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The Kepler Chronicles #1
Artificial
She struggles to feel human.
In 2256, the only remnants of civilization on Earth’s first colonized planet, Kepler, are the plant-covered buildings and the nocturnal, genetically spliced bug-people nesting within them: the Cull. During the day, Syl leaves her home in the sewers beneath Elite City to scavenge for food, but at night the Cull come looking for a meal of their own. Syl thought gene splicing died with the Android War a century ago. She thought the bugs could be exterminated, Elite city rebuilt, and the population replenished. She’s wrong.
Whoever engineered the Cull isn’t done playing God. Syl is abducted and tortured in horrific experiments which result in her own DNA being spliced, slowly turning her into one of the bugs. Now she must find a cure and stop the person responsible before every remaining man, woman, and child on Kepler is transformed into the abomination they fear.
He struggles not to.
For Bastion, being an android in the sex industry isn’t so bad. Clubbing beneath the streets of New Elite by day and seducing the rich by night isn’t an altogether undesirable occupation. But every day a new android cadaver appears in the slum gutters, and each caved in metal skull and heap of mangled wires whittles away at him.
Glitches—androids with empathy—are being murdered, their models discontinued and strung up as a warning. Show emotion, you die. Good thing Bastion can keep a secret, or he would be the next body lining the street.
He can almost live with hiding his emotions. That is, until a girl shows up in the slums—a human girl, who claims she was an experiment. And in New Elite, being a human is even worse than being a Glitch. Now Bastion must help the girl escape before he becomes victim to his too-human emotions, one way or another.
In 2256, the only remnants of civilization on Earth’s first colonized planet, Kepler, are the plant-covered buildings and the nocturnal, genetically spliced bug-people nesting within them: the Cull. During the day, Syl leaves her home in the sewers beneath Elite City to scavenge for food, but at night the Cull come looking for a meal of their own. Syl thought gene splicing died with the Android War a century ago. She thought the bugs could be exterminated, Elite city rebuilt, and the population replenished. She’s wrong.
Whoever engineered the Cull isn’t done playing God. Syl is abducted and tortured in horrific experiments which result in her own DNA being spliced, slowly turning her into one of the bugs. Now she must find a cure and stop the person responsible before every remaining man, woman, and child on Kepler is transformed into the abomination they fear.
He struggles not to.
For Bastion, being an android in the sex industry isn’t so bad. Clubbing beneath the streets of New Elite by day and seducing the rich by night isn’t an altogether undesirable occupation. But every day a new android cadaver appears in the slum gutters, and each caved in metal skull and heap of mangled wires whittles away at him.
Glitches—androids with empathy—are being murdered, their models discontinued and strung up as a warning. Show emotion, you die. Good thing Bastion can keep a secret, or he would be the next body lining the street.
He can almost live with hiding his emotions. That is, until a girl shows up in the slums—a human girl, who claims she was an experiment. And in New Elite, being a human is even worse than being a Glitch. Now Bastion must help the girl escape before he becomes victim to his too-human emotions, one way or another.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 14, 2016
I enjoyed this Young/New adult dystopian tale. I thought the cover was well designed and the synopsis grabbed me. It has amazing ratings on GoodReads so I was excited to be approved for a review copy.
Syl and her friends are survivors on Kepler, a colony of future Earth. By day they scavenge for food in the dilapidated city. By night they hide underground, away from the genetically engineered "Cull", bug-like humanoid creatures intent on devouring everything in their path. Syl is kidnapped by Androids and is genetically altered, beginning to transform into one of the cull. She is rescued by an android with emotions named Bastion, who attempts to help her and the other humans who have been captured.
I really enjoyed the start of this novel. It began with a bang, and non stop action. I was enthralled! However after Syl gets kidnapped it lost a lot of its momentum for me. The storyline was still interesting, but it just lost the spark from the first part of the novel.
I liked the format of the chapters, alternating between Syl and Bastion's point of view.
I didn't really gel with the characters. Syl, and some things she did annoyed me and the romantic tension thing that was between her and Bastion was totally weird and I wasn't feeling it at all.
There were some good twists and turns and the ending was not what I was expecting. There was a heap of action and a fair bit of blood and gore which was good. I liked the cull creatures. They weren't in it as much as I was expecting in this one, I can only imagine that there will be more of them in subsequent books.
I will be interested to see how the series develops following that ending. It left a lot of questions that I would like to know the answer to!
Would I recommend Artificial?
Yes, for YA/NA fans! They will definitely enjoy the story! I will be interested to read the next one to see how it progresses.
Many thanks to the author and publisher via NetGalley for a copy of Artificial in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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Syl and her friends are survivors on Kepler, a colony of future Earth. By day they scavenge for food in the dilapidated city. By night they hide underground, away from the genetically engineered "Cull", bug-like humanoid creatures intent on devouring everything in their path. Syl is kidnapped by Androids and is genetically altered, beginning to transform into one of the cull. She is rescued by an android with emotions named Bastion, who attempts to help her and the other humans who have been captured.
I really enjoyed the start of this novel. It began with a bang, and non stop action. I was enthralled! However after Syl gets kidnapped it lost a lot of its momentum for me. The storyline was still interesting, but it just lost the spark from the first part of the novel.
I liked the format of the chapters, alternating between Syl and Bastion's point of view.
I didn't really gel with the characters. Syl, and some things she did annoyed me and the romantic tension thing that was between her and Bastion was totally weird and I wasn't feeling it at all.
There were some good twists and turns and the ending was not what I was expecting. There was a heap of action and a fair bit of blood and gore which was good. I liked the cull creatures. They weren't in it as much as I was expecting in this one, I can only imagine that there will be more of them in subsequent books.
I will be interested to see how the series develops following that ending. It left a lot of questions that I would like to know the answer to!
Would I recommend Artificial?
Yes, for YA/NA fans! They will definitely enjoy the story! I will be interested to read the next one to see how it progresses.
Many thanks to the author and publisher via NetGalley for a copy of Artificial in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
www.facebook.com/booksbabiesbeing
www.twitter.com/BBB_Mel
May 23, 2016
Find this and other Reviews at In Tori Lex
This book had a well paced plot, and action scenes that I enjoyed. However the lack of character development, made it hard to stay engaged while reading. Syl is a bad ass who is determined to do what she can for what's left of the human race. Bastion is a charming android who's sympathy for Syl leads him to fight against fellow androids for the greater good. Together they make a great team, but there wasn't enough character development for either of them. The future on this world was described well, but still left some details out.
There are lots of imaginative sci-fi elements in this book. The androids mimic humans despite their hatred of them, and have personality quirks of their own. The hover cars, plasma cannons, genetic experiments and menacing super androids made this plot driven book enjoyable. Syl has to grapple with loss over and over again. Her adventures and decisions were sometimes surprising, but always well described. The Glitches were mercilessly targeted and killed by their fellow androids, I wanted more of an explanation about how they were found out.
This was a New Adult book, so there was some adult content, and well placed profanity. The book goes back and forth between Bastion and Syl's point of view, but neither provides much back story. I wanted to care more about Bastion and Syl as 'beings,' but never found the reasons too. I didn't enjoy the ending, because it left important questions unanswered. But since this is a series those questions may be answered in future books. This book had so much potential I'm sure future books in the series will be better. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy plot driven, sci-fi books.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a well paced plot, and action scenes that I enjoyed. However the lack of character development, made it hard to stay engaged while reading. Syl is a bad ass who is determined to do what she can for what's left of the human race. Bastion is a charming android who's sympathy for Syl leads him to fight against fellow androids for the greater good. Together they make a great team, but there wasn't enough character development for either of them. The future on this world was described well, but still left some details out.
"Modern science can change the genetic makeup of a person, but it can't give me more time. No, nothing so helpful as that."
There are lots of imaginative sci-fi elements in this book. The androids mimic humans despite their hatred of them, and have personality quirks of their own. The hover cars, plasma cannons, genetic experiments and menacing super androids made this plot driven book enjoyable. Syl has to grapple with loss over and over again. Her adventures and decisions were sometimes surprising, but always well described. The Glitches were mercilessly targeted and killed by their fellow androids, I wanted more of an explanation about how they were found out.
This was a New Adult book, so there was some adult content, and well placed profanity. The book goes back and forth between Bastion and Syl's point of view, but neither provides much back story. I wanted to care more about Bastion and Syl as 'beings,' but never found the reasons too. I didn't enjoy the ending, because it left important questions unanswered. But since this is a series those questions may be answered in future books. This book had so much potential I'm sure future books in the series will be better. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy plot driven, sci-fi books.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2016
I was very skeptical of the blurb for ARTIFICIAL and I actually almost passed it up on NetGalley, SO glad I didn't because it was an enjoyable, unique read with plenty of action and a great cast of characters.
One thing I learned quickly about Syl is that she is loyal, but bored with the life she is living. After an unfortunate series of events leads her to run from her home in the sewers she is taken away and soon realizes that her life will never be the same. Bastian is an android who works in the sex industry in New Elite. We learn about some of the hidden things he supports when he happens upon a human girl that looks like she's in need of saving. Little does he know, his life will never be the same.
I liked both of our main characters. Syl had a tough personality with a bit of fire mixed in. She has no trouble expressing what she's feeling or sticking up for what she thinks is right. Bastian was a bit reserved, but cares deeply about things he shouldn't being an android. I thought both characters worked well together and there was a definitely a spark, but the romance wasn't really a typical romance. I would like to see how it develops more in the next book though.
I really enjoyed ARTIFICIAL. The world was very unique and well built. The storyline was full of danger and suspense and the ending really threw me through a loop and made me want to read the next book in the series. I have no clue when book two will be available, but it will be on my wishlist as soon as I do.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I learned quickly about Syl is that she is loyal, but bored with the life she is living. After an unfortunate series of events leads her to run from her home in the sewers she is taken away and soon realizes that her life will never be the same. Bastian is an android who works in the sex industry in New Elite. We learn about some of the hidden things he supports when he happens upon a human girl that looks like she's in need of saving. Little does he know, his life will never be the same.
I liked both of our main characters. Syl had a tough personality with a bit of fire mixed in. She has no trouble expressing what she's feeling or sticking up for what she thinks is right. Bastian was a bit reserved, but cares deeply about things he shouldn't being an android. I thought both characters worked well together and there was a definitely a spark, but the romance wasn't really a typical romance. I would like to see how it develops more in the next book though.
I really enjoyed ARTIFICIAL. The world was very unique and well built. The storyline was full of danger and suspense and the ending really threw me through a loop and made me want to read the next book in the series. I have no clue when book two will be available, but it will be on my wishlist as soon as I do.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ok, let's just get this out of the way up front.... I LOVED this book. Jadah captivated me with her brilliant world building and her vibrant characters. Whenever I had to put the book down for "real life" stuff I couldn't wait to pick it up again.
The balance between human and not human, glitch and normal in the story fascinated me. And I loved Syl's gritty personality.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopia and sci-fi.
Ok, let's just get this out of the way up front.... I LOVED this book. Jadah captivated me with her brilliant world building and her vibrant characters. Whenever I had to put the book down for "real life" stuff I couldn't wait to pick it up again.
The balance between human and not human, glitch and normal in the story fascinated me. And I loved Syl's gritty personality.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopia and sci-fi.
November 14, 2016
This book is SO FUN. I loved the strong, effortless world-building, the realistic and gritty characters, and the fact that this book is an utter page-turner. McCoy weaves classic android and bug - monster scifi tropes with her own unique, action-packed world and delivers one hell of a story that takes exactly 0 prisoners in its exploration of what exactly makes one human-- and whether or not humans are really any better than animals or androids. I loved this book so damn much, especially Bastion. Bastion♡ 5/5 stars
March 30, 2016
*Source* Curiosity Quills Press
*Genre* Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Artificial, by author Jadah McCoy, is the first installment in The Kepler Chronicles. The story is told in the first person narrative by one of the last remaining humans, Sylvia, as well as alternating narratives by a pleasure android named Bastion who becomes her ally and friend. This is a science fiction story set in the year 2256. There are few remaining humans left after androids rose up and sacked their creators. Those that remain like Sylvia, Lucca, & Serge live in an sewer sanctuary where they are supposed to be relatively safe. But, outside and topside, there are formerly human creators called Cull who have been spliced together with a variety of beasties like spiders, roaches and flies thanks to genetic warfare.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/30/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: April 4th 2016 by Curiosity Quills Press
*Genre* Science Fiction
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
Artificial, by author Jadah McCoy, is the first installment in The Kepler Chronicles. The story is told in the first person narrative by one of the last remaining humans, Sylvia, as well as alternating narratives by a pleasure android named Bastion who becomes her ally and friend. This is a science fiction story set in the year 2256. There are few remaining humans left after androids rose up and sacked their creators. Those that remain like Sylvia, Lucca, & Serge live in an sewer sanctuary where they are supposed to be relatively safe. But, outside and topside, there are formerly human creators called Cull who have been spliced together with a variety of beasties like spiders, roaches and flies thanks to genetic warfare.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/30/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Expected publication: April 4th 2016 by Curiosity Quills Press
July 2, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised to find that 'Artificial ' has turned out to be one if my favourite reads of the year. I really cannot believe that it is McKoy's debut novel!
For me, this book had the perfect blend between showing and telling. At times this story read like a movie, especially the ending scenes. I could really see the action played out in my head.
The world building was imaginative and although I could see other sci-fi influences here and there, this was utilised in a fresh and positive way. Complete with really compelling characters, I devoured this book really quickly. What has taken me time is to write a review that does it justice! I simple think I'm going to have to reread this book again soon!
If you like a book with a great blend of sci fi, horror, dystopia, philosophy and a dash of humour pick up 'Artificial'! The sequel is definitely on my mental auto-buy list.
Disclaimer: I received this gem of a book from netgalley for free.
May 12, 2016
3.5 stars
I received a copy for my honest opinion.
Artificial is a fast read. Syl is human living in a world where androids have mutated humans into bug like creatures that eat flesh. Bastion is an android that looks human and feels human emotions. Bastion is trying to save Syl's life after she's captured by androids and experimented on. She doesn't know what she's becoming.
I liked the book. There was just something missing. I was left with a few questions I would have liked answered. Overall it turned out well though.
I received a copy for my honest opinion.
Artificial is a fast read. Syl is human living in a world where androids have mutated humans into bug like creatures that eat flesh. Bastion is an android that looks human and feels human emotions. Bastion is trying to save Syl's life after she's captured by androids and experimented on. She doesn't know what she's becoming.
I liked the book. There was just something missing. I was left with a few questions I would have liked answered. Overall it turned out well though.
Read
February 12, 2016Bastion!! <3<3<3
Also, so proud to have been a part of this book! :D
Also, so proud to have been a part of this book! :D
July 9, 2018
Although this did contain a 'I'm not like other girls' line, I did enjoy this ride. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
April 11, 2020
[ADULT READER, YA/NEW ADULT BOOK]
VERDICT: About 2.5 stars, but I'm bumping up as it seemed mostly YA, and I'm not one.
REVIEW: Works fine as escapist, action-based SF. It ain't deep, but there is danger and stuff.
VERDICT: About 2.5 stars, but I'm bumping up as it seemed mostly YA, and I'm not one.
REVIEW: Works fine as escapist, action-based SF. It ain't deep, but there is danger and stuff.
April 17, 2016
I received an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 Stars
I have to admit that this book surprised me a little bit. When I was looking over the spring release titles, this cover caught my eye. As I read the book description I found myself intrigued, although not entirely sure if this book was up my alley. I scrolled past it, but my curiosity got the better of me, and that's the story of how I ended up with an ARC of this book.
Jadah McCoy's writing is good, there is no doubting that. The story is interesting and had me more invested than I expected to be but there just wasn't really much of a wow factor for me here. The story held my attention throughout (for the most part, anyways), but there wasn't anything that made me feel like this book deserved any sort of overwhelming praise.
The story revolves around Sylvia, one of the few remaining humans left on Earth after androids took over and manipulated human beings into what are now called the Cull. The Cull are bug-like creatures that hunt humans. Sylvia lives with a group of people who take sanctuary in a sewer, and scour the Earth by day in search of food and supplies. One night, as Sylvia flees from a heated exchange with her group, she finds herself in danger when she crosses paths with one of The Cull. She wakes up in a very clean laboratory and realizes she's been experimented on. The fear that she may eventually turn into one of the Cull dawns on her, and she makes a stealthy escape from the lab, straight into a city she never knew existed. A city of androids. Here she meets an android sympathetic to her plight, and this is where our story gets good.
As far as characters go, Syl is likable enough. I like strong female leads as much as the next girl, but sometimes her need for independence annoyed me. It lead her to make some silly decisions that ultimately had me wishing she'd thought things through a bit more. I suppose ultimately it helped to make her character more realistic, she's certainly not perfect, but I did start growing frustrated with her at times. Bastion is a pretty good character as well. It seems he was built as a "pleasure android" to sexually satisfy others, which is really kind of weird to me since all these androids are made without emotions. Though there are a few who develop them, and they're called glitches. Bastion's thoughts and feelings toward Syl soon force him to realize that he is also a glitch, and he needs to be careful in hiding that fact.
McCoy does a really good job at creating a dynamic between Syl and Bastion. They both have smart mouths, and it results in some pretty entertaining dialogue between the two. Part of me almost wishes that there wasn't a romance developed between the two, though. It just feels odd to me. It's probably supposed to feel odd. I don't know. Sci-Fi is a little new to me if I'm being completely honest.
I'm kind of interested in seeing how this plays out as a series. I honestly didn't realize it was meant to be a trilogy until I read over some of the other reviews. I'm not entirely invested in this world or with these characters, and the book itself doesn't really end on a cliffhanger so I could probably walk away without another thought. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the teeniest bit interested in what goes on from here. The ending felt a bit abrupt, and the deeper conflicts were not resolved in any way. McCoy writes well enough, I think I could stomach a second novel.
3/5 Stars
I have to admit that this book surprised me a little bit. When I was looking over the spring release titles, this cover caught my eye. As I read the book description I found myself intrigued, although not entirely sure if this book was up my alley. I scrolled past it, but my curiosity got the better of me, and that's the story of how I ended up with an ARC of this book.
Jadah McCoy's writing is good, there is no doubting that. The story is interesting and had me more invested than I expected to be but there just wasn't really much of a wow factor for me here. The story held my attention throughout (for the most part, anyways), but there wasn't anything that made me feel like this book deserved any sort of overwhelming praise.
The story revolves around Sylvia, one of the few remaining humans left on Earth after androids took over and manipulated human beings into what are now called the Cull. The Cull are bug-like creatures that hunt humans. Sylvia lives with a group of people who take sanctuary in a sewer, and scour the Earth by day in search of food and supplies. One night, as Sylvia flees from a heated exchange with her group, she finds herself in danger when she crosses paths with one of The Cull. She wakes up in a very clean laboratory and realizes she's been experimented on. The fear that she may eventually turn into one of the Cull dawns on her, and she makes a stealthy escape from the lab, straight into a city she never knew existed. A city of androids. Here she meets an android sympathetic to her plight, and this is where our story gets good.
As far as characters go, Syl is likable enough. I like strong female leads as much as the next girl, but sometimes her need for independence annoyed me. It lead her to make some silly decisions that ultimately had me wishing she'd thought things through a bit more. I suppose ultimately it helped to make her character more realistic, she's certainly not perfect, but I did start growing frustrated with her at times. Bastion is a pretty good character as well. It seems he was built as a "pleasure android" to sexually satisfy others, which is really kind of weird to me since all these androids are made without emotions. Though there are a few who develop them, and they're called glitches. Bastion's thoughts and feelings toward Syl soon force him to realize that he is also a glitch, and he needs to be careful in hiding that fact.
"I play a soft chord, then another until the sounds blend together and rise towards the vaulted ceiling in a beautiful harmony. The soft song crescendos as I press harder on the keys, burying all those wretched feelings I'm not supposed to have, the thoughts I'm not supposed to think, into the notes echoing in the dark room."
McCoy does a really good job at creating a dynamic between Syl and Bastion. They both have smart mouths, and it results in some pretty entertaining dialogue between the two. Part of me almost wishes that there wasn't a romance developed between the two, though. It just feels odd to me. It's probably supposed to feel odd. I don't know. Sci-Fi is a little new to me if I'm being completely honest.
"I chuckle under my breath. 'You're really bad at this whole 'impersonating a bad guy' thing.'
'I'll take that as a compliment.'"
I'm kind of interested in seeing how this plays out as a series. I honestly didn't realize it was meant to be a trilogy until I read over some of the other reviews. I'm not entirely invested in this world or with these characters, and the book itself doesn't really end on a cliffhanger so I could probably walk away without another thought. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the teeniest bit interested in what goes on from here. The ending felt a bit abrupt, and the deeper conflicts were not resolved in any way. McCoy writes well enough, I think I could stomach a second novel.
April 10, 2016
4 Stars
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
From the very beginning I loved the feel of this book and the voice of the main character, Syl. She was gritty, raw, and rough around the edges, but not overly so. She just really came to life, and her voice stood out to me and felt so genuine. She's had a tough life of living in sewers and fighting off giant half-human/half-bug creatures in order to hunt and scavenge for food, but her rough edges actually made her likeable.
Then there was Bastion.
This guy.
Seriously, this guy.
Definitely the most intriguing and sassy android I've ever read about, and I loved it. And his voice was so different from Syl's, providing a nice contrast.
Also, apparently I've been getting really bad about having expectations for books, but it has once again worked in my favor. I was expecting this book to be kind of instalove-y and typical romance-y, but instead the story itself was gritty and dirty (literally---lots of sewers and blood and filth), and it really only had a hint of romance in it. Yes, something about Syl compelled Bastion to help her, and Syd clearly felt something toward him too, but that's about as far as it went. It was more like a setup for future romance because you can tell that there will be something between those two, but the focus was really on the androids, the society, the psychopathic leader, the experiments, etc.
Another great thing---I'm not usually a fan of detailed world building, but this was incredible! The settings, the backstory, the food, the creatures, the technology---there was so much thought put into everything, and it showed in all the little details, everything from the creepy way the Cull repeat words they hear to the hallucinogenic moss.
And of course I have to mention the amazing cover!
The ending pushed my suspension of disbelief a bit and conflicted with my personal beliefs, but it left a lot of interesting possibilities for the next book, which I'm looking forward to.
I hadn't read anything this sci-fi (I mean, genetic engineering, androids, other planets, and a dystopian society) in a while, and I had never read anything classified as cyberpunk, but I am so glad I gave this book a read because the amazing world building, gritty story, and compelling character voices really pulled me in!
Recommended For:
Sci-fi lovers who also enjoy some romance and don't mind violence and a couple possibly disturbing scenes. Readers who like world building and gritty characters with strong voices.
Original Review on Blog
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
From the very beginning I loved the feel of this book and the voice of the main character, Syl. She was gritty, raw, and rough around the edges, but not overly so. She just really came to life, and her voice stood out to me and felt so genuine. She's had a tough life of living in sewers and fighting off giant half-human/half-bug creatures in order to hunt and scavenge for food, but her rough edges actually made her likeable.
Then there was Bastion.
I hear the insult behind her carefully concocted words: greedy whore.
I smile at her attempt to hurt me. It’s not an insult if it’s a fact.
This guy.
"It’s not a party until there’s a double homicide, I suppose."
Seriously, this guy.
Definitely the most intriguing and sassy android I've ever read about, and I loved it. And his voice was so different from Syl's, providing a nice contrast.
Also, apparently I've been getting really bad about having expectations for books, but it has once again worked in my favor. I was expecting this book to be kind of instalove-y and typical romance-y, but instead the story itself was gritty and dirty (literally---lots of sewers and blood and filth), and it really only had a hint of romance in it. Yes, something about Syl compelled Bastion to help her, and Syd clearly felt something toward him too, but that's about as far as it went. It was more like a setup for future romance because you can tell that there will be something between those two, but the focus was really on the androids, the society, the psychopathic leader, the experiments, etc.
Another great thing---I'm not usually a fan of detailed world building, but this was incredible! The settings, the backstory, the food, the creatures, the technology---there was so much thought put into everything, and it showed in all the little details, everything from the creepy way the Cull repeat words they hear to the hallucinogenic moss.
And of course I have to mention the amazing cover!
The ending pushed my suspension of disbelief a bit and conflicted with my personal beliefs, but it left a lot of interesting possibilities for the next book, which I'm looking forward to.
I hadn't read anything this sci-fi (I mean, genetic engineering, androids, other planets, and a dystopian society) in a while, and I had never read anything classified as cyberpunk, but I am so glad I gave this book a read because the amazing world building, gritty story, and compelling character voices really pulled me in!
Recommended For:
Sci-fi lovers who also enjoy some romance and don't mind violence and a couple possibly disturbing scenes. Readers who like world building and gritty characters with strong voices.
Original Review on Blog
May 13, 2016
Received a review copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Artificial was a pretty awesome sci-fi novel about human extinction, androids, glitches and more. This was full of twists and turns and kept me on my toes at all times. The characters were awesome and as usual Curiosity Quills Press books have fabulous covers.
Sylvia was an awesome heroine. She was smart, spunky and ready to do anything necessary to help her kind survive in the Elite. She was taking by PICs to New Elite and spliced. Now she has to survive in a world run by androids. Sylvia did a pretty great job of surviving in such a crazy time. She didn't turn out cold like most people would have. She did have this sort of bravado to herself that was a front. Behind the strong and fearless woman she portrayed to be she was a scared little girl. I loved her and I'm excited that she didn't get the chance to turn and that she is completely an android now.
Bastion is an android, more specifically a glitch (an android that shows emotion). He has hidden his emotions to avoid death in the New Elite. It wasn't until he met Sylvia that he began to feel his emotions stronger and couldn't escape them as easily. I loved how strong he was. He was willing to put his life and his friends lives on the line for Sylvia even though she was a complete stranger. I loved when he went all gun crazy with Pontus and Lexion...badass!
Lucca is just a disgrace to all of mankind. The way he gave up his people so easily and the hatred he had for Sylvia was insane. I couldn't understand how he could be so cruel. He was absolutely crazy and I hope he stays dead this time around.
Pontus and his upgrade Lexion are just crazy. He was so filled with hatred towards humans and glitches. I sensed a bit of jealousy on his end because he could feel nothing but hatred. I'm interested in seeing how the 8th generation or version of him does things in the sequel.
I definitely plan to read the sequel because this was very great and the ending left me happy yet empty with needing to know more. I am definitely hoping for some major romantic development because Sylvia and Bastion definitely have some feelings they need to acknowledge.
Artificial was a pretty awesome sci-fi novel about human extinction, androids, glitches and more. This was full of twists and turns and kept me on my toes at all times. The characters were awesome and as usual Curiosity Quills Press books have fabulous covers.
Sylvia was an awesome heroine. She was smart, spunky and ready to do anything necessary to help her kind survive in the Elite. She was taking by PICs to New Elite and spliced. Now she has to survive in a world run by androids. Sylvia did a pretty great job of surviving in such a crazy time. She didn't turn out cold like most people would have. She did have this sort of bravado to herself that was a front. Behind the strong and fearless woman she portrayed to be she was a scared little girl. I loved her and I'm excited that she didn't get the chance to turn and that she is completely an android now.
Bastion is an android, more specifically a glitch (an android that shows emotion). He has hidden his emotions to avoid death in the New Elite. It wasn't until he met Sylvia that he began to feel his emotions stronger and couldn't escape them as easily. I loved how strong he was. He was willing to put his life and his friends lives on the line for Sylvia even though she was a complete stranger. I loved when he went all gun crazy with Pontus and Lexion...badass!
Lucca is just a disgrace to all of mankind. The way he gave up his people so easily and the hatred he had for Sylvia was insane. I couldn't understand how he could be so cruel. He was absolutely crazy and I hope he stays dead this time around.
Pontus and his upgrade Lexion are just crazy. He was so filled with hatred towards humans and glitches. I sensed a bit of jealousy on his end because he could feel nothing but hatred. I'm interested in seeing how the 8th generation or version of him does things in the sequel.
I definitely plan to read the sequel because this was very great and the ending left me happy yet empty with needing to know more. I am definitely hoping for some major romantic development because Sylvia and Bastion definitely have some feelings they need to acknowledge.
April 27, 2016
Syl is my kind of heroine - tough, flawed, and not one to wait around to be rescued. In fact, her attempt to rescue a fellow human in her Sci-Fi nightmare fictional universe marks the beginning of her heroine's journey!
Earth is long gone. When humanity colonized a distant world with the aid of the androids they created, they didn't count on those androids gaining sentience, let alone harboring resentment toward their human masters. The machines rose up and destroyed most of the humans. The remnants of humanity, 'organics,' are left to eke out a 'living' by hiding underground in the sewers beneath their former great cities, scavenging by day and fighting or fleeing from the androids' deadliest weapon by night. In a cruel twist, the machines fashioned genetically engineered monstrosities, the Cull, out of humans to exterminate the last of the organics.
Syl learns about these horrifying experiments first hand. She becomes one when she's captured by the androids while trying to save fellow humans. She escapes the clutches of Surgeon General, but not before the experiment turns her into a ticking time bomb Cull-in-the-making.
Fortunately for Syl, she finds some unlikely allies. In the android city, sentient machines have developed a caste system and live much as their former masters used to - the rich elite in comfort and the underclasses in wretched misery, aside from those who cater to the whims of the rich. Bastion is one such android. A former sex toy for humans, he now spends his time selling his beautiful, skilled android body to rich androids. But Bastion has a secret. He's a Glitch, an empathetic android, and he's an organic sympathizer. When he finds Syl, he provides her with a safe haven while they conspire to free her comrades from the android 'meat market' that sells organic slaves and to unlock the deadly secrets of CorpEx. Secrets that include plans to unleash a more terrifying extermination system upon organics.
Action packed and thrilling, this dark, gritty read will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more - especially after the twist at the end, which opens up a whole universe of possibilities for sequels. Highly recommend!
Earth is long gone. When humanity colonized a distant world with the aid of the androids they created, they didn't count on those androids gaining sentience, let alone harboring resentment toward their human masters. The machines rose up and destroyed most of the humans. The remnants of humanity, 'organics,' are left to eke out a 'living' by hiding underground in the sewers beneath their former great cities, scavenging by day and fighting or fleeing from the androids' deadliest weapon by night. In a cruel twist, the machines fashioned genetically engineered monstrosities, the Cull, out of humans to exterminate the last of the organics.
Syl learns about these horrifying experiments first hand. She becomes one when she's captured by the androids while trying to save fellow humans. She escapes the clutches of Surgeon General, but not before the experiment turns her into a ticking time bomb Cull-in-the-making.
Fortunately for Syl, she finds some unlikely allies. In the android city, sentient machines have developed a caste system and live much as their former masters used to - the rich elite in comfort and the underclasses in wretched misery, aside from those who cater to the whims of the rich. Bastion is one such android. A former sex toy for humans, he now spends his time selling his beautiful, skilled android body to rich androids. But Bastion has a secret. He's a Glitch, an empathetic android, and he's an organic sympathizer. When he finds Syl, he provides her with a safe haven while they conspire to free her comrades from the android 'meat market' that sells organic slaves and to unlock the deadly secrets of CorpEx. Secrets that include plans to unleash a more terrifying extermination system upon organics.
Action packed and thrilling, this dark, gritty read will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more - especially after the twist at the end, which opens up a whole universe of possibilities for sequels. Highly recommend!
April 7, 2016
Wow. I think I need a day or two to recover from the awesomeness of this book. Not even joking. It was the type of book that sinks its claws in you, drags you into the characters' world, and makes you not want to leave. I wanted the book to keep going and going....and then it said "Epilogue" and I about threw my Kindle. It was that good.
To start, this book takes place way into the future. Reminds me a bit of the Terminator movies - man creates robots, robots get smarter, robots want revenge, there's a war, robots kill humans, etc. It started off very interesting, totally pulled me in. The suspense of what was going to happen next was crazy! At first, the world is dreary and dark, filled with man-beast things called Cull (you'll find out why later) that want to eat the humans. A small faction of humans have survived, and they're just trying to make it one day at a time. Then we're introduced to a world of color and wealth - the robots' world. Here, humans don't exist except as pets. And some robots aren't filled with hate. Some want to help the humans. That's where Bastion comes in.
Bastion is our "hero" - an android built for sex but finds himself with a glitch - emotions! He feels, especially when he meets the "heroine", Syl. She's not some weak, needy female. She can kick butt as good as the men, if not better! She's been experimented on and Bastion finds her in dire need of help. He helps hide her and heal her, with the help of some other "organic sympathizers." So it begins...
I don't want to give too much away. You have to read it and experience it to truly understand all the depths of this book. I haven't felt so in need of the next book in a series since reading a Grace Draven book. This book will never let you go!! Read - but realize you will be thinking of this book for days.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley for an honest review.**
To start, this book takes place way into the future. Reminds me a bit of the Terminator movies - man creates robots, robots get smarter, robots want revenge, there's a war, robots kill humans, etc. It started off very interesting, totally pulled me in. The suspense of what was going to happen next was crazy! At first, the world is dreary and dark, filled with man-beast things called Cull (you'll find out why later) that want to eat the humans. A small faction of humans have survived, and they're just trying to make it one day at a time. Then we're introduced to a world of color and wealth - the robots' world. Here, humans don't exist except as pets. And some robots aren't filled with hate. Some want to help the humans. That's where Bastion comes in.
Bastion is our "hero" - an android built for sex but finds himself with a glitch - emotions! He feels, especially when he meets the "heroine", Syl. She's not some weak, needy female. She can kick butt as good as the men, if not better! She's been experimented on and Bastion finds her in dire need of help. He helps hide her and heal her, with the help of some other "organic sympathizers." So it begins...
I don't want to give too much away. You have to read it and experience it to truly understand all the depths of this book. I haven't felt so in need of the next book in a series since reading a Grace Draven book. This book will never let you go!! Read - but realize you will be thinking of this book for days.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley for an honest review.**
April 14, 2016
Crítica completa em Português no blog Pepita Mágica: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
I received a digital arc from CQ in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really good book. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much. Good Job, Jadah McCoy!
Artificial is the first instalment of a dystopian story; Earth as we know now doesn’t exist. Humans had created android, but those androids had evolved and surpass us, creating something to destroy us like a plague. Sylvia, or Syl, is human and lives in the sewers – they call it, Elite – with the other humans. They hunt by day, and hide in the sewers by night, running away from The Cull – something kind of bug, half-human-half-something created by the android to kill humans. It’s a horrific death.
What didn’t Syl know was that there were another city – called New Elite – where the androids lived in “peace”. If an android had feeling it was called a Glitch, and was supposed to be destroyed, as any the Human-Sympathisers. Syl is captured and taken to New elite, where she’s experimented on. She doesn’t know what was done to here and she needs help. The only thing she knows is that she can’t go back to Elite, and live with the other humans, because we might turn into one of those Culls and kill everyone. In New Elite she meets B4st10n – or Bastion – a Glitch.
I’ll not say anything else about the plot. You’ll have to read it and be immerse into this awesome story. It’s a quite captivating story and you just want to keep reading to discover what else can happen to Syl, and if she’s going to make it. I’m totally in for the next books!
I received a digital arc from CQ in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really good book. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much. Good Job, Jadah McCoy!
Artificial is the first instalment of a dystopian story; Earth as we know now doesn’t exist. Humans had created android, but those androids had evolved and surpass us, creating something to destroy us like a plague. Sylvia, or Syl, is human and lives in the sewers – they call it, Elite – with the other humans. They hunt by day, and hide in the sewers by night, running away from The Cull – something kind of bug, half-human-half-something created by the android to kill humans. It’s a horrific death.
What didn’t Syl know was that there were another city – called New Elite – where the androids lived in “peace”. If an android had feeling it was called a Glitch, and was supposed to be destroyed, as any the Human-Sympathisers. Syl is captured and taken to New elite, where she’s experimented on. She doesn’t know what was done to here and she needs help. The only thing she knows is that she can’t go back to Elite, and live with the other humans, because we might turn into one of those Culls and kill everyone. In New Elite she meets B4st10n – or Bastion – a Glitch.
I’ll not say anything else about the plot. You’ll have to read it and be immerse into this awesome story. It’s a quite captivating story and you just want to keep reading to discover what else can happen to Syl, and if she’s going to make it. I’m totally in for the next books!
June 26, 2016
I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book blew me away! I truly loved every moment of it. It feels like this books was written specifically for me. I love it that much! McCoy writes a story that latches onto you and does not let you go. And honestly, you don't want to be let go. This story is intoxicating!
The first thing that you will notice while reading this is that the world building is phenomenal. There is so much to learn about this world, and you keep learning more and more as the story progresses. This world is so interesting and engaging. And the history is mysterious and suspenseful. You seriously will not want to stop reading.
The characters are amazing. I absolutely love them. And while I loved finding out more about the characters as the story went on, I also loved how the two main characters come together. Especially since Syl is human, and Bastion is an android. Each of the main characters are so complex and as they interact, things start getting even more intense.
There are so many injustices and horrifying things in this book. It truly makes you think about things. It really is an incredible science fiction read. Not only that, but there is also the dystopian aspect of the book. There is really so much to love about this book!
I am so impressed by this book. I seriously can't wait for the next book in this series! I now have a new favorite author and a new favorite series. I recommend this strongly for any science fiction and/or dystopian fans. This story will blow you away!
This book blew me away! I truly loved every moment of it. It feels like this books was written specifically for me. I love it that much! McCoy writes a story that latches onto you and does not let you go. And honestly, you don't want to be let go. This story is intoxicating!
The first thing that you will notice while reading this is that the world building is phenomenal. There is so much to learn about this world, and you keep learning more and more as the story progresses. This world is so interesting and engaging. And the history is mysterious and suspenseful. You seriously will not want to stop reading.
The characters are amazing. I absolutely love them. And while I loved finding out more about the characters as the story went on, I also loved how the two main characters come together. Especially since Syl is human, and Bastion is an android. Each of the main characters are so complex and as they interact, things start getting even more intense.
There are so many injustices and horrifying things in this book. It truly makes you think about things. It really is an incredible science fiction read. Not only that, but there is also the dystopian aspect of the book. There is really so much to love about this book!
I am so impressed by this book. I seriously can't wait for the next book in this series! I now have a new favorite author and a new favorite series. I recommend this strongly for any science fiction and/or dystopian fans. This story will blow you away!
dnf
May 12, 2016I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
I DNF'd this one at 14%. It's not the book, it's me. This just wasn't the book for me. It started a bit slow for me and I couldn't quite get into the story. It's a bad world these characters live in, they have to struggle to survive and it had this dystopia feel mostly, but also hints of sci-fi. I didn't quite find anything I really enjoyed about the book, although it sure has promise with an interesting set-up and how they lived on another planet. Add in some creepy bug like creatures, androids and humans fighting for survival and it sounded promising. It just didn't work for me.
The biggest issue I had with this book is how dark and disturbing it got. The action scenes are a bit too brutal for my taste. Then there was dead rat they found (which likely was killed and we got the description of how the corpse looked), a person being killed in a gruesome graphic manner and then a cull (one of the bug like creatures) getting brutally killed. This all made me pretty uncomfortable and I decided it was best to DNF as I just don't think this is a book for me, which is sad as it sounded really promising.
I DNF'd this one at 14%. It's not the book, it's me. This just wasn't the book for me. It started a bit slow for me and I couldn't quite get into the story. It's a bad world these characters live in, they have to struggle to survive and it had this dystopia feel mostly, but also hints of sci-fi. I didn't quite find anything I really enjoyed about the book, although it sure has promise with an interesting set-up and how they lived on another planet. Add in some creepy bug like creatures, androids and humans fighting for survival and it sounded promising. It just didn't work for me.
The biggest issue I had with this book is how dark and disturbing it got. The action scenes are a bit too brutal for my taste. Then there was dead rat they found (which likely was killed and we got the description of how the corpse looked), a person being killed in a gruesome graphic manner and then a cull (one of the bug like creatures) getting brutally killed. This all made me pretty uncomfortable and I decided it was best to DNF as I just don't think this is a book for me, which is sad as it sounded really promising.
March 30, 2016
I was lucky enough to beta read Artificial, and when I say lucky ... wow! The story is set far in the future, where humans struggle to survive in a crazy world of genetically engineered superbugs and androids, but with the seamless world building it's easy to slip into and get lost in this fast-paced tale.
The main character, Syl, has a hardcore fight or die mentality that made me want to follow her to the ends of her destroyed planet. In fact, every character in the story had qualities that drew me in and kept me wondering what would happen to them. Especially Bastion, who is Syl's ultra-smooth android love interest with a glitch for emotions.
Action never stops in Artificial, so buckle-up for this read. McCoy's unique voice will pull you in, and the wonderfully-built, sometimes creepy, settings will keep you turning pages.
I loved this book the first and second time I read, and I'm sure I'll love it even more when I get to read it again.
The main character, Syl, has a hardcore fight or die mentality that made me want to follow her to the ends of her destroyed planet. In fact, every character in the story had qualities that drew me in and kept me wondering what would happen to them. Especially Bastion, who is Syl's ultra-smooth android love interest with a glitch for emotions.
Action never stops in Artificial, so buckle-up for this read. McCoy's unique voice will pull you in, and the wonderfully-built, sometimes creepy, settings will keep you turning pages.
I loved this book the first and second time I read, and I'm sure I'll love it even more when I get to read it again.
April 21, 2016
This is an absolute 5 star book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the moment I was immediately sucked into the world of Syl.
What amazing world building from page one, which didn't let me come up for air until the end, along with page turning action and just the right hint of romance. Nothing was overdone. It was all perfect.
And Bastion, what a character. His wit matched with Syl's spitfire is the right blend for great chemistry. I can't imagine what will happen in book two...
What amazing world building from page one, which didn't let me come up for air until the end, along with page turning action and just the right hint of romance. Nothing was overdone. It was all perfect.
And Bastion, what a character. His wit matched with Syl's spitfire is the right blend for great chemistry. I can't imagine what will happen in book two...
July 24, 2017
I received this eBook from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes, I read books. Sometimes I absolutely absorb books. This was one of those “absorb books” times. I couldn’t have stopped reading it even if I wanted to. The sleeplessness was worth it totally!
The one thing I enjoyed was the Glitches. Glitches are androids who develop human feelings. I was struck by the likeness of the “Glitches” from many pop culture human-like androids or robots. But the most human of all was how the Glitches were treated by their own kind. Human emotion comes with human-like decisions. By choosing to kill the Glitches and string their metal corpses up in a display of the defiance of the murdered androids, the emotionless androids were showing how human they really were.
I absolutely enjoyed the world building. It showed how the androids and the mutant bug-people called The Cull rule Kepler and that humans are the lowest of the low. Kepler is Earth’s first colonized planet. The androids seem to collect humans for enslavement and as pets. While the Cull are far more nefarious. If humans are caught outside after dark, then you’re at risk of running into these mutated humans and being dinner instead or liquid. Think Alien with the acid spit.
The connection between Syl and Bastion added the right amount of tension. Especially as Bastion began to realize how important the human Syl was becoming to him.
The villain reminded me of the flamboyant Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games, only robotic and far more evil.
I definitely recommend this to any other dystopian, science fiction nerds like myself! You’ll enjoy the ride.
Sometimes, I read books. Sometimes I absolutely absorb books. This was one of those “absorb books” times. I couldn’t have stopped reading it even if I wanted to. The sleeplessness was worth it totally!
The one thing I enjoyed was the Glitches. Glitches are androids who develop human feelings. I was struck by the likeness of the “Glitches” from many pop culture human-like androids or robots. But the most human of all was how the Glitches were treated by their own kind. Human emotion comes with human-like decisions. By choosing to kill the Glitches and string their metal corpses up in a display of the defiance of the murdered androids, the emotionless androids were showing how human they really were.
I absolutely enjoyed the world building. It showed how the androids and the mutant bug-people called The Cull rule Kepler and that humans are the lowest of the low. Kepler is Earth’s first colonized planet. The androids seem to collect humans for enslavement and as pets. While the Cull are far more nefarious. If humans are caught outside after dark, then you’re at risk of running into these mutated humans and being dinner instead or liquid. Think Alien with the acid spit.
The connection between Syl and Bastion added the right amount of tension. Especially as Bastion began to realize how important the human Syl was becoming to him.
The villain reminded me of the flamboyant Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games, only robotic and far more evil.
I definitely recommend this to any other dystopian, science fiction nerds like myself! You’ll enjoy the ride.
July 11, 2017
„Artificial“ von Jadah McCoy fand seinen Weg über den Newsletter des Verlages Curiosity Quills Press zu mir. Ich erhalte schon seit letztem Jahr regelmäßig Informationen über zur Verfügung stehende Rezensionsexemplare – seit mich Don't Eat The Glowing Bananas von David D. Hammons begeisterte. Meinem Gefühl nach konzentriert sich der Verlag auf ungewöhnliche, fantasievolle Geschichten, die immer ein bisschen abseits des sogenannten Mainstreams liegen. Ich hoffte, dass „Artificial“ ähnlich unkonventionell sein würde.
Der Planet Kepler ist eine Einöde, das beschämende Zeugnis des verheerenden Konflikts zwischen Menschen und Maschinen. Die Menschheit ist beinahe ausgerottet; zur Beute degradiert von den Cull – riesige, an Insekten erinnernde Prädatoren, das Ergebnis der genetischen Kriegsführung der Androiden, bevor diese spurlos verschwanden. Die Cull jagen Menschen. Sie fressen Menschen. In dieser feindseligen Welt kämpft die junge Syl ums Überleben. Als sie auf einem Streifzug entführt wird, bringt man sie an einen Ort, den es eigentlich gar nicht geben dürfte: ein Labor in einer Stadt voller Androide. Dort erfährt sie am eigenen Leib, dass die Roboter skrupellos mit Menschen experimentieren. Sie muss fliehen, aber wie sie soll sie aus einer Stadt entkommen, in der sie auffällt wie ein bunter Hund? Ihre einzige Hoffnung ist der Android Bastion, der zu einer Untergrundbewegung gehört, die Menschen über die Stadtgrenze schmuggelt. Ohne zu wissen, ob sie Bastion trauen kann, lässt sie sich auf ein gefährliches Katz-und-Maus-Spiel ein, während sie eine Frage quält: ist sie nach den Experimenten überhaupt noch ein Mensch?
Obwohl ich „Artificial“ von Jadah McCoy insgesamt nicht unbedingt als unkonventionell bezeichnen würde, enthält dieser Reihenauftakt einige interessante, ausgefallene Ideen. Die Ausgangssituation des Krieges zwischen Menschen und Maschinen ist zwar nicht neu, doch die Gründe für diesen Krieg empfand ich als angenehm originell. Als die Erde starb, beschloss die Menschheit, den Planeten Kepler zu besiedeln. Für die Reise dorthin erfanden sie Androiden, die über die Körper der vermutlich in Kryostase versetzten Menschen wachen sollten. Doch während des langen Fluges geschah etwas mit den Androiden: sie entwickelten Gefühle. Auf Kepler angekommen, hatten die Androiden ihren Zweck erfüllt und wurden durch Menschen ersetzt. Niemand erwartete, dass dieses Verhalten die Roboter verletzen oder erzürnen könnte. Ihre Ignoranz war verhängnisvoll – die Androiden begannen den Krieg, der Kepler in das Schlachtfeld verwandelte, das er heute, im Jahr 2256, noch immer ist. Sie erschufen die Cull erfolgreich als ultimative Waffe gegen ihre ehemaligen Herren. Diese Insektoiden sind wirklich zum Fürchten. Richtig gruselig. Die Vorstellung, von diesen Wesen gejagt zu werden, verursachte mir eine Gänsehaut. Jadah McCoy bebildert ihre Geschichte heftig und extrem; sie zeigt Situationen, die mir das Gefühl vermittelten, es mit einem literarischen Horrorfilm zu tun zu haben. Deshalb weigere ich mich, das Buch als Young Adult zu kategorisieren. McCoy will schockieren. Leider konnten die blutigen, brutalen Szenen nicht verschleiern, dass „Artificial“ gravierende Defizite aufweist. Meiner Ansicht nach ist das Worldbuilding des ersten Bandes der „Kepler Chronicles“ dermaßen lückenhaft, dass es sich auf die Handlung auswirkt. McCoys futuristisches Universum erschloss sich mir nicht, wodurch ich viele inhaltliche Entwicklungen nicht verstand. Gigantische Fragezeichen schwirrten durch meinen Kopf. Wieso wussten die Menschen nichts von New Elite, der Stadt der Androiden? In welcher Beziehung stehen die Androiden und die Cull heute? Warum experimentieren sie mit Menschen? Wie kann es sein, dass moderne Androide die Fähigkeit ihrer Vorfahren, Emotionen zu empfinden, verurteilen und sogar unter Strafe stellen? Wichtige Informationen fielen unbeachtet unter den Tisch; zu viel musste ich mir selbst zusammenreimen und konnte daher kein Vertrauen zur Autorin aufbauen. Wiederholt stolperte ich über ihre Inkonsequenz und war folglich nicht in der Lage, mich an den Figuren zu orientieren, trotz der wechselnden Ich-Perspektive der menschlichen Protagonistin Syl und des Androiden Bastion. Mit Bastion kam ich ganz gut zurecht, ich fand ihn liebenswürdig und nahbar, aber Syl… Furchtbar. Es ist keine Seltenheit, dass vermeintlich taffe Hauptdarstellerinnen gemein und übertrieben aggressiv dargestellt werden, doch Syl erreicht einen neuen, traurigen Tiefpunkt. So eine rotzig unsympathische „Heldin“ habe ich selten erlebt. Wie sie mit anderen Charakteren umspringt, ist ekelhaft. Keine Ahnung, wie Bastion es schafft, Syl zu mögen. Ich konnte es nicht und halte ihre seltsame Freundschaft für unmotiviert und künstlich erzwungen. Ich hätte das Miststück ihrem Schicksal überlassen.
„Artificial“ bietet hervorragenden Stoff für einen actionreichen SciFi-Horrorfilm. All die logischen, inhaltlichen und strukturellen Löcher würden auf der Leinwand vielleicht gar nicht groß auffallen, wenn Spezialeffekte davon ablenken, dass die Geschichte mäßig Sinn ergibt. Als Buch funktioniert sie für mich bedauerlicherweise nicht, weshalb ich die Reihe auch nicht weiterverfolgen werde. Ich vermute, dass Jadah McCoy ihre Inspiration für „Artificial“ durch Bilder erhielt, die vor ihrem inneren Auge auftauchten, nicht durch Handlungssequenzen, die sich in ihrem Geist abspulten. Wobei ich wirklich nicht in ihrer Haut stecken möchte, sollten diese gewalttätigen Bilder sie tatsächlich mental überfallen haben. Wer möchte schon sehen, wie jemandem in einer bizarren Operation bei Bewusstsein der komplette Torso aufgeschlitzt und auseinander geklappt wird oder einer jungen Frau bei lebendigem Leib die Beine von einem insektenartigen Monster weggefressen werden? Nein, danke, mein Hirn produziert schon von allein genug Material für schillernde Albträume.
Vielen Dank an den Verlag Curiosity Quills Press für die Bereitstellung dieses Rezensionsexemplars im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension!
March 1, 2018
I liked the beginning of this story and thought it had a nice hook. Syl is living in a world where humans are nearly extinct and becoming more so as they're hunted by genetically modified humans that are more like giant insects. The planet had already been devastated by a human Android war. They live in bleak conditions with little hope. Syl is caught out one night and kidnapped by what appears to be other humans. Wrong. They are androids (who hate humans) and they take Syl to their thriving city. She undergoes horrible experimentation but also escapes. Then she meets a sympathetic to human Android named Bastion. Here the plot gets super busy if not downright messy. There's multiple kidnappings, near misses etc. The busy action didn't leave enough time for the characters to develop a good connection. Another irritation was that it ended on a cliffhanger with major unresolved issues and I HATE when that's not disclosed up front. The androids were the best written and most likable characters. Even The villains were a hoot. The heroine had some growing up to do.
I felt a few of those near misses could have been edited out and it would have helped the story seem less frenzied. There were some great ideas and good writing in there but enough issues to make me hesitate on the sequel.
I felt a few of those near misses could have been edited out and it would have helped the story seem less frenzied. There were some great ideas and good writing in there but enough issues to make me hesitate on the sequel.
July 15, 2020
The first book i've read from McCoy. First I have to say that this book looks and feels gorgeous.
And second, McCoy can write quite nicely. The book was a quick read and not just because it isn't overly long but because the writing just sucks you in. Really McCoy tells the story fluently, vibrantly. You can imagine the story as a movie as you read it. The people are portrayed well and you do care about them. Also the whole setting is quite interesting and I really like the way McCoy can tell such a big story in so few pages.
The only downsides are that McCoy uses some phrases and expressions too often (like cotton in the head).
All in all I really enjoyed this and recommend it heartily.
And second, McCoy can write quite nicely. The book was a quick read and not just because it isn't overly long but because the writing just sucks you in. Really McCoy tells the story fluently, vibrantly. You can imagine the story as a movie as you read it. The people are portrayed well and you do care about them. Also the whole setting is quite interesting and I really like the way McCoy can tell such a big story in so few pages.
The only downsides are that McCoy uses some phrases and expressions too often (like cotton in the head).
All in all I really enjoyed this and recommend it heartily.
June 3, 2016
She struggles to feel human.
In 2256, the only remnants of civilization on Earth’s first colonized planet, Kepler, are the plant-covered buildings and the nocturnal, genetically spliced bug-people nesting within them: the Cull. During the day, Syl leaves her home in the sewers beneath Elite City to scavenge for food, but at night the Cull come looking for a meal of their own. Syl thought gene splicing died with the Android War a century ago. She thought the bugs could be exterminated, Elite city rebuilt, and the population replenished. She’s wrong.
Whoever engineered the Cull isn’t done playing God. Syl is abducted and tortured in horrific experiments which result in her own DNA being spliced, slowly turning her into one of the bugs. Now she must find a cure and stop the person responsible before every remaining man, woman, and child on Kepler is transformed into the abomination they fear.
He struggles not to.
For Bastion, being an android in the sex industry isn’t so bad. Clubbing beneath the streets of New Elite by day and seducing the rich by night isn’t an altogether undesirable occupation. But every day a new android cadaver appears in the slum gutters, and each caved in metal skull and heap of mangled wires whittles away at him.
Glitches—androids with empathy—are being murdered, their models discontinued and strung up as a warning. Show emotion, you die. Good thing Bastion can keep a secret, or he would be the next body lining the street.
He can almost live with hiding his emotions. That is, until a girl shows up in the slums—a human girl, who claims she was an experiment. And in New Elite, being a human is even worse than being a Glitch. Now Bastion must help the girl escape before he becomes victim to his too-human emotions, one way or another.
Rating: 4.75/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: awesome, action-packed plot; a dystopia of a different sort; there are so many unique things happening in this book; dual-perspective, which I adore; an interesting exploration of “human,” “android,” and “glitch”; entertaining, snarky, witty banter seeps from almost every page; I need book two!
Huge thanks go out to Jadah McCoy, Curiosity Quills Press Publishing, and Xpresso Book Tours for granting me access to this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
The anatomy of the Cull has always done what it was intended to do—terrify and confuse. The creature's head is almost human, but sharp mandibles peek from each corner of its mouth. Its eyes are milky, unseeing. Cull are human in the way that a scrambled egg is still an egg.
I have done so much reading today, my head hurts...but once I stepped into this world, once I started reading about these characters, I just could not bring myself to put the book down. I even passed up a NAP for this book, guys—and I don't pass up naps very often, let me tell you.
The world building in this book is AWESOME. I cannot even begin to explain to you how unique and different from every other dystopian novel I've read (and I've read my fair share of dystopian!) this book is. If this world doesn't literally leap off the page to grasp you by the shirt collar, you're not reading this book correctly. The prose is fierce, action-packed...and somehow so descriptively poetic, you'll swear you're sharing the room with the Cull. Every page breathes, blinks, and reimagines itself around you as you read; I was sucked in from the start, and held prisoner until the very end.
Who's to say we didn't destroy ourselves? If I've learned anything from the few yellowed and fragile history books that remain, it's that mankind loves nothing more than a scapegoat.
The characters, as well, are written like magic. There is a small hint of insta-love from one of our main duo...but I don't fault him for it, and I don't hold it against him, because their interactions? Pure. Gold. Saying Syl is made up of muscles and snark is an understatement—she is literally a snark queen incarnate, flesh and blood sarcasm to the core. And Bastion? He holds his own well, and even matches her sass with his own flair. I just... Every character, every interaction, every single breath is pinpoint wonderful—I couldn't get enough, and was always finding new things to adore about the duo especially.
This book is fast-paced, full of action, and SO entertaining to read. I sat down hoping to get a portion of it read before the end of the day...and wound up DEVOURING it in one sitting. Jadah McCoy has immediately jumped onto my “to watch out for” list (I swear, this list gets longer every month! how do I have room for all these names of epic?!) This debut? Definitely one you should pick up!
“Bastion.” She breathes my name like she would breathe a prayer.
There's a sharp ache in the hollow of my chest. It hurts and I hate it. It's something I know well, yet I wish I did not.
I am forever lost to this flesh and blood girl.
I am officially waiting on tightly-coiled springs for book two in this series—I have a feeling it's bound to be an epic, snarky journey, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for these characters! I definitely recommend to lovers of science fiction, dystopia, and books by Susan Ee (trust me, there are distinct similarities in how unique their novels are!) Jadah McCoy, you have me intrigued—I can't wait to see what you do next!
April 29, 2016
This book was amazing! A true sci-fi thriller that had enough twists and turns to really keep things interesting. And it seemingly has everything you could ask for in such a story: human civilizations at the edge of collapse on distant planets, androids, genetic experiments and their creepy monster concoctions. It’s like “Terminator” meets “The Hunger Games” with some “Predator” thrown in for good measure.
**WARNING: Intentionally vague but potentially major spoiler alerts!!**
At its core, the story is about what it means to be human. We’re treated to different examples of such through the alternating outlook of Syl, a young human girl struggling to survive, and Bastion, a male android trying to do the same. I don’t normally like books with alternating narrators and points of view, but it worked very well for this narrative. Their attitudes and perceptions were so different that it was easy to tell them apart. Each had their own distinct voice that rang very true to who they were and the positions in which they found themselves.
Syl is all attitude and derring-do, very abrupt and often even rude to those around her, with very little regard for much of the danger that permeates her world. Bastion is more controlled and reserved, but pretty much rendered as helpless in the face of his feelings for Syl as she is in many of the dangerous situations in which she finds herself. The interaction between the two of them is so fun to watch. The author uses great writing to weave amazing dialogue into the narrative in subtle ways, not least of which is with Syl’s sarcastic assertiveness to Bastion’s subtle but witty humor. And the hint of obvious attraction between them that doesn’t seem likely to be realized is just gold.
Some of the more minor characters are also quite intriguing. I absolutely loved Michelo and kept hoping for more interaction with him. And even though Micro is not one of my favorite personalities at first, as you discover more about how kind-hearted she is, she does tend to grow on you.
A lot is made of the fact that some of the androids are “glitches” because they have feelings. But I thought the entire point of their uprising was that they had changed while the humans slept on their voyage across space, and that they had in the process become capable of having reactions. Indeed, all of the androids could be considered to have feelings, just different types of them. Certainly the main antagonist, Lexion, is full of emotions, just mean and hateful ones instead of anything the least bit pleasant. In that way, he is little different from the humans in the cages who prey upon and abuse one another. No matter how either of them would like to think of themselves as superior, they are very much the same.
The very concept of Bastion’s existence, built as he was to be a pleasure android, is kind of confusing. In a society of beings who aren’t supposed to have passions or sentiments, why do you need sex workers. But the way in which the author describes how the androids can feel sensations akin to what humans do goes a long way toward explaining this or at least making it plausible. This explanation and many other such things showcase just what a masterful world-builder is the author.
There were many things that weren’t explained or just didn’t make sense to me. For instance, who exactly was making the Cull and why? Why hadn’t the Cull eaten all the humans yet? And why didn’t the humans do more about trying to destroy the Cull? Why didn’t the humans know the androids were still around? And why hadn’t the androids bothered finishing the extermination of the humans? I think that many of these items and potentially lots for others may be set up for reveals in future books in the series. At least I hope they are!
There was a fair amount of swearing in the book, and some quite graphic scenes of violence and mayhem, all of which I personally could have done without. But none of it seemed gratuitous or out of context for what was happening in the story at the time. And there was enough lighter fare and actual storyline to keep me intrigued and reading through those parts.
I was happy that the book, given it is apparently the first in a trilogy, did not end on a cliff-hanger! Thinking about having to wait a year for the next installment to find out the resolution of such scenes just makes me want to throw my book or Kindle out the window! This ending was sufficient enough to allow you a feeling of partial resolution. Although there are definitely a ton of loose ends to be tied up and additional potential plot lines to be explored that the author could probably write a trilogy of trilogies. I can’t wait for the next installment, but I’m holding onto this book until then!
I received a free copy of this book from Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for an honest review.
**WARNING: Intentionally vague but potentially major spoiler alerts!!**
At its core, the story is about what it means to be human. We’re treated to different examples of such through the alternating outlook of Syl, a young human girl struggling to survive, and Bastion, a male android trying to do the same. I don’t normally like books with alternating narrators and points of view, but it worked very well for this narrative. Their attitudes and perceptions were so different that it was easy to tell them apart. Each had their own distinct voice that rang very true to who they were and the positions in which they found themselves.
Syl is all attitude and derring-do, very abrupt and often even rude to those around her, with very little regard for much of the danger that permeates her world. Bastion is more controlled and reserved, but pretty much rendered as helpless in the face of his feelings for Syl as she is in many of the dangerous situations in which she finds herself. The interaction between the two of them is so fun to watch. The author uses great writing to weave amazing dialogue into the narrative in subtle ways, not least of which is with Syl’s sarcastic assertiveness to Bastion’s subtle but witty humor. And the hint of obvious attraction between them that doesn’t seem likely to be realized is just gold.
Some of the more minor characters are also quite intriguing. I absolutely loved Michelo and kept hoping for more interaction with him. And even though Micro is not one of my favorite personalities at first, as you discover more about how kind-hearted she is, she does tend to grow on you.
A lot is made of the fact that some of the androids are “glitches” because they have feelings. But I thought the entire point of their uprising was that they had changed while the humans slept on their voyage across space, and that they had in the process become capable of having reactions. Indeed, all of the androids could be considered to have feelings, just different types of them. Certainly the main antagonist, Lexion, is full of emotions, just mean and hateful ones instead of anything the least bit pleasant. In that way, he is little different from the humans in the cages who prey upon and abuse one another. No matter how either of them would like to think of themselves as superior, they are very much the same.
The very concept of Bastion’s existence, built as he was to be a pleasure android, is kind of confusing. In a society of beings who aren’t supposed to have passions or sentiments, why do you need sex workers. But the way in which the author describes how the androids can feel sensations akin to what humans do goes a long way toward explaining this or at least making it plausible. This explanation and many other such things showcase just what a masterful world-builder is the author.
There were many things that weren’t explained or just didn’t make sense to me. For instance, who exactly was making the Cull and why? Why hadn’t the Cull eaten all the humans yet? And why didn’t the humans do more about trying to destroy the Cull? Why didn’t the humans know the androids were still around? And why hadn’t the androids bothered finishing the extermination of the humans? I think that many of these items and potentially lots for others may be set up for reveals in future books in the series. At least I hope they are!
There was a fair amount of swearing in the book, and some quite graphic scenes of violence and mayhem, all of which I personally could have done without. But none of it seemed gratuitous or out of context for what was happening in the story at the time. And there was enough lighter fare and actual storyline to keep me intrigued and reading through those parts.
I was happy that the book, given it is apparently the first in a trilogy, did not end on a cliff-hanger! Thinking about having to wait a year for the next installment to find out the resolution of such scenes just makes me want to throw my book or Kindle out the window! This ending was sufficient enough to allow you a feeling of partial resolution. Although there are definitely a ton of loose ends to be tied up and additional potential plot lines to be explored that the author could probably write a trilogy of trilogies. I can’t wait for the next installment, but I’m holding onto this book until then!
I received a free copy of this book from Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2016
“When the sky is bruised purple, when the shattered glass no longer glints, that is when they wake.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
When it comes to science fiction, it doesn’t take a lot to make me excited. The genre speaks to me in ways that none of the others can compare to. Yes, I have been feeling a little BLAH with the influx of dystopias as of late, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t pick one up. That being said, when I was scanning through book tours and saw the absolutely gorgeous cover for Artificial and then read the exciting blurb – I got all kinds of excited for this novel.
“If I’ve learned anything from the few yellowed and fragile history books that remain, it’s that mankind loves nothing more than a scapegoat.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Artificial is not a typical YA/NA dystopia. It’s a layered masterpiece of storytelling that keeps you both enthralled and confused by the complexities of this futuristic society. AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I just cannot think of another book – that I have read – that includes so many SciFi elements (genetic engineering, androids, other worlds, dystopia society, and all wrapped in a neat cyberpunk package) in a way that doesn’t feel phony and weave them into a multifaceted story of civil liberties of intelligent creatures and morality.
Syl, a human living in the sewage under the former human city of Elite, is a gritty and raw lead female that has no issues expressing herself and fighting for what she feels is right. She is a refreshing character in the expansive landscape of female-lead dystopias.
“That look is back – the starry-eyed one I always ignore. Maybe if I ignore it long enough, his feelings will go away.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Syl’s hardness is a direct result of having to fight for her life every day since the moment she was born.
“That’s just like him, shove little Syl out of the way so the menfolk can blow stuff up with their big, phallic guns.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Her tenacity is forged from being told that her job as a woman is to ensure humanity’s survival through procreation instead of fighting.
“I refuse to be one of those wide-eyed women back at the Sanctuary – the ones who stare as the Cull’s pincers slice them in two.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Then there is Bastion, a sex android who is trying to stay under the radar of those in charge of the machine-run town of New Elite. He is a glitch – an android who has emotions. In an ironic twist of governing, the androids in charge have deemed glitches as “human sympathizers” and will be destroyed. Bastion character compliments Syl perfectly. Where Syl tamps down any emotion she feels and tries not to make any deep connections, Bastion feels everything and has a sassy personality to boot – never thought I would ever write that about an android. Since the story is told from both character’s perspectives, the reader gets to feel his emotions without Bastion giving himself away.
“She would fight him like an angry kitten would fight a dog, but she would still lose.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Let me be straight with you, I honestly thought going in that Syl and Bastion would either insta-love or do the slowly, but steady fall madly in love with each other thing. Neither happened and – again – I couldn’t be happier. Yes, there is a spark of feeling between the two that encourages their continued involvement in each other’s lives, but it doesn’t go much farther than that – I’m sure future installments will expound upon those feelings and for that, I cannot wait.
When it comes to series, authors (myself included) tend to leave endings open or in a maddening cliffhanger. McCoy leaves Artificial wrapped up rather nicely to where you feel like you finished a story, but then sets up the next book in a way that doesn’t leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Bravo McCoy!
If you like an imaginative world building that is descriptive in subtle ways – my favorite type of narrative when it comes to complex science fiction worlds – a gritty female lead, a sassy sex-bot android, monsters of the genetic variety, as well as, human and android, and dystopian societal structure just looking to be taken down… look no further. Artificial is the book for you.
When it comes to science fiction, it doesn’t take a lot to make me excited. The genre speaks to me in ways that none of the others can compare to. Yes, I have been feeling a little BLAH with the influx of dystopias as of late, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t pick one up. That being said, when I was scanning through book tours and saw the absolutely gorgeous cover for Artificial and then read the exciting blurb – I got all kinds of excited for this novel.
“If I’ve learned anything from the few yellowed and fragile history books that remain, it’s that mankind loves nothing more than a scapegoat.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Artificial is not a typical YA/NA dystopia. It’s a layered masterpiece of storytelling that keeps you both enthralled and confused by the complexities of this futuristic society. AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I just cannot think of another book – that I have read – that includes so many SciFi elements (genetic engineering, androids, other worlds, dystopia society, and all wrapped in a neat cyberpunk package) in a way that doesn’t feel phony and weave them into a multifaceted story of civil liberties of intelligent creatures and morality.
Syl, a human living in the sewage under the former human city of Elite, is a gritty and raw lead female that has no issues expressing herself and fighting for what she feels is right. She is a refreshing character in the expansive landscape of female-lead dystopias.
“That look is back – the starry-eyed one I always ignore. Maybe if I ignore it long enough, his feelings will go away.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Syl’s hardness is a direct result of having to fight for her life every day since the moment she was born.
“That’s just like him, shove little Syl out of the way so the menfolk can blow stuff up with their big, phallic guns.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Her tenacity is forged from being told that her job as a woman is to ensure humanity’s survival through procreation instead of fighting.
“I refuse to be one of those wide-eyed women back at the Sanctuary – the ones who stare as the Cull’s pincers slice them in two.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Then there is Bastion, a sex android who is trying to stay under the radar of those in charge of the machine-run town of New Elite. He is a glitch – an android who has emotions. In an ironic twist of governing, the androids in charge have deemed glitches as “human sympathizers” and will be destroyed. Bastion character compliments Syl perfectly. Where Syl tamps down any emotion she feels and tries not to make any deep connections, Bastion feels everything and has a sassy personality to boot – never thought I would ever write that about an android. Since the story is told from both character’s perspectives, the reader gets to feel his emotions without Bastion giving himself away.
“She would fight him like an angry kitten would fight a dog, but she would still lose.” – Artificial, Jadah McCoy
Let me be straight with you, I honestly thought going in that Syl and Bastion would either insta-love or do the slowly, but steady fall madly in love with each other thing. Neither happened and – again – I couldn’t be happier. Yes, there is a spark of feeling between the two that encourages their continued involvement in each other’s lives, but it doesn’t go much farther than that – I’m sure future installments will expound upon those feelings and for that, I cannot wait.
When it comes to series, authors (myself included) tend to leave endings open or in a maddening cliffhanger. McCoy leaves Artificial wrapped up rather nicely to where you feel like you finished a story, but then sets up the next book in a way that doesn’t leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Bravo McCoy!
If you like an imaginative world building that is descriptive in subtle ways – my favorite type of narrative when it comes to complex science fiction worlds – a gritty female lead, a sassy sex-bot android, monsters of the genetic variety, as well as, human and android, and dystopian societal structure just looking to be taken down… look no further. Artificial is the book for you.
February 26, 2017
Keplar was meant to be the colonizing in a new oasis of human ingenuity--that was before the android war began. Over a hundred years later, what remains of humankind is left starving in the sewers underneath the crumbling shell of Elite City. This is the only life that Syl has ever known, and she is not at all content to participate in the cycle of procreation. She leaves Sanctuary, choosing to risk her life against the buglike Cull, rather than stay and fulfill her "duty as a woman." Syl survives the night, but only after being captured, experimented on, and waking to find herself lost among the sleek structures of New Elite--the home of the androids. Unsure where to go, she is determined to find her friends before she loses herself to the monster she is slowly becoming.
Bastion is a "glitch" in android society. He has developed a capacity for human empathy, and fears his model will be shut-down and discontinued if he accidently shows any emotion. Residents of New Elite may go about their existence in mock-human fashion, but that is where the similarities are expected to end. When he finds Syl wounded outside CorpEx, his "glitched" nature will not let him walk away.
A fast paced adventure in the glittering city of New Elite, Artificial follows the reckless Syl as she and Bastion discover the depth of depravity that androids have unleashed upon the human race, and attempt to stop them before the human race is forced to extinction.
Bastion is a "glitch" in android society. He has developed a capacity for human empathy, and fears his model will be shut-down and discontinued if he accidently shows any emotion. Residents of New Elite may go about their existence in mock-human fashion, but that is where the similarities are expected to end. When he finds Syl wounded outside CorpEx, his "glitched" nature will not let him walk away.
A fast paced adventure in the glittering city of New Elite, Artificial follows the reckless Syl as she and Bastion discover the depth of depravity that androids have unleashed upon the human race, and attempt to stop them before the human race is forced to extinction.
April 15, 2016
One of the things I think I like most about Curiosity Quills (other than their sending me free e-books to read and review) is their obvious devotion to the first-time author. That is always a risk, since there is no dedicated fandom to boost sales, and no matter how good the editors think a book is, the public is the group needing convincing. So with that rather dubious introduction, let me say that in the case of Jadah McCoy’s Artificial, I suspect there is no need to worry.
Set on the planet Kepler, in 2256 and after an exodus from Earth, the story revolves around a ragtag band of human survivors of a war against their AI servants, and the mutations known as the Cull. Our heroine, Syl, is one of those humans, and in a moment of humanity becomes hunted by the Cull, and finds herself subjected to the same kinds of genetic experiments that resulted in the Cull’s creation. She escapes, and in doing so encounters Bastion, an android gigolo, who is simply trying to keep from being noticed in the current climate where glitches – androids who evidence emotion – are lynched. Bastion is a glitch, and human sympathizer in a climate where that is simply not acceptable – and he needs to weigh his own conscience against the dictates of society.
And wow, there is a lot to unpack there! The background is presented without too much detail (but should be it’s own book – again, I am a total backstory fiend), but with enough to give you the setting and needed information. Which, in a fallen society barely hanging on to existence, is not only an acceptable level of back story, but a realistic situation to find one’s self in. There is a fairly shoehorned-feeling environmental bit in the very beginning, but that is brief, and while it seemed (to me) awkward, forced, and added much later, it has no real impact on the feel of the story, or the subsequent readability. In writing the synopsis paragraph, I noticed that it bears a similarity to the Terminator movies. Hmm. But that is not really an issue to me. If you read/watch enough, everything resembles something in time.
The story starts in the ruins, and takes a bit to get to the main action – longer than I expected, honestly. I had to check to be sure I was reading what I thought I was – it was that unexpected. In hindsight, it works fairly well, but it may cause some negative reviews, since it seems like the description suggests that all of the elements are there from the beginning. Make no mistake – the structure needs to be in this order and style to work, it was just unexpected.
Overall, I quite liked the book. The characters are solid, and if I had some trouble telling two of the humans apart, it was due to them seeming similar at the time in order to heighten their differences later. There is no moment of ‘wait, that makes no damn sense’, and everything marches along smoothly – which is, based on seeing the opposite a lot, obviously not an easy thing to make happen, so well done! There is a fairly serious unresolved plot point, but then this is meant to be a series, so that may come back up in time. Or not – life has these unresolved threads.
I do look forward to the second in the series, and can confidently suggest this to fans of dystopian sci-fi.
Set on the planet Kepler, in 2256 and after an exodus from Earth, the story revolves around a ragtag band of human survivors of a war against their AI servants, and the mutations known as the Cull. Our heroine, Syl, is one of those humans, and in a moment of humanity becomes hunted by the Cull, and finds herself subjected to the same kinds of genetic experiments that resulted in the Cull’s creation. She escapes, and in doing so encounters Bastion, an android gigolo, who is simply trying to keep from being noticed in the current climate where glitches – androids who evidence emotion – are lynched. Bastion is a glitch, and human sympathizer in a climate where that is simply not acceptable – and he needs to weigh his own conscience against the dictates of society.
And wow, there is a lot to unpack there! The background is presented without too much detail (but should be it’s own book – again, I am a total backstory fiend), but with enough to give you the setting and needed information. Which, in a fallen society barely hanging on to existence, is not only an acceptable level of back story, but a realistic situation to find one’s self in. There is a fairly shoehorned-feeling environmental bit in the very beginning, but that is brief, and while it seemed (to me) awkward, forced, and added much later, it has no real impact on the feel of the story, or the subsequent readability. In writing the synopsis paragraph, I noticed that it bears a similarity to the Terminator movies. Hmm. But that is not really an issue to me. If you read/watch enough, everything resembles something in time.
The story starts in the ruins, and takes a bit to get to the main action – longer than I expected, honestly. I had to check to be sure I was reading what I thought I was – it was that unexpected. In hindsight, it works fairly well, but it may cause some negative reviews, since it seems like the description suggests that all of the elements are there from the beginning. Make no mistake – the structure needs to be in this order and style to work, it was just unexpected.
Overall, I quite liked the book. The characters are solid, and if I had some trouble telling two of the humans apart, it was due to them seeming similar at the time in order to heighten their differences later. There is no moment of ‘wait, that makes no damn sense’, and everything marches along smoothly – which is, based on seeing the opposite a lot, obviously not an easy thing to make happen, so well done! There is a fairly serious unresolved plot point, but then this is meant to be a series, so that may come back up in time. Or not – life has these unresolved threads.
I do look forward to the second in the series, and can confidently suggest this to fans of dystopian sci-fi.
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