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Bleak: The story of a shapeshifter
They created an abomination, but now they need him…
“If you like hard sci-fi, battles, intrigue, a touch of romance, space opera and intelligently written speculative fiction, then this is the book for you.”
The Confederation used the ultimate spies to put down the rebellion. Now they cannot be allowed to live. Bleak is on the run. Then a desperate Catrinas Pekrov decides she might have a use for his particular talents after all.
Bleak’s has no choice. He is now involved in a plot that will threaten the future of the newly reunited Confederation.
“If you like hard sci-fi, battles, intrigue, a touch of romance, space opera and intelligently written speculative fiction, then this is the book for you.”
The Confederation used the ultimate spies to put down the rebellion. Now they cannot be allowed to live. Bleak is on the run. Then a desperate Catrinas Pekrov decides she might have a use for his particular talents after all.
Bleak’s has no choice. He is now involved in a plot that will threaten the future of the newly reunited Confederation.
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About the author
Ian Martyn
8 books57 followersIan Martyn lives in Surrey in the United Kingdom. Following a degree in Zoology I spent thirty years working in the pharmaceutical industry. On leaving to become a consultant I was determined to complete and publish those science fiction stories that I had started and were rattling around in my head. You can find more about me,Ian Martyn and my writing on my web site: www.martynfiction.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 29, 2017
The future is not so bleak…well, as soon as Bleak steps onto the scene. Genetic experiments, political intrigue, and epic battles fill this sci-fi pulse pounder. Bleak takes place in the wake of a futuristic civil war that has left a corrupt Confederacy in charge of a hegemony of planets. This is a future society that chokes the truth and manipulates its many members.
The average space faring citizen isn’t the only victim of the Confederacy though. Bleak is part of a special class of people. Being a manipulant, a genetically engineered weapon that helped the Confederacy win the war, Bleak is hunted relentlessly. This of course doesn’t stop the Confederacy hounds from wanting to use him for their own nefarious ends which leads Bleak on a daring mission of self-discovery and interstellar consequences.
Ian Martyn did a fantastic job of bringing the world of Bleak to life. The writing flowed really well, I loved the characters and their dialogue, and there were some really cool villains and plot points. All around, I’d recommend Bleak to any thriller or sci-fi lover, especially people who enjoyed Firefly. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author!
The average space faring citizen isn’t the only victim of the Confederacy though. Bleak is part of a special class of people. Being a manipulant, a genetically engineered weapon that helped the Confederacy win the war, Bleak is hunted relentlessly. This of course doesn’t stop the Confederacy hounds from wanting to use him for their own nefarious ends which leads Bleak on a daring mission of self-discovery and interstellar consequences.
Ian Martyn did a fantastic job of bringing the world of Bleak to life. The writing flowed really well, I loved the characters and their dialogue, and there were some really cool villains and plot points. All around, I’d recommend Bleak to any thriller or sci-fi lover, especially people who enjoyed Firefly. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author!
December 8, 2015
I read the prequel for Bleak and that was super, so I bit the bullet and purchased the entire first book. To say I'm pleased I did, is an understatement. Martyn blends a well-blended futuristic universe with an often surprising whodunnit element, a twisty plot, and a unique take on shapeshifters. Not much is what it seems in this very fine sci-fi epic.
I particularly enjoyed the exploration of themes around Bleak's programming, which forces him to act in certain ways. Bleak becomes aware of this and begins to self-reflect on both his actions and the consequences of his actions - the treatment reminded me of Asimov's famous Laws of Robotics, which eventually drive the robots to formulate the 'Zeroth' Law. This certainly lends Martyn's writing depth as he introduces and deals with universal themes and memes, and in return, allows the reader to question the fundamental nature of humanity itself.
If you like hard sci-fi, battles, intrigue, a touch of romance, space opera and intelligently written speculative fiction, then this is the book for you. Look no further!
I particularly enjoyed the exploration of themes around Bleak's programming, which forces him to act in certain ways. Bleak becomes aware of this and begins to self-reflect on both his actions and the consequences of his actions - the treatment reminded me of Asimov's famous Laws of Robotics, which eventually drive the robots to formulate the 'Zeroth' Law. This certainly lends Martyn's writing depth as he introduces and deals with universal themes and memes, and in return, allows the reader to question the fundamental nature of humanity itself.
If you like hard sci-fi, battles, intrigue, a touch of romance, space opera and intelligently written speculative fiction, then this is the book for you. Look no further!
May 30, 2017
I wouldn't call this absolute hard science fiction, but it's definitely not soft. I'd say maybe 4 out of 6 on the hardness scale. More scientifically rigorous than, say, Star Trek but not quite 2001: A Space Odyssey either. It includes such things as FTL travel and shapeshifters (obviously) but these are purely scientific accomplishments in the universe of the novel.
In particular I was impressed at how the main character, whose name is Bleak, requires several days of exertion to fully take on a new appearance. So often these kind of abilities are almost instantaneous -- in the blink of an eye there's a whole different person standing there. I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but there's just no way it can be that easy! It was nice to see an author with the discipline to avoid that comicbook-esque take on shapeshifting.
The tone was a bit less consistent. At times it felt like a dark, noir thriller. Some of the best writing in the novel can be found in those moments:
"As he sat, a yellow overhead light nudged some of the shadows to one side."
But at other times the tone was more lighthearted and earnest. I think this dichotomy comes from the way the main character, Bleak, is depicted. At times he is shown as a badass warrior and at other times he's a lovable chump. Of course, a character needs some depth and dimension, but I'd like to be able to figure out if I'm looking at Dirty Harry or Barney Fife.
The plot has a lot of action and moves along at a steady pace, although I felt it dragged in the middle. All around, though, this is an engaging adventure for hard science fiction fans.
In particular I was impressed at how the main character, whose name is Bleak, requires several days of exertion to fully take on a new appearance. So often these kind of abilities are almost instantaneous -- in the blink of an eye there's a whole different person standing there. I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but there's just no way it can be that easy! It was nice to see an author with the discipline to avoid that comicbook-esque take on shapeshifting.
The tone was a bit less consistent. At times it felt like a dark, noir thriller. Some of the best writing in the novel can be found in those moments:
"As he sat, a yellow overhead light nudged some of the shadows to one side."
But at other times the tone was more lighthearted and earnest. I think this dichotomy comes from the way the main character, Bleak, is depicted. At times he is shown as a badass warrior and at other times he's a lovable chump. Of course, a character needs some depth and dimension, but I'd like to be able to figure out if I'm looking at Dirty Harry or Barney Fife.
The plot has a lot of action and moves along at a steady pace, although I felt it dragged in the middle. All around, though, this is an engaging adventure for hard science fiction fans.
January 18, 2016
"Bleak" is the story of a "manipulant"--a created human-like person who can alter their appearance and behavior to copy others. The premise is intriguing and brings with it questions of what it means to be a "person"--many of the characters don't want to believe that Bleak, the main character, is a real person, and the fact that he can change his appearance and take on the memories and behaviors of others also begs the question of what it means to have a coherent personal identity.
When the story starts, Bleak is on the run in the midst of post-civil-war chaos. He is soon captured and sucked back into the conflict, however, as both sides want to make use of his unique super-human abilities, even as they make it clear that they are, indeed, using him, and that many of them consider him to be a weapon, not a sentient being. Bleak's character development and the suspense of what will happen to him are well-handled. I'm not normally a huge fan of "hard" sci-fi, since I consider it kind of dry, and I had the same problem with this book, but the issues surrounding Bleak are compelling, the worldbuilding is detailed, and fans of the genre will no doubt find much to enjoy here.
When the story starts, Bleak is on the run in the midst of post-civil-war chaos. He is soon captured and sucked back into the conflict, however, as both sides want to make use of his unique super-human abilities, even as they make it clear that they are, indeed, using him, and that many of them consider him to be a weapon, not a sentient being. Bleak's character development and the suspense of what will happen to him are well-handled. I'm not normally a huge fan of "hard" sci-fi, since I consider it kind of dry, and I had the same problem with this book, but the issues surrounding Bleak are compelling, the worldbuilding is detailed, and fans of the genre will no doubt find much to enjoy here.
May 30, 2016
Scifi was my first true love as a reader. I was the kind of girl who went to Star Trek conventions as a middle schooler. Somewhere along the way, I got kind of bored with straight up science fiction novels. With Bleak, Ian Martyn has brought me back into the fold. The character of Bleak is sympathetic and deadly in equal measure. This unhuman, of course, has the most humanity of any of the characters. The details of the world are arresting and vivid. The secondary characters are well-sketched. It is really a most enjoyable book, and Martyn has my wholehearted endorsement. This guy is the real deal.
September 8, 2016
Bleak: The story of a shapeshifter (Kindle Edition)
Ian Martyn is a truly serious and intelligent sci-fi author.
His central character, Bleak, a shape shifter is excellently characterised by his internalisations and outward machinations. he is a humanoid but aware of the nature of his own consciousness What fun to be a shape shifter, but not for Bleak. Mr Martyn has obviously rendered into his story a considerable amount of commendable research, which always gels well with me.
Apart from the odd passage I found it a compelling read and a well structured and thought out narrative that as I hoped, encompassed vast interstellar distances space and time.
Ian Martyn is a truly serious and intelligent sci-fi author.
His central character, Bleak, a shape shifter is excellently characterised by his internalisations and outward machinations. he is a humanoid but aware of the nature of his own consciousness What fun to be a shape shifter, but not for Bleak. Mr Martyn has obviously rendered into his story a considerable amount of commendable research, which always gels well with me.
Apart from the odd passage I found it a compelling read and a well structured and thought out narrative that as I hoped, encompassed vast interstellar distances space and time.
February 3, 2016
A well-written, thought-provoking, hardcore science fiction tale! Filled with world-building, interesting characters, and great atmosphere, I found myself instantly sucked into it. Through Bleak, explore the new landscape you'll find yourself drawn into. Be prepared to face hard questions about society.
I particularly enjoyed the sections where "Bleak" becomes self-aware and names himself. Well thought out and definitely worth a read.
I particularly enjoyed the sections where "Bleak" becomes self-aware and names himself. Well thought out and definitely worth a read.
December 17, 2015
A really engrossing book. I was completely hooked on watching the shapeshifter struggle with a continuous identity crisis against the backdrop of a dark twisting plot in a troubled galaxy. I would love to read more like this.
April 5, 2017
Bleak: The Story of a Shapeshifter, by Ian Martyn, is a brilliant, well-written science fiction novel. The protagonist, Bleak, is a created human with the ability to shapeshift into another person. But, more than that, Bleak also has the ability to upload a person’s memories and knowledge. Bleak, and a small number of other “manipulants” were created for covert military operations. It doesn’t take much to imagine what a huge advantage that gave their side over their opposition. However, with the end of the rebellion, the manipulants are no longer needed. Now they are being hunted and killed without mercy. Bleak is on the run after receiving a message from the professor that his life depended on his ability to get as far away as possible. Nevertheless, he is eventually captured, but not killed as he expects. Instead he is given a new assignment by Commissioner Pekrow to track down the only person who ever showed him any respect, the professor who created him. Due to Bleak’s programming with a Prime Directive, he cannot refuse.
The story is evenly paced with some plot twists and turns and surprises. It held my interest from the first page to the last. The intriguing plot is realistic, even though clearly science fiction. I had the feeling that with the right technology, these things could be possible. The characters were well-fleshed out, believable, and easy to care about. Overall, this book was a highly enjoyable read.
I recommend Bleak: The Story of a Shapeshifter, to all scifi fans and to anyone who loves a great story.
The story is evenly paced with some plot twists and turns and surprises. It held my interest from the first page to the last. The intriguing plot is realistic, even though clearly science fiction. I had the feeling that with the right technology, these things could be possible. The characters were well-fleshed out, believable, and easy to care about. Overall, this book was a highly enjoyable read.
I recommend Bleak: The Story of a Shapeshifter, to all scifi fans and to anyone who loves a great story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews