Behind the Fire Wall - Anton Eine

-

Author: Anton Eine

Series: Programagic, #0.5
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy.
Rating: 4.5 stars.

In a Nutshell: An amazing indie prequel novella that presents an intriguing introduction to the main story, ‘Beyond the Speed Limit’. A great combination of tech and magic and mystery, set in an alternate reality.


Story Synopsis:
Magister Sajar Randhar, a ‘programage’ of the highest talent, is in trouble. Someone has breached the supposedly impenetrable Fire Wall of the Pentagonal Citadel. As Sajar was in-charge of securing the Citadel, he finds himself the main accused. Who is the actual culprit? How will Sajar clear his name? Read this 50-page novella to find out the answer to some of the above questions, knowing that there’s more to come in the next volume.
The story is written mostly in the first person perspective of Sajar.


Where the book worked for me:
  • I love technology-based content. I love magic-based content. This story combines the two into a powerful and mind-blowing experience. It was surreal to see magic wands and spells being spoken of in the same breath as firewalls and programming worms. Loved it! (#GeekAlert!)
  • The story takes many concepts from our world and spoofs/replicates them in this alternate reality. This is done for places (For example, Sajar originates from ‘Hindaha’ but lives in ‘Murica’ – so easy to guess which two countries are being referenced!), people (I give you one guess to tell me the right identity of ‘Norton the Orange’, a dictator with orange tan skin and obsessed with building walls! 😂) and even concepts (For example, a programming language called ‘D-flat’. I hear C# going ”Whaaaatttt?!!??” 😂) All such references are intelligent and cleverly inserted; nothing seems out of place or forced. There are jibes made when deserved, but otherwise, the references are almost like an ode to the original idea/person. Again, loved it! This is such smart writing!
  • Sajar is the creator of what he lovingly calls the “world’s first artificial demon” named ‘Spirit’. Spirit is an interactive AI, but she is written in such an unusual way, not like your typical obsequious AIs. She is just like her name – full of spirit and spunk, and doesn’t hesitate to give one back to Sajar when he takes her for granted. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her character! The repartee between Sajar and Spirit is outstanding.

No negatives for this novella except that it is just a prequel. You will need to read the main story to get the best of this background. Some might find it tech-heavy, but I enjoy such content and relished the imaginative technology of the story. Also, go in with the right expectations. This is just a prequel and serves just as a forerunner to the main story. So it is more conversation-dominated than action-oriented.

In short, this is one amazing novella that introduces two memorable characters and a story with a complicated blend of magic and technology. Eagerly looking forward to Book One: ‘Beyond the Speed Limit.’

This final point shouldn’t make a difference. But if you read this book, you will be supporting an Ukrainian indie author who is a resident of Kyiv. These works are translated to English. Do support if you can!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through ‘StoryOrigin’ and these are my honest thoughts about it.

ETA: Check out my review of Book One: 'Beyond the Speed Limit' HERE.

Comments

Post a Comment

Explore more posts from this blog:

Violent Advents: A Christmas Horror Anthology - Edited by L. Stephenson - ★★★.¼

-
Image
  EDITOR: L. Stephenson GENRE: Christmas Horror Anthology PUBLICATION DATE:  December 12, 2024 RATING: 3.3 stars. In a Nutshell: A short-fiction anthology filled with Christmassy horror. Some really good stories here, though I wish there had been more variety in the “source of the evil.” A good option for those who are fed up of saccharine seasonal stories. This is the time of the year when readers are torn between spooky season and Christmas season. Here's a book that combines both. 😉 This indie anthology contains twenty-six stories by twenty-six writers. There’s no editor’s note, but the title and the tagline make the theme clear – it is a “Christmas horror” anthology. The stories are mostly fast-paced, which works well in this genre. After the first few stories, I wondered why a majority of them were using the Christmas tree as the horror device-of-choice. It occurred frequently enough for me to start eyeing every Christmas tree in the stories suspiciously. Only after...
Read More»

The Little Christmas Library - David M. Barnett - ★★★★.¼

-
Image
AUTHOR: David M. Barnett GENRE: Contemporary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2024 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A character-oriented contemporary fiction with a strong Christmas spirit and a dash of Christmas magic. Excellent characters and a well-connected narrative linking them all. True to contemporary times in every way. Might get a bit too sugary, but works well for the genre. A fabulous and heartwarming option for the festive season. Plot Preview: When Molly McGinley moves from London to her Northern hometown of Merry-le-Moors, she feels like an utter failure. Ten years in the big city, and all she has to show is a broken relationship and no job. Her widower dad Jack is more than happy to have his daughter home, especially as he is still missing his wife who passed away a decade back. Jack now whiles away his time driving the town’s mobile library and he insists that Molly accompany him on his rounds instead of moping alone at home. As the two take the library bus t...
Read More»

Somebody I Used to Know - Wendy Mitchell - ★★★★.¼

-
Image
AUTHOR: Wendy Mitchell GENRE: Memoir PUBLICATION DATE: June 5, 2018 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: The memoir of a woman who unexpectedly became the face of young-onset Alzheimer’s in the UK. Ghost-written with the help of a journalist, this book covers her diagnosis, reaction, coping strategies, everyday experiences, and her plans for the future.. The writing is filled with pain and frustration as well as hope. Much recommended. Do note that it might be triggering for Alzheimer’s patients and also caregivers. A reading challenge I am participating in needed a book penned by a ghost-writer. I was very clear that I didn’t want to opt for any celebrity memoir, most of which are sanitised fake versions of their lives. Nor did I want to try fictional novels that straddled the line between pseudonymous and ghost-written. ( The Nancy Drew series, for instance. ) Google led me to Wendy Mitchell’s memoir. One look at this book’s blurb, and I knew I finally found the right option for the...
Read More»

Making Up the Gods - Marion Agnew - ★★★★.¼

-
Image
AUTHOR: Marion Agnew GENRE: Contemporary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2023 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: An indie drama with some quirky characters and a great setting in Lake Superior, Canada. Mellow in tone, genuine in content, thought-provoking in themes. I enjoyed this unusual novel. Plot Preview: Simone, almost 70, is a retired widow who lives an isolated life in her cottage on the banks of Lake Superior and still misses her husband, though he’s been dead for five years. While she is now active in her local church and finds solace in baking for those grieving, she is fiercely protective of her privacy. But when the local reverend asks her to take care of nine-year-old Chen while his widowed mother goes on a much-needed trip, Simone finds it tough to refuse a fellow-mourning widow. Just before Chen arrives, a stranger named Martin knocks at Simone’s door, claiming to be her cousin. Simone is suddenly handling two strangers at once, and she worries that they will dis...
Read More»

The Night Counsellor - L.K. Pang - ★★★★

-
Image
AUTHOR: L.K. Pang GENRE: Historical Mystery PUBLICATION DATE: October 17, 2024 RATING: 4 stars In a Nutshell: A historical mystery with a mental asylum as the dominant setting. Intriguing characters, creepy vibes, good handling of the two timelines. A great option for readers who enjoy gritty historical narratives. Plot Preview: 1953. Jane Galloway, in a new role as a counsellor, has just been assigned a new patient at The Beaumont, a mental asylum trying to shed its dark tag but not doing a great job of it. This patient, dubbed Patient A, was found wandering naked and covered in blood on the outskirts of Yorkshire. She doesn’t talk or respond in any way to anyone. The mystery gets even darker when Jane learns that this patient is a murder suspect. The hospital staff is firmly opposed to this new method of using conversations as therapy, but Jane is determined to make a difference. Can she help Patient A before it is too late? Is Patient A really guilty of such a heinous crime? The...
Read More»