What do you think?
Rate this book
Botanicaust #1
Botanicaust
The only crop left ... is human.
After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's crop lands, Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race, and her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.
Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.
Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?
After genetically altered weeds devastate Earth's crop lands, Dr. Tula Macoby believes photosynthetic skin can save the human race, and her people single-mindedly embark on a mission to convert the cannibals roaming what's left of Earth. But when Levi, a peaceful stranger, refuses alteration, Tula doesn't think the only options should be conversion or death.
Levi Kraybill, a devout member of the Old Order, left his Holdout farmland to seek a cure for his terminally ill son. Genetic manipulation is a sin, but Levi will do almost anything for the life of his child. When he's captured, he's sure he's damned, and his only escape will be death.
Tula's superiors schedule Levi's euthanization, and she risks everything to set the innocent man free. Now she and Levi are outlaws with her people, and she's an abomination with his. Can they find sanctuary in a cannibal wasteland?
348 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
59 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
Tam Linsey
12 books48 followersTam was the kid who took AP Chemistry and AP Biology her Senior year of High School. After winning a scholarship to a DOE camp at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, touring the superconducting supercollider, and karyotyping DNA from the HIV virus, she came to realize if she pursued biomedical engineering, she might never see the outside of a lab again.
Consequently, she earned a Bachelor of Science in English, and now writes about fictional characters who have taken biomedical engineering to extremes.
She is also an avid gardener, cook, fisherman and hunter, urban homesteader, and GMO labeling advocate in love with self-sufficiency. Her current residence is the great state of Alaska, where she was born and now lives with her husband and two wonderful children.
Click here to receive newsletter updates about the Botanicaust Series
Consequently, she earned a Bachelor of Science in English, and now writes about fictional characters who have taken biomedical engineering to extremes.
She is also an avid gardener, cook, fisherman and hunter, urban homesteader, and GMO labeling advocate in love with self-sufficiency. Her current residence is the great state of Alaska, where she was born and now lives with her husband and two wonderful children.
Click here to receive newsletter updates about the Botanicaust Series
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 22, 2016
I read Botanicaust in its audiobook version and, to be honest, it took all of my concentration to get into it in the very beginning because the concepts described in this new world were so overwhelming foreign for me. I’m used to the more horrific side of the apocalypse but this one is pretty firmly steeped in the realm of science fiction.
An event coined the “Botanicaust” happened which basically wiped out all edible crops. Yeah. That’s no good. The survivors have morphed into a few different groups of people (all with some major flaws) who must take drastic measures in order to survive. I'm only going to concern myself with two of them (the rest shall be a surprise for you, if you choose to read this series). There are cannibals who hunt and eat people and another group of green plant-like people who use science to “convert” the, eh, shall we say sort of agreeable cannibals into more green people (who no longer need to eat flesh to survive).
Tula is one of the greenies and her job as a psychologist is to convince them to stop eating people “Training the carnivore out of the cannibal was not easy!” and sign the conversion release form in a very short window of time. Without it, they face euthanasia. So pretty much, you agree to go through this incredibly painful transformation or you die. Sucks for you! Tula is compassionate and her job is difficult seeing as there is also a language barrier between herself and her patients and she has a superior who is hell-bent on making her life miserable. Tula’s most recent patient is Levi. Levi is not a cannibal but a man who traveled outside the boundaries of his safe haven to save the life of his dying child. When Levi refuses to sign the release; Tula takes drastic measures, puts her own life in danger and uncovers some disturbingly devious secrets.
I’m not going give away any more of the plot, there’s a lot of it, I'm lazy and you should discover it for yourself. It gets twisty and turny, there is betrayal, a little sex, characters you grow to care about and lots of action. Once I found my footing, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the world and was anxious to see how it would all come to a close considering it’s part one of a series. Fortunately, for me, it managed to leave room open for sequels but didn’t end on a huge, annoying cliff-hanger that left my head exploding in frustration.
If you like audios, this one has a quiet, pleasant voiced narrator who doesn’t over-act or simply “read” the text and she does a great job with all of the varied characters.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from the author. Hope she doesn't regret it!
An event coined the “Botanicaust” happened which basically wiped out all edible crops. Yeah. That’s no good. The survivors have morphed into a few different groups of people (all with some major flaws) who must take drastic measures in order to survive. I'm only going to concern myself with two of them (the rest shall be a surprise for you, if you choose to read this series). There are cannibals who hunt and eat people and another group of green plant-like people who use science to “convert” the, eh, shall we say sort of agreeable cannibals into more green people (who no longer need to eat flesh to survive).
Tula is one of the greenies and her job as a psychologist is to convince them to stop eating people “Training the carnivore out of the cannibal was not easy!” and sign the conversion release form in a very short window of time. Without it, they face euthanasia. So pretty much, you agree to go through this incredibly painful transformation or you die. Sucks for you! Tula is compassionate and her job is difficult seeing as there is also a language barrier between herself and her patients and she has a superior who is hell-bent on making her life miserable. Tula’s most recent patient is Levi. Levi is not a cannibal but a man who traveled outside the boundaries of his safe haven to save the life of his dying child. When Levi refuses to sign the release; Tula takes drastic measures, puts her own life in danger and uncovers some disturbingly devious secrets.
I’m not going give away any more of the plot, there’s a lot of it, I'm lazy and you should discover it for yourself. It gets twisty and turny, there is betrayal, a little sex, characters you grow to care about and lots of action. Once I found my footing, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the world and was anxious to see how it would all come to a close considering it’s part one of a series. Fortunately, for me, it managed to leave room open for sequels but didn’t end on a huge, annoying cliff-hanger that left my head exploding in frustration.
If you like audios, this one has a quiet, pleasant voiced narrator who doesn’t over-act or simply “read” the text and she does a great job with all of the varied characters.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from the author. Hope she doesn't regret it!
March 6, 2018
I won this book through a giveaway & the author was kind enough to send it to Pakistan!
What I liked:
the concept this story was based on was really interesting and it didn't disappoint, as I read ahead
the cover-suited!
all three races, if they can be called that, were as different as day and night but the most advanced ones-I forget what they're called- were the scariest!
the author did research and it showed-I loved the part about telomerase and the chloroplasts, as well as the part about Ripening.
the ending wasn't impractical-it was quite realistic
I sort of threw a tantrum when one of the little girls was taken by the cannibals-I'm pretty sure we'll see her again, if there's going to be a sequel but still!
What I didn't like:
the whole people turning into cannibals part wasn't too well-thought. If plants will grow in one place, surely people will work to grow them elsewhere.
If you want to read about photosynthesizing people, cannibals and an apocalyptic world, give this one a try-it doesn't disappoint!
Also reviewed/liked at:
BL
BS
WP
LI
ME
BO
FB
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
What I liked:
the concept this story was based on was really interesting and it didn't disappoint, as I read ahead
the cover-suited!
all three races, if they can be called that, were as different as day and night but the most advanced ones-I forget what they're called- were the scariest!
the author did research and it showed-I loved the part about telomerase and the chloroplasts, as well as the part about Ripening.
the ending wasn't impractical-it was quite realistic
I sort of threw a tantrum when one of the little girls was taken by the cannibals-I'm pretty sure we'll see her again, if there's going to be a sequel but still!
What I didn't like:
the whole people turning into cannibals part wasn't too well-thought. If plants will grow in one place, surely people will work to grow them elsewhere.
If you want to read about photosynthesizing people, cannibals and an apocalyptic world, give this one a try-it doesn't disappoint!
Also reviewed/liked at:
BL
BS
WP
LI
ME
BO
FB
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2012
This story actually isn't about cannibalism. It's a little misleading to suggest that is a main point of the plot. It's more of a solid science fiction dystopian tale of various social groups, and how they get by after humanity destroys the ecosystem.
Some of the groups eat people. Some turned to photosynthesis. Some became, essentially, Amish...and some others have turned to science in a way I won't spoil here. :-)
I found the different societies and mores very interesting, and thought this was an excellent way to begin a new series. I look forward to follow up stories. The world building is pretty complex; the author laid a good foundation for more to come. The glossary in the back is very helpful, and I suggest referring to it as the book is read.
One nice extra freebie: after you read the story, you can find a special link to get an additional chapter, taking place concurrently at a crucial point, from another character's POV. Very thoughtful. There is also a novella available on Kindle that presents a self-contained "cannibal's" tale.
Ever since I was a child I wanted to be photosythetic, and this story shows how that may become possible (although it might not be a completely positive experience; there might be some side-effects). I'm actually not sure which culture I would choose to live in, given the chance. There are surprising positives and negatives in each.
Recommended for sci-fi lovers who enjoy dystopian futures, and for students of societal clashes in speculative fiction.
Disclaimer: I was given this book to review by GoodReads. I was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
Some of the groups eat people. Some turned to photosynthesis. Some became, essentially, Amish...and some others have turned to science in a way I won't spoil here. :-)
I found the different societies and mores very interesting, and thought this was an excellent way to begin a new series. I look forward to follow up stories. The world building is pretty complex; the author laid a good foundation for more to come. The glossary in the back is very helpful, and I suggest referring to it as the book is read.
One nice extra freebie: after you read the story, you can find a special link to get an additional chapter, taking place concurrently at a crucial point, from another character's POV. Very thoughtful. There is also a novella available on Kindle that presents a self-contained "cannibal's" tale.
Ever since I was a child I wanted to be photosythetic, and this story shows how that may become possible (although it might not be a completely positive experience; there might be some side-effects). I'm actually not sure which culture I would choose to live in, given the chance. There are surprising positives and negatives in each.
Recommended for sci-fi lovers who enjoy dystopian futures, and for students of societal clashes in speculative fiction.
Disclaimer: I was given this book to review by GoodReads. I was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2014
Picked it up thinking it would be a cheesy so-bad-its-good sci fi read, but it turned out to be a good story. It is hard to come up with any truly original post apocalyptic story and certainly pieces of this world exist in other places, but they come together to make an engaging read.
August 24, 2013
I have not read many self published books this year, but I am so glad that I gave Tam Linsey’s Botanicaust a shot. The writing and editing are flawless…which sadly can’t be said for all self published books. Beyond that though…this is simply a fantastic story. The premise is incredibly unique and refreshing while still managing to fall within the currently very popular “Dystopian” umbrella. (I use the term Dystopian very lightly here as the term has grown beyond it’s true definition to encompass much much more lately.) Add in Cannibals, Immortals, and Amish and what an entertaining mix this book is!!! It sounds like utter craziness but I assure you that it all works.
It is impossible not to be immediately pulled into this story and the characters of Tula and Levi. I loved how their contrasting viewpoints enabled me to see the world from both sides and make up my own mind about the situation. They are wonderfully fleshed out and by the end of the novel their struggle became mine…it was impossible not to connect.
Tam’s worldbuilding leaves nothing to be desired and the story arc itself is fast paced and exciting throughout. Most of all though…I just loved the stories behind the story and how much they really made me think. How far are we pushing science and technology beyond the bounds of what Mother Nature can handle…and how far would any of us be willing to go to ensure the human race’s survival…even if those changes might in some way make us less or more than human??
Don’t hesitate to pick up Botanicaust…I guarantee that any lover of smart well written adult Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic tales will love this one.
It is impossible not to be immediately pulled into this story and the characters of Tula and Levi. I loved how their contrasting viewpoints enabled me to see the world from both sides and make up my own mind about the situation. They are wonderfully fleshed out and by the end of the novel their struggle became mine…it was impossible not to connect.
Tam’s worldbuilding leaves nothing to be desired and the story arc itself is fast paced and exciting throughout. Most of all though…I just loved the stories behind the story and how much they really made me think. How far are we pushing science and technology beyond the bounds of what Mother Nature can handle…and how far would any of us be willing to go to ensure the human race’s survival…even if those changes might in some way make us less or more than human??
Don’t hesitate to pick up Botanicaust…I guarantee that any lover of smart well written adult Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic tales will love this one.
August 18, 2012
This book is haunting, beautiful, creative and unique. Tam Linsey has created an all-too-plausible future world where the Earth has been overrun and all-but-destroyed by an invasive, inedible plant species. Only scattered sects of the Old Order have managed to isolate themselves enough to have plentiful food. For most of the humans left to fend for life in the dangerous world, all that's available to them for food is each other. Cannibalism is the way of life in the open land.
One other group of humans has found a different way, however. By genetic manipulation, they have become photosynthetic, with green skin and the ability to process light into sustenance. They are convinced that if the savage cannibals can be "converted" to photosynthesis, the Earth will be saved.
When Levi,a devout member of the Old Order, hears there are scientists in the world who can save lives, he defies his religious elders and sets out to find those who could save his only son. When he is captured and told he must be converted to photosynthesis or die, he refuses to submit to the conversion process. His captor, Tula, escapes with him into the outside.
There they attempt to make their way back to Levi's colony. But along the way they slowly find love as they have to face danger, races of people they didn't know existed, and the feared cannibals. But really, they must learn who the real savages are.
I highly recommend this wonderful book -- and I can't wait for the next offering from Tam Linsey!
One other group of humans has found a different way, however. By genetic manipulation, they have become photosynthetic, with green skin and the ability to process light into sustenance. They are convinced that if the savage cannibals can be "converted" to photosynthesis, the Earth will be saved.
When Levi,a devout member of the Old Order, hears there are scientists in the world who can save lives, he defies his religious elders and sets out to find those who could save his only son. When he is captured and told he must be converted to photosynthesis or die, he refuses to submit to the conversion process. His captor, Tula, escapes with him into the outside.
There they attempt to make their way back to Levi's colony. But along the way they slowly find love as they have to face danger, races of people they didn't know existed, and the feared cannibals. But really, they must learn who the real savages are.
I highly recommend this wonderful book -- and I can't wait for the next offering from Tam Linsey!
February 18, 2016
This was an incredibly unique post apocalyptic book. It's hard to explain the plot because it's better experienced. From what I got, plants destroyed the world and now only 3 type of races are left, Halvainiens - genetically modified people who are plant like and sustained using photosynthesis. Cannibals and Fossilites - I'm still not too sure what these are but I think they are immortal humans (though I'm not sure how) but there race is plagued with genetic defects.
Even with it being so unique, I only kinds liked the story. At times I found my attention wandering cause it seemed to have a lot of unnecessary details or events. I also had to go and skip back at times to replay what they were on about. The audio did come with a PDF of glossarys but I didn't have time to keep going back to it to see. I think maybe if I read it it may have been easier because I could of used the PDF but since I didn't, I didn't enjoy the story too much. Towards the end it was a chore to keep going.
Meghan Kelly did an awesome job as always. I always enjoy her performances and she always delivers. Despite not liking the book as much, Meghan made it easy to listen to.
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
Even with it being so unique, I only kinds liked the story. At times I found my attention wandering cause it seemed to have a lot of unnecessary details or events. I also had to go and skip back at times to replay what they were on about. The audio did come with a PDF of glossarys but I didn't have time to keep going back to it to see. I think maybe if I read it it may have been easier because I could of used the PDF but since I didn't, I didn't enjoy the story too much. Towards the end it was a chore to keep going.
Meghan Kelly did an awesome job as always. I always enjoy her performances and she always delivers. Despite not liking the book as much, Meghan made it easy to listen to.
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*
February 6, 2017
I was very enthusiastic in the beginning of my reading of this book. The settings were great; a post-apocalyptic world, in a rather distant futur, the humans divided in (at least) four fractions, very unequally organized (savage cannibals ones, traditional and very pious ones, scientific ones), and a clever narration, really smooth, without any info-dump, yes!
The idea of altered human beings, with green photosynthetic skin, particularly appeals to me.
The whole reading was quite good, but I lose some of my interest in the end, when the novelties stopped. The story was still good, mind you, but more classic. I could have being still hooked if the main characters have being favorites of mine but alas, they weren't. They were perfectly credible, and 'functional', and good persons too, but would have being terribly boring in another story, the kind of story where all the brilliancy and addictivity are in the characters. The world still interested me, but I didn't care much about the characters and their fate, and finished the book without any strong incentive to continue the series. I may read on, but only with promesses of revelations, not only to follow the characters in their new lives.
The idea of altered human beings, with green photosynthetic skin, particularly appeals to me.
The whole reading was quite good, but I lose some of my interest in the end, when the novelties stopped. The story was still good, mind you, but more classic. I could have being still hooked if the main characters have being favorites of mine but alas, they weren't. They were perfectly credible, and 'functional', and good persons too, but would have being terribly boring in another story, the kind of story where all the brilliancy and addictivity are in the characters. The world still interested me, but I didn't care much about the characters and their fate, and finished the book without any strong incentive to continue the series. I may read on, but only with promesses of revelations, not only to follow the characters in their new lives.
November 4, 2012
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a part of Tam Linsey’s book tour with Orangeberry Book Tours. No promise of a positive review was made.
Review: Everything about this book made me want to read it. From the cover to the description to the epically awesome concept. And I wasn’t disappointed!
This is a book with genetic manipulation and Amish set in a post apocalyptic world? Oh and the 9th word is CANNIBAL. It’s like it was written with me in mind. The main character, Tula, is an idealist. She believes that the genetic conversion she went which made her one of the “Haldanian Protectorate” is the only way for humanity to survive in a world where the UV rays are intense and food is scare. The Haldanians are one of 3 groups of people known to her. The others are cannibals (yep, exactly what you think) and the Fosselites, a group of people who through their own genetic manipulation have found a way for cells to replenish, making them essentially immortal. However, far from her home there is another group called the Old Order who have keep the pastoral ways and religious beliefs of a time long past alive by avoiding contact with any outsiders.
Levi, a member of the Old Order, is driven to leave his home in order to find a cure for his son and a number of others suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. When Levi is captured and taken to the Haldanian Protectorate for possible conversion, Tula’s memories of a childhood long forgotten re-emerge and make her question the ethics of forced conversion and the Haldanian’s policy of euthinization for those who refuse.
Botanicaust manages to cover issues of medical ethics, cross culture communication, religion and what it really means to be human, all while telling a phenomenally interesting and entertaining story. As Tula learns more about the world outside of the Haldanian Protectorate, we are taken on a journey where nothing is quite as it seems.
Linsey does an impressive job of illustrating the difficulties of communication barriers when language and culture are so different they seem insurmountable. Even at the most stressful of times though, the humanity of the individuals we meet shines bright.
In addition to the story of Tula and Levi, Botanicaust also introduces us to the character of Vitus. Although he is easily painted as the bad guy, he is an excellent representation of the kind of Nationalistic and Selfish mentality which keeps people, even today, from reaching out, across their comfort zone and finding peace. Vitus’ motivations are simple, he wants to live, he believes that natural born Haldanians are better than converts and he wants the prestige and recognition he feels he deserves. He a symbol of racism and classism, and with his entitlement comes the worst aspects of human nature.
The intricacy of the medical explanations and detail to which Ms. Linsey explains the science involved makes the concept of green people, pulling nourishment from the sunlight through their skin completely believable. I’m not a science person, but I know enough to know that while this may not be technically possible, Botanicaust makes it plausible enough to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. She manages to do the same in representing the religious beliefs of the Old Order without ever looking like she is either proselytizing or condescending their beliefs.
An absolutely impressive work, Botanicaust is just the kind of thing I love. It’s deep in concepts, takes broad strokes without simplifying and steeped in larger picture issues. All the while, Botanicaust is an entertaining and at times quite romantic story. Highly recommended.
Review: Everything about this book made me want to read it. From the cover to the description to the epically awesome concept. And I wasn’t disappointed!
This is a book with genetic manipulation and Amish set in a post apocalyptic world? Oh and the 9th word is CANNIBAL. It’s like it was written with me in mind. The main character, Tula, is an idealist. She believes that the genetic conversion she went which made her one of the “Haldanian Protectorate” is the only way for humanity to survive in a world where the UV rays are intense and food is scare. The Haldanians are one of 3 groups of people known to her. The others are cannibals (yep, exactly what you think) and the Fosselites, a group of people who through their own genetic manipulation have found a way for cells to replenish, making them essentially immortal. However, far from her home there is another group called the Old Order who have keep the pastoral ways and religious beliefs of a time long past alive by avoiding contact with any outsiders.
Levi, a member of the Old Order, is driven to leave his home in order to find a cure for his son and a number of others suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. When Levi is captured and taken to the Haldanian Protectorate for possible conversion, Tula’s memories of a childhood long forgotten re-emerge and make her question the ethics of forced conversion and the Haldanian’s policy of euthinization for those who refuse.
Botanicaust manages to cover issues of medical ethics, cross culture communication, religion and what it really means to be human, all while telling a phenomenally interesting and entertaining story. As Tula learns more about the world outside of the Haldanian Protectorate, we are taken on a journey where nothing is quite as it seems.
Linsey does an impressive job of illustrating the difficulties of communication barriers when language and culture are so different they seem insurmountable. Even at the most stressful of times though, the humanity of the individuals we meet shines bright.
In addition to the story of Tula and Levi, Botanicaust also introduces us to the character of Vitus. Although he is easily painted as the bad guy, he is an excellent representation of the kind of Nationalistic and Selfish mentality which keeps people, even today, from reaching out, across their comfort zone and finding peace. Vitus’ motivations are simple, he wants to live, he believes that natural born Haldanians are better than converts and he wants the prestige and recognition he feels he deserves. He a symbol of racism and classism, and with his entitlement comes the worst aspects of human nature.
The intricacy of the medical explanations and detail to which Ms. Linsey explains the science involved makes the concept of green people, pulling nourishment from the sunlight through their skin completely believable. I’m not a science person, but I know enough to know that while this may not be technically possible, Botanicaust makes it plausible enough to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. She manages to do the same in representing the religious beliefs of the Old Order without ever looking like she is either proselytizing or condescending their beliefs.
An absolutely impressive work, Botanicaust is just the kind of thing I love. It’s deep in concepts, takes broad strokes without simplifying and steeped in larger picture issues. All the while, Botanicaust is an entertaining and at times quite romantic story. Highly recommended.
May 15, 2014
Dystopia, apocalypse, hubris: just when I think I've seen it all, someone comes up with a fresh twist on familiar themes and archetypes. Botanicaust is thought provoking and intriguing; full of conflict, tension, sex appeal and longing. Humans genetically engineered for photosynthesis? It sounds ridiculous--cold-blooded reptiles, MAYBE, I could believe--but I love it!
The cover and the synopsis, along with the author bio, had me so excited, I bumped this novel to the top of my queue, even though a thousand other authors have ASKED me to read and review their novels. Tam Linsey has toured the superconducting supercollider. She hunts moose and manages to garden in Alaska. She writes speculative fiction and gluten-free cookbooks. My expectations were so high, I was afraid I'd drop the book cold after the first chapter and wish it were as good as it sounded. I'm happy to report the book is as good as I expected!
And now I'm frustrated. I can't see a way to discuss the themes of "Botanicaust" without plot spoilers. So many issues, scientific and ethical. So many characters and conflicts, all handled well, but in a novel filled with page-turning suspense, I can't say much. The "Fossilite" doctor with the red, bloodshot eyes could give me nightmares. Eww, halt the experiments, guys. The journey to his mountain hideaway has an epic feel, like reaching the Wizard of Oz. Truly nightmarish, vivid, memorable details.
I want to talk about a certain pair of siblings who get separated. I'm totally counting on Tam Linsey to bring them back together in a sequel. Are you listening, Tam? You can make it happen. I just saw "Frozen," and those sisters tugged at my heartstrings in a Disney way, but they don't even begin to compare with the girls in Botanicaust. Family members in real life and in this novel (father and son, e.g.; sister and brother; children and parents) are all too often separated by great distances--geographical, cultural, medical, spiritual. The girls in this novel are especially engaging and wonderful. And they're minor characters. Levi and Tula are, of course, even more riveting and compelling.
The religious beliefs are handled so skillfully. The people are real. Just, way too real, maddeningly real. In real life, we know them.
Tula's dilemma at the end, choosing between her new life and Levi's patriarchal lifestyle, is a theme that will never go out of date.
I love this novel. It's one of those that make you think. Escapism? Find a predictable romance. This one is too rich, too deep, and so thought provoking, it'll be in my head for days or years to come.
Nobody recommended this to me, nor did the author ask me for a review, nor had I even heard of her until this indie novel showed up "free" via the Amazon Daily Deal newsletter. My favorite novels of the past year all came to me that way: John L Monk's "Kick,", A.R. Taylor's "Sex, Rain and Cold Fusion" and Gina DeMarco's "The Neanderthal's Aunt." Those three have more of the quirky humor (even snark) that I love in a novel, but Botanicaust has the coolest, creepiest science I've seen in forever.
The cover and the synopsis, along with the author bio, had me so excited, I bumped this novel to the top of my queue, even though a thousand other authors have ASKED me to read and review their novels. Tam Linsey has toured the superconducting supercollider. She hunts moose and manages to garden in Alaska. She writes speculative fiction and gluten-free cookbooks. My expectations were so high, I was afraid I'd drop the book cold after the first chapter and wish it were as good as it sounded. I'm happy to report the book is as good as I expected!
And now I'm frustrated. I can't see a way to discuss the themes of "Botanicaust" without plot spoilers. So many issues, scientific and ethical. So many characters and conflicts, all handled well, but in a novel filled with page-turning suspense, I can't say much. The "Fossilite" doctor with the red, bloodshot eyes could give me nightmares. Eww, halt the experiments, guys. The journey to his mountain hideaway has an epic feel, like reaching the Wizard of Oz. Truly nightmarish, vivid, memorable details.
I want to talk about a certain pair of siblings who get separated. I'm totally counting on Tam Linsey to bring them back together in a sequel. Are you listening, Tam? You can make it happen. I just saw "Frozen," and those sisters tugged at my heartstrings in a Disney way, but they don't even begin to compare with the girls in Botanicaust. Family members in real life and in this novel (father and son, e.g.; sister and brother; children and parents) are all too often separated by great distances--geographical, cultural, medical, spiritual. The girls in this novel are especially engaging and wonderful. And they're minor characters. Levi and Tula are, of course, even more riveting and compelling.
The religious beliefs are handled so skillfully. The people are real. Just, way too real, maddeningly real. In real life, we know them.
Tula's dilemma at the end, choosing between her new life and Levi's patriarchal lifestyle, is a theme that will never go out of date.
I love this novel. It's one of those that make you think. Escapism? Find a predictable romance. This one is too rich, too deep, and so thought provoking, it'll be in my head for days or years to come.
Nobody recommended this to me, nor did the author ask me for a review, nor had I even heard of her until this indie novel showed up "free" via the Amazon Daily Deal newsletter. My favorite novels of the past year all came to me that way: John L Monk's "Kick,", A.R. Taylor's "Sex, Rain and Cold Fusion" and Gina DeMarco's "The Neanderthal's Aunt." Those three have more of the quirky humor (even snark) that I love in a novel, but Botanicaust has the coolest, creepiest science I've seen in forever.
January 17, 2013
Well I certainly have a better understanding of the world after Botanicaust since reading the book and the short did indeed make much more sense once I got really into it. In this novel we follow Tula, a doctor that works with cannibals. She prepares them for conversion; if they fail to want or be appropriate for conversion to a plant-like person they are euthanized I do not think any of the factions involved in the plot are correct in the way they deal with life.
First you have the Halladanian- these are the plant like people. They eat very little and require a specific amount of sunshine and water a day just like plants do. Their skin is green and they believe their way of life is the only way of life. They often force people they kidnap to convert, which is an extremely painful process. They also kill people and ask questions later. They kill them because a lot of people outside the protectorate (city) are cannibals.
Then you have the cannibals- they are a group of human that are called tribes. They have somehow managed to survive the botanicaust by eating each other. The weakest, generally the oldest or youngest in the tribe is sacrificed for the tribe to eat. They attack anyone that is not in their tribe for food, as well.
A third section of people are the Fossilites-They are people who live in the mountain caves and have manipulated science in order to make themselves immortal. A consequence of this action is for all that they birth have downs syndrome and eventually they suffer from elder diseases. They have little conscience over what they are doing to better themselves. They appear to be very selfish individuals.
Lastly there are the hold outs. They are a German speaking almost puritan Christian group of people that live behind electric fences. They are overly righteous and consider everyone that is not like them an abomination. In fact anyone who disagrees with them is shunned and even those that were kidnapped from them are considered not of God. Anyone not of God is not worthy of their company. They call themselves the Old Order.
I was so irritated and frustrated at the end of this book, I wanted to punch someone. Each group had major faults and cared for no one but themselves. It felt like they only wanted what they felt was right and anything that swayed from that deserved death. I did not like any group because of their selfish, self-righteous Bertha better than you attitude. It was as if each group had great ways of helping everyone but felt they had the right to decide who deserved to get help and who deserved death or to be turned into test subjects.
Now, that being said, I loved the book and cannot wait to read the next one. I am hoping that all the factions learn to live with one another, and it will be exciting to see where the story will take me.
I have rated this a 5 out of 5 and rate the short that goes with it the same.
January 14, 2017
4.5 stars. A compelling post-apocalyptic novel, with a great dystopian world building full of human neo-races and new cultures, but a little weak on the characterization.
With climat change and plants bioengineering, things turned wrong, leaving the Earth in bad shape. Various civilisations sprouted after that, leading to distinct populations with their own cultures, languages and genetic modifications. Tula is a photosynthetic woman, working in a conversion unit and helping people reach a new level of freedom. One day, a man arrives at her lab, but he's different from everyone she knew before.
The world building was totally great and worked perfectly with the story. I really enjoyed Tula's journey, especially as it was the occasion to meet the various cultures, like cannibals or underground people. I found all of them really interesting and it was compelling to discover them, notably because genetic engineering and selection came with problems, letting place for disabilities in the book. Each population had its own good and bad people and they spent a lot of time trying to protect themselves, without having much problems in destroying the others on the path. So, the post-apocalyptic vibe was very nicely completed by a dystopian plot. If I could praise the scientific and cultural sides probably for hours, I wasn't totally sold on the characters. Most of them were fine, but they spent a lot of time overacting, so they didn't seem truly real in my opinion, and some interactions weren't smooth, especially between the men and Tula (she seemed to drive everyone more or less mad, but I've no idea why). The antagonists were good enough but lacked nuance. And then, there was Levi... who unnerved me most of the book. He was a fervent bigot, a borderline racist and it killed me to have to suffer his "hide your nipples, evil temptress" thoughts. The last part in his village was also high in zealots and religion, totally not my cup of tea. However, Levi was a nice addition to the story because he knew the land and because he didn't speak the same language as the others. It was interesting to see him learn to deal with people totally different from him and to try to understand what was happening in a foreign world with science and technology. As it's one of the most interesting dystopias I read in the past year, I'll be happy to discover more with the other stories in the series. Kudos to the author, it was a totally satisfying story and a well edited self-published book.
With climat change and plants bioengineering, things turned wrong, leaving the Earth in bad shape. Various civilisations sprouted after that, leading to distinct populations with their own cultures, languages and genetic modifications. Tula is a photosynthetic woman, working in a conversion unit and helping people reach a new level of freedom. One day, a man arrives at her lab, but he's different from everyone she knew before.
The world building was totally great and worked perfectly with the story. I really enjoyed Tula's journey, especially as it was the occasion to meet the various cultures, like cannibals or underground people. I found all of them really interesting and it was compelling to discover them, notably because genetic engineering and selection came with problems, letting place for disabilities in the book. Each population had its own good and bad people and they spent a lot of time trying to protect themselves, without having much problems in destroying the others on the path. So, the post-apocalyptic vibe was very nicely completed by a dystopian plot. If I could praise the scientific and cultural sides probably for hours, I wasn't totally sold on the characters. Most of them were fine, but they spent a lot of time overacting, so they didn't seem truly real in my opinion, and some interactions weren't smooth, especially between the men and Tula (she seemed to drive everyone more or less mad, but I've no idea why). The antagonists were good enough but lacked nuance. And then, there was Levi... who unnerved me most of the book. He was a fervent bigot, a borderline racist and it killed me to have to suffer his "hide your nipples, evil temptress" thoughts. The last part in his village was also high in zealots and religion, totally not my cup of tea. However, Levi was a nice addition to the story because he knew the land and because he didn't speak the same language as the others. It was interesting to see him learn to deal with people totally different from him and to try to understand what was happening in a foreign world with science and technology. As it's one of the most interesting dystopias I read in the past year, I'll be happy to discover more with the other stories in the series. Kudos to the author, it was a totally satisfying story and a well edited self-published book.
December 7, 2012
With independently published books, you never know what you're going to get. With Botanicaust, you get a professional-level product all the way around. Professional presentation. Professional editing. Professional story. Professional writing. This book is a keeper, and I look forward to more from Tam Linsey. She's a writer to watch for.
Set in a dystopian future, isolated groups have adapted to environmental collapse in different ways. One group, the Amish, have adapted by maintaining a close-knit, self-sufficient farming community. By the end of the book, I had a real feel for the strengths and weaknesses of the farmers, who are presented sympathetically and realistically.
A more scientifically advanced group has discovered immortality (and immorality), but at great cost. This group is the least developed, serving mostly as a foil to the others.
Finally, and most originally, the third group adapted by transforming themselves into plants--sort of. Their skin is capable of photosynthesis. Author Linsey has the scientific chops to make this idea seem plausible.
Put Levi, a man from the religious farmers, together with Tula, a green scientist from the photosynthetic people, and their world will be the same.
My only quibble was with the villain. I never learned the reason for his antipathy for Tula, and though he got his comeuppance, it was handled in a few sentences of narration, whereas I wanted to see him get what he deserved. But that was a relatively small point in an otherwise excellent book.
Highly recommended!
Set in a dystopian future, isolated groups have adapted to environmental collapse in different ways. One group, the Amish, have adapted by maintaining a close-knit, self-sufficient farming community. By the end of the book, I had a real feel for the strengths and weaknesses of the farmers, who are presented sympathetically and realistically.
A more scientifically advanced group has discovered immortality (and immorality), but at great cost. This group is the least developed, serving mostly as a foil to the others.
Finally, and most originally, the third group adapted by transforming themselves into plants--sort of. Their skin is capable of photosynthesis. Author Linsey has the scientific chops to make this idea seem plausible.
Put Levi, a man from the religious farmers, together with Tula, a green scientist from the photosynthetic people, and their world will be the same.
My only quibble was with the villain. I never learned the reason for his antipathy for Tula, and though he got his comeuppance, it was handled in a few sentences of narration, whereas I wanted to see him get what he deserved. But that was a relatively small point in an otherwise excellent book.
Highly recommended!
August 28, 2012
Review of Botanicaust
Reviewed for Lovers of Paranormal Goodreads Group
I just want to say “Wow-what a job of world-building”-it really stretched my imagination, plus the novel is a very enjoyable read. Set some distance into the future, four centuries after the “botanicaust,” in which the world’s total crop output is destroyed, by manmade mistakes including pesticides, leaving only a plant that is toxic, and a few other scattered types of plant life. By genetic modification, a species of modified humans exist, who are themselves photo-synthetic: they are very similar to plants, thriving on sunlight, but plant life is toxic to them. They seldom need to eat, either; and oddly, their skin is green-again like plants.
Other ethnic groups also exist: the Holdouts, who are similar to Amish, speak German, and follow only “Gotte Wille” (God’s Will); and the Fosselites, famed scientists and researchers who have survived intact since before the Botanicaust, very long-lived individuals indeed.
Author Tam Linsey has worked an extraordinary world-building in this novel, and I am thankful to see it will be a series-I’m eager for the next installment.
Reviewed for Lovers of Paranormal Goodreads Group
I just want to say “Wow-what a job of world-building”-it really stretched my imagination, plus the novel is a very enjoyable read. Set some distance into the future, four centuries after the “botanicaust,” in which the world’s total crop output is destroyed, by manmade mistakes including pesticides, leaving only a plant that is toxic, and a few other scattered types of plant life. By genetic modification, a species of modified humans exist, who are themselves photo-synthetic: they are very similar to plants, thriving on sunlight, but plant life is toxic to them. They seldom need to eat, either; and oddly, their skin is green-again like plants.
Other ethnic groups also exist: the Holdouts, who are similar to Amish, speak German, and follow only “Gotte Wille” (God’s Will); and the Fosselites, famed scientists and researchers who have survived intact since before the Botanicaust, very long-lived individuals indeed.
Author Tam Linsey has worked an extraordinary world-building in this novel, and I am thankful to see it will be a series-I’m eager for the next installment.
March 22, 2019
A book I thoroughly enjoyed. I like the characters, I was suppose to like and rooted for them. I hated the characters I was supposed to hate and lived when they got their comeuppance. I also liked the different ways each group belied the others were evil and wrong.
A few flaws and the biggest hurdle for me to ignore, I find I often have to ignore logic in sci-fi, which this is, was.. the botanicaust. Supposedly it wiped out all plant life and turned people into what they were not before it occurred ( gimme a break here, I am trying to avoid spoilers) so no plants except toxic ones and here was the flaw..except for 1) the holdout a group that used to be Amish and German and grow everything fruit, wheat,peas corn, sheep, cows, lamb...how? It makes n sense that one groups piece of land is okay. And as an atheist don’t give m any “gotte/god” crap. They had other things wiping them out.
In addition they do find other things and try to explain them away..like other plants, cattails and deer and other animals.
If you can ignore that, this is a good book, if you can’t...it would suck.
A few flaws and the biggest hurdle for me to ignore, I find I often have to ignore logic in sci-fi, which this is, was.. the botanicaust. Supposedly it wiped out all plant life and turned people into what they were not before it occurred ( gimme a break here, I am trying to avoid spoilers) so no plants except toxic ones and here was the flaw..except for 1) the holdout a group that used to be Amish and German and grow everything fruit, wheat,peas corn, sheep, cows, lamb...how? It makes n sense that one groups piece of land is okay. And as an atheist don’t give m any “gotte/god” crap. They had other things wiping them out.
In addition they do find other things and try to explain them away..like other plants, cattails and deer and other animals.
If you can ignore that, this is a good book, if you can’t...it would suck.
September 11, 2012
This book was provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
I was immediately sucked into the basic premise of this book. It's set in a post apocalyptic world where you have 3 types of people; Blattvolk (basically have plant skin and can convert sunlight into energy), cannibals, and the immortals. The Blattvolk are on a mission to either convert or eradicate the cannibals. The heroine of this story is a converted Blattvolk named Tula. Their society is very open and very casual about sex. The hero is from an almost Amish society of people that has left his settlement to find a cure for his son's cystic fibrosis.
The world building in this book is amazing. These societies and characters are very well thought out and believe-able. I also liked the romance in this story. I started reading this at 6PM and found myself staying up until the early hours of this morning just to finish this book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Tam Linsey!
I was immediately sucked into the basic premise of this book. It's set in a post apocalyptic world where you have 3 types of people; Blattvolk (basically have plant skin and can convert sunlight into energy), cannibals, and the immortals. The Blattvolk are on a mission to either convert or eradicate the cannibals. The heroine of this story is a converted Blattvolk named Tula. Their society is very open and very casual about sex. The hero is from an almost Amish society of people that has left his settlement to find a cure for his son's cystic fibrosis.
The world building in this book is amazing. These societies and characters are very well thought out and believe-able. I also liked the romance in this story. I started reading this at 6PM and found myself staying up until the early hours of this morning just to finish this book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Tam Linsey!
June 22, 2014
I LOVED this book. Of all the books I've read during this past year, this one sticks out as the best.
I quickly fell in love with the world. The author is very meticulous about world-building, and I was fascinated by the science behind all of it. That's by far the best part of this book; if you like science fiction, and you like immersing yourself in a new version of the world - this is your book.
The two main characters are fully developed. I loved Tula and Levi (though I was considerably less hot about their relationship with each other). They both had extraordinary character development, and nothing seemed sudden - each change seemed organic and I loved that.
The writing was far better than most of the writing I've read in a while. It really sucks you in and during the tense parts, I could actually feel my heart thudding in my chest.
This is such a great book, if you are thinking of buying this book, I highly recommend it.
I quickly fell in love with the world. The author is very meticulous about world-building, and I was fascinated by the science behind all of it. That's by far the best part of this book; if you like science fiction, and you like immersing yourself in a new version of the world - this is your book.
The two main characters are fully developed. I loved Tula and Levi (though I was considerably less hot about their relationship with each other). They both had extraordinary character development, and nothing seemed sudden - each change seemed organic and I loved that.
The writing was far better than most of the writing I've read in a while. It really sucks you in and during the tense parts, I could actually feel my heart thudding in my chest.
This is such a great book, if you are thinking of buying this book, I highly recommend it.
January 1, 2015
Finished this several weeks ago as well. It was good. Someone who does not want to read about religion should probably stay away from this since half of the characters are deeply and stupidly religious. Not that there isn't justification for their ignorance, but boo on religions that condemn outsiders so much. (Not that the surviving high-tech societies were any better on the condemning others scale. In some ways worse since one was actually seeking out people and converting or killing them. Hmmm. It was rather excellent how Linsey demonstrated that both kinds of paths that label other societies as less than human are very damaging. We are all human. Suck it up, people.)
I like that there was a cannibal society that actually kinda made sense and, while initially shown to be a scary and savage society, ended up having more depth and intelligence.
I like that there was a cannibal society that actually kinda made sense and, while initially shown to be a scary and savage society, ended up having more depth and intelligence.
September 22, 2014
This was a great read. I never wanted to put it down. (And if I didn't have little ones, I wouldn't have!)
After crops are wiped out by the Botanicaust, four different groups of people strive in their own way for survival. Blattvolk, who convert outsiders using genetic therapy against their will or no. Cannibals, who don't waste any food, and by food I mean meat lol. Fosselites, scientists who hide away from sunlight due to the effects of having the secrets to eternal life. The Old Order, who behind their electric fence, have found peace working off the land, and God.
The story evokes real emotion, the bigotry is infuriating. (Just like the real world lol.)
The characters are well written, and the book has a great flow.
Now I'm off to read *The Secret Page* =) Excited!
After crops are wiped out by the Botanicaust, four different groups of people strive in their own way for survival. Blattvolk, who convert outsiders using genetic therapy against their will or no. Cannibals, who don't waste any food, and by food I mean meat lol. Fosselites, scientists who hide away from sunlight due to the effects of having the secrets to eternal life. The Old Order, who behind their electric fence, have found peace working off the land, and God.
The story evokes real emotion, the bigotry is infuriating. (Just like the real world lol.)
The characters are well written, and the book has a great flow.
Now I'm off to read *The Secret Page* =) Excited!
June 21, 2013
My first regret is that I read this on a computer screen at work during intermitent pauses.
I regret not being able to give it the full attention it deserved.
This is an excellent story and a novel look at a post-apocaliptic earth.
People remain people... wether they be the god-worshiping amish-like group... the vampire-like ones... the cannibals... or the green-skinned "plant-people".
The "Botanicaust" has changed everyone and everything.
The only true survivors are those that remain human despite the changes that may have been done to their bodies or the way they have to live to survive.
Hopefully, I'll come across a "paper" edition of the book one of these days and be able to re-read it with the full attention it truly deserves.
Highly recommended reading.
I regret not being able to give it the full attention it deserved.
This is an excellent story and a novel look at a post-apocaliptic earth.
People remain people... wether they be the god-worshiping amish-like group... the vampire-like ones... the cannibals... or the green-skinned "plant-people".
The "Botanicaust" has changed everyone and everything.
The only true survivors are those that remain human despite the changes that may have been done to their bodies or the way they have to live to survive.
Hopefully, I'll come across a "paper" edition of the book one of these days and be able to re-read it with the full attention it truly deserves.
Highly recommended reading.
May 22, 2014
For all of the little Fred Savages out there, I'm sorry, this is a kissing book. But even if that's not your bag, Tam Linsey has written a solid sci-fi book you will dig. While I am one of those little Fred Savages, who tends to blush a lot like I imagine Linsey's male lead would if he read such things, this book offers so much more than kissing. It offers a richly imagined world populated with strange new peoples. It offers well developed characters and fast paced action. It offers people you want to root for, people you love to hate, and people you just want to know more about.
It has been a long time since I have been so skillfully amused for $2.99. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi, post apocalypse, and sun bathing.
I will be reading the sequel.
It has been a long time since I have been so skillfully amused for $2.99. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi, post apocalypse, and sun bathing.
I will be reading the sequel.
August 22, 2013
The kind of book I really enjoy. It's an easy read, has great three-dimensional characters I identified with, a unique premise, and intriguing world-building. I tend to be able to predict plot twists and turns in many books. Not in this one. Tam left breadcrumbs that didn't broadcast future events, but which you'd remember later on and think, "Oh, that makes sense."
I'm going to get her short story Taking the Knife next and keep an eye out for her future books.
I'm going to get her short story Taking the Knife next and keep an eye out for her future books.
January 6, 2013
This book was unique and refreshing. It was nothing like your typical apocalypse books, rather, it had an original plot full of.twists and turns. The characters were very well developed and I found myself very attached to them and their plight. I only hope that there will be a sequel as I desperately want to know what happens with Tula, Levi, and the New Order!
May 10, 2014
This was a very strange but interesting book. It dealt with racism,religion and ecology. I almost stopped reading it at the beginning when it started talking about green people but when it was explained it turned out to be an excellent story. I know I'll enjoy other books by this author and if your a sci-fi reader I,m sure you,ll enjoy it.
March 4, 2015
An interesting mix of dystopian society, sci-fi and a small hint of The Scarlet Letter. (Yeah, that revelation surprised me, too! Maybe it wasn't intended, but when Tula was initially shunned, it reminded me of the Nathaniel Hawthorne classic.)
A vaguely defined event called the Botanicaust (botanical holocaust?), occurred centuries ago to eradicate intrusive and uncontrollable weeds. Unfortunately, the purposeful destruction also destroyed edible crops. Centuries later, four remaining groups of people have managed to survive. This review is spoiler-free and attempts to review the book as a whole and the performance of the audio book narrator, but not a review of the plot/story lines.
First are the "greenies" or Halvainiens, a scientifically oriented group who have been modified or converted to create energy using the process of photosynthesis for survival, recognizably identified by their green colored skin. The Fosselites, primarily subterranean dwellers, are another scientific oriented group who are genetically modified, but not genetically selective, for longevity (tho' not without consequences). The cannibals, the seemingly least advanced group, eat other humans in order to survive. They are not by definition indiscriminately violent as many in this group value those with "the knowing", those who have skills to help others. Finally, there is the Old Order, also known as the Hold-outs. This is the theological group of humans (other reviewers liken this group to the Amish) who have continued to rely on God's word and their faith in God, not in human/scientific changes to God's gift to us -- our human form and shape -- for salvation and everlasting life.
Interestingly, it is the Halvainien group that is the least selfish as they are the only group, as of yet, that actively seeks to share their knowledge and science to convert or save any and all people they find or rescue outside of their Protectorate. Neither the cannibals, the Fosselites nor members of the Old Order allow for the open acceptance of strangers into their groups. The Halvainiens make an effort to help strangers survive in a now inhospitable world; there is some discrimination as the Halvainiens require people to agree to be converted, but education and communication efforts are made to enlighten outsiders to the benefits of the Halvainien conversion. Don't misunderstand, not all individual members of the Halvainiens are philanthropic, but as a law of the society, they attempt to help all strangers. Likewise, there are few in each of the other groups that are indeed open to outsiders. Surprisingly, though, the theological group, the Hold-outs or Old Order, are least open to accepting and assisting non-members.
As you can imagine, these four groups do not survive without periodic interaction and conflict. In this first book, in a series currently having a book two and two novellas, the author, Tam Linsey, has brought these groups together through the main characters, Tula, a female Halvainien, Levi, a man of the Old Order, and young twin cannibal girls Tula and Levi have loosely adopted in order to care for them.
Cautions and Disclaimers
If you are an avid reader of sci-fi and wish to have your sci-fi well-explained, logically developed and detailed, this will probably not satisfy your need for believability. I thoroughly enjoy dystopian society books and generally do not gravitate to the sci-fi genre. The vague history gleaned from sparse sentences in this narrative and minimal descriptions leading to this post-botanical holocaust situation didn't distract from my enjoyment of this book, though when it came time to write this review and thus describe the state of this world, I realized the author was very ambiguous, possibly disappointingly so, with her history.
As with several other dystopian society series, this book may take a bit of extra effort to "get into". The author doesn't package this new world concisely in a prologue or give the reader the history in the early chapters. Instead, she has you jump right into the story and eventually reveals the details and nuances of this world. Stick with it and eventually you'll grasp the dynamics of the four groups and soon distinguish the good guys from the bad guys in each society.
If you have concerns about the group of cannibals and the author's handling of their group's means of survival, do not be concerned -- the author has tastefully (no pun intended) handled their method of survival without adding to your imagination's worst ideas. Your imaginations are most likely more yucky than then author's descriptions.
This can be read as a stand-alone book, but not all of the story lines and areas of conflict between the different societies are resolved. Our hero and heroine have an unfinished relationship and the agreement between the societies are not entirely settled peaceably by the book's final page. While I wouldn't describe this as having a cliffhanger ending, resolution is not herein complete. As I have not yet read the second book, Doomseeds, I do not know whether this will ultimately conclude with it or with a third installment.
I listened to this book as a favor to the narrator after having listened to two other books she narrated by two other authors. Meghan Kelly does a good job narrating this book, giving life and emotion to the major and minor characters in Ms Linsey's book. Her voice is easy to listen to and her distinctive voices for the different characters are well performed. This performance is 10 hours in length and certainly did not feel this long -- the story and the narration made time pass quickly.
I also volunteered to review this audio book through Audiobook Jukebox. Thank you Meghan for allowing me to listen to this book.
A vaguely defined event called the Botanicaust (botanical holocaust?), occurred centuries ago to eradicate intrusive and uncontrollable weeds. Unfortunately, the purposeful destruction also destroyed edible crops. Centuries later, four remaining groups of people have managed to survive. This review is spoiler-free and attempts to review the book as a whole and the performance of the audio book narrator, but not a review of the plot/story lines.
First are the "greenies" or Halvainiens, a scientifically oriented group who have been modified or converted to create energy using the process of photosynthesis for survival, recognizably identified by their green colored skin. The Fosselites, primarily subterranean dwellers, are another scientific oriented group who are genetically modified, but not genetically selective, for longevity (tho' not without consequences). The cannibals, the seemingly least advanced group, eat other humans in order to survive. They are not by definition indiscriminately violent as many in this group value those with "the knowing", those who have skills to help others. Finally, there is the Old Order, also known as the Hold-outs. This is the theological group of humans (other reviewers liken this group to the Amish) who have continued to rely on God's word and their faith in God, not in human/scientific changes to God's gift to us -- our human form and shape -- for salvation and everlasting life.
Interestingly, it is the Halvainien group that is the least selfish as they are the only group, as of yet, that actively seeks to share their knowledge and science to convert or save any and all people they find or rescue outside of their Protectorate. Neither the cannibals, the Fosselites nor members of the Old Order allow for the open acceptance of strangers into their groups. The Halvainiens make an effort to help strangers survive in a now inhospitable world; there is some discrimination as the Halvainiens require people to agree to be converted, but education and communication efforts are made to enlighten outsiders to the benefits of the Halvainien conversion. Don't misunderstand, not all individual members of the Halvainiens are philanthropic, but as a law of the society, they attempt to help all strangers. Likewise, there are few in each of the other groups that are indeed open to outsiders. Surprisingly, though, the theological group, the Hold-outs or Old Order, are least open to accepting and assisting non-members.
As you can imagine, these four groups do not survive without periodic interaction and conflict. In this first book, in a series currently having a book two and two novellas, the author, Tam Linsey, has brought these groups together through the main characters, Tula, a female Halvainien, Levi, a man of the Old Order, and young twin cannibal girls Tula and Levi have loosely adopted in order to care for them.
Cautions and Disclaimers
If you are an avid reader of sci-fi and wish to have your sci-fi well-explained, logically developed and detailed, this will probably not satisfy your need for believability. I thoroughly enjoy dystopian society books and generally do not gravitate to the sci-fi genre. The vague history gleaned from sparse sentences in this narrative and minimal descriptions leading to this post-botanical holocaust situation didn't distract from my enjoyment of this book, though when it came time to write this review and thus describe the state of this world, I realized the author was very ambiguous, possibly disappointingly so, with her history.
As with several other dystopian society series, this book may take a bit of extra effort to "get into". The author doesn't package this new world concisely in a prologue or give the reader the history in the early chapters. Instead, she has you jump right into the story and eventually reveals the details and nuances of this world. Stick with it and eventually you'll grasp the dynamics of the four groups and soon distinguish the good guys from the bad guys in each society.
If you have concerns about the group of cannibals and the author's handling of their group's means of survival, do not be concerned -- the author has tastefully (no pun intended) handled their method of survival without adding to your imagination's worst ideas. Your imaginations are most likely more yucky than then author's descriptions.
This can be read as a stand-alone book, but not all of the story lines and areas of conflict between the different societies are resolved. Our hero and heroine have an unfinished relationship and the agreement between the societies are not entirely settled peaceably by the book's final page. While I wouldn't describe this as having a cliffhanger ending, resolution is not herein complete. As I have not yet read the second book, Doomseeds, I do not know whether this will ultimately conclude with it or with a third installment.
I listened to this book as a favor to the narrator after having listened to two other books she narrated by two other authors. Meghan Kelly does a good job narrating this book, giving life and emotion to the major and minor characters in Ms Linsey's book. Her voice is easy to listen to and her distinctive voices for the different characters are well performed. This performance is 10 hours in length and certainly did not feel this long -- the story and the narration made time pass quickly.
I also volunteered to review this audio book through Audiobook Jukebox. Thank you Meghan for allowing me to listen to this book.
May 10, 2019
Original and well-written.
December 19, 2014
I always start my reviews by reviewing the narrator. Since they are the voice that makes or breaks a performance of the book! Will it want to make you want to go back and read the book! Meghan Kelly as in other books I have listen to her narrate excels in a flawless transition from one character to the next. Maintaining that difference or mood of the character as they journey thru this book by Tam Linsey. I do hope that she is brought back for any future sequels. There is nothing more disappointing when authors use another voice in a series. She really brings to life and moods of my favorite character Dr Tula Macoby.
So let me continue with the characters without giving many spoilers! Dr. Tula Macoby coming from a society called the Haldanians, that believes can help selected others from the bio-engineered weeds that wiped out plant life 400 years earlier making all plants poison. Tula, a counselor assigned to those that are converted with photosynthetics to adjust to their new lifestyle. A society/scientist that believes they are the saviors of sorts in converting the cannibals that also roam the Earth. They also decide who lives or dies if their capturers do not fit the profile of converting to a plant society. Believing that her way of life will save them. That is until she meets Levi Kraybill whom she believes in the beginning is part of a captured cannibal family. Only to find out he is from another society called the The Old Order. Feeling that her people may not have all the answers. With him as the story unfolds throughout she learns the truth behind her own past! Trying to understand why her feelings are so passionate for someone of a different culture and to wrong yet feels so right at the same time.
Tam Linsey takes and draws you into the passion! Into the uncertainty! Into the truth that maybe bought her and Levi together are not ready to face about each other!
Levi Kraybill is from a society that believes what Tula's kind are doing is an abomination. They are a peaceful farming community. Believing that God has sent them down the rules to believes are they the only way of life!
After Tula assist Levi to escape and now making them both outlaws on the run from the Haldandians! Tula learns from him the survival tactics as they travel back to his society without being captured by the cannibals or killed by the Burners. Learning along the way that Levi was on the search for a cure for his son. Only to be saved/captured by what they thought is a fourth society, Fossilites. Which they did not know existed. Only to find out that all those Tula thought were killed are actually used for experiments of a different kind for the search for immortality. Will Tula make the decision to stay with them if they are willing to give Levi the cure they said they had for his son? Will his clan let him back? Since leaving against the Old Orders rules shunned Levi!
They do escape and head for Levi's clan with 2 of the ones Tula thought were killed by her people. When they get back to Levi's home. Are they all left to come within the Old Order's protective field? What does Tula learn about herself? Will they accept her and the other 2 Haldadians? What becomes of Levi's son?
Leaving some of these unanswered will peak a curiosity that you will not be sorry to learn as the book whines down. There is not a real cliffhanger leaving this book up in the air till part 2. It can stand as a stand alone read/listen to. Made me wish that I could move to the next book now! I really was pleasantly surprised with this story after listening to and reading other post apocalypse novels. This is certainly a well thought out plot. Totally different! The story can definitely take itself in any direction for future parts. I would like to see the following part have that back story of how the weeds took over the other plants. Seeing it build around Levi and/or Tula family ancestors. This 10 hr plus listen really felt so much longer. Ready for a detail yet full story made me want to sit and listen right thru in a day or 2.
Note: This review was posted to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. The Book was provided for review by the narrator Meghan Kelly. A views are strictly mine and not in anyway influenced by others. Thank you for you time reading this and comments are always welcome on the other sites I have listed above!
Note: This review was posted to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. The Book was provided for review by the narrator Meghan Kelly. All views are strictly mine and not in anyway influenced by others. Thank you for your time reading this and comments are always welcome on the other sites I have listed above!
So let me continue with the characters without giving many spoilers! Dr. Tula Macoby coming from a society called the Haldanians, that believes can help selected others from the bio-engineered weeds that wiped out plant life 400 years earlier making all plants poison. Tula, a counselor assigned to those that are converted with photosynthetics to adjust to their new lifestyle. A society/scientist that believes they are the saviors of sorts in converting the cannibals that also roam the Earth. They also decide who lives or dies if their capturers do not fit the profile of converting to a plant society. Believing that her way of life will save them. That is until she meets Levi Kraybill whom she believes in the beginning is part of a captured cannibal family. Only to find out he is from another society called the The Old Order. Feeling that her people may not have all the answers. With him as the story unfolds throughout she learns the truth behind her own past! Trying to understand why her feelings are so passionate for someone of a different culture and to wrong yet feels so right at the same time.
Tam Linsey takes and draws you into the passion! Into the uncertainty! Into the truth that maybe bought her and Levi together are not ready to face about each other!
Levi Kraybill is from a society that believes what Tula's kind are doing is an abomination. They are a peaceful farming community. Believing that God has sent them down the rules to believes are they the only way of life!
After Tula assist Levi to escape and now making them both outlaws on the run from the Haldandians! Tula learns from him the survival tactics as they travel back to his society without being captured by the cannibals or killed by the Burners. Learning along the way that Levi was on the search for a cure for his son. Only to be saved/captured by what they thought is a fourth society, Fossilites. Which they did not know existed. Only to find out that all those Tula thought were killed are actually used for experiments of a different kind for the search for immortality. Will Tula make the decision to stay with them if they are willing to give Levi the cure they said they had for his son? Will his clan let him back? Since leaving against the Old Orders rules shunned Levi!
They do escape and head for Levi's clan with 2 of the ones Tula thought were killed by her people. When they get back to Levi's home. Are they all left to come within the Old Order's protective field? What does Tula learn about herself? Will they accept her and the other 2 Haldadians? What becomes of Levi's son?
Leaving some of these unanswered will peak a curiosity that you will not be sorry to learn as the book whines down. There is not a real cliffhanger leaving this book up in the air till part 2. It can stand as a stand alone read/listen to. Made me wish that I could move to the next book now! I really was pleasantly surprised with this story after listening to and reading other post apocalypse novels. This is certainly a well thought out plot. Totally different! The story can definitely take itself in any direction for future parts. I would like to see the following part have that back story of how the weeds took over the other plants. Seeing it build around Levi and/or Tula family ancestors. This 10 hr plus listen really felt so much longer. Ready for a detail yet full story made me want to sit and listen right thru in a day or 2.
Note: This review was posted to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. The Book was provided for review by the narrator Meghan Kelly. A views are strictly mine and not in anyway influenced by others. Thank you for you time reading this and comments are always welcome on the other sites I have listed above!
Note: This review was posted to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. The Book was provided for review by the narrator Meghan Kelly. All views are strictly mine and not in anyway influenced by others. Thank you for your time reading this and comments are always welcome on the other sites I have listed above!
May 18, 2014
I like post-apocalyptic reads ... this was a new approach, not the usual zombies/virus (genetically altered plants take over, wiping out other vegetation. Quote from the book "There are always costs when man alters nature, his own or the world around him").
While the blurb does seem to feature the Cannibals, out of the four groups (Blattvolk/plant people, Old Order and Fosselites are the others) the cannibals are the group, we as the reader, learn about the least.
I downloaded this and started reading without really looking into the book much (I did see mostly positive reviews, which did influence me). The first few pages, I wasn't totally sure ... it was a tad complex. This post-apocalyptic world was just so different. The setting, the names, the language, it was a bit challenging. Not "easy" reading (I'll admit, sometimes I like it to be easy). I had to pay attention. The author actually did a really good job of differentiating the changing setting, listing it as the story would shift perspectives. There was even a glossary in the back (which I might have referenced earlier on if I had been aware of it ... which I would have if I had looked over the table of contents as it was listed there).
I'm not a big fan of the 1st person perspective. This was from a 3rd person POV ... and yet there were still definite shifts in perspective. Which character's mind we were privy too, and it really influenced the voice of the narration as well. Levi was a little stogy, I didn't care for him too much at the start, and he did grate on me a bit throughout.
Some very interesting thoughts on so many topics! I've admittedly never been overly religious, and religion in books can turn me off. Here, there were very religious characters and convictions, but we also saw the conflicts the characters had with those beliefs.
"Perhaps there was no God. God was a creation of man, not the other way around."
"She wished she believed in his God so she could offer the platitudes of his religion."
"As much as she might want to have faith, she'd seen too much of the world to be sure God had a benevolent plan."
"We do not proselytize. To coerce with words promotes a weak and untrue repentance."
Anyway, could make for some interesting discussions (book club?). There were plenty of pro-God statements too. Coming away from the book, I honestly don't know what the author's actual convictions are :)
While I struggled a bit at the start, I was soon quite into the book, always anxious to come back when I had to put it down.
At the end, it included a URL for a "secret page" but when I tried to follow it, I found no secret page. The website did mention a free novella, but when I checked Amazon, there was a fee. I see there is a sequel. This did wrap up enough (almost too cleanly after so much turmoil) that I'm not chomping at the bit to continue on, but I'll keep my eye on it ... if it were to come up as a free offering I'd snag it!
While the blurb does seem to feature the Cannibals, out of the four groups (Blattvolk/plant people, Old Order and Fosselites are the others) the cannibals are the group, we as the reader, learn about the least.
I downloaded this and started reading without really looking into the book much (I did see mostly positive reviews, which did influence me). The first few pages, I wasn't totally sure ... it was a tad complex. This post-apocalyptic world was just so different. The setting, the names, the language, it was a bit challenging. Not "easy" reading (I'll admit, sometimes I like it to be easy). I had to pay attention. The author actually did a really good job of differentiating the changing setting, listing it as the story would shift perspectives. There was even a glossary in the back (which I might have referenced earlier on if I had been aware of it ... which I would have if I had looked over the table of contents as it was listed there).
I'm not a big fan of the 1st person perspective. This was from a 3rd person POV ... and yet there were still definite shifts in perspective. Which character's mind we were privy too, and it really influenced the voice of the narration as well. Levi was a little stogy, I didn't care for him too much at the start, and he did grate on me a bit throughout.
Some very interesting thoughts on so many topics! I've admittedly never been overly religious, and religion in books can turn me off. Here, there were very religious characters and convictions, but we also saw the conflicts the characters had with those beliefs.
"Perhaps there was no God. God was a creation of man, not the other way around."
"She wished she believed in his God so she could offer the platitudes of his religion."
"As much as she might want to have faith, she'd seen too much of the world to be sure God had a benevolent plan."
"We do not proselytize. To coerce with words promotes a weak and untrue repentance."
Anyway, could make for some interesting discussions (book club?). There were plenty of pro-God statements too. Coming away from the book, I honestly don't know what the author's actual convictions are :)
While I struggled a bit at the start, I was soon quite into the book, always anxious to come back when I had to put it down.
At the end, it included a URL for a "secret page" but when I tried to follow it, I found no secret page. The website did mention a free novella, but when I checked Amazon, there was a fee. I see there is a sequel. This did wrap up enough (almost too cleanly after so much turmoil) that I'm not chomping at the bit to continue on, but I'll keep my eye on it ... if it were to come up as a free offering I'd snag it!
January 5, 2015
First off, let me just say that if I had realized there was a big religious undertone to this book I probably wouldn't have picked it. Let me tell you why this book is different from any other one you've read though.
Botanicaust is a post-apocalyptic thriller that is unlike any others. It starts off a little slow and, frankly, is hard to connect to because the reader is not told what actually happened to destroy civilization until halfway through the book. The tension the "not knowing" created is what kept me reading though.
The Holdout is an old religious order (Christian based) that survived the Botanicaust. They are mostly cast as the "good guys" even though the protagonist, Levi, a resident of the Holdout, begins the story by defying the order of his leaders to stay within the fence of their compound. During his journey and subsequent trials in the outside world to find a cure for his son, who has cystic fibrosis, he constantly questions his religious beliefs. Yet even until the end of the book, the Holdout members are portrayed as good. Meanwhile, there are 3 forms of "bad guys" - cannibals, people who genetically altered themselves with plant DNA so that they could photosynthesize, and people who genetically altered themselves to stop aging. As each of the characters reveals their true selves through their actions and behavior, the lines between good and bad begin to blur for the reader just as they do for Levi.
The arguments Levi makes to himself and to others about the place of religion in society were thought-provoking and powerful. This was not your usual uninspired and conventional arguments for or against religion. Neither were they out of context or preachy. All the religious talk was done strictly within the context and confines of the plot. It was refreshing to be able to read a Christian(ish?) book that didn't sound like a moral judgment on me personally.
There were a couple of other things that set this book apart from other post-apocalyptic ones. First, this one is set several hundred years AFTER the created apocalypse. This setting changes the tone of the book from one of basic survival to one of creating a BETTER world. Second, the stated apocalypse is totally unique from anything else I've ever read, and thus the societies and characters are new and interesting. Third, there aren't really any stereotypes or flat characters like you often see in this genre. As I mentioned, each character shows growth or reveals hidden motives that make them real.
All of these things make for a great book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories. Also recommended for adult Christian readers who are looking for something a little different (warning though - there is a little bit of sex and cursing in the book).
Botanicaust is a post-apocalyptic thriller that is unlike any others. It starts off a little slow and, frankly, is hard to connect to because the reader is not told what actually happened to destroy civilization until halfway through the book. The tension the "not knowing" created is what kept me reading though.
The Holdout is an old religious order (Christian based) that survived the Botanicaust. They are mostly cast as the "good guys" even though the protagonist, Levi, a resident of the Holdout, begins the story by defying the order of his leaders to stay within the fence of their compound. During his journey and subsequent trials in the outside world to find a cure for his son, who has cystic fibrosis, he constantly questions his religious beliefs. Yet even until the end of the book, the Holdout members are portrayed as good. Meanwhile, there are 3 forms of "bad guys" - cannibals, people who genetically altered themselves with plant DNA so that they could photosynthesize, and people who genetically altered themselves to stop aging. As each of the characters reveals their true selves through their actions and behavior, the lines between good and bad begin to blur for the reader just as they do for Levi.
The arguments Levi makes to himself and to others about the place of religion in society were thought-provoking and powerful. This was not your usual uninspired and conventional arguments for or against religion. Neither were they out of context or preachy. All the religious talk was done strictly within the context and confines of the plot. It was refreshing to be able to read a Christian(ish?) book that didn't sound like a moral judgment on me personally.
There were a couple of other things that set this book apart from other post-apocalyptic ones. First, this one is set several hundred years AFTER the created apocalypse. This setting changes the tone of the book from one of basic survival to one of creating a BETTER world. Second, the stated apocalypse is totally unique from anything else I've ever read, and thus the societies and characters are new and interesting. Third, there aren't really any stereotypes or flat characters like you often see in this genre. As I mentioned, each character shows growth or reveals hidden motives that make them real.
All of these things make for a great book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories. Also recommended for adult Christian readers who are looking for something a little different (warning though - there is a little bit of sex and cursing in the book).
April 12, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Beautiful and alien all at once."
It was the title which first attracted me to this book, with it's hints of both vegetation and destruction. Memories of triffids surfaced, and I could not resist.
Set in an unspecified distant future, the planet's botanical infrastructure had long before been destroyed leaving mostly only tamerisk trees, the all pervasive poisonous amarantox foliage and a scattering of humans desperately ego survive along with bugs and a very few other mammals. Different groups of peopleNs found their own ways to continue living, small and disparate groups, four of which are named and play a part in the story: the scientists, the cannibals, the Old Order, who try to replicate how life used to be, living within an electrified Hold Out, very regulated by their religious fervour, total pacifism and belief in God's salvation despite the increasing number of sick and dying children in their midst, and a fourth group, Abominations according to the Old Order, who have mostly solved the hunger problem by genetically altering themselves to be able to photosynthesis food from the sun, like plants. Their skins are green. Believing themselves to be the best hope for mankind and abhorring the cannibalistic taking of lives, they increase their numbers by taking prisoners and genetically converting those willing to accept (refusal means death). The story centres around Tula, one of the Halvanians, as the green skinned ones are called, and Levi, a man from the Old Order, who has left the safety of the Gold Out in search of a cure for his sick son.
An unique and original setting, well written and very intriguing even if not all of the basics are explained or fully make sense. The tale of Tula and Levi is partly a.clash of culture, part thwarted romance and mostly thriller as the two become outlawed to both of their communities. For this reader, however, the failure comes in not making either of the two main protagonists characters to care about.
Narration of the story by Meghan Kelly is good, her pleasant to hear voice reading with clarity, a touch of emotion and individual voicing for the different protagonists. Her reading definitely enhanced the listening experience, maintaining interest throughout.
This was such an original concept that I wish that I had enjoyed it more. But with less than sympathetic characters and a verbosity of religious intrusion, there were times when I found my patience stretched. With another book in the series already published, though not yet, I think, on audio, I doubt that I have sufficient interest to continue to book two.
Worth a read for the basic idea.
"Beautiful and alien all at once."
It was the title which first attracted me to this book, with it's hints of both vegetation and destruction. Memories of triffids surfaced, and I could not resist.
Set in an unspecified distant future, the planet's botanical infrastructure had long before been destroyed leaving mostly only tamerisk trees, the all pervasive poisonous amarantox foliage and a scattering of humans desperately ego survive along with bugs and a very few other mammals. Different groups of peopleNs found their own ways to continue living, small and disparate groups, four of which are named and play a part in the story: the scientists, the cannibals, the Old Order, who try to replicate how life used to be, living within an electrified Hold Out, very regulated by their religious fervour, total pacifism and belief in God's salvation despite the increasing number of sick and dying children in their midst, and a fourth group, Abominations according to the Old Order, who have mostly solved the hunger problem by genetically altering themselves to be able to photosynthesis food from the sun, like plants. Their skins are green. Believing themselves to be the best hope for mankind and abhorring the cannibalistic taking of lives, they increase their numbers by taking prisoners and genetically converting those willing to accept (refusal means death). The story centres around Tula, one of the Halvanians, as the green skinned ones are called, and Levi, a man from the Old Order, who has left the safety of the Gold Out in search of a cure for his sick son.
An unique and original setting, well written and very intriguing even if not all of the basics are explained or fully make sense. The tale of Tula and Levi is partly a.clash of culture, part thwarted romance and mostly thriller as the two become outlawed to both of their communities. For this reader, however, the failure comes in not making either of the two main protagonists characters to care about.
Narration of the story by Meghan Kelly is good, her pleasant to hear voice reading with clarity, a touch of emotion and individual voicing for the different protagonists. Her reading definitely enhanced the listening experience, maintaining interest throughout.
This was such an original concept that I wish that I had enjoyed it more. But with less than sympathetic characters and a verbosity of religious intrusion, there were times when I found my patience stretched. With another book in the series already published, though not yet, I think, on audio, I doubt that I have sufficient interest to continue to book two.
Worth a read for the basic idea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews