Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 3: The Destination by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 3: The Destination by W.J. Costello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

End game. Short and dangerous.
Equal Part III, The Destination, picks up with the same conversation that ends Part II. The chase may be over, but Janus and Diana are far from safe. We are reminded early on that the citizens of Equal are unremarkable in all except for their hatred of those who are different. Janus and Diana get careless and things go sour rather quickly.

This is the shortest of the three parts of this novel, but it's packed with danger and information. Everything is explained: Diana's origins, the nature of Haven, and the Plan, two decades in the making, that spawned the chase. Meanwhile, Janus and Diana are far from safety, though their destination is within their grasp. The edginess and danger take a back seat to the philosophy and history revelations that make up most of this volume, but the final run for freedom ultimately makes up for the break in action.

Like in the other books in this series, sexual content and violence peg this story as adult fiction. Still, I found that the author uses every bit of it to progress the story, and though it's horrifying in places, it serves to highlight the degradation of the society of Equal.

I loved Part III and the overall novel. This final installment is quick, but packed with danger, and while everything is resolved, the ultimate fate of Janus and Diana, and of the country of Equal, is left to the imagination. The theme of equality versus freedom provides an abundance of fuel for thought well after the final page is turned and the book is set aside, especially when compared to some of the trends in today's society.

I recommend Equal to fans of adult dystopian thrillers, though those who are disturbed by violence and sexual content might want to steer clear. Since all three parts are literally just a single story broken up into smaller pieces, I would say pick up all three before you start reading and definitely read them in order.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

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Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 2: The Journey by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 2: The Journey by W.J. Costello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The chase is on.
Now that Janus has thrown his lot in with Diana, they are on the run. Part II: The Journey is just that, the part of the story when the couple makes their bid for freedom. Already a creepy and scary villain, Orcus reveals the full extent of his evil nature and is hot on their trail. Those who aid Janus and Diana in their quest to reach the rumored safety of Haven find themselves in his crosshairs.

This part of the story features narrow escapes, costly mistakes, and tragic endings. More of the history and make up of Equal are revealed, and the extent of mankind's efforts to standardize everything and everyone becomes chillingly clear.

Again, this reminds me of Logan's Run, in that Janus, a man formerly tasked with capturing runners and bringing them to justice, is now on the run himself with a beautiful companion, but the lawman who chases them is nothing like the one in Logan's Run. His sadistic nature adds an edge of danger to the story that makes you fear for the two on the run, not to mention any who help them.

As with the first, and perhaps even more so in this one, the violent and sexual content in this story bring it into the realm of adult fiction, though all of it works to progress the story. This installment features more violence than the last.

The danger, intrigue and scope of the chase in Part II catapults this story into the 5 star range for me. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend Equal for adult fans of dystopian thrillers. Keep in mind that this is not a standalone book. This is Part II of a single novel, and as such does not include a resolution for the overall story, though it does resolve some things while it sets the stage for Part III.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

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Adult Dystopian Review: Equal Part 1: The Confrontation by W.J. Costello

Equal Part 1: The Confrontation by W.J. Costello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Equality taken to the extreme.

Equal Part I opens with Mors, an old man at 49 years on the eve of his last day alive. He watches the other guests, people like him whose time is up, and thinks back on his life. The time is up so soon, and now, just as he and the others have gained some measure of understanding and competence, now, just as they finally find their grooves in life, life is over for them, for at midnight they turn 50. And at 50, all citizens of Equal are euthanized, cremated and distributed to the farmers to fertilize the crops for the coming year.

This is our introduction to a chilling dystopian future where equality is valued above all things. Natural reproduction, too prone to variance, has been replaced by science. No longer able to produce offspring, each new generation is designed and produced by scientists, all born on the very day the generation turning 50 is recycled. People who are born with inconsistencies are given equalizer devices which either enhance or inhibit their unique attributes to bring them in line with everyone else.

But the story isn't about Mors, it's about a man named Janus, a Sheriff, who is tasked with retrieving an elusive runner named Diana. With attributes that are too much for the equalizer device to handle, she has been named a lawbreaker and must be captured and destroyed before her very existence can threaten the balance of Equal's society.

I found this to be a captivating read. The society and mindset of Equal are frightening. The story is well-written and well-paced. Details and nuances are used effectively to convey just how bad Equal truly is. The story features sexual and violent content that pushes it into the adult category, though both are used effectively to build the story, the characters, and the world. There is nothing frivolous in this book. All has a purpose.

Overall, I really liked Equal Part I, The Confrontation, and I would recommend it to those who like adult dystopian thrillers. It reminds me of Logan's Run (the movie). Keep in mind that this is not a standalone book. This is Part I of a single novel, and as such does not include a resolution. That is reserved for Part III.

I picked up Equal Parts I, II and III during a free promotion on Amazon.

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