The Veritas Project

by C.F.E. Black

All evening, I’ve been conscious of other eyes behind mine, other watchers in my brain. I’m ready to end that.

Valeria the Fifth is losing her identity. Part of an elite research collective, she is forced to share her thoughts every week with those around her. With her boss. With her friends. With her crush.

And each week, she loses a little more of herself, a little more of what makes her unique, as she gains the knowledge and memories of her peers.

Freedom to make her own choices will mean freedom to make her own mistakes too, and the price for some mistakes is higher than she can pay.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a standalone - which I really appreciated. I read it in one day as it had me totally enthralled.
The Dystopian novel starts with the story of 16 young adults being brain linked and shared to make them 'gen-eng' (genomes engineered) so that they are more than brilliant in their scientific fields of study. This was so gripping and yet distressing as the heroine Valeria knows she is losing what or who she is by being linked to the 15 others. She keeps grasp of reality by having feelings for just one of the others, however when the powers of the facility realize this both Valeria and her love interest go through a harrowing realignment treatment.
This is Valeria's story and how she escapes the Head Quarters of this disturbing place. However when she leaves 2 other people in the brain link are fleeing with her into a very harsh world.
This is their journey to survive which means being engaged by a faction that is at war with other factions in a horrible world where survival is hard. The 3 fugitives may or may not have found succor in the Blue Group. ....
Parts of the novel describe vividly the mental torture that the 3 young escapees go through to break their brain link.
The story has various love interests - however it is clean.
The culminating chapters were really not what I expected. It was an excellent twist the way the novel ends and it ends with hope for the future. A really well crafted novel
I was given a free copy of this book and this is my true feedback.
Give this book a read it is excellent.

[Sarah Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

The synopsis of The Veritas Project grabbed my attention as the kind of thing I enjoy to read. I'm often disappointed by the reality of books in this particular subsection of the genre but not in this case: I loved The Veritas Project.

The plot is engaging and original and it moves with a good pace. The characters are well developed and I established a connection to the protagonist, Valeria, that ensured I cared about how the story progressed. I actually read The Veritas Project in a few sessions over just two days as I couldn't stay away. Work definitely suffered!
Part 1 of the book takes places within the research facility and is a horrifying look at exploitation in the name of science. The idea of being a sixteenth of an identity due to the linkage of brains/thoughts/memories is truly terrifying and this really comes across as Valeria struggles to find her own identity within the group. I loved her internal battle between wanting to follow the rules and expectations that she had been fed her entire life, and wanting to find herself and her individuality. I really felt her struggle.
Part 2 is a huge contrast and it works brilliantly to define how different the outside world is to life within the facility. Suddenly we are 'on the run with the gen-eng' and there's a real challenge around trust and survival in a difficult and dangerous society. The gang aspects are depicted really well.
Part 3 brings everything to a head with a couple of twists I certainly didn't see coming, and then culminating in an ending that might possibly involve some hope...but the future can be an unpredictable beast. Let's keep everything crossed that the horror can be contained.

Whilst there's love interest here, it's clean. The violence can be a bit more graphic but still far from gratuitous.

Overall, this is a superbly written book with a storyline that doesn't lack imagination and characters that you can really care about. The mental struggles are so well described that I could 'feel' them within myself. And the dilemma posed by scientific advancement is very real. Where do we draw the line? When does the advancement itself become abhorrent? When does it stop being worth the price paid?

It's not that often I find a book that exceeds my hopes generated by the synopsis. Here I found one. I will definitely be looking out for more from Ms Black.

I did receive a free copy of this book but this hasn't influenced my review, which was written completely voluntarily, and I hope it helps others decide if it's the right book for them.

[Helen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it took me a while to settle into this book and it’s characters, I am very satisfied with this read. Black’s writing style is very interesting, but also pleasant. Valeria’s story is full of ups and downs, rough terrain, fresh air, and beauty. I highly recommend this book!

[Cynthia McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The premise was very different from most dystopian/sci fi books I've read, and the world building and character development was first rate. There were no info dumps, just lots of great foreshadowing. The main character wasn't weak, she didn't make dumb decisions that made her annoying to read about like many female protagonists. There weren't any of the typical tropes and I really enjoyed getting immersed in the story. Highly recommend this book!

[Reinhardt Krätzig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Veritas Project. It's a science fiction story for young people, full of intrigues, entanglements in love and the search for identity. All of this against the background of a research facility in which 16 different people of the same age live together who have been specially bred for top scientific achievements and who also regularly connect and superimpose the content of their brains. Obviously this brings great scientific knowledge, but it also rubs against human concerns. Among other things, the main character wonders who she actually is. Very nicely done for me, exciting to stay tuned, with a few twists and turns that could not be foreseen.
Translated from German with the help of Google Translate

Das Veritas Projekt hat mir sehr gefallen. Es ist eine Science-Fiction-Geschichte für junge Menschen, also voll von Intrigen, Liebesverstrickungen und Suche nach Identität. Das alles auf dem Hintergrund einer Forschungseinrichtung, in der 16 unterschiedliche und gleichaltrige Menschen zusammen leben, die speziell für wissenschaftliche Höchstleistungen gezüchtet wurden und außerdem regelmäßig den Inhalt ihrer Gehirne miteinander verbinden und überlagern. Offensichtlich bringt das großartige wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse, reibt sich aber auch mit menschlichen Belangen. So fragt sich die Hauptfigur unter anderem auch, wer sie eigentlich ist. Für mich sehr schön gemacht, spannend zum Dranbleiben, mit einigen Wendungen, die nicht vorhersehbar waren.

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Veritas Project, by debut author C.F.E. Black, is a YA science fiction story that is packed full of intrigue, action, a twist or two -ones I totally did not see coming - and a storyline that is truly creative! And, it’s a clean read, which I’m always looking for, for my daughter!

I really enjoyed this story. It was so different- I mean sharing your mind with 15 other people? 😳 I can’t imagine adding more thoughts to the ones that are already in my head! Especially ones that are not originally mine! Yikes! I really can’t go into a lot of the story because I want to stay away from spoilers, but I will say I really enjoyed the wonderfully unique storyline and the characters, especially V, Marcus, and Julius and their interactions with each other. I also enjoyed the many unexpected twists and turns this story took!

Even though this story doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, I really wanted an epilogue! I want to know more about Marcus and V and Julius and what happens to them in the future! I am hoping there will be a book 2! Great debut!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[SJ Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good! Had me book on the first page. Valerie V is a genetically engineered human from birth, living in a center with 15 others in her V Order. Each week they learn new things then all 16 are connected through sensors on their skulls and share each others knowledge to make scientific breakthrough much faster. Through this process some lose their own identity and have to reacquaint themselves when they see their own reflections. They are not allowed to have a single thought as their own. Valerie V becomes obsessed to have her own thought and gets Julius V, a computer wiz in her Order, to help her. While getting to Julius' workstation, they meet up with Pru V by accident, but this accident meeting, implicates Pru. So now their is punishment in the 3's future. Nothing prepares them for what they will face, because of Val's one thought. There is much more, but I'll not spoil it. I was reading this every moment I had, even missed 2 nights sleep. If you like clean, edge of the seat, rollercoaster rides, hop on, you want be disappointed. I highly recommend 'The Veritas Project'. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished The Veritas Project so quickly. Once I opened it I could not stop reading. At first, I was wary that it would be an extremely predictable dystopian novel but C.F.E Black did not let me down! The thought of the mental anguish (or numbness depending on who you are) that one must feel from not being able to have a singular thought just to oneself is honestly terrifying. I can imagine how terrified V must feel about losing who she is. V grew on me throughout the novel as she actually was given the chance to experience character development outside of The Center. The ending was not what I had expected at the start of the novel....it was exciting to see how small details about life inside and outside of The Center led to the book's final moments. Fast-paced action, emotional turmoil, and a scary insight into what scientific development could lead to if left unchecked kept me glued to my seat.

disclaimer:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Veritas Project when it first debuted as "Mind of Mine." My interest was piqued after having heard of a Christian Sci-fi novel, and kept once reading the first few pages. I was surprised at the consistency and cohesiveness of the fictional tech in the story-line, and the contrast/similarity with the real world. This was a book that grabs ones attention more the further in the story they read. The plot was genius, and absolutely unpredictable. I was amazed in my first read, but even in my second reading of this book, many of the minor plots took me again by surprise (This was invigourating, as this does not often happen in my experience). I appreciated the balance of charachter development without too much time without action, as well as the writing style and tone of the author. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Sci-fi, Action novels, and as an introduction to those genres for thoses who do not!

[Erica Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked the Uglies trilogy, you'll love The Veritas Project.

So I actually decided not to finish this book. The violence was getting to be too much for me (I can't even watch star wars or super hero movies though😅). But, this book is extremely well written! VERY well done! It is an immersive story and immersive setting. You will get quickly drawn in and want to know more about the characters. The book reminds me a lot of the Uglies trilogy. Readers who like dystopian worlds will enjoy this. As far as content goes, there wasn't any swearing or bad language in the part I've read. There is some violence that increases closer to the halfway point of the book.

The story is well thought out and original.

It bothered me that the main character was so self-centered. It was gut wrenching! But I also thought it was realistic and was setting the story up for a great ending!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a dystopian standalone that really emphasizes the importance of Independence. A very engaging read, one that makes you want to keep on reading, especially with all the twists and turns. It was a pleasure to read this.

[Shadei ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ This review has spoilers that have been marked with

[Sarah]

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a free copy to read and review! I can't wait!!

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

V is different, she doesn't handle the Center and what happens there well. Many events take her on a journey that will bring her mind to a break point in some ways, and lead her to so many truths.

I really enjoyed this book. Surprises were in these pages, some you didn't see coming for sure. I felt V's emotions and knew how she felt relating to our own lives.

This book will be great for YA and up. Hopefully the situation in this book never comes to be, but with our world, who knows. Let yourself be lost in V's world for awhile and you'll be glad you did.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shannon Bolton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced and engaging read. I feel like a lot of ground was covered in just over 300 pages. My one complaint is that I would have liked to see a little more about what happened to the characters moving forward. Valeria, Pru, Marcus, Julius, Ty and Oscar. Where are they in a year or maybe even 6 months? What do their lives look like? Also, I wish we'd have known more about the director earlier on. Either way, it was a good dystopian read.

[Stasia Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed learning about the world building in the story. Lots of violence, I could have done without.
Glad that the characters grew and became friends. They were so alone.

[Addison S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love C. F. E. Black’s books but I’m not really a fan of whatever genre this is. :/

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Ride!

Veritas means truth in wine. Ha! The truth when no barriers or filters exist. That nicely sums up this wild dystopian ride.

[Lydia Schaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was SO INTERESTING. Some aspects of it gave off some 1984 vibes, but in a good way??

Honestly, if you're in the mood for a clean, dystopian read, give this book a chance.