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Inquisitor
From the Aurealis Award-winning author of A Crucible of Souls. Inquisitor Angel Xia, former mercenary turned detective, is used to being the hunter. But on another routine murder investigation the bodies begin to pile up, and Angel finds herself a target of sinister powers determined to conceal the truth. The hunter has just become the hunted. Betrayed by those she trusted most, and barely escaping assassination attempts, Angel receives a cryptic message from child begging for her help. Framed for horrific crimes, the only chance to clear her name is inextricably linked to a little girl. Running for her life, Angel races to forgotten places at the edges of known space that hold the darkest secrets of humanity…and the greatest threat to its future. And all will be determined by what she chooses to do next. That is…if she can stay alive. "What a great story. I hope there is a sequel. Or not. I don't know how the author could top this one. It's all you could want in sci-fi and more." "The interplay between the two lead characters, Angel and Charlotte, is great. I don't know if this is the start of a series or a standalone, but I'm hoping it's the former." "Crime noir. Fugitive quest. Thelma and Louise. Treasure hunt. Terminator chase." "Inquisitor is an awesome adventure, choc full of mysteries as the Inquisitor attempts to solve a series of murders, and finds herself drawn into the conspiracies and machinations of the decadent megacorporations, and enigmatic Genevolves. Awesome story, hope there will be more."
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2015
53 people are currently reading
1429 people want to read
About the author
Mitchell Hogan
36 books940 followers
*** Signup to Mitchell's New Release mailing list to be the first to hear about new releases, and for bonus chapters of A Crucible of Souls! ***
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
When he was eleven, Mitchell Hogan was given the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to read, and a love of fantasy novels was born. He spent the next ten years reading, rolling dice, and playing computer games, with some school and university thrown in. Along the way he accumulated numerous bookcases' worth of fantasy and sci-fi novels and doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.
His first attempt at writing fantasy was an abysmal failure and abandoned after only one page. But ideas for characters and scenes continued to come to him and he kept detailed notes of his thoughts, on the off chance that one day he might have time to write a novel. For a decade he put off his dream of writing until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He knew he would regret not having tried to write the novel percolating inside his head for the rest of his life. Mitchell quit his job and lived off dwindling savings, and the support of his fiancé, until he finished the first draft of A Crucible of Souls.
He now writes full time and is eternally grateful to the readers who took a chance on an unknown author.
A Crucible of Souls won the 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Mitchell lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Angela, and daughters, Isabelle and Charlotte.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 1, 2015
To Inquisitor Angel Xia, it was just another corporate killing on a backwater planet. But as the bodies begin to pile up and she finds herself a target, she realizes she’s stepped on one toe too many.
Barely escaping attempts on her life by powerful agents with seemingly limitless reach and influence, Angel senses even her co-Inquisitors can’t be trusted. But as the web tightens, she receives a cryptic message from a computer program claiming to be a little girl in desperate need of her help. She insists she’s being held prisoner by a major corporation, but is this just a trap to silence Angel…permanently?
Now a fugitive with her life inextricably linked to the girl in the program, Angel is taken to extremes she never knew she was capable of, and to forgotten places at the edges of known space that hold the darkest secrets of humanity, and the greatest threat to its future.
Now I know what you are all thinking... Mitchell Hogan, author of the award winning Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, has released a science fiction book?!? Huh? Shouldn't he be working on book three?!? Wait a minute... are you serious???
Yep... I am serious... Mitchell Hogan has released a standalone science fiction book. And damn.. it is pretty awesome!
Now before I get into the nitty gritty of why I loved this book, I want to point out something.
I don't usually read a lot of science fiction.
Please don't burn me at the stake before I explain.
I don't usually read a lot of science fiction, but that doesn't mean that I don't love the genre (I do). I just find what I would call 'hard' science fiction incredibly tedious at times. As such, I am very selective about what I read. So when Inquisitor first appeared on my radar my initial thought was one of reluctance. I, like many of Mitch's fans, wondered why he wasn't busy working on the next book in his fantasy series (for the record, he was.) And then I read an early description of this book:
Inquisitor detectives.. a world filled with meddling corporations and genetically altered mutants... and artificial intelligence that could possible reveal the deepest and darkest secrets of humanity...
My next thought, after reading this, was: Sold! Take my money!
And damn, I am glad I made that decision.
Inquisitor is a fast paced and action packed tale that hooked its tendrils into me from the first page and steadfastly refused to let go. And wow, it is relentless.
From the opening scene, where Xia and her partner take on a Genevolve discard, through to the sprawling space battles and conflict towards the end, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride of action laced adventure and intrigue. This book punched me in my frontal lobe and continued to smash me over and over again with a story that became more absorbing the further I read.
I adored how Hogan structured this particular story. Inquisitor started as a crime novel, evolved into a spy and techno thriller, and finished as a space opera that posed philosophical questions like what does it means to be human?
And you know what... it worked magnificently.
Another thing that I really enjoyed about Inquisitor was how light it felt to read. It never once slowed down and became bogged by factual dumps or scientific explanation (one of the pitfalls of hard SF). This doesn't mean that it was shallow either. Quite the opposite in fact! Hogan has masterfully weaved an intricate tale of murder, espionage, and secrecy into this book whilst also exploring issues such as technological abuse and consciousness.
The world building in Inquisitor is also well done. It features a galaxy filled with cybernetics, space travel, interactive programs and different levels of artificial intelligence that are both fascinating and enthralling. Hogan offers enough description of this world to keep most fans of the genre happy. He does not go to great lengths to explain how something works, or why it exists (such as Xia's implants) in Inquisitor, it just does. This was enough to keep me involved and interested, and I enjoyed how he coupled this level of description with the frantic pace of the novel (not an easy feat).
The characters in Inquisitor are also brilliantly described and portrayed. One of Hogan's real strengths from his Sorcery Ascendant Sequence is his characterisation, and this is no different in Inquisitor. Angel Xia, the main protagonist, is an incredibly layered and fascinating character whose evolution provided the perfect foil to the often chaotic and childish program Charlotte-Rose. I adored how both of these characters grew over time, and how their agency changed as the story unfolded. Their relationship lies at the centre of Inquisitor, and it is handled wonderfully by Hogan amidst the often chaotic events occurring around them. I also loved the other characters in this book, from Xia's partner Victor through to Summer and the mysterious (and ominous) Genevolve's. In fact, I don't think any of the minor characters in Inquisitor were poorly depicted. All of them merely enhanced what was already an awesome story.
And the ending... powerful, evocative, and incredibly well written. I had to put my eReader down for awhile to just think after finishing this story.
All in all Inquisitor is a fast paced and explosive story filled with action and substance. It features a unique and fascinating world with powerful yet sympathetic characters that will grab a hold of you and refuse to let go. Fans of Hogan's previous work will love this book, as will most science fiction fans looking for a cracking and action packed story with body. Highly recommended and, for a few bucks on Amazon, it is an absolute steal!
You would be crazy not to buy it!
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
Barely escaping attempts on her life by powerful agents with seemingly limitless reach and influence, Angel senses even her co-Inquisitors can’t be trusted. But as the web tightens, she receives a cryptic message from a computer program claiming to be a little girl in desperate need of her help. She insists she’s being held prisoner by a major corporation, but is this just a trap to silence Angel…permanently?
Now a fugitive with her life inextricably linked to the girl in the program, Angel is taken to extremes she never knew she was capable of, and to forgotten places at the edges of known space that hold the darkest secrets of humanity, and the greatest threat to its future.
Now I know what you are all thinking... Mitchell Hogan, author of the award winning Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, has released a science fiction book?!? Huh? Shouldn't he be working on book three?!? Wait a minute... are you serious???
Yep... I am serious... Mitchell Hogan has released a standalone science fiction book. And damn.. it is pretty awesome!
Now before I get into the nitty gritty of why I loved this book, I want to point out something.
I don't usually read a lot of science fiction.
Please don't burn me at the stake before I explain.
I don't usually read a lot of science fiction, but that doesn't mean that I don't love the genre (I do). I just find what I would call 'hard' science fiction incredibly tedious at times. As such, I am very selective about what I read. So when Inquisitor first appeared on my radar my initial thought was one of reluctance. I, like many of Mitch's fans, wondered why he wasn't busy working on the next book in his fantasy series (for the record, he was.) And then I read an early description of this book:
Inquisitor detectives.. a world filled with meddling corporations and genetically altered mutants... and artificial intelligence that could possible reveal the deepest and darkest secrets of humanity...
My next thought, after reading this, was: Sold! Take my money!
And damn, I am glad I made that decision.
Inquisitor is a fast paced and action packed tale that hooked its tendrils into me from the first page and steadfastly refused to let go. And wow, it is relentless.
From the opening scene, where Xia and her partner take on a Genevolve discard, through to the sprawling space battles and conflict towards the end, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride of action laced adventure and intrigue. This book punched me in my frontal lobe and continued to smash me over and over again with a story that became more absorbing the further I read.
I adored how Hogan structured this particular story. Inquisitor started as a crime novel, evolved into a spy and techno thriller, and finished as a space opera that posed philosophical questions like what does it means to be human?
And you know what... it worked magnificently.
Another thing that I really enjoyed about Inquisitor was how light it felt to read. It never once slowed down and became bogged by factual dumps or scientific explanation (one of the pitfalls of hard SF). This doesn't mean that it was shallow either. Quite the opposite in fact! Hogan has masterfully weaved an intricate tale of murder, espionage, and secrecy into this book whilst also exploring issues such as technological abuse and consciousness.
The world building in Inquisitor is also well done. It features a galaxy filled with cybernetics, space travel, interactive programs and different levels of artificial intelligence that are both fascinating and enthralling. Hogan offers enough description of this world to keep most fans of the genre happy. He does not go to great lengths to explain how something works, or why it exists (such as Xia's implants) in Inquisitor, it just does. This was enough to keep me involved and interested, and I enjoyed how he coupled this level of description with the frantic pace of the novel (not an easy feat).
The characters in Inquisitor are also brilliantly described and portrayed. One of Hogan's real strengths from his Sorcery Ascendant Sequence is his characterisation, and this is no different in Inquisitor. Angel Xia, the main protagonist, is an incredibly layered and fascinating character whose evolution provided the perfect foil to the often chaotic and childish program Charlotte-Rose. I adored how both of these characters grew over time, and how their agency changed as the story unfolded. Their relationship lies at the centre of Inquisitor, and it is handled wonderfully by Hogan amidst the often chaotic events occurring around them. I also loved the other characters in this book, from Xia's partner Victor through to Summer and the mysterious (and ominous) Genevolve's. In fact, I don't think any of the minor characters in Inquisitor were poorly depicted. All of them merely enhanced what was already an awesome story.
And the ending... powerful, evocative, and incredibly well written. I had to put my eReader down for awhile to just think after finishing this story.
All in all Inquisitor is a fast paced and explosive story filled with action and substance. It features a unique and fascinating world with powerful yet sympathetic characters that will grab a hold of you and refuse to let go. Fans of Hogan's previous work will love this book, as will most science fiction fans looking for a cracking and action packed story with body. Highly recommended and, for a few bucks on Amazon, it is an absolute steal!
You would be crazy not to buy it!
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
August 3, 2020
I've been meaning to try one of Mitchell Hogan's fantasy series for a few years now but decided to give him a go by reading this short stand-alone sci-fi story instead. It worked out OK for me as while I was not blown away by what we got in this tale it was an entertaining enough read.
Inquisitor Angel Xia found herself sent to a backwater planet to investigate a local corporate killing. She soon found herself caught up in a crazy situation as the bodies started to pile up and it became clear that a lot more was going on in this backwater planet than anyone suspected. After she is framed for murder Angel got caught up in plots involving illegal AI, mutants, and both corporate and government corruption!
The story was a bit of a slow starter but once the AI arrived and the intrigue and action kicked into gear I found this an easy tale to get sucked into. Angel was a typical female detective style character in a sci-fi noir style story. She was likeable and just trying to survive and do the right thing so she was easy enough to root for. The story itself was mostly a mix of cool sci-fi action, intrigue, and mystery. The AI, the mutants, and the fun sci-fi future tech are the stuff that made this more than the average noir detective tale.
All in all I felt like this was an engaging stand-alone sci-fi story and would not mind returning to this world in the future if Hogan ever decides to write a sequel or spin-off as the world seemed a cool and interesting place and Hogan himself had a fairly engaging writing style. I'll try one of his fantasy series for sure after enjoying this short tale!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Allyson Johnson did an OK job with the audio. She was good for the most part but did struggle with the voicing of the male characters. Luckily the cast in this one was small and mostly female so it played to her strengths.
Inquisitor Angel Xia found herself sent to a backwater planet to investigate a local corporate killing. She soon found herself caught up in a crazy situation as the bodies started to pile up and it became clear that a lot more was going on in this backwater planet than anyone suspected. After she is framed for murder Angel got caught up in plots involving illegal AI, mutants, and both corporate and government corruption!
The story was a bit of a slow starter but once the AI arrived and the intrigue and action kicked into gear I found this an easy tale to get sucked into. Angel was a typical female detective style character in a sci-fi noir style story. She was likeable and just trying to survive and do the right thing so she was easy enough to root for. The story itself was mostly a mix of cool sci-fi action, intrigue, and mystery. The AI, the mutants, and the fun sci-fi future tech are the stuff that made this more than the average noir detective tale.
All in all I felt like this was an engaging stand-alone sci-fi story and would not mind returning to this world in the future if Hogan ever decides to write a sequel or spin-off as the world seemed a cool and interesting place and Hogan himself had a fairly engaging writing style. I'll try one of his fantasy series for sure after enjoying this short tale!
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Allyson Johnson did an OK job with the audio. She was good for the most part but did struggle with the voicing of the male characters. Luckily the cast in this one was small and mostly female so it played to her strengths.
January 11, 2023
Inquisitor is a fast paced adventure featuring an agent (inquisitor) who ends up in an interstellar race for her life as she unravels a corporate scheme. The thing is, what she initially encounters and investigates is only the tip of the iceberg as far as the scale of the crimes and conspiracy taking place.
I really liked the idea of the book, and it was blisteringly fast paced. The reason I rated it so high is because despite it’s issues, I couldn’t put it down, and for me the entertainment value of a space opera/adventure counts for a lot.
The themes cover a lot of AI ethics, a rogue AI and rogue agent, the agency of sentient creations, right and wrong on an interplanetary scale, and the rights and needs of one vs many. Plus don’t forget explosions and high tech weapons.
The issue is that the “big plot” has a lot of “big questions” left highly unresolved. *Oh, they’re working on it* isn’t a resolution to me. Which brings me to MY big realization: this was supposed to be a character centered book. I didn’t like the characters and the idea that *women are useless if they can’t procreate*. Hello, we have other goals too. There are big plot questions with the main character’s family and with the genevolve race that were hinted at and not answered, so I was getting ready to buy the sequel and was shocked when there wasn’t one. Alright, so he probably just didn’t know how to wrap it all up.
About the characters: both main characters were emotionally volatile, flip floppy, and ultimately annoying, also like REALLY ungrateful, and I hope the author thinks women can be more than that 😅 I think overall he just really didn’t know how to wrap up the plotlines, so he gave the characters resolution and called it a day. (PS how exactly does he think 2 year olds act? Those kids are kindergarten age at least)!
I think the author should have given the relationship a little elaboration too, he didn’t give us anything to make it believable and also hinted at infidelity (a huge turn off for me).
That ALL said though – Inquisitor was still entertaining as hell. If the end hadn’t changed my view of the entire story, I’d be up at 8 or 9 points. I love AI stories and the action was on point. If you like international agents in space and rogue AI, I’d recommend it for sure.
To see the full content and links to prior SPSFC2 reviews and team content, check out https://onereadingnurse.com/2023/01/1...
I really liked the idea of the book, and it was blisteringly fast paced. The reason I rated it so high is because despite it’s issues, I couldn’t put it down, and for me the entertainment value of a space opera/adventure counts for a lot.
The themes cover a lot of AI ethics, a rogue AI and rogue agent, the agency of sentient creations, right and wrong on an interplanetary scale, and the rights and needs of one vs many. Plus don’t forget explosions and high tech weapons.
The issue is that the “big plot” has a lot of “big questions” left highly unresolved. *Oh, they’re working on it* isn’t a resolution to me. Which brings me to MY big realization: this was supposed to be a character centered book. I didn’t like the characters and the idea that *women are useless if they can’t procreate*. Hello, we have other goals too. There are big plot questions with the main character’s family and with the genevolve race that were hinted at and not answered, so I was getting ready to buy the sequel and was shocked when there wasn’t one. Alright, so he probably just didn’t know how to wrap it all up.
About the characters: both main characters were emotionally volatile, flip floppy, and ultimately annoying, also like REALLY ungrateful, and I hope the author thinks women can be more than that 😅 I think overall he just really didn’t know how to wrap up the plotlines, so he gave the characters resolution and called it a day. (PS how exactly does he think 2 year olds act? Those kids are kindergarten age at least)!
I think the author should have given the relationship a little elaboration too, he didn’t give us anything to make it believable and also hinted at infidelity (a huge turn off for me).
That ALL said though – Inquisitor was still entertaining as hell. If the end hadn’t changed my view of the entire story, I’d be up at 8 or 9 points. I love AI stories and the action was on point. If you like international agents in space and rogue AI, I’d recommend it for sure.
To see the full content and links to prior SPSFC2 reviews and team content, check out https://onereadingnurse.com/2023/01/1...
February 19, 2021
I read the Sorcery Ascendant series and really liked it, so I bought this completely different book on a whim.
This is a SciFi Thriller mix, and therefore can't be compared to his high epic series at all.
I am a sucker for non human characters, so I had an easy time getting into this one. I really enjoyed all the characters, and especially the main two protagonists. Could have done without the kitschy end after the end - but it was just a few pages, so it didn't really bother me much.
The story was fast paced, and easy to follow. Not hard SciFi, but more character and action driven. A mix of Bourne and Star Trek in a way...
Definitely a recommendation from me!
This is a SciFi Thriller mix, and therefore can't be compared to his high epic series at all.
I am a sucker for non human characters, so I had an easy time getting into this one. I really enjoyed all the characters, and especially the main two protagonists. Could have done without the kitschy end after the end - but it was just a few pages, so it didn't really bother me much.
The story was fast paced, and easy to follow. Not hard SciFi, but more character and action driven. A mix of Bourne and Star Trek in a way...
Definitely a recommendation from me!
November 25, 2016
review to come
December 5, 2015
Inquisitor is an interesting take on an AI. Charlotte looks like a young girl but she is the aviator for a very powerful artificial intelligence. When Angel Xia saves she finds herself in a whole lot of danger.
Many things are not as they seem and the longer Angel and Charlotte are on the run the more secrets they discover. I liked the story and how the plot developed. The back story and the world building are tied in nicely. I did wish that the book had been more carefully edited. There were sentences that just did not make sense no matter how many time I read them. I don’t think this was an ARC as the book has been out for some time.
While there seems to be an end to story there Angel gets a gift at the end that makes me think Inquisitor is book one in a series.
August 8, 2015
Reviewed on my blog - Books by Proxy
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads scheme in return for an honest review.
4 Stars
I had never come across Mitchell Hogan before entering the Goodreads giveaway, but after doing a little research and reading some of the brilliant reviews for his Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, I was convinced this would be a cracking read. Inquisitor flows so easily that really I should have finished it much sooner, but I’m quite relieved I took my time to savour it because Inquisitor turned out to be a pretty awesome read.
Inquisitor follows the story of Angel Xia, a dedicated officer and detective in the Inquisitors. After a period in her youth as a mercenary, Angel now spends her days chasing down deranged and murderous Genevolves, a mutated branch of humanity dedicated to their own evolution. But Angel’s partners have a nasty habit of winding up dead, and when she takes on a new case, Angel finds herself in a whole universe of trouble.
A fugitive of both the law and a mysterious, remorseless corporation, Angel and her strange companion Charlotte must escape to the far flung corners of the universe and attempt to clear Angel’s name – not an easy task when the bodies start piling up. Inquisitor is a crime novel and an action-packed sci fi thriller all rolled up into one, which will keep you hooked to the very end.
-
Hogan has managed to build a universe with the lightest touch. Planets and worlds; space and cybernetics; Genevolves, discards and humans – they all seep from the pages and into your head without ever reading a long descriptive passage. This book doesn’t need them, it never slows down. And though Inquisitor may be driven by action, it’s also a novel about choices and what it means to be human. It’s about choosing right from wrong, and learning to trust when hope fades. This deeply human story, combined with its pace and focus, makes for a highly involving tale.
Angel is a complex protagonist whose hard edges are eroded over the course of the novel. Though it relies on a relatively small main cast, all the characters are well written and are given time to develop and grow. However, I did find myself questioning some of Angel’s thoughts and arguments when dealing with Charlotte. For someone who had spent part of her life as a mercenary, her unrelenting moral compass sometimes jarred with me and I often found myself agreeing more with Charlotte’s viewpoint. Especially when, in do or die moments, Angel seems quite eager to discharge her weapon. Having said that, this really was my only quibble with the novel.
Inquisitor is a fun and relentless read which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who loves a good action, sci fi, crime novel mash up… or just one of the above. I cannot wait for Mitchell Hogan’s next foray into sci fi, but in the meantime, the Sorcerer’s Ascendant Sequence has been added to my to-read list.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads scheme in return for an honest review.
4 Stars
I had never come across Mitchell Hogan before entering the Goodreads giveaway, but after doing a little research and reading some of the brilliant reviews for his Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, I was convinced this would be a cracking read. Inquisitor flows so easily that really I should have finished it much sooner, but I’m quite relieved I took my time to savour it because Inquisitor turned out to be a pretty awesome read.
Inquisitor follows the story of Angel Xia, a dedicated officer and detective in the Inquisitors. After a period in her youth as a mercenary, Angel now spends her days chasing down deranged and murderous Genevolves, a mutated branch of humanity dedicated to their own evolution. But Angel’s partners have a nasty habit of winding up dead, and when she takes on a new case, Angel finds herself in a whole universe of trouble.
A fugitive of both the law and a mysterious, remorseless corporation, Angel and her strange companion Charlotte must escape to the far flung corners of the universe and attempt to clear Angel’s name – not an easy task when the bodies start piling up. Inquisitor is a crime novel and an action-packed sci fi thriller all rolled up into one, which will keep you hooked to the very end.
-
Hogan has managed to build a universe with the lightest touch. Planets and worlds; space and cybernetics; Genevolves, discards and humans – they all seep from the pages and into your head without ever reading a long descriptive passage. This book doesn’t need them, it never slows down. And though Inquisitor may be driven by action, it’s also a novel about choices and what it means to be human. It’s about choosing right from wrong, and learning to trust when hope fades. This deeply human story, combined with its pace and focus, makes for a highly involving tale.
Angel is a complex protagonist whose hard edges are eroded over the course of the novel. Though it relies on a relatively small main cast, all the characters are well written and are given time to develop and grow. However, I did find myself questioning some of Angel’s thoughts and arguments when dealing with Charlotte. For someone who had spent part of her life as a mercenary, her unrelenting moral compass sometimes jarred with me and I often found myself agreeing more with Charlotte’s viewpoint. Especially when, in do or die moments, Angel seems quite eager to discharge her weapon. Having said that, this really was my only quibble with the novel.
Inquisitor is a fun and relentless read which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who loves a good action, sci fi, crime novel mash up… or just one of the above. I cannot wait for Mitchell Hogan’s next foray into sci fi, but in the meantime, the Sorcerer’s Ascendant Sequence has been added to my to-read list.
September 30, 2016
Engaging action & AI elements! My rating 4.25.
Angel is a prestigious Inquisitor, a space detective licensed to hunt down criminals. She is known for her excellent investigative skills and quick reflexes which keep her out of trouble… well not out of trouble but safe through it. She likes her newest partner, Viktor, and hopes he will make it, unlike prior partners. Angel and Viktor are pursing Genevolves who are humans who have been part of gene experiments and then discarded due to flaws. Though they may be flawed, they usually have extra skills or strengths and are formidable foes.
Angel isn’t happy when her boss pulls her off a death that she suspects is murder, not suicide. Her suspicions intensify when she and her partner seem to be targeted. Soon Angel questions who she can trust in her own ranks as she ducks assassins while being contacted by a young girl through a computer contact. Charlotte-Rose claims that only Angel can save her from the monster corporation who kidnapped her and holds her prisoner because of her incredible intellect. Angel knows she shouldn’t get pulled into this crazy rescue scheme, especially as it has the potential for getting too personal. But Angel remembers the orphans she was raised with and her heart and haunted past won’t let her abandon Charlotte.
Angel agrees to follow Charlotte’s crafted plan of escape. But they aren’t going to get away without hot pursuit. Angel is labeled as a rogue agent and she and Charlotte are running from the authorities as well as the powers that are trying to retrieve Charlotte. Angel begins to worry for her own reputation as well as for Charlotte’s intentions as she manipulates plans for her own purposes.
I enjoyed the intrigue and premise of the story. It jumps into action and, for the most part, doesn’t slow down. I was disappointed by some foul language and the other issue I had was the feeling that dangerous scenarios were repeating, one after another. This got to a point where I was ready for the story to move on to reveal what would happen next.
The story raises intriguing AI questions involving maturity, morality and the possibility of choices. There is an ending that leaves an opening for more adventures. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast paced action and strong, smart female protagonists.
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
Angel is a prestigious Inquisitor, a space detective licensed to hunt down criminals. She is known for her excellent investigative skills and quick reflexes which keep her out of trouble… well not out of trouble but safe through it. She likes her newest partner, Viktor, and hopes he will make it, unlike prior partners. Angel and Viktor are pursing Genevolves who are humans who have been part of gene experiments and then discarded due to flaws. Though they may be flawed, they usually have extra skills or strengths and are formidable foes.
Angel isn’t happy when her boss pulls her off a death that she suspects is murder, not suicide. Her suspicions intensify when she and her partner seem to be targeted. Soon Angel questions who she can trust in her own ranks as she ducks assassins while being contacted by a young girl through a computer contact. Charlotte-Rose claims that only Angel can save her from the monster corporation who kidnapped her and holds her prisoner because of her incredible intellect. Angel knows she shouldn’t get pulled into this crazy rescue scheme, especially as it has the potential for getting too personal. But Angel remembers the orphans she was raised with and her heart and haunted past won’t let her abandon Charlotte.
Angel agrees to follow Charlotte’s crafted plan of escape. But they aren’t going to get away without hot pursuit. Angel is labeled as a rogue agent and she and Charlotte are running from the authorities as well as the powers that are trying to retrieve Charlotte. Angel begins to worry for her own reputation as well as for Charlotte’s intentions as she manipulates plans for her own purposes.
I enjoyed the intrigue and premise of the story. It jumps into action and, for the most part, doesn’t slow down. I was disappointed by some foul language and the other issue I had was the feeling that dangerous scenarios were repeating, one after another. This got to a point where I was ready for the story to move on to reveal what would happen next.
The story raises intriguing AI questions involving maturity, morality and the possibility of choices. There is an ending that leaves an opening for more adventures. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast paced action and strong, smart female protagonists.
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
February 11, 2016
I really enjoyed Inquisitor, by Mitchell Hogan. The story started out with action and continued to escalate throughout. The story has plenty of twists – some predictable, but most not. I felt that the author focused on the depth of character of the AI, and, unfortunately, didn’t flesh out Angel as much as I’d liked.
I was taken in by the sci-fi cover when I saw it on NetGalley, and the story kept me yearning for more. I’d definitely be interested in a continuation if only to read about the aftermath of the main story, and the events portrayed in the epilog. And this is what makes this a great read – yearning for more of the story.
I was taken in by the sci-fi cover when I saw it on NetGalley, and the story kept me yearning for more. I’d definitely be interested in a continuation if only to read about the aftermath of the main story, and the events portrayed in the epilog. And this is what makes this a great read – yearning for more of the story.
October 13, 2015
This is an an exciting new work from the versatile Mitchell Hogan. A future universe spanning multiple systems populated by humans locked in a battle for supremacy with our genetically modified brethrens. In among the chaos of corrupt corporations which rule entire planets comes a new breakthrough which threatens to disrupt the balance. Riveting. I very much hope this book will be expanded into a series.
July 25, 2016
Not sure about this one. If the audience was young adult (which it might be based on the grammar complexity) then it could work. If not, then the story skirts around but doesn't solve the fundamental issue of its world view, "What does it mean to be human?", in a world of 'normal' humans, genetic modified humans, genetic enhanced humans, machine augmented humans, human augmented machines, and human-like machines. Maybe its all in the sequel.
April 27, 2016
A little disappointing. Not as engaging as Crucible of Souls. The AI ideas weren't fleshed out very well. I didn't care about the characters that much and felt a little jerked around by the plot.
Wow, that all came out sounding worse than it was. Solid three stars: I liked it.
Wow, that all came out sounding worse than it was. Solid three stars: I liked it.
August 5, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through Hidden Gems ARC Readers in return for an honest review.
I marginally enjoyed the book, but probably would have put it down half-way through if I hadn't promised to review it (I almost always finish a book).
There was too much repetition in the interaction of the main characters that wasn’t quite believable for the Angel’s more hardened background and experiences. There were also a couple of scenes where the physics were simply extremely unbelievable such as the use of armor piercing rounds inside of a spaceship while in space, but without poking any holes in the ship causing decompression.
Can I recommend the book? For a YA audience, maybe. But I think it suffers from a stereotyped female lead character written by a man attempting to write a strong female character for the typically female YA audience. I am not familiar with any of the author’s other books or the characters in them. This is his first Science Fiction novel and may simply be a difficult transition to a different audience and world system.
I marginally enjoyed the book, but probably would have put it down half-way through if I hadn't promised to review it (I almost always finish a book).
There was too much repetition in the interaction of the main characters that wasn’t quite believable for the Angel’s more hardened background and experiences. There were also a couple of scenes where the physics were simply extremely unbelievable such as the use of armor piercing rounds inside of a spaceship while in space, but without poking any holes in the ship causing decompression.
Can I recommend the book? For a YA audience, maybe. But I think it suffers from a stereotyped female lead character written by a man attempting to write a strong female character for the typically female YA audience. I am not familiar with any of the author’s other books or the characters in them. This is his first Science Fiction novel and may simply be a difficult transition to a different audience and world system.
August 2, 2017
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book”
I liked it. By the end I had sort of come to think of it as that summer blockbuster- there were explosions and epic battles and it wrapped up in a tidy ending.... Or did it? And just like finding out there will be a sequel to the blockbuster and you think I'm in for number 2. I'd definitely be interested in reading more in this series.
I will say there were a few spots I had trouble suspending disbelief. I tried not to think too hard on them 😉 I'd like to have more answers on what the genevolves are & how Angel fits into that. But also there's no way in the epilogue that 3 years have passed and she has had 2 children and both are old enough to be in school.
I liked it. By the end I had sort of come to think of it as that summer blockbuster- there were explosions and epic battles and it wrapped up in a tidy ending.... Or did it? And just like finding out there will be a sequel to the blockbuster and you think I'm in for number 2. I'd definitely be interested in reading more in this series.
I will say there were a few spots I had trouble suspending disbelief. I tried not to think too hard on them 😉 I'd like to have more answers on what the genevolves are & how Angel fits into that. But also there's no way in the epilogue that 3 years have passed and she has had 2 children and both are old enough to be in school.
January 4, 2017
I enjoyed a crucible of souls, so I thought I'd enjoy this. While it did zip along, it didn't really work. There was supposed to be a tension between how human Charlotte was, and whether she was good or bad, etc., but I didn't get that tension. She'd do something bad, Angel would admonish her, and they'd move on. At times I felt like entire chapters were cut out because the pacing was so weird.
August 8, 2017
This is an action pack sci-fi story that's relatively fast to read. There is tons of action and suspense. Our female heroine is a strong woman who fights to solve crimes on planets in galaxies far far away. Good storyline and interesting characters. There is an ending that leaves an opening for more adventures. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
August 3, 2019
Interesants, bet viegls lasāmgabals
Man patika. Gandarījums par ātro izlasīšanu arī liels un nākamo daļu gribu.
Man gan īsti nepieleca, Šarlote bija AI vai uzlabota cilvēka smadzene?
Man patika. Gandarījums par ātro izlasīšanu arī liels un nākamo daļu gribu.
Man gan īsti nepieleca, Šarlote bija AI vai uzlabota cilvēka smadzene?
September 13, 2017
Scifi adventure story of a female detective sucked into a dangerous conspiracy tied to a mysterious computer personality. Nothing spectacular, but short and reasonably interesting.
September 8, 2019
I enjoyed this. Some parts are a bit predictable but overall an enjoyable light read. Ending is open but I don't see a sequel to it. Too bad because I'd read it.
September 15, 2021
First time author and it was an easy fun read.
Read
May 31, 2016Inquisitor is a fast-paced tale of intrigue and suspense set in a future where interplanetary travel is routine and genetically modified humans, the Genevolve, are outlawed because they have tried to supplant normals. Angel Xia, a detective in the somewhat mysterious Inquisitor organization, sets out to solve several murders but finds herself immersed in a far greater mystery that may determine the future of humanity. Xia's investigation leads her to one of the immensely powerful and autonomous corporations that are largely a law unto themselves in this dismal vision of the future. The corporation had kidnapped the child, Charlotte, for a dark purpose that is gradually revealed as the story unfolds. When the little girl appeals to the Inquisitor for help Xia rescues her. Having stolen the corporation's "property" and framed for additional crimes, Xia is on the run, unable to trust even her own organization, which has been infiltrated to an unknown extent by the corporations, the Genevolve, or both.
Inquisitor is more of a thriller than a science fiction novel, the technology framing the tale so advanced as to be, in Arthur C. Clarke's words, "indistinguishable from magic." But it's a good one. The novel is deftly plotted and the non-stop action well told. The book's main characters are a little less successful; they deserve more depth. Charlotte, in particular, never seems quite believable, perhaps because we see her more through Xia's eyes than our own observations of her childish thoughts and actions. Xia would be easy to cast in a movie version of the book, but picturing Charlotte is much harder. That said, even Xia's actions sometimes seem only tenuously linked to the past that made her who she is, and at times she seems inconsistent in her treatment of Charlotte.
This novel skims the surfaces of issues, including irresponsible genetic experimentation and unbridled corporate self interest, that could have been more fully explored. But that doesn't seem to be Mitchell Hogan's primary purpose, and at least they are brought out in the story. If you like your science fiction action-packed (and who doesn't?) you will enjoy this novel, which I received free in a Goodreads giveaway. I will gladly read more by this author.
Inquisitor is more of a thriller than a science fiction novel, the technology framing the tale so advanced as to be, in Arthur C. Clarke's words, "indistinguishable from magic." But it's a good one. The novel is deftly plotted and the non-stop action well told. The book's main characters are a little less successful; they deserve more depth. Charlotte, in particular, never seems quite believable, perhaps because we see her more through Xia's eyes than our own observations of her childish thoughts and actions. Xia would be easy to cast in a movie version of the book, but picturing Charlotte is much harder. That said, even Xia's actions sometimes seem only tenuously linked to the past that made her who she is, and at times she seems inconsistent in her treatment of Charlotte.
This novel skims the surfaces of issues, including irresponsible genetic experimentation and unbridled corporate self interest, that could have been more fully explored. But that doesn't seem to be Mitchell Hogan's primary purpose, and at least they are brought out in the story. If you like your science fiction action-packed (and who doesn't?) you will enjoy this novel, which I received free in a Goodreads giveaway. I will gladly read more by this author.
December 22, 2015
"Inquisitor" eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Mitchell Hogan (http://mitchellhogan.com). This is Mr. Hogan's third novel.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and some Mature Language. This Science Fiction Mystery novel is set in the far future. The primary character is Angel Xia. Xia is an Inquisitor - which is a special criminal investigator. Xia, and most people in this time, have implants that give them augmented senses and access to Lon-line resources.
Xia has had issues with partners - they seem to get themselves killed when working with her. She and her current partner get a case that appears to be an accident, but Xia has questions. Before long her latest partner is murdered and a person she is interviewing is killed in front of her. She finds herself framed for murder and other crimes and is being sought by law inforcement.
As Xia continues her investigation trying to clear her name, she gets a message from a young girl, Charlotte, asking for help. The girl is somehow tied to the murders. Xia is able to rescue Charlotte, but she is not fully what Xia expected. Now that Xia and the girl are together there is even more effor to find and kill Xia. Xia struggles to keep one step ahead of those that are after her, and to keep Charlotte safe.
I thought that this was a good 7.5 hour read. It was a fair mystery set in a future world. The world is a very corporate centric society. I liked the character of Xia and would like to see more books with her. She was a very strong character. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and some Mature Language. This Science Fiction Mystery novel is set in the far future. The primary character is Angel Xia. Xia is an Inquisitor - which is a special criminal investigator. Xia, and most people in this time, have implants that give them augmented senses and access to Lon-line resources.
Xia has had issues with partners - they seem to get themselves killed when working with her. She and her current partner get a case that appears to be an accident, but Xia has questions. Before long her latest partner is murdered and a person she is interviewing is killed in front of her. She finds herself framed for murder and other crimes and is being sought by law inforcement.
As Xia continues her investigation trying to clear her name, she gets a message from a young girl, Charlotte, asking for help. The girl is somehow tied to the murders. Xia is able to rescue Charlotte, but she is not fully what Xia expected. Now that Xia and the girl are together there is even more effor to find and kill Xia. Xia struggles to keep one step ahead of those that are after her, and to keep Charlotte safe.
I thought that this was a good 7.5 hour read. It was a fair mystery set in a future world. The world is a very corporate centric society. I liked the character of Xia and would like to see more books with her. She was a very strong character. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
June 28, 2019
I’m not a huge sci-fi fan. The majority of the time, the science side of things is so far beyond me that I simply can’t enjoy the story – I don’t understand enough about the theory to know what’s going on. So, when I find something that isn’t just understandable, but enjoyable, well I just cling to that book like the world is ending.
This is one such book.
I really enjoyed how it moved through several genres as the story progressed and developed, but without losing its way. It kept the plot fresh and moving. As I’ve mentioned in other reviews of Mitchell’s work, he has an excellent sense of rhythm with his work, and is fantastic at keeping the plot moving at a relatively quick pace, without sacrificing detail, character development or worldbuilding.
I also really enjoyed the characters, it was hard not to feel for Angel as she navigated her harsh new world. Charlotte-Rose creeped the hell out of me, but that was also fantastic in its own way. Everyone ought to be creeped out sometimes, and she was definitely intriguing.
Highly recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in sci-fi, it’s well worth the time spent.
This is one such book.
I really enjoyed how it moved through several genres as the story progressed and developed, but without losing its way. It kept the plot fresh and moving. As I’ve mentioned in other reviews of Mitchell’s work, he has an excellent sense of rhythm with his work, and is fantastic at keeping the plot moving at a relatively quick pace, without sacrificing detail, character development or worldbuilding.
I also really enjoyed the characters, it was hard not to feel for Angel as she navigated her harsh new world. Charlotte-Rose creeped the hell out of me, but that was also fantastic in its own way. Everyone ought to be creeped out sometimes, and she was definitely intriguing.
Highly recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in sci-fi, it’s well worth the time spent.
August 14, 2016
I reviewed this book for NetGalley.
Mitchell Hogan has revitalized and invigorated the so common themes of: 1) the good cop (protagonist Angel Xia), framed and targeted by the venal and corrupt powers; 2) future where old humans are in conflict with the new humans(Genevolves); 3) Artificial Intelligence and 4) a futuristic galaxy chock full of human occupied systems and really cool technology, in his new novel, "Inquisitor." He blends these themes so effortlessly into an intriguing, provocative and highly entertaining sci-fi novel.
Angel Xia is a great character, along with the little girl, Charlotte-Rose, who actually is the avatar for a very powerful AI. In fact, Mr. Hogan has excellent characters, plot, action, dialogue and setting. A book well worth reading, even if you aren't a big fan of sci-fi.
I like happy endings (even though that may sound kind of sappy) and "Inquisitor" has a happy and positive end. Not all futures have to be doom and gloom. Very nice finish to an excellent work.
Mitchell Hogan has revitalized and invigorated the so common themes of: 1) the good cop (protagonist Angel Xia), framed and targeted by the venal and corrupt powers; 2) future where old humans are in conflict with the new humans(Genevolves); 3) Artificial Intelligence and 4) a futuristic galaxy chock full of human occupied systems and really cool technology, in his new novel, "Inquisitor." He blends these themes so effortlessly into an intriguing, provocative and highly entertaining sci-fi novel.
Angel Xia is a great character, along with the little girl, Charlotte-Rose, who actually is the avatar for a very powerful AI. In fact, Mr. Hogan has excellent characters, plot, action, dialogue and setting. A book well worth reading, even if you aren't a big fan of sci-fi.
I like happy endings (even though that may sound kind of sappy) and "Inquisitor" has a happy and positive end. Not all futures have to be doom and gloom. Very nice finish to an excellent work.
May 20, 2016
I had trouble reading this but only because my son took it for a read and I had to wait to finish it. At just 8 it's the first book this size he has read and he was full of questions.. which had to wait till I got my turn. I found the smaller group of characters refreshing. It had so many turns I wasn't expecting it kept me interested right through. For just a few characters the story was very large but the way it was written made it quite easy to follow. There was plenty of action and the genetic manipulation was different but fit well. I would love an ongoing book I got to the end wanting more but it was a fitting end and I enjoyed it immensely. Thankyou for letting me read this and to Good reads for the giveaway.
January 14, 2016
The Inquisitor by Mitchell Hogan is evidently his first foray into science fiction. He is best known for his fantasy series.
Angel Xia is an Inquisitor whose cases involve hunting down Genevolves. Her new cases turns her into the hunted when she is betrayed and marked for assassination.
When she receives a call for help from a young girl, Xia's life becomes even more complicated.
Fast action and interesting view of Artificial Intelligence and genetic manipulation.
Goodreads/Amazon
SciFi/Crime. 2015. Print version: 312 pages.
December 19, 2015
Inquisitor is a great, compact, sci-fi adventure, filled with action, intrigue, and cool near-future concepts. More of a novella than a novel (listen on Goodreads as 300 pages, but showed as just over 200 "pages" on my e-reader), this story is perfect for the format, concentrating on a very small but well defined cast of characters, most of them women. A splendid introduction to a world and characters that I sincerely hope we get to read more of in the future!
December 29, 2017
The world Hogan has spun is fantastic... the story and characters were also great.
July 19, 2015
Hunter Becomes Hunted
This novel about a corporate assassin who becomes targeted for assassination herself didn't exactly grab me. There some story elements that made the plot unfocused for me so I can't really recommend this.
This novel about a corporate assassin who becomes targeted for assassination herself didn't exactly grab me. There some story elements that made the plot unfocused for me so I can't really recommend this.
September 12, 2015
Really more like 3.5. Predictable and not quite the caliber of his other books, but enjoyable in a fluffy sort of way.
I don't get how she's a detective though when she's so willfully dense sometimes.
I don't get how she's a detective though when she's so willfully dense sometimes.
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