Toward Yesterday by Paul Antony Jones

Toward Yesterday

If you like: Flash Forward * cults * second chances 

Toward Yesterday begins in 2042. Cars drive with AI and simplifying technology abounds, but the persistent human dilemmas continue. People are still depressed, there is still divorce, and religion and science continue to be at odds. Suddenly, everything changes. Everyone instantaneously finds themselves transported and confused. Soon they learn that they are in the exact location they were 25 years earlier. The disorientation and confusion lead to immediate chaos.

Though the overarching plot of Toward Yesterday is engaging, there are some missed opportunities in the narrative. Moving back in time 25 years resurrects those who had died during the period between the two points in time. It also means that anyone born after the reset date does not reappear. Much of the story is devoted to the main characters being reunited with lost loved ones, or coming back to life themselves. The flip side is largely ignored. What about all of the parents with children that no longer exist? Yes, some characters mention coworkers who did not make it back, but the devastating grief that young parents would have experienced en masse is not explored. At the same time, a multitude of people have returned from beyond the vale of death. Distinctly different experiences are fleetingly described by two characters, but it is otherwise ignored. The different experiences of each of the revivified had great potential impact on the religious segment of the story, but these connections are never explored.

Those at the center of Toward Yesterday are given a second chance at life. Though they retain all of their memories and knowledge from the previous timeline, their youth has been restored by 25 years. The knowledge gained through a full life combined with the vigor of youth will allow many to make smarter choices as they relive their golden years. At the same time, there are a multitude of childlike adults, who have experienced the freedoms of adulthood, and now must suffer through their adolescence a second time. The story truly excels when its characters are reunited with those loved ones who have died. The chance to say everything that was left unsaid, and gain the gift of more time together provides immeasurable pleasure. Any reader who has lost someone will instantly connect with the experiences of these reunions.

If you would give up everything to be reunited with those you love, read Toward Yesterday.

Jones, Paul. Toward Yesterday.  2011. Kindle Edition.

Infected by Scott Sigler

Infected: A Novel

If you like: triangles * parasites * gory mutilation

In Infected, several individuals have unexpectedly turned violent towards those around them. These events rapidly escalate and end in homicide, along with, often incendiary, suicide. Strangely, before this occurs, the individuals mention triangles and become increasingly paranoid. As the CIA and CDC investigate, the quest to find a living case intensifies, since the bodies decompose at an alarming rate. Investigators race to discover those who are infected, and understand what is truly happening to them.

The parallel discoveries of the investigators and Perry Dawsey, the infected individual that the story follows, provide strong structure to the story. Initially the investigators think they are dealing with isolated psychiatric incidents. Dawsey believes he just has a strange rash. Soon, the medical experts hypothesize a much more complex and biological origin to the events. Dawsey begins to feel the parasitic nature of the triangles after a few days and knows something is seriously wrong. As the truth becomes apparent to each group (if you can call Dawsey and his triangles a group), the very nature of the infestation prevents them from working together. The reader experiences heightened stress as it becomes clear that the two would greatly benefit from working together, but will never get to that point. One can imagine a parallel series of events during which Dawsey seeks help earlier and the team works together to discover the origin of this crisis. Instead, the epidemic goes from bad to worse, and horrifying consequences result.

The complex and intimidating aspects of the triangles in Infected will leave the reader itchily uncomfortable that this could happen to them. The vivid description of these parasites will make any reader’s skin crawl. It is difficult not to feel the pressure of growing organisms under one’s skin. These effects are intensified by the investigative team repeatedly finding evidence of self-mutilation, and recoiling in horror as they try to imagine what could drive a person to this. The realistic portrayal of these parasites will leave the reader wanting to look the other way, without being able to stop reading. It is almost as if the reader too is infected, because the narrative development is so compelling. Rather than delve into complex otherworldly technology, Infected stays grounded, creating an antagonist that seems organically created, and perfectly suited to feed off of human life.

If you would cut off your own leg to stop the invasion, read Infected.

Sigler, Scott. Infected: A Novel. Crown Publishing Group, 2008. Kindle Edition.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

Dodger

If you like: scallywags * Queen Victoria’s England * covert actions 

Dodger is the story of a young man who survives by toshing -- the practice of scouring the sewers for coins and other lost valuables. He earned his namesake by constantly dodging trouble and attention from the wrong people. One night, he happens upon men beating a young woman and intervenes. Saving Simplicity leads him to a series of life changing events that take all of his skills, and a bit of luck to succeed. Along the way he meets Charles Dickens, Henry Mayhew and many other notable figures.

Dodger’s exploits lead him to encounter an unlikely series of events and people. Pratchett allows Dodger’s stumbling through London to add a lighthearted air to a time that was full of suffering and despair. Not only does Charles Dickens himself witness Dodger’s heroics, he acts as a mentor, but not without taking a few inspirational notes along the way. Dodger also stops in to see a rather famous barber, and unwittingly intervenes just in time to save his own neck. Through Dickens’ many connections he rapidly climbs the social ladder through the city, and is constantly reinventing himself to fit in. In spite of this, his true nature always shines through. Though Dodger has been long sustained by items that just happen to fall into his hands, certainly not thievery, he is imbued with a unique moral code, and never stops taking care of those around him or speaking his mind. Dodger is a singular character who leaves a lasting impact on both those in the story and the reader.

The intrigue and mystery around Simplicity and how she and Dodger come to meet is fantastic tale of narrow escape, clandestine meetings, secret identities, and international politics. Simplicity is a woman who believed in love, and all too quickly discovered that it is not always the way it is portrayed in storybooks. Rather than accepting her fate, she fights for her life. Simplicity displays cunning by carefully revealing only what she must, and trusting very few. Though she should never trust someone like Dodger, she senses his true gallantry, and rightly places her fate in his hands. Though the two seem bound by fate, their strong friendship is what is most notable. Theirs is not just a relationship of attraction, but a mutual admiration of wit, cunning, and guile. Simplicity is not just a damsel in distress, and Dodger is no knight. One imagines the two living a life full of fun, excitement, and danger, as they blend in like chameleons wherever they go.

If you can’t help but pick a pocket or two, read Dodger.

Pratchett, Terry. Dodger. HarperCollins, 2012. Kindle Edition.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire (Seven Kingdoms Trilogy)

If you like: telepathy * fantasy * female protagonists

Fire is a companion book to Graceling. (See my review of Graceling here.) Though it is set in the same world, and there are some relative plot points, it is not necessary to read one in order to read the other. Fire is a young woman who is a monster, which means she is devastatingly beautiful, can read minds, and hold sway over those around her. In this kingdom, monsters come in all species; in each they are more beautiful than their companions, but also significantly more dangerous. All creatures lust after monsters, especially other monsters. This interplay makes Fire incredibly powerful, and constantly in danger.

The nature of the royal family in Fire is very different from many other books of this genre. So many times a family will do anything to maintain their power. Often the people of the kingdom are second to the lusts and desires of the royal family. In Fire the family runs their kingdom more like an efficient business. They each have a role that emphasises their individual strengths, and their strong bond prevents them from squabbling to displace each other in pursuit of power. A royal family that effectively rules and does not believe itself superior to its own people is truly rare. The nature of this easy interplay between the family allows Fire to stand out from its competition.

Kristin Cashore is an author who knows how to write a female lead. Fire is self-sufficient and powerful, but not without experiencing normal worries. Her nature makes her beautiful to everyone, which means that it is difficult to tell if those around her truly admire her, or are only compelled by her monster beauty. Fire is practical in this regard, and rarely lets others in. She has learned to trust herself and expect to need her mind-controlling abilities in order to protect herself. This makes the small coterie of people she allows close to her all the more special. Fire knows the dangerous potential of bearing monster children, and though that makes her envy other women, it is not so powerful that it taints the narrative. Cashore’s women are all confident, strong, and ring true to the reader. Anyone looking for strong female role models for a YA reader in their lives should look to this series.

If you would use all of your abilities to save your kingdom, read Fire.

Cashore, Kristin. Fire. Dial Books, 2009. Kindle Edition.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Attachments: A Novel

If you like: snark * e-mail * Y2K

Attachments is your new favorite book. Set on the verge of Y2K, it is the story of a man who falls in love while working IT security and screening e-mail. Jennifer and Beth continue to e-mail each other in the conversational way that exists between good friends, even though they know it may get read by someone in IT. Occasionally, their messages are flagged by the system filter which gives Lincoln a glimpse into their lives. Aware of the hazardous nature of his actions, Lincoln cannot stop himself from reading their messages, or falling in love with Beth. Eventually their lives and interactions extend beyond the digital world, and they come face-to-face.

Beth and Jennifer are exactly the kind of women you want to be friends with. They are affectionately self-deprecating. They are also supportive and protective while giving each other the space to make their own choices and decisions. What draws both Lincoln and the reader to them is their sharp sense of humor. The women address everything, from mocking the flirt down the hall to relationship stress, with constant sarcasm and upfront honesty. Reading their exchanges makes it impossible to put Attachments down.

The stalkerish development of the relationship between Beth and Lincoln may be better suited to a Craigslist missed connection than an office romance, but that is part of what makes it so much fun to read. Both characters partake in extreme behaviors, that should be off-putting. The intense attraction between them makes their antics excusable, even though it should be setting off alarm signals for each of them. The tenuous steps they each take towards an in person meeting will appeal to introverts everywhere. Both characters will be very familiar and personal to many readers. Rowell gets everything right in the hodgepodge of events that lead these two to each other.

If you have ever fallen in love at first words, read Attachments.

Rowell, Rainbow. Attachments: A Novel. Penguin Group US, 2011. Kindle Edition.

So Much Pretty by Cara Hoffman

So Much Pretty: A Novel

If you like: The Lovely Bones * individuality * Alice on Luther

So Much Pretty is the story of events that take place in a small town in upstate New York. They are focused around the disappearance, and later the murder, of a young woman. The story is centered around a family that moves to the town when their daughter is young, seeking to escape the big city life. Their alternative parenting mixed with the influences of isolation help their daughter, Alice, to develop a great intellect with boundless creativity and limited normative reference.

It is never a mystery that murder is at the core of So Much Pretty. From the outset the reader knows that tragic events will occur, and is left to put the pieces together throughout the narrative. This truly enhances the story structure. Knowing that something bad will happen encourages the reader to make assumptions about those events, and Hoffman is quick to turn those assumptions on their heads. The layering of detail in So Much Pretty creates a masterfully intricate course of events, that seems unstoppable once they are set in motion.

Morality is at the center of So Much Pretty. The Pipers raise their daughter to explore extensive philosophical viewpoints, and determine her own sense of morality based in that. This makes her somewhat of an outsider in her school, and does not help the family to be accepted as a part of the town, even after living there close to 20 years. The Pipers view themselves as an enlightened family, transcending what is normal. In some ways, the open nature of their parenting creates a strong willed and eager to learn child, but based on the resulting actions of the story, could be seen as questionable by the reader. The societal norms of Haeden also raise moral questions. People are praised and upheld as model citizens with little logical reasoning. Those who pollute are still praised, and those who care are viewed as radical liberals. The treatment of women is also questionable in the small town. Rather than judged on their own merits, they are subjugated to some relic of the past in which women’s sole purpose is to entertain the whims of men.  Throughout the story, the men of the town rarely treat women as equals, and there are few women in key positions in the town. This combination is a dangerous mix of chauvinism and ignorance that makes it difficult for any one individual to see the bigger picture.

If you have never stopped playing pretend, read So Much Pretty.

Hoffman, Cara. So Much Pretty. Dreamscape Media, LLC. Audio edition.

Wormhole by Richard Phillips

Wormhole (The Rho Agenda)

If you like: aliens * action movies * moral conflict 

This review contains mild spoilers. 

Wormhole is the third book of the Rho Agenda series. (See my other reviews here and here.) After meeting up with Jack and Janet at the end of book two, Heather, Jennifer, and Mark enter into an elaborate training program. It provides them with the tactical, technological, and covert expertise they will need in order to stop the opening of the wormhole created by Dr. Stephenson. As they are still teens, they eventually succumb to the desire to speak with their parents and reassure them they are okay, which puts their secret location in jeopardy. They must use their new skills to escape detention, infiltrate the group at CERN, and stop the final escalation of the alien technology. 

Wormhole further develops the familial relationship between Jack, Janet, and the teens that was hinted at in the previous books. Not only do Jack and Janet act as trainers, but they also become surrogate parents. The strong feelings go both ways, and they feel intense pride and concern for their new students. Though they previously worked together, the lack of secrets in their new relationship pushes all of their development further. The training that Jack puts Heather, Jennifer, and Mark through answers many questions that were raised in book two: both about the intentions of the ships’ creators and the extent of the abilities. This effort to expand the abilities provided by the ship turns all three teens into full fledged action heroes. The painstaking work that goes into this skill development prevents that dramatic enhancements from seeming implausible (at least in the context of the story.) 

Wormhole continues to question what the best outcome is for the people of Earth. Those influenced by each ship have opposing views about which alien race has the best intentions. Though Heather, Jennifer, and Mark learn that those behind their ship consider one planet or race inconsequential to the greater good, they also believe they are on the right side. Raul’s storyline also raises interesting questions about faith, ego, and desire. Though at times it seems to distract from the overall plot, his unyielding selfish desires illustrate just how much infinite power can corrupt a person’s judgement. The actions of the US government also raise many questions. It is without a doubt that their intentions are to save the world, but the continued insistence on ignoring the advice of more knowledgeable scientists and the lack of accurate information lead them to the wrong conclusion more often than not. It is easy to see why the succession of decisions is made, but it is still inexcusable. With the truth hidden, the errors that lead to the near extinction of life on Earth will no doubt be compounded in the future. It seems that that world would be better served if the truth came out, but the very nature of the gifts bestowed by the Rho Ship will always undermine any conversation about its dangerous agenda.

If you would go to any length to save the world, read Wormhole.

Phillips, Richard. Wormhole. 47 North, 2012. Kindle edition.