• Rated 4 stars

“To date, the first book I have ever bought on the back of a report in a news podcast (if you're interested, BBC Radio NewsPod for December 19, 2007). It's an entertaining read, though the style is a curious combination of occasional sensationalism and copious footnotes that can be a bit jarring at times. To my way of thinking, the author's arguments about the shape of things to come are somewhat overoptimistic and occasionally shaky, but he does his best to reason them sufficiently to satisfy at least the layperson. There's definitely food for thought here - I look forward to seeing if the debate will continue...”

acameron wrote this review Tuesday, January 8 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 3 stars

“Socrates once said that “the unexamined life is not worth living”, and Tracy Hickman's book is a rallying-cry for such self-examination, both about our own self-worth and our relationships with others.
The year is 2020, and an embattled America is besieged both by civil unrest and by the rapid growth of a new and deadly pandemic – VCIDS. The authorities will stop at nothing to contain both of these fatal infections until a cure can be found. In the midst of this nightmare of society broken apart and technology run amok, one man risks all to save his son, who has fallen prey to a system where people are declared dead while still very much alive.

It's an enthralling story, although it has its weaknesses. As other readers have noticed the pace is slow and rather full of exposition to begin with, although by the end of the story thrills come thick and fast. Some of the characters (including, alas, the hero) are rather sketched-in stereotypes, probably because the author is trying to describe a realistically large number of them – but the delicacy of the description of one little orphaned girl caught up in the system is moving, and her life story heartbreaking. Likewise, the plot is a little threadbare in places, and certain plot twists can be seen coming several chapters off, but you can't help but be swept up in the story, nor be affected by the sincerity of the message.
Harrowing, yet hopeful. Recommended.”

acameron wrote this review Saturday, November 3 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“A good old-fashioned charmer. Very much of the old school of children's books, honest, decent and true, but infused with a bit of whimsy and mysticism that sets it apart from the usual stuffiness of interwar kids' books.
Were you reading this during your final year at Archibald First School, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK? Write me a note!”

acameron wrote this review Sunday, October 28 2007. ( reply | permalink )