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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
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).
As close to an X-Files story without being an X-Files story.
I enjoyed this a lot.
Bonus points- it's not too long. Okay it's the first of a trilogy, but the actual story told here finishes by the end. It's the arc before the main story that's going to be carried on, and obviously there's going to be more coming from the events told here. But it does read nicely by itself.
If you like The X-Files, this will satisfy you nicely. There's no Mulder or Scully team to latch onto, but the main character, Caitlin, fills their gap. she intelligent, open to where the evidence goes, and single minded.
There's an interesting supernatural/paranormal element. We're not given everything, but enough to wrap this story up. I'm not going to spoil it, because it's worth discovering how things unwrap as you read.
Don't go into this knowing too much, because that will, I feel, spoil it.
Certainly one for The X-Files fans, and those who like our world being introduced to something we can't explain.
I enjoyed this a lot.
Bonus points- it's not too long. Okay it's the first of a trilogy, but the actual story told here finishes by the end. It's the arc before the main story that's going to be carried on, and obviously there's going to be more coming from the events told here. But it does read nicely by itself.
If you like The X-Files, this will satisfy you nicely. There's no Mulder or Scully team to latch onto, but the main character, Caitlin, fills their gap. she intelligent, open to where the evidence goes, and single minded.
There's an interesting supernatural/paranormal element. We're not given everything, but enough to wrap this story up. I'm not going to spoil it, because it's worth discovering how things unwrap as you read.
Don't go into this knowing too much, because that will, I feel, spoil it.
Certainly one for The X-Files fans, and those who like our world being introduced to something we can't explain.
I love Gillian but I'm not sure I loved this book. The writing was pretty good and I liked the concept, but it felt to me like too much build up. I understand that it is going to be part of a series, but the whole book really just felt like the opening chapters of a longer story, without much of a climax in the book itself. I certainly didn't hate it, and I'd be interested to see where the story goes in future books, but it wasn't something I had trouble putting down or looked forward to reading.
interesting premise but the writing could have been better
I went into this with little to no expectation and only checked it out (asked the library to order it) because, you know, Gillian Anderson and let's see if she can write. She can, and this book is compellingly put together and never feels like a waste of time, but two things: It treads into territory which may alienate those who have trouble with jumps into the metaphysical (while maintaining a Scully-like character who points this out) and it's the first chapter of a "saga," and feels like one. The resolution deliberately feels temporary and the path to get there is essentially the whole book.
Maybe wait and read a couple of these together?
Maybe wait and read a couple of these together?
I've gone as far as I'm going to go with it. Take that as you will.
some trite moments, but overall I like the characters she developed and think the plot line is compelling. enough so, at least, that I will certainly finish the trilogy
This was not great.
I will start with the good! I enjoyed the audiobook version because it was read by Gillian Anderson. She was really acting and had distinct voices and accents for each character. Even when just reading the story, she has a gorgeous voice that I was compelled to listen to.
And the bad, well pretty much everything else. Not a great story, not very interesting, pretty weak one dimensional characters. Lots of plot holes, inconsistencies and just a whole lot of nonsense. I finished it because I wanted to know what was happening and why, but the solution was underwhelming and I didn't care about it as I closed the book.
Gillian Anderson is a really wonderful actress. I am a huge fan and will watch anything she does, but unfortunately I am sorry to say that will not be reading any more of her books.
I will start with the good! I enjoyed the audiobook version because it was read by Gillian Anderson. She was really acting and had distinct voices and accents for each character. Even when just reading the story, she has a gorgeous voice that I was compelled to listen to.
And the bad, well pretty much everything else. Not a great story, not very interesting, pretty weak one dimensional characters. Lots of plot holes, inconsistencies and just a whole lot of nonsense. I finished it because I wanted to know what was happening and why, but the solution was underwhelming and I didn't care about it as I closed the book.
Gillian Anderson is a really wonderful actress. I am a huge fan and will watch anything she does, but unfortunately I am sorry to say that will not be reading any more of her books.
Is there anything Scully can't do? She can WRITE. This was great.
I'm sure this is the way that 80% of reviews of this book will start, but it's true. I WAS a huge fan of The X Files. I wanted to believe. So when I saw that Gillian Anderson was branching out into writing, I really really wanted to read this book.
This is co-written by Jeff Rovin, who will be familiar to anyone who reads the Tom Clancy series of books. I don't. This is also marketed as "Book One of the Earthend Saga" - I'll review it first, then tell you if I think that's a good thing or not.
As the book begins, a geologist on board a ship is examining an artifact he just recovered - a strange rock with a symbol on it. While he sleeps, someone creeps in and removes the artifact along with any evidence he has collected.
We meet the female protagonist, Dr. Caitlin O'Hara, adolescent psychiatrist. Caitlin is called to the UN by her friend, translator Ben (whose last name I have forgotten). The Indian Ambassador to the United Nations is deeply worried about his teenage daughter, who has been acting strange since an assassination attempt on her father. It's believed at first that she has suffered a strange psychotic episode, but as she begins having very disturbing visions and speaking in strange hybrid languages, it becomes clear that this is something traditional medicine won't fix. As Caitlin tries to help, we learn of another teenager in Tehran exhibiting similar language......issues. But this one sets himself on fire. In Haiti, a young woman is babbling gibberish and drowning - but there's no water.
As Caitlin is drawn deeper into the mysteries surrounding the teenagers, she realises that maybe she plays a bigger part than she first realised...and that something is happening, something big, something beyond comprehension. How far will Caitlin go to save her patient? Can she save herself? What does all this have to do with the stone we saw at the start?
I have to say, sci-fi isn't my usual genre. And this isn't strictly all sci-fi - it's not all aliens and spaceships. There is a strong supernatural element which I enjoyed, it was done in an almost believable manner, up until Part 3 at least. Some aspects of the story were completely daft and over the top, but if you suspend your cynicism and allow yourself to get into the story, it's a brilliant read. I literally could not put it down - I was carrying the kindle round the kitchen, propping it up while I washed the dishes. Someone else described this as "book crack" - that's exactly what it is.
I have to say, I love the ending, I had a huge grin on my face and I can not WAIT to read the next part! Well done Gillian and Jeff.
Sincere thanks to Simon & Schuster Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. You rock! Harder than a weird one with symbols on it.
This is co-written by Jeff Rovin, who will be familiar to anyone who reads the Tom Clancy series of books. I don't. This is also marketed as "Book One of the Earthend Saga" - I'll review it first, then tell you if I think that's a good thing or not.
As the book begins, a geologist on board a ship is examining an artifact he just recovered - a strange rock with a symbol on it. While he sleeps, someone creeps in and removes the artifact along with any evidence he has collected.
We meet the female protagonist, Dr. Caitlin O'Hara, adolescent psychiatrist. Caitlin is called to the UN by her friend, translator Ben (whose last name I have forgotten). The Indian Ambassador to the United Nations is deeply worried about his teenage daughter, who has been acting strange since an assassination attempt on her father. It's believed at first that she has suffered a strange psychotic episode, but as she begins having very disturbing visions and speaking in strange hybrid languages, it becomes clear that this is something traditional medicine won't fix. As Caitlin tries to help, we learn of another teenager in Tehran exhibiting similar language......issues. But this one sets himself on fire. In Haiti, a young woman is babbling gibberish and drowning - but there's no water.
As Caitlin is drawn deeper into the mysteries surrounding the teenagers, she realises that maybe she plays a bigger part than she first realised...and that something is happening, something big, something beyond comprehension. How far will Caitlin go to save her patient? Can she save herself? What does all this have to do with the stone we saw at the start?
I have to say, sci-fi isn't my usual genre. And this isn't strictly all sci-fi - it's not all aliens and spaceships. There is a strong supernatural element which I enjoyed, it was done in an almost believable manner, up until Part 3 at least. Some aspects of the story were completely daft and over the top, but if you suspend your cynicism and allow yourself to get into the story, it's a brilliant read. I literally could not put it down - I was carrying the kindle round the kitchen, propping it up while I washed the dishes. Someone else described this as "book crack" - that's exactly what it is.
I have to say, I love the ending, I had a huge grin on my face and I can not WAIT to read the next part! Well done Gillian and Jeff.
Sincere thanks to Simon & Schuster Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review. You rock! Harder than a weird one with symbols on it.