A sci-fi thriller that asks the questions...I read Chimera by Rob Thurman as my Goodreads Sci-Fi Romance March Book of the Month. However, if you want romance you won't get it in this book. This is a sci-fi thriller as it says above, and as such it's excellent. You'll find lots of action and enough futuristic details to place it firmly into the contemporary thriller sci-fi category.
What makes us human...
What makes us unique...
And what makes us kill?
Ten years ago, Stefan Korsak's younger brother was kidnapped. Not a day has passed that Stefan hasn't thought about him. As a rising figure in the Russian mafia, he has finally found him. But when he rescues Lukas, he must confront a terrible truth-his brother is no longer his brother. He is a trained, genetically-altered killer. Now, those who created him will do anything to reclaim him. And the closer Stefan grows to his brother, the more he realizes that saving Lukas may be easier than surviving him...
Chimera is narrated in the first person from Stefan's perspective. The story itself is really good when it comes to both plot and action. That action is relentless as Michael/Lukas and Stefan find themselves on the run after Stefan rescues young Michael and there's a dangerous pursuit involved. The two find themselves in danger from two fronts: Michael's kidnappers and the Russian Mafia.
The building relationship between the main characters takes precedence in the story, though. Thurman does a great job of depicting male bonding in this book as Stefan slowly gets Michael to reveal what was done to him in the compound, and in the process reveals himself. She digs deep into background and deep emotions to do this, creating some excellent characters and a believable bond between the two men. However, that's not all she does. While the characters are bonding and the focus is placed squarely on these two characters, the plot also unfolds through their conversations and finally through the action and danger around them.
What makes us human...What makes us unique... And what makes us kill? These are key questions that are very much a part of Michael and Stefan's lives and that are answered in Chimera. I loved going along with these characters on their wild emotional and dangerous ride. This story is complete in the sense that Michael and Stefan's story is taken to a surprising, emotional and somewhat satisfactory conclusion. However, there are questions left unanswered at the end... I know the second book, Basilisk, is releasing in August and hope the answers are there.
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| Goodreads SFR March Read |
Category: Sci-Fi Fantasy/Contemporary Thriller
Series: Chimera, Book 1
Publisher/Released: Roc, June 1, 2010 - Kindle Edition
Grade: Grade B+
Visit Rob Thurman here.
So glad this has become a series! On the surface it's similar to Cal & Niko but beyond that it's very different.
ReplyDeleteReally, this was all about the bromance!! Bring it on! :) Love the relationship between Stefan and Michael! And seriously, it takes more than blood to be brothers/sisters/family.
ReplyDeleteI agree Leslie, both that it's a good thing that this is a series and that it's not really like the Leandros series. I had questions at the end of this book and there's room there for more. As far as the brother relationship, well... the great bonding between two men is there, but the rest is quite different. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNath... that's just what I thought of it --- a bromance. LOL! I loved it too. And yes, you're quite right... these two are brothers. I loved Stefan and specially that last line in the book.
I understand Basilisk is from Michael's POV... now THAT should be interesting!
LOL, indeed, especially an older Michael that has lived a normal life...
ReplyDelete