CONDITION BOOK ONE:
The first in a dystopian trilogy based on the author's command of a top secret government unit.
What if all brain disorders were treatable? Few would lament the passing of dementia or autism, but what if the twisted mind of a sex offender or murderer could be cured too? Or how about a terrorist or maybe a political extremist? What if we could all be "corrected"?
It's 1966, and RAF pilot Dan Stewart awakes from a coma following an aircraft accident into a world where nothing seems to make sense anymore. Not being able to recall the crash might be expected, but what about the rest of his life? And what's stopping him from taking his medication? Is it brain damage that's causing paranoia about the red pill, or is Dan right to think something sinister is going on?
His horrific injuries don't make any sense either - a post-crash fire caused him to suffer almost 100% burns. How is it even possible to survive that? Are the hallucinations and strange dreams trying to tell him something? They are, and he'll soon find out what, but not before his doctor's sure the shock won't kill him.
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Alec Birri served thirty years with the UK Armed Forces. He commanded an operational unit that experimented in new military capabilities classified at the highest level (Top Secret Strap 3), and it is this that forms the basis of his novels. Although semi-autobiographical, for national security and personal liberty reasons, the events and individuals portrayed have to be fiction but are still nonetheless in keeping with his experiences.
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If you regularly enjoy listening to audiobooks then this Shakespearean actor will need no introduction. Winner of a 2016 SOVAS award, Jonathan’s voice is rightly recognized as being one of the best, and his narration of The Condition Trilogy is no exception.
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HALL WAYS REVIEW: 4.5 Stars. Audio book review. The brain is an amazing thing, and how
it adapts to different situations – whether medically guided or not -- is fascinating.
For the first half of Condition Book One, readers will likely
be confused, paralleling main character Dan Stewart’s confusion. What’s real?
What’s imagined? Is Dan paranoid or is he finally having clarity of thought?
For that matter, is Dan a reliable narrator at all? Stick with the story because
about half way in, things start to gel and the “ah-ha” and “oh nooooo” moments
come in simultaneously and grab you. There are shifts and twists and turns, and
I repeatedly found myself saying, “WAIT! So X is really Y and not Z! Whoa.” By the end, the REAL intrigue hits and everything
clicks into horrible place, and I was clamoring to get book two (I started it
the same day!).
“I’m sure you’ve no need to
worry.”
Author
Alex Birri does a great job with his characterization. Admittedly, I was not
immediately impressed with Dan, whose first concerns after a near fatal accident are the football scores,
his nurse’s boobs, and farting to amuse his daughter. He’s
that guy. (Or is he?) Every characteristic choice feels deliberate, and the
author uses the technique of having Dan speak out loud and ask questions of
others (who keep silent) to let readers know what Dan thinks is really
happening. But is he correct or crazy? There were a few places (especially in part two) where transitions are a bit rough and more explanation is needed, and there are scenes
that should have been edited down. Since I read the
book with my ears, I can’t speak to grammar or SPAG issues, but it's clear Birri is a gifted writer.
Both the overt and underlying
message in Condition Book One (and
subsequent books in the trilogy) is to question everything. Question those in
power and strive to keep their power limited. Question whether there is transparency in the
versions of product and policy the government gives to the public. Question whether
medical advances are truly for the good of the people or intended to be
corrupted and used unethically.
The
narration, performed by Jonathan Keeble, is exceptional, and when I use the word
“perform,” I mean it. Keeble takes on a huge cast of characters and manages to
make them all unique. He tackles British, German, and South American accents
and nails them – even managing several different South American dialects -- male
and female, young and old. He masterfully changes his voice to match a scene’s
intensity and emotion level, adding drama and realism. I will hunt down other
books just to hear this talented actor again. (Happily, he narrates all three
of The Condition Trilogy books.)
Condition Book One is a disturbing story with Orwellian undertones.
Prepare to be unsettled. The
epilogue is quite lengthy – but critical – and while the ending left me intrigued
and ready for more, it also was a satisfying closure for this book and these
events. Condition Book One could
stand alone, but since I’ve now read the full trilogy now, I recommend you keep
reading! WOWSA.
Thank
you to Audiobookworm Promotions and the author for providing me a free download
in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
Giveaway: $100 Amazon Gift Card
Runs March 6th-27th⎮Open internationally
The Condition Trilogy Giveaway: $100 Amazon Gift Card
Book One
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3831999849
Many thanks for joining the tour, Kristine and for the review especially. great to read you enjoyed the series :-)
ReplyDeleteTruly a pleasure! These are fabulous stories and fabulously narrated.
DeleteThis is a new author for me so thank you for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteNew to me, too, Nikolina. Glad you found the tour! Thanks for following along and stopping by.
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