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Abandon Changes
Rei’s a runner—fast, smart, doesn’t ask questions, and keeps her mouth shut about the errands she runs. She doesn’t know what’s in the packages she delivers and she doesn’t care. It’s simpler that way. But Rei’s soon-to-be-ex, Sam, has gotten under her skin, and she’s started thinking about the effects of her errands. Can Rei be close to someone and do her job—and can she make a choice before it’s too late? ABANDON CHANGES is a short story by John M. Cusick, set in the same world as his compulsively readable debut novel, GIRL PARTS. This story includes a sneak peek at the first few chapters of GIRL PARTS.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2012
51 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
John M. Cusick
7 books147 followersJohn M. Cusick is the author of GIRL PARTS and CHERRY MONEY BABY (Candlewick Press).
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 20, 2013
3.5 stars
I really have no idea what just happened....
Why does Rose still believe she's in love with David?
Didn't she fix that before she was taken?
It's Team Charlie, right?
I really have no idea what just happened....
Why does Rose still believe she's in love with David?
Didn't she fix that before she was taken?
It's Team Charlie, right?
September 11, 2012
Hmmm. Steampunk. Not a genre that everyone enjoys, but I like the mixture this sub genre tends to ofer.
This is a short story that takes us to the a certain point in the main characters life. At the end of the short there is a taster of the author's full novel. This novel in turn is set in time before the short story.
The concept is very interesting. Can you experience emotions as a 'thing' or is a machine that feels no longer deemed a thing?
This is probably an idea future generations will have to consider at some point in time. When is a machine a thing, what constitutes a being in the era of highly evolved Artificial Intelligence.
This is a short story that takes us to the a certain point in the main characters life. At the end of the short there is a taster of the author's full novel. This novel in turn is set in time before the short story.
The concept is very interesting. Can you experience emotions as a 'thing' or is a machine that feels no longer deemed a thing?
This is probably an idea future generations will have to consider at some point in time. When is a machine a thing, what constitutes a being in the era of highly evolved Artificial Intelligence.
December 11, 2016
It was ok, found the short story of Rei the runner quite intriguing. Not sure whether I would read the other book the author has written as it didn't intrigue me enough to read.
October 2, 2017
This may be a YA type short. There is nothing wrong with that - it just read as something someone younger than myself might prefer over me preferring it. That is NOT indicative of author ability or creativity. Merely personal preference. The author writes well and the premise will likely be interesting to many.
This is the tale of Rei, who is conflicted about continuing her current career path, her relationship and/or both. The story is cute and many will enjoy, but I do not feel (based in this work alone) compelled to read the full novel potentially related.
Christine
This is the tale of Rei, who is conflicted about continuing her current career path, her relationship and/or both. The story is cute and many will enjoy, but I do not feel (based in this work alone) compelled to read the full novel potentially related.
Christine
May 6, 2022
Interesting, yet not quite satisfying...
Liked the short story at the beginning of the book. I have personal issues with books when I think I'm purchasing a whole book & end up with only a few chapters.
What I did read was interesting, subtle, & how I feel young people see the world now. Because of all the violence on TV, the news, the internet, in video games & in reality; young people don't honestly feel the pain of physical, mental & emotional abuse. They don't know what empathy is or how to help others.
Liked the short story at the beginning of the book. I have personal issues with books when I think I'm purchasing a whole book & end up with only a few chapters.
What I did read was interesting, subtle, & how I feel young people see the world now. Because of all the violence on TV, the news, the internet, in video games & in reality; young people don't honestly feel the pain of physical, mental & emotional abuse. They don't know what empathy is or how to help others.
July 26, 2015
The first story was eh! Not much really was going on in my opinion there, so it didn't really catch my attention.
The second story with Rose was interesting. I'd like to read more about that.
Questions/Comments:
"Whoa, there. Nobody's ambushing anybody, David. Your parents are concerned, and we all think an open dialogue is best at this juncture." How did the counselor think this was a good idea, especially since he and David had never even met?
How did they think he suffered from disassociation? mainly based on the fact that he watched a girl kill herself online? That made no sense. How did his father even know anything about it. He seemed to involved in his work to be worrying about his son.
How does getting friendly and intimate with a robot encourage "healthy human interactions..." ?
The second story with Rose was interesting. I'd like to read more about that.
Questions/Comments:
"Whoa, there. Nobody's ambushing anybody, David. Your parents are concerned, and we all think an open dialogue is best at this juncture." How did the counselor think this was a good idea, especially since he and David had never even met?
How did they think he suffered from disassociation? mainly based on the fact that he watched a girl kill herself online? That made no sense. How did his father even know anything about it. He seemed to involved in his work to be worrying about his son.
How does getting friendly and intimate with a robot encourage "healthy human interactions..." ?
October 9, 2019
This fell pretty flat for me. Rei is a runner, which I guess means she delivers either packages or a message to a person. Definitely not the legitimate type job you brag about once you land it. Rei ends up delivering a message to a blue-haired girl, and I have no idea why that scene was important.
What I did learn: Rei wants to quit her dangerous job because she's in love with a guy.
Not interesting enough for me to want to read Girl Parts. I actually didn't take the time to read the excerpt for that book in the back after this short story ended so abruptly.
What I did learn: Rei wants to quit her dangerous job because she's in love with a guy.
Not interesting enough for me to want to read Girl Parts. I actually didn't take the time to read the excerpt for that book in the back after this short story ended so abruptly.
March 4, 2012
This is a short story that takes place somewhere in Japan. Rei is a runner, which I assume mostly deals with drugs. I didn't understand all of this story as I don't read much that has to do with club scenes. I did like the choice that Rei had to make between her job and the boy she loved. It was an interesting twist at the end where she finally makes her decision. The blue haired girl she delivers a message to seemed to only be in the story to confuse Rei's choice making.
January 5, 2012
A sweet quick story that allowed me to meet Rose from Girl Parts again, you don't really figure out much about her new life though.
I liked how the author used 2 different girls who have never met before but now have to face the same kind of conflict. The whole story felt very well rounded.
I liked how the author used 2 different girls who have never met before but now have to face the same kind of conflict. The whole story felt very well rounded.
January 22, 2012
Not a bad short story. I found Rei interesting and the hint of mystery around Iris/Rose made me want to read more. Unfortunately the extract of the book afterwards didn't live up to the short story. I read the first three chapters of Girl Parts and then gave up.
January 19, 2012
This story is kinda cute and sweet, though I think maybe the author meant for it to be hip and cool. I like cute and sweet better than hip and cool, so I liked this story.
January 27, 2012
A short and sweet story that gives a little peek into Rose's new life.
March 3, 2012
Good even though it was SUPER SHORT. I want to know more about Rose. It ticks me off that she loves David at all.
March 4, 2012
still not sure what it was about. don't waste your time reading it
May 14, 2012
Really more of a sketch of where to go with an idea and a setting than a story in its own right, Cusick still manages to find something that is mildly entertaining in its telling.
July 9, 2012
The ending was a little abrupt.
July 31, 2015
Short beach book about a young American lady working as a drug courier in Japan... Just as odd as it sounds...
February 14, 2012
Wow. Not terrible, I guess.
~J
~J
March 25, 2013
Had the potential to be great but the ending seem rushed and cheesy!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews