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Relic
A rogue black-ops military organization experiments with the resurrection and cloning of Neanderthals, using both ancient DNA from archaeological sites and DNA harvested from an unsuspecting scientist. This black-ops group partners with a military contractor, which uses a law firm as a front to shield its covert bio-genetic experiments from the public and the press.
The scientist's identity and rare genetics is uncovered by one of the pathologists at the morgue where the scientist's previously unidentified body was delivered after a seemingly random mugging. Realizing the significance of the rare genetic make-up of the unidentified corpse, the pathologist's interest in paleo-anthropology prompts him to investigate the scientist's background, leading him to team-up with the playboy grandson of the military contractor, who's simply trying to wrest his inheritance from the grips of corporate lawyers.
Meanwhile, at a secret, isolated research facility in the desert, another scientist is forced to continue the cloning effort. He manages to relay a message to the outside world detailing the facts about the secret project. However, it was not in time to stop the rogue group from implanting Neanderthal zygotes in at least one unsuspecting surrogate mother.
The scientist's identity and rare genetics is uncovered by one of the pathologists at the morgue where the scientist's previously unidentified body was delivered after a seemingly random mugging. Realizing the significance of the rare genetic make-up of the unidentified corpse, the pathologist's interest in paleo-anthropology prompts him to investigate the scientist's background, leading him to team-up with the playboy grandson of the military contractor, who's simply trying to wrest his inheritance from the grips of corporate lawyers.
Meanwhile, at a secret, isolated research facility in the desert, another scientist is forced to continue the cloning effort. He manages to relay a message to the outside world detailing the facts about the secret project. However, it was not in time to stop the rogue group from implanting Neanderthal zygotes in at least one unsuspecting surrogate mother.
- GenresFiction
204 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2013
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204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 20, 2014
Finally got around to finishing Relic (sorry about the delay), my first Goodreads Giveaway win.
As guilty as it may make me feel, I really wanted to be honest in my review. That being said; Relic definitely needs some work.
The novella was very short (I believe 178 pages), and the excerpt and description on the back of the book promised a compelling, thought-provoking premise. However, I feel like it really failed to deliver in that regard. It says that "Relic describes a world in which human soldiers are replaced with something much deadlier..." etc. etc. but that is entirely misleading, because even by the end of the story that is not the case.
Beyond that, the novella reads like an early draft to a larger, much more interesting novel. I can see that a lot of research seemed to have gone into the science, but that is in no way reflected in the text, which explains what little science is present as if the target audience was a group of upper elementary school kids. The immersion into the story was broken for me by situations that were implausible; the first example that comes to mind is the fact that Dr. Summerston's every move was being monitored... except his Google searches?! Many corporations monitor employees' internet history, but not a military-based top-secret facility with an unreliable scientist in their midst? Also, much of the novella's dialogue and word choice were painfully repetitive (Chapter 10 was hard to get through, because the same things were being said over and over). A portion of the already short tale was needless fluff (the random sexual tension between the fake surrogate parents?). There were unnecessary page breaks, grammar mishaps, cheesy meta-references...
I suppose I could summarize this review by saying that Relic seems to be in dire need of an editor.
Like I said, I grudgingly post this review out of gratefulness for receiving the book at all. However, I was asked to review it, and review it I have. I would probably give it a 3/10 in its current state. I do look forward to perhaps reading it in a second, more polished iteration.
As guilty as it may make me feel, I really wanted to be honest in my review. That being said; Relic definitely needs some work.
The novella was very short (I believe 178 pages), and the excerpt and description on the back of the book promised a compelling, thought-provoking premise. However, I feel like it really failed to deliver in that regard. It says that "Relic describes a world in which human soldiers are replaced with something much deadlier..." etc. etc. but that is entirely misleading, because even by the end of the story that is not the case.
Beyond that, the novella reads like an early draft to a larger, much more interesting novel. I can see that a lot of research seemed to have gone into the science, but that is in no way reflected in the text, which explains what little science is present as if the target audience was a group of upper elementary school kids. The immersion into the story was broken for me by situations that were implausible; the first example that comes to mind is the fact that Dr. Summerston's every move was being monitored... except his Google searches?! Many corporations monitor employees' internet history, but not a military-based top-secret facility with an unreliable scientist in their midst? Also, much of the novella's dialogue and word choice were painfully repetitive (Chapter 10 was hard to get through, because the same things were being said over and over). A portion of the already short tale was needless fluff (the random sexual tension between the fake surrogate parents?). There were unnecessary page breaks, grammar mishaps, cheesy meta-references...
I suppose I could summarize this review by saying that Relic seems to be in dire need of an editor.
Like I said, I grudgingly post this review out of gratefulness for receiving the book at all. However, I was asked to review it, and review it I have. I would probably give it a 3/10 in its current state. I do look forward to perhaps reading it in a second, more polished iteration.
August 5, 2016
Took me two days to speed read through this novella. An insightful and often comical look inside secret military operations. Fun, fast, and easy to follow.
The story follows several characters: Farnsworth, a rich playboy who tries to make himself useful in his grandfather's company. Birchwood, a colonel who lost his younger brother in a senseless war and now feels the need to make the world right by him. Stark, a pathologist who discovers one of the bodies accidentally brought to him happened to have Neanderthal DNA. And Summerston, a scientist who in the past managed to clone the very first human. There is other characters too but these are the main bunch.
When Farnsworth loses Carmichael in a chase and the man then ends up dead, he has to find the pathologist, Stark, who examined the body. Together they discover F&G, Farnsworth's grandfather's company, and the military are working together trying to clone Neanderthals as replacement for human soldiers. Meanwhile Birchwood is trying to keep a tight leash on Summerston, who because he can't leave a military facility in the middle of the desert tries morse code to inform the world of what's really going on and what their tax payer money is funding.
Again, a really fun and clever read.
The story follows several characters: Farnsworth, a rich playboy who tries to make himself useful in his grandfather's company. Birchwood, a colonel who lost his younger brother in a senseless war and now feels the need to make the world right by him. Stark, a pathologist who discovers one of the bodies accidentally brought to him happened to have Neanderthal DNA. And Summerston, a scientist who in the past managed to clone the very first human. There is other characters too but these are the main bunch.
When Farnsworth loses Carmichael in a chase and the man then ends up dead, he has to find the pathologist, Stark, who examined the body. Together they discover F&G, Farnsworth's grandfather's company, and the military are working together trying to clone Neanderthals as replacement for human soldiers. Meanwhile Birchwood is trying to keep a tight leash on Summerston, who because he can't leave a military facility in the middle of the desert tries morse code to inform the world of what's really going on and what their tax payer money is funding.
Again, a really fun and clever read.
July 11, 2014
This book was interesting to me primarily because of the anthropological aspects. Both in raising the potential for use of Neanderthal DNA and the ethical implications of doing so, particularly in the issue of war, the book provokes a lot of thoughts.
The characters are interesting, full of human failings, and yet each thinking that they are 'on the right side'...just like real life.
The book made me want to talk with other people about some of the implications and the science, and the ethics of 'win at any cost,' not to mention the sheer foolishness that war-paranoia can provoke. In some ways, the book reminded me of Dr. Strangelove in that respect...how otherwise intelligent people, driven by the need to win and to defend their homeland, can hatch some obviously doomed plans in the desperate effort to rise victorious.
Slight spoiler ahead
I really thought an opportunity was missed with the 'thals and I would have loved to have seen them in action on the battlefield. I felt that was great fodder for a story.
The characters are interesting, full of human failings, and yet each thinking that they are 'on the right side'...just like real life.
The book made me want to talk with other people about some of the implications and the science, and the ethics of 'win at any cost,' not to mention the sheer foolishness that war-paranoia can provoke. In some ways, the book reminded me of Dr. Strangelove in that respect...how otherwise intelligent people, driven by the need to win and to defend their homeland, can hatch some obviously doomed plans in the desperate effort to rise victorious.
Slight spoiler ahead
I really thought an opportunity was missed with the 'thals and I would have loved to have seen them in action on the battlefield. I felt that was great fodder for a story.
March 3, 2014
Books with some amateur radio content woven into their storyline are few and far between.
Basically a short story (about 200 easy reading pages) the story revolves around science and suspense, with a creative use of amateur radio saving the day.
The winding up at the end seemed forced and quick, but a good read.
73
Basically a short story (about 200 easy reading pages) the story revolves around science and suspense, with a creative use of amateur radio saving the day.
The winding up at the end seemed forced and quick, but a good read.
73
August 7, 2014
Aptly titled, this novella was thoroughly entertaining. I was drawn in immediately when I read the front matter. The author wrote this story from the point of view of having heard it from a recluse whom he met while hiking in the woods. The plot centers around a top secret military project for cloning the ultimate soldier using Neanderthal DNA - a relic from thousands of years ago.
Brookes did a great job developing a colorful cast of characters who not only kept the plot moving, but harkened back to the cold war days of "Dr. Strangelove." The story opens with a crusty General in charge of his own empire supported by an emotionally distraught Colonel who's only job was to make sure the genetic scientist he held captive in their secret lab continued his work on the project. These officers didn't yet know a security leak would rupture the brave new world they were trying to create. Throw in the playboy grandson of the project's key industry partner who has questions of his own to answer and see what happens.
I love it when good fiction collides with fact and conspiracy. I also enjoyed the clever means by which Summerston, the captive scientist, managed to leak information about the project to the rest of the world by using Morse Code, considered by many to be a relic in today's high tech environment.
Now that I've gotten a taste of Jonathan Brookes in the form of a short novella, I'm eager to read a sequel as "Relic" ends with the possibility that there might be more to come. A quick note for those reading reviews posted elsewhere, the original printed copy I purchased had some formatting that seemed odd. Since then, the author provided me with a revised edition that looks fantastic.
Brookes did a great job developing a colorful cast of characters who not only kept the plot moving, but harkened back to the cold war days of "Dr. Strangelove." The story opens with a crusty General in charge of his own empire supported by an emotionally distraught Colonel who's only job was to make sure the genetic scientist he held captive in their secret lab continued his work on the project. These officers didn't yet know a security leak would rupture the brave new world they were trying to create. Throw in the playboy grandson of the project's key industry partner who has questions of his own to answer and see what happens.
I love it when good fiction collides with fact and conspiracy. I also enjoyed the clever means by which Summerston, the captive scientist, managed to leak information about the project to the rest of the world by using Morse Code, considered by many to be a relic in today's high tech environment.
Now that I've gotten a taste of Jonathan Brookes in the form of a short novella, I'm eager to read a sequel as "Relic" ends with the possibility that there might be more to come. A quick note for those reading reviews posted elsewhere, the original printed copy I purchased had some formatting that seemed odd. Since then, the author provided me with a revised edition that looks fantastic.
August 31, 2014
Clocking in at 178 pages I felt Relic was a little too short. I was left wanting, which can be a good thing. I would give it 3.5 stars which is generous as I've given some of my preferred authors 3s, just because after 15 books or so they get a little predictable. 3 means I liked it. and I truly did. Mr. Brookes was Not predictable. The writing was good. (better than I could do, and as an arm chair critic that's always importaint to keep in mind) The research/science was solid. The character development was a little lacking. Farnsworth and Stark became "friend"s within one quick car ride. I felt like just when I started caring enough about keeping who's who straight the story was over. I look forward to more of this story, as it was over far too soon and left open ended in the epilogue. Good show, Mr. Brookes!
November 5, 2014
This was a fun, quick read. The characters were balanced and it was easy to understand their points of view and motivations, even if they were on the wrong side of the plot/humanity.
My only criticism is that the book was too short. I'd love to see some of the characters developed further, as well as more info about the Neanderthals. The plot could easily have gone more in-depth with the multiple related story lines.
My only criticism is that the book was too short. I'd love to see some of the characters developed further, as well as more info about the Neanderthals. The plot could easily have gone more in-depth with the multiple related story lines.
December 5, 2014
Enjoyable debut novella that sets the stage for what promises to be an action packed sequel! The idea is fresh and intriguing. It has all the best ingredients - plausible science, military experiments, and devious scheming. This reader hopes to see "Relic" become part of a full length novel packed with Neanderthal exploits, a science fact/adventure fiction reminiscent of early James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Jeremy Robinson, and my favorite, Michael Crichton.
October 6, 2018
Good book
I quite enjoyed this book. Good story, well edited. Looking forward to the next one. Give it a go. Recommended
I quite enjoyed this book. Good story, well edited. Looking forward to the next one. Give it a go. Recommended
September 22, 2014
When I first saw this book i wasn't that interested in it, but I decided to read it anyway. I'm glad I did. For the most part it is a good book. There was some funny lines. Its a fast read and easy to understand.
This book isn't your normal run-of-the-mill army making super soldiers. I like how they didn't use a serum or anything that is normal but Neanderthal DNA. There isn't a lot of science talk so you can follow it.
It's one of those books that once you pick it up its hard to put down....but once you put it down its hard to pick back up.
One thing I did not like is that it seems that the author has added himself to the book. Now this is just me, but I really don't like that.
Other then the author thing, it doesn't really leave a lasting impression.
It's a good book to read if you want to just read and not think to much.
This book isn't your normal run-of-the-mill army making super soldiers. I like how they didn't use a serum or anything that is normal but Neanderthal DNA. There isn't a lot of science talk so you can follow it.
It's one of those books that once you pick it up its hard to put down....but once you put it down its hard to pick back up.
One thing I did not like is that it seems that the author has added himself to the book. Now this is just me, but I really don't like that.
Other then the author thing, it doesn't really leave a lasting impression.
It's a good book to read if you want to just read and not think to much.
December 7, 2015
The story starts off a little slow, there are quite a few introductions that are very similar character dynamics. It isn't really too slow for a longer novel, but this is such a short book that it seems like a long introduction. I liked the campy feel and writing that feels new over some elements like mad scientist government experiments.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews