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Halfskin
Halfskin
A synthetic stem cell called a biomite can replace any cell in your body. They are infallible. As our percentages of biomites rise, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier. We become better.
Can we resist the temptation of perfection? Are we still human when our bodies are replaced by synthetic replications?
If biomites exist, laws will be imposed to prevent excess and abuse. Those with 50% biomites will no longer be considered human.
They will be halfskin.
Halfksin: The Vignettes is a compendium of short stories found throughout the Halfskin trilogy, a harbinger of what humanity’s pursuit of perfection may look like.
Can we resist the temptation of perfection? Are we still human when our bodies are replaced by synthetic replications?
If biomites exist, laws will be imposed to prevent excess and abuse. Those with 50% biomites will no longer be considered human.
They will be halfskin.
Halfksin: The Vignettes is a compendium of short stories found throughout the Halfskin trilogy, a harbinger of what humanity’s pursuit of perfection may look like.
258 pages, ebook
First published October 13, 2015
60 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Tony Bertauski
75 books770 followersGet my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 5, 2016
https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2016/0...
When I got this book as a gift from the author's newsletter, it was presented as a prequel.
Now a prequel can be defined as noun 1. a literary, dramatic, or filmic work that prefigures a later work, as by portraying the same characters at a younger age.
So imagine my surprise when I start reading it and everything, for some reason, sounds familiar. I recognized all those stories I enjoyed reading so much from Halfskin #1. There they were interspersed with the main narrative and that construction was part of why I enjoyed that first book so much.
As I read on, I identified more and more episodes of all the trilogy's books, some of them I consider quite spoilery (particularly the cube).
Having read the trilogy before, this just felt like a bunch of lines already written put together with a bit something extra and that was immensely disappointing for the majority of the short story.
As a prequel, I had expected a bit more background on how the world became what it was. There was clearly an attempt to do that but, in my opinion, quite glossed over to get to the juicy bits.
So why the high rating instead of a 1 or 2 or even 3 stars?
Well, for one, the last chapter saved it for me. I do not recall reading about charges at all and it was a great concept that somehow seemed to summarize the entire biomite ambition era.
Secondly, I really, really love Tony Bertauski's writing.
Repetitive as it was, I did enjoy diving into the biomite universe all over again.
And finally, I accept that not everyone would feel the way I do. I know that I, personally, would be incredibly disappointed if I had read this 'prequel' and then moved on to book 1. The sense of deja vu would kill me and I would feel tempted to skip those chapters and then feel guilty about it if I did.
But others may find it had just enough interesting content to get them to move on to trilogy and not be bothered by that feeling at all. Who knows?
So I still recommend it, just in my personal opinion not as a prequel, as I feel the trilogy should be savoured in all its glory. I view it more as a great, thought provoking sum up of it and would read it a long time after going through the trilogy to refresh my memory.
Note: This is good quality dystopia/sci-fi/speculative science, folks. I highly recommend looking up the author's site because if you sign up to his newsletter you will receive FREE BOOKS and see for yourself.
This book is also free on Amazon; click here!
And on a final note, there's no way this book is 258 pages in print, I read it in one sitting and I cannot even begin to tell you how rare that is even if the book is awesome.
I could also tell by the speedy way the percentage on my Kindle advanced and the number of locations.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
When I got this book as a gift from the author's newsletter, it was presented as a prequel.
Now a prequel can be defined as noun 1. a literary, dramatic, or filmic work that prefigures a later work, as by portraying the same characters at a younger age.
So imagine my surprise when I start reading it and everything, for some reason, sounds familiar. I recognized all those stories I enjoyed reading so much from Halfskin #1. There they were interspersed with the main narrative and that construction was part of why I enjoyed that first book so much.
As I read on, I identified more and more episodes of all the trilogy's books, some of them I consider quite spoilery (particularly the cube).
Having read the trilogy before, this just felt like a bunch of lines already written put together with a bit something extra and that was immensely disappointing for the majority of the short story.
As a prequel, I had expected a bit more background on how the world became what it was. There was clearly an attempt to do that but, in my opinion, quite glossed over to get to the juicy bits.
So why the high rating instead of a 1 or 2 or even 3 stars?
Well, for one, the last chapter saved it for me. I do not recall reading about charges at all and it was a great concept that somehow seemed to summarize the entire biomite ambition era.
Secondly, I really, really love Tony Bertauski's writing.
Repetitive as it was, I did enjoy diving into the biomite universe all over again.
And finally, I accept that not everyone would feel the way I do. I know that I, personally, would be incredibly disappointed if I had read this 'prequel' and then moved on to book 1. The sense of deja vu would kill me and I would feel tempted to skip those chapters and then feel guilty about it if I did.
But others may find it had just enough interesting content to get them to move on to trilogy and not be bothered by that feeling at all. Who knows?
So I still recommend it, just in my personal opinion not as a prequel, as I feel the trilogy should be savoured in all its glory. I view it more as a great, thought provoking sum up of it and would read it a long time after going through the trilogy to refresh my memory.
Note: This is good quality dystopia/sci-fi/speculative science, folks. I highly recommend looking up the author's site because if you sign up to his newsletter you will receive FREE BOOKS and see for yourself.
This book is also free on Amazon; click here!
And on a final note, there's no way this book is 258 pages in print, I read it in one sitting and I cannot even begin to tell you how rare that is even if the book is awesome.
I could also tell by the speedy way the percentage on my Kindle advanced and the number of locations.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 19, 2016
I recommend 'Halfskin' series by Tony Bertauski which uses stem cell tech replacing normal cells and shows that some people will do this for gain, athletic advantage or glamour once it's available.
We see a series of shorts, the vignettes of the title, letting us into the world once the biomites tech has been developed and put into practice. Baseball playing kids are souped up illegally while still growing, students attend clandestine parties where they become prettier - if the biomites work properly. The medical uses include replacement limbs and organs. We learn that after a fifty percent ratio has been reached, the person is considered no longer human but artificial. Those with no enhancements at all are considered 'clay'.
It's a good read and well written but somehow I found the overall effect depressing. I would be interested to read a full length novel and see if the author gets under the skin of major characters.
We see a series of shorts, the vignettes of the title, letting us into the world once the biomites tech has been developed and put into practice. Baseball playing kids are souped up illegally while still growing, students attend clandestine parties where they become prettier - if the biomites work properly. The medical uses include replacement limbs and organs. We learn that after a fifty percent ratio has been reached, the person is considered no longer human but artificial. Those with no enhancements at all are considered 'clay'.
It's a good read and well written but somehow I found the overall effect depressing. I would be interested to read a full length novel and see if the author gets under the skin of major characters.
June 6, 2017
This was definitely different, and interesting however I felt it was missing something.
Read
February 17, 2016BERTAUSKI STARTER LIBRARY is FREE!
Get 3 full-length novels and 1 novella…Just tell me where to send them.
http://bertauski.com/
Get 3 full-length novels and 1 novella…Just tell me where to send them.
http://bertauski.com/
January 10, 2025
A Terrifying Alternative Timeline
If scientific breakthroughs had been managed differently, if famous inventors had invented technology for different purposes, if we were further along in our journey to promote synthetic humans - then this book could be our present day. It was interesting to realize halfway through this collection of short stories (taken from an existing universe, apparently - a trilogy I haven't read) that it wasn't set in the future but rather in current day as an alternate timeline that would have diverged in the 70s.
Terrifying and yet fascinating, in this reality stem cells are biomites and humans can use them to enhance, or even replace, their own organic cells. Biomites can make you smarter (replacing brain cells), stronger (even replacing entire limbs), and healthier. And they can be abused. The ideal use of biomites is described as 10% of yourself, the point of no return is described as 50%, you are an outcast at 0% and an untolerated danger to humanity at 100%. And these stories show us so many variations within those ranges and the consequences of them.
If scientific breakthroughs had been managed differently, if famous inventors had invented technology for different purposes, if we were further along in our journey to promote synthetic humans - then this book could be our present day. It was interesting to realize halfway through this collection of short stories (taken from an existing universe, apparently - a trilogy I haven't read) that it wasn't set in the future but rather in current day as an alternate timeline that would have diverged in the 70s.
Terrifying and yet fascinating, in this reality stem cells are biomites and humans can use them to enhance, or even replace, their own organic cells. Biomites can make you smarter (replacing brain cells), stronger (even replacing entire limbs), and healthier. And they can be abused. The ideal use of biomites is described as 10% of yourself, the point of no return is described as 50%, you are an outcast at 0% and an untolerated danger to humanity at 100%. And these stories show us so many variations within those ranges and the consequences of them.
January 17, 2018
This taster has been on my shelf for a while now, so I thought I would indulge in some reality based Sci Fi.
There are several short stories within this book, all based around the idea of Stem Cell 'upgrades' to boost the human body in many ways - Fighting illness, learning skills etc. There is a nice balance between the ethics of carrying out procedures and the reasons for doing so, and also the greed and corruption that ultimately becomes prevalent from abusing this new technology. The fascinating thing from this being that although it is technically possible to become almost completely non-human, the traits of self destructive / corruptive behaviours will still exist. I will be happy to explore the full novels to see what becomes of the new 'breed'.
There are several short stories within this book, all based around the idea of Stem Cell 'upgrades' to boost the human body in many ways - Fighting illness, learning skills etc. There is a nice balance between the ethics of carrying out procedures and the reasons for doing so, and also the greed and corruption that ultimately becomes prevalent from abusing this new technology. The fascinating thing from this being that although it is technically possible to become almost completely non-human, the traits of self destructive / corruptive behaviours will still exist. I will be happy to explore the full novels to see what becomes of the new 'breed'.
January 27, 2019
Thought provoking
The book was difficult to understand and hard to follow at first because of the complex wording. By the middle of the book, I figured out what was going on and the use of science terminology slowed down so I could understand what was being said. The ending of the book left me thinking about real-life comparisons we already do with medical breakthroughs and sports enhancing drugs and trying to legislate control in and out of our country. The book definitely left me pondering what is human? There was enough material here to generate interest that I will probably continue reading the series.
The book was difficult to understand and hard to follow at first because of the complex wording. By the middle of the book, I figured out what was going on and the use of science terminology slowed down so I could understand what was being said. The ending of the book left me thinking about real-life comparisons we already do with medical breakthroughs and sports enhancing drugs and trying to legislate control in and out of our country. The book definitely left me pondering what is human? There was enough material here to generate interest that I will probably continue reading the series.
September 30, 2017
This as it states is a short story book, it has several mini tales which were taken from the Halfskin series . I received this e book free after subscribing to the author's newsletter .
Even though I hadn't read any of the Halfskin series of books I enjoyed this little taster of the author's work .
It was intriguing and its the kind of thing that makes you think after you've read it , I like that a lot .
Even though I hadn't read any of the Halfskin series of books I enjoyed this little taster of the author's work .
It was intriguing and its the kind of thing that makes you think after you've read it , I like that a lot .
July 22, 2018
A Short Taster
I gave this book a three star rating, purely for the fact it was so short.
The short stories were more like a collection of essays. They were complete and told a whole story. The writing was good, the characters diverse, the world easy to follow, and I enjoyed them all. It made me want to read the full trilogy.
I gave this book a three star rating, purely for the fact it was so short.
The short stories were more like a collection of essays. They were complete and told a whole story. The writing was good, the characters diverse, the world easy to follow, and I enjoyed them all. It made me want to read the full trilogy.
January 16, 2017
Interest ring concept
I received this book for free and requested to review it. I found the idea that this book is based on a interesting concept, as well as a complete possibility. I will get the next novel and see how that one goes.
I received this book for free and requested to review it. I found the idea that this book is based on a interesting concept, as well as a complete possibility. I will get the next novel and see how that one goes.
February 28, 2017
a very interesting idea to be raised. however, i found some of these vignettes to not be making much sense, as if they were torn out of a bigger picture, and perhaps they were... otherwise, it's a good read, indeed - with all the ethical issues and repercussions.
November 17, 2018
Halfskin - fast paced and entertaining
Good sentence structure, not too simple. Good world building to support the story. Relatable characters. This is a quick, entertaining read. I’ll look for the next book in the series. Can’t ask for more than that.
Good sentence structure, not too simple. Good world building to support the story. Relatable characters. This is a quick, entertaining read. I’ll look for the next book in the series. Can’t ask for more than that.
January 29, 2019
Good premise
Good premise. Biomites, are those with them still human or not. There were 3 shorts and just as I was getting in to liking them, they were over. I am going to download a full length book and I imagine it will be good.
Good premise. Biomites, are those with them still human or not. There were 3 shorts and just as I was getting in to liking them, they were over. I am going to download a full length book and I imagine it will be good.
January 31, 2019
Strange yet credible
Computers get smaller and smaller every decade, and it won't be long before things like biomites actually exist, or at least something similar.
Computers get smaller and smaller every decade, and it won't be long before things like biomites actually exist, or at least something similar.
October 16, 2021
A world where technology has developed the means to replicate human cells with ease stirs contemplation about what’s considered human in Halfskin (The Vignettes) by Tony Bertauski.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Biomites are synthetic stem cells that can replicate any human cell and it’s infallible. Using biomites allows people to better their lives, physically with greatly needed organ or body part replacements, as well as augmentations, which can improve mental health, but the biomites can also be used to modify the brain and direct mental focus. But as people seek to better, or more aptly perfect, their lives through these biomites, at what point do they become a synthetic being instead of human? When reaching a bodily composition of fifty percent biomites a person is considered halfskin and no longer human; a variety of these lives are explored in the vignettes within this collection of stories.
With a variety of scenarios provided that take place within an established world and using biomite technology, a decent picture is developed of the related issues that are likely to arise from biomite use and the narratives provoke thought around what it means to be human. It is fascinating, if eerily unnerving, to see the parallels with contemporary life in these stories and the ethical considerations for using specific technologies to enhance or improve human life juxtaposed with the corporate greed and control over such technologies, and therefore lives. Though you can go in to these stories without a knowledge of the Halfskin world (as I did) and understand and appreciate what it’s examining, there does seem to be helpful background details that would more concretely contextualize the technology and society’s views of biomites and halfskins that rely upon reader knowledge of the series.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Biomites are synthetic stem cells that can replicate any human cell and it’s infallible. Using biomites allows people to better their lives, physically with greatly needed organ or body part replacements, as well as augmentations, which can improve mental health, but the biomites can also be used to modify the brain and direct mental focus. But as people seek to better, or more aptly perfect, their lives through these biomites, at what point do they become a synthetic being instead of human? When reaching a bodily composition of fifty percent biomites a person is considered halfskin and no longer human; a variety of these lives are explored in the vignettes within this collection of stories.
With a variety of scenarios provided that take place within an established world and using biomite technology, a decent picture is developed of the related issues that are likely to arise from biomite use and the narratives provoke thought around what it means to be human. It is fascinating, if eerily unnerving, to see the parallels with contemporary life in these stories and the ethical considerations for using specific technologies to enhance or improve human life juxtaposed with the corporate greed and control over such technologies, and therefore lives. Though you can go in to these stories without a knowledge of the Halfskin world (as I did) and understand and appreciate what it’s examining, there does seem to be helpful background details that would more concretely contextualize the technology and society’s views of biomites and halfskins that rely upon reader knowledge of the series.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
February 17, 2017
Got this as some giveaway at some point or directed to here when free. Writes in a genre or genres more likely hard to pin down so just look at his works is all can really say beyond the stars rating from me. Came to my attention when got to do ARC for Humbug! Date is off, forgot to review some of his.
May 10, 2016
Author Tony Bertauski is a master of what-ifs, and the vignettes in Halfskin blend together scarily into a what-if world where the greatest technological advance was in biological chips rather than silicone. But Bertauski’s worlds are never simple, and his questions, like those of George Orwell or Philip Dick, leave the reader with much to ponder. What makes us human? What makes us fast, or clever, or gives us personality? And what’s left if too much of the brain and body are fabricated instead of bestowed by nature?
The vignettes draw the reader inexorably forward in time, each introducing a new small twist on a dream that slowly changes into nightmare. Characters are vividly real. Dilemmas are genuinely complex. Short stories are enticingly complete. And the strange world created is one not so very different from our own, like a slightly distorted lens revealing flaws that were hidden before. I’d love to read more.
Disclosure: I found a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.
The vignettes draw the reader inexorably forward in time, each introducing a new small twist on a dream that slowly changes into nightmare. Characters are vividly real. Dilemmas are genuinely complex. Short stories are enticingly complete. And the strange world created is one not so very different from our own, like a slightly distorted lens revealing flaws that were hidden before. I’d love to read more.
Disclosure: I found a free ecopy and I offer my honest review.
November 12, 2015
I downloaded this book for free today after seeing the Boxset advertised on Twitter.
I would call this a series of short interlinked stories based on the idea that new nanotechnology has enabled human beings to eradicate illness via the use of synthetic cells. The twist comes by the fact the cells start to take on a life of their own...
I read the collection in a couple of hours and liked the way the different stories came together in the last account. It was like reading a futuristic diary.
Overall, I would suggest a more mature audience for this book since the language and content was adult in nature at times. This is not in my opinion YA.
If you like SciFi with a twist, I recommend this as an interesting and thought-provoking read.
I would call this a series of short interlinked stories based on the idea that new nanotechnology has enabled human beings to eradicate illness via the use of synthetic cells. The twist comes by the fact the cells start to take on a life of their own...
I read the collection in a couple of hours and liked the way the different stories came together in the last account. It was like reading a futuristic diary.
Overall, I would suggest a more mature audience for this book since the language and content was adult in nature at times. This is not in my opinion YA.
If you like SciFi with a twist, I recommend this as an interesting and thought-provoking read.
January 7, 2016
Interesting Read
This book was intellectually interesting and made me think. The writing style is unique in a positive way. The only downside to this novel is the length (seemed short) and the characters, although fascinating, didn't have lasting substance to them. Their individual stories were short lived.
Still, the concepts of advanced technology and the reactions of various characters made this well worth reading. I would definitely read on in this series.
This book was intellectually interesting and made me think. The writing style is unique in a positive way. The only downside to this novel is the length (seemed short) and the characters, although fascinating, didn't have lasting substance to them. Their individual stories were short lived.
Still, the concepts of advanced technology and the reactions of various characters made this well worth reading. I would definitely read on in this series.
June 1, 2016
This is a collection of the short vignettes interspersed through the trilogy - with at least one extra that seems not to have made it into the books and possibly one missed out. Useful snippets that make sense of the general thread in the books - the need for regulation of biomite use (and ethical considerations in sport and intellectual competitions such as spelling bees; the concept of humanity and the use of the halfskin/brick categories.
February 8, 2016
I love the way Bertauski writes. That said, I did not "get" some of these stories. I guess I need more details - most ended too soon. Also - I don't get how the nanites influence your dreams. Maybe the full length stories will not be so abrupt.
July 18, 2016
Science fiction of the biology sort. Mankind has the ability to make himself more perfect. But what does that mean about his humanity? If he's 51% machine, is he still a human? Interesting topic, but I don't think I will continue with the series.
November 30, 2016
。.halfskin a full human read。。。
an excellent look at one authors take on the future of a "connected" society and the moral..social..and ethical dilemas that come W/scientific advancements...
an excellent look at one authors take on the future of a "connected" society and the moral..social..and ethical dilemas that come W/scientific advancements...
January 16, 2017
What is he?
Drayton is ancient, he isn't human and doesn't exist, yet he is there.
I found this a sweet and compelling story. It is a glimpse of a strange character that left me with many questions.
Drayton is ancient, he isn't human and doesn't exist, yet he is there.
I found this a sweet and compelling story. It is a glimpse of a strange character that left me with many questions.
October 25, 2015
A short book of individual stories from the Halfskin series.
December 1, 2015
The short stories from Halfskin Series. Worth the second read.
April 26, 2017
A nice selection of short stories
These stories are all from an imaginary world where nanotechnology - biomites exist and can enhance almost any aspect of your life. But there's often a price to pay and a great deal of social upheaval caused by this technology. These stories raise the question of what it is to be human and what percentage of technology you can be composed of and remain human.
These stories are all from an imaginary world where nanotechnology - biomites exist and can enhance almost any aspect of your life. But there's often a price to pay and a great deal of social upheaval caused by this technology. These stories raise the question of what it is to be human and what percentage of technology you can be composed of and remain human.
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never-read
March 31, 2019Read the first book Halfskin. 1 star so will not continue with the series.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews