Title: New Beginnings (The Genesis Project Series Book Two)
Author: Greg Van Arsdale
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 978-1544633206
Pages: 418
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Hollywood Book Reviews
When facing a world filled with so much hate and heartache, it can be overwhelming to face each and every day. It is important for people to be able to find outlets to escape or find tranquility away from the outside world, to help better face those obstacles when they appear. For some, that outlet is a hobby, such as reading or writing, while for others it is their faith, and the search for spirituality. However, some pour their hearts into an outlet which will benefit the world, turning that outlet into a way of life no one could have seen coming.
In author Greg Van Arsdale’s New Beginnings (The Genesis Project Series Book Two), the author explores one such outlet. In this series, readers are introduced to John Neumann, a brilliant inventor and CEO of his own company which has developed a revolutionary new technology known as the Genesis Project. After a failed coup, his former Vice President Lokitus plots to overthrow John and gain access to his technology, a virtual world in which millions of people have downloaded their consciousness into. When a doomsday virus infects the virtual world, it is up to John to find a way not only to survive in the world, but help save the people within it without sacrificing his company and the technology he created to Lokitus.
The author did such an incredible job of layering the narrative with a healthy balance of action and world-building. The concept the author explores in this series, a place for souls to go, another world altogether, did an amazing job of mirroring the spiritual journey of so many people across so many different cultures and belief systems. The second book breaks new ground by pushing the boundaries of what the soul is and getting to see the protagonist push past the “ethereal borders” was something which highlighted the creative world-building that went into this series. The character development in this narrative was spot on, and aside from the adversarial relationship between John and Jack, exploring Mike and his backstory, as well as his loyalty to John, helped elevate the story to a whole other level.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy fictional storytelling, especially those that incorporate elements of sci-fi, fantasy, and suspense/thriller storytelling. The melding of spirituality and technology in this story really helped engage this reader on a personal level, mirroring the ways in which society is currently evolving and the idea of what the afterlife may look like is growing as technology advances. The shocking twists in the narrative and the open ending that leaves readers eager for more will stay with readers long after the book ends.