The God Wave

February 22, 2016
In a strong debut reminiscent of Ben Bova’s classic work, Hemstreet crafts a tense tale of cutting-edge SF in which an ambitious experiment leads to unexpected results. Neuroscientist Chuck Brenton and mathematician Matt Streegman, both at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, join forces in a project designed to allow people to control machinery with their minds. Collaborating with other specialists and test subjects, they form a company and plunge headlong into their research, which yields astounding results: with enough practice, people can master the so-called zeta brain wave to interface with technology without a physical connection at all. Chuck wants to dedicate the company to humanitarian goals, but Matt sees profit, quickly securing an exclusive contract with a shadowy U.S. government agency called Deep Shield. When Chuck learns Deep Shield’s true purpose, he and his friends are forced into a desperate struggle for freedom. This works well as a techno-thriller with a plausible premise, and Hemstreet imbues his sprawling cast with depth and character. However, it suffers from a plodding predictability—the ideological split between Chuck and Matt and the conflict with Deep Shield are overplayed tropes yielding few surprises. Agent: Emma Parry, Janklow and Nesbit.

April 15, 2016

Neurologist Chuck Brenton studies the brain waves of subjects with his enhanced EEG machine, trying to understand what happens when creative thinkers spike gamma waves, a special state of consciousness. To determine if his subjects could harness that energy to move not only an EEG needle but to manipulate the world around them, he partners with Matt Streegman, a mathematician and engineer. The revolutionary breakthroughs soon attract a shadowy government agency that wants the technology for its own purposes. Matt is determined to secure their interest and ensure the company's financial future, while Chuck is more wary of the organization's motives. VERDICT This debut near-future technothriller has more than its share of villains, but characters such as Matt are given enough nuance to keep them intriguing, and Chuck's altruistic voice balances his nature nicely. The government "men in black" are the typical bogeymen for this kind of suspense, but Hemstreet keeps his protagonists on the run and in peril.--MM

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