The Wikipedia entry for J. Michael Straczynski says that he is a film maker and a comic book writer. While he is certainly a film maker, and a good one at that, I feel that comic book writer is too limiting a term. He has written for a significant amount of television series and movies, as well as the aforementioned comic books. In fact, I would say that he is an "writer", with many credits to his name. JMS, as he is known (and I will refer to him here as that since it's a lot easier than typing out Straczynski), is probably best known for writing *92* of the 110 episodes of the science fiction television show "Babylon 5". But I would suggest that even though he is mainly known for writing genre works, he has a talent for writing books that are not genre, such as the novel TOGETHER WE WILL GO and the autobiography BECOMING SUPERMAN. His latest novel is THE GLASS BOX, and while it may be marketed as science fiction, I don't think it's sf at all. In fact, I'm not convinced that it's completely fiction.

Riley Diaz is a resistance fighter, raised by her parents to question authority and not be quiet about it. You might almost call her a professional protester. She works with an organized group of protesters who know what they're getting into every time they step out on the front line. If they are not careful, they will be arrested even if their protests are lawful. She views the government as something that is not to be trusted, and the government has pretty much earned that lack of trust. The powers that be are cracking down on the freedoms that all citizens have become accustomed to, but especially the freedom to gather peacefully in public. And this rankles Diaz and her colleagues to no end.

At the latest protest, Diaz is arrested and taken to one of the many American Renewal Centers (ARCs) for what amounts to mandatory reeducation. And getting into an ARC was part of the plan, as the idea was to get inside and find out exactly what is going on at the shadowy ARCs. What she didn't count on was not being able to get out once she was in there. The "patients", if you will, are incarcerated for six months, and, based on a points system that no one but the people who run the ARCs knows, could be let out early or detained for a longer period of time. Diaz, the freedom fighter that she is, doesn't give in to the system. She resists the authorities there, and her fellow patients don't trust her very much. In fact, with all of them wishing to get out and at the same time facing a "if one of you does something bad, you're all going to suffer" situation, they shun Diaz at first. Slowly but surely, by her actions, her fellow inmates (lets call them what they really are) begin to trust her and work with her to fight the system and hopefully eventually find a way out. Diaz also finds an unlikely ally in the form of a character nicknamed Frankenstein. She is the only person there able to break through to him, and they form a bond that is touching and heartfelt. As you might expect, Frankenstein becomes important to the plan for breaking out of the ARC Diaz is in.

What's frightening about THE GLASS BOX is that it's easy to see that this sort of thing could happen today. A government that is interested in staying in power, invoking a decades old law, and doing everything it can to put down and silence protesters, is something that should terrify everyone, whether here in the U.S. or anywhere around the world. THE GLASS BOX portrays a very real and scary scenario, where it takes courage, persistence, and valor to fight back and beat the system. I found myself rooting for Diaz as the novel went on, as it became clear that there were very sinister things going on all the way up to the top.

THE GLASS BOX is a thriller, a great read, and a frightening and thought provoking look at what a government could become if it is not held in check. I feel as if JMS was writing with some insider's knowledge, and he does a terrific job from beginning to end in the novel. While he may have made his name in other areas of entertainment, such as television, movies, and comic books, I believe that he is growing stronger as a novel writer. I eagerly look forward to his next novel.

J. Michael Straczynski is an incredible writer who has worked on established comic book characters (Spider-Man, Thor) penned his own original works (Midnight Nation, Rising Stars) and, of course, toiled on multiple TV shows including arguably the greatest sci-fi yarn of all time, Babylon 5.

He's also written a handful of novels but it's a much rarer thing for the bloke. Consequently it's always a bit exciting when he does release an old fashioned book. Enter: The Glass Box.

The Glass Box is low-fi sci-fi drama set in the (very near) future where government overreach has allowed protestors to be classified as insane and popped inside the booby hatch. Our protagonist Riley Diaz has fallen afoul of this sinister power grab and finds herself in a situation very reminiscent of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, although with zappier dialogue.

It's a brisk, engaging read with plenty of likable characters and oodles of twists and turns along the way. I did find myself occasionally rolling my eyes at Riley who seems intent on getting herself into more trouble at every turn, but the relationship she forges with the aptly named patient Frankenstein was very moving and well observed.

Ultimately this is pacey, engaging stuff from a writer whose grasp of and love for humanity sings with every word. And after you finish, maybe check out Babylon 5 as well. Because it's great and you deserve something nice, hey.

I've been warned.

J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5, has now warned me and soon he'll warn all of you. The Glass Box, his newest novel, feels like a warning of something very frightening that could happen. In fact, its likely to happen if we don't listen and pay attention.

The Glass Box is set in the near future where protestors are out doing their thing and the American government has had it up to here with them. And so they start arresting peaceful protestors and giving them the option of going into mental health institutions. The book focuses on Riley Diaz, a young woman who's grown up protesting the government. She chooses to go to a mental institution instead of prison. She is not going to go quietly though. She continues to protest even in the institution. Against all odds, she keeps fighting.

You may think: there's no way this could happen in America. But we've seen that the U.S. government can and often does act against protestors and it has imprisoned innocent people in the past as this book points out. Its frightening to think something like what happens in the Glass Box could happen. It could and it might. Its a shame that the people in the US government who should read this book will either never hear of it or if they did they might take it the wrong way. This is a book that as many people as possible should read. It has an important message.

That said, The Glass Box is also well written and the main character Riley is interesting and complex. She is not without faults. She feels like a real person. The book also has some shocking twists and turns that I won't spoil. Just when you think you know where this book is going, it'll pull the rug out from under you.

The Glass Box is Straczynski's best novel yet. Everyone should read and learn from this book. Also enjoy the ride. It has a lesson but its also just a really good book too.

Boots on the ground and bodies reading The Glass Box! Check this book out on January 9th, Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for providing a digital review copy of this book.

Scary, frightening and ultimately satisfying. A female lead in a re-imagined American dystopian world where the lead ends up locked up and powerless. Content warning. Fast paced and an action packed read with thought provoking context. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I loved this book. It is a fast-paced , well-told story. Character development is amazing and I loved the ensemble cast. I also found the story thoughtful and realistic. This book is well worth the read. Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advance reader copy.

A Fast-Paced Thrill Ride Through a Dark, Plausible Future.

Book Information

“The Glass Box” by J. Michael Straczynski is a 350-page fiction novel with a publication date of January 9, 2024. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

In a world where dissenters are sent to American Renewal Centers (ARCs) for mandatory reeducation, Riley Diaz refuses to break. She stands alone against the ARC program's manipulation and gaslighting, forging an unshakable alliance with a mysterious inmate known as Frankenstein. Riley's unwavering defiance sparks a rebellion that will test the limits of her strength and determination.

My Thoughts

"The Glass Box" by J. Michael Straczynski is a very engaging read. From the very beginning, the book captured my attention and never let go. Although it's described as a "fast-paced sci-fi novel," I found it to lean more towards the dystopian genre, and it's this dystopian element that kept me hooked throughout. Straczynski's masterful storytelling in 'The Glass Box' is like a rollercoaster for the mind, taking readers on an exhilarating journey through a dystopian future.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the book is its timely exploration of contemporary issues. It delves into real-time problems that we are currently facing, but it takes a terrifying twist by introducing political structures designed to tackle these issues. This blend of topical relevance and nightmarish plausibility creates a story that feels both familiar and unsettling. It feels like a glimpse into a world we hope never to witness, yet can't seem to turn away from.

The main character, Riley, is someone you can easily connect with. Her strength, determination, and the internal dialogues she engages in make her a character you genuinely care about. She doesn't back down and remains steadfast in her convictions, which is admirable. Riley's unwavering conviction and her inner voice engaging in heated debates will have you cheering for her like a sports fan during the championship game.

Straczynski's masterful storytelling extends to the creation of a truly endearing supporting cast, but it's the character of Frankenstein who steals the show with a heart that outshines them all, making 'The Glass Box' an emotionally resonant journey.

Recommendation

"The Glass Box" is a gripping and thought-provoking dystopian narrative with a remarkable main character and a compelling supporting cast. With a finger on the pulse of societal issues, 'The Glass Box' holds up a mirror to our times, daring us to question the future we're hurtling towards. This is a must-read for those who enjoy both the dystopian and sci-fi genres.

Rating

4.5 ARC Stars

This book captured me from the first page and never let go. When activist Riely Diaz is arrested after a protest gone bad, she is given a choice. Go to jail. Or submit to a stay at one of the growing American Renewal Centers designed to reeducate her to the standards deemed acceptable by the power elite. After choosing the institution, she soon finds herself in a lion’s den filled with hostel administrators, forced medications, and manipulative treatment designed to break her. But Riely is not one to be cornered. I found the story terrifying, not only for the tension that builds throughout, but for the fact that it feels all too plausible and topical. This is a story of corruption at its worst, and of the human spirt that refuses to be contained.

Riley Diaz is smart and cares deeply about...well, everything. Arrested for protesting an unjust law that attacks the right of free assembly, she accepted a deal to spend six months in a psychiatric facility rather than a jail cell. There she meets others who are there for the same reason and others who are there voluntarily or involuntarily for other reasons. I found myself caring for the others as Riley does, even though she'd planned to stay aloof.

The process of repression that brings Riley to the ARC program is all too plausible and we're shown the process of how it happened in that America and the steps the ARC facility staff are taking to make it even more repressive. Riley goes from wanting to escape for her own sake to needing to escape to get the word out and she finds help from a most unexpected source.

Two other likes: the Dedication and the chapter titles as seen in the Table of Contents.

Many thanks to Net galley for allowing me to read and review this Advance Reader Copy.

Great book about a possible future. There are heroes among us and in this book they offer hope. Well-written and very intriguing.

J. Michael Straczynski writes a sometimes unsettling prescient tale set in the very near future. While reading I couldn’t help but think what I would do in Riley, the main characters, position. At times tense, humorous and heartbreaking with great characters The Glass Box is both a warning and a great read.

J. Michael Straczynski has long been one of my favorite writers. As such, I was greatly looking forward to this book. I can easily say that I wasn’t disappointed.
Riley Diaz is a professional protester who gets sent to a rehabilitation facility designed to help the disenfranchised. At first, she sees it strictly as a challenge to buck the system from the inside. Eventually she realizes that something more might be going on in the hospital.
JMS brought together a group of eclectic characters and situations and made you like (or at least care) about all of them.
Although this may be a work of fiction, it also still holds a kernel of historical truth that pushes it to the boundaries of possibility.
This wasn’t my usual fare, but JMS has never let me down. His record still stands.
This book will definitely be in my top five of the year.

The Glass Box is realistic enough to be believable and takes wonderful turns into science fiction worlds. As with all well-written sci-fi, there are links here to the world we live in. Wondrful work from a writer who has talents and abilities across forms of composing.

A gripping read, a dynamic novel that really draws you in! I enjoyed this book very much. Once I got started on it I could not stop reading until I finished it. The characters were engaging and I thought who can she trust? To be put away because of beliefs made me thinks of things going on in todays society.

I had high hopes for this novel and I was not disappointed. A far too realistic look at the possibility of a heavy handed government outlawing the freedom to protest - something that is being cracked down upon in the UK - using some very sinister methods.

Riley Diaz is a great lead character, not perfect, very angry and rightly so, who pullks the reader through the ARC programme with her. From the staff to the patients, everyone has strong motivations that aren't always obvious at first glance. One patient, yes, that one, is my absolute favourite character in the book.

A frightening look into a real possibility of an America that attempts to outlaw one of our most prized freedoms (and one we often take for granted): the freedom of assembly. Riley Diaz and the all of her endearing supporting cast of misfits will have you rooting for them every step of the way as they fight the oppressive ARC program they were involuntarily assigned to. I was able to feel emotionally connected to many of the characters, which always points to great writing.

With The Glass Box, J. Michael Straczynski presents a view of a possible future for the United States. What happens if a political party takes power and uses it to erode freedom and protestors are deemed to be insane?

Protestor Riley allows herself to be sent to the psychiatric hospital in an attempt to expose the truth. Will she be able to prevail or will she succumb to the treatments in store for her? Who is a friend or an enemy?