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Optima Terra: The Many Lives of Darren Decko
Optima Terra presents both opportunity and despair for a bewildered young man named Darren Decko, who must deal with its strange rules, evolved from hundreds of years of experimental society-building. Everyone on Optima Terra must move—actually, dissipate—every four months: this means leaving behind current jobs, roommates, lovers, and city of residence, to take on a fresh new life. Several rotations later, he meets Rachel, his true love. However, when Moving Day arrives, they reluctantly part ways, lest either forfeit the crucial livelihood set by their harsh world. Darren must soon find out who is actually in charge of Optima Terra, or he will lose Rachel forever. To keep his hopes alive, he must also light a spark under the revolution that will drastically alter the rules of his world.
Redshirts meets 1984 meets The Truman Show.
Redshirts meets 1984 meets The Truman Show.
Unknown Binding
Published November 19, 2019
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 5, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Optima Terra is a dystopian novel that speaks volumes. The idea of the whole novel was very disturbing and unsettling. Optima Terra is where you have to move every 4 months and you must leave everything behind. No parents, no lovers, no friends, no contact, and no choice. Imagine a life like that, a life where the word Family is a foreign and unknown concept to the masses.
What I liked:
1. I loved the world building and ideologies of this book.
2. It was so realistic and I could imagine the frustration of living in a world where you could never form a lasting relationship with anyone of any kind. (A bit lonely, I know right!)
3. Everyone almost seems to be okay with the system, but Darren Decko questions everything around him amd I like him for that.
4. I love Gabriel and all the charecters were splendid!
5. The story was hooking and I wanted to know more. The plot seemed pretty awesome.
What I didn't like:
1. The pace was slow and the story was too loooooong.
2. I was waiting for something to happen (like forever).
3. The ending is were the action occurs and its a bit of a dissappointment for me.
4. Don't get me started on with the romance! God, was it awful and awkward.
I found this world fascinating and it was an intruiging read. If you would like to just read and enjoy a novel with a fun yet disturbing dystopian world this is for you! I rate this a three star for the charecters, the plot and ofcourse, the incredible world building.
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“We have calculated the most efficient way for humans to live together without war and conflict.”
What I liked:
1. I loved the world building and ideologies of this book.
2. It was so realistic and I could imagine the frustration of living in a world where you could never form a lasting relationship with anyone of any kind. (A bit lonely, I know right!)
3. Everyone almost seems to be okay with the system, but Darren Decko questions everything around him amd I like him for that.
4. I love Gabriel and all the charecters were splendid!
5. The story was hooking and I wanted to know more. The plot seemed pretty awesome.
What I didn't like:
"Our truth is a bunch of lies"
1. The pace was slow and the story was too loooooong.
2. I was waiting for something to happen (like forever).
3. The ending is were the action occurs and its a bit of a dissappointment for me.
4. Don't get me started on with the romance! God, was it awful and awkward.
I found this world fascinating and it was an intruiging read. If you would like to just read and enjoy a novel with a fun yet disturbing dystopian world this is for you! I rate this a three star for the charecters, the plot and ofcourse, the incredible world building.
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May 10, 2021
I ended up reaching the conclusion of the novel with severely mixed feelings. The premise was absolutely fascinating and the world created by the author constantly fed into my curiosity. On the other hand, some elements of the execution curtailed my enjoyment significantly.
What I liked:
- The concept was simply amazing and thought-provoking. The reader was faced with a dark and unsettling dystopia that resembled an episode of Black Mirror. What would happen to individuals and the society as a whole, if people were not allowed to form long-term human connections, whether in the form of family units or friendships?
- The world-building was mostly solid. We had the rotation system, the point scheme tied to Life Cards in lieu of money, different groups living in the outliers for different reasons, and the core concepts changed as a result of the changes kept in the last 200+ years. It worked together quite well.
- The writing was really engaging. Despite some flaws in the book, the style of narration made me want to continue reading and find out what happens next.
- When all of the above is taken into consideration, it could have been an extraordinary book, if it wasn't for some significant shortcomings.
What I didn't like:
- I really disliked the main character who was both bland and annoying. He seemed to be a combination of an Everyman and a Nice Guy™ (not to be confused with actual nice guys). Somehow he managed to be a very special snowflake and every major force in that world wanted a piece of him, even though he was a completely ordinary person with a streak of sexism, ageism and general selfishness.
- The rest of the characters were rather underdeveloped.
- Horrible writing of female characters. It's as if the author read the forum of "Men writing women" and decided it's a treasure trove of useful knowledge.
- Random fantasy elements in a sci-fi dystopian novel that didn't fit with the rest.
- A glaring inconsistency in the world-building. The action takes place on the planet with three moons in a twin solar system. And yet, the map at the beginning of the book shows the continents of Earth.
*I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What I liked:
- The concept was simply amazing and thought-provoking. The reader was faced with a dark and unsettling dystopia that resembled an episode of Black Mirror. What would happen to individuals and the society as a whole, if people were not allowed to form long-term human connections, whether in the form of family units or friendships?
- The world-building was mostly solid. We had the rotation system, the point scheme tied to Life Cards in lieu of money, different groups living in the outliers for different reasons, and the core concepts changed as a result of the changes kept in the last 200+ years. It worked together quite well.
- The writing was really engaging. Despite some flaws in the book, the style of narration made me want to continue reading and find out what happens next.
- When all of the above is taken into consideration, it could have been an extraordinary book, if it wasn't for some significant shortcomings.
What I didn't like:
- I really disliked the main character who was both bland and annoying. He seemed to be a combination of an Everyman and a Nice Guy™ (not to be confused with actual nice guys). Somehow he managed to be a very special snowflake and every major force in that world wanted a piece of him, even though he was a completely ordinary person with a streak of sexism, ageism and general selfishness.
- The rest of the characters were rather underdeveloped.
- Horrible writing of female characters. It's as if the author read the forum of "Men writing women" and decided it's a treasure trove of useful knowledge.
- Random fantasy elements in a sci-fi dystopian novel that didn't fit with the rest.
- A glaring inconsistency in the world-building. The action takes place on the planet with three moons in a twin solar system. And yet, the map at the beginning of the book shows the continents of Earth.
*I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 27, 2020
Note -- I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
I am of the opinion that it is difficult, noteworthy, and laudatory to write a book.
I did not like this book.
I did like the premise: the idea of a dystopian future Earth where everyone in society is forced to "rotate" every four months -- leaving behind your job, friends, roommate, partner... for a new job, friends, apartment, roommate, in a new city. That's an interesting concept that could be mined for a more typical dystopian approach to fiction.
I'm not sure what I just read, but it was far from engrossing or even interesting. Darren Decko was a bland, one-dimensional character surrounded by narrative mannequins in the other characters who weave through his life and show up way more than you'd expect them to considering the size of the planet and the infinitesimal odds that you'd be rotated back with someone you've known before.
There are some narrative threads throughout, notably the Freemen and the idea of a revolution that will break the cycle of the slave-like "roatees" (and their counterpart, the Golds who have steady, high-powered jobs for no reason other than, well, they just do). But the narrative wanders so much and with such sophomoric prose that this book became a slog not even 50 pages in.
Darren Decko himself seems shallow, uninteresting, and bland -- a cardboard cutout of a character. It quickly became clear that I didn't really know why I should be interested in his life or any of his actions. And the sex scenes... oh lordy. I finished this book out of sheer willpower.
Sorry, Scott Simms. Writings books is hard -- congratulations on writing this one. You seem like a nice guy. But I probably won't be seeking out any of your future works.
I am of the opinion that it is difficult, noteworthy, and laudatory to write a book.
I did not like this book.
I did like the premise: the idea of a dystopian future Earth where everyone in society is forced to "rotate" every four months -- leaving behind your job, friends, roommate, partner... for a new job, friends, apartment, roommate, in a new city. That's an interesting concept that could be mined for a more typical dystopian approach to fiction.
I'm not sure what I just read, but it was far from engrossing or even interesting. Darren Decko was a bland, one-dimensional character surrounded by narrative mannequins in the other characters who weave through his life and show up way more than you'd expect them to considering the size of the planet and the infinitesimal odds that you'd be rotated back with someone you've known before.
There are some narrative threads throughout, notably the Freemen and the idea of a revolution that will break the cycle of the slave-like "roatees" (and their counterpart, the Golds who have steady, high-powered jobs for no reason other than, well, they just do). But the narrative wanders so much and with such sophomoric prose that this book became a slog not even 50 pages in.
Darren Decko himself seems shallow, uninteresting, and bland -- a cardboard cutout of a character. It quickly became clear that I didn't really know why I should be interested in his life or any of his actions. And the sex scenes... oh lordy. I finished this book out of sheer willpower.
Sorry, Scott Simms. Writings books is hard -- congratulations on writing this one. You seem like a nice guy. But I probably won't be seeking out any of your future works.
February 4, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book for an honest review via Book Sirens*
I really enjoyed the story and concept of this book. The writing was a little strange, but you got used to it by the end.
The idea of life changing every 4 months (Home, Roommate, Friends, School/Job, Location, etc) baffles me and I thought it was such a cool idea for a book. I would have loved to get more of the perspective of some of the female characters in the book. I think Amy was developed somewhat and Rachel we barely scratched the surface. I would have liked to know more about each of their experiences that affected women differently.
I was never bored reading this book and always wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
I did find some of the book very awkward when reading about Darren's sexual experiences and I wasn't sure if it was because he can be really awkward since he has no experience or if it was the writing itself. I tend to like female authors depictions of romantic/sexual scenes vs male authors, but that might just be me... There were only a few instances of this, they just stood out to me.
Overall, it was a good and fairly quick read. Cool story that makes you think about society a bit. Definitely worth checking out!
I really enjoyed the story and concept of this book. The writing was a little strange, but you got used to it by the end.
The idea of life changing every 4 months (Home, Roommate, Friends, School/Job, Location, etc) baffles me and I thought it was such a cool idea for a book. I would have loved to get more of the perspective of some of the female characters in the book. I think Amy was developed somewhat and Rachel we barely scratched the surface. I would have liked to know more about each of their experiences that affected women differently.
I was never bored reading this book and always wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
I did find some of the book very awkward when reading about Darren's sexual experiences and I wasn't sure if it was because he can be really awkward since he has no experience or if it was the writing itself. I tend to like female authors depictions of romantic/sexual scenes vs male authors, but that might just be me... There were only a few instances of this, they just stood out to me.
Overall, it was a good and fairly quick read. Cool story that makes you think about society a bit. Definitely worth checking out!
March 11, 2020
3 stars
I thought the idea was interesting but the book seemed overlong and I am not sure I actually liked the writing style. It was quite awkward at times, especially the 'sex' scenes, though I am not sure if that was how it was supposed to seem from Darren's point of view.
The idea of being forced to have sex with a stranger to conceive a child really rankled with me. No woman would ever have written it that way. I could comprehend a scenario where women were implanted with embryos to carry a child if that was the way of society in the future, but the whole trying to make it a romantic liaison felt contrived and unsettling.
To be honest, the writing felt quite juvenile to me, but perhaps the author will improve with more experience.
* I received a free copy to give an honest review via BookSirens
I thought the idea was interesting but the book seemed overlong and I am not sure I actually liked the writing style. It was quite awkward at times, especially the 'sex' scenes, though I am not sure if that was how it was supposed to seem from Darren's point of view.
The idea of being forced to have sex with a stranger to conceive a child really rankled with me. No woman would ever have written it that way. I could comprehend a scenario where women were implanted with embryos to carry a child if that was the way of society in the future, but the whole trying to make it a romantic liaison felt contrived and unsettling.
To be honest, the writing felt quite juvenile to me, but perhaps the author will improve with more experience.
* I received a free copy to give an honest review via BookSirens
May 28, 2021
This is a good effort by an inexperienced writer. I’ll start with the good - it is a fascinating premise. What would happen if society intentionally fragmented itself to prevent any number of problems? Continually shifting to new places, new associations and new education/work could allow allow equal opportunities . And such is the world our author presents. Unsurprisingly, we follow our young hero through his adventures - seeing the good and the bad, to a final resolution that will generally satisfy.
The author does a fine job of conveying personalities, and evolving characters. The world is well described as well.
But the issues... some are big , so are small. All are things the author can improve on.
I hated the font for the title page, chapter titles and initial caps in the first sentence of each chapter. It was distracting and seemed far too casual for a book that wants to be taken seriously.
I found the names of measurements equally distracting and also unnecessary. Yes, in some future world, these measure would be different. But it adds nothing and forces the reader to guess about them all.
In all imaginary worlds, there are things that probably can’t work. But the flaws in the Rotation system were just too big to be believable and again , distracted to no good purpose. An inexperienced young man as a CEO? No.
Now , some of the seeming flaws were explained, in a reasonable fashion at the conclusion - but it was still less than satisfactory.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author does a fine job of conveying personalities, and evolving characters. The world is well described as well.
But the issues... some are big , so are small. All are things the author can improve on.
I hated the font for the title page, chapter titles and initial caps in the first sentence of each chapter. It was distracting and seemed far too casual for a book that wants to be taken seriously.
I found the names of measurements equally distracting and also unnecessary. Yes, in some future world, these measure would be different. But it adds nothing and forces the reader to guess about them all.
In all imaginary worlds, there are things that probably can’t work. But the flaws in the Rotation system were just too big to be believable and again , distracted to no good purpose. An inexperienced young man as a CEO? No.
Now , some of the seeming flaws were explained, in a reasonable fashion at the conclusion - but it was still less than satisfactory.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 15, 2019
I read Optima Terra by Scott Simms in about 24 hours. That should tell you how engaging I found it. The premise is unusual, a society where every four months everyone's entire life changes. Everything. Your job or school, your apartment, your roommate or guardian, the city or continent in which you live. Your whole life is on your smartphone. There are no books (yeah, I know, yikes!), no history, no continuity, no free will. People go wherever their smartphone tells them to go. Everyone wears the same outfit; blue for work, purple for leisure time, and black for rotation or moving day.
There are definitely pieces of the story that too believable and that makes me a tad nervous if I am telling the truth. Smartphones ... people are way into them both in the book and real life, in fact, probably too into them. So much so that we in the real world often hear of people walking into traffic or fountains at the mall. The references to cat videos had me chuckling.
Optima Terra is a cleverly written book. While I believe it is a commentary on today's society, it isn't too heavy handed; it is still enjoyable to read. It is fun deciphering the terms used for familiar things, for example slamball for basketball, and to hear how they play the game. I could have done without the all of the details regarding, to put it delicately, intimate issues. Sometimes less is more.
All in all, I recommend Optima Terra, as I said earlier, this is a very unique story. I am curious about "what happens next". Especially for characters we did not revisit in the ending chapters. What did Alban, for example, think of what Darren was doing? How about Dr. Nigra, Herb, or my favorite, Esmeralda the librarian? So give it a try even if it isn't your usual fare, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
There are definitely pieces of the story that too believable and that makes me a tad nervous if I am telling the truth. Smartphones ... people are way into them both in the book and real life, in fact, probably too into them. So much so that we in the real world often hear of people walking into traffic or fountains at the mall. The references to cat videos had me chuckling.
Optima Terra is a cleverly written book. While I believe it is a commentary on today's society, it isn't too heavy handed; it is still enjoyable to read. It is fun deciphering the terms used for familiar things, for example slamball for basketball, and to hear how they play the game. I could have done without the all of the details regarding, to put it delicately, intimate issues. Sometimes less is more.
All in all, I recommend Optima Terra, as I said earlier, this is a very unique story. I am curious about "what happens next". Especially for characters we did not revisit in the ending chapters. What did Alban, for example, think of what Darren was doing? How about Dr. Nigra, Herb, or my favorite, Esmeralda the librarian? So give it a try even if it isn't your usual fare, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
February 1, 2021
Optima Terra is a world where most residents change homes, places, roomates every four months. Life is constantly changing for people, making sure citizens never grow bored with their way of life, designed to keep war and destruction away. Darren Dekko wants this society to change, mostly because he wants real love, family, and lifelong friends.
I read this in two days. The story gripped me. I wanted to see Darren through to the end of his journey. The workings and history of Optima Terra's society is interesting and unique. What would it be like to live like this? I also enjoyed the characters and felt for them. I hoped to see certain characters again, just like Darren did, and I smiled when they would reappear.
There are two elements that kept me from giving this 5 stars:
1. I didn't have a clear understanding of the differences between Freemen/Freewomen and the poor surrounding the gates of the city.
2. The ending felt anti-climatic and the last few chapters before the epilogue felt rushed.
I found this novel enjoyable and well written. A few changes could make this a truly great read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy via BookSirens in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
I read this in two days. The story gripped me. I wanted to see Darren through to the end of his journey. The workings and history of Optima Terra's society is interesting and unique. What would it be like to live like this? I also enjoyed the characters and felt for them. I hoped to see certain characters again, just like Darren did, and I smiled when they would reappear.
There are two elements that kept me from giving this 5 stars:
1. I didn't have a clear understanding of the differences between Freemen/Freewomen and the poor surrounding the gates of the city.
2. The ending felt anti-climatic and the last few chapters before the epilogue felt rushed.
I found this novel enjoyable and well written. A few changes could make this a truly great read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this free advanced review copy via BookSirens in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
April 26, 2020
This work has such an interesting premise of revolution against a constrictive system where individuals have to rotate their lives every four months with new jobs, new flat mates, and completely new people. I found the free women/freemen an interesting community and the idea of a gifted community for jobs such as doctors and pilots. Unfortunately the actual story was not as engaging as the premise and I think that’s because I found the main character to be unlikeable. The story focused a lot on him and I often found his thoughts and actions to be melodramatic and judgmental. I also found his relationship with Rachel to seem rather superficial and often revolved around primarily physical attraction. I received an advance review copy for free, and have shared my honest and voluntary review.
July 27, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What attracted me to this book was the cover - not because it was fancy, but because it was so minimalist in its design. The other element attracting my attention was the blurb - it just seemed like something I would enjoy.
The story opens with a seventeen-year-old Darren Decko in school. It spans his life through age twenty-six. During this time, Darren faces many challenges to him, both mentally and physically, while he strives to achieve the Gold status. The idea is to mount up points on his smart phone (or his "life card") through his performance on the jobs he is assigned. While in school, he meets the love of his life, a young woman named Rachel. In this highly regulated world, there are no guarantees people will see each other as they pass from one "Rotation" to another. A Rotation lasts 121 days. At the end of a rotation, all those except for skilled people - doctors, scientists, etc. - move from one place to another and perform different jobs or attend different schools as assigned by their life card.
Darren's life goal is to spend his life with Rachel, and he will do anything it takes to make that happen, including bringing down the Rotation System.
The story follows Darren for nine years of his life. He is a good person who is curious about the history of his world. He wants to understand the how and why of where he is. While he enjoys the benefits of the system, he is also dismayed by it because he does not know of his family. Family becomes very important to him as he gets hints about the world before the "New Era." When he meets Rachel, he wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but the system won't allow that. So, he decides the system needs to be changed. Darren is not the only one who wants change, there are many others who feel the same as he does. He decides the system need to be changed for everyone.
The key thing I enjoyed about the plot of this story was the elaborate and detailed world building by Simms. The plot unfolds through the backdrop of a world that provides everything people need to have a satisfying life within certain guidelines.
When a person finished school, they are sent into the workforce in the Rotation System. Everyone gets a new life every 121 days under the system. They are provided a place to live, complete with clothing, food, and an assigned job. Job assignments are sent to people on the first day of the new rotation. In one rotation, a person might be a garbage collector. In the next, they may find themselves a CEO of a major corporation. The training for these positions is provided while on the job, so it's a little stressful on the first days of an assignment.
Points are earned and awarded for adequate performance on the job, but points can also be taken away for poor performance or by committing an infraction of rules. Everyone is monitored by an army of flying robots - "bots" as they are referred to - and these bots may take points for rule infractions, failure to comply, or they may even hand out punishment.
Smart phones are vital to the citizens. They get information on their assignments on them as well as keep track of points on them. Phones are also a means of communication and work pretty much as they do for us today. One can store information, photos, locations of others on the devices, but they are wiped between rotations.
The world itself, Earth in the distant future, is a global community with no apparent government. There are no wars or conflicts, no environmental difficulties, and most people seem content with their situations. There are those who choose not to live within the system, and they are reduced to a low level of subsistence, barely squeaking out a living. Others not in the system have formed communities where they live an agrarian lifestyle that is difficult, but it is free.
A map of the planet is included at the front of the book to help one orient themselves as the story unfolds.
I'm not sure, but I think one of the themes the author wanted readers to think about is the dependance we have on technology in our world. Everything and everyone in Optima Terra is heavily reliant on tech. Everyone is monitored throughout their entire lives and the only thing that still seems private in life is one's own inner thoughts. As mentioned before, all the most basic necessities of life are provided for, but there is more to life than shelter and food. The society in this story has turned their lives over to the whatever power determines the rotations in the system. There are no long-term relationships on Optima Terra. Even how children are brought into existence is highly regulated. As I think about the world presented in this book, I know it is a place I would not want to live in. So, I think Simms is warning us to be careful to make sure technology remains a tool, and that we don't give up too much of our existence to it.
While the theme of machine control over humanity is usually framed as post-apocalyptic in most sci-fi, that is not the case in Optima Terra. This is a light sci-fi story meant to entertain more than frighten the reader and the writer did a good job incorporating humor in the text. Along with humor, there are many poignant moments, especially as Darren interacts with Rachel, and others important to him.
I recommend this story for those who want a relaxing read. It will be relaxing as long as one doesn't take it too seriously and think too deeply about it.
What attracted me to this book was the cover - not because it was fancy, but because it was so minimalist in its design. The other element attracting my attention was the blurb - it just seemed like something I would enjoy.
The story opens with a seventeen-year-old Darren Decko in school. It spans his life through age twenty-six. During this time, Darren faces many challenges to him, both mentally and physically, while he strives to achieve the Gold status. The idea is to mount up points on his smart phone (or his "life card") through his performance on the jobs he is assigned. While in school, he meets the love of his life, a young woman named Rachel. In this highly regulated world, there are no guarantees people will see each other as they pass from one "Rotation" to another. A Rotation lasts 121 days. At the end of a rotation, all those except for skilled people - doctors, scientists, etc. - move from one place to another and perform different jobs or attend different schools as assigned by their life card.
Darren's life goal is to spend his life with Rachel, and he will do anything it takes to make that happen, including bringing down the Rotation System.
The story follows Darren for nine years of his life. He is a good person who is curious about the history of his world. He wants to understand the how and why of where he is. While he enjoys the benefits of the system, he is also dismayed by it because he does not know of his family. Family becomes very important to him as he gets hints about the world before the "New Era." When he meets Rachel, he wants to spend the rest of his life with her, but the system won't allow that. So, he decides the system needs to be changed. Darren is not the only one who wants change, there are many others who feel the same as he does. He decides the system need to be changed for everyone.
The key thing I enjoyed about the plot of this story was the elaborate and detailed world building by Simms. The plot unfolds through the backdrop of a world that provides everything people need to have a satisfying life within certain guidelines.
When a person finished school, they are sent into the workforce in the Rotation System. Everyone gets a new life every 121 days under the system. They are provided a place to live, complete with clothing, food, and an assigned job. Job assignments are sent to people on the first day of the new rotation. In one rotation, a person might be a garbage collector. In the next, they may find themselves a CEO of a major corporation. The training for these positions is provided while on the job, so it's a little stressful on the first days of an assignment.
Points are earned and awarded for adequate performance on the job, but points can also be taken away for poor performance or by committing an infraction of rules. Everyone is monitored by an army of flying robots - "bots" as they are referred to - and these bots may take points for rule infractions, failure to comply, or they may even hand out punishment.
Smart phones are vital to the citizens. They get information on their assignments on them as well as keep track of points on them. Phones are also a means of communication and work pretty much as they do for us today. One can store information, photos, locations of others on the devices, but they are wiped between rotations.
The world itself, Earth in the distant future, is a global community with no apparent government. There are no wars or conflicts, no environmental difficulties, and most people seem content with their situations. There are those who choose not to live within the system, and they are reduced to a low level of subsistence, barely squeaking out a living. Others not in the system have formed communities where they live an agrarian lifestyle that is difficult, but it is free.
A map of the planet is included at the front of the book to help one orient themselves as the story unfolds.
I'm not sure, but I think one of the themes the author wanted readers to think about is the dependance we have on technology in our world. Everything and everyone in Optima Terra is heavily reliant on tech. Everyone is monitored throughout their entire lives and the only thing that still seems private in life is one's own inner thoughts. As mentioned before, all the most basic necessities of life are provided for, but there is more to life than shelter and food. The society in this story has turned their lives over to the whatever power determines the rotations in the system. There are no long-term relationships on Optima Terra. Even how children are brought into existence is highly regulated. As I think about the world presented in this book, I know it is a place I would not want to live in. So, I think Simms is warning us to be careful to make sure technology remains a tool, and that we don't give up too much of our existence to it.
While the theme of machine control over humanity is usually framed as post-apocalyptic in most sci-fi, that is not the case in Optima Terra. This is a light sci-fi story meant to entertain more than frighten the reader and the writer did a good job incorporating humor in the text. Along with humor, there are many poignant moments, especially as Darren interacts with Rachel, and others important to him.
I recommend this story for those who want a relaxing read. It will be relaxing as long as one doesn't take it too seriously and think too deeply about it.
August 26, 2021
i got the ARC for this book in bookSirens in exchange of an honest review.
i have a bit of mix feelings about this book, because the ideia of the book it's really a good one, but the way it was done, kind of bore me a bit, like, this world is the same we live in, but none of the city names are the same, i know its a dystopic story but i like to connect somehow, like in brave new world you have "new london" even if new london wasnt in the same place as our london the dread feeling is real and that gives us a feeling of familiarity, when things are so diferent you dont feel threaten by the possivel future but instead you feel detached because its not here.
Other thing is the expression "by optima" or "by terra", or "by pangea", that reminded me of the "by ford" that also brings me back to brave new world, people living without the concept of family its also a thing that i got to know through brave new world, but in here (optima prima) its a bit mixed with 1984 because people still do have sex to have babies but it needs to be aproved you can't love the person who you are paired with, at least until you get to baby nº3, in wich the female is given dibs in who they want to father her last child, this part took me a bit in the direction of handmaids tale but diferent because children are not given a family they simple go into rotation and are taken care by many adults...
Ok but lets start into analysing this world, terra prima rotates every 4 months, almost all non essencial people in each "city", they do things from cleaning garbage to being CEO or maybe teachers or do kind of TED talks and they do this to gain life points, but in other hand, people like engeniers, doctors, people who really makes a diference in having experience doing something they dont rotate, they stay forever where they are, while the rest simply rotates to other place and most of the time they wont meet again for many rotations, like a father may know he has a son or a daughter through a message in their cellphone and live almost all his life without meeting again... a mother stays with the baby the first 8 months and then have to let the baby go and never see him or her again... most people kind of feel content with this and simply continues their life without overthinking, but there there are people like our main character that thinks out of the box and actually tries to change things..
I felt that some of his rotations were just a filler for the story and not really relevant or it really dragged a bit and i do like slow stories, but anyway try it maybe you'll love it much more than what i did.
i have a bit of mix feelings about this book, because the ideia of the book it's really a good one, but the way it was done, kind of bore me a bit, like, this world is the same we live in, but none of the city names are the same, i know its a dystopic story but i like to connect somehow, like in brave new world you have "new london" even if new london wasnt in the same place as our london the dread feeling is real and that gives us a feeling of familiarity, when things are so diferent you dont feel threaten by the possivel future but instead you feel detached because its not here.
Other thing is the expression "by optima" or "by terra", or "by pangea", that reminded me of the "by ford" that also brings me back to brave new world, people living without the concept of family its also a thing that i got to know through brave new world, but in here (optima prima) its a bit mixed with 1984 because people still do have sex to have babies but it needs to be aproved you can't love the person who you are paired with, at least until you get to baby nº3, in wich the female is given dibs in who they want to father her last child, this part took me a bit in the direction of handmaids tale but diferent because children are not given a family they simple go into rotation and are taken care by many adults...
Ok but lets start into analysing this world, terra prima rotates every 4 months, almost all non essencial people in each "city", they do things from cleaning garbage to being CEO or maybe teachers or do kind of TED talks and they do this to gain life points, but in other hand, people like engeniers, doctors, people who really makes a diference in having experience doing something they dont rotate, they stay forever where they are, while the rest simply rotates to other place and most of the time they wont meet again for many rotations, like a father may know he has a son or a daughter through a message in their cellphone and live almost all his life without meeting again... a mother stays with the baby the first 8 months and then have to let the baby go and never see him or her again... most people kind of feel content with this and simply continues their life without overthinking, but there there are people like our main character that thinks out of the box and actually tries to change things..
I felt that some of his rotations were just a filler for the story and not really relevant or it really dragged a bit and i do like slow stories, but anyway try it maybe you'll love it much more than what i did.
July 2, 2021
I received this book as a free Advance Review Copy about a month ago and it took me about three weeks to read, and honestly considered giving it a DNF.
This book was billed as "Redshirts meets 1984 meets Truman Show", and frankly, I think this was the part that actually disappointed me the most.
The world building was fairly well done, though my eBook copy did not include a map (which would have been helpful, but not necessary). During the story the people talk about time in a mixture of familiar terms like months and years, but also made up lengths of time - I wish that this part was handled more consistently with familiar terms.
The main character - Darren - seems a nice enough guy - but I truly wish that he had developed more as a character throughout the book; all the characters were static, but it was jarring that Darren seemed to have no real growth as a person.
In terms of time, the book covers the span of several years of the Darren's life, but often that time passing is only clear from the title of a chapter - not mentioning seasons, or anything indicating Darren's aging years through the book. This made it a little difficult to keep track of how far events were spaced apart, and required some page-flips to look at past chapter titles to figure it out.
The overall plot was decent, and fairly straight-forward: Darren said he had a goal, and through the book he worked towards it.
The details however, just weren't quite right, and could have used a lot more polish. In repeated references to a 1984-style society, the author could have been more clear with examples: show us, don't tell us.
Honestly, it just feels like this was a first draft of a novel... and while I didn't enjoy this book, I'd be willing to give the author another shot in a few years.
*** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***
This book was billed as "Redshirts meets 1984 meets Truman Show", and frankly, I think this was the part that actually disappointed me the most.
The world building was fairly well done, though my eBook copy did not include a map (which would have been helpful, but not necessary). During the story the people talk about time in a mixture of familiar terms like months and years, but also made up lengths of time - I wish that this part was handled more consistently with familiar terms.
The main character - Darren - seems a nice enough guy - but I truly wish that he had developed more as a character throughout the book; all the characters were static, but it was jarring that Darren seemed to have no real growth as a person.
In terms of time, the book covers the span of several years of the Darren's life, but often that time passing is only clear from the title of a chapter - not mentioning seasons, or anything indicating Darren's aging years through the book. This made it a little difficult to keep track of how far events were spaced apart, and required some page-flips to look at past chapter titles to figure it out.
The overall plot was decent, and fairly straight-forward: Darren said he had a goal, and through the book he worked towards it.
The details however, just weren't quite right, and could have used a lot more polish. In repeated references to a 1984-style society, the author could have been more clear with examples: show us, don't tell us.
Honestly, it just feels like this was a first draft of a novel... and while I didn't enjoy this book, I'd be willing to give the author another shot in a few years.
*** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.***
March 12, 2021
When I was about 10% into this book I felt I wasn't going to give it a very good rating, and considered leaving off there, rather than disappointing the author with a bad review. However, a book has to be really terrible for me to abandon it, and there were some redeeming features and interesting ideas that moved this above the 1-star level.
The basic premise, a world in which people are moved around every four months was intriguing if more than a little unrealistic when one considers the logistics. There were several interesting ideas that came up from time to time, but also a lot of melodrama and unfortunately as the story progressed a lot of to-good-to-be-true leaps in the main character's fortunes that lead to his ultimate resolution.
It often broke off into what I felt was preaching, eg family ties, the evil of cell phones, the wonder of books.
I would like to have enjoyed this, but apart from the points already mentioned, I also found the writing rather patchy, sometimes things were well described and emotive, but at others it sounded very juvenile and immature.
I don't want to undermine the effort the author must have put into his first book, but I think this story needs a lot more plot development to overcome the twists in Darren's fortune, more consistency in the world building, and a more thoughtful tone if the author wants to address the philosophical concerns that he seems to be trying to articulate.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The basic premise, a world in which people are moved around every four months was intriguing if more than a little unrealistic when one considers the logistics. There were several interesting ideas that came up from time to time, but also a lot of melodrama and unfortunately as the story progressed a lot of to-good-to-be-true leaps in the main character's fortunes that lead to his ultimate resolution.
It often broke off into what I felt was preaching, eg family ties, the evil of cell phones, the wonder of books.
I would like to have enjoyed this, but apart from the points already mentioned, I also found the writing rather patchy, sometimes things were well described and emotive, but at others it sounded very juvenile and immature.
I don't want to undermine the effort the author must have put into his first book, but I think this story needs a lot more plot development to overcome the twists in Darren's fortune, more consistency in the world building, and a more thoughtful tone if the author wants to address the philosophical concerns that he seems to be trying to articulate.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were all kinds of flawed, and it takes some special things to really get a person to their purpose.
A Revolution is on the rise! I really enjoyed that the book was not at all repetitive. The events that happened were all fresh and provided new insight on characters and our main character, Darren Decko.
I do still ave questions based on his experience being a father. Why did he father so young at 22? Was the Dominion testing him? Maybe I didn't catch it, but I will definitely be reading this again in the future.
Also, why did Darren get taken to the Gold Village? All his neighbors were older, above 65 like the rules say. How did he get that exception? Was there something happening that he wasn't supposed to know about? Did Herb take him there to share his good news? Why?
I feel like this story is so futuristic and so out there, that it just seems real. I could see this type of society take over as technology is growing.
I enjoyed this book a lot! Definitely read it for a scientific whirlwind! The plot twists were just amazing. Simms did outstanding. 4/5 stars!
**I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Revolution is on the rise! I really enjoyed that the book was not at all repetitive. The events that happened were all fresh and provided new insight on characters and our main character, Darren Decko.
I do still ave questions based on his experience being a father. Why did he father so young at 22? Was the Dominion testing him? Maybe I didn't catch it, but I will definitely be reading this again in the future.
Also, why did Darren get taken to the Gold Village? All his neighbors were older, above 65 like the rules say. How did he get that exception? Was there something happening that he wasn't supposed to know about? Did Herb take him there to share his good news? Why?
I feel like this story is so futuristic and so out there, that it just seems real. I could see this type of society take over as technology is growing.
I enjoyed this book a lot! Definitely read it for a scientific whirlwind! The plot twists were just amazing. Simms did outstanding. 4/5 stars!
**I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 29, 2019
The idea behind the story is interesting – move people randomly every 4 months so they can’t form attachments. When they move their devices get wiped (smartphones are definitely a thing) and information is hard to recreate…except if you write physical notes like the protagonist did.
This coming of age story felt long even though, by the rotation sections, Darren ages from 16 to 26. It follows him from school to work to falling in love/having a family. The timeline showcases the thought going into how the society is envisioned and how he remains rebellious. Different factions outside the Roatees are explored as he is offered many ways out of the rotation system. He meets up with some people sequentially even though the algorithm is supposed to separate people each rotation.
I feel like I should have enjoyed this more as it is well written and had all the elements I enjoy. Perhaps I am just out of the target audience.
I received a free review copy but my opinions are my own. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This coming of age story felt long even though, by the rotation sections, Darren ages from 16 to 26. It follows him from school to work to falling in love/having a family. The timeline showcases the thought going into how the society is envisioned and how he remains rebellious. Different factions outside the Roatees are explored as he is offered many ways out of the rotation system. He meets up with some people sequentially even though the algorithm is supposed to separate people each rotation.
I feel like I should have enjoyed this more as it is well written and had all the elements I enjoy. Perhaps I am just out of the target audience.
I received a free review copy but my opinions are my own. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 3, 2020
Fans of dystopian novels such as the Giver will definitely enjoy Optima Terra.
The reader is introduced to the protagonist while in his late teens. The novel then follows the protagonist through young adulthood, as he comes to resent, challenge, and eventually change the structure of the society he inhabits.
The author has a unique writing style. The story is split into chapters that cover a certain period of time in the protagonist’s life. These chapters are then broken into vignettes. Each vignette has a brief title alluding to the plot development within that vignette.
In conclusion, with a tone that is both positive and realistic, Optima Tera is a very enjoyable read.
Please note that I received an advance review copy for free. This did not impact my review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
The reader is introduced to the protagonist while in his late teens. The novel then follows the protagonist through young adulthood, as he comes to resent, challenge, and eventually change the structure of the society he inhabits.
The author has a unique writing style. The story is split into chapters that cover a certain period of time in the protagonist’s life. These chapters are then broken into vignettes. Each vignette has a brief title alluding to the plot development within that vignette.
In conclusion, with a tone that is both positive and realistic, Optima Tera is a very enjoyable read.
Please note that I received an advance review copy for free. This did not impact my review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
February 8, 2020
This book takes a look at a dystopian future in which 90% of all people on the grid switch locations, jobs, and children every four months. While the premise is interesting, the book never quite satisfies. Too much is foreign to the reader, from measurements to cities to history even though the map shows Earth's land masses. I could never figure out how we got from here (today) to there. The author could have spent a bit more time in the library laying out the back story and tying the Mesmotopians to our current societies. The best party of this book is Darren's relationship with 10 year old Kyle who he takes on as his sun for for months -- very human touch. Overall, not a great read. Unfortunately, I was looking forward to being done with this one.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
July 11, 2021
I have never ever seen such a bad adaptation of a really good idea.
The author should've sold the idea to someone who can give it a better form. Underdepeveloped characters, numerous language/grammar/... errors, thoughts cut off before actually finishing them, jumping to more interesting parts of the plot just for the sake of moving it forward.
It felt like reading a diary of someone who only remembers to write it when something happens, anxious to write down it has happened and then forgetting to write more. Also, by someone reluctant to share details and actual thought/plot developments.
The author should've sold the idea to someone who can give it a better form. Underdepeveloped characters, numerous language/grammar/... errors, thoughts cut off before actually finishing them, jumping to more interesting parts of the plot just for the sake of moving it forward.
It felt like reading a diary of someone who only remembers to write it when something happens, anxious to write down it has happened and then forgetting to write more. Also, by someone reluctant to share details and actual thought/plot developments.
February 26, 2020
Rating: 2.5
If you liked Ayn Rand's /Atlas Shrugged/ but wished that it had more characters then this is the book for you. Personally, while there were aspects of the book that were interesting I felt that it could have been fleshed out more. I also found the detailed experiences of Darren's hormonal reactions unnecessary. Overall, while it had an interesting premise this would not be a book that I would read again.
Thank you to BookSirens for this free reader's copy which I received in return for an honest review.
If you liked Ayn Rand's /Atlas Shrugged/ but wished that it had more characters then this is the book for you. Personally, while there were aspects of the book that were interesting I felt that it could have been fleshed out more. I also found the detailed experiences of Darren's hormonal reactions unnecessary. Overall, while it had an interesting premise this would not be a book that I would read again.
Thank you to BookSirens for this free reader's copy which I received in return for an honest review.
July 16, 2021
I enjoyed Optima Terra, the plot is eerily close to how we are ourselves and what could potentially become our future. I liked Darren's character but there were occasions when his actions didn't seem to fit with the plot as though small details had been missed. I did however enjoy the overall story and the way some of the other characters were used to further the plot, sometimes liking them more than Darren. Optima Terra is definitely worth a read if you are a fan of dystopian novels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2021
I received a free copy of this book via Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
I quite enjoyed the many lives to be lived in one lifetime concept and the possibility of meeting someone you knew from a previous life. It did feel a bit long-winded at times, but it was well written and the characters were mostly likeable! The ending was a bit predictable, but at least it was a 'one book story,' rather than yet another 'first of the series.'
I quite enjoyed the many lives to be lived in one lifetime concept and the possibility of meeting someone you knew from a previous life. It did feel a bit long-winded at times, but it was well written and the characters were mostly likeable! The ending was a bit predictable, but at least it was a 'one book story,' rather than yet another 'first of the series.'
April 28, 2020
I liked the world building in this book, but felt there was a lot of telling vs. showing in the story. I also had a hard time with some of the new measurements. This made it hard to get a feel of the size of Optima Terra. Overall, I enjoyed the story and Darren and his rotations kept me engaged. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 17, 2021
Slow start but it picked up about midway. If you can hang in there, it’s fairly good!
September 6, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. The premise was very interesting - every person on Optima Terra must uproot their lives every four months and move on to a new place, new job, new set of acquaintances.
Unfortunately, I found it to be a very flawed book.
The world-building could have been great, but there were a number of inconsistencies throughout the book. I also found the use of made up, unexplained measurements (what is a ‘morguet’ or a ‘demento’?) frustrating and jarring.
The writing style is very stilted and didn’t make this an easy read for me. It felt awkward.
The characters are underdeveloped and feel flat, and a lot of things that could have been expanded on were glossed over (or never explained), whilst there were sections that contained a lot of irrelevant detail, and slowed down the plot.
A novel idea that in the hands of a more experienced writer could have been great, but was unfortunately not executed well.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Unfortunately, I found it to be a very flawed book.
The world-building could have been great, but there were a number of inconsistencies throughout the book. I also found the use of made up, unexplained measurements (what is a ‘morguet’ or a ‘demento’?) frustrating and jarring.
The writing style is very stilted and didn’t make this an easy read for me. It felt awkward.
The characters are underdeveloped and feel flat, and a lot of things that could have been expanded on were glossed over (or never explained), whilst there were sections that contained a lot of irrelevant detail, and slowed down the plot.
A novel idea that in the hands of a more experienced writer could have been great, but was unfortunately not executed well.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
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