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Malfunction Trilogy #1
Malfunction
They Say the Ends Justify The Means
When Menrva, a geneticist in the subterranean city of survivors known as Bunker, responds to a call for help from Cowl, her former best friend, and Bas, a renegade cyborg, she makes a vital mistake and places all three of them in danger. As they struggle to escape City guards, cyborg soldiers, desperate scavengers, and ravenous aliens, they find in each other something they never expected: family.
During a battle, an attacking cyborg manages to overcome her programming just long enough to deliver a cryptic message. The trio is forced to decide if they will risk death -or worse, capture -to seek out the truth about the City, or if they will fight only for themselves.
This fast-paced, gritty first book of the Malfunction Trilogy introduces a future caught between destruction and oppression, where Menrva and her friends must decide if the ends justify the means.
When Menrva, a geneticist in the subterranean city of survivors known as Bunker, responds to a call for help from Cowl, her former best friend, and Bas, a renegade cyborg, she makes a vital mistake and places all three of them in danger. As they struggle to escape City guards, cyborg soldiers, desperate scavengers, and ravenous aliens, they find in each other something they never expected: family.
During a battle, an attacking cyborg manages to overcome her programming just long enough to deliver a cryptic message. The trio is forced to decide if they will risk death -or worse, capture -to seek out the truth about the City, or if they will fight only for themselves.
This fast-paced, gritty first book of the Malfunction Trilogy introduces a future caught between destruction and oppression, where Menrva and her friends must decide if the ends justify the means.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 8, 2017
3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Purrazzi
36 books58 followers I grew up on a steady diet of adventure both real and imagined. It was never quite enough. So what is a girl to do? The answer: live in a fantasy world.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 26, 2018
Bumping it up to 5 after thinking it over a few days!
Malfunction is an absolute gem among books! It's been a long time since I've read a book with such complex characters, relentless suspense, and hard hitting themes.
The story is set in an alien infested city called the Bunker, a place that ensures its survival through human cyborgs programmed to combat such creatures. The creepy thing about it? The cyborgs are computer controlled by a bunch of gamers who think they're playing a simple alien shooter simulation. Yeah, disgusting.
Fortunately, our three protagonists won't stand for such nonsense:
Bas, a gentle giant (and one of the aforementioned cyborgs) struggling with ptsd and the ever learning process of being human. Cowl (My favorite!), a sarcastic computer genius and pro drama queen haunted by his brother's death. Minerva, a sharp minded geneticist scarred by, well, I won't say because of spoilers. Each feels so deep and real on an extremely personal level. They practically pop off the pages by how well we get to know them. We can feel the emotions they feel ,we can sense exactly what they mean by something without them having to say it.
However, by far an undoubtedly the best thing about this book (imo), is the family aspect. As different as our protagonists may be from each other, in the end they work out their differences, coming together and forming a tight knit family. Each scene and each conversation is used to slowly build up bonds and dynamics betweenst them in a very realistic fashion.
Another thing I really loved about this book, is how it thrusts each of our characters in the most unlikely role you would expect of them. Cowl, while being well meaning, can be a bit reckless when riled up enough and frankly isn't the best role model. Yet he's given the weight of being the "mom" of the group keeping the three of them together, and actually does an admirable job of it. Minerva, can be a bit overly harsh and rather mean spirited, but ends up being the nurturer of the group. And Bas, the sweet gentle giant, is the one who comes up with the majority of their reckless plans. This challenges each of them in ways they never saw coming, and helps them undergo some extreme character development.
Now, of course, were I being nitpicky there would be few issues with it I would mention.While I think the overall themes and characters of the story were great, I found the plot to be more on the wandery side? this isn't necessarily a bad thing, just more of a personal preference. And I also thought the romance was a bit underdeveloped and rushed? just my opinion.
Despite these slight misgivings however, this book is a fantastic peace of art! Its heart, its soul, and its themes all combine for one massive emotional punch in the best way possible. I highly recommend it!
Content warning: fairly frequent uses of s**t and whore, a fair amount of violence, (Not graphic) and some extremely intense scenes that deal with ptsd.
Malfunction is an absolute gem among books! It's been a long time since I've read a book with such complex characters, relentless suspense, and hard hitting themes.
The story is set in an alien infested city called the Bunker, a place that ensures its survival through human cyborgs programmed to combat such creatures. The creepy thing about it? The cyborgs are computer controlled by a bunch of gamers who think they're playing a simple alien shooter simulation. Yeah, disgusting.
Fortunately, our three protagonists won't stand for such nonsense:
Bas, a gentle giant (and one of the aforementioned cyborgs) struggling with ptsd and the ever learning process of being human. Cowl (My favorite!), a sarcastic computer genius and pro drama queen haunted by his brother's death. Minerva, a sharp minded geneticist scarred by, well, I won't say because of spoilers. Each feels so deep and real on an extremely personal level. They practically pop off the pages by how well we get to know them. We can feel the emotions they feel ,we can sense exactly what they mean by something without them having to say it.
However, by far an undoubtedly the best thing about this book (imo), is the family aspect. As different as our protagonists may be from each other, in the end they work out their differences, coming together and forming a tight knit family. Each scene and each conversation is used to slowly build up bonds and dynamics betweenst them in a very realistic fashion.
Another thing I really loved about this book, is how it thrusts each of our characters in the most unlikely role you would expect of them. Cowl, while being well meaning, can be a bit reckless when riled up enough and frankly isn't the best role model. Yet he's given the weight of being the "mom" of the group keeping the three of them together, and actually does an admirable job of it. Minerva, can be a bit overly harsh and rather mean spirited, but ends up being the nurturer of the group. And Bas, the sweet gentle giant, is the one who comes up with the majority of their reckless plans. This challenges each of them in ways they never saw coming, and helps them undergo some extreme character development.
Now, of course, were I being nitpicky there would be few issues with it I would mention.While I think the overall themes and characters of the story were great, I found the plot to be more on the wandery side? this isn't necessarily a bad thing, just more of a personal preference. And I also thought the romance was a bit underdeveloped and rushed? just my opinion.
Despite these slight misgivings however, this book is a fantastic peace of art! Its heart, its soul, and its themes all combine for one massive emotional punch in the best way possible. I highly recommend it!
Content warning: fairly frequent uses of s**t and whore, a fair amount of violence, (Not graphic) and some extremely intense scenes that deal with ptsd.
September 19, 2020
*4.5
Malfunction is a gritty yet enticing read that focusses on the relationship developments of three central characters, Menrva, Bas, and Cowl. Each uniquely flawed and carrying the burdens of the brokeness they bear. Set in an utterly dark and deteriorating setting—alien-invaded Earth—Purrazzi depicts humanity's struggle for survival with minimal resources and ravenous enemies. Her descriptions are often vivid and somewhat gruesome; the depth of despair among the citizens cast out of the Hub and into the Pit makes for an interesting backdrop for her central characters to interact and develop their relationships. In fact, it is the depravity of their situation that brings out the warmth of their affections for each other as the plot progresses. I loved watching the vulnerability of each character as they made tough decisions and found themselves in greater danger. I also enjoyed the variation of the threats posed by the enemies--alien and human. Both adversaries were well-developed and held up as substantial obstacles for Menrva, Bas, and Cowl to rise against.
The two small issues I had with the book did not affect my enjoyment of the story but slightly reduce my rating. First, the author spends a lot of time humanizing Bas and emphasizing his humanity, so it was a bit difficult for me to believe the number of superhuman/inhuman things he was able to survive and do throughout the book. The thing that grounded this aspect of the book for me, however, was the reminder that the Earth in this novel is vastly different than our Earth and the story took place in a vastly dystopian society. I chose to focus instead on the emotional depth that this added to the relationship developments and how it helped set up an exciting conclusion. The second was the numerous minor typos—the occasional missing period, a few missing articles, and a few miscellaneous others. These issues did not take away from the book's readability but slightly affected the book's quality.
Overall, I thought the book was outstanding. There are a few instances of intense violence and mild swearing that may not appeal to sensitive readers. Still, Purazzi handles some tough topics and poses several thought-provoking moments throughout her writing. I'm a bit squeamish about medical/surgical descriptions, so those few scenes may have affected me more than others.
Malfunction was an excellent start for this trilogy, and I am excited to continue reading the rest of the series. If you're not ready to commit to a whole trilogy, I'd recommend reading Topside. It's a short story from the Malfunction Universe, and it was a fantastic preview. I read Topside before Malfunction, and it sparked my interest in the series with an adrenaline rush sparked from the well-paced action and intense emotions.
Malfunction is a gritty yet enticing read that focusses on the relationship developments of three central characters, Menrva, Bas, and Cowl. Each uniquely flawed and carrying the burdens of the brokeness they bear. Set in an utterly dark and deteriorating setting—alien-invaded Earth—Purrazzi depicts humanity's struggle for survival with minimal resources and ravenous enemies. Her descriptions are often vivid and somewhat gruesome; the depth of despair among the citizens cast out of the Hub and into the Pit makes for an interesting backdrop for her central characters to interact and develop their relationships. In fact, it is the depravity of their situation that brings out the warmth of their affections for each other as the plot progresses. I loved watching the vulnerability of each character as they made tough decisions and found themselves in greater danger. I also enjoyed the variation of the threats posed by the enemies--alien and human. Both adversaries were well-developed and held up as substantial obstacles for Menrva, Bas, and Cowl to rise against.
The two small issues I had with the book did not affect my enjoyment of the story but slightly reduce my rating. First, the author spends a lot of time humanizing Bas and emphasizing his humanity, so it was a bit difficult for me to believe the number of superhuman/inhuman things he was able to survive and do throughout the book. The thing that grounded this aspect of the book for me, however, was the reminder that the Earth in this novel is vastly different than our Earth and the story took place in a vastly dystopian society. I chose to focus instead on the emotional depth that this added to the relationship developments and how it helped set up an exciting conclusion. The second was the numerous minor typos—the occasional missing period, a few missing articles, and a few miscellaneous others. These issues did not take away from the book's readability but slightly affected the book's quality.
Overall, I thought the book was outstanding. There are a few instances of intense violence and mild swearing that may not appeal to sensitive readers. Still, Purazzi handles some tough topics and poses several thought-provoking moments throughout her writing. I'm a bit squeamish about medical/surgical descriptions, so those few scenes may have affected me more than others.
Malfunction was an excellent start for this trilogy, and I am excited to continue reading the rest of the series. If you're not ready to commit to a whole trilogy, I'd recommend reading Topside. It's a short story from the Malfunction Universe, and it was a fantastic preview. I read Topside before Malfunction, and it sparked my interest in the series with an adrenaline rush sparked from the well-paced action and intense emotions.
December 17, 2017
Powerful. Heart pounding. Smart. Emotionally moving.
J.E. Purrazzi is an author to be reckoned with. This book will plunge you directly into a very dark, post-apocalyptic world where it is much easier to compromise than do the right thing. Purrazzi is a bold writer and she's not afraid to examine the worst attributes of humanity, but somehow it always stirs in me a righteous indignation, and a passion to appreciate the beautiful, good things in my life. And maybe that was her intent all along...
The characters in this book are striking and unforgettable. They are flawed, yet admirable. I cheer when they make the right decisions and I get annoyed at them when they act selfish and immature, but in the end, they are family. And not many books have been able to pain their characters that deeply on my heart.
Purrazzi paints this story scene by scene and slowly builds something that is remarkable. Her passion for defending the powerless and those who cannot defend themselves is evident on every page.
And aside from all of that, this book is full of fascinating science, and mind-boggling action scenes on par with the best blockbusters in Hollywood. And this is only the first book in the series. This trilogy is going to be an unforgettable ride.
J.E. Purrazzi is an author to be reckoned with. This book will plunge you directly into a very dark, post-apocalyptic world where it is much easier to compromise than do the right thing. Purrazzi is a bold writer and she's not afraid to examine the worst attributes of humanity, but somehow it always stirs in me a righteous indignation, and a passion to appreciate the beautiful, good things in my life. And maybe that was her intent all along...
The characters in this book are striking and unforgettable. They are flawed, yet admirable. I cheer when they make the right decisions and I get annoyed at them when they act selfish and immature, but in the end, they are family. And not many books have been able to pain their characters that deeply on my heart.
Purrazzi paints this story scene by scene and slowly builds something that is remarkable. Her passion for defending the powerless and those who cannot defend themselves is evident on every page.
And aside from all of that, this book is full of fascinating science, and mind-boggling action scenes on par with the best blockbusters in Hollywood. And this is only the first book in the series. This trilogy is going to be an unforgettable ride.
April 1, 2018
I have so many emotions after reading this. What an amazing novel. Full review coming soon.
Malfunction is an amazing, heart-wrenching novel that packs a huge punch. Not only is it full of action, but it's full of thought. That is a rare and beautiful combination.
Purrazzi's writing style works to build a dark, gritty world that grapples with many intense moral issues, most of them centering around the value of human life. While very dark, all of these issues were handled in a thoughtful, realistic way that I greatly appreciated.
Characters, themes, writing style, and world-building all flowed together seamlessly in this novel. The characters are all very flawed people, but they all have unique arcs and backgrounds that play into the plot. Each character had a clear, distinct voice that never pulled out of deep POV. An incredible feat given that, to stay in deep POV, Purrazzi had to convey complex concepts (such as genetics, tactical strategies, and PTSD) in an accurate manner. This is possibly the best display of deep POV I've ever read. Seriously amazing.
Note: This book contains mature material such as swearing, violence, and general darkness. All of this was presented in a realistic, thoughtful manner that I found thought-provoking and tasteful, but just a heads up for any of you younger readers.
Suffice it to say that Purrazzi's Malfunction is stellar in every way. If you enjoy gritty action, thought-provoking themes, and incredible character and world building, read this novel.
Malfunction is an amazing, heart-wrenching novel that packs a huge punch. Not only is it full of action, but it's full of thought. That is a rare and beautiful combination.
Purrazzi's writing style works to build a dark, gritty world that grapples with many intense moral issues, most of them centering around the value of human life. While very dark, all of these issues were handled in a thoughtful, realistic way that I greatly appreciated.
Characters, themes, writing style, and world-building all flowed together seamlessly in this novel. The characters are all very flawed people, but they all have unique arcs and backgrounds that play into the plot. Each character had a clear, distinct voice that never pulled out of deep POV. An incredible feat given that, to stay in deep POV, Purrazzi had to convey complex concepts (such as genetics, tactical strategies, and PTSD) in an accurate manner. This is possibly the best display of deep POV I've ever read. Seriously amazing.
Note: This book contains mature material such as swearing, violence, and general darkness. All of this was presented in a realistic, thoughtful manner that I found thought-provoking and tasteful, but just a heads up for any of you younger readers.
Suffice it to say that Purrazzi's Malfunction is stellar in every way. If you enjoy gritty action, thought-provoking themes, and incredible character and world building, read this novel.
December 26, 2017
This book gave me so many feels.
I absolutely loved it. J. E. Purrazzi's characters, especially main characters Cowl, Bas, and Menrva, are beautiful and lovable, and I'm hard-pressed to think of a time when I've cared more about characters. At one point, I wanted to crawl inside the story to give the main characters cookies and wrap them in cozy blankets, which has surprisingly never happened to me before. The dystopian, apocalyptic world Purrazzi created is amazingly vibrant and realistic. I really admire how she looks honestly at the deepest failures of humanity but still conveys hope, truth, and family.
This is a thoughtful, thought-provoking book that will draw you in, then make you sit back and reflect on reality. I highly recommend it, and can't wait to see what happens next in Malfunction-verse.
I absolutely loved it. J. E. Purrazzi's characters, especially main characters Cowl, Bas, and Menrva, are beautiful and lovable, and I'm hard-pressed to think of a time when I've cared more about characters. At one point, I wanted to crawl inside the story to give the main characters cookies and wrap them in cozy blankets, which has surprisingly never happened to me before. The dystopian, apocalyptic world Purrazzi created is amazingly vibrant and realistic. I really admire how she looks honestly at the deepest failures of humanity but still conveys hope, truth, and family.
This is a thoughtful, thought-provoking book that will draw you in, then make you sit back and reflect on reality. I highly recommend it, and can't wait to see what happens next in Malfunction-verse.
August 12, 2018
Review coming soon
June 27, 2025
“The way her hands trembled told a story that words failed, but she didn't pull away.” This is the passage that began to change my perception of the entire novel!
Confession here: I disliked Malfunction on my initial reading until about the 40% mark—primarily because I kept getting irritated with Cowl and Menrva for their constant, mean-spirited bickering. I found that I did not want to root for the endeavors of a trio of characters when I didn’t even care for two of them.
But you know what? I ended up loving Malfunction, and I have now read it four times. In fact, I have read every piece of fiction that occurs in the Malfunction universe. Moreover, the most brilliant aspect of the work proved the one thing that I had disliked most about it. Moore’s characters are deeply flawed because they are deeply human. I am not sure if I have ever encountered any piece of speculative fiction with characters that have felt so astoundingly … genuine and real. My favorite character in this installment would be Bas. I love the way that Moore crafts him as a consistently good man without ever sacrificing his complexity. He is a gentle giant, warring to forget a past that he never wanted but cannot escape from. But Bas is by no means the only stand out; all three of the POV characters practically bounce off the page. Cowl is a lovable, snarky curmudgeon—but also a deeply principled and unflinchingly loyal man. And there exist arguably more layers of complexity within Menrva than any other character.
I am also fascinated by Pope. He serves as a multi-layered antagonist with an undeniably reasonable motivation. He is not evil in the conventional sense; to the contrary, he cares deeply about the fate of humanity. Only his methods seem questionable. And can I just comment on the symbolism conveyed through his name? He serves as the head of an organization that controls humanity—and he stands as the final in a long series of leaders named Pope. In this sense, might the resistance be likened to the protestant reformers who aim to topple a different system? Capricorn even mentions the protestant reformation in a list of groups of historical individuals who usurped power from those in charge!
Not only are the main characters vivid—but the interrelationships between the three of them prove strikingly palpable, as well. I found the friendship between Cal and Bas very, very heartwarming. (Minor spoiler alert! Skip down to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know who the main couple is. You’ve been warned!) And I get a total kick out of the way that Cowl gets jealous for Bas’s attention when he grows an attraction to Menrva. I love the way that Moore toys with the stereotype of people becoming jealous because their crush is in a relationship—with Cowl simply worrying that his best guy friend might be valuing his relationship with a woman more than his friendship with him. Gah! And especially for a snarky guy with a tough exterior like Cowl to get so jealous—it is equal parts beautiful and hilarious! As for Bas and Menrva’s relationship, I know a lot of readers who did not entirely care for their love story—but I find that it adds depth to the narrative. It proves fascinating to witness Bas, who has once been entirely cut off from his humanity, basking in such powerful human emotions. Even as a grown man, romantic attraction comes as an entirely new experience for him. I do think that their relationship would have been more fulfilling if it had escalated less quickly. I tend to prefer slow-growing romances in books, and Bas and Menrva fall in love only a few days after meeting. It makes me wonder if I would ship them even more if they did not get together until the second or third book. But I also wonder if their relationship needed to escalate so quickly to capture Menrva’s PTSD and Bas’s self-doubt and Cowl’s jealousy so vividly. The Bas/Menrva relationship leads to a wealth of development for everyone!
Not only do the Malfunction characters shine, but the world-building and themes do, as well. It is clear from the very beginning of the novel that we are in the midst of a world that is beautifully and thoroughly crafted. And I also love the questions that the novel poses—deep, thought-provoking questions about such topics as whether one ought to commit morally questionable acts for the greater good and how one can obtain self-worth and what even makes an individual human.
Malfunction is excellent. Its characterization is startling, its prose is eloquent, its themes are thought-provoking, and its world-building is top-notch. The novel enthralled me yet again on my fourth reading. It blows my mind that nonsensical, thoughtless crap like Divergent became immensely popular while we have self-published sci-fi gems like Malfunction out there! Thank you, Moore, for writing what has easily emerged as one of my top ten favorite speculative fiction books I have ever read—and a top three book series of all-time!
Confession here: I disliked Malfunction on my initial reading until about the 40% mark—primarily because I kept getting irritated with Cowl and Menrva for their constant, mean-spirited bickering. I found that I did not want to root for the endeavors of a trio of characters when I didn’t even care for two of them.
But you know what? I ended up loving Malfunction, and I have now read it four times. In fact, I have read every piece of fiction that occurs in the Malfunction universe. Moreover, the most brilliant aspect of the work proved the one thing that I had disliked most about it. Moore’s characters are deeply flawed because they are deeply human. I am not sure if I have ever encountered any piece of speculative fiction with characters that have felt so astoundingly … genuine and real. My favorite character in this installment would be Bas. I love the way that Moore crafts him as a consistently good man without ever sacrificing his complexity. He is a gentle giant, warring to forget a past that he never wanted but cannot escape from. But Bas is by no means the only stand out; all three of the POV characters practically bounce off the page. Cowl is a lovable, snarky curmudgeon—but also a deeply principled and unflinchingly loyal man. And there exist arguably more layers of complexity within Menrva than any other character.
I am also fascinated by Pope. He serves as a multi-layered antagonist with an undeniably reasonable motivation. He is not evil in the conventional sense; to the contrary, he cares deeply about the fate of humanity. Only his methods seem questionable. And can I just comment on the symbolism conveyed through his name? He serves as the head of an organization that controls humanity—and he stands as the final in a long series of leaders named Pope. In this sense, might the resistance be likened to the protestant reformers who aim to topple a different system? Capricorn even mentions the protestant reformation in a list of groups of historical individuals who usurped power from those in charge!
Not only are the main characters vivid—but the interrelationships between the three of them prove strikingly palpable, as well. I found the friendship between Cal and Bas very, very heartwarming. (Minor spoiler alert! Skip down to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know who the main couple is. You’ve been warned!) And I get a total kick out of the way that Cowl gets jealous for Bas’s attention when he grows an attraction to Menrva. I love the way that Moore toys with the stereotype of people becoming jealous because their crush is in a relationship—with Cowl simply worrying that his best guy friend might be valuing his relationship with a woman more than his friendship with him. Gah! And especially for a snarky guy with a tough exterior like Cowl to get so jealous—it is equal parts beautiful and hilarious! As for Bas and Menrva’s relationship, I know a lot of readers who did not entirely care for their love story—but I find that it adds depth to the narrative. It proves fascinating to witness Bas, who has once been entirely cut off from his humanity, basking in such powerful human emotions. Even as a grown man, romantic attraction comes as an entirely new experience for him. I do think that their relationship would have been more fulfilling if it had escalated less quickly. I tend to prefer slow-growing romances in books, and Bas and Menrva fall in love only a few days after meeting. It makes me wonder if I would ship them even more if they did not get together until the second or third book. But I also wonder if their relationship needed to escalate so quickly to capture Menrva’s PTSD and Bas’s self-doubt and Cowl’s jealousy so vividly. The Bas/Menrva relationship leads to a wealth of development for everyone!
Not only do the Malfunction characters shine, but the world-building and themes do, as well. It is clear from the very beginning of the novel that we are in the midst of a world that is beautifully and thoroughly crafted. And I also love the questions that the novel poses—deep, thought-provoking questions about such topics as whether one ought to commit morally questionable acts for the greater good and how one can obtain self-worth and what even makes an individual human.
Malfunction is excellent. Its characterization is startling, its prose is eloquent, its themes are thought-provoking, and its world-building is top-notch. The novel enthralled me yet again on my fourth reading. It blows my mind that nonsensical, thoughtless crap like Divergent became immensely popular while we have self-published sci-fi gems like Malfunction out there! Thank you, Moore, for writing what has easily emerged as one of my top ten favorite speculative fiction books I have ever read—and a top three book series of all-time!
December 23, 2017
Earlier this year, I was able to read Revelation, a prequel novella to the Malfunction series. Because of that, I was already somewhat familiar with two of the protagonists in Malfunction, and because I loved them so much, I was eager to read this book upon its release.
The story takes place in a bleak, dystopian/post-apocalyptic future. Earth's surface has been overrun by aliens known as Wreckers, forcing humanity to migrate underground and try to survive with limited resources. Meanwhile, Biobots created by the government fight Wreckers above ground - part of a plan to eventually restore Earth's surface to a habitable environment. It's a dark, gritty tale full of secrets and twists - one of those stories you can see playing out in your mind like a movie as you frantically turn the pages to find out what happens next. But it's the characters that really bring Malfunction to life and give it some heart.
The story is told through the points of view of its three protagonists: Menrva, Cowl, and Bastille. They each bring something unique to the story, and one of the most rewarding parts of the book is watching the relationships between them evolve. I had already fallen in love with Cowl and Bas from reading Revelation, and I grew to love both of them even more here. Cowl's point of view chapters are especially entertaining with a cynical voice and sarcastic sense of humor that are uniquely his own. Menrva also made a good addition to the group, and having her there made for some interesting conflicts between characters. There was a bit more of a romantic element than I had expected based on what I knew about the story before I started reading, but that wasn't a bad thing at all and will probably be very welcome to some readers.
There's no question here that the characters drive the plot, not the other way around. No matter what circumstances are thrown at them, they are the ones making the decisions and then dealing with the consequences of those decisions, and that constantly changes the story for better or worse. More often than not, the decisions they're faced with are 'Something Bad' and 'Something Worse,' and it's interesting to watch them figure out how to navigate the situation, even when they disagree. Towards the end of the book, the characters are forced to make some especially difficult choices, but that only made me even more emotionally invested in the story. The ending is surprising and definitely not a happily-ever-after, but I'm a sucker for endings like that anyway. I loved it and can't wait to see what obstacles these characters encounter in the next book.
The story takes place in a bleak, dystopian/post-apocalyptic future. Earth's surface has been overrun by aliens known as Wreckers, forcing humanity to migrate underground and try to survive with limited resources. Meanwhile, Biobots created by the government fight Wreckers above ground - part of a plan to eventually restore Earth's surface to a habitable environment. It's a dark, gritty tale full of secrets and twists - one of those stories you can see playing out in your mind like a movie as you frantically turn the pages to find out what happens next. But it's the characters that really bring Malfunction to life and give it some heart.
The story is told through the points of view of its three protagonists: Menrva, Cowl, and Bastille. They each bring something unique to the story, and one of the most rewarding parts of the book is watching the relationships between them evolve. I had already fallen in love with Cowl and Bas from reading Revelation, and I grew to love both of them even more here. Cowl's point of view chapters are especially entertaining with a cynical voice and sarcastic sense of humor that are uniquely his own. Menrva also made a good addition to the group, and having her there made for some interesting conflicts between characters. There was a bit more of a romantic element than I had expected based on what I knew about the story before I started reading, but that wasn't a bad thing at all and will probably be very welcome to some readers.
There's no question here that the characters drive the plot, not the other way around. No matter what circumstances are thrown at them, they are the ones making the decisions and then dealing with the consequences of those decisions, and that constantly changes the story for better or worse. More often than not, the decisions they're faced with are 'Something Bad' and 'Something Worse,' and it's interesting to watch them figure out how to navigate the situation, even when they disagree. Towards the end of the book, the characters are forced to make some especially difficult choices, but that only made me even more emotionally invested in the story. The ending is surprising and definitely not a happily-ever-after, but I'm a sucker for endings like that anyway. I loved it and can't wait to see what obstacles these characters encounter in the next book.
October 11, 2017
I loved this book. Reading sci-fi is normally not my jam, but this book sucked me in from the beginning until the end. The action scenes are brilliant, and you are always kept on your toes. The world Purrazzi has created is dirty, gritty and full of surprises.
I would highly recommend you reading the prequel novella first, it’s the perfect introduction to this world.
I still have a book high.. so good!
I would highly recommend you reading the prequel novella first, it’s the perfect introduction to this world.
I still have a book high.. so good!
May 15, 2018
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Malfunction is a gritty sci-fi novel set in a post-apocalyptic future. Dangerous aliens have destroyed the surface of the earth, leaving what's left of humanity to borrow underground, build a new society, and plan for a better future. The City, run by an authoritarian shadow government oversees everything, but wealth disparities have never been greater. Menrva is a brilliant geneticist working for the City to better understand the alien DNA. When her childhood best friend Cowl reappears after three years and asks her to save the life of a cyborg super-soldier, everything in her life changes. They now must uncover the true plans of The City and manage to survive.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My main complaint is that the beginning feels a little slow and we get a lot of info-dumping in the first few chapters. I wish the world-building elements were spread out more, but once you get past that, the pacing is really good and the story keeps you hooked. It's action-packed, full of twists, and quite brutal at times. I really like Menrva as a character- she's strong, smart, compassionate, and has an interesting back-story. Bas, the cyborg is also very lovable and after all he has been through you just want him to find some happiness. Cowl is kind of like an annoying little brother who takes himself too seriously, but he eventually grew on me too.
Ultimately, this book is about valuing humanity in all its forms and serves as a cautionary tale of the lengths people will go to in protecting themselves. And how quickly they come to de-value life. Overall, I do recommend it and plan to continue on with the series.
Malfunction is a gritty sci-fi novel set in a post-apocalyptic future. Dangerous aliens have destroyed the surface of the earth, leaving what's left of humanity to borrow underground, build a new society, and plan for a better future. The City, run by an authoritarian shadow government oversees everything, but wealth disparities have never been greater. Menrva is a brilliant geneticist working for the City to better understand the alien DNA. When her childhood best friend Cowl reappears after three years and asks her to save the life of a cyborg super-soldier, everything in her life changes. They now must uncover the true plans of The City and manage to survive.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My main complaint is that the beginning feels a little slow and we get a lot of info-dumping in the first few chapters. I wish the world-building elements were spread out more, but once you get past that, the pacing is really good and the story keeps you hooked. It's action-packed, full of twists, and quite brutal at times. I really like Menrva as a character- she's strong, smart, compassionate, and has an interesting back-story. Bas, the cyborg is also very lovable and after all he has been through you just want him to find some happiness. Cowl is kind of like an annoying little brother who takes himself too seriously, but he eventually grew on me too.
Ultimately, this book is about valuing humanity in all its forms and serves as a cautionary tale of the lengths people will go to in protecting themselves. And how quickly they come to de-value life. Overall, I do recommend it and plan to continue on with the series.
January 21, 2018
Malfunction, by J.E. Purazzi is a bio-punk sci-fi dystopian New Adult adventure for the mind and soul. (try saying that ten times fast!)
Don’t let my over-categorization turn you off though, if you enjoy character-driven plot, high-stakes intensity and and excellent world-building, you are in for a treat with this one.
I’m not much into sci-fi myself; my eyes glaze over at the technical stuff, jargon and science of it — Really, I’m much more of a ‘generalized explanation of the fantastic’ sort of gal. That being said, I knew I had to give this book a chance because of all the great things I kept hearing.
I was not disappointed.
As we all know by now, my main focus is on characterization. I can forgive a lot in exchange for a cast of characters who feel real and make me root for them. There wasn’t much to forgive here, or maybe I was just blinded by the smoothly character-driven plot. I was blinded by a set of 3 characters so well-actualized that I could easily hallucinate them walking (limping?) through my door in need of cover for the night. (Oh, did I mention that Purazzi loves to torture her characters constantly? Prepare yourself for plenty of blood and carnage.)
I actually had to take a brief break (a few hours) in the middle of Malfunction to decompress and process all that had happened. When I say that these characters couldn’t catch a break, I mean they could not catch a damn break. But the same high-intensity quality that caused me to take the break brought me back a 10 o’clock the same night to finish the book and know the ending as soon as possible. (by 1:30AM, I did)
Not having read much sci-fi, I don’t have much to compare it to on that front. However, I will say that that the descriptions of places, procedures and the society felt seamless and realistically inclined. I am an expert reader in suspension of disbelief, but this required very little from me. The world-building never felt bulky or intrusive, and Purazzi did an excellent job of only introducing new elements when they were necessary to the scene.
Onto the characters!
In Malfunction, we are quickly introduced to our three main characters. The first, or MMC, if you will, is Menrva, a brilliant genetic scientist with a painful past and an undeserved bad reputation. Despite being the first point of view the reader is introduced to, Menrva takes the longest to figure out and piece together. She is closed off to everyone, including the reader, as a result of the painful trials she has endured. Watching her slowly grow and open-up throughout the story was a treat because of how natural and believable Purazzi was able to write her. Menrva comes off terse, somewhat-rude and definitely angry in the beginning (and middle for that matter) but by the end you have forgiven her because you know it is hiding a deeply wounded, extraordinarily caring young woman.
The next point of view the reader shifts into is Cowl, the stereotypical ‘covering my pain with humor’ hot head who also happens to be a genius programmer/hacker. Cowl was the hardest for me to warm up to, which might have been because he was the most humanly-flawed character of the three. He struggles with his anger and jealousy constantly, but he is such a staunchly-loyal, devoted friend that in the end you have to love him. Plus, his penchant for guns is hilarious and strangely adorable. Oh, and when he starts counting prime numbers in irritation you may feel conflicted by the need to both laugh, and hug him.
Bas, or Bastille, is the final main character we are introduced, and it’s definitely a case of Purazzi saving the best for last. As a genetically-engineered, cybernetically-enhanced, super-soldier, you wouldn’t necessarily immediately associate Bas with pain, gentleness and warmth…or would you? As soon as the reader is plopped down in his head, the book is a completely different beast. Both Menrva and Cowl’s emotional scars have made them sarcastic and somewhat closed-off, but Bas’ scars (literal & figurative) have left him as a poorly socialized, deeply-hurting, absolute sweetheart.
Cut off from normal human-interaction and development at the age of five, Bas has been emotionally and physically abused constantly for at least fifteen years. He understands little about body language and verbal-cues, and is really just muddling through his friendships with Cowl and Menrva as best he can. Juxtaposed in a very unnerving way, he was made for violence, is excellent at committing violence, and very much enjoys violence. You might not think that this would work, but Purazzi makes it believable somehow. It was a real treat to be in Bas’ POV, and definitely one of my favorite parts of this book.
Folks, what I’m trying to say is actually pretty simple: Purazzi knows how to world-build, and character-build. When you know how to do these things well, the plot just falls into place.
Malfunction is the first book of a trilogy, the second is to be released sometime this summer. The end is definitely a cliffhanger, yet it also felt complete. Like, Part I: done. Now, onto Part II…
So, yeah, you know all those great things you’ve already heard about Malfunction? They’re true, and now is a great time to pick up the book and acquaint yourself with the fascinating, flawed, root-for-worthy characters.
Don’t let my over-categorization turn you off though, if you enjoy character-driven plot, high-stakes intensity and and excellent world-building, you are in for a treat with this one.
I’m not much into sci-fi myself; my eyes glaze over at the technical stuff, jargon and science of it — Really, I’m much more of a ‘generalized explanation of the fantastic’ sort of gal. That being said, I knew I had to give this book a chance because of all the great things I kept hearing.
I was not disappointed.
As we all know by now, my main focus is on characterization. I can forgive a lot in exchange for a cast of characters who feel real and make me root for them. There wasn’t much to forgive here, or maybe I was just blinded by the smoothly character-driven plot. I was blinded by a set of 3 characters so well-actualized that I could easily hallucinate them walking (limping?) through my door in need of cover for the night. (Oh, did I mention that Purazzi loves to torture her characters constantly? Prepare yourself for plenty of blood and carnage.)
I actually had to take a brief break (a few hours) in the middle of Malfunction to decompress and process all that had happened. When I say that these characters couldn’t catch a break, I mean they could not catch a damn break. But the same high-intensity quality that caused me to take the break brought me back a 10 o’clock the same night to finish the book and know the ending as soon as possible. (by 1:30AM, I did)
Not having read much sci-fi, I don’t have much to compare it to on that front. However, I will say that that the descriptions of places, procedures and the society felt seamless and realistically inclined. I am an expert reader in suspension of disbelief, but this required very little from me. The world-building never felt bulky or intrusive, and Purazzi did an excellent job of only introducing new elements when they were necessary to the scene.
Onto the characters!
In Malfunction, we are quickly introduced to our three main characters. The first, or MMC, if you will, is Menrva, a brilliant genetic scientist with a painful past and an undeserved bad reputation. Despite being the first point of view the reader is introduced to, Menrva takes the longest to figure out and piece together. She is closed off to everyone, including the reader, as a result of the painful trials she has endured. Watching her slowly grow and open-up throughout the story was a treat because of how natural and believable Purazzi was able to write her. Menrva comes off terse, somewhat-rude and definitely angry in the beginning (and middle for that matter) but by the end you have forgiven her because you know it is hiding a deeply wounded, extraordinarily caring young woman.
The next point of view the reader shifts into is Cowl, the stereotypical ‘covering my pain with humor’ hot head who also happens to be a genius programmer/hacker. Cowl was the hardest for me to warm up to, which might have been because he was the most humanly-flawed character of the three. He struggles with his anger and jealousy constantly, but he is such a staunchly-loyal, devoted friend that in the end you have to love him. Plus, his penchant for guns is hilarious and strangely adorable. Oh, and when he starts counting prime numbers in irritation you may feel conflicted by the need to both laugh, and hug him.
Bas, or Bastille, is the final main character we are introduced, and it’s definitely a case of Purazzi saving the best for last. As a genetically-engineered, cybernetically-enhanced, super-soldier, you wouldn’t necessarily immediately associate Bas with pain, gentleness and warmth…or would you? As soon as the reader is plopped down in his head, the book is a completely different beast. Both Menrva and Cowl’s emotional scars have made them sarcastic and somewhat closed-off, but Bas’ scars (literal & figurative) have left him as a poorly socialized, deeply-hurting, absolute sweetheart.
Cut off from normal human-interaction and development at the age of five, Bas has been emotionally and physically abused constantly for at least fifteen years. He understands little about body language and verbal-cues, and is really just muddling through his friendships with Cowl and Menrva as best he can. Juxtaposed in a very unnerving way, he was made for violence, is excellent at committing violence, and very much enjoys violence. You might not think that this would work, but Purazzi makes it believable somehow. It was a real treat to be in Bas’ POV, and definitely one of my favorite parts of this book.
Folks, what I’m trying to say is actually pretty simple: Purazzi knows how to world-build, and character-build. When you know how to do these things well, the plot just falls into place.
Malfunction is the first book of a trilogy, the second is to be released sometime this summer. The end is definitely a cliffhanger, yet it also felt complete. Like, Part I: done. Now, onto Part II…
So, yeah, you know all those great things you’ve already heard about Malfunction? They’re true, and now is a great time to pick up the book and acquaint yourself with the fascinating, flawed, root-for-worthy characters.
Read
February 10, 2020I wasn't able to finish this one for personal reasons, but this story had a fascinating story line and I love Purrazzi's writing style.
May 31, 2018
Can I say giving me a new perspective on a genre as a whole! I don't want to get to spoiler so this will be sort and simple. Like I have said on my twitter I write low Sci-Fi Romance, normally easy to understand and only kinda more advance then today tech. This is because 80% of the time I dislike books based on the real world time and I love High Fantasy Medieval time frames hence why I write kinda further ahead or in the past only. Super high tech Sci-Fi often loses me, confuses me, and slows me (my reading pace) and I don't like to read slow.
But Now that I have read Malfunction I feel like my eyes have opened to a whole new world. The world of more advanced tech in Sci-Fi. This is not just because J.E. Purrazzi has introduced me to a new love, Boihumans (Borgs). Yes, I have a new love besides the Fae in my life. Better yet I have a new love for Bas.
Again I don't want to spoil but if you read it tell me if you think Menrva should take the offer to replace you know who or did I read that wrong. I assume they won't kill you know the other who so if she takes his place maybe she could give him a better future when they get you know where. bahahaha! Anyways enough of my theory making! I also just want Menrva to be boss in the future. Boss Woman Menrva! Menrva for president!
Anyways back to it. If you love a character and emotionally driven plots this book is for you. The entire story is heavily focused on the characters and boy do the character win your heart! Between Menrva and Bas, your heart will be stolen. Cowl is also a character to get attached to he is decently in a close second place right after Bas!
Do not let all the tech and new terms discourage you. I promise you will catch on as the story progresses. Take it from someone who prefers characters that sill use touches for lights. ;)
The first chapter with Menrva's mother seems a little odd and out of place. I understand that it was setting up the world but her mother just vanishes after that. I did find myself thinking about what the point for her appearance was. Maybe she will show up in book two. After chapter one two was just there for me but chapter three. Well, lets just say chapter three was what pulled me in the most. Now don't think it is a long beginning because the chapters seemed shorter so chapter three came at just the right time! Chapter three is one of my favorites.
(Spoiler in the para but not a huge one, or at least I don't think so.)
The romance is good but I won't l lie. It was a bit fast. At first, Bas seemed to not understand human emotion at all. Even stating he did not understand. Then he clearly understands what love is and that he is in love with Menrva or at least has feelings for her. Despite this, it still, just seemed perfect. I really enjoyed the romance and I am a huge romance lover.
The only real fault I saw with the story was a few odd word choices and maybe one or two doubled words. Nothing that was big enough to pull me out of reading. Every book has some mistakes!
On to something rarer! I am normally a four-star rater! This is because to earn a five star is pretty hard from me. Five stars are about as rare as one star from me. But this book will go on my famed five-star favorites shelf.
5 out of 5 Stars
Can't wait to get my hands on book 2 Revelation
P.S. Bas for Life <3 Don't hurt him J.E.
But Now that I have read Malfunction I feel like my eyes have opened to a whole new world. The world of more advanced tech in Sci-Fi. This is not just because J.E. Purrazzi has introduced me to a new love, Boihumans (Borgs). Yes, I have a new love besides the Fae in my life. Better yet I have a new love for Bas.
Again I don't want to spoil but if you read it tell me if you think Menrva should take the offer to replace you know who or did I read that wrong. I assume they won't kill you know the other who so if she takes his place maybe she could give him a better future when they get you know where. bahahaha! Anyways enough of my theory making! I also just want Menrva to be boss in the future. Boss Woman Menrva! Menrva for president!
Anyways back to it. If you love a character and emotionally driven plots this book is for you. The entire story is heavily focused on the characters and boy do the character win your heart! Between Menrva and Bas, your heart will be stolen. Cowl is also a character to get attached to he is decently in a close second place right after Bas!
Do not let all the tech and new terms discourage you. I promise you will catch on as the story progresses. Take it from someone who prefers characters that sill use touches for lights. ;)
The first chapter with Menrva's mother seems a little odd and out of place. I understand that it was setting up the world but her mother just vanishes after that. I did find myself thinking about what the point for her appearance was. Maybe she will show up in book two. After chapter one two was just there for me but chapter three. Well, lets just say chapter three was what pulled me in the most. Now don't think it is a long beginning because the chapters seemed shorter so chapter three came at just the right time! Chapter three is one of my favorites.
(Spoiler in the para but not a huge one, or at least I don't think so.)
The romance is good but I won't l lie. It was a bit fast. At first, Bas seemed to not understand human emotion at all. Even stating he did not understand. Then he clearly understands what love is and that he is in love with Menrva or at least has feelings for her. Despite this, it still, just seemed perfect. I really enjoyed the romance and I am a huge romance lover.
The only real fault I saw with the story was a few odd word choices and maybe one or two doubled words. Nothing that was big enough to pull me out of reading. Every book has some mistakes!
On to something rarer! I am normally a four-star rater! This is because to earn a five star is pretty hard from me. Five stars are about as rare as one star from me. But this book will go on my famed five-star favorites shelf.
5 out of 5 Stars
Can't wait to get my hands on book 2 Revelation
P.S. Bas for Life <3 Don't hurt him J.E.
June 18, 2021
You know the feeling you get when you read something so deeply profound you leave wondering if you will ever be the same?
I'm not being melodramatic, here. Really, I'm not. Malfunction crosses the sci/fi, dystopian genres - it has the feel of Wool but the entertainment of Red Rising, and manages to address themes in a deeper way than either of those previously mentioned books (IMO, that is).
I previously reviewed Revelation, which is the prequel novella to this book. However, they don't have to be read in order to be enjoyed. In fact, I'd almost suggest starting here with Malfunction and then reading Revelation. However you decide to do it, you won't be disappointed.
Malfunction follows three characters - Menrva, a brilliant geneticist with a fractured past; Cowl, a hilarious, foul-mouthed manchild with a soft heart, and Bas, a teddy-bear human/cyborg who will tear out your heart and then put it back together again. The setting is this: the world has been invaded by huge aliens that can communicate telepathically with each other, and they destroyed said world. Now, humanity survives in Bunker, which is ruled by a dictator/savior, who has the military under his thumb and a plan for the survival of humanity. His name is Pope, and is a very clever, very understandable villain (and so very relatable - making him perfect for this story. Props to Purrazzi for being so dang smart with her character choices).
Cowl stumbles across a secret - the Tournaments that are held each year are real. They aren't just playing video games - they are really controlling living, breathing soldiers who go aboveground to fight the aliens. They are dealing with real lives. What is a manchild to do? Well, for Cowl, the decision is easy. When he finds Bas broken, alone, and hurt, he takes him to Menrva, a childhood friend and crush he still pines after. Thus commences a race to keep Bas safe from those who would harm him, while staying alive long enough to figure out what the right thing to do is. And for each character, Purrazzi weaves believable motives, gut-wrenching decisions, fast-paced adventure, and a tale that will leave you begging for more.
Through it all, the author hints at the ultimate question: Do the ends justify the means? Is saving humanity worth paying the ultimate price? After all, what really makes us human? And if what makes us human is simply blood and bone, is that worth sacrificing morality, justice, and autonomy to save? The way she deals with it is haunting, powerful, and beautiful. My one complaint is the romance aspect: I feel it was rushed, and wish it had been more satisfying. But it's a minor complaint, and didn't diminish my enjoyment of this fantastic story.
Do yourselves a favor and go dive into this series. And let me know - are you team Bas, or team Cowl? And really, does one have to choose? I refuse to choose.
I'm not being melodramatic, here. Really, I'm not. Malfunction crosses the sci/fi, dystopian genres - it has the feel of Wool but the entertainment of Red Rising, and manages to address themes in a deeper way than either of those previously mentioned books (IMO, that is).
I previously reviewed Revelation, which is the prequel novella to this book. However, they don't have to be read in order to be enjoyed. In fact, I'd almost suggest starting here with Malfunction and then reading Revelation. However you decide to do it, you won't be disappointed.
Malfunction follows three characters - Menrva, a brilliant geneticist with a fractured past; Cowl, a hilarious, foul-mouthed manchild with a soft heart, and Bas, a teddy-bear human/cyborg who will tear out your heart and then put it back together again. The setting is this: the world has been invaded by huge aliens that can communicate telepathically with each other, and they destroyed said world. Now, humanity survives in Bunker, which is ruled by a dictator/savior, who has the military under his thumb and a plan for the survival of humanity. His name is Pope, and is a very clever, very understandable villain (and so very relatable - making him perfect for this story. Props to Purrazzi for being so dang smart with her character choices).
Cowl stumbles across a secret - the Tournaments that are held each year are real. They aren't just playing video games - they are really controlling living, breathing soldiers who go aboveground to fight the aliens. They are dealing with real lives. What is a manchild to do? Well, for Cowl, the decision is easy. When he finds Bas broken, alone, and hurt, he takes him to Menrva, a childhood friend and crush he still pines after. Thus commences a race to keep Bas safe from those who would harm him, while staying alive long enough to figure out what the right thing to do is. And for each character, Purrazzi weaves believable motives, gut-wrenching decisions, fast-paced adventure, and a tale that will leave you begging for more.
Through it all, the author hints at the ultimate question: Do the ends justify the means? Is saving humanity worth paying the ultimate price? After all, what really makes us human? And if what makes us human is simply blood and bone, is that worth sacrificing morality, justice, and autonomy to save? The way she deals with it is haunting, powerful, and beautiful. My one complaint is the romance aspect: I feel it was rushed, and wish it had been more satisfying. But it's a minor complaint, and didn't diminish my enjoyment of this fantastic story.
Do yourselves a favor and go dive into this series. And let me know - are you team Bas, or team Cowl? And really, does one have to choose? I refuse to choose.
October 27, 2018
3.5
Wow. This was awesome.
Each of the three main characters are so distinct from each other, and all the dynamics are great- Menrva and Cowl, Menrva and Bas, Cowl and Bas, and all three of them together.
Malfunction balances a close, character-driven story with huge, world-changing events surprisingly well. I wasn’t expecting it to be so focused on characters, but most of the book follows the more personal struggles of Bas, Menrva, and Cowl, while building the larger world in the background.
The only downside to this is that a couple of the plot twists, , affected the characters a lot, but I hadn’t known about that aspect of the world well enough to feel the surprise like they did.
A few reviews have mentioned the plot wanders for awhile in the middle, and I can see that. It feels very much like a classic sci-fi book: not plotted as tightly as some other genres, but you really get a idea of the world, less in the concrete details and more in a ‘feeling.’ Might not work for everyone, but there’s definitely an audience for it.
Quality-wise, this is at least a four star read, it’s just that the genre itself isn’t my favorite (hence the lower rating, I try to keep my reviews consistent with each other).
If the premise at all appeals to you, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Even if you haven’t read much of this grittier, harder sci-fi style, this is an excellent way to get a taste of that. Not only will you discover a cool new world, but you’ll meet three amazing, complex characters.
Wow. This was awesome.
Each of the three main characters are so distinct from each other, and all the dynamics are great- Menrva and Cowl, Menrva and Bas, Cowl and Bas, and all three of them together.
Malfunction balances a close, character-driven story with huge, world-changing events surprisingly well. I wasn’t expecting it to be so focused on characters, but most of the book follows the more personal struggles of Bas, Menrva, and Cowl, while building the larger world in the background.
The only downside to this is that a couple of the plot twists, , affected the characters a lot, but I hadn’t known about that aspect of the world well enough to feel the surprise like they did.
A few reviews have mentioned the plot wanders for awhile in the middle, and I can see that. It feels very much like a classic sci-fi book: not plotted as tightly as some other genres, but you really get a idea of the world, less in the concrete details and more in a ‘feeling.’ Might not work for everyone, but there’s definitely an audience for it.
Quality-wise, this is at least a four star read, it’s just that the genre itself isn’t my favorite (hence the lower rating, I try to keep my reviews consistent with each other).
If the premise at all appeals to you, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Even if you haven’t read much of this grittier, harder sci-fi style, this is an excellent way to get a taste of that. Not only will you discover a cool new world, but you’ll meet three amazing, complex characters.
January 22, 2018
Where to start?
I haven't read a lot of cyberpunk, but Malfunction is a great introduction. In a post-apoptotic
Earth, the reenactment of humanity is hiding out from aliens called Wreckers. The City's main priority is survival. But what that survival means isn't what everyone thinks, and it directly impacts our three main characters.
Speaking of which, all three are awesome. Menerva is a geneticist who comes off a bit cold and distant at first, but she probably feels more deeply than the other two -- and that's saying something. Bas a gentle giant type, trying to come to terms with his past while also keeping Menerva and Cowl safe from those who hunt him. Cowl is the one who holds the group together, and wonders how the heck he wound up with the job. Regardless, he stays loyal to his family, no matter
Malfunction serves as a awesome setup for future books, and I was by no means bored. Our characters drove the plot, and I was never certain whether any of them would make it out alive. Definitely can't wait for the next book!
I haven't read a lot of cyberpunk, but Malfunction is a great introduction. In a post-apoptotic
Earth, the reenactment of humanity is hiding out from aliens called Wreckers. The City's main priority is survival. But what that survival means isn't what everyone thinks, and it directly impacts our three main characters.
Speaking of which, all three are awesome. Menerva is a geneticist who comes off a bit cold and distant at first, but she probably feels more deeply than the other two -- and that's saying something. Bas a gentle giant type, trying to come to terms with his past while also keeping Menerva and Cowl safe from those who hunt him. Cowl is the one who holds the group together, and wonders how the heck he wound up with the job. Regardless, he stays loyal to his family, no matter
Malfunction serves as a awesome setup for future books, and I was by no means bored. Our characters drove the plot, and I was never certain whether any of them would make it out alive. Definitely can't wait for the next book!
April 23, 2019
Malfunction was a step into rarely-tread territory for me. As a reader of primarily medieval fantasy and history, Sci-fi/Cyberpunk is a genre I don't spend much time in, if at all. Right off the bat, I can say that I am beyond grateful to my past self for stepping outside my comfort zone to read this book.
Malfunction does a lot of things right. There's excellent world-building, though avoids massive information dumps. The story benefits tremendously from a small cast of fleshed out characters, primarily our protagonists: Menrva, Cowl, and Bastille (affectionately referred to as Bas.) The action is fun and concisely written, the pace moves quick enough to remain interesting, though slows down at just the right moments, and the dialogue flows naturally.
The three main characters, who the point-of-view is shared by, have a strong dynamic both as individuals and as a group. Without a doubt, this was the main point of enjoyment in Malfunction. While Menrva took awhile to grow on me, I was instantly drawn to Bas and Cowl, who brought me straight to emotional investment. As the group journeys together, their bond strengthens and takes a few unexpected twists and turns, adding to the enjoyment of watching them overcome continuous struggles.
In Malfunction, the human race is left in a rather shambled state, dwelling beneath the surface while alien creatures known as Wreckers scour the earth as we knew it. Living under the governance of "the City," the trio uncover mysteries that explain the story of humanity's continued survival in this ravaged world. In this, Purrazzi introduces a couple moments of moral questioning, all of which I thought were implemented very well, and with tact, as to explain the character's personal feelings on the issues but still allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions. Some of this was best illustrated by Pope, the leader of the human race as its known in Malfunction.
In the end, Malfunction was a gritty thrill-ride of an adventure, with an ending that left me ready for the next part of the trilogy.
Malfunction does a lot of things right. There's excellent world-building, though avoids massive information dumps. The story benefits tremendously from a small cast of fleshed out characters, primarily our protagonists: Menrva, Cowl, and Bastille (affectionately referred to as Bas.) The action is fun and concisely written, the pace moves quick enough to remain interesting, though slows down at just the right moments, and the dialogue flows naturally.
The three main characters, who the point-of-view is shared by, have a strong dynamic both as individuals and as a group. Without a doubt, this was the main point of enjoyment in Malfunction. While Menrva took awhile to grow on me, I was instantly drawn to Bas and Cowl, who brought me straight to emotional investment. As the group journeys together, their bond strengthens and takes a few unexpected twists and turns, adding to the enjoyment of watching them overcome continuous struggles.
In Malfunction, the human race is left in a rather shambled state, dwelling beneath the surface while alien creatures known as Wreckers scour the earth as we knew it. Living under the governance of "the City," the trio uncover mysteries that explain the story of humanity's continued survival in this ravaged world. In this, Purrazzi introduces a couple moments of moral questioning, all of which I thought were implemented very well, and with tact, as to explain the character's personal feelings on the issues but still allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions. Some of this was best illustrated by Pope, the leader of the human race as its known in Malfunction.
In the end, Malfunction was a gritty thrill-ride of an adventure, with an ending that left me ready for the next part of the trilogy.
February 28, 2019
I really loved the characters in this book. Bas was my favorite (probably because he's a gentle giant). My heart ached for him as he struggled with his self worth and PTSD. Cowl's sarcasm is perfect and I loved how protective he was of Bas. His humor not only helped him deal with his problems, but helped inject some lighter parts to a darker book. I felt so bad for Menrva and what she's been through and I appreciate how her circumstances didn't stop her from still having a gentle and caring side. As much as I loved the characters individually, they were even stronger together as they grew into a family unit that has each other's backs.
Another element that I enjoyed, was how the science was more realistically grounded, with time taken to explain how things work. One instance (that I wouldn't of expected to like) was a detailed surgery to relieve pressure off the brain. For me, it went into just enough detail to understand the process without being gory. The whole book was like this for me, giving me enough information to see how their technology (or biology) worked, without overloading me with terms I wouldn't understand.
I also highly appreciate how this book explored the value of human life, and what qualifies as human, in a way that was pertinent to the story. With the government developing cyborgs to fight aliens, and seeing the cyborgs only as tools, this gave the opportunity to have an action filled story that still explored questions of humanity.
Content Warning: this book contains a lot of swearing and intense violence and scenes.
Another element that I enjoyed, was how the science was more realistically grounded, with time taken to explain how things work. One instance (that I wouldn't of expected to like) was a detailed surgery to relieve pressure off the brain. For me, it went into just enough detail to understand the process without being gory. The whole book was like this for me, giving me enough information to see how their technology (or biology) worked, without overloading me with terms I wouldn't understand.
I also highly appreciate how this book explored the value of human life, and what qualifies as human, in a way that was pertinent to the story. With the government developing cyborgs to fight aliens, and seeing the cyborgs only as tools, this gave the opportunity to have an action filled story that still explored questions of humanity.
Content Warning: this book contains a lot of swearing and intense violence and scenes.
January 2, 2022
Malfunction is a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic sci-fi where humans face extinction. The world has been stripped of its atmosphere. Humans live underground in a strict society. Dangerous aliens live on the surface devouring any that would venture up. Scientists conduct questionable experiments on humans with alien genes and tech in an effort to survive.
The story follows three people: Menrva, a geneticist; Cowl, an outcast; and Bas, a Cyborg. Together they discover a terrible secret that the City has kept from its people.
I liked the characters. Menrva seemed shallow at first, but she grew on me. Cowl occasionally got on my nerves, but maybe he was supposed to. He’s a bit morally gray, but he has a soft spot for his friend. I adore Bas, who is both strong and sensitive.
I do wish there was a little more descriptive writing. I had to use a lot of my own imagination to picture the City and the Pit. However, I thought the contrast between the sterile City and Dust Town was really good.
The plot and the stakes quickly ramp up toward the end of the book with a surprising and heart wrenching ending.
Notes: There is a lot of swearing in this book, mostly S***.
The story follows three people: Menrva, a geneticist; Cowl, an outcast; and Bas, a Cyborg. Together they discover a terrible secret that the City has kept from its people.
I liked the characters. Menrva seemed shallow at first, but she grew on me. Cowl occasionally got on my nerves, but maybe he was supposed to. He’s a bit morally gray, but he has a soft spot for his friend. I adore Bas, who is both strong and sensitive.
I do wish there was a little more descriptive writing. I had to use a lot of my own imagination to picture the City and the Pit. However, I thought the contrast between the sterile City and Dust Town was really good.
The plot and the stakes quickly ramp up toward the end of the book with a surprising and heart wrenching ending.
Notes: There is a lot of swearing in this book, mostly S***.
March 10, 2018
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
So I finished this a little while ago, but I wanted to let it sit. I typically don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi because for some arbitrary reason, “Tech Fantasy” doesn’t always click with me. So I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first but it’s definitely a character-driven story which helped me a lot. Bas, Minerva, and Cowl are real in my head, which makes the ending all the more devastating.
No spoilers but I am offended that I have to wait until the next one to find out what happens because that ending did me so dirty. I am emotionally scarred. Why?
Give it a go if you like Sci-Fi!
So I finished this a little while ago, but I wanted to let it sit. I typically don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi because for some arbitrary reason, “Tech Fantasy” doesn’t always click with me. So I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first but it’s definitely a character-driven story which helped me a lot. Bas, Minerva, and Cowl are real in my head, which makes the ending all the more devastating.
No spoilers but I am offended that I have to wait until the next one to find out what happens because that ending did me so dirty. I am emotionally scarred. Why?
Give it a go if you like Sci-Fi!
May 10, 2021
This is a brutal and heartrending post-apocalyptic powerhouse of a story. I was addicted from the first chapter, meeting the wounded, flawed characters with determination and sass. I am looking forward to following these characters through the trilogy, to see how they continue to make the hard choices to save the people they care about, and blow away anyone who tries to hurt them. You are going to want to read the next one, this has a satisfying but leading ending.
January 15, 2022
So...wow. This story was powerful.
It's definitely not a book for everyone. There was more coarse language than I cared for. Violence was prevalent. The plot dealt with some pretty heavy topics.
But it was so good, guys! I loved the worldbuilding. The action and suspense made it hard for me to stop reading. And the relationships between the characters were just so raw and full of depth that I couldn't help rooting for them even when they made some dumb choices. (Ok, I'll admit that the romance in the storyline developed too quickly for my taste, but at least it didn't dominate the plot.)
I was NOT expecting that ending. I need book 2 ASAP!
It's definitely not a book for everyone. There was more coarse language than I cared for. Violence was prevalent. The plot dealt with some pretty heavy topics.
But it was so good, guys! I loved the worldbuilding. The action and suspense made it hard for me to stop reading. And the relationships between the characters were just so raw and full of depth that I couldn't help rooting for them even when they made some dumb choices. (Ok, I'll admit that the romance in the storyline developed too quickly for my taste, but at least it didn't dominate the plot.)
I was NOT expecting that ending. I need book 2 ASAP!
December 16, 2019
JE Purrazzi is a very talented writer. Cowl, Minerva, and Bass are amazing, complex characters. I couldn’t pick a favorite if I wanted to. The pacing was never slow and the world building amazing. The themes were interwoven excellently.
This is one of my favorite trilogies so far and I cannot wait until the third book comes out.
This is one of my favorite trilogies so far and I cannot wait until the third book comes out.
March 12, 2021
Ok so this isn't my typical read , and yet I was glued from page one! It's a gritty, apocalyptic story that really makes you think about the worst and best in humanity. The characters were well written .I loved how self aware and willing to recognize their own weaknesses they were; something I honestly found refreshing.
There is some swearing, that might be a problem for some readers.
There is some swearing, that might be a problem for some readers.
April 21, 2021
A really good first part to this exciting dystopian series! A great follow on from the prequel! None stop adventure & adversary for the main characters! A good fun read! I do recommend this writers work as everything I have read I have really enjoyed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2021
WOW, talk about a cliffhanger. This was an intriguing book. I haven't decided if I'll continue on, as it's pretty brutal.
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May 11, 2020I was sad to stop reading this book in the middle. I really wanted to keep going and get to know the characters better and explore the story world and see if everyone makes it out alive, but I found the amount of swearing distracting enough for my tastes that I decided not to continue. I appreciated the creativity of the cyber-/bio-punk elements of the story world, I found the plot compelling, and I enjoyed the relationship-building moments between the characters (especially the ones involving Bas and his struggles to function emotionally and relationally.) If it weren't for the language, I'd have happily finished the book.
Even though this book wasn't for me, I've really enjoyed some of Purazzi's shorter sci-fi stories. She's good at what she does, and she has an incredible knack for writing action and sensory descriptions. I might not be continuing with this series, but I'm still a fan of her work.
Even though this book wasn't for me, I've really enjoyed some of Purazzi's shorter sci-fi stories. She's good at what she does, and she has an incredible knack for writing action and sensory descriptions. I might not be continuing with this series, but I'm still a fan of her work.
January 27, 2018
A masterfully-written work of dystopian sci-fi in a bleak but captivating universe. J.E. Purrazzi quickly draws the reader in with a cast of well-developed characters and a thrilling plot. This is smart and carefully-crafted science fiction, which is a rarity, especially on the indie market. Difficult ethical questions are handled with care, and without preachiness. The plot builds to a shocking finish that leaves the reader uncertain to what will happen next, but very eager to find out. There’s a strong undercurrent of intensity and darkness to Malfunction, but I didn’t find it jarring. It’s the kind of book that has to be dark. Fortunately, Purrazzi has not made the typical mistake of populating a gritty world with unlikable characters. The main cast here is made up of people whom you can root for, and there are even welcome moments of humor (particularly from Cowl, who was probably my favorite character). I’m very anxious to find out what will happen in Book 2, given the dilemma the characters are left in. Definitely a series to get started on as soon as possible, since it’s being regularly expanded with prequels and sequels.
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