Publishers Weekly
08/23/2021
McCrumb’s stirring debut and Children of the Consortium trilogy launch features an unusual, nameless heroine, who was gifted to a totalitarian far-future government in utero to become one of its “recorders,” mentally implanted, drone-controlled thought police who, deprived of all human emotion, observe, report, and assess the activities of all other citizens. Her first assignment after completing training is a space station rescue mission that goes horribly wrong: most of the station’s occupants are already dead, and the drone that controls the heroine is destroyed by a giant cockroach, leaving her vulnerable to forbidden emotions. She begins to feel for the civilian members of the rescue crew, who gradually befriend her despite her off-putting chilliness, among them a young man who comes to care for her deeply. She also uncovers a mystery involving murder and sabotage, which her developing human morality forces her to solve, even at the risk of her own destruction. McCrumb achieves a fascinating coming-of-age story in a convincing far-future technical milieu containing credible characters with consistent and powerful motivations. Readers looking for hard science fiction with heart should snap this up. (Nov.)
Lindsay A. Franklin
"Recorder is crisp and evocative. Cathy McCrumb's debut is a stunner, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment." — Lindsay A. Franklin, award-winning author of The Story Peddler
Foreword Reviews
"Cathy McCrumb’s thought-provoking science fiction novel Recorder asks whether one can understand humanity and still remain its impartial observer. It is a complex science fiction novel about the intersections between human beings and machines." — Foreword Reviews
C.S. Johnson
"Recorder offers an immersive, imaginative world, as seen through the eyes of a young woman who experiences humanity—and hair!—for the first time. With themes of faith, love, duty, and sacrifice, this is one book you won't want to miss." — C. S. Johnson, award-winning author of The Divine Space Pirates, The Starlight Chronicles, and The Princess and the Peacock
Leslie Rose Foreman
"If you like both character and scientific development in your science fiction books, this is your book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Recorder." — Lelia Rose Foreman, author of A Shattered World trilogy
Sandra Fernandez Rhoads
"Brilliant! Recorder is a tightly woven space mystery that captures your heart, explores the search for meaning and identity while grappling with societal differences, and reveals the power of forgiveness and seeing someone for who they truly are. Deeply moving with detailed world-building and complex characters you can’t help but love, McCrumb tells a masterful, must-read story." — Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, award-winning author of Mortal Sight
JANUARY 2022 - AudioFile
Narrator Taylor Meskimen portrays the Recorder—who has no name, just a number—in a time when the Consortium controls society. The story is presented as journal entries, which Meskimen reads in a perky voice to start. As the Recorder is sent on her first mission to a space research station, Meskimen describes the implant that removes essentially all of the Recorder’s personality and the drones that “discipline” her. After that implant is damaged and the drones are destroyed, Meskimen chronicles the Recorder’s transformation. As the Recorder discovers how to think for herself, Meskimen allows a more nuanced range of emotions. For example, thoughtfulness, tension, and suspense creep into Meskimen’s voice as the Recorder tries to protect her friends. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
