SINthetic by J.T. Nicholas is a dark story that covers some of the dilemmas that arise with scientific advancements.
From descriptions: "They look like us. Act like us. But they are not human. Created to perform the menial tasks real humans detest, Synths were designed with only a basic intelligence and minimal emotional response. It stands to reason that they have no rights. Like any technology, they are designed for human convenience. Disposable."
“Darkly engrossing, SINthetic shines a stark light on the age-old question, what does it mean to be human?”
—Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author
—Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author
I'll mention again that this one is dark and frightening because of the possibilities of genetic engineering, and unfortunately, man's tendency to abuse scientific advancements. Of course, there has been plenty in the news lately about the way powerful individuals have oppressed and exploited women to give another take on this story.
Read in November; blog review scheduled for Jan. 5, 2018
NetGalley/Kensington Books
Murder Mystery/Speculative Fiction. Jan. 23, 2018. Print length: 178 pages.
Breaking Point by Allison Brennan tackles a difficult subject--the sex trade, especially involving underage girls. Brennan manages to illustrate this despicable practice in a way that clearly illustrates the horrific abuse without making it titillating.
Bella Caruso is undercover with a trafficking ring, trying to locate one particular girl. During the rescue of two underage girls, a policeman is murdered, and Bella's position becomes even more dangerous.
Bella's brother JT Caruso turns to Special Agent Lucy Kincaid for help, but Lucy is in a difficult situation with her immediate boss. Nevertheless, Lucy gets involved and gives all her energy to rescuing Bella...and hopefully, the young girl for whom Bella has been searching.
Good characterization of a plenitude of characters gives this suspenseful novel the depth it needs. Although there is a lot of backstory referring to events in previous books, these are seamlessly worked in and do not feel like information dumps.
I've only read one other novel by Brennan and the same combination of well-developed characters and suspense applied. This was one of those books that was difficult to put down, the pace is fast, and I couldn't believe how quickly I read through it.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Suspense. Jan. 30, 2018. Print length: 448 pages.
I think both of these sound very good, despite the dark subject matter. Will be on the lookout for them. I keep meaning to read Allison Brennan's books. I saw her on a panel at a mystery conference and enjoyed hearing what she had to say.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to dismiss the ideas in SINthetic, but creating people for personal use, as many science fiction novels have suggested, appalls and repulses me. This one had some similarities to Paolo Bacigalupi's The Wind-Up Girl.
DeleteBrennan's novel about the sex trade also has a connection--just that some people snatch girls rather than create them.
They both sound good!
ReplyDeleteBoth are interesting and cover topics that keep hitting the news in one way or another.
DeleteI agree with Kay and Lark that these books sound good despite the dark subject matter. Will have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteThey discuss things we may not like, but they cover topics that have social impact.
DeleteSINthetic sounds scary! I love to hear about technology advancements but even more interesting are the repercussions they can have. Both books sound great!
ReplyDeleteWe can't always predict the repercussions of science, can we? Or the thoughts and behaviors of individuals who engage in the sex trade, which is more widespread than I could ever have imagined.
DeleteBoth of these sound good. There was a time when books like SINthetic was more science fiction than reality and yet today it all seems so possible. I'll have to check out the Brennan book. You'd think I wouldn't want to read books about human trafficking considering how much I hear about it at work, but I still find myself drawn to books like that.
ReplyDeleteTrue--what once seemed pure imagination, now seems not just possible, but just around the corner. When we look beneath the covers of our society, we don't always like what we see, but sex trafficking is the most abhorrent.
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