The Genius Wars

Allen & Unwin, 2009

Book Three in the ‘Genius’ series

Available from
Allen & Unwin
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Other books in the ‘Genius’ series
Evil Genius | Genius Squad

After abandoning a life full of deception and mistrust, fifteen-year-old Cadel has finally found his niche. He has a proper home, good friends and loving parents. He’s even studying at university. But he’s still not safe from Prosper English, who’s now a fugitive from justice and determined to smash everything that Cadel has struggled to build. When Cadel’s nearest and dearest are threatened, he must launch an all-out attack on the man he once viewed as his father. Can he track down Prosper before it’s too late? And what rules will he have to break in the process?

This title is also available in Germany (Droemer Knaur), the U.S. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and France (Éditions du Masque).

‘Cyber-espionage takes both front seats in this conclusion to the outstanding Genius series . . . the climax is taut, absorbing and tantalizingly ambiguous.’
Kirkus Reviews (starred review  )

‘Full-throttled plot . . . will command the attention of even non-techie readers until Jinks’s final plot twists wind to a close.’
Horn Book

‘Fans of the trilogy will delight in this concluding volume, and it will also appeal to gadget-crazy boys—and girls—who enjoyed Alex Rider’s adventures.’
Booklist

Click here for more reviews

Young Adult

Bennarvous

Catherine – Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, and I have yet to be able to get my hands on this last book (Hence not knowing if this book ties everything up or not), but are you continuing the Genius series? I loved Evil and Squad, I’m trying to acquire this one, and would love to see more
- CatherineJinks
  
  I’m afraid I’ve no plans to continue the series, because … well, I don’t want this to be a spoiler, so I can only say that certain relationships go as far as they can go, for Cadel’s own good.
  
  Also, those books were really, really hard to write, especially since I’m no computer expert. I don’t think I’ve got it in me for a fourth!
  - Bennarvous
    
    Sad, I enjoy the series. However, from your perspective, I understand that even the best series must come to an end. Thanks though! I’ll be sure to check into your other stuff as I do enjoy the series so far!
  - Grypo
    
    I might be able to write a fourth book for you.
    
    I have to admit though, I have been reading your books for days. I admire them.
    - Catherine Jinks
      
      I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my books! And if you DO decide to write a fourth one, I’ve got no objection – as long as you give me a cut of the royalties!
      Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
Leon Fettel

I just re-read all of the books again. The third never fails to make me cry, which is a good thing! It’s hard for me to feel close to characters. As much as I could hope for more on the series, I know that letting it go where you did was the best choice. It truly is a masterpiece, and I’ll treasure the books for the rest of my life.

Prosper has always been my favourite. I have this strange bond to the character, as well as a deep sympathy. They way you convey his relationship with Cadel is so gripping and emotionally conflicting. I love it.
- Catherine Jinks
  
  What a wonderful message, Leon. Thank you so much. Prosper’s relationship with Cadel was always the backbone of this series, so I’m glad you find it compelling – it means the books actually work. I’m always amazed, though, at how POPULAR Prosper is. I mean, a highly intelligent villain with a soft spot is always fascinating, and I can see he’d make a great dinner guest, but he’s so WARPED!
  
  To have your work called a masterpiece is about the highest compliment you can get, though – and to have it treasured is just as flattering. So thanks again for telling me how you feel. I really appreciate it.
  - David Pinto
    
    Thaddeus Roth is the most compelling character in fiction since Severus Snape. I just re read the whole series and I’m reminded how beautiful the series is. The character development, the plot twists and the way it all comes together. I think this series is a modern day classic and would love to see a movie series or better yet a Netflix television series. But the question still remains is prosper really a bad guy? It comes back to what max said in the first, evil is other people. Maybe instead of writing another sequel a prisoner’s tell all by prosper English, I would buy the day it came out. You are a brilliant author and this is a million dollar series! Get it in the right hands, and your talking royalties for life. Genius branded everything!
    - Catherine Jinks
      
      Thank you so much, David. I COULD NOT BE MORE FLATTERED – Severus Snape! You’ll be pleased to know that yet another director has displayed a flutter of interest in the series, so one still lives in hope … but these things don’t always pan out, as I have learned over the years.
      I do think Prosper is a bad guy, but that doesn’t mean he’s all bad. Most of the best bad guys have a little bit of heart in them. (Severus Snape being the classic example!)
      Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
Rory Perry

An honour and a privilege to have read this series. I’ve got it both in hard cover form and eBook form on my iPad I love it that much. You’ve captured an increasingly difficult relationship between characters both new and old. I was especially fond of Rex Austin’s safe house within his own house. An ingenious idea.

I loved how you’ve developed Cadel’s character in one direction through the first book and then completely re-directed it in parts in the next two. Being an IT nerd I can understand how it takes it out of you. Even explaining simple solutions to problems people seems to confuse them.

The character of Saul Greenius is hands down my favourite after Cadel. Saul is a likeable character in all ways, he’s transparent and he is someone most people could probably relate to in terms of being an outside influence on a child’s life, especially if they’ve lost their way a bit.

I know from my reading that you’ve really closed the series off well with Genius Wars and I appreciate your intention not to take it further, any further I think would probably be stretching the limits.

I’m still wondering why Prosper saved Cadel (theoretically anyway from the mystery you left us all) especially if he had become aware that Cadel wasn’t his son, did he actually feel an attachment in the end?

This series will forever remain my favourite it has been since I was 11 or 12 years old (I’m now 20). A true work of art from a brilliant mind. I’ll definitely be checking out some of your other works in the near future (If I ever catch up on some of the books I’ve started from other authors but not finished). I’ve kind of diverted myself back into reading the series again instead.
- Catherine Jinks
  
  I’m so happy to receive a message from a self-confessed IT nerd – IT nerds are pretty much my favourite people, even though I’m very far from one myself. (It’s so nice of you to say I have a brilliant mind, but I really don’t. If only.) And to think you’ve grown up with these books … it always gives me a chill when that happens. (Makes me feel a bit ancient too – but not as ancient as some of my ‘Pagan’ fans make me feel; some of them are FORTY now!)
  
  To answer your question about Prosper saving Cadel – oh yes, Cadel was Prosper’s one and only weakness, even though they weren’t really related. And I TOTALLY agree with you about Saul Greeniaus. After Cadel and Prosper, I too was always fondest of Saul, who, being the counterpoint to Prosper (the GENUINE dad) had to be a fairly strong character but on the side of the angels. As attractive as a suave villain can be, I’ve always had a real weakness for honourable, decent characters like Saul. Oh – and for smart characters too. What did Irene Adler say in ‘Sherlock’? Something about intelligent being the new sexy? I’ve ALWAYS felt like that. (Yes, I am a ‘Sherlock’ geek, I’m afraid – though my geekery extends right back to Basil Rathbone and the ACTUAL BOOKS.)
  
  Anyway,sorry for rambling on – and thank you so much for your generous message. I really need that kind of encouragement, in these tough times. Publishing books is not getting any easier ….
  - Rory Perry
    
    It’s funny really, I’ve just tried to help a friend fix her own computer but before even starting she said “I don’t understand, it’s working again….” The explanations for some of these things are beyond the best of us… all I could say was “Well you don’t have a virus…..yet….”
    
    Growing up with books has been a terrific thing for me, its what used to distract me from computers when I was younger, my parents could never get me away from them. With that said, reading some books until the early hours of the morning probably didn’t do me much better at that age then being stuck on a computer for hours but who knows.
    
    Intelligence is definitely not something to be snubbed, and I strongly believe that regardless of every person being different we’re all intelligent, its just the way in which we are that may be different. Intelligence brings some people together. Heck, the use of the internet at a young age is how I met some of my best friends 10 years ago, whether my mother liked that or not…..I’m pretty sure she didn’t.
    
    I was really like Cadel when at school I didn’t associate with many people from year 4 through to about year 10 I kept pretty much to myself. The online world was far more fascinating. And to this day, I find it much easier to converse with people much older then those my own age simply because many of them are interested in things I am not. Perhaps I found a lot of Cadel in myself, thats probably what really makes me love this series.
    
    Publishing definitely gets harder I think as the modern children are drifting away from books and into a social media immersion, this being something I understand but despise. This reliance on social media is removing some of the more traditional parts of our lives and while I’m not a fan of sports, I would rather be reading in my free time. Hence I tend to read a lot of Fan Fiction in my spare time or eBooks at the moment, I might try writing myself one day, it’s something I do have a passion for its more about getting it onto a document and keeping the words flowing, that I struggle with, I visualise more so then write :
    
    Enough of my ramblings, haha, its contagious I think
    - Catherine Jinks
      
      Social media.Yes.Well – you may have noticed that I’m not on Facebook or twitter. Why? (Apart from the fact that it seems to eat up time at an appalling rate?) Because I have the sort of brain where I keep thinking that, one of these days, someone’s going to create a computer program that can rifle through all the billions and billions of bits of personal information on Facebook and use it all in some staggeringly destructive, social-engineering-type way ….
      - Rory Perry
        
        It’s a thought that has crossed my mind while laying in bed right now, and given I haven’t really seen anything about it, I have to ask now.
        
        Has anyone taken a potential interest in making movies out of the Genius trilogy? I can see it making a fascinating set of movies, especially if people with the right creative genius get their hands on it and follow the plot of the books well. Just something that crossed my mind and made me do a double take and think, yes these could be superb as movies.
        
        If someone hasn’t, it should really be suggested to people that they could take it a long way.
      - Catherine Jinks
        
        You GOT OUT OF BED to post your message? Wow. I’m honoured. Usually the the only thing that gets ME out of bed is a full bladder. But to answer your question, Rory – about four or five years ago there was some interest in making a movie out of the Genius trilogy: three Hollywood producers tried to get money out of the studios, one after the other, and failed. One even had a script written – one managed to attach a biggish name to the project – but it all fell through. So yes – it’s occurred to some producers, but it never got past the studio executives. Which is a GREAT pity!
        I’m waiting for all my faithful fans to grow up – there’s bound to be a potential director/producer/studio exec among them!
        Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
The Cyan Squegee

I’m just going to start out by saying, thank you so much for writing these books, they have truly been some of the most enjoyable reading experiences I have had in quite a while. When I first borrowed this book from my Language Arts teacher’s arsenal/library of books, I never would of thought that they would have such a profound effect on my life, so again, I thank you. My favorite character has always been Prosper, back from the beginning of it all when he was still Thaddeus Roth, I don’t know what it is about villains and anti-hero’s that draws me in, I guess it’s like what Mark Twain said; “Go to heaven for the climate, hell for the company” I just feel goody-goodies make for the most boring characters. Oh well, I suppose you’re probably getting bored reading through this random post by some nobody 7th grader in America, but I just wanted to let you know that you have influenced me so much in my writing and I thank you for that once again. Keep up the great work!
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Thank you so much – and how could I get bored reading such a lovely message? It’s great to hear that I’ve influenced people, because otherwise I don’t seem to make much contribution to the world, unlike most doctors and social workers and teachers etc etc. Actually, I’m waiting for some young fan to grow up and become a film maker and turn one of my books into a film – though I’ve probably got about fifteen more years before THAT happens!
  - The Cyan Squegee
    
    Im sure someone out there eventually will, and i think with the right people chosen for the roles, it would make a great movie!
Matt

I’ve re-read the series twice now, first time i was a child and now i’m a young adult, i’ve always had this question and only now really asking it, how did you manage to write so in depth about the systems Cadel deals with? such as the computers, the traffic system. I always wondered because they were so detailed.
Thanks, this series is quite literally my favourite i have ever read and i read quite a bit.
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Thanks so much for your message, Matt – it’s amazing (and hard to believe) when people tell me I’ve written their favourite book. To answer your question, the technical details in the ‘Genius’ trilogy came from three sources: the internet, my friend Richard Buckland, and my friend Andrew Hellen. If you spend enough time researching – and verifying – the information that’s available on the internet, it’s AMAZING what you can uncover. And when I needed pointers as to where I should actually look, I applied to my two friends – who, as you probably realise, actually featured in ‘Genius Wars’. (I put them in because I was so grateful for all the help they gave me!) Richard is a computer genius and Andrew is a computer animation expert; you can actually check out some of Richard’s lectures on the internet, in case you’re interested!
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
Justin Barnes

Just have to say i really enjoyed this series just sad it had to end with this one. Im always re-listening and reading these as they what got me interested into books/audiobooks. I also enjoy the Reformed Vampire Support group

Thanks Catherine for the hours of Entertainment
- Catherine Jinks
  
  To be told that my books are the reason you ‘got interested in reading … well, that’s the peak compliment anyone can get, in this business. Doesn’t get any better. So thank YOU, Justin – I’m very grateful for your thumbs-up.
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
Curious

I love this book so much, all of them, actually. I was wondering though miss Jinks, were there any other endings you considered at any point? I’d love to know, or is this how you always planned it to end? Also, would you ever think of doing a spinoff or something like that? Maybe the origins of some of the other characters?
- Catherine Jinks
  
  After I finished ‘Genius Squad’, I was happy with where Philo had found himself (ie. in a real family), but I had this niggling feeling that he wouldn’t REALLY be able to have a safe, happy life if Prosper was still hanging around. So I knew I had to get rid of Prosper – though not in a manner that was too brutal and final, because people loved him too much. I loved him too much.
  To answer your first question, then – no. This isn’t the way I always planned it to end when I first started. And to answer your second question: not really, though someone once suggested I do an early Prosper English book, from when he was a kid, and I have to admit the idea’s grown on me. Trouble is, he’s British, and I didn’t grow up in Britain. I don’t quite know how I’d work around that – maybe lots and lots of research.
  Anyway, thanks for your lovely, confidence-boosting message. I really appreciate it!
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
  - Curious
    
    Oh, a Prosper book would be wonderful! I would love to read that. As for the ending, I admit I’m fond of Prosper too. Though Saul is also one of my favorites, I loved their banter in the second book. Thank you for answering me so quickly!
  - Rory Perry
    
    Just an editing suggestion of replacing Philo with Cadel ^^
    - Catherine Jinks
      
      Whoops! I did mean Cadel. My bad. (Philo’s the name of a new character.)
      Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
Hunter Douglas

I just finished the third book and the ending is breathlessly amazing. It almost had me in tears but it was so complete. The ending just felt right but I yearned for more. I’m kind of sad its over.
- Catherine Jinks
  
  What a nice thing to say, Hunter. I’m glad you liked the ending – it was so ambiguous that I did worry about it, but I couldn’t have actually killed Prosper ON STAGE. It wouldn’t have been right for someone who was previously so powerful.
  Subject: Re: New comment posted on The Genius Wars
Savanna

Loved the books! Its been awhile since I’ve read a series I couldn’t put down! I love the idea of a book about Prosper. You kinda left us hanging when you introduced so much about how much that Cadel didn’t know about him. It would be like The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings!
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Wow. ‘Lord of the Rings’ AND the ‘Genius’ series! A person after my own heart. (Though I have to admit, I was never very keen on ‘The Hobbit’.) And I agree – I guess I did kind of leave the door ajar, with those hints of Prosper’s background, though to tell you the truth, I never did a thorough CV for Prosper. You’re always told to flesh out your characters’ backgrounds, but Prosper’s foreground was always so fascinating, I never gave much thought to where he came from. Maybe that’s a job for his fans.
  Thanks for being so supportive! I really appreciate it.
  
  Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
Kay

Hello,

Firstly, I loved the series! It was a really refreshing change from many of the other books I’ve read, not only regarding the computer side but the character themselves.

I do have a few theoretical questions about the ending of Genius Wars, if you wouldn’t mind answering.
1) Do Cadel’s money/living problems get resolved in the future?
2) Does Cadel ever “recover” from the effects of his past?
3) What happens to Sonja?
4) What does Cadel end up doing for a career?

Finally, 5) Is Prosper alive and if so, does he cause any problems in Cadel’s life?

I realize you might not be able to answer these questions and if that’s the case, that’s fine!

Anyways, thank you.
- Kay
  
  Sorry, one more question:
  6) How are Saul and Fiona?
  - Catherine Jinks
    
    I reckon Saul and Fiona are just fine. In fact I’ve got a feeling they probably move to Canada for a while – to Vancouver, say. Or Montreal. But only after Cadel has found a job in America!
    Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Thanks, Kay! I’ll try to answer your questions, though it’s been a while since I wrote that book … 1) Yes, I think so – with Saul’s help. And maybe Google’s. And I’m almost certain he’d be getting some kind of scholarship, too. 2) I’m not sure that he’d ever fully RECOVER, but I think he’d be functional, if you know what I mean. And he was never going to fully ‘fit in’ anyway, with his sort of brain. 3) Good question. I think she’d have a bit of a struggle for a long time, BUT – 4) When Cadel gets old enough, there’s no question in my mind that he’ll end up working in America, in some amazing think-tank kind of institution, where he’d rise high enough to have Sonja plucked from whatever cobbled-together solution she’s found to her problems and placed among her intellectual peers – with the help of whizz-bang new communications technologies. That’s what I’d LIKE to see happen, anyway! 5) I personally think that Prosper is dead. A living Prosper would continue to screw up Cadel’s life. Dead, he’s not so harmful.
  Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
Andrew Than

What inspired you to write this book?
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Basically, I needed to finish off the series by getting Prosper out of Cadel’s life. I needed to whittle down all of Cadel’s allies until he was facing Prosper alone, and then I needed to get rid of Prosper. It was the only way of making sure that Cadel could well and truly turn over a new leaf.
  Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
Katelyn

So a lot of people ask really in depth questions about your trilogy, which is wonderful, but what I always wondered about were the fun, little things. I always wondered if you had ever thought about random facts for your Genius Wars characters? For example, middle names or favorite colors. Also, just because I’m curious, do you know anything about Saul’s life pre-Genius Squad? For example, what led him to his career choice and location? Thank you!

FYI, I’m totally for the early Prosper English book idea
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Thanks so much, Katelyn. Interesting questions. Hmmm. Favourite colours? No. (I never could get the whole favourite-colour thing.) But I sometimes do think about characters’ bedrooms – and maybe the kind of music they listen to – and characteristic movements, like pushing glasses up their nose, or tapping their teeth or whatever. And sometimes I try and put myself inside their heads when they’re visualising their ultimate dream.
  As far as Saul goes … to tell you the truth, I kind of based him on a real person I read about in a true crime book (only that guy was a lawyer), so I guess Saul’s kind of stuck with that background, inasmuch as the real guy was a workaholic with a very driven, serious attitude … though I’m guessing there might have been a bit of a trauma in Saul’s past (death in the family?), which might have prompted him to seek pastures new …
  Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
  - Katelyn
    
    Thank you for your response! A lot of authors don’t respond to messages and questions, so I think I speak for everyone when I say we really appreciate that you take the time to do so.
    I’ve always loved how driven Saul is; I feel like Cadel really needed someone like that in his life. I have just one more question, if you don’t mind: Aside from having adopted Cadel, would Saul and Fiona ever have children of their own?
    - Catherine Jinks
      
      Oh, absolutely! And I think a little girl would be in order …
      
      Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
      - Katelyn
        
        That’s wonderful! My sister and I had both previously agreed that a little girl would be fitting. Thank you again for your responses!
Libby Caldwell

I just finished reading this book last night. I have to admit, I was disappointed. I loved the first one and have read it about 50 times, the second one is great too but this one, I don’t really like. The ending just seems so indecisive I guess. It just seems so bad that after a whole trilogy it just ends like that. I’d really like to hear your thoughts on this.
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Prosper is dead, Libby – I just didn’t want his dead body haunting everyone. But he’s dead, Cadel can have a proper life now, and that’s that!
  Subject: Re: Comment on The Genius Wars
Karim Chaouch

may I ask you, which kind of trumper aftershave prosper used?
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Okay – well, I think it’s probably Trumper’s Eucris, which is actually a cologne. There’s a line in Evelyn Waugh’s ‘Sword of Honour’ trilogy when someone says ‘I don’t think I’ve read Trumper’s Eucris’ and someone else explains that it’s a cologne, not a book. That always stuck in my mind. And I’ve since found out that it was James Bond’s favourite cologne in ‘Diamonds are forever’ …
  - Karim Chaouch
    
    thank you so much^^
Rose Rose

@Catherine Jinks: Can you answer a Q for me pls? I was shocked when I read your comment that (spoiler alert for other ppl!)

Prosper was dead at the end! So my question is, did he save Cadel before he died? From how you wrote everything, I had assumed Prosper pulled Cadel to the surface and then thumped his back to make him cough all the water out of his lungs before stranding him alone on the beach. But on the next page it does almost read like Cadel was given CPR…
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Yes, Prosper saved Cadel … and I think he then died. But I wanted to keep it vague, because I didn’t want Prosper dying in front of us, if you know what I mean. I wanted him out of Cadel’s hair, but I wanted there to be the faintest hint of hope still floating around …
  - Rose Rose
    
    XD XD thanks so much for replying! Honestly after reading the last few chapters over and over again…I think Prosper committed suicide. Since he was going crazy and had no options left in his life.
    
    Can you answer one more question pls?: Do you think if Cadel had been treated better growing up and had better social skillz, and that everyone had been more honest with him (like about the Piggots)…
    
    He wouldn’t have betrayed Prosper and destroyed his family’s whole empire? I mean the main reason he loved Sonja was because he finally had someone to relate to, who was actually kind to him. She made him feel like he actually belonged somewhere. I was just curious since I think that’s the same reason Gazo loved Darkkon so much and is still loyal to Cadel now.
Leon Fettel

It’s been about 3 years now since my last comment, and here I am picking up the first book once again to go on this riveting adventure with Cadel. I started reading them when I was 15, and I am now 22 (23 in December!), I don’t think I will ever get tired of them. I am glad to see that the ambiguous question of “where’s Prosper?” has been answered with finality, because I’ve always wondered if you ever had a decision in mind but wanted us to draw our own conclusions.

I’ll go ahead and give a spoiler warning now, so I can say some things!

I’m really fascinated with the fact that yes, Prosper did save Cadel and yes, he is dead. Even after he discovered Cadel wasn’t his, it was far too late for him to stop caring and he must’ve finally realized that he’s not infallible. Perhaps Cadel’s displays of compassion over the years rubbed off on him a little, and biting down his pride, Prosper decided to save this young man he loved. Perhaps the only person he ever loved, hm? And even more interesting is that he knew the likelihood of survival was minimal, he let himself die.

I suppose it’d be the best alternative, considering that otherwise he would be spending more time in prison. Personally, I don’t think Prosper went mad at the end, per se. Rather, I think he was just incredibly stressed out, agitated and strung up because he’s never lost before. This was a new experience he wasn’t ready to face, a possibility he never considered. That must be why he ultimately chose to save Cadel before “disappearing”, at least he could do one final thing right.

Oh, and if I wanted to draw Prosper for you, where might I send the image?
- Catherine Jinks
  
  OMG Leon, you’re some kind of artist now, right? I am SO IMPRESSED. Wow! Though I’d probably have given him an incy bit more hair, with a few more grey streaks … ‘leonine’ was the word I always applied to his head of hair. A bit mane-ish.
  And you’ve pretty much nailed it with your character analysis, too. Spot on. Yes, Prosper was really at the end of his tether, with no place left to go. And it proved he had a streak of the ‘light’ in him (as a Star Wars fan might say) that he didn’t want to take Cadel down with him.
  Thanks so much for getting in touch again. Always a pleasure!
  - Leon Fettel
    
    That’s perfectly fine! I’d be more than happy to draw another for you, he has a sharp face with plenty of angles and that’s always tons of fun to color. I’m only a freelance artist, unfortunately. I’ve never had money for classes or had the opportunity to find anyone hiring so I just do it for fun, which is fine! Personally, I’m stuck between pursuing art or astrophysics.
    
    We all know the impact Prosper had on Cadel, but I’m curious to know if Prosper had survived, would he also have been damaged by this experience? Obviously in a different way, he probably places an unreasonable amount of blame on Cadel. I always thought that if he was still out there, he might have trouble sleeping, maybe nightmares. Not that he would feel guilty, he’d just be rather obsessed. As you said before, if he was alive he would never leave Cadel alone and I always found it interesting that Prosper had a decent grip on everyone else’s minds, but not his own.
    
    I’m so fascinated by him, I’ll admit I spent a good hour or two discussing what I think his motivations and thought processes were during the whole ordeal to my poor friend who just wanted to go for coffee. Do you think he was aware that he was being even slightly unreasonable? Did he feel even a modicum of guilt? Was it denial? I’d like to think so, considering that in the end he relented and chose to save Cadel. That’s telling, as if he only just ever wanted Cadel’s happiness but went at it the wrong way, and then couldn’t admit to himself that he’d done it. Cadel should be happy, but with HIM. Cadel should be safe, but under HIS care.
Leon Fettel

Apparently I can post it right here! I did my best, attempting to draw Prosper for the first time in ages. I hope it’s alright!
Rayanne Robison

Hi, Catherine.
I was rereading Genius Wars today, and suddenly felt chills run up spine when, in the story, a minor character began talking about full body scans and digital doubles of Hollywood actors. That such a thing existed back in 2006, nearly 20 years before it became a widespread topic and mostly common knowledge, surprises me not. But that you knew of it, and were familiar enough with the concept to weave it into your technology riddled story, intrigues me deeply. How did you come across such information?
- Catherine Jinks
  
  Hi Rayanne! Thanks for posting! It’s interesting you should ask about that; I have a friend who was a movie CGI artist when I wrote the book and when I asked him about early capabilities in that area, and he told me about them, I thought to myself – well, I can see where that’s going to lead. And it did! If you can imagine it at all, it’s probably going to happen – because it means someone else can imagine it too …
  - Rayanne Robison
    
    That’s so true! Thank you for your reply and insight! With grins,

The Genius Wars

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