Gemsigns
(Revolution #1)
by Stephanie Saulter
science fiction
copyright 2013
read in March 2016
rated 7/10: well worth reading
From the word go, this is a by-the-numbers book. You can read "to be continued" from page 1. Yet it is quite enjoyable.
In fact, I was surprised. Range of characters, each with a different super-power, check. Rejected by the "normal" population, check. New characters appear (ensigns in red shirts...) just to be beaten up, in order to let us know that there is danger, check. Cute child with extra-super abilities and unusual level of maturity, check. Threats of extermination because everyone hates the mutant... No !
In what I hope is a realistic view of humanity, most people are sympathetic... The novel starts to develop its own set of unique numbers !
It's a bit like current environmental issues... We'd all like to save the environment. Some people can make money by destroying the environment. Those people convince others that the environment should be destroyed. Yet there is still a tide of public sympathy for environmental matters... Okay, that may be wishful thinking :-)
What I mean is, the future world is willing to accept "gems" -- genetically modified humans -- within society. Public opinion may be manipulated but the truth will bring back public support for niceness. A nicely positive view of humanity !
The basic premise of the major societal problem -- in the near past of this near future setting -- is interesting. Far fetched -- but I like it. And the long-term result has been surprisingly positive... once you get past the mass deaths... It's post-apocalyptic positive. I like it.
In the story itself, there are two major reveals, near the end of the book... And I'm sorry, but they were no surprise at all. Not that it really mattered.
This is a pleasant book. The nasty stuff happens to someone else, to the red shirted ensigns. Nothing wrong with that.
Then the ending... is both strange... and interesting.
The very last chapter opens the way for book two... and three, and...
Just before that, is the big reveal. And there is just a bit more depth than I expected. Unbelievable, perhaps. Contrived, yes. Interesting... rather. Starting to answer questions which I had not even thought to ask. Good questions.
Gemsigns is a book by the numbers. Light entertainment, till very near the end. And then the author opens some small windows to unusual thoughts. Which, together with the background to this post-apocalyptic world, takes the book above the level of trite cliche.
Nothing exciting yet not too bad. Clichéd plot with just a few thought-provoking ideas.
I've just promoted it from, "read to pass the time" to "well worth reading". By a narrow margin.
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