Saturday, November 30, 2019

How The Dead Speak

How The Dead Speak by Val McDermid
Grove/Atlantic: 12/3/19
eBook review copy; 416 pages
ISBN-13: 9780802147615
Tony Hill and Carol Jordan #11


How The Dead Speak by Val McDermid is a highly recommended eleventh procedural thriller featuring psychological profiler Tony Hill and ex-DCI Carol Jordan. This follows events from Insidious Intent (2017).

Now that Tony is behind bars for manslaughter and Carol's no longer with the Bradfield Metropolitan Police, the regional major incident team is under the leadership of Detective Chief Inspector Rutherford, who is hostile to members who worked under Carol. Rutherford sends team members out to investigate when construction crews uncover children’s skeletons on the former grounds of the Order of the Blessed Pearl convent.  For DI Paula McIntyre the question of what happened becomes even more tangled when the bodies of young men are found buried in a different area of the convent grounds. At the same time, Tony is working on his book and trying to find a way to use his talents to help the prison population. Carol is finally dealing with her PTSD, when she is pulled into two different investigations.
 
The various plots and sub-plots are told through the points-of-view of several different characters and presented in short chapters. Basically, there are four different major plot-strands, with several sub-plot-threads in them. It is a complicated novel, but the sub-plots do begin to merge and coalesce into a conclusion. In spite of the twists and complexity of the story lines, the investigations are as compelling as the characters and will hold your attention. A nice touch is the headings on the chapters which feature a quote from the book Tony is currently writing in prison.
 
Once you reach the eleventh book in a series, the characters are developed and well-known to fans. The question is more how new comers to the series will relate to a novel so deep into character development over many years. There are moments where, if this was your first novel in the series, you will be confused and a bit lost among the characters, their abilities and flaws. Carefully reading will likely help you get the jest of it all, but not as if you were there from the beginning. I jumped into the series with just the previous book, Insidious Intent, so I had a few moments.

McDermid is an excellent writer and does write an adroitly plotted novel that will hold your attention throughout as each chapter switches to a new sub-plot and is told through a different point-of-view. It is a well-paced novel. There are enough twists and surprising revelations to keep you glued to the pages and the various lines of inquiry of each investigation. While everything isn't neatly wrapped up in the end, I felt that it concluded on a satisfactory note and left room for the next book in the series.
 
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Grove/Atlantic.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

The Testaments

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Penguin Random House: 9/10/19
hardcover; 432 pages
ISBN-13: 9780385543781


The Testaments by Margaret Atwood is very highly recommended story of intrigue and suspense.

Over fifteen years have passed since the events of The Handmaid's Tale occurred. The misogynistic theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead still reigns, but the end may be in sight. This novel is presented as the alternating testimonies of three women: Aunt Lydia and Agnes Jemima in Gilead and Daisy/Nicole in Toronto. Aunt Lydia knows that knowledge is power and she has been secretly collecting and documenting Gilead's secrets and the crimes by the leadership. While acting as head Aunt of Ardua Hall and an ally of Commander Judd, she has simultaneously been planning the downfall of Gilead for years. Lydia's plan of revenge involves two teenage girls, Agnes Jemima and Daisy, known as "Witness Testimony 369A" and "Witness Testimony 369B" in the narrative. Agnes is a thirteen-year-old who is being raised in Gilead to be a commander's wife. Daisy is a sixteen-year-old being raised in Toronto, when her parents die and she learns some of her real background.

Confession time. While I would very highly recommend The Handmaid's Tale it is not among my favorite novels written by Atwood and not my favorite dystopian tale. I have never seen the Hulu series and don't plan to do so. The Testaments is described as the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, but I found it best to approach the narrative as more historical documents and testimony pertaining to the Republic of Gilead and this approach served me well in my regard of the narrative. I could appreciate the cunning plan to take down Gilead - the long-con that Aunt Lydia shrewdly played out. It is an exemplification that women can certainly strategize, analyze, reason, and execute a plan as well as any man.

Atwood had to know that any novel portrayed as a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale would suffer in comparison. Unlike the MaddAddam series where the three novels followed one another quickly, the gap between these novels combined with a popular TV series would make any continuation of the original story or a revisit to the envisioned theocratic country of Gilead suffer in comparison. But, bear in mind that ultimately women are taking the power back here.

Upon reflection, Atwood might represent the older generation (Aunt Lydia) and is hopeful that the younger generation can continue to speak up for themselves and take back any ceded power. Or a case could also be made that this is a reminder that those who choose to forget history are doomed to repeat it. Or it could just be a well-written novel that visits the end of the regime of the original story after a clamor from fans to do so.

Old Bones

Old Bones by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Grand Central Publishing: 8/20/19
hardcover; 384 pages
ISBN-13: 9781538747223
Nora Kelly Series #1


Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is a very highly recommended tale of suspense and the first book in a new series.

Nora Kelly, a curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology, is approached by historian Clive Benton with an offer to lead a team in search of the third 'Lost Camp' of the Donner Party. Benton has found out where the camp may be located from a long-lost diary of one of the victims. The Donner Party became snow bound and trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains over the winter of 1846-47 when some members of the party resorted to cannibalism in an attempt to survive. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Nora. When Benton also informs Nora that there may be $20 million in gold coins hidden in the camp, the search acquires a sense of secrecy to keep treasure hunters away.
 
During this same time, new FBI special agent Corrie Swanson is assigned her first case. She is investigating the murder of a man found on top of the exposed grave of Florence Regis. After the body is removed, the coffin is opened and it is discovered that the upper part of Regis' body is missing. As Swanson continues the investigation, she uncovers a link between Regis and the Donner Party - and there are other cases that may also be linked. This link sends Swanson to Nora's dig site where the two strong, intelligent women meet - and clash - for the first time.

Long time readers of Preston and Child will recognize both Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson as characters who have appeared in some novels from the Pendergast series I am absolutely thrilled to see that a new series is beginning with Nora Kelly as the main character (and I assume Carrie Swanson will be joining her). The two together could make for a dynamic relationship, since they are intelligent, analytical, observant, strong women. They may clash, but they could also play off each other nicely. For those who need to know, Pendergast makes a brief appearance at the end.

The writing is excellent, as expected, and the plot is intriguing and fascinating. Perhaps it helps being familiar with New Mexico and the Sierra Nevada's, as well as the history of the Donner Party. Although this novel is fiction - there is no third lost camp - it does relay what happened during that winter. Old Bones can be enjoyed without reading any of the previous novels that include Kelly and Swanson as characters. Preston and Child include pertinent facts and background information about the characters and expound upon the information here, furthering their character envelopment. As always, I will continue to read any book Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child write.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Single


Single by K.L. Slater
Bookouture: 11/25/19
eBook review copy; 342 pages
ISBN-13: 9781786819284


Single by K.L. Slater is a recommended psychological thriller.
  
Darcy Hilton is a single mother with two sons, who has had some struggles with mental health issues. After the death of Joel, the boy's father, four years ago she had to give up custody of Harrison and Kane to their grandparents briefly, but since then she has been working hard to care for her boys. When Kane has an asthma attack at the park and Darcy can't find the inhaler she put in Kane's bag, a handsome doctor, George Mortimer, comes to the rescue. George happens to also be a single parent who was at the park with his daughter, Romy. Darcy drops a thank you note (with her name and contact information included) off at the hospital for George. He contacts her and the two begin to see each other.

Darcy's sister-in-law, Steph, and her in-laws basically run Darcy's life. They are on a constant vigilant watch for any sign of her not caring for the boys as they see fit. They have made it clear that they don't think she is ready to date anyone. Darcy keeps her burgeoning relationship with George a secret, but soon she lets everyone know she's seeing him and their relationship is serious. In turn, they all begin to plot against her to take the boys away from her.

Well, this is a whole collection of dislikeable people behaving badly. I'm not saying you won't be glued to the pages, but there really isn't one character to like or trust, including Darcy. (Okay, the children are exempt from this.) Darcy continually makes bad choices - as does every other person in the novel. But, since you can't trust anything anyone says here, so you have to keep reading to see what happens and the truth behind everything.

The writing is good and keeps your attention. It's a fast paced plot with many new twists added along the way. The ending is a bit over the top, but in an enjoyable way since you will know at that point that the whole situation all the characters are in is unbelievable. It is sort of a morality tale about what could happen if you let other people determine the course of your life and if you jump into relationships too quickly.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture.

The Lying House

The Lying House by Rick Mofina
MIRA Books: 11/26/19
eBook review copy; 512 pages
ISBN-13: 9780778308881


The Lying House by Rick Mofina is a highly recommended thriller.

Jeff and Lisa Taylor left Cleveland, Ohio, and move to Miami, Florida, after Jeff receives a big promotion. Lisa left a good job and family behind, but she knows that Jeff's job means they will be able to start a family, something she has always wanted. They have a huge house in an expensive neighborhood, and will soon have a security system installed - but not before they have someone break in and holds a knife to Lisa's throat. The attack shakes up Lisa to the core of her being, while Jeff is trying to hold it all together and make his mark at his new job. Lisa may want to move back to Cleveland, but Jeff knows it would be a bad idea. They have a neighborhood watch group, which Jeff joins. A neighbor, a former law enforcement official, runs it.

As Lisa continues to feel like she is being watched and Jeff is dealing with a former colleague from Cleveland who is threatening him, the tension increases in this taunt thriller. You will trust no one and suspect everyone. Even Lisa and Jeff seem unreliable as both of them have dark occurrences in their childhood that still traumatize them.  The narrative alternates between thoughts of Lisa and Jeff, and the investigations by the police and an FBI special agent. The story also has a tie-in to a serial killer who may be connected to the scumbag who threatened Lisa.

The writing is quite good and Mofina keeps you guessing as he ratchets up the tension and the suspects with each chapter. Careful readers are going to catch on to what is really going on early, but Mofina keeps the action multiplying and the plot interesting enough to keep you reading to see if you are right. Developments in the plot will have the pages flying by in this fast-paced thriller.
 
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA Books.

The Confession Club

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg
Random House: 11/19/19
eBook review copy; 304 pages
ISBN-13: 9781984855176 


The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg is a recommended heartwarming feel-good story and her third story set in Mason, Missouri.

A group of women have a weekly supper club that turns into the Confession Club, a meeting where a different woman confesses some hidden secret, misdeed, or regret. Iris Winters and Maddy Harris are invited to join on a trial basis, but they easily fit in with the group of women spanning all ages. Iris is conflicted over a relationship with a homeless man, while Maddy is escaping from NYC - and maybe her husband. Hopefully, the club will provide the support they need right now.

The Confession Club is the third novel set in the small town of Mason, Missouri, following Night of Miracles, 2018 and The Story of Arthur Truluv, 2017. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an easy to read novel that promotes friendship optimism, and kindness in a congenial small town community. While I really liked the first two books in the series, this one fell short for me. Iris has some further character development here, but most of the other characters are a continuation from the other books. Some of these women are good people who really care about others. You might wonder, as I did, why most of us don't meet women like this in everyday life. Life as described in Mason almost makes you want to move to a small town.

Berg writes in a simple, easy to read style that fits in well with the heartwarming feel-good stories she excels at writing. While deeper problems are presented, they are not delved into much deeper than a surface presentation of facts and other's reactions are equally shallow. But problems and societal issues aren't the focus here and not what most fans want from Berg. She presents the problems, questions, and issues, but her characters are quick to understand others, offer support, comfort, and forgive misdeeds. This is the series to read when you just need familiar characters who support others - and enjoy cooking classes.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Andromeda Evolution

The Andromeda Evolution by Michael Crichton, Daniel H. Wilson
HarperCollins: 11/12/19
eBook review copy; 384 pages
hardcover ISBN-13: 9780062473271


The Andromeda Evolution by Michael Crichton via Daniel H. Wilson is a very highly recommended sequel to the science fiction classic.

In The Andromeda Strain (1969), an extraterrestrial microbe came crashing down to Earth and nearly ended the human race. Accidental exposure to the particle killed every resident of the town of Piedmont, Arizona, save for an elderly man and an infant boy. In the decades that followed, Project Eternal Vigilance has been watching and waiting for the Andromeda Strain to reappear, while research secretly continued on the microparticle. Now, in the Brazilian rain forest an anomaly has been detected and it is identified as the Andromeda Strain. A next generation Project Wildfire team of scientific experts from around the world is called together to try and stop the apocalyptic threat. The diverse team of experts must try and get through the jungle and figure out a way to stop this outbreak of the Andromeda Strain before it annihilates all life on Earth.

The narrative follows five days of heart-stopping action, following the team in the jungle and through reconstructed transcripts, interviews, and descriptions of video footage. The writing is outstanding. Wilson, who is an excellent choice to continue the story, captures the voice of Crichton while updating the technological aspects of the story to fifty years in the future. While Wilson introduces us to the very human team members called in to stop the threat, he keeps the fast-paced plot moving along quickly and the tension building to stunning levels. The team members have their specialties and are a diverse group. Wilson also shows their flaws, making them feel like real human beings called in to stop an impossible situation.

I loved every part of this wildly exciting continuation of the original novel. There is an explanation of what the Andromeda Strain is and how it threatens life for those who never read Crichton's original novel, so reading the original is not a requirement to appreciate this continuation of the story. The denouement is a exciting, heart-stopping scene that should ensure this will be a movie someday. Each chapter opens with a quote by Crichton, which I appreciated.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge by Sheila Weller
Farrar, Straus and Giroux: 11/12/19
eBook review copies; 416 pages
hardcover ISBN-13: 9780374282233


Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge by Sheila Weller is a highly recommended biography of the well-known actor, best-selling author, and advocate for mental health awareness.

As the daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, Carrie Fisher began her life in the public eye and her fame followed her through her entire life. Many people immediately associate Fisher with her iconic role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, while others immediately think of her many books. She honestly covered many of her life events and struggles in her books. It is well known that she struggled with drug addiction and bipolar disorder, but it is also known that she openly and honestly shared her struggles. She had well-known parents, romantic partners, and friends, as well as a sometimes exuberant, sometimes troubled, complicated life.

While many people will know a lot of the information, what Weller does is bring all the facts and faucets of Fisher's life together in one biography and captures all the aspects of Fisher as a special individual. She was a devoted friend, generous, witty, brilliant, out-spoken, and unique. She worked as an actor, a novelist, a memoirist, a script doctor, and an advocate for mental health awareness. Included are many interviews with Fisher's friends, lovers, associates, and family members covering her entire life. Her well-known battles with addiction and mental illness are covered. The book includes many quotes and stories. Weller has an extensive section of chapter notes in the back so all the information she shares is well documented through other sources.

This is a well-written combination of exhaustive facts, information, and quotes alongside a lot of name dropping. While I admittedly became a bit weary of the name dropping, all of these people were a part of Fisher's life and are as much a part of her life story as she is of theirs. This is an unauthorized biography, but it is also not a hack-piece. Weller has done her research, has notes included about everything, and presented Fisher as a beloved woman with her own personal struggles. Fans of Fisher, either Star Wars or her writing, will appreciate this comprehensive biography.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

November Road

November Road by Lou Berney
HarperCollins: 10/22/19
paperback; 320 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062663856


November Road by Lou Berney is a very highly recommended novel that is part thriller, part character study, and thoroughly exceptional. Set in 1963 after the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, this is an incredible story of fugitives making connections while on the run across America.

Frank Guidry is a smooth operator and loyal lieutenant to Carlos Marcello, the mob boss of New Orleans. Within hours of JFK's assassination, it becomes clear to Frank that everybody is expendable and he may now be on that list. He did a small errand for Marcello and now it looks like that errand might tie him, thus Marcello, to the assassination. Frank realizes that he is being set up to end up dead, so he goes on the run, covering his tracks as best as he can. Frank decides he needs to head to Los Vegas where he knows a man who hates Marcello and might help him.

Along the way Frank meets another person on the run.  Charlotte Roy has packed up her two girls and the dog in the car, leaving her drunken husband Dooley, and Woodrow, Oklahoma behind. Charlotte can't take another stifling day of her existence in the small Oklahoma town and hopes to make it to California.  Charlotte and Frank find themselves staying at the same motel after her car breaks down in New Mexico. Posing as an insurance salesman, Frank convinces Charlotte to travel with him to Los Vegas, where he knows a man who can give her a new car.

The two make a connection with each other. Both are trying to escape, but they also see part of what the other wants. Charlotte sees a strong, kind man, while Frank sees a determined, smart woman. Both of them want a new life. What Frank knows and Charlotte doesn't, is that a ruthless killer, Paul Barone, is looking for him and traveling with her and the girls might get him off Frank trail.

The writing in this novel is absolutely exceptional and perfectly presented. The pacing is outstanding and the writing and storytelling will keep you glued to the pages. This is a brilliant just-one-more-chapter novel. The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of three characters, Frank, Charlotte, and Barone. As the tension keeps rising incrementally, it soon becomes impossible to set this story aside. You have to keep reading to find out what happens next. And you will be invested in these characters and what happens to them.

The character development in November Road is impressive and memorable. Berney gets into the heart of his characters, exposing their flaws, but also their dreams and goals. These characters all go through a transformation and growth. Barone, the killer, is a cruel and cold hearted as you would expect and the thought of him coming after anyone will send a shiver down your spine. Along with the great character development, the historical setting is perfectly captured. There is a play list of music in the novel included at the end of the novel for anyone who wants to listen to the songs in the novel.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins for a review with TLC Book Tours. 
 
 
Purchase Links: HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Peter Watts Is An Angry Sentient Tumor

Peter Watts Is An Angry Sentient Tumor by Peter Watts
Tachyon: 11/12/19
eBook review copy; 320 pages
ISBN-13: 9781616963194


Peter Watts Is An Angry Sentient Tumor: Revenge Fantasies and Essays by Peter Watts is a highly recommended collection of over fifty essays.

Peter Watts may be an angry sentient tumor, but he is also an opinionated one and in this collection of blog entries he shares his many opinions, along with his anger, on a wide variety of topics. He really does. They are not all angry, some of them are about his cats, or other cats, but all of them are thought provoking and are going to incite some kind of emotion. Many of the essays touch on some political or other topics he cares about. And we do learn the story behind important facts, like Watts is banned from the USA, he almost died from a flesh-eating bacteria, he was raised Baptist, and he had a schizophrenic man living in his backyard who almost set his house on fire.

He writes in the introduction that "...only an idiot would pretend that we don’t all come with bias preinstalled. Maybe the difference is, some of us are better than others at hiding that fact. Maybe this whole rigorously-objective argument is just an eloquent retcon to defend my own bias against preachy stories, and to deny that I’d ever let such cooties infest my own work even if appearances say otherwise. I expect my thinking on this subject will evolve over time. In the meantime, though, I’d implore you not to project too much ideology onto my writing, no matter how tempting it may seem. I have political opinions, for sure, but I don’t write to force them on you. Matter of fact, the stories I’ve written have actually challenged my own political opinions once or twice. I consider that a good sign."

You may not agree with every opinion Watts has, but you will have to admit he is an excellent writer, presents his opinions and facts clearly and concisely, and he is passionate about what he thinks.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Tachyon.

Cold Country

Cold Country by Russell Rowland
Dzanc Books: 11/12/19
eBook review copy; 232 pages
ISBN-13: 9781945814921 


Cold Country by Russell Rowland is a very highly recommended character study wrapped around a murder mystery.

In 1968 Tom Butcher is found murdered one morning in the ranching community of Paradise Valley, Montana. By all public accounts, Butcher was a boisterous, popular man, although it seems more than one person may have had a reason to kill him. Blame falls quickly on the new man, Carl Logan, who recently moved with his family to the area to manage wealthy Peter Kenwood’s ranch. The community is upset that long-time ranch hand Lester Ruth wasn't given the job. It doesn't help that Carl's ten-year-old son, Roger, is causing waves by standing up to the local school bully. The investigation becomes even more complicated when it is revealed to Junior Kirby, a lifelong rancher and Butcher’s best friend, that Butcher had a secret he had been hiding.

The writing is excellent. Rowland expertly captures the small town, hard-working atmosphere of this ranching community, where everyone seems to know everything about everyone else, and all the many grievances and failings of others are not really forgotten. Lifelong friendships can be a struggle at best when you have to trust your neighbors, even amid the many reasons they might not be trustworthy. And that doesn't even include the secrets people hide.
 
The murder mystery keeps the narrative moving along, but the real exploration is the examination of the heart of the characters. Rowland quickly establishes his characters in the setting and shows their actions and inner thoughts, including members of the same family. The people in Paradise Valley all have many differences that should pull them apart, but they have learned to try and keep their mouths shut and work together. Butcher was not as well-liked as it seems, but it is a universal truth that it is easier for residents to point blame at the new guy rather than examine their life-long neighbors. The murder mystery is solved at the end, but the pleasure is in the journey.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Dzanc Books.

Monday, November 4, 2019

The Empty Nest

The Empty Nest by Sue Watson
Bookouture: 11/1/19
eBook review copy; 290 pages
ISBN-13: 9781838880422 


The Empty Nest by Sue Watson is a recommended psychological thriller.

Kat is very close to her only child, Amy, so when Amy leaves for a university hours away, Kat struggles and lives daily for any contact Amy has with her. When Amy doesn't arrive home for the long weekend as she had said she would, Kat panics and is sure something is wrong, especially when Amy doesn't contact her and doesn't reply to calls or texts. Her friend Zoe tries to support her, as does her husband, Richard, but Kat is inconsolable and wants to check out Amy's room at the university and contact the police to investigate her disappearance.

Kat is a mother who is over-the-top obsessed with her daughter to an unhealthy degree and it is extremely difficult to relate to her. Extremely. It is also difficult to understand Amy who apparently texts her mother several times a day. (I am very close to my adult daughter, but this relationship seems off and unhealthy - even for an only child heading off to college.) I tried to set aside the oddness of their extremely close relationship and understand Kat's certainty that something was wrong with Amy and they needed to look for her immediately. When it eventually became clear that something was wrong, the story actually became more intriguing.

The writing is good, but it would have helped to get to the intrigue sooner, as once the complications, rumors, and suspects are added, the novel became much more interesting. I can't say there were any shocking surprises, but at least it moved beyond Kat's constant mantra that something was wrong with Amy. I'm not sure that it needs to be said, but there really isn't a likeable character in sight in The Empty Nest; Kat is especially annoying. The one thing that saved the novel was the ending twists, which you may see coming, but it was still a satisfying ending.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture.

Days of Future Found

Days of Future Found by Mary Wark
Silverreads: 11/5/19
eBook review copy; 330 pages
ISBN-13: 9781733427913



Days of Future Found by Mary Wark is a recommended dystopian novel.

In the year 2039 Ella lives in a climate-protected complex. She is an active senior who appears to be aging at half the normal rate as her peers, according to the Longevity Institute who has been tracking her for years. Her friend has told her to start noticing that older citizens seem to be quietly disappearing. While her friend seems to think there is some nefarious activity going on, Ella isn't sure. She does know that she'd like to break out of her narrow life. When the Institute offers her a trip to Florida at the same time her friend will be going there, Ella accepts the invitation and the two expect to uncover more information about what may be going on with senior citizens.

This is an uncomplicated dystopian and climate change fiction with a narrative that is easy to read and follow. The chapters follow four different characters, with the focus being on Ella. The scare that the Longevity Institute could be up to no good and may be planning to use Ella's bodily fluids or body to make longevity drugs for others never feels like a real threat and danger never seems imminent. While a changed future is presented, the changes presented are assumed and never fully explained.

Wark presents a comfortable cli-fi dystopian with a focus on older rather than younger characters. This is published by Silverreads, an indie imprint for releasing Wark's future forward fiction and is also a site for older readers to gather and review books.
 
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Silverreads.