Pariah's War
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 83210 words.
Published on April 30, 2013. Fiction.
Book Two of The Pariah of Verigo series.
Giele Pariah settles among the Horks and prepares to become a father, but the former soldier knows peace can only last so long. A young Hork from a distant tribe reaches out to Giele for help. A coal mine has poisoned their water and brought them to the brink of starvation and Giele is the only Elf who can find common ground between Elves and Horks.
Location: United States
Member Since: Jan. 04, 2011
12 users have added this author as a favorite.
Ian Thomas Healy
Biography
Want to be informed about when I have new releases? Send me an email to ian(AT)ianthealy(DOT)com with a subject line of "Subscribe me!" and I'll let you know about new projects.
Ian Thomas Healy is a prolific writer who dabbles in many different speculative genres. His superhero novel Deep Six: A Just Cause Novel was a Top 100 Semi-finalist in the 2008 Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award. He's an eight-time participant and winner of National Novel Writing Month where he's tackled such diverse subjects as sentient alien farts, competitive forklift racing, a religion-powered rabbit-themed superhero, cyberpunk mercenaries, cowboy elves, and an unlikely combination of vampires with minor league hockey. He is also the creator of the Writing Better Action Through Cinematic Techniques workshop, which helps writers to improve their action scenes.
His goal is to become as integral to the genre of superhero fiction as William Gibson was to cyberpunk and Anne Rice was to urban fantasy. The first book in his Just Cause Universe series, JUST CAUSE, is available now from New Babel Books.
When not writing, which is rare, he enjoys watching hockey, reading comic books (and serious books, too), and living in the great state of Colorado, which he shares with his wife Richelle, his children Patrick, Caitlin, and Zachary, house-pets Smokey, Samwise, Morrigan, Isis, and approximately five million other people. Follow him on Twitter as @ianthealy. His ebooks can be found on Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, iBook Store, and other online retailers.
Ian Thomas Healy is a prolific writer who dabbles in many different speculative genres. His superhero novel Deep Six: A Just Cause Novel was a Top 100 Semi-finalist in the 2008 Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award. He's an eight-time participant and winner of National Novel Writing Month where he's tackled such diverse subjects as sentient alien farts, competitive forklift racing, a religion-powered rabbit-themed superhero, cyberpunk mercenaries, cowboy elves, and an unlikely combination of vampires with minor league hockey. He is also the creator of the Writing Better Action Through Cinematic Techniques workshop, which helps writers to improve their action scenes.
His goal is to become as integral to the genre of superhero fiction as William Gibson was to cyberpunk and Anne Rice was to urban fantasy. The first book in his Just Cause Universe series, JUST CAUSE, is available now from New Babel Books.
When not writing, which is rare, he enjoys watching hockey, reading comic books (and serious books, too), and living in the great state of Colorado, which he shares with his wife Richelle, his children Patrick, Caitlin, and Zachary, house-pets Smokey, Samwise, Morrigan, Isis, and approximately five million other people. Follow him on Twitter as @ianthealy. His ebooks can be found on Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, iBook Store, and other online retailers.
Where to find Ian Thomas Healy online
Website: http://www.ianthealy.com
Twitter: ianthealy
Blog: http://www.ianthealy.com
Twitter: ianthealy
Blog: http://www.ianthealy.com
Where to buy in print
Books
The Guitarist
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $2.99 USD. 66250 words. Published on January 8, 2013. Fiction.
When new girl Molly comes to Jericho High School with a bolero hat and the talent of legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, school reporter Sherri becomes fascinated with her story. Two rival rock bands compete for Molly's talents, but Molly has her own agenda, and who better to tag along and get every juicy tidbit than the intrepid reporter? She might even make a few friends along the way.
Price: $2.99 USD. 66250 words. Published on January 8, 2013. Fiction.
When new girl Molly comes to Jericho High School with a bolero hat and the talent of legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, school reporter Sherri becomes fascinated with her story. Two rival rock bands compete for Molly's talents, but Molly has her own agenda, and who better to tag along and get every juicy tidbit than the intrepid reporter? She might even make a few friends along the way.
Day of the Destroyer
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 86060 words. Published on January 8, 2013. Fiction.
July 13, 1977 - The lives of four super-powered people become irrevocably intertwined when the lights go out in New York City, plunging their world into chaos. The superheroes of Just Cause, grown soft and complacent without any supervillains to challenge them, must overcome their personal demons as well as uphold the law in a lawless land of rioters, arson, and murder.
Price: $3.99 USD. 86060 words. Published on January 8, 2013. Fiction.
July 13, 1977 - The lives of four super-powered people become irrevocably intertwined when the lights go out in New York City, plunging their world into chaos. The superheroes of Just Cause, grown soft and complacent without any supervillains to challenge them, must overcome their personal demons as well as uphold the law in a lawless land of rioters, arson, and murder.
Just Cause 2012 Holiday Bundle Pack
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $1.99 USD. 24980 words. Published on November 23, 2012. Fiction.
Sneak peeks of three upcoming Just Cause Universe novels from Local Hero Press, plus an all-new original Just Cause short story.
Price: $1.99 USD. 24980 words. Published on November 23, 2012. Fiction.
Sneak peeks of three upcoming Just Cause Universe novels from Local Hero Press, plus an all-new original Just Cause short story.
Starf*cker
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 82360 words. Published on October 30, 2012. Fiction.
The space opera sendup that nobody clamored for! The one the author's mom is too ashamed to read! Aliens! Space battles! Swordfights! And in the middle of it all, an aging out-of-work male porn star who finds himself to be the most unlikely hero of all.
Price: $3.99 USD. 82360 words. Published on October 30, 2012. Fiction.
The space opera sendup that nobody clamored for! The one the author's mom is too ashamed to read! Aliens! Space battles! Swordfights! And in the middle of it all, an aging out-of-work male porn star who finds himself to be the most unlikely hero of all.
1001001
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 3500 words. Published on September 11, 2012. Fiction.
General Purpose robot 1001001 has had as content an existence of dull labor as any robot could want. But when a fellow droid offers it an unusual file called gospel.dat, 1001001's world turns upside down in a single tick of its diamondoid brain. Inspired by the Rush song "The Body Electric" from Grace Under Pressure
Price: $0.99 USD. 3500 words. Published on September 11, 2012. Fiction.
General Purpose robot 1001001 has had as content an existence of dull labor as any robot could want. But when a fellow droid offers it an unusual file called gospel.dat, 1001001's world turns upside down in a single tick of its diamondoid brain. Inspired by the Rush song "The Body Electric" from Grace Under Pressure
Those Who Came Before: Bonus Stories from Just Cause Revised & Expanded Edition
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 16110 words. Published on August 18, 2012. Fiction.
This is the bonus material from the novel Just Cause - Revised & Expanded Edition, sold separately for those customers who purchased the first edition of Just Cause. If you have purchased Just Cause - Revised & Expanded Edition, there is no new material included in this collection.
Price: $0.99 USD. 16110 words. Published on August 18, 2012. Fiction.
This is the bonus material from the novel Just Cause - Revised & Expanded Edition, sold separately for those customers who purchased the first edition of Just Cause. If you have purchased Just Cause - Revised & Expanded Edition, there is no new material included in this collection.
Just Cause
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 96190 words. Published on August 12, 2012. Fiction.
Revised & Expanded! A New Hero For A New Era Mustang Sally has some speedy shoes to fill. This young superhero has waited her whole life to join Just Cause – the premiere team of American heroes. Now she’s hoping her super-speed will earn a spot on the same team to which her parents and grandparents belonged. A chance encounter with the villain who killed her father changes everything.
Price: $3.99 USD. 96190 words. Published on August 12, 2012. Fiction.
Revised & Expanded! A New Hero For A New Era Mustang Sally has some speedy shoes to fill. This young superhero has waited her whole life to join Just Cause – the premiere team of American heroes. Now she’s hoping her super-speed will earn a spot on the same team to which her parents and grandparents belonged. A chance encounter with the villain who killed her father changes everything.
The Archmage
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 81300 words. Published on July 28, 2012. Fiction.
In this sequel to the superhero novel Just Cause, Mustang Sally and the team Just Cause return to face their deadliest foe yet, a magic user who has designs upon ruling the entire world. And even worse, he's powerful enough to do it. Just Cause will have their hands full with The Archmage.
Price: $3.99 USD. 81300 words. Published on July 28, 2012. Fiction.
In this sequel to the superhero novel Just Cause, Mustang Sally and the team Just Cause return to face their deadliest foe yet, a magic user who has designs upon ruling the entire world. And even worse, he's powerful enough to do it. Just Cause will have their hands full with The Archmage.
Rooftops
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 83170 words. Published on June 28, 2012. Fiction.
A werewolf vigilante and the vampire hunting him down must join forces to stop a sinister plot involving kidnapped women, demons, and black magic. If the two natural-born enemies can't set aside their differences and learn to trust one another, a gate will open from the demonic realm to our own world, unleashing Hell upon Earth.
Price: $3.99 USD. 83170 words. Published on June 28, 2012. Fiction.
A werewolf vigilante and the vampire hunting him down must join forces to stop a sinister plot involving kidnapped women, demons, and black magic. If the two natural-born enemies can't set aside their differences and learn to trust one another, a gate will open from the demonic realm to our own world, unleashing Hell upon Earth.
The Bulletproof Badge
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $2.99 USD. 30980 words. Published on May 9, 2012. Fiction.
A collection of previously-published and all-new tales featuring super-strong and damage-resistant parahuman police officer Harry Blaine.
Price: $2.99 USD. 30980 words. Published on May 9, 2012. Fiction.
A collection of previously-published and all-new tales featuring super-strong and damage-resistant parahuman police officer Harry Blaine.
Dental Plan
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 5280 words. Published on February 25, 2012. Fiction.
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
"Sometimes teeth just fall out," said the dentist. But Robert's are falling out left and right, sometimes only minutes apart. What is happening to him? "Healy taps his inner Stephen King with a horrific tale that would make anybody cringe." - Allison M. Dickson, author of DEAD WIVES TALES, DUST, and VERMIN.
Price: $0.99 USD. 5280 words. Published on February 25, 2012. Fiction.
(4.50 from 2 reviews) "Sometimes teeth just fall out," said the dentist. But Robert's are falling out left and right, sometimes only minutes apart. What is happening to him? "Healy taps his inner Stephen King with a horrific tale that would make anybody cringe." - Allison M. Dickson, author of DEAD WIVES TALES, DUST, and VERMIN.
Tales of the Weird Wild West
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $2.99 USD. 29350 words. Published on February 5, 2012. Fiction.
A collection of Weird Wild West short stories, including previously-published tales Clockwork Chloe, Posse, and The Mighty Peculiar Incident at Muddy Creek, as well as new stories Hanging the Magician, All In, Spring Loaded, and more!
Price: $2.99 USD. 29350 words. Published on February 5, 2012. Fiction.
A collection of Weird Wild West short stories, including previously-published tales Clockwork Chloe, Posse, and The Mighty Peculiar Incident at Muddy Creek, as well as new stories Hanging the Magician, All In, Spring Loaded, and more!
Upon A Midnight Clear
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: Free! 4500 words. Published on December 3, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
On Christmas Eve, somewhere out in the Asteroid Belt, a lonely prospector happens across something he never expected to find. This ebook is intended to be free; if your retailer is charging for it, please notify them and check competing retailers like Smashwords for the free copy.
Price: Free! 4500 words. Published on December 3, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 2 reviews) On Christmas Eve, somewhere out in the Asteroid Belt, a lonely prospector happens across something he never expected to find. This ebook is intended to be free; if your retailer is charging for it, please notify them and check competing retailers like Smashwords for the free copy.
Rookie Sensation
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 4380 words. Published on October 7, 2011. Fiction.
Sketcher Stevens is a minor-league battledriver superstar, given a chance to play in the Big Leagues. Can he perform up to his reputation when his life is on the line behind the wheel, or will he just be one more burnout in the arena? Another tale of the Professional MotorCombat League and a sequel to my story "Last Year's Hero."
Price: $0.99 USD. 4380 words. Published on October 7, 2011. Fiction.
Sketcher Stevens is a minor-league battledriver superstar, given a chance to play in the Big Leagues. Can he perform up to his reputation when his life is on the line behind the wheel, or will he just be one more burnout in the arena? Another tale of the Professional MotorCombat League and a sequel to my story "Last Year's Hero."
Hope and Undead Elvis
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 82650 words. Published on September 17, 2011. Fiction.
Before the world ended, Hope was a down-and-out virgin stripper. Now she's pregnant with a baby prophesied to be the world's salvation. She is joined by Undead Elvis, who promises her that Graceland remains intact even though the rest of the world has become sand and ash. As Graceland is the only safe place left, Hope must undertake the perilous journey across a broken, unfamiliar landscape.
Price: $3.99 USD. 82650 words. Published on September 17, 2011. Fiction.
Before the world ended, Hope was a down-and-out virgin stripper. Now she's pregnant with a baby prophesied to be the world's salvation. She is joined by Undead Elvis, who promises her that Graceland remains intact even though the rest of the world has become sand and ash. As Graceland is the only safe place left, Hope must undertake the perilous journey across a broken, unfamiliar landscape.
The Milkman: SuperSekrit Extra Cheesy Edition
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 72890 words. Published on August 20, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
When Liza, an intrepid reporter, stakes her career on an interview with a milkman named Blake, things go from weird to worse when they are abducted by aliens. After finding out the real reason aliens anally probe their abductees, the two heroes have no choice but to recruit a makeshift army of genius bikers to take the fight to the aliens and save the world! Includes lots of bonus features!
Price: $3.99 USD. 72890 words. Published on August 20, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) When Liza, an intrepid reporter, stakes her career on an interview with a milkman named Blake, things go from weird to worse when they are abducted by aliens. After finding out the real reason aliens anally probe their abductees, the two heroes have no choice but to recruit a makeshift army of genius bikers to take the fight to the aliens and save the world! Includes lots of bonus features!
Tuesday Night at Powerman's
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: Free! 3230 words. Published on July 30, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
Superpowered police officer Harry Blaine brings his daughter to a very special gym, where weights are measured not in pounds, but in tons. This story is a sequel to Bulletproof and Young Guns, and is included in The Bulletproof Badge collection.
Price: Free! 3230 words. Published on July 30, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review) Superpowered police officer Harry Blaine brings his daughter to a very special gym, where weights are measured not in pounds, but in tons. This story is a sequel to Bulletproof and Young Guns, and is included in The Bulletproof Badge collection.
Action! Writing Better Action Using Cinematic Techniques
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 15760 words. Published on June 11, 2011. Nonfiction.
This book gives writers pointers and guidelines on how to improve their action scenes by implementing some of the same kinds of techniques used in film-making. Loaded with new terminology and definitions, an introduction to the basic concepts of an Action Scene, and application of the concepts, this book gives writers the tools to write their own expert-level action scenes! KAPOW! BANG! ZOOM!
Price: $0.99 USD. 15760 words. Published on June 11, 2011. Nonfiction.
This book gives writers pointers and guidelines on how to improve their action scenes by implementing some of the same kinds of techniques used in film-making. Loaded with new terminology and definitions, an introduction to the basic concepts of an Action Scene, and application of the concepts, this book gives writers the tools to write their own expert-level action scenes! KAPOW! BANG! ZOOM!
The Mighty Peculiar Incident at Muddy Creek
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: Free! 4400 words. Published on May 28, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
When the train doesn't stop in the Old West town of Muddy Creek, Sheriff Jesse Hawkins goes to investigate. What he finds is a mystery that goes far beyond anything in his experience: a car full of people frozen in time.
Price: Free! 4400 words. Published on May 28, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) When the train doesn't stop in the Old West town of Muddy Creek, Sheriff Jesse Hawkins goes to investigate. What he finds is a mystery that goes far beyond anything in his experience: a car full of people frozen in time.
Pariah's Moon
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 83550 words. Published on April 23, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 3 reviews)
Book One of The Pariah of Verigo series. Branded on his face and exiled following his forbidden affair with the Princess of Aelfland, Elven soldier Giele seeks redemption on the frontier across the ocean, but even fleeing half a world away isn’t far enough to escape the troubles that follow a marked man.
Price: $3.99 USD. 83550 words. Published on April 23, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 3 reviews) Book One of The Pariah of Verigo series. Branded on his face and exiled following his forbidden affair with the Princess of Aelfland, Elven soldier Giele seeks redemption on the frontier across the ocean, but even fleeing half a world away isn’t far enough to escape the troubles that follow a marked man.
The Steel Soldier's Gambit
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 3500 words. Published on March 6, 2011. Fiction.
A friendly poker game between superheroes takes an, um, serious turn when someone raises the stakes beyond mere money.
Price: $0.99 USD. 3500 words. Published on March 6, 2011. Fiction.
A friendly poker game between superheroes takes an, um, serious turn when someone raises the stakes beyond mere money.
Footprints in the Butter
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 6750 words. Published on February 13, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
After his divorce, writer Paul DiCesare was looking forward to starting over again, just he and his dog Maxie in a farmhouse in rural Virginia. But then they showed up, and footprints in the butter would only be the beginning of Paul's waking nightmare.
Price: $0.99 USD. 6750 words. Published on February 13, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review) After his divorce, writer Paul DiCesare was looking forward to starting over again, just he and his dog Maxie in a farmhouse in rural Virginia. But then they showed up, and footprints in the butter would only be the beginning of Paul's waking nightmare.
Last Year's Hero
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 4620 words. Published on January 22, 2011. Fiction.
In a not-too-distant post-apocalyptic future, motorized combat has risen to the highest level of sport entertainment. Battledriver Linnea Reinert is the best of the best, having led her team to ten championships over nineteen years. But now, at 41, is she too old to come back for one more season?
Price: $0.99 USD. 4620 words. Published on January 22, 2011. Fiction.
In a not-too-distant post-apocalyptic future, motorized combat has risen to the highest level of sport entertainment. Battledriver Linnea Reinert is the best of the best, having led her team to ten championships over nineteen years. But now, at 41, is she too old to come back for one more season?
Blood on the Ice
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $3.99 USD. 82690 words. Published on January 18, 2011. Fiction.
(4.25 from 4 reviews)
When a talented new player joins the perennially-losing sub-minor-league hockey team, the Fighting Aardvarks, it marks the beginning of a winning tradition. But things aren't as they seem, and players begin to change. First line center Hammie learns the truth: the Aardvarks are becoming vampires, and it's up to him to stop them before the infestation spreads beyond just the team.
Price: $3.99 USD. 82690 words. Published on January 18, 2011. Fiction.
(4.25 from 4 reviews) When a talented new player joins the perennially-losing sub-minor-league hockey team, the Fighting Aardvarks, it marks the beginning of a winning tradition. But things aren't as they seem, and players begin to change. First line center Hammie learns the truth: the Aardvarks are becoming vampires, and it's up to him to stop them before the infestation spreads beyond just the team.
In His Majesty's Postal Service
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: $0.99 USD. 6500 words. Published on January 15, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
In Lundigo City in the Kingdom of Lund, there are many prestigious occupations, filled by men and women of great lineage and wealth. Dundicutt is not one of them. He delivers the mail. But when he's late to work one day, he winds up on the strangest postal route of them all: Wizardry Row.
Price: $0.99 USD. 6500 words. Published on January 15, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) In Lundigo City in the Kingdom of Lund, there are many prestigious occupations, filled by men and women of great lineage and wealth. Dundicutt is not one of them. He delivers the mail. But when he's late to work one day, he winds up on the strangest postal route of them all: Wizardry Row.
The Scent of Rose Petals
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: Free! 5420 words. Published on January 9, 2011. Fiction.
(3.50 from 2 reviews)
In post-World War II Manhattan, an unexpected romance develops between a lowly bank guard and a mysterious, powerful superheroine.
Price: Free! 5420 words. Published on January 9, 2011. Fiction.
(3.50 from 2 reviews) In post-World War II Manhattan, an unexpected romance develops between a lowly bank guard and a mysterious, powerful superheroine.
Graceful Blur
by Ian Thomas Healy
Price: Free! 3480 words. Published on January 7, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
At Speed Week, superhero Mustang Sally aims to be the first person ever to break the speed of sound...on foot!
Price: Free! 3480 words. Published on January 7, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 2 reviews) At Speed Week, superhero Mustang Sally aims to be the first person ever to break the speed of sound...on foot!
Ian Thomas Healy’s tag cloud
aardvarks
action
alien
alien abduction
aliens
allegory
apocalypse
archer
archmage
artificial intelligence
asteroid mining
autoduel
battle
battle of the bands
big al
biker
blackout
blake
blizzard
blood
blues
blues guitar
bonneville salt flats
bundle
bunky
butter
canadian
car wars
chase
childbirth
christmas
cinematic
clockpunk
combat
coming of age
dean drive
demon
driving
dwarves
elf
elves
elvis
faerie
fantasy
fight
funny
golden age
good guys
gospel
grace under pressure
graceful blur
graceland
guitar
gunslinger
harry blaine
heroes
high school
hilarious
hockey
holiday
hope
hork
horror
humor
ian healy
ian thomas healy
ice
just cause
just cause universe
last man standing
legal
lgbt
lgbt teen
linnea reinert
liza
love story
magic
mail
manhattan
milkman
monster
monsters
mother mary
muddy creek
music
mustang sally
nazis
new york city
old west
paranormal
pariah of verigo
pariahs moon
pets
pinkerton
pmc
poker
police
porn star
post apocalypse
preview
professional motorcombat
redemption
religious symbolism
reporter
robot
robot uprising
robots
romance
running
rush
samurai sword
savior
sentient farts
sheriff
shootout
sneak peek
snowplow
space
space battles
space opera
speed
speed week
spoof
starcrossed
steampunk
steel soldier
stevie ray vaughan
super speed
superhero
superheroes
superheroine
superpower
superpowers
superspeed
supervillain
supervillains
teen romance
teeth
teeth falling out
the body electric
time travel
unseelie
urban
vampire
vampires
varks
vigilante
virgin pregnancy
wacky
weird west
werewolf
western
western fantasy
wild west
witch
wizard
woodstock
world war ii
write better
writer
writing
yojimbo
young guns
zombie
Ian Thomas Healy's favorite authors on Smashwords
DeAnna Knippling
Latest book: A Ghost Unseen. Published on May 9, 2013.
Visit their website.
View their blog.
James Pratt
Latest book: Horrible Stories For Terrible People, Vol. 1 - Monsters. Published on May 20, 2013.
Visit their website.
View their blog.
Smashwords book reviews by Ian Thomas Healy
- A Fly in Amber
on Feb. 21, 2011
This story reminds me of the kind of pieces that turn up in the "Probability Zero" section of Analog. It starts a little dry, rather like the scotch in question, I suppose, but has a smooth finish with no lingering nasty aftertaste.
- Fate's Mirror
on July 29, 2011
FATE'S MIRROR by M.H. Mead is a fun read full of cyberpunky goodness. Morris is a hacker supreme (called a viker in this book), who is recruited by the NSA to hunt and destroy three powerful Electronic Consciousnesses. Should he fail, they will trigger a worldwide electromagnetic pulse to ensure the AIs' destruction. It sounds a little far-fetched, but then this IS cyberpunk. The battle scenes between Morris and the AIs are couched like eighteenth-century naval battles, with cannonades between ships and boarding parties. I thought there was a little too much wandering between narrative point-of-views, although I did enjoy the creative glimpses of the AIs' POV. Morris isn't the most likeable character in the world, but as I said before, this IS cyberpunk. The action is written well, the manuscript is free of errors, and it's a fast read.
- The Caline Conspiracy
on April 20, 2012
This is another tale set in the same universe and featuring the same characters as Mead's previous work FATE'S MIRROR, which I've also read. In comparison to that work, THE CALINE CONSPIRACY is a much better book in my opinion. The character of Aidra, who is only a secondary character in Fate's Mirror, is a more appealing lead than Morris the hacker, and I found myself identifying with her right away. The story moves along at a brisk pace, peppered with cinematic action sequences. The book as a whole reads like a 90-minute detective/action movie. There's a definite twist that I didn't see coming, and it tied the plot up very nicely. My only complaint is that it was a fast read in the sense that most of the characters besides Aidra are undeveloped beyond talking scenery, and a few of the subplots which are begun are left virtually unexplored. Genetic manipulation makes for some fascinating and scary science fiction, and I felt there were some more opportunities to expand upon the horrors that man might create with it. The book would have benefited by adding some depth to the setting and minor characters. That being said, it was an enjoyable beer-and-pretzels read, and an admirable sophomoric effort. I'm looking forward to further adventures in M.H. Mead's near-future Detroit.