Denny is a PhD student whose side hustle takes on a life of its own when his machine merges with a twenty-something waiter named Sean.
Before long, all the wrong people start to notice:
-A secret religious order, The Urialites, prophesy the dawning of the New Age of Nephilim.
-A clandestine unit of Chinese commandos believe they’ve stumbled upon an invincible weapon.
-Sean isn’t sure he wants any part of the new guest.
-As for the machine… well, it has its own ideas.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Nephilim hatches an inventive concept as a PhD student invents a machine with components that merge with human brain waves and is scouted by a secret society. Overall, Nephilim's intriguing setup develops well and nicely hooks readers. However, the antagonist's motivation remains somewhat unclear, causing the conflict to fall a touch short.
Prose: Overall, the writing carries a propulsive staccato rhythm, with dialogue effectively balanced against tense descriptions.
Originality: Nephilim is anchored in authentic science while playing off humanity's desire for betterment and fulfillment; the work offers unique flavor, along with psychological intrigue and philosophical questioning throughout.
Character/Execution: The main characters are distinctive, with memorable identities and histories that serve a unique purpose in the progression of the plot. However, the female characters are not always paid the attention they deserve and would benefit from greater depth.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2024
