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Made In Bionia
MADE IN BIONIA is an ambitious, mind-blowing and totally addictive techno-thriller that will change your perception of science fiction. Open up your mind and get ready for a very stormy adventure!
Why does Rasa A, the world’s most secret society, want William Carrot dead? And who is William Carrot? He has to figure this out before it’s too late.
In a world very much like ours, the Third Great War is over and the ocean is dying. Scientists in the country of Bionia invent a new technology to stop an ecological catastrophe. Can William get it before it is seized and destroyed by terrorists? With love, betrayal and marine virology standing in his way, it will be hard to call, especially when his own life is at stake.
A novel in the best traditions of science fiction, 'Made In Bionia' has it all: love, mystery, cutting edge science and alternate history.
Your journey begins in Bionia.
Why does Rasa A, the world’s most secret society, want William Carrot dead? And who is William Carrot? He has to figure this out before it’s too late.
In a world very much like ours, the Third Great War is over and the ocean is dying. Scientists in the country of Bionia invent a new technology to stop an ecological catastrophe. Can William get it before it is seized and destroyed by terrorists? With love, betrayal and marine virology standing in his way, it will be hard to call, especially when his own life is at stake.
A novel in the best traditions of science fiction, 'Made In Bionia' has it all: love, mystery, cutting edge science and alternate history.
Your journey begins in Bionia.
- GenresScience FictionDystopia
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Grigory Ryzhakov
7 books48 followersGrigory (a.k.a Grisha) Ryzhakov grew up in the Russian Far East, bathing in the icy waters of Seas of Okhotsk and Japan and playing hide-and-seek in the snowdrifts that carpeted his native town of Korsakov.
He later travelled thousands of miles to vibrant London, on the way collecting his MSc degree in biochemistry at Moscow State and PhD in molecular biology at Cambridge University.
Meanwhile, Grigory has been ceaselessly creating poems, songs and prose until eventually he wrote his debut novel "Mr Right & Mr Wrong".
"Usher Syndrome" was his first published story, also adapted for the stage and performed at London's Barons Court Theatre in 2010.
To connect with Grigory, please visit his blog: http://www.ryzhakov.co.uk
You can also find him on Twitter/Facebook - @GrigoryRyzhakov
His songs are available on SoundCloud - http://soundcloud.com/grishamcarrow
He later travelled thousands of miles to vibrant London, on the way collecting his MSc degree in biochemistry at Moscow State and PhD in molecular biology at Cambridge University.
Meanwhile, Grigory has been ceaselessly creating poems, songs and prose until eventually he wrote his debut novel "Mr Right & Mr Wrong".
"Usher Syndrome" was his first published story, also adapted for the stage and performed at London's Barons Court Theatre in 2010.
To connect with Grigory, please visit his blog: http://www.ryzhakov.co.uk
You can also find him on Twitter/Facebook - @GrigoryRyzhakov
His songs are available on SoundCloud - http://soundcloud.com/grishamcarrow
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 29, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
Made in Bionia is a fast-paced techno-thriller focusing on William Carrot, a highly-enjoyable main character, who must protect the world from an ecological catastrophe while Rasa A., the world’s most secret society, wants him dead. The author combines the very real threat of oceans dying with terrorism, ecological warfare, betrayal, and even a hint of love.
The writing is great, and the plot flows as easily as the words, as if it took no effort at all to write this book (although I’m certain it took great effort!). The setting is unique yet familiar, mixing original elements with more familiar tropes. There’s tons of science though, and sometimes the narrative slows down a little to explain what’s going on. I didn’t mind, but other readers might.
I admired the light, quirky writing, and how such writing can make sense of a plot as complex as this one, and subject matter as complicated to understand as an ecological catastrophe. However, it works, and I’m impressed.
I look forward to reading more of William Carrot’s adventure, because with a rather abrupt ending, I’m left waiting for more.
Made in Bionia is a fast-paced techno-thriller focusing on William Carrot, a highly-enjoyable main character, who must protect the world from an ecological catastrophe while Rasa A., the world’s most secret society, wants him dead. The author combines the very real threat of oceans dying with terrorism, ecological warfare, betrayal, and even a hint of love.
The writing is great, and the plot flows as easily as the words, as if it took no effort at all to write this book (although I’m certain it took great effort!). The setting is unique yet familiar, mixing original elements with more familiar tropes. There’s tons of science though, and sometimes the narrative slows down a little to explain what’s going on. I didn’t mind, but other readers might.
I admired the light, quirky writing, and how such writing can make sense of a plot as complex as this one, and subject matter as complicated to understand as an ecological catastrophe. However, it works, and I’m impressed.
I look forward to reading more of William Carrot’s adventure, because with a rather abrupt ending, I’m left waiting for more.
September 1, 2014
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find another sci-fi book with characters as complex and well-developed and ideas as deep. The narrative is action-packed and it's the science that powers the plot, but it's the human beings who are at the centre here. In the world the author has created people are passionate, flawed and full of vulnerabilities, and you can't help but love them for that. But they are also sophisticated and driven, which stimulates your interest and keeps you engaged from the opening chapters until that very last flick of your virtual page. It's precisely the human side, the mixture of all these human qualities, that makes this imaginary world come to life.
That rather takes this book to a completely new level and makes it a ground-breaking project. The world-building of sci-fi has forever focused on technological and social advancements, and almost never properly examined how these taken together would affect the mentality of the people involved. At best these people would acquire grotesque qualities, like super-intelligence, or super-powers. More often than not they would just be a mirror image of ourselves facing different circumstances. The creator of this particular world has taken great care of his creatures and not only of their environment. Here we have characters who are in many ways like us, and in that easy to empathise with, yet from the opening pages you can see that they have a set of values slightly off our radar. It's fascinating to watch them mix and forge relationships.
In the world of Bionia you will find everything - cutting edge science, unique social arrangements, but also most intriguing, remarkable individuals to make it all tangible. This comprehensive and all-dimensional look at an imaginary world delivers much more than it says on the cover.
That rather takes this book to a completely new level and makes it a ground-breaking project. The world-building of sci-fi has forever focused on technological and social advancements, and almost never properly examined how these taken together would affect the mentality of the people involved. At best these people would acquire grotesque qualities, like super-intelligence, or super-powers. More often than not they would just be a mirror image of ourselves facing different circumstances. The creator of this particular world has taken great care of his creatures and not only of their environment. Here we have characters who are in many ways like us, and in that easy to empathise with, yet from the opening pages you can see that they have a set of values slightly off our radar. It's fascinating to watch them mix and forge relationships.
In the world of Bionia you will find everything - cutting edge science, unique social arrangements, but also most intriguing, remarkable individuals to make it all tangible. This comprehensive and all-dimensional look at an imaginary world delivers much more than it says on the cover.
August 27, 2016
Made In Bionia by Russian writer Grigory Ryzhakov is a speculative fiction mystery that follows William Carrot, a practically invincible, dangerous and remarkably resourceful individual, is targeted by Rasa A, the world’s most secret society. The weekly gathering of Rasaans had three options: William Carrot should be submitted to the Will of Panopticum, but remain a free man. Others objected to this opinion, hinting at assassination, and a third contingent argued about giving the verdict of a life sentence. But a consensus was eventually reached: death!
Why? There are no easy answers except that William Carrot’s life is in great danger. In order to stand any chance of survival he has to steal something that is made in Bionia. It is thrilling novel with unexpected twists and turns. Made in Boinia is a techno-thriller sci-fi mystery which will engage readers from cover to cover.
Author Grigory Ryzhakov is a molecular biologist. He grew up in the Russian Far East, and has MSc degree in biochemistry at Moscow State and PhD in molecular biology at Cambridge University. He previously worked for Imperial College London and is at present with the Oxford University. He likes writing fiction and composing music, and have a singer-songwriter alias – Grisha McArrow. His first published story was Usher Syndrome which was adapted for the stage and performed at London’s Barons Court Theatre in 2010.
Why? There are no easy answers except that William Carrot’s life is in great danger. In order to stand any chance of survival he has to steal something that is made in Bionia. It is thrilling novel with unexpected twists and turns. Made in Boinia is a techno-thriller sci-fi mystery which will engage readers from cover to cover.
Author Grigory Ryzhakov is a molecular biologist. He grew up in the Russian Far East, and has MSc degree in biochemistry at Moscow State and PhD in molecular biology at Cambridge University. He previously worked for Imperial College London and is at present with the Oxford University. He likes writing fiction and composing music, and have a singer-songwriter alias – Grisha McArrow. His first published story was Usher Syndrome which was adapted for the stage and performed at London’s Barons Court Theatre in 2010.
October 20, 2014
I won this copy through GoodReads First Reads giveaways.
Made in Bionia is a dystopian thriller with a hint of sci-fi. Tackling what could possibly end up a true life scenario, we find the protagonist, William Carrot trying to save the world's oceans from dying.
Ryzhakov gives the reader a strong plot and the story flows fluidly (although it does get bogged down in scientific jargon) however, characterization is a problem. I felt Carrot ended up as a minor character when he obviously wasn't. Hinted as being the best there was at his profession, Ryzhakov failed to give the reader the backup necessary to prove these claims. The author also tries to create a romance between Carrot and Welka but it fails in its' credibility. Of the two characters, Welka does come out as the stronger one.
The questions of who is William Carrot and why does Rasa A want him dead, is never answered. (I could not determine which character was from Rasa A in the novel.) This lack of closure obviously is leading to a sequel.
It was an okay novel. I do give points for the author's play on names of countries. That was almost the most interesting part, trying to match the names with today's countries.
Made in Bionia is a dystopian thriller with a hint of sci-fi. Tackling what could possibly end up a true life scenario, we find the protagonist, William Carrot trying to save the world's oceans from dying.
Ryzhakov gives the reader a strong plot and the story flows fluidly (although it does get bogged down in scientific jargon) however, characterization is a problem. I felt Carrot ended up as a minor character when he obviously wasn't. Hinted as being the best there was at his profession, Ryzhakov failed to give the reader the backup necessary to prove these claims. The author also tries to create a romance between Carrot and Welka but it fails in its' credibility. Of the two characters, Welka does come out as the stronger one.
The questions of who is William Carrot and why does Rasa A want him dead, is never answered. (I could not determine which character was from Rasa A in the novel.) This lack of closure obviously is leading to a sequel.
It was an okay novel. I do give points for the author's play on names of countries. That was almost the most interesting part, trying to match the names with today's countries.
July 1, 2015
I don't usually read Science fiction, but Made in Bionia is more than that - it is written by a someone who comes from the far frozen East of Russia and another world to contemporary London and as such it is a work that seems to be a discourse between this disparate worlds. It has great energy, a huge range of ideas, humour, intelligence. I liked his simple descriptions of rooms or places that have the acidity of Nabokov. You can tell the author is a physicist. You can also tell he likes people.
April 23, 2014
Whimsical "who dun it, spy, sci-fi" thriller. A little light. Initially a little difficult then you get caught up in authors world and realize a lot of other things are going on in the book. Who/what is "Wlliam Carrot"? Author does excellent job of mixing spoof with thriller.
February 24, 2015
What a disgusting world that has been created by Ryzhakov. Nations are at war, borders have been redrawn, and the ocean is dying. Who is William Carrot, and how can he make a difference?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews