Project Tau (Five Worlds)

De: Jude Austin

Narrado por: Matt Weisgerber

Part of the award-winning Five Worlds series. Contains strong language.

Kalin Taylor is on the path to success. He's just won a scholarship to the prestigious Sanderson College of Arts and Science to study medicine. He's also about to do something very, very stupid in the name of becoming one of the 'in' kids at college.

It sounded simple at the time. Sneak into a branch of the top-secret, interstellar scientific company GenTech, take a photo of the genetically engineered creature Project Tau that's supposedly inside, and sneak back out again. Cue membership of the college frat house, cue popularity and an improved lifestyle, right?

Unfortunately for Kalin, simple doesn't mean easy. Now he's facing a life of slavery, assuming GenTech's 'training' doesn't kill him first, and if he doesn't find a way to escape soon, it'll be too late.

©2016 Jude Austin (P)2024 Jude Austin

An Interesting Clone Story

The world building in this story was interesting if a bit simplistic and anachronistic at times. The primary theme revolves around human cloning … called Projects … that are grown and used in place of humans in dangerous environments (mines) and experiments that have apparently greatly benefited humanity in general, but these clones are always property, treated more or less like animals. But they are hugely expensive and the labs that grow them operate on a very slim margin … so when the opportunity to pass off a human as a project lands in front of the lab executives, they just can’t pass that up … and Kalin becomes project Kata … with skills and abilities no Project has ever had before if only they can “break” his independent streak. And that is where the story turns very dark, especially for a YA genre.

When Project Kata is thrown in with Project Tau (an actual, advanced human clone), the interactions provide a backdrop to explore what is means to be human … and what it means for a human to be reduced to mere property (think chattel slavery). There is also a dimension of human psychology with respect to how these projects are trained (aka broken) that provides an opportunity to highlight the effects of abuse and violence, both physical and mental, that was designed to dehumanize the subjects (not human and clone) and how those in authority can justify their inhuman behavior. It all seemed plausible given my understanding of human history and psychology; although to be honest, I found the focus here a little difficult to take at times, but the protagonists were very sympathetic characters and I was pulling for them the entire time while anticipating a better situation at the end …

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#ProjectTau #Project #FreeAudiobookCodes

Well written, entertaining science fiction

Project Tau is a well written, entertaining science fiction adventure. It is set around 1700 years in the future, when humanity has settled on other worlds, of which about half a dozen are described. The basic plot centers around what happens when Kalin, a college student, breaks into a laboratory on a dare. It’s not good! The narrator does an excellent job, especially as Kalin.

Engaging

My kind of sci-fi. Plot was engaging and the concept was really unique. I liked the moral and ethical dilemmas presented. I think the characters could've been a bit more developed and the story did move pretty slowly, but I liked many personality aspects of the protagonist. It was emotionally engaging and the progression of the story kept me wanting to know what happens next. Not a top favorites novel, but I definitely enjoyed the read. I'll probably go ahead and finish the series. The ending also leaves you wanting more.

Great story.

Fantastic story. There is one thing that came up repeatedly that I felt really wasn’t necessary, but it didn’t take away from the story. It just didn’t add to the story. The narrator isn’t my usual style of narration, and I can think of other people who probably would’ve done a better job. But the person who read the story did not do a bad job.

Overall, I do think whoever is reading this review should editor their collection if they’re a sifi fan. The description of the story does a very good job explaining what it is. If the description sounds good, you’ll enjoy the story.

I liked it.

I really enjoyed this book. There were things I questioned a lot but I don’t want to give things away in my review. Kata & Tau are very interesting characters and I’d definitely be interested in listening to or reading book 2. Narration was really good by Matt Weisgerber.
I was given this title in exchange for a review.

Fast-paced Sci-Fi Thriller

Project Tau is a “genre-bending” sci-fi psychological thriller and emotional drama and the first book in Jude Austin’s Five Worlds series! It’s not the kind of sci-fi book filled with spaceships and aliens, but instead it’s a character-driven sci-fi realism story set in a future where humanity has left Earth to inhabit other planets and genetic engineering and cloning exist (and have gone horribly wrong)! The book explores the human and emotional impacts of those technologies in a straightforward, thrilling, fast-paced story—making the book appeal to a much larger audience than your typical sci-fi novel!

