Friday, March 21, 2014

Synthetic Illusions / Mary Fan


Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Science Fiction

Approximate word count: 100-105,000 words

Availability    
Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: YES  Smashwords: NO  Paper: YES
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

“Mary Fan lives in New Jersey, where she is currently working in financial marketing. She has also resided in North Carolina, Hong Kong, and Beijing, China. She has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember and especially enjoys the infinite possibilities and out-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and fantasy.”

Description:

“Illusion is the only reality.

Jane’s new career as a composer is a dream come true, but her blossoming relationship with Adam is marred by his terrifying nightmares. When Jane receives a warning that a shadowy agency is targeting Adam’s seminary school, she rescues him in the nick of time, but the only way she can protect him from such a powerful enemy is to run.

In a shocking betrayal, her brother wasn’t the one who warned her about the attack on Adam. Instead, Devin was leading it. As Jane struggles to keep one step ahead of Devin, Adam’s exhaustion gives way to horror: his nightmares have begun to touch the real world.

Jane can’t abandon Adam to a fate worse than death, and far more than Adam’s life hangs in the balance. As Jane pushes further into the dark unknown, she must challenge everything she once believed in, and she faces the most wrenching decision of her life: choosing between the two people she loves most.”

Appraisal:

A sequel to the author’s prior book, Artificial Absolutes, this book follows the continuing story of Jane Colt. The Science Fiction genre with all the high tech doodads and strange new worlds (in galaxies far, far away for you Star Wars fans) may account for the surface appeal. But, for me, the part of the story that matters most are those timeless questions and themes that can be viewed in a different way through the prism of the fictional environments where they’re taking place.

Synthetic Illusions does that, considering such things as what it really means to be human - is it really a question of flesh and bones or something different? Themes of loyalty and family relationships also figure into the story. Plus, plenty of action, adventure, and battles in space, too.

FYI:

A small amount of adult language.

This is a sequel to the author’s book Artificial Absolutes. Although this could probably be read as a standalone, my advice would be to read the prior book first.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.


Rating: **** Four Stars

1 comment:

Mary Fan said...

Thank you so much for reviewing Synthetic Illusions! :-)