The Printed - A Review

 

The Printed

by

Cameron Fitzgerald

A Review

This book is a dystopian look at a post-democratic America where Christian beliefs have been deemed terroristic. Believers are interrogated and, if found guilty, “Printed”. Their fingerprints are painfully removed, and they are sent to rehabilitation centers.

The book follows the lives of Emmet, a believer who is “printed” and Jasper, partially responsible for determining the innocence or guilt of those undergoing interrogation. Emmett is “printed”, but Jasper is transformed as well as he spends time with Emmett. The first third of the book follow Emmett and Jasper as they attempt to escape the current regime; the middle third focuses on Jasper’s transformation as he better understand and accepts Emmett’s faith as his own; the final third focus on the efforts Emmett and Jasper spend on building a place of respite where believers do not need to fear the government’s repressive behavior toward Christians. The climax comes as the pair begin to rescue believers from the rehab centers to which they have been sent.

The author does a decent job of integrating elements of faith throughout the story - but to this reader it seemed a bit much. I never quite got gripped by the story - this reader felt this dystopian sci-fi was less than satisfying. I give the book 3-½ stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.