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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
Honestly I read this book because Gillian Anderson wrote it, but I did enjoy it! It's not the highest level of prose and the characters could use a little more depth, but I couldn't put I down. So much happens in the plot and it definitely kept me interested; at times I was reading the words too fast for my brain to process them because I just wanted to know what happened next. However, there is a lot of info to process which can be hard to keep track of, but it's a good quick read nonetheless. I'll be reading the next one at some point.
I've read this book twice in under a year and have still found the story surprisingly gripping, the main character surprisingly entrancing (4 stars because of this alone), and the themes being covered certainly a little mind blowing. Gillian Anderson continues to surprise me.
The second book is going to be all science fiction, whereas this book was introducing a lot of everything around politics, home life, child psychology, city living. Then add meteorites, Norse history, reactionary animals and reincarnations. Overwhelming the first time, especially when other dimensions started being explored, but the second time it was a lot easier to take in so much being covered in such a short time.
The second book is going to be all science fiction, whereas this book was introducing a lot of everything around politics, home life, child psychology, city living. Then add meteorites, Norse history, reactionary animals and reincarnations. Overwhelming the first time, especially when other dimensions started being explored, but the second time it was a lot easier to take in so much being covered in such a short time.
While this is a fitting fictional debut by Gillian Anderson (with an assist by Jeff Rovin), who is best known for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully in the long-running and critically acclaimed drama series The X-Files, the story tends to be too much metaphysical and not enough thriller. The result is a novel that is often more thought provoking than entertaining in its ability to open up interesting subjects such as lost civilizations, cross-cultural metaphysical connections, and even some curious cultural insights.
The nutshell version of the novel is that certain people begin experiencing seizures with a much more sinister bent in that they are accompanied by violent visions and speaking in tongues and the protagonist must figure out the cause — first to save a specific girl but then to save dozens and dozens, including herself, as the world inches closer to its first nuclear war. While this might sound interesting, the truth is that it still can't get over the downside of a protagonist is a semi-skeptic despite what is happening all around her.
Worse, she isn't alone. The entire cast of characters face adversity with little more than a shrug. And eventually, as a reader, you have to give it shrug too.
The nutshell version of the novel is that certain people begin experiencing seizures with a much more sinister bent in that they are accompanied by violent visions and speaking in tongues and the protagonist must figure out the cause — first to save a specific girl but then to save dozens and dozens, including herself, as the world inches closer to its first nuclear war. While this might sound interesting, the truth is that it still can't get over the downside of a protagonist is a semi-skeptic despite what is happening all around her.
Worse, she isn't alone. The entire cast of characters face adversity with little more than a shrug. And eventually, as a reader, you have to give it shrug too.
I was skeptical about this book, afraid that it will turn out to be a cheesy sci-fi. I was pleasantly surprised to find it more of a psychological thriller with a touch of sci-fi. I liked the pressure on political and cultural awareness in the book and how it played a role in portrayal of the characters. The relationship between Caitlin, the protagonist and her friend Ben has clear similarities with the Scully-Mulder relationship from X-Files.
I've read the book mainly because it was written by Gillian Anderson (with, what I hope was just editorial help of Jeff Rovin), but I don't regret it. It wasn't mind-blowing but engaging and well-thought enough for me to look forward to the next book of the series.
Bonus for audiobook lovers: Gillian Anderson reads the book herself.
I've read the book mainly because it was written by Gillian Anderson (with, what I hope was just editorial help of Jeff Rovin), but I don't regret it. It wasn't mind-blowing but engaging and well-thought enough for me to look forward to the next book of the series.
Bonus for audiobook lovers: Gillian Anderson reads the book herself.
A page-turning read with a strange approach to the supernatural. I really enjoyed it, but have no idea where it will go from here. Very open-ended.
3.5 Stars
I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Gillian Anderson herself, so that was kind of awesome. She did a great job with all the voices and characters and accents. The only thing was that her narration was a little . . . sleepy? (for lack of a better word) But I really enjoyed it, plus it just made me picture her as the lead character.
The book itself was a little bizarre. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was just too far out there and random, in my opinion. That didn't keep me from listening to it every chance I got, though, so something had to be done well.
I thought the writing was good, and the beginning especially, was very mysterious. Once she started unraveling things, I thought she made a lot of leaps that came out of nowhere, and when things were finally revealed, I was just kind of scratching my head. Like . . . uh, ok, if you say so.
The feel of the story was almost like The Exorcist. It had a creepy, possession vibe to it, but then it would switch and be something else entirely. The side stories involved Middle Eastern politics, children with disabilities, family issues and a little, tiny bit of romance.
I do think they could have added a lot more of the overall arc to this book instead of stretching it out into a series. But I guess we'll see what the future book(s) have to offer.
Overall, especially since I rarely read adult, or this particular genre, I do think this is a book that will stick with me. If you're a fan of the paranormal (think more exorcist, less aliens), or just have to see if Gillian Anderson can write, I don't think your time will be wasted reading this book.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
-Andye
Reading Teen
I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Gillian Anderson herself, so that was kind of awesome. She did a great job with all the voices and characters and accents. The only thing was that her narration was a little . . . sleepy? (for lack of a better word) But I really enjoyed it, plus it just made me picture her as the lead character.
The book itself was a little bizarre. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was just too far out there and random, in my opinion. That didn't keep me from listening to it every chance I got, though, so something had to be done well.
I thought the writing was good, and the beginning especially, was very mysterious. Once she started unraveling things, I thought she made a lot of leaps that came out of nowhere, and when things were finally revealed, I was just kind of scratching my head. Like . . . uh, ok, if you say so.
The feel of the story was almost like The Exorcist. It had a creepy, possession vibe to it, but then it would switch and be something else entirely. The side stories involved Middle Eastern politics, children with disabilities, family issues and a little, tiny bit of romance.
I do think they could have added a lot more of the overall arc to this book instead of stretching it out into a series. But I guess we'll see what the future book(s) have to offer.
Overall, especially since I rarely read adult, or this particular genre, I do think this is a book that will stick with me. If you're a fan of the paranormal (think more exorcist, less aliens), or just have to see if Gillian Anderson can write, I don't think your time will be wasted reading this book.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
-Andye
Reading Teen
i really enjoyed it, it was intriguing and pretty cool.
yeah im too tired to do a proper review right now.
it's good sci fi that i can say.
yeah im too tired to do a proper review right now.
it's good sci fi that i can say.
Naturally I only picked this book up originally because it's by Gillian Anderson who is in fact one of my favourite actresses. And I'm so glad I did!
It's a bit of a slow burner, but it's one of those brilliant novels that ties science-fiction into real science and does it well. I loved the whole concept of what was happening to Maanik (total sci-fi) and what Caitlin was trying to do to fix it (science!) - plus there's the added bonus of a shadowy cult, a really cool rock that melts your brain and a swarm of rats. What more can a girl ask for?
Already pre-ordered part two! ([b:A Dream of Ice|25668486|A Dream of Ice|Gillian Anderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433482451s/25668486.jpg|45492008], due this December).
It's a bit of a slow burner, but it's one of those brilliant novels that ties science-fiction into real science and does it well. I loved the whole concept of what was happening to Maanik (total sci-fi) and what Caitlin was trying to do to fix it (science!) - plus there's the added bonus of a shadowy cult, a really cool rock that melts your brain and a swarm of rats. What more can a girl ask for?
Already pre-ordered part two! ([b:A Dream of Ice|25668486|A Dream of Ice|Gillian Anderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433482451s/25668486.jpg|45492008], due this December).
even if i hadn't known that my long lost mother, gillian anderson, had co-written this novel, this plot still would have reminded me of the x files in the best possible way. if this series does continue, i will be very excited to read the next installment.
Okay I will admit the cover saying Gillian Anderson was an immediate hook and I had to read this book. When you were a hard core Xfiles fan and by that I mean watched the show with the lights out, the appeal is always going to be there. I was not deterred when I realised that the book was written in collaboration with Jeff Rovin.
Caitlin O'Hara is a child psychologist who is called in to treat the Indian Ambassador's daughter after she witnesses the attempted assassination on her father. What she initially appears to delayed post traumatic stress takes on a far more sinister turn. Caitlin finds herself trying to connect a series of bizarre incidents involving two other teenagers and to add further fuel to the fire, tension between India and Pakistan is verging on outright war.
There is a great deal to like about this book, it is intelligent, as a reader you are not treated like a moron, you are given concise information and at times it is a bit gory. The brain episode while yuck was really well done. A lot of information is thrown into the mix from Norse Mythology, Voodoo, languages, psychology and international relations. However one of the key players (I presume) in the next series of books is 'The Group' and there was not enough information about them. I mean you know they are up to know good but just not why.
A lot of threads are in this first novel and you begin to see how they are being gathered especially technology versus spiritualism. Yet some of the threads really struggle to be joined, the linking of three teenagers does require a leap as a reader. Plus it seemed too easy for Caitlin to identify and link the three teenagers together.
I will read the next book as I would like to see where the series will go. There are some clues in this novel and I would be intrigued to see if they come into fruition.
Caitlin O'Hara is a child psychologist who is called in to treat the Indian Ambassador's daughter after she witnesses the attempted assassination on her father. What she initially appears to delayed post traumatic stress takes on a far more sinister turn. Caitlin finds herself trying to connect a series of bizarre incidents involving two other teenagers and to add further fuel to the fire, tension between India and Pakistan is verging on outright war.
There is a great deal to like about this book, it is intelligent, as a reader you are not treated like a moron, you are given concise information and at times it is a bit gory. The brain episode while yuck was really well done. A lot of information is thrown into the mix from Norse Mythology, Voodoo, languages, psychology and international relations. However one of the key players (I presume) in the next series of books is 'The Group' and there was not enough information about them. I mean you know they are up to know good but just not why.
A lot of threads are in this first novel and you begin to see how they are being gathered especially technology versus spiritualism. Yet some of the threads really struggle to be joined, the linking of three teenagers does require a leap as a reader. Plus it seemed too easy for Caitlin to identify and link the three teenagers together.
I will read the next book as I would like to see where the series will go. There are some clues in this novel and I would be intrigued to see if they come into fruition.