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Overall: A Great little prequel to the excellent novel Telepath. It adds depth to the character and setting for readers of the novels. Those who have not read the novels may find it a bit slow to start, but if that doesn't bother you then this novella is a great bit of world-building.

On 1st Reading: If you are looking for an SF story that you can sink into like the warm embrace of a welcoming comfy chair, look no further than the Hive Mind series.

There are seriously tense moments. There are disturbing questions about society and identity that got right under my skin and creeped me out.

Yet this introductory story is told in a warm, friendly and innocent manner that just sucks you right into the world, I feel like I know these people and I really can't wait to meet up with them again in the next book.

I guess Ms Edwards is just an excellent and subversive writer.

I've read all her novels and I can see her becoming more ambitious with each release. I already wait for each new story with baited breath. I fully expect that a few books down the road I'll be shelving her with my all time greats such as Isaac Asimov and Anne McCaffrey. Not an honour I give out lightly.

On 2nd Reading: On rereading I noticed many more details, seriously good world building, pacing and simply darn good storytelling. While the main character goes through a lot, stepping back and looking at the implications of what is happening makes me realise that a lot more is happening then she realises. Great stuff, enough material for at least another book used just as background to make the world feel real. Talent!

On 3rd Reading: I see in my 1st review of this book that I said "a few books down the road I'll be shelving her with my all time greats such as Isaac Asimov and Anne McCaffrey" . After her recent books, that is now the case. In fact those two authors are a good description of Ms Edwards' writing: She has the forward thinking, social issue addressing, mystery-loving style of Asimov, but with the much, much better storytelling and character development of McCaffrey. I'd add to that mix the fact that in her latest books Ms Edwards has shown that in writing action scenes she is way better than either Asimov or McCaffrey, and this is amplified by the fact that there is always an issue at stake (Asimov style) and every character is one you care deeply about (McCaffrey style).

So, yes, Janet Edwards is my favourite living author.

On 4th Reading: This particular little story doesn't seem all that epic at first glance - it starts out as the tale of a 17 year old living in a vast underground city, but as you read it, not only do you come to care about young Amber, you get to see how this society works and you are made to ask some very serious questions about free will, the role of government and how much freedom we should give up for safety. At the same time there is an entirely different and much more serious story going in the background on that Amber is oblivious to, but that readers may deduce (reading it 4 times may have something to do with it ;-) ).

This is not the most action packed of Ms Edwards works - it's not meant to be - but all that character building and world building gives it a special place in my heart.

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