Invasive Procedures Book

This is a tricky one to call - I have known of the book for some time but only recently got round to buying it. The works of Orson Scott Card has always been a bit random for me - the story of Ender Wiggins is one of my all time favourites while some of his other series have struggle to inspire me (Memory of Earth - although I should try and give it another go)

However his stand-alone fiction has usually been rather good as it can be so random and varied. However I think this is the first collaboration I have read of his and I am not sure.

Now if I am not sure why such a high rating - well I will get to that, however first of all the question marks.

First of all you have some very clever ideas here mashed up with some very contrived ones now without spoiling the story or giving away spoilers you have some very details and well explained biological elements and the some sort of chip that feels like it was dropped in at the 11 hour to justify the plot.

Then you have the plot itself - it felt like it was a tale of several parts - almost as if each author did a section and handed it over to the other to add the next and you can almost see the joins.

So if its contrived and "clunky" why such the high rating - yes we are back to this. Well first of all it was a fast read it was engaging and the characters (on the whole) were enjoyable and likeable - no one likes a smug sanctimonious hero after all and if you can read past some of the more questionable science the story was a series of fast pace chases - rather like watching the Tom Cruise Mission Impossibles - if you come in with no preconceptions you will enjoy it - look for the next Robin Cook medical drama and you may be wanting. Me I had no clue (no surprise) and so was enjoying it although sitting back I do wonder what exactly was I reading.