Set in England, IVON by Michael Aylwin introduces the reader to a future world, called the Perpetual Era, where everything revolves around generating energy, with sports generating the most energy and therefore the entire society revolves around sports. People are either groomed to play sports, coach sports, or otherwise support the sports and the athletes. When a Lapsed Era (in Wales, where people who refuse the Perpetual Era ideals live) an athlete is introduced to London's rugby team and more importantly to this highly organized and pre-planned society, he inspires change that is a blessing to some and blemish on London to others.
Aylwin's book is a dark, satirical look at where our society could end up, where individuality is minimized and everyone's purpose is preordained. By introducing a Perpetual Era man, Dusty Noble, to the Lapsed Era people and vice versa with Ivon, who ends up playing on London's rugby team, their are some humorous and frank realizations each person has about the other's society (alcohol, sex, and interpersonal relationships amongst others). Aylwin uses those awakenings to consider which way is better or worse. The plot is engaging, with Alywin describing in detail several rugby matches and as things start to unravel, the he builds the suspense to a unfortunate but inevitable conclusion.
Fascinating in it's commentary as well as it's story, IVON had me thinking and re-analyzing parts of the book even after I finished reading it.
Thank you to RedDoor Publishing, Michael Aylwin, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! ( )