Book Review: Implant

Amazon

"Welcome to the world of a universal cure.

"Gordon Harding didn’t ask for the life he has. He didn’t ask to be orphaned. He didn’t ask to go through life with cancer. And he certainly didn’t ask to be pulled into a future world without warning–a world where every human being is controlled by means of a medical implant.

"And when he learns that he’s the only one who can destroy the base of operations, he’s faced with an impossibly painful choice: either hide and let the world decay under this mysterious futuristic force, or rescue humanity from oppression, knowing that there’s someone out there who is willing to use any means necessary to stop him." - Synopsis from Goodreads

 One look at my bookshelf and you’ll quickly realize that dystopia and science fiction really isn’t my thing. Honestly, I hadn’t read anything from either genre until this month when I read Implant by J. Grace Pennington.

 Implant first came across my radar when I saw a tweet about it on Twitter. I’d previously heard great things about her science fiction trilogy, and the synopsis for this upcoming release sounded intriguing. My interest heightened during the release week party and I mentally jotted it down as something I wanted to try out at some point. When, at the end of September, Miss Pennington sent out a request for volunteer reviewers, I jumped at the opportunity.

 And I am glad I did. Implant wastes little time in throwing Gordon Harding, a newly diagnosed leukemia patient, into a future society he quickly learns he helped bring about. The writing is vivid and doesn’t sugar coat the terrible things Gordon witnesses, while at the same time not focusing on the graphic details of wounds or deaths.

 The characters are gripping. Doc in particular is a fascinating character to watch unfold on the page as you read. His brusque manner and chain smoking habits first strike you negatively, but you quickly learn there’s so much more to him beyond his outward appearance. His friendship of sorts with the rebel leader Neil Crater was one of my favorite aspects of the story. It’s a complicated relationship, but at the same time they work extraordinarily well together.

 The story’s lessons on the high cost of fighting for freedom, how the easy way isn’t always the right way, and how our actions and choices vitally impact those around us are timeless. A number of the themes explored in Implant are very timely for our culture and important for people to be aware of, especially with the speed technology is growing.

 I would definitely recommend Implant to readers of dystopia and science fiction, and to people who have even a passing interest in the genre or the themes the novel explores. While dystopia and science fiction still isn’t my thing, I will definitely be checking out Miss Pennington’s other works and future releases.

 I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Behind the Scenes Writing Tag

 Here we are with yet another tag. Goodness, there are quite a number of them circulating lately, aren't there? This one, however, gives you a behind the scenes peek into how I go about my writing process. I was tagged by the marvelous Annie of Curious Wren. And if you haven't heard me say it before, go thee hence and check out her blog and Twitter.

Now, to divulge my writerly secrets.

Is there a certain snack you like to eat while writing? Chocolate, anyone? *waves a bag of chocolate chips*

When do you normally write? Night, afternoon, or morning? I write whenever I can: morning, afternoon, and night. It really depends on when I actually have inspiration flowing through my veins and when I actually have enough time to focus down and write something good. I really do need to work on having a set aside time for writing, though. Having just started a new job and with the ever increasing busyness of life, I think it might help.

Where do you write? Due to some wrist problems that I really do not want to develop any further, I try to do my writing either at my desk or the kitchen table. I have been known to rebel from this strategy and write while lying on my stomach on the floor or my bed.

How often do you write a new novel? Yes, pour salt into my wounds! What do I care?! *recovers her composure* It is with much sadness that I admit to only having finished two novels during my entire 10+ years of writing. I finished a rather shabby western novel/novella during NaNoWriMo in 2010. That was my first fully completed work. I was so proud of it. *deep sigh* Sadly, it isn't as good as I used to think. Though, I still love the characters and general plot. Someday, I'm going revamp it and rewrite it. My second completed novel was finished this April. *happy sigh* I'm still rather pleased with it. It's actual novel length and, even though I know there are a number of things that need polishing and fixing up, I'm mostly pleased with it. I'm currently between novels. My plans for my WWI novel aren't mapping out how I want them to and I'm considering setting that aside for the time being. I'm drifting.... What was the actual question again? Oh, right. Well, since enforcing self control in this area last year, I try to wait to start my next novel until I've finished the one I'm working on. So, roughly about one novel a year would be my estimate, as long as I don't start wandering from project to project.

Do you listen to music while you write? I'm a pendulum when it comes to this subject. Some days, I can't listen to anything while I write. And then others, I have to be listening to something. It can be lyrical or instrumental, but it has to be something. I can remember one night, during Camp NaNoWriMo this April, where I only listened to "The Causeway" and "Natasha" from Henry Jackman's score from Captain America: The Winter Soldier on repeat. Thank you, Spotify.

What do you write on? Laptop or paper? My laptop. I started my writing career out on a really ancient PC and when that died, I transferred everything to the family laptop. My parents bought me my own laptop when I was about eleven so I could do school and my writing on there. I am on my third laptop since that day and I still do the bulk of my writing on it. I can write on paper. I just don't like having to type it up when I need to add it to what I have written on the computer, and then having to write out what I've written on my computer so I can continue it on paper. And my wrist isn't too fond of it either. But, I have great respect and admiration for people who write their entire manuscripts by hand. Three cheers for longhand writers! *passes out free chocolate*

Is there a special ritual you have before or after you write? *Olaf face* Nope!

What do you do to get into the mood to write? Well, considering I'm rarely in the mood not to write, I suppose a nice five minutes gazing at the Pinterest board for my story usually gets me inspired. "Wait, has it already been forty minutes? But... but I just logged in...."

What is always near the place you write? Food. Water. Paper and pens, in case I need to free write a character's backstory or something. Sweaters. *whispers* My phone.

Do you have a reward system for your word count? As of right now, no. Is it a good idea? Yes. Will I implement such a system? I should... BUT I LOVE MY CHOCOLATE!

Is there anything about your writing process that others might not know about? I'm a turtle writer. Who, tragically, rarely writes 1,000 words a day. *goes off and cries in a corner* This is why NaNoWriMo is good for me. I get motivated and determined to reach my daily word count so I keep going until all hours to get it done. Plus, I now have the added knowledge of having reached my goal word count for NaNo twice. "Way to add more pressure on yourself, girl."

 And now I shall go about tagging people. *happy smile*

I tag: Elisabeth Grace Foley @ The Second Sentence || Emily Ann Putzke @ Taking Dictation || Mara Jane Adams @ Storywind Bridge || Suzannah Rowntree @ Vintage Novels

 Oh, and even if I didn't tag you but you feel inclined to do the tag, do so by all means. :)

The Questions:

– Is there a certain snack you like to eat while writing?

– When do you normally write? Night, afternoon, or morning?

– Where do you write?

– How often do you write a new novel?

– Do you listen to music while you write?

– What do you write on? Laptop or paper?

– Is there a special ritual you have before or after you write?

– What do you do to get into the mood to write?

– What is always near the place you write?

– Do you have a reward system for your word count?

– Is there anything about your writing process that others might not know about?

So, what does your writing process involve? Are there any fellow turtle writers out there? Also, anyone participating in NaNoWriMo next month?

The 7/7/7 Challenge

images via Pinterest, collage put together by me

  So, way back in August Emily Ann Putzke of Taking Dictation tagged me for the 7/7/7 challenge and then in mid September Annie of Curious Wren tagged me for it as well. My original plan was to wait until I could do it for The Point of No Return (my WWI novel), but, because I've encountered some hiccups with that WIP, I'm just going to go ahead and do it for my western short story The Gunfighter.

  Briefly, the 7/7/7 challenge works like this: I go to the seventh page of my manuscript, count down seven lines, and then share the next seven below that here with you guys. Oh, and I'm also supposed to tag seven people. Fun, right?

The seven lines:

   I could feel the disapproving eyes of Mrs. Reilly on me even as my fingers curled around the handle. I ran a finger along the glistening barrel. I’d never held a gun like this before. Only on the rarest of occasions would Uncle Jem let me carry his rifle for him and then it wasn’t even loaded.

      “Don’t touch the trigger,” Holt warned.

   I shook my head. “No, sir, Mr. Trevor.”

      “How’d you find out my name?”

___

  I'm not entirely certain who to tag since most of the people I follow have already done the tag, so I have a different idea. Instead of choosing seven people, I tag all of you— the people who read this corner of the blogosphere and follow me by email, Google Friend Connect, or plain old fashioned bookmark. If you are a writer, you're tagged. Just make sure you leave a comment with the link to your post in the comment section on this post so I can go read your seven lines and check out your blog. Sound good? Excellent. I can't wait to read your seven lines!