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The Watcher
Set in the far future, on the tribal world of Dodona, this debut science fiction novel tells the story of Tian, a young hunter struggling with loss of her childhood lover who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. When Tian's tribe is threatened by violent slavers, she receives help from a Watcher--a monstrous, mythical creature who is actually a genetically enhanced anthropologist from an advanced civilization. Through the juxtaposition of the precivilization tribes and the technologically advanced society of the Watchers, the novel explores themes of the role of ideology and tradition in daily life.
236 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 27, 2022
The Watcher by Nicholas P. Oakley.
Set in the far future, on the tribal world of Gaia, this debut science fiction novel tells the story of Tian, a young hunter struggling with loss of her childhood lover who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. When Tian’s tribe is threatened by violent slavers, she received help from a Watcher—a monstrous, mythical creature who is actually a genetically enhanced anthropologist from an advanced civilization. Through the juxtaposition of the precivilization tribes and the technologically advanced society of the Watchers, the novel explores themes of the role of ideology and tradition in daily life.
A good read with good characters. Likeable story. Slow but readable. 3*.
Set in the far future, on the tribal world of Gaia, this debut science fiction novel tells the story of Tian, a young hunter struggling with loss of her childhood lover who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. When Tian’s tribe is threatened by violent slavers, she received help from a Watcher—a monstrous, mythical creature who is actually a genetically enhanced anthropologist from an advanced civilization. Through the juxtaposition of the precivilization tribes and the technologically advanced society of the Watchers, the novel explores themes of the role of ideology and tradition in daily life.
A good read with good characters. Likeable story. Slow but readable. 3*.
December 11, 2013
An extraordinarily imaginative sci-fi story with touches of ideology and unique philosophy.
What initially caught my eye was the dazzling cover of this magical novel that shone on the bookshelf, as though promising a glimpse of the mystical and ethereal within. Nicholas Oakley’s vivid imagination and inspired ideas seep into every single page making his book totally unique, written in a distinctive voice that is solely his own. However I am sure that this author drew inspiration for his own work from the ‘great legends’ of the science-fiction genre such as Orson Scott Card and Hamilton etc. to name a few that contain out-of-this-world visionary.
The Watcher is a magnetic tale that contains such unexpected substance and depth, with thought-provoking meaning amid the scintillating storyline. Memorable characters and intriguing creatures linger on within your mind, as you explore a wonderfully rich world that the author has created. What struck me were the themes of ideology and tradition in daily life that ran through the story, making it in every sense of the word an incredibly multilayered tale of such profundity and incredible complexity.
The Watcher is set in the far future on a world called Gaia. It tells the story of Titan; a young hunter and member of a threatened tribe under attack from violent slavers. ‘The Watcher’ is a strange creature that incongruously helps Titan, despite it being a monstrous mythical beast that’s been genetically enhanced from an advanced civilization. The advanced society of The Watcher’s acutely juxtaposes those of the tribes {like Titan’s} and so one is able to explore and contemplate the divergence between advanced technology and different civilizations.
This absolutely fascinating story is a deeply engrossing read of interwoven ideals and intriguing concepts, which seamlessly surround a compelling plot that’s well devised. I am very impressed by this author who has produced something truly inspired, reflective and weightily consequential within this popular genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this substantial story that is wonderfully evocative and a noteworthy novel within the science-fiction genre, hence I would place The Watcher alongside many top authors. This is an imaginative masterwork of the mind written with limitless vision that contains a ‘dreamlike quality’ to it.
I won a copy of The Watcher by Nicholas Oakley through a Goodreads, first-read book giveaway.
What initially caught my eye was the dazzling cover of this magical novel that shone on the bookshelf, as though promising a glimpse of the mystical and ethereal within. Nicholas Oakley’s vivid imagination and inspired ideas seep into every single page making his book totally unique, written in a distinctive voice that is solely his own. However I am sure that this author drew inspiration for his own work from the ‘great legends’ of the science-fiction genre such as Orson Scott Card and Hamilton etc. to name a few that contain out-of-this-world visionary.
The Watcher is a magnetic tale that contains such unexpected substance and depth, with thought-provoking meaning amid the scintillating storyline. Memorable characters and intriguing creatures linger on within your mind, as you explore a wonderfully rich world that the author has created. What struck me were the themes of ideology and tradition in daily life that ran through the story, making it in every sense of the word an incredibly multilayered tale of such profundity and incredible complexity.
The Watcher is set in the far future on a world called Gaia. It tells the story of Titan; a young hunter and member of a threatened tribe under attack from violent slavers. ‘The Watcher’ is a strange creature that incongruously helps Titan, despite it being a monstrous mythical beast that’s been genetically enhanced from an advanced civilization. The advanced society of The Watcher’s acutely juxtaposes those of the tribes {like Titan’s} and so one is able to explore and contemplate the divergence between advanced technology and different civilizations.
This absolutely fascinating story is a deeply engrossing read of interwoven ideals and intriguing concepts, which seamlessly surround a compelling plot that’s well devised. I am very impressed by this author who has produced something truly inspired, reflective and weightily consequential within this popular genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this substantial story that is wonderfully evocative and a noteworthy novel within the science-fiction genre, hence I would place The Watcher alongside many top authors. This is an imaginative masterwork of the mind written with limitless vision that contains a ‘dreamlike quality’ to it.
I won a copy of The Watcher by Nicholas Oakley through a Goodreads, first-read book giveaway.
December 11, 2013
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
Parts of this book reminded me of reading sci fi books as a child, although this one was more violent and probably a bit more adult in nature than the ones I read.
I thought that the characters and world in this book were really interesting. I really liked Tian as a character and Mori as well. The differences between the Watchers and the natives to the planet came across really well, but there were also similarities between them.
I found it quite interesting how the patterns of speech varied. I wasn't sure how Mori was speaking differently to 129 - I would have liked a bit more information about what made Mori so different.
The flashbacks provided good extra information about the characters, but I did get a bit confused about them a couple of times. There was at least twice when I didn't realise there was a flashback and got confused about mentions of a character that had already died.
I thought that the book did a good job of showing the differences between the two separate cultures and how easy it is to fall into complacency. Although there were some good things about what the tribes believed, there were as many bad things.
I did notice quite a few errors in this book, including a part where a whole paragraph was repeated and a number of missing quotation marks. Apart from that, though, the writing was good enough that I could see a lot of the events happening inside my mind.
I liked the feelings of friendship and perhaps more that grew between Tian and Mori, despite the fact that the latter's asexual and doesn't have a gender, as such. Still, it was kind of sweet and I was a bit disappointed with how things turned out.
I think I'd definitely be interested in reading a sequel to this book or more books by this author. The ability for every member of a species to communicate with each other was quite an interesting one and I would have liked to see a bit more of the problems inherent with that.
(This review may contain spoilers).
Parts of this book reminded me of reading sci fi books as a child, although this one was more violent and probably a bit more adult in nature than the ones I read.
I thought that the characters and world in this book were really interesting. I really liked Tian as a character and Mori as well. The differences between the Watchers and the natives to the planet came across really well, but there were also similarities between them.
I found it quite interesting how the patterns of speech varied. I wasn't sure how Mori was speaking differently to 129 - I would have liked a bit more information about what made Mori so different.
The flashbacks provided good extra information about the characters, but I did get a bit confused about them a couple of times. There was at least twice when I didn't realise there was a flashback and got confused about mentions of a character that had already died.
I thought that the book did a good job of showing the differences between the two separate cultures and how easy it is to fall into complacency. Although there were some good things about what the tribes believed, there were as many bad things.
I did notice quite a few errors in this book, including a part where a whole paragraph was repeated and a number of missing quotation marks. Apart from that, though, the writing was good enough that I could see a lot of the events happening inside my mind.
I liked the feelings of friendship and perhaps more that grew between Tian and Mori, despite the fact that the latter's asexual and doesn't have a gender, as such. Still, it was kind of sweet and I was a bit disappointed with how things turned out.
I think I'd definitely be interested in reading a sequel to this book or more books by this author. The ability for every member of a species to communicate with each other was quite an interesting one and I would have liked to see a bit more of the problems inherent with that.
August 10, 2016
the watcher shows us two civilisations with two very different approaches to life. One being nomadic and living in harmony with nature, the other technologically advanced using machines for everything.
both civilisations are democratic where every person has a saying how they live, if action is to be taken then "consensus" must be unanimous, but while the advanced civilisation wishes to continue to advance and evolve the nomads are stuck in their way and forbids change and technology.
We learn that no mater how secure you feel there will always be those who believe the rules do not apply to them and will try to rise up and rule over others through manipulation, violence or sheer force of will.
when faced with such characters, individuals and society must decide on a course of action, do you ignore them, try and pacify them or do you fight fire with fire. what will be the knock on effect when encountering such people, will the "butterfly effect" inadvertently change us, for better of worse.
A great multilayered and thought provoking book, with characters that stick with you.
i look forward to more from this author.
both civilisations are democratic where every person has a saying how they live, if action is to be taken then "consensus" must be unanimous, but while the advanced civilisation wishes to continue to advance and evolve the nomads are stuck in their way and forbids change and technology.
We learn that no mater how secure you feel there will always be those who believe the rules do not apply to them and will try to rise up and rule over others through manipulation, violence or sheer force of will.
when faced with such characters, individuals and society must decide on a course of action, do you ignore them, try and pacify them or do you fight fire with fire. what will be the knock on effect when encountering such people, will the "butterfly effect" inadvertently change us, for better of worse.
A great multilayered and thought provoking book, with characters that stick with you.
i look forward to more from this author.
December 31, 2013
Received as a Goodreads Giveaway book.
This first novel from Oakley is firmly in the soft-SF strand, dealing with themes such as the role of technology, scientific interference, and other anthropological ideas. Following a tribe struggling to deal with the rise of violence on their primitive planet, this is definitely a book of ideas, and behind the adventure of young Tian and the Watcher, Mori, lie a host of moral questions. The editing might have been a little tighter, but overall this was a good, page-turner of a read (I finished in one sitting) and I would be interested to follow Tian's adventures further.
This first novel from Oakley is firmly in the soft-SF strand, dealing with themes such as the role of technology, scientific interference, and other anthropological ideas. Following a tribe struggling to deal with the rise of violence on their primitive planet, this is definitely a book of ideas, and behind the adventure of young Tian and the Watcher, Mori, lie a host of moral questions. The editing might have been a little tighter, but overall this was a good, page-turner of a read (I finished in one sitting) and I would be interested to follow Tian's adventures further.
April 6, 2016
** I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. **
I quite enjoyed the story and felt a decent connection to the characters. It definitely needed some more editing (I would probably only give it a 2.5 or 3 stars based on that alone). There were a number of misspellings and doubled words that should have been caught before printing. However, the story and character development was good enough to keep those issues from lowering my rating of the book. I enjoyed the combination of old and new worlds and watching the main character struggle to define herself based on both of those worlds. This book will definitely give you something to think about!
I quite enjoyed the story and felt a decent connection to the characters. It definitely needed some more editing (I would probably only give it a 2.5 or 3 stars based on that alone). There were a number of misspellings and doubled words that should have been caught before printing. However, the story and character development was good enough to keep those issues from lowering my rating of the book. I enjoyed the combination of old and new worlds and watching the main character struggle to define herself based on both of those worlds. This book will definitely give you something to think about!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews