What do you think?
Rate this book
D.N.A. #1
D.N.A. is an illustrated, serial novel written by Alex Hurst. The story chronicles the adventures of Alta Williams, a woman of a future where genetics dictate quality of life and scientific discovery advances at an inconceivable rate. Alta is known to the media as the Human Doll, the first successful case of a full nanoCell organ transplant.
Alta appreciates the technology around her: without it, a chemical fire would have killed her in her early twenties. Though the fire destroyed her extracellular matrix, scientists from the medical behemoth nanoTech were able to replace her ruined skin with their patented nanoCell material, giving her a second lease on life.
However, with nanotechnology now advanced enough to alter the human genome, and a company determined to capitalize – and control – the endeavor, it is up to Alta to expose their plans.
And she’s not alone.
Helping her every step of the way is D.N.A., the Digital Nanocell Accelerator, a self-learning computer program charged with telling synthetic cells which tissue they should build. D.N.A. fuses with Alta’s fully-synthetic skin and convinces her to fight against those who would otherwise oppress society as she knows it.
Of course, it helps that D.N.A. can change the genetic makeup of Alta's skin at will, gifting her with the characteristics of any living recorded in the Genome Project. With the world’s genetic code at her whim, Alta has the power to overcome anything…
…but at what cost to her humanity?
**Please note that this is a novella with illustrations, not a comic or full-length novel**
Alta appreciates the technology around her: without it, a chemical fire would have killed her in her early twenties. Though the fire destroyed her extracellular matrix, scientists from the medical behemoth nanoTech were able to replace her ruined skin with their patented nanoCell material, giving her a second lease on life.
However, with nanotechnology now advanced enough to alter the human genome, and a company determined to capitalize – and control – the endeavor, it is up to Alta to expose their plans.
And she’s not alone.
Helping her every step of the way is D.N.A., the Digital Nanocell Accelerator, a self-learning computer program charged with telling synthetic cells which tissue they should build. D.N.A. fuses with Alta’s fully-synthetic skin and convinces her to fight against those who would otherwise oppress society as she knows it.
Of course, it helps that D.N.A. can change the genetic makeup of Alta's skin at will, gifting her with the characteristics of any living recorded in the Genome Project. With the world’s genetic code at her whim, Alta has the power to overcome anything…
…but at what cost to her humanity?
**Please note that this is a novella with illustrations, not a comic or full-length novel**
- GenresScience Fiction
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2015
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 7, 2015
D.N.A. is an origin story for a superhero in the making. A product of a biopunk future that relies on state-sponsored eugenics much like that of A Brave New World or Code 46, Alta is allowed to survive a crippling chemical fire with DNA, an AI cluster of nano technology that allows her to tap into the power of nearly all fauna from the world over. We're only given a glimpse in this first installment of the series, but I expect both Alta and the corporate entity she's warring against to give us more biopunk craziness in this future that doesn't seem too far away.
November 27, 2015
I would have given this story five stars, but I think it could have been expanded in places and the ending felt a bit rushed.
Overall a fun read. I certainly will be following Alta's future adventures.
Overall a fun read. I certainly will be following Alta's future adventures.
July 7, 2015
A fast-paced treat, with lots of action and cool tech, D.N.A. is a very satisfying read for any Sci-fi fan. I really enjoyed the rapport between Alta and her artificial skin. It’s one of those relationships that you can see making them an iconic duo. Hurst keeps the high concept tech grounded with Alta's personal journey, giving it more depth. And I love the artwork.
August 2, 2015
D. N. A.: Alta by Alex Hurst Alta Williams suffered through a chemical accident in her early 20s that left her in a very sad state. Her skin was ruined. But nanoTech corporation stepped in and offered her a then-experimental replacement of her skin using their new nanoCell tech. Later, she developed a lung cancer due to the accident, and again, nanoTech stepped in offering her an experimental lung replacement. But now she is positive that nanoTech is up to no good. She just needs the proof.
Helping her is a self-learning A.I. program that needed a friendly host – and Alta’s skin was the perfect residence for this program, the Digital nanoCell Accelerator (D. N. A.). We readers enter the story where the two are still getting to know each other. Alta is both amazed and a little frightened at D. N. A.’s ability to temporarily alter her skin and even her DNA to her immediate benefit – hardened skin, claws, heightened hearing, etc. Together, they pry into nanoTech’s secrets.
This was a fun read, being a mix of the superhero and science fiction genres. I enjoyed the underdog versus the mega corporation theme. The pacing moved us along at a swift pace. There was never a dull moment. Alta herself was feeling the pace of things too and you could tell she needed a hot, luxuriant bath and a lengthy nap once it was all done. There’s some fun tech, though most of it deals with the AI character D. N. A. The science part doesn’t ever go very deep so you can focus on the plot and action. As a biologist, I wanted a bit more. Altering DNA is not easy, especially quickly and temporarily. There was one scene where Alta needed very hard skin so D. N. A. went for a soft-bodied mollusk. Now these particular mollusks do have a very hard shell that is created over time, but that shell is not part of their body. So, I scratched my head a little at that one. Still, suspending my biology-based disbelief, it was a fun tale with many possibilities open to the duo.
Alta’s character is still in the ‘let’s get to know one another’ stage even by the end of this story. I would have liked to know her a little better by the end. I felt that I knew D. N. A. better than Alta simply because of the joking between the two. However, with that said, I enjoyed this read enough to want to dig up Book 2 once it becomes available and spend more time with these characters.
The story does spend some time doing a little world-building. It’s the future and the Earth has become heavily polluted. There are those who are not genetically tolerant of all this pollution. Some few humans have the right genes to be legally sanctioned for reproduction but many are not allowed such a privilege. It is an interesting world with an intriguing mix of the dark, polluted world and shiny new tech that may save us all.
I am very pleased to say that we have a non-Caucasian female as the lead character in a superhero book. Hooray! It is excellent to see some diversity in this story, and it doesn’t end with Alta’s character. I rub my hands together in anticipation of what the author will include in subsequent books. There’s plenty of world left for Alta and D. N. A. to explore.
Illustration: Kevin Nichols made some beautiful illustrations for this novella. Most of those illustrations focus on Alta. She’s a lovely woman who looks like a real woman with real muscles and facial features. I really liked that she wasn’t heavily made up in make up or had distended limbs and unbelievable cleavage. Then we had some illustrations of the modifications D. N. A. made to Alta and those were quite fun to see. Fur, fins, etc. At the end of the book, we had some bonus info about the author, but then several bonus illustrations and sketches from the illustrator. It was very cool to add those in and I spent quite some time enjoying them. The mix of the dark background (giving the tale an almost noir detective feel) and the science fiction components built into Alta’s skin was a captivating combination.
I received this book from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Helping her is a self-learning A.I. program that needed a friendly host – and Alta’s skin was the perfect residence for this program, the Digital nanoCell Accelerator (D. N. A.). We readers enter the story where the two are still getting to know each other. Alta is both amazed and a little frightened at D. N. A.’s ability to temporarily alter her skin and even her DNA to her immediate benefit – hardened skin, claws, heightened hearing, etc. Together, they pry into nanoTech’s secrets.
This was a fun read, being a mix of the superhero and science fiction genres. I enjoyed the underdog versus the mega corporation theme. The pacing moved us along at a swift pace. There was never a dull moment. Alta herself was feeling the pace of things too and you could tell she needed a hot, luxuriant bath and a lengthy nap once it was all done. There’s some fun tech, though most of it deals with the AI character D. N. A. The science part doesn’t ever go very deep so you can focus on the plot and action. As a biologist, I wanted a bit more. Altering DNA is not easy, especially quickly and temporarily. There was one scene where Alta needed very hard skin so D. N. A. went for a soft-bodied mollusk. Now these particular mollusks do have a very hard shell that is created over time, but that shell is not part of their body. So, I scratched my head a little at that one. Still, suspending my biology-based disbelief, it was a fun tale with many possibilities open to the duo.
Alta’s character is still in the ‘let’s get to know one another’ stage even by the end of this story. I would have liked to know her a little better by the end. I felt that I knew D. N. A. better than Alta simply because of the joking between the two. However, with that said, I enjoyed this read enough to want to dig up Book 2 once it becomes available and spend more time with these characters.
The story does spend some time doing a little world-building. It’s the future and the Earth has become heavily polluted. There are those who are not genetically tolerant of all this pollution. Some few humans have the right genes to be legally sanctioned for reproduction but many are not allowed such a privilege. It is an interesting world with an intriguing mix of the dark, polluted world and shiny new tech that may save us all.
I am very pleased to say that we have a non-Caucasian female as the lead character in a superhero book. Hooray! It is excellent to see some diversity in this story, and it doesn’t end with Alta’s character. I rub my hands together in anticipation of what the author will include in subsequent books. There’s plenty of world left for Alta and D. N. A. to explore.
Illustration: Kevin Nichols made some beautiful illustrations for this novella. Most of those illustrations focus on Alta. She’s a lovely woman who looks like a real woman with real muscles and facial features. I really liked that she wasn’t heavily made up in make up or had distended limbs and unbelievable cleavage. Then we had some illustrations of the modifications D. N. A. made to Alta and those were quite fun to see. Fur, fins, etc. At the end of the book, we had some bonus info about the author, but then several bonus illustrations and sketches from the illustrator. It was very cool to add those in and I spent quite some time enjoying them. The mix of the dark background (giving the tale an almost noir detective feel) and the science fiction components built into Alta’s skin was a captivating combination.
I received this book from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2015
D.N.A, Alta Williams takes you on a wild and crazy adventure. With its up and downs,you will need your time to take your breath and catch up.
At first it may seem " here's we go again evil corporations" but the author brings something new into th plot and skeems of things. Alta Williams a young girl in her 20's was injured in a very serious accident. Alta Williams suffered a chemical spill accident that that ruined her skin. When everything seemed lost a corporation stepped in offered her a highly experimental treatment to replace her skin.
The nanoTech corporation offered a nano cell tech that was highly experimental to replace her skin. When things couldn't look worse Alta developed lung cancer, if it was do due to the chemical spill or not who knows. But thankfully the same company who offered her the experimental skin also offered her a experimental lung replacement. But the question is why is the company ding all this for her, especially without some kind of request or demands in return. Try must have something up their sleeve. All she needs is the proof against nanoTech, but what if she does get it who will it hurt and who else will be involved.
What Alta gets to learn though there were benefits although at times confusing and scary, benefits, to this nacocell skill being laced and the self learning A-I Program embodying its friendly host to work. Alta's skin bent the perfect host for the program, The Digital nanoCell Accelerator (D.N.A), we enter the story where the host and the program are still getting better aquatinted.
To not give to much away the story is a mix of sci-if and superhero combined, a love of both worlds. A very generic example its Lillie when wolverine is submerged into the medal and gains the claws and can resist bullseye but Alta can strengthen her skin changer skin and claw etc.
As science fiction, the nanotechnology and on-the-fly genetic manipulation is incredible but not implausible, and the artificial intelligence angle iconvincing as well as entertaining. DNA and Alta share an almost human bond, exchanging banter as the action flies, but there's also a sense that the connection is quite intimate. The "internal dialogue" between Alta and DNA is a bit jarring at first, but it complements the frenetic pace of the story.
As it is said it may be illustrated but it is not a comic, it not a book, but a short novella introducing you into the chatchters worlds and setting you up for a second book that is a definite!
For The Illustrastions
Kevin Nicholas out did himself. His illustrations in the self tell the story but with the words are made even stronger. They are beautifully done and well executed. I would like to say 90% of the illustrations focus on Alta, a beautifully done woman. As well the story mostly does focus on her. The artist added realistic features which add to th chatchters and did not just play on sex appeal. He added muscle definition, nicely sculpted facial features, different stances, none of this cleavage where you can play the bongo off it and can't picture the girl running or fighting. The artist shows past Alta's basic form his his amazing talent to progress and do more and make it look natural and beautiful and clean and well exchange each design. You can see the the time and thought he puts into his work.
.
narrative stands on its own quite nicely, but the illustrations are a welcome addition, adding descriptive texture and realism to an extraordinary tale. And yes, as the first installment of a promising serial, it will leave you wanting more. Don't say you weren't warned!detective feel) and the science fiction components built into Alta’s skin was a captivating combination.
At first it may seem " here's we go again evil corporations" but the author brings something new into th plot and skeems of things. Alta Williams a young girl in her 20's was injured in a very serious accident. Alta Williams suffered a chemical spill accident that that ruined her skin. When everything seemed lost a corporation stepped in offered her a highly experimental treatment to replace her skin.
The nanoTech corporation offered a nano cell tech that was highly experimental to replace her skin. When things couldn't look worse Alta developed lung cancer, if it was do due to the chemical spill or not who knows. But thankfully the same company who offered her the experimental skin also offered her a experimental lung replacement. But the question is why is the company ding all this for her, especially without some kind of request or demands in return. Try must have something up their sleeve. All she needs is the proof against nanoTech, but what if she does get it who will it hurt and who else will be involved.
What Alta gets to learn though there were benefits although at times confusing and scary, benefits, to this nacocell skill being laced and the self learning A-I Program embodying its friendly host to work. Alta's skin bent the perfect host for the program, The Digital nanoCell Accelerator (D.N.A), we enter the story where the host and the program are still getting better aquatinted.
To not give to much away the story is a mix of sci-if and superhero combined, a love of both worlds. A very generic example its Lillie when wolverine is submerged into the medal and gains the claws and can resist bullseye but Alta can strengthen her skin changer skin and claw etc.
As science fiction, the nanotechnology and on-the-fly genetic manipulation is incredible but not implausible, and the artificial intelligence angle iconvincing as well as entertaining. DNA and Alta share an almost human bond, exchanging banter as the action flies, but there's also a sense that the connection is quite intimate. The "internal dialogue" between Alta and DNA is a bit jarring at first, but it complements the frenetic pace of the story.
As it is said it may be illustrated but it is not a comic, it not a book, but a short novella introducing you into the chatchters worlds and setting you up for a second book that is a definite!
For The Illustrastions
Kevin Nicholas out did himself. His illustrations in the self tell the story but with the words are made even stronger. They are beautifully done and well executed. I would like to say 90% of the illustrations focus on Alta, a beautifully done woman. As well the story mostly does focus on her. The artist added realistic features which add to th chatchters and did not just play on sex appeal. He added muscle definition, nicely sculpted facial features, different stances, none of this cleavage where you can play the bongo off it and can't picture the girl running or fighting. The artist shows past Alta's basic form his his amazing talent to progress and do more and make it look natural and beautiful and clean and well exchange each design. You can see the the time and thought he puts into his work.
.
narrative stands on its own quite nicely, but the illustrations are a welcome addition, adding descriptive texture and realism to an extraordinary tale. And yes, as the first installment of a promising serial, it will leave you wanting more. Don't say you weren't warned!detective feel) and the science fiction components built into Alta’s skin was a captivating combination.
July 19, 2015
D.N.A.:Alta, by Alex Hurst and illustrated by Kevin Nichols, is a fast paced, acted filled story that started fast and ended leaving me wanting more. I suppose that’s the point, as this is the first book of a serial novel.
Summary:
Alta Williams is the recipient of many lifesaving, though experimental, cybernetic modifications that have allowed her the chance at a new life. Those enhancements are thanks to a corporation called nanotech. Though she literally owes nanoTech her life, Alta discovers that this corporate monstrosity is designing many of its devices with the ability to kill the recipient with the press of a button. When her nanoCell skin becomes host to a sentient program called D.N.A., Alta gains specially abilities that allow her to change the properties of her skin and escape nanoTech. With the help of a new friend she meets during her escape, Sandra Ramirez, Alta takes the fight to nanoTech in order to save the lives of other patients still in their clutches.
What I really enjoyed about this story was Alex’s visual storytelling style. I don’t mean the illustrations, either, though they were a nice accentuation to the story. I really feel this could stand on its own without the illustrations. What I mean by visual storytelling is, simply, I see what Alex is describing very clearly. With there being so much action from start to finish, the read was more like watching a movie, and those are always some of my favorite books.
Since this is the first book in a serial, it’s obvious to the reader that Alex had a lot to tell us in a short amount of time, though I feel most of this was done in the context of the story. The conversation with Sandra where she explains a lot of the things we already know, while filling in some blanks, seems a bit info-dumpy, but I can’t see them working together without having this kind of conversation. I like that Alta, though very powerful compared to those she faces, has to struggle to gain her objective and that nothing she does is easy. It would have been very easy to just hand her the W in this first installment and everyone clap. Instead, she gave her all to save the lives of others and almost fails.
Alex Hurst really sets the stakes high in this first chapter of D.N.A.: Alta. I really look forward to seeing where she goes with
Summary:
Alta Williams is the recipient of many lifesaving, though experimental, cybernetic modifications that have allowed her the chance at a new life. Those enhancements are thanks to a corporation called nanotech. Though she literally owes nanoTech her life, Alta discovers that this corporate monstrosity is designing many of its devices with the ability to kill the recipient with the press of a button. When her nanoCell skin becomes host to a sentient program called D.N.A., Alta gains specially abilities that allow her to change the properties of her skin and escape nanoTech. With the help of a new friend she meets during her escape, Sandra Ramirez, Alta takes the fight to nanoTech in order to save the lives of other patients still in their clutches.
What I really enjoyed about this story was Alex’s visual storytelling style. I don’t mean the illustrations, either, though they were a nice accentuation to the story. I really feel this could stand on its own without the illustrations. What I mean by visual storytelling is, simply, I see what Alex is describing very clearly. With there being so much action from start to finish, the read was more like watching a movie, and those are always some of my favorite books.
Since this is the first book in a serial, it’s obvious to the reader that Alex had a lot to tell us in a short amount of time, though I feel most of this was done in the context of the story. The conversation with Sandra where she explains a lot of the things we already know, while filling in some blanks, seems a bit info-dumpy, but I can’t see them working together without having this kind of conversation. I like that Alta, though very powerful compared to those she faces, has to struggle to gain her objective and that nothing she does is easy. It would have been very easy to just hand her the W in this first installment and everyone clap. Instead, she gave her all to save the lives of others and almost fails.
Alex Hurst really sets the stakes high in this first chapter of D.N.A.: Alta. I really look forward to seeing where she goes with
November 29, 2021
3.5, bumped to 4 because there are illustrations!
I loved Alta and how well her personality came through in such a short space. The idea of the DNA-changing skin AI is really cool as well, and I look forward to expanding on both characters in later installments. The DNA-changing is used to great effect in the action sequences, the best parts of the story.
I do think the plot suffered for being so short. One major transition is pure coincidence, and the final sequence could've used more set-up for the stakes. There's worldbuilding and backstory in the opening action sequence that's confusing right off the bat, and some of it would've worked better relocated to the following exposition scene. Still, I'm intrigued by the glimpses of this sci-fi world, and I'm excited that it's a serial. It seems like a setting that'll benefit from that style of development.
Also, illustrations!
I loved Alta and how well her personality came through in such a short space. The idea of the DNA-changing skin AI is really cool as well, and I look forward to expanding on both characters in later installments. The DNA-changing is used to great effect in the action sequences, the best parts of the story.
I do think the plot suffered for being so short. One major transition is pure coincidence, and the final sequence could've used more set-up for the stakes. There's worldbuilding and backstory in the opening action sequence that's confusing right off the bat, and some of it would've worked better relocated to the following exposition scene. Still, I'm intrigued by the glimpses of this sci-fi world, and I'm excited that it's a serial. It seems like a setting that'll benefit from that style of development.
Also, illustrations!
September 6, 2015
A fun story set in the future about a woman named Alta who receives an artificial skin, and then has an artificial intelligence upload itself into the skin for its own survival. The woman discovers that the maker of her skin has more than a few dark secrets and escapes to team up with a private investigator. Together they work to expose the company.
In essence, this is a comicbook/novella hybrid -- a short, narrative story with several lovely illustrations. Alta's interactions with the AI remind me a bit of the banter between JARVIS and Henry Stark in the Iron Man series, except that because the "suit" is Alta's skin, she can't leave it behind! A nice take on the superhero genre and I'd be interested in seeing where this one goes.
In essence, this is a comicbook/novella hybrid -- a short, narrative story with several lovely illustrations. Alta's interactions with the AI remind me a bit of the banter between JARVIS and Henry Stark in the Iron Man series, except that because the "suit" is Alta's skin, she can't leave it behind! A nice take on the superhero genre and I'd be interested in seeing where this one goes.
May 24, 2017
This is a fast-paced tale that will leave you breathless and wanting more. A lot more. Just when I was beginning to see how much potential was inside Alta—altered human and main character—I found myself at the story’s end. I can only hope that this is the very of many volumes.
August 20, 2015
Just finished this novella last night. Alex Hurst says she's going to make a series of this and as a pilot for a series it is great. The story is fresh, the main character is believable as well as likeable. She has skin created for her after an accident which is comprised from high functioning nano tech. The company also creates organs and lungs -- which she received prior to her skin. The tech doesn't work for everyone, but her genetics takes to the tech in an almost natural way. After the corporation applied the new skin product to her -- which is complete full body -- she showed no sign of rejection. Soon after that, while checking email on a computer, an AI/AL entity downloaded into her nano-skin, sharing the skin as a framework for its consciousness. While this was shocking for them both they had little time to deal with this co-op arrangement. The corporation had plans for her, and many others which were more important than the sudden symbiotic body-share.
The entity introduces itself as D.N.A. It was the database and research program written to search and explore thousands of genomes, from all over the animal world.Somewhere inside that exploration of life-code D.N.A's code sequenced in an unforeseen way changing him from AI to AL -- Artificial Life.
I don't want to go too far into the story and give out spoilers. Alex Hurst does a great job with the story she tells, and demonstrates that the characters aren't going to have superpowers and battle evil between martinis. The challenges they face are insightful, their limitations believable and also challenging in 3 dimensional ways. Most of these challenges are only introduced or hinted at, but they convinced me that the series is going to be well worth investing in.
The entity introduces itself as D.N.A. It was the database and research program written to search and explore thousands of genomes, from all over the animal world.Somewhere inside that exploration of life-code D.N.A's code sequenced in an unforeseen way changing him from AI to AL -- Artificial Life.
I don't want to go too far into the story and give out spoilers. Alex Hurst does a great job with the story she tells, and demonstrates that the characters aren't going to have superpowers and battle evil between martinis. The challenges they face are insightful, their limitations believable and also challenging in 3 dimensional ways. Most of these challenges are only introduced or hinted at, but they convinced me that the series is going to be well worth investing in.
August 11, 2015
This fast-paced story from indie SF author Alex Hurst introduces Alta, a woman who has undergone extensive transhumanist modification, and DNA, her synthetic skin that has been engineered into her body. An artificial intelligence, DNA proves to be Alta's sidekick and, at times, savior as she faces off with the evil corporation that—okay, no spoilers.
The story moves quickly, with plenty of tension and humor. My only complaint is that it ends so quickly—the resolution comes up unexpectedly. Good thing it left me wanting more. I look forward to more installments in what promises to be an entertaining series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story moves quickly, with plenty of tension and humor. My only complaint is that it ends so quickly—the resolution comes up unexpectedly. Good thing it left me wanting more. I look forward to more installments in what promises to be an entertaining series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews