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The Arkhe Principle: A post-apocalyptic technothriller
Above the level of human understanding, the Arkhe is ever watchful. Waiting. Its near infinite power bleeds into the core of reality itself, changing the quantum fabric of the universe. Humanity's greatest achievement is free.
When Captain John Edward Rex, a former member of an elite military unit, enters the civilian world, he finds himself trapped in a nightmare world of deceit and violence. Arkhe has targeted him as a pawn, and if he doesn't break free, his sanity and existence will be annihilated.
Arkhe will stop at nothing to ensure its survival. But it has found others whose fates must also be arranged. Rex's existence is inexorably tied in with the others, but can he break free and choose his own path or will he be just another fly entangled in Arkhe's web of total domination?
The Arkhe Principle is a far-future, apocalyptic adult technothriller that deals with themes of nationalism, post-humanism and advances in the artificial intelligence that challenges what it means to be human.
When Captain John Edward Rex, a former member of an elite military unit, enters the civilian world, he finds himself trapped in a nightmare world of deceit and violence. Arkhe has targeted him as a pawn, and if he doesn't break free, his sanity and existence will be annihilated.
Arkhe will stop at nothing to ensure its survival. But it has found others whose fates must also be arranged. Rex's existence is inexorably tied in with the others, but can he break free and choose his own path or will he be just another fly entangled in Arkhe's web of total domination?
The Arkhe Principle is a far-future, apocalyptic adult technothriller that deals with themes of nationalism, post-humanism and advances in the artificial intelligence that challenges what it means to be human.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 5, 2017
A high octane direct brain feed of insane imagery, punk stylings, and dystopian science fiction. I am reminded a bit of the punk classic "Jubilee" where Queen Victoria is magically transported to a future version of Great Britain where everything is ruled by nihilistic punks as well as super-greedy megacorps. In this case, the world has become a strange mix of anachronisms with the impoverished masses of Britain worshiping Saint George (not God) via vidlinks and in conflict with Americans worshiping Jefferson.
Despite being ludicrously over the top, some of the social satire is actually spot on. One of my favorite moments in the book is where a character describes her horrifying experience of being assaulted, petitioning the courts to be able to deal with the reprocussions, and then due to not being able to afford a lawyer ends up being convicted for deviancy instead.
If I have any complaints about the book it would only be the fact the book moves at such a rabid pace and switches between so many characters it's a bit difficult to get a handle on who is standing where and why. It all eventually makes sense in the end but this is a work where every sentence is an overflow of information--like a literary blipvert. If you're fond of Neuromancer, I suspect you'll be fond of this but I hope the writer cuts down on the cast a bit next time to maybe one or two central characters.
Despite being ludicrously over the top, some of the social satire is actually spot on. One of my favorite moments in the book is where a character describes her horrifying experience of being assaulted, petitioning the courts to be able to deal with the reprocussions, and then due to not being able to afford a lawyer ends up being convicted for deviancy instead.
If I have any complaints about the book it would only be the fact the book moves at such a rabid pace and switches between so many characters it's a bit difficult to get a handle on who is standing where and why. It all eventually makes sense in the end but this is a work where every sentence is an overflow of information--like a literary blipvert. If you're fond of Neuromancer, I suspect you'll be fond of this but I hope the writer cuts down on the cast a bit next time to maybe one or two central characters.
February 12, 2018
One of the many Facebook writer groups I belong to is called “Grim dark Fiction Readers & Writers.” After today, when I think “Grim dark fiction,” I’m going to immediately think Max Rudolf’s The Arkhe Principle. That’s because, beginning with the very first page, readers are going to be buffeted with violence of every kind and variety. Rudolf labels his book “post-apocalyptic”; without question, it’s harder to get more dystopian than The Arkhe Principle.
In the grim and dark future set some 250 years from now, we’re in a time following a wave of biological weapons the despised Americans and their hated contractions unleashed. Now, the king of Britain, King Edward, the Saxons and the Romans, have a very loose alliance as they seek to destroy the Americans’ capital and their worship of their god, Thomas Jefferson. It’s a savage future where you won’t meet many good guys. Mostly killers and victims and victims turned killers.
The main characters we come to know through fragments and often psychedelic flashes include police inspector Rosie Rex, her son John, Dr. Victoria Tesla/Katherine Dueva, who is in one existence a failing student at the ruthless Institute, and Gungnir Odinson, a psychopathic murderer and rapist. Among the many strange circumstances that connect these people is the fact they were accurately described in the manual for the great Arkhe, a pre-times technical manual that no one can decipher. That’s because just starting to read the manual causes great distortions in perception, and saying the word causes reality changing ripples in the world.
Those reality changing ripples continually make The Arkhe Principle a challenging read as Rudolf plays with language to convey those alternate states. Here’s a brief sample:
error. Good evening, Dr. Tesla. As you know, everything may possessPlasstien, including food. Our workers at our core facility are due to solve this conundrum...
Line. Error 999. Victoria? Doctor Tesla?
Error by margin. See manual 35 for assistance. Rerouting Planks. Please stand by.
The screen nulled out and flashed blue three times.
"Unfortunately, this will render all non-neo animals as inedible. Extinction plans are still in process and are predicted to end in 25 years. Violence
is progression towards UNIFICATION ERROR." It sputtered. "DNA Number: 235-ATGC-21912$>_Alpha_Original, your disruptive genetic entanglement is forming
drastic unfortunate side effects..."
The form turned to static.
Other passages are much more linear and straight-forward, but all readers of The Arkhe Principle should be on notice the novel requires close attention and some rereading as you go along to keep track of the shifting realities in a very unusual time and place. It’s the sort of sci-fi that should appeal to readers who, again, like their fiction dark, grim, apocalyptic and challenging.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Feb. 11, 2018 at:
http://1clickurls.com/uXZj7ry
October 30, 2017
Intense, deep and filled with a sense that the author has so much more "behind the scenes" information that doesn't make the novel, this is a fantastic read for those who love dystopian science fiction. Maxwell Rudolf doesn't waste time explaining details to the reader, entrusting that they will be able to piece together the clues of how this universe works, and he does it with brilliance.
If you prefer a novel that explains everything in step by step, simplistic, bite-size nuggets, this isn't for you. But for the intellectual science-fiction readers that enjoy plays on language, this novel is a blast.
If you prefer a novel that explains everything in step by step, simplistic, bite-size nuggets, this isn't for you. But for the intellectual science-fiction readers that enjoy plays on language, this novel is a blast.
May 24, 2018
Modern myths expounded in a very rigid future world.
Rosie, John, strange Victoria and downright lethal Gungnir. They all are trying to survive the only way they know how.
A novel dystopian adventure with savage enemies at each other’s throats and strict rules to adhere to – or else. Not a pretty view of the future, but an interesting one, nevertheless. Just what is the Arkhe, not just a book for sure, and what is the Arkhe principle? Wend your way through this somewhat frightening and striking future and see where it leads you.
Rosie, John, strange Victoria and downright lethal Gungnir. They all are trying to survive the only way they know how.
A novel dystopian adventure with savage enemies at each other’s throats and strict rules to adhere to – or else. Not a pretty view of the future, but an interesting one, nevertheless. Just what is the Arkhe, not just a book for sure, and what is the Arkhe principle? Wend your way through this somewhat frightening and striking future and see where it leads you.
December 5, 2017
Great Read
If you're into post-apocalyptic war genre, you won't be able to put this down. Great job Maxwell. Can't wait fot book 2.
If you're into post-apocalyptic war genre, you won't be able to put this down. Great job Maxwell. Can't wait fot book 2.
November 6, 2018
The Arkhe Principle is an entertaining romp through a post apocalyptic/dystopian future
It’s been over two and a half centuries since the Americans unleashed their bio-weapons as St. George, the Saxons and the Romans, having made a temporary alliance, closed in to destroy their capitol and end the worship of their god, Thomas Jefferson. The war goes on as the Domain of King Edward, the Saxons and the Roman Empire continue to battle over a ravaged earth while the savage descendants of the Americans launch devastating raids on them all.
Enter Rosie, a police inspector of the kingdom. Her son John, a decorated war hero. Victoria Tesla/Katherine Dueva, a failing student at the Institue, CEO of a megacorp and an American spy. And Gungnir Odinson, psycopathic murdering, rapist, an Úlfheðnar of the Saxons. What fate intertwines these peoples lives? Why are John, Victoria and Gungnir accurately described in the manual for the great Arkhe, a pre-times technical manual that none can decipher as just starting to read the manual causes great distortions in perception, and saying the word causes reality changing ripples in the world.
The Arkhe Principle is an entertaining romp through a post apocalyptic/dystopian future where pre-times tech is greatly sought after and death awaits just around the corner. Maxwell Rudolf spins a graphic tale filled with danger and bloody conflict with a touch of graveyard humor. His writing is reminiscent of Phillip K. Dick (Total Recall, The Minority Report and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep) with splash of Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughter House 5).
Follow these anti-heroes as they seek to understand The Arkhe Principle, it’s a trip worth taking.
R. A. “Doc” Correa
It’s been over two and a half centuries since the Americans unleashed their bio-weapons as St. George, the Saxons and the Romans, having made a temporary alliance, closed in to destroy their capitol and end the worship of their god, Thomas Jefferson. The war goes on as the Domain of King Edward, the Saxons and the Roman Empire continue to battle over a ravaged earth while the savage descendants of the Americans launch devastating raids on them all.
Enter Rosie, a police inspector of the kingdom. Her son John, a decorated war hero. Victoria Tesla/Katherine Dueva, a failing student at the Institue, CEO of a megacorp and an American spy. And Gungnir Odinson, psycopathic murdering, rapist, an Úlfheðnar of the Saxons. What fate intertwines these peoples lives? Why are John, Victoria and Gungnir accurately described in the manual for the great Arkhe, a pre-times technical manual that none can decipher as just starting to read the manual causes great distortions in perception, and saying the word causes reality changing ripples in the world.
The Arkhe Principle is an entertaining romp through a post apocalyptic/dystopian future where pre-times tech is greatly sought after and death awaits just around the corner. Maxwell Rudolf spins a graphic tale filled with danger and bloody conflict with a touch of graveyard humor. His writing is reminiscent of Phillip K. Dick (Total Recall, The Minority Report and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep) with splash of Kurt Vonnegut (Slaughter House 5).
Follow these anti-heroes as they seek to understand The Arkhe Principle, it’s a trip worth taking.
R. A. “Doc” Correa
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews