Countdown City (The Last Policeman, Book II) by Ben H. Winters #RRSciFiMonth

 
'Til the asteroid do us part.
Synopsis: There are just 74 days to go before a deadly asteroid collides with Earth, and Detective Hank Palace is out of a job. With the Concord police force operating under the auspices of the U.S. Justice Department, Hank's days of solving crimes are over...until a woman from his past begs for help finding her missing husband.

Brett Cavatone disappeared without a trace—an easy feat in a world with no phones, no cars, and no way to tell whether someone’s gone “bucket list” or just gone. With society falling to shambles, Hank pieces together what few clues he can, on a search that leads him from a college-campus-turned-anarchist-encampment to a crumbling coastal landscape where anti-immigrant militia fend off “impact zone” refugees.  The second novel in the critically acclaimed Last Policeman trilogy, Countdown City presents a fascinating mystery set on brink of an apocalypse--and once again, Hank Palace confronts questions way beyond "whodunit." What do we as human beings owe to one another? And what does it mean to be civilized when civilization is collapsing all around you?

My two cents

Check out 
my review of The Last Policeman

Last year, I really enjoyed The Last Policeman, which is the first book in this sci-fi trilogy, so naturally I needed to find out what happens in book 2. Naturally, I was also apprehensive about this sequel living up to its predecessor, but I shouldn't have worried because I thought this was a fantastic read!

This book picks up where the first book left off ... the world is still on the brink of destruction with an asteroid about to hit earth (74 days left!) ... and Hank is still a policeman at heart. Despite Hank no longer officially with the police force, he simply couldn't say no to Martha, his former babysitter (which he had a huge crush on), as she begs him to find her missing husband. It's a hopeless case with people disappearing for mysterious reasons of their own. But Martha is certain, without a shred of doubt, that her husband, Brett, would never leave her.

The promise to help distraught Martha sends Hank out into an increasingly chaotic world, following through on any leads -- many of which are dangerous -- all the while slowly piecing together the true character of Brett Cavatone.

***

I loved the premise of the first book which so effectively set up this pre-apocalyptic world, that this second book really just ran with it! The world as characterized, and particularly the psychology of people were totally believable. I think we all have a morbid fascination with doomsday situations. I totally bought the horrendous scenarios being played out including mass suicides and missing people (usually "Bucket Listers"), widespread food shortages and a proliferating black market, military fending off people in a mass exodus to areas already with severe food shortages, and underground colonies of extremists who believe that there is still salvation in sight. All of these steadily percolate as we follow along in Hank's investigations.

Which brings me to a point that really appealed to me. There is an honest-to-goodness sweetness and even traditionalism to the storyline: Hank, who is still living out his dream of being a policeman, Martha who is clinging on to her disappeared husband's promise, and the charismatic Brett Cavatone whose mysterious disappearance raises all sorts of questions in my mind. These three highlight the bittersweetness of life in their now short existence.

That this was also part mystery also left me hankering to read through and its fast pace and the multi-layered revelations didn't disappoint. I have high expectations for the third book and wonder what Winters will do to wrap up this sci-fi trilogy!

Uh-oh: I am still a little iffy about Hank Palace as the central character; I didn't especially feel his growth as a person and his naivete struck me as a little off in the whole scheme of things. Let's just say that I am still not entirely convinced with his good-naturedness; I think I wanted him grittier or just with a shade of darkness to his soul.

Verdict: A great second installment to a trilogy about a chaotic world on the verge of decimation. If you've read The Last Policeman, you shouldn't miss this one! If you are new to the series, I highly recommend you read both books ... and I'm pretty sure you'll be eagerly awaiting the third, just like I am!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Quirk Books!

 

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu

Amazon.com
Book Depository: Paperback | Hardback

Where smarts collide with more smarts in a post-apocalyptic world.

Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

My two cents

If you're still reeling from the fact that The Hunger Games trilogy has concluded, then this one is for you! I can't recommend Marie Lu's debut novel enough. This star-crossed romance interwoven with lots of fast-paced action, a little bit of gore, lots of heart, and tons of post-apocalyptic detail will get you excited for this genre once again!

The storytelling is told in the two opposing voices of Day and June and I loved how this is captured in the changes in font type and colour as I romped through this unputdownable book.

I won't belabour this review. I loved this book and I can't wait to read Prodigy, its sequel.

Verdict: Hunger Games fan, go get a copy of this book now!

Legend by Marie Lu

Amazon.com
Book Depository: Paperback | Hardback

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

Book Depository | Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) 

The book in one sentence: In a world destined to die in 6 months, one man knows what to do: his job.

Synopsis of The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters: What’s the point in solving murders if we’re all going to die soon, anyway? Detective Hank Palace has faced this question ever since asteroid 2011GV1 hovered into view. There’s no chance left. No hope. Just six precious months until impact. The Last Policeman presents a fascinating portrait of a pre-apocalyptic United States. The economy spirals downward while crops rot in the fields. Churches and synagogues are packed. People all over the world are walking off the job—but not Hank Palace. He’s investigating a death by hanging in a city that sees a dozen suicides every week—except this one feels suspicious, and Palace is the only cop who cares.

The first in a trilogy, The Last Policeman offers a mystery set on the brink of an apocalypse. As Palace’s investigation plays out under the shadow of 2011GV1, we’re confronted by hard questions way beyond “whodunit.” What basis does civilization rest upon? What is life worth? What would any of us do, what would we really do, if our days were numbered?

My two cents

The world will be decimated by a meteor in six months ... what would you do? Well, for new policeman Hank Palace, he knows exactly what he wants to do: he wants to solve an alleged suicide which seemed "off."

What sets this book apart is its premise. The simple but very basic question of what to do with your last six months was enough to get me to agree to review this. Such a provocative question ... the answers are bound to be intriguing!

A picture of pre-Apocalyptic US is painted clearly with people reacting to their impending deaths in diverse ways: from helplessness and depression and people turning to drugs; to the other extreme of living it up and doing crazy things; or simply spending more time with their families ... then we learn about people preparing in more pragmatic ways (think bunkers, large-scale, oh if only it were that simple!)

While this may sound depressing, I didn't dwell on that. I have thing for Agatha Christie novels, so this read more like a suspenseful and psychological whodunit to me, that just kept me flipping the pages. Note I read this in about 2 days because I couldn't put it down!

But back to Palace. Right off, I liked Hank Palace. He sets himself apart by not succumbing to the general helplessness of people. Following his gut feeling, he makes himself useful, and he starts investigating into the alleged suicide hanging of an unassuming insurance man named Peter Zell in a town dubbed "Hanger Town." But why did Zell hang himself with a brand new and expensive belt when he was wearing a tattered suit and hole-y socks?

Digging into Zell's life, Palace stumbles upon some rather surprising secrets, and he discovers what type of person Zell is ... and Palace is away on what his colleagues scoff as a rather senseless goosechase complete with red herrings. I was disappointed when later in the book that the whodunit was over. But wait, there is a twist!  Of course there is!

It's a great start as the book sets us up for more in the two remaining books of this trilogy. Winters is a wonderful writer and while this is my first time to read his work, I'm sure it won't be the last.

Uh-oh: Hmmm, the dialogues can be a tad strange. I've never read so many holy moly's in  a book before.

I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, nor a huge suspense/thriller fan either ... so maybe this is what held me back from thoroughly getting into the details. But if you love sci-fi details, then you are in for a treat with the progress of the meteor as it is approaching the earth, mathematical calculations, and probabilities. It's all very well-researched and felt a little geeky!

*

Verdict: A fast-paced and provocative whodunit set six months before the world's end.

First line: I'm staring at the insurance man and he's staring at me, two cold gray eyes behind old-fashioned tortoiseshell frames, and I'm having this awful and inspiring feeling, like holy moly, this is real, and I don't know if I'm ready, I really don't.

Last line: I close the door.

*

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Quirk Books!

See also:

• My Friday 56 post
• thelastpoliceman.com
• Ben H. Winter's Official Website

Book Depository | Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) 

A Clockwork Orange Nail Art

The original cover!

50th anniversary edition

Dystopian literature your thing? Well then, put this one on your list. The Clockwork Orange by UK author Anthony Burgess is celebrating 50 years since it was penned in 1962! I surely can't let this year pass without reading this. Some nail inspiration follows ...

 {Via}

Polish on Digital Paper

Whale's Nails

Blindness and Seeing by Jose Saramago

 

I've been on a Saramago roll lately! His writing style intrigues me; and his allegorical-philosophical discourses - while they can get me a little bogged down - never fail to surprise me with his insights into human nature, even the worst of it.

After passing over Seeing many times as it happens always to be on the shelves... finally a  few months ago, I saw Blindness. All I knew is that I'd need to read Blindness before Seeing.

The books in one sentence each:

• Blindness: A city is inexplicably hit by blindness - save for one woman - the blind are confined to a mental hospital where man's worst appetites rear its ugly head. 
• Seeing: Majority cast blank votes in the election; government strives to deal with this "revolt," and pinpoints that the "seeing woman" is behind this plot.  

 

My thoughts

I've always been intrigued by dystopian literature, though it can be a little of a downer for me so I always make sure to stagger read it. 

Blindness is a depressing read yet shows what goodness, forgiveness and strength of character can do to rise above depravity and anarchy. The scenario is simple - in an entire city of blind people, one woman remains able to see. Why? What does she do?

This enigmatic phenomenon starts off with a man who is strangely struck by blindness. He goes to his ophthalmologist to find out why ... and instead he starts off a strange epidemic of blindness in other patient, including the very doctor who seeks to cure them.

The blind are quarantined in an old mental hospital. The doctor's wife, who remains able to see, refuses to leave her husband's side and feigns blindness to be able to do so. The hospital leaves the blind to basically left to fend for themselves ... and anarchy takes over in the fight for survival. The doctor's wife arises as a natural leader.

The characters are an interesting lot and lend various perspectives to this unusual story. There is the "girl with the dark glasses" - a prostitute who turns motherly to a young boy separated from his parents. Then there is the "man with the black eye patch," who unlike everyone else, takes his blindness calmly and matter-of-a-factly and sees it as an opportunity to learn a much-needed lesson. There is also the tyrannical "Ward 3 leader," who when supplies run low and modes of payment are non-existing, demands women in exchange.

I watched the movie (Julianne Moore?!?) and decided that this story is something best left as a book. It is much too graphic and depressing to have to watch - instead of being fodder for thought.

* * * 

Seeing is the sequel to Blindness post-blindness. Sight is miraculously restored and election time has swung around. The whole day, very few come around to vote, explained away as a heavy rain falls. But right after the skies clear up at around 4:00 pm, people are inexplicably at the polls and extensive lines start up. And to everyone's shock, the majority of the votes cast are blank.

Government investigates, viewing this sudden surge of voters at 4:00 pm and the resulting blank ballots as a plot to overthrow the government. In the increasingly oppressive nature of this Government, there is widespread discontent yet the fear of the repercussions of communicating this. Government keeps up a semblance of normality through what is regarded as highly suspicious propaganda. Meanwhile people are questioned and are start disappearing - and what results is an interesting yet precarious balance between the ruled and the rulers.

The "seeing" woman again figures in this story. She is pinpointed as the one responsible for orchestrating the casting of bank votes by mere virtue of her retaining her sight during the inexplicable blindness. A Superintendent is assigned to investigate who is responsible for this "revolution." The Superintendent, in the course of his investigations comes to see the human side of the situation, and he  becomes a dissenting voice in this silent city.

Verdict: Both must-reads! Blindness focuses on the individual at his best and worst. Seeing focuses on the government at its worst. 

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

About Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood: Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story and a compelling vision of the future. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.

My two cents

Spoilers, don’t say I didn’t warn you! I was blown away by this book! The third Atwood I’ve read (The Blind Assassin and Handmaid’s Tale), this is by far the best.

Dystopia, according to Atwood, becomes horrifying plausible in this tightly crafted tale of genetic engineering gone awry – overrun by living experiments such as pigoons (pigs bred to manufacture human organs), wolvogs, rakunks, chicken parts grown as chicken parts, and a whole host of horrors.

When man crossed that unspeakable boundary, becoming god and nature, this dystopia is the result. The book opens up the whole discussion of “when is too far, too far?” Is this what awaits us with our tampering of genes, in the name of science, in the name of the greater good?

Snowman, the “last man on earth,” recounts the story of how his genius friend Crake and his Oryx, from their kiddie-porn online obsession, end up breeding a new Homo Sapiens of the green eyes and superior genes. This is a new world where man becomes god to his new creation yet is threatened to extinction.

The horror of the ending, purposefully vague, shows Atwood’s propensity for suspense as well as a healthy respect for her reader’s opinions on this highly debatable, but very real issue of genetic engineering and its potentially catastrophic consequences.

Verdict: A must-read. Now one of my favorites.

1st line: Snowman wakes before dawn.

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