What do you think?
Rate this book
The Synth Crisis #1
The Judas Cypher
In a war between man and machine, he must find a way to protect them all...
After a devastating war forced humans to rely on synths for survival, the two have learned to coexist peacefully.
Until now....
When detective Dhata Mays is called in to investigate a homicide, what he uncovers threatens the serenity of this futuristic society. The gruesome murder means only one thing: someone is ready to incite another war. Now, it's up to Dhata to ensure that the truth stays hidden—to protect both sides of the battle. But can he be unbiased in a black and white world that forces him to take sides?
After a devastating war forced humans to rely on synths for survival, the two have learned to coexist peacefully.
Until now....
When detective Dhata Mays is called in to investigate a homicide, what he uncovers threatens the serenity of this futuristic society. The gruesome murder means only one thing: someone is ready to incite another war. Now, it's up to Dhata to ensure that the truth stays hidden—to protect both sides of the battle. But can he be unbiased in a black and white world that forces him to take sides?
ebook
First published March 23, 2017
80 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Greg Dragon
57 books233 followersGreg Dragon brings a fresh perspective to fiction by telling human stories of life, love and relationships in a science fiction setting. This unconventional author spins his celestial scenes from an imagination nurtured from being an avid reader himself. His exposure to multiple cultures, multiple religions, martial arts, and travel lends a unique dynamic to his stories. You can enjoy excerpts from his work by visiting his website at https://gregdragon.com.
Join Greg's mailing list for free stories/books & new releases: http://gregwrites.co
Facebook: http://facebook.com/anstractor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hobdragon
Join Greg's mailing list for free stories/books & new releases: http://gregwrites.co
Facebook: http://facebook.com/anstractor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hobdragon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 17, 2018
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
This reminded me so much of Blade Runner. It's NOT a copy of that though and tells its own unique story. The story is very well written and structured. The sophistication is worth appreciating. The main character of Dhata Mays is also well written. He's multi-layered and makes you connect with him; making you invested in the story. The story moves at a comfortable pace and is easy to follow. It was thoroughly entertaining. I will surely love to read more from the author.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Tucker McDougall was extremely well done. The world was brought to life and everything was believable.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
This reminded me so much of Blade Runner. It's NOT a copy of that though and tells its own unique story. The story is very well written and structured. The sophistication is worth appreciating. The main character of Dhata Mays is also well written. He's multi-layered and makes you connect with him; making you invested in the story. The story moves at a comfortable pace and is easy to follow. It was thoroughly entertaining. I will surely love to read more from the author.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Tucker McDougall was extremely well done. The world was brought to life and everything was believable.
August 13, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"It always rains it this d***ed city."
Tampa, and the Synths are almost indistinguishable from humans. But that doesn't stop people from hating them. And killing them. Dhata Mays and his friend, Jason, are trying to keep the uneasy peace: Jason in the police force and Dhata working for him as a PI. They both know that it would take just one major incident and the whole city could blow apart.
Then a body is found, it's backbone removed, clean, almost surgical, the work of a professional. It's happened before, Synth body parts harvested to be sold for use used in upgrades. But this time the victim isn't a synth. Now why would anyone want the backbone of an human judge?
The second in the Dhata Mays stories, Greg Dragon's sad and seedy vision of a post apocalyptic future is cleverly crafted to world build distinct images in the mind. Dhata himself is well characterised, less so the other protagonists but still sufficient to make them remarkable personalities. I would say 'colourful', but the overall lingering perception is grey, despite some towering glass buildings. Narrator Tucker McDougall again gives a good performance, his slightly lagubrious tone loping through the story capturing Dhata's personality. His pacing is good as is his voicings of the other protagonists, distinct and appropriate.
My thanks to the rights holder of The Judas Cypher who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Although the second in the series, this book is entirely stand alone, it's complex mystery more intriguing and involving than the first. Fast paced, it frequently demands an emotional response from the reader of shock and outrage and occasional sadness. An altogether satisfying story. Recommended for all S.F. fans of action packed, futuristic thrillers.
"It always rains it this d***ed city."
Tampa, and the Synths are almost indistinguishable from humans. But that doesn't stop people from hating them. And killing them. Dhata Mays and his friend, Jason, are trying to keep the uneasy peace: Jason in the police force and Dhata working for him as a PI. They both know that it would take just one major incident and the whole city could blow apart.
Then a body is found, it's backbone removed, clean, almost surgical, the work of a professional. It's happened before, Synth body parts harvested to be sold for use used in upgrades. But this time the victim isn't a synth. Now why would anyone want the backbone of an human judge?
The second in the Dhata Mays stories, Greg Dragon's sad and seedy vision of a post apocalyptic future is cleverly crafted to world build distinct images in the mind. Dhata himself is well characterised, less so the other protagonists but still sufficient to make them remarkable personalities. I would say 'colourful', but the overall lingering perception is grey, despite some towering glass buildings. Narrator Tucker McDougall again gives a good performance, his slightly lagubrious tone loping through the story capturing Dhata's personality. His pacing is good as is his voicings of the other protagonists, distinct and appropriate.
My thanks to the rights holder of The Judas Cypher who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Although the second in the series, this book is entirely stand alone, it's complex mystery more intriguing and involving than the first. Fast paced, it frequently demands an emotional response from the reader of shock and outrage and occasional sadness. An altogether satisfying story. Recommended for all S.F. fans of action packed, futuristic thrillers.
April 8, 2023
The dystopic setting is interesting, and the plot isn't bad, although the stealing of spines seems gratuitous for what the motive turns out to be. The main character is big, tough, and competent, a wish-fulfillment hard-boiled detective with a lot of feelings, which is a nice touch. The problem is the writing, at the level of sentence structure and word choice. It’s all grammatical and comprehensible, but awkward in a way that regularly shoves the reader out of the story.
Take this example, when the main character is boarding an intercontinental flight and gets a call from a romantic interest:
He said you would want to hear my voice,” she said. “Is it working?”
“Is what working?”
“You hearing my voice. Is it making you better?”
“You play too much,” he said, smiling despite himself.
“You like the way I play. It drives you crazy.”
“Is that why you called, to drive me crazy?”
They continued this discourse until the shuttle took off, then Dhata hung up with her to enjoy the ride.
The dialogue is plausible (if insipid), but the word the author means is ‘banter’, not ‘discourse’, and writing ‘they continued … until the shuttle took off’ destroys the feel of the scene as the reader goes from hearing it to being told about it. There’s nothing specifically incorrect about how it’s written, except it doesn’t work. It’s a recurring issue throughout the book.
Take this example, when the main character is boarding an intercontinental flight and gets a call from a romantic interest:
He said you would want to hear my voice,” she said. “Is it working?”
“Is what working?”
“You hearing my voice. Is it making you better?”
“You play too much,” he said, smiling despite himself.
“You like the way I play. It drives you crazy.”
“Is that why you called, to drive me crazy?”
They continued this discourse until the shuttle took off, then Dhata hung up with her to enjoy the ride.
The dialogue is plausible (if insipid), but the word the author means is ‘banter’, not ‘discourse’, and writing ‘they continued … until the shuttle took off’ destroys the feel of the scene as the reader goes from hearing it to being told about it. There’s nothing specifically incorrect about how it’s written, except it doesn’t work. It’s a recurring issue throughout the book.
August 1, 2017
The description of the book immediately drew me in but sadly, this just was not the book for me. Don't get me wrong, the author did a wonderful job with creating both a realistic and interesting futuristic world. His writing is very good. However, for me, the characters were lacking and I just could not find myself being drawn into to the story enough to care about them. If I don't care about the characters, I am not going to enjoy the book.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2018
Strange but exciting
Greg Dragon has come up with a view of the future and it is frightening. Humans are having to learn to live side by side with Synths.......cyborg robots which are quite advanced. They appear human. With this background Greg Dragon goes on to weave an exciting thriller. A murder mystery in which the hero a former cop (john) has to work with both sides to solve the murders and spine taking while along the way he gains partners Lurita a human and Hiro a cyber synth. A new type of genre to enjoy reading
Greg Dragon has come up with a view of the future and it is frightening. Humans are having to learn to live side by side with Synths.......cyborg robots which are quite advanced. They appear human. With this background Greg Dragon goes on to weave an exciting thriller. A murder mystery in which the hero a former cop (john) has to work with both sides to solve the murders and spine taking while along the way he gains partners Lurita a human and Hiro a cyber synth. A new type of genre to enjoy reading
August 30, 2018
The first in the series (well, Book "0"), Dhata Mays, was incredible, and I was majorly pumped when starting this one, the next book in The Synch Crisis series. He works his magic yet again, working the Synths, but soon things get dangerous, and personal. Dhata Mays is AWESOME, I've so enjoyed listening to these books! Action, intrigue, danger, great book and great narration. Love it!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 7, 2021
Chilling
The atmosphere of this story reminds me of 'Bladerunner' and 'Runaway'. A dark crowded city with too much crime and few who uphold the law. But Dhata Mays is no Tom Selleck or Harrison Ford. He is someone who sympathizes with the synths. He is determined and deadly as he hunts for the man who is cutting out people's spines. This book is chilling but not as far fetched as you might want to believe.
The atmosphere of this story reminds me of 'Bladerunner' and 'Runaway'. A dark crowded city with too much crime and few who uphold the law. But Dhata Mays is no Tom Selleck or Harrison Ford. He is someone who sympathizes with the synths. He is determined and deadly as he hunts for the man who is cutting out people's spines. This book is chilling but not as far fetched as you might want to believe.
September 14, 2018
The Judas Cypher (the Synth Crisis Book 1) is my first read/listen from author Greg Dragon. An enjoying & entertaining blend of the mystery & science fiction genres. Narrator Tucker McDougall adds greatly to the listening enjoyment. I’ll definitely be reading more from Greg Dragon; in fact Dhata Mays (the Synth Crisis Book 0) is my next read!
September 24, 2020
The judas cypher by Greg Dragon.
This is book 1 of the sythn crisis series.
A good read. Good story but a little slow. It kept on with Dhata too much. I liked Jason more than Dhata. I liked how he was with the bloodbath. He looked after Dhata. I did find this slow but I did read it. Just took me a while. 3*.
This is book 1 of the sythn crisis series.
A good read. Good story but a little slow. It kept on with Dhata too much. I liked Jason more than Dhata. I liked how he was with the bloodbath. He looked after Dhata. I did find this slow but I did read it. Just took me a while. 3*.
June 4, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This just was not for me.
I found the characters bland and the story line so very slow.
It really was a struggle for me to finish.
This just was not for me.
I found the characters bland and the story line so very slow.
It really was a struggle for me to finish.
June 13, 2017
What a cool book! Contrast today's racial conflicts with this book's conflicts between synths and humans. Interesting read. I enjoyed the relationships between Jason and Dhaka and Dhata and Lur. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Fine writing.
March 13, 2022
That's Greg Dragon's picture on the cover.
Noir or dystopia? A nuclear, chemical and biological war is fought and won against Russia. Synthetic humans are created to rebuild a shattered Earth. Humans behave poorly to the new world.
Noir or dystopia? A nuclear, chemical and biological war is fought and won against Russia. Synthetic humans are created to rebuild a shattered Earth. Humans behave poorly to the new world.
Read
September 8, 2025Ugh. So, I'm admittedly new to the sci fi genre. But this is the second sci fi book in a row I read where the women are almost exclusively sexual objects - think slaves and prostitutes. Surely there's more to write about than that...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2017
Could this be our future?
Well written detective story exposing the dark side of life. It puts artificial intelligence in a whole new light. I enjoyed it.
Well written detective story exposing the dark side of life. It puts artificial intelligence in a whole new light. I enjoyed it.
October 16, 2018
Interesting Story! Great characters in an interesting world. Lots of action as the investigation progresses and twists its way to the surprising conclusion. Very enjoyable!
December 2, 2018
This was a great book!I enjoyed every minute of it! Tucker McDougall was the perfect narator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
April 25, 2020
Action packed throwback to the old hard-boiled crime novels but set in the later part of this century. A little crime, a little dystopian, a lot thrilling. Yay!
April 7, 2021
Such a great detective story set in a future world.
Love the main character and the world built around him.
Where's the next book?
Love the main character and the world built around him.
Where's the next book?
August 31, 2021
This is awful. It is childish and poorly written. There were typographic and formatting errors throughout. The teaser blurb was better than the book itself.
April 26, 2022
Entertaining
I enjoyed this first in series novel about synthetic people and humans trying to live and get along together. I recommend this book.
I enjoyed this first in series novel about synthetic people and humans trying to live and get along together. I recommend this book.
March 8, 2017
I have yet to read a book by Greg Dragon that I haven’t liked. From his space opera to his futuristic world of androids and self-drive cars, you can’t go wrong with Greg Dragon. I know that The Judas Cypher, Single Wired Female and Re-Wired aren’t all part of the same universe, they sure feel like they could be. I’m not sure if the author intended to write a story that parallels with today’s societal trend of divisiveness, but it’s definitely there contained with a science fiction mystery. Rich versus poor. Immigrant versus native. Synthetic versus flesh and bone. Like today’s society, people have drawn a line in the sand, based on seemingly arbitrary characteristics and fear. And that’s one of the greatest things about Science Fiction: We can tackle complex social issues and we can leave our preconceived notions away since we don’t specifically identify with the characters. No preaching. No politicking. Just good sci-fi. The Judas Cypher is easily a five-star read.
September 18, 2018
I fully enjoyed this audiobook.
Greg Dragon writing style is amazing, it’s simplicity to understand every word is great, it’s a combination of a great story without mind bugling hard to understand words or sentences !
Everything you want in a good book
ENJOYMENT.
Tucker McDougall perfect performance have done the rest with his excellent narration.
I full heartedly recommend this audiobook to all !!!
Even so that I got this audiobook book for free I truly believe that my review was an honest one.
Greg Dragon writing style is amazing, it’s simplicity to understand every word is great, it’s a combination of a great story without mind bugling hard to understand words or sentences !
Everything you want in a good book
ENJOYMENT.
Tucker McDougall perfect performance have done the rest with his excellent narration.
I full heartedly recommend this audiobook to all !!!
Even so that I got this audiobook book for free I truly believe that my review was an honest one.
July 14, 2017
A well crafted, very enjoyable read.
An interesting mix of detective noir and scifi that results in a gritty, tense and riveting read.
An interesting world creation with the synthetic humans, gangsters and the main character, skip tracer and synth advocate, Dhata Mays.
Dragon has managed to create a sympathetic group in the synths, who are just as flawed as the humans that wish to keep them under control.
Rather liked Dhata Mays, a flawed but likeable man. Really doesn't seem to think things through on occasion and thus puts himself into some dangerous situations, that he then mostly manages to wriggle out of. I did want to shake him on occasion though.
Enough future tech depicted to make things interesting.
Hmm, now I'm going to scour my kindle library and find all the other Greg Dragon books hiding there and read them!!
An interesting mix of detective noir and scifi that results in a gritty, tense and riveting read.
An interesting world creation with the synthetic humans, gangsters and the main character, skip tracer and synth advocate, Dhata Mays.
Dragon has managed to create a sympathetic group in the synths, who are just as flawed as the humans that wish to keep them under control.
Rather liked Dhata Mays, a flawed but likeable man. Really doesn't seem to think things through on occasion and thus puts himself into some dangerous situations, that he then mostly manages to wriggle out of. I did want to shake him on occasion though.
Enough future tech depicted to make things interesting.
Hmm, now I'm going to scour my kindle library and find all the other Greg Dragon books hiding there and read them!!
March 26, 2017
*I would liket o thank Netgallery for this ARC for my honest and unbiased review*
When a planet becomes polluted through the actions of humans, how do you clean it to make it more habitable ?
The solution was to create and build synthetics humans ( synths ), or androids, who look and act like human beings.
When they have done their job, what then happens to them ?
They become recognised but have no rights. They are employed as waitresses, babysitters, maids, taxi drivers, jobs that do not require a high level of skill. They are worked long hours for little pay. Not everyone likes them or accepts them, but there are some that are sympathetic.
Dhata Mays is a bounty hunter and private investigator in the employ of active police officer Jason Dale. When a body is dicovered Jason calls on ex policeman Dhata to help him with the case. They initially think it is the body of a syth, but when it is discovered that it is a human, and a judge with it's spine removed things take a turn for the worse.
The trail of the killer leads to the underworld of gangs, criminal bosses and power mad individuals. It will need the help of both human and synthetic to discover why a spine would be removed with surgical precision.
In a futuristic world where people have ICL's (Internal Contact Lens) implanted in their eyes to access internet and personal computers, cybernetic enhancements and body parts are the norm, the power struggles are the same ones that have always been around. It is just now the struggles are between Human and Synthetic.
Given the subject matter, it would be easy to think that this would be a very technological reliant story. But it isn't, is does have a few terms, but none that leave you in confusion, and a glossary at the end to recap is handy. It has a good solid plot and an all round good murder / thriller. I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
When a planet becomes polluted through the actions of humans, how do you clean it to make it more habitable ?
The solution was to create and build synthetics humans ( synths ), or androids, who look and act like human beings.
When they have done their job, what then happens to them ?
They become recognised but have no rights. They are employed as waitresses, babysitters, maids, taxi drivers, jobs that do not require a high level of skill. They are worked long hours for little pay. Not everyone likes them or accepts them, but there are some that are sympathetic.
Dhata Mays is a bounty hunter and private investigator in the employ of active police officer Jason Dale. When a body is dicovered Jason calls on ex policeman Dhata to help him with the case. They initially think it is the body of a syth, but when it is discovered that it is a human, and a judge with it's spine removed things take a turn for the worse.
The trail of the killer leads to the underworld of gangs, criminal bosses and power mad individuals. It will need the help of both human and synthetic to discover why a spine would be removed with surgical precision.
In a futuristic world where people have ICL's (Internal Contact Lens) implanted in their eyes to access internet and personal computers, cybernetic enhancements and body parts are the norm, the power struggles are the same ones that have always been around. It is just now the struggles are between Human and Synthetic.
Given the subject matter, it would be easy to think that this would be a very technological reliant story. But it isn't, is does have a few terms, but none that leave you in confusion, and a glossary at the end to recap is handy. It has a good solid plot and an all round good murder / thriller. I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
April 14, 2017
Not kindle unlimited, one of my got it free yeah as much as I read even ku doesn't cover enough at times, but let's see the usual blah blah nothing for doing this just like telling everyone else what I think about certain books. This, for me, was a can't pick up book...the mail service didn't deliver my ARC along with possibly some others, but here I am, finally Glanced at the reviews, usually don't bother, but noticed a 3 star that said good escape lit, right after complaining about it being AI so things made up as the story went; well, doubtful they did much 'research' when writing about the death star or about space taxis when writing 5th Element, so is someone looking for 'realism' in a futuristic setting...think about that...or are they actually wanting, as they, said good escapism. Wonder what reviewers such as that rate any of the LOTR, Potter, and other such books.... .
Read
November 25, 2018The fact that, in this book, people have advanced technologically as far as they have and yet have as little emotion as they do is disappointing and leaves me with little hope for the future.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews