We by Zamyatin

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 978-0812974621
• Language: Russian (originally)
• Genre(s): Dystopian Novel, Science Fiction

This novel was originally written by Zamyatin during 1920-1921, and paints an interesting picture of a dystopian totalitarian state. The tale itself centers around D-503, a cipher of the One State, and is written in almost a journal entry style.

The One State, a world where buildings are created of glass and the Guardians/Spies can watch every ciphers movement and behaviors. Daily life is regimented by a time table that clearly lays out how each Cipher is to expend their time in the most efficient way and is the most beneficial to the one state. D-503, as stated previously, is a cipher of the One State. He is a mathematician who is working on building the Integral, a spaceship designed to help the One State conquer the universe. The book is actually a record that he plans to send along inside the Integral during it's maiden voyage. During the course of the novel he becomes entangled with a female cipher who he develops an obsessiveness for and may or may not be his undoing.

I found the novel to be a quiet enjoyable read and rather intriguing, but as I have stated before I enjoy dystopian literature. Although at times the novel seemed a bit dry and the ending seemed a little forced and possibly even quite predictable I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Orwell's 1984.

Pandemonium-Daryl Gregory

Pandemonium

Daryl Gregory

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1st Edition/1st Printing edition (August 26, 2008)
• ISBN-13: 978-0345501165

    Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory is this authors first full length novel.  The novel centers our Del Pierce, who was possessed at the age of 5 by a demon called the "Hellion" who never left his body although had been believed to have been exorcised. Del embarks on a dangerous journey to free himself of this demon. His world is plagued with demon possessions, an appearance by Philip K. Dick. and Jungian Psychology...Metaphysics..and an a conclusion that leaves you hoping for a sequel.

     Where to start the review, I had been contemplating this most of all after I completed the novel last night during work. I didn't have horrible things to say, and I have a huge habit of gushing over the novels that I absolutely love. This falls into the latter category of course.  Gregory's fast paced prose and wonderful story line intrigue the reader almost instantly and lead the reader to devour the novel as quickly as possible because you have to know what happens. The novel reads fast and I definitely wouldn't consider this a "snack" book because as you read this you're left questioning you own ideas of Possession, Psychology, and even Mental Illness. Unlike most possession novels there aren't very overt religious overtones, no "power of Christ compels you", this one centers  a lot around psychological aspects of possession and that's what had sucked me in. Would I recommend this novel to anyone? Hell Yes. It's a quick great sci-fi read that I think most would enjoy.  My only real disappointment with the book was in the format, for those of us who like the format, the publisher only released this in paperback. I would have loved to have it in Hardcover.

-you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming-
GeekybookGirl