Book summary from goodreads.com . . . . .
Ahni Huang is hunting for her brother's killer. As a class 9 empath with advanced biogenetic augmentations, she has complete mental and physical control of her body, and can read other people's intentions before they can even think them. Ahni soon finds though, that there are deceptions behind deceptions, and in the middle of it lies the fate of her brother.
Earth is in the midst of a political struggle between the World Council, which governs humankind, and the Platforms, which orbit high above Earth. On the Platform New York Up, "upsider" life is different. They have their own culture, values, and ambitions--and now they want their independence from Earth. One upsider leader, Dane Nilson, is determined to accomplish this goal, but he has a secret, one that could condemn him to death.
When Ahni stumbles upon Dane during her quest for vengeance, her fate becomes inextricably linked to his. Together they must delve beyond the intrigue and manipulative schemes to get to the core of truth; a truth that will shape the future of the Platforms and shatter any preconceived notions of what defines the human race.
MY REVIEW of HORIZONS:
This is a gem of a novel. There are several compelling secondary plots woven into the story along with many engaging characters.
MARY ROSENBLUM postulates an off-Earth civilization sometime in our future, with versions of contemporary technology extrapolated into useful application. Huge platforms with their own ecosystems orbit beyond Earth's atmosphere and are reached by space elevators.
The descriptions of the elevators and how they operate is fascinating. The emotions experienced by Earthers (‘down-siders’) in transit to a place where gravity is greatly reduced along with depth perception (what's up now feels like down) are strong and plausible.
Following a past catastrophe of unknown destruction (the Terror Wars) that is only alluded to in HORIZONS, an intrepid band of pioneers established communities in these orbital stations (referred to as ‘cans’). The events of HORIZONS occur sometime during a later stage of the New York Up (‘NYup’) civilization, as second-generation children are conceived and born. These children have evolved, growing longer and more cartilaginous limbs for flexibility and suppleness, as they adapt to living within micro-gravity. They are viewed as mutants, or non-human by less-understanding Earthers, particularly global governors who consider them a threat.
Central character Ahni Huang (there are multiple multi-racial characters throughout the novel) is a capable empath (sensing emotions), enhanced by implanted nanotech. She's a member of a powerful governing family. Earth is ruled by a global council comprised of influential family businesses from several countries. Ahni travels to NYup for the first time to avenge the murder of her brother. As she learns more of the differences in NYup, she becomes drawn into local politics and the struggle to remain independent from Earth.
There is so much packed into the 300+ pages of HORIZONS: off-Earth tourism, politics, socialization, orbital mining, prejudice, group mind manipulation, staged disruption and manipulation, trade and commerce. Rosenblum deftly works in the details as a mystery is introduced and the pace picks up. There are several surprises near the ending.
This is a novel that deserves your full attention, and simply can't be read quickly. There are complexities within that need to be given the proper time and reflection by patient readers. Rosenblum has researched her subjects well, and incorporates those elements into the story. The descriptions of the ecosystem and how plants and seedlings are germinated, sustained and harvested are creative and intriguing.
There's also a manipulative use of social media (some for good, some for malice) that seems very close to recent events considering how Cambridge Analyticals and Russian hackers used Facebook and social media platforms while attempting to influence the 2016 elections. In HORIZONS all NYupers go about their business while listening (through a shared mental internet) of the gossip and chit-chat on the Con (short for ‘conversation’). Various forces within the story use this to torment unrest and dissension, along with staged conflicts and flash mobs. Very prophetic for a book written in 2006.
Rosenblum is a writer deserving of your attention. This recent discovery is a bittersweet one for me, as I only learned of her work following her death.
Mary, who also wrote mysteries under her maiden name Mary Freeman, was a high school classmate. I only heard of her fiction after reading her obituary among some class notes correspondence. Her written legacy remains, and I intend to discover more.
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