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Atomic Fireflies: A Tale Of The Knockoffs
Beauty is Tin Deep...When Kaemon meets a strange racer on Tokyo’s freeways, his life will be changed forever. Can a broken man find a new life amidst the chaos of cars, robots, and aliens?Retro-futuristic tale for fans of the ‘90s, Japan, Transformers, Tokyo Drift, and Ready Player One!Revised and re-edited for 2021 relaunch!
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2019
6 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2021
If you crossed Transformers with Wangan Midnight, and sprinkled a dash of The Matrix, you'd probably end up with 'Atomic Fireflies: A Tale Of The Knockoffs'.
For a fan of both cars and of Transformers and mechs, this was an absolutely brilliant read! Just so much fun. A little tongue in cheek, and generally not taking itself too seriously, Merkel has written an action packed adventure which is supremely entertaining.
There are some serious underlying themes of loyalty, identity and our responsibility to the planet, which are actually dealt with pretty well despite the lighter nature of the book. I also appreciated the consistent and well-researched use of Japanese names and terminology.
The ending was a little abrupt, but it worked. And for anyone who is after a bit of nostalgia (especially if they love 80s and 90s anime), fun and Japan-themed car/mech action, 'Atomic Fireflies' is a terrific read.
For a fan of both cars and of Transformers and mechs, this was an absolutely brilliant read! Just so much fun. A little tongue in cheek, and generally not taking itself too seriously, Merkel has written an action packed adventure which is supremely entertaining.
There are some serious underlying themes of loyalty, identity and our responsibility to the planet, which are actually dealt with pretty well despite the lighter nature of the book. I also appreciated the consistent and well-researched use of Japanese names and terminology.
The ending was a little abrupt, but it worked. And for anyone who is after a bit of nostalgia (especially if they love 80s and 90s anime), fun and Japan-themed car/mech action, 'Atomic Fireflies' is a terrific read.
July 7, 2021
I’ve been a huge fan of A.C. Merkel since the book birth of HER NAME IS MURDER. Though ATOMIC FIREFLIES sits in a different genre than LADY DREAMSCAPES, there’s the same sparkle and panache that resides in all Merkel’s work.
ATOMIC FIREFLIES has that “it” factor, an indescribable charisma that draws readers in. This story has vitality and drive, along with endearing characters and community, that propel it forward in an adrenaline-packed, nitrous-infused burst. There are cars and street racing à la Fast & Furious and Transformers within a robotic, metallic, cyberpunk setting. It’s retro-futuristic science fiction, and it is so much FUN.
Merkel has a titanic imagination, and it was an honor exploring another facet of his creativity. ATOMIC FIREFLIES reads like a summer box-office hit, and I could totally envision it on the big screen.
ATOMIC FIREFLIES has that “it” factor, an indescribable charisma that draws readers in. This story has vitality and drive, along with endearing characters and community, that propel it forward in an adrenaline-packed, nitrous-infused burst. There are cars and street racing à la Fast & Furious and Transformers within a robotic, metallic, cyberpunk setting. It’s retro-futuristic science fiction, and it is so much FUN.
Merkel has a titanic imagination, and it was an honor exploring another facet of his creativity. ATOMIC FIREFLIES reads like a summer box-office hit, and I could totally envision it on the big screen.
November 6, 2025
“Atomic Fireflies: A Tale Of The Knockoffs” by A. C. Merkel is a wildly creative and unusual sci-fi tale set in Japan. There are humanoid robots that transform into cars, lots of racing, an evil scientist, and even a bit of romance in the mix. The writing is a bit tongue-in-cheek, so the story never gets too heavy. This is a fun, fast-paced read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews