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Blanktown
Set in a near-future Chicago, BLANKTOWN (Original Queen Mab Courtesy) is part adventure, part mystery, part science, and all fun.
Tito, the main character, is a "Denver Dwarf"--victim of a birth defect caused by a biological terrorist attack while he was in the womb. It certainly didn't affect his mind or his spirit, though.
He meets up with Charlie Sleazer, a hot chestnut vendor who quotes Shakespeare and has a few interesting sidelines (like helping people out of jams). They are trying to unravel what happened to Tito's father, who disappeared years ago. The C.O.P.S - biomechanical enforcers of a nanny state that wants to protect the people from everything, including human nature - seem to be engaged in a massive cover-up. They're closing in on Tito and the only way out leads through Blanktown.
Blanktown is a fast-paced novel that's fun and easy to read, yet it makes the reader think about lots of things, not least of which is the value of being true to oneself and one's family.
Rated PG for intense scenes. Suitable for mid-grades and up.
80,000 words; equivalent to a 300 page mass market paperback
Tito, the main character, is a "Denver Dwarf"--victim of a birth defect caused by a biological terrorist attack while he was in the womb. It certainly didn't affect his mind or his spirit, though.
He meets up with Charlie Sleazer, a hot chestnut vendor who quotes Shakespeare and has a few interesting sidelines (like helping people out of jams). They are trying to unravel what happened to Tito's father, who disappeared years ago. The C.O.P.S - biomechanical enforcers of a nanny state that wants to protect the people from everything, including human nature - seem to be engaged in a massive cover-up. They're closing in on Tito and the only way out leads through Blanktown.
Blanktown is a fast-paced novel that's fun and easy to read, yet it makes the reader think about lots of things, not least of which is the value of being true to oneself and one's family.
Rated PG for intense scenes. Suitable for mid-grades and up.
80,000 words; equivalent to a 300 page mass market paperback
300 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2008
About the author
Bruce C. Davis
11 books2 followersAward-winning author Bruce C. Davis is a general and trauma surgeon in the Phoenix area. After fourteen years in the Navy, including duty on Guam and with the Marines, he settled in Mesa, Arizona. Writing has been a passion that he has pursued for many years. He has had short stories appear in several electronic and small press magazines.
That Which is Human was his first novel which won an award as the best new eBook of 2009. When not working or writing, he has been known to try his hand at woodworking, sailing, and computer gaming (World of Warcraft was once a serious addiction).
That Which is Human was his first novel which won an award as the best new eBook of 2009. When not working or writing, he has been known to try his hand at woodworking, sailing, and computer gaming (World of Warcraft was once a serious addiction).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 1, 2015
Disclosure: I work for AKW Books (the publisher). However, I read this book as Queen Mab Courtesy before we acquired it. Here's my review from then:
Near future mechanized C.O.P.S. Mandatory welfare. Plague-caused dwarfism.
What's not to like about this book?
The main character, Tito, is a “Denver Dwarf”. A virus was released in that city and infected fetuses in pregnant women who were exposed to it. They children came out dwarves and mostly retarded. Less sensitive people call them “Spuds”.
But Tito’s mind didn’t suffer like most. He’s highly intelligent and on the run from the C.O.P.S. who want to capture him and return him to the welfare system and the mindless existence they’ve established for “Spuds” (all for their own good, of course).
Tito stumbles across a vendor of hot chestnuts who is more than he seems and the romp is on. His new friend hides him from the COPS and introduces him to an entire sub-culture of people who live on the edge of the law.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little guy as he struggled to stay free and adjust to his new, and often harrowing life.
A great read for science fiction lovers and anyone who likes to root for “the little guy”.
Davis has hit another home run. I hope we get to see more of Tito in the future.
The updated book is available from: http://www.akwbooks.com/BookStore/pro...
Near future mechanized C.O.P.S. Mandatory welfare. Plague-caused dwarfism.
What's not to like about this book?
The main character, Tito, is a “Denver Dwarf”. A virus was released in that city and infected fetuses in pregnant women who were exposed to it. They children came out dwarves and mostly retarded. Less sensitive people call them “Spuds”.
But Tito’s mind didn’t suffer like most. He’s highly intelligent and on the run from the C.O.P.S. who want to capture him and return him to the welfare system and the mindless existence they’ve established for “Spuds” (all for their own good, of course).
Tito stumbles across a vendor of hot chestnuts who is more than he seems and the romp is on. His new friend hides him from the COPS and introduces him to an entire sub-culture of people who live on the edge of the law.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little guy as he struggled to stay free and adjust to his new, and often harrowing life.
A great read for science fiction lovers and anyone who likes to root for “the little guy”.
Davis has hit another home run. I hope we get to see more of Tito in the future.
The updated book is available from: http://www.akwbooks.com/BookStore/pro...
April 1, 2015
Near future mechanized C.O.P.S. Mandatory welfare. Plague-caused dwarfism.
What's not to like about this book?
The main character, Tito, is a “Denver Dwarf”. A virus was released in that city and infected fetuses in pregnant women who were exposed to it. They children came out dwarves and mostly retarded. Less sensitive people call them “Spuds”.
But Tito’s mind didn’t suffer like most. He’s highly intelligent and on the run from the C.O.P.S. who want to capture him and return him to the welfare system and the mindless existence they’ve established for “Spuds” (all for their own good, of course).
Tito stumbles across a vendor of hot chestnuts who is more than he seems and the romp is on. His new friend hides him from the COPS and introduces him to an entire sub-culture of people who live on the edge of the law.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little guy as he struggled to stay free and adjust to his new, and often harrowing life.
A great read for science fiction lovers and anyone who likes to root for “the little guy”.
Davis has hit another home run. I hope we get to see more of Tito in the future.
What's not to like about this book?
The main character, Tito, is a “Denver Dwarf”. A virus was released in that city and infected fetuses in pregnant women who were exposed to it. They children came out dwarves and mostly retarded. Less sensitive people call them “Spuds”.
But Tito’s mind didn’t suffer like most. He’s highly intelligent and on the run from the C.O.P.S. who want to capture him and return him to the welfare system and the mindless existence they’ve established for “Spuds” (all for their own good, of course).
Tito stumbles across a vendor of hot chestnuts who is more than he seems and the romp is on. His new friend hides him from the COPS and introduces him to an entire sub-culture of people who live on the edge of the law.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little guy as he struggled to stay free and adjust to his new, and often harrowing life.
A great read for science fiction lovers and anyone who likes to root for “the little guy”.
Davis has hit another home run. I hope we get to see more of Tito in the future.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews