The Sum of All Issues
by Seb Doubinsky
Style: Science Fiction / Satire
ISBN: 9781946154392
Print Size: 200 pages
Writer: Meerkat Press
Reviewed by Peter Hassebroek
An intricately woven plot about saving Earth’s freedom with disparate, personable characters
In a not too distant future (the Web and Google Translate are nonetheless present), Earth is on its method to yielding its freedoms to the Subliminal Empire. Different planets have already executed this, and one escapee from Planet X (Vita) is set to not let Earth endure her planet’s destiny. To her benefit is the method for the liberating, reality-altering Synth, which is:
“. . . a DNA-based drug that you would management as you wished. You possibly can flip it on or off as you happy, behave completely usually, and no take a look at may detect it… With it, you would reside wherever you wished, in a universe that was simultaneous with the fact surrounding you.”
Vita’s mission takes her to the city-state of Samarqand, which lies geographically and ideologically between the Western Alliance and Chinese language Confederation. A convergence of occasions—together with a dying king with an unsure, polarizing succession; a culturally controversial discovery threatening a museum opening; and terrorist exercise—may destabilize Earth sufficient to precipitate its Subliminal Empire subjugation.
Vita isn’t working in isolation. She’s supported by a liaison officer who will get her in contact with Thomas, a bookstore proprietor who, like Vita, is a refugee and Synth person. Thomas in flip is linked to an ensemble of POV characters, together with his lab researcher spouse, his policeman pal and protector, a poetess and her lover, and a newly employed museum director with a doubtful previous. There’s additionally the Egregorian Society to which Thomas and the policeman belong, which has pursuits that coincide with these of Vita’s company.
The interconnectedness of components, characters, and intrigues come into focus in a plot that on the floor may appear unwieldy for thus brief a novel. But the story by no means appears unclear or cramped. The tempo is leisurely to begin, however the poetic economic system of typically very temporary chapters successfully amps up pressure to propel the conflicts ahead. Their symmetry brings cohesiveness in a prose showcase of the creator’s obvious poetic skills.
Brevity in such an concerned plot means character improvement can solely go so deep. Nonetheless, every particular person is rounded out in subtly suave methods. Corresponding to on Vita’s preliminary go to to Thomas’s retailer when she purchases a number of books: “She put her loot on the desk and took out her pockets. He checked the costs and rounded the sum down.”
The rounding down is a seemingly throwaway element however one which reveals Thomas’s unselfish, accommodating nature. It additionally conveys Vita’s thriftiness as somebody who’d word this—and she or he does it once more later when desirous to promote the books again. It’s paradoxically humorous too as a result of the books she returns are about UFOs, and Vita (from an earth perspective) lives in a spaceship. Different incidents (i.e. home bickering) with the opposite characters set up the common-or-garden humanity that grounds them within the grander story.
This was my introduction to the Metropolis-States Cycle, regardless of it being e book 10. I didn’t know what got here earlier than or which characters may be recurring, however by no means felt as if I wanted to know. I put my religion within the creator and wasn’t dissatisfied. Little doubt those that have learn earlier components shall be extra acquainted with sure elements—as an illustration, the technical workings of Synth—however sufficient is supplied through concise exposition to make it clear and gratifying as a standalone work.
The Sum of All Issues is a deftly packed & poetic novel that you just’ll be glad you picked up.
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