Honestly, I couldn't get through this one, despite having read the previous books in the Sigma series. The plot was far too slow and meandering, and wHonestly, I couldn't get through this one, despite having read the previous books in the Sigma series. The plot was far too slow and meandering, and was kind of jumbled. I'm sure many will say the ending was a great pay off, but I wasn't willing to spend time to find out....more
Internationally-respected microbiologist Dr. Richard Draman is working on a cure for an extremely rare disease: progeria, a genetic disorder that causInternationally-respected microbiologist Dr. Richard Draman is working on a cure for an extremely rare disease: progeria, a genetic disorder that causes premature aging and early death. Despite facing a lack of funding and general public interest, Draman strives to eradicate this hideous disease. The reason: his daughter, Susie, has the disorder.
After a brilliant female colleague dies of an apparent suicide, Draman is handed the details of her work-in-progress by her widower, who is convinced his wife did not commit suicide; but rather she was killed off for delving into areas of work that somebody wanted kept quiet. Shortly after viewing his colleague's fascinating research, Draman reasonably suspects he and his family are no longer safe, and is also convinced someone, or some group, is working to shutdown Draman's operation. And thus begins a cat-and-mouse chase, and race against time to save his daughter.
The Immortalists is a cut and dry medical thriller, with stock characters (including rival billionaires with unlimited power and resources) and a familiar story arc. The novel is well-paced, the dialogue natural and the action just intriguing enough to keep one turning the pages, but ultimately there is nothing new here. The Immortalists is slightly better than the medical thrillers of Robin Cook, though far shy of the works of Michael Crichton.
If you're looking for a quick read that will keep your attention long enough to pass a few hours, The Immortalists will certainly fill that need. Otherwise, you're better off passing on this one and seeking a thrill elsewhere....more
The Graduate Student was my first introduction to writer James Polster, so I was uncertain of what to expect. What I discovered was a fun, fast-paced,The Graduate Student was my first introduction to writer James Polster, so I was uncertain of what to expect. What I discovered was a fun, fast-paced, enjoyable, albeit convoluted, story. The novel begins with anthropology student Blackwell James (can you tell Polster works in Hollywood?) returning from the Amazon jungle, where he briefly studied and lived with the tribes. Instead of returning to his New England school with copious field notes, James humps a crate containing a mysterious jungle vine, known to produce hallucinogenic effects when brewed. Knowing this snafu will likely cost him the ability to obtain his degree, James begrudgingly accepts a job in Los Angeles, arranged by his professor, to work on a secret project involving primates -- so long as he brings his precious jungle vines with him. Hmm.
Once in Los Angeles, however, things start to become a little ... weird. The naive anthropology student is derailed from his original work plans, and is suddenly swept up in the Hollywood scene, working for a studio producer, hobnobbing with celebs, all the while still trying to figure out exactly what he's supposed to do on the primate project, and why his jungle vines were needed. Blackwell eventually finds himself mixed up with some less-than-credible individuals, and is uncertain if he will even make it out of the L.A. jungle alive.
Is The Graduate Student likely to win any major literary praise or awards? Probably not. But Polster's writing is fun, even if the story reads like a Michael Bay film script. Polster's Hollywood experience is quite evident in the narrative structure, so expect short, snappy dialogue, quick-paced action sequences, stock characters, and an all-too-familiar story arc. Still, if you can suspend your disbelief long enough to follow the character's bizarre journey, you'll find an enjoyable, fast read, perfect for a long plane ride or trip to the beach. ...more
Vanessa "Michael" Munroe, a cross between Jason Bourne and Angelina Jolie (the actress herself, not characters she's played) is an information specialVanessa "Michael" Munroe, a cross between Jason Bourne and Angelina Jolie (the actress herself, not characters she's played) is an information specialist who's been contracted by Richard Burbank, a wealthy Texas businessman, to track down his daughter, Emily, who disappeared in Africa four years prior. With me so far? Good, because the rest of the story is somewhat convoluted and trivial, awash in writing devoid of fluidity and deftness.
Ms. (or Mr. ?) Munroe embarks on a perilous journey across Africa, her homeland, of sorts, with an endless bankroll and instructions of finding the missing girl -- dead or alive. To insure his investment pays off, Burbank sends an alpha-male baby-sitter to keep watch over Munroe's movements. Oh, but bad-ass Vanessa Munroe works with no one -- how will she react!? And, wait a minute, is there a trader amongst us? Oh, what clever nuances with the author concoct next??
What could have been a great thriller ended up being a messy blur of action sequences, and genre-laden archetypes. The story had just enough gusto to keep me turning the pages until the very end, but not without severely testing the limits of my suspended disbelief.
The most disappointing element is that the novel's true heart is revealed in a line that essentially amounts to a mere throwaway:
P. 267 They stood in silence and stared at the wasted landscape [of Equatorial Guinea], and then [Beyard] said, “It’s going to get worse. Pretty much all of the country’s commercially productive forest is under concession – if things keep going as they are, in five, six years it’ll be completely exhausted. Oil reserves won’t last either. What to do?”
The depictions of resource-exploited Africa itself were by and far the best, and saddest, parts of the Informationist. Through these illustrations, it becomes clear that Taylor Stevens has written this book as a cathartic process, fictionalizing her own tribulations in Africa (she was there as a missionary and eventually escaped – oh, just like the heroine!), and commenting on the conditions of these ravaged nations. From this element alone, The Informationist merits the rating I have given it, as the reality of Africa’s hardships is fascinating and heart-breaking. But if you’re looking for a well-written summer thrill, in the vein of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll likely be disappointed. ...more
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