Wattmag Issue #12

Book Review: The Link

The Link by mdpotter55

The first book in a three-book series, I stumbled upon this book and read it from start to finish in one day. Captivated by the characters, original storyline and brilliant emotive writing, this book is one that needs to be added to your reading lists.

Science Fiction, Romance, Action, Adventure, Family, Love, Understanding, Self-Acceptance, mystery, secrets, and survival. There are 31 chapters of brilliance waiting to be read by you.

The premise is simple, a baby is born with extraordinary gifts. Rather than this book detailing the child growing up, it remains a baby. The 'growing up' is done by the adults who are put in her path, and the choices they make to help ensure her safety.

Having one of the main characters as a baby who can't speak, yet has her own very individual identity is a great writing accomplish, which the author should be applauded for. It's an arduous task to create a personal identity for a character who in essence is still developing one, but the author's talents for creating and writing the individual quirks and personalities for all of the characters is what sets this book apart. This is not a mass produced, cliché character story.

Though you are left wondering many things as you read through this book, many are answered but most are not- that's what book 2 and 3 are there for! It's not done in a confusing way though, it's as though you are a part of the group of characters protecting this child and you learn everything as they do.

At 21K reads, it is one of those underappreciated, undiscovered gems on Wattpad that needs more attention! Though I must stress that though it is not a mature book, it does have its 'mature' moments. These moments are not done in what could easily have become the tacky, for the sake of more reader's way you often find in Wattpad books. No, instead they are so perfect in what they bring to the story, it wouldn't have the pull at the heart strings, fabled true- but very realistic- love effect that this story brings to the table. But at the end of the day, it is mature, so only read if you are comfortable with those themes.

It's science fiction based in our world today, and for that reason, it has this level of normalness that seems quite odd, but also appealing, as though any of us could be sucked into a story like this in a moment's notice. Especially as the extraordinary child was created using gene technology that could theoretically be possible now.

As someone studying human biology, as well as someone who has a genetic condition, genes, genetic code, the future applications of altering them, and everything about it fascinate me. It was refreshing to read a story where the science was not so far-fetched and obviously made up that the story suddenly loses its relatability. Instead it got me thinking about the real-world applications of the science behind the story, and the fact that I would bet there is a scientist somewhere in the world right now, trying to develop the very thing we call science fiction.

So, calling all science nerds, book worms, science fiction lovers- and pretty much everyone else.

You need this book in your life.