The Catalyst

by Devi Mara

Dr. Robin Kay is the youngest professor at her university and she did not get there by lacking in ambition. When an archaeological dig in Siberia unearths something new, she is called on to study the pieces of DNA. But the deeper she goes into the genetic material, the more she realizes she is dealing with something completely new. A species not from Earth. Driven by ambition and curiosity, Robin defies her superiors and the ethics board to give the species new life. Now, the clock is ticking. At any moment, the authorities could discover what she has done. Who she has created. But the greatest danger may not come from outside the lab, but within it. Because Dr. Robin Kay did not create an it. She created a he.

Genres: Science Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2015

About the author

Writer of cross genre romance, Devi Mara, grew up in rural Missouri. An avid reader and writer, she found inspiration in the people and places around her. The result, a fluid concept of the romance subgenres.

Devi is a lover of coffee and chocolate and partakes in both daily. She lives in Missouri with her family.

She loves hearing from readers and encourages them to contact her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Reviews

[Celestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Catalyst is a dazzling, science-y, SFR adventure, full of kinetic excitement, that never retreats to formula. I could not put this book down. The beginning was a slow build on the science side, but never boring; I anticipated each new day of the DNA experiment. The middle and end were full of plot twists and menace. The romance was a compelling factor, but divided loyalties on behalf of the main characters influenced actions to an unexpected degree. The sensuousness is on the tame side, while the characters really are not.

Robin is a genius, and her demeanor starts out clinical and cold. Her gradual warming to her DNA experiment that is a "he" is engrossing. I have read hundreds of SFR books, and the progression of this "romance" was one of the most unusual that I have read. No quick leaps to lust or love. The romance is more a growing regard that begins to show shades of attraction. Remember, the very smart Robin is dealing with extra-terrestrial DNA, and she doesn't forget it for a minute.

I also have to say a few words about the author's settings. Mara can really put together a place and a scene through her words. This book runs the gamut from university science buildings to Robin's apartment to seedy bars and rural Illinois fields in winter. I could literally feel the cold she described and hear the rustling dead cornstalks. Plus, I have to do a shout-out to her inclusion of Mississippi river town Quincy, Illinois. I've been there, with its incredible historic mansions, and how she describes Robin's trek through the town was fascinating.

I was a little frustrated that the Amazon reviews were so few and so....spare...., but after reading the book, it really would ruin the suspense for future readers to reveal the slightest details regarding the direction of the plot and the results of the DNA experiment. Devi Mara keeps you guessing from chapter to chapter and the book goes on an extensive journey of emotion, plot and setting. The Catalyst interested me so much that I wanted to be challenged even more regarding the ethics dilemmas that cropped up at the beginning and then again at the end of the book. The conclusion really was audacious, and did not arrive at any simple victory or revelatory conclusion. The end was a glorious mess in the best possible of ways without being a cliffhanger. And since the title says "Book One," I much anticipate "Book Two."

[Wyrdness · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty well written and edited on the whole, but the science behind things was extremely sketchy finding usable DNA in a 28,000 year old bone is already stretching things for our level of technology, but then the cloning process basically resurrecting Addar and Ilan with fully intact personalities and memories didn't so much stretch the boundaries of disbelief as shatter it completely and I just didn't seem to click with the characters on a level that gave me an emotional investment in their actions or what happened to them.

Also the plot felt like two very different stories had been smashed together so even though the events in one half of the books followed on from the other, the tone and feel were jarringly different with little to no warning. I suspect this has something to do with the episodic nature this story is being written in.

I expect the episodic nature is also why this seems to end with absolutely no resolution the last supposed military base on Earth, or at least the US, is shot up by aliens and then they just fly away? Of course the whole razing of human civilisation to ashes and massacring billions made no sense in the beginning since we're told living worlds with populations that can be enslaved mean mega galactic bucks. Also I thought the aliens were supposed to psychically aware of each other, so it seems kind of weird they'd just leave two fairly prominent individuals behind without checking they are in fact dead (and considering no aliens seem to have died in the entire invasion that seems doubtful).

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I have read and loved all of Devi's books previous, I couldn't wait to read this. And I was not disappointed it had the same feel as no light ( gem series) but at the same time really different and I enjoyed it just as much I just wish book 2 was out now! If you enjoy a alien/scfi/romance with plenty of action I think you would really enjoy this.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book & hope there will be another one.