*****Edit***** 
 I'm even more of a slack skimmer than I thought. If I'd read more of the download, I'd never have added it at all :(. See the first two thread comments (spoiler alert). 
 ****Edit end**** 
 This book sounded like a truly fascinating read. I downloaded the extract, read several pages, and thought, 'hmmmm - has piqued my interest. I like the sound of this'. 
 When I first heard of the book, I checked a few of the 4-5 star reviews, and most spoke well of it, particularly the ideas it contained. All well and good. Currently a friend is reading it and we agreed to pal-read (sorry Ala, I'm going to let the side down). So I checked over a few more friends' reviews, and marked it TR today. 
 Thank goodness. Ms Murphybylaw flagged the gruesome violence and ick factor. While I'm a great fan of the unusual, the play of ideas, history (fiction is my favourite, I'm pretty hopeless with the real thing - too many dates and places and people to remember) and sci-fi in general, blood and guts and violence leaves me gagging and ill (hey, I retired to bed with a migraine after the first chapter of The Hunger Games). 
 So, sadly, this book will not see the light of my eyes, and its wonderful sounding ideas will remain forever a locked secret. If you don't suffer the same sensibilities as I, please do read the first chapter and see what you think. It might just be your cup of herbal tea.