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2054
Welcome to the Future. It’s 2054, where memory hackers carve up your mind and the religious wear impenetrable skins. Explore the ocean depths with AI-enhanced octopods. Learn your past might not be what you remember and fall in love across an impenetrable divide. You’ll love this riveting cyberpunk-fuelled box set of science fiction novellas. Buy your copy of 2054 now. This box set Deep Ocean Blues – Yudhanjaya Wijeratne In the Bay of Bengal, no one can hear you scream. When Parul signed up to work on Rig #443 thousands of feet beneath the ocean, she expected to make it out unharmed. But bitter truths lurk in the depths … and soon Parul’s survival is at stake. The Memory Hacker – JT Lawrence Be careful what you remember. A robodoctor shocks Talia by telling her she's given birth before. Talia's sure the AI is glitching, but it's stirred something deep in her memory. Will she risk remembering? Melting Shlemiel – Jason Werbeloff What would you sacrifice to be free? Shlemiel discovers a way to melt his impenetrable skin, but at a terrible cost. How will he choose between sacrificing his happiness and the safety of those he loves?
"Imagine a future that is at once amazing, terrifying, and breathtaking… Imagine no more—the future is now. Welcome to 2054." — Samuel Peralta Click to start reading now.
"Imagine a future that is at once amazing, terrifying, and breathtaking… Imagine no more—the future is now. Welcome to 2054." — Samuel Peralta Click to start reading now.
282 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2018
70 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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J.T. Lawrence
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June 7, 2018I'm proud to be a contributor to this box set, together with three awesome authors.
Welcome to the future!
Welcome to the future!
June 8, 2018
The writing style of these four novellas was top-notch across the board. I did notice a lot of typos but that's to be expected for ARC copies and I'm sure they'll be gone in the final publication. The authors clearly did a great job of reading each others' work to ensure internal consistency, so it leaves the reader with a feeling that the world is even wider than just these four stories (more stories in this version of the future, please!)
And now to a story-by story review:
"Deep Ocean Blues" - for me was the strongest story in terms of character depth, and pure mind-melting ability of the themes and the plot. Left me dazed in the best possible way. It does exactly what sci-fi should - makes the reader wonder what it means to be human.
"The Memory Hacker" - I don't particularly like reading about middle-aged women with missing children, but even I could help staying up at night to finish the story because I NEEDED to know what happens. It really held me transfixed with the twists and turns - several times it seems that the story is resolved and it wasn't. It's a very skilled author that can play with story structure like that.
"Melting Shlemiel" (have I spelled that right?) I feel awful saying anything bad about any of these stories, because they're so well written and the concept was brilliantly conceived. But I struggled with "Melting Shlemiel" purely because I didn't experience the suspension of disbelief. The central conceit - carapaces that cover the human body and render them unable to eat normal food, instead existing on other forms of energy - is really cool, but my scientist's brain was so preoccupied with wondering how they could possibly work that I wasn't paying attention to the story.
"The Camille" - I thought I was going to hate it because the one-liner said it was about a sexbot (and here those who follow my reviews will nod familiarly because they know sex/romance usually bores me to death) but hooray! No sex! Lots of fighting! Explosions! Shapeshifting cyborgs! Girl power! Loved it to bits and if I had a complaint about "The Camille" it would be that I was sad that it didn't get a book of its own. It did feel a little rushed and not as fleshed out as it deserved.
I feel so privileged to have secured an ARC copy through Colby Rice (author of "The Camille"), it was a great read and fully deserving of all these great reviews.
And now to a story-by story review:
"Deep Ocean Blues" - for me was the strongest story in terms of character depth, and pure mind-melting ability of the themes and the plot. Left me dazed in the best possible way. It does exactly what sci-fi should - makes the reader wonder what it means to be human.
"The Memory Hacker" - I don't particularly like reading about middle-aged women with missing children, but even I could help staying up at night to finish the story because I NEEDED to know what happens. It really held me transfixed with the twists and turns - several times it seems that the story is resolved and it wasn't. It's a very skilled author that can play with story structure like that.
"Melting Shlemiel" (have I spelled that right?) I feel awful saying anything bad about any of these stories, because they're so well written and the concept was brilliantly conceived. But I struggled with "Melting Shlemiel" purely because I didn't experience the suspension of disbelief. The central conceit - carapaces that cover the human body and render them unable to eat normal food, instead existing on other forms of energy - is really cool, but my scientist's brain was so preoccupied with wondering how they could possibly work that I wasn't paying attention to the story.
"The Camille" - I thought I was going to hate it because the one-liner said it was about a sexbot (and here those who follow my reviews will nod familiarly because they know sex/romance usually bores me to death) but hooray! No sex! Lots of fighting! Explosions! Shapeshifting cyborgs! Girl power! Loved it to bits and if I had a complaint about "The Camille" it would be that I was sad that it didn't get a book of its own. It did feel a little rushed and not as fleshed out as it deserved.
I feel so privileged to have secured an ARC copy through Colby Rice (author of "The Camille"), it was a great read and fully deserving of all these great reviews.
June 10, 2018
This book is a collection of four novellas that take place in the year 2054 and it's as cyberpunk as it gets. There is a depth to the stories and you can keep on reading even if it's slightly different from the stories that you usually read.
I really liked the first story Deep Ocean Blues. There is heart in this story and it shows in the most magnificent ways.
The Memory Hacker is a fast-paced romp through memories and life of Talia and the set-up of this story is really well-done. Once you finish reading it, you would want to read through again.
Melting Shlemiel is one story that I liked the most because it's so so fucking weird. But once you are immersed in the world of this story, it's lovely in there. It's funny, it's sad and in the end, it leaves you with a smile on your face.
The Camille is the last story and it's a banger that plows through every narrative set-piece with aplomb and grace. There is a lot of tech referenced in this one and that might become real sooner than later.
In all, a lovely collection and well worth the time spent on reading this! I finished it in one sitting!
I really liked the first story Deep Ocean Blues. There is heart in this story and it shows in the most magnificent ways.
The Memory Hacker is a fast-paced romp through memories and life of Talia and the set-up of this story is really well-done. Once you finish reading it, you would want to read through again.
Melting Shlemiel is one story that I liked the most because it's so so fucking weird. But once you are immersed in the world of this story, it's lovely in there. It's funny, it's sad and in the end, it leaves you with a smile on your face.
The Camille is the last story and it's a banger that plows through every narrative set-piece with aplomb and grace. There is a lot of tech referenced in this one and that might become real sooner than later.
In all, a lovely collection and well worth the time spent on reading this! I finished it in one sitting!
May 26, 2018
This was a most fascinating book to read. The four stories were as different as night and day, but they all followed a theme of being in 2054. The first story I didn't think was going to be something I enjoyed, being full of technical talk, but as I went along, it drew me in. Especially the octopods, who were the maintenance bots, for want of a better term, for the undersea mining operations.
I don't really want to get into describing the books because I don't want to give spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you buy and read this book, you will be greatly entertained.
I don't really want to get into describing the books because I don't want to give spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you buy and read this book, you will be greatly entertained.
May 29, 2018
When I heard of this collection of novellas, I leapt at the chance to read them. And I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. These four authors took a creative leap forward to the year 2054, established some ground rules, and then went away to write four very different cyberpunk tales starting from their baseline.
What's especially exciting about this collection is that each of the four authors originates from and lives in a different part of the world, and they put this diversity to excellent use, placing their stories in their home countries and cultures. At least, so far as I could tell. So one could see, for example, how they took some elements of present-day life and built on them to create a vision of the future.
I've been asked which of the stories is my favourite, and honestly, I could not say. Each take on the future is inventive, the characters lifelike and well-written. The concepts were well-portrayed through words, and each of the stories was thoroughly enjoyable.
Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
Set below the waters of the Bay of Bengal, this story explores the relationship between humanity and nature, while also taking a look at the psychology of humans living in isolation.
The Memory Hacker by JT Lawrence
In a futuristic South Africa, a woman discovers that her memories are false. But what is the truth, and who are her real friends?
Melting Shlemiel by Jason Werbeloff
In this coming-of-age story, a young Jewish man in Jerusalem steps outside the bounds of his strict sect. But when illness descends on the sect, will barriers be broken down for a cure?
The Camille by Colby R Rice
When one of the world authorities on AI is murdered by her ex-husband's sex-bot, she learns there is more to life - and AI - than she ever thought possible. But learning that her dreams have come true isn't easy when her life is threatened - again.
What's especially exciting about this collection is that each of the four authors originates from and lives in a different part of the world, and they put this diversity to excellent use, placing their stories in their home countries and cultures. At least, so far as I could tell. So one could see, for example, how they took some elements of present-day life and built on them to create a vision of the future.
I've been asked which of the stories is my favourite, and honestly, I could not say. Each take on the future is inventive, the characters lifelike and well-written. The concepts were well-portrayed through words, and each of the stories was thoroughly enjoyable.
Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
Set below the waters of the Bay of Bengal, this story explores the relationship between humanity and nature, while also taking a look at the psychology of humans living in isolation.
The Memory Hacker by JT Lawrence
In a futuristic South Africa, a woman discovers that her memories are false. But what is the truth, and who are her real friends?
Melting Shlemiel by Jason Werbeloff
In this coming-of-age story, a young Jewish man in Jerusalem steps outside the bounds of his strict sect. But when illness descends on the sect, will barriers be broken down for a cure?
The Camille by Colby R Rice
When one of the world authorities on AI is murdered by her ex-husband's sex-bot, she learns there is more to life - and AI - than she ever thought possible. But learning that her dreams have come true isn't easy when her life is threatened - again.
May 28, 2018
This is four stories of a near future based on the use of a different radioactive substance to provide power. All four stories have a single connecting thread but tell an almost completely different side of the story. The heartache and violence created in the tales are left to the reader to process and determine the ultimate outcome. However the narrative holds together as a complete unit. This is a complex story with each author providing a powerful input. It is quite well written and is an exciting read. Recommended .
June 24, 2018
This is a fascinating group of stories set in the future. I found myself drawn in and carried along with the characters. Warning! Not all the endings are happy, but I still liked them. Sometimes you need a little sadness along the way, it makes the story more real to me.
June 24, 2018
Excellent real science fiction at its best! Not since Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine have I read such true science fiction. These stories will leave you thrilled, confused, elated, and raring for a true taste of science fiction. Each individual story is breathtaking and mind-breaking making you want to look for more. An absolute must read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2018
A well written collection of four short stories that take place in a futuristic world and have a common theme. All four novellas have excellent storylines and interesting characters. Three of the stories are action packed and the forth makes the reader think. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends.
July 24, 2018
An excellent and fantastic anthology, stories based on the same universe. A wonderful world building, realistic and thought provoking. Poignant and compelling. Very recommended!
June 5, 2018
Thought it was a bit slow to start with but as I got into the story it was good to see how the last book fitted in
June 2, 2018
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed all of the stories. I like how they all take place in 2054. They all build off each other too. The first story didn't seem like it was going anywhere. Then it got really good. So don't be put off by the first chapter. Over all I loved all of the stories.
May 29, 2018
a very interesting collection of stories.
at first it was a bit difficult to get into the first story, but once I was into the storyline, I couldn't put the book down.
four different stories in one multiverse connected. definitely worth the read
at first it was a bit difficult to get into the first story, but once I was into the storyline, I couldn't put the book down.
four different stories in one multiverse connected. definitely worth the read
May 30, 2018
2054 you may want to rethink where all this new tech is taking us.Loved this book a real glimpse into the future (maybe)
June 9, 2018
I'm not giving any of the plot away, but I will say that if you don't read this book you will be missing out on one hell of a ride. Deep Ocean Blues started out slow but built to an unexpected climax that left me wondering and wanting to know more about this world. The Memory Hacker was a great read that made you want to smack someone in the story - they get what's coming to them. Melting Shlemiel was.... odd, interesting, umm, I feel I need to find out more about Shlemiel's dome/world as well. As for The Camille, it absolutely floored me. I NEED MORE! I need a whole series about The Camille, and possibly a movie or three. Problem is, I don't know if current movie technology is capable of doing it justice.
Let me sum this up by saying that all the authors in this book have gained a new fan, and I dearly want to know so much more about the world/s you have created!
Let me sum this up by saying that all the authors in this book have gained a new fan, and I dearly want to know so much more about the world/s you have created!
June 11, 2018
Highly recommended! Four stories, each one brilliantly written by four different authors, three of whom I hadn’t previously heard of, but will certainly be looking out for more of their work.
June 9, 2018
This is an awesome Story!!!! I loved it. At first I thought it was a little slow but I am glad I decided to read a little more. I loved it!!!!!
May 28, 2018
Interesting collection of stories, Deep Ocean Blues and The Camille were my favorites. If you like dystopian or futuristic Sci-Fi this book is for you. As far as the writing in general, not bad at all. Stories were solid, Melting Shlemiel was the hardest to get into for me, well enough crafted, I just did not like the subtext of the story. The Memory Hacker needed the most "changing", a bit of choppy continuance, a misused word, and a misspelled word. The story was interesting, the errors intruded (for me anyway). I was reading as a ARC reviewer and to look for errors. I found a few errors; missing words in sentences, added words that don't belong in the sentence, using the wrong word (tow for toe, due for do) , occasional misspellings (mesmerising instead of mesmerizing). Only 6 items that I caught in the four stories, not bad, although there were areas that could have improved with writing changes. I have read published books with more errors than that.
May 23, 2018
This box set is BALLER!!
June 15, 2018
2054
Deep Ocean Blues
I found the concept of this whole world a really intriguing one, but I felt that Parul was the only character with any real depth to her. At least the only human one. The AI and the octopus were quite intriguing characters in their own right and it was good to see something of the society Parul was in.
I did think there was too much in the way of information dumping and summarising, especially when she reached out to contact the others. I would have liked to see the interactions between her and the other human characters, rather than a couple of throwaway lines.
Reading about the way Parul was adapting to her extra arms was really interesting and it was nice to see there were some difficulties in regards to adapting to that. I wasn't really sure what her job was truly supposed to entail, though. Since she seemed to spend a lot of time drinking and then trying to help the octopus that wasn't part of her job, it looked like she had a lot of free time on her hands.
While there was a lot of action towards the end of this novella, I wasn't really sure what was going on, as the story became a bit more choppy. I did find the ending to be quite intriguing, but there wasn't a lot of foreshadowing to build up to it.
I felt that the world was an interesting one and I would have liked to see more of it and more of the wider area, rather than just the short scene right at the end. I was left with more questions than answers by the end, but it did make me want to read other books by this author in the future.
The Memory Hacker
(This review may contain spoilers).
I really liked the blurb of this novella. It was an interesting idea, but by the time I got to the end, it felt like it had veered sharply off into the fantastical.
While I did find Talia an engaging character, with some very obvious goals, it was hard to see her as Yorke described her - smart and resourceful. I had so many questions, such as where she'd even got a gun. And while there were some small parts of foreshadowing, I felt there wasn't nearly enough for what was ultimately revealed at the end.
I did think that Talia's greatest depth came when her memories were unscrambled, which was quite a unique way of handling the memory loss. And seeing her struggling to remember when she'd lost something was heartbreaking to read about, even though I would have thought there'd be contingency plans in place for what had actually happened.
This novella would have been more satisfactory if it'd been spread out over longer. I liked seeing the hints of society and technology throughout the book, but there was very little either added to the story. And by the end, it just seemed like there were no answers.
I'd love to read more stories set in this world at some point in the future and potentially get a better buildup of the world as a whole.
Melting Shlemiel
(This review may contain spoilers).
This world was a really interesting one to read about. While it's not something I could necessarily see occurring in reality (there were all sorts of questions raised for me about things like procreation, for instance), I liked the whole concept and it was easy to picture, in my mind, people choosing to surround themselves with a hard shell to cover the vulnerable flesh beneath.
Shlemiel was a likable character, though I didn't really understand why he was able to break his own bones and also break objects, as it had been made clear he wasn't covered in the shell in the past. I did find myself intrigued along with him about the way the shell felt when it left his body. I have to say, though, despite them feeding on energy...there seemed to be something inherently disturbing about them pointing guns at each other.
One thing I was confused about was the violence in how some of the people communicated with each other. It was implied that it had been going on for a while, but I didn't really understand why hitting the shells could communicate. It just seemed like a society that had raised itself on more violence.
I did find the religious aspects quite interesting and it was nice to see there were some conflicts, even if those weren't explored too thoroughly.
In the future, I'd be interested in seeing more of this world; and, in particular, of Shlemiel. I feel like there's a whole lot more to be explored.
The Camille
(This review may contain spoilers).
I liked the way all of the stories fit together and this one was no exception. It was interesting to note the way Andrea made use of her AI (Dan), while hating the AI her husband had left her for. I would have liked it if there had been more layers to that first plot, but it was quite good to see the plot change so drastically. And I really liked the usage of the technology.
There were some parts of this novella that were really creepy, especially when it came to what lay at the bottom of the tank. It was really easy to empathise with Andrea when it came to that; and although the voices she heard were a bit disorientating at first, it was good to begin to see them as characters in their own right.
While there was a lot of different technology shown in this novella, it was nice to see that it was more of a character-driven story and I enjoyed seeing something of the different Camilles; which was quite an interesting idea, even though I wasn't very clear on their history or how they even came about.
This was also a world I would really like to read more of and to get some more answers about what was going on. There was a lot that was left hanging. A lot of questions were left that I wanted the answers to.
Deep Ocean Blues
I found the concept of this whole world a really intriguing one, but I felt that Parul was the only character with any real depth to her. At least the only human one. The AI and the octopus were quite intriguing characters in their own right and it was good to see something of the society Parul was in.
I did think there was too much in the way of information dumping and summarising, especially when she reached out to contact the others. I would have liked to see the interactions between her and the other human characters, rather than a couple of throwaway lines.
Reading about the way Parul was adapting to her extra arms was really interesting and it was nice to see there were some difficulties in regards to adapting to that. I wasn't really sure what her job was truly supposed to entail, though. Since she seemed to spend a lot of time drinking and then trying to help the octopus that wasn't part of her job, it looked like she had a lot of free time on her hands.
While there was a lot of action towards the end of this novella, I wasn't really sure what was going on, as the story became a bit more choppy. I did find the ending to be quite intriguing, but there wasn't a lot of foreshadowing to build up to it.
I felt that the world was an interesting one and I would have liked to see more of it and more of the wider area, rather than just the short scene right at the end. I was left with more questions than answers by the end, but it did make me want to read other books by this author in the future.
The Memory Hacker
(This review may contain spoilers).
I really liked the blurb of this novella. It was an interesting idea, but by the time I got to the end, it felt like it had veered sharply off into the fantastical.
While I did find Talia an engaging character, with some very obvious goals, it was hard to see her as Yorke described her - smart and resourceful. I had so many questions, such as where she'd even got a gun. And while there were some small parts of foreshadowing, I felt there wasn't nearly enough for what was ultimately revealed at the end.
I did think that Talia's greatest depth came when her memories were unscrambled, which was quite a unique way of handling the memory loss. And seeing her struggling to remember when she'd lost something was heartbreaking to read about, even though I would have thought there'd be contingency plans in place for what had actually happened.
This novella would have been more satisfactory if it'd been spread out over longer. I liked seeing the hints of society and technology throughout the book, but there was very little either added to the story. And by the end, it just seemed like there were no answers.
I'd love to read more stories set in this world at some point in the future and potentially get a better buildup of the world as a whole.
Melting Shlemiel
(This review may contain spoilers).
This world was a really interesting one to read about. While it's not something I could necessarily see occurring in reality (there were all sorts of questions raised for me about things like procreation, for instance), I liked the whole concept and it was easy to picture, in my mind, people choosing to surround themselves with a hard shell to cover the vulnerable flesh beneath.
Shlemiel was a likable character, though I didn't really understand why he was able to break his own bones and also break objects, as it had been made clear he wasn't covered in the shell in the past. I did find myself intrigued along with him about the way the shell felt when it left his body. I have to say, though, despite them feeding on energy...there seemed to be something inherently disturbing about them pointing guns at each other.
One thing I was confused about was the violence in how some of the people communicated with each other. It was implied that it had been going on for a while, but I didn't really understand why hitting the shells could communicate. It just seemed like a society that had raised itself on more violence.
I did find the religious aspects quite interesting and it was nice to see there were some conflicts, even if those weren't explored too thoroughly.
In the future, I'd be interested in seeing more of this world; and, in particular, of Shlemiel. I feel like there's a whole lot more to be explored.
The Camille
(This review may contain spoilers).
I liked the way all of the stories fit together and this one was no exception. It was interesting to note the way Andrea made use of her AI (Dan), while hating the AI her husband had left her for. I would have liked it if there had been more layers to that first plot, but it was quite good to see the plot change so drastically. And I really liked the usage of the technology.
There were some parts of this novella that were really creepy, especially when it came to what lay at the bottom of the tank. It was really easy to empathise with Andrea when it came to that; and although the voices she heard were a bit disorientating at first, it was good to begin to see them as characters in their own right.
While there was a lot of different technology shown in this novella, it was nice to see that it was more of a character-driven story and I enjoyed seeing something of the different Camilles; which was quite an interesting idea, even though I wasn't very clear on their history or how they even came about.
This was also a world I would really like to read more of and to get some more answers about what was going on. There was a lot that was left hanging. A lot of questions were left that I wanted the answers to.
June 19, 2018
2054 is a collection of cyberpunk novella’s in which secret organizations and lots of water play an important role. The stories are very enjoyable. Presenting futures that may not be that far away, how peculiar they may seem now.
In the first story, Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, we go mining unknown minerals in a faraway place. Made possible with body swap techniques: a brain map is implanted in 3D-printed body at the mining place. Mining is done within an intelligent machine and with the help of local intelligent creatures.
Sounds outlandish? On some remote planet? No, it all takes place right here on earth. Wijeratne takes us to the most alien place on our planet – on the ocean floor, under 4 km of seawater. And lets us meet the most alien creatures on our planet – octopi.
In the second story, The Memory Hacker by J.T. Lawrence, the memory of a woman is erased and reconstructed. Nobody is who he or she seems. Not only “memories cannot be trusted” but “reality cannot be trusted”. Just think, how do you know what reality is, if not as a continuation of your memories.
So far the philosophical background. As for the story itself… Mwah, at the end there is too much talk and too little action. I guess that is just what I don’t like about thrillers. Setting up a lot of lines and in the end you just have to explain how they all connect.
In the third story, Melting Schlemiel by Jason Werbeloff, the setting is so outlandish it takes a while to even figure out what’s going on. People wear harnesses that completely shields them off form the world. No sight, sound, smell or touch can be sensed directly anymore. Communication happens through tapping – vibrations felt through floors, walls, not the air. Food is no longer necessary, instead one takes in kinetic energy. Using very coarse means to provide the energy: guns! All very weird, but it sure works. Werbeloff’s makes it utterly believable. Reading this novella is an almost physical experience.
In essence Melting Schlemiel is a coming of age love story. One has to drop his or her shield to let love in. Further on in the story, we see that religion is kind of a shell too. Schlemiel, the one who has softened, lets his love overflow in order to save everyone.
The fourth story, The Camille by Coly R. Rice, starts from a marital crisis involving a sex-bot. We are then taken to places unimaginable. In a world where real and artificial people roam, it is inevitable that the two merge into a single being. Rice convincingly show a world where the organic and the inorganic meet to become powerful cyborgs.
Rice tells the story in the first person singular and does not let us know more than the protagonist. We keeping guessing what the hell is going on.
I received an advance copy from the authors. I write this review voluntarily though. I can wholeheartedly recommend this collection.
In the first story, Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, we go mining unknown minerals in a faraway place. Made possible with body swap techniques: a brain map is implanted in 3D-printed body at the mining place. Mining is done within an intelligent machine and with the help of local intelligent creatures.
Sounds outlandish? On some remote planet? No, it all takes place right here on earth. Wijeratne takes us to the most alien place on our planet – on the ocean floor, under 4 km of seawater. And lets us meet the most alien creatures on our planet – octopi.
In the second story, The Memory Hacker by J.T. Lawrence, the memory of a woman is erased and reconstructed. Nobody is who he or she seems. Not only “memories cannot be trusted” but “reality cannot be trusted”. Just think, how do you know what reality is, if not as a continuation of your memories.
So far the philosophical background. As for the story itself… Mwah, at the end there is too much talk and too little action. I guess that is just what I don’t like about thrillers. Setting up a lot of lines and in the end you just have to explain how they all connect.
In the third story, Melting Schlemiel by Jason Werbeloff, the setting is so outlandish it takes a while to even figure out what’s going on. People wear harnesses that completely shields them off form the world. No sight, sound, smell or touch can be sensed directly anymore. Communication happens through tapping – vibrations felt through floors, walls, not the air. Food is no longer necessary, instead one takes in kinetic energy. Using very coarse means to provide the energy: guns! All very weird, but it sure works. Werbeloff’s makes it utterly believable. Reading this novella is an almost physical experience.
In essence Melting Schlemiel is a coming of age love story. One has to drop his or her shield to let love in. Further on in the story, we see that religion is kind of a shell too. Schlemiel, the one who has softened, lets his love overflow in order to save everyone.
The fourth story, The Camille by Coly R. Rice, starts from a marital crisis involving a sex-bot. We are then taken to places unimaginable. In a world where real and artificial people roam, it is inevitable that the two merge into a single being. Rice convincingly show a world where the organic and the inorganic meet to become powerful cyborgs.
Rice tells the story in the first person singular and does not let us know more than the protagonist. We keeping guessing what the hell is going on.
I received an advance copy from the authors. I write this review voluntarily though. I can wholeheartedly recommend this collection.
June 12, 2018
2054 is a collection of 4 stories about what the world might be like in the year 2054. While the stories are vastly different they are supposed to represent the same future and each story has references to at least the technology in another story. Unfortunately, the technology in the stories is almost to dissimilar to describe the same future of 40 years from now. It is as if the different locals in the world developed their own technology without any connection to the other places around them. The authors may have been better off just representing their own version of 2054 as none of the characters or plots had anything to do with each other and most of the stories and ideas were fascinating in their own right. As with any anthology, some of the stories are better than others.
Deep Ocean Blues
This was a great stuck in a box story. Wijeratne does a great job of letting the audience feel Parul's sense of isolation. Stuck on a rig in the deep ocean, with only the AI and some cyper octopodes as company, Parul's life is monotonous until politics from the outside world explode in. Great twist at the end!
The Memory Hacker
This was my least favorite of the stories. It comes of as mix of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Minority Report. There is even a chapter named Eternal Sunshine. I couldn't decide if author is giving a very obvious nod or what? It has some fun romance and action but was kind of predictable.
Melting Shlemiel
This was by far my favorite of the four. It is a beautifully written story and Werbeloff seems to really care for his characters and the culture that they are a part of. Set in a Jerusalem where everyone wears protective shielding, to the point where the main character has never seen his mother's face outside of the shielding, it brings up thoughts of what we lose in the name of protection. Shlemiel may be a man in the Jewish faith but this is very much a coming of age and finding yourself story. If I have any issues it was that it took me a bit to figure out the thrumming communication but in the bio at the end of the story it says "His books will make your brain hurt" so... totally accomplished!
The Camille
With her life having fallen apart, Drea is lost and drinking away her sorrows. But she still can't say no to the Pleasure android who her husband left her for when she says her ex needs her. Jump ahead to a gruesome description of her husband falling apart due to some tech connected disease, attempted murder by the sexbot and the story kicks off from there without slowing down. This was a lot of fun but it ends rather abruptly and with a lot of unanswered questions. It comes off as more of a prologue or prelude to a larger story than a complete story in itself.
Deep Ocean Blues
This was a great stuck in a box story. Wijeratne does a great job of letting the audience feel Parul's sense of isolation. Stuck on a rig in the deep ocean, with only the AI and some cyper octopodes as company, Parul's life is monotonous until politics from the outside world explode in. Great twist at the end!
The Memory Hacker
This was my least favorite of the stories. It comes of as mix of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Minority Report. There is even a chapter named Eternal Sunshine. I couldn't decide if author is giving a very obvious nod or what? It has some fun romance and action but was kind of predictable.
Melting Shlemiel
This was by far my favorite of the four. It is a beautifully written story and Werbeloff seems to really care for his characters and the culture that they are a part of. Set in a Jerusalem where everyone wears protective shielding, to the point where the main character has never seen his mother's face outside of the shielding, it brings up thoughts of what we lose in the name of protection. Shlemiel may be a man in the Jewish faith but this is very much a coming of age and finding yourself story. If I have any issues it was that it took me a bit to figure out the thrumming communication but in the bio at the end of the story it says "His books will make your brain hurt" so... totally accomplished!
The Camille
With her life having fallen apart, Drea is lost and drinking away her sorrows. But she still can't say no to the Pleasure android who her husband left her for when she says her ex needs her. Jump ahead to a gruesome description of her husband falling apart due to some tech connected disease, attempted murder by the sexbot and the story kicks off from there without slowing down. This was a lot of fun but it ends rather abruptly and with a lot of unanswered questions. It comes off as more of a prologue or prelude to a larger story than a complete story in itself.
June 16, 2018
Do not hesitate to purchase, as this has something for everyone. An easy five stars for the quality of the writing.
This was a very exciting set of writing for me, as there were authors I had never read before.
Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
I so enjoyed this story. I was very quickly drawn into Parul's small, lonely, and jet-black isolated world. I was fascinated by how she got there in the first place. Despite things happening far above her on the ocean, and being badly hurt in love herself, she still manages to show compassion to another being. A beautiful and emotive adventure. I'll be reading more by this author.
The Memory Hacker by JT Lawrence
I was fascinated by this tale, as I could not conceive (sorry...) being told that you had given birth previously, but you couldn't remember it. Imagine that? Reminded me of a kind of 'We Can Remember It For You Wholesale' variation. Enjoyed the ending.
Melting Shlemiel by Jason Werbeloff
This was my absolute favourite out of the four stories. Werbeloff has a way with words and a unique imagination. When the two smash together in his work, you'll see things out of the ordinary that have previously been hidden to your senses.
Here we have a man in a second skin - a shell of protection. Keeping things in: his feelings; his clumsy self, so he won't get hurt breaking bones; his parents' worry over how the family look to others. Also keeping things out: non-Israelis; anyone not of their faith; outsiders; anyone not like them, so they won't get hurt. I loved the way they conversed in the shop. Made me laugh out loud!
An enticing red door. Red for danger, of course, but he just can't resist the temptation. The devil's on his shoulder. Here we have the man enjoying the pleasure of another's body, sans shell, his true self hidden no more. This is such a perceptive, clever tale of our world with the undercurrent of all its faults. I adored the twist and the ending. I was completely absorbed.
The Camille by Colby R Rice
The fiendish tale of a female high-flyer whose husband left her for a sex-bot initiated by her. Interesting concept - hasn't happened yet, I don't think... The story goes where you least expect it to. I'll be looking further into this author's work.
I was given an ecopy which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.
This was a very exciting set of writing for me, as there were authors I had never read before.
Deep Ocean Blues by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
I so enjoyed this story. I was very quickly drawn into Parul's small, lonely, and jet-black isolated world. I was fascinated by how she got there in the first place. Despite things happening far above her on the ocean, and being badly hurt in love herself, she still manages to show compassion to another being. A beautiful and emotive adventure. I'll be reading more by this author.
The Memory Hacker by JT Lawrence
I was fascinated by this tale, as I could not conceive (sorry...) being told that you had given birth previously, but you couldn't remember it. Imagine that? Reminded me of a kind of 'We Can Remember It For You Wholesale' variation. Enjoyed the ending.
Melting Shlemiel by Jason Werbeloff
This was my absolute favourite out of the four stories. Werbeloff has a way with words and a unique imagination. When the two smash together in his work, you'll see things out of the ordinary that have previously been hidden to your senses.
Here we have a man in a second skin - a shell of protection. Keeping things in: his feelings; his clumsy self, so he won't get hurt breaking bones; his parents' worry over how the family look to others. Also keeping things out: non-Israelis; anyone not of their faith; outsiders; anyone not like them, so they won't get hurt. I loved the way they conversed in the shop. Made me laugh out loud!
An enticing red door. Red for danger, of course, but he just can't resist the temptation. The devil's on his shoulder. Here we have the man enjoying the pleasure of another's body, sans shell, his true self hidden no more. This is such a perceptive, clever tale of our world with the undercurrent of all its faults. I adored the twist and the ending. I was completely absorbed.
The Camille by Colby R Rice
The fiendish tale of a female high-flyer whose husband left her for a sex-bot initiated by her. Interesting concept - hasn't happened yet, I don't think... The story goes where you least expect it to. I'll be looking further into this author's work.
I was given an ecopy which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2018
This is a great collection of really interesting novellas, which, complete as they are in and of themselves, work together to represent a coherent and plausible-sounding future set 36 years into the future - 2054.
Beginning with 'Deep Ocean Blues', the possible future that is drawn up for us seems like a very real one. The unique significance of a human life, any human life, is called into question here. A hauntingly vivid glimpse of a life so distant and far-removed from the one we know, and at the same time so achingly familiar.
'The Memory Hacker', too, proves that technologically advanced as the rest of the world may be, the deep wounds of human experience can never truly be done away with. Even when those advancements are so monumental that they allow a person to escape the agony that memories bring. This is a cunningly woven account of layers of deception and revelation. An excellent read.
'Melting Shlemiel' is (to me) the perfect blend of religious ritual, human nature, and technological advancement. Jerusalem, circa 2054, is riding the crest of the wave of cutting edge technology whilst remaining firmly embellished in the strict orthodoxy of its religious ways - particularly the Judaic way of life. At the centre of the story is Shlemiel, its titular character. While his day to day, minute to minute functioning is foreign to the reader, his struggle to discover his identity and purpose is all too familiar. I really enjoyed this book.
'The Camille' is sharp, sassy, bitingly witty, and oooh, so densely packed with techno terms! There is strength here, skilfully combined with that human vulnerability and fallibility that every lead character needs to win over the reader. And this story IS character-driven. But is that human frailty - alongside strength - the beginning and end of this tale? By no means. And that is why it belongs with the other three sci-fi novellas so beautifully.
Beginning with 'Deep Ocean Blues', the possible future that is drawn up for us seems like a very real one. The unique significance of a human life, any human life, is called into question here. A hauntingly vivid glimpse of a life so distant and far-removed from the one we know, and at the same time so achingly familiar.
'The Memory Hacker', too, proves that technologically advanced as the rest of the world may be, the deep wounds of human experience can never truly be done away with. Even when those advancements are so monumental that they allow a person to escape the agony that memories bring. This is a cunningly woven account of layers of deception and revelation. An excellent read.
'Melting Shlemiel' is (to me) the perfect blend of religious ritual, human nature, and technological advancement. Jerusalem, circa 2054, is riding the crest of the wave of cutting edge technology whilst remaining firmly embellished in the strict orthodoxy of its religious ways - particularly the Judaic way of life. At the centre of the story is Shlemiel, its titular character. While his day to day, minute to minute functioning is foreign to the reader, his struggle to discover his identity and purpose is all too familiar. I really enjoyed this book.
'The Camille' is sharp, sassy, bitingly witty, and oooh, so densely packed with techno terms! There is strength here, skilfully combined with that human vulnerability and fallibility that every lead character needs to win over the reader. And this story IS character-driven. But is that human frailty - alongside strength - the beginning and end of this tale? By no means. And that is why it belongs with the other three sci-fi novellas so beautifully.
June 16, 2018
2054 is a fascinating collection of four science fiction stories set in four very different near future worlds. From the depths of the ocean to a bath house in Jerusalem, from alternate lifestyles to a cyber developer who made sexbots smart enough to stage a murder and frame a rival for it there's something in this book to thrill and amuse every reader.
I loved Jason Werbeloff's Shlemiel - a naive and earnest young Jewish man, fascinated with a world and a lifestyle that is different from his own. His adventure behind the Red door will change not only his life but his world.
Although you can't help feeling sympathy for Drea Ramoni in Colby R. Rice's The Camille as she tumbles from lofty heights as a genius developer and power-house owner of a cyber dynasty until she's left with nothing, and then slowly begins to rebuild her world, it's the bright, bubbly Chicca who will make you smile and warm your heart.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection but I'll leave you to explore them on your own. It's just a short hop to the middle of this century. and one I think you'll love.
I loved Jason Werbeloff's Shlemiel - a naive and earnest young Jewish man, fascinated with a world and a lifestyle that is different from his own. His adventure behind the Red door will change not only his life but his world.
Although you can't help feeling sympathy for Drea Ramoni in Colby R. Rice's The Camille as she tumbles from lofty heights as a genius developer and power-house owner of a cyber dynasty until she's left with nothing, and then slowly begins to rebuild her world, it's the bright, bubbly Chicca who will make you smile and warm your heart.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection but I'll leave you to explore them on your own. It's just a short hop to the middle of this century. and one I think you'll love.
June 19, 2018
A great collection of easy to read sci-fi stories that will keep you turning the pages until you finish the entire collection. Each story deserves 5 stars individually as it takes you to places that completely jump start your imagination. Four great stories, written by four wonderful authors that give you stories that hold their own and take your mind and emotions in directions you just plain didn't expect. If you've never read any of these authors before this box set, this is a great introduction, especially to J.T. Lawrence and Jason Werbeloff who expertly transport you in time and place and introduce possibilities in the not to distant future which may not actually be too far fetched. Although they were all engaging, intriguing and thrilling, I have to say my favorite was the work by Lawrence about erasing and reprogramming memories. Completely worth the read, you won't be sorry and I'm certain you will find at least one author to fall in love with and follow if not all four.
June 14, 2018
When I was younger there was nothing more fun and exciting to me than getting a multi-volume book set (Such as LOTR). I just loved powering through an entire series in one go (missed a lot of sleep). Now that I am older sometimes life gets in the way and it takes me a day or 2 to read a single book. This was not the case with this set!! I started this one evening after work (730 EST) and the next thing I knew it was 5AM and I was finishing the last story. These 4 books are truly riveting and a great peek into the possible future. I especially enjoyed Deep Ocean Blues – Yudhanjaya Wijeratne & I think the best story was saved for last in The Camille – Colby R. Rice - I found the premise and the setup intriguing and the payoff was worth the read
June 17, 2018
'Deep Ocean Blues' is a haunting, intriguing story. One of those short stories that suggests a much larger story. 'The Memory Hacker' is more action based, with an emotional ending. 'Melting Shlemiel' turned from a grotesque story of a ruined world to a hopeful coming of age story. It is so evocative of being young and discovering who you are. And 'The Camille' was action and mystery. Four different stories, but they are linked by taking place in the same world. An enjoyable read. I am voluntarily giving a review of an advance copy I received from one of the authors.
June 18, 2018
Overall rating: 4.6
These short sci-fi novellas were just perfect for my reading needs between chores! Absolutely love the different aspects of future life portrayed. Octobots, hackers, etc....so many things seem as though it really is in our future and others just seem so macabre and make me ponder. Transferring our essences across distances! Very easy collection to get immersed into!
These short sci-fi novellas were just perfect for my reading needs between chores! Absolutely love the different aspects of future life portrayed. Octobots, hackers, etc....so many things seem as though it really is in our future and others just seem so macabre and make me ponder. Transferring our essences across distances! Very easy collection to get immersed into!
June 14, 2018
I have never read anything from any of these authors so I thought a novellas from each of them might be a good introduction without the time and expense of 4 novels. I am so glad I did. This is a very good collection of stories and now I want to read more from these authors.
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