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Mindgames: Fool's Mate
Jason Carroll, an ex SAS soldier and contract killer is convinced he will die in action. It is thus embarrassing when he is run over by a bus. It is even more embarrassing when he, and atheist, realises there is an afterlife…
Resurrected on a huge flat plain, he is forced to play a deadly game. Moved as a pawn to the whim of the Gods in a fight to the death with warriors from all ages of earth’s history. Killed again and again only to be resurrected.
The General, the Grim Reaper and Anubis are some of the strange beings who direct this grisly entertainment. Is it real or only in his decaying mind. Who is the Clown? It there anywhere to escape to?
To retain his sanity, he must believe there is an end; an escape; a purpose. A thought-provoking story leading to an action filled climax that challenges our accepted beliefs…
Resurrected on a huge flat plain, he is forced to play a deadly game. Moved as a pawn to the whim of the Gods in a fight to the death with warriors from all ages of earth’s history. Killed again and again only to be resurrected.
The General, the Grim Reaper and Anubis are some of the strange beings who direct this grisly entertainment. Is it real or only in his decaying mind. Who is the Clown? It there anywhere to escape to?
To retain his sanity, he must believe there is an end; an escape; a purpose. A thought-provoking story leading to an action filled climax that challenges our accepted beliefs…
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2013
29 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Neal Asher
141 books3,065 followersI’ve been an engineer, barman, skip lorry driver, coalman, boat window manufacturer, contract grass cutter and builder. Now I write science fiction books, and am slowly getting over the feeling that someone is going to find me out, and can call myself a writer without wincing and ducking my head. As professions go, I prefer this one: I don’t have to clock-in, change my clothes after work, nor scrub sensitive parts of my body with detergent. I think I’ll hang around.
Source: http://www.blogger.com/profile/139339...
Source: http://www.blogger.com/profile/139339...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 26, 2023
MFM
Imagine, if you can, a melding of Stephen King’s It, The Matrix, and Ready Player One. The result is this novella. Easily read in one sitting, and quite entertaining. While it’s a bit heavy on the stereotypes, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Imagine, if you can, a melding of Stephen King’s It, The Matrix, and Ready Player One. The result is this novella. Easily read in one sitting, and quite entertaining. While it’s a bit heavy on the stereotypes, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
February 2, 2019
A novella written by Asher in 1992 and it shows how much he's grown since then. Somewhat of a mish mosh.
January 22, 2025
Very early Asher, but still unmistakably Asher. Decent short story with a beginning, middle and end, and lots of action. What more is required in a short novelette (or whatever they call these things these days).
Quite a few typos and errors in this edition which the author acknowledges but nothing that really detracts from the narrative. I think I read somewhere it was self published in the format he had on his old drive storage as the original book had gone out of print and he just put it out there as there was a demand for it, and was charging next to nothing for it, so kudos to Neal for that.
Quite a few typos and errors in this edition which the author acknowledges but nothing that really detracts from the narrative. I think I read somewhere it was self published in the format he had on his old drive storage as the original book had gone out of print and he just put it out there as there was a demand for it, and was charging next to nothing for it, so kudos to Neal for that.
August 2, 2021
Excellent Story
I had read this story several years ago but was reminded about it by a post on Neal Asher’s blog. What a great imagination Mr. Asher has! Not only does he have his imagination he is an excellent storyteller too. I have read sci-fi for 60 years and can honestly say he is one of the greats. I have never been disappointed in any of his books, novellas, short stories, etc., and he is prolific. And: He doesn’t preach. He just tells stories with the best characters ever.
I had read this story several years ago but was reminded about it by a post on Neal Asher’s blog. What a great imagination Mr. Asher has! Not only does he have his imagination he is an excellent storyteller too. I have read sci-fi for 60 years and can honestly say he is one of the greats. I have never been disappointed in any of his books, novellas, short stories, etc., and he is prolific. And: He doesn’t preach. He just tells stories with the best characters ever.
January 18, 2020
Big stuff happening in short order
The story takes on end game events in a -holographic universe where 'Owner' like omniscience meets bad AI-. With the earth and humanity in the balance. Great short read.
The story takes on end game events in a -holographic universe where 'Owner' like omniscience meets bad AI-. With the earth and humanity in the balance. Great short read.
March 7, 2021
Enjoyable read…
Another thoroughly enjoyable novella that ranges from deicide by warriors through to a creation story - and it all hangs together really well.
Another thoroughly enjoyable novella that ranges from deicide by warriors through to a creation story - and it all hangs together really well.
June 8, 2022
Shows it’s age a little but still very good!
November 1, 2021
Classic Asher!
February 28, 2013
nice novelette By Neil Asher,
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews