The Control Group

by E.C. Static

Eris Flynn lives in a perfect world where there is no pain, no worries, and no death. Yet, even in this ideal existence, Eris has always felt like an outsider -- the only person missing a glowing box above their head, indicating their name, mood, and health. Until today. It was chance that she met the man on the street. The man missing the same box above his head as Eris. He claimed to have answers to questions she'd never even thought to ask. Questions that threaten her very reality and everything she once accepted as truth. Unless Eris can determine what's real and what's fake, it could mean not just the end of Eris, but the end of existence as we have always known it.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2018

About the author

E.C. Static is a sentient AI monster birthed on Reddit and given human form.

...just kidding. Mostly.

E.C. Static is my pen name, backformed from my Reddit username (ecstaticandinsatiate) to create a space for my Reddit serials-turned-novels. You can expect fun characters, occasional poetry, vulgarity, and violence from me under this pen name, whether I’m writing urban fantasy, sci-fi, or litRPG.

I’m most active on Reddit, over at my personal subreddit, /r/shoringupfragments, or at my website www.shoringupfragments.com

Reviews

[Madis Ploompuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A generally really good read. For a novella, it's pretty well thought out and written. It touches subject of what to do when the world touches major issues (such as literally world becoming toxic) and humanity is searching for other solutions.

I read it a while ago, but I enjoyed reading it quite a lot. E. C. Static also knows how to write in a way that it's not too difficult to read, making consuming the book a lot easier. It also had a proper ending, giving us a possible solution or view from the characters' side.

Perhaps only not-that-great feedback that I remember most was the fact that I bought the physical book and it wasn't formatted well. Too much space between lines and front was too massive. It could've taken more work and time and needs an update. But this is not enough to remove a star. If one reads through kindle, there shouldn't be any problems what-so-ever.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A generally really good read. For a novella, it's pretty well thought out and written. It touches subject of what to do when the world touches major issues (such as literally world becoming toxic) and humanity is searching for other solutions.

I read it a while ago, but I enjoyed reading it quite a lot. E. C. Static also knows how to write in a way that it's not too difficult to read, making consuming the book a lot easier. It also had a proper ending, giving us a possible solution or view from the characters' side.

Perhaps only not-that-great feedback that I remember most was the fact that I bought the physical book and it wasn't formatted well. Too much space between lines and front was too massive. It could've taken more work and time and needs an update. But this is not enough to remove a star. If one reads through kindle, there shouldn't be any problems what-so-ever.

[Whinnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a self-published novel from a first-time author inspired by a writing prompt on Reddit, this was a pretty good, light read. The premise was interesting and the story flowed well, although after a certain point the plot did start to get predictable. I also did not like the relationship between Eris and Novak as the interactions between them felt too cheesy and forced -- perhaps if there had been more of a buildup and character development towards their kiss, I would have warmed up to it more?

Nevertheless, something about this novel kept me reading until the end. For the price and the time it took me to read (about 3 hours), it was worth it. Great first story, Static!

[Alex Kristopovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic first book by a new author

I found this book from the WritingPrompts subreddit, and wow, what a treat it was.
After just finishing watching Altered Carbon and reading Ready Player One, this was exactly what I wanted more of. It's a great new take on virtual reality and a glimpse at a terrifying solution our civilization may try to use for the inevitable problems our world faces.

[Heather Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in two sittings!

It’s been years since I’ve devoured a science fiction novella this fast. Highly recommend to any fans of Robert Heinlein, Hannah Kent, Frederik Polk, or Heather McElhatton.

[A.G. Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely world to get lost in.

From start to finish this was just such an utterly fun read. Going on this journey with Eris was well worth putting off other things and I'm only sad that it's over. Five stars all day.

[Alyssa Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this novella. The content, in my opinion, was pretty original and I really enjoyed how it was written.

I would love to read a sequel!

[Violet Laflamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Static has done here is take a cliched concept (numbers over the head), and put it into a fresh environment. The Oasis isn't a story about being trapped in a video game, but deals with the question "what might it be like if we could upload everyone into a new reality altogether? what would happen if some people didn't know their new reality was false?" That's Eris. She's lived in the Oasis as long as she can remember, and because she's part of the Control Group she thinks her world is real. I won't give you any spoilers, but watching Eris sort reality from fiction was a really interesting journey, and I'm happy to have read this book.

If you're looking to support an indie author, I definitely suggest you pick up The Control Group today.