Review of 30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)

[Fatola Fatai]

[Following is a volunteer review of "30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)" by Mark Kingston Levin PhD.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition) by Mark Kingston Levin, PhD, is one sci-fi thrill ride you won't want to miss. Right out of the gate, the author hooked me with a taste of suspense after pausing the story for a section of praise from previous readers. It's an interesting storytelling move that had me desperate to continue reading.

The narrative started with Captain Jennifer Hero, a time-travelling agent from the 30th century tasked with altering the genetic makeup of the sociopathic Syndos race. The author wields his descriptive prowess by creating edge-of-your-seat sequences, such as when Commander Brown’s team prepared for transport to the 27th century or when Jennifer and Kyoko experienced a harrowing earthquake at an archaeological site. With such cinematic flair, I felt like I was with them. I found how the author depicted survival in inhospitable alien environments to be educational. An example is Jennifer's initial arrival on the radioactive atoll of Moruroa and her subsequent mastery of primitive survival techniques.

I rate this book five out of five stars. The author's character work and ability to construct a vibrant, tactile sci-fi realm that feels as textured as the real world are intriguing. Including beautiful full-colour illustrations throughout the book, each augmented with descriptions of what the pictures are about, brings the narrative to life in a vivid, unforgettable way. What resonated with me most was the subtle yet powerful environmental message woven into the narrative. An example of this is how Marty and his team of graduate students measured oceanic conditions and sampled plant and animal life. This cuts to the core of our modern climate crisis and humanity's obligation to be better stewards of this fragile planet we call home. I also appreciate the careful editing of the book.

Honestly, I did not notice any negatives in the book. From the opening page to the last page, I was in the author's thrall, mesmerized by the sheer scope of his imagination and inventive genius. I recommend this book to any sci-fi fan searching for the next dose of suspense-filled narrative. Even if you're new to the genre, the profound ecological insights contained within these pages are well worth immersing oneself in.

******
30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon