Review: "The Original" by Brandon Sanderson & Mary Robinette Kowal, 2020

The Original by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review: "The Original" by Brandon Sanderson & Mary Robinette Kowal

In a futuristic landscape filled with clones, emotions, and mysteries, "The Original" delivers an audiobook experience that, while not groundbreaking, keeps the listener engaged until the end. Its tones and shades will immediately draw comparisons to John Scalzi’s audiobook novellas, particularly "Travel by Bullet" and "The Dispatcher". There's something about the narrative structure and thematic depth that echoes Scalzi's style.

The world-building, characters, and plot twists in "The Original" are not earth-shattering by any means, but the ride is enjoyable. Our protagonist, Holly Winseed, finds herself thrust into a complex web of murder, technology, and self-discovery. The world Sanderson and Kowal craft around Holly, one where nanotechnology grants near immortality and where personal privacy is a high price to pay, is intriguing.

Julia Whelan, the narrator, brings Holly to life in a way that's utterly captivating. Her performance is so

impeccable that the accompanying music and sound effects seem almost superfluous. In fact, at times, these audio additions distract from Whelan's delivery, though there were moments where the music crescendoed beautifully, complementing a climactic sequence. The meticulous narration lets listeners "see" through Holly's eyes, even if they can't entirely connect with her emotionally.

While the storyline captures attention, there's an elusive hollowness—perhaps a function of the novella's length—that keeps it from reaching the profound depths one might expect from such a collaboration. The ending, too, leaves listeners in contemplative ambiguity, hinting at more than what’s laid out.

Drawing upon the societal implications of surveillance, identity, and the costs of immortality, the narrative does offer a fresh take on familiar science fiction themes. As other reviewers have pointed out, "The Original" bridges the gap between a character-focused story and one that's plot-driven, adding layers to the audiobook.

"The Original" is worth your listening time. It might not redefine the genre, but it offers an interesting story set against a backdrop of moral complexities and future technologies. And with a narrator as skilled as Julia Whelan, you're in for an auditory treat.

If you found this review helpful, consider diving into the expansive universe of Sanderson, Kowal, and other sci-fi masterminds. Their imaginations promise to transport you to realms both fantastical and eerily familiar.

I rate the book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

• #TheOriginal #BrandonSanderson #RobinetteKowal #SciFiNovella #Audiobook #FuturisticTales #JuliaWhelan #ScienceFiction
• #Clones #Nanotech #DystopianWorlds #BookRecommendations #BookTube #BookTock #InstaBook

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Review: Shadows Have Offended by Cassandra Rose Clarke, 2021

Shadows Have Offended by Cassandra Rose Clarke, 2021
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the vast landscape of Star Trek literature, Cassandra Rose Clarke's "Shadows Have Offended" is a delightful throwback to the golden days of The Next Generation. A breath of fresh air, this standalone novel set during TNG's seventh season brings us back to the beloved characters and invites us on an adventure that feels like a lost episode.

The narrative unfolds in a classic TNG format, with engaging A and B plotlines centered around Dr. Beverly Crusher and Counselor Deanna Troi. Clarke's understanding of these iconic characters shines through, her words effortlessly bringing their voices to life. The story ventures beyond the confines of the television series, adding depth to our understanding of their personal lives and quirks (such as Beverly's love for ham and cheese sandwiches and Deanna's teenage holonovel obsession).

In one plotline, we are treated to a vivid exploration of Betazoid culture and history as Troi returns to her home planet for a long-awaited ceremony. Clarke weaves a tapestry of tantalizing descriptions, transporting us into the midst of Betazed's festivities, complete with ornate costumes, music, and delectable treats. The world-building is immersive, and as we delve into the history of the five houses of Betazed, layers of intrigue and secrecy are peeled back.

Lwaxana Troi, the ever-entertaining Madame Ambassador, graces the pages with her larger-than-life presence. We witness her relationship with Captain Picard evolve, showcasing her often-overlooked ambassadorial skills. Meanwhile, the early stages of Troi and Worf's relationship provide a perfect blend of fluff and professionalism, as they work together on a mission involving ancient Romulan vendettas and a mysterious Betazoid.

The second storyline follows Dr. Crusher as she joins an away team on a seemingly peaceful planet. However, true to Star Trek form, things go awry, and the team is thrust into a bizarre series of events. Clarke's introduction of original characters, like the endearing Lt. Rikkilä, adds depth and intrigue to the tale.

The novel's charm lies in its nostalgic feel and attention to detail, reminiscent of the TNG novels many of us grew up with. While not a heavy-hitter in terms of themes or morality issues, "Shadows Have Offended" is a warm, comforting read that will transport you back to the Enterprise-D and leave you hoping for more adventures from Clarke in the TNG universe.

I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

#StarTrekTNG #ShadowsHaveOffended #DeannaTroi #BeverlyCrusher #BetazoidCulture #CassandraRoseClarke #EnterpriseD #TNGNovel #TroiAndWorf #StarTrekLiterature

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Review: "Noor" by Nnedi Okorafor, 2021

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

"Noor" by Nnedi Okorafor, 2021

The novel is a dystopic Afrofuturism novel that touches upon late-stage capitalism, colonialism, and climate change. Our hero calls herself AO, short for Augmented Organism. She goes on the run after she inadvertently kills her assailants in self-defense, displaying the deadly range of her cybernetically enhanced capabilities. Along with her companions DNA and GPS, they evade capture from the megacorporation Ultimate Corp.

I was trying to like this book, but I feel this book fell short in many ways. I believe it is set in the same universe as the author's other book "Remote Control" and share the same villain. The character AO seemed flat without much development along the way other than acceptance of her ability to use her cybernetics and the improved manner with the effectiveness we can wield them. In the end, the climax felt rushed and somewhat of a cliffhanger. "Remote Control" is a much better story with a compelling protagonist. I sense these "powered" characters from the author's various books will eventually come together for an AfroFuturistic team-up superhero story.

I give this book a 2 out of 5 stars.

#AfroFuturism #AfroFuturistic #Dystopian #ScienceFiction #SciFi

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