Review: Transference by B.T. Keaton

Overflowing with futuristic drama and suspenseful action, Transference by B.T. Keaton is a debut gem in the sci-fi genre.

Set in some nebulous near-future, a powerful theocratic order on Earth – the Church – gains possession of an alien technology that gives them untold control over the hearts and minds of those on the planet. Not all is as it seems, and those who know the truth of the Church are seen as a threat to the new world order.

Thaniel Kilraven is one such man, putting him firmly at the heart of this dangerous dystopian tale. Years earlier, Kilraven had been instrumental in the discovery of transference tech on Fornax, but has since been ostracized by those on Earth, demonized and blamed by millions for bringing about such a revolution.

However, even being trapped at an Eridanium mine doesn’t put him completely out of harm’s way, and he is not the type of man to live unnoticed for long. With a target firmly on his back, Kilraven is given little choice but to take the fight to the Church itself, escaping his prison and finishing what he started so long ago. With an unlikely crew of companions, Kilraven squares up to a global cult of brain-washed sycophants in order to reveal the greatest secret in human history.

Watching this narrative play out is thrilling, but also eye-opening, as Keaton is masterful in suspense-building and he pays close attention to genuine character development for each character in the story, not only for his protagonist. The plot itself has some echoes of recent sci-fi franchises, but the small details bring this world alive, engaging readers immediately with clever tech and societal nuances.

The ceremony of Transference lies at the center of this novel, acting as the driving force of the plot and the philosophical touchstone of the story. This is the story arc that makes the story feel timely, raising criticisms of blind devotion to religious dogma and charismatic leaders. This is a book that will make readers think, but it is also rife with unexpected twists to please those readers seeking an astral escape.

Strengthened by compelling characters that are fully fleshed out, the novel makes it easy to take sides as a reader. The variation in the narration provides an interesting range of perspectives, each of which is embodied in a slightly different writing style. These different sections are written to be representative of the characters themselves, which adds an additional impressive layer to Keaton’s writing. With a clear desire for immersing readers in this world of his creation, he navigates a fine line between exposition and action, letting both the dialogue and the narration “do the talking.”

There are some sections that feel unnecessarily drawn out, but these lulls are short-lived within this dense and delightfully tangled plot. The editing work is clean and the draftsmanship skill of Keaton is obvious. There are callbacks and long plot strings that show the author’s understanding of and devotion to good storytelling.

Despite being a fun and octane-fueled story of rebellion, this novel is far from superficial in its message. The deeper meanings and more substantive topics the story touches on should earn this novel broad appeal, even for those readers who don’t typically find themselves perusing the sci-fi section.