Review of The New Mind Travelers
-
Steinkar
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 11 Jul 2021, 14:14
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 132
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-steinkar.html
- Latest Review: The Boy Who Saves The World by Bruce Deitrick Price
Review of The New Mind Travelers
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The New Mind Travelers" by Phill Boas.]
Phill Boas presents The New Mind Travelers as a science fiction novel that uses science and technology to examine human relationships. On September 25, 2096, Sunstreamer departed Moon Base One to undertake the exploration of a newly discovered planet. Its mission was to determine whether or not the planet was suitable for human habitation because destructive environmental, economic, and political issues were quickly making Earth unlivable. What the crew discovers on Olar is a population of peaceful, gentle beings with both telepathic and telekinetic powers. The ability to read each other's minds created a society of beings who are necessarily without the deceit, corruption, ignorance and violence that is so prevalent in human culture. The bulk of this novel, Part I in the series, centers on comparisons and contrasts between humans and Olarians, with the characters of Zed, the protagonist; and Olaria, the leader of Olar; exploring each other’s cultures and eventually forming a deep, personal relationship. This leaves them wondering what kind of future they (and Earth and Olar) might have together.
I am not a very enthusiastic science fiction fan, but I love this book! Boas is masterful in using utopian Olarian culture as a way to highlight the difficulties of ours, but he also includes a conflict on Olar that shows it’s not perfect. I assume that this storyline will be further developed in the next book of the series. I specifically like his explanation of the critical thinking skills cultivated in the Olarian education system: “They [students] are encouraged to learn to dissent and so to challenge everything.” Also impressive is the explanation of love relationships and sexuality in the book. Because all Olarians can read each other’s thoughts, there is no shame or secrecy among them about anything: “the pleasures and skills of sex and intimacy are taught to all and practiced by all.” While I realize some readers may feel uneasy about this open attitude, I genuinely appreciate that Boas didn’t just throw in a formulaic romance between the two main characters.
The only negative is a lack of good editing. Most are punctuation errors, but some are quite obvious. This was a frustration for me throughout the novel.
I enthusiastically rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! I removed one star for poor editing. It has enough technological aspects to keep science fiction fans engaged, and it has very human themes running through it. I’m excited to read the next book in the series.
******
The New Mind Travelers
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Phill Boas presents The New Mind Travelers as a science fiction novel that uses science and technology to examine human relationships. On September 25, 2096, Sunstreamer departed Moon Base One to undertake the exploration of a newly discovered planet. Its mission was to determine whether or not the planet was suitable for human habitation because destructive environmental, economic, and political issues were quickly making Earth unlivable. What the crew discovers on Olar is a population of peaceful, gentle beings with both telepathic and telekinetic powers. The ability to read each other's minds created a society of beings who are necessarily without the deceit, corruption, ignorance and violence that is so prevalent in human culture. The bulk of this novel, Part I in the series, centers on comparisons and contrasts between humans and Olarians, with the characters of Zed, the protagonist; and Olaria, the leader of Olar; exploring each other’s cultures and eventually forming a deep, personal relationship. This leaves them wondering what kind of future they (and Earth and Olar) might have together.
I am not a very enthusiastic science fiction fan, but I love this book! Boas is masterful in using utopian Olarian culture as a way to highlight the difficulties of ours, but he also includes a conflict on Olar that shows it’s not perfect. I assume that this storyline will be further developed in the next book of the series. I specifically like his explanation of the critical thinking skills cultivated in the Olarian education system: “They [students] are encouraged to learn to dissent and so to challenge everything.” Also impressive is the explanation of love relationships and sexuality in the book. Because all Olarians can read each other’s thoughts, there is no shame or secrecy among them about anything: “the pleasures and skills of sex and intimacy are taught to all and practiced by all.” While I realize some readers may feel uneasy about this open attitude, I genuinely appreciate that Boas didn’t just throw in a formulaic romance between the two main characters.
The only negative is a lack of good editing. Most are punctuation errors, but some are quite obvious. This was a frustration for me throughout the novel.
I enthusiastically rate this book 4 out of 5 stars! I removed one star for poor editing. It has enough technological aspects to keep science fiction fans engaged, and it has very human themes running through it. I’m excited to read the next book in the series.
******
The New Mind Travelers
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Boy Who Saves The World by Bruce Deitrick Price
