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500: A Science Fiction Adventure from the Author of "309"
Jim Perkins had been through a lot, ripped from the only life he'd ever known and cast into a hellish landscape with little to no hope of survival. Still, the "big man" persisted, not just for himself but for his new companion. Now, on the verge of death, the banker finds himself thrust into the midst of an epic, world-altering event far beyond his wildest imaginings. Can Mr. Perkins recover and secure his place in a new reality or is he about to make his final deposit? "500" is the latest novel from acclaimed speculative-fiction author Michael Shotter. In the tradition of other volumes from The Nod/Wells Timelines such as "309," "Shards," and "The Big Men," it tells its own standalone story while expanding on the universe and characters established in the author's other works.
Eager readers may wish to note that “Mr. Perkins Goes to Hell," currently available exclusively via Amazon's Kindle Vella storytelling platform, can be read as a direct prequel to the events of "500."
Eager readers may wish to note that “Mr. Perkins Goes to Hell," currently available exclusively via Amazon's Kindle Vella storytelling platform, can be read as a direct prequel to the events of "500."
191 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2023
2 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
Michael Shotter
16 books59 followersMichael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 22, 2023
My thanks to the author, Michael Shotter, and to Goodreads Giveaways, through whom I received my ecopy of this book.
The author has created an earth recovering from disasters that reshaped everything as well as the visitation by an alien race that has the ability to place humans in different worlds. Imaginative and creative.
The author has created an earth recovering from disasters that reshaped everything as well as the visitation by an alien race that has the ability to place humans in different worlds. Imaginative and creative.
April 22, 2023
Despite receiving a free ARC of this novel, this review is my honest opinion. This book by Michael Shotter achieves his goal as stated in his author profile: “his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship” since it is definitely a unique creative work that doesn’t follow traditional plot expectations or stereotypical character arcs. It’s also a real thinker, and I love stories that make me think, especially on a deep philosophical level. I had previously read The Nemesis Effect, but I wish I had read all of the author’s works before beginning this one since they seem to all connect in some way, with returning characters and ideas.
The characters in this story are dealing with multidimensional theory and, ultimately, human evolution into cyborg superheroes. They also contend with questions about what it means to be human, especially in a reality dominated by transhumanism and possibilities for Matrix-esque artificial realities. I also enjoyed the focus on the theme of identity when someone’s consciousness is taken from their living body, copied, and put into a new construct: is it the same person? If the human soul exists, how is that variable a part of transhumanistic existence? What responsibilities do we have for resource management in a multiverse-accessible reality in which it’s possible to grab/steal resources from other dimensions/realities?
At times, I was reminded of the same type of questions I’ve been pondering while watching the TV series Star Trek: Picard. This paragraph contains spoilers for that show: at the end of the first season, Picard dies and they put his consciousness into a living construct that is considered a human-android hybrid. From that point on, is it fair to still consider it the same person? They made a big point of saying how in this new body his consciousness was programmed with limitations to make it mimic Picard’s human body, but why did they bother with that? Why not make Picard’s new body more superhuman? It made watching Season 2-3 of the show somewhat bizarre because, in my mind, I felt this was a different being from the original Picard, but at the same time it was still him; it was a living paradox. There were also situations that would arise in which I thought it would have been advantageous for Picard to be able to use the full potential of his new positronic brainpower, to have superhuman strength, etc.
On the contrary, in 500, some of the characters in the story end up with enhanced bodies. That part of the story reminded me of Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, which was also a very fun read. It begs the question: What would you do if your body could be replaced by an enhanced clone or construct with superhuman strength and combat modifications? What happens to our view of mortality and the value of life if people’s consciousness can be backed up and restored with a new body anytime a “death” occurs?
While I don’t necessarily think this novel is written for mainstream readers, if Michael Shotter has an ideal audience, I am a member of it. My criticisms of the book would be [1] the characters obsess over footwear too much and [2] some parts of the book feel more like a summary glossing over events that I would have enjoyed reading as actual scenes of the novel; in other words, scenes that I would have found interesting are sometimes skipped over and/or referenced later via dialogue in ways that seemed somewhat arbitrary to me.
If you enjoy sci-fi superhero stories with nontraditional plots and a multiverse of philosophical quandaries, this is a book I would recommend for you. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next in this ongoing saga.
The characters in this story are dealing with multidimensional theory and, ultimately, human evolution into cyborg superheroes. They also contend with questions about what it means to be human, especially in a reality dominated by transhumanism and possibilities for Matrix-esque artificial realities. I also enjoyed the focus on the theme of identity when someone’s consciousness is taken from their living body, copied, and put into a new construct: is it the same person? If the human soul exists, how is that variable a part of transhumanistic existence? What responsibilities do we have for resource management in a multiverse-accessible reality in which it’s possible to grab/steal resources from other dimensions/realities?
At times, I was reminded of the same type of questions I’ve been pondering while watching the TV series Star Trek: Picard. This paragraph contains spoilers for that show: at the end of the first season, Picard dies and they put his consciousness into a living construct that is considered a human-android hybrid. From that point on, is it fair to still consider it the same person? They made a big point of saying how in this new body his consciousness was programmed with limitations to make it mimic Picard’s human body, but why did they bother with that? Why not make Picard’s new body more superhuman? It made watching Season 2-3 of the show somewhat bizarre because, in my mind, I felt this was a different being from the original Picard, but at the same time it was still him; it was a living paradox. There were also situations that would arise in which I thought it would have been advantageous for Picard to be able to use the full potential of his new positronic brainpower, to have superhuman strength, etc.
On the contrary, in 500, some of the characters in the story end up with enhanced bodies. That part of the story reminded me of Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, which was also a very fun read. It begs the question: What would you do if your body could be replaced by an enhanced clone or construct with superhuman strength and combat modifications? What happens to our view of mortality and the value of life if people’s consciousness can be backed up and restored with a new body anytime a “death” occurs?
While I don’t necessarily think this novel is written for mainstream readers, if Michael Shotter has an ideal audience, I am a member of it. My criticisms of the book would be [1] the characters obsess over footwear too much and [2] some parts of the book feel more like a summary glossing over events that I would have enjoyed reading as actual scenes of the novel; in other words, scenes that I would have found interesting are sometimes skipped over and/or referenced later via dialogue in ways that seemed somewhat arbitrary to me.
If you enjoy sci-fi superhero stories with nontraditional plots and a multiverse of philosophical quandaries, this is a book I would recommend for you. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next in this ongoing saga.
May 16, 2023
This book has many great ideas going for it: augmented humans, traversing between parallel universes, aliens that are actually advanced humans, virtual reality, bringing people back from the dead, etc...
I loved how this book explores transhumanism. Shotter asks the question how far can humans evolve through technology before they are no longer human? Technology saves the main characters' lives, but leaves them forever altered afterwards. It begs the question, how different are these heroes from the aliens they are fighting?
As with all of Shotter's work, I enjoy the representation of multiple plus sized characters who are allowed to be more than a stereotype. Many of the main characters of this book are heavy-set, and yet are allowed to be fashionable, find love without having to change their appearance, and also be action heroes with superhuman strength without losing their defining physique.
This is either the best introduction to Michael Shotter’s work or the worst, with a cast of characters finally brought together from all his other books, and a plot that weaves in and out of his other storylines. It’s comprehensible to someone who’s new to his work but at times leaves the reader unsatisfied as plotlines come to a conclusion in a different novel. On one hand it whets the appetite for Shotter’s related stories, and departs from traditional rigid storytelling structure, but whether it is truly a satisfying standalone rather than a book that can only be fully enjoyed after reading all related work, might vary from reader to reader.
I loved how this book explores transhumanism. Shotter asks the question how far can humans evolve through technology before they are no longer human? Technology saves the main characters' lives, but leaves them forever altered afterwards. It begs the question, how different are these heroes from the aliens they are fighting?
As with all of Shotter's work, I enjoy the representation of multiple plus sized characters who are allowed to be more than a stereotype. Many of the main characters of this book are heavy-set, and yet are allowed to be fashionable, find love without having to change their appearance, and also be action heroes with superhuman strength without losing their defining physique.
This is either the best introduction to Michael Shotter’s work or the worst, with a cast of characters finally brought together from all his other books, and a plot that weaves in and out of his other storylines. It’s comprehensible to someone who’s new to his work but at times leaves the reader unsatisfied as plotlines come to a conclusion in a different novel. On one hand it whets the appetite for Shotter’s related stories, and departs from traditional rigid storytelling structure, but whether it is truly a satisfying standalone rather than a book that can only be fully enjoyed after reading all related work, might vary from reader to reader.
April 23, 2023
Whether you're a first-time reader of the series or a long-time aficionado of the author, you'll find something to love here. The action is fast-paced, the characters are vivid and relatable, and the plot is... oh right. This should be a spoiler-free review. OK, well, the plot is... plotting. Yeah, let's go with that. Anyway, whether you're looking for a fun sci-fi ride or to see a denouement of what's been happening with characters you've seen previously, this is a wild ride for you. Why are you still reading this review? Pick up the book already!
July 7, 2023
Blown away by the ending!
As a massive fan of Shotter’s novel 309, I couldn’t wait to read 500, and IT DID NOT disappoint! He maintains the fast paced thought provoking style his fans have come to know. This novel crosses genres containing elements of action, sci-fi, horror and more, with characters you quickly become invested in. His descriptions are so spot on you can perfectly visualize the action sequences and complex concepts taking place.
While this adventure could be stand alone, fans of his prior works will absolutely love seeing all of the connections that have been building in this literary universe pay off.
I would definitely recommend that those who choose this as their first read check out his other novels too once they finish, so they can enjoy making those connections in their own way as well.
Not wanting to reveal any plot, I will finish by saying that as a fan of sci-fi adventure, I found 500 to be fantastic read that had me reflecting on it for days after I finished.
December 31, 2023
I just finished 500 by Michael Shotter, the next novel in the Big Men continuum. Wow, I just want to give the author a lot of credit for writing science fiction stories so well and so enjoyably! This novel follows the storyline of 309, another incredibly enjoyable book. It took me only a few sittings to read it because it's hard to put down! Highly recommend this story but please read 309 first, because this incredible story really starts there, you absolutely won't regret it!
July 7, 2023
The author has truly mastered the craft of writing a large and complex enough universe that he can create a sequel that can stand on its own. An absolute thrill ride all the way from the fast paced beginning to the satisfying end. A must read for new readers and previous readers alike with characters to fall in love with and a deeper dive into the world of the 309 and 500.
September 1, 2023
Virtual Reality and shoes?
The book is a okay read but not something I'd choose again. It poses some interesting questions, then fails to fully explore them. Just average.
The book is a okay read but not something I'd choose again. It poses some interesting questions, then fails to fully explore them. Just average.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews