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Arcadia #1
Torn
Two ecological engineers must change their world to save it.
Eons ago, ecological engineers like Caleb and Fee designed their world. But even the best designs wear out eventually. Now, Arcadia is threatened with environmental collapse, and only the men and women of the Survey can save it.
"Storms, floods, drought. Don’t bother taking your pick," says the planet, "you’re going to get the lot."
When the Survey sends tree-loving Fee to help make a lake smack in the middle of Caleb’s desert plains, he’s less than thrilled. His family has deep ancestral and economic ties to their dusty land. If they knew what Caleb and Fee were doing, they’d run them out of town.
So, the two must work in secret, altering entire landscapes before the locals find out and try to stop them. An impossible task, surely, when the only thing they have in common is a love for the very places they must change.
But why Fee and Caleb, and what does the Survey truly plan for them?
Eons ago, ecological engineers like Caleb and Fee designed their world. But even the best designs wear out eventually. Now, Arcadia is threatened with environmental collapse, and only the men and women of the Survey can save it.
"Storms, floods, drought. Don’t bother taking your pick," says the planet, "you’re going to get the lot."
When the Survey sends tree-loving Fee to help make a lake smack in the middle of Caleb’s desert plains, he’s less than thrilled. His family has deep ancestral and economic ties to their dusty land. If they knew what Caleb and Fee were doing, they’d run them out of town.
So, the two must work in secret, altering entire landscapes before the locals find out and try to stop them. An impossible task, surely, when the only thing they have in common is a love for the very places they must change.
But why Fee and Caleb, and what does the Survey truly plan for them?
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
608 pages, ebook
First published September 3, 2016
42 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Mary Brock Jones
13 books30 followersMary Brock Jones lives in Auckland, New Zealand, but loves nothing more than to escape into the other worlds in her head, to write science fiction and historical romances. Sedate office worker by day; frantic scribbler by night.
Her parents introduced her to libraries and gave her a farm to play on, where trees became rocket ships and rocky outcrops were ancient fortresses. She grew up writing, filling pages of notebooks and filling her head with stories, but took a number of detours on the pathway to her dream job. After four grown sons, more than one house renovated, grandchildren, a career as a government veterinarian (now retired) and a farm to play on in the weekends, her wish came true.
Her books have won an SFR Galaxy Award and made the finals list for the Romance Writers of Australia RUBY awards, the RWNZ KORU awards, and the RWNZ Clendon awards.
You can find Mary here:
www.marybrockjones.com
https://www.facebook.com/MaryBrockJon...
https://twitter.com/MaryBrockJones
Her parents introduced her to libraries and gave her a farm to play on, where trees became rocket ships and rocky outcrops were ancient fortresses. She grew up writing, filling pages of notebooks and filling her head with stories, but took a number of detours on the pathway to her dream job. After four grown sons, more than one house renovated, grandchildren, a career as a government veterinarian (now retired) and a farm to play on in the weekends, her wish came true.
Her books have won an SFR Galaxy Award and made the finals list for the Romance Writers of Australia RUBY awards, the RWNZ KORU awards, and the RWNZ Clendon awards.
You can find Mary here:
www.marybrockjones.com
https://www.facebook.com/MaryBrockJon...
https://twitter.com/MaryBrockJones
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 17, 2016
Torn by Mary Brock Jones feels nearly impossible to summarize because there are so many different components to it. Fee (don't ask me to write out her full name) and Caleb Winter work for the Survey on the planet of Acadia. Their job? Try and restore some of the damage the planet is facing from centuries of misuse before it's too late. We learn quickly that their missions are risky and confidential, especially from both Caleb's and Fee's family who are wealthy conglomerates and enemies.
Fee and Caleb don't exactly hit it off instantly, probably because they're both very similar creatures. Hard working, stubborn, difficult to read and brilliant just to list a few. Their charged with creating a lake in the middle of the dried out plains (Caleb's home) and a meadow in the middle of the forrest (Fee's home). They incur problem after problem and setback after setback including injuries, storms, family and Survey issues. Little by little Fee and Caleb realize they're in this together and the passion between them builds - one of my favorite parts of the story. Everyone is pulling at them including their planet that has its own idea of how things should go.
There is so much to this book and the last thing I want to do is give anything away. The writing sucks the reader in and the story holds them there without much effort. It's a long book and jammed packed with suspense, sci-fi, romance, action, a Romeo and Juliet type family feud, a failing planet and a host of other things. It even draws many parallels between our environmental issues here on Earth and what could happen if we don't step up and take care of her.
The only negative things (if you can really call them that) with this novel is that there were definitely some editing issues - though they did not detract from the story at all.
Occasionally it also ran on a bit and since it is so long and detailed, I found myself wanting to skip over some of the smaller descriptions and moments to get to the meat of it.
Overall, I could not stop reading this and found myself anxious to get to the next page to see what came next. There is definitely something for everyone in this book!
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
Fee and Caleb don't exactly hit it off instantly, probably because they're both very similar creatures. Hard working, stubborn, difficult to read and brilliant just to list a few. Their charged with creating a lake in the middle of the dried out plains (Caleb's home) and a meadow in the middle of the forrest (Fee's home). They incur problem after problem and setback after setback including injuries, storms, family and Survey issues. Little by little Fee and Caleb realize they're in this together and the passion between them builds - one of my favorite parts of the story. Everyone is pulling at them including their planet that has its own idea of how things should go.
There is so much to this book and the last thing I want to do is give anything away. The writing sucks the reader in and the story holds them there without much effort. It's a long book and jammed packed with suspense, sci-fi, romance, action, a Romeo and Juliet type family feud, a failing planet and a host of other things. It even draws many parallels between our environmental issues here on Earth and what could happen if we don't step up and take care of her.
The only negative things (if you can really call them that) with this novel is that there were definitely some editing issues - though they did not detract from the story at all.
Occasionally it also ran on a bit and since it is so long and detailed, I found myself wanting to skip over some of the smaller descriptions and moments to get to the meat of it.
Overall, I could not stop reading this and found myself anxious to get to the next page to see what came next. There is definitely something for everyone in this book!
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
October 15, 2016
3.5 stars.
I’m a little torn (no pun intended) over this epic sci-fi romance, because on the one hand Arcadia is a rich, vivid world with enough political machinations to entertain Machiavelli. On the other hand there’s Caleb.
So let’s start with something good. I loved the world of Arcadia, with its distinctive regions – the dry plains, the lushly forested mountains, the beautiful seas. It’s clear that ecology and conservation are important to this author and the descriptions and issues come through very strongly. If the fate of the planet (ours as well as some nebulous fictional one) is something that you care about, then you should find plenty to enjoy about this book. The conservation work of the Survey is fascinating and frustrating and the real heart of this novel.
Then there are the characters. Fee, I liked a lot. She’s smart and strong and holds tightly to her principles. She battles against some pretty strong odds at times, but I liked that she never backed down when it was important, but likewise could set aside her stubbornness if necessary. However, I found her feelings for Caleb hard to fathom, especially in the first half. Her attraction is barely mentioned before they end up sleeping together, and I just found what followed unlikely because of his behaviour towards her. True, after the halfway point when they actually work as a team for a while, I could see why her feelings might have deepened, but I never really felt the chemistry between them.
Because of Caleb. All my issues with this book always come back to Caleb. I didn’t like him. I really didn’t like the way that he blames his emotions and everything that goes wrong on Fee. He’s unhappy about the Survey plans and annoyed at feeling attracted to Fee, so he’s rude, abrupt, ignores her warnings and sets the tone for the rest of his team to do likewise. I hated the way the plains team treat Fee. They’re not overtly rude, but they have no respect for her, and they get that from Caleb.
The fact that pretty much all the events in this book are set off by Fee’s riding accident underpin everything I dislike about Caleb. He blames her for recklessly riding when she didn’t have the experience, but if he hadn’t snuck out like a jerk because he didn’t trust her, she wouldn’t have had to ride like a loon in order to stop a disaster. Which could have been prevented by him telling her what was happening. So it was his fault. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE! His guilt, his attraction, his dislike of trees, his anger at the Survey, all of it gets twisted somehow and blamed on Fee. The Ben situation is the biggest example of this. He never trusts Fee, he has no compassion for anyone not born on the plains, he doesn’t respect her and most of all he doesn’t deserve her. Because of this the romance was completely hollow for me.
Which is a shame, because away from that this book is intricate, tangled and absorbing. It does take a fair while to get going and some of the family blustering was repetitive and a little tiresome, but the action and political machinations definitely pick up in the second half and ensure that this is an exciting read. I loved Fee’s strength and determination, even if certain elements seemed to come together rather too perfectly towards the end. Then again, this is clearly not the last we’ll be hearing from this world, so perhaps everything isn’t so neatly resolved as it seems.
If the idea of an ecological political family sci-fi drama sounds like your kind of thing, maybe you should give this a go. If you’re here for the romance, well, your mileage may vary depending on how much of Caleb’s surly behaviour you can stand. Either way, I found it an intriguing read and it left me curious about the sequel.
(Review copy from the author.)
I’m a little torn (no pun intended) over this epic sci-fi romance, because on the one hand Arcadia is a rich, vivid world with enough political machinations to entertain Machiavelli. On the other hand there’s Caleb.
So let’s start with something good. I loved the world of Arcadia, with its distinctive regions – the dry plains, the lushly forested mountains, the beautiful seas. It’s clear that ecology and conservation are important to this author and the descriptions and issues come through very strongly. If the fate of the planet (ours as well as some nebulous fictional one) is something that you care about, then you should find plenty to enjoy about this book. The conservation work of the Survey is fascinating and frustrating and the real heart of this novel.
Then there are the characters. Fee, I liked a lot. She’s smart and strong and holds tightly to her principles. She battles against some pretty strong odds at times, but I liked that she never backed down when it was important, but likewise could set aside her stubbornness if necessary. However, I found her feelings for Caleb hard to fathom, especially in the first half. Her attraction is barely mentioned before they end up sleeping together, and I just found what followed unlikely because of his behaviour towards her. True, after the halfway point when they actually work as a team for a while, I could see why her feelings might have deepened, but I never really felt the chemistry between them.
Because of Caleb. All my issues with this book always come back to Caleb. I didn’t like him. I really didn’t like the way that he blames his emotions and everything that goes wrong on Fee. He’s unhappy about the Survey plans and annoyed at feeling attracted to Fee, so he’s rude, abrupt, ignores her warnings and sets the tone for the rest of his team to do likewise. I hated the way the plains team treat Fee. They’re not overtly rude, but they have no respect for her, and they get that from Caleb.
The fact that pretty much all the events in this book are set off by Fee’s riding accident underpin everything I dislike about Caleb. He blames her for recklessly riding when she didn’t have the experience, but if he hadn’t snuck out like a jerk because he didn’t trust her, she wouldn’t have had to ride like a loon in order to stop a disaster. Which could have been prevented by him telling her what was happening. So it was his fault. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE! His guilt, his attraction, his dislike of trees, his anger at the Survey, all of it gets twisted somehow and blamed on Fee. The Ben situation is the biggest example of this. He never trusts Fee, he has no compassion for anyone not born on the plains, he doesn’t respect her and most of all he doesn’t deserve her. Because of this the romance was completely hollow for me.
Which is a shame, because away from that this book is intricate, tangled and absorbing. It does take a fair while to get going and some of the family blustering was repetitive and a little tiresome, but the action and political machinations definitely pick up in the second half and ensure that this is an exciting read. I loved Fee’s strength and determination, even if certain elements seemed to come together rather too perfectly towards the end. Then again, this is clearly not the last we’ll be hearing from this world, so perhaps everything isn’t so neatly resolved as it seems.
If the idea of an ecological political family sci-fi drama sounds like your kind of thing, maybe you should give this a go. If you’re here for the romance, well, your mileage may vary depending on how much of Caleb’s surly behaviour you can stand. Either way, I found it an intriguing read and it left me curious about the sequel.
(Review copy from the author.)
October 11, 2016
DNF at 41%
I tried really hard to identify with the characters and plot, but I didn't feel anything for them. When I reached the point in the book where they are desperately trying to gather information, and are injured and I don't even care, I knew it was time to put it down.
Good things about the book are the descriptions of the different sites - you can feel the grit on your skin in the deserts, and the mist in the air in the tree community.
I tried really hard to identify with the characters and plot, but I didn't feel anything for them. When I reached the point in the book where they are desperately trying to gather information, and are injured and I don't even care, I knew it was time to put it down.
Good things about the book are the descriptions of the different sites - you can feel the grit on your skin in the deserts, and the mist in the air in the tree community.
August 27, 2017
If I had felt more connection between Fee and Caleb this would have been a 5 star instead of 4. I loved the world building (a planet changed for human life, the plot (anything for money even if it destroys the planet), and the characters (well drawn and suited for where they lived on the planet). The story moved at a brisk pace with a lot of action, tension and danger. In the middle of all of that was the attraction and love story between Fee and Caleb. That attraction started of slow and built but it felt forced instead of a natural part of the story. This is book on of a new series and book 2 is on my wish list. I do want to see how the big issue of keeping the planet safe plays out in future books. Torn just puts everyone in place but does not have a solution to that big problem.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.
May 8, 2020
The planet Arcadia is facing ecological disaster because two competing wealthy, greedy families have driven their ecosystems out of balance. Their eco-engineer children have to work against their families’ wishes to put things right. This story can be read as a timely sci-fi parable on the ecological catastrophes facing our own planet, or it can be read for the romance in a sci-fi setting. The romance between the two engineers didn’t really work for me, at least not in the first half, but it got better in the second, when they had more real reasons for protecting each other. The political machinations had some problems, too, but the world-building—in terms of the physicality of the planet Arcadia—was excellent.
Audience: ecologically minded science fiction fans who enjoy romance, too, or romance readers with a sci-fi bent.
Audience: ecologically minded science fiction fans who enjoy romance, too, or romance readers with a sci-fi bent.
September 1, 2024
I recently discovered Mary Brock Jones and her Arcadia series and I loved book one Torn! It had me turning pages and immersed in the story.
I enjoyed getting to know Fee & Caleb, and their passion for their ecological work and Arcadia. As well as the expansive collection of supporting characters.
This is an epic story and I wanted more!
Specifically more details about the plant life and creatures native to the planet, and a bit more science from their ecological activities. Though the story is a little light on the sci-fi, it's still thoroughly enjoyable.
I ordered both Torn & Taken, so I'm able to dive right into book 2... but I already know I need books 3 & 4 (both in paperback) ASAP!
I enjoyed getting to know Fee & Caleb, and their passion for their ecological work and Arcadia. As well as the expansive collection of supporting characters.
This is an epic story and I wanted more!
Specifically more details about the plant life and creatures native to the planet, and a bit more science from their ecological activities. Though the story is a little light on the sci-fi, it's still thoroughly enjoyable.
I ordered both Torn & Taken, so I'm able to dive right into book 2... but I already know I need books 3 & 4 (both in paperback) ASAP!
May 23, 2021
Great sci fi adventure with romance
The world building is excellent and believable, the characters are fascinating, and the story is a page-turner. The planet and its problems are well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Torn.
The world building is excellent and believable, the characters are fascinating, and the story is a page-turner. The planet and its problems are well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Torn.
July 1, 2017
Another World has been created with characters tolove and enjoy following. I loved it and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
April 13, 2021
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed the environment (pun intended) and the characters in this book. I do wish that the female was stronger.
I really enjoyed the environment (pun intended) and the characters in this book. I do wish that the female was stronger.
May 22, 2021
Just finished
Was looking for my next book adventure, and I found it here! Very good read. Great characters, great locale, wonderful story. Looking forward to the next one!
Was looking for my next book adventure, and I found it here! Very good read. Great characters, great locale, wonderful story. Looking forward to the next one!
November 18, 2016
A sci-fi dystopian novel, “Torn” focuses on two ecological engineers determined to reverse the damage corporations and previous colonists have caused to the planet’s environment in the hopes of fending off every kind of natural disaster the planet is preparing to throw at them.
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews