Wednesday 8 August 2012

Slipstream: Book Review




Michael Offutt's debut science-fiction novel Slipstream, is a fascinating blend of hard science, mythology, theology and futuristic technologies that had me turning the pages late into the night.

Jordan Pendragon is an emancipated teenager living in Utah with his sister Kate. He excels at school especially in physics and math, is a star hockey player, and his good looks has all the schoolgirls trying for his affection. But his world slowly starts to fall apart after a car accident that puts him in the hospital. He sees things he can't explain, finds a strange device, and meets an Englishman named Kolin. When danger threatens Jordan's life and those around him, he opens a gateway with his awakening ability to manipulate space-time. Together, Jordan, Kate and Kolin are transported to a parallel world called Avalon, Kolin's home.

Avalon, a reflection of Earth that sits in a different dimension, was at one time a thriving civilization. But, the detonation of the first atomic bomb on Earth sent a rippling effect through the thin membrane that separates the two worlds bringing Avalon civilization to the brink of extinction. But a failsafe had been created in the event such a thing would occur. It was called the A.I. and it secured the survival of mankind by building walled futuristic mega-cities. Unfortunately, the cities aren't perfect and the humans of Avalon are living in a post-apocalyptic/cyberpunk world. Life dealers, juicers, vamps, succubi and monsters infect the cities in the pursuit of Green Life, just to name a few. And as the A.I slowly descends into insanity, things in Avalon get worse. Jordan's life and role in this crisis becomes paramount as he learns the reason why he and his sister were brought to Avalon.   

One of the many strengths in this book is the authors ability to draw on hard science to make his science-fiction work. Combined with an intriguing story line, detailed action sequences, killsuits, living glass spiders,  robots, bullet bikes, and a budding romance between Kolin and Jordan, I was turning the pages long past my bedtime. The richly diverse cast of characters and his strong-minded and gutsy sister Kathy, were also strong elements to the story. Will Jordan have the courage and strength to succeed in restoring balance in a world gone mad? Is he the key to ending a crisis of not one, but two worlds? If you enjoy science-fiction, you'll enjoy Slipstream and I'll be looking forward to the release of Michael Offutt's Book Two: Oculus.



Slipstream spiders, they're real and tried to come after me while I was reading! Also, I want a puma now.
(;


18 comments:

  1. I really think my hubby would like this book but I can't find it on audio book. Hubby has a long commute and that's the only "reading" he does. Sigh. Guess, I'll just have to tell him about it.

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    1. Check back when you get the chance, I'm sure Michael will be able to address the audio book question because I don't know. (:

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    2. Yeah my publisher doesn't do audio. However, I have a solution! You can purchase the book on your iPhone 4S and Siri will read it to you. Yep, I've done this myself. Siri will read ebooks.

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  2. Wow, free spider with every book. Hell of a marketing ploy!

    mood

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    Replies
    1. I know. I'm still trying to figure out how he did it. (;

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  3. Thank you for the wonderful review, Elise! I'm going to tweet about it. Squee. I'm glad you like, Dylan. :)

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  4. Thanks for the review! I recently started following Michael's book, now I *need* to buy his book! :-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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  5. Richard: The photo was a great coincidence.

    Michael: You're welcome. (:

    Mina: You're welcome, and yes you do! (:

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  6. nice review, elise... and a bonus spider, to boot ;)

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  7. Eek! Spiders! Gosh, I hope there's a Kindle version. LOL Great review, Elise. :)

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  8. I love Michael! He's so fabulous. His book is totally on my list... as soon as I can get some revisions under me I can be in reader mode again! Can't wait. :D

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  9. Sounds very interesting, Elise. You did a great job with the review!

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  10. I had dinner with Michael and a whole bunch of other writers a few months ago. He was a fun guy to get to know. The spider on your book is creepy, btw. Eep!

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  11. You made the book sound like a real page-turner with some fantastic world building included. That's awesome -- and I loved the spider pic! Great review! :-)

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  12. Melissa: Thanks Melissa, and yes there is a kindle version. (:

    Morgan: Good luck with your revisions. You'll love the book!

    Michelle: Thanks Mich!

    Julia: that must have been so much fun! So, when do I get my invite? (;

    Lexa: Thanks hon!

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  13. Slipstream is great, and I think Oculus is even better (had the honor to read it, even though it won't be available for a long time), and I can't wait to read book three.

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