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New Reality #1
Truth
When New Reality, a fully immersive, five-dimensional entertainment experience, was introduced to the world, everyone logged on.
Everyone except Jake and Tom.
It doesn’t take long for the world to crumble into ruin, leaving Jake and Tom wandering through leveled cities occupied by New Reality dreamers. In order to find one gamer among many, they must risk everything—going up against Rixon, the corporation behind New Reality.
Facing starvation, the New Reality headsets offer sustenance from a synthesized sludge pumped directly into the gamer’s body. With a headset, they’ll get fed and their only limitations are their own imaginations. They can have paradise, comfort, and peace. They have the power to realize their deepest desires.
But for Tom, it’ll mean sacrificing his son to the false reality masterminded by Rixon. For Jake, it’ll mean sacrificing his dream of living a true existence, no matter how stark.
Wrestling with the decision, they soon find out they aren’t the only ones living in the ruins. Someone… something else, has taken an interest in the pair.
Turning from scavengers to prey, they have to make a decision. Family or self? Faith or fear? Truth or New Reality?
#1 Bestseller in British Horror
A post apocalyptic / dystopian thriller.
Everyone except Jake and Tom.
It doesn’t take long for the world to crumble into ruin, leaving Jake and Tom wandering through leveled cities occupied by New Reality dreamers. In order to find one gamer among many, they must risk everything—going up against Rixon, the corporation behind New Reality.
Facing starvation, the New Reality headsets offer sustenance from a synthesized sludge pumped directly into the gamer’s body. With a headset, they’ll get fed and their only limitations are their own imaginations. They can have paradise, comfort, and peace. They have the power to realize their deepest desires.
But for Tom, it’ll mean sacrificing his son to the false reality masterminded by Rixon. For Jake, it’ll mean sacrificing his dream of living a true existence, no matter how stark.
Wrestling with the decision, they soon find out they aren’t the only ones living in the ruins. Someone… something else, has taken an interest in the pair.
Turning from scavengers to prey, they have to make a decision. Family or self? Faith or fear? Truth or New Reality?
#1 Bestseller in British Horror
A post apocalyptic / dystopian thriller.
250 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2014
364 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
Michael Robertson
98 books204 followersMichael Robertson is an author and blogger. He has had several short stories published, including one with HarperCollins. He is the author of Crash - http://michaelrobertson.co.uk/crash--...
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 27, 2014
I feel like after having stepped away from this book, I've been able to digest it properly and can now write a decent review. It was one of those books that leaves you a little bit shocked. I'll try not to reveal any major plot points during this review!
Ok, the characters. Jake and his friend Tom. At times they seem to almost hate each other and my first thought was "why are they even friends?". My feelings now are that their friendship was based on lost hope, fear and despair which is portrayed excellently by the author. The characters had a reasonable amount of depth although I didn't feel like I got to know very much about their pasts and their lives before New Reality.
The world building was excellent as it generally is in any of Michael Robertsons books. You can actually feel how the characters must feel wandering around that barren land. You can feel the loss of hope and definitely the fear as the story goes on. There were parts of this story that were genuinely frightening and I had to put this book down more than once to allow my heart rate to return to normal!
I liked how the gamers were portrayed. When I read the synopsis for this book, I imagined the gamers to be sat in the bedrooms/living rooms, sat comfily in arm chairs etc. when in reality, this is unlikely to be the case. Of course the gamers will be obese, their only food is sugary sludge. Of course the gamers will have open sores, they've been laid in one position for four years. I was so glad this was realistically portrayed and that they weren't made out to be all snuggled up living 'the dream'.
Overall this was a fantastic read, there was nothing I didn't like about it. I did guess the twist at the end but it didn't ruin the book as it was written in such a way that I was still shocked when I reached the end and it was not as obvious as I thought. The author managed to squeeze in detail that was not quite so obvious and gave me quite a surprise!
If you're looking for a book that'll have you on the edge of your seat, shouting for the characters to run and looking over your shoulder for quite a while - read this book!!!
Ok, the characters. Jake and his friend Tom. At times they seem to almost hate each other and my first thought was "why are they even friends?". My feelings now are that their friendship was based on lost hope, fear and despair which is portrayed excellently by the author. The characters had a reasonable amount of depth although I didn't feel like I got to know very much about their pasts and their lives before New Reality.
The world building was excellent as it generally is in any of Michael Robertsons books. You can actually feel how the characters must feel wandering around that barren land. You can feel the loss of hope and definitely the fear as the story goes on. There were parts of this story that were genuinely frightening and I had to put this book down more than once to allow my heart rate to return to normal!
I liked how the gamers were portrayed. When I read the synopsis for this book, I imagined the gamers to be sat in the bedrooms/living rooms, sat comfily in arm chairs etc. when in reality, this is unlikely to be the case. Of course the gamers will be obese, their only food is sugary sludge. Of course the gamers will have open sores, they've been laid in one position for four years. I was so glad this was realistically portrayed and that they weren't made out to be all snuggled up living 'the dream'.
Overall this was a fantastic read, there was nothing I didn't like about it. I did guess the twist at the end but it didn't ruin the book as it was written in such a way that I was still shocked when I reached the end and it was not as obvious as I thought. The author managed to squeeze in detail that was not quite so obvious and gave me quite a surprise!
If you're looking for a book that'll have you on the edge of your seat, shouting for the characters to run and looking over your shoulder for quite a while - read this book!!!
September 13, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I'm still undecided as to whether to say this is a dystopian future or a post-apocalyptic one. We have the untouchable force that destroyed the world as we know it, the typical collapse of society, and the few left over fighting for survival. Although this is where the story began, what exactly happened before the collapse? We have a world taken over by a corporate monopoly, nearly every living being hooked into a virtual reality simulator, leaving the outer world falling into unchecked decay.
Jake and Tom weren't friends. Despite what they say, despite how they act, despite everything, they were never friends. Humans are pack creatures. What happens when there were only two functional human beings left on the face of the planet? They stick together, it's not about affection or camaraderie, it's about not having to be alone, lost, scared, and the only one left to navigate a desolate wasteland.
A desert of skeletal human remains hunted by unseen, shadowy monsters no less. Haunted by fear and despair, they were left with no other choice than to depend on one another. Their only hope is a vague sense of purpose and a search for something that by all means, has no right to exist in that destroyed world.
While the plot was interesting overall, the ending was much harder for me to objectify. There is so much to read into. Kind of like Journey meets The Matrix. Actually, I'm willing to bet that Journey was a major influence for this story.
And given that I can't really continue this without talking about the ending, cue the spoilers.
I'm quite looking forward to the next book in the series actually. There's quite a few ways this story can play out and I'm rooting for the dystopian route.
-
I'm still undecided as to whether to say this is a dystopian future or a post-apocalyptic one. We have the untouchable force that destroyed the world as we know it, the typical collapse of society, and the few left over fighting for survival. Although this is where the story began, what exactly happened before the collapse? We have a world taken over by a corporate monopoly, nearly every living being hooked into a virtual reality simulator, leaving the outer world falling into unchecked decay.
Jake and Tom weren't friends. Despite what they say, despite how they act, despite everything, they were never friends. Humans are pack creatures. What happens when there were only two functional human beings left on the face of the planet? They stick together, it's not about affection or camaraderie, it's about not having to be alone, lost, scared, and the only one left to navigate a desolate wasteland.
A desert of skeletal human remains hunted by unseen, shadowy monsters no less. Haunted by fear and despair, they were left with no other choice than to depend on one another. Their only hope is a vague sense of purpose and a search for something that by all means, has no right to exist in that destroyed world.
While the plot was interesting overall, the ending was much harder for me to objectify. There is so much to read into. Kind of like Journey meets The Matrix. Actually, I'm willing to bet that Journey was a major influence for this story.
And given that I can't really continue this without talking about the ending, cue the spoilers.
I'm quite looking forward to the next book in the series actually. There's quite a few ways this story can play out and I'm rooting for the dystopian route.
July 25, 2014
"It went up like a balloon filled with glitter."
"'I can't believe our only landmark is that phallic symbol of oppression,' Jake said. 'Look at it; it's penetrating the clouds like they're the world's arsehole. Quite fitting really.'"
"As the low thunder of it died down, the hissing of a thousand boiling lobsters screamed into the sky."
"'Those who had meaning in their life--a reason to exist--were the ones who survived.'"
"'I've seen plenty of roast chickens. That doesn't mean I wouldn't piss myself if we came across one now.'"
"'Dreams don't exist here.'
'Dreams exist everywhere. In the darkest hours, dreams burns brighter than ever. Without dreams, we have nothing."
Need I say more?
"'I can't believe our only landmark is that phallic symbol of oppression,' Jake said. 'Look at it; it's penetrating the clouds like they're the world's arsehole. Quite fitting really.'"
"As the low thunder of it died down, the hissing of a thousand boiling lobsters screamed into the sky."
"'Those who had meaning in their life--a reason to exist--were the ones who survived.'"
"'I've seen plenty of roast chickens. That doesn't mean I wouldn't piss myself if we came across one now.'"
"'Dreams don't exist here.'
'Dreams exist everywhere. In the darkest hours, dreams burns brighter than ever. Without dreams, we have nothing."
Need I say more?
July 6, 2014
RUN and buy this NOW!! I don't wish to say a whole lot about the book as I never give spoilers. I don't like them so never do it. This is a whole new take on gaming. ( That is all I will say ) Made me stay up way past my bedtime as I could not stop reading. It is dark, deep, thought provoking and to me, fun at times. I did not see the end coming. I generally do but with this author I did not. Buy this, sit down and begin reading. We will wait, shouldn't take long for you to finish and and say OMG, that was GREAT!
October 2, 2017
A truly horrifying post-apocalyptic read mainly because so many people nowadays are completely hooked to either the computer or their television sets so much so that many eat in front of these and claim that they cannot live without these especially when people are gamers! This is the narrative about a city becoming dominated by a multinational computer gaming company which manages to get every citizen hooked and logged in to their gaming monitors and headsets accept for two guys, Jake and Tom. The city is devastated and continuously hit by storms, the guys are starving but Tom is searching for his wife and his son who had decided to log into the nightmare!! Not much really happens as regards action in this read cause the guys just struggle along in the same place all the while but the horror increases to the point of giving in and accepting to log in and be fed or dying of hunger and being consumed by the underground monsters following them!! what is the truth though to this horror?
January 13, 2016
A new "gaming" experience has swept the world created by Rixon, the worlds biggest company. This new game allows you to experience anything that you can dream of, literally. You plug in and all of your cares or fears wash away. Everyone has plugged into it except Jake and Tom. These two are wandering the destroyed lands after the world was left to rot when everyone plugged in. Follow these unlikely travel partners as they try to find Tom's son in this new wasteland. Along the way they face off against an unknown enemy who is trying to kill them at what seems like every step.
The narration for this was done by Matt Armstrong. Matt does a great job voicing these ageless characters. We really don't know how old Jake is, and we only really know that Tom is older than Jake. Armstrong does a fantastic job with the voice and setting the stage for how the entire book feels like these two are seconds away from dying. His voice portrays the struggle well. The quality was good and I didn't notice any production issues.
After I finished this book last night, I knew that the review was going to be hard to write. Not because the book was bad, far from it. The book was interesting and unique in many ways. But, because there is no way to write about how I really feel because it is a HUGE spoiler. I can say this, the book did NOT end the way that I expected. I was really expecting a totally different angle to be take towards the end. With that being said, I think the ending is what a lot of others were expecting. It wasn't anti-climactic my any means, I think that some readers would feel like it was a cop out.
I couldn't help but drawing a ton of similarities from Wall-E. Minus the cute robots, the characters were similar in both disconnection and girth. Even the way the the city was supposed to be left made me think of this movie. I don't think this takes away from the book a ton, but the similarities are definitely there.
The two characters were lovable and hate-able which made this book so interesting to read. Jake is so optimistic and really tries to take their grim and crappy situation with a smile if he can. Tom was almost his voice of reason, while being a pessimist. It was almost like a big brother, little brother type of friendship.
By the end of this story, all I could think was "what's going to happen?" And I'm here to tell you, even though this is supposed to be part of a series--the book has a proper ending (yay!).
Overall, this book was a weird combination of dystopian, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic. It peaked my interest and kept it, and gave me a surprise ending, which isn't always easy to do.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
The narration for this was done by Matt Armstrong. Matt does a great job voicing these ageless characters. We really don't know how old Jake is, and we only really know that Tom is older than Jake. Armstrong does a fantastic job with the voice and setting the stage for how the entire book feels like these two are seconds away from dying. His voice portrays the struggle well. The quality was good and I didn't notice any production issues.
After I finished this book last night, I knew that the review was going to be hard to write. Not because the book was bad, far from it. The book was interesting and unique in many ways. But, because there is no way to write about how I really feel because it is a HUGE spoiler. I can say this, the book did NOT end the way that I expected. I was really expecting a totally different angle to be take towards the end. With that being said, I think the ending is what a lot of others were expecting. It wasn't anti-climactic my any means, I think that some readers would feel like it was a cop out.
I couldn't help but drawing a ton of similarities from Wall-E. Minus the cute robots, the characters were similar in both disconnection and girth. Even the way the the city was supposed to be left made me think of this movie. I don't think this takes away from the book a ton, but the similarities are definitely there.
The two characters were lovable and hate-able which made this book so interesting to read. Jake is so optimistic and really tries to take their grim and crappy situation with a smile if he can. Tom was almost his voice of reason, while being a pessimist. It was almost like a big brother, little brother type of friendship.
By the end of this story, all I could think was "what's going to happen?" And I'm here to tell you, even though this is supposed to be part of a series--the book has a proper ending (yay!).
Overall, this book was a weird combination of dystopian, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic. It peaked my interest and kept it, and gave me a surprise ending, which isn't always easy to do.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
September 19, 2015
Dark, twisted, surprising, and creepy. These are the words I would use to describe this book. Right from the word "go," I was drawn into the dark dystopian world of Jake and Tom. Jake's quest: to see the evil empire of Rixton taken down by nature in its rebirth; Tom's: to find his wife and son, and save them from the game "New Reality," that has taken over the world, turning all its inhabitants into mindless fattening slugs. Will they succeed? Can they hope to take down the evil corporate giant, or will they be caught by the ghastly underground creatures that follow them in the night, coming more close with every passing moment? I can honestly say I was absolutely NOT expecting the way this ended (no spoilers here - check it out for yourself!!), truly a surprise twist, worthy of a read, for sure!
October 11, 2018
This book was well written and overall was an interesting story. However, it took me a long time to finish the book as the language the author chose rubbed me the wrong way. I had to set the book down for several months before finally forcing myself to finish it, I do hate to leave a book unfinished. Really there were just way too many f-bombs and the Lord's name being tossed around. I really prefer no bad language at all but if there must be some for whatever reason, overuse of the words loses whatever impact the author was trying to relay. Because of this I only gave the book 2 stars and though the series continues and is interesting I do not think I could force myself through another one and I am now hesitant to read any other books from this author because of the overuse of foul language. It really takes me out of the story and leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
January 16, 2017
An intriguing story that was reasonably well written (it's annoying when British authors use American spelling), with believable characters, if set in a fantastical world.
What is real? What do humans really want - a dream, a fantasy or...?
Pinpointing corporate greed is always a great subject, but beating it or rather the inability to beat it, can be depressing.
We can only hope that the human mind can comprehend more than it thinks it wants.
Thought provoking.
What is real? What do humans really want - a dream, a fantasy or...?
Pinpointing corporate greed is always a great subject, but beating it or rather the inability to beat it, can be depressing.
We can only hope that the human mind can comprehend more than it thinks it wants.
Thought provoking.
January 23, 2017
Exhaustingly bland
I read this, hoping the bland vacant characters would do something, or that the story would leave the empty pointless wasteland. Sadly the author couldn't imagine a word beyond generic rubble. I didn't care for the people in the story and at %60 these people were still bumbling around in a generic apocalyptic wasteland! Wake me up if something interesting happens with this unfulfilled potential
I read this, hoping the bland vacant characters would do something, or that the story would leave the empty pointless wasteland. Sadly the author couldn't imagine a word beyond generic rubble. I didn't care for the people in the story and at %60 these people were still bumbling around in a generic apocalyptic wasteland! Wake me up if something interesting happens with this unfulfilled potential
July 2, 2015
Amazing and frightening read!
Couldn't stop reading, finished it in one sitting! The concept of two starving and thirsty friends, wandering alone in a decimated world, holding onto hope and dreams while being pursued by underground monsters was so scary and believable in a new alternate reality. different
Couldn't stop reading, finished it in one sitting! The concept of two starving and thirsty friends, wandering alone in a decimated world, holding onto hope and dreams while being pursued by underground monsters was so scary and believable in a new alternate reality. different
April 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The story line itself is original and definitely had me reading to see what would happen next. The ending definitely throws a twist that can be guessed at if you pay attention to the clues.
October 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book, but it was a little confusing. I encourage anyone who reads this book to read the sequel. The second book will explain a lot.
I liked this book, but it was a little confusing. I encourage anyone who reads this book to read the sequel. The second book will explain a lot.
Read
October 26, 2016Wow.
I truly enjoyed this book. It was very well written. The characters and situations they were in were very realistic. I was totally immersed in their world and totally surprised by its ending. A very good read!
I truly enjoyed this book. It was very well written. The characters and situations they were in were very realistic. I was totally immersed in their world and totally surprised by its ending. A very good read!
Read
March 15, 2017Too many instances of the f-word on single page. It's like listening to my students... and as I always tell my students, there are other ways to express your feelings. I'm going to have to leave this one unfinished.
July 14, 2017
At first, even though there are mainly just two characters in the story, I got lost between them but then as I read on, I got accustomed to the writing style of the author. Usually a story such as this would bore me. There is a lot of intrigue and danger, but the dust keeps blowing, throats remain dry, grit makes eyes water, and so on. Yet, I was sucked into the lives of Tom and Jake. I could not care less about the monsters chasing them, all I wanted was for them to leave Birmingham and find the world beyond and to see if it was better than where they have been for four years while they searched for Tom's son. The ending was brilliant. I absolutely love a story with a twist in the end, and it was perfectly delivered - we all want to believe in our own reality.
September 3, 2017
I cant say I loved this book, but I liked it enough to keep reading. I do like the whole VR gone wrong scenario but there were several other parts of this book that felt like they should have been left out OR explained in more detail. To me, it felt like I started reading a series but skipped book one.
I liked the ending but it was exactly exactly as I predicted it would be so no surprise there.
At the end of the book, there was an offer for Book 2 for free, if you signed up for the authors mailing list, so I will read that next. Maybe it will answer my many unanswered questions
I liked the ending but it was exactly exactly as I predicted it would be so no surprise there.
At the end of the book, there was an offer for Book 2 for free, if you signed up for the authors mailing list, so I will read that next. Maybe it will answer my many unanswered questions
September 18, 2019
I loved the ending of this book. It left a bitter taste in my mouth, but in a good way. I loved the irony and creepyness of it.
And I'm curious about the concept this world lives in! Why did anyone ever think a virtual reality would be better? And who are the people that control it? Why doesn't everyone go in?
The part I didn't like was the end of every chapter. The 'monster girl' thought the same things over and over again, it really was annoying after a few times.
And I'm curious about the concept this world lives in! Why did anyone ever think a virtual reality would be better? And who are the people that control it? Why doesn't everyone go in?
The part I didn't like was the end of every chapter. The 'monster girl' thought the same things over and over again, it really was annoying after a few times.
November 6, 2019
I was very confused while reading this. It was just two guys stumbling through the wasteland over and over again. At the end of each chapter you think something will happen but nothing ever does until the very end.
The twist at the end was actually interesting and it's the only reason that this book gets two stars instead of just one. However I have very little desire to read the next book in the series.
The twist at the end was actually interesting and it's the only reason that this book gets two stars instead of just one. However I have very little desire to read the next book in the series.
April 13, 2019
I really didn't 'get' this book. Found it very boring, it had no story other than a couple a guys trudging round a wasteland injuring themselves. Some of the other details didn't quite make sense, and left me wondering what that was even about (bots, gamers etc.). I am pleased it had a twist at the end but it was too little too late for me.
January 31, 2018
Over descriptive
Was a decent read but, was very obnoxious at times. The ending lacked alot, even for a transition into another book. The first chapter of that book was a liberals wet dream.
Was a decent read but, was very obnoxious at times. The ending lacked alot, even for a transition into another book. The first chapter of that book was a liberals wet dream.
February 20, 2018
Bizarre
The story was bizarre and scary. You just wonder why Jake and Tom just keep going and what's cHasing them. Just a warning, the ending just makes you wonder what you just read.
The story was bizarre and scary. You just wonder why Jake and Tom just keep going and what's cHasing them. Just a warning, the ending just makes you wonder what you just read.
November 26, 2018
Dystopian takes on a whole new meaning in this stark and terrifying tale. It also has an absolutely stunning end. I would never have guessed! I'm looking forward to reading book 2 in this series. I enjoyed and highly recommend it.
June 21, 2019
Could have made a decent (if not exactly hard to predict) 20 page short story. Stretched to nearly 200, it significantly overstays its welcome, with chapter after chapter basically repeating the same thing.
March 30, 2023
A very compelling read.
Truth is the first book in the New Reality series it's very good I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's impossible to put down the whole book is based on two characters i think that's amazing. Anyway it's a brilliant story and I can't recommend it high enough.
Truth is the first book in the New Reality series it's very good I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's impossible to put down the whole book is based on two characters i think that's amazing. Anyway it's a brilliant story and I can't recommend it high enough.
May 21, 2025
Easy read. Not bad, not great. I read the reviews that said it had a surprise ending so I kept reading even when the repetition of the story started to wear on me.
Unfortunately, the ending was expected and not a surprise. Now that I am involved in the series, I feel compelled to finish it.
Unfortunately, the ending was expected and not a surprise. Now that I am involved in the series, I feel compelled to finish it.
March 4, 2018
Too aggressive and filled with bad cliche cliffhangers. I didn't get to chapter five. :( Might be ok for other people though.
November 10, 2017
Very different and engrossing.
January 12, 2019
Interesting idea but not written well. I felt like the chapters were a bit out of order. I will read the second one and see if maybe that was meant to be.
May 17, 2020
Trying to be a warning to how much our society depends on technology? Might have worked if it wasn't so full of dystopian cliches
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews