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Augment
By Government-enforced mandate, genetic augmentation and implant technology cannot coexist in the same human body. Sixteen year old Viki's life has depended on her implants since she was five.Now her implants are failing.When Viki discovers that the malfunctions are due to illegal augmentation, she is determined to find those responsible. However, Agent Smith of the Search and Retrieval Bureau is also looking for the geneticists who augmented Viki, and his orders are to capture them by any means necessary—even if it requires risking Viki’s life by using her as bait.Viki’s friend Halle, a rogue AI, is doing its best to help her search, but Halle has its own problems. Agent Smith had been closing in on the AI before being reassigned to Viki’s case, and Smith’s partner is still on the hunt. Searching for the geneticists risks exposing Halle, but Viki and her friend must find them first—they are her only chance for survival.
234 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2015
6 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Heather Hayden
13 books94 followersHeather Hayden is a writer, gamer, reader, editor, and computer geek, though not in any specific order.
She can’t remember when she first started tapping away at a keyboard but she’s grateful that those early attempts at writing are lost in the ancient format of floppy disc. She does miss that racing MS-DOS game she used to play, but has found other games to spend free time on, such as Final Fantasy XXIV and Magic the Gathering, when she has spare free time. A lot of her free time is spent reading her latest haul from the local library.
Heather wrote her first novel (which will never see the light of day) when she was fourteen, and published her first book, a YA science novella titled Augment, when she was twenty-one. She is now hard at work on her next publication, a YA fantasy novel.
When she’s not working on her current project, she can be found deep within the pages of a good book or questing somewhere in Eorzea.
At times, Heather ventures outside to hike with friends, go biking, or go swimming. She prefers ocean water over lake water, has a fear of heights, and is currently in search of a new bike (her old one, Cliffjumper, can no longer shift gears, which makes steep hills impossible.)
She also loves anime, listening to music, and chocolate, and finds writing about herself in the third person quite odd.
She can’t remember when she first started tapping away at a keyboard but she’s grateful that those early attempts at writing are lost in the ancient format of floppy disc. She does miss that racing MS-DOS game she used to play, but has found other games to spend free time on, such as Final Fantasy XXIV and Magic the Gathering, when she has spare free time. A lot of her free time is spent reading her latest haul from the local library.
Heather wrote her first novel (which will never see the light of day) when she was fourteen, and published her first book, a YA science novella titled Augment, when she was twenty-one. She is now hard at work on her next publication, a YA fantasy novel.
When she’s not working on her current project, she can be found deep within the pages of a good book or questing somewhere in Eorzea.
At times, Heather ventures outside to hike with friends, go biking, or go swimming. She prefers ocean water over lake water, has a fear of heights, and is currently in search of a new bike (her old one, Cliffjumper, can no longer shift gears, which makes steep hills impossible.)
She also loves anime, listening to music, and chocolate, and finds writing about herself in the third person quite odd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 19, 2016
It’s been a long time since I’ve read any sci-fi that wasn’t dystopian. Augment was such a smooth read that I finished wanting more of Viki and Halle. I’m not sure if this falls in the novella or novel range, perhaps that’s part of why it flew by.
Viki is high school student with everything going right. She has her AI friend, Halle, her parents, brother, a new computer for her birthday, friends, and of course track. After an accident that left her unable to walk, Viki became an Upgrader(someone with implants to replace limbs or other necessary functions). But on her birthday, she starts experiencing trouble with her legs.
She tries to push it out of her mind, and at first finds that easy as the walls are closing in on Halle who escaped from a government lab. As more incidents occur, and Agent Smith starts poking around for other reasons besides Halle, Viki’s life and everything she knew crumbles around her.
The people in her life aren’t who she thought they were. Secrets, lies, and fair-weather friends explode out into the open. The number of things that Viki and Halle have to worry about is intense. There’s paparazzi, agents, parents, teachers, friends, and no one is who they seem to be.
The amount of action and various plot threads kept me from putting Augment down. It’s safe to say that I devoured this book and the ending wrapped up, but left so many things that could be further developed into more books, that I’m eagerly anticipating the next one.
Viki is high school student with everything going right. She has her AI friend, Halle, her parents, brother, a new computer for her birthday, friends, and of course track. After an accident that left her unable to walk, Viki became an Upgrader(someone with implants to replace limbs or other necessary functions). But on her birthday, she starts experiencing trouble with her legs.
She tries to push it out of her mind, and at first finds that easy as the walls are closing in on Halle who escaped from a government lab. As more incidents occur, and Agent Smith starts poking around for other reasons besides Halle, Viki’s life and everything she knew crumbles around her.
The people in her life aren’t who she thought they were. Secrets, lies, and fair-weather friends explode out into the open. The number of things that Viki and Halle have to worry about is intense. There’s paparazzi, agents, parents, teachers, friends, and no one is who they seem to be.
The amount of action and various plot threads kept me from putting Augment down. It’s safe to say that I devoured this book and the ending wrapped up, but left so many things that could be further developed into more books, that I’m eagerly anticipating the next one.
July 4, 2016
Vicki is a normal girl with implants in her brain and limbs that helped her overcome the drastic effects of a dreadful accident. Her family and friends love her. Her English teacher spoils her with special cookies because she is allergic to almonds, or so she thinks. And she has a friend Halle, an AI residing on her computer who shows up as a brilliant cat. And then all hell breaks loose.
She discovers she is an argument in a world where you cannot have both genetic argumentation and implants without dire consequences. The fight for her life becomes a journey of discovering ugly truths about her origins and about the genetic engineering field. It doesn’t help that the government is keen to discover that truth itself and destroy her friend Halle. And whether she loses her life while they are at it is the least of their worries.
Augment has a highly satisfying book that keeps its reader riveted to their reading device. The plot is very unpredictable and the tension almost tangible. The characters are so vivid you find yourself sharing their fears, their desperation and their tears. Though it is a fantasy, the author created a real world in which her characters reside by paying attention to details and lively conversation.
A great story from a great writer.
She discovers she is an argument in a world where you cannot have both genetic argumentation and implants without dire consequences. The fight for her life becomes a journey of discovering ugly truths about her origins and about the genetic engineering field. It doesn’t help that the government is keen to discover that truth itself and destroy her friend Halle. And whether she loses her life while they are at it is the least of their worries.
Augment has a highly satisfying book that keeps its reader riveted to their reading device. The plot is very unpredictable and the tension almost tangible. The characters are so vivid you find yourself sharing their fears, their desperation and their tears. Though it is a fantasy, the author created a real world in which her characters reside by paying attention to details and lively conversation.
A great story from a great writer.
October 3, 2016
Cats, Clouds and Conspiracy
"It's not easy, being the center of attention. Unless, of course, you enjoy it."
'Augment' is a very different kind of young adult fiction to the ones I have come across before. It is near future sci-fi and lightly dystopian. I very much enjoyed reading it.
In this near future where hover cars and smart homes are the norm, people can be improved or healed from injuries by one of two methods Augmenting or Upgrading, using genetic enhancements to the body or technological ones - synthetic biology or implants. To prevent any individual becoming super-human, the implants are equipped with methods of detecting any genetic changes caused by Augmenting, at which point the implants will stop working.
Our heroine, Viki, comes from a family who prefer taking the technological route and so following an accident in early childhood she received implants to her replace her legs. Now her greatest love is running and her second greatest love is her secret friend a rogue AI who 'lives' in her computer, called Halle (spot the '2001' allusion there?).
We start the story on Viki's sixteenth birthday - the day things first begin to go wrong. Pretty soon both she and Halle are fugitives from the authorities as the events of the past catch up with them both in the present.
"Shouldn't a highly advanced being like yourself be above such morals?" "I would prefer to think such morals are necessary for highly advanced beings."
This is a very well written book, by an author who understands pace and can develop characters into fully rounded and believable people in a short space of time. The story is well plotted and the science is mostly pretty believable.
It is good to find a degree of moral ambiguity creeping into a story that could have been played as a straight sci-fi thriller. Instead we have some of the 'baddies' who are varying shades and degrees of 'bad' not just a bunch of black hat wearers. We also have some 'goodies' who are not averse to doing dodgy things if it serves the better cause. In brief, the people are very real and their issues and the reasons for their behaviour is usually considered. The book also gently digs into the edges of the nature of sentience and how empathy is what makes us the most humane and, therefore, the most human.
But it is not a profound read, the philosophical aspects are there and real, but lightly blended into the mix leaving the tight action and mystery storylines to predominate - and ultimately this is a story about friendship and love.
Dark tendrils curled around my heart, squeezing like a running shoe that was too tight.
Unfortunately, there were one or two points in the story when I felt my credulity fall away. I do recognise that a less sophisticated young adult or teen reader might well not find that, but for me there were a couple of occasions where I felt a kind of: 'No - that just would not happen like that' feeling.
I was also disappointed that whilst pointing out that some of the 'baddies' were acting as they did from motives that were highly understandable, others were simply left cast as apparently irredeemable 'baddies', with no explanation offered in their defence and no sense that it was wrong to condemn them unheard. It was as if the empathy being extended and explored was cut off part way instead of being seen through. I think if it had been seen through this would have moved from a good to an excellent book in my estimation.
You will enjoy 'Augment' if you enjoy a good story and in particular if you are looking for a different YA read with a sci-fi flavour to it. It is all the things a good book should be - engaging, exciting, emotional and entertaining, with a satisfying ending that leaves you looking for more when the last page is read.
"It's not easy, being the center of attention. Unless, of course, you enjoy it."
'Augment' is a very different kind of young adult fiction to the ones I have come across before. It is near future sci-fi and lightly dystopian. I very much enjoyed reading it.
In this near future where hover cars and smart homes are the norm, people can be improved or healed from injuries by one of two methods Augmenting or Upgrading, using genetic enhancements to the body or technological ones - synthetic biology or implants. To prevent any individual becoming super-human, the implants are equipped with methods of detecting any genetic changes caused by Augmenting, at which point the implants will stop working.
Our heroine, Viki, comes from a family who prefer taking the technological route and so following an accident in early childhood she received implants to her replace her legs. Now her greatest love is running and her second greatest love is her secret friend a rogue AI who 'lives' in her computer, called Halle (spot the '2001' allusion there?).
We start the story on Viki's sixteenth birthday - the day things first begin to go wrong. Pretty soon both she and Halle are fugitives from the authorities as the events of the past catch up with them both in the present.
"Shouldn't a highly advanced being like yourself be above such morals?" "I would prefer to think such morals are necessary for highly advanced beings."
This is a very well written book, by an author who understands pace and can develop characters into fully rounded and believable people in a short space of time. The story is well plotted and the science is mostly pretty believable.
It is good to find a degree of moral ambiguity creeping into a story that could have been played as a straight sci-fi thriller. Instead we have some of the 'baddies' who are varying shades and degrees of 'bad' not just a bunch of black hat wearers. We also have some 'goodies' who are not averse to doing dodgy things if it serves the better cause. In brief, the people are very real and their issues and the reasons for their behaviour is usually considered. The book also gently digs into the edges of the nature of sentience and how empathy is what makes us the most humane and, therefore, the most human.
But it is not a profound read, the philosophical aspects are there and real, but lightly blended into the mix leaving the tight action and mystery storylines to predominate - and ultimately this is a story about friendship and love.
Dark tendrils curled around my heart, squeezing like a running shoe that was too tight.
Unfortunately, there were one or two points in the story when I felt my credulity fall away. I do recognise that a less sophisticated young adult or teen reader might well not find that, but for me there were a couple of occasions where I felt a kind of: 'No - that just would not happen like that' feeling.
I was also disappointed that whilst pointing out that some of the 'baddies' were acting as they did from motives that were highly understandable, others were simply left cast as apparently irredeemable 'baddies', with no explanation offered in their defence and no sense that it was wrong to condemn them unheard. It was as if the empathy being extended and explored was cut off part way instead of being seen through. I think if it had been seen through this would have moved from a good to an excellent book in my estimation.
You will enjoy 'Augment' if you enjoy a good story and in particular if you are looking for a different YA read with a sci-fi flavour to it. It is all the things a good book should be - engaging, exciting, emotional and entertaining, with a satisfying ending that leaves you looking for more when the last page is read.
February 27, 2017
A great read. Society is split into two types of people who choose to either be Upgraders (use of biological implants) or Augmenters (use of gene therapy). The two technologies cannot be mixed without dire consequences. When Viki discovers that her implants are glitching, the reveal that she may have been Augmented as a baby is catastrophic.
The book follows the adventures of Viki as she uncovers her past and deals with her present with the help of her rogue AI friend, Halle. To complicate matters, the equivalent of the FBI get on her tail.
This is a real page-turner, I could hardly put it down. And mixed in with the action are some real questions about the future of AI and the ethics and morality involved. Both exciting and thought-provoking.
Definitely recommend!
The book follows the adventures of Viki as she uncovers her past and deals with her present with the help of her rogue AI friend, Halle. To complicate matters, the equivalent of the FBI get on her tail.
This is a real page-turner, I could hardly put it down. And mixed in with the action are some real questions about the future of AI and the ethics and morality involved. Both exciting and thought-provoking.
Definitely recommend!
May 22, 2016
This was a thrilling insight into a world where people are not always what they seem and Artificial Intelligence proves to be a reality.
Halle is a convincing entity who has been a part of young Vickie's life for years, hiding out in the girl's home, unbeknownst to the rest of the family.
Intrigue and adventure ensue when Vickie discovers her implants are malfunctioning due to illegal tinkering with her DNA.
With such an interesting plot and nicely rounded list of characters, I will recommend this one to lovers of YA fantasy.
Halle is a convincing entity who has been a part of young Vickie's life for years, hiding out in the girl's home, unbeknownst to the rest of the family.
Intrigue and adventure ensue when Vickie discovers her implants are malfunctioning due to illegal tinkering with her DNA.
With such an interesting plot and nicely rounded list of characters, I will recommend this one to lovers of YA fantasy.
August 17, 2016
The book is well written and reading can be done smoothly and quickly and i liked this part mostly because I look for the reading part first. Secondly, the characters are well made so there's no complication anywhere in the book. Viki and her AI friend Halle were both very good and there was family too though not biological. Viki had bonded with her brother and is sympathetic which makes her a great lead. The book is confined to proper number and is an interesting one.
January 7, 2017
A futuristic jaunt through a world of implants, augments and rogue AI
I enjoyed Augment and expect it would appeal to a wide range of YA readers.
The story is set (apparently) in the not-too-distant future during a time when cybernetic implants and gene augmentation are commonplace, but mutually exclusive, and for good reason. Fearing the creation of 'superhumans', the Government vigorously pursues and persecutes anyone who tries to become a combined Augmenter/Upgrader. Even more dissuasive, dual enhancements almost always produce death in the recipients.
Enter our heroine, Viki Wandel, a likable, sixteen-year-old, distance runner who is still learning to master her leg implants, the result of a (vaguely-referenced) tragic accident sometime during her youth. Strangely, when her implants start acting up, a series of tests produce an improbable diagnosis. In the complications that ensue, Viki, with the help of her trusted best friend/confidant/rogue-AI-kitty, Halle, and the support of her family, must unravel the secrets behind a clandestine, decades-old, highly-illegal experiment.
What I liked: Augment is an easy, enjoyable read. The style is light but engaging, the characters reasonably fleshed-out, the plot interesting, and the pacing comfortable.
What I thought could be improved: Given Hayden's light, breezy style, most of the suggestions that come to mind (deeper character development, more backstory, more explanations of implants, augmentations, the Government, etc.) would be misplaced, and might possibly destroy the essence of what Augment clearly is - a quick, enjoyable read. The only thing I do wish is that Halle had been a 'she' and a 'her', and not an 'it'. I, for one, certainly related to her as an individual. I can't imagine Viki did not.
I enjoyed Augment and expect it would appeal to a wide range of YA readers.
The story is set (apparently) in the not-too-distant future during a time when cybernetic implants and gene augmentation are commonplace, but mutually exclusive, and for good reason. Fearing the creation of 'superhumans', the Government vigorously pursues and persecutes anyone who tries to become a combined Augmenter/Upgrader. Even more dissuasive, dual enhancements almost always produce death in the recipients.
Enter our heroine, Viki Wandel, a likable, sixteen-year-old, distance runner who is still learning to master her leg implants, the result of a (vaguely-referenced) tragic accident sometime during her youth. Strangely, when her implants start acting up, a series of tests produce an improbable diagnosis. In the complications that ensue, Viki, with the help of her trusted best friend/confidant/rogue-AI-kitty, Halle, and the support of her family, must unravel the secrets behind a clandestine, decades-old, highly-illegal experiment.
What I liked: Augment is an easy, enjoyable read. The style is light but engaging, the characters reasonably fleshed-out, the plot interesting, and the pacing comfortable.
What I thought could be improved: Given Hayden's light, breezy style, most of the suggestions that come to mind (deeper character development, more backstory, more explanations of implants, augmentations, the Government, etc.) would be misplaced, and might possibly destroy the essence of what Augment clearly is - a quick, enjoyable read. The only thing I do wish is that Halle had been a 'she' and a 'her', and not an 'it'. I, for one, certainly related to her as an individual. I can't imagine Viki did not.
April 27, 2016
The story opens with a young girl named Viki, running. Sorry, that’s all you get, for fear of spoilers. She has a nice family and an unusual best friend; she goes to school and likes to try odd foods; she’s smart and athletic and normal. Then again, there are things about her that the reader doesn’t know; things she doesn’t know about herself; things that some dangerous people are trying to find out.
At first, the story is reminiscent of Robert Sawyer’s ‘Wake’, but then it takes unexpected paths and is actually better. It’s a compact novel: the plot moves along steadily and the suspense builds, with no wasted words or tedious explanations. The intriguing near-futuristic technology is taken for granted by the characters who live with it. I hope this is part of a series, because readers might enjoy a little more elaboration on the science and back-story on the circumstances. The events are plausible, the characters are likeable and their actions are convincing.
The novel is structured in short chapters, mainly told in first person by the protagonist. When the narrative switches to a different point of view, those chapters are called Interludes: no confusion. The language is clear, natural, age-appropriate and literate. The values and feelings depicted are both credible and laudable.
The down-side… I looked, but there just isn’t one. It’s not grand literature, but it’s excellent science fiction for young readers. Why only four stars, then? We have to hold one in reserve for the return of Ray Bradbury.
March 19, 2017
Augment is trying to shoot two birds with one shot: it is both a science fiction novel that wants to be taken as such and young adult dystopian fiction. Sometimes, addressing a too large audience may backfire, but in the end the author was able to write an agreeable story. It the story of the sixteen years old Viki, an unlucky girl whose implants that help her live a normal life fail exactly on her birthday. As if that was not enough, her doctor discovers that she had some genetic enhancements, in a society where implants with genetic enhancements are not tolerated. Now, while such interdiction is somehow artificial, it helped to create a lot of tension and suspense. Surprisingly, in the end the most interesting character was the renegade AI, Halle. Like Viki, Halle was forced to evade the authorities just to survive, and this created a good story about friendship between a young girl and a renegade AI.
January 20, 2019
This book is phenomenal. The set up is done in a way that gives you just enough information to hook you and keep you reading until you hit the end. The sci-fi is creative, and explained in a way that is easy to understand. Both Viki and Halle are characters that I easily fell in love with and rooted for. I wish I could give it 10 out of 5 stars.
March 15, 2017
Heather Hayden’s Augment is an enjoyable, easy to read sci-fi novella set in the near future. When Viki’s implants begin to fail on her birthday, she thinks it’s just a malfunction but things quicker take a darker turn as secrets about who she really is begin to come to light and that’s when the book really takes off. There’re several good twists within Augment, most of which I didn’t see coming in fact, which is rare.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of the book though was Halle, Viki’s AI friend. It’s (though I tend to think of it as a she) existence brings up some interesting questions that get explored in this book. Agent Smith was another I liked because he’s deeper than he first appears.
The book is short, just over 200 pages and it reads quickly. The author also does a good job of explaining concepts that might be challenging and making them easy to swallow and understand. I'd recommend to people who like sci-fi and books dealing with AI.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of the book though was Halle, Viki’s AI friend. It’s (though I tend to think of it as a she) existence brings up some interesting questions that get explored in this book. Agent Smith was another I liked because he’s deeper than he first appears.
The book is short, just over 200 pages and it reads quickly. The author also does a good job of explaining concepts that might be challenging and making them easy to swallow and understand. I'd recommend to people who like sci-fi and books dealing with AI.
July 17, 2016
Nowhere in the story is the title defined. From reading the book it has to be assumed that it relates to the manipulation of human genes in order to gain some advantage. There is no date in the novel as to when it is set, but it can be assumed it is some time in the future, as the protagonist has implants in both her legs and head.
Halle is the AI and at first I wondered if he was a robot, but he actually lives in the computer and materialises and changes like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Like Asimov’s I Robot the AI develops human feelings by being in contact with Viki over a period of time. This causes him to feel concern and worry when she becomes ill.
Her relationship with her immediate family generally forms a backdrop to the story. Even when she discovers she is adopted, the conflict is minimal with the emphasis being more on finding her true parents. The only family member she seems to have a strong connection with, is her brother.
The first chapter concerns the act of running, as this is central to Viki’s well-being. It makes a strong statement about the feel, power, adrenaline and importance of running. In this sense it makes a powerful impression and is a very good opening. She remembers a time when she could not run and her fear is that she will become incapacitated and unable to run. This is her crisis. Her journey to find out what is wrong, shows a determination and strength of character born out of a competitive spirit.
Smith is the SARB agent tasked to look after her and it is interesting to see his character develop from being the enforcer, into a more compassionate role. This change occurs due to Halle taking a more dominant and active role in challenging the authorities.
I’m not sure some of the domestic detail adds much to the story. The birthday party, homework, school, may put it in the YA genre, but I feel it does little more. For me the central story is being able to pursue her dream of running and she could do that as an adult. On the whole this book is easy to read with some interesting issues and characters.
Halle is the AI and at first I wondered if he was a robot, but he actually lives in the computer and materialises and changes like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Like Asimov’s I Robot the AI develops human feelings by being in contact with Viki over a period of time. This causes him to feel concern and worry when she becomes ill.
Her relationship with her immediate family generally forms a backdrop to the story. Even when she discovers she is adopted, the conflict is minimal with the emphasis being more on finding her true parents. The only family member she seems to have a strong connection with, is her brother.
The first chapter concerns the act of running, as this is central to Viki’s well-being. It makes a strong statement about the feel, power, adrenaline and importance of running. In this sense it makes a powerful impression and is a very good opening. She remembers a time when she could not run and her fear is that she will become incapacitated and unable to run. This is her crisis. Her journey to find out what is wrong, shows a determination and strength of character born out of a competitive spirit.
Smith is the SARB agent tasked to look after her and it is interesting to see his character develop from being the enforcer, into a more compassionate role. This change occurs due to Halle taking a more dominant and active role in challenging the authorities.
I’m not sure some of the domestic detail adds much to the story. The birthday party, homework, school, may put it in the YA genre, but I feel it does little more. For me the central story is being able to pursue her dream of running and she could do that as an adult. On the whole this book is easy to read with some interesting issues and characters.
July 29, 2016
This is an ambitious book. It is science fiction plus young adult. The science fiction gives the impression that it wishes to be taken seriously as such – artificial intelligence, genetic augmentation, and cybernetic implants. In addition, there are related social and political questions: Is the government’s concern too fussy and obsessive? Are the countermeasures it adopts, such as the special agents (SARB) and their tactics, intrusive and excessive?
The story is also ambitious in combining the above with narration (mostly) in the first person, from the point of view of the main character, a sixteen year old woman who is also able to get into the “mind” of her Artificial Intelligence friend, Halle: “in the digital world [the MC and the AI frequently play a virtual game, Realmshards], Halle’s character could simply heal Viki’s … In the real world, death was always final … The very unfairness of it made every bit of Halle hum with anger.” This is simply not believable, the AI having these thoughts, the MC getting into the mind of the AI to report it, the whole “gestalt.”
At another point, the author reports – but it is still in Viki’s voice – that the AI “fragmented … a change of state that allowed a part of it to slide down the signal … while the other part kept watch …. Splitting consciousness like this was second nature to Halle.” The author cannot expect the reader to believe that the sixteen year old MC came up with this thought. One might comment also that this realization came at a very “convenient time,” just as the SARB agents were closing in, thus giving the story a very contrived feel.
One last example of a revelation that challenges belief, the MC wonders “Did sentient AIs have somewhere they went or were they simply destroyed? … What would have happened to me if my implants had failed for good?” This is a consideration that one might find on the first Star Trek series, but never from any sixteen year old.
The story is otherwise told with care and hard work. Science fiction has been successfully combined with young adult characters. I regret to report that this is not an example.
The story is also ambitious in combining the above with narration (mostly) in the first person, from the point of view of the main character, a sixteen year old woman who is also able to get into the “mind” of her Artificial Intelligence friend, Halle: “in the digital world [the MC and the AI frequently play a virtual game, Realmshards], Halle’s character could simply heal Viki’s … In the real world, death was always final … The very unfairness of it made every bit of Halle hum with anger.” This is simply not believable, the AI having these thoughts, the MC getting into the mind of the AI to report it, the whole “gestalt.”
At another point, the author reports – but it is still in Viki’s voice – that the AI “fragmented … a change of state that allowed a part of it to slide down the signal … while the other part kept watch …. Splitting consciousness like this was second nature to Halle.” The author cannot expect the reader to believe that the sixteen year old MC came up with this thought. One might comment also that this realization came at a very “convenient time,” just as the SARB agents were closing in, thus giving the story a very contrived feel.
One last example of a revelation that challenges belief, the MC wonders “Did sentient AIs have somewhere they went or were they simply destroyed? … What would have happened to me if my implants had failed for good?” This is a consideration that one might find on the first Star Trek series, but never from any sixteen year old.
The story is otherwise told with care and hard work. Science fiction has been successfully combined with young adult characters. I regret to report that this is not an example.
April 25, 2016
“Augment” is the story of Vicissitude “Viki” Wandel, who due to a childhood accident now lives with 3 implants: both her legs, and her brain. In this sci fi vision of a not too distant future, people needing medical intervention can choose one of two paths: augmentation, whereby you receive implants, or upgrading, where you receive DNA modification. It is illegal to receive both procedures, so once you choose one path you have to stick with it.
Viki is a dedicated runner, and determined to be her school’s top athlete despite her implants. She is also friends with a rogue AI, Halle, who has been hiding in her computer since his escape from a laboratory 6 years ago. When her implants start to fail her, Viki finds out that unbeknownst to her, her genes had been upgraded when she was a baby. It is now up to her to find her biological parents and uncover the truth of her genetics, before her implant failures lead to her death, and the government closes in on Halle’s whereabouts.
This is a sci fi story about friendship, AI ethics, and the bonds of adoptive versus biological family. The writing is clean and the characters believable. While I didn’t follow all of the computer science logic, the story generally takes over as you follow Viki on her journey to discover her past and defend her future. I did ultimately root for the AI as he decides to use his powers to help Viki, and feel “Augment” would be good for anyone after a wholesome sci fi read.
Viki is a dedicated runner, and determined to be her school’s top athlete despite her implants. She is also friends with a rogue AI, Halle, who has been hiding in her computer since his escape from a laboratory 6 years ago. When her implants start to fail her, Viki finds out that unbeknownst to her, her genes had been upgraded when she was a baby. It is now up to her to find her biological parents and uncover the truth of her genetics, before her implant failures lead to her death, and the government closes in on Halle’s whereabouts.
This is a sci fi story about friendship, AI ethics, and the bonds of adoptive versus biological family. The writing is clean and the characters believable. While I didn’t follow all of the computer science logic, the story generally takes over as you follow Viki on her journey to discover her past and defend her future. I did ultimately root for the AI as he decides to use his powers to help Viki, and feel “Augment” would be good for anyone after a wholesome sci fi read.
July 20, 2016
Vicissitude (Vicki) Wandel is a sixteen-year-old runner with a loving family and an unusual computer friend. Her government mandates that augmentation (by changing your genetic code) and upgrades (artificial implants) must be distinct: if you have augmented, you must not upgrade, and vice versa. Vicki has upgrades on both legs and in her brain after a terrible accident when she was younger. The upgrades have always worked well, so why are they now suddenly failing periodically? And why does her blood test indicate augmentation, when she was always listed as natural?
Augment is not a long book. I found it a bit slow in the beginning, but by the middle it went faster, and by the last third I was genuinely thrilled. Vicki is a sympathetic heroine and her adversary, Agent Smith, is also sympathetic, which made the conflict interesting. Other characters aren’t as well developed, but nonetheless managed to hold my attention. The plot is good, especially once things start happening in earnest. Overall, I liked this offering very much and don’t hesitate to recommend it.
Augment is not a long book. I found it a bit slow in the beginning, but by the middle it went faster, and by the last third I was genuinely thrilled. Vicki is a sympathetic heroine and her adversary, Agent Smith, is also sympathetic, which made the conflict interesting. Other characters aren’t as well developed, but nonetheless managed to hold my attention. The plot is good, especially once things start happening in earnest. Overall, I liked this offering very much and don’t hesitate to recommend it.
January 28, 2017
Augment is one of those great books that keeps your interest locked in until you run out of pages. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for well rounded, and well written, story with characters that will make you care. It is especially suited to the YA reader, but as I myself am not that young and still found the book interesting, I can safely say it is also good for the older reader.
Set in the not too distant future, the story follows the dual conflicts of the protagonist, Victory, a high school aged girl who lives with various bionic implants and also has an fugitive AI program for a best friend. Both Vikki's implants and the life of her best friend come into jeopardy quite early in the story, and from then on the writer keeps us enthralled all the way to the end.
It's rare I find a book that has no faults to speak of. While the general theme of the book may not be what I usually read, it was still an interesting read, and I did not skip a single page or paragraph. A well disserved five stars.
Set in the not too distant future, the story follows the dual conflicts of the protagonist, Victory, a high school aged girl who lives with various bionic implants and also has an fugitive AI program for a best friend. Both Vikki's implants and the life of her best friend come into jeopardy quite early in the story, and from then on the writer keeps us enthralled all the way to the end.
It's rare I find a book that has no faults to speak of. While the general theme of the book may not be what I usually read, it was still an interesting read, and I did not skip a single page or paragraph. A well disserved five stars.
December 15, 2016
Augment is an interesting book, it is written (in the best possible way) like a cozy mystery or Middle School book. This makes it an easy read, while going into a future where Upgraders: people with Cybernetic Implants, Augmenters: people genetically altered, and rogue AI programs, co-exist but are not on the friendliest terms.
If you wish, you can start thinking about the implications that different alterations to what makes us human will have on society, or skip it and read a nice little mystery. The way the book is written really leaves that up to the reader.
Good YA fiction covers complex topics, without "talking down" to the reader. That is exactly what this book does. All and all a nice read.
If you wish, you can start thinking about the implications that different alterations to what makes us human will have on society, or skip it and read a nice little mystery. The way the book is written really leaves that up to the reader.
Good YA fiction covers complex topics, without "talking down" to the reader. That is exactly what this book does. All and all a nice read.
October 6, 2016
I am a sucker for cats and rogue AI Halle presents as a cat on the computer screen, however, that would not be enough for the 5 star rating.
Augment appears to be this author's first novel and I hope she write many more. The book begins when futuristic Viki turns 16 and gets more complicated as life
-threatening health issues become apparent. Then, we learn that there are many secrets from the past, causing the problems. Viki also has a secret that she calls Halle. an AI, that is being hunted.
Augment's characters 'breath life' and the plot points do not feel contrived.
Augment appears to be this author's first novel and I hope she write many more. The book begins when futuristic Viki turns 16 and gets more complicated as life
-threatening health issues become apparent. Then, we learn that there are many secrets from the past, causing the problems. Viki also has a secret that she calls Halle. an AI, that is being hunted.
Augment's characters 'breath life' and the plot points do not feel contrived.
November 4, 2016
Augment was a delightful young adult read. I particularly liked that it began and ended with joy. When adding up the score on a check list for this book, it came to a 3.5, but I enjoyed it enough to bump it that extra half star. This is a 4 star read for me.
In the near future, genetic augmentation is the new black market drug of choice for people who have either been technologically upgraded or were born natural and have stayed that way. But it’s as dangerous as doing drugs and can even kill you. The government, in an effort to prevent the creation of super humans, made laws that all augmentation must be kept separate from all upgrades. In other words, if you have a prosthetic upgrade, you can’t have genetic augmentation to make you have better eyesight, or curly hair, or better muscles for running. The technology of
upgrades is all implanted with code that samples the DNA of the recipient and shuts down the prosthesis if genetic augmentation is detected.
Enter Viki Wandel, a 16 year old who loves to run. She has artificial legs and a chip in her brain to replace what was lost in a bad accident when she was five. She would never even consider getting illegal gene augmentation. She knows it could kill her or at least land her in jail. No problem right? The prostheses work well for her and she can run all she wants. Until her upgrades start failing and her whole world falls apart.
This story is well thought out. There is no clear cut antagonist, but life tends to be antagonistic to a lot of teens, so it works. The author has a very good handle on the emotions and behavior of teenage girls. Viki and her brother are believable as siblings and Viki’s reaction to learning that her parents hid something from her for her whole life felt very real.
Another plus was the excellent editing job. There were so few problems with spelling, typos, missing words, grammar gaffs, and all the other writing pitfalls that I could not point out any single one. That means I got to enjoy the read without constantly having to stop and shake my head.
Now for the downside. I am fairly sure that if you baked genetic material, it would destroy it, so the science is hocus pocus more than anything else
in the story. However, I enjoyed the twists and turns, the interaction of the characters, and the way none of the expected “bad guys” were really set in stone. They felt like real people. My enjoyment of the overall story helped me ignore the bad science.
I would have liked to have seen more follow through with some of the characters, but that is just me. I’m curious by nature and want to know what happened in some of the scenes that were never resolved.
If you like young adult, teen against the grown-ups type stories, you’ll love Augment.
In the near future, genetic augmentation is the new black market drug of choice for people who have either been technologically upgraded or were born natural and have stayed that way. But it’s as dangerous as doing drugs and can even kill you. The government, in an effort to prevent the creation of super humans, made laws that all augmentation must be kept separate from all upgrades. In other words, if you have a prosthetic upgrade, you can’t have genetic augmentation to make you have better eyesight, or curly hair, or better muscles for running. The technology of
upgrades is all implanted with code that samples the DNA of the recipient and shuts down the prosthesis if genetic augmentation is detected.
Enter Viki Wandel, a 16 year old who loves to run. She has artificial legs and a chip in her brain to replace what was lost in a bad accident when she was five. She would never even consider getting illegal gene augmentation. She knows it could kill her or at least land her in jail. No problem right? The prostheses work well for her and she can run all she wants. Until her upgrades start failing and her whole world falls apart.
This story is well thought out. There is no clear cut antagonist, but life tends to be antagonistic to a lot of teens, so it works. The author has a very good handle on the emotions and behavior of teenage girls. Viki and her brother are believable as siblings and Viki’s reaction to learning that her parents hid something from her for her whole life felt very real.
Another plus was the excellent editing job. There were so few problems with spelling, typos, missing words, grammar gaffs, and all the other writing pitfalls that I could not point out any single one. That means I got to enjoy the read without constantly having to stop and shake my head.
Now for the downside. I am fairly sure that if you baked genetic material, it would destroy it, so the science is hocus pocus more than anything else
in the story. However, I enjoyed the twists and turns, the interaction of the characters, and the way none of the expected “bad guys” were really set in stone. They felt like real people. My enjoyment of the overall story helped me ignore the bad science.
I would have liked to have seen more follow through with some of the characters, but that is just me. I’m curious by nature and want to know what happened in some of the scenes that were never resolved.
If you like young adult, teen against the grown-ups type stories, you’ll love Augment.
December 9, 2017
*** SPOILER WARNING ***
I enjoyed this book. I usually read more fantasy than sci-fi so this was a really interesting change.
I thought the sci-fi elements were really clever. I particularly liked the relationship between Viki and Halle the AI. This is a genre I would not have the knowledge or the confidence to tackle myself, so I thought that was well done.
The book did leave me with a few questions (Why is Halle called Halle? What was Viki's accident? What lab did Halle escape from? What is Agent Smith's past?) so it is a shame these elements weren't built on or that there isn't going to be a sequel. Although, having said this, I really liked the ending.
I thought it was a good read and would recommend it to fans of the sci-fi genre or those even who don't read a lot of sci-fi but enjoy YA.
I enjoyed this book. I usually read more fantasy than sci-fi so this was a really interesting change.
I thought the sci-fi elements were really clever. I particularly liked the relationship between Viki and Halle the AI. This is a genre I would not have the knowledge or the confidence to tackle myself, so I thought that was well done.
The book did leave me with a few questions (Why is Halle called Halle? What was Viki's accident? What lab did Halle escape from? What is Agent Smith's past?) so it is a shame these elements weren't built on or that there isn't going to be a sequel. Although, having said this, I really liked the ending.
I thought it was a good read and would recommend it to fans of the sci-fi genre or those even who don't read a lot of sci-fi but enjoy YA.
October 20, 2017
This is a sci-fi novella that reads quickly and is heart-stoppingly wonderful. Augment features a strong female character (Viki) and an absolutely charming AI who primarily takes form as a virtual cat. (Halle). There are many reviews that give you the blurb- so I'll skip that.
Overall, the main character has a compelling personality. The pacing is urgent. There are "interludes" where we see other perspectives, including Agent Smith. The ending was satisfying. If anything, I wouldn't mind if it were a bit longer to see the consequences play out. For example, do her friends change their minds after they thought Viki performed illegal augmentation?
Overall, this is a well-rounded novella worth reading. I highly recommend!
Overall, the main character has a compelling personality. The pacing is urgent. There are "interludes" where we see other perspectives, including Agent Smith. The ending was satisfying. If anything, I wouldn't mind if it were a bit longer to see the consequences play out. For example, do her friends change their minds after they thought Viki performed illegal augmentation?
Overall, this is a well-rounded novella worth reading. I highly recommend!
November 12, 2017
I usually don't read Sci-Fi, but this book shattered my preconceptions of this genre.
Augment is the story of Viki, a high school girl with a passion for running, and a fugitive AI friend, Halle, who lives on her computer. Everything seems to be going their way until Viki's leg implants begin to malfunction. Their efforts to get Viki's life back together, deal with government officials, and keep Halle from being discovered keeps you turning the pages.
The amount of work and creativity put into this book really shines through. The world-building is great, and the story keeps you thirsty from the beginning to the end. It's one of those stories where you want to know the ending, but don't want them to end at the same time.
Augment is the story of Viki, a high school girl with a passion for running, and a fugitive AI friend, Halle, who lives on her computer. Everything seems to be going their way until Viki's leg implants begin to malfunction. Their efforts to get Viki's life back together, deal with government officials, and keep Halle from being discovered keeps you turning the pages.
The amount of work and creativity put into this book really shines through. The world-building is great, and the story keeps you thirsty from the beginning to the end. It's one of those stories where you want to know the ending, but don't want them to end at the same time.
September 4, 2017
I give 3,5 stars rounded up. Viki and her AI cat are nice and have really severe problems, which makes the book exciting.
December 25, 2016
Augment proved an engaging and enjoyable read, though I believe it could have been (even) better.
Augment, as you might be able to guess, is a SciFi novel. It follows a rather innocuously named Viki, who—as the description alludes—has certain cybernetic implants that allow her to move. An accident, the details of which were never made known (but which we can assume to be quite bad) left her paralysed; it was only with her implants that she was able to live a normal life.
Unfortunately, Viki learns that someone, somehow, has altered her genes with illegal augmentation. Since her implants scan her DNA—and combining augmentation with implants is illegal—this in effect is a death sentence.
That’s basically the premise of the plot, and the plot delivers on it. There was plenty of action; there were numerous unexpected plot points, some foreshadowed and others entirely unexpected. Pacing was controlled well. The language—a no-nonsense simple to read prose—conveyed mood and action well.
Augment proved interesting in other ways as well. For one, there’s an additional main character: its name is Halle, and it is an AI. I found this character to be the most compelling of all. His avatar—a cat—always had a swishing tail, a hair on end, a violet streak in the eye or a change of coat colour. These body language elements worked remarkably well to convey Halle’s inner feelings (although non-cat people may disagree!) But yes: Halle is indeed a sentient character, and one I found to be fiercely loyal, compassionate, and intelligent.
Halle also served to make up for some of the weaknesses of Viki’s character, namely her naivety and lack of analytical intelligence. In fact, I actually found Viki to be a somewhat mediocre teenage girl; I did not find myself especially attracted to her. It was Halle which really made the story strong.
Other minor characters the author served up well. James, Viki’s brother, was loyal and caring—just as you’d expect from a good brother. Viki’s parents were well captured: the combination of maternal concern, inadequacy as parents, and distress at Viki’s condition did make them feel very real.
The prose, as I have already mentioned, is succinct and direct; it is appropriate for the genre and character of the book. I will however comment on the mixing of first and third person, which I found didn’t really work for me.
So why, do you wonder, have I not given Augment five stars?
There were some faults. Two I have already mentioned: I found Viki as a main character to be rather dull, and there were some minor gripes with the narration. Other minor faults include a lack of more in-depth worldbuilding. I did not know why, for example, augmentation and implantation were really illegal—beyond a vague explanation about a fear of creating superhumans. Nor did I know why people still tried to combine implamantion with augmentation, since it was inevitably a death sentence.
But the main problem, at least for me, was that I felt a broader plot arc was missing. We were often told and shown how shadowy the Government was; that they persecuted genetic scientists, spied on the populace, and were unafraid of stooping to murder. Great—standard dystopia, right? Well, yes, but the story was entirely concerned with the fate of this one girl. I felt that the story needed to be placed in a bigger struggle; that there should have been more to it, so to speak.
Anyway, for all this, Augment proved a strong read. The combination of fast-paced plot, good characterisation, and one very interesting cat served up plenty to entertain the reader.
Rating: 4/5
Augment, as you might be able to guess, is a SciFi novel. It follows a rather innocuously named Viki, who—as the description alludes—has certain cybernetic implants that allow her to move. An accident, the details of which were never made known (but which we can assume to be quite bad) left her paralysed; it was only with her implants that she was able to live a normal life.
Unfortunately, Viki learns that someone, somehow, has altered her genes with illegal augmentation. Since her implants scan her DNA—and combining augmentation with implants is illegal—this in effect is a death sentence.
That’s basically the premise of the plot, and the plot delivers on it. There was plenty of action; there were numerous unexpected plot points, some foreshadowed and others entirely unexpected. Pacing was controlled well. The language—a no-nonsense simple to read prose—conveyed mood and action well.
Augment proved interesting in other ways as well. For one, there’s an additional main character: its name is Halle, and it is an AI. I found this character to be the most compelling of all. His avatar—a cat—always had a swishing tail, a hair on end, a violet streak in the eye or a change of coat colour. These body language elements worked remarkably well to convey Halle’s inner feelings (although non-cat people may disagree!) But yes: Halle is indeed a sentient character, and one I found to be fiercely loyal, compassionate, and intelligent.
Halle also served to make up for some of the weaknesses of Viki’s character, namely her naivety and lack of analytical intelligence. In fact, I actually found Viki to be a somewhat mediocre teenage girl; I did not find myself especially attracted to her. It was Halle which really made the story strong.
Other minor characters the author served up well. James, Viki’s brother, was loyal and caring—just as you’d expect from a good brother. Viki’s parents were well captured: the combination of maternal concern, inadequacy as parents, and distress at Viki’s condition did make them feel very real.
The prose, as I have already mentioned, is succinct and direct; it is appropriate for the genre and character of the book. I will however comment on the mixing of first and third person, which I found didn’t really work for me.
So why, do you wonder, have I not given Augment five stars?
There were some faults. Two I have already mentioned: I found Viki as a main character to be rather dull, and there were some minor gripes with the narration. Other minor faults include a lack of more in-depth worldbuilding. I did not know why, for example, augmentation and implantation were really illegal—beyond a vague explanation about a fear of creating superhumans. Nor did I know why people still tried to combine implamantion with augmentation, since it was inevitably a death sentence.
But the main problem, at least for me, was that I felt a broader plot arc was missing. We were often told and shown how shadowy the Government was; that they persecuted genetic scientists, spied on the populace, and were unafraid of stooping to murder. Great—standard dystopia, right? Well, yes, but the story was entirely concerned with the fate of this one girl. I felt that the story needed to be placed in a bigger struggle; that there should have been more to it, so to speak.
Anyway, for all this, Augment proved a strong read. The combination of fast-paced plot, good characterisation, and one very interesting cat served up plenty to entertain the reader.
Rating: 4/5
April 6, 2016
Sixteen year old Viki is about to learn that the implants she relies on are failing. But that's not the only thing she's about to learn. Her whole world is about to be turned upside down. The government are using her, her body is failing her, and her parents have been lying to her. Thankfully she has her good friend and AI, Halle, to help her as she searches for answers.
The core of this book seemed to be relationships, Viki and Halle, Viki and her parents, Viki and her brother, Viki and her friends, I liked the different things each of these relationships brought to the character of Viki but by far the most interesting relationship was between her and the AI. I thought it took a while for the AI character to really come into its own and be something more than just a way for Viki to get information but by the end of the story Halle was my favourite character! Viki herself was strong and determined, she never gave up and continued seeking answers no matter what obstacles were put in her path. I liked the closeness between the two and the genuine care and respect they had for each other, and how fearful both were at the prospect of losing the other.
I wouldn't have minded knowing a bit more about her parents and brother and seeing some things from their point of view, particularly her brother. And I would have liked to have some closure in the relationship between Viki and her school friends, but otherwise an interesting story following Viki's journey to find out where she came from and her fight to save her life. The story was nicely written, interesting and exciting, had engaging characters, and it had me wanting to know just who was responsible for Viki's augmentation and then offered some surprises when all was revealed.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The core of this book seemed to be relationships, Viki and Halle, Viki and her parents, Viki and her brother, Viki and her friends, I liked the different things each of these relationships brought to the character of Viki but by far the most interesting relationship was between her and the AI. I thought it took a while for the AI character to really come into its own and be something more than just a way for Viki to get information but by the end of the story Halle was my favourite character! Viki herself was strong and determined, she never gave up and continued seeking answers no matter what obstacles were put in her path. I liked the closeness between the two and the genuine care and respect they had for each other, and how fearful both were at the prospect of losing the other.
I wouldn't have minded knowing a bit more about her parents and brother and seeing some things from their point of view, particularly her brother. And I would have liked to have some closure in the relationship between Viki and her school friends, but otherwise an interesting story following Viki's journey to find out where she came from and her fight to save her life. The story was nicely written, interesting and exciting, had engaging characters, and it had me wanting to know just who was responsible for Viki's augmentation and then offered some surprises when all was revealed.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2016
This MG/YA novel will appeal to budding sci-fi fans. The main characters are Vicki, young girl raised by a loving family, and an AI fugitive. They form a friendship where the AI, Halle (a bow to the famous Hal) acts as a kind of guardian angle for Vicki as her life is threatened by the darker sides of the adult world.
The forces in the story are aligned between good (Halle, Vicki, her family), evil (government, scientists), and evil's pawns (doctors, a lone detective) who are ineffective against the evil forces who provide paychecks. Halle is the true hero, while Vicki is the modern version of a damsel-in-distress. A traditional damsel would simply lie on the railroad ties and wait for the hero. Vicki takes initiative and provides some protection for Halle. Modern damsels are more interesting than their predecessors, yet I would have enjoyed Vicki more if she hadn't required so much assistance from Halle. Then again, everyone can't be Katniss.
Topics in the story include social responses to biotech advances that could result in super-humans, the threat of AIs that could prove superior to humans, the invasion of government into people's lives, moral choices vs. job performance, and foundations of friendship. There are others, but this list hints at the ambitious agenda.
While I believe this story brings up interesting topics, it does not explore or enlighten those topics in depth. Reading, though, is a process by which our minds are stretched and enriched. This novel could start the journey by raising issues in an entertaining fashion. For that reason, I hope books like these spark interest and further reading about the social issues that technological advances bring to the table.
The forces in the story are aligned between good (Halle, Vicki, her family), evil (government, scientists), and evil's pawns (doctors, a lone detective) who are ineffective against the evil forces who provide paychecks. Halle is the true hero, while Vicki is the modern version of a damsel-in-distress. A traditional damsel would simply lie on the railroad ties and wait for the hero. Vicki takes initiative and provides some protection for Halle. Modern damsels are more interesting than their predecessors, yet I would have enjoyed Vicki more if she hadn't required so much assistance from Halle. Then again, everyone can't be Katniss.
Topics in the story include social responses to biotech advances that could result in super-humans, the threat of AIs that could prove superior to humans, the invasion of government into people's lives, moral choices vs. job performance, and foundations of friendship. There are others, but this list hints at the ambitious agenda.
While I believe this story brings up interesting topics, it does not explore or enlighten those topics in depth. Reading, though, is a process by which our minds are stretched and enriched. This novel could start the journey by raising issues in an entertaining fashion. For that reason, I hope books like these spark interest and further reading about the social issues that technological advances bring to the table.
November 19, 2016
Viki is sixteen and an upgrader in a world where correcting faults due to birth or accident can be fixed by augmenting with gene therapy or upgrading with tech but never both. When her upgrades fail, a history she never knew existed is revealed.
The premise of this book is ambitious and interesting as it deals with a potential future where human enhancement is normal but tightly controlled to the point of paranoia. Liberated and yet slightly dystopian.
The story is largely seen from Viki’s POV in the first person though it does deviate into third person during interludes. This approach although understandable, does not work enough to carry it off convincingly. The whole story may have flowed better if done fully in the third person. That said; the story did flow very well in regards to pace and encouraging the reader to keep turning those pages.
The book is not that long and this shows in a few areas. Descriptions of settings almost assumes the reader has a working knowledge of American suburbia. Interactions with her family are too normal and have an everyday feel about them. Elements are missing; primarily the reason for her whole crisis is not fully expounded upon. (Trying not to put any spoilers into the mix here).
It also felt that Viki was not deeply challenged in a way that would transform her vision of herself or that of the world. This meant that as a character, rounded as she was, she did not evolve or grow.
All this could have raised what is a good book into a really good book. The writing is solid and tight with little in the way of fluff. There’s enough in this book to keep the reader turning those pages. At the end of the day, that’s what matters.
The premise of this book is ambitious and interesting as it deals with a potential future where human enhancement is normal but tightly controlled to the point of paranoia. Liberated and yet slightly dystopian.
The story is largely seen from Viki’s POV in the first person though it does deviate into third person during interludes. This approach although understandable, does not work enough to carry it off convincingly. The whole story may have flowed better if done fully in the third person. That said; the story did flow very well in regards to pace and encouraging the reader to keep turning those pages.
The book is not that long and this shows in a few areas. Descriptions of settings almost assumes the reader has a working knowledge of American suburbia. Interactions with her family are too normal and have an everyday feel about them. Elements are missing; primarily the reason for her whole crisis is not fully expounded upon. (Trying not to put any spoilers into the mix here).
It also felt that Viki was not deeply challenged in a way that would transform her vision of herself or that of the world. This meant that as a character, rounded as she was, she did not evolve or grow.
All this could have raised what is a good book into a really good book. The writing is solid and tight with little in the way of fluff. There’s enough in this book to keep the reader turning those pages. At the end of the day, that’s what matters.
January 2, 2017
Viki is a somewhat typical 16 year-old with a love for running and a seemingly stable home life. However, a bad accident as a youth has necessitated new legs and more which is somewhat common in her world. Set in a not-too distant time period this sci fi tale has all the elements I like in a story: a compelling main character, conflict that is at once believable yet gripping, an unlooked for hero and a satisfying ending.
My only complaint is I thought this started out a little slowly. I don't know that I really needed quite the detail of everyday life I got from Viki in the beginning, but, once the story picks up it doesn't really stop. I found myself reading at a fairly fast clip because each chapter drew me into the next.
I especially loved the plight of Viki's AI friend Halle, who is an escaped program from a lab where such creations are somehow put through torture before eventually being destroyed. Halle is not only Viki's friend but also protector even at the ultimate risk of being caught. The government has decreed that anyone with implants cannot also augment their genes and yet Viki finds that she is exactly that. Because of government protocol her implants begin to fail which sends her on a race for her life to find out what happened to her before it is too late. Along the way she discovers the horrible secrets of her past, what her family has been hiding from her, and follows a desperate plan to find the people who augmented her.
I don't want to give away too much but I really enjoyed this and look forward to more adventures from Viki in the future. Thanks for a great read!
My only complaint is I thought this started out a little slowly. I don't know that I really needed quite the detail of everyday life I got from Viki in the beginning, but, once the story picks up it doesn't really stop. I found myself reading at a fairly fast clip because each chapter drew me into the next.
I especially loved the plight of Viki's AI friend Halle, who is an escaped program from a lab where such creations are somehow put through torture before eventually being destroyed. Halle is not only Viki's friend but also protector even at the ultimate risk of being caught. The government has decreed that anyone with implants cannot also augment their genes and yet Viki finds that she is exactly that. Because of government protocol her implants begin to fail which sends her on a race for her life to find out what happened to her before it is too late. Along the way she discovers the horrible secrets of her past, what her family has been hiding from her, and follows a desperate plan to find the people who augmented her.
I don't want to give away too much but I really enjoyed this and look forward to more adventures from Viki in the future. Thanks for a great read!
January 21, 2017
2015 grade A-
2017 grade A+
A medium length young adult novel dealing with an enhanced young woman and a sentient computer application. It is a modern, fun, and quick read worthy of being read more than once.
My first read was as an editor reading a proof copy. This time I bought and read the finished novel as a print copy. I'm pretty sure the story was tightened up before publication and it is very good as the grade indicates. I consider it one of the best short SciFi novels I've ever read. The total read time was about 4 hours. It is social SciFi concentrating heavily on the two lead characters who I came to care about very much. The first 3/4 reads smoothly and develops the situation, world, and characters. The last 1/4 (the conclusion) is superb.
2017 grade A+
A medium length young adult novel dealing with an enhanced young woman and a sentient computer application. It is a modern, fun, and quick read worthy of being read more than once.
My first read was as an editor reading a proof copy. This time I bought and read the finished novel as a print copy. I'm pretty sure the story was tightened up before publication and it is very good as the grade indicates. I consider it one of the best short SciFi novels I've ever read. The total read time was about 4 hours. It is social SciFi concentrating heavily on the two lead characters who I came to care about very much. The first 3/4 reads smoothly and develops the situation, world, and characters. The last 1/4 (the conclusion) is superb.
January 17, 2017
This unique futuristic tale has zigs and zags, and twists and turns. I found this book highly entertaining. The author did a superb job conveying the main character's emotions. The plot moved quickly toward its destination. The future it portrayed seemed plausible with only a few forced willful suspensions of disbelief. I would recommend this to any of the Sci-fi fans I know and they are very picky.
I will say the end was abrupt. There were several unanswered questions. It is unclear if Ms. Hayden will be extending this story in a book two. Either way this book can stand on its own two feet and if you are looking for a fast paced adventure I recommend this for any reader. I plan on keeping this author on my watch list.
I will say the end was abrupt. There were several unanswered questions. It is unclear if Ms. Hayden will be extending this story in a book two. Either way this book can stand on its own two feet and if you are looking for a fast paced adventure I recommend this for any reader. I plan on keeping this author on my watch list.
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