This Quiet Tyranny by Jessica E. Thomas is published by her indie creation Provision Books and is available in print, Kindle, and other E-book formats. A futuristic, fatalistic, dystopian story with a similar feel to The Book of Eli without the exorbitant violence, This Quiet Tyranny is a well-written but difficult read. As it should be.
Though the novel has changed since my first read-through in its formative stages a few years ago, the story retains the dark and oppressive feel which seems to usurp life itself from Laine Sutton as she medicates herself with various drugs just to get through her days.The chips ("C-chips") are already implanted in the hands of the people, something her now deceased mother resisted to her dying day. Laine's memories of her mother's life, beliefs, encouragement, and convictions have blurred and all but vanished under the haze and depression of life where the government rules and provides "everything" for its people using Isotek, where Laine's employed, as a vehicle to transport substance to the people. This means that when anything goes wrong, the provisions don't arrive, the cupboards are bare, and many times hunger prevails. But Laine has found a consistent vendor for the pills she needs to survive this dreary existence with a man she dislikes and disdains and her adopted son Hugh with whom she's severed any real connection.
When a man named Boyd intervenes in Laine's life promising an answer to her malaise, a terrible incident at home drives her to find him. When she does, she endures a procedure she's convinced is designed to kill her but actually frees her. From that point on she begins to remember pieces of her childhood and her mother's life during that time.
Laine and Boyd are desperate souls who need each other for more reasons than they can realize. Neither of them knows the other's intent, and the mysteries perpetuate while Laine suspects foul play, and Boyd discovers "the plan" on which he's based most of his decisions is wrong and must be overcome.
The cold emptiness displayed in this story is so well written, the loss of emotions other than depression and hopelessness captured to the point where we shudder at the choices and wince at the philosophies based on the ever-increasing depravity of mankind rejecting God.
The faint faith echoes in the emptiness, a distant draw in Laine's skeptical existence. Something too good to hope for, something too good to be true?
Jessica E. Thomas has written a somber reminder of a plausible futuristic existence where people are mere puppets operated by an uncaring and cruel government exercising its power over many. Those working behind the scenes as opposition members to the government's control prove to be equally as evil. This Quiet Tyranny demonstrates the multiple kinds of slavery people adhere to when they have no moral compass, no spiritual life, and are dead to the knowledge of true freedom.
The story takes some twists toward the end. A bit of confusion late. Although the ending gives resolution, there is no satisfaction - just a glimmer of hope . . .
Father, you know Jess's heart and soul. You know what drives her, what she hopes for, and how hard she works. Please direct her steps, give her hope and joy. Please bless her for all she does to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.