What do you think?
Rate this book
Maligned
Phoenix is simmering in the heat of a lazy July morning in 2195 when the execution-style murder of a young boy shatters the complacency of a population that hasn’t seen anyone die from natural causes for almost two centuries. Enter Malcolm Godfrey, a darkly brilliant alpha-male with an axe to grind. Malcolm’s insatiable appetite for power, money and women have made him a highly intelligent monster who is plotting the ultimate corporate take-over, a coup d’état. Malcolm believes that he is the chosen one, but there is just one more loose end to tie up before the final stage of his sinister plan can be put into motion. When Malcolm frames the beautiful wife of an ex-black ops specialist for murder, he finds that he has created an inescapable web of corporate deceit, danger and intrigue that culminates finally in a battle for mankind itself.
- GenresThriller
274 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2012
141 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 9, 2012
I'm not usually one to pick up a total science fiction novel, but I am so glad I picked up "Maligned"! Kathleen Papajohn has beautifully created and brought to life a very possible and scary world. This novel will keep you turning the page to see what will happen next. The suspense, the characterization, and the beautiful settings will keep you reading. Ms. Papjohn has brilliantly depicted a very real future of our world with very real and deep characters. This is a stunning debut from a new talent! Can't wait to see more from this gifted author!
November 3, 2014
I won this book as part of Goodread's first read program (thanks Kathleen and Goodreads!) and here is my honest review.
I'm not usually one for science fiction novels, so I was hesitant when I started reading, but this novel reads much more like a thriller. The sci-fi elements don't drive the story like in most books of the genre, they are mostly used for background, setting and to help move the story along. I never feel overwhelmed by them as this novel paints a very realistic future where the technology seems like a natural progression to what we have now. Overall, it made for a very engrossing read.
There are two very basic kinds of readers. The ones who like to nitpick every detail that doesn't fit precisely, and the ones who just enjoy the story for what it is. I'm in the later group. Which is good, because there are few places in this story that just don't make sense (a Big Brother capable society with so many blind spots, the overly obvious set-up in the legal proceedings, etc.) That being said, there were a few points that bugged me. The motivations of the chief bad guy, Malcolm Godfrey, were tops on the list. For most of the novel he just seemed like he had no reason for his actions. We only learn of his plot toward the end of the novel; expanding on his background and introducing it earlier on would have made the action that much more griping. There were also a few details mentioned in the book that seemed to go unexplained. What was the purpose behind the Rosemary subplot? Why was Andrea so cold when we first meet her?
All that being said, this was a good page turner of a novel with good twists and turns, even if I didn't agree with the big twist halfway through the novel. It kept me reading and was quite enjoyable. I gave it three stars because it was a quick, enjoyable read that felt rushed and incomplete in places. If there is a sequel, and it looks to be set-up that way, I would eagerly read it!
I'm not usually one for science fiction novels, so I was hesitant when I started reading, but this novel reads much more like a thriller. The sci-fi elements don't drive the story like in most books of the genre, they are mostly used for background, setting and to help move the story along. I never feel overwhelmed by them as this novel paints a very realistic future where the technology seems like a natural progression to what we have now. Overall, it made for a very engrossing read.
There are two very basic kinds of readers. The ones who like to nitpick every detail that doesn't fit precisely, and the ones who just enjoy the story for what it is. I'm in the later group. Which is good, because there are few places in this story that just don't make sense (a Big Brother capable society with so many blind spots, the overly obvious set-up in the legal proceedings, etc.) That being said, there were a few points that bugged me. The motivations of the chief bad guy, Malcolm Godfrey, were tops on the list. For most of the novel he just seemed like he had no reason for his actions. We only learn of his plot toward the end of the novel; expanding on his background and introducing it earlier on would have made the action that much more griping. There were also a few details mentioned in the book that seemed to go unexplained. What was the purpose behind the Rosemary subplot? Why was Andrea so cold when we first meet her?
All that being said, this was a good page turner of a novel with good twists and turns, even if I didn't agree with the big twist halfway through the novel. It kept me reading and was quite enjoyable. I gave it three stars because it was a quick, enjoyable read that felt rushed and incomplete in places. If there is a sequel, and it looks to be set-up that way, I would eagerly read it!
March 19, 2012
Maligned depicts a future not so far from ours that is very believable. The technology is obviously superior to ours, but many of the same problems face the characters: overpopulation, scandal, governments in bed with business, business that think themselves above the law... the list goes on.
There were a few times that the 'technobabble' took me out of the story, but I usually just plowed on ahead. I'm not a scifi reader generally, I tend more toward fantasy, but this book was engaging, rooting me in the characters rather than the science. Just as a good fantasy roots me in the characters so I don't need to deconstruct the world. I'm sure if I'd stopped and focused on each widget in the 'uber-device' I would have been able to follow it. So much of the technology was easy to comprehend, but when something really big and shiny took the stage (and Digger was usually the one drooling over it and listing specs) I zoned out for a paragraph or two until the characters started moving again.
I point this out not as a weakness in the book, but a strength. Non-sci-fi readers should give this book a try.
There were a few times that the 'technobabble' took me out of the story, but I usually just plowed on ahead. I'm not a scifi reader generally, I tend more toward fantasy, but this book was engaging, rooting me in the characters rather than the science. Just as a good fantasy roots me in the characters so I don't need to deconstruct the world. I'm sure if I'd stopped and focused on each widget in the 'uber-device' I would have been able to follow it. So much of the technology was easy to comprehend, but when something really big and shiny took the stage (and Digger was usually the one drooling over it and listing specs) I zoned out for a paragraph or two until the characters started moving again.
I point this out not as a weakness in the book, but a strength. Non-sci-fi readers should give this book a try.
April 10, 2012
An excellent dystopian thriller! Kathleen Papajohn provides an action-packed, well developed story which keeps the reader involved to the last line. Maligned (2012, Martin Sisters Publishing) presents an Orwellian, dystopian backdrop to a powerful version of the fight between good and evil. As in Orwell’s 1984, Papajohn’s world is presented as is, with only hints and clues on how it got that way. Similarly, the very institutions and systems set up to protect society turn out to be destructive in the hands of the wrong people. The author’s extensive research and terminology make her science fiction appear like science, and new technology is explained with just enough detail to make it plausible. Powerful characters round out this most impressive novel. I highly recommend Maligned.
March 11, 2012
Maligned is a cleverly crafted dystopian novel for ADULTS! Finally! In a world full of speculative fiction for YA readers, it's wonderful to have this book, which was written with my age group in mind. Ms. Papajohn has done a beautiful job with it, too. Not once does she falter or slip in this world she has created, but it doesn't feel forced or overly structured. As far as dystopian goes, this one feels pretty realistic, and that's actually scary.
From the explosive opening scene, through some very touching and tender moments, to a final battle that is jam-packed with action, this is a fun, cautionary, exciting read. I recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopian and sci-fi novels - especially those seeking something for the grown-up inside.
From the explosive opening scene, through some very touching and tender moments, to a final battle that is jam-packed with action, this is a fun, cautionary, exciting read. I recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopian and sci-fi novels - especially those seeking something for the grown-up inside.
September 3, 2012
I loved it, not really a big fan of sci-fi, but I won this book and was excted to get it. The story itself so well written and flows so naturally. The details were on point and I felt like I was in the middle of this fantasy world. The author definitly took her time to make sure that she got this right.
February 22, 2012
MALIGNED, by Kathleen Papajohn: Action-packed yet with an underlying love story that captures your heart, and makes you believe that love truly can last forever.
May 21, 2012
This book is an action filled sci-fi saga that evokes 20th century wars, and projects timeless human emotion well into the future. An exciting read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews