3 out of 4 stars
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Da-vid is the third book in the Jacob Series written by Steven Lancaster. The author prefers to call it futuristic fiction that ‘encompasses how to live better and more conscious lives.’
After the assassination of Scott Mulligan, Jacob King’s former partner, Scott’s daughter Ma-tha is raised by his mother Elizabeth in Weatherly in Australia. Meanwhile, Hasheed Viaz, the man who was sent to kill Scott but switched sides, recovers consciousness, escapes his escorts and seeks refuge in Weatherly and works for Elizabeth. However, since his daughter Aisha is being held by the OSI, Hasheed agrees to go to France to search for Dr. Irenee de Compostela whose former partner David Sommer was killed along with Jacob King a few years back. Unbeknownst to the OSI, Irenee has a son, Da-vid, who is chosen to continue Jacob’s mission to educate the people on Earth so that they could continue on their evolutionary path.
Told for the most part in the third person perspective, the book begins with synopsis of the first two books in the series Jacob and Scott. The story unfolds in Agent Hill’s discovery of an unconscious person who turns out to be Jacob King, a man who has been missing for forty years. Not only has Jacob not aged in forty years, he also has no recollection of anything. Most important of all, however, was the disc in the back of his neck. These led to Jacob’s and eventually Scott’s murder.
This is an exciting and suspenseful science fiction novel that covers multiple themes including love, friendship, politics, secrecy, betrayal, homosexuality, power, manipulation, greed, corruption and control among others. The subjects include global warming, free will, collective will, religious beliefs, extraterrestrial race and religious virtues. The story takes place in Australia, France, America and a little in Canada.
The plot is undoubtedly interesting and the author successfully keeps the suspense at high level making the book a real page turner with its unpredictable turns of events and unexpected twists. Moreover, though this is already the third book in the series it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, thanks to the synopsis of the first two books and the complete and elaborate back stories. Finally, as is common among book series, it has a cliffhanger but if I may say so satisfactory ending in preparation for the next and final book.
However, I found some of the dialogues somehow unnatural. Moreover, it was difficult to tell one character from another through their manner of speaking, eg. between Elizabeth and Hasheed when they were talking with Ma-tha or between Hasheed and Irenee when they were talking with Aisha. Furthermore, I found the depiction of the future not as convincing as I hoped with the minimal use of electronic gadgets or the absence of futuristic technology like new computer program or system. Finally, I noticed several errors within the entire book like you’re instead of your and roll instead of role.
I, therefore, rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is interesting, exciting, intriguing and suspenseful. I recommend it to fans of science fiction, political thriller and romance.
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Da-vid
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and he did a great job except, of course, for the errors.
