Nervous System: Volume 1 (The System Series) Paperback – 11 Oct. 2013

We all know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Just as well, in this case, because the cover, with its lurid picture of a heart, wasn't to my taste.The blurb, however, was, and on that basis (and because it was on offer) I downloaded 'Nervous System' to my Kindle. It turned out that the blurb was a better indicator than the cover: the story was well paced, smoothly written and absorbing, with new elements being worked into the plot at regular intervals to keep it interesting.The basic story is of a child prodigy, who has amazing intelligence and a remarkable ability to control his own body functions but is still emotionally a six year old boy. An intriguing scenario, and very well handled. I read the whole thing in just a few days, and thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it finished on a cliff hanger, which I find mildly annoying.The main downside for me, though, was the sometimes questionable theology that is slipped into the story. Of course, that's a very subjective view, and to be fair it is well integrated into the plot, providing motivation for the main character's choices, and shows how even superior intelligence by itself can't give clear guidance for difficult choices. However, the main vehicle for this is a Minister who to me came across as a rather shallow character, only in the book to inject these moral guidelines. Still, this is the first of a four book series, so perhaps the Reverend will be better developed in the later books.Overall, a good read.

I began to dislike the main character quite intensely, then, just as I began to decide maybe he wasn't so bad after all, albeit he came across as a pretentious little brat, the story went from the sublime to the ridiculously cor blimey. I know with sci fi one is supposed to 'suspend belief' but not abandon it altogether. I shall not be looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Sorry.