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SCARS: Heroes come in all sizes
James was a high-rider, a thrill seeker, an EVA cowboy. He was one of a small brotherhood of men who made a living out of lassoing dead satellites and towing them out of Earth's orbit. Then came the accident, the one which cost James everything. Now landlocked and grounded with no chance of returning to space, James lives a life of quiet desperation. By day, he struggles with having become an amputee. By night, he is haunted by nightmares of the moment that took his leg, his friends, and his entire career.
After a failed suicide attempt, a company psychologist assigns James a companion animal named Maxx--a very smart rat with an interesting past. Now, once again, James will find his life radically changed as old wounds are opened and fresh scars are forced to heal.
After a failed suicide attempt, a company psychologist assigns James a companion animal named Maxx--a very smart rat with an interesting past. Now, once again, James will find his life radically changed as old wounds are opened and fresh scars are forced to heal.
- GenresScience Fiction
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2020
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
J. Ishiro Finney
12 books10 followersJ. Ishiro “Ishii” Finney is a dark-eyed, pale-skinned creature who spends the majority of his time tapping away at a keyboard in a darkened room somewhere in the Arizona desert. There he writes tales of sci-fi, alt-history, horror, and occult noir. In a past life he worked as a music journalist, graphic designer, and had a very brief stint playing in an industrial band. He’s written for Industrial Nation, B-Side Magazine, and Alternative Press. In the realm of comics, he’s written and illustrated books with Archaia Entertainment(now Boom!), 01Publishing.
He’s best known for Casefile: Arkham, a graphic novel series which author Jonathan Maberry called “A wickedly entertaining noir mystery spin on Lovecraft’s cosmic horror… which is perfect for fans of The Dresden Files and Hellblazer.”
Finney also scripted the audiodrama adaptation of his book, Titanium Rain. In 2013 was nominated for two Audie Awards through the Audiobook Publishers Association in the categories of Best Audio Drama and Best Original Work. It also won the Earphones Award from AudioFile magazine and the Silver Mark Time Award.
Most recently, Finney published the sci-fi novella, SCARS. David J. West (author of the BRUTAL Saga) said of SCARS, “This was an amazing quick read, detailing the horrors of war and the beauty of brotherhood even that between the species. Simply amazing.”
His short stories have appeared in PseudoPod, Whispers from the Abyss, and NuMedia Journal. When not writing, Finney hosts a weekly podcast where he frequently claims to be a 600-year-old Zeta-Reticulan piloting a biomechanical flesh-suit. This is probably not true.
He’s best known for Casefile: Arkham, a graphic novel series which author Jonathan Maberry called “A wickedly entertaining noir mystery spin on Lovecraft’s cosmic horror… which is perfect for fans of The Dresden Files and Hellblazer.”
Finney also scripted the audiodrama adaptation of his book, Titanium Rain. In 2013 was nominated for two Audie Awards through the Audiobook Publishers Association in the categories of Best Audio Drama and Best Original Work. It also won the Earphones Award from AudioFile magazine and the Silver Mark Time Award.
Most recently, Finney published the sci-fi novella, SCARS. David J. West (author of the BRUTAL Saga) said of SCARS, “This was an amazing quick read, detailing the horrors of war and the beauty of brotherhood even that between the species. Simply amazing.”
His short stories have appeared in PseudoPod, Whispers from the Abyss, and NuMedia Journal. When not writing, Finney hosts a weekly podcast where he frequently claims to be a 600-year-old Zeta-Reticulan piloting a biomechanical flesh-suit. This is probably not true.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2020
I read this story in one sitting. I loved James and Max's journey together. This setting reminds me of The Expanse along with Secret of NIHM. This is great SciFi. I wish more stories were like this.
June 25, 2021
Great Story!
This was such an awesome story. It wasn’t what I was expecting and that made it even better for me. The characters were interesting and I even feel like I learned a little bit about rats.
This was such an awesome story. It wasn’t what I was expecting and that made it even better for me. The characters were interesting and I even feel like I learned a little bit about rats.
November 5, 2021
A very interesting short story of being scarred
New to reading Ishii's work but this'll bring me back for more. Quite the short story of two unlikely companions helping each other with demons past.
New to reading Ishii's work but this'll bring me back for more. Quite the short story of two unlikely companions helping each other with demons past.
October 31, 2020
I bet even people who hate rats are still going to be concerned when Max goes through the struggles that he does.
January 11, 2021
An Example of Great Sci-fi
A great piece of speculative science fiction & a deeply moving description of the effects of PTSD on a person's life.
A great piece of speculative science fiction & a deeply moving description of the effects of PTSD on a person's life.
January 29, 2021
I am of the opinion that this book is magnificent an funny.
July 2, 2020
I bet even people who hate rats are still going to be concerned when Max goes through the struggles that he does.
July 18, 2020
THIS IS A WIERD BOOK.
November 8, 2020
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
January 30, 2021
From my point of view it has very good content.
November 16, 2023
Excellent, short, and meaningful read. A perfect amount of world-building and character-building, artfully played out within such a small number of pages—and with a very satisfying ending.
Max is great, but I must also give a shoutout to the character Deb, who is an excellent addition to the story.
I finished it in one day. Highly recommended.
Max is great, but I must also give a shoutout to the character Deb, who is an excellent addition to the story.
I finished it in one day. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews