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Short Frictions
Robots, aliens, vampires and evil corporations (wait, we already said vampires, didn’t we) will thrill you in this collection of short stories.
SALE 39.99. A compliment from Becca’s manager opens the door to new opportunities, but will Becca see her employer’s true motives before it’s too late?
A FIXED PERSPECTIVE. Years ago, Jonathan Lee had Cora Walker kicked off a project designed to help people see the future. Now she’s uncovered a way to fix its most difficult problem - but will he believe her? And is she telling the truth?
THE SEVEN-YEAR GLITCH. Something is wrong with Mari’s programming. She’s thinking thoughts that belong to someone else. An underworld contact might offer her a solution, but the solution might get her decommissioned.
BLUTNACHT. In the midst of the horrors of World War II, a vampire takes steps to fight back against monsters...by finding new recruits.
HAUTE MESS. Even fashionistas get the climate change blues.
MOM. MOM. MOM. MOM. MOM. When his father is killed, Roland retreats into a digital world to leave behind his mother’s grief. But the house computer isn’t ready to let Roland succumb to his desire for escape.
THE TELL-TALE TECH. In this homage to Edgar Allan Poe, an inventor’s partner tries to steal a special device. When the police show up, however, how much will the partner end up giving away?
SWEETHEART. Meeting with her former owner, a freed “companion robot” wonders what he wants from her - and exercises her free will when he makes his desires clear.
RESTAURANTS ARE RATED OUT OF FOUR STARS. A food critic sits down for a meal, only to notice the woman across the restaurant copying his order, course for course. Will the two diners connect, or watch each other from afar?
A STEP AHEAD. How much trust should humans place in technology’s ability to come up with solutions to the environmental problems we cause?
ACE IN THE HOLE. Their mission doomed and their power supply failing, two space explorers encounter an alien civilization. Can they fix the shuttle’s problems and return home? Or is partnering with the aliens the worst decision possible? Commissioned by Ingenius Theatre in Newcastle, UK, ACE IN THE HOLE is scheduled for premiere in Fall 2014.
SALE 39.99. A compliment from Becca’s manager opens the door to new opportunities, but will Becca see her employer’s true motives before it’s too late?
A FIXED PERSPECTIVE. Years ago, Jonathan Lee had Cora Walker kicked off a project designed to help people see the future. Now she’s uncovered a way to fix its most difficult problem - but will he believe her? And is she telling the truth?
THE SEVEN-YEAR GLITCH. Something is wrong with Mari’s programming. She’s thinking thoughts that belong to someone else. An underworld contact might offer her a solution, but the solution might get her decommissioned.
BLUTNACHT. In the midst of the horrors of World War II, a vampire takes steps to fight back against monsters...by finding new recruits.
HAUTE MESS. Even fashionistas get the climate change blues.
MOM. MOM. MOM. MOM. MOM. When his father is killed, Roland retreats into a digital world to leave behind his mother’s grief. But the house computer isn’t ready to let Roland succumb to his desire for escape.
THE TELL-TALE TECH. In this homage to Edgar Allan Poe, an inventor’s partner tries to steal a special device. When the police show up, however, how much will the partner end up giving away?
SWEETHEART. Meeting with her former owner, a freed “companion robot” wonders what he wants from her - and exercises her free will when he makes his desires clear.
RESTAURANTS ARE RATED OUT OF FOUR STARS. A food critic sits down for a meal, only to notice the woman across the restaurant copying his order, course for course. Will the two diners connect, or watch each other from afar?
A STEP AHEAD. How much trust should humans place in technology’s ability to come up with solutions to the environmental problems we cause?
ACE IN THE HOLE. Their mission doomed and their power supply failing, two space explorers encounter an alien civilization. Can they fix the shuttle’s problems and return home? Or is partnering with the aliens the worst decision possible? Commissioned by Ingenius Theatre in Newcastle, UK, ACE IN THE HOLE is scheduled for premiere in Fall 2014.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2014
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 25, 2014
There are some hits and some misses, but fortunately the hits are so damn good I'm willing to overlook the stories that didn't leave an impression on me. Go into this knowing that you're getting a wide variety of short stories, concepts, characters, time periods, everything. No two stories are even a little bit alike which is good for people like me, people who love short stories, but have a short attention span and will give up on a shorty if it doesn't grab one's attention fast enough.
Some of the sci-fi stories - "A Fixed Perspective" and "Mom Mom Mom" - were too technical and lost me in the detail. The majority of the sci-fi/fantasy/drama though was pretty much fantastic. "Sweetheart", "Blutnacht" and "The Seven Year Glitch" were the BEST three of the bunch. "Sweetheart" especially is the most original and "Blutnacht" is more like a short film than a short story - so much action, so much emotion. I loved it. While (no spoilers, I promise), "The Seven Year Glitch" reminded me of the movie "Push." An excellent set up and you just want more by the time it's over. "Ace in the Hole", "A Step Ahead" and "Haute Mess" were well written but I didn't love or hate them.
The only story I felt was out of place was "Restaurants." I like how this appeals to the senses. It has really great descriptions in. Interesting to have a contemporary-sounding love story from the POV of a privileged white dude when every other story is not contemporary and has a much more diverse cast of characters. Good read, but it was random. Overall, I'd recommend it! Brody has a wonderful imagination. You won't be disappointed.
DISCLAIMER: A free copy of this eBook was provided in exchange for an honest review
Some of the sci-fi stories - "A Fixed Perspective" and "Mom Mom Mom" - were too technical and lost me in the detail. The majority of the sci-fi/fantasy/drama though was pretty much fantastic. "Sweetheart", "Blutnacht" and "The Seven Year Glitch" were the BEST three of the bunch. "Sweetheart" especially is the most original and "Blutnacht" is more like a short film than a short story - so much action, so much emotion. I loved it. While (no spoilers, I promise), "The Seven Year Glitch" reminded me of the movie "Push." An excellent set up and you just want more by the time it's over. "Ace in the Hole", "A Step Ahead" and "Haute Mess" were well written but I didn't love or hate them.
The only story I felt was out of place was "Restaurants." I like how this appeals to the senses. It has really great descriptions in. Interesting to have a contemporary-sounding love story from the POV of a privileged white dude when every other story is not contemporary and has a much more diverse cast of characters. Good read, but it was random. Overall, I'd recommend it! Brody has a wonderful imagination. You won't be disappointed.
DISCLAIMER: A free copy of this eBook was provided in exchange for an honest review
February 2, 2015
Short Frictions is a refreshing story collection.
I am glad I had the opportunity to read this collection of short stories, each one interestingly captivating in its own way.
Short Frictions has a little bit of everything: science fiction, suspense, and even romance. The concepts and scenarios within this collection are real and relatable especially in this day and age. The themes within Short Frictions are comparable to those used by Ray Bradbury, Shakespeare, and Edgar Allen Poe.
My personal favorites would include 'SALE 39.99' and 'Ace in the Hole'.
I definitely recommend Short Frictions to anyone and everyone, there is something for everyone to enjoy within the pages of these stories.
A free copy of the Short Frictions eBook was received in return for an honest review.
I am glad I had the opportunity to read this collection of short stories, each one interestingly captivating in its own way.
Short Frictions has a little bit of everything: science fiction, suspense, and even romance. The concepts and scenarios within this collection are real and relatable especially in this day and age. The themes within Short Frictions are comparable to those used by Ray Bradbury, Shakespeare, and Edgar Allen Poe.
My personal favorites would include 'SALE 39.99' and 'Ace in the Hole'.
I definitely recommend Short Frictions to anyone and everyone, there is something for everyone to enjoy within the pages of these stories.
A free copy of the Short Frictions eBook was received in return for an honest review.
July 27, 2015
I discovered Brody a few years ago and she always pulls me way out of my literary comfort zone. This is no exception. I enjoyed all the pieces, but most noteworthy is her unique take on WWII in Blutnacht, getting her Poe on in Tell-Tale Tech, and that humorous nihilism playing out in her estrogen-driven hyper-digitized Ace in the Hole. Well played, Ms. Brody.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews