Synopsis:
Scion introduces James Islington’s first ever sci-fi novel in an unmissable new series following the story of Azure, the cybernetically enhanced survivor of a mysterious explosion that killed his best friend as he’s embroiled in a secret underworld of organised crime and world-changing technology – complete with the breathless pace and jaw-dropping twists readers know and love from TikTok phenomenon The Will of the Many, now in development for film with Sony.
My job, when you think about it, isn’t so different from a lot of people’s.
The more old-fashioned crowd do still get hung up on the ‘killing people’ part of it, I guess, but that’s a them problem: it’s been perfectly legal to take out lifers for ages. Besides, once ultrawealthy morons realised they had a way to live forever – limited resources be damned – there was only ever going to be one genuinely practical deterrent.
So, sure, I have to deal with a tonne of boring planning. Inconvenient hours. Some pretty awkward face-to-face interactions. And like most of us, I’m really only clocking in to try and crawl out from beneath my debts. But someone’s got to do it.
Luckily, my genetic compatibilities make me really, really good at doing it.
Still. This next job . . . I don’t know. It’s something I haven’t had to deal with in years. Kind of the opposite of my regular duties. Strange, that it got thrown my way.
I’m sure it’ll all go totally fine though.
Review:
A bite-size sci fi book that proves James Islington can bring the twists he’s known for in his fantasy to more genres.
As the Argos tries once again to separate my head from my shoulders, I can’t help but consider the possibility—not for the first time—that I may not have always made the best life choices.
That’s how the book starts, and it pretty much sets the tone for the rest.
It’s fast-paced, packed with action, and centres a mildly apathetic guy called Azure who is a gene-boosted, Keres-trained assassin with an attitude.
It, like many sci fi these days (I wonder why), takes on big corporations and unethical secrets. Add in a friendly AI, an old lady, and some sarcastic quips.
“Pain’s important.”
She looks confused. “Are you being deep, right now?” “Sure. But also, it helps you know if you’ve been stabbed or shot.”
I would have liked more depth and description to immerse myself in this futuristic world. Similarly, the characters are fairly one-dimensional.
Fun and impressive for the short length.
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