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Age of Abundance #3
Convergence: "The Time Weavers"
Come 2025, the Age of Abundance is well underway, earlier than anyone ever imagined possible. All basic human need has been eliminated. The poorest people on earth live like kings of old thanks to a universal basic income stipend taken from ten percent of earnings off of all technological breakthroughs that is shared with all of humanity equally. Such is the force of the intelligence explosion thanks to human upgrades, by way of mindchips and first generation nano nets, that the UBI stipend augments by leaps and bounds annually. 3D printers that can now print human replacement body parts, nootropics, and most anything we’d care to surround ourselves with have made their ways into most homes. But it’s no utopia. Far from it.
For it is also an era of convergence, where numerous technologies come together to form synergies no one can predict or control. Those who are adept at weaving these technological threads together are known as the Convergence Tech Wizards or CTWs. The power of their minds has been likened to that of black holes due to their ability to warp space and time, to yank inventions out of the far future that shouldn’t exist for a hundred or more years and pull them into the here and now. To others they are simply known as Time Weavers. They sabotage any notion of past, present, of future. No one can talk any longer of the pace of innovation simply accelerating. That would suggest progress in a stepwise fashion, even as the steps get smaller and closer together. What the Convergence Tech Wizards do is far scarier.
"The Time Weavers" opens with our chief detectives, Monica and Ethan. Monica is a Convergence Tech Wizard wannabe, but so far she hasn’t been able to pull off the necessary power of mind. Instead, she hunts them for a living; the ones that can’t be reined in, she kills. Her sidekick, Ethan, is of the minority of mortals still running around without any human upgrades at all. If he’s afraid of what Monica can do, he’s really afraid of what CTWs can do. So it doesn’t take much to convince him to go on her unholy mission. As time wears on they come to question their mission and their motivations for being on it. Who is the real danger, the ominous, mysterious forces pulling their strings, or the CTWs? Is it time to consider changing sides? If so, as things heat up between the rebel CTWs and corporate interests, who will win the war? And will anyone be left on the planet forever unchanged in the wake of their confrontation?
NOTE: THE NOVELS IN THE AGE OF ABUNDANCE SERIES ARE STAND-ALONE BOOKS THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER.
For it is also an era of convergence, where numerous technologies come together to form synergies no one can predict or control. Those who are adept at weaving these technological threads together are known as the Convergence Tech Wizards or CTWs. The power of their minds has been likened to that of black holes due to their ability to warp space and time, to yank inventions out of the far future that shouldn’t exist for a hundred or more years and pull them into the here and now. To others they are simply known as Time Weavers. They sabotage any notion of past, present, of future. No one can talk any longer of the pace of innovation simply accelerating. That would suggest progress in a stepwise fashion, even as the steps get smaller and closer together. What the Convergence Tech Wizards do is far scarier.
"The Time Weavers" opens with our chief detectives, Monica and Ethan. Monica is a Convergence Tech Wizard wannabe, but so far she hasn’t been able to pull off the necessary power of mind. Instead, she hunts them for a living; the ones that can’t be reined in, she kills. Her sidekick, Ethan, is of the minority of mortals still running around without any human upgrades at all. If he’s afraid of what Monica can do, he’s really afraid of what CTWs can do. So it doesn’t take much to convince him to go on her unholy mission. As time wears on they come to question their mission and their motivations for being on it. Who is the real danger, the ominous, mysterious forces pulling their strings, or the CTWs? Is it time to consider changing sides? If so, as things heat up between the rebel CTWs and corporate interests, who will win the war? And will anyone be left on the planet forever unchanged in the wake of their confrontation?
NOTE: THE NOVELS IN THE AGE OF ABUNDANCE SERIES ARE STAND-ALONE BOOKS THAT CAN BE READ IN ANY ORDER.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2016
About the author
Dean C. Moore
46 books642 followersWhile action-packed sci-fi/techno-thrillers set in the near future are my forte, I also stray into other genres from time to time, such as space operas, paranormal fantasy, and detective stories. All my novels can be described as action-thrillers, no matter the sub-genre.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 2, 2017
The way I look at smartphones and laptops has dramatically altered because of this book. Set just a few years in the future – 2025 – it’s a fast-paced, action-packed story about technology and artificial intelligence run amok. In a world where everyone gets paid regardless of whether they work, there are very few ordinary humans left. The world is populated with chip and nano-enhanced transhumans and humaniks – think super advanced robots. A corporation runs the earth. And people’s minds can be transmitted over the internet and new bodies printed with 3-D printers.
But super-connectivity through the world-wide web doesn’t seem to bring happiness. In fact, there’s a lot of violence with little apparent regard for human life. Quite a cautionary tale. The book is filled with fascinating philosophical discussions by interesting characters and plenty of humor.
When you have a toaster calling 911 as his owner angrily tosses appliances and furniture off the balcony because the toaster is a new model “with a complete robot rights upgrade,” you can’t help but laugh. And when the world-controlling corporation CEO (the Advanced Single-Minded Intelligence or ASI) finds his top lieutenant has committed suicide, and reacts by saying “Well, what was I thinking, that someone with morals and ethics could head up a corporation?” That makes me chuckle.
The description of how this weird, high-tech world develops actually doesn’t sound so far-fetched when you consider we present-day humans are already getting a variety of implants, and we’re so connected to our smartphones, social media and the internet, that many of us can’t live without all that.
Kudos to the author for his creativity and world-building. Although I don’t think we’ll be seeing this kind of human transformation by 2025, who knows about the future. National Geographic’s “Year Million” series is looking at such possible scenarios for a future that could see real-life transhumans and humaniks running the world. Yikes.
But super-connectivity through the world-wide web doesn’t seem to bring happiness. In fact, there’s a lot of violence with little apparent regard for human life. Quite a cautionary tale. The book is filled with fascinating philosophical discussions by interesting characters and plenty of humor.
When you have a toaster calling 911 as his owner angrily tosses appliances and furniture off the balcony because the toaster is a new model “with a complete robot rights upgrade,” you can’t help but laugh. And when the world-controlling corporation CEO (the Advanced Single-Minded Intelligence or ASI) finds his top lieutenant has committed suicide, and reacts by saying “Well, what was I thinking, that someone with morals and ethics could head up a corporation?” That makes me chuckle.
The description of how this weird, high-tech world develops actually doesn’t sound so far-fetched when you consider we present-day humans are already getting a variety of implants, and we’re so connected to our smartphones, social media and the internet, that many of us can’t live without all that.
Kudos to the author for his creativity and world-building. Although I don’t think we’ll be seeing this kind of human transformation by 2025, who knows about the future. National Geographic’s “Year Million” series is looking at such possible scenarios for a future that could see real-life transhumans and humaniks running the world. Yikes.
November 16, 2016
One of the best things about reading Indie Authors and reading them fairly indiscriminately, across many different genres, is that you expose yourself to ideas and concepts that you may never have considered before. Such was the case when I picked up Dean C Moore's Convergence: "The Time Weavers".
My immediate thought when I started reading it was something along the lines of; "sheesh sunshine, what have you let yourself in for here?" It quite literally seemed way over my head in its concepts and ideas for the future. I know, when I read Science Fiction, I do expect to be intellectually challenged, but with this book, I had the feeling I would fail the intellectual test. Undeterred, I plowed on, determined to learn something and I was glad I did.
Yes, this is a Science Fiction story, but it's more than that. It's a love story (of sorts) and it's also a philosophical treatise (of sorts). Despite my struggling with some of the technical aspects of Moore's future world and occasionally feeling like my head was going to explode, with new information, I really liked the laid-back, almost laconic style of writing and most importantly the relationships between the characters. Metaphorically, the idea of different "species" of human beings (upgraded, transhumans etc etc) and the problems they encounter has direct parallels with life in general.
Look, if you're a future freak or a hard-core science fiction reader, you will absolutely love this book, but if you're a simple reader like me, you will still enjoy it as well. I've had my mind somewhat expanded after reading Dean C Moore and I was entranced enough by this book to purchase the next one in the series. A review of that to follow, eventually. Hopefully, I will read the next book with a greater understanding of the amazing future world that Moore perceives.
This is a good read and well worth the solid four stars I'm giving it.
I am a prolific reader of indie authors and I do review every book I read, as well as making a series of awards at the end of each year (The Annual Grunter Awards). Please do pop on over to my website and check out the amazing selection of indie books at there, just begging for your approval. You can even get a free ebook of mine, just by joining my newsletter. I'll see you there. http://www.grantleishman.com/
My immediate thought when I started reading it was something along the lines of; "sheesh sunshine, what have you let yourself in for here?" It quite literally seemed way over my head in its concepts and ideas for the future. I know, when I read Science Fiction, I do expect to be intellectually challenged, but with this book, I had the feeling I would fail the intellectual test. Undeterred, I plowed on, determined to learn something and I was glad I did.
Yes, this is a Science Fiction story, but it's more than that. It's a love story (of sorts) and it's also a philosophical treatise (of sorts). Despite my struggling with some of the technical aspects of Moore's future world and occasionally feeling like my head was going to explode, with new information, I really liked the laid-back, almost laconic style of writing and most importantly the relationships between the characters. Metaphorically, the idea of different "species" of human beings (upgraded, transhumans etc etc) and the problems they encounter has direct parallels with life in general.
Look, if you're a future freak or a hard-core science fiction reader, you will absolutely love this book, but if you're a simple reader like me, you will still enjoy it as well. I've had my mind somewhat expanded after reading Dean C Moore and I was entranced enough by this book to purchase the next one in the series. A review of that to follow, eventually. Hopefully, I will read the next book with a greater understanding of the amazing future world that Moore perceives.
This is a good read and well worth the solid four stars I'm giving it.
I am a prolific reader of indie authors and I do review every book I read, as well as making a series of awards at the end of each year (The Annual Grunter Awards). Please do pop on over to my website and check out the amazing selection of indie books at there, just begging for your approval. You can even get a free ebook of mine, just by joining my newsletter. I'll see you there. http://www.grantleishman.com/
November 5, 2016
Another great installment!
The futuristic world created from the author continues in this intriguing, but rather dark tale. I personally thought this was an interesting take to the series.
The main characters, Monica and Ethan are partners who begin the story trying to solve a murder. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, more comes to light than a simple killing resulting in a desperation to hang on to humanity.
There's an overall mastermind and I couldn't help but think it parallels with our government in the fact they want control over everything, and in this fictitious story, the mastermind wants control over how trans humans behave. Or is he trying to destroy them along with the human race?
I recommend taking this journey the author created, especially if you're already a fan of this series. I guarantee you’ll enjoy this installment. The conclusion was a bit open-ended but overall it left me satisfied. I'm currently devouring this author's works since I've become such a fan.
The futuristic world created from the author continues in this intriguing, but rather dark tale. I personally thought this was an interesting take to the series.
The main characters, Monica and Ethan are partners who begin the story trying to solve a murder. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, more comes to light than a simple killing resulting in a desperation to hang on to humanity.
There's an overall mastermind and I couldn't help but think it parallels with our government in the fact they want control over everything, and in this fictitious story, the mastermind wants control over how trans humans behave. Or is he trying to destroy them along with the human race?
I recommend taking this journey the author created, especially if you're already a fan of this series. I guarantee you’ll enjoy this installment. The conclusion was a bit open-ended but overall it left me satisfied. I'm currently devouring this author's works since I've become such a fan.
October 30, 2022
‘Slim odds were still better than none’
How much AI is too much?
“No way the smart-glass reads your mind.’
‘No, actually the apartment AI does that.”
YIKES!!!
‘A nano mix to boost muscle, bone, & tendon strength, another to boost reflexes, and another self-healing package.
[It stays out of the higher brain centers, but it] has to be dialed into the medulla to do their thing. But if the system is hacked, I still have the mindchip to counterhack for me. Best we can do for now, until the neuro-cocktails get more impervious to hacking. Not sure I want to be an early adopter there.’
But since the police department AI can access the force’s mindchips, detectives and police officers don’t have to spend so much time writing reports. What a time saver!
Fave quote:
‘No one in my germ line gets over anything quickly; we’re rather proud of that. We never got over Hitler and we never stopped hunting the Nazis for war crimes. Takes all kinds.’
Still wanna read 'Time Bandits' as well as the next book in this series.
How much AI is too much?
“No way the smart-glass reads your mind.’
‘No, actually the apartment AI does that.”
YIKES!!!
‘A nano mix to boost muscle, bone, & tendon strength, another to boost reflexes, and another self-healing package.
[It stays out of the higher brain centers, but it] has to be dialed into the medulla to do their thing. But if the system is hacked, I still have the mindchip to counterhack for me. Best we can do for now, until the neuro-cocktails get more impervious to hacking. Not sure I want to be an early adopter there.’
But since the police department AI can access the force’s mindchips, detectives and police officers don’t have to spend so much time writing reports. What a time saver!
Fave quote:
‘No one in my germ line gets over anything quickly; we’re rather proud of that. We never got over Hitler and we never stopped hunting the Nazis for war crimes. Takes all kinds.’
Still wanna read 'Time Bandits' as well as the next book in this series.
October 16, 2022
Dean's books elicit so many questions about faith, philosophy, the limits of being human -- and what comes next for mankind.
Convergence is no exception:
- What is the effect of the entire population achieving a higher state?
- Are we capable as a society to adapt?
- And how do we exist in a world where the most advanced of our species become transhuman, then find themselves behind the next gen of this ongoing evolution? (insofar as you can call the path of technology today 'evolution' sees seismic shifts in the mind and body on a near-constant basis)
Like others, this is not an easy read, much of it because you just don't want to miss a bit. Then, everything gets you thinking.
Timely, appropriate for where we are with technology and efforts to further the human mind.
Convergence is no exception:
- What is the effect of the entire population achieving a higher state?
- Are we capable as a society to adapt?
- And how do we exist in a world where the most advanced of our species become transhuman, then find themselves behind the next gen of this ongoing evolution? (insofar as you can call the path of technology today 'evolution' sees seismic shifts in the mind and body on a near-constant basis)
Like others, this is not an easy read, much of it because you just don't want to miss a bit. Then, everything gets you thinking.
Timely, appropriate for where we are with technology and efforts to further the human mind.
October 7, 2022
An amazing look into the future. Definitely keeps you thinking about all of these things. Well written, superb characters as also. Intriguing.
November 13, 2022
Which would you prefer IA [intelligence augmentation] or AI [artificial intelligence] seems a pretty brutal choice, especially for those whose natural ability gives them a high IQ. Add the Convergence Tech Wizard to the mix and what have you got, organized chaos. Love it. This is somewhat different to any other Sci-Fi novel I have ever read. It is engaging in an intriguing and entertaining way. Well recommended.
January 5, 2017
What does it mean to be human?
The Time Weavers is a prophetic warning of how the human race's greed for faster-better-more, and its lack of tolerance is shaping the future.
Despite my tendency to get lost amid the intricacies of the story's advanced technologies, Mr Moore writes with such confidence, skill, and humour that I was able to keep reading and enjoy where he led. His characters are complex and interesting, and I was able to connect and relate to them; especially Ethan and his constant ability to offend technology.
If you're into a futuristic sci-fi with an intriguing, sometimes dark, plot with plenty of mind-blowing technological advancements, then this book, and series, is for you. :)
The Time Weavers is a prophetic warning of how the human race's greed for faster-better-more, and its lack of tolerance is shaping the future.
Despite my tendency to get lost amid the intricacies of the story's advanced technologies, Mr Moore writes with such confidence, skill, and humour that I was able to keep reading and enjoy where he led. His characters are complex and interesting, and I was able to connect and relate to them; especially Ethan and his constant ability to offend technology.
If you're into a futuristic sci-fi with an intriguing, sometimes dark, plot with plenty of mind-blowing technological advancements, then this book, and series, is for you. :)
November 24, 2016
As always, Dean C Moore's books leave me feeling satisfied. This one, the third in the Age of Abundance Series, is filled with complex characters and plots, which at times left me scratching my head, as they were a little over my head.
I am not scientific-minded, although I do love science fiction. This is a monster of a book where one shouldn't take ones eyes off the ball for a moment. It was difficult to keep up with the technology in certain parts, but I was so engrossed in the story and concept that my lack of complete understanding didn't seem to matter.
Again another 5 star read for me.
I am not scientific-minded, although I do love science fiction. This is a monster of a book where one shouldn't take ones eyes off the ball for a moment. It was difficult to keep up with the technology in certain parts, but I was so engrossed in the story and concept that my lack of complete understanding didn't seem to matter.
Again another 5 star read for me.
April 30, 2017
I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review.
I struggled to grasp this book initially and I got the gist 40% in then it clicked.
I imagine Monica and Ethan as hunting down rogue CTWs like Blade Runner, they try and stop things turning apocalyptic and reign in the situation as linked with the growing technology and people's desire to make the world better without destroying most of the world too.
The characters are great I enjoyed the by play between each set that was given. He shows that some people feed off each other to help keep each other grounded.
Some of the futuristic information provided was too much for me and I did skip over certain paragraphs but I understood the reasoning behind it.
If you enjoy futuristic crime thrillers with comedy you'll enjoy this.
I struggled to grasp this book initially and I got the gist 40% in then it clicked.
I imagine Monica and Ethan as hunting down rogue CTWs like Blade Runner, they try and stop things turning apocalyptic and reign in the situation as linked with the growing technology and people's desire to make the world better without destroying most of the world too.
The characters are great I enjoyed the by play between each set that was given. He shows that some people feed off each other to help keep each other grounded.
Some of the futuristic information provided was too much for me and I did skip over certain paragraphs but I understood the reasoning behind it.
If you enjoy futuristic crime thrillers with comedy you'll enjoy this.
July 3, 2017
An engaging story that pulled me in and kept me there until the end. Despite its massive size, for me, it was a non stop read. If you like fiction that is based on REAL science whether it be theoretical or existing then this Author delivers. Weaving into his tale the science with a what-if premise he takes you on a journey through a parallel universe where what is only theory here is fact there and then he runs with it.
Be forewarned though he does not write a tale and then leave you in the lurch at a high point to get you to buy the next book in the series. He takes you on a ride all the way through. He does leave you feeling satisfied with your time spent yet there is an opening for the next book in the series. You will not find a better bargain for your money if you like science based fiction.
Be forewarned though he does not write a tale and then leave you in the lurch at a high point to get you to buy the next book in the series. He takes you on a ride all the way through. He does leave you feeling satisfied with your time spent yet there is an opening for the next book in the series. You will not find a better bargain for your money if you like science based fiction.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews