Lucid: A Novel

by Michael S. Milano

A mind-altering regime. Unity and loyalty dictated. Can one man resist the machine and rip away the veil to reveal the truth?

Seattle, 2084. Antony Sartori hides his grief. Struggling to find a sense of purpose after losing his wife to a deadly pandemic, the former engineer silently suffers while surviving on welfare payments. Out past curfew after a long night of drinking, the devoted citizen is detained, put on trial, and assaulted by the authority he once served.

Plagued by flashbacks that feel more real than the world around him, the fifty-four-year-old begins to question whether his mind or reality itself is unraveling. And though bombarded by reminders to leave the past behind and to live for his fellow man, the seeds of defiance take root in his heart.

With every move watched and judged, can Antony wake up before all is lost?

Lucid is a thought-provoking dystopian thriller. If you like dangerous truths and high-tech Orwellian futures grounded in hard science, then you'll love Michael S. Milano's chilling cautionary tale.

Genres: Dystopia, Thriller

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

For over a decade, Lucid has consumed Michael S. Milano’s waking hours. Finally, he is an author. Michael earned his PhD from The Ohio State University. His articles have been published by the Mises Institute, the Foundation for Economic Education, the Future of Freedom Foundation, and the Libertarian Institute. Michael is a hammock enthusiast who enjoys the Madness of March and drinking wine. He lives somewhere in the observable universe.

Read his essays at "Escape from Flatland": MichaelSMilano.com

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

mehhh interesting world building but basically nothing happened and also the scientific vernacular just made it hard to understand if anything

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and thought the concept was very interesting. The writing style was difficult for me. I found that I was having to reread parts if I wasn’t fully concentrating on every word written because of the advanced vocabulary. While I don’t find having to fully concentrate a bad thing, the vocabulary used made the story difficult to follow making this a slower, more challenging read.

[Jeff Gudzune, M.A.]

There is nothing new in Science Fiction. Great stories are no longer written, they are rewritten from a grab bag of plot devices. This is not a condemnation, it’s a statement of fact. Inspiration can only come from a finite combination of circumstances. Global nuclear war, dystopian societies, viral pandemics, environmental chaos, technology run amuck, and extragalactic invasion are the staples of the genre. Most Science Fiction narratives utilize one or more of these basic premises. Michael S. Milano’s "Lucid" is not a new premise but it manages to balance its often-overdone concept and create a thought-provoking narrative. The strength of the author’s work is in the omniscient narrator, whose deadpan delivery adds an air of Noir to the story. This is what makes "Lucid" stand out from the tidal wave of dystopian narratives produced in recent years. It may not be a new concept, but it is written in a style that manages to captivate.

The world of "Lucid" is a world on the mend—just like the protagonist. Antony, a once respected robotics engineer with a penchant for nostalgia and a gambling addiction, sits alone in an Irish Pub. An ordinary day in his life is filled with a balance of technobabble suitable for the genre and moments of self-recrimination so stark one can almost hear the alto sax underscoring the commentary. Outside, the overworked population goes about its daily drudgery amid an air of Sturm und Drang hovering overhead. Slowly, we learn that the world of "Lucid" is a world where a virus has turned society on its end. Unlike a lot of similar narratives, this world is combating the virus and has benefited from the advance of technology. This is a departure from works of the genre, a credit to the author’s world-building. It’s a more realistic scenario, given recent historical events. Governments seem to have been supplanted by mega-corporations who control most aspects of life. Indeed, the overworked populace seems to have little time for respite and merely goes through the motions of leisure time; something that is also heavily monitored and controlled by the all-seeing eyes of the mega-corporation.

The most poignant theme of the narrative is the horrific realization that to save society, people allowed themselves to be controlled in such subtle ways that they didn’t realize they had sacrificed their individuality until it was too late. Even an ordinary respite from the daily grind is a controlled act, sanctioned and governed by the mega-corporation. The author’s subtle introduction of the world he created makes each revelation even more terrifying. The subtleness gives way to the stark and the world of "Lucid" unfolds. This is a society of stone, but cracks in its foundation may soon reveal the insidious nature of the cure offered by the corporate saviors. "Lucid" combines elements from the genre quite brilliantly. It is apocalyptic and dystopian on a more believable scale. One does not need a super-government ruled over by an AI-generated leader or red-eyed droids blasting everything in sight to summon a horrific future. The stifling of the individual in a controlled society is equally as terrifying

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sam Veltre · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Michael S. Milano's "Lucid," readers are plunged into a chilling vision of the future where corporate power reigns supreme. Set in a Seattle dominated by the all-powerful Pansophical Corporation, the novel follows Antony Sartori, a former robotics engineer haunted by the loss of his wife to the deadly Tembakoo virus.

Antony's life takes a dramatic turn after a run-in with Public Safety, triggering a cascade of repressed memories and a growing suspicion that the world he inhabits is a carefully constructed illusion. As he delves deeper into the unsettling truth, he uncovers a sinister plot of manipulation and control, forcing him to confront the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the fragility of individual freedom.

"Lucid" is a thought-provoking exploration of themes like surveillance, conformity, and the erosion of personal autonomy. Milano's vivid prose paints a dystopian landscape that feels eerily close to our own reality, raising unsettling questions about the direction we are headed. While the pacing can feel uneven at times, the novel's compelling premise and its chilling portrayal of a future where technology is used to control and manipulate will leave a lasting impact on readers.

Recommendation:

"Lucid" is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and those interested in exploring the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement and corporate power.

Disclaimer: This review reflects an objective analysis of the novel's plot, themes, and writing style.

[Kevin Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucid is a vivid portrayal of a dystopian world fifty years in the future. Citizens have sacrificed their privacy and freedoms for the tight-fisted security offered by Pansophical Corporation. The protagonist, Antony, is a former Pansophical engineer who, reeling from the recent death of his wife, spends his days betting on sports and drinking too much. The pacing is a bit slow in the beginning, and the unnaturally formal writing style made it challenging for me to get into the groove of this novel at first. But I'm glad that I stuck with it because the action picked up when Nathaniel and the rebellious organization Praxis enter the picture, and the author did a good job of tying everything together at the end. If you're interested in how advancements in nanotechnology, AI, and other emerging technologies might run amuck in the hands of greedy corporations, this novel is worth checking out.

[Tod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very difficult to read / understand / Follow. Perhaps I'm not intellectual enough to fit with this genre but it definitely felt as though most of it went over my head. Full disclosure, I wasn't able to finish as after the first 7 Chapters I really had no idea what was going on. I will keep this on the back burner and return to give it another chance / review in the near future.

The book has a page of description about things / people in the story combined with a sentence of action / story telling, which for me, made it extremely difficult to follow. However, if that's your thing this may be right up your alley.

FYI - I gave this book 5 stars because I do believe it's just above my level and not fair to give a low rating due to that. I actually do want to return to give another go soon.

[Ashley Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher for my free kindle copy of Lucid.
The writing style and advanced vocabulary really make this book a difficult read. There are some instances where the vocabulary really helps in setting the tone and the atmosphere, but majority of the time it just makes the book a slow difficult read.
There is an interesting storyline and the first portion of the book grabs your attention, but starting the 2nd quarter the story line seems to fall flat until we get to the last couple chapters.
I think the concept is good, but the execution will cause some readers to DNF.

[Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The convoluted verbiage is so aggressively against being read that I thought there had to be a reason that would be revealed later... but I checked out the author's Substack and he does just write like that. I did finish the book in the hope that it'd get better. There's a ton of intriguing background about this world briefly mentioned before the focus pivots back to Antony's every minute bodily movement and reaction to stimulus. In telling my husband my grievances with the book, I started with "it takes place in 2084," and he said "that already sucks." Overall a disappointing use of several hours of my life but the cover is very pretty :-)

[Puisan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was difficult to read at the start….considering it uses a lot of jargons and what nots. But once you get into the rhythm of things, it becomes interesting…..this storyline of a dystopian future where humans are subservient to a cooperation that is running the world and a minority that have been red-pilled, rise up and fight. The ending felt rather disjointed and was left hanging. Now I have more questions and am no where near closure for this story. A decent read!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Stoefen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucid is a masterclass in storytelling, where each word is meticulously chosen, and every sentence brims with evocative tension. His prose weaves an intricate tapestry of despair and defiance, conjuring a world as haunting as it is vivid. With shades of Orwell and Huxley, Milano crafts a chilling exploration of power’s insidious grasp and the fragility of human freedom. Lucid transcends fiction, demanding readers confront the seductive dangers of control and the price of unyielding complacency. A gripping, eloquent cautionary tale that resonates with undeniable urgency.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Glimpse Into a Chilling Future

Lucid pulls you into a world where safety comes at the cost of freedom. As Antony’s memories begin to unravel, so does the illusion of the life he thought he knew. The story is fast-paced, thought-provoking, and filled with twists that make you question everything. It’s a powerful mix of sci-fi, mystery, and psychological suspense. If you enjoy stories about control, rebellion, and hidden truths, this one will keep you hooked. A must-read for fans of dystopian thrillers.

[J.R. Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by the cover and then reading that the author had been working on it for almost a decade. The richness and depth of this future version of our world shines through. I love the little details about how society has evolved. The writing is certainly Orwellian (and quirky at times) while being original. The only thing that held me back from a 5* was a bit of head hopping and dare I say it maybe too many things ideas for a first novel. That is part of what makes it distinctive though. Would recommend grabbing the sample and seeing if it pulls you in too…

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing with creepy mood

Great novel. The writing in is tight and fast, with short sentences that kept me turning pages. I liked how it creates a creepy mood without long and boring descriptions. I felt though that sometimes the book got into a tech talk that pulled me out of the story a bit. Also, some smaller characters felt flat. But the overall pace and atmosphere of the story were great. I felt satisfied with the book when I finished the last page.

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool concepts

This book does have some cool tech type of concepts. Overall I did not like the writing style since I found it didn’t flow well and I really had to concentrate and focus on each page to understand what was being said. I prefer a lighter read where you can pick it up, read five mins and enjoy. This was more work to get through than anything else and it took away from the overall story.

[Yasser Abduallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to stop reading!!

Lucid is a fast-paced, thought-provoking dystopian story about a future ruled by fear and control. Antony isn’t a hero, but his journey pulls you in. The writing is sharp, the world feels real, and the themes hit hard. Fans of 1984 and Black Mirror will enjoy this.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! If you like books like We, Brave New World, and 1984 then you should definitely read this book.

I loved how it almost felt eerily similar to what is going on with society today. A virus, a vaccine - control and loss of individuality.

The author’s writing made me appreciate the beauty of the English language! Every sentence was a wild linguistic ride! Such a fun read!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good! Lots of twists & turns, some bizarre & unexpected moments, good energy in the overall story. I did really enjoy it as it was well written & had me intrigued from the first chapter!

[John Dennehy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent piece of fiction that seems a little too close to being true

I throughly enjoyed this one

[Eddie Beal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal dystopian read

[Ed Palacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take this ride! Michael S. Milano scratches that dystopian itch with great pacing and deep world building. If this genre is your preference, then I say again: Take this ride!!

[Jennifer]

I won this on GoodReads Giveaway! I’ll update this once I’ve read the book.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucid by Michael S Milano is a combination apocalyptic, dystopian and technothriller.

Antony Sartori is the star of the show. Since the death of his wife, things have changed for him. He began to question the regime, and that can be very dangerous, seeing they are watching…all the time. It will take him on a perilous journey.

I thought I would love Lucid, but it was hard for me to get into it. I don’t know if I was burnt out on reading or if the writing style didn’t work for me. The character didn’t speak to me. It did have its moments, there just wasn’t enough of them.

My thanks go out to Michael for the opportunity to read a copy of Lucid.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Eva Fernández Martín · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one’s for all the dystopian lovers out there! From the very first page, Lucid had me completely hooked. One of the biggest challenges I find in this genre is pacing, but Lucid nails it, fast enough to keep the tension high without ever feeling rushed. The main character, Antony, is instantly likeable, and I found myself deeply invested in his journey to uncover the truth in a world of hyper-vigilance and suspicion.

The world-building in Lucid is absolutely top-tier and one of my favourite aspects of the book. You can tell the author had a blast crafting the inner workings and complexities of this futuristic society, and it absolutely pays off. As someone who’s read over 150 books this year (and seen sci-fi in every form imaginable), I was thrilled to find Lucid refreshingly original. Its futuristic reimagining is beautifully interlaced with smart, grounded science and technology and I couldn’t help but nerd out over the details. Michael’s writing style is another standout. It respects the reader’s intelligence by offering layers of meaning without spoon-feeding anything. The philosophical reflections woven throughout the story feel eerily relevant to today’s world, especially when tackling themes of control, indoctrination, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for safety.

I’ll also never get over that ending, it left me reeling in the best possible way! If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction that entertains while also challenging you to think deeply, Lucid is an absolute must-read. Highly, highly recommended!