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wolfshine's review
5.0
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.
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.
althena_rosalind's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was drawn into this dystopian world as it raised many question which I read on to find answers for. This book had some extremely sad scenes which makes it hard for me to say it was an enjoyable read, though I am still glad I read it. The antagonist in this book was focused on a lot and played a main role in the storyline. It also had an interesting use of time progression.
energyrae's review
4.0
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.
“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.
beesandbooks's review
3.0
I think in a lot of ways this book is cautionary and jarring. The state of the world as it is right now is absolutely heading in the same direction as this novel’s setting. And yet the extremes of Thorne’s evil deeds and goals are so terrifying that I cannot imagine actually witnessing some of these events. Taking the sci-fi elements out of this book leaves us with the terrifying tale of a businessman manipulation immigrant populations and manufacturing antisemitic fervor in order to just make money. Something that happens now, and with disturbing frequency. It really is only a matter of time before that progresses to the manufacturing of otherworldly weapons (if it hasn’t already). This book should be taken as a cautionary tale of where we might end up in a matter of decades if we aren’t careful.
ladilira's review
3.0
Conley is a writer full of imagination and originality. Knight in Paper Armor will take you on a twisting and turning rollercoaster ride of unknown destinations. Conley weaves dark historical themes into a fantastical tale of a magical empath who can take one's pain into himself and control those around him.
It is a romantic tale full of tragedy and darkness, but not without hope. Hope that rides on the tails of the young.
Overall, the story was well-written and much heart was clearly put into the storytelling. I did find that perhaps there were too many balls being juggled in this complicated metaphor of a story. As such, there was just too much going on for my personal reading tastes. However, I am sure that for many other readers it will be quite palatable.
It is a romantic tale full of tragedy and darkness, but not without hope. Hope that rides on the tails of the young.
Overall, the story was well-written and much heart was clearly put into the storytelling. I did find that perhaps there were too many balls being juggled in this complicated metaphor of a story. As such, there was just too much going on for my personal reading tastes. However, I am sure that for many other readers it will be quite palatable.
shadi_anna's review
3.0
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.**
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.**
dustin_frueh7921's review
3.0
This was my first [a:Nicholas Conley,|5044625|Nicholas Conley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1515981037p2/5044625.jpg] 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.
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.
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.
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.
*3.5/5 stars*
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*
ania_star's review
5.0
One of the best books I've read all year!
The story was heartbreaking, it moved me to tears many times and ever since I read I can't get it out of my mind.
The story starts with a scientist trying to recruit Billy Jakober for research. He is still a little kid but has very unique psychic abilities. He can absorb other people's pain and other emotions, feel the world around him and push his will onto others with just his voice.
As a kid, he was too afraid to speak. Fast forward to the present, Billy was just woken from his last sting in the tank. And is slowly remembering the past. He is basically the property of The Thorne Century that is supposedly using his abilities for making medicine. He is stationed in the small town of Heaven's hole. And there is the town he meets Natalia. She, with her family immigrated to Heaven's hole, where her mother works insane hours for the company, while Natalia takes care of her little brothers and sick grandma.
When they meet, it's electric. :) She is not afraid of him, and the more time they spend together, the closer they are. But not all is ever remotely good in that town and company and it will soon come to blow. :)
I was mesmerized by the story, set in a futuristic world, filled with racism and poverty. The writing was awesome! I was hooked from the start to finish. The only thing I wasn't a fan, was the ending.
received from author
The story was heartbreaking, it moved me to tears many times and ever since I read I can't get it out of my mind.
The story starts with a scientist trying to recruit Billy Jakober for research. He is still a little kid but has very unique psychic abilities. He can absorb other people's pain and other emotions, feel the world around him and push his will onto others with just his voice.
As a kid, he was too afraid to speak. Fast forward to the present, Billy was just woken from his last sting in the tank. And is slowly remembering the past. He is basically the property of The Thorne Century that is supposedly using his abilities for making medicine. He is stationed in the small town of Heaven's hole. And there is the town he meets Natalia. She, with her family immigrated to Heaven's hole, where her mother works insane hours for the company, while Natalia takes care of her little brothers and sick grandma.
When they meet, it's electric. :) She is not afraid of him, and the more time they spend together, the closer they are. But not all is ever remotely good in that town and company and it will soon come to blow. :)
I was mesmerized by the story, set in a futuristic world, filled with racism and poverty. The writing was awesome! I was hooked from the start to finish. The only thing I wasn't a fan, was the ending.
received from author
violetisreading's review
5.0
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/book-review-knight-in-paper-armor-3c146780f241?sk=8a8cb7b1ba9665fdaa7eb98e16627e2c
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/book-review-knight-in-paper-armor-3c146780f241?sk=8a8cb7b1ba9665fdaa7eb98e16627e2c
rainnbooks's review
5.0
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.
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.