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The Nightmare Schematic: Book One of The Age of Entropy
Since he was a child, Connor has dreamt of horrible machines. Years of nightmares have left the young inventor clinging desperately to his unravelling sanity, but that isn't the worst part; that would be the gnawing certainty he could build those mechanical terrors, no matter how impossible they might seem. Everything changes when his dreams reveal a new machine, a miraculous device that brings hope instead of terror, and could save humanity from the many threats facing our modern world. Connor sets to work immediately, desperate to know once and for all if the visions haunting him are merely bad dreams or something far more sinister. As the machine takes shape and forces Connor to question everything he thought he knew, unseen forces begin circling. Even with the help of his closest friends, can Connor escape the burgeoning threat? What’s more, will he ever unravel the mystery of the nightmare schematic?
The Nightmare Schematic is the debut novel of Canadian author Kyle Bentley, winner of Author Shout's Reader Ready 2022 Top Pick Award and Author Shout's Cover Wars competition. It is the first book in The Age of Entropy series.
The Nightmare Schematic is the debut novel of Canadian author Kyle Bentley, winner of Author Shout's Reader Ready 2022 Top Pick Award and Author Shout's Cover Wars competition. It is the first book in The Age of Entropy series.
346 pages, Paperback
Published April 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2021
** The author of this novel gave me a electronic copy in exchange for an honest review**
The Nightmare Schematic is a sci-fi adventure, focusing around an inventor named Connor. Since childhood Connor has been plagued with nightmares filled with various types of hellish machines. Each more disturbing than the last. In order to put the nightmares to rest, Connor knows what must be done. Connor assembles one of the nightmarish machines. With the machine of his nightmares built, Connors decides he wants to use it to better humanity, but his problems only intensify.
What I enjoyed
The Nightmare Schematic is a very interesting and well-written novel. First thing I noticed is that Bentley does an outstanding job at keeping the pace of the story. This was the very definition of a page tuner and I couldn’t put this book down.
During the construction of Conner’s machine, the reader really sees the toll this machine takes on him both physically and mentally. Bentley, in great detail, captures the toll this machine has taken on Connor. To the lack of sleep to not eating, etc.
Even though the overall focus is Conner’s journey assembling his machine, there are a few sub plots that all come together at the end. An example of this would the series that Connor watches, The Princess of Terava throughout the book. It was its own little sub plot on its own that also made me wonder what will have next with in that story as well. It was a nice sub plot to change things up from time to time during the story.
I want to touch on Conner’s nightmares. The description of the nightmare world (for lack of a better term) was top tier. When I see the nightmare world in my head, I see a clockwork hellish landscape with machines and machine parts all over. The visualization Bentley gives to his readers allows them to really get inside Conner’s head and get a better understanding of the nightmares that torment our protagonist.
What I didn’t enjoy
I can honestly say I enjoyed everything about this book from start to finish.
Overall
The Nightmare Schematic is not your everyday sci-fi adventure, but it is still an outstanding read. Bentley does a superb job at letting us inside Conner’s head. We can see the construction of the machine take its toll on Connor throughout the novel and this is captured extremely well. Be it the main plot of sub plot, Bentley kept me interested in both and left me wanting more chapter after chapter. I look forward to seeing what work Bentley produces next.
The Nightmare Schematic is a sci-fi adventure, focusing around an inventor named Connor. Since childhood Connor has been plagued with nightmares filled with various types of hellish machines. Each more disturbing than the last. In order to put the nightmares to rest, Connor knows what must be done. Connor assembles one of the nightmarish machines. With the machine of his nightmares built, Connors decides he wants to use it to better humanity, but his problems only intensify.
What I enjoyed
The Nightmare Schematic is a very interesting and well-written novel. First thing I noticed is that Bentley does an outstanding job at keeping the pace of the story. This was the very definition of a page tuner and I couldn’t put this book down.
During the construction of Conner’s machine, the reader really sees the toll this machine takes on him both physically and mentally. Bentley, in great detail, captures the toll this machine has taken on Connor. To the lack of sleep to not eating, etc.
Even though the overall focus is Conner’s journey assembling his machine, there are a few sub plots that all come together at the end. An example of this would the series that Connor watches, The Princess of Terava throughout the book. It was its own little sub plot on its own that also made me wonder what will have next with in that story as well. It was a nice sub plot to change things up from time to time during the story.
I want to touch on Conner’s nightmares. The description of the nightmare world (for lack of a better term) was top tier. When I see the nightmare world in my head, I see a clockwork hellish landscape with machines and machine parts all over. The visualization Bentley gives to his readers allows them to really get inside Conner’s head and get a better understanding of the nightmares that torment our protagonist.
What I didn’t enjoy
I can honestly say I enjoyed everything about this book from start to finish.
Overall
The Nightmare Schematic is not your everyday sci-fi adventure, but it is still an outstanding read. Bentley does a superb job at letting us inside Conner’s head. We can see the construction of the machine take its toll on Connor throughout the novel and this is captured extremely well. Be it the main plot of sub plot, Bentley kept me interested in both and left me wanting more chapter after chapter. I look forward to seeing what work Bentley produces next.
May 5, 2021
Not my usual sci fi as it is set in modern times, however I was pleasantly surprised as to the unexpected twists and plot. You can also tell that there is much more to the story as you are only scratching the surface. Would recommend!
May 28, 2021
I will be honest and state my bias; I did edit this book. A lot. But that being said, I wouldn't have put as much time and energy into this bad boy if I didn't believe it had promise, and this story has promise in spades. Each draft got better and better, having me laughing and shuddering at various passages. Like the great machine constructed from the titular blue print, this manuscript was put together with great care and effort and is very much worth your time. The Nightmare Schematic is a brilliant literary showcase that demonstrates the organic, slow degradation of the human condition, married with subtle super-natural elements and a sprinkling of tension-easing humour. There are moments that showcase an all too real breakdown of the mundane struggle we all face behind closed doors, and that all is not as it appears on both an everyday and fantastical level. There's something for everyone on these pages.
May 7, 2026
Super imaginative. Think-tastic!
Holy-moly, this story idea played on my mind from a few chapters in. The style of the story is more of a telling but none-the-less is easy to pick up where you left off from day-to-day. The reader is inside the main character's head the whole time. At first this feels unusual, but this is what really makes the story play on your mind. Soon you won't care. All you'll want is the next part of the story. The whole way this inventor story is told works to give a unique feel to the characters. Yes, it's a big book, but you're in fast! While the story has many dystopian twists, I loved the ending and set up for the next book. The pseudo science is more on the fantastical side, but that's a nice change too. I'm looking forward to seeing how Connor's new life works out in book two!
Holy-moly, this story idea played on my mind from a few chapters in. The style of the story is more of a telling but none-the-less is easy to pick up where you left off from day-to-day. The reader is inside the main character's head the whole time. At first this feels unusual, but this is what really makes the story play on your mind. Soon you won't care. All you'll want is the next part of the story. The whole way this inventor story is told works to give a unique feel to the characters. Yes, it's a big book, but you're in fast! While the story has many dystopian twists, I loved the ending and set up for the next book. The pseudo science is more on the fantastical side, but that's a nice change too. I'm looking forward to seeing how Connor's new life works out in book two!
October 6, 2024
This book is a solid entry into the science fiction/thriller genre. The core concept is intriguing and fun. I especially enjoyed the "government is always watching" elements. However, the book is at times long-winded and repetitive in its narrative. A large chunk of the first half of the book simply describes the main character having nightmares, eating pizza, tinkering in his workshop, and seeing his therapist. The second half is much stronger, with more exciting things happening. This series had true potential and I don't think I will "give up" on it. I certainly recommend it to anyone who is a science fiction fan or enjoys reading stories with dystopic themes concerning the future of technology.
May 3, 2022
This was a very interesting and original idea that grabs the reader on the first. The first part of the novel is my favorite. I was enthralled by the construction of the device. The middle dawdled a little bit not enough to lose interest. The ending is open for the second book and I have a feeling it will be a faster paced storyline. Good read overall.
December 20, 2024
Surprises around every corner! The Nightmare Schematic is the first book in a planned series that offers everyone from teen to adult a mix of suspense, adventure, sci-fi/fantasy - and mysterious characters to make you curious for the next one. Nice read! I look forward to book 2!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews