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When Tomorrow Calls #1
Why You Were Taken
Jo’burg city is shimmering with a bitterbright tension, the perfect playground for a scarred, creative – and extremely efficient – assassin.
Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: an awarded photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. Her life has been defined by what she calls her ‘Black Hole’: a painful hollow feeling where her heart should be.
Seth is a brilliant chemgineer and loyal member of Alba: an underground biopunk Truther organisation that exposes corporate bullies and black clinics. He has the hollow feeling too, but fills it with other things, like the drugs he designs, and women in ridiculous shoes.
Kirsten and Seth don’t know each other, but they seem to be connected; they feel echoes of one another.
At once familiar and bizarre, adorned by litter bunting and broken pavements, South Africa in 2021 is beset by a relentless drought and a fertility crisis. When Kirsten’s journo friend Keke uncovers some cryptic information, they team up to investigate, and discover that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she is one of a twin.
A strange, muttering woman with dog hair on her jersey approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The police attribute it to the Suicide Contagion.
The warning leads Kirsten and Keke to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it. The twins are re-united – ironically – by the poisoned list, but as the bodies of the other victims begin surfacing they realize how real their jeopardy is.
Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: an awarded photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. Her life has been defined by what she calls her ‘Black Hole’: a painful hollow feeling where her heart should be.
Seth is a brilliant chemgineer and loyal member of Alba: an underground biopunk Truther organisation that exposes corporate bullies and black clinics. He has the hollow feeling too, but fills it with other things, like the drugs he designs, and women in ridiculous shoes.
Kirsten and Seth don’t know each other, but they seem to be connected; they feel echoes of one another.
At once familiar and bizarre, adorned by litter bunting and broken pavements, South Africa in 2021 is beset by a relentless drought and a fertility crisis. When Kirsten’s journo friend Keke uncovers some cryptic information, they team up to investigate, and discover that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she is one of a twin.
A strange, muttering woman with dog hair on her jersey approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The police attribute it to the Suicide Contagion.
The warning leads Kirsten and Keke to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it. The twins are re-united – ironically – by the poisoned list, but as the bodies of the other victims begin surfacing they realize how real their jeopardy is.
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First published May 12, 2015
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J.T. Lawrence
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
September 21, 2015
Why You Were Taken is a far out, near future, Afro-punk, Gibsonesque, instant classic sci-fi thriller. JT Lawrence has painted a sexy, smart, surprising and ultra cool vision of South Africa in the year 2021. I loved the textures and the tech and, most of all, the characters, who stayed with me long after I’d burned through the book. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2016
When I first started reading this book I was concerned I wasn't going to get into the story. The writing style is so different to anything else I've read and some the language used, and technologies of the future really took some time to get my head around. I stuck with it though as the book description had sounded so interesting.
After a few chapters things began to fall into place and I got used to the author's writing style. The mix of characters and having the story based in South Africa worked well and made a nice change. The descriptions used for the environment and the characters emotions were really well done. Main character Kate, is dealt a huge blow which takes her life in completely new direction. How she copes and examines the 'why' of the situation is the best part of the book.
The world inside the pages of this book portrayed a future that could become a reality. After initial concerns at the start of the book I'd now recommend this to fans of dystopian thrillers and those looking for a unique writing 'voice.'
I voluntarily chose to review a free copy of this book.
After a few chapters things began to fall into place and I got used to the author's writing style. The mix of characters and having the story based in South Africa worked well and made a nice change. The descriptions used for the environment and the characters emotions were really well done. Main character Kate, is dealt a huge blow which takes her life in completely new direction. How she copes and examines the 'why' of the situation is the best part of the book.
The world inside the pages of this book portrayed a future that could become a reality. After initial concerns at the start of the book I'd now recommend this to fans of dystopian thrillers and those looking for a unique writing 'voice.'
I voluntarily chose to review a free copy of this book.
Read
January 23, 2017This goes under "books I've edited" so I can't leave a rating, but I'd like to say a few nice things because I really had fun with this one while I was working on her revised edition. What I like about JT Lawrence is that she really offers a playful and somewhat wry look at a possible future for South Africa (without being too heavy handed with the history as I've sometimes found with SA SFF). I think some of the wry observations might be lost if you're not South African but overall I don't think you'll need to keep a Google window open while reading.
While the premise (I won't go into it because SPOILERS) is certainly not new or unique, the way that Lawrence has tied it up is bittersweet and with a slight twist I most certainly did *not* expect. She's most certainly a voice in African SFF worth looking out for. Looking forward to more of her written works.
While the premise (I won't go into it because SPOILERS) is certainly not new or unique, the way that Lawrence has tied it up is bittersweet and with a slight twist I most certainly did *not* expect. She's most certainly a voice in African SFF worth looking out for. Looking forward to more of her written works.
January 22, 2016
JT Lawrence presents compelling characters, a wonderful setting, and a fast-paced plot.
The main character, Kate, is dealing with her parent's murder, trying to fall pregnant, and drifting away from her long-term partner, when she discovers that she was kidnapped as a toddler and placed with foster parents.
This discovery is the first of many that will destroy the foundations of her life. She discovers a long-lost twin, a heartless corporation murdering people who stand in their path, and betrayal by the man she loves.
But there are bigger surprises that wait in store for Kate.
The events of Why You Were Taken occur in a vividly imagined Johannesburg in the near future. A world of hover bikes, public transport, and dire water shortages. I was absorbed from the first page.
The main character, Kate, is dealing with her parent's murder, trying to fall pregnant, and drifting away from her long-term partner, when she discovers that she was kidnapped as a toddler and placed with foster parents.
This discovery is the first of many that will destroy the foundations of her life. She discovers a long-lost twin, a heartless corporation murdering people who stand in their path, and betrayal by the man she loves.
But there are bigger surprises that wait in store for Kate.
The events of Why You Were Taken occur in a vividly imagined Johannesburg in the near future. A world of hover bikes, public transport, and dire water shortages. I was absorbed from the first page.
March 18, 2016
I read this book in one day - actually less than one day. Once I started I couldn't put it down. Set in an almost dystopian Johannesburg in 2021, daily life seems totally plausible - water scarce and tap water unsafe, access to buildings controlled by iris recognition and thumb prints, communication facilitated by smaller and smaller devices, and smartphones regarded as old-fashioned. The story starts slowly, with each chapter focusing on a different character and situation - seemingly unconnected but the plot soon falls into place. I found it intriguing from the first few pages. The pace increases as the story unfolds, and the two main characters, Seth and Kirsten, are deftly portrayed and thoroughly credible. Kirsten is the more likeable of the two - Seth is rather self-centred and unfeeling. Lawrence touches on issues that are likely to become more serious over the next decade - population growth, the unsustainable consumption of animal products, and the increasing scarcity of water. The ending is satisfactory, if a little flat, but endings are always difficult. Well worth reading and highly recommended - a mixture of mystery, intrigue and science fiction. I especially enjoyed the constant references to colours - Kirsten is a projective synaesthetic - adding an unusual perspective to the narrative.
March 29, 2017
Kristen is in the timeline of 2021 and having a difficult time conceiving a baby, her and her boyfriend James seem to be at the end of the road with treatments. The year is 2021 and things in South Africa is desperate with everyone failing to conceive and the drought is taking over. Kristen meets someone in her photography job who gives her a key and gets killed shortly after. This starts off a series of events that finds Kristen and her friend Keke in grave danger from which a roller coaster of emotions and alliances take place.
This is set in two timelines 1987 and 2021 but I felt the two worked seamlessly together and the characters were so well developed I had no problem going from one to another. 1 can't wait for the next book as I really enjoyed this one and now find myself hooked on a genre that I wasn't so sure of before.
This is set in two timelines 1987 and 2021 but I felt the two worked seamlessly together and the characters were so well developed I had no problem going from one to another. 1 can't wait for the next book as I really enjoyed this one and now find myself hooked on a genre that I wasn't so sure of before.
February 2, 2020
Just as good the second time around!
November 14, 2015
We’re all readers here so you know the joy when a new author lands in your lap (or Kindle). This happened to me with JT Lawrence whose book, Why You Were Taken (WYWT), I saw referenced in a Facebook post. Lawrence is South African and lives in Johannesburg which is also the setting for WYWT. South African writing is a particular interest of mine so it got my attention right away. Mysteries, thrillers, and sci-fi have appealed to me since I began reading and WYWT gave me all three.
Night. A disheveled and and apparently deranged woman. A mysterious warning. A key. To what? And we are off on a technological/medical/mystery thriller.
Titles usually don't play a big part when I select a book but Why You Were Taken got my attention. A simple declarative statement. The promise a question will be answered. The "you" makes it personal.
Once inside I was not disappointed. WYWT appealed to me from the start with its combination of mystery, investigation, intriguing technology, strong characters, and thrilling action.
I'd also put it in the realm of near sci-fi. "Near" because the technology isn't all that farfetched: algae powered street lights, biomorphic buildings, locket cameras, superblack clothing, snakewatches -- I don't know what a snakewatch is but I want one. The author doesn't dwell on or over explain the technology, it just is.
The main story opens in 2021 in a not quite dystopian Johannesburg, SA. It's not quite dystopian but the potential is there: blackouts, undrinkable tap water, an infertility crises, soaring suicide stats, personal autos have all but disappeared. Ok, the last one might not be so bad. If you follow news in South Africa you'll know that two of those events already threaten SA: energy and water are at the crises stage. Combining contemporary and future societal elements does a lot to bind the story together.
Balancing the story's present, are journal entries from a young woman, Anne, in 1987 Johannesburg. She's in the throws of her own crises, unmarried and pregnant. But through her eyes we get snippets of apartheid South Africa, world events, what she's reading, watching, and listening to, how her life plays out. Trust me, this blends into the story and enhances it.
Previously I said I liked the strong characters. In Kirsten Lovell and Seth Denicker, Lawrence has created two of the more interesting characters I've encountered. Kirsten is a photographer, a victim of the infertility crises, and her parents have just been murdered. She is also a synesthete where one type of sensation evokes another. For Kirsten, sounds produce smells, sensations are seen as colors. Backing up Kristen is Keke, a journalist and possibly my favorite character. I'm a sucker for the spirited sidekick. Seth is as creative as Kirsten but in a different way. He is a skilled mathematician and a creative bioengineering designer. We see him working on a new drug, moving molecules around to achieve the desired effect. He's like a graphic artist creating a design but with molecules instead of ink.
Why You Were Taken is a good read. It has the story, setting, and characters to pull you in and the legs to make you keep reading. It also has things that make you go "hmm, I wonder if...". There is at least one more story to be told with these characters and I hope the author will write that story some day. That means you need to buy this book.
Night. A disheveled and and apparently deranged woman. A mysterious warning. A key. To what? And we are off on a technological/medical/mystery thriller.
Titles usually don't play a big part when I select a book but Why You Were Taken got my attention. A simple declarative statement. The promise a question will be answered. The "you" makes it personal.
Once inside I was not disappointed. WYWT appealed to me from the start with its combination of mystery, investigation, intriguing technology, strong characters, and thrilling action.
I'd also put it in the realm of near sci-fi. "Near" because the technology isn't all that farfetched: algae powered street lights, biomorphic buildings, locket cameras, superblack clothing, snakewatches -- I don't know what a snakewatch is but I want one. The author doesn't dwell on or over explain the technology, it just is.
The main story opens in 2021 in a not quite dystopian Johannesburg, SA. It's not quite dystopian but the potential is there: blackouts, undrinkable tap water, an infertility crises, soaring suicide stats, personal autos have all but disappeared. Ok, the last one might not be so bad. If you follow news in South Africa you'll know that two of those events already threaten SA: energy and water are at the crises stage. Combining contemporary and future societal elements does a lot to bind the story together.
Balancing the story's present, are journal entries from a young woman, Anne, in 1987 Johannesburg. She's in the throws of her own crises, unmarried and pregnant. But through her eyes we get snippets of apartheid South Africa, world events, what she's reading, watching, and listening to, how her life plays out. Trust me, this blends into the story and enhances it.
Previously I said I liked the strong characters. In Kirsten Lovell and Seth Denicker, Lawrence has created two of the more interesting characters I've encountered. Kirsten is a photographer, a victim of the infertility crises, and her parents have just been murdered. She is also a synesthete where one type of sensation evokes another. For Kirsten, sounds produce smells, sensations are seen as colors. Backing up Kristen is Keke, a journalist and possibly my favorite character. I'm a sucker for the spirited sidekick. Seth is as creative as Kirsten but in a different way. He is a skilled mathematician and a creative bioengineering designer. We see him working on a new drug, moving molecules around to achieve the desired effect. He's like a graphic artist creating a design but with molecules instead of ink.
Why You Were Taken is a good read. It has the story, setting, and characters to pull you in and the legs to make you keep reading. It also has things that make you go "hmm, I wonder if...". There is at least one more story to be told with these characters and I hope the author will write that story some day. That means you need to buy this book.
October 26, 2015
How to review this book has given me much pause for thought. I'll be honest up front: there were things I liked very much about it, but there were equally some things that hampered my enjoyment of the story.
What I liked: This is a BIG story. And I mean it. Fascinating ideas, an intriguing premise, and some very relevant topics are discussed. Topics that are relevant to both the world as a whole and to South Africans (where this book is based) in particular. Racism, world (over-)population, scarcity of resources, amongst others. Survivors of abuse might need to brace themselves a bit, though, especially towards the end of the book.
This book doesn't deal with ordinary people. One of the things one has to get a handle on is the fact that Kirsten is a synaesthete. This means that she sees flavours, numbers and other sensory items as colours. The frequent (not THAT frequent) references to (apparently) random colour names, both recognisable and exotic, can throw one out of the flow of this book. Once I realised what a synaesthete actually was, then the references made sense and became part of the sensory input for the book.
I did struggle to get into the book. This is partly due to the book being set on Earth. I seem to have issues getting into high-tech futuristic books: I found I had the same issue with Neuromancer. One has to get a handle on the new terminology and technologies that are in use. As these are relatively frequently referred to, one soon catches on, but it does take a bit of time to figure out - one's constantly trying to find similarities to known tech. That said, the society is coherent and well thought-out, so while we as readers need to get used to it all as novices, there aren't many questions in the characters' minds as to what they're referring to and doing.
What I struggled with: The ending fell a bit flat for me. I'm not entirely sure why, but the middle section of the book drew me in the most. I began to care for the two primary characters (Kirsten and Seth) and root for them to survive. But around the time Kirsten and Seth were brought in, I got thrown out of the story again and never really got back in. It became too easy to skim paragraphs and just keep a handle on the sense of what was happening.
Probably my biggest issue was with the mish-mash use of tenses throughout the story. I honestly didn't know if I was reading past, present or future. This certainly gave a sense of disorientation - which may or may not have been deliberate on the part of the author, given that Kirsten isn't exactly a "whole" person for the majority of the text.
Conclusion: Overall, while I am aware I've brought up quite a few issues I had while reading the book, I honestly thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the situations the characters found themselves in. The ending was bittersweet for me, and in some ways I wish some things had ended differently. But I guess one cannot have everything the way one wants it, right? That's life, after all.
This is a larger-than-life book that could go far in the scifi world, but I do think a thorough edit to remove the niggles would be required to make it stand out as the diamond it should be. It is because of my being thrown out at the end of the story that it gets four stars from me.
What I liked: This is a BIG story. And I mean it. Fascinating ideas, an intriguing premise, and some very relevant topics are discussed. Topics that are relevant to both the world as a whole and to South Africans (where this book is based) in particular. Racism, world (over-)population, scarcity of resources, amongst others. Survivors of abuse might need to brace themselves a bit, though, especially towards the end of the book.
This book doesn't deal with ordinary people. One of the things one has to get a handle on is the fact that Kirsten is a synaesthete. This means that she sees flavours, numbers and other sensory items as colours. The frequent (not THAT frequent) references to (apparently) random colour names, both recognisable and exotic, can throw one out of the flow of this book. Once I realised what a synaesthete actually was, then the references made sense and became part of the sensory input for the book.
I did struggle to get into the book. This is partly due to the book being set on Earth. I seem to have issues getting into high-tech futuristic books: I found I had the same issue with Neuromancer. One has to get a handle on the new terminology and technologies that are in use. As these are relatively frequently referred to, one soon catches on, but it does take a bit of time to figure out - one's constantly trying to find similarities to known tech. That said, the society is coherent and well thought-out, so while we as readers need to get used to it all as novices, there aren't many questions in the characters' minds as to what they're referring to and doing.
What I struggled with: The ending fell a bit flat for me. I'm not entirely sure why, but the middle section of the book drew me in the most. I began to care for the two primary characters (Kirsten and Seth) and root for them to survive. But around the time Kirsten and Seth were brought in, I got thrown out of the story again and never really got back in. It became too easy to skim paragraphs and just keep a handle on the sense of what was happening.
Probably my biggest issue was with the mish-mash use of tenses throughout the story. I honestly didn't know if I was reading past, present or future. This certainly gave a sense of disorientation - which may or may not have been deliberate on the part of the author, given that Kirsten isn't exactly a "whole" person for the majority of the text.
Conclusion: Overall, while I am aware I've brought up quite a few issues I had while reading the book, I honestly thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the situations the characters found themselves in. The ending was bittersweet for me, and in some ways I wish some things had ended differently. But I guess one cannot have everything the way one wants it, right? That's life, after all.
This is a larger-than-life book that could go far in the scifi world, but I do think a thorough edit to remove the niggles would be required to make it stand out as the diamond it should be. It is because of my being thrown out at the end of the story that it gets four stars from me.
June 3, 2017
Well just let me start by saying that this is a pretty cool book! You know sometimes you hear people saying they were lost in a book well I just didn’t want to be found. What a story! Set Johannesburg South Africa it dips in and out of two time zones, one via a journal in 1987 by Anne and the other in a not too distant future 2021. The frightening thing was you could see that this may be where we are all heading and to be honest it makes you think what can I do to make sure we don’t.
Clean water is a major issue, with tap water undrinkable and other sources of water scarce, infertility problems are very common with most family being affected and only a small amount of people finding solutions. As the oil supplies on the planet are used up it also means that cars are becoming a thing of the past too. I have to admit though that I was fascinated with some of the new gadgets.
After a mysterious and seemingly deranged woman approaches Kate and hands her a key it isn’t long after that the woman is found dead. The key leads Kate on a journey that turns her whole life, and that of her friend Kirsten, upside down. Her life has been one huge lie from before she can remember to every second that ticks by after. The key leads to the Doomsday Vault and a list of seven, what first appears, unrelated people. The only thing some of them now have in common is that half the list have been murdered so they embark on a life saving mission. That is to stop Kirsten becoming the next target and find out about hidden pasts.
There are quite a few threads that you seem to get one after another to start with but wow do these threads weave a strong plot. This is one book that you don’t want to give up on after a couple of chapters because it becomes far more than you could ever imagine yourself. I still can’t get this book out of my mind. This is such a mix of everything brilliant. A dystopian thriller, and advanced genetics with a pinch of sci fi too. It all works superbly. Really though this book can be enjoyed simply as a thriller. It is so darn good!
Clean water is a major issue, with tap water undrinkable and other sources of water scarce, infertility problems are very common with most family being affected and only a small amount of people finding solutions. As the oil supplies on the planet are used up it also means that cars are becoming a thing of the past too. I have to admit though that I was fascinated with some of the new gadgets.
After a mysterious and seemingly deranged woman approaches Kate and hands her a key it isn’t long after that the woman is found dead. The key leads Kate on a journey that turns her whole life, and that of her friend Kirsten, upside down. Her life has been one huge lie from before she can remember to every second that ticks by after. The key leads to the Doomsday Vault and a list of seven, what first appears, unrelated people. The only thing some of them now have in common is that half the list have been murdered so they embark on a life saving mission. That is to stop Kirsten becoming the next target and find out about hidden pasts.
There are quite a few threads that you seem to get one after another to start with but wow do these threads weave a strong plot. This is one book that you don’t want to give up on after a couple of chapters because it becomes far more than you could ever imagine yourself. I still can’t get this book out of my mind. This is such a mix of everything brilliant. A dystopian thriller, and advanced genetics with a pinch of sci fi too. It all works superbly. Really though this book can be enjoyed simply as a thriller. It is so darn good!
August 17, 2018
Review on behalf of http://bookaddict.live,
This book starts as the prequel ended, when we find out Kristen, one of Keke friends is in danger.
Kirsten is a photo Journalist and has lived with James for 13 years and is trying to get pregnant
So at the beginning of this book, Kirsten is mourning her parent’s murder. When going through their stuff she starts looking at photo albums, and realises there is no baby photos. Nothing under the age of three.
So Keke is investigating why there is no trace of her birth. Never realising the hornets’ nest she opens. I not going through the whole story. All I’m going to say is this a phenomenal series, I thought the prequel was great, but this knocked it out of the park. This is book one in the series and is action packed the more you listen the more you want.
When Kirsten realises that everyone on the list before her code is dead she finally begins to believe her life is in danger, and she is going to get to bottom of it. In this book you really get a feel for the world they live in. One where the ordinary people will never believe what is happening . That’s what Keke and Kirsten are there for, they make a great team. This action packed sci-fi with our heroes tackling an evil corporation and winning. This is told from Kirsten's pov, so we really feel for and the strength she has to show to survive. We also meet some more heroes in this book, you will have to read to find out who.
The narration was superb, with a cast of many that fills this story never faltered. No once was I pulled from the story thinking about a dodgy voice.
This book starts as the prequel ended, when we find out Kristen, one of Keke friends is in danger.
Kirsten is a photo Journalist and has lived with James for 13 years and is trying to get pregnant
So at the beginning of this book, Kirsten is mourning her parent’s murder. When going through their stuff she starts looking at photo albums, and realises there is no baby photos. Nothing under the age of three.
So Keke is investigating why there is no trace of her birth. Never realising the hornets’ nest she opens. I not going through the whole story. All I’m going to say is this a phenomenal series, I thought the prequel was great, but this knocked it out of the park. This is book one in the series and is action packed the more you listen the more you want.
When Kirsten realises that everyone on the list before her code is dead she finally begins to believe her life is in danger, and she is going to get to bottom of it. In this book you really get a feel for the world they live in. One where the ordinary people will never believe what is happening . That’s what Keke and Kirsten are there for, they make a great team. This action packed sci-fi with our heroes tackling an evil corporation and winning. This is told from Kirsten's pov, so we really feel for and the strength she has to show to survive. We also meet some more heroes in this book, you will have to read to find out who.
The narration was superb, with a cast of many that fills this story never faltered. No once was I pulled from the story thinking about a dodgy voice.
January 3, 2016
Janita Thiele Lawrence describes her latest book, in a conversation with Michael Sears, as “a kind of parallel-universe version of Johannesburg, where cars are too expensive to drive, there is very little water, and the country is plagued with a fertility crisis.” With an action-packed and believable plot, Lawrence’s nuanced, detailed and completely probable vision of Johannesburg in 2021 is what sold me on this book, and stirred up my imagination once I’d reluctantly put it down.
With an infertility epidemic plaguing the upper tiers of society, and a superbug slaughtering those at the bottom, Johannesburg in 2021 is an altogether too convincing extrapolation of current events. Eishkom’s failure to supply reliable energy, as well as international pressure, have forced a more green approach to industry, while the current trend towards health foods (plus the sky-rocketing price of meat) has resulted in a primarily vegan culinary experience. Smartphones have been outclassed by Tiles, which are being replaced by Patches, and the HI-Vaccine has all but eradicated what used to be the world’s most deadly epidemic. Beyond the scientific and technological advances, political correctness has permeated culture. In this incredibly constructed world, Kirsten, a synaesthete, discovers that her birth certificate is fake, and her “parents” are, in fact, her abductors. Meanwhile, someone is working their way through a hit list, and Kirsten is on it.
My favourite thing about this book was the world that Lawrence has created. Recognizing locations, cultural norms and sharing the nostalgia of the characters, while seeing the possible consequences of today’s choices through their eyes, especially through the refreshingly creative form of a synaesthetic protagonist was dazzling. This is the sort of story that should be turned into a Neill Blomkamp film. The shininess of metropolitan Joburg juxtaposed with the grit and seediness of the urban clubs and slums was a perfect parallel of the real thing. It is so close to reality, but just slightly strange enough to be horrifying and unsettling.
The use of a synaesthetic protagonist, Kirsten, whose senses are switched around in her mind, was extremely effective. By describing things from her perspective, Lawrence opens up the writing to include connotations from a range of sensory phenomena; numbers are seen as colours, smells make patterns in the air. A child’s gurgle is a bubble, while the over-strong scent of air freshener is a blinding vision of purple stripes. Writing courses often recommend describing scenes using all five senses; Lawrence’s writing turns that on its head, turning the world into a nauseating, dizzying acid trip that makes everything just that much more vivid. Additionally, her sensitive portrayal of mental illness, and in particular, depression, was deeply moving.
Lawrence has justifiably been compared with her contemporary, Lauren Beukes, and is a bright new voice in the emerging cyberpunk and urban fantasy genres, although I’d place this one a bit closer to the SFF shelf. The strength of this book, however, is in its subtle social commentary through the extrapolation of what currently is, and what it might become. However, beyond this, Lawrence sets out to write an action-packed thriller. I felt that some of the action sequences could have used a little more attention to make them live up to the level of writing in the descriptive passages; they felt less developed. However, there are some dramatic moments that made me catch by breath; one scene in particular even made me retch a little, as Lawrence, embracing her inner George R. R. Martin, went into far more detail than necessary to describe a particularly violent act. Perhaps it takes a special kind of psychopath to write a scene this traumatic. Of that scene, Lawrence says, “I just wanted to make it specific. Didn’t want to gloss over the horror of what she had to do to survive.” Or perhaps it doesn’t take a psychopath; just an excellent writer.
Although there were some proofreading errors that jumped out at me, such as misused words (yield/wield) and the sudden change of a minor character’s name, I felt that the universe created by Lawrence is so solid and well-considered that I desperately want to read more stories set in it. She hints that there may be a sequel (or two) in the works; I would absolutely read them.
She looks around at her plants – the apartment is green with them – perhaps they would miss her. When you are deeply happy or sad, she thinks, the ache makes it seem as if you are more connected to the earth. Things shimmer. Plants tell you that you are not alone. Random birds on road signs nod at you. Song lyrics speak directly to you.
With an infertility epidemic plaguing the upper tiers of society, and a superbug slaughtering those at the bottom, Johannesburg in 2021 is an altogether too convincing extrapolation of current events. Eishkom’s failure to supply reliable energy, as well as international pressure, have forced a more green approach to industry, while the current trend towards health foods (plus the sky-rocketing price of meat) has resulted in a primarily vegan culinary experience. Smartphones have been outclassed by Tiles, which are being replaced by Patches, and the HI-Vaccine has all but eradicated what used to be the world’s most deadly epidemic. Beyond the scientific and technological advances, political correctness has permeated culture. In this incredibly constructed world, Kirsten, a synaesthete, discovers that her birth certificate is fake, and her “parents” are, in fact, her abductors. Meanwhile, someone is working their way through a hit list, and Kirsten is on it.
Declining fertility rates are a problem the world over but nowhere is it as dire as in South Africa. No one knows the definitive reasons behind the crisis. Millions had been spent testing the various hypotheses: cell phone tower radiation, Tile and/or Patch use, hormones used in farming and agriculture, high stress levels, bad diets, GMO, people waiting too long to start their families. While there was some correlation, they still couldn’t figure out why South Africa was so badly affected compared to other countries.
My favourite thing about this book was the world that Lawrence has created. Recognizing locations, cultural norms and sharing the nostalgia of the characters, while seeing the possible consequences of today’s choices through their eyes, especially through the refreshingly creative form of a synaesthetic protagonist was dazzling. This is the sort of story that should be turned into a Neill Blomkamp film. The shininess of metropolitan Joburg juxtaposed with the grit and seediness of the urban clubs and slums was a perfect parallel of the real thing. It is so close to reality, but just slightly strange enough to be horrifying and unsettling.
The idea of meeting someone new at the bar, someone who doesn’t know any of her problems, is tempting. She could pretend to be a different person. Be someone lighter: someone who didn’t think as much. Make up a fake name, live on of those parallel lives that loiter in her subconscious, if only for a few hours. Shake some yellow stars of adrenaline into her bloodstream. Have dirty sex.
The use of a synaesthetic protagonist, Kirsten, whose senses are switched around in her mind, was extremely effective. By describing things from her perspective, Lawrence opens up the writing to include connotations from a range of sensory phenomena; numbers are seen as colours, smells make patterns in the air. A child’s gurgle is a bubble, while the over-strong scent of air freshener is a blinding vision of purple stripes. Writing courses often recommend describing scenes using all five senses; Lawrence’s writing turns that on its head, turning the world into a nauseating, dizzying acid trip that makes everything just that much more vivid. Additionally, her sensitive portrayal of mental illness, and in particular, depression, was deeply moving.
The ragged tooth shark swims straight towards her. His dull eyes virtually unseeing in the water the colour of an overcast sky. Serrated teeth hanging out at all angles, as if he has long given up hunting. Her pulse quickens as he approaches, her finger on the trigger. He glides quickly with little effort. The water is murkier than she had hoped. Kirsten fires away.
Lawrence has justifiably been compared with her contemporary, Lauren Beukes, and is a bright new voice in the emerging cyberpunk and urban fantasy genres, although I’d place this one a bit closer to the SFF shelf. The strength of this book, however, is in its subtle social commentary through the extrapolation of what currently is, and what it might become. However, beyond this, Lawrence sets out to write an action-packed thriller. I felt that some of the action sequences could have used a little more attention to make them live up to the level of writing in the descriptive passages; they felt less developed. However, there are some dramatic moments that made me catch by breath; one scene in particular even made me retch a little, as Lawrence, embracing her inner George R. R. Martin, went into far more detail than necessary to describe a particularly violent act. Perhaps it takes a special kind of psychopath to write a scene this traumatic. Of that scene, Lawrence says, “I just wanted to make it specific. Didn’t want to gloss over the horror of what she had to do to survive.” Or perhaps it doesn’t take a psychopath; just an excellent writer.
The horror of what she is doing does not escape her, but she can’t afford to think about it now. She files it away somewhere close and dark. She grabs the digit and runs.
Although there were some proofreading errors that jumped out at me, such as misused words (yield/wield) and the sudden change of a minor character’s name, I felt that the universe created by Lawrence is so solid and well-considered that I desperately want to read more stories set in it. She hints that there may be a sequel (or two) in the works; I would absolutely read them.
October 7, 2015
Thank you (so, so much) to the author for sending me a copy of this book in return for my review.
Why You Were Taken is a futuristic thriller set in a dark, murky Johannesburg of 2021 (I did pause and take a breath when I realised that’s actually not too far into the future). There’s no drinkable water, and the chances of naturally conceiving a child are slim to none. This is a world that runs on devices, cleverly and aptly named. They are the great-great-grandchildren of the gadgets we use today, in more advanced, sophisticated form, and need no further description than the enhanced, techno-trendy monikers Lawrence has assigned them.
Kristin is a synaesthete – she experiences the world in colour. Seth is a chemgineer – he’s a brilliant scientist working undercover to expose corruption in large corporations. There’s no connection between the two of them until people start turning up dead – all apparent suicides – and a mad woman approaches Kristin, giving her a warning and alerting her to the existence of a list of barcodes. Just what do these barcodes represent? How are she and Seth connected? Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!
With the help of her intrepid reporter friend KeKe, Kristin sets out on an adrenaline pumping mission to discover what her purpose in life actually is. Told from the perspectives of both Kristin and Seth and a series of diary entries starting in 1987 and ending in 1989, this is a riveting, fast-paced, edgy thriller. Lawrence has managed to maintain Joburg’s familiarity while introducing an element of frenetic other-worldliness. There are still the ever-present taxis (it is still Joburg, after all), but now we also have Tuk-Tuks, Bots and Talking Tees (yes, you have to read the book to find out what these are).
Without giving too much away, I have to just mention that if I wanted any of the imagined creations from this book to be patented it would surely be the tattoo that changes colour when your insulin levels need adjusting. What a genius idea! Maybe this is already in development, I don’t know. I would take it one step further and say that I’d love to patent a tattoo that changes colour to indicate any types of conditions, disorders or changes that would trigger alarm bells.
But I digress … I absolutely loved this book! Once you strip it down to its bare bones, without all the gizmo’s, the thingamajigs, the fact that it’s not happening in the here and now, it is a brilliant suspense-filled, page-turner. But once you put it together with all the futuristic, hi-tech, ingenious little twists and turns, it really is the whole package: it ticks all the boxes for an unputdownable read! 5/5
Why You Were Taken is a futuristic thriller set in a dark, murky Johannesburg of 2021 (I did pause and take a breath when I realised that’s actually not too far into the future). There’s no drinkable water, and the chances of naturally conceiving a child are slim to none. This is a world that runs on devices, cleverly and aptly named. They are the great-great-grandchildren of the gadgets we use today, in more advanced, sophisticated form, and need no further description than the enhanced, techno-trendy monikers Lawrence has assigned them.
Kristin is a synaesthete – she experiences the world in colour. Seth is a chemgineer – he’s a brilliant scientist working undercover to expose corruption in large corporations. There’s no connection between the two of them until people start turning up dead – all apparent suicides – and a mad woman approaches Kristin, giving her a warning and alerting her to the existence of a list of barcodes. Just what do these barcodes represent? How are she and Seth connected? Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!
With the help of her intrepid reporter friend KeKe, Kristin sets out on an adrenaline pumping mission to discover what her purpose in life actually is. Told from the perspectives of both Kristin and Seth and a series of diary entries starting in 1987 and ending in 1989, this is a riveting, fast-paced, edgy thriller. Lawrence has managed to maintain Joburg’s familiarity while introducing an element of frenetic other-worldliness. There are still the ever-present taxis (it is still Joburg, after all), but now we also have Tuk-Tuks, Bots and Talking Tees (yes, you have to read the book to find out what these are).
Without giving too much away, I have to just mention that if I wanted any of the imagined creations from this book to be patented it would surely be the tattoo that changes colour when your insulin levels need adjusting. What a genius idea! Maybe this is already in development, I don’t know. I would take it one step further and say that I’d love to patent a tattoo that changes colour to indicate any types of conditions, disorders or changes that would trigger alarm bells.
But I digress … I absolutely loved this book! Once you strip it down to its bare bones, without all the gizmo’s, the thingamajigs, the fact that it’s not happening in the here and now, it is a brilliant suspense-filled, page-turner. But once you put it together with all the futuristic, hi-tech, ingenious little twists and turns, it really is the whole package: it ticks all the boxes for an unputdownable read! 5/5
April 4, 2017
I love, love, LOVED this book! It captivated my senses from beginning to end. I loved the futuristic elements, even the small details, like calling going to work the "grind" and the iceless ice cubes. The author did a fantastic job world-building as well as making me fall in love with the characters. Seth was my favorite, I enjoyed his grungy, dark, cold attitude. The storyline was extremely believable, it felt like something that could happen in the near future - or might even be happening now. I'm actually going to buy the paperback so I can read it all over again.
October 16, 2016
The blurb:
Jo’burg city is shimmering with a bitterbright tension, the perfect playground for a scarred, creative – and extremely efficient – assassin.
Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: an awarded photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. Her life has been defined by what she calls her ‘Black Hole’: a painful hollow feeling where her heart should be.
Seth is a brilliant chemgineer and loyal member of Alba: an underground biopunk Truther organisation that exposes corporate bullies and black clinics. He has the hollow feeling too, but fills it with other things, like the drugs he designs, and women in ridiculous shoes.
Kirsten and Seth don’t know each other, but they seem to be connected; they feel echoes of one another.
At once familiar and bizarre, adorned by litter bunting and broken pavements, South Africa in 2021 is beset by a relentless drought and a fertility crisis. When Kirsten’s journo friend Keke uncovers some cryptic information, they team up to investigate, and discover that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she is one of a twin.
A strange, muttering woman with dog hair on her jersey approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The police attribute it to the Suicide Contagion.
The warning leads Kirsten and Keke to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it. The twins are re-united – ironically – by the poisoned list, but as the bodies of the other victims begin surfacing they realize how real their jeopardy is.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I enjoyed it
Jo’burg city is shimmering with a bitterbright tension, the perfect playground for a scarred, creative – and extremely efficient – assassin.
Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: an awarded photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. Her life has been defined by what she calls her ‘Black Hole’: a painful hollow feeling where her heart should be.
Seth is a brilliant chemgineer and loyal member of Alba: an underground biopunk Truther organisation that exposes corporate bullies and black clinics. He has the hollow feeling too, but fills it with other things, like the drugs he designs, and women in ridiculous shoes.
Kirsten and Seth don’t know each other, but they seem to be connected; they feel echoes of one another.
At once familiar and bizarre, adorned by litter bunting and broken pavements, South Africa in 2021 is beset by a relentless drought and a fertility crisis. When Kirsten’s journo friend Keke uncovers some cryptic information, they team up to investigate, and discover that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she is one of a twin.
A strange, muttering woman with dog hair on her jersey approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The police attribute it to the Suicide Contagion.
The warning leads Kirsten and Keke to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it. The twins are re-united – ironically – by the poisoned list, but as the bodies of the other victims begin surfacing they realize how real their jeopardy is.
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I enjoyed it
December 4, 2015
J.T. Lawrence snares your attention right away and doesn't let go, in this mystery/dystopian thriller set in South Africa. If you really enjoy being mystified by some things, while figuring out others before the heroes do (and yelling "hah! told you" while you read), this is your next.
What really impressed me about this tale was the very widespread and authoritative worldview it gave. No info-dumps, but piece by piece you saw a future where some things have improved, and much else has not. It's believable, it adds to the mystery, and it always, always relates to the characters, nothing artificial or clumsy. I would hate to say she's seen the future! South Africa, and the rest of us, deserve better, but it's hard to say she's wrong.
Serious adult issues are discussed and there is extended threat to the main characters; I'd say high school level and older readers should be alright with the subject matter here. High recommendation!
What really impressed me about this tale was the very widespread and authoritative worldview it gave. No info-dumps, but piece by piece you saw a future where some things have improved, and much else has not. It's believable, it adds to the mystery, and it always, always relates to the characters, nothing artificial or clumsy. I would hate to say she's seen the future! South Africa, and the rest of us, deserve better, but it's hard to say she's wrong.
Serious adult issues are discussed and there is extended threat to the main characters; I'd say high school level and older readers should be alright with the subject matter here. High recommendation!
June 2, 2017
I received a free Kindle edition of this book in return for a fair review. All I can say is "WOW!" I loved the characters, I remained happily confused as the plot wove together, and I enjoyed the wild ride to the end! The story is set in the very-near-future, year 2021, as well as some flashbacks to 1987 via journal entries. The setting is Johannesburg, South Africa, but really could have been set anywhere. The characters and the story are all-encompassing. Kate and her husband, James, live in a world where the population rate is plummeting. Kate desperately wants a baby, but cannot conceive. She seeks medical help, but it just seems that women in 2021 have serious problems getting pregnant. In the meantime we meet Seth, who seems to be on a top-secret mission of some kind, moving from one high-tech job to the next gathering information. What do these two have to do with each other, if anything? The plot picks up speed and races along. Fasten your seatbelts!
August 30, 2017
I have to admit it took me a while to get into the book, but boy once you get sucked into the plot you get lost and follow Kirsten in her discovery that she wasn’t her parent’s biological child.
The book is set in a future South Africa, 2021, you follow Kirsten and her friend Keke’s journey, as they uncover cryptic information. The two uncover more as they dig deeper and find out that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she has a twin.
The way the author connects all the different stories is amazing, as every story line has a purpose. The characters are likeable and you want them to survive. She also uses situations from current life in South Africa that makes this book relatable.
Definitely a must read!
The book is set in a future South Africa, 2021, you follow Kirsten and her friend Keke’s journey, as they uncover cryptic information. The two uncover more as they dig deeper and find out that Kirsten’s parents were actually her abductors, and that she has a twin.
The way the author connects all the different stories is amazing, as every story line has a purpose. The characters are likeable and you want them to survive. She also uses situations from current life in South Africa that makes this book relatable.
Definitely a must read!
May 29, 2018
This is a dark and extremely disturbing book. The concept is genius and I loved every minute I spent reading this inspired idea. The characters were all likeable, and just when you think you've got a handle on what's going on, the whole story is turned on its head. I had to stop for a while to wonder what it must be like inside JT Lawrence's head! The scene where Kirsten removes an item she no longer wants, (trying not to write any spoilers), was excruciatingly, eye-wateringly realistic and my heart was pounding in my chest. I would love to see this book made into a film. It's a unique and genius piece of work. I read it twice and listened to it twice, and every time I love it more and appreciate the brilliant mind that created it. Absolutely FANTASTIC!
October 13, 2016
Not my usual genre of book but thought I'd give it a go. I must admit I did struggle to get into it at first and did not like the constant flitting from past to present. Once the story evolved and my understanding of what these inventions of the future meant the plot became much clearer and then I struggled to put the book down. It was well written and definitely made you think about how much in control the manufacturers of our products are. Would definitely read a novel by the same author again but possibly not set in the future.
December 4, 2015
The more I think about this book, the more I can't stop thinking about it. It's like an earworm in novel form that sticks with you after you've read it.
Based in a South Africa where technology is rampant, but water short, Why You Were Taken is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller following a woman whose life isn't quite what she feels it should be. And how right she is...
Based in a South Africa where technology is rampant, but water short, Why You Were Taken is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller following a woman whose life isn't quite what she feels it should be. And how right she is...
August 24, 2017
This is a confident, gripping near-future dystopian novel set in Jozi and it's very convincing (I usually can't relate to fantasy/sci fi but this works). I wanted to see a tighter edit on the tenses. That's really my only gripe. I love it when I see my city reflected so well in local (but international-standard) writing
October 20, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author. It took me a few chapters to get into it and i'm so glad I stuck with it as I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend you read this book, it will surprise you. I voluntarily chose to review a free copy of this book.
October 29, 2015
Enjoyed the storyline of this book and the way it was constructed with the different characters.
January 1, 2018
I was given this audiobook for free at my request in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read this as I'd loved the short story collection Sticky Fingers. It didn't disappoint. Characters were rounded and likeable, story itself intriguing. I loved the idea of thinking in colours. As a huge Stephen King fan I also enjoyed the references throughout (characters reading his books rather than pinched ideas).
As a Brit, I'm usually reading British or American novels so this is a welcome change. Narration totally on the ball too, nothing stilted, no pained accents!
It's hard to say more without spoilers but I'm looking forward to starting book 2.
I was excited to read this as I'd loved the short story collection Sticky Fingers. It didn't disappoint. Characters were rounded and likeable, story itself intriguing. I loved the idea of thinking in colours. As a huge Stephen King fan I also enjoyed the references throughout (characters reading his books rather than pinched ideas).
As a Brit, I'm usually reading British or American novels so this is a welcome change. Narration totally on the ball too, nothing stilted, no pained accents!
It's hard to say more without spoilers but I'm looking forward to starting book 2.
July 5, 2019
I have had this book on my TBR for a while now.i have read a few other books by JT Lawrence and have loved them.
I am not an eloquent review writer...lol! But I can't recommend this book enough! Kirsten, the main character, is brought alive by the narrator. Actually, the narrator was fantastic all around.
I loved Kirsten's ability to feel colors. the descriptions were so neat. I am jealous that I can't see, feel and taste that way.
The premise of the book is very interesting. I can't really share too much without giving the story away. The ending was so fast paced! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
On a side note, the dedication at the beginning was so beautiful. it moved me to tears. I have never read such a heartfelt dedication.
Please read this book. You will love the futuristic world. I am starting the next book as we speak.
I am not an eloquent review writer...lol! But I can't recommend this book enough! Kirsten, the main character, is brought alive by the narrator. Actually, the narrator was fantastic all around.
I loved Kirsten's ability to feel colors. the descriptions were so neat. I am jealous that I can't see, feel and taste that way.
The premise of the book is very interesting. I can't really share too much without giving the story away. The ending was so fast paced! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
On a side note, the dedication at the beginning was so beautiful. it moved me to tears. I have never read such a heartfelt dedication.
Please read this book. You will love the futuristic world. I am starting the next book as we speak.
November 10, 2016
Why you were taken by Janita Thiele Lawrence is still dark thriller read.
In tomorrow's world, Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: a photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. A troubled woman approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The warning leads her to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Really had me with this one. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
In tomorrow's world, Kirsten is a roaming, restless synaesthete: a photographer with bad habits and a fertility problem. A troubled woman approaches Kirsten with a warning, and is found dead shortly afterwards. The warning leads her to the Doomsday Vault and a hit list of seven people – and Kirsten’s barcode is on it.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Full of twists and plots. Really had me with this one. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
February 11, 2023
Read on my Kindle in between other books, when I was travelling and late on sleepless nights. This book kept me interested but the plot jumping back and forward also left me trying to chase threads. This is possibly more because of the random reading of this book rather than the book itself. I'd like to read more of the series, as I liked the characters, settings and storyline, but perhaps need to make an effort to read without all the interruptions.
December 24, 2017
Pains me to not give a better rating because the world needs more novels set in Joburg - but I just couldn't get into this. The sci-fi elements seem a bit forced and the mystery is annoying me rather than grabbing me.
(In fairness the one star rating is only for the first 30% of the book).
(In fairness the one star rating is only for the first 30% of the book).
November 19, 2019
Why You Were Taken is unique in that it's an edgy current day Dystopian thriller set in South Africa. I liked that everything was just a little more tech oriented and that people were kind of lost without their tech. It seemed like everyone was just a little more drug dependent too - everyone had something they were taking, even if it was doctor prescribed. Meanwhile it all seems so - everyday. I also liked that the book seamlessly flipped back and forth between now and the 1980's. What I didn't get, though, was how the story that was unfolding had anything to do with the title, until I was 25-35% of the way through the book, and even then I had to make guesses, until more of the story unfolded. While the story was totally engrossing and sucked you in, what it had to do with someone being taken was anybody's guess until you were quite a long way into the story. That made the beginning of the book very confusing (what does this have to do with the title and the main part of the story?) even though it was interesting, when there was no need for it to be. However, the story was compelling, kept you on the edge of your seat, had well developed characters in Kirsten, Seth, and Keke, and ended with a bang not a whimper while keeping you guessing throughout most of the book. Well worth a listen. I'm be looking for the follow on book! * I was given a review copy and have freely offered my honest opinion *
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