Review by MKsimpson -- The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
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MKsimpson
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- Latest Review: The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
Review by MKsimpson -- The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Omicron Six" by Endy Wright.]
The Omicron Six by Endy Wright is the story of two special boys, Cooper and Coupe. These two classmates were born with special abilities that both help and hinder their development during their childhood. While Cooper grew up in a happy home with his parents, Coupe had to endure a horribly abusive life. Different in so many ways, the two boys grow a bond to help one another grow strong in their powers and their ability to cope with the world around them. The boys use their faith in their friendship to get them through all obstacles, as their lives are twisted into a fantastic adventure.
This is a unique take on mutants and super humans that is refreshing to read. The author touches on very difficult circumstances; the abuse Coupe goes through in his childhood and how the adults in his life react when he tells them about it. It’s handled with such finesse that while it’s difficult to read, it perfectly illustrates the burden and pain Coupe carries as a result. The overall plot of the novel is great, allowing the reader to get to know the main characters before throwing in a few twists. This novel asks a lot of thought-provoking questions which are then explored through the development of the characters throughout the book. The characters are well-rounded which let them build believable relationships with one another. Because a lot of the novel was centered around these bonds it works very well to create an emotional, dynamic narrative.
While the novel overall is very good, there are a few details that throw it off. The largest problem is with the main character Coupe. In dealing with the aftermath of a terrible childhood, he ends up coming off as his own therapist. He has a lot of insight into what happened and how it has affected him. In my opinion, far more than a fourteen-year-old would be able to in such a short amount of time. For example, Coupe has a bad reaction to receiving a puppy as a gift due to something that happened to him previously. After he runs from the house to cool off, he comes back to explain to the other characters why he ran and to come up with a perfect solution to the problem. While I don’t doubt such a strong character can overcome this obstacle, his tone in these situations is almost too educated to the point where it’s unbelievable. It also took a while to get to where the book actually felt like a science fiction story. The author has a great idea in, and it would be nice to have it more prominent in the beginning of the book to better tie it to the second half of the story.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It’s a great story that is handled exceptionally well. I love the author’s perspective on superpowers and how the people that have them handle them in day-to-day life. It also dealt with difficult situations with great care, making the reader feel deeply for these characters. I found no major issues, so the book was exceptionally well edited. The author has a sequel in the works which I can’t wait to read.
While I would recommend the book to any adult who loves science fiction about super humans, there are a few limitations. Because the novel has many scenes of violent and sexual abuse, I would caution anyone this might trigger as well as younger readers. There is also liberal use of profanity by the characters. It’s not excessive or unwarranted, but it’s there. The novel also takes a negative attitude regarding religion, which could be off-putting to some readers.
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The Omicron Six
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Omicron Six by Endy Wright is the story of two special boys, Cooper and Coupe. These two classmates were born with special abilities that both help and hinder their development during their childhood. While Cooper grew up in a happy home with his parents, Coupe had to endure a horribly abusive life. Different in so many ways, the two boys grow a bond to help one another grow strong in their powers and their ability to cope with the world around them. The boys use their faith in their friendship to get them through all obstacles, as their lives are twisted into a fantastic adventure.
This is a unique take on mutants and super humans that is refreshing to read. The author touches on very difficult circumstances; the abuse Coupe goes through in his childhood and how the adults in his life react when he tells them about it. It’s handled with such finesse that while it’s difficult to read, it perfectly illustrates the burden and pain Coupe carries as a result. The overall plot of the novel is great, allowing the reader to get to know the main characters before throwing in a few twists. This novel asks a lot of thought-provoking questions which are then explored through the development of the characters throughout the book. The characters are well-rounded which let them build believable relationships with one another. Because a lot of the novel was centered around these bonds it works very well to create an emotional, dynamic narrative.
While the novel overall is very good, there are a few details that throw it off. The largest problem is with the main character Coupe. In dealing with the aftermath of a terrible childhood, he ends up coming off as his own therapist. He has a lot of insight into what happened and how it has affected him. In my opinion, far more than a fourteen-year-old would be able to in such a short amount of time. For example, Coupe has a bad reaction to receiving a puppy as a gift due to something that happened to him previously. After he runs from the house to cool off, he comes back to explain to the other characters why he ran and to come up with a perfect solution to the problem. While I don’t doubt such a strong character can overcome this obstacle, his tone in these situations is almost too educated to the point where it’s unbelievable. It also took a while to get to where the book actually felt like a science fiction story. The author has a great idea in, and it would be nice to have it more prominent in the beginning of the book to better tie it to the second half of the story.
Overall, I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It’s a great story that is handled exceptionally well. I love the author’s perspective on superpowers and how the people that have them handle them in day-to-day life. It also dealt with difficult situations with great care, making the reader feel deeply for these characters. I found no major issues, so the book was exceptionally well edited. The author has a sequel in the works which I can’t wait to read.
While I would recommend the book to any adult who loves science fiction about super humans, there are a few limitations. Because the novel has many scenes of violent and sexual abuse, I would caution anyone this might trigger as well as younger readers. There is also liberal use of profanity by the characters. It’s not excessive or unwarranted, but it’s there. The novel also takes a negative attitude regarding religion, which could be off-putting to some readers.
******
The Omicron Six
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
