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Symbiogenesis #1
MAYA: Symbiogenesis Book One
"... More twists and turns than any carnival ride! Can't wait for the next book!"Hours before doctors plan to switch off her premature daughter's life-support systems, Lauren risks all and injects her baby with a stolen experimental drug. The last-resort treatment transforms Maya's genetic fingerprint. While Lauren struggles to disguise the reason for her daughter's miraculous recovery, Maya develops unique abilities that may signal a new, more hope-filled future for humankind, or perhaps sound its death knell.
- GenresScience Fiction
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2016
130 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Pete Barber
8 books80 followersBorn into a blue-collar family in Liverpool, England, Pete immigrated to the US in the early 90s and settled in North Carolina.
He has led a haphazard life, putting bread on the table as a plumber, computer programmer, salesperson, marketing executive, hotel operator, real-estate developer, and llama breeder.
Pete loves chickens and dogs, and writes fast-paced fiction that makes people think.
He has led a haphazard life, putting bread on the table as a plumber, computer programmer, salesperson, marketing executive, hotel operator, real-estate developer, and llama breeder.
Pete loves chickens and dogs, and writes fast-paced fiction that makes people think.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 1, 2017
MAYA: Symbiogenesis Book One by Pete Barber
Mr. Barber doesn’t waste any time setting up his characters and scenes. The players are all fully developed and well portrayed. I tried to hold off on how I felt about Lauren through most of the book. She has a lot to lose with the critical decisions she has to face time and time again throughout the story. I didn’t have any problem identifying with her character though. Lauren is intelligent and well centered while Margaret, Lauren’s mother, was a different story. I didn’t like her at all. Fact is, Margaret’s beliefs were a major plot twist in the story and I was sure I wouldn’t like where the story was headed. However, Mr. Barber’s intelligent writing style brought me around to the compassion of understanding and accepting things you can’t change about the people you love. Margaret isn’t a bad person, she was under a misperception and simple minded. Lauren understood this and added a balance in the way she handled her mother.
Maya is a suspenseful sci-fi that employs biogenetics with a spiritual edge. I found it easy to become engrossed in all the implications involved that then evolved into this stunningly inspiring tale. I had no problem suspending my disbelief to revel in the possibilities. There are several twists that complicate the plot, some were unexpected, others you could see coming. Despite that, this is a story that will play with your emotions and may cause you to question your own beliefs.
I appreciated the time jumps used in the story. Things could have easily bogged down with too many details that weren’t relevant to moving the story forward. I have no doubt that these time warps will be filled in with flash backs in future additions to the series. The ending is tense and shocking, but adds closure to an important story arc. It also gives us a peek at how Maya has matured over the years and gives us insight into her mindset. Neither suspense nor sci-fi are my normal genres, but I loved this compelling story and can’t wait to read more about Maya.
FYI: “MAYA” is book one in the “Symbiogenesis” series. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** December 26, 2016
Format/Typo Issues: No significant proofing issues.
Mr. Barber doesn’t waste any time setting up his characters and scenes. The players are all fully developed and well portrayed. I tried to hold off on how I felt about Lauren through most of the book. She has a lot to lose with the critical decisions she has to face time and time again throughout the story. I didn’t have any problem identifying with her character though. Lauren is intelligent and well centered while Margaret, Lauren’s mother, was a different story. I didn’t like her at all. Fact is, Margaret’s beliefs were a major plot twist in the story and I was sure I wouldn’t like where the story was headed. However, Mr. Barber’s intelligent writing style brought me around to the compassion of understanding and accepting things you can’t change about the people you love. Margaret isn’t a bad person, she was under a misperception and simple minded. Lauren understood this and added a balance in the way she handled her mother.
Maya is a suspenseful sci-fi that employs biogenetics with a spiritual edge. I found it easy to become engrossed in all the implications involved that then evolved into this stunningly inspiring tale. I had no problem suspending my disbelief to revel in the possibilities. There are several twists that complicate the plot, some were unexpected, others you could see coming. Despite that, this is a story that will play with your emotions and may cause you to question your own beliefs.
I appreciated the time jumps used in the story. Things could have easily bogged down with too many details that weren’t relevant to moving the story forward. I have no doubt that these time warps will be filled in with flash backs in future additions to the series. The ending is tense and shocking, but adds closure to an important story arc. It also gives us a peek at how Maya has matured over the years and gives us insight into her mindset. Neither suspense nor sci-fi are my normal genres, but I loved this compelling story and can’t wait to read more about Maya.
FYI: “MAYA” is book one in the “Symbiogenesis” series. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** December 26, 2016
Format/Typo Issues: No significant proofing issues.
July 2, 2017
Maya and Joshua’s mother, Patsy, was beaten and left for dead, her two unborn twins assaulted before leaving their mother’s body. In a last ditch effort by Aunt Lauren to save Maya who is moments away from being taken off life support, Lauren injects her niece with a stolen, unregulated experimental medication, and hopes for the best.
When Maya’s recovery goes unexplained, the focus shifts on Lauren and her associates. This protective Aunt is forced to choose between the consequences of her actions, and the safety of her family. Maya continues to marvel and stun everyone she meets, and she’s only getting started with what she’s capable of.
Maya, Symbiogenesis Book One, is a fantasy science fiction novel about a medical anomaly, a miracle child, and a woman’s love and devotion for her family. Boiled down, Maya is about medical advances and their consequences.
Barber’s story is well researched, with strong medical and scientific themes revolving around endosymbiotic theory. Combined with telepathy and exceptional intellectual powers, Maya reminds me of a cross between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and King’s Firestarter.
The characters are colorful and complex. I loved the addition of Reverend Morgan’s and his wife, Deacon Nina’s perspectives, and even newbie Journalist Riley Brown’s. Although secondary characters, they added more layers to this story, and I enjoyed their point of views.
And Lauren, the Aunt, she could not be more sympathetic. I just loved her character so much.
I love the book cover of the young girl with the haunting violet eyes. It fits the mood of the story. Like the young girl in the story, there is something intimidating about her stare. It almost follows you.
Highly recommended to readers who enjoy a good “flawed cure” story. 5/5 stars.
When Maya’s recovery goes unexplained, the focus shifts on Lauren and her associates. This protective Aunt is forced to choose between the consequences of her actions, and the safety of her family. Maya continues to marvel and stun everyone she meets, and she’s only getting started with what she’s capable of.
Maya, Symbiogenesis Book One, is a fantasy science fiction novel about a medical anomaly, a miracle child, and a woman’s love and devotion for her family. Boiled down, Maya is about medical advances and their consequences.
Barber’s story is well researched, with strong medical and scientific themes revolving around endosymbiotic theory. Combined with telepathy and exceptional intellectual powers, Maya reminds me of a cross between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and King’s Firestarter.
The characters are colorful and complex. I loved the addition of Reverend Morgan’s and his wife, Deacon Nina’s perspectives, and even newbie Journalist Riley Brown’s. Although secondary characters, they added more layers to this story, and I enjoyed their point of views.
And Lauren, the Aunt, she could not be more sympathetic. I just loved her character so much.
I love the book cover of the young girl with the haunting violet eyes. It fits the mood of the story. Like the young girl in the story, there is something intimidating about her stare. It almost follows you.
Highly recommended to readers who enjoy a good “flawed cure” story. 5/5 stars.
July 10, 2019
Lauren iherits her sisters twins when her sister doesn't survive the beating that her abusive boyfirend gave her. The twins are born via emergency c-section and are premature. After becoming attached, Lauren discovers that the baby girl is not expected to survive. With only hours left to live, Lauren injects the baby girl with an experimental drug that ultimately saves her life. What Lauren has yet to understand is that the drug completely changes Maya, and the full effects of it are not something that is ever fully discovered.
This is one of the books that my friends recommended to me (My Friends Recommend project) --last year. And I am finally picking it up. I am so glad that I finally picked it up. At first, I wasn't sure she recommended it to me. But as I continued I began to enjoy it. I have to admit that it didn't start to happen until everything started coming together, so maybe right in the middle. I think the thing that made me enjoy this one just a little bit less than my friend did was the lack of science. I mean there was some science in it, and I am not one that wants to be bogged down in jargon or scientific concepts that are about my paygrade - especially if you can't explain it in a way that makes sense to the lay person. But if you are going to write a science fiction novel, I think that you should include enough science for whatever you're attempting to make happen makes sense. And that's what bothered me - the science wasn't there. The other issue that I have is that Lauren took the experimental drug from a military lab and no one knows or discovers it. I would like to have seen Lauren have to deal with that or something.
Overall, though. I did enjoy the story. I hope that Barber expands on the story and maybe have it come to a more resolved conclusion.
This is one of the books that my friends recommended to me (My Friends Recommend project) --last year. And I am finally picking it up. I am so glad that I finally picked it up. At first, I wasn't sure she recommended it to me. But as I continued I began to enjoy it. I have to admit that it didn't start to happen until everything started coming together, so maybe right in the middle. I think the thing that made me enjoy this one just a little bit less than my friend did was the lack of science. I mean there was some science in it, and I am not one that wants to be bogged down in jargon or scientific concepts that are about my paygrade - especially if you can't explain it in a way that makes sense to the lay person. But if you are going to write a science fiction novel, I think that you should include enough science for whatever you're attempting to make happen makes sense. And that's what bothered me - the science wasn't there. The other issue that I have is that Lauren took the experimental drug from a military lab and no one knows or discovers it. I would like to have seen Lauren have to deal with that or something.
Overall, though. I did enjoy the story. I hope that Barber expands on the story and maybe have it come to a more resolved conclusion.
October 21, 2017
This is the first scific book I have read. Though I love watching Scific movies. They have a thrill. When I picked up Maya I was apprehensive about reading it because of my inexperience in picking up that genre. But the blurb was so catching that I could not resist. I read and re-read a few of its chapters.
Mr. Barber has really done justice to the characters. Lauren felt so real that I could feel the pain she was going through. Even the thrills were spontaneous. The moment when she discovers her research or when she injects the medicine to save her niece. Every moment in the scene was nerve cracking. The fast paced story will leave you nail biting on several occasions.
A marvelous read for those who love this genre, a suspenseful bio genetic sci fic.
Mr. Barber has really done justice to the characters. Lauren felt so real that I could feel the pain she was going through. Even the thrills were spontaneous. The moment when she discovers her research or when she injects the medicine to save her niece. Every moment in the scene was nerve cracking. The fast paced story will leave you nail biting on several occasions.
A marvelous read for those who love this genre, a suspenseful bio genetic sci fic.
May 21, 2019
Exciting New Book! I Actually bought this One!
I was thoroughly hooked by the free sample and so disappointed that was all I got. I read new authors all the time and most are self publishing or going through the ranks of all beginners. I didn't hesitate, bought the book and could only when chores , meals and bedtime interferred. Thank you. I hope book two is up to the same high Mark as this book!
I was thoroughly hooked by the free sample and so disappointed that was all I got. I read new authors all the time and most are self publishing or going through the ranks of all beginners. I didn't hesitate, bought the book and could only when chores , meals and bedtime interferred. Thank you. I hope book two is up to the same high Mark as this book!
October 4, 2018
A great read
This story was unlike any other I've read. I loved the characters and the author's writing style. In my opinion, the author took risks by giving us an unwavering plot with unusual outcomes and in doing so, delivered the perfect story. This was my first read by this author, who is now one of my favorites.
This story was unlike any other I've read. I loved the characters and the author's writing style. In my opinion, the author took risks by giving us an unwavering plot with unusual outcomes and in doing so, delivered the perfect story. This was my first read by this author, who is now one of my favorites.
December 17, 2017
I enjoyed this book. The character development was good, and the dynamic of the characters really works for this book. The pacing and plot were on point and the character of Maya was really a focal point of the story as we see her grow and evolve. Excellent book.
April 6, 2018
Great Read!
This book was different from the start and got me hooked from beginning, then of course I couldn't put it down which made for a long night. Really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward for the next book in this awesome bubblegum for the mind! ;)
This book was different from the start and got me hooked from beginning, then of course I couldn't put it down which made for a long night. Really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward for the next book in this awesome bubblegum for the mind! ;)
May 21, 2018
Excellent!
Maya was an excellent read. This book was engaging from the first page to the last. I look forward to reading more works by this author. Great job Mr. Pete Barber, great job!
Maya was an excellent read. This book was engaging from the first page to the last. I look forward to reading more works by this author. Great job Mr. Pete Barber, great job!
June 16, 2018
Maya:A Fascinating Story
I enjoyed this book very much. It presents a complex idea about medicine in the future. Do we want to experiment that far into the human condition. I am looking forward to the next book
I enjoyed this book very much. It presents a complex idea about medicine in the future. Do we want to experiment that far into the human condition. I am looking forward to the next book
January 8, 2019
Incredible!
I cannot wait for book two! I do not want to spoil anything for other readers, but trust me. This is a book you have to read if you are into thrillers/sci-fi and such. Think Robin Cook but better. Sorry Robin. You have been dethroned.
I cannot wait for book two! I do not want to spoil anything for other readers, but trust me. This is a book you have to read if you are into thrillers/sci-fi and such. Think Robin Cook but better. Sorry Robin. You have been dethroned.
March 18, 2019
Very cool premise!!
Anybody that likes medical thrillers with a tinge of the supernatural will enjoy this book. There are many heroines in this book, this is an interesting book that is difficult to put down.
Anybody that likes medical thrillers with a tinge of the supernatural will enjoy this book. There are many heroines in this book, this is an interesting book that is difficult to put down.
May 22, 2019
Excellent.
Grabbed me and didn't let go. The plot is good, character development is very well done but without alot of depth in this first book. I'm sure there will be more depth in future books.
At least I hope this is the first of a series. .
Grabbed me and didn't let go. The plot is good, character development is very well done but without alot of depth in this first book. I'm sure there will be more depth in future books.
At least I hope this is the first of a series. .
September 18, 2019
Who is Maya?
And what is she becoming? This is definitely a different sort of book. It took me a while to really get into it. I'm not sure where the story is heading,but I definitely need to read the next book to find out!
And what is she becoming? This is definitely a different sort of book. It took me a while to really get into it. I'm not sure where the story is heading,but I definitely need to read the next book to find out!
May 6, 2017
Very good story. Grabbed my my interest and I couldn't put it down.
July 1, 2018
I enjoyed it
I really enjoyed this novel. The writing is great characters and a fantastic job story line it was hard to put down.
I really enjoyed this novel. The writing is great characters and a fantastic job story line it was hard to put down.
January 31, 2019
Great fast past science fiction. Lauren was such an endearing character. Can not wait for the sequel
September 12, 2019
I wasn't fond of thi book
January 21, 2017
3 stars
Three stars, I liked the beginning, but the last part, I just did not like. Seemed almost like a different book at the end.
Three stars, I liked the beginning, but the last part, I just did not like. Seemed almost like a different book at the end.
March 14, 2017
Wow! This was awesome! Best book I've read this year.
March 4, 2017
unexpected. I haven't read a book like this that I've enjoyed in a really long time. I mean, enjoyed AT ALL. I've seen a number of variants but this author understands the appeal this sort of story has for someone like me. It's not the big badda boom, it's the moral quandary and what happens after a line has been crossed. recommend.
January 21, 2017
Lauren has been assisting her mentor on an experimental drug that has been tested on mice only. The drug is meant to cure diseases and regenerate cell growth. While promising, there's been many setbacks. Out of over 150 mice, only one has lived more than nine hours.
When Lauren's premature twins are six weeks old, she's given the news that the little girl Maya, will be taken off life support in 24 hours. Knowing that her baby girl will die either way, Lauren makes the decision to inject her with the serum from their experimental drug. While the drug works and brings Maya back from the brink of death, it also changes her genetic makeup. In the end, will this new lease on life be a blessing or a curse for Maya?
While not a completely unique storyline (very few are), I found this to be a very well written book. Maybe it's having twins myself that were born premature, but from the very first dramatic chapter I was invested in the outcome of the twins. The author writes characters that are believable and multi-faceted. The length that Lauren was willing to go to, even when they went against her own personal beliefs, in an effort to protect her children, was a testament to a parents love.
The storyline was nicely executed, evenly paced, with a couple of nice twists. The only thing I didn't care for was the abrupt ending. Once again, this was a book that just ended. Overall though, it's still a very entertaining and engrossing book. I look forward to when book 2 comes out.
When Lauren's premature twins are six weeks old, she's given the news that the little girl Maya, will be taken off life support in 24 hours. Knowing that her baby girl will die either way, Lauren makes the decision to inject her with the serum from their experimental drug. While the drug works and brings Maya back from the brink of death, it also changes her genetic makeup. In the end, will this new lease on life be a blessing or a curse for Maya?
While not a completely unique storyline (very few are), I found this to be a very well written book. Maybe it's having twins myself that were born premature, but from the very first dramatic chapter I was invested in the outcome of the twins. The author writes characters that are believable and multi-faceted. The length that Lauren was willing to go to, even when they went against her own personal beliefs, in an effort to protect her children, was a testament to a parents love.
The storyline was nicely executed, evenly paced, with a couple of nice twists. The only thing I didn't care for was the abrupt ending. Once again, this was a book that just ended. Overall though, it's still a very entertaining and engrossing book. I look forward to when book 2 comes out.
February 17, 2017
Keeps you wanting more!
This was so good I could not put it down. I dont read much! But this was so good I can't wait for the second one one to come out. I finished it one day! i never finish a book in one day unless it is good!
This was so good I could not put it down. I dont read much! But this was so good I can't wait for the second one one to come out. I finished it one day! i never finish a book in one day unless it is good!
January 10, 2017
Must Read More of Maya!
This is the best book I ever read on my Kindle! It had science fiction, mystery, suspense, thrills and chills, etc, etc, etc. Do yourself a favor and read it. Just be forewarned, I was upset it ended where it did (glad the scrum bag was dispatched, though). I will be haunting the author's websites, waiting for the next book in the series. Pete Barber better hurry with Book 2!
This is the best book I ever read on my Kindle! It had science fiction, mystery, suspense, thrills and chills, etc, etc, etc. Do yourself a favor and read it. Just be forewarned, I was upset it ended where it did (glad the scrum bag was dispatched, though). I will be haunting the author's websites, waiting for the next book in the series. Pete Barber better hurry with Book 2!
January 19, 2017
Great story, on the edge of your seat good. I fell in love with the characters as if they were my own family. I think a little more attention could have been on Joshua. I would have loved to follow how he felt about his gift and how he coped with it.
Near the end I was a little disappointed that Lauren seem to turn for the church in the end knowing that Freddie Morgan was not what people thought he was.
Overall this was a great book. I enjoyed it a lot.
Near the end I was a little disappointed that Lauren seem to turn for the church in the end knowing that Freddie Morgan was not what people thought he was.
Overall this was a great book. I enjoyed it a lot.
January 9, 2017
Fascinating Read!
The only thing wrong with this story is that it was over too soon! More twists and turns then any carnival ride and the tale has much more in store! Can't wait for the next book!
The only thing wrong with this story is that it was over too soon! More twists and turns then any carnival ride and the tale has much more in store! Can't wait for the next book!
December 15, 2016
A fun read
Really looking forward to book 2.
would have been better if the multi year jumps would have been replaced with more of the book. I personally felt the ending was rushed.
Really looking forward to book 2.
would have been better if the multi year jumps would have been replaced with more of the book. I personally felt the ending was rushed.
January 15, 2017
To short!!!!
I am glad that this had come along, this is really good. Hope to get to read the next one soon, because this one ended too soon.
I am glad that this had come along, this is really good. Hope to get to read the next one soon, because this one ended too soon.
February 5, 2017
Good story. Enjoyed book one, but not likely to read book 2. Still really liked it though.
January 18, 2017
Book one : Maya
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was refreshing and new. I would recommend this book to my friends. Great
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was refreshing and new. I would recommend this book to my friends. Great
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews