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Slingers
Meet Nico. He's currently falling 30,000 feet above the city of Hanoi to his death while the entire world watches.
And they can't wait to see him hit the ground.
Welcome to Sling City, an arena in space where Judokas, sumo wrestlers, football stars, and stick fighters compete in the global combat sport of the future. Sling City is more than a stadium, it's an entire microcosmic world filled with its own cultures, traditions, wars, and secrets. Some of those secrets are about to get out, and while all eyes watch the action-packed struggle of The Games take place, the men and women who compete in those games will have to unravel a disturbing mystery that's cropped up at the heart of the home where they live, work, play... and die.
SLINGERS is the beginning of an exciting new five-part ebook series from the author of THE FAILED CITIES and SUNDAE.
WARNING: Contains graphic violence, adult language and sexuality, and intense futurism.
And they can't wait to see him hit the ground.
Welcome to Sling City, an arena in space where Judokas, sumo wrestlers, football stars, and stick fighters compete in the global combat sport of the future. Sling City is more than a stadium, it's an entire microcosmic world filled with its own cultures, traditions, wars, and secrets. Some of those secrets are about to get out, and while all eyes watch the action-packed struggle of The Games take place, the men and women who compete in those games will have to unravel a disturbing mystery that's cropped up at the heart of the home where they live, work, play... and die.
SLINGERS is the beginning of an exciting new five-part ebook series from the author of THE FAILED CITIES and SUNDAE.
WARNING: Contains graphic violence, adult language and sexuality, and intense futurism.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2014
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127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 14, 2014
Slingers focuses on a single, beautifully cynical and plausible idea; humanity can make money from anything. In this case it's the world's first and only stable wormhole, that opens 30,000 feet above Hanoi.
Above the wormhole is the station where the most popular sport in the world takes place. Slingers are teams of martial artists, including specialist grapplers who face off against each other above the wormhole. You throw your opponent to the mat in a Judo match? They hurt. You throw your opponent off the gantry here? They die. 30,000 feet and one wormhole trip later in front of the eyes of the world.
Slingers are rock stars. Slingers are gladiators. Slingers never live long. One is about to try and retire.
Wallace sets his world up in a spooling Kurt Russell-voiced stream of conscious style that's one half Mike Doughty and one half Henry Rollins in tone and style. This is a nasty, brutal world filled with good, likeable people who kill each other for a living. Even worse, there's something else going on and as the first book closes, there are the first implications the Slingers may have bigger problems on their hands than each other. It's an interesting world, a hell of an introduction and contains not one but two twists I did not see coming.
This is brutal, clever, unusual science fiction. Rollerball written by Kerouac, by way of the Pride Fighting Championship. If you're a Scott Sigler fan, read this. If you're a UFC fan, read this. If you're a 2000AD fan, read this. If you like your SF with blood on its teeth and precisely zero quit? READ.THIS.
Bring on round 2.
Above the wormhole is the station where the most popular sport in the world takes place. Slingers are teams of martial artists, including specialist grapplers who face off against each other above the wormhole. You throw your opponent to the mat in a Judo match? They hurt. You throw your opponent off the gantry here? They die. 30,000 feet and one wormhole trip later in front of the eyes of the world.
Slingers are rock stars. Slingers are gladiators. Slingers never live long. One is about to try and retire.
Wallace sets his world up in a spooling Kurt Russell-voiced stream of conscious style that's one half Mike Doughty and one half Henry Rollins in tone and style. This is a nasty, brutal world filled with good, likeable people who kill each other for a living. Even worse, there's something else going on and as the first book closes, there are the first implications the Slingers may have bigger problems on their hands than each other. It's an interesting world, a hell of an introduction and contains not one but two twists I did not see coming.
This is brutal, clever, unusual science fiction. Rollerball written by Kerouac, by way of the Pride Fighting Championship. If you're a Scott Sigler fan, read this. If you're a UFC fan, read this. If you're a 2000AD fan, read this. If you like your SF with blood on its teeth and precisely zero quit? READ.THIS.
Bring on round 2.
April 18, 2014
These serial novellas that are SLINGERS are a ton of fun. Recommended!
November 6, 2016
I love this concept a lot
Again super diverse and beautiful but just a little confusing to get into but worth it. Hard sci-fi at its best
Again super diverse and beautiful but just a little confusing to get into but worth it. Hard sci-fi at its best
December 17, 2015
This is a quick reading short introduction to the Slingers series. It introduces the world of to-the-death "games" that have become a cult-like obsession on this rather desolate Earth and the city that orbits above.
With a book as short as this (about 54 pages), there is not a lot of room for world-building, but Wallace manages to convey the dark, almost desparate atmosphere in a compact manner that leaves a real sense of place and time. Characters are sharp and rounded, and they are the driving force in the story. Even in this short piece, you come away wanting to know more about the people, as well as the world they live in. Pacing is fast and sharp, and the action scenes are detailed and sometimes graphic. Wallace has a somewhat unique sense of humor, and it comes across well here. The only disappointment was that this story was far too short. I look forward to seeing how the things hinted at here play out in the rest of the series.
With a book as short as this (about 54 pages), there is not a lot of room for world-building, but Wallace manages to convey the dark, almost desparate atmosphere in a compact manner that leaves a real sense of place and time. Characters are sharp and rounded, and they are the driving force in the story. Even in this short piece, you come away wanting to know more about the people, as well as the world they live in. Pacing is fast and sharp, and the action scenes are detailed and sometimes graphic. Wallace has a somewhat unique sense of humor, and it comes across well here. The only disappointment was that this story was far too short. I look forward to seeing how the things hinted at here play out in the rest of the series.
June 10, 2016
An entertaining novella from Matt Wallace, introducing us to a (somewhat?) dystopian future where an extreme combat-sport captivates the public's attention.
My only complaint here is that 'novella' really seems to mean 'partial novel'. It doesn't quite stand up on its own. It's a nice introduction, but for my money this story would probably have been better packaged as one complete novel. (Will clarify that thought if / when I complete the series.)
Certainly good enough to bring me back for part 2.
My only complaint here is that 'novella' really seems to mean 'partial novel'. It doesn't quite stand up on its own. It's a nice introduction, but for my money this story would probably have been better packaged as one complete novel. (Will clarify that thought if / when I complete the series.)
Certainly good enough to bring me back for part 2.
April 15, 2014
I had to force myself to finish reading this book.I was really looking forward to this book based on everything Matt Wallace had posted on his website and Twitter. I have read The Failed Cities, The Detective, and Title Fight. The last two novellas were written with Scott Sigler. All 3 of those novels I really enjoyed. However I just could not stand this book. Glad I got it when it was free. I will not be reading the rest of this series.
September 27, 2014
Interesting Concept
Mr. Wallace is good at characterization and he has painted an interesting scene, but I was hoping for more than just a longish short story from this when I read what it was about. again, decent story but I'm not sure I'll dish out cash for the other four parts. I was hoping for something a little more clever and with a bit more humor after reading the dedication and the caveat at the beginning.
Mr. Wallace is good at characterization and he has painted an interesting scene, but I was hoping for more than just a longish short story from this when I read what it was about. again, decent story but I'm not sure I'll dish out cash for the other four parts. I was hoping for something a little more clever and with a bit more humor after reading the dedication and the caveat at the beginning.
February 27, 2014
Wallace's move into the shorter-serial release model is interesting; Slingers didn't really grab me until the last 20% of the book when the mystery behind Sling City is out, and the reasons behind Kem's grief. Before then I wasn't seeing anything special, but now I am intrigued enough to at least check out the next chapter.
August 4, 2015
This was fast-paced and engaging with an intriguing premise and just enough humor to balance the grit. The novella length was just right. I was entertained and I'm ready for more. It will be interesting to see where these go.
October 2, 2016
Really enjoyed this. Didn't realise it is not a full book, more like first couple of chapters. It's actually a serialised book. But, that being said, left me wanting to read the rest. So guess it did its job!
December 29, 2014
I actually READ this! With written words and everything!
I think this is the only book I read all year, so kudos Mr. Wallace. Ha!
I think this is the only book I read all year, so kudos Mr. Wallace. Ha!
May 27, 2015
A very interesting story. I will definitely have to look into reading the rest of the stories.
March 8, 2016
Rarely is a a writer capable of both violence and poetry. Matt Wallace does both exquisitely in this series. It's an excellent primer to his writing style.
September 12, 2016
Perfectly cromulent work in a genre I'm not especially compelled by; be advised it ends on a cliffhanger.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews