The Illumination Query (The Speed of Darkness, book 1)

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.

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.