Epeolatry Book Review: Rogue Sequence by Zac Topping

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​Title: Rogue Sequence
Author: Zac Topping
Genre: Action Adventure
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Date: 4th June, 2024

Synopsis: It’s 2091 and independent contract companies around the world are producing genetically modified soldiers…to be sold to the highest bidders.

Ander Rade is a super-soldier, a genetically engineered living weapon, and has been dutifully following orders since he gave himself to Xyphos Industries’ Gene-Mod Program several years ago. But when a mission goes sideways, he’s captured, imprisoned, and forced into brutally violent fighting pits for the better part of the next decade…until agents from the Genetic Compliance Department of the United American Provinces appear in the visiting room.

Things have changed since Rade was captured. Shortly after his incarceration, the World Unity Council banned human genetic engineering and deemed all modified individuals a threat to society. Overnight, an entire subculture of people became outlaws simply for existing. But instead of leaving Rade locked behind bars, the GCD agents have come with an offer: Freedom in exchange for his help tracking down one of his former teammates from that ill-fated mission all those years ago.

It’s an offer Rade can’t refuse, but he soon realizes that the situation is far more volatile than anyone had anticipated, and is forced to take matters into his own hands as he tries to figure out whose side he’s really on, and why.

 

Language warning: I’ve used the occasional curse word below.

I have to open this review by saying that author Zac Topping had quite the tough op in hooking me as a reader. I’ve long been a fan of action adventure books and movies; well, since I first read the books/saw movies like Gorky Park and the Hunt for Red October, anyway. (My standard for movie-going/movie-watching is always quite simple; basically filtered with the qualifier, “Is there shit that blows up?”) Still, I have to admit when it comes to this genre, I’ve gotten a little bored. Some of my old favourites haven’t stood the test of time, and the handful of newer novels I’ve explored feel very much the “same old same old”. I eventually decided to take a break from this genre because I felt it, and its authors, were not taking advantage of the ample opportunities to give it the contemporary update it needs. Especially when followed by situations (back when I was going to conventions pre-COVID) where a certain author started complaining to me that most of the attendees to his popular panels were women/women-identified. “Where are all the men,” he said, “I write these books for men.” (Head bap, right?)

Fortunately, Zac Topping’s Rogue Sequence has redeemed the genre in the way I mentioned above. Set in the near future, it tracks the fate of genetically enhanced super soldiers who have been decommissioned and forced to turn “rogue” as referenced in the title. Without being too heavy handed, Zac Topping adds in a subtle commentary about the ethics of scientific advancements when applied to warfare, thus providing the social and cultural nuance I was looking for. And to top it all off, the book was well written, even in the ARC version. The events flowed like an incendiary wave of flame, ensuring that I was completely engaged in the story up until the teaser end (yes, there’s a sequel). Even though I’m against war on general principle, I found the “super soldier” characters engaging and relatable, and I cared about their fate throughout the book. I was even made to care about the “bad guys” a few times in the key combat/action scenes, which reminded me that nothing is black and white when it comes to navigating the intertwined worlds of politics, warfare, and commerce. I’d recommend this action-packed read for us “armchair adventurers”, accompanied by a crackling fire, and with a snifter of Scotch close at hand. Cheers!

/5

Available from Amazon and BookShop.

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