The basic premise of this sci-fi thriller is that about 80% of mankind are infected with the deadly P2 virus. With price for one litre of healthy blood at 1.84 million dollars the term blood banking takes on a whole new meaning.
The protagonist of the book is Dallas the worldīs premier designer of blood banks and their state-of-the-art security systems.
Unfortunately his baby daughter has a genetic condition which requires life-long blood infusions to cure. This makes him a security risk for his employer and his contract is terminated in the manner typical for the thriller genre. Dallas survives although his family donīt.
With revenge on his mind he assembles a team of desperate and skilled people - all infected with P2 - and plans the crime of the 21st century: A break-in into the First National Blood Bank on the moon.
The Second Angel combines elements from the classic caper movies with science fiction in a real page turner. A very good read.
It doesnīt hurt either that the science part of this novel is well-researched. This book made me wish I had a degree in biosciences.
Either that or a copy of GURPS Biotech.
Actually this thriller could well be the unofficial setting book for GURPS Biotech.
It is also a gold mine for gamers interested in a near-future setting.
Philip Kerr presents a very detailed and plausible world in the year 2069. A world shaped by stunning break-thoughs in nanotechnology and computer sciences (truly sentient and self-aware programs are the norm).
Its also shaped by sterling accomplishments in genetics and medicine - and their devastating
set-backs: The P2 virus is the result of a project for growing artificial blood when the cloning vehicle underwent an unforseen mutation.
The term īshapedīis not used lightly here. Indeed the people of 2069 are different in their thinking from our time. Diseases - and the fear of them - permeates the entire culture and influences the way people think and set frames of reference. For example history isnīt structured around significant events (e.g. the 1492 discovery of America) or times (the Elizabethan era).
Rather history is structured in terms of diseases - the conquest of Mexico isnīt linked to Cortez but to the smallpox that came with the Spaniards.
Greetings and good-byes are made with phrases and gestures that refer to the blood-flow or the emphasis on healthy blood.
Mr Kerr designed an entire culture and presents many interesting details that seem made to be introduced into a near future game. Conveniently enough much of this game-relevant information is summarized in foot notes. They are easily as interesting as the main text.
Here some examples of the gamer goodies described in the novel:
In short there is such a wealth of setting information that it would be very easy to build a near-future rpg around it. Just plug in your favourite rules system and play.
Even if you donīt you get an excellent near-future thriller. Anyone interested in the genre should be sure to check it out.
