Video calling, computer tablets, communicator watches, A.I. assistants—all of these technological advancements were once unimaginable, but now they are fairly commonplace thanks to companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google. These breakthroughs did, however, appear in one place before they became a reality: science fiction. The genre has a knack for predicting the future—or making it happen—and that is why we must watch it carefully for signs of what might come. These kinds of warnings are the heart of the book featured in today’s review, The Exigent Earth by Beverly Knauer and Murray Rosenthal.
The year is 2039, and the Earth is suffering from mismanagement by humans. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Volcanic eruptions. And that’s just the tip of the apocalyptic iceberg. Only one man can read the signs and warn the rest of mankind of these upcoming disasters: Zac Sparkman, son of renowned scientists Nikolai and Virginia Sparkman. With his parents’ scientific curiosity and his own extraordinary powers coursing through his veins, Zac is the exact balance of science and spirituality needed to save humanity. He has spent his entire life trying to heal the Earth and uncover the truth behind his abilities and his father’s research, leading him to become one of the most respected scientists of his time. Yet when the U.S. government gets wind of his unique abilities, it will stop at nothing to access the secrets which lie within Zac’s mind. Kept prisoner by his home country and made into the enemy for powers he doesn’t fully understand, Zac fears that time is running out for him and all of mankind. Can he escape in time to warn of the next disaster? Will the dread and doom of his premonitions come to fruition? And can the answers Zac seeks be found on Earth—or beyond the stars?
I have fairly varied tastes when it comes to science fiction and other categories which fall under the umbrella genre of “speculative fiction” (fantasy, science fantasy, dystopian fiction, supernatural fiction, etc.). I like to sample a little of everything from the science fiction of Ray Bradbury and Anne McCaffrey to the young adult urban fantasy of Eoin Colfer and Rick Riordan. For these reasons, I started The Exigent Earth with a mixture of excitement and high expectations. In general, the book did not disappoint. The Exigent Earth has a little something for every kind of speculative fiction fan out there: advanced technology, genetic manipulation, seemingly-supernatural abilities, interstellar travel, and much, much more. Knauer and Rosenthal dip into almost every trope available to the modern science fiction writer from space exploration to climate change and psychological drama, and they weave all these elements together into one unified, nearly-seamless plot which both entertains and delivers a powerful message.
Even more impressively, however, Knauer and Rosenthal infuse this story with as much spiritual and mystical knowledge as it does scientific principles. Through indigenous characters like Olivia and Gus, the authors pass on the esoteric wisdom of Native American tribes to Zac and the readers, showing how the ideas of honoring Mother Earth and recognizing the unique energies of everything in nature work with modern science, not against it. There are, of course, moments when the Native American wisdom and Western scientific principles push back on each other and cause tension, but it is this simultaneous harmony and disharmony which makes the presence of both schools of thought so compelling. The tension piques the reader’s interest, and the synchronicity opens their eyes to new possibilities.
In addition to the intriguing concept and crucial themes, The Exigent Earth contains engaging plot twists and diverse—in race/ethnicity/nationality and personalities—and relatable characters. Not a single plot point is introduced without a purpose nor is any character. Everything and everybody serves an important role, even if said role seems minor at first, and it all ties together very nicely by the end of the story. The book uses a mixture of subtle-but-impactful plot twists and major, jaw-dropping turns, thus keeping the reader interested without overwhelming them with too much chaos and confusion. To me, there are still many questions raised by these characters and their exploits which could be explored further but, in a way, that’s part of the point: there will always be questions left unanswered and problems that need to be solved, so it’s best not to ignore them.
That being said, the book is not without its faults. In the first couple sections of the novel, a lot seems to go too smoothly and/or falls into place too easily. This makes these sections feel rushed and, at points, borderline cliché, a fact which is not helped by characters mentally noting how coincidental/serendipitous certain aspects of their lives are. In particular, Nikolai and Virginia’s romance occurs far too quickly and easily. While their love is sweet and clearly true and it is not the focus of the novel, everything goes their way too often, especially when dealing with the Russian and American governments and the restrictions these governments place on their lives. I could have also done without Nikolai’s mentally reassessments of whether love-at-first-sight is possible or not. There are other plot points which are executed too quickly or neatly, causing a lack in real tension until later in the book, but I will not mention them here for fear of spoilers.
While the characters are diverse and typically relatable, some moments—namely thoughts and dialogue—feel unnaturally stiff. This makes sense when they are characters like Nikolai, whose second language is English, but with characters whose first language is English, it does not sound real. Olivia, for example, is supposed to be a teenager when she is first introduced, but I would have pegged her to be in her twenties or maybe even her thirties based on her thought and speech patterns. This could be a result of her being wise beyond her years, but the way which it is depicted makes the character feel more rigid early on, something which is less of a problem as she gets older and grows into this voice. In the first two or three sections of the novel, the thoughts and dialogue also have a tendency of trying to provide too much foreshadowing which, in some cases, muted the effects of plot points further in the narrative. This technique could be a result of wanting to show how some people can have inexplicable insights into the future, but it usually just subverts otherwise excellent plot twists.
Overall, The Exigent Earth by Beverly Knauer and Murray Rosenthal is a well-written and captivating read. It is very insightful and intelligent yet also uses language which is simple enough for the average reader to easily follow along. The plot is engaging although, in the scheme of things, fairly typical for speculative fiction. The treatment of the subject and the combination of elements, however, makes this work very unique and I highly recommend it for readers who are scientifically-curious, environmentally-conscience, and/or fans of science fiction, science fantasy, and/or psychodramas. Still, those who do not like to read about secret scientific advancement, climate change, distrust of the government, or interstellar interactions might want to pass on this one.
The Exigent Earth by Beverly Knauer and Murray Rosenthal is available in paperback and as an eBook on Amazon. You can learn more about Beverly Knauer and her other books on her website.
Do you know of a book I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!
Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011