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Damaged Good
SOME DAMAGE IS BEYOND REPAIR
When Celia, a six year old child replacement, gets caught up in an assassination attempt on the Mayor of Los Angeles, Detective Jack Cutter is obliged to protect and serve despite any misgivings he may have towards her kind.
You’d never hear Cutter say he hates androids. Not out loud anyway. Damn synthetics hear everything.
Cutter drags Celia from grisly murder scene to cracked-out cyber-den, hot on the trail of the assassin. As they sink deeper into the case, a far more sinister scheme emerges which threatens the lives of all Angelenos and the only way to stop it lies in the head of a childish android.
DAMAGED GOOD is a fast paced science fiction thriller set in the dystopic near future of Los Angeles. It has been likened to Blade Runner, Altered Carbon, and Ghost in the Shell.
When Celia, a six year old child replacement, gets caught up in an assassination attempt on the Mayor of Los Angeles, Detective Jack Cutter is obliged to protect and serve despite any misgivings he may have towards her kind.
You’d never hear Cutter say he hates androids. Not out loud anyway. Damn synthetics hear everything.
Cutter drags Celia from grisly murder scene to cracked-out cyber-den, hot on the trail of the assassin. As they sink deeper into the case, a far more sinister scheme emerges which threatens the lives of all Angelenos and the only way to stop it lies in the head of a childish android.
DAMAGED GOOD is a fast paced science fiction thriller set in the dystopic near future of Los Angeles. It has been likened to Blade Runner, Altered Carbon, and Ghost in the Shell.
- GenresScience FictionCyberpunk
420 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2014
9 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Mac
7 books30 followersJ.E. Mac worked as a screenwriter in Los Angeles. Now, he bludgeons his soul onto the page and sells it off pennies at a time.
Growing up in Southern California, people often asked him where he was from. Uh, Southern California. His answer was met with a look of disappointment. "Oh..." Apparently, no one is from Southern California.
In light of that response, he wanted to concoct a biography about how he was a lonesome hermit living in the wilderness of Alaska. His only company was a stiff glass of whisky, his hunting dog Conan, and a great white bear that was stalking him. (That's not a metaphor. Polar bears, man! Polar bears!) He also wanted to say he was a New York Times Bestselling author. But that's a pipe dream. Besides, he wanted to be himself.
At a young age he toured the world sailing. (Didn't you just say you aren't going to make up stories?) No, this is true. He grew up sailing out of Newport Harbor. His high school was Newport Harbor High School (You probably know it better as, "Hey! That's the school from The OC"). He competitively sailed and traveled to London and New Zealand.
So far, he has had an eclectic career. From inking comics for DC, to boom operating on Felicia Day's The Guild, to climbing masts of sailboats to install new rigging, it's obvious there's little he says, "No," to.
You can contact me @:
Facebook: fbl.me/jemac
Twitter: @J_E_Mac
"We can talk about books, video games, comics, you name it. I probably enjoy it."
Growing up in Southern California, people often asked him where he was from. Uh, Southern California. His answer was met with a look of disappointment. "Oh..." Apparently, no one is from Southern California.
In light of that response, he wanted to concoct a biography about how he was a lonesome hermit living in the wilderness of Alaska. His only company was a stiff glass of whisky, his hunting dog Conan, and a great white bear that was stalking him. (That's not a metaphor. Polar bears, man! Polar bears!) He also wanted to say he was a New York Times Bestselling author. But that's a pipe dream. Besides, he wanted to be himself.
At a young age he toured the world sailing. (Didn't you just say you aren't going to make up stories?) No, this is true. He grew up sailing out of Newport Harbor. His high school was Newport Harbor High School (You probably know it better as, "Hey! That's the school from The OC"). He competitively sailed and traveled to London and New Zealand.
So far, he has had an eclectic career. From inking comics for DC, to boom operating on Felicia Day's The Guild, to climbing masts of sailboats to install new rigging, it's obvious there's little he says, "No," to.
You can contact me @:
Facebook: fbl.me/jemac
Twitter: @J_E_Mac
"We can talk about books, video games, comics, you name it. I probably enjoy it."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 20, 2014
Very much a book of two halves.
The first half introduces a futuristic, cyber-punky world of "mods" (augmented humans) and synthetic humanoids; grizzled-cop interrogations, chases and plasma-bolt inflected action sequences.
In short, it's entertaining and fast paced; the humour-inflected personality of the author's "voice" really helps things along.
In addition, the book's only really interesting character – Celia (featured on the cover) – makes for a worthy diversion and the book's chance to do something a little different.
The back half of the book however did its best to lose all my attention.
Certain events flip the switch on Celia as a character, turning her into little more than pouty literary furniture.
There are a several chapters that focus on the protag (Cutter) looking at himself. Cutter is part leather-jacket-wearing-gun-toting stereotypical cop, part complete moron – as such, these kinds of passages I found a bit of a slog to read.
The action is still present and correct, but comes off as less-thrilling, more final-boss-battle style (i.e. over-long and OTT).
The humour in the writing virtually disappears completely and the final chapter is worthy of little more than an eye roll.
There are apparent attempts to explore the relationship between synthetic and organic life, and what it means to be alive; this largely comes off as a bit ham-fisted and the book would be all the better without those aspects. (unusually)
Overall, a (relatively) short thrill-ride of a book, with some nice atmospheric world-building and action sequences – just one that loses all pace well before the denouement, and lacks for compelling characters.
The first half introduces a futuristic, cyber-punky world of "mods" (augmented humans) and synthetic humanoids; grizzled-cop interrogations, chases and plasma-bolt inflected action sequences.
In short, it's entertaining and fast paced; the humour-inflected personality of the author's "voice" really helps things along.
In addition, the book's only really interesting character – Celia (featured on the cover) – makes for a worthy diversion and the book's chance to do something a little different.
The back half of the book however did its best to lose all my attention.
Certain events flip the switch on Celia as a character, turning her into little more than pouty literary furniture.
There are a several chapters that focus on the protag (Cutter) looking at himself. Cutter is part leather-jacket-wearing-gun-toting stereotypical cop, part complete moron – as such, these kinds of passages I found a bit of a slog to read.
The action is still present and correct, but comes off as less-thrilling, more final-boss-battle style (i.e. over-long and OTT).
The humour in the writing virtually disappears completely and the final chapter is worthy of little more than an eye roll.
There are apparent attempts to explore the relationship between synthetic and organic life, and what it means to be alive; this largely comes off as a bit ham-fisted and the book would be all the better without those aspects. (unusually)
Overall, a (relatively) short thrill-ride of a book, with some nice atmospheric world-building and action sequences – just one that loses all pace well before the denouement, and lacks for compelling characters.
February 15, 2016
This book was phenomenal. It was well thought out and engaging, no matter which character's perspective I read from I was completely immersed in the story.
It has been a long time since I've had the time or the desire to read, but this book brought back my love for reading. It was hard to put down, I was invested in what happened to everyone, and I actually cared.
This is one of the few books I've read - if not the only one - that when reading I was engrossed in the moment, and my eyes were not trying to read ahead and skim for the important details. I wanted to read every word.
Definitely a must read, and I am counting the days until the sequel, Forever Six!
It has been a long time since I've had the time or the desire to read, but this book brought back my love for reading. It was hard to put down, I was invested in what happened to everyone, and I actually cared.
This is one of the few books I've read - if not the only one - that when reading I was engrossed in the moment, and my eyes were not trying to read ahead and skim for the important details. I wanted to read every word.
Definitely a must read, and I am counting the days until the sequel, Forever Six!
March 10, 2016
I enjoyed this book.The author created an interesting cast of characters with a dash of humour.I typically don't read this genre but i found the story engaging and entertaining.I really enjoyed the snarky wit.I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2015
AI gets her own back
Really enjoyed this take on the police partnership buddy story. Very interesting ideas and world... Looking forward to reading the next installment.
Really enjoyed this take on the police partnership buddy story. Very interesting ideas and world... Looking forward to reading the next installment.
November 24, 2022
A little girl abandoned
This is a tell of robotics that that has developed to the point of being codependent. It's a must for anyone that has followed Asimov rules.
This is a tell of robotics that that has developed to the point of being codependent. It's a must for anyone that has followed Asimov rules.
September 19, 2015
"Damaged Good" comes from a near future LA where the line between technology and the living is being blurred. A cynical cop comes against a brutal assassin with only a child-like synth witness at his side. The more secrets he uncovers the more he questions reality. A great story in a familiar and yet foreign world with a final chill down your spine at the end.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
October 23, 2014
Perhaps the most refreshing thing about this book is that it's not only thrilling; it's also emotional and driven by interesting and unique characters and its cracks and crevices are filled in with exquisite moments.
A gritty, flesh and bones cop, in a punishing mechanized world. I loved the feel of it. The read gets better and better as you go.
This book surprised me. Pick it up.
A gritty, flesh and bones cop, in a punishing mechanized world. I loved the feel of it. The read gets better and better as you go.
This book surprised me. Pick it up.
December 13, 2014
This was a fun piece of science fiction. It didn't examine what it means to be human, as many of the AI sub genre do. It was simply a good, twisty thriller with lots of chases and explosions. It's a cop story so that's to be expected.
July 11, 2015
Love the cover art. Enjoyed the first half of the book; it was action packed, world building & humorous. The rest of the book shifted more into the serious, horror, tragedy territory.
January 20, 2017
Damaged Good by J.E. Mac is a smart, edgy look at a cybernetic future that contains the promises of tech along with the pitfalls of greed. If you’re a fan of the movie A.I. or the short-lived TV show Being Human, Mac’s novel will make you think of them – in a good way. But even if you’ve never seen either, you can't help but get caught up in the plot and lives of Cutter and Celia. Mac does a terrific job with setting, dialog, and character, but most of all with giving you a story that you won’t stop thinking about every time you set the book aside. When you’ve finished, Mac leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews