The genetically modified humans known as gems have been
given freedom but the new relationship between gems and
their former enslavers, the gemtechs, is an uneasy one.
Zavcka Klist hopes to capitalize on the new relationship
by changing the direction of her company, from one of
enslavement to one that is mutually beneficial. Not
everyone is convinced of Zavckay's motivations, however,
and gem Aryel Morningstar is keeping a close eye on the
new alliance. Meanwhile, someone has stolen genestock
from Zavcka's company and the answers behind the theft
will reveal some very dark secrets.
BINARY is the second book in Stephanie Saulter's thought
provoking science fiction series. While the story can
stand alone, I highly suggest reading the first book,
Gemsigns, first as it gives a much more thorough portrait
of the struggle between the gems and the gemtechs. The
divisions are much more subtle in BINARY as society has
freed the gems from the overt enslavement. Stephanie
Saulter does a marvelous job at portraying the hidden
legacies that are left behind after a lengthy
enslavement.
BINARY is a spectacular second entry into Stephanie
Saulter's intellectual science fiction trilogy. As with
Gemsigns, the storyline in BINARY starts off slowly but
quickly picks up pace. I particularly like the flashback
scenes as Stephanie Saulter does a marvelous job at
broadening our perspectives, both on the diabolical work
done by the gemtechs as well as the actual characters
themselves. I can't wait to see what the third and final
book has in store for us!
Zavcka Klist has reinvented herself: no longer the ruthless
gemtech
enforcer determined to keep the gems they created enslaved,
she's now all
about transparency and sharing the fruits of Bel'Natur's
research to help
gems and norms alike.
Neither Aryel Morningstar nor Dr. Eli Walker are convinced
that Klist or
Bel'Natur can have changed so dramatically, but the gems
have problems
that only a gemtech can solve. In exchange for their help,
digital savant
Herran agrees to work on Klist's latest project: reviving
the science that
drove mankind to the brink of extinction.
Then confiscated genestock disappears from a secure
government facility,
and the more DI Varsi investigates, the closer she comes to
the dark heart
of Bel'Natur and what Zavcka Klist is really after-not to
mention the secrets
of Aryel Morningstar's own past...