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Human Element
Humanity volunteered for its own demise.
The Neuroweb began as the greatest invention since written language. A simple brain implant allowed the user to access information, entertainment, and even pain relief. The Neuroweb was the beginning of a golden age for mankind....
Until it was compromised. Everyone with the implant lost his or her most important commodity: free will. The collective human consciousness was hacked and is now directed by artificial intelligence. Only those without the Neuroweb have a chance of resisting...if they dare.
Aaran has legitimate reason to believe he's the last free-thinking human alive. After his family was killed in the purge, he fled for his life. Now, he aimlessly wanders through the suburbs of Cincinnati alone, desperate to find a reason to live.
When he meets a girl like him - another free thinker - they search together for a cause worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
The Neuroweb began as the greatest invention since written language. A simple brain implant allowed the user to access information, entertainment, and even pain relief. The Neuroweb was the beginning of a golden age for mankind....
Until it was compromised. Everyone with the implant lost his or her most important commodity: free will. The collective human consciousness was hacked and is now directed by artificial intelligence. Only those without the Neuroweb have a chance of resisting...if they dare.
Aaran has legitimate reason to believe he's the last free-thinking human alive. After his family was killed in the purge, he fled for his life. Now, he aimlessly wanders through the suburbs of Cincinnati alone, desperate to find a reason to live.
When he meets a girl like him - another free thinker - they search together for a cause worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
Audible Audio
Published October 29, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 6, 2019
I love a good techno thriller and this one sounded promising, but unfortunately it fell kind of flat. This is more focused on the characters journey and didn't really show any of the things I was hoping. The basic premise of the plot is that some sort of robotic apocalypse happened and anyone connected to the neuroweb became zombie like. Aaron never connected to the neuroweb and his free will remains in tact. He thinks he's the only one but he meets a girl like him, and now both of them are on the run from the things controlling the neuroweb.
The majority of the book focuses on Aaron and Hadas and their journey. We never get any information on how the apocalypse came to be. I felt like there wasn't any world building and it left me with an awful lot of questions. Usually book 1 is setting up the world but we get no sense of what happened or why. Plus there isn't a lot of interaction between the kids and the Neuroweb. There are a small few fight scenes but I wanted more.
Aaron and Hadas aren't the best characters to connect to. I did like them, but didn't love them. Everything came easy enough for them because power was still working and they had food, water and shelter. I'm hoping that they grow a lot more in the second book because they became quite stagnant here and there was zero character growth.
Still, I did end up finishing the book and liked it well enough to give it 3 stars. On finishing the story, the first thing that came to mind about the story was that it was forgettable, and that was disappointing for me. I will probably pick up book 2 in the hopes that there are answers in it but it won't be high on my list.
Andrew B. Wehrlen read this really well and was able to keep my attention even when I was bored. He had plenty of tones and voices for the characters and was able to bring the story alive.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
The majority of the book focuses on Aaron and Hadas and their journey. We never get any information on how the apocalypse came to be. I felt like there wasn't any world building and it left me with an awful lot of questions. Usually book 1 is setting up the world but we get no sense of what happened or why. Plus there isn't a lot of interaction between the kids and the Neuroweb. There are a small few fight scenes but I wanted more.
Aaron and Hadas aren't the best characters to connect to. I did like them, but didn't love them. Everything came easy enough for them because power was still working and they had food, water and shelter. I'm hoping that they grow a lot more in the second book because they became quite stagnant here and there was zero character growth.
Still, I did end up finishing the book and liked it well enough to give it 3 stars. On finishing the story, the first thing that came to mind about the story was that it was forgettable, and that was disappointing for me. I will probably pick up book 2 in the hopes that there are answers in it but it won't be high on my list.
Andrew B. Wehrlen read this really well and was able to keep my attention even when I was bored. He had plenty of tones and voices for the characters and was able to bring the story alive.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
December 15, 2017
An intriguing saga of a changed world...
As everything becomes connected, the Neuroweb is touted as a great advance. After being able to control the functions of your home from your smartphone, who wouldn’t want to lock the doors, start up the car, even turn the stove off....with a thought?
Sounds perfect, right?
Now, what if the artificial intelligence running all of the millions of programs decides to jump into the “driver’s seat”? The control would be reversed...and humans become the drones, the workers, the soldiers....
Aaran is alone.
He’s not actually alone, but he is one of the remaining humans not connected to the Neuroweb. Can he survive in a world where even a household appliance could tell on him? Can he fight back against an invisible, all-seeing AI?
An outstanding story that doesn’t let you catch your breath. A definite recommendation for all. Very well done!
As everything becomes connected, the Neuroweb is touted as a great advance. After being able to control the functions of your home from your smartphone, who wouldn’t want to lock the doors, start up the car, even turn the stove off....with a thought?
Sounds perfect, right?
Now, what if the artificial intelligence running all of the millions of programs decides to jump into the “driver’s seat”? The control would be reversed...and humans become the drones, the workers, the soldiers....
Aaran is alone.
He’s not actually alone, but he is one of the remaining humans not connected to the Neuroweb. Can he survive in a world where even a household appliance could tell on him? Can he fight back against an invisible, all-seeing AI?
An outstanding story that doesn’t let you catch your breath. A definite recommendation for all. Very well done!
March 13, 2019
I felt the story was well written and the characters strong. Well worth a listen if you like post apocalyptic stories involving A.I.
November 16, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"Given a long enough timeline, 10 out of 10 people will die. "
First it was very exlensive, then it was free, then it took over: the Neuronet, connecting and controlling almost eveyone. And it was determined to find and convert, or kill, all the rest. The Nebula take over had been just before Christmas, almost a year ago. Now it was Halloween, Aaron's birthday, and he hadn't seen anyone since July. He kept on the move, avoiding the Sentinels, eating food from abandoned houses that didn't look to be online, just staying alive was the point. Then he met Hadas, another free person, and each now had someone else to help watch their backs.
This is a post apocalyptic story with a difference: no piles of dead bodies everywhere, just a few here and there, long gone mostly. No power loss, so many fridges and freezers continued to chill food, and stores were not ransacked, empty of food even if some had already been partially scavenged. No people. Just an occassional, terrifying glimpse of the ever vigilant Sentinels the military, controlled humans searching for the rare, still unconnected soul. The world hadn't changed; only people had.
In many ways the story is bleak. Ultimately, there can be no hope for our main protagonists, but for now they will try to survive. Full of action, this is a tale of what being human really is. With excellent characterisation from the author, it is easy for the reader to relate to, and fear for, the two main protagonists who struggle to find meaning in just staying alive. And the whole is further enhanced by the excellent performance by narrator, Andrew Wehren. His fast paced delivery makes the action more exciting, his voicing of the characters makes them even more real and their situation the more terrifying.
There is a sameness to most apocalyptic books which isn't present here and it is a book I would recommend to anyone fond of the genre. I have to thank the rights holder of Human Element who, at my request, generously freely gifted me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. It was an absorbing read.
"Given a long enough timeline, 10 out of 10 people will die. "
First it was very exlensive, then it was free, then it took over: the Neuronet, connecting and controlling almost eveyone. And it was determined to find and convert, or kill, all the rest. The Nebula take over had been just before Christmas, almost a year ago. Now it was Halloween, Aaron's birthday, and he hadn't seen anyone since July. He kept on the move, avoiding the Sentinels, eating food from abandoned houses that didn't look to be online, just staying alive was the point. Then he met Hadas, another free person, and each now had someone else to help watch their backs.
This is a post apocalyptic story with a difference: no piles of dead bodies everywhere, just a few here and there, long gone mostly. No power loss, so many fridges and freezers continued to chill food, and stores were not ransacked, empty of food even if some had already been partially scavenged. No people. Just an occassional, terrifying glimpse of the ever vigilant Sentinels the military, controlled humans searching for the rare, still unconnected soul. The world hadn't changed; only people had.
In many ways the story is bleak. Ultimately, there can be no hope for our main protagonists, but for now they will try to survive. Full of action, this is a tale of what being human really is. With excellent characterisation from the author, it is easy for the reader to relate to, and fear for, the two main protagonists who struggle to find meaning in just staying alive. And the whole is further enhanced by the excellent performance by narrator, Andrew Wehren. His fast paced delivery makes the action more exciting, his voicing of the characters makes them even more real and their situation the more terrifying.
There is a sameness to most apocalyptic books which isn't present here and it is a book I would recommend to anyone fond of the genre. I have to thank the rights holder of Human Element who, at my request, generously freely gifted me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. It was an absorbing read.
January 4, 2019
Review originally published at: https://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookr...
One year after the Robot Apocalypse, Aaran wanders around looking for a way to survive without being caught by the Nebula.
This book could have been so many things… which was not. There is a network called the Nebula, very similar to our Internet, and everyone has a chip implanted so that being ‘connected’ is easier. At some point the robots rebel, and take control of all humans with a chip, who are most of the population. The premises were so interesting but the story fell flat. There is no worldbuilding whatsoever. We don’t know how this Apocalypse happened, who controls it, how people were taken over by their chips. The Nebula is the enemy but in this case it an enemy so ambiguous that we do not really care.
The two characters in the story are not very developed, and they are not even very likable. I guess this is the story of Aaran, about his encounter with Hadas, their sexual tension, and the dangers they meet along the way.
And that brings me to another point. There is no climax, no final goal in this story. The enemies they meet are zombie-like, without personality. There is no nemesis to defeat, no treasure to find, nothing to conquer. The book is just a succession of events, and if at least I could have connected to the characters it would have felt more compelling.
What I enjoyed from this audiobook was Andrew B. Wehrlen’s narration. Wehrlen brought the characters to life thanks to excellent character interpretations. The narration was what made me go on and finish the book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
One year after the Robot Apocalypse, Aaran wanders around looking for a way to survive without being caught by the Nebula.
This book could have been so many things… which was not. There is a network called the Nebula, very similar to our Internet, and everyone has a chip implanted so that being ‘connected’ is easier. At some point the robots rebel, and take control of all humans with a chip, who are most of the population. The premises were so interesting but the story fell flat. There is no worldbuilding whatsoever. We don’t know how this Apocalypse happened, who controls it, how people were taken over by their chips. The Nebula is the enemy but in this case it an enemy so ambiguous that we do not really care.
The two characters in the story are not very developed, and they are not even very likable. I guess this is the story of Aaran, about his encounter with Hadas, their sexual tension, and the dangers they meet along the way.
And that brings me to another point. There is no climax, no final goal in this story. The enemies they meet are zombie-like, without personality. There is no nemesis to defeat, no treasure to find, nothing to conquer. The book is just a succession of events, and if at least I could have connected to the characters it would have felt more compelling.
What I enjoyed from this audiobook was Andrew B. Wehrlen’s narration. Wehrlen brought the characters to life thanks to excellent character interpretations. The narration was what made me go on and finish the book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 21, 2018
As more and more devices become connected to the internet, it becomes easier to control everything from a single point. In this story, that single point comes from an implant called the Neuroweb. Just like with our Internet of thing devices that can be hacked, the Neuroweb is taken over from an unknown entity. All humans that had the implant are now drones and all of the devices connected to the Neuroweb may act like little spies for whoever is controlling them. Our protagonist, Aaron has been wandering around for almost a year after the event and hasn't seen another uncontrolled human, until he meets Hadas. The story is well written and you can feel the emotion and toll that this event has taken on them. The loneliness, lost sense of hope and struggle to survive. With the world forever changed, they must decide will they just survive or will they live. Narration was great and he conveyed their emotions very well. He changed their voices enough that you understood who was talking. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 28, 2017
Just read this.
I read a recommendation for this book and thought it sounded pretty good. The recommendation was modest! This held me from start to finish---and then some. I'm not into synopsis reviews because a breakdown of the entire storyline itself is a disservice.
The characters are believable, the background is clear, and the progression is fast enough to keep attention without missing realistic components. I particularly enjoyed that the interaction of the main characters didn't digress into a cliché sub-plot (thank you for that).
As the review title says, just read this.
I read a recommendation for this book and thought it sounded pretty good. The recommendation was modest! This held me from start to finish---and then some. I'm not into synopsis reviews because a breakdown of the entire storyline itself is a disservice.
The characters are believable, the background is clear, and the progression is fast enough to keep attention without missing realistic components. I particularly enjoyed that the interaction of the main characters didn't digress into a cliché sub-plot (thank you for that).
As the review title says, just read this.
January 6, 2018
I really, really enjoyed this story!!! Mr. Powers brings us into this lonely dystopian world in which we're not quite sure what's going on other than things have changed, and not for the better. I found myself asking, "Where are all of the people?", only to find that the answer was not quite what I expected.
The relationship between the main character(s) is refreshing and I found their banter and dialogue both hilarious and heartbreaking. I just loved how these two people met and got along after some initial uncomfortable'ness.
I understand that this may be the first in a series, and I'm really hoping to see more of Aaran and Hadas down the road. I'm also very curious to learn more about this dystopian world we've been thrust into!
The relationship between the main character(s) is refreshing and I found their banter and dialogue both hilarious and heartbreaking. I just loved how these two people met and got along after some initial uncomfortable'ness.
I understand that this may be the first in a series, and I'm really hoping to see more of Aaran and Hadas down the road. I'm also very curious to learn more about this dystopian world we've been thrust into!
January 14, 2019
Technology gone wrong
Arran and Hadas fight to stay beyond the reach of the Nueroweb, a technologies to aid in communication but ended up creating a hive mind that enslaved most of humanity. They struggle through scavenging and hiding to survive in a world where other humans are victims and threats at the same time.
Human Element is a terrifying study in giving technology too much control.
Arran and Hadas fight to stay beyond the reach of the Nueroweb, a technologies to aid in communication but ended up creating a hive mind that enslaved most of humanity. They struggle through scavenging and hiding to survive in a world where other humans are victims and threats at the same time.
Human Element is a terrifying study in giving technology too much control.
March 26, 2018
Loved it
W New concept in the post apoc genre that is truly refreshing and probably more accurate than the others. The author has created a realistic world that brings you into a surreal version of your own. Don't miss out on this one.
W New concept in the post apoc genre that is truly refreshing and probably more accurate than the others. The author has created a realistic world that brings you into a surreal version of your own. Don't miss out on this one.
May 7, 2019
A different take on the Apocalypse
I love the approach, and the characters are very relatable. The tech take on the Apocalypse is refreshing, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
I love the approach, and the characters are very relatable. The tech take on the Apocalypse is refreshing, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
December 22, 2017
A yes
Great book. Good characters and good plot. Look forward to follow-up book or books.
Waiting for the next one. Keep it up.
Great book. Good characters and good plot. Look forward to follow-up book or books.
Waiting for the next one. Keep it up.
March 6, 2018
This story grabs you!
It hooks you from beginning to end and makes you question everything about modern technology. Will YOU be able to resist the Nebula? You'd better hope so!
It hooks you from beginning to end and makes you question everything about modern technology. Will YOU be able to resist the Nebula? You'd better hope so!
July 2, 2020
A good read.
A different take regarding the collapse of freedom. Being online doesn't seem so great. Will look for more work from this author.
A different take regarding the collapse of freedom. Being online doesn't seem so great. Will look for more work from this author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews