Stu Jones

I really enjoyed this read and all the ideas incorporated into the build to make it new and fresh. The science in this thing was awesome without being overwhelming, though I wish the world and character building had been more in depth. That’s my biggest problem with this book, the characters are a little 2-dimensional. Likable, but not lovable and not really knowable. The author falls back on some common tropes to get us through the slower parts in the story and the dialogue in those parts seems formulaic and dull. When this thing is on, it’s really on. Cool villains, unlikely heroes, really neat world (we’re in a sub-zero Siberian type place that holds the last human population on earth—so cold they use air locks to stay alive). But when it’s off, I felt very frustrated as a reader, because it has so much potential for growth!

In all, I’d definitely recommend you give it a read. Just don't expect to be blown away.… (altro)

In the near future, only several cities remain as outposts in the United States. Neo-Terminus is one of the surviving cities. The multitudes of poor sustain themselves on gel nutrition and have water and electricity rationed while the rich live in luxury with all their needs taken care of. Everyone is plugged to their visors, providing constant technology and entertainment. Chance Griffin is an officer in Neo Terminus trying his best to keep the city safe and provide for his family; however, Kess, leader of Neo Terminus, has other plans for Chance. Kess wants Chance to be an Enforcer in The Zone, a paid gladiator sent to rescue people from The Zone in televised matches. Chance isn't an Enforcer for long before he discovers a sinister plot set up by the Founders taking place in The Zone in order to keep all of the citizens of Neo Terminus enslaved.

The Zone is a cyberpunk dystopian thriller. The first half of the book immerses the reader in the world of Neo Terminus including the grime and crime, the technology and the lack of resources as well as the people who now inhabit the area. Chance's character is also built up in the first half of the book along with his partner on the force, Benny, and his wife and child. Through Chance's work, we see his deep sense of justice and pain for how the world has evolved. At home, Chance struggles with not being able to provide for his disabled son and wife. I was amazed at the parallels in media control and technology overload in Neo Terminus and what we already see today. Once Chance is an Enforcer, the pacing and excitement of the story picks up quite a bit as he is thrown directly into the action and doesn't know who to trust among the new group of Enforcers or in The Zone. The deception of The Founders was masterfully done and effectively mirrors the dangers of control and media in our society.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (altro)