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

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Gayatri Tripathi
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Latest Review: 30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition) by Mark Kingston Levin PhD
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Review of 30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)

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[Following is a volunteer review of "30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)" by Mark Kingston Levin PhD.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition) by Mark Kingston Levin is the first book in his 30th Century Trilogy. This story can best be described as adult science fiction, focusing on complex scientific theories and social commentary.

In 2971, genetically engineered humans named Syndos ruled the Earth. They were created for interstellar colonisation missions, and had become dominant over the Natural humans. The Syndos treated the Naturals as inferior, and their future remained uncertain. Captain Jennifer Hero uncovered a plot by the Syndos to wipe out all Naturals. She formed a small resistance group to travel back in time and introduce a virus that would genetically alter the sociopathic traits of the Syndos.

During a violent attack on their base, the team travels back in time for their mission. However, Jennifer, worn down by grief and the weight of leadership, chooses another path. She travels back in time alone, intending to find peace and process the loss of the ones close to her. What follows is a quieter journey. After months of isolation on the irradiated Moruroa Atoll, a crew led by a marine biologist rescues Jennifer. Culture shock, moral restraint, and her struggle to suppress her advanced abilities shape her attempt to integrate into their world. To those around her, she is as alien as the Syndos were to her.

The world-building is extensive and vivid. The scientific concepts are the finest part of the book. The story depicts Jennifer having technology in her blood, which helps her heal automatically. This inventive use of futuristic technology was one of the most unique ideas I have ever seen in a science-fiction story. The author includes pictures to help the reader visualise the scenes. Some images are drawings of some parts of the story itself. They remind me of the original Star Trek series. The book also has maps and other diagrams, which provide a sense of realism to the world.

The pacing was the only major issue with the story. The book meanders and is too long. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, where each chapter was clear and concise. However, the latter half of the book drags and feels stretched out. Removing some chapters would have made for a more pleasant read. I was not affected by the excessive sexual content in the latter half, but some viewers may not like it.

Overall, I found the book to be a fun read. The scientific concepts and Jennifer's journey were a joy to experience. However, as mentioned above, the overindulgent sexual themes and messy pacing keep it from being perfect. I appreciate the editor, as I did not find a single error in the text. Considering all the above points, I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who likes adult science fiction and can look past some pacing issues.

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30th Century: Escape (General Audience Edition)
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