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In the wake of Arbitrator Jonah Oliver's interrogation of Jibril Muraz, a prisoner of UNPOL, his secure life disintegrates into one of lies, corruption, conspiracy and murder due to what he learns.
Jonah is thrown into a race against the clock to stop a plot designed to eliminate two-thirds of the population. The odds are stacked against him. He soon finds his past is not what he thought it was, those closest to him cannot be trusted, and what he’s learned could get him, or worse, his loved ones, killed.
On 15 March 2110, 6.3 billion people will die at the hand of one man.
A man with a twisted vision, to make humans a better, more intelligent race.
From a world where personal privacy has been forsaken comes a tale of conspiracy, love and murder – and the bond shared by brothers.
Jonah is thrown into a race against the clock to stop a plot designed to eliminate two-thirds of the population. The odds are stacked against him. He soon finds his past is not what he thought it was, those closest to him cannot be trusted, and what he’s learned could get him, or worse, his loved ones, killed.
On 15 March 2110, 6.3 billion people will die at the hand of one man.
A man with a twisted vision, to make humans a better, more intelligent race.
From a world where personal privacy has been forsaken comes a tale of conspiracy, love and murder – and the bond shared by brothers.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2010
35 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Simon Royle
5 books45 followersSimon Royle has been variously a loader of trucks, garbage-man, yachtsman, door-to-door salesman, advertising executive, and a senior executive in technology companies.
A futurist and a technologist, he lives in Bangkok, with his wife and two children.
Simon's first three novels Tag, Bangkok Burn, and Bangkok Wet, have all been well received by Amazon readers.
Tag is a technothriller set in the year 2109. What readers have called,
- "Very good read, story may have gone further but then since its Book 1 assume more to come in book 2. All in all an enjoyable and different futurist novel."
- "more futuristic than science-fiction, and the technological advances of 2110 are not far-fetched, they are easily imaginable."
- "...in "Tag." The technology felt like a logical evolution from today to one hundred years into the future."
- ""Tag," reminds me a bit of one my childhood favorite authors, Isaac Asimov, in that he's written a book that projects a future reflecting very plausible cultural and political scenario, given what trends we've seen in history."
(Above quotes stolen from recent reviews on Amazon US).
As Simon, says :), "With 'Tag' I drew on my travels and experiences in Singapore and Australia. Extrapolating from things I see today and placing them in the context of our world a hundred years from now."
The Bangkok Series, starts with a bang, literally...
Bangkok Burn - a noir thriller, set during the May 2010 riots in Bangkok, has proved a hit with readers; especially those who have traveled or are traveling to Thailand.
- "A red-hot thriller set against the exotic backdrop of Bangkok, this is a blistering read from start to finish."
- "I loved this book from beginning to end, it kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I can't wait for the sequel." (Author's note: "I'm working on it...")
Further Author's note: The sequel to 'Bangkok Burn' is out!
Bangkok Wet, continues the lives of the Paknam mafia family... and it too has proven a hit with readers...
- "I liked the cultural insights. Story was well researched for sights in an around Thailand."
- "This sequel to the author's first book in the series expands upon the earlier volume's frenetic pace of action and large cast of characters; something is happening on virtually every page. Action lovers will find it here! The exotic setting, occasional glimpses into Thai culture add color to the plot and help to make it an interesting and engaging read."
- "I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up being that it was a while since I got a hold of the first. I must say that this read faster than the first. I totally enjoyed it and wish that the next in the series was out already." (Author's note: I'm working on it....)
And I really am working on the next in the Bangkok Series, as you may read on my website, I didn't kill off my main character. Badly shot up and in a coma for a while, he pulled through thanks to Chai's blood and Dr. Tom's skills (along with Mere Joom's shadow looming large in the near background).
I love to connect with you. Got a question, something to say, or just want to say hello, then send me an email: simon@simon-royle.com
I have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Simon.Royle.Author
A website at www.simon-royle.com
I also have a twitter feed (where I infrequently tweet) @sgroyle
Simon
A futurist and a technologist, he lives in Bangkok, with his wife and two children.
Simon's first three novels Tag, Bangkok Burn, and Bangkok Wet, have all been well received by Amazon readers.
Tag is a technothriller set in the year 2109. What readers have called,
- "Very good read, story may have gone further but then since its Book 1 assume more to come in book 2. All in all an enjoyable and different futurist novel."
- "more futuristic than science-fiction, and the technological advances of 2110 are not far-fetched, they are easily imaginable."
- "...in "Tag." The technology felt like a logical evolution from today to one hundred years into the future."
- ""Tag," reminds me a bit of one my childhood favorite authors, Isaac Asimov, in that he's written a book that projects a future reflecting very plausible cultural and political scenario, given what trends we've seen in history."
(Above quotes stolen from recent reviews on Amazon US).
As Simon, says :), "With 'Tag' I drew on my travels and experiences in Singapore and Australia. Extrapolating from things I see today and placing them in the context of our world a hundred years from now."
The Bangkok Series, starts with a bang, literally...
Bangkok Burn - a noir thriller, set during the May 2010 riots in Bangkok, has proved a hit with readers; especially those who have traveled or are traveling to Thailand.
- "A red-hot thriller set against the exotic backdrop of Bangkok, this is a blistering read from start to finish."
- "I loved this book from beginning to end, it kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I can't wait for the sequel." (Author's note: "I'm working on it...")
Further Author's note: The sequel to 'Bangkok Burn' is out!
Bangkok Wet, continues the lives of the Paknam mafia family... and it too has proven a hit with readers...
- "I liked the cultural insights. Story was well researched for sights in an around Thailand."
- "This sequel to the author's first book in the series expands upon the earlier volume's frenetic pace of action and large cast of characters; something is happening on virtually every page. Action lovers will find it here! The exotic setting, occasional glimpses into Thai culture add color to the plot and help to make it an interesting and engaging read."
- "I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up being that it was a while since I got a hold of the first. I must say that this read faster than the first. I totally enjoyed it and wish that the next in the series was out already." (Author's note: I'm working on it....)
And I really am working on the next in the Bangkok Series, as you may read on my website, I didn't kill off my main character. Badly shot up and in a coma for a while, he pulled through thanks to Chai's blood and Dr. Tom's skills (along with Mere Joom's shadow looming large in the near background).
I love to connect with you. Got a question, something to say, or just want to say hello, then send me an email: simon@simon-royle.com
I have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Simon.Royle.Author
A website at www.simon-royle.com
I also have a twitter feed (where I infrequently tweet) @sgroyle
Simon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 13, 2012
I was a little hesitant when I first received this book. The blurb sounded quite science-fictioney (yeah, that’s a word!) and I thought I may have been a little out of my comfort zone. However, I was about to have a very pleasant surprise.
Tag is more futuristic than science-fiction, and the technological advances of 2110 are not far-fetched, they are easily imaginable. International travel has become a breeze, cash is a thing of the past and convenience is exactly what the word suggests. But although the world has a pretty surface, underneath planet Earth and its surroundings are quickly descending into 1984-esque habits, without even realizing what is happening.
The characters in Tag are complex, well-drawn and likeable, despicable or sitting on the fence. Allegiances are formed and withdrawn as the story progresses, and the twists are surprising and sometimes heart-wrenching. The story is told either in first person POV through Jonah, or third person POV through other key characters.
There are a few small niggles for me in this book – the physical descriptions of the characters are a little repetitive, there are a couple of small errors and there are a few places in the book where the action takes a dip – but these could be easily rectified by a good editor, and make Tag a truly fantastic book.
Apart from these small issues, I was very impressed and enthralled by Tag. Don’t be put off thinking this book is science-fiction – it is in a way, but it’s a book that would appeal to anyone that enjoys a good thriller, a good story or an excellent futuristic book!
Tag is more futuristic than science-fiction, and the technological advances of 2110 are not far-fetched, they are easily imaginable. International travel has become a breeze, cash is a thing of the past and convenience is exactly what the word suggests. But although the world has a pretty surface, underneath planet Earth and its surroundings are quickly descending into 1984-esque habits, without even realizing what is happening.
The characters in Tag are complex, well-drawn and likeable, despicable or sitting on the fence. Allegiances are formed and withdrawn as the story progresses, and the twists are surprising and sometimes heart-wrenching. The story is told either in first person POV through Jonah, or third person POV through other key characters.
There are a few small niggles for me in this book – the physical descriptions of the characters are a little repetitive, there are a couple of small errors and there are a few places in the book where the action takes a dip – but these could be easily rectified by a good editor, and make Tag a truly fantastic book.
Apart from these small issues, I was very impressed and enthralled by Tag. Don’t be put off thinking this book is science-fiction – it is in a way, but it’s a book that would appeal to anyone that enjoys a good thriller, a good story or an excellent futuristic book!
June 21, 2011
It has taken me longer then usual to read this awesome book; I’m not sure why. There was something about it that made me want to linger on the chapters instead if read through them. It’s a sensation I’ve had with some books before, and I’m not sure what to attribute it to. Perhaps I enjoy reading so much that my subconscious pushes me to linger, to prolong that enjoyment state. What I am sure is that I didn’t feel an inner pressure to get through it, to find out what’s going to happen in the end, I just trusted Simon Royle‘s beautiful writing to take me there. I didn’t feel that impending doom sensation that sometimes stimulates me to rush through the tunnel and reach the final light.
Tag may very well be a classic of the genre. It has it all; it’s very well written, quite well paced and thought up. The plot has something of a classic sci-fi note, the technologically advanced race, the need to destroy that ultimately manifests itself and needs to be somehow dealt with.
I especially liked the way the writing has been done. Though building an advanced, techy universe, it puts no scientific pressure on you, it doesn’t smother you one bit with over-technological aspects that turn into some background noise. However virtual the world is, it feels quite palpable to you as you’re reading, it feels absolutely natural, like you know it as well as the palm of your hand.
I loved the healthy and well thought humor Simon Royle‘s writing possesses, it makes for a very diaphanous and completely pleasurable read. So much so it is a pleasure to just read his writing, that I wouldn’t have minded reading and reading, on and on.
The characters are an interesting point of the book; I will confess to have a soft spot for Jonah, his good natured, funny, slightly awkward and sort of nerdy nature make him irresistible. For some reason, I found the female characters less easy to like, and other male characters as well. There was a clear spotlight on Jonah, and I did like Gabriel as well, though I would have liked to see more of him.
The plot touches on many interesting topics, political intrigue, the issue of privacy, nudity – well, this one not so much, though Jonah does find himself getting naked a lot throughout the story
It weaves a great story, filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue as I’ve said, dramatic twists and edge-of-your-seat moments.
I couldn’t have asked for more, on many accounts. The story is gripping, and it’s very well executed. Perhaps it would have helped to build more tension if the writing would have had less narrative and more dialogue, as the narrative generally does tend to slightly even out the tension in the plot whereas more dialogue builds more of a dynamic feel, but this is up to personal taste of course.
Overall, I find this to be a great achievement, and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. One evil thing about it is that it ends with a teaser for book two, well thought strategy.
I only have one small issue with it, and it is that in the story somewhere Sir Thomas the insufferable explains how in the past he’s been pardoned for eradicating Bucharest. To this, I protest, bad Simon Royle, bad bad Simon Royle, to have that bastard attack my country of all the places in the world! It does put it on the map, so on a more serious note, thanks for the mention :)
Jokes aside, sci-fi buffs, if you haven’t already read Tag, you really really need to, you’ll love it to bits!
Tag may very well be a classic of the genre. It has it all; it’s very well written, quite well paced and thought up. The plot has something of a classic sci-fi note, the technologically advanced race, the need to destroy that ultimately manifests itself and needs to be somehow dealt with.
I especially liked the way the writing has been done. Though building an advanced, techy universe, it puts no scientific pressure on you, it doesn’t smother you one bit with over-technological aspects that turn into some background noise. However virtual the world is, it feels quite palpable to you as you’re reading, it feels absolutely natural, like you know it as well as the palm of your hand.
I loved the healthy and well thought humor Simon Royle‘s writing possesses, it makes for a very diaphanous and completely pleasurable read. So much so it is a pleasure to just read his writing, that I wouldn’t have minded reading and reading, on and on.
The characters are an interesting point of the book; I will confess to have a soft spot for Jonah, his good natured, funny, slightly awkward and sort of nerdy nature make him irresistible. For some reason, I found the female characters less easy to like, and other male characters as well. There was a clear spotlight on Jonah, and I did like Gabriel as well, though I would have liked to see more of him.
The plot touches on many interesting topics, political intrigue, the issue of privacy, nudity – well, this one not so much, though Jonah does find himself getting naked a lot throughout the story
It weaves a great story, filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue as I’ve said, dramatic twists and edge-of-your-seat moments.
I couldn’t have asked for more, on many accounts. The story is gripping, and it’s very well executed. Perhaps it would have helped to build more tension if the writing would have had less narrative and more dialogue, as the narrative generally does tend to slightly even out the tension in the plot whereas more dialogue builds more of a dynamic feel, but this is up to personal taste of course.
Overall, I find this to be a great achievement, and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. One evil thing about it is that it ends with a teaser for book two, well thought strategy.
I only have one small issue with it, and it is that in the story somewhere Sir Thomas the insufferable explains how in the past he’s been pardoned for eradicating Bucharest. To this, I protest, bad Simon Royle, bad bad Simon Royle, to have that bastard attack my country of all the places in the world! It does put it on the map, so on a more serious note, thanks for the mention :)
Jokes aside, sci-fi buffs, if you haven’t already read Tag, you really really need to, you’ll love it to bits!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2011
Big brother is watching. Author Simon Royale takes this premise to a new and terrifying reality in his novel Tag. Fast forward into the next century and we find all humans are identified by their PUI (Personal Unique Identifier). The government knows everything about you, everywhere you go, everything you buy, literally everything. A scary thought in itself.
Book blurb: In the wake of Arbitrator Jonah Oliver’s interrogation of Jibril Muraz, a prisoner of UNPOL, his secure life disintegrates into one of lies, corruption, conspiracy and murder due to what he learns. Jonah is thrown into a race against the clock to stop a plot designed to eliminate two-thirds of the population. The odds are stacked against him. He soon finds his past is not what he thought it was, those closest to him cannot be trusted, and what he’s learned could get him, or worse, his loved ones, killed.
I was drawn into the story immediately with the interrogation of Jabril Muraz by Agent Sharon Cochran. When she can't get him to talk even under a Truth Treatment, arbitrator Jonah Oliver is called in to try and get information from him, and that's when he's thrown into a race against time to stop the elimination of 2/3 of the world's population begins.
Mr. Royle describes what our world will look like in the next century with such detail and precision. Traveling to the moon base is a commonplace occurrence. It is during a trip to the moon that Jonah learns the truth from the mysterious Jabril Muraz about the new Tag Law that his uncle, Sir Thomas Oliver, and the government want to implement. Jabril is not the terrorist he's been labeled as, but Jonah must decide if he believes him and his wild tales of mass extinction. During that short trip to the moon, Jonah meets the love of his life, Marika. These two events juxtapositioned against each other show the harsh realities of their world, but also that there is room for love in these trying times. Marika is a complex character who finds herself pulled in two different directions - her loyalty to Sharon Cochran and her UNPOL job versus her growing love for Jonah. She is going to be forced by events to make the difficult decision which direction she wants her life to go in.
The cast of supporting characters of Sharon, Marika, Marty, and Maloo are rich and add to the enjoyment of this story. The descriptions of the locations are well done and you can easily imagine yourself living in this new world.
I do have a few slight criticisms. First, I found the switching between third-person and first-person for the Jonah specific chapters to be jarring. It took me awhile to get used to that. Also a few of Jonah's shopping trips were a bit boring and did nothing to move the plot forward. I kept expecting something to happen during these scenes, but I understand that the author was just trying to describe life in this future world.
This is a fast-paced thriller with many surprises along the way. I found myself unable to put my Kindle down as I got near the end. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like sci-fi, action adventure and thrillers. It is extremely well-written and impressive debut.
Book blurb: In the wake of Arbitrator Jonah Oliver’s interrogation of Jibril Muraz, a prisoner of UNPOL, his secure life disintegrates into one of lies, corruption, conspiracy and murder due to what he learns. Jonah is thrown into a race against the clock to stop a plot designed to eliminate two-thirds of the population. The odds are stacked against him. He soon finds his past is not what he thought it was, those closest to him cannot be trusted, and what he’s learned could get him, or worse, his loved ones, killed.
I was drawn into the story immediately with the interrogation of Jabril Muraz by Agent Sharon Cochran. When she can't get him to talk even under a Truth Treatment, arbitrator Jonah Oliver is called in to try and get information from him, and that's when he's thrown into a race against time to stop the elimination of 2/3 of the world's population begins.
Mr. Royle describes what our world will look like in the next century with such detail and precision. Traveling to the moon base is a commonplace occurrence. It is during a trip to the moon that Jonah learns the truth from the mysterious Jabril Muraz about the new Tag Law that his uncle, Sir Thomas Oliver, and the government want to implement. Jabril is not the terrorist he's been labeled as, but Jonah must decide if he believes him and his wild tales of mass extinction. During that short trip to the moon, Jonah meets the love of his life, Marika. These two events juxtapositioned against each other show the harsh realities of their world, but also that there is room for love in these trying times. Marika is a complex character who finds herself pulled in two different directions - her loyalty to Sharon Cochran and her UNPOL job versus her growing love for Jonah. She is going to be forced by events to make the difficult decision which direction she wants her life to go in.
The cast of supporting characters of Sharon, Marika, Marty, and Maloo are rich and add to the enjoyment of this story. The descriptions of the locations are well done and you can easily imagine yourself living in this new world.
I do have a few slight criticisms. First, I found the switching between third-person and first-person for the Jonah specific chapters to be jarring. It took me awhile to get used to that. Also a few of Jonah's shopping trips were a bit boring and did nothing to move the plot forward. I kept expecting something to happen during these scenes, but I understand that the author was just trying to describe life in this future world.
This is a fast-paced thriller with many surprises along the way. I found myself unable to put my Kindle down as I got near the end. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like sci-fi, action adventure and thrillers. It is extremely well-written and impressive debut.
January 23, 2011
Over the past year, I've started to really dig dystopian science fiction. Futuristic mayhem and out of control politics makes for good ride. BUT only if it's done well. And Mr. Royle can weave a story very well indeed.
The book is nothing to sneeze at, as far as length. I was a bit intimidated and was wondering if the author would be able to keep my attention the whole time. I will admit that I think part of it was a little overwritten but now that I see this is part of a series, I can understand the author may be setting up for the next book, which I'm looking forward to immensely.
The story is really well done. VERY well done, this could easily be a mainstream story at the local grocery store line. It reads very smoothly and the descriptions are top notch; I was totally there with the characters, I was rooting for the good guys and angry about having the Tag Law forced upon me, gosh darn it! I really did enjoy the descriptions and the world that the author created for us, it felt realistic. The dialogue didn't feel forced and the narrative was smooth.
I didn't see a single grammatical error. Whether that is because there weren't any or because I was absorbed in the story, I'm not sure.
I'm interested to see where the author takes us now... I'm not sure where it could possibly go, but I also see that as a hallmark of a good book in a series. It's a story in and of itself. Even if I don't read the 2nd the book, I feel like I got a total storyline. Awesome.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy books written about futuristic societies. There's a lot of information about how the world works in this world and it transports you there.
While I did take away one star because of the overwritten sections (again, this could be setting up the 2nd book), I'm still making this part of my "must read" books for this year.
The book is nothing to sneeze at, as far as length. I was a bit intimidated and was wondering if the author would be able to keep my attention the whole time. I will admit that I think part of it was a little overwritten but now that I see this is part of a series, I can understand the author may be setting up for the next book, which I'm looking forward to immensely.
The story is really well done. VERY well done, this could easily be a mainstream story at the local grocery store line. It reads very smoothly and the descriptions are top notch; I was totally there with the characters, I was rooting for the good guys and angry about having the Tag Law forced upon me, gosh darn it! I really did enjoy the descriptions and the world that the author created for us, it felt realistic. The dialogue didn't feel forced and the narrative was smooth.
I didn't see a single grammatical error. Whether that is because there weren't any or because I was absorbed in the story, I'm not sure.
I'm interested to see where the author takes us now... I'm not sure where it could possibly go, but I also see that as a hallmark of a good book in a series. It's a story in and of itself. Even if I don't read the 2nd the book, I feel like I got a total storyline. Awesome.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy books written about futuristic societies. There's a lot of information about how the world works in this world and it transports you there.
While I did take away one star because of the overwritten sections (again, this could be setting up the 2nd book), I'm still making this part of my "must read" books for this year.
December 9, 2014
In the TAG universe everyone is monitored via a device called a dev stick which monitors a person���s every move. When Jonah, an arbitrator, is called to interrogate a prisoner, he discovers a disturbing plot to wipe out two-thirds of all humans, and knows he must stop it. But can he save the majority of the population, when his own life is being de-constructed around him.
TAG is set 100 years in the future, with a very detailed and believable universe. Rather than recreating everything from scratch, the author has allowed a natural evolution of technology and behaviour which gives the book a very realistic feel, and as such it is not a ���strong��� sci-fi, which is great for readers like me who like sci-fi elements rather than full on, hardcore science-fiction. The plot its self is more of a thriller than a sci-fi and has a very Orwellian theme running throughout. Whilst fully formed, the plot takes a while to get going, particularly with the wordy writing style and the author���s focus on the intricate details of the character���s life, and the true suspense does not kick in to near the end of the book. It is however, an enjoyable read and the characterisation is, like the universe, very believable.
The book was let down by the addition of some very explicit sex scenes which did not contribute to characterisation nor the plot. I���m not a prude, but do not like to see sex included just for the sake of sex, which I believe is the case in this novel. It is definitely not a book for minors.
To conclude, a perfectly formed and well-thought out universe is presented in this novel and provides the backdrop for a believable and entertaining thriller. The book is affected by a slow pace in the first half and the inclusion of unnecessarily explicit sex.
TAG is set 100 years in the future, with a very detailed and believable universe. Rather than recreating everything from scratch, the author has allowed a natural evolution of technology and behaviour which gives the book a very realistic feel, and as such it is not a ���strong��� sci-fi, which is great for readers like me who like sci-fi elements rather than full on, hardcore science-fiction. The plot its self is more of a thriller than a sci-fi and has a very Orwellian theme running throughout. Whilst fully formed, the plot takes a while to get going, particularly with the wordy writing style and the author���s focus on the intricate details of the character���s life, and the true suspense does not kick in to near the end of the book. It is however, an enjoyable read and the characterisation is, like the universe, very believable.
The book was let down by the addition of some very explicit sex scenes which did not contribute to characterisation nor the plot. I���m not a prude, but do not like to see sex included just for the sake of sex, which I believe is the case in this novel. It is definitely not a book for minors.
To conclude, a perfectly formed and well-thought out universe is presented in this novel and provides the backdrop for a believable and entertaining thriller. The book is affected by a slow pace in the first half and the inclusion of unnecessarily explicit sex.
December 28, 2010
In what will be my penultimate book review for 2010 I cast my beady eye on a new independent novel by Simon Royle called TAG –a futuristic scientific thriller set in the 22nd century.
Now as many of you will know from the earlier reviews, Science Fiction and futuristic thrillers (whatever genre they may be) are not my forte! I’m not sure why I’ve never been drawn to that type of story but I do like to step outside my comfort zone once in a while. I think it’s important as a reviewer to give everything a fair go whether you like a particular genre or not – you never know what you’ll find!
If I had stuck with what I know best then I would certainly have missed out on Murder at Mansfield Park – another independent novel set in the regency period – incidentally “The Park” made it to my top 15 books of 2010! I digress!
When Simon contacted me asking if I reviewed independent books I answered in the affirmative but always subject to my schedule for major publishing releases. He sent me a copy of TAG and although I mentioned it wasn’t something I would normally read I promised to make time for the book – and boy am I glad I did!
This futuristic novel surprised me! I thoroughly enjoyed it, loved the easy paced style, the modern play on words and the fact they still use yards as a measurement on a golf course in 2109!
The 15th of March is an important day in our history. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in 44BC, a revolution breaks out in Hungary, the first internet domain is registered and if certain forces have their way 6.3 billion people will die with the introduction of a TAG – 15th of March could be catastrophic if the Hawks have their way.
Full Review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/28...
Now as many of you will know from the earlier reviews, Science Fiction and futuristic thrillers (whatever genre they may be) are not my forte! I’m not sure why I’ve never been drawn to that type of story but I do like to step outside my comfort zone once in a while. I think it’s important as a reviewer to give everything a fair go whether you like a particular genre or not – you never know what you’ll find!
If I had stuck with what I know best then I would certainly have missed out on Murder at Mansfield Park – another independent novel set in the regency period – incidentally “The Park” made it to my top 15 books of 2010! I digress!
When Simon contacted me asking if I reviewed independent books I answered in the affirmative but always subject to my schedule for major publishing releases. He sent me a copy of TAG and although I mentioned it wasn’t something I would normally read I promised to make time for the book – and boy am I glad I did!
This futuristic novel surprised me! I thoroughly enjoyed it, loved the easy paced style, the modern play on words and the fact they still use yards as a measurement on a golf course in 2109!
The 15th of March is an important day in our history. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in 44BC, a revolution breaks out in Hungary, the first internet domain is registered and if certain forces have their way 6.3 billion people will die with the introduction of a TAG – 15th of March could be catastrophic if the Hawks have their way.
Full Review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/28...
December 19, 2010
“Having nothing to hide from each other is the first step to having nothing to fear from each other” – Tag
Imagine a future where privacy is almost non-existent. A future where even your thoughts aren’t safe. It’s the year 2109 and every citizen is required by law “to carry upon their person an electronic device containing the means to broadcast their Personal Unique Identifier (PUI), and authorizes the monitoring of the identity, location, movements and actions of any citizen, without prior cause warranting such monitoring, by satellite or any other means…” But then a new “tag law” is proposed, one where the only difference between it and the old law is that the PUI is to be embedded in the arm.
In a race against time, UNPOL (United Nation Police) arbitrator Jonah Oliver is on a mission to save the lives of 6.3 billion people.
This fast-paced technothriller paints a scenario so plausible, it’s actually quite terrifying. Though action-packed, the relationship between Jonah and Mariko adds quieter moments and balance to this big, multi-dimensional story. The sense of place and time is vivid, yet there are no wasted words.
Tag has an excellent plot that would translate well to the big screen.
An impressive debut. Highly recommended.
February 18, 2013
At first, this didn't really seem like the kind of book I usually like to read. But I seem to really like "future" fiction lately, so I thought I would give it a shot. Turned out to be a really good book. I liked the characters, and I found the plot to be interesting. And of course, who doesn't love a good book about the government trying to knock off a few billion people? All in all, very good story, well written, and I look forward to more from this author!
April 9, 2017
Tag had an engaging story. I found the personal details of the characters' lives more interesting than the overall end-of-the-world plot, which got resolved much too easily, and offscreen, to boot. The world-building was good enough, with mostly understandable language changes. Though I learned the metric system while in Thailand, I haven't retained the formula for making centrigrade into fahrenheit, so I never knew what the frakking temperature was.
The book could use another pass by a good editor (though since the copyright on my copy is 2010, it may already have happened). There are missing words and extraneous words all over the place, as well as sentence fragments, which drove me crazy until I started to tune them out.
Nonetheless, the story trumped the inadequacies, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The bit of the next book included functioned more as an epilogue, and with that, I'm satisfied with the story as it ended. If the author ever writes a sequel, I'll certainly give it a try.
The book could use another pass by a good editor (though since the copyright on my copy is 2010, it may already have happened). There are missing words and extraneous words all over the place, as well as sentence fragments, which drove me crazy until I started to tune them out.
Nonetheless, the story trumped the inadequacies, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The bit of the next book included functioned more as an epilogue, and with that, I'm satisfied with the story as it ended. If the author ever writes a sequel, I'll certainly give it a try.
April 28, 2011
Tag is an interesting, exciting, and altogether refreshing take on the near-future, Utopian sci-fi thriller. Simon does a wonderful job of exploring both the technology and social constructs that allow for the illusion of a utopia, but also demonstrates a deep understanding of the humanity that so often undermines the Utopian ideal.
The first thing that struck me about the novel was its geographical and cultural focus. This is a story that’s set entirely in Southeast Asia and Australia, with only passing references to places like North America and Europe that usually dominate the genre. There isn’t a significant amount of contemporary culture to be explored, due to the nature of our Utopian future, but there is distinctly ‘foreign’ flavour to people and places that I found very attractive.
As for the technology, Simon smartly avoids the temptation to automate the world. The technological advances he introduces are quite wondrous to behold, but they’re also very subtle, being natural extensions of the technology of today. The Devstick is a perfect example, a pocket-sized device that finally accomplishes what every manufacturer is aiming for – the complete integration of all our mobile devices. Living arrangements are a little more advanced, and transportation has certainly changed (trips to the moon are as accessible as a flight across the country), but they’re a clear evolution of our adaptation to environmental restrictions, rather than a frivolous attempt to wow us with technology.
To return to the theme of utopia for a moment, Simon’s future requires a few leaps of faith (I’m not sure, as a race, we could ever agree to some of the compromises he places ahead of us), but it’s an attractive place to live. Governed as a homogeneous whole by the United Nations, the world has become a socialist (almost communist) society, free of the racial, geographic, and religious conflicts that have plagued the past. Unfortunately, any utopia is only as strong as its worst member, and there are forces looking to take advantage of our global complacency.
The ‘tag’ of the title is hardly a new idea – surgically imprinting humanity with a chip that broadcasts our identities, and allows for government oversight – but the way in which it is presented, and the ease with which the world is sold on the concept, is very disturbing. The secret flaw behind the tag is even more frightening, but I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. Suffice to say, this is a book that works well as both a science fiction adventure and a political thriller, a combination that isn’t as easy to manipulate as you might suspect. The characters are very well-rounded and likable, so much so that I spent much of the book wondering if the villain was really the villain we’d been led to expect, and whether the revolutionary hero didn’t, in fact, have ulterior motives. Simon engages us, and ties us to the characters, but also distances us enough from the action to keep us guessing.
Finally, although it’s not a significant aspect of the novel, I must say I thoroughly appreciated the portrayal of sexuality. Sexuality has been stripped of its taboos, leading to a society that may be a little too open and promiscuous for some, but which is very accommodating. One of the more significant supporting characters is a transgendered woman who lives and loves as if she were never anything but female, never having to worry about being discriminated against or beaten for her gender. In fact, the fact that she's transsexual is dealt with so casually, you could literally blink and miss it. Similarly, one of the primary characters is involved in a long-term lesbian relationship that isn't presented as being any different from any of the other character’s straight relationships. There is an S&M aspect to the relationship that had me concerned, but there's a justification for it, and a development of the character's motivations that ultimately redeems it.
Definitely an enjoyable read, and one that I would highly recommend.
The first thing that struck me about the novel was its geographical and cultural focus. This is a story that’s set entirely in Southeast Asia and Australia, with only passing references to places like North America and Europe that usually dominate the genre. There isn’t a significant amount of contemporary culture to be explored, due to the nature of our Utopian future, but there is distinctly ‘foreign’ flavour to people and places that I found very attractive.
As for the technology, Simon smartly avoids the temptation to automate the world. The technological advances he introduces are quite wondrous to behold, but they’re also very subtle, being natural extensions of the technology of today. The Devstick is a perfect example, a pocket-sized device that finally accomplishes what every manufacturer is aiming for – the complete integration of all our mobile devices. Living arrangements are a little more advanced, and transportation has certainly changed (trips to the moon are as accessible as a flight across the country), but they’re a clear evolution of our adaptation to environmental restrictions, rather than a frivolous attempt to wow us with technology.
To return to the theme of utopia for a moment, Simon’s future requires a few leaps of faith (I’m not sure, as a race, we could ever agree to some of the compromises he places ahead of us), but it’s an attractive place to live. Governed as a homogeneous whole by the United Nations, the world has become a socialist (almost communist) society, free of the racial, geographic, and religious conflicts that have plagued the past. Unfortunately, any utopia is only as strong as its worst member, and there are forces looking to take advantage of our global complacency.
The ‘tag’ of the title is hardly a new idea – surgically imprinting humanity with a chip that broadcasts our identities, and allows for government oversight – but the way in which it is presented, and the ease with which the world is sold on the concept, is very disturbing. The secret flaw behind the tag is even more frightening, but I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. Suffice to say, this is a book that works well as both a science fiction adventure and a political thriller, a combination that isn’t as easy to manipulate as you might suspect. The characters are very well-rounded and likable, so much so that I spent much of the book wondering if the villain was really the villain we’d been led to expect, and whether the revolutionary hero didn’t, in fact, have ulterior motives. Simon engages us, and ties us to the characters, but also distances us enough from the action to keep us guessing.
Finally, although it’s not a significant aspect of the novel, I must say I thoroughly appreciated the portrayal of sexuality. Sexuality has been stripped of its taboos, leading to a society that may be a little too open and promiscuous for some, but which is very accommodating. One of the more significant supporting characters is a transgendered woman who lives and loves as if she were never anything but female, never having to worry about being discriminated against or beaten for her gender. In fact, the fact that she's transsexual is dealt with so casually, you could literally blink and miss it. Similarly, one of the primary characters is involved in a long-term lesbian relationship that isn't presented as being any different from any of the other character’s straight relationships. There is an S&M aspect to the relationship that had me concerned, but there's a justification for it, and a development of the character's motivations that ultimately redeems it.
Definitely an enjoyable read, and one that I would highly recommend.
December 13, 2010
Life is irrevocably changed for Arbitrator Jonah Oliver the day he's called in to work with a mysterious runner, Jibril Muraz, who seems to have no past, and an amazing ability to avoid the potency of the truth treatment. Jonah is not sure why this strange and alien being is asking specifically for Jonah's services, and things become even less clear when a telepathic message is received directly from Jibril that hints at secrets and betrayal. With little explanation, and much confusion, Jonah is thrown into a race against the clock to stop a terrible plot designed to eliminate two-thirds of the population. All the odds are stacked against him, and he soon finds that his past is not what he thought it was, and his future is even more uncertain.
In his first novel, Simon Royle has managed to create a riveting thriller that kept me up much past my bedtime. From the first chapter, I was engaged and eager to discover the secrets of Jonah's life as they unfolded. The book is set a century in the future, and the world looks much as we may expect; it is different, but somehow exactly the same. In line with the human tendency to shorten words of common objects (think net for internet, phone for telephone, TV for television), some of the important terms of this century include, amongst other terms, dev (device), trav (travel), and cred (credit- monetary units earned by "contributions"). Although common travel has extended to the moon and the world is now united, at least in theory, the people and the experiences are recognizable and definitely feasible. The idea of "tagging" humans with their identity numbers is perhaps not even as far in the future as the timeline chosen for this book. This fictional reality is extremely realistic, and the implications of such a future really demand to be considered.
The characters in this book were interesting and decently developed for a thriller. I may have enjoyed some additional development when it came to some of the relationships, particularly between Jonah and Mariko, to really understand their connections. In a fast-paced storyline like this, however, it really is more secondary to the action, and the action was well done. The writing style was very engaging and readable. I really didn't find myself rewriting any passages in my head, and that's always a good thing! The plot was well-paced, and it really compelled me to read the whole way through, especially as I began the last half of the book. The book switches from first person (when Jonah is present) to third person (when we're with everyone else), and it made me do a quick double take once in a while, but that is probably my fault, as I have a tendency not to read chapter headings, and that is where the time, place, and characters were clearly spelled out.
I really enjoyed this thrill ride, and had only a few piddly issues. One was that there were fewer commas in this book than I am used to. It may be attributable to writing style, but commas around clauses and the names of those addressed in speech really help me to interpret the prose appropriately. The author definitely included commas, and those used were certainly used appropriately, but I felt there were some missing. It didn't create any real issues with readability, but as I "read" in my head, it didn't force me to pause in places I normally would have paused. Additionally, as I read this book, I kept waiting for the twist that changed a good guy to a bad guy, or some major event that really turned the tables on what I thought and made me gasp "oh my gosh!" That moment never came. It wasn't necessary for a successful story, it just has the effect of adding to the suspense and excitement of a storyline such as this.
4.5 /5 stars @ MotherLode blog
In his first novel, Simon Royle has managed to create a riveting thriller that kept me up much past my bedtime. From the first chapter, I was engaged and eager to discover the secrets of Jonah's life as they unfolded. The book is set a century in the future, and the world looks much as we may expect; it is different, but somehow exactly the same. In line with the human tendency to shorten words of common objects (think net for internet, phone for telephone, TV for television), some of the important terms of this century include, amongst other terms, dev (device), trav (travel), and cred (credit- monetary units earned by "contributions"). Although common travel has extended to the moon and the world is now united, at least in theory, the people and the experiences are recognizable and definitely feasible. The idea of "tagging" humans with their identity numbers is perhaps not even as far in the future as the timeline chosen for this book. This fictional reality is extremely realistic, and the implications of such a future really demand to be considered.
The characters in this book were interesting and decently developed for a thriller. I may have enjoyed some additional development when it came to some of the relationships, particularly between Jonah and Mariko, to really understand their connections. In a fast-paced storyline like this, however, it really is more secondary to the action, and the action was well done. The writing style was very engaging and readable. I really didn't find myself rewriting any passages in my head, and that's always a good thing! The plot was well-paced, and it really compelled me to read the whole way through, especially as I began the last half of the book. The book switches from first person (when Jonah is present) to third person (when we're with everyone else), and it made me do a quick double take once in a while, but that is probably my fault, as I have a tendency not to read chapter headings, and that is where the time, place, and characters were clearly spelled out.
I really enjoyed this thrill ride, and had only a few piddly issues. One was that there were fewer commas in this book than I am used to. It may be attributable to writing style, but commas around clauses and the names of those addressed in speech really help me to interpret the prose appropriately. The author definitely included commas, and those used were certainly used appropriately, but I felt there were some missing. It didn't create any real issues with readability, but as I "read" in my head, it didn't force me to pause in places I normally would have paused. Additionally, as I read this book, I kept waiting for the twist that changed a good guy to a bad guy, or some major event that really turned the tables on what I thought and made me gasp "oh my gosh!" That moment never came. It wasn't necessary for a successful story, it just has the effect of adding to the suspense and excitement of a storyline such as this.
4.5 /5 stars @ MotherLode blog
January 19, 2011
In 'Tag' Simon Royle has created the most fascinating and detailed 'future world'. Against this backdrop he plays out an entertaining thriller with appealing characters. And it's all written in a fluid and approachable style that keeps the pages turning.
The story is set exactly 100 years in the future. Things are both different, yet strangely familiar. Public transport has finally improved, and you can get from London to Paris by tube in 15 minutes ... or stay on board for a few more stops and hop the Atlantic. Popping to the Moon for a weekend at a luxury spa is only a little more involved.
Money has gone, to be replaced by a worldwide system called 'cred', and nation states have gone, following the Third World War, to be replaced by a 'United Nation' solution governed by UNPOL (successor to INTERPOL). The populace controls its destiny by means of Popvotes (think X-Factor for politics). Oh yes, and some people have developed a rudimentary telepathic ability.
Yet people still eat croissants, put beers in the cooler and go to the beach, and generally carry on in a very human way.
One downside to this Utopia: everyone has to carry their personal ID in a device called a 'Dev' which is a bit like an iPhone version 200.0. And from this fact the trouble starts.
The story centres on Jonah, who 'contributes' as a public arbitrator (like a lawyer, but nicer). He gets caught up in a high level conspiracy which threatens much of the world's population. Along the way he meets a nice girl and they team up, determined to defeat the baddies and save the planet. (Perhaps I should say 'solar system', because the Moon and Mars are populated too). Do they succeed, or die trying? Not telling.
This is highly imaginative and entertaining stuff. The story moves at a relaxed but insistent pace, taking time to etch in the details of daily life so you feel like you are really there.
Watch out, parents. There are several unanticipated and quite graphic sex scenes. They did not add anything as far as I was concerned, but give the book a definite 18 rating. A pity, (and it made me dock one star) as without these (or if they were seriously toned down) the story would appeal to, and be suitable for, everyone from younger teens upwards.
With that proviso, this is an enjoyable read for anyone, including people like me who are not sci-fi genre fans. I finished it wanting more. Excellent. I'm ready for the sequel any time!
The story is set exactly 100 years in the future. Things are both different, yet strangely familiar. Public transport has finally improved, and you can get from London to Paris by tube in 15 minutes ... or stay on board for a few more stops and hop the Atlantic. Popping to the Moon for a weekend at a luxury spa is only a little more involved.
Money has gone, to be replaced by a worldwide system called 'cred', and nation states have gone, following the Third World War, to be replaced by a 'United Nation' solution governed by UNPOL (successor to INTERPOL). The populace controls its destiny by means of Popvotes (think X-Factor for politics). Oh yes, and some people have developed a rudimentary telepathic ability.
Yet people still eat croissants, put beers in the cooler and go to the beach, and generally carry on in a very human way.
One downside to this Utopia: everyone has to carry their personal ID in a device called a 'Dev' which is a bit like an iPhone version 200.0. And from this fact the trouble starts.
The story centres on Jonah, who 'contributes' as a public arbitrator (like a lawyer, but nicer). He gets caught up in a high level conspiracy which threatens much of the world's population. Along the way he meets a nice girl and they team up, determined to defeat the baddies and save the planet. (Perhaps I should say 'solar system', because the Moon and Mars are populated too). Do they succeed, or die trying? Not telling.
This is highly imaginative and entertaining stuff. The story moves at a relaxed but insistent pace, taking time to etch in the details of daily life so you feel like you are really there.
Watch out, parents. There are several unanticipated and quite graphic sex scenes. They did not add anything as far as I was concerned, but give the book a definite 18 rating. A pity, (and it made me dock one star) as without these (or if they were seriously toned down) the story would appeal to, and be suitable for, everyone from younger teens upwards.
With that proviso, this is an enjoyable read for anyone, including people like me who are not sci-fi genre fans. I finished it wanting more. Excellent. I'm ready for the sequel any time!
October 7, 2020
I wanted to like this book. The premise is great and alot of the ideas are great, but there were some problems that are just hard for me to reconcile. First, in an effort to predict the future, the author creates new terms for common things just to continually remind us that we are in the future now. "Alcoholic drinks" are now "alkys", for example. That's fine. But "walkways" are "walkys"? Seriously? Computers of any kind are "devs", which is ok, but smart phones are now "dev sticks"? That's weird. But that alone is not enough to deserve the 3 stars. My problem is with how very easily the characters accept a complete upheaval of their reality. The book starts with the main character discovering that a most wanted criminal -- terrorist, even -- is actually his long, lost brother and he basically just shrugs his shoulders and says, "yeah, that sounds about right. I should now change my allegiance and follow him!" The brother later wipes his memory to avoid getting caught. 10 minutes later he "accidentally" runs into a drop-dead gorgeous woman at a hotel swimming pool and they decide to travel back home together (they live in the same city? No way!). She turns out to be an FBI-like spy/cop sent to check up on his activities and wouldn't you know it, they fall madly in love and are moving in together within 2 weeks of meeting eachother. Within 24 hours, she admits all this and he, again, shrugs his shoulders and says, "that's fine!" and then HE remembers everything and tells her his whole life story, and she says, "oh, ok! Well then I'll switch sides, too"! Reminds me of Ryan George's "super easy, barely an inconvenience!". It's like all the characters are on Xanax. (I think all my descriptions are just vague enough to not be considered spoilers, but sorry if they are). Oh, and the bizarro cherry on top is the completely out-of-place sex scene in the middle of the book. I'm not completely upset that I read the book, but I'm not sure I'll be seeking out anymore Royle books.
June 7, 2011
I learned of this author through an indie author group. I read his introduction and brief description of his book in their forum and being a sci-fi/fantasy lover, the plot of our world 100 years from now on the verge of genocide intrigued me. I purchased a copy and have never regretted the decision. This is an excellent sci-fi/political thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seats though out the story.
Visualize a world in our not to distance future having been shaped by turmoil and destruction where we are now one people, one world. A world where everyone's identity, information and wealth is carried in a personal communicator. Where travel between countries is fast & easy. A place where everyone contributes to the betterment of society. A world at peace, or is it.
The story revolves around an arbitrator named Jonah Oliver, called in to interrogate a mysterious prisoner named Jibril Muraz. In the blink of an eye, Jonah's world is shattered and replaced by a terrifying reality culminating to the knowledge that most of the world's population will die on 3/15/2110 From there, the story explodes into a fast paced thriller with believable technologies and more than enough twists and turns to keep us glued to our seats. The author did an excellent job making the future technology portrayed in the story both feasible and believable.
My only complaint about the book and it minor, is that I would have liked to see the relationships between players defined a bit more. In some cases the exposure of a relationship seemed more like a flashback to an event in someones ind rather than a current affair. Again though, this is just a minor point, the swiftly moving constantly shifting plot more than compensates. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I give Tag 5 stars A job well done Mr Royle!
Visualize a world in our not to distance future having been shaped by turmoil and destruction where we are now one people, one world. A world where everyone's identity, information and wealth is carried in a personal communicator. Where travel between countries is fast & easy. A place where everyone contributes to the betterment of society. A world at peace, or is it.
The story revolves around an arbitrator named Jonah Oliver, called in to interrogate a mysterious prisoner named Jibril Muraz. In the blink of an eye, Jonah's world is shattered and replaced by a terrifying reality culminating to the knowledge that most of the world's population will die on 3/15/2110 From there, the story explodes into a fast paced thriller with believable technologies and more than enough twists and turns to keep us glued to our seats. The author did an excellent job making the future technology portrayed in the story both feasible and believable.
My only complaint about the book and it minor, is that I would have liked to see the relationships between players defined a bit more. In some cases the exposure of a relationship seemed more like a flashback to an event in someones ind rather than a current affair. Again though, this is just a minor point, the swiftly moving constantly shifting plot more than compensates. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I give Tag 5 stars A job well done Mr Royle!
February 1, 2015
TAG is a plausible futuristic thriller that had everything I needed and more to give it a good review.
Starting with the plot itself, TAG presents the reader with a view of the not-to-distant future where technology and society have advanced enough (after a particularly nasty world war) that Earth - and the Moon - have become one nation...with gadgets. It was not difficult at all for me to suspend my disbelief with this setting as it's a future I can easily imagine coming to pass.
I found the future setting to be vividly painted through implication. I was not lectured on what this future was in detail, I was taken on ride through this future by way of a plot which I think is the only way to travel.
I was impressed that the author had taken the trouble to imbue even the language with the impacts of technological evolution. To me, this gave the story more credibility.
The characters of TAG are all worth the read. Even secondary characters are intriguing - such as agent Sharon Cochran. The relationships between the various characters were very satisfying even if a little hyper-charged.
I would not call the action heart-stopping in its pace, but I can say that the plot with all its intrigues was fascinating. I found myself thinking about the plot and the characters outside of reading the book which is a pretty good sign that the story has struck a chord with me.
There are apparently more books on the way for this future Earth that Simon Royle has created and I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on them.
Starting with the plot itself, TAG presents the reader with a view of the not-to-distant future where technology and society have advanced enough (after a particularly nasty world war) that Earth - and the Moon - have become one nation...with gadgets. It was not difficult at all for me to suspend my disbelief with this setting as it's a future I can easily imagine coming to pass.
I found the future setting to be vividly painted through implication. I was not lectured on what this future was in detail, I was taken on ride through this future by way of a plot which I think is the only way to travel.
I was impressed that the author had taken the trouble to imbue even the language with the impacts of technological evolution. To me, this gave the story more credibility.
The characters of TAG are all worth the read. Even secondary characters are intriguing - such as agent Sharon Cochran. The relationships between the various characters were very satisfying even if a little hyper-charged.
I would not call the action heart-stopping in its pace, but I can say that the plot with all its intrigues was fascinating. I found myself thinking about the plot and the characters outside of reading the book which is a pretty good sign that the story has struck a chord with me.
There are apparently more books on the way for this future Earth that Simon Royle has created and I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on them.
August 28, 2012
TAG is a great story and details a very immersive world. The plot went from thin to thick and deep really quickly and kept getting deeper as the story went one. So much is happening at a lot of points in the book that you don't know who is on what side and who you are rooting for as the hero. There was even a love story mixed in that helped push the plot along instead of boring someone like me who is not into reading romance. The way the characters are interact and relate made this a page turner.
The only real negative that I had with the book was the way that everything was over described. The short forms that the author believes we will be talking in were severely overused for my taste and kept drawing me out of the story. I didn't count, but listing heights in 'cents' (of course short for centimetres) was the worst of the offenders of this and I almost put the book down a couple times because of it. Other descriptive terms were used so much that they made me shake my head in distaste. If it wasn't for the great story and plot I would have been slowed to halt by those speed bumps.
Cover to cover, TAG is a good read for those that like a little science fiction mixed with conspiracy stories. If something like the Illuminati interests you, this is a must read. The first chapter of the next book was included at the end, and I am anxiously waiting for that one to hit the market...
The only real negative that I had with the book was the way that everything was over described. The short forms that the author believes we will be talking in were severely overused for my taste and kept drawing me out of the story. I didn't count, but listing heights in 'cents' (of course short for centimetres) was the worst of the offenders of this and I almost put the book down a couple times because of it. Other descriptive terms were used so much that they made me shake my head in distaste. If it wasn't for the great story and plot I would have been slowed to halt by those speed bumps.
Cover to cover, TAG is a good read for those that like a little science fiction mixed with conspiracy stories. If something like the Illuminati interests you, this is a must read. The first chapter of the next book was included at the end, and I am anxiously waiting for that one to hit the market...
December 7, 2012
I liked this. It's a solid sci-fi thriller with some good characters and an interesting world. I particularly liked his idea of work as "contributions". That's a nice way to think of society.
The only real issue I had with it is that the setting, 100 years or so in the future, feels too far out. I'd envisage that world being possible within maybe 20 or 30 years, 50 at the most. The technology is pretty close to what we have now in many cases, notably the portable computers. When you look at the extent to which tech has changed in just the last 10 years, his futuristic devices don't seem nearly advanced enough. I also don't see modern commercial brands like HarperCollins surviving another 100 years; they'll be taken over or renamed.
I also found the split POV a bit irritating at times. Most of the book is told in first person, but then there are cutaways to what other people are doing, and they're told in third person. It makes sense, and it's not hard to read, but I prefer a book to be entirely first or entirely third person.
However, those niggles aside, I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to.
The only real issue I had with it is that the setting, 100 years or so in the future, feels too far out. I'd envisage that world being possible within maybe 20 or 30 years, 50 at the most. The technology is pretty close to what we have now in many cases, notably the portable computers. When you look at the extent to which tech has changed in just the last 10 years, his futuristic devices don't seem nearly advanced enough. I also don't see modern commercial brands like HarperCollins surviving another 100 years; they'll be taken over or renamed.
I also found the split POV a bit irritating at times. Most of the book is told in first person, but then there are cutaways to what other people are doing, and they're told in third person. It makes sense, and it's not hard to read, but I prefer a book to be entirely first or entirely third person.
However, those niggles aside, I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to.
September 5, 2012
What if todays smartphones get even smarter, more powerful, more integrated and much, much smaller? What if the government did track you by your smartphone? What if it could be implanted in your arm? What if it contained a powerful neurotoxin? Yeah, be afraid, be very afraid. Now you have 4 months to save 6.3 billion people.
Set in the not so distant future, a nuclear world war has changed the political landscape, and the UN has now turned into a World Government, and running the Global Police force as well (UNPOL). They catch someone who is involved with smuggling undocumented people, and he demands to talk to our hero the protagonist. And life is never the same again. It turns into a game of hide and seek, finding out who can be trusted and who cannot, who is tracking who, and who is really pulling the strings. And some people are not who they (or we) think they are.
So now, all we can do is wait for the sequel...
Did I mention a trip to the moon? Yeah, we're taking a trip to a spa on the moon. Or, are we?
Set in the not so distant future, a nuclear world war has changed the political landscape, and the UN has now turned into a World Government, and running the Global Police force as well (UNPOL). They catch someone who is involved with smuggling undocumented people, and he demands to talk to our hero the protagonist. And life is never the same again. It turns into a game of hide and seek, finding out who can be trusted and who cannot, who is tracking who, and who is really pulling the strings. And some people are not who they (or we) think they are.
So now, all we can do is wait for the sequel...
Did I mention a trip to the moon? Yeah, we're taking a trip to a spa on the moon. Or, are we?
August 27, 2016
I have to say that when I read what the book was about, I expected a completely different story. I can happily say that, even though it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, it's a damn good read!
You hear talk here and there about the government possibly wanting to inject people with "information" capsules. Of course, they spin it in a way that it's all for the good of the people but I am completely against it. Mr. Royle takes that seed and jacks it up to another level.
The writing is good and it kept me entertained and turning pages, which is what a good book should do!
If I had any complaint at all, it would be that because it takes place in the future, there are devices and vehicles that are called different things than what we know them as. I don't think that Mr. Royle explains enough so that you get an idea of what it looks like in your mind. For me, it didn't really detract from the story.
I would definitely recommend this book and may just check out some of Mr. Royle's other books!
You hear talk here and there about the government possibly wanting to inject people with "information" capsules. Of course, they spin it in a way that it's all for the good of the people but I am completely against it. Mr. Royle takes that seed and jacks it up to another level.
The writing is good and it kept me entertained and turning pages, which is what a good book should do!
If I had any complaint at all, it would be that because it takes place in the future, there are devices and vehicles that are called different things than what we know them as. I don't think that Mr. Royle explains enough so that you get an idea of what it looks like in your mind. For me, it didn't really detract from the story.
I would definitely recommend this book and may just check out some of Mr. Royle's other books!
November 20, 2012
The plot developed well, and the characters were pretty well developed. The subversion was well done, and the descriptives of the future were good enought to see a world like this as entirely possible, and given modern politics, I'd even give it a fair chance of being likely. I really liked this book.
My only complaint is the epilogue. compared to the rest of the story, it felt a little weak. The scene, the setting, was nice and sweet, and you can kinda see "happily ever after" written between the lines, but after the subterfuge, the deceit, the evil that was to happen, just seemed like a "soft" epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Would like to find out how society deals with the changes and ramifications of the events in this book played out, at least an insight or something... but otherwise pretty good.
My only complaint is the epilogue. compared to the rest of the story, it felt a little weak. The scene, the setting, was nice and sweet, and you can kinda see "happily ever after" written between the lines, but after the subterfuge, the deceit, the evil that was to happen, just seemed like a "soft" epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Would like to find out how society deals with the changes and ramifications of the events in this book played out, at least an insight or something... but otherwise pretty good.
March 15, 2011
My 2 Cents:
Simon asked me to review his book Tag and what a surprise it was. I am not into future worlds much, but this book took me away and kept me glued till the last page. I didn't want to imagine a world with no privacy quite scary actually, but this thriller picks you up and takes you on a wild ride.
I liked the book for the fact of its fast pace and great characters. The relationship between Jonah and Marika was remarkable. It also made some of the crazy mess seem far away through their eyes at times.
The book was so well written you could actually imagine yourself there and going through some of the issues. This is a must read for anyone over 16 I would say maybe 18 with some of the scenes.
Simon asked me to review his book Tag and what a surprise it was. I am not into future worlds much, but this book took me away and kept me glued till the last page. I didn't want to imagine a world with no privacy quite scary actually, but this thriller picks you up and takes you on a wild ride.
I liked the book for the fact of its fast pace and great characters. The relationship between Jonah and Marika was remarkable. It also made some of the crazy mess seem far away through their eyes at times.
The book was so well written you could actually imagine yourself there and going through some of the issues. This is a must read for anyone over 16 I would say maybe 18 with some of the scenes.
April 25, 2013
I appear to be in middling ground regarding Mr. Royle's book. As others have noted before, the premise, the world and the events created are very compelling. These were written with reasonable skill with clearly-defined characters and a solid story line provided. Were the characters complex? No. Did the dialog and story line progress in a crisp and exciting manner leading to a fulfilling crescendo? No. There were times the characters were a bit wooden and the ending was definitely deflating. However, this novel was not a poorly executed good idea. It was a reasonably executed great idea (I could have lived without the whole gay/transgender thing). I anticipate that Mr. Royle will continue to hone his craft and I look forward to reading Bangkok Burn.
March 9, 2011
I found this SF thriller had all the ingredients of both genres - a brilliantly imagined future with fast-paced action and high stakes. Add great characters with realistic emotions into the mix and you have a truly gripping read.
July 19, 2013
I didn't like the author's writing style. The book was written so matter-of-factly and gave the smallest minute details that weren't necessary. However, I did enjoy his glimpse into possible future technologies for the planet.
April 20, 2012
Science fiction set in the near (100 years out) future. Good story, not too far fetched. Believable, fast paced, and pretty quick read. Will look for the follow up or other books by the author.
July 1, 2012
Good book. Scary concept of the future, but thee is always hope that some will do right...regardless of cost.
September 6, 2013
While I liked this book, it went just a tad overboard on the "hippie/new age" mentality. Other than that minor issue (mine, I guess), it was a good sci-fi thriller.
August 15, 2013
I enjoyed this Sci-fi thriller set in the future where privacy is almost non-existent. I found the characters to be well developed and the pace of the storyline to be good.
June 5, 2011
Sci-fi hasn't been one of my favoured genres in the past but I'm being open minded and the synopsis for Tag sounded great so I thought it was worth a look. Set 100 years from now, Jonah Oliver is called in to do some pro-bono work for UNPOL, formerly INTERPOL. He is an arbitrator and is asked to interrogate a prisoner who has requested him by name. That prisoner, Jibril Muraz, makes some astonishing revelations, showing up Jonah's life as a web of lies and pulling him into the battle to save the lives of 6.3 billion people.
The future isn't all that different from now , but the world has seen what seems to be a credible evolution of current technology. Unfortunately one of the biggest changes to technology has been the introduction of the dev stick, basically storing a person's identity and ripe for abuse by Big Brother types. I would describe Tag as futuristic rather than sci-fi, it seems like a worrying plausible future rather than anything too fanciful. There is plenty of new jargon (mostly quickly understandable) and nations no longer exist, replaced with various geographics on Earth, Mars and the Moon. The author has created an amazingly detailed future!
The Tag law is coming up for a Popvote, where everyone has to electronically cast their ballot. The Tag law extends the concept of the dev stick by having it implanted into the individual, further increasing the ability of the authorities to monitor their every activity. It's a scary prospect, and with the failure of the introduction of ID cards in the UK not so long ago it shows one possible future route we should all be trying to avoid.
I thought the plot was great. It was relevant and thought-provoking, and the cast of characters provided some interesting dynamics. I really like Jonah, who tells most of the story from his point of view, and Jibril who is a major figure in the movement against the Tag law. The pace accelerated towards the end, with a lot of tension created as the reader waited to find out if the cleansing of billions of people considered to be inferior could be prevented.
However Tag is quite a long book, and I found it a bit slow at the start. It took me a while to get into it and I think a tighter edit, removing some of the parts that were more tell than show, would have been good. Sometimes, with the descriptions of characters in particular, I like a bit of room to build my own picture of them and too many details stiffle that. There were also a few typos I noticed, although not so many that I found them distracting.
The concept is great and I almost felt like I could see the future. This book is a bit sci-fi and a bit crime thriller with a dash of romance, and with a bit of tweaking could be really very good indeed.
The future isn't all that different from now , but the world has seen what seems to be a credible evolution of current technology. Unfortunately one of the biggest changes to technology has been the introduction of the dev stick, basically storing a person's identity and ripe for abuse by Big Brother types. I would describe Tag as futuristic rather than sci-fi, it seems like a worrying plausible future rather than anything too fanciful. There is plenty of new jargon (mostly quickly understandable) and nations no longer exist, replaced with various geographics on Earth, Mars and the Moon. The author has created an amazingly detailed future!
The Tag law is coming up for a Popvote, where everyone has to electronically cast their ballot. The Tag law extends the concept of the dev stick by having it implanted into the individual, further increasing the ability of the authorities to monitor their every activity. It's a scary prospect, and with the failure of the introduction of ID cards in the UK not so long ago it shows one possible future route we should all be trying to avoid.
I thought the plot was great. It was relevant and thought-provoking, and the cast of characters provided some interesting dynamics. I really like Jonah, who tells most of the story from his point of view, and Jibril who is a major figure in the movement against the Tag law. The pace accelerated towards the end, with a lot of tension created as the reader waited to find out if the cleansing of billions of people considered to be inferior could be prevented.
However Tag is quite a long book, and I found it a bit slow at the start. It took me a while to get into it and I think a tighter edit, removing some of the parts that were more tell than show, would have been good. Sometimes, with the descriptions of characters in particular, I like a bit of room to build my own picture of them and too many details stiffle that. There were also a few typos I noticed, although not so many that I found them distracting.
The concept is great and I almost felt like I could see the future. This book is a bit sci-fi and a bit crime thriller with a dash of romance, and with a bit of tweaking could be really very good indeed.
June 2, 2011
TAG is a convincing conspiracy thriller set 100 years in the future. While the world is more connected and open than ever before, the higher echelons of power are dominated by a global elite. Unknown to the population, passing the Tag Law of 2110 would enable the elite to carry out mass murder and create a new world order.
It’s fast-paced as Jonah gets wrapped in the conspiracy and intrigue right from the beginning. The plot thickens throughout and the pace moves at a consistent speed.
TAG has exceptionally strong world-building. It gives a real sense of how a world government operates and the key events that led up to it. The settings are distinct and provide a lively sense of both the local and the global. New Singapore is a multi-leveled futuristic city of international offices and condos, while other locations have more traditional developments. People greet each other with the Thai wai instead of a handshake because of a previous global influenza outbreak. These details are wonderful and they make the setting even more believable.
The world-building extends to the book’s distinct terminology and punctuation style. Devices like computers, cameras, phones have all converged into one “dev”. News are “feeds”, currency is “creds”, and so on. The sparse use of punctuation can take some getting used to. (Example: “[t]he datafeed from earth showed that service was temporarily unavailable now that I had left the craft and was actually on the surface of the Moon.”) I had to reread a few sentences to make sure I understood the clauses properly, but overall, it further immersed me in the setting.
With such a grand conspiracy unfolding, there isn’t much room for character development. I felt indifferent towards Jonah and the other characters. However, the central antagonist is so repulsive and so well-characterized that I greatly anticipated seeing his plans get foiled. The tension between him and Jonah is well done, and it’s enjoyable to see Jonah develop the backbone to stand up and outmaneuver him.
Overall, TAG is a solid novel. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a science fiction thriller. The early chapters are indicative of the quality and pacing throughout the book, so if you like the sample, you’ll enjoy the rest too.
Note: a free review copy was provided by the author.
It’s fast-paced as Jonah gets wrapped in the conspiracy and intrigue right from the beginning. The plot thickens throughout and the pace moves at a consistent speed.
TAG has exceptionally strong world-building. It gives a real sense of how a world government operates and the key events that led up to it. The settings are distinct and provide a lively sense of both the local and the global. New Singapore is a multi-leveled futuristic city of international offices and condos, while other locations have more traditional developments. People greet each other with the Thai wai instead of a handshake because of a previous global influenza outbreak. These details are wonderful and they make the setting even more believable.
The world-building extends to the book’s distinct terminology and punctuation style. Devices like computers, cameras, phones have all converged into one “dev”. News are “feeds”, currency is “creds”, and so on. The sparse use of punctuation can take some getting used to. (Example: “[t]he datafeed from earth showed that service was temporarily unavailable now that I had left the craft and was actually on the surface of the Moon.”) I had to reread a few sentences to make sure I understood the clauses properly, but overall, it further immersed me in the setting.
With such a grand conspiracy unfolding, there isn’t much room for character development. I felt indifferent towards Jonah and the other characters. However, the central antagonist is so repulsive and so well-characterized that I greatly anticipated seeing his plans get foiled. The tension between him and Jonah is well done, and it’s enjoyable to see Jonah develop the backbone to stand up and outmaneuver him.
Overall, TAG is a solid novel. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a science fiction thriller. The early chapters are indicative of the quality and pacing throughout the book, so if you like the sample, you’ll enjoy the rest too.
Note: a free review copy was provided by the author.
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