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Halfskin #2
Clay (Large Print Edition): A Technothriller
Jamie wants to be a halfskin.
Her life has become dull and pointless. If she had more biomites--synthetic stem cells that promise hope--she could take control of her life. But Jamie's body is already 49.9% biomites. The rest is clay--her God-given organic cells. Any more biomites and she becomes a halfskin. And halfskins are shutdown.
But there is a way.
Black market biomites, called nixes, can't be detected by the government's halfskin hunter, M0ther. Jamie would have to sacrifice her clay to get the nixes, but they would make her halfskin without anyone knowing. Including M0ther. But first she has to find them.
Nix Richards can help. He's the first halfskin to escape M0ther and Jamie has something he wants. He'll need her to help him find a fabricator. He'll betray anyone to get it, even those closest to him.
This psychological thriller will keep Nix and Jamie second-guessing every move while they elude M0ther and Marcus Anderson, the man that wants to rid the world of biomites. But in the end, they'll all discover just how deep the betrayal goes.
Her life has become dull and pointless. If she had more biomites--synthetic stem cells that promise hope--she could take control of her life. But Jamie's body is already 49.9% biomites. The rest is clay--her God-given organic cells. Any more biomites and she becomes a halfskin. And halfskins are shutdown.
But there is a way.
Black market biomites, called nixes, can't be detected by the government's halfskin hunter, M0ther. Jamie would have to sacrifice her clay to get the nixes, but they would make her halfskin without anyone knowing. Including M0ther. But first she has to find them.
Nix Richards can help. He's the first halfskin to escape M0ther and Jamie has something he wants. He'll need her to help him find a fabricator. He'll betray anyone to get it, even those closest to him.
This psychological thriller will keep Nix and Jamie second-guessing every move while they elude M0ther and Marcus Anderson, the man that wants to rid the world of biomites. But in the end, they'll all discover just how deep the betrayal goes.
488 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
15 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Tony Bertauski
72 books763 followersGet my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 27, 2014
This is a tremendously powerful book. I could say its an artful book, which it is. Or that its an entertaining book, which it is. Or that it is a book that you find hard to put down. I could say all those things, but I'm settling on 'powerful'.
This book explores what power means to various characters, those that have it and those who hide from it. Some outsmart the power, and some are undone by it. But relentlessly running through this book is the thread of power. Power is its own protagonist.
I hate to spoil books, and I've come dangerously close to that already, but this is the penultimate sequel to "halfskin" and I didn't think it was possible to outdo Halfskin. Guess what? it is not only possible, it's glorious.
I highly recommend this, but you'll be better off reading half skin first, I think.
This book explores what power means to various characters, those that have it and those who hide from it. Some outsmart the power, and some are undone by it. But relentlessly running through this book is the thread of power. Power is its own protagonist.
I hate to spoil books, and I've come dangerously close to that already, but this is the penultimate sequel to "halfskin" and I didn't think it was possible to outdo Halfskin. Guess what? it is not only possible, it's glorious.
I highly recommend this, but you'll be better off reading half skin first, I think.
April 12, 2014
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Again and again, Tony Bertauski has written novels that stay with you long after the last page. Clay was a riveting sequel to Halfskin which once again tackles the fundamental questions of what it means to be human. In a world where humanity is being threatened by the influx of biomites, and 'bricks' (people that are 100% biomite and artificial) are becoming increasingly common, it is rare to fins anybody 'clay' (totally natural) left. As M0ther's level of power starts to take greater form, society is faced with more complex ethical challenges than ever before.
There is a definite theme of illusion versus reality in this book, which makes it really interesting. The extent of Nix's 'Dreamland' was again explored, which makes this book and the series itself, fantastically unique. The line between what is real and what is not is blurred, illustrating how technology powering forward at such a fast rate can inevitably cause some problems. Aside from this is the whole world that Tony Bertauski has managed to create. It is a society that has been written as if it was real, and realistic enough to make it believable. Perhaps we hope that the world as we know it will never come to the stage where machines achieve sentience and mind-reading is possible through the interwebs. The subtle changes in the POV's of the characters added a whole other layer of complexity and dynamic to the story, drawing you in further the more you read. Yes - this book is addictive, and it will certainly leave you with much to think about.
This question of what classifies as being 'human' is another aspect of the book which I found really intriguing. Whilst other novels may speak of 'androids' and robots, Clay takes it one step further by looking into what altering the actual cells of a human being can achieve. This, in my opinion in science fiction at its best. Tony Bertauski has successfully executed a story that is not only entertaining but also well thought through in terms of how all the technology would function and the lengths to which some people would go to stop it. The little articles scattered though about 'M0ther' added further insights to create the full picture. All of the elements of this book are intricately woven to create something which is in itself a speculative masterpiece.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Clay is yet another hit from Tony Bertauski which won't fail to impress. Questioning the very essence of human nature, it is another piece of speculative science-fiction which is written to seem all too real. If this book has done anything, it is to reinforce in my mind what a talented author he is. As usual, I am on the edge of my seat to see what he will be writing next!
I want my clay back. But there's no going back. She sold her body to save her brother. She wonders if she sold her soul, too.
Again and again, Tony Bertauski has written novels that stay with you long after the last page. Clay was a riveting sequel to Halfskin which once again tackles the fundamental questions of what it means to be human. In a world where humanity is being threatened by the influx of biomites, and 'bricks' (people that are 100% biomite and artificial) are becoming increasingly common, it is rare to fins anybody 'clay' (totally natural) left. As M0ther's level of power starts to take greater form, society is faced with more complex ethical challenges than ever before.
"My anger is hot", he says. "My aches are wanting. My joy is sweet. My loneliness hollow. I feel all the same things you do. Does the body make us human?
There is a definite theme of illusion versus reality in this book, which makes it really interesting. The extent of Nix's 'Dreamland' was again explored, which makes this book and the series itself, fantastically unique. The line between what is real and what is not is blurred, illustrating how technology powering forward at such a fast rate can inevitably cause some problems. Aside from this is the whole world that Tony Bertauski has managed to create. It is a society that has been written as if it was real, and realistic enough to make it believable. Perhaps we hope that the world as we know it will never come to the stage where machines achieve sentience and mind-reading is possible through the interwebs. The subtle changes in the POV's of the characters added a whole other layer of complexity and dynamic to the story, drawing you in further the more you read. Yes - this book is addictive, and it will certainly leave you with much to think about.
Biomites are close to perfection. One of these days we'll beat death. We'll upload out memories onto cloud storage as we live our lives. We'll fabricate bodies like vehicles; we'll go places human bodies can't go. Maybe even discover new realms of reality.
This question of what classifies as being 'human' is another aspect of the book which I found really intriguing. Whilst other novels may speak of 'androids' and robots, Clay takes it one step further by looking into what altering the actual cells of a human being can achieve. This, in my opinion in science fiction at its best. Tony Bertauski has successfully executed a story that is not only entertaining but also well thought through in terms of how all the technology would function and the lengths to which some people would go to stop it. The little articles scattered though about 'M0ther' added further insights to create the full picture. All of the elements of this book are intricately woven to create something which is in itself a speculative masterpiece.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Clay is yet another hit from Tony Bertauski which won't fail to impress. Questioning the very essence of human nature, it is another piece of speculative science-fiction which is written to seem all too real. If this book has done anything, it is to reinforce in my mind what a talented author he is. As usual, I am on the edge of my seat to see what he will be writing next!
June 29, 2014
"My anger is hot", he says. "My aches are wanting. My joy is sweet. My loneliness hollow. I feel all the same things you do. Does the body make us human?
This is the underlying question posed by Clay, the second volume in the Halfskin series by Tony Bertauski. Picking up where Halfskin left off, Cali and Nix continue their cat and mouse game with Marcus Anderson, the government agent charged with controlling the "Halfskin" population. Marcus is one of the few all-natural humans left-a man whose religious conviction feeds his disdain for those who have reached their threshold of Biomites (a Halfskin), the synthetic cells that supplant human cells (Clay). Continuing on from volume one, the AI construct MOTHER continues the government's program of shutting down those who have surpassed their allowance of 49.9% biomite make-up. In this 2nd volume, the Bricks are introduced 100% biomite fabricated humans used as enforcers by the government, with the ability to control human biomites, thereby enabling the Bricks the means to shut down thousands of Halfskins in mere seconds.
Tony Bertauski has again produced an extremely well written story that not only entertains in classic SCI-Fi form, but also poses provocative questions concerning what it means to be human. Is it the human body, made of flesh and blood (Clay), or is it the emotions, ideas and memories (the Mind) which make us human? The story deals heavily in Transhumanist philosophy, the belief of a growing number of scientist-philosophers that are actively searching for outcomes such as those depicted in this book-namely a way in which the human mind can be downloaded into man-made constructs, facilitating immortality of the mind. Heady stuff to be sure.
Above all, a good story should leave one with questions, forcing us to think and ponder the ramifications put forth by the author and the plot. Bertauski manages to entertain while posing important philosophical, existential and ethical questions, which he delivers In spades. The story is tight, well researched and wildly entertaining, with an ending that will leave you gasping. I look forward to the 3rd book in the series, titled Bricks. Tony Bertauski is certainly one of my new favorite authors, and I believe if given the chance, he will become one of yours as well. File under SciFi, Psychological Thriller. See my review in The Thugbrarian Review @ http://wp.me/p4pAFB-dC
This is the underlying question posed by Clay, the second volume in the Halfskin series by Tony Bertauski. Picking up where Halfskin left off, Cali and Nix continue their cat and mouse game with Marcus Anderson, the government agent charged with controlling the "Halfskin" population. Marcus is one of the few all-natural humans left-a man whose religious conviction feeds his disdain for those who have reached their threshold of Biomites (a Halfskin), the synthetic cells that supplant human cells (Clay). Continuing on from volume one, the AI construct MOTHER continues the government's program of shutting down those who have surpassed their allowance of 49.9% biomite make-up. In this 2nd volume, the Bricks are introduced 100% biomite fabricated humans used as enforcers by the government, with the ability to control human biomites, thereby enabling the Bricks the means to shut down thousands of Halfskins in mere seconds.
Tony Bertauski has again produced an extremely well written story that not only entertains in classic SCI-Fi form, but also poses provocative questions concerning what it means to be human. Is it the human body, made of flesh and blood (Clay), or is it the emotions, ideas and memories (the Mind) which make us human? The story deals heavily in Transhumanist philosophy, the belief of a growing number of scientist-philosophers that are actively searching for outcomes such as those depicted in this book-namely a way in which the human mind can be downloaded into man-made constructs, facilitating immortality of the mind. Heady stuff to be sure.
Above all, a good story should leave one with questions, forcing us to think and ponder the ramifications put forth by the author and the plot. Bertauski manages to entertain while posing important philosophical, existential and ethical questions, which he delivers In spades. The story is tight, well researched and wildly entertaining, with an ending that will leave you gasping. I look forward to the 3rd book in the series, titled Bricks. Tony Bertauski is certainly one of my new favorite authors, and I believe if given the chance, he will become one of yours as well. File under SciFi, Psychological Thriller. See my review in The Thugbrarian Review @ http://wp.me/p4pAFB-dC
July 7, 2014
I was given a copy of the in exchange for an honest review.
But for an honest review I feel like I would need an audio recording of my voice alternation between screams of horror when something terrible happens followed by squeals of pure childish delight at their joy.
I started reading Tony's novels a few years ago and they never fail. Never. And just when you think one is fantastic, he tops it. Each world he build engulfs you and he handles technological fictions so well they could be real.
This book sparked quite the debate between myself and coworkers, as we discussed advancing technologies as they were intended to be used and how they are abused, and whether the risk outweighs the reward. Tony plays along these lines beautifully, weaving thought provoking philosophies into a fictional but not unrealistic worlds. This provides a vast amount of enjoyment for those looking for something deeper and for those just going along for the ride both.
Well done good sir, well done. Once again his way of crafting an ending made me lose my ability to fabricate coherent sentences to accurately express the bevy of emotions he made me feel with just a few simple words.
I CANNOT wait for the last installment. Hurry it up already!
But for an honest review I feel like I would need an audio recording of my voice alternation between screams of horror when something terrible happens followed by squeals of pure childish delight at their joy.
I started reading Tony's novels a few years ago and they never fail. Never. And just when you think one is fantastic, he tops it. Each world he build engulfs you and he handles technological fictions so well they could be real.
This book sparked quite the debate between myself and coworkers, as we discussed advancing technologies as they were intended to be used and how they are abused, and whether the risk outweighs the reward. Tony plays along these lines beautifully, weaving thought provoking philosophies into a fictional but not unrealistic worlds. This provides a vast amount of enjoyment for those looking for something deeper and for those just going along for the ride both.
Well done good sir, well done. Once again his way of crafting an ending made me lose my ability to fabricate coherent sentences to accurately express the bevy of emotions he made me feel with just a few simple words.
I CANNOT wait for the last installment. Hurry it up already!
June 3, 2014
This book was a wonderful sequel to Halfskin, and I really enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to any sci-fi fan, or just those who love to read. These books really make you think about what you would do in similar situations, and helped me to realize that none of us are perfect - our imperfections are what make us human.
I am looking forward to this story continuing, and I know that Tony can deliver an interesting & riveting book again & again.
I am looking forward to this story continuing, and I know that Tony can deliver an interesting & riveting book again & again.
May 11, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Again the author has hit a home run with this story. This is a story about a realistic future and it pulls you in from the first page to the last. I can't wait to see what happens next!!!
Again the author has hit a home run with this story. This is a story about a realistic future and it pulls you in from the first page to the last. I can't wait to see what happens next!!!
June 10, 2015
https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/0...
First impression I got when I started listening to Clay was that the narrator had a very pleasant voice but spoke way too fast. Then he evened out to a more steady pace. Throughout the book, I still had to stop and rewind on several occasions to let the concepts sink in, but only at key moments.
I do have to say that I felt all his male and most of the female voices sounded the same (except for Mother's); it was particularly difficult to distinguish some male voices from the narrator's one, and for some reason all the women sounded annoying and whiny. This obviously caused me to lose interest in the characters. Or rather, I had to constantly remind myself they were not annoying and whiny, just sounded that way. I don't even get why he did them that way. He obviously had the tone right, just the inflexion was not pleasant at all.
I did enjoy listening to the book most of the time. But I have come to the realization that I will simply never be able to pay as much attention and grasp the story as well while listening to a book as I do reading it. I was unable to set my own pace and imagine each voice the way I wanted, which was even weirder because I had read Book #1 and so had already formed most voices in my head. Needless to say they did not match at all with what I listened to.
Onto the story.
Clay continues to address several of the questions asked in Halfskin; one of the biggest ones is what makes us human? or at what point do we cease to be human?, amongst lots of fun/scary/emotional stuff.
Regarding the characters we met in the previous book: Cali and Nix falling apart over the years, as well as their struggles and rest of their character development, was all very believable.
I also enjoyed the development of Marcus Anderson. Amazing how religious zealots always feel their actions are justified, even if they are qualified as sins by their own definition.
And his end was so ironic.
I had not thought the technology in Clay could get much better than in Halfskin. I was wrong.
Glazed eyes when thought chatting, using facial recognition and browsing the internet in general.
Perception fields, which allow you to engage others in your feelings and thought projections.
Dreamland cafes, where you can transport yourself to a different reality.
Facial reconfiguration, the new plastic surgery.
M0ther having a physical representation and its sentience being developed in a total opposite way than usual - and her garden, oh, that garden...
Fabricating living beings from scratch.
And more.
The idea of a Brick is terrifying. They are not your ordinary robot from other sci-fi creations. They look and act like your perfectly normal human being, right down to showing empathy and other human emotions.
The addictive character of biomites was also something I enjoyed listening about. They don't only enhance your skills; they also allow you to alter your feelings and emotions and, well, act pretty much like a drug. Can you imagine, never feeling sad or depressed ever again?
However, with all the good things, I just did not connect with this story as much as Halfskin. I don't know if it's only because I listened to the book as opposed to reading it. The voices thing really put me off, especially the female ones, but I don't know if it's just that. The characters just felt more vapid to me and I especially could not connect to Jamie and her emo attitude. The not dealing with emotions thing, wanting to shed her body and so on really put me off. I appreciated her character growth but most of what I listened about her wasn't very engaging.
Also, the pace. In the previous book, whenever I was reading slower bits, I wouldn't mind the reduced pace because the descriptions would be so beautiful and enthralling, and later I always seemed to come to the conclusion that it had all had a purpose the whole time.
In this one, I constantly felt not much was happening, without that sense of involvement and closure to even things out, especially in the first half of the book. It did get better after that.
Then there were things I just didn't get, and I was left with a bunch of questions. Some were answered by the end, others weren't. Examples:
There was some repetitiveness again, and then there were a couple of inconsistencies, like Nix saying Cali wanted to help Jamie because Avery would have been her age. Now I really suck at math, but I clearly remember Avery being breastfed when Nix was 8, so there is no chance she would be 19 when he was 39.
And we are told that before people needed to be 12 years old to be seeded, when it was 15.
I was not happy that the notion of being charred wasn't explained until the second half of the book, and even then I am not quite sure I grasped the entire concept: is it derived to spending too much time in Dreamland, or working up biomites well past their limit, or not getting fed and sleeping, or all of the above?
I was pretty disappointed at the ending
And one of the things I always wondered about was the matter of life expectancy. If the new breeds of biomites were no longer self-replicating, in theory this means people would be able to live much longer without the danger of being shut down by the government or dying from disease, right? Would that not lead to overpopulation? I would have liked to see that addressed.
So, with all these issues, why the 4 stars?
The fact is the book still engaged me. The plot twists, even if not as satisfying as the ones in the previous book, kept me on edge, and there were plenty of surprises.
Most of the development of previous ideas, tech, plot, characters - everything I mentioned previously - still held me strong.
In conclusion, despite having difficulty connecting to the characters because of the narration, I was still enthralled by most of the story and writing. I have no doubt I would have felt more engaged if I had read it, but I still enjoyed Clay very much.
And I am very curious to know what happens in the third book. I would especially like to see a more detailed explanation to Dreamland. Where did all that stuff come from, if Nix maintains it wasn't all imagined by him?
Is there really an alternate reality?
Can one exist there?
As a human?
What does it mean to be human?
Tony Bertauski's world is full of possibilities and I thoroughly recommend this series.
Disclaimer: I won this audiobook in a Rofflecopter giveaway hosted by Audiobookreviewer.
First impression I got when I started listening to Clay was that the narrator had a very pleasant voice but spoke way too fast. Then he evened out to a more steady pace. Throughout the book, I still had to stop and rewind on several occasions to let the concepts sink in, but only at key moments.
I do have to say that I felt all his male and most of the female voices sounded the same (except for Mother's); it was particularly difficult to distinguish some male voices from the narrator's one, and for some reason all the women sounded annoying and whiny. This obviously caused me to lose interest in the characters. Or rather, I had to constantly remind myself they were not annoying and whiny, just sounded that way. I don't even get why he did them that way. He obviously had the tone right, just the inflexion was not pleasant at all.
I did enjoy listening to the book most of the time. But I have come to the realization that I will simply never be able to pay as much attention and grasp the story as well while listening to a book as I do reading it. I was unable to set my own pace and imagine each voice the way I wanted, which was even weirder because I had read Book #1 and so had already formed most voices in my head. Needless to say they did not match at all with what I listened to.
Onto the story.
Clay continues to address several of the questions asked in Halfskin; one of the biggest ones is what makes us human? or at what point do we cease to be human?, amongst lots of fun/scary/emotional stuff.
Regarding the characters we met in the previous book: Cali and Nix falling apart over the years, as well as their struggles and rest of their character development, was all very believable.
I also enjoyed the development of Marcus Anderson. Amazing how religious zealots always feel their actions are justified, even if they are qualified as sins by their own definition.
And his end was so ironic.
I had not thought the technology in Clay could get much better than in Halfskin. I was wrong.
Glazed eyes when thought chatting, using facial recognition and browsing the internet in general.
Perception fields, which allow you to engage others in your feelings and thought projections.
Dreamland cafes, where you can transport yourself to a different reality.
Facial reconfiguration, the new plastic surgery.
M0ther having a physical representation and its sentience being developed in a total opposite way than usual - and her garden, oh, that garden...
Fabricating living beings from scratch.
And more.
The idea of a Brick is terrifying. They are not your ordinary robot from other sci-fi creations. They look and act like your perfectly normal human being, right down to showing empathy and other human emotions.
The addictive character of biomites was also something I enjoyed listening about. They don't only enhance your skills; they also allow you to alter your feelings and emotions and, well, act pretty much like a drug. Can you imagine, never feeling sad or depressed ever again?
However, with all the good things, I just did not connect with this story as much as Halfskin. I don't know if it's only because I listened to the book as opposed to reading it. The voices thing really put me off, especially the female ones, but I don't know if it's just that. The characters just felt more vapid to me and I especially could not connect to Jamie and her emo attitude. The not dealing with emotions thing, wanting to shed her body and so on really put me off. I appreciated her character growth but most of what I listened about her wasn't very engaging.
Also, the pace. In the previous book, whenever I was reading slower bits, I wouldn't mind the reduced pace because the descriptions would be so beautiful and enthralling, and later I always seemed to come to the conclusion that it had all had a purpose the whole time.
In this one, I constantly felt not much was happening, without that sense of involvement and closure to even things out, especially in the first half of the book. It did get better after that.
Then there were things I just didn't get, and I was left with a bunch of questions. Some were answered by the end, others weren't. Examples:
There was some repetitiveness again, and then there were a couple of inconsistencies, like Nix saying Cali wanted to help Jamie because Avery would have been her age. Now I really suck at math, but I clearly remember Avery being breastfed when Nix was 8, so there is no chance she would be 19 when he was 39.
And we are told that before people needed to be 12 years old to be seeded, when it was 15.
I was not happy that the notion of being charred wasn't explained until the second half of the book, and even then I am not quite sure I grasped the entire concept: is it derived to spending too much time in Dreamland, or working up biomites well past their limit, or not getting fed and sleeping, or all of the above?
I was pretty disappointed at the ending
And one of the things I always wondered about was the matter of life expectancy. If the new breeds of biomites were no longer self-replicating, in theory this means people would be able to live much longer without the danger of being shut down by the government or dying from disease, right? Would that not lead to overpopulation? I would have liked to see that addressed.
So, with all these issues, why the 4 stars?
The fact is the book still engaged me. The plot twists, even if not as satisfying as the ones in the previous book, kept me on edge, and there were plenty of surprises.
Most of the development of previous ideas, tech, plot, characters - everything I mentioned previously - still held me strong.
In conclusion, despite having difficulty connecting to the characters because of the narration, I was still enthralled by most of the story and writing. I have no doubt I would have felt more engaged if I had read it, but I still enjoyed Clay very much.
And I am very curious to know what happens in the third book. I would especially like to see a more detailed explanation to Dreamland. Where did all that stuff come from, if Nix maintains it wasn't all imagined by him?
Is there really an alternate reality?
Can one exist there?
As a human?
What does it mean to be human?
Tony Bertauski's world is full of possibilities and I thoroughly recommend this series.
Disclaimer: I won this audiobook in a Rofflecopter giveaway hosted by Audiobookreviewer.
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never-read
March 31, 2019Read the first book Halfskin. 1 star so will not continue with the series.
April 29, 2021
Definitely makes you wonder about nanotechnology
April 24, 2015
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy in exchange for a review.
WARNING: This review contains mild spoilers.
I have mixed emotions about this novel. Parts of it are so very well done, that the parts that come up a little short are glaring.
The world building is intriguing, and had me hooked from the start. The "Halfskin" universe (home of " Halfskin (Halfskin, #1)" & " Clay (Halfskin, #2)") has an intuitive, lived-in feel. The reader picks up on the social clues scattered by Tony Bertauski, and feels familiar with the world of the narrative. This book stands on it's own. Having said that, reading "Halfskin" first will likely provide richer history, context, and background.
We are introduced to a society coming to grips with the ultimate means of empowerment and escape, the cell-replacing "biomites." The gritty, noir feel of the universe is not so much Mad Max as Blade Runner. The raw descriptions of the characters and their settings give you a sense of immediacy. This isn't so much about a far flung future as it is about an alternate now.
The audio is very clean, slick, and professional. I didn't hear any duplicated lines, bad edits, or background noise. Frankly, I am in envy of David Dietz's ability to simply and effectively put individual voices to the characters, particularly the female characters. That's not an easy task for a male narrator.
Bertauski reached for, and by-and-large grasped, the themes of: the need for community, the dangers of isolation, the heavy burden of dependence, the distraction of social media, the illusion of a single reality, and the faded nobility of sacrifice. There are others, I'm sure, but these are the ones that stuck with me.
One trope bugged me; the bad guy as religious fanatic. The character's skewed use of scripture to justify his actions was particularly rankling. I kept wanting to shout him down. Kudos to Bertauski for invoking this strong of a reaction in me.
The religious overtones and parallels begin with the novel's title "Clay," and continue: Marcus Anderson's obsession with purity and his righteous disdain of biomite use, Cali's messianic position, and ultimate, willing sacrifice. But, the very odd, and very genius moment comes when Bertauski casts the AI "Mother" as mankind's savior. Not what you normally find in a cyberpunk novel!
There is an ensemble cast of protagonists. Other reviewers have mentioned difficulty following the shifting POV, however if you know to expect that going in, it's fairly easy to keep up with the main protagonists: Nix Richards, Jamie, Cali Richards, Paul, Raine, and Marcus Anderson.
Of the protagonists, I had the most trouble with Nix Richards. Often he didn't strike me as someone who could survive 20+ years in hiding. He didn't exude the degree of cold implacableness hiding from a determined government search would require. It was more of a desperate, whiny neediness. At times, I had a difficulty reconciling his present actions with previous ones.
The resolution to the central conflict had the feel of "...and a wizard walked by." It welled up suddenly, attempting to resolve disparate issues on multiple plot lines. It felt ungainly and clunky, particularly in light of the story craft exhibited to that point. Cali's ultimate decision smacked more of exhaustion and desperation than noble sacrifice. However, Bertauski weaves that into an almost perfect noir ending; she won't get the brass ring, but her actions might make it possible for others.
Unfortunately, the book didn't end there, instead opting to tack on two additional endings that seem to be positioning the plot for the next book in the series. Like Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings," it just didn't seem to know when to quit. These endings, with Marcus and Raine, could easily be the opening chapters of the next book, unless Bertauski isn't planning anymore. And, that would be a shame. I believe the "Halfskin" universe has a lot more stories to tell, and I'd certainly like to hear them.
WARNING: This review contains mild spoilers.
I have mixed emotions about this novel. Parts of it are so very well done, that the parts that come up a little short are glaring.
The world building is intriguing, and had me hooked from the start. The "Halfskin" universe (home of " Halfskin (Halfskin, #1)" & " Clay (Halfskin, #2)") has an intuitive, lived-in feel. The reader picks up on the social clues scattered by Tony Bertauski, and feels familiar with the world of the narrative. This book stands on it's own. Having said that, reading "Halfskin" first will likely provide richer history, context, and background.
We are introduced to a society coming to grips with the ultimate means of empowerment and escape, the cell-replacing "biomites." The gritty, noir feel of the universe is not so much Mad Max as Blade Runner. The raw descriptions of the characters and their settings give you a sense of immediacy. This isn't so much about a far flung future as it is about an alternate now.
The audio is very clean, slick, and professional. I didn't hear any duplicated lines, bad edits, or background noise. Frankly, I am in envy of David Dietz's ability to simply and effectively put individual voices to the characters, particularly the female characters. That's not an easy task for a male narrator.
Bertauski reached for, and by-and-large grasped, the themes of: the need for community, the dangers of isolation, the heavy burden of dependence, the distraction of social media, the illusion of a single reality, and the faded nobility of sacrifice. There are others, I'm sure, but these are the ones that stuck with me.
One trope bugged me; the bad guy as religious fanatic. The character's skewed use of scripture to justify his actions was particularly rankling. I kept wanting to shout him down. Kudos to Bertauski for invoking this strong of a reaction in me.
The religious overtones and parallels begin with the novel's title "Clay," and continue: Marcus Anderson's obsession with purity and his righteous disdain of biomite use, Cali's messianic position, and ultimate, willing sacrifice. But, the very odd, and very genius moment comes when Bertauski casts the AI "Mother" as mankind's savior. Not what you normally find in a cyberpunk novel!
There is an ensemble cast of protagonists. Other reviewers have mentioned difficulty following the shifting POV, however if you know to expect that going in, it's fairly easy to keep up with the main protagonists: Nix Richards, Jamie, Cali Richards, Paul, Raine, and Marcus Anderson.
Of the protagonists, I had the most trouble with Nix Richards. Often he didn't strike me as someone who could survive 20+ years in hiding. He didn't exude the degree of cold implacableness hiding from a determined government search would require. It was more of a desperate, whiny neediness. At times, I had a difficulty reconciling his present actions with previous ones.
The resolution to the central conflict had the feel of "...and a wizard walked by." It welled up suddenly, attempting to resolve disparate issues on multiple plot lines. It felt ungainly and clunky, particularly in light of the story craft exhibited to that point. Cali's ultimate decision smacked more of exhaustion and desperation than noble sacrifice. However, Bertauski weaves that into an almost perfect noir ending; she won't get the brass ring, but her actions might make it possible for others.
Unfortunately, the book didn't end there, instead opting to tack on two additional endings that seem to be positioning the plot for the next book in the series. Like Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings," it just didn't seem to know when to quit. These endings, with Marcus and Raine, could easily be the opening chapters of the next book, unless Bertauski isn't planning anymore. And, that would be a shame. I believe the "Halfskin" universe has a lot more stories to tell, and I'd certainly like to hear them.
July 22, 2015
This book was much better than the first book in the series, Halfskin. It was nowhere near as hard to follow. I wish all of my favorite characters had not died in the end, but at least Marcus got what was coming to him in the end.
Overall a very satisfying book. I may have to give Halfskin another chance.
"Story was better but still not a fan of narrator!"
Where does Clay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Definitely in the bottom half. It is better storywise than the first book in the series but still not a big fan of David Dietz narration.
What other book might you compare Clay to and why?
The obvious answer here is "Halfskin" since it is the first book in the series. I didn't like the way the cliff hanger ending closed out the first book. I wish the protagonists MCs in this book had not had to die in the end, but it was still a much better story than Halfskin and I don't know how else the author could have ended it.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
It is kind of difficult to put my finger on it. I think a lot has to do with the fact that I am just not fan of his voice. He doesn't actually do anything that makes me not like him as a narrator, and there is little if anything that he can do about his voice. I just gravitate more toward female narrators or male narrators who have more tenor in the voice.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely not! First, I can not sit through anything for 8 hours in one sitting except work, and I don't like having to sit there for that. Second, as I have already stated I am not a fan of David Dietz narration, so that makes me want to break it up over several sittings.
Any additional comments?
I might enjoy both this book and Halfskin more with a different narrator, although I really doubt it. I can't recommend this audiobook to anyone. I have no doubt that it would someone's cup of tea, but it is not mine.
Overall a very satisfying book. I may have to give Halfskin another chance.
"Story was better but still not a fan of narrator!"
Where does Clay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Definitely in the bottom half. It is better storywise than the first book in the series but still not a big fan of David Dietz narration.
What other book might you compare Clay to and why?
The obvious answer here is "Halfskin" since it is the first book in the series. I didn't like the way the cliff hanger ending closed out the first book. I wish the protagonists MCs in this book had not had to die in the end, but it was still a much better story than Halfskin and I don't know how else the author could have ended it.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
It is kind of difficult to put my finger on it. I think a lot has to do with the fact that I am just not fan of his voice. He doesn't actually do anything that makes me not like him as a narrator, and there is little if anything that he can do about his voice. I just gravitate more toward female narrators or male narrators who have more tenor in the voice.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely not! First, I can not sit through anything for 8 hours in one sitting except work, and I don't like having to sit there for that. Second, as I have already stated I am not a fan of David Dietz narration, so that makes me want to break it up over several sittings.
Any additional comments?
I might enjoy both this book and Halfskin more with a different narrator, although I really doubt it. I can't recommend this audiobook to anyone. I have no doubt that it would someone's cup of tea, but it is not mine.
May 29, 2014
It is always a joy to me to discover a piece of well-written, classic science fiction. Science fiction at its heart is the taking of an idea, usually some form of technology, and following it down the rabbit hole to wherever it leads.
In Clay, Bertauski explores biomites - constructs that are able to replace our body cells, our clay. But the government has mandated that you can only have 49.9% biomites. After that you are a halfskin, no longer human and subject to being terminated. The rule is enforced by a sinister AI known as MoTHER and her 'bricks' - human-like constructs made of 100% biomites.
With enough biomites you can also create a perception field around you, drawing others into your feelings and visions. It is this mechanism that enables the book to express the underlying themes of the nature of reality and what it means to be human.
As the book progresses, just as we feel we are understanding how things work, Bertauski throws another curveball and we realise that much of what we took to be truth was only the character's perception. Or, at least, we think so but we are never quite sure...
Even at the very end we are left uncertain. Hopefully all will be resolved in the next book - Motherland - but we will have to wait.
I discover to my delight that Bertauski has a least half-a-dozen other books (including the book before Clay - Halfskin - which I have yet to read). They have just made it to the top of my reading list.
In Clay, Bertauski explores biomites - constructs that are able to replace our body cells, our clay. But the government has mandated that you can only have 49.9% biomites. After that you are a halfskin, no longer human and subject to being terminated. The rule is enforced by a sinister AI known as MoTHER and her 'bricks' - human-like constructs made of 100% biomites.
With enough biomites you can also create a perception field around you, drawing others into your feelings and visions. It is this mechanism that enables the book to express the underlying themes of the nature of reality and what it means to be human.
As the book progresses, just as we feel we are understanding how things work, Bertauski throws another curveball and we realise that much of what we took to be truth was only the character's perception. Or, at least, we think so but we are never quite sure...
Even at the very end we are left uncertain. Hopefully all will be resolved in the next book - Motherland - but we will have to wait.
I discover to my delight that Bertauski has a least half-a-dozen other books (including the book before Clay - Halfskin - which I have yet to read). They have just made it to the top of my reading list.
March 25, 2015
I feel like I did myself a disservice by reading this book before reading the first novel, Halfskin. From the start I was completely confused by the political and historical aspects of the biomites, Mother, and Bricks. Bertauski tried to give a good, yet brief, explanation so as not to bore the familiar readers, but I couldn't grasp it. Perhaps I would have had a better chance if the story didn't jump from one perspective to another before completing a thought. I will give it credit, though. The plot and idea is very creative and even interesting. The personal drama is great. I just wish I could have understood it a bit better.
I listened to the audio version and I felt David Dietz did a pretty good job of fulfilling the noir feeling of the story. The female voices were a bit whiny, but the variety of voices and characters made up for it. Excellent pacing as well.
Read Halfskin first to avoid confusion!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I listened to the audio version and I felt David Dietz did a pretty good job of fulfilling the noir feeling of the story. The female voices were a bit whiny, but the variety of voices and characters made up for it. Excellent pacing as well.
Read Halfskin first to avoid confusion!
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
February 20, 2015
Did I enjoy this book: Not really, no.
I agreed to read the book because I thought the concept was cool, but I found Bertauski’s writing (and the book’s style overall) to be choppy and confusing. It was tough to keep up with the story when the point of view changed so rapidly between characters. I felt like I never had the chance to really get involved in any one story line, which made it difficult to anchor myself in the story. A few longer chapters, perhaps, or maybe two or three chapters with the same point of view back-to-back would help.
Would I recommend it: Nope. Like I said – it’s a cool story concept, but the writing leaves too much to be desired.
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/09/me...
I agreed to read the book because I thought the concept was cool, but I found Bertauski’s writing (and the book’s style overall) to be choppy and confusing. It was tough to keep up with the story when the point of view changed so rapidly between characters. I felt like I never had the chance to really get involved in any one story line, which made it difficult to anchor myself in the story. A few longer chapters, perhaps, or maybe two or three chapters with the same point of view back-to-back would help.
Would I recommend it: Nope. Like I said – it’s a cool story concept, but the writing leaves too much to be desired.
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/09/me...
May 4, 2014
Picking up from the first novel years later with brother and sister. Better than the first. The novel moves along and is predictable, well I thought so. How it all plays out is crazy. Can't wait to see why's book number 3 bricks is going to be about and what characters if any from the first two novels will be included.
April 18, 2014
A very good follow up to Halfskin! The book continues the story of Nix and Cali and the others ... and take it to ...
Can't wait until the next book BRICKS comes out! Read these books, you won't be disappointed.
Can't wait until the next book BRICKS comes out! Read these books, you won't be disappointed.
February 19, 2019
What a sequel. Another book that I struggled to put down, this picks up straight after the events in book one but a bit further down the line.
As with the first book, the government and M0ther are at it again, encroaching on the freedom of people in the name of humanity and consequently bringing their own form of twisted justice to those found wanting. There are multiple questions raised again in this book as to where does free will become imitation / a corruption and how far can we realistically go before freedom of choice is actually a hindrance. The story is rife with corruption of all kinds and manifests itself in many ways. At times I found this quite concerning just how far things could be pushed without any comeback - shadows of the past creeping in. There are some great twists and turns during the course of this book but it didn't quite have the tension created in book 1, it was as if some of the urgency had bled out during the unfolding events, leaving a very good story but not in the same league as Halfskin. Having said this, the elements of technology / sci fi are woven flawlessly to create a series of worlds instantly believable with characters that are, to quote Rob Zombie, 'more human than human'.
This series is totally engrossing and will suck you in. If you are into technology and would like to see fiction mirror fact, then this is for you.
As with the first book, the government and M0ther are at it again, encroaching on the freedom of people in the name of humanity and consequently bringing their own form of twisted justice to those found wanting. There are multiple questions raised again in this book as to where does free will become imitation / a corruption and how far can we realistically go before freedom of choice is actually a hindrance. The story is rife with corruption of all kinds and manifests itself in many ways. At times I found this quite concerning just how far things could be pushed without any comeback - shadows of the past creeping in. There are some great twists and turns during the course of this book but it didn't quite have the tension created in book 1, it was as if some of the urgency had bled out during the unfolding events, leaving a very good story but not in the same league as Halfskin. Having said this, the elements of technology / sci fi are woven flawlessly to create a series of worlds instantly believable with characters that are, to quote Rob Zombie, 'more human than human'.
This series is totally engrossing and will suck you in. If you are into technology and would like to see fiction mirror fact, then this is for you.
February 18, 2021
This is the second book in the Halfskin stories. Callie and Nix are still on the run from Marcus and Mother, hiding away. Nix is deeper in Dreamworld, with Rayne, and he wants to bring her into the real world.
Marcus Anderson is still looking for Callie and Nix and just as obsessed.
The Halfskin laws have changed; people with more than half of their bodies as bio-mites are not shut down anymore. As they become more and more filled with bio-mites, they become Bricks. Clays are people who do not have any bio-mites in their bodies. There are also machines called fabricators - which can build, or re-build any person on earth. Nix wants a fabricator to bring Rayne into the real world with him.
Jamie is a young street kid who is given one of the new Nix pills, just as a club is raided and everyone is shut down. Most of the partygoers die. Jamie survives because the Nix bio-mites have not be integrated into her system. She along with a cop, escape the warehouse where the club was and find their way to where Callie lives.
This is a good progression from the first book, and I am looking forward to listening to the third.
Marcus Anderson is still looking for Callie and Nix and just as obsessed.
The Halfskin laws have changed; people with more than half of their bodies as bio-mites are not shut down anymore. As they become more and more filled with bio-mites, they become Bricks. Clays are people who do not have any bio-mites in their bodies. There are also machines called fabricators - which can build, or re-build any person on earth. Nix wants a fabricator to bring Rayne into the real world with him.
Jamie is a young street kid who is given one of the new Nix pills, just as a club is raided and everyone is shut down. Most of the partygoers die. Jamie survives because the Nix bio-mites have not be integrated into her system. She along with a cop, escape the warehouse where the club was and find their way to where Callie lives.
This is a good progression from the first book, and I am looking forward to listening to the third.
September 25, 2022
After Halfskin, book one of this series, was such a brilliant story I couldn’t wait to get to Clay, book two. I was not disappointed. This story introduces us to Jamie, a girl struggling with who she is in a world where recreating who you are can be done for the right price. Some time has passed since the events of Halfskin and Tony Bertauski moves things on in this story. People, whole living, breathing people, can now be fabricated by the use of biomites. It’s a fanciful idea but just plausible enough to make the reader wonder. What would our world be if we had this technology? I guess this is the question this whole series is asking. It just happens that this author is skillful enough to not only ask these questions but hook you into an excellent techno-thriller full of emotion and tension. Where can he take book three?
September 15, 2018
The description of this book says, "Her life has become dull and pointless." Unfortunately, so has this series. Luckily I was traveling or I'd never have made myself get through it. That's what happens on long plane rides. It's still a good idea and some decent worldbuilding. I don't know why the characters and plot fall so flat. But they do.
April 21, 2019
M0ther Certainly Surprises
The characters from Halfskin book one are here along with some more. Something seems strange about things and the ending certainly explains some but not all of the questions I have. I guess I shall have to read the next book and hopefully find out.
The characters from Halfskin book one are here along with some more. Something seems strange about things and the ending certainly explains some but not all of the questions I have. I guess I shall have to read the next book and hopefully find out.
January 2, 2020
It was OK. I quite enjoyed the first book. This one really felt like it was being dragged on too far even if there were some new elements. Maybe I liked the concept and its originality more in the new book. It didn't convince me that I want to buy book 3.
May 22, 2021
A very good book
I am very impressed with Mr Bertauskis's way with words.He weaves a good story but within the story he used some very interesting thoughts.
I am very impressed with Mr Bertauskis's way with words.He weaves a good story but within the story he used some very interesting thoughts.
August 23, 2021
Loved it!
Mr. Bertauski never ceases to make the brain spin. The plot is rich enough, even without the unexpected twists and turns. Awesome!
Mr. Bertauski never ceases to make the brain spin. The plot is rich enough, even without the unexpected twists and turns. Awesome!
March 31, 2015
CLAY - Halfskin Book Two
Author: Tony Bertauski
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: David W. Dietz
Length: 8 hours, 47 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: January 9, 2015
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
This is the follow-up book to HALFSKIN.
Twenty years have passed since Callie invented biomites that were untraceable by the government. Nix and Callie are both still alive, yet they lead vastly different lives.
Technology did not stand still over the past twenty years. Biomites no longer replicate unchecked and people are able to maintain them at a level of 49.9% biomite and 50.1% clay (or organic/original matter).
The government still shuts down people's biomites when a person becomes Halfskin. However people have found a way to outsmart the system using untraceable biomites created by many different sources (called Nixes) and bought and sold on the black market.
Technology has advanced so far that the government has created "Bricks." These are 100% biomite created people. These "Bricks" are uses to hunt down and destroy Halfskins.
Jamie is 19 and is 49.9% biomite, so is her boyfriend. They are desperate to find a way to avoid being "charred."
Marcus Anderson is back. He's older but he is still 100% clay. He wants to rid the world of biomites once and for all.
Meanwhile Nix Richards wants to find a replicator to create a human body and he is willing to do anything to achieve his goal.
This audiobook is a thrill ride that will have listeners riveted to David Dietz's wonderful narrative skills. With just the right amount of drama and suspense listeners will not want the story to end.
This is a thrilling tale of what can happen if technology proceeds unchecked. It is also a tale of human nature and the pursuit of a dream. Visionary or fanatic? Technological marvel or the downfall of mankind? Readers are sure to develop their own opinions on biomites.
This might just be a look into the future of our society and that is precisely why this book is so interesting (and scary).
This story may be fiction, but it addresses many ethical questions that arise when issues such as cloning and artificial intelligence are discussed. The author does a wonderful job of explaining and exploring the varying opinions on the topics. This book will not only entertain you, it will make you think.
I rate the story as 5 out of 5 stars and the narration also deserves 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Both HALFSKIN and CLAY need to be added to everyone's "must read" list for 2015.
I can't wait to read/hear what Tony Bertauski comes up with next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
To learn more about Tony Bertauski visit www.bertauski.com or http://bertauski.blogspot.ca
ABOUT THE NARRATOR:
David W. Dietz is a writer, actor, director and producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
For more information about this narrator or his production company visit: http://dietzthethird.com
To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter @Amieroger
Author: Tony Bertauski
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: David W. Dietz
Length: 8 hours, 47 minutes
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: January 9, 2015
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
This is the follow-up book to HALFSKIN.
Twenty years have passed since Callie invented biomites that were untraceable by the government. Nix and Callie are both still alive, yet they lead vastly different lives.
Technology did not stand still over the past twenty years. Biomites no longer replicate unchecked and people are able to maintain them at a level of 49.9% biomite and 50.1% clay (or organic/original matter).
The government still shuts down people's biomites when a person becomes Halfskin. However people have found a way to outsmart the system using untraceable biomites created by many different sources (called Nixes) and bought and sold on the black market.
Technology has advanced so far that the government has created "Bricks." These are 100% biomite created people. These "Bricks" are uses to hunt down and destroy Halfskins.
Jamie is 19 and is 49.9% biomite, so is her boyfriend. They are desperate to find a way to avoid being "charred."
Marcus Anderson is back. He's older but he is still 100% clay. He wants to rid the world of biomites once and for all.
Meanwhile Nix Richards wants to find a replicator to create a human body and he is willing to do anything to achieve his goal.
This audiobook is a thrill ride that will have listeners riveted to David Dietz's wonderful narrative skills. With just the right amount of drama and suspense listeners will not want the story to end.
This is a thrilling tale of what can happen if technology proceeds unchecked. It is also a tale of human nature and the pursuit of a dream. Visionary or fanatic? Technological marvel or the downfall of mankind? Readers are sure to develop their own opinions on biomites.
This might just be a look into the future of our society and that is precisely why this book is so interesting (and scary).
This story may be fiction, but it addresses many ethical questions that arise when issues such as cloning and artificial intelligence are discussed. The author does a wonderful job of explaining and exploring the varying opinions on the topics. This book will not only entertain you, it will make you think.
I rate the story as 5 out of 5 stars and the narration also deserves 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Both HALFSKIN and CLAY need to be added to everyone's "must read" list for 2015.
I can't wait to read/hear what Tony Bertauski comes up with next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
To learn more about Tony Bertauski visit www.bertauski.com or http://bertauski.blogspot.ca
ABOUT THE NARRATOR:
David W. Dietz is a writer, actor, director and producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
For more information about this narrator or his production company visit: http://dietzthethird.com
To read more of my reviews visit http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter @Amieroger
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March 15, 2015This is my fourth from Tony Bertauski and yet again he is able to leave my jaw laying on the floor.
There is just something about the Sci Fi that he writes that makes me think that this cannot even be THAT far into the future. People are thinking about this! Bertauski is a zeitgeist, ahead of his time and thinking of things that will come to pass.
The scary thing about that is that this is dystopian. It's horrific and I can see hundreds if not thousands of people wanting to go against Mother but I can also see those that would embrace and think this technology will save humanity.
I'm not even talking characters and plot yet and there is THAT much in here. So many interesting thoughts that I had to give myself time before I could write the review JUST to wrap my brain around all of this!
But, as in other books by Bertauski, the characters are there. The plot is definitely there. The narration jumps back and forth a bit but I was able to keep up with it for the most part. His books are like this and I think it is great because the reader gets to see all points of view, not just the main character. If we were stuck with Nix we would have no idea what really happened inside the warehouse at the beginning, and that was a phenomenal start to this story!
David W. Dietz does it yet again. I'm so glad they kept the same narrator. I was in love with his rendition of book one and loved it all the more in this one. There is just something about his intensity that adds to the dystopian feel. It adds that anxiety that the characters are supposed to feel. The audio was amazing and this might be one that I listen to again just because this is a deep story. I normally would switch to reading if I wanted to get more out of a story, but this one just lends itself to be heard.
Amazing story, fantastic writing, and great audio make me want more from Bertauski!
For a complete review of the audio version, please see the review over at AudioBook Reviewer.com
There is just something about the Sci Fi that he writes that makes me think that this cannot even be THAT far into the future. People are thinking about this! Bertauski is a zeitgeist, ahead of his time and thinking of things that will come to pass.
The scary thing about that is that this is dystopian. It's horrific and I can see hundreds if not thousands of people wanting to go against Mother but I can also see those that would embrace and think this technology will save humanity.
I'm not even talking characters and plot yet and there is THAT much in here. So many interesting thoughts that I had to give myself time before I could write the review JUST to wrap my brain around all of this!
But, as in other books by Bertauski, the characters are there. The plot is definitely there. The narration jumps back and forth a bit but I was able to keep up with it for the most part. His books are like this and I think it is great because the reader gets to see all points of view, not just the main character. If we were stuck with Nix we would have no idea what really happened inside the warehouse at the beginning, and that was a phenomenal start to this story!
David W. Dietz does it yet again. I'm so glad they kept the same narrator. I was in love with his rendition of book one and loved it all the more in this one. There is just something about his intensity that adds to the dystopian feel. It adds that anxiety that the characters are supposed to feel. The audio was amazing and this might be one that I listen to again just because this is a deep story. I normally would switch to reading if I wanted to get more out of a story, but this one just lends itself to be heard.
Amazing story, fantastic writing, and great audio make me want more from Bertauski!
For a complete review of the audio version, please see the review over at AudioBook Reviewer.com
March 13, 2015
Narrated by David Dietz this science fiction novel is performed in an clear and emotional form that presents the writers prose well. The story isn't so far out of reality. This book follows Tony's previous book in this series Halfskin. Biomites are enhanced cells that when added to humans enhance their abilities. They can give special computer like abilities to a users vision, vocabulary, strength and stamina. Some are given a boost at birth and can continue to receive boosts until they reach 49.9% biotite. Once over the 50% threshold the person is no longer considered human and forgoes all their rights, such as living. The government can kill you as soon as the catch you and it's not murder, because you are not human. This is the basis for the adventure of this story. What if 49.9% wasn't enough to keep you alive. What would you do?
Along comes Nixes, black market bio mites not detectable by the Government. So many things going on in this book you have to listen to catch them all. I recommend Clay for a fun listen. I have questions but that is what makes science fiction fun.
Along comes Nixes, black market bio mites not detectable by the Government. So many things going on in this book you have to listen to catch them all. I recommend Clay for a fun listen. I have questions but that is what makes science fiction fun.
February 21, 2015
Clay- Halfskin #2
I loved this book more than the first one in the series. Biomites have progressed and people are living at 99.9%. Are they still human? Who is really in control? The struggle between science & faith is more dominate in this episode in the series. Are we playing God with biomites? Or the shutdown of half skins?
This examination of morals, humanity, perspective, & reality forces the reader to examine what they believe, where they draw the line.
The twist, turns, and loopty-loops that Nix, Cali, Paul, & Jamie go through are astounding. I hate to give spoilers because that element of surprise is what I truly enjoy about a wonderfully crafted story. So I’ll say this expect the unexpected.
The production of this audiobook was so much better than the first one in the series. The issues that were present in the sound mixing & production are non-existent. I was able to truly get lost in the story and for me that is a sign of a great audiobook.
I loved this book more than the first one in the series. Biomites have progressed and people are living at 99.9%. Are they still human? Who is really in control? The struggle between science & faith is more dominate in this episode in the series. Are we playing God with biomites? Or the shutdown of half skins?
This examination of morals, humanity, perspective, & reality forces the reader to examine what they believe, where they draw the line.
The twist, turns, and loopty-loops that Nix, Cali, Paul, & Jamie go through are astounding. I hate to give spoilers because that element of surprise is what I truly enjoy about a wonderfully crafted story. So I’ll say this expect the unexpected.
The production of this audiobook was so much better than the first one in the series. The issues that were present in the sound mixing & production are non-existent. I was able to truly get lost in the story and for me that is a sign of a great audiobook.
February 15, 2016
This is the middle book of three and to an extent it shows. The action picks up after an interval of several years from the end of 'Halkskin' - and it introduces several new characters who will become important, as well as the three main characters from that book (and it's hardly a spoiler to say that M0ther also features).
The world has taken to bootleg biomites that escape M0ther's notice - but the authorities are still trying to control the level at 49.9%, shutting down those who become 'halfskin'. Nix is searching for something, Marcus Anderson is still leading the drive against halfskins - and Cali is in hiding.
A good sequel with an acceptable ending: virtue is hardly triumphant but some wrongs are righted and there is an element of optimism. I look forward to seeing the resolution in the final volume.
The world has taken to bootleg biomites that escape M0ther's notice - but the authorities are still trying to control the level at 49.9%, shutting down those who become 'halfskin'. Nix is searching for something, Marcus Anderson is still leading the drive against halfskins - and Cali is in hiding.
A good sequel with an acceptable ending: virtue is hardly triumphant but some wrongs are righted and there is an element of optimism. I look forward to seeing the resolution in the final volume.
August 15, 2015
After Nix and Cali succeed in getting away from Marcus and Mother, they manage to stay hidden for 20 years. But things have not gone well between Nix and Cali, a desire to bring Raine to the real world has caused a rift between the two. As Mother's power has grown, she has started creating people completely from biomites, the numbers of these "bricks" as they are called she has been keeping hidden. But in the end it is all found out when Cali discovers that she, Nix, Mother and Marcus are very much alike in ways they would never believe.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and I highly recommend the series.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series and I highly recommend the series.
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