Thrum

To preface my thoughts, let me say that I’d seriously consider reading this author again. The idea was fun and the style was fine. I just thought this particular story – well, installment/launch – was slow and had some holes. Even though this book is only 194 pages, it felt like more. I forced myself to see it through to the end. When it comes to books, I view 3 Stars as: entertaining or a ‘travel book’. For me, this book sits below that benchmark, because entertainment decreased and effort took over. This read is a ‘clean read’ for YA. Now, to address some of my issues – and yes, this means spoilers are afoot. Please turn back now. <<<SPOILERS>>> Not in any order, but as a Veteran, this one makes me shake my head: USAF Pilot David Weaver…AWOL after blowing up a non-combatant, active building, while on a routine flight. He returns to base and no one notices, or later asks, about a missing missile. David is able to skirt home, then take his son and return to the US without his wife. There is no relevance of him being AWOL or accountable for firing a missile for the remainder of the book. No court martial, investigation, slap on the wrist, nothing. At the end of the book, David returns to his mom’s house. Several paragraphs later you read that his mom just died. It was just a passing sentence about ‘her belongings’ and a quick reference to her trip to a hospital for the last time. Gloss over – nothing to see here. Shannon – biologist that is helping the group deal/understand the coils. She bolts with an important element in hand. What was her motivation? When was she turned? Where is she working at the end of the book? Two kids are abducted and one dies. The manhunt is small and the aftermath blows by fairly easily. The story takes place in 2025 but there is absolutely no reference, setting, or situation that screams or paints that this is the future. There aren’t any technical advances on the market. I think my lack of connection to any character made this more a chore than a journey. I’ve read plenty of YA as well as nano/genetic/evolution tales. This one has too many gaping wounds that may/not be fleshed out in the series. 2 of 5 Stars. Author provided ARC

From the Publisher:

Watching the fireball which is all that remains of a hospital filled with hundreds of Chinese civilians, U.S. Air Force pilot David Weaver realizes with horror that his own missile caused the carnage. THRUM is the first in a series of science fiction thrillers. The story is set in 2025, when the United States and its allies are at war with China. An epidemic of mass suicides strikes different cities each winter; the cause is a tragic mystery. David and his young son must embark on a journey that will take them across the globe, uncovering many shocking and dangerous twists, if they hope to solve the puzzle and prevent more gruesome deaths before time runs out.

#Feb2016 #YoungAdult #SKSlate #GeneticEngineering #SciFi #2016 #Book