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Hedon
In 2051, the Bhutanese Empire rules post-apocalyptic Shangri with iron-fisted Buddhist compassion. Happiness is compulsory, but making everyone happy isn’t easy in an overpopulated world. Breeders are ghettoed, homosexuality is mandatory, and Shangrians’ happiness levels are strictly monitored by hedometers implanted in their heads. Become depressed, or feel too happy without helping others feel the same, and The Tax Man will get angry. Very angry.
Gemini and Cyan, winners of the pregnancy lottery, are on the run. Cyan can’t fall pregnant, and Gemini is addicted to the Experience Machine. Will they evade The Tax Man, and find a way to end the brutal pleasures of Shangri?
The lovechild of Brave New World and The Handmaid’s Tale, HEDON is gritty satire on a dystopia drunk with bigotry and positive thinking.
Gemini and Cyan, winners of the pregnancy lottery, are on the run. Cyan can’t fall pregnant, and Gemini is addicted to the Experience Machine. Will they evade The Tax Man, and find a way to end the brutal pleasures of Shangri?
The lovechild of Brave New World and The Handmaid’s Tale, HEDON is gritty satire on a dystopia drunk with bigotry and positive thinking.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2015
21 people are currently reading
812 people want to read
About the author
Jason Werbeloff
60 books326 followersHuman. Male. From an obscure planet in the Milky Way Galaxy. Sci-fi novelist with a PhD in philosophy. Likes chocolates, Labradors, and zombies (not necessarily in that order). Werbeloff spends his days constructing thought experiments, while trying to muster enough guilt to go to the gym.
He's the author of the sci-fi thriller trilogy, Defragmenting Daniel, two novels, Hedon and The Solace Pill, and the short story anthology, Obsidian Worlds. His books will make your brain hurt. And you'll come back for more.
Subscribe to his newsletter to receive a free book, and a lifetime of free and discounted stories.
**Amazon Author Page - download all of Werbeloff's fiction from Amazon.
**Facebook and Twitter - follow Werbeloff for release date information on upcoming novels.
**Website - read about the author, and the philosophy behind his fiction.
He's the author of the sci-fi thriller trilogy, Defragmenting Daniel, two novels, Hedon and The Solace Pill, and the short story anthology, Obsidian Worlds. His books will make your brain hurt. And you'll come back for more.
Subscribe to his newsletter to receive a free book, and a lifetime of free and discounted stories.
**Amazon Author Page - download all of Werbeloff's fiction from Amazon.
**Facebook and Twitter - follow Werbeloff for release date information on upcoming novels.
**Website - read about the author, and the philosophy behind his fiction.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 2, 2015
Easily one of the best books I've read this year. Wow. Hedon is definitely a book for spirited discussions. It's uncomfortable. It's unexpected. It's fun. This author takes risks! There are themes that can alienate an audience. All of this makes the story, well, fascinating. Every character is engaging. All stirred my curiosity. For me, the paramedic's arc was genuinely fascinating. And frustrating. And beautiful. And … you get the point. For those who love to pick a story apart, there are hundreds of little “think-about-it” items in the details – anyone else notice that prayer flags are still available and acceptable in the capitalist / hetero ghetto? But unlike outside the wall, they're neither mandatory nor free-of-charge. There are themes of religion, authoritarianism, political correctness, human nature, sexuality, societal acceptance, social isolation, addiction. A lot of rabbits in the hat. I can see some people getting angry at this book because it rubs against the direction of their ideological leanings – then others with opposite ideals expressing the same complaint. I recommend this novel to all my friends who claim to want a book that will make them think. Once you've read Hedon, you can't help but want to talk about it.
February 16, 2015
I was given a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the third story I've read by this author (The Solace Pill trilogy and a short called Your Averaged Joe are the other two) and I highly recommend you check his work out. Hedon is my favorite out of the three, and one of my favorite reads of the past year. The story is original, and imaginative, the characters are well fleshed out and engaging. I found myself thinking about the characters at odd times during the day, and I was really quite sad when the book ended - I was kind of hoping it was going to turn out to be the beginning of a trilogy, simply because I didn't want the story to end. Hedon would make a great movie, and I can't wait to see what this guy comes up with next.
January 26, 2015
Werbeloff continues to develop his craft with another mind-bending dystopian science fiction novel. I loved the concept of how a totalitarian regime keeps order in a post-apocalyptic society by maintaining a system in which pleasure and altruism must be kept in balance. I also liked the concept of mandatory homosexuality as a way to control population growth, and the conflict of the "breeders" as well as many people's heterosexual impulses with the established order. There are quite a few other ideas packed into this story but the different concepts are integrated well.
One minor complaint is that the antagonist uses a common slur for homosexuals several times. Besides that this term has fallen out of common acceptable usage in the 21st century (at least, in the USA), it did not make sense to me in the context of this book, since homosexuality is encouraged in this future society and the character himself keeps many male concubines ("he had his own harem of boys and men at his estate"). Seems to me that the character would have thought of a different name to call people he didn't like. Regardless of this quibble, I really enjoyed this work and fans of intellectual sci-fi will like the thought experiments played out on these pages.
My review is based on an advance copy (so there could be slight differences in the final published version) but the opinions in this review are independent and unbiased.
One minor complaint is that the antagonist uses a common slur for homosexuals several times. Besides that this term has fallen out of common acceptable usage in the 21st century (at least, in the USA), it did not make sense to me in the context of this book, since homosexuality is encouraged in this future society and the character himself keeps many male concubines ("he had his own harem of boys and men at his estate"). Seems to me that the character would have thought of a different name to call people he didn't like. Regardless of this quibble, I really enjoyed this work and fans of intellectual sci-fi will like the thought experiments played out on these pages.
My review is based on an advance copy (so there could be slight differences in the final published version) but the opinions in this review are independent and unbiased.
February 19, 2015
his a bold and brilliant book. I wanted to read Hedon chiefly because I wanted to see who would have the guts to turn Buddhism on its head. Buddhism for me has always been beyond criticism because it is the most accessible and compassionate and sane of religions. Hedon offers a twist. And the twists go on, somewhat deliciously: aren't we all sick of the positive thinking orgy that has taken over our culture? Read Hedon where nothing is sacred and yet everything is colorful. I would love to meet Werbeloff the author. I want to shake his hand and tell him: "You are truly original."
February 25, 2015
Kept me reading
This was probably the strangest book I've ever read. While not uninteresting, I never felt totally committed to the story. It would have gotten 3 stars until I got to the end.
This was probably the strangest book I've ever read. While not uninteresting, I never felt totally committed to the story. It would have gotten 3 stars until I got to the end.
January 16, 2016
After a rocky (for me) beginning, I came to really like this story. From that rocky beginning, it was a dystopian story unlike any I'd ever read before, but initially it was sort of like being a looky-loo at a car accident. I wasn't feeling invested in any of the characters.
All of that changed, however, once Tax Man 16 entered the story. Talk about a bad guy! Only, he thought he was on the side of right. But he took things too far and abused his power. The only good thing about Tax Man 16 was that he really piqued my interest in the story. Once he came on the scene, I all of a sudden felt very invested in the characters' lives. Sadly, luck was not with any of the characters.
Gemini
Cyan
Anand
Donys
Tax Man 16
Happy ending? Not so much, I don't think. The book ends with Chokyong and Echo The End.
I may or may not have screeched in frustration at this ending. I suspect that But we weren't told what happened. ARGH!!!
So what should have been a happy ending probably wasn't one. :-(
But this was a very good story. I really liked it. :-)
It occurs to me that I should probably say something about the world this story is set in. Shangri is
I hadn't ever read a dystopian story quite like this. But I'm very glad I picked up Hedon while it was free in the Kindle store. It was an interesting world, and a very good story. :-)
All of that changed, however, once Tax Man 16 entered the story. Talk about a bad guy! Only, he thought he was on the side of right. But he took things too far and abused his power. The only good thing about Tax Man 16 was that he really piqued my interest in the story. Once he came on the scene, I all of a sudden felt very invested in the characters' lives. Sadly, luck was not with any of the characters.
Gemini
Cyan
Anand
Donys
Tax Man 16
Happy ending? Not so much, I don't think. The book ends with Chokyong and Echo The End.
I may or may not have screeched in frustration at this ending. I suspect that But we weren't told what happened. ARGH!!!
So what should have been a happy ending probably wasn't one. :-(
But this was a very good story. I really liked it. :-)
It occurs to me that I should probably say something about the world this story is set in. Shangri is
I hadn't ever read a dystopian story quite like this. But I'm very glad I picked up Hedon while it was free in the Kindle store. It was an interesting world, and a very good story. :-)
October 1, 2015
One of the best things about having a Kindle is the free offers that are constantly flung onto the internet. This lets me take a chance on a book I've never heard of before, by an author I've also never head before, at no cost to myself except for time.
That's how we find the diamond in the rough.
Hedon is a creative take on the overpopulation themed post-apocalypse. It's REPO! The Genetic Opera meets Logan's Run, complete with life or death games for the amusement of the masses, and repossession of things one would think cannot be repossessed. In this case, memories.
The year is 2051 and for the good of the world, society has been divided into two castes, separated by a wall. On one side is the metropolis known as Shangri. Filled with brothels and opium dens and porn, people can live like kings, as long as they're happy and spread that happiness around.
On the other side is where the destitute live, the Breeders. Those who must make the best with what they have.
When married Breeder couple Cyan and Gemini win the lottery and are allowed access to Shangri and permission to have a child, they think their dreams come true...
The author has created a vivid world, filled out by great characters. Each are distinct with rich back stories that are gradually pieced together. The villain is interesting and a relentless force.
It's unpredictable. I don't mean that there are twists for the sake of twists, I mean that where the story begins and where it ends are two very different places, but the progression of events are fluid and organic.
The economics of the world are interesting. The more good deeds you do, the more altruism points you get. Then you can spend those, your hedons, for pleasure. But never take more than you give, or the Tax Man will come to collect.
The idea of forced homosexuality, while not unique, is interesting. Especially if you assume it's a natural outgrowth of "What if homosexuality is a biological switch nature flicked on to control the population?"
There were a few tiny things that caught in my craw though.
Every time I read "hedon", I followed it up with "Apply directly to the forehead". This is my problem and I need to deal with it in my own way.
There was a character called Mascara because of his heavy mascara. No one knew his name so he was described as "Mascara", as one would say "the boy" or "The tall man". Later, he introduces himself to another character and says his name is Mascara. It just threw me a bit because up until that point the author was doing a good job keeping things like that in check.
Some of the violence was to cartoonish levels with very little commentary. People are slaughtered left and right like the Unstoppable Juggernaught was racing through and nothing...happened. No commentary on the slaughter, no people mourning, no "My cabbages!", nothing.
None of these things were too much to distract from my enjoyment of the story though. A solid, fun, at times depressing, story. I recommend it for those who love dystopia but need it drawn with a new set of crayons.
That's how we find the diamond in the rough.
Hedon is a creative take on the overpopulation themed post-apocalypse. It's REPO! The Genetic Opera meets Logan's Run, complete with life or death games for the amusement of the masses, and repossession of things one would think cannot be repossessed. In this case, memories.
The year is 2051 and for the good of the world, society has been divided into two castes, separated by a wall. On one side is the metropolis known as Shangri. Filled with brothels and opium dens and porn, people can live like kings, as long as they're happy and spread that happiness around.
On the other side is where the destitute live, the Breeders. Those who must make the best with what they have.
When married Breeder couple Cyan and Gemini win the lottery and are allowed access to Shangri and permission to have a child, they think their dreams come true...
The author has created a vivid world, filled out by great characters. Each are distinct with rich back stories that are gradually pieced together. The villain is interesting and a relentless force.
It's unpredictable. I don't mean that there are twists for the sake of twists, I mean that where the story begins and where it ends are two very different places, but the progression of events are fluid and organic.
The economics of the world are interesting. The more good deeds you do, the more altruism points you get. Then you can spend those, your hedons, for pleasure. But never take more than you give, or the Tax Man will come to collect.
The idea of forced homosexuality, while not unique, is interesting. Especially if you assume it's a natural outgrowth of "What if homosexuality is a biological switch nature flicked on to control the population?"
There were a few tiny things that caught in my craw though.
Every time I read "hedon", I followed it up with "Apply directly to the forehead". This is my problem and I need to deal with it in my own way.
There was a character called Mascara because of his heavy mascara. No one knew his name so he was described as "Mascara", as one would say "the boy" or "The tall man". Later, he introduces himself to another character and says his name is Mascara. It just threw me a bit because up until that point the author was doing a good job keeping things like that in check.
Some of the violence was to cartoonish levels with very little commentary. People are slaughtered left and right like the Unstoppable Juggernaught was racing through and nothing...happened. No commentary on the slaughter, no people mourning, no "My cabbages!", nothing.
None of these things were too much to distract from my enjoyment of the story though. A solid, fun, at times depressing, story. I recommend it for those who love dystopia but need it drawn with a new set of crayons.
February 19, 2015
The fundamental belief “Put the needs and concerns of others first regardless the cost to ones own self”. What a great thing to base a future society on, just two problems. Make it a "requirement" and not out of love for your citizens to be able to live, add in severe over population and you have a recipe for a world that on the surface might seem utopian, but underneath is just as messed up and corrupt as the life that has always existed! Hedon will take you to that world, entrench you in it and make you hate it!
In a state of over population females and babies have a negative life value and are controlled by the government, which for obvious reasons makes life for males awful. You really feel for the characters as they try to function in this backwards society and do their best to maintain their efforts to care and do more for others instead of themselves to gain credits to live, but is that sustainable or is the old life outside of the walls really better? or is human selfishness and sin the root of what people really want, and will that win out?
The characters struggle through the requirements forced on them by society and contrast them with what their hearts and feelings tell them they really want. What will win out in the end and can they come up with a better way to deal with the overpopulation, class systems and sexual desires. You see a clash of cultures, classes and future embedded technologies that really screw up life. However; Love musters all it can to survive and finds help along the way in strange places, but it will need all the help it can get to make it through a force that is corrupted by the demented memories of citizens whose deaths are looked on as a good thing with individual human life only worth what it can do for society. At many times I had to put this book down and get away because it just sticks with you a times and really you don’t want to be part of this world, but it’s the little spark of love and human resilience that keeps you coming back to this book, and the hopes that by the end, Love and Life will prevail. If you enjoyed Solace Pill and like thinking through issues that could really mess up society if it goes a certain way then you will really like this book. Werbeloff’s books make you think about things in a different way and they trap you inside possible futures you don’t want to be part of, it makes you feel lucky to live in the world you live in now.
In a state of over population females and babies have a negative life value and are controlled by the government, which for obvious reasons makes life for males awful. You really feel for the characters as they try to function in this backwards society and do their best to maintain their efforts to care and do more for others instead of themselves to gain credits to live, but is that sustainable or is the old life outside of the walls really better? or is human selfishness and sin the root of what people really want, and will that win out?
The characters struggle through the requirements forced on them by society and contrast them with what their hearts and feelings tell them they really want. What will win out in the end and can they come up with a better way to deal with the overpopulation, class systems and sexual desires. You see a clash of cultures, classes and future embedded technologies that really screw up life. However; Love musters all it can to survive and finds help along the way in strange places, but it will need all the help it can get to make it through a force that is corrupted by the demented memories of citizens whose deaths are looked on as a good thing with individual human life only worth what it can do for society. At many times I had to put this book down and get away because it just sticks with you a times and really you don’t want to be part of this world, but it’s the little spark of love and human resilience that keeps you coming back to this book, and the hopes that by the end, Love and Life will prevail. If you enjoyed Solace Pill and like thinking through issues that could really mess up society if it goes a certain way then you will really like this book. Werbeloff’s books make you think about things in a different way and they trap you inside possible futures you don’t want to be part of, it makes you feel lucky to live in the world you live in now.
January 24, 2016
This book is definitely not for those who are squeamish. It is meant only for adults 18+. There are scenes of sexual situations between same sex partners that may offend some readers. If that is the case then this book is not for you.
In a utopian world (to some) and a dystopia to others, where homosexual sex is not only the norm, but is a requirement, anyone with heterosexual proclivities must hide their nature to live in Shangri. Those that do not, or will not, are considered to be the dregs of humanity and are forced to live in the walled ghetto. Shangri citizens call them "BREEDERS" which is considered the ultimate slur.
"SHANGRI - Ensuring your happiness, so you don't have to."
The ghetto which is highly reminiscent of the Jewish ghettos created by Hitler during the Holocaust, is a slum. People raised in Shangri believe that Breeders are completely lawless and that they drink the blood of babies. This is again similar to the propaganda that Hitler's Third Reich spewed during World War 2.
The ideals of Shangri are wonderful. It is the way they go about pursuing those ideals that is the problem.
This novel will force you to face some hard questions. What would you be willing to do to survive? Would you give up? Or would you bide your time and hope for a chance to fight the good fight? These are only a few of the quandaries that the protagonist faces in HEDON.
Jason Werbeloff has done an amazing job of writing about the difference between an ideal and the achievement of that ideal.
This novel is a fascinating dystopian tale that will stay with you long after reading the final page.
I have no choice but to rate this novel as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It actually deserves a higher rating, but 5 is the highest allowable.
To read more of my reviews visit http://AmiesBookReviews.wordpress.com
In a utopian world (to some) and a dystopia to others, where homosexual sex is not only the norm, but is a requirement, anyone with heterosexual proclivities must hide their nature to live in Shangri. Those that do not, or will not, are considered to be the dregs of humanity and are forced to live in the walled ghetto. Shangri citizens call them "BREEDERS" which is considered the ultimate slur.
"SHANGRI - Ensuring your happiness, so you don't have to."
The ghetto which is highly reminiscent of the Jewish ghettos created by Hitler during the Holocaust, is a slum. People raised in Shangri believe that Breeders are completely lawless and that they drink the blood of babies. This is again similar to the propaganda that Hitler's Third Reich spewed during World War 2.
The ideals of Shangri are wonderful. It is the way they go about pursuing those ideals that is the problem.
This novel will force you to face some hard questions. What would you be willing to do to survive? Would you give up? Or would you bide your time and hope for a chance to fight the good fight? These are only a few of the quandaries that the protagonist faces in HEDON.
Jason Werbeloff has done an amazing job of writing about the difference between an ideal and the achievement of that ideal.
This novel is a fascinating dystopian tale that will stay with you long after reading the final page.
I have no choice but to rate this novel as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It actually deserves a higher rating, but 5 is the highest allowable.
To read more of my reviews visit http://AmiesBookReviews.wordpress.com
March 27, 2015
Noisetrade and Jason have been most generous in their initiative to give this book for free during a 48 hour period, and I managed to snatch a copy. I'll make sure to check out his other books as well, as I love the genre. Always support the authors of the books you like!
Hedon is a quick read written in a bold, but not overpowering way. It's not a squeamish, PG-13 fare - it's a book meant for the adults, with some complex questions to boot.
The scope is both narrow and wide, and that's where I give out both the laurels and the criticism. The narrowness proved to be an excellent vessel in creating well crafted characters we truly care about, and that's truly rare. They change throughout the book, and we stick with them through their hopes and fears. Extras are rarely named, and rarely appear. They pique your interest just enough so you want more. The Tax man is an excellent villain. And man, I would like to see more of them! They would make such a badass, anime-style-villain crew.
The criticism comes from many questions that were touched upon in the book when it was convenient for the plot, but remain largely unanswered. What about the other countries, is this an oddity or a regularity in the Hedon world, and how does that German-Swiss-something come into the picture? What's keeping Breeders from going guerilla on their ass? A gestation period of two weeks? It's as if the cold facts of the world (like condemning of heterosexuality) came overnight.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, and Hedon batted its indie eyelashes for an additional star.
Hedon is a quick read written in a bold, but not overpowering way. It's not a squeamish, PG-13 fare - it's a book meant for the adults, with some complex questions to boot.
The scope is both narrow and wide, and that's where I give out both the laurels and the criticism. The narrowness proved to be an excellent vessel in creating well crafted characters we truly care about, and that's truly rare. They change throughout the book, and we stick with them through their hopes and fears. Extras are rarely named, and rarely appear. They pique your interest just enough so you want more. The Tax man is an excellent villain. And man, I would like to see more of them! They would make such a badass, anime-style-villain crew.
The criticism comes from many questions that were touched upon in the book when it was convenient for the plot, but remain largely unanswered. What about the other countries, is this an oddity or a regularity in the Hedon world, and how does that German-Swiss-something come into the picture? What's keeping Breeders from going guerilla on their ass? A gestation period of two weeks? It's as if the cold facts of the world (like condemning of heterosexuality) came overnight.
All in all, I enjoyed the book, and Hedon batted its indie eyelashes for an additional star.
June 28, 2016
This is a successful major work by a young author who was new to me, and I am glad that I was introduced to it. Conceptual science fiction of the first order, it is also sustained by strong characterisation and fluent, vivid descriptive writing. I found the dystopian near-future society in which the story takes place interesting and compelling, and I was amused by the flashes of recent-past popular culture that punctuate it. The tax-man spoke in my head with Arnold Schwartzenegger's voice, the battle suits reminded me of the Transformers franchise of children's toys and movies. I kept thinking that this would make a good computer game, the story is so immersive. The author takes liberties with probability, but that is to be expected in this genre. For instance - why the segregation of "breeders", and the culling, instead of contraception or sterilization? Although messy and inefficient ways of controlling population growth, these elements in the story make a point about the society and the values, and so I didn't let it bother me too much. I found the ending disturbing, and it rankles in my mind. I suspect this will prompt me to read any sequels or other books set in the same context, so that was probably a smart move by the author.
I refrained from giving the book five stars because the author is at the start of his career. I need to keep a star in reserve, to allow for his growth as an author.
I refrained from giving the book five stars because the author is at the start of his career. I need to keep a star in reserve, to allow for his growth as an author.
August 23, 2015
I'm used to the author as a short story writer, so this is the first full length novel of his I've read.
It's the near future and Bhutan, the happiest place to live, is taking over the world. Money is a thing of the past, everything is measured in either the happiness you give others, or the happiness you receive. Homosexuality is compulsory, and woman are kept separate. Babies are only allowed under the strictest of conditions, and any who are not perfect are killed.
Into this come Gemini and Cyan, taken from the slums and allowed to become pregnant, the Tax collector, who monitors your happiness levels, Anand, who works in a bath house and Donys, the paramedic.
It's a weird story, with a well developed world. The characters are wonderfully drawn, the plotting is tight and the ideas used are complex. This is not a simple book, but it pays the reading. Utopia is not always what it seems to be
It's the near future and Bhutan, the happiest place to live, is taking over the world. Money is a thing of the past, everything is measured in either the happiness you give others, or the happiness you receive. Homosexuality is compulsory, and woman are kept separate. Babies are only allowed under the strictest of conditions, and any who are not perfect are killed.
Into this come Gemini and Cyan, taken from the slums and allowed to become pregnant, the Tax collector, who monitors your happiness levels, Anand, who works in a bath house and Donys, the paramedic.
It's a weird story, with a well developed world. The characters are wonderfully drawn, the plotting is tight and the ideas used are complex. This is not a simple book, but it pays the reading. Utopia is not always what it seems to be
February 16, 2015
Taking the Utiliarian obsession with maximising happiness to its logical conclusion, 'Hedon' cleverly presents an entire society constructed around the prioritisation of happiness, where this is enforced by the state and has all manner of interesting implications. There is gore, there is humour, there is prejudice, there is intrigue, there is much to take you to the edge of your seat. This novel is bold and delicious in its imagination, but also action-packed and full of colourful, terrible, likeable and grotesque characters. I think it would make a great movie and I found it very hard to put down (eventually I gave up trying and just finished it).
February 17, 2015
Without the cliches, Hedon is a good read.
The author skillfully paints believable scenes with characters that come to life; some of whom you will quickly hate (I am looking at you Mr. Tax man), others you can't help but to feel pity for there unfortunate circumstances (the poor 'child'), while others you will simply adore.
The book is well-paced and is filled with unexpected plot twists. It's an easy read, where the story tells itself, begging to be heard. His writing style gets out of way allowing you to focus hearing the characters, and seeing the world through their eyes.
I am eager to see if the author is going to continue this universe, as he now has a fan!
The author skillfully paints believable scenes with characters that come to life; some of whom you will quickly hate (I am looking at you Mr. Tax man), others you can't help but to feel pity for there unfortunate circumstances (the poor 'child'), while others you will simply adore.
The book is well-paced and is filled with unexpected plot twists. It's an easy read, where the story tells itself, begging to be heard. His writing style gets out of way allowing you to focus hearing the characters, and seeing the world through their eyes.
I am eager to see if the author is going to continue this universe, as he now has a fan!
February 19, 2015
This is an engaging good read full of exuberant original ideas. Gay people are the norm, heterosexuals have to stay in the closet. And heterosexual women suffer with institutionalized sexism. Human happiness is monitored and controlled by the state. I like the way you find out about how the world is, and how it came to be like that, gradually through the book, with new information being revealed even close to the end. There is plenty of action and the story moves on to different people and different places, so you find out about different aspects of society. And the characters develop as events unfold. A dystopian thriller with a conscience, that mirrors aspects of today's world.
February 20, 2015
As a traditionally non Sci-fi reader, I would still without doubt rate Hedon a brilliant read. The plot is at times nail-biting, often disturbing and always superb. Set in a totalitarian society drunk on happiness and positive thinking it cuts dangerously close to the bone and holds your attention until the last word. Read Hedon. Werbeloff has something.
January 21, 2016
DNF at page 118 (46%). I really enjoyed the premise but there were so many things that bothered me about this book, so I quit. I'll rant about it when I get a chance later. 2.5 stars.
September 7, 2019
One of the weirdest damn books I've ever read... which is why it deserves five stars. It presents an idea which seems highly implausible... but in these strange times, anything is possible. Jason Werbeloff consistently writes books that stretch my imagination and world view, and for that I thank him. Wow.
July 4, 2020
If dystopia is your thing then this is right up your alley. It's dirty, violent, extremely sexually graphic -- and the ending.
Definitely not for children.
Also available in Uprising: 12 Dystopian Futures .
Definitely not for children.
Also available in Uprising: 12 Dystopian Futures .
July 3, 2018
Different
Took a chance on this one and though the story was a little weird I was captivated. After I started reading I found it hard to put down. Love a book like that. Thank you for a entertaining tale.
Took a chance on this one and though the story was a little weird I was captivated. After I started reading I found it hard to put down. Love a book like that. Thank you for a entertaining tale.
August 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. Narrated from multiple points of view, Hedon not only introduces the reader to a cleverly original dystopian future, it also draws you in with details that emerge as you read on. Very good read.
September 1, 2018
If you have read any of Werbeloff's work you will understand what I mean by stating, "Yet another excellent reading adventure by Jason Werbeloff. If you have not allowed yourself the privilege, then please get any one of his fascinating stories and dive in. I highly recommend all of it.
March 5, 2021
Great read.
I really enjoyed this, and the experience machine. I loved the pace, although threw me a bit when there was a character switch. So intense at times and I would really have loved to see a follow on from this book.
I really enjoyed this, and the experience machine. I loved the pace, although threw me a bit when there was a character switch. So intense at times and I would really have loved to see a follow on from this book.
October 15, 2017
One of the best books written by Jason Werbeloff. Loved that is was a full book and not a novella. The characters were well developed and this book held.my interest throughout.
October 27, 2017
Nah, even if it's character development of a shitty character I'm not about to waste my time on a book that says, "dykes aren't real women" on the second page of the book.
January 25, 2020
Wildly unique sci-fi / dystopian story. Most definitely give this one a try.
September 24, 2018
Easily one of the most unexpectedly enjoyable reads I've come across this year.
It was the twisting of the current Bhutanese Gross National Happiness measurement into a dystopian extreme that really captured my imagination. A unique and imaginative idea successfully transferred into an enthralling story. Cohesive world building, charismatic characters and an altogether compelling read.
It was the twisting of the current Bhutanese Gross National Happiness measurement into a dystopian extreme that really captured my imagination. A unique and imaginative idea successfully transferred into an enthralling story. Cohesive world building, charismatic characters and an altogether compelling read.
October 5, 2015
It has been a day since I finished this book and I am still not sure what to think of it.
This is one of several dystopian books I have read and most distopian worlds know greatly troubled societies. I found some of the troubles people faced in the Buthanese Empire very intriguing and others greatly disturbing to the point that I thought: why? How does this contribute to the story?
The characters are interesting, the Buthanese Empire is something you have never seen before (including the descriptions of neigbourhoods, plants etc.), but is this the best dystopian novel ever? For me the answer to this question is no. But as a fan of dystopian fiction I do urge you to read it for the positive aspects I pointed out above.
This is one of several dystopian books I have read and most distopian worlds know greatly troubled societies. I found some of the troubles people faced in the Buthanese Empire very intriguing and others greatly disturbing to the point that I thought: why? How does this contribute to the story?
The characters are interesting, the Buthanese Empire is something you have never seen before (including the descriptions of neigbourhoods, plants etc.), but is this the best dystopian novel ever? For me the answer to this question is no. But as a fan of dystopian fiction I do urge you to read it for the positive aspects I pointed out above.
October 29, 2015
The beginning is a little confusing as we jump around and see a dystopian world from several perspectives and attempt to understand the currency system which is never fully explained but which you build a sense of as you live each character's daily routine. Their lives intersect and the world becomes clearer, fuller physically, and emptier emotionally.
Philosophy, politics, death, and taxes combined with a possible world and likeable and unlikeable characters are what make science fiction so intriguing. Werbeloff does a good job of it and raises interesting controversial subjects. For sci Fi and dystopian readers this is a good book to put in the read list. Warning - strong sexual content.
I found the last sentences to be overkill and was considering this a possible 4 star until then.
Philosophy, politics, death, and taxes combined with a possible world and likeable and unlikeable characters are what make science fiction so intriguing. Werbeloff does a good job of it and raises interesting controversial subjects. For sci Fi and dystopian readers this is a good book to put in the read list. Warning - strong sexual content.
I found the last sentences to be overkill and was considering this a possible 4 star until then.
March 28, 2015
This was a weirdly interesting Scifi read, interesting and engaging without being too technical. I couldn't help feeling like the end was a bit rushed. It felt like the writer just wrote an end cause every book has one.
What happened to the rest of Shangri after the showdown? What led up to the final page? How did cyan even know which baby was hers? Ending taxman 16 when he was just getting interesting?
It had more questions at the end than answers. It's a relief to find an okay book that isn't a trilogy or a saga but cliffhangers should make some kind of sense if there isn't going to be a second book.
What happened to the rest of Shangri after the showdown? What led up to the final page? How did cyan even know which baby was hers? Ending taxman 16 when he was just getting interesting?
It had more questions at the end than answers. It's a relief to find an okay book that isn't a trilogy or a saga but cliffhangers should make some kind of sense if there isn't going to be a second book.
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