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SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY
Now, he’s an enigma known only as Splice; a criminal mastermind with unlimited resources, cunning, and guile. A silent force who can make world leaders disappear in a miasma of blood and gore. But how did he get here? Where did he come from? The world may never know, but you will.
SPLICE, the story of how a homeless kid in Omaha grew up to make governments cower in fear.
Based on the upcoming feature film from ©Watch Dog Entertainment®LLC.
SPLICE, the story of how a homeless kid in Omaha grew up to make governments cower in fear.
Based on the upcoming feature film from ©Watch Dog Entertainment®LLC.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2020
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Bill McCormick
39 books102 followersBill "McSciFi" McCormick is an award-winning and critically acclaimed science fiction author, publisher, and raconteur celebrated for his vivid storytelling and unique blend of sci-fi, humor, and social commentary. Known affectionately by fans as "McSciFi," Bill has carved a niche in speculative fiction with works that challenge conventional narratives while exploring complex characters and futuristic worlds.
His bibliography includes standout titles such as The Brittle Riders trilogy, a post-apocalyptic saga hailed for its originality and depth, and Goptri of the Mists, which captures his trademark mix of wit and world-building. Beyond his novels, Bill contributes to comics and graphic novels, such as Legends Parallel and Marcie's Marvels, bringing his creative voice to dynamic visual storytelling.
A tireless advocate for indie publishing and creative collaboration, Bill frequently appears at conventions, panels, and events, sharing insights and connecting with fans. When he's not crafting new tales, he's an active force in the literary and entertainment communities, blending his passion for sci-fi with a commitment to fostering emerging talent.
With a knack for weaving humor and humanity into high-concept stories, Bill "McSciFi" McCormick continues to captivate audiences, leaving a lasting mark on the science fiction landscape.
Find out more about him at BillMcSciFi.com
Awards:
Sci-Fi Editors' Choice 2013 - Bewildering Stories
* A Letter from an Editor
Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2020 - Critters Readers Poll
* SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY
Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 - Critters Readers Poll
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Best Dystopian Sci-Fi Novel of 2025 - LA Book Fest
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Best Science Fiction Novel of 2025 - Hollywood Book Festival
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Bronze Medal Science Fiction/Dystopian Novel of 2025 - Global Book Awards
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
His bibliography includes standout titles such as The Brittle Riders trilogy, a post-apocalyptic saga hailed for its originality and depth, and Goptri of the Mists, which captures his trademark mix of wit and world-building. Beyond his novels, Bill contributes to comics and graphic novels, such as Legends Parallel and Marcie's Marvels, bringing his creative voice to dynamic visual storytelling.
A tireless advocate for indie publishing and creative collaboration, Bill frequently appears at conventions, panels, and events, sharing insights and connecting with fans. When he's not crafting new tales, he's an active force in the literary and entertainment communities, blending his passion for sci-fi with a commitment to fostering emerging talent.
With a knack for weaving humor and humanity into high-concept stories, Bill "McSciFi" McCormick continues to captivate audiences, leaving a lasting mark on the science fiction landscape.
Find out more about him at BillMcSciFi.com
Awards:
Sci-Fi Editors' Choice 2013 - Bewildering Stories
* A Letter from an Editor
Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2020 - Critters Readers Poll
* SPLICE: HIT BIT TECHNOLOGY
Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 - Critters Readers Poll
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Best Dystopian Sci-Fi Novel of 2025 - LA Book Fest
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Best Science Fiction Novel of 2025 - Hollywood Book Festival
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
Bronze Medal Science Fiction/Dystopian Novel of 2025 - Global Book Awards
* The Brittle Riders: Book One (Second Edition)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 1, 2023
Splice
By Bill McCormick
Mild Spoilers
I think the first thing I’ll say is DON”T get thrown off by the book’s first few chapters. They are built to offend and seem to take devilish delight in doing so. Don’t worry, if you’re a Black person, you’ll likely get offended. If you’re a White person, you’ll likely get offended. And boy oh boy, if you are a FEMALE person you are likely to get offended (if you’re a CIVILIZED person at ALL, you’ll likely to get offended).
It’s not that the opening chapters aren’t fun - my first impression led me to think that the book was going to be a future dystopia as told by George Carlin - full of fun swagger and interesting squalor. The inescapable problem is one particular idea that gets repeated over and over again. It takes the whole book to find out that this isn’t a mistake. McCormick is at work behind the scenes. He keeps things remarkably brief, but he accomplishes something important with just a few lines of shocking vulgarity. He makes certain that the reader will think of certain characters a certain way. Much later in the book he will return to these characters, and the scene he presents will make you re-think the entire book. What had been a rock-solid thrill ride becomes chilling with one sentence. Brilliant!
This book is actually an origin story. It doesn’t take place in a future dystopia. it takes place in the here and now. The story starts with “Robert” as a ten-year-old boy, during the season where his parents, without him, head off for greener pastures, telling “Robert” he is dead weight and abandoning him in the street like an unwanted dog.
These early scenes establish Robert’s survival instincts and many of his technical gifts - he survives by creating little hideaways across the city, using the library to teach himself how to steal heat and electricity, and then, after a while, how to hack early cash machines.
This brings him to the attention of some underground people - and ultimately a crime lord, who, recognizing Robert’s potential, takes him under his wing. Robert is a sponge. Robert is always absorbing, and always extrapolating.
When he comes of age, he tells the crime lord he is joining the Army. That it will pay dividends for everyone. He continues absorbing. He continues extrapolating.
If I’m not careful, I'll give away the whole book. It moves from dystopian biography to urban crime thriller, and then, in its second half, it evolves into a sleek military thriller. As Robert becomes more focused, so does the book, chapters become short and quickly effective, each making you eager for the next. Details are judiciously offered, so that the lightning-quick story always seems authentic, even when the action gets audacious. In the world of this book, the audacious is a blossoming reality.
Robert is a character who makes his way by transforming himself — through pluck, through parley and through every type of hacking imaginable. Ultimately, he becomes something the world has never seen before.
But what happens next?
If McCormick returns to this character, and stays with the flavor he has created here, future stories will be brisk, exciting, and possibly horrific.
One thing is certain regarding the World’s status quo.
It isn’t safe.
Brutal and deft, a secret ace up the sleeve for all fans of military thrillers, effortless to read, and fascinating to witness. Highly recommended.
By Bill McCormick
Mild Spoilers
I think the first thing I’ll say is DON”T get thrown off by the book’s first few chapters. They are built to offend and seem to take devilish delight in doing so. Don’t worry, if you’re a Black person, you’ll likely get offended. If you’re a White person, you’ll likely get offended. And boy oh boy, if you are a FEMALE person you are likely to get offended (if you’re a CIVILIZED person at ALL, you’ll likely to get offended).
It’s not that the opening chapters aren’t fun - my first impression led me to think that the book was going to be a future dystopia as told by George Carlin - full of fun swagger and interesting squalor. The inescapable problem is one particular idea that gets repeated over and over again. It takes the whole book to find out that this isn’t a mistake. McCormick is at work behind the scenes. He keeps things remarkably brief, but he accomplishes something important with just a few lines of shocking vulgarity. He makes certain that the reader will think of certain characters a certain way. Much later in the book he will return to these characters, and the scene he presents will make you re-think the entire book. What had been a rock-solid thrill ride becomes chilling with one sentence. Brilliant!
This book is actually an origin story. It doesn’t take place in a future dystopia. it takes place in the here and now. The story starts with “Robert” as a ten-year-old boy, during the season where his parents, without him, head off for greener pastures, telling “Robert” he is dead weight and abandoning him in the street like an unwanted dog.
These early scenes establish Robert’s survival instincts and many of his technical gifts - he survives by creating little hideaways across the city, using the library to teach himself how to steal heat and electricity, and then, after a while, how to hack early cash machines.
This brings him to the attention of some underground people - and ultimately a crime lord, who, recognizing Robert’s potential, takes him under his wing. Robert is a sponge. Robert is always absorbing, and always extrapolating.
When he comes of age, he tells the crime lord he is joining the Army. That it will pay dividends for everyone. He continues absorbing. He continues extrapolating.
If I’m not careful, I'll give away the whole book. It moves from dystopian biography to urban crime thriller, and then, in its second half, it evolves into a sleek military thriller. As Robert becomes more focused, so does the book, chapters become short and quickly effective, each making you eager for the next. Details are judiciously offered, so that the lightning-quick story always seems authentic, even when the action gets audacious. In the world of this book, the audacious is a blossoming reality.
Robert is a character who makes his way by transforming himself — through pluck, through parley and through every type of hacking imaginable. Ultimately, he becomes something the world has never seen before.
But what happens next?
If McCormick returns to this character, and stays with the flavor he has created here, future stories will be brisk, exciting, and possibly horrific.
One thing is certain regarding the World’s status quo.
It isn’t safe.
Brutal and deft, a secret ace up the sleeve for all fans of military thrillers, effortless to read, and fascinating to witness. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review