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Heaven 2.0
Having been born in the 28th century, Mike Kepler never believed in the existence of Heaven or Hell. The myths of the old faiths had been abandoned and replaced with the teachings of The Church many centuries earlier. The young physicist is shocked to learn that there is an afterlife when he is recruited by the Taipei Corporation. It was created by a team of scientists rather than God.
Mike’s job is to travel to the past and save people at the time of their deaths using advanced medical technology. The individuals are then brought back to the 28th century, judged on the sins they committed and sentenced to an eternity in the artificial Heaven or Hell. Mike quickly learns that the project is far less noble than it appears. He discovers that many of the people sentenced to eternal torment in Hell do not deserve their fate...
Mike’s job is to travel to the past and save people at the time of their deaths using advanced medical technology. The individuals are then brought back to the 28th century, judged on the sins they committed and sentenced to an eternity in the artificial Heaven or Hell. Mike quickly learns that the project is far less noble than it appears. He discovers that many of the people sentenced to eternal torment in Hell do not deserve their fate...
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2012
12 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Scott Haworth
21 books15 followersScott Haworth is the author of dozens of novels including the Blue Champion series, the Second Contact series and the Dark Moonlighting series.
When not writing, he enjoys being asleep.
He lives in Ohio with a cat, a dog and a wife.
Visit his website: http://scotthaworthbooks.weebly.com/
Check out Scott's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottHaworth...
Follow him on Twitter: @_ScottHaworth
When not writing, he enjoys being asleep.
He lives in Ohio with a cat, a dog and a wife.
Visit his website: http://scotthaworthbooks.weebly.com/
Check out Scott's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottHaworth...
Follow him on Twitter: @_ScottHaworth
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 14, 2013
Heaven 2.0 has a lot going for it. It's an extremely interesting concept, built on great imagination. It's written quite well, not leaving all that much to be desired writing style wise. It flows very well and doesn't really ever come to a point that you'd get bored.
The crux of the book lies in its moral issues - what's right and what's wrong and who is allowed to judge that? The issues addressed in the book are an extension of the moral issues existent today. But the addition of power in the hands of people that can alter these issues and decide a person's guilt makes all the difference.
While the existent of one reigning religion and one reigning language may seem like a good thing, it leaves you wondering about freewill. Why should you not believe what you want to believe? As the story progresses, you come across instances where you feel like that which is happening is extremely unfair - and it is. Justice, extended on the basis of a set number of rules, leaving no deviation for feelings or morality as is felt (not written in a book), can get pretty unjust. Can you send someone to Hell for one mistake when he's already repented and spent his entire life making up for his indiscretion? Or can you send a man to Hell because he chooses to spend his life a certain way in the 21st century - a way that is deemed unethical only after years of scientific research has allowed society to, in the 28th century, deem it so? And over that , who is anyone to send a man to Hell for an eternity of torture?
These are the questions the reader will end up asking himself as the characters themselves begin to question the ethics of a project created for the apparent greater good and greater justice. What I really liked though, is the way Scott Haworth has shown that in spite of scientific and technological advancements that can change part of your beliefs, humans retain their humanity. And this is separate from all that you may be taught and told - something that will refuse to stay down when humanity is threatened. Good is inherent. The characters are normal people, living normal lives in a job that forces them to question their surroundings... and face the difficult truth.
It's a very easy read that moves along without much effort and doesn't slow down. The only dampener, in my opinion, was the end. While the book raises some essential questions, the end does not seem too apt in the bigger picture of things. It still leaves you with the feeling of 'This shouldn't have happened'. But then, when you think about it, you realize that there might not have been any other way to end it. The end still does not answer a simple question - Who is anyone to decide someone's predicament for all eternity? But if you take it with the understanding that the base of the story is what it is, that there is no alternate belief or a real Hell or Heaven, you can accept the end (albeit a little grudgingly).
All in all, a quick, easy read that holds you from the beginning to the end. Scott Haworth is a talented author and one, who seems like he can create great works of fiction with his imagination. A great read for fans of science fiction who are willing to give the author some leeway.
The crux of the book lies in its moral issues - what's right and what's wrong and who is allowed to judge that? The issues addressed in the book are an extension of the moral issues existent today. But the addition of power in the hands of people that can alter these issues and decide a person's guilt makes all the difference.
While the existent of one reigning religion and one reigning language may seem like a good thing, it leaves you wondering about freewill. Why should you not believe what you want to believe? As the story progresses, you come across instances where you feel like that which is happening is extremely unfair - and it is. Justice, extended on the basis of a set number of rules, leaving no deviation for feelings or morality as is felt (not written in a book), can get pretty unjust. Can you send someone to Hell for one mistake when he's already repented and spent his entire life making up for his indiscretion? Or can you send a man to Hell because he chooses to spend his life a certain way in the 21st century - a way that is deemed unethical only after years of scientific research has allowed society to, in the 28th century, deem it so? And over that , who is anyone to send a man to Hell for an eternity of torture?
These are the questions the reader will end up asking himself as the characters themselves begin to question the ethics of a project created for the apparent greater good and greater justice. What I really liked though, is the way Scott Haworth has shown that in spite of scientific and technological advancements that can change part of your beliefs, humans retain their humanity. And this is separate from all that you may be taught and told - something that will refuse to stay down when humanity is threatened. Good is inherent. The characters are normal people, living normal lives in a job that forces them to question their surroundings... and face the difficult truth.
It's a very easy read that moves along without much effort and doesn't slow down. The only dampener, in my opinion, was the end. While the book raises some essential questions, the end does not seem too apt in the bigger picture of things. It still leaves you with the feeling of 'This shouldn't have happened'. But then, when you think about it, you realize that there might not have been any other way to end it. The end still does not answer a simple question - Who is anyone to decide someone's predicament for all eternity? But if you take it with the understanding that the base of the story is what it is, that there is no alternate belief or a real Hell or Heaven, you can accept the end (albeit a little grudgingly).
All in all, a quick, easy read that holds you from the beginning to the end. Scott Haworth is a talented author and one, who seems like he can create great works of fiction with his imagination. A great read for fans of science fiction who are willing to give the author some leeway.
November 3, 2018
Cute little story about angels and how life is 700 years in the future.
December 8, 2012
Cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews (http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2012/12/08/heaven-2-0-by-scott-haworth/)
Life is tough for angels - I mean extraction specialists. What if eternal happiness was a facility designed by humankind some time in the future? What if eternal damnation was similarly administered? Would you feel relieved - or worried?
Heaven 2.0 starts with a fascinating premise; that some time in the future, all religions merge into a single unifying faith and that technology has availed us of the opportunity to extract people from the past, moments before their fated passing, processing them into a manufactured "Heaven" or "Hell" as decreed by interpretation of humanity's moral creeds. When you're so sure that the Almighty's will is to have you create the ultimate result of humanity's mortal coil, what could possibly go wrong?
As a reader we are exposed to exactly what could go wrong. And like many futuristic science fiction stories, there is ample extrapolation of current issues throughout the story: corporate rationalisation, quotas and performance metrics and what a corporation might do to secure ongoing government funding. We also see the peril of a future humanity applying a contemporary moral code on people from different eras - a rather sobering and provocative exercise. As quickly as we feel the outrage against a future morality when brought into judgement over our own, we suddenly recognise the similar arrogance we often use to judge those who have come before us.
Unfortunately, although I found the premise and message a winner in this novel, I could not be as enthusiastic about the execution. The prose itself is completely adequate and I have no particular issues with the style and certainly none with the accuracy; there was a satisfying lack of careless errors. However, I found the handling of the plot and characterisation to be less impressive than the ideas behind them. I understand the need of keeping a story focused, on not embarking in hundreds of pages of filler not pertinent to either the core plot or message. But to me, this novel was the skeleton of the story that could have been told - only containing the bare minimum required to make sure the message was delivered. Additionally, the characters became shells - sometimes illogical shells.
The main character could have been a likeable hero - a recognised genius head-hunted to become an extraction specialist, embraced in a corporation eventually revealed as corrupt and dangerous. There's a great deal we could learn about this character and how his ideals and intelligence could be used to uncover in-congruencies and hatch sophisticated plots to expose corruption, all with the very real risk of being disposed of by those in power. It could have been a sci-fi version of The Client by John Grisham. However, all we end up witnessing is an absolute fool blundering carelessly through every plot milestone, without any spark of intelligence or cunning. The cunning is reserved for characters that we never really get to know who remain in the background like some deus ex machina to ensure our clueless hero's success. And when wandering with intent but without any plan in the vast complex providing a Hell for all humanity throughout history, what chance would one have to run into people one was looking for? According to the author, a 100% success rate - maybe our protagonist really is a genius after all.
Along the way we do see some interesting ways in which a future humanity might use one's alleged sins to devise punishments, though I have to admit to being somewhat perplexed by the significance of some - the faeces room in particular seemed more puerile than pertinent. But overall, I just found the experience a bit lacklustre.
I wanted to like this story because to me, the premise is great. I would happily have swallowed the disbelief when considering a complex in the moon housing the history of humanity if I was given a conspiracy thriller with logical character development, genuine suspense and a sophisticated plot. But Heaven 2.0 unfortunately felt like a rushed exercise and a missed opportunity.
Life is tough for angels - I mean extraction specialists. What if eternal happiness was a facility designed by humankind some time in the future? What if eternal damnation was similarly administered? Would you feel relieved - or worried?
Heaven 2.0 starts with a fascinating premise; that some time in the future, all religions merge into a single unifying faith and that technology has availed us of the opportunity to extract people from the past, moments before their fated passing, processing them into a manufactured "Heaven" or "Hell" as decreed by interpretation of humanity's moral creeds. When you're so sure that the Almighty's will is to have you create the ultimate result of humanity's mortal coil, what could possibly go wrong?
As a reader we are exposed to exactly what could go wrong. And like many futuristic science fiction stories, there is ample extrapolation of current issues throughout the story: corporate rationalisation, quotas and performance metrics and what a corporation might do to secure ongoing government funding. We also see the peril of a future humanity applying a contemporary moral code on people from different eras - a rather sobering and provocative exercise. As quickly as we feel the outrage against a future morality when brought into judgement over our own, we suddenly recognise the similar arrogance we often use to judge those who have come before us.
Unfortunately, although I found the premise and message a winner in this novel, I could not be as enthusiastic about the execution. The prose itself is completely adequate and I have no particular issues with the style and certainly none with the accuracy; there was a satisfying lack of careless errors. However, I found the handling of the plot and characterisation to be less impressive than the ideas behind them. I understand the need of keeping a story focused, on not embarking in hundreds of pages of filler not pertinent to either the core plot or message. But to me, this novel was the skeleton of the story that could have been told - only containing the bare minimum required to make sure the message was delivered. Additionally, the characters became shells - sometimes illogical shells.
The main character could have been a likeable hero - a recognised genius head-hunted to become an extraction specialist, embraced in a corporation eventually revealed as corrupt and dangerous. There's a great deal we could learn about this character and how his ideals and intelligence could be used to uncover in-congruencies and hatch sophisticated plots to expose corruption, all with the very real risk of being disposed of by those in power. It could have been a sci-fi version of The Client by John Grisham. However, all we end up witnessing is an absolute fool blundering carelessly through every plot milestone, without any spark of intelligence or cunning. The cunning is reserved for characters that we never really get to know who remain in the background like some deus ex machina to ensure our clueless hero's success. And when wandering with intent but without any plan in the vast complex providing a Hell for all humanity throughout history, what chance would one have to run into people one was looking for? According to the author, a 100% success rate - maybe our protagonist really is a genius after all.
Along the way we do see some interesting ways in which a future humanity might use one's alleged sins to devise punishments, though I have to admit to being somewhat perplexed by the significance of some - the faeces room in particular seemed more puerile than pertinent. But overall, I just found the experience a bit lacklustre.
I wanted to like this story because to me, the premise is great. I would happily have swallowed the disbelief when considering a complex in the moon housing the history of humanity if I was given a conspiracy thriller with logical character development, genuine suspense and a sophisticated plot. But Heaven 2.0 unfortunately felt like a rushed exercise and a missed opportunity.
May 22, 2012
Actually a 3.5 rating.
See my reviews here and on The Akamai Reader.
I thought this book had some innovative ideas. It wasn’t overly wrought in religious dogma. There were some outrageous moments for me though. Such as the moment when it was stated that in the 28th century they had successfully stamped out the “homosexual disease”. It was just another instance of proving what a dystopic society it truly was though.
The trips back in time were enjoyable diversions, but I think they took away from the main character. I think we could have done with less of the diversions and more character development.
This book was only 161 pages and the brevity showed in the character development. Mike was a great character, except he ultimately lacked a certain emotional depth that I would normally have found in a longer novel. I actually got more of a sense of who some of the supporting cast members were rather then who Mike Kepler was.
Another problem I had was when the rebels attacked they were armed with steak knives. Against guns. Obviously they had no chance. Steak knives against guns? I have an issue with that. Needless to say the rebels got captured. How they thought they’d have a chance I have no idea.
Parts of the climax of the story was interesting. Although it didn’t sound very plausible. It just seemed too neat and pat. It also felt a little rushed. I wasn’t entirely happy with the end either, but that’s just my personal taste.
Overall, I did enjoy this story despite its flaws. I enjoyed the innovative ideas. I enjoyed the characters of Nicole and Paul from the 21st century. They had a depth to them that I couldn’t find in the 28th century characters.
There were some humorous moments I liked, but they were few and far between. I liked the idea of time traveling. The idea of an artificial Heaven was interesting. I don’t think it was my idea of Heaven, but I suppose it might serve for some.
So this wasn’t a bad novella. It just wasn’t great.
See my reviews here and on The Akamai Reader.
I thought this book had some innovative ideas. It wasn’t overly wrought in religious dogma. There were some outrageous moments for me though. Such as the moment when it was stated that in the 28th century they had successfully stamped out the “homosexual disease”. It was just another instance of proving what a dystopic society it truly was though.
The trips back in time were enjoyable diversions, but I think they took away from the main character. I think we could have done with less of the diversions and more character development.
This book was only 161 pages and the brevity showed in the character development. Mike was a great character, except he ultimately lacked a certain emotional depth that I would normally have found in a longer novel. I actually got more of a sense of who some of the supporting cast members were rather then who Mike Kepler was.
Another problem I had was when the rebels attacked they were armed with steak knives. Against guns. Obviously they had no chance. Steak knives against guns? I have an issue with that. Needless to say the rebels got captured. How they thought they’d have a chance I have no idea.
Parts of the climax of the story was interesting. Although it didn’t sound very plausible. It just seemed too neat and pat. It also felt a little rushed. I wasn’t entirely happy with the end either, but that’s just my personal taste.
Overall, I did enjoy this story despite its flaws. I enjoyed the innovative ideas. I enjoyed the characters of Nicole and Paul from the 21st century. They had a depth to them that I couldn’t find in the 28th century characters.
There were some humorous moments I liked, but they were few and far between. I liked the idea of time traveling. The idea of an artificial Heaven was interesting. I don’t think it was my idea of Heaven, but I suppose it might serve for some.
So this wasn’t a bad novella. It just wasn’t great.
June 20, 2013
This is a very interesting and entertaining story, very well written, about a futuristic world where science was able to create Hell and Heaven. The company responsible for this implementation is called Taipei Corporation and it recruits the most brilliant minds on Earth to work for their project, based on Mars. But the way the judgement happens is not completely "fair" and the company needs to fill some quotas for Hell as well as for Heaven and that causes some good people being sentenced to Hell. Mike Kepler is a young physicist that is recruited and when he notices those anomalies, he starts to fight the structure, and he is not alone on that fight. He has the help of his mentor and other surprising help from inside the corporation.
Very entertaining reading, brilliant idea, I recommend this book to the permanent library of any science fiction lover. It will keep you entertained for quite some hours. It took me around six hours to read the whole book.
Very entertaining reading, brilliant idea, I recommend this book to the permanent library of any science fiction lover. It will keep you entertained for quite some hours. It took me around six hours to read the whole book.
May 6, 2014
I liked it. Fun concepts abound, but many suffer from poor usage such as time travel and 'dummy' people. With those two technologies alone the plot should have gone a much different direction. I think the technology suffers most by being locked to the setting of the story, making it underutilized by the 'top ranked geniuses' of the main characters.
Things reminded me a bit of the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony, though with a tech answer to everything metaphysical and spiritual.
There also seemed to be a misplacement of the actual villain. The Church of the future sure seemed to be the issue, but then it seemed to be the government (which was not defined at all), yet the villain that the characters battled against was the corporation that controlled all the tech.
The concept is fun to engage the mind with, but don't think about things too deeply.
Things reminded me a bit of the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony, though with a tech answer to everything metaphysical and spiritual.
There also seemed to be a misplacement of the actual villain. The Church of the future sure seemed to be the issue, but then it seemed to be the government (which was not defined at all), yet the villain that the characters battled against was the corporation that controlled all the tech.
The concept is fun to engage the mind with, but don't think about things too deeply.
January 20, 2014
I LOVE sci-fi books because they allow the author to use great imagination to touch on concepts prevalent in today's society. Heaven 2.0 focuses on moral issues that we all grapple with concerning 1) what is right or wrong and 2) who should have the final say in deciding if we ultimately go to Heaven or Hell based on our actions. While most people say God is the ultimate judge, in this book the Taipei Corporation carries out that authority (based off of The Church's and unified government's interpretations of what's socially and morally acceptable). This book is well written and each character's development flows into each other, and the overall theme of the book. I would have given this book 5 stars, but I thought the book could have had a better ending.
September 27, 2013
This is a story of people who travel back in time to take the soul of a person who is on the brink of dying. I won't spoil it with the reason why this was being done, so read the book. I found the read interesting and fun. I enjoyed the characters and rooted for the good guys though at times it was shady on who the good guys were.
The writing was steady and seamless and needed little to no editing.
Well developed characters and story and would recommend it to 16 and above. Good read.[[ASIN:B007FZPOZ4 Heaven 2.0]]
The writing was steady and seamless and needed little to no editing.
Well developed characters and story and would recommend it to 16 and above. Good read.[[ASIN:B007FZPOZ4 Heaven 2.0]]
September 22, 2012
I don't usually read much sci-fi so this was an unusual book choice for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. It was an unusual subject matter but I found it interesting and different. The story had me gripped until about 80 per cent of the way through when I found it rather far-fetched (yes, even for a sci-fi story!) and it did feel that it was rushing to a conclusion. However, it did finish satisfactorily and I won't hestitate to recommend this book.
July 22, 2014
I would have given the book 5 stars but I didn't agree with how the story ended. But I guess the point of the book is: who has the right to judge a person after they've died and decide if its heaven or hell for them. What I believe is, that would be God. But this book is about a company in the future, who thinks it's their right to do that and not God. Interesting concept.
June 21, 2014
Quick easy read. Relates to an artificial Heaven created many centuries in the future, run by a corporation. The Judicial system determines the fate of individuals as to whether they go to an artificial heaven or hell. The system is filled with quotas and corruption.
Interesting story, gross at times.
Interesting story, gross at times.
November 4, 2015
Eh. It was funny.
But it was never really evident the point of the extractions. I mean, the extractors should just leave people in the past to die and cease to exist. It makes no economic advantage to transport people from the past to the future to just come and consume resources in the manufactured Heaven and the manufactured Hell.
But it was never really evident the point of the extractions. I mean, the extractors should just leave people in the past to die and cease to exist. It makes no economic advantage to transport people from the past to the future to just come and consume resources in the manufactured Heaven and the manufactured Hell.
June 5, 2013
A strange concept. Why make your own heaven and hell? Very interesting read. Lots of people to like and dislike. Enjoyed Nicole and Gabby. Mike seemed like a wimp. It kept my interest. That's about all I can say without giving too much away.
March 19, 2013
Ahh so time does not change everything.."This place might be run by corporate hacks and religious fanatics"...It was a interesting read.
May 28, 2013
This author has potential and good ideas but could have benefitted from more editing. Especially needed to lose a lot of adverbs.
May 28, 2013
thought provoking read
June 18, 2013
Interesting story idea, but not particularly well written.
June 4, 2013
While this was not one of my favorites, I liked this book.
June 19, 2013
Pretty shallow and predictable. It's also a little preachy.
July 8, 2013
Some parts felt kind of choppy and disconnected, and there were some ideas that needed a bit more development. Overall, though, I found this book to be thought-provoking.
January 13, 2014
Enjoyed it. Read it quickly as it had good pace, but I didn't understand some of the logic for the concept.
July 8, 2014
Note to self, this doesn't count towards my 2014 total. Read a sample from Amazon. Interesting premise, not well executed enough to commit to reading the whole thing.
October 8, 2014
Good overall premise, though dumb for 700 years in the future
May 25, 2013
Good book. I really enjoyed it. Interesting premise, likeable characters, nice plot, quick read.
May 26, 2013
This was a unique and intriguing concept and I definitely enjoyed reading it.
April 28, 2017
I was confused at first but after third chapter i couldn't let the book down. Really good book!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews