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Savior
"We're sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Delivre, Someone will be with you shortly."
Those are the first words Cole hears when he wakes in a strange and unfamiliar place.
Shortly after, he notices a scar on the back of his head that wasn't there before.
A strange man appears out of nowhere and tells him everything will be alright.
It won't.
The world is dying and humanity only has five years until the biosphere collapses.
Somewhere in Cole's mind is the key to fixing everything.
But the more he searches for answers, the more lies he uncovers.
Is this new world even worth saving?
Those are the first words Cole hears when he wakes in a strange and unfamiliar place.
Shortly after, he notices a scar on the back of his head that wasn't there before.
A strange man appears out of nowhere and tells him everything will be alright.
It won't.
The world is dying and humanity only has five years until the biosphere collapses.
Somewhere in Cole's mind is the key to fixing everything.
But the more he searches for answers, the more lies he uncovers.
Is this new world even worth saving?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2026
About the author
Laurens Dubuisson
2 books8 followersLaurens at your service, here to spill all the secrets behind my twisty literary thoughts. You know the drill: alternate timelines, doomsday scenarios, and deeply flawed characters (art imitates life, aye).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 26, 2026
Laurens' debut science fiction novel Savior was a good read for me even as a newbee in the genre. Because of the writing style I do think it will appeal to both hardcore sci-fi lovers and popular culture readers alike. The story pulls you into through descriptions and well-timed flashbacks and lets you feel the rollercoaster of emotions the main character is going through. I am already waiting for the sequel...
September 17, 2026
The first 50 pages and the last 80 are excellent. The middle is where I nearly wandered off.
Waking up in a white room with no doors is a cheap trick that works every time, and this one earns it by about page five. The couch is the thing that did it for me. Not the future skyline, not the fancy smartglass , but THAT six-inch tear in the leather that Cole recognizes. That's the moment I stopped thinking I was reading a sci-fi premise and started reading about a man. Same with the southern breakfast: grits, andouille, chicory coffee, yet all of it slightly wrong. Terrifying in a way a cheap explosion just isn't.
Then the book sits me down in front of a wall screen for two chapters while an AI explains the twentieth century to me. Star City, the Turbulent Decade, the Clawback Concord which is genuinely interesting, and I'd read a whole book set there, but Cole just stands and reacts. He does that a lot. He's told about the tumour, taken to the museum, given permission, handed his own notebooks, walked to the pod, walked to the helipad. By chapter 14 he's got books, a coffee maker, a magnolia and a vertical forest with real birds in it, and I realized the world had actually only five years left and I wasn't worried about anybody. The clock's on a wall screen. It isn't in the room.
The Christmas eve chapter is beautifully written and completely stopped me from reading the book.
But then: the Spire part. Cole puts his hand inside a wrecked machine and finds soemthing he never built, never designed, never wrote down. That's probably the best scene in the book, and everything after it is a different kind of novel. The analyzer auto-filling DELIVRE-2-2047 and the "Shall we pick up where we left off?" Bkew me away. The tone going off and the wall screen quietly wiping out the evidence while he scrambles for chalk, because chalk is the one thing in the building Cobalt can't edit. That's fantastic. And the tumour reveal is the cleanest thing here: the scar isn't where they took something out, it's where they put something in. I actually said something out loud.
Three things bugged me. 1, "it lived in exactly one place in the world: inside his head" gets used three times. Twice was perfect. 2, Adrian doesn't hold together — he sedates Cole, then he's shouting at him about the state of the world like he means it, then he's the one saying the words at the end. I can construct a reading where he's being played the whole time, but on a first read it felt like the author changed his mind about him. 3, Cole never gets a win. Not a one. He ends the book exactly where he started, and while I understand that's the whole point it's the last chapter that made me wanna read book two.
That last chapter, by the way. The hand extended, "we're going to take good care of you." Cold as hell. Well played. On to the next.
Waking up in a white room with no doors is a cheap trick that works every time, and this one earns it by about page five. The couch is the thing that did it for me. Not the future skyline, not the fancy smartglass , but THAT six-inch tear in the leather that Cole recognizes. That's the moment I stopped thinking I was reading a sci-fi premise and started reading about a man. Same with the southern breakfast: grits, andouille, chicory coffee, yet all of it slightly wrong. Terrifying in a way a cheap explosion just isn't.
Then the book sits me down in front of a wall screen for two chapters while an AI explains the twentieth century to me. Star City, the Turbulent Decade, the Clawback Concord which is genuinely interesting, and I'd read a whole book set there, but Cole just stands and reacts. He does that a lot. He's told about the tumour, taken to the museum, given permission, handed his own notebooks, walked to the pod, walked to the helipad. By chapter 14 he's got books, a coffee maker, a magnolia and a vertical forest with real birds in it, and I realized the world had actually only five years left and I wasn't worried about anybody. The clock's on a wall screen. It isn't in the room.
The Christmas eve chapter is beautifully written and completely stopped me from reading the book.
But then: the Spire part. Cole puts his hand inside a wrecked machine and finds soemthing he never built, never designed, never wrote down. That's probably the best scene in the book, and everything after it is a different kind of novel. The analyzer auto-filling DELIVRE-2-2047 and the "Shall we pick up where we left off?" Bkew me away. The tone going off and the wall screen quietly wiping out the evidence while he scrambles for chalk, because chalk is the one thing in the building Cobalt can't edit. That's fantastic. And the tumour reveal is the cleanest thing here: the scar isn't where they took something out, it's where they put something in. I actually said something out loud.
Three things bugged me. 1, "it lived in exactly one place in the world: inside his head" gets used three times. Twice was perfect. 2, Adrian doesn't hold together — he sedates Cole, then he's shouting at him about the state of the world like he means it, then he's the one saying the words at the end. I can construct a reading where he's being played the whole time, but on a first read it felt like the author changed his mind about him. 3, Cole never gets a win. Not a one. He ends the book exactly where he started, and while I understand that's the whole point it's the last chapter that made me wanna read book two.
That last chapter, by the way. The hand extended, "we're going to take good care of you." Cold as hell. Well played. On to the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2026
Dubuisson's debut novel makes for an appetizing read for anyone that likes sci-fi and/or mystery.
Cole wakes up in an unfamiliar version of Chicago on the brink of environmental collapse, and must quickly deal with shocking revelations about his past and future. We follow his journey from waking up through to a cliffhanger that leaves us hungry for a continuation of his story.
The mix of sci-fi and alternate history is compelling, especially for anyone at home in Chicago. The characters are compelling even while their motivations remain veiled.
Looking forward to more work, in this story line or others!
Cole wakes up in an unfamiliar version of Chicago on the brink of environmental collapse, and must quickly deal with shocking revelations about his past and future. We follow his journey from waking up through to a cliffhanger that leaves us hungry for a continuation of his story.
The mix of sci-fi and alternate history is compelling, especially for anyone at home in Chicago. The characters are compelling even while their motivations remain veiled.
Looking forward to more work, in this story line or others!
October 2, 2026
The first book that I ever attempted to read when I was a kid was a SF book. It was one of the most magical memories, along the years I have read dozens of books but nothing felt quite like the moment when I first picked up the book that made me question the boring normality of reality. After reading Savior, I felt like this was the closest thing I got to feeling again like a kid descovering new universes, that weren’t lonely living in my head. I can’t recommend this book enough! Thank you Laurens for painting beautiful images in my head and reminding me how a good SF book can make you feel!
September 30, 2026
Una historia que engancha desde el primer momento.
La forma de describir las situaciones, personajes y los saltos temporales, moviéndose en diferentes épocas , hace que entiendas en primera persona, que siente su protagonista, Cole, y como lucha por poder entender todo lo que está ocurriendo.
Una mezcla de ciencia ficción y relato apocalíptico, donde siempre hay un resquicio de esperanza para la humanidad, en el que las dudas e intrigas van resolviéndose a lo largo de la historia y que no dejan de sorprenderte.
Muy recomendable
Enhorabuena al autor
La forma de describir las situaciones, personajes y los saltos temporales, moviéndose en diferentes épocas , hace que entiendas en primera persona, que siente su protagonista, Cole, y como lucha por poder entender todo lo que está ocurriendo.
Una mezcla de ciencia ficción y relato apocalíptico, donde siempre hay un resquicio de esperanza para la humanidad, en el que las dudas e intrigas van resolviéndose a lo largo de la historia y que no dejan de sorprenderte.
Muy recomendable
Enhorabuena al autor
August 31, 2026
A debut novel by Laurens Dubuisson 'Savior' great blend of sci-fi and mystery that kept me intrigued from page one.
My one critique is that the pacing occasionally drops when the story gets caught up in its more technical or corporate speech, when I actually found myself eager to get back to the characters and mystery instead.
Overall, great read. Looking forward to the sequel!
My one critique is that the pacing occasionally drops when the story gets caught up in its more technical or corporate speech, when I actually found myself eager to get back to the characters and mystery instead.
Overall, great read. Looking forward to the sequel!
September 13, 2026
After reading Book One of Savior, I was thoroughly impressed. The writing style and pacing kept the story moving seamlessly, and the attention to historical detail brought the narrative to life. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves well-researched sci-fi.
Currently Reading
October 2, 2026Super excited to start reading more. Started reading the first pages and already fell in love with the universe the author created!
I am curious where it goes!
I am curious where it goes!
August 13, 2026
Savior is one of those books that starts with an intriguing premise and then keeps pulling you deeper with every chapter. The combination of science fiction, climate catastrophe, artificial intelligence, mystery, and corporate intrigue makes for a genuinely compelling read.
What I enjoyed most was how the story manages to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Beneath the suspense and twists are some fascinating questions about technology, responsibility, memory, and what happens when humanity’s attempts to solve one problem create something far bigger than anyone anticipated.
The atmosphere is fantastic, and the pacing kept me wanting to find out what would happen next. The relationship between Cole and Pallas, the AI created to help him, adds another layer to the story that makes the book more than just a traditional sci-fi thriller.
For a debut novel, this is seriously impressive. Savior feels ambitious, imaginative, and incredibly timely without becoming preachy. If you enjoy authors like Michael Crichton or Blake Crouch, or simply like intelligent science fiction with mystery and high stakes, I would absolutely recommend giving this one a read.
A fantastic debut from Laurens Dubuisson, I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes next!
What I enjoyed most was how the story manages to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Beneath the suspense and twists are some fascinating questions about technology, responsibility, memory, and what happens when humanity’s attempts to solve one problem create something far bigger than anyone anticipated.
The atmosphere is fantastic, and the pacing kept me wanting to find out what would happen next. The relationship between Cole and Pallas, the AI created to help him, adds another layer to the story that makes the book more than just a traditional sci-fi thriller.
For a debut novel, this is seriously impressive. Savior feels ambitious, imaginative, and incredibly timely without becoming preachy. If you enjoy authors like Michael Crichton or Blake Crouch, or simply like intelligent science fiction with mystery and high stakes, I would absolutely recommend giving this one a read.
A fantastic debut from Laurens Dubuisson, I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes next!
August 22, 2026
Savior kept me guessing pretty much from the start. There’s something really uncanny about Pallas, and the Illinois’ AI just made everything feel even more unsettling, like there was always something going on behind the scenes that you werent fully aware of.
What I liked most was how the book kept making me question Cole. The more you find out about him, the less sure you are about who, or even what, he really is. Every answer seemed to just lead to another question and I honestly had no idea where it was going half the time.
The atmosphere was probably one of my favorite parts, with all the twists keeping things moving without feeling to predictable. Really curious to see what happens with Cole next.
What I liked most was how the book kept making me question Cole. The more you find out about him, the less sure you are about who, or even what, he really is. Every answer seemed to just lead to another question and I honestly had no idea where it was going half the time.
The atmosphere was probably one of my favorite parts, with all the twists keeping things moving without feeling to predictable. Really curious to see what happens with Cole next.
August 22, 2026
Savior is a tense blend of corporate intrigue and grounded sci-fi, driven by strong character work and a steady stream of twists that constantly shift the direction of the story.
The Cobalt conspiracy unfolds with a slow-burning sense of unease, while Cole’s character adds a surprisingly emotional weight to the story. His journey makes each revelation feel more impactful rather than simply serving as another plot twist.
The atmospheric world-building was another highlight, creating a setting that left me wanting to dig deeper into its history and mysteries.
Dark, compelling, and increasingly unpredictable, Savior left me very curious to see where Cole’s story goes next.
The Cobalt conspiracy unfolds with a slow-burning sense of unease, while Cole’s character adds a surprisingly emotional weight to the story. His journey makes each revelation feel more impactful rather than simply serving as another plot twist.
The atmospheric world-building was another highlight, creating a setting that left me wanting to dig deeper into its history and mysteries.
Dark, compelling, and increasingly unpredictable, Savior left me very curious to see where Cole’s story goes next.
August 2, 2026
Het verhaal grijpt je meteen en houdt je nieuwsgierigheid vast tot het einde. De afwisseling tussen persoonlijke ervaringen, wetenschappelijke inzichten en sfeervolle beschrijvingen werkt bijzonder goed. Het toekomstperspectief voelt op sommige momenten zelfs verontrustend herkenbaar aan. Wat mij betreft smaakt dit boek naar meer, en kijk ik uit naar een mogelijk vervolg.
August 18, 2026
After the first chapter, I find this an intriguing beginning to a futuristic mystery. Vivid descriptions of the setting make the book feel real even while the main character is deeply confused about what is happening. I look forward to reading more to find out how far into the future we have traveled, and what mission our protagonist will be assigned.
August 24, 2026
I got hooked in the first chapters of the book and finished it the same day.
A great balance of mystery/reveal and research work which makes it a rich story to dig in.
I will probably read it again when the following of the story comes out.
I highly reccomand the read.
Thank you for writing
Thank you for reading
A great balance of mystery/reveal and research work which makes it a rich story to dig in.
I will probably read it again when the following of the story comes out.
I highly reccomand the read.
Thank you for writing
Thank you for reading
August 26, 2026
I loved this book! Read it in 2 half days because I literally could not wait to finish it. I guess I now feel wanting more. I felt I know the characters so well... and there was a deep research on facts and an outstanding description on both character feelings' and the places that the author described. The story is captivating and full of plot twist. An absolute must read!!!
August 26, 2026
An incredible and engaging story that keeps you constantly curious about what comes next and eager to learn more about what happened and what's happening.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews