Broken

Debt Collector #4

by Susan Kaye Quinn

Urban Fantasy with a Cyberpunk Twist
***fourth episode of the nine-part serial***

What’s your life worth on the open market?
In this gritty urban fantasy, debt collectors take your life energy and give it to someone more “worthy”… all while paying the price with black marks on their souls.

Broken is approximately 15,000 words or 60 pages, and is the fourth of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial.

Lirium tries to free himself and Ophelia from the Kolek mob, but Valac has other plans for him.

Contains mature content and themes.

OPTIONED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY BY IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT
2014 Semi-Finalist in Science Fiction in the Kindle Book Awards

It is recommended that you start with the first season, but each season is a complete story for that debt collector and can serve as an entry point to the series. There are five planned seasons in the Debt Collector series, the first four each from the perspective of a different debt collector with the fifth season bringing all four together.

READING ORDER

Season One – Lirium - COMPLETE
Episodes 1-9: Delirium, Agony, Ecstasy, Broken, Driven, Fallen, Promise, Ruthless, Passion

Season Two – Wraith **available for pre-order** releases 12.15.14
Episodes 10-18: Wraith, Specter, Menace, Temptation, Shattered, Penance, Judgment, Corruption, Atonement

Genres: Cyberpunk, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Ebooks

52 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2013

About the author

CLICK HERE for a FREE STORY

Susan Kaye Quinn has designed aircraft engines and researched global warming, but now she uses her PhD to invent cool stuff in books. Her works range from hopeful climate fiction to gritty cyberpunk. Sue believes being gentle and healing is radical and disruptive. Her short fiction can be found in Grist, Solarpunk Magazine, Reckoning, and all her novels and short stories can be found on her website. She is the host of the Bright Green Futures podcast.

SOLARPUNK
collections
Bright Green Futures: 2024 (edited by SKQ)
Halfway to Better

novels
Nothing is Promised series
When You Had Power
You Knew The Price
Of Kindness and Kilowatts
Yet You Cry When It Hurts

short stories
A Moon Goddess to Watch Over Me (Luna Station Quarterly) (hopepunk)
It's in the Blood (Reckoning 8)
Once and Future Kilowatts (Solarpunk Magazine)
Rewilding Indiana (Little Blue Marble)
Seven Sisters (Grist)
The Joy Fund (DreamForge Magazine)

SCI-FI
Singularity Novel Series
The Legacy Human
The Duality Bridge
The Illusory Prophet
The Last Mystic

Stories of Singularity
Restore
Containment
Augment
Awakening
Harvest
Defiance
Resistance

YA SF
Mindjack Series
Open Minds
Closed Hearts
Free Souls
Locked Tight
Cracked Open
Broken Wide
Mindjack Short Story Collection

WATCH the award-winning live-action Mindjack Book Trailer!

STEAMPUNK ROMANCE
Royals of Dharia
Third Daughter
Second Daughter
First Daughter

CYBERPUNK
Debt Collector
LIRIUM (Season One)
WRAITH (Season Two)

WATCH the Debt Collector Book Trailer

ANTHOLOGIES
Synchronic
Telepath Chronicles
AI Chronicles
Dark Beyond The Stars
Future Chronicles
Cyborg Chronicles
CLONES: The Anthology

MIDDLE GRADE FANTASY
Faery Swap

WATCH the Faery Swap Book Trailer

CONTACT SUSAN
Susan's Website | Sue on Bluesky | Sue on Mastodon
Susan's Email: sue@twistedspacepub.com

Reviews

[J.A. Belfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each episode I read of this amazing (mini) series, I find myself falling in love with Lirium (and the series itself) a little more. Lirium is such a troubled, misunderstood, and rash character, who starts the series appearing to be worldly wise and street smart, yet the more time we spend with him, the more we realise how much of the opening is an act—an act he doesn’t even realise he’s playing in, because he has no idea how clueless he truly is, until he’s faced with situations he probably never imagined to find himself in.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m slightly in (fictional) love with Lirium. The last episode, Ecstasy, was the best episode so far, and a tough one to top. To be honest, Broken was maybe a star rating behind Ecstasy, until I headed through the action at the end, see the betrayal, witness his downfall on a scale nobody would truly want to ever experience, and the dude just tugged on my heartstrings hard enough to earn his top marks.
So, to wrap up: great addition to the series, great character development, enlightenment, discoveries, and a fresh in depth glimpse at a new level of this awesome world building.
Now, hurry up and give me the next one. Because I need to make sure Lirium’s okay (my poor pet).

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a dark episode. Poor Lirium. Loved it and can't wait for the next one!

(Proper review forthcoming.)

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Monica Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment of the debt collectors serial/season. Lirium is now in the hands of the mob boss Kolek, and learning what he'll have to do to survive.

I'm loving that in spite of his terrible situation and the draw of being a mob collector, getting huge life hits, he's not forgetting himself or being lured into accepting his fate. This episode was just as amazing as the others.

Poor Lirium seems destined to be betrayed by everyone. I have to admit that I'm finding myself having a bit of sympathy for one of his betrayers, Valac, the mob collector who was supposed to help him, but instead turned him over to Kolek. I think there is more to him than meets the eye and I'm hoping he'll turn out to surprise me in a positive way, as Lirium has.

I can't wait for more!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better with each installment, Lirium's story continues to fascinate me. What strikes me as this story evolves is that line in society between the haves and the have-nots. No matter who is in charge - the government or the mob - the debt collectors job is to take from one group and give to the other. There doesn't seem to be much difference between the two. Ophelia sees that more clearly than Lirium, but I think he's learning fast. Waiting for the next episode...

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fourth installment of The Debt Collector serial, Lirium learns what it's like to be an unwilling collector--as well as a donor. On this journey Lirium joins with Ophelia and Valac--fellow collectors--and united they are an awesome force.

In his race to break free of his current position, Lirium finds he's responsible for two lives lost within forty pages. And, one of the three collectors is left in a bloody heap.

Suspense abounds, and the narrative is a strong as ever.

[Jessica Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the pace slowing a bit, don't miss this episode, the cliffhanger is a killer. Plus, if you're expecting it, the slower pace is rather nice for a change. The first three episodes made my head spin. In a good way, of course. :-)

[Eliza Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent episode.I'm really digging the world and each episode makes me hungry for more. Can't wait for the next one!

[Norm Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers for previous Debt Collector books are unavoidable. I give this book 3.5 stars, and round up to 4 stars. I recommend this book. If you haven't read this book or any of the previous books please stop to avoid spoilers. Events are interesting, exciting, and there is plenty of tension and suspense. Pick up the whole "season" and enjoy all the books.

In Broken, Debt Collector #4 we start out with debt collector Lirium in bed with his mentor, debt collector Ophelia, who he had set out to find at the conclusion of the last book (episode).

Previously Candy, Lirium's psych officer had ordered him to go payout his last collection and go to his "new" apartment as his last apartment was where his mentor Ophelia had apparently been killed and or taken by the Holek mob. Or at least they suspected it was the Holek mob.

Instead, Lirium lures a sex worker from Madam Anastazja to his "old" (and forbidden to go to) apartment. There he manages to frighten the sex worker, "April" to take him to Madam Anastazja.

Madam Anastazja is not in the least threatened by Lirium, and he quickly