A sci-fi novel 'From the new world'

I joined a book club on Sunday. I’ve never been in one before, so I was a little anxious at the beginning, but it was fun. One of the members happened to know the sci-fi novel I introduced. I’d join again if I have time.

The sci-fi novel I introduced is “From the New World” by Yusuke Kishi, published in 2008. It was made into a Mangan and anime in 2012.

In the early twenty-first century, 0.3 percent of the population developed psychic abilities(psychokinesis, PK for short). Many began using PK for violence and crime, and the use of these powers altered the wildlife and the environment. This led to a breakdown of modern society and a world war which devastated the human population and caused the fall of modern society. Eventually, the PK endowed humans established a stable society by controlling their powers using genetic modification and social conditioning.

The story is set 1000 years after the early twenty-first century, people who possess PK live in a peaceful village. Children learn how to control their power at school. However, children are unaware that the village government is monitoring and evaluating students through the education system. Based on these evaluations, certain students are removed from society because of reasons such as poor performance or cheating. The memories of the removed students are erased from the community. The village also uses genetically designed animals for various purposes.

The leading characters are 5 close friends. They realize that a few classmates are missing but no one cares, and their memory is fading. Later, they discover the violent truth of how the current era came about, and how dangerous their power is. But again, they’ve been brainwashed by the school council. 2 years later, they’ve lost three friends and only two - Saki and Satoru - have reached their mid-twenties.

In a summer event, the village is under attack. Most of the people have died. After a brutal battle, Saki and Satoru find a solution.

It really is a great novel! It wasn't a good ending, but the story is fascinating. I highly recommend it.