An enrapturing addition to the sci-fi genre.
In a dystopian future where the megacorporation Thorne Century has great power in the expanded United States, two very different youths form a remarkable connection that has the potential to bring changes not only to their lives, but also to the entire world. Billy, a youth that is owned by Throne Century, has psychic powers beyond imagination, but his superhuman abilities come at a cost. Unable to touch or speak freely, and somewhat socially awkward due to growing up in a laboratory, Billy struggles to find his place in the world. Natalia is a bold and spirited girl that was raised by a poor family in a desperate community. When Thorne Century, in order to extract the most out of Billy, assigns him to go to school, he meets Natalia, and their combined force will affect their lives forever.
Many science fiction books are simply for entertainment. Others may be written to make a political or social statement. By means enthralling storytelling and obvious parallels to our current society, Knight in Paper Armor has superbly achieved both. Corporate greed and power, and human prejudice are just a couple of the topical similarities that exist between Billy and Natalia’s world and our own. Despite the main characters being young adults, the refined writing style of this book ensures that it will have broad appeal among both teens and adults alike. The world and characters feel genuine, and the author has done a great job of bringing the futuristic realm to life. Nicholas Conley’s writings could easily share a bookshelf with such classic writers as Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, or Aldous Huxley. A well-paced and marvelously plotted novel, Knight in Paper Armor is an enrapturing addition to the sci-fi genre.
