Tag: sci-fi dystopian

The Planet That Was Mistaken For A Fool by Tamas Szikszai Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In a universe run by corporations, humanity learns firsthand what happens when a planet becomes fed up with their antics in the satirical sci-fi dystopian novel “The Planet That Was Mistaken for a Fool” by author Tamas Szikszai.

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The Synopsis

What if Douglas Adams and Orwell sat down together after a third bottle of wine and wrote a novel? A mind-bending, soul-pricking, laugh-out-loud satirical sci-fi adventure By Tamás Szikszai What happens when a planet gets fed up with humanity’s nonsense? Welcome to a universe where nothing is sacred, everything is absurd and the planet has finally decided it’s had enough. Join Winston, a confused Earthling, as he crash-lands into a reality where megacorporate empires control thought, a philosophical grizzly in a top hat questions everything, and an AI named Amanda has decided that emotions are overrated and expendable. 🚀 Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, and Terry Pratchett, this cosmic odyssey blends razor-sharp satire, sci-fi weirdness, and raw human truth in a world on the edge of meltdown. Dystopia was never this funny. Hope was never this weird. The end of the world? That’s just the beginning.

The Review

This was such a thought-provoking and engaging story. The author was able to craft a world that felt both relevant to the issues facing our lives today and yet absurd and dystopian in the best ways possible. The intricate mythos surrounding the rise of this massive Corporation that takes over the world is both twisted and chilling, all at once. The unique settings, spanning multiple areas of Earth and the solar system itself, were imaginative and thoughtful in a dystopian context. 

The dynamics between the protagonist and the cast of characters he comes across were exceptional. His friendship and alliance with Gaben were a strong motivation for much of the story, as was Winston’s determination to see his family again. The dark world of advanced computer programs and hostile corporations helped elevate the more personal and heartbreaking setbacks the protagonist faced in the story. Yet, the rush of humor and wit in the dialogue helped balance everything out.

The Verdict

Twisted, engaging, and haunting in its delivery, author Tamas Szikszai’s “The Planet That Was Mistaken For A Fool” is the perfect dystopian sci-fi satire that readers need to read. The twists and turns the story takes, the complex themes mixed with humor, and the commentary on humanity itself and the balance we need of the good and the bad in our lives, made this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

When he’s not raising four kids (one son and three brilliantly adopted daughters), baking doughnuts, building houses, or playing the trumpet just to prove it’s hard, the author writes to keep the voices in his head from staging a rebellion.

He’s welcomed hotel guests, survived home construction, and firmly believes that everyone is human — even those who butter their toast on the wrong side.

This is his first published novel. Several more are currently trapped in his brain, pending parole.

The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter by D.K. Thorne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mind extractor in a dystopian virtual world discovers a hidden secret that could hold the key to saving humanity in author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter.”

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The Synopsis

What if reality is a relic?


What if neural decay silenced your language—and killed thought itself?

Splinter launches you into Onyros, a virtual reality dystopia where thought is currency—and extinction is everywhere.

  • Neural mercenaries dive into synthetic paradises to harvest memories before flesh decays (a true mind-uploading sci-fi thriller)
  • Logan Bochniak is a dying breed—one of the last Splinters racing toward cognitive failure in a post-human cyberpunk world.
  • An impossible signal echoes through the system: an anomaly in the system itself.

Memory is a maze. Reality is a rumor. Your only hope is a fraying mind.

For fans of Red Rising, Cyberpunk 2077, William Gibson, Peter Watts, Black Mirror and YA dystopian books —and anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the end of meaning.

The Review

This was both entertaining and thought-provoking to dive into. The dark, gritty tones of this sci-fi dystopian world were immediately felt, and readers were thrust into a world of intrigue and mystery that felt chaotic and oppressive, as the mystery deepened further. The angst and the forboding nature of the larger threat to humanity are felt in every chapter, and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style captures the darker underbelly of this cyberpunk narrative. 

The heart of this story lies in the grand themes the author explores and the compelling character dynamics at play. Logan, as a protagonist, is a powerhouse, revealing depth and complexity as he navigates the tension between his cold indifference, shaped by life experiences, and the harsh reality of the impact this virtual world has on humanity, as well as the secret he uncovers. The author’s commentary on technology and science as a whole, especially virtual reality and AI, is astounding, focusing not just on world-building but on the neurological and physical impact that being immersed in a virtual setting for long periods can have on the human body.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enthralling, and memorable, author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles book 1: Splinter” is a must-read cyberpunk dystopian thriller. The connection the author makes between consciousness and its interweaving with our biology, as well as the plethora of unique characters and the epic world-building of Onyros as a whole, make this a sci-fi epic that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/

Pulstar II – Meadows of Involution by Giancarlo Roversi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A deadly political plot and the fractured memories of a past life drive author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar II – Meadows of Involution” to all new heights in the Pulstar universe!

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The Synopsis

Astralvia: a nation vibrating with change.

The most crucial presidential election in the country’s history is three days away. Journalist Larianne Blunt will interview the opposition candidate who embodies the hope of millions of Astralvians. It’s the most significant interview in Larianne’s career and could influence the election outcome. But she doesn’t suspect that Astralvia is about to cross into a stage that will shape it forever, a change both radical and irreversible for the nation, the world—and Larianne.

In turn, Jens faces the rise of involution, which is seizing her home and infecting everything in its path. It seems unstoppable. Jens must fight against it, even though she might also catch this incurable involution.

The Pulstar universe expands in this second installment, approaching its climax.

Pulstar II is the continuation of the mystifying events of Pulstar I. If you thought the first book blew your mind, brace yourself. Pulstar II will not only explode your brain, it will shake your ideas, your convictions, and everything you believe to be real—and safe.

The Review

As a sci-fi and fantasy fan, two things always stand out to me and draw me into a new story. The first is complex, detailed world-building that makes the world feel vibrant and alive, and the second is a cohesive cast of characters that converge two storylines and give life to the world the author has created. Pulstar II does that and so much more.

The tension and heavy atmosphere that the author created solidified the dangers and strife that accompanied the main characters and their plight. Larianne was a tragic newcomer to the story; her interview with a favored politician in an upcoming election turned into a twisted and heart-pounding journey through a corrupt movement with little means of escape, and the reader could feel the emotional weight of her plight while Jeral and Aris and their memories from the events of the first book impact their journey, all culminating in a shocking cliffhanger.

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The Verdict

A memorable, richly developed, and entertaining blend of dystopian and hard-core sci-fi meets metaphysical fiction, author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar II – Meadow of Involution” is a must-read. The maps and fascinating language the author develops, and the worlds that stem from this story will stay with fans of these genres well after the book ends, and the thrilling final chapter will leave readers eager for the next book in this series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Venezuela-born Giancarlo Roversi isn’t only a writer. He’s also a computer engineer and a musician who shared stages with artists such as REM, Oasis, Travis, Duran Duran, and Maroon Five.

When his band Fractaler broke up in 2011, he devoted the next ten years to cue the Pulstar Trilogy and three prequels in that universe.

He surrendered his personal life and wrote these manuscripts in his native language, Spanish, and then he translated them into English. He also composed a soundtrack for each book; they’re currently in production.

When he’s not living and breathing in his Pulstarverse, he loves family time, cooking, astronomy, animals, and having philosophical discussions—especially about the meaning of life—with anyone who cares to join him.

https://giancarloroversi.com

LOY and Beyond by Todd David Gross Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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The fight continues between the spiritual and Earth-bound people of the future versus the technological and superior forces of invading barbarians in author Todd David Gross’s “LOY and Beyond”. 

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The Synopsis

The world is destroyed.

For a thousand years, the Rehloy lived in isolation, developing a special relationship with nature. Theirs was a spiritual life, ethereal, in some ways divine. But change was in the air.

Something was coming, something ominous.

Loy And Beyond is the continuing story of a native people with extraordinary abilities, who face the invasion of a barbarous and technologically superior one.

It is the coming-of-age story of a child whose extreme sensitivities have forced him to live in seclusion. It is about his mother, who once liberated, is forever changed.

It is about a Shaman’s journey, and another’s rise. A new generation emerging, and an old and distant one arriving.

It is the story of the Ontarans, the first great civilization to rise out of the ashes of the past. Who, in attempting to conquer this new land and weaponize the violent beasts native to it,

discover something far more valuable and potentially far more dangerous.

Loy And Beyond is about first contact.

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The Review

This is a masterful return to the magical yet dangerous world that the author has crafted. The rich imagery in the author’s writing style and the dynamic mythos that the author brought together in this sequel will keep fans engaged as the story melds into both the dystopian sci-fi and the fantasy genres all at once.

The character dynamics are the heart of the narrative. The stark contrast between the more spiritual tribe known as the Rehloy and the technologically superior civilization known as the Ontarans to rise out of the ashes of the old world made this story shine. The world-building that went into this narrative also elevated the fantasy elements, giving an in-depth look into how civilizations rise and fall overall.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, intriguing, and engaging author Todd David Gross’s “LOY and Beyond” is a must-read sci-fi dystopian and fantasy novel. The gripping narrative and dynamic characters help add a depth of humanity to this tale, and the shocking twists and turns these characters face will keep readers thoroughly invested in this story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

In a past life, Todd David Gross had an extensive background in music and was a veteran of such rock groups as The Burning Sensations, The Band Next Door, and The Shout! He performed primarily on bass, sometimes keys, sang, wrote songs, hauled equipment and performed in downtown NYC clubs, (usually after 2 a.m. on a work night), hauled equipment back, and sometimes saw the sun rise. 

Along the way he discovered esoteric literature, and for decades has been an avid student of philosophical, and psychological studies, embracing both Western constructs and Eastern philosophies, such as Buddhism, Sufism, Kabbalah,  and all the teachings which strive to bring the light of consciousness to humanity.  

Eventually, he traded one keyboard for another, and wrote several plays including The Visit, Life In The Park, Sense Memory, all of which were performed in New York City. His most “prestigious” play,  Them Within Us, ran Off-Broadway at Theater Row Theater, (alas, now Theater Row Diner), and was published by Broadway Play Publishing. 

Thereafter he set about writing Loy, which has become a series, and his most extensive achievement to date.

https://toddgrossauthor.com

Pulstar I – The Swan Barely Remembers (Pulstar Book One) by Giancarlo Roversi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Three strangers must remember a shared past of a previous life and the connection they share before an ancient evil rises to wreak havoc on humanity in author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar 1 – The Swan Barely Remembers”, the first book in the Pulstar series. 

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The Synopsis

Three strangers who share a forgotten past confront a vengeance they incited when their bodies weren’t human.

In Astralvia, a nation on the brink, astronomer Jeral Murh’s life is in limbo.

She’s woken from a coma with fresh memories and is certain of two things:

Her past actions are already haunting her present.

She is not entirely human.

She must abscond from Astralvia before an ancient enemy wreaks revenge. Everything is against her. Also, she must find Aris Castilho, her former ally, and make him remember what they once meant to each other. She can’t leave without him.

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Will she find Aris and convince him of their common past?

Will they reach Esther, their third ally?

Time is short … the ultimate reckoning is coming … and it’s unthinkable, indescribable—the worst thing that can happen to any human being.

Find out the fate of this trio of allies in this puzzling sci-fi thriller, where the stunning ending is just the beginning. Get ready to reflect on your place in the cosmos, your raison d’être, and what being human actually means.

Riddled with mystery, suspense, and a smattering of romance, Pulstar I: The Swan Barely Remembers is the enigmatic and addictive first installment in the Pulstar trilogy; although you can also read it as a stand-alone novel. It took over ten years to make and has a soundtrack in production. Watch out for books 2 and 3, due for publication this year.

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The Review

This was a compelling and captivating sci-fi dystopian read. The author found a great balance in world-building with powerful thematic storytelling. The almost ethereal atmosphere the narrative took on and the imagery in the author’s writing style really brought this universe to life so perfectly, showcasing a future for mankind amongst the stars and the way the past impacts the present and the future all at once. 

To me, the heart of this narrative rested in the character development and the powerful themes the author explores in this book, for they both develop off of one another in a complimentary way. Jeral especially has such a great arc, both in her past life that leads to this conflict and the earth-bound life she had before her emergence occurred. The confrontation with her Earth mother and the mystery behind her sister’s disappearance play a major role in this story, and yet it is the theme of what it means to be human that has such an impact on this cast of characters, especially Jeral, for questions of science and spirituality come to a head in this futuristic world and the cliffhanger ending ensures that the cosmos will never be the same as this powerful force is unleashed.

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and entertaining, author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar I – The Swan Barely Remembers” is a must-read dystopian sci-fi and grand first entry into a brand new series. The twists and turns of the narrative, as well as the very cinematic approach to the storytelling and the spiritual and moral themes the author touches upon through these characters, add a philosophical aspect to this narrative that will keep readers eager for more. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Venezuela-born Giancarlo Roversi isn’t only a writer. He’s also a computer engineer and a musician who shared stages with artists such as REM, Oasis, Travis, Duran Duran, and Maroon Five.

When his band Fractaler broke up in 2011, he devoted the next ten years to cue the Pulstar Trilogy and three prequels in that universe.

He surrendered his personal life and wrote these manuscripts in his native language, Spanish, and then he translated them into English. He also composed a soundtrack for each book; they’re currently in production.

When he’s not living and breathing in his Pulstarverse, he loves family time, cooking, astronomy, animals, and having philosophical discussions—especially about the meaning of life—with anyone who cares to join him.

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Dusk Upon Elysium by Tamel Wino Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A researcher for a trailblazing VR program hoping to perfect the system gets lost in the darkest recesses of the system itself and must confront his past and the darkness humanity has been plunged into in the real world in author Tamel Wino’s “Dusk Upon Elysium”. 

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The Synopsis

From the award-winning creator of Ékleipsis comes a dystopian narrative of affliction and obsession.

The world as we know it is forever lost. A deadly virus has scourged the planet and ravaged billions. Under the harsh ruling regime, survivors were “cleansed” and confined to isolated units, perpetually tormented by hunger, desolation, and desperation.

Among them is Geoff, a researcher for the trailblazing Paradiso, an authority-regulated virtual-reality program that allows users to momentarily escape their waking lives via implanted chips. He is devoted to perfecting the system—a vessel to preserve future hopes and dreams, where immense worlds prevail, brimming with vast possibilities.

But before long Geoff finds himself thrusted into the darkest recesses of these alternate realities, where he must confront not only his past but persevere against the unknown, fighting for his very existence.

Is all this magnificence just a grandiose illusion? Could there ever be salvation from the living hell into which mankind has plummeted?

The Review

This was a truly engaging novel. The author does an amazing job of capturing the grittiness of this world the author has created. The vivid imagery the author employed here did an excellent job of capturing the rich juxtaposition of the shocking dystopian reality of the real world with the atmospheric and beautiful scenery within Paradiso, bringing this sci-fi epic to life expertly.

The heart of this narrative had to be the dynamic character development and the stellar world-building that the author crafted. The emotional core of Owen’s past meeting the present day and the psychological effect of being so immersed into this virtual world help build upon the mythos of this illness-ravaged world that has left humanity on the brink of extinction and a powerful military keeping the survivors “in check”, mirroring some of our own fears in the heights of the recent global pandemic we all endured.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and haunting in its delivery, author Tamel Wino’s “Dusk Upon Elysium” is a must-read sci-fi dystopian novel of 2022. A great way to end the year for fans of these genres, the balance the author found between the mind-bending genres and the emotional core of these characters and their arcs made this story truly shine. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Tamel Wino is a horror/thriller short fiction writer from the resplendent British Columbia whose works focus largely on madness and human morality. He attended the University of Western Ontario, majoring in health sciences and psychology which only furthered his interest in human nature.

With inspirations including Alice Munro, Joe Hill, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood and Edgar Allan Poe; Tamel’s expositions are strongly grounded in traditions of dark fiction. Yet, with his bold, evocative narrative voice and incisive plot construction, Wino is paving a new movement within the space.


When he’s not reading or scribbling away on his laptop, Tamel loves listening to jazz, rewatching good ol’ classic movies and travelling.

https://ekleipsis.ca/