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Bone Machine
War. Poverty. Hunger. Are over.
Humankind hasn’t changed, but the way we work has. Welcome to the brave new world of the Artificially Conscious Androlibra, a humanlike robot that acts like a personal clone, helping to bring balance to our lives.
Grayson Cornel doesn’t sleep much anymore. His life is in shambles. His father is teetering on death. He was recently promoted by The Libra Robotics and Cybernetics Corp, but his predecessor, Zoe Asher is wanted for murder and is now targeting him. On top of that, his first assignment in his new position has ended in disaster.
The last of the world’s sweatshops in Haiti had finally placed an order for Libra Corp robots, and it was Grayson’s job to make sure that the order was filled. But when the robots arrived, something went horribly wrong. They disappeared, leaving only dead bodies in their wake. No Libra Corp robot had ever killed anyone before, so Grayson is sent to Haiti to figure out what went wrong.
What he discovers begins to unravel a dark secret Libra Corp has been keeping from the public. Something so shocking that Grayson risks ending utopia to put a stop to it.
Humankind hasn’t changed, but the way we work has. Welcome to the brave new world of the Artificially Conscious Androlibra, a humanlike robot that acts like a personal clone, helping to bring balance to our lives.
Grayson Cornel doesn’t sleep much anymore. His life is in shambles. His father is teetering on death. He was recently promoted by The Libra Robotics and Cybernetics Corp, but his predecessor, Zoe Asher is wanted for murder and is now targeting him. On top of that, his first assignment in his new position has ended in disaster.
The last of the world’s sweatshops in Haiti had finally placed an order for Libra Corp robots, and it was Grayson’s job to make sure that the order was filled. But when the robots arrived, something went horribly wrong. They disappeared, leaving only dead bodies in their wake. No Libra Corp robot had ever killed anyone before, so Grayson is sent to Haiti to figure out what went wrong.
What he discovers begins to unravel a dark secret Libra Corp has been keeping from the public. Something so shocking that Grayson risks ending utopia to put a stop to it.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2011
3 people are currently reading
1478 people want to read
About the author
C.N. James
8 books40 followersCN James' short story "The Dark Room" won honorable mention in the 78th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition for genre short story. With a Master's Degree in English Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Music (Jazz Guitar), CN James (Christian J. Triola) is the author of four novels, including his newest release, The Ghostlands, Part 1: Erie Energy, co-authored with his wife, Amy Joy. James also authored the advanced guitar method book, The Missing Method for Guitar: Reading Guitar Music Beyond the Open Position.
He is the co-founder of the Indie Writer's Network, an international community of independent writers, he teaches college writing, and he has offered private guitar instruction for nearly 20 years. He enjoys jazz, alternative rock, watching 80's cartoons, hiking and biking the national parks with his wife, and experiencing stories with monsters in them.
James is active on social media.You can find him on Twitter and Facebook @cnjameswriter and at cnjamesfiction.com
He is the co-founder of the Indie Writer's Network, an international community of independent writers, he teaches college writing, and he has offered private guitar instruction for nearly 20 years. He enjoys jazz, alternative rock, watching 80's cartoons, hiking and biking the national parks with his wife, and experiencing stories with monsters in them.
James is active on social media.You can find him on Twitter and Facebook @cnjameswriter and at cnjamesfiction.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 7, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had won a copy of this sci-fi thriller book, courtesy of the author, through Goodread's "First Reads" giveaways. After opening the envelope upon receipt, I read a few pages and immediately thought, "I'm gonna like this." I had to hold myself back from digging in for a bit because I had so many other half-read books, so I saved it until I was travelling when I knew I could savor it. Then of course I ate it up during all my free time on the trips: on airplanes, at meals, at night when I could barely keep my eyes open... you get the idea.
Anyway, that first paragraph clearly established my personal relationship with the book, but if you're reading this review you probably want some more objective and relevant details, right? Okay. The background of the book is a future world in which robots are available not just as industrial workhorses but as personal assistants capable of tasks from the menial and mundane to the complex--meaning that humankind has time for unprecedented levels of leisure. Well, most of them do--an exception being the principle protagonist of the book, who has recently accepted a promotion at his employ at Libra Robotics--the company who made this utopic wolrd possible. I won't spoil it by giving too many details, but suffice it to say that things are not always what they seem, and this Pax Romana may cannot last if the secret gets out.
As for the writing, I found it altogether enjoyable. James takes his time for detailed character development that is naturally intertwined with the story, even as it begins in media res and carries along unhaltingly. I don't mean to say that its slow or wordy, I think it's just right--not rushed like so many thriller books with cliffhanger chapter breaks every four or five pages. The subtle foreshadowing draws you along in anticipation of the reveal. Subplots and character background are not useless tangental filler, they are all fitted together with care, so the book closes with a satisfactory full picture.
All told, it's surprising to me that this book is apparently self-published, as the writing and story could hold their own against many major-market books from bigger names. Generally I reserve 5-star reviews for my most favorite books that are read and re-read again; but in this case I'm glad to spread the word. Hopefully by my sharing this review others will be encouraged to pick up this book--and then he'll have a chance to write more like it!
Anyway, that first paragraph clearly established my personal relationship with the book, but if you're reading this review you probably want some more objective and relevant details, right? Okay. The background of the book is a future world in which robots are available not just as industrial workhorses but as personal assistants capable of tasks from the menial and mundane to the complex--meaning that humankind has time for unprecedented levels of leisure. Well, most of them do--an exception being the principle protagonist of the book, who has recently accepted a promotion at his employ at Libra Robotics--the company who made this utopic wolrd possible. I won't spoil it by giving too many details, but suffice it to say that things are not always what they seem, and this Pax Romana may cannot last if the secret gets out.
As for the writing, I found it altogether enjoyable. James takes his time for detailed character development that is naturally intertwined with the story, even as it begins in media res and carries along unhaltingly. I don't mean to say that its slow or wordy, I think it's just right--not rushed like so many thriller books with cliffhanger chapter breaks every four or five pages. The subtle foreshadowing draws you along in anticipation of the reveal. Subplots and character background are not useless tangental filler, they are all fitted together with care, so the book closes with a satisfactory full picture.
All told, it's surprising to me that this book is apparently self-published, as the writing and story could hold their own against many major-market books from bigger names. Generally I reserve 5-star reviews for my most favorite books that are read and re-read again; but in this case I'm glad to spread the word. Hopefully by my sharing this review others will be encouraged to pick up this book--and then he'll have a chance to write more like it!
March 4, 2012
I won this book in the Goodreads FirstReads giveaway in return for an honest review of the book.
I originally gave Bone Machine 4 stars, but it is a book I just couldn't get out of my mind. The more I thought about it the more I realized it is a 5 star book. If I keep coming back to the book and thinking about the book and the characters, and the plot, and especially the twists--it's definitely a 5 star book for me. It's very hard to talk about the end of the book without giving it away, but I will tell you that if you like Sci-fi books, books about zombies, end-times, robots or computers trying to take over, you will definitely like this book. BUT...you have never read a book quite like this one...and that's a very good thing. It's a great book, and very creepy and scary at the end. I hope our world never comes to this. (There are some grammatical and spelling errors that need to be corrected.) C.N. James, I hope you continue to write books like this--let me know when your next one comes out!!
I originally gave Bone Machine 4 stars, but it is a book I just couldn't get out of my mind. The more I thought about it the more I realized it is a 5 star book. If I keep coming back to the book and thinking about the book and the characters, and the plot, and especially the twists--it's definitely a 5 star book for me. It's very hard to talk about the end of the book without giving it away, but I will tell you that if you like Sci-fi books, books about zombies, end-times, robots or computers trying to take over, you will definitely like this book. BUT...you have never read a book quite like this one...and that's a very good thing. It's a great book, and very creepy and scary at the end. I hope our world never comes to this. (There are some grammatical and spelling errors that need to be corrected.) C.N. James, I hope you continue to write books like this--let me know when your next one comes out!!
May 27, 2012
[2012-05-14] My book arrived today! I am sooo looking forward to reading this!
[2012-05-27] Finished this evening. Excellent book. A few typos and punctuation errors (not sure if this is final published copy). I loved the signed bookmark. I don't always use a bookmark (can usually turn to correct page without aids) but decided to hunt one down for this book...then opened the book and found the one enclosed. :-) Thanks C.N.
Full review will follow within a couple of weeks.
[2012-05-27] Finished this evening. Excellent book. A few typos and punctuation errors (not sure if this is final published copy). I loved the signed bookmark. I don't always use a bookmark (can usually turn to correct page without aids) but decided to hunt one down for this book...then opened the book and found the one enclosed. :-) Thanks C.N.
Full review will follow within a couple of weeks.
July 7, 2012
I was very lucky to have been a First Reads winner of this book. I just finished the book and I am still reeling from the twist at the end. It is a well written book that captures your attention from the beginning until the stunning end. The characters are relatable and you gladly follow them on this journey of a possible future. I hope that there will be a sequel to this book to see what will happen to Sadie and Monica. Great read.
December 26, 2011
I received this book through the Good Reads First Reads program. It has an interesting premise in which intelligent robots have been created that have reduced the work load and poverty. There is the potential for an anti-utopian story, but it takes place before those ramifications have come to full fruition. There is a mystery regarding the robots, and the main characters are brought into it more due to the actions of others than their own initiative.
This is ultimately a moral tale with an ironic ending. However, I never really took to or liked the lead or most of the characters. The only character that was likable was Sadie, the female lead, and the fiancee of the male lead. And even she was emotional about the robots, despite her love of computers and technology.
I'd recommend it to people who enjoyed Asimov's book I, Robot and the movie Soylent Green.
This is ultimately a moral tale with an ironic ending. However, I never really took to or liked the lead or most of the characters. The only character that was likable was Sadie, the female lead, and the fiancee of the male lead. And even she was emotional about the robots, despite her love of computers and technology.
I'd recommend it to people who enjoyed Asimov's book I, Robot and the movie Soylent Green.
March 4, 2012
As the quote on the back of the book aptly describes it, the story is indeed a story of horror and deceit. A company has managed to revolutionize life by creating robots that can successfully replace the humans in many jobs creating what might appear as a better work-life balance for many. But there is a secret hidden underneath the veneer of a new world order.
I had originally thought the story was going to be about robots taking over the world, but it was a bit more complex than that. I was pleasantly surprised.
The book needs a heavy editor's hand to fix numerous grammatical and spelling errors, as well as layout concerns. I won this book as a giveaway, so it's likely that the book is in its earliest form. But I would recommend that some real editing be done on it to refine some of the language and smooth any imperfections.
Overall, a pleasant light read.
I had originally thought the story was going to be about robots taking over the world, but it was a bit more complex than that. I was pleasantly surprised.
The book needs a heavy editor's hand to fix numerous grammatical and spelling errors, as well as layout concerns. I won this book as a giveaway, so it's likely that the book is in its earliest form. But I would recommend that some real editing be done on it to refine some of the language and smooth any imperfections.
Overall, a pleasant light read.
March 30, 2016
I liked the synopsis so I picked it up on Kindle. Very imaginative and an easy world to get lost in, I'd love to read another episode set in the world with Libra Corp. Personally, I adore stories set in alternate realities and yet that have a very small and intimate stage that the action plays out on. This is one of those. And the ending! It was just my style so I recommend this book.
However, in the middle, the editing and formatting got a little sloppy and that gave some trouble. But the beginning and the end are top-notch and worth wading through the messy bits.
However, in the middle, the editing and formatting got a little sloppy and that gave some trouble. But the beginning and the end are top-notch and worth wading through the messy bits.
September 11, 2012
I received this book free through goodreads first-reads.
This was a very good story. I cannot go into too much detail, for fear I will give too much away.
I will say though, that I found it very odd that even though I did not feel connected to the characters at all, the story itself kept me reading.
It was thrilling,suspenseful, and at times shocking.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
This was a very good story. I cannot go into too much detail, for fear I will give too much away.
I will say though, that I found it very odd that even though I did not feel connected to the characters at all, the story itself kept me reading.
It was thrilling,suspenseful, and at times shocking.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
May 8, 2013
This is not a genre that I normally read but I received this book free so I gave it a shot. The writing was engaging but I was distracted by the poor editing of typos throughout the book. The themes of the book were played out well but I checked out when it came to the last 1/3 of the book. Too out there for me.
February 11, 2013
Did not enjoy. Could not get engrossed in book and was all over the place as far as the plot.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews