An interesting dystopian technothriller
3.75 out of 5 stars
Sometimes a book hits you at the right time. And sometimes it hits you at the wrong time. I’ve had this happen to me on numerous occasions. When I first started Code Breakers: Alpha I had a really hard time getting into it. It was a confusing techno-world that I should have loved. So, instead of forcing my way through it and giving it a sub-par review. I decided to back-burner it. This might be the first time I’ve done this and gone back to the book and enjoyed it more. I’m glad that I did because I’ve been wanting to read this series for quite some time.
With that disclaimer out of the way, Code Breakers Alpha tells the story of Gerry who runs the lottery. Sadly, this isn’t a lottery you want to win (any time I hear of a lottery that’s not good all I can think of is the movie The Island [one of Michael Bay’s best movies IMHO]). There is a lot going on with lots of undertones of “The Family” and a dystopian world that isn’t all that it appears to be.
As I stated above. I had a really hard time getting into this book. But after taking a step back and just trying to enjoy the flow of the story — everything started to fall into place. And soon after that Gerry (and the book) started to all makes sense to me. The book picked up and honestly I didn’t look back.
The story itself was really enjoyable. I’ve read other stories like this with similar stories and similar protagonists but it was still nice to look at this another way. Barnes is a great storyteller and I just think that Code Breakers Alpha struggled from the first book syndrome that some first books have (I might have made this term up). An author has to explain who people are and why they do the things that they do — but do that without confusing the reader or going into too much detail. It’s a tightrope to walk and sometimes you fall.
The narration was done by Marc Vietor who does a great job. He made this book easy to listen to.
Overall, Code Breakers Alpha was an intro story that definitely had its moments. It’s not a perfect book, but most aren’t. By the end of it, I was glad that I’d read it and that there were more books in this series. I will definitely be continuing Code Breakers.
Book Description:
Code Breakers: Alpha by Colin F. Barnes
Narrator: Marc Vietor
Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
Series: Code Breakers #1
Published by Audible Studios on November 1, 2016
Genres: Technothriller
Pages: 263
Format: Audiobook
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In a post-apocalyptic future, humanity survives within a single domed city ruled by a shadowy organization known as The Family. Gerry Cardle reluctantly runs the Death Lottery. It's a job he despises, yet one which keeps his name off the list. Until one day, despite his agreement with The Family, his name is inexplicably drawn next.
With his world crashing down around him and with just seven days left to live, Gerry realizes that the system has been breached by a malicious artificial intelligence. In order to save his life and preserve the safety of those within the city, he must do the unthinkable: flee to the abandoned wastelands outside the dome.
Bitter, resolute, and with nothing left to lose, Gerry will have to do whatever it takes to survive--even if it means sacrificing his freedom, and possibly worse--his life.
I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
About the Author:
Colin F. Barnes is a publisher and writer of science fiction thrillers. He honed his craft at the London School of Journalism and the Open University, where he studied English. Colin has run a number of tech-based businesses, worked in rat-infested workshops, and scoured the back streets of London looking for characters and stories—which he found in abundance.
His main influences are: William Gibson, Ray Bradbury, Margret Atwood, Michael Crichton, Iain M. Banks, and Phillip K. Dick.
Colin is from Essex, United Kingdom. His hobbies include building mechs, photography, pondering the end of the world as we know it, and being manipulated by an evil, but infinitely cute, black cat.
