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Atopia Chronicles #2
Childplay
The Water Wars have left Commander Rick Strong beaten but not broken, and an invitation to head the defense forces on the new Atopian colony is an opportunity to start over again and renew his relationship with his estranged wife. As the world comes back into focus for the Commander, it seems the perfect time to start a family of his own, but on Atopia, starting a family isn't what it used to be, and time suddenly seems to be running out as dangerous forces threaten to consume Atopia itself.
All of the Atopia stories begin at the same moment in time so that you can start by reading any of them, and then read the others in any order you choose to slowly reveal the mystery and terrifying danger that connects them all. Atopia is a near future world without borders that balances on the brink of post-humanism and eco-Armageddon.
All of the Atopia stories begin at the same moment in time so that you can start by reading any of them, and then read the others in any order you choose to slowly reveal the mystery and terrifying danger that connects them all. Atopia is a near future world without borders that balances on the brink of post-humanism and eco-Armageddon.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2012
About the author
Matthew Mather
43 books1,822 followersMatthew is the million-copy bestselling author of CyberStorm and Darknet, and the hit series Nomad and Atopia Chronicles. He started out his career working at the McGill Center for Intelligent Machines, going on to become one of the world's leading members of the cybersecurity community. In between he's worked in a variety of start-ups,everything from computational nanotechnology to electronic health records to weather prediction systems. He spends his time between Montreal and Charlotte, NC.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 5, 2015
As I just finished the second short story, I can say that I do not feel the stories tied together just yet, but I do find the story of the world interesting. This one we were able to see the lives of Atopia.
Struggling couple decided to get "sim" children... in other words enter a simulation of what it would like to have kids before physically having children. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where that is going to end.
That all being said I am enjoying the story because Mather is doing a great job of writing the threats when we mess with technology that we probably shouldn't be messing with.
Time to start and listen to book 3, of this crazy messed up world.
Struggling couple decided to get "sim" children... in other words enter a simulation of what it would like to have kids before physically having children. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where that is going to end.
That all being said I am enjoying the story because Mather is doing a great job of writing the threats when we mess with technology that we probably shouldn't be messing with.
Time to start and listen to book 3, of this crazy messed up world.
June 5, 2017
Childplay is part of the Atopia Chronicles # 2.
Commander Rick Strong leads the defense
forces on the new Atopian colony. He suffers
from PTSD while his wife, Cindy is depressed.
They decide to try having "sim" ( simulated )
children. But this is not cracked up like the
couple thought it would be. The children age
at an incredible rate.
A quick good sci-fi story within a story.
All these short stories begin simultaneously
then tie together in the end.
Commander Rick Strong leads the defense
forces on the new Atopian colony. He suffers
from PTSD while his wife, Cindy is depressed.
They decide to try having "sim" ( simulated )
children. But this is not cracked up like the
couple thought it would be. The children age
at an incredible rate.
A quick good sci-fi story within a story.
All these short stories begin simultaneously
then tie together in the end.
July 7, 2018
OMG. This is mind-boggling!
November 15, 2015
Fans of the series Firefly who bemoan its very short run may find that Commander Rick Strong reminds them a little of Mal, the captain of Serenity. He has a similar sense of humour along with his compassion and dedication, and the comparisons don't end there. But Childplay is a heartbreaking tale of a man struggling to save his marriage, and a woman who is unraveling before his eyes, despite all efforts to pull her out of her own darkness. Mix it all up in the dystopian society, and you have a story that is thoroughly entertaining and engaging, and one that will make you hungry for more Matthew Mather.
December 19, 2012
I'm seeing now how these stories will gently overlap each other, and I think it's pretty clever. There are just subtle hints of the previous story mentioned in the next - not enough to directly link them, but enough to keep them all in mind. I like it.
This particular story is just sad to me on so many levels. A failed marriage, a stressful job, threat to a society, fake children, depressed wife. This story foreshadows a collapse I think...I'm just not sure of what yet.
Definitely interested to continue reading this series. It will be interesting to see how the characters are linked and how the story progresses.
This particular story is just sad to me on so many levels. A failed marriage, a stressful job, threat to a society, fake children, depressed wife. This story foreshadows a collapse I think...I'm just not sure of what yet.
Definitely interested to continue reading this series. It will be interesting to see how the characters are linked and how the story progresses.
July 24, 2013
I love science fiction and can read anything you place in front of me as long as it has a spaceship on the cover. But this is a really good story based on an enviably spooky idea. To have virtual "children" to see if you're ready to have real ones, how tragic is that? My heart went out for both, Cindy and Rick, as I could see Rick's predicament, on one side, and Cindy's emotional sufferings, on the other. I felt sorry for both and really wanted them to be happy... my hat's off to the author for digging so deep into human nature. A seriously good book set in a dazzlingly futuristic environment (my favorite!).
Alex
Alex
July 27, 2012
Enjoying this series very much. Very well written. Great characters. I am loving this format ... how all the stories tie together ... building on each other to give you a fuller picture of what is happening. Looking forward to reading the next.
October 6, 2013
A very interesting concept. I enjoyed this one a little more than the first. Has a bit more polish. It is hard to understand why the story of Atopia was intertwined with this story in the way it was but i guess it is part of the larger story.
August 30, 2012
An unreadable puddle of cliches.
October 24, 2012
Yes, a lot of cliches, but I still liked the freaky virtual children.
January 11, 2013
I like the idea of having different books covering people at simultaneous times, especially since they are only novellas. I'm curious on how they all tie together.
January 18, 2013
Interesting and unusual. Virtual children kind of creepy. Will probably read the others in the series.
January 28, 2013
Sort of predictable conclusion with a weak ending. I hopeful the next entry in the series will be better.
February 17, 2013
Failed completely to engage. It might work as part of a series, but as a stand-alone series it was just dull.
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August 27, 2014Another good one! Different storyline from the first but I could see the underlying plot. Another great ending!
August 21, 2015
Pretty good. I like these books. I don't love them but I like them well enough to continue reading the series.
July 12, 2016
Strange and interesting, but it did not make me want to read more of this series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews