"Equations of Life"

"Equations of Life" by Simon Morden (or should I say Dr. Simon Morden - a bona fide rocket scientist per his bio inside the front cover) is Morden's first adult novel and also the first one of the Samuil Petrovitch trilogy. "Equations of Life" is set in the London metrozone after Armageddon and follows the adventures of Petrovitch -- a Russian immigrant, student, and survivor of the bombs that fell on St. Petersburg. Acting on instinct Petrovitch thwarts the kidnapping of the daughter of a wealthy and powerful Japanese businessman (aka mobster). Although he earns the gratitude of said father, he also gains a slew of troubles that endanger the quiet, unnoticed life he's led to date. However, it's not all bad as he makes some new "friends" and his adventures might even lead to romance. Petrovitch, in my opinion, doesn't always know when to keep his mouth shut but fortunately for him people tend to listen to him before shooting or the book would have been very short!

The book is full of adventure but it's also an unveiling of the man behind the mask Petrovitch wears -- layer by layer peeling away until we discover who he really is and what he values most in life.

A good read - If you're interested in reading the short stories that Morden wrote that led eventually to this novel, the author says they are available on his web site for free or to download. I believe that site is www.bookofmorden.co.uk.

pazt