Leviathan
RIFT is a sci-fi action thriller to its core, and one that's been missing from the bookshelves of fans of the genre for a long time. A true page-turner, Thomas Asher hits a home run with this story. The book is, in some ways, a spiritual successor to Crichton's Jurassic Park. In reality, it is so much more; it explores topics that are perhaps more relevant than ever, and marries documentary quality depictions of prehistory with science and horror that sometimes feel all-too-real.
As a dinosaur lover and palaeontolgy enthusiast I was giddy with excitement while reading this book; I turned page after page in a furious ecstasy, as I ultimately devoured the ~700 page book in just three days. The book is meticulously researched, in a way that almost made me weep tears of joy when I realized how diligent the author was in depicting not just the prehistoric fauna, but also applications of technologies we may well see in the near future. The way Asher combined all his different ideas into one cohesive package is truly impressive.
But who is it for? Obviously it's geared primarily towards the science fiction crowd, but whatever you might want from a story like this, RIFT has it all: quasi-military future dystopia, horror (both cosmic and conventional), genetics, physics and more. The glossary and bestiary sections at the end will help even unfamiliar readers get familiar with the science. Realistic characters with complex backstories combined with careful world-building create the impression of a world that isn't just the product of an imaginative, futurist mind, but one that really is coming; and in some ways is already here. All wrapped in a tight, hard-hitting narrative that gets your blood pumping and your skin crawling as your hands keep turning the page.
I digress, though. I could about this book for hours, but spoiling even an inkling of this story would be doing it a disservice. To conclude, Asher has managed to pen one of the most impressive books I've read in recent years. His exploration of humanity, ethics, trauma and science all come together in the form of RIFT: The Sixth Extinction. A great book, in every sense of the word; I would (and will) recommend it to anyone.
Thank you, Thomas. I'm really hoping for a sequel.
RIFT is a sci-fi action thriller to its core, and one that's been missing from the bookshelves of fans of the genre for a long time. A true page-turner, Thomas Asher hits a home run with this story. The book is, in some ways, a spiritual successor to Crichton's Jurassic Park. In reality, it is so much more; it explores topics that are perhaps more relevant than ever, and marries documentary quality depictions of prehistory with science and horror that sometimes feel all-too-real.
As a dinosaur lover and palaeontolgy enthusiast I was giddy with excitement while reading this book; I turned page after page in a furious ecstasy, as I ultimately devoured the ~700 page book in just three days. The book is meticulously researched, in a way that almost made me weep tears of joy when I realized how diligent the author was in depicting not just the prehistoric fauna, but also applications of technologies we may well see in the near future. The way Asher combined all his different ideas into one cohesive package is truly impressive.
But who is it for? Obviously it's geared primarily towards the science fiction crowd, but whatever you might want from a story like this, RIFT has it all: quasi-military future dystopia, horror (both cosmic and conventional), genetics, physics and more. The glossary and bestiary sections at the end will help even unfamiliar readers get familiar with the science. Realistic characters with complex backstories combined with careful world-building create the impression of a world that isn't just the product of an imaginative, futurist mind, but one that really is coming; and in some ways is already here. All wrapped in a tight, hard-hitting narrative that gets your blood pumping and your skin crawling as your hands keep turning the page.
I digress, though. I could about this book for hours, but spoiling even an inkling of this story would be doing it a disservice. To conclude, Asher has managed to pen one of the most impressive books I've read in recent years. His exploration of humanity, ethics, trauma and science all come together in the form of RIFT: The Sixth Extinction. A great book, in every sense of the word; I would (and will) recommend it to anyone.
Thank you, Thomas. I'm really hoping for a sequel.
