From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Lock In (Lock In, #1)

John Scalzi

Start date: September 21, 2014

Finish date: October 20, 2014

Discussion: Book Discussions

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Aug 02, 2021 Netanella rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, mystery, 2021-august-reading-challenges

4 1/2 stars for an incredible story, part medical thriller, part police procedural, part science fiction, and entirely awesome! This story would make an incredible movie.

In a near future United States, a devastating illness has swept the country, leaving a varied response amongst its victims - some people completely recover, some die of the illness, and some recover partly but are 'locked' inside their minds, unable to move or speak but are completely aware of the world around them. Over time, t ...more

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Mar 06, 2017 Robin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

In the not too distant future, a new virus has swept the world, affecting millions of people. Some who catch the virus just experience flu-like symptoms, but others are "locked in" to their minds. They are still alive, but are unable to communicate with the world outside their mind; unable to talk and unable to move their bodies, they appear comatose to others. Fortunately, science has been able to find, if not a cure, a way to integrate those affected, called "Hadens," into society. A neural ne In the not too distant future, a new virus has swept the world, affecting millions of people. Some who catch the virus just experience flu-like symptoms, but others are "locked in" to their minds. They are still alive, but are unable to communicate with the world outside their mind; unable to talk and unable to move their bodies, they appear comatose to others. Fortunately, science has been able to find, if not a cure, a way to integrate those affected, called "Hadens," into society. A neural network is surgically implanted into a Haden's brain, and they are able to communicate and control an android, known as a threep, in order to interact with others. Others, known as integrators, who have had the virus but have not contracted Hadens, can have neural networks implanted in their brains to allow Hadens to borrow their bodies, especially if the Haden cannot afford a threep. Chris Shane, a Haden, has just joined the FBI and has been assigned to a department that deals mostly with Haden and integrator crimes. On his first day on the job, he and his partner, Leslie Vann, are called to the Watergate Hotel to investigate a murder. The prime suspect in the case is an integrator - but did he act alone or was he being controlled by a Haden? The case becomes more and more complex as Shane and Vann investigate.

The only John Scalzi book that I have read so far is Redshirts, which I loved. Lock In sounded interesting and I was looking for a good book to listen to, so I downloaded it from Audible. I had a choice between two versions - one narrated by Wil Wheaton and one narrated by Amber Benson. I really enjoyed Wheaton's narration of Ready Player One, so I chose the Wheaton narrated version. I'm glad I did. Wheaton has a very pleasant, expressive voice and he expresses sarcasm very well.

I was immediately captivated by the story. The spread of the virus and its effects were written in a very believable, matter-of-fact manner. Chris Shane is the first person narrator, and he came across as a very likable person - someone who had been afflicted with Hadens, but who wanted to do some good in the world. Scalzi did a great job of character development. I am also a big fan of mysteries, and Lock In started right off with a body. The story progressed steadily with Vann and Shane working together to solve the mystery. There honestly weren't any twists, just a good, solid build-up of the case until the end. I enjoyed this book so much that I will likely purchase the Kindle version and read it as well.

I would highly recommend this book. I think just about anyone would enjoy it. It is a science fiction novel, but even though the science fiction is a big part of the plot, it doesn't overtake the book. It just has an excellent story. ...more

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May 13, 2023 Dea rated it really liked it

A fun scifi murder mystery. Good for when you want something quick and not too taxing.

I find it really fun to not know the gender of the protagonist. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure we are never told that information. It takes nothing away from the story or the world-building. One might say it actually adds to the world-building considering the widespread use of threeps.

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