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Immunity
After generations of people overused antibiotics and destroyed their immune systems, while simultaneously strengthening germs and viruses and creating superbugs, human beings fled indoors to sterile environments for survival.
Generations later Neklema was born into a world where being outdoors wasn't even something she dreamed of.
Suddenly, with the secret to human survival hidden in her by family she never met, Neklema is the most sought after girl in the world.
Alone for the majority of her life, Neklema has only had virtual contact with other people. Her life has been controlled by the Eugenicists, scientists that focus on the improvement of genes. The Eugenicists sole focus is to re-evolve immune systems back into humans. The Eugenicists attempt to achieve their goal without grace, going so far as to systematically exposing eight year olds to numerous diseases, killing them off, so only the strongest survive.
Nekelma's world is forever changed when she meets Kim. Kim takes her from the Eugenicists' control and brings her to Lambda, the large settlement inhabited by descendants of those who fled the Eugenicists when people were forced indoors. These people share the goal of the Eugenicists, to get people back outside. But are their methods unethical as well? What secret to human survival could Neklema possibly have?
These are questions Neklema must answer before she can decide who she can trust and who she can't.
And the fate of human survival dependent on her? Can she actually deliver that?
Generations later Neklema was born into a world where being outdoors wasn't even something she dreamed of.
Suddenly, with the secret to human survival hidden in her by family she never met, Neklema is the most sought after girl in the world.
Alone for the majority of her life, Neklema has only had virtual contact with other people. Her life has been controlled by the Eugenicists, scientists that focus on the improvement of genes. The Eugenicists sole focus is to re-evolve immune systems back into humans. The Eugenicists attempt to achieve their goal without grace, going so far as to systematically exposing eight year olds to numerous diseases, killing them off, so only the strongest survive.
Nekelma's world is forever changed when she meets Kim. Kim takes her from the Eugenicists' control and brings her to Lambda, the large settlement inhabited by descendants of those who fled the Eugenicists when people were forced indoors. These people share the goal of the Eugenicists, to get people back outside. But are their methods unethical as well? What secret to human survival could Neklema possibly have?
These are questions Neklema must answer before she can decide who she can trust and who she can't.
And the fate of human survival dependent on her? Can she actually deliver that?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
C. Ellis-Massey
1 book2 followersI wrote Immunity because I had a story to tell. And I love it.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 3, 2013
The review that the author does not want is here on her goodreads page.
If I could give this work of fiction zero stars, I would. Not only was it badly done, but it is chock full of false information. The next time the author writes a book I would suggest performing some basic research. At minimum, do a google search.
Antibiotics cause immune deficiencies declares the author at the opening of the story, and this caused many people to die. Holy buckets, the author got this WRONG. Antibiotic use can mask an immune deficiency. Overuse or incorrect use of antibiotics can render the antibiotic useless against that bacteria. Antibiotics can aid your immune system in fighting a disease when used and prescribed correctly. People with immune deficiencies are given antibiotics almost daily or daily (see AIDS cocktails).
Extra chromosomal DNA in humans does not create a super power. This is not an extra chromosome. This is a process where chromosomes are removed from the nucleus. The author stated that our little heroine had extra chromosomal DNA, and this indicated she was a leader. Actually, humans do get extra chromosomal DNA. Increased amounts indicate disease and cancer. It is not desirable. The author never actually mentions this again; except it was the given as the reason for Neklema to be appointed leader. With all the ecDNA, she will be dead soon.
Watching an episode of NCIS would have helped with the next DUH scientific moment. At 84%, Beaufort is tasked with extracting????? DNA. He says, "Well, I guess we ought to get going on extracting your GENETIC MATERIAL, DNA, blood and possibly your bone marrow." First, DNA is genetic material. DUH! He extracts it by putting her to sleep because it is painful and takes a long time for the extraction to take place, according to the author. DUH, WRONG! A tube of blood taken with a syringe is sufficient. Then you perform an analysis on the blood. And I really hope they have a super process, because a DNA work-up, which is complete, currently takes a really, really long time. (Look up human genome project).
By the way, just because this is fiction doesn't mean you get to change scientific FACTS. Authors are NOT allowed to say, listen, I can change facts because this is fiction. F I C T I O N. I don't have to KNOW NOTHING about what I'm writing cause it is fiction. Yes, you can make up zombies, no you can't change the facts of life unless you are writing alternative world fiction. Like a fact that can't be changed is that it is gravity that hold things to the earth or how gravity works.
Now for the writing, it was stiff, wooden and boring. It was prone to being over explanatory. The word "doors" was used 174 times. At 19%, you will find the following:
1. "After I put on the clothes that Kim had given me, I walked out the door that Kim had indicated that she would be waiting by. The door wasn't heavy and swung open easily." Readers, this had nada to do with the story. This had zero import on the story.
2. "I was getting ready to ask Kim that question when we reached a crossroads in the hallway and Kim tugged me to turn left and began rattling." Readers, is Kim an android or wear lots of metal? No. In the next paragraph Kim had a long-winded and boring speech. This was just another filler sentence with enough boring detail to cause narcosis.
3. "We reached a set of double doors that were on my right, the first set of double doors I'd seen, and Kim turned and she pushed open the door on the left, I followed and pushed open the door on the right, how else was I going to get through the doorway? Beyond the door was a large room." (Where the author explained in minute detail the size, shapes, and arrangement of the tables for no apparent reason other then to test my ability to stay the frick awake.) Most of the carp in the book read this way.
The characters were boring, and often the author forgot what she had already said about her characters. Why should she keep track of what she was writing, since it was all bad. At 28%, we learned Neklema's parents had hidden information in her brain. At 38%, her parents stated they had hidden information in her brain. At 44%, we learn there was information somehow hidden in her brain. At 62%, it was learned that grandpa had hidden the information. Hmmm, this book was already bad enough. At the very beginning, Kim tells Neklema when she first meets her that her parents are actually Kim's parents. When Neklema escapes to Lambda with Kim, Kim for the FIRST time explains that her parents were actually Neklema's parents. Supposedly, Kim had only previously hinted at this relationship explains the author. IT WAS A PRETTY STRONG HINT.
Then on top of this I was confounded by more nonsense.
1. Lambda and the Eugenics compounds started at the same time, but the Topians created Lambda.
2. It is explained to us that the Topians can't easily get into eugenics because of the lack of the socializer implants. The Topians, Kim, Neklema, Kim's real parents and Neklema's real parents could not be in Eugenics because of a lack of an implant.
3. So how did Neklema's parents end up being Eugenicists who ran away from Eugenics to Lambda? Neklema's mom started out in Lambda. She didn't have an implant, so how did she end up in Eugenics?
4. Then scratch your head and try to figure out how Neklema, who often played with Grandpa Topian in Lambda, ended up being taken from her parents to Eugenics.
5. Melissa, Kim's mom, has always been with lambda, so how did Kim without an implant get into eugenics?
(The author said all the Topians were always at Lambda). The author needs to pay attention to what she is writing.
And since the only evil the eugenicists are guilty of perpetrating is killing kids to see if their immune systems are strong enough, why not just give the immune system to them developed by gramps topian. Their only evil would have stopped.
Actually, I suggest this author never publish again. I would have returned this for a full refund, but I waited too long to read it.
If I could give this work of fiction zero stars, I would. Not only was it badly done, but it is chock full of false information. The next time the author writes a book I would suggest performing some basic research. At minimum, do a google search.
Antibiotics cause immune deficiencies declares the author at the opening of the story, and this caused many people to die. Holy buckets, the author got this WRONG. Antibiotic use can mask an immune deficiency. Overuse or incorrect use of antibiotics can render the antibiotic useless against that bacteria. Antibiotics can aid your immune system in fighting a disease when used and prescribed correctly. People with immune deficiencies are given antibiotics almost daily or daily (see AIDS cocktails).
Extra chromosomal DNA in humans does not create a super power. This is not an extra chromosome. This is a process where chromosomes are removed from the nucleus. The author stated that our little heroine had extra chromosomal DNA, and this indicated she was a leader. Actually, humans do get extra chromosomal DNA. Increased amounts indicate disease and cancer. It is not desirable. The author never actually mentions this again; except it was the given as the reason for Neklema to be appointed leader. With all the ecDNA, she will be dead soon.
Watching an episode of NCIS would have helped with the next DUH scientific moment. At 84%, Beaufort is tasked with extracting????? DNA. He says, "Well, I guess we ought to get going on extracting your GENETIC MATERIAL, DNA, blood and possibly your bone marrow." First, DNA is genetic material. DUH! He extracts it by putting her to sleep because it is painful and takes a long time for the extraction to take place, according to the author. DUH, WRONG! A tube of blood taken with a syringe is sufficient. Then you perform an analysis on the blood. And I really hope they have a super process, because a DNA work-up, which is complete, currently takes a really, really long time. (Look up human genome project).
By the way, just because this is fiction doesn't mean you get to change scientific FACTS. Authors are NOT allowed to say, listen, I can change facts because this is fiction. F I C T I O N. I don't have to KNOW NOTHING about what I'm writing cause it is fiction. Yes, you can make up zombies, no you can't change the facts of life unless you are writing alternative world fiction. Like a fact that can't be changed is that it is gravity that hold things to the earth or how gravity works.
Now for the writing, it was stiff, wooden and boring. It was prone to being over explanatory. The word "doors" was used 174 times. At 19%, you will find the following:
1. "After I put on the clothes that Kim had given me, I walked out the door that Kim had indicated that she would be waiting by. The door wasn't heavy and swung open easily." Readers, this had nada to do with the story. This had zero import on the story.
2. "I was getting ready to ask Kim that question when we reached a crossroads in the hallway and Kim tugged me to turn left and began rattling." Readers, is Kim an android or wear lots of metal? No. In the next paragraph Kim had a long-winded and boring speech. This was just another filler sentence with enough boring detail to cause narcosis.
3. "We reached a set of double doors that were on my right, the first set of double doors I'd seen, and Kim turned and she pushed open the door on the left, I followed and pushed open the door on the right, how else was I going to get through the doorway? Beyond the door was a large room." (Where the author explained in minute detail the size, shapes, and arrangement of the tables for no apparent reason other then to test my ability to stay the frick awake.) Most of the carp in the book read this way.
The characters were boring, and often the author forgot what she had already said about her characters. Why should she keep track of what she was writing, since it was all bad. At 28%, we learned Neklema's parents had hidden information in her brain. At 38%, her parents stated they had hidden information in her brain. At 44%, we learn there was information somehow hidden in her brain. At 62%, it was learned that grandpa had hidden the information. Hmmm, this book was already bad enough. At the very beginning, Kim tells Neklema when she first meets her that her parents are actually Kim's parents. When Neklema escapes to Lambda with Kim, Kim for the FIRST time explains that her parents were actually Neklema's parents. Supposedly, Kim had only previously hinted at this relationship explains the author. IT WAS A PRETTY STRONG HINT.
Then on top of this I was confounded by more nonsense.
1. Lambda and the Eugenics compounds started at the same time, but the Topians created Lambda.
2. It is explained to us that the Topians can't easily get into eugenics because of the lack of the socializer implants. The Topians, Kim, Neklema, Kim's real parents and Neklema's real parents could not be in Eugenics because of a lack of an implant.
3. So how did Neklema's parents end up being Eugenicists who ran away from Eugenics to Lambda? Neklema's mom started out in Lambda. She didn't have an implant, so how did she end up in Eugenics?
4. Then scratch your head and try to figure out how Neklema, who often played with Grandpa Topian in Lambda, ended up being taken from her parents to Eugenics.
5. Melissa, Kim's mom, has always been with lambda, so how did Kim without an implant get into eugenics?
(The author said all the Topians were always at Lambda). The author needs to pay attention to what she is writing.
And since the only evil the eugenicists are guilty of perpetrating is killing kids to see if their immune systems are strong enough, why not just give the immune system to them developed by gramps topian. Their only evil would have stopped.
Actually, I suggest this author never publish again. I would have returned this for a full refund, but I waited too long to read it.
February 19, 2013
The idea behind the book was an interesting story. The grammar, using the wrong words, and punctuation kept me from enjoying the book. One proof read would have made a huge difference. The word 'the' instead of 'them' and 'they,' using 're-revolve' instead of 're-evolve,' and the word 'are' instead 'our' are a few examples of many mistakes throughout the book. I kept reading and hoping for the story to make the time spent worth it. The plot, like I said, would have made for an interesting story.
April 27, 2013
Might appeal to a younger audience than me ..the theory was great but the dialogue was so stilted...despite the main character "Klem" being raised in isolation and having no social skills or abilities,perhaps the author intended to put her scene across this way but for me it just led to a complete lack of connection..actually gave up!
February 14, 2013
I found this novella to be highly entertaining. I picked it up yesterday afternoon and stayed up until 2 AM reading.
The plot is full of twists and turns. I started off thinking the characters and plot were straight forward. I believed that I knew right off where the plot was going and how the story would end. But as the story continued to unfold, I had to continually rethink the plots direction and readjust my expectations for each character.
I would have given this five stars if there were not so many typos: extra words, missing words and sentences that just didn't fit smoothly. There were also two 'logic' flaws that I found that kept gnawing at me as I read. Yet I feel that it was a 'better than average' read.
If you are ready for an action filled mystery, with a plot that can be difficult to pin down, than I strongly encourage you to check out this novella.
The plot is full of twists and turns. I started off thinking the characters and plot were straight forward. I believed that I knew right off where the plot was going and how the story would end. But as the story continued to unfold, I had to continually rethink the plots direction and readjust my expectations for each character.
I would have given this five stars if there were not so many typos: extra words, missing words and sentences that just didn't fit smoothly. There were also two 'logic' flaws that I found that kept gnawing at me as I read. Yet I feel that it was a 'better than average' read.
If you are ready for an action filled mystery, with a plot that can be difficult to pin down, than I strongly encourage you to check out this novella.
February 28, 2013
Overall, I think this book was enjoyable. As the other reviewers, I was put off by the typos and grammatical errors. I kept thinking I would love to be an editor for these books! Other than that, the story was good and the plot twists were enough to keep me guessing. I also enjoyed the plot line and the idea behind it. I would recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews