Book Review: The Drift by Casie Aufenthie
Genre(s): Science fiction
Content warning: There are a number of scenes depicting combat/physical violence, torture, and themes of societal oppression.
In the future of Earth, humankind has been split into three distinct species. Psychically gifted Illuminatos, physically enhanced Corporis, and those with neither ability called the Unevolved. Years after the Evolutionary War, the Illuminatos have become the ruling class, dominating the other species with often harsh laws – but there is a group, the Resistance, hoping to bring equality back to humanity.
Tristan is an Illuminatos and leader of the Resistance. Samara is a Corporis assassin ordered to capture him and bring him before the Illuminatos Council. When their paths collide, nothing goes as either expects.
I really liked the premise of this book and how both the Corporis and Illuminatos gifts were the product of human evolution (genetics has always fascinated me). Beyond the science, the future world described in The Drift was technologically advanced and described in such a way that it felt not only plausible, but possible. The author did a great job of focusing on the story line and incorporating the scientific bits as part of the narrative. It was never overwhelming in that respect, which is sometimes problematic with sci-fi works.
There was enough action in the book to keep my interest throughout, and although it’s a lengthy novel, it didn’t feel that way. The pacing was done well, and I enjoyed the fight scenes.
There is also a bit of romance involved in the story. At first, it felt as though the romance portion wasn’t relevant to the overall plot, but once I reached the 75% mark in the story, its purpose became apparent. It definitely has its place in the story, and without it, the ending would have been far less impactful.
That ending… I haven’t read a book that wrecked me so emotionally in a long time. It was a fitting end for the book, yes, but the final 20% or so was heartbreaking. Thankfully, a sequel is due later this year and the story doesn’t end on that devastating note. If you plan to read The Drift, buy yourself a box of tissues for that ending.
My only real critique with this book is the author has a fairly unique style of writing (particularly with the dialogue) that took me a little while to get used to. Once past that, I enjoyed the story very much.
I’ll be reading the sequel, The Symbiosis, once I can. It’s scheduled to release July 1, 2022.
Author website: casieaufenthie.wixsite.com
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