Knight in Paper Armor

by Nicholas Conley

Silver Medal Winner: Global Ebook Awards

Billy Jakobek has always been different. Born with strange and powerful psychic abilities, he has grown up in the laboratories of Thorne Century, a ruthless megacorporation that economically, socially, and politically dominates American society. Every day, Billy absorbs the emotional energies, dreams, and traumas of everyone he meets—from his grandmother’s memories of the Holocaust, to the terror his sheer existence inflicts upon his captors—and he yearns to break free, so he can use his powers to help others.

Natalia Gonzalez, a rebellious artist and daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, lives in Heaven’s Hole, an industrial town built inside a meteor crater, where the poverty-stricken population struggles to survive the nightmarish working conditions of the local Thorne Century factory. Natalia takes care of her ailing mother, her grandmother, and her two younger brothers, and while she dreams of escape, she knows she cannot leave her family behind.

When Billy is transferred to Heaven’s Hole, his chance encounter with Natalia sends shockwaves rippling across the blighted landscape. The two outsiders are pitted against the all-powerful monopoly, while Billy experiences visions of an otherworldly figure known as the Shape, which prophesizes an apocalyptic future that could decimate the world they know.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Paranormal, Fantasy

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Nicholas Conley is an award-winning Jewish American author, journalist, playwright, and coffee vigilante. His books, such as Knight in Paper Armor, Pale Highway, Clay Tongue: A Novelette, and Intraterrestrial, merge science fiction narratives with hard-hitting examinations of social issues. Originally from California, he now lives in New Hampshire.

www.NicholasConley.com.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative, imaginative and the perfect blending of social issues, reality and fantasy, Nicholas Conley’s KNIGHT IN PAPER ARMOR is an often gut-wrenching tale of a special young man, the brutality of unethical scientific practices and the special bond of the heart between two teens against a corrupt society under the thumb of mega-corporations.

Born with powerful psychic abilities, Billy has the power to absorb energy from others. Having lived his life as a lab rat, when he comes to a small, impoverished town, he meets Natalia, a rebel at heart who rails against the oppression of the lower working class who work under sweatshop conditions to pad the already wealthy pockets of “Mr. Thorne.” Can these two bring positive change or is society doomed to destroy itself choking on power and fear?

Moving, engaging and written with no-holds-barred, this tale is one that mimics reality, both past and present. Thought-provoking, dark, filled with emotional action, this dystopian tale should be a must read for those who appreciate a little mental meat to chew on.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Nicholas Conley! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Publisher : Red Adept Publishing, LLC (September 15, 2020)
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi
Print Length : 393 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a story grabs you right from the very beginning! Knight in Paper Armor did just that and didn't let go till the very last page. Even after, I think this one will stay with me for awhile. As much as I love reading as a form of escapism, especially in times like this where you feel the extra weight of world issues weighing heavily, I also read to feel. To be moved, whether to laughter, or tears, or suspense, etc. This book moved me. Not only was it a solid dystopian/fantasy novel it also had a lot of heart and it pulled from real societal issues both past and current that was masterfully weaved throughout this story. Sometimes it was hard to look at, some lines were hard to read, mostly because there was a realness in it and that had the sharpest sting. As bleak as it seemed at times, there was an unyielding undercurrent of hope and light, selflessness and voices that would not be silenced. It brought not only a great balance to the story, but also a great reminder to me as a reader. It's so easy to get bogged down in the seemingly endless onslaught of negativity, the pain and the suffering, sometimes you forget how much beauty and hope there is amidst it and how powerful those things can truly be.

Another thing that stood out to me, and gave me some Stephen King vibes, was how the author highlights the young. And like King, he pulls no punches with them either. But Conley also shines a light on the hope and brilliance of them. There's a strength in youth, a drive and an untempered sense of the world and right vs wrong there and Conley plays this up in the best ways.

“And what I mean is, well... achievement comes from failure. From trying, knowing we can’t succeed, and trying again.” He stirred his coffee. “So yes, I have hope in people. Because even though humanity is flawed, it never stops trying to be better. Every generation is one step closer than the last. There’s always a forward thrust..."

I too believe this of each generation. I see it in my own kid. In what she believes in, what she is passionate about and how she translates those passions into momentum. I see it in kids like Emma González and David Hogg too.

All in all Knight in Paper Armor was riveting dystopian/fantasy with a lot of heart. The mix of supernatural and realnesss was perfectly balanced and it will undoubtedly have you thinking throughout and afterwards. I truly look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Nicholas Conley, but I’d heard of his other work before. Pale Highway and The Cage Legacy had been on my TBR for years. Needless to say, I was equally thrilled and surprised when he kindly afforded me the opportunity to read an ARC, in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Almost immediately, I knew Knight in Paper Armor would be good. In only a handful of chapters, Conley conveyed an impressive, futuristic, dystopian world. The United States of America on display here pales in comparison to the world now. Instead of the standard fifty states, Conley envisioned a hundred and seventy-nine separate states, and it was through the eyes of Roseanna Peterson, Natalia Gonzalez, and Billy Jakobek that Conley’s world was revealed.

There was something odd, beautiful, and intriguing taking place, boiling just beneath the surface. Adding to those curiosities were historical backdrops, such as the horrors of the Holocaust and former President Trump’s colossal mishandling of immigration policies, which went far to further establish Conley’s world-building skills. The author also utilized traditional Jewish holidays and phrases throughout (even going so far as to title each section with Jewish dialect,) which provided insight into that culture.

Something about the art style creeped her out-- it was somehow, bizarrely, both childlike and adult, possessing warped proportions and uneven skill. Lazy stick figure bodies held up hyperdetailed faces. Each drawing depicted a tiny boy with sad black eyes and a rainbow of colors leaked from his body, touching the other stick figures.

With Natalia Gonzalez, Conley explored the Latina culture, and the unique hardships that undocumented individuals face every day.

Alternating between Billy, Natalia, Roseanna, and Caleb, the story progressed at a brisk pace. There were, however, a few places where a slower pace would've been preferable, and could’ve made for a more profound sequence of events. But that's my take. The average reader probably wouldn’t have issues with them.

With that said, he handled the compartmentalization of the characters exceptionally well. I'm not certain that just any author could juggle multiple perspectives of this magnitude with such charisma and panache. He made each individual distinctive, with their own "voice" and various nuances. Three of the four were fleshed out and felt like people I might have befriended in high school. Especially Billy and Natalia. The emotional impact was also well executed. Many times, I felt GUTTED, not just by what happened to them in the present, but also by what they were forced to endure in the past.

If pressed to give additional constructive criticisms, I found the main villain a bit too evil and overpowered. Caleb Thorne was the epitome of Evil. Nobody's that black and white. I wanted there to be something relatable about him, something that made me care, something to cling to.

Strikingly sprinkled throughout were themes and subject matter including climate change, racism, authoritarian government, the healthcare system, and the perils of the pharmaceutical industry.

The fire tower blinked in the distance, reminding her of another lifetime, another reality—a period in her life that now felt like a beautiful lie. She kept thinking about Billy’s face. His tender little smile. His glistening dark eyes.

Throughout the pivotal middle section, the story reached one of its highest points, which naturally led me to question if that escalation was too much, too soon. In some ways, my reservations were warranted, while in others, Conley maintained that pace and sense of urgency, and that made for a compelling back half. Those final hundred and forty pages contained just enough mystery, intrigue, shocking illuminations, and character development to keep the pages turning.

Natalia especially, but Billy and Roseanna, too, really came into their own. It's been a long time since I felt that proud of a character, and to marvel aloud the strides she made. I felt such adoration for her, and I extolled her growth and maturity. Over time, she became my favorite character, which is interesting because I was confident Billy would always maintain that status.

In all of Sam's travels, from country to country, war zone to war zone, he’d seen the way that capitalist greed reached far and wide with its skeletal fingers, always leaving a trail of bodies among the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The last hundred or so pages had the most highs and lows. In retrospect, that really surprises and baffles me, particularly on the heels of such a stellar middle section. The fantasy elements were some of my favorites, despite their shortcomings. They weren't necessarily in bad form, nor were they poorly written. They weren’t. Simply put, I wanted more of them, and I earnestly thought that would be the case; that the antagonistic tug and pull between Good and Evil that Conley had steadily built upon would somehow live up to my admittedly high expectations. And that their final battle would reach a new height-- in some ways it did-- traversing many pages and filling them with numerous close calls with death (on both sides,) as well as startling emotional development and revelations.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The reader got more of the same, by which I mean the story returned to the norm. There wasn’t anything necessarily wrong with that, but a better balance between fantasy and mundane would’ve gone far. After the culmination of everything that came before (ten years prior,) Conley again achieved the unpredictable and beautiful. Indeed, Chapter Ninety-One was easily one of my most beloved chapters of the whole novel. And call me a glutton for punishment, but I wish the idealistic portions were omitted, with a chapter of two through Natalia's eyes, showing the results of her actions and reflecting on how the whole of this otherwise impressive coming-of-age story changed her, from the inside out, for the better.

From beginning to end, Conley delivered a wildly unpredictable, well-written story about childhood innocence, and how it's often corrupted, and about the sins of our fathers, and our unwillingness to learn from past mistakes. And although Knight in Paper Armor clung to the classic Good vs Evil premise, its well-constructed plot never really felt outdated. What's more, the splashes of horror, plentiful mystery, and philosophical musings resulted in a solid novel that fans of the genres will, most likely, thoroughly enjoy. Nicholas Conley is an author to keep an eye on.

”Truth is a lie… Nothing has meaning…and nothing is the Shape. Apathy is honesty. There’s no force for goodness out there in the universe, Caleb—nothing moving us along, watching us, helping us. But there is a darkness, a reality of the void, and that is the Shape—the one you serve, whether you like it or not.”

*3.5/5 stars*

[Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

At a time when one of the largest democracies in the world is struggling to hold to its socialism and equality to all, this book came across as more than an eye-opener. Here I am, reading about a corporation headed by a megalomaniac named Thorne intent on milking the psychic powers of young children, exploiting them and torturing them for his own benefit and a young girl Natalia fighting against the injustice of everything around her, in reality a young activist was being arrested or more like abducted from her hometown for her courage to speak up in our country.

Knight In Paper Armor is exemplary just coz it is so much rooted in the reality of NOW that parallels can be drawn from each incident happening in the story. Billy Jakobek tugs at one’s heartstrings for going thru the atrocity that is inflicted on him but still managing to retain an essence of goodness. Each and every character in the story has a charm that makes them endearing. Be it the 2 grandmothers, Natalia’s friend Felix, even Roseanna who is manipulated into things which she had no idea about, each of them plays a crucial role in taking the story forward.

The narrative shifts between Roseanna, Thorne, Billy and Natalia which gives the reader a clear picture of the turmoil and obsession that decides the fate of all. I am terribly impressed by Nicholas Conley’s writing as he has used actual incidents from the past and the present weaving a story in the fantasy dystopian genre but the highlight of the story is its YOUTH. In spite of the terrible hardships faced by the youngsters, there’s a sense of hope and belief amongst them in their strength and unity. For them, there’s no inequality based on any criteria, there’s no caste, no creed, no color that separates their thinking and it is this fact that remains in a reader’s mind after the final chapter is done.

Kudos for the brilliant writing.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and Twitter.

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual cross-category novel, Nicholas Conley’s Knight in Paper Armor uses the template of young adult fiction to stretch the boundaries of that classification, with mixed results. The setup is a familiar one, and well executed. Centred on the characters of Billy, a teenage boy of Jewish descent, and Natalia, a girl of similar age whose family emigrated from Guatemala to settle and forge a life in the United States, the book soon introduces its driving themes. Endowed with anomalous abilities with supernatural qualities, Billy lives under the guardianship of a man and women with no blood connection to him. Known as Father and Mother they are entrusted with monitoring Billy. It soon becomes clear that a special destiny had been planned for the boy since childhood, a destiny perhaps not in his, or the wider world’s, best interests. When Natalia appears, her natural effervescence and determination attract the boy, this attraction having unclear implications for his powers. As dark corporate forces make their move, those with a vested interest in Billy and his potential close in on the couple.

Conley handles the supernatural elements well, incorporating imaginative weirdness and skilfully introducing threatening mysterious forces. These elements are one of the novel’s strongpoints, being reminiscent of Stranger Things in particular, and the film Chronicle also.

The novel is wide in scope, and tackles many pertinent societal issues. Whilst the novel is effective in portraying the political idealism and energy of youth, this aspect does suffer from being quite one-dimensional and unsophisticated. There are very clearly defined good guys and bad guys, and while that isn’t necessarily a hindrance, and, although I felt the author did attempt to address this, here I felt it didn’t do the surrounding narrative justice.

The novel’s dominant strength, for me, comes in the representation of Billy and his genuine family, and also the portrayal of an altered state where chilling visions are experienced in a haunting and visceral manner.

Overall, a novel with some flaws but a unique vision.

[Olga Miret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel.
I read and reviewed Conley’s novel Pale Highway a while back, and it left a long-lasting impression. A book that although falling under the aegis of Science Fiction did not easily fit into any category and provided a unique reading experience.
Conley’s new novel shares some of the same characteristics. It is set in the not too-distant future, a dystopian future where the United States seems to have become more parcelled out and separate than ever —different populations are segregated into newly created states [immigrants have to live in certain areas, the Jewish population in another state, the well-to-do elsewhere…]—, where huge corporations have taken over everything, and prejudice is rampant. From that perspective, the book fits into the science-fiction genre, and there are also other elements (like Billy’s powers, the way the Thorne Corporation is trying to harness those powers…) that easily fit into that category, although, otherwise, the world depicted in it is worryingly similar to the one we live in. Although there aren’t lengthy descriptions of all aspects of the world, there are some scenes that vividly portray some parts of the town (Heaven’s Hole), and I would say the novel is best at creating a feeling or an impression of what life must be like there, rather than making us see it in detail. Somehow it is as if we had acquired some of Billy’s powers and could “sense” what the characters are going through.
I don’t want to discuss the plot in too much detail, as there is much to discover and enjoy, but the book is also, at some level, a rite of passage for the two young protagonists, who might come from very different backgrounds and traditions but have much in common (they’ve lost beloved family members to unfair treatment, discrimination, and manipulation; their grandmothers have played an important role in their lives; they are outsiders; they are strongly committed to others…), and who help each other become better versions of themselves. Although there is a romantic aspect to their relationship (it is reminiscent of “insta love” that so many readers dislike) and even a sex scene (very mild and not at all descriptive), the story of Billy and Natalia’s relationship goes beyond that. I don’t think I would class this novel as a Young Adult story, despite the ages of the protagonists (at least during most of the action), but that would depend on every reader. There is plenty of violence, death of adults and children, instances of physical abuse and serious injuries of both youths and adults, so I’d recommend caution depending on the age of the reader and their sensitivity to those types of subjects.
The book can be read as a metaphor for how the world might end up looking like if we don’t change our ways (and I thought about George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm often as I read this novel), or as a straight Sci-Fi novel where two young people, one with special powers and one without, confront the government/a powerful tyrannous corporation to free society from their clutches (think the Hunger Games, although many other examples exist). It’s easy to draw comparisons and parallels with the present (and with other historical eras) as one reads; and the examples of bullying, abuse, extortion, threats, corruption… might differ in detail from events we know, but not in the essence. There is also emphasis on tradition, memory (the role of the two grandmothers is very important in that respect), identity (Billy’s Jewish identity, Natalia’s Guatemalan one, although she and her family have to pass for Mexicans at some point), disability, diversity, poverty, power, the role of media…
I have talked about the two main characters, who are both heroes (each one in their own way) and well-matched, and their families feature as well and play an important part in grounding them and making us see who they are (although Billy’s family features mostly through his memories of them). We also have a baddie we can hate at will (he is despicable, but I didn’t find him too impressive compared to others, and I prefer baddies with a certain level of humanity rather than a purely evil one), another baddie who is just a bigot and nasty (not much characterization there), and some others whose actions are morally wrong but whose reasons we come to understand. The circumstances of Billy and Natalia are so hard, and they have such great hearts that it is impossible not to root for them (I’m a big fan of Natalia, perhaps because she saves the day without having any special powers and she is easier to identify with than Billy, who is such a singular character), and their relatives and friends are also very relatable, but as I said, things are very black and white, and the book does not offer much room for shades of grey.
The story is told in the third person, although each chapter follows the point of view of one of the characters, and this is not limited to the two protagonists, but also to Thorne, and to one of the scientists working on the project. There are also moments when we follow some of the characters into a “somewhere else”, a vision that might be a memory of the past, or sometimes a projection of something else (a possible future?, a different realm or dimension?, the collective unconscious), and these chapters are quite descriptive and have an almost hallucinatory intensity. The Shape plays a big part on some of those chapters, and it makes for a much more interesting evil character than Thorne (and it brought to my mind Lovecraft and Cthulhu). Readers must be prepared to follow the characters into these places, although the experience can be painful at times. I was touched and close to tears quite a few times while I read this book, sometimes due to sadness but others the experience was a happy one.
The book is divided up into 10 parts, each one with a Hebrew name, and as I’m not that familiar with the Jewish tradition I had to check and found out these refer to the ten nodes of the Kabbalah Tree of Life. This made me realise that the structure of the book is carefully designed and it has a significance that is not evident at first sight. That does not mean it is necessary to be conversant with this concept to read and enjoy the book, but I am sure there is more to it than meets the eye (and the Tree of Life pays and important role in the story, although I won’t say anything else to avoid spoilers). The writing is lyrical and beautiful in parts, and quite horrific and explicit when it comes to detailing violence and abuse. This is not a fast page-turner, and although there is plenty of action, there are also moments where characters talk, think, or are even suspended in non-reality, so this is not for those who are only interested in stories where the plot is king and its advancement the only justification for each and every word written. I often recommend readers to try a sample of a book before purchasing, and this is even more important for books such as this one, which are not easy to pin down or classify.
From my references to Orwell you will know that this is a book with a clear message (or several) and not “just” light entertainment, but I don’t want you to think it is all doom and gloom. Quite the opposite, in fact. The ending is positive, hopeful and life-affirming. Those who like endings where everything is resolved will love this one, and those who are looking for an inspiring novel and are happy to boldly go where no reader has gone before will be handsomely rewarded.
I had to include the quote that opens the book, because it is at the heart of it all, and because it is so relevant:
The opposite of love I not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference. Because of indifference, one dies before one actually dies. To be in the window and watch people being sent to concentration camps or being attacked in the street and do nothing, that’s being dead. Elie Wiesel.

[Violet Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note: a copy of this book was kindly gifted to me by the author, in exchange for an honest review.


My first thought upon finishing this book was “wow” — it sounds cliché, but it is entirely accurate. Upon writing up my notes when I finished the book — there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to give this a 5/5, there’s simply nothing that I can fault. I am incredibly grateful to Nicholas for asking if I would like to review his book because it is not the kind of book I would have picked up myself.

So what did I like about this book?

Firstly — I found the ideas woven throughout this book utterly compelling — and could empathize with the struggles of Natalia Gonzalez because of her belief in a fairer society. Despite being a dystopian novel through and through, it draws upon many sentiments that we are currently dealing with globally in social, cultural, and political life. Thorne Century, the megacorporation which controls all the aspects of life for those who live in Heaven’s Hole, is, in a way, a metaphor for capitalism itself.

It crushes people’s ambition, perpetuates inequality just by existing, and fails to bring about a fairer way of life. Caleb, the perpetrator and manipulator of Billy Jakobek, is a power-hungry individual — who rules Heaven’s Hole for his own benefit. This is a vision of society that is divided along the lines of ethnicity, race, economic status and gender — thus, in many ways, it mirrors our world. However, this is a creative, dystopian state which provides enough fantasy to escape from our world.

Therefore — I resonated with this book because it felt current and there is so much to unpack. In many ways, it contains the classic element of good versus evil. Still, it is told with so many complexities that reading it, is enough to make you stop in your tracks and re-evaluate the world around you. 2020 has been dominated by American politics and the continuous systemic racism that lingers — and in this novel — it lays bear this influence within a unique, fast-paced and believable story.

As well as the ideas, I loved the characters and execution of this novel. I empathised with Natalia, who becomes somewhat of a revolutionary figure in the book with her opposition to Thorne Century, and I saw a lot of myself in her. She ardently believes that through a collective effort and vision, we can change the systems of oppression that ensnare us. As a character, she is also good-humoured and utterly likeable.

Billy Jakobek is a complex character who spends most of his time within a tank monitored by Caleb for the harnessing of his psychic abilities. He is subject to countless experiments and deprived of living in the real world — until he meets Natalia. Many themes in this novel also evoke the feeling of a classic coming of age story — but set amongst a dystopian state — it is truly original and enthralling.

The book is fast-paced, full of action and chops and changes between different character perspectives. It keeps you reading with every twist and turn, as you follow Billy and Natalia’s hopes of creating a better world. Crucially it also had a very satisfying ending which is essential for me when giving out five-star ratings. Often, if I give a book a 4-star rating, it will mean that I was left dissatisfied, but this is far from the case here. The ending to this whirlwind of a book was satisfying, heart-warming and convincing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels that distract you from the present, but also make poignant points about the way we live now. And importantly, the systems that dominate our world and perpetuate multiple forms of inequality. This book is endlessly captivating and provides us with an essential insight into our contemporary world.

You can read my extended review here: https://medium.com/write-and-review/b...

[Terry Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I read this via an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Review Team. The fact that it was free has not affected this honest review.

Billy Jakobek was born with powerful psychic abilities and has lived most of his life in a town called Heaven's Hole, under the care of the Thorne Corporation that dominates America. Billy absorbs the physical pain, trauma and memories of everyone he meets, which, most of the time, causes him fear and sadness. He frequently visited by an entity called The Shape, which he perceives as being the darkness in man, and which predicts a calamitous future for mankind.

At school, Billy meets Natalia, with whom he feels an immediate, powerful connection—it is more than just attraction. Elsewhere, we learn more about Billy's 'Mother', aka scientist Roseanne, and Caleb Thorne himself. I liked that the author wrote chapters from Roseanne and Caleb's point of view, too, as shows us what is really going on behind the scenes—and what Caleb's plans are once he has harnessed Billy's powers.

I liked the feeling of depressed doom about the town of Heaven's Hole, in which immigrant workers live and work in appalling conditions, though I would have liked to know more about it, and also how the country came to be how it is now—more background would have been welcome.

The characterisation is good; I had a clear picture of who each of the main players were, and the dialogue is strong and realistic, the emotions portrayed well. What I was not so keen on was the frequency of inner thoughts in italics (on just about every page), and the fact that the book was more YA-orientated than I thought it would be; I would class it as a YA book even though it is not listed as such. One can have enough 'teen speak'.

I thought this book would be very much my cup of tea, though it wasn't so, but it's good of its type, and it is clear that a lot of work and thought has gone into it; and the aspects I was not so keen on are down to personal taste rather than there being anything wrong with the book. I've given it 3.5* for how much I enjoyed it, though it's worthy of 4* for readers who enjoy teen-supernatural books with powerful themes of good and evil, and the overcoming of light over dark.

[Angela Jones-Cuéllar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for submitting this book for review!

Conley always seems to have a knack for crafting a story that not only exceeds the confines of this reality but grounds it with real life issues and the result is a novel that will both entertain and strike your heart. A definite title to add to your list if you're looking for a YA tale within the sci-fi/dystopian genre that isn't afraid to explore both the light and the shadows of ethical propositions. Knight in Paper Armor not only makes for a great read but brings up parallels that can be found in society today and will cause you to pause and think. Good pacing, interesting characters, unique world, and a premise that hooks the reader, don't be too quick to pass this one over because it just might surprise you.

[Cary Morton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like Knight in Paper Armor by Nicholas Conley. The synopsis was interesting, the cover was beautiful, I liked the genre, and the world-building was interesting… but I put the back down around chapter twenty-one.

Where this book lacked for me, was the writing itself. It was mediocre at best. The children characters didn't talk like children. The Young Adult characters didn't talk like Young Adults. There was an elaborate world and past history to the story, but at least as far as I got into the book, none of it was explained or tied into the plot in any way. Throughout the story I got this feeling that the worldbuilding and setting were arbitrary - you could have taken the characters and their histories and put it directly into a contemporary setting, and it would have made zero difference to the book. The connection between Billy and Natalia seemed tenuous and forced.

So much of the beginning of the book was filling in the backstory for the characters that I kept wondering when the story was going to actually begin. By the time I quit, at 21 chapters in, nothing significant had happened to drive the plot forward. I take that back… one thing happened. Natalia was thrown in the trunk of a car - but even that couldn't keep me reading. I grew bored and tired of slogging through detail that didn't matter.

There will be readers out there that enjoy this book far more than me, but in my opinion, the writing was lackluster. It didn't feel like a well-refined and polished book. It didn't suck me in, I didn't care about the characters, and I didn't feel any sort of draw that would keep me reading.

[C.E. Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Knight in Paper Armor” is a dark dystopian novel set in the near future, where corporate greed and racism have completely taken over and divided up America (and I assume other countries but they’re never really talked about). We follow Billy, a young Jewish boy with incredible physic powers; able to take away the physical and emotional pain of those he touches, as well as mind controlling them if his darker tendencies get pushed too far. When Billy is finally allowed to leave the facility where he’s being tested on to attend school like a “normal” teen, he meets our female main character, Natalia. Natalia is an immigrant from Guatemala, a fact she has to hide, pretending to be from Mexico instead—though she faces a lot of bigotry for that, too. Billy and Natalia deal with extreme racism from practically the start, their world is brutal in every sense of the word, and the author is not shy about sharing their experiences in great detail. The topics covered in this sci-fi fantasy dystopian are important and very much apply to the world we live in today, but I do not think this book is appropriate for the audience it’s intended for….

There are a lot of racial slurs, antisemitic views, and extreme violence of all kinds against children almost from the very start of this book all the way to the end. It’s a lot, especially if you find that kind of language and imagery triggering, so please be forewarned. I hesitate to go into detail about the violence just because of spoilers, but I will say that showing the reader maybe one or two of those instances in detail would have made sense, been warranted even so the reader understands the brutal reality our characters live in, but the sheer number of those scenes makes this book daunting and, for the YA audience I believe it’s intended for, just too much. I say I “believe” because it’s not explicitly stated this is for young adult audiences, but our protagonists are in high school, and the writing FEELS like it is meant for a younger audience, which is where a lot of my mixed feelings come from, but more on that in a second.

My other, much smaller qualms are around the big bad and the insta-love romance between our main characters. The villain in this novel is a little too “evil for the sake of evil/power” which fits in with younger audience novels, but to me his motivations always felt a bit overly simplistic given the sheer violence he approaches all situations with. And I’m just not really a fan of insta-love, but that’s my personal preference. Also, Natalia never really read like a teenage girl to me; her inner monologue was far too flippant in dangerous situations and her overuse of “man” in dialogue even with adults just never worked for me (all characters seem to use "man" a lot though). All of that I could have overlooked pretty easily if I didn’t feel so conflicted about WHO this novel is for. But, despite the horror these characters are living through, I do appreciate the sensitivity with which the author addressed these topics, especially those of the marginalized communities he writes for—i.e. he as a Jewish man and the help he received for Natalia—and just how important it is for us as a society to never forget and therefore never relive the sins of our fathers, as it were.

Like I said, the topics in this book are important. We need to fight against corporate greed and bigotry, and it’s inspiring to see these young main characters fight for a better world, a more tolerant world. While violence is a part of the issues they fight against, it’s the detail with which all these heartbreaking scenes are given to the reader, which is why I’m giving this 3 stars. If this book isn’t meant for YA audiences, then the way it’s written and the fantastical elements would have me rating this book about the same because they don’t fit well for adult fiction readers, who this detailed content would be better for. I do applaud the author for not shying away from what true racial hate can look like to marginalized communities, but I wouldn’t let a young reader read this book if I am being completely honest. Not to say this book isn’t good! But I think you really have to be in the right mind frame for such a dark, brutal sci-fi dystopian novel. But thank you to the author for the ebook for an honest review!

[Ellie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

~About

The story is set in Heaven’s Hole, a small town dominated by Thorne Century, a large and oppressive corporation, who are running illegal experiments on teenagers.

Billy, a young Jewish boy with otherworldly abilities, is kept as a research subject by Thorne Century. When Billy is permitted to attend school for the first time at age seventeen, he meets Natalia Gonzales, a spunky young woman with enough heart and passion to change a nation. Together, they will become an unstoppable force for good.


~Characters

Billy Jakobek is a powerful young man, able to absorb other people’s pain at a detriment to himself. An idealist at heart, he reduces people’s discomfort and sorrow whenever he can, because he can’t bear to witness their pain.

Natalia Gonzales is a brave, passionate and impulsive young woman with a talent for art. Her love for her family and others (particularly those suffering beneath Thorne Century’s cruelty) motivated her to pursue social change, no matter how much it cost her.

The relationship between Natalia and Billy blossomed gradually into something pure and beautiful, showing the caring, compassionate side of humanity.

Roseanna, one of the leaders of Billy’s research project, is a kind and empathetic woman, nurturing in a motherly way. At first I was hesitant about her motives, but over the course of the story, I came to understand her more fully and began to respect her.

Caleb Thorne, boss of Thorne Century, was a truly three dimensional human being. The story shows him frequently doubting himself and struggling with his ego as he advances his personal plans for the future. His generally sadistic, deluded and cruel nature were shown to have developed over time due to certain factors, giving a better understanding of how evil comes to form in humanity, turning us away from our own better nature.


~Likes

I loved how the story was written. The sentence structure and word choice created a very emotional and tense experience. Deep meaning was imparted throughout, with emphasis on the themes of compassion vs cruelty, light vs darkness, and more.


~Memorable Quotes:

As always, here are some of the wonderful quotes which helped to make this such a great story.

1) ‘There’s a lot of hatred out there. Sometimes, when people are hurting, they get scared and they blame it on people who are different from them. The evil men come along with a lot of power and money and privilege and manipulate the scared people by using their fears. They exploit their hatred.’

2) ‘If the little people all hate each-other or are scared, the bad guys can pretend they’re the only ones able to fix things, by pretending the problems were caused by the people who are different. Hatred makes these bad men more powerful.’

3) ‘Even though humanity is flawed, it never stops trying to be better.’
Knight in Paper armor, nicholas conley, supernatural book, book review, bookish beyond


~Overview

Knight in Paper Armor is a wonderful, insightful read that explores the good vs the bad in human nature.

Two young people, suffering so much at the hands of a ruthless tyrant, but carrying on despite the odds, to prove that humanity can prevail against its darker impulses- was profound.


Rated: 5 stars, easily. A book I’ll definitely be getting a print copy of.
Recommended: To lovers of sci-fi and supernatural-inspired fiction that shows the underdogs pushing down barriers, to achieve a better quality of life for all.

A welcome change to the young adult genre. Deeply meaningful and inspiring.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book source ~ ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

Billy Jakobek is a super powerful psychic who popped up on a super powerful egomaniac’s radar when he was only a child. Now 16, Billy is stuck in Heaven’s Hole, the latest and star guinea pig for Caleb Thorne’s evil enterprise and megacorporation, Thorne Century. Heaven’s Hole is where Billy meets Natalia Gonzalez, a fellow student and gifted herself. But not in a way that interests good ol’ Thorne. Lucky for her at the time. But after she meets Billy she’s suddenly front and center in Thorne’s sights. Trust me. That’s not a good thing. At all. *shudder* All Billy wants is to help people with his powers and to be with Natalia. But that’s not going to happen while Thorne controls everything around him. It’s up to Billy and Natalia to break the back of Caleb Thorne, but are they strong enough to do it?

This isn’t just Sci-Fi, Young Adult, and Dystopian. It’s also Horror. Yikes. The things that Caleb Throne is capable of are shudder-worthy. And then you add the Shape that stalks Billy and if that doesn’t give you nightmares then you are one tough SOB.

This is a future I would prefer not to see become reality. Caleb Thorne is completely unbalanced. And he runs a megacorporation that exploits his workers big time. Sound familiar? There are a lot of parallels to this world, but hopefully we can fix the mess before it gets to this point. Of course, I don’t know of anyone who has super powers, not even rumors of them, so we’d be on our own on that front.

Billy and Natalia’s POVs are the majority of the book, but there are chapters for Caleb and another character named Roseanna to give a well-rounded feel for this world. The plot is a bit murky, but gets clearer as the story flows along. The characters of Billy and Natalia are in-depth, Roseanna not as much, and while Caleb Thorne is also front and center he seems too evil and also a bit pathetic at the same time. I’m leaning towards the feeling that it’s deliberate, but I can’t say for sure.

This book is one hell of a gut-wrencher. If you seek out that type of book then don’t hesitate to pick this one up.

[Betanda Shanam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a book! This is a fantastic read. I loved everything about it. The Knight in Paper Armor demonstrates Nicholas Conley’s creative, imaginative and moralistic writing. The storyline was genius– it covered so much ground. Conley’s writing made the multifaceted storyline easy to follow. Yet, the story was unpredictable in a good way. Just when I thought I knew which way the story was going, it changed!

I could feel the persona of each character and the vivid descriptions made them easy to visualise. The Knight in Paper Armor addresses some hard-hitting social issues that make you look at discrimination, differences, and the connection we all have. It is about being heard and standing up for what is right. There is so much depth to the The Knight in Paper Armor. It would make an excellent book club read.

I definitely give this book 5 stars

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Settergren · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY recommend this book. It's a rare dystopian-future-fantasy that gave me hope after everything was over. A full emotional roller coaster with a truly evil antagonist and loveable heroes. Please see full review here: https://jessicasettergren.com/2020/09...

[Kayla Krantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roseanna has spent her life studying the strange powers that some children can possess. Those in her field scoff at her and tell her she's ridiculous for believing such a thing. Enter Mr. Thorne. Not only does he believe in such abilities, but he has an entire company dedicated to the cause. He hires with Roseanna with one mission in mind: round up a child who has just the powers they are looking for.

This story was such an adventure that I'm not sure where to begin.

From the very beginning, we're transported into this futuristic world that blends reality with this almost sci-fi/paranormal vibe that I found to be quite unique. Roseanna is easy to relate to, but I have to say that Billy was the one who stole my heart. After everything that happened to him, he didn't lose faith in others. It was inspiring to see such a young character portray so much strength. Really though, all the characters are very strongly developed. Even the villains, and I'm a sucker for a well-crafted bad guy.

This book mashes up not only sci-fi and the paranormal quite well, but there's plenty of mystery and suspense crammed in this story as well. All in all, this is a powerful, immsersive story that'll you'll remember long after you finish reading.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thank you to the author, Nicholas Conley, for providing me a copy of his novel in exchange for an honest review.***

The novel as a whole approaches a plethora of tough topics and current events, like the rise of Nazism in the U.S., immigration and discrimination against immigrants, predatory capitalism, workers’ rights, media manipulation, and it even mentions the effects of climate change. There are also a lot of other tough topics and possibly triggering scenes. There’s violence, anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, death and serious injury, abuse/explorations of immigrant workers and children, planned terrorism, and probably other things I’m forgetting!

I liked our two main characters, Billy and Natalia, quite a bit. Billy struggled a lot with his inner emotions and guilt, but it was easy to tell that he had a very good heart. Natalia Gonzales was a very headstrong Latina, and although I didn’t always agree with her actions, I thought that they fit her impulsive and passionate nature. I also thought that both Billy and Natalia’s cultures were well incorporated into the novel. The author mentions in the acknowledgements that he had cultural sensitivity beta readers critique his representation of Natalia and her family, so that has probably helped the novel be more faithful in how Natalia’s undocumented family issues and Mexican roots are presented. At times the teenaged dialogue felt a little off, but it’s often hard to get that right as an adult writer.

There were also several very diverse side characters, which made sense because Heaven’s Hole was said to be a town with many immigrants who worked at the factory. The villain was very evil, and though there was a backstory about this character, I think why they were so very evil could have been fleshed out a bit more. My favorite side characters were Billy and Natalia’s grandmothers, because I love some strong-willed, outspoken grannies! One aspect of the main characters that I didn’t like was how quickly Billy and Natalia’s romance happened. On one hand, it makes sense that Billy felt an attraction so quickly because of his psychic powers, but Natalia seemed more attracted to Billy than he was to her at the start. Something happens shortly after they meet that brings them very close together, but I just prefer more of a slow burn. One thing I will say is that the author had no mercy for his characters. No one had plot armor, and no one came out completely unscathed, which was actually quite refreshing, if heartbreaking, to see.

Regarding the plot, I enjoyed it overall. The story surprised me a few times too. The experimentation and kids with powers reminded me a bit of Stephen King’s The Institute or even Firestarter as well as a bit of Stranger Things the TV show, which was what made me want to review this novel in the first place. There was definitely a similar vibe, but I don’t think I’d classify the story as horror– dark sci-fi might fit. Parts of the narrative take place in an “other world” that has some very surreal imagery. Some of it appears to be inspired by the dybbuk of Jewish folklore as well as imagery based on Nazi concentration camps. I wish that Billy’s powers and some of the surreal scenes were described in more detail. I had a little trouble picturing some scenes, but I also just really enjoy lengthy, flowery descriptions. (I know that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.) I also think that there is some suspension of realism needed for how Billy’s powers were going to be used since that wasn’t explained in detail, but hey, it is a speculative novel. It just depends on how much of a realistic explanation you need for this kind of thing.

My main issue with the plot was the pacing. There was a lot of action, and sometimes it felt like the characters didn’t have enough time to process the losses or emotional strain that they experienced. They had to bounce back fairly quickly because there was always something else going wrong that they had to respond to. This is addressed to some extent because the chapters are written in limited third-person perspective, with individual chapters from the view of one character, but there could have been more exploration of the characters in regard to what they experienced because, as I said, there’s a lot of stuff that just goes horribly for everyone. I quite liked the book’s ending though. There is a good payoff at the end and some light at the end of the dark tunnel the characters went through.

[J.R. Alcyone · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let’s start with the title. Every good novel needs a good title. Not enough attention is paid to good titles. (I’m especially looking at you right now, traditional publishers.) But “Knight in Paper Armor”? That’s a title I wish I had come up with myself. Kudos to the author for coming up with a GREAT title that is both interesting and fit the book.

This is a dystopian novel that takes place in America in the near future of 2029. In this version of America, people live segregated and under the control of the monopolistic Thorne Century Corporation. The story is part sci-fi, part dystopian, part fantasy, and it crackles with the ominous and intense undertone often found in dystopian literature like “1984” or “Animal Farm” or “Brave New World.” Basically, in this version of America, if you’re a white Christian, you’re golden, and if you’re anything else, well–

I won’t disclose the plot further than that other than to say the novel was never predictable, and the storyline had many hard-hitting twists and turns. While not a book I would call a “page-turner,” (it’s too thought-provoking to wear that moniker) the novel was well-paced and kept my interest throughout. Characterization is strong with Billy (who could be considered something of a version of the “Chosen One,” a sympathetic and gifted young man) and Natalia being the heroes and the standout characters. The writing and voice were superb (to the point of being of literary fiction level in terms of quality), and the book was immediately engrossing with a good hook. The dialogue sparkled and came across as realistic.

If this book had a negative, it came across at times as perhaps a bit too moralistic and forceful with its messages to the point the ideas may have lost some of their persuasive power if the author had chosen to use a lighter hand. (Sometimes, less is more.) Still, this is a thought-provoking novel, one which is extremely relevant to America today, and one which could perhaps find a good home with book clubs interested in thoughtful literature. Of the various moral and ethical topics covered, the one which stood out to me personally was the ethics of science and the cost of “helping” people.

Sensitive readers should note that this book deals starkly and openly with several “triggering” topics, including segregation, racism, and discrimination. The story also contains some graphic violence, although I didn’t consider any of the violence that was depicted to be gratuitous or far out of place for a dystopian/sci-fi novel. Also, while the novel features teen protagonists and the cover hints that it could be YA, I would recommend this novel to an adult audience based on the themes and the aforementioned possibility of triggers.

Finally, I’d like to add that I rarely read dystopian literature because I find it depressing. I wouldn’t say this was an uplifting book (there’s too many dark themes contained in it), but the ending is very life-affirming, and I was very glad I finished it. (In this way, it somewhat reminded me of my own novel.)

A solid 4.5 star read, rounded to five, recommended to mature readers capable of handling a dystopian version of America with a redeeming and life-affirming ending.

** I received a free advanced review copy of this novel in ebook format from the author, but I received no other compensation, and I am leaving this honest review of my own choice. **

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicholas Conley – Knight in Paper Armor – Reviewed 9/13/20 – Read 9/5-6/20

You have been different all your life! What would it be like to have a girlfriend???

The year is 2029, and Roseanna Peterson is hired by Mr. Thorne of Century, Inc. She had completed her studies on the strange and powerful psychic abilities that some children are born with. No matter what she did no one had believed in her work, until she was contacted by Mr. Thorne. He told her that his company was working on a top-secret study and that she was just the person they had been looking for to head it up. The first thing that she needed to do is find a child that had the abilities that they were looking for. This is how she arrived at the Jakobek home. From the reports that she had received she believed that Billy had been born with them. The moment that she saw him she knew he possessed the incredible powers. After talking to Billy, she was sure that he was the one that she wanted to work with.

She tells the grandmother that it would only be for 6 months out of the year through adolescence, and then Billy would have a lifetime income. The research that they are doing is for future medicines and the tissue and blood samples from Billy would be all that was needed.

And the story begins…

What did I like? From the first page, I was hooked. It would be so wonderful to be able to provide what Billy gave freely to the people that desperately needed relief. It hurt me what happened to him, every time that he did it, but I can see the other end of the tunnel and so did Billy. Without giving away any of the storyline, I just have to say that it made me so happy what happen to him. The ending was positively phenomenal! This is my first book from this author, and I know that it will not be the last. I enjoyed his writing style, he filled it with an incredible amount of details and descriptions, but they never pulled the story down.

What will you like? For everyone that likes Science Fiction, you are going to love this book. It has all the p’s and q’s in the right places. The mystery starts in the beginning and runs through the storyline like a wild bear. You just never know what is going to happen next. Of course, that is the mark of an excellent book! The characters are incredible, even the bad guys have some surprises for the readers. But hold on to your hat’s bookworm’s, the good guys will have you on the edge of your chair. Pay attention to the descriptions, look at the world from this post-apocalyptic point of view, and just pray that it will never happen to us. Nicholas has given us a futuristic look at what could happen to the world if we are not careful. I absolutely want to prepare you, put out the cat, tuck the kids in bed, and get ready for a night of excellent reading! This will be an exceptional addition to your Science Fiction library. Be sure to put this one on your calendar, it will be available on September 15th, 2020!!!

• File Size: 2842 KB
• Print Length: 393 pages
• Publication Date: September 15, 2020
• Publisher: Red Adept Publishing, LLC
• ASIN: B08CLSSX8Z
• Genre: Fantasy Adventure Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction

[Jordan (Forever Lost in Literature) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!

Knight in Paper Armor is a YA sci-fi/dystopian that I found myself far more than any other YA I've read recently. It's a fantastic mix of imagination, social issues, moral and ethical discussions, and a strong plot to keep the story interesting.

The story follows Billy, a boy who was born with psychic abilities that has turned him into a bit of a case study as he lives, essentially, as an experiment to be studied. His powers allow him to basically absorb emotions and energies from others, which Conley executed in a way that made me constantly curious to see how different people and situations would end up affecting him. I also really liked that Billy was a Jewish protagonist, as there really aren't enough prominent Jewish characters in fiction and I love the perspective it added, especially in regards to treatment and experience. During the story, we also meet Natalia who is a bit rebellious in nature and opposes the powers that keep everyone in place. Together, the two form an unlikely but powerful pair who share a passion for change and goodness.

Another strength of Knight in Paper Armor is its consistent pacing, which had plenty of action to balance out moments of calmer activity and discussion. The plotting itself also benefits from the good pacing as the reader is first introduced the general set up of the story, then slowly meets Billy and jumps to experiencing and understanding his life as a sort of lab rat. Everything else then falls into place and takes off as the story progresses.

There are a lot of great things about this book, but one last area that I particularly appreciated was in how Conley brings real societal issues from past and present to develop strong and nuanced discussions and explorations. This book gets fairly heavy at times, and I appreciate that Conley didn't try to cover up reality or the truth of the world and how life can be, but instead presented in a way that felt realistic, relevant, and relatable, but also wasn't too overwhelming and always had an air of positivity that worked well with the entire atmosphere. This felt like a very inspirational and uplifting book overall despite the hard moments, so if that's something you look for in your books, this would be a great pick.

I don't have very many negative comments about this book, and the only sort of comment/critique I'd make is that there were occasional moments where the dialogue felt a bit awkward or stilted, and I'm not sure if it's because they were teenagers and made to sound like them or if it was just me or what. Also, as much as I liked the characters and their development, there were similar occurrences where I felt there could have been just a bit more development to make actions feel a bit smoother or connected to each character.

Overall, I've given Knight in Paper Armor four stars! I expected and hoped to like this book, but I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did so I'm really thankful that I got the opportunity to read it.

[Rishika S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Nicholas Conley's Knight in Paper Armor had an interesting blurb, even though it was quite different than the books I normally pick up. It has its ups and downs, but is definitely a good read that should be on your TBR pile.

Genre:
Dystopian, Science fiction

Length:
426 pages

Overall Rating:
7 out of 10

Plot:
8 out of 10

Characterization:
8 out of 10

Primary Element:
7 out of 10. I found it a little difficult to satisfactorily categorize Knight in Paper Armor as dystopian or sci-fi; it had a very strong YA vibe to it too.

Writing Style:
9 out of 10

Part of a Series:
No.

Highlighted Takeaway:
Nicholas Conley paints a picture of a dystopian future where racism, segregation, and discrimination are rampant, and where society (and even geography) is shaped by people in power who use these very concepts as weapons, while everyone else can do little but acquiesce. At times, it is easy to believe that this setting is exaggerated - that it could never get that bad. But at times, shown through reasoning and ideologies that we can easily see even today, the setting sometimes come across as a very real, potential eventuality. Scary, yet eye-opening, this added quite a dark element of reality to the entire story.

What I Liked:
Characterization. It's not easy to evoke empathy for the bad guy and support for a good guy who is not always 'good'. But Nicholas Conley manages to weave intricate back-stories for all the primary and secondary characters, making it really easy to become vested in their story arcs.

What I Didn’t Like:
Although intriguing, the story did seem to drag in a few places. I also found the dialog to be a bit unsettling, with characters sounding way older than they were shown to be. The reasoning, as I understood it, was that these characters have been through enough to seem a lot older than their actual ages. In itself, that explained why they spoke and behaved the way they did. But then they would occasionally behave extremely teenage-d in their thoughts, and that mismatch did come across as a little off.

Who Should Read It:
Anyone who enjoys dystopian novels, including YA dystopian, as well as slightly abstract stories or those with a touch of the metaphysical.

Who Should Avoid:
Anyone who cannot digest violence or gore. There is a significant amount of really violent stuff that is presented, through Nicholas Conley's talents, in a very vivid manner.

Read It For:
A gritty, engaging tale that touches upon social and even existential issues, and that, at its heart, talks about the good and bad within all of us and the choices we have.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Knight in Paper Armor

Author: Nicholas Conley

Book Series: Standalone for now

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Guatemalan side character

Recommended For...: ya readers, sci-fi readers

Publication Date: September 15, 2020

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 14+ (immigration TW, human experimentation, Holocaust mentioned, poverty, violence, gore, grief)

Publisher: Red Adept Publishing LLC

Pages: 426

Synopsis: Billy Jakobek has always been different. Born with strange and powerful psychic abilities, he has grown up in the laboratories of Thorne Century, a ruthless megacorporation that economically, socially, and politically dominates American society. Every day, Billy absorbs the emotional energies, dreams, and traumas of everyone he meets—from his grandmother’s memories of the Holocaust, to the terror his sheer existence inflicts upon his captors—and he yearns to break free, so he can use his powers to help others.

Natalia Gonzalez, a rebellious artist and daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, lives in Heaven’s Hole, an industrial town built inside a meteor crater, where the poverty-stricken population struggles to survive the nightmarish working conditions of the local Thorne Century factory. Natalia takes care of her ailing mother, her grandmother, and her two younger brothers, and while she dreams of escape, she knows she cannot leave her family behind.

When Billy is transferred to Heaven’s Hole, his chance encounter with Natalia sends shockwaves rippling across the blighted landscape. The two outsiders are pitted against the all-powerful monopoly, while Billy experiences visions of an otherworldly figure known as the Shape, which prophesizes an apocalyptic future that could decimate the world they know.

Review: I really liked this one! It was cute but it had the perfect blend of social issues and fantasy. The book doesn’t shy from the horrors of the world and the characters are well written. The world building is also well done and I loved the plot.

The only issue I had with the book is that there was a lot going on all at once. The amount of information in this book and historical/social/racial/etc issues presented in this read was great, but a little overwhelming for what would be the target audience, not to say that they shouldn’t know about these issues, it’s just too much for one book in my opinion.

Verdict: It was great!

[Have Coffee Need Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you feeling your life is lacking a little social rhetoric? Knight in Paper Armor is what you are looking for to fill that need. I'm just not sure anyone needs this much preaching from an otherwise decent story. Keep in mind this is a dystopian novel set in the future, but it is playing with metaphors of today's news reports.

Natalia Rodriguez Gonzales is poor and bullied, growing up in a family of undocumented immigrants. Heaven's Hole has little to offer her, so she gets lost in sketching out her memories and drawing a future she hopes to come.

The author Nicholas Conley makes a lot of tongue in cheek cultural comparisons in Knight in Paper Armor, one of which is Natalia Gonzales being this freedom fighter for Heaven's Hole. Natalia is a seventeen-year-old girl with an edgy look who, at one point, shaves her head. But it's more than that she rallies her people with a 'Never Again' slogan, and dares to challenge the patriarchy and the great Thorne Century Corporation that has it's named on everything and owns a little bit of everything.

She could be plucked right out of our current headlines.

The other main character is Billy Jakobek, a Jewish boy who grew up in the 179th state until 2029 when Caleb Thorne used all his power to destroy his entire world to acquire him the powers he possesses. Now years of imprisonment later, Thorne is allowing Billy some freedom--not at all altruistically. He needs Billy's emotions to power up so that Thorne can weaponize his psychic abilities.

Of course, the collision course is two young people made for one another, falling in love in a hopeless situation, and a rich, wealthy, white man having all the means to play life and death with people's lives.

Knight in Paper Armor is a good story if you can make it through the battering of societal flag-waving and preaching. I agree with many of the points made in the book, but even I felt brow-beaten with the vehicle used to drive them home.

What did work for me was that I enjoyed the sci-fi aspects of the story and the interpersonal relationships between Billy and Natalia, and Natalia and her grandmother. I also liked to see that high school is horrible, even twenty years from now--it means my experience wasn't anything special. And I loved the cuts to 'Somewhere Else'--all that worked for me.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advance copy of this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was approached by the author, and received a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am so pleased that the author reached out to me because this is one of those books that I most probably wouldn't have read otherwise, and that would've been a real shame!

The story centres around Billy, a teenager with a very special gift, one that his seen him exploited in the name of science. He has suffered for such a long time, and lost so much but then he meets Natalia, a fellow teenager with her own battle scars, and so their relationship begins. Through their connection they have the chance not only to heal but to take down those that need to be defeated.

Knight in Paper Armor is a fine example of a book that expertly bridges the gap between fantasy and reality. It throws you straight into the action, which is my preferred approach (particularly with this genre) and doesn't let go, right up until the last page.

There are so many themes running through this story - love, heartbreak, loss, unethical behaviour, good versus evil, social considerations, political agendas, the perils of wealth etc. The author certainly gives the reader a lot to think about! Everything makes sense though, and nothing feels out of place, overdone or under acknowledged.

This dystopian tale is emotionally charged and I found it to be very moving. The idea of a huge corporation taking over and controlling everyone and everything is fast becoming both feasible and terrifying, and the portrayal in this book is spot on.

It's worth checking out some trigger warnings - there are quite a few to take into account, including some that I have touched on above, alongside others such as antisemitism, racism and torture. There is a lot happening, and this is definitely not a book for the faint-hearted, but one that is brilliantly written.

I found Knight in Paper Armor to be a highly absorbing read, and one that I would absolutely recommend - particularly to fans of the fantasy and dystopian genres.

[Käthe]

Disclaimer: I was contacted by Nicholas Conley with the request to review his book. I was provided with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I am not being paid for writing this review, and Mr. Conley’s request to review his book in no way affects the opinion I have of his work.
However, due to the circumstance that Knight in Paper Armor includes some heavy topics I decided not to rate this book.
My review will also include spoilers and will go into detail about my feelings about this book.
For reader discretion, I advise you to check the list of trigger warnings below, which I have compiled to the best of my abilities. Should you find any of the there mentioned content triggering, please do not read this review and do not purchase the book in order to avoid trauma.
Trigger Warnings: racicm, sexism, antisemitism, slavery, (attempted) genocide, emotional abuse, on screen death, violence and substance abuse, mention of the holocaust, national socialism and terrorism, exploitation of children and minorities, blackmailing, substance abuse, guns, trauma

Review in short form
Issues I had with this book
• Conley did not provide a list of trigger warnings in the description of the book on Amazon or in the beginning pages of the book itself, which is a huge no go, especially in times like these, and especially considering the content of this book.
• I don’t know what the target audience of this book is.
• In its essence, Knight in Paper Armor is like every Sci-Fi book I have read so far.
• The world-building was mediocre
• A sprinkle of representation here and there is definitely not enough.
• The villain is generic and uninteresting
• Too much unnecessary violence

Things that I enjoyed
• Billy's characteristics
• future Natalia's activism in politics

If you'd like to read my in-depth review of Knight in Paper Armor, click https://acorporalkireads.wordpress.co...

[Energy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to skip my usual summary of this book as I feel the blurb is more than accurate and summarizes Knight in Paper Armor much better than I could. The combination of issues happening in the book is a good cross between the horrors of the past, with a Sci-Fi and dystopian twist, bundled into what could fall into the YA category. There’s good social commentary in here as well.

“Because if the little people all hate each other or are scared, the bad guys can pretend they’re the only ones able to fix things by pretending the problems were caused by the people who were different.”

Heaven’s Hole is anything but, and the tight ship that is Thorne Corporation is utterly scary. The human rights violations and abuse were horrific, and sadly, occur all over the world, even today. I would like to think that the world wouldn’t slip so far back from the progress we’ve made since Nazi Germany, but the further in history you move from an event, the more people forget.

There were a few things that kept me from giving this 5 stars. I feel that in the face of video evidence, the government wouldn’t just take someone’s word for it. We have technology that can show us when images and videos have been doctored. So the fact that Thorne was able to get away with so much wasn’t totally believable to me. I felt the end was a bit too easy and that it summed up too quickly considering how much extensive groundwork was put into the story.

When I look past those few things, there’s a lot to like with this one. The characters in this were well-written, and I liked how Billy and Natalia balanced each other out. I loved learning each of Billy’s new abilities as they were highly creative. When Conley described Natalia’s artwork, it came to life for me. The descriptions were incredibly rich, and that level of detail extended to the entire book. Overall, a fun read from start to finish.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the blurb of Knight in Paper Armor, which promised a dystopian thriller with unusual characters battling familiar humanitarian issues and a villain that sounds shockingly believable in the modern landscape of corporate greed over human welfare. On that promise, this book delivered in spades. The story and setting were imaginative and compelling, and the two main characters were unique and well rendered. It's so unusual to read about a Jewish protagonist outside of historical fiction, and even more unusual in speculative fiction, so that added many interesting layers to the story. It was fascinating to learn as the author shared details from his own cultural background, explored the lasting cultural trauma of the Holocaust, and also examined shared themes and parallels between the treatment of Jewish Americans and Latinx immigrants.

While I enjoyed the premise, setting, and characters, some of the prose lacked the oomph I was hoping for and I struggled with the dialogue, which didn't feel natural to me. There was a lot of "man," "bro," "dude," and "like," even from small children, which consistently pulled me out of the story. There were some logic disconnects for me as well, but that's on me, not the author. Overall, I thought this was a really different, fascinating take on one version of a future that could await us if we don't decide to put humanity before greed.

[Shadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was asked to review an ARC copy of this novel by the author himself, so here are my thoughts.

First off, I'd like to say that the author contacted me about his book, and is the nicest guy around!
When I first read the blurb, I knew right away that this was going to be interesting for me to read, for many reasons.

I've never come across anything quite like KIPA before, because it blends sci-fi with historical events, cultural diversity and sensitive issues like racism, scientific experimentation on humans, and hate crimes. And so much more.

I found both the beginning and ending bittersweet, and the beginning itself tugged at my heartstrings, as the book begins with the main character, Billy, when he's a little boy who's born special and goes through a truly traumatic experience so early in life.

The author's sensitivity to the issues mentioned above is one of the highlights of this novel, so I'd highly recommend it just based on this.
One thing I'm not overly a fan of is switching so frequently from one scene/chapter to the next, though a lot happens as the plot develops, so it's a good fit, and I can see why this decision is a sound one. I personally would've preferred just a little bit more on the characters' psyche, so that it's easier to see why they make some of the decisions they make, but it's not at all a major issue.

**Recommended to both YA readers and adults.**

[Lindsey Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a good science fiction read then look no further. This book is a fast paced hard hitting read. It covers a lot of social issues such as discrimination, segregation, and capitalism.
The plot of this book was intense. Every time I thought I knew where the book was going something happened to throw it all off. There was a lot going on in the ending ending that made it a little hard for me to follow at times and I found myself having to reread so that I could make sure I had what was happening straight in my head because it was a lot of jumping around.
The characters were interesting. I thought they were pretty well developed. I definitely felt invested in how their lives turned out throughout the story. I also need to say that this book had some pretty graphic violence that made me super uncomfortable.
Another thing I really struggled with while reading this book was the world. The way people were treated and discriminated against. It just hit really close to home with the way the world is today in 2020.
This book definitely has a lot going for it and I would recommend go anyone who enjoys dystopian, science fiction books.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Knight in Paper Armor
Author: Nicholas Conley
Genre: Fiction, science fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

I have to say, the setting for Knight in Paper Armor was very disturbing (near-future, urban dystopia), not just because of how it was, but because it seems so easily possible from where we are now. One company dominating and oppressing the world—yep, I could see that—poverty, loss of rights and freedoms, the use of violence and murder to control people and keep them below the poverty level…Sad and depressing, but believable.

Billy was such a sympathetic character: branded as different and raised by a greedy corporation in a lab, his family murdered in front of him, the victim of experiments and used for a weapon. All Billy wants is to have a “normal” life and help people. All Natalia wants is to help her family and to right the wrongs she sees around her every single day. Both these characters are strong and vividly drawn but have their flaws as well.

The author does an excellent job painting an admittedly dark picture, but he also showcases the glimmers of light and hope that can be found even in the dark of times.

(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)

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