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2084
The year is 2084, and the spying eyes of Big Brother are nowhere to be found. Orwell’s dystopia has been stalled - so far. The world wears Lenses, computerized glass contacts manufactured by a corporation called Newsight. The technology is regulated by the Senate, so no one worries about breaches in privacy. A teenage boy named Vincent, however, feels quite differently. After his Senator father tells him that Newsight has been pushing for an appeal on the data regulations, Vincent begins to dig deeper. He learns that Newsight’s CEO claims to want to use the data in his fight against the Order, a terrorist organization whose attacks have recently been mounting in frequency, but the man’s true motives aren’t so clear - until Vincent meets a girl from school whose father is a Newsight developer. There is a trail of bread crumbs in the software’s code. Newsight has a closer relationship to the Order than anyone may have guessed, and the Lenses have been doing more than just running simulations. Caught in the middle of a world blinded by progress, Vincent finally discover the truth. But it might already be too late. “2084” casts a technocentric world into an Orwellian shadow. Told in close but unique parallel to “1984”, Vincent’s ever-quickening journey to the world’s new dystopia has left readers wanting more. Reviews “Honestly I didn't enjoy 1984 and don't usually like Sci-Fi/Post-Apocalyptic stories, so when my friends told me I had to check it out, I was more than hesitant. Surprisingly, after the first few pages, I couldn't put it down. It made my commute to/from work fly by. If 1984 had been this engaging, I would have paid more attention in high school. Perfect short read for book clubs on the go. One I WANT MORE.” “Engel is able to create vividly detailed environments without slowing the pace his story. Definitely a good quick read that makes me want to see more by him.”
74 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2017
96 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Mason Engel
5 books63 followersHi there, my name's Mason. Here are the starters about me:
-I'm 24 years old
-I'm a Purdue graduate with a major in math (so writing, right?)
-I love playing sports (soccer and basketball especially)
-I run a website to help high school seniors apply for financial aid (OneSpotAid.org)
I love stories. They can give an escape. They can give hope. They can give perspective, laughter, joy, inspiration. All they need is to be told well. That is my mission, and since the age of 17, I have written thousands of pages trying to figure out how to accomplish it. Now, seven years later, I am ready for my stories to be heard.
No matter what I set out to write, the end product always seems to tie into one of two themes: the omnipresence of technology, or our perception of reality. Yeah, I know, sounds philosophical, and at its core, it is. On the page though, in the prose of the plot itself, philosophy takes backseat to story. In every novel I have worked on - including the ones of the present - my first and foremost goal is to entertain YOU, to provide you an escape from the real world and, when you're ready, some inspiration to return to it.
-I'm 24 years old
-I'm a Purdue graduate with a major in math (so writing, right?)
-I love playing sports (soccer and basketball especially)
-I run a website to help high school seniors apply for financial aid (OneSpotAid.org)
I love stories. They can give an escape. They can give hope. They can give perspective, laughter, joy, inspiration. All they need is to be told well. That is my mission, and since the age of 17, I have written thousands of pages trying to figure out how to accomplish it. Now, seven years later, I am ready for my stories to be heard.
No matter what I set out to write, the end product always seems to tie into one of two themes: the omnipresence of technology, or our perception of reality. Yeah, I know, sounds philosophical, and at its core, it is. On the page though, in the prose of the plot itself, philosophy takes backseat to story. In every novel I have worked on - including the ones of the present - my first and foremost goal is to entertain YOU, to provide you an escape from the real world and, when you're ready, some inspiration to return to it.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 18, 2017
It was short. I would have liked to have read a whole novel, this was just a teaser. I did like the concept but i felt that it needed a little more.
March 13, 2017
This was a great short read! In a time where major companies are introducing contact lenses that can do more than correct vision this story rings so true. I could see it being turned into a full novel and Mr. Engel offers you the chance at an alternate ending that opens that door.
March 14, 2017
The story is excellent, the characters are driven, everything about this screams out it would be an excellent read. And then it ends. And even in the description of the book it states this isn't a cliffhanger, but it is. It just ends.
But then you find a link where the author says, "but wait, there's more!" and you start to read the 5th chapter and you're like ok, this is where it gets gritty and we're going to find out what happens to these kids. And then it ends. It just ends on a bigger cliffhanger.
And you read a little note from the author that states "If you leave a review on Amazon saying this is amazing, maybe I'll finish the story!"
And that, my friends, it why this is a one star rating. The story is excellent, the author is a prick.
But then you find a link where the author says, "but wait, there's more!" and you start to read the 5th chapter and you're like ok, this is where it gets gritty and we're going to find out what happens to these kids. And then it ends. It just ends on a bigger cliffhanger.
And you read a little note from the author that states "If you leave a review on Amazon saying this is amazing, maybe I'll finish the story!"
And that, my friends, it why this is a one star rating. The story is excellent, the author is a prick.
March 17, 2017
I want more!!! Give a second short story, someone else's viewpoint!
March 13, 2017
DNF on a short story. Nothing to see here. Move along.
March 28, 2017
Man what a short read but it sure packed a punch in those tiny chapters!!!
I really can't wait to read the full story! Definitely enjoyed it!
I really can't wait to read the full story! Definitely enjoyed it!
July 21, 2018
I read this a while ago and only just remembered to add it to GR... Though the story itself was enjoyable enough, my main recommendation would be "skip the short story and go straight for the novel."
If you don't (unless you choose not to read further), you end up reading the short story, followed by an alternate ending, followed by the whole novel (because you might as well by that point). After all that, it's not so short any more ;)
If you don't (unless you choose not to read further), you end up reading the short story, followed by an alternate ending, followed by the whole novel (because you might as well by that point). After all that, it's not so short any more ;)
March 14, 2017
I'm very impressed by what seems to be the only available work from this author (has anyone found more? Maybe on WattPad?). The short tale puts an exciting, modern spin on 1984 and left me wanting a full book, not just 80 some pages. I hope Engel keeps going with the story and has more to read soon! Recommend for a short trip or free afternoon.
May 4, 2017
Very disappointing.
June 24, 2017
Great setting, well written. However, it's way too short.
March 19, 2017
Unfinished
This story is too unfinished. It is more like chapter 1 of a book. One thing that annoys me is unfinished, dangling stories.
This story is too unfinished. It is more like chapter 1 of a book. One thing that annoys me is unfinished, dangling stories.
March 4, 2017
Were the 5 star reviews written by friends or classmates of the author?
This short story read more like the first few chapters of a longer story, and Mr Engels states it is not a cliffhanger - I have to wonder if he is familiar with the meaning of the word. And while it is a good concept for a book, right now it is rather disjointed and vague. I hope Mr Engels sticks with writing and gains experience, I see good things ahead.
This short story read more like the first few chapters of a longer story, and Mr Engels states it is not a cliffhanger - I have to wonder if he is familiar with the meaning of the word. And while it is a good concept for a book, right now it is rather disjointed and vague. I hope Mr Engels sticks with writing and gains experience, I see good things ahead.
November 13, 2018
3 & 1 stars
I am giving it a 3 based more in it's potential and what the author's writing. Compeling initial world building in dystopian society. I specially was interested in the protagonist's parants behavior and would have lived to see that developed.
But as publushed the story only merits a 1 star as I can not see this as more than a truncated short story. How the author calls this a novel is beyond me
I am giving it a 3 based more in it's potential and what the author's writing. Compeling initial world building in dystopian society. I specially was interested in the protagonist's parants behavior and would have lived to see that developed.
But as publushed the story only merits a 1 star as I can not see this as more than a truncated short story. How the author calls this a novel is beyond me
June 27, 2017
loved it with the alternative ending! :)
March 27, 2017
Enjoyable debut.
I would read the full novel, if he writes it! the story has a nice classic feel and enjoyable protagonists.
I would read the full novel, if he writes it! the story has a nice classic feel and enjoyable protagonists.
March 29, 2017
This "book" ends very suddenly after only just having set up the entire premise of the book. It reads like a teaser or intro to a longer book with none of the fulfillment of a proper story. The characters are unimpressive and underdeveloped. The ideas are lacking. If the lenses can practically control minds then why also bomb a school to force the people controlled to make a decision? If the lenses are constantly monitored and can never be taken off then obviously the two children can be nothing more than spies on behalf of government as they try to figure out who they can go to to remove the lenses.
May 9, 2017
Amazing.
I loved 1984. I started this thinking it'd be similar, and, in some ways, it was. The slight variation on who the main character is in the story helps build a similar but new and interesting story. I hope this can become a full novel (with the alternative ending!
I loved 1984. I started this thinking it'd be similar, and, in some ways, it was. The slight variation on who the main character is in the story helps build a similar but new and interesting story. I hope this can become a full novel (with the alternative ending!
April 4, 2017
I enjoyed this short story and also downloaded the alternate ending, but it's too short. I'm looking forward to the complete novel and hopefully many more from this young and talented author. So please finish the book, Mr. Engel!
April 5, 2017
Not thrilled
I was confused from the start, couldn't make sense of what was happening. Even a futuristic, dystopian theme needs a bit more exposition, I guess. But to leave the reader hanging like that at the "end"? I am not going to go through the various contortions suggested to see an alternate ending. At least it was not very long, was close to giving up...and I rarely give up on a book. I suppose there's an appeal for some, but I'm not one of them.
I was confused from the start, couldn't make sense of what was happening. Even a futuristic, dystopian theme needs a bit more exposition, I guess. But to leave the reader hanging like that at the "end"? I am not going to go through the various contortions suggested to see an alternate ending. At least it was not very long, was close to giving up...and I rarely give up on a book. I suppose there's an appeal for some, but I'm not one of them.
April 8, 2017
A very interesting futuristic story.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews