The Preferred Observer

by Matthew Bruce Alexander

The last great war ravaged the Earth, but what followed killed even The Rouge. Governments across the world are desperate to stop the plague, brought to Earth from Martian microbes. But in an effort to save Mankind, how far is too far? A motley group of people get swept up by events. Their paths cross and recross, and their actions affect others in ways they could never have foreseen. A man who should not be in the present, an orphan girl without a home, an android who begins to think independently, a psychiatric patient who was once an insider, a woman who somehow survived The Rouge, an honorable hitman and an escort with access to sensitive secrets all have a role to play. But when they get a glimpse of the truth, it may be more than they are willing to accept...

Genres: Science Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2016

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly admired Mr. Alexander's last novel, but I have to say that this one's even better. The author has really developed as a writer. His command of prose style, of detail, and of structure are really first-rate. The book is very tightly and professionally plotted—quite an achievement given the number and diversity of characters involved.

The plot is too complex to summarize here, so I won't try. It's important, though, to note that however action-oriented the book is—and it's immensely entertaining on those lines—it deals with a number of connected themes that make it quite sophisticated intellectually. The major theme is the act of interpretation and its implications for everything from scientific theory to government policy. The framework of the plot is the coming together and cooperation of characters who are initially unrelated. They are brought together mostly by chance and become a unified group only because the police interpret them to be associates. This parallels the way in which the government identifies assorted, unconnected disease symptoms as evidence of a single plague. This issue of interpretation is played out in many more ways throughout the novel, and its connection with scientific orthodoxy and adherence to theory is explored.

Quite apart from all this, I really enjoyed the author's use of humor in the characters' interactions. One of its effects was to humanize to villains, but it made for fun reading in and of itself.

Along the way, interesting political questions are raised. Is legal execution morally different from murder? Is legal arrest essentially different from kidnapping? These issues are made more pointed by the fact that the mentality and actions of the government in the book seem disturbingly relevant to our own situation.

All and all, an entertaining and thought-provoking book.

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure why I don't read a lot of Sci-fi books, since I usually enjoy them very much, especially by such a talented Author as Matthew Bruce Alexander, and just like his first book this one had me hooked right from the beginning. It had everything that makes a book an interesting read, complex, interesting and likable characters, lots of suspense and action and most of all a good plot line. I am also hopeful that maybe there could be a second book with these characters in the near future, no pressure, after all somebody needs to keep an eye on what is going on with the government. The Preferred Observer definitely makes my list of books that I like to read over and over.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

First Impression: Martian microbes and a rogue android, yes please!

Characters: A diverse cast of fully realized characters, interconnected in ways that unfold as the story progresses. From Maggie the young heart who had to grow up too fast, to Lilith the call girl with a mission they drive the story of a world gone a bit mad.

World Building: Earth hasn't necessarily changed all that much, but has become a bit bleak in the future. The Government has a tight grip on the population, and everyone is afraid of catching "the Rouge". I became fully immersed in the action-packed plot.

Writing Style: This is what blew me away right from the beginning - Matthew Bruce Alexander's writing. I laughed, then was surprised, and sometimes scared. His ability to write the way someone might think means I'm a fan from this book onward. It rarely happens when I know I'm going to fall into an author's mind, but I can't say enough how I appreciated this mastery of the written word. Enough "big words" to stimulate the mind without going overboard to the point of search and replace in MS Word. Such prose and attention to detail is often missing in the novels of today.

What I Enjoyed: The author gives the impression he really understands his characters, maybe even on a personal level. Drawing the motivations of people like Thomas the insider felt especially insightful. This in an author you want to have dinner with, much like Douglas Adams, and simply listen to their thoughts on any subject.

Deal Benders: I wish this story didn't have to end. That is all.

Overall Rating: 5 stars, and can I give it more!?...but that would be over 100% which we know is not a real number.

For Fans Of: If you've seen the movies Gattica or Aeon Flux, this world has a similar feeling. The story itself is not quite dystopian or sci-fi, but somewhere along the line of a realistic future U.S.

[Bob Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining paranoid, sci-fi action/mystery novel. It's better written than the author's first book with more fully-developed characters, but it seems like there is less that he wants to say in this story, so I still prefer "Withur We", his debut novel, and look forward to reading any future books.