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Helen of Mars #0.5
DEBBI
A game to end all games. On the line: her family’s future. Will Helen’s creation be enough to win the day? Or will she lose, and take her family down with her?
Helen Hunter’s father hopes to make his fortune by sending a robotic rover, controlled from Earth, to mine the surface of Mars for precious ores.
But there’s a catch. To do it, he’ll have to assume financial responsibility for the rover. And on the harsh and desolate surface of Mars, one false move can mean the difference between untold riches and utter disaster. It’s a risky move that could spell doom for the entire family … and their hopes for the future.
Unless Helen can intervene.
The company behind the mining system—MARSCORP—is holding a junior gaming competition at their annual convention, and this is her chance. Grand prize is a one-year lease on a brand new Mars mining rover. Winning would mean that her father gets his shot at the Martian bonanza without any risk to the family.
But it won’t be easy. Teens from all over the country have come to compete. Some are smart. Others, ruthless. And Helen’s not the only one who needs to win. The mission: use her personally designed robot to fight it out in a high-tech arena that can simulate any environment, real or imagined. Beat the competitors. Bring home the prize.
Luckily for Helen, gaming and robot design are her specialties.
And when she unleashes her newest creation on the competition, a miniature homemade rover she calls DEBBI, the world is going to see just how skilled she really is.
The question is … will it be enough?
Helen Hunter’s father hopes to make his fortune by sending a robotic rover, controlled from Earth, to mine the surface of Mars for precious ores.
But there’s a catch. To do it, he’ll have to assume financial responsibility for the rover. And on the harsh and desolate surface of Mars, one false move can mean the difference between untold riches and utter disaster. It’s a risky move that could spell doom for the entire family … and their hopes for the future.
Unless Helen can intervene.
The company behind the mining system—MARSCORP—is holding a junior gaming competition at their annual convention, and this is her chance. Grand prize is a one-year lease on a brand new Mars mining rover. Winning would mean that her father gets his shot at the Martian bonanza without any risk to the family.
But it won’t be easy. Teens from all over the country have come to compete. Some are smart. Others, ruthless. And Helen’s not the only one who needs to win. The mission: use her personally designed robot to fight it out in a high-tech arena that can simulate any environment, real or imagined. Beat the competitors. Bring home the prize.
Luckily for Helen, gaming and robot design are her specialties.
And when she unleashes her newest creation on the competition, a miniature homemade rover she calls DEBBI, the world is going to see just how skilled she really is.
The question is … will it be enough?
- GenresScience Fiction
60 pages, ebook
First published July 5, 2016
28 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
George Ebey
22 books33 followersGeorge Ebey first developed a passion for storytelling during college, when a creative writing course led him to produce a fully edited portfolio of speculative fiction stories. Since then, he has written numerous works in multiple genres and has had stories published in several anthologies. For over a decade, he has also served as a contributor to the International Thriller Writer's online magazine, The Big Thrill.
George was born and raised in Ohio, where he still lives with his wife and an ornery cat. When he's not writing, he enjoys being outdoors, vlogging on
his YouTube channel, and searching for new and interesting places to explore.
He is the author of the Helen of Mars series published by Glass House Press.
www.ebeybooks.com
George was born and raised in Ohio, where he still lives with his wife and an ornery cat. When he's not writing, he enjoys being outdoors, vlogging on
his YouTube channel, and searching for new and interesting places to explore.
He is the author of the Helen of Mars series published by Glass House Press.
www.ebeybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 20, 2016
What I wanted when I picked up George Ebey's DEBBI novella: a quick, easy read that I could finish in an afternoon while my kids played. What I got when I picked up DEBBI: an action-packed intro into a world and characters that I promptly devoured. I also got super mad when I remembered that I had to WAIT until next year to read more about Helen and Misty. But thanks to this little teaser I'm intrigued and I'll wait as patiently as I can. George Ebey has a winner in this middle grade series and I can't wait to see where he takes this!
January 3, 2021
I loved DEBBI and Other Stories from the Helen of Mars Universe because it features girls using their skills and brains to solve major problems. Exciting and well written.
July 5, 2016
DEBBI starts out with a bang! I was pulled in immediately and did not want to stop! I did, however, take a mini break to go find George Ebey on Twitter to verify if the series would be in complete novels or if it would continue on in novella form though (complete novels fyi!).
DEBBI is mostly about Helen. A smart girl who has entered a competition to try to earn the rights to controlling a mining drone on the planet Mars. She fears that if she doesn't win, her family will lose all of their money and that they will be out on the street.
This novella was nerdy and geeky and wonderfully written. In the few short pages that we were given of this wonderful world that George Ebey has created, we get to meet quite a few characters - some of which you can tell are going to be key in the forthcoming series. And he manages to make you feel like you know them and that you are connected to them in the limited amount of time a novella allows an author to have.
Also, the video gaming aspect of the competition was amazing! The imagery that George Ebey creates is astounding and I could only wish that I could some how play in a video game like the one he created for the competition some day. The robot battles of the competition were so excellently written. I didn't want those parts to stop!
I knew this story was going to be short. That is the nature of the novella... But I still am sad that it ended. I read through the story so quickly and just wanted more of it. I will be awaiting the release of the first complete novel in the Helen of Mars series, but until then I am glad that this novella exists and that it has introduced me to this marvelous world that George Ebey has created.
My Rating
5 Stars
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
This review is based on an eARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
DEBBI is mostly about Helen. A smart girl who has entered a competition to try to earn the rights to controlling a mining drone on the planet Mars. She fears that if she doesn't win, her family will lose all of their money and that they will be out on the street.
This novella was nerdy and geeky and wonderfully written. In the few short pages that we were given of this wonderful world that George Ebey has created, we get to meet quite a few characters - some of which you can tell are going to be key in the forthcoming series. And he manages to make you feel like you know them and that you are connected to them in the limited amount of time a novella allows an author to have.
Also, the video gaming aspect of the competition was amazing! The imagery that George Ebey creates is astounding and I could only wish that I could some how play in a video game like the one he created for the competition some day. The robot battles of the competition were so excellently written. I didn't want those parts to stop!
I knew this story was going to be short. That is the nature of the novella... But I still am sad that it ended. I read through the story so quickly and just wanted more of it. I will be awaiting the release of the first complete novel in the Helen of Mars series, but until then I am glad that this novella exists and that it has introduced me to this marvelous world that George Ebey has created.
My Rating
5 Stars
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
This review is based on an eARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 22, 2016
I'm a sci-fi geek so I was already excited to read DEBBI. From the start my heart was pumping. I had that rush of watching Battle Bots from when I was younger. I'm in love with these characters. Helen and Misty kept me smiling throughout the entire read. I've just completed an entire year teaching and working with robotics in the classroom so this novella was exactly what I needed. George Ebey is a fantastic writer and keeps you engaged with excitement. This is a must read middle grade novella.
July 18, 2016
In the not-so-distant future, gamer girl and engineering prodigy Helen Hunter enters a prestigious battle bot competition sponsored MARSCORP, a company that sends rovers to mine Mars. Except she's not just doing it for the thrill of it. MARSCORP has grown notorious for making lots of money off the dreams of would-be Mars explorers--by selling them expensive equipment and whatnot then taking a cut of their revenues in exchange for giving them a chance to profit from Mars' rich ore deposits. In that sense, they're rather like scammy, leeching self-publishing outfits (*cough* Author Solutions *cough*) that reap unscrupulous profits off the dreams of authors with their overpriced and often terrible services. Sorry for getting a little off-topic... Just wanted to show y'all how evil this bad-guy corporation is ;-).
Anyway, Helen's dad, certain that his knowledge of geography will give him an edge over the competition, is determined to send a rover to Mars despite the financial risks. Helen, a practical and mature teen, fears that his ambition will lead their family to ruin. And so she enters the competition in hopes of winning the grand prize: a free Mars rover that will let her dad chase his dream without possibly losing the house.
DEBBI is Helen's bot, which she built herself and controls with the help of her fellow gamer girl and BFF, Misty. This novella is a short, fun little read full of robot battles and nerdy references... catnip for a nerdy gal like me! And can I just say, how awesome is it to see an unapologetically nerdy teen girl as the heroine of her own story? STEM girls rule!
Okay, disclosure time. Not only do George and I share a publisher (Glass House Press), but I was also a huge fan of Helen going in. The first story starring Helen (which actually takes place after DEBBI), titled Helen of Mars, was one of the shorts in the anthology I co-edited, BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF GIRLS AND GADGETS (we donate all proceeds from sales to the Society of Women Engineers' scholarship fund, so if you want to find out what happens to Helen next and support a good cause... *hint hint nudge nudge*). Does this make me biased? Well, I'm always going to be biased toward stories featuring smart, independent heroines, especially STEM-y ones, so...
Back to DEBBI! In this little novella, George Ebey paints an awesome near-future sci-fi world. The concept feels like something that could actually happen... dare I call this hard sci-fi? The robot battles are really fun to read, full of detail and action and strategy and some amazing visuals. Helen's the kind of character you eagerly root for. She's bright and determined, and though she's somewhat shy, she doesn't take crap from anyone. So if you like girl engineers and robot battles, you should totally check this one out!
Anyway, Helen's dad, certain that his knowledge of geography will give him an edge over the competition, is determined to send a rover to Mars despite the financial risks. Helen, a practical and mature teen, fears that his ambition will lead their family to ruin. And so she enters the competition in hopes of winning the grand prize: a free Mars rover that will let her dad chase his dream without possibly losing the house.
DEBBI is Helen's bot, which she built herself and controls with the help of her fellow gamer girl and BFF, Misty. This novella is a short, fun little read full of robot battles and nerdy references... catnip for a nerdy gal like me! And can I just say, how awesome is it to see an unapologetically nerdy teen girl as the heroine of her own story? STEM girls rule!
Okay, disclosure time. Not only do George and I share a publisher (Glass House Press), but I was also a huge fan of Helen going in. The first story starring Helen (which actually takes place after DEBBI), titled Helen of Mars, was one of the shorts in the anthology I co-edited, BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF GIRLS AND GADGETS (we donate all proceeds from sales to the Society of Women Engineers' scholarship fund, so if you want to find out what happens to Helen next and support a good cause... *hint hint nudge nudge*). Does this make me biased? Well, I'm always going to be biased toward stories featuring smart, independent heroines, especially STEM-y ones, so...
Back to DEBBI! In this little novella, George Ebey paints an awesome near-future sci-fi world. The concept feels like something that could actually happen... dare I call this hard sci-fi? The robot battles are really fun to read, full of detail and action and strategy and some amazing visuals. Helen's the kind of character you eagerly root for. She's bright and determined, and though she's somewhat shy, she doesn't take crap from anyone. So if you like girl engineers and robot battles, you should totally check this one out!
May 22, 2016
Let me start with the disclaimer that I am NOT a fan of space opera. Or really sci fi, for that matter. So when I first heard about DEBBI... well, I was reluctant.
Boy did this little book knock my socks off. The heroine is smart, snarky, and driven. She doesn't take no for an answer, and she's not afraid to go up against the big baddie. The world is incredibly unique, action is quick, the language is tight, the story is absolutely wonderful. And the ending, omg!
I literally cannot wait for this series to get started. I can't get enough of Misty and Helen, and when I get the first book in the series for editing, I will probably be dropping everything else to start it.
Boy did this little book knock my socks off. The heroine is smart, snarky, and driven. She doesn't take no for an answer, and she's not afraid to go up against the big baddie. The world is incredibly unique, action is quick, the language is tight, the story is absolutely wonderful. And the ending, omg!
I literally cannot wait for this series to get started. I can't get enough of Misty and Helen, and when I get the first book in the series for editing, I will probably be dropping everything else to start it.
April 17, 2017
I don't typically go for hard sci-fi/fantasy, so I kind of read this on a lark - which is easy to do since it's not epic length like most other stories in the genre. And I have to say I really enjoyed this. It's tightly imagined, very well written, approachable to non-techies like me... and exciting. Well done, Mr. Ebey!
January 21, 2021
It's really well written. I'm excited to see more of these stories. I really liked that there was gaming and sci fi mixed together. Great read.
January 1, 2021
Full of action and intrigue. Really well written. I enjoyed the characters a ton and want to see more of Helen.
June 29, 2025
I enjoy sci-fi, and I have to say that hard sci-fi is incredibly hard to pull off. By limiting ourselves in a narrative that is scientifically possible, we oftentimes can become overburdened with over-emphasis on explanatory dialogue or prose. Thankfully, Ebey completely avoids this pitfall. He perfectly balances the fantasy of fiction with grounded reality and respects the reader enough to understand that we are all on the same page with the plausibility of his premise. It's excellent because it then allows him to explore his core concept further in several short stories.
Now, my primary problem with this collection of stories is that they are all focused on mechanical combat. Ebey is excellent at writing action, so this isn't really a bad thing. However, his concept here is rife for so much exploration that he merely dips his toes in through these stories. Namely, the economic and political consequences of this privatized Mars mining initiative. Especially given the fact that we briefly get to see the CEO of MARSCORP. I feel like it's a missed opportunity to not see a story from his perspective or even from someone who benefits from the shady practices of MARSCORP.
Regardless, as a series of short stories in this shared universe, it does a phenomenal job of getting the reader invested in this world, even though most of these short stories are effectively telling the same story just in a different way. The stakes, circumstances, and form change just enough from story to story, which helps the book avoid feeling like a broken record. I think the real standout for me is the Andromeda story, but I'm also a comic book fan, so I am biased.
If you are a fan of sci-fi I would highly recommend checking this book out. Because it is a prequel to a larger novel and quite a breezy read, I think it really allows for you to determine if you think the full novel will be worth your time. I can certainly say that I plan on getting Rover the next chance I get after finishing this work.
Now, my primary problem with this collection of stories is that they are all focused on mechanical combat. Ebey is excellent at writing action, so this isn't really a bad thing. However, his concept here is rife for so much exploration that he merely dips his toes in through these stories. Namely, the economic and political consequences of this privatized Mars mining initiative. Especially given the fact that we briefly get to see the CEO of MARSCORP. I feel like it's a missed opportunity to not see a story from his perspective or even from someone who benefits from the shady practices of MARSCORP.
Regardless, as a series of short stories in this shared universe, it does a phenomenal job of getting the reader invested in this world, even though most of these short stories are effectively telling the same story just in a different way. The stakes, circumstances, and form change just enough from story to story, which helps the book avoid feeling like a broken record. I think the real standout for me is the Andromeda story, but I'm also a comic book fan, so I am biased.
If you are a fan of sci-fi I would highly recommend checking this book out. Because it is a prequel to a larger novel and quite a breezy read, I think it really allows for you to determine if you think the full novel will be worth your time. I can certainly say that I plan on getting Rover the next chance I get after finishing this work.
December 11, 2025
Helen of Mars #0.5 is an electrifying start to a thrilling sci-fi universe. George Ebey’s vision of Mars is vivid and immersive, filled with danger, mechanical rovers, and human greed. The story keeps you on edge with clever twists and high-stakes adventure. A must-read for fans of futuristic action and complex characters.
August 15, 2016
Well now, color me interested! I'm a fan of Science Fiction at the best of times, but it takes a lot of talent to weave a really good story into a novella length piece. There's a very short period of time to bring in characters, make them feel richly written, and lay out their fates. George Ebey doesn't even blink an eye with DEBBI. He makes full use of all the time that he has, and it makes for one intriguing read.
This novella comes on strong. I was hooked on the idea of a lone robot, battling against the odds for survival. I actually didn't read the synopsis for this before I started it, so I didn't realize that Helen was even a factor. Once I understood that Helen was actually the mastermind behind everything, I was even more impressed. Now it wasn't just about robot battles, which are cool enough, it was also about the heart and the passion behind the robot battles. Helen's character was easy to fall in love with. Her motivations were true, and I can't deny that I loved her fiery retorts towards the end. I'll follow that girl into whatever happens next.
I was pretty excited to find out that this is a prequel novella, because I definitely need more. If you're a fan of strong female characters, epic robot battles, and tension for days, you need to read this. Trust me, it's well worth your time.
This novella comes on strong. I was hooked on the idea of a lone robot, battling against the odds for survival. I actually didn't read the synopsis for this before I started it, so I didn't realize that Helen was even a factor. Once I understood that Helen was actually the mastermind behind everything, I was even more impressed. Now it wasn't just about robot battles, which are cool enough, it was also about the heart and the passion behind the robot battles. Helen's character was easy to fall in love with. Her motivations were true, and I can't deny that I loved her fiery retorts towards the end. I'll follow that girl into whatever happens next.
I was pretty excited to find out that this is a prequel novella, because I definitely need more. If you're a fan of strong female characters, epic robot battles, and tension for days, you need to read this. Trust me, it's well worth your time.
December 27, 2020
Completely wonderful. A set of short stories that primes you for the series and does a fair bit of description for the world itself-tho it definitely leaves plenty of questions!! Loved this collection and can’t wait did the first book to drop.
July 31, 2016
Girl paired against evil corporation? Gaming with battle bots? I was sold at the concept. Well written, full of imagery and imagination.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews