Wool (Wool Trilogy, 1) Paperback – 25 April 2013

a fantastic book.some of the best and most effortless world building I've perhaps ever encountered, almost every chapter builds characters, move the plot and just layers in your understanding of the world.and you barely notice it happening.a fantastic tense book full of humanity, mystery, drama, and love in a myriad of ways.excellent stuff

0.4 - Mike Lancaster"My name is Kyle Straker and I don't exist anymore"And so begins the life of Kyle Straker recorded onto old audio tapes. Set in an unknown point in our future, the tapes reveal they contain the history of a past world. But as the novel progresses it is revealed that everything as we know it is a lie, but if what these tapes say are true, doesn't that mean that we are as well?This new generation sci fi is absolutely chilling, the whole concept and layout of the persona' s narrative is surprisingly well executed. The novel's plot is haunting and keeps the reader constantly on edge throughout each line and chapter. As it progresses there are so many questions that come to mind as this novel is entirely thought provoking and makes you question, wonder and hope. 0.4 (or Human.4 as it sometimes known) is complex and addictive, it is weird in the best possible way and quite simply brilliant. Lancaster's novel is wholly unique and was the book that made me fall in love with the science fiction genre all those years ago. Not only does it has the typical conventions of its genre, but it also subverts it and turns it entirely inside out. The novel is a transcript of the audio tapes and has annotations to the futuristic `audience' and intelligently comments on present day topics. This is not only entertaining for us as readers and even sometimes creates humour. The plot twists are surprising and are entirely unexpected providing a terrifying psychological horror as the characters become more frantic and as Lancaster develops the narrative. All of these ideas combine excellently and this is one of the main reasons why I love this novel.This sophisticated plot is also heightened by the characters who are realistic and three dimensional, allowing us to sympathise with these characters in their desperate plight for answers. Their fears, hopes and anxieties are both vividly and believably drawn by Mike Lancaster. The desperate voices are engaging and wholly believable, every character was a pleasure to meet and become involved with particularly the protagonist of Kyle Straker. His voice resonant and completely sets the tone and emotions of the novel.Overall this novel was complex and weirdly wonderful in the best possible way. The multiple layers completely balance each other and fit together brilliantly creating an eerie yet enthralling read.Rating: Four StarsFor the original and other book reviews, check out my website https://emsview.wordpress.com/

After ploughing through some mind numbingly boring books of late I fell upon this. I would not normally have chosen this type of book but the reviews were excellent and I was despairing of all the 'thrillers' I had read of late. And what an incredible read it was - I am now on Book 3. The author not only has a wonderful imagination (too close to reality at times) but is so descriptive with his prose. Every chapter brings new twists and thought provoking situations. I would definately recommend to give this a read - the best thing in print right now.

I watched the TV series first and I liked the concept but not so much the characters and how the plot evolved I bought this cos I read in the that series 1 on TV was only part of the book and I have not been disappointed.the characters are much stronger and more defined their motivations are much more believable.most of the dramatic scenes in the TV series have been added on.. don't know why the story is compelling enoughI would say the e book is way better that the TV series except for some parts of too much emotional turmoil.some spoilers....Jules is a stronger more able person than the TV series and more of a leader. none of the emotional baggage Hollywood seems desperate to add on to every character. she is not motivated by the loss of her lover at all she has moved on. jules also figures most of it out herself not needing all the prompts from dead holston etcBernard is more black and white still very unlikable and he does not want to be liked unlike in TV. he is also a small man not the massive one in the TVthe secret monitoring room does not exist unless its gonna be in the 3rd book. neither is the IT guard dog play a prominent role as in the TV which good in my opinion.