Review of Prism

[Annika porter]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Prism" by Jack Verson.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Jack Verson’s Prism is an incredible science-fiction novel. Reminiscent of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, this novel is told in a first-person diary format by Vernon Vining. Set in the distant future, Vernon is employed by the Extraterrestrial Settlement Commission to travel to new human settlements on different planets and solve the problems each settlement faces. Vernon and his co-worker Sam are sent to Prism, a planet where everything native to the land oscillates hue and color seemingly randomly. The settlers on Prism are facing a serious, mysterious illness that has caused death, but the cause cannot be found. Vernon’s lifelong ability to connect with nature and the world is needed in order to solve this urgent matter. While Prism is teeming with color and light, nothing native to the planet utilizes sound. How do you find a problem, let alone a solution, when every aspect of a planet is completely foreign? Prism takes its readers on a journey that reshapes your definition of language.

The concept and plot of this book are extremely unique and engaging. The idea of an agency that specializes in investigating planetary settlement issues is a neat idea that allows this novel to stand out from many other science-fiction stories. The author additionally does an excellent job of world-building. The planet of Prism was described in such colorful, vibrant detail; the fun, color-shifting wine to descriptions of bird-equivalents attest to the author’s attention to detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this creative, vibrant setting for this novel, and I found myself wishing I could get even a glimpse of what Prism might look like in real life.

As I stated previously, this novel is written in diary-like entries. Presumably, Vernon is keeping a log of his time on Prism and his discoveries. Unfortunately, I found it a bit difficult to completely engage with Vernon’s character. While Andy Weir’s log-like entries in his novels encapsulate the sarcasm and cleverness of his characters, Vernon’s diary entries seem to fall flat. While Vernon is supposedly one of the best at his job, his internal musings sometimes make him seem dull or clueless. He tells the audience several pieces of evidence but is unable to piece together (seemingly logical) conclusions that a reader could easily put together. That may be a small gripe, but at times it almost feels frustrating to experience this vibrant story through his point-of-view. Vernon is a very quirky character; almost every log entry begins with his complaints about having to wake up in the morning (relatable, but his lackadaisical approach to investigating Prism drove me mad!). All in all, I would have appreciated some deeper character work and development throughout the novel to accompany the detailed world-building.

For the reasons outlined above, I feel I must take away a star from the rating and give this book 4/5 stars. The story itself and the vivid imagery was captivating, and for these reasons I would be thrilled to read another book by this author. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of science-fiction novels that focus on space exploration and discovery. Due to the mild subject matter and lack of profanity, this book would be perfect for all ages.

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Prism
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[Neto Onuoha]

I like sci-fi books and movies but this sounds a bit too complicated for me. Well done on the amazing review.

[Charles Benson]

A planet where color speaks louder than sound? That premise alone gripped me. Prism sounds like a deeply imaginative blend of sci-fi and introspection—like if synesthesia had its own mystery novel. I’m especially intrigued by the idea of a protagonist whose connection with nature becomes a decoding tool on an alien world. That kind of storytelling doesn’t just build a world—it teaches you to perceive reality differently. Definitely moving this up my reading list.

[Kehinde Awoniyi]

The book Prism written by Jack Verson presents a compelling immersive reading experience. The book provides a memorable reading experience through its distinctive narrative approach that appeals to people interested in reflective fiction.

[NetMassimo]

Despite the limited character development, this seems like an engaging science fiction novel thanks to the plot. A diary-like structure can be tricky, especially concerning characters. I wonder if the name Vernon Vining is a homage to writer Vernor Vinge. I like space exploration stories, so I'm adding this one to my wishlist. Thank you for your great review!