Book of the Week – 29 May 2015THE REALIGNMENT CASE by RJ DeardenTo start us off with our new feature on Book Talk, I’ve chosen to review THE REALIGNMENT CASE by RJ Dearden. Sci-fi buffs in particular will enjoy this – but so will those of you into philosophy and frankly, anyone who likes a great, fast-paced and action-packed readE REALIGNMENT CASE is a pulpy thriller based on the intriguing concept of time travel - hence the sci-fi tag. Set in Geneva in 2012, the novel is the opposite of a [...]

In my experience the best science fiction presents the reader with a modified reality in order to expose and explore aspects of human nature in starker relief than an unmodified, real life setting, would allow. “The Realignment Case” does exactly this.Imagine that in today’s world people have created a device that, while not allowing time travel, enables people to effect small changes on a molecular level on objects that existed in the not too distant past. Thus, perhaps, a promotional bro [...]

Ethical dilemmas, science fiction and a courtroom thriller all in one, thought-provoking novelDaniel Athley, while awaiting news of whether his actions at a work party will result in dismissal, gets recruited into the shadowy Le Département de la Dernière Justice in Geneva. And so begins a tale of moral checks and balances, legal imperfections, and ill-advised use of scientific advancementsThe plot was tight, the writing descriptive and suspenseful, the ethical issues raised provided food for [...]

Spoilers:Being an avid fantasy reader, this was a little out of my comfort zone, however, the idea is just brilliant and really caught my attention: A machine which can alter time to save a life as long as their case falls within the KASSI principles; and to be judged through a court system.This book is set in first person from non other than the view point of Daniel Athley, the defence clerk! Battling his personal troubles and trying to work with a remarkably clever yet, mysterious mentor. Dani [...]

This book is told from the perspective of Daniel, a disgraced lawyer, who takes a job as a Realignment Clerk in Le Département de la Dernière Justice. Along with his employer and mentor Winter, it is Dan's job to defend the status quo.The first half of the book develops the characters and the premise of the book. It moves fairly slowly, but is necessary for the reader to understand the complexities of the story. The second half is a fast paced thriller/ courtroom drama, full of intrigue and tw [...]

The Realignment Case by R J Dearden is a thought provoking book. It is a novel built around the concept of time travel and even though all the while you are aware that this is pure fiction it doesn’t stop you thinking ‘what if that really could happen’I have to say that this is not really the type of fiction I would ordinarily read. However, that said, it certainly held my interest from beginning to end. The main character is Daniel Athley who is a solicitor who has managed to upset one of [...]

Solicitor Daniel Athley doesn't know what he's letting himself in for when he takes a job as a Realignment Clerk in Le Département de la Dernière Justice, Geneva, offered by a man named Winter. Having just been suspended from his job in London for attacking the boss's son, Daniel feels he has little choice, even though he has no idea what the job entails and what the mysterious KASSI machine, which Winter keeps referring to, is really all about. What follows is a courtroom drama a world away f [...]

Geneva 2012. Disgraced lawyer Daniel Athley starts a job with a shadowy international organisation that has a secret it will kill to protect - the past can be changed. working for the enigmatic counsellor winter, Dan's role is to defend the status quo. Discovering a plot that could unleash chaos in a disordered future, he must choose a side in a murkey world where the fate of the dead is decided.i love sci-fi and thrillers. this book keeps you wanting to turn the page until the end. i also love [...]

More of a thriller than science fiction, although it's definitely both. All in all, it reads quickly and keeps the reader wondering where it's all going. This same feature also makes it seems to feel redundant at timesI do believe there are many readers that will enjoy the story, and I'm curious to see what else the author has written or will write.

Sci-fi is not the usual genre I choose to read but the description of the storyline and the idea of time-travel made me want to read The Realignment case anyway. I have to say I'm glad I did so! It’s a well written, thought provoking story with lots of twists and turns. It’s a great read and I definitely recommend it!

The story is brilliant however for me i found that the story flitted around too much and i was never sure if we were in the past, present or viewing future events. A film would be fantastic and i would recommend this book to others but for me it was a bit hard going in parts.