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Sequence
Andrea Remus and Thomas Charon are trapped inside the Pandora Complex, a phenomenon which causes thoughts to travel from one memory to the next as they are downloaded into the Pandora system. Each download causes Andrea and Thomas to feel as though they are living their memories for the very first time. As they increase contact with Pandora, their minds become trapped in the past.Will Andrea and Thomas regain their full memories? What dangers will they encounter as their intense visits to the past cause a stunning affect? The riveting Sequence questions our reality, while taking the reader on a remarkable journey into the mind.About the Rogers Jr. grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where he teaches 9th grade English. He is working on a new book, Diary of Oliver Lee, the first in a trilogy called Chronicles of the Last Liturian. Publisher's
158 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 5, 2022
Sequence is about a reality where Earth is on a collision course with destruction, with massive storms bringing horrific conditions all across the planet, animals and insects disappearing, other things dying out en masse. there may be no way to save our planet from whatever is ravaging it, but there may be a way to send the reality of humanity out into the stars using the Pandora system -- which is siphoning off memories from its users while making them re-live those memories as part of its programming.
The high concept plays into a lot of the novel, but one of the issues I had with this book is that the high concept is just the "how" to get the story the writer actually wants to tell. It's a tale about two people, about how hard life can be and how much we try to leave the bad in the past even as it's wreaking havoc on our present. Our main characters are married and are working on Pandora -- each one facing all the bad things in their past that led them to where they are today. Some are things they did, some things they did to others. And it's honestly a really fast, really engaging read. The marriage of mythology and science in the worlds of the two characters added an extra dimension, especially if you were familiar with the myths that many people draw their names from (the book does eventually explain most of them, but I think it adds something to know from the start).
This is one of those stories that I loved reading, but am not sure I'll go back to. It can be a tough read at times emotionally -- there are some seriously bad things in both characters backstories that get re-lived. And at the end, it felt like one story -- the emotional one -- wrapped up nicely but the broader one just kind of was left open. I'm reasonably sure this was intentional, but it didn't leave me feeling satisfied with the reading experience on some level. And yeah, some books are like that intentionally, and some people like that sort of thing. It just unfortunately didn't work for me.
Still, overall this was a solid read and one I'd recommend if the concept sounds interesting to you.
The high concept plays into a lot of the novel, but one of the issues I had with this book is that the high concept is just the "how" to get the story the writer actually wants to tell. It's a tale about two people, about how hard life can be and how much we try to leave the bad in the past even as it's wreaking havoc on our present. Our main characters are married and are working on Pandora -- each one facing all the bad things in their past that led them to where they are today. Some are things they did, some things they did to others. And it's honestly a really fast, really engaging read. The marriage of mythology and science in the worlds of the two characters added an extra dimension, especially if you were familiar with the myths that many people draw their names from (the book does eventually explain most of them, but I think it adds something to know from the start).
This is one of those stories that I loved reading, but am not sure I'll go back to. It can be a tough read at times emotionally -- there are some seriously bad things in both characters backstories that get re-lived. And at the end, it felt like one story -- the emotional one -- wrapped up nicely but the broader one just kind of was left open. I'm reasonably sure this was intentional, but it didn't leave me feeling satisfied with the reading experience on some level. And yeah, some books are like that intentionally, and some people like that sort of thing. It just unfortunately didn't work for me.
Still, overall this was a solid read and one I'd recommend if the concept sounds interesting to you.
May 3, 2021
Memories lost. Some of them lived over again. Tortuously. All for a restorative technology meant to save the planet. Dark and traumatic throughout and ending with a heavy handed commentary about humanity.
November 24, 2016
Sequence is a new science-fiction by Kenneth Rogers, Jr. In a future dystopian world, two people Thomas Charon and Andrea Remus are locked in a bunker as the world slowly comes to an end.
They are connected to an AI which is supposed to upload their memories and emotions in order to save some vestige of humanity. Mr. Rogers weaves mythology and science together in a dark mix of suffering and torn emotions. The couple both have traumatic events in their pasts and as the Pandora computer sucks these memories, they are forced to re-experience the pain of events they would both rather keep closed away.
The book requires thoughtful and careful reading. It is not a typical battle for survival but a battle within the characters. The pace picks up in the last chapters as they are forced to live inside of each other’s memories. I found myself not wanting to put it down and not wanting it to end. A book that the reader doesn’t want to end is, after all, one of the joys of reading. It means, in some way, it touched us.
They are connected to an AI which is supposed to upload their memories and emotions in order to save some vestige of humanity. Mr. Rogers weaves mythology and science together in a dark mix of suffering and torn emotions. The couple both have traumatic events in their pasts and as the Pandora computer sucks these memories, they are forced to re-experience the pain of events they would both rather keep closed away.
The book requires thoughtful and careful reading. It is not a typical battle for survival but a battle within the characters. The pace picks up in the last chapters as they are forced to live inside of each other’s memories. I found myself not wanting to put it down and not wanting it to end. A book that the reader doesn’t want to end is, after all, one of the joys of reading. It means, in some way, it touched us.
April 22, 2020
2.75 stars
TW: rape, self harm, suicide
This is a tricky one for me to rate. The concept was interesting and fresh and the story well executed overall (the takeaway being spelled out at the end was a little bit much and I kind of wanted the story to lean a bit further into its scifi elements and/or give more answers about the clouds, but otherwise no real complaints) and so I'm inclined to give it a solid 3 stars. Enjoyment factor always goes into my rating too though, and this was definitely a heavy book dealing with a LOT of past trauma in the lives of the characters. I think these were handled well! It was just a much more raw and draining experience than I had any idea I was signing up for, so, you know, I can't really say I enjoyed it.
That said, if you're looking for an interesting mix of mythology and scifi and are ready for some intense character study, I'd recommend it giving it a shot.
TW: rape, self harm, suicide
This is a tricky one for me to rate. The concept was interesting and fresh and the story well executed overall (the takeaway being spelled out at the end was a little bit much and I kind of wanted the story to lean a bit further into its scifi elements and/or give more answers about the clouds, but otherwise no real complaints) and so I'm inclined to give it a solid 3 stars. Enjoyment factor always goes into my rating too though, and this was definitely a heavy book dealing with a LOT of past trauma in the lives of the characters. I think these were handled well! It was just a much more raw and draining experience than I had any idea I was signing up for, so, you know, I can't really say I enjoyed it.
That said, if you're looking for an interesting mix of mythology and scifi and are ready for some intense character study, I'd recommend it giving it a shot.
December 19, 2016
I enjoyed this book. It is imaginative. The author shares his knowledge of science and mythology with childlike enthusiasm. He uses that knowledge to provide a backdrop for a character study of a former couple with painful pasts. I can honestly say I have not read anything quite like it before.
I am glad I read this novel, but I must admit that something was missing. While reading, I felt the story was constantly on the verge of greatness, but it never quite made it.
I am glad I read this novel, but I must admit that something was missing. While reading, I felt the story was constantly on the verge of greatness, but it never quite made it.
February 6, 2018
Dark and captivating, this sci-fi novel dives deep into a mysterious dark cloud, "Pandora," that is haunting the Earth, and even deeper into the mystery of the human mind. This book had a slight "Matrix" feel to it, yet it was completely original. Eager to discover what happened next, I dedicated one finger to the next page the entire time so as not to waste a moment picking my finger up to turn the page. The author does an incredible job intertwining sci-fi and how our past experiences shape who we are today. Highly recommended to anyone interested in rollercoasters with dark tunnels and surprise endings.
January 20, 2014
Me Rogers best book to date. He is very imaginative. I can't wait for his next publication.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews