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Burn
Flight Lieutenant Chris Waters is the pilot of a cutting-edge unmanned SAD fighter drone that is used for secret government missions. Chris is cutting-edge technology himself: his neural network is upgraded with cyber-technology and software that makes him the interface of his combat drone.
Then, something goes wrong as he connects to his drone. Haunted by strange, disorientating impressions, a so-called “ghost”, he hooks up on leave with fellow pilot Cyril for a night. But Cyril is not the man Chris thought he is, and Chris soon finds out what the “ghost” in his body really is, as well as the truth about his missions.
Then, something goes wrong as he connects to his drone. Haunted by strange, disorientating impressions, a so-called “ghost”, he hooks up on leave with fellow pilot Cyril for a night. But Cyril is not the man Chris thought he is, and Chris soon finds out what the “ghost” in his body really is, as well as the truth about his missions.
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 7, 2016
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138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 7, 2016
Provocative, and while I don't agree with the philosophical or political leanings it was interesting, but too darn short. I found both characters too old to be that naive. You make this some wet behind the ears teenager with dreams of video game heroism--maybe, but let's just say that there are tours you don't sign up for if you don't want to play reindeer games.
I wouldn't categorize this as a romance, but if you've read Voinov then this reads true to form. I hope this is a prequel to more because otherwise it's just lobbing a fire grenade. This was a fun brush up against something that could be explored in much greater depth. And, I suspect that my non-American friends will find this less contentious.
Recommended for Industrial military junkies.
<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>
IT'S TIME!
Must think in Russian.--Firefox
Still not yet.
Anyone want to buddy read?
Pretty jazzed about this new cyborg offering. I loved Incursion, so GIMMEE!
I wouldn't categorize this as a romance, but if you've read Voinov then this reads true to form. I hope this is a prequel to more because otherwise it's just lobbing a fire grenade. This was a fun brush up against something that could be explored in much greater depth. And, I suspect that my non-American friends will find this less contentious.
Recommended for Industrial military junkies.
<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>
IT'S TIME!
Must think in Russian.--Firefox
Still not yet.
Anyone want to buddy read?
Pretty jazzed about this new cyborg offering. I loved Incursion, so GIMMEE!
November 14, 2016
3.5 Arghh?! I so set myself up for this one.
Having just finished Incursion and finding it really good, but too short (too bloody short), I thought I'd read Burn...which happens to be about one third of Incursion and is situated in a similar intriguing sci-fi world. Voinov delivers a pretty neat sense of setting and atmosphere for such a tiny story, with the added bonus of a hot 'n heavy romp between the sheets, some hidden agendas, a flash of a bigger and better story and then... it's finished.
Ah well, this is a Voinov, so of course it was in no way a punishment to gobble down this juicy snack. But the potential of Burn being a full course dinner instead remains unfulfilled. And man, does it subtly grate!
Having just finished Incursion and finding it really good, but too short (too bloody short), I thought I'd read Burn...which happens to be about one third of Incursion and is situated in a similar intriguing sci-fi world. Voinov delivers a pretty neat sense of setting and atmosphere for such a tiny story, with the added bonus of a hot 'n heavy romp between the sheets, some hidden agendas, a flash of a bigger and better story and then... it's finished.
Ah well, this is a Voinov, so of course it was in no way a punishment to gobble down this juicy snack. But the potential of Burn being a full course dinner instead remains unfulfilled. And man, does it subtly grate!
July 13, 2019
Wait, what was that?! I'm still puzzled about what I just finished.. I mean, I was never into Sci-Fi and maybe it's because these things are WAY to complicated for me. I"m not sure I understood what BURN means.. which, well, suppose to be important right?
There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing.
The world building was SUPER fast, I guess if this one was a full novel we'd get it in smaller doses, but here we got it ALL in a few pages including a mystery and a sex scene (yep, all in 31 pages!). It felt like a sort of beginning to a story, maybe one day it will be more (that's what Aleksandr says right at the ending). It was a nice sort of glimpse into a very complicated yet interesting world but I'm not sure I would have read this one if it was a full novel, me and Sci-Fi don't mix that well.
I enjoyed the story though I KNOW I didn't get a lot of the technical stuff that was mentioned. It has a sort of beginning of maybe a romantic story, but basically it's sex with a fellow pilot that leads to a lot more than Chris expected.
There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing.
The world building was SUPER fast, I guess if this one was a full novel we'd get it in smaller doses, but here we got it ALL in a few pages including a mystery and a sex scene (yep, all in 31 pages!). It felt like a sort of beginning to a story, maybe one day it will be more (that's what Aleksandr says right at the ending). It was a nice sort of glimpse into a very complicated yet interesting world but I'm not sure I would have read this one if it was a full novel, me and Sci-Fi don't mix that well.
I enjoyed the story though I KNOW I didn't get a lot of the technical stuff that was mentioned. It has a sort of beginning of maybe a romantic story, but basically it's sex with a fellow pilot that leads to a lot more than Chris expected.
July 30, 2023
This was a really interesting scifi romance. The concept captured my attention and the romantic couple had a unique meeting that made me want to rea more of their story.
Only wish was that it was longer!
Only wish was that it was longer!
July 23, 2017
In the somewhat near future wars are fought using drones that are controlled by 'tankers', technologically enhanced human pilots who are connected to their drone through a neural network that is implanted into their bodies.
Chris, a 'tanker' pilot, is giving an interview to a journalist when he is called to action. However, slipping into his immersion suit, he feels a terrible jolt of pain that causes a sensory overload. The connection to his drone is severed and Chris is sent to recover from the nervous shock. However, he suddenly feels a strange sort of phantom awareness: It's as if he's controlling two bodies!
Taking medical leave, Chris hooks up with another pilot who has secrets of his own - and who knows a thing or two about the 'ghost' in Chris' body.
This sci-fi short story does have enough substance to make it into a full novel, so I hope Mr Voinov does find the inspiration to delve deeper into this universe.
As a short story, it's very good, but it suffers from the same lack of depth and character background that many short stories do due to their short length. I am hoping for more world building and depth for this interesting universe!
4 stars!
Chris, a 'tanker' pilot, is giving an interview to a journalist when he is called to action. However, slipping into his immersion suit, he feels a terrible jolt of pain that causes a sensory overload. The connection to his drone is severed and Chris is sent to recover from the nervous shock. However, he suddenly feels a strange sort of phantom awareness: It's as if he's controlling two bodies!
Taking medical leave, Chris hooks up with another pilot who has secrets of his own - and who knows a thing or two about the 'ghost' in Chris' body.
This sci-fi short story does have enough substance to make it into a full novel, so I hope Mr Voinov does find the inspiration to delve deeper into this universe.
As a short story, it's very good, but it suffers from the same lack of depth and character background that many short stories do due to their short length. I am hoping for more world building and depth for this interesting universe!
4 stars!
January 7, 2020
OMG, why isn't this a full-length novel?
Also, as much as I LOVE Gomez Pugh, these characters sounded exactly like Vic & Jacob from the PsyCop series. (I should have taken Trio's word for that.) Still, he's a great narrator.
Also, as much as I LOVE Gomez Pugh, these characters sounded exactly like Vic & Jacob from the PsyCop series. (I should have taken Trio's word for that.) Still, he's a great narrator.
May 2, 2021
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2018/10/21/...
Rating: 3 Stars - not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
Rating: 3 Stars - not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it
February 10, 2017
Darum geht's:
Um die ultramodernen Drohnen fliegen zu können, müssen die Piloten, die sie per Fernbedienung vom Boden aus steuern, ihren Körper anpassen und mit technischer Hilfe "verbessern" lassen. Chris Waters ist einer von den "Flughunden", deren Körper mit Hightech aufgemotzt und damit quasi ein Teil der Drohnensteuerung geworden ist. Gerade als er stolz einem Kamerateam seinen Job vorführen will, gibt es einen technischen Notfall, der sich auf Chris selbst auswirkt. Auf dem Weg in die krankheitsbedingte Erholungsphase trifft er auf Cyril, der ihn offen anflirtet. Also wieso sich nicht mit ihm die Zeit vertreiben? Doch ihre Begegnung war kein Zufall.
So fand ich's:
Chris ist ein großer Junge, der gerne mit seinem Multimillionendollar Spielzeug hantiert, fast als wäre er in einem Computerspiel. Als das ausgeklügelte System plötzlich nicht mehr so funktioniert wie geplant, muss er sich mit gesundheitlichen Problemen herumschlagen, die in erster Linie mal ziemlich unangenehm sind. Der Rückflug nach hause beschert ihm die Bekanntschaft mit Cyril, einem anderen Drohnenpiloten, der genauso cool ist wie Chris, aber eine etwas andere Sicht auf ihren Job hat und der vor allem im Bett weiß, was er will.
Diese nur 32 Seiten lange Kurzgeschichte hat alles, was eine abgerundete Story braucht. Oberflächlich betrachtet erleben wir den One-Night-Stand zweier selbstbewusster Männer. Doch dahinter steckt viel mehr, als man auf den ersten Blick sieht. Gekonnt erzählt und absolut lesenswert!
Um die ultramodernen Drohnen fliegen zu können, müssen die Piloten, die sie per Fernbedienung vom Boden aus steuern, ihren Körper anpassen und mit technischer Hilfe "verbessern" lassen. Chris Waters ist einer von den "Flughunden", deren Körper mit Hightech aufgemotzt und damit quasi ein Teil der Drohnensteuerung geworden ist. Gerade als er stolz einem Kamerateam seinen Job vorführen will, gibt es einen technischen Notfall, der sich auf Chris selbst auswirkt. Auf dem Weg in die krankheitsbedingte Erholungsphase trifft er auf Cyril, der ihn offen anflirtet. Also wieso sich nicht mit ihm die Zeit vertreiben? Doch ihre Begegnung war kein Zufall.
So fand ich's:
Chris ist ein großer Junge, der gerne mit seinem Multimillionendollar Spielzeug hantiert, fast als wäre er in einem Computerspiel. Als das ausgeklügelte System plötzlich nicht mehr so funktioniert wie geplant, muss er sich mit gesundheitlichen Problemen herumschlagen, die in erster Linie mal ziemlich unangenehm sind. Der Rückflug nach hause beschert ihm die Bekanntschaft mit Cyril, einem anderen Drohnenpiloten, der genauso cool ist wie Chris, aber eine etwas andere Sicht auf ihren Job hat und der vor allem im Bett weiß, was er will.
Diese nur 32 Seiten lange Kurzgeschichte hat alles, was eine abgerundete Story braucht. Oberflächlich betrachtet erleben wir den One-Night-Stand zweier selbstbewusster Männer. Doch dahinter steckt viel mehr, als man auf den ersten Blick sieht. Gekonnt erzählt und absolut lesenswert!
September 24, 2017
That was really good... just wish it had been 200 pages longer.
Gomez Pugh was great but the characters were Vic and Jacob.
Gomez Pugh was great but the characters were Vic and Jacob.
November 30, 2016
Wait, what was that?! I'm still puzzled about what I just finished.. I mean, I was never into Sci-Fi and maybe it's because these things are WAY to complicated for me. I"m not sure I understood what BURN means.. which, well, suppose to be important right?
There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing.
The world building was SUPER fast, I guess if this one was a full novel we'd get it in smaller doses, but here we got it ALL in a few pages including a mystery and a sex scene (yep, all in 31 pages!). It felt like a sort of beginning to a story, maybe one day it will be more (that's what Aleksandr says right at the ending). It was a nice sort of glimpse into a very complicated yet interesting world but I'm not sure I would have read this one if it was a full novel, me and Sci-Fi don't mix that well.
I enjoyed the story though I KNOW I didn't get a lot of the technical stuff that was mentioned. It has a sort of beginning of maybe a romantic story, but basically it's sex with a fellow pilot that leads to a lot more than Chris expected.
More Reviews HERE
There is very little I can say about the plot, reading the synopsis totally gets you the idea behind it all, you are just left with revealing the "big secret" the "motive" so to speak which was a good one. Though again I'm still confused about the whole thing.
The world building was SUPER fast, I guess if this one was a full novel we'd get it in smaller doses, but here we got it ALL in a few pages including a mystery and a sex scene (yep, all in 31 pages!). It felt like a sort of beginning to a story, maybe one day it will be more (that's what Aleksandr says right at the ending). It was a nice sort of glimpse into a very complicated yet interesting world but I'm not sure I would have read this one if it was a full novel, me and Sci-Fi don't mix that well.
I enjoyed the story though I KNOW I didn't get a lot of the technical stuff that was mentioned. It has a sort of beginning of maybe a romantic story, but basically it's sex with a fellow pilot that leads to a lot more than Chris expected.
More Reviews HERE
February 20, 2017
I read this from beginning to end. For me, it started out as an "oh" story-- just didn't get it. After finishing I thought, "Oh. OK." (Wasn't fantastic, wasn't worst.) Two situational typos that made me stop reading and go back to see if I read it wrong but otherwise "meh".
I still like Aleksandr Voinov's writing! And the overall premise was good.
I still like Aleksandr Voinov's writing! And the overall premise was good.
June 28, 2025
Strongly-voiced military scifi story with intriguing symbiotic technology. I was picturing something like mechas, planes controlled (or guided) by a human pilot, but in this case at a distance.
As the author acknowledges in the end note, this feels like a piece of a larger story, a larger universe, but it was still a fun read.
As the author acknowledges in the end note, this feels like a piece of a larger story, a larger universe, but it was still a fun read.
October 25, 2025
I was confused at first but I slowly got into (and enjoyed!) the techno-thriller vibes this short was giving. I especially loved the idea of “burn” and would’ve loved to see it explored further between the MCs😏 It's a shame the author hasn't been able to translate this story into a full length novella like he wanted to because it’s got nearly everything going for it: good spice, great chemistry between the MCs, and intriguing world building. All it needs is more time.
Expect
- Forbidden romance
- Co-workers to lovers
- Military MCs
Kindle freebie: 2.2.25
Expect
- Forbidden romance
- Co-workers to lovers
- Military MCs
Kindle freebie: 2.2.25
November 9, 2016
The only thing as good as AV writing military SF is AV writing cyberpunk, and this is basically both (with extra hotness), and making covers for his stories was my dream ever since I started reading M/M.
October 1, 2020
3.75*
I enjoy Sci-fi /fantasy and this short let me wanting more, so I’ll probably grab the next in the series
I enjoy Sci-fi /fantasy and this short let me wanting more, so I’ll probably grab the next in the series
September 6, 2017
Audio book review - narrator: Gomez Pugh.
Although a short story, the author did a great job on character development, world building, and plot. And with Gomez Pugh as the narrator, I had to give it five stars. I really wasn't expecting things to go the way they did. I always love it when an author can take me by surprise. Be warned (or enticed): explicit, hot m/m sex scene.
Although a short story, the author did a great job on character development, world building, and plot. And with Gomez Pugh as the narrator, I had to give it five stars. I really wasn't expecting things to go the way they did. I always love it when an author can take me by surprise. Be warned (or enticed): explicit, hot m/m sex scene.
November 8, 2024
Al principio estaba como what. Y luego de terminarlo quedé como WHAT.
Ni siquiera da tiempo de empezar a asimilar las cosas y ya se terminó. No sé si este formato de libros tan extremadamente cortos sea para mí...
Ni siquiera da tiempo de empezar a asimilar las cosas y ya se terminó. No sé si este formato de libros tan extremadamente cortos sea para mí...
August 20, 2017
Cyber wars! For a short, there is a lot told here. Great world building, and hot chemistry. This really has potential for a great series!
July 19, 2017
Well that was a really cruel tease! I should have known, since i listened to the audio and it was less than an hour long. It felt more like the beginning of a novel than a contained short story, but a novel I'd totally read! Fingers crossed there will be one someday...
Gomez Pugh's narration was fabulous as always!
Gomez Pugh's narration was fabulous as always!
December 19, 2016
Ohmygod, it's so short.
January 7, 2017
Was very good for what was there. Would've liked more of everything - background, characters, plot, sex scenes - everything.
April 6, 2017
Chris & Cyril
Short. Hot. Original. Efficient. Loved it!
Short. Hot. Original. Efficient. Loved it!
July 1, 2024
“You don’t look Slav.”
“I’m as American as apple pie. Maybe with a spoonful of caviar.” — Chris Waters and Cyril Petkov
Warnings: Racist slur, suicide reference
Burn was unexpected. It is short and does feel like it might have more to say. I do recommend reading the author's note if you do read Burn. Aleksandr Voinov calls it "one of those infuriating short stories that may or may not be hiding a novel inside." going on to describe what sounds like a great story. All that said it does work quite effectively as standalone. Seeing a new world from the eyes of someone with skills in the area. Using a video crew for it is just smart.
I like Chris Waters and the way he is written as just resigned to his fate. I like the questioning, the sensations as the ghost takes hold and the way that changes as he learns the truth. Cyril Petkov is a fun character. He is a flirt and he doesn't even bother to hide it. There are clear signs from the start he has his own goals and reasons for persuing Chris but Chris is blind to them. Their coming together is a lot it is teasing and electric it is perfect for them. I am very pleased I chose to read this and I thank Aleksandr Voinov for choosing to release it rather than keep it.
I'm not going to lie it was the cover (by Tiferet Design) that caught my attention. I have been looking Voinov's books in the last couple of days because he has written some of the best wartime taboo books but this cover is different to others, it suits the book though. It feels like a mix of two things the burn that Chris is seeking and a visualisation of the ghost Chris was experiencing.
He closed his eyes, and suddenly he felt something. Something else.
Somebody else.
There was another body with him, within him. He could feel a separate pulse in addition to his own, someone inhaling and exhaling. — Chris Waters
A representative gif:
September 3, 2017
I was very impressed by this story. I was looking for something short to listen to and this was seemed to be exactly what I wanted. I don’t really like military book so much, but I have read some books from the author and I liked them, so I decided to give it a try. I listen to the audiobook and I was very impressed by how easy was to picture the scenes that were being describe. It was so good, I can’t say if it was the writer, the narrator or a mixed of both that made it so good, but I had a great time listening to it.
It had a very interesting plot. It had some unexpected twists. I start with it not knowing what to expect. I pay little attention to the book description. I just decided it was what I wanted and got it, so I was almost blind to what might happen. Looking back to the blurb, I couldn’t be prepare to the events I’d just read. It was really good.
There is little romance. I couldn’t care for the relationship between the main characters. It wasn’t more than a random hook up as I could see it, maybe some that could come in the future but not much of a romantic vibe from this one. I still enjoyed it. It was really short, but the story was told in a way that the conflict was solved without feeling too rushed or incomplete. It was really good.
It had a very interesting plot. It had some unexpected twists. I start with it not knowing what to expect. I pay little attention to the book description. I just decided it was what I wanted and got it, so I was almost blind to what might happen. Looking back to the blurb, I couldn’t be prepare to the events I’d just read. It was really good.
There is little romance. I couldn’t care for the relationship between the main characters. It wasn’t more than a random hook up as I could see it, maybe some that could come in the future but not much of a romantic vibe from this one. I still enjoyed it. It was really short, but the story was told in a way that the conflict was solved without feeling too rushed or incomplete. It was really good.
March 1, 2025
A fusion of cyberpunk and military thriller.
Lieutenant Chris Waters, a pilot who is as much machine as man. As he connects to his cutting-edge SAD fighter drone, a mysterious ‘ghost’ disrupts his reality, forcing him to question everything he knows.
Using a human’s neural network to steer machines was, strictly speaking, not what evolution had designed it for.
Chris hooks up with a fellow pilot while on leave and something strange happens.
Cerebral short
Futuristic thriller
Secret warfare
“I’d like to see if your body feels as good as your biofeedback.”
Lieutenant Chris Waters, a pilot who is as much machine as man. As he connects to his cutting-edge SAD fighter drone, a mysterious ‘ghost’ disrupts his reality, forcing him to question everything he knows.
Using a human’s neural network to steer machines was, strictly speaking, not what evolution had designed it for.
Chris hooks up with a fellow pilot while on leave and something strange happens.
Cerebral short
Futuristic thriller
Secret warfare
“I’d like to see if your body feels as good as your biofeedback.”
July 27, 2017
My fav. author and my fav. narrator are back again in this amazing short story that I adored to pieces. It brought a huge smile to my face and just what I needed for a walk from work to the bar in Fenway Park.
xo
xo
December 29, 2022
Absolutely loved it, my only complain, it was so short. I wanted moreeee more moreeee.
September 29, 2023
It was a fun short read!
Blog: http://literaturesandmovies.com/
Blog: http://literaturesandmovies.com/
October 16, 2023
December 2022. MM short story with a sci-fi bent, with drone/tank pilots in the future having high tech technology built into them and connected with their neural systems, which gets hacked in the story.
Interesting quick read on Kindle Unlimited, with a steamy scene. The well-written sci-fi elements made me curious to check out more by the author; it could've been cool as an expanded idea though it got a point across effectively with the short length.
“Burn” by Aleksandr Voinov.
Interesting quick read on Kindle Unlimited, with a steamy scene. The well-written sci-fi elements made me curious to check out more by the author; it could've been cool as an expanded idea though it got a point across effectively with the short length.
“Burn” by Aleksandr Voinov.
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