This book is the first book of the series.
What would you give to live forever? Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender—a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid—after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints.
When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.
I really enjoyed this book. It was different with a unique storyline. It moved at a good steady pace and the plot developed well.
I liked the characters. Eli was great. All he wanted was to save his mum which was so admiring to read. He was willing to do anything for her life. I think he was a little bit ignorant to the competition to start with, but he knew what he needed to do and he worked hard to make it happen.
Cyrus was also a great character. I think Eli would have been lost without him and ultimately, it is Cyrus who helps him with the competition. Both of them worked well together and it was nice learning about their friendship. They truly are more brothers to eachother.
I think there is more to Lenora that meets the eye. I’m looking forward to hopefully finding out more about her as the books go on.
The storyline was brilliant. I felt the concept was unique which made it even more enjoyable to read. The acsenders were well thought out.
I think the added storyline with the girls, Batha, Kamali and Delphina made the storyline more exciting. They were good additional characters. The situation that Eli has found himself in has led on to the next book well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The great characters and plot have definitely left me wanting to read the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend it.
My rating: 5/5*
