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Diamond Roads #1
Sons of the Crystal Mind
Life seems perfect for beautiful young Charity Freestone. She lives in the wealthiest part of subterranean techno-paradise Diamond City, her beloved older sister Ursula is a hugely popular celebrity and both girls are courted by the powerful elite.
However there is something wrong, something Charity isn’t being told.
Her suspicions are confirmed by a devastating attack on her parents and the horrible realisation that she and Ursula are next. The wickedly seductive Harlan Akintan might have the answer but what must Charity do to learn it?
Pursued by a vengeful sub-class and targeted by an insane cult, Charity is hurled into a terrifying conspiracy that reveals the awesome secret of who she really is.
‘Fast-paced, clever and beautifully-written, the first ‘Diamond Roads’ book ‘Sons of the Crystal Mind’ is a richly-imagined dystopian thriller that introduces the latest in a long line of cool, kick-ass SF heroines. Charity Freestone combines the strength of Ripley with the wiles of Katniss and the vulnerability of Halo Jones. If you liked ‘Wool’, you’ll love this.’
Mark Edwards, bestselling author of ‘The Magpies’
However there is something wrong, something Charity isn’t being told.
Her suspicions are confirmed by a devastating attack on her parents and the horrible realisation that she and Ursula are next. The wickedly seductive Harlan Akintan might have the answer but what must Charity do to learn it?
Pursued by a vengeful sub-class and targeted by an insane cult, Charity is hurled into a terrifying conspiracy that reveals the awesome secret of who she really is.
‘Fast-paced, clever and beautifully-written, the first ‘Diamond Roads’ book ‘Sons of the Crystal Mind’ is a richly-imagined dystopian thriller that introduces the latest in a long line of cool, kick-ass SF heroines. Charity Freestone combines the strength of Ripley with the wiles of Katniss and the vulnerability of Halo Jones. If you liked ‘Wool’, you’ll love this.’
Mark Edwards, bestselling author of ‘The Magpies’
288 pages, ebook
First published December 19, 2014
About the author
Andrew Wallace
7 books8 followersAndrew writes and performs original, fast-moving science fiction and fantasy. His current novel is Celebrity Werewolf, for which he also narrated the audiobook.
His far-future Diamond Roads science fiction thriller series includes Sons of the Crystal Mind, The Outer Spheres and the forthcoming Beautiful Gun.
Andrew's new fantasy book, Dread & the Broken Witch will be published by Luna Press on 19 February 2021, and his next NewCon Press project is an eight-story collection of Black Mirror-style near-future nightmares called Deviant Database, which accompanies an exciting and innovative solo stage show.
His far-future Diamond Roads science fiction thriller series includes Sons of the Crystal Mind, The Outer Spheres and the forthcoming Beautiful Gun.
Andrew's new fantasy book, Dread & the Broken Witch will be published by Luna Press on 19 February 2021, and his next NewCon Press project is an eight-story collection of Black Mirror-style near-future nightmares called Deviant Database, which accompanies an exciting and innovative solo stage show.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 17, 2017
Set on an almost unrecognisable Earth in a distant future, this novel deals with the perils of unregulated capitalism as it is allowed run rampant through a society in which consumers are entirely secondary to profit (ring any bells?).
Peopled by charismatic, strong, female characters and complex antagonists, the tale quickly engages the reader. Written mostly in first person in the present tense, the story has immediacy and tremendous pace.
Lengthy passages of descriptions of locations, equipment and environments form part of the narrative and transport the reader to a world very different from that we currently occupy without slowing the story too much. But relationships are at the core of human interaction and they form the main framework on which the story unfolds.
There are some real surprises in the imagined development of technology and I wondered a little at the apparent lack of progress in human longevity alongside many technological fixes. But this is a work of sustained imagination that immerses the reader deep into the envisioned world and holds him there.
I happily read the book in one sitting and look forward to its sequel.
Peopled by charismatic, strong, female characters and complex antagonists, the tale quickly engages the reader. Written mostly in first person in the present tense, the story has immediacy and tremendous pace.
Lengthy passages of descriptions of locations, equipment and environments form part of the narrative and transport the reader to a world very different from that we currently occupy without slowing the story too much. But relationships are at the core of human interaction and they form the main framework on which the story unfolds.
There are some real surprises in the imagined development of technology and I wondered a little at the apparent lack of progress in human longevity alongside many technological fixes. But this is a work of sustained imagination that immerses the reader deep into the envisioned world and holds him there.
I happily read the book in one sitting and look forward to its sequel.
January 4, 2015
I loved this unusual and engaging book. I was completely immersed in the narrative and beautiful world it was set in. The descriptions of the strange world were so rich and vivid, I felt like I was there. I thought the idea that you can grow anything you want out of the floor (if you have the money!) was a fantastic idea and the author used this to its full advantage. The leading lady was great and completely kick ass, a real gutsy character, not always likeable but totally engaging. Nice to see a lead that is not the pretty, famous one, but the one that gets things done! this book was full of twists and turns with a mystery running all the way through, which kept me wanting more. I can't wait to see what happens next!
January 29, 2016
Andrew Wallace shows a real talent for world building in this well-written, fast-paced debut novel. From the first page, Sons of the Crystal Mind (Diamond Roads Book 1) is packed with sci-fi smarts. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 11, 2021
Action thriller!
As sci-fi goes the Diamond Roads Series meets the requirements, action packed, intriguing plot, and of course plenty of drama; however, the typical inconsistencies reared their ugly heads, such as the sexual situations that for my taste are totally superfluous specially during a tense moment in the action, another inconsistency I see is how Charity's deal is twisted at the very end to the benefit of one of the antagonist in the story, that one went right over my head, four stars is my score and that is because I feel generous.
As sci-fi goes the Diamond Roads Series meets the requirements, action packed, intriguing plot, and of course plenty of drama; however, the typical inconsistencies reared their ugly heads, such as the sexual situations that for my taste are totally superfluous specially during a tense moment in the action, another inconsistency I see is how Charity's deal is twisted at the very end to the benefit of one of the antagonist in the story, that one went right over my head, four stars is my score and that is because I feel generous.
November 27, 2020
If you like sci-fi, you NEED this book
This book had me hooked from the beginning! Great storyline, fantastic characters, and quite the roller coaster ride! I highly recommended this one!
This book had me hooked from the beginning! Great storyline, fantastic characters, and quite the roller coaster ride! I highly recommended this one!
February 15, 2017
I really struggled with how to rate this book.
On the positive side I have:
1. Wonderful world building - Everything is logical and stays true to the world rules.
2. Fabulous three dimensional characters - It's not often you find a book where ALL the characters have their own voice and clear motivation for their actions. I loved this.
3. A plot that makes sense - this might be an obvious point to make but it's always a pleasure to read a plot that is thought out and coherent.
On the negative side I have:
1. The geography - it took me way too long to grasp that Centria was a company and not just a place. I still can't fully visualise the geography of the world where this is set and I find that a bit off putting.
2. The ending - I understand the story reasons behind that ending but it just didn't ring true for me - Charity did fulfill her side of the terms, just because the other party chose not to act upon them doesn't put her in breach. This really, really bugged my happiness, it still does - days after I've finished the book.
Overall I think this is a solid novel and I will be reading the next one soon.
On the positive side I have:
1. Wonderful world building - Everything is logical and stays true to the world rules.
2. Fabulous three dimensional characters - It's not often you find a book where ALL the characters have their own voice and clear motivation for their actions. I loved this.
3. A plot that makes sense - this might be an obvious point to make but it's always a pleasure to read a plot that is thought out and coherent.
On the negative side I have:
1. The geography - it took me way too long to grasp that Centria was a company and not just a place. I still can't fully visualise the geography of the world where this is set and I find that a bit off putting.
2. The ending - I understand the story reasons behind that ending but it just didn't ring true for me - Charity did fulfill her side of the terms, just because the other party chose not to act upon them doesn't put her in breach. This really, really bugged my happiness, it still does - days after I've finished the book.
Overall I think this is a solid novel and I will be reading the next one soon.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews