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The Noble Effect
Within the boundaries of Ludington, three populations coexist in a battle of wit and technological The Prestige, who enjoy their accumulated wealth under the protection of their hired Guardians; Affinity, the government organization that investigates their corrupt practices; and the Commonwealth, the city’s inhabitants whom Affinity is sworn to protect.
Seventeen-year-old Agent Riley Kendall has just killed a Guardian in self-defense during a routine assignment for Affinity. This altercation triggers her as a Noble, a condition that torments her with imaginary voices and violent hallucinations. During her very next assignment, her Nobility is exposed again with even deadlier consequences. After her worsening symptoms are treated, she agrees to help Affinity bring justice against those responsible for devastating her life and the lives of the Commonwealth. But Affinity’s methods of serving justice soon begin to blur the lines of morality, and Riley must decide who she can actually trust in the world—and how long she will allow Affinity to control her.
Seventeen-year-old Agent Riley Kendall has just killed a Guardian in self-defense during a routine assignment for Affinity. This altercation triggers her as a Noble, a condition that torments her with imaginary voices and violent hallucinations. During her very next assignment, her Nobility is exposed again with even deadlier consequences. After her worsening symptoms are treated, she agrees to help Affinity bring justice against those responsible for devastating her life and the lives of the Commonwealth. But Affinity’s methods of serving justice soon begin to blur the lines of morality, and Riley must decide who she can actually trust in the world—and how long she will allow Affinity to control her.
427 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 8, 2018
If you're looking for a thrill ride of a read with a sci-fi flavor, "The Noble Effect" is really good. I got this read for $1 and it's better than most books I've read for ten times that amount.
Once again I'm blown away by an indy author. The story and voice just feel fresh in a way I don't often find in the professionally published world. Admittedly, the book does have editorial issues when it comes to missing words or repeated words and that can be annoying but, that said, it's otherwise editorially strong and the characters and storyline overshadow the faux pas aspects.
As a story, the pacing is absolutely excellent. From the first page on, we hit the ground running and don't stop until the very last page. Often when I get a read like that, the book can feel exhausting but this wasn't at all. It was more of an exhilarating experience. And the story isn't predictable, either. There were so many twists and turns I lost count.
The atmosphere of the read is immersive where we're plopped into a world of three government/community factions all existing in an odd tension with each other and it's not always clear who is good and who is bad. The sci-fi thread is definitely present and believable throughout the read but there's nothing too outlandish. It's all earth based and is a take on what the world could be like in a few decades from now.
For an all action plot, the author did a great job establishing characters. Even with the more minor characters that get little page time, they're infused with personality and traits to indicate who they are. As for our leads, we get that even more so. I really enjoyed every character, even the villains.
When it comes to our lead, Riley, she's unique in that she's a strong character but also flawed. She's not unintelligent but she's definitely not the brains of the operation which is highly unusual and not something I often encounter in these types of reads. Riley does the best she can in every situation with the tools she has to work with. As a character, she's endearing and easy to root for. As for the rest of the cast, they're excellent, too.
Regarding the story, it revolves around conflicts between the three factions I mentioned earlier and Riley's struggle to find out who is in the "right" at any given time as she's sent on assignments from her handlers. There is something referred to as a "Noble" which basically seems like a person with mental issues (schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder) that is exploited for missions and the story kicks off when Riley is triggered and thereby discovers she's a Noble herself.
Once I realized what the Noble effect was I wondered how it would be handled. The author never comes out and says what it is exactly but, since it mimics mental disorders, I wondered if it would be offensive or not. I didn't find it to be. For what it's worth the author seemed to have a sympathetic view for people with the condition.
As for genre, as I mentioned, the book is mainly an action sci-fi thriller but I'll add that the book also touches on mystery and romance, too. The "romance" element of the story is very minor and acts more as a spice to flavor the plot.
Riley is lesbian, though she never explicitly says that (it's implied in a rather comical way) and she's given a pretty great love interest that I enjoyed very much. I won't say there's insta-love but more insta-connection so don't expect a lot of build up. In this case, just go with it. It's more fun that way.
Riley is also 17/18 and because her character is more submissive and there's no sex or swearing, though we get violence in spades, the book does have a young adult feel in a way. However, I'm not sure that's the intention and I think all ages would enjoy this read.
Do know there are a couple of more minor sexual assault triggers in the book; enough to turn the stomach but luckily don't happen.
For all of the action that occurs, I found the plot and fallout to be believable. The only piece I found a little wonky was I thought Riley's character would be more affected on a day to day basis by a major occurrence that happens early on in the plot. And, towards the very end of the story we start to go into the action movie realm where injuries that would flatten an everyday person don't for our leads though the author does attempt to compensate for that some.
Whatever minor gripes I have, though, the book was a great story and a fun read. As I was thinking back on it, my mind actually interpreted the read as a movie and I had to remind myself it was something written as words and not seen as visual images.
The author is writing a sequel and I'll definitely read it.
Do I recommend this read? Absolutely.
4.4 stars
Once again I'm blown away by an indy author. The story and voice just feel fresh in a way I don't often find in the professionally published world. Admittedly, the book does have editorial issues when it comes to missing words or repeated words and that can be annoying but, that said, it's otherwise editorially strong and the characters and storyline overshadow the faux pas aspects.
As a story, the pacing is absolutely excellent. From the first page on, we hit the ground running and don't stop until the very last page. Often when I get a read like that, the book can feel exhausting but this wasn't at all. It was more of an exhilarating experience. And the story isn't predictable, either. There were so many twists and turns I lost count.
The atmosphere of the read is immersive where we're plopped into a world of three government/community factions all existing in an odd tension with each other and it's not always clear who is good and who is bad. The sci-fi thread is definitely present and believable throughout the read but there's nothing too outlandish. It's all earth based and is a take on what the world could be like in a few decades from now.
For an all action plot, the author did a great job establishing characters. Even with the more minor characters that get little page time, they're infused with personality and traits to indicate who they are. As for our leads, we get that even more so. I really enjoyed every character, even the villains.
When it comes to our lead, Riley, she's unique in that she's a strong character but also flawed. She's not unintelligent but she's definitely not the brains of the operation which is highly unusual and not something I often encounter in these types of reads. Riley does the best she can in every situation with the tools she has to work with. As a character, she's endearing and easy to root for. As for the rest of the cast, they're excellent, too.
Regarding the story, it revolves around conflicts between the three factions I mentioned earlier and Riley's struggle to find out who is in the "right" at any given time as she's sent on assignments from her handlers. There is something referred to as a "Noble" which basically seems like a person with mental issues (schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder) that is exploited for missions and the story kicks off when Riley is triggered and thereby discovers she's a Noble herself.
Once I realized what the Noble effect was I wondered how it would be handled. The author never comes out and says what it is exactly but, since it mimics mental disorders, I wondered if it would be offensive or not. I didn't find it to be. For what it's worth the author seemed to have a sympathetic view for people with the condition.
As for genre, as I mentioned, the book is mainly an action sci-fi thriller but I'll add that the book also touches on mystery and romance, too. The "romance" element of the story is very minor and acts more as a spice to flavor the plot.
Riley is lesbian, though she never explicitly says that (it's implied in a rather comical way) and she's given a pretty great love interest that I enjoyed very much. I won't say there's insta-love but more insta-connection so don't expect a lot of build up. In this case, just go with it. It's more fun that way.
Riley is also 17/18 and because her character is more submissive and there's no sex or swearing, though we get violence in spades, the book does have a young adult feel in a way. However, I'm not sure that's the intention and I think all ages would enjoy this read.
Do know there are a couple of more minor sexual assault triggers in the book; enough to turn the stomach but luckily don't happen.
For all of the action that occurs, I found the plot and fallout to be believable. The only piece I found a little wonky was I thought Riley's character would be more affected on a day to day basis by a major occurrence that happens early on in the plot. And, towards the very end of the story we start to go into the action movie realm where injuries that would flatten an everyday person don't for our leads though the author does attempt to compensate for that some.
Whatever minor gripes I have, though, the book was a great story and a fun read. As I was thinking back on it, my mind actually interpreted the read as a movie and I had to remind myself it was something written as words and not seen as visual images.
The author is writing a sequel and I'll definitely read it.
Do I recommend this read? Absolutely.
4.4 stars
July 11, 2018
This is a great deal I picked up for $1. Totally worth it! I’m giving it 4.5 stars rounded up. Once I figured out all the different factions involved I was totally immersed. It’s a light sci-fi alternative reality with a hint of romance. I’d call it YA but there is some violence.
abandoned
June 9, 2018I did not do any research before buying this book. I saw a positive review, it cost €0.99 so I grabbed it.
I stopped reading 2 pages in, because it is written in first point of view, present tense, and that is a format that just does not work for me. It's a personal thing, and does not reflect on the quality of the book.
I stopped reading 2 pages in, because it is written in first point of view, present tense, and that is a format that just does not work for me. It's a personal thing, and does not reflect on the quality of the book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews