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timinbc's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure what Richter was trying for here. There's a decent plot, but Dremmler is such a yuck that it's distracting.
The noir detective thing is heavily overplayed here. He drinks a lot, and to implausible excess several times. He does the standard ignore-the-phone thing. He has a dreary backstory. Can't this character ever be a baker or an author or a lawyer? The only thing missing is the dry-swallowing pills.
Dremmler is at least credibly smart at figuring things out. Too bad he's all lecher all the time.
The whole at-the-bad-guy's-factory scene seemed very familiar.
I might try another Richter to see how he develops.
The noir detective thing is heavily overplayed here. He drinks a lot, and to implausible excess several times. He does the standard ignore-the-phone thing. He has a dreary backstory. Can't this character ever be a baker or an author or a lawyer? The only thing missing is the dry-swallowing pills.
Dremmler is at least credibly smart at figuring things out. Too bad he's all lecher all the time.
The whole at-the-bad-guy's-factory scene seemed very familiar.
I might try another Richter to see how he develops.
rossborkett's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this!! I’m fortunate enough to know the author, but didn’t realise he could write like this!!
Dark, engaging and exciting detective thriller, couldn’t wait to pick it up again and keep reading! I hope there will be more!
Dark, engaging and exciting detective thriller, couldn’t wait to pick it up again and keep reading! I hope there will be more!
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
5.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: London, near future. Everything’s taken care of or is controlled by an AI in short known as TIM. All you need to do is put on the specs, and TIM will make sure you’re on the right track to everything. In this future humans don’t really need to work, they get a basic income, and most jobs can be done by robots. Much like robots making robots. In this future it is illegal for humans to drive, for TIM is just more efficient and safe. And, in this future, a hysterical man calls the police, claiming his robotic arm has crushed his love’s head.
TIM is a godlike omnipotent presence, it is unhackable. For if someone could hack god… This is where the classic, depression and alcoholism impaired, but very good at his job, noir vibes galore detective in a long coat, Carl Dremmler, walks in. There are many parties in this awful cabal who want case solved fast and quiet. And even more who’d be mighty glad to see this cybernetic empire – crumble.
My Opinion: Cyberpunk is often a difficult genre to consume, follow, understand, and it tends to scare people away. This here book, the only con I have would be the very detailed and long descriptions. The rest was everything I could’ve possibly wanted and more. Like a cold grimy web in which the protagonist and you, the reader, struggle, just to get a glimpse of hope, sunlight, and then realize the grimy stuff is machine oil, and the light is someone setting fire to it. It’s a very dark story in a form of a detective, with several evil plots intertwined. Familiar sights, even familiar people, fitted together so good I can only mourn this is not a series. From sobering fear as killer robots scale the walls, to dead bodies still connected to the AltWorld, VR, to mindfuck that altworld really is and how it works, to a crushing ending that I didn’t except for a minute, even when I saw the pages dwindle to nothing.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: London, near future. Everything’s taken care of or is controlled by an AI in short known as TIM. All you need to do is put on the specs, and TIM will make sure you’re on the right track to everything. In this future humans don’t really need to work, they get a basic income, and most jobs can be done by robots. Much like robots making robots. In this future it is illegal for humans to drive, for TIM is just more efficient and safe. And, in this future, a hysterical man calls the police, claiming his robotic arm has crushed his love’s head.
TIM is a godlike omnipotent presence, it is unhackable. For if someone could hack god… This is where the classic, depression and alcoholism impaired, but very good at his job, noir vibes galore detective in a long coat, Carl Dremmler, walks in. There are many parties in this awful cabal who want case solved fast and quiet. And even more who’d be mighty glad to see this cybernetic empire – crumble.
My Opinion: Cyberpunk is often a difficult genre to consume, follow, understand, and it tends to scare people away. This here book, the only con I have would be the very detailed and long descriptions. The rest was everything I could’ve possibly wanted and more. Like a cold grimy web in which the protagonist and you, the reader, struggle, just to get a glimpse of hope, sunlight, and then realize the grimy stuff is machine oil, and the light is someone setting fire to it. It’s a very dark story in a form of a detective, with several evil plots intertwined. Familiar sights, even familiar people, fitted together so good I can only mourn this is not a series. From sobering fear as killer robots scale the walls, to dead bodies still connected to the AltWorld, VR, to mindfuck that altworld really is and how it works, to a crushing ending that I didn’t except for a minute, even when I saw the pages dwindle to nothing.
reviewsfeedblog's review against another edition
5.0
There is a vast array of characters within the novel to complement the narrative and bring it to life. The main character who mistrusts technology is only fitting in an investigation in which technology appears to have gone awry. Carl Dremmler is a bit of a gruff old-schooler in this brave new world. He lives his life reminiscing of how things used to be... the good old days. When it comes to technology he is very old-fashioned. However, his distrust allows him a different perspective from those who have embraced it readily. Whilst he is not the most affable of people, he is very easy to read and get on with as a reader.
The universe in which Auxiliary: London 2039 is set is completely unique; the world-building aspect of this advanced civilization appealed to me greatly. The urban setting has it’s commonalities with modern-day London, but technologies like self-driving airborne vehicles place the setting distinctly apart from what we recognise London to be.
The pace of the book is great – there is plenty of action to keep the pages turning and new clues/revelations to keep you guessing. At just over 200 pages it’s a very approachable read. I read the book over a couple of days. I read a lot, so that’s not unexpected, but I honestly believe that anyone could pick this up with ease.
The plot concept of technology turning against humans isn’t a new one, but it appeals to a wide audience for a number of reasons. Technology is a huge part of our daily lives. We depend on it, and its presence is a familiar one. Technology is also evolving rapidly and with more wearable tech becoming more commonplace, the technology in Auxiliary: London 2039 doesn’t feel like a far stretch into the future. How easily we as readers can relate to futuristic technology is the reason the book is entertaining for many. If you have read even the synopsis, never mind the book, you’ll probably agree that it is an equally exciting and frightening realisation!
The universe in which Auxiliary: London 2039 is set is completely unique; the world-building aspect of this advanced civilization appealed to me greatly. The urban setting has it’s commonalities with modern-day London, but technologies like self-driving airborne vehicles place the setting distinctly apart from what we recognise London to be.
The pace of the book is great – there is plenty of action to keep the pages turning and new clues/revelations to keep you guessing. At just over 200 pages it’s a very approachable read. I read the book over a couple of days. I read a lot, so that’s not unexpected, but I honestly believe that anyone could pick this up with ease.
The plot concept of technology turning against humans isn’t a new one, but it appeals to a wide audience for a number of reasons. Technology is a huge part of our daily lives. We depend on it, and its presence is a familiar one. Technology is also evolving rapidly and with more wearable tech becoming more commonplace, the technology in Auxiliary: London 2039 doesn’t feel like a far stretch into the future. How easily we as readers can relate to futuristic technology is the reason the book is entertaining for many. If you have read even the synopsis, never mind the book, you’ll probably agree that it is an equally exciting and frightening realisation!
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
(NOTE: A copy of the novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts are my own.)
I'm always game to try an indie sci-fi book. Independently published books are always a bit of a gamble; sometimes they're great; other times they're not so great. But often you can find a great diamond in the rough by reading an independently published sci-fi novel. So, when the publishers of Auxiliary: London 2039 reached out to me and asked if I would like to review the book, I thought it was worth a read. It sounded reminiscent of Blade Runner and Altered Carbon, two stories I've enjoyed to a reasonable extent, so I thought it was worth a shot. And, having read the book, it's not a bad read but it's not a great read either. It's perfectly fine, with a suitable mystery, well-written prose, and solid pacing, but it's also not particularly original, and it feels like something you've read before.
It's not that Auxiliary is bad, far from it. It's an intriguing mystery that is well-executed and frequently enjoyable. It's filled with multi-dimensional characters, fascinating ideas, and great action scenes. So, what's the problem, then? The problem is that much of the novel feels very familiar - so familiar that is often distracting. Now, to be fair, a story being familiar isn't inherently a bad thing. Lots of sci-fi builds off of the ideas of other stories. The problem for me was that there just weren't enough new elements in the story. Instead, it just felt like a remix of old ideas and new technology.
For starters, Dremmler, our protagonist, is every detective from any pulp novel you've ever read. He's troubled, he's an alcoholic, he often plays by his own rules, he's frequently misogynistic, and he even has a tragic backstory. He's Blade Runner's Deckard meets any film noir detective. In fairness, this all seems intentional - the whole novel is a riff on film noir detective stories and even briefly starkly comments on Dremmler's flaws. The problem is that that's all it does with the trope. One throwaway gag doesn't get you off the hook for using such a trope. It felt like there was plenty of room for the novel to try to subvert Dremmler's characterization, but every time it comes close to doing so, it fails to commit. Now, again, there's nothing inherently wrong with a character like Dremmler. I just have no interest in journeying with such a character in a story that doesn't seriously examine their flaws in any meaningful way.
The same problems plagued many of the novel's other elements. They're all familiar ideas presented in a new context but without any further changes. The newest element of the story is probably the specific technology used - an Alexa-esque AI called TIM, who has access to, and control of, almost every facet of society – but even that just feels like a slight update of the way Androids have been used in earlier cyberpunk stories. The novel tries to put some twists on its ideas through its central mystery - who is behind this seeming malfunction of a TIM-controlled limb, and why - but it never manages to be particularly surprising. There are satisfying twists and turns, but almost all of them are predictable before they happen - even the book's climax, which tries to shock you at times but merely ends up confirming suspicions you've had the whole time. Now, I wouldn't mind this much on its own, but couple it with the other examples of the novel feeling like an old room with a new coat of paint, and it starts to feel like a pattern.
However, despite all this, Auxiliary still manages to be a lot of fun. Some of that is down to the fact that even a predictable mystery can still be a fun one but much of it is due to how good Richter's prose is. It's a fast-paced novel, and Richter never spends more than more time than he needs to on a scene. He litters the novel with action scenes, constantly propelling the narrative forward. He expertly builds tension in a way that makes you worry for the characters even though you have a good idea of how things will turn out. The book moves so fast there's never a chance for you to get bored. And even if many of the elements feel very familiar, they're still competently repackaged in a manner that's fun to read and enjoyable to experience.
So, at the end of the day, Auxiliary: London 2039 is a bit of a mixed bag. It's a familiar take on familiar ideas but doesn't bring much new to the table. However, it's still presented in an easy-to-read, fast-paced, and enjoyable manner. The characters feel developed, if archetypal, and the mystery is well-executed. It makes for a fun read if you're looking for this kind of thing. It's enjoyable enough, and if you want something in the same vein as Blade Runner, it's well worth checking out.
(NOTE: A copy of the novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts are my own.)
I'm always game to try an indie sci-fi book. Independently published books are always a bit of a gamble; sometimes they're great; other times they're not so great. But often you can find a great diamond in the rough by reading an independently published sci-fi novel. So, when the publishers of Auxiliary: London 2039 reached out to me and asked if I would like to review the book, I thought it was worth a read. It sounded reminiscent of Blade Runner and Altered Carbon, two stories I've enjoyed to a reasonable extent, so I thought it was worth a shot. And, having read the book, it's not a bad read but it's not a great read either. It's perfectly fine, with a suitable mystery, well-written prose, and solid pacing, but it's also not particularly original, and it feels like something you've read before.
It's not that Auxiliary is bad, far from it. It's an intriguing mystery that is well-executed and frequently enjoyable. It's filled with multi-dimensional characters, fascinating ideas, and great action scenes. So, what's the problem, then? The problem is that much of the novel feels very familiar - so familiar that is often distracting. Now, to be fair, a story being familiar isn't inherently a bad thing. Lots of sci-fi builds off of the ideas of other stories. The problem for me was that there just weren't enough new elements in the story. Instead, it just felt like a remix of old ideas and new technology.
For starters, Dremmler, our protagonist, is every detective from any pulp novel you've ever read. He's troubled, he's an alcoholic, he often plays by his own rules, he's frequently misogynistic, and he even has a tragic backstory. He's Blade Runner's Deckard meets any film noir detective. In fairness, this all seems intentional - the whole novel is a riff on film noir detective stories and even briefly starkly comments on Dremmler's flaws. The problem is that that's all it does with the trope. One throwaway gag doesn't get you off the hook for using such a trope. It felt like there was plenty of room for the novel to try to subvert Dremmler's characterization, but every time it comes close to doing so, it fails to commit. Now, again, there's nothing inherently wrong with a character like Dremmler. I just have no interest in journeying with such a character in a story that doesn't seriously examine their flaws in any meaningful way.
The same problems plagued many of the novel's other elements. They're all familiar ideas presented in a new context but without any further changes. The newest element of the story is probably the specific technology used - an Alexa-esque AI called TIM, who has access to, and control of, almost every facet of society – but even that just feels like a slight update of the way Androids have been used in earlier cyberpunk stories. The novel tries to put some twists on its ideas through its central mystery - who is behind this seeming malfunction of a TIM-controlled limb, and why - but it never manages to be particularly surprising. There are satisfying twists and turns, but almost all of them are predictable before they happen - even the book's climax, which tries to shock you at times but merely ends up confirming suspicions you've had the whole time. Now, I wouldn't mind this much on its own, but couple it with the other examples of the novel feeling like an old room with a new coat of paint, and it starts to feel like a pattern.
However, despite all this, Auxiliary still manages to be a lot of fun. Some of that is down to the fact that even a predictable mystery can still be a fun one but much of it is due to how good Richter's prose is. It's a fast-paced novel, and Richter never spends more than more time than he needs to on a scene. He litters the novel with action scenes, constantly propelling the narrative forward. He expertly builds tension in a way that makes you worry for the characters even though you have a good idea of how things will turn out. The book moves so fast there's never a chance for you to get bored. And even if many of the elements feel very familiar, they're still competently repackaged in a manner that's fun to read and enjoyable to experience.
So, at the end of the day, Auxiliary: London 2039 is a bit of a mixed bag. It's a familiar take on familiar ideas but doesn't bring much new to the table. However, it's still presented in an easy-to-read, fast-paced, and enjoyable manner. The characters feel developed, if archetypal, and the mystery is well-executed. It makes for a fun read if you're looking for this kind of thing. It's enjoyable enough, and if you want something in the same vein as Blade Runner, it's well worth checking out.
dinipandareads's review against another edition
3.0
Wow. I... I've just finished reading this and I'm not even sure what to think or say about it! I guess I should've paid more attention to the fact that this is what's considered "dark fiction", which is something I've never read before. I read this as part of a blog tour and it ended up being just a bit outside of my comfort zone, but that's what I love about these tours! Special thanks to Heather @ Overview Media, and the author and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
[b:Auxiliary: London 2039|53296788|Auxiliary London 2039|Jon Richter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588187794l/53296788._SY75_.jpg|80257269] started off similarly to other sci-fi novels that I've read before. I recognised elements in the story that were present in books like Scythe, Warcross, and Ready Player One to just name a few, and of course, I loved the concept. This world where The Imagination Machine (TIM) regulates society and where most traditional working roles have been taken over by a host of machines and AI, was equal parts fascinating but also terrifying. Richter took innovations that already exist (3D printers) and concepts that are already somewhat familiar (the Internet of Things) and gave it a dark twist in the story that was terrifying because you could very easily imagine these things happening. I honestly don't think I've ever been so scared of a 3D printer in my life and if those things become a household staple, I'm pretty sure that I will never have one! Lol it was a pretty interesting look at how much technology can take over our lives.
That said... I found it difficult to really connect with the characters, especially with our MC, Carl Dremmler. He fits the tortured alcoholic detective character trope very neatly and I thought he would be a likeable enough character at the start... But then things got weirdly sexual and objectifying and it... really threw me off because it seemed to come out of nowhere. Dremmler was basically this skeezy old dude who was horny pretty much always? He would also objectify certain female characters we meet and it was gross and totally unnecessary; it only served to make me dislike him more. There wasn't much development for any of the characters in the book either and other than Dremmler, the others were really props to move the story along. I thought there was some interesting queer rep in this book with non-binary characters known as 'neuts', although their pronouns ('ve' and 'ver') threw me off at first and I was convinced that the author was making typos...
The mystery/thriller aspect of the plot was interesting and it kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It's not fast paced, although Richter's writing flows well, but I also think a few scenes could've been cut without the story losing anything. I'd say I was pretty engaged with the story until the last 30% when I felt like the plot kind of exploded and it became very rushed and messy. The climax was also pretty weird and unnecessarily sexual. Minor spoiler here but it involves horrifyingly modified sex robots being used as a torture method and ... Well, dark fiction, I guess?
[b:Auxiliary: London 2039|53296788|Auxiliary London 2039|Jon Richter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588187794l/53296788._SY75_.jpg|80257269] started off similarly to other sci-fi novels that I've read before. I recognised elements in the story that were present in books like Scythe, Warcross, and Ready Player One to just name a few, and of course, I loved the concept. This world where The Imagination Machine (TIM) regulates society and where most traditional working roles have been taken over by a host of machines and AI, was equal parts fascinating but also terrifying. Richter took innovations that already exist (3D printers) and concepts that are already somewhat familiar (the Internet of Things) and gave it a dark twist in the story that was terrifying because you could very easily imagine these things happening. I honestly don't think I've ever been so scared of a 3D printer in my life and if those things become a household staple, I'm pretty sure that I will never have one! Lol it was a pretty interesting look at how much technology can take over our lives.
That said... I found it difficult to really connect with the characters, especially with our MC, Carl Dremmler. He fits the tortured alcoholic detective character trope very neatly and I thought he would be a likeable enough character at the start... But then things got weirdly sexual and objectifying and it... really threw me off because it seemed to come out of nowhere. Dremmler was basically this skeezy old dude who was horny pretty much always? He would also objectify certain female characters we meet and it was gross and totally unnecessary; it only served to make me dislike him more. There wasn't much development for any of the characters in the book either and other than Dremmler, the others were really props to move the story along. I thought there was some interesting queer rep in this book with non-binary characters known as 'neuts', although their pronouns ('ve' and 'ver') threw me off at first and I was convinced that the author was making typos...
The mystery/thriller aspect of the plot was interesting and it kept me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It's not fast paced, although Richter's writing flows well, but I also think a few scenes could've been cut without the story losing anything. I'd say I was pretty engaged with the story until the last 30% when I felt like the plot kind of exploded and it became very rushed and messy. The climax was also pretty weird and unnecessarily sexual. Minor spoiler here but it involves horrifyingly modified sex robots being used as a torture method and ... Well, dark fiction, I guess?
ashcomb's review against another edition
3.0
This book is like Blade Runner. The old movie rather than the book. And I felt giddy—finally a book with grit. We follow detective Carl Dremmler through the future London, where AIs and androids are a reality, and where you can augment yourself and get a robotic hand, and people are unemployed because of these changes. The right kind of city mood is there. Everything kicks into gear when a man murders his girlfriend and says it was his robotic hand that did it. Here Jon Richter entails us with the question of what if this actually would happen in the real world, how we should react, and what we should do to ensure hacked hands and AIs running the show won't happen or at least won't jeopardize our lives and humanity. Important questions.
Unfortunately, this book never delivers. The familiarity with Blade Runner stays present, so do all those books, movies, and TV shows we have seen from the subject (future detectives with personality and personal problems). This book doesn't have a soul, the unique perspective of the writer. Everything is too familiar and too seen before. That said, there was potential. The first half of the book was well written. There laid the jest and the point to be made, but something happened in the middle, making the plot dull and predictable. The ending left me disappointed. It felt hurried. All this is such a shame because the world was good and there to be used. I don't want to spoil the plot, but the reasons behind everything was exciting and good commentary on what might happen in the future if we don't protect our citizens and people keep being people with new toys. And I would have loved all this come out way before the ending and without stereotypical, one-dimensional villains who were taken from a B-Movie.
This was a hard book to review. It was mixed with disappointment/unoriginality and promise and philosophical questions. I would have loved it if the writer had set himself loose with the questions and dwelt deeper in them rather than concentrated on the action. But I think someone who doesn't come with as much baggage as I do when it comes to reading and watching sci-fi (over twenty years), this might feel fresh.
Thank you for reading! Have a great day <3
Unfortunately, this book never delivers. The familiarity with Blade Runner stays present, so do all those books, movies, and TV shows we have seen from the subject (future detectives with personality and personal problems). This book doesn't have a soul, the unique perspective of the writer. Everything is too familiar and too seen before. That said, there was potential. The first half of the book was well written. There laid the jest and the point to be made, but something happened in the middle, making the plot dull and predictable. The ending left me disappointed. It felt hurried. All this is such a shame because the world was good and there to be used. I don't want to spoil the plot, but the reasons behind everything was exciting and good commentary on what might happen in the future if we don't protect our citizens and people keep being people with new toys. And I would have loved all this come out way before the ending and without stereotypical, one-dimensional villains who were taken from a B-Movie.
This was a hard book to review. It was mixed with disappointment/unoriginality and promise and philosophical questions. I would have loved it if the writer had set himself loose with the questions and dwelt deeper in them rather than concentrated on the action. But I think someone who doesn't come with as much baggage as I do when it comes to reading and watching sci-fi (over twenty years), this might feel fresh.
Thank you for reading! Have a great day <3
infinitefreetime's review against another edition
1.0
Read my full review here: https://infinitefreetime.com/2020/09/19/two-book-reviewlets/
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of Auxiliary: London 2039 in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jon Richter is back, this time with Auxiliary: London 2039, a cyberpunk tale like no other. Portraying a world where everything real is meaningless, this tale explores the darker parts of human potential.
The year is 2039, and machines do all the heavy lifting these days. More than just the heavy lifting, really, as humanity is content to stay indoors and spend time playing in simulated realities. All while the largest corporations in the world move to grab more power for themselves.
Enter The Imagination Machine, aka TIM. TIM is what makes the world go 'round, almost literally. Without it, humanity would cease to exist. Or at least be forced to go back to doing things for themselves.
Only, there's a problem. Of course, there is. TIM may not be the altruistic and trustworthy intelligence that humanity would like to believe it is. A fact that becomes blatantly clear to Dremmler, after comes across a new case worth investigating.
“All these interactions that infused modern human lives; behind them, a single entity, a massive, sprawling intelligence.”
Auxiliary: London 2039 is without a doubt one of the most unique science fiction novels I've read this year. I truly do mean that. This is a complex tale, one that wove multiple elements together to create such an expansive world – and plot.
I know the description hinted at several common science fiction tropes and elements. However, I think it's really important to note that Jon Richter managed to infuse these parts with lots of surprises, resulting in something that feels familiar – but reads as totally incomparable.
What really surprised me about this read is the main character, Dremmler. He's a classic, old school detective in a world full of technology and engineering. He stands out like a sore thumb, only in a good way.
He added such a strong sense of charm to this novel. It made it impossible to predict what was going to happen next, or what new element was going to be brought into the mix next. Because of that, it's really no surprise to report that I accidentally stayed up way too late reading Auxiliary: London 2039 (no regrets!).
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Jon Richter is back, this time with Auxiliary: London 2039, a cyberpunk tale like no other. Portraying a world where everything real is meaningless, this tale explores the darker parts of human potential.
The year is 2039, and machines do all the heavy lifting these days. More than just the heavy lifting, really, as humanity is content to stay indoors and spend time playing in simulated realities. All while the largest corporations in the world move to grab more power for themselves.
Enter The Imagination Machine, aka TIM. TIM is what makes the world go 'round, almost literally. Without it, humanity would cease to exist. Or at least be forced to go back to doing things for themselves.
Only, there's a problem. Of course, there is. TIM may not be the altruistic and trustworthy intelligence that humanity would like to believe it is. A fact that becomes blatantly clear to Dremmler, after comes across a new case worth investigating.
“All these interactions that infused modern human lives; behind them, a single entity, a massive, sprawling intelligence.”
Auxiliary: London 2039 is without a doubt one of the most unique science fiction novels I've read this year. I truly do mean that. This is a complex tale, one that wove multiple elements together to create such an expansive world – and plot.
I know the description hinted at several common science fiction tropes and elements. However, I think it's really important to note that Jon Richter managed to infuse these parts with lots of surprises, resulting in something that feels familiar – but reads as totally incomparable.
What really surprised me about this read is the main character, Dremmler. He's a classic, old school detective in a world full of technology and engineering. He stands out like a sore thumb, only in a good way.
He added such a strong sense of charm to this novel. It made it impossible to predict what was going to happen next, or what new element was going to be brought into the mix next. Because of that, it's really no surprise to report that I accidentally stayed up way too late reading Auxiliary: London 2039 (no regrets!).
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
longtimereader's review against another edition
4.0
Don't get complacent, because Big Brother is so watching you. Okay, it's more big A.I, but either way, it's both riveting, plausible, and frightening. At times it made me recall Minority Report, but this is very much its own story. The premise has been seen before, but the characters, execution, and actual reading of this story are very good.
I love the mystery involved, and the twists. It's almost cinematic in the scope of what's happening and I can't tell you all I'd like to because I don't want to keep anyone from reading this book. I also like that is has a mix of time-gone-by, noir almost, blended with a time we have not yet reached. With a topic this serious, the tone of the book is dark. I'm okay with that, but I didn't like the; how shall I say this, scenes of a more intimate nature. There weren't many, and I skipped them as best I could. Aside from that, I don't know how I feel about the ending just yet.
Thanks to Overview Media for my copy of this book. This review is my own, left freely.
I love the mystery involved, and the twists. It's almost cinematic in the scope of what's happening and I can't tell you all I'd like to because I don't want to keep anyone from reading this book. I also like that is has a mix of time-gone-by, noir almost, blended with a time we have not yet reached. With a topic this serious, the tone of the book is dark. I'm okay with that, but I didn't like the; how shall I say this, scenes of a more intimate nature. There weren't many, and I skipped them as best I could. Aside from that, I don't know how I feel about the ending just yet.
Thanks to Overview Media for my copy of this book. This review is my own, left freely.