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Democracy Inc
In a world without death...
she is dead.
Titus is no hero. Not even close. He’s not your typical eighteen-year-old, either. This is his fourth life . . . even if he can’t remember the ones that came before it.
Welcome to the Corporate States of America. For the poor, it’s a struggle to survive. The rich? They clone themselves, living their lives of excess on repeat.
But rich or poor, everyone knows about the mission to colonize Mars. Titus more than most. After all, his mother was on it.
The council said it failed. The reality is so much worse.
Now Titus is determined to find out what really happened. But even if he avoids getting killed, maimed, or unwillingly roboticized, the truth could cost him more than just this life.
It could cost him every life to come . . .
Note from the Publisher: When Titans Fall was previously published as Democracy Inc.
she is dead.
Titus is no hero. Not even close. He’s not your typical eighteen-year-old, either. This is his fourth life . . . even if he can’t remember the ones that came before it.
Welcome to the Corporate States of America. For the poor, it’s a struggle to survive. The rich? They clone themselves, living their lives of excess on repeat.
But rich or poor, everyone knows about the mission to colonize Mars. Titus more than most. After all, his mother was on it.
The council said it failed. The reality is so much worse.
Now Titus is determined to find out what really happened. But even if he avoids getting killed, maimed, or unwillingly roboticized, the truth could cost him more than just this life.
It could cost him every life to come . . .
Note from the Publisher: When Titans Fall was previously published as Democracy Inc.
444 pages, ebook
First published December 8, 2017
82 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Joseph John
4 books301 followersGet your copy of my award-winning sci-fi novel, The Eighth Day, totally free at: www.josephjohnfiction.com.
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I took on this mortal coil in 1976 in Omaha, NE. As an only child, my parents were able to devote their existences to catering to my every whim. My Mom started by reading the newspaper to me, ensuring I was up to speed on current events. Once I outgrew the newspaper, she moved on to Golden Books. I read my first novel, Cujo, in the third grade. It hooked me, and I took to main-lining novels and working the libraries like an eight-year-old junky looking to score his next fix. I’ve been an avid reader ever since, throwing my lot with Frank and Joe Hardy, the three investigators, and much later, Roland Deschain and his ka-tet.
I somehow fooled Uncle Sam into believing I’d one day make a great leader of men, and he promptly shipped me off to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where I languished in a turmoil of emotions ranging from apathy to not giving a damn. This lent me to writing angst-filled poetry and short stories when I should have been paying attention in class or studying in the barracks, thereby resulting in the refinement of my craft and lending credence to that familiar idiom — you know, silver linings and all that.
In 1998, I graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Army Aviation. I attended flight school in Alabama, where I learned to wear cool shades and a leather jacket, and something about helicopters. Forgive me. It was some years ago, and my memory is fading faster than a cheap tattoo.
In 2013, I hung up my cool shades and leather jacket and donned a pocket protector and masking-tape-repaired glasses, transitioning from Army Aviation to Operations Research and Systems Analysis. I’d spent the last fifteen years refining my skills and building a solid foundation of knowledge, so I figured what better time than the twilight of my career to throw all that out the window and start from scratch in an entirely new field.
So how does the rest of my story go? I’ll tell you when I get there; it’s still a work in progress.
Follow me on BookBub.
I took on this mortal coil in 1976 in Omaha, NE. As an only child, my parents were able to devote their existences to catering to my every whim. My Mom started by reading the newspaper to me, ensuring I was up to speed on current events. Once I outgrew the newspaper, she moved on to Golden Books. I read my first novel, Cujo, in the third grade. It hooked me, and I took to main-lining novels and working the libraries like an eight-year-old junky looking to score his next fix. I’ve been an avid reader ever since, throwing my lot with Frank and Joe Hardy, the three investigators, and much later, Roland Deschain and his ka-tet.
I somehow fooled Uncle Sam into believing I’d one day make a great leader of men, and he promptly shipped me off to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where I languished in a turmoil of emotions ranging from apathy to not giving a damn. This lent me to writing angst-filled poetry and short stories when I should have been paying attention in class or studying in the barracks, thereby resulting in the refinement of my craft and lending credence to that familiar idiom — you know, silver linings and all that.
In 1998, I graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Army Aviation. I attended flight school in Alabama, where I learned to wear cool shades and a leather jacket, and something about helicopters. Forgive me. It was some years ago, and my memory is fading faster than a cheap tattoo.
In 2013, I hung up my cool shades and leather jacket and donned a pocket protector and masking-tape-repaired glasses, transitioning from Army Aviation to Operations Research and Systems Analysis. I’d spent the last fifteen years refining my skills and building a solid foundation of knowledge, so I figured what better time than the twilight of my career to throw all that out the window and start from scratch in an entirely new field.
So how does the rest of my story go? I’ll tell you when I get there; it’s still a work in progress.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 28, 2021
***Note: I received a copy curtesy of Netgalley and Obsidian Dawn in exchange for an honest review.
The setting is pretty much made clear from the blurb: America as we know it is no more. Free enterprise has devolved into a world ruled by megacorporations. The ultra-rich govern from their towers in the sky while the lower-class toil in the gutters just to survive. The corporate states work together to maximize profits and keep the masses placated through the Orbis, a virtual realityscape of online entertainment and the only escape from the bleak reality of existence.
Titus Remington is the son of the CEO of Roman Biogenics, but when his father is convicted of treason, a reluctant Titus finds the mantle of leadership thrust into his hands and must prepare himself to govern his corporate state. However, in his quest to uncover the truth that his father sacrificed everything for, he stumbles upon a dark conspiracy of epic proportions. Now Titus must make a choice: take the throne and wear the crown or risk the wrath of the council to fulfill his father's legacy and set things right.
I didn't like that in the first part there are lots of unknown premises that we must take for granted, until they are deducted from the text, sometime later. Also, I couldn't quite relate to the characters, but I liked the whole idea of being reborn with the prime memories and the dystopia setting.
The ending is another problem, because it isn't quite an ending, but a cliffhanger. Not sure if I'll read the 2nd book..
So more of a 2.5★ rounded up for potential..
Side note: I read this as Democracy Inc, but the author changed its title later, as a result of popularity polls.
The setting is pretty much made clear from the blurb: America as we know it is no more. Free enterprise has devolved into a world ruled by megacorporations. The ultra-rich govern from their towers in the sky while the lower-class toil in the gutters just to survive. The corporate states work together to maximize profits and keep the masses placated through the Orbis, a virtual realityscape of online entertainment and the only escape from the bleak reality of existence.
Titus Remington is the son of the CEO of Roman Biogenics, but when his father is convicted of treason, a reluctant Titus finds the mantle of leadership thrust into his hands and must prepare himself to govern his corporate state. However, in his quest to uncover the truth that his father sacrificed everything for, he stumbles upon a dark conspiracy of epic proportions. Now Titus must make a choice: take the throne and wear the crown or risk the wrath of the council to fulfill his father's legacy and set things right.
I didn't like that in the first part there are lots of unknown premises that we must take for granted, until they are deducted from the text, sometime later. Also, I couldn't quite relate to the characters, but I liked the whole idea of being reborn with the prime memories and the dystopia setting.
The ending is another problem, because it isn't quite an ending, but a cliffhanger. Not sure if I'll read the 2nd book..
So more of a 2.5★ rounded up for potential..
Side note: I read this as Democracy Inc, but the author changed its title later, as a result of popularity polls.
February 18, 2021
I loved the world that Democracy Inc. was but didn't love the characters as much as I wanted to. Full review will be posted at thescaryreviews.com
November 17, 2017
Joseph John is an excellent writer. His books are filled with vivid and graphic detail and thoughtful character development. One likes the heroes immediately, feels the tension of the main character Titus when he is unsure about someone and the same admiration he feels when he admires someone. Futuristic action adventure book with lots of action on every page, and the bad guys don't always turn out to be who you thought they might be. Can't wait for the sequel.
January 12, 2018
Books like this have an uphill battle to fight. They have to know everyone is coming to this as approximately the 75th technocratic dystopian oligarchy they've experienced. Fahrenheit 451? Check. Neuromancer? Check. Pure? Check.
The challenge is for Democracy Inc to deliver something real and new that doesn't get lost in the wash of familiarity -- which isn't impossible! A single well-crafted relationship can make a book awesome, or a new twist on a well-known world. For me, the closest this book came to something like that was Titus Remington. At first I was vaguely bored by him but, the more the plot came to revolve around his mother, the more I was able to relate to him and be interested. It's a crazy world where you could think leaving your wife to die on another planet was some brief, forgivable business decision. Somewhere near the end, Titus's humor had even become less grating and more endearing.
It never really went beyond that, though. To have rated Democracy Inc four or five stars, I would have needed more of:
The challenge is for Democracy Inc to deliver something real and new that doesn't get lost in the wash of familiarity -- which isn't impossible! A single well-crafted relationship can make a book awesome, or a new twist on a well-known world. For me, the closest this book came to something like that was Titus Remington. At first I was vaguely bored by him but, the more the plot came to revolve around his mother, the more I was able to relate to him and be interested. It's a crazy world where you could think leaving your wife to die on another planet was some brief, forgivable business decision. Somewhere near the end, Titus's humor had even become less grating and more endearing.
It never really went beyond that, though. To have rated Democracy Inc four or five stars, I would have needed more of:
• Ryu and Titus's friendship -- that's a super interesting dynamic, where Titus is a part of who Ryu is as a person, his "prime" memories, but Titus completely forgets about Ryu every time he's reborn!
• Titus and Emil's relationship -- Emil has all this deep-seated anger about how Titus has been privileged above him in ALL his lives when we don't even know anything about that. We see Titus and Emil interact like 3 times before Emil's betrayal, and it just feels out of the blue. You can't really feel the pain that Titus feels, because you have barely any context for their relationship.
• Some kind of real resolution. Them accomplishing like one thing and then being run out into the "deserted" outlands was disappointing, and made me feel like I had almost wasted the time I put into reading this book, if nothing's really going to happen until the next one.
December 14, 2017
“Captain, she’s disabled our defenses. Our shields are down!”
Nebraska born author Joseph John’s biographical information as described by the author adds immeasurably to the full appreciation of this his second novel (his debut novel THE EIGHTH DAY is already a classic). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where he began writing poetry and short stories and poetry. ‘In 1998, I graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Army Aviation. I attended flight school in Alabama, where I learned to wear cool shades and a leather jacket, and something about helicopters. In 2013, I hung up my cool shades and leather jacket and donned a pocket protector and masking-tape-repaired glasses, transitioning from Army Aviation to Operations Research and Systems Analysis. I'd spent the last fifteen years refining my skills and building a solid foundation of knowledge, so I figured what better time than the twilight of my career to throw all that out the window and start from scratch in an entirely new field. Now I'm serving a hardship tour of duty in Italy.’ Joseph is an Army officer and combat veteran with over 19 years of active duty service as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot and operations analyst. DEMOCRACY INC is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a startling and disturbing future that seems all to possible. Joseph lives in Vicenza, Italy with his wife, who is a graphic artist.
Joseph opens his novel with a map of the US as drawn in the year 2764 complete with locations of The Apex Corporation (robotics, AI, infrastructure, transportation), Avalon Entertainment (the source of entertainment of the times), Bitchip (banking) General Fusion (energy), Madison York (retail), Nanosoft (computers, nontechnology), Roman Biogenics (medical, pharmaceutical, cloning, genetic augmentation) and Synthcorp (food and beverages) - and even more creative, the changes in the coastline, mountains and desert in 2764. All pertinent information for the pleasure of this novel.
The tone of the novel is well set in the opening paragraphs – ‘The young woman closes her eyes and hopes that when she opens them her sanity will remain intact, then logs in to the virtual realityscape of the Orbis. When she connects, the tiny hotel room is gone. She now lies on a small bed covered with a plush comforter decorated with floral patterns and stares at a soft pink ceiling. A dresser and a bureau stand against opposite walls. White carpet covers the floor. She sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. The skin of her aristicon is etched with a tribal pattern of nanotattoos that matches her violet hair, which hangs to the small of her back. She wears mirrored shades and a long coat that shimmers and shifts from black to the darkest of reds, greens, and blues, and back to black again. A pair of knee-high boots creak as she stands and walks to the room’s only window. She opens the window and dives gracefully out. It’s a three-story fall to the ground below. But she doesn’t fall. She glides through the air, soaring higher and higher through a twist and tangle of roadways and buildings that rise into the digital sky. Countless aristicons surround her. Millions of users connected to the Orbis, from the lowliest of primes to the wealthiest of the ultraclass. They twine along at ground level or soar past her in flight, on their way to or from their virtual destinations in search of commerce, education, entertainment, and sin. Whatever the heart desires— whatever the obsession— it can be found here. But the Orbis is really only about one thing. Control.’
Joseph condenses the copious material of the plot in his synopsis – ‘America as we know it is no more. Free enterprise has devolved into a world ruled by megacorporations. The ultra-rich govern from their towers in the sky while the lower class toil in the gutters just to survive. The corporate states work together to maximize profits and keep the masses placated through the Orbis, a virtual realityscape of online entertainment and the only escape from the bleak reality of existence. Titus Remington is the son of the CEO of Roman Biogenics, but when his father is convicted of treason, a reluctant Titus finds the mantle of leadership thrust into his hands and must prepare himself to govern his corporate state. However, in his quest to uncover the truth that his father sacrificed everything for, he stumbles upon a dark conspiracy of epic proportions. Now Titus must make a choice: take the throne and wear the crown or risk the wrath of the council to fulfill his father’s legacy and set things right. But this isn’t the land of the free and the home of the brave. This is a world without justice or hope, a world steeped in corruption and sin, where morality comes in shades of black and gray. This is Democracy Inc, where a life well led means nothing when pitted against profit margins and the bottom line, and with the odds stacked against him, Titus may very well lose everything . . .’
Likely the finest distillation of the dystopian future which feels credible given the state of our present world/country. Beautifully written with insights that feel on target, this is a book that is not only vastly entertaining: this is also a book that becomes a wakeup call for each of us. Highly recommended
Nebraska born author Joseph John’s biographical information as described by the author adds immeasurably to the full appreciation of this his second novel (his debut novel THE EIGHTH DAY is already a classic). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where he began writing poetry and short stories and poetry. ‘In 1998, I graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Army Aviation. I attended flight school in Alabama, where I learned to wear cool shades and a leather jacket, and something about helicopters. In 2013, I hung up my cool shades and leather jacket and donned a pocket protector and masking-tape-repaired glasses, transitioning from Army Aviation to Operations Research and Systems Analysis. I'd spent the last fifteen years refining my skills and building a solid foundation of knowledge, so I figured what better time than the twilight of my career to throw all that out the window and start from scratch in an entirely new field. Now I'm serving a hardship tour of duty in Italy.’ Joseph is an Army officer and combat veteran with over 19 years of active duty service as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot and operations analyst. DEMOCRACY INC is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a startling and disturbing future that seems all to possible. Joseph lives in Vicenza, Italy with his wife, who is a graphic artist.
Joseph opens his novel with a map of the US as drawn in the year 2764 complete with locations of The Apex Corporation (robotics, AI, infrastructure, transportation), Avalon Entertainment (the source of entertainment of the times), Bitchip (banking) General Fusion (energy), Madison York (retail), Nanosoft (computers, nontechnology), Roman Biogenics (medical, pharmaceutical, cloning, genetic augmentation) and Synthcorp (food and beverages) - and even more creative, the changes in the coastline, mountains and desert in 2764. All pertinent information for the pleasure of this novel.
The tone of the novel is well set in the opening paragraphs – ‘The young woman closes her eyes and hopes that when she opens them her sanity will remain intact, then logs in to the virtual realityscape of the Orbis. When she connects, the tiny hotel room is gone. She now lies on a small bed covered with a plush comforter decorated with floral patterns and stares at a soft pink ceiling. A dresser and a bureau stand against opposite walls. White carpet covers the floor. She sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. The skin of her aristicon is etched with a tribal pattern of nanotattoos that matches her violet hair, which hangs to the small of her back. She wears mirrored shades and a long coat that shimmers and shifts from black to the darkest of reds, greens, and blues, and back to black again. A pair of knee-high boots creak as she stands and walks to the room’s only window. She opens the window and dives gracefully out. It’s a three-story fall to the ground below. But she doesn’t fall. She glides through the air, soaring higher and higher through a twist and tangle of roadways and buildings that rise into the digital sky. Countless aristicons surround her. Millions of users connected to the Orbis, from the lowliest of primes to the wealthiest of the ultraclass. They twine along at ground level or soar past her in flight, on their way to or from their virtual destinations in search of commerce, education, entertainment, and sin. Whatever the heart desires— whatever the obsession— it can be found here. But the Orbis is really only about one thing. Control.’
Joseph condenses the copious material of the plot in his synopsis – ‘America as we know it is no more. Free enterprise has devolved into a world ruled by megacorporations. The ultra-rich govern from their towers in the sky while the lower class toil in the gutters just to survive. The corporate states work together to maximize profits and keep the masses placated through the Orbis, a virtual realityscape of online entertainment and the only escape from the bleak reality of existence. Titus Remington is the son of the CEO of Roman Biogenics, but when his father is convicted of treason, a reluctant Titus finds the mantle of leadership thrust into his hands and must prepare himself to govern his corporate state. However, in his quest to uncover the truth that his father sacrificed everything for, he stumbles upon a dark conspiracy of epic proportions. Now Titus must make a choice: take the throne and wear the crown or risk the wrath of the council to fulfill his father’s legacy and set things right. But this isn’t the land of the free and the home of the brave. This is a world without justice or hope, a world steeped in corruption and sin, where morality comes in shades of black and gray. This is Democracy Inc, where a life well led means nothing when pitted against profit margins and the bottom line, and with the odds stacked against him, Titus may very well lose everything . . .’
Likely the finest distillation of the dystopian future which feels credible given the state of our present world/country. Beautifully written with insights that feel on target, this is a book that is not only vastly entertaining: this is also a book that becomes a wakeup call for each of us. Highly recommended
January 3, 2018
Action, conspiracy, intriguing tech and a formidably good read.
Incredibly adept author places the reader right in the midst of this darkly oppressive future society where the corporations are in control and bottom-line profits are the new god.
Titus Remington, profligate, irreverent and entitled, suddenly finds himself thrust into a position of authority as he's expected to take up the mantle of his disgraced father.
This was such an enjoyable, engrossing and sleep-depriving book, deftly written and impeccably edited.
Titus was easy to connect to, his wry humour lightening what might have otherwise been a too sombre read. All the characters were well developed, believable and interesting. The world building well handled and the multitude of twists and turns ensured this was a completely compelling read.
This was another e-ARC I received and upon turning the final page went author-stalking on Amazon and promptly purchased my own copy - it's a definite for the re-read pile!
Incredibly adept author places the reader right in the midst of this darkly oppressive future society where the corporations are in control and bottom-line profits are the new god.
Titus Remington, profligate, irreverent and entitled, suddenly finds himself thrust into a position of authority as he's expected to take up the mantle of his disgraced father.
This was such an enjoyable, engrossing and sleep-depriving book, deftly written and impeccably edited.
Titus was easy to connect to, his wry humour lightening what might have otherwise been a too sombre read. All the characters were well developed, believable and interesting. The world building well handled and the multitude of twists and turns ensured this was a completely compelling read.
This was another e-ARC I received and upon turning the final page went author-stalking on Amazon and promptly purchased my own copy - it's a definite for the re-read pile!
January 18, 2018
***I was provided this ARC in exchange for honest reviews***
Ever think about what might happen if when you keep buying products from megacorporation’s and discredit what your government can do for you? Well you will find out exactly how terrifying your life could be if you read this amazing book!
Right from the word go! You are forced into the fast-paced action and you need to hold onto your seat! I did also enjoy the droll humor that this author bestowed upon Titus that broke up the weightiness of the story and furthered the plot.
I did not like how generic Emil’s betrayal felt. I don’t believe there was enough rapport between the two to warrant the disloyalty towards Titus. This and I did not care for the ending so much. It felt like all the story was racing towards a different end and this one was just random to me. Hence the 4 star review.
Ever think about what might happen if when you keep buying products from megacorporation’s and discredit what your government can do for you? Well you will find out exactly how terrifying your life could be if you read this amazing book!
Right from the word go! You are forced into the fast-paced action and you need to hold onto your seat! I did also enjoy the droll humor that this author bestowed upon Titus that broke up the weightiness of the story and furthered the plot.
I did not like how generic Emil’s betrayal felt. I don’t believe there was enough rapport between the two to warrant the disloyalty towards Titus. This and I did not care for the ending so much. It felt like all the story was racing towards a different end and this one was just random to me. Hence the 4 star review.
December 8, 2017
Democracy Inc. starts out like the first scene in The Matrix, and is no less interesting. The action grabs your attention, and questions form in your head, and you want to know more… a lot more.
Joseph John delivers. He gives us a look at the Earth as it could well be, 700 – 800 years from now. Eight corporations rule the planet from their separate “Arks”. Most of the planet is a lifeless ruin. The Council of Eight is made up of one CEO from each “Ark” The elite have unimaginable luxury, and are cloned at death so they can continue their lifestyle. For those in the base layers of each ”Ark”, it is one big company town. Citizens are owned by their corporation, and their destiny is to be worked to death to maintain the profit. Conspiracies and betrayals and the almost casual brutality of a police state and fight scenes that are nothing short of intense. And then, it really starts to pick up steam.
Yes, a following novel will pick up where this one takes a major change in direction. It will be worth the wait.
Joseph John delivers. He gives us a look at the Earth as it could well be, 700 – 800 years from now. Eight corporations rule the planet from their separate “Arks”. Most of the planet is a lifeless ruin. The Council of Eight is made up of one CEO from each “Ark” The elite have unimaginable luxury, and are cloned at death so they can continue their lifestyle. For those in the base layers of each ”Ark”, it is one big company town. Citizens are owned by their corporation, and their destiny is to be worked to death to maintain the profit. Conspiracies and betrayals and the almost casual brutality of a police state and fight scenes that are nothing short of intense. And then, it really starts to pick up steam.
Yes, a following novel will pick up where this one takes a major change in direction. It will be worth the wait.
February 3, 2020
Great read!
Impressive story, very little profanity and no porn. That alone made me like this book. Never read anything quite like this and I want the story to go on. I’ll admit the Chinook pilot caught my interest first because my son in law is one! But I was not disappointed! Well done!
Impressive story, very little profanity and no porn. That alone made me like this book. Never read anything quite like this and I want the story to go on. I’ll admit the Chinook pilot caught my interest first because my son in law is one! But I was not disappointed! Well done!
January 14, 2018
Good book
The ending was the only part I didn't like . Hopefully there will be a sequel . The story itself is worth the read , though .
The ending was the only part I didn't like . Hopefully there will be a sequel . The story itself is worth the read , though .
January 24, 2020
Unique dystopian novel. Great read - presents futuristic dilemmas ripe for consideration today. Looking forward to a sequel if John’s got it in him.
November 4, 2019
A dystopia looked at through the eyes (mostly) of those who own / run it, so looks a little utopian to them. Until..... well, I'm not going to tell you that in case you want to read it.
You know how book reading apps show how many words a minute (or whatever metric it uses) you read? I hate that feature, but may as well use it as it's there - this is one of my faster reads. The main characters aren't as likeable as some of the others, which makes a nice change, but I did want to know what happened to them. There are a couple of twists that I didn't see coming, which I like - if I can see what's going to happen from the first chapter there's not much point finishing the book.
The Eighth Day will be on my tablet soon after reading this
You know how book reading apps show how many words a minute (or whatever metric it uses) you read? I hate that feature, but may as well use it as it's there - this is one of my faster reads. The main characters aren't as likeable as some of the others, which makes a nice change, but I did want to know what happened to them. There are a couple of twists that I didn't see coming, which I like - if I can see what's going to happen from the first chapter there's not much point finishing the book.
The Eighth Day will be on my tablet soon after reading this
December 11, 2017
I have read this book as an ARC reader. This is my freely given review.
An interesting book, that has a plot line filled with twists and turns with every page you turn.
Joseph John has created a furture where the different classes are widely different. He has painted through words a planet and humans that goes far beyond any other that I've ever seen.
The he has the three main characters so clearly defined with their own personalities that they pop off the page, taking a place in the readers world.
I would recommend this book as a must read
Ruth Newton
An interesting book, that has a plot line filled with twists and turns with every page you turn.
Joseph John has created a furture where the different classes are widely different. He has painted through words a planet and humans that goes far beyond any other that I've ever seen.
The he has the three main characters so clearly defined with their own personalities that they pop off the page, taking a place in the readers world.
I would recommend this book as a must read
Ruth Newton
December 13, 2017
Set in a future where megacorporations rule instead of governments, where everyone is connected to the online world and their lives are recorded and monitored, where the ultra-rich get to live in opulence forever via human cloning, whilst the primes (those on their first and only life) live and work in squalor. Titus Remington is on his third life when his father, the CEO of Roman Biogenics is arrested for treason and killed - for good. This starts off a pacy thriller through the real and online worlds, as Titus tries to complete what his father started. This is an excellent dystopian genre read. The world-building was extremely detailed and I liked the fact that there wasn't much of a romance aspect to the story (I hope it stays that way). I enjoyed reading it and will definitely check out any sequels.
I received an ARC from the author, via Shifted Sheets, and I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
I received an ARC from the author, via Shifted Sheets, and I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
December 12, 2017
What would America look like if corporations ran the country? That's the question posed by Democracy Inc, a gritty, dystopian thriller. It's a gripping, intense tale of humanity in the face of those who only believe in the bottom line. I wasn't able to put it down and you won't be, either.
Recommended for: anyone who likes dark, techy thrillers
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Recommended for: anyone who likes dark, techy thrillers
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 8, 2017
Dystopian YA Novel; Corporations Rule and Greed and Everlasting Life Trump Humanity and Compassion
I was given an ARC of Democracy Inc in exchange for my unbiased review.
John James novel is an interesting futuristic look, given the current political climate. of what the ultimate outlook might be if the rising influence of corporate greed trumps the compassion of government as well as the inevitable outcome of the haves and have nots.
In James’ dystopian world government no longer exists. In its place are ruling corporations, each responsible for their own arc (region/city) and product; all dependent on one another. The natural resources, breathable air and even water of Earth have all long since been destroyed; creating a wasteland where plenty once existed. All citizens are employees with a number (SID); beholden to the corporation that rules their geography. The ultimate haves and have nots exist in the form of primes (workers) who live out one life toiling for the corporate “good”; and the ultra class with access to advances in medicine that allow them to live hundreds of years and then clone themselves at 18 to start their next life when one gives out.
Titus Remington is not a typical or lovable hero. The spoiled prince at the very top of the upperclass, Titus is the first born son of the CEO and controlling shareholder of Roman Biogenics, one of the ruling corporations. When Titus’s father is found guilty of corporate treason and executed, Titus is faced with a choice: pursue the truth and save others, including someone he loved in his memories from his first life, or let it go and continue to enjoy the good life. Titus is helped by Liv, a rebel and hacker with as many aliases and facades as there are images in a room of mirrors, and Kai, Titus’s best friend in his first life, son of Biogenics board members, and a spy for Biogenics chief counsel. Together these three set out to try and do the right thing, but not always for the right reasons.
Democracy Inc moves quickly. The many characters are multi-dimensional. I can not think of a single named character that is not both good and bad in some way. Every character has a reason for their actions; no character is purely good or purely evil as you are wont to find in other books in this genre.
Democracy Inc overall is a YA novel worth reading. Full of adventure, mystery and a dystopian world that has a ring of truth to the world we are building today. My biggest complaint is the book leaves you unfulfilled with a clear what comes next waiting for the sequel and a new antagonist set up to oppose our protagonist trio.4 Stars
I was given an ARC of Democracy Inc in exchange for my unbiased review.
John James novel is an interesting futuristic look, given the current political climate. of what the ultimate outlook might be if the rising influence of corporate greed trumps the compassion of government as well as the inevitable outcome of the haves and have nots.
In James’ dystopian world government no longer exists. In its place are ruling corporations, each responsible for their own arc (region/city) and product; all dependent on one another. The natural resources, breathable air and even water of Earth have all long since been destroyed; creating a wasteland where plenty once existed. All citizens are employees with a number (SID); beholden to the corporation that rules their geography. The ultimate haves and have nots exist in the form of primes (workers) who live out one life toiling for the corporate “good”; and the ultra class with access to advances in medicine that allow them to live hundreds of years and then clone themselves at 18 to start their next life when one gives out.
Titus Remington is not a typical or lovable hero. The spoiled prince at the very top of the upperclass, Titus is the first born son of the CEO and controlling shareholder of Roman Biogenics, one of the ruling corporations. When Titus’s father is found guilty of corporate treason and executed, Titus is faced with a choice: pursue the truth and save others, including someone he loved in his memories from his first life, or let it go and continue to enjoy the good life. Titus is helped by Liv, a rebel and hacker with as many aliases and facades as there are images in a room of mirrors, and Kai, Titus’s best friend in his first life, son of Biogenics board members, and a spy for Biogenics chief counsel. Together these three set out to try and do the right thing, but not always for the right reasons.
Democracy Inc moves quickly. The many characters are multi-dimensional. I can not think of a single named character that is not both good and bad in some way. Every character has a reason for their actions; no character is purely good or purely evil as you are wont to find in other books in this genre.
Democracy Inc overall is a YA novel worth reading. Full of adventure, mystery and a dystopian world that has a ring of truth to the world we are building today. My biggest complaint is the book leaves you unfulfilled with a clear what comes next waiting for the sequel and a new antagonist set up to oppose our protagonist trio.4 Stars
February 28, 2019
I really wanted to like this book, I love this genre of books. There was a few problems that I made the book hard to read. I gave up reading it because there came a point where I realized that I didn't care about any of the characters. Here's some of the reasons why I think it was hard to read this book.
It was hard to tell in the beginning of the chapter who that chapter was focusing on. Sometimes I would be reading the next page before I get their name or some kind of info that point to who's internal thoughts was going on. The chapters were labeled by numbers, however I think it would help if they were the character's name. I've seen many authors do this and it helps especially when it switches over to a new person.
The other problem I had is the the writing style and sometimes I felt they through in facts and little history bits in places where I felt it broke the pace of the scene. I wondered why did this need to be through in here now. Let me give an example that happened early on in the story. The main character is spotted some trouble and goes to help his friend. The foe moves to strike the main character and what happens next is there is a break in the action scene. Here's a literal quote from the book, "Straight at my face. Let's stop right here for a second" What happens next is a literal paragraph on the history of his father's company describe why he has better reflexes than other people. Then it jumps right back into the scene where he slidesteps the punch and knocks the foe out.
It baffles me why the decision was made to interrupt a fight scene to give a history lesson and why it couldn't be done at the end of the fight or some other time. The readers could have picked up on the fact that the main character is faster than others. There are times it's better to show not tell in a story.
I wanted to like this book and I think that if some writing style choices were cleaned up, that this might be a book I would like. But it was hard for me to finish and I gave up.
I won this book.
It was hard to tell in the beginning of the chapter who that chapter was focusing on. Sometimes I would be reading the next page before I get their name or some kind of info that point to who's internal thoughts was going on. The chapters were labeled by numbers, however I think it would help if they were the character's name. I've seen many authors do this and it helps especially when it switches over to a new person.
The other problem I had is the the writing style and sometimes I felt they through in facts and little history bits in places where I felt it broke the pace of the scene. I wondered why did this need to be through in here now. Let me give an example that happened early on in the story. The main character is spotted some trouble and goes to help his friend. The foe moves to strike the main character and what happens next is there is a break in the action scene. Here's a literal quote from the book, "Straight at my face. Let's stop right here for a second" What happens next is a literal paragraph on the history of his father's company describe why he has better reflexes than other people. Then it jumps right back into the scene where he slidesteps the punch and knocks the foe out.
It baffles me why the decision was made to interrupt a fight scene to give a history lesson and why it couldn't be done at the end of the fight or some other time. The readers could have picked up on the fact that the main character is faster than others. There are times it's better to show not tell in a story.
I wanted to like this book and I think that if some writing style choices were cleaned up, that this might be a book I would like. But it was hard for me to finish and I gave up.
I won this book.
May 18, 2020
Mr. John sets up a future in which governments have failed, leaving only wastelands and giant corporations have taken over. The United States is now ruled by eight specialized corporations which are dependent on one another. The powerful elites have access to medicines that prolong their lives to hundreds of years, then get cloned when that life is over, restarting at age 18, allowing them to stay in power for centuries, while the working class are barely able to survive.
Titus Remington is the spoiled oldest son of a corporation CEO, who is thrust into the top role when his father is found guilty of corporate treason and executed. Titus quickly learns that all is not straight up honest and he must choose whether to accept the status quo or to question it and work to expose the truth. He finds that his brother, his friends and their enemies all have good and bad traits, as they risk their lives through many encounters that test their wit and determination, achieving successes and setbacks. Can they survive to find justice?
This is well-written, with deeply developed characters and vivid scenery that pulls the reader in as part of the fast-paced action. It is an easy read that is hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more, hopefully a sequel to this story.
Titus Remington is the spoiled oldest son of a corporation CEO, who is thrust into the top role when his father is found guilty of corporate treason and executed. Titus quickly learns that all is not straight up honest and he must choose whether to accept the status quo or to question it and work to expose the truth. He finds that his brother, his friends and their enemies all have good and bad traits, as they risk their lives through many encounters that test their wit and determination, achieving successes and setbacks. Can they survive to find justice?
This is well-written, with deeply developed characters and vivid scenery that pulls the reader in as part of the fast-paced action. It is an easy read that is hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more, hopefully a sequel to this story.
July 2, 2021
While not my typical genre, I was compelled to give this book a try. The author clearly has great command of story structure and pacing--all the critical elements are there and the book moves you along in digestible chunks very well. At first, I thought the chapters were a bit short, but found that to be helpful in keeping the action going. I did have an issue initially with the changing voice from third to first person, but John makes it work to great effect (primarily to show instead of tell) and I got used to it eventually.
John's world-building was strong and I bought into it. I normally have a problem getting into dystopian fiction for that reason. The plausibility of a particular future can gnaw at a reader and be distracting. Once I put the "I believe" glasses on, everything made enough sense to keep going.
The fight scenes are exceptionally well-written and the characters are strongly developed. I do wish a few of the key relationships were more fleshed out--at times it felt those details were almost purposely omitted to be included in a sequel. It's a risky move that could pay off, but did leave us wanting more.
In all, I felt rewarded for spending my time reading it and look forward to John's next offering.
John's world-building was strong and I bought into it. I normally have a problem getting into dystopian fiction for that reason. The plausibility of a particular future can gnaw at a reader and be distracting. Once I put the "I believe" glasses on, everything made enough sense to keep going.
The fight scenes are exceptionally well-written and the characters are strongly developed. I do wish a few of the key relationships were more fleshed out--at times it felt those details were almost purposely omitted to be included in a sequel. It's a risky move that could pay off, but did leave us wanting more.
In all, I felt rewarded for spending my time reading it and look forward to John's next offering.
December 9, 2020
Epitome of Great Sci-Fi
Science Fiction is best when it's a believable future or alternate reality. Is a divided and corporate dominated United States where crime pays and justice is honored in the breach and pocketbook so incredible?!?
There's likable characters and characters you love to hate! Do you try to guess what's going to happen next, and then keep reading because you were surprised?!? This is that type of book... delightfully predictable and wonderfully surprising. It's a fast moving page turner that will leave you wanting more. Where's the sequel?!?
I'll read anything by this author...even go to the early stuff and can't wait for the next one! Great job entertaining me -- I appreciate this kind of work and I'll bet you will too! Dive in! Press the 'i believe' and lose yourself.
Science Fiction is best when it's a believable future or alternate reality. Is a divided and corporate dominated United States where crime pays and justice is honored in the breach and pocketbook so incredible?!?
There's likable characters and characters you love to hate! Do you try to guess what's going to happen next, and then keep reading because you were surprised?!? This is that type of book... delightfully predictable and wonderfully surprising. It's a fast moving page turner that will leave you wanting more. Where's the sequel?!?
I'll read anything by this author...even go to the early stuff and can't wait for the next one! Great job entertaining me -- I appreciate this kind of work and I'll bet you will too! Dive in! Press the 'i believe' and lose yourself.
February 11, 2018
The concept is intriguing and well handled; the writing is good and there are many interesting ideas and well-timed surprises; the language is clean too. I liked the way the multiple points of view were indicated with a silhouette in a typical pose at the head of the chapters, even though I found having one of the points of view in first person rather jarring at first. I liked the creepy church and the repurposed missile silo. However... I found it a bit of a slog and came close to giving up on it. That may be because I’m not a big fan of the genre. I didn’t really warm to the characters and was bored by the virtual reality parts. Still, I’m glad I stuck with it.
June 3, 2020
A gripping dystopian thriller. America is run by 8 conglomerates controlling every aspect of life. While this book is completely independent, those who have read the 8th Day will recognise how this system could have developed. The ruling elites live for hundreds of years and can then be reborn as 18 year old clones, while others live lives of repetitive boredom. The story is quick moving, with each chapter identified by a silhouette of the main character involved as those who want to make changes have to fight those who want to maintain the system. The characters are well developed and believable and the ending realistic, although, hopefully, paving the way for further stories.
January 24, 2018
Democracy Inc. is a very curious book indeed. Clearly aimed at the YA demographic, it emulates so many of current dystopian YA works that it almost seems an amalgam of those. Like in most of those, the population is being hooked on virtual reality and a range of drugs and lied to. You have a dashing main character who is a charming rogue, and a heroine who is capable and determined. Titus belongs to the ultraclass, the most powerful elite that runs the Corporate States of America. Liviana is a rebel. After a tragic incident the come together to help each other and uncover the truth.
Overall it has been enjoying. However, the characters behave in a very flippant way, which detracts from the credibility of the story, and the book largely reads like a film script. I also don't think I will ever get used to the 1st person present tense narrative. Of course, n this book you have five different perspectives and only that of Titus is in the 1st person. The book reminds me of Ready Player One, Red Rising, and vaguely echoes PK Dick. The way it ends I assume it is the first installment of many. I would have to see what the next book has to offer to decide if it worth persevering with.
Overall it has been enjoying. However, the characters behave in a very flippant way, which detracts from the credibility of the story, and the book largely reads like a film script. I also don't think I will ever get used to the 1st person present tense narrative. Of course, n this book you have five different perspectives and only that of Titus is in the 1st person. The book reminds me of Ready Player One, Red Rising, and vaguely echoes PK Dick. The way it ends I assume it is the first installment of many. I would have to see what the next book has to offer to decide if it worth persevering with.
April 8, 2018
This was an interesting read. Part sci-fi, part future dystopia. The pace of the story is quick, which made it a fun read. I also enjoyed how chapters from the main character’s (Titus) point of view are in first person, where chapters from everyone else’s point of view are in third person. The ending definitely leaves room for a sequel, which I will look forward to reading.
February 16, 2019
Interesting adventure in a future earth.
This book took a bit to become understanding of the way the writes. There is a real good basis for a series. In a world of 8 competing mega-companies, the inter corporation shenanigans seem endless.
This book was very interesting and full of humor. I truly enjoined the book a and look forward to a sequel .
This book took a bit to become understanding of the way the writes. There is a real good basis for a series. In a world of 8 competing mega-companies, the inter corporation shenanigans seem endless.
This book was very interesting and full of humor. I truly enjoined the book a and look forward to a sequel .
January 28, 2018
A very realistic dystopian American future in which the United States fractured into separate corporate states. Believable characters, realistic dialogue, and an involving storyline. A most enjoyable read!
September 7, 2018
A fun and fast-paced sci first thriller
This is not War and Peace but it is pretty good a n d a fun read. Some great sci fi and sociological concepts but there are a few weaknesses in the plot you have to turn a blind e y e to.
This is not War and Peace but it is pretty good a n d a fun read. Some great sci fi and sociological concepts but there are a few weaknesses in the plot you have to turn a blind e y e to.
January 22, 2018
This was a great gem to find. This book was heard to put down and has a few too many parallels with today's government. This is a good story and a great read.
Mr. Joe
Mr. Joe
February 22, 2018
Good read
Couldn't put it down! What a wild ride! Makes you wonder "Is this where we are headed?" Left me wanting much more!
Couldn't put it down! What a wild ride! Makes you wonder "Is this where we are headed?" Left me wanting much more!
March 12, 2018
Couldn't finish it.
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