Distorted Purposes

Distorted Purposes #1

by Morgan Douglas

Seemingly out of nowhere a mass shapeshifting event happened around the world. Where human beings were instantly transformed into indistinguishable blank figures. In an attempt to describe what these ominous figures looked like a few of the characters ridiculously referred to them as bubble figures. Instead, these changed humans looked like the figures you see on bathroom door signs indicating which gender(s) each bathroom is for. Distorted Purposes opens by describing this phenomenon happening in the small fictional college town of Calbury, Pennsylvania. Where a group of individuals was spared this fate for reasons unknown to them as they set out to find answers to this problem. What Grace, Danny, Jacklyn, Henry, and Cam uncovered was a heinous plan devised by two government officials who finally brought everyone back to their regular selves after being discovered. Using the People Morphing Plan they extorted world leaders by the threat of changing them back into “bubble figures,” via an enhanced computer. The goal was to manipulate humankind into making positive strides in various human rights and other issues such as climate change. None of this could stop two thieves from stealing the blueprints to the technology though.

267 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2021

Reviews

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan Douglas throws us into the tense and fascinating struggle to reverse a horrific apocalyptic event in Distorted Purposes! When a strange event turns the majority of humanity into formless beings trapped and writhing in their own bodies, it falls to the few immune people to find a way to reverse the process. I really was drawn in by Douglas’ unique take on the apocalypse! This was a tense read, but also an intriguing one. The mystery of the event and why only certain people were affected by it was really interesting to unpack. If you love the post apocalypse, sci fi, or even mysteries, come bring a face back to humanity with Distorted Purposes!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I can even see it as a “made for TV” movie. The reason I only gave this book 4 stars is because the ending didn’t seem to go well with the beginning of the story, like the story wasn’t complete.
I also enjoyed that some of the stories sinarios were done in today’s problems with the world’s political situations.

[Debbie Hewson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut novel, and it is based on some really interesting ideas, no spoilers, but it's an adventure and a new angle on whether the ends justify the means. I would recommend it. I will be looking forward to the next novel from this new writer with anticipation

[Page Grey (Editor) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.75 stars
I actually finished reading this few days ago and I will post a full review later but for now...
The story has lots of potential. I definitely love the concept, but there are parts that I thought could be better. But overall, a great read. :)

[E.A.Chile · Rating 5 out of 5]

great fantastical concept, the Author craftfully passes her message about important factors, like climate change & world poverty While giving us a journey.
This Should be a TV series. Well done.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the summary for Distorted Purposes I knew right away that I had to read it. I couldn’t wait to dive in. When I agreed to review Distorted Purposes I wasn’t sure what would lie between its pages and boy, let me tell you what I found was definitely not what I was expecting at all. It was way better than I ever expected it to be.

I love the end of the world novels, especially where people change into something they are not. I love the whole concept of Distorted Purposes. I was drawn in from the very first page. Once I picked it up there was no way I could lay it down until I read the last page. And let me tell you it ended way too quick for me as I wanted more from this world. I would love to see more from this world. You know like maybe get the story from different characters' points of view.

Distorted Purposes is a story about how people were being changed or turned into what the characters called bubble people. They actually looked like the symbols of men and women on restroom doors. Distorted Purposes tells the story of several different characters that somehow survived being changed.

Distorted Purposes is their story of how they survived and found safe places to stay. And of how they made plans to find out what had happened to all their friends and the world. And how they set out to find a way to stop people from turning and to find a way to change everyone back.

As I have said I didn’t know what to expect from Distorted Purposes or how it was all going to turn out but let me tell you that ending was quite shocking as I never expected it to end in that way. I loved Distorted Purposes so much that I will be on the lookout for books by Morgan Douglas.

I highly recommend Distorted Purposes to all fans of dystopian stories with lots of suspense! I highly recommend that you one-click your copy Distorted Purposes today!

[Diane R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distorted Purposes is an inventive and unsettling speculative novel that uses high-concept science fiction to explore power, identity, and moral ambiguity. The sudden global phenomenon of humans transforming into anonymous “bubble figures” is both visually striking and symbolically rich, immediately pulling the reader into a world where individuality and autonomy are abruptly erased. Setting the story in the small college town of Calbury grounds the narrative and makes the catastrophe feel personal and immediate.

What elevates this novel is its willingness to interrogate uncomfortable questions. As Grace, Danny, Jacklyn, Henry, and Cam uncover the truth behind the People Morphing Plan, the story shifts from mystery to ethical thriller. The idea of enforcing progress through coercion even for causes like human rights and climate change is explored with nuance rather than easy answers. Morgan Douglas delivers a bold, thought-provoking story that lingers long after the final page, appealing to readers who enjoy speculative fiction that challenges both imagination and conscience.

[Gabrielle Chevalier · Rating 3 out of 5]

The outline of this story is good and exciting. I struggled with the high amount of characters in this book without very much character development. It probably would have been easier if I made myself a character tree to help follow along. Otherwise, this novel takes us through a mysterious adventure that is stimulating. It's evident the author loves sciences because it was incorporated into the writing. As someone who likes a fast-paced book, I found this one to be a bit too fast-paced, which made it hard to follow what was going on in the moment. All in all, it was a decent fiction book! 3 Stars.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been good, but it is not. It needs an editor, proofreader & to be reread by the writer for sure! It needs to be polished, so it is actually a finished book, it's like reading a first draft of a story idea. It is a real shamed as the idea is good, this could have really great! Needs more thought & work as it is currently a bad YA story.

[Jyothsna Raju · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Kept me hooked up from the beginning. The moment I started reading I felt I was watching it on TV. Everything running in my eyes. The story is brilliantly crafted. I loved it and will recommend this book to others too.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morgan’s debut was amazing! Like all self publishing there were a few typos but that didn’t bother me because the story was amazing! The only reason it didn’t get five stars was because of the length of chapters!