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Augment Nation
Since the age of fourteen Damon Leiter has had a brain-computer interface implanted beneath his skull to correct a neurological disorder. As a teenager, it branded him as an outcast—as an adult it endows him with extraordinary abilities. He may represent the next step in human evolution.
When computerized brain augments replace smartphones as the must-have status item, mega-corporations and governments conspire together and marketing becomes mind control. Damon is uniquely equipped to lead a worldwide resistance. But Damon can’t be sure he isn’t playing into the hands of the rich and powerful.
They might even be right:
Maybe the real threat to humanity is Damon himself.
When computerized brain augments replace smartphones as the must-have status item, mega-corporations and governments conspire together and marketing becomes mind control. Damon is uniquely equipped to lead a worldwide resistance. But Damon can’t be sure he isn’t playing into the hands of the rich and powerful.
They might even be right:
Maybe the real threat to humanity is Damon himself.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
About the author
Scott Overton
30 books26 followersWith a long career as a radio morning show host, Scott’s always had a way with words. But his lifelong devotion to science fiction was destined to lead to a second career as a writer. Although his first novel, the mystery/thriller Dead Air was set in the radio world (and shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award in Ontario, Canada) all of his writing since has taken the reader to even stranger places, including the human bloodstream in his SF novel debut The Primus Labyrinth, a science fiction thriller that readers compare to Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. His most recent novel Naïda chronicles a reluctant hero with an alien being living inside him. Scott strongly believes that science fiction should involve compelling themes and important issues, along with memorable characters.
His short fiction has been published in magazines such as On Spec, AEscifi, Neo-opsis, Penumbra and anthologies including Future Visions 3, Casserole Diplomacy: The On Spec 25th Anniversary Anthology, Canadian Tales of the Fantastic, In Poe’s Shadow, and Tesseracts Sixteen: Parnassus Unbound. Fifteen of his SF/fantasy short stories have been gathered in the collection BEYOND: Stories Beyond Time, Technology, and the Stars. Many more SF novels are on the way. Scott’s distractions from writing include scuba diving, music, and collector cars. He lives with his wife on a private island in Northern Ontario.
His short fiction has been published in magazines such as On Spec, AEscifi, Neo-opsis, Penumbra and anthologies including Future Visions 3, Casserole Diplomacy: The On Spec 25th Anniversary Anthology, Canadian Tales of the Fantastic, In Poe’s Shadow, and Tesseracts Sixteen: Parnassus Unbound. Fifteen of his SF/fantasy short stories have been gathered in the collection BEYOND: Stories Beyond Time, Technology, and the Stars. Many more SF novels are on the way. Scott’s distractions from writing include scuba diving, music, and collector cars. He lives with his wife on a private island in Northern Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2022
Augment Nation is a science fiction/futuristic novel by Scott Overton. Augment Nation delves into the futuristic exploration of brain-computer implants and their implications for the characters in this book. Everything has upsides and downsides, but what are the real dangers behind these? When an image pops up in your mind, is it simply a craving you’re having? Or is it a subliminal urge planted by a government or medical entity?
Augment Nation starts with Damon Leiter in the hospital. Immediately, you’ll wonder, what happened to him? Then as Damon sits there, pondering who attempted to end his life, the next questions become—who, and why does he think this?
When the author takes you back to explore Damon’s memories, you’ll learn he used to be called David. And, one of the most fascinating aspects is that his past memories are clearer than his recent memories. This begs the question—what happened to disrupt the pathways to his more recent memories? What’s happening that he should remember?
Overton takes you back to Damon/David’s younger memories shortly after the incident that first sent him to the hospital. The author doesn’t reveal much detail about what happened to Damon/David, and I would have appreciated more detail to show the depth of his injuries and how he came by them. What you are provided, though, is a detailed amount of the surgery and its aftermath. Throughout the story, you get to experience Damon/David’s evolution, thanks to the implants he receives.
Throughout this book, the author takes you back and forth in time. Overton inserts medical notations concerning particular visits to the hospital or doctor for follow-ups. These notes talk about when something significant has happened and changes in the implants need to be documented. Most of the time, the story progresses in a straight line—from the initial flashback in memory to his school years to college and onward.
Damon/David’s adaptation to the implant is a trial-and-error situation. He gradually learns how it works. Of course, there are moments when he stumbles… badly. When he starts quoting Shakespeare to his teacher… look out! The minute you start thinking, this is going to end badly, you’re right. These strange symptoms push him to start studying his implant and using it for other things.
You’ll appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from showing how Damon/David struggles in life. While his implant makes certain things “easier” for him, he doesn’t start really “abusing” that power until later in his life. In high school, he still goes through that awkward challenging phase that most struggle with. College seems to improve, but when he’s asked to take a stance against his fellow students to cut down on cheating, it creates a rift. Compared to high school, though, he’s less concerned about “making/having friends.”
As the story progresses, David becomes Damon as he seeks to distance himself from the little boy who initially received the implant. The changing of his name shows that he, too, has changed and become something more. The medical commentary continues, but there will also be some additions and changes. Other people will begin to make themselves known as they seek to influence the world around them. The question becomes—at what cost? How far are they willing to go for control and money?
The author showcases Damon’s complexity well by creating a deeply flawed character who has good intentions at times. He wants to be accepted for who he is. He struggles with his identity and how the implant directly impacts his life. Despite all of this, he’s a very intelligent individual.
Still, you’re not always going to like him or even approve of what he does.
A perfect example will present itself when a situation arises in his relationship with Valerie. She offers him an opportunity, and instead of taking the path the author hints at—he takes the one he wants.
Time and time again, the author points out the advantages Damon has. You will wonder—does he abuse these advantages? In some instances, this question will be answered; in others, the author will leave you to speculate. Then the author will turn around and, in the next few paragraphs, show that the people monitoring his implant have some documented information that is important to the storyline.
In case you haven’t already guessed, a mystery is buried in all of this. Who tried to end his life? There will be small teases at potential suspects, but the truth is that the suspect list is a big one. Getting to the meat of the matter takes a good while, and so, sometimes, you might forget there is a mystery at hand. However, it’s a multi-tiered mystery. One that surrounds the implants themselves, the advancements being made with them, and how Damon is tied to it all.
This book is tech and medical jargon-heavy, and that bogs the story down here and there. However, when the story flows, it flows really well and teases you with segments that keep you turning pages. The ending does a decent job of wrapping up the story and reveals the timeline of the latest incident that almost took Damon’s life—and why. The final pages will not be what you expect, but they are something to look forward to.
Pros:
The detail of the narrative, and story.
Damon’s uniqueness.
The story’s timeline. You don’t just get flashes of memories; you’re taken back to those times as they move the story forward.
Being allowed to watch as Damon evolves with the tech itself.
Cons:
The storyline gets bogged down at times.
Some jargon will require research to understand what it means.
The mystery angle gets buried.
Lesson of the story: Technology is good for many things, but when it shifts toward the path of “control,” you must choose to break free.
Cover Score: 8.4
Overall book score: 8.0
Original review by Reviewblr @ https://scribblesworth.wordpress.com/...
Augment Nation starts with Damon Leiter in the hospital. Immediately, you’ll wonder, what happened to him? Then as Damon sits there, pondering who attempted to end his life, the next questions become—who, and why does he think this?
When the author takes you back to explore Damon’s memories, you’ll learn he used to be called David. And, one of the most fascinating aspects is that his past memories are clearer than his recent memories. This begs the question—what happened to disrupt the pathways to his more recent memories? What’s happening that he should remember?
Overton takes you back to Damon/David’s younger memories shortly after the incident that first sent him to the hospital. The author doesn’t reveal much detail about what happened to Damon/David, and I would have appreciated more detail to show the depth of his injuries and how he came by them. What you are provided, though, is a detailed amount of the surgery and its aftermath. Throughout the story, you get to experience Damon/David’s evolution, thanks to the implants he receives.
Throughout this book, the author takes you back and forth in time. Overton inserts medical notations concerning particular visits to the hospital or doctor for follow-ups. These notes talk about when something significant has happened and changes in the implants need to be documented. Most of the time, the story progresses in a straight line—from the initial flashback in memory to his school years to college and onward.
Damon/David’s adaptation to the implant is a trial-and-error situation. He gradually learns how it works. Of course, there are moments when he stumbles… badly. When he starts quoting Shakespeare to his teacher… look out! The minute you start thinking, this is going to end badly, you’re right. These strange symptoms push him to start studying his implant and using it for other things.
You’ll appreciate how the author doesn’t shy away from showing how Damon/David struggles in life. While his implant makes certain things “easier” for him, he doesn’t start really “abusing” that power until later in his life. In high school, he still goes through that awkward challenging phase that most struggle with. College seems to improve, but when he’s asked to take a stance against his fellow students to cut down on cheating, it creates a rift. Compared to high school, though, he’s less concerned about “making/having friends.”
As the story progresses, David becomes Damon as he seeks to distance himself from the little boy who initially received the implant. The changing of his name shows that he, too, has changed and become something more. The medical commentary continues, but there will also be some additions and changes. Other people will begin to make themselves known as they seek to influence the world around them. The question becomes—at what cost? How far are they willing to go for control and money?
The author showcases Damon’s complexity well by creating a deeply flawed character who has good intentions at times. He wants to be accepted for who he is. He struggles with his identity and how the implant directly impacts his life. Despite all of this, he’s a very intelligent individual.
Still, you’re not always going to like him or even approve of what he does.
A perfect example will present itself when a situation arises in his relationship with Valerie. She offers him an opportunity, and instead of taking the path the author hints at—he takes the one he wants.
Time and time again, the author points out the advantages Damon has. You will wonder—does he abuse these advantages? In some instances, this question will be answered; in others, the author will leave you to speculate. Then the author will turn around and, in the next few paragraphs, show that the people monitoring his implant have some documented information that is important to the storyline.
In case you haven’t already guessed, a mystery is buried in all of this. Who tried to end his life? There will be small teases at potential suspects, but the truth is that the suspect list is a big one. Getting to the meat of the matter takes a good while, and so, sometimes, you might forget there is a mystery at hand. However, it’s a multi-tiered mystery. One that surrounds the implants themselves, the advancements being made with them, and how Damon is tied to it all.
This book is tech and medical jargon-heavy, and that bogs the story down here and there. However, when the story flows, it flows really well and teases you with segments that keep you turning pages. The ending does a decent job of wrapping up the story and reveals the timeline of the latest incident that almost took Damon’s life—and why. The final pages will not be what you expect, but they are something to look forward to.
Pros:
The detail of the narrative, and story.
Damon’s uniqueness.
The story’s timeline. You don’t just get flashes of memories; you’re taken back to those times as they move the story forward.
Being allowed to watch as Damon evolves with the tech itself.
Cons:
The storyline gets bogged down at times.
Some jargon will require research to understand what it means.
The mystery angle gets buried.
Lesson of the story: Technology is good for many things, but when it shifts toward the path of “control,” you must choose to break free.
Cover Score: 8.4
Overall book score: 8.0
Original review by Reviewblr @ https://scribblesworth.wordpress.com/...
January 31, 2023
Augment Nation is a science-fiction novel of the old school, portraying the collision of all-too-human characters with plausible new technology, along the way serving as a chilling cautionary tale.
Our story begins about a decade from now. David Leiter is a fourteen-year-old boy, critically injured in an automobile accident. He suffers serious brain injury, and develops a condition called visual agnosia, an inability to process or recognize visual stimuli. He can still see, but he has lost the ability to interpret what he sees, identifying objects or recognizing faces. Luckily, he is selected to receive a radically experimental treatment – a computerized implant to augment his brain’s natural functions.
At first the implant only operates to mitigate David’s agnosia, but over time he learns to use it for other purposes: logging into wireless networks, browsing the Internet, mastering computational skills, and so on. Unfortunately, these new abilities also come with a heaping dose of alienation. His peers notice his social awkwardness, missteps with young women earn him a poor reputation, and authority figures punish him for suspected unfair advantages.
Only once David graduates from high school – taking some revenge against the worst of his tormentors on the way out – is he able to start building a worthwhile life of his own. He moves to university, taking the new name of Damon and setting aside his miserable adolescence, and life begins to improve dramatically for him. His implants are upgraded with new hardware and software, providing him with still more new abilities. His skills turn out to be a boon in academia and employment, he becomes less socially inept, he even finds ways to build healthy relationships with women. For a few years, he moves from success to success.
Yet slowly, Damon realizes that the gift of his computer implants has not come without a price. Someone is watching his progress, even after he has taken steps to avoid being monitored. Technology that was tested on him is being deployed to more and more people . . . and it becomes plain that shadowy corporate and government interests do not have any individual’s best interests at heart.
Mr. Overton’s prose style is very clean; I noticed one or two formatting issues in my e-book copy, but nothing to pull me out of the story. He exercises very good viewpoint discipline. The story does need quite a lot of exposition, but none of it is clumsy or obtrusive, almost entirely arising through Damon’s understanding of the world. This is a very well-crafted novel as far as the mechanics are concerned.
David (Damon) has a compelling story with some very credible challenges. Augment Nation isn’t just an exploration of plausible future technology, it’s a story about individuals caught up in the machinations of unscrupulous power. There are those in the story who would gladly use the new technology to lie and manipulate the public, and Damon’s confrontations with them are downright frightening. In the end, the story isn’t just recounting a personal odyssey, it’s describing a potential failure mode for civilization itself. Once I finished this novel, I found myself much more skeptical about the prospect of brain-machine interface technology than I was before I began.
One minor advisory for the reader. Augment Nation is about, among other things, a teenage boy discovering the potentials of new technology. As we might expect, some of the applications he finds have to do with sex, with all the awkwardness any young man might experience! The story is often frank, although never explicit. I found none of this material offensive, although some of Damon’s experiences were mildly uncomfortable to read about; your mileage may vary.
I thoroughly enjoyed Augment Nation, and it left me wanting to read more of Mr. Overton’s work. Very highly recommended if you enjoy believable near-future science fiction with some rather disturbing implications.
Our story begins about a decade from now. David Leiter is a fourteen-year-old boy, critically injured in an automobile accident. He suffers serious brain injury, and develops a condition called visual agnosia, an inability to process or recognize visual stimuli. He can still see, but he has lost the ability to interpret what he sees, identifying objects or recognizing faces. Luckily, he is selected to receive a radically experimental treatment – a computerized implant to augment his brain’s natural functions.
At first the implant only operates to mitigate David’s agnosia, but over time he learns to use it for other purposes: logging into wireless networks, browsing the Internet, mastering computational skills, and so on. Unfortunately, these new abilities also come with a heaping dose of alienation. His peers notice his social awkwardness, missteps with young women earn him a poor reputation, and authority figures punish him for suspected unfair advantages.
Only once David graduates from high school – taking some revenge against the worst of his tormentors on the way out – is he able to start building a worthwhile life of his own. He moves to university, taking the new name of Damon and setting aside his miserable adolescence, and life begins to improve dramatically for him. His implants are upgraded with new hardware and software, providing him with still more new abilities. His skills turn out to be a boon in academia and employment, he becomes less socially inept, he even finds ways to build healthy relationships with women. For a few years, he moves from success to success.
Yet slowly, Damon realizes that the gift of his computer implants has not come without a price. Someone is watching his progress, even after he has taken steps to avoid being monitored. Technology that was tested on him is being deployed to more and more people . . . and it becomes plain that shadowy corporate and government interests do not have any individual’s best interests at heart.
Mr. Overton’s prose style is very clean; I noticed one or two formatting issues in my e-book copy, but nothing to pull me out of the story. He exercises very good viewpoint discipline. The story does need quite a lot of exposition, but none of it is clumsy or obtrusive, almost entirely arising through Damon’s understanding of the world. This is a very well-crafted novel as far as the mechanics are concerned.
David (Damon) has a compelling story with some very credible challenges. Augment Nation isn’t just an exploration of plausible future technology, it’s a story about individuals caught up in the machinations of unscrupulous power. There are those in the story who would gladly use the new technology to lie and manipulate the public, and Damon’s confrontations with them are downright frightening. In the end, the story isn’t just recounting a personal odyssey, it’s describing a potential failure mode for civilization itself. Once I finished this novel, I found myself much more skeptical about the prospect of brain-machine interface technology than I was before I began.
One minor advisory for the reader. Augment Nation is about, among other things, a teenage boy discovering the potentials of new technology. As we might expect, some of the applications he finds have to do with sex, with all the awkwardness any young man might experience! The story is often frank, although never explicit. I found none of this material offensive, although some of Damon’s experiences were mildly uncomfortable to read about; your mileage may vary.
I thoroughly enjoyed Augment Nation, and it left me wanting to read more of Mr. Overton’s work. Very highly recommended if you enjoy believable near-future science fiction with some rather disturbing implications.
November 24, 2023
David Allen had missed the school bus one day and was being driven there by his mother. David's mother got into an accident and this caused David to hit his head on a hard surface several times. As a result, David became agnostic. Emery Rueld Taggart, MD, carried out a risky experiment that could cure David's agnosia: he implanted a brain-computer interface in his brain. This new installation had its advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes David felt like an outcast. Other times, it enabled him to outperform his peers. This brain enhancement became an evolutionary step for humanity. As a must-have item, computerized brain augments were more common than phones. This tempting gadget would give rise to a government and corporate conspiracy to control minds. What comes next? Is David capable of intervening and putting a stop to this mad evolution? All these were answered in Scott Overton's Augment Nation.
Overton's premise for this book is incredibly wonderful. Who wouldn't want a computer interface connected to their brain? Because I would. The book's opening revealed what kind of state David was in as a result of the neurological lesion that affected him. This was a valid and robust foundation on which to develop the plot of the novel. From my perspective, the issue addressed by the author in this work was conspiracy ideas, using agnosia and digital brain augments as his starting points.
I have a strong suspicion that the tale of smartphones being utilized as spy tools by higher authorities is not unique to my childhood. Unlike modern laptops, iPads, or smartphones, this book's device is a micro-implant, so carrying it around isn't too difficult. It's an almost unnoticeable gadget that anyone would like to own. But it's such a simple tool for people to tinker with, particularly governments and power-hungry individuals. This gadget is easily hackable and controllable. This is what Overton emphasizes in this book: it's a technology that can be easily operated on because it works directly with the mind.
The author’s use of language to tell this story was astounding. He structured his story so that readers were captivated by the actions of various characters and ultimately drawn in by the book's scenes, even though he was going to be talking about a contentious subject. That idea is fantastic; it added a thrill to the entire read. Because of the compelling narration of the author, I felt as though I had traveled several years into the future. This work had numerous themes that I noticed, like malice, tenacity, and manipulation. I think the novel has balance because of the well-executed blending of disparate ideas. When it comes to the book's description, I must praise Overton for his attention to detail in terms of virtual imagery. Even though there were no physical images in the book, his words on paper nicely painted images in my imagination as I read through it. Finally, I'd like to point out that the addition of the character Valerie enhanced the whole story.
Following that, I found nothing bothersome in this work. It was well worth the read and was full of eye-openers. Augment Nation was flawless; the book was exceptionally edited. Thus, I rate Augment Nation 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to sci-fi enthusiasts because of the thought-provoking technological sequences and insights it contains.
Overton's premise for this book is incredibly wonderful. Who wouldn't want a computer interface connected to their brain? Because I would. The book's opening revealed what kind of state David was in as a result of the neurological lesion that affected him. This was a valid and robust foundation on which to develop the plot of the novel. From my perspective, the issue addressed by the author in this work was conspiracy ideas, using agnosia and digital brain augments as his starting points.
I have a strong suspicion that the tale of smartphones being utilized as spy tools by higher authorities is not unique to my childhood. Unlike modern laptops, iPads, or smartphones, this book's device is a micro-implant, so carrying it around isn't too difficult. It's an almost unnoticeable gadget that anyone would like to own. But it's such a simple tool for people to tinker with, particularly governments and power-hungry individuals. This gadget is easily hackable and controllable. This is what Overton emphasizes in this book: it's a technology that can be easily operated on because it works directly with the mind.
The author’s use of language to tell this story was astounding. He structured his story so that readers were captivated by the actions of various characters and ultimately drawn in by the book's scenes, even though he was going to be talking about a contentious subject. That idea is fantastic; it added a thrill to the entire read. Because of the compelling narration of the author, I felt as though I had traveled several years into the future. This work had numerous themes that I noticed, like malice, tenacity, and manipulation. I think the novel has balance because of the well-executed blending of disparate ideas. When it comes to the book's description, I must praise Overton for his attention to detail in terms of virtual imagery. Even though there were no physical images in the book, his words on paper nicely painted images in my imagination as I read through it. Finally, I'd like to point out that the addition of the character Valerie enhanced the whole story.
Following that, I found nothing bothersome in this work. It was well worth the read and was full of eye-openers. Augment Nation was flawless; the book was exceptionally edited. Thus, I rate Augment Nation 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to sci-fi enthusiasts because of the thought-provoking technological sequences and insights it contains.
Read
September 28, 2023What if? What a slippery little question. It’s one that so many good books start with. What if a man of science discovers the evil part of humanity, and what if he scientifically concocts an elixir that makes that evil part manifest? Or how about this scenario: a developmentally disabled man undergoes treatments that reverse his disability and make him super intelligent. In both The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mister Hyde and Flowers for Algernon a technological solution is applied to a human dilemma and, Presto!, everything is improved, that is, until it all goes bad.
Like Robert Louis Stevenson and Daniel Keyes, Scott Overton falls into the genre of what-if writers. In his Augment Nation David Leiter suffers a brain injury as the result of a car crash—an injury that leaves him unable to identify people, including loved ones. All seems lost until technology steps in to save the day. Voilà, a brain-computer interface is implanted in his noggin, fixing his problem and giving him extra-human powers. He seems in the driver’s seat. But remember how things turned out for poor Charlie Gordon and Doctor Jekyll in those other two novels? Technology ended up betraying them, and the same happens to David Leiter.
As David’s brain-implanted computing powers are augmented he begins to see traces of another entity in his inner world, an entity that is not only manipulating him but that has been pulling the strings from the beginning. And so begins the battle.
Like all writers of the what-if variety, Scott Overton at first seems to take us into a world that seems strange and fantastical. However, close scrutiny reveals this fictional world to look a whole lot like the one we’re in. I suggest you give Augment Nation a go, and then take a second look at the digital technology that’s been hyped as being humanity’s friend.
Like Robert Louis Stevenson and Daniel Keyes, Scott Overton falls into the genre of what-if writers. In his Augment Nation David Leiter suffers a brain injury as the result of a car crash—an injury that leaves him unable to identify people, including loved ones. All seems lost until technology steps in to save the day. Voilà, a brain-computer interface is implanted in his noggin, fixing his problem and giving him extra-human powers. He seems in the driver’s seat. But remember how things turned out for poor Charlie Gordon and Doctor Jekyll in those other two novels? Technology ended up betraying them, and the same happens to David Leiter.
As David’s brain-implanted computing powers are augmented he begins to see traces of another entity in his inner world, an entity that is not only manipulating him but that has been pulling the strings from the beginning. And so begins the battle.
Like all writers of the what-if variety, Scott Overton at first seems to take us into a world that seems strange and fantastical. However, close scrutiny reveals this fictional world to look a whole lot like the one we’re in. I suggest you give Augment Nation a go, and then take a second look at the digital technology that’s been hyped as being humanity’s friend.
November 29, 2022
The Review
This was an absolutely captivating, near-future sci-fi thriller! The author did an incredible job of really layering this world with vivid imagery that brought this near-futuristic world to life. The juxtaposition of the coldness of the corporations and their machinations against the warmth and beauty of the character’s perseverance really highlighted the theme of technology and its influence on humanity overall.
The harmonious way the author brought together the character dynamics with the gripping thriller atmosphere of the narrative. The complex story behind the protagonist and his connections to both sides of this “war” was so enthralling to get lost in, as it really made his arc so much more thought-provoking. The earnestness with which he pursues his goals and the more extensive overarching nature of the antagonists and their goals kept the murky, shadowy nature of the genre alive as the story continued to evolve. Having the protagonist develop a connection with Valerie also gave him a human connection.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and adrenaline-fueled, author Scott Overton’s “Augment Nation” is a must-read sci-fi novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the complex nature of these characters and the mythos of this world the author has created built up the emotionally charged and shocking final chapters and the revelations of this narrative, making this story readers won’t be able to put down.
This was an absolutely captivating, near-future sci-fi thriller! The author did an incredible job of really layering this world with vivid imagery that brought this near-futuristic world to life. The juxtaposition of the coldness of the corporations and their machinations against the warmth and beauty of the character’s perseverance really highlighted the theme of technology and its influence on humanity overall.
The harmonious way the author brought together the character dynamics with the gripping thriller atmosphere of the narrative. The complex story behind the protagonist and his connections to both sides of this “war” was so enthralling to get lost in, as it really made his arc so much more thought-provoking. The earnestness with which he pursues his goals and the more extensive overarching nature of the antagonists and their goals kept the murky, shadowy nature of the genre alive as the story continued to evolve. Having the protagonist develop a connection with Valerie also gave him a human connection.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and adrenaline-fueled, author Scott Overton’s “Augment Nation” is a must-read sci-fi novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the complex nature of these characters and the mythos of this world the author has created built up the emotionally charged and shocking final chapters and the revelations of this narrative, making this story readers won’t be able to put down.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews