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Afterglow
Aryx is dying.
A powerful thaumaturgist has disappeared.
While Aryx conceals his illness from Sebastian, the hunt for the missing thaumaturgist takes them across the galaxy, but they are soon embroiled in an age-old conspiracy. Espionage may be the key to releasing the ITF’s grip on the galaxy; even with Karan and Monica's help, breaking into an ITF-controlled installation is no simple feat.
With Sebastian unaware that Aryx’s health is in rapid decline, things may be about to take a turn for the worse.
A powerful thaumaturgist has disappeared.
While Aryx conceals his illness from Sebastian, the hunt for the missing thaumaturgist takes them across the galaxy, but they are soon embroiled in an age-old conspiracy. Espionage may be the key to releasing the ITF’s grip on the galaxy; even with Karan and Monica's help, breaking into an ITF-controlled installation is no simple feat.
With Sebastian unaware that Aryx’s health is in rapid decline, things may be about to take a turn for the worse.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Rexx Deane
5 books10 followersDeane grew up in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (UK). He now lives in Herefordshire with his partner, Kris, a disability fitness instructor and wheelchair user.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 15, 2020
This is a review for two population groups: those who have read the first “Synthesis: Weave”, and those who have not. For those who have not, never fear, “Afterglow” just about works as a standalone with the author backfilling the reader on the previous book’s events. As a sequel, we kick off where the original story ended.
The bromance of Aryx and Sebastian continues as they and a mantle of supporting characters grapple with the demon-like alien entities introduced in the first book. The original story teased details of Sebastian’s family and the sequel delivers on that promise.
Set against the first book, “Afterglow” is more of the same. The two main characters remind me of an old couple, together out of habit and unhealthy codependency than actual companionship. We all know these people. The other star of the show, the ship “Ultima Thule” visits Earth and treats us to a tour of our little rock from the Amazon jungle to the London Marathon.
Parallel to our main characters is a story of Inquisitors, Templars, Illuminati, and Freemasons, all central to the story’s demonic villain Gravalax. Though this narrative was a chilling and effective reminder of despicable human behaviour and superstition, it felt tacked on to the main storyline.
Aryx’s viewpoint continues to provide a view into the lives of people living with disabilities, and there is plenty of self-deprecation and humour. Aryx to me is the story’s most interesting character. Prejudice still exists against both Aryx and the artificial intelligence Wolfram, and they cling together as minorities tend to do.
Gravalax the demonic entity provides a central villain but demented religions and ignorance are the true enemies. This science fiction is a sobering warning of how far we have come but how quickly we might slide back.
The book offers brief but fascinating glimpses into concepts like eco-modernism (the environmental crux), Promethean dabbling (the dangers of wresting fire from the gods) and of course artificial intelligence (or silicone intelligence as Wolfram prefers). I am a reader who would have preferred to stop and examine these topics. But the plot, some of which is unconvincing, storms ahead. One of the key elements (Sebastian’s loss of his research in a data centre attack), is even by today’s cloud, edge and distributed computing landscape, inconceivable. To the author’s credit, we are not subject to yet another dystopian future.
“Afterglow” could have lost 100 pages and retained its effect with sharper prose and tighter storytelling. The novel features some provincial, super-casual dialog that for me detracts from the space-age background.
For the population group that read “Synthesis: Weave”, it is not even a question, you MUST read this sequel. For those who have not but love an action-packed tour of the stars hearkening back to the good old Space Quest days, “Afterglow” has you covered.
The bromance of Aryx and Sebastian continues as they and a mantle of supporting characters grapple with the demon-like alien entities introduced in the first book. The original story teased details of Sebastian’s family and the sequel delivers on that promise.
Set against the first book, “Afterglow” is more of the same. The two main characters remind me of an old couple, together out of habit and unhealthy codependency than actual companionship. We all know these people. The other star of the show, the ship “Ultima Thule” visits Earth and treats us to a tour of our little rock from the Amazon jungle to the London Marathon.
Parallel to our main characters is a story of Inquisitors, Templars, Illuminati, and Freemasons, all central to the story’s demonic villain Gravalax. Though this narrative was a chilling and effective reminder of despicable human behaviour and superstition, it felt tacked on to the main storyline.
Aryx’s viewpoint continues to provide a view into the lives of people living with disabilities, and there is plenty of self-deprecation and humour. Aryx to me is the story’s most interesting character. Prejudice still exists against both Aryx and the artificial intelligence Wolfram, and they cling together as minorities tend to do.
Gravalax the demonic entity provides a central villain but demented religions and ignorance are the true enemies. This science fiction is a sobering warning of how far we have come but how quickly we might slide back.
The book offers brief but fascinating glimpses into concepts like eco-modernism (the environmental crux), Promethean dabbling (the dangers of wresting fire from the gods) and of course artificial intelligence (or silicone intelligence as Wolfram prefers). I am a reader who would have preferred to stop and examine these topics. But the plot, some of which is unconvincing, storms ahead. One of the key elements (Sebastian’s loss of his research in a data centre attack), is even by today’s cloud, edge and distributed computing landscape, inconceivable. To the author’s credit, we are not subject to yet another dystopian future.
“Afterglow” could have lost 100 pages and retained its effect with sharper prose and tighter storytelling. The novel features some provincial, super-casual dialog that for me detracts from the space-age background.
For the population group that read “Synthesis: Weave”, it is not even a question, you MUST read this sequel. For those who have not but love an action-packed tour of the stars hearkening back to the good old Space Quest days, “Afterglow” has you covered.
October 23, 2022
Book two following the adventures of Aryx and Sebastian and their developing relationship. I couldn't put the first book down and found the same with this one. I was actually disappointed when I reached the end as I ached for their adventures to continue. I have given a couple of copies to relatives as presents and they say the same, they were gripped all the way through and couldn't wait for more.if you like to read or like dungeons and dragon games, medieval magic and suspense then give this book a try. Although it's a second book in a series it also works as a stand alone novel.
March 15, 2019
When I read the first book in this series I was blown away. I didn't think I would find a sci-fi author I liked more than Karen Miller yet here we are. I was so invested in the book that I read it in a few days.
Then this little beauty came out and frankly I was so drawn into the story and characters that it started to effect my heart monitor. I had to put it down for a few days. I was taken on an emtional journey of hope, sadness and elation. It truly is a rollercoaster of a story.
Then this little beauty came out and frankly I was so drawn into the story and characters that it started to effect my heart monitor. I had to put it down for a few days. I was taken on an emtional journey of hope, sadness and elation. It truly is a rollercoaster of a story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews