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Wraith and the Revolution
Kye Verex is trapped.
Due to a fluke of genetics, the decisions of the galaxy’s elite, and a lack of finances, he’s stuck on his polluted and noxious home world indefinitely. And it’s slowly killing him.
Then his more fortunate sister returns one day, bringing the promise of salvation. Kelsey has always hoped to find the means to pull him out of his desperate cycle of survival, but it has taken years. Now, she has a plan, one that will cure his genetic condition and clear him for interstellar travel.
The catch?
He has to sign over his very existence – and a portion of his humanity – to Zylar Inc., the galaxy’s most prominent and notorious corporation, in exchange for the necessary treatment. Is his cure worth the cost?
Wraith and the Revolution is a new standalone space opera from A.J. Calvin.
Due to a fluke of genetics, the decisions of the galaxy’s elite, and a lack of finances, he’s stuck on his polluted and noxious home world indefinitely. And it’s slowly killing him.
Then his more fortunate sister returns one day, bringing the promise of salvation. Kelsey has always hoped to find the means to pull him out of his desperate cycle of survival, but it has taken years. Now, she has a plan, one that will cure his genetic condition and clear him for interstellar travel.
The catch?
He has to sign over his very existence – and a portion of his humanity – to Zylar Inc., the galaxy’s most prominent and notorious corporation, in exchange for the necessary treatment. Is his cure worth the cost?
Wraith and the Revolution is a new standalone space opera from A.J. Calvin.
- GenresScience FictionCyberpunk
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Calvin
13 books54 followersA.J. Calvin is a science fiction/fantasy novelist from Loveland, Colorado known best for The Caein Legacy series and The Relics of War series. By day, she works as a microbiologist, but in her free time she writes. She lives with her husband, a turtle, and a salt water aquarium.
When she is not working or writing, she enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and playing video games.
Be sure to follow A.J. on BookBub for new release alerts and more! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-j-c...
For more information on the author and news about her writing, please visit her website at www.ajcalvin.net.
When she is not working or writing, she enjoys scuba diving, hiking, and playing video games.
Be sure to follow A.J. on BookBub for new release alerts and more! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-j-c...
For more information on the author and news about her writing, please visit her website at www.ajcalvin.net.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 23, 2025
When I sat down to write this review, I didn’t know where to begin. Do I start with the breathtaking settings? The cool biotech? The memorable cast? This cyberpunk thriller has a lot to offer. I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
When we meet Kye (our protagonist) on a ruined far-future Earth, he is dependant on Pablo and his sister, Kelsey. Despite her best efforts, Kelsey has been unable to secure him the gene therapy that will grant him safe passage off his toxic home world. In the foreword, the author shares a bit about her experience of living with the sickle cell trait Kye has. Such personal touches really make Kye’s journey special, and it serves to raise more awareness about this condition. Pablo and Kye spend their days scavenging for scrap materials (Earth is essentially a radioactive landfill). Ravenous humboldt squid are seemingly the only creatures thriving in the oceans and people don’t live past thirty five before succumbing to some type of cancer.
Pablo has been like family to Kye. He will soon get his chance to leave Earth and study engineering, but he struggles with the reality that he can’t bring his best friend with him. We get a sense of the implications here before solutions become available. When Kelsey finally comes to her brother with some very unusual documents, Kye is met with the chance to serve as the protector he has always been at heart.
Wraith is a long book. There isn’t a single objective driving the plot, but a series of them. The one constant through it all is Kye’s friendship with Pablo. Their dynamic changes over the course of the story, but their closeness doesn’t. Another review compares them to Frodo and Sam, and I can definitely see that. Kye also reminds me a bit of Steve Rogers, a frail young man who may just get the opportunity to upgrade his body so it matches his convictions.
I am glad that we got to spend time with Kye and Pablo on Earth; it shows us the forces that have shaped them and helps us to appreciate the interstellar wonders that follow. The cybernetic upgrades Kye endures to become a kind of super soldier are fascinating. It is fun to experience them through his training montages and small moments (like Kye realising he no longer sweats or needs as much sleep). He takes us on his adventures with a first person narrative. It feels like Kye is aware that he has an audience, which is fitting as he is used to comms running through his head.
Once he arrives on Megatropolis, Kye begins to meet a varied cast of characters. I’ll mention a few here:
A middle aged man with blue-tinted glasses makes a mysterious entrance at the start of Kye’s life as a cyborg. He proves to be a catalyst for much of what follows. Vee, a fellow cyborg, is someone Kye can relate to on a few levels. I laughed out loud at some of the things that came out of Zinn’s mouth. Her ever-growing list of nicknames for Kye are a thing of beauty. Some personal favourites are “Le Chef” and “Hotspot”.
Poor Kye is widely considered to be attractive, which is a constant source of frustration for him as he is not interested in romance. It is uncommon to find an asexual male lead, and I appreciated the author’s handling of this aspect of Kye’s life. He is not barred from having close and meaningful friendships, which are important to anyone who doesn’t have a life partner.
Speaking of life partners, Pablo soon discovers he has an affinity for the Botanaari. Rather, for one in particular. I have to go on a tangent about these beings. The Botanaari are the one humanoid alien species to have crossed paths with Terrans on their galactic travels. I always light up when nonhumans are introduced to a story and these sophisticated beings did not disappoint. They are evolved from plants, and this is reflected not only in their chlorophyll-saturated skin, but in their etiquette, eating habits and even industry. The Botanaari are monogendered, somewhat like the Gethenians in LeGuin’s The Left Hand of Darkness. Although they use only male pronouns, their mannerisms are somewhat androgynous. Their culture feels “other” and they do not seem to suffer from the kinds of corrupted behaviours that plague humans. I can’t actually imagine a Botanaari criminal. The dystopian state of Kye’s future Earth contrasts starkly with the utopian society on Botanaar. The theme of allowing space for nature to thrive alongside technology comes up frequently here.
The titular revolution is something that unfolds in stages. There is no mothership to take down, destroying an army of drones in one clean sweep. A whole network of elements must be dismantled in order to take down the faulty AI government that is making decisions from a poisoned well of data. Without overwhelming us with information, Calvin gives us the pieces of the picture we need to understand Kye’s objectives as they come up. I had a great time with Kye’s team members on their galaxy-spanning adventures.
Content warnings:
Wraith and the Revolution has an electric energy, surrounding its unassuming protagonist with a charismatic, colourful cast. It’s a rollicking adventure with great humour, some sobering moments and a steady stream of action.
When we meet Kye (our protagonist) on a ruined far-future Earth, he is dependant on Pablo and his sister, Kelsey. Despite her best efforts, Kelsey has been unable to secure him the gene therapy that will grant him safe passage off his toxic home world. In the foreword, the author shares a bit about her experience of living with the sickle cell trait Kye has. Such personal touches really make Kye’s journey special, and it serves to raise more awareness about this condition. Pablo and Kye spend their days scavenging for scrap materials (Earth is essentially a radioactive landfill). Ravenous humboldt squid are seemingly the only creatures thriving in the oceans and people don’t live past thirty five before succumbing to some type of cancer.
Pablo has been like family to Kye. He will soon get his chance to leave Earth and study engineering, but he struggles with the reality that he can’t bring his best friend with him. We get a sense of the implications here before solutions become available. When Kelsey finally comes to her brother with some very unusual documents, Kye is met with the chance to serve as the protector he has always been at heart.
Wraith is a long book. There isn’t a single objective driving the plot, but a series of them. The one constant through it all is Kye’s friendship with Pablo. Their dynamic changes over the course of the story, but their closeness doesn’t. Another review compares them to Frodo and Sam, and I can definitely see that. Kye also reminds me a bit of Steve Rogers, a frail young man who may just get the opportunity to upgrade his body so it matches his convictions.
I am glad that we got to spend time with Kye and Pablo on Earth; it shows us the forces that have shaped them and helps us to appreciate the interstellar wonders that follow. The cybernetic upgrades Kye endures to become a kind of super soldier are fascinating. It is fun to experience them through his training montages and small moments (like Kye realising he no longer sweats or needs as much sleep). He takes us on his adventures with a first person narrative. It feels like Kye is aware that he has an audience, which is fitting as he is used to comms running through his head.
Once he arrives on Megatropolis, Kye begins to meet a varied cast of characters. I’ll mention a few here:
A middle aged man with blue-tinted glasses makes a mysterious entrance at the start of Kye’s life as a cyborg. He proves to be a catalyst for much of what follows. Vee, a fellow cyborg, is someone Kye can relate to on a few levels. I laughed out loud at some of the things that came out of Zinn’s mouth. Her ever-growing list of nicknames for Kye are a thing of beauty. Some personal favourites are “Le Chef” and “Hotspot”.
Poor Kye is widely considered to be attractive, which is a constant source of frustration for him as he is not interested in romance. It is uncommon to find an asexual male lead, and I appreciated the author’s handling of this aspect of Kye’s life. He is not barred from having close and meaningful friendships, which are important to anyone who doesn’t have a life partner.
Speaking of life partners, Pablo soon discovers he has an affinity for the Botanaari. Rather, for one in particular. I have to go on a tangent about these beings. The Botanaari are the one humanoid alien species to have crossed paths with Terrans on their galactic travels. I always light up when nonhumans are introduced to a story and these sophisticated beings did not disappoint. They are evolved from plants, and this is reflected not only in their chlorophyll-saturated skin, but in their etiquette, eating habits and even industry. The Botanaari are monogendered, somewhat like the Gethenians in LeGuin’s The Left Hand of Darkness. Although they use only male pronouns, their mannerisms are somewhat androgynous. Their culture feels “other” and they do not seem to suffer from the kinds of corrupted behaviours that plague humans. I can’t actually imagine a Botanaari criminal. The dystopian state of Kye’s future Earth contrasts starkly with the utopian society on Botanaar. The theme of allowing space for nature to thrive alongside technology comes up frequently here.
The titular revolution is something that unfolds in stages. There is no mothership to take down, destroying an army of drones in one clean sweep. A whole network of elements must be dismantled in order to take down the faulty AI government that is making decisions from a poisoned well of data. Without overwhelming us with information, Calvin gives us the pieces of the picture we need to understand Kye’s objectives as they come up. I had a great time with Kye’s team members on their galaxy-spanning adventures.
Content warnings:
Wraith and the Revolution has an electric energy, surrounding its unassuming protagonist with a charismatic, colourful cast. It’s a rollicking adventure with great humour, some sobering moments and a steady stream of action.
July 26, 2025
3.75 Rounded up
Kye's story was hard to look away from. A.J. Calvin has done a great job of creating a character who has grown up with an altered life expectancy. One who has an honest and raw view of their future and has almost given up. Until his sister is finally able to pull through and get him off a grubby, polluted Earth which has grown to be nothing but a death sentence for its remaining population. But, it comes with a price.
Full of complicated emotions, hard choices and heart warming friendships, it was easy to fall into Calvin's world. This story has a little bit of everything. Fast paced military action, character growth that doesn't shy away from their faults and tender moments that make you smile.
I am very much looking forward to picking up more from the author!
Kye's story was hard to look away from. A.J. Calvin has done a great job of creating a character who has grown up with an altered life expectancy. One who has an honest and raw view of their future and has almost given up. Until his sister is finally able to pull through and get him off a grubby, polluted Earth which has grown to be nothing but a death sentence for its remaining population. But, it comes with a price.
Full of complicated emotions, hard choices and heart warming friendships, it was easy to fall into Calvin's world. This story has a little bit of everything. Fast paced military action, character growth that doesn't shy away from their faults and tender moments that make you smile.
I am very much looking forward to picking up more from the author!
August 15, 2025
Wraith and the Revolution is an amazingly human story about a cyborg. Kye struggles on a devastated and polluted Earth for a last chance to live by selling his body into service for medical treatment. The view into his mental and emotional landscape as he tries to come to terms with what this procedure will mean for him is a theme that continues through the book. How this change will affect his humanity was not an angle I expected to have delved into, along with a deep look at mental health and PTSD related to combat.
I really enjoyed this. A lot of the sci-fi I’ve read has been more of the pulpy, movie climax action scene without much emotional depth and I appreciate the care the author took in humanizing this story. Highly recommended, please do check it out.
I really enjoyed this. A lot of the sci-fi I’ve read has been more of the pulpy, movie climax action scene without much emotional depth and I appreciate the care the author took in humanizing this story. Highly recommended, please do check it out.
April 28, 2025
This is a story of resilience and a rejection of some of the worst traits of humanity, centered around Kye and the revolution that he stumbles into. It's a surprisingly hopeful novel, with no shortage of action, told with sincerity. Read my full review on FanFiAddict.com.
March 28, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I have adored all of Calvin’s previous books and I love a good sci fi so when I heard about this one, it was like offering a plate of brownies to a chocolate lover. I couldn’t wait to dive in and I can say, it did not disappoint.
First and foremost, as always, the world building is on point! The current state of earth, the supposed freedom beyond it and how social status is reflected in these new atmospheres. There’s a realness to the utter bleakness of Earth and the lack of empathy for those without the means to escape it. We buy into the utopian promises of the stars because anything has to be better right?
But there’s a price to be paid in the stars too. I adore the way we are slowly exposed to this expansive universe and we find there are hooks and traps and set backs wherever we go. Calvin is careful to never leave us without hope—even if it is minuscule. But hope can feed an army.
I love the care put into crafting the cultures we encounter, especially Botanaari. It is familiar enough for readers to relate but different enough to whet our curiosity.
But as good as the world building is, the character work far exceeds it. Calvin is a master craftsman of the character. Kye is probably my favorite of the protagonists and if you know how much I loved Andrew in the Caein Legacy series, you know that’s high praise.
There’s brilliant disability representation here (as far as I can tell). It’s given the weight it deserves, its impact helps form the character and I loved seeing how Kye maneuvered and figured out the world. There’s limitations and they aren’t shrugged over. I appreciated that.
Relationships, as always, are Calvin’s bread and butter and each one has its own unique shine. Each one is different but feels messy and genuine, much like real relationships are. There’s a context to them that makes it easy to forget these characters aren’t the folks you knew in college or who drive you crazy at the next family get together.
If there is a sci fi version of Frodo and Sam, I elect Kye and Pablo. I -love- these two!
You aren’t reading about a world, you’re part of this world and it’s a ride you’ll be happy to take again!
I have adored all of Calvin’s previous books and I love a good sci fi so when I heard about this one, it was like offering a plate of brownies to a chocolate lover. I couldn’t wait to dive in and I can say, it did not disappoint.
First and foremost, as always, the world building is on point! The current state of earth, the supposed freedom beyond it and how social status is reflected in these new atmospheres. There’s a realness to the utter bleakness of Earth and the lack of empathy for those without the means to escape it. We buy into the utopian promises of the stars because anything has to be better right?
But there’s a price to be paid in the stars too. I adore the way we are slowly exposed to this expansive universe and we find there are hooks and traps and set backs wherever we go. Calvin is careful to never leave us without hope—even if it is minuscule. But hope can feed an army.
I love the care put into crafting the cultures we encounter, especially Botanaari. It is familiar enough for readers to relate but different enough to whet our curiosity.
But as good as the world building is, the character work far exceeds it. Calvin is a master craftsman of the character. Kye is probably my favorite of the protagonists and if you know how much I loved Andrew in the Caein Legacy series, you know that’s high praise.
There’s brilliant disability representation here (as far as I can tell). It’s given the weight it deserves, its impact helps form the character and I loved seeing how Kye maneuvered and figured out the world. There’s limitations and they aren’t shrugged over. I appreciated that.
Relationships, as always, are Calvin’s bread and butter and each one has its own unique shine. Each one is different but feels messy and genuine, much like real relationships are. There’s a context to them that makes it easy to forget these characters aren’t the folks you knew in college or who drive you crazy at the next family get together.
If there is a sci fi version of Frodo and Sam, I elect Kye and Pablo. I -love- these two!
You aren’t reading about a world, you’re part of this world and it’s a ride you’ll be happy to take again!
June 17, 2025
What are you willing to trade for a better life? That's the central question in A.J. Calvin's fantastic new novel, Wraith and the Revolution. The book presents a complex and highly detailed peek into the future, in which humanity thrives in a galaxy teeming with strange, fascinating life. Unfortunately, humanity barely regards its own living.
“Earth is a cesspit of toxic shit,” the main character Kye says early on, and his life there is sifting through an irradiated wasteland dominated by dangerous creatures. He suffers from a medical condition for which there is no cure, and puts a very low ceiling on his life. His life isn't all bad, however. He scavenges alongside his close friend Pablo, and their deep, funny bond is the heart of the novel.
Kye and Pablo are warm, hilarious, and utterly human in their breezy yet complicated relationship. Humanity often seems unrecognizable in the book, and literally morphs into something else as Kye accepts an offer to improve his lot in life. He gets a chance to upgrade figuratively and literally, to leave Earth behind and Pablo, too, but the cost is great. All he has to do is let an intergalactic megacorporation enhance his body and as his sister says, 'become half-machine.'
You find yourself not wanting him to take what is obviously a bad deal, or leave behind Pablo, who is his soul mate in so many ways. The story could potentially benefit from a little more pressure on Kye to make this choice than it applies, especially with his sister's manifest caginess about this seemingly great offer. But Kye's journey is one we all face today. What is it to be human when our humanity is rapidly evolving? Are we our circumstances, or are we our potential? What's human in us, if we're more machines in body, or simply cogs in one?
The book asks huge questions while also providing lots of action and deep worldbuilding. The Botanaari are among the most fascinating, complex alien races I've read in recent science fiction. The book goes from the pits of a dying world to the florid heights of alien ones, traveling through abject poverty to the crux of cosmic power, and tells a thrilling story along the way.
“Earth is a cesspit of toxic shit,” the main character Kye says early on, and his life there is sifting through an irradiated wasteland dominated by dangerous creatures. He suffers from a medical condition for which there is no cure, and puts a very low ceiling on his life. His life isn't all bad, however. He scavenges alongside his close friend Pablo, and their deep, funny bond is the heart of the novel.
Kye and Pablo are warm, hilarious, and utterly human in their breezy yet complicated relationship. Humanity often seems unrecognizable in the book, and literally morphs into something else as Kye accepts an offer to improve his lot in life. He gets a chance to upgrade figuratively and literally, to leave Earth behind and Pablo, too, but the cost is great. All he has to do is let an intergalactic megacorporation enhance his body and as his sister says, 'become half-machine.'
You find yourself not wanting him to take what is obviously a bad deal, or leave behind Pablo, who is his soul mate in so many ways. The story could potentially benefit from a little more pressure on Kye to make this choice than it applies, especially with his sister's manifest caginess about this seemingly great offer. But Kye's journey is one we all face today. What is it to be human when our humanity is rapidly evolving? Are we our circumstances, or are we our potential? What's human in us, if we're more machines in body, or simply cogs in one?
The book asks huge questions while also providing lots of action and deep worldbuilding. The Botanaari are among the most fascinating, complex alien races I've read in recent science fiction. The book goes from the pits of a dying world to the florid heights of alien ones, traveling through abject poverty to the crux of cosmic power, and tells a thrilling story along the way.
Read
March 18, 2025Wow what can I say about this book? First we meet Kye, a human living in the future in a world where we have pretty much destroyed earth. Those that live here are doing all they can to find a way to go to another planet. Those who are unable to leave have an extremely hard life with little food and an environment that is slowly killing them. Those who do not make it off world will die from cancer or other medical issues caused by the environment, that is if starvation or the animals that now inhabit the earth don't get them first. Kye is a young man with a medical condition that does not allow him to leave the planet without extremely expensive medical treatment. Kye works everyday with his friend Pablo to collect scrap and sell it for food, which on the inhabitable earth is now in the form of protein cubes. Between the two of them they are barely able to get by. Pablo is then accepted into a university program where he will be moving off planet to attend, fearing the worst for Kye. They do what they can so he will survive. Kye’s older sister is in the Galactic Military and has been trying for years to find a way to bring Kye to her or in the very least get him off Earth before his death. She finally finds away but it is not without its own sacrifices. The military takes those suffering and with no other options and adds cyborg features to their person, in doing so the candidate must agree to a lifelong service in the military or until the AI government chooses to free them. Once Kye accepts this offer and survives the procedures he is shown a new world that he could never imagine. Unfortunately for Kye he does not get to experience his new freedom for long as he is thrown into a revolution unwillingly of people who are trying to overthrow the AI government which dictates everything the people and aliens of this new world live with. This story is so entertaining and full of action and friendship. Such a good read.
September 2, 2025
It is easy to feel for the protagonist, Kye Vorex. He is intelligent, humble, and loyal, and he accepts his sufferings with a stoical grace that belies how deeply he feels each hurt and injustice.
I loved Kelsey, Kye’s older sister. She has forged a successful career off world, but she never stops trying to help save Kye from Earth. Their sibling bond is perfectly depicted. The deep caring and love, as well as the occasional moments of irritation, is realistic and relatable.
Kye travels to many different locations, but my favourite was the fertile planet of Botanaar. The Botanaari, a humanoid species evolved from plants, place great value on living things. Botanaar is closest to the vibrant ecology of the Earth that we know.
There is much to relate to in Kye’s journey. The difficulties of having your body betray you. The lack of control over your life that can result from genetic conditions and poverty. The hopelessness that arises from realising you are the pawn of the immensely rich and powerful.
Calvin has crafted a complex and enticing plot on a galactic scale.
This is a beautifully presented book. The cover illustration by J. Caleb Designs immediately drew my interest. I loved the character illustrations by Samantha Shaw of JustMissArt that appear between the chapters.
I’d like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved Kelsey, Kye’s older sister. She has forged a successful career off world, but she never stops trying to help save Kye from Earth. Their sibling bond is perfectly depicted. The deep caring and love, as well as the occasional moments of irritation, is realistic and relatable.
Kye travels to many different locations, but my favourite was the fertile planet of Botanaar. The Botanaari, a humanoid species evolved from plants, place great value on living things. Botanaar is closest to the vibrant ecology of the Earth that we know.
There is much to relate to in Kye’s journey. The difficulties of having your body betray you. The lack of control over your life that can result from genetic conditions and poverty. The hopelessness that arises from realising you are the pawn of the immensely rich and powerful.
Calvin has crafted a complex and enticing plot on a galactic scale.
This is a beautifully presented book. The cover illustration by J. Caleb Designs immediately drew my interest. I loved the character illustrations by Samantha Shaw of JustMissArt that appear between the chapters.
I’d like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 10, 2025
This was quite an interesting book - It takes a different approach to revolution, one that takes its time to lay down the stakes for the lead character by establishing his desperation, his fatalism and the state of earth in the future that he is stuck due to his condition. It isnt action packed but thoughtful and measured.
Kye Verex is an intriguing character, and his motivations, trials and tribulations shape up this AI driven governmental world that he finds him selves in. While he is our lead character and is with agency, he is to an extent a small cog in the larger happenings around him. While he plays a pivotal role in happenings, he is both a main player and a supporting player tangling in things beyond his ken. I found this extremely intriguing in this read and marks for a distinct change in books of this kind
There is a lot to like in this book but I also suspect this may not be a book for those expecting a lot of action despite the title suggesting as much. This is a book with a distinctive ebb and flow to it and some parts take their own time getting to the point as character interactions take prominence.
Full RTC
*********************
Kye Verex is an intriguing character, and his motivations, trials and tribulations shape up this AI driven governmental world that he finds him selves in. While he is our lead character and is with agency, he is to an extent a small cog in the larger happenings around him. While he plays a pivotal role in happenings, he is both a main player and a supporting player tangling in things beyond his ken. I found this extremely intriguing in this read and marks for a distinct change in books of this kind
There is a lot to like in this book but I also suspect this may not be a book for those expecting a lot of action despite the title suggesting as much. This is a book with a distinctive ebb and flow to it and some parts take their own time getting to the point as character interactions take prominence.
Full RTC
*********************
May 12, 2025
You got a fight
For your right
to paaarrtaaayyy!!!
For your right
to paaarrtaaayyy!!!
August 15, 2025
Wraith and the Revolution is a standalone sci-fi with an emotional gut punch of a backstory. So let’s start at the beginning, or rather the end, if you will. For Earth has tumbled into the cycle of industrial wasteland we can all see happening around us. Humanity, mainly, has left for the stars, leaving behind those that can eek out a living sifting through electronic detritus and radioactive rubbish piles on the hunt for things to sell. Food comes down to tasteless cubes, munched on while the cancers eat away at your body.
You get the picture.
Against this backdrop we have Kye and Pablo, best friends forever, surviving day to day while seeking a way off their shit pile. This section of the book is introspective, and the drudgery of staying alive takes up much of the first third. This takes patience for the reader, with Kye’s struggles continuing when it emerges the only way off world is a complete body upgrade into a flesh and machine soldier.
The pay-off is worth it.
It has a purpose. Drawing you into real characters with depth who are then thrown in at the deep end into, well it says it in the title, into a revolution. But one at which they are at the crux and the action, intrigue and energy, take you on a roller-coaster ride of sci-fi promised by the title and that stunning cover. Kye is a full cybernetic badass, and Pablo’s circumstances position him at the centre of the revolt too. Once again, friends standing against whatever life throws at them.
AJ Calvin has crafted a story that has personal meaning to her, and it shines through. Be patient, the pay-off is coming and is all the more powerful for the depth given in those opening pages.
You get the picture.
Against this backdrop we have Kye and Pablo, best friends forever, surviving day to day while seeking a way off their shit pile. This section of the book is introspective, and the drudgery of staying alive takes up much of the first third. This takes patience for the reader, with Kye’s struggles continuing when it emerges the only way off world is a complete body upgrade into a flesh and machine soldier.
The pay-off is worth it.
It has a purpose. Drawing you into real characters with depth who are then thrown in at the deep end into, well it says it in the title, into a revolution. But one at which they are at the crux and the action, intrigue and energy, take you on a roller-coaster ride of sci-fi promised by the title and that stunning cover. Kye is a full cybernetic badass, and Pablo’s circumstances position him at the centre of the revolt too. Once again, friends standing against whatever life throws at them.
AJ Calvin has crafted a story that has personal meaning to her, and it shines through. Be patient, the pay-off is coming and is all the more powerful for the depth given in those opening pages.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews