Inspired by Midnight Book Girl, Short & Tweet reviews are my way of taking time off from the daily blogger grind for the hellish month of August while still keeping you posted about what I’m reading.
Because I can't be confined to 140 characters – expect twitlonger length reviews lol
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A novel of our near future, from one of the most popular authors in modern SF
Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselvs “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.
One per cent doesn't seem like a lot. But in the United States, that's 1.7 million people “locked in”...including the President's wife and daughter.
Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.
This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse.
Source: ARC provided via Tor books at BEA 2014
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{Short & Tweet}
I’m not usually a fan of sci-fi or crime thrillers, but Lock In is fast paced and thoughtful with fantastic, witty banter between FBI partners Chris Shane and agent Leslie Vann.
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* I found the beginning to be very confusing regarding the Haden Syndrome. I highly recommend reading this prequel novella up on Tor.com (free) It’s a little dry and scientific – but it helped clear up all my confusion.
Good to know about the prequel
ReplyDeleteIt really helped me.
DeleteI love some good witty banter
ReplyDeleteI liked it because there was zero romance. This was just about an intelligent partnership. A nice change.
DeleteThanks for the prequel tip! This one is on my to-buy list.
ReplyDeleteThat short story helped so much. Not 100% necessary but I would read it first.
DeleteI'm not usually big on sci-fi either, so the fact that this book appealed to you bodes well for me. Plus, free novellas are hard to resist. Thanks for sharing the download link!
ReplyDeleteThe book is full length but I would definitely recommend the novella first just so it's easier to jump into the world in Lock In.
DeleteI've been wanting to read a book by him. Oh thanks for the novella info. I think I may enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteHe writes really great blog posts so I've always wanted to give him a shot. This isn't really my genre but I like the way he writes his characters.
DeleteAlways a fan of witty banter...and the thought of being locked in freaks me out!
ReplyDeleteOh me too! I'm so claustrophobic. It was kind of like Robocop but your body is laying around else ware being taken care. Weird but cool.
DeleteIt also gets into whether that's a disability or a humans progressing into something new. Lots of food for thought.
This sounds kind of scary!
ReplyDeleteIt was more a crime thriller so not so scary but the sci-fi part gives you a lot to ponder about. I think you might like it Pam.
DeleteO_O Either of those would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteThere is a prequel in Lock In giving a brief summary but I didn't find it helpful to understanding the disease. I needed that novella.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of SciFi or crime thrillers either, but your enthusiasm has me interested. Glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks to you and Mary at Book Swarm, I'm going to try tweet-style reviews soon.
Oh good! I totally fail at them (unlike Mary) but it's still fun and a good way to take a break from those longer reviews.
DeleteThis sounds really cool, but virus books and movies often turn me into a huge hypocondriac...
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
Ha! this was more *after* the virus and a straight up crime solving kind of story.
DeleteBut the idea that I'm walking around one place in a metal suit while my body is lying in a room with a nurse is kind of creepy.
I've been contemplating this book, and this short and to the point review, just pushed me over the line. True story. Consider it wishlisted ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it. It was really different for me because I don't normally read books like this. And no romance - boo lol But the (non sexual) relationship between the partners was refreshing.
DeleteGreat review! I read the summary for this book, and I'm not sure it's for me. Though I do enjoy witty banter...
ReplyDelete