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Haywire

by Justin R. Macumber (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 47 ratings · 26 reviews

A century ago, super-soldiers known as Titans drove alien invaders from the solar system and back to their home world. Now the Titans have returned, infected by a virus and compelled to destroy humanity. Will a scholar, her son, and the only Titan able to resist the infection find a way to stop them and save humanity from its own greatest weapon?

Paperback, 276 pages

Published by Gryphonwood Press (first published March 1st 2012)

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Mar 31, 2012 Mitch rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-star-favorites

The summary doesn’t do this book justice – at all. Sure, it definitely is about a fight for survival against ruthless, crazed super soldiers, but I was surprised and really impressed that, somehow, Macumber also managed to seamlessly weave a crime caper, a historical mystery, and a pretty good space opera into it all at the same time, while also including quite a few human elements that made this book nearly unputdownable.

Since I could probably fill pages with all the awesome stuff that impresse...more The summary doesn’t do this book justice – at all. Sure, it definitely is about a fight for survival against ruthless, crazed super soldiers, but I was surprised and really impressed that, somehow, Macumber also managed to seamlessly weave a crime caper, a historical mystery, and a pretty good space opera into it all at the same time, while also including quite a few human elements that made this book nearly unputdownable.

Since I could probably fill pages with all the awesome stuff that impressed me, I’ll list the couple of small things that bugged me first. The first chapter and a half are the hardest to read, near the end of chapter two I was dreading that this book was going to be hard to follow or bland – big mistake on my part. The problem? I’m not normally one who insists on prologues, but I definitely feel that chapter one should’ve been the prologue instead. Every chapter of this book’s a transition from one character’s point of view to another’s, but that first transition from chapter one to two is quite jarring and doesn’t really mesh well with the subsequent chapters. The tone, content, language, etc. changes so much that I feel a prologue to chapter one transition would be more appropriate.

The other thing I noticed was that, while the book obviously happens in the future, a lot of the technology and culture appears to be fairly close to modern day stuff. A shuttle from Mars feels just like the airline flight I can take tomorrow, the main characters live in a townhouse on a Jovian moon, etc. While I’m appreciative of everything being (intentionally?) so familiar and easy to understand, I have to wonder about a lunar habitat having a downtown … really minor quibble though.

Otherwise, this book is great. It’s fast paced and action packed, with just enough character moments interspersed through the plot to make the characters relatable and real. Normally, flipping through so many characters’ points of view can be hard, but it's great how everyone’s stories were relevant to the plot and tied together so well. And yet at the same time, the chapters at the beginning featuring the scholar turned out to be a very thrilling crime caper (break-ins and everything!), the later chapters with her investigator boyfriend was a very intriguing crime story, and then the book became a historical investigation and space warfare from other characters’ points of view. I’m still amazed at how well all these different storylines came together into such a coherent and compelling plot.

Best of all, this book has some genuinely great characters. Alicia, Shawn, and Artemis (the three characters in aforementioned the summary) were personable and relatable; each of them has a purpose that just made me want to follow them through the story. But they’re not the only ones. The entire cast of characters were all interconnected, everyone had their moment and nobody feels superfluous. It’s a rare book that gives even a few of the redshirt security officers a compelling line or two before they’re shot in the head. Solid four stars.(less)

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Sep 12, 2012 Katy rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars - I'm rounding down, but I admit, part of it was probably because I lost the momentum and the details from the first half of the book were not as fresh to me when I took such a long a break. I had to stop for the night and just got sidetracked with everything else.

My friend had recommended this book to me so I can try an adult sci-fi novel. After reading Chapters 1 and 3, I was afraid I was in way over my head. Thank goodness the verbiage became easier to read, and I found myself enjoy...more 3.5 stars - I'm rounding down, but I admit, part of it was probably because I lost the momentum and the details from the first half of the book were not as fresh to me when I took such a long a break. I had to stop for the night and just got sidetracked with everything else.

My friend had recommended this book to me so I can try an adult sci-fi novel. After reading Chapters 1 and 3, I was afraid I was in way over my head. Thank goodness the verbiage became easier to read, and I found myself enjoying this book quite a bit.

I enjoyed reading about the world that Macumber has created - the Titans playing the dual role as killers and protectors, the Hezrin and the reign, the virus and how it broke down the Titans in body and mind to where it indirectly became a human problem, and this massive network of different agencies that came together to bring readers such a climatic end.

The book was just filled with action. But for a newbie like me, however, it may have been a little bit too much.

There was just an awful lot going on and so many players involved - the Titans and the Hezrin, the Alliance and the SWAT the Union, the Marines or was it the Navy (both were mentioned), the pirates, the Crimson King, the researchers like Dr. Hofstadter and the late Dr. Groesbeck, the Campbells, as well as all of the other characters that I'm not sure which group they fall into.

While this helped keep the pacing up and there was never a dull moment, I just felt right when I was ready to settle down with a scene, the book had moved along and left me behind. But the action kept me intrigued, even though I felt a bit disoriented from the chaos.

The last line was pretty cool. "Despite the heavy gravity, his steps were as light as air." It was just one of those closing remarks that one thinks of and holds on to it for safekeeping until just the right place for it.

The end may not have been a perfect happily ever after end, but it made a lot of sense, and I liked how the epilogue just tied everything together to make up for the bloodshed in the previous chapters.

For me, the most interesting part of this book was the nanites and Dr. Groesbeck's research, especially since he was so legendary and Dr. Campbell was so intrigued with the whole concept, and I didn't get as much of that as I would have liked. Still, I thought the book was overall good, and I did enjoy it quite a bit.(less)

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Mar 27, 2012 John Kilgallon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone that likes fast paced action with a little space opera thrown in!

Shelves: science-fiction-i-like

REVIEW UPDATE!

I completed Haywire by Justin Macumber on 26 March 12. I have had to revise this review from a 4 star to 5 star rating. The pace of action in this book is relentless! Sure there are a few moments of family and social interest between the characters to advance the human elements of the story, but after that it's screeching along again.

Fans of the Dead Robots' Society podcast will recognize the names of Alliance Admirals in the book as Justin nods to his co-hosts Terry Mixon and Eliy...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Dan Absalonson rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was awesome! Once I knew the characters I loved it every step of the way. I was intrigued right off the bat with the awesome sci-fi world and action. Then it changed pace as I met new characters. It didn't take too long before all their worlds collided in one crazy, awesome, and fun story. I was not bored once in this tale. Even early in the book when I was getting to know the characters and the crazy adventure hadn't started yet it was really well paced and a nice way to get to know t...more This book was awesome! Once I knew the characters I loved it every step of the way. I was intrigued right off the bat with the awesome sci-fi world and action. Then it changed pace as I met new characters. It didn't take too long before all their worlds collided in one crazy, awesome, and fun story. I was not bored once in this tale. Even early in the book when I was getting to know the characters and the crazy adventure hadn't started yet it was really well paced and a nice way to get to know them before you'd see them tested to their limits.

I'm giving this book five stars because it was everything I could have wanted in a sci fi adventure and then some. Not only was the story world a fun one to be in, but it was told in just enough detail to keep it believable while not dragging you down and slowing the story. Once crap started going down, this book moved at an amazing pace for me and before I know it I had come to the end. That said, there are many memorable moments that Justin slowed down and took his time on. Some that I will never forget because he crafted his story in such a way that I really felt like I was right there with the characters. Those memorable moments are another reason this super fun adventure story is getting a five star review from me. It was a fun romp through space, but one speckled with small memorable moments that made held me in wonder as I experienced them with the characters.

I'm sure I'll read this one again and pass it on to my kids once their old enough. If you like Science Fiction, action, adventure, awesome fight scenes, or just a good story then you should give this book a read. The audio book is also really good. It took me a while to get used the way the narrator almost over enunciates everything but she's really good with characters and accents and made the book shine in my ear buds. I also own this book on Kindle. I am really looking forward to reading his fantasy title "A Minor Magic," to see what Justin does in another genre. This book proved to me that Justin is an author I'll be happy to read for years to come no matter what genre, because the dude can tell a good story.(less)

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Sep 29, 2012 Jason Kristopher rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of hard sci-fi, sci-fi action, space warfare

Recommended to Jason by: Justin R. Macumber

I've always been a big fan of larger-than-life sci-fi stories and space warfare, and "Haywire" is no exception. I've also long retained an interest in nanotechnology, so this book caught my attention on several fronts.

