After the Event, people live in little cities with synth food and drinks. The cities are governed separately by the Corporation ,and surrounded by protective walls. No one gets in or out. Humans are sterile and reproduce through a not really clear system called collection. Couples wanting children have to apply to have them, and it seems that getting one is not so easy. Waiting lists are long. The story begins with Kira and Jed Jenkins collecting their child. The same Jed, a police officer is given a rape case, just to find out that the victim is Martha Gamble, a dear friend of his wife. On top of that Martha is found pregnant, an anomaly, given the sterility of humanity
For here the story goes on with constant surprises until a plot twist changes the rule’s game
I snatched The Gaia Project by Claire Buss at the 12 Days of Christmas Book Buying Event on Facebook and read it in five days, but only because I was sick after starting it. I’m a quick reader, but only if the story is compelling and this one definitely was.
Despite treating dark subjects, the story never feels claustrophobic like 1984, but technically the Corporation controls every aspect of humanity.
The plot twist happening at some point made me drop my mouth open. A wow moment that made my day. The story wraps up at the end, still, it leaves many doubts and the desire to read the sequels. From the blurb that one seems interesting too.
What I didn’t like of the novel was the fact that aside from a few episodes by the end, there are no arguments whatsoever between the principal characters. Not even between the protagonists, Kira and Jed. As husband and wife they would have plenty of reasons to do so. All couples do. But even between Kira, Martha, Ruth and Dina there’s no argument for most of the story.
The book is available here https://www.amazon.com/Gaia-Effect-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B07YV1KSSR