“War, war never changes” Fallout Series

While our enemies do, our reasons, our methods, and everything else may, the concept of war I believe is universal, tale as old as time. “I am Sleepless: Sim 299” carries on in that tradition, though to be fair this book was more of a learning experience both in who the real enemy is and the all-around ideology of why we fight and how.

As what seems to be the norm, humanity is its own worst enemy, but we also have the Splicers and a wild array of creatures, which was interesting for the author to put together but also perhaps a bit lazy. The reason of course needs no real explanation… our continued existence and the stakes don’t get much higher than that, also the idea of the splicers and those in power gives rise to the idea of who the real monsters are. This of course leads us to the Primes and the Prime Initiative, if anyone remembers the television series Dark Angel or X-Men’s Genosha or anything with child soldiers or slaves, this is a somewhat new twist on the genre.

Remember I said this is a learning experience because there is so much to keep track of, what soldiers have what powers, strengths and weaknesses, and what animal got such attributes but there is a glossary in the back for the Primes. The plot keeps you going quite steadily but isn’t as complicated as the Primes themselves when you’re trying to keep up with the course of any one battle and it would have been helpful to know what the Splicers could do which several of the characters bring up as well. The world is flushed out well and I rather enjoyed some of the character motivations which I suppose will become even more complex with the next story but again this one was awesome.

While I won’t exactly call the concept original the story itself is actually quite creative in a lackadaisical sort of way, again the animals and the powers I’d like to know how long the author spent coming to what made the final cut. Speaking of final cut if I had one real problem and maybe this was just a computer glitch with my Kindle, none of the pictures ever showed up besides the cover but let me focus more on the ideas that did show.

“I have come to believe that there is no escape from war. The only solution is to control it.”
― Johan Twiss, I AM SLEEPLESS: Sim 299

As I said all too familiar which the author acknowledges along with several others, 1992’s TOYS, Ender’s Game, Divergent, The Hunger Games, another let the children lead us or children save the world type of deal. Besides not seeing the pictures there isn’t much I can say on the negative, that’s not to say there aren’t any faults.

Aiden and his coterie, his makeshift family and friends are all brought to life quite well and the bits of romance that the author did allow are thoughtful. The idea that the Meks (how long did that name take) subconsciously sabotage all their tech so only they can use it, like Hephaestus and his maze by comparison. The sim, and the pit remind me of Ender’s Game and if you’re up for a good riddle and a hell of a fight this will get you going, some head scratching there.

Now the names are laughable, maybe those were the pictures, I don’t know but I’m reading through and it’s like seriously Batmonkeys, Hippophants, Wolfstags, did some kid dream these up or is it an episode of Power Rangers. Another common idea in these stories is that having to prove you’re the chosen one, if there were two people before Aiden, did they not have some sort of test to prove themselves and why not or if so what makes Aiden different, yes I get the whole three thing (get used to seeing three a lot). There is also Director Tuskin, ever heard the expression, dumbest smart guy, his character just seemed, unhinged and I mean not the character’s insanity but from the book itself as if it couldn’t be agreed upon what he was truly doing with himself, okay mysterious but really counting on the sequel there to learn more.

Most people will appreciate the familiar spin and the twist, and the book has a habit of repeating itself because of the learning curve. If you don’t like the teen trend though and you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, yeah this book is more a sugar treat than a steak, for the record.

“I guess I have a face that only a blind woman could love,”
― Johan Twiss, I AM SLEEPLESS: Sim 299

I can’t say it was love but enough to put the sequel on my list; I liked this book plenty. If I was going to recommend this book to anyone; plenty of people would enjoy it but if we’re looking for a special breed…

I probably shouldn’t say this but I’ll say the tiniest bit of peer pressure to bump it up to four stars, I would honestly give it three for plot, character development, and actually caring when I went a day without reading it. There were too many problems in my case to say four directly and I can’t say I know the author’s other works but this book has loads of potential and much like Aiden’s friends I look to Johan Twiss and ask, what’s next. Can’t say I would have immediately sought this book out on my own but I’m glad I gave it a shot and the fact that I want more is praise enough or so I thought.

If you think Ender’s Game is one of the greatest things ever then this book will definitely be worth your time. If you’re a kid at heart with a touch of mad scientist in you, plus it helps if you’re into super soldiers that have plenty of flaws, then this is pretty good indeed. It could be that you just enjoy reading about futuristic wars and such, a bit of a space oddity (yes you read that right) then get ready for a bit of an adventure without a doubt.

As I said, personally a three out of five but I have a heart and shouldn’t we all for anyone that gives so much thought and energy into such an endeavor. For the record if I had to choose a class for myself I’d go either Mek or Lug, I like building things but on the other hand Lugs, well I’ll just keep my hands full so I don’t have to speak to anyone really.