The Chain
by Antony Millen
It’s 2043 and in the 27 years between now and then the world has changed a lot.
The Cloud holds all information about every person, the Eartizens. They are tracked constantly via the Blanket, and gathering in groups larger than six is forbidden in order to avoid social protest. But there are a few dissenters who choose to be off-liners from the Domain, effectively making themselves renegades. Worldwide language purges have resulted in many changes to place names, and whole languages and cultures have fallen into disfavour.
The Blanket is meant to connect everyone and maintain unity, but it has proved to be not impervious to correction.
On the death of their father in Ngatini, King Country, New Zealand, two young men set out on a journey to learn more about him and what he was involved in years before. It turns out to be a quest with political implications that will end in danger to themselves or expose the corruption and result in less oppressive government.
A chain of clues leads them to Canada, Israelistine, France, Australia, Turkey, Greece, India, Sri Lanka. It’s an Amazing Race sort of journey with clues to be deciphered and tasks completed.
Along the way we get hints as to what is in store for the world in the next few decades. The Eiffel Tower is in ruins, the result of terrorism. Greece is all but abandoned due to ultimate financial collapse, though Turkey is thriving, and there’s a curious unexplained reference to the dilapidated airport terminal at Singapore. Experienced world travellers or people very familiar with specific places might wonder about some further descriptions or references.
It’s a good story that keeps one involved throughout. Though the text is not free from errors the writing is generally good.
Overall, The Chain should appeal to YA readers and adults.
by Antony Millen
It’s 2043 and in the 27 years between now and then the world has changed a lot.
The Cloud holds all information about every person, the Eartizens. They are tracked constantly via the Blanket, and gathering in groups larger than six is forbidden in order to avoid social protest. But there are a few dissenters who choose to be off-liners from the Domain, effectively making themselves renegades. Worldwide language purges have resulted in many changes to place names, and whole languages and cultures have fallen into disfavour.
The Blanket is meant to connect everyone and maintain unity, but it has proved to be not impervious to correction.
On the death of their father in Ngatini, King Country, New Zealand, two young men set out on a journey to learn more about him and what he was involved in years before. It turns out to be a quest with political implications that will end in danger to themselves or expose the corruption and result in less oppressive government.
A chain of clues leads them to Canada, Israelistine, France, Australia, Turkey, Greece, India, Sri Lanka. It’s an Amazing Race sort of journey with clues to be deciphered and tasks completed.
Along the way we get hints as to what is in store for the world in the next few decades. The Eiffel Tower is in ruins, the result of terrorism. Greece is all but abandoned due to ultimate financial collapse, though Turkey is thriving, and there’s a curious unexplained reference to the dilapidated airport terminal at Singapore. Experienced world travellers or people very familiar with specific places might wonder about some further descriptions or references.
It’s a good story that keeps one involved throughout. Though the text is not free from errors the writing is generally good.
Overall, The Chain should appeal to YA readers and adults.
Review by Alderaan Hoth
Title: The Chain
Author: Antony Millen
Publisher: Publisher: Maple Koru Publishing
ISBN: 9780473341978
Available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. Also available in paperback on Fishpond, Wheelers, Book Depository
Author: Antony Millen
Publisher: Publisher: Maple Koru Publishing
ISBN: 9780473341978
Available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. Also available in paperback on Fishpond, Wheelers, Book Depository
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