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LYCCYX Episode 1: The Declaration
The year is 2065. Earth is overpopulated and our resources, spent.
Our last hope is to colonize the moon. Called the Haven Project - an experiment designed to transform the lunar grit into a rich oasis.
Unfortunately, in our haste to create a new world we created our worst enemy - LYCCYX.
Join Captain Luke Xander on the adventure of a lifetime as he attempts to bring the cure to the infected who now believe themselves to be the next evolution of mankind.
Our last hope is to colonize the moon. Called the Haven Project - an experiment designed to transform the lunar grit into a rich oasis.
Unfortunately, in our haste to create a new world we created our worst enemy - LYCCYX.
Join Captain Luke Xander on the adventure of a lifetime as he attempts to bring the cure to the infected who now believe themselves to be the next evolution of mankind.
74 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2012
4 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Brian J. Barber
3 books18 followersBrian Barber likes to write code and tell stories that thrill. He is the author of the top-selling LYCCYX series and the critically acclaimed short story "A Stormy Night", both now available in eBook and audiobook formats.
Brian enjoys adventure and a good cup of coffee, usually at the same time.
Brian enjoys adventure and a good cup of coffee, usually at the same time.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 16, 2014
The actual story (without the excerpt for the next in instalment) was only 48 pages. Because of the brevity, it suffers from the usual first instalment issues of the background plot being an awful lot to fit into such a short space. Barber chooses to frame much of the exposition in news report-like flashbacks and letters home from the main character, Captain Lucas Xander. For this sort of story, the using flashes in time is clever on the part of the author as it manufactures a bond with the character.
Despite the brevity of the text, Lucas Xander is a fully realized character. He's a bit idealistic, a bit confused, a bit in love, a bit longing for home. Xander was injured playing sports in college and the military will fix his injury in exchange for his enlistment. The reader gets the impression that this is something Xander enjoys and something he feels is bigger than him. With so much potential it's a downright shame that the transition from conflict is darkness. I won't elaborate further because I don't want to spoil the story for readers because despite these minor issues, this is a story well worth reading.
The bad guy has incredible potential. He's Xander's best friend and second in command before the explosion and considers himself leader of the Hyans. He's ruthless and violent and torturing his own people in a bid to make them better. This character will be the highlight of future instalments.
The Collectors Edition features illustrations and an excerpt of the next instalment. I can't say the illustrations added much but the excerpt was a nice taste of what's to come and why I will certainly buy the next novel when it's released.
Despite the brevity of the text, Lucas Xander is a fully realized character. He's a bit idealistic, a bit confused, a bit in love, a bit longing for home. Xander was injured playing sports in college and the military will fix his injury in exchange for his enlistment. The reader gets the impression that this is something Xander enjoys and something he feels is bigger than him. With so much potential it's a downright shame that the transition from conflict is darkness. I won't elaborate further because I don't want to spoil the story for readers because despite these minor issues, this is a story well worth reading.
The bad guy has incredible potential. He's Xander's best friend and second in command before the explosion and considers himself leader of the Hyans. He's ruthless and violent and torturing his own people in a bid to make them better. This character will be the highlight of future instalments.
The Collectors Edition features illustrations and an excerpt of the next instalment. I can't say the illustrations added much but the excerpt was a nice taste of what's to come and why I will certainly buy the next novel when it's released.
June 27, 2015
This book has an interesting and different plot that I haven't come across before, and I always love a new story idea. I really liked the idea of the virus LYCCYX and what it does to those that are infected. At first I thought it would be too hard to follow with all the acronyms, but I turned out to be wrong. It gives us an interesting take on the future and what could happen if we ran out of resources.
I recommend this book to those of you that are a reader that likes a quick book, especially if you are into sci-fi dystopian type stories. This was good for a short story and for those looking for a quick read. I think you will enjoy it even more if you are in the military or like those kinds of books.
I liked the different ways the story was told, through letters, and like a journal that the main character is keeping. I'm always open to new writing styles and I enjoyed the way Barber wrote this story.
As for the character development, there really wasn't any, except for the main character. Kate is just randomly mentioned, I think she should have been worked into the plot a little more. I guess I was just hoping for more. I wanted more descriptions of the planet and station and everything else. I know it is a shorter story and meant to move quickly, but at times I felt like it moved a little too quickly, not enough time passed before things started to get crazy. It was still a good short story, but I stand by my opinion that I think there should have been more character development and descriptions.
The writing isn't always the best, but it's still good. No one can be perfect. At times I really loved what I read, there were some really well written sentences that caught my attention, and other times I thought that it could use slight a tune up.
In the end I think that if you treat this as a short story you will enjoy it. Treat it as a novel and you will probably be disappointed. Just wanted to give you a heads up. I am more of a novel type person than a novella type person, the main reason I gave it three stars.
I know I only gave it three stars, but like I said, if you are looking for a short story, check this one out.
*I received this book for free for review, it in no way impacted my honest review, and I received no compensation.
I recommend this book to those of you that are a reader that likes a quick book, especially if you are into sci-fi dystopian type stories. This was good for a short story and for those looking for a quick read. I think you will enjoy it even more if you are in the military or like those kinds of books.
I liked the different ways the story was told, through letters, and like a journal that the main character is keeping. I'm always open to new writing styles and I enjoyed the way Barber wrote this story.
As for the character development, there really wasn't any, except for the main character. Kate is just randomly mentioned, I think she should have been worked into the plot a little more. I guess I was just hoping for more. I wanted more descriptions of the planet and station and everything else. I know it is a shorter story and meant to move quickly, but at times I felt like it moved a little too quickly, not enough time passed before things started to get crazy. It was still a good short story, but I stand by my opinion that I think there should have been more character development and descriptions.
The writing isn't always the best, but it's still good. No one can be perfect. At times I really loved what I read, there were some really well written sentences that caught my attention, and other times I thought that it could use slight a tune up.
In the end I think that if you treat this as a short story you will enjoy it. Treat it as a novel and you will probably be disappointed. Just wanted to give you a heads up. I am more of a novel type person than a novella type person, the main reason I gave it three stars.
I know I only gave it three stars, but like I said, if you are looking for a short story, check this one out.
*I received this book for free for review, it in no way impacted my honest review, and I received no compensation.
February 21, 2013
"LYCCYX" is set in the future when Earth's energy and resources are becoming rapidly depleted because of the rise in population.
So, colonization on the Moon or Mars might be the way out of the problems. Mining Asteroids also can answer the call for raw materials
Luke Xander is a young man eager to strike out on his own. Becoming a kick-ass, take names, military man, Luke goes on distant missions always thinking about his girl at home, Kate.
Something like an H-Bomb goes off and all hell breaks lose with an altering DNA which will transform humans into monsters. Some of those even being his friends and comrades... who know all of Luke's tricks in the books.
There is a cure... but will it be welcomed?
Will Luke have to battle the devil in his friends to control the epidemic?
Will Luke survive the assault?
My Thoughts:
"LYCCYX" by Brian Barber is an awesome book which kept me hitting my arrow key on my Kindle.
What a ride folks! The book is a great and clean read. It had action and adventure in it.
Certainly the Sci-Fi was present but a lot of the Paranormal aspects were there too.
"LYCCYX" is a technical read, and I was fascinated at the exact and military language the author used. Mr. Barber has analytically thought out each piece of the puzzle.
Also the pictures were excellent too. As far as my black and white Kindle goes, they came out pretty detailed and well structured.
I would imagine that Young Adults would love this book as well as us Baby Boomers. "LYCCYX" will not disappoint. I hope you will dive in!
For this and so much more, I give "LYCCYX" Episode 1, Collector's Edition 5 Stars!
So, colonization on the Moon or Mars might be the way out of the problems. Mining Asteroids also can answer the call for raw materials
Luke Xander is a young man eager to strike out on his own. Becoming a kick-ass, take names, military man, Luke goes on distant missions always thinking about his girl at home, Kate.
Something like an H-Bomb goes off and all hell breaks lose with an altering DNA which will transform humans into monsters. Some of those even being his friends and comrades... who know all of Luke's tricks in the books.
There is a cure... but will it be welcomed?
Will Luke have to battle the devil in his friends to control the epidemic?
Will Luke survive the assault?
My Thoughts:
"LYCCYX" by Brian Barber is an awesome book which kept me hitting my arrow key on my Kindle.
What a ride folks! The book is a great and clean read. It had action and adventure in it.
Certainly the Sci-Fi was present but a lot of the Paranormal aspects were there too.
"LYCCYX" is a technical read, and I was fascinated at the exact and military language the author used. Mr. Barber has analytically thought out each piece of the puzzle.
Also the pictures were excellent too. As far as my black and white Kindle goes, they came out pretty detailed and well structured.
I would imagine that Young Adults would love this book as well as us Baby Boomers. "LYCCYX" will not disappoint. I hope you will dive in!
For this and so much more, I give "LYCCYX" Episode 1, Collector's Edition 5 Stars!
May 30, 2013
'LYCCYX Episode 1: The Declaration' by Brian Barber (Twitter handle @lyccyx) is an excellent sci-fi read!
The tag line was curious for me - "LYCCYX may be the next stage in human development or the cause for our extinction." While this is exactly what I look for in science fiction, would it be more of the same? Many sci-fi books have made similar promises. Genetic altering and overpopulation are not new topics that sci-fi has braved.
No fears, for LYCCYX Episode 1 is a well-written book with solid pacing and structure. It deals with these issues and themes in a style that is believable. I was not sure what I was in for when I downloaded this book to Kindle, but I was very happily surprised. It is rewarding to find sci-fi characters that are completely relatable, rather than mere constructs to advance the plot, although I would like to see more development as the plot advanced.
While I am curious to see where the series leads, this is definitely a good start, and I am looking forward to Episode 2!
The tag line was curious for me - "LYCCYX may be the next stage in human development or the cause for our extinction." While this is exactly what I look for in science fiction, would it be more of the same? Many sci-fi books have made similar promises. Genetic altering and overpopulation are not new topics that sci-fi has braved.
No fears, for LYCCYX Episode 1 is a well-written book with solid pacing and structure. It deals with these issues and themes in a style that is believable. I was not sure what I was in for when I downloaded this book to Kindle, but I was very happily surprised. It is rewarding to find sci-fi characters that are completely relatable, rather than mere constructs to advance the plot, although I would like to see more development as the plot advanced.
While I am curious to see where the series leads, this is definitely a good start, and I am looking forward to Episode 2!
July 31, 2013
Oh, my. I hardly know where to start. Stilted writing that reminds me somewhat of the Tom Swift series I read about 50 years ago. Character development almost non-existent. May be attractive to young readers. Hopefully, the author will get a good editor to help him develop his plot line. Noted a similarity to the Star Trek Genesis project with a werewolf sort of twist.
May 23, 2013
Didn't quite enjoy this story. I felt disconnected from the main character as his speech seemed elementary although he was educated and in a high position. Also how was it that he didn't get affected by the explosion but his best friend did but they all were together when it happened?
December 31, 2012
4.8 stars based on Amazon Kindle reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews