Evolussion

Infinion #2

by Kathy Bell

Sequel to Amazon Bestseller Regression
Twenty-six years of planning could not prepare them for this.
The world is well aware of the ongoing efforts of megacorp Three Eleven after they went public in 1985 about an impending asteroid impact coming in 2011. What they don't know about is the new species of human evolving within the walls of the corporation. Company figurehead Dawn Ingram has not only a secret identity, but also a secret entity within her genes. This strand of alien DNA has been passed on to the fifty-three children infiltrating Three Eleven initiatives, carrying with them the lifetime memories and knowledge of their parents, and something more. Two of these children make an alarming discovery on a Jovian moon, setting in motion a cascading series of events which will tear apart the team which has worked together for decades.
Corporate control of information and technology keeps the world complacent as Three Eleven proceeds with their plans, unchallenged with the exception of underground journalist Stew Singleton. His Stewlogs shout out to those who will listen, demanding people ask more questions, look more closely, and wrest back some of the power they had ceded to Three Eleven in the panic of '85. Although he does not work hand-in-hand with them, he does applaud the efforts of terrorist group Anvolussion. A group whose leader, Lavrentios Alexopoulos, has gone missing after a bombing went wrong.
Nothing in the world is quite like Nicholas Weaver expected to find when he lay himself down to die for the eleventh time, awakening again as a twelve-year-old searching for his lost love. He finds the fruits of his labour have borne unexpected seeds, but is unsure the future is safe even with his monumental efforts.
The fate of the planet might be out of all of their hands. Sequel to bestselling Regression.

Genres: Science Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2010

About the author

Born in 1971, I've called the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron area home for my entire life - minus the years at university. Even so, I found books a wonderful way to travel through time and around the world.

I live in my dream house on 60 acres with an amazing view of the city skyline in one direction and the sheer cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment in the other. I was only able to start writing after checking off most other things on the to-do list of my life: marry high school sweetheart (check); get an awesome career as a high school teacher(check); have four wonderful kids (check); build my dream home (check); be a successful entrepreneur (check); breed Canada's top winning bulldog (check); get a herd of horses (check). Suddenly, I found myself inspired to begin writing after a break of more than twenty years - when I was in high school I wrote short stories which never made it past my journal binders. I still have both.

Regression was conceived in the middle of the night, one hand cradling a fussy baby while the other pecked at the keyboard - you can only surf the internet for so long! I feel it is a reflection of the many roles I have had in my life, and the observations of human nature accumulated through those roles.

Reviews

[AH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this ARC book on Goodreads’ First Reads Giveaway. I must confess that I did not read the first book in the series – Regression which provided a lot of background to this book. I do believe that if a book is well written, a person can jump into the series at any point and still understand the book.

With that thought in mind, I started reading this book. It has really interesting concepts. First of all, the earth will cease to exist on November 11, 2011. A corporation, the cleverly named Three Eleven Mega Corp is working to protect the earth from its demise.

Next, the book also speaks of the concept of regression where a person leaves the life they are in through an accident, usually a blow to the head, and wakes up to become another person. They do keep the memories of the previous person. This knowledge is necessary to keep the Mega Corp in business. Imagine finding yourself in the body of a twelve year old but still having your previous life’s memories. Then imagine yourself in that twelve year old body meeting your lover from your past life, only she’s a newborn.

The other interesting concept is that of the plasmid. The people who can regress into another life have a special mark on them from the plasmid. The plasmid makes them disease-free. It also allows them to have memcall and to remember their past lives. The plasmid is a little sinister in that mankind is really not certain as to its purpose.

So you have a society that is permeated with the Three Eleven Mega Corporation. It appears to control everything. There is also the opposition – the Anvolussion, a kind of terrorist group. However, the threat from Anvolussion is not really developed through the book.

I did enjoy reading this book. I did find that there were a lot of characters to keep track of and some characters changed names when they regressed. I found myself writing down a list just to keep the names straight. I found the changes in points of view a little abrupt and I had to re-read paragraphs to understand whose point of view it was. There was also a lot of change in setting as the characters travelled everywhere, including outer space. I really did enjoy the Stewlog, a kind of gossipy Entertainment Tonight reporting on the Three Eleven corporation.

This book would greatly benefit from a glossary, a time line, and a list of characters and their regresees. I noticed that the author had mentioned that these items will be available on line and I am looking forward to seeing them there.

Evolussion is a satisfying read and I hope to see more books by this author.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am about half-way through this book now, not nearly enough time to read these days. However with this book I am enjoying taking it slow and really, really reading it. Part of that being is the fear of reaching the end and having to wait for a year for the final book in this Trilogy.

You MUST read the first in the series(Regression)before you start this one. In Evolussion the story and characters really come together and some parts of Regression are finally explained. Nicholas and Alex are now part of the "big story" and "Regression" is explained.

I am thoroughly enjoying this well written book and have to say it's the first book in a long time that I have not read "quickly" skimming over the descriptive (too many words, just tell me) parts!

I am now very sadly finished this book, what an imagination this author has!
How am I ever going to wait a year for the final book in the trilogy?

I want to be part of this book, I want to experience what Dawn has been able to experience. The Author brings so many varied beliefs and cultures into Evolussion, past, present, future. Could this really happen, has it happened, what time-line are we really in.

Great book, thank you Kathy Bell.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I loved Regression, the first book in this planned trilogy, and was anxiously awaiting the next installment. I was lucky enough to win an advance copy of Evolussion, and it did not disappoint! The storytelling style in Evolussion is different from Regression -- the story jumps between the perspectives of several different characters. That took a bit of getting used to, but all of the various threads "tie together" in the end.

Kathy Bell does a great job of making a completely "out there" premise seem like it could really happen. And the combination of great writing, wonderful characters, and a gripping, suspenseful story made this fairly "science-y" science fiction novel accessible even to someone like me who does not typically read science fiction.

I highly recommend this series to everyone who likes great characters and a good story -- whether or not you're a fan of science fiction or time travel novels. (I think that you probably COULD read Evolussion without reading Regression first, but why would you want to? Regression is fantastic as well!) And now I'm anxiously awaiting the final installment in this trilogy!

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not know that this was actually a sequel to another book when I started reading it and was soon confronted with open questions concerning some of the characters and also the plot. In other words, I can only recommend to read the first book of the Infinion series first for a better understanding.
That said I must state that Kathy Bell put an interesting and well-developed premise on paper with this novel. Centered around the main ptotagonist(s) Adya Jordan/Dawn Ingram, the story continues 26 years after book one ended, and once again features alternate timelines in combination with genetics and the goal to safe the future of mankind.
Bell certainly dips into a number of often used elements in this genre, but contrary to some other books, she's just putting the right amount in and never lets characters fade next to a too technical storyline.
This is certainly an enjoyable read with three-dimensional characters and a lot of well-wrought details which leaves the reader inevitably with an open end, and longing for more.
In short: A fascinating reading adventure for everyone who loves science-fiction!

[Matt Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the read. Its been a while since I read the first installment, but I remember thinking that it could have maybe been pared down a bit.

In this book I think it could have been longer, with more time spent fleshing out certain spots.

That said, the premise that was so original and thought provoking, blossoms. We get the satisfaction of having a great number of questions answered and in the next breathe, are presented with a whole bunch of new ones to make us anxious for the final chapter.

With this series you get time travel, hard sci-fi, a mystical element, ethical quandaries, an extraterrestrial threat and wonderful characters/relationships. Fun stuff.

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I was initially disappointed that the book begins by skipping over 25 years, it probably wasn't feasible to do otherwise. I found this book just as intriguing as the first, even though I didn't relate to the main character quite as well (the years have necessarily changed her). However, new characters drew me in, and the plot twists kept me guessing. There is some PG-13 profanity and sexual content in the book, but it's milder than Regression. Thank you First Reads and Kathy Bell for providing me with a free copy; I really enjoyed it!

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only just started this but so far it is superb! You can tell that the author has done her research. I know that I will be sad to see it end and have to wait a whole year for the last in the trilogy. Kathy Bell is an outstanding author.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a great time rereading this book! I forgot so much, and it was great to read it again, and now I really need to read the 3rd and final book!


*First read 2010*
Loved being with these characters again! This story was so unexpected, and I can't wait to see how the series ends!

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Kathy Bell for sending me a review copy via Goodreads and my sincere apologies for not posting this review much sooner.

You see, I really liked Regression. I wanted to see how that story ended and Evolussion seemed so totally alien. But then it is alien isn't it? It isn't the story about how Nicholas was able to regress Adya so that Hope could be born, it is about an alien species manipulating everyone including Adya/Dawn and Nicholas. And I, the reader, felt betrayed and set the book aside until now.

Somehow, time lessened the feeling of disconnect between Regression and Evolussion. The narrative still pivots around Adya/Dawn while Evolussion moves the story closer to November 11, 2011 and impact. Only in this timeline, the Plasmid in Dawn's children becomes active and they evolve into a new species. The Executive becomes concerned that these self-named Plumans have other plans than saving humanity.

I'm really trying to avoid spoilers here, but suffice it to say that Nicholas does find Hope, Alex atones for his role in pushing Adya to become Dawn, and the fate of the Humanity and Plumanity are joined. The Plasmid again acts on Adya/Dawn to prepare her for the next phase of her life. And I assume the rest will be told in Revolussion.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives me mixed feelings. It turned into hard core sci-fi fairly early on, which was fine. However, at the end it jumped into the mystical. That seemed to come out of no where. The story is interesting and I will read the last one because I want to see the resolution.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it alot. I did like regression better alittle Less hard core sci fi. Looking forward to the third one

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this triology. It went slightly off the rails toward the end but I am anticipating the release of book 3 already.

[Debbie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing storyline

Full of surprises and a unique concept. Sometimes the back and forth between characters is unclear. Paragraph indentations would help.