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LUX and the New TECH #2
LUX-2: The Pod
Lux Blakely, preteen son of a NASA scientist working on top-secret Government Projects, is not shackled by accepted scientific theory and dogma. His experiments in gravimetric research and the expanding capability of a nascent AI, cause Lux to be closely observed by several Government agencies. He discovers a way to use magnetic fields for propulsion but he needs money. Lux and his friend, Prissy, come up with a way to use his father's developing AI to raise money through social media. Lux is trying to get out of high school and into college at age ten.
He buys a survivalist's homestead to pursue advanced testing but the egos and prejudices of professors hinder his research as they want to wrest control of his technology. Lux makes an alliance with a branch of the military to relieve pressure from his illegal test flights. Prissy continues to expand Lummi's influence and increase her fame and their wealth. How could a person from a DeepFake video give a live concert or get arrested? What happens when a DeepFake personality becomes real? How will the military begin to use his tech?
He buys a survivalist's homestead to pursue advanced testing but the egos and prejudices of professors hinder his research as they want to wrest control of his technology. Lux makes an alliance with a branch of the military to relieve pressure from his illegal test flights. Prissy continues to expand Lummi's influence and increase her fame and their wealth. How could a person from a DeepFake video give a live concert or get arrested? What happens when a DeepFake personality becomes real? How will the military begin to use his tech?
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2022
241 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Ken Pence
70 books53 followersKen R Pence, Ph.D. is a professor of engineering at Vanderbilt University. He is a retired captain from the Metro Nashville Police Department where he served 31 years (16 on SWAT) and has taught police and military in the US and Europe (England, Germany, France, and Northern Ireland) in confrontation management skills. He has researched sniper shot location for DARPA, acoustic sensors to protect African elephant herds and inexpensive magnetic levitation. He lives in Nashville with his wife and his large - drooling - black lab (Drools Verne).
ken.pence@vanderbilt.edu
ken.pence@vanderbilt.edu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 21, 2022
Good, really good!
September 8, 2022
While no book is ever 100% good or bad, this series is very good. Although the story line is similar to series by by other authors such as Laurence Dahners, Bob Blanton and others, it avoids most of the traps that result in a "bad" or "not very good book".
1. Baggage, a mental handicap that is so incapacitating that it is almost totally consuming.
With female authors, it normally rape related and the perp always, always winds up targeting the female investigator and her daughter.
With men, it is usually, but not always, alcohol addiction related.
2. Prattle, (for lack of a better description). Predictability and repetition.
Pages, pages and chapters of minuscule semi related documentation.
I once read half a western fiction where the main character lost his six gun half a dozen times in the first half of the book.
Even the great Louie L’amour, just as sure as God made little green apples, the hero would always be shot and make a miraculous recovery.
3. Theme repetition with-in a narrow band.
Once you have read one, change the curtains, and you have read them all.
The latest is being returned to centuries in the past. Usually a female who winds up falling helplessly in love with a magnificent specimen in royalty.
Renowned author Clive Cussler, Read half a dozen of his books, change the window dressings and you have read them all.
(qualification) Although book theme would seam almost unlimited, the reality is not so. A fiction author is faced with the dilemma creating a work that creates a results with enough interest to sell in a theme that has almost certainly been used before.
4. Unprofessionalism or negligence of the main character, usually an experienced or expert in some field but for some reason fails to execute in critical situation. Exceptions do happen, but when the scenario is used over and over, by numerous different authors, it becomes a cliché and very predictable.
1. Baggage, a mental handicap that is so incapacitating that it is almost totally consuming.
With female authors, it normally rape related and the perp always, always winds up targeting the female investigator and her daughter.
With men, it is usually, but not always, alcohol addiction related.
2. Prattle, (for lack of a better description). Predictability and repetition.
Pages, pages and chapters of minuscule semi related documentation.
I once read half a western fiction where the main character lost his six gun half a dozen times in the first half of the book.
Even the great Louie L’amour, just as sure as God made little green apples, the hero would always be shot and make a miraculous recovery.
3. Theme repetition with-in a narrow band.
Once you have read one, change the curtains, and you have read them all.
The latest is being returned to centuries in the past. Usually a female who winds up falling helplessly in love with a magnificent specimen in royalty.
Renowned author Clive Cussler, Read half a dozen of his books, change the window dressings and you have read them all.
(qualification) Although book theme would seam almost unlimited, the reality is not so. A fiction author is faced with the dilemma creating a work that creates a results with enough interest to sell in a theme that has almost certainly been used before.
4. Unprofessionalism or negligence of the main character, usually an experienced or expert in some field but for some reason fails to execute in critical situation. Exceptions do happen, but when the scenario is used over and over, by numerous different authors, it becomes a cliché and very predictable.
September 4, 2023
good story
Good story. Good series. Enough content to keep us coming back. I like the characters. We didn’t see near as much of Prissy (and yes I spelled it correctly, that’s her real name!) as in the previous book. I kind of missed her bubbly, funny and daring personality. The same goes for Anna, although she still surfaces to do things as they ask, but one thing I noticed—they don’t have simple jovial, everyday conversations with her anymore and i imagine she would like that. They definitely didn’t have the more personal relationship like in book one, where we got to see Anna’s witty and silly side, maybe even daring. She really blossomed and became a person in book one. She’s definitely moving towards being a sentient AI. I love her creativity and look forward to more of a role for her.
Lux is a great character. For being ten, not much daunts or scares him, which is a little abnormal,I would think,even though it’s pretty obvious Lux is supposed to be in his own category. I like his character a lot. Again,looking forward to seeing him grow and what else comes out of that brain of his.
Lux’s dad is a confusing one. I was so amazed and impressed by how he must have raised him-this big genius- getting him all the things he needed to meet his educational needs, and even his social needs virtually. We saw how loving he was in book one, supportive, great communicator and protective—when that social worker came around,he did not mess around, putting her right in her place. After Lux was attacked,his dad brought in people to teach him to protect himself. You can tell he loves him a lot and visa versa, but then, idk… maybe his dad became overwhelmed from work? But it was like as a reader , you got whiplash from his dad’s interactions with lux. It was very weird compared with their beginning relationship. I’d say that would be my number one point of contention. It’s such an extreme reaction compared to book one. Lux’s dad is almost like an entirely different character than before in book one. The two Personas don’t match up in actions or regard towards Lux & that’s not only confusing but off putting. IMO.
There’s also a lot of very technical wording-items, building, descriptions, systems, etc. The author explains what it all is but that ends up being a lot of words for something I don’t really care about. And that’s not a criticism, that’s just me, personally. I definitely could do without a lot of the deep explanations. I need just enough to understand what’s happening and that’s it. Lol It’s pretty obvious to me this author is extremely intelligent. And because of all the nitty gritty techno Mumbai jumbo in the book, it makes me wonder if he works or worked in the space program or something of its ilk?( I’ll have to look)😉
There are some editing items. It just needs to be gone through with a fine tooth comb but nothing that would stop me from recommending the book but something that would improve the book should the author choose to have a beta reader go through it and eliminate those errors. My kindle is broken otherwise I would have sent the edits through that program. Unfortunately reading from my iPhone only gives me access to Notes. So if the author can access the highlights then that person might find those helpful.
Anyway, I’m on to book 3. Wonder if we’ll see Lux make space into a second home?
Good story. Good series. Enough content to keep us coming back. I like the characters. We didn’t see near as much of Prissy (and yes I spelled it correctly, that’s her real name!) as in the previous book. I kind of missed her bubbly, funny and daring personality. The same goes for Anna, although she still surfaces to do things as they ask, but one thing I noticed—they don’t have simple jovial, everyday conversations with her anymore and i imagine she would like that. They definitely didn’t have the more personal relationship like in book one, where we got to see Anna’s witty and silly side, maybe even daring. She really blossomed and became a person in book one. She’s definitely moving towards being a sentient AI. I love her creativity and look forward to more of a role for her.
Lux is a great character. For being ten, not much daunts or scares him, which is a little abnormal,I would think,even though it’s pretty obvious Lux is supposed to be in his own category. I like his character a lot. Again,looking forward to seeing him grow and what else comes out of that brain of his.
Lux’s dad is a confusing one. I was so amazed and impressed by how he must have raised him-this big genius- getting him all the things he needed to meet his educational needs, and even his social needs virtually. We saw how loving he was in book one, supportive, great communicator and protective—when that social worker came around,he did not mess around, putting her right in her place. After Lux was attacked,his dad brought in people to teach him to protect himself. You can tell he loves him a lot and visa versa, but then, idk… maybe his dad became overwhelmed from work? But it was like as a reader , you got whiplash from his dad’s interactions with lux. It was very weird compared with their beginning relationship. I’d say that would be my number one point of contention. It’s such an extreme reaction compared to book one. Lux’s dad is almost like an entirely different character than before in book one. The two Personas don’t match up in actions or regard towards Lux & that’s not only confusing but off putting. IMO.
There’s also a lot of very technical wording-items, building, descriptions, systems, etc. The author explains what it all is but that ends up being a lot of words for something I don’t really care about. And that’s not a criticism, that’s just me, personally. I definitely could do without a lot of the deep explanations. I need just enough to understand what’s happening and that’s it. Lol It’s pretty obvious to me this author is extremely intelligent. And because of all the nitty gritty techno Mumbai jumbo in the book, it makes me wonder if he works or worked in the space program or something of its ilk?( I’ll have to look)😉
There are some editing items. It just needs to be gone through with a fine tooth comb but nothing that would stop me from recommending the book but something that would improve the book should the author choose to have a beta reader go through it and eliminate those errors. My kindle is broken otherwise I would have sent the edits through that program. Unfortunately reading from my iPhone only gives me access to Notes. So if the author can access the highlights then that person might find those helpful.
Anyway, I’m on to book 3. Wonder if we’ll see Lux make space into a second home?
April 14, 2023
It didn’t take long for me to think that the story was getting away from the author in this book. The science didn’t bother, after all it is Science Fiction, what bothered me were the people. The number of problems just grew and eventually became difficult to ignore.
The reaction of Lux’s father was weird and became more unbelievable as the confrontation with Lux progressed, actually the reactions of quite a few characters were weird, some were almost schizophrenic.
Also a couple of the Lummi videos were getting a bit bizarre and I didn’t understand what Lux was hoping to get out of them.
The story does start to improve during the second half of the book and I shall be continuing with the series.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
The reaction of Lux’s father was weird and became more unbelievable as the confrontation with Lux progressed, actually the reactions of quite a few characters were weird, some were almost schizophrenic.
Also a couple of the Lummi videos were getting a bit bizarre and I didn’t understand what Lux was hoping to get out of them.
The story does start to improve during the second half of the book and I shall be continuing with the series.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
October 27, 2022
Good story, could do with an edit
Both this book and the first in the series tell a good story with fun characters and plenty of action. But my gosh, they could do with an editor. Sometimes bits are told in present tense, some in past tense, some narrated and some in first person and it just seems to change randomly paragraph to paragraph. The dad must have multiple personality disorder or something as he alternates between unflinching faith in his son and complete and utter disdain and disbelief. Together these make it hard to read in places. Overall though I enjoyed it and already preordered the next one.
Both this book and the first in the series tell a good story with fun characters and plenty of action. But my gosh, they could do with an editor. Sometimes bits are told in present tense, some in past tense, some narrated and some in first person and it just seems to change randomly paragraph to paragraph. The dad must have multiple personality disorder or something as he alternates between unflinching faith in his son and complete and utter disdain and disbelief. Together these make it hard to read in places. Overall though I enjoyed it and already preordered the next one.
January 26, 2023
Really like the Lux series
I was not sure I would like this series. I freely admit when the techno babble begins, it is completely over my head, absolutely no idea if any of it makes sense. But, the books (#1 and #2 so far) have enough background with other tangents, my interest is maintained. The different story lines combine to make the Lux series fun to read. I'm even learning a little about physics being something interesting for people like myself who hasn't a clue.
I was not sure I would like this series. I freely admit when the techno babble begins, it is completely over my head, absolutely no idea if any of it makes sense. But, the books (#1 and #2 so far) have enough background with other tangents, my interest is maintained. The different story lines combine to make the Lux series fun to read. I'm even learning a little about physics being something interesting for people like myself who hasn't a clue.
February 18, 2023
WONDERFUL CONCEPT.
I love every thing about this story with one exception. As an 84 year old reader I have a real problem with the type color changing from white to gray and back to white throughout the first two books. IT seem to me tha an edit and correction was administrator with the correction in a different color. The gray is particularly difficult to read for us older readers.
Kindel has removed our ability to change type colors.
I love every thing about this story with one exception. As an 84 year old reader I have a real problem with the type color changing from white to gray and back to white throughout the first two books. IT seem to me tha an edit and correction was administrator with the correction in a different color. The gray is particularly difficult to read for us older readers.
Kindel has removed our ability to change type colors.
November 17, 2024
Continuing a fun ride
I am enjoying the young genius inventor Lux and his escapades with his magnetic force thrusters. I do like the precautions he is showing, and I hope the character is able to continue to grow and develop his technology personally rather than having to constantly deal with the expected government or foreign espionage that will probably appear. The series is hard to put down, really enjoying the story as the pre-teen develops.
I am enjoying the young genius inventor Lux and his escapades with his magnetic force thrusters. I do like the precautions he is showing, and I hope the character is able to continue to grow and develop his technology personally rather than having to constantly deal with the expected government or foreign espionage that will probably appear. The series is hard to put down, really enjoying the story as the pre-teen develops.
August 25, 2022
My kind of story. Love the underdog brainiac main character that the adults in the room keep underestimating. Good action and fast paced. Only complaint, Where is book 3?
Also, the book needs improved proofreading. Quite a number of mispelled words and miss-used words in sentences.
Now were is book 3? I hate waiting on the next book. Especially for a great series.
Also, the book needs improved proofreading. Quite a number of mispelled words and miss-used words in sentences.
Now were is book 3? I hate waiting on the next book. Especially for a great series.
December 14, 2022
What an expansion
Nicely done cautionary tale about the ability of artificial intelligence and people without strong restrictions on what they'll do for society can turn our expectations of geophysical and geological positioning. The whole idea of time synchronicity in communication sure is getting blown up too. Looking forward to the next one.
Nicely done cautionary tale about the ability of artificial intelligence and people without strong restrictions on what they'll do for society can turn our expectations of geophysical and geological positioning. The whole idea of time synchronicity in communication sure is getting blown up too. Looking forward to the next one.
January 28, 2023
Very, very good hard science fiction.
Very, very good hard sci-fi. Believable characters that you can relate to. Good story line and plot development. I’m really looking forward to the next books in the series. I’m also going to look for other stories that this author has written.
Very, very good hard sci-fi. Believable characters that you can relate to. Good story line and plot development. I’m really looking forward to the next books in the series. I’m also going to look for other stories that this author has written.
July 21, 2023
Excellent engrossing read
If you've read Dahner's Donsai books and enjoyed them I suspect you'll like this series as well. Protagonist is a 10-year-old boy genius who invents a fuel less propulsion system that will have far-reaching implications and thus attracts the attention of the military and various untrustworthy individuals.
If you've read Dahner's Donsai books and enjoyed them I suspect you'll like this series as well. Protagonist is a 10-year-old boy genius who invents a fuel less propulsion system that will have far-reaching implications and thus attracts the attention of the military and various untrustworthy individuals.
July 29, 2023
great
Really enjoyable book two , Lux keeps working on his inventions and their commercial applications , the only part I don't really like is the Lummi thread , I totally get why the first videos were made but in this world we live in "deep fake" media is the road to hell and it's paved with good intentions but basically it's deceitful and often lies and misinformation.
Really enjoyable book two , Lux keeps working on his inventions and their commercial applications , the only part I don't really like is the Lummi thread , I totally get why the first videos were made but in this world we live in "deep fake" media is the road to hell and it's paved with good intentions but basically it's deceitful and often lies and misinformation.
August 15, 2022
read it the first day
We have a problem because this series is so good even though I can read for free I have to own them. It’s worth the money for me. It’s good coming of age book that that takes you on a great ride. As soon as the next one comes out I will preorder it.
We have a problem because this series is so good even though I can read for free I have to own them. It’s worth the money for me. It’s good coming of age book that that takes you on a great ride. As soon as the next one comes out I will preorder it.
December 1, 2022
Lovin' the story so far.
What's with all the sections with grayed-out text? Who's proofreading? I am giving five stars because I love the story, never mind the formatting mishaps and oblivious typing errors.
What's with all the sections with grayed-out text? Who's proofreading? I am giving five stars because I love the story, never mind the formatting mishaps and oblivious typing errors.
December 1, 2022
Liked the sequel
Well still a quick read. Although having a hard time to imagine Lux as an 11yo. But he is. Good follow up on the 1st book. Looking forward on how things will go in the 3rd tome.
Well still a quick read. Although having a hard time to imagine Lux as an 11yo. But he is. Good follow up on the 1st book. Looking forward on how things will go in the 3rd tome.
December 7, 2022
A Great and Fun series
Pence has a fun series here and follows a grand tradition of genius savant teenagers. The engineering details will be too much for some readers, but I encourage those individuals to preserver.
I especially liked the links to the websites.
Two thumbs up!
Pence has a fun series here and follows a grand tradition of genius savant teenagers. The engineering details will be too much for some readers, but I encourage those individuals to preserver.
I especially liked the links to the websites.
Two thumbs up!
December 18, 2022
Shenanigans
I think offering the first 2 books on Kindle unlimited then charging for the subsequent volumes Is a reflection on the authors poor ethics. I know enough. I'll never read another Ken pence release. I would rather support more ethical up and coming authors.
I think offering the first 2 books on Kindle unlimited then charging for the subsequent volumes Is a reflection on the authors poor ethics. I know enough. I'll never read another Ken pence release. I would rather support more ethical up and coming authors.
December 23, 2022
Really enjoying
I'm really enjoying this series, good MC and supporting characters, love the links way cool.
Can't wait to read more...makes you wonder if anna, prissy &lux are writing this for more revenue😊
I'm really enjoying this series, good MC and supporting characters, love the links way cool.
Can't wait to read more...makes you wonder if anna, prissy &lux are writing this for more revenue😊
December 30, 2022
A boy ( probably ) genius gives the US army a insurmountable advantage on everyone else on the cheap so they can cleanse the world of all evil and bring us a multicolored ribbon future for all the ze kind
Other than that to make a bit of money and have underage sex on the way probably, consensual of course.
Was a mistake purchasing the second book but i don't make the same mistake again.
For anyone interested in a good story go read the Ell Donsaii series
Other than that to make a bit of money and have underage sex on the way probably, consensual of course.
Was a mistake purchasing the second book but i don't make the same mistake again.
For anyone interested in a good story go read the Ell Donsaii series
January 15, 2023
fantastic story! I’m really enjoying it completely!
I love how Pence thinks. As a simple EE I can really appreciate the technical inferences. What a great series! I can hardly put it down!
I love how Pence thinks. As a simple EE I can really appreciate the technical inferences. What a great series! I can hardly put it down!
August 14, 2023
Formatting errors but a good read
Color of text changes, sometimes evev in the middle of a chapter, in Dark mode it is very obvious. The supplied conversions from other measuring systems to US standard does get annoying. Hyperlinks all went somewhere useful this time.
Color of text changes, sometimes evev in the middle of a chapter, in Dark mode it is very obvious. The supplied conversions from other measuring systems to US standard does get annoying. Hyperlinks all went somewhere useful this time.
August 26, 2023
A very good read
A very good read I enjoyed reading this book very much the name Liz got a bit old after a time but other than that very good story line came together well and the ideas were good and the story moved along well .
A very good read I enjoyed reading this book very much the name Liz got a bit old after a time but other than that very good story line came together well and the ideas were good and the story moved along well .
April 11, 2024
Writing Getting Better
This second book had better progression and POV transitions than the first one. The first was too jarring for readers but this one is getting better. Looking forward to the next installments.
This second book had better progression and POV transitions than the first one. The first was too jarring for readers but this one is getting better. Looking forward to the next installments.
September 16, 2022
Good
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
September 21, 2022
Good series
Good series wish there was more. Also not kindle unlimited like book one. Still. Will read next book in series.
Good series wish there was more. Also not kindle unlimited like book one. Still. Will read next book in series.
October 17, 2022
Changing txt colors
I would have given this book 5 stars if the txt didn't change colors. That made it a pain to read.
I would have given this book 5 stars if the txt didn't change colors. That made it a pain to read.
October 28, 2022
Fun story
Enjoying the slow reveal on some of the science behind the story. Can’t wait to see the new challenges Lux will face.
Enjoying the slow reveal on some of the science behind the story. Can’t wait to see the new challenges Lux will face.
December 9, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed books one and two of this series. Just starting book three. Once I start a new book, everything else is put on hold until I finish it.
December 10, 2022
Lux-2
Another great book. Lots of action. A lot of characters that cause you to be emotional involved . It is a refreshing book to read can’t wait for the next one.
Another great book. Lots of action. A lot of characters that cause you to be emotional involved . It is a refreshing book to read can’t wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews