The Captain’s Log – the one (John Marrs) – It’s Sci-Fi Month!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This was me first foray into John Marrs writing and I had a very good time.  I wanted to read this as soon as I read the blurb.  The premise of the book is that there be a DNA test ye can take to find yer “One” i.e. the perfect genetic and romantic partner.  The book follows five people who get their matched results.  Do they all get their happily ever after?  Ye will be surprised.

One of the best things about this book is how the Match program works.  It has only been around for ten years.  It costs £9.99 to join.  Not everyone wants to use it so ye aren’t guaranteed a match.  Or there can be other problems.  Sometimes yer match may already be married.  Sometimes yer match may be the “wrong” age or gender.  Or dead.  There are myriad possibilities.  I loved how quickly the matching program led to structural changes in how society functions.  Think along the lines of the internet or cell phones (I was alive before both those things took off).  The implications were so fascinating and cool.

The novel itself was quick, twisty, and fun.  It is part mystery and part thriller.  It did take a little adjustment to get into it because of how the POVs were structured but I was quickly engrossed.  I won’t really get into the plot or characters here because I think it be best to go in blind.  The only thing that makes this less than a five star read was a couple of over-the-top ridiculous plot points that I just found implausible.  So silly and had me eye rolling.  That said I was also smiling at the same time because I was enjoying the unexpected waves.  I just decided to go with it.

Apparently this is being made into a Netflix series.  If ye want to read the book before then, the e-book is only $1.99 on Amazon US and £4.99 on Amazon UK.  Worth the money.  Arrrr!

Side note: Sci-Fi Month is hosted by Matey Lisa of Dear Geek Place and Matey Imyril of One More.  Check out their blog links for more info and join the fun!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…

A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

To visit the author’s website go to:

John Marrs – Author

To buy the book go to:

the one – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List