Melyndie: a75b99r84GE
Cover Blurb
Humanity perfected itself-or so they believed. Emotion suppressed. Free will erased. Productivity made absolute. But even flawless designs fracture. When a new world order engineers its ultimate creation-Melyndie, a genetically enhanced girl built to preserve their future-something unintended awakens: curiosity, defiance…and the dangerous spark of feeling.
As whispers of rebellion spread, the architects of this controlled society argue whether humanity deserves saving. Caught between those who would use her as a weapon and those who fear what she represents, Melyndie must decide if she is a tool to be wielded-or the catalyst of a destiny no one could predict.
Set in a near-future world terrified of imperfection, Melyndie launches a gripping new sci-fi trilogy about choice, conscience, and the cost of being human. Fans of dystopian drama, high-stakes science, and fierce heroines will find their next obsession.
Other Titles By the Author
Barbara Pelham
Author Bio
First, let me say – I didn’t set out to become a writer. I was too busy running — literally. At fourteen, I was a competitive runner with my eyes on the finish line… until a friend (bless his clumsy soul) accidentally shattered my knee and my athletic dreams in one fell swoop. Overnight, I went from racing tracks to lying flat on my back, trapped beneath a fortress of blankets and a towering stack of Harlequin romances. My dad took one look at those bodice-rippers scattered across my bed, said nothing, and disappeared — only to return moments later, drop a book onto my lap, and declare: “You need to broaden your reading horizons.” The book was Iceberg by Clive Cussler. And just like that, my fate was sealed. Dirk Pitt became my new hero. Adventure, mystery, danger — all danced off the page and straight into my imagination. While my knee healed, a new dream took shape: I wanted to whisk readers away on thrilling journeys of their own. So here I am: a writer fuelled by a twist of fate, a determined dad, and the legendary Clive Cussler. And while I may not be sprinting down tracks anymore, I’m still chasing stories — and loving every second of the race.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
a75b99r84GE: There is an expectation on her to toe the line and conform, so that she blends in rather than stand out. This is something that goes against her natural spirit and instincts. She has a desire within her to not just record and preserve information, but also to explore it. I admire this curiosity. When she is given the role of archivist, she’s thrilled by the potential this has for discovering forgotten histories and undiscovered truths. Her battle to maintain the illusion of being the perfect student and worker, whilst suppressing her rich interior life, is compelling to read. She’s a well-created character and I happily spent time in her company whilst reading the novel. (Michelle Marshall)
a75b99r84GE: I found the character of human designated a75b99r84GE to be the most memorable, although it is very difficult to remember her name! She begins life as a fabricated human with emotions at a time when emotions have been eradicated through genetic manipulation from all the fabricated humans. The story begins before her conception, or more rightly, fabrication, by the geneticists, who make the decision to follow their directive to the letter, that is, without any specific mention that this genetically enhanced individual should have her emotions suppressed, they included them in her genetic make-up. We follow a75b99r84GE through her youngling years until she graduates and becomes a productive. She is designated as an archivist and spends the next years learning about the past, against the express directive of her mentor. She also develops her emotions, nearly faces termination, and is eventually advised of her purpose. Throughout the story, we see her grow from childhood through a troubled adolescence to adulthood, with only limited input from those who have ‘birthed’ her. She is a remarkable character and easy to relate to. (Phoebe Wilby)
Melyndie: Melyndie’, the main character, is for most part not given a traditional name until the latter stages of this book where it is deemed necessary as part of training for fulfillment of her purpose. Readers can connect with her and are rooting for her mission to succeed. She has heart, soul and is given emotions, which ties her to the reader’s interest - without this, the story is lost. The author has done well to craft Melyndie as a character that is believable and we can care about. I wasn’t fully convinced the story was engaging until the last third but I did want to find out what happened. (Yvonne Marrs)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
“Where did we err in our beliefs that society would be enhanced through the eradication of individuality, the elimination of free will, and the obliteration of human emotions?” “We did not remove all of that, we simply suppressed things so that humankind became more effectual,” the holy one argued. “And our efforts have evolved into an enviable society that functions seamlessly in harmonious productivity.” “And within those efforts, we have forgotten what it means to be human,” the Chancellor rejoined quietly. (Michelle Marshall)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 stars. Set in a chilling near-future where humanity has been streamlined into efficiency and control, Melyndie opens with a strong, atmospheric introduction that immediately immerses the reader in its unsettling world. The premise is both intriguing and thought-provoking, and it more than delivers as the story unfolds. At the heart of the novel is a75b99r84GE, a character whose quiet defiance and growing curiosity form the emotional core of the narrative. Her struggle to reconcile what she is expected to be with what she is beginning to feel creates a compelling tension throughout. There is a sense that her emerging emotions are not just personal, but symbolic, reflecting the danger of suppressing humanity in the pursuit of perfection and control. One of the most engaging aspects of the book lies in its philosophical and moral debates. These moments add real depth, inviting the reader to reflect on questions of identity, autonomy, and what it truly means to be human. While the world itself is undeniably bleak, it is not without light—threads of emotion and connection run through the story, offering moments of beauty that linger long after reading. At times, the use of letters and numbers in place of traditional names can make it slightly challenging to keep track of characters, but this ultimately reinforces the controlled and dehumanised nature of the society being portrayed. The novel builds to a conclusion that leaves you eager to continue the journey, with plenty of unanswered questions and possibilities still to explore. As the first in a trilogy, it sets the stage for what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking series. (Michelle Marshall)
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 stars. I was intrigued by Barbara Pelham’s Melyndie from the first page. Set way into the future, Ms Pelham’s explores what our world could be like if humans were designed for productivity and none of the other traits that make us human. Into this ‘perfect’ world, a75b99r84GE is created as a genetically modified unit designed for a specific purpose, which we begin to understand as the story progresses. We are taken on a whistle-stop tour of her formative years, her time spent as a foundling, and then, at the ripe age of eight, she graduates to a productive and begins working in the archives.The story is well-paced and brings the reader along on a75b99r84GE’s journey as she discovers how to mask her emotions, how to bring them back when asked, and ultimately, her purpose for living.Reminiscent of Brave New World, the story of Melyndie explores a dystopian ideology of productivity over humanity, yet, ironically, it is humanity that a75b99r84GE will be trying to save. The characters play their parts well. a75b99r84GE character arc takes her through her childhood where all thinking is done for her, to eventual adulthood where she think for herself in order to survive. The dialogue expertly differentiates between a75b99r84GE and her colleagues, particularly in the flavour and tone of her speech as compared to the flat platitudes as her compatriots toe the party line.I enjoyed this book immensely and am looking forward to reading the next two installments where we learn more about the reason for a75b99r84GE’s existence. (Phoebe Wilby)
Overall Star Rating: 4.5 stars. ‘Melyndie’ is a mix sci-fi, adventure thriller, with the survival of the human race a key theme. It would suit adults and young adults looking to expand their reading range, but is slow to get to the crux of the story in my opinion. The best parts are in the last half of the book. Because of the purpose of constricted emotions of the characters (by the author’s design) this book falls foul of the many criteria for scenes, plots, dialogue and characters. Time jumps to show progress of the story can be confusing, and there are several ‘loose’ ends not tied up, which I guess are done so in following books. Word choice by the author could be altered to help the flow of the story, not necessarily dumbed down but made easier. Readers can understand character choices, where these exist, and there is an overall moderate emotional complexity surrounding the main character. It is confusing that characters are given numerical names not traditional ones. Melyndie is a75b99r84GE, for example. Moderate pacing with predictable story progression doesn’t make for an un-put-downable experience, but we do care about Melyndie and want to find out what happens to her - just enough. The dialogue in places does advance the plot and there are distinct character voices, not just because of the nature of some of the characters. (I don’t want to give too many spoilers.) It is a book worth reading if you are into this genre. (Yvonne Marrs)
Book Tour Reviewers
