Entanglement: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Thriller

by Alina Leonova

No implant, no life. Cutting it out may have been a huge mistake, and their hunt for the truth can prove deadly.

Cay thinks he may be going insane. Trying to escape the bizarre mess his life has become, he cuts his very identity out of his palm and flees home, leaving everything he knows and loves behind.

Vietra was only trying to stop a murderer. Devastated by a cruel punishment she didn’t deserve, she sets out on a dangerous journey to free herself, but a frightening darkness she discovers within threatens to push her over the edge.

When their fates intertwine in the criminal underworld, Cay and Vietra get a chance to unravel the mystery of what’s happened to them. They must navigate a ruthless world of lifelike simulations and deadly plants that has been transformed by an inexplicable plague, but they can’t imagine where this strange and perilous path will take them.

Mind-bending, exciting and unpredictable according to the readers' reviews, this cyberpunk thriller will take you on a ride filled with plot twists, suspense and unexpected turns of events. 'You never really know what’s coming in this one, and that’s what makes it so much fun to read!' Joshua Grant

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About the author

A sci-fi author, a nomad, a dreamer and a reader on a quest.

Alina likes exploring other worlds, alternative societies, possible futures, interconnectedness, weirdness, values, complexity and human relationships both with each other and the outside world.

She has a website where she shares sci-fi and fantasy books by women, trans and enby authors.

Some of the authors who've made an impression on her are: Essa Hansen, Emma Newman, Lois McMaster Bujold and N.K. Jemisin.

Find her on Mastodon or Twitter to say hi and talk about books.

Her books are available everywhere you can normally buy books; please find all the links here.

Reviews

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alina Leonova makes us question reality in her exciting psychological thriller Entanglement! As Cay flees from his home, he begins to question the nature of his reality and the corruption that has taken hold of it. Running across Limea, the two’s fates are suddenly intertwined as they attempt to answer the question, are they in a simulation? Leonova instantly creates an exciting dystopian read with a great blend of romance and really likeable characters! These are very strong points, but it’s the abundance of twists that really drive Entanglement home. You never really know what’s coming in this one, and that’s what makes it so much fun to read! If you love a good mind-bending thriller, come download yourself into Entanglement!

[Vijay M.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alina Leonova in her cyberpunk story -  'Entanglement' - takes us to an altogether different world through an enjoyable storyline by infusing fascinating imaginations:- A person getting the exact copy of the brain with feelings and memories of the other person; editable DNA to keep the body immortally healthy via most modern brain implants that replicate themselves; suits of the person due to which a camera sees him as an inanimate object; an unimaginably powerful, yet extremely compact power source. 

Alina has set a fantastic tone which delves into the aspects of nature beginning to overrule the humans. Living virtually via almost realistic simulation is a widespread phenomenon in the era of this story. She has crafted some good characters with interesting situations. A strange plague caused by non-destroyable plants forces people to live only on the upper floors of high-rise buildings, to escape from its devastating effects. Cay, affected by peculiar feelings, begins to doubt his reality. He cuts his palm implant and undertakes a quest to fulfil his innate desire of finding a truth concerning his wife Limea - "I am no one. I am a work in progress.” Inexplicably, I remembered a line from 'Cyberpunk' by Victoria Blake - “Every separate human life is a moment in the life of some great being which lives in us.”

An uncompassionate psychopath - the Master - has perfected cloning technology. He manipulates Vietra for his enigmatic mission. Vietra wants to escape even at the cost of her life, from the cruelty of the Master - better late than never. She knows how to deploy psychological tricks of deception. Vietra and Cay, hitherto total strangers, accidentally meet each other and surprisingly find an inexplicable bond between them. They decide to cross the stream where it's the shallowest. Vietra sees interesting paradigms about the universe in her final pursuit against the Master:- about those who pollute, destroy whole species of animals and plants not only on the Earth but also by colonizing other planets as well, through interstellar travel, even to a parallel universe; about people who ignore to live in the present as a united cosmic consciousness beyond boundaries. It's indeed an engaging read, due to the suspense built-up about the Master and his mission!

I had a true delight in some places. I liked Alina's portrayals of mistaken identity of true happiness and descriptions about those misleading humanity in a mirage-like 'glorious' civilization. One of my favourite lines is:- "They wanted a world where everyone could have access to resources, education, medicine, power and technology, and they wanted this world to live in harmony with their planet and other beings. They were ready to rearrange their lives and give up their habits to achieve that."

There are adorable features:- Alina's matter-of-fact writing style and flow; vivid detailing of some smart scenes with a good dose of sentiments; the right mix of science and emotion for science fiction. They overshadow the book's moments of hesitation and flaws:- unbalanced narratives; slow pickup; drag; sequencing issues; indirectness; doubts while reading; wavering direction; and predictable climax. Alina has narrated the story in a way that anybody with a willingness to pay attention can follow it. The story may not be perfect but gives many wonderful moments to the readers. In effect, the small themes work cohesively, but the bigger theme lacks clarity.

I could infer Alina's passion to protect the environment from her writing. In Nature, the best things in life are free. Alina's narratives for preserving the nature and issues that arise due to advanced technologies are commendable - ''They kept changing the environment, bringing it closer to collapse each year, kept driving animals and plants extinct, kept committing atrocities in the name of greater good the understanding of which was constantly shifting.'' 

Alina has breathed through Vietra a blend of Utopia too - 'And those people looked so genuinely happy, so serene as if they rediscovered some deep truth that set them free. They didn’t see themselves as lords of nature but as an organic part of it, as nature itself. They saw clearly that their well-being depended on the well-being of the whole system and everyone in it."

'Entanglement' is captivating with intriguing concepts, good plot twists and unexpected events. It has beautiful psychological depictions of how advanced technologies, and its side effect of apathy towards the environment, can have adverse effects on humans.

I recommend it to all the lovers of cyberpunk stories.

[Livi Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel full of twists, turns, and unexpected events to say the least. Cay, the main character in this story, is introduced right in the beginning in a hurry, packing and leaving his nostalgic apartment. Hooked from the initial scene, he has described alongside an implant of sorts and having a very technically-wired, smart brain (I won’t speak on this more to make sure spoilers do not pop out in this analysis); definitely read this if you want an intricate, strategic protagonist. He is a visionary, an inventor who was betrayed and has an interest in knowing everything about the world, which is the main reason for the implant he received.

Immediately thrown into the world where simulations are a grand idea, the author depicts Cay as a skeptic to the idea. The girl he was in love with, Limea, was a confusing concept in his mind because of the simulation; are his thoughts towards her genuine or proposed because of the simulation? This idea made me eager to read more.

Vietra holds a special place in my heart after this story. She wants to obey orders from her Master, but at the same time has natural human instincts to do good in the world, when that is not required or asked of her. When doing wrong, she is punished, and as a reader, she is such an easy character to develop an attachment to that I sympathized with her deeply. Her strength and passion distinguished are eye-opening given the situations she is put in.

Back to these mysterious implants, which purposes are exposed as the story unfolds. I would consider them a sort of manipulative mechanism, but every reader may have a different viewpoint. This materialistic thing throughout the story is a great symbol of freedom. Freedom overall is a concept exerted by both Cay and Vietra, and I applaud both of them for their potency of never giving up.

Tyss is another character I enjoyed. His presence always brought hope to the situation and room. While his resilience to making up for his mistakes and owning his actions, he keeps in mind the duties at hand and tries his best to stay out of trouble. That is what I admire the most of him, his diligence to keep a steady balance of action.

Bialta, on the flip side of the story (literally, which you can figure out when reading), reminds me of Tyss. They have similar helping-hand personalities. However, Bialta exerts a much more powerful feature within her character, which I find hard to explain unless you read the story and first-hand visualize her actions towards her friends and life.

This book is written very precisely as to the setting and structural development of where each scene is set, which I appreciate. All throughout, it is easy, because of the author’s exquisite writing style, to visualize where a certain conversation or action is happening. Such as the sensory deprivation room with Vietra, the whole time her Master is causing hallucinations within her brain, the setting is described in a way that I feel like I am experiencing her fright and slight panic in the room too. This makes the overall book a really good treat to read.

Overall, this was an unexpected book with many turns of events I did not see coming. There are bouncing scenes of different characters throughout the chapters, and not once did I get lost or confused. The author writes in such a rigorous yet delicate way, I never wanted to put the book down. I finished it in one day, just for reference!

[S.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting from the settings and world building, my initial reaction was “Like Black Mirror, but better.” And it held all the way until the last page. The author did an absolutely fantastic job with combining high-tech environment with a wild and dangerous nature all in one place, while keeping the key focus on how the world is being experienced.

That leads me to the next point: beautifully written and developed characters. Without giving spoilers to the story, I really loved how the three main characters were presented, with their past, dreams, doubts and insecurities. I found their journey to discover themselves unique and complex, driving their reasoning and actions truly amazingly.

Further beyond the world building, characters and plot, this book is very though proving. Through many underlying questions plotted into narrative, I really enjoyed a few key ones. How do we experience the world? How do we know what’s real? What’s are the dangers of the future, and can they be avoided? What are the consequences of ignorance?

I definitely recommend “Entanglement” to those who enjoy good cyberpunk novel. If you haven’t had much experience in reading this genre before, but you loved Black Mirror, you should give it a go, too. I would also recommend this book to those who like the stories with a deeper message. If you want to see something beyond the action of the plot and experience a new perspective about tech vs nature balance, this is a story for you!

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intense read. Not just in subject matter, worlds, and environments but also in characters. The reader is dropped into Cay’s world, which is in the process of being torn apart. Whether this is because of Cay or not is the first of many roads the reader must take to follow the story.

Technically this is a very good story. It is a weave of three plot lines, and while the author does a good job at leading the reader through, there were times that I had to stop and think it through to get where I was being led. There are also a few subplots. All of these major and minor parts are interesting and thought-provoking. I feel like this book might have been better for this reader if it was expanded into two or even a trilogy.

[Alexandrina Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Entanglement" is an entertaining read, in a well-thought-out setting; the care and attention the author has given to her world is apparent throughout - and it effectively plays on familiar settings without feeling stale or copied.

And there are twists, too; the midpoint reveal that Limea and Vietra are one and the same comes as a surprise, being well-concealed, but it is very much earned. The pieces for the reveal are laid early on in the book, and developed to a pay-off at exactly the right point. And it's not the only unexpected turn of events, either; later events, especially the true nature of the Master and his plan, also come as a welcome surprise.

Thematically, the book is well-crafted. The backstory of mutant plants that defied human attempts to kill them is both paralleled and explained by the reveal of the Brandstocks' plan and the notion of humanity as a sentient sickness. I also saw something of a critique of blind religion; Vietra and the Nestlings, at least early in the book, devote themselves to the service of a being from a race literally unfathomable to humanity - and upon her departure, Vietra has to readjust to civilisation.

My biggest cause for complaint with "Entanglement" is its length, and specifically that it's too short. Now, I don't mean that in the clichéd sense of "I loved it so much I wish it could have gone on forever", though that is also true. At times, the book seems to race through plot-points in order to fit the whole story into its pages. This is most notable with the arc of Limea throughout the second half of the book. At the reveal, we are faced with a fascinating love-triangle and the potential for some really meaty character stuff; Cay recognises his wife and loves her, not the clone, but Vietra - despite being the real wife - has no memory of Cay nor her former identity, while Limea has all the memories of the real woman and all the feelings too. There's a lot that the author could grapple with here, but instead the arc moves on very quickly. I feel the book would have benefitted from a few more chapters here as Limea and Vietra come to terms with who they are.

The book also occasionally slips into exposition; it's all very entertaining and well-planned, but both the Tribe amongst the plants and the Brandstocks' plan are relayed to the audience over the course of one lengthy chapter of exposition, which can be a bit jarring. This is most egregious at the very end. The explanation of what happened to the 'other humans' (strongly implied to be our Earth) is interesting and thematically vital, but it slows the pace of the climax; the book seems to whimper towards its close, rather than ramping up - and Cay is the victim of this; despite being the primary viewpoint for the first two thirds of the book, he's nothing more than a body in the final confrontation.

All in all, though, this is a good read, and it's quite light too (in terms of the text, not the themes within). It's the sort of book you can very easily float through in a day or two - and at the end of it, you're glad you did.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being snowed and iced in these past few days has me reading just about anything and everything.. So I was a little leery on this one... Glad I took the chance to read it. This book will have you thinking.. what if's. It's not overdone with action or adventures but it has enough to keep you interested.

[T.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entanglement: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Thriller is an excellent book that everyone should read. The ideas of the book are something that the world needs right now and it is presented in a way that expands the reader's perspective. It shows us what could be, both good and bad, and gives us something to hope for and something to fear. Leonova does a good job of leading the reader into the world and slowly expanding it until they can see more than they thought possible.

The characters are likable, and the reader will want only the best for them. The story is unique and well navigated while keeping the reader guessing what will happen next, which is always a treat in this age of formula-driven stories. The world is well-developed and expansive, with new aspects to discover throughout the book.

The book does have a few minor 'literary flaws' that I don't feel really takes away from the story or the message or the enjoyment of the book. There are a few info-dumps but they are always about interesting world-building, and I love that kind of thing so it didn't bother me while reading it, but the story does pause every now and then in order to explain things. The prose wasn't the strongest, but it was still pleasant and engaging and not in any way bad.

I loved this book and again, I think everyone should read it. I look forward to seeing Leonova grow as an author. I'll definitely be picking up any future books from her.

[E.R. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world of advanced technology where the people are imbedded with implants to obtain information and can experience realistic virtual reality simulations, Entanglement primarily follows a man called Cay, who, as he runs from a corrupt society, is questioning the reality of everything around him, and a woman called Vietra who lives and works under the control of a man who calls himself ‘the master.’

This really is a complex phycological analysis of the workings of the brain and humanity. Much like the show ‘black mirror’ it plays on the concept and idea of how technology can affect people. I love stuff like that, although it does creep me out a little. As well as technology the book covers aspects of effects on the environment which is both a current and important topic to bring awareness to.
Alina Leonova has penned a well researched, dark and unpredictable sci-fi thriller with some well defined and layered characters. The story first appears to start from half way through although Leonova incorporated plenty of backstory throughout to piece together this unique and corrupt world. Some of the concepts were both fascinating to read about and also utterly chilling.
With all the unexpected twists, Entanglement is sure to have you questioning everything.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world threatened by an inexplicable plague that has turned plants murderous, technology has rapidly developed in the hopes of delaying the inevitable. Simulations are a popular form of entertainment and the perfect excuse to escape to an alternative reality, but the lines between the virtual and the real can get easily blurred… Entanglement follows the story of Cay and Limea in their quest for answers. Will their special bond be enough to reunite them? Is there hope in a world that strives for survival?

If you’re a sci-fi fan like myself, Alina’s powerful story will hook you right away. The book is written with a vivid pace that made my reading delightful, with perfectly detailed but not over described action. I was fascinated by the dystopian future the author crafted, a good mix of well-researched science and some great imagination You can infer Alina’s passion and emotions in her writing, especially when describing human relationships and nature. A well-written captivating story, full of intriguing concepts and good plot twists that you won’t see coming!

[Eve Koguce · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Entanglement" by Alina Leonova transports the readers into a dystopian reality, where life of humans had changed dramatically. People don't walk on the ground, but live closer to the skies, forced to move higher and higher in order to survive.

I don't read or watch thrillers. I'm more into thoughts that a book or a movie evokes in me. But I loved that this book is fast-paced and packed with events that kept the story moving forward all the time until the very end.

I especially liked the characters and their development, since there is some contraversy in their motives and actions. And I couldn't guess, which decision they would make.

I also liked the ideas behind the story. They definitely make one think about our own world, the future that awaits the humanity, and the consequences of our decisions for the future generations.

I heartily recommend this book to all dystopian genre lovers.

[Lubov Leonova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that shows reality from an interesting angle.

It starts as a dystopia. 3 characters live in a predictable future with developed technologies and the same corrupted society. Like many l people, a young talented engineer Cay dreams of a change and putting an end to the endless imbalance between poor and rich. Of course, it's not that easy as he is just one human against people with power.

Entanglement goes further than standard plot. It lets the reader glance under the curtain of 'predictable' future and see a bigger picture of humanity's lifespan.

After reading the novel, I see how little one person actually can do. However, when the dreamers unite, their idea gets incredible power and this is the way of making a real change.

If you think about further perspective, this book is a great way to get inspired!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With implants, DNA edits, and human memory rewrites, the storyline in this dystopian read was beyond inventive.

Cay, Limea, and Vietra are layered, unique characters, who become entangled in situations that kept me guessing throughout the book. The circumstances that the characters face force the reader to confront the question of “What is the most fundamental element that makes a person who they are?”

Set in a world where plant life is threatens human life, the book also weaves in important messages about environmental preservation.

Leonova does take the reader down a few rabbit holes, but the story is so mesmerizingly unique that I didn’t mind. I’m looking forward to seeing what Leonova writes next!

Thank you to the author for providing a free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Matty Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite genre, and author Alina Leonova absolutely delivers. The main character, Cay, senses that something in his world is simply...off. So confident he is that the world he knows and those he loves have gone sideways, he abandons his safe and stable life and embarks on a journey for truth which will test his understanding of reality. Almost nothing is what it seems, but by the time Entanglement becomes, well, disentangled, all of the pieces fall neatly into place.

Throughout Entanglement, there are themes of environmentalism, authoritarianism via both corporate and governmental entities, and, perhaps most importantly, self-identity and our perception of reality.

The writing is excellent, and character backstory is often delivered in these delicious little vignettes which could easily translate to short stories in and of themselves. It makes the world far richer without feeling like a dry info-dump. If you're into dystopian sci-fi thrillers, or even if you've become bored with the genre and want a fresh take, give Entanglement a go.

[Patrick Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a unique experience! This novel has a way of keeping you guessing all throughout, which I always find is hard to do. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, I got shimmied down a new corridor. On top of it's mystery and suspense, this novel is full of deep, complex characters, fascinating technology, and immersive world building. The author's passion definitely shows in the depth of soul within the story. I highly recommend this title for any sci-fi or post-apocalyptic fans!

[Julie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of science fiction, you'll be in for a treat with Entanglement! I loved the world the author constructed - there were a lot of original ideas and plot twists in there that both surprised me and really made me think which was great. I didn't see the ending coming at all and it left me wanting more! I really hope there will be a sequel :) Definitely check this out - it will hook you right away!

[Steph Ravish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and set my imagination running in places I didn't think it would roam. I don't read a lot of Dystopian Sci-Fi but Alina has done well at capturing my attention. I'm looking to reading more work soon.

[Marie Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I do not read dystopian, sci-fi books, but this one captivated me. The thoughts about human nature and our ability to change and adjust to any circumstances were thought-provoking.

[David Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like about this dystopian science fiction novel. The author creates a clear vision of a bleak future where nature has reclaimed much of the earth and yet technology has still advanced.
There’s a fine balance reached here between world building back stories, origin theories and descriptions and character creation and plot progress and I feel the author generally gets that balance right.
There are many layered themes and the book presents character development in an interesting intertwining of stories.
My own personal preference is to have a little more action but, I was generally satisfied with the pacing of the book.
There are some huge ideas within this story and the author clearly has vision and has developed the foundations to make that vision plausible and believable.
It also plays with the reader really well with different twists and turns along the way.

I do occasionally read sci-fi and I’d rate this as a good example, it certainly kept me interested, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different in the genre.

[Kelly Channick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Paced Sci-Fy

As someone who loves twists and turns in any novel, this book was full of them. I truly enjoyed the ending, as well as the pro-climate change nuggets of information throughout the book. Even I think plants deserve the ability to get some revenge sometimes!

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you pick up a book on a whim and it turns out to be a great read. Entanglement is an action-packed story about a man trying to find his missing love in a speculative future where implants are hacked, killer plants have taken over, and the underground "bad guys" aren't so bad. (Trying not to spoil anything.)
GOOD: Loved the main characters. They are deep with their clear differences in personality, detailed descriptions, pasts, and connections. The first two chapters were enough to have me read to the end. Very well done building tension and curiosity right away. As an impatient reader, I don't like stories that start with a slogging exposition, and Entanglement definitely drops you right into the start of the drama. Excellent worldbuilding, keeping it tight even though there is so much to cover! Each piece of the world is brought out thoughtfully where it is needed in the action and builds from there.
BUT: There were some points in the middle where the pacing slowed and things were a little "too easy" for the characters, though it was still interesting and moving the plot forward. I also started off loving the Master as a bad guy (I have a love of psychopathic villains) but there wasn't enough of him, and he slipped out of the character toward the end that my brain had built from the beginning. Lastly, the ending is like a revelation of how the world should be, and while I wholeheartedly agree with the message, it felt a little too much tell and not enough show.
OVERALL: Overall I enjoyed the book and recommend it to speculative fiction readers. The narrative is an easy, accessible read. The entertaining, page-turning discovery of each new twist is a delight, and each twist helps to add pieces to the bigger picture and the world. The message is clear, and while the world is fictional, it is all too plausible to be our own dystopian future if we're not careful.

[Joseph Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-Provoking Read

In a world where technologies run our lives, they also control us.
When Cay invents a new method to help people use energy for free, he discovers that his partner isn't quite herself. Looking for answers, he removes his implant and flees.
The truth that he discovers is unsettling, and unfortunately, it shows the sad reality - the greedy corporations are ready to do everything possible to keep ripping their profits, even at the cost of human lives.
This type of book leaves a lasting impression. If you are a fan of dystopian stories that question the order of things, this one is a must-read!

[JL Emerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preachy

This book could have been so much better. It has a fascinating premise. It's fairly well written. It's also heavy handed & preachy. I understand that the author may be passionate about the subject of the environment. But I don't like being ever so gently bludgeoned about the head & shoulders about it. Don't turn my entertainment into an object lesson. 'Nuff said.