Genre: Sci Fi
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Xanthe, Paranormal Romance Guild
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
A mysterious AI rules the solar system with lies. Now, one rebellious student must find the truth and save us all.
Enter the realm of the Routine in this sensually atmospheric introduction to the Twisting Fates saga.
- “It’s been a while since I’ve read a true sci-fi story that is so intriguing”
- “I was drawn in immediately—the imagery of the dystopian world [is] superb”
- “There is absolutely nothing run of the mill about this book”
- “I cannot wait for the second part of this series”
-Amazon reviewers
A MIND-BENDING SCI-FI ADVENTURE BEGINS
Weeks away from graduating into blissful civilian anonymity, Owen’s fate is hijacked by the Routine. Now trapped within the Screening Complex, training school for the AI’s anointed leaders, Owen realizes the world as he knew it doesn’t exist.
Consumed by a forbidden lust, the 20-year-old Initiate vows to fight back, even as he’s tasked with confronting the Routine’s greatest threat:
The Review
The Twisting Fates series is set in a sort of dystopian future that is controlled and ruled by The Routine, an AI system that has input on everything.
The Screening Room is the first book of the series that follows Owen as he goes through unwillingly being selected to be one of the chosen who will work closely under The Routine in certain roles – military, politicians, civic duty etc. Owen is determined to fight against system, to keep thinking for himself and doesn’t quite fit the mould that all of the other graduates have. He may be 21 but there are a few moments when he acts a little like a teenager having a tantrum which is, at the same time, endearing and annoying as it shows his level of maturity but also the strain that The Routine is putting on him. It’s interesting with the unconscious “nudges” and ideas that pop into Owen’s head without his input, scary at how the other people around him react and are manipulated into doing what is expected of them. It’s a story that you need to pay attention to as there are sometimes clues in what is seen or experienced and the complex is a place with many moving parts.
I liked the relationships that develop through the book. It’s good that Owen has someone on his side from when he and the other graduates and Colette is a good ally. They both seem to be aware of something the others aren’t and it creates a kinship between them, a positive to share an understanding of what is going on and keep their sanity whilst learning their new daily lives at the complex. Owen’s attraction to another man doesn’t come as a huge surprise to him but what does hugely affect him is his reaction and constant thinking about him. It’s not until later in the book that anything occurs between them but there’s a certain intensity that speaks to an undercurrent that they can’t quite understand but enjoy all the same. There’s trust and a sense of knowing each other and that just brings up more questions for The Routine and what it is possibly capable of. One other is Domo who is a most intriguing character but not one I wish to give away as they come as a nice surprise.
It’s a very interesting premise and something that I was easily visualising as I was reading through. Could definitely see it as a sci-fi TV show that teens and young adults would enjoy.
The Reviewer
Hello all, my name is Xanthe and I am excited to be a reviewer for the PRG.
I read a lot, every night for at least 4-5 hours and I love to get lost in the world that an author has created. The best ones leave you wanting more and at a loss for words to describe just how good it is but I’ll try my best.
I live in a small town in South West England, just me and my dog Bonnie. I work part time in administration and really enjoy my job and the people I work with which I am very aware is not always the case!
I’ll read pretty much any sub genre within the mm genre. Since discovering it a few years ago, I rarely read anything else. One thing I won’t touch is horror, a definite no no for me!
Never ask me what my favourite anything is as I’ll have to give you a list of about ten or twenty things. How am I able to pick one food, book or film out of so many that I love?!
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