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The Nero Protocol
Ario six-four-nine-one is an obsolete synth gigolo—especially when his latest trick proves to be his last in a brutal and horrifying way. But he's only a synth, it's not like he can really think and feel. No one will notice one more out of date synth tossed in the garbage.
Except for Elias, homeless and lonely because he's not what his father—or the world—wants him to be, haunted by a tragedy for which he cannot forgive himself. When he finds a battered, broken, long-discontinued synth in a dumpster, he decides to repair the poor thing despite all the reasons he shouldn't.
Then all those reasons come crashing down, and in order to save each other from a world that doesn't want either of them, Elias and Ario will have to sacrifice everything they hold dear: freedom, safety, and even themselves.
Warning: contains graphic depictions of violence and sexual violence.
♦ 46,000 words.
Except for Elias, homeless and lonely because he's not what his father—or the world—wants him to be, haunted by a tragedy for which he cannot forgive himself. When he finds a battered, broken, long-discontinued synth in a dumpster, he decides to repair the poor thing despite all the reasons he shouldn't.
Then all those reasons come crashing down, and in order to save each other from a world that doesn't want either of them, Elias and Ario will have to sacrifice everything they hold dear: freedom, safety, and even themselves.
Warning: contains graphic depictions of violence and sexual violence.
♦ 46,000 words.
ebook
First published June 5, 2017
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Zagar
37 books40 followersThis author account is largely defunct as I have transitioned gender and no longer wish to keep this name. Some titles may remain under this name, but this profile will not be updated and no new titles will be released under this name.
In addition, the website Infinite Love has closed.
See Reis Asher for my new titles.
In addition, the website Infinite Love has closed.
See Reis Asher for my new titles.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 19, 2023
"I want to prove to everyone out there that we're capable of living ordinary, fulfilling lives," Elias said. "That's the greatest revolution of all: defying those who say we can't."
jesus actual CHRIST this book, everyone.
WHY in the FUCK does this book have THREE (3) RATINGS when it should have THIRTY THREE MILLION RATINGS and they should ALL BE FIVE STARS??!??!
reis asher has managed to write a far more philosophical, timely and intelligent dystopian in 46,000 words than most authors do in giant sagas. it was so clever, so complex, and so developed - in 46,000 words??? how did he DO that???
for the love of all that is good and just in this world, please read this. i am mortally offended at the three (THREE!!!) ratings that this currently has. i only wish i had a physical copy so i could throw i at people's faces and tell them to read it.
jesus actual CHRIST this book, everyone.
WHY in the FUCK does this book have THREE (3) RATINGS when it should have THIRTY THREE MILLION RATINGS and they should ALL BE FIVE STARS??!??!
reis asher has managed to write a far more philosophical, timely and intelligent dystopian in 46,000 words than most authors do in giant sagas. it was so clever, so complex, and so developed - in 46,000 words??? how did he DO that???
for the love of all that is good and just in this world, please read this. i am mortally offended at the three (THREE!!!) ratings that this currently has. i only wish i had a physical copy so i could throw i at people's faces and tell them to read it.
July 13, 2017
3 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
It was clear pretty much from the start that this author could write. The writing flowed well, and the characters' voices came through strongly, especially Elias's. Ever since his boyfriend died 10 years ago, he hadn't been the same, and he'd been homeless because, to him, that was better than being forced to be someone he wasn't and to live a life he didn't want. He was partly sympathetic, partly frustrating, and overall believable. It was also revealed later in the book *SPOILER (I wouldn't call this a spoiler, but since it wasn't told to us right away, I'm hiding it to be safe)* *END SPOILER* There was also a twist that I had not seen coming but that brought out a thought-provoking aspect and made me rethink my whole view of the things in the book.
I think, however, that this book could have benefited from being longer. There was so much potential and so many thought-provoking and interesting topics that could've been explored (like the whole thing about synth rights, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* and even Elias's relationship with his father), but there wasn't enough time for any of it to really be developed. A lot of things, including Elias's feelings for Ario, felt rushed. And as I got further into the book, the writing got more telling and dialogue heavy, things started making less and less sense, characters started changing too suddenly to be believable, and it seemed as though things were changing according to what the plot needed.
So overall, the book felt rushed and like it didn't have time to develop everything that it tried to tackle, but it was still thought-provoking and had a great premise.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes novellas, M/M romance, androids, and thought-provoking stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
It was clear pretty much from the start that this author could write. The writing flowed well, and the characters' voices came through strongly, especially Elias's. Ever since his boyfriend died 10 years ago, he hadn't been the same, and he'd been homeless because, to him, that was better than being forced to be someone he wasn't and to live a life he didn't want. He was partly sympathetic, partly frustrating, and overall believable. It was also revealed later in the book *SPOILER (I wouldn't call this a spoiler, but since it wasn't told to us right away, I'm hiding it to be safe)* *END SPOILER* There was also a twist that I had not seen coming but that brought out a thought-provoking aspect and made me rethink my whole view of the things in the book.
I think, however, that this book could have benefited from being longer. There was so much potential and so many thought-provoking and interesting topics that could've been explored (like the whole thing about synth rights, *SPOILER* *END SPOILER* and even Elias's relationship with his father), but there wasn't enough time for any of it to really be developed. A lot of things, including Elias's feelings for Ario, felt rushed. And as I got further into the book, the writing got more telling and dialogue heavy, things started making less and less sense, characters started changing too suddenly to be believable, and it seemed as though things were changing according to what the plot needed.
So overall, the book felt rushed and like it didn't have time to develop everything that it tried to tackle, but it was still thought-provoking and had a great premise.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes novellas, M/M romance, androids, and thought-provoking stories.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 10, 2017
No está mal si eres fan del scifi, pero un poco más largo de lo necesario, diferente ya por eso merece la pena.
July 11, 2017
UGH. What a gut wrenching opening. And ending! There are so many emotions packed in this and—
It's intense.
The writing here is graphic, powerful, and had me roped in right from begining and all the way through. Not for the light-hearted (heed a rape/abuse trigger warning). But Areo had my sympathy wrapped around his synthetic finger and I could 100% rely on this author to evoke the feels. There’s a constant impending doom and I only wanted good things for these poor babies!
I’m a little torn on how quickly the characters grew attached, but at the same time I can see how it happened? I would’ve liked a little buffering before they became touchy, but this is about the ONLY criticism I could come up with (and even then it’s subjective).
So yeah, this is an author to keep a close eye on; the narrative is tidy, wonderful world building, lots of details that tighten the motives, and rich philosophical moments about the definition of ‘life’.
My mind will be returning to this book often.
It's intense.
The writing here is graphic, powerful, and had me roped in right from begining and all the way through. Not for the light-hearted (heed a rape/abuse trigger warning). But Areo had my sympathy wrapped around his synthetic finger and I could 100% rely on this author to evoke the feels. There’s a constant impending doom and I only wanted good things for these poor babies!
I’m a little torn on how quickly the characters grew attached, but at the same time I can see how it happened? I would’ve liked a little buffering before they became touchy, but this is about the ONLY criticism I could come up with (and even then it’s subjective).
So yeah, this is an author to keep a close eye on; the narrative is tidy, wonderful world building, lots of details that tighten the motives, and rich philosophical moments about the definition of ‘life’.
My mind will be returning to this book often.
June 26, 2018
Such are the potential richness of the plotline and the depth of the underlying issues that one would have been most surprised to see those elements adequately covered in this short a novel. Indeed, once we are past the first few chapters (viz. until Elias departs for Mariko Electronics in his quest for a toolkit to repair Ario), which were as poignant as they were lovely, the quality of the story degenerates: the pace becomes one of fits and starts, with sudden freezes of the action followed by no less abrupt jumps, points that were firmly established are disregarded at a whim, and the main characters evolve in hugely irrational fashion without the least attempt at foreshadowing. The second part, in those respects, comes as a monumental letdown; not only does it exhibit a harried, barebones, almost detached quality in complete synchrony with the irritatingly unmotivated changes undergone by the fundamentals of the plot and the psychological portrayal of the heroes laid down throughout the first part, what little in the way of romance there had been between Elias and Ario now collapses, the tone of a book becoming one of interspecies strife between synthetics and humans only our two heroes supposedly can avoid. Unfortunately, as the plot remains very much in a state of flux until the end because the author seems unable to clearly distinguish between friends and foes not only among the big players in the background (the Department of Synthetic Affairs, Cybot Corporation) but even in the case of the secondary cast (Mariko, Elias' father), one is very hard pressed to derive entertainment from this breezily narrated and more than occasionnally poorly written cesspool of a second half. So bad is the literary treatment in the last few chapters that the changes undergone by Ario, who jumps straight from being Elias' rock ethically loathe of doing harm to anyone to a cold-blooded killer in a rampage, are more than enough to put the frustrated reader into DNF mindset. Obviously, the building of characters did not rank high among Mrs Zagar's preoccupations (the all-important clue that Elias was an autistic kid who needed to be given a synth to make him step outside of his comfort zone comes far too late into the story, and is not elaborated upon); nor did she care a lot about the POVs, so much so that Elias' voice is not even capable of calling his own, unnamed (!) father anything else than "dad" or a frigthened woman awkwardly yet determinedly trying to decomissionate her house synth other than "mama". Frustrated carelessness on the writer's part also goes a long way towards explaining at least two big contradictions in the behavior of Brynn () as well as the incredibly weak resolution, with the (most contrived and implausible) deus ex machina in the form of Mariko's having per chance videotransmitted the entire confrontation that transpired at the rooftop of the Cybot headquarters between Ario, Elias and the villainous corporate mastermind. I got the strong impression that Mrs Zagar could not maintain the high level of her opening and decided to rush through a preliminary draft instead.
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September 3, 2017Reviewed for Just Love
3 stars
Trigger warning for descriptions of violence and sexual violence
I really wanted to like this book a lot. I thought the premise sounded really interesting and I was in the mood for something a little different. And let’s be real, you don’t get much different than a story about a lonely man falling for a synthetic sex worker, right?
The thing is, there is far too much going on here to really be contained to a novella. Which means, while there was some great ideas, none of them really got to be explored and developed to their full potential.
The premise of the story is that synths have been a part of human lives for years, but are mostly treated as glorified robots. Lacking any consciousness or the capability to ‘feel’ (whether it be emotionally or physically) they are treated as disposable, or worse, as outlets for physical or sexual aggression.
When the brilliant but troubled Elias finds synth ‘gigolo’ Ario in a dumpster, he repairs all of Ario’s broken components and brings him back to ‘life.’ Elias quickly realizes that Ario is a rare and precious synth, one that could fetch a large amount of money on the black market should anyone else get a hold of him. Keeping Ario safe is his only option, but even that comes at a price. Owing an unregistered synth is a crime and soon Elias and Ario find themselves seeking refuge with Elias’ influential father – someone who believes synths are not only less than human, but dangerous to boot.
Up until this point, I was sold on the whole concept of this story. But you know what let this down for me? It wasn’t Ario. It wasn’t any of the synths. It was Elias. He’s annoying. He acts younger than his years, something I find very strange for someone who has not only experienced great loss, but who has essentially been voluntarily homeless and living by his own wiles. The minute he is back in his father’s home, however, he reverts from this 28 yr old solitary genius, to a whiny, door slamming 16 yr old. And that didn’t change throughout the rest of the book.
Additionally, I thought the insta-attraction between Elias and Ario felt very strange what with one acting like they were a teenager, and the other lacking the ability to refuse any sexual advances. I think the story would have been better without the romantic element, or at least one where the romance develops in tandem with Ario’s higher consciousness. As it was, it felt creepy.
There are some interesting concepts in this book about artificial intelligence and what our responsibilities are towards synths who essentially function as humans. Concepts that are almost too big for this novella. But the too-quick ending wraps things up in a manner that feels incredibly unsatisfactory and far too convenient to be believed.
There is a great story here, but the way it was executed leaves a little to be desired. However, if you are interested in SFF, specifically stories about AI, you should still give this book a shot. It might just be the thing you’re looking for.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
3 stars
Trigger warning for descriptions of violence and sexual violence
I really wanted to like this book a lot. I thought the premise sounded really interesting and I was in the mood for something a little different. And let’s be real, you don’t get much different than a story about a lonely man falling for a synthetic sex worker, right?
The thing is, there is far too much going on here to really be contained to a novella. Which means, while there was some great ideas, none of them really got to be explored and developed to their full potential.
The premise of the story is that synths have been a part of human lives for years, but are mostly treated as glorified robots. Lacking any consciousness or the capability to ‘feel’ (whether it be emotionally or physically) they are treated as disposable, or worse, as outlets for physical or sexual aggression.
When the brilliant but troubled Elias finds synth ‘gigolo’ Ario in a dumpster, he repairs all of Ario’s broken components and brings him back to ‘life.’ Elias quickly realizes that Ario is a rare and precious synth, one that could fetch a large amount of money on the black market should anyone else get a hold of him. Keeping Ario safe is his only option, but even that comes at a price. Owing an unregistered synth is a crime and soon Elias and Ario find themselves seeking refuge with Elias’ influential father – someone who believes synths are not only less than human, but dangerous to boot.
Up until this point, I was sold on the whole concept of this story. But you know what let this down for me? It wasn’t Ario. It wasn’t any of the synths. It was Elias. He’s annoying. He acts younger than his years, something I find very strange for someone who has not only experienced great loss, but who has essentially been voluntarily homeless and living by his own wiles. The minute he is back in his father’s home, however, he reverts from this 28 yr old solitary genius, to a whiny, door slamming 16 yr old. And that didn’t change throughout the rest of the book.
Additionally, I thought the insta-attraction between Elias and Ario felt very strange what with one acting like they were a teenager, and the other lacking the ability to refuse any sexual advances. I think the story would have been better without the romantic element, or at least one where the romance develops in tandem with Ario’s higher consciousness. As it was, it felt creepy.
There are some interesting concepts in this book about artificial intelligence and what our responsibilities are towards synths who essentially function as humans. Concepts that are almost too big for this novella. But the too-quick ending wraps things up in a manner that feels incredibly unsatisfactory and far too convenient to be believed.
There is a great story here, but the way it was executed leaves a little to be desired. However, if you are interested in SFF, specifically stories about AI, you should still give this book a shot. It might just be the thing you’re looking for.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
April 17, 2021
3.8 stars!
This is the story of how a Gigalo Android of sorts - a Synthetic named Ario - and a 28-year-old, Genius, homeless man - Elias - come to meet and Fall in Love...
...And all that changes because of that.
In an world where the existence of Synths is the norm... Synths exist only as programmed machines that serve Humans, as their slaves.
But, what happens when Ario kind of is self-aware and feels things... Things no machine should feel?!
Is it because it's been running for 20 years now...way longer than the new Synths are set to last?!
Or is it something else?!
What does it truly mean to be human?
Is Ario perhaps closer to humanity than other synthetics?!
And How will the world react to a Synthetic that claims to have feelings and free will?!
Read the the book to find out...
***********************************
I'm sad to say that this could be have been better... This wasn't as good or heartwreching as it could have been.
I feel that we were told many things in this book, instead of experiencing them first-hand with the characters.
The love was there, but I didn't feel it as much as I would have liked to.
But, I did like that both characters become whole after finding each together. And I liked that they found strength to fight for their ideals and survival, in each other.
More than anything, I loved Brynn as a character. I truly connected and felt for him; for his limitations and struggles. I wanted more of him in this book.
I feel that this book should have been longer and include more of Brynn's shared past with Elias. I think it would have helped me connect more with Elias, as the MC.
About Ario: unfortunately, I didn't connect very much with him, either.
Still, I certainly didn't expect this book to go as it did, or finish as it did...so that was a surprise.
Overall, this was an okay read. Not the best I have read on the subject; but it definitely served its purpose of inciting a reflection on what defines humanity; or how ethical it is to have artificial intelligence as a possession, when it is very advanced and made to be pretty similar and close to humans.
This is the story of how a Gigalo Android of sorts - a Synthetic named Ario - and a 28-year-old, Genius, homeless man - Elias - come to meet and Fall in Love...
...And all that changes because of that.
In an world where the existence of Synths is the norm... Synths exist only as programmed machines that serve Humans, as their slaves.
But, what happens when Ario kind of is self-aware and feels things... Things no machine should feel?!
Is it because it's been running for 20 years now...way longer than the new Synths are set to last?!
Or is it something else?!
What does it truly mean to be human?
Is Ario perhaps closer to humanity than other synthetics?!
And How will the world react to a Synthetic that claims to have feelings and free will?!
Read the the book to find out...
***********************************
I'm sad to say that this could be have been better... This wasn't as good or heartwreching as it could have been.
I feel that we were told many things in this book, instead of experiencing them first-hand with the characters.
The love was there, but I didn't feel it as much as I would have liked to.
But, I did like that both characters become whole after finding each together. And I liked that they found strength to fight for their ideals and survival, in each other.
More than anything, I loved Brynn as a character. I truly connected and felt for him; for his limitations and struggles. I wanted more of him in this book.
I feel that this book should have been longer and include more of Brynn's shared past with Elias. I think it would have helped me connect more with Elias, as the MC.
About Ario: unfortunately, I didn't connect very much with him, either.
Still, I certainly didn't expect this book to go as it did, or finish as it did...so that was a surprise.
Overall, this was an okay read. Not the best I have read on the subject; but it definitely served its purpose of inciting a reflection on what defines humanity; or how ethical it is to have artificial intelligence as a possession, when it is very advanced and made to be pretty similar and close to humans.
January 30, 2018
3.5 Stars
The first half was an almost 5-star story...IDEK what happened there in the the second half other than it got all preachy and weird and rushed as hell.
The first half was an almost 5-star story...IDEK what happened there in the the second half other than it got all preachy and weird and rushed as hell.
July 29, 2017
** 4.5 Stars **
Dark, uncertain, unsettling and intriguingly philosophical.
The Nero Protocol isn't about spaceships or aliens, it's about the impact of technology on human society and the very nature of humanity itself : morality, emotions, purpose and mortality. And last but not least, it's about prejudice and acceptance. I only wish it was longer. A great read nonetheless!
September 4, 2017
I'm a bit on the fence with this one. I quite liked the themes of this story, and the very thought-provoking questions posed (can machines be sentient, and if so, should they have equal rights to humans). But I was a bit put off by the main character, Elias, who - while I understand he's supposed to be autistic - behaves more like a teenager than someone who is in his late twenties. Also, his father was really just a cardboard cut-out, whose behaviour and reactions weren't at all convincing.
I did, however, like Ario and Mariko. I love the way Ario becomes more and more aware, and more and more human (including the terrible things humans do to each other and those they think below them). And Mariko is excellent in her unpredictability.
Overall, good story, and I liked most of it. Just a shame that the main character was portrayed more like a moody teenager than an autistic adult.
I did, however, like Ario and Mariko. I love the way Ario becomes more and more aware, and more and more human (including the terrible things humans do to each other and those they think below them). And Mariko is excellent in her unpredictability.
Overall, good story, and I liked most of it. Just a shame that the main character was portrayed more like a moody teenager than an autistic adult.
February 15, 2019
Silly.
Reading this in the wake of rover Opportunity news and watching the whole internet community mourning this little rover makes the theme of this book seem soooooo.... unlikely.
I liked the characters when they werent caught up in drama and naive morality discussions. And there would be a lot more humans fighting for synths. Writing all of them off as being depraved and violent and brutal seems misguided.
"A kid like this?" HE'S 32!
Reading this in the wake of rover Opportunity news and watching the whole internet community mourning this little rover makes the theme of this book seem soooooo.... unlikely.
I liked the characters when they werent caught up in drama and naive morality discussions. And there would be a lot more humans fighting for synths. Writing all of them off as being depraved and violent and brutal seems misguided.
"A kid like this?" HE'S 32!
August 6, 2024
Surprisingly good and very fast paced. Great plot and story. The ending was a bit of a mess and i dint buy it. But over all i really found this entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews