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Cybershock
Ghost in the Machine
Rule number Run from the Shadows. Unless one knows the secret that will save you.
A Cybershock Story
I live in a world of waifs and shadows. Live might be an overstatement. I scrounge and scramble and survive in an atmosphere made thick and gray by the ashes of the Fallen. And sometimes I dream of sunlight. My parents were taken, even though they followed all the rules. Never scavenge at night. Never talk to Shadows. Don’t fight the Sweepers. Run. Run. Run.
Now that they’ve taken my little brother, Douglas, I’ve realized I’ve only been surviving for him. I have two Follow him or lie down and die. I can’t just quit after years of struggle. I wouldn’t know how if I tried. Determination is all I have left.
And then I meet him.
He claims to be a rogue who can help me find my brother. It’s got to be a lie. But I don’t run. I stop. I listen. And I make a deal with a Shadow even though I know it will mean the death of me.
Never talk to Shadows.
But no one ever told me what would happen if I kissed one.
May cause fantasies of forbidden kisses from dark heroes who balance on the edge of evil. Where shadows wait and ashes fall…
A Cybershock Story
I live in a world of waifs and shadows. Live might be an overstatement. I scrounge and scramble and survive in an atmosphere made thick and gray by the ashes of the Fallen. And sometimes I dream of sunlight. My parents were taken, even though they followed all the rules. Never scavenge at night. Never talk to Shadows. Don’t fight the Sweepers. Run. Run. Run.
Now that they’ve taken my little brother, Douglas, I’ve realized I’ve only been surviving for him. I have two Follow him or lie down and die. I can’t just quit after years of struggle. I wouldn’t know how if I tried. Determination is all I have left.
And then I meet him.
He claims to be a rogue who can help me find my brother. It’s got to be a lie. But I don’t run. I stop. I listen. And I make a deal with a Shadow even though I know it will mean the death of me.
Never talk to Shadows.
But no one ever told me what would happen if I kissed one.
May cause fantasies of forbidden kisses from dark heroes who balance on the edge of evil. Where shadows wait and ashes fall…
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2011
About the author
Barbara J. Hancock
41 books104 followersComing in July 2023, writing as Willa Reece, WILDWOOD MAGIC from Orbit/Redhook. Were the Ross women really witches? A magical tale about coming home when the only home you’ve ever known is gone. Also be sure to check out the first book set in a mystical mountain wood, WILDWOOD WHISPERS.
For Harlequin Nocturne, I've written as Barbara J. Hancock, a Faustian series featuring men who've sold their souls and the women who save them--Brimstone Seduction, Brimstone Bride, and Brimstone Prince. And a fairytale shifter series featuring three Russian wolf shifters-- Legendary Shifter, Legendary Wolf and Legendary Beast. Also a YA Gothic Thriller for Entangled Publishing. When I'm not writing, I'm the adopted mom to many rescued pets. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my soulmate where ghost stories are often told on a dark side porch in the flicker of firefly light.
For Harlequin Nocturne, I've written as Barbara J. Hancock, a Faustian series featuring men who've sold their souls and the women who save them--Brimstone Seduction, Brimstone Bride, and Brimstone Prince. And a fairytale shifter series featuring three Russian wolf shifters-- Legendary Shifter, Legendary Wolf and Legendary Beast. Also a YA Gothic Thriller for Entangled Publishing. When I'm not writing, I'm the adopted mom to many rescued pets. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my soulmate where ghost stories are often told on a dark side porch in the flicker of firefly light.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 10, 2012
Creepy, but oh so good! Had a zombie-like feel, but the Shadows are soul-less shells of the humans they used to be. Bet has remained out of their reach and knows no other life other than this bleak existence and always living in constant fear. Now her younger brother has been snatched and she is determined to save him. Gabriel (so cliché) comes to her rescue. He vows to help her save her brother and fight the evil entity that has sucked the life from humanity. Not sure whether to trust him, Bet takes a chance and gives her heart and soul over to him. Gabriel renews his resolve and they fight together, not only for themselves but for what remains of the world he once knew.
Initially I had a little issue with the narrative switching back and forth; I wasn’t quite sure whose thoughts I was reading. Once I realized what the author was doing, I got it and it added to the eeriness of the book. I would have liked a more detailed ending; all was resolved a little too quickly for me. However, the epilogue was a burst of sunshine glowing through the dismal ash.
Initially I had a little issue with the narrative switching back and forth; I wasn’t quite sure whose thoughts I was reading. Once I realized what the author was doing, I got it and it added to the eeriness of the book. I would have liked a more detailed ending; all was resolved a little too quickly for me. However, the epilogue was a burst of sunshine glowing through the dismal ash.
January 11, 2012
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I bought it after reading Janine’s review over at Dear Author even though I wasn’t familiar with Ms. Hancock’s work. I love gritty stories that take place in alternate or post-apocalyptic worlds and Ghost in the Machine is exactly that. I’m so glad I read it because it turned out to be a wonderful and exciting journey.
The world painted in this book has literally gone to ashes. Years ago an alien invasion commanded by an entity called the SoulEater, took over the world and everything in it. Half machine, half something else, the SoulEater had the ability to feed from humans and turn them into ghostly beings called Shadows that wandered the planet reproducing behaviors from their past and sometimes even resembling that past, and whose only purpose was to locate humans and alert the Sweepers. Now, Shadows are a terrible sight because they come back as reflections of their past, that means that a little girl’s shadow sings the same song over and over again, or a former runner comes backs as a horse with a human head. But Sweepers are worse because they are a hybrid between a human and a machine and you can’t tell where the flesh begins and the machine ends, they all are monstrous things devoid of any humanity. Or so it seems.
Our heroine is Bet, and her only purpose in life is keeping her little brother, Douglas, safe. She’s emaciated and what little food she finds she gives to her brother. She worries that she won’t be able to keep him sheltered anymore because the older he gets, the more he realizes how terrible things are. One day, Bet’s worse nightmare comes true because when she gets home she finds out that Sweepers have taken Douglas. With nothing else to loose, and her only reason to live gone, she decides to embark on a suicide mission to rescue him from the SoulEater, when common logic says she should run the other way.
It doesn’t take long for a shadow to find and attack her. She’s too weak to fight and is clearly loosing when out of nowhere a man dressed like a soldier, built like a god and winged like an angel, saves her. She knows this man, whose name is Gabriel, is a Shadow but can see that there’s still some humanity left in him. He offers her his help to find Douglas and even though she doesn’t trust him she knows she needs him, so she reluctantly accepts, and so the adventure begins.
This isn’t a happy book, and the setting is quite dark even for a genre that’s usually filled with darks settings. If you don’t like gritty and bleak worlds where you’re always worrying about the character’s safety, then you should probably skip this one. Otherwise, go ahead and read it because it’s an interesting and riveting story that packs a lot of punch for such a short length and presents us a complex and quite interesting alternate world.
The story is told in first person from Bet’s POV so you really get to see how desperate she is and how bleak and awful life is. She knows going after Douglas means almost certain death but he’s everything to her, she has no reason to live beyond him so either way she dies. She’s also quite lonely, at one point she reflects about how she’s never been able to lean on someone and that as much as she loves her brother sometimes she needs more. That’s why Gabriel makes such a huge difference, because she finally has someone taking care of her. I also loved how strong and good she was, she never gives up but still acknowledges that things are bad. She wasn’t a sunny and positive heroine, but she was still was able to give the reader some hope.
We get some parts of the story from Grabriel’s perspective, just enough to give us some background and to let us know where he’s coming from. This is a guy who has spent years fighting and who has managed to keep his humanity after going through something worse than death, even after humans themselves have that humanity and all hope.
There are things left unexplained. I’m not exactly sure how the SoulEater works, and how it creates the Shadows and Sweepers. I don’t want to give away any details but the ending was rushed and to me the final resolution is the weakest part of the book, it seemed almost too easy, and again, it wasn’t quite explained. At one point I wasn’t sure how it was going to end, was a happy ending even possible? Well, you have to read it but I’ll say that the ending is satisfying and the story is so engrossing that you are able to overlook its shortcomings.
If you like post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk stories this is a must read, it’s also heavy on the romance so there’s something to cater to every taste. It’s part of a series of novellas that have a post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk theme but aren’t related otherwise, you can get them Here (Zero Factor) and here (Gridlock) and I think Samhain is planning on publishing them as an anthology latter this year.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I bought it after reading Janine’s review over at Dear Author even though I wasn’t familiar with Ms. Hancock’s work. I love gritty stories that take place in alternate or post-apocalyptic worlds and Ghost in the Machine is exactly that. I’m so glad I read it because it turned out to be a wonderful and exciting journey.
The world painted in this book has literally gone to ashes. Years ago an alien invasion commanded by an entity called the SoulEater, took over the world and everything in it. Half machine, half something else, the SoulEater had the ability to feed from humans and turn them into ghostly beings called Shadows that wandered the planet reproducing behaviors from their past and sometimes even resembling that past, and whose only purpose was to locate humans and alert the Sweepers. Now, Shadows are a terrible sight because they come back as reflections of their past, that means that a little girl’s shadow sings the same song over and over again, or a former runner comes backs as a horse with a human head. But Sweepers are worse because they are a hybrid between a human and a machine and you can’t tell where the flesh begins and the machine ends, they all are monstrous things devoid of any humanity. Or so it seems.
Our heroine is Bet, and her only purpose in life is keeping her little brother, Douglas, safe. She’s emaciated and what little food she finds she gives to her brother. She worries that she won’t be able to keep him sheltered anymore because the older he gets, the more he realizes how terrible things are. One day, Bet’s worse nightmare comes true because when she gets home she finds out that Sweepers have taken Douglas. With nothing else to loose, and her only reason to live gone, she decides to embark on a suicide mission to rescue him from the SoulEater, when common logic says she should run the other way.
It doesn’t take long for a shadow to find and attack her. She’s too weak to fight and is clearly loosing when out of nowhere a man dressed like a soldier, built like a god and winged like an angel, saves her. She knows this man, whose name is Gabriel, is a Shadow but can see that there’s still some humanity left in him. He offers her his help to find Douglas and even though she doesn’t trust him she knows she needs him, so she reluctantly accepts, and so the adventure begins.
This isn’t a happy book, and the setting is quite dark even for a genre that’s usually filled with darks settings. If you don’t like gritty and bleak worlds where you’re always worrying about the character’s safety, then you should probably skip this one. Otherwise, go ahead and read it because it’s an interesting and riveting story that packs a lot of punch for such a short length and presents us a complex and quite interesting alternate world.
The story is told in first person from Bet’s POV so you really get to see how desperate she is and how bleak and awful life is. She knows going after Douglas means almost certain death but he’s everything to her, she has no reason to live beyond him so either way she dies. She’s also quite lonely, at one point she reflects about how she’s never been able to lean on someone and that as much as she loves her brother sometimes she needs more. That’s why Gabriel makes such a huge difference, because she finally has someone taking care of her. I also loved how strong and good she was, she never gives up but still acknowledges that things are bad. She wasn’t a sunny and positive heroine, but she was still was able to give the reader some hope.
We get some parts of the story from Grabriel’s perspective, just enough to give us some background and to let us know where he’s coming from. This is a guy who has spent years fighting and who has managed to keep his humanity after going through something worse than death, even after humans themselves have that humanity and all hope.
There are things left unexplained. I’m not exactly sure how the SoulEater works, and how it creates the Shadows and Sweepers. I don’t want to give away any details but the ending was rushed and to me the final resolution is the weakest part of the book, it seemed almost too easy, and again, it wasn’t quite explained. At one point I wasn’t sure how it was going to end, was a happy ending even possible? Well, you have to read it but I’ll say that the ending is satisfying and the story is so engrossing that you are able to overlook its shortcomings.
If you like post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk stories this is a must read, it’s also heavy on the romance so there’s something to cater to every taste. It’s part of a series of novellas that have a post-apocalyptic and cyberpunk theme but aren’t related otherwise, you can get them Here (Zero Factor) and here (Gridlock) and I think Samhain is planning on publishing them as an anthology latter this year.
January 2, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The Soul Eater has come to Earth. With the souls gone only shadows remain. Shadows of a life from the past. The few people who avoid the Soul Eater are constantly running from the shadows and sweepers who try to drive them to their master.
Elizabeth, or Bet, returns to her squat to find her young brother Douglas has been taken by a sweeper. Desperate to rescue him before he becomes a shadow, she begins the dangerous journey to the Soul Eater’s lair. Shadows fill the night and Bet must evade them if she is to survive.
Gabriel is a shadow with a difference. He still has compassion and struggles to keep his humanitarian side. Intrigued by Bet he tries to help her.
Bet doesn’t trust Gabriel, but knows that without him she will not succeed with her rescue. Alone for so long, she feels drawn to this shadow who looks like an angel, but is he really trying to lure her into the Soul Eater’s clutches?
The Earth of this novel is dark; full of shadows, dirt and danger. Bet is older than her years due to the need to stay alive and out of the Soul Eater’s clutches. Without going into reams of description, the author made me see the desperate plight of the characters, the darkness and despair. At the heart of it all sat the alien Soul Eater. Like a spider this creature pulled in the emotions, thoughts and dreams of the people of Earth, leaving behind a shadow, a husk without substance.
Gabriel and Bet were at opposite ends of the spectrum. She is a fighter, but assumes he is merely another shadow, a bit different, but still in the thrall of the evil alien. He had to struggle to stay in control. If he failed, the Soul Eater would take him completely.
Ghost in the Machine is a well thought out book although the storyline did tend to wander some at times. I also got a bit confused about the shadows and sweepers, but tended to enjoy the inner thoughts of both characters.
If you like your fantasy set in an alternate future of darkness with a hint of redemption then Ghost in the Machine could be just what you’re looking for.
The Soul Eater has come to Earth. With the souls gone only shadows remain. Shadows of a life from the past. The few people who avoid the Soul Eater are constantly running from the shadows and sweepers who try to drive them to their master.
Elizabeth, or Bet, returns to her squat to find her young brother Douglas has been taken by a sweeper. Desperate to rescue him before he becomes a shadow, she begins the dangerous journey to the Soul Eater’s lair. Shadows fill the night and Bet must evade them if she is to survive.
Gabriel is a shadow with a difference. He still has compassion and struggles to keep his humanitarian side. Intrigued by Bet he tries to help her.
Bet doesn’t trust Gabriel, but knows that without him she will not succeed with her rescue. Alone for so long, she feels drawn to this shadow who looks like an angel, but is he really trying to lure her into the Soul Eater’s clutches?
The Earth of this novel is dark; full of shadows, dirt and danger. Bet is older than her years due to the need to stay alive and out of the Soul Eater’s clutches. Without going into reams of description, the author made me see the desperate plight of the characters, the darkness and despair. At the heart of it all sat the alien Soul Eater. Like a spider this creature pulled in the emotions, thoughts and dreams of the people of Earth, leaving behind a shadow, a husk without substance.
Gabriel and Bet were at opposite ends of the spectrum. She is a fighter, but assumes he is merely another shadow, a bit different, but still in the thrall of the evil alien. He had to struggle to stay in control. If he failed, the Soul Eater would take him completely.
Ghost in the Machine is a well thought out book although the storyline did tend to wander some at times. I also got a bit confused about the shadows and sweepers, but tended to enjoy the inner thoughts of both characters.
If you like your fantasy set in an alternate future of darkness with a hint of redemption then Ghost in the Machine could be just what you’re looking for.
March 30, 2021
Imagine a world where ghostlike zombies walk the Earth, scouting for any lone survivors not taken under control of an alien creature. Getting spotted is sure death and the only way to survive is to sneak past their hypersensitive hearing and sight. A little girl on a swing is the only thing sitting between you and your orphaned little brother.
Ok? Got that? Throw it out. That’s backseat shit. Your little brother? Forget about him. Gabriel the 100-year-old ‘angel’ is here and he’s got cliches to hell and back. No pun intended.
Your little brother, the whole reason you want to survive, has been kidnapped by the alien? Better be with the hunky possible killer tonight. You see hundreds of dead people wandering about? Better have a make out session ASAP. You’re literally cornered in a supposed safe house with no defenses? Better have sex with your not-so-helpful bodyguard.
The big ‘fight’ of the book seems to use less words than how often we have to be reminded of how hot Gabriel is. We don’t even get to see most of the action! Gabriel does all the apparent cool stuff in less than five minutes and then we’re back to sex! Why even set up a story if all you want to focus on is how much this starving survivor (virgin, mind you) wants to bang this army man? Just make it that! Don’t make a great world concept and then throw it away!
Maybe it’s just cause I’m an only child, but climaxing to your lover saying the name your little brother called you is really freaking weird? Especially when he knows your actual name? And also moments after seeing a nightmarish mass of flesh and machinery that used to be a person he really cared for?
Fantastic premise, horrible execution. I would’ve put the agonizingly long sex scene at the end where they feel safe enough to let their guard down, but that’s just me. Hate it for making me have to assault my senses with both “shaft” and “member.”
Ok? Got that? Throw it out. That’s backseat shit. Your little brother? Forget about him. Gabriel the 100-year-old ‘angel’ is here and he’s got cliches to hell and back. No pun intended.
Your little brother, the whole reason you want to survive, has been kidnapped by the alien? Better be with the hunky possible killer tonight. You see hundreds of dead people wandering about? Better have a make out session ASAP. You’re literally cornered in a supposed safe house with no defenses? Better have sex with your not-so-helpful bodyguard.
The big ‘fight’ of the book seems to use less words than how often we have to be reminded of how hot Gabriel is. We don’t even get to see most of the action! Gabriel does all the apparent cool stuff in less than five minutes and then we’re back to sex! Why even set up a story if all you want to focus on is how much this starving survivor (virgin, mind you) wants to bang this army man? Just make it that! Don’t make a great world concept and then throw it away!
Maybe it’s just cause I’m an only child, but climaxing to your lover saying the name your little brother called you is really freaking weird? Especially when he knows your actual name? And also moments after seeing a nightmarish mass of flesh and machinery that used to be a person he really cared for?
Fantastic premise, horrible execution. I would’ve put the agonizingly long sex scene at the end where they feel safe enough to let their guard down, but that’s just me. Hate it for making me have to assault my senses with both “shaft” and “member.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2012
This is another case where I wish I could give half stars as well - Ghost in the Machine is a solid 3.5, but not quite enough to make 4 stars for me.
The imagined world of "Ghost in the Machine" really caught my reading attention. It was a breath of fresh air after all the OMG Zombies books that seem to have flood the post-apocalyptic market lately, and is genuinely creepy. The heroine, Bet, is a solid character, and Hancock has done a very good job at building her in only 88 pages. In fact, my primary complaint, and what kept me from really loving the story is that I really wish Hancock had made this a full-length novel. There were plenty of times as a reader where I wanted MORE - to the point where instead of a benefit, it became a detriment. The ending feels rushed, and I would have killed for more world building. The romance feels a bit rushed as well, though with the circumstances it's easier to understand: if you don't expect to live very long, you're probably going to approach relationships a little more intensely.
The only other quibble I have, and this IS minor, but I know it's a pet peeve for many readers like myself: the head-hopping. Bet's story is in first person present, with occasional hops to other characters in third person. It just feels a bit off.
I would still solidly recommend this book, and I would have no trouble picking up another of Barbara Hancock's books. It's my hope that she branches out into longer-form stories, because she clearly has a great imagination, and I should like to read more of it.
The imagined world of "Ghost in the Machine" really caught my reading attention. It was a breath of fresh air after all the OMG Zombies books that seem to have flood the post-apocalyptic market lately, and is genuinely creepy. The heroine, Bet, is a solid character, and Hancock has done a very good job at building her in only 88 pages. In fact, my primary complaint, and what kept me from really loving the story is that I really wish Hancock had made this a full-length novel. There were plenty of times as a reader where I wanted MORE - to the point where instead of a benefit, it became a detriment. The ending feels rushed, and I would have killed for more world building. The romance feels a bit rushed as well, though with the circumstances it's easier to understand: if you don't expect to live very long, you're probably going to approach relationships a little more intensely.
The only other quibble I have, and this IS minor, but I know it's a pet peeve for many readers like myself: the head-hopping. Bet's story is in first person present, with occasional hops to other characters in third person. It just feels a bit off.
I would still solidly recommend this book, and I would have no trouble picking up another of Barbara Hancock's books. It's my hope that she branches out into longer-form stories, because she clearly has a great imagination, and I should like to read more of it.
February 2, 2012
This was a very creepy, but good short story. I'm not really into the whole dystopian trend, but this worked for me. I felt the world building was solid, and believable. I really liked how Mrs. Hancock didn't go out of her way to talk down to us as readers by explaining all of the terminology. I might not have known what was what off the bat, but I figured it out quick enough. My one qualm with this book was the heroine's name, Bet, I thought it was stupid. The author explained the choice, but I still didn't care for it. I also must add, an empty playground swing is sure to creep me out from now on.
April 29, 2012
I loved the writing in this story. it was spare, almost terse, but conveyed the story adn mood beautifully. I liked the way we gradually got to know Gabriel. I haven't read anything else by Ms. Hancock, but that will be changing.
October 23, 2011
More like 4.5. Excellent work-building. The story just sucks you in. The sense of malevolence is done very well and the tension never let's up.
January 26, 2012
Wow - for a novella this author builds an intense world. So dark.
Review to come
Review to come
February 4, 2012
A complete story in a short amount of pages. Very dark world but with a happy ending at the end. Enjoyed the twist on angels.
October 21, 2020
new to audible and didn't realize was in the romance category and was annoyed there was more sex than story.
March 14, 2021
Sometime in the distant future, a biocomputer alien called the Soul Eater destroys much of Earth. It’s created Shadows which are ghost-like creatures that spy for it, and Sweepers, part human, part machine, that collect and kill for it. Elizabeth, aka Bet, one of the few warmbloods remaining, returns to her make-shift home to discover her younger brother Douglas has been taken by a Sweeper. Desperate to rescue him before he is consumed by the Soul Eater and becomes a Shadow, she sets out to find him. Along the way she meets Gabriel, a not-quite-Shadow, who has broken free from the Soul Eater.
Ghost in the Machine is unique and engaging. I picked it up because it was free on my Audible membership, and I was looking for a sci-fi romance (for my romance bingo card) to fill in space while waiting for my next review audiobook. I found the premise interesting - an alien biomass with computer/cyber components using human for fuel, workers, and knowledge. However the romance aspect is underdeveloped and felt rushed. Bet and Gabriel are both fighters who found comfort with one other. It’s plausible, but their romance doesn’t have a lot of emotional connection.
With the bulk of the narrative in present tense and the plot line of rushing to save Bet’s brother, the entire story feels urgent. The author then uses this urgency to fuel the coupling - the urgent desire to be touched, to belong. However I found it a bit off that Bet, who has been hunted by Shadows her whole life, suddenly falls for one because he’s “different.”
Narration: the story is primarily shared in the first person narrative of the main character, Bet; however, there are third person interludes from other characters, including Gabriel. The POV shifts rapidly at times, but generally it is easy to follow. The narrator captures the frantic nervousness of Bet. Her voice is very fitting for the scared, energetic, and fierce young woman. Ms. Strong alters her narrator voice slightly for Gabriel’s POVs and completely for the more robotic sounds of the radio broadcaster. Overall, the narration is fitting, and she does a great job with computerized voices and creepy kids.
My Rating:
Story: B-
Narration: B
Ghost in the Machine is unique and engaging. I picked it up because it was free on my Audible membership, and I was looking for a sci-fi romance (for my romance bingo card) to fill in space while waiting for my next review audiobook. I found the premise interesting - an alien biomass with computer/cyber components using human for fuel, workers, and knowledge. However the romance aspect is underdeveloped and felt rushed. Bet and Gabriel are both fighters who found comfort with one other. It’s plausible, but their romance doesn’t have a lot of emotional connection.
With the bulk of the narrative in present tense and the plot line of rushing to save Bet’s brother, the entire story feels urgent. The author then uses this urgency to fuel the coupling - the urgent desire to be touched, to belong. However I found it a bit off that Bet, who has been hunted by Shadows her whole life, suddenly falls for one because he’s “different.”
Narration: the story is primarily shared in the first person narrative of the main character, Bet; however, there are third person interludes from other characters, including Gabriel. The POV shifts rapidly at times, but generally it is easy to follow. The narrator captures the frantic nervousness of Bet. Her voice is very fitting for the scared, energetic, and fierce young woman. Ms. Strong alters her narrator voice slightly for Gabriel’s POVs and completely for the more robotic sounds of the radio broadcaster. Overall, the narration is fitting, and she does a great job with computerized voices and creepy kids.
My Rating:
Story: B-
Narration: B
June 19, 2016
An alien invasion occurs gradually wiping out humanity. There are pockets of people who scavenge for survival, all the while avoiding the "shadows." New York City is dubbed the City of Ash. There is so much ash, that the sun doesn't shine.
This was dark. Bet's brother has been taken. She decided that she must try and take him back since she feels life isn't worth living if they are not together. While on her hunt, she meets Gabriel. Gabriel was an interesting character and I liked learning what he was before. Overall, this was interesting, but lacked something for me to rate it higher.
This was dark. Bet's brother has been taken. She decided that she must try and take him back since she feels life isn't worth living if they are not together. While on her hunt, she meets Gabriel. Gabriel was an interesting character and I liked learning what he was before. Overall, this was interesting, but lacked something for me to rate it higher.
April 10, 2024
This is a highly interesting story written with love and nice first person present tense. It's part gothic nightmare, part love story, part salvagpunk story that is really A GOOD LOVE STORY. I often read it over and over for it moody atmosphere.
The characters are well thought out and lovely, the story is haunting and I highly recommend it. It's a romance, but even if you don't read the genre, this is a story that crosses over. Hancock loves how words feel and if you read it aloud, you can feel her passion.
Gabriel and Bet are a great couple.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The characters are well thought out and lovely, the story is haunting and I highly recommend it. It's a romance, but even if you don't read the genre, this is a story that crosses over. Hancock loves how words feel and if you read it aloud, you can feel her passion.
Gabriel and Bet are a great couple.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 19, 2012
Recommended by Janine at DA, dark sci-fi romance
January 12, 2014
This is one of the most AMAZING books I've ever read!!! I still get chills up my spine when I think about it.
Read
July 23, 2018I hope this comes back into print. I had an old copy from before the publisher closed.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews