What do you think?
Rate this book
Binarius #1
Binarius: Episode I
Somewhere beneath, within, outside the timelines of the cosmos, planet Fia has been tactically infected with poison. Fia is dying. She can no longer sustain the damage that is being inflicted upon her. She’s losing blood. Her creatures are near extinction, her lungs are raspy, and her veins are sick.
For this reason, Firinne lives with constant anxiety. She remembers a time when she was normal; before The Blacken came. Seemingly overnight, she is faced with betrayal, forcing her to abandon the safety of her home to search for help. What she finds is a world gone mad. From beneath their shrouds of illusion, below their iron crowns of imprisonment, and behind their goblets of blood — the people look at her like she is a savage — and maybe she is.
Hunted by her betrayer and packs of mechanical creatures — she finds a ruin that lights up the sky, and an electric orphan who hides in the shadows.
Together, they must travel to the mountains where they step into a broken timeline of history and discover a prophecy and a blueprint that could ensure the survival of their planet — if they can manage to stay alive.
BINARIUS is a tale of victim and perpetrator, and those who, inevitably — are both.
For this reason, Firinne lives with constant anxiety. She remembers a time when she was normal; before The Blacken came. Seemingly overnight, she is faced with betrayal, forcing her to abandon the safety of her home to search for help. What she finds is a world gone mad. From beneath their shrouds of illusion, below their iron crowns of imprisonment, and behind their goblets of blood — the people look at her like she is a savage — and maybe she is.
Hunted by her betrayer and packs of mechanical creatures — she finds a ruin that lights up the sky, and an electric orphan who hides in the shadows.
Together, they must travel to the mountains where they step into a broken timeline of history and discover a prophecy and a blueprint that could ensure the survival of their planet — if they can manage to stay alive.
BINARIUS is a tale of victim and perpetrator, and those who, inevitably — are both.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2015
3 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Kendra McMahan
1 book31 followersKendra McMahan lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her daughter and their dog, Ewok. She's never been one for societal expectations and so she is a graduate from The School of Life. After 25 years of obsessing over books, writing poetry and activism essays, and trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up, she finally decided she was born to be a writer -- naturally -- and she apologizes that it took her so long but would like to remind everyone that everything happens when it's supposed to. She writes with a relentless passion for the raw human, societal, and environmental condition. When she's not writing, she can be found reading, homeschooling, gardening, and preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2017
SO... I feel like this was a good progression of events, but I don't feel like the book is complete (sorry, good writer friend I met on Facebook sometime last year...!). I mean, it's good if it was half of a chapter book like ... say, The Stranger by Albert Camus or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (two of my recent reads...!) which are split in half just before something significant happens. However, I am super in love with the imagery, the characterization, and the world building.
I do think that I share the same weakness in that the imagery sometimes interferes with the storytelling, but it's not a big issue. There is really no big issue at all.
The plot rises and the book ends on a cliffhanger, but it isn't quite close to a typical climax in a 300-400 page novel, and that's why I mentioned that I didn't feel that the book is complete. I do think that the points of conflict and Firrine's journey are believable and fresh. Here we have a heroine who, although betrayed by her lover, is pulling her own weight in the battle against ... a seemingly true evil, the Blacken (the Mist of Blacken?). She is currently looking for aid and a way to recover her Queendom from this antagonistic force.
Perhaps the second novel in the series will feel like the second half of what I would consider to be a complete novel (maybe you could make a version where both pieces are stitched together?)... but to be honest, it's a great novel. I got immersed in the imagery and world building as soon as I got into chapter 3, and that's a great sign for an interesting and exciting read :) It's also a slim novel (although, I wouldn't complain if it was twice as long, really, hint hint lol), and a quick read (almost 200 pages!). I wish there was more, and there is more!
I don't know how to condense this into a more tl;dr format, but... McMahan's style is verbose (almost lyrical), and the world she has constructed is one I'd like to get to know more about. It's a great read for a self-published fantasy / sci-fi author; short and sweet... I want more :d
I do think that I share the same weakness in that the imagery sometimes interferes with the storytelling, but it's not a big issue. There is really no big issue at all.
The plot rises and the book ends on a cliffhanger, but it isn't quite close to a typical climax in a 300-400 page novel, and that's why I mentioned that I didn't feel that the book is complete. I do think that the points of conflict and Firrine's journey are believable and fresh. Here we have a heroine who, although betrayed by her lover, is pulling her own weight in the battle against ... a seemingly true evil, the Blacken (the Mist of Blacken?). She is currently looking for aid and a way to recover her Queendom from this antagonistic force.
Perhaps the second novel in the series will feel like the second half of what I would consider to be a complete novel (maybe you could make a version where both pieces are stitched together?)... but to be honest, it's a great novel. I got immersed in the imagery and world building as soon as I got into chapter 3, and that's a great sign for an interesting and exciting read :) It's also a slim novel (although, I wouldn't complain if it was twice as long, really, hint hint lol), and a quick read (almost 200 pages!). I wish there was more, and there is more!
I don't know how to condense this into a more tl;dr format, but... McMahan's style is verbose (almost lyrical), and the world she has constructed is one I'd like to get to know more about. It's a great read for a self-published fantasy / sci-fi author; short and sweet... I want more :d
July 25, 2016
I've managed to meet many talented writers since I joined Instagram. Kendra McMahon is one of them. I lucked out and downloaded Binarius for free, from Amazon.com. I was looking for a fantasy tale but received an otherworldly experience. This story is unlike anything I've read before, leaving me to use my imagination in more ways than one.
The story, Binarius, is about Firinne, a young lady with Princess status, is trying to fight a force that's big enough to torment her planet! People are succumbing to a darkness that rules through emotion and deal with a betrayal she never saw coming. Forced to leave her home, she's on the run and has to find a way to stop The Blacken and save her people....
*For the full review: http://tinyurl.com/jjl35zu
**eBook provided by author, Kendra McMahon, for an honest review.
The story, Binarius, is about Firinne, a young lady with Princess status, is trying to fight a force that's big enough to torment her planet! People are succumbing to a darkness that rules through emotion and deal with a betrayal she never saw coming. Forced to leave her home, she's on the run and has to find a way to stop The Blacken and save her people....
*For the full review: http://tinyurl.com/jjl35zu
**eBook provided by author, Kendra McMahon, for an honest review.
November 23, 2015
Binarius Episode II, I'm not even sure where to begin. This magical installment is just beautiful! It's a whirlwind of emotions, journeys and excitement! The author just keeps your mind thinking ahead and asking questions. What a creative work of magic! ... Just read it!!
June 9, 2016
I loved the amount of detail in this book. It really made everything come alive. I can't wait to see what happens in part two.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2015
This is my 15th-or something time reading this book and I must say, it's fantastic!!! ;) ha.
September 11, 2016
I enjoyed Ms. McMahan's writing style, but...
If you are a reader of fantasy, of which I am not, (sorry), you will enjoy this book immensely!
If you are a reader of fantasy, of which I am not, (sorry), you will enjoy this book immensely!
February 13, 2017
When I started reading Binarius, I was in the middle of a major life change and it took me forever to read. Now, that is NOT because it isn't a good book. On the contrary, it's actually a very, very good book. This book held my attention for over a YEAR while I read a page or two at a time amidst the chaos of my life. When I finally had the time to sit down and dedicate some time to reading this book, McMahan had already released Episode 2 and re released them both as one full novel, so I decided to start from the beginning again and devoured it in its entirety - in only 12 hours, from start to finish. It's actually one of 3 books I've read in the last 2 years, during my massive reading slump. To say that I enjoyed it is an understatement.
The first thing that struck me was the use of language; from the very first page it is clear that McMahan not only has a firm grasp on linguistics, but also has a respect for language that you don't always see nowadays. There were flourishes, but it wasn't so flowery that you couldn't read it.
Aside from the language, the story itself was solid. It's a sort of dystopian/apocalyptic/young adult novel that, even though is presented in a truly creative and unique way, remains relatable, especially to those who are paying attention to OUR world. While following Firinne (the courageous main character) through her journey to save her Queendom, you feel the excitement and disappointments that she feels. There aren't a ton of action type scenes nor many romance scenes, but those that are there are strong. You can feel Firinne's pain, longing, growth and triumphs as if they are your own. I've recommended Binarius to many, and will continue to do so.
The first thing that struck me was the use of language; from the very first page it is clear that McMahan not only has a firm grasp on linguistics, but also has a respect for language that you don't always see nowadays. There were flourishes, but it wasn't so flowery that you couldn't read it.
Aside from the language, the story itself was solid. It's a sort of dystopian/apocalyptic/young adult novel that, even though is presented in a truly creative and unique way, remains relatable, especially to those who are paying attention to OUR world. While following Firinne (the courageous main character) through her journey to save her Queendom, you feel the excitement and disappointments that she feels. There aren't a ton of action type scenes nor many romance scenes, but those that are there are strong. You can feel Firinne's pain, longing, growth and triumphs as if they are your own. I've recommended Binarius to many, and will continue to do so.
November 23, 2015
This book was just wonderful! It was a very magical & creative journey. I felt like I could relate to all of the characters in some way. Definitely a difficult book to put down. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully it does not take too long!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews