Reviewed by: BigAl
Genre: Science Fiction
Approximate word count: 100-105,000 words
Availability
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Author:
“Mary Fan
lives in New Jersey, where she is currently working in financial marketing. She
has also resided in North Carolina, Hong Kong, and Beijing, China. She has been
an avid reader for as long as she can remember and especially enjoys the
infinite possibilities and out-of-this-world experiences of science fiction and
fantasy.”
Description:
“Illusion
is the only reality.
Jane’s new
career as a composer is a dream come true, but her blossoming relationship with
Adam is marred by his terrifying nightmares. When Jane receives a warning that
a shadowy agency is targeting Adam’s seminary school, she rescues him in the
nick of time, but the only way she can protect him from such a powerful enemy
is to run.
In a shocking
betrayal, her brother wasn’t the one who warned her about the attack on Adam.
Instead, Devin was leading it. As Jane struggles to keep one step ahead of
Devin, Adam’s exhaustion gives way to horror: his nightmares have begun to
touch the real world.
Jane can’t
abandon Adam to a fate worse than death, and far more than Adam’s life hangs in
the balance. As Jane pushes further into the dark unknown, she must challenge
everything she once believed in, and she faces the most wrenching decision of
her life: choosing between the two people she loves most.”
Appraisal:
A sequel to
the author’s prior book, Artificial
Absolutes, this book follows the continuing story of Jane Colt. The Science
Fiction genre with all the high tech doodads and strange new worlds (in
galaxies far, far away for you Star Wars
fans) may account for the surface appeal. But, for me, the part of the story
that matters most are those timeless questions and themes that can be viewed in
a different way through the prism of the fictional environments where they’re
taking place.
Synthetic Illusions does that, considering such things
as what it really means to be human - is it
really a question of flesh and bones or something different? Themes of loyalty
and family relationships also figure into the story. Plus, plenty of action,
adventure, and battles in space, too.
FYI:
A small
amount of adult language.
This is a
sequel to the author’s book Artificial
Absolutes. Although this could probably be read as a standalone, my advice
would be to read the prior book first.
Format/Typo Issues:
No
significant issues.
Rating: **** Four Stars
1 comment:
Thank you so much for reviewing Synthetic Illusions! :-)
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