Title: Crimisle – Fifth Book of the Shonak Series
Author: Dennis Patrick Treece
Publisher: Clever Publication
ISBN: 978-1989942161
Genre: Science-Fiction
Pages: 250
Reviewed by: Nicole Olson
Pacific Book Review
Crimisle – Fifth Book of the Shonak Series is the name of a fictional Siberia-like island the world’s prisoners are sent to in the well-thought out sci-fi series by Dennis Patrick Treece. The Shonak Series follows the alternate world of Shonak, inhabited by Shonakians who are fascinated by watching the goings-on of Earthlings. This sci-fi series is an addictive page turner that doesn’t get old. Terrace approaches each book with a distinct story telling style that makes the series fun and addicting to read.
In the series, Earth knows much less about Shonak than Shonak knows about Earth. However, by the fifth book there are some global relationships made between the Earth and Shonak. The story is told in the third person by a narrator that pities the inhabitants of Crimisle and reveals the author’s social commentary on human nature. Though dark and morose at times, the reader can find themselves at odds or in agreement with the narrator. This book is great for inducing debates and discussions in a book club or among older (17+) students.
Treece’s writing is straightforward and descriptive, but far from flowery. He describes nearly every detail of Crimisle from its shape and size to its climate. The details he includes show readers just how dangerous the prisoners’ exile is and exactly how serious such a phenomenon is. Though his sci-fi series is complete fantasy – he describes everything in such a believable way. It is easy to imagine the setting and the characters, which makes his dystopian tale terrifying to read.
Crimisle haunts the human conscience. The book reads like a rated-R version of “The Hunger Games” without the romance. The scenery and characters would make for a successful movie or television series. After some brief introduction to Crimisle the book describes the various characters and their allegiances within the prison located on the remote island. Shonakians are impressed by how leaders and groups are formed within the prison and Terrace’s character development and storytelling mirrors that same fascination within the reader.
Though there are a lot of characters in this book it is very interesting to follow their stories and see how they relate to one another. The population of Crimisle is vast though Treece choose specific people to focus on. He introduces a variety of people who are serving time on Crimisle. As he reveals more and more about each character and the nature of the prison, readers are left to consider their own opinions about crime and punishment.