The story follows Kalin Taylor, a college freshman, who’s dared by fraternity leaders to break into the headquarters of GenTech, a powerful genetics corporation, to get a glimpse of the infamous “Project Tau.” Kalin is immediately caught by GenTech, and rather than facing trial or release, he's forced to become part of the Project program himself, stripped of freedom and subjected to the same brutal conditioning meant for clones. It is here that he meets Project Tau. Unlike Kalin, Tau has never known a life outside the lab. Naïve, obedient, and desperate for approval, Tau has been raised to accept that he is less than human. Together, they face a harrowing struggle for survival inside a system designed to crush body and spirit alike.

The writing is fresh, snappy, and easy to follow and has lots of dry humor and banter incorporated throughout. Although the main protagonist is a young adult, this book is a dark, emotionally intense novel suitable for both upper YA/new adults and adults and includes some potentially triggering content: abuse & torture, dehumanization, scientific cruelty, gaslighting, and profane language.

The majority of the story is told from the 3rd-person POV of protagonist Kalin, allowing readers to become fully acquainted with the character and learn about his backstory and unhappy family life. Kalin is initially cocky, impulsive, and naive—all traits that help lead to his imprisonment at GenTech. His character arc is a central part of the story—his nightmarish experiences at GenTech force him to confront his identity and the true definition of freedom. He's unwilling to be broken and clashes with GenTech’s methods and scientists at every turn, and his incredible resiliency makes him very "badass" and likeable! The real heart of the story lies in the bond between Kalin and Project Tau. After getting to know Tau and witnessing firsthand the inhuman training and conditioning exercises he’s been forced to endure, Kalin takes on the role of protector and mentor for him.

Meanwhile, Tau slowly starts questioning the lessons and programming drilled into him since birth, learning from Kalin that he deserves more than the life GenTech has forced upon him! Even though Tau is a naive clone bred for servitude, he’s still portrayed as a deeply sympathetic character—and his innocence, confusion, and programmed obedience make him very tragic early on. Fortunately, with Kalin's help, he expands his self-awareness and becomes bolder later on, and readers will be rooting for him!

The story is also told from the POVs of GenTech scientists Denison, Renfield, and Chatton. Denison is the most vile—his detached, casual cruelty makes him extremely unlikable, and his clashes with Kalin often end in violent punishments—which is heartbreaking to read at times. Renfield is the most likable of the scientists—even though he mostly remains detached and clinical, he later begins to question Kalin’s real identity and the ethics of keeping him at GenTech—triggering some major plot twists!

In terms of pacing, the book has a slow-burn start but quickly picks up momentum and remains fast-paced throughout, with clever twists and turns in the second half. The story culminates with “explosive” final chapters and ends in a cliffhanger—which isn’t surprising, being the 1st book in a series—but readers will be eager to find out what happens next! Fortunately, book 2, Homecoming, is available in Kindle and audiobook formats, so readers can immediately continue their reading adventure with these amazing characters!

🎙️Narrator Performance🎙️

Matt Weisgerber uses a youthful, intelligent-sounding voice infused with unease, defiance, and sarcasm in all the right places to accurately portray protagonist Kalin through all his experiences at GenTech. The dialogue between Kalin and Tau is a major highlight, as Weisgerber organically transitions their conversations from guarded and uncomfortable to trusting and heartfelt. The exchanges between Kalin and the scientists are equally captivating. Weisberg authentically conveys Kalin’s dramatic defiance and high level of resiliency, especially in the hostile scenes with Dr. Denison. Weisgerber injects voice cracks into Kalin’s tone at the precise moments to allow listeners to feel Kalin’s fear and anger without overacting.

Weisgerber portrays Tau with a naive, hesitant voice, perfectly capturing his childlike conditioning and limited grasp of the world. Weisberger subtly shifts his performance to convey more confidence and self-awareness as Tau begins to question what he’s been taught—making him feel more relatable and a character listeners want to root for! In contrast, Weisgerber uses a cold, clinical-sounding voice to portray the GenTech scientists, with Dr. Denison given the most ruthless and sinister tone, to the point of being chilling and making him very unlikable!

Weisgerber also does an expert job pacing the story—the pacing is deliberately slow at times to match the oppressive laboratory and quickened during confrontational scenes (especially when Kalin becomes frantic) and the high-stakes scenes at the end—making the listening experience very cinematic!