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LUX and the New TECH #1
Lux-1: Hypersonic
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 nine. Lux and Prissy take DeepFake videos to a whole new level and make a lot of money doing it. The US military and intelligence community is not amused.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2022
406 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Ken Pence
36 books52 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 51 reviews
July 12, 2023
Weird, but not in a good way.
I read the first two books so it’s not totally irredeemable.
But the books star Heinlein heroes. The MC is unbelievably brilliant. Oh and he’s handsome too! Did I mention rich? Like so rich. Self made too. Because he is an expert engineer, inventor, and AI programmer. Also lucky, sooo lucky. Also strong and an expert in self defense, actually an expert knife fighter AND thrower…and on and on. Pretty impressive for a 10 YEAR OLD!!!! Seriously this out Heinlein’s Heinlein.
But that could be somewhat overlooked with compelling story. But it is just…weird. MC and his father are bleeding heart liberals who hate public schools and distrust the crooked government and live like the ultimate preppers in their compound secured by illegal weapons, while worshipping and donating to the military. It doesn’t hang together.
All “conflicts” are resolved in a few pages by MC playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing flip cup (and also occasionally doing something ridiculous that just works out {Dad thinks you are lying about your invention that defies physics in at least three unique ways? You could show it too him - or you could fly to a military base and show them instead, then call your dad from there, and they will just agree to not tell anyone because reasons…).
Beyond that, it reads like an advertisement for the Author’s favorite technology products, which I guess makes sense given how clearly the MC is a self insert after reading the Author’s Bio. But seriously, we all know about Tesla batteries. They don’t need name dropped every 30 pages.
I hate beating up books like this. I have tried, and failed to write fiction myself. Also, again it isn’t THAT bad or I never would have gone so far. But really I just wish I hadn’t started.
I read the first two books so it’s not totally irredeemable.
But the books star Heinlein heroes. The MC is unbelievably brilliant. Oh and he’s handsome too! Did I mention rich? Like so rich. Self made too. Because he is an expert engineer, inventor, and AI programmer. Also lucky, sooo lucky. Also strong and an expert in self defense, actually an expert knife fighter AND thrower…and on and on. Pretty impressive for a 10 YEAR OLD!!!! Seriously this out Heinlein’s Heinlein.
But that could be somewhat overlooked with compelling story. But it is just…weird. MC and his father are bleeding heart liberals who hate public schools and distrust the crooked government and live like the ultimate preppers in their compound secured by illegal weapons, while worshipping and donating to the military. It doesn’t hang together.
All “conflicts” are resolved in a few pages by MC playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing flip cup (and also occasionally doing something ridiculous that just works out {Dad thinks you are lying about your invention that defies physics in at least three unique ways? You could show it too him - or you could fly to a military base and show them instead, then call your dad from there, and they will just agree to not tell anyone because reasons…).
Beyond that, it reads like an advertisement for the Author’s favorite technology products, which I guess makes sense given how clearly the MC is a self insert after reading the Author’s Bio. But seriously, we all know about Tesla batteries. They don’t need name dropped every 30 pages.
I hate beating up books like this. I have tried, and failed to write fiction myself. Also, again it isn’t THAT bad or I never would have gone so far. But really I just wish I hadn’t started.
January 30, 2023
This is very much a Laurence Dahners book. That’s not a bad thing. It’s entertaining, I’ve already read the remainder of the published series, and I’m planning on buying the rest of the series. It’s fun and worth your time. If you like Dahners, Allison, or other young-genus-makes-good scifi books, you’ll like this. Buy this book.
Naturally, in addition to all of the fun, there’s a bit of annoying stuff. Probably only a real geek will notice. It does mix in real science. They also misspell some of the names of the scientists. I don’t remember if this was in this book or the sequels. Still, it’s all science fantasy, so mixing up a name is more of a misspelling than anything else. The Quicker series’ science fantasy is better established. Being fantasy, that isn’t terribly important.
I’m leaving out any discussion of the characters, plot, development, &c. The liner notes are a good introduction.
Naturally, in addition to all of the fun, there’s a bit of annoying stuff. Probably only a real geek will notice. It does mix in real science. They also misspell some of the names of the scientists. I don’t remember if this was in this book or the sequels. Still, it’s all science fantasy, so mixing up a name is more of a misspelling than anything else. The Quicker series’ science fantasy is better established. Being fantasy, that isn’t terribly important.
I’m leaving out any discussion of the characters, plot, development, &c. The liner notes are a good introduction.
October 15, 2022
Not believable
So many plot holes and bad examples:
AI is self aware but neither dad nor son made it aware
Son didn't put drone in front of dad to prove theory
Many criminal actions that the son did!
Unexplained expertise in video production
2 stars because I read the entire book. Do not recommend.
So many plot holes and bad examples:
AI is self aware but neither dad nor son made it aware
Son didn't put drone in front of dad to prove theory
Many criminal actions that the son did!
Unexplained expertise in video production
2 stars because I read the entire book. Do not recommend.
December 17, 2022
Pretty good.
October 19, 2023
Pretty decent story
It seems odd reading about a 10 year old genius and his friend doing all the unusual things they get up to. Suspend disbelief - it’s science fiction! Just roll with it and enjoy the pace.
One request I have. Please proofread and check what Kindle delivers. There are a number of misused words and repeats. Also there are a few instances of the font changing and the brightness of the type in dark mode. Only read on an iPad (5th generation and iPadOS 16.7).
It seems odd reading about a 10 year old genius and his friend doing all the unusual things they get up to. Suspend disbelief - it’s science fiction! Just roll with it and enjoy the pace.
One request I have. Please proofread and check what Kindle delivers. There are a number of misused words and repeats. Also there are a few instances of the font changing and the brightness of the type in dark mode. Only read on an iPad (5th generation and iPadOS 16.7).
October 4, 2022
Don't bother
Seemed more like a book of math word problems that someone tried to weave into a story. The story wasn't a bad idea...just all the word math just takes away from the story. Write a math textbook instead.
Seemed more like a book of math word problems that someone tried to weave into a story. The story wasn't a bad idea...just all the word math just takes away from the story. Write a math textbook instead.
March 22, 2023
Did not finish, returned for refund.
Honestly I didn't get all that far before I gave up on it. I was interested in see how the story would develop and the writing stile was kinda novel. The author added explanations behind every acronym "I DNF (Did Not Finish)" and all measurements were listed both in imperial and metric. And translation behind non-English sentences (I did like this). All this was information directly targeted at the reader and had a tendency to break the forth wall and immersion. But all this was something I could accept.
The issues that made me return the book was two that cropped up very early and made me assume that might repeat itself throughout the book. First was already in chapter 2 (I think) so I don't consider this much of a spoiler, but you might so....yeah, spoiler warning. The main character, Lux, mentioned earlier that friends of his father had teased him about the very large electricity bill they had, and then shortly explained to a person that the whole house and garden was completely self sufficient with water and electricity. Totally off the grid, I think the expression was.
I could have been kind to the author and help him by "explaining" to myself that the change to go off grid was a result of the high electricity bill, but the author and characters never mention any such transition. And after the author started switching from 3rd person to 1st person and then back to 3rd person again. I just wrote it off as lack of editing. Since this popped up in the start I wonder how the rest of the book might be so I returned it for a refund.
Honestly I didn't get all that far before I gave up on it. I was interested in see how the story would develop and the writing stile was kinda novel. The author added explanations behind every acronym "I DNF (Did Not Finish)" and all measurements were listed both in imperial and metric. And translation behind non-English sentences (I did like this). All this was information directly targeted at the reader and had a tendency to break the forth wall and immersion. But all this was something I could accept.
The issues that made me return the book was two that cropped up very early and made me assume that might repeat itself throughout the book. First was already in chapter 2 (I think) so I don't consider this much of a spoiler, but you might so....yeah, spoiler warning. The main character, Lux, mentioned earlier that friends of his father had teased him about the very large electricity bill they had, and then shortly explained to a person that the whole house and garden was completely self sufficient with water and electricity. Totally off the grid, I think the expression was.
I could have been kind to the author and help him by "explaining" to myself that the change to go off grid was a result of the high electricity bill, but the author and characters never mention any such transition. And after the author started switching from 3rd person to 1st person and then back to 3rd person again. I just wrote it off as lack of editing. Since this popped up in the start I wonder how the rest of the book might be so I returned it for a refund.
December 12, 2025
Lux -1 is a pretty funny book about a gifted kid who lives in Alabama who was in gifted class since the age of 2, and the majority of the book is him showing he is a genius by telling his dad's AI to make a deepfake youtuber called Lummy who is so sexy she breaks the internet and gets a billion views. The AI deepfake is so famous she gets interviewed by Anderson Cooper and tells him that she has a genetic disorder that makes people forget her after they see her (except i guess on youtube) and this made her mom slash her face with a knife. The AI Deepfake is so good that Space Force and the NSA research it.
75% of the way into the book there's sentences like 'Pollis, Lux's father, walked into the room'. theyre still telling us that he is Lux's father even though he was introduced like 5 pages in. Then the NSA agent interrogating Lux says 'you're in high school? but you're nine. not grammar school?' Why would he say grammar school if the series is set in the US.
Also Lux is a child genius who is also a martial arts master who gets arrested for fighting off his bully who is 5 years older than him, but thankfully he hacked into his neighbors ring doorbell camera to show footage of the bullys brother punching him, so he doesnt go to jail.
At the end of the day, Lux is based and I need to read all 5 sequels to this book
75% of the way into the book there's sentences like 'Pollis, Lux's father, walked into the room'. theyre still telling us that he is Lux's father even though he was introduced like 5 pages in. Then the NSA agent interrogating Lux says 'you're in high school? but you're nine. not grammar school?' Why would he say grammar school if the series is set in the US.
Also Lux is a child genius who is also a martial arts master who gets arrested for fighting off his bully who is 5 years older than him, but thankfully he hacked into his neighbors ring doorbell camera to show footage of the bullys brother punching him, so he doesnt go to jail.
At the end of the day, Lux is based and I need to read all 5 sequels to this book
December 18, 2025
This book is about a kid genius Lux but with nothing fun in the world building to help me suspend my disbelief and enjoy the insanity of a 9 year old who has an AI supercomputer that makes super viral deepfake influencer videos about topics no 9 year old cares about that instantly make enough money to pay for whatever he wants for his science experiments and also pay for college, get 100% on all the AP tests, learn knife fighting with someone his not as smart as him super dad hired to help prepare him to go away to college alone as a 10 year old, create commercially successful inventions, hold patents, send satellites to space, and find new kinds of magnetic propulsion, all while going to virtual high school with virtual PE karate classes and a seemingly returned crush on a 15 year old classmate named Prissy…
I don’t know who this book is for because I don’t think 9 year olds would follow the science and I don’t think older people want to follow the adventures of this unrealistic and not very likable kid.
I don’t know who this book is for because I don’t think 9 year olds would follow the science and I don’t think older people want to follow the adventures of this unrealistic and not very likable kid.
October 17, 2022
Great read but?
couldn't put it down. You can read the trailer. I am retired and read a lot. Scifi is my favorite. I am tired of stories of fleets fighting in space. This book reminded me of great authors from the 60s. Young genius inventing. Good characters. I don't give 5 stars often.Why the ? mark. So I finished book one as a Kindle unlimited book. Great to see book two. So I go to get it. $3.99 cost. Author sucks you in. I can't afford to buy books at that cost. There are lots more unlimited ones out there.
couldn't put it down. You can read the trailer. I am retired and read a lot. Scifi is my favorite. I am tired of stories of fleets fighting in space. This book reminded me of great authors from the 60s. Young genius inventing. Good characters. I don't give 5 stars often.Why the ? mark. So I finished book one as a Kindle unlimited book. Great to see book two. So I go to get it. $3.99 cost. Author sucks you in. I can't afford to buy books at that cost. There are lots more unlimited ones out there.
November 17, 2024
A likeable 9 year old genius
The author has written an interesting near future just sci-fi, as a 9 turning 10 year old develops new technology and deepfake videos with the assistance of a becoming sentient AI his father developed. This has a small amount of action but is impelling enough to keep you reading. The magnetic technology was interesting enough I was looking up videos of people doing magnetic based experiments to get a better understanding of it. Rushing off to read book 2.
The author has written an interesting near future just sci-fi, as a 9 turning 10 year old develops new technology and deepfake videos with the assistance of a becoming sentient AI his father developed. This has a small amount of action but is impelling enough to keep you reading. The magnetic technology was interesting enough I was looking up videos of people doing magnetic based experiments to get a better understanding of it. Rushing off to read book 2.
December 14, 2025
This is an odd book. I get the whole this is the smarted 9 year old on the planet thing. But some stuff was confusing. Having children create deep fake videos for school was scary. Having the 9 year old create a fully realized persona then describe doing sexually provocative things in "Tik TOk" like videos so good the CIA is taking notice all while trying to court a 14 year old was a bold choice. I get the whole adults are extra dumb in the world so he can be smarter. Making him learn expert level fighting techniques seems like he is going to turn into a secret agent. Overall a fun read.
Read
August 13, 2022A drag until the end
As an adult I would recommend this book for teens and below. The story was well written but could use a little editing here and there. So the kid is a genius and his father is a genius and it seems like everyone has it out for him and his family from the cops to the government and kids at school.. On top of that 95% of the story drags on about deepfakes and the real good stuff comes at the end of the book.
As an adult I would recommend this book for teens and below. The story was well written but could use a little editing here and there. So the kid is a genius and his father is a genius and it seems like everyone has it out for him and his family from the cops to the government and kids at school.. On top of that 95% of the story drags on about deepfakes and the real good stuff comes at the end of the book.
November 30, 2022
Lux-1 is HyperSonic!
I’ve really been looking forward to starting reading in the Lux series. Sooo wonderful to have an entire new exciting series to read. Lux-1 definitely doesn’t disappoint. Love all the main characters, especially Lux and Prissy. Plot development was also excellent. Do yourself a BIG favor, start reading this series ASAP! You’ll be VERY glad that you did!! :)
I’ve really been looking forward to starting reading in the Lux series. Sooo wonderful to have an entire new exciting series to read. Lux-1 definitely doesn’t disappoint. Love all the main characters, especially Lux and Prissy. Plot development was also excellent. Do yourself a BIG favor, start reading this series ASAP! You’ll be VERY glad that you did!! :)
December 2, 2022
Deep Fake
This book is...amazing is the closest word I can think of. It is rather sceptical of modern physics and compares it to a religion. But he makes his case by way of a ten-year-old genius. This story is an old one: Like Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine, yet he makes an entirely new story. The bottom line is its fun. Readers of sci/if may find it dull if they are looking for space battles, but those looking for something a little deeper should enjoy this.
This book is...amazing is the closest word I can think of. It is rather sceptical of modern physics and compares it to a religion. But he makes his case by way of a ten-year-old genius. This story is an old one: Like Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine, yet he makes an entirely new story. The bottom line is its fun. Readers of sci/if may find it dull if they are looking for space battles, but those looking for something a little deeper should enjoy this.
December 13, 2022
Great story line with plenty of action. Liked the tech stuff and the concepts were not to far out but probable. Now here is why I won't read any more of Ken Pence. He gets you hooked on the series with two kindle unlimited books in the series and then charges for the other three. That is pure horse..... So my rating is for the story and how it is written. For the ethics of what Pence is doing I would give it a negative five stars if I could.
January 30, 2024
totally addicting hard SciFi story… unputdownable
Ken Pence has created compelling characters and believable new technology (okay, so magnetics was my worst course in college)… in a really fast-paced plot. Plus he’s an engineering professor! So kudos on crafting an amazing story.
I do wish he’d hired professional editors to clean it up. But the story is so good, I can’t dock him a star for it.
Ken Pence has created compelling characters and believable new technology (okay, so magnetics was my worst course in college)… in a really fast-paced plot. Plus he’s an engineering professor! So kudos on crafting an amazing story.
I do wish he’d hired professional editors to clean it up. But the story is so good, I can’t dock him a star for it.
September 28, 2022
Awesome Absolutely
This Author is on par with Dahners, Blanton, and Nelson.
This story of a ten year old genius that figures out how to use the magnetic field to power crafts was a fantastic read.
I was so caught up in the world that I had an Idea and was about to call my patent lawyer until I realized I’m not a millionaire and don’t have a lawyer.
This Author is on par with Dahners, Blanton, and Nelson.
This story of a ten year old genius that figures out how to use the magnetic field to power crafts was a fantastic read.
I was so caught up in the world that I had an Idea and was about to call my patent lawyer until I realized I’m not a millionaire and don’t have a lawyer.
October 13, 2022
Great start for a new ( at least new to me) writer!!
Ken Pence is a wonderful writer. So many books out there for me to read. Lux is a ten year old boy with a mind of a man. A genius just getting ready for collage. Well written with great characterization, lots of facts and a touch of romance.
Ken Pence is a wonderful writer. So many books out there for me to read. Lux is a ten year old boy with a mind of a man. A genius just getting ready for collage. Well written with great characterization, lots of facts and a touch of romance.
November 11, 2022
Excellent but...
Seriously needs an editor. Kept me reading non-stop, amazed that the author got everything (within my knowledge base) RIGHT! From martial arts to weapons to basic physics. Marred only by horrible errors in sentences, shifting viewpoins, and punctuation. Getting book two now!
Seriously needs an editor. Kept me reading non-stop, amazed that the author got everything (within my knowledge base) RIGHT! From martial arts to weapons to basic physics. Marred only by horrible errors in sentences, shifting viewpoins, and punctuation. Getting book two now!
December 12, 2022
Fun
Enjoyable coming of age story about brilliance. As a STEM fanatic, I can highly recommend how thoroughly these projects near theoretical limits are investigated. Interesting transitions and cross-pollination of different current political divides. Looking forward to the next one.
Enjoyable coming of age story about brilliance. As a STEM fanatic, I can highly recommend how thoroughly these projects near theoretical limits are investigated. Interesting transitions and cross-pollination of different current political divides. Looking forward to the next one.
December 29, 2022
Good story premise but had some problems
The story itself and the clarke tech is intriguing to read about, but the book does have some glaring problems with both spelling and grammar, hence the three stars. I'd recommend that the author check out Grammarly during the exciting and review process.
The story itself and the clarke tech is intriguing to read about, but the book does have some glaring problems with both spelling and grammar, hence the three stars. I'd recommend that the author check out Grammarly during the exciting and review process.
December 31, 2022
A nugget of brilliance
A few books are this good, great story told from a young genius perspective, now we have intereting theories to do with magnets and techno jargon but there is boy makes virtual girl with his not girl friend learns fighting and basically annoys the fbi nsa and gatekeepers .
Once i started i could not stop so now onto book2.
A few books are this good, great story told from a young genius perspective, now we have intereting theories to do with magnets and techno jargon but there is boy makes virtual girl with his not girl friend learns fighting and basically annoys the fbi nsa and gatekeepers .
Once i started i could not stop so now onto book2.
January 10, 2023
Go Lux Go
A fun read, sort of a Sheldon crossed with Fox Mulder vibe, with a really fun AI...it held my attention, made me giggle in a couple spots and added some emotion and did a great job with integrating current science trends and physics with some strong "edge of thought" theory around magnetic propulsion...looking forward to reading Lux as he grows up.
A fun read, sort of a Sheldon crossed with Fox Mulder vibe, with a really fun AI...it held my attention, made me giggle in a couple spots and added some emotion and did a great job with integrating current science trends and physics with some strong "edge of thought" theory around magnetic propulsion...looking forward to reading Lux as he grows up.
August 9, 2023
A very good read
A very good read the story is good and holds your interested the si fi is good and the way the story deals with child age and others perceptions is interesting the only downside was about how the name Liz has been repeted
Give it a go and see a good read for when you need just chilling.
A very good read the story is good and holds your interested the si fi is good and the way the story deals with child age and others perceptions is interesting the only downside was about how the name Liz has been repeted
Give it a go and see a good read for when you need just chilling.
August 13, 2023
Good story bad formatting
I loved the boik. Good conflict between the biy and his dad. The only downside to the book is that I read in dark mode and the formatting changed in some of the chapters to produce grey text instead of white and there were hyperlinks for some of the text that did't go anywhere.
I loved the boik. Good conflict between the biy and his dad. The only downside to the book is that I read in dark mode and the formatting changed in some of the chapters to produce grey text instead of white and there were hyperlinks for some of the text that did't go anywhere.
September 18, 2022
Good story!!
This is the kind of stuff that I like reading. Interesting concepts and adults who are fixed in their thinking. I wish that more young people would exercise hard, good for them, good for our country.
This is the kind of stuff that I like reading. Interesting concepts and adults who are fixed in their thinking. I wish that more young people would exercise hard, good for them, good for our country.
September 19, 2022
Not bad
A quick read that was entertaining. Set up next books and looking forward to it and authors ot h er works. A.ways a plus when Find a new author. Bigger plus when their Kindle Unlimited
A quick read that was entertaining. Set up next books and looking forward to it and authors ot h er works. A.ways a plus when Find a new author. Bigger plus when their Kindle Unlimited
November 3, 2022
I enjoyed the book. Very similar to the Laurence Dahners VAZ series. I find the not-so-subtle pokes at elitist academia pretty amusing if not honest. A great read for young readers. No hidden social agendas. A fun and amusing romp thru the worlds of fantasy and science.
November 27, 2022
Today Tom Swift
Yes, I'm old enough that I know Tom Swift. This book does remind me of Tom Swift book, although Tom Swift has a better supportive family compared to the protagonist of this book. Onward to the next books!
Yes, I'm old enough that I know Tom Swift. This book does remind me of Tom Swift book, although Tom Swift has a better supportive family compared to the protagonist of this book. Onward to the next books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews