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The Cybarium Chronicles #1
Steel Wind Rising
In a ruined and desolate land, a young woman awakes, with no memory of her past. As she struggles to survive the dystopian nightmare, she is drawn ever further into the intensifying discord between the fascist City States and the anarchic Outlands, and a conspiracy that threatens to change the face of the continent.
- GenresDystopia
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2013
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Scott Gray Meintjes
2 books11 followersScott Meintjes (1980 - ) was born in Durban, South Africa, where he grew up and lived until the age of 25. During this time, he attained his Master's degree in Psychology and met his wife, Eleanor. In 2006, he moved to England to serve in the British Army.
Today he lives in the University city of Cambridge, with his wife and daughter. Scott has been an enthusiastic reader of fantasy and science fiction since childhood, and started writing to create a story that he would enjoy reading.
His aim is to write sci-fi that is as appealing to newcomers to the genre as it is to long-time fans.
Today he lives in the University city of Cambridge, with his wife and daughter. Scott has been an enthusiastic reader of fantasy and science fiction since childhood, and started writing to create a story that he would enjoy reading.
His aim is to write sci-fi that is as appealing to newcomers to the genre as it is to long-time fans.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 9, 2014
What a thrilling debut novel by Scott Meintjes, a South African author!
A woman wakes up not knowing who she is, where she is or how she got there. She wears an engagement band with the name Cybil inscribed in it. Does this mean she has someone waiting for her at home, wherever home is? She is rescued by a band of criminal misfits who take her in and try and help her navigate the desolate and dangerous Outlands. Isaac and his friends are smugglers of a different kind and they have their own dangerous mission. Will Cybil stay with them or take her own journey to discover who she is?
There is another storyline that for some reason intrigued me more than the main plot, and I wish there was more! This story is about Rob and Lucy and how they find something in each other that they never thought possible.
I really enjoyed Cybil as a main character, she was strong and brave and at times kick-ass. Andrew was probably my favorite character though – I found him funny and very intriguing (you will have to read why)! Then there is the band of misfits, all so different, unique and totally bad ass, especially when they fight the dangerous creatures that reside in the Outlands. The group dynamic between these men is very interesting, especially when you throw in a young headstrong woman into the mix.
The futuristic world is very well constructed and I had no problem believing the setting or the cool futuristic gadgets and machinery. The way the world was divided into these city states, with the “undesirables” outside, also made sense and I can imagine such a scenario happening.
The plot was really great and surprising, with a good pace that kept the story flowing. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel and I recommend this book to any dystopian sci-fi lover.
A woman wakes up not knowing who she is, where she is or how she got there. She wears an engagement band with the name Cybil inscribed in it. Does this mean she has someone waiting for her at home, wherever home is? She is rescued by a band of criminal misfits who take her in and try and help her navigate the desolate and dangerous Outlands. Isaac and his friends are smugglers of a different kind and they have their own dangerous mission. Will Cybil stay with them or take her own journey to discover who she is?
There is another storyline that for some reason intrigued me more than the main plot, and I wish there was more! This story is about Rob and Lucy and how they find something in each other that they never thought possible.
I really enjoyed Cybil as a main character, she was strong and brave and at times kick-ass. Andrew was probably my favorite character though – I found him funny and very intriguing (you will have to read why)! Then there is the band of misfits, all so different, unique and totally bad ass, especially when they fight the dangerous creatures that reside in the Outlands. The group dynamic between these men is very interesting, especially when you throw in a young headstrong woman into the mix.
The futuristic world is very well constructed and I had no problem believing the setting or the cool futuristic gadgets and machinery. The way the world was divided into these city states, with the “undesirables” outside, also made sense and I can imagine such a scenario happening.
The plot was really great and surprising, with a good pace that kept the story flowing. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel and I recommend this book to any dystopian sci-fi lover.
November 6, 2013
A rather thought provoking journey through a mostly dry, barren and yet oddly wonderful dystopian world.
As someone who has barely dipped her toes into the SciFi genre, I don’t have much with which to compare,however, as a huge fantasy fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the World Scott Meintjies created!
The world building is well done, and effortlessly visualized, and the characters easy to relate to, while also being intriguing enough to keep the reader interested, without getting bogged down with unnecessary details.
I suppose the fact that my favourite character was Andrew speaks volumes. :P
And I really do hope that we get more about/from his POV in future.
7/10
As someone who has barely dipped her toes into the SciFi genre, I don’t have much with which to compare,however, as a huge fantasy fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the World Scott Meintjies created!
The world building is well done, and effortlessly visualized, and the characters easy to relate to, while also being intriguing enough to keep the reader interested, without getting bogged down with unnecessary details.
I suppose the fact that my favourite character was Andrew speaks volumes. :P
And I really do hope that we get more about/from his POV in future.
7/10
November 27, 2018
Not for me at all. Unnecessary graphic violence ruined the story.
April 8, 2014
This story starts with a several great opening scenes and barely stops to pause for breath. When it does, it's short and sweet with some scenes that at first don't seem to make sense in the context of the wider story. But they tug at your curiosity and Meintjes weaves it all together with a deft hand at the end.
I'll be honest, I saw the twists coming. If you've read a fair amount then there are only so many options available, but it's all done well. It did seem a bit rushed towards the end, but it matched the pace of the action.
A very impressive first book. Really looking forward to a sequel.
I'll be honest, I saw the twists coming. If you've read a fair amount then there are only so many options available, but it's all done well. It did seem a bit rushed towards the end, but it matched the pace of the action.
A very impressive first book. Really looking forward to a sequel.
October 28, 2013
The age old questions about robots are addressed in this book. Are the correct answers provided? That is for the reader to decide. It is safe to say that "an" answer is provided and tied into the human way of approaching conflicts.
December 3, 2013
I couldn't remember what made me download this book to the Kindle. To say it was a bit strange is to understate the obvious. While it was readable and somewhat enjoyable, it was also easy to lay down for long periods of time.
October 28, 2013
Dropped into an unknown world with no knowledge of who, what or where you are -- it's fun to claw your way out of this story to find out what's really going on. Seriously fun.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews