Book Jacket

 

rank 5456
word count 164359
date submitted 04.05.2009
date updated 25.12.2009
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Science Fiction
classification: moderate
complete

Fjörgyn’s Tears

Mark J Suddaby

When climate change and resource scarcity collide, will humanity survive? A group of British scientists stumble upon a solution, but with it comes a dilemma.

 

In 2039 a US led coalition reluctantly engages in another military intervention, only this time old enemies lie in wait. Britain, a long time in decline, is defeated in battle and soon finds herself isolated as adversaries and former allies alike wait to pick over the carcass.

Energy rationing and forced labour camps brought about by a military coup turns Britain into a pariah state, but in a twist of fate the outcast island nation finds herself spectator to a world ripped apart by extreme climate events and resource wars gone nuclear. Meanwhile, a group of young British scientists, with help from an unlikely source, propose a radical solution to global resource and environmental threats.

Time after time, the inheritors of the protocol finally see it realised, only to make a shocking discovery, which carries with it a dilemma. A dilemma so momentous, so fundamental to mankind’s place in the universe, and so carefully balanced between two equally divergent outcomes that whatever decision the inheritors make, it will fundamentally alter the destiny of the human race forever.

 
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tags

, ægir, ai, alice, america pacifica, ark ship, army, artificial intelligence, basra, branson, britain, climate change, eden project, environmentalism,...

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14 comments

 

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soutexmex wrote 873 days ago

Gotta agree with Simon on your book. SHELVED!

I can use your comments on my book when you get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Simon Swift wrote 873 days ago

Just read the pitch and I am entranced! Was gonna save this for later but am now going to take a look! It sounds like my kind of book!
Simon

Andrew W. wrote 882 days ago

Fyjorgan's Tears

Hi Mark

You must have been away as I have missed your book before now and the last comment is 145 days ago. I liked this, an epic science fiction end of the world intrigue-fest. We begin quickly enough and the story soon ramps up. Each chapter is short enough and there is a good hook to keep us moving forward. This should absolutely not have a red arrow next to it and I will do my best to change that right now. I really want to know what that dilemma is. My suggestion relates to your pitch, put in white space and keep it simpler than it is, it became a little convoluted towards the end.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Ayrich wrote 1074 days ago

You managed the chaos of war well. I was thinking I would like to have less call signs and radeo military speak. It improves credibility, but too much becomes distracting. I may just be tired today.
I am shelving this.

Alecia Stone wrote 1076 days ago

Hi Mark,

Intriguing pitch. It’s what persuaded me to read your book.

This is very well written. The sentence structure is very well constructed. I thought some paragraphs were a little thick, but it didn’t stop me from reading on. Great characterization and dialogue; it felt natural and because of that the story came to life.

Only thing I would say is watch out for adverbs. I have that issue myself and am working on it. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far. Great use of suspense.

Well done.

Shelved!

Shinzy :)

JasonDiggy wrote 1081 days ago

Hi Mark! Science fiction isn't my genre, but I found your book to be both interesting and impressive with what I presume to be the research involved. Well done! I'm teach at a university, so I thought you had the beginning perfect with regards to what it is like. If I could have only one wish for your work, though, it would be to change some of the telling into more active showing, suitable to your story. For example, the info you impart in the first chapter may be more dynamic if done as a classroom Q&A with the students, or the student who comes up to speak. Just an idea. Besides that, there's a lot to recommend this work and it deserves to rise in the rankings. Good luck with this work and your writing.

Michael
The Last Coming Out Story

Jeff Blackmer wrote 1093 days ago

Mark,
Well, you've got the world going to hell in a handbasket and you're cranking up the tension while you do it!
This feels realistic, like you've got a good handle on this big story and a good understanding of the things you are introducing into the plot. I see some big twists and turns ahead that are going to turn this story on its head.
Well done and on my shelf.
Jeff

James Stephen Rice wrote 1095 days ago

Well ... this got to me: hooked me and kept me there. Great stuff. Felt engaged and overtaken by the events ... and by some of the dialogue which comes out of real life. Compelling detail. Extremely well constructed. Quite an achievement.

I'll be recommending this. Think it should succeed. It'll need pushing though. That's how it works here, right? Are you pushing this enough, Mark? Hope so. You've reached my shelf (for what it's worth) and should climb.

James

smithy92 wrote 1106 days ago

ok, i agree with Ariom Dahl that there are a few sentences that dont quite run properly (but a bit of polishing will soon fix this). however, i did find it gripping and it is just the sort of book i would read. which brings me on to my next point... what is your target audience?

Ariom Dahl wrote 1109 days ago

Hello Mark,
I’m not quite sure how I came by your story, but here, for what they’re worth, are a few comments. They’re based on a read of the first couple of chapters, and you need to remember this is only my opinion; feel free to ignore or whatever.
I found ‘throughput’ a little awkward, also ‘Laptops, books and coursework were emptied out.’ Just didn’t sound right. I think I like Ben. Then a big jump. Some people dislike prologues; I don’t mind them.
Oh, Thackary’s a typical sergeant, right down to the language! * smile *
I’m really not quite sure that this is working for me, with the switch from 3rd the 1st person, and also the setting in 2039.
Okay, I read the first two chapters and have concluded that although the story’s fine and there are no glitches with the actual writing, this is really not my thing. I'm sure however there will be many others who enjoy it.
I do wish you the best with it. Welcome to the site, and do enjoy!

Elaina wrote 1110 days ago

Hi Mark

This has multiple levels and detail- not so easy to assimilate on screen. Very well written, great battle scenes- we are in the thick of things swiftly (always good). The technical detail will appeal to the techno junkies, while the action will draw action junkies- you marry the two well. Is Jack your MC? Like him.

This is already on my shelf and has been a while. I wish you every success!

Elaina
Gathering of Rain

AnnabelleP wrote 1113 days ago

Hi there,
Your book is on my shelf ;-)
I was really sucked into your story, there's so much going on here and the way you portray it makes the whole thing seem very realsitic. Your descriptions are vivid, you create a real sense of time and place. This is pacy, it flows along and I kept on reading, more than I meant to! There is a grittiness about your prose and the edginess that comes with al good thrillers. Your style of writing appeals to me, I'm not going to nit-pick as there are plenty of people on here better qualified than me to help with the actual writing. This is good stuff, good luck with it.
Bests
AnnabelleP
(Adelaide Short)

Mark J Suddaby wrote 1114 days ago

Jeffery,
Many thanks indeed for your very kind words. I'm new to the site and so am just finding my feet. I'm glad you've enjoyed what you've read. I've just completed the full upload, so the entire story is now on the site. I hope you find the time to read it all. I've tried, in my own way, to explore what I consider to be the fundamental issues that will face our race over the coming years. Most import amongst these is how we pull together, or not, as a society. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. thanks again.
Mark

Dear Mark,

So much is written to tell the writer what is right and what is wrong. Your story is there. I felt it. I saw it in my mind. The subject too. Relevant to our time and something we all stir about in our sleep. I crave stories like yours. Polish it up and you have a winner. No writer is without critics. Heck, Mark Twain called The Last of the Mohicans the worst book ever written, and I bet it sold more copies than Huckleberry Finn in its day. All writers seek a style. Stephen King wrote a book about how to write a book. It is by far the best I have read on the subject. Stay the course. I am putting you on my watch list.

Jeffrey B. Allen wrote 1115 days ago

Dear Mark,

So much is written to tell the writer what is right and what is wrong. Your story is there. I felt it. I saw it in my mind. The subject too. Relevant to our time and something we all stir about in our sleep. I crave stories like yours. Polish it up and you have a winner. No writer is without critics. Heck, Mark Twain called The Last of the Mohicans the worst book ever written, and I bet it sold more copies than Huckleberry Finn in its day. All writers seek a style. Stephen King wrote a book about how to write a book. It is by far the best I have read on the subject. Stay the course. I am putting you on my watch list.

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