From the author of Magic Artinia: In another corner of the universe, on a planet much like Earth but where people have superpowers, John Hallan is getting by in the big city working for a ruthless network executive and making friends from all walks of life. His immortal best friend and network star, Borneo, urges him to break out of his monotonous comfort and be more like him, living each day of his endless life as if it were his last. But John is apathetic to modern life, uninspired by the contestants on Artinian Artist, indifferent to the latest mePhone, merely observant of the people praying to Bob as he watches the world from his thirtieth story window or his favorite seat at the bar. Beneath the usual absurdity another is brewing, sending the world on a downward spiral into apocalyptic collapse, and John with his detachment is clear-eyed to see it, but in a world of special powers is powerless against it.
First Impressions: First impressions are not always accurate! I actually read this book twice. The first time, the number of characters overwhelmed me, and I had trouble following the story, but the second time, I enjoyed it. The author cleverly sets the scene for the story by providing an overview of the philosophy and culture of Artinia (and even if you want to skip over this part and get into the main story, you really should read it so the rest of the story makes sense.)
Cover and Setting: Artinia (shown on the charming book cover) is a planet much like earth, but with some key differences—namely, the existence of “tokens,” which give people special abilities. Its culture mimics a stereotypical Western culture, with a strong emphasis on entertainment and an overwhelming pressure to conform to mainstream ideas while claiming to celebrate individualism. I enjoyed all the parallels to everyday life; it made the story fanciful enough to let me get caught up in the moment, but it was relatable at the same time.
Plot: The concept of the tokens was fascinating and imaginative. Giving each character a different token provided total freedom for the story to go wherever it pleased. Despite the main character John’s pragmatic, and sometimes indifferent, approach to life, the plot moves quickly and reveals a frantic world where everyone is trying to get ahead and no one knows what’s actually happening. Magic Artinia is full of business rivalries, political maneuverings, and personal discoveries. There’s even a hint of romance, something I always enjoy in a book!
Characters: The main character, John, is secretly brilliant, even though no one gives him credit for it (including himself). I liked him because he wasn’t motivated by popularity or societal pressure; rather, he merely lived his life his own way and tried to get by without much fuss. He is the most honest of all the characters, which I think is why he is able to notice things the other characters merely ignore. His friend/rival Sajan is his opposite in almost every way, and I enjoyed seeing them struggle to relate with their different points of view. Finally, John’s little sister, Milly, provided an interesting perspective—that of a girl struggling to fit in with her peers. I liked reading her story, but I felt like it wasn’t essential for the main plot (and she had so many friends that I sometimes lost track!)
Final Thoughts: Magic Artinia was worth my time. I respect authors who have the courage to express opinions that challenge the status quo, and books with “controversial” ideas are always interesting. In addition, Magic Artinia was full of humor and heart. Dedication is required to read it, but it is a fun journey that raises a lot of questions about the world in which we live.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book reviewed above.
Alina Grigorovitch is the author of The Invisible Forest, related art and stories, and other books. All projects, links, and most texts can be seen on theinvisibleforest.com.
Website: theinvisibleforest.com
Instagram (art): @phantomlife_
Music: soundcloud.com/phantomphace
Twitter: @BombRenewable
Author photograph by Stephanie Dribus
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Please subscribe to my email list to receive a copy of my new short story, Help Me, the prequel to the Silvertree Series. Synopsis: The year is 1972. Fourteen-year-old Agnes has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has no treatment options until Peterson, a brilliant scientist, offers to give her an experimental drug. Agnes is counting on him to save her life, but he has other ideas.