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Prism: Shadow of the Fates
On the outskirts of one of humanity's last remaining cities, lies a dig-site unlike any other. It’s wrapped with words like Xenobiology, but underneath the thin veil of conjecture, no one really knows. Something waits there. Something very old. Something very different from the humans who intrude. And people are willing to kill for it. Follow Clay Thomson as he uncovers the truth buried beneath the ruins of an ancient alien civilization. Betrayed by friends and aided by enemies, he embarks on a journey of ultimate discovery. Along the way he meets a host of interesting people, confronts his past, and even finds romance. Now if he just would have remembered to leave his pet peeko at home. . .
- GenresScience Fiction
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 4, 2012
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2013
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads program.
I would describe this book as new adult sci fi. The main characters are in their lower-to-mid 20s, have a good level of independence, but there's still a lot of that freshness/innocence that you can get from a YA book (but with less angst).
As this takes place on another world--a moon to be specific--Trask had to set up the framework and build us a unique interesting world and populate it with interesting people, technology, and ideas. I liked how he had the colonists name the newly encountered flora and fauna with familiar names, then described these new species as not really like their namesakes.
As can sometimes be with easy reads/YA/NA novels, sometimes the characters end up being one or two dimensional (the derpy scientist at the beginning, the governor, the enforcer, etc.). There was also some fat hate going on that I didn't really appreciate and didn't think was necessary.
Our main character, Clay, is an enigma, and his specialness wasn't really explained to my satisfaction, but perhaps there will be more books in this universe and his origins can be explored.
Clay has a really great group of friends that get him through the crisis of finding out what happened at a site where his mom was working.
There was only one other thing I didn't appreciate about this book, but it's spoilery so I can't really share it. Like the fat hate thing I mentioned above, I didn't think what happened was necessary to move the plot forward and all it did was leave me sad, despite the happily-ever-after ending.
I would describe this book as new adult sci fi. The main characters are in their lower-to-mid 20s, have a good level of independence, but there's still a lot of that freshness/innocence that you can get from a YA book (but with less angst).
As this takes place on another world--a moon to be specific--Trask had to set up the framework and build us a unique interesting world and populate it with interesting people, technology, and ideas. I liked how he had the colonists name the newly encountered flora and fauna with familiar names, then described these new species as not really like their namesakes.
As can sometimes be with easy reads/YA/NA novels, sometimes the characters end up being one or two dimensional (the derpy scientist at the beginning, the governor, the enforcer, etc.). There was also some fat hate going on that I didn't really appreciate and didn't think was necessary.
Our main character, Clay, is an enigma, and his specialness wasn't really explained to my satisfaction, but perhaps there will be more books in this universe and his origins can be explored.
Clay has a really great group of friends that get him through the crisis of finding out what happened at a site where his mom was working.
There was only one other thing I didn't appreciate about this book, but it's spoilery so I can't really share it. Like the fat hate thing I mentioned above, I didn't think what happened was necessary to move the plot forward and all it did was leave me sad, despite the happily-ever-after ending.
January 30, 2013
I have received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads FirstReads giveaway.
Could not put this book down. Enjoyed the characters and especially the adorable critter Almo. This book is shelved as "Sci-Fi" but a mix of mystery, thriller, humor and a touch of romance make it so much more.
I must say, the ending left me a bit confused, but for the most part the balance of sci-fi and story is good. (I've stated in another review that some sci-fi writers get too caught up in the technical details. I'm not a rocket scientist, just a reader. So when you go into Quantum Physics theories, you're going to lose me.) Of course, I'm not going to fault a writer for being more intelligent than I am. :p
Could not put this book down. Enjoyed the characters and especially the adorable critter Almo. This book is shelved as "Sci-Fi" but a mix of mystery, thriller, humor and a touch of romance make it so much more.
I must say, the ending left me a bit confused, but for the most part the balance of sci-fi and story is good. (I've stated in another review that some sci-fi writers get too caught up in the technical details. I'm not a rocket scientist, just a reader. So when you go into Quantum Physics theories, you're going to lose me.) Of course, I'm not going to fault a writer for being more intelligent than I am. :p
March 28, 2013
I won this book in a GoodReads giveaway. I'm a lover of sci-fi, but wasn't expecting as good a story as I got!
The plot was a bit slow in the beginning due to heavy-handed character and setting development. Once you get past the halfway mark, though, it moves along quite rapidly and ends abruptly, almost as though the author was rushed to get the book finished. Although he ties up all the loose ends he created, things work out almost too perfectly, I would have liked fewer details about the future lives of characters. I appreciated the great little plausible futuristic technology details, and I loved the descriptions of what the flora and fauna of non-Earth planets.
Overall, a wonderful story told fairly well. A perfect book for a quick, relaxing weekend read.
The plot was a bit slow in the beginning due to heavy-handed character and setting development. Once you get past the halfway mark, though, it moves along quite rapidly and ends abruptly, almost as though the author was rushed to get the book finished. Although he ties up all the loose ends he created, things work out almost too perfectly, I would have liked fewer details about the future lives of characters. I appreciated the great little plausible futuristic technology details, and I loved the descriptions of what the flora and fauna of non-Earth planets.
Overall, a wonderful story told fairly well. A perfect book for a quick, relaxing weekend read.
April 4, 2013
This was a fast and entertaining read. The characters were mostly likeable - I got kind of annoyed with Emily. I felt she was a bit one-sided. But since she wasn't a huge focus I can live with that. The story was interesting and kept me enthralled until the end. There were a few things that I felt should have been resolved a bit better- the duality with the wraith and I also was mystified with a "why" regarding the station towards the end.
It was a good read - fast paced and draws you in. I would recommend for sci-fi fans.
Edited to revise an error - I reread the passage and realized I had indeed misread a passage.
It was a good read - fast paced and draws you in. I would recommend for sci-fi fans.
Edited to revise an error - I reread the passage and realized I had indeed misread a passage.
January 3, 2013
I was fascinated by this book, especially since I don't normally read sci fi. The descriptive language, the plot and characters were written extremely well. I so hope this new author will write a sequel soon. I highly recommend this book to ages junior high through seniors who enjoy a good read with fast-paced action.
December 20, 2012
Okay so I had my doubts going in as the first chapter unfolded more as a thriller/horror story, but then the characters and plot took off and I just couldn't put this book down. Also, I very rarely give a book five stars, so I hope that speaks to how much I enjoyed this one.
January 11, 2013
This is one of those books that's just fun to read. You don't have to love science fiction or fantasy or any particular genre to enjoy it. Trask creates a plausible universe and sprinkles in thought-provoking technology in a way that only adds to the plot, which really grabbed me. Great read.
February 14, 2013
interesting book, A little tough to read and follow along but still Thomas Trask is a fantastic author!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews