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Starzel: A Gripping Sci-Fi Adventure in War-torn Dystopian Worlds - An Alternative History Fantasy Novel Rife with Secrets, Self-Discovery, and Futuristic Science Fiction
In the sprawling expanse of the cosmos, Eulǝr, a Syagnoid holds a mundane but nevertheless sacred safeguarding the Universe Code for Humanity. When a tear in the fabric of existence reveals missing data from the human file, his world spirals into turmoil. Now, armed with determination and driven by impending doom, he undertakes a dangerous journey. His destination? The most perilous place of Planet Earth. In a world where alliances are forged and ideologies clash, Eulǝr must navigate a treacherous landscape, stripped of his advanced biomechanics and facing existential threats. His once-mundane task transforms into a race against time, where the stakes are nothing short of the annihilation of humanity itself. Can he restore the missing data and salvage the very essence of human existence before it is too late? "Starzel" weaves an enthralling tapestry of near-future science fiction, taking you through war-ravaged North American territories and a clash of ideologies that reshapes the course of history. Set against a backdrop of a gas planet's floating domed cities, Mark Bertrand's "Starzel" beckons to readers of speculative fiction and alternative history, reminiscent of the works of Philip K. Dick. This gripping fantasy book saga plumbs into uncharted territories, exploring the horrors of extremism and materialism while uncovering the profound meaning of human life. With a narrative that propels you through uncertainty, "Starzel" is an invitation to voyage into the unknown, where every decision shapes the destiny of not just one man, but the entire universe. The storyline threads around visionary fiction, intricately intertwining themes of political manipulation, feminism, the psychological impact of mass media, post-apocalyptic survival, and enigmatic secret societies subtly shaping the waking world, their influence is hidden from all but the most astute observers. "Starzel" is a testament to Mark Bertrand's ability to craft a compelling narrative that probes the depths of human potential and the power of choice. This futuristic adventure book for adults stands out with its thought-provoking themes of epigenetics and unity against suffering. Mark's storytelling prowess captures the essence of the speculative fiction genre, inviting readers into a journey that mirrors our own struggles and triumphs. Fans of dystopian books and space opera will find themselves immersed in a world that leaves an everlasting imprint. Join Eulǝr's race against time to save human history in "Starzel" — an engrossing sci-fi ride of intrigue and self-discovery!
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2023
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Mark Bertrand
17 books3 followersMark Bertrand is an acclaimed author known for his compelling works of science fiction and metaphysical exploration, including "The Dot," "Starzel," "Love Reincarnate," and "A Conscious Thing."
With a background in aerospace, neuroscience, and mathematics, Mark brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and philosophical insight to his writing. His experience and understanding of Buddhist principles and Zen teachings infuse his storytelling with a thought-provoking and introspective quality.
As a seasoned traveler and seeker of knowledge, Mark draws inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences, enriching his narratives with a global perspective. When he's not crafting captivating stories, Mark can be found enjoying the serene landscapes of southern Spain, reflecting on life's mysteries.
With his unconventional thinking and ability to challenge conventional norms, Mark's writing captivates readers, offering a fresh and immersive reading experience. He maintains open lines of communication with his readers and critics, fostering a strong commitment to his craft and staying at the forefront of his field.
Engage in his literary journey by visiting his website or social media platforms and discover a world of boundless imagination and philosophical exploration in Mark Bertrand's evocative works.
With a background in aerospace, neuroscience, and mathematics, Mark brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and philosophical insight to his writing. His experience and understanding of Buddhist principles and Zen teachings infuse his storytelling with a thought-provoking and introspective quality.
As a seasoned traveler and seeker of knowledge, Mark draws inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences, enriching his narratives with a global perspective. When he's not crafting captivating stories, Mark can be found enjoying the serene landscapes of southern Spain, reflecting on life's mysteries.
With his unconventional thinking and ability to challenge conventional norms, Mark's writing captivates readers, offering a fresh and immersive reading experience. He maintains open lines of communication with his readers and critics, fostering a strong commitment to his craft and staying at the forefront of his field.
Engage in his literary journey by visiting his website or social media platforms and discover a world of boundless imagination and philosophical exploration in Mark Bertrand's evocative works.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 5, 2023
Starzel is an interesting book to read and perhaps a tricky one to review. It is long, complex and deeply involved, with a narrative which navigates multiple layers. Mark Bertrand is an author of immense talent and ability, with a brain which, frankly, sent my own into something of a meltdown. It is difficult to follow, and if you miss the early overall premise, you may find yourself on somewhat of a back foot. To try to summarize it, in a nutshell, in a distant future, the protagonist is a genetically enhanced humanoid species, living on a colonized alternative planet. When a long-inherent virus has mutated such as to present an existential threat, it is up to EulƏr to teleport to planet Earth to recover a long-lost, ancient piece of code from the days of the virus’s creation, which may be the key to the survival of the species in the New World. But the Earth is a very different place centuries from now. Wars and ideologies have changed it beyond recognition, and he finds himself navigating a place where opinions are perhaps the most dangerous thing of all. I do hope I’ve got this short synopsis accurate, because I was pretty much reading Starzel with it in mind. It is extremely clever, and much of the book reads like source code itself; this is, in the main, sci-fi in its purest, geekiest form (and I mean that affectionately, with no offence). Bertrand is a smart, hard-working and intellectual writer.
However, beyond this, I found myself a little frustrated, and increasingly so as the book went on. My first issue was with the syntax. As mentioned, Bertrand writes immensely creative and intelligent prose, deep and detailed, and the book reads almost like academia at times. It features profoundly sourced fictional reference material, articulated with remarkable knowledge, and some genuinely stirring anecdotal legends. But – and this is a very big but – the sentence construction was riddled with tense discrepancy; it chopped and changed from past to present and back, relentlessly throughout, sometimes several times in a single sentence. I try not to focus too heavily on grammar in reviews, but this was so prevalent it was impossible to ignore, and it would not be untrue to say that it presented a huge distraction when reading. For a book a little short of 120,000 words, this unsurprisingly became laborious. Furthermore, it was such a defining feature of this work it is simply impossible for me not to mention it. A second big drawback for me, after several days of reading, was the appearance at the close of those dreaded words “To be continued”. I don’t think I’m spoiling the ending by letting you know about this, and indeed think you should know in advance, but to be honest this book is something of a self-contained opus or odyssey in its own right, so adding an open end was something of an unnecessity.
As the book progressed, it became less about the clever sci-fi and in fact a satire on American politics today, which I wasn’t keen on; I’m no fan of Donald Trump in any way or by any means, but this book became little more than an absurd anti-Trump/Nazi speculative allegory, the Republican right being entirely and wholly responsible for the brainwashing virus which causes centuries-long damage. The book descends now into little more than pure comedic rhetoric. Indeed, some of the fantasy projections this book creates about the future of the Trump family becomes pretty unpleasant, offensive and indeed very nasty; because of this, I suspect the book may appeal more to Trump haters than sci-fi lovers, it swerves that dramatically. It is a shame, because I believe the book would have been much better in its right, rather than catching that particular bandwagon, source material which seems to have spawned its own market for authors in recent years. Until this point, the sci-fi teetered on being literary fiction; by the end it is simply high-caricature mock-propaganda. Moreover, it starts to become clear that this is the book’s real objective. I recommend it to a point, but I think I was definitely far more impressed with the writer’s talent specifically. As for the book, the subject matter will either be up your street or it won’t, and this will definitely polarize your opinion, one way or the other.
However, beyond this, I found myself a little frustrated, and increasingly so as the book went on. My first issue was with the syntax. As mentioned, Bertrand writes immensely creative and intelligent prose, deep and detailed, and the book reads almost like academia at times. It features profoundly sourced fictional reference material, articulated with remarkable knowledge, and some genuinely stirring anecdotal legends. But – and this is a very big but – the sentence construction was riddled with tense discrepancy; it chopped and changed from past to present and back, relentlessly throughout, sometimes several times in a single sentence. I try not to focus too heavily on grammar in reviews, but this was so prevalent it was impossible to ignore, and it would not be untrue to say that it presented a huge distraction when reading. For a book a little short of 120,000 words, this unsurprisingly became laborious. Furthermore, it was such a defining feature of this work it is simply impossible for me not to mention it. A second big drawback for me, after several days of reading, was the appearance at the close of those dreaded words “To be continued”. I don’t think I’m spoiling the ending by letting you know about this, and indeed think you should know in advance, but to be honest this book is something of a self-contained opus or odyssey in its own right, so adding an open end was something of an unnecessity.
As the book progressed, it became less about the clever sci-fi and in fact a satire on American politics today, which I wasn’t keen on; I’m no fan of Donald Trump in any way or by any means, but this book became little more than an absurd anti-Trump/Nazi speculative allegory, the Republican right being entirely and wholly responsible for the brainwashing virus which causes centuries-long damage. The book descends now into little more than pure comedic rhetoric. Indeed, some of the fantasy projections this book creates about the future of the Trump family becomes pretty unpleasant, offensive and indeed very nasty; because of this, I suspect the book may appeal more to Trump haters than sci-fi lovers, it swerves that dramatically. It is a shame, because I believe the book would have been much better in its right, rather than catching that particular bandwagon, source material which seems to have spawned its own market for authors in recent years. Until this point, the sci-fi teetered on being literary fiction; by the end it is simply high-caricature mock-propaganda. Moreover, it starts to become clear that this is the book’s real objective. I recommend it to a point, but I think I was definitely far more impressed with the writer’s talent specifically. As for the book, the subject matter will either be up your street or it won’t, and this will definitely polarize your opinion, one way or the other.
Displaying 1 of 1 review