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Speculum
PLEASE LINK TO ITS NEW EDITION, RE-TITLED "MINDFALL" by Darryl Sollerh
To save his wife's life, a man enters MindFall, a top secret, revolutionary virtual reality program created by his wife so advanced, so life-like, that once he enters it, he can no longer tell he's in MindFall, or back in the real world. Yet he soon finds himself hunted by Black Ops government agents and deadly terrorists, all hellbent on controlling MindFall, hurdling him into a mind-bending gauntlet as he races against time to discover its secret and save his wife.
To save his wife's life, a man enters MindFall, a top secret, revolutionary virtual reality program created by his wife so advanced, so life-like, that once he enters it, he can no longer tell he's in MindFall, or back in the real world. Yet he soon finds himself hunted by Black Ops government agents and deadly terrorists, all hellbent on controlling MindFall, hurdling him into a mind-bending gauntlet as he races against time to discover its secret and save his wife.
- GenresScience Fiction
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2013
885 people want to read
About the author
Darryl Sollerh
12 books15 followersRaised in Los Angeles, Darryl Sollerh grew up with a deep appreciation for its diverse communities and cultures. He is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, and his most recent works include "SHaDOW GAME", FIRST PLACE WINNER, Reader Views Literary Awards as well as a CHOICE AWARD winner, Rebecca's Reads, and a First Horizon Award Finalist (Hoffer Awards), and Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist. His "COWBOY AND INDIAN" is a SILVER MEDAL BOOK AWARD winner, Readers' Favorite Awards, and his "ALIBIS OF THE HEART" was also a Finalist. His other FIVE STARS novellas, include "TRANCER", "MINDFALL" and "EDDY FALLS", "Recommended" by The US Review of Books. All are available in Print (on Lulu.Com & Amazon), and on Kindle. For more, visit him at: http://www.DarrylSollerh.com/
A recent article about him appeared in the Santa Monica Mirror at: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News...
A recent article about him appeared in the Santa Monica Mirror at: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 9, 2013
Just received my copy of Speculum as a First Reads winner. There's a nice inscription in the book from the author. A very sweet card was included from the author also, congratulating me on winning. Very nice touch!
Added to Review after reading: This is a good fast-paced story that holds you until the end. Lots of twists and turns that leave you guessing the whole time trying to figure it out. It has a great, unexpected ending also. I was not expecting this, but I read the book in one sitting because I wanted to keep going and see what happened next.
I gave this book four stars instead of 5 for two reasons: 1. It's not really a novel, but a short story and it would've been really great if it had more storyline added to it to make it a full-blown novel. 2. The book, unfortunately, needs a lot of editing. Most pages have missing words, typos or wrong tense. Normally, I'm not picky about a lack of editing, but when the errors are numerous enough that it's distracting, it feels like a rushed story. (June 11, 2013, Edited to add: I've heard from the Author and he let me know the book has been re-edited and many mistakes have been fixed.)
Overall, this is a good read and I recommend it. It can be read in a few hours or less and would be excellent for a few quiet hours, a plane ride or a soak in the hot tub. Thumbs up to Speculum!
Added to Review after reading: This is a good fast-paced story that holds you until the end. Lots of twists and turns that leave you guessing the whole time trying to figure it out. It has a great, unexpected ending also. I was not expecting this, but I read the book in one sitting because I wanted to keep going and see what happened next.
I gave this book four stars instead of 5 for two reasons: 1. It's not really a novel, but a short story and it would've been really great if it had more storyline added to it to make it a full-blown novel. 2. The book, unfortunately, needs a lot of editing. Most pages have missing words, typos or wrong tense. Normally, I'm not picky about a lack of editing, but when the errors are numerous enough that it's distracting, it feels like a rushed story. (June 11, 2013, Edited to add: I've heard from the Author and he let me know the book has been re-edited and many mistakes have been fixed.)
Overall, this is a good read and I recommend it. It can be read in a few hours or less and would be excellent for a few quiet hours, a plane ride or a soak in the hot tub. Thumbs up to Speculum!
November 2, 2013
"A whirlwind of a tale!" READERS' FAVORITE REVIEWS
"A marvelous concept and beautifully handled." READER VIEWS
"What an amazing journey, with twists and turns and a remarkable ending. It is as much a fast-paced, harrowing adventure as it is a story about the truth of what it means to be human and mortal. It really got to me." GOODREADS REVIEWS
"A marvelous concept and beautifully handled." READER VIEWS
"What an amazing journey, with twists and turns and a remarkable ending. It is as much a fast-paced, harrowing adventure as it is a story about the truth of what it means to be human and mortal. It really got to me." GOODREADS REVIEWS
July 15, 2013
I received this book from the author as part of the First Reads program here on Goodreads.
I must say the book left me confused. I had a hard time following where/when Graham was. I'm not really even sure I understood what the book was really about. I plan to reread this at another time..maybe I just wasn't in "the mood" for this type of book?
I must say the book left me confused. I had a hard time following where/when Graham was. I'm not really even sure I understood what the book was really about. I plan to reread this at another time..maybe I just wasn't in "the mood" for this type of book?
May 25, 2013
"A marvelous concept and beautifully handled."
READER VIEWS
"A whirlwind of a tale."
READERS' FAVORITE REVIEWS
READER VIEWS
"A whirlwind of a tale."
READERS' FAVORITE REVIEWS
September 1, 2013
What would you do if your world was turned upside down, and forced to question everything around you? That just might happen if you enter Speculum, the most advanced Virtual Reality program this side of Christopher Nolan's Inception.
Speculum, while short in length, is a worthwhile read for anybody who loves a fast-paced, action packed read. It is, in fact, so action packed that one may feel as if they have been yanked around by a literary tornado, struggling to keep up with all the plot twists, and powerless to know what will happen until things the action briefly dissipates.
As a first reads winner, not only did I receive an advance copy of the book, but also a personalized, handwritten note from the author himself! While this is the first time the author has gone the extra mile for me, I may be slightly inclined toward a biased review, but the Sysmins of Speculum shall never forgive me unless I remain objective!
Obviously, giving a book 4 stars means I really like a book (and I did). There were still a few typos in the book, but seeing as this review is for an advanced version, am sure they will polish it out before it hits the public. The major aspect of Speculum I didn't particularly like was the length. It will probably be devoured by most readers in 3 hours or less, and will leave some (such as myself) wanting more explanation. That being said, I wish Speculum would have been a little longer.
Speculum, while short in length, is a worthwhile read for anybody who loves a fast-paced, action packed read. It is, in fact, so action packed that one may feel as if they have been yanked around by a literary tornado, struggling to keep up with all the plot twists, and powerless to know what will happen until things the action briefly dissipates.
As a first reads winner, not only did I receive an advance copy of the book, but also a personalized, handwritten note from the author himself! While this is the first time the author has gone the extra mile for me, I may be slightly inclined toward a biased review, but the Sysmins of Speculum shall never forgive me unless I remain objective!
Obviously, giving a book 4 stars means I really like a book (and I did). There were still a few typos in the book, but seeing as this review is for an advanced version, am sure they will polish it out before it hits the public. The major aspect of Speculum I didn't particularly like was the length. It will probably be devoured by most readers in 3 hours or less, and will leave some (such as myself) wanting more explanation. That being said, I wish Speculum would have been a little longer.
July 27, 2013
I don't usually write a review coz' I really sucks in english :( ..... -_- ....
but this one ....is something I really like ...
*** "Speculum" is one of those book that has a unique concept.. .. (for me) ...
kinda different plot...
*** It was one of the stories that keeps me trying to think and figure it out...
A fast-paced .... lot of twist and turns ... I didn't even expect the ending...
*** and it was one of those stories that feels like I was there.. ...
a part of the story....having an amazing journey...
feel what Graham Lewis felt.. ..wondering if I was still in "speculum" or I was
already in the "real world".....
(I admit... I was imagining that I was one of the characters while reading it :-p :"> )
A story that really got to me...
just like they said, it was a roller-coaster ride....
I wish it was longer though...
but overall...
I really loved the story....
and hoping to enter "Speculum" AGAIN ;) :-p ....
September 11, 2013
This book's intense and fascinating. I takes you on a mind journey along with its protagonist Graham that makes you feel his like you're in his shoes, trying to put together the clues of an ever-changing landscape even as you race against time. What a great concept and sensational read. But even as it spins its magic, it has a point and an amazing discovery. This on is an ace!
September 13, 2013
What an amazing journey, with twists and turns and a remarkable ending. It is as much a fast-paced, harrowing adventure as it is a story about the truth of what it means to be human and mortal. It really got to me.
June 17, 2013
Great. Started reading to check it out, and never stopped until I read to the end.
Only wish was there was a sequel. A compelling story, pitch-perfect characters and wild twists and turns with an amazing ending. Loved it.
Only wish was there was a sequel. A compelling story, pitch-perfect characters and wild twists and turns with an amazing ending. Loved it.
September 3, 2013
I heard about this from a friend, but still didn't know what to expect. I'm glad I didn't because it was sensational, and it saved its best secrets for last. It had me guessing the whole way, and I felt like I was in Graham's shoes. I highly recommend it!
April 23, 2013
Riveting....fast paced....a perfect read!
April 23, 2013
Gripping...pitch perfect roller-coaster ride. Read it....you will love it!
April 23, 2013
Lean and taut, with moments of sheer poetry. Loved the story and the writing. It made me think....Spellbinding!
February 5, 2014
Oh wow! That was a wild ride! I really felt frustrated along with Graham Lewis on how things happened. This was a very cool book.
August 12, 2013
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
What a ride. I am still thinking about a week later.
What a ride. I am still thinking about a week later.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews