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Prodigy #1
Prodigy
The greatest tragedy the world has ever known turned out to be the ultimate catalyst for change. In the wake of World War III, which decimated most of the world’s population, the remaining survivors vowed to not continue to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Fortunately, they had something previous generations did not have – advanced technology.
The year is 2117 and this once shattered civilization has become prosperous again. Innovative forms of technology have enabled them to abandon the old model and re-engineer a better way of living for all. Brain implants and genetic modifications have made an entire population educated, healthy, and kind.
Despite the benefits of this technology, it has created some unforeseen side effects that threaten humankind’s existence. When technology proves to be inept at solving the world’s problem, a new hope emerges in the unlikeliest form – a young orphan girl.
The year is 2117 and this once shattered civilization has become prosperous again. Innovative forms of technology have enabled them to abandon the old model and re-engineer a better way of living for all. Brain implants and genetic modifications have made an entire population educated, healthy, and kind.
Despite the benefits of this technology, it has created some unforeseen side effects that threaten humankind’s existence. When technology proves to be inept at solving the world’s problem, a new hope emerges in the unlikeliest form – a young orphan girl.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2013
7 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Edward Mullen
20 books25 followersEdward Mullen is an author, blogger, and podcaster from Vancouver, Canada who is perhaps best known for his debut novel, THE ART OF THE HUSTLE and his techno-thriller series PRODIGY.
Born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, Edward developed a love for the wilderness. This love, combined with an innate curiosity about all things, eventually spawned a healthy imagination for storytelling. He continued to follow his natural passion all the way through to university. Despite spending a lot of his time indoors writing, Edward continues to enjoy the outdoors. He is an avid tennis player, mountain biker, snowboarder, runner, and traveller.
Born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, Edward developed a love for the wilderness. This love, combined with an innate curiosity about all things, eventually spawned a healthy imagination for storytelling. He continued to follow his natural passion all the way through to university. Despite spending a lot of his time indoors writing, Edward continues to enjoy the outdoors. He is an avid tennis player, mountain biker, snowboarder, runner, and traveller.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 24, 2014
When I finished this book, I was so fucking mad.
The plot itself is okay at best. A world where people use the internet to download information into their brains. Okay I can see that working. Our main character, Alexandra Gray, is separated from her mother at birth because of a law that doesnt allow repeat offenders to have children or some shit. (Its been a while, and i am still fucking mad as hell) In the future, when Alex is 16 (I think) she becomes the youngest person to achieve some sort of status that people normally achieve when they are about 24. Her friend, Milo, who is obviously in love with her, gets jealous of her ability to retain so much information at high speeds. And then when she meets Aris, he gets more jealous. Eventually, they meet her mother, who has no recollection of what happened and shit... yada yada yada, and then they find her father is trying to destroy the world. They stop his plan to poison the planet with a black hole (What the fuck) That doesnt even seem to harm the earth. Alex gets stuck on a stranded island and nearly dies, until her mom comes to save her. Plot is alright at best. Ending is stupid, but everything else is alright. Also some strange parts, like the shaman part, is DEUS EX MACHINA, and could have been found out another way.
Now what really ruined the story for me was the characters.
Alexandra Gray
Oh my god this bitch is fucking annoying. This is the problem with prodigious characters. They aren't fucking relatable unless you give them a flaw. And as far as I know, she doesnt fucking have one. Everything she does is the right thing to do and she plows through it without any difficulty. Other than the kiss scene, where she truly does decide to reveal a different part of herself, she is incredibly one dimensional. In fact, a lot of characters in here are one dimensional. Honestly, as a character, the fact that she was unrelatable and can blow through any challenge made me wish she died at the end. Not only do I not care about her, I hated her. She's fucking flawless both physically and mentally. No one is like that in real life!
Milo
He's much more relatable, but i still dont like him. He has a jealous tendency that comes off as very possessive and entitled. But I dont really care about this guy because none of his flaws are redeemed. He just seems to get what he wants in the end.
Aris
Older Milo.
Mara
The one character that I actually liked. She had some flaws that were redeemed. Shes a typical mother, and all of her actions are justified, no matter how brutal they were. I wish she had gotten more time in the book, because her character is actually the best and the most relatable.
Maxim
Villain that tries to be a psychopath leader but doesnt pan out. His reasons for wanting to purge the earth doesnt make sense other than 'just cuz'. So I dont really care about this guy, and he doesnt rouse my interest enough to be an interesting psychopath villain. You see, here is the thing with Psychopathic leaders vs the Joker (Who is in my opinion the best fucking psychopathic villain ever). Psychopath leaders have one goal: To rule over others and dictate their lives. It leads them to do very predictable things, and thus makes them boring. They must have scenes where it is incredibly grotesque to show how far they will go to get what they want, and they have to actually be doing it themselves. It makes a bigger impact if the villain is the one doing the action rather than having his minions do it (As you can see, I also dont really find President Snow from THG to be that great of a villain either). What's going to make more of an impact: A whole lot of innocent men being executed by a firing squad? or A whole lot of men being executed with a bullet in each head by the ruler of the land?
The thing that sets Joker from most psychopaths is that he doesnt want power, thus making him less predictable. He doesnt want fame, or glory, or retribution. He wants the world to burn, and he loves doing it. Not to mention that his acts are incredibly hostile and outright, over-the-top menacing. But the fact that Joker doesnt want to rule the land sets him apart from other psychopaths already.
In short, I wish I got my time back. The only reason why I kept reading was because I thought it was going to get better. It didnt, and now because of this book, I refuse to get into books that have a shit start, like City of Bones and Insignia. Not worth anyone's time.
EDIT: I started writing fiction, and the perfect term for Alex is a MARY SUE! Edward Mullen, shame on you.
The plot itself is okay at best. A world where people use the internet to download information into their brains. Okay I can see that working. Our main character, Alexandra Gray, is separated from her mother at birth because of a law that doesnt allow repeat offenders to have children or some shit. (Its been a while, and i am still fucking mad as hell) In the future, when Alex is 16 (I think) she becomes the youngest person to achieve some sort of status that people normally achieve when they are about 24. Her friend, Milo, who is obviously in love with her, gets jealous of her ability to retain so much information at high speeds. And then when she meets Aris, he gets more jealous. Eventually, they meet her mother, who has no recollection of what happened and shit... yada yada yada, and then they find her father is trying to destroy the world. They stop his plan to poison the planet with a black hole (What the fuck) That doesnt even seem to harm the earth. Alex gets stuck on a stranded island and nearly dies, until her mom comes to save her. Plot is alright at best. Ending is stupid, but everything else is alright. Also some strange parts, like the shaman part, is DEUS EX MACHINA, and could have been found out another way.
Now what really ruined the story for me was the characters.
Alexandra Gray
Oh my god this bitch is fucking annoying. This is the problem with prodigious characters. They aren't fucking relatable unless you give them a flaw. And as far as I know, she doesnt fucking have one. Everything she does is the right thing to do and she plows through it without any difficulty. Other than the kiss scene, where she truly does decide to reveal a different part of herself, she is incredibly one dimensional. In fact, a lot of characters in here are one dimensional. Honestly, as a character, the fact that she was unrelatable and can blow through any challenge made me wish she died at the end. Not only do I not care about her, I hated her. She's fucking flawless both physically and mentally. No one is like that in real life!
Milo
He's much more relatable, but i still dont like him. He has a jealous tendency that comes off as very possessive and entitled. But I dont really care about this guy because none of his flaws are redeemed. He just seems to get what he wants in the end.
Aris
Older Milo.
Mara
The one character that I actually liked. She had some flaws that were redeemed. Shes a typical mother, and all of her actions are justified, no matter how brutal they were. I wish she had gotten more time in the book, because her character is actually the best and the most relatable.
Maxim
Villain that tries to be a psychopath leader but doesnt pan out. His reasons for wanting to purge the earth doesnt make sense other than 'just cuz'. So I dont really care about this guy, and he doesnt rouse my interest enough to be an interesting psychopath villain. You see, here is the thing with Psychopathic leaders vs the Joker (Who is in my opinion the best fucking psychopathic villain ever). Psychopath leaders have one goal: To rule over others and dictate their lives. It leads them to do very predictable things, and thus makes them boring. They must have scenes where it is incredibly grotesque to show how far they will go to get what they want, and they have to actually be doing it themselves. It makes a bigger impact if the villain is the one doing the action rather than having his minions do it (As you can see, I also dont really find President Snow from THG to be that great of a villain either). What's going to make more of an impact: A whole lot of innocent men being executed by a firing squad? or A whole lot of men being executed with a bullet in each head by the ruler of the land?
The thing that sets Joker from most psychopaths is that he doesnt want power, thus making him less predictable. He doesnt want fame, or glory, or retribution. He wants the world to burn, and he loves doing it. Not to mention that his acts are incredibly hostile and outright, over-the-top menacing. But the fact that Joker doesnt want to rule the land sets him apart from other psychopaths already.
In short, I wish I got my time back. The only reason why I kept reading was because I thought it was going to get better. It didnt, and now because of this book, I refuse to get into books that have a shit start, like City of Bones and Insignia. Not worth anyone's time.
EDIT: I started writing fiction, and the perfect term for Alex is a MARY SUE! Edward Mullen, shame on you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2014
It was great. I thought the chapters may have been a bit short, but I may have just got carried away with the story. I liked the fact the book contained bits of non-fiction in it, definitely makes you appreciate it more. I'm looking forward to read more of his books.
January 1, 2014
Great read...really enjoyed it..storyline very different...shows how the future could really evolve...good work Edward Mullen.
December 23, 2013
What a book! The story jumps straight into the action and never looks back. The setting is in the not far away future. Humankind has overcome its old self and reached a new level of existence, with no wars and technological advancements omnipresent. However, the prodigy, Alex, a young woman, accompanied by her friends Milo and Aris are going to discover soon that this blissful state is far from reality. They set out to discover the truth and get things right.
I liked the fact that Edward Mullen gives his readers more than a story. His characters are exceptional in terms of academic achievements, especially Alex, which means that from time to time the reader will get to read about Homer, Plato, Dunbar, to mention a few. This isn't however done at the expense of the plot and the action.
All in all, I recommend this book highly.
I liked the fact that Edward Mullen gives his readers more than a story. His characters are exceptional in terms of academic achievements, especially Alex, which means that from time to time the reader will get to read about Homer, Plato, Dunbar, to mention a few. This isn't however done at the expense of the plot and the action.
All in all, I recommend this book highly.
October 5, 2014
I read this a while ago and became an instant fan of Edward Mullen's. His style of writing takes all the fun and exciting elements in the story without a lot of fluff. I've read everything by this author and while the writing is similar, the subject matter could not be more different. He tackles everything from rags to riches, epic science-fiction, non-fiction, psychological thriller... I cannot wait to read the sequel! I'm not sure if you read these reviews Edward, but you are one fantastic writer, keep up the good work and I will continue to support!
March 30, 2014
I really liked the end message
May 5, 2014
Loved this book couldn't put it down
January 10, 2019
I just finished this and I have mixed feelings about it.
I love the concept but found it didn't live up to its potential. The premise of this type of technologically advance society could've been taken in so many different directions, but instead we get a heroine who's on a quest to save the world from... something... somehow..? While resolving the story of her own family through a questionably linked arc.
The romance in this book is lukewarm, and her two "sidekicks" aren't very memorable and at times annoying. If I could describe this in one word it would be vague. I don't see a lot of character development, nor do I see any reason why this heroine is special other than the author telling us that she is.
The pacing is off the rails, the chapters are short and choppy. The author tried to cram way too much plot into one book and instead of tying the story together with a nice bow, it feels hastily slapped together. I was disappointed and actually caught some grammatical errors.
