*From the BookLife Prize contest. The critic's report for A LOOK INTO THE PAST: C.I.G.I.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Deadly plagues, magical powers, and a terrifying enemy form a firestorm of danger in this multilayered novel that takes place in the year 2077. The plot centers on Ava Firestone, born in an institute with one purpose: to create Gifted children, capable of mastering nature’s basic elements as weapons. There’s a war raging outside the walls of the institute, and cryptic changes happening inside of it, and Vasileva ties it all together with an epic, and complex, ending that will shock readers.
Prose: Vasileva sets up the story’s conflict right away, giving readers a hint that danger is lurking later in the novel, for Ava, her adviser, Patrick, and the supporting cast. The prose is watchful and convincing, alluding to the story’s building uncertainty at every turn.
Originality: Vasileva builds a world teeming with magic but still believable, in a near future beset by greed and reckless violence. Seasoned readers will recognize several of the story’s fantasy elements, but that doesn’t take away from the entertainment factor.
Character/Execution: Ava is bitterly conflicted—about her abilities, her purpose, and her future—but Vasileva convincingly portrays both her vulnerabilities and gifts as strengths. The story unfolds through her voice, a compelling perspective that readers will instantly connect with. Morgana is an equally gripping character, and the twist at the end sets her up for a return appearance in future installments.
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