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The Voided Man #1
The Voided Man
There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average.
For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. These voids are not black holes. They are areas of normal space that just happen to contain…nothing much. There are no galaxies within them, no stars, no planets, and no moons.
They can stretch tens or even hundreds of millions of light years across. Scientists have theorized that, if a man found himself at the center of such an empty space and looked around, he would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest galaxies, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.
I got a chance to test that theory firsthand.
I am the most distant exile in human history.
My name is Prisoner Number One.
This is my story.
For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. These voids are not black holes. They are areas of normal space that just happen to contain…nothing much. There are no galaxies within them, no stars, no planets, and no moons.
They can stretch tens or even hundreds of millions of light years across. Scientists have theorized that, if a man found himself at the center of such an empty space and looked around, he would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest galaxies, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.
I got a chance to test that theory firsthand.
I am the most distant exile in human history.
My name is Prisoner Number One.
This is my story.
326 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2024
869 people are currently reading
4358 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Dean
14 books98 followersI have had a long career as a professor (28 years and counting), and I am at the podium still. I am also a lifelong fan of science fiction.
I plan to add new installments to my Voided Man series several times a year for the foreseeable future.
I plan to add new installments to my Voided Man series several times a year for the foreseeable future.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
January 8, 2025
When I was a kid I wanted to make cartoons. They made me laugh and laughing was good. This desire however, was driven mainly by the fact that anything and everything is possible in the created world. Whatever you could dream easily became reality. Ask Wile E. Coyote.
This book is a little like that. Want something, need something.. then magic it up with virtually no explanation. Easy.
But fun.
Really did enjoy this, but don’t come looking if you like your SF explained 😁.
This book is a little like that. Want something, need something.. then magic it up with virtually no explanation. Easy.
But fun.
Really did enjoy this, but don’t come looking if you like your SF explained 😁.
November 28, 2024
This book was fantastic. Not my normal fare but man am I glad I read it. Not much action and adventure, no horror or thrills, but somehow Dean still made a great book that is going to get a spot on my physical bookshelf. This should go down as one of the greats, honestly. I normally shy away from anything labelled "feel-good" but this book really had a great ending. A man wronged by the powers that be and sent to a literal purgatory, and he makes it work. Al and the medical AI (to avoid spoilers) are fun and give some interesting dialogue (sometimes hilarious).
Give it a try, I hope you agree!
Give it a try, I hope you agree!
July 23, 2024
I was, ultimately, unimpressed by this book. But it took me a while to figure out why.
I finally reasoned that it was the style of storytelling. Looking back at it a few weeks on, I realized that it feels... dated. It reminds me, in many ways, of early Heinlein. (NOT that I am comparing the author favorably to Heinlein, just that his style feels similar). It's a vary gung-ho, brains and determination will win out kind of story. The characters are paper thin. The villains are all morally corrupt, and physically corrupt to match. There is a lack of actual strife within the story... yes, the hero is banished to a void in space, but he soon manages to make everything better, to the point where he obviously triumphs over all adversity.... but without any real challenge to accomplish his rise.
It ultimately feels simplistic and, as I mentioned above, reminded me of the more juvenile (young adult, they'd be called today) novels of early Heinlein and others of that era. (actually, thinking back on the YA books I've read in recent years, I've probably done them a disservice...most I've read are anything but simplistic and lacking in moral complexity. So let's just leave my description as juvenile, and harken back to the era of 1950's SF and leave it at that.)
Maybe I've just outgrown this type of storytelling.
I finally reasoned that it was the style of storytelling. Looking back at it a few weeks on, I realized that it feels... dated. It reminds me, in many ways, of early Heinlein. (NOT that I am comparing the author favorably to Heinlein, just that his style feels similar). It's a vary gung-ho, brains and determination will win out kind of story. The characters are paper thin. The villains are all morally corrupt, and physically corrupt to match. There is a lack of actual strife within the story... yes, the hero is banished to a void in space, but he soon manages to make everything better, to the point where he obviously triumphs over all adversity.... but without any real challenge to accomplish his rise.
It ultimately feels simplistic and, as I mentioned above, reminded me of the more juvenile (young adult, they'd be called today) novels of early Heinlein and others of that era. (actually, thinking back on the YA books I've read in recent years, I've probably done them a disservice...most I've read are anything but simplistic and lacking in moral complexity. So let's just leave my description as juvenile, and harken back to the era of 1950's SF and leave it at that.)
Maybe I've just outgrown this type of storytelling.
March 13, 2025
I am a huge fan of Hard SF, or a great fan of plain SF that explores the changes that may come into future societies when a technological development comes into play...this book is neither.
I do not want to spoil anyone's reading, so I will not go into great detail of the plot, but I'll say that It is way too naive, advancing the diverse situations by an exaggerated use of Deux ex Machina. Also, the human situations that the author explores are not sufficiently fleshed out and, again, uses naive explanations to move forward.
It's your money, I am not about to tell you how to spend It...but mine will not go towards reading the next books in the series, not worth it.
Regards
I do not want to spoil anyone's reading, so I will not go into great detail of the plot, but I'll say that It is way too naive, advancing the diverse situations by an exaggerated use of Deux ex Machina. Also, the human situations that the author explores are not sufficiently fleshed out and, again, uses naive explanations to move forward.
It's your money, I am not about to tell you how to spend It...but mine will not go towards reading the next books in the series, not worth it.
Regards
December 31, 2024
***SPOILERS**
Story started off strong and I found it interesting. And the interactions between John, aka, Number One, and the computer systems were pretty darned funny at times. But that was about all that I enjoyed from this book.
Much of the book is of the main character attempting to start a colony on The Potato with the goal of ridding the universe of the oppressive heirs of the original astronauts that were on other colonization ships. To do this he decided to have, I think it was 8 children (??) along with his actual daughter, cloned at one time. All of those babies with only he and a computer to care for them in the void on an asteroid? Anyone who has had children knows what a nightmare this would probably end up being. But any of that craziness is skimmed over and somehow they are all wonderful, super intelligent children who don't seem to have any conflicts with one another at all and it began feeling like a weird cult, albeit an overly simple and boring cult. The book just got worse from there but I continued reading.
From the other reviews it appears that some just "love" this book. I am unsure why that would be. With there being no failures, no conflicts and a never ending supply of whatever they need. Everything just came too easy for people trying to survive on an asteroid. Overall the story was just too unrealistic and felt empty.
Story started off strong and I found it interesting. And the interactions between John, aka, Number One, and the computer systems were pretty darned funny at times. But that was about all that I enjoyed from this book.
Much of the book is of the main character attempting to start a colony on The Potato with the goal of ridding the universe of the oppressive heirs of the original astronauts that were on other colonization ships. To do this he decided to have, I think it was 8 children (??) along with his actual daughter, cloned at one time. All of those babies with only he and a computer to care for them in the void on an asteroid? Anyone who has had children knows what a nightmare this would probably end up being. But any of that craziness is skimmed over and somehow they are all wonderful, super intelligent children who don't seem to have any conflicts with one another at all and it began feeling like a weird cult, albeit an overly simple and boring cult. The book just got worse from there but I continued reading.
From the other reviews it appears that some just "love" this book. I am unsure why that would be. With there being no failures, no conflicts and a never ending supply of whatever they need. Everything just came too easy for people trying to survive on an asteroid. Overall the story was just too unrealistic and felt empty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
Amazing sci-fi read super easy to understand. Rarely give five stars but I really enjoyed every moment of this book.
November 11, 2024
Interesting concept but the characters felt super flat and there was 0 conflict! It was a nice light read but it was smooth sailing for the protagonist after the beginning of the book and everything magically just fell into place and everyone got along and nothing bad happened....at all which made the stakes feel really low. It was an enjoyable and easy read but I wanted more depth and some kind of struggle for the wins to feel meaningful.
August 23, 2024
"The Voided Man" by Anthony Dean is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. Dean's prose is both sharp and haunting, pulling you into a dark, intricate plot filled with unexpected twists and deeply human characters. The pacing is relentless, and the tension builds with every chapter, making it impossible to put down. It's a chilling exploration of the human psyche that will leave you questioning reality long after you've turned the last page. A must-read for fans of intelligent and suspenseful storytelling.
August 15, 2024
Entertaining space opera
Very well written, imaginative space opera. It starts with politics and kangaroo courts and continues with a person's evolution from desperation to trying to make the world(s) better, to a certain degree of success.
I'm getting the next book of the series.
Very well written, imaginative space opera. It starts with politics and kangaroo courts and continues with a person's evolution from desperation to trying to make the world(s) better, to a certain degree of success.
I'm getting the next book of the series.
August 22, 2024
A well executed sci Fi story
This story felt tonally like Hail Mary Project, and I enjoyed it just as much! The plot is well thought out and ties together nicely by the finale, which left me feeling very satisfied. I'd definitely recommend this story, and can't wait to seek out the sequel!
This story felt tonally like Hail Mary Project, and I enjoyed it just as much! The plot is well thought out and ties together nicely by the finale, which left me feeling very satisfied. I'd definitely recommend this story, and can't wait to seek out the sequel!
April 17, 2025
What a unique topic
I've read so many books about space and colonization. This was a fresh idea to me and I really enjoyed it
Well done
I've read so many books about space and colonization. This was a fresh idea to me and I really enjoyed it
Well done
August 2, 2024
Wow, simply wow! Never in my life have I been so captivated by a book, or felt so much for the characters. They were all so real, and I could feel like I was there on the potato the entire time! I am most definitely dying to continue this series and anything else from Anthony Dean! Well done sir!
July 23, 2024
It might just be me, but I found this book quite hard to read so you might ask yourself why have I given it 5 stars? and the answer is I found it very interesting and enjoyed it immensely. In a sense, this is not a time travel story but a story about traveling in real time, but an impossible number of years. Apart from being a very clever Sci-Fi book it's a love story with two people spending much of those impossible years apart. It would appear that there are two more books in the series (3 in all) and I've just finished the second one. I expect to acquire the third one in September.
January 27, 2025
Sorry, this was terrible. Really sucks. Skip this you will thank me. Read The Martian for this story done correctly. One star because you wrote a complete book with an interesting premise.
Spoilers ahead
The problem with this book is everything. Main character supposedly being punished, but put on a ship with unlimited supplies, unlimited lifespan, genius ai’s that solve everything, communication with entire universe and solving the universe’s problems with zero conflict. Reunited with his original family in 3 pages. Just so many things to rage about.
Spoilers ahead
The problem with this book is everything. Main character supposedly being punished, but put on a ship with unlimited supplies, unlimited lifespan, genius ai’s that solve everything, communication with entire universe and solving the universe’s problems with zero conflict. Reunited with his original family in 3 pages. Just so many things to rage about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
Time
Sent to exile 233 MILLION years in the future by being frozen! Valkerie ships equipped with everything needed to start a new society on any planet... or potato..
Funny, suspenseful, heart breaking to healing.
Absolute perfection with visually being able to picture the realm!
Sent to exile 233 MILLION years in the future by being frozen! Valkerie ships equipped with everything needed to start a new society on any planet... or potato..
Funny, suspenseful, heart breaking to healing.
Absolute perfection with visually being able to picture the realm!
January 18, 2025
super enjoyable and entertaining read
I am an avid, sci-fi reader, and although this book was a tiny bit soft on the science it more than made up for it with great characters, and an exciting, original plot. If you read books to be entertained, and you unapologetically love happy endings, this book is for you.
I am an avid, sci-fi reader, and although this book was a tiny bit soft on the science it more than made up for it with great characters, and an exciting, original plot. If you read books to be entertained, and you unapologetically love happy endings, this book is for you.
May 19, 2025
Interesting in some parts. Very BORING in other parts. I think there were many incidents of inaccurate science. One was living in microgravity is not good for humans. And I am not an astrophysitist. The last comment, there were NO REAL obstacles to overcome, just happy, happy, joy, joy which was boring. Best advice, find something else to read. Voided Man needs to be avoided!
October 21, 2024
An absolutely stunning must read
I was dubious about this book as I assumed the premise would lead to a very difficult and sad book to read. But how unexpected events were and how wonderful and life affirming. This is near the top of my list of favourite books. .
I was dubious about this book as I assumed the premise would lead to a very difficult and sad book to read. But how unexpected events were and how wonderful and life affirming. This is near the top of my list of favourite books. .
November 18, 2024
This would make a great movie
What a surprising and original p!ot, congratulations. I recommended it to my husband to read and he is not a fan of reading the science fiction genre. I hopE the next book has as much humanity.
What a surprising and original p!ot, congratulations. I recommended it to my husband to read and he is not a fan of reading the science fiction genre. I hopE the next book has as much humanity.
December 26, 2024
Wow
I started reading this book for the science fiction and I stayed because I fell in love with the characters. Human nature at its rawest, millions of light years from anything human. Bravo.
I started reading this book for the science fiction and I stayed because I fell in love with the characters. Human nature at its rawest, millions of light years from anything human. Bravo.
March 11, 2025
Bad science, bad book
I had to finish this book just to confirm that it is a bad book without much of scientific support. Not too much about materials decay through all of those years and the narrative is not smart.
I had to finish this book just to confirm that it is a bad book without much of scientific support. Not too much about materials decay through all of those years and the narrative is not smart.
November 19, 2024
What a surprise!
Based on the synopsis I didn’t expect much from this book. Boy was I surprised. Who knew a guy marooned in the middle of “the void” could do so much. Great book.
Based on the synopsis I didn’t expect much from this book. Boy was I surprised. Who knew a guy marooned in the middle of “the void” could do so much. Great book.
January 5, 2025
Awesome Book!
Just a great read all around. Unlike many writers this book had no fluff. Original. Emotional. Great characters and finish! I highly recommend it!
Just a great read all around. Unlike many writers this book had no fluff. Original. Emotional. Great characters and finish! I highly recommend it!
January 17, 2025
Chose this book on a flyer with no expectations and wow was I impressed. Great writing, story and characters. Looking forward to continuing this series.
May 19, 2025
Not great. the start of a series I have no interest in further reading.
January 19, 2025
The Voided Man by Anthony Dean was my dip my toe in the sci-fi water, genre shift read, to stop me getting stagnated in my usual variety of books and WOW! did it deliver!! Completed within 24 hours, with book 2 of the 6 part series purchased immediately, this is a terrific and very different novel.
Set in the future, the main character is the underdog presidential candidate, who unexpectedly begins to gain ground on the existing President of seven corrupt terms.
Eager to retain his office, the existing President has the candidate arrested as an enemy of the state on a trumped up charge of treason.
The court, which is equally amoral finds him guilty and rules for the maximum possible sentence. This is not a death sentence, as the President describes himself as a merciful man by nature, but something much worse! He will be placed alone onto a galaxy crossing spaceship, in cryogenicgenic suspension, travelling millions of light years away until the ship reaches the Local Void, an area bereft of any point of interest. No stars, no planets, no moons, just lots and lots of nothing!
Upon reaching his destination he is awakened and during his exile he will be provided with access to nourishment, clean living conditions, and full medical care including life extension treatments, which are now commonplace in the future. Therefore his exile is to be effectively eternal.
The only interaction available to him is with two AI’s. One having to follow a series of directives ensuring he cannot harm himself or attempt to change the location of his ship. The other ensuring that he remains in the best of health to ensure he fulfills his entire sentence of millennia in nihility.
This is the story of Prisoner Number One.
To be honest, at the outset I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be for me, but within a few pages you could clearly see that the author knows how to build a fast paced story, grab your interest, keep the page turning finger flicking and throw in the odd sciency fact and also the odd chuckle too. Yes, there may be better wordsmiths out there but sometimes who cares. This is a cracking story, which seizes hold of your attention and doesn’t loosen its grip. I felt it was reminiscent of The Martian by Andy Weir, which isn’t bad company to be in.
A hugely credible ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me, and I’m willing to bet that it won’t be long until I return to #2 in the series for a top up on my sci-fi fix.
Even if sci-fi isn’t usually for you I’d recommend this one as a hugely enjoyable and entertaining thriller which just happens to be set in a future space world. Give it a go!
Set in the future, the main character is the underdog presidential candidate, who unexpectedly begins to gain ground on the existing President of seven corrupt terms.
Eager to retain his office, the existing President has the candidate arrested as an enemy of the state on a trumped up charge of treason.
The court, which is equally amoral finds him guilty and rules for the maximum possible sentence. This is not a death sentence, as the President describes himself as a merciful man by nature, but something much worse! He will be placed alone onto a galaxy crossing spaceship, in cryogenicgenic suspension, travelling millions of light years away until the ship reaches the Local Void, an area bereft of any point of interest. No stars, no planets, no moons, just lots and lots of nothing!
Upon reaching his destination he is awakened and during his exile he will be provided with access to nourishment, clean living conditions, and full medical care including life extension treatments, which are now commonplace in the future. Therefore his exile is to be effectively eternal.
The only interaction available to him is with two AI’s. One having to follow a series of directives ensuring he cannot harm himself or attempt to change the location of his ship. The other ensuring that he remains in the best of health to ensure he fulfills his entire sentence of millennia in nihility.
This is the story of Prisoner Number One.
To be honest, at the outset I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be for me, but within a few pages you could clearly see that the author knows how to build a fast paced story, grab your interest, keep the page turning finger flicking and throw in the odd sciency fact and also the odd chuckle too. Yes, there may be better wordsmiths out there but sometimes who cares. This is a cracking story, which seizes hold of your attention and doesn’t loosen its grip. I felt it was reminiscent of The Martian by Andy Weir, which isn’t bad company to be in.
A hugely credible ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me, and I’m willing to bet that it won’t be long until I return to #2 in the series for a top up on my sci-fi fix.
Even if sci-fi isn’t usually for you I’d recommend this one as a hugely enjoyable and entertaining thriller which just happens to be set in a future space world. Give it a go!
January 4, 2025
Time Well Spent
What a pleasurable time spent reading this book. In the beginning I thought it was going to be old fashioned, in not a good way. The book moved slowly and seemed sort of hokey. There several sections that major events were sort of glossed over, but in reality those were not germane to the story. This is not a hard science fiction novel and doesn’t try to explain future technology. The focus is on humanity and what a good person looks like and does. Really much more uplifting than the hard science type. Although I do like a good technical story.
What the author does well here is create a kind and generous tale that in the end will warm your heart, it certainly did mine. I am grateful to the author for taking time to write this book. It made my day better.
What a pleasurable time spent reading this book. In the beginning I thought it was going to be old fashioned, in not a good way. The book moved slowly and seemed sort of hokey. There several sections that major events were sort of glossed over, but in reality those were not germane to the story. This is not a hard science fiction novel and doesn’t try to explain future technology. The focus is on humanity and what a good person looks like and does. Really much more uplifting than the hard science type. Although I do like a good technical story.
What the author does well here is create a kind and generous tale that in the end will warm your heart, it certainly did mine. I am grateful to the author for taking time to write this book. It made my day better.
September 15, 2024
This was a Goodreads giveaway win, and I'm glad I won it. It was a good sci-fi space adventure book that definitely gave me some Project Hail Mary vibes, which is great because I loved that book.
The Voided Man (I'm not sure you ever get a real name other than Prisoner Number One is a guy who's campaigning against an evil president. He's attacked and sent to exile on a ship thrust out millions of miles away from Earth and forced to live the rest of his existence in the local void.
It's a really short, easy read made super enjoyable to me with the details of humoring his computer systems and MacGyvering things to best suit his need for revenge. The ending got a little bit cheesy, but I overall really enjoyed it, and I hope to check out the rest of the series some time.
The Voided Man (I'm not sure you ever get a real name other than Prisoner Number One is a guy who's campaigning against an evil president. He's attacked and sent to exile on a ship thrust out millions of miles away from Earth and forced to live the rest of his existence in the local void.
It's a really short, easy read made super enjoyable to me with the details of humoring his computer systems and MacGyvering things to best suit his need for revenge. The ending got a little bit cheesy, but I overall really enjoyed it, and I hope to check out the rest of the series some time.
January 14, 2025
I was not expecting this to turn into a lesson in economics. I was hoping for aliens, asteroids, black holes, and supernovae. I guess there was an asteroid and a supernova but wow there was also a currency theory and macroeconomics. Ugh. It was actually fine. The beginning was great. The middle was OK. The ending worked well I thought. There are some sequels but I’m going to wait on those.
January 18, 2025
Best , well, written SF of this decade.
Excellent , well written story line that grabs you, pulls you in and holds on till the end. One of the best science fiction novels I have read in ages and I have been reading for 58 years. I was in tears at the end well done! Would recommend to any and all lovers of sf.
Excellent , well written story line that grabs you, pulls you in and holds on till the end. One of the best science fiction novels I have read in ages and I have been reading for 58 years. I was in tears at the end well done! Would recommend to any and all lovers of sf.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews