What do you think?
Rate this book
Signal
Jak's curiosity has always set him apart from the other young rakuun, but for the most part his clan has accepted his odd ways—until he finds a mysterious object that just might be a relic of the ones Before.
His discovery sparks an adventure that will lead him far from his home and into the dangerous lands beyond. As dreams and visions of the days Before compel him onward, Jak struggles to find meaning in the sights and sounds flooding his mind. Has his curiosity led him to his people's destiny, or simply to the destruction of everything he loves?
His discovery sparks an adventure that will lead him far from his home and into the dangerous lands beyond. As dreams and visions of the days Before compel him onward, Jak struggles to find meaning in the sights and sounds flooding his mind. Has his curiosity led him to his people's destiny, or simply to the destruction of everything he loves?
51 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2019
5 people want to read
About the author
Renee Carter Hall
41 books54 followersRenee Carter Hall writes fantasy and science fiction for adults who never quite grew up, with occasional excursions into dark fantasy, poetry, and stories for children and teens. Talking animals slip into her stories whenever they get a chance, and her work has been influenced by storytellers from a range of media, including Steven Spielberg, Ray Bradbury, and Jim Henson. Her most recent book, the anthropomorphic fantasy Huntress, received the 2014 Cóyotl Award for Best Novella.
Renee lives in West Virginia with her husband, their cat, and more books than she will ever have time to read. She can be found online at reneecarterhall.com and on Twitter as @RCarterHall.
Renee lives in West Virginia with her husband, their cat, and more books than she will ever have time to read. She can be found online at reneecarterhall.com and on Twitter as @RCarterHall.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 13, 2019
Humanity has gone, but whispers of those before live on in the collective conscience and oral tradition of the talking animals that now inhabit the earth. Jak, a Rakuun, discovers a discarded cellular telephone and takes it back to his den.
Though the batteries are run down there isn’t any reception in a post-human world, the curious find leads the young raccoon to discover things he may have been happier without. His journey to find answers leave behind a trail of tragedy. It is not stated outright in this piece, but his treasure may well be cursed.
Indeed, don’t be fooled by cutesy raccoon on the cover. “Signal” by Carter Hall is a somber, contemplative and ultimately bitter-sweet piece of science fiction.
The main theme of this story is the futility of progress. Though it explores this from both an animalistic and human point of view. Whether Jak stayed in his clan to raise a litter of kits with Mara or whether he dies trying to learn more about those before, the reader is left with a sense of futility. What is he really achieving? What are we really achieving?
Perhaps Jak finds a better answer. Perhaps he does not. The piece has a punchy open ending that allows the reader to draw their own conclusions. And perhaps spur them to dwell on it for a little while longer.
This “Pocket Shot” is comparable in format to the “Cupcake” - a term coined by fellow furry imprint FurPlanet. It is substantial enough to warrant its own printing, though it is not as long as a novella.
Veteran furry writer Renee Carter Hall entertains, enlightens and forces introspection with believable characters, lovely locations and excellent prose. It is a quick and enlightening read. Highly recommended for those who like talking animals, science fiction and a little bit of existential dread. Excellent.
Though the batteries are run down there isn’t any reception in a post-human world, the curious find leads the young raccoon to discover things he may have been happier without. His journey to find answers leave behind a trail of tragedy. It is not stated outright in this piece, but his treasure may well be cursed.
Indeed, don’t be fooled by cutesy raccoon on the cover. “Signal” by Carter Hall is a somber, contemplative and ultimately bitter-sweet piece of science fiction.
The main theme of this story is the futility of progress. Though it explores this from both an animalistic and human point of view. Whether Jak stayed in his clan to raise a litter of kits with Mara or whether he dies trying to learn more about those before, the reader is left with a sense of futility. What is he really achieving? What are we really achieving?
Perhaps Jak finds a better answer. Perhaps he does not. The piece has a punchy open ending that allows the reader to draw their own conclusions. And perhaps spur them to dwell on it for a little while longer.
This “Pocket Shot” is comparable in format to the “Cupcake” - a term coined by fellow furry imprint FurPlanet. It is substantial enough to warrant its own printing, though it is not as long as a novella.
Veteran furry writer Renee Carter Hall entertains, enlightens and forces introspection with believable characters, lovely locations and excellent prose. It is a quick and enlightening read. Highly recommended for those who like talking animals, science fiction and a little bit of existential dread. Excellent.
December 18, 2018
Signal is an emotionally thrilling adventure in a post-human world. Fully engaging from word one, the story was both gripping and relatable, heartbreaking and beautiful. Another solid book from one of the finest writers in furry fiction.
December 22, 2018
When a raccoon finds a cell phone in the forest, he begins to have visions of the people who lived Before. People who died long ago, leaving the animals to form their own societies. Though far too short, it tells a tantalizing story full of more questions than answers. The characters are all memorable, and they don’t know what’s going on either, which makes watching what happens to them engaging (sometimes disturbing), and all of it leads to a poignant conclusion that doesn't provide many answers, but it still feels just right. It’s a fantastic read and well worth the time.
April 13, 2025
A ‘pocket shot’ by the now defunct Goal Publications, Signal came across my field of interest when Pascal Farful from my writing group mentioned having picked it up, and he happened to mention it was post apocalyptic furry fiction, which is kind of my thing so of course I had to read it. Contacting the author directly through her journal I was able to purchase a physical copy, signed and personalized. I’ve read her work before and really had nothing but positive things to say about the two books of hers that I’ve read so I had high expectations going into this one.
Set in a post apocalyptic future, Signal is set long after the disappearance of humanity. Taking their place are several animal societies that have risen to intelligence while still largely retaining their animal forms. The story takes place among a Rakuun tribe, and follows Jak’s journey as he seeks answers to questions he cannot ignore.
Jak is a peculiar Rakuun. Unlike most of his kind who seek to move beyond childish curiosity and contribute to the tribe’s survival by finding a mate and siring kits, he cannot help but be fascinated by the things he finds in his explorations. Curious and adventurous, he sets out to discover the secrets behind his latest treasure.
I have to say that I really liked Jak. Curious to the point of an irresistible need to know, he pursues the knowledge of the past like a rakuun with a mission. Sacrificing the things he is supposed to want for the sake of his curiosity, he finds himself consumed by the desire for answers. I certainly appreciated his brave and curious nature, and couldn’t help but sympathize as one of the most interesting aspects of post apocalyptic fiction is always the question ‘how did we get to here’.
Jak is not like the other Rakuun. One day he discovers a long abandoned cell phone. Despite warnings from the other members of the tribe to ignore it and focus on supporting the tribe, Jak cannot suppress the memories of the world long gone that rise unbidden from somewhere outside his awareness. Left with no choice but to track down the only being that could possibly give him answers, he is forced to leave everything he knows and wander the world in search of the truth.
Although I’d heard of it before, it wasn’t until Pascal from my writing group gave it a recommendation that I decided to indulge my own curiosity and finally read this title. Stirred by the folding of Goal Publications, I wanted to read it while it was still reasonably possible to get a copy. So I contacted the author, Renee Carter Hall, and purchased one directly from her.
As you know, if you know me you know that I’m a big fan of post apocalyptic fiction. Ever since playing Fallout 3 I just particularly have been fascinated by the genre of writing that explores what happens after the world as we know it collapses.
Already hooked by the concept, I set about reading the story of Jak and the mysterious device called a ‘phone’.
While I really enjoyed the first half of this story, I have to say that I found the second half to be more of a downer for me. Early on Jak is curious about those that came before and try as he might, is unable to refuse the call for answers to his questions. His search while initially gaining him fame and attention, eventually isolates him from everyone and everything he has ever known.
To learn more about these things he sees, he travels to speak to Wascher, who once knew a creature who had seen the same visions, and goes off to find his answers.
While I don’t fault the quality of the writing, I just found it hard to read this book the further along that I got. I don’t know what I expected, perhaps an answer to the mystery or for Jak to find something at the end, and while he does, it ends on what I’d call a soft cliffhanger. It teases the possibility of a follow up, but honestly the journey just kind of left me a little disappointed.
Post apocalyptic fiction is usually one of my all time favorite genres and settings, not only for the curiosity of what happened but the storytelling options the setting provides and for the fascinating of seeing what happens afterwards.
What would I have preferred? I think I would have enjoyed it more if perhaps Jak had a companion, or perhaps if there had not been so many characters who appeared, said their piece, and then that was it. It reminds me a little bit of when I read By Sword and Star, in which I kind of wanted a supporting character to have more of a role than they did.
Would I recommend it? Honestly I’m not sure. While all of Renee Carter Hall’s books have strong concepts this one, while I’m glad to have read it, left me with a lot of mixed feelings.
Set in a post apocalyptic future, Signal is set long after the disappearance of humanity. Taking their place are several animal societies that have risen to intelligence while still largely retaining their animal forms. The story takes place among a Rakuun tribe, and follows Jak’s journey as he seeks answers to questions he cannot ignore.
Jak is a peculiar Rakuun. Unlike most of his kind who seek to move beyond childish curiosity and contribute to the tribe’s survival by finding a mate and siring kits, he cannot help but be fascinated by the things he finds in his explorations. Curious and adventurous, he sets out to discover the secrets behind his latest treasure.
I have to say that I really liked Jak. Curious to the point of an irresistible need to know, he pursues the knowledge of the past like a rakuun with a mission. Sacrificing the things he is supposed to want for the sake of his curiosity, he finds himself consumed by the desire for answers. I certainly appreciated his brave and curious nature, and couldn’t help but sympathize as one of the most interesting aspects of post apocalyptic fiction is always the question ‘how did we get to here’.
Jak is not like the other Rakuun. One day he discovers a long abandoned cell phone. Despite warnings from the other members of the tribe to ignore it and focus on supporting the tribe, Jak cannot suppress the memories of the world long gone that rise unbidden from somewhere outside his awareness. Left with no choice but to track down the only being that could possibly give him answers, he is forced to leave everything he knows and wander the world in search of the truth.
Although I’d heard of it before, it wasn’t until Pascal from my writing group gave it a recommendation that I decided to indulge my own curiosity and finally read this title. Stirred by the folding of Goal Publications, I wanted to read it while it was still reasonably possible to get a copy. So I contacted the author, Renee Carter Hall, and purchased one directly from her.
As you know, if you know me you know that I’m a big fan of post apocalyptic fiction. Ever since playing Fallout 3 I just particularly have been fascinated by the genre of writing that explores what happens after the world as we know it collapses.
Already hooked by the concept, I set about reading the story of Jak and the mysterious device called a ‘phone’.
While I really enjoyed the first half of this story, I have to say that I found the second half to be more of a downer for me. Early on Jak is curious about those that came before and try as he might, is unable to refuse the call for answers to his questions. His search while initially gaining him fame and attention, eventually isolates him from everyone and everything he has ever known.
To learn more about these things he sees, he travels to speak to Wascher, who once knew a creature who had seen the same visions, and goes off to find his answers.
While I don’t fault the quality of the writing, I just found it hard to read this book the further along that I got. I don’t know what I expected, perhaps an answer to the mystery or for Jak to find something at the end, and while he does, it ends on what I’d call a soft cliffhanger. It teases the possibility of a follow up, but honestly the journey just kind of left me a little disappointed.
Post apocalyptic fiction is usually one of my all time favorite genres and settings, not only for the curiosity of what happened but the storytelling options the setting provides and for the fascinating of seeing what happens afterwards.
What would I have preferred? I think I would have enjoyed it more if perhaps Jak had a companion, or perhaps if there had not been so many characters who appeared, said their piece, and then that was it. It reminds me a little bit of when I read By Sword and Star, in which I kind of wanted a supporting character to have more of a role than they did.
Would I recommend it? Honestly I’m not sure. While all of Renee Carter Hall’s books have strong concepts this one, while I’m glad to have read it, left me with a lot of mixed feelings.
August 16, 2019
When I see stories about discovering the world that came before its often a more nostalgic look back at was was or what might disappear. Signal takes a far different road and it was interesting to see it develop. The wonders of mankind aren't always so wonderful and as their influence grows Jak has to decide what's more important to him and if he made the right choice in the end. I like the way the old world of humans was presented along with the influence it had over those who came to know more about it. Excellent novella.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews