Kinesis | Ethan Spier | Review
*image via GoodReads
Psychokinesis: the ability to move objects with only the power of your mind.
When the police arrive at the home of Leonard Samson after hearing word of a break in, the scene that greets them is both unusual and horrifyingly gruesome. After being brutally beaten to the point of unconsciousness, witnessed violence against his wife and daughter, and the murder of his six year old son, Samson is found sitting calmly in his kitchen with the surviving members of his family whilst the two men who broke into his home lay dead in his living room. The bodies are mutilated beyond comprehension and the police start to suspect it is the work of a Kinetic, a person with the ability to move objects with their mind.
Detective Clarrisa Chapman from the London Psychokinetic Investigations has witnessed both shocking and unusual cases of Kinetic’s over the years, but when she’s brought onto the Samson case things don’t quite add up. Firstly Samson doesn’t fit the profile of a Kinetic, he’s sound of mind and refuses to demonstrate his ability at all costs, in contrast Kinetics who discover they have the ability usually end up on violent streaks and eventually drive themselves into insanity. Upon finding out the police suspect him of being a Kinetic and have plans to lock him away for the public’s safety, Leonard runs. But it’s not just the police who are chasing him down.
So what’s my verdict?
Readers who aren’t a fan of the gore and violence may want to approach with caution, the first chapter is especially harrowing to read. That being said Kinesis is one of the most gripping reads I’ve picked up in a while. The premise of humans have telekinetic or psychokinetic abilities is not an entirely new concept, but Spier manages to keep the concept fresh with a rich back story on the science and social history of the ability without it intruding on the story as a whole.
In terms of characters, it’s actually quite hard to pin down who the main protagonist (or antagonist) is. Though this may come as a disadvantage for some novels, the rotation of viewpoints and personal stories actually helps drives the plot and aids character development. It especially helps when you’re getting to know Clarissa and Leonard's characters assisting in balancing out the viewpoints on the good and bad qualities of Kinetics.
The ending feels like it’s lifted straight out of a movie, the imagery is pretty graphic yet there are also smaller emotional moments that Spier pushes through to keep it from being a generic action sequence. Not to mention the plot twists and the final epilogue, which set up the book’s sequel, leave you feeling both satisfied and thirsty for more.
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