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Dustrunners #1
Typhoon
Note: there's a revised edition (see: Typhoon(paperback) and Typhoon(kindle)) with added content. This edition should no longer be available.
Kani isn't Tundra. Her friend, Stacey, has gotten mixed up with the wrong people, flying dangerous and illegal "dustrunner" sorties for the mob... and since Stacey's skipped town, Kani's forced to take her place as Tundra. As Kani soon discovers, in this world of asteroid piracy, the real threat is on the ground: violence and paranoia come at her from every side.But after her first nail-biting mission ends in disaster, she starts to realize there's someone else on her team that isn't who they say they are... and the truth may threaten the lives of everyone she knows!
Kani isn't Tundra. Her friend, Stacey, has gotten mixed up with the wrong people, flying dangerous and illegal "dustrunner" sorties for the mob... and since Stacey's skipped town, Kani's forced to take her place as Tundra. As Kani soon discovers, in this world of asteroid piracy, the real threat is on the ground: violence and paranoia come at her from every side.But after her first nail-biting mission ends in disaster, she starts to realize there's someone else on her team that isn't who they say they are... and the truth may threaten the lives of everyone she knows!
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
MCM
52 books32 followersMCM is the author of books like "The Vector", "The App", "Fission Chips" and the livewritten novels "Typhoon", "The New Real", and "Arkady and Kain". He also wrote and illustrated the anti-DRM fable “The Pig and the Box”, which has been translated into 18 languages and read over one million times by people across the globe. In his spare time, he creates TV series like "RollBots", playing all over the world RIGHT NOW. He lives in Ottawa and Victoria, Canada, because timezones are awesome!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 23, 2010
Typhoon is the first book in the Dustrunners quintology, a series following not only Kani’s story but the lives of her team members as well. Set in a not-too distant future, the Dustrunners world is one of piracy, politics, adventure and danger, not to mention nail-biting emotional rollercoasters.
It’s hard to create a realistic dystopian future, and as such the thought and attention given to the world-building are a credit to MCM’s writing. Kani’s world has traces of the familiar—mobile phones, water polo, school—and just when you’re lured in and getting comfortable, BANG! Missions to space, unusual technology, and more danger than you can shake a stick at.
What I really loved were the details that really made this story believable, from the government-issued posters warning about pirates, to Kani’s faulty radio alarm clock, to the confusing controls in her spacecraft and the ice bullets spacecrafts shoot at each other. The action scenes in space are probably the most enjoyable part of the story; Kani’s sense of wonder and terror at being launched into space with absolutely no instructions whatsoever was very believable.
But the science fiction elements of the story never overwhelm the plot, which at its core is about loss and grief, and the struggle for survival in a world under nigh totalitarian governmental control. Interspersed throughout is MCM’s quirky sense of humour, which shines especially brightly through comic relief characters like Spastik and Kaso.
It is the characters, overall, who are the driving force of the story. MCM has created a believable—and likeable–cast of characters, from socially-awkward-but-funny Kaso, to the tragic relationship between Yuri and Chenne, plus a host of other subplots. That you’re not even sure whether they are the good or bad guys until halfway through the book is irrelevant: you can’t help but love them. And what’s covered is only the tip of the iceberg; the Dustrunner world has a lot yet to offer.
To make a long story short, this is the first book of MCM’s that really made me a fan of his, and you should definitely read it. Ideal for contemporary sci-fi fans who enjoy a large helping of adventure.
It’s hard to create a realistic dystopian future, and as such the thought and attention given to the world-building are a credit to MCM’s writing. Kani’s world has traces of the familiar—mobile phones, water polo, school—and just when you’re lured in and getting comfortable, BANG! Missions to space, unusual technology, and more danger than you can shake a stick at.
What I really loved were the details that really made this story believable, from the government-issued posters warning about pirates, to Kani’s faulty radio alarm clock, to the confusing controls in her spacecraft and the ice bullets spacecrafts shoot at each other. The action scenes in space are probably the most enjoyable part of the story; Kani’s sense of wonder and terror at being launched into space with absolutely no instructions whatsoever was very believable.
But the science fiction elements of the story never overwhelm the plot, which at its core is about loss and grief, and the struggle for survival in a world under nigh totalitarian governmental control. Interspersed throughout is MCM’s quirky sense of humour, which shines especially brightly through comic relief characters like Spastik and Kaso.
It is the characters, overall, who are the driving force of the story. MCM has created a believable—and likeable–cast of characters, from socially-awkward-but-funny Kaso, to the tragic relationship between Yuri and Chenne, plus a host of other subplots. That you’re not even sure whether they are the good or bad guys until halfway through the book is irrelevant: you can’t help but love them. And what’s covered is only the tip of the iceberg; the Dustrunner world has a lot yet to offer.
To make a long story short, this is the first book of MCM’s that really made me a fan of his, and you should definitely read it. Ideal for contemporary sci-fi fans who enjoy a large helping of adventure.
January 26, 2011
MCM has crafted a future where space-flight is as simple a task as it is to hop in a car and drive around the neighborhood. Typhoon tells the story of three characters, all of whom are part, or victim, of a conspiracy to capture what the media has labelled "Dustrunners". Like modern day Robin Hoods, these Dustrunners steal from the wealthy for the benefit of the poor.
MCM mixes in his trademark humor but Typhoon makes a good case for showing off his ability to write about serious subjects. It's not hard science fiction but there's nothing totally unbelievable in Typhoon, either. If you enjoy reading about teenagers in trouble, mobsters being duped, conspiracy, and space-flight, then Typhoon will make a good read for you.
MCM mixes in his trademark humor but Typhoon makes a good case for showing off his ability to write about serious subjects. It's not hard science fiction but there's nothing totally unbelievable in Typhoon, either. If you enjoy reading about teenagers in trouble, mobsters being duped, conspiracy, and space-flight, then Typhoon will make a good read for you.
June 2, 2010
Typhoon is one of the first books I read by MCM and it's the main reason I'm such a big fan of his.
The story is a roller coaster of thrills and emotions. Set in a not too distant but all the more disagreeable future, Kani is forced to take the identity of her best friend, who owes money to the mafia, and has to tag along on an illegal mission in space. Her teammates don't trust her, the mafia and the police are after her, and then it turns out she's not the only one with a fake identity.
Next to this main story line, MCM focuses on the back story of some of Kani's teammates, why they do what they do, and how the world turned up like this. It's this mix between tight and thrilling action, and emotionally charged background story that makes for the roller coaster ride. When both plot lines seem to come to a climax, I was biting my nails, and actually cried out Yuri's name in distress.
The strength of the story is the way MCM weaves small bits of background information throughout the story. It takes until 2/3 of the book until you figure out if the main characters are the good guys or the bad guys, but you can't help rooting for them anyway. The world he built is one you wouldn't want to live in, but feels very realistic, which makes it all the more scary. I'm still not sure I completely grasp the big picture of it all, but I think that is intentional, and it's one of the main reasons I look forward to the 2nd installment of the series.
Which brings me to the only complaint I have about this story, it's the first installment in a series of five, and I didn't know this when I first started reading it. Not that the main story line doesn't get closure, but there's still so much questions unanswered, and there's that evil cliffhanger at the end. Waiting for what happens next can be frustrating.
All in all I'd highly recommend it to science fiction fans who don't mind a mix of adventure, mystery and emotionally engaging characters, who don't mind a series in progress.
//Cross-posted at Amazon
The story is a roller coaster of thrills and emotions. Set in a not too distant but all the more disagreeable future, Kani is forced to take the identity of her best friend, who owes money to the mafia, and has to tag along on an illegal mission in space. Her teammates don't trust her, the mafia and the police are after her, and then it turns out she's not the only one with a fake identity.
Next to this main story line, MCM focuses on the back story of some of Kani's teammates, why they do what they do, and how the world turned up like this. It's this mix between tight and thrilling action, and emotionally charged background story that makes for the roller coaster ride. When both plot lines seem to come to a climax, I was biting my nails, and actually cried out Yuri's name in distress.
The strength of the story is the way MCM weaves small bits of background information throughout the story. It takes until 2/3 of the book until you figure out if the main characters are the good guys or the bad guys, but you can't help rooting for them anyway. The world he built is one you wouldn't want to live in, but feels very realistic, which makes it all the more scary. I'm still not sure I completely grasp the big picture of it all, but I think that is intentional, and it's one of the main reasons I look forward to the 2nd installment of the series.
Which brings me to the only complaint I have about this story, it's the first installment in a series of five, and I didn't know this when I first started reading it. Not that the main story line doesn't get closure, but there's still so much questions unanswered, and there's that evil cliffhanger at the end. Waiting for what happens next can be frustrating.
All in all I'd highly recommend it to science fiction fans who don't mind a mix of adventure, mystery and emotionally engaging characters, who don't mind a series in progress.
//Cross-posted at Amazon
January 16, 2011
Typhoon has some great characters; distinctive, flawed and real. From Kani a teenager who ends up becoming a space pirate, a dustrunner, to save the life of her best friend who’s in deep trouble with the mob. And the smart, funny hermit Kaso who helps her through cell phones and computers. To Yuri and how his strong interest in helping a young women get back on her feet leads to a shaky marriage, to the present where he’s a dustrunner trying to get enough money to save the life of his dying daughter.
There are a few other interesting characters we get a look at but I’d say the main focus is on Kani and Yuri. I did have to backtrack a couple of times just to remind myself what was going on with who. Though it took me awhile at first to get used to the different characters and their names (real names and dustrunner names) Typhoon is a great fast paced read and ends with a cliff hanger that makes you eager to know what happens next. Definitely looking forward to the next book!
Big Thank You to MCM and Goodreads for the chance to read Typhoon.
There are a few other interesting characters we get a look at but I’d say the main focus is on Kani and Yuri. I did have to backtrack a couple of times just to remind myself what was going on with who. Though it took me awhile at first to get used to the different characters and their names (real names and dustrunner names) Typhoon is a great fast paced read and ends with a cliff hanger that makes you eager to know what happens next. Definitely looking forward to the next book!
Big Thank You to MCM and Goodreads for the chance to read Typhoon.
December 4, 2010
Like an episode of 24, Typhoon was compelling from the start and I was immediately drawn in to the lives of the various "dustrunners" we meet in the book. I enjoyed the way that the flashbacks gave progressive insight to the various characters such as Yuri and Chenne, and how the sub-plots culminated in the final scenes of the story. I'm glad it's only book one becuase there are plenty of questions left to answer, and plenty of scope to develop the series further.
What's also compelling about the book is the way it was "livewritten" - a chapter and hour over a single weekend with guidance from whoever wanted to suggest decisions or plot directions by twitter or other socail media. I was disappointed to miss the writing of the sequel Polaris by only a few days.. but hope I could contribute in some way to another of the books in the series.
What's also compelling about the book is the way it was "livewritten" - a chapter and hour over a single weekend with guidance from whoever wanted to suggest decisions or plot directions by twitter or other socail media. I was disappointed to miss the writing of the sequel Polaris by only a few days.. but hope I could contribute in some way to another of the books in the series.
November 24, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It was very fast paced but not in a bad way. The book was written in three days which just amazes me! I received this book on First Reads.
November 13, 2023
The plot is intriguing, the characters very interesting and you are dropped right in the middle of the action. What else could you ask for? Well... In my case? An explanation. To be fair, MCM does give one at the end of the Smashwords edition I read; but as much as I love to start a book with a bang, when this happens, the author usually has to find a way to explain the details to the readers as they read along. And that is exactly where this book was lacking for me.
Read my full review here: https://ps-sobookish.com/book-reviews...
Read my full review here: https://ps-sobookish.com/book-reviews...
August 11, 2011
Really fast paced adventure although perhaps a bit too fast paced for my taste. I think this will be good for people that like thrillers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews