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The Mark of Man
Hal, a Forty, knows when he is going to die.
In fact through a cruel genetic twist, so does everybody else; for all 22nd Century humans are born branded with a mark demonstrating their organic timeline. If one has forty rings, one dies at forty. As with all humans, Hal has learned to accept his fate, until he falls in love with Ama, a Ninety.
In the search for a cure to The Mark, Laozi Veda, the head of the Vedas Corporation, coerces Ama into leaving Hal and sends her on a secret mission with a team of 'specialists' to the distant planet of Kepler.
A year later Hal, loveless and careworn, receives an unexpected offer to travel under a different guise to the same place. He arrives to find an outwardly peaceful society but soon after conditions change and the planet becomes an extremely dangerous place for them all.
With fascinating new insights into complex societies, The Mark of Man, is science fiction at its best - giving us the 'what if' question with unwavering commitment and invention. From alien idles to terrorist uprisings, this book will echo through the portals of time to give fresh insight into the human condition.
In fact through a cruel genetic twist, so does everybody else; for all 22nd Century humans are born branded with a mark demonstrating their organic timeline. If one has forty rings, one dies at forty. As with all humans, Hal has learned to accept his fate, until he falls in love with Ama, a Ninety.
In the search for a cure to The Mark, Laozi Veda, the head of the Vedas Corporation, coerces Ama into leaving Hal and sends her on a secret mission with a team of 'specialists' to the distant planet of Kepler.
A year later Hal, loveless and careworn, receives an unexpected offer to travel under a different guise to the same place. He arrives to find an outwardly peaceful society but soon after conditions change and the planet becomes an extremely dangerous place for them all.
With fascinating new insights into complex societies, The Mark of Man, is science fiction at its best - giving us the 'what if' question with unwavering commitment and invention. From alien idles to terrorist uprisings, this book will echo through the portals of time to give fresh insight into the human condition.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Owen H. Lewis
1 book41 followersThe Mark of Man is a novel about a future, where humanity’s cannon of accepted philosophies are challenged and our passive inertia is confronted.
Owen currently lives in the UK, with his wife and two children, and is already writing a companion piece to his debut, which promises to be darker and even more contentious.
Owen currently lives in the UK, with his wife and two children, and is already writing a companion piece to his debut, which promises to be darker and even more contentious.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 12, 2014
"The Mark of Man"which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is an intoxicating science fiction novel that begins in 2014 with a mark that appears on humans at birth, the rings determining the person's life span. In a world where the populace feels like slaves to an existence determined by the number of rings of the mark, Hal a Forty wants to be remembered, leaving a legacy behind. A successful artist he is very aware of his expiration date and never expects that at his latest exhibition his life will change dramatically.
Laozi Vedas the head of the Vedas Corporation and Hal's sponsor has been instrumental in the discovery of a peaceful planet called Kepler where he hopes to find a cure for "The Mark" , to wipe out the fear and uncertainty attached to a sense of mortality that's born with the icon on their wrists. Feeling responsible for, and the need to atone for the emergence and ultimate threat of "duplicates" that are unable to breed but can replicate, Laozi Vedas coerces Hal's girlfriend Ama Clark into going to Kepler with a group of specialists to discover why no one in Keplerian society bear a mark. Desperate as the political atmosphere on earth declines Laozi persuades a forlorn Hal into disguising himself and travelling through a portal to further the work of the specialists, never expecting that conflict and danger will follow.
Uniquely imaginative Owen H. Lawrence not only creates an Earth stricken by a sense of inevitability with the inception of a "Mark" that determines a person's life span, but also with "duplicates" who can replicate and could destroy mankind's existence. Then with vivid imagery he designs a contrasting planet with a distinctive culture, structure and political system that holds the key to a cure. The plot twists and turns as events progress, action and suspense building especially when the duplicates begin an active rebellion that could spread to the peaceful Keplerian world. With clever dexterity the author shines a light on many of the issues, ideas and comfortable beliefs our modern world clings to, not only questioning their validity but offering them as food for thought.
The characters like the plot are well-developed and complex each one changing with the challenges they face. Hal the Forty is a talented artist recognized for his potential and vision. Sent to Kepler as Liam Self, he's an inquisitive, pragmatic and determined social scientist with a positive attitude. Ama Clark, haunted by the tragic death of her parents and coerced into leaving her soul mate is a talented but reserved pianist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In Kepler Ama becomes introspective, confident and more relaxed, expanding her talent to other musical venues. Among other characters in this story who add to its passion, energy and drama are wealthy Laozi Vedas a brilliant man of vision and the enigmatic and egotistical Jabir ibn Al-Zargali.
With its aliens, terrorists and insatiable hunger to save mankind, this book is captivating from the first page to the last and I highly recommend it.
Laozi Vedas the head of the Vedas Corporation and Hal's sponsor has been instrumental in the discovery of a peaceful planet called Kepler where he hopes to find a cure for "The Mark" , to wipe out the fear and uncertainty attached to a sense of mortality that's born with the icon on their wrists. Feeling responsible for, and the need to atone for the emergence and ultimate threat of "duplicates" that are unable to breed but can replicate, Laozi Vedas coerces Hal's girlfriend Ama Clark into going to Kepler with a group of specialists to discover why no one in Keplerian society bear a mark. Desperate as the political atmosphere on earth declines Laozi persuades a forlorn Hal into disguising himself and travelling through a portal to further the work of the specialists, never expecting that conflict and danger will follow.
Uniquely imaginative Owen H. Lawrence not only creates an Earth stricken by a sense of inevitability with the inception of a "Mark" that determines a person's life span, but also with "duplicates" who can replicate and could destroy mankind's existence. Then with vivid imagery he designs a contrasting planet with a distinctive culture, structure and political system that holds the key to a cure. The plot twists and turns as events progress, action and suspense building especially when the duplicates begin an active rebellion that could spread to the peaceful Keplerian world. With clever dexterity the author shines a light on many of the issues, ideas and comfortable beliefs our modern world clings to, not only questioning their validity but offering them as food for thought.
The characters like the plot are well-developed and complex each one changing with the challenges they face. Hal the Forty is a talented artist recognized for his potential and vision. Sent to Kepler as Liam Self, he's an inquisitive, pragmatic and determined social scientist with a positive attitude. Ama Clark, haunted by the tragic death of her parents and coerced into leaving her soul mate is a talented but reserved pianist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In Kepler Ama becomes introspective, confident and more relaxed, expanding her talent to other musical venues. Among other characters in this story who add to its passion, energy and drama are wealthy Laozi Vedas a brilliant man of vision and the enigmatic and egotistical Jabir ibn Al-Zargali.
With its aliens, terrorists and insatiable hunger to save mankind, this book is captivating from the first page to the last and I highly recommend it.
November 28, 2014
I actually finished reading this a few days ago, but I've been so busy that I've been unable to do anything more but think only of sleep when I get home. Whoops! Anyway, on with the review.
I was quite keen to get started on this book. The concept behind it- that people are born with rings on their wrist that signify when they will die- grabbed me, as did the concept of what society would be like if this were to occur. In the early chapters, this is actually explored, and we get an insight into London and how the groups have broken up.
The romance between Ama and Hal is very quick, and there's little character development. Their romance just is, and it's made to seem utterly perfect. The chapters jump ahead in time, and we go from their meeting to a brief description of what followed, and then it's a year or two later and Ama is going to Kepler. I actually had to go back several times to double check the dates and to see if there was any actual reference to time being skipped.
From here I felt the book began to fall apart. Kepler's society seemed very interesting, but also very artificial and I couldn't help but think it seemed very standard sci-fi. It was made to appear above human pettiness and otherworldly.
Admittedly I began to lose interest. I finished the book, but I was so uninterested and uninvested in the characters that I didn't care what became of them. The chapters constantly jumped between Ama and Hal(/Liam) that it became confusing to follow who was where and why any of this mattered. When Ama and Hal(/Liam) finally did meet up again, there was a brief, sweet reunion... and again we jump ahead in time and must accept these two are soul mates.
The rest of the characters were a blur and I found it hard to distinguish them, particularly Laozi and... the other one.
Finally, I feel this book needs a comb over with really good editor. There were a lot of minor grammatical mistakes that dragged down the quality of the writing. The characters were all a bit stiff, and I think if Lewis worked with a good editor, he could get them to be a touch more realistic, and their interactions would ring more true. As it was, it felt like he was trying to force them into situations and pushing for the outcome he wanted, instead of allowing the characters to get there on their own.
I feel bad about dragging down the review score, but I think with a bit of work, Lewis' next book could be better.
I received this book as part of Goodreads Giveaways and First Reads.
I was quite keen to get started on this book. The concept behind it- that people are born with rings on their wrist that signify when they will die- grabbed me, as did the concept of what society would be like if this were to occur. In the early chapters, this is actually explored, and we get an insight into London and how the groups have broken up.
The romance between Ama and Hal is very quick, and there's little character development. Their romance just is, and it's made to seem utterly perfect. The chapters jump ahead in time, and we go from their meeting to a brief description of what followed, and then it's a year or two later and Ama is going to Kepler. I actually had to go back several times to double check the dates and to see if there was any actual reference to time being skipped.
From here I felt the book began to fall apart. Kepler's society seemed very interesting, but also very artificial and I couldn't help but think it seemed very standard sci-fi. It was made to appear above human pettiness and otherworldly.
Admittedly I began to lose interest. I finished the book, but I was so uninterested and uninvested in the characters that I didn't care what became of them. The chapters constantly jumped between Ama and Hal(/Liam) that it became confusing to follow who was where and why any of this mattered. When Ama and Hal(/Liam) finally did meet up again, there was a brief, sweet reunion... and again we jump ahead in time and must accept these two are soul mates.
The rest of the characters were a blur and I found it hard to distinguish them, particularly Laozi and... the other one.
Finally, I feel this book needs a comb over with really good editor. There were a lot of minor grammatical mistakes that dragged down the quality of the writing. The characters were all a bit stiff, and I think if Lewis worked with a good editor, he could get them to be a touch more realistic, and their interactions would ring more true. As it was, it felt like he was trying to force them into situations and pushing for the outcome he wanted, instead of allowing the characters to get there on their own.
I feel bad about dragging down the review score, but I think with a bit of work, Lewis' next book could be better.
I received this book as part of Goodreads Giveaways and First Reads.
February 3, 2015
The Mark of Man
by
Owen H. Lewis
Don’t be put off by the sci-fi label, this is an intriguing book for anyone that likes intelligent and thought provoking story telling. And it’s not only a ‘book for boys’ either.
Set in the not so distant future, humans are now born with a mark that accurately indicates the individual’s genetic lifespan.
It’s a chilling premise and Lewis then takes the reader on a vividly drawn and highly imaginative adventure in search of the reason and the possible ‘cure’.
The book questions many of our comfortably accepted beliefs, philosophies and vanities and some might find his ideas challenging, but Lewis’s arguments are well thought out.
It’s fast-paced and entertaining too and the characters are likeable and empathetic. No little green men with ray guns, this is much more in the vein of John Wyndham or Margaret Attwood and it’s well worth reading.
by
Owen H. Lewis
Don’t be put off by the sci-fi label, this is an intriguing book for anyone that likes intelligent and thought provoking story telling. And it’s not only a ‘book for boys’ either.
Set in the not so distant future, humans are now born with a mark that accurately indicates the individual’s genetic lifespan.
It’s a chilling premise and Lewis then takes the reader on a vividly drawn and highly imaginative adventure in search of the reason and the possible ‘cure’.
The book questions many of our comfortably accepted beliefs, philosophies and vanities and some might find his ideas challenging, but Lewis’s arguments are well thought out.
It’s fast-paced and entertaining too and the characters are likeable and empathetic. No little green men with ray guns, this is much more in the vein of John Wyndham or Margaret Attwood and it’s well worth reading.
May 3, 2015
Philisophical is the perfect word to describe ‘the mark of man.’ Before reading this novel I had never heard of Owen H. Lewis.
Now, to be straight up, and I point this out a lot, I am not strictly a big fan of sci fi as a genre, like any, there are good and bad, but it just isn’t really my ‘thing’. The mark of man does not read like your standard walk among us or alien invasion leading to world domination style thing, much more like ‘Blade Runner’ did with movies, this concentrates very heavily on the nature of the characters and how humanity is viewed through their eyes. It seems to me that Lewis used this platform to write about his own beliefs and challenges what he deems to be wrong with the world and does an exceptional job on challenging the capitalist culture.
Now, to be straight up, and I point this out a lot, I am not strictly a big fan of sci fi as a genre, like any, there are good and bad, but it just isn’t really my ‘thing’. The mark of man does not read like your standard walk among us or alien invasion leading to world domination style thing, much more like ‘Blade Runner’ did with movies, this concentrates very heavily on the nature of the characters and how humanity is viewed through their eyes. It seems to me that Lewis used this platform to write about his own beliefs and challenges what he deems to be wrong with the world and does an exceptional job on challenging the capitalist culture.
January 16, 2015
I won this book as part of goodreads Firstreads.
Although this book was a little hard to get into I persevered, as the blurb on the back really intrigued me. I am glad I did and I really enjoyed the story. At stages the characters were confusing but this all falls into place as the story continues. I liked both the concept and the characters - although I would like more of Voegel's story and that of Ama's father, I also enjoyed the outcome and ending.
Great book 4 stars
Although this book was a little hard to get into I persevered, as the blurb on the back really intrigued me. I am glad I did and I really enjoyed the story. At stages the characters were confusing but this all falls into place as the story continues. I liked both the concept and the characters - although I would like more of Voegel's story and that of Ama's father, I also enjoyed the outcome and ending.
Great book 4 stars
April 25, 2015
At first I did not think I could get into this book, eventually I did and
found it interesting, enlightening and enjoyable.
I won this scifi novel in a goodreads Firstreads giveaway.
Recommend to all who enjoy science fiction novels.
found it interesting, enlightening and enjoyable.
I won this scifi novel in a goodreads Firstreads giveaway.
Recommend to all who enjoy science fiction novels.
December 5, 2014
Random Amazon Review:
'Don’t be put off by the sci-fi label, this is an intriguing book for anyone that likes intelligent and thought provoking story telling. And it’s not only a ‘book for boys’ either.
Set in the not so distant future, humans are born with a mark that accurately indicates the individual’s genetic lifespan.
It’s a chilling premise and Lewis then takes the reader on a vividly drawn and highly imaginative adventure in search of the reason and the possible ‘cure’.
The book questions many of our comfortably accepted beliefs, philosophies and vanities and some might find his ideas challenging, but Lewis’s arguments are well thought out.
It’s fast-paced and entertaining too and the characters are likeable and empathetic. No little green men with ray guns, this is much more in the vein of John Wyndham or Margaret Attwood and it’s well worth reading.
'Don’t be put off by the sci-fi label, this is an intriguing book for anyone that likes intelligent and thought provoking story telling. And it’s not only a ‘book for boys’ either.
Set in the not so distant future, humans are born with a mark that accurately indicates the individual’s genetic lifespan.
It’s a chilling premise and Lewis then takes the reader on a vividly drawn and highly imaginative adventure in search of the reason and the possible ‘cure’.
The book questions many of our comfortably accepted beliefs, philosophies and vanities and some might find his ideas challenging, but Lewis’s arguments are well thought out.
It’s fast-paced and entertaining too and the characters are likeable and empathetic. No little green men with ray guns, this is much more in the vein of John Wyndham or Margaret Attwood and it’s well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews