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Cover of THE SHROUD PROJECT
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THE SHROUD PROJECT

by the name of Michael Fairchild, a cybernetic clone of Christ made from DNA extracted from his 2,000\u002Dyear\u002Dold shroud. Michael wields his spiritual power to convince the masses that “Digital Ascension” is the way to salvation. But when Joshua discovers the truth behind the process, he sets out—alongside a group of like\u002Dminded rebels, including a young woman named Mae Lin and her eerily perceptive little girl, Zen—to stop Michael. The messiah proves a formidable foe, however\u003B he attempts to stop the rebels by whatever increasingly violent means are necessary. When a shocking connection between Michael, Mae Lin, and Zen is revealed, Joshua will have to finally tap into his latent powers if he’s to save the ones he loves—and the world. Zalewski weaves together religion and science to create a kind of parable both entertaining and philosophical. While allusions to Christianity largely form the book’s backbone, they can occasionally be too on the nose (Joshua’s mothers are named Maria and Josephine, a character wears a “neural crown,” etc.). However, the story’s sheer imagination—combined with Zalewski’s smooth narrative voice—propels the story forward with a delicious sense of mounting dread: “From the recesses beneath the altar, articulated mechanical arms emerged like the limbs of some deep\u002Dsea creature, moving with an almost elegant precision born of advanced engineering and dread aesthetics.” The book’s climax, while not particularly surprising, provides a satisfying conclusion to a fun, gripping tale of religious dystopia."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:554
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9798283715

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

A high school science fair project takes a chilling turn when a group of students attempts to use experimental technology to analyze a replica of the Shroud of Turin, only to find their equipment pic...

Our Review

A high school science fair project takes a chilling turn when a group of students attempts to use experimental technology to analyze a replica of the Shroud of Turin, only to find their equipment picking up signals that suggest the ancient artifact holds a consciousness—or a message—they were never meant to discover. This gripping science fiction thriller masterfully blends forensic archaeology with cutting-edge tech, plunging readers into a race against time as the students' investigation attracts the attention of a shadowy organization determined to keep the shroud's secrets buried.

The novel excels at making complex scientific concepts accessible and thrilling, framing them within a high-stakes mystery that will resonate with fans of smart, suspenseful YA. The diverse team of young protagonists uses their individual strengths in coding, history, and physics to solve the puzzle, providing excellent STEM-positive role models. As the boundary between science and the supernatural blurs, the story raises profound questions about faith, history, and the ethics of discovery, ensuring the plot's tension is matched by its intellectual depth. This is a thought-provoking page-turner that will leave readers questioning what lies just beyond the edge of known science.

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