Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Realms (September 30, 2005)
ISBN-10: 1591858062
ASIN: B003E7EZCK
In the future of our world, human souls can be transferred to machines called Personifids and live forever. Sounds like a sweet deal, right? Aphra, our heroine, thinks so too. That is until she overhears something she shouldn't at the Personifid company she works at, Sevig Industries. Then she witnesses her only human friend, Ryan, murdered in front of her eyes. Suddenly she finds herself on the run for her life, leaving the only place she has ever called home, Min city. Rescued by a man named Birn and his wife Lavinia, she learns of their weird way of living, and their ancient beliefs in a god called the Tri-Une-Soul. Eventually, she becomes seperated from her rescuers and learns there is a bounty on her head. The only question is, why?
Aphra, spends most of her time working, or with her android companion Michael and her computer Marlene. She doesn't have much experience with real people, who she finds odd and unpredictable.
Gun, Lavinia's cousin, is stoic and mysterious. As the story unravels, we learn more about him.
Lavinia, used to work with Sevig and date him. After faking her death, she lives outside of Min City in secret.
Birn, is Lavinia's husband. He's good-hearted and laid back. He's the one who finds Aphra and takes her home with him.
Antha, is Aphra's brother, whom she hasn't seen since they were kids. Since he erased his memories, he doesn't even believe her at first when he claims they're related. His sarcastic and humorous comments endeared him to me immediately.
Sevig, is our villain. We don't know too much about his past, except that he used to date Levinia. He is cold hearted and determined to finish what he and Lavinia started years ago, no matter who has to die.
The best sci-fi book I have ever read, though I admit it's slim pickings when it comes to this genre in the Christian publishing industry. Even smaller than fantasy, I believe.
Bartlett makes all of the scientific inventions completely believable, from the luminere's that transport you around the city to the flying cars that talk (I want one of those, btw).
The story is well paced, and after the intro, it really kicks off. There is never a moment where nothing interesting or exciting doesn't happen.
For extreme originality and a thrill ride of a novel, I give "The Personifid Project" four stars. Also, if you liked "Gundam Seed Destiny" you'll probably like this book. The villains in both stories share ideas about perfecting humanity.
If you want to learn more about this New Zealand Author, check out her website.
You can buy her book here for a great deal.
Up next, I'll review "The Prophecy" by Dawn Miller.
