The Rise of Saint Fox and The Independence

by Corin Reyburn

The rock band Saint Fox and the Independence is the key to taking back economic freedom. In a near-future London, eccentric revolutionary Janus Jeeves is the leader of the subversive organization the Arcane Society. When he recruits a charismatic drifter named Sam to headline a band that serves as a front for the Society, the group’s soaring popularity draws supporters by the thousands. The end goal of Jeeves and the Society is to replace the current financial system with their own cryptocurrency—GGcoin. Cash is no longer king, and all transactions are made via a digital implant in one’s index finger called the Dot. Once the fan army of Saint Fox and the Independence rivals any mainstream act in fervor and size, the Arcane Society have what they need to flip the switch. With the youth of the nation on his side and a biotech weapon that will revolutionize commerce, Jeeves will at last see his plan To reset a corrupt financial system and eliminate the wealth gap—without violence. Or so he believes. Puppeteered by Jeeves, Sam is more than willing to champion the cause as Saint Fox—the honey-voiced, incendiary idol of the revolution, a rock star who's caught between his best friend, the loyal and lighthearted Sailor, and Kit, the guitar goddess who’s the Richards to his Jagger. But before he knows it he’s a wanted criminal, with millions of devoted followers looking to him for their next move. No war is without casualties.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

CORIN REYBURN drifts through Southern California teaching a bit of this and coding a bit of that, and enjoys transmuting cosmic energy, cats more than people, and the use of unconventional instruments in rock n’ roll music. Corin holds a degree in Creative Writing and Critique from Oregon State University, and has work featured or forthcoming in places such as M-BRANE SF, Subtopian Magazine, The Molotov Cocktail, Jersey Devil Press, The Gateway Review, Free Focus, Silicon Valley Debug, Clutching at Straws, Quantum Muse, and Milkfist. Reyburn co-produces and curates the speculative fiction podcast SubverCity Transmit.

Get in touch with Corin at reyburnfiction [at] gmail.com

Reviews

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little hard to pinpoint exactly what I enjoyed so much about this book. Ordinarily, I thoroughly enjoy a nice dystopian tale and this one took an interesting turn with the introduction of a distinctly financial catalyst. I suppose that the stated mission of the arcane society resonated with me because it certainly felt, for the most part, that their hearts were in the right place. Then again, I can't help but wonder how much of the situation was simply Janus Jeeves sowing the seeds of anarchy for its own sake. I would have loved a more complete comeuppance doled out to Harold Waterman and I would not complain at all about a more fleshed out conclusion for Kit, particularly with regard to Sam and Sailor. All in all, this is a story I will likely revisit soon and will be recommending to connoisseurs of societal collapse stories, particularly those who hold a (likely misguided) hope for a better tomorrow and that the good will eventually triumph in the end.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corin Reyburn, the author, is the pen name of Kristin Yuan, and younger writer on the scene, and a creative and inventive person. The premise around which the novel is built is interesting, mostly plausible and timely. The writing is good. My only gripes are that they are slow to get intrigue going, are prone to “tell” more than “show” (but only at the beginning and the end), and waste too many words on the characters’ attire. And, the rapid introduction of a solution that is technically and physically impossible does a disservice to the dilemma she has built. Even so, I would but their next book.

[Kahlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up.

- A cool idea, I particularly enjoyed the role of music in inciting rebellion.
- None of the characters really spoke or acted like real people, and I didn't feel overly connected to any of them. Except Jeeves, dude was a total ass.
- I think this book would have benefited from being longer - a lot of the key plot points were rushed through, and I needed some more backstory as to how London and the UK had changed so much in only 20 years.
- For a short moment, I thought this book was going to bring in a legit poly relationship between Sam, Sailor and Kit, but alas.

[Unsolicited Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark. Gorgeous. Writing from a fantastic author.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!