UPLOAD

This is rivitting right from the start. I just love the way you throw the reader into the thick of the action. This is what gripping is! Your description of the battle and the carnage is word perfect, and I found myself immediately sinking into the World you have created; every sight, sound and smell. This is a truly great work! If there are any flaws, they are so minor that I never noticed them, so gripped I was. No questions - this is backed as of now!

-Jenny-

What a rush! Now this is what I call a thriller. The fact it’s SF is a bonus. PTP – very creative and true to the genre, based on real science with a touch of the imagination. This should be a hit around here for those of us that like a shot of adrenaline every so often. Please leave me a message if you decide to “upload” more of this exciting novel. Otherwise, I ‘ll wait and look for it on the shelf at my local bookstore.

Shelved.

What a tremendous ride your first chapter is! Full on pace, superb action, great description. Barely a word out of place, you kept the adrenaline going and the heart thumping right up to the final line. Beautifully cinematic.
Great prose, smooth writing, entirely believable dialogue. What more could I say?
Oh, I did see one nit, although it might not be worth mentioning...
Further along...dotted along... this repetition glared out at me because the rest was so flawless.

Shelved with pleasure.
Cas.
KING'S ENVOY.

I only have one nit pick. where the hell is the rest for god sakes, perfect pace. characters well drawn its all there. just not enough chapters, please need to know what comes next. backed with pleasure.

If Sci-fi gets any more exciting than this, I haven't read it. This is rivetting and authentic. I would buy this book after reading the first chapter in the store. On my shelf. Patrick Barrett (Shakespeares Cuthbert)

intriguing pitch
raw opening
great narrative

You had an interesting pitch so I decided to come over and check it out. The writing is strong, and I think you do a great job of showing and not telling through dialogue. The count down that you wove into the dialogue worked really well for building tension, and I enjoyed it. I hope you get a chance to check out Maddy Hatfield and the Magic Locket. Best of luck to you with your book! I'll be watching and back for more!

Ashley

backed after the first chapter. will read more later

Okay I admit it, I'm a sock puppet, still, doesn't mean I don't know a fucking good book when I read it, more please or its the shotgun to the testicles.

What a thrill ride this this. You set a great pace and make this so exciting. Initially, I was concerned because I had no idea what they were fighting over. I feel you do a good enough job of working in the back story and showing why the reader should root for the hero and against the Kalani.

You do a good job with descriptions, but you can ramp them up a bit in places. Use all of the senses, including smell, to convey the scene. Try to show how the carnage impacts the character.

This a bloody fun, so I'll back it.

Brian
Mute

I've just found time to read your story. I loved it, and have backed it straight away.

It has a terrific start, straight into some gripping action. My only slight reservation is that it's a little gorish for my taste for me a little less would be better still.

The next chapter is by comparison rather mild, and I think the bull fighting might be overdone. I get the feeling you might have put it in for some extra early action, but unless it has relevance later on it seems slightly tacked on.

The third chapter is where we get into the thick of the plot proper, and is great.

I have just one big complaint. When are you going to post the rest of it?
Regards
Graham Keeler

A fast and visceral opening, although for my taste, the opening carnage went on for a bit too long, but that's just my taste.

I like the link between the first and later chapters in terms of the relationship between Olivia and Joe.

One minor nit: one bicep, two biceps.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

An interesting premise. I like your writing style. Good pace with plenty to keep the reader interested.

Most excellent writing. right on the money. I figure if someone can write like this that the story must be pretty good too. A pleasure to put on my shelf. Backed.
Cheers, B. Cameron Lee (Diary of a Serial Killer)

Hi Chris, have added UPLOAD to my watchlist and will read shortly. All the best with it.

You have written a very interesting and unique storyline, which I do like, and created a most memorable main character in Joe. I also like your use of the first person narrative voice as this allows you to convey his thoughts and feelings. The dialogue is realistic and well written and the pace of your story flows well. All of this along with your descriptive writing makes your science fiction thriller a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

A dynamic science fiction thriller enriched with striking imagery and intense narrative. Atmospheric. Packed with emotion as well as action. Sizzling dialogue. Awesome world building. Well conceived. Well written. A delight to read. Backed.

Hi Chris,
A really fantastic first chapter with excellent battle scenes and action, snipers and great characters. Your dialogue is terse, gritty and realistic.
The base is lost -- 'to the upload pads and zap out' -- excellent.
The ticking bomb is very exciting and gives you a good hook to chapter two. If I'd had more time, I'd definitely have read on.
Backed with pleasure,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Having read down a little I see that my toiled over hand written notes have all been covered and therefore the only thing I have to offer is my good wishes to you for your writing and my shelf.

BACKED

The action rips right from the first line. This snaps, pops, and sizzles. You have my devoted attention.

Memphisgirl
Ashes By Now

Good, solid sci-fi with kickass MC's that the reader can get to grips with. Just what I look for in a holiday read. :)
Jim Darcy
The Firelord's Crown

Hello Chris
Tight from the get go your book begins with a bang. I loved it. You have a great writing style and descriptive pattern that I do not see too often on this site. I am a reader and not a writer. My partner Craig Ellis who has a book on this account and site called "The Sun and the Saber". Pls check it out. I will get him to back your book when he comes back from the store. I had to hurry and get on the net while he was away. We have only one computer.

Keep up the good work. Keep writing!
Vi

Great pitch and premise. This is a well crafted world with solid characters. The strong language is natural as is the violence which puts me in mind of Starship Troopers. backed with pleasure.

Dear Chris, I love that you shared about our heroes that have protected our freedom - God bless them all. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your pitch,which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

First sorry about the delay in commenting off my recent backing (had problems with the site a week ago).
What an amazing start!
I very much like your portrayal of Joe and the first person narration. Olivia is also a great character and you can almost sense the tension in her. – Great story and a brilliant read. – Good luck.

It's rare to find such a wonderfully rich addition to the genre. It's unique and distinct, gripping from the very start. The writing style is fast-paced and easy to read without losing the reader's interest, and the detail is superb. I was gripped and left breathless- publish it so I can buy it :D

Backed with pleasure.
Abi xxx

This is an action packed story. With good characters to carry out that action. Joe is a appealing because he's feisty yet sympathetic because he's off on a mission that quickly throws him in over his head. Your writing style and dialogue are both good for this type of book; clear and crisp and keeps this always moving forward. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

You set a tension-filled pace from the very first paragraph. Your descritions are efficient, just enough to let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks as we're plunged into a new world. It's very cinematic, easily adaptable for the big screen. But it's your characterization that makes this work shine. I bonded with Joe immediately. This is a gripping thriller. Well done. Backed.

Richard Bard
BRAINRUSH (2010 ABNA Quarter-Finalist)

Chris, your prologue and first chapter are a smooth read. Nothing to nitpick in these two sections.

Happy to back your work.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Congratulations, Chris: With just one single sentence- your opening line- you immediately capture the reader's attention. And what follows is non-stop, fast paced action that never allows perusing eyes up for air. In other words, the reader is in the thick of things- already ingrossed in the novel- before they've even had the opportunity to revert to "real time."

Your manuscript is liberally peppered with vivid imagery: "There was so much blood that the ground untouched by it seemed out of place." -Perfect example. Nice job on a fast paced read and professional manuscript! Backed.

Teric Darken

(K - I - L - L FM 100 / U-TURN KiLLuR)

3 chapters. Totally hooked. It's kinetic without seeming frantic. The prose is light and clippy enough to push us along without bogging us down in eternal world-building. The characters seem naturalistic (my preference. realistic is usually pretty dull). Just a load of good scifi fun.

My only rules is, "Would I buy this?" You get three chapters to hook me. Less if it's a "no" vote. Would I buy this?

Yes. Off these three chapters I certainly would.

Backed.

3 chapters. Totally hooked. It's kinetic without seems frantic. The prose is light and clippy enough to push us along without bogging us down in eternal world-building. The characters seem naturalistic (my preference. realistic is usually pretty dull). Just a load of good scifi fun.

My only rules is, "Would I buy this?" You get three chapters to hook me. Less if it's a "no" vote. Would I buy this?

Yes. Off these three chapters I certainly would.

Backed.

Hi -- Chris, Nothing to add. I agree with many of the positive comments and I'm happy to back this and wish you all the best with it. I'm sorry I can't be constructive but I didn't spot any nits. Best wishes, Bary
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

The pace of this novel sucked me right into the action nearly getting me fired (just kidding but boss did come up behind me) and so I have SHELVED this to come back to later - it is well polished and the dialogue is totally down to earth! BACKED 100%

Liz
The Cheech Room

I don't understand why a book as good as this is not further up the rankings. I would be surprised if there were many better books on this site. It's a cracker !
BACKED
Mark
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

Great Prologue, fast-paced, exciting, thrilling and nicely writen. "This was it. We were fucked." hahah, awesome >:D

Great opening. I was an infantry foot soldier in Vietnam and this opening action scene sent proverbial chills down my spine. Good work and I'm looking forward to reading the entire manuscript.
Eric Wilder - Prairie Sunset, Pagan Bones.

Exciting, well written, gripping.
All of these.
And a really believeable back story. Scific at its best.
Backed

Chris, I've read very many books on Authonomy now and this is one of the most accomplished I've read to date. Title and pitch are great though the cover is a little misleading. At first I thought this was a YA novel. One paragraph into the book and I realised my mistake! You don't hang around, do you? That is a really powerful, breakneck prologue - action through and through, yet you manage to get us engaged with your characters. No attempt to slow the pace by introducing backstory. It's incredibly visceral and I could see this as a film very easily.
Then we're into the "several years later" and our man is married with kids and living the good solid life of the earth on a different planet. This is SF I can relate to - rooted in reality and totally believable.
You paint a clear picture of good people living good lives and so, of course, we know something bad is coming - and come it does. This is the classic "call to arms" but you make it fresh and I'd happily continue reading this if I hadn't spent so much time staring at a screen today.
I was so relieved that you have an Achilles' heel - otherwise such ability at your age would be insufferable! Your apostrophe usage is occasionally at fault. I spotted, "we each had a month's leave" (where you need one) and "smells good" (where you don't). Also 'a stone's throw'.... But, I'm being petty here and we both know it as this story is just so strong and well-written. I'd be very surprised if you don't find a publisher for this. I expect you to do very well on this site too, deservedly so.
Backed, without question. Outstanding writing.
Jared.

I'm not reading many books right now but this came to my attention and I've read the chapters you've posted. Kudos, kudos. This is hugely well-written, totally gripping and a cracker of a premise. No nits to pick, I fear, no constructive criticism - I gulped it down whole and loved every last lick.
Happy to back you with it.
Jane

(I'm not looking for return reads btw).

BACKED

I get very little from comments about my own book, nowadays. Some people like it, some don't. Some people are too frightened to leave genuine feedback, while others seek to enforce their own style upon me. I want to get to the Ed's Desk to get professional comment. I would rather spend 30 quid than do all this reading and backing. I have got everything I want out of Authonomy community already. So I am backing your book so that you can reach the Ed's desk and get professional feedback, instead of the platitudes and devious backings that account for 80% of backing you receive. Only 20% of comments are genuine, and will add value to your work.

Now, who am I not to back you? I am not godlike. Your work might be flatly written, unoriginal or even down right bad. It could be wonderful. But in my experience, only you can be honest with yourself about your writing... and that is what matters.

So, I am backing you so you can reach the Ed's desk.


There you are.

BACKED
Hope you reciprocate.

Non stop, believable action! What a page turner.
Backed
Paul
We've Seen the Enemy

Loved the first sentence, lol. The technology, the gore and the military aspect of your first chaper were great, a recipe for some hadrcore sci-fi.
You write conscicely and I could imagine every scene you detailed. It proves that you do not need a hundred words to describe something for the reader to get it.
Backed!

Very nice three chapters, especially chapter one. All that carnage and counting down can nicely move a chapter forward. I also liked the bit on the elevator when Joeseph is dying and he realizes how beautiful Olivia is inspite of the grunge and how that carries over into a much more later. The idea of cloning and transference of one's thoughts into a clone have a lot of ethical, legal, and religious implications, whichI think is great.

In chapter two you write, "Just gone three," after Olivia asks for the time. I don't know if this is an error or simply a cultural phrase I've never heard of. Anyway, three strong chapters.

Natalie

This is an exciting read, surprised it's not higher in the charts.

Happy to back it.
Melxx
Impeding Justice

This is brilliant. The excitement builds from the first moment. The battle descriptions are realistic and moving as well as gripping. The realisation that there is a bomb due to go off in about six minutes hits home with force, and from then on the regular countdown of the remaining time works as intended to increase both excitement and tension. The introduction of Olivia as a fresh character lifts the book, for me, from an essentially masculine read to something of more general interest. Joe is a good character, and Olivia, a beautiful, feisty girl, is someone who already makes sparks fly. You write well, for the most part simply and clearly, but with plenty of touches of descriptive power. '...the stench of burnt flesh, some of which was coming from me,' Joe says, and we shudder. The first person narrative works for me, taking us into Joe's head and bringing everything closer. Backed.
Gerry McCullough,
Belfast Girls.

Nicely written. I've only read chapter one. The entire chapter is a little too generic though. The drama between the characters is very good. But the battle scene left me wanting. You tell us that they have advanced weaponry but it seems like they are doing damage with bombs and conventional bullets. A little sci-fi description here to flavor the battle would be nice.

There was some nice tension in the race to safety and I am looking forward to reading more. backed.

This is high octane pace right from the start. Brilliantly executed through the opening scenes, this book explodes literally on to the pages and gives the reader no time to tke breath. What I love is tht although science fiction there is no overload of far off names or unusual gadgets, there is a story and it is being told without such window dressing. A story is a story whether on earth or Sigma 9! You have a very good interaction between the man and woman in the first chapter, the dialogue is crisp and utterly believable.
The only problem i have with this book strangely enough is the cover.. it doesn't scream thriller or sceincefiction to me and if i saw it in a shop I'd walk past assuming chicklit as I never buy those! This story is very good though and I woud buy this for one of my holiday novels.
Well done, backed with pleasure
Chris (inside out)

From one Chris to another, this is a fine read. It has great pace and descriptiveness and I must admit that although i rarely read this genre i was happy to read one with this. Well done, backed.

This starts very well, straight into action.
A classic good beginning to hook your readers

This is some first-class sci fi and thriller genre! As I read, I found myself drawn into the story-it's riveting! The dialogue moves well, the writing superb, and it deserves a backing!

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

Hi Chris,

This is top shelf sci fi! Vivid descriptions and storming action carry the reader along in high gear. Nice references to technology. I especially like the 'Transference' tech. Given me a new perspective as well!

On my shelf.
Regards, Mike.

Hey,

Saw this while I was browsing, the potch sounded great so I thought I'd take a look.

I've read a few thing in the forum about starting with dialogue, apparently its a widely debated subject...

your book is totally an arguement FOR starting with dialogue. We're there, straight into the action, its the only way to start this explosive sequence. You made me wince with the bullet through the neck, mainly because I was THERE!!

Love how you did the count down at the end of chapter one, in between the paragraphs, it made my heart race.

You have a great knack of putting the normal every day things, like having breakfast with the family...then two minutes later there are wild herbivores (as big as elephants back on earth!!) and it just seemed right.

Just off to find a space for you on my shelf ;o)

Love Bev x

Love Overboard & Thicker Than Water

This is my kind of book, and put me down for an advance copy. An exhilarating thrill-ride. I am truly impressed. And I love the title.
Could you add place/time headings, e.g., [Planet Name], [Date], [time]... ? in my view doing this makes it more believable... You have created an entire world. Well done. Alan

You narrative held me and in spite of the violence It was so matter of fact that I almost rode over it. Great writing - you have written a marvellous piece of action sci fi second to none. During the devastation you manage to create a guy with a recognisable bravery, awesome persistence and then you manage to introduce a beautiful girl! Gory, scary battle scenes, with bodies and brains erupting everywhere you look, read, imagine. Usually I would have closed a book that began like this before I had read a page but your writing skill held me enthralled Great stuff backed as you know. M