Ancestor in Scott Sigler Junkies

Feb 27, 2014 Labyrinth Rossiter rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, spooky, read-in-2014, military-spy-war, favorites

"--that last light projected back towards the tower's base, illuminating oncoming death in a morbid spotlight. They came like a tidal wave, a black-and-white tidal wave with a frothing crest of wide-open mouths and long teeth. Oh he wished he could have written that down...that was the shit right there." Those were Gunther, the book's amateur novelist's dying thoughts.

I found this sub-plot or thread in the novel an interesting one. Gunther, on the security team, writes a trilogy of vampire roman "--that last light projected back towards the tower's base, illuminating oncoming death in a morbid spotlight. They came like a tidal wave, a black-and-white tidal wave with a frothing crest of wide-open mouths and long teeth. Oh he wished he could have written that down...that was the shit right there." Those were Gunther, the book's amateur novelist's dying thoughts.

I found this sub-plot or thread in the novel an interesting one. Gunther, on the security team, writes a trilogy of vampire romance novels, which the other characters read and enjoy in spite of their small shame in reading such trashy stuff. There's even a scene where Gunther has a plan to give his books away for free, and the fans will adore them so much that book companies will beg to give him a deal. Clearly, this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Sigler's own fame. (Oddly enough, the sociopathic character, Magnus, is highly literate, a chess player, an intellectual snob.)

There's also Clayton, an old caretaker of a now abandoned and isolated island that used to be a vacation spot for the rich and famous. He tells "tall tales" about sleeping with Elizabeth Taylor, hanging out with Kerouac and Elvis, etc. In spite of evidence, pictures found in his home, not even his son seems to believe half of what he says, but putting together all the snippets, there's enough to convince the reader.

Put these threads together, and you have a clear statement about authorship and celebrity. They're just people. They're real. They put their pants on one leg at a time, as my Daddy used to say. I believe this has a direct effect on the reader. It makes the science fiction story seem more real. Sigler has neatly prepared our minds to suspend disbelief. If Clayton can have drinks with Elvis...why not these Ancestor things? Also, the association of intellectual snobbery with evil is no accident. Rhumkorff, the lead scientist, eventually admits to himself that playing God was a bad idea...the peak of human hubris, to use science to create something NEW.

So well done, Mr. Sigler, for being able to laugh a bit at yourself, and while your books may tend to fall under "brain candy" because of their action/SF/horror plots more than "high brow," they certainly don't lack complexity.
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Mar 21, 2015 Todd Taylor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: scott-sigler

Gets better and better with every reading!

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Dec 27, 2014 Ivan Niezgocki rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My favorite Scott Sigler book, and that's saying something. Complex characters, an engaging story, and, of course, the blood and gore you expect from a horror story. ...more

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Dec 22, 2014 Emily rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Wow. This book was great. It was thrilling. After the first 200 pages I couldn't stop and finished it in one sitting. This is a great sci-fi horror mix about genetics. I'm just a little worried to walk out to my barn now. I think I'll leave that alone for a while. Just to be safe...

Scott Sigler's writing. Is my favorite. It's so realistic and vivid. Definitely my favorite author! ...more

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