Shades

by Brian Schwarz

Human civilization has reached its pinnacle after a genius, Dr. Grypphon Caldwell, creates the revolutionary O-Chip: a technology that turns the human mind into a wireless device. Just by thinking, people are able to turn electronics on and off, access the internet, change the temperature of a room, and communicate in any language without actually speaking out loud. Syntax Corporation has become a household name. But one day, something goes terribly wrong. It begins when a husband continues to communicate with his wife through one such device weeks after his death. Within a few short days, a group of completely random strangers are brought together to try to uncover the dark mysteries surrounding the O-Chip before time runs out.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction

459 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2014

About the author

Hi Everyone!

My name is Brian and I hail from Minneapolis MN. I'm an avid reader and aspiring writer. I work for a literary agent, the great Jessica Sinsheimer, as a reader. And when I'm not working or reading, I can be found travelling the world with my wife or cozying up with my pets at home.

That's me! Looking to meet more writer friends and more readers!

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story was compelling and the characters were excellent, but I did not like the ending at all. the twist would have been predictable if it made any sense. there was also weird grammatical things like random chapters that were in 3rd person rather than 1st person like the rest.

[Brittany Sweney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades can be enjoyed on several different levels. I finished this book super quickly because I just, honestly, couldn't put it down. Each chapter is written from a different characters perspective, which is usually difficult for me to follow. However, Schwarz manages to make each character so unique (and designates each character with their own icon to help trigger your memory) that I had no problem jumping perspectives. Each character is interesting enough to stand alone, but how they interconnect is what I really geeked out over.

As I reached the half way point of the book, I thought that it was an insanely interesting take on the subject. BUT If you think the book is great in the beginning, just wait until you read the last few chapters! Mind BLOWN! As more and more information is brought into the book, you begin to re-analyze the pre-existing events. And because of that, the minute I finished the book, I wanted to re-read it.

I highly recommend this read to anyone and everyone!

[Underground Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Organic Chips (O-Chips for short), invented by Dr. Grypphon Caldwell and manufactured by the Syntax Corporation, aka SyCo, are a technology that turns the human mind into a wireless device. The O-Chip is "part microchip for data processing, and part organic cells for wireless transmission. The chips were implanted in the brain but never attached, which was part of the magic of them...The uses were immense. You could start your coffeemaker, turn on your lights, turn on your shower to a specific temperature, check your email, make a phone call in your mind, think in one language and speak in another—all without getting out of bed."

What could go wrong with that?

...read more at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)com

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked how this book was written, done in a way where you were constantly guessing and surprising you right till the end. There are aspects that I personally would of changed, I found areas were too long and there could of been a faster pace. Also when the Author introduced the characters they were done one after another in their own chapters, however this did confuse me as to who was who at the beginning, I would of like a slow transition. But overall I enjoyed reading the book and liked the idea of it all.

[Michael Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Well Writen Edge Of Your Seat Story

This story is well-written, engrossing, and kept me intrigued from start to finish. I couldn't stop reading and was excited to continue to read it everyday. I highly recommend this book to everyone no matter what your preferences are. I would love to see this book made into a movie. And would love to see if there is more to the overall story. Great beginning and end. Read this book!!!!!