Decades after a cataclysmic nuclear war, Ghanaian scientists develop technology that store consciousness onto data orbs called retcons. Seventeen-year-old forensic specialist, Feeni Xo, is a Enhuman (a radiation-enhanced metabolic human) that, similar to a vampire, need blood for sustenance. Through a game called the House of Oware, Feeni discovers that the virtual construct is actually an augmented reality. She and her human best friend, Sammi, a young female detective, have been mysteriously given specialized neural implants that allow them to hack into government software. The two teenagers race against time in a horrific world of deformed beasts to piece together the puzzles of the digital mosaic. Will they find a way to save sentient beings from total extinction or will they run out of time?
Title: Oware Mosaic | Author: Nzondi | Publisher: Omniun Gatherum Media | Pub. Date:24th December 2012 | Pages: 242 | ISBN: 9781949054125 | Genre: Science Fiction | Language: English | Starred Review: No | Source: Self-purchased
Oware Mosaic Review
‘Oware Mosaic’ is one of those books that tries so hard to be good that it ends up falling a bit flat. It’s fast-paced, exciting, packed with great ideas and has a unique setting. The problem is that there is so much going on that it becomes bewildering. I felt a bit like a kid in a toy store. Every page brings something new to enjoy, but the quality of author Nzondi’s storytelling doesn’t quite match his enthusiasm or imagination.
The plot is relatively simple but absolutely filled with twists and turns. In a near future, post nuclear war Ghana, two young women (one a detective, one a forensic technician) investigate the death of a young girl and a mysterious online virtual reality game. On top of that Nzondi layers the fact that the nuclear fallout has left made some people into ‘Ennies’ (enhanced humans) with super powers. There are also clones, mutant dogs, computer viruses, real viruses, terrorists, electronically captured memories, missing parents and more. As I said before, there’s a lot going on. Too much, in fact. Whilst I loved the ideas and the gripping action sequences, I also found myself confused at times.
All of the above is set in a convincing future Africa. It’s a world of believable human interactions: friendships, rivalries, family relationships and political corruption. As with the science fiction elements, there is an overwhelming amount of incident and drama. Sometimes less is more, and I think a greater focus on introducing the characters rather than throwing in some dramatic personal twist every chapter would have made the book a lot stronger.
The constant stream of excitement and melodrama made the story feel a bit like a Saturday morning cartoon or anime series. In fact, there’s so much great stuff in ‘Oware Mosaic’, that I’d love to see it turned into a TV show that spread things about a bit, allowing the characters and ideas to be evolved gradually rather than throwing them all at the reader at once. As it is, this is a bit too much to take in in one, relatively short, novel.
You can find this book at many retailers via clicking on the appropriate link on Goodreads (Buying direct from retailers is a good way to support indie authors); however, in the spirit of supporting literacy programs, we would like to point out that you may be able to purchase this book through BetterWorldBooks.
Olly joined the team in August 2018. He is our first non-American team member, and lives in the UK. He is the head of our UK team. Olly reviews both science fiction and horror books and movies for the site. He also enjoys writing articles when time allows.
