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Perpetual: A Hard Sci-Fi Future Tech Novelette
We found the ultimate renewable energy ourselves.
I’m a perp. When I got older and actually cared about history, I found out that wasn’t a name people were proud to have a few decades ago, but most people today are perps. It’s short for "perpetual". We wear collectors that harness the power created by our movement. It’s so normal now it’s hard to imagine a world without them. When humanity exhausted the resources of Earth, we had to resort to harnessing energy in a different way. And of course, the worst kinds of people will find ways to exploit and cheat. They are called siphoners, and that's what they do - steal the energy we work so hard for.
My plan is to collect as much as I can and make the trip to Mecha, the best-paying bank in North America. At this rate, I'll never be able to get mom and Anise the care they need; there's no cure for Ohm's disease, but that won't stop me from doing everything I can to help them.
I can't let anything get in my no relationships, no selfish ambitions, nothing. Maybe you care, too.
Want to hear more about my story? Listen now!
I’m a perp. When I got older and actually cared about history, I found out that wasn’t a name people were proud to have a few decades ago, but most people today are perps. It’s short for "perpetual". We wear collectors that harness the power created by our movement. It’s so normal now it’s hard to imagine a world without them. When humanity exhausted the resources of Earth, we had to resort to harnessing energy in a different way. And of course, the worst kinds of people will find ways to exploit and cheat. They are called siphoners, and that's what they do - steal the energy we work so hard for.
My plan is to collect as much as I can and make the trip to Mecha, the best-paying bank in North America. At this rate, I'll never be able to get mom and Anise the care they need; there's no cure for Ohm's disease, but that won't stop me from doing everything I can to help them.
I can't let anything get in my no relationships, no selfish ambitions, nothing. Maybe you care, too.
Want to hear more about my story? Listen now!
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Audible Audio
Published August 24, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 20, 2023
Da ich weder das Buch noch den Autoren kannte, ging ich ohne Vorwissen oder allzu grosse Erwartungen an diese Geschichte heran. Hard Sci-Fi ist eines meiner Lieblingsgenres und es ist immer schön, etwas Neues zu entdecken.
Die ersten Seiten waren interessant zu lesen. Ich wollte wissen, wie Lacey sich die Zukunft der Energiegewinnung vorstellt. Ein aktuell sehr brennendes Thema (im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes) und deshalb auch für die Hard Sci-Fi sehr aktuell.
Doch leider wird das Ganze dann sehr pompös in den Sand gesetzt. Natürlich ist aufgrund des geringen Umfangs des Buches (ca. 90 Seiten) nicht mit viel Tiefe oder weltbewegenden Dialogen zu rechnen, das war mir von Anfang an bewusst. Aber Lacey schafft es sogar, dies noch zu untergraben.
In einer Welt, in der jeder versucht, dir deine hart erarbeitete Energie abzuluchsen, trifft Nash auf dieses Mädchen, das zu gut ist um wahr zu sein. Hmh... klar. Ab dem Moment hatte der Plot für mich viel an Faszination verloren. Erinnerung: ich und Liebesgeschichten - das geht selten gut. Hier also auch nicht.
Was mich aber wirklich enttäuschte, war, dass sich das Buch immer weniger wie Hard Sci-Fi las. Eher wie normale Sci-Fi, was auch in Ordnung gewesen wäre. Aber Hard Sci-Fi ist das, was es ist: belegbare Wissenschaft auf dem aktuellen Stand der Forschung. Oftmals geschrieben von Insidern, Studierten, Wissenschaftlern. Aber irgendwie beschlich mich mehr und mehr das Gefühl, dass Lacey zwar eine ganz ordentliche Sci-Fi-Geschichte hinbekommen hätte, aber dies hier einfach kein Hard Sci-Fi ist.
Nachdem sich die Handlung in die Richtung entwickelt hatte, die ich bereits vorhergesehen hatte (Überraschung!), und ich das Buch durch hatte, warf ich einen Blick auf die Autorenbiographie. Diese ist recht dürftig. Kein Hinweis auf einen Hintergrund im Bereich der Wissenschaft o.Ä.
Dafür war die Bibliographie umso aufschlussreicher. Und ziemlich lang. Lacey schreibt querbeet, ohne sich scheinbar irgendwo heimisch zu fühlen. Im Bereich religiöses Sachbuch scheint Lacy jedoch vieles veröffentlicht zu haben. Aha. Interessant.
Ich lasse das hier jetzt einfach mal so stehen und wende mich gerne wieder meinen Lieblingsautoren zu. Da weiss mensch, was mensch hat.
Die ersten Seiten waren interessant zu lesen. Ich wollte wissen, wie Lacey sich die Zukunft der Energiegewinnung vorstellt. Ein aktuell sehr brennendes Thema (im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes) und deshalb auch für die Hard Sci-Fi sehr aktuell.
Doch leider wird das Ganze dann sehr pompös in den Sand gesetzt. Natürlich ist aufgrund des geringen Umfangs des Buches (ca. 90 Seiten) nicht mit viel Tiefe oder weltbewegenden Dialogen zu rechnen, das war mir von Anfang an bewusst. Aber Lacey schafft es sogar, dies noch zu untergraben.
In einer Welt, in der jeder versucht, dir deine hart erarbeitete Energie abzuluchsen, trifft Nash auf dieses Mädchen, das zu gut ist um wahr zu sein. Hmh... klar. Ab dem Moment hatte der Plot für mich viel an Faszination verloren. Erinnerung: ich und Liebesgeschichten - das geht selten gut. Hier also auch nicht.
Was mich aber wirklich enttäuschte, war, dass sich das Buch immer weniger wie Hard Sci-Fi las. Eher wie normale Sci-Fi, was auch in Ordnung gewesen wäre. Aber Hard Sci-Fi ist das, was es ist: belegbare Wissenschaft auf dem aktuellen Stand der Forschung. Oftmals geschrieben von Insidern, Studierten, Wissenschaftlern. Aber irgendwie beschlich mich mehr und mehr das Gefühl, dass Lacey zwar eine ganz ordentliche Sci-Fi-Geschichte hinbekommen hätte, aber dies hier einfach kein Hard Sci-Fi ist.
Nachdem sich die Handlung in die Richtung entwickelt hatte, die ich bereits vorhergesehen hatte (Überraschung!), und ich das Buch durch hatte, warf ich einen Blick auf die Autorenbiographie. Diese ist recht dürftig. Kein Hinweis auf einen Hintergrund im Bereich der Wissenschaft o.Ä.
Dafür war die Bibliographie umso aufschlussreicher. Und ziemlich lang. Lacey schreibt querbeet, ohne sich scheinbar irgendwo heimisch zu fühlen. Im Bereich religiöses Sachbuch scheint Lacy jedoch vieles veröffentlicht zu haben. Aha. Interessant.
Ich lasse das hier jetzt einfach mal so stehen und wende mich gerne wieder meinen Lieblingsautoren zu. Da weiss mensch, was mensch hat.
December 1, 2022
After reading thousands of science fiction and fantasy books, it's rare to encounter a story that really grips my attention. Add in some unique, well-devised, and wonderfully integrated technology, and I'm really liking Perpetual: A Hard Sci-Fi Future Tech Novelette. M. Lacey's sense of description, word-choice, pace, and plotting explodes into a wonderful science fiction adventure novel.
Granted, when it first started, I thought I was reading a note injected by the author. Then the fresh look at energy conservation and application began taking shape. The precept called for a bit of Suspension of Disbelief, but once I accepted that core venture toward a unique and somewhat impossible science fiction concept, all the logic fit perfectly. And that, my friend, is the definition of great science fiction. So, for story concept, let's start with five stars.
Then, as to writing style, grammar, and editing, the tale easily pulls another five stars. For tension, adventure, and conflict, pop in a third five star rating.
Then we ram head-on into the ending. It came quick, perhaps even prematurely, leaving lots of unanswered questions, and a scrambled out of shape love interest that may or may not turn around. If Lacey fails to expand this story into a complete novel, I'll be a tad unhappy. Yet even as it is, my imagination can quickly supply a satisfactory conclusion to all the lingering doorways.
I'm thinking that any true sci-fi fan will greatly enjoy Perpetual: A Hard Sci-Fi Future Tech Novelette. Look for it under dystopian science fiction and Two Hour Teen and Young Adult Short Reads.
Granted, when it first started, I thought I was reading a note injected by the author. Then the fresh look at energy conservation and application began taking shape. The precept called for a bit of Suspension of Disbelief, but once I accepted that core venture toward a unique and somewhat impossible science fiction concept, all the logic fit perfectly. And that, my friend, is the definition of great science fiction. So, for story concept, let's start with five stars.
Then, as to writing style, grammar, and editing, the tale easily pulls another five stars. For tension, adventure, and conflict, pop in a third five star rating.
Then we ram head-on into the ending. It came quick, perhaps even prematurely, leaving lots of unanswered questions, and a scrambled out of shape love interest that may or may not turn around. If Lacey fails to expand this story into a complete novel, I'll be a tad unhappy. Yet even as it is, my imagination can quickly supply a satisfactory conclusion to all the lingering doorways.
I'm thinking that any true sci-fi fan will greatly enjoy Perpetual: A Hard Sci-Fi Future Tech Novelette. Look for it under dystopian science fiction and Two Hour Teen and Young Adult Short Reads.
December 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. It seemed fresh and new, not sure if I’ve read anything like it before. But it has all the dreadful aspects of a dystopian future; degraded earth, social injustices, life struggles, and disease.
Nash is a fantastic character, whose goal is to support his ailing mother and sick sister who’s suffers from Ohms disease ( nice play on words ).
In this near future adventure, people of earth generate electricity by their own movement. This electricity can be swapped for money. Then there are the siphoners, insidious and sometimes sneaky individuals who are out to steal whatever electricity they can, and use whatever means possible; disguises, robots, violence, or force.
Excellent read!!
Nash is a fantastic character, whose goal is to support his ailing mother and sick sister who’s suffers from Ohms disease ( nice play on words ).
In this near future adventure, people of earth generate electricity by their own movement. This electricity can be swapped for money. Then there are the siphoners, insidious and sometimes sneaky individuals who are out to steal whatever electricity they can, and use whatever means possible; disguises, robots, violence, or force.
Excellent read!!
January 17, 2023
Survival is Hard, and Trust even Harder
Perpetual is set in a dystopian world where kinetic energy can be created and stored in equipment worn by collectors. Collectors are called Perps, and the energy is traded, but due to its value, it is a target for theft by siphoners. Nash is waylaid by a siphoner and this leads to him meeting the enigmatic Shae. Survival is hard and trust is even harder in this dog-eat-dog world.
Lacey creates a fascinating world, and I really got interested in the main characters in this short novel. I was keen to learn more and as a result, I was left a little disappointed when the book finished. This would have made a good start for a full-length novel, but is a good introduction and is followed by the next instalment Remnant.
Perpetual is set in a dystopian world where kinetic energy can be created and stored in equipment worn by collectors. Collectors are called Perps, and the energy is traded, but due to its value, it is a target for theft by siphoners. Nash is waylaid by a siphoner and this leads to him meeting the enigmatic Shae. Survival is hard and trust is even harder in this dog-eat-dog world.
Lacey creates a fascinating world, and I really got interested in the main characters in this short novel. I was keen to learn more and as a result, I was left a little disappointed when the book finished. This would have made a good start for a full-length novel, but is a good introduction and is followed by the next instalment Remnant.
March 6, 2022
Myself and my daughter read this, and we both loved it!
A dark look at a possible future where energy reserves have died and the population is essentially enslaved to generate it. Focusing on social injustices, it is very cyberpunk in parts with hacking, the Siphons, drones etc, and quite believable. Particularly enjoyed that the story focuses on 3 main protagonists, making it very easy to read. Also, the clever use of terminology 'out of scope' (e.g Ohms disease that
the energy gatherers suffer from) builds a very detailed world through the looking glass. The storyline would make a good episode of "Black Mirror". Author added to my watch list!
A dark look at a possible future where energy reserves have died and the population is essentially enslaved to generate it. Focusing on social injustices, it is very cyberpunk in parts with hacking, the Siphons, drones etc, and quite believable. Particularly enjoyed that the story focuses on 3 main protagonists, making it very easy to read. Also, the clever use of terminology 'out of scope' (e.g Ohms disease that
the energy gatherers suffer from) builds a very detailed world through the looking glass. The storyline would make a good episode of "Black Mirror". Author added to my watch list!
November 23, 2022
The author did a great job of condensing a lot of information in this novelette! He managed to eloquently describe the historical context and what's the situation of the world in the story in few pages. That was also achieved by making very strategic and clever comparisons with the past. A past we readers are familiar with now.
This is a fast paced novelette in which different characters' perspectives are portrayed, although we only read through the main character's point of view. This is not only a sci-fi novelette, but it conveys the frailty of human emotions when you have to live constantly in survival mode.
A short but enjoyable read if you are into hard sci-fi.
This is a fast paced novelette in which different characters' perspectives are portrayed, although we only read through the main character's point of view. This is not only a sci-fi novelette, but it conveys the frailty of human emotions when you have to live constantly in survival mode.
A short but enjoyable read if you are into hard sci-fi.
December 5, 2022
Old school sci-fi social commentary with some very modern twists. Very tightly written story that managed to have a retro feel while at the same being a futuristic dystopian. Nash is an instantly likeable hard working fellow doing what he can to get by in a tough world with very slim margins. Playing the odds on those margins, and basically being a good guy sets his life on a very unexpected trajectory. This is an engaging, fast read. I have to say I was quite disappointed when it ended just as I felt I was really getting a feel for the world and how the pieces fit together. Lacey does offer the possibility of a sequel - I would love to see where this story goes.
January 28, 2021
59 pages.
💝❤❤ GREAT TO READ !
Nash is a "perpetual".
He wears an energy collector created by his movements.
He can then resell the energy thus harvested.
But a constant danger lurks : "siphoners", energy thieves...
-----------
A beautiful action-packed read to discover which plunges us into a futuristic dystopia where energy has become a rare commodity.
The book is excellent, original, very technical and very pleasant to read.
Plus, the story is compelling with a realistic and endearing main character.
I loved !
A must read❤
💝❤❤ GREAT TO READ !
Nash is a "perpetual".
He wears an energy collector created by his movements.
He can then resell the energy thus harvested.
But a constant danger lurks : "siphoners", energy thieves...
-----------
A beautiful action-packed read to discover which plunges us into a futuristic dystopia where energy has become a rare commodity.
The book is excellent, original, very technical and very pleasant to read.
Plus, the story is compelling with a realistic and endearing main character.
I loved !
A must read❤
December 3, 2021
Humans have Destroyed the World. Is it Really Over?
Earth’s Natural Resources are used up. People survive with minimum power and excessive garbage. One brilliant man with an eye for perfection and a sixth sense, works with tools he changed, invented, and hoped could be used to salvage the world. But is there a traitor among his clan? And, if so, who? Highly recommend this Science Fiction book that will hold you on the edge of your seat.
Earth’s Natural Resources are used up. People survive with minimum power and excessive garbage. One brilliant man with an eye for perfection and a sixth sense, works with tools he changed, invented, and hoped could be used to salvage the world. But is there a traitor among his clan? And, if so, who? Highly recommend this Science Fiction book that will hold you on the edge of your seat.
April 17, 2021
Striking idea (working to load your batteries, for real)
April 29, 2021
A really good very well written short story! I did really enjoy this! Was a bit gutted when it was over! Good characters & ideas, great little twist at the end! I will look for more by this writer!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews