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Severance: Book 1 of the Last Regulator
In the perfect city, every emotion is a crime waiting to happen.
The year is 2747. The cities of Puget Sound have fused into a single regulated organism — the Metroplex — where every citizen wears a neural implant calibrated to keep feeling within sanctioned parameters. A flash of grief, a surge of anger, a moment of joy too sharp to be safe: the implant intervenes before the feeling fully forms, dampening the citizen back into compliance. Crime is nearly extinct. Stability is absolute. The system works.
The system is lying.
Detective Elias Reynor has spent nine years as the Neural Compliance Division's most exemplary officer. His emotional readings are perfect. His arrest record is unmatched. His promotion is a formality — until the day the Board denies it, and a routine call sends him into a Sector 7 apartment where nothing about the scene adds up.
The deeper Elias investigates, the more the inconsistencies multiply. Classified components in street-level technology. Surveillance gaps too precise to be accidents. A partner whose perfect control has begun to feel rehearsed. A doctor whose family history has been redacted by someone with the authority to do it.
What Elias is closing in on isn't a conspiracy against the system.
It is the system.
To find the truth, he'll have to reach for emotions the Metroplex has spent his entire adult life training out of him — and discover, too late, that what's been done to him cannot simply be undone.
Severance is Book One of The Last Regulator — a dystopian science-fiction trilogy about complicity, control, and the cost of becoming human again in a world that has engineered humanity out of its citizens.
Begin the trilogy today.
The year is 2747. The cities of Puget Sound have fused into a single regulated organism — the Metroplex — where every citizen wears a neural implant calibrated to keep feeling within sanctioned parameters. A flash of grief, a surge of anger, a moment of joy too sharp to be safe: the implant intervenes before the feeling fully forms, dampening the citizen back into compliance. Crime is nearly extinct. Stability is absolute. The system works.
The system is lying.
Detective Elias Reynor has spent nine years as the Neural Compliance Division's most exemplary officer. His emotional readings are perfect. His arrest record is unmatched. His promotion is a formality — until the day the Board denies it, and a routine call sends him into a Sector 7 apartment where nothing about the scene adds up.
The deeper Elias investigates, the more the inconsistencies multiply. Classified components in street-level technology. Surveillance gaps too precise to be accidents. A partner whose perfect control has begun to feel rehearsed. A doctor whose family history has been redacted by someone with the authority to do it.
What Elias is closing in on isn't a conspiracy against the system.
It is the system.
To find the truth, he'll have to reach for emotions the Metroplex has spent his entire adult life training out of him — and discover, too late, that what's been done to him cannot simply be undone.
Severance is Book One of The Last Regulator — a dystopian science-fiction trilogy about complicity, control, and the cost of becoming human again in a world that has engineered humanity out of its citizens.
Begin the trilogy today.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2026
About the author
Steven Nimocks
13 books156 followersSteven A. Nimocks is a multi-award-winning author whose work has earned international recognition, including the Literary Titan Gold (2024) and Silver (2026) Book Awards and a Readers' Favorite Silver Medal in Mystery (2025).
He writes across genres under three names: Stella Sinclaire for mystery, Lyam Lockwood for science fiction and fantasy, and his own name for literary and historical fiction — and anything else worth telling.
His military career and years living in Germany and Austria inform fiction that blends imagination with lived experience. When not writing, he plays piano and organ, and enjoys the outdoors, genealogy, reading, teaching, and cooking. He's always glad to connect with readers and fellow writers.
Also writes mystery fiction as Stella Sinclaire.
He writes across genres under three names: Stella Sinclaire for mystery, Lyam Lockwood for science fiction and fantasy, and his own name for literary and historical fiction — and anything else worth telling.
His military career and years living in Germany and Austria inform fiction that blends imagination with lived experience. When not writing, he plays piano and organ, and enjoys the outdoors, genealogy, reading, teaching, and cooking. He's always glad to connect with readers and fellow writers.
Also writes mystery fiction as Stella Sinclaire.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 17, 2026
Note: I received the digital copy of this book as an advance review copy for free but I also purchased the physical paperback. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Severance is a high-octane cyberpunk story about finding yourself in a world meant to suppress everything that makes you, you. The general concept of stifled emotions, flawless control of oneself through rule of law was interesting enough to me but when you mix in a gritty mystery and ever-tightening tension, it’s a real hit. This is absolutely a cyberpunk story in the strongest sense, with a sci-fi dystopia where government and corporations call the shots and the everyman suffers in silence because there is no other choice…. until there is, then THs the only choice…
The initial premise of the story, the backbone of it all, is amazing and very interesting. When I read the blurb, I knew I had to jump in and see where this was going, and boy was it a wild ride. The mystery kept growing deeper and deeper until I was reading faster than my brain could process, trying to follow the next thread (I walked it back and read properly, I just got so excited). There are several layers to this sory that all sort of come together at the end but not quite because this is the first of three. Overall, it was a satisfying trip!
Things did take off a little slow for me personally, mostly because I struggled to connect with characters via their dialogue with each other. Elias (in the beginning) often felt very wooden when he spoke to others outwardly, and while I do understand that is the entire point of the first half of this story, it was a little tough for me to sync up with. It definitely felt emotionless and artificial, as it should’ve given the premise, but perhaps did too well. I deeply admire Mr. Nimock’s dedication to the concept but there were a lot of moments where I felt the story dragged, mostly due to how flat the dialogue was.
Now, I know that's the whole plot - lack of emotions, but there are ways to make speech colorful but still emotionless. Elias often felt too… artificial. Too much like robots emulating emotions. It felt very canned, wooden, whatever you want to call it. Again, I know that lack of emotional depth is the entire plot up to a point, but something just feels uncannier than it should, even though I can't put my finger on it. I think there is opportunity in working with the story’s framing prose — a more vivid narrative voice surrounding Elias's regulated perspective would create a starker contrast, making his emotional suppression feel like genuine loss rather than simply the world's default setting.
Other things that got under my skin personally was the repeated use of the following: protocol, optimal, efficient. I understand this is a cyberpunk story, and a cyberpunk story about regulation, but sadly the use of those specific words became so frequent, it was frustrating to read after a while. One of the biggest opportunities for Severance is expanding the readers’ vocabulary by introducing new words for these concepts/ideas. Honestly, every time I read the word “protocol” brought me one step closer to a DNF…
However, that said… The ending? I was biting my nails. The ramp up and pay off was so good I almost completely forgot my earlier grievances, especially with the dialogue (this is why I say I am sure it is a stylistic choice to increase immersion in this story, but it just may be doing it too well right now). All I will say is that once the characters are given the chance to actually BE, the connection really happens. Honestly, in the last two chapters I came to care about Elias 10 times more than I did for the rest of the book and that final chapter would’ve destroyed me if this wasn’t just the first book….
To put it all together, Severance has a good base on which the rest of the books can build. The dialogue style was rough for me to connect with and drove a wedge between the characters and my investment in them, but the mystery itself kept me hooked and I am glad I stuck it out. there is much to look forward to in terms of how the world grows and build upon itself. The story that was started here has got me on tether hooks, despite the rough start.
I award Severance 3 stars not as a disclaimer of any failings but rather the potential for further growth. It is a likeable story, but there are some big opportunities in there to make it a lovable one. :)
Severance is a high-octane cyberpunk story about finding yourself in a world meant to suppress everything that makes you, you. The general concept of stifled emotions, flawless control of oneself through rule of law was interesting enough to me but when you mix in a gritty mystery and ever-tightening tension, it’s a real hit. This is absolutely a cyberpunk story in the strongest sense, with a sci-fi dystopia where government and corporations call the shots and the everyman suffers in silence because there is no other choice…. until there is, then THs the only choice…
The initial premise of the story, the backbone of it all, is amazing and very interesting. When I read the blurb, I knew I had to jump in and see where this was going, and boy was it a wild ride. The mystery kept growing deeper and deeper until I was reading faster than my brain could process, trying to follow the next thread (I walked it back and read properly, I just got so excited). There are several layers to this sory that all sort of come together at the end but not quite because this is the first of three. Overall, it was a satisfying trip!
Things did take off a little slow for me personally, mostly because I struggled to connect with characters via their dialogue with each other. Elias (in the beginning) often felt very wooden when he spoke to others outwardly, and while I do understand that is the entire point of the first half of this story, it was a little tough for me to sync up with. It definitely felt emotionless and artificial, as it should’ve given the premise, but perhaps did too well. I deeply admire Mr. Nimock’s dedication to the concept but there were a lot of moments where I felt the story dragged, mostly due to how flat the dialogue was.
Now, I know that's the whole plot - lack of emotions, but there are ways to make speech colorful but still emotionless. Elias often felt too… artificial. Too much like robots emulating emotions. It felt very canned, wooden, whatever you want to call it. Again, I know that lack of emotional depth is the entire plot up to a point, but something just feels uncannier than it should, even though I can't put my finger on it. I think there is opportunity in working with the story’s framing prose — a more vivid narrative voice surrounding Elias's regulated perspective would create a starker contrast, making his emotional suppression feel like genuine loss rather than simply the world's default setting.
Other things that got under my skin personally was the repeated use of the following: protocol, optimal, efficient. I understand this is a cyberpunk story, and a cyberpunk story about regulation, but sadly the use of those specific words became so frequent, it was frustrating to read after a while. One of the biggest opportunities for Severance is expanding the readers’ vocabulary by introducing new words for these concepts/ideas. Honestly, every time I read the word “protocol” brought me one step closer to a DNF…
However, that said… The ending? I was biting my nails. The ramp up and pay off was so good I almost completely forgot my earlier grievances, especially with the dialogue (this is why I say I am sure it is a stylistic choice to increase immersion in this story, but it just may be doing it too well right now). All I will say is that once the characters are given the chance to actually BE, the connection really happens. Honestly, in the last two chapters I came to care about Elias 10 times more than I did for the rest of the book and that final chapter would’ve destroyed me if this wasn’t just the first book….
To put it all together, Severance has a good base on which the rest of the books can build. The dialogue style was rough for me to connect with and drove a wedge between the characters and my investment in them, but the mystery itself kept me hooked and I am glad I stuck it out. there is much to look forward to in terms of how the world grows and build upon itself. The story that was started here has got me on tether hooks, despite the rough start.
I award Severance 3 stars not as a disclaimer of any failings but rather the potential for further growth. It is a likeable story, but there are some big opportunities in there to make it a lovable one. :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Steven Nimocks’s Severance, Book 1 of The Last Regulator, drops readers into SoundCore, a future Puget Metroplex where emotional control is not a private discipline but the scaffolding of civilization. Elias Reynor, a near-perfect officer in the Neural Compliance Division, begins investigating a dead colleague, illegal emotion markets, sabotaged regulators, and a conspiracy threaded through the very institution he serves. What begins as a procedural investigation becomes a destabilizing journey into memory, obedience, and the dangerous possibility that feeling may be more human than hazardous.
I was drawn in by the book’s atmosphere immediately. SoundCore feels antiseptic and haunted at once, a city of clean corridors, monitored citizens, copper suppressants, and soft blue regulation lights. Nimocks gives the setting a polished menace; everything is orderly, but the order has a pulse under it, something coerced and febrile. Elias is a compelling guide through that world because his certainty erodes by degrees. His transformation is not a sudden rebellion but a slow internal weather change, and that makes the story’s philosophical tension more persuasive.
The novel is strongest when it lets suspicion accumulate like condensation. Juno’s too-perfect responses, Dr. Harven’s guarded knowledge, Alera’s unsettling calm, and the recurring evidence of institutional manipulation all build a pleasing sense of claustrophobia. The exposition and procedural language can feel heavy, but the density suits the book’s machinery-driven world. I appreciated how the action sequences are not merely spectacle; they expose the cruelty of systems that can weaponize protocol, compliance, and even a person’s own intellect against him.
Readers who enjoy dystopian science fiction, cyberpunk thrillers, speculative noir, and books about surveillance, emotional suppression, and institutional rebellion will find plenty to admire here. Severance should appeal to fans of Philip K. Dick’s paranoia and Blake Crouch’s high-concept momentum, though Nimocks gives the material a more procedural, compliance-state edge. This is a sharp opening act for a larger saga, and its best moments ask a question that will leave you thinking: what remains of order when it has severed us from ourselves?
I was drawn in by the book’s atmosphere immediately. SoundCore feels antiseptic and haunted at once, a city of clean corridors, monitored citizens, copper suppressants, and soft blue regulation lights. Nimocks gives the setting a polished menace; everything is orderly, but the order has a pulse under it, something coerced and febrile. Elias is a compelling guide through that world because his certainty erodes by degrees. His transformation is not a sudden rebellion but a slow internal weather change, and that makes the story’s philosophical tension more persuasive.
The novel is strongest when it lets suspicion accumulate like condensation. Juno’s too-perfect responses, Dr. Harven’s guarded knowledge, Alera’s unsettling calm, and the recurring evidence of institutional manipulation all build a pleasing sense of claustrophobia. The exposition and procedural language can feel heavy, but the density suits the book’s machinery-driven world. I appreciated how the action sequences are not merely spectacle; they expose the cruelty of systems that can weaponize protocol, compliance, and even a person’s own intellect against him.
Readers who enjoy dystopian science fiction, cyberpunk thrillers, speculative noir, and books about surveillance, emotional suppression, and institutional rebellion will find plenty to admire here. Severance should appeal to fans of Philip K. Dick’s paranoia and Blake Crouch’s high-concept momentum, though Nimocks gives the material a more procedural, compliance-state edge. This is a sharp opening act for a larger saga, and its best moments ask a question that will leave you thinking: what remains of order when it has severed us from ourselves?
Read
August 2, 2026Severance by Steven Nimocks is pure science fiction—and what an intriguing concept. Set in a dystopian world where an entire population is controlled through the artificial suppression of emotion (without drugs), the novel explores a genuinely original premise. Too many authors blur the line between science fiction and fantasy, but Nimocks clearly understands the distinction, and it shows.
His writing occasionally reaches moments of genuine brilliance, with passages of poetic elegance woven into otherwise restrained prose that perfectly suits the story's clinical atmosphere. I also appreciated the flashes of wit that appear unexpectedly throughout the narrative. Although the novel employs plenty of technical terminology, it never feels excessive or overwhelming.
At first, I worried the story might be too clinically technical for my taste, but that concern quickly disappeared. Instead, I found myself intrigued by ideas I wished had been explored more deeply. Since this is the first book in a series, I'm hopeful those threads will be developed in future installments.
My initial impression was that the characters lacked emotional depth. Then I realized this was an intentional and effective storytelling choice. A society whose emotions have been artificially suppressed shouldn't produce characters with the emotional richness we normally expect. Once that clicked, the characterization made perfect sense. As the series progresses, I expect those personalities will continue to evolve alongside the larger story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and found its central premise fascinating. I wanted to give it five stars, but the narrative sometimes unfolds in such meticulous, step-by-step detail that the pacing occasionally slows, and a few passages could have been trimmed. Even so, the novel ends on a compelling cliffhanger that left me eager to read the next installment. Fans of hard science fiction and thoughtful dystopian fiction should find much to enjoy in Severance.
His writing occasionally reaches moments of genuine brilliance, with passages of poetic elegance woven into otherwise restrained prose that perfectly suits the story's clinical atmosphere. I also appreciated the flashes of wit that appear unexpectedly throughout the narrative. Although the novel employs plenty of technical terminology, it never feels excessive or overwhelming.
At first, I worried the story might be too clinically technical for my taste, but that concern quickly disappeared. Instead, I found myself intrigued by ideas I wished had been explored more deeply. Since this is the first book in a series, I'm hopeful those threads will be developed in future installments.
My initial impression was that the characters lacked emotional depth. Then I realized this was an intentional and effective storytelling choice. A society whose emotions have been artificially suppressed shouldn't produce characters with the emotional richness we normally expect. Once that clicked, the characterization made perfect sense. As the series progresses, I expect those personalities will continue to evolve alongside the larger story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and found its central premise fascinating. I wanted to give it five stars, but the narrative sometimes unfolds in such meticulous, step-by-step detail that the pacing occasionally slows, and a few passages could have been trimmed. Even so, the novel ends on a compelling cliffhanger that left me eager to read the next installment. Fans of hard science fiction and thoughtful dystopian fiction should find much to enjoy in Severance.
July 6, 2026
Steven Nimocks’ Severance delivers a compelling blend of science fiction, dystopian suspense, and philosophical inquiry. Set in a society built upon emotional regulation and control, the novel follows Elias Reynor as he begins to question the foundations of the system he has faithfully served. Nimocks creates an immersive world with strong technological detail, a believable social structure, and a narrative that steadily builds tension while exploring the cost of sacrificing humanity for order.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Elias’s gradual awakening to emotions he has long suppressed is handled with nuance and authenticity, allowing readers to experience his confusion, fear, and transformation alongside him. Supporting characters, particularly Alera Moraine, add depth and intrigue, serving as both catalysts for the story’s central conflict and voices for its larger ethical questions. The dialogue is purposeful, and the emotional stakes continue to rise as the plot unfolds.
Severance succeeds as both an entertaining thriller and a thoughtful examination of freedom, identity, and human emotion. Fans of dystopian science fiction in the tradition of Brave New World, 1984, and contemporary speculative fiction will find much to appreciate. With its engaging premise, strong pacing, and meaningful themes, this novel offers a memorable reading experience and leaves readers eager for the next installment.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Elias’s gradual awakening to emotions he has long suppressed is handled with nuance and authenticity, allowing readers to experience his confusion, fear, and transformation alongside him. Supporting characters, particularly Alera Moraine, add depth and intrigue, serving as both catalysts for the story’s central conflict and voices for its larger ethical questions. The dialogue is purposeful, and the emotional stakes continue to rise as the plot unfolds.
Severance succeeds as both an entertaining thriller and a thoughtful examination of freedom, identity, and human emotion. Fans of dystopian science fiction in the tradition of Brave New World, 1984, and contemporary speculative fiction will find much to appreciate. With its engaging premise, strong pacing, and meaningful themes, this novel offers a memorable reading experience and leaves readers eager for the next installment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Severance, Steven Nimocks creates a fully realized dystopian world where neural implants suppress emotions before they can surface, a concept that feels both chilling and disturbingly plausible. The worldbuilding is excellent: detailed, layered, and easy to follow without ever overwhelming the reader. Elias Reynor’s journey from perfect compliance to dangerous curiosity is gripping, especially as he uncovers evidence of emotional manipulation and corruption at the highest levels. Smooth pacing, strong atmosphere, and a detective‑story thread that ties everything together. A clean, compelling read for fans of 1984 and The Giver. ARC provided by the author; no compensation received.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Severance is a must-add for your reading collection. Steven Nimocks adds a new layer to the dystopian thriller with Severance. It is not enough for a Big Brother-style government to regulate your thoughts through propaganda and various other methods; it also regulates your physical emotions through implants. The story is amazingly detailed as it plots Elias' path from unquestioning enforcer of the system to fighting the very institution he is sworn to uphold and protect. Another awesome story by Steven Nimocks from Three-Notch.
July 3, 2026
This story takes the idea of the book 1984 ten steps further. Not only is Big Brother watching even emotions are regulated before they can get out of hand! Who are the ones who are for keeping this human control and who is against it? The investigation into corrupt officials keep us wondering. An interesting concept.
July 18, 2026
I like the futuristic setting with the controlling governmental power. Dystopian and dark. Story is good with different characters. Maybe a little slow at some parts but beter in the later part. Looking forward to the next part in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews