Planet Earth is depleted and rendered unlivable by its inhabitants. New satellite stations are built to house those with the money or good connections to get themselves there and the rest of the (now mutant) population of ‘humanoids’ is condemned to a restricted and closely monitored life in compounds built on Earth and surrounded by ‘the wilderness’. Can this be a happy-ever-after situation? What happens when the status quo is questioned and challenged? Jeannie Van Rompaey in her new book Ascension, the first in the Oasis trilogy, follows the lives of both mutant and ‘complete’ humanoids and explores what happens when they begin to connect.
Not the most original storyline perhaps and not at first glance a book which appealed to me – not being an avid fan of sci-fi. But it turned out to be worth persevering. Ascension has its roots firmly set in 21st century environmental concerns and failed political systems, and it asks questions about what we are doing to our planet, what the consequences are likely to be, and how people will cope if/when we do end up destroying Earth as we know it. I found it intriguing and more than a little worrying.
A few niggles. I was annoyed by the use of words such as bunku instead of bunk, compu instead of computer, even humanoid instead of human. What was the point, I wondered. Then there are too many things which seem implausible and which therefore need further explanation. The lack of originality continued to be an issue throughout the book. Even as an infrequent reader of science fiction and dystopias I felt that this had all been done before. And yet Ascension has something very compelling about it – and perhaps that is at least in part the knowledge that this type of scenario could indeed happen. And probably will if we don’t pay more attention to the lives we lead.
By the end of the book we are left with many unanswered questions. But that of course is the way it always is with a first book in a planned trilogy. And I can honestly (and rather to my own surprise) say that I am looking forward to books 2 and 3. Who knew??
The Oasis Series:Ascension is published by Clink Street Publishing and available in paperback (£8.99) and as an e-book.