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/ Past Monthly Featured Review

The Drift

Rating:
☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5
Buy on Amazon

Title: The Drift

Author: Casie Aufenthie

Publication Date: March 9, 2021

Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction

Cover:

While I am not typically a fan of book covers featuring photographs, I find this one intriguing, mostly due to the swirl of water held in the man’s hand and how this relates to the story.

Premise

Set in the distant future, humanity has been split into three distinct groups: Homo Sapiens, Homo Corporis, and Homo Illuminatos. A group of seven powerful and ruthless Illuminatos known as the Council rule the other two groups through intimidation and violence. Samara, a physically advanced Corporis, has been hand-picked to find a rogue Illuminatos, Tristan, and bring him back to her master, Lord Wyatt Faraday. The mission is clear enough, but can Samara complete her objective once she learns the truth about Tristan and the Resistance he serves?

Why I chose this book:

Author Casie Aufenthie requested this review. I had seen this book floating around social media, but I knew very little about it. When a book shows up that many times in my feed, I take it as a sign that I’m supposed to read it!

First Impression:

From her first paragraph, Aufenthie captured my attention: “Those with the greatest freedom often made the most foolish use of it. They took it for granted, assumed it would always be an inalienable fact of their existence. They didn’t appreciate how fragile and precious a gift they’d been given. Only those who had suffered its loss truly understood it was a tenuous treasure.” I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and efficiently Aufenthie briefed the reader on the current political and social situations in the United States. In just two chapters, she wove relevant historical facts into an action sequence that kept me turning pages.

What I loved:

Everything! No, that’s not an exaggeration. Even now, as I consider all literary elements, I am hard-pressed to find even one that is not outstanding. At this point, I could likely write an entire essay on everything I loved, but in the interest of time, I will share those aspects that especially stand out.

Aufenthie has built a world that is both recognizable and unfamiliar with its advanced technology and superhuman powers. Extraordinary thought was put into transportation, weaponry, communication, and even food. She also offers diverse and well-rounded characters that provide interesting contrasts and layers for the reader to explore. Kip Garcia Rivera happens to be one of my favorites. He balances the intense drama with his levity and likable personality.

While The Drift is categorized as dystopian science fiction, there is a notable love story that even the most dedicated science fiction fan will appreciate. As the story unfolds, Aufenthie brings depth to her main characters as they evolve as individuals and as a couple. Throughout the book, the ideas of love and sacrifice are explored: familial love, love between friends, romantic love, love of a cause, and even love that results from manipulation. Characters are confronted with questions like: Are you willing to make sacrifices for those you love? Are you capable of walking away from everything you know and hold dear for the betterment of others? Are you ready to lay down your life for another person…for an ideology…for a chance at a different future?

Additional Thoughts:

There have been many “firsts” this year with The Redhead Notes, and Aufenthie has inspired yet another. Drumroll, please…I can absolutely see The Drift being made into a movie or TV series. The foundation for a successful franchise is there, just waiting to be discovered.

I have mentioned this in other reviews, but I love when books in a series have similar cover designs that complement one another. I want to look at a cover and think, “I know whose book this is!” The cover of The Symbiosis, a sequel to The Drift, is stunning and on a whole other level. I hope Aufenthie considers the benefits of replacing The Drift’s cover to match its sequel in some way.

Quotable Quotes:

• “Twas a terrible thing been done to ye, “ Eugene gently conceded, “but ye be more than a scar on yer skin. No power on this Earth can truly steal yer free will. ‘Tis an unassailable part of bein’ human.”
• “If we stand a chance of changing anything, “ Tristan continued, “we have to stay united. We can’t buy into the hateful rhetoric of the Council. Unevolved aren’t useless. Corporis aren’t stupid brutes. Illuminatos are not superior. Regardless of classification, we are all human beings, and each person is equally valuable and deserving of kindness and respect. I expect all of you to remember that fact in the future and behave accordingly.”
• Their energies merged, like water soaking into soil, until they were literally of one mind. The sensation was incredible, euphoric even. It was like being whole for the first time in his life.
• As the crowd gave thunderous applause, disgust and anger flared in Samara’s heart. These people had been victims so long they were happily cheering their abusers, grateful for new, shiny chains to hold them down. They had no concept of what it meant to be free or truly happy.
• Nothing was more powerful than having a dream to hold on to—to fight for. Dreams ignite passion. Passion burns to purpose. Purpose serves as the catalyst to victory. Those with the courage to dream can change the world.

Who might enjoy this book:

The Drift is ideal for readers seeking to combine elements of science fiction and romance into an intense, action-packed story with a dramatic ending!

Overall Impression:

Five stars. From characters to plot to dialogue, Aufenthie delivers a well-written and thought-out story. Each scene beautifully flows to the next revealing truths about not only her endearing characters and their struggles and triumphs but about the state of a society that allows one group complete control over another. The Drift will go down as one of my favorite books of 2022, and I can’t wait to get my hands on The Symbiosis.

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