Lock In

A book I read this trimester was called “Lock In”, a sci-fi book, by John Schalzi. I haven’t read other book written by him, but Schalzi is an American author, who is known for writing some of the best sci-fi books, such as “Redshirts”.

Summary: A flu-like virus is spreading quickly all over the world. The virus makes your body develop a condition of where it is unable to move for the rest of your life, or as it is known as “Lock In”. This condition is called the Haden Syndrome. Though it is affecting everyone worldwide, this book specifically takes place in the U.S. in the near future, where about five million citizens are victims, who are known as “Hadens”. Something interesting about this book though, is that Hadens are legally able to borrow another person’s body for a length of time with the consent of that person. These people are called “Integrators” and are paid for lending over their bodies. But as a quarter of a century passed by, robots called “threeps” are invented to replace the jobs of integrators. Threeps become the trend for Hadens, but they are tended to be treated as outcasts because of their appearances. Shane, a Haden and therefore a threep user, is a detective who works with his partner, Vann, a former integrator. These two were assigned a case of which appeared to be a murder case between an integrator and his client, a Haden. But as both of them gather more information, it seems as the integrator, Nicolas Bell was only being framed…

I personally really enjoyed this book. It was a book full of intensity, and mystery. People, who should read this book, should be at least 13 years old or older because it contains a lot of profanity. Also, if they are really into murder-related books, or how a virus changed how the world functioned. I really recommend this book! Even if you don’t like sci-fi books, maybe after reading this book, you might like them!

Book Review by Pajtshiab M.