I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An Enhuman girl must race against the clock along with her human best friend and detective to find a way of saving sentient life in a nightmarish virtual landscape in author Nzondi’s futuristic, dystopian thriller “Oware Mosaic”.
The Synopsis
Decades after a cataclysmic nuclear war, Ghanaian scientists develop technology that store consciousness onto data orbs called retcons. Seventeen-year-old forensic specialist, Feeni Xo, is a Enhuman (a radiation-enhanced metabolic human) that, similar to a vampire, need blood for sustenance. Through a game called the House of Oware, Feeni discovers that the virtual construct is actually an augmented reality. She and her human best friend, Sammi, a young female detective, have been mysteriously given specialized neural implants that allow them to hack into government software. The two teenagers race against time in a horrific world of deformed beasts to piece together the puzzles of the digital mosaic. Will they find a way to save sentient beings from total extinction or will they run out of time?
The Review
An incredibly daring and creative new dystopian and sci-fi horror novel, author Nzondi has captured the reader’s attention and painted a vivid picture of this apocalyptic-level future. A fantastic story that delves into the much needed genre of Afrofuturism and contemporary Black science fiction, the narrative does an excellent job of balancing the intricate pacing of the main mystery with the powerful and artistic setting that is both original and full of culture all at once.
The character arcs were the true draw for many readers, including myself. The protagonist’s early struggle with guilt and horror after she is convinced she was complicit in a horrific accident and coverup is the perfect shock to the reader’s system as they delve into this terrifying and futuristic world. Yet it is the twist and turns that take the protagonist off into varied directions that keep the mystery and suspense element of the narrative alive, and the introduction and revelation of long thought gone characters will keep readers guessing the true mystery all the while.
Save 75% on Norton 360 Deluxe and get a $10 Amazon gift cardThe Verdict
A memorable, creatively-inspired, and haunting sci-fi and horror-driven narrative, author Nzondi’s “Oware Mosaic” is a must-read sci-fi novel. A gripping tale of family, corruption and culture, this book draws the reader in immediately and keeps them locked in till the last page’s final turn, making this a truly remarkable novel. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Nzondi (Ace Antonio Hall) was born Acemandese Nzondi Hall in Queens, New York on July 4th. Hall received his BFA from C. W. Post, Long Island University. His science fiction/horror work, Oware Mosaic (Omnium Gatherum, September 2019), is the 2019 Bram Stoker Awards® Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel. Hall is a two-time Honorable Mention winner of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Award. He is also the author of the novel, Confessions of Sylva Slasher, (Montag Press, April 2013) and a non-fiction book, Lord of the Flies: Fitness for Writers (Omnium Gatherum, April 2017).
https://www.bookbub.com/books/oware-mosaic-by-nzondi
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