The Bloodlight Chronicles: Redemption

ISBN: 1550229990

Author: Stanton, Steve

Condition: New

ReviewFinding innovative science fiction is getting harder and harder Then comes along a series of books from ECW Press called The Bloodlight Chronicles by Steve Stanton and hope for originality in the genre is revived. - Amazing StoriesProduct DescriptionThe conclusion of the epic sci-fi series, set in a world of cloning, artificial intelligence, and battles in a virtual realm . . .A new blood-transmitted virus has become a black market staple due to its rejuvenating effects, forcing infected Eternals into a tightly knit underground where they must hack the V-net for food and shelter. When the leader of the Eternals, Helena Sharp, begins to lose her immortality, she flees to an old lover for strength and solace, as the entire Eternal community is thrown into chaos.Meanwhile, young clone Niko discovers the truth about her gifted daughter - who carries the future heritage of humanity in her augmented DNA. This knowledge forces Niko to confront her progenitor, Phillip Davis, with a litany of experimental abuse - only to discover that Phillip has fully integrated his persona with the AI monster who controls V-space. With the aid of the charismatic avatar Philomena, he embarks on a program of manipulation and control that will redefine the boundaries of death and consciousness. Advancing the post-cyberpunk genre into new territory, this compelling series delves into intriguing questions of religion, God, family, and the universes central source of life.From BooklistNewcomers to Stantons popular Bloodlight Chronicles can be forgiven if they feel a bit lost at sea. Stanton provides very little backstory here: readers are expected, it seems, either to know the previous two novels (Reconciliation, 2010, and Retribution, 2011) intimately, or to play an extensive game of catch-up. Heres whats going on: in a near-future world in which the line between reality and virtual reality has been blurred into virtual nonexistence, some people (known as Eternals) carry a virus that makes them, for all intents and purposes, immortal; some others, who dont carry the virus, will go to extreme lengths to obtain it (theyre called vampires because they want the virus-rich blood of the Eternals). Against this backdrop, the leader of the Eternals is suddenly dying, her body disintegrating at rapid speed; a woman learns that her daughters DNA could save the human species (sort of), and a seriously egomaniacal man, whos technically dead, is poised to bring his plan for global domination to fruition. Solidly written but murkier than it needs to be, the book should appeal to fans of the previous entries in the series. --David PittAbout the AuthorSteve Stanton is the author of The Bloodlight Chronicles: Reconciliation and Retribution. His short fiction has been published in 16 countries, including translations into Hebrew, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Czech, and Romanian. His writing regularly appears in more than two dozen magazines and journals, and he currently serves as the president of SF Canada, the bilingual organization of science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. Stanton lives in Washago, Ontario.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The Bloodlight Chronicles: RedemptionBy Steve Stanton, Chris Szego ECW PRESSCopyright 2012 Steve StantonAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-55022-999-8CHAPTER 1Jimmy Kay frowned when he first saw the girl. Her background harmonics sounded like a symphony to his highly trained senses, a holy aura of speed and potency. She should have been way up Prime with logistics like that, not cruising Main Street like a tourist. Very odd. Jimmy Kay edged away from this exotic young avatar. She was out of place yet seemed an integral part of the landscape, at home and connected to the heart of the digital city. A couple of grey-suits ambled near, checking for vagrant users and bad buzz on the boulevard, but gave her nary a glance as they passed. Very odd. Jimmy seized