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Polymer
Polymer never wanted to get involved in an intergalactic war. Nor did she ever expect to fall in love with a member of the enemy forces. But when her idyllic existence on the Delta Station is shattered by the invading Gloman Empire, Polymer discovers that there is more to life than long, hot baths.
Torn from the only home she has ever known, Polymer is forced to re-evaluate her own beliefs and convictions as she joins the battle against the seemingly unstoppable Glomans.
Hunted across the galaxy by a ruthless suitor, Polymer finds herself at the centre of a terrible conspiracy and has to rely on courage, wit, and a little bit of luck to pull her through a series of events that will change the universe.
This novel, by first time author Sally Roger-Davidson, is a great read; an exciting fast paced story told by a funny and engaging heroine.
Torn from the only home she has ever known, Polymer is forced to re-evaluate her own beliefs and convictions as she joins the battle against the seemingly unstoppable Glomans.
Hunted across the galaxy by a ruthless suitor, Polymer finds herself at the centre of a terrible conspiracy and has to rely on courage, wit, and a little bit of luck to pull her through a series of events that will change the universe.
This novel, by first time author Sally Roger-Davidson, is a great read; an exciting fast paced story told by a funny and engaging heroine.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Sally Rogers-Davidson
5 books42 followersHi, I'm Sally R-D, author of Spare Parts, which was first published by Penguin in 1999 and Polymer, which was first published by Cardigan Street Publishers CIS in 1995. Since then I have written more books including two more in the Spare Parts Universe, a romance novel called The Greenhouse Effect, and a fantasy called Sheltovia. I love to make friends and hear from people so please do Friend me.
I also have my own web page at:
sallyrogersdavidson.com
I also have my own web page at:
sallyrogersdavidson.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2011
I first read this story when I was 9 years old and it was my introduction to the Sci-Fi genre. It was a completely amazing story and I haven't forgotten it since. And as much as I will try, I don't think any review will give it enough justice.
The story centers around Polly "Polymer" Meridian, a 18 year old naive, self-centered yet hilarious girl who lives on a luxury space station surrounded by beauty/art and leads a life of frivolous decadence with her friends until her fateful graduation day when everything she knows changes forever.
Polly's Delta space station is attacked and invaded by the Gloman Empire, a ruthless military based civilization who conquers everything it sets it's sights on. Within minutes most of Polly's friends are dead, her home is destroyed and she catches the eye of a particular Gloman invader for all the wrong reasons. Being thrust into a intergalactic war will become the least of Polly's problems as she is forced to question everything she has ever known. Using courage, wit and a little bit of luck Polly will have to find a way to survive the series of events that follows the invasion which not only changes her life but might change the history of the universe forever.
This book is EPIC. First published in 1995 it's a fast-paced space adventure with interesting alien species, seemly elemental magical alien worlds, excitingly dangerous espionage, grievous betrayal, hilarious witty dialogue and steamy romance. The funny banter between Polly and Captain "Ray" Nemo by itself is a pretty entertaining read.
When I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of Polymer after 15 years I was ecstatic. Once I started reading the story again I could not put it down and was reminded why I loved the book so much. Polymer is a story told by a funny and engaging heroine who sucks you in from the very beginning and there was not a single time where I felt I could have put the book down voluntarily... just ask my fiance!!!
I don't want to spoil it for you as sooooo much happens in Polymer. So I'll just say it's a story that cannot be missed and that it is truly a once in a lifetime read that will become a much loved favourite before the last page is turned.
The story centers around Polly "Polymer" Meridian, a 18 year old naive, self-centered yet hilarious girl who lives on a luxury space station surrounded by beauty/art and leads a life of frivolous decadence with her friends until her fateful graduation day when everything she knows changes forever.
Polly's Delta space station is attacked and invaded by the Gloman Empire, a ruthless military based civilization who conquers everything it sets it's sights on. Within minutes most of Polly's friends are dead, her home is destroyed and she catches the eye of a particular Gloman invader for all the wrong reasons. Being thrust into a intergalactic war will become the least of Polly's problems as she is forced to question everything she has ever known. Using courage, wit and a little bit of luck Polly will have to find a way to survive the series of events that follows the invasion which not only changes her life but might change the history of the universe forever.
This book is EPIC. First published in 1995 it's a fast-paced space adventure with interesting alien species, seemly elemental magical alien worlds, excitingly dangerous espionage, grievous betrayal, hilarious witty dialogue and steamy romance. The funny banter between Polly and Captain "Ray" Nemo by itself is a pretty entertaining read.
When I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of Polymer after 15 years I was ecstatic. Once I started reading the story again I could not put it down and was reminded why I loved the book so much. Polymer is a story told by a funny and engaging heroine who sucks you in from the very beginning and there was not a single time where I felt I could have put the book down voluntarily... just ask my fiance!!!
I don't want to spoil it for you as sooooo much happens in Polymer. So I'll just say it's a story that cannot be missed and that it is truly a once in a lifetime read that will become a much loved favourite before the last page is turned.
January 12, 2012
I adore Polymer. It's one of the very best "first novels" I've ever read, and also one of my Top 20 books. Space Opera is a rare genre in Australian Publishing and when I first bought and read Polymer I was really hoping hard it was the harbinger of a lot more of its kind. Unfortunately, this didn't eventuate. Tansy Roberts writes space opera but there aren't many others. Polymer has a cult following. Because of the chance similarity in our names, I get quite a lot of email from readers who think, or hope, Sally Odgers is the same person as Sally Rogers-Davidson.
I'm not.
To put it briefly, Polymer is the story of Polly Meridian, a high school graduate whose party is interrupted by an alien invasion. One of the invaders takes a strong interest in her and the following tale keeps on raising the stakes. Polly is a strong girl with a sense of humour and a high courage and determination that means she won't be stopped - especially when her greatest treasure is taken away.
I'm not.
To put it briefly, Polymer is the story of Polly Meridian, a high school graduate whose party is interrupted by an alien invasion. One of the invaders takes a strong interest in her and the following tale keeps on raising the stakes. Polly is a strong girl with a sense of humour and a high courage and determination that means she won't be stopped - especially when her greatest treasure is taken away.
April 10, 2017
Plot summary: Polly Meridian is about to graduate from high school when her home, Delta Station, is attacked by the Gloman Empire. With a ruthless suitor chasing her across the galaxy, Polly is about to realise that her world may not have been quite as idyllic as she thought.
Thoughts: I loved the crap out of this book as a teenager. Rereading it for the first time in about ten years, it's apparently that YA has come a long way since the mid-90s. First of all, I'm not sure that this was QUITE the appropriate book that my mother thought it was when she bought it for 13 year old me. I mean, in the course of the book, the following things happen to Polly:
So yeah. There's a lot going on that wasn't really appropriate for 13 year old me.
It takes a lot to get past the kind-of-rapey, Stockholm Syndrome thing. But if you can, it's a fun space opera. And as an added benefit, it's a stand-alone book with no love triangle, and not a crooked smile to be seen!
Thoughts: I loved the crap out of this book as a teenager. Rereading it for the first time in about ten years, it's apparently that YA has come a long way since the mid-90s. First of all, I'm not sure that this was QUITE the appropriate book that my mother thought it was when she bought it for 13 year old me. I mean, in the course of the book, the following things happen to Polly:
So yeah. There's a lot going on that wasn't really appropriate for 13 year old me.
It takes a lot to get past the kind-of-rapey, Stockholm Syndrome thing. But if you can, it's a fun space opera. And as an added benefit, it's a stand-alone book with no love triangle, and not a crooked smile to be seen!
February 2, 2012
Don't be put off by the terrible cover. This book is good. It might be set in space travel age, but it's really a girl book, not a guy book. Adventure, action and romance. Very difficult to find a copy of the book these days, but if you do, definitely take the chance to read it, or even buy it.
March 6, 2012
I absolutely love this book (took me years to hunt down a copy though!). I'm a huge fan of sci-fi and while this probably isn't your normal sci-fi, it's still awesome. I have to admit that Nemo is one of my all time crushes. *g*
June 5, 2012
Polymer by Sally Rogers-Davidson is a science fiction story which I would categorise as adventure. Apart from being in first person, it reminded me of pulpy SF adventure stories from way back when. Except with a female protagonist and more female issues than would ever have come up in those books.
