New Pacific

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read...!
Review: An excellent book that provides us with a wonderful sequal to Pacific Empire. It is set in the (not-too-distant) future in a time when governments are superfluous and huge conglomerates have total control. The New World Order sets out to eradicate poverty and ensure that the entire population of the world is clothed, fed and accommodated, but there are some people who dream back to a time when things were less regulated. Takashi Tanizaki is one of these people; he just doesn't realize it yet. Originally dedicated, loyal and hard-working as he climbs his way up the corporate ladder, Takashi's world is thrown into turmoil when his brother becomes a thorn in the side of Morimoto, Takashi's own company. But Takashi's problems don't end there. Betrayed by clones and not knowing who he can trust, Takashi's own destiny becomes intricately tied in with the future of Morimoto in a wonderful twist that ingeniously links back to Ms. Hayden's earlier work, Pacific Empire; although not having read PE will in no way detract from the enjoyment of the story.

But the real joy of New Pacific lies in the evocative prose. Ms. Hayden writes with a lean, economic hand, and has a rare talent for stimulating the imagination of the reader into believing that she has provided more information than she actually has. At 179 pages the book is comparatively short, but having finished it, I felt as if I had just completed one of the fullest novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. A must-read for anyone who demands quality in their literature.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read...!
Review: An excellent book that provides us with a wonderful sequal to Pacific Empire. It is set in the (not-too-distant) future in a time when governments are superfluous and huge conglomerates have total control. The New World Order sets out to eradicate poverty and ensure that the entire population of the world is clothed, fed and accommodated, but there are some people who dream back to a time when things were less regulated. Takashi Tanizaki is one of these people; he just doesn't realize it yet. Originally dedicated, loyal and hard-working as he climbs his way up the corporate ladder, Takashi's world is thrown into turmoil when his brother becomes a thorn in the side of Morimoto, Takashi's own company. But Takashi's problems don't end there. Betrayed by clones and not knowing who he can trust, Takashi's own destiny becomes intricately tied in with the future of Morimoto in a wonderful twist that ingeniously links back to Ms. Hayden's earlier work, Pacific Empire; although not having read PE will in no way detract from the enjoyment of the story.

But the real joy of New Pacific lies in the evocative prose. Ms. Hayden writes with a lean, economic hand, and has a rare talent for stimulating the imagination of the reader into believing that she has provided more information than she actually has. At 179 pages the book is comparatively short, but having finished it, I felt as if I had just completed one of the fullest novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. A must-read for anyone who demands quality in their literature.

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced and suspenseful look at the future
Review: In a future world where big corporations have taken over the role of big government, Tanizaki Takashi finds himself a pawn in a dangerous game that takes him all over the world, and to the moon. An underdog trying to stay one step ahead of devious corporate powers, Takashi's eyes are opened, and his basic beliefs challenged in his travels. G. Miki Hayden's lyrical prose and thought-provoking ideas kept me turning the pages and rooting for her hero.

Rating:
Summary: New World Order or Nightmare: New Pacific
Review: New Pacific
By G. Miki Hayden
Silver Lake Publishing
www.silverlakepublishing.com
2004
ISBN # 1-931095-80-9
Large Trade Paperback
$13.95 US

Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2005

"A society that depended on companies for its daily sustenance could not mandate restrictions in those companies." (Page 28)

Years ago, when I was a teenager and thought I knew it all, a certain domestic car company produced a car that they knew would detonate and kill passengers when struck from behind during an accident. That a certain number of people would die was considered acceptable by this company as a cost of doing business. Such a concept is the theme behind this highly disturbing, yet very enjoyable novel penned by G. Miki Hayden.

In this not too distant future, the NEW WORLD ORDER has actually come to pass. Along with the effects of a steadily increasing population and global warming, large monolithic corporations have completely replaced governments. National boundaries and interests no longer exist and instead, corporations ensure peace and stability worldwide while taking care of all. Those that die, beyond those that die from natural aging, do so due to accidental technology glitches and the survivors are well paid. The world is a controlled safe place but dissent and freedom still simmer in mankind.

For Tanizaki Takashi, those issues do not exist, as he is a small part of the huge corporation known as Moritomo and acutely aware of his place in it. Summoned to Singapore by his supervisor, Najita, he goes and follows rigid protocol. His role is what it is and Najita reminds him of that repeatedly before assigning him the task of finding a missing scientist, Dr. Sato. Dr. Sato has created a living weapon system that could be targeted to a number of variables including, a person's age, gender, race, etc. Dr. Sato may have taken a part of it with him and they want their property, both Dr. Sato and his weapon system, returned to them.

Takashi begins the hunt, which will lead him to the Moon and Moritomo's lunar colony. In so doing and while coming to terms with the realization that he is an expendable pawn in a high stakes power game, he begins to question his own life and reason for existence. When the pawn becomes self aware, it ceases to be a pawn and becomes something more.

Filled with social commentary about a world that may be coming, this intriguing science fiction mystery presents a dark tale that does not seem that far fetched at all. As the read moves forward, the levels of corporate deception become more complex as do the possibilities for escape. Ripped from his place in the world where he had become all too complacent, Takashi looks deeply into the abyss in search of himself. The question becomes can he survive long enough to find the answers he seeks.




Rating:
Summary: A truly frightening look at our future if ...
Review: What could be worse than politicians in charge?! Well, G. Miki Hayden gives us one answer--corporate suits who stop at nothing--using technology to stay in control; people trapped in cubicles where they live and work; a polluted, over-populated earth; and more... What can one man do? Well, with a little help from family, friends, and clones, he can try to save the earth and the moon...

Rating:
Summary: A truly frightening look at our future if ...
Review: What could be worse than politicians in charge?! Well, G. Miki Hayden gives us one answer--corporate suits who stop at nothing--using technology to stay in control; people trapped in cubicles where they live and work; a polluted, over-populated earth; and more... What can one man do? Well, with a little help from family, friends, and clones, he can try to save the earth and the moon...