possible according to “natural� laws. Some people might think that we are entering here into the area of Science Fiction, but I don’t think so. Many of us have experienced things that we cannot explain by so-called “natural laws� - usually things involving people we are close to. x0 is taking this one step further - building upon what appears to exist and hypothesizing on where it may take us.
Perhaps what appears the most far-fetched in the book is the philosophy of the secret organization, which calls itself x0 (or ONE). Yet, even here, the author doesn’t pull us away into a fantasy world. The organization’s philosophy is just that - a “philosophy� - which is accepted even to different degrees by the members of the organization, themselves. What is also interesting is that the members of this organization can find their own special place within the organization, no matter if they believe themselves to be religious or not - or whether or not they believe in God.
I found the book well written and a compelling read. Moving back and forth between the minds of the key characters proved to be quite effective and the characters are constructed in such a way as to complement each other in the telling of the story.
The one thing that I found difficult to relate to, however, is the inclusion of “links� in the book. I am not against the idea of introducing links, especially if this creates a type of hypertext which allows the reader to interactively decide in which direction the plot will lead him/her. But this is not the case here. The introduction of links is meant to optionally supply more information about certain things mentioned in the book. However, I can’t see a reader following these links in the midst of reading without losing an essential part of the rhythm. Also the sudden appearance of the word “Buy� beside links to a song, tends to suddenly exclude us from the writing, if only for a moment. In this case, I would have preferred the author to have used footnotes - putting a number beside each place where a link is desired and include all of the numbered footnotes as a list of links in a special section at the end of the book.
I look forward to reading more works by this author.
While the leading plot appears to be the tale of a woman ruthlessly misused as a pawn in a dangerous political game, and the efforts of those who set out to save her - what I found most compelling is the web of human interaction, not only weaved through our increasing immediate access to each other through technological means, but also through the telepathy of the key characters.
When we think of telepathy, many of us still think back to the Duke University experiments, where a person in one room was meant to transmit, through mind alone, images to a person in another room. x0 takes a much more sophisticated approach to the whole notion of telepathy - or better stated: levels of communication which go beyond what is generally accepted as possible according to “natural� laws. Some people might think that we are entering here into the area of Science Fiction, but I don’t think so. Many of us have experienced things that we cannot explain by so-called “natural laws� - usually things involving people we are close to. x0 is taking this one step further - building upon what appears to exist and hypothesizing on where it may take us.
Perhaps what appears the most far-fetched in the book is the philosophy of the secret organization, which calls itself x0 (or ONE). Yet, even here, the author doesn’t pull us away into a fantasy world. The organization’s philosophy is just that - a “philosophy� - which is accepted even to different degrees by the members of the organization, themselves. What is also interesting is that the members of this organization can find their own special place within the organization, no matter if they believe themselves to be religious or not - or whether or not they believe in God.
I found the book well written and a compelling read. Moving back and forth between the minds of the key characters proved to be quite effective and the characters are constructed in such a way as to complement each other in the telling of the story.
The one thing that I found difficult to relate to, however, is the inclusion of “links� in the book. I am not against the idea of introducing links, especially if this creates a type of hypertext which allows the reader to interactively decide in which direction the plot will lead him/her. But this is not the case here. The introduction of links is meant to optionally supply more information about certain things mentioned in the book. However, I can’t see a reader following these links in the midst of reading without losing an essential part of the rhythm. Also the sudden appearance of the word “Buy� beside links to a song, tends to suddenly exclude us from the writing, if only for a moment. In this case, I would have preferred the author to have used footnotes - putting a number beside each place where a link is desired and include all of the numbered footnotes as a list of links in a special section at the end of the book.
I look forward to reading more works by this author.
August 2, 2012
This book is really creative and unusual. That up front. I'm interested in seeing the sequel, which is always high praise. The voice is good, the characters are interesting, and so is the plot. There are a couple of experiments that the book makes and I'm still trying to decide if they work, which probably means they do. I'll get to that in a moment.
In synopsis, this is about two women living on opposite sides of the world, geographically and culturally, who are bound together by a telepathic tie even though they are total strangers. The main plot line involves a nefarious political scheme, with the sister of one of the two women as its intended victim. It's a good story, and the way the telepathy contributes to the story development held my interest.
A word about the experiments. There are two of them. One is that the point of view shifts often and abruptly, creating the sense of identify being a fluid and shifting thing, and the isolation of the individual being an illusion. That violates a basic convention of fiction writing which holds that point-of-view changes should be done not too often and clearly delineated by (for example) chapter headings (although other ways of making the shift clear and unconfusing can work, too). I found that jarring to begin with, and you may, too, but my suggestion is to get past it and get used to it -- I think it works. The defiance of the convention is deliberate here, I understand why it was done, and the story still flows well.
The other experiment is to embed links in the story to music, articles, and so on where these occur in the story. That I don't think works as well, but it's by no means a killer. If you click on those links, you'll disrupt the flow of the tale badly and lose immersion, but I didn't find it hard to ignore them, and of course they're still there if I want to go back and check it out.
I did feel that the pace of the story could have been a bit faster and livelier. Some of the passages of description and technical detail could have been shortened, the necessary information conveyed more economically, and the story would have been more gripping; as it was, some of the plot's potential (and it has a lot) was lost, I felt.
Still, good story, and a worthy read.
In synopsis, this is about two women living on opposite sides of the world, geographically and culturally, who are bound together by a telepathic tie even though they are total strangers. The main plot line involves a nefarious political scheme, with the sister of one of the two women as its intended victim. It's a good story, and the way the telepathy contributes to the story development held my interest.
A word about the experiments. There are two of them. One is that the point of view shifts often and abruptly, creating the sense of identify being a fluid and shifting thing, and the isolation of the individual being an illusion. That violates a basic convention of fiction writing which holds that point-of-view changes should be done not too often and clearly delineated by (for example) chapter headings (although other ways of making the shift clear and unconfusing can work, too). I found that jarring to begin with, and you may, too, but my suggestion is to get past it and get used to it -- I think it works. The defiance of the convention is deliberate here, I understand why it was done, and the story still flows well.
The other experiment is to embed links in the story to music, articles, and so on where these occur in the story. That I don't think works as well, but it's by no means a killer. If you click on those links, you'll disrupt the flow of the tale badly and lose immersion, but I didn't find it hard to ignore them, and of course they're still there if I want to go back and check it out.
I did feel that the pace of the story could have been a bit faster and livelier. Some of the passages of description and technical detail could have been shortened, the necessary information conveyed more economically, and the story would have been more gripping; as it was, some of the plot's potential (and it has a lot) was lost, I felt.
Still, good story, and a worthy read.
March 1, 2017
I received this book through a first-reads giveaway.
Despite a relatively gentle start to the story, I was surprised at how quickly I got into this book. The characters are written in such a way that I fell easily into reading about their lives and personalities.
That being said, the pace is far from slow or lacking in excitement. By the final few chapters I literally could not put the book down, desperate to know what would happen next. Also, many important issues are raised throughout the story, including african history, world politics and terrorism, as well as cultural and racial divides.
I would recommend this book to older readers, due to some scenes depicting psychological manipulation (to put it lightly) and sexual, emotional and domestic abuse.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this book was how 'convincing' it was, so to speak. I often find in stories where an 'ordinary' character is flung into a situation where they are forced to challenge their beliefs and reconsider their perceptions of reality, they are often blindly accepting of the new circumstances. In this case, Lola's reaction to realising telepathy exists is grounded, gradual, and realistic.
One feature of this book is that it was originally designed to be read on an electronic reader, therefore includes a number of hyperlinks throughout the text, directing the reader to relevant articles, youtube videos, photographs and the like. All these website links are listed in the back for those who, like me, were reading a paperback copy. Although I did not make use of this feature this time around due to limited internet access, I fully intend to do so in the future in order to enhance my reading experience! This is just one example of how well researched and informative this book is, with accurate references to science and particularly drilling in the oil industry.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to others. As this novel is one of six, I am eager to read more and will definitely be adding the others in the series to my 'to read' list! Fianlly, I would like to take this opportunty to thank the author, sherrie cronin, for hosting the giveaway, which has provided me with a brillaint read!
Despite a relatively gentle start to the story, I was surprised at how quickly I got into this book. The characters are written in such a way that I fell easily into reading about their lives and personalities.
That being said, the pace is far from slow or lacking in excitement. By the final few chapters I literally could not put the book down, desperate to know what would happen next. Also, many important issues are raised throughout the story, including african history, world politics and terrorism, as well as cultural and racial divides.
I would recommend this book to older readers, due to some scenes depicting psychological manipulation (to put it lightly) and sexual, emotional and domestic abuse.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this book was how 'convincing' it was, so to speak. I often find in stories where an 'ordinary' character is flung into a situation where they are forced to challenge their beliefs and reconsider their perceptions of reality, they are often blindly accepting of the new circumstances. In this case, Lola's reaction to realising telepathy exists is grounded, gradual, and realistic.
One feature of this book is that it was originally designed to be read on an electronic reader, therefore includes a number of hyperlinks throughout the text, directing the reader to relevant articles, youtube videos, photographs and the like. All these website links are listed in the back for those who, like me, were reading a paperback copy. Although I did not make use of this feature this time around due to limited internet access, I fully intend to do so in the future in order to enhance my reading experience! This is just one example of how well researched and informative this book is, with accurate references to science and particularly drilling in the oil industry.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to others. As this novel is one of six, I am eager to read more and will definitely be adding the others in the series to my 'to read' list! Fianlly, I would like to take this opportunty to thank the author, sherrie cronin, for hosting the giveaway, which has provided me with a brillaint read!
June 2, 2013
X0 is not for everyone. If you do not posses a sense of humor, a thirst for knowledge, and a great measure of humanity and tolerance toward people, you should NOT read this book.
If you however do own these qualities, you will find X0 a spirit lifting experience, and an added value in the form of knowledge and cultural entertainment that will make you smile and wish to read it again.
The formal story holds within a greater meaning of the way strangers can connect and develop friendship and human bond that is stronger than words. Not everyday you read a book that gives you values, higher than the immediate satisfaction.
It is not easy for all to "get to the story" because this book, unlike many others of that genre, is demanding. It needs attention, open mindedness and curiosity, but the story itself makes persistent worth the while.
X0 is an important book to read, in these days of "global village" and thoughts about the environment, while we forget sometimes that people are the most important asset for other people. We are all the same, we all need a hug, a listening ear and an open heart every now and then. this is what X0 is about.
I loved what it stands for. I loved this book.
If you however do own these qualities, you will find X0 a spirit lifting experience, and an added value in the form of knowledge and cultural entertainment that will make you smile and wish to read it again.
The formal story holds within a greater meaning of the way strangers can connect and develop friendship and human bond that is stronger than words. Not everyday you read a book that gives you values, higher than the immediate satisfaction.
It is not easy for all to "get to the story" because this book, unlike many others of that genre, is demanding. It needs attention, open mindedness and curiosity, but the story itself makes persistent worth the while.
X0 is an important book to read, in these days of "global village" and thoughts about the environment, while we forget sometimes that people are the most important asset for other people. We are all the same, we all need a hug, a listening ear and an open heart every now and then. this is what X0 is about.
I loved what it stands for. I loved this book.
March 13, 2019
---3.5 Stars---
This book is thought-provoking, compelling, well-researched, with complex characters, elaborate plot points, and touches on multiple topics including real-life issues.
So, for me, this book had a lot of pros and cons, but overall, I enjoyed reading it and I liked the message the author conveys and the questions she inspires throughout the book.
Unfortunately, this book started out very slow-paced and was difficult to hold my attention. However, it eventually picked up about half-way to two-thirds in and finally got captivating where I was actually hanging on to every word. I was glad I stuck with it as the second half of the book made up for the slow start.
I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of Nigeria. I honestly did not know much about life over there or anything about the Igbo people. However, the author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
I enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved in throughout the book and learning more about African history, their laws, their social and economic status, and their positions and standings in global politics. It is clear, Mrs. Cronin is familiar with Nigeria and was able to add significant historical references into fun and interesting scenes while showing a strong knowledge of the area.
This book provides a significant amount of research data on telepathy that is interesting, however, at times, a bit overwhelming and distracting from the overall story. Most of the information is intriguing and perhaps some of it is important to know, but I think this is what contributed to the first-half of the story getting bogged down. I didn’t find myself lost in the story, just bored, and confused why I needed to know all this. I know with sci-fi and fantasy books there is always world-building and having to explain the set and details, but in this case, some passages went a little overboard and became overly technical.
I really liked all the additions to the book besides the story. This book included a map that showed where the main characters resided and the areas that they moved about in. This book also included a list of resources the author used while researching and writing this book that include songs, cultural information, etc. Also, at the end of this book is a list of all the characters names and their role in the book. These additions provided readers a little something extra. Plus, it allows the reader the chance to decide if they want to follow up with reading about more research on telepathy or Nigeria instead of having too much forced on them.
This book is written from the main characters POV. Normally that would be fine, however, this book switches from POV within just a few paragraphs. At times, it gets a bit confusing with the back-and-forth. Of course, each character has distinctive voices, and I would never mistaken the creepy sadist, Djimon for Lola, Somadina, or Nwanyi lol. It’s more like Lola and her husband Alex are getting ready to go camping, and then a few lines down, stars to show we switched characters POV, and then it’s like about Somadina upset her dad won’t let her use his phone to call Nwanyi back, for a mere few lines. Then, more stars. And it’s right back to the camping trip with Lola and Alex for a few lines and then stars, and off to Djimon. And that all happened within 2 ½ pages. Imagine that for 243 pages. It’s gets somewhat perplexing to keep focused and remember all the different storylines between the characters. There were a few passages I had to re-read throughout the book to keep up and keep everything straight.
As someone who has personal experience with Domestic Violence, I appreciate books, like this one, that provide an honest insight into that world and even shine light on how walking away isn’t as easy as some people think. Also, that this book showed how Domestic Violence doesn’t just affect the couple � it also affects the family, friends, neighbors, and other loved ones.
However, I have to admit it was a bit hard to read some of those passages, as they were quite dark, and I’ll be honest I did skim past a few of those lines here and there. It is even harder to hear when those awful actions are accepted � actually legal in Nigeria. It’s hard enough if don’t have your friend’s or family’s support, but when your own government is not on your side, I couldn’t even imagine.
I really like that this book takes real-life issues head on and allows the reader to easily connect with the characters and the situations they get into.
Of course, this book is science-fiction/fantasy, so that only goes so far. But this book has enough real-life material that readers can at least understand, appeal to, and sympathize with the characters.
This book is book one in the 46. Ascending Book Series. So, it can obviously be read as a standalone. There is a total of six books in this book series and all them have already been released for sale. All six books feature Lola and her family and their special abilities. According to the author, all of these books in this series can be read as a standalone.
Please note that this book is strongly rated 18+ as it contains adult situations, adult language, sexual content, significant amount of abuse, etc.
Even though I didn’t completely love this book, I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book to all science-fiction and fantasy readers!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
This book is thought-provoking, compelling, well-researched, with complex characters, elaborate plot points, and touches on multiple topics including real-life issues.
So, for me, this book had a lot of pros and cons, but overall, I enjoyed reading it and I liked the message the author conveys and the questions she inspires throughout the book.
Unfortunately, this book started out very slow-paced and was difficult to hold my attention. However, it eventually picked up about half-way to two-thirds in and finally got captivating where I was actually hanging on to every word. I was glad I stuck with it as the second half of the book made up for the slow start.
I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of Nigeria. I honestly did not know much about life over there or anything about the Igbo people. However, the author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
I enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved in throughout the book and learning more about African history, their laws, their social and economic status, and their positions and standings in global politics. It is clear, Mrs. Cronin is familiar with Nigeria and was able to add significant historical references into fun and interesting scenes while showing a strong knowledge of the area.
This book provides a significant amount of research data on telepathy that is interesting, however, at times, a bit overwhelming and distracting from the overall story. Most of the information is intriguing and perhaps some of it is important to know, but I think this is what contributed to the first-half of the story getting bogged down. I didn’t find myself lost in the story, just bored, and confused why I needed to know all this. I know with sci-fi and fantasy books there is always world-building and having to explain the set and details, but in this case, some passages went a little overboard and became overly technical.
I really liked all the additions to the book besides the story. This book included a map that showed where the main characters resided and the areas that they moved about in. This book also included a list of resources the author used while researching and writing this book that include songs, cultural information, etc. Also, at the end of this book is a list of all the characters names and their role in the book. These additions provided readers a little something extra. Plus, it allows the reader the chance to decide if they want to follow up with reading about more research on telepathy or Nigeria instead of having too much forced on them.
This book is written from the main characters POV. Normally that would be fine, however, this book switches from POV within just a few paragraphs. At times, it gets a bit confusing with the back-and-forth. Of course, each character has distinctive voices, and I would never mistaken the creepy sadist, Djimon for Lola, Somadina, or Nwanyi lol. It’s more like Lola and her husband Alex are getting ready to go camping, and then a few lines down, stars to show we switched characters POV, and then it’s like about Somadina upset her dad won’t let her use his phone to call Nwanyi back, for a mere few lines. Then, more stars. And it’s right back to the camping trip with Lola and Alex for a few lines and then stars, and off to Djimon. And that all happened within 2 ½ pages. Imagine that for 243 pages. It’s gets somewhat perplexing to keep focused and remember all the different storylines between the characters. There were a few passages I had to re-read throughout the book to keep up and keep everything straight.
As someone who has personal experience with Domestic Violence, I appreciate books, like this one, that provide an honest insight into that world and even shine light on how walking away isn’t as easy as some people think. Also, that this book showed how Domestic Violence doesn’t just affect the couple � it also affects the family, friends, neighbors, and other loved ones.
However, I have to admit it was a bit hard to read some of those passages, as they were quite dark, and I’ll be honest I did skim past a few of those lines here and there. It is even harder to hear when those awful actions are accepted � actually legal in Nigeria. It’s hard enough if don’t have your friend’s or family’s support, but when your own government is not on your side, I couldn’t even imagine.
I really like that this book takes real-life issues head on and allows the reader to easily connect with the characters and the situations they get into.
Of course, this book is science-fiction/fantasy, so that only goes so far. But this book has enough real-life material that readers can at least understand, appeal to, and sympathize with the characters.
This book is book one in the 46. Ascending Book Series. So, it can obviously be read as a standalone. There is a total of six books in this book series and all them have already been released for sale. All six books feature Lola and her family and their special abilities. According to the author, all of these books in this series can be read as a standalone.
Please note that this book is strongly rated 18+ as it contains adult situations, adult language, sexual content, significant amount of abuse, etc.
Even though I didn’t completely love this book, I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book to all science-fiction and fantasy readers!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
September 29, 2013
WOW - won this here on goodreads. What a fabulous story. Well-written, great story, incredible characters. Had me crying, laughing, anxious, angry. I can't wait to read the rest of Sherrie Cronin's books.
July 24, 2012
This is a fantasy for adults combining the real world and 'magic' in the form of characters with telepathic ability. It's a marvelous example of the 'magical realism' genre. I highly recommend it.
March 13, 2019
“One of One� by S. R. Cronin follows Lola Zeitman, a pragmatic scientist who becomes drawn into a remarkable world that involves her tapping a mental capability that she would be skeptical of if she hadn’t experienced it herself. She makes an inexplicable mental connection with a young Igbo woman in Nigeria and discovers a world she’d never imagined. Entangled in a political and cultural struggle, Lola must reconcile perception and reality and find a way to change the world…one person at a time.
This book almost defies categorization because it blends science, speculative fiction, an overview of cultural mores in a non-U.S. country, and suspense. The thought-provoking scenarios and depiction of life in a third-world country are juxtaposed with things we take for granted, including a well-monitored birth in a technologically advanced hospital. The careful buildup to explain how a naïve young woman ends up the captive of a sadistic terrorist is horrifying and dismaying even as her sister’s efforts on her behalf are a tribute to the bond of love. There are a number of dangling threads that I am still curious about but I understand that there are several other books in this series and perhaps some of the puzzles are resolved there. Those with triggers should be warned that there are some very distasteful elements of torture described and for me, there are gaps and jumps in time that were a little confusing.
I have always been fascinated by the idea of psychic phenomena and I was definitely drawn into the universe that this author created. I’m a bit disappointed that the organization seems to move so slowly and look forward to finding out more about their activities and members. I think this is a story that will expand readers� minds in more ways than one and that it reminds us that we are truly a global community. I’m glad to have another story in this world on my TBR pile and look forward to another thought-provoking tale.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
(and I like the original cover)
This book almost defies categorization because it blends science, speculative fiction, an overview of cultural mores in a non-U.S. country, and suspense. The thought-provoking scenarios and depiction of life in a third-world country are juxtaposed with things we take for granted, including a well-monitored birth in a technologically advanced hospital. The careful buildup to explain how a naïve young woman ends up the captive of a sadistic terrorist is horrifying and dismaying even as her sister’s efforts on her behalf are a tribute to the bond of love. There are a number of dangling threads that I am still curious about but I understand that there are several other books in this series and perhaps some of the puzzles are resolved there. Those with triggers should be warned that there are some very distasteful elements of torture described and for me, there are gaps and jumps in time that were a little confusing.
I have always been fascinated by the idea of psychic phenomena and I was definitely drawn into the universe that this author created. I’m a bit disappointed that the organization seems to move so slowly and look forward to finding out more about their activities and members. I think this is a story that will expand readers� minds in more ways than one and that it reminds us that we are truly a global community. I’m glad to have another story in this world on my TBR pile and look forward to another thought-provoking tale.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
(and I like the original cover)
June 7, 2017
Maybe this isn't quite as bad as 1 star. But I just rated Never Let Me Go 2 stars, & that was much better than this.
First, there were more than a few grammatical errors. Your readers shouldn't have to stop to interpret/correct the basics - that brain power should be used for making connections, spotting themes, wondering what's coming next.
Second, there's no real threat at the climax. You know how it will turn out, & that just makes it moot. Nwanyi's abusive experiences before that feel real, & start to verge on harrowing. But then that melts away.
Third, an attempt is made to delve into the x0 organization. But it just never grabbed me.
For all that, the reader does enjoy spending time with Lola & Somadina. They're written well enough to get you through this if you really want to get through it.
And of course, like everything else these days, it's a series. So if you do like it, there's more for you to dig into. Just not for me.
First, there were more than a few grammatical errors. Your readers shouldn't have to stop to interpret/correct the basics - that brain power should be used for making connections, spotting themes, wondering what's coming next.
Second, there's no real threat at the climax. You know how it will turn out, & that just makes it moot. Nwanyi's abusive experiences before that feel real, & start to verge on harrowing. But then that melts away.
Third, an attempt is made to delve into the x0 organization. But it just never grabbed me.
For all that, the reader does enjoy spending time with Lola & Somadina. They're written well enough to get you through this if you really want to get through it.
And of course, like everything else these days, it's a series. So if you do like it, there's more for you to dig into. Just not for me.
July 20, 2019
DNF 28%
It was starting out interesting but it went downhill after 15% and i tried to get back into it, but it seems like i could'nt, i could'nt for the life of me get interested or invested in the rest of the story and the telepathy was a little confusing.
It was starting out interesting but it went downhill after 15% and i tried to get back into it, but it seems like i could'nt, i could'nt for the life of me get interested or invested in the rest of the story and the telepathy was a little confusing.
September 8, 2012
by Sherrie Cronin is a thrilling science fiction novel with a global twist. Lola Zeitman's life has been pretty standard up to now. And the birth of her and her husband's firstborn son, though arduous, was the beginning of a pleasant family life, filled with school lunches, neglect for her geologist career, and love. For Somadina and her sister Nwanyi, though, the death of their mother during those years ended any change for real family relationships with either parent. In their hometown in Nigeria their father withdrew into his shell of pain and anger and remarried, leaving the girls to grow closer and closer together. Nwanyi relied on Somadina for everything. Then, after Lola's 40th birthday and re-entry to the workforce, sixteen-year-old Nwanyi is given in marriage to a stranger from another tribe and city. The bride price is higher than expected, the groom is a complete unknown, and Somadina is uneasy. Half a world away, Lola begins to feel uneasy about her own sister, and cannot shake the emotions.
That is the start of a slow trickle of feelings, sensations, and thoughts between the two women. Somadina and Lola, two very different women, begin to realize what is going on - then they discover they are not alone in this phenomenon. As Nwanyi edges closer and closer to complete disaster, she cries out to Somadina and Lola, who must work together to discover what has happened to her.
This story is amazingly well-researched and has many multi-media links embedded in the text to help you engage with the culture and story. The relationships are complex and satisfying. I found the premise - telepathy on various levels - fascinating. The mystery and search for Nwanyi offers a convincing and dramatic plot.
It is difficult to get much benefit from the multi-media links on the traditional Kindle device - but it's not a problem to read the story without stopping at each one. A Kindle Fire is recommended to get the full benefit, or you could read it with Kindle for PC or refer to your computer as necessary. The story is tight at the beginning of the book, but does start to unravel slightly at the end. It finishes well, but feels a little unbalanced. The author tries a little too hard to scientifically justify the telepathy - I didn't think it really needed that much explanation.
This book is definitely not for children. There are several adult situations, including some physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. I didn't feel they were gratuitous - the sense of urgency accelerates throughout the story. There are also racial and societal issues discussed, including culture, terrorism, and eugenics. I rate this book as appropriate for Adults (who know what they're getting into) on the Aardvark Scale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
The above links are affiliate links to Amazon.com. See my disclosures .
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August 17, 2014
A nice book which tells much about Nigerian culture and history. But this is not the major theme of the book. The underlying theme is that of telepathy and how the two protagonists of this book, Lola and Somadina forge a bond between themselves in order to find Somadina's sister, who has been taken captive to be used as a pawn in a larger game. The subject of telepathy is explained in great detail by the author.
The book also touches upon the issues of neglect during childhood and the subsequent effect on the personality of the concerned. In this case Somadina's sister, Nwanyi, suffered from a lack of self respect and longed for affection, which helped her husband to use her in his self delusional plans.
Also mentioned in this book is the issue related to the abuse of wives at the hands of husbands in certain parts of Nigeria, which the author tells is completely legal. This is quite disturbing and the scenes that bring forth this issue are also very bold and disturbing, which are not for the faint hearted. Nwanyi's husband tortures her in in the most inhuman of ways and derives sadistic pleasures out of it, just to subvert her into making her act according to his wishes.
What I felt could have been improved in this book was that the plot hatched by Djimon, Nwanyi's husband, could have been given more focus and developed a bit more. Much focus has been given on explaining the phenomenon of telepathy which sometimes gets a bit boring due to the the text bookish feel. But the fast paced ending of the book corrects this to a great extent.
The book also touches upon the issues of neglect during childhood and the subsequent effect on the personality of the concerned. In this case Somadina's sister, Nwanyi, suffered from a lack of self respect and longed for affection, which helped her husband to use her in his self delusional plans.
Also mentioned in this book is the issue related to the abuse of wives at the hands of husbands in certain parts of Nigeria, which the author tells is completely legal. This is quite disturbing and the scenes that bring forth this issue are also very bold and disturbing, which are not for the faint hearted. Nwanyi's husband tortures her in in the most inhuman of ways and derives sadistic pleasures out of it, just to subvert her into making her act according to his wishes.
What I felt could have been improved in this book was that the plot hatched by Djimon, Nwanyi's husband, could have been given more focus and developed a bit more. Much focus has been given on explaining the phenomenon of telepathy which sometimes gets a bit boring due to the the text bookish feel. But the fast paced ending of the book corrects this to a great extent.
August 27, 2014
This book was a wonderful surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading the book and the first couple of chapters made me wonder if it was going to be what really interested me. However, I was very happy to realize that I enjoyed the book much more than I ever could have expected. The story touched on so many different aspects of life, relationships, the world, and much more. The story provides a connection with both the United States and Nigeria as well as background information on Nigeria and the people of Nigeria. I loved the inclusion of the websites and information because it provided a much better understanding of some of the characters and their culture as well as how their relationships and laws worked. It was interesting to see how to very different people could develop such an incredible bond through a unique connection. Just the idea of xo as a group was intriguing, but I thought the aspects of the group dynamics, ideas, and ability to debate were wonderful. I don't want to touch on the events of the story because I figure anyone who wants to know what the book is about can read the synopsis. Overall, this book was one of the best I have read in a long time. It made me think, consider, feel, and so much more while keeping me entertained and intrigued. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series as soon as possible.
*I received a free copy of this book from a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.*
*I received a free copy of this book from a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.*
November 11, 2013
I had received and read z2 from Good reads give away. That was book three of six. I thought it was great and wanted to read more so here I am.(thanks Sherrie) Even though the books can be read out of order, reading z2 did not take anything away from x0. It still followed the Zeitman family with Lola, wife, mother and geophysicist. The most important ability Lola has is that she is also a telepath, the main focus of the story line. We learn how her abilities developed and her special friendship with a Nigerian woman named Somadina. The plot was that Lola helped with a dramatic situation of one of Somadina's family members. I don't want to give to much away so that is all I will say. Characters and the flow of the book were easy to follow. Curiosity and wanting to know more kept one reading on. And again, much research of facts. I certainly recommend this for a great read and looking forward to reading more.
P.S. Readers, a percentage of the book proceeds go to Doctor's Without Borders!!!
P.S. Readers, a percentage of the book proceeds go to Doctor's Without Borders!!!
August 21, 2014
The ancient group x0 hides in the shadows until a young Nigerian beauty forces them to emerge. Thinking that her telepathic abilities are perfectly normal, this young Igbo woman named Somadina draws upon her powers to seek an ally to rescue her captive sister. Unfortunately, the telepath she finds is cranky Texan lady who doesn't believe in nonsense and who insists that the disturbing phenomenon in her own mind isn't there.
Once Somadina realizes that her sister has become a strategic pawn in a dangerous game of international politics, she vows to do anything to get the attention of this uncooperative fellow psychic. x0 would like to ignore them both, but as the two women struggle with each other, they both become more powerful. While a fringe fanatic puts his plan in place, common links begin to forge these two radically different women together in ways even x0 barely understands
Amazing book ; I highly recommend it ! It was definitely a great mixture between reality and fantasy .
Once Somadina realizes that her sister has become a strategic pawn in a dangerous game of international politics, she vows to do anything to get the attention of this uncooperative fellow psychic. x0 would like to ignore them both, but as the two women struggle with each other, they both become more powerful. While a fringe fanatic puts his plan in place, common links begin to forge these two radically different women together in ways even x0 barely understands
Amazing book ; I highly recommend it ! It was definitely a great mixture between reality and fantasy .
February 8, 2013
Wow! This book was certainly a different kind of book than I have ever read before. Complex plot--likable characters--interesting "problems" presented to the characters- lots of information and speculation about psychic matters. The story bounces around-- across the planet and in time- so it does not ever become dull. Close up looks behind the closed doors of evil people and the ones they control and abuse. This is not about "magic" or witches or vampires- but about the human spirit and inner strengths-Good story--well written. Thank you for this free copy-I would be honest if I did not like it- I intend to recommend this to my friends and in fact have already loaned it out to one today.
March 3, 2014
Read this in 1 day after reading C3! Great read.
After reading C3 first, I was very interested to read this novel. I was not disappointed at all. It was exciting. So much so that I finished it in one day (yes had to give up doing a lot of other things, but it was so worth it). The author is great at including lots of information about the places visited, controversial thinking and character development. You feel included in the narrative as one of the conversationalist. Well done. I have bought the other two books of the series and am really looking forward to spending some more time in this author's worlds with pleasure. Unfortunately it is work week again so these will be slower immersions but am so looking forward to it.
After reading C3 first, I was very interested to read this novel. I was not disappointed at all. It was exciting. So much so that I finished it in one day (yes had to give up doing a lot of other things, but it was so worth it). The author is great at including lots of information about the places visited, controversial thinking and character development. You feel included in the narrative as one of the conversationalist. Well done. I have bought the other two books of the series and am really looking forward to spending some more time in this author's worlds with pleasure. Unfortunately it is work week again so these will be slower immersions but am so looking forward to it.
March 20, 2013
I didn't know what to expect when I received this book. What I found was a very thought provoking book with well written characters. At times the moving back and forth in the minds of some of the characters left me a little bit confused but all in all a good read. I won this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and I recommend it.
June 27, 2013
This was an amazing book. . .on many levels. The author enticed me with her exceptional story-telling talents, then skillfully had me interested in, and learning about things I never would have explored on my own. But the real coup de gras was how she lured me into a world which was so believable that in the end I though that her subtle science fiction was reality.
March 16, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you like fantasy with a little dose of reality this is the book for you. It contains factual information on Nigerian heritage. I loved the interactive style this book is written in. When speaking of a song the author would give a link to the song. I can not wait to read more from this author.
If you like fantasy with a little dose of reality this is the book for you. It contains factual information on Nigerian heritage. I loved the interactive style this book is written in. When speaking of a song the author would give a link to the song. I can not wait to read more from this author.
July 8, 2013
This is completely different to any book I have read before. I will be most definetely reading the next book
July 4, 2013
Excellent book. The author was able to draw me in, my emotions got caught up with the story. Highly recommended. Looking forward to reading her other books.
Abby
Abby
March 1, 2018
X, to the power of zero, means to the power of One.
X0 is the first is a series of tales about the Zeitman family, each of whom has special powers, and about their coming to terms with them However, the only one of the series I’ve actually read is this one.
Summary:
The story is essentially about two powerful telepathic women, living on either side of the planet and who have never met in person. They mentally combine in order to help a younger sister.
Characters:
American Lola Zeitman is a 40-something married woman, returning to work as a geophysicist, now that her children are practically grown. She is slowly made aware of her power throughout the book.
Nigerian Somadina is early 20’s, also a married woman, but who is more aware of her gift, has always known and been known for her mind-reading abilities (but this is not considered a big thing in her Igbo culture).
Plot:
Lola has always been good at finding oil, and winning the bids to get her company to get drilling rights. So far, so normal. She occasionally, however, has niggles about her sister’s marriage, and uneasy feelings about certain people & situations, but nothing concrete she can pinpoint.
Somadina’s younger sister Nwanyi has been given in marriage to a complete stranger, from outside their tribe and village. Her father is delighted with the unexpectedly high bride price, and he had never really acknowledged Nwanyi’s existence until then. Somadina becomes extremely uneasy when Nwanyi’s telephone calls stop coming, and realises her sister is in deep trouble, if not mortal danger.
Somadina’s power is such that it connects with Lola, and through time and the intervention of the X0 “organisation�, Lola becomes convinced she is not going crazy, the two mentally link and begin forming bonds.
Minor characters include that of Nwanyi’s husband Djimon, who is a vile animal, degrading and debasing Nwanyi in order to break her spirit, and make her amenable to what his ultimate intention is for her. Lola’s husband is a quiet, self-effacing guy, as is Somadina’s, but there was no real development of them, or their children (subject of future books!).
Finally meeting, and working together, the two embark on a series of journeys and meetings that get really exciting, especially as it peaks near the end.
What I Liked:
Aspects of Nigerian culture also gets well explained, along with interesting information around the socio-political history of this young nation. The author has clearly put a lot of effort into her research.
The concept of and moral questions around telepathy was interesting, and how it is described as a power than can only suggest rather than influence.
What I didn’t like:
Very slow build-up, with one of the characters being undecided for longer than was necessary, I thought.
The FAQ’s around telepathy and the science etc. didn’t really interest me, as much as the discussions about it between the characters.
There would absolutely have to be mind-reading, in order for some of the plot twists and character-assists to happen, and some of it was a little too James Bond-ish.
Overall:
I liked this book. It was an entertaining read, and I would recommend it as a good holiday read. It is definitely not for kids (anyone under 16, in my opinion) due to the graphic nature and implications of some of the scenes. I think the scenes had to be there, to get a sense of the trouble Nwanyi was in, however.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to the author from whom I received a free copy of this book, in return for an objective review.
X0 is the first is a series of tales about the Zeitman family, each of whom has special powers, and about their coming to terms with them However, the only one of the series I’ve actually read is this one.
Summary:
The story is essentially about two powerful telepathic women, living on either side of the planet and who have never met in person. They mentally combine in order to help a younger sister.
Characters:
American Lola Zeitman is a 40-something married woman, returning to work as a geophysicist, now that her children are practically grown. She is slowly made aware of her power throughout the book.
Nigerian Somadina is early 20’s, also a married woman, but who is more aware of her gift, has always known and been known for her mind-reading abilities (but this is not considered a big thing in her Igbo culture).
Plot:
Lola has always been good at finding oil, and winning the bids to get her company to get drilling rights. So far, so normal. She occasionally, however, has niggles about her sister’s marriage, and uneasy feelings about certain people & situations, but nothing concrete she can pinpoint.
Somadina’s younger sister Nwanyi has been given in marriage to a complete stranger, from outside their tribe and village. Her father is delighted with the unexpectedly high bride price, and he had never really acknowledged Nwanyi’s existence until then. Somadina becomes extremely uneasy when Nwanyi’s telephone calls stop coming, and realises her sister is in deep trouble, if not mortal danger.
Somadina’s power is such that it connects with Lola, and through time and the intervention of the X0 “organisation�, Lola becomes convinced she is not going crazy, the two mentally link and begin forming bonds.
Minor characters include that of Nwanyi’s husband Djimon, who is a vile animal, degrading and debasing Nwanyi in order to break her spirit, and make her amenable to what his ultimate intention is for her. Lola’s husband is a quiet, self-effacing guy, as is Somadina’s, but there was no real development of them, or their children (subject of future books!).
Finally meeting, and working together, the two embark on a series of journeys and meetings that get really exciting, especially as it peaks near the end.
What I Liked:
Aspects of Nigerian culture also gets well explained, along with interesting information around the socio-political history of this young nation. The author has clearly put a lot of effort into her research.
The concept of and moral questions around telepathy was interesting, and how it is described as a power than can only suggest rather than influence.
What I didn’t like:
Very slow build-up, with one of the characters being undecided for longer than was necessary, I thought.
The FAQ’s around telepathy and the science etc. didn’t really interest me, as much as the discussions about it between the characters.
There would absolutely have to be mind-reading, in order for some of the plot twists and character-assists to happen, and some of it was a little too James Bond-ish.
Overall:
I liked this book. It was an entertaining read, and I would recommend it as a good holiday read. It is definitely not for kids (anyone under 16, in my opinion) due to the graphic nature and implications of some of the scenes. I think the scenes had to be there, to get a sense of the trouble Nwanyi was in, however.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to the author from whom I received a free copy of this book, in return for an objective review.
March 12, 2019
Young Nigerian telepath......middle aged American with suppressed abilities.
Ìý Ìý ÌýSomadina is twenty-one with a wonderful gift for telepathy. She needs help though and finds it in Lola, an American geologist.
Ìý Ìý ÌýThe characters work well together. I really like Somadina, her personality, her love and loyalty to her sister, her tenacity and grit.
Ìý Ìý Lola on the other hand hasn't really used her gift (mainly as she doesn't fully realise that she's gifted) in fact it doesn't manifest properly until middle age. But she's a quick study when she lets it in.
This is a good read with historical facts spread throughout which helps to build the story more. It gives an insight into something that isn't taught in history lessons.
This is an adult read as some of the themes wouldn't be appropriateÌý for a younger audience.
Although you could read this as a stand-alone book, please note that it is also the first of a seriesÌý
Ìý Ìý ÌýSomadina is twenty-one with a wonderful gift for telepathy. She needs help though and finds it in Lola, an American geologist.
Ìý Ìý ÌýThe characters work well together. I really like Somadina, her personality, her love and loyalty to her sister, her tenacity and grit.
Ìý Ìý Lola on the other hand hasn't really used her gift (mainly as she doesn't fully realise that she's gifted) in fact it doesn't manifest properly until middle age. But she's a quick study when she lets it in.
This is a good read with historical facts spread throughout which helps to build the story more. It gives an insight into something that isn't taught in history lessons.
This is an adult read as some of the themes wouldn't be appropriateÌý for a younger audience.
Although you could read this as a stand-alone book, please note that it is also the first of a seriesÌý
December 2, 2018
The author explores telepathic abilities through the thoughts and lives of two women, one from Texas, and the other from Nigeria. Lola is twenty-six year old geophysicist who finds herself being mentally contacted by Somadina, who desperately needs help. Cronin uses the connection to describe the social conditions, customs, and expectations the two women and Somadina’s sister face. The story takes a sudden turn when an organization called x0 gets involved in their lives. Overall, the characters and the plot were interesting.
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