Recorder by Cathy McCrumb
Sci-Fi. 354 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
The Consortium is All. But Recorder Can No Longer Obey.
Recorder has no family, no friends, and no name. Donated to the Consortium before birth, her sole purpose is to maintain and verify the records. A neural implant and drone ensure compliance, punishing for displays of bias.
Suddenly cut off from controlling technology, Recorder tastes what it means to be human. But if the Consortium discovers her feelings, everyone she knows will be in danger.
With no name, no resources, and only an infinitesimal possibility of escape, Recorder’s time is running out.
My Review:
Honestly, this book took me a bit by surprise. Typically, I prefer sci-fi on screen to written sci-fi. I like the visual effects, worlds, and stories, but often find the world building drudgery and too hard to understand in books (unlike fantasy worldbuilding for some reason? I think all the science is harder for me to follow). So, I put this one off, despite the raving reviews. I had friends who said it was phenomenal, so I put it on my TBR, but didn’t prioritize it until I met the author and saw the very Iron Giant-esque cover for the sequel (we bonded over our mutual trauma XD). Now that I’ve read it, I must say I believe this may perhaps be my favorite read of the year.
First of all, it was easy to read and follow. The worldbuilding was peppered in just perfectly enough to make it intriguing and yet still easy to understand. I wanted to learn more and explore. It was done with such a light, skilled hand. We spent most of our time on a ship, and yet McCrumb kept us on our toes, engaging the reader, building tension, and fleshing out the culture of her society and its unique structure. We got snippets of other places like the Consortium the Recorder grew up in and the stark contrast against the outside world was so effectively portrayed through the variety of responses she observed in the characters around her.
As a bit of a sidenote, I will say that for some reason, I expected the story to be about robots or androids or something like that. I’m honestly not sure where I got that idea from or why I developed that expectation, but I was surprised to learn the story had so many humans in it XD
However, speaking of characters and their dynamics and responses to the Recorder. *insert absolute fangirling* This book was so freaking well-written! Well-paced with the tension and reveals, well-developed with the beautifully different character dynamics and growth, and the well-built world, well-plotted story points, all of it. It was like a delectable treat or stunning work of art. I was so thoroughly impressed on a technical level, but emotionally, I was simply not prepared.
My absolute favorite part of the book was the team the Recorder was placed on and watching how each one interacted with one another and with her. Spanos, Timmons, Jordan, and DuBois absolutely tore my heart out with their brilliant flashback chapters. And of course, we cannot neglect Max, Kyleigh, Ross, & Elliot. McCrumb really pulled these threads together to spin a tightly woven, spellbinding tale. It was a page-turning, suspenseful mystery I just wanted to unravel. I couldn’t seem to put it down.
It was fascinating to watch the Recorder learn how society truly worked, miss or pick up on social cues, and being dropped into the deep end of a new culture with minute nuances. Watching her adapt and rooting for her from her severely disadvantaged starting point made this book such a treat. I’ve heard some say that the Recorder is an excellent example of autism, and upon reflection, I can totally see that from my own experience. The characters are all so brilliantly written, but when you drop them into situations together, that’s where the real magic happens.
Though, honestly, above all of the excellence of the writing, the plot, and the characters, what pushed this book over the edge for me was the absolutely stunning observation on humanity. The thematic exploration of worth, morality, and the bravery of choosing to do what is right no matter the sacrifice or cost resonated deeply with me. This story portrayed the depth of human suffering, deception, bitterness and rage, and searing grief and aching loss of our broken world is so effectively and beautifully overlayed into this sci-fi world. But there is also great valor and strength, a depth of compassion, and utter hope in growth and restoration. Along with a few nods to government interference and ridiculous, restrictive regulations. Ah! I simply don’t have the words for how this beautiful book made me feel. <3 GO READ IT!
Content: clean romance, subtle and sweet, no foul language (in fact, there was an anti-obscenity law and it was humorous to see how it was handled XD), and I don’t remember any graphic violence, though there were some mild sci-fi injuries, etc. I heard a few complaints about the cockroach scene, but as someone who grew up with Men in Black, this was laughably harmless. So, some people have been a little grossed out, but I really just didn’t see what the big deal was personally. The themes, while deep, aren’t handled in a way that would make me want to give the book to an older audience. I’d feel fine giving the book to a preteen.
I’m dying to read the second book! Just writing the review makes me want to read this one again!
More:
Book 2 in the Children of the Consortium trilogy is Aberration (5 Stars)
Book 3 is Guardian (5 Stars)
This series must be read in order, and I’d suggest having them handy! It’s a page-turning ride! Check out the links for more info.
On GraceBought
See my thoughts on the next book in the series here!