Official Review: The Midas Effect by Manuel Dorado

[kandscreeley]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Midas Effect" by Manuel Dorado.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Manuel Dorado has written a satisfying and  interesting technothriller in The Midas Effect. Thought-provoking, the book explores human nature with all its good - love and friendship - and bad - greed and power. Originally written in Spanish, this English translation is a highly entertaining, well-written story that will survive the test of time.

Monica Eveleigh has a mission. Her mission is to "capture" Miguel Le Fablec. The people she works for think he could be a Midas - someone who "can make their imagination become reality." He can't know anything about it, though, until they know more about his abilities. Monica's superiors have arranged for him to leave his position at the University of Grenada and go to San Jose State University in California, which is near their secret research facility. Does Miguel really have these powers? If so, how will he stop those who just want to use him for what he can do?

Written in the third person perspective, the story follows multiple characters, allowing the reader to have a rounded view of the plot. The characters are realistic and even maddening at times. Like any good characters, they have positive and negative attributes. Miguel is tempted by power, but he has a good heart. It's Monica's duty to help study Miguel, yet she wants the best for him. I appreciated the work the author put into the characters.

The descriptions in the book are immersive; they allow the reader to enter the story. Mr. Dorado has a way with words, which helps the reader to engage their imagination. "The trilling sound woke Gorlov from his thoughts, from the Californian sun, and gracelessly dumped him back in his cold, damp office in Leningrad."

The thought-provoking nature of the book comes from the idea of being able to make anything one can imagine happen. If you had this power, what would you do with it? How would you deal with those that would take advantage of this Midas Effect? Would this power corrupt anyone "lucky" enough to have it? Or would there be someone so pure of heart as to be able to use it only for good? It's an interesting concept, and I love how the author incorporated the old Midas story into a contemporary novel. It's brilliant.

As for an appropriate audience, it's important to note that there is some language, violence, and sexual content. Anyone that's not easily offended by these things and enjoys a fast-paced, entertaining story would enjoy this book. Its readership shouldn't be limited to only those that like technothrillers.

The book has only a minor number of errors that didn't affect my enjoyment of it. Because of the great character development and immersive descriptions, I rate The Midas Effect 4 out of 4 stars. It's a thrilling book that I'm glad I had the opportunity of reading. Manuel Dorado is talented, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else is in his imagination.

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The Midas Effect
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[Jaime Lync]

This sounds intriguing. I am one of those that would prefer the book without the strong language and sexual content though. Thanks for the informative review.

[MsH2k]

This sounds like a clever new twist on the old Midas. Thanks for a great review!

[AvidBibliophile]

Too much power is always likely to corrupt those "lucky" few, but I can't deny the wish for my own imaginations to become reality! This sounds like a fascinating gem of a tale, thanks for your honest impressions.

[kandscreeley]

This sounds intriguing. I am one of those that would prefer the book without the strong language and sexual content though. Thanks for the informative review.

So would I. I actually didn't know it was going to be in there. However, there's really only one true sex scene, and it's pretty easy to skip. So there is that. Thanks!

[kandscreeley]

This sounds like a clever new twist on the old Midas. Thanks for a great review!

It really is. Definitely worth reading.

[kandscreeley]

Too much power is always likely to corrupt those "lucky" few, but I can't deny the wish for my own imaginations to become reality! This sounds like a fascinating gem of a tale, thanks for your honest impressions.

I'm not sure if I could handle the power myself. I think I'd like to try, though. Thanks.

[Lisa A Rayburn]

This sounds like an interesting twist on the Midas myth. If I had this power, at least, in this case, the first thing I would imagine is that there was and never would be anyone who wished to take advantage of me!! From there, the sky would be the limit. Thanks for the interesting review!

[Aniza Butt]

I desperately want to be a Midas. The book sounds promising, and I hope it turns out great.
Thanks a lot for an informative review Kandscreeley ☺

[kandscreeley]

This sounds like an interesting twist on the Midas myth. If I had this power, at least, in this case, the first thing I would imagine is that there was and never would be anyone who wished to take advantage of me!! From there, the sky would be the limit. Thanks for the interesting review!

That's an interesting thought. It was a fun book. Thanks for commenting!

[kandscreeley]

I desperately want to be a Midas. The book sounds promising, and I hope it turns out great.
Thanks a lot for an informative review Kandscreeley ☺

We think we'd like to be Midases, but I'm not sure it's all it's cracked up to be. Thanks!

[Connie Otwani]

Sounds like a captivating read. It seems unlikely that such power would corrupt me, but then again, is one aware if they are being corrupted?!
Thanks for the engaging and thought-provoking review!

[Kanda_theGreat]

One amazing thing that I love about this book is the fact that the descriptions allowed readers to "enter" the story.
Thanks for the review.

[Prisallen]

It's probably a good thing that most of us don't have the ability to make our imaginations into reality. I'm afraid that would not always bode well. I enjoyed reading your review. Great job!

[kandscreeley]

Sounds like a captivating read. It seems unlikely that such power would corrupt me, but then again, is one aware if they are being corrupted?!
Thanks for the engaging and thought-provoking review!

There are some interesting points brought up in the book. You might change your mind. You might not too. It's fun to think about. Thanks!