David Vincent’s RECKONING! is a fast-paced science fiction thriller that begins with a focused premise before steadily expanding into something much larger. Even as the story grows more ambitious, each new development feels like a natural progression in the narrative; the plot remains easy to follow without ever feeling overcrowded.
One of the novel’s most enjoyable relationships is between Dr. Stephanie Wolff and Stryker, as they tackle the same challenges in very different ways. Stryker instinctively uses dry humor to break the tension, while Stephanie stays focused on the work in front of her. When they meet before AlonGen’s press conference, Stryker jokes about Stephanie arriving in safari clothes after working with gorillas; but she quickly brushes the comment aside and gets down to business. That difference in personality gives their conversations a natural rhythm without taking away from the tension. Even as the scientific ideas become more ambitious, the book never loses sight of the people living through them.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is how Vincent keeps the science approachable without slowing the story down. As artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and corporate competition become more prevalent, we're still invested in the people caught up in the plot. Rather than stopping the story to explain the science, Vincent lets readers discover it alongside the characters at AlonGen. Cloned animals, cyborg technology, and genetic research don't need long explanations to become part of the story. The cyborgs are especially memorable because they look and behave so much like real people, which also makes the violence involving them feel genuinely unsettling. The genetically enhanced animals fit just as well into the story and expand the novel’s scientific world.
The pacing is just as strong. Since each new discovery builds on the last, the narrative never has to stop for exposition's sake. Everything builds at a smooth rhythm, so it’s easy to stay caught up in what happens next. RECKONING! leaves enough unanswered questions to make continuing the series feel worthwhile while still telling a complete story. Readers looking for intelligent science fiction with strong pacing and meaningful ethical questions will find this a rewarding start to the series.
David Vincent’s RECKONING! delivers an engaging sci-fi thriller that has ambitious ideas, memorable characters, and a thoughtful exploration of technology.
~ Katherine Crucilla for IndieReader