Solid read.

• Heavy on politics & action
• Government conspiracy
• Futuristic world & tech
• A strong female protag who isn't just strong for the sake of it (so refreshing)
• A man who isn't weakened by having a woman do the fighting
• Great ending. Good climax and action

I was genuinely shocked by the reveal of the modder. I didn't see it coming at all. I didn't think their identity would play any real part, so I hadn't paid them much attention.

Favourite scene: The ending. [ Where Daniel is using his mod skills to fight off Zhao. (hide spoiler)]
Favourite Character: (view spoiler)[ Daniel. Looooved his mod skills. Even more impressive than Anna's hand-to-hand combat (no offence, Anna :)) (hide spoiler)] Lisa & Zhao. Zhao had some great tech!

Very enjoyable

I didn't finish this one; I didn't hate what little of it I read but I made the mistake of requesting this thinking it was a more experimental work of science fiction, rather than a more straightforward thriller about government agents busting a conspiracy. I wasn't interested enough to finish it as I just don't think it's my sort of "thing" and the writing did not grab me. That said I am giving it 2/5 stars for an interesting premise and skilled writing.

I just finished reading Failsafe by Jeff Sylvester. Somehow it reminds me a bit of the writing of William Gibson and if you like those novels, you would probably like this one. We are not talking spaceships and distant star systems here, but an autocratic Unified States with almost no private land property left, the land being mostly barren anyway and food created synthetically. There are devices for manipulating matter and as you can probably tell from the title, there is an issue with them which becomes very important. You’ll find political conflict as well as competing government agencies, as well as mysterious grassroots organizations. And of course plenty of action. You never know which side somebody is on and when you are surprised, it is nevertheless believable. An enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Winging It for sending me a DRC of Failsafe by Jeff Sylvester

FAILSAFE is the first instalment in Jeff Sylvester’s adult, futuristic, sci-fi series focusing on Agent Anna Flynn, and the MMD agency

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Agent Anna Flynn, FAILSAFE focuses on the MMD Matter Manipulation Devices that can alter the physical world but when the ‘failsafe’ feature is removed, the MMD becomes a dangerous weapon. With many rogue agencies and cult-like groups struggling to gain control of the MMD for the masses, a mole or someone within the agency is working in opposition to the agency directive. With the help of her husband, tech genius Daniel Flynn, and her partner Agent Lisa Williams, Agent Anna Flynn battles the people in charge to uncover the truth, and the take down of a rogue group calling themselves A Better Way.

The world building is complex and detailed as Anna Flynn struggles to prove not only her innocence but the reality of what could happen and why. When the MMDs are modified and the failsafe removed, the world itself sits on the precipice of destruction

We are introduced to Agent Lisa Williams with the Matter Manipulation Device Agency; their boss Director Jada Davis; Director Elaine Guerrero; Agent Lucas Ward, Agent Carrie Yang; Mayor Delacruz, Councilwoman Savitri Shah; and Jennifer Zha aka Naomi White. Everyone is suspect, no one can be trusted.

FAILSAFE is a story of secrets and lies,power and control, betrayal and vengeance, manipulation and transactions, family and friendships. The character driven premise is captivating, entertaining and exciting; the characters are determined, dynamic and destructive. FAILSAFE ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.



THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/failsafe-by-jeff-sylvester-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6804214690


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1555193153

3.5*/5*
Failsafe is the scifi book debut of Jeff Sylvester. He creates a new world full of Matter Manipulation Devices, which were hacked and misused by criminals. In his futuristic cyberpunk story, he is showing the loneliness of a person falsely accused of treason. MMD agent, Anna, is on her own and needs to clean her name and protect all humanity from a criminal organization called “A Better Way” misusing this powerful tool.
The author was able to create interesting and likable characters. He focuses on love, family, friendship but is also able to show the dark side of vengeance and how someone takes control of individuals' lives.
The ending of "Failsafe" was tense and is keeping me interested in the next book in this series.
I received an ARC ebook for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.