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The Variant Saga #1-4
The Variant Saga Boxed Set
200 years after the world ends, their future begins.
In 2157, a mysterious gas known as Variant spreads across the globe, killing or mutating most organic life. The surviving humans take refuge in an underground city, determined to return home. But after generations of failures and botched attempts, hope is beginning to dwindle. That is, until a young scientist makes a unique discovery--and everything changes. Suddenly, there's reason to hope again, and it rests within a group of genetically engineered children that are both human and Variant.
Terry is one of these children, modified and trained to endure the harsh conditions of a planet he cannot begin to understand. After years of preparation, Terry thinks he knows what to expect. But the reality is far stranger than anything he can imagine--and what he will become is far more dangerous.
In 2157, a mysterious gas known as Variant spreads across the globe, killing or mutating most organic life. The surviving humans take refuge in an underground city, determined to return home. But after generations of failures and botched attempts, hope is beginning to dwindle. That is, until a young scientist makes a unique discovery--and everything changes. Suddenly, there's reason to hope again, and it rests within a group of genetically engineered children that are both human and Variant.
Terry is one of these children, modified and trained to endure the harsh conditions of a planet he cannot begin to understand. After years of preparation, Terry thinks he knows what to expect. But the reality is far stranger than anything he can imagine--and what he will become is far more dangerous.
1966 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2017
1,663 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 11, 2023
The Variant Saga begins with a boy and his first days in school. Although innocuous, to say the least what happens next causes the story to balloon into an epic, worlds-spanning, science fiction, space opera. There are four books worth of action, sci. fi., dystopian energy packed into this boxed set. Without getting too much into spoiler territory, the school turns out to be (this is apparent from the very beginning) a government funded way of finding genetically engineered children resistant to Variant, a gas that rendered the world above-ground uninhabitable. Thus far, the survivors live in an underground city, but eventually they must come to the surface because things are not going so well underground. There’s overcrowding, corruption in government, and the infrastructure is falling apart. The genetically modified children are the last hope for human survival, and they must get to the surface to determine if the modifications already made are enough to rehabilitate the world. The story has really strong ensemble characters with a complex, thought-provoking plot with ecological, and genetic manipulation concerns.
April 20, 2017
THE AMBER PROJECT:
A good YA dystopian is one of my preferred genres, but so very hard to find in this sea of overdone mediocrity, I almost forgot why I enjoyed it so much. This book, The Amber Project, reminded me why it's still one of my favorites.
The author brings forward a very rich cast of characters that are lifelike and realistic. These are not 2D cardboard cutouts, or special snowflakes, but ones that have frailties and vulnerabilities. Characters who make mistakes while trying to deal with the hands they are dealt. Whether their qualities are good or bad, you can relate to their way of thinking even if you don't necessarily agree with it.
The storyline is broken down into two main plots. One being the main surrounding the genetically engineered children and their plight. The other centers amongst the adults, their play for power, and the sacrifices some are willing to make for progress and the 'greater good'. Both plots are interwoven seamlessly to make a very intriguing and engrossing read. It wraps up enough at the end that it *could* be a standalone, while still leaving a hunger for the sequel. Overall, a book that is extremely hard to put down once you begin it.
______________________
TRANSIENT ECHOES:
It's very rare to find a second book in a series that is as good as the first one. 'Transient Echoes' the second book in the Variant Saga, exceeded my expectations. The book picks up three years later. After the second jolt, Terry has been transported to a strange new world in which variant is in the air. His life is a daily struggle to provide himself food, shelter, and safety against mutated beasts unlike any he's encountered in his previous world.
Meanwhile back in the old world, Mei is now a top scientist. With the variant problem solved, new problems have arose. With the help of her team, as well as her best friend John, she is working towards solving these new problems along with what happened to Terry during the second jolt.
From the first page until the last, this book will keep your attention and keep you guessing as to how it will end. The storyline is engaging, believable, and filled with unexpected twists and turns you are sure to enjoy. This is something that can be appreciated by teens and adults alike. Written content appropriate for a teenage audience but not written down to 'appeal' to the audience like so many other young adult books. Overall, a wonderful, well written read that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.
______________________
HOPE EVERLASTING:
Once again, JN Chaney has exceeded my expectations in this installment of 'The Variant Saga'. All too often you get what can only be described as filler material in between the first and last books of a series. This is so not the case with this author. Each book takes us on a separate journey, and could be a standalone if not the need for back story from prior.
The world building easily immerses you into this author's world. Whether it's the dystopian Earth or the parallel universe of Kant, you can easily imagine yourself within these worlds through his descriptions. Speaking of these two worlds, we get to see what was hinted at in the epilogue of book two 'Transient Echoes', in the meeting of these two worlds. Done in a seamless way with a masterful plot, the story takes off from the very beginning and holds you within its grasp till the very last page. Overall, a flawless addition to the series, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one to see what's in store for some of my favorite characters!
________________________
THE VERNAL MEMORY:
The city of Everlasting is still reeling from the latest attack at the hands of the rebellion group known as Garden. War is imminent as Garden begins making assassination attempts on the Leadership. In the midst of it all, an unforeseen hand makes its own power play.
Back on earth, Mei and her team are working on a cure. A vaccine against the poisonous gas of the Variant air. Unknown to her, there are some that have sinister plans not only for the vaccine, but also for her.
After Terry was rescued from being experimented on in Everlasting's underground facility by Jinel Din, he and Lena Sol are working with Garden. Reunified with lost friends, they will sail to distant lands in search of the one thing to end this conflict. Unbeknown to them, some have other plans that include stopping them once and for all.
J.N. Chaney's final book in the Variant Saga, THE VERNAL MEMORY, is a non stop thrill ride in which he forgot to include the brakes. Propelled by powerful and heartfelt characters, this final journey takes you deep into a web of deceit and lies. Action paced, filled with suspense, convoluted twists and turns, all leading to an explosive ending. A superb farewell to a fantastic series!
A good YA dystopian is one of my preferred genres, but so very hard to find in this sea of overdone mediocrity, I almost forgot why I enjoyed it so much. This book, The Amber Project, reminded me why it's still one of my favorites.
The author brings forward a very rich cast of characters that are lifelike and realistic. These are not 2D cardboard cutouts, or special snowflakes, but ones that have frailties and vulnerabilities. Characters who make mistakes while trying to deal with the hands they are dealt. Whether their qualities are good or bad, you can relate to their way of thinking even if you don't necessarily agree with it.
The storyline is broken down into two main plots. One being the main surrounding the genetically engineered children and their plight. The other centers amongst the adults, their play for power, and the sacrifices some are willing to make for progress and the 'greater good'. Both plots are interwoven seamlessly to make a very intriguing and engrossing read. It wraps up enough at the end that it *could* be a standalone, while still leaving a hunger for the sequel. Overall, a book that is extremely hard to put down once you begin it.
______________________
TRANSIENT ECHOES:
It's very rare to find a second book in a series that is as good as the first one. 'Transient Echoes' the second book in the Variant Saga, exceeded my expectations. The book picks up three years later. After the second jolt, Terry has been transported to a strange new world in which variant is in the air. His life is a daily struggle to provide himself food, shelter, and safety against mutated beasts unlike any he's encountered in his previous world.
Meanwhile back in the old world, Mei is now a top scientist. With the variant problem solved, new problems have arose. With the help of her team, as well as her best friend John, she is working towards solving these new problems along with what happened to Terry during the second jolt.
From the first page until the last, this book will keep your attention and keep you guessing as to how it will end. The storyline is engaging, believable, and filled with unexpected twists and turns you are sure to enjoy. This is something that can be appreciated by teens and adults alike. Written content appropriate for a teenage audience but not written down to 'appeal' to the audience like so many other young adult books. Overall, a wonderful, well written read that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.
______________________
HOPE EVERLASTING:
Once again, JN Chaney has exceeded my expectations in this installment of 'The Variant Saga'. All too often you get what can only be described as filler material in between the first and last books of a series. This is so not the case with this author. Each book takes us on a separate journey, and could be a standalone if not the need for back story from prior.
The world building easily immerses you into this author's world. Whether it's the dystopian Earth or the parallel universe of Kant, you can easily imagine yourself within these worlds through his descriptions. Speaking of these two worlds, we get to see what was hinted at in the epilogue of book two 'Transient Echoes', in the meeting of these two worlds. Done in a seamless way with a masterful plot, the story takes off from the very beginning and holds you within its grasp till the very last page. Overall, a flawless addition to the series, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one to see what's in store for some of my favorite characters!
________________________
THE VERNAL MEMORY:
The city of Everlasting is still reeling from the latest attack at the hands of the rebellion group known as Garden. War is imminent as Garden begins making assassination attempts on the Leadership. In the midst of it all, an unforeseen hand makes its own power play.
Back on earth, Mei and her team are working on a cure. A vaccine against the poisonous gas of the Variant air. Unknown to her, there are some that have sinister plans not only for the vaccine, but also for her.
After Terry was rescued from being experimented on in Everlasting's underground facility by Jinel Din, he and Lena Sol are working with Garden. Reunified with lost friends, they will sail to distant lands in search of the one thing to end this conflict. Unbeknown to them, some have other plans that include stopping them once and for all.
J.N. Chaney's final book in the Variant Saga, THE VERNAL MEMORY, is a non stop thrill ride in which he forgot to include the brakes. Propelled by powerful and heartfelt characters, this final journey takes you deep into a web of deceit and lies. Action paced, filled with suspense, convoluted twists and turns, all leading to an explosive ending. A superb farewell to a fantastic series!
August 6, 2017
The Amber Project:
Holy dystopia! The Amber Project is a great dystopian journey. This is a genre I love to read and sometimes get a little iffy on how much it will differ from others in the same genre. The author sets the setting so that you are right there. The characters all feel incredibly real. You will connect with them very quickly. Humans are trying to keep their race going while living underground. The earth has been destroyed by the gas, Variant. During the entire story you are given snippets of audio recording from past and present regarding Variant and the various experiments the scientists and the military have been working on. During all of this you live and feel what the genetically altered kids are going through. You see why and how they are taken from their homes and sent to a place where they are trained like soldiers. And finally you experience the changes that they face internally and externally. They are forced to go to the surface for a mission. Many things are unknown and very dangerous. The journey they take and the uprisings going on below the surface are sure to keep you stuck on the story. The ending is very well written. It's enough to wrap up this story but more than enough to keep you waiting on pins and needles for the next. This is my first story by JN Chaney and absolutely, under no circumstances, be the last. Well done!
Transient Echoes:
Just wow! I need more! This story picks up a few years after The Amber Project. We find out that Terry has been transported to another planet. Mei is working at the ruins but also has her own agenda on trying to find out what happened to Terry. The point of views go back and forth between the unknown planet and Earth. The world building is incredible. Earth is still nothing like we know of it today and the way the author describes the new Earth and the unknown planet that Terry is on is hard to resist. We get to experience Terry's trials as he decides if he is going to continue to survive or not. And on the other hand we see Mei and John go through their own trials deciding if they need to move forward or not, on the low, to try and find out what happened to Terry. Both sides meet great new characters and many new journeys start. I have to warn you that this story is not like The Amber Project. Our characters have grown and are in completely different areas of their lives. I love how Transient Echoes compliments the Amber Project. It's different and exciting! Kudos to JN Chaney for another great story!
Hope Everlasting:
Oh my gods! The story just keeps getting better and better. Each installment in this series is different from the other one. The world building expands in the greatest way and each new character is full of surprises. All the characters add something unique to the story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And best of all...who can you trust? Loyalty and trust are huge in this story. Everyone is in search of the truth and an impending war is upon us. Our characters from Earth are right in the middle of the mess. Everlasting is a city full of technology and power. This city cannot breath the Variant air. All of the other natives to Kant are more primitive and with many different religious beliefs. When all of this clashes things really get out of hand. It's a very emotional book that just does not stop. There is the perfect combination of emotion and action to make this an incredible addition to this series. Sending kudos to the author on this one! Well done!
The Vernal Memory:
An outstanding conclusion to this series! Just wow! The rebellion has made themselves known to our Earthling characters. For me, I found trust and loyalty were major factors in the story in general. Once again I found this to get stronger throughout this story. Throw an intense amount of greed in there and you have the perfect twist to an amazing ending. Terry has set out to help Garden (the rebels) find a weapon to help stop the Leadership in Everlasting. John Finn (Terry's best friend from Earth) is helping Everlasting to locate Garden to bring the rebel leader in. Mei Curie (our other Earth best friend) is working on locating a cure for the Variant air. When all of them end up on different sides of this war the rollercoaster of action and emotion get intense! All of our Earthlings have made special bonds and friendships with natives of Kant. This is a place of the impossible becoming possible. Curiosity and countering traditional thought is what brings this book out on top. The twists and turns in this story are more than enough to justify the late nights spent reading this series. Once again this author has given us another amazing story that makes this series absolutely extraordinary. Bravo!!
Holy dystopia! The Amber Project is a great dystopian journey. This is a genre I love to read and sometimes get a little iffy on how much it will differ from others in the same genre. The author sets the setting so that you are right there. The characters all feel incredibly real. You will connect with them very quickly. Humans are trying to keep their race going while living underground. The earth has been destroyed by the gas, Variant. During the entire story you are given snippets of audio recording from past and present regarding Variant and the various experiments the scientists and the military have been working on. During all of this you live and feel what the genetically altered kids are going through. You see why and how they are taken from their homes and sent to a place where they are trained like soldiers. And finally you experience the changes that they face internally and externally. They are forced to go to the surface for a mission. Many things are unknown and very dangerous. The journey they take and the uprisings going on below the surface are sure to keep you stuck on the story. The ending is very well written. It's enough to wrap up this story but more than enough to keep you waiting on pins and needles for the next. This is my first story by JN Chaney and absolutely, under no circumstances, be the last. Well done!
Transient Echoes:
Just wow! I need more! This story picks up a few years after The Amber Project. We find out that Terry has been transported to another planet. Mei is working at the ruins but also has her own agenda on trying to find out what happened to Terry. The point of views go back and forth between the unknown planet and Earth. The world building is incredible. Earth is still nothing like we know of it today and the way the author describes the new Earth and the unknown planet that Terry is on is hard to resist. We get to experience Terry's trials as he decides if he is going to continue to survive or not. And on the other hand we see Mei and John go through their own trials deciding if they need to move forward or not, on the low, to try and find out what happened to Terry. Both sides meet great new characters and many new journeys start. I have to warn you that this story is not like The Amber Project. Our characters have grown and are in completely different areas of their lives. I love how Transient Echoes compliments the Amber Project. It's different and exciting! Kudos to JN Chaney for another great story!
Hope Everlasting:
Oh my gods! The story just keeps getting better and better. Each installment in this series is different from the other one. The world building expands in the greatest way and each new character is full of surprises. All the characters add something unique to the story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And best of all...who can you trust? Loyalty and trust are huge in this story. Everyone is in search of the truth and an impending war is upon us. Our characters from Earth are right in the middle of the mess. Everlasting is a city full of technology and power. This city cannot breath the Variant air. All of the other natives to Kant are more primitive and with many different religious beliefs. When all of this clashes things really get out of hand. It's a very emotional book that just does not stop. There is the perfect combination of emotion and action to make this an incredible addition to this series. Sending kudos to the author on this one! Well done!
The Vernal Memory:
An outstanding conclusion to this series! Just wow! The rebellion has made themselves known to our Earthling characters. For me, I found trust and loyalty were major factors in the story in general. Once again I found this to get stronger throughout this story. Throw an intense amount of greed in there and you have the perfect twist to an amazing ending. Terry has set out to help Garden (the rebels) find a weapon to help stop the Leadership in Everlasting. John Finn (Terry's best friend from Earth) is helping Everlasting to locate Garden to bring the rebel leader in. Mei Curie (our other Earth best friend) is working on locating a cure for the Variant air. When all of them end up on different sides of this war the rollercoaster of action and emotion get intense! All of our Earthlings have made special bonds and friendships with natives of Kant. This is a place of the impossible becoming possible. Curiosity and countering traditional thought is what brings this book out on top. The twists and turns in this story are more than enough to justify the late nights spent reading this series. Once again this author has given us another amazing story that makes this series absolutely extraordinary. Bravo!!
August 1, 2017
YA isn't my primary genre, although dystopian futures are a favorite setting. I read this 4-book series very diligently, having been hooked fairly early on by Terry's story. I enjoyed the entire series, although I kept waiting for what I thought of as inevitable betrayal by one or more of Terry's new friends. (Is that me being cynical, or a YA thing that it doesn't happen often? I don't know.)
Every once in a while the writing would pull me out of the story briefly, sometimes because of errors that an editor or pre-release reader should have readily caught (Lena's security being dramatically moved to level 9, but then all references thereafter calling it a 5; Mei losing all her hair due to radiation sickness, but then her chewing on a curl of hair only a few days later) or the frequent dramatic chapter endings when John was the current focus ("...he would do everything in his power to protect them. [paragraph break] Whatever the cost.").
All in all, however, I found the series a good, enjoyable read with engaging characters and a story I wanted to see the end of (and, indeed, hear more about).
Every once in a while the writing would pull me out of the story briefly, sometimes because of errors that an editor or pre-release reader should have readily caught (Lena's security being dramatically moved to level 9, but then all references thereafter calling it a 5; Mei losing all her hair due to radiation sickness, but then her chewing on a curl of hair only a few days later) or the frequent dramatic chapter endings when John was the current focus ("...he would do everything in his power to protect them. [paragraph break] Whatever the cost.").
All in all, however, I found the series a good, enjoyable read with engaging characters and a story I wanted to see the end of (and, indeed, hear more about).
August 24, 2021
It’s been two years and four months since I’ve read The Amber Project, the first book in The Variant Saga series. After reading the other three books, Transient Echoes, Hope Everlasting, and The Vernal Memory, nothing has changed. I love the entire series, with The Amber Project (probably) being my favorite book. A fantastic sci-fi, dystopian read worthy of my recommendation!
Also check out my The Amber Project review.
Also check out my The Amber Project review.
August 2, 2017
Great series
This was a truly captivating, suspenseful series. It sucked me in to the point where the villains were really making me angry with their treachery. However, the one negative comment I have is that the author or the publisher was leaving large gaps after every few lines so the actual pages of content were a lot less then the page count.
This was a truly captivating, suspenseful series. It sucked me in to the point where the villains were really making me angry with their treachery. However, the one negative comment I have is that the author or the publisher was leaving large gaps after every few lines so the actual pages of content were a lot less then the page count.
July 27, 2017
Wonderful time!
Spending time with these characters was such fun. The author did a good job of developing them, and I grew to really care about their lives. The plot lines were interesting and imaginative, not difficult to follow, and the ending for me was perfect! I love happy endings!
Spending time with these characters was such fun. The author did a good job of developing them, and I grew to really care about their lives. The plot lines were interesting and imaginative, not difficult to follow, and the ending for me was perfect! I love happy endings!
July 27, 2017
Intriguing story
New author for me but very well written. Happily no editing errors and great characters!! Such h a well thought out story!!.
New author for me but very well written. Happily no editing errors and great characters!! Such h a well thought out story!!.
July 1, 2017
EXCELLENT SCI-FI SERIES
Thank you for your time and imagination in writing this series. The characters are unbelievably good and the storyline is engaging. I did not want to stop reading, but it still consumed me over 3 1/2 days. I was so glad I had the boxed set, so I could go right to the next book. One theme keep going thru my mind as I continued to read, what if we as humans sought non-lethal ways to wage wars or remove threats to our safety? What if.........?. Thank you, Danny Scott.
Thank you for your time and imagination in writing this series. The characters are unbelievably good and the storyline is engaging. I did not want to stop reading, but it still consumed me over 3 1/2 days. I was so glad I had the boxed set, so I could go right to the next book. One theme keep going thru my mind as I continued to read, what if we as humans sought non-lethal ways to wage wars or remove threats to our safety? What if.........?. Thank you, Danny Scott.
June 29, 2017
Not my usual choice of genre, but WOW!
I read this merely due to a shortage of my usual zombie Apocalypse book options, and boy was I glad! I fell in love/hate with the characters throughout and the writing style was different and appealing. I would recommend these to teens through octogenarian... There's something for everyone in here! Enjoy!
I read this merely due to a shortage of my usual zombie Apocalypse book options, and boy was I glad! I fell in love/hate with the characters throughout and the writing style was different and appealing. I would recommend these to teens through octogenarian... There's something for everyone in here! Enjoy!
June 30, 2017
Really enjoyed it. Easy read.
July 12, 2017
I liked this series - plenty of different angles, personalities you got to know, decent bit of sci fi! It kept me captured through all 4 books, read one after the other. I look forward to reading more from J N Chaney.
July 12, 2017
Very entertaining
A good read, the pace was good keeping the level if interest. The length was okay if I felt it a little rushed at the end.
Interesting character I would say its aimed at a youth market but those young at heart will enjoy it.
A good read, the pace was good keeping the level if interest. The length was okay if I felt it a little rushed at the end.
Interesting character I would say its aimed at a youth market but those young at heart will enjoy it.
September 14, 2019
Engrossng, exciting read
This series was immediately engaging. The characters were well-formed and naturally drove the plot. Chaney created rich, immersive worlds that felt both familiar and exotic. It was a nice marriage of military, fantasy and dystopian sci-fi.
This series was immediately engaging. The characters were well-formed and naturally drove the plot. Chaney created rich, immersive worlds that felt both familiar and exotic. It was a nice marriage of military, fantasy and dystopian sci-fi.
October 9, 2017
A terrific read!!
A thoroughly good read! Well developed story and characters. A storyline that twists and turns in un-expected ways. The end came much too soon!! Recommended reading and I look forward to reading more books from this author.
A thoroughly good read! Well developed story and characters. A storyline that twists and turns in un-expected ways. The end came much too soon!! Recommended reading and I look forward to reading more books from this author.
November 19, 2017
Exciting page turner
This saga is wonderful. It shows how people can overcome obstacles by working together. The characters may not have the depth of some writers but they seem very real as they go about their lives in parallel universes. Most enjoyable read.
This saga is wonderful. It shows how people can overcome obstacles by working together. The characters may not have the depth of some writers but they seem very real as they go about their lives in parallel universes. Most enjoyable read.
January 31, 2018
Found a new author to follow and read. Extremely enjoyable. Just buckle in and enjoy the ride. Forget all that stuff you learned in school and let your imagination free. Got a problem, call Terry, Flinn, and Mei. Hope this author has as many books in him to get out as I have years to read them.
March 12, 2018
Great
This is a long read, as it is really four books in series. One flows into the next, for a seamless story. A very good story, it turns out. I had a hard time putting it down and greatly recommend it.
This is a long read, as it is really four books in series. One flows into the next, for a seamless story. A very good story, it turns out. I had a hard time putting it down and greatly recommend it.
June 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this. Well done.
Apparently they want more words. Ill just hit the middle one on the keyboard. Im driving three years of three days after i explain our work
Apparently they want more words. Ill just hit the middle one on the keyboard. Im driving three years of three days after i explain our work
July 2, 2017
Great read
Read this saga! One of the best books I've read in a long time. Truly a portal into another world with riveting characters and an intelligent and spellbinding storyline.
Read this saga! One of the best books I've read in a long time. Truly a portal into another world with riveting characters and an intelligent and spellbinding storyline.
July 10, 2017
Love it, the story is easy to follow and the characters are very likable. Look forward to more great stories from this author.
October 12, 2017
Loved them all!
Never like the endings because I want the good ones to go on forever... And these were All good ones.
Never like the endings because I want the good ones to go on forever... And these were All good ones.
October 18, 2017
A very entertaining SciFi saga. Well worth the read.
January 10, 2018
Addicted first page to last
I like SciFi but this I loved this. Monsters humans and the variant type too.. Hero's of all types and unexpected twists.
I like SciFi but this I loved this. Monsters humans and the variant type too.. Hero's of all types and unexpected twists.
February 7, 2018
Excellent read. The energy and adventure kept me intrigued till the end.
February 19, 2018
Fun read!
Sci fi, pirates, middle earth, all wrapped up in one, super fun stories, well done! Highly recommend, can't imagine anyone not enjoying these books!
Sci fi, pirates, middle earth, all wrapped up in one, super fun stories, well done! Highly recommend, can't imagine anyone not enjoying these books!
March 8, 2018
Fantastic adventure
This story kept surprising me. Each time I thought I knew where it was going there was a new twist. Couldn't put it down!
This story kept surprising me. Each time I thought I knew where it was going there was a new twist. Couldn't put it down!
February 15, 2020
Dystopian with some elements of politics
Book 1 - I think this can be read as a YA. This has been an interesting read so far although with so many characters and so many adventures, I think it may be lacking some character developments. Also with technology as it is, in the future, you’d think they would do in vitro insemination rather than subject the female to the act itself, with people looking on like an animal in a zoo.
Story is focussed on Mari and her son Terry. Audio file logs give it a nice addition.
Book 2 - Starts off with Terry celebrates his 18th birthday. I’m not sure how he is able to track 3 years leading up to it though. Actually I think there may be conflicting dates between when the kids left the surface to book 2.
This story is based around Mei and her team on the surface near the site where Terry supposedly disappeared... through a portal.
Book 3 - So once through the portal they, mei, John and their team are able to do their own scientific research of the alien planet.
As for Terry and Ludo trek across the country (with some help along the way) to rescue Ludo’s wife.
As with any government, there will always be freedom fighters/rebellion who oppose the government’s power and want to give it to the people, think Robin Hood.
Story ends with Terry being rescued by the new group, at least now in the story he is aware his friends are looking for him.
Book 4 - Story ends with mei fights her way out from being held captive. John, terry and crew find their way back to everlasting. The city falls apart so they make plans to rebuild a new city.
Overall interesting premise. Some parts were slow and dragged out a bit. Aliens with pointy ears could easily be elves - think LOTR.
Book 1 - I think this can be read as a YA. This has been an interesting read so far although with so many characters and so many adventures, I think it may be lacking some character developments. Also with technology as it is, in the future, you’d think they would do in vitro insemination rather than subject the female to the act itself, with people looking on like an animal in a zoo.
Story is focussed on Mari and her son Terry. Audio file logs give it a nice addition.
Book 2 - Starts off with Terry celebrates his 18th birthday. I’m not sure how he is able to track 3 years leading up to it though. Actually I think there may be conflicting dates between when the kids left the surface to book 2.
This story is based around Mei and her team on the surface near the site where Terry supposedly disappeared... through a portal.
Book 3 - So once through the portal they, mei, John and their team are able to do their own scientific research of the alien planet.
As for Terry and Ludo trek across the country (with some help along the way) to rescue Ludo’s wife.
As with any government, there will always be freedom fighters/rebellion who oppose the government’s power and want to give it to the people, think Robin Hood.
Story ends with Terry being rescued by the new group, at least now in the story he is aware his friends are looking for him.
Book 4 - Story ends with mei fights her way out from being held captive. John, terry and crew find their way back to everlasting. The city falls apart so they make plans to rebuild a new city.
Overall interesting premise. Some parts were slow and dragged out a bit. Aliens with pointy ears could easily be elves - think LOTR.
July 11, 2017
The seeds of a good story but serious quality issues
This series has a fairly solid foundation story-arc wise, but it shows exactly why a good editor is so important in producing quality work.
It kind of blows my mind that this guy has a master's in creative writing, because the quality level of the dialog and action is REALLY lacking. Certain phrases ("lording over", "giving him pause", "the hell was that?") are used over and over again, frequently to detrimental effect. Action scenes are clinical, boring, and unbelievable. A lot of dialog is stilted and unnatural, and occasionally characters will say or do something that's in COMPLETE opposition to everything we've been told about them up until that point.
Honestly, it was so bad that I started highlighting particularly egregious pages and adding notes as if I were the editor, and despite getting tired of constantly highlighting and commenting and thus skipping large parts, still wound up with almost 400 notes on things that need to be improved.
There are also a couple of really glaring issues science-wise, like the fact that "variant" is supposedly a chemical catalyst. Catalysts, no matter how complex, do not do the things variant does, and you cannot make a generic hybrid with living creature and a catalyst. If anything, make it a virus!
I've shared my notes and highlights to Good Reads, so if you want examples of what I'm talking about, you should be able to find them there.
This series has a fairly solid foundation story-arc wise, but it shows exactly why a good editor is so important in producing quality work.
It kind of blows my mind that this guy has a master's in creative writing, because the quality level of the dialog and action is REALLY lacking. Certain phrases ("lording over", "giving him pause", "the hell was that?") are used over and over again, frequently to detrimental effect. Action scenes are clinical, boring, and unbelievable. A lot of dialog is stilted and unnatural, and occasionally characters will say or do something that's in COMPLETE opposition to everything we've been told about them up until that point.
Honestly, it was so bad that I started highlighting particularly egregious pages and adding notes as if I were the editor, and despite getting tired of constantly highlighting and commenting and thus skipping large parts, still wound up with almost 400 notes on things that need to be improved.
There are also a couple of really glaring issues science-wise, like the fact that "variant" is supposedly a chemical catalyst. Catalysts, no matter how complex, do not do the things variant does, and you cannot make a generic hybrid with living creature and a catalyst. If anything, make it a virus!
I've shared my notes and highlights to Good Reads, so if you want examples of what I'm talking about, you should be able to find them there.
April 17, 2019
I could not finish this book. I only read about 5%. There is a little too much exposition for my liking. Take this example on Location 277: "Terry stepped cautiously into the room, which was nicer than the entryway. It was clean, at least compared to some of the other places Terry had been, including his own home." I'm not an editor but it could have been shorter. Words like "nicer" are unnecessary because it doesn't tell us anything, and comparing places we can't see is boring. I wanted to read the story, not boring descriptions. Oh, and get this, the whole paragraph I quoted this from is mostly description.
It feels like there is too much telling in this story, and not enough showing.
I also agree with some of the other low reviews. I saw others say this is the author's first book, but I just couldn't get attached to the main characters, Terry and his mom. They felt flat and didn't react to anything. When faced with bad news they had no emotions. If they're stoic, I understand, but even stoic people have to deal with inner turmoil, if they don't show emotions.
As for the plot, it was intriguing enough. Some mysterious gas in the world changes things. But it would have been more interesting to read the story about the start of the gas and how humanity dealt with it. The beginning is just about tests and going to school, and I really wanted to get to the main story.
It feels like there is too much telling in this story, and not enough showing.
I also agree with some of the other low reviews. I saw others say this is the author's first book, but I just couldn't get attached to the main characters, Terry and his mom. They felt flat and didn't react to anything. When faced with bad news they had no emotions. If they're stoic, I understand, but even stoic people have to deal with inner turmoil, if they don't show emotions.
As for the plot, it was intriguing enough. Some mysterious gas in the world changes things. But it would have been more interesting to read the story about the start of the gas and how humanity dealt with it. The beginning is just about tests and going to school, and I really wanted to get to the main story.
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