'The Illumination Query' (The Speed of Darkness #1) by Sarah Baethge is an interesting read with some unusual ideas; a mash-up of Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror, with a relatively solid storyline and some good characters / characterisation. Given its '#1' hashtag, there is obviously more to come, and I would be happy to read those, too.
However, where this first installment - in what Baethge is saying may be a 5 or 6 book series - fell down for me was in clarity and coherence. There were formatting issues with the digital copy I was sent, which I can easily overlook, but there were several sections that I was hard pressed to keep focused, slightly unsure as to what was happening and to whom. During the first half of the book, we follow one character and then the second half of the book is from a different character's viewpoint; the first half was much stronger than the second, too. The story would perhaps have worked better and had improved balance / structure if the two viewpoints had been spliced together more evenly.
Basically, I thought the premise was quite clever (4*) but the execution was somewhat lacking (1-2*); 'The Illumination Query' needs finessing and a decent, bold copy edit.

BooksGoSocial
“The Illumination Query” by Sarah Baethge is the first book in “The speed of Darkness” series. The book is presented as journal entries by Ronald Carpenter and Dr. Nigel Hunter who each tell their version of events to the narrator, Joel, who transcribes their accounts. This structure makes the narrative appealing and convincing. The tone is casual and conversational, without an excess of unintelligible science terminology or science fiction jargon.
Through his account, Carpenter presents himself as a man of conscience who loves what he does. He and is trapped by “The Eclipse” as the result of both his naivety and his greed. Dr. Hunter’s journal entries add a sinister, dark edge to the narrative.
I was given a review copy of “The Illumination Query” by Sarah Baethge, BooksGoSocial, and Net Galley. I am not a regular reader of Science fiction, so I am not sure how it compares with other books in the genre, (hence the three stars) but it had the necessary elements of a good story. It was fast paced and fun to read. I might even check out the next in the series when it comes out.

I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I have never been much of a science fiction fan, but it did not take long for this tale to get me all wrapped up in it. The tale is twisted, sinister, and hold an edge the never lets up. It makes you want to watch your back. It stars a zookeeper named Ronald.  Who loves his job and loves animals, but some bats escape and he needs help to get them back. That is how he comes across a company called Eclipse. Like does he know that they are not all they seem to be. They are not all forthcoming with the proper inform. Then there is Nigel who as works at a lab with Eclipse. He gives himself over to be experienced on. That is when the story takes an even dark turn. This puts Ronald and Nigel against each other. I fear I might have said too much. Can't tell you the whole story. Grab a copy for yourself and read this tale.

I started ‘The Illumination Query (The Speed of Darkness)’ by Sarah Baethge quite late in the night, not expecting much partially because I’m not a very keen sci-fi fan, and also because the cover of the book looked so drab. But after just a few pages, I was swept in the story of former zookeeper, Ronald Carpenter who now (or later) worked as some kind of security head guy for The Eclipse, a nefarious company involved in tons of evil testing experiments on living subjects. By the time I paused to take a break, I had read 50% of the novella and it was well past midnight. The rest half of the book I finished next morning which contains the account of Dr. Nigel Hunter whose experiment in an Eclipse lab looks like it could enable incredible movement powers. Fascinated with the prospect, he willingly gets the company’s help to try the procedure upon himself. But the company takes him prisoner so that they can test the unbelievable speed it has given him more fully.

The story is told to readers in two parts through diary entries of Ronald Carpenter and Dr. Nigel Hunter. Both men speak their own accounts to the narrator, Joel who transcribe the story as it is told.

The story is intriguing, the plot tight and the pace fast. Despite the sharpness of the author’s tone, some readers might find the story bit confusing. My suggestion: take it slow, go back if you’ve to, see what you missed and you should be fine. It’s a brilliant story and a must read.

I’m a science major so all the scientific terms were known to me. The non-science readers might find it bit alien and difficult to follow through, but it wouldn’t take the pleasure of the story away from them. The language is simple and the two men’s account is quite captivating. It will keep the readers hooked.
This book is definitely 5 stars, but I’m taking a star out because there were a few grammatical errors. As the story is written exactly as narrated by the two protagonists, the argument against the perfect grammar holds solid ground though. Readers can overlook those errors easily.

I wouldn’t say much about the horrors that Dr. Hunter as The Eclipse’s test subject went through or the moral dilemma faced by Carpenter throughout his time at The Eclipse. You ought to read it yourself to see what happened. The author gives Carpenter’s voice that of a man with conscience, one who gets trapped into evil ways of The Eclipse partially because of his naivety and trusting nature and also because of his inner greed. As we hear his account, the sinister ways of The Eclipse are revealed. By the time Dr. Hunter start to narrate his account, the story becomes more sinister, darker and edgy.

Sci-fi fan or no, this book is a wow and will appeal to every reader. Do give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.