This second book in the series picks up the story once more of Harry Donaldson who is now part of a group called Atharrais. Atharrais use a fringe science approach that allows them to coordinate and manipulate people, events and situations to avoid certain catastrophes or elicit a specific required response or outcome. They once again turn to Harry and his friend and love interest Judith to create an event at a plush hotel in London. However Harry and Judith’s actions have a knock on effect that Atharrais did not foresee which starts a sequence of events that will lead to the imminent destruction of the entire planet. There are further complications when a mysterious organisation makes itself known and wants to stop Atharrais’ preventing this catastrophe and instead let God mete out the fate that was intended. This organisation also has highly developed scientific methods to achieve its aim and uses biological technology to control their recruits and force them to act.
Whilst all of the above is taking place, Harry and Judith face their own personal nightmares as Harry’s wife announces she is leaving him for another man and Judith’s husband is arrested for terrorism. Both Harry and Judith have accepted but not acted on their attraction for each other, however all that changes with the potential extinction of the human race and the eventual recognition that they are each have been trapped in unhappy marriages and deserve some happiness. But planning a future together seems somewhat premature when the planet is on the brink of destruction.
The plot moves at a slow and steady pace, which is necessary as there is a lot going on within the scenes. The chapters move through the various characters to drive the story forward. Harry and Judith’s characters are well developed and the other characters sufficiently developed to keep the reader interested and invested in the outcomes. It is a book that I would personally recommend you read as close to one sitting as possible and not leave huge amounts of time in between reading each chapter. With so much happening, you don’t want to risk losing any threads and you do need to remain grounded in the story so best to avoid any other external distractions to reading time 🙂
There are some editorial issues here and there, but these are considered minor and not sufficient enough to distract the reader or drag them out of the story.
I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series.
I award Symmetry Violations 4 stars.
