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Exodus Code (Torchwood #19)

by Carole E. Barrowman (Goodreads Author), John Barrowman

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 99 ratings · 18 reviews

It starts with a series of unexplained events. Earth tremors across the globe. People being driven insane by their heightened and scrambled senses. And the world is starting to notice - the number one Twitter trend is #TheLoco. Governments and scientists are bewildered and silent. The world needs Torchwood, but there's not much of Torchwood left. Captain Jack has tracked t...more

Hardcover, 366 pages

Published November 6th 2012 by Random House UK (first published September 13th 2012)

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Jun 15, 2013 Gena rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love Torchwood and I love John & Carole Barrowman! I picked up Exodus Code while in London since it hasn't been released here yet. It's a pretty good read - not as good as the Barrowman siblings YA series Hollow Earth. It starts off really good with a lot of action, a volcano, a secret Indian tribe and Jack dying again. Then it drifts into a really long sort of explanation of this weird synesthesia episode Jacks suffers which soon spreads to thousands of women around the globe.

I enjoyed t...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

An adrenaline-pumping, nail-bitingly brilliant read that is fast-paced and full of the unexpected!

This eagerly-awaited Torchwood novel, written by Carol E and John Barrowman (who played Captain Jack Harkness since 2005) certainly lives up to expectations. Full of intense drama and absorbing narrative this captivating, compelling read is a real page-turner. Complete within this universally loved creation are those distinctive, markedly memorable characters such as Gwen Cooper and Rhys, this book...more An adrenaline-pumping, nail-bitingly brilliant read that is fast-paced and full of the unexpected!

This eagerly-awaited Torchwood novel, written by Carol E and John Barrowman (who played Captain Jack Harkness since 2005) certainly lives up to expectations. Full of intense drama and absorbing narrative this captivating, compelling read is a real page-turner. Complete within this universally loved creation are those distinctive, markedly memorable characters such as Gwen Cooper and Rhys, this book would make a fantastic drama adaptation and fifth series after Miracle Day. Once this exciting adventure takes hold it never lets go, as you are plunged into a world of danger, mystery and unstoppable action that keeps you sat on the edge of your seat in suspense throughout.

Unexplained, curious events take place such as Earth tremors across the globe and women bizarrely being driven insane by their heightened and scrambled senses. The number one on Twitter is ‘#realfemmefatales’ which not only baffles the government and scientists (who remain inconspicuous and silent) but also civilians. It seems that this curious conundrum can only be solved by the Torchwood team, but sadly this secret organization doesn’t contain many members. Fortuitously Captain Jack Harkness has traced the problem’s source, a small village in Peru, where he's uncovered evidence of alien involvement.

Meanwhile in Cardiff, Gwen Cooper has discovered something alien and somehow connected to Jack. If the world is to be restored, she has to warn him - but she's quickly becoming a victim of the madness, too...

Torchwood is back, after the Miracle, with another mystery to solve that again links to Jack’s remarkable and eccentric past. Full of energy, intelligence and humour this cleverly crafted, deeply thought-provoking read is truly astonishing and a fantastic read. As a fan of the television drama series and all things science-fiction and fantasy, this action-packed adventure will delight many fans by taking you on a thrilling, blood-curdling, unforeseen rollercoaster of a ride! Amidst the exquisite storyline is such undeniably fabulous originality as to delight, containing arresting and well-written prose.

Any fan of Torchwood and The Hollow Earth (also by Carol E and John Barrowman) must mark this as a ‘must-read’! (less)

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Sep 25, 2012 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, television-tie-in, torchwood

You would expect this Torchwood novel, written by its star, John Barrowman (with his sister), to be fairly faithful to the tone of the TV series. And Exodus Code doesn't disappoint. As I read it, I could absolutely picture this being filmed for television. I could hear the actors saying their characters' dialogue, and imagined the scenes as they would be filmed. The Barrowman siblings have written a very visual novel. However, by throwing in an element of synesthesia, they've also created a stor...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Dan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: doctor-who

Your enjoyment of this new Torchwood book probably depends largely on how much you enjoyed the TV show's fourth series, Miracle Day. If you hated it this isn't for you. If you thought it was OK though this is a decent follow up. It sees a new disaster for Earth where woman are having breakdowns and hydrothermal vents are popping up instantaneously all over the world. It doesn't look good.

The use of the main characters in this book is pretty atrocious. Gwen is one of the women having a breakdown...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First off, I am a big fan of the Torchwood television series, which would be the only reason to read this book. I doubt it would have much draw if you were not already familiar with the characters.

Second, I found this book to be quite readable and well written overall. I might have given it 2.5 stars. Yet it is deeply flawed—as part of the ongoing Torchwood drama. It doesn’t add much, if anything, to the individual characters’ development; we learn nothing new about Jack or Gwen, and they don’t...more First off, I am a big fan of the Torchwood television series, which would be the only reason to read this book. I doubt it would have much draw if you were not already familiar with the characters.

Second, I found this book to be quite readable and well written overall. I might have given it 2.5 stars. Yet it is deeply flawed—as part of the ongoing Torchwood drama. It doesn’t add much, if anything, to the individual characters’ development; we learn nothing new about Jack or Gwen, and they don’t grow or change in any way. I found it annoying that Gwen was taken out of commission early on and played essentially a minor role.

The crux of the novel’s problems was in plot flaws, though. Like, why was it that Jack couldn’t remember this significant thing that happened to him back in 1930? I mean, the plot really turns on it, that he couldn’t remember, and that just seems weak. I also did not care for the mystical Gaia thing—because it turns out to be a lame plot device that remains unexplained. In keeping with the more-or-less scientific sci-fi tradition of Torchwood and Dr. Who, “gods” must always turn out to be alien life forms. So when Gaia is just Gaia, and the whole thing is just “the prophecy must be fulfilled,” it seemed pretty stupid.

As I read this on my Kindle, I always noticed where I was in the story. So when, at 85% through, I still had no idea what was going on over at the hacienda in Peru, I thought, WTF? So the pacing seemed off. And obviously that whole bit was only there to add guns and drama. It wasn’t really integrated with the weak main story of Gaia. In fact, I am still thinking, what was that part about?

I was really surprised that the new character from the American series, Rex Matheson, was almost nonexistent in this story. It seems like there is a lot of potential there—another immortal, for god’s sake!—plus Rex is really likeable and provides a nice contrast to Jack’s character. He should be a feature in the next Torchwood story.

Last but not least, the whole synesthesia thing got old while reading it. I mean, how many times can I read about the character having a “strong taste of ginger” in his or her mouth and be expected to care about it?

So there you have it—in my humble opinion, this wouldn’t work that well as the next miniseries or season of the TV show, unless it is heavily re-worked.(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Jill Gillett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This is a rollercoaster of a story, twisting and turning in all directions, and yet keeping the familiarity of the Torchwood premise, albeit with a new, temporary team. The fact that one of the writers actually plays the main character on TV enhanced it no end, and was not at any point self indulgent to the exclusion of other characters. Were this story to be made into a programme /movie, then it would be full of the expected banter, innuendo, gore, romance and genuine heart, but still enou...more

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Jan 02, 2013 S.e. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this very much! I listened to the audio - nicely done, BTW. In fact, I decided to listen to it twice. This story fits in beautifully with the series and especially the Miracle Day episodes. There are lots of wonderful details, timely topics, good plot planning, and character development. I would love to see this book adapted for television (starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles). I hope that the Barrowmans write more Torchwood stories. This is my favorite of the "related" books that ha...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Manda rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5. I read it for the first time before watching Miracle Day, and would have given it a 2.5. After watching that season, however, the book does improve somewhat, at least during the limited scenes between Jack and Gwen.

As in Miracle Day, the interactions between Jack, Gwen, and to some extent Rhys are the only thing that really pulled me in here. The book suffers from a lot of the same problems as Miracle Day, especially in its focus on minor characters. Gwen is taken rather quickly from the a...more

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Apr 14, 2013 annik rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, read-in-english, torchwood, whoniverse, brit-lit

То ли из-за длительности, то ли из-за Барроумена в авторах, я заочно решила, что 1) эта книжка будет хитовой 2) меня будет не оторвать от нее и 3) это есть нечто фееричное, запутанное и с множеством флэшбеков. Стоит ли говорить, что эту книгу я мучала месяц, в течение которого я периодически впадала в неконтролируемое агрессивное состояние. Меня стало подташнивать от испанского акцента, Харкнесса, а также некоторых слов. И если кто-нибудь при мне скажет слово «хасиенда», я, боюсь, начну биться г...more То ли из-за длительности, то ли из-за Барроумена в авторах, я заочно решила, что 1) эта книжка будет хитовой 2) меня будет не оторвать от нее и 3) это есть нечто фееричное, запутанное и с множеством флэшбеков. Стоит ли говорить, что эту книгу я мучала месяц, в течение которого я периодически впадала в неконтролируемое агрессивное состояние. Меня стало подташнивать от испанского акцента, Харкнесса, а также некоторых слов. И если кто-нибудь при мне скажет слово «хасиенда», я, боюсь, начну биться головой о ближайшую стену.

Основной минус – слишком много событий, не связанных друг с другом. Вроде бы обещано какое-то разъяснение, как эти события связаны, ближе к концу – но некоторые так и пропадают в омуте недосказанности, а другие находят такое нелепое объяснение, что так и хочется спросить – нафиг было растягивать книгу на восемь часов, если эта куролесица могла уместиться в часовой формат? Разрозненные куски информации сыпались на мою бедную голову, а я только глубже зарывалась в песок.

Я не люблю Перу. Не люблю испанский. Не люблю глупое изображение славянского акцента. Не терплю медленное развитие событий и скомканный конец. Я правда не поняла конец – раз пять переслушала момент на этой дебильной горе, но так и не вдуплила, какого черта там произошло и каким образом никто не окочурился. Предназначение может быть прекрасным, но если оно связано с какой-то горой и знаками и жертвоприношением, это становится недоношенным оккультизмом. Слова «хасиенда дель Кастаньядо» повторены неприличное количество раз, и то самое чувствительное ухо в моей голове, которое отвечает за благозвучие, тихонько отключилось от перегрева. Не спорю, мои уши скорее ласкало бы имя вроде Ísafjörður. Быть дальше от испано-культуры, чем я сейчас, тяжело.

Чтец справился неплохо. Сужу по тому, что на испанский акцент (неважно, оригинальный или сковерканный) у меня теперь стойкая аллергия. Джек ему удался здорово – он уловил ударения и фирменную напористую речь.

Герои. Тут Барроумены расстарались – все похожи на самих себя, а конфликт Риса и Гвен так вообще хрестоматиен донельзя. Джек выступает в роли ходячего фонтана неприкрытого эротизма, хотя чего еще от него ждать? Приятно удивило его нежное отношение к Гвен, он в открытую говорит, что любит эту женщину и не может ее потерять.

Я честно старалась проникнуться книгой, но по всем показателям она меня прокатила. Место действия, хасиенды, малоинтересные второстепенные герои, скомканный конец, да и вообще нездоровая атмосфера вокруг сомнительного предназначения и отсутствие инопланетян сделали свое дело. НЕ КАТИТ!

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Dec 21, 2012 Suzanne Rooyen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbt-reads

More like 2.5/5 stars.

The Torchwood TV series is by far one of my favourite shows of all time principally because Capt. Jack Harkness is just such a complicated character. The last two seasons of Torchwood got really dark and posed some interesting questions with political, moral and economic ramifications. I loved that, the depth of the dilemmas and the very real human crises presented on screen. So that's what I was expecting from this book.

It started out strong. We get to see Capt. Jack being...more More like 2.5/5 stars.

The Torchwood TV series is by far one of my favourite shows of all time principally because Capt. Jack Harkness is just such a complicated character. The last two seasons of Torchwood got really dark and posed some interesting questions with political, moral and economic ramifications. I loved that, the depth of the dilemmas and the very real human crises presented on screen. So that's what I was expecting from this book.

It started out strong. We get to see Capt. Jack being his usual charismatic and undeniably alien self getting involved in something complicated and esoteric. We get to see Gwen having an existential crisis that started showing how motherhood had changed her and her life and how she felt about her newly found domesticity. The writing was engaging and I couldn't put the book down.

Around 50% through, things started to go awry. Plot superseded character and Capt. Jack who is usually so human and emotionally connected, came across as cavalier and cold. I think the huge cast proved problematic because the story lost sight of Gwen and Jack while trying to make more of all these minor characters which, to be honest, I didn't care about not one iota. There was little character development, I discovered nothing new about Jack or Gwen, I gained no new insights into either of these characters and that was disappointing.

The premise is cool but not fully explored and the ending is so abrupt, I actually thought I was missing several chapters.

Carol and John definitely make a good writing team as with their MG novel Hollow Earth. They have a great MG voice but that didn't do this Torchwood book any favours, making the prose clunky and often too on the nose.

It's really tough pulling off a story set in such a beloved world with such beloved characters. Maybe my expectations were too high but I wanted more about these characters, about how the events of Miracle Day had scarred them, about Jack's tortured psyche and Gwen's split life as mother and agent. What I got was a mediocre Torchwood episode.

Not sure this book could be read and enjoyed by those who don't know the series as many references were made to events and people from the series without any further explanation in the book. This really is a companion novel but falls short of the mark I'm afraid.(less)

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Oct 20, 2012 Ben Ripley rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a lover of Torchwood, I like to watch/listen/read anything to do with the wonderful TV show. Although this novel began a little slowly (and, in some parts, confusingly) it shaped up very well. Carole and John have got the voices of Rhys, Gwen and Jack so perfectly and the characters live and breathe on the page. The global threat was a fascinating one and could also act as a lesson to us all.
I certainly hope John and Carole write more Torchwood adventures in the future.

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Feb 01, 2013 Jolie Bonnette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-sci-fi

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. My one complaint is that I would really have like a bit more description from Jack and Gwen's perspective on how the disaster was averted at the end. Also a mention of what happens to Gaia and Isela would have been nice. Other than that I'm happy with this as an early birthday present. Just sad that I got to the end so quickly.

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Apr 19, 2013 Ellen rated it 3 of 5 stars

As excited as I was to see another Torchwood book part of me still wants Cardiff back. As much as I was reading the book for itself I kept wondering if at some point there'd be a return to Cardiff. I need to let that go if I'm ever going to enjoy a Torchwood book ever again. This was enjoyable enough but I'd also recently read John and Carole's children's books and enjoyed those more.

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Jan 27, 2013 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Since I became a fan of Torchwood through the Starz series Miracle Day and then back tracked through the books and series and even the days of Doctor Who, I must say I loved the book and who best to write it then the portrayer of Captain Jack Harkness. John and his sister did a wonderful job. I loved the mention of The Day of the Triffids, one of the scariest movies I ever saw; the reminiencing of all the now deceased team members even Esther, and even to mention Sarah Jane Smith made me go "Aww...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Sian rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, doctor-who, fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, thriller, tv-series, torchwood

I loved it. Loved it. It was brilliant. The storyline was gripping and the conclusion was fantastic. I love Carole's writing, and Captain Jack is there just like in the series on the telly. Highly recommended.

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Nov 12, 2012 Jennifer Thompson-thalasinos rated it 5 of 5 stars

Best Torchwood book ever! I always had trouble getting into the other Torchwood books. John Barrowman & his sister should write all Torchwood books from now on!

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Feb 16, 2013 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great read, full of true to form Torchwood characters. Big claps to both Barrowman's for a fantastic addition to the series.

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Oct 14, 2012 Cole Davis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: torchwood, john-barrowman

This definitely deserves a governor Generals' Award or a Nebula. Going beyond a mere torchwood tie-in novel, John Barrowman has written a classic sci fi masterpiece, giving us a metaphor for balancing the gender binary and healing the planet whilst Jack is at it. Jack's Synaethesia appears rather similar to symptoms of autism.

Jack's stated androgyny puts lie to Russell's insistance on Jack's uber masculinity. I like John's take much better than Russell's.

The bit with Rex is histerical. I could...more

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About Carole E. Barrowman

I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, which explains my inherent cheekiness and my sophisticated sarcasm gene. In the late seventies, my family immigrated to America where I've made a career out of my passions: reading, writing, and teaching.

I've written five books in collaboration with my brother, John Barrowman, and we're working on #6.

I'm an English professor and Director of Creative Stud...more

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