Sons of Adamah by C M Genton Book Review

About the Book:

Compelling characters. Intricate world-building. Moral complexities.

Sons of Adamah by CM Genton is a gripping blend of sci-fi and apocalyptic adventure set in a future where survival hangs by a thread.

Is sacrifice the key to redemption?

Year 2131, the galactic colony on Andropida struggles under social conservatism and scientific experimentation designed to prevent humanity’s extinction.

Young John Macabee longs to follow in his father’s footsteps as a martial arts expert, and he embraces the values that prioritize survival. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is banished for his genetic anomaly and goes into exile on Earth.

On a perilous journey to find his brother, John navigates the socially liberal world starkly contrasting everything he’s ever known, uncovering a conspiracy threatening not only Earth but also his beloved Andropida.

My Review:

This novel got off to a bit of a rough start for me. I do wish there had been more world building at the very beginning, setting the stage for the adventure. I didn't know why they were in a crater, or even which star system they were in, for example, or why they were there at all. We do find out Andropida is a sort of life boat for earth. It is a time where there is gender fluidity. Human waste including bodies of those who have died, is used as fuel. One very human acting individual turns out to be a cyborg.

The main character, John, is sent back to earth, landing in Vancouver, B.C. The dystopian nature of the city is well described. There is a Christian element to the novel, mostly in the latter pages. Some scenes from the Book of Revelation are spoken. There is a character who believes in Elohim and that he promised to send One who would restore order. There is a reference to Jesus, though not by name, near the end, and a hymn is sung and some of the beatitudes recited.

Genton's writing style is descriptive. For example, John asks an unknown to identify himself. “His leaden words fell, but just before they hit the parquet floor, strong hands harvested them and carried them up, up, up.” (263) John then left the place. I have no idea what that scene means.

I found it hard to follow the narrative at times. I have to admit I don't think I really understood some of the novel. This is one for readers who like imaginative writing with thought provoking themes that might take concentration to understand.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

CM Genton grew up in a French-Catholic family, her mind fed by mystical books, Star Trek TV shows, and comic strips.

She never dreamed of being a writer. Instead, she lay awake at night wondering where the universe ended. "Then what?"

Her finely pitched obsessive compulsiveness enabled her Bachelor of fine arts and Master of the arts of theology. In seminary, she worked on a useful non-fiction book but got distracted. Laying awake at night, she wondered what the world would look like if social progressives got what they wanted. "Then what?" That called for fiction, and the Adamah series was born.

CM Genton lives in the southwest corner of Canada. She has no pictures of cute pets (or cuteness-challenged ones), tasteful decor, or holidays in Italy. She does however have pictures somewhere of her little sailboat (she gets seasick) and scrambler motorcycle with modified pipe.

La Grange-Presse, 365 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)