The Babylon Eye

de Masha du Toit

Bitlibro

Eldonita je 16-a de decembro 2016 de CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

ISBN:: 978-1-5398-1669-0
ASIN:: B01N69BTZ8

(3 recenzoj)

Elke Veraart is in prison. She used to be an eco-terrorist, hunting down poachers to protect endangered species. Now she’s facing the grim reality of life behind bars. Just as Elke is about to give up hope she is offered a chance to win back her freedom. All she has to do is find a missing dog.

Meisje is no ordinary dog. She's cybernetically enhanced, a valuable living weapon. She's also lost, hungry, and alone. As Elke closes in on Meisje she finds her admiration for the resourceful cyber-dog growing. And Meisje begins to wonder if she could trust the woman on her trail.

Then Elke discovers that she’s not the only one hunting the cyber-dog, and that her orders have changed. She must do more than find Meisje. She has to kill her.

Elke has to make an impossible choice: her freedom, or Meisje’s life. Or is there another …

Then Elke discovers that she’s not the only one hunting the cyber-dog, and that her orders have changed. She must do more than find Meisje. She has to kill her.

Elke has to make an impossible choice: her freedom, or Meisje’s life. Or is there another way? It’s risky, but Elke could use the secrets she’s uncovered to save them both.

1 eldono

David Bremner recenzis The Babylon Eye de Masha du Toit

cyberpunk detective with a modern sensibility, plus dogs

4 steloj

Somehow this reminds me of the "Recovery Man" books by Kristine Katherine Rusch. A lone detective fights for the underdog (literal dog in this case), fighting against corporate interests in a high tech setting with aliens. The aliens here are quite relatable, rather than implacable, but they still hold most of the cards. By modern sensibility I mean little things like the protagonist is lesbian, but nobody makes a big deal out of it, including her.

Stephanie Jane recenzis The Babylon Eye de Masha du Toit

Compelling storytelling and convincing worldbuilding

5 steloj

I knew nothing about Masha du Toit or her writing prior to spotting a free promo for The Babylon Eye and I chose to take a chance on this novel for My WorldReads as du Toit is a South African author. I am so glad I did as I absolutely loved the compelling storytelling and convincing worldbuilding. The Eye itself is a between-worlds transit point, home to various peoples both real-world humans and off-world strangers, all of whom live within its confines. Du Toit's depictions of this place appealed strongly to me. Concepts such as 'dexter' and 'sinister' time - one when the electricity works and one when it doesn't - lead to ingenious devices and old technology ways of doing things, while at the same time there are advanced technologies such as the gardag herself - a cybernetically advanced dog.

Elke is interesting too. A woman who follows her …

Elke is interesting too. A woman who follows her ideals, even when doing so leads her into difficult situations, she is an experienced gardag handler who understands how to connect with these dogs. I appreciated that Elke tries to make the best of situations, but isn't unrealistically infallible especially in the unusual reality of The Eye. Her caution and patience are vital attributes and I felt these personality aspects came across well, even in what is a relatively fast-paced story. There is a lot going on, but without the narrative ever feeling rushed. I thought that the characters' depth made The Babylon Eye an engaging and plausible novel. I enjoyed reading it so much that its sequel is already on my TBR.

Stephanie Jane

taksis ĝin

13-a de junio 2023