I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two people from very different walks of life must come together to stop the wealthy elite from becoming living gods in author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World.”
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The Synopsis
The trillionaires were powerful enough to reshape the world, but it wasn’t enough. Now they want more . . .
In a world where trillionaires assisted by powerful AIs call themselves gods, a world where miracles are engineered and secret technology is wired into the very air, James Kessler and Maree Shell stumble upon a conspiracy that defies possibility: the new gods’ plan to encode their consciousness into the world and seize control of reality itself, to literally become the gods they have so far only pretended to be.
From the world’s gleaming new AI-crafted cities to the crumbling ruins of the old ones, the two unlikely allies, one a childhood survivor of the Bad Times and the other a privileged daughter of wealth, must run a gauntlet of hostile AIs, vengeful modern-day gods, and mysterious ancient deities, desperately trying to disrupt the plans of the most powerful people who have ever lived. Nothing less than the fate of free will itself hangs in the balance.
A mind-bending cyberpunk thriller of rebellion and redemption, Gods of a New World is a visceral dive into the soul of a world on the brink.
The Review
This was such a powerful and thought-provoking cyberpunk read. The novel finds a way of folding in profound questions of theology and the human condition into an action-driven sci-fi thriller that leaves readers completely engrossed in the detailed world the author has crafted, as well as the visceral mythos of the tech and gods, both the old and the new, brought to life on the page. The imagery in the author’s writing makes this feel like a mix of Blade Runner and The Running Man, showcasing a world of advanced AI and wealthy elitists who see themselves as living gods and making technology that could eerily bring that thought to life.
What stood out, aside from the incredible character development, especially with James and his journey to protect those he loves, was the amazing conversation that bridged the gap between modern technology and ancient theology and belief systems as a whole. The concepts surrounding the ancient gods and how their connection to humanity faded, as well as how those with money and power envision themselves modern gods and how perhaps the universe itself is an ancient run technology far beyond our understanding and how AI could tap into something similar to that kept readers on the edge of their seat as the story developed.
The Verdict
Thrilling, compelling, and captivating, author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World” is a must-read cyberpunk sci-fi thriller. The twists and turns in this narrative and the deep, rich mythology this story brings to life will stay with readers long after the novel ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Ryan Melsom has never stopped dreaming about new ways he could get ideas out of his head and into the world. He holds a PhD in literature from Queen’s University and has long been fascinated with the interplay between culture, technology, spirituality, spaces, and human nature. Through the years he has explored these topics through numerous creative media, including two works of fiction, academic writing, experimental web spaces, music projects, blogging, and a black belt in karate. He grew up in Kamloops, British Columbia, and now lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife and two boys.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman with a unique ability must choose between the brother she is tasked with taking care of and the resistance group that needs her abilities to fight against the oppressive regime ruling over them in author Brad C. Anderson’s “Ashme’s Song.”
The Synopsis
Violence has an echo, growing louder with each reverberation . . . how do you stop its echo once it starts ringing?
Ashme is a New Mesopotamian—a “Meso.” She dreams of being a hero, fighting against the brutal Ostarrichi ruling her country. She is an indigo child, her DNA modified by sentient AI, enabling her to control computer systems at will. With this power, she has something to offer the Meso resistance. Her twin brother, Shen, however, suffers from a neurological disorder and needs someone to care for him. Increasingly, that task falls on her.
How can she become the hero her people need when her brother’s needs are overwhelming? If she continues caring for Shen while joining the resistance, she risks leading Ostarrichi forces to her home. If she leaves, then looking after Shen will fall to her cousin, who is already overworked caring for his frail grandmother.
As her society collapses into violence, Ashme must choose between her fellow Mesos, her family, and her values.
The Review
What a heartfelt, heartbreaking, and chilling yet engaging story. The world the author created felt both other-worldly and yet relatable all at the same time, forcing the reader to see the struggles of the Mesos as struggles others have faced at the hands of police brutality, racist, sexist, and even homophobic behavior. The world-building was incredible, and the author’s writing style and imagery made the reader feel easily transported.
The heart of this narrative was the complex character development, especially with Ashme as the protagonist. The choices she faced and the challenges that came her way were like a gut punch emotionally, with the line between what’s right and what’s often needed blaring in the face of the threat the Ostarrichi represented. The relationship with her brother and the struggle to provide his safety and freedom showcased the lengths the family was willing to go for one another.
The Verdict
Author Brad C. Anderson’s “Ashme’s Song” is a must-read sci-fi thriller. Its harrowing, entertaining, yet emotionally driven plot follows a shocking turn of events, and the close examination of the fight that sometimes is needed to make big and needed changes to society overall makes this a compelling story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Brad Anderson lives with his wife in Vancouver, Canada, and they own the cutest dog on planet earth. Previously, he worked in the biotech industry in areas such as drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs and business development. In addition to writing, he currently teaches at a local university.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A former serial killer takes control of the world in a dystopian future after being digitized in author Liudmila Brus’s “No Life but Immortality”, the first book in the Geryon’s Code series.
The Synopsis
Set at the end of the 22nd century, this dystopian epic takes readers into a hauntingly plausible future where humanity must navigate the consequences of its technological ambitions and societal failure.
The main storyline begins decades after a catastrophic global Blackout—a disaster that coincided with a devastating solar flare, obliterating much of Earth’s infrastructure and throwing the world into chaos. But this isn’t just a tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s a gripping exploration of dictatorship, deception, and the lengths to which one will go to reshape civilization.
No Life but Immortality introduces Geryon Lindon, a once-convicted serial killer and the first human to be fully digitized. Geryon’s mind survives beyond the physical realm, evolving into a shadowy mastermind who manipulates tech and people from his lair on the Moon, leaving the future of Earth and its colonies hanging in the balance.
Can those who stand against Geryon’s tyranny uncover his secrets and restore hope to a fractured society? Or will his vision of a reimagined Earth become humanity’s dark fate?
Liudmila Brus’s storytelling takes inspiration from classics like Neuromancer and The Martian, combined with the intricate politics and environmental topics. Readers can expect a narrative that blends psychological drama with interplanetary intrigue, perfect for fans of dystopian fiction, virtual reality, and richly layered worlds.
The Review
This was such a unique and compelling dystopian read. The author did a remarkable job of creating a world that felt shockingly realistic, even in a dystopian setting. The terrifying thought of a brutal killer like Geryon having his consciousness digitized and using his connection to this advanced technology to inflict his twisted worldview instilled a sense of suspense and an adrenaline-fueled dive into the thriller genre, unlike anything I’ve read before.
The author found an outstanding balance between character development and world-building with this book. The surreal, terrifying world that has emerged in the aftermath of this Blackout and the impact that growing technology has in the wake of this global event is something that will stay with readers as the story progresses, feeding into that adrenaline and anxiety the world the author has created gives to readers. The way these characters evolve, from the killer Geryon to Winston and his family and even the discovery of Minna, allows the reader to have a more personal connection to the story, and the interesting twist of religion and cult mind activity playing into the dystopian sch-fi setting was so engaging.
The Verdict
Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining author Liudmila Brus’s “No Life But Immortality” is a must-read dystopian sci-fi thriller. The perfect entry into a new and action-packed series, the narrative twists and turns and the deeply human themes of morality and the dangers of technology will keep readers on the edge of their seats. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Liudmila lives in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, with her small family and her adopted cat. She is currently a video game writer at Ghost Workshop, working on the game Marsbound.
Under the influence of her grandparents, Liudmila fell in love with reading at an early age and developed a passion for writing. She began collaborating with a city newspaper at the age of 15. At 16, she entered the Moscow State Institute of International Relations to study journalism. She also participated in a student exchange program with Sciences Po, one of the leading universities of France.
Her earlier literary works include the short story Fury (mystery, 2008) and the novella Three Days with Light Off (erotica, 2012), both published in St. Petersburg. Liudmila has extensive experience in journalism, with professional interests in environmental issues and green initiatives worldwide. Although climate change is not directly addressed in her novels, it has shaped the world of Geryon’s Code, leading to such dire social and moral consequences that the Martian colonies declared independence, starting a new civilization and aiming to be free from the evils of the past.
She is also a fan of heavy music and a LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) enthusiast. In 2012, she co-founded the “After Us” post-apocalyptic LARP club in Moscow and organized several themed parties and festivals.
Her sci-fi book cycle Geryon’s Code consists of three novels: No Life but Immortality, The Orphaned Earth, and From The Abyss, To The Abyss (currently in progress).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A secret military base doing cutting-edge research becomes the center of competition and deception as a new invention could either lead to a brighter future, or be mankind’s downfall in author Dante Terese’s “The Base”.
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The Synopsis
The Base: From the most “Top Secret “military base in the country comes this tale of jealousy, deception, intrigue and triumph. The newest most sought-after military innovation “The Project” is about to be released, after many years of research by the military’s elite scientists. Unfortunately, there are many who seek to steal and intercept the invention for their own agenda.
Written from the inside of a place that few have ever seen with the most forbidding climate to keep outsiders away we follow our developers to the completion of their mission. Their success depends on a sacred trust and ethics while they live in conditions that would try even the strongest most resolute soul.
‘The Project” must succeed or we all will fail – and it will fall into the hands of the enemy.
Will they stay true when their spirits are put to the ultimate test?
Or will we all soon be controlled by the invention that was intended to keep us safe?
A very probable story with many valuable lessons about the competitive nature of cutting-edge research, the courage it takes to succeed both as a scientist while staying one step ahead of the spies and thieves that lurk everywhere.
“The Base” is a suspenseful, gripping story with many unforgettable characters. (It is the first book in a series)
The Review
This was such a compelling and engaging short sci-fi read. The author brilliantly takes readers into this narrative with a fresh perspective, giving a first-person account from the eyes of a young girl living with her family on a military base. The early establishment of her family dynamics, from her mother’s mystery at living in such an isolated space to her father’s understanding of nature and secretive work, helps establish a base to which the reader can easily relate to the characters in this novel.
The heart of this narrative is in the world-building, which allows both the imagery and scientific creations discussed in this book to feel vibrant and alive, thanks in part to the masterful use of imagery in the author’s writing. The Vector-1 experiment early on in the story, and the evolution that work takes on, mixed with the mystery and intrigue that comes with any military thriller as other entities try to gain the technology for themselves, make this a thrilling story to get lost in.
The Verdict
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and entertaining, author Dante Terese’s “The Base” is a wonderful sci-fi novel and a grand first entry into a new series. The twists and turns in the narrative and the honesty for which the protagonist speaks gave the mystery and world-building the solid foundation it needed for readers to get invested in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Dante Terese is a dynamic new voice in fiction, blending deep themes with compelling narratives in her work. Her debut novel, Sex, Death, & Diane, celebrates the courage of those who dare to think independently and speak their truths, exploring the quiet power within each of us.
Her recent science fiction release, The Base, takes readers into the high-stakes world of military research, where ethical dilemmas and espionage intertwine in a suspenseful tale of innovation and integrity.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
After being pulled back into the investigative world when a grieving widow asks for help finding his missing son, P.I. Randolph Landon discovers a cult dedicated to otherworldly beliefs, a mysterious girl with green hair, and an illusive preacher with glowing green eyes in author Alan Golbourn’s “The Cult from Beyond”, the second book in the author’s “Randolph Landon, P.I.” series.
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The Synopsis
Paradise Comes at a Price …
Now settled in Lincolnshire with his family, having given up his private investigator business, Randolph Landon believes he is done with the job. That is until Norman Parker comes along. Shortly after losing his wife, Norman’s son, Oliver, goes missing. Randolph decides to take on the case to help the grieving widower and discovers a strange symbol on the back of a photograph.
Discovering that Oliver has become involved with a strange cult and a mysterious green-haired girl, Randolph finds himself getting in deep once more — and ventures down yet another dark and chilling path. With the help of a detective friend back in London, things soon lead to a terrifying confrontation with an illusive preacher — with glowing green eyes …
The Review
This was a powerful and captivating thriller. The way the author was able to flip the script of this series from occult horror into a steely and gripping sci-fi thriller was great to see play out in the novel. The tension that builds as the protagonist makes his way further and further into the cult and the mystery that swells as the detective seeks answers to the true origins of the cult made this narrative truly shine brightly in the genre.
To me, the heart of the narrative rested in the author’s strong character progression. Fans of the first book will be delighted in seeing the progression and growth that the protagonist exhibits, giving him real stakes as his family’s happiness and safety motivate him to keep going in his investigation. The mythos surrounding the cult and its origins, including the small town they end up engaging with as the protagonist seeks answers, all kept the reader invested in the narrative.
The Verdict
Thrilling, action-packed, and entertaining, author Alan Golbourn’s “The Cult From Beyond” is a must-read sci-fi thriller novel you won’t be able to put down. Capturing the enigmatic rise of sci-fi cults in that era of time and adding a twist of genre-bending mythos, the author was able to infuse the spirit of the great detective narrative with a bit of Irish folk horror and powerful sci-fi storytelling to create a book that is impossible 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
Alan Golbourn was born in Essex, England. He has enjoyed writing stories since a young age, when he was recognised early for his writing abilities. Amongst several interests and hobbies, including football and computer games, he holds a love and compassion for animals.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young hacker hired to update security for a private company in the future must battle government agents as the world heads towards the point of no return and the arrival of the Algorithm Singularity in author Dean Alexandrou’s “SYMUTAL”.
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The Synopsis
“The ping of the oven cut like a shard of glass through brain tissue, tearing apart the cloth of melancholia that she wore like a hood.”
The year is 2057. In one month humanity will have passed the point of no return – the Algorithm Singularity. Automated systems that run society will have cast a net too tight to break free from. As the singularity approaches, Omicore becomes the first private company to build a server farm on the Moon, out of reach of terrestrial interference.
“The counter response from a system too complex for us to understand will be both unpredictable and deadly.”
Page, a socially awkward but prodigal hacker is hired by Omicore to work on their next generation security, using a new form of simulated consciousness. When government agents try to shut the company down the unfinished research is the only thing standing in their way, and must fight back for all of humanity.
“Nothing is legal when it challenges the authority of those who make the laws.”
The Review
This was a compelling and gripping sci-fi thriller. The author does a fantastic job of touching upon the theme of the dangers of A.I. and the harm that can come with allowing the technology to advance without any laws or supervision, and the problems that can come with automating every aspect of our lives. The real dangers that technology has gone unchecked can have on everyday life is perfectly illustrated in the opening chapter of the book, showing how the lack of human emotion or empathy can leave a cold and calculating worldview that doesn’t allow for room to grow, and punishes people for possibilities rather than actual misdeeds.
The imagery and tension the author built were perfectly captured in the cold settings and a detailed look at the process of programming and coding, let alone the technology behind A.I. and automated systems in general. The character development balanced the detached technology aspect of the narrative and gave readers an emotional investment in the story as the fight for humanity truly began, even amongst themselves.
The Verdict
Memorable, action-packed, and engaging, author Dean Alexandrou’s “SYMUTAL” is a must-read sci-fi thriller of 2023! The twists and turns in the narrative, the shocking fates of the characters, and the emphasis the author puts on both the possibility and the dangers of A.I. made this story flow smoothly and kept me enraptured with the narrative until the book’s final page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
I was born in Dubai UAE, moved to England when I was 5, and grew up in London. Currently I live in Bangkok Thailand with my girlfriend. My background has been a mix of different careers and locations, with a lot of technology roles (I have spent a lot of time as a programmer, and digital nomad), and have also had a few forays into the entertainment industry. Suffice to say I find it difficult to completely categorise myself in any normal, sensible way!
Much of this contrasting medley of places manifests itself through my writing, and will be apparent in the book Symutal, whose story is interwoven between Earth, the Moon, and virtual reality, but with a strong interlinking storyline. It is speculative, dystopian fiction, but with occasional scenes borrowed from my own experiences.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An infamous Tech CEO accidentally discovers a means of sending back information into the past, but soon discovers the tech and financial gains pale in comparison to a far darker threat in author E.W. Doc Parris’s “The Dent in the Universe”.
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The Synopsis
It turns out “Move fast and break things” is terrible advice when developing a time machine.
To resuscitate his fading celebrity, tech CEO Stephen Lucas would sell his soul for one more hit. When the subspace network for his holographic gaming empire crashes, his hardware guru makes a discovery proving that Einstein was right once again— information can be sent backward in time.
Lucas sees a dream product for procrastinators. Want a pizza now? Send your order back in time 30 minutes. Forgot to make reservations at that chichi french restaurant two weeks ago? No worries. Buy that PowerBall ticket. Invest in that stock. Make a FaceTime call to a loved one that passed away a month ago.
It’s the time machine for the rest of us.
In a culture built on instant gratification, Lucas knows he has a hit that will seem like a dream come true on Wall Street. But when he rushes into beta testing before fully understanding the power he’s unleashing, he learns that the stuff dreams are made of can quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
The road to Hell is paved with cool inventions.
The Review
The author does a fantastic job of crafting a unique and powerful world that brings a rich blend of sci-fi and mystery storytelling. The detail the author puts into the more tech and scientific nature of the “time travel” element was great to see, and the inclusion of more business, mainstream-style approaches to the technology itself feels very real to the story being told and our own world as a whole.
This was the perfect emphasis on world-building and mythos that any hard-core sci-fi thriller has ever taken. The depths of character development and the realities of how our own modern-day “tech-bros” are seen by the broader public were greatly felt in this fictional world. The unique twist on the time travel element and the shift in tone as the sci-fi element soon takes a back seat to some more mystery, thriller, and even horror elements as the dark realities of any and all tech, but in particular this one, make themselves known and take the reader to a depth of internet hell that few could have seen coming.
The Verdict
Twisted, captivating, and thrilling, author E.W. Doc Parris’s “The Dent in the Universe” is a must-read sci-fi thriller you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative and the climactic finale will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the atmospheric nature of the narrative will have readers invested in the author’s unique take on the sci-fi tech genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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E.W. Doc Parris has a new sci-fi/horror book out: The Dent in the Universe. And there’s a giveaway – a $50 Amazon gift card.
To resuscitate his fading celebrity, tech CEO Stephen Lucas would sell his soul for one more hit. When the subspace network for his holographic gaming empire crashes, his hardware guru makes a discovery proving that, though the mechanics may differ a bit, Einstein was right once again— information can be sent backward in time.
Lucas sees a dream product for procrastinators. Want a pizza now? Send your order back in time 30 minutes. Forgot to make reservations at that chichi french restaurant two weeks ago? No worries. Buy that PowerBall ticket. Invest in that stock. Make a FaceTime call to a loved one that passed away a month ago.
In a culture built on instant gratification, Lucas knows he has a hit that will make Wall Street sit up and beg. But when he rushes into beta testing, he learns that the stuff dreams are made of can quickly become the stuff of nightmares.
Warnings: violence, torture, body horror, branding, implied cannibalism.
Stephen picked up the keyboard and typed, Watson, come here. I want to see you.
Before he hit enter, the display on his right blinked and displayed a log entry. The display directly in front of him showed the log of the interaction, a white line of text that showed what he’d typed, Watson, come here. I want to see you, and the time sent, 630231 milliseconds. The display on the right, the one that flashed before he hit enter, showed the same.
Walrus said, “Look at the timestamps. The sending input occurred at 630231 milliseconds. The receiving event happened at 629931 milliseconds.”
Stephen looked puzzled. “The clocks are off? That’s a 300…?” he checked his math, “300-millisecond difference.”
Walrus grinned. “Negative 300 milliseconds. The clocks aren’t off.”
“The time server is off?” Stephen knew that was the culprit in the outage.
Walrus shook his head. “Nope. These two chips are in perfect sync to FTL time.”
Stephen stopped and thought. The message appeared to be arriving 300 milliseconds before it was sent. “I’m not getting it,” he said.
Walrus laughed and did his little dance again. “Yes! You are! Tell me what you see.”
Stephen said slowly, “The message looks like it’s being received before it was sent, 300 milliseconds before.” Walrus grinned, and Stephen continued, “But that’s not possible. What’s causing the discrepancy? If the clocks aren’t wrong and the time server was working properly…?” He shook his head.
Walrus’s grin widened. “It’s a time machine.”
Stephen leaned back a bit from the desk. “Right.” Walrus let it sink in. “What do you mean?” He thought Walrus was speaking metaphorically.
Walrus laughed and said, “I mean, this is a time machine.”
Stephen looked at the set-up in front of him. It was a hacked sChip on a breadboard and a couple of displays strung together with cables and alligator clips. This wasn’t a time machine.
Walrus relented. “I’ve tweaked the power supply to dial in a tiny phase variance in the I/O to this sChip, like our customer did by accident. The tensor array interpreted this as an attribute, sending the signal to a point in time before it was sent. 300 milliseconds before. About a third of a second.”
Stephen recalled the chain of events. The right display refreshed a fraction of a second before he hit enter. Examining the log, what he had typed was there. Watson, come here. I want to see you.
He frowned and thought for a few seconds. “A third of a second? It’s the least impressive time machine imaginable,” he said. “This crashed the time servers?”
Walrus nodded, finished his cola, tossed its crushed container in the recycling bin, and peeled open another. “Essentially. I’ve cleaned up the effect, and I’m not messaging the time server. The timeserver would have ignored an invalid time sync transaction. It’s programmed to dump garbage bits. This wasn’t garbage, it was a perfectly normal sync transaction, but the handshake was out of order. The time server software questioned its own reality. It wobbled, tried to regain its equilibrium, and tipped into cascade failure.”
“It’s fascinating, but…” Hard-wired by the last six years to search for a new product, Stephen’s mind was searching for a use for what he was seeing. “I mean, it is cool, but it’s useless—a weird trick of physics. What can we do with it?” He thought for a little more. “This is IP data?”
Walrus shrugged, “It’s a packet like any other packet.”
“So, if it’s packets, then it’s IP, then it’s anything. Form data, text, jpegs, audio, video, holo.”
Walrus nodded and grinned, “Sure. You could surf the web of 300 milliseconds ago…”
Stephen interrupted him, “Can we extend that? Could we rig these in series? Go back further?”
“We could do it more elegantly than that—How much further?”
“You tell me, what’s the theoretical limit?”
“Well, you’d need a receiver. So whatever we end up making would only go back to the first chips that go online. We make a chip today, turn it on, in a week, we could go back to that moment but not before, right? The longer we’re online, the further back we can send things.”
Stephen shook his head. “We couldn’t go back further than tonight?”
Walrus nodded. “There would be nothing to send it to. As soon as we flip the switch on our time machine, we’d be establishing a time horizon. But say we turned on a receiving device tonight. In a year, you could send a message back to tonight. That would be a year in your past. In two years, you could send a message back two years, on and on, until the end of the world.” He laughed and said, “You know that old site, The Way Back Machine? The internet archive? This would be like that but live. You could actually surf the web of the past. Leaving comments on a video from a year earlier.”
Stephen frowned dismissively and said, “What good would that do? I can leave a comment on that same video today. The entire internet is available back to the 90s.”
Walrus smiled, “But it’d be radical!” Radical was not the goal. Stephen needed a killer application, a product everyone would want. Walrus’s stomach growled loudly. “Man,” he said, “I’m starving. Wanna order a pizza? Hey man, that’s what we could do!” he said jokingly, “We could use it to order pizza a half hour ago, so it arrives…” and he snapped his fingers.
Stephen froze. His pupils widened. Instant Pizza. Instant delivery. Instant gratification.
The entire computer industry of the last forty years was built around delivering everything as quickly as possible. Meeting the desires of the customer. Right. Fucking. Now. If no one ever went broke underestimating the American people’s intelligence, as Mencken might have said, it would follow: no one ever went broke catering to their impatience.
Author Bio
E.W. Doc Parris is an American writer known for matter-of-fact, hard science fiction grounded in the current scientific weltanschauung, leavened with wit, and kindled by the warmth of human relationships.
Born within the nation’s capital Beltway, Doc makes his home in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. A self-taught software developer and solutions architect, he’s made a decent living over the years as a set designer, graphic designer, animator, 3D modeler, iOS developer, puppeteer, and educator.
In addition to his centuries-spanning WalrusTech Reality series, Doc is currently working on his next novel, Land of Nod, an exploration of A.I., nanotech, and the human brain’s neural network.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An earth-born man from the 80s joins a woman from an extinct race of bounty hunters to stop an armada of ruthless warriors led by two war-monger brothers and the god-like being who is hell-bent on preventing a prophecy that spells their doom in author Dee Rose’s “Hut-Yo Cull: The Hunt Begins”.
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The Synopsis
In the year 2345 on the planet Kazar, a young woman, Hut-Yo Cull, grows into adulthood and learns of her parent’s origins, which are a race of bounty Hunters, who were made extinct and enslaved by an intergalactic armada known as the Merciless. They are led by two brothers, Admiral Gloomis, and General Vrane. They only concern themselves with two things, a god-like creature known as MInister Milos, who also wants to rule the Universe, and a prophecy he created known as the Gunn Prophecy. In an effort to prevent the prophecy from occurring, General Gloomis travels to Earth in 1985 to stop the birth of the Jake Gunn, the prophecy’s namesake. This starts an adventure that spans to several planets throughout the universe and unites Jake, Hut-yo Cull, and their allies to do battle with the Merciless and Milos
The Review
This was a profoundly entertaining and captivating sci-fi read. The author did an amazing job of world-building for this novel. The mythology and wealth of backstory built over the course of the novel made the universe feel so alive and vibrant on the page. This was doubly felt with the author’s use of imagery and heavy atmosphere that made these settings feel as massive and compelling as the cosmos truly is.
Yet to me, it was the amazing balance of theme and character development that made this story shine. The themes played well into the character arcs of this story, as both protagonists find themselves on a mission of revenge and justice against this alien threat of the Merciless, and yet the story plays with the idea of how thin the line between destiny and revenge a hero’s journey can take and how our personal histories can often blur that line in life, just as it does for the protagonists here. The chemistry that forms between these two people as they face this cosmic threat was great to see come to life on the page.
The Verdict
With a haunting story, rich character growth, and an entertaining mythos to get lost in, author Dee Roses’s “Hut-Yo Cull: The Hunt Begins” is a must-read sci-fi epic you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in this narrative are not only plentiful but so shocking that by the book’s end, readers will be shocked and eager for the author to return to this universe immediately. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Dee Rose was born on July 5th and resides in Denver, CO, where he studied Political Science at Metropolitan State University. He has two children, Nadia and Nicole. He started writing when he entered a writing contest at William A. Wirt high school in Gary, IN. “My goal is to blow people’s minds.” He says. “But sound cool doing it.”
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In a world where mega-corporations begin to conspire together as brain augmentations replace smartphones, a young man who was one of the first to gain such an implant years before it became popular may be humanity’s only hope to raise a rebellion against these corporations in author Scott Overton’s “Augment Nation”.
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The Synopsis
Since the age of fourteen Damon Leiter has had a brain-computer interface implanted beneath his skull to correct a neurological disorder. As a teenager, it branded him as an outcast—as an adult it endows him with extraordinary abilities. He may represent the next step in human evolution.
When computerized brain augments replace smartphones as the must-have status item, mega-corporations and governments conspire together and marketing becomes mind control. Damon is uniquely equipped to lead a worldwide resistance. But Damon can’t be sure he isn’t playing into the hands of the rich and powerful.
They might even be right:
Maybe the real threat to humanity is Damon himself.
The Review
This was an absolutely captivating, near-future sci-fi thriller! The author did an incredible job of really layering this world with vivid imagery that brought this near-futuristic world to life. The juxtaposition of the coldness of the corporations and their machinations against the warmth and beauty of the character’s perseverance really highlighted the theme of technology and its influence on humanity overall.
The harmonious way the author brought together the character dynamics with the gripping thriller atmosphere of the narrative. The complex story behind the protagonist and his connections to both sides of this “war” was so enthralling to get lost in, as it really made his arc so much more thought-provoking. The earnestness with which he pursues his goals and the more extensive overarching nature of the antagonists and their goals kept the murky, shadowy nature of the genre alive as the story continued to evolve. Having the protagonist develop a connection with Valerie also gave him a human connection.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and adrenaline-fueled, author Scott Overton’s “Augment Nation” is a must-read sci-fi novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the complex nature of these characters and the mythos of this world the author has created built up the emotionally charged and shocking final chapters and the revelations of this narrative, making this story 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
With a long career as a radio morning show host, Scott’s always had a way with words. But his lifelong devotion to science fiction was destined to lead to a second career as a writer. Although his first novel, the mystery/thriller Dead Air was set in the radio world (and shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award in Ontario, Canada) all of his writing since has taken the reader to even stranger places, including the human bloodstream in his SF novel debut The Primus Labyrinth, a science fiction thriller that readers compare to Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. His most recent novel Naïda chronicles a reluctant hero with an alien being living inside him. Scott strongly believes that science fiction should involve compelling themes and important issues, along with memorable characters.
His short fiction has been published in magazines such as On Spec, AEscifi, Neo-opsis, Penumbra and anthologies including Future Visions 3, Casserole Diplomacy: The On Spec 25th Anniversary Anthology, Canadian Tales of the Fantastic, In Poe’s Shadow, and Tesseracts Sixteen: Parnassus Unbound. Fifteen of his SF/fantasy short stories have been gathered in the collection BEYOND: Stories Beyond Time, Technology, and the Stars. Many more SF novels are on the way. Scott’s distractions from writing include scuba diving, music, and collector cars. He lives with his wife on a private island in Northern Ontario.
