This content was originally posted on www.crysbookreviews.com as part of the Shudder Blog Tour in 2013.
As readers learned in Shudder (or got a glimpse of in the sneak peek at the back of Stitch), the true villains in the Stitch Trilogy are not the Ruling Class (the elite high society governing over the citizens of Paragon), but a small group of crafty baddies (also known as the Engineers) who masterminded the entire colony and put the Ruling Class in power. Following is a quick cheat sheet with a profile of each of the individuals within the Engineers:
The Developer
Role: Architect behind the entire Paragon scheme and de facto leader of the Engineers
Skills/Experience: Talented software programmer/hacker, world’s youngest billionaire after launching an online social media outlet that eventually grew to include almost every individual on the planet
Appearance: Your classic computer nerd – lanky, greasy hair, glasses, t-shirt, whiny voice
Defining Traits: Intelligent, arrogant, impatient, brusque
Classic Quote: “Zombie apocalypse. The people eat that garbage up.”
The General
Role: Leads Paragon’s military and prison, delegates labor assignments to citizens, also organized a secret ring of forced concubines
Skills/Experience: Previously the head of the government’s mandatory civil service program, had access to classified military intelligence including stolen research on the “stitch” technology
Appearance: Shorter in stature, handsome except for cold dark eyes and rasping voice, scar across lips
Defining Traits: Cruel, brash, misogynistic, defensive
Classic Quote: “I say we make an example of her, send a message to the rebels that we won’t tolerate their insubordination any longer. Stupid bitch.”
The Doctor
Role: Oversees Paragon’s medical center, including administering the “stitch” and researching the viral outbreak
Skills/Experience: A leading world geneticist who mapped the human genome and studied the role of trait inheritance in species survival
Appearance: Silver-haired, tall, trim, often seen in a long white lab coat
Defining Traits: Severe, logical, calculating, dry
Classic Quote: “The memory alteration research mentioned some, well, unfortunate side effects…”
The Economist
Role: Guides the Ruling Class in their deliberations to determine Paragon’s future structure and laws
Skills/Experience: Built a quiet legacy in academia studying socialist economics and espousing the merits of a communist government
Appearance: Middle-aged, boyish face, side-parted hair, slight stutter
Defining Traits: Nervous, idealistic, fervent, warm
Classic Quote: “Just imagine it – no hunger, no poverty, no war. Ever. Never again. We’ve learned from the m-mistakes of those who came before us, and we are building upon the foundation they laid to create something more.”
The Draftsman
Role: Manages daily operations of the colony, including logistics for food, shelter, power, maintenance, sanitation, infrastructure, etc.
Skills/Experience: An experienced engineer with expertise across the fields of mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering
Appearance: Older, plump, thick gray beard/whiskers, glasses, soft-spoken
Defining Traits: Paternal, practical, craven
Classic Quote: “But the plans were already in motion, whether I got on board or not. Perhaps I’m a coward, but I quickly realized that I was better off with them than against them. You think on that now.”
Want to know more? Get to know the Engineers in Shudder, Book 2 of the Stitch Trilogy!