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Red is a user. Red is a pusher. Red is a drug addict.
And that’s not a problem.
Everybody in the Four Posts is nursing an addiction to something. In fact, their entire economy is based on the ‘feed: An officially sanctioned, omnipresent drug delivery system with terminals in every home. Red’s talent for mixing new and interesting narcotic concoctions isn’t an issue, but the fact that he accidentally ran while testing an expensive new prototype just might be. Now, with the help of QC, a walking nanotech factory, and Byron, an upper-class slacker literally addicted to the past, Red has to figure out what the strange experimental drug is doing to his mind before the sinister, faceless recovery agents tear him apart.
That is, if his frightening and increasingly real hallucinations don’t do it first.
And that’s not a problem.
Everybody in the Four Posts is nursing an addiction to something. In fact, their entire economy is based on the ‘feed: An officially sanctioned, omnipresent drug delivery system with terminals in every home. Red’s talent for mixing new and interesting narcotic concoctions isn’t an issue, but the fact that he accidentally ran while testing an expensive new prototype just might be. Now, with the help of QC, a walking nanotech factory, and Byron, an upper-class slacker literally addicted to the past, Red has to figure out what the strange experimental drug is doing to his mind before the sinister, faceless recovery agents tear him apart.
That is, if his frightening and increasingly real hallucinations don’t do it first.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
25 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Robert Brockway
13 books518 followersRobert Brockway is an author, screenwriter, podcaster and comedian from Portland, Oregon. He is the co-founder of the comedy site 1900HOTDOG, as well as co-host of podcasts BIGFEETS and The Dogg Zzone 9000. Please update this to read "shooting star gone too soon RIP" when Robert Brockway dies doing jetski stunts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 21, 2012
I'm a fan of Robert Brockway, Word Puncher and the rest of the crew over at Cracked, so when he announced via his column that he had written a sci-fi story and was releasing it as a serial novel, I was intrigued. Especially so as he'd written several different columns on science fiction in general that I'd enjoyed very much. So it wasn't difficult to plonk down a couple of bucks to try out the first installment of his novel.
Unfortunately, while I can't say my expectations were high for a columnist whose specialty is interesting factoids interspersed with dick jokes, I also can't say that episode 1 of Rx: A Tale of Electronegativity exceeded them, either. Brockway's world of culturally-sanctioned junkies and nanotech and fights staged throughout history thanks to time-travel gas is intriguing, but feels frustratingly incomplete despite numerous info-dumps along the way; there are interesting pieces of this world scattered throughout the narrative, but they never quite cohere into a whole sense of place. Similarly, none of the characters manage to be three- (or in some cases, even two-) dimensional; the most intriguing of them is probably Red, but even he seems to be little more than a blank canvas upon which to project whatever drug effect he's currently under. (A little self-awareness on Red's part with regards to that exact blankness does make for an interesting bit of character development, but it does little to illuminate why, for instance, his supposed ex might have been attracted to him in the first place.) And some more editing would've helped as well; there are a couple of puzzling continuity errors that a beta-reader should have caught.
It might come as a surprise, then, that this episode's best asset is its frenetic pacing - it's a quick read and the momentum of the plot carries you along even as you occasionally wish that you could slow down and get a better idea of what, exactly, it is you're rushing past. With a little more polish, this could be a serviceable sci-fi thriller; with a lot more polish, it could be an outright fascinating world. This particular execution, however, feels more like a bad drug trip than an actual exploration.
Unfortunately, while I can't say my expectations were high for a columnist whose specialty is interesting factoids interspersed with dick jokes, I also can't say that episode 1 of Rx: A Tale of Electronegativity exceeded them, either. Brockway's world of culturally-sanctioned junkies and nanotech and fights staged throughout history thanks to time-travel gas is intriguing, but feels frustratingly incomplete despite numerous info-dumps along the way; there are interesting pieces of this world scattered throughout the narrative, but they never quite cohere into a whole sense of place. Similarly, none of the characters manage to be three- (or in some cases, even two-) dimensional; the most intriguing of them is probably Red, but even he seems to be little more than a blank canvas upon which to project whatever drug effect he's currently under. (A little self-awareness on Red's part with regards to that exact blankness does make for an interesting bit of character development, but it does little to illuminate why, for instance, his supposed ex might have been attracted to him in the first place.) And some more editing would've helped as well; there are a couple of puzzling continuity errors that a beta-reader should have caught.
It might come as a surprise, then, that this episode's best asset is its frenetic pacing - it's a quick read and the momentum of the plot carries you along even as you occasionally wish that you could slow down and get a better idea of what, exactly, it is you're rushing past. With a little more polish, this could be a serviceable sci-fi thriller; with a lot more polish, it could be an outright fascinating world. This particular execution, however, feels more like a bad drug trip than an actual exploration.
February 27, 2012
If you know Brockway from Cracked, you know he's a top notch comedy writer. I was a little confused at first, because this is a straight-up sci-fi novel. Sure there's humor, in fact it's hilarious at times, but the humor is always secondary to the story.
In short, if you like Brockway or sci-fi, you should totally read this book. Once you get past the prologue (more on that later), it grabs you very quickly, and opens a lot of interesting questions.
Are they actually traveling through time when they hallucinate? Are they causing destruction to other dimensions when they do? How much of what people see is real? What's life like on the upper levels of society? What's the deal with the janitor?
Regarding the actual format of the book - an episodic ebook - I have to admit it's pretty brilliant. You get a great story without commiting too much time or money. Plus, if you do a lot of your reading on Kindle, you'll appreciate the care that went into the digital formatting compared to books that go for far more.
Reading other reviews, I see a lot of criticism of the prologue, and for the most part I have to agree. The book begins with a long, abstract description of the world (which, granted, can be necessary in books like this), and I found myself having difficulty visualizing it with no context.
As an experiment, I re-read the prologue after finishing the book, and found it more interesting and clear once I had specific context of people and places. In retrospect, it's something that would make for a great opening to a movie - however, in a book, where visualizing is placed on the reader, it can be a bit frustrating.
In short, if you like Brockway or sci-fi, you should totally read this book. Once you get past the prologue (more on that later), it grabs you very quickly, and opens a lot of interesting questions.
Are they actually traveling through time when they hallucinate? Are they causing destruction to other dimensions when they do? How much of what people see is real? What's life like on the upper levels of society? What's the deal with the janitor?
Regarding the actual format of the book - an episodic ebook - I have to admit it's pretty brilliant. You get a great story without commiting too much time or money. Plus, if you do a lot of your reading on Kindle, you'll appreciate the care that went into the digital formatting compared to books that go for far more.
Reading other reviews, I see a lot of criticism of the prologue, and for the most part I have to agree. The book begins with a long, abstract description of the world (which, granted, can be necessary in books like this), and I found myself having difficulty visualizing it with no context.
As an experiment, I re-read the prologue after finishing the book, and found it more interesting and clear once I had specific context of people and places. In retrospect, it's something that would make for a great opening to a movie - however, in a book, where visualizing is placed on the reader, it can be a bit frustrating.
January 1, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed Rx episodes 1 & 2. In fact, by the time I had finished episode 2 I was so thoroughly hooked that I found myself thinking about the characters, the setting, the world of the novel in the hours between reading. When that happens, I know I'm reading something truly fantastic.
Episode 3 continued the vivid and complex characterization and the engaging depth of setting that Brockway introduced in the first two installments. Unfortunately, all that was demolished (and the first two episodes, retroactively) by the ending. Without giving anything away, it felt rushed, slipshod, and, above all, anticlimactic.
Brockway clearly has a gift for science fiction, particularly with regard to developing characters and the worlds in which they dwell. I hope his future works end as well as they begin.
Episode 3 continued the vivid and complex characterization and the engaging depth of setting that Brockway introduced in the first two installments. Unfortunately, all that was demolished (and the first two episodes, retroactively) by the ending. Without giving anything away, it felt rushed, slipshod, and, above all, anticlimactic.
Brockway clearly has a gift for science fiction, particularly with regard to developing characters and the worlds in which they dwell. I hope his future works end as well as they begin.
September 3, 2012
As the first in this three part series, this book sets the scene beautifully. As a Sci-Fi should, it gives an intricate and highly detailed overview of the world our players inhabit.
We meet the main characters and learn a bit about them and their motives and get thrown headlong into the immersing and action packed story.
We meet the main characters and learn a bit about them and their motives and get thrown headlong into the immersing and action packed story.
July 7, 2017
The writing wasn't actually bad, but the book was not good. The world was interesting but the world-building itself was too sparse for me to feel like I knew where I was. I didn't understand how the gas trips worked (still don't) and might have enjoyed it all a bit more if Brockway had explained that in the prologue rather than the nonsensical-totally-purple-rambling-disjointed-snore-fest he went with. I will say that if you just don't like the prologue the book itself improves immensely.
It's a very fast read but the first real semblance of a plot doesn't appear until far too long into the narrative and it's not good enough to rock on without one for that long. I found myself thinking "Wait - what? Why? I don't get it." more often than not.
There's some pretty solid humor and I think it could've been a much better book if it'd gone full-out comedy because the characters aren't particularly likable but sometimes they are quite funny.
This is a serial novel of sorts so the sequels may be better but I'm not really inspired enough to check them out. I've got an inkling of what's going on - if anything is at all - but am not convinced the payoff would be worth the read.
EDIT: I noticed after reviewing that the author has compiled all of the Rx episodes into Rx: A Tale of Electronegativity that appears to be more edited, to contain footnotes, and to generally be better.
It's a very fast read but the first real semblance of a plot doesn't appear until far too long into the narrative and it's not good enough to rock on without one for that long. I found myself thinking "Wait - what? Why? I don't get it." more often than not.
There's some pretty solid humor and I think it could've been a much better book if it'd gone full-out comedy because the characters aren't particularly likable but sometimes they are quite funny.
This is a serial novel of sorts so the sequels may be better but I'm not really inspired enough to check them out. I've got an inkling of what's going on - if anything is at all - but am not convinced the payoff would be worth the read.
EDIT: I noticed after reviewing that the author has compiled all of the Rx episodes into Rx: A Tale of Electronegativity that appears to be more edited, to contain footnotes, and to generally be better.
July 6, 2017
I didn’t even intend to read this book today, but I read a cracked article when I first woke up, and then I read a quick sample, and then It was available to buy with 1 click from Amazon for 2 bucks (technology these days) And then I couldn’t put it down. A fast read, supremely entertaining, humorous, and certainly a pretty cool sci fi world. Would definitely recommend it as a pleasure read for those with any interest in drugs, sci fi, and anyone who can handle a somewhat crude sense of humor. It’s part 1 of a trilogy (episode 1?), and it’s definitely a pleasure read for entertainment, and entertaining it is. Would recommend as a pleasure read.
May 24, 2017
All I can say is thank god this was so short, or else it would have been the 3rd book in my life I've never finished. As it was, I forced my way through it with pure stubbornness.
Heard lots of great reviews, but this story made no sense to me, and the writing, although not awful, felt forced. I think I literally rolled my eyes when Abraham Lincoln was fighting a dinosaur because it so ridiculous and this basically summed up the story for me.
Heard lots of great reviews, but this story made no sense to me, and the writing, although not awful, felt forced. I think I literally rolled my eyes when Abraham Lincoln was fighting a dinosaur because it so ridiculous and this basically summed up the story for me.
August 22, 2012
Oh, boy. Okay. Here it goes. I've had a draft of this review on my computer for quite some time but haven't had the cojones to publish it. If you have to ask why, you probably haven't heard of Robert Brockway or, more specifically, the fans and followers from his Cracked.com column. They're, let's just say, um, very loyal. One wrong step and I'll probably be pummeled with indignant comments and messages. Maybe I should just throw a "read this" at you and run. Settle down, boys and girls. If you'd let me finish, I was just going to say how intelligent and insightful I think you all are. Peace, man. :)
In the three-part Rx series, Robert Brockway has created the perfect dystopian society, if you have to live in a dystopian society, that is -- you get to be all drugged up. Legally. Hum, wait a minute. That sounds familiar. Can't get it up? We've got something for that. Legs "restless"? Step right up, folks, we've got something to stop your legs in their tracks. Really? Sigh. The only difference between the world of Rx and ours is they don't have to drive all the way to Walgreen's for their high -- even the poorest of homes has a "feed". (And the drugs are probably better researched.)
Episode 1 of the series introduces us to Red, a dealer of illicit drug mixes and beta tester for the legal stuff. We first find him with a major hangover from a beta test in the bowels of the Four Posts, a scary future world where your living space is defined by inches, everything is disposable and nanotechnology rules the world. Red's problem is that he doesn't remember anything, including how he got there, he has a hangover that includes wicked, ever-worsening hallucinations, and he has violated his non-disclosure agreement. Unfortunately for him, they burn witches -- I mean violators -- and ask questions later. Rx: Episode 1 takes us on a raucous ride as Red tries to escape the crazies down below (with the help of one of the crazies, an ex-girlfriend with a grudge) and elude the drug company bounty hunters sent to kill him. Further up, we also get to know QC, a Factory Girl, and Byron, a rich junkie Penthouse Kid, each searching for Red to get their own special fix that only he can provide.
The action continues in Episode 2, taking us on an adventure to the watery world of the Reservoir where we get to know more about our protagonists and what makes them tick. Red, his mind increasingly unstable from the beta test, is desperate to reach a mysterious contact who can protect him from Hockner Industries and cure his potentially lethal hangover. QC and Byron develop an awkward, tenuous mutual respect in Episode 2 that is both sweet and marvelously discordant at the same time.
Robert Brockway is extremely talented at creating a setting and planting you firmly in his world. So much so that it seems to have a personality of its own and is an integral part of the story. The detail and ambiance is so well done that I, who sometimes have a problem visualizing an author's world, felt like I was stepping right into the Four Posts when I turned on my Kindle and began to read, becoming more and more immersed as the pages went by. This attention to detail is not distracting in any way, only enhances the story and supports the characters and their actions. It was, in fact, a refreshing change for me, having found that many indie books tend to forego setting and leave the characters in vague, undefined surroundings.
This is an action-packed, fast-moving story. It would have to be, I suppose, as these are two very short novellas. That was a drawback for me, seeing as I'm one of those the-longer-the-better readers, especially when it's a good story. War and Peace? Bring it on, baby. The language is rough, and the characters delightfully raunchy and coarse, especially QC. I particularly enjoyed QC and Byron's uncomfortable pairing. There is the humor that you expect from Mr. Brockway, but not in the way you might think. The humor is so well done and threaded so intimately and naturally throughout the plot and dialogue that I didn't even recognize it as such.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Rx series to sci-fi/dystopian fans. While sci-fi is pretty much a free-for-all as far as taking society wherever you want it to go, as with all really good fiction the author has drawn many parallels to the sorry state of affairs we find ourselves in today; i.e., a pharmaceutically controlled society, the rich guys up top in the sun doling out the dope to the disenfranchised down below, where the ideas of sunlight and hope are only a myth.
The author is becoming a master at the cliffhanger, and I have been waiting not-so-patiently for Episode 3, which just came out last week. So now you can enjoy all three and not have to wait a month for the next episode.
In the three-part Rx series, Robert Brockway has created the perfect dystopian society, if you have to live in a dystopian society, that is -- you get to be all drugged up. Legally. Hum, wait a minute. That sounds familiar. Can't get it up? We've got something for that. Legs "restless"? Step right up, folks, we've got something to stop your legs in their tracks. Really? Sigh. The only difference between the world of Rx and ours is they don't have to drive all the way to Walgreen's for their high -- even the poorest of homes has a "feed". (And the drugs are probably better researched.)
Episode 1 of the series introduces us to Red, a dealer of illicit drug mixes and beta tester for the legal stuff. We first find him with a major hangover from a beta test in the bowels of the Four Posts, a scary future world where your living space is defined by inches, everything is disposable and nanotechnology rules the world. Red's problem is that he doesn't remember anything, including how he got there, he has a hangover that includes wicked, ever-worsening hallucinations, and he has violated his non-disclosure agreement. Unfortunately for him, they burn witches -- I mean violators -- and ask questions later. Rx: Episode 1 takes us on a raucous ride as Red tries to escape the crazies down below (with the help of one of the crazies, an ex-girlfriend with a grudge) and elude the drug company bounty hunters sent to kill him. Further up, we also get to know QC, a Factory Girl, and Byron, a rich junkie Penthouse Kid, each searching for Red to get their own special fix that only he can provide.
The action continues in Episode 2, taking us on an adventure to the watery world of the Reservoir where we get to know more about our protagonists and what makes them tick. Red, his mind increasingly unstable from the beta test, is desperate to reach a mysterious contact who can protect him from Hockner Industries and cure his potentially lethal hangover. QC and Byron develop an awkward, tenuous mutual respect in Episode 2 that is both sweet and marvelously discordant at the same time.
Robert Brockway is extremely talented at creating a setting and planting you firmly in his world. So much so that it seems to have a personality of its own and is an integral part of the story. The detail and ambiance is so well done that I, who sometimes have a problem visualizing an author's world, felt like I was stepping right into the Four Posts when I turned on my Kindle and began to read, becoming more and more immersed as the pages went by. This attention to detail is not distracting in any way, only enhances the story and supports the characters and their actions. It was, in fact, a refreshing change for me, having found that many indie books tend to forego setting and leave the characters in vague, undefined surroundings.
This is an action-packed, fast-moving story. It would have to be, I suppose, as these are two very short novellas. That was a drawback for me, seeing as I'm one of those the-longer-the-better readers, especially when it's a good story. War and Peace? Bring it on, baby. The language is rough, and the characters delightfully raunchy and coarse, especially QC. I particularly enjoyed QC and Byron's uncomfortable pairing. There is the humor that you expect from Mr. Brockway, but not in the way you might think. The humor is so well done and threaded so intimately and naturally throughout the plot and dialogue that I didn't even recognize it as such.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Rx series to sci-fi/dystopian fans. While sci-fi is pretty much a free-for-all as far as taking society wherever you want it to go, as with all really good fiction the author has drawn many parallels to the sorry state of affairs we find ourselves in today; i.e., a pharmaceutically controlled society, the rich guys up top in the sun doling out the dope to the disenfranchised down below, where the ideas of sunlight and hope are only a myth.
The author is becoming a master at the cliffhanger, and I have been waiting not-so-patiently for Episode 3, which just came out last week. So now you can enjoy all three and not have to wait a month for the next episode.
March 6, 2012
I went into this expecting to like it. I've been a long-time fan of Robert Brockway from Cracked.com and I really enjoyed his previous book "Everything is Going to Kill Everybody." The first episode of this story didn't disappoint. I'm not a huge sci-fi reader, but I do enjoy the genre when it's well written so I tried to maintain an open mind while reading it. Luckily Brockway's writing style didn't require me to overlook so many of the ridiculous sci-fi tropes that turn a lot of people off. There's a thin line between writing a world that is advanced but believable and one that is too over-the-top with pseudo-science/magic to be taken seriously. I enjoyed the interplay of nano-tech and chemicals, both of which have been taken to their seemingly logical conclusion in Brockway's future world. The only thing that stuck out to me was the lack of an explanation of how the "gas" works that seems to transport people to other locations and times without actually transporting them at all. It seems to induce more than a hallucination because things (and people) can be physically transported between trips and reality, but it seems like the scene has been set to explore this more fully in future episodes and isn't simply a lazy lack of information. I have a theory about the particular brand of gas Red was testing that may bring a bit of a fantasy element into the story, but I'll keep the possibly spoiler-y information to myself. Overall I quite enjoyed this first part of the story and I'm looking forward to seeing where the characters go from here. I got the impression of a party being built (it's the fantasy RPG-er in me), but they never quite all made it together so I'll be interested to see what happens when (if) they do.
Besides the book itself I was also intrigued by the release method. I'm always interested in new media outlets and I think it's very exciting to see people taking risks with their creations, especially when more traditional and stable income providing options are available. I don't have an e-reader, smart phone or a laptop so I was limited to reading this on my desktop at home and work, but it was worth the relatively minor inconvenience for me and I recognize the fact that I am in the minority on this one. Most people won't have a problem taking this story with them and to be honest I enjoyed it enough that when I knew I wouldn't finish before my vacation I went to the trouble of printing out the last 60 pages so I could read it on the plane.
Robert Brockway has set up a good story with the first episode, and his "techno-babble" actually has a researched feel so as to not come off as totally ridiculous like so many other science fiction novels. It left me wanting to know what will happen to the characters in the next episode and the unique release method has me curious about how the story might be affected before its final full release. Overall I would highly recommend reading Episode 1. After all it's only $2.
Besides the book itself I was also intrigued by the release method. I'm always interested in new media outlets and I think it's very exciting to see people taking risks with their creations, especially when more traditional and stable income providing options are available. I don't have an e-reader, smart phone or a laptop so I was limited to reading this on my desktop at home and work, but it was worth the relatively minor inconvenience for me and I recognize the fact that I am in the minority on this one. Most people won't have a problem taking this story with them and to be honest I enjoyed it enough that when I knew I wouldn't finish before my vacation I went to the trouble of printing out the last 60 pages so I could read it on the plane.
Robert Brockway has set up a good story with the first episode, and his "techno-babble" actually has a researched feel so as to not come off as totally ridiculous like so many other science fiction novels. It left me wanting to know what will happen to the characters in the next episode and the unique release method has me curious about how the story might be affected before its final full release. Overall I would highly recommend reading Episode 1. After all it's only $2.
March 28, 2012
When I say that Rx has great potential, I do not use the phrase lightly. Brockway, as well as already being one of my favorite authors (making his a name on a list that include Asimov, Crichton and King), has written what is shaping up to easily be one of my favorite books. Allowing the reader to spend a day among the three characters introduced in the first installment is quite the treat. Brockway has a real knack for thrusting the reader headlong into his world, a cramped world of rampant vice and drug addiction. It's a very original concept; if the premise has been done before, then I sure haven't heard of it, and when Brockway gets to work plunging his readers into the depths of his imaginative and surreal world, he doesn't mess around. No time is wasted on unnecessary exposition. You almost immediately find yourself in the shoes of Red, a black market drug dealer and beta tester for a new and advanced types of drugs, lost and alone in the bowels of the vast, futuristic superstructure Brockway's creations call home. As Red struggles to piece together fragments of his memory, it is your job as a reader to piece together the intricacies and clever little nuances of Brockway's brave new world, and you can't help but have a great time doing it. No longer are we spoon-fed setting and detail, people: the author has given you the tools and you must use them to build the narrative, and reading the story is all the much more fun for it. As a result, the Four Posts already feel like a familiar place; no other science fiction story has welcomed me with such open arms before, treating me as an equal, as a member of its wondrous and clever society. I would readily recommend the book to anyone, and at $2 it's a steal. I urge you to go out and get yours. By which I mean open a new tab and Google the book's website. Needless to say: I can't wait for the future installments.
March 22, 2012
UPDATED: Screw it. I'm upgrading this to 5 stars on the basis that I really did LOVE this story. But I still have rage. So much rage....
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I would have given this a five star review if it had been a complete novel. I'm not a fan of serialised fiction - I would rather just pick a book up, immerse myself in it for a while and finish it. No pissing about trying to hunt down the next instalment and getting distracted by something shinier, then going back to the story having forgotten half of what happened previously. I just want to pick up a book and read it. To read a story as promising as this, only to have it randomly chopped off with no resolution sucks. To find out that the next instalment is not available sucks more. To find out that the author will be releasing the rest of the instalments ad hoc, starting in "Later this Spring" might be a deal breaker. If the author wants to sell his fiction internationally, he should probably be aware that seasons differ in different parts of the world for starters....
Can you sense my bitterness?
Believe it or not, I really loved this story. The writing was fantastic and the world building absolutely flawless. The prologue was so beautifully written, I was envisaging a huge tracking shot in a James Cameron movie. It was actually awe inspiring. I was invested in the characters (to the extent that I'd actually rather like to BE Zippy when I grow up) and I was intrigued as to where the plot was going. But that's the problem. I STILL don't know where it's going. Because the author seems to want to release this like a comic book!
GOOD writer! BAD publisher! GOOD writer! BAD publisher! GOOD writer! BAD publisher!
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I would have given this a five star review if it had been a complete novel. I'm not a fan of serialised fiction - I would rather just pick a book up, immerse myself in it for a while and finish it. No pissing about trying to hunt down the next instalment and getting distracted by something shinier, then going back to the story having forgotten half of what happened previously. I just want to pick up a book and read it. To read a story as promising as this, only to have it randomly chopped off with no resolution sucks. To find out that the next instalment is not available sucks more. To find out that the author will be releasing the rest of the instalments ad hoc, starting in "Later this Spring" might be a deal breaker. If the author wants to sell his fiction internationally, he should probably be aware that seasons differ in different parts of the world for starters....
Can you sense my bitterness?
Believe it or not, I really loved this story. The writing was fantastic and the world building absolutely flawless. The prologue was so beautifully written, I was envisaging a huge tracking shot in a James Cameron movie. It was actually awe inspiring. I was invested in the characters (to the extent that I'd actually rather like to BE Zippy when I grow up) and I was intrigued as to where the plot was going. But that's the problem. I STILL don't know where it's going. Because the author seems to want to release this like a comic book!
GOOD writer! BAD publisher! GOOD writer! BAD publisher! GOOD writer! BAD publisher!
February 12, 2012
I've never got in to sci-fi before, but after reading this, the first of "Rx"'s three parts, I might just have to change that. After a slightly-too-verbose opening describing the world, it becomes clear that the real talent in this book is in it's incidental description as the author employs a writing style reminiscent of his "Choose your Own Drug-Fuelled Misadventures" on Cracked.com, so if you're unsure about getting this episode you might want to read those first. This style gives the book a familiar edge, a friendly atmosphere, rather than the grandiose one that some sci-fi employs, and which turned me off the genre to begin with - a feat which is to be commended.
The other difficult thing that this book pulls off very well is sustaining three separate plot-threads focussing on the three main characters, and making each of the three equally interesting - Red, Byron and QC, while drastically different, are all likeable, intriguing characters and seeing how each of their plots will intertwine is part of the episode's fun.
Finally, the episodic style is a good choice. The decision to release the three episodes in novella-sized (though not novellas in themselves) chunks will, I'm sure, give this amazing world and it's characters time to take root in my mind before Act Two is released in Spring with "Rx: Episode Two - Industry".
So, overall, if you are a sci-fi fan, you should read this book, if you are not, then this book might just change your mind and if you are completely unsure, then read some of the author's other works on cracked.com but, come on, it is only $2 so you might as well.
The other difficult thing that this book pulls off very well is sustaining three separate plot-threads focussing on the three main characters, and making each of the three equally interesting - Red, Byron and QC, while drastically different, are all likeable, intriguing characters and seeing how each of their plots will intertwine is part of the episode's fun.
Finally, the episodic style is a good choice. The decision to release the three episodes in novella-sized (though not novellas in themselves) chunks will, I'm sure, give this amazing world and it's characters time to take root in my mind before Act Two is released in Spring with "Rx: Episode Two - Industry".
So, overall, if you are a sci-fi fan, you should read this book, if you are not, then this book might just change your mind and if you are completely unsure, then read some of the author's other works on cracked.com but, come on, it is only $2 so you might as well.
February 20, 2012
I bought this book on a whim, figuring "Meh, it's only two bucks. Even if it's terrible, I'm not out much." I was apprehensive, knowing that the author is a writer for the popular humor site Cracked, and I was concerned I would get a bunch of stupid jokes and half-nude female characters. I am glad my concerns were completely off, and was very happy with the purchase.
The story quickly becomes engrossing, and the characters are well-developed. Each character is interesting and different, and the world is well-crafted. The characters, each funny and deep in their own right, live in a world that feels gritty, dirty, and downright claustrophobic. Many questions remain (Is there even a government? How did the world get this way? Is the whole world like this, or just this country/city?), and I hope the author gets around to answering them!
The humor was subtle and not overbearing, nor was it silly or boring. I even laughed - out loud, at work - at one point; then I re-read the paragraph a few more times because it was that funny.
To be fair, a (very) few lines seem a bit overwritten. For instance, the word "nebulous" in the second chapter just hit my mental ear with a resounding "thud". That being said, these lines are very few and very far between.
For two bucks, the fourteen chapters contained within are well worth the pocket change. I highly recommend the purchase, and anxiously await further releases.
The story quickly becomes engrossing, and the characters are well-developed. Each character is interesting and different, and the world is well-crafted. The characters, each funny and deep in their own right, live in a world that feels gritty, dirty, and downright claustrophobic. Many questions remain (Is there even a government? How did the world get this way? Is the whole world like this, or just this country/city?), and I hope the author gets around to answering them!
The humor was subtle and not overbearing, nor was it silly or boring. I even laughed - out loud, at work - at one point; then I re-read the paragraph a few more times because it was that funny.
To be fair, a (very) few lines seem a bit overwritten. For instance, the word "nebulous" in the second chapter just hit my mental ear with a resounding "thud". That being said, these lines are very few and very far between.
For two bucks, the fourteen chapters contained within are well worth the pocket change. I highly recommend the purchase, and anxiously await further releases.
March 17, 2012
Robert Brockway manages to do something amazing and downright magical, he has an uncanny ability to mix and merge the wacky comedic value of our every day lives and merges it with (somewhat) realistic views on how our current society works. What emerges from this is a book and honestly anybody with an open mind can take something from, whether it be the virtues and vices of having a nonchalant and light hearted view of the worlds we are placed in, or be it how we as humans strive to interact with the uninteractable. In short, this book follows the wacky, zany antics of Red, in a world were social acceptability of drugs and addicts is common place, and were certain historical figures can cross the expanse of time and space to do battle for our pleasure, there are no limits, there are no rules and you never really truly know what to expect next. Rx: A tale of electronegativeity is really one glimce at a possible future in the multiverse, and a must read for anyone everywhere who believes in open thought and discussion regarding all topics, regardless of how crazy or far fetched they may be, and truly just enjoy the experience that his wonderful author has generously provided. Must read.
July 10, 2012
I'm still enjoying it, still getting that "like William Gibson's good stuff" vibe, but there are a few downsides to this installment format:
1. I'm impatient and want to read the whole thing at once.
2. It ends up being like a book I put down and haven't touched for several months and then picked up again. I almost felt I had to reread part one first to get my bearings again. Maybe the way around this is by waiting to buy until they're all out.
3. The first part of a novel introduces the characters, their world, and the Problem. That's interesting by default, if you do it right. The middle part is getting everyone where they need to be and escalating the Problem so that the climax can happen in part three. The problem with middles is sometimes it can feel like "just waiting for something to happen."
Luckily number 3 isn't much of a problem because things do happen, interesting things, and there's some more world-building. So that's cool. It isn't quite as interesting as part one but that's just one of the hazards of the format, I guess. In one unbroken work I wouldn't even notice it.
I look forward to part three!
1. I'm impatient and want to read the whole thing at once.
2. It ends up being like a book I put down and haven't touched for several months and then picked up again. I almost felt I had to reread part one first to get my bearings again. Maybe the way around this is by waiting to buy until they're all out.
3. The first part of a novel introduces the characters, their world, and the Problem. That's interesting by default, if you do it right. The middle part is getting everyone where they need to be and escalating the Problem so that the climax can happen in part three. The problem with middles is sometimes it can feel like "just waiting for something to happen."
Luckily number 3 isn't much of a problem because things do happen, interesting things, and there's some more world-building. So that's cool. It isn't quite as interesting as part one but that's just one of the hazards of the format, I guess. In one unbroken work I wouldn't even notice it.
I look forward to part three!
February 16, 2012
George Orwell imagined a bleak future born out of the totalitarian lust for control; Brockway imagines the opposite, a bleak future born of capitalism’s aggressive apathy, fuelled of course by the internet’s psychopathic sensationalism. Brockways drug-addled dystopia of shantytowns built into the shell of a technologically incredible world is a one of a kind creation and it is absolutely fascinating. His extrapolation of modern trends is exceptionally psychologically acute; the intense stratification of society driven by the ability of the rich to buy new technologies that the poor cannot, the blithe recombination of anything remotely culturally meaningful (Abraham Lincoln fights a pitched battle with a triceratops) and the complete desensitivity to brutality and profanity all have their roots in the modern world. I heartily recommend this book for the vivid picture that it paints of a world gone wrong, propelled towards its doom at break-neck speed by the very cultural cynicism and unrestrained technological expansion that are shaping our own.
February 16, 2012
I like a good weird sci if book and this is one of them. Actually it easily outpaces about 95% of the genre in unadulterated (heh) weirdness, so for that alone I'd recommend it. BONUS it's self published and ridonculously cheap. So if you're in the mood for a good yarn featuring Abraham Lincoln fighting dinosaurs in a prominent role why not check it out? The weirdness can fly a bit to thick to understand at times but I'm hopeful the next installment well have some 'splainen to do.
Merged review:
I like a good weird sci if book and this is one of them. Actually it easily outpaces about 95% of the genre in unadulterated (heh) weirdness, so for that alone I'd recommend it. BONUS it's self published and ridonculously cheap. So if you're in the mood for a good yarn featuring Abraham Lincoln fighting dinosaurs in a prominent role why not check it out? The weirdness can fly a bit to thick to understand at times but I'm hopeful the next installment well have some 'splainen to do.
Merged review:
I like a good weird sci if book and this is one of them. Actually it easily outpaces about 95% of the genre in unadulterated (heh) weirdness, so for that alone I'd recommend it. BONUS it's self published and ridonculously cheap. So if you're in the mood for a good yarn featuring Abraham Lincoln fighting dinosaurs in a prominent role why not check it out? The weirdness can fly a bit to thick to understand at times but I'm hopeful the next installment well have some 'splainen to do.
March 13, 2012
Damn, this book sucked. I blame myself. Everyone seems to have rated it very highly. I thoroughly enjoy Brockway's Cracked.com articles, and I LOVED his previous book "Everything Is Going to Kill Everybody". This is the first of three parts of this book, and the author has a promotion of sorts going where if you review the first part of his book and provide proof, you will get the next "episode" for free. If you review that, you get the next one, and so on. I'm sorry Mr. Brockway, if you see this - I just couldn't get on board. I tried to; even the promises of free further episodes that might get better couldn't convince me to fabricate a favorable review. Again, it's probably just my tastes (or lack thereof). I still love you, just not Rx.
March 14, 2012
Between the free sample on the website and the low asking price, I've got to say that I'm impressed by the respect the author gives the reader. The idea that you don't need to buy a book to see if it's good shouldn't be this new and interesting, but it is.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, with depth to their traits, and genuine motives behind their actions. The plot is kept kind of secrets, but considering that this is just the first episode of the book, I'm fine with that.
That being said, this book is not for those who hate sci-fi. It's no stranger to the tropes and traits that most science fiction books share. It uses them well, but it might be enough to turn off some readers.
To sum it up: Read the free sample. Buy it if you like it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, with depth to their traits, and genuine motives behind their actions. The plot is kept kind of secrets, but considering that this is just the first episode of the book, I'm fine with that.
That being said, this book is not for those who hate sci-fi. It's no stranger to the tropes and traits that most science fiction books share. It uses them well, but it might be enough to turn off some readers.
To sum it up: Read the free sample. Buy it if you like it.
June 12, 2012
First off, totally aside from the story, I love that the Internet and digital distribution is allowing self-publishing and episodic novels to rise again. This could be really, really cool for new authors and unconventional works.
On to the book. I have been told, and believe, that 95% of science fiction is terrible. This book is in the 5% that's great. The setting is really, really strong, as are the characters. Think Brave New World, but modernized and with way less direct government involvement. Brockway's dry humor really shines as well. At least so far, I don't know if I've encountered any life lessons here, but it's an incredibly fun read. I'll be buying the rest of the episodes as they come out, assuming this level of quality holds - and I trust it will, Brockway's a great guy.
On to the book. I have been told, and believe, that 95% of science fiction is terrible. This book is in the 5% that's great. The setting is really, really strong, as are the characters. Think Brave New World, but modernized and with way less direct government involvement. Brockway's dry humor really shines as well. At least so far, I don't know if I've encountered any life lessons here, but it's an incredibly fun read. I'll be buying the rest of the episodes as they come out, assuming this level of quality holds - and I trust it will, Brockway's a great guy.
June 17, 2012
Marvelous stage-setting; the world which Brockway has concocted is intriguing as it is full. The use of nanotech and self-medication is integrated into the lives of the characters in a way that makes it familiar to the reader, simply because it is familiar to the characters themselves.
On the other hand, I admit I don't have much empathy for the characters--or perhaps not yet (since this seems to be the first installment of a serial release). Perhaps it's their patterns of self-destructive behavior--even if such vices are commonplace in this negative utopia--or that their real motives and emotions are buried beneath their actions. In any case, the driving action and the desire to understand more kept me reading through the end of this episode, so now I'm on to the next one!
On the other hand, I admit I don't have much empathy for the characters--or perhaps not yet (since this seems to be the first installment of a serial release). Perhaps it's their patterns of self-destructive behavior--even if such vices are commonplace in this negative utopia--or that their real motives and emotions are buried beneath their actions. In any case, the driving action and the desire to understand more kept me reading through the end of this episode, so now I'm on to the next one!
September 25, 2012
This is the first book (short novella, really) in a series that really can't be summed up any better than the description does. Dark, drug filled, cyberpunk, that is nonstop action and bodies in motion, and that keeps you constantly curious as to what will happen next. Sure, some of the minor characters in the story may be a bit over the top and unrealistic (on any level whatsoever), but they, just as with the main characters, are all still entertaining and highly enjoyable.
This was a quick read (and certainly not very taxing), but for $1.99, and the well done and highly enjoyable cyberpunk environment, I'm certainly not going to complain.
I certainly plan on reading the rest in the series.
This was a quick read (and certainly not very taxing), but for $1.99, and the well done and highly enjoyable cyberpunk environment, I'm certainly not going to complain.
I certainly plan on reading the rest in the series.
October 4, 2012
The final "book" (you can actually buy all three segments of this book together on Amazon now instead of in three seperate series like I did) of Rx was just as good as the others, if not better.
Plenty of action, cyberpunk, and multiverse goodness all around, with a wicked and almost sadly bitter ending to really drive the whole story home.
I don't think the author did a very good job of actually explaining why some of the things that happened did, which was going to be a huge slant against this third and final part, however, as I laid in bed last night I was able to put the pieces all together quite easily and realized I may have just missed, or not realized, where the author explained certain elements in the story.
All in all a nice, short, cyberpunk read.
Plenty of action, cyberpunk, and multiverse goodness all around, with a wicked and almost sadly bitter ending to really drive the whole story home.
I don't think the author did a very good job of actually explaining why some of the things that happened did, which was going to be a huge slant against this third and final part, however, as I laid in bed last night I was able to put the pieces all together quite easily and realized I may have just missed, or not realized, where the author explained certain elements in the story.
All in all a nice, short, cyberpunk read.
June 10, 2012
This shows great potential in a complex world immersed in drugs/nanobots that dictate everyones life. I was enthralled and captivated by the twists and turns of this short novel. However, as it clearly states, it is just Episode one in a series of three (?). I would have much prefered some sort of ending to this 'episode' which would have made it more complete, but still leaving the desire to read two and three.
I felt that it was just left hanging and therefore have only given it 3 stars and not four.
I felt that it was just left hanging and therefore have only given it 3 stars and not four.
July 16, 2012
RX is one of the few books I've read that is truly great and worth reading again and again. Brockway's writing is very reminiscent of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It constantly switches between the plot and explanations of the world the book is set in. This causes some disorientation at first, but instead of making the book worse, it works perfectly at putting you in the disorienting world of constant drug use. Anyone looking for a good science fiction book for a low price, look no further. It's right here.
September 3, 2012
The biggest problem with the first offering of Robert Brockway's Rx is its first few opening paragraphs. They attempt to welcome the reader into a dystopian future where drug addiction is a necessary part of daily life and a cornerstone of consumer culture in a way that comes off as clunky and unrefined. It's almost bad enough to completely turn off the reader, but past those first few paragraphs lies a science fiction story with serious potential. Give this one a chance, you won't be dissapointed.
February 20, 2012
Wow. What a ride. I can't wait for the next installment. The story is jumpy, but in a good way. Trying to figure out how things work in this futuristic world can be difficult at times but totally worth it. I especially like the triceratops fighting Abraham Lincoln. I hope we get more info on this part. The Gas trips are interesting, but I have a hard time understanding if the fights are actually happening or just mass hallucination.
May 18, 2012
This was one of those bits of books that I tried really hard to read slowly, not knowing when the next bit would be available. I was not successful. Now, I angrily await part two.
Robert Brockway is one of my favorite Cracked writers, but he seems to make the transition to novelist with ease. The characters and the world are beautifully detailed, and the humor is as unexpected and delightful as a deathmatch between Abraham Lincoln and a triceratops.
Robert Brockway is one of my favorite Cracked writers, but he seems to make the transition to novelist with ease. The characters and the world are beautifully detailed, and the humor is as unexpected and delightful as a deathmatch between Abraham Lincoln and a triceratops.
July 10, 2013
I knew two things going into this book: that Robert Brockway of Cracked fame was the author, and somehow Lincoln fighting a dinosaur was involved. What I didn't expect, however, was an intriguing science fiction novel set in an immersive world that to me personally is one of the closest approximations to our possible future ever written. Filled with drugs, crime, and technology, I completely recommend it to any fan of the genre, and I definitely plan to continue with the rest of the series.
May 13, 2014
Part 2 of Brockway's epic drug-based sci-fi adventure.
This book was as funny as ever, but it was pretty clear that this was intended to be the middle section of a larger book. A lot of the time was spent setting up for the final book, so it didn't really feel like anything was achieved.
There were some really great moment in this book. Definitely worth reading, the whole book is available in one piece from amazon alongside the 3 installments already there.
This book was as funny as ever, but it was pretty clear that this was intended to be the middle section of a larger book. A lot of the time was spent setting up for the final book, so it didn't really feel like anything was achieved.
There were some really great moment in this book. Definitely worth reading, the whole book is available in one piece from amazon alongside the 3 installments already there.
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