Review of Project Tau
-
Pam Willis-Tozier
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 30 May 2023, 17:22
- Currently Reading: Don't Die
- Bookshelf Size: 12
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pam-willis-tozier.html
- Latest Review: Project Tau by Jude Austin
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
Review of Project Tau
[Following is a volunteer review of "Project Tau" by Jude Austin.]
Project Tau by Jude Austin
Project Tau is the first in the Five Worlds series written by Jude Austin. This story grabbed me quickly with the very smart, socially awkward protagonist, Kalin Taylor. His inner voice starts with self-describing his regrets about his life. He is just about to begin college, at an earlier age than most, at the most prestigious technical school in the five worlds, SACAS (Sanderson College of Arts and Sciences).
We quickly learn that Kalin has been an outcast and nerd and feels his father has no respect for his lack of athleticism. Kalin has a roommate who is very fit and active who seems to want to connect with him, but Kalin does not see their interaction as beneficial and blows her off. Projects are mentioned here for the first time as a fascinating mystery; it becomes clear that Projects are thought of as tools or animals by the public.
Projects are lab grown humans commissioned by external parties to meet specific needs that are too difficult or dangerous for normal humans. The company is very secretive and Project treatment is not publicized or known.
Kalin’s wants to reinvent himself at SACAS and thinks getting into a fraternity is the quickest way to becoming popular. He meets with the fraternity leaders and is charged with getting a picture of ‘Project Tau.’ Kalin balks and claims it is impossible, but the frat member claims they all did the same thing and if he wants in, he’d have to do the same. In an act of desperation Kalin, on a trip to a space station which has both entertainment options and a Project facility, impulsively breaks into GenTech, the company making Projects. Kalin is caught by security for breaking into GenTech and taken to the head of the facility, Mason. Here is where everything gets dicey for Kalin.
Mason takes Kalin’s student ID, threatens to inform SACAS of his criminal act and holds onto his Student ID. Kalin is frightened of losing his scholarship to college and confused on what authority those who caught him have. Mason negotiates holding him for two weeks for a ‘few experiments’ and then will let Kalin go back to school; Kalin agrees reluctantly. Only two members of the facility are aware that Kalin is a human and not a Project and they collude in what happens next.
Mason and Dr. Dennison are the two involved in what happens to Kalin. The experiments include body modification surgery, Project training, pain acclimation and mental torture. Kalin becomes Project Kata, and the leaders make sure a substitute Kalin is found dead so no one will miss the real Kalin Taylor.
Over the course of the book, Kalin becomes Project Kata. Kata is subjected to torture, treated as no better than an animal and reprogrammed into believing his memories are false. He is housed with Project Tau, the actual Project who was grown in a lab, and they each grow through their contact.
Kata fights his trainers and handlers each step of the way and is punished for his attitude, sarcasm and general humanity. The project leaders are limitless in their cruelty and anyone who tries to help Kata ends up paying with their life.
The inner dialogue for Kata is an interesting exploration of how the power of humanity can take more trauma than we believe possible. There are disturbing conversations, violent actions, and the language includes many curse words and some blasphemy.
The prose is nearly flawless showing professional editing was applied to the story and the writer keeps the reader engaged and interested. I am likely to pick up the second in this series as it was that good. I recommend Project Tau if you are interested in possible futures with a theme of humanity versus corporations. I give Project Tau a 5 out of 5 for excellent editing, engaging story and deep characters.
******
Project Tau
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Project Tau by Jude Austin
Project Tau is the first in the Five Worlds series written by Jude Austin. This story grabbed me quickly with the very smart, socially awkward protagonist, Kalin Taylor. His inner voice starts with self-describing his regrets about his life. He is just about to begin college, at an earlier age than most, at the most prestigious technical school in the five worlds, SACAS (Sanderson College of Arts and Sciences).
We quickly learn that Kalin has been an outcast and nerd and feels his father has no respect for his lack of athleticism. Kalin has a roommate who is very fit and active who seems to want to connect with him, but Kalin does not see their interaction as beneficial and blows her off. Projects are mentioned here for the first time as a fascinating mystery; it becomes clear that Projects are thought of as tools or animals by the public.
Projects are lab grown humans commissioned by external parties to meet specific needs that are too difficult or dangerous for normal humans. The company is very secretive and Project treatment is not publicized or known.
Kalin’s wants to reinvent himself at SACAS and thinks getting into a fraternity is the quickest way to becoming popular. He meets with the fraternity leaders and is charged with getting a picture of ‘Project Tau.’ Kalin balks and claims it is impossible, but the frat member claims they all did the same thing and if he wants in, he’d have to do the same. In an act of desperation Kalin, on a trip to a space station which has both entertainment options and a Project facility, impulsively breaks into GenTech, the company making Projects. Kalin is caught by security for breaking into GenTech and taken to the head of the facility, Mason. Here is where everything gets dicey for Kalin.
Mason takes Kalin’s student ID, threatens to inform SACAS of his criminal act and holds onto his Student ID. Kalin is frightened of losing his scholarship to college and confused on what authority those who caught him have. Mason negotiates holding him for two weeks for a ‘few experiments’ and then will let Kalin go back to school; Kalin agrees reluctantly. Only two members of the facility are aware that Kalin is a human and not a Project and they collude in what happens next.
Mason and Dr. Dennison are the two involved in what happens to Kalin. The experiments include body modification surgery, Project training, pain acclimation and mental torture. Kalin becomes Project Kata, and the leaders make sure a substitute Kalin is found dead so no one will miss the real Kalin Taylor.
Over the course of the book, Kalin becomes Project Kata. Kata is subjected to torture, treated as no better than an animal and reprogrammed into believing his memories are false. He is housed with Project Tau, the actual Project who was grown in a lab, and they each grow through their contact.
Kata fights his trainers and handlers each step of the way and is punished for his attitude, sarcasm and general humanity. The project leaders are limitless in their cruelty and anyone who tries to help Kata ends up paying with their life.
The inner dialogue for Kata is an interesting exploration of how the power of humanity can take more trauma than we believe possible. There are disturbing conversations, violent actions, and the language includes many curse words and some blasphemy.
The prose is nearly flawless showing professional editing was applied to the story and the writer keeps the reader engaged and interested. I am likely to pick up the second in this series as it was that good. I recommend Project Tau if you are interested in possible futures with a theme of humanity versus corporations. I give Project Tau a 5 out of 5 for excellent editing, engaging story and deep characters.
******
Project Tau
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Project Tau by Jude Austin