This book kept me turning pages - always a good sign - and wanting to find out where the story was going. Because of my experience with the genre and having read hundreds and hundreds of sci-fi stories, I was pretty sure I knew where this story was going, once I got the background...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Rusty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hello Justin Macumber... I think I love you.

Of course, I mean that in a completely platonic, hero worship kind of way. Actually, I've been a faithful listener to his Dead Robots Podcast for a year or so now, and so I was getting regular updates about the release of this novel and what he thought about it as he went through and edited the thing before its release.

Now, I've done the thing before where I either follow an author online, or listen to them via podcast before I read anything by them an...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Nick Raines rated it 3 of 5 stars

A quick action packed read. There were some things I liked and there were some things I didn't, all in all I was glad I read it. The Titans were an interesting idea, a group of super soldiers designed to save Earth only to be infected with a virus that turns them against it. I liked the strained Mother-Son relationship and some of their banter early on particularly Chapter 6 was fun to read. Most of the dialogue was serviceable and some of it felt really wooden. Sean was annoying but in fairness...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Ryan Burt rated it 4 of 5 stars

1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

2) Genre: Sci-fi

3) Synopsis: Titans (nanobot enhanced super soldiers) disappeared 100 years ago fighting of an alien race that almost whipped out the human race. The Titans are coming back to earth but not for a victory party. They are coming back to finish off the human race.

4) Feelings: Justin R. Macumber is the host of one of my favorite podcasts (Dead Robots’ Society). When I first heard about his book on the podcast I liked the idea. The idea of nanobot enhanced s...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't always give a written review of the books I read. I've been torn ever since I gave this book 4 stars. Now that I see the author seems to be interested in what his readers say (I can understand and will likely be the same way if I ever finish my book...). So, I've decided to come back and give some details, but without spoilers.

First the reason for 4 stars. The book was great action and I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the character of Artemis/Rachel (I actually pictured her a...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

HAYWIRE is a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure populated with compelling characters moving through a detailed, believable world. I truly enjoyed it from beginning to end, and would love to see further novels set in this same world.

First up on the list of things I enjoyed are definitely the characters. I bonded with them all immediately, and felt like they came to life easily and smoothly. Even the minor characters who only stuck around for a few chapters were enjoyable. Meanwhile, I was surprised...more HAYWIRE is a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure populated with compelling characters moving through a detailed, believable world. I truly enjoyed it from beginning to end, and would love to see further novels set in this same world.

First up on the list of things I enjoyed are definitely the characters. I bonded with them all immediately, and felt like they came to life easily and smoothly. Even the minor characters who only stuck around for a few chapters were enjoyable. Meanwhile, I was surprised by how quickly the main characters all became dear to my heart, carrying me along with them as they journeyed through terrible conflicts that, in some cases, they did not come out on top of. (There may or may not have been some teary-eyed moments while I was reading.) I also enjoyed how easily the author balances an unusually large cast of characters without neglecting any of them, or focusing overmuch on characters that weren't central to the plot. A lot of times authors will spend so much time "fleshing out" a minor character I don't really care about that it makes me lose interest in reading. Not so with HAYWIRE.

Next, we have the world. I absolutely loved the fact that it seemed what I term "practically futuristic". A lot of sci-fi fans love worlds that are heavily laden with intense techno-babble and detailed schematics for every little thing that people use. Me, not so much. While I have no problem with the occasional bit of techno-jargon, I prefer a world that feels natural, like the world I've grown up in, where technology follows human needs and hobbies just as much as it follows scientific pursuits. Additionally, the technology behind the Titans was simple, and at the same time amazingly cool. I honestly believe that its simplicity is what allowed it to be so moving, and so believable. It was exactly the type of thing I imagine true brilliance inventing: Something that, on the surface, seems almost too obvious to work, but in reality is deeply complex and requires a larger personal sacrifice than anyone can truly imagine. The smaller bits of technology were also enjoyable, such as the AI system, or the personal "PDA" type devices. They seem futuristic (mostly because they work in the way they were intended to) enough while at the same time still seeming like something I might see in my lifetime.

Finally, the plot itself. I won't spoil anything in this review, but once again we have a case of something being beautiful in its simplicity. The plot feels very realistic, because it's the classic case of "too much of a good thing". What starts out as humanity's only hope quickly turns into a doom that no one could have foreseen, which is often what I'm presented with whenever I turn on a news channel with my morning cup of tea. It seems like the logical conclusion of a series of events that were meant to turn out for the better, as is so often the case with humanity's pursuits. The fact that the military powers-that-be have to change their stance halfway through the book or risk destruction is also quite entertaining.

My only critiques of this book center around the author's repeated overuse of needlessly ornate similes and other descriptions. This is especially prevalent in the center of the book when the action reaches a slight lull as the different characters and plot points come together. They are everywhere, and they annoyed me intensely. They left little or no room for my own imagination to take hold, and felt like a violation of the dreaded "show, don't tell" rule of writing. A lot of times they were also just too crazy, drawing on things that very few people would have any experience with, which made them even harder to swallow. (For example, I have no idea what it would feel like to have a stomach full of worms. I can't think of anyone who does, either.) This, coupled with a few questionable accents and very "Americanized" usage of British slang in places is what kept me from absolutely loving this book. These small problems took me out of the book so badly and so frequently that at times I had difficulty connecting with it. Had any of the aforementioned points-- characters, plot, or the technology -- been weaker, I can easily see myself having put HAYWIRE down and not going back.

That said, my problems with this book are largely stylistic, and as such I have no trouble suggesting HAYWIRE to anyone who likes a good, fun sci-fi read. (Not everyone has my over-sensitivity to flowery similes, after all. *grin*) The ending was especially moving to me, and I know that this is a book which will stay with me for awhile. I even highlighted a few sentences in my Kindle because I thought they were so good. Part of me already misses the ride now that it's finished.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book, Justin, and I'm so proud of you for achieving your dreams. Well done, sir. Well done.(less)

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Nov 04, 2012 Angus rated it 4 of 5 stars

Haywire
By Justin R. Macumber

After hearing the trailers for Haywire over many episodes of The Dead Robot Society I decided that it deserved a read. Actually it didn't take that much persuasion as I'm pretty big into Space Opera, techno thriller Science Fiction with lots of military action thrown into the mix. Hmmm.
Super-soldiers have been developed, to fight off an alien race bent on annihilating humankind, by a mad scientist who is long gone with his technological secrets. In the course of preve...more

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May 13, 2012 Deb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, action-adventure, suspense, sci-fi-fantasy

Take elements of Stargate SG1, Firefly, BSG, Fifth Element, and Terminator - run them through a blender, then through a sieve... and you get Haywire.

The Titans, an unethical creation by a mad scientist, were man-kind's last hope when the Hezrin attack Earth and it's solar system. Now it's been 100 years and the Hezrin have been defeated...or have they? Their final dying act was to infect the Titans with a virus. Now, the titans are on their way back to their creators with one objective - destroy...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Anita King rated it 4 of 5 stars

Justin Macumber's Haywire is a fast-paced space adventure that explores what can happen when the technology we use to protect ourselves is turned against us. While it has its ups and downs, the characters and their relationships layered over a humanity-threatening conflict makes this book well worth reading.

The opening chapter fell flat for me, and I was a worried that it wouldn't live up to expectations, but once I dug in a little deeper, I became thoroughly absorbed in the story of teenaged mu...more Justin Macumber's Haywire is a fast-paced space adventure that explores what can happen when the technology we use to protect ourselves is turned against us. While it has its ups and downs, the characters and their relationships layered over a humanity-threatening conflict makes this book well worth reading.

The opening chapter fell flat for me, and I was a worried that it wouldn't live up to expectations, but once I dug in a little deeper, I became thoroughly absorbed in the story of teenaged musician Shawn, his preoccupied museum director mother Dr. Alicia Campbell, and the nanotech supersoldier Artemis. The relationship between these three characters makes up the heart of the story, but it takes a while before you get to see the nuances.

The tense relationship between Shawn and his mother is portrayed very realistically, and made especially poignant because neither of them knows how to build the relationship that they both want. I was thrilled to see a story where the protagonist's mother plays an important role in the story, and even more thrilled at how they interact with each other when both are put in danger. When Alicia has to make a decision that will change her son's life, it's not only the turning point of their relationship but of the whole story. I only wish she played a more active role in the last 25% of the story instead of merely serving as motivation for her son and her boyfriend.

Artemis, on the other hand, took a while to grow on me, in part because it's so long before she has a chance to take an active role in the story. But once she comes into the lives of the Campbells, she changes everything. She serves as both role-model and foil to Shawn, a terse and pragmatic teacher who shows him how to take responsibility and become an active participant in his world, while he reveals in her the human being that she has all but forgotten underneath her armor.

I wasn't as enamored of the space pirates as many other readers seem to be. They served their purpose as a catalyst for the story, and Captain Laroux's utter ruthlessness definitely raised the stakes and ratcheted up the tension. However, the sympathetic pair of Gimble and Crowe never really drew me in the way I think they were supposed to. I couldn't care about them the way I cared about the other characters, but the other side characters still gave me plenty to care about.

With so many people pursuing their own agendas and working at cross-purposes, there's more than enough conflict—and personality—to go around, and the various threads come together in a very satisfying conclusion. Macumber did a good job of taking a solution that could have been too easy and keeping it suspenseful and, above all, personal for the characters. They had to work for every inch, and each character had a role to play and sacrifices to make.

While I feel that the epilogue was too abrupt and a little too neat—I would have preferred to see more of the immediate messy aftermath with only hints of what it would all mean for the future—I'm glad that there's enough room to imagine how easily things could have turned out differently. It wasn't an inevitable ending, and throughout the story there was a satisfying mix of familiar tropes with some unexpected turns that kept me on my toes.

Overall, Haywire is a solid story with characters and conflict that kept me engaged all the way through, and a surprisingly layered plot that left me with a lot to think about. After this first book, I'm looking forward to reading what else Justin Macumber will have to offer in the future.(less)

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May 29, 2012 Scott Roche rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’ve known about Justin Macumber for a couple of years, having been a fan of the Dead Robots Society podcast that he co-hosts. Until this year though, I hadn’t read any of his fiction. When I found out that he had a book called Haywire coming out I was naturally interested in what it was like. He had spent two years or thereabouts talking about writing, his progress and process, and interviewing some truly excellent people in the business. I wanted to know if any of that wisdom had rubbed off on...more I’ve known about Justin Macumber for a couple of years, having been a fan of the Dead Robots Society podcast that he co-hosts. Until this year though, I hadn’t read any of his fiction. When I found out that he had a book called Haywire coming out I was naturally interested in what it was like. He had spent two years or thereabouts talking about writing, his progress and process, and interviewing some truly excellent people in the business. I wanted to know if any of that wisdom had rubbed off on him. I’m happy to say that it looks like it did.

Before I get into the why and wherefores, let me tell you a little about the book. Humanity was on the brink of destruction thanks to a race known as the Hezrin. Thanks to one man’s brilliance and the bravery of a host of men and women they were able to push them back. The invention of nanites turned these soldiers into practically unstoppable forces known as the Titans. A century passes and the Titans have passed into memory. A band of space pirates, wannabe young rocker Shawn Campbell, and his Titan obsessed mother Dr. Alicia Campbell discover that forgotten does not mean gone. One of the Titans returns with a horror story. The Hezrin were defeated, but left behind a virus that has turned the quasi-deities into bloodthirsty monsters and now they’re on their way home with destruction on their minds.

From there, chaos, explosions, chases, and general mayhem ensue. If this were a movie it would be a balls to the wall action set piece, but that’s not all. There’s a heart under all of the spectacle. The relationship between Shawn and his mother is anything but healthy. It’s complicated by divorce and a new boyfriend in her life (and by all the impending doom). Watching them rebuild it is believable and touching. Shawn is also called upon by the emergency to sacrifice a great deal with the potential of losing everything and everyone he cares about. His struggle is mammoth.

There are little moments in this story that are great too. A couple of interactions between the space pirates (I can’t type the phrase “space pirates” enough) are great. I’d actually like to see a book about them. There’s also a scene between Dr. Campbell’s assistant and her boyfriend that sticks with me. So in addition to writing some excellent action, Justin is also good at developing characters that you care about.

Is there anything I didn’t like about the book? There are a few nitpicky things. The discovery of the secret labs seemed a little too easy. Either they should have been harder to discover, or they should have been discovered previously and their contents misunderstood. Probably the former since the Doctor was so far ahead of his time. The key to conquering the Titans also struck me as easily mass produced. That did get balanced out by the difficulty and cost of actually deploying it, though. The last thing, conveniently, is the last thing.

The ending bugs me a little. The end of the last chapter would have been a suitable ending, if a bit dark. After that, Justin gives us an epilogue that’s much more upbeat. It feels a little tacked on, though I will say that it’s the ending I expected given the set up. I’m fairly certain it’s the ending we’re meant to be given, but it’s less than satisfying somehow. I suppose it’s because in a story full of messy, real seeming characters and situations, it’s a little too neat.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would encourage you to run out and buy a copy. Justin has a bright future as a writer and I look forward to this being the first of many stories he will bring to his audience. I give it a solid four out of five stars.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 Timothy Ward rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Justin offers a free sample pdf on his website. I was one page in before I went and bought it. The action mixes well with emotional attachment to the characters and his SciFi tropes are used well. The Titans are fierce soldiers with awesome fight scenes. His use of nanotechnology is creative and integral to the story. Shawn, the main character, starts off as a young man more interested in his band and seeing his girlfriend than visiting his mom. I enjoyed the process of his feelings changing tow...more Justin offers a free sample pdf on his website. I was one page in before I went and bought it. The action mixes well with emotional attachment to the characters and his SciFi tropes are used well. The Titans are fierce soldiers with awesome fight scenes. His use of nanotechnology is creative and integral to the story. Shawn, the main character, starts off as a young man more interested in his band and seeing his girlfriend than visiting his mom. I enjoyed the process of his feelings changing towards his mom and him growing up fast into the hero humanity needed to survive the Titan invasion. The ending is clever, satisfying my desire for capable enemies that thwart the good guys' plan time and time again.

One reason for this being a four star instead of five was because of a couple sections that didn't keep my interest. The prologue was awesome; I loved the action, description, and emotional experience of Artemis, the Titan, seeing the final stage of victory over the Hezrin. Unfortunately, after that, I wasn't immediately interested in the two other POV's: Gimble the pirate, and Shawn. I wasn't interested in Shawn until he opened up to his mom when she made him breakfast. Before that I thought he was kind of a punk ;) Same goes for the pirates. Justin showed me a good reason to like these characters by the end, but their introductions didn't immediately grab me. More importantly, I was rewarded for sticking around because Justin has a great ending to these character's arcs.

Another section that lost my interest was between 35% and 60%. Once I became attached to Shawn and his mother, I really enjoyed the story, and was hooked to the outcome. But, after the museum scene, I felt like the mother's boyfriend investigation of what happened at the museum felt like an unnecessary recap since I was there for the action. I get that Justin was showing us her boyfriend's emotional turmoil, but as a reader I wanted new information. The next part that grabbed my interest wasn't until around 60% with the next fight scene. Finding some what to implement the set up info into dialogue within the fight scene, or at least in closer proximity, would have helped keep the pace from dipping.

Lastly, while Justin's writing shows spurts of excellence, there are also places that show room for improvement. For the most part, his writing is good enough not to draw attention to itself and ruin the reader's enjoyment of the story, but it could have been smoother. For his first published book, I'm impressed. That said, Justin has a reasonable room for growth. If you like Science Fiction that has characters you care about, you'll really enjoy Justin's book. I normally take weeks to read a book, but this book I read in 6 days. That says a lot about Justin's ability to grab the reader and keep them till the end. He didn't let me down, and I'll recommend this to any fans of Science Fiction.(less)

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Mar 20, 2012 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable premiere novel from Justin Macumber. It's a quick and fun ride from start to finish, and there are many characters in this work that I would love to see in other stories, including the campaign of the Titans and maybe short adventures with the two misfit pirates.

This feels like the original Star Wars: a tight rapid-paced joyride in what feels like a much larger universe. In the same vein, it's also a swashbuckling adventure and a good treatise on how our own hubris, when unchecked,...more

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May 27, 2012 Mike McAdam rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! I wouldn't know how to describe the plot and don't want to give any spoilers so I will just say that this is an action-packed, very Battlestar Galactica-esque page turner that involves pirates, alien races (well, sort of), technology. It has it all - drama, intrigue, and lots of action. My only complaint is that I didn't get to read it as fast as I wanted to. The book is hard to put down!

I really don't have any complaints or things I didn't like about it so I guess t...more

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May 01, 2012 Otis0731 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Good read that really pulled me in. I am not a big fan of sci fi usually but I found this book hard to put down once it started going along. Has lots of action including gunfights, hand to hand and full on spaceship fleet battles. Give this book a read you wont regret it.

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Jun 06, 2012 Kassandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

*********Goodreads Winners********

This book was a thrill to read! Right from the beginning it got my attention and I was unable to stop reading it. I loved how the author provided us with each characters different point of view. This book contained everything a sci-fi fan would love to read including pirates, aliens, outerspace, and so much more. I also loved how the author provided crime in this sci-fi book. All in all, this was a great read and I highly recommend everyone to add it to their to...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Keith Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hurray for Haywire! Haywire is filled with characters that you can love, and some you can love to hate. From the very beginning I was drawn closely into the book in an immersive way that only good story telling can do. Justin Macumber has created an amazing world made up of people with fantastic abilities and visionary technology. The story is well crafted and emotionally charged with a detailed eye on the characters. Each one you meet gets a little piece of your heart as you learn about them, a...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Linton B rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was a very fun read set in an exciting sci-fi universe. I recommend this one for anyone who enjoys fast paced action mixed with a healthy dose of sci-fi and a bit of horror.

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Apr 30, 2012 Ash Morrigan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e

It isn't quite fair, but Haywire puts me in mind of the Fifth Element. It certainly isn't as goofy, but Haywire certainly has the same love of big action at a badda-boom pace. (And it has an actual ending!)

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May 10, 2012 Philip rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this adventurous space opera. It was fun and exciting. It left me wanting more stories of the Titans and their foes. How about a volume (or more) on the back-story?

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Jul 10, 2012 Tone rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

A little Treasure Island, a little Berserker, a little Black Sabbath mixed in a fictional gumbo.

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Nov 09, 2012 Maggie Wesolowska rated it 4 of 5 stars

Intense and nicely constructed plot. Titans who were once our salvation now became our destruction. The way the story is told reminds me a little of Michael Crichton books, but with more sci-fi twist to it.

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Jul 12, 2012 Butterfly marked it as to-read

This better be good Katy !!!

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Feb 20, 2013 David Preston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi

Excellent read and became very involved with the story line.

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Jun 15, 2013 Cheyene marked it as to-read

Jun 13, 2013 Jerry Lancaster rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 10, 2013 Tarl marked it as to-read

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Goodreads Authors...: HAYWIRE, a sci-fi action adventure novel	1	5	Apr 17, 2012 01:30pm

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About Justin R. Macumber

Hi, I'm the author of HAYWIRE and the forthcoming A MINOR MAGIC. When not hard at work on my next story I host the popular Dead Robots' Society podcast. I and my lovely wife live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex along with our motley pack of dogs and cats that we think of as our children. I'm also a co-host on The Hollywood Outsider, a weekly podcast about movies and television.

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