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Murder Genes
Mon, Jan 20, 2003--TIME magazine publishes an article entitled "Children and The Search for a Murder Gene." This article describes two early-teen brothers bludgeoning their father to death with a bat and theorizes that the brothers possess a defective gene resulting in too much of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A. The enzyme's action is to destroy a neurotransmitter that keeps a person happy and calm.This is one of many articles describing the search for a Murder Gene.In a world where government propaganda and modern science makes genetic code out to be deterministic--behaviors like entrepreneurship, sexual orientation, and Murder have all been identified. A universal holocaust is in motion to eliminate "The Code," the gene for murder, and 9-year-old Kyle and his father Jay are torn apart when Jay is found carrying the murder gene.As father struggles for survival within the walls of Murderer City to someday-somehow see his son again, Kyle must fight for his own freedom when he is caught in the psychological experimentation of a scientist bent on disproving The Code.MURDER GENES combines cutting-edge scientific theories with real questions about free choice, ethics, and morality, putting it all on a plate of sick and twisted for the reader to enjoy.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2011
15 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Mikael Aizen
4 books3 followersMikael Aizen is the author of Murder Genes. He has been professionally published, but this is his first foray into self-publishing. His books can be on Smashwords here.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 18, 2012
I received this book for free, and thought it sounded interesting. I did not enjoy it for a few reasons. First I felt that the book was too graphic. The descriptive sex and excessive violence may be something other people enjoy but I think it was used to cover up the lack of story. The premise was excellent and the book started out okay, but did not deliver. The ending did not leave me feeling that the story was resolved. I know every story cannot have a "happy" ending but I feel it should have an ending of some sort that leaves the reader feeling satisfied.
August 11, 2011
Murder Genes is an explosive piece of dystopian fiction. Dystopians tell the opposite tale of a perfect world, one where society, justice, and and political correctness has become scrambled bum-backwards. In Murder Genes, society has devolved to the point where one's genetic makeup can equal immediate arrest and imprisonment; a death sentence for most. For those who find this concept improbable, let me point to the author's interesting blog that follows the science of genetics and the role it plays in deciding the sentence of criminals in our justice system, today.
Many reviewers have mentioned the violence in Murder Genes, but let me preface by suggesting that if you liked the book Hunger Games where children are rewarded for killing each other and broadcast live to the world as entertainment, this novel is only a stone's throw away. Then, if you listen carefully, somewhere in Chapter 5 the safety switch clicks off and Murder Genes blasts Games out of the kiddie pool to take the place as most riveting, most excruciating, most shocking, most breath-holding.
If you're any sort of normal person, reading Murder Genes will elicit chokes, gasps, and small capillary bursting, pushing the envelope regarding what can be considered freedom of speech versus criminally punishable. The read is a hell-ride, and right when the reader recovers wits enough to continue reading, the author rewards with another bowel loosening scene that forces the reader to retreat somewhere private to judge the decency of the kind of person who could actually read on.
Swallow the self-judgement and muscle on, if you can. Because truth of Genes tells a painfully unapologetic moral story exploring the societal consequences of what individuals choose to believe. We humans are lazy creatures by nature. Without impossible obstacles or incredible pain, we rarely rise to our greatest potential or feel compelled to make the most difficult decisions. The reader looking only for a wash of blood-drenched action may find themselves inadvertently trapped in the ethical crosshairs of their own reality. I suggest that the uncomfortable squirm we feel watching the characters of Murder Genes struggle in life or death choices only serve to light a fire under some of our own truths which normally float safely in the sea of inconsequential ideas.
Conclusion: Those uncomfortable with critical thinking should read at their own risk. Those pawing at the gate, claiming to seek ethical dilemma and lively controversy should bring a conscience and a night-light. Those squeamish at sight of blood should avoid this book, and tread carefully in life to make sure to never cut themselves.
Rating: 5 stars, as a "recommended" read. And a rap across the knuckles for the bastard who must have thought himself cocky enough to tackle the subject matter, but most probably lost a portion of his soul to bring forth this novel.
Many reviewers have mentioned the violence in Murder Genes, but let me preface by suggesting that if you liked the book Hunger Games where children are rewarded for killing each other and broadcast live to the world as entertainment, this novel is only a stone's throw away. Then, if you listen carefully, somewhere in Chapter 5 the safety switch clicks off and Murder Genes blasts Games out of the kiddie pool to take the place as most riveting, most excruciating, most shocking, most breath-holding.
If you're any sort of normal person, reading Murder Genes will elicit chokes, gasps, and small capillary bursting, pushing the envelope regarding what can be considered freedom of speech versus criminally punishable. The read is a hell-ride, and right when the reader recovers wits enough to continue reading, the author rewards with another bowel loosening scene that forces the reader to retreat somewhere private to judge the decency of the kind of person who could actually read on.
Swallow the self-judgement and muscle on, if you can. Because truth of Genes tells a painfully unapologetic moral story exploring the societal consequences of what individuals choose to believe. We humans are lazy creatures by nature. Without impossible obstacles or incredible pain, we rarely rise to our greatest potential or feel compelled to make the most difficult decisions. The reader looking only for a wash of blood-drenched action may find themselves inadvertently trapped in the ethical crosshairs of their own reality. I suggest that the uncomfortable squirm we feel watching the characters of Murder Genes struggle in life or death choices only serve to light a fire under some of our own truths which normally float safely in the sea of inconsequential ideas.
Conclusion: Those uncomfortable with critical thinking should read at their own risk. Those pawing at the gate, claiming to seek ethical dilemma and lively controversy should bring a conscience and a night-light. Those squeamish at sight of blood should avoid this book, and tread carefully in life to make sure to never cut themselves.
Rating: 5 stars, as a "recommended" read. And a rap across the knuckles for the bastard who must have thought himself cocky enough to tackle the subject matter, but most probably lost a portion of his soul to bring forth this novel.
June 14, 2011
Murder Genes, the debut novel from author Mikael Aizen, is at times a very difficult read — not because it isn’t well written, but because it’s very well written but tackles subject matter that will make many readers’ skin crawl.
Who am I? Who are we? Are we true, self-directed individuals, or mindless slaves to our inherited genetic makeup? With genes being identified that may account for the capability to believe in religion, brain structures that determine liberal or conservative political leanings, and neuro-electric/neuro-chemical states to explain near-death experiences, how much of anything is really what we think it is?
Fortunately, Murder Genes doesn’t spend a lot of time asking these questions (fortunate since these questions are not new or original in and of themselves). Instead, it takes us to near-future world in a slightly alternative history in which one particular interpretation of such questions — that the capacity, or rather the inevitable compulsion — to murder has a genetic basis and thus can be screened, isolated... and eliminated, along with the people who carry it.
In telling the story, and telling it as a proper thriller, it asks not just would one do to survive — and some of its answers are not for the squeamish — but what would one do to win?
That’s a compelling backdrop. Into the foreground, Aizen drops a father and son, both suspected of carrying the code and now isolated and fighting for their lives because of it.
Anyone reading this book may understandably — but incorrectly — mistake Aizen to be one sick, twisted bastard. I’ve met him, spent time with him, and he is neither. What he is, is a writer capable of taking appalling things that make his own skin crawl and exploring their whorls and depths with cold and curious eyes. He doesn’t turn away from the shocking and disgusting, and any reader who has the stomach for it won’t want to turn away either.
There were times while reading it that I did turn away for a day or so, only to be dragged back in by the personal crises facing a father and a son — and, by extension, all of society. And I was rewarded by an end that made me thump a fist on my desk and pronounce, “Damn right!” in vindication.
Incidentally, Aizen has a blog dedicated to the key idea behind the story that serves as either a precursor or a supplement to the novel. It’s an interesting look at how the idea is already being addressed, not in an alternate history, near-future setting, but right now in this world.
Consider it a primer. Whether as a reader and an individual you’re comfortable exploring these ideas now, we’re all about to find ourselves confronting them head-on whether we like it or not. Murder Genes, like much of the best science fiction, is therefore a cautionary tale for today.
It’s also one heck of a ride.
Who am I? Who are we? Are we true, self-directed individuals, or mindless slaves to our inherited genetic makeup? With genes being identified that may account for the capability to believe in religion, brain structures that determine liberal or conservative political leanings, and neuro-electric/neuro-chemical states to explain near-death experiences, how much of anything is really what we think it is?
Fortunately, Murder Genes doesn’t spend a lot of time asking these questions (fortunate since these questions are not new or original in and of themselves). Instead, it takes us to near-future world in a slightly alternative history in which one particular interpretation of such questions — that the capacity, or rather the inevitable compulsion — to murder has a genetic basis and thus can be screened, isolated... and eliminated, along with the people who carry it.
In telling the story, and telling it as a proper thriller, it asks not just would one do to survive — and some of its answers are not for the squeamish — but what would one do to win?
That’s a compelling backdrop. Into the foreground, Aizen drops a father and son, both suspected of carrying the code and now isolated and fighting for their lives because of it.
Anyone reading this book may understandably — but incorrectly — mistake Aizen to be one sick, twisted bastard. I’ve met him, spent time with him, and he is neither. What he is, is a writer capable of taking appalling things that make his own skin crawl and exploring their whorls and depths with cold and curious eyes. He doesn’t turn away from the shocking and disgusting, and any reader who has the stomach for it won’t want to turn away either.
There were times while reading it that I did turn away for a day or so, only to be dragged back in by the personal crises facing a father and a son — and, by extension, all of society. And I was rewarded by an end that made me thump a fist on my desk and pronounce, “Damn right!” in vindication.
Incidentally, Aizen has a blog dedicated to the key idea behind the story that serves as either a precursor or a supplement to the novel. It’s an interesting look at how the idea is already being addressed, not in an alternate history, near-future setting, but right now in this world.
Consider it a primer. Whether as a reader and an individual you’re comfortable exploring these ideas now, we’re all about to find ourselves confronting them head-on whether we like it or not. Murder Genes, like much of the best science fiction, is therefore a cautionary tale for today.
It’s also one heck of a ride.
May 26, 2011
Every couple of years I read something that seems perfectly suited to my tastes, and this delivered.
The first thing I would like to say is that this was absolutely savage.
In the future they have determined that genetics lead to a predisposition of character, and choose to ship everybody that caries the so called 'murder gene' into a large walled city. Inside the citizens have chosen to live under the rules of a game. Enter the main chara, who is there to shake their world to the very core, of course.
The book splits into two stories really early on, one fallowing the father on the inside,the other fallowing his son, who's story line in very different. Both of which I would have been more than happy to read as separate novels. In many ways they did seem like two different novels in the same universe.
Much of the overlying themes dealt with why people would kill, so much to the point where the main chara, Jay, seemed haunted by his choices early on. He was excepting of his actions, but careful of justifying them. In a dark and twisted world of dog eat dog, one must kill. Quickly adapting to the circumstances, he quickly becomes a key player in their game, in many ways changing the rules.
The opening to this was so very violent! The main chara is no stranger to pain in this.
The cast of characters where well rounded and complete on both sides of the story. But, I do have to say that half way through the fathers story line took a HUGE sideways slant. In such a strange way, I'm not sure if it made the story better, or if I can ever understand why the author did it (I really want to read an interview about this book). It was entertaining though, so far out there, controversial, unexpected, just fucking bizarre. If you can, try and read this before some jerk off spoils it!
If you haven't noticed yet, I haven't said anything about the son's story yet. I don't really want to talk about it, I would have read the book just for that story alone. It was very good, and provided some decent weight to the book.
This book is going to go down as very controversial for the content. Both for the content, and the surprise change in the middle. If you like hyper-violent fiction, read this!
The first thing I would like to say is that this was absolutely savage.
In the future they have determined that genetics lead to a predisposition of character, and choose to ship everybody that caries the so called 'murder gene' into a large walled city. Inside the citizens have chosen to live under the rules of a game. Enter the main chara, who is there to shake their world to the very core, of course.
The book splits into two stories really early on, one fallowing the father on the inside,the other fallowing his son, who's story line in very different. Both of which I would have been more than happy to read as separate novels. In many ways they did seem like two different novels in the same universe.
Much of the overlying themes dealt with why people would kill, so much to the point where the main chara, Jay, seemed haunted by his choices early on. He was excepting of his actions, but careful of justifying them. In a dark and twisted world of dog eat dog, one must kill. Quickly adapting to the circumstances, he quickly becomes a key player in their game, in many ways changing the rules.
The opening to this was so very violent! The main chara is no stranger to pain in this.
The cast of characters where well rounded and complete on both sides of the story. But, I do have to say that half way through the fathers story line took a HUGE sideways slant. In such a strange way, I'm not sure if it made the story better, or if I can ever understand why the author did it (I really want to read an interview about this book). It was entertaining though, so far out there, controversial, unexpected, just fucking bizarre. If you can, try and read this before some jerk off spoils it!
If you haven't noticed yet, I haven't said anything about the son's story yet. I don't really want to talk about it, I would have read the book just for that story alone. It was very good, and provided some decent weight to the book.
This book is going to go down as very controversial for the content. Both for the content, and the surprise change in the middle. If you like hyper-violent fiction, read this!
November 5, 2012
Promising concept, poor execution. Words used in totally the wrong context, amateurish, occasionally misogynistic/racist/homophobic. Dreadful.
April 30, 2024
A fun read, if you overlook the flaws! Overall, I found the premise/characters to be intriguing and engaging. I read this in one sitting, back in college, so it kept me occupied. Honestly it's fairly amateurish. Per the previous reviews, there are a lot of errors left in the printing. The premise is solid but the execution falls a bit short, for this to reach a high level of quality. So, all in all, it's an entertaining and fun read if you don't take it too seriously.
June 11, 2012
It is an outstanding book that takes place in an alternate future where most of the world's problems is resolved and the link to isolating those whom are marked with a specific genetic character trait called the Murder Gene and their search to find a cause on how they are different than others. For a full review I posted on my blog a more extensive review. All and all, it's a good book and a remarkable find on the Kindle as well.
September 5, 2012
The year is 2025 and anyone with a certain defective gene is in a special city built for murderers. Doesn't matter if you haven't committed murder - you just might someday.
Jay is sent to Murderer City. He left behind his only son, Kyle, who is 9 years old. Kyle runs away but finds himself at the hands of a medical experimenter.
Timely story. Found it quite good - despite the numerous ebook errors.
Jay is sent to Murderer City. He left behind his only son, Kyle, who is 9 years old. Kyle runs away but finds himself at the hands of a medical experimenter.
Timely story. Found it quite good - despite the numerous ebook errors.
October 22, 2014
I read this through Kindle, and I immediately wished that I had the print copy, so that I could hand it to my friends for them to read as well.
Would we survive a world like the one outlined in this book? I honestly don't think we would, but the story is one that is so engrossing, that you can imagine yourself facing the same challenges.
Wonderful stuff.
Would we survive a world like the one outlined in this book? I honestly don't think we would, but the story is one that is so engrossing, that you can imagine yourself facing the same challenges.
Wonderful stuff.
November 4, 2012
The premise was good; however, the plot was not developed; the characters were not developed. There was so much blood, gore and cursing that it took over the story. Either this is a first time author or he does not understand proper development of the plot and characters; or both.
Want to read
January 12, 2016T
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews