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Review: 0.4 by Mike Lancaster

0.4 by Mike Lancaster
published by Egmont
Challenge: None (read in 2010)
Source: Review Copy (UK paperback)


It's a brave new world.

'My name is Kyle Straker. And I don't exist anymore.'

So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded on to old audio tapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax. But perhaps they contain the history of a past world...If what the tapes say are true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie.

And if everything we know is a lie does that mean that we are, too?


***
This book was completely awesome. It is original in its ideas, was creepy and left you thinking.

The story consists of transcripts of tapes recorded by Kyle describing events that he went through one summer. I loved this format and particularly loved that the end of tapes cut themselves short and you don;t always know what Kyle was about to stay. The story is supposed to have been published several years after they were taped and I loved that every so often an editors note would be added in offering a fuller description of something mentioned or a discussion of what Kyle meant by a phrase. It reminded me of the book "after the hole" by Guy Burt for using such a format (even though they are completely different.

The main story had an "invasion of the body snatchers" idea behind it. Something has happened which is presumably alien which has changed all but a few people. All forms of communication have been cut and the characters can't quite work out what. It is really creepy in places and what I love about it is that as the reader a lot is left often (even the fact that everything actually happened) and it leaves you thinking about what went on as you only view the events from the perspective of a few people.

All in all one of the best books I have read this year which is unique in its ideas and execution. Fab stuff

Comments

Aleksandra said…
Can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the review :)
Anonymous said…
Wow, that is some crazy good cover, too. Thanks for the review, will keep my eyes out for this.
Krystal said…
Looking forward to reading this one. I was ever since I saw that freaky cover, but your review makes me want to read it NOW!
Silver Thistle said…
Nice review, thanks. I've noticed this cover a few times while trawling the blogs and it sounds like my sort of thing... added to the (already hooge) TBR.
Erin said…
Looks good. Love the title. Thanks for sharing your review!
John said…
For most people, calling a book 'one of the best books I have read this year', on 10th January, wouldn't be much of a statement. But for you it rings as a glowing endorsement as you've probably read about 30 already! Sounds really good. Can I move in to your house when I retire and read all the books I won't have had time to read throughout my life?
john boy - read it in the reading reading that was between christmas and new year when I was being ignored by all you boys!!
Mel said…
Sounds really interesting. I have a fondness for The Faculty film and other body snatcher tales so will definite check this one out!
I really thought I had already left you a comment on this one.
The more I hear about this book the more tempted I am to give it a go. We shall see :D
BookGeek said…
OMG - want to read this one! Thanks for the eads up and review. By the by, thanks for stopping by my blog. You made a follower out of me with this selection of books! :)
This book looks FANTASTIC and I'm dying to read it. Also, I had to laugh at John's comment :) I hadn't even noticed that you'd written 'best book you've read all year' 10 days into 2011! :)
@clover - John lived with me for two years - He knows what I'm like reading wise when I get on a roll - and I did actually read it in 2010!
Aisle B said…
And this is why I have to get it.

Great review and will get my hubby to loosen the ban to slip this one in.

The cover is captivating and your stamp of approval is the sealer for GET IT.