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Alex Mason and The Fluidians #1
The Enclave
The governments started to crumble in 2073. There was no war. Just a collapse. I knew it was coming. I prepared. I collected a library of books - real, physical, paper books on subjects that I thought would be helpful. I found an abandoned military bunker for sale outside a small city in the wilderness. I didn’t bother to pay for it. I just moved in.
Right now, I was just entering the closest thing we had to a city within two days’ driving distance. There were a few small towns closer but nothing that would have what I needed. I was looking for one place in particular. A bell rang as I opened and closed the door.
A guy looked up from his counter and said grimly, “Can I help you? You look lost.”
I cocked my head slightly and said simply, “A Bot.” I kept my description short, “Domestic. Type-F. Or childcare or household maintenance.”
He said, “Yeah, OK. I got something. Come with me.”
I said, “I want salvage. Spares. Non-working units.”
I found one that was exactly what I wanted.
He said, “OK, fella. You don’t seem like an idiot, so I’ll take your money. If that’s what you’re into.”
I said, “If you find any more of this series, set them aside for me.”
When I left, I drove in the opposite direction from where I was actually headed.
Right now, I was just entering the closest thing we had to a city within two days’ driving distance. There were a few small towns closer but nothing that would have what I needed. I was looking for one place in particular. A bell rang as I opened and closed the door.
A guy looked up from his counter and said grimly, “Can I help you? You look lost.”
I cocked my head slightly and said simply, “A Bot.” I kept my description short, “Domestic. Type-F. Or childcare or household maintenance.”
He said, “Yeah, OK. I got something. Come with me.”
I said, “I want salvage. Spares. Non-working units.”
I found one that was exactly what I wanted.
He said, “OK, fella. You don’t seem like an idiot, so I’ll take your money. If that’s what you’re into.”
I said, “If you find any more of this series, set them aside for me.”
When I left, I drove in the opposite direction from where I was actually headed.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2021
148 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2021
In many ways a typical Foxworthy book, especially in terms of relationships. Many "harem"-type books have versions of the women comprising many facets of one whole, but this author is most deliberate about it. Each woman/gynoid brings something to the party, forming a formidable team around the central male.
I really doubt this could work anywhere near as well in real life, but there are some sound psychological principals involved so it's not just fantastical male wish fulfillment. It's interesting that a female author can write these books about very capable (but not completely Mary Sue) 'women' while not diminishing the man, but I like the balance. Alex is capable in his own way and definitely the catalyst for everything, but he knows that he needs help and nurtures that help.
A LOT of talk, but you are warned of that up front. I found I needed to skim some of it to keep things moving. This is not a fast-paced plot so that's not the end of the world, since the actual end of the world in the book is a slow collapse as viewed from as far from major population centers as possible.
If this becomes a series, that "as ruthless as we have to be" part of the mantra will become operative as civilization completely collapses. I find that the elaborate lengths he'll go to to not kill guys that we all know are up to no good is a bit much. If I had deadly fembots who wouldn't suffer psychologically from doing so, those guys would be dead with extreme prejudice.
I really doubt this could work anywhere near as well in real life, but there are some sound psychological principals involved so it's not just fantastical male wish fulfillment. It's interesting that a female author can write these books about very capable (but not completely Mary Sue) 'women' while not diminishing the man, but I like the balance. Alex is capable in his own way and definitely the catalyst for everything, but he knows that he needs help and nurtures that help.
A LOT of talk, but you are warned of that up front. I found I needed to skim some of it to keep things moving. This is not a fast-paced plot so that's not the end of the world, since the actual end of the world in the book is a slow collapse as viewed from as far from major population centers as possible.
If this becomes a series, that "as ruthless as we have to be" part of the mantra will become operative as civilization completely collapses. I find that the elaborate lengths he'll go to to not kill guys that we all know are up to no good is a bit much. If I had deadly fembots who wouldn't suffer psychologically from doing so, those guys would be dead with extreme prejudice.
January 2, 2022
Ms. Foxworthy, and her muse, Jack Coltrane, are great!
As did Heinlein, Ms. Foxworthy, partnered with Jack Coltrane, are, indeed, a rarity. Adventure, interpersonal relationships, awareness and display of the Greatest Creation- Woman, “ordinary” people in unusual circumstances, “natural” sex, and so much more depth covering several genres- leaves the reader breathless, at times rolling around on the floor in laughter…. If you are looking for the latest in what Heinlein called “speculative fiction,” you won’t find better than Ms. Foxworthy. L’Amour would have said she’d be “one to ride the river with. Her family, her friends, and her readers are blessed beyond measure. I can only imagine that your characters are a pale vision of you. Thank-You, Ms. Foxworthy, for the entertainment, enlightenment, and gentle education you have so kindly provided us. You are, quite simply, a brilliant, shining, gem of exquisite beauty.
As did Heinlein, Ms. Foxworthy, partnered with Jack Coltrane, are, indeed, a rarity. Adventure, interpersonal relationships, awareness and display of the Greatest Creation- Woman, “ordinary” people in unusual circumstances, “natural” sex, and so much more depth covering several genres- leaves the reader breathless, at times rolling around on the floor in laughter…. If you are looking for the latest in what Heinlein called “speculative fiction,” you won’t find better than Ms. Foxworthy. L’Amour would have said she’d be “one to ride the river with. Her family, her friends, and her readers are blessed beyond measure. I can only imagine that your characters are a pale vision of you. Thank-You, Ms. Foxworthy, for the entertainment, enlightenment, and gentle education you have so kindly provided us. You are, quite simply, a brilliant, shining, gem of exquisite beauty.
April 16, 2021
Fun Read
A fun and thoughtful read. This book is engaging and delightful. Reminiscent of early scifi, this is a read that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope that everyone who reads this review will try it out as well.
A fun and thoughtful read. This book is engaging and delightful. Reminiscent of early scifi, this is a read that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope that everyone who reads this review will try it out as well.
April 25, 2021
Too many ridiculous female emotions
Too much mindless sex, if more time was spent on the story & plot, and less on how the robot women feel (no-one cares btw) the book would be 3 times better. It became so silly I couldn't finish it.
Too much mindless sex, if more time was spent on the story & plot, and less on how the robot women feel (no-one cares btw) the book would be 3 times better. It became so silly I couldn't finish it.
August 15, 2021
A fun romp in an alternate universe setting. The apocalypse hasn't hit this world yet but is clearly on its way. Don't know if we'll get a second book, but this one ends in a satisfying way that doesn't really need one.
February 26, 2022
Great story
Marilyn has such a great imagination. I have been reading more stories that deal with the decline of normal civilization and while this was not morbid like most it was one that I could not put down and read it in one sitting.
Marilyn has such a great imagination. I have been reading more stories that deal with the decline of normal civilization and while this was not morbid like most it was one that I could not put down and read it in one sitting.
September 11, 2022
Read this book 10 times
I read this book 10 times and it just gets better and better!!!! I would love it these two superb writes were to grace us with one or two follow up books. I totally find the mindfulness and practical philosophy teaching very helpful and eye opening!!!
I read this book 10 times and it just gets better and better!!!! I would love it these two superb writes were to grace us with one or two follow up books. I totally find the mindfulness and practical philosophy teaching very helpful and eye opening!!!
September 21, 2023
Loved it!
This was a great post apocalyptic story, well written and plotted, with lots of great personal insights. I'd love for there to be a book 2, but I guess that depends on how the ghost of Jack Coltrane moves Ms. Foxworthy. Truly good writing here.
This was a great post apocalyptic story, well written and plotted, with lots of great personal insights. I'd love for there to be a book 2, but I guess that depends on how the ghost of Jack Coltrane moves Ms. Foxworthy. Truly good writing here.
October 30, 2025
I liked this!
Yes, I definitely would like this story to continue, it is fascinating and has all the bones of an epic series . Thank you for your efforts in accomplishing this story so far!
Rich Vagnoni
Yes, I definitely would like this story to continue, it is fascinating and has all the bones of an epic series . Thank you for your efforts in accomplishing this story so far!
Rich Vagnoni
April 10, 2021
Fun read
This was a good story, fun characters and an interesting look at possible doomsday scenarios. The characters were interesting, well developed and fun to read.
This was a good story, fun characters and an interesting look at possible doomsday scenarios. The characters were interesting, well developed and fun to read.
May 23, 2021
Didn't care for the writing style...
June 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I found the story line scarily believable.
I hope that Marilyn writes a sequel to this book.
I hope that Marilyn writes a sequel to this book.
October 5, 2021
Good ole fashioned fiction
Good enough that I'd read the next story. I like the way he tells a story. Story keeps moving without unnecessary / redundant details.
Good enough that I'd read the next story. I like the way he tells a story. Story keeps moving without unnecessary / redundant details.
February 13, 2022
A good middle ... the beginning is thin and the end is rather
November 12, 2025
Action
This book keeps you involved and ready to read all day. Lots of action. I can't wait for the next book
This book keeps you involved and ready to read all day. Lots of action. I can't wait for the next book
October 26, 2022
Marilyn Foxworthy and Jack Coltrane are a great writers team.
Society is collapsing. Alex Mason gathers what he can and moves into an abandoned military bunker. He also finds and buys several domestic gynoids with their own personalities. Not only do they help him survive, they give him companionship. On his scavenging trips he also meets real women whom he invites to stay with him and his harem. Each character strengthens the group. They form a strong survival group: the Fluidians.
Marilyn Foxworthy is one of my favorite authors. Together with Jack Coltrane they are a great writers team.
Society is collapsing. Alex Mason gathers what he can and moves into an abandoned military bunker. He also finds and buys several domestic gynoids with their own personalities. Not only do they help him survive, they give him companionship. On his scavenging trips he also meets real women whom he invites to stay with him and his harem. Each character strengthens the group. They form a strong survival group: the Fluidians.
Marilyn Foxworthy is one of my favorite authors. Together with Jack Coltrane they are a great writers team.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews