Official Review: The Transformation: GTE 45

Momlovesbooks · Post by **Momlovesbooks** » 26 Apr 2016, 15:00

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Transformation: GTE 45" by Faren Siminoff.]

3 out of 4 stars

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In the near future, political parties as we know them, collapse during a heated presidential election year. Sound a little too close to current events? What if one party disappears and a new one takes its place, leading the country in a totally different direction? The Transformation: GTE 45 by Faren Siminoff is a fictional, futuristic novel. The story is set approximately 45 years in the future. It shows an eerie glimpse of a transformed country through the eyes of three main characters.

After a violent upheaval, the "Great Transformation" has turned the United States of America into the Corporate States of America (C.S.A.) The population is separated into different classifications based on objective, measurable criteria. Paul Gaugin, classified as a Wage Earner, works as a 3D graphic designer, but feels he should be a real artist. Life throws him a few curve balls and he receives a new job position. There he meets Layla Saenz, a Professional. She had been raised in the Projects as a "Taker" but "tested out" to become a history professor. Paul and Layla begin a confusing relationship. It becomes even more entangling when Layla becomes involved with Reverend Isaac Freemon. He is the powerful head of the Church of the Revealed Saints, which has become the C.S.A.'s official religion. These three individuals are on a collision path as they learn the secret history of how the U.S.A. really became the C.S.A.

The story is set in the future, so there are many unique aspects to the setting and characters. Many areas show the author's creativity. The author's writing style is detailed and descriptive. Much of the first half of the book is based on developing Paul's character and explaining to the reader the many new terms and details of the way of life in the C.S.A. I became a little confused by terminology and had to go back to previous chapters to determine the meaning of words. The author jumped around a lot from characters and events in the first half. I did enjoy the author's view on the "unofficial" history of the U.S.A., compared to the "approved" version by the new government.

The three main characters are very diverse. The country is seen in a different way from each one's point of view, based on their classification in the C.S.A. The second half of the book becomes more fast-paced as important events begin to unfold. Things seemed to flow and come together at this point.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Anyone following our country's presidential primaries would enjoy this novel. You won't be able to stop thinking about where our country could possibly be headed in the near future.

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The Transformation: GTE 45
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kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 02 May 2016, 09:12

Sounds like an interesting book with equally interesting characters. Yes, the story is kind of timely

Good job on the review.

Vermont Reviews · Post by **Vermont Reviews** » 26 May 2016, 22:16

kimmyschemy06 wrote:Sounds like an interesting book with equally interesting characters. Yes, the story is kind of timely Good job on the review.

Great review.

Vermont Reviews

gali · Post by **gali** » 07 Jun 2016, 12:50

Sounds good! I love futuristic books.

Congratulations to the author on the good review and on being Book of the Day!

rssllue · Post by **rssllue** » 07 Jun 2016, 12:59

Very nice review! You definitely made it sound like quite the interesting book to read. Nice job!

gaporter · Post by **gaporter** » 07 Jun 2016, 13:28

Wow, sounds very interesting. It seems particularly relevant with this current crazy election season.

Seraphia Bunny Sparks · Post by **Seraphia Bunny Sparks** » 07 Jun 2016, 15:10

Just from reading the synopsis for this book I found it to be interesting and got my attention but after reading your review of the book it sounds even more interesting and like something I would definitely be inclined to pick up and read. Thank you for engaging review.

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 07 Jun 2016, 17:01

Corporate States of America (C.S.A.) sounds a bit scary if you ask me. It does make me interested in the book, though! I like when books have more than one character's perspective, but I can see how the jumping back and forth towards the beginning be a bit much. Still, a 3/4 star rating is pretty good!

Thanks for the great review and congratulations to the author for being BOTD!

truebookaddict · Post by **truebookaddict** » 07 Jun 2016, 17:30

Okay, this sounds like a scary book. I actually had butterflies in my stomach. I guess because I don't find the storyline too far-fetched considering the current state of things.

Great straightforward review, constructively explaining your issues with certain aspects of the book. If I can get past my fear, I just may give it a read.

jungkookblog · Post by **jungkookblog** » 07 Jun 2016, 18:15

Awesome review! It sounds very intriguing, and a book that I would love.

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 07 Jun 2016, 19:50

Great review! This sounds like an interesting dystopian future. I really like that the author made the future feel realistic and made such great characters. The social commentary reminds me a lot of Orwell's 1984.