by Rosa Montero
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: ARC from Wunderkind in exchange for my honest opinion
Midnight Minute: A intricate sci-fi mystery meets Blade Runner.
From Goodreads:
Death is inevitable. Especially when you have an expiration date.
As a replicant, or “techno-human,” Detective Bruna Husky knows two things: humans bioengineered her to perform dangerous, undesirable tasks; and she has just ten years on the United States of Earth before her body automatically self-destructs. But with “anti-techno” rage on the rise and a rash of premature deaths striking her fellow replicants, she may have even less time than she originally thought.
Investigating the mysterious deaths, Bruna delves into the fractious, violent history shared by humans and replicants, and struggles to engage the society that fails to understand her—yet created her. The deeper she gets, the deadlier her work becomes as she uncovers a vast, terrifying conspiracy bent on changing the very course of the world. But even as the darkness of her reality closes in, Bruna clings fiercely to life.
Midnight Thoughts:
~ The book is partly inspired by the movie Blade Runner, and it is referenced several times in the book, as the techno-humans are often referred to as replicants because of the movie. Of course Bladerunner is based on the story Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. ~ The opening Tears in Rain proves why it is never a good idea to answer the door in the middle of the night.
~ The narration is broken up with computer entries of the history of the replicants (one of the characters is a historian working on the archives), which I thought was a great way to set up the rules of the sci-fi setting and get information to the reader. I also liked this way of presenting information because I am a nerd and I thought the history of the replicants was really interesting.
~ It's probably helpful if you've watched Blade Runner prior to reading this book, although it's not completely necessary. But watch it anyway, because it's a cool movie starring Harrison Ford.
~ I hope scientists are reading sci-fi books, because it is not a good idea to make artificial life look like humans. Don't give them emotions. Just don't!
~ Bruna Husky as a protagonist is bad ass! Shaving her head in order to prevent giving her enemy something to hurt her with? Brilliant. Plus her tattoo is cool. She would scare the crap out of me.
~ I normally do not read much science fiction, but this book is exactly why I should! It's easy to see our world on this path- a day where the color of someone's skin might not matter, but someone's species will.
~ This book also serves as a reminder that reading translations is a good idea. There are so many good books by authors who don't write in English. I went through a phase where I read several Japanese authors and then Swedish authors. I hope to read more translated novels in 2013!
~ I love the idea that memories are a kind of drug to replicants. This was not the only book in 2012 that I read that dealt with memories and how important they are to us and how much they make us who we are.
~ I loved the complicated, intricate relationship between Nopal and Husky.
~ Bartolo is adorable and my heart ached at how cute he was. He's both cute and pathetic, making you want to both cuddle and strangle him too. I want one!
~ The title of the book comes from a quote in Blade Runner:
All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain. Time to die.~ I really, really hope there is a sequel!!
Timeless Characters:
Bruna Husky- private detective techno-human. Will kick your ass.
Cata Cain- Bruna's neighbor, another replicant/techno-human.
Yiannis- human friend of Bruna's, professional archivist.
Roy-Roy- human friend who is a walking billboard.
Myriam Chi- leader of the RRM, replicant, hires Bruna.
Merlin- Bruna's dead lover, seen in flashbacks.
Pablo Nopal- human, memory writer.
Paul Lizard- human inspector working the same case as Bruna.
Valo- Chi's lover and head of security.
Habib- Chi's personal assistant.
Maio- alien that Bruna picks up.
Marari- human with a bionic arm, like Red from Shawshank Redemption, she's the person Bruna goes to when she needs something.
Bartolo- alien pet. Eats things he shouldn't.
Cata Cain- Bruna's neighbor, another replicant/techno-human.
Yiannis- human friend of Bruna's, professional archivist.
Roy-Roy- human friend who is a walking billboard.
Myriam Chi- leader of the RRM, replicant, hires Bruna.
Merlin- Bruna's dead lover, seen in flashbacks.
Pablo Nopal- human, memory writer.
Paul Lizard- human inspector working the same case as Bruna.
Valo- Chi's lover and head of security.
Habib- Chi's personal assistant.
Maio- alien that Bruna picks up.
Marari- human with a bionic arm, like Red from Shawshank Redemption, she's the person Bruna goes to when she needs something.
Bartolo- alien pet. Eats things he shouldn't.
Midnight Moment:
There were so many details in this book that made up midnight moments, but my favorites were anything to do with Pablo Nopal and his connection with Bruna, and Maio's "talent".
Stop The Clock:
For fans of science fiction and dystopian and thrillers! I will definitely be reading more books by Rosa Montero!
Rosa Montero — Website |I think this is her page.
Tears in Rain gets a Midnight Book Rating of:
** For you Amazon Prime members, the kindle version of this book can be borrowed for free right now!**
