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Thursday 22 June 2017

Book Review: The Salvation Project by Stewart Ross

Last Updated: 01 June 2024

The Salvation Project by Stewart Ross book blog tour graphic

AD* | Humanity’s hope of salvation lies within a single laptop…

A mutation in human DNA means no one lives beyond nineteen. Scientists working to reverse this pandemic died before their Salvation Project was complete, leaving behind the results of their research in a sealed vault – the Soterion.

122 years have passed. The civilisation of the ‘Long Dead’ is almost forgotten, the Soterion has been burned to ashes, and communities of Constants are tormented by brutal tribes of Zeds. Cyrus, Miouda and Sammy flee their burning city with a laptop rescued from the inferno. They believe it contains the key to the Salvation Project. But its batteries are dead, there is no electricity to power it, and murderous Zeds will stop at nothing to get it back…


The Salvation Project by Stewart Ross book cover

I haven't written a review in quite a long time (especially for a supposed book blogger) so when I was invited to participate in the blog tour for the final instalment of The Soterion Mission trilogy, I jumped at the chance. 

The author, Stewart Ross, was actually one of my lecturers at university for those who don't know. Even more strangely, I was approached for this tour by the lovely Faye Rogers, meaning that the fact I already knew Stewart was a complete coincidence!

I always find it difficult to review books by authors I know off the page. All the way through the book I find myself imagining the author writing the story and when it comes to writing up the review, don't even get me started. What if I don't like it? Or, worse, what if I end up offending them?

Most authors are used to negative reviews, but taking it on the chin becomes that little bit harder if a scathing review comes from someone you personally know.

However, luckily, this isn't going to be one of those reviews.

Having followed the trilogy right the way through from the first book (cue all the memories of reading The Soterion Mission as an assigned book, followed by group discussions during the writing of the subsequent two books) I was already familiar with the storyline. Just as well, really, as I think you have to read the entire trilogy if you want to really understand all the nuances behind the events of book three. To that end, a quick word of warning - The Salvation Project is definitely not a stand-alone novel.

One thing I've always admired about this series is the fact that it is marketed as children's fiction yet is unapologetically unashamed to deal with a wide range of serious, deep and complex issues. Ranging from violence and death to sex and much deeper psychological concerns, these are topics most children's books either sugarcoat or skip right over. This provides a refreshing change from the norm - even if sometimes certain passages do leave you a little shell-shocked!

All our favourite key characters return again in The Salvation Project, from the stalwart Cyrus to Miouda and the loyal Sammy. Throughout the book, you find yourself constantly willing them to succeed and finally manage to complete the mission, overcome their enemies, and achieve their common goal. Of course, hardships and perils are encountered along the way (what good is a story if everything goes smoothly?) but it is the ending that really manages to pose the biggest questions of all. This whole series has a strong undercurrent involving questioning the modern world and Western society's values and principles. Definitely one which leaves you with food for thought.

Rating: 3 stars

The Salvation Project, the final novel in The Soterion Mission trilogy, is available to buy now (paid link; commission earned).

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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Have you been keeping up with the series? What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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