The Visionary

A Tion Story

Young Adult - Sci-Fi
147 Pages
Reviewed on 07/04/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

J.C. Gemmell was born in Falkirk, Scotland, and received his B.A. in Computer Studies and a Master's Degree in Applied Science from the University of Portsmouth, UK. Before turning to science fiction, he worked as a software engineer for a number of multinational organisations. He lives with his partner on the south coast of England.

Tionsphere and The Uprisers are the first novels in the Tion series, and will be followed by Demiurge in 2022. His series is accompanied by The Visionary, which is available free to download.

Visit J.C. online at www.jcgemmell.com and @JcGemmell

    Book Review

Reviewed by Cassie Widjaja for Readers' Favorite

The Visionary by J.C. Gemmell is an incredible dystopian young adult science fiction book that's bound to blow your mind. At the beginning of February 2060, Mount Erebus erupted, the first in a chain of Antarctic volcanoes that forever changed the world as we know it. Quickly, sea levels began to rise, claiming coastlines worldwide and drowning approximately two billion people. When seawater rushes to claim her beloved Guangzhou City, our bright protagonist Xin-yi flees her home with her mother, settling in a community of rice farmers. Growing restless, she agrees to the chance of a new life as a visionary in training. Her task is simple and yet undeniably complex as she has to imagine a new Earth rising above the rising waters. Coming to terms with the loss of her brother and unexpected feelings toward her friend, Xin-yi has to choose between working to save humanity or her almost lover's devout belief.

Drawing attention to society's pressing issues such as climate change and rising sea levels, J.C. Gemmell gives us a glimpse of a terrible future that's more of a possibility than anyone credits. The Visionary also showcases humanity's brilliant innovation under pressing needs of survival. From watching Xin-yi's denial in her grief to accepting and letting go of her brother Sheng, it was incredibly satisfying to see her grow as a character. While Xin-yi is undeniably flawed, I still admired her for pushing through life and refusing to give up. The concept behind the names of the novel's chapters is an intriguing twist on the Chinese zodiac. A perfect blend of futuristic gadgets and dystopian society, The Visionary is a must-read!