Ray Chan’s Escalate is a genre-blending tale that connects three distinct stories, each with different storylines but all connected by the main characters' need for autonomy and identity. The first story revolves around Lu and Chaz, two British-Chinese friends, who become entangled in an illegal cockroach racing scam. Their antics lead them to steal an ancient manuscript to appease a crime syndicate host. The second story follows Glen, a young boy who undergoes an experimental neural implant surgery. He struggles to comprehend his identity and is burdened by the many expectations of his emotionally detached father. The final story homes in on a self-aware Mid-Levels Escalator in Hong Kong. It is highly philosophical and contemplates the lives of its passengers. It specifically focuses on the budding relationship of two commuters: H (a student nurse) and Jacob (an expat).

Escalate by Ray Chan is an intriguing psychological thriller that undulates between social commentary, satire, sci-fi, and emotional reflection without diminishing its narrative power. The author has crafted a profound three-story novel that thematically explores what it means to be human in an era of technological transformation, exploitation, and disconnection. Chan’s writing style is candid and bold, unafraid to shift back and forth between vulnerability and absurdity. Lu’s character arc is the most obviously cinematic, while Chaz's impulsive personality propels the plot forward. Glen’s tale is emotional, fragile, and unguarded to the very core. I love how Chan wittily transforms a piece of public service equipment into a sentient and astute spectator that observes the passengers who physically move around but rarely change internally. This novel is best suited for readers who enjoy daring, thoughtful, and unorthodox fiction.

Despite being the son of a wealthy and successful entrepreneur, life isn't as easy for Glen Durbin as it may seem. He feels his parents don't understand him, and recently he's had to deal with being bullied at school. While trying to share his troubles with his father, he uncovers a disturbing secret that could tear his once-happy family apart. His quest to expose this secret nearly costs him his life and takes him to the other side of the world, where he gradually becomes part of Hong Kong's underground scene. Now, all he can think about is returning home and getting justice for the wrongs done to him. Glen's journey becomes a winding path of intertwined destinies, where a friendship formed on an escalator spawns unusual outcomes in Ray Chan's Escalate.

In Escalate, Ray Chan hides clues in plain sight through cleverly crafted dialogue between characters. What seems like simple banter on the surface reveals a deeper, more unsettling meaning with each exchange. The characters' backstories unfold gradually, increasing suspense and immersing readers in the drama. A prime example is when Glen explains to his Chinese benefactor how his technological gift works, and they strategize ways to exploit it. The pacing gradually quickens as the narrative nears its conclusion. Fans of suspense will enjoy piecing together the clues to Glen's grand plan, while science fiction lovers will appreciate the meticulous detail in the workings behind Glen's big secret. This approach, combined with a relaxed yet investigative storytelling style, weaves three seemingly separate stories together through subtly embedded clues and not-so-obvious flashbacks, creating a smooth, captivating drama centered on vengeance. I enjoyed reading Escalate.

Escalate by Ray Chan follows Lu and Chaz as they undertake a mission to steal the Yijin Jing manuscript from a remote Shaolin monastery within a strict deadline, imposed by a mysterious woman at an underground cockroach racing operation. Their journey is marked by physical danger, confrontations with monastery students like Kit, and the discovery of hidden secrets tied to the manuscript and their pasts. Parallel to this, Glen, connected to Lu and Chaz through complicated family and corporate ties, meanders through life in Hong Kong with a brain implant linked to his father, Ewan Durbin, and developing new cognitive abilities. Overlapping their stories is a Hong Kong Mid-levels sentient moving escalator, who watches Jacob and H engage in pickpocketing and a series of philosophical discussions, serving as a recurring observation point and metaphor for surveillance and transition.

Escalate by Ray Chan is exceptionally unique and impressively constructed, using three distinct points of view, with Chaz and Lu in third-person, Glen in first-person, and the sentient moving escalator in an omniscient voice. Though the novel has a solid plot embedded in its storylines, what makes it work is how thoroughly realized the characters are; they drive the action with such cohesion, and as the twists pop up, they are only effective because of the depth of Chan's characters. I love the variations of settings, whether it's the belly of a cargo ship, a subterranean shrine, or a restricted basement workshop, and it’s impossible not to be drawn in. At first, the separate arcs appear unrelated, but the gradual convergence makes it clear they belong together. Do not mistake this book as three stand-alone stories; they are very much linked. Overall, this is an exceptional work of literary speculative fiction with a lot to offer readers. Very highly recommended.

Ray Chan’s debut novel, Escalate, is an exploration of human ambition, identity, and the interconnected lives of strangers in Hong Kong’s bustling Mid-levels district. The story is told in multiple narratives, each with intrigue, while maintaining a fast-paced and unpredictable plot. The novel opens with a vivid depiction of the Mid-levels Escalator, a central motif that symbolizes the constant motion and complexity of urban life. Chan uses this setting to introduce a diverse cast of characters, from ambitious entrepreneurs to troubled teenagers, each navigating their own challenges. Chan’s writing is sharp, capturing the sensory overload of Hong Kong’s streets.

The protagonist, Glen Durbin, grapples with the trauma of his mother’s death and the shadow of his father’s legacy while building a tech empire in Hong Kong. The interplay between Glen’s past and present is masterfully handled, with the ReExperience patch serving as a fascinating narrative device that allows him to revisit his memories in startling detail. Ray Chan’s portrayal of Hong Kong is immersive and engaging, offering readers a glimpse into the city’s vibrant yet chaotic energy. The Mid-levels Escalator is a metaphor for the characters’ upward struggles and the choices that define their paths. The novel also addresses themes of cultural identity, loyalty, and the ethical dilemmas posed by technology. Escalate is a bold and ambitious debut that showcases Chan’s talent for storytelling. It’s a novel that captures the essence of modern life: its chaos, beauty, and relentless drive forward. Readers looking for a richly layered narrative set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most dynamic cities will find much to admire in this work. It would make a great movie.