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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Genesis 2 Review, 15 Feb 2005
This review is from: Genesis 2 (Paperback)
I have to say, I've been put off science fiction novels before now. I'm not totally sure why, though it could be because of the sort of things they have in them nowadays. But this book was great! I actually got it at a sci fi convention (and got it signed, too!) on Friday, and finished it by Monday (I'm a fast reader). This book contains much in the way of descriptions, and I wasn't left with the feeling that things hadn't been explained properly in it. The alien race - the Gnathe - have a system very similar to a dictatorship. They are a species with three sexes - male, female, and a different sort of female, who act as the rulers, and expect to be served. The third sex are the Brood Mothers - they carry the eggs of the mated male and female, and are able to manipulate the unborn children. The Brood Mothers also choose which males and females are mated to each other. The book actually starts with a brief description of where mankind is at that point. I won't give much away, but the starting point of the story is with a Brood Mother who sees a different way forward for the Gnathe, but is actually sentenced to death for her different way of thinking. She is in fact rescued, and she and her rescuers are aided by Kamiel, a Guardian to the humans and modified apes who are inside a sort of Habitat as the air on the world is toxic to them. All in all, I would say that this book is definitely worth buying. It is extremely well-written, and very hard to put down once you start. I can't wait for the next one!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
GENESIS 2 REVIEW, 3 Jan 2006
This review is from: Genesis 2 (Paperback)
one of the best sci-fi reads to date, a good mixture of fact & fiction, was very hard to put down.Looking forward to his next book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!, 13 April 2007
By Emelia Hardy - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Genesis 2 (Paperback)
I've had a chance to read Barry's book..Genesis 2 ..a wonderful Fabulous read!.. Had me on pins and needles the whole time I read it. ..and more so as I went along.. After getting to know the characters made it that much more exciting!.. What an imagination this man has! and I could feel his presence the whole time I was reading it..and of course I kept talking to myself asking, Now what turn of events does Barry have in mind?...many twist and turns.. and descriptions that were fantastic!... it certainly didn't leave any stone un-turned as far as not understanding anything......If you enjoy sci/fi then you have got to read this book! and one more thing..even if sci/fi isn't your cup of tea,I still recommand this book because the author makes it so real that it has you scratching your head asking yourself, Does Barry Woodham know something that we don't know?
Emelia Hardy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't mate with a Gnathe!, 25 Jan 2005
By Dr. Charles Muller - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Genesis 2 (Paperback)
Of all the books I have edited and had published in the seven or so years of Diadem Books, I am sure Genesis 2 by Barry Woodham is the best - for imagination and the ability to tell a gripping and enchanting story.
I always considered Europa (one of Jupiter's moons) to be the place to which mankind might resort after the sun goes nova - but Barry Woodham's idea of a stripped-down Jupiter is most intriguing! His tale of consequences is MOST absorbing, especially since it has that rare quality - verisimilitude! Once I had begun the book and reached the end of the first chapter I found that I was only too eager to follow the storyline and see how the battle between the enlightened parties (humans, apes, guardians) will proceed against the unenlightened though intelligent and cruel Great Lady Link, supreme despotic ruler of the Gnathes! The author really gets the reader's interest going and his battle scenes are dynamic and vivid. Also, it's a refreshing perspective where the actual aliens are, in effect, ourselves - humans! It is a lot more believable than a book like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe (which I have tried twice to read and discarded, being, to me, so ridiculous with what feels like undergraduate humour and undisciplined imagination!) At the end of the day I believe what makes a successful novel is the writer's ability to tell a convincing story, and Barry Woodham without question has that quality.
I can certainly recommend Genesis 2 - what a read! I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, especially the story line, and felt it was all very exciting and convincing. The author has certainly achieved a great deal of exciting dramatic interest in the tension or conflict between the enlightened democratic elements (human and alien!) and the unenlightened tyrannical dictator! What I liked about his book especially are the metaphysical undertones, a valuable quality in SF where one feels there are echoes or parallels with real life - echoes that touch on the mystery of the universe. The crystal mobile ESP phones are a brilliant concept! I pray, however, that I don't have any erotic dreams (nightmares) of mating with Gnathes following the suspense and excitement of the book! - Charles Muller, Diadem Books, www.diadembooks.com
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