Review: “Super Apex,” Ike Hamill

Pros: Good characters; fascinating story
Cons: Could have used a little more clarity
Rating: 4 out of 5

In Ike Hamill’s Super Apex, a boy (Zack) out hunting with his dad, gets separated… and hunted down. They were never seen again. Jeff and Sam are working late one night in an office building, making sure that the 3D printer code is working and such things. Sam discovers a live feed regarding experiments going on right next to their building. Maya and Bret are researching apex predators, and speculating on whether there could be a ‘super’ apex predator that stalks humans. Right now they’re gathering data on an ‘exclusion zone’ they’ve found. Maya’s brother Terry disappeared ten years ago, so she has a personal stake in the proceedings. Three thieves, including a young woman named Sadie, get caught up in the night’s events.

“If my theory is wrong, then he has nothing to worry about. If I’m right, then it’s already too late.”

One of my favorite aspects of this book is a group of (law enforcement?) wearing Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops, and so on. Little details like shells denote rank. They’re highly serious, which is such a great counterpoint to the silliness they engender in others. Marvelous way to ratchet down the tension with a touch of comedy when necessary.

The characters are present all for different reasons and with different aims, which keeps things hopping! I got a little confused by all the twisting lines of plot, but I still very much enjoyed the story. In particular I wanted to understand more of this:

“I know why some of us exist in multiple realities and why you don’t.”

I really enjoyed this tale; I just felt like it needed to go that little bit further in order to fall into place.