Psion Gamma

Psion #2

by Jacob Gowans

Sammy, a fourteen-year-old fugitive, accidentally discovers he has the powers of a Psion.

After months of instruction at Psion Beta headquarters, Sammy is selected to go on a stealth training mission. When the team is ambushed by the savage Thirteens, he is left for dead. Now, alone, he must survive in a hostile land. His search for help takes him deep into enemy territory and changes him forever.

On Capitol Island, Commander Byron discovers the possibility of a traitor in the Psion ranks. His son, Al, has become obsessed with learning the truth behind what happened during his failed mission. Meanwhile, Jeffie, Brickert, and Kobe struggle to deal with the aftermath of Sammy’s disappearance.

The Silent War is at a tipping point; even one boy can be the difference.

But to do so, he must survive.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Urban Fantasy, Teen, Military Fiction

482 pages, Nook

First published October 8, 2011

About the author

http://www.jacobgowans.com/about-jaco...

Reviews

[Tim Alm · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that Jacob isn't more well known. This book is amazing. After reading it I now have a new favorite author.

The book is classified as young adult but I feel that is because the main character, Samuel Berhane, is sixteen. Yes there are shades of things that all teens worry about. These are interlaced amid a backdrop of a secret civil war. It can get pretty intense in places.

I read this very quickly. Not because it was short but because it was that good. Once I picked it up two or three hours would just fly by.

If I could give this book more than five stars I would.

[Lazybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust me, you will feel despair.

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific follow-up to Gowan's maiden voyage in self-publishing. The author's maturation as a writer is clear as the characters continue to develop. Having read the series to date, the fact that this author was self-published still fascinates me. How was this book not picked up?

I love the author's note at the end of the book. It certainly deepens the connections with the readers, in my opinion.

Ultimately, I think one of the more compelling facets of this book is the plausibility of this future state becoming reality.

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book clarified a few things in Psion Beta that weren't too clear. I still think these books have a great story line but would have been much better books with better editing. There was a bit more character development in this book and it would have been nice to see more of the back story in the first book. You care about the characters and want to know what happens to them.

[Shannon (booksbyshannon)]

Prison Gamma is a great and interesting sequel. We got to read about the routes Sammy goes through as he tries to make it back home. It was filled with action, though sometimes his experiences were traumatic. I think the author did a good job exploring the mental struggles Sammy goes through, and also the struggles of his friends thinking they had lost Sammy at the beginning. At some points Sammy switched very quickly from being angry to friendly, which is something that was a little unnatural. We got a pov of some of the other characters which I liked but I did think they seemed kind of dull compared to Sammy’s. And some of the flashback jumps were confusing. And it felt weird reading about Sammy getting tortured and his friends still playing the games.

It was a more emotional read than the first book, but was still packed with action and kept me hooked. I would definitely recommend reading after the first book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this immediately after finishing Beta. I did enjoy it, but I think the author could have used some help weaving together the two main storylines. For some reason, I could not get a good feel for how much time elapsed at various points in the story. If you were to read what was going on with Sammy and Toad as a whole, and then read the chapters back at Beta HQ, they do not feel like parallel stories in terms of how much time has gone by.

Adding a little more detail when slipping in and out of those story lines would have helped tie the whole novel together better.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it.
As a smart kid, the idea of losing any of my capacity for learning and processing information is terrifying. Gowan did a great job of conveying that. I also really appreciate that he writes Sammy in a way that makes it clear that intelligence and romantic competence are not the same thing.

[Kjirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I think I liked the first book better... but I'm a sucker for the "training exceptional kids to be even more exceptional" genre. This one got into the realities of warfare and all that, and was consequently a bit more depressing. I think I'd have preferred to stick with only Sammy's viewpoint... during this book we were jumping from one person's head to another and all the extra viewpoints (with flashbacks) felt unnecessary, and all I wanted to know was how Sammy was going to do what he needed to do next.

That said, I love the characters still and I will be waiting with anticipation to read the next installment of what is apparently going to be a 5-book series! This is definitely a great series.

[Rebecca McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this epic series does not disappoint. Superbly written, with amazing characters and a plot that twists more than a pretzel. It was so good that I easily forgave the multiple flashbacks (I'm usually only good for a couple per book).

With this installment, we start to really see some of the nastier aspects of war, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone very young. There are some dark, creepy characters (one in particular) that are amazing.

I'm not-very-patiently looking forward to book 3.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the writing markedly improved from Psion Beta. The story takes on whole new dimensions. We get to know some of the characters more intimately. New characters are introduced- some good, some horrid. There are some dark, ugly moments where we find out what steel Sammy is made of. There was more history, more emotion, more information than Psion Beta. I thoroughly enjoyed this book- great story!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Wow, I spent Saturday re-reading Psion Beta since my physical copy of Gamma was going to be coming on Monday. I finished Beta, and bought the kindle copy of Gamma and finished it Saturday night. Thank you Daylight Savings!!! I really enjoyed the sequel, and thankfully this one did not leave us on another cliff hanger. Great book. what are you waiting for, just read it!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psion Gamma really impressed me. The story of a teenager gifted with psychic powers unfolds in the previous book, Psion Beta. Whereas that was a light coming-of-age tale, Psion Gamma is a darker story that examines the world the Psion books are set in and the consequences of finding yourself on the wrong side of enemy lines.

I'll be watching for the sequel!

[Blake Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I got a kindle for a christmas present and bought five books all a part of series. I read Psion Beta last and it was the only book of the five that I immediately had to read the sequel. I can't wait for Psion Delta!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Love. This. Book. The first one was very good, but this one is just riveting. The characters are great, it rings very true, and the suspense is great. I definitely don't recommend this one for younger readers, as even I find it pretty scary.

[Danielle Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love part 2 as much as I loved part 1 and now I can't wait for part 3. Sammy is a great character and has been through so much in such a short time.

[Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Psion Beta, you'll love the followup. Read them both!

[Nae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book, and I went into the second book expecting a lot, but I definitely wasn't expecting what I got.

So much of this book was well-written, so much worked well, and then quite a bit of it did not do well for me.

I really like that we got more time with Sammy, though time with him was hard and pretty traumatic. I think the author did a great job conveying the mental struggles that Sammy, and even his friends back home, went through, but the torture and gaslighting that Sammy endured felt very over the top. I love that the author addressed mental health and showed Sammy's journey back towards himself, especially since mental health is not presented as a topic in books in a healthy way. In a YA novel, though, I felt completely unprepared for the events that I read and how they would affect me.

During the whole story, another point that stuck for me was how romance was portrayed. First, I didn't really understand or feel comfortable with how Jeffie talked about her mother teaching her how to flirt. Jeffie's line goes on to show how she is pressured by Kobe and others to date Kobe, and it did not sit right with me how he did not respect her refusals. Jeffie, the incredible person who worked hard and fought to achieve her dreams, became someone focused on dating, obsessed with guys, and a rebounder. These are not things to portray to kids and young adults without the added caveat of explaining why their "relationships" and behaviors were unhealthy and problematic.

I also feel that there was an overabundance of violence, especially with how Sammy learned how to take on more opponents. There is a dehumanization of the enemy, and while that is somewhat understandable given the fight they are undergoing, it seems that being overly violent and callous becomes justified.

There were other issues, but I won't name them all. I'm still glad that I read this book, and I know that it can be hard to fit all the pieces in to the puzzle the way that everyone likes, so I can still appreciate the author's work, and I do want to read the next book.

[Joan Mabansag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Psion Gamma (The Psion Series)
Author: Jacob Gowans
Genre: YA/Sci-Fi

Logline: Sammy and new friend Toad race from Rio to Wichita while being hunted by the Aegis and the Thirteen while Psion headquarters reels from losing one of its star pupils.

Rating: 9/10

Spoilers ahead!!

Strengths:
I thoroughly enjoyed the angst and overall character personalities in this second installment. Al and Jeffie’s characters felt more life-like and nuanced, and I appreciate their perspectives within the novel; I felt that Jeffie finally had more positive personality traits to balance her. Dialogue, characterizations, and the relationships between the cast were more detailed and had significant improvement from Psion Beta.
Sammy’s storyline was simply exhilarating and brilliantly executed. From the outset, the stakes of Psion Gamma were much more consistent throughout the novel than Psion Beta's. I was hooked from beginning to end with its excellently improved writing style.
Toad’s tragic ending left me in tears – he was such a loveable and innocent character, and I adored his dynamic with Sammy. Their reunion at the autopsy room left me so heartbroken, it was amazing.

Weaknesses:
Some of the jumps between flashbacks and presently occurring action were difficult or confusing to keep track of, such as Jeffie’s flashbacks around the 50-page mark. The constant back and forth was disorienting.
Jeffie / the Psions’ storyline was a bit lackluster in comparison to Sammy’s. While Sammy’s getting tortured in Rio, all the Psions in training are still playing games and brooding, not doing much to try and find the truth about their missing friend. I felt that this was inconsistent with their characters and lacked urgency.




Final Thoughts:
A strong continuation of the Psion series filled to the brim with tragedy, heartache, action, and gripping tales of survival.

[Beatriz Mamede Da Rocha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to Psion Beta, readers follow Sammy in the aftermath of Rio’s mission as he desperately tries to get back home. While we see how he deals with all the obstacles that Sammy comes across, readers also follow Jeffie and Caption Byron as we see them deal with his absence (potential death) and rumors that the base might have a traitor.

This book was even better than the first book! I really liked the change to multiple POV. I liked seeing other characters’ perspectives. I got to see more of Jeffie, Byron and his families’ background. And how they changed from their previous experience.

It was interesting to me to spend time on Rio with Sammy and seeing him figure out what to do. As a Brazilian, it was cool to see places I know and interact with people from my country.

I really enjoyed the themes of trauma, healing and love portrayed in this book. Sammy’s torture was brutal. Seeing him starting to deal with that trauma was refreshing as we don’t usually see characters do that. It was great to see someone go through so much and start in his journey through healing.

One thing that didn’t work for me as well was the romantic storyline. I felt it wasn’t as strong due to Jeffie deciding to date Kobe again but then insisting that she wanted to get back together with Sammy. It rubbed me the wrong way. I think the storyline would have been stronger, especially her confrontation with him, if she hadn’t dated Kobe.

But I enjoyed the fast pace and the action throughout the story. There were many twists and turns that I didn’t see it coming. And the cliffhanger! What a cliffhanger! I’m excited to read the next installment!

[Aliki Bitsakakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Psion Gamma developed the story from the first book beautifully. In this book, we got more than just Sammy’s perspective, allowing us to deepen our appreciation for characters like Jeffie and the villains. The pacing of each chapter was quick and effective, using characters’ backstories as compelling interludes that kept the story moving forward while also providing context that was missing in the first installment of the series. My favourite element was how the author handled Sammy’s mental health issues. Often in YA books the hero of the story goes through some pretty traumatic stuff, but it’s played off as normal. Here, Sammy was tortured, and clearly disturbed by his childhood and everything that has happened to him since. The scene with the psychologist was the standout moment for me, as his PTSD was addressed and handled in an inspiring manner that I feel will positively affect young readers. The one thing I would change is Jeffie. I liked that we got more of Jeffie in this book, and at first I loved where her story was going. But as the pages went on, she was either talking about her feelings for Sammy, or restarting her relationship with Kobe. Firstly, having another relationship with Kobe undermined her character and I feel would cause readers to dislike her. Secondly, having the main female character’s story be all about romance, when the same is not done for the male characters, places feminine stereotypes on her, which is outdated and unneeded because she is a smart and hard-working character. Those aspects of her personality should have been the focus. All in all, this was an exciting read!

[Morrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psion Gamma, the sequel to Psion Beta, picks up right where the thrilling, cliff-hanger ending of its predecessor left off, following Sammy and his friends (and enemies) as he struggles to survive CAG territory and make it home. Much like the first book in this series, this book has a lot of heart, with great characters that carry the story. By breaking out of the confines of the Beta training regiment, we get to see more of the world and see how Sammy—an almost unfairly gifted teenager—deals with the harsh reality of real-world conflict. The action is fast-paced and exciting, making it the perfect choice for young, male readers.
Unlike the first book, Psion Gamma splits the perspective between several characters. Some of these are fine additions that advance the plot, but some bog it down with gratuitous villainous monologues or one-off chapters from characters we rarely hear the perspectives of again, seemingly just to round out the plot. There is very little the reader doesn’t know, unlike the first book where we were limited to Sammy’s perspective and we experienced twists right along with him.
While there is a lot to enjoy about this book, and I appreciate its slightly more mature feel, I had a real issue with the amount of torture and sadism present throughout. There were way too many scenes of children being violently tortured, and chapters from one particular antagonist’s perspective in which they pontificate on all the ways they want to murder and torment their enemies that made me sick to my stomach, and I’m an adult! I knocked a star off for this reason, and I would advise caution in getting this book for very young or sensitive readers.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setup of the first novel truly pays off in the second installation of the Psion series. Where in Psion Beta, Sammy went unchallenged in his abilities, only truly running into trouble at the end of the novel, Psion Gamma shows Sammy facing true hardship. Most of his obstacles in Psion Beta were imagined or were innocent rivalries with his peers; in Psion Gamma, Sammy’s abilities are truly put to the test.

This is a far more gritty and mature novel compared to its predecessor. Sammy has to grow up quite a bit, facing troubles fit for someone far beyond his years. In the face of this, Gowans still maintains Sammy’s youth in his thoughts, feelings, and reactions to what he must face while allowing him to mature in a realistic way.

We are also introduced to more of the political intrigue this universe has in store. Instead of only Sammy’s perspective, we get multiple perspectives which really start to expand the Psion universe and other characters' backgrounds and motivations. Gowans opens up many future storylines relating to the politics, conflicts, and espionage resulting from the conflict between the UWG and the CAG. He constantly left me hooked, wanting to read further to find out what secret would be revealed next.

I think that the second book serves as an excellent introduction to the universe of the Psion series as it exists outside of Psion Beta Headquarters. The stakes are higher than ever before and I can’t wait to see how this story continues to unfold.

[Ilana Goldman]

This was an excellent sequel! I really enjoyed this new leg of Sammy’s journey, which delved into a far darker but fascinating side of his world. The stakes are significantly higher this time around, and I was fully invested in each new flashback, obstacle, and victory that the Psions encountered.

Unlike the first novel, Psion Gamma engages with multiple POVs, which are expertly written to avoid giving the reader (too much) whiplash. I will admit that some perspectives excited me more than others; while it was fascinating to enter the mind of Katie Carpenter, I couldn’t help but sift through the chapters surrounding Jeffie, who continues to be defined almost exclusively by her romantic interactions. Commanders Byron and Wrobel provided interesting juxtapositions, however, their shared backstory left some nuance and clarity to be desired. My favorite narrator continues to be Sammy, whose new struggles added an enduring and deeply admirable essence to his character. I particularly liked how the author handled his journey following the influence of Stripe; such trauma experienced by heroes is often cast aside in favor of advancing the plot, and I appreciated the time taken to illustrate his mental fatigue, external reactions, and eventual path to recovery.

The final conflict felt neatly, almost hastily concluded, but I anticipate plenty of challenge to come with Sammy’s new attitude and understanding the complexities of his anomalies. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

[grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: "Psion Gamma" by Jacob Gowans
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

"Psion Gamma" is the second instalment in Jacob Gowans' dystopian series, continuing Sammy's adventures as he faces new challenges politically and internally. Set in a future where psionically gifted individuals are trained to aid in an ongoing global war, the second novel offers plenty of action, character development, and thought-provoking moments that make it a worthwhile read.

One of the strengths of "Psion Gamma", much like in "Psion Beta" lies in its world-building. Gowans does a fantastic job expanding on his richly established psionic universe, offering readers more insight into the various political tensions and military structures that define this futuristic society.

Gowan also does a good job of ensuring his characters do not remain stagnant. Sammy's growing complexity adds layers to the story, giving readers an emotional connection as they watch him navigate his psionic abilities outside a classroom setting.

I thought, personally, that the multiple-perspective narrative of this instalment in the series took away from my investment in the plot. I believe the novel would have benefited from a more focused and streamlined narrative, centring more tightly around Sammy’s experiences rather than diffusing the political tension and action across multiple viewpoints.

Despite this, "Psion Gamma" is a solid continuation of the Psion series and is a definite must-read for those invested in Sammy’s journey and the overarching storyline.

[Taji · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED Psion Beta. It was a refreshing new take on dystopian/sci-fi future.

Samuel Berhane Jr. was a juvenile delinquent and our unlikely hero of the story who develops telekinetic-like abilities. He's recruited to the Psion Beta program in which he learns to control his new abilities and become a military like weapon at only age 14.

Psion Gamma? It's my favorite sequel now, even better and more fast paced than the first book. The story really moves along well, the characters develop even more along the way, and you can tell the writer has really improved since the first novel in the series.

Gowans is able to tackle multiple POVs in this book and he executes it nearly flawlessly. The one drawback to this story was what Sammy has endured after being captured by the enemy, but I believe it's a necessary evil for his character development. "Without the rain, we would never be thankful for the sun."
This expression is fitting for what Sammy has endured because I believe although he came out a little worse for wear, it also made him a little less naive, a little stronger, and a little tougher.

Overall the sequel builds on, improves upon, and excites even more than the first book, and I already thought the first book was pretty epic! You'll definitely be a fan after picking both books up!

[laura8759 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book started off great, there were parts in the story that weren't as interesting like the characters' backstories; they just felt long and drawn out. Also switching point of views in the middle of someone's else's point of view is a little annoying. The plot was good. It had some slow spots and spots that I felt were too violent but overall it was good. Sammy went through a lot in this book. I hope he gets the help he needs, there were a lot of unanswered questions and that bothered me. I'm all for an ending that leaves you wondering what will happen next but not a fan of cliffhangers, if that makes sense. A lot of unexpected stuff happened in this book and I wonder what effect it will have on Sammy and the next book. From what I understand trauma is a hard thing to overcome but it can be done, shame and isolation are a big part of Trauma which Sammy is definitely feeling, he feels like everything is his fault and wants to be left alone. The other characters didn't have as big a part in this story but that's okay because we got more Sammy and victor which was interesting. There were a few new characters which added a different element to the story. Can't wait to see what book 2 has in store. Xoxo Laura8759

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psion Gamma was a really good sequel to Psion Beta, where the reader starts to delve deeper into the complexities of various characters and the society at hand.
Gowans’ writing style remains strong and captivating, aptly bringing out the tension and emotional turmoil experienced by the characters.
I do appreciate how readers get to see more of how Sammy is like as a character, particularly his state of mind and sense of self after being tortured, since his nature of hiding his emotions from others prevents the reader from understanding this side of him in the first book. The reader also gets to see another side of Brickert, in terms of how he steps up and demonstrates his strength and loyalty as contrasted to his weak personality in the first book.
This book puts a much stronger emphasis on the ongoing war and different parties, which can get slightly lengthy and complex at times, but definitely helps to build up the storyline.
Lastly, I noticed that Gowans puts in a chapter 13 before chapter 31, which is interesting, and I am wondering what its significance is? Is it due to the fact that Sammy was fighting a Thirteen in that chapter?
Overall, it is definitely a good read and keeps me looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Mar1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we last left the Psions, Albert's mission was compromised and Sammy was left behind, believed to be dead. If we know anything about Sammy from book 1, its that he's a fighter. Book 2 seamlessly picks up where book 1 left off and Sammy is fighting to get back home. But something has changed. Something has taken hold of him that he can't quite shake.

If you enjoyed reading "Psion Beta," "Psion Gamma" will not disappoint you. You get to see how the world has been impacted by the CAG, action-packed fights, and learn more about the war.
For me, I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to begin reading part 3. I enjoyed how the plot showed the different perspectives of the characters when they were apart. This gave the story depth and allowed readers to see how everyone was coping with their situations. Additionally, the constant cliff hangers into each chapter had me on edge! I would recommend this story for anyone who 1. wants a good read, 2. wants to be captivated and transported into the story, and 3. for anyone who wonders with all the hardship, struggling, and loss, if anything we do is worth it. For them I would say, "You know Sammy thought the same thing..."

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but if I’m being honest, I liked the first book a lot better. This book had a lot of switching point-of-views that took away from the main action and left me bored, such as Byron and the Queen’s point-of-views. I also did not enjoy the very disturbing torture scenes that were described in this book. Samuel was tortured by the Aegis both physically and psychologically and it messes him up for almost the rest of the book. This seemed like a lot for a YA book. I also didn’t like how it ended with us not knowing if Brickert and Jeffie were okay. A lot of good characters kept dying throughout, to the point where it seemed like no one Sammy would meet would ever live. In addition to this, I had problems with Jeffie suddenly dating Kobe again only to switch back to wanting Sammy again when she finds out he’s alive. Overall, this book was kind of weak and more upsetting to read compared to the first one. I’m hoping that Sammy doesn’t suffer as much in the third book.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psion Gamma is a strong follow-up to Psion Beta. Unlike the first book, this one is told through multiple perspectives, which I really enjoyed. You get to witness the story unfold through several different characters’ points of view, mainly Jeffie, Sammy, and Commander Byron. One issue I sometimes have with books with alternating POV is that I enjoy some perspectives more than others, and I’ll find myself rushing through certain chapters to get to the next POV. That was never the case with this book- each storyline was equally developed, and I was invested in all of them. There’s also a lot of flashbacks that explain parts missing from the first book, like Sammy’s experience in the Grinder, and you get a lot more backstory on characters like Jeffie that weren’t as fleshed out in Psion Beta. The writing is smart and funny, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I’m really looking forward to the next one.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psion Gamma was an excellent and epic sequel. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. I was pleasantly surprised that the author fixed a lot of the issues I had with the first book. Namely, the characters were a lot more fleshed out in this one. Learning more about the secondary characters, specifically Byron and Jeffie, was fascinating and insightful. If I had one critique, it would be that some of the chapters were a little too slow or focused a little too much on unnecessary things. But even that didn’t stall my enjoyment. The action packed scenes did a good job of balancing everything out and keeping me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the third book.