Drone

Beyond the Dome #1

by Jackson Dean Chase

What would you sacrifice to survive?

Vikka Raymer is a fifteen-year-old Drone, a member of the worker caste destined to labor in the factories of the New World Plutonomy. When Vikka is forced to sell her organs to pay her family's oxygen bill, she becomes trapped in a secret genetic modification program.

The experiment transforms Vikka from a frail waif into a super-soldier. She escapes the program with the help of a mysterious, handsome stranger. Hunted by both the NWP and the Revolution that opposes them, Vikka must learn to harness her new power and decide whether to help her rescuer reform the NWP from within or join the Revolution to destroy it.

Drone is the epic YA dystopian sci-fi adventure you've been waiting for!

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Thriller, Ebooks, Dystopia

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Jackson Dean Chase is a USA TODAY bestselling author and award-winning poet. His fiction has been praised as "irresistible" in Buzzfeed and "diligently crafted" in The Huffington Post.

With Daniel Mignault, Chase has coauthored the epic urban fantasy series, The Gods War. The first three books, Titan, Titan: Kingdom of the Dead, and Titan: Gift of Death, are all available on Amazon). The fourth and final book, Titan: Resurrection, is exclusively available from the author along with the Titan Quadrilogy (Books 1-4) complete series bundle.

Download Titan Book 4 at https://jacksondeanchase.thrivecart.c...

Download the Titan Quadrilogy (Books 1-4) complete series bundle at https://jacksondeanchase.thrivecart.c...

Chase's books on writing have helped thousands of authors overcome writer's block and craft dynamite story hooks. As a ghostwriter, editor, and coauthor, his celebrity clients include actors, rock stars, and YouTube influencers.

Download Jackson's Ultimate Author's Guide to Writing Descriptions at https://jacksondeanchase.thrivecart.c...

VISIT HIS WEBSITE: www.JacksonDeanChase.com

"[Jackson Dean Chase is] a fresh and powerful new voice."
-- Terry Trueman, Printz Honor author of Stuck in Neutral

"[Chase] grabs readers from page one."

― Nate Philbrick, author of The Little One

"[Jackson Dean Chase] succeeds in taking fiction to a whole new level."
-- TheBaynet.com

"Irresistible... [Jackson knows how to write] a heart-pounding story full of suspense, romance, and action!"
-- Buzzfeed

A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR:
I've always loved science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but it wasn't until I combined them with pulp thrillers and noir that I found my voice as an author. I want to leave my readers breathless, want them to feel the desperate longing, the hope and fear my heroes experience as they struggle not just to survive, but to become something more.

Join me as I take you on a journey you'll never forget!

Reviews

[RedL. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/3 Interesting but disappointing Stars

I read this a few months ago, so I'm aware my recollection of the story may not be the best, plus it was a freebie and I always feel a bit bad for not liking those or not liking them enough.

There really are many things to like in this story and its world building, even if not super original: the life conditions of the Drones, having to sell parts to live, the corporations and the related fights for power, the medical experiments, the revolution...it's packed with action -I mean, REALLY packed with action - with conspiracies, continuous betrayals and twists and turns, violence and explosions, a cliffhanger ending, it even has some parts that are emotionally convincing, touching passages about family ties, choices and human nature...unfortunately I found the human part the weakest, I mean the characterization of the young protagonists.

Or perhaps is just my everlasting problem with YA books.

Despite the many convincing characters presented, even briefly, there was always something slightly off, as if even behind the most touching moments there was just a hollow spot. Vikka and Zan's romance makes simply no sense to me, I didn't feel it, I don't believe it is actually happening. Vikka has this very long mental monologues considering all sort of stuff yet way too often she ends up making rush decisions against everyone's interest/advice...inconsistent, nothing to do with the age or the effect of the serums on her psyche.

I am curious to know how this universe unfolds, mainly for the amount of action, it was so easy to read, but I am not invested in its protagonists.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a dystopian world where the harsh lines between the haves and have-nots come down to the basics of life, from food to clean air to breathe, the have-nots are forced to choose selling body parts for “science” or feeding their families. Society is run by major corporations who use the lower class or drones as manual labor until they reach an expiration date, and are no longer deemed worthy contributors to society.

Vikka is a teen who is close to the age of adulthood, which means repeating the dehumanizing cycle she has grown up knowing. When her family can no longer pay their bills, she is forced to make a decision that will change all of their lives forever. Enter a wealthy boy on a motorcycle who claims he can help both her and her family, but what happens is far beyond heinous and Vikka must make a decision that no human should have to. Will she follow through when she understands what they want to do to her or will she escape with the very boy whose family holds the power and her life in their hands?

Change is needed, and only by standing up to the powers in control can the drones change their lives. Who and what can Vikka trust in, the few brave enough to revolt or should she stay with what she has already known?

Drone by Jackson Dean Chase is a world where the nightmares just keep on coming, awake or asleep. Mr. Dean has created a powerful heroine with a good head on her shoulders and a fierce desire to do the right thing for her family, while questioning what is morally right as the rich and powerful trample the very souls of the workers in the name of greed. There isn’t a wasted word in this tale as Mr. Chase sends us barreling into a world that gives new meaning to “Hell on Earth.” Fast paced, absolutely riveting with true dark fodder for the imagination, this is by far, one of the most original YA dystopian reads to come down the pike in such a gritty and edgy style! If this is only the first step on this series’ journey, I’m all for letting Jackson Dean Chase play tour guide into this house of horrors in a new battle between good and evil!

I received this copy of Drone from Jackson Dean Chase in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Beyond the Dome - Book 1
Publication Date: April 10, 2015
Publisher: Jackson Dean Chase, Inc
Genre: YA Dystopian
Print Length: 204 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kel (Faerie-bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Drone
Author: Jackson Dean Chase
Genre: YA Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Thriller
Format: Ebook
Shelf: Review
Pages: 202
Rating: 4
Heat: 1

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story, so many twists and turns with a doozy at the end. The relationship between Vikka and Zan is weird, they haven't said anything about love really but they seem to be really close for not knowing each other at all. Other than that little piece of confusion I loved the characters, especially Wink. He's with the revolution but isn't, he actually cares about humanity. Whereas with everyone else, it seems that power and control is the desire. Granted the Drones, aka the working class poor, are just trying to eat and survive, so there's not a lot of compassion there either. Yes, there are some that care, like Zan, but when you have no power it's hard to make change happen. I will definitely have to read the next book, this one ends with a crazy "WHAT??!!" that I just have to learn about, yet explains so much lol.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Butterfly Mentions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drone (Beyond the Dome #1)
by Jackson Dean Chase

This is the first of the series, called "Dronetown" written by Jackson Dean Chase.

The Cover: It shows Vikka, the 15-year old green eyed ginger, and Zan, the boy with the chestnut hair and soulful brown eyes looking at each other in a familiar way at each other. Below them is the city of New World Plutonomy where they live, which resembles New York and which promise to guarantee for better times when all residents do what they have to do. The front is rendered in blue, dark colours, whereas the typeface is silver and white. The title is in capital letters and the "O" of "Drone" indicates a blue star in the middle.

Behind the story: Dronetown is a place for people who are bred only for working, so the elite has a better and easier life. They live in LivRite Apartments which are broken dwellings and live under the most horrible living conditions. Drones (the workforce) have short lives, so they are "no drain" for society. They work at an early age on, they marry with 18 and reproduce with 21 and die with 40. Their life is divided in 7 days 12 hours shifts where they work in the factory. Most marriages come into being by taking part of the factory marriage lotteries. Drones have no privacy and almost none know what real love or individuality is.

The world we are aware of, changed in this reality because of overpopulation, pollution, wars and corrupt governments which killed people instead of helping them. The consequence was that big, multinational companies formed the new government called, the New World Plutonomy. It consists of the council of seven which made a pledge that as moguls they would create a safe future, so that everyone would have a shelter and food. And domes were built so the citizen wouldn't need to breathe the polluted air and subways connected them.

Of course, there was resistance at first and some residents joined unisons, however, they were punished with death and the few who got away, are now hidden and are called the "Revolution".

The beginning: Vikka's parents owe money to the oxygen firm. They need to pay or will die as a result. Both her parents are disabled. Her father was hurt years ago after a bomb exploded, which was put there by terrorists. He is blind and has no extremities. Her mother is also in a wheelchair because she donated her legs to get money. Their only chance is their daughter, Vikka who dreams about a free life for her and her family.

But she needs to help her parents first and is determined to donate parts of her body in the Outreach Clinic in Dronetown.

However, her plan is altered once Vikka has to climb the service ladder because the turbolift is broken down. She discovers the dead body of Widow Kenjins who fell down the ladder because a loose rung pulled free. Everybody has one breather and oxygen tank for their own and it is illegal to own more than one. Yet there is a black market where you can sell these items. Vikka hopes that with the money she will earn thereby, that she doesn't need to sell anything of her body. She just arrived at the Trade-Mart, a pawn shop, where she wants to make some money, when she meets an Elite boy with an expensive black riding suit and a white jetbike.

Unfortunately, Vikka can't get enough for the goods and two dangerous street punks want to chase after her and she braced herself for a fate worse than death, when suddenly the boy she noticed early, rescues her in the nick of time. Their next destination is the Surgi Pharm where Vikka plans to sell parts of her body to get out of the debt situation. Yet, she is kidnapped by three men in black uniforms which work under Doctor Ernst, who is the head of Experimental Genetics.

And Doctor Wernst makes her an offer she reasonably can't refuse. However, which is the price and the consequences for her? Who is the strange boy? And can she save her family?

A masterful written novel which reminds the reader of the current situation in free trade areas and China (with its one child policy), where workers are nothing more than 2nd-hand residents and Dean's fictional world has a real and alarming effect. It is a warning to respect and watch out before we are living on a dying planet where not only all animals are extinct, but hope and every kind of humanity.

5-Stars!!!

Kind regards,
Butterfly

[Ivana Užarević · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I gave this book 3 stars. It was an easy book to read. In my opinion ,it was too easy.
I can't say I like it but I don't dislike it too. It is really weird. This never happened to me with a book. Let me try to explain.

I like the idea for the story and the idea for the book and the idea of these characters but I didn't like the finished work . It should have be more slowed paced, it should have more debth to the .... well to everything.
The characters were not relatable, they seemed cold and distant and I couldn't get into the story because of that.

As I said it should have been a lot longer story,with more explanation ,with more world building ,with more character building and everything.

I like the authors idea for the story but as I said I don't like the finished product because it doesn't seem finished to me. It was too rushed. I remember one part got me like what the actual

[Bunnita (Worth Reading It?) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slow starter. Basically people are living under a dome in 2 classes. You have workers. They basically live a short life existing only to work and produce one child who will also be a work. Then you have the rich or the elite. They are the people who benefit from the workers though their place in society can change depending on promotions and demotions as all family members inherit their job.

The ending is the best part since the cliffhanger is also a pretty big twist. So big I wasn't considering reading book 2 before reading it. Now I'm interested in knwing what is going to happen once the masses find out the truth.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elite live on Mansion Row & run Alpha City the way they see fit.
Back in time there were no Domes. The earth’s resources started to deteriorate, & business were taken over & became corrupt.
The New World Plutonomy (NWP), & the Council of 7 were founded.
Commoners formed the Resistance movement, & wanted unions & a Worker’s Bill of Rights formed.
Dronetown. Trader Nox owns the Trade-Mart pawn shop. Basically, its Black Market.
The Unassigned Drones who live in this area are quite corrupt.

Wink (Trade-Mart employee) meets Vikka (15, daughter, aka Red) who needs to sell a Valu-Tek 76. The family needs oxygen.
Vikka comes across Zan (elite).
He gets her into the Surgi-Pharm Tower.
Major Helstrom & the other New World Plutonomy Security Service guards have come to take her way.
Vikkaria “Vikka” Raymer is taken to laboratory #501.
Dr. Wernst Gannix (Head of Experimental Genetics) is there to greet her.
The experiment is quite lucrative.
Edrin Magnus (Surgi-Pharm Corp. Mogul) explains to Vikka (Test Subject #43) the procedure & why.
Zandru “Zan” Magnus (son) came back to get her.
Seattle, WA. Cage Travin gets her a makeover at Marie’s Parisian then takes her out for dinner at the Needle restaurant.
Next, it was off to the Before Times Arboretum museum.
What did Mr. Les Ganderson & Jord Travin (dad, SurgiPharm Vice-Mogul) tell Vikka?

Fast forward why did Vikka & Zan go see Trader Nox?
News flash: Les Ganderson live at Surgi-Pharm corporate headquarters in Alpha City.
Edrin Magnus has been assassinated.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written YA dystopian book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great YA dystopian movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. It was just OK for me so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.

Thank you for the free instafreebie Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Promisary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AWESOME. I finished it in one sitting because I COULD NOT put it down. That's how awesome it was, and this has become one of my favorite sci-fi books this year!
If you're looking for a sci-fi that pulls you in and won't let you go THIS IS THE ONE. Why am I not on fire after reading this ? That's how amazing this is ( I know I've said that a lot but it's SO TRUE ).
The characters , the plot, and every single bit and bob in this story is awesome and helps to build up such an amazing book and storyline. And THE WORLD is so amazing! Every tiny detail helps the reader to better understand everything that happens and you truly get to know just exactly how each character has been built up to where they are now in the book!
The Major scares me.... o.o
I can't wait to find out more in the second book!
Till the second book ,
Yours ,
Promisary
Take it away Nox ~

[Melanie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap I loved this story!

Drone is a lot more sci-fi-ish than I normally read. I honestly would not have read it if I wasn’t already familiar with Jackson Dean Chase’s other books. I was lucky enough to have had the author send me a review copy in exchange for my review. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down!



This story takes place in a future where people have to pay for oxygen and the classes are definitely divided. The government is no more and society is run by major corporations. The lower class (there are only 2 classes, upper and lower) are required to work in an assigned factory, marry, and have 1 child. People sell body parts (or become prostitutes) in exchange for money to pay their bills, such as their oxygen bill. The lower class citizens actually have expiration dates on their lives and are called “drones.” That’s really all they are. They essentially work and reproduce to make products for the wealthy.



In Drone, we follow the story of Vikka. She’s a lower class girl who stays home and takes care of her disabled parents, but will soon have to join the workforce. Her family’s oxygen bill is overdue and she must make some drastic (in my opinion) decisions in order to continue breathing. She meets a wealthy boy on a motorbike and they begin an adventure like none other.



This book is full of action and lots of ‘splosions. Lots and lots of ‘splosions. It’s hard to see who is on whose side between the people trying to revolt against the corporations, and the corporation moguls themselves who are all out to improve their own standings in society.



The characters are pretty fun to get to know, and their names are different in a cool way. I love the creativity this author shows in each of his books. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series because that ending was like, whoa.



I recommend this book to anyone who likes futuristic books with a lot of explosions and action.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Drone” the imaginative and entertaining YA dystopian sci-fi adventure opens when fifteen-year-old Vikka Raymer a member of the drone (worker) caste decides to sell some of her organs at the Surgi-Pharm Tower to pay her family’s oxygen bill only to get lost and end up strapped to a gurney in Dr. Gannix's experimental genetics lab and given serums that enhance her strength, speed and aggression.

Escaping with the help of the son of the Mogul of Surgi-Pharm, Vikka is chased by the NWP only to have her parents held hostage to provoke her into adhering to her contract and returning to the lab, only to fall into the hands of the “Revolution” the resistance group who oppose the government. Joining the radical leader of the organization she struggles to free her mother after her father is murdered only to end up uncovering lies and secrets that could destroy her world.

Skilfully Jackson Dean Chase creates a world under the “Dome” where two castes exist, the worker drones and the wealthy Elite who live longer as they don’t have to survive under repressive constraints. Ruled by the New World Plutonomy (NWP), a conglomerate of CEOs who banded together in the Before Times when overpopulation, resource scarcity, pollution and wars threatened to devastate the land, a Council of Seven of their number was appointed to oversee their policies in the Dome. Out of the strife that’s erupted because of a class structure that’s brought only hardship to the Drones, a radical group has emerged that’s targeting the government only to bring death and destruction to the worker class.

Slow at first the pace quickly picks up when Vikka turns to the “Revolution” for help to save her parents from the NWP, only to find herself the target of both groups when she’s sent on a mission to steal the serums that create super soldiers. With twists and turns in the plot that have Vikka uncovering deadly schemes and needing a third serum to inhibit her growing aggression, the tension and suspense escalates as the story moves to a violent confrontation and ending that begs for a sequel.

Yet amid all the violence and with little chemistry between the two, romance develops between Vikka and Zandru (Zan) Magmus. This is the element of the story that didn’t draw me in as she shows more passion when inebriated with his friend Cage, and a warmth and closeness to Wink than she ever does with Zan. However, perhaps the romantic aspect of the story will become more credible and realistic in the next book.

Complex in personality with all their flaws and faults, the characters infuse this story with excitement, intensity and drama especially Vikka Raymer a teen with a loving heart who wants to protect her parents who have suffered under the cruelty of the regime and heartlessness of the resistance. With red hair, green eyes and a stubborn nature she’s determined to get out of her contract, rescue her parents and to steal the serums from Surgi-Pharm. Entitled, often arrogant Zan Magmus is good-hearted and wants to be liked for himself not what he has. With his father’s death and the other Moguls on the Council vying for the leadership position he’s prepared to assume the mantle of responsibility and power so he can overturn the oppression that's threatening the Dome. Wink, a revolutionary has been straddling the fence between working for Nox, a shady criminal and fighting for the Resistance, although his allegiances change when he meets Vikka. He’s tough, fearless and self-sacrificing especially when they’re faced with the paranoid, aggression of the “Revolution’s” psychotic leader Faheen.

I liked “Drone” the first book in “Beyond the Dome” and will be interested in seeing where Jackson Dean Chase takes this sci-fi adventure next.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Drone
Author: Jackson Dean Chase
Publisher: Jackson Dean Chase, Inc.
ISBN: N/A
Buy Link: http://www.jacksondeanchase.com/
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Beyond the Dome 1

MEET VIKKA RAYMER.
Vikka is a Drone, a member of the worker caste destined to labor in the grim factories of the New World Plutonomy.
When Vikka is forced to sell her organs to pay her family's oxygen bill, she becomes trapped in a secret genetic modification program. The experiment transforms Vikka from a frail waif into a super-soldier. She escapes the program with the help of a mysterious, handsome stranger.
Hunted by both the New World Plutonomy and the Revolution that opposes them, Vikka must learn to harness her power and decide whether to help her rescuer reform the NWP from within or join the Revolution to destroy it.

Total Score: 5/5


Summary:
Vikka liked in a futuristic world where she, as a drone, like at the mercy of the rulers. Everything was accounted for with even the very air they breathed had to be paid for. While the elites lived with all the privileges and power. Fighting to stay alive many, like her mother, were forced to sell their body parts to survive. The disparity between the elite and the drone casts was easily seen when Vikka met Zane, a young man. Zane wanted to spend time with her to annoy his father not realizing doing that could endanger her and her family. Appearances and trust were very rare as political aspirations and desire for power drove many to hide their true goals. Vikka found herself wondering who she could really trust. After being manipulated into signing a contract to agree to experiments, she quickly learned that all was not as it seemed. The struggle between the New World Plutonomy and the Revolution was accelerating leaving Vikka who to trust; the government who want her dead or the Revolution who were responsible for injuring her father. Add to that Zane who as the son of the government leader had his own addenda. This very complex and fragile society has more secrets than most people know and Vikka is in for the fight of her life.

[Vicky Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting story.

Life inside the dome is in two castes, elite and workers or drones. Although there is more than one dome contact is very limited. The poorest persons are shorter lived and sell their body parts just to pay the bills while the well off corporate owners use those body parts to live for a long time.

The inhabitants are also in an ongoing fight between the government and the forces of the gorilla fighters calling themselves the Revolution.

Vikka signs a contract to sell herself for scientific genetic research. The serum used on her makes her very strong but also prone to anger. She attempts to escape but is saved by the head of the company's, the Acting Mogul's, son, Van. The two young people might be in love but she is a drone and he is the future Mogul.

After a lot of confusion and betrayal Vikka and Van team up with Wink, a security guard. Unfortunately, they are betrayed by him to members of the Revolution. They want the serum used on Vikka to make soldiers just as their rival, Major Helstrom, wants, although he wants mindless ones.

After they fight it out and their enemies are killed, Vikka and her two friends find out that life outside of the domes is nothing like they expected and that the future is even more uncertain than before.

[Sarah Alderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drone is a gripping YA dystopian sci‑fi adventure that throws you straight into a future where survival comes at a steep cost. In this world, Vikka Raymer is part of the worker caste known as Drones, people destined for hard labor and forced to pay for even the air they breathe. When her family’s oxygen bill becomes overdue, Vikka makes a desperate choice that changes her life forever and begins a journey filled with danger, power, and hard decisions.
Barnes & Noble


What stood out to me most was how vividly the world is drawn and how much this story balances action with emotional depth. Vikka’s transformation from a struggling young girl into a powerful and resourceful figure, and the difficult choices she must face about loyalty and justice, made her a compelling heroine. The tension between the oppressive New World Plutonomy and the opposing Revolution adds layers of conflict that kept me turning the pages.
Goodreads

Fans of dystopian worlds with strong characters and high stakes — especially those who enjoy books with a Hunger Games or Divergent feel — will likely find Drone a satisfying and intense read.
Barnes & Noble

📧 With respect for your craft and storytelling feel free to connect with me at authorsarahalderson@gmail.com

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granted, there’s a lot in this that’s just stereotypical of scifi action flicks (tough girl heroine, romantic triangle with several guys to waver between, everyone knows how to use weapons with perfect accuracy, evil military, evil government, unfair classist society, plenty of chase scenes, and the typical dome encapsulating the city shrouding whatever lies beyond), but together it all works as a fun action adventure that didn’t have any slow spots. Granted I got a bit lost with which side certain people were supposed to be on and the male characters tended to blend together. But the society itself was richly brought to life in all it slums and shiny elite technology. This is in the spirit of the Divergent series and the later Maze Runner books with the action of Total Recall, with a setting that reminded me a bit of Blade Runner and Fifth Element. The only sore spot I had with this was that at the end, it says the adventure will be continued in the next book. Only there is no next book!!! Boo! (Even his website says book 2 is coming summer 2017, which was half a year ago!)

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Kindle Unlimited, received it via one of those here are some free books hope you take the time to review it. Actually aware of this writer, read Worms Ate Your Face {poetry collection} and quite a few of his other works, and he never has been 'right' but he;s been entertaining and sometimes amusing and sometimes gross, but at least never boring.At one time had quite a few on ku but don't think any or many now.Just check out his writer page on amazon already.Some of the others got through freebies too or else ku. Dates may be wrong on some of the reviews, missed some.

[James Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read with a great ending. It was a tad on the dark side, which is okay, as long as there is a balance. Too much dark side just leaves you feeling depressed and upset. Were there parts that could have been better? Probably. But it was entertaining and it kept me turning the pages. I will almost certainly pick up the next book to find out what happens. I am confident that Mr. Chase has plenty of surprises in store.

[Stephanie Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has definetly been one of the most exciting books I have read!! It was so filled with action amd adventure that I couldn't put it down!!

The plot of the book was very interesting and really original! And the tension between the characters was hooking and surprising! The twist in the end was also one of the best I've seen so far!!

On the other hand, it was a very fast paced book so sometimes I had to reread some parts but overall it was a great book!

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF I wanted to like this book it had all the element to make it work, but only it didn't.
Selling limbs for what? If the rich people are leading good lives what do they with the arms and legs??
The main character is so gullible and I can't see her as some kind of hero when she is kissing boys within minutes of meeting them. Gave up at 43 %.

[Melissa Montana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story. The ending was a complete surprise; thought I had it figured out, but it was an interesting twist (don't worry, I won't spoil it). The book is exciting to the end. I highly recommend it.

[Sherry Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received through Instafreebie. Writing a voluntary review:

I didn't know what to expect when i started this book. I kinda expected it to be similar to Hunger Games but with a twist. I was wrong. This book offers non-stop action and adventure. Not knowing who is to be trusted and who is telling the truth. Only consistency is everyone is out for themselves. Really look forward to seeing where this book goes from here.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good story. Good writer.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this sci fi with a twist at the end that I didn't foresee. The lead heroine is a little bit annoying but the storyline was good and reasonably unique.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly good read takes a while to get going but then is fast paced and with a great and finish

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book to just burn time. It had a few good parts and the characters are OK. A just ok read!

[Kendra Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely surprise ending.

[Saucy Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these 2 Dronetown books and can't wait for more!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cover/Title: I like that the cover really doesn't give you much of a hint at what is to come. The title doesn't do it justice.

Characters: The characters are ok. I kind of felt bad about Cage. He seems to be stuck in the middle of Zan and his father. Zan & Vikka are ok characters but I didn't feel much of a connection to them. I did feel somewhat sorry for Vikka because of how callously they treated her family.

Plot: There is so much going on and the secrets make it more complex. There seems to be a bigger problem at the end but it is very brief and not well explained. I am guessing that is left for the next book.

Overall: This was an interesting book. There are lots of secrets. Overall, it was a good way to spend an afternoon.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! When I heard this book being called a mix between The Hunger Games and Divergent I had some serious doubts. But I have just spent the last 3 hours unable to put it down. The characters, the plot, EVERYTHING, draws you in and doesn't let go til that very last sentence......but even then you're wanting more. Fantastic piece of work

[Donna Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the prequel, I just couldn't put this down. The character development, dialogue and storyline keeps you reading and turning that next page. The story is unlike any other dystopian I have read. Can't wait to get my hands on the next book (Warrior).

[Mike Billington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A society that is sharply divided between the Haves (Elites) and Have-Nots (Drones) is not exactly a new concept in either the dystopian or science fiction genres (a classic episode from the original "Star Trek" comes immediately to mind, for example.)
That said, the challenge for any writer who is going to use this scenario as the basis for a novel is to make what is an overworked storyline fresh somehow.
Author Jackson Dean Chase has found the right formula, I think, in "Drone." He did it not so much with the narrative but by creating interesting characters and putting them into interesting situations (roof-jumping on a jetbike in an effort to escape from some bad guys, in one case.)
Early on in "Drone" we are meant to think that life is pretty black and white. Drones work until they die; they are kept abysmally poor; they must breed for the common good and - in short - their lives are ugly, brutal and short. Elites, meanwhile, live the high life with unlimited resources.
But it's not long before we learn that life in Alpha City is more gray than black and white. There are secret experiments going on and not all of the research subjects are willing participants. Power struggles among the Elite often leave bodies in their wake and the media that people rely on for the truth often isn't very truthful. Although this is supposed to be a tightly regulated society there is a thriving black market and enough thugs on street corners to make walking an adventure. And, if that's not enough, there is a well-organized band of terrorists who are determined to overthrow the establishment by any means necessary.
Into this mix comes "Red," a nickname given to a young Drone woman by an Elite young man who sees her while he is slumming one day. She is on her way to an illegal pawn shop hoping to raise enough money to keep her disabled parents alive at least a little longer and he is apparently smitten with her; enough so that at the risk of his own life he whisks her from danger when she is being threatened by a couple of street toughs.
But is he trustworthy?
Chase has populated his novel - the first in a series - with a host of interesting characters: Wink, the one-eyed security guard for the pawnshop; a sinister major in the police force; the Vice-Mogul of a giant pharmaceutical corporation who might be plotting a takeover of the board that runs the city... these characters are nicely drawn even though Chase does not spend a lot of words on them in many instances.
The novel speeds along, using short chapters and intense action sequences to develop character traits as Red goes from Drone to something else entirely thanks to... well, to tell you would spoil the book and I'm not about to do that.
My advice?
Pick up a copy and give it a read. I think you'll like it as much as I did.