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Phoenix Nest: Guardians of the Future
Memory's Child
Phoenix Nest: Guardians of the Future
Shelana is a genius with a lot to learn. A descendant of genetically enhanced humans known as Preservationists, Shelana roams a landscape devoid of civilization in a world that long ago managed to advance itself right back to the Stone Age.
Presers have only one lifetask: to pass on to their children the knowledge stored in their enhanced memories so that eventually, when mankind is ready to use it wisely, civilization may be restored.
The tragedy that leaves Shelana on her own too soon also sets her on a second path that threatens to end her life before her lifetask is complete. To make matters worse, she faces a constant battle against the powerful, bloodthirsty Myths. Their leader, Vernon, wants to eradicate Preservationists so he alone can control the redevelopment of civilization. Vernon has made one mistake that may ruin his plans, a mistake the Myth leader doesn't even remember. But Shelana does.
Winner of the Authorlink 2001 International New Author Awards Competition, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror category.
A sample of the sequel to Memory's Child, Phoenix Rising: The Battle Begins, is INCLUDED in Memory's Child if you buy the Kindle edition after June 4, 2013. If you have an earlier edition, you can get The Battle Begins for your Kindle on Amazon or borrow it if you're a PRIME member.
Shelana is a genius with a lot to learn. A descendant of genetically enhanced humans known as Preservationists, Shelana roams a landscape devoid of civilization in a world that long ago managed to advance itself right back to the Stone Age.
Presers have only one lifetask: to pass on to their children the knowledge stored in their enhanced memories so that eventually, when mankind is ready to use it wisely, civilization may be restored.
The tragedy that leaves Shelana on her own too soon also sets her on a second path that threatens to end her life before her lifetask is complete. To make matters worse, she faces a constant battle against the powerful, bloodthirsty Myths. Their leader, Vernon, wants to eradicate Preservationists so he alone can control the redevelopment of civilization. Vernon has made one mistake that may ruin his plans, a mistake the Myth leader doesn't even remember. But Shelana does.
Winner of the Authorlink 2001 International New Author Awards Competition, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror category.
A sample of the sequel to Memory's Child, Phoenix Rising: The Battle Begins, is INCLUDED in Memory's Child if you buy the Kindle edition after June 4, 2013. If you have an earlier edition, you can get The Battle Begins for your Kindle on Amazon or borrow it if you're a PRIME member.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2012
12 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 15, 2012
I got this book for free and was generally not expecting much in the way of quality. I am pleased to say that I was wrong to think so.
This book is a stunningly well-done post apocalyptic tale, in which society has evolved into tribes of nomadic hunter and gatherers, interspersed with the 'morons' or unenhanced humans are the preservationists, genetically enhanced humans whose job it is to remember certain parts of human knowlege so that it will not be lost forever. The central character is Shelana of the Thunderhorse tribe who is a historian. Set against the preservationists are the myth who are a group who persecute and kill their opponants, seemingly in mindless slaughter.
I read through the entire book in one sitting, over about eight hours and was wrapped up in the story the entire time.
This book is a stunningly well-done post apocalyptic tale, in which society has evolved into tribes of nomadic hunter and gatherers, interspersed with the 'morons' or unenhanced humans are the preservationists, genetically enhanced humans whose job it is to remember certain parts of human knowlege so that it will not be lost forever. The central character is Shelana of the Thunderhorse tribe who is a historian. Set against the preservationists are the myth who are a group who persecute and kill their opponants, seemingly in mindless slaughter.
I read through the entire book in one sitting, over about eight hours and was wrapped up in the story the entire time.
April 20, 2012
In a stark future world wrought from man's inclination toward annihilation, two groups of people struggle to survive and shape the future of mankind. The group known as the Myths is led by bloodthirsty, power-hungry Vernon, whose primary goal is to shape the future of civilization the way he wants it, with him at the helm. And he has the power, determination, and lack of morals to achieve his goal at any cost. Working against him are the Preservationists, or Presers, a group of genetically enhanced humans whose lives are centered around a single goal: preserving the knowledge of the past so it may be used in the future when mankind is ready to rebuild a humane and wise civilization. At the heart of the Preser's effort is Shelana, a young woman determined to protect her daughter and pass on the information and knowledge that is her destiny. But that determination puts her at the bull's eye of Vernon's target as he attempts to wipe out the Presers once and for all, changing Shelana's destiny to one of mere survival and, after her family is murdered, one of vengeance. It's a fool's task except for one thing. Shelana possesses a powerful but deadly secret: knowledge of Vernon's one potentially fatal mistake. If she can survive long enough to use this knowledge, it will give Shelana hope for the vengeance she seeks, and all of mankind hope for the future. If she can survive....
I was one of a privileged few who read Memory's Child years ago when Spratley first wrote it and I'm ever so happy to see it finally out there for others to read. It's a definite page-turner, a cautionary tale set in a world that is bleak and depressing, but woven through with threads of hope for a brighter future. Spratley is a talented writer who knows how to turn a phrase, how to create tension, and how to weave an intriguing tale that had me at turns laughing, crying, and biting my nails down to the nubs. It's a story that stays with you long after the last page is turned and leaves you wanting for more. Here's hoping Spratley will soon comply!
I was one of a privileged few who read Memory's Child years ago when Spratley first wrote it and I'm ever so happy to see it finally out there for others to read. It's a definite page-turner, a cautionary tale set in a world that is bleak and depressing, but woven through with threads of hope for a brighter future. Spratley is a talented writer who knows how to turn a phrase, how to create tension, and how to weave an intriguing tale that had me at turns laughing, crying, and biting my nails down to the nubs. It's a story that stays with you long after the last page is turned and leaves you wanting for more. Here's hoping Spratley will soon comply!
January 15, 2013
Picked this up as the post-apocolyptic scenario sounded different, which it was. Writing was a bit uneven, characters were fairly well developed although not always consistent but the storyline made it an entertaining read for me ... until I got to the cliffhanger ending. Ended just minutes before a big battle began between two of the major groups.
Major pet peeve for me and I've been running into this gimmick so often lately, I've lost every bit of patience I ever managed to develop for it.
Updated to add: Author has written an addition to this which takes the storyline through the battle and more story, ending on a note that is much more satisfying. There is still obviously more 'story' to come, but it does end with some sort of closure as well. This is, overall, a very good read and I'd have rated it another star higher except for my initial annoyance over the cliffhanger ending.
Major pet peeve for me and I've been running into this gimmick so often lately, I've lost every bit of patience I ever managed to develop for it.
Updated to add: Author has written an addition to this which takes the storyline through the battle and more story, ending on a note that is much more satisfying. There is still obviously more 'story' to come, but it does end with some sort of closure as well. This is, overall, a very good read and I'd have rated it another star higher except for my initial annoyance over the cliffhanger ending.
January 19, 2013
Raw and graphic, difficult to read at times. A frightening imagination of a world post civility, trying to find its way again. Of course, prejudice and religious inspired ideals are inherent in man, ultimately we seek safety and from that they are borne. But is knowledge really the key to freedom, a life without want? Or a plague, not just to society but unto humanity itself?
June 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this book (and cant wait for the next in series)
July 18, 2012
Looking forward to the next book, although I really want book 3 which will hopefully continue Shelana's story.
October 22, 2013
Cool read, really enjoyable, and hey, the best description of what's wrong with windows I've ever read. Now you have to too...
February 25, 2022
Interesting read
Well written if somewhat simplistic. Interesting story. I must admit however, I am bloody frustrated no one writes a standalone book anymore. Everything's got to be a book one. Series are weak. Write the book finish the story. Stop dragging it on and on.
Well written if somewhat simplistic. Interesting story. I must admit however, I am bloody frustrated no one writes a standalone book anymore. Everything's got to be a book one. Series are weak. Write the book finish the story. Stop dragging it on and on.
April 13, 2018
This was a free book off Amazon. I guess whoever priced it knew the fair market value.
I just...I can't even...it's just that bad. Given the description, I'd hoped for far better. I'd have settled for anything approaching average. The premise had some (small) potential. Instead, it reads like the narrative of an RPG game played by people immature enough to think fighting is cool, wise-ass remarks equal wit, and lust is romance. It's mostly hack-and-slash tossed with a slwew of embarrassingly cliched sex scenes disguised as a eye-rolling romance calling itself a post-apocalyptic adventure. In other words: a mess.
I'm counting it as "read" since I suffered through half of it. I wouldn't normally do that, but I feel like it owes me at this point. It has been deleted/banished from my e-reader. Now, if I could only get the hours of my life back spent reading as much of it as I did....
I just...I can't even...it's just that bad. Given the description, I'd hoped for far better. I'd have settled for anything approaching average. The premise had some (small) potential. Instead, it reads like the narrative of an RPG game played by people immature enough to think fighting is cool, wise-ass remarks equal wit, and lust is romance. It's mostly hack-and-slash tossed with a slwew of embarrassingly cliched sex scenes disguised as a eye-rolling romance calling itself a post-apocalyptic adventure. In other words: a mess.
I'm counting it as "read" since I suffered through half of it. I wouldn't normally do that, but I feel like it owes me at this point. It has been deleted/banished from my e-reader. Now, if I could only get the hours of my life back spent reading as much of it as I did....
July 5, 2012
While I liked the premise and the first person narrative was fine, the main character's dialog was stilted and unbelievable as were her reactions to just about every event and every other character. She was not cohesive as a person and her behavior was often contradictory. I was unable to suspend disbelief and get engrossed in the story because the main character behaved so bizarrely that it was jarring and jerked me out of the story continually.
October 12, 2012
I was excited by the premise, but quit reading about halfway through. Mainly because it started turning into a sappy romance novel, which I wasn't expecting. Also, the main character, who is supposed to be so highly intelligent, repeatedly, proved herself quite the opposite. This eventually became quite annoying.
Read
June 13, 2012Too gruesome and graphic for me.
December 16, 2012
nice story
March 19, 2013
Not usually a fan of this genre but found this one fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews