Fragment: A Novel
by Warren Fahy
Published by Delacorte Press, division of Random House
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Reviewed by Mark Owen
Warren Fahy’s Fragment shatters preconceived notions about the evolution of life on earth and spins a rewarding tale that’s part science fiction, part fantasy and purebred thriller. It’s a hard book to put down.
The novel kick offs in the late eighteenth century with a prologue about a mysterious and tragic island landing for the H.M.S. Retribution that sets the stage for the remainder of the book. Flash forward to current time and add a reality television show that documents the new attempt to visit the supposedly uninhabited rock-walled island. Once humanity is harshly educated about the different carnivorous creatures that have evolved in isolation, the high-pitched story resolves into a race between the broadcasters, television stars, scientists and the military. In the end, the new creatures are the real stars.
There’s a substantial amount of science background in the book to educate people about evolution. I found the tidbits about invasive species very educational. Just how does one little animal or plant inserted into a new environment change everything forever? The level of detail provided may distract some readers from the main storyline.
In addition, when the creatures at the highest part of the food chain make their appearance, they turn out to be a bit too smart to be believable. That’s not true for the other critters, which are frighteningly real, if only because of what they can do to humans. It’s clear that Fahy enjoys describing the gory details of man versus creature encounters, but this is not a problem for readers looking for this.
To help clarify the reader’s imagination, there are several drawings of the different life forms on the island. These are tastefully done with a likeness to something Darwin himself would have rendered and documented. This attention to detail makes Fragment a winner.
Armchair Interviews says: If you like thrillers, you’ll like this read.
Author’s Web site: http://www.WarrenFahy.com