In 2023 Ascension passed across my desk, I was intrigued by the cover and the description sounded like something I would enjoy. I did not immediately check it out, but it went on my TBR. When I did read it, I discovered that, yes, I enjoyed it, it was Lovecraftian, it elicited a cosmological dread. It took an incredible premise, but it was just slightly flawed in ways that are now lost to my memory. It did however put Nicholas Binge on my radar. Reading Ascension put me in mind of guys like Blake Crouch, someone who has these fantastical, imaginative stories to tell and I decided I would keep my eye out for anything new by Mr. Binge.

Dissolution takes that near miss that was Ascension and crushes it out of the park. This is great storytelling and wonderfully imaginative. A story about Neuroscience run amok, Nicholas tells a story that is on one-hand laden with science and technology, while still maintaining an accessibility that allowed my frail mind to continue to grasp the story and implications, thereof.

The relationship between the elders Stanley and Maggie, is sad and lovely, and as young Stanley's pursuits are uncovered, the reader finds themselves in a great, "Inception-like" mystery. Stanley's memories are being taken and after a near lifetime together, Maggie is the only one able to set those memories right.

I really enjoyed this book and thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me early-access.

I was drawn to this because I enjoyed the author's previous book, Ascension. This one is equally as suspenseful! It kept me up to late many nights. I was intrigued by the story. I love when science fiction pulls in topics like memory, cognition, and relationships. That's when it really soars for me and pulls me in. This definitely pulled me in. I adored the central relationship of Stanley and Maggie. The ending was surprising!! I did not predict that. Loved this!!

After loving Binge's last novel, Ascension, I was excited to pick up Dissolution this weekend. It is a fascinating premise that follows through on character development too. I especially appreciated the main character Maggie's story and perspective. Although I did feel like some aspects of the middle slowed the story down, all in all it was worth it for the payoff at the conclusion. This was an excellent sci fi novel, part thriller, part interpersonal drama, with lots of questions posed throughout that are actually answered by the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Riverhead for an ARC of Dissolution.

WOW, this book was such a wild, mind-bending ride! Think Inception meets Dark Matter meets Good Will Hunting. This is a must read for Sci-Fi fans and I think it would make an absolutely amazing movie! I'll be turning this story over in my mind for a long time.

4.5 stars!

Riverhead Books, a division of Penguin Group, provided an early galley for review.

Like the last book I read, this one too has a split narrative (one part in present day, one part in the past). This one really works for me in that it is a clear back and forth between the two, with each feeding into the engaging mystery of the narrative. Binge creates a cloud of confusion that is not off-putting for the reader. There are the mysteries of what is happening with Stanely and why Hassan needs Maggie to revisit his memories of the past. The narrative technique serves the story well.

It is hard to say much more without spoiling the story. Suffice to say, Binge pulls it off extremely well. That moment when the reader realizes how all the pieces are aligning is just wonderful. If you're looking for a thrilling sci-fi tale with some great human touches, this is a book I will strongly recommend.

A brilliant, techno-thriller channeling the strength of memory and love. Binge masterfully captivates with a complex plot and clever delivery.

Highly recommend techno-thriller and sci-fi fans to add this to your 2025 TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Riverhead for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #Dissolution

A wonderful 4.5 stars! The premise of this one pulled me right in, and I flipped the pages as fast as I could to learn what was happening. While I loved the entire book, the ending is that really stands out in this one. I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished the book. Bravo to the author for that ending!