The Rise of the Read Hand is set in the South Asian Province (aka Indian subcontinent) in a post apocalyptic world. The world building incorporates cyberpunk elements within a stratified class system determined by genetics. Only a few [Uplanders] are blessed with the perfect genes needed to successfully link with the computer algorithm (Not quite an AI) that is responsible for coordinating the people and resources needed to survive, but the unlucky [Downlanders] are left to scavenge for themselves in the poisoned world that remains after WWIII. Frequently these means cobbling together cybernetic replacements for missing body parts (the existence of which is enough to prevent you from being accepted by the elite). In the background is a raging pandemic that complicates things for both sides and forces some rather questionable behavior from the powers that be, who themselves are competing for resources from the "Planetary Alliance Commission" (PAC) that prioritizes resources to governments can prove they can effective manage them ... and the neural synch from Solace Corp was created to prevent much needed resources from being reassigned elsewhere.

The story itself comes across a bit choppy with the word choice and diction similar to what I have found in books that have been translated to English and which make it difficult for me to understand some of the cultural nuance. Some of it worked okay, such as calling the prosthetic components for cyborgs replacements. Character interactions seem to be more forced and less natural that I am used to, but they still end about where you would expect then to within the dystopian, cyberpunk tropes. Even the apparent "Romeo and Juliet" romance comes across a tad perfunctory. This would not be as much of an issue if it were not for a rather hamfisted use of info-dumps ... which can be useful in the right place, but should NEVER be repeated. Over all it was an okay story within an interesting world that earned it an extra star on that point alone.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#RiseoftheRedHand #NetGalley ( )

Probably more of a 3.5 but I’m rounding up.

I am always on the lookout to support more desi authors, but it’s very rare that I get to read books by diaspora authors set in South Asia. And finding a genre novel set in and around the subcontinent is a rarity. So, when I first saw the announcement about this book, I can’t describe how excited I was.

This was a fascinating but scary look at a future where another world war has taken place resulting in a sort of nuclear winter, climate change has ravaged the rest of the world and now we are left with limited resources which are in the control of the powerful. The technological advances and increased use of algorithms to make life altering decisions also feels very inevitable. But the most relatable aspect of this world was the fact that in any situation, those in power will always strive for more of it and to keep their control over resources ironclad, sacrificing any of the normal citizens in the process in the false name of greater good.

This book was relentless in its pacing and that’s the first thing I feel once I finished it. The author throws us right in the middle of the proceedings and we are left to figure out what’s happening and who the important players of this story are. But it doesn’t take us long to get deeply involved in it. The stakes are really high and it’s very easy to sympathize with the underdog characters who are fighting a revolution to ensure their survival despite the odds. Some of the action sequences were painful to read about but excellently written, which left a deep impression on me. But sometimes, it did feel like things happened very conveniently and too fast, especially towards the end where characters were able to fight back with very minor obstacles despite being in dire circumstances. However, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. And the author’s liberal use of Hindi/Punjabi words and phrases without going into detailed explanations about them only made me very joyful.

In the end, this was a very interesting sci-fi debut which doesn’t shy away from predicting worst case scenarios of our future when resources dwindle and hard choices will have to be made for the sake of the survival of humankind. It’s themes are universal and relatable, the characters very easy to like and the ending hopeful & intriguing enough that I’m very excited for the sequel. ( )

Literary Merit: Fine
Characterization: Poor
Recommend: No
Level: High School

I tried to get into this one but it just fell flat for me. It follows characters in a post apocalyptic world trying to take on a tyrannical government in an underground resistance. Sound familiar? It does play with the aftermath of nuclear war, if climate changes is ignored, cyborgs, etc. But honestly, I've seen all of this done much better in other YA dystopia, which I used to read a lot of in the Divergent golden age for the genre. The shifting POVs made it hard to track what the world was like as I read it. There was far too much infodumping and a slow moving plot with lack luster writing. The character dynamics were interesting but found family and finding love on the run are also overplayed out to me. It was the South Asia setting and representation that made this book stand out at all, but it wasn't enough to overcome the other issues I had with it. I recommend reading Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton, The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg, The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow, or A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia Cole instead. ( )

Everything you could possibly want in a dystopian tale-Strong characters, dire circumstances, plot twists aplenty, a grim world, an elusive ray of hope, betrayal and a gradual sorting out of events and who is to be trusted. I'll certainly look forward to what comes next. ( )