Robyn's Egg by Mark Souza

Robyn's Egg Reviews

• 
  Jamie DeBree

  As uncomfortable and disquieting as it is, this book really made me think. For one thing, the basic plot starts off with this all-consuming need to procreate...and I don't have a bone in my body telling me I need to have kids (never have, that's why I don't). Because of the way procreation is handled in Souza's post-apocalyptic (for lack of a better term) world, this need pervades every single part of the character's lives. Those who are parents or have that desire to be parents won't have such a difficult time identifying with that part of the book, methinks, though the opposite view is represented as well (sort of). And the whole thing is...well, I really can't say more than that without spoiling the tension that builds while you're reading, so you'll have to just read it.
  
  The other part of this book that really shook me to the core was the societal set-up, and the way people just accepted it, even if they didn't particularly like it, for a good portion of the book. I kept screaming in my head, "Leave! Just leave! Why do you stay?!" As an extremely independent individual, I was completely unnerved at the thought that perhaps there was really no where else to go, and that the existence described was all there was. Which made me okay with other parts of the book I normally wouldn't have been. Funny how the mind works, isn't it? But that's exactly what would happen in Souza's world, so it was spot on, as much as it made me itch.
  
  To make a rather vague review even more vague, hard and harder choices are at the heart of this book. There often are no "good" choices in the lives of these people, and so they have to do as well as they can within exceedingly tight boundaries, even at the end. As usual, Souza does a great job of keeping his characters authentic all the way through, and really that's a big part of what makes it easy to slip into their heads and see the journey as they see it, feeling what they feel.
  
  This should be required reading for everyone, IMO. It's not your average two-hour escape fest, but rather a complex and terrifying prediction of how our world could be someday if we align everything just right. Or wrong, as the case may be.
  
  As a point of disclaimer: I've been a fan of Mark's work for awhile now and while I don't know him all that well, I do enjoy chatting with him from time to time.
  
• 
  Cathy

  After reading several short stories by Mark Souza, I was excited to get hold of this full length novel. I knew it was described as being a 'Futuristic Thriller' but I was completely unprepared for how much distance had been placed between his earlier writing and his latest offering. I am a total horror fan, so without Souza's name on the jacket, I wouldn't have picked up this novel at all. However, I am so pleased that I did.
  For two nights and three days I was completely engrossed in the struggles of Moyer and Robyn Winfield. This was an epic novel which started quite sedately. A married couple living in a futuristic society; wife desperately wants a baby but there are a few hoops to jump through before this wish can be fulfilled. The baby issue opens a massive Pandora's box which ultimately puts the human race at risk. It's an intricate story in which Moyer goes from being an average pen pusher to Superhero, meeting so many fascinating characters along the way.
  
  I loved this book. I was entranced with the culture of Souza's futuristic populace. Not being a sci-fi fan, this was all pretty new to me and I enjoyed spotting the projections of today's society and wondering if this is what we are heading for.
  The characters were well rounded and believable. I found myself warming more to Moyer than Robyn in the opening chapters, as I felt her desperation for a child had somehow made her selfish to the needs of her poor husband, however by the end of the story I found that both characters had completely altered from who they were. The trials they had endured throughout the story had reshaped their personalities into characters it was sad to close the book on.
  
  My only criticism of this book was that in the lead up to the finale, I felt a little bit 'swamped'. I felt there was so much going on within such a short space of time and it didn't give the reader a chance to reflect on what had just occurred. This didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story at all and I am happy to say that, while I'm not a Science Fiction convert, I would add this to my favourites.
  
• 
  Brian Bigelow

  The book started out pretty slow and I was tempted to put it down. I'm glad I didn't though as it gets pretty good later on. There are definite shades of Blade Runner and Fahrenheit 451 to the story.
  
  Major corporations dictate every aspect of the lives of average people. You don't really have a way to think for yourself since you are connected constantly to the net. In fact, its illegal to think independently. There are of course some that would like to change that not being happy with the status quo. I could see myself wanting shake everything up also.
• 
  MrsEnginerd

  Set in a dystopian futuristic world where corporations control every aspect of people's lives - including fertility - Robyn's Egg explores the concept of free will. If our lives can be engineered for profit, making every aspect of our existence (especially reproduction) center around consumption and obedience, how can we truly claim to be free?
  
  Parts 1984, Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451, the narrative uses technology and religion as a means to discuss how willingly people trust the government and/or economic leaders to make decisions on their behalf, with the expectation that the promises of a better life will come true by maintaining, and not questioning, the status quo. I was truly moved by the author's quest to not only showcase the elements that made all these classics relevant to our current times (Big Brother is watching) but to also imbue modern time issues like racism, worker's rights, equity/equality, and the importance of challenging stereotypes and laws created to oppress those they intend to serve.
  
  If as a reader you can't get passed the first couple of chapters, I highly recommend you pick the story up 2/3rds of the way down. Why? That's where most of the insights and action that make this book award worthy reside. The story goes beyond the Winfield's desire for a child, becoming a tale of redemption and coming of age at a time where your social conditioning as an adult may be clouding your judgement of "the greater good".
  
  Moyer explains it best when he pens the following quote: "We are a society of slaved indentured by illusion and propaganda...The illusion is that we control our lives and can make them better. And if anyone says anything different, they get shouted down and branded as unpatriotic." How true do these words sound in a post pandemic, BLM, Me Too, post Trump presidency existence? Souza was a bit ahead of his time with this literary gem.
  
  ***********************************************
  
  I had the privilege of working as an engineer alongside Mark Souza before and after he wrote this book. He mentioned this achievement in passing, a few months before his retirement (and the mess that was 2020), and I'm glad I picked up a copy. The inside winks aimed at his coworkers where not lost on me, and made the reading a lot more enjoyable (I had my own Easter Eggs to find inside each chapter). As a sci-fi fan and dystopic future aficionado, I didn't mind the parallels with other books in the genre, greatly appreciating the infertility/motivation to buy a child angle of the storytelling. Life doesn't always work out exactly as we planned, and this book heavily reflects on what truly consitutes a happily ever after.
  
  Enjoy!
• 
  Lynn Worton

  I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
  
  I love Science Fiction and Dystopian genres, so when I was offered the chance to read this book, I snatched at it. I loved it!
  
  Moyer Winfield is a wonderful character. I liked him very much. He is a hardworking computer programmer/analyst in a huge corporation. He is not particularly the bravest person to have as a lead character, but I found this made him more human and lifelike to me. Living in a future where children are a commodity due to a disaster of biblical proportions, he finds himself thrown into a dangerous game that could get him and his family killed.
  
  I started reading this book, and I was catapulted into a possible future that frankly scared me to death! I love a good science fiction novel, but this is so much more than that. It is also a great thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! This story is not easy to put down once started, because there are several twists that keep the reader hooked and wanting to find out what would happen next. The story is told from both Moyer and his wife, Robyn's point of view; this made it very interesting. Some scenes reminded me a bit of the movie "The Minority Report", especially the shopping ones, which I loved, but I wouldn't want to live in this world for any money in the world! The frightening thing is, I could see this present world we live in evolving into Moyer's world in no time at all, and this thought terrifies me!
  There are some truly scary characters in this book, but I have got to say that Viktor Perko is one of the scariest, not to mention the creepiest! However, there are also some wonderful characters too, which gives the book some balance. Robyn is a woman with a ticking biological clock, which can, in some cases in real life, make people do some crazy things to get a child. I felt sorry for Moyer, because I think he was not ready to be a father and felt pressured. However, I think Robyn is so blinded by her desire to be a mother that she becomes a bit selfish. I must admit that, although I am a woman, I have never had the urge or desire to be a mother; perhaps my biological clock is broken! Nevertheless, I can understand to some degree the desperation these characters feel to have a child, when there is no way to have a family the old fashioned way. Or is there? The story has a lot of twists, as I have said previously, but there were also a few surprises too. There is a lot of action and danger, which kept my anxiety levels high, but there is also some lighter moments that brought a smile to my face. I loved some of the "parenting class" scenes, although I felt for Robyn, as she seemed to have a really hard time with the teaching instructor. When I reached the end of the book, I had a few mixed emotions. I was happy for both Moyer and Robyn, but sad the story ended. I was also left wondering if Moyer managed to find Pandora, but perhaps that will be another story. Who knows? I think this would make an intriguing movie or mini-series.
  
  Mark Souza has written a fantastic futuristic thriller. I love his writing style, which is fast paced and flowed wonderfully. This is the author's first full novel and, although I haven't read anything else by this author, he has several anthologies and short stories which I am seriously thinking of reading in the future.
  
  I highly recommend this book if you love Science Fiction, Thrillers or Dystopian genres. - Lynn Worton
• 
  Easily Mused

  Moyer Winfield wants more than anything to make his wife, Robyn, happy. All she wants is a baby. Unfortunately, we learn that the Winfields, as well as the rest of Mark Souza’s dystopian world, is infertile. Their only hope for having a child is to pay a small fortune to Hogan-Perko—a company that not only clones children, but seems to have their hands in everything else, too.
  
  I found the future in Robyn’s Egg to be both fascinating and terrifying. The technology that allows the population to be constantly wired in, cloning children and manipulating their DNA, rehabilitation that borders on lobotomy, and big business playing God—are but a few of the themes that piqued my interest.
  
  Even though Mark Souza introduces you to a lot of ideas and technology, it’s not overwhelming. It’s surprisingly easy to read while also bringing human emotion to the surface—you’re always aware of how much Robyn Winfield wants a baby. A lot.
  
  What I loved: This may be mean, but I absolutely loved Robyn’s desperation. She wants a child so bad—you can feel it in your gut. She is so strongly driven by this want that she will do anything to make it a reality. Call me sick if you will, but I love an obsession, and that girl is past the point of no return. It’s so well written that you can’t help but long for that child alongside her.
  
  I also love the literary references. Even though most books are illegal, Moyer is able to block his feed and read whatever he wants, and he has great taste in literature. I’m not surprised that books are illegal in this future of theirs. After all, knowledge is power and Hogan-Perko wants to stay at the top of the food chain.
  
  What I didn’t love: I felt like Robyn stole the show, while Moyer seemed to vanish at times. This may have been intended to further strengthen that obsession or to show Moyer’s drive to make her happy, or it could be that I just related to Robyn more than Moyer. Regardless, this was his story and at times he seemed invisible.
  
  There were a few places I felt the story dragging on—a few scenes could have been shorter, but overall the pace was good and I stayed interested and reading. I’m not sure that the ending really answered all of my questions, but that’s a good thing—it’ll leave me thinking about the story long after I’ve read it.
  
  Overall: I really enjoyed it. The similarities between our world and the one Mark Souza‘s created in Robyn’s Egg are also both fascinating and terrifying—mostly terrifying. I like to think today’s dystopian novels are like tomorrow’s Aesop’s Fables, so let’s play nice, mind our own business, and eat our vegetables.
  
  (originally reviewed at EasilyMused.com)
• 
  Elizabeth (Stuffed Shelves)

  In the future we will become fertile, and unable to have children. You are controlled by the net which is extremely guarded. If you fight against it, or the all powerful Perko authority, you will find yourself in rehab or even killed.
  
  Robyn is desperate to have a baby, you can feel the need in her that wants to procreate. Every bone in her body tells her it is what she is missing, and what she needs. She convinces Moyer to spend all of their money in the savings to find a baby.
  
  Moyer foolishly makes a deal with Perko, that he ends up not being able to hold up to. This is just the beginning of a horrible trip for two people who just want a baby to love. After twists and turns that come up with nothing but dead ends, the couple finds themselves on the run to Beget. I won't spoil the whole book for you, but the roller coaster of thrills and conspiracy don't stop here.
  
  Robyn and Moyer are such true and believable characters that you can feel the pain that they have to endure. They both share the spotlight of main characters, and neither of them over powers or controls the other. They are a team relying on one another equally as a partnership.
  
  All through this book, I found myself contemplating such a society, and with Mark's great writing skills, it wasn't hard to imagine.
  
  Robyn and Moyer go thorough such a life altering experience, that they come out on the other side completely different people.
  
  Although the premise of the book might be similar to other dystopian books or movies, the characters is what really shows Mark Souza's unique creativity.
  
  
  www.stuffedshelves.com
• 
  Marcy Kennedy

  I read other reviews of this book before I started that said it wasn't very original and they saw the ending coming. I didn't. I had suspicions about certain things, but in other areas, I liked the twists the author added. Yes, it's a dystopian so there's the big, bad government that you know the hero is going to fight. But if the author removed that, it wouldn't be a dystopian. So I felt that given the constraints placed on it by genre, the book was original.
  
  What I liked most about this story was that I could see this society actually arising from ours--net chips so that people can surf the internet in their mind, productivity quotas, cloning gone wrong. The world the author built felt like the one we could be headed for if we're not careful. It made me want to recommend it to other people for that reason alone, just so we could talk about it afterward.
  
  My biggest annoyance was that this book needed a good proofread. There were still errors that should have been caught.
• 
  Jillian

  I think perhaps I might've warmed up to this novel more if I were reading it in the autumn or winter. A little dreary for a summer read, and with characters akin to Huxley's Brave New World (as in, I wasn't terribly infatuated with anyone, but felt invested enough to stick it out).
• 
  Robin

  Very 1984, which is referenced in the book. OK. I would like to see a sequel to find out what happens to the characters.