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Final State #2
Principal
After a pandemic, an invasion, and several other calamities, North America has found itself in a decades-long state of chaos. North Korea has colonized everything west of the Rocky Mountains, and the rest of the continent has been torn apart by warlords with weapons of mass destruction. There is no safe place in these dangerous times.
Journalist Len Savitz has become a controversial figure. Some revere him as a figurehead for a new way of thinking, others see him as a traitor who ushered in an era of anarchy. From an isolated island fortress, Len now protects his family and his followers from violent unrest, not to mention another threat that he believes hasn’t gone away—the Dranthyx.
The sequel to Gaughen’s acclaimed debut, Interest, takes place thirty-five years later. Principal is both horrifying and inspiring, a vivid premonition of a future that is closer than we think.
Journalist Len Savitz has become a controversial figure. Some revere him as a figurehead for a new way of thinking, others see him as a traitor who ushered in an era of anarchy. From an isolated island fortress, Len now protects his family and his followers from violent unrest, not to mention another threat that he believes hasn’t gone away—the Dranthyx.
The sequel to Gaughen’s acclaimed debut, Interest, takes place thirty-five years later. Principal is both horrifying and inspiring, a vivid premonition of a future that is closer than we think.
- GenresScience Fiction
476 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2018
69 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Gaughen
3 books120 followersKevin Gaughen holds a degree in writing from Carnegie Mellon University. In his spare time, Gaughen enjoys night photography, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and engaging in pointless arguments on the Internet. He currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and their three kids.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 21, 2019
I may be a bit biased.
May 27, 2018
The Dranthyx become even more fearsome in Principal. Having read Interest, I was curious to see how the story would evolve in Principal. Gaughen certainly didn't disappoint with his post-apocalyptic world of mayhem and a new Dranthyx thread ever present. Principal is set 35 years after the events of Interest.
Len is now older, wiser, and certainly weary. Other characters from the first book make return appearances including Octavia (now an adult) and Natalia (very much her former self). The interesting concepts and premises that make the first book so enjoyable are here as well, although they take on a different sort of vibe.
This is a world post-Dranthyx (well, for the most part) and Gaughen does a fantastic job of showing the reader just what that would be like. Good and bad. There are new characters, concepts, and villains in Principal but for the sake of spoilers I'll let you read the book and discover them. They definitely spooked me though.
There's some solid writing here, and even if you've never read Interest, it's not hard to sink your teeth into this one. That said, I recommend reading interest before starting Principal to really get the full weight of the novel. I somewhat concur that there should be a third book, but there's also nothing wrong with letting the reader speculate on the "What if?"
The world is full of Dranthyx after all.
Len is now older, wiser, and certainly weary. Other characters from the first book make return appearances including Octavia (now an adult) and Natalia (very much her former self). The interesting concepts and premises that make the first book so enjoyable are here as well, although they take on a different sort of vibe.
This is a world post-Dranthyx (well, for the most part) and Gaughen does a fantastic job of showing the reader just what that would be like. Good and bad. There are new characters, concepts, and villains in Principal but for the sake of spoilers I'll let you read the book and discover them. They definitely spooked me though.
There's some solid writing here, and even if you've never read Interest, it's not hard to sink your teeth into this one. That said, I recommend reading interest before starting Principal to really get the full weight of the novel. I somewhat concur that there should be a third book, but there's also nothing wrong with letting the reader speculate on the "What if?"
The world is full of Dranthyx after all.
May 25, 2018
Principal is the sequel (taking place thirty five years in the future) to Interest (which I have not read) but the author gave a good enough recap so I was able to follow the new story without any problems. Principal is well written, has great characters and the world that Mr. Gaughen builds is fascinating. This is the kind of science fiction that I like the best. It isn't too far out there and I could picture the events and the people of this world. Principal is fast paced and everything in it has a purpose and holds your interest. There is no filler. I do have a problem with the ending. The author is not writing a third book to the series and I think there are too many questions left unanswered and there are plenty of loose ends that need to be tied up.
June 29, 2018
Principal, the second book in the Final State series from Kevin Gaughen, is an amazing trip yet seemed a little less compelling than the first book. If I had not read the first book I don't know whether I would like this one better than I do or less. This book moves right along and makes many important points that could and should be applied to our real world, so maybe I would like it more without knowledge of volume 1. Then again, for whatever reason, I just felt less of something in this one than the last, but because I remembered the first volume so positively it may have influenced me upward, so maybe I would like it a little less without that foundation. I really don't know.
Ultimately I would still recommend this book highly, with or without having read book 1. If you're unfamiliar with the first one I would suggest getting it and reading it first, it establishes not just the world of the work but also what types of messages we, as 21st century readers, might draw from this story. Either volume is worth reading independent of the other but together is where I think you will gain the most enjoyment and insight. Hopefully there will be at least another volume to answer the new questions.
Ultimately I would still recommend this book highly, with or without having read book 1. If you're unfamiliar with the first one I would suggest getting it and reading it first, it establishes not just the world of the work but also what types of messages we, as 21st century readers, might draw from this story. Either volume is worth reading independent of the other but together is where I think you will gain the most enjoyment and insight. Hopefully there will be at least another volume to answer the new questions.
April 7, 2018
This is the second book and according to the author probably the last book of the series. Hopefully Kevin Gaughen, the author, will reconsider that down the line. This book takes place thirty-five years after the first book. The Dranthyx still want to control the world, and their are some characters from the first book a long with a new cast of characters. I am not going to go into the book's dtoryline and plot as I don't want to give to much away, soas to not spoil it for future readers. This is a well written fast-paced book that deserves to be read and enjoyed by the reading public, no matter what your favorite genre happens to be.
November 14, 2019
I wasted my time reading this!
BEING AN OLD WOMAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO READING STORIES THAT DO N NOT WASTE MY TIME. I AM DISABLED AND SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN BED! MY INCOME IS LOW AND MY ADULT SON ALSO LIVES ON IT. HE IS MY CAREGIVER. THE INTERNET IS MY ONLY CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE, EXCEPT FOR DR. ViSITS, ONCE A MONTH GOING TO FOOD STORES. WE HAVE NO RUNNING WATER. THIS BOOK WASTED M ENERGY AND TIME, BECAUSE OF THE STUPID ENDING, IT JUST HAD NO 👎 ENDING! 😑😐😶THE AUTHOR MUST HAVE FELL ASLEEP 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴!
BEING AN OLD WOMAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO READING STORIES THAT DO N NOT WASTE MY TIME. I AM DISABLED AND SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN BED! MY INCOME IS LOW AND MY ADULT SON ALSO LIVES ON IT. HE IS MY CAREGIVER. THE INTERNET IS MY ONLY CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE, EXCEPT FOR DR. ViSITS, ONCE A MONTH GOING TO FOOD STORES. WE HAVE NO RUNNING WATER. THIS BOOK WASTED M ENERGY AND TIME, BECAUSE OF THE STUPID ENDING, IT JUST HAD NO 👎 ENDING! 😑😐😶THE AUTHOR MUST HAVE FELL ASLEEP 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴!
March 21, 2018
The roller coaster ride continues…
I purposely did not discuss details of the story in my review of Book 1. I wanted other readers to be as surprised as I was in reading this the new sci-fi series. This intriguing story resumes 35 years after the invasion takes place, with the same characters. The fast-pace continues and so do the surprises. Very enjoyable series so far. Bring on Book 3!
I purposely did not discuss details of the story in my review of Book 1. I wanted other readers to be as surprised as I was in reading this the new sci-fi series. This intriguing story resumes 35 years after the invasion takes place, with the same characters. The fast-pace continues and so do the surprises. Very enjoyable series so far. Bring on Book 3!
March 31, 2018
Great book. Author does fantastic job building up this world and connecting it all. Highly recommend
September 4, 2018
I received this book from the author (thank you!!).
Great and interesting sequel to Interest. I love the world and characters.
Great and interesting sequel to Interest. I love the world and characters.
May 29, 2019
A solid conclusion to the two-book series.
May 19, 2018
I really enjoyed Kevin Gaughen's first book "Interest" immensely, so when I saw that he had written a second book that was a continuation of the first book, I was really looking forward to reading it. Like the first book, Kevin does a masterful job of bringing seemingly unrelated characters together, intertwining them to tell their stories from each of their various perspectives. Like the first book, I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down until the end. His books demonstrate a very interesting perspective on our society that is seemly hidden in the science fiction tale he writes about in his books.
January 17, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this 2 book series. Kevin Gaughen's futuristic, time traveling story was also a statement on the global economics of today and what drives the power structure of our world.....at last in one of many consciousness streams. And it was very enjoyable!
May 18, 2018
This guy can tell a big complicated story. The concepts were difficult enough to understand without the confusing device of changing POV to heighten tension. Reminded me a bit of similar book I've read called 'Waking Maya."
One of my pet peeves in fiction writing is when the author says, "two or three" or any other indefinite amount - an author is God of their fiction. They determine exactly how many...or should just use the words several or few.
It's as if a sf writer took the song 'imagine' to heart. This book took everything I thought I 'knew' about economics, sociology and politics and turned it on its head. While there was a whole lotta magical wishful thinking/plotting - the story was also thought provoking and gripping. The purple cthulus were particularly horrifying.
One of my pet peeves in fiction writing is when the author says, "two or three" or any other indefinite amount - an author is God of their fiction. They determine exactly how many...or should just use the words several or few.
It's as if a sf writer took the song 'imagine' to heart. This book took everything I thought I 'knew' about economics, sociology and politics and turned it on its head. While there was a whole lotta magical wishful thinking/plotting - the story was also thought provoking and gripping. The purple cthulus were particularly horrifying.
December 19, 2018
I'm so sorry it took me so long to review this book, I just lost my home and all of my books in the Camp Fire the only book that survived was this one. I received a copy from the author.
Oh My Gosh, that's what I said over and over for minutes after finishing this book. I laughed during reading this and not always just funny parts but enlightening ones as well. It was Funny, Amazing, and a great Sequel to Interest.
*Spoilers Ahead*
It was a little twisted which brings me to the fact that before that part that I had hopes of Dan being a decent Tchogol, they failed miserably. I must admit though I did not expect the time leap but I soon learned to appreciate it because it gave us a perspective from after everything settled. Still I have questions, What happens to Len's daughter? How does she deal with her eldest being murdered and her youngest being Neith? Do we get to read more about Tchogols and them having emotions now? I was dying of laughter as I read the different Dranthyx reactions to the new pathogen. Are Artha and his sister computer okay? Is Len complete in his "full understanding"? I think so but still would like confirmation. What will it be like in the parallel universes and could Len now change things that happened? Is Len fully like Neith now?
I find the way the author ended it was like a circle coming around back to itself. It was an ending and a beginning. I was extremely giddy after finishing and crossing my fingers that there will be another book.
Oh My Gosh, that's what I said over and over for minutes after finishing this book. I laughed during reading this and not always just funny parts but enlightening ones as well. It was Funny, Amazing, and a great Sequel to Interest.
*Spoilers Ahead*
It was a little twisted which brings me to the fact that before that part that I had hopes of Dan being a decent Tchogol, they failed miserably. I must admit though I did not expect the time leap but I soon learned to appreciate it because it gave us a perspective from after everything settled. Still I have questions, What happens to Len's daughter? How does she deal with her eldest being murdered and her youngest being Neith? Do we get to read more about Tchogols and them having emotions now? I was dying of laughter as I read the different Dranthyx reactions to the new pathogen. Are Artha and his sister computer okay? Is Len complete in his "full understanding"? I think so but still would like confirmation. What will it be like in the parallel universes and could Len now change things that happened? Is Len fully like Neith now?
I find the way the author ended it was like a circle coming around back to itself. It was an ending and a beginning. I was extremely giddy after finishing and crossing my fingers that there will be another book.
February 25, 2018
Mr. Gaughen was very kind to send me his second book in the Final State series. It is a very interesting story, but there was some science I couldn't follow. That's not the author's fault however. The Dranthyx are back after being destroyed 99.7% in the last book. Do they still want to take over the world? Dan is the Principal of the Aegis government. Can he be trusted? He wants to unite all the governments in the US, but is that a good idea? You'll have to read the book to find out.
March 14, 2018
WOW
I really hope there is another book. I am fascinated by this story. I think that this part of the series is slower than the last book. There were several times that I started to stop reading. I guess I will classify this book like Matrix: Reloaded, this is a middle story. There are a lot of plot lines opened but few are closed. I can't wait till the next book.
I really hope there is another book. I am fascinated by this story. I think that this part of the series is slower than the last book. There were several times that I started to stop reading. I guess I will classify this book like Matrix: Reloaded, this is a middle story. There are a lot of plot lines opened but few are closed. I can't wait till the next book.
July 14, 2019
One more time ?
Liked summary author provided at beginning as it gave me chance to see if missed anything from first book. I did not know it was also hint. I was confused what direction the plot was going much of time until the great ending. Yes,there were other plot endings that kept the pages turning and reader wondering if the author knew the end!
Liked summary author provided at beginning as it gave me chance to see if missed anything from first book. I did not know it was also hint. I was confused what direction the plot was going much of time until the great ending. Yes,there were other plot endings that kept the pages turning and reader wondering if the author knew the end!
December 18, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Considering I am not a fan of the sci-fi genre, that should tell you what an excellent writer Kevin Gaughen is! I loved the main characters of this second story in the series. Really well done and I look forward to reading book 3 when it comes out.
May 22, 2019
What
Imaginative. Things are not as they seem. Twists around every corner. Everything is connected. Like life, bad events turn to benefit. Who knows what is good or bad? Easy to read. Hopefully will challenge your paradigm.
Imaginative. Things are not as they seem. Twists around every corner. Everything is connected. Like life, bad events turn to benefit. Who knows what is good or bad? Easy to read. Hopefully will challenge your paradigm.
June 5, 2019
Being the second book in what is turning out to be a great series, I am enjoying the many twist and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out. Everything changes, and that makes it a great read.
June 15, 2019
Fantastic!
Fascinating concepts, spellbinding action and greats compassion all rolled up together. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Fascinating concepts, spellbinding action and greats compassion all rolled up together. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
June 30, 2020
Excellent!
I love the author's combining of action with underlying philosophy. I liked "Interest" better, without reading it "Principle"would have just been incomprehensible.
I love the author's combining of action with underlying philosophy. I liked "Interest" better, without reading it "Principle"would have just been incomprehensible.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews