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The Other Tree
It’s been four years since Chris Arlin graduated with a degree that most people think she made up, and she’s still no closer to scraping up funding for her research into rare plants. Instead, she’s stacking shelves at the campus library, until a suspiciously well-dressed man offers her a lucrative position on a scientific expedition.
For Chris, the problem isn’t the fact that they’re searching for the Biblical Tree of Life. Nor is it the fact that most of the individuals on the expedition seem to be fashionably lethal mercenaries. The problem is that the mission is being backed by SinaCorp, the corporation responsible for a similar, failed expedition on which her mother died eleven years ago.
However, when Chris’s father is unexpectedly diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Chris sees only one solution. Vowing to find the Tree of Life before SinaCorp’s mercenaries, Chris recruits Luke, an antisocial campus priest undergoing a crisis of faith. Together, they embark on a desperate race to find Eden. However, as the hunt intensifies, Chris discovers growing evidence of her mother’s strange behaviour before her death, and she begins to realise that SinaCorp isn’t the only one with secrets they want to stay buried.
For Chris, the problem isn’t the fact that they’re searching for the Biblical Tree of Life. Nor is it the fact that most of the individuals on the expedition seem to be fashionably lethal mercenaries. The problem is that the mission is being backed by SinaCorp, the corporation responsible for a similar, failed expedition on which her mother died eleven years ago.
However, when Chris’s father is unexpectedly diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Chris sees only one solution. Vowing to find the Tree of Life before SinaCorp’s mercenaries, Chris recruits Luke, an antisocial campus priest undergoing a crisis of faith. Together, they embark on a desperate race to find Eden. However, as the hunt intensifies, Chris discovers growing evidence of her mother’s strange behaviour before her death, and she begins to realise that SinaCorp isn’t the only one with secrets they want to stay buried.
- GenresFantasy
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
265 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Mok
18 books57 followersDK Mok is a fantasy and science fiction author whose novels include Squid's Grief, Hunt for Valamon, and The Other Tree. DK has been shortlisted for seven Aurealis Awards, three Ditmars, and two Washington Science Fiction Association Small Press Awards.
DK grew up in libraries, immersed in lost cities and fantastic worlds populated by quirky bandits and giant squid. DK is based in Australia, and her favourite fossil deposit is the Burgess Shale.
Website: www.dkmok.com
DK grew up in libraries, immersed in lost cities and fantastic worlds populated by quirky bandits and giant squid. DK is based in Australia, and her favourite fossil deposit is the Burgess Shale.
Website: www.dkmok.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 9, 2014
I first encountered DK Mok's writing in the FableCroft anthology
One Small Step
, where her story Morning Star was one of my favourites. When Mok approached me about reviewing her urban fantasy novel I said yes with alacrity as I was really interested to read more of her writing. And while The Other Tree is very, very different in tone and setting from Morning Star, I really enjoyed it. The story is set in a future version of Australia – though we also visit Italy and the Arabian Desert – and stars Chris, a librarian cryptobotanist, and Luke, a priest with some serious questions about his faith.
Chris is an interesting protagonist who is still mourning the loss of her mother and who is driven to complete her mother's work when her father becomes desperately ill. I liked her sense of determination and her blind faith that she and Luke can and will complete the mission to find the Tree of Life. She's also got a slightly acid sense of humour, which I really appreciated. Her quest to find the fruit of the Tree of Life, both to keep it out of the hands of the evil SinaCorp and to save her father, ends up changing her life in a completely different way than she expected. Her and Luke's journey is far more than an adventure quest it's also a spiritual journey, one in which both of them grow and change.
For Luke, the quest has a far different purpose; he wants to rediscover his faith and his vocation. His background is tragic, but his history is revealed only in drips and drabs and we get almost to the end of the story before we learn the whole of it. I liked the bond that slowly grows between Luke and Chris; where at first Luke is dragged along by Chris' enthusiasm and drive, the longer they work together the more important completing the endeavour becomes to Luke. I also enjoyed the fact that their partnership is built on respect and friendship, no romantic element there at all. And while I realise that Luke is a Catholic priest and as such he's celibate, that doesn't preclude Chris from falling for him or him falling for her. He's just not allowed to act upon it. But Mok doesn't go there and that makes their friendship all the more interesting.
Opposing Chris and Luke are SinaCorp, its ruthless CEO and a crack team of operatives who are trying to beat our heroes to the Tree of Life and its all-important fruit. Included in this team is one of Chris' university friends, Emir, who was more than just a friend. It's interesting to see how Mok develops Emir's story and re-connects Chris and Emir. She also does a wonderful job of giving many at SinaCorp faces and stories beyond their corporate identity and often in only a few paragraphs. There is also a mysterious third organisation that comes into play later on in the book. I won't reveal too much about them, other than to say I really liked the potential of their arc and was disappointed by the limited use Mok made of them. I would have loved to have seen more of them.
With The Other Tree Mok manages to deliver a story that is based in Biblical lore without being Christian or preachy. Instead it uses lore to build its mystery and to have Chris, Luke, and Emir ponder difficult questions on life, justice, morality, and faith, without the author coming down on either side of the debate. The story is told in third person omniscient and the narrative voice is quite strong and drily funny. So while we follow several protagonists, the narrator remains the same and it's unclear who this person is; a fact that in the context of the questions the narrative asks is ironic.
I had a lovely time with The Other Tree and really enjoyed Mok's writing. The book is also a rare thing in urban fantasy, a stand-alone novel. This story is complete in and of itself, without any clear hooks for sequels, which is refreshing in this age of series and trilogies. If you enjoy urban fantasy that strays off the beaten path then this is definitely a book you should consider giving a go, as it's funny, smart, and entertaining.
This book was provided for review by the author.
Chris is an interesting protagonist who is still mourning the loss of her mother and who is driven to complete her mother's work when her father becomes desperately ill. I liked her sense of determination and her blind faith that she and Luke can and will complete the mission to find the Tree of Life. She's also got a slightly acid sense of humour, which I really appreciated. Her quest to find the fruit of the Tree of Life, both to keep it out of the hands of the evil SinaCorp and to save her father, ends up changing her life in a completely different way than she expected. Her and Luke's journey is far more than an adventure quest it's also a spiritual journey, one in which both of them grow and change.
For Luke, the quest has a far different purpose; he wants to rediscover his faith and his vocation. His background is tragic, but his history is revealed only in drips and drabs and we get almost to the end of the story before we learn the whole of it. I liked the bond that slowly grows between Luke and Chris; where at first Luke is dragged along by Chris' enthusiasm and drive, the longer they work together the more important completing the endeavour becomes to Luke. I also enjoyed the fact that their partnership is built on respect and friendship, no romantic element there at all. And while I realise that Luke is a Catholic priest and as such he's celibate, that doesn't preclude Chris from falling for him or him falling for her. He's just not allowed to act upon it. But Mok doesn't go there and that makes their friendship all the more interesting.
Opposing Chris and Luke are SinaCorp, its ruthless CEO and a crack team of operatives who are trying to beat our heroes to the Tree of Life and its all-important fruit. Included in this team is one of Chris' university friends, Emir, who was more than just a friend. It's interesting to see how Mok develops Emir's story and re-connects Chris and Emir. She also does a wonderful job of giving many at SinaCorp faces and stories beyond their corporate identity and often in only a few paragraphs. There is also a mysterious third organisation that comes into play later on in the book. I won't reveal too much about them, other than to say I really liked the potential of their arc and was disappointed by the limited use Mok made of them. I would have loved to have seen more of them.
With The Other Tree Mok manages to deliver a story that is based in Biblical lore without being Christian or preachy. Instead it uses lore to build its mystery and to have Chris, Luke, and Emir ponder difficult questions on life, justice, morality, and faith, without the author coming down on either side of the debate. The story is told in third person omniscient and the narrative voice is quite strong and drily funny. So while we follow several protagonists, the narrator remains the same and it's unclear who this person is; a fact that in the context of the questions the narrative asks is ironic.
I had a lovely time with The Other Tree and really enjoyed Mok's writing. The book is also a rare thing in urban fantasy, a stand-alone novel. This story is complete in and of itself, without any clear hooks for sequels, which is refreshing in this age of series and trilogies. If you enjoy urban fantasy that strays off the beaten path then this is definitely a book you should consider giving a go, as it's funny, smart, and entertaining.
This book was provided for review by the author.
January 29, 2014
The Other Tree by DK Mok is the author's first novel and the second thing I've read of hers, the other being a story in One Small Step. The Other Tree is an amusing adventure story that takes our Australian protagonists around the world (well, to Europe and the Middle East anyway).
The story follows Chris, a cryptobotanist, and Luke, the hapless priest she drags into her mission. With a few starting advantages, they race against the big corporation's cronies to locate and get to the Tree of Life first. I would have been more sceptical about their ability to even come close to competing with the corporation if it weren't for the fact that Chris and Luke generally took different paths and different approaches (and to some extent were lucky). After three intercontinental flights I was pretty sceptical about their finances, however...
The Other Tree was a mostly entertaining read with quite a bit of humour thrown in throughout. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call it a comedy, but it was definitely light hearted most of the time (basically, apart from the bits with high body counts or weird creatures trying to eat the protagonists). As an adventure tale, I thought it dragged a bit in the second half. They got pretty close to their goal not far past the half-way mark — which made me sceptical about how the climax would play out, but the climax climaxed as it should — and then a lot of words were spent getting from just outside Eden to the inner part where the climax happened. I suspect it didn't help that there were fewer jokes (because there was more almost dying) in the latter half also. I wouldn't go quite so far as to say it was boring, but the writing could have been tighter.
I was also half-expecting Luke to have some kind of mysterious secret — since there was a definite mysterious past vibe about him — and maybe turn out to be a vampire or something vaguely supernatural. (Especially after a bit implying that the power had a tendency to flicker in his presence, but maybe I misinterpreted that.) Alas the only supernatural things that made an appearance were plants and animals. And sort of Eden, but Eden turned out to be really damned weird.
While I enjoyed reading about Chris and Luke I wasn't that attached to the premise. I suspect that's why I didn't like that so many words were given over to the goal (or well, the bits close to the goal) and I think it's similar to my dislike of angel books, ie personal preference. I thought the best bits were Chris and Luke's banter and random high jinks along the way. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Also, Mok's approach to some of the players on the corporation side was refreshing and somewhat plausible, especially in the case of Emir, the most important fleshed-out lackey.
I should also mention the setting. Chris and Luke are based in Australia and, although there's a significant amount of travel, there's also a significant amount of Australian setting. The Australian locations are all fictional and yet feel very familiar. I always enjoy reading Aussie settings and, despite its fictitiousness, The Other Tree did not disappoint in that department.
I would recommend The Other Tree to fans of contemporary-set fantasy looking for something different to most urban fantasy or paranormal romance books. At it's heart it's an adventure story, following two adventuring laypeople in their quest to find the Tree of Life (or, well, on their quest to find out what happened to Chris's mother and also to see what happens next). A fairly enjoyable read.
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
The story follows Chris, a cryptobotanist, and Luke, the hapless priest she drags into her mission. With a few starting advantages, they race against the big corporation's cronies to locate and get to the Tree of Life first. I would have been more sceptical about their ability to even come close to competing with the corporation if it weren't for the fact that Chris and Luke generally took different paths and different approaches (and to some extent were lucky). After three intercontinental flights I was pretty sceptical about their finances, however...
The Other Tree was a mostly entertaining read with quite a bit of humour thrown in throughout. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call it a comedy, but it was definitely light hearted most of the time (basically, apart from the bits with high body counts or weird creatures trying to eat the protagonists). As an adventure tale, I thought it dragged a bit in the second half. They got pretty close to their goal not far past the half-way mark — which made me sceptical about how the climax would play out, but the climax climaxed as it should — and then a lot of words were spent getting from just outside Eden to the inner part where the climax happened. I suspect it didn't help that there were fewer jokes (because there was more almost dying) in the latter half also. I wouldn't go quite so far as to say it was boring, but the writing could have been tighter.
I was also half-expecting Luke to have some kind of mysterious secret — since there was a definite mysterious past vibe about him — and maybe turn out to be a vampire or something vaguely supernatural. (Especially after a bit implying that the power had a tendency to flicker in his presence, but maybe I misinterpreted that.) Alas the only supernatural things that made an appearance were plants and animals. And sort of Eden, but Eden turned out to be really damned weird.
While I enjoyed reading about Chris and Luke I wasn't that attached to the premise. I suspect that's why I didn't like that so many words were given over to the goal (or well, the bits close to the goal) and I think it's similar to my dislike of angel books, ie personal preference. I thought the best bits were Chris and Luke's banter and random high jinks along the way. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Also, Mok's approach to some of the players on the corporation side was refreshing and somewhat plausible, especially in the case of Emir, the most important fleshed-out lackey.
I should also mention the setting. Chris and Luke are based in Australia and, although there's a significant amount of travel, there's also a significant amount of Australian setting. The Australian locations are all fictional and yet feel very familiar. I always enjoy reading Aussie settings and, despite its fictitiousness, The Other Tree did not disappoint in that department.
I would recommend The Other Tree to fans of contemporary-set fantasy looking for something different to most urban fantasy or paranormal romance books. At it's heart it's an adventure story, following two adventuring laypeople in their quest to find the Tree of Life (or, well, on their quest to find out what happened to Chris's mother and also to see what happens next). A fairly enjoyable read.
3.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
January 27, 2014
This book is heartfelt, exciting, suspenseful, and poignant. About a young woman's quest for the Tree of Life in a race against an evil corporation and time, it deals with bigger questions, about humanity, love and loss, acceptance and striving, hope, reconciliation, and redemption.
Chris, an under-appreciated, under-funded cryptobotanist, discovers her sense of purpose when the giant technical and scientific corporation, SinaCorp, invites her to participate in its second search for Eden. She blames SinaCorp for her mother's death, and can't let the company get its hands on the Tree of Life, to sell it at extortionate prices to the already powerful and wealthy. She drags a young assistant priest along with her, and it is their partnership that makes the book really shine. They travel the world, hunting clues to the treasure, dodging assassination attempts and threats along the way, always half a step behind the well-funded SinaCorp extraction team. One of whose members is an old college friend of Chris's.
Luke decides to go along because he is disillusioned, and troubled in his faith. Also, Chris's enthusiasm, her determination and optimism, fascinate him and draw him in like a magnet. He's a bit morose, but funny, a good foil for Chris's energy. Although almost polar opposites, with very different outlooks on life, they get along remarkably well, joking in the face of danger and dealing with quirks and moods.
Throughout, the humor and witty banter made me laugh out loud. Though there are sad moments, too, as Luke and Chris deal with their memories and as SinaCorp makes its way across the playing field.
The characters are each flawed in various ways, but are realistically dynamic: their experiences change and shape them, giving them the chance to figure out what is really important to them in life. Opposed to the flawed protagonists is the CEO of SinaCorp, who is ruthless, almost sociopathic, and determined at any cost to live forever. Some of the most surprising (and interesting characters) are the members of the SinaCorp extraction team.
Narration is extremely well done. Every character was interesting, each had a very different worldview and attitude, which showed through in dialogue and in the different voices. I loved the switches of points of view, which brought to life each character's take on a particular situation. Some of the best character development was done through one character's insight into another.
With all that I've said above, it seems pretty clear that the characters were my favorite part about this book. But the plot also kept me turning pages. The quest involves world travel, riddles, secrets, dangerous creatures and a terrifying underground ordeal. There are creepy moments involving nasty, frightening critters, scary near-death moments, tense and suspenseful encounters between the SinaCorp extraction team and Chris and Luke, and high octane adventure.
It's Indiana Jones, but better. Seriously.
Recommended for absolutely everyone - it is my favorite book this year and surely to remain in the top 10 (yes, even though it's still January!).
Check out the read-alikes on The Book Adventures.
Chris, an under-appreciated, under-funded cryptobotanist, discovers her sense of purpose when the giant technical and scientific corporation, SinaCorp, invites her to participate in its second search for Eden. She blames SinaCorp for her mother's death, and can't let the company get its hands on the Tree of Life, to sell it at extortionate prices to the already powerful and wealthy. She drags a young assistant priest along with her, and it is their partnership that makes the book really shine. They travel the world, hunting clues to the treasure, dodging assassination attempts and threats along the way, always half a step behind the well-funded SinaCorp extraction team. One of whose members is an old college friend of Chris's.
Luke decides to go along because he is disillusioned, and troubled in his faith. Also, Chris's enthusiasm, her determination and optimism, fascinate him and draw him in like a magnet. He's a bit morose, but funny, a good foil for Chris's energy. Although almost polar opposites, with very different outlooks on life, they get along remarkably well, joking in the face of danger and dealing with quirks and moods.
Throughout, the humor and witty banter made me laugh out loud. Though there are sad moments, too, as Luke and Chris deal with their memories and as SinaCorp makes its way across the playing field.
The characters are each flawed in various ways, but are realistically dynamic: their experiences change and shape them, giving them the chance to figure out what is really important to them in life. Opposed to the flawed protagonists is the CEO of SinaCorp, who is ruthless, almost sociopathic, and determined at any cost to live forever. Some of the most surprising (and interesting characters) are the members of the SinaCorp extraction team.
Narration is extremely well done. Every character was interesting, each had a very different worldview and attitude, which showed through in dialogue and in the different voices. I loved the switches of points of view, which brought to life each character's take on a particular situation. Some of the best character development was done through one character's insight into another.
With all that I've said above, it seems pretty clear that the characters were my favorite part about this book. But the plot also kept me turning pages. The quest involves world travel, riddles, secrets, dangerous creatures and a terrifying underground ordeal. There are creepy moments involving nasty, frightening critters, scary near-death moments, tense and suspenseful encounters between the SinaCorp extraction team and Chris and Luke, and high octane adventure.
It's Indiana Jones, but better. Seriously.
Recommended for absolutely everyone - it is my favorite book this year and surely to remain in the top 10 (yes, even though it's still January!).
Check out the read-alikes on The Book Adventures.
January 23, 2014
DK Mok shows us another type of scientist, one with a quest. Chris Arlin is a crypto-batonist When a representative from Sinacorp, a huge evil corporation, tries to recruit her to join an expedition to find the real Eden and The Other Tree (paper from Spence City) that can confer immortality. Chris mother was killed on the last expedition,. But her father is dying of cancer, so she decides to hunt for Eden on her own, a place written about in Sumerian and Pre-Sumerian records that are far older than civilization. She enlists the help of a priest in the department of Religion and the two of go off hunting for clues around the world From Naples to a strange University in Australia, to a desert location deep in the Middle East. One group is trying to stop them first by scaring them off, and then by attempting to kill them. The Sinacorp people are buying up all the clues. But somehow they manage to face the gates to Eden deep in a cave. Ms. Mok somehow manages to make this quest feel quite real and even Eden somehow feels as if did protect early humanity one hundred fifty thousand years ago. Think Indiana Jones with normal people. Highly recommended.Review published in the Philadelphia Weekly Press
August 26, 2014
At first glance, Mok's debut novel has many elements in common with a Dan Brown book; there's a quest for the mythical Eden, a well trodden path to follow, a trio of riddles to solve, and unscrupulous opponents to overcome in SinaCorp. That's where the similarities end, however.
Mok's wry sense of humour sets this book apart from other aspirants to Brown's historical quest throne. The Other Tree never makes the mistake of taking itself too seriously, which largely serves it well. Having said that, the finale is quite gripping and anything but predictable. (Mok subverts our expectations nicely in the final climactic scenes.)
If I have a criticism, it would be the voices the various point-of-view characters are not varied enough. This becomes particularly noticeable when the viewpoint shifts mid-scene. I also wasn't clear on Luke's motivation for risking life and limb around the world until quite late in the book. On the positive side, Mok deftly avoids cliches in the development of the relationship between Chris and Luke.
Overall, this is an impressive debut and certainly deserving of its 4-star rating. Taken in conjunction with Mok's various short stories, The Other Tree marks the emergence of a talented new writer on the Australian speculative fiction scene.
Mok's wry sense of humour sets this book apart from other aspirants to Brown's historical quest throne. The Other Tree never makes the mistake of taking itself too seriously, which largely serves it well. Having said that, the finale is quite gripping and anything but predictable. (Mok subverts our expectations nicely in the final climactic scenes.)
If I have a criticism, it would be the voices the various point-of-view characters are not varied enough. This becomes particularly noticeable when the viewpoint shifts mid-scene. I also wasn't clear on Luke's motivation for risking life and limb around the world until quite late in the book. On the positive side, Mok deftly avoids cliches in the development of the relationship between Chris and Luke.
Overall, this is an impressive debut and certainly deserving of its 4-star rating. Taken in conjunction with Mok's various short stories, The Other Tree marks the emergence of a talented new writer on the Australian speculative fiction scene.
February 1, 2014
If Seanan McGuire had written The Da Vinci Code, the outcome might have been a little like The Other Tree! Given I adore Seanan's work and think The Da Vinci Code could have been quite fascinating in the hands of a different author, this is definitely a compliment.
I don't know much about the heritage behind this story but the religious, scientific and geographic elements, whether real or invented, are believably written, and underpin an action packed yet inherently character driven story.
The book rollicks along very nicely, maintaining tension and gradually unpacking characters along the way. I absolutely loved cryptobotanist Chris and conflicted Luke, and their personal journeys are as important to the novel as the overarching plot. Even the secondary characters are multi-faceted and interesting, although I have to say if I have one nitpick, it was with the random head hopping of perspective in a couple of places. Otherwise though, an impressive debut for a very talented writer! Mok is most definitely on my "want more" list!
I don't know much about the heritage behind this story but the religious, scientific and geographic elements, whether real or invented, are believably written, and underpin an action packed yet inherently character driven story.
The book rollicks along very nicely, maintaining tension and gradually unpacking characters along the way. I absolutely loved cryptobotanist Chris and conflicted Luke, and their personal journeys are as important to the novel as the overarching plot. Even the secondary characters are multi-faceted and interesting, although I have to say if I have one nitpick, it was with the random head hopping of perspective in a couple of places. Otherwise though, an impressive debut for a very talented writer! Mok is most definitely on my "want more" list!
January 25, 2014
An intelligent and riveting read that packs action and adventure with intellect and science. Add in a healthy dose of witty sarcasm and you have a clever story about a thousands year-old mystery that sparks the interest of not only scientists, priests, and big-brother corporations, alike.
Although the central theme of the book is the “Tree of Life” from the Garden of Eden, the book is not overtly religious and blends that aspect of the story with the scientific well.
I agree with the jacket copy, this book is best summed up as Dan Brown meets Indiana Jones. It has enough action to really keep the reader turning the pages, but enough substance to keep their mind interested in the actual plot.
Bottom line: Since I’ve been reading YA and NA contemporary romances exclusively for months, I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I won’t hesitate to read another of D.K. Mok’s books in the future.
Although the central theme of the book is the “Tree of Life” from the Garden of Eden, the book is not overtly religious and blends that aspect of the story with the scientific well.
I agree with the jacket copy, this book is best summed up as Dan Brown meets Indiana Jones. It has enough action to really keep the reader turning the pages, but enough substance to keep their mind interested in the actual plot.
Bottom line: Since I’ve been reading YA and NA contemporary romances exclusively for months, I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I won’t hesitate to read another of D.K. Mok’s books in the future.
January 21, 2014
4.5 Stars
I really liked the premise of The Other Tree. This book has been compared to The Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones and I agree! The adventures Chris, Luke, and Emir survive—often by a wild mix of brains, skill, and luck—kept me turning pages as fast as I could read. But even more than the action scenes, I really enjoyed the philosophical/scientific “debates” woven throughout the story.
D.K. Mok’s writing is subtle and she is a master at dialogue. While there is quite a bit of head hopping, it doesn't detract from the story.
The Other Tree by D.K. Mok is a ripping good yarn sure to please readers who enjoy mysteries, legends, and overcoming the burden of hard choices. Bravo to D.K. Mok on her debut novel!
I really liked the premise of The Other Tree. This book has been compared to The Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones and I agree! The adventures Chris, Luke, and Emir survive—often by a wild mix of brains, skill, and luck—kept me turning pages as fast as I could read. But even more than the action scenes, I really enjoyed the philosophical/scientific “debates” woven throughout the story.
D.K. Mok’s writing is subtle and she is a master at dialogue. While there is quite a bit of head hopping, it doesn't detract from the story.
The Other Tree by D.K. Mok is a ripping good yarn sure to please readers who enjoy mysteries, legends, and overcoming the burden of hard choices. Bravo to D.K. Mok on her debut novel!
July 24, 2014
Note: I was provided a copy of this book by the author to review.
The Other Tree is a story that is clever, secretive, and mysterious. It is about two regular people trying to do something extraordinary, driven by determination and personal motives, all the while having a dangerous enemy biting at their heels who is also after the same prize: the Tree of Life. Both parties are after the Tree for very different reasons and we watch as Chris and Luke race against SinaCorp to decipher ancient texts and solve riddles to find the location of the other mystical tree from the Garden of Eden.
The story started off slowly but it was not without some interest. It picks up in the middle and as the story progressed it gradually became more engaging, as all good adventure stories should. This has been catagorised as a fantasy but surprisingly I kept thinking of it not just as an adventure style story, but one that actually seemed quite realistic. I know that sounds strange considering it is a story about the hunt for the Tree of Life and the Garden of Eden, but so much of this novel made me happy because it played out like reality would. Chris and Luke are not professionals, they aren't even part of an organisation, they are a botanist and a priest trying to beat a massive corporation, a corporation who have access to the latest technologies, unlimited funding, and specially trained mercenaries, and Mok doesn't forget that. It's slowness in part makes it realistic, being untrained and slightly unskilled, the way Chris and Luke tackle the adventure is believable, as another character mentions, they keep stopping regularly for food, they also sleep in motels, have to drive long distances and catch commercial flights to other countries. There is no fast solution, and how they gain their information differs from SinaCorp because it cannot just be bought or analysed with equipment. However, being unskilled doesn't make them unprepared and a lot of their own unique skills come in handy during their search.
Another great part of the story is the relationship between Chris and Luke. Their friendship is enjoyable and as a result makes the story enjoyable to read. The realism in their relationship becomes more profound as the book continues and the banter, dialogue and support between them are what make it special; it's natural and reflects how people behave with one another. This realism is also shown with other character relationships.
There is a lot of great humour, jokes between friends, great banter between characters and a great mix of sarcasm and fear that makes for an interesting read. Throughout this story Mok balances the seriousness, humour, religion, mystery, and adventure elements perfectly meaning each aspect is evident at the appropriate time and nothing is too overbearing. Mok also includes some great profound statements, not just by characters but also in the narrative, each time never feeling out of place or unwelcome, and offering that serious nature amongst what could be mistaken as a jovial quest in parts.
I liked the approach Mok takes with this story and how religion is dealt with. And while it does centre on these religious elements, The Other Tree is more action based story involving religion rather than solely an in-depth religious analysis in itself. What religious aspects that are present are presented in a way that is respectful yet basic, while also being realistic, well placed, and properly used. This presentation is helped a lot by the characters, something that not only brought out the story and the themes really well, but got you to know who these characters were.
With no spoilers I will say I liked the way Mok ends the book. While I had a few theories running on how it would pan out I think how it was concluded leaves you satisfied. Mok has rounded off this mass adventure and ordeal with respect not just to the characters, but to the reader; it is done without rushing, without being unrealistic for the reality it has created, and it also stays true to the characters and what we've come to expect from them. Overall The Other Tree is an adventurous and enjoyable story that gives you the unexpected, the unique, and the unusual all in an interesting story about faith, humanity, and botany.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
The Other Tree is a story that is clever, secretive, and mysterious. It is about two regular people trying to do something extraordinary, driven by determination and personal motives, all the while having a dangerous enemy biting at their heels who is also after the same prize: the Tree of Life. Both parties are after the Tree for very different reasons and we watch as Chris and Luke race against SinaCorp to decipher ancient texts and solve riddles to find the location of the other mystical tree from the Garden of Eden.
The story started off slowly but it was not without some interest. It picks up in the middle and as the story progressed it gradually became more engaging, as all good adventure stories should. This has been catagorised as a fantasy but surprisingly I kept thinking of it not just as an adventure style story, but one that actually seemed quite realistic. I know that sounds strange considering it is a story about the hunt for the Tree of Life and the Garden of Eden, but so much of this novel made me happy because it played out like reality would. Chris and Luke are not professionals, they aren't even part of an organisation, they are a botanist and a priest trying to beat a massive corporation, a corporation who have access to the latest technologies, unlimited funding, and specially trained mercenaries, and Mok doesn't forget that. It's slowness in part makes it realistic, being untrained and slightly unskilled, the way Chris and Luke tackle the adventure is believable, as another character mentions, they keep stopping regularly for food, they also sleep in motels, have to drive long distances and catch commercial flights to other countries. There is no fast solution, and how they gain their information differs from SinaCorp because it cannot just be bought or analysed with equipment. However, being unskilled doesn't make them unprepared and a lot of their own unique skills come in handy during their search.
Another great part of the story is the relationship between Chris and Luke. Their friendship is enjoyable and as a result makes the story enjoyable to read. The realism in their relationship becomes more profound as the book continues and the banter, dialogue and support between them are what make it special; it's natural and reflects how people behave with one another. This realism is also shown with other character relationships.
There is a lot of great humour, jokes between friends, great banter between characters and a great mix of sarcasm and fear that makes for an interesting read. Throughout this story Mok balances the seriousness, humour, religion, mystery, and adventure elements perfectly meaning each aspect is evident at the appropriate time and nothing is too overbearing. Mok also includes some great profound statements, not just by characters but also in the narrative, each time never feeling out of place or unwelcome, and offering that serious nature amongst what could be mistaken as a jovial quest in parts.
I liked the approach Mok takes with this story and how religion is dealt with. And while it does centre on these religious elements, The Other Tree is more action based story involving religion rather than solely an in-depth religious analysis in itself. What religious aspects that are present are presented in a way that is respectful yet basic, while also being realistic, well placed, and properly used. This presentation is helped a lot by the characters, something that not only brought out the story and the themes really well, but got you to know who these characters were.
With no spoilers I will say I liked the way Mok ends the book. While I had a few theories running on how it would pan out I think how it was concluded leaves you satisfied. Mok has rounded off this mass adventure and ordeal with respect not just to the characters, but to the reader; it is done without rushing, without being unrealistic for the reality it has created, and it also stays true to the characters and what we've come to expect from them. Overall The Other Tree is an adventurous and enjoyable story that gives you the unexpected, the unique, and the unusual all in an interesting story about faith, humanity, and botany.
A longer version of this review was posted on my blog http://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/20...
July 29, 2016
A Hokey Plot Elevated By Decent Characters and Flashes of Elegant Writing
This book is good guys racing bad guys to find a mythical wonderful thing. I think the Greeks started that plotline, or maybe it actually was the Sumerians. Doesn't matter. There's a reason why quest fiction is forever. The real issue is what our author does with it.
I almost stopped reading this a few times early on. The heroine's speeches about the eeeevil corporation where just so tinny and shallow that I despaired whether the author could pull off a book length quest. Well, what seems to happen here is that the author is obligated to set up all of the quest conventions, even ones she isn't comfortable with, but once that's done and the author can just do her own thing, the book speeds up, rights itself, and takes off.
Our heroine is crisply drawn, a little chippy around the edges, and has real backbone. Hero one is a conflicted priest, but a pretty sharp cookie and not just some pale young vicar. Hero two sneaks in to the action, and comes on slowly. The villains start out cartoony, although a few are allowed to develop more than one might suspect. All of the them have their surprising angles and none wear out their welcome as the book proceeds.
The plot is pure find the thing that leads to the other thing in the other place. But the things are reasonably cool and the places are interesting so the dashing about is fun and distracting.
Here's the best part. Every now and then the author offers a set piece or a very brief scene or just a throwaway line that is way beyond the usual action/quest/pulp standard. It may be a bit of scene setting or an observation about a place or a character, but it is usually in an exchange of dialogue. You read it and pause and think to yourself that, hey, that was pretty sharp. For me, it was these graceful and elegant touches that really sold the book and kept me reading. This novel has been compared to Indiana Jones stories and DaVince Code books, but while they may have more rollicking action or complex plotting they don't ever have such accomplished authorial touches, and that's what distinguishes this book and what keeps one's interest.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
This book is good guys racing bad guys to find a mythical wonderful thing. I think the Greeks started that plotline, or maybe it actually was the Sumerians. Doesn't matter. There's a reason why quest fiction is forever. The real issue is what our author does with it.
I almost stopped reading this a few times early on. The heroine's speeches about the eeeevil corporation where just so tinny and shallow that I despaired whether the author could pull off a book length quest. Well, what seems to happen here is that the author is obligated to set up all of the quest conventions, even ones she isn't comfortable with, but once that's done and the author can just do her own thing, the book speeds up, rights itself, and takes off.
Our heroine is crisply drawn, a little chippy around the edges, and has real backbone. Hero one is a conflicted priest, but a pretty sharp cookie and not just some pale young vicar. Hero two sneaks in to the action, and comes on slowly. The villains start out cartoony, although a few are allowed to develop more than one might suspect. All of the them have their surprising angles and none wear out their welcome as the book proceeds.
The plot is pure find the thing that leads to the other thing in the other place. But the things are reasonably cool and the places are interesting so the dashing about is fun and distracting.
Here's the best part. Every now and then the author offers a set piece or a very brief scene or just a throwaway line that is way beyond the usual action/quest/pulp standard. It may be a bit of scene setting or an observation about a place or a character, but it is usually in an exchange of dialogue. You read it and pause and think to yourself that, hey, that was pretty sharp. For me, it was these graceful and elegant touches that really sold the book and kept me reading. This novel has been compared to Indiana Jones stories and DaVince Code books, but while they may have more rollicking action or complex plotting they don't ever have such accomplished authorial touches, and that's what distinguishes this book and what keeps one's interest.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
February 6, 2014
eARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"The Other Tree" is Australian author D.K. Mok's debut novel. Caught somewhere between fantasy and thriller with religious overtones, this books is inevitably going to be compared to blockbusters like "The DaVinci Code". The bonus here is that Mok's writing is almost flawless, and her characters live and breathe (and snark at refreshing intervals) and actually act like real human beings.
Chris Arlin is a cryptobotanist who is approached by the company SinaCorp (who seem to be involved in pretty much anything and everything scientific and technical) to search for the real Bibical Tree of Life. Not only does Chris not trust SinaCorp's motives for searching for the Tree, but she blames the company for her mother's death, and, naturally, rejects their offer. Instead, she becomes determined to discover the Tree on her own, enlisting the help of conflicted priest Luke, on her quest.
Both Chris and Luke are complex, but extremely believable characters. There are several tropes that I feared would occur during this book - a romance between the two, for example - that Mok, thankfully never goes near. Chris and Luke always act within the bounds of their own beliefs and knowledge, and I never got the impression that either they, or the events of the book, were being forced into situations simply to serve the plot.
Chris, in particular, is a fabulous character. She never wavers from her interests and beliefs, and is more than strong enough to carry the story, even without Luke. Together, they give a fascinating perspective into this Indiana Jones-like quest for the Tree of Life. It would be very easy for an author to lose any character development against the background of such an enormous plot, and Mok never does - these characters remain vivid and real the whole way through.
Recommended for anyone who likes adventures and good, character-based fiction.
"The Other Tree" is Australian author D.K. Mok's debut novel. Caught somewhere between fantasy and thriller with religious overtones, this books is inevitably going to be compared to blockbusters like "The DaVinci Code". The bonus here is that Mok's writing is almost flawless, and her characters live and breathe (and snark at refreshing intervals) and actually act like real human beings.
Chris Arlin is a cryptobotanist who is approached by the company SinaCorp (who seem to be involved in pretty much anything and everything scientific and technical) to search for the real Bibical Tree of Life. Not only does Chris not trust SinaCorp's motives for searching for the Tree, but she blames the company for her mother's death, and, naturally, rejects their offer. Instead, she becomes determined to discover the Tree on her own, enlisting the help of conflicted priest Luke, on her quest.
Both Chris and Luke are complex, but extremely believable characters. There are several tropes that I feared would occur during this book - a romance between the two, for example - that Mok, thankfully never goes near. Chris and Luke always act within the bounds of their own beliefs and knowledge, and I never got the impression that either they, or the events of the book, were being forced into situations simply to serve the plot.
Chris, in particular, is a fabulous character. She never wavers from her interests and beliefs, and is more than strong enough to carry the story, even without Luke. Together, they give a fascinating perspective into this Indiana Jones-like quest for the Tree of Life. It would be very easy for an author to lose any character development against the background of such an enormous plot, and Mok never does - these characters remain vivid and real the whole way through.
Recommended for anyone who likes adventures and good, character-based fiction.
January 22, 2014
Chris graduated from university four years ago yet finds herself rooted to the campus. Despite her degree she finds herself undertaking menial tasks with little fulfilment – until, she’s accosted by a corporation that has ties to her mother’s death to aid them on a mission to discover a cure for death; the promise of immortality.
She turns them down only to take up the challenge on her own accord. Wanting to ensure this powerful and world changing discovery doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
There are multiple factions involved in this globe spanning adventure; SinaCorp, a military like corporation determined to find the tree of life for the purpose of profit, while a secret group whose purpose is to protect the worlds hidden wonders puts up dangerous roadblocks at each stage of the journey. The unlikely duo of botanist, Chris, and Luke, a priest at Chris’ university want to find Eden, while for slightly different reasons, their ultimate cause is more humanitarian than SinaCorps.
Containing religious and scientific elements, neither is overbearing and each equally contributes depth and justification for the protagonists’ pursuit of the tree of life. A liberal dose of humour keeps the dialogue fresh and removes some of the heat from the serious/more violent encounters the likable protagonists find themselves involved in.
My only gripe is one of practicality over the suspension of belief. Chris and Luke don’t have the never ending resources (gadgets, personnel, cash) at SinaCorps disposal, yet their globe spanning would run a sizable bill – while author D.K. Mok mentions of multiple occasions that Chris and Luke don’t have a never ending pile cash, the logical part of me wanted them to not be able to traverse the globe, rather just the key (and more localised) points on the map. That said, this is still a good form of escapism and one that is best summed as a Mix of Dan Brown and Indiana Jones.
She turns them down only to take up the challenge on her own accord. Wanting to ensure this powerful and world changing discovery doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
There are multiple factions involved in this globe spanning adventure; SinaCorp, a military like corporation determined to find the tree of life for the purpose of profit, while a secret group whose purpose is to protect the worlds hidden wonders puts up dangerous roadblocks at each stage of the journey. The unlikely duo of botanist, Chris, and Luke, a priest at Chris’ university want to find Eden, while for slightly different reasons, their ultimate cause is more humanitarian than SinaCorps.
Containing religious and scientific elements, neither is overbearing and each equally contributes depth and justification for the protagonists’ pursuit of the tree of life. A liberal dose of humour keeps the dialogue fresh and removes some of the heat from the serious/more violent encounters the likable protagonists find themselves involved in.
My only gripe is one of practicality over the suspension of belief. Chris and Luke don’t have the never ending resources (gadgets, personnel, cash) at SinaCorps disposal, yet their globe spanning would run a sizable bill – while author D.K. Mok mentions of multiple occasions that Chris and Luke don’t have a never ending pile cash, the logical part of me wanted them to not be able to traverse the globe, rather just the key (and more localised) points on the map. That said, this is still a good form of escapism and one that is best summed as a Mix of Dan Brown and Indiana Jones.
December 30, 2019
I think I will describe this book as a comedy thriller. Chris is an ethnobotanist without a job in her chosen profession. She hangs around her university desperately hoping to receive a grant for further research, but is continuously disappointed. When she is offered a job with a large corporation, one might be mistaken for thinking this is her lucky break. It’s not. She refused the job on ethical grounds. Not only was the company responsible for her mother’s death, it intends to launch an expedition to find the Tree of Life. Once found, the corporation will auction off bits of the tree for its legendary immortality giving properties. When Chris discovers the corporation intend to mount the expedition with or without her, she realises that she must find the tree first. Dragging along a priest, who’s suffering from a crisis of faith, from her university chapel, they set off.
The story takes the reader across several countries including Australia. If you can ignore the minor implausibilities and incorrect facts The other tree is a ripping good yarn. The main characters are likeable, the story is very funny and there is the right amount of action and suspense without gratuitous violence, sex or info dumps on guns. In critique, I did not like the ending, but I did enjoy the book overall. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future.
The story takes the reader across several countries including Australia. If you can ignore the minor implausibilities and incorrect facts The other tree is a ripping good yarn. The main characters are likeable, the story is very funny and there is the right amount of action and suspense without gratuitous violence, sex or info dumps on guns. In critique, I did not like the ending, but I did enjoy the book overall. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future.
September 18, 2014
THE OTHER TREE features Chris Arlin, a cryptobotanist and Luke, a priest who has had a crisis of faith. Chris is approached by a mysterious man who wants her to join their expedition to find the Tree of Life. The only problem is the expedition is funded by the same corporation her mother died for years ago. With her father sick, she ropes Luke into performing their own search, hopefully beating SinaCorp to the treasure. Following clues and risking their lives, like an Indiana Jones movie, Chris and Luke both must confront their pasts. THE OTHER TREE is a morality tale where it is up to the reader to decide what is right. I was happy how, even with the Biblical undercurrent, the author did not make her characters preachy. They were all human and flawed, which leaves room for the growth they need to come up with their own answers to the riddles of life. The search for clues takes the protagonists and the enemy across the globe, pits them against each other and a mysterious third group. THE OTHER TREE is a novel with complex characters and a desperate race for the truth.
July 31, 2017
Imagine if The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons had been written by an author with a sense of humor. That’s The Other Tree, by Australian writer D.K. Mok. Mok weaves together religious history, geology, botany, and art history with a healthy (more than healthy) dose of sarcasm and wit to create this highly entertaining quest for that other tree mentioned in the Book of Genesis: the Tree of Life...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
April 24, 2014
I won an ARC through a Goodreads giveaway and anticipated I would enjoy this based on the description. However, it did not live up to my expectations, and I was rather disappointed. My first impression after several chapters was that this was a poor imitation of a Dan Brown novel, and unfortunately that impression was not lessened the more I read.
While technically the writing was sound (vivid imagery, detailed descriptions, well paced), the plotting and characterization were unrealistic and left much to be desired. The characters felt like two dimensional stereotypes that were never fully realized. The plot was weak and felt forced at times, and I struggled to finish the entire book.
While technically the writing was sound (vivid imagery, detailed descriptions, well paced), the plotting and characterization were unrealistic and left much to be desired. The characters felt like two dimensional stereotypes that were never fully realized. The plot was weak and felt forced at times, and I struggled to finish the entire book.
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December 13, 2014Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
To be safe, I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
To be safe, I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
October 23, 2015
Gave up reading half way through.
It wasn't bad... but it was disappointing since I really liked Hunt for Valamon.
Maybe I had too high an expectation?
Or maybe the author is more suited for writing fantasy than contemporary.
Maybe I'll go back to read it to the end sometime...
And maybe I won't.
It wasn't bad... but it was disappointing since I really liked Hunt for Valamon.
Maybe I had too high an expectation?
Or maybe the author is more suited for writing fantasy than contemporary.
Maybe I'll go back to read it to the end sometime...
And maybe I won't.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews