Echoes in the Silence: 1 (Gemini Series) Paperback – Import, 2 December 2013

I'm not quite sure how to say why I liked this book so much. In many ways, Mr. MacKenzie reminds me very much of the awesome YA writer John Christopher and his White Mountain series (a wonderful series). There's an exuberant intensity to both author's works that goes beyond the vast majority of dystopian fiction today. It's not just that things move fast (one almost senses that the author's writing could barely keep up with his thoughts) but that they move fast while holding on to an emotional anchor that keeps one grounded in the outcome of the proceedings. And that's where this book really shines. I care about Gemini and what happens to him. Mr. MacKenzie's ability to pull this off is rare and terrific.And now I have to compare him to another favorite author - Philip K. Dick. I'm not claiming that this book deals with issues of what is "real" - because it doesn't (as far as I can tell anyway - we'll have to see what he does in the next book). But, like the best writing of PKD, it does a terrific job of describing a "soul" that is lost in a haze of technology and possibility. Questions abound as to who can be trusted. There are so many ways this could go - I'm only sorry that I have to wait for the next book.

Mos good Sci-Fi.. plots starts with the world as it is, but with one element changed, then develops the consequences of that change. This tale relates the travail of a young normal 21st century individual in an identical world, except everyone else can read minds! The story is told by a young author to a young audience, and presents a polished development of the concept. with much of the story yet to be told.

This is a science fiction type book, which is not my usual genre. This young man was in scouts with my son, and I was so excited that he actually took the time to write and publish the book. The book is geared for middle school or high school aged kids. It is fast paced and does not drag on. I really enjoyed the story line. The only bummer about the book is that I have to wait for the next book in the series to be finished. I am waiting Ian- so hurry up and finish volume 2.

I think that there are two main problems with this book:1. there isn't much perspective given. the main character is a 10-year-old boy who is already afraid that he's going to have an unfulfilling sex life because he can't read minds. He also doesn't act much like a kid and the author later explains that he is unusually intelligent for his age. however, we never meet any normal kids his age to get a reference that shows the reader just how much smarter he is. is he supposed to be a normal kid with a few deep thoughts, or is he a 17-year-old (at least) trapped in a 10-year-old body? the author does a lot of telling and very little showing in his book; a common problem in literature.2. the story takes place outside of this fantastical world. Gemini lives a secluded, sheltered life and then goes straight under ground to the resistance. I want to know how society works when you can read minds. they mention a few things (homosexuals are instantly persecuted as well as people who think rebellious thoughts around police officers), but it seems more like a world that just recently obtained this power (like this generation) rather than one that has been evolving with this power. society would be very different if people could read minds. I feel like there would be a lot of subconscious sharing and technological advancement and different ways of interacting that went beyond just not speaking outloud. the book doesn't really explore this.there are other problems: an obvious anti-south agenda, an organization that decides to make an baby its king because reasons, an asian super-techi who acts like japanese dora the explorer (sugoi! great!), but I think what this book really is is just wasted potential. it's an interesting concept that just really didn't get the presentation it needed.

Mystery and adventure in this book. I like how it is written from a 10 year old boys perspective. Can't wait for the next book.