Thursday, June 3, 2010

SAGA - Sean Mussen

SAGA
Conor Kostick
320 Pages
5 out of 10

SAGA is a world. It is a virtual simulation that has been hooked to the humans as an alternative resource to reality. To us, it is just an advanced piece of technology, but to them, a universe where everything is what it seems. However, simulations are not Utopia’s. The world is run by a corrupt and unfair aristocracy, where the only way to be on top is to cheat, steal and scam. Nevertheless, let’s start from the beginning, you read as the role of Ghost, a young outcast girl that has seemed to locate herself outside of the SAGA system. She does not follow the same rules that have been designated to her by the developers. Ghost, along with her small group of friends that have also been deemed non-existent are on a goal to end SAGA and bring people back to reality, Only problem is, there are plenty of people devoted to NOT letting that happen. This is a story of her struggles to overcome the limits set by technology and show people what exists beyond their virtual world. Perhaps the two will overlap….

I believe SAGA was a poor way to end the prequel, EPIC. In my opinion, it didn’t follow the previous story at all. It seemed as if he had wrote the book first, THEN tried to connect it to EPIC. Wrong idea. However, there were some good idea’s incorporated into the story. I like the whole, ‘retaliation from the minority’ stories, where the unexpected rise and conquer. It shows how unstable society is, and how easily someone or something can just come in and mess everything up. I love it! Other than that, the book simply did not appeal to me. It was lacking to many features that I believe are necessary for a good book. Granted, SAGA is an entertaining read at best.

4 comments:

  1. Great review Sean. Sounds like a really interesting plot. The author must ahve quite an imagination! So, do you think that you liked the book better as a its own book or do you think that it was probably better as the series?

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  2. I have such a hard time with techno/sci/fi/utopian fiction (see, I'm not really sure what to call it!). I don't think I'll start with this one! A very thoughful review, thanks!

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  3. I hate when the sequels suck!I have read so many books that start out great and then merge into bad writing with no relation to the original storyline. I think some authors need to learn when to end a story. The idea behind your book sounds pretty fantastic, and SAGA reminds me of the teen obsession with texting. Once they start, they never stop, like they're in a whole different world...cool post.

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  4. Good job Sean. I know you really liked Epic, so it is really, really sucky that Saga was bad. I've actually taken to reading just novels now, because of this phenomenon. Authors really should think things out.

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