I love the concept but found it didn't live up to its potential. The premise of this type of technologically advance society could've been taken in so many different directions, but instead we get a heroine who's on a quest to save the world from... something... somehow..? While resolving the story of her own family through a questionably linked arc.
The romance in this book is lukewarm, and her two "sidekicks" aren't very memorable and at times annoying. If I could describe this in one word it would be vague. I don't see a lot of character development, nor do I see any reason why this heroine is special other than the author telling us that she is.
The pacing is off the rails, the chapters are short and choppy. The author tried to cram way too much plot into one book and instead of tying the story together with a nice bow, it feels hastily slapped together. I was disappointed and actually caught some grammatical errors.
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March 7, 2025Imported from my old Goodreads accounts.
August 29, 2014
I began reading Prodigy on a whim because it was getting good reviews and I'm a fan of the genre. I had no expectations. BUT HOLY MOLY!! I was hooked immediately. I'm not really a fan of expositional introductions, but from the first paragraph, I was hooked. I've read some other books by Edward Mullen and to think this was only his second novel!
The book starts out with a really interesting backstory of the society from 100 years in the future. They went through war and are now in a good place, world peace, yay! That was the intro, but it was very well written and entertaining to read. The the prologue sets up more of the back story but we dont really know that yet. The scene opens up with this juxtaposition of a woman who is running from something or someone. It's a great contrast to let us know that the world may not be so perfect.
Chapter one opens with the main character and her quest to find meaning in her life. She is smart, but humble, and doesnt really know what she wants to do with her life, which is still super relatable even if it's 100 years in the future.
The story takes off around chapter four and never looks back. It is so action pack with relatable characters. The other even throws in some comic relief at times to break up the tension.
I highly recommend this book and especially this author. Watch for big things to come from him in the future.
p.s. I read recently that he is currently writing a sequel, which I CANNOT WAIT FOR!!!
The book starts out with a really interesting backstory of the society from 100 years in the future. They went through war and are now in a good place, world peace, yay! That was the intro, but it was very well written and entertaining to read. The the prologue sets up more of the back story but we dont really know that yet. The scene opens up with this juxtaposition of a woman who is running from something or someone. It's a great contrast to let us know that the world may not be so perfect.
Chapter one opens with the main character and her quest to find meaning in her life. She is smart, but humble, and doesnt really know what she wants to do with her life, which is still super relatable even if it's 100 years in the future.
The story takes off around chapter four and never looks back. It is so action pack with relatable characters. The other even throws in some comic relief at times to break up the tension.
I highly recommend this book and especially this author. Watch for big things to come from him in the future.
p.s. I read recently that he is currently writing a sequel, which I CANNOT WAIT FOR!!!
November 1, 2015
Read this book a while ago back when I used Wattpad almost everyday. Definitely a story I enjoyed reading anywhere and everywhere, which is somewhat ironic seeing as I began to pay more attention to my phone than my friends at lunch.
Introduction was amusing - pretty sure at least 70% of those who've read it tried to figure out how old they'd be in 2030; Wattpad seemed to attract that sort of audience. The technological side was intriguing, and as everyone was calculating their age, I guess readers were making it relatable. I think Mullen did well in that, but I've seen many variations of that love triangle, so it was yeah, okay, good. Just don't do that to me.
I was maybe 14-15 when I started it, so her struggling mentally was what, to an extent, balanced my and anyone else's sorrow that we weren't as flawless as she was (particularly physically).
Snap back to the tech. Please, I loved it. I heavily enjoy anything technology related, and when I say heavily, I mean seriously. The prospect of downloadable content to a biological system. I don't know how it would work but within a certain amount of time, I'm sure myself and many others have thought of a variety of possibilities.
Sadly, dependency on technology is advised against in the novel. Probably a sign that I should leave my laptop alone.
4/5 - one less star, only for the irony.
Introduction was amusing - pretty sure at least 70% of those who've read it tried to figure out how old they'd be in 2030; Wattpad seemed to attract that sort of audience. The technological side was intriguing, and as everyone was calculating their age, I guess readers were making it relatable. I think Mullen did well in that, but I've seen many variations of that love triangle, so it was yeah, okay, good. Just don't do that to me.
I was maybe 14-15 when I started it, so her struggling mentally was what, to an extent, balanced my and anyone else's sorrow that we weren't as flawless as she was (particularly physically).
Snap back to the tech. Please, I loved it. I heavily enjoy anything technology related, and when I say heavily, I mean seriously. The prospect of downloadable content to a biological system. I don't know how it would work but within a certain amount of time, I'm sure myself and many others have thought of a variety of possibilities.
Sadly, dependency on technology is advised against in the novel. Probably a sign that I should leave my laptop alone.
4/5 - one less star, only for the irony.
August 2, 2025
This reminded me of 90s adventure computer games with their terribly stilted and lifeless text passages that describe what is happening and what people are saying. And the changes from one scene to the other are equally clumsy and abrupt. There‘s really no motivation or reason behind anything that happens or that people do, up to the bizarre finale that had me burst out in laughter.
August 9, 2014
Edward Mullen quickly became my favorite author. I read his début novel called The Art of the Hustle and realized that I had discovered something quite special.
Prodigy is very different than his first two books. It's a sci-fi book focused on a young prodigy named Alex Gray. What I like about the book (I've read it multiple times) is how fast paced and action packed it is. And along the way, he sprinkles in valuable life lessons, which is similar to what he did in The Art of the Hustle.
I love the character Alex because despite her gifts (she's brilliant and gorgeous) there are a lot of flaws within her. She struggles socially, has no connection to any living relatives which causes her anxiety, she is very naive at times.
I also like that the author didn't go the typical way to have a female character and make most of her problems about a guy, or guys, like most other books that have a female protagonist. The book was mostly about Alex finding her way post graduation.
I've been following Edward Mullen on Twitter and Facebook and he has been posting updates of a sequel. I cannot wait for it and I hope one day this can become a movie!
Prodigy is very different than his first two books. It's a sci-fi book focused on a young prodigy named Alex Gray. What I like about the book (I've read it multiple times) is how fast paced and action packed it is. And along the way, he sprinkles in valuable life lessons, which is similar to what he did in The Art of the Hustle.
I love the character Alex because despite her gifts (she's brilliant and gorgeous) there are a lot of flaws within her. She struggles socially, has no connection to any living relatives which causes her anxiety, she is very naive at times.
I also like that the author didn't go the typical way to have a female character and make most of her problems about a guy, or guys, like most other books that have a female protagonist. The book was mostly about Alex finding her way post graduation.
I've been following Edward Mullen on Twitter and Facebook and he has been posting updates of a sequel. I cannot wait for it and I hope one day this can become a movie!
October 9, 2014
Huge "meh". Wanted to like it.
I found myself somewhat bored by the writing style, characters, and plotline. Leaving... well, nothing! It wasn't awful, but I just couldn't get myself into it. Put it down about halfway through and never picked it back up (metaphorically of course, I read it online).
I found myself somewhat bored by the writing style, characters, and plotline. Leaving... well, nothing! It wasn't awful, but I just couldn't get myself into it. Put it down about halfway through and never picked it back up (metaphorically of course, I read it online).
April 2, 2018
This was a pretty interesting book. It was not the best writing I have seen, but it managed to keep your attention. The "plot twists" are predictable, but they have a bit more flair than you would guess
October 12, 2014
This is truly one of the best books I've ever read!! I love this author's writing style and I look forward to a sequel. If it was made into a movie, even better! :)
July 11, 2015
Loved it can't wait to read the sequal!!
July 21, 2015
I think its a kind of book i can carry on but i gave up to the last pages. I can't go on to continue and read. Theres even a book two,lol
January 7, 2016
I thought this was one of the dullest things I have read. The plotline was ok, but the characters and his writing style didn't appeal to me... I really don't know how I managed to finish this...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews