Title: The Stranger: The Genesis Project Series: Part One
Author: Greg Van Arsdale
Publisher: Independently published
ISBN: 978-1544281469
Pages: 326
Genre: Science Fiction
Reviewer: Reyan Boris Mishra
Hollywood Book Reviews
The Stranger: The Genesis Project Series: Part One is an intriguing sci-fi tale which promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. A stranger is running for his life as a group of unknown men are incessantly following his trail. The man has no memory, no recollection of his past and he is unaware as to why he is wanted dead. The only person who has the answer is the mafia boss, Jack Logan. Logan is obsessed with the idea of world domination, and apparently, the stranger is the only person who can pose a challenge to him. After a physical scuffle, a wounded stranger finds himself at the doorstep of a semi-retired psychiatrist, Dr. Lazlow.
Dr. Lazlow uses an experimental device to restore a part of the stranger’s memory. They learn the world they are living in is computer-generated, and it’s the stranger who has invented it. His name is John Neumann, and he got into the virtual world himself to save the planet. The world is infected by a doomsday virus that threatens to wipe off humanity. The clock is ticking and Neumann needs to risk it all in order to save the world. Will he be able to pull off the rescue effort despite the odds stacked against him?
Part one of the trilogy, The Stranger transports you to a futuristic atmosphere that’s exciting enough to spark a sense of duty in the readers. The suspenseful yet detailed manner in which author Greg Van Arsdale has stitched the story doesn’t let your attention slip even for a paragraph. The intelligent characters introduced in the story seem to have uncanny abilities to turn things around. And, not only are they intelligent, but there is also an emotional aspect to their personality that’s wonderful to read. Each character has some hook which you can’t get off until the trilogy ends.
If you are a fan of sci-fi material, The Stranger is right up your alley in all probability. The virtual environment accentuated by physics and computer science serves as the perfect backdrop for the escalating tension between the villain and the hero. What’s more, you can also find elements of psychology and philosophy in abundance throughout the story.
Everything put together, The Stranger: The Genesis Project Series: Part One is a must-check-out book as it combines a child’s idea of superheroism and man’s idea of worldly responsibility. A good book is believed to be one which can keep readers engaged, the one in question keeps you wanting more.