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Gateway
New Perish is a technological wonder in a land gone dark. War, famine and disease have decimated much of the world. Only a few beacons of society remain and technology is all they have left to rely on for survival. GLE is the corporation that keeps the people of New Perish alive by using Trackers to find those who use or develop unapproved technology. They are chosen from orphans that are healthy enough to be able to survive the modding and forced to serve until the tech used to create them, kills them.
Lara is the youngest Tracker ever created. Maybe that’s why she’s managed to live longer than anyone before her. Modded at only 12 years old as an experiment, she managed to override the coding that kept her loyal to GLE and escape into the desolate wastelands outside of the New Perish bubble.
Now, at 17 years old, she needs to return to find her old friend “The Butcher” who is capable of repairing an arm damaged in an altercation. She’s ready to run as soon as she's is fixed, but he wants her help to find out who is behind a new liquitech drug called “Gateway”. She's got nothing left to lose since the tech is starting to do what everyone expected it to do—kill her—but the shocking truth that she uncovers might also save her life.
Lara is the youngest Tracker ever created. Maybe that’s why she’s managed to live longer than anyone before her. Modded at only 12 years old as an experiment, she managed to override the coding that kept her loyal to GLE and escape into the desolate wastelands outside of the New Perish bubble.
Now, at 17 years old, she needs to return to find her old friend “The Butcher” who is capable of repairing an arm damaged in an altercation. She’s ready to run as soon as she's is fixed, but he wants her help to find out who is behind a new liquitech drug called “Gateway”. She's got nothing left to lose since the tech is starting to do what everyone expected it to do—kill her—but the shocking truth that she uncovers might also save her life.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2020
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Crystal L. Kirkham
23 books52 followersCrystal L. Kirkham is a multi-genre speculative fiction author and podcaster. She has published several full-length novels and has been a part of multiple best-selling anthologies.
Originally from the west coast of British Columbia, she now chooses to call a tiny hamlet in central Alberta her home. She is an avid outdoors person, unrepentant coffee addict, part-time foodie, and companion to several delightfully hilarious canines.
She will neither confirm nor deny the rumours regarding the heart in a jar on her desk or the bottle of readers' tears right next to it. However, she will confirm that she once broke the metal handle to a 4-tonne car jack with her bare hands.
Originally from the west coast of British Columbia, she now chooses to call a tiny hamlet in central Alberta her home. She is an avid outdoors person, unrepentant coffee addict, part-time foodie, and companion to several delightfully hilarious canines.
She will neither confirm nor deny the rumours regarding the heart in a jar on her desk or the bottle of readers' tears right next to it. However, she will confirm that she once broke the metal handle to a 4-tonne car jack with her bare hands.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 3, 2022
A short novella with great world-building, Gateway sucks you in the start.
One thing that I usually have problems with when it comes to novellas is that they tend to be story-focused rather than character, given the shortness of the story, but this one did a great job characterizing Lara by her actions rather than narration. It’s very easy to see that she’s smart and determined but also young and still learning about life. There were a couple of side characters that were also well developed and interesting.
The best thing about the novel is the world-building. This novella manages to be a self-contained story while still creating a fully fleshed-out world. The concept is a staple of the genre (a functioning city within the wasteland) but the cyberpunk-esque aspects made it unique and fun.
The story moves at a great pace with a few twists and turns I wasn’t expecting.
In short, if you’re looking for a quick, engaging post-apocalyptic novel, I definitely recommend Gateway.
One thing that I usually have problems with when it comes to novellas is that they tend to be story-focused rather than character, given the shortness of the story, but this one did a great job characterizing Lara by her actions rather than narration. It’s very easy to see that she’s smart and determined but also young and still learning about life. There were a couple of side characters that were also well developed and interesting.
The best thing about the novel is the world-building. This novella manages to be a self-contained story while still creating a fully fleshed-out world. The concept is a staple of the genre (a functioning city within the wasteland) but the cyberpunk-esque aspects made it unique and fun.
The story moves at a great pace with a few twists and turns I wasn’t expecting.
In short, if you’re looking for a quick, engaging post-apocalyptic novel, I definitely recommend Gateway.
September 23, 2021
WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR
Thanks for your interest in GATEWAY.
Once upon a time, there was an anthology call for a book the never did get to see the light of day. It called for a book in any of the 'punk' genres. I'd never gone out of my way to write in a punk genre and took this as my chance to try. I went with what I was comfortable with—cyberpunk with a bit of dystopian sci-fi mash-up to make the world that much more fun.
This story began with a simple errant thought prompted by a misheard statement. "Google is a gateway drug." This is a story that isn't simply about survival in a dystopian world. Or even about the cybertechnology that the story revolves around. This is a story about facing down the past and coming out ahead.
Compared to much of my other work, I would say that while Gateway does give a respectful nod to the darker themes found in my writing, it doesn't dwell there as much as many of my stories do. It was a fun novelette to write and I hope you all enjoy the world I created here as well.
Who knows, if enough people read and enjoy what I have created then I might just write a bit more in this world one day. So, if you are reading this, thank you for your time.
Thanks for your interest in GATEWAY.
Once upon a time, there was an anthology call for a book the never did get to see the light of day. It called for a book in any of the 'punk' genres. I'd never gone out of my way to write in a punk genre and took this as my chance to try. I went with what I was comfortable with—cyberpunk with a bit of dystopian sci-fi mash-up to make the world that much more fun.
This story began with a simple errant thought prompted by a misheard statement. "Google is a gateway drug." This is a story that isn't simply about survival in a dystopian world. Or even about the cybertechnology that the story revolves around. This is a story about facing down the past and coming out ahead.
Compared to much of my other work, I would say that while Gateway does give a respectful nod to the darker themes found in my writing, it doesn't dwell there as much as many of my stories do. It was a fun novelette to write and I hope you all enjoy the world I created here as well.
Who knows, if enough people read and enjoy what I have created then I might just write a bit more in this world one day. So, if you are reading this, thank you for your time.
November 19, 2020
I've read several books written by Crystal Kirkham; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
November 11, 2020
Great sci-fi story that I flew right through. Enjoyed this story very much and will definitely check out more works from this author.
February 8, 2023
Loved this book! It sucked me right in.
August 23, 2024
I enjoyed the book! I especially like that it was clean. It was an interesting read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews