For What It's Worth


Monday, August 18, 2014

{Short & Tweet} Review: Lock In by John Scalzi


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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.

24 comments:

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    1. I liked it because there was zero romance. This was just about an intelligent partnership. A nice change.

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  2. Thanks for the prequel tip! This one is on my to-buy list.

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    1. That short story helped so much. Not 100% necessary but I would read it first.

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  3. I'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!

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    1. The 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.

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  4. So annoying that they had to pull that stuff out into a novella why can't they just put it all in the book? ARGH!

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    1. There 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.

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  5. I've been wanting to read a book by him. Oh thanks for the novella info. I think I may enjoy this one.

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    1. He 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.

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  6. Always a fan of witty banter...and the thought of being locked in freaks me out!

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    1. Oh 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.

      It also gets into whether that's a disability or a humans progressing into something new. Lots of food for thought.

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    1. It 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.

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  8. O_O Either of those would be awesome!

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  9. I'm not a big fan of SciFi or crime thrillers either, but your enthusiasm has me interested. Glad you enjoyed!

    Btw, thanks to you and Mary at Book Swarm, I'm going to try tweet-style reviews soon.

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    1. 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.

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  10. This sounds really cool, but virus books and movies often turn me into a huge hypocondriac...
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. Ha! this was more *after* the virus and a straight up crime solving kind of story.

      But 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.

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  11. 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 ;)

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    1. I 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.

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  12. Great review! I read the summary for this book, and I'm not sure it's for me. Though I do enjoy witty banter...

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