The main story takes place within the pages of a long-lost journal written by Polly Meridian (aka Polymer). On the night of her graduation ceremony, her space station home is invaded by aliens. (Aliens, in this book, pretty much means “people not from the same place as me who might be human or could be blue aliens”.) She almost dies in the invasion but is “lucky” enough to be taken prisoner and enslaved instead.
Without spoiling any plot, a lot of things happen to her. Some of them are externally driven (like being taken prisoner) and some are on her own initiative. Either way, the book is full of action (although I thought there was a bit of a slump shortly after the invasion, it definitely picked up later on).
Unlike Spare Parts, the other Sally Rogers-Davidson book I’ve read, I wouldn’t call this one YA. Sometimes the writing felt like it could be and the main character is horribly naïve as isn’t uncommon in YA, but ultimately the book dealt with more grown-us issues. I wouldn’t stop a teenager reading it — it’s not very M rated (there’s sex and a bit of rape but it’s mostly off screen or not described in detail) — but I wouldn’t call it YA. Also, I think the main character is right on the cusp of the YA protagonist age range.
There were some problematic elements in the book. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I felt a bit uncomfortable by Polly’s shifting attitudes towards one of her captors. Given earlier events, it just didn’t sit well with me, even though I could understand it from her point of view.
I would recommend Polymer to anyone who enjoys a SF adventure story. I think Rogers-Davidson’s writing style improved in Spare Parts, but that’s understandable since Polymer was published four years earlier and I think it was her debut novel. If you enjoyed Spare Parts, give Polymer a go. It’s a very different setting, but there are some similarities in outlook (relatively cheery).
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews at my blog.
The main story takes place within the pages of a long-lost journal written by Polly Meridian (aka Polymer). On the night of her graduation ceremony, her space station home is invaded by aliens. (Aliens, in this book, pretty much means “people not from the same place as me who might be human or could be blue aliens”.) She almost dies in the invasion but is “lucky” enough to be taken prisoner and enslaved instead.
Without spoiling any plot, a lot of things happen to her. Some of them are externally driven (like being taken prisoner) and some are on her own initiative. Either way, the book is full of action (although I thought there was a bit of a slump shortly after the invasion, it definitely picked up later on).
Unlike Spare Parts, the other Sally Rogers-Davidson book I’ve read, I wouldn’t call this one YA. Sometimes the writing felt like it could be and the main character is horribly naïve as isn’t uncommon in YA, but ultimately the book dealt with more grown-us issues. I wouldn’t stop a teenager reading it — it’s not very M rated (there’s sex and a bit of rape but it’s mostly off screen or not described in detail) — but I wouldn’t call it YA. Also, I think the main character is right on the cusp of the YA protagonist age range.
There were some problematic elements in the book. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I felt a bit uncomfortable by Polly’s shifting attitudes towards one of her captors. Given earlier events, it just didn’t sit well with me, even though I could understand it from her point of view.
I would recommend Polymer to anyone who enjoys a SF adventure story. I think Rogers-Davidson’s writing style improved in Spare Parts, but that’s understandable since Polymer was published four years earlier and I think it was her debut novel. If you enjoyed Spare Parts, give Polymer a go. It’s a very different setting, but there are some similarities in outlook (relatively cheery).
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews at my blog.
February 5, 2012
Read in one sitting. Rather an addictive story, and sooo much happens! Very plot driven though, I think if I had one complaint it would be that I'd like to know some of the side characters, especially Captain Nemo, better. It would help my accepting the romance and the dubious consent. I really loved a lot of the plot elements (space station upbringing, war, space opera shows on TV, military training, differences in technology in different cultures, etc). Right up my alley. Probably a longer review to come.
February 20, 2012
rating: 3.25-3.5/5
wow woah :0
it seems i have a soft spot forpsychos misguided villains with lotsa onion layers on their character self and get a chance to redeem themselves... review to follow after further inspection and thorough rereading.
note: copy was generously provided by the author; came across polymer via giraffedays
wow woah :0
it seems i have a soft spot for
note: copy was generously provided by the author; came across polymer via giraffedays
February 9, 2024
I love this book!!! I wish there was a sequel.
January 29, 2017
I really wanted to love this book. Spare Parts, also by Sally Rogers-Davidson, completely hooked me into Sci-Fi as a teenager, and I have never looked back.
When I discovered years later that Sally Rogers-Davidson had written a few other books, I waited (not so patiently) for Amazon UK to make copies available at a reasonable price, and finally held Polymer in my hands a few weeks ago.
First off - I did finish it, and did find it a generally compelling story. I enjoyed Polly's take on life, and her overall story arc. I appreciated the questions raised about her privileged background, and who the bad guys really are. The world building was decent, and the story was overall well written (especially considering this was a first published novel).
But. There is always a but.
The romance was, on nearly all levels, just wrong. There were some interesting questions raised throughout the romance which were insightful and worth considering, but the entire premise of this relationship was just so degrading.
(this is a little bit spoiler-y)
For a novel aimed at teenagers who are figuring out relationships and issues such as consent, the whole idea that the necklace only worked because there was actually attraction beneath does not ever make it okay for coercion on this level to take place. Ever. Attraction does not mitigate the need for consent, and the way the story tried to explain this away appalled and saddened me.
The romance could have worked. There was a promising premise. But in the end, it was told off as all okay, because they really were attracted to each other, and they'd have never gotten together otherwise. There was no recognition of the great wrong that was done. Coercion like this is NEVER OKAY.
The book is overall an interesting story and a fun read for mature audiences, but to be taken with a grain of salt.
When I discovered years later that Sally Rogers-Davidson had written a few other books, I waited (not so patiently) for Amazon UK to make copies available at a reasonable price, and finally held Polymer in my hands a few weeks ago.
First off - I did finish it, and did find it a generally compelling story. I enjoyed Polly's take on life, and her overall story arc. I appreciated the questions raised about her privileged background, and who the bad guys really are. The world building was decent, and the story was overall well written (especially considering this was a first published novel).
But. There is always a but.
The romance was, on nearly all levels, just wrong. There were some interesting questions raised throughout the romance which were insightful and worth considering, but the entire premise of this relationship was just so degrading.
(this is a little bit spoiler-y)
For a novel aimed at teenagers who are figuring out relationships and issues such as consent, the whole idea that the necklace only worked because there was actually attraction beneath does not ever make it okay for coercion on this level to take place. Ever. Attraction does not mitigate the need for consent, and the way the story tried to explain this away appalled and saddened me.
The romance could have worked. There was a promising premise. But in the end, it was told off as all okay, because they really were attracted to each other, and they'd have never gotten together otherwise. There was no recognition of the great wrong that was done. Coercion like this is NEVER OKAY.
The book is overall an interesting story and a fun read for mature audiences, but to be taken with a grain of salt.
June 25, 2012
My favourite book from when I was 15/16! Borrowed numerous times from the library. I then spent the next 10 years trying to find the book to buy, only to find out it was no longer in publication. I couldn't even find a preloved copy! Somehow I found out that you can buy it on a website (they actually print the book for you! Note: the cover is heaps better now too) - so you can imagine my excitement!
Overtime I have read better books but I still love the storyline and the main characters Polly Meridian and Ray Nemo. And I'm not a fan of sci-Fi!
Overtime I have read better books but I still love the storyline and the main characters Polly Meridian and Ray Nemo. And I'm not a fan of sci-Fi!
April 11, 2009
I'm pretty sure that Polymer was the book that started me on my fantasy novel kick many long years ago. I first read it when I was in primary school and still have great memories and a soft spot for it.
March 3, 2010
I read this book when I was 14 x amount of years ago and loved it - despite some fervent searching I've never been able to track down a copy - if anyone could tell me where I could find a copy that would be brilliant!
February 5, 2016
I read this twenty years ago, and have never forgotten it. It is the one book I have been trying to track down, unfortunately unsuccessfully.
April 8, 2017
I first read this almost 20 years ago (omg) and my 13 year old self loved it. It was action packed with romance and betrayal and sex. Really serious stuff!
Reading it now, oh boy, I have some issues with the main relationship, and it's clearly written for a younger age group and the main character who I loved so much when I was young is just whiny. Still a decent read, but one I wished I'd left in the past.
Reading it now, oh boy, I have some issues with the main relationship, and it's clearly written for a younger age group and the main character who I loved so much when I was young is just whiny. Still a decent read, but one I wished I'd left in the past.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews