Proto

by Shane Drummy

What would you do if your greatest enemy was disguised... as your very own thoughts?

In a bid to transcend disease, aging and death, humanity has abandoned the real world by uploading consciousness into a virtual replica called Avalon. Malcolm Alter stays behind, believing it's his duty to reconcile with the bittersweet transcience of life—that it's the crucible in which the human spirit is forged.

But when Malcolm's conscious mind is imprisoned within a collapsing virtual matrix by and old adversary, he must find a way back to his real body before it's murdered—or remain trapped forever in The Void.

Will Malcolm proceed to oblivion or be reunited with his family? Read Proto today to find out.

Genres: Science Fiction

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2019

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging story examines the life of a man with a complex identity striving to keep his family together during a time when most humans have left their physical bodies behind and migrated into a digital utopia. Malcolm faces a menacing presence early in life, makes a terrible mistake, and--years later--finds himself torn between a daughter who's transitioned and a wife who regards digital lives as empty impersonations. The dark being returns, whether to aid or afflict Malcolm remains to be learned.

Malcolm's troubles double and redouble as he races to outrun his shadowy familiar, his wife's down-spiraling health, a dogged lawman, a mysterious stranger across the bay, and a blackness that is devouring the refuge he's spent his adult life constructing.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know if I just had expectations for this book to turn out a certain way, that weren’t met, or if it was something else, but I found this book to be unsatisfying. It wasn’t quite a mind-bending exploration of human psyche, nor was it a commentary on society choosing a virtual space over reality.

Malcolm choosing not to go to Avalon made sense to me just in the simple fact that he would have feared that in that state, Largo would be able to take control. But much of the rest of the story that results from him staying “real” didn’t make much sense to me. What about Emily made Largo fade back that Elena didn’t? Why did Malcolm chose to deal with his doppelgänger as he did, even though his initial belief was much more interactive? What made Largo make the choice that he did at the end?

This book had the potential to be so much more. It could have made me think and really examine my own beliefs, but it fell short. Instead, it was a pleasant story that I felt ultimately just sort of sputtered out.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Andy Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK. This is very interesting but also quite weird. The overall premise is very interesting being able to vacate your physical body and live ‘forever’ within a virtual world, and works well within the story. However, the big problem with this book is that the story around the overall premise is very weird and often confusing mainly the alternate personality. This is a shame because the other aspects of the story are quite good and the clone twist is very good. Although I did like a lot of the aspects of this book, I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Mona Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this book is good. The execution of this book is not good.

The beginning started off strong, but quickly unraveled. There was so much that wasn't explained & seemed to jump from one thing to another without anything connecting it. I understand to a certain extent what the author was trying to do, but on the other hand I was really lost. I was hoping that things would be tied together by the end of the book- they were a little, but not done well or enough in my opinion.

The end did have a slight twist at the end, but it wasn't enough to save this book. It was a real disappointment for me.

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was weird. The series of events were so disconnected, like we missed vital information about our main character Malcom, only seeing the briefest (and most provocative) snatches.

Also, there's a disappearing child? Like, it's mentioned in passing that there's another kid but they're never brought up again...

Plus the whole first section (before the big time jump) just felt unmoored? I couldn't fit that in to the rest of the story other than as an excuse to hate Largo. I did find the ending to be rather clever if not necessarily unexpected.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed bag - 3.5 stars really. Suspenseful. but too much play in the mind without development to follow some parts clearly. Twisted ending, too short w/o some support. If slightly more "interaction w/ Largo at beginning" or "a deeper plunge into history of character"

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through this book. The “my split personality keeps trying to kill me” theme was a little hard to take and follow. Interesting premise of a future world where everyone puts their consciousness in a digital creation though.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 2 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

A Matrix type story that fell very short of the mark. Rather a disappointment

[Richard Pearce-moses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clunky plot, mediocre characters.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mighty strange! Proto by Shane Drummy is a well narrated Chirp book, but confusing story. Somehow, it all comes together in the end.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I can't wait for more books like this from Shane Drummy!