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The Gift #1
Nano
Kris Chambers is a nobody. A 24-year-old man with a dead-end job and no prospects - and to top it off, a heart condition that forever keeps him on his toes - he spends his life trapped between apathy, self-doubt, and mortal fear.
As he walks down an unfamiliar alleyway, he stumbles upon the lifeless body of a stranger. Unbeknownst to him, this grisly discovery marks the beginning of an entirely new chapter in his life. Upon mysteriously awakening in the hospital, he learns that his heart now functions flawlessly, and he feels… different.
He soon discovers he has superhuman abilities – herculean strength, a marathon-runner’s stamina, and an extreme healing factor – as well as an ever-present a super intelligent AI named Vega, telling him that his gift is the result of a network of nanomachines that he inherited like a virus from the dead body. And the dead man himself? A traveler from parts unknown, time unknown…
Empowered by his newfound abilities, Kris embarks on a mission to track down the Quiet One, a domestic terrorist wreaking havoc on his city.
In a fight spanning across continents, Kris must fight to learn and establish his true place in the world, as well as uncover the true nature of his otherworldly gift.
As he walks down an unfamiliar alleyway, he stumbles upon the lifeless body of a stranger. Unbeknownst to him, this grisly discovery marks the beginning of an entirely new chapter in his life. Upon mysteriously awakening in the hospital, he learns that his heart now functions flawlessly, and he feels… different.
He soon discovers he has superhuman abilities – herculean strength, a marathon-runner’s stamina, and an extreme healing factor – as well as an ever-present a super intelligent AI named Vega, telling him that his gift is the result of a network of nanomachines that he inherited like a virus from the dead body. And the dead man himself? A traveler from parts unknown, time unknown…
Empowered by his newfound abilities, Kris embarks on a mission to track down the Quiet One, a domestic terrorist wreaking havoc on his city.
In a fight spanning across continents, Kris must fight to learn and establish his true place in the world, as well as uncover the true nature of his otherworldly gift.
522 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2023
1882 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 1, 2023
Good idea, poorly done
It is pretty clear that Mr. Stapleton needs a knowledgeable editor. He fails to use capital letters for proper nouns (Marine Corps, etc.), he has grammatical problems, and at times uses words that make little sense in context (“…a puddle of something beige, wet, and bitty.” Bitty?).
The second section of the book has the protagonist volunteering with a rebel army. Mr. Stapleton, despite feeding his protagonist MREs, has apparently never eaten them, if he thinks that they consist of dried noodles and stale bread. The don’t. He also repeatedly sends him out in the desert without water.
His military knowledge also falls short in other ways, such as having the rebels attack with “marching quickly with our rifles drawn.” A sword may be drawn from a scabbard. How do you draw a rifle? [Also, machine guns aren’t artillery.]
Worse, he sets much of his story in a fictional nation in the Middle East while knowing little about the region. He refers repeatedly to their speaking a “foreign language” without ever mentioning that its Arabic (despite giving the characters Arab names). He has them eating ham sandwiches and providing beer and wine, all forbidden under Islam. He talks about “mosques and temples” in a country that would have nothing but mosques.
It’s not a bad idea for a story, but he just didn’t do his homework.
It is pretty clear that Mr. Stapleton needs a knowledgeable editor. He fails to use capital letters for proper nouns (Marine Corps, etc.), he has grammatical problems, and at times uses words that make little sense in context (“…a puddle of something beige, wet, and bitty.” Bitty?).
The second section of the book has the protagonist volunteering with a rebel army. Mr. Stapleton, despite feeding his protagonist MREs, has apparently never eaten them, if he thinks that they consist of dried noodles and stale bread. The don’t. He also repeatedly sends him out in the desert without water.
His military knowledge also falls short in other ways, such as having the rebels attack with “marching quickly with our rifles drawn.” A sword may be drawn from a scabbard. How do you draw a rifle? [Also, machine guns aren’t artillery.]
Worse, he sets much of his story in a fictional nation in the Middle East while knowing little about the region. He refers repeatedly to their speaking a “foreign language” without ever mentioning that its Arabic (despite giving the characters Arab names). He has them eating ham sandwiches and providing beer and wine, all forbidden under Islam. He talks about “mosques and temples” in a country that would have nothing but mosques.
It’s not a bad idea for a story, but he just didn’t do his homework.
September 17, 2023
unbelievable
Unbelievable and I mean it.
Possible spoilers ahead
I couldn’t even finish this book so my review is only at sixty percent. But I found the main character unrealistic. He’s basically a bumbling fool who runs around trying to do good, a very ambiguous mission statement. That leaves him with no goals no mission except he want to fight.
I had to stop reading when he decided to tell some random stranger he’s known for a couple of days about the advanced technology he’s got. Honestly, he’s in a foreign country in the middle of a war zone and he’s just bumbling through one problem to the next.
Unbelievable and I mean it.
Possible spoilers ahead
I couldn’t even finish this book so my review is only at sixty percent. But I found the main character unrealistic. He’s basically a bumbling fool who runs around trying to do good, a very ambiguous mission statement. That leaves him with no goals no mission except he want to fight.
I had to stop reading when he decided to tell some random stranger he’s known for a couple of days about the advanced technology he’s got. Honestly, he’s in a foreign country in the middle of a war zone and he’s just bumbling through one problem to the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
Well, this was fun!
“Nano,” the first installment in Marc Stapleton's “The Gift” series, presents a potent mix of sci-fi and superhero elements. The story orbits around Kris Chambers, a 24-year-old who moves from being a dispirited individual to discovering extraordinary abilities through a series of unexpected events. Narrated compellingly by Andrew Tell, the audiobook delves deep into themes of self-discovery, ethical dilemmas, and the burden of newfound power.
Plot Overview
Kris Chambers leads an unremarkable life defined by dead-end jobs and a persistent heart condition. However, everything changes when he stumbles upon a dead body in a maze-like alleyway. Upon waking up in a hospital, he is astounded to find his heart condition mysteriously cured and discovers that he now possesses superhuman abilities — including immense strength, stamina, and rapid healing. The source of his newfound abilities is traced to a network of nano-machines, inherited like a virus from the deceased stranger. As he grapples with his transformation, an AI named Vega reveals itself to Kris, offering guidance. With Vega’s help, Kris must navigate the complexities of his abilities while embarking on a quest to track down the Quiet One, a domestic terrorist causing chaos in his city.
Key Highlights:
1. Character Development: Kris Chambers' transformation is the heart of the narrative. From a timid, apathetic young man, he evolves into a hero driven by a sense of purpose. Stapleton skillfully captures Kris’ internal struggles and ethical quandaries, making his journey relatable despite the fantastical elements.
2. Narration: Andrew Tell’s narration elevates the audiobook. His dynamic range and emotional depth bring Kris' experiences to life, making listeners feel the protagonist’s highs and lows. Tell’s ability to convey the AI Vega's voice as both wise and slightly enigmatic is a standout performance.
3. World-Building: Stapleton excels at painting a vivid picture of a world where advanced nanotechnology intersects with human lives. The story takes readers through different locales, each detailed meticulously without overwhelming the narrative flow. The juxtaposition of Kris' mundane beginnings and his ventures into uncharted territories keeps the plot engaging.
4. Pacing and Structure: The story unfolds at a brisk but measured pace, ensuring that there are plenty of action-packed sequences while allowing room for character introspection and growth. Stapleton maintains a fine balance between thrilling escape scenes and poignant moments of self-reflection.
Overall, "Nano" is a captivating audiobook that promises an adventurous ride filled with suspense, discovery, and moral complexity. With Andrew Tell’s stellar narration adding to the experience, it is a notable entry in the contemporary sci-fi genre.
“Nano,” the first installment in Marc Stapleton's “The Gift” series, presents a potent mix of sci-fi and superhero elements. The story orbits around Kris Chambers, a 24-year-old who moves from being a dispirited individual to discovering extraordinary abilities through a series of unexpected events. Narrated compellingly by Andrew Tell, the audiobook delves deep into themes of self-discovery, ethical dilemmas, and the burden of newfound power.
Plot Overview
Kris Chambers leads an unremarkable life defined by dead-end jobs and a persistent heart condition. However, everything changes when he stumbles upon a dead body in a maze-like alleyway. Upon waking up in a hospital, he is astounded to find his heart condition mysteriously cured and discovers that he now possesses superhuman abilities — including immense strength, stamina, and rapid healing. The source of his newfound abilities is traced to a network of nano-machines, inherited like a virus from the deceased stranger. As he grapples with his transformation, an AI named Vega reveals itself to Kris, offering guidance. With Vega’s help, Kris must navigate the complexities of his abilities while embarking on a quest to track down the Quiet One, a domestic terrorist causing chaos in his city.
Key Highlights:
1. Character Development: Kris Chambers' transformation is the heart of the narrative. From a timid, apathetic young man, he evolves into a hero driven by a sense of purpose. Stapleton skillfully captures Kris’ internal struggles and ethical quandaries, making his journey relatable despite the fantastical elements.
2. Narration: Andrew Tell’s narration elevates the audiobook. His dynamic range and emotional depth bring Kris' experiences to life, making listeners feel the protagonist’s highs and lows. Tell’s ability to convey the AI Vega's voice as both wise and slightly enigmatic is a standout performance.
3. World-Building: Stapleton excels at painting a vivid picture of a world where advanced nanotechnology intersects with human lives. The story takes readers through different locales, each detailed meticulously without overwhelming the narrative flow. The juxtaposition of Kris' mundane beginnings and his ventures into uncharted territories keeps the plot engaging.
4. Pacing and Structure: The story unfolds at a brisk but measured pace, ensuring that there are plenty of action-packed sequences while allowing room for character introspection and growth. Stapleton maintains a fine balance between thrilling escape scenes and poignant moments of self-reflection.
Overall, "Nano" is a captivating audiobook that promises an adventurous ride filled with suspense, discovery, and moral complexity. With Andrew Tell’s stellar narration adding to the experience, it is a notable entry in the contemporary sci-fi genre.
August 14, 2024
I have noticed a consistent sentence structure unfamiliar to me, where the comma is missing between the first part of a sentence and either a proper noun or the person being spoken to. I will give some examples:
UK: “I’ll never forget what you did for us man.”
US: “I’ll never forget what you did for us, man.”
UK: “You’re in the hospital Mr. Chambers.”
US: “You’re in the hospital, Mr. Chambers.”
Unfortunately, the seemingly lack of proofreading has discouraged me from continuing to read the remaining novels of this excellent story arc.
UK: “I’ll never forget what you did for us man.”
US: “I’ll never forget what you did for us, man.”
UK: “You’re in the hospital Mr. Chambers.”
US: “You’re in the hospital, Mr. Chambers.”
Unfortunately, the seemingly lack of proofreading has discouraged me from continuing to read the remaining novels of this excellent story arc.
June 21, 2025
Great read, super fun and impossible to put down. I've already ordered book 2. If you're looking for something easy to enjoy and bit different then buy this book, you won't regret it and you will enjoy yourself.
The Gift is a fun action-packed page turner with a likeable and realistic everyday Joe main character. It asks the question, what would you do if you were a huge loser that suddenly had super powers? Like the best philosophy it doesn't get bogged down in any details, doesn't take itself too seriously and the focus is on action. My favourite part of The Gift was the female characters, both of whom are strong, although I did prefer Kris's 2nd love interest over Kris's 1st love interest. The Gift is a very cinematic book, it has the evenness and clarity of tone of the movie Highlander and reminded me of an M Knight Shyamalan film without the twists. It is crying out for a Michael Bay adaptation.
This book does what good literature should do; Marc Stapleton is an up-and-coming big-hitter, he contributes to the gaiety of nations. I can't wait to read more. Tuck in!
The Gift is a fun action-packed page turner with a likeable and realistic everyday Joe main character. It asks the question, what would you do if you were a huge loser that suddenly had super powers? Like the best philosophy it doesn't get bogged down in any details, doesn't take itself too seriously and the focus is on action. My favourite part of The Gift was the female characters, both of whom are strong, although I did prefer Kris's 2nd love interest over Kris's 1st love interest. The Gift is a very cinematic book, it has the evenness and clarity of tone of the movie Highlander and reminded me of an M Knight Shyamalan film without the twists. It is crying out for a Michael Bay adaptation.
This book does what good literature should do; Marc Stapleton is an up-and-coming big-hitter, he contributes to the gaiety of nations. I can't wait to read more. Tuck in!
October 6, 2025
Blend of a detective story and Quasi-military SF written by a Brit who doesn't know much about the USA OR Science Fiction, or the Middle East, or the military, or how things work in general, really. For Brits, who presumably share the same shortcomings in their knowledge. From almost the start there are false notes as British-isms few Americans would use are thrown into the narrative. It doesn't get better.
The story revolves around a man who gains unexpected superpowers. And uses them poorly, even though he is supposedly being advised by an AI supercomputer. Most hard science fiction fans will find this book frustrating for a lot of reasons, the author really hasn't thought through the implications of "the gift". If you've read the book, you will know why I find the fact that the MC doesn't subvocalize extremely frustrating. If not, you may find out when you read it ;)
Hopefully the writing, plotting and SF aspects improve as the series progresses...fingers are crossed.
The story revolves around a man who gains unexpected superpowers. And uses them poorly, even though he is supposedly being advised by an AI supercomputer. Most hard science fiction fans will find this book frustrating for a lot of reasons, the author really hasn't thought through the implications of "the gift". If you've read the book, you will know why I find the fact that the MC doesn't subvocalize extremely frustrating. If not, you may find out when you read it ;)
Hopefully the writing, plotting and SF aspects improve as the series progresses...fingers are crossed.
May 31, 2023
Surprisingly good. Keeps you engaged.
Was surprised by this book. But it's not a superhero book. In most ways it's a coming of age book. The Main Character is hard to like at first, depressingly so... And when he comes into a life changing event, it is hard to cope with just how dumb he acts and is as a person. He is very one dimensional and hard to like. However, the author allows us to know that the MC is aware how much of an idiot he is. How incredibly stupid his decisions are. The book plot is ok but falls into easy plot flows for the sake of the story. Making his bad decisions just to turn out perfect after all? It's good, fun and cringe at times, but the book works, and I look forward to the next in the series. Just wish the MC would realize all the things he could do with this new potential powers!
Was surprised by this book. But it's not a superhero book. In most ways it's a coming of age book. The Main Character is hard to like at first, depressingly so... And when he comes into a life changing event, it is hard to cope with just how dumb he acts and is as a person. He is very one dimensional and hard to like. However, the author allows us to know that the MC is aware how much of an idiot he is. How incredibly stupid his decisions are. The book plot is ok but falls into easy plot flows for the sake of the story. Making his bad decisions just to turn out perfect after all? It's good, fun and cringe at times, but the book works, and I look forward to the next in the series. Just wish the MC would realize all the things he could do with this new potential powers!
August 19, 2024
Urban fantasy masquerading as scifi done my morons
So let me start by saying I only made it about a third of the way through this ramshackle travesty of a book. I was a bit skeptical about the premise from the start but decided to give it a shot anyway due to the scarcity of scifi out there and WOW do I regret it! It feels like the author wanted to write an urban fantasy novel but knew they weren't good enough to stand out in an over saturated market so they decided to substitute "nanites" for "magic" and just called it good. Then doubled down by making the MC a moron who only survives let alone succeeds because every other person in their world is a drooling lobotomy experiment gone terribly wrong. Hands down the WORST thing I've read in years and I've seen some bad ones. If I could give it negative stars I would.
So let me start by saying I only made it about a third of the way through this ramshackle travesty of a book. I was a bit skeptical about the premise from the start but decided to give it a shot anyway due to the scarcity of scifi out there and WOW do I regret it! It feels like the author wanted to write an urban fantasy novel but knew they weren't good enough to stand out in an over saturated market so they decided to substitute "nanites" for "magic" and just called it good. Then doubled down by making the MC a moron who only survives let alone succeeds because every other person in their world is a drooling lobotomy experiment gone terribly wrong. Hands down the WORST thing I've read in years and I've seen some bad ones. If I could give it negative stars I would.
May 6, 2023
It was OK. I generally like the premise, though it was presented in ways that were contradictory at times. I read a short story back about 1965 with a similar theme. In Nano, I felt the protagonist wasn't all that likeable, not very intelligent, impulsive, and had genuinely poor decision-making skills. The story moves along at a good clip, the author involving the reader in the reasoning behind his impulsive choices. Overall, I thought this detracted from the story. I wish the author had slowed the pace of the action long enough for the protagonist to develop actual skills, interact with others to develop his gift, and otherwise demonstrate a measure of humanity. In his haste to get to the action, the author has turned the protagonist into a caricature of a person.
May 11, 2025
The author’s idea was an incredible one. He really had the opportunity to wow me and other tech-sci-fi fans but he fell drastically short. If the author has done research on the military, the CIA, middle eastern Cultures, and so many other aspects of the story, the book could have been much better. The overuse of the thesaurus (and not checking the definitions of the different synonyms with a dictionary) really had a negative impact as well. Additionally, I gave the performance 3 stars as well because the narrator seemed to suffer the same issues as the author but with pronunciation. All in all the concept really grabbed my attention but the book let me down, way down. I listened until the end but alas, I shall not suffer through any more of this series.
May 20, 2025
A loser stuck at home working a drudge job while his sad sack father smokes himself to death encounters a dead body in an alley and gains magic powers. The magic is called nanite and there is some alien explanation, but this is really a paranormal/superhero fantasy. He becomes a bumbling superhero.
This is terrible in every way possible. The author is just bad at writing English and there simply could not have been an editor involved here, not even a word processor grammar check.
The main character is just stupid. Not comic superhero hero style a little dense or slow played for laughs, I mean annoyingly stupid. The author knows nothing about the military, MREs, or even being in the desert. So he just makes it up. Not even googles it, just makes up garbage. The plotting and pacing is bad.
This is terrible in every way possible. The author is just bad at writing English and there simply could not have been an editor involved here, not even a word processor grammar check.
The main character is just stupid. Not comic superhero hero style a little dense or slow played for laughs, I mean annoyingly stupid. The author knows nothing about the military, MREs, or even being in the desert. So he just makes it up. Not even googles it, just makes up garbage. The plotting and pacing is bad.
September 19, 2025
The beginning of a non-heroic Superhero
Kris Chambers starts us off with him working a mind-numbing dead end job for a company that has such little regard for the lives of their employees that the “supervisor” can’t be bothered to even crack down on rampant harassment of some employees by their other bored workers with bad attitudes.
He then gets a twisted version of an origin story before deciding to set out on a Quixotic quest to find himself.
He finds a way to travel to a (fictitious) middle eastern country fighting a civil war where he hopes to put his newly discovered abilities to work in defending the weak & innocent. Of course he’s lacking in the slightest hint of how to achieve his goals…
Kris Chambers starts us off with him working a mind-numbing dead end job for a company that has such little regard for the lives of their employees that the “supervisor” can’t be bothered to even crack down on rampant harassment of some employees by their other bored workers with bad attitudes.
He then gets a twisted version of an origin story before deciding to set out on a Quixotic quest to find himself.
He finds a way to travel to a (fictitious) middle eastern country fighting a civil war where he hopes to put his newly discovered abilities to work in defending the weak & innocent. Of course he’s lacking in the slightest hint of how to achieve his goals…
June 29, 2024
A fun take on the "technological superhero" trope.
**MILD SPOILERS BELOW**
A "lost" kid with no real prospects and a pretty crappy life gets a superpower courtesy of a swarm of nanobots that invade his body when he touches a body while walking through an alley. This sets off a stream of events that, of course, completely alter his life.
As other reviewers have noted, there are really two story arcs here. I found it a little jarring when Kris confronts his nemesis at the end of arc 1, and when that story is over departs for a conflict zone in the middle east (arc 2). I thought about abandoning the book at that point, but decided to soldier on, and I'm glad I did.
**MILD SPOILERS BELOW**
A "lost" kid with no real prospects and a pretty crappy life gets a superpower courtesy of a swarm of nanobots that invade his body when he touches a body while walking through an alley. This sets off a stream of events that, of course, completely alter his life.
As other reviewers have noted, there are really two story arcs here. I found it a little jarring when Kris confronts his nemesis at the end of arc 1, and when that story is over departs for a conflict zone in the middle east (arc 2). I thought about abandoning the book at that point, but decided to soldier on, and I'm glad I did.
October 6, 2023
Nano is a gritty, grim tale of what suddenly being super powered might actually be like. I appreciate that there is a learning curve, as some wish fulfillment stories indicate you’d be 100% knowledgeable on combat and strategy. There’s also a lot of bodily damage he must suffer through before it’s fixed. Things aren’t all rosey. Although his life pre-bot was pretty grim as well.
This is light on the sci fi outside of the internal AI that represents the nano it’s in his body. High in political and brutal war.
This is light on the sci fi outside of the internal AI that represents the nano it’s in his body. High in political and brutal war.
December 12, 2024
Good but the slowest fast story
Very intriguing concept. I am only giving this a 3 because this is the slowest and fastest moving story I have come across.
The character and his development is sickening slow where as the storyline speeds through most everything.
From getting the “Gift” , changing his world, looking into and going after a bomber, to another country all happened in the first quarter of the book.
I will say I will at least move into book two and see what it holds.
Very intriguing concept. I am only giving this a 3 because this is the slowest and fastest moving story I have come across.
The character and his development is sickening slow where as the storyline speeds through most everything.
From getting the “Gift” , changing his world, looking into and going after a bomber, to another country all happened in the first quarter of the book.
I will say I will at least move into book two and see what it holds.
December 24, 2024
Yawn
Good premise but poor execution. Read 20% of the book & found my attention wandered…. character development was minimal and the possibly more interesting character, Vega, remained no more than a disembodied voice expressed in italics. 🥱
The plot too was decidedly unoriginal…. in the portion I did read, it was the worn out mad bomber scenario. 🥱
Rather than wasting your life on this “novel”, grab, if you haven’t already, the Honor Harrington series by Weber, 1000% better.
Good premise but poor execution. Read 20% of the book & found my attention wandered…. character development was minimal and the possibly more interesting character, Vega, remained no more than a disembodied voice expressed in italics. 🥱
The plot too was decidedly unoriginal…. in the portion I did read, it was the worn out mad bomber scenario. 🥱
Rather than wasting your life on this “novel”, grab, if you haven’t already, the Honor Harrington series by Weber, 1000% better.
January 5, 2026
Kris is having a bad day. You can actually hear that song playing while reading this poor guy's day. He slips into an Alley just to trip and fall. He turns sees a naked man dead. So far its looking like a typical intro to a Law & Order episode. When Kris wakes up in the Hospital, he is interrogated and released. He assumes its due to his weak heart. But then he hears someone call his name. He stops turns and sees he is alone. When it happens again, he thinks he is having a heart attack. Turns out he now hosts a bunch of Nanos. Good book and fun read.
May 7, 2025
DNF. Not sure if English is not then author’s native language or they just don’t understand how tense works but this book was awful to read. Beyond the writing style choice of first person present tense, which is already awkward to read there were instances of past, present and future tense all jumbled together in the same paragraph talking about the same event.
Cool concept, needs serious rewrites to get back on my shelf.
Cool concept, needs serious rewrites to get back on my shelf.
May 15, 2023
Comic book as literature
This is a comic book/manga that is written out instead of drawn. There are some editing errors that jump out at you, the first half of the sentence is in the future present tense and the last half of the sentence is in the future past tense. This occurs several times throughout the story. I am still on the fence about my feelings for the character.
This is a comic book/manga that is written out instead of drawn. There are some editing errors that jump out at you, the first half of the sentence is in the future present tense and the last half of the sentence is in the future past tense. This occurs several times throughout the story. I am still on the fence about my feelings for the character.
May 23, 2023
Petty good overall, but not really a thriller.
And nothing superhero about it. This is just a lost kid given power, and having no idea how to use it. No plans, no skills, no ideas, this is his bumbling attempt at doing some good. It's a good story, but not what I expected from the description.
And nothing superhero about it. This is just a lost kid given power, and having no idea how to use it. No plans, no skills, no ideas, this is his bumbling attempt at doing some good. It's a good story, but not what I expected from the description.
July 27, 2023
Enjoyed this book,will continue to follow author
I enjoyed the book, will probably read the second. Story was good but moved a little slowly at times. I really appreciated the language and storyline being acceptable to adult sensibilities! Because of the storyline and language I will watch for Marc Stapleton books and check them out. Good sci-fi doesn't have to be degrading!
I enjoyed the book, will probably read the second. Story was good but moved a little slowly at times. I really appreciated the language and storyline being acceptable to adult sensibilities! Because of the storyline and language I will watch for Marc Stapleton books and check them out. Good sci-fi doesn't have to be degrading!
July 31, 2023
not a sci-fi superhero thriller
This is not a sci-fi superhero thriller at all, this is a pseudo-science fiction power fantasy with the minimal amount of scientific knowledge to help progress the true narrative, a war mercenary fantasy. The first 25% of the novel is a introduction to our hero and his mindset, then the rest is his rise to a war criminal/merc/solder of fortune. The mc kinda becomes a war tourist, insisting to use his gift in the worse way possible. What I appreciate is the books hard reality, showing that the mc is flawed and naive, and that he pays for his naïveté. It gets much better about 45% in, so buckle down and hold on for the hood stuff.
This is not a sci-fi superhero thriller at all, this is a pseudo-science fiction power fantasy with the minimal amount of scientific knowledge to help progress the true narrative, a war mercenary fantasy. The first 25% of the novel is a introduction to our hero and his mindset, then the rest is his rise to a war criminal/merc/solder of fortune. The mc kinda becomes a war tourist, insisting to use his gift in the worse way possible. What I appreciate is the books hard reality, showing that the mc is flawed and naive, and that he pays for his naïveté. It gets much better about 45% in, so buckle down and hold on for the hood stuff.
July 28, 2023
Sci-Fi thriller with a twist I wasn’t expecting. There is very much two parts to this novel and leads very well to a second instalment which I’m looking forward to reading and seeing where that leads. It’s an addictive read with an excellent pace and good character build up throughout. Very well thought out plot.
May 20, 2024
I could see why the author chose the recipient of the ‘nanos’ to have issues, but did this have to include making him so inept? Unfortunately the further into the book it becomes clear that this could also apply to the author.
The original idea for the story was fine, but I wasn’t impressed with the execution and in the end I just found ‘Kris’ a mixture of irritating and tedious.
The original idea for the story was fine, but I wasn’t impressed with the execution and in the end I just found ‘Kris’ a mixture of irritating and tedious.
October 5, 2024
interesting read held my attention
Well written, interesting plot and characters. Overall held my attention and was a good read. Granted I thought Kris (MC) was way to simplistic in most of the story but he did grow as the story progressed. Definitely showed that experience does educate if you can survive. Looking forward to book 2 and will start right now!
Well written, interesting plot and characters. Overall held my attention and was a good read. Granted I thought Kris (MC) was way to simplistic in most of the story but he did grow as the story progressed. Definitely showed that experience does educate if you can survive. Looking forward to book 2 and will start right now!
January 8, 2025
interesting topic
What would you do if you could repair yourself fairly quickly and who or what would you help? What mistakes would you make and naïve 20 something year-old? What would those mistakes be? Is the world really playing black-and-white or is it really shades of gray and is the person you think that’s wonderful really wonderful
What would you do if you could repair yourself fairly quickly and who or what would you help? What mistakes would you make and naïve 20 something year-old? What would those mistakes be? Is the world really playing black-and-white or is it really shades of gray and is the person you think that’s wonderful really wonderful
June 21, 2025
Great superhero story
I really enjoyed this book! The story starts with a regular guy working a boring job, who gets superpowers. I loved most was how real it felt i the way he became a superhero. The ending was dark but made sense to me. My only complaint is some parts felt a bit slow in the middle. But overall, it's a solid superhero story. Looking forward to the next book!
I really enjoyed this book! The story starts with a regular guy working a boring job, who gets superpowers. I loved most was how real it felt i the way he became a superhero. The ending was dark but made sense to me. My only complaint is some parts felt a bit slow in the middle. But overall, it's a solid superhero story. Looking forward to the next book!
didn-t-like-it
October 17, 2025Note to self: nope.
It reads like the wrong person got the green lantern ring, but I don't care about the MC to stay and see if they grow up.
I don't want my MCs perfect from chapter one, but I also don't want to look at them and think the wrong character was chosen as the MC. Life's too short to spend time reading the wrong story.
Bye.
It reads like the wrong person got the green lantern ring, but I don't care about the MC to stay and see if they grow up.
I don't want my MCs perfect from chapter one, but I also don't want to look at them and think the wrong character was chosen as the MC. Life's too short to spend time reading the wrong story.
Bye.
April 23, 2023
Tedious
The original concept was interesting but it was very difficult to like any of the characters.
The "hero's" father was the most interesting but he disappears early-on.
Everything else was just clichés.
The original concept was interesting but it was very difficult to like any of the characters.
The "hero's" father was the most interesting but he disappears early-on.
Everything else was just clichés.
April 28, 2023
Good book
Good book and a good premise but does the MC have to be so incompetent. Seems like he has no clue about the world but his intentions are good. He was pretty unlikable sometimes.
Good book and a good premise but does the MC have to be so incompetent. Seems like he has no clue about the world but his intentions are good. He was pretty unlikable sometimes.
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