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Prophet of Bones
Paul Carlson, a brilliant young scientist, is summoned from his laboratory job to the remote Indonesian island of Flores to collect DNA samples from the ancient bones of a strange, new species of tool user unearthed by an archaeological dig. The questions the find raises seem to cast doubt on the very foundations of modern science, which has proven the world to be only 5,800 years old, but before Paul can fully grapple with the implications of his find, the dig is violently shut down by paramilitaries.
Paul flees with two of his friends, yet within days one has vanished and the other is murdered in an attack that costs Paul an eye, and very nearly his life. Back in America, Paul tries to resume the comfortable life he left behind, but he can't cast the questions raised by the dig from his mind. Paul begins to piece together a puzzle which seems to threaten the very fabric of society, but world's governments and Martial Johnston, the eccentric billionaire who financed Paul's dig, will stop at nothing to silence him.
Paul flees with two of his friends, yet within days one has vanished and the other is murdered in an attack that costs Paul an eye, and very nearly his life. Back in America, Paul tries to resume the comfortable life he left behind, but he can't cast the questions raised by the dig from his mind. Paul begins to piece together a puzzle which seems to threaten the very fabric of society, but world's governments and Martial Johnston, the eccentric billionaire who financed Paul's dig, will stop at nothing to silence him.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2013
19 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
Ted Kosmatka
66 books161 followersTED KOSMATKA set his sights early on being a writer. This mostly involved having all his writing rejected, pursuing a biology degree, dropping out before graduation, and becoming a steel worker like his father and grandfather. Then the mill went bankrupt. After that he worked various lab jobs where friendships were born and fire departments were called. (And where he learned the fine point of distinction between fire-resistant and fire-proof) Eventually, Ted ended up at a research lab. Then came the final logical step: ditching all that to write video games in Seattle. Ted’s fiction has been nominated for the Nebula and Sturgeon awards. His novel THE FLICKER MEN was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best thrillers of the summer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
July 16, 2013
I was very excited about the idea of this book. On the flap all I had to see was "archeologist collecting samples from the Indonesian Island of Flores" and I threw it in my library bag. What a total disappointment. My main issues with the book are this:
1) the entire novel is building up to our main character discovering a long covered up conspiracy that involves a scientific explanation that is not available to people in this novel. You know what that conspiracy is as the reader, and you can see the main character's mind dancing around it but in the end he does NOT discover the truth about the cover up; he instead discovers ongoing unethical (and likely criminal) work going on in a lab that has only a tangential connection to the overarching piece of information he does not have and apparently will never get.
2) When he discovers the work in the lab that is where the story ends. In my opinion this is where the story really should begin. The really interesting questions are: How will his society deal with this information when it comes out what has been going on in the lab? What changes will come to pass when they learn they have been misled? How will this change the main character himself? And where are the ethical questions about what is going on in the lab? Considering that what is going on in that lab is NOT too fantastical or that far in the future, I think sci-fi writers should be asking tough questions and grappling with them in their novels and this one barely touched on the real issues which was a huge let-down for me.
1) the entire novel is building up to our main character discovering a long covered up conspiracy that involves a scientific explanation that is not available to people in this novel. You know what that conspiracy is as the reader, and you can see the main character's mind dancing around it but in the end he does NOT discover the truth about the cover up; he instead discovers ongoing unethical (and likely criminal) work going on in a lab that has only a tangential connection to the overarching piece of information he does not have and apparently will never get.
2) When he discovers the work in the lab that is where the story ends. In my opinion this is where the story really should begin. The really interesting questions are: How will his society deal with this information when it comes out what has been going on in the lab? What changes will come to pass when they learn they have been misled? How will this change the main character himself? And where are the ethical questions about what is going on in the lab? Considering that what is going on in that lab is NOT too fantastical or that far in the future, I think sci-fi writers should be asking tough questions and grappling with them in their novels and this one barely touched on the real issues which was a huge let-down for me.
February 11, 2019
Typically I tend towards books with unusual characters, a dab of humor and plots that are somewhat unusual. This book was a staff pick at our local library and as soon as I started it I couldn't put it down. Paced like a thriller, it builds momentum continually and the last chapters yield a twist you don't expect. I hadn't read Ted's previous books but I will now. For those who enjoy science fiction minus space travel, human genome experimentation and suspense, you may find yourself out of breath as you get to the last chapters eager to learn how it ends. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2012
A really good thriller about bones, DNA and the mysteries of our origins from a new author (his 2nd book, but new to me) out in April 2013. For those who like Crichton or Rollins, but without the pseudo-science, it was the slightly alternative science history that made this story very interesting (yes I did Wikipedia potassium-argon dating and Kohlhorster). The big difference between Kosmatka and the ones I compare him to is his great writing! Really surprising in this type of genre, it was almost more lit feeling in many places. Great use of language and action, with not too many chase scenes as some make the mistake of doing. While at first Paul the main character was hard to like for me, I really ended up liking him! Kosmatka's now going on my authors to look out for list.
"Angst is what's wrong when there's nothing wrong."
"Everyone is always two people at the same time...Who we are and who we are becoming."
"Angst is what's wrong when there's nothing wrong."
"Everyone is always two people at the same time...Who we are and who we are becoming."
December 24, 2017
I thought this book opened up very well, and was interesting. The idea in the synopsis sounded like a good one and I was fascinated.
Sadly as the story progresses it quickly becomes obvious that something is a little "off kilter". With us finding out early that it has been "scientifically established" that the Earth is less than 6000 years old you'll have a hint of what's to come.
Without giving anything away or dropping any spoilers what we have here is a conspiracy tale. The writing itself isn't bad and the characters are there, real within their book reality.
I think others may like this book more than I did as it's not really the type book I prefer for my leisure time reading, LOL.
So, not one I really cared for and was just as glad to be through it. Try it yourself, see what you think.
Sadly as the story progresses it quickly becomes obvious that something is a little "off kilter". With us finding out early that it has been "scientifically established" that the Earth is less than 6000 years old you'll have a hint of what's to come.
Without giving anything away or dropping any spoilers what we have here is a conspiracy tale. The writing itself isn't bad and the characters are there, real within their book reality.
I think others may like this book more than I did as it's not really the type book I prefer for my leisure time reading, LOL.
So, not one I really cared for and was just as glad to be through it. Try it yourself, see what you think.
June 16, 2013
Magnificent scientific thriller..in the vein of HG Wells..I loved it
I read THE GAMES, The first novel by Ted Kosmatka and was so very taken by it's superb plot and characters. After reading Mr. Kosmatka's second novel..PROPHET OF BONES..I feel quite comfortable in placing Ted Kosmatka in the very top tier of thriller writers.
Like THE GAMES, PROPHET OF BONES is an incredibly exciting and intelligent thriller. The science behind the plot is explained in a very coherent and absorbing manner,and the lead character, Paul Carlsson is as fully realized a fictional figure as I have read.
From the first part of the novel which delves into Paul's touching childhood, to his doomed trip to Flores, and his stunning life after, the reader feels as if they are a part of the journey,... a part of the adventure. Mr. Kosmatka has taken the latest advances in gene research & DNA and fashioned a most fascinating piece of speculative fiction, in the very best tradition of HG Welles. This is a book not to be missed! I am very much looking forward to the next book by Ted Kasmatka..if his first two books are any indication..we have a major and original talent here!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB (7,200+ MEMBERS)
I read THE GAMES, The first novel by Ted Kosmatka and was so very taken by it's superb plot and characters. After reading Mr. Kosmatka's second novel..PROPHET OF BONES..I feel quite comfortable in placing Ted Kosmatka in the very top tier of thriller writers.
Like THE GAMES, PROPHET OF BONES is an incredibly exciting and intelligent thriller. The science behind the plot is explained in a very coherent and absorbing manner,and the lead character, Paul Carlsson is as fully realized a fictional figure as I have read.
From the first part of the novel which delves into Paul's touching childhood, to his doomed trip to Flores, and his stunning life after, the reader feels as if they are a part of the journey,... a part of the adventure. Mr. Kosmatka has taken the latest advances in gene research & DNA and fashioned a most fascinating piece of speculative fiction, in the very best tradition of HG Welles. This is a book not to be missed! I am very much looking forward to the next book by Ted Kasmatka..if his first two books are any indication..we have a major and original talent here!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB (7,200+ MEMBERS)
February 27, 2013
A thriller with not much excitement based on ideas that have been written about numerous times before. A scientific discovery is made that could have worldwide ramifications, or so we are led to believe. Connections in this book are tenuous at best and hard to fathom at worst. Why should a congressman get involved in the results of a scientific inquiry? Why would someone build a top secret facility with virtually no security?
The basic premise of the book is good but the execution leaves something to be desired. In the final scene when tension should be building, the bad guy launches into a lengthy monologue on genetics. Too much time is spent on scientific details while the plot goes through the traditional routine of characters trying to escape from kidnappers. The flow of the story is uneven and a sense of menace never develops until very late in the novel.
The author certainly knows his science but the presentation could have been better. For those who feel they really can’t get enough thrillers to read.
The basic premise of the book is good but the execution leaves something to be desired. In the final scene when tension should be building, the bad guy launches into a lengthy monologue on genetics. Too much time is spent on scientific details while the plot goes through the traditional routine of characters trying to escape from kidnappers. The flow of the story is uneven and a sense of menace never develops until very late in the novel.
The author certainly knows his science but the presentation could have been better. For those who feel they really can’t get enough thrillers to read.
May 6, 2013
From the ScienceThrillers.com Review:
Prophet of Bones is a cool, brainy science thriller with one of the most intriguing SciFi plot premises I’ve seen in a while. In Ted Kosmatka’s novel, the Earth is exactly like it is in the real world–same history, same intellectual heroes and writers of the past, same fossils in the ground–except radiometric dating has definitively proved that the planet is less than 6,000 years old.
In other words, in this alternate reality the creationists have been proved right, and the scientific establishment has had to come up with ways of interpreting the scientific record that are consistent with the known age of the world. (Species extinction is accepted as fact.)
The story follows scientist Paul Carlsson from his inquisitive youth with a violent genius father to the beginning of his career as an expert in bones, especially bones from human-like species. The science of digging up, studying and categorizing bones seems ordinary enough, and in this alternate world DNA sequencing and comparative molecular genomics exist and are making their mark. What’s strange is how communication among scientists has been institutionally stifled. Specifically, information is compartmentalized. Those who dig up the bones are not allowed to know what DNA is extracted, and those who extract and sequence the DNA are not given access to the computer-based interpretation of what the sequences mean. In this world, some classic books of science are banned.
I loved this set-up, suggesting to me the possibility of a grand conspiracy related to the “known” age of the planet and humanity’s status as a unique creation of God, created at a single point in time. In his youth, Paul experiments with evolution in mice. How does evolution fit into this paradigm?
Paul is invited / sent to a dig on the remote Indonesian island of Flores where some truly remarkable bones have been uncovered. Meanwhile, an undefined sinister force or forces are at work. Action ensues. Paul is set on a path that puts his native curiosity and clarity of thought in opposition to what is safe and comfortable. Of course, our hero chooses to pursue the truth.
Prophet of Bones is full of excellent writing. Flashes of literary excellence appear in the text: “a green ribbon of jungle thrust out of blue water, a single bead in the rosary of islands…” ”…an old industrial park. A property that used to produce iron and steel and good pensions.” “Bone is resistant to the world’s exigencies. People less so.”
Some of the science is also excellent. For example, at the beginning of chapter 10 there is a description of bone metabolism that is beautiful to read and also accurate.
So what’s the problem?
I finished reading Prophet of Bones over a week ago and have put off writing my review because I was torn about what to say. My dilemma in a nutshell: from the first pages, I totally fell in love with this book. I was sucked in, enjoyed reading the novel, felt the tension, didn’t know where the plot was headed, and had great expectations for how the author would pull together the intellectual aspects. I was primed to give one of my rare 5-star reviews. Until the end.
For a thriller, I suppose the ending is fine: action-packed climax, plenty of danger and narrow escapes, a love interest, monsters, bad guys, chases, etc. I didn’t like the way our hero survives preposterous injuries, but this is a common (if annoying) feature of many thrillers. What made the ending truly disappointing for me was the author’s failure to tie up the intellectual threads that had been so brilliantly woven into the story. I’m going to avoid spoilers here so I must keep my comments a little vague. I expected a “bigger” ending, one that would bring together the mystery of the Flores bones, the supposedly solid radiometric dating evidence, the vested political and religious interests in the status quo. Instead, I got an isolated cartoon villain and a freak of nature that contributes nothing to the big questions of evolution, creationism, and the human soul.
Maybe the author thought he had brought his big themes together in the end. Maybe if I read the book again I’d “get” it. But as it was, I feel I have unanswered questions and I don’t really know what Paul is going to do or how his revelations will change the world.
Because of the obvious skill and smarts of this author, I look forward to reading more by Ted Kosmatka in hopes that he will bring it all the way to the finish line next time.
Unusual words: Wallace Line; Flores man; hobbit; cladogram; calcium phosphate; bone resorption; australopithecine; Neanderthal; hominid; Punnett square
FCC disclaimer: An advance reader copy of this book was given to me for review. As always, I made no guarantee that I would read the book or post a positive review.
Prophet of Bones is a cool, brainy science thriller with one of the most intriguing SciFi plot premises I’ve seen in a while. In Ted Kosmatka’s novel, the Earth is exactly like it is in the real world–same history, same intellectual heroes and writers of the past, same fossils in the ground–except radiometric dating has definitively proved that the planet is less than 6,000 years old.
In other words, in this alternate reality the creationists have been proved right, and the scientific establishment has had to come up with ways of interpreting the scientific record that are consistent with the known age of the world. (Species extinction is accepted as fact.)
The story follows scientist Paul Carlsson from his inquisitive youth with a violent genius father to the beginning of his career as an expert in bones, especially bones from human-like species. The science of digging up, studying and categorizing bones seems ordinary enough, and in this alternate world DNA sequencing and comparative molecular genomics exist and are making their mark. What’s strange is how communication among scientists has been institutionally stifled. Specifically, information is compartmentalized. Those who dig up the bones are not allowed to know what DNA is extracted, and those who extract and sequence the DNA are not given access to the computer-based interpretation of what the sequences mean. In this world, some classic books of science are banned.
I loved this set-up, suggesting to me the possibility of a grand conspiracy related to the “known” age of the planet and humanity’s status as a unique creation of God, created at a single point in time. In his youth, Paul experiments with evolution in mice. How does evolution fit into this paradigm?
Paul is invited / sent to a dig on the remote Indonesian island of Flores where some truly remarkable bones have been uncovered. Meanwhile, an undefined sinister force or forces are at work. Action ensues. Paul is set on a path that puts his native curiosity and clarity of thought in opposition to what is safe and comfortable. Of course, our hero chooses to pursue the truth.
Prophet of Bones is full of excellent writing. Flashes of literary excellence appear in the text: “a green ribbon of jungle thrust out of blue water, a single bead in the rosary of islands…” ”…an old industrial park. A property that used to produce iron and steel and good pensions.” “Bone is resistant to the world’s exigencies. People less so.”
Some of the science is also excellent. For example, at the beginning of chapter 10 there is a description of bone metabolism that is beautiful to read and also accurate.
So what’s the problem?
I finished reading Prophet of Bones over a week ago and have put off writing my review because I was torn about what to say. My dilemma in a nutshell: from the first pages, I totally fell in love with this book. I was sucked in, enjoyed reading the novel, felt the tension, didn’t know where the plot was headed, and had great expectations for how the author would pull together the intellectual aspects. I was primed to give one of my rare 5-star reviews. Until the end.
For a thriller, I suppose the ending is fine: action-packed climax, plenty of danger and narrow escapes, a love interest, monsters, bad guys, chases, etc. I didn’t like the way our hero survives preposterous injuries, but this is a common (if annoying) feature of many thrillers. What made the ending truly disappointing for me was the author’s failure to tie up the intellectual threads that had been so brilliantly woven into the story. I’m going to avoid spoilers here so I must keep my comments a little vague. I expected a “bigger” ending, one that would bring together the mystery of the Flores bones, the supposedly solid radiometric dating evidence, the vested political and religious interests in the status quo. Instead, I got an isolated cartoon villain and a freak of nature that contributes nothing to the big questions of evolution, creationism, and the human soul.
Maybe the author thought he had brought his big themes together in the end. Maybe if I read the book again I’d “get” it. But as it was, I feel I have unanswered questions and I don’t really know what Paul is going to do or how his revelations will change the world.
Because of the obvious skill and smarts of this author, I look forward to reading more by Ted Kosmatka in hopes that he will bring it all the way to the finish line next time.
Unusual words: Wallace Line; Flores man; hobbit; cladogram; calcium phosphate; bone resorption; australopithecine; Neanderthal; hominid; Punnett square
FCC disclaimer: An advance reader copy of this book was given to me for review. As always, I made no guarantee that I would read the book or post a positive review.
February 24, 2013
Paul is an extremely talented scientist. This is why he has been asked to join an expedition to the island of Flores in Indonesia. Paul is tasked with gathering some DNA from a pile of bones that the group found. Instantly, Paul knows something is different about the bones. However before Paul can solve the mystery, the expedition is shut down.
Paul and two other crew members go on the run. Later one goes missing, the other one is killed and Paul in the process loses an eye. Now, Paul is more then determined to uncover the truth.
I am left walking the fence on this one. On one hand I enjoyed the science element and mystery in this book but on the other hand I did not care for the stop and go action. I would get into this book and then it would slow down to conversation. For me I did not find the conversations between the bad guys to exciting. Even though I know these were the times when I was suppose to pick up on what Paul discovered and the big climax ending. For me, I never fully committed 100% to anyone but Paul. So for me it felt like the action and hype would pick up again whenever Paul was involved.
So to recap…Paul was great, the science fundamentals intriguing and kept things interesting, the action ok, and the ending alright. The ending came a little out of left field but don’t know if this was on purpose to hint that we have not seen the last of Paul? Maybe, maybe not. I would not mind seeing Paul again. This book is worth a look
Paul and two other crew members go on the run. Later one goes missing, the other one is killed and Paul in the process loses an eye. Now, Paul is more then determined to uncover the truth.
I am left walking the fence on this one. On one hand I enjoyed the science element and mystery in this book but on the other hand I did not care for the stop and go action. I would get into this book and then it would slow down to conversation. For me I did not find the conversations between the bad guys to exciting. Even though I know these were the times when I was suppose to pick up on what Paul discovered and the big climax ending. For me, I never fully committed 100% to anyone but Paul. So for me it felt like the action and hype would pick up again whenever Paul was involved.
So to recap…Paul was great, the science fundamentals intriguing and kept things interesting, the action ok, and the ending alright. The ending came a little out of left field but don’t know if this was on purpose to hint that we have not seen the last of Paul? Maybe, maybe not. I would not mind seeing Paul again. This book is worth a look
March 20, 2013
What an enjoyable book! This is a very well-written novel with an engaging style, a fast pace and a genuinely fascinating premise. Kosmatka’s novel blends genres well. At its heart, it’s an exciting thriller, but also offers the readers some mystery, too, with some natural science thrown into a speculative fiction backdrop as the setting as a unique version of our world. There’s even a dash of romance thrown in that works very well! The hero, Paul, is a likable and effective character. His development and actions follow a logical progression and works well within the parameters set by Kosmatka’s interesting twist on reality.
Though a lot of factual information is woven into the fabric of the novel (complete with references!), its inclusion is seamless. Kosmatka never dumps information into awkward sections and the way the chronology of the story works also compliments the pacing well. The conclusion - though ultimately satisfying - could have gone even further because I really want to know more about these characters and what will happen next! The characters are very well drawn and I like them all - even the villains are given more depth than many other thrillers. The premise works so well and really sets itself apart from other books. I definitely will be keeping an eye out for future novels by this talented author - and also checking out his debut novel, The Games.
Though a lot of factual information is woven into the fabric of the novel (complete with references!), its inclusion is seamless. Kosmatka never dumps information into awkward sections and the way the chronology of the story works also compliments the pacing well. The conclusion - though ultimately satisfying - could have gone even further because I really want to know more about these characters and what will happen next! The characters are very well drawn and I like them all - even the villains are given more depth than many other thrillers. The premise works so well and really sets itself apart from other books. I definitely will be keeping an eye out for future novels by this talented author - and also checking out his debut novel, The Games.
July 13, 2015
Hmm, some good points and bad points. The writing is good, but the science jargon happens way too much, without much explanation to the layperson. And I'm saying this as the wife of a scientist. I liked Paul, the main character, but some of the others seemed more like cariactures of themselves.
I think I would have liked the book more if I'd realised it was science-fiction and an alternate world history from the start, which I didn't. As it was, I thought I was reading a thriller written by a rampant creationist, which put me off considerably. My eyebrows were raised through most of the book wondering if people really believed that.
I think I would have liked the book more if I'd realised it was science-fiction and an alternate world history from the start, which I didn't. As it was, I thought I was reading a thriller written by a rampant creationist, which put me off considerably. My eyebrows were raised through most of the book wondering if people really believed that.
June 18, 2013
Remember the quick, artfully edited camera work from Jason Bourne movies? seems like that technique doesn’t work too well in print format. While I find the story about the secret origin of human species interesting, the choppy narration really kind of bugs me. Paul the protagonist is a character hard to relate to; but I’ve got to say his method of hiding the secret object from the baddies is absolutely brilliant.
November 22, 2013
A brilliant scientist faces off against a uberrich guy who loves to cross breed species--including humans and primates.
Author brings up some interesting ideas--what makes humans "human"; how people deal with data that doesn't meet their beliefs--and squanders them.
It didn't help that I didn't like the narrator of the audiobook, but even a good reader would not have saved this one.
Author brings up some interesting ideas--what makes humans "human"; how people deal with data that doesn't meet their beliefs--and squanders them.
It didn't help that I didn't like the narrator of the audiobook, but even a good reader would not have saved this one.
May 3, 2020
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3374384.html
This was way better than I had expected. It's set in a world almost exactly like ours, except that science has proved the age of the universe to be only 5,800 years. Our hero, a dynastic palaeontologist, finds himself confronted by fossil evidence that challenges the foundations of both scientific and religious belief, and gets wrapped up in a massive conspiracy to control, suppress and eradicate the truth. Not deep stuff but a great fun read.
This was way better than I had expected. It's set in a world almost exactly like ours, except that science has proved the age of the universe to be only 5,800 years. Our hero, a dynastic palaeontologist, finds himself confronted by fossil evidence that challenges the foundations of both scientific and religious belief, and gets wrapped up in a massive conspiracy to control, suppress and eradicate the truth. Not deep stuff but a great fun read.
January 1, 2021
What a letdown. Or maybe I just don't get it. What has the bones got to do with prophets? Too dry with DNA and chromosome details. Some bits lost me there. The blurbs and the reviews misled me. Truly.
March 19, 2013
What if?
To me, those two words are one of the keys to good science fiction. The writer looks at a current state of affairs in politics, society or science (or all three), asks "What if?" and their imagination creates the foundation for a story. It certainly seems like that's the method Ted Kosmatka used with Prophet of Bones .
What if carbon-dating established that life the Earth was 5,800 years old? What if evolution is not only in the the scientific junk heap but considered fringe pseudoscience? What if intelligent design is the gold standard for the history of life on Earth?
Those are among the questions contributing to what Kosmatka calls "lab-opera," works involving scientists in trouble. Although Prophet of Bones takes the protagonist, Paul Carlsson, to an archaeological dig on an Indonesian island, much of the plot development occurs after he leaves the island and returns to his laboratory job analyzing fossils. Lab-opera, though, might be a bit too narrow. The book actually has elements of both hard sci-fi and soft sci-fi and easily can be slotted into the techno-thriller genre. The combination may not be surprising given that Kosmatka works as a writer for company that has made highly popular game software.
Prophet of Bones is hard sci-fi in the sense that Kosmatka not only explores the science of genetics but discusses various principles in the field. Given the terminology of modern genetics, he might have explained some of the terms a bit more for science-impaired readers like me. Of course, understanding the science isn't necessarily essential to the key sci-fi and techno-thriller readers.
The book is soft sci-fi to the extent that an underlying theme is the potential societal impact of DNA Carlsson extracted from fossils found on the dig. What kind of society would arise exist It is clear that the DNA is perceived as a potential threat to the scientific canon, leading to its theft and resolute efforts to keep it from Carlsson and others. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more on the ramifications of what Carlsson suspects but that could be another book in and of itself.
The techno-thriller aspect is almost a no-brainer. We have murky antagonists with inordinate interest in getting their hands on the DNA for some mysterious scheme. They take extreme measures to get the DNA and keep Carlsson from investigating it. Of course, these efforts put Carlsson in several life-threatening situations. Against all odds, the mild-mannered lab rat escapes death, often by physical confrontation with his adversaries. While this requires perhaps more suspension of belief than the balance of the tale, we all know the hero isn't going to die -- or if he does, it will only be once the answers are revealed.
There are also two characters who loom over the book, one more meaningful than the other. The book begins with the Prophet, although he seems more to be a mechanism of sorts and doesn't' really reappear in the tale. More often invoked is Carlsson's deceased father. A brilliant scientist, he had an explosive temper and no qualms about beating his wife. We suspect he has some relationship to a broad conspiracy but the denouement seems a bit too contrived, perhaps because his professional life and pursuits are left underdeveloped.
All in all, though, Prophet of Bones is a workmanlike blend of the various genres it invokes. It certainly is an engaging introduction to and explication of "lab-opera."
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
To me, those two words are one of the keys to good science fiction. The writer looks at a current state of affairs in politics, society or science (or all three), asks "What if?" and their imagination creates the foundation for a story. It certainly seems like that's the method Ted Kosmatka used with Prophet of Bones .
What if carbon-dating established that life the Earth was 5,800 years old? What if evolution is not only in the the scientific junk heap but considered fringe pseudoscience? What if intelligent design is the gold standard for the history of life on Earth?
Those are among the questions contributing to what Kosmatka calls "lab-opera," works involving scientists in trouble. Although Prophet of Bones takes the protagonist, Paul Carlsson, to an archaeological dig on an Indonesian island, much of the plot development occurs after he leaves the island and returns to his laboratory job analyzing fossils. Lab-opera, though, might be a bit too narrow. The book actually has elements of both hard sci-fi and soft sci-fi and easily can be slotted into the techno-thriller genre. The combination may not be surprising given that Kosmatka works as a writer for company that has made highly popular game software.
Prophet of Bones is hard sci-fi in the sense that Kosmatka not only explores the science of genetics but discusses various principles in the field. Given the terminology of modern genetics, he might have explained some of the terms a bit more for science-impaired readers like me. Of course, understanding the science isn't necessarily essential to the key sci-fi and techno-thriller readers.
The book is soft sci-fi to the extent that an underlying theme is the potential societal impact of DNA Carlsson extracted from fossils found on the dig. What kind of society would arise exist It is clear that the DNA is perceived as a potential threat to the scientific canon, leading to its theft and resolute efforts to keep it from Carlsson and others. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more on the ramifications of what Carlsson suspects but that could be another book in and of itself.
The techno-thriller aspect is almost a no-brainer. We have murky antagonists with inordinate interest in getting their hands on the DNA for some mysterious scheme. They take extreme measures to get the DNA and keep Carlsson from investigating it. Of course, these efforts put Carlsson in several life-threatening situations. Against all odds, the mild-mannered lab rat escapes death, often by physical confrontation with his adversaries. While this requires perhaps more suspension of belief than the balance of the tale, we all know the hero isn't going to die -- or if he does, it will only be once the answers are revealed.
There are also two characters who loom over the book, one more meaningful than the other. The book begins with the Prophet, although he seems more to be a mechanism of sorts and doesn't' really reappear in the tale. More often invoked is Carlsson's deceased father. A brilliant scientist, he had an explosive temper and no qualms about beating his wife. We suspect he has some relationship to a broad conspiracy but the denouement seems a bit too contrived, perhaps because his professional life and pursuits are left underdeveloped.
All in all, though, Prophet of Bones is a workmanlike blend of the various genres it invokes. It certainly is an engaging introduction to and explication of "lab-opera."
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
March 31, 2013
PROPHET OF BONES was a curious book. It is science fiction and alternate history both. In this story, when the evolutionists and the Creationists debated, the Creationists won the argument. Science is very much under the control of the churches which don't want anyone to find any evidence that life began earlier than 5800 years ago. They are aided in covering up any contrary information by billionaire Martial Johansson who is busy playing God and creating his own genetic crosses.
Paul Carlsson is a scientist who is an expert on bones. He is recruited to look at some at an isolated dig in Indonesia. What he sees doesn't fit in with anything he knows about. Someone else has found out about the discovery too and is eager to kill anyone who might spread the word. Paul's friend is killed and Paul loses an eye but manages to make his way back to the United States. Unknown to the attackers, Paul has brought some samples of the bones with him.
The story keeps building in intensity as everyone Paul brings in to the search for what the bones are is killed shortly after giving Paul additional information. Everyone is in danger and Paul has no one that he can trust.
This is science fiction with a strong emphasis on the science. I don't know enough about genetics to know if the quotations that begin many of the chapters are real or made up. I will say that they are certainly written as though they were from academic papers. I also wasn't at all able to follow the very convoluted information about the genetic samples. This made it hard reading.
The only way that I knew Martial was the villain was because his henchmen left a trail of bodies behind them. The only way I knew that Paul was the hero was that he only left the bodies of those who attacked him behind. I think the book lost some intensity for me because I couldn't connect with Paul. As a character, he was opaque to me. I had no idea what kind of a person he was or what his goal was.
Lacking an understandable plot, strong characters I could relate to would keep me reading. This missed on that aspect too. My ARC has positive blurbs by Clive Cussler, Nelson DeMille, and Steve Berry. Either they are more well versed in genetics or they read a different book than I did. I don't know who the audience for this one would be but I know I wasn't the right one.
Paul Carlsson is a scientist who is an expert on bones. He is recruited to look at some at an isolated dig in Indonesia. What he sees doesn't fit in with anything he knows about. Someone else has found out about the discovery too and is eager to kill anyone who might spread the word. Paul's friend is killed and Paul loses an eye but manages to make his way back to the United States. Unknown to the attackers, Paul has brought some samples of the bones with him.
The story keeps building in intensity as everyone Paul brings in to the search for what the bones are is killed shortly after giving Paul additional information. Everyone is in danger and Paul has no one that he can trust.
This is science fiction with a strong emphasis on the science. I don't know enough about genetics to know if the quotations that begin many of the chapters are real or made up. I will say that they are certainly written as though they were from academic papers. I also wasn't at all able to follow the very convoluted information about the genetic samples. This made it hard reading.
The only way that I knew Martial was the villain was because his henchmen left a trail of bodies behind them. The only way I knew that Paul was the hero was that he only left the bodies of those who attacked him behind. I think the book lost some intensity for me because I couldn't connect with Paul. As a character, he was opaque to me. I had no idea what kind of a person he was or what his goal was.
Lacking an understandable plot, strong characters I could relate to would keep me reading. This missed on that aspect too. My ARC has positive blurbs by Clive Cussler, Nelson DeMille, and Steve Berry. Either they are more well versed in genetics or they read a different book than I did. I don't know who the audience for this one would be but I know I wasn't the right one.
November 28, 2014
In the world Ted Kosmatka creates, evolution is rejected and creation is scientific fact. 6000 years ago all things came to be and nothing yet discovered disputes that . . . unless it does. Unless there is a coverup.
It's a thriller . . . because there's chasing and time limits and murder danger.
It's an alternate history . . . because there's a world that couldn't exist in conjunction with ours, except in the minds of fundamentalist buffoons.
The science is right and the world is creative, well thought. The characters are complex. The idea is great.
But there isn't a complete story because it feels like Kosmatka just gave up on the story, ending it before all the questions are answered.
It's a thriller . . . because there's chasing and time limits and murder danger.
It's an alternate history . . . because there's a world that couldn't exist in conjunction with ours, except in the minds of fundamentalist buffoons.
The science is right and the world is creative, well thought. The characters are complex. The idea is great.
But there isn't a complete story because it feels like Kosmatka just gave up on the story, ending it before all the questions are answered.
July 29, 2018
This book was perplexing. I have extensive training in laboratory genetics so it was not the complexity of what was written, but rather the imagining of what was written from an alternate world view where the evolutionists were proven crazy and the earth was so young. I enjoyed the characters, but there was too much back-story left out that I really wanted to know about. How did isotope dating go so wrong? How powerful were the world’s religions? Science is unraveling new information every minute or every day—but evolution is pretty much the longest standing biological theory in existence. Will I be around if and when it is turned over?? Second half of book much better than first. Not all together bad because the clever premise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
7/10. I got this book at a Little Free Library while on a walk one day - someone had left a little post-it note on the cover that said "it's good!" :) I really liked it on the whole, but I felt the plot was a little overcomplicated. In fact, I felt that the ending, where the genetics program is revealed/discussed fully, should have been the focal point of the whole book, instead of just the reveal at the end. It was so interesting and intriguing and morally gray, and I wish we had spent so much more time on it, instead of the main character just trying to avoid getting captured by the bad guys for most of the book.
January 5, 2018
What if the world and everything on it was created less than 6,000 years ago? This excellent and intelligent thriller follows anthropologist and reluctant hero Paul Carlsson as he tracks across Indonesia and the US, on the trail of scientific and DNA evidence - a path that runs red with blood and murder. God's authority as the prime creator is under direct threat. Well-written throughout, this is a thought-provoking pageturner.
April 8, 2013
Well written and fast moving, this novel straddles the science fiction, thriller, and alternate history genres in the style of Crichton. I must say that at times I was confused at what was being put forth as fiction and what was utilizing actual scientific information. That being said, I guess that I should credit the author with seamlessly interweaving the two. Overall I found it enjoyable and a good way to take a break from house cleaning. (I finished the book but not the house.)
November 10, 2018
I enjoyed the book and characters, and found myself Googling information on Abraham and the Flores Man and people in Australia. So it was incredibly informative and got me thinking, which I loved.
What I didn’t like was the end of the novel and I wanted more from what was happening at the lab to be dealt with. What was Martial planning with the Flores Man DNA?
Otherwise an enjoyable read.
What I didn’t like was the end of the novel and I wanted more from what was happening at the lab to be dealt with. What was Martial planning with the Flores Man DNA?
Otherwise an enjoyable read.
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May 14, 2013I loved the book. Great characters. Mystery till the end. Read in a few days.
June 17, 2013
Would give half a start if possible. Tried to keep an open mind about reading the book, but the author is obviously a religious fanatic.
July 15, 2013
An unexpectedly good sci-fi thriller. More thriller than scifi, some holes in the science, but entertaining nonetheless.
September 27, 2024
Prophet of Bones is a gripping thriller that blends scientific discovery, ancient mysteries, and a dash of conspiracy theory. The novel follows Paul Carlsson, a DNA researcher who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous quest after uncovering a groundbreaking archaeological find.
The story begins with a thrilling prologue, setting the stage for a tale of intrigue and suspense. Paul is dispatched to a remote Indonesian island to analyze the remains of a newly discovered hominid species. However, his work is cut short by a violent attack, leaving him injured and on the run. As he tries to piece together the puzzle surrounding the ancient bones, Paul uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to shake the foundations of modern science and society.
The concept of a newly discovered hominid species with implications for human evolution is both fascinating and thought-provoking. The novel is filled with thrilling sequences, from dangerous escapes to tense confrontations. Paul Carlsson is a relatable protagonist, and the supporting characters add depth and dimension to the story. Kosmatka does a good job of incorporating scientific concepts into the narrative without overwhelming the reader.
While the premise is intriguing, the plot occasionally veers into somewhat fantastical territory. Some of the plot twists are fairly predictable, which can detract from the suspense. Overall, Prophet of Bones is a thrilling and entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages. While it may not be groundbreaking in terms of originality, it offers a satisfying blend of adventure, mystery, and scientific intrigue. If you enjoy thrillers with a touch of science fiction, this book is definitely worth checking out.
The story begins with a thrilling prologue, setting the stage for a tale of intrigue and suspense. Paul is dispatched to a remote Indonesian island to analyze the remains of a newly discovered hominid species. However, his work is cut short by a violent attack, leaving him injured and on the run. As he tries to piece together the puzzle surrounding the ancient bones, Paul uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to shake the foundations of modern science and society.
The concept of a newly discovered hominid species with implications for human evolution is both fascinating and thought-provoking. The novel is filled with thrilling sequences, from dangerous escapes to tense confrontations. Paul Carlsson is a relatable protagonist, and the supporting characters add depth and dimension to the story. Kosmatka does a good job of incorporating scientific concepts into the narrative without overwhelming the reader.
While the premise is intriguing, the plot occasionally veers into somewhat fantastical territory. Some of the plot twists are fairly predictable, which can detract from the suspense. Overall, Prophet of Bones is a thrilling and entertaining read that will keep you turning the pages. While it may not be groundbreaking in terms of originality, it offers a satisfying blend of adventure, mystery, and scientific intrigue. If you enjoy thrillers with a touch of science fiction, this book is definitely worth checking out.
June 3, 2025
This book is like if Michael Crichton wrote a modern day Island of Doctor Moreau, but in an alternate universe where creationism reigns supreme, but lacking the depth of cautionary conclusion or acknowledgment of the mindblowing revelations Crichton would make sure you were left with. Full of philosophical questions I was already considering in 9th grade biology, but not much page time actually spent reckoning with the challenges the science presents to that creationism, only the ethics of the experiments. Just turns into a sci fi thriller and forgets all about its questions for the sake of deciding main character Paul's fate, which I stopped caring about after so many scenes of him on the run and close calls.
Also in an older sci fi style, there aren't a lot of female characters, and they don't have much agency. They're usually means to ends for both our good and bad guys in charge, and in some cases their bodily suffering gets so much focus it's gross, as if the author finds it titillating to humiliate a woman on page.
Fascinating premises, decent writing style, but not entirely satisfying followthrough.
Also in an older sci fi style, there aren't a lot of female characters, and they don't have much agency. They're usually means to ends for both our good and bad guys in charge, and in some cases their bodily suffering gets so much focus it's gross, as if the author finds it titillating to humiliate a woman on page.
Fascinating premises, decent writing style, but not entirely satisfying followthrough.
August 3, 2021
This is a strong 4-star for me - I loved the ending because it resolved the main thread but did not tie up all the other loose ends. It felt like it deliberately let me reason through how things could have gone, given the way it did end. While reading, I wondered if I was reading a creationist story that was going to use science fiction to discredit evolution, or an evolution story that was going to mock creationism. But the author managed to leave that question unanswered, and you as the reader get to think about the implications for yourself. On a topic that can get emotional reactions, I think it’s quite fun that the author managed not to go there, and let you go there for yourself.
I get a kick out of books that do this - leave you at the end of the story with some questions answered but others you have to (get to!) figure out yourself. A Sense of An Ending (although written in a more literary genre) was also like this, and the feeling of having picked up a puzzle was what I liked about that book too.
I get a kick out of books that do this - leave you at the end of the story with some questions answered but others you have to (get to!) figure out yourself. A Sense of An Ending (although written in a more literary genre) was also like this, and the feeling of having picked up a puzzle was what I liked about that book too.
October 15, 2019
I had seriously high hopes for this book and was eager to read. Unfortunately I was left disappointed. What I expected to be a story of bones, deception involving the church and government ended up being a conspiracy tale, with the main character slowly figuring out what we the reader already were privy too. A mad man with some questionable ethics and morals when it comes species and evolution. The ending of this book is where the real story could of began and tackled some real boundaries and topics that the story brings up. I just felt we led up to a rushed ending with more questions than resolutions and not in the good “makes you think about life” way.
April 29, 2020
I wanted to enjoy this book, I really did. This is one of those "swiss cheese" books (full of holes).
Off the top of my head: the very beginning. That part could have been in a different book instead of this one, because it doesn't fit with the rest of the story. I think it was full of "filler" side-stories, and the very end was inadequate. You can't have a "ride into the sunset" ending with this kind of book. There were a lot of loose ends; what happened to all of the experiments (especially the 3rd successful one).
Doesn't help that I had the audiobook. The narrator enunciated the book like Capt James T. Kirk.
Off the top of my head: the very beginning. That part could have been in a different book instead of this one, because it doesn't fit with the rest of the story. I think it was full of "filler" side-stories, and the very end was inadequate. You can't have a "ride into the sunset" ending with this kind of book. There were a lot of loose ends; what happened to all of the experiments (especially the 3rd successful one).
Doesn't help that I had the audiobook. The narrator enunciated the book like Capt James T. Kirk.
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