Chimera by Rob Thurman
June 1, 2010
Sci-Fi
Paperback 352 Pages
Roc


Reviewed by Tori


Favorite Quote: “What? Your family. That doesn’t mean your obligated by law to love each other.
“What’s not to love? He’s my brother.”

From Rob Thurman comes a thrilling Sci Fi thriller that questions humanity and the lengths those will go to alter it. Ten years ago Stefan Korsak’s little brother was kidnapped. No one knows who or what took him, but Stefan has never forgotten him.

As a rising figure in the Russian mob; his contacts have finally paid off. He has found Lukas. But soon Stefan realizes that Lukas has changed and is no longer the little brother he remembers. Brainwashed and genetically altered, Lukas is a key player in the next step of genetic evolution. As Stefan and Lukas grow closer, Stefan realizes that saving Lukas may be easier then surviving him.

As huge fan of Thurman’s Cal Leandros series, I was pleased to discover her writing something new but keeping in line with her unique style of humor and wit. Chimera is a fast paced exciting read that seamlessly blends the personal self discovery of two brothers into a fantasy based plot.

I found myself drawn Stefan and Lukas as though they were my own brothers and rooted for them the whole book. Stefan Korsak is a high ranking member of the Russian mob. Though he is very good at his job, this was not the life he wanted. As he goes through the motions of his life, his real passion is finding his younger brother Lukas.

Stefan was there when Lukas was kidnapped and he has lived with the guilt of that night for ten years. Using his contacts, Stefan has found out where Lukas is and with a little help steals him back. But Lukas remembers nothing of his former life or family. Brainwashed and genetically altered by an unknown faction, Lukas is now an lethal assassin. As Stefan tries to emotionally reach his brother, a series of events have put Stefan persona non grata with the mob. So now they are on the run from the unknown faction who wants Lukas back and the mob who wants Stefan dead.

I fell in love with Stefan from the beginning. Though trained as a bodyguard and twice as dangerous, he has a heart of gold and the patience of a saint. His moral code is very much at odds with the whole mob mentally and his naiveté often gets him in trouble. Laid back with a very dry sense of humor; his quips and quotes made this so much more then a simple Sci Fi thriller.

As he and Lukas try to stay one step ahead of the mob and the faction, you see him trying to come to grips with what happened to his brother. He begins his master plan by plying Lukas with sweets and teaching him to drive a car. Their journey of rediscovery is surprisingly poignant and heartfelt. We are treated to a rare glimpse of the lengths family will go to to save one of their own. Lukas is delightful in his chameleon like changes between battle weary adult and naive child.

One particular scene had me chuckling. Lukas asks Stefan about females & sex. Stefan tells him the law says you has to be twenty-one before you can have sex. Lukas has some serious trust issues and maintains a wary level of awareness. His time at the institute has him constantly on guard against becoming attached to anything to anyone. Especially when concerning his unique gift. But Stefan’s patience and absolute trust in Lukas brings him around and their bond slowly develops.

The supporting characters are all wonderfully written and rich in detail. Stefan’s friend Stan is a strange paranoid little man and adds much comic relief to the story.  Always there to help for the right price, Stan’s particular blend of altruism and mercenary talents had me laughing & cheering him on. Jericho, one villain in the story, is a truly nasty and immoral individual.  But it’s his humanity that makes him far more sinister. His actions show us that the monster that passes us on the street is far more frightening then the one under our bed.

The end of Chimera is a brilliant Machiavellian twist that surprised, saddened and elated me.


Rating: 5/5

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Thanks Tori!!