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kellymiller_author 's review for:
The Visionary: A Dystopian Sci-Fi
by J.C. Gemmell
I have a difficult time evaluating a book like this. On the one hand, I found it to be creative, so I applaud the author for that. On the other hand, I did not enjoy many things about it. The writing style is very much telling rather than showing. I have been told that in certain types of fantasy and/or Sci/fi stories, this style of writing is usual and even expected, but I'd much rather be shown what is happening through action and dialogue. However, the telling is done in a skillful way. It just illustrates that readers have different tastes and this one did not happen to suit mine. However, I believe it would appeal to other readers, those who prefer sci/fi and fantasy.
Each chapter progressed a Chinese year in the story; it's an interesting method that I had not seen done before. Unfortunately, this did not allow for much development of relationships between the MC, Xin-Yi, and others in her life. When we meet Xin-Yi, a 12-year-old girl living in China, she lives with her mother, brother and father. We see her interact with her brother and mother. I would have liked to see more of the sibling relationship in particular, but Xin-Yi and her mother are soon separated from her brother and father due to a sudden flood.
As the years pass, Xin-Yi becomes part of an international program to develop the intellectual skills of bright young minds, tasking these "visionaries" to devise plans for human survival under this new world ravaged by global warming. All the young people chosen for this task have a "mark" to represent their inner mind. In Xin-Yi's case it is a beetle that crawls all over her body and talks both to her and to the marks of the others. For me, this aspect detracted from the story. At one point, we learn that Xin-Yi loves a peer, but since there is so little interaction shown between them, the only reason we are given for this emotion is that the young man is handsome.
On the positive side, I found the descriptions of the devastation that global warming, as well as volcano eruptions, has caused throughout the world to be compelling and well thought out. So for me, this was a mixed bag, but I encourage lovers of Sci/fi to give it a try.
Each chapter progressed a Chinese year in the story; it's an interesting method that I had not seen done before. Unfortunately, this did not allow for much development of relationships between the MC, Xin-Yi, and others in her life. When we meet Xin-Yi, a 12-year-old girl living in China, she lives with her mother, brother and father. We see her interact with her brother and mother. I would have liked to see more of the sibling relationship in particular, but Xin-Yi and her mother are soon separated from her brother and father due to a sudden flood.
As the years pass, Xin-Yi becomes part of an international program to develop the intellectual skills of bright young minds, tasking these "visionaries" to devise plans for human survival under this new world ravaged by global warming. All the young people chosen for this task have a "mark" to represent their inner mind. In Xin-Yi's case it is a beetle that crawls all over her body and talks both to her and to the marks of the others. For me, this aspect detracted from the story. At one point, we learn that Xin-Yi loves a peer, but since there is so little interaction shown between them, the only reason we are given for this emotion is that the young man is handsome.
On the positive side, I found the descriptions of the devastation that global warming, as well as volcano eruptions, has caused throughout the world to be compelling and well thought out. So for me, this was a mixed bag, but I encourage lovers of Sci/fi to give it a try.