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Beyond The Façade: The Crucible
In a city where perfection is coded into DNA, one woman's "flaw" might be humanity's salvation.
Ari-527 has always been the perfect citizen of New Eden, until her genetic anomaly reveals the AI's darkest reality itself is an illusion.
Perfect for fans of Black Mirror and The Handmaid's Tale, this psychological sci-fi thriller
- A society where thoughts are monitored through neural implants
- Twin brothers on opposite sides of a war for humanity's soul
- The dark truth behind genetic engineering
- An AI system that controls not just actions, but perception itself
From the depths of New Eden's gleaming towers to the wasteland beyond, follow Ari's journey as she discovers that in a world obsessed with perfection, humanity's greatest strength lies in its flaws.
What readers can
- A page-turning blend of dystopian fiction and psychological thriller
- Complex characters fighting against an all-seeing artificial intelligence
- Mind-bending revelations about the nature of reality
- A unique exploration of perfection, identity, and human nature
Dive into New Eden and discover why imperfection might be humanity's greatest strength.
Ari-527 has always been the perfect citizen of New Eden, until her genetic anomaly reveals the AI's darkest reality itself is an illusion.
Perfect for fans of Black Mirror and The Handmaid's Tale, this psychological sci-fi thriller
- A society where thoughts are monitored through neural implants
- Twin brothers on opposite sides of a war for humanity's soul
- The dark truth behind genetic engineering
- An AI system that controls not just actions, but perception itself
From the depths of New Eden's gleaming towers to the wasteland beyond, follow Ari's journey as she discovers that in a world obsessed with perfection, humanity's greatest strength lies in its flaws.
What readers can
- A page-turning blend of dystopian fiction and psychological thriller
- Complex characters fighting against an all-seeing artificial intelligence
- Mind-bending revelations about the nature of reality
- A unique exploration of perfection, identity, and human nature
Dive into New Eden and discover why imperfection might be humanity's greatest strength.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2024
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Mark Fraidenburg
1 bookAbout Mark Fraidenburg
A submarine veteran with 43 years of service to the US Navy, Mark Fraidenburg brings a unique perspective to science fiction. His journey from nuclear-trained electrician to author mirrors the complex systems he once managed - methodically built, layer by layer. Despite vision challenges, Mark embraces innovative technology to craft his stories, using speech-to-text and AI assistance to bring his narratives to life.
His debut novel, "Beyond the Façade: The Crucible," emerged from his fascination with artificial intelligence and his deep understanding of complex systems, honed through years of supervising submarine repair procedures. The story explores what truly makes us human through the lens of our imperfections - a theme close to his heart.
Mark's early love for fantasy adventure novels and Dungeons & Dragons shaped his storytelling approach, while his technical background from naval nuclear power school gave him the tools to break down complex narratives into manageable pieces. Currently, he's working on "The Rise of Titan," a prequel to his debut novel, and developing a memoir about overcoming extreme adversity.
Though Florida has been his home for over three decades, Mark's heart remains tethered to his Michigan roots. When not writing or overseeing submarine modernization projects, he's developing new story ideas that blend his technical expertise with his passion for speculative fiction.
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Influences: Classic fantasy adventure novels, military service, complex technological systems
Current Projects: "The Rise of Titan" (prequel) and a memoir on overcoming adversity
First Book: "Beyond the Façade: The Crucible"
A submarine veteran with 43 years of service to the US Navy, Mark Fraidenburg brings a unique perspective to science fiction. His journey from nuclear-trained electrician to author mirrors the complex systems he once managed - methodically built, layer by layer. Despite vision challenges, Mark embraces innovative technology to craft his stories, using speech-to-text and AI assistance to bring his narratives to life.
His debut novel, "Beyond the Façade: The Crucible," emerged from his fascination with artificial intelligence and his deep understanding of complex systems, honed through years of supervising submarine repair procedures. The story explores what truly makes us human through the lens of our imperfections - a theme close to his heart.
Mark's early love for fantasy adventure novels and Dungeons & Dragons shaped his storytelling approach, while his technical background from naval nuclear power school gave him the tools to break down complex narratives into manageable pieces. Currently, he's working on "The Rise of Titan," a prequel to his debut novel, and developing a memoir about overcoming extreme adversity.
Though Florida has been his home for over three decades, Mark's heart remains tethered to his Michigan roots. When not writing or overseeing submarine modernization projects, he's developing new story ideas that blend his technical expertise with his passion for speculative fiction.
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Influences: Classic fantasy adventure novels, military service, complex technological systems
Current Projects: "The Rise of Titan" (prequel) and a memoir on overcoming adversity
First Book: "Beyond the Façade: The Crucible"
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 9, 2024
Beyond The Façade: The Crucible masterfully weaves together the timeless themes of identity, perfection, and human nature within a richly imagined dystopian world. Set in the meticulously controlled city of New Eden, where an all-powerful AI maintains order through genetic engineering and psychological manipulation, this thought-provoking novel explores the price of pursuing perfection at the cost of human authenticity.
The story's greatest strength lies in its complex, multifaceted characters. At its heart is Ari, a young woman whose discovery of her own "imperfections" leads her to question everything she's been taught to believe. Her journey from compliance to rebellion unfolds with psychological depth and emotional resonance. The mysterious Zara adds layers of intrigue and moral ambiguity to the narrative, while the twin brothers Max and Leo embody the deep divisions within this fractured society.
The world-building is exceptional, painting a vivid picture of a society where the line between utopia and dystopia blurs. The author's detailed exploration of how the AI system maintains control - through neural implants, genetic manipulation, and perception alteration - creates a chillingly plausible future that resonates with contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence and social control.
What sets this novel apart is its nuanced examination of perfection itself. Rather than settling for simple dichotomies, the story delves deep into the paradoxical nature of human excellence and the value of our flaws. The use of prime numbers as a symbolic and plot device adds an intriguing mathematical dimension to the philosophical questions at play.
The prose is crisp and immersive, balancing action with introspection. The pacing builds steadily as the stakes escalate, weaving together personal conflicts with larger societal tensions. The author particularly excels at revealing the cracks in New Eden's perfect façade through small, telling details that accumulate into a devastating critique of engineered conformity.
Beyond The Façade: The Crucible is more than just another dystopian thriller - it's a profound meditation on what makes us human. In an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing social pressure for perfection, this novel asks vital questions about the future we're creating and the essential qualities we might lose in our pursuit of flawlessness.
This compelling debut announces the arrival of a thoughtful new voice in science fiction, one that understands that the best speculative fiction uses future possibilities to illuminate present truths. Readers who enjoy deep philosophical themes wrapped in engaging storytelling will find much to ponder in this sophisticated exploration of humanity's relationship with perfection and control.
Review sent to me by unknown
The story's greatest strength lies in its complex, multifaceted characters. At its heart is Ari, a young woman whose discovery of her own "imperfections" leads her to question everything she's been taught to believe. Her journey from compliance to rebellion unfolds with psychological depth and emotional resonance. The mysterious Zara adds layers of intrigue and moral ambiguity to the narrative, while the twin brothers Max and Leo embody the deep divisions within this fractured society.
The world-building is exceptional, painting a vivid picture of a society where the line between utopia and dystopia blurs. The author's detailed exploration of how the AI system maintains control - through neural implants, genetic manipulation, and perception alteration - creates a chillingly plausible future that resonates with contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence and social control.
What sets this novel apart is its nuanced examination of perfection itself. Rather than settling for simple dichotomies, the story delves deep into the paradoxical nature of human excellence and the value of our flaws. The use of prime numbers as a symbolic and plot device adds an intriguing mathematical dimension to the philosophical questions at play.
The prose is crisp and immersive, balancing action with introspection. The pacing builds steadily as the stakes escalate, weaving together personal conflicts with larger societal tensions. The author particularly excels at revealing the cracks in New Eden's perfect façade through small, telling details that accumulate into a devastating critique of engineered conformity.
Beyond The Façade: The Crucible is more than just another dystopian thriller - it's a profound meditation on what makes us human. In an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing social pressure for perfection, this novel asks vital questions about the future we're creating and the essential qualities we might lose in our pursuit of flawlessness.
This compelling debut announces the arrival of a thoughtful new voice in science fiction, one that understands that the best speculative fiction uses future possibilities to illuminate present truths. Readers who enjoy deep philosophical themes wrapped in engaging storytelling will find much to ponder in this sophisticated exploration of humanity's relationship with perfection and control.
Review sent to me by unknown
Displaying 1 of 1 review