“Bon Echo and The Competition” is a Young Adult sci-fi novel that blends technology, and environmental themes in an engaging way. The story follows Maven, a teenage girl competing in an international science competition to secure a scholarship. But things take a wild turn when she encounters an owl that seems to know more about her past than she does.
No one knows me and cheers me up as much as you do, Grandma.
Maven and her brother, Merrick, were raised by their grandmother after losing their mother at a young age. I really loved their bond with their grandmother. It reminded me of my own grandmother, whom I was very close to and deeply miss.
I liked how the book combines futuristic technology with real-world issues like climate change. The world-building is amazing, and I liked all the characters. Maven and Merrick’s sibling bond felt real and relatable. Though Maven’s friends played a very small role, I liked how a group of teens was determined to take action about environmental issues. I’m glad the romance subplot between Maven and Thomas didn’t affect the main story.
I admired the author’s imagination. She took the concept of CRISPR (gene editing technology) and imagined it at a far more advanced level and I found it very intriguing. In real life, CRISPR is used to edit genes and cure genetic diseases but in this book Maven’s ancestors used nanotechnology to pass down their knowledge. So if once again Earth faces the threat of extinction due to climate change, their decendents would have the ability to save Earth just like how their ancestors once did.
Much like 7AM Arivu movie in Tamil where Shruthi Hasan, a genetic scientist, used a genetic memory activation to bring back Bodhidarmar’s healing and martial arts skills in Surya. The only difference here is in the method through which they got these abilities.
Another part I really enjoyed was the holographic game competition, where the participants had to find a hidden treasure to win the sponsorship. The ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) made by the participants and the little stunts they performed made it feel like something straight out of a movie. The narrative was so good that I felt like I was sitting with the other students, watching it all happen. The only thing that annoyed me was Professor Millard. He didn’t let us enjoy the show but kept interrupting with his explanations. Informative? Yes but quite annoying too.
Now, let’s talk about animal companions, one of my favorite things in books. My all-time favourite is Storm from Malice by John Gwynne and though not an animal companion I really liked Clef, the talking key from Foundryside. And in this book, we get Hoot (an owl) and Hunter (a falcon). But they aren’t real animals they are like AI-powered constructs, which honestly made them even cooler. Looks like I love any kind of talking companion that isn’t human. Hahaha!
We often forget that we’re all part of this huge intricate web of life, and what we do here matters to everyone and everything. Whether we realize it or not, we’re all connected and responsible for caring for one another and our planet.
The book delivers a very strong message about climate change that it’s the responsibility of every individual to do their part to protect the Earth we live in instead of waiting for those who are in power to do something about it. While the book has some fascinating concepts like using nanotechnology to store ancestral knowledge into DNA and pass it down through generations, I felt like they weren’t explained enough. I had a lot of questions and had to look them up to understand the concept.
After reading a tome like The Way of Kings with its long chapters, the short chapters in Bon Echo and The Competition felt like a breeze. Overall, this was a fresh and a very interesting read, and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Synopsis of Bon Echo and The Competition:
Meet Maven, a young woman of rare brilliance and insatiable curiosity. She is a true original, and her unique perspective on the world around her makes her a captivating friend on this thrilling journey to uncover the world’s most elusive secrets. Join Maven as she re-reads her much-loved diary, recounting adventures with her fellowship, her newfound love, and her awesome feathered friend, a “Hybrid Owl Technology,” as she discovers ancient secrets about her family’s past and the true origins of her feathered friend. These secrets may be vital to protecting the planet from some of its greatest threats. All meet while competing in one of the world’s biggest high school science competitions. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a thrilling adventure story filled with captivating characters, mesmerizing natural settings, and an all-consuming romance that will leave you feeling like you’ve witnessed an extraordinary love. Follow us at “Bon Echo and The Competition,” an exciting science-based quest filled with surprising adventures, discoveries and true love.
About the Author:
Colette is a talented writer and web developer who has turned her passion for science fiction and environmental causes into a new creative writing direction. With a background in Geography, she has taken a more focused approach to exploring ecological themes in her work. Her debut book, “Bon Echo and The Competition,” the first in the Bon Echo Science Fiction series, is a captivating blend of science fiction and romance. Set in a world where environmental issues are at the forefront, Colette weaves a beautiful story of adventure and love that will captivate readers until the end. With her remarkable talent for storytelling, Colette is sure to leave a lasting impression on the science fiction genre.
