Cybrosis: A Codename CIRIS Conspiracy

Codename CIRIS Conspiracy #1

by P.C. Haring

For Agent Ciris, the mission should have been simple: get in, apprehend the target, get out. But when the simple snatch and grab goes horribly awry, the worlds first cyborg finds herself backed into a corner. At odds with her superiors, she becomes embroiled in two conspiracies - one intended to destroy her with a cybernetic virus that will neutralize the technology that keeps her alive, the other intended to keep hidden the untold secrets of her origin. With the walls closing in around her, Ciris becomes a rogue agent with no one to trust and only one objective - unravel the shrouds of secrecy before time runs out.

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Cyberpunk

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

A fan of Science Fiction from an early age P.C. Haring has always been one of those who looked up at the night sky and wondered “what if…”

P.C. Haring made his debut as a writer and podcast novelist on 01/01/10 with Cybrosis. This production met with a strongly favorable response that propelled it to number four on the Podiobooks.com Top Ten list when it was re-launched there that October. His audio fiction can also be heard in Scott Sigler’s The Crypt: Book 1 — The Crew and in Philippa Ballantine’s Chronicles of the Order anthology. His contribution for Tales from the Archives, co-produced by Philippa Ballantine and Tee Morris, won him the 2012 Parsec Award for Best Short Story. This momentum propelled P.C. Haring into publishing Cybrosis as well as his latest project, Slipspace: Harbinger independently.

When he isn’t developing new projects for podcast and publication, P.C. Haring works as a corporate accountant in the Chicagoland area and as a husband to his beautiful wife.

Reviews

[Odin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: For Agent Ciris, the mission should have been simple: get in, apprehend the target, get out. But when the simple snatch and grab goes horribly awry, the worlds first cyborg finds herself backed into a corner. At odds with her superiors, she becomes embroiled in two conspiracies — one intended to destroy her with a cybernetic virus that will neutralize the technology that keeps her alive, the other intended to keep hidden the untold secrets of her origin. With the walls closing in around her, Ciris becomes a rogue agent with no one to trust and only one objective — unravel the shrouds of secrecy before time runs out.

This cyberpunk action adventure was first released as a free audio podcast in early 2010 and promises to be the first in a long line of titles by P.C. Haring. (from Author’s site)

Setting: The setting of Cybrosis is a future world city. If it is stated, I don’t remember. It could easily be Chicago or New York. Much of the story takes place within a government facility. Each setting in Cybrosis, whether it is running down criminals in a packed urban environment or dining in a secluded manor, rings true.

Plot: In Cybrosis, Mr. Haring creates a world just entering a cybronic age. The economics of controlling this research, as well as the technology capable or allowing humans to live normal lives after the loss of a portion of their body has far reaching ramifications. Not everyone would use this technology for the good of mankind however, and Agent Ciris must fight the fight of her second life against a foe thats abilities are unknown and agenda might be larger than anyone realizes.

Characters: I loved the characters in Cybrosis. All the main characters left a lasting impression on me and I think part of the strength of Mr. Haring’s writing is his ability to create characters that resonate with the reader. They’re not perfect. They make mistakes. They prove, that even if they’re mostly machine, they’re still human.

Odin’s recommendation: Cybrosis is essentially the same story in print that it was in podcast form. Very little was changed and the book itself comes in at a bit under 100,000 words. It is an easy read that sweeps the reader from subplot to subplot with ease and keeps the level of breathless anticipation up. Though it is violent, it doesn’t have the dark feel of many futuristic cyberpunk stories. There is an element of hope where many stories in this genre prefer to dwell on the despair that dystopian society has brought upon mankind. I prefer Mr. Haring’s vision, and I think you will too.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 18 chapters:2/3 stars
Last two chapters: 4/5 stars

The book is pretty clean; there are a few swear words and nothing sexually inappropriate. The final fight scene was definitely the best part of the book.

[Vfields Don't touch my happy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of liked this and then sometimes I didn’t. I think there should be a limit just how beat up a character can get. I loved the strong female characters overall. It just seemed to take forever to get to the point and that’s odd because I like a good long, full book.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a little pick me up then read this adrenaline fueled and filled hi tech Thriller. And outstanding masterpiece of action packed excitement. I loved it!!!!!!

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting walk through the grieving process and finding humanity is action within a honorable foundation. Sparse profanity (no f-bombs). Some gore. Narrator enhances the story.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciris and her crew of operatives are on a mission to find and bring in Dr. Leon Quincy, who has become a dangerous computer hacker. The simple mission turns messy and damage claimed by many is beyond belief of The Center, who's now upset with Ciris for her disregard of care to property around her. Ciris is listening to the speech from Director Briggs on her disregard and how the physical damage caused while on cases has become beyond excessive since the accident, then unwillingly and not knowing why, she passes out. These two combined with holding information from her crew gets Ciris grounded to paperwork, but quickly she returns to the field when she is the only agent around and Quincy is at his worst again. We then see someone has other ideas for Ciris, using her computer side as a weakness...or is it her human side? Ciris fights her virus and Cybrosis while trying to come to terms with many lies and betrayals around her.

This book started out as Podcasts, which you can find on the authors site. I found my way there by way of Tales from the Archives, and listened to the first podcast. I loved what I heard, but not having an iPod to load to, and not being able to carry with me, along with always being interrupted at home (you know how those kids and husbands are) I wasn't able to get to listening to more. Which bummed me out as I really wanted to. So, when I found out P.C. Haring made his debut into books, I jumped at the chance to read a copy of this book. And I'm so glad I did.

We start with full, high speed action with loads of bullets and fire! Then we end with it as well. And through out the book, yes we have it there too. Ciris is always wrestling with someone.

I loved the word usage! So vivid, and easy to visualize. Such strong words used, dropped the images into my head.
"riddled with holes..."
"charred remains..."
"She raised her left arm and a pod slightly larger than a deck of playing cards rose a few centimeters from the back of her forearm." - This whole sentence made it so easy to visualize! Who couldn't see this?

This brings me to my next subject, cyber and technology. I always get a little fearful when picking up a cyber book or science fiction book that I will not understand the equipment or terms used. In this case, P.C. Haring made it incredibly easy for me. His descriptions were vivid and in terms I understood. He didn't linger on the items longer than he had to, I know there is some huge and powerful equipment here, but as they are part of the setting and story, they were not the storyline itself. Ciris was. Thank you P.C. Haring. I enjoyed the high tech equipment and usage. The cars, can be driven or navigate on their own. Computer access to Centers network from in the car.

Ciris... I have to say I feel for this woman. All that has happened to her to get here, and beyond. She is broken, but she is very strong. Really, one of my kind of leading ladies. P.C. Haring does well of controlling our feelings where Ciris is concerned, when we feel with Ciris the holes in her heart then turn it off with Ciris to be business when at work.

P.C. Haring kept me wondering and turning the pages as he deepened the mystery behind Cybrosis, the virus, and the betrayals all around in each chapter. I was curious what our "man" would do next, when would we meet him, and why. I wanted to learn all the answers and to see what destruction Ciris would create next.

Very nice debut into books!

[Lance Schonberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio fiction consumed through Podiobooks.com.

This was a quick-paced, fun listen and Mr. Haring put together a pretty impressive full cast production (which is a tonne of work for anyone who doesn't realize it).

Spoiler free, this is near future SF when cyborgs are just starting to become a reality in the conventional SF sense and the most advanced of these, Ciris, is an agent of a shadowy law enforcement agency and as many mysteries surround her and her origins as the mission that blows up in her face in Chapter 1. One might surmise these are connected.

I had some issues with Ciris' character for a while in the middle of the book. The story worked well, but her emotional and mental reactions didn't seem consistent without a little more explanation that we never really got. Her sidekick, Minh, came across as almost emotionless at times, even while expressing honest to goodness feelings.

But, the cyberpunk atmosphere, action, and conspiracies carry things through fairly well and I'd be curious where a sequel in this world would take us.

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started out liking the story, and if I'd read it (as opposed to listening to it) I may have ended up with a more favorable opinion of the book. The central plot was good, but when Ciris started being emotional (or, more realistically, just "emo") the audio portrayal was just whiny. I feel that Minh(sp?) was supposed to be the character that you identify as stable to carry you through the parts where you stop identifying with Ciris, but I hated any part where Minh had dialog.

I did finish it, just to know how the central plot wrapped up, but the second half of it was me forcing myself to do so.

I was also not a fan of the length of the intro for each episode of the audiobook, in particular the "celebrity endorsements"

[Laith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cybrosis is a very enjoyable story in the cyberpunk genre.

P.C. Haring tells an enthralling tale of dark conspiracies, in an very detailed near future world.

I really enjoyed this story in the original podiobook (podiobooks.com) I was thrilled that the edited for print version was just as enjoyable a read as the audio version was to listen to.

I will be writing up a more complete review for release at another outlet. I'll add a link once it is up.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story by a new author supported by a wonderful voice cast of strong writers and podcasters. The production value is also very good as is the mix of narration and character interaction. PC's timely reveals leave enough room for the reader to try to construct the backstory on their own but not so much room that the reader ever wanders around lost. Thanks PC for lightening my commute.

[Jeffrey Paris [was Infinite Tasks] · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was being released in weekly episodes, I waited eagerly each week, and was amazed time and again. The action and plot are tightly written, and the contributing voices a stellar! As much as I like Nathan Lowell's podiobooks, I started missing Cybrosis the day that it was completed.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book a while ago, and before I knew it it was over.
it was a clear story, and how can you go wrong with a cyborge female, a tech guy, and constant action.
I don't think I need to say more about it, its a good fun story.

[Davis Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I would definitely enjoy more in the universe.