Passionate scientists can be dangerous for many reasons, and some of them are explored in this entirely possible futuristic story. Between Kelly, a highly motivated intern who wants nothing more than a career as a scientist, and his discovery of what is going on behind the closed doors of the lab he works in, there is enough suspense to keep things interesting. Kelly’s fervent belief in “science for science’s sake” is thoroughly tested, and when he ends up in the fight of his life instead of becoming famous for his meticulous research everything changes before he knows what’s happening.

In a future not too far from now, the world is a different place. Major cities have become even more significant, powerful governments seem to control pretty much everything that’s going on, and life is very well regulated. Kelly is a young American scientist who has managed to get an internship at the prestigious Photonic Royal Society in New London. But his tasks are simple, he is not allowed to see the full picture of what project MARS is really about, and he is frustrated. He stays late one night and overhears his boss saying some things that lead to his exposure to the truth – and he does not like what he sees.

Torn between doing his duty so he can remain a cold-blooded scientist and his newly discovered conscience, Kelly is in for an adventure he could not have dreamed up had he tried. He has to confront the result of nanotechnology, genetic manipulation, and bioengineering – only the “project” has evolved beyond the original parameters of the experiment and has become sentient. Kelly suddenly has a front-row seat in the old debate – well, old in science fiction terms - of what happens when a machine, or an artificial life form becomes self-aware and develops feelings. Should he be treated as a human being? Or are his origins all that count and is he a thing to be treated no different from a car or a plane.

If you like thought experiments about human nature and sentience in unexpected forms, if you want to read more about two men whose origins are very different yet they want a future together, and if you’re looking for a read that has top secret science projects, a researcher developing a conscience, and a weapon turned human all in one suspenseful, heartwarming package, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )