Hello! Today we have an excerpt of Paul T. Harry's
Nanovision, as well as Ashley's review for you! Before we get to those though, how about a little bit about the book and Paul?
About the Book
Title: Nanovision
Author: Paul Harry
Genre: YA Science fiction / Fantasy
Synopsis: Daniel Raye was only sixteen when he walked in on a mob hit against his father. Brutally beaten and left for dead, Daniel awakens in a hospital to find himself blind and with no memory of the hit. Placed in the FBI’s witness protection program, Daniel is relocated to Northern California where he’s given residence with a long, lost Aunt who runs a bio-tech firm called NanoBytes.
Over time, Daniel rebuilds his life and adapts well to his newfound family, but as fate would have it, comes under the scrutiny of the mob once again–but not before his Aunt finds a cure for his blindness. Using a radical untested procedure incorporating robotic nanites spliced with the DNA from animals and insects, Daniel is injected with a serum that only a mad scientist could create.
Does it work?
Better than anyone imagined.
What would you do with x-ray vision?
About the Author
As a young boy I cut my teeth on Marvel Comics, Edgar Rice Burrough's serial novels,(John Carter & Tarzan)and classic movies like "The Day The Earth Stood Still." I also spent many days reading classic science fiction works by authors such as Asimov, Heinlein, Clark, Silverberg, and Bradbury to name a few.
In school my favorite subjects were English and Theater Arts. It is the combination of all of this that led me into writing, especially screenplays. I love the visual medium of movies and television though too many movies today put special effects ahead of the story. I think the greatest compliment I've received about my writing is that people can see the visual images I am creating as I write.
NANOVISION is my latest novel and I think readers will have a lot of fun with it. In writing the novel I used my forty years of experience in the Las Vegas gaming industry as a background for the story. So for those of you who might ask—Are the casino scenes real? The answer is most definitely, Yes!
My other works on Amazon are: THE 5 MOONS OF TIIANA, and THE GARDEN, The Unauthorized Biography of Adam and Eve.
Read an Excerpt
“This is our animal bay,” noted the CEO with a wave of her hand. “It’s in this area that we house a wide variety of animals for our medical research. We use these animals to extract DNA samples for analysis. Then, splicing their stem cells and combing them with nanites we are able to create medicines that will rebuild tissue, conquer diseases like cancer, eliminate infection, and possibly−though we’re not there yet, rebuild entire genetic sub-structures.”
“So why are all these animals injured?” asked Judy, “Was it done solely for product testing?
Judy’s observation stopped Ethyl in her tracks.
“No, no, heavens no!” exclaimed Ethyl in disbelief. “All the animals you see here were injured or sick long before arriving here. We have an arrangement with the humane society and veterinarians in the area to provide us with animals that need help. Every animal you see here was either sick, hurt, or abused, then abandoned or dropped off at the pound by their owners−most were ready to be put down. We rescued them. Here at NanoBytes we are about extending and improving the quality of life, so we provide them with sanctuary. This is a place where these animals can receive the attention they need along with the medical expertise necessary to cure them. From this relationship we are able to create drugs and medicines that can heal without invasive procedures. Here, let me show you.”
Ethyl took Judy to the cages near the end of the kennel. She stopped and pointed to one. Inside was a small kitten about four months old, sound asleep, with all four of its legs bandaged. Ethyl’s anger was evident as she related the story about the kitten to Judy.
“Some heartless, sick, son-of-a-bitch, if you’ll excuse my French, decided to torture this poor creature by cutting its legs off with pruning shears. It was left to die in a garbage can. Can you imagine? Someone found it and brought it to one of our vets, who stabilized its condition then brought it here where we immediately began nanite infusion−the only option available if this kitten was ever going to walk again.”
There was an extreme look of pride in Ethyl’s eyes as she explained what they did next.
“We extracted the kitten’s DNA and broke down the various genomes that relate to the growth of its extremities. Then, using coded stem cells fused with nanites and lizard DNA, which has the ability to rejuvenate cells, we began a series of injections and already we’re seeing results. It’s only been two weeks but each leg has grown a full quarter inch in size with no deformities or cellular degeneration. We’re very excited and hopeful that this little thing will regain the full use of all four legs.”
Ashley's Review
It's been a while since I've read a straight sci-fi novel. Lately, it's been sci-fi mixed with fantasy, or more of a space opera. So I was pretty excited to be able to read Nanovision - how cool does x-ray vision sound?! What I got though, was so much more.
Most of this book doesn't really focus on the extraordinary vision that Daniel ends up with. Which, to me, was a little bit of a disappointment, but at least it kept things moving along and exciting. Well, mostly. Especially if you don't read the synopsis very closely. Because the synopsis gives away at least 60% of the plot and I really hate when that happens. Like I wish it had stopped with the x-ray vision and just mentioned a little bit of the mob stuff, or maybe mentioned the mob stuff and just briefly touched on nanovision. I don't know, I just think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't known EXACTLY what was going to happen.
But, aside from that, it was still one heck of a ride. I don't read many mob books, but Mickey was absolutely terrifying. I would NOT want to be the one on the run from him, and I'd be so scared if I realized he was coming after me again. That being said, I did think it was way too easy for Mickey to find Daniel after the fact. I'm pretty sure the Witness Protection Program works better than that, but who knows what can happen when the mob gets involved. Everything just seemed too... convenient? I think that's a good word for it.
The science was really interesting, and I loved that Nano-Bytes is such an animal-friendly place. I'm glad they only test on injured animals to make them better, and don't hurt them in order to have something to fix. I probably would have given up on the book immediately if that was the case though, so I'm glad I didn't have to throw it across the room and curse at it. I did give it quite the side-eye before Ethyl explains though!
My favorite scenes were probably the ones in the casino, as I could definitely tell that a lot of care and knowledge went into them. They're so detailed and were exactly what I imagined a casino to be like! I loved how Daniel used his new-found abilities in the casino, and still played the fool. It was hilarious!
Overall, this was a pretty decent book. I think a lot of my frustration with it came from the synopsis being too long and not quite enough of the science, but I think that boils down to personal preference and that many people would still enjoy this book. If you like your sci-fi mixed with the mob, suspense, and a little gambling definitely get your hands on Nanovision ASAP! I'd give it a 3/5.
Thanks for stopping by!
--Ashley & Paul
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Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
As a child, McCallum always wanted to write a book. He scribbled in notebooks, drew pictures, and lived largely in a world of make-believe. Into this fertile field a seed was planted. Notebooks began to fill and they didn’t stop. It was a soaring waltz with words among the silvery clouds and he loved it. He was thirteen. 
