A futuristic dystopian page-turner with layer after layer of complexity.
Not everybody wants to stand out. Certainly not perpetual outsider Jet Stroud, with his unmistakable neon glowing eyes. Hoping for a break from the scornful glances and conspicuous whispers, Jet heads off to the dazzling Skylight University. A shining gem in the cosmos, Skylight is a dream come true for students like Jet who grew up in the cave-like systems of the dismal ARC district. By creating a sustainable park-like atmosphere where humans could enjoy nature freely, visionary designer Christian Albright helped give people hope after the Unbalance, an event that wrecked Earth. Jet may be awed by the Skylight System and the amenities at the university, but he really just wants to hone his athletic skills and blend in with the student body. Any attempts at anonymity, however, turn into space dust when his abnormality turns out to be more than a terminal illness. As Jet comes to find out, “Skylight University is a brilliant place but spooky at times.”
The Prism Affect is a futuristic dystopian page-turner with layer after layer of complexity. The mystery of Jet’s illness, one that seems to have a precise deadline, is just the beginning of the intrigue. Jet’s disease causes confusion and hallucinations, which only make him seem like a lunatic when he actually begins seeing signs and symbols in impossible places. While not the most complex cast of characters, the real excitement in Wint’s writing is the intricate and well-thought out story. Characters that seem minor take on immutable purpose as the story shifts into an ascendant conflict much larger than Jet or Skylight. There were so many moments as the plot barreled forward where I realized amazing connections that I had overlooked in the early chapters, making it a book to gleefully read again. Surprising and thoughtful, the plot builds steadily and ends with a bang. Get ready to lose yourself in The Prism Affect.
