A mind bending, philosophical, science fiction thriller, The SHIVA Syndrome is the debut release from author Alan Joshua and it’s sure to grab your attention. Books like this don’t find their way onto the shelves very often and when they do they tend to stand out because they don’t fit the usual genre paradigms and people take notice. Joshua’s release is certainly in that vein. With rich narrative threads that he exploits to the fullest it’s riveting from the start, whilst Beau Walker is one of those eclectic protagonists who readily resonates with the reader. Pace and plot feel exactly right, which given the scope of his theme is quite an achievement, and when the last page is turned it’s likely to leave you deep in thought. More importantly there’s a wholly pervading sense of authenticity which in the main comes from Joshua’s exacting eye for detail. He revels in the complexity of his tale as he weaves converging plot lines together, but every piece of information is there and flawlessly meshes together as he leads us toward a powerful and well-crafted denouement that will linger in the memory for days to come.

One of the most engaging, thought provoking and  genuinely entertaining books you’re likely to read this year, The Shiva Syndrome is a must read for fans of this ever popular genre. More importantly though, it heralds the arrival of Alan Joshua and raises high expectations for his future releases. It is recommended without reservation.