Tara Basi’s The Orb is a story that feels familiar and strange at the same time. Although a science fiction novel in nature, there are parallels between the struggle of Church and State that many countries, including the United States of America, are facing. In Year 0, a giant blue Orb appeared and sparked a power struggle between a secular organization known as Orb Industries and the Orb Church. The one human who stayed when the Orb descended became the de facto leader of the Church and founder of Orb Industries: Tramp. In Year 42, after decades of war and strife and the death of Tramp, all people are connected to The Net and have records of their existence that are transferrable into virtual reality and other bodies. Capitalizing on humanity’s obsession with the Orb, the Church and Orb Industries are often at odds with one another in their quest to maintain power and control. Due to the years of war, the outside is a wasteland, and most remaining humans live on various underground levels of London. Zip, a converted Pilgrim devotee of the Orb and private investigator, was once Zara, a soldier with a sordid past. Peter, a scientist with Orb Industries, is desperate to learn what really happened to his deceased daughter Kiki. After accessing Kiki’s record and transferring it into an Artificial Intelligence machine, Peter seeks Zip’s assistance to discover whether Kiki died by suicide as was officially decreed or was murdered. Peter and Zip become unlikely allies in a race to regain Zip’s lost memories and stave off global disaster as the mysterious Orb counts down to a major event. Enlisting the help of various AI machines, Church and Industry officials, soldiers from Zip’s past, a prominent research scientist who just so happens to be dead, and even Tramp, Peter and Zip uncover a shocking truth that will forever change the world. Tara Basi’s The Orb is a story that feels familiar and strange at the same time. Although a science fiction novel in nature, there are parallels between the struggle of Church and State that many countries, including the United States of America, are facing. The novel is well-paced, alternating between periods of frenetic activity and exposition. The topics of virtual reality and artificial intelligence are revered fantasy and science fiction fodder blended uniquely and successfully to advance the plot. Basi can subtly tackle ethical topics without feeling moralistic. For instance, throughout the book, Zip wrestles with the idea that a young person named Pip was killed specifically to allow Zara’s record to be transferred to a new body. Basi does not indicate whether this is a good or bad thing, instead allowing Zip’s character development and experiences to inform Zip’s feelings about the issue. The one thing I found difficult about this novel was the complexity of the plot requiring sustained focus from the reader. There was a lot of information given in flashbacks, memories, and VR simulations. Additionally, a reader without exposure to the scientific topics discussed in the book or reading small amounts of text over multiple days might need to review some sections for clarity. For this reason, The Orb is a great book to read in one or two sittings, and the storyline is compelling enough to support doing just that. I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars because it was unique, intelligent, and entertaining. The characters felt real, with believable struggles and irrational decisions. The constant action masked the tension that slowly mounted towards the book's climax, to the point where I would become so engaged with the character revelations that I forgot the Orb was moving toward an unknown event that could change humanity. It was reminiscent of Independence Day where the believers gathered to greet the aliens while skeptics rushed to hide because no one knew what to expect. The book would be best suited for mature readers. There is sexually suggestive material, primarily nudity, which is integral to the storyline, and a lot of violence. The levels of profanity and sexual content are not very high, though, so the book would be okay for even a younger reader comfortable with war-type violence and able to overlook the nudity and mild sexual content. Like Seven at Two Past Five, another of Basi’s works, there are religious and moral allegories and overtones that might not be suitable for readers with strong religious beliefs. However, the novel’s overall content would appeal to readers interested in science fiction, post-apocalyptic, and redemptive storylines.

If you are into books full of intrigue, mysteries, suspense, and a lot of secrets to uncover, this is the novel for you. London. The city is under the rule of Orb Industries and the Church. Home of Professor Peter Morris. Who finds himself in an elevator going to the Underground. He expects to meet detective Zip in hopes she may help him find the murderer of his daughter, Kiki. This mystery will drive Zip out of her office to Peter’s house on the surface. There, she will discover that the professor created a virtual version of his daughter. But the woman they talk to likes to call herself Quattro, not Kiki. Intrigued by the whole situation, the detective accepts the job. But soon, Kiki’s murderer and Quattro will run away from the house. AIs are not allowed to roam in London. Problems will arise. Zip and Professor Morris will have to take Quattro back, which forces them to involve themselves in the businesses of Orb Industries and the Church. Both institutions want to recover something really special from Zip, which will trigger a conflict that may destroy London. The Orb by Tara Basi is a story of secrets and mystery. Zip, Quattro, and Mathew are fascinating characters. Their creation symbolizes the myth of death and resurrection. Their origins involve tragic events. There are sacrifices for them to exist. These events help us understand who they are. It explains the consequences of their existence. They are different and stand out from humanity, which leads to them being ostracized. Also shows that characters have some purpose to fulfill. Besides, the novel highlights the reaction of the three to their new bodies. Zip is different from Mathew and Quattro. She is human. Her story is a reinterpretation of resurrection. Zip got a new body after a woman lost her life. Zip could represent the complications of mixed consciousness. Throughout Basi’s work, the detective navigates the world discovering her new self. She is also able to recover aspects of the person she was before. She has to deal with anxiety which is uncharacteristic of her past self. She will also have to be brave and practical when facing danger. Sometimes she will enjoy the benefits of her new body. Other times she will have to deal with the fact that she doesn't have the same strength. Both physical and mental aspects will clash. At the same time, there will be a balance. Zip learns how to accept the differences to become one with herself. Quattro and Matthew represent resurrection. Their consciousness, (or at least what little of their personhood could be attached to machines), represent their souls. Peter created four versions of Kiki in virtual reality. The fourth calls herself Quattro. All prior versions remained in the system. Each one of them became the consciousness and personality of Quattro. She almost feels human by the conflicts these past versions of her have inside her mind. It’s funny how sometimes she just wants the voices in her head to shut up. As an AI, Quattro is capable of thinking and feeling. All these characteristics provoke no desire from her to turn into a human. She enjoys being a machine. She is conscious of her power which gives her a sense of superiority. She enjoys and accepts her metallic body. It turns her into someone invincible. She likes that she is different. In contrast, Mathew is not so satisfied with who he is. The AI knows he was human before. The machine doesn't accept his fate. He wants to be human again. There are limitations to his experience as an AI. He probably has conflict accepting that he woke up to be like the machines he had to fight against. He shows he has desires and dreams of his own, which is what drives him throughout the book. I will not write about negative details, for there are none. I give the book five out of five stars. The novel was professionally edited. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves world-building. If you are into books full of intrigue, mysteries, suspense, and a lot of secrets to uncover, this is the novel for you. Also, this book is for the ones who like to wonder about the differences in attitudes between humans and artificial intelligence. Religion is a permanent theme in The Orb. There is criticism of organized religions; one of the characters denies the existence of God. If you find these last hard to read, avoid the book. A small warning: the characters swear a lot. The novel has mentions of sex but there are no graphic descriptions of the act. If this bothers you, you should not read the book.

Immersed in a world dominated by technology, this book captures your attention from the first page. The past is unveiled slowly with new details about the two major wars—the Money War and the God War—and their connection to the investigation introduced in the story. Ever since an Orb appeared in the sky over the London metropolis, society had divided into two major factions—the pilgrims (those who believe the orb to be a god) and the atheists. The story begins with Peter Morris, who designs new technologies for Orb Industries, and his obsession to find his daughter's killer. His daughter—Kiki—was believed to have committed suicide by hiring a professional for the job. Refusing to accept this, Peter hires a private investigator, Zip (formally known as Zara), who seems to have a personal history with his daughter. Zip is intrigued by the case and begins to uncover a connection between the Orb wars, Kiki's death, and Zip's suicide—after which advanced technology grants her consciousness a new body. The case takes her down an intriguing path of secrets, deception, and confrontation with her past, helping the reader further understand her life. The book takes the reader on a journey with each character, allowing them to put pieces together and get different perspectives. It provides a very realistic angle on the future of technology and how it can affect people's lives. Everyone in the story is wired to the "Net" through a VR headgear where their "records" are stored; they can stay informed about events, actively search for information, and utilize it as a tracking device. This compelling insight allows the exploration of various themes. On the one hand, advanced technology grants enhanced security, quality of life, and knowledge, but at the same time, it permits control of the public, excessive dependency, and job displacement. It was interesting to see how Basi prompted the reader to think about these themes and trace the trail of what happened to Kiki. Basi engaged the reader by jumping straight into the mystery without jarring descriptions or "setting the scene" narrative. However, I found it slightly challenging to follow the story, at times, due to its intricate interweaving of elements from the world created by Basi in The Orb, occasionally lacking an explanation as to what they meant. Although, most of the plot was easy to follow, and I was eager to see what would happen next. Another interesting concept in the story was self-aware machines and their utilization in wars and everyday lives. The themes explored in the book are relevant to modern technological advancements and the potential consequences that could arise if these progressions are unethical. I thought it was brilliant to intertwine this feature in the story, and I was impressed at how the author balanced the moral code of the characters. The book was without errors or typos, and I enjoyed the captivating plot. Although, in my opinion, the chapter titles could have been more visible to enhance the distinction between the regular text and headings. The book does have some profanity and delves into sensitive topics, so I would not recommend this book to a younger audience. Overall, The Orb demonstrates a high level of creativity in its writing, and the author skillfully offers us a glimpse into a plausible future through their imaginative storytelling. For all these reasons, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys pairing science fiction and crime together!

The Orb is a triumphant marriage of skilled storytelling and editorial excellence, a must-read that captures your attention from page one. The Orb is a sci-fi novel set in a dystopian future, where society has fractured due to the arrival of a mysterious alien artifact known as the Orb. The excerpt introduces readers to a complex world filled with intrigue, advanced technology, and warring factions. The main characters include Peter, a professor who has invented a way to bring people back from the dead using their digital “Recordings”. He resurrects his deceased daughter, Kiki, as an AI named Quattro, in order to uncover the truth about her death. We are also introduced to Zip, a former military officer with a dark past, whose mind has been transplanted into a new body. Zip is hired by Peter to investigate Kiki's murder, which leads her down a perilous path involving the ultra-religious Church of the Orb and the atheist Orb Industries. A killer named Matthew, who murdered Kiki, somehow transfers his mind into a powerful machine body and escapes imprisonment. Matthew and Quattro become entangled in a mysterious plot centered around the Orb. The world-building is intricate, envisioning a dystopian London divided into underground and surface sections. The sudden arrival of the Orb decades earlier shattered society, sparking ongoing conflict between the Church and Orb Industries. Advanced technology enables people's minds to be transferred and digitally resurrected after death. It's a complex setup, and the excerpt ominously hints at an impending war and chaos. Tara Basi's The Orb shines as a prime example of meticulous editing. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, immersing readers in a captivating tale. The absence of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors underscores the dedication to a polished final product. The book's pacing is artfully managed, propelling the plot forward while allowing for immersive moments. The Orb is a triumphant marriage of skilled storytelling and editorial excellence, a must-read that captures your attention from page one. The writing is highly cinematic, vividly depicting scenes while maintaining a fast-paced tempo. The use of multiple character viewpoints and a nonlinear timeline keeps readers engaged as they piece together the mysteries. While the excerpt raises more questions than answers, that is its purpose – to captivate the reader and leave them eager for more. Overall, The Orb holds the promise of an imaginative sci-fi thriller that explores themes of identity, technology, and society through the lens of its enigmatic alien artifact. The book has earned a rating of 5 out of 5.

The Orb by Tara Basi is a thrilling science fiction novel packed with action, adventure, and several plot twists. I found it hard to put down. A stunning blue orb appears in the sky over London. No message explains why it has appeared. Nothing can penetrate its surface or find out what is inside. A new religion is formed dedicated to the orb, and war and destruction follow. In the aftermath, London is left as the only surviving advanced city in the world. Peter is grieving over the loss of his daughter, Kiki. Desperate for answers, he reanimates an AI version of his daughter using a recording of her life. She asks him to hire a former war veteran, Zip, to investigate her death. When Zip begins investigating, what she uncovers turns out to be so much bigger than just the death of one girl. The Orb by Tara Basi is a thrilling science fiction novel packed with action, adventure, and several plot twists. I found it hard to put down. The book creates a detailed future world with its own unique technologies, political system, and cultures while remaining focused on its core plot. It is extremely well-written and well-edited; I did not find a single error while reading it. There is a full cast of interesting characters and good character development as the book progresses. The plot is well developed, with several twists and turns along the way. The only thing I would have liked to see more of in the book is closure around Kiki. Kiki is a significant element at the start of the book, but her story ends up being overtaken by other events. Overall, I rate The Orb 5 out of 5 stars. It is an exciting and well-written book with no major issues, so it deserves a perfect rating. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading science fiction. It has some violence and profanity, so it is best suited for adults or young adults.

I loved how the characters in "The Orb" are well-developed, each harboring their own secrets and motives, contributing to the story's complexity. Peter, a grief-stricken research scientist who has lost his daughter, hires a private investigator named Zip to uncover the mystery of her murder. Peter also works for Orb Industries, where he's tasked with a mission to reveal the hidden potential of Orb, a futuristic technology in London. The orb is not meant to be harmful, but there is a war between the church of the orb and the orb industry. Meanwhile, Zip is grappling with her own dark past. From VR to AI technology, the book covers interesting aspects of science. Will Peter be able to find the murderer? What past does Zip hold? What impact does does this have on in the world? To find out more, grab this sci-thriller, “The Orb" by Tara Basi. "The Orb" by Tara Basi is a captivating thriller that transports readers to a futuristic London filled with intrigue and supernatural elements. At its heart is the tragic murder of Peter's daughter, Kiki, which plunges readers into a tale of grief and vengeance. The narrative's suspenseful nature is driven by a series of challenges and obstacles that Peter faces as he seeks answers and justice. The orb's powers add an element of unpredictability to the story, keeping readers guessing and heightening the suspense. I loved how the characters in "The Orb" are well-developed, each harboring their own secrets and motives, contributing to the story's complexity. The interactions between Peter, Zip, and the intriguing cast of characters create layers of suspense, as alliances shift and loyalties are tested. I found Tara Basi's writing in "The Orb" skillful and immersive, painting a vivid picture of this futuristic London and its mysterious inhabitants. The pacing of the narrative is expertly managed, with each revelation and twist driving the suspense to greater heights which makes this book exceptionally well-edited. There was nothing I disliked about this book, which is free of grammatical errors. I rate this book five out of five stars. In my opinion, "The Orb" by Tara Basi is a thrilling page-turner that seamlessly weaves together elements of mystery, grief, and the supernatural. Tara Basi's masterful storytelling ensures that readers will be on the edge of their seats from start to finish, making this book a must-read for fans of suspenseful and enigmatic powers of the orb and the relentless pursuit of justice in a city where secrets lurk in every shadow.

Fans of science fiction stories with plausible scenarios will be fascinated by The Orb. Professor Peter hired Zip to investigate Kiki’s murder. He told Zip that his daughter insisted on speaking to her. Peter led Zip to a bunker that contained his lab. Upon entering a virtual reality session, Kiki’s image appeared; however, she insisted on being called Quatro. Quatro’s theory was that Professor Simmons, “Mother of the Mutiny AI,” had been secretly communicating with the orb, and Kiki must have discovered it. Simmons was the creator of the AI that killed millions of people. Quatro was certain that Zip held the key to they mystery. Zip needed to uncover who had ordered Kiki’s death by Mathew. Mathew was the contract killer convicted of Kiki’s murder. Zip disappeared during her investigation. Meanwhile, Peter is summoned to a meeting by Orb Industries. They wanted his work moved to a more secure location, and Peter could not continue contact with Quatro. He received a call from an attorney claiming he could release Mathew; the attorney confirmed Zip’s disappearance after she had questioned Mathew. Peter went into another virtual reality session with Quatro. The angry AI ordered him to find Zip and release Mathew. She then kicked Peter out of the session. Isolated from everyone, Peter was ordered to use his research to reanimate someone that could change the world. The Orb is a dystopian novel seen through the eyes of Peter and Zip. A gigantic orb had appeared in London, causing a division in the population. The depth of the unpredictable plot made the orb an important focal point. Peter and Zip had conflicting beliefs about the orb. Their differences provided the perspectives of the divided population. I believe the character development of Peter and Zip was beyond exceptional. The vivid details depicting their physical appearances, personalities, and emotions made it easy to envision both characters. They resembled real people that could exist in the future. I have nothing negative to say about Tara Basi’s The Orb. I rate this science fiction story five out of five stars. The author included virtual reality, technology, artificial intelligence with free will, and an introspective look into humanity’s need for transparency. The questions presented by Peter and Zip were never easy to answer. The clues were like pieces of a puzzle they had to solve. The editing was flawless and contained no errors at all. Fans of science fiction stories with plausible scenarios will be fascinated by The Orb. I recommend this novel to mature readers. Profanity, sexual references, graphic violence, war, and death could be overwhelming for some people. Will Peter and Zip learn the mystery surrounding Kiki’s death? Is the orb a god, or is it an alien artifact? Could it be just a pretty rock from space?

My favorite part was the underlying reflection on religion in our own world and how it affects so many decisions in many people’s daily lives. I greatly enjoyed this journey through a fantasy post apocalyptic world that warns us of our own possible future disasters. The story was an easy read and each time I picked up the story I was instantly immersed into this unique world the characters found themselves struggling with. There was no problems with trying to pick up where I’d left off to pause between stretches of reading, instead I was able to easily understand the story without having to reread. The characters were very identifiable on a personal level even though they were in very different situations than we would normally find ourselves. I also enjoyed that the descriptions of future technology as well as oddities were explained and didn’t seem to be beyond reach. My favorite part was the underlying reflection on religion in our own world and how it affects so many decisions in many people’s daily lives. There are those that need it in order to function and require the faith and those that see it for what it is or has become. I would be interested to see a continuation of this story in another book or even a series that followed many of the characters beyond. I give this book a review of 4 out of 4.