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Binary Cycle #1
Binary Cycle: Disruption
They escaped a ruined Earth, barely staving off extinction. Two-hundred years after arriving on the beautiful and bizarre planet of Taran, humanity is thriving once again. Until now...When famous scientist Cassidy Walker uncovers evidence that the planet is teetering on the brink of disaster - a catastrophe that mankind will not walk away from - the countdown to the next great challenge in human history begins. And they might not survive this time.
- GenresScience Fiction
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 29, 2013
About the author
W.J. Davies
19 books56 followersHello everyone,
My name is Wes Davies and I write under the name WJ Davies.
I currently have three novellas set in the Silo universe available entitled The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher. These works are inspired by Hugh Howey's bestselling WOOL series and, unbelievably, have sold over 15,000 copies since January '13.
Living in Toronto, I work for a computer software company and write in my spare time, always dreaming up the next story idea while I write my current one. I take a lot of time to edit and was lucky enough to find an amazing group of beta readers who constantly keep me on my toes.
My all original work is a novel called Binary Cycle, the first part of which is available in the kindle store. This is the story that got me into writing, and I can't wait to release the next two installments. Look for Binary Cycle: Revelations in October.
I read a lot of Sci-Fi and am amazed at the quality work other authors are putting out there right now. Some recent favourites include The Martian, Voyage, Greatfall, and Atopia Chronicles.
This is truly an exciting time to be a writer or a reader. As long as we strive to produce our best quality work, the rising tide will lift all ships. I try to release a new work every 6-8 weeks, so come join the fun. Keep in touch on twitter @wjdaviesauthor or visit my website.
See you around.
My name is Wes Davies and I write under the name WJ Davies.
I currently have three novellas set in the Silo universe available entitled The Runner, The Diver, and The Watcher. These works are inspired by Hugh Howey's bestselling WOOL series and, unbelievably, have sold over 15,000 copies since January '13.
Living in Toronto, I work for a computer software company and write in my spare time, always dreaming up the next story idea while I write my current one. I take a lot of time to edit and was lucky enough to find an amazing group of beta readers who constantly keep me on my toes.
My all original work is a novel called Binary Cycle, the first part of which is available in the kindle store. This is the story that got me into writing, and I can't wait to release the next two installments. Look for Binary Cycle: Revelations in October.
I read a lot of Sci-Fi and am amazed at the quality work other authors are putting out there right now. Some recent favourites include The Martian, Voyage, Greatfall, and Atopia Chronicles.
This is truly an exciting time to be a writer or a reader. As long as we strive to produce our best quality work, the rising tide will lift all ships. I try to release a new work every 6-8 weeks, so come join the fun. Keep in touch on twitter @wjdaviesauthor or visit my website.
See you around.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 15, 2021
It's a good start for a trilogy. Kinda sad that book 2 and 3 don't have an audiobook version because the narrator is great. Guess I'll have to get the ebooks next year.
October 16, 2013
I've already contacted Amazon about this issue, but want to give anyone considering purchasing this book a heads-up in the meantime. WJ Davies is blatantly plagiarizing from Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Don't believe me? Read the Amazon preview for Ender's Game and then read the preview for Binary Cycle.
There is undeniable copying going on here, and in some cases word-for-word theft. Here are just a few examples I pulled out myself:
From Ender's Game:
The monitor lady smiled very nicely and tousled his hair and said, "Andrew, I suppose by now you're just absolutely sick of having that horrid monitor. Well, I have good news for you. That monitor is going to come out today. We're going to just take it right out, and it won't hurt a bit."
Ender nodded. It was a lie, of course, that it wouldn't hurt a bit. But since adults always said it when it was going to hurt, he could count on that statement as an accurate prediction of the future. Sometimes lies were more dependable than the truth.
"So if you'll just come over here, Andrew, just sit right up here on the examining table. The doctor will be in to see you in a moment."
"It's designed to be removed. Without infection, without damage. But there'll be some tickling, and some people say they have a feeling of something missing. You'll keep looking around for something. Something you were looking for, but you can't find it, and you can't remember what it was. So I'll tell you. It's the monitor you're looking for, and it isn't there. In a few days that feeling will pass."
The doctor was twisting something at the back of Ender's head. Suddenly a pain stabbed through him like a needle from his neck to his groin. Ender felt his back spasm, and his body arched violently backward; hi head struck the bed. He could feel his legs thrashing, and his hands were clenching each other, wringing each other so tightly that they ached.
----
Now virtually the same text from Binary Cycle:
The Robotics Manager, Michael, grinned and slapped his back hard.
“Jonathas, you must be absolutely sick of freezing your ass off down here fixing this junk, heh?”
“Something like that,” Jonathas replied.
Michael clapped his hands together. “Well, I’ve got good news for you, son. You’re getting a promotion. They’re gonna make you an Operator. At your age, can you believe it? You’re gonna love it, kid.”
Jonathas thanked the man, forcing a smile.
What took them so long?
It wasn’t true, that he would love it, but everyone always said Robotic Operations was the best work you could get in these forlorn thermal mines. He supposed he should consider himself grateful.
Sometimes the best in a bad situation is as good as it gets.
“So, if you’ll just head up to the supply deposit room, Jonathas, the fitter will see you in a moment.”
“Just a heads up though,” he continued. “Some people say that right after you receive your first injection there’ll be some tingling, as if you can feel the drones out there. You’ll keep looking around for something you thought should be there, but you can’t find it, and you can’t remember what it was. So I’ll tell you. It’s the drones you’re looking for, and the control. In an hour or two that feeling should pass.”
The fitter jabbed the needle into the underside of his wrist. Suddenly, a pain stabbed through him from his fingers to his head and then down his other arm. His upper back spasmed, causing his head and neck to arch violently upward as his legs buckled. His body hit the floor and his hands clenched into fists so tightly they ached.
----
See what I mean? No denying it. Don't waste your money on this one. It's clear WJ Davies has directly lifted his "ideas" from others. Anyone who has purchased this title should be granted a full refund in my opinion. Pathetic.
There is undeniable copying going on here, and in some cases word-for-word theft. Here are just a few examples I pulled out myself:
From Ender's Game:
The monitor lady smiled very nicely and tousled his hair and said, "Andrew, I suppose by now you're just absolutely sick of having that horrid monitor. Well, I have good news for you. That monitor is going to come out today. We're going to just take it right out, and it won't hurt a bit."
Ender nodded. It was a lie, of course, that it wouldn't hurt a bit. But since adults always said it when it was going to hurt, he could count on that statement as an accurate prediction of the future. Sometimes lies were more dependable than the truth.
"So if you'll just come over here, Andrew, just sit right up here on the examining table. The doctor will be in to see you in a moment."
"It's designed to be removed. Without infection, without damage. But there'll be some tickling, and some people say they have a feeling of something missing. You'll keep looking around for something. Something you were looking for, but you can't find it, and you can't remember what it was. So I'll tell you. It's the monitor you're looking for, and it isn't there. In a few days that feeling will pass."
The doctor was twisting something at the back of Ender's head. Suddenly a pain stabbed through him like a needle from his neck to his groin. Ender felt his back spasm, and his body arched violently backward; hi head struck the bed. He could feel his legs thrashing, and his hands were clenching each other, wringing each other so tightly that they ached.
----
Now virtually the same text from Binary Cycle:
The Robotics Manager, Michael, grinned and slapped his back hard.
“Jonathas, you must be absolutely sick of freezing your ass off down here fixing this junk, heh?”
“Something like that,” Jonathas replied.
Michael clapped his hands together. “Well, I’ve got good news for you, son. You’re getting a promotion. They’re gonna make you an Operator. At your age, can you believe it? You’re gonna love it, kid.”
Jonathas thanked the man, forcing a smile.
What took them so long?
It wasn’t true, that he would love it, but everyone always said Robotic Operations was the best work you could get in these forlorn thermal mines. He supposed he should consider himself grateful.
Sometimes the best in a bad situation is as good as it gets.
“So, if you’ll just head up to the supply deposit room, Jonathas, the fitter will see you in a moment.”
“Just a heads up though,” he continued. “Some people say that right after you receive your first injection there’ll be some tingling, as if you can feel the drones out there. You’ll keep looking around for something you thought should be there, but you can’t find it, and you can’t remember what it was. So I’ll tell you. It’s the drones you’re looking for, and the control. In an hour or two that feeling should pass.”
The fitter jabbed the needle into the underside of his wrist. Suddenly, a pain stabbed through him from his fingers to his head and then down his other arm. His upper back spasmed, causing his head and neck to arch violently upward as his legs buckled. His body hit the floor and his hands clenched into fists so tightly they ached.
----
See what I mean? No denying it. Don't waste your money on this one. It's clear WJ Davies has directly lifted his "ideas" from others. Anyone who has purchased this title should be granted a full refund in my opinion. Pathetic.
July 16, 2013
I like the writing style but the storyline never really grabbed me. Very slow moving without compelling conflict.
September 10, 2013
Intriguing, looking forward to read the next book!
August 29, 2018
Nice background
Very interesting planetary society from the glimpses. The changing POV's were difficult for me to piece together as a coherent whole. My overview had small gaps but the story flowed along nicely.
The fact that the characters were all well detailed made it much easier. The descriptions are well done and it's easy to see what the planetary environment is. I like that I have no clue where the plot is headed, though I can see it's got logic and becomes more complex as the series progresses.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
Very interesting planetary society from the glimpses. The changing POV's were difficult for me to piece together as a coherent whole. My overview had small gaps but the story flowed along nicely.
The fact that the characters were all well detailed made it much easier. The descriptions are well done and it's easy to see what the planetary environment is. I like that I have no clue where the plot is headed, though I can see it's got logic and becomes more complex as the series progresses.
I'm looking forward to the next volume.
July 17, 2022
21 This is the type of sci-fi that I don't enjoy. Normally, if I see anything with a vaguely computery sort of terms in the title, I stay well away. I didn't do that in this case and I should have. Very thin plot and characters don't seem to be fully formed yet. Unable to recommend to the normal crew.
December 31, 2019
This was such a good start!! I was hooked from the beginning, I love all the characters!! What's going on with Jonathas?! What message did Skyia get?! What is going on and I need more!
April 25, 2020
This was a short read, that you could have likely read in one sitting. At times, I couldn’t find myself interested in the story, but all in all, it was interesting and an idea of its own.
September 28, 2021
I tried to like this but it really needs an editor. Too many inconsistencies and weird word choices. This is also not a complete story vs. a continuation.
May 19, 2013
Binary Cycle promises to be the type of science fiction story that I enjoy the most. Mankind working to adapt to a new environment is more interesting to me than space wars or tyrannical governments. Adaptation is required in a rather big way for the colonists in this book. I find the world depicted here to be fascinating, with two suns, reduced gravity, and hostile wildlife. This first installment of the series describes the history of the colony, introduces a few characters, and outlines the differences between this new world and Earth. Some of the details are sketchy as yet, but there is enough world building to present a decent picture of the settled portion of the planet. Both planet and colony are in danger from an as yet unspecified natural disaster that appears to recur on a regular cycle, though a rather long one. I am intrigued by the premise, and certainly want to read what comes next.
That said, there were contradictions that caused me to stop reading and say "what?" One character suffers a fall that breaks her pretty severely, and is healed near instantly by "light surgery" with a specialized tool. This indicates tremendous advancements in medical treatment. But another character, at the ripe old age of 55, suffers constantly from aches, pains, and joint dysfunctions that apparently are not congenital. Those two scenarios seem to be incompatible.
Skyia is an entirely positive character - there are no bad things in her world. At the age of twenty, she has no friends, no social life, no ambitions, and no goals, and she's happy with that. Her only friend is her mother. Unless she has some undisclosed psychological disorder, that is not credible.
Jonathas is an entirely negative character - there are no good things in his world. He is discriminated against for unexplained reasons, and feels his intelligence and skills are deliberately disregarded. His described working and living conditions sound little better than indentured servitude, quite a giant step backward culturally. Apparently, he can't just say "I quit" and walk away. I found this puzzling.
This is all entirely my opinion, of course, which formed as I read. As this is just the beginning of this story, additional information may well resolve the issues. Mr. Davies has chosen to present a complicated saga containing many different elements. Overall, I enjoyed reading this, and will look forward to reading the next part of the story.
Three stars here and four on Amazon, due to the difference in the rating systems.
That said, there were contradictions that caused me to stop reading and say "what?" One character suffers a fall that breaks her pretty severely, and is healed near instantly by "light surgery" with a specialized tool. This indicates tremendous advancements in medical treatment. But another character, at the ripe old age of 55, suffers constantly from aches, pains, and joint dysfunctions that apparently are not congenital. Those two scenarios seem to be incompatible.
Skyia is an entirely positive character - there are no bad things in her world. At the age of twenty, she has no friends, no social life, no ambitions, and no goals, and she's happy with that. Her only friend is her mother. Unless she has some undisclosed psychological disorder, that is not credible.
Jonathas is an entirely negative character - there are no good things in his world. He is discriminated against for unexplained reasons, and feels his intelligence and skills are deliberately disregarded. His described working and living conditions sound little better than indentured servitude, quite a giant step backward culturally. Apparently, he can't just say "I quit" and walk away. I found this puzzling.
This is all entirely my opinion, of course, which formed as I read. As this is just the beginning of this story, additional information may well resolve the issues. Mr. Davies has chosen to present a complicated saga containing many different elements. Overall, I enjoyed reading this, and will look forward to reading the next part of the story.
Three stars here and four on Amazon, due to the difference in the rating systems.
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May 26, 20131 - So far there's too much telling, not enough showing.
2- The author doesn't seem to have a strong enough grasp of the emotional content of the dialogue.
3 - And we just went to 1 advanced tech med scene to another where somehow that character doesn't have access to the same for no apparent reason.
However, I'm still interested in what's happening, so that's a huge positive.
4 - Ok, if you are injured & freaked out you aren't "sauntering" anywhere. Nor will you be sprinting anywhere later afterwards.
I strongly feel that an editor would have prevented this & a few other things.
5 - Most 20 year old women are not this attached to their moms. Or this uninterested in relationships. If Skyia (and I winced when I saw SkyWalker) is supposed to be very different from her peers (like L) then you need to show it as well.
6 - And here's an example of a logic-fail:
"The noise from the engine and crunching gravel made any conversation nearly impossible. As was their custom, they rode together in comfortable silence, knowing that once they reached their destination they could speak freely."
The logic here doesn't work. The author just wrote how noisy it was, then in the next sentence says that they are riding in comfortable silence.
I'm still interested in seeing what happens, but every time one of these things occur it jerks the reader out of the story.
February 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The people of Earth have relocated to Taran. It’s 200 years in the future but the new planet is not safe. Something is happening and the world is shifting beneath their feet.
I was keen to read this book because the premise of living on another planet can throw up a whole host of interesting storylines. The story is told through multiple points of view which, I felt, there were too many for a short 140 page book. Given that it is only part one of a three part series, it was filled with too much character development. I needed more storyline to hook me so I could understand where the books are going.
But there were good points too. The story is well written and edited. I thought the drones had potential and the way the story ended, I’m sure they will appear in part two. However, I would have liked more explanation about them in the first part. I also liked the robot, Milo, who seemed innocuous but who had the potential to be more. Who knows? Perhaps part two will shed more light on him.
I’m undecided on three and a half stars or four, so I’m rounding up.
The people of Earth have relocated to Taran. It’s 200 years in the future but the new planet is not safe. Something is happening and the world is shifting beneath their feet.
I was keen to read this book because the premise of living on another planet can throw up a whole host of interesting storylines. The story is told through multiple points of view which, I felt, there were too many for a short 140 page book. Given that it is only part one of a three part series, it was filled with too much character development. I needed more storyline to hook me so I could understand where the books are going.
But there were good points too. The story is well written and edited. I thought the drones had potential and the way the story ended, I’m sure they will appear in part two. However, I would have liked more explanation about them in the first part. I also liked the robot, Milo, who seemed innocuous but who had the potential to be more. Who knows? Perhaps part two will shed more light on him.
I’m undecided on three and a half stars or four, so I’m rounding up.
June 22, 2013
The survivors of earth have moved to a new planet and 200 years later, something is going on with the planet to where humans may not survive.
While I liked this book, I felt like I haven’t finished it. Yes, it’s supposed to be set in 3 books, but usually there is some kind of finishing point after each book. I felt like I haven’t really gotten to know everything about the characters where I feel like I should have learned most of it by now. I still don’t have a clue about what is even happening to the planet.
Like I said, I enjoyed it but it didn’t feel like any of the storylines completed.
While I liked this book, I felt like I haven’t finished it. Yes, it’s supposed to be set in 3 books, but usually there is some kind of finishing point after each book. I felt like I haven’t really gotten to know everything about the characters where I feel like I should have learned most of it by now. I still don’t have a clue about what is even happening to the planet.
Like I said, I enjoyed it but it didn’t feel like any of the storylines completed.
May 30, 2013
Earth is dying, so a group sets off in a spaceship-turned-Ark to find another planet to call home. Only, what happens when - 200 years post-colonization - this new planet threatens them with extinction?
This was an easy read; not great, but good. As I flipped to the final page on my Kindle, I found myself interested in what came next, but not so invested in the characters that I'd mark my calendar for the next installment.
This was an easy read; not great, but good. As I flipped to the final page on my Kindle, I found myself interested in what came next, but not so invested in the characters that I'd mark my calendar for the next installment.
June 22, 2013
I had just read Davies 'The Runner' and was keen to read more by this author. This first book of a three part SF series came up as a free offer and I pounced on the opportunity. This book doesn't disappoint. I enjoyed the characters and the story. The ending has me wanting to read the next instalment which comes out in July. I really like these shorter reads which I can read in one sitting, but yet it is long enough to be more engaging than a short story.
December 29, 2014
Decent scifi. Some original elements and interesting characters. The parallel stories don't fit with the short length of the book though. This story also requires the usual forced plot points so often required to move the story forward.
June 1, 2015
I'm not sure why I left this in my TBR pile for so long, but Binary Cycle promises to be a great sci-fi series. I immediately started on the next book in the series and am loving the story so far. Great character development and some truly wonderful world-building here. Well done!
July 11, 2013
I really got immersed in the story and this world. Great story line. Kept me very interested until the end. Can't wait for the next one.
August 10, 2013
I can't wait for the next book in the series. The characters are likeable, and I really enjoyed the robot MILO. This story has so many possibilities. Now I am going to read The Diver.
July 24, 2014
I love this story...be prepared that when you read the last sentence...HERE take my money Mr. Davies.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews