Ok, so: Right on the cover there's a quote that says "Blends the best of Chricton and Koontz!"
Um, no. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but as a fan of both Koontz and Chricton, it is up to par with neither of these authors.
In a nutshell: Its decades into the future, and part of the Olympics is now gladitorial-style combat ("The Games") between scientifically created combatants. The only restriction is that there can be no human DNA. America is looking to keep its edge in the games, so puts a technological savant in charge of a supercomputer to come up with the ultimate warrior. But what he creates is beyond what anyone could have predicted.
Some fun futuristic premises and ideas throughout, but its also a light read, with lots of pages of back-and-forth one-sentence dialogue. I was not thrilled with the ending, as the author seemed to lose his way a bit, but overall an enjoyable read - just don't expect a lot.
Not bad for a first book, and I'll definitely keep my eye out for Kosmatka's next.
Um, no. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, but as a fan of both Koontz and Chricton, it is up to par with neither of these authors.
In a nutshell: Its decades into the future, and part of the Olympics is now gladitorial-style combat ("The Games") between scientifically created combatants. The only restriction is that there can be no human DNA. America is looking to keep its edge in the games, so puts a technological savant in charge of a supercomputer to come up with the ultimate warrior. But what he creates is beyond what anyone could have predicted.
Some fun futuristic premises and ideas throughout, but its also a light read, with lots of pages of back-and-forth one-sentence dialogue. I was not thrilled with the ending, as the author seemed to lose his way a bit, but overall an enjoyable read - just don't expect a lot.
Not bad for a first book, and I'll definitely keep my eye out for Kosmatka's next.
It seemed to me that Kosmatka had two really good ideas for SF novels, and tried mashing them together for this book. They didn't really mesh that well. The genetically engineered gladiators, with all the ethical problems that poses, could be one great story. The Evan Chandler/Brannin AI needed to be another story.
Nonetheless, it's an easy read, lots of action. Totally predictable ending, but not a bad book by any means.
Nonetheless, it's an easy read, lots of action. Totally predictable ending, but not a bad book by any means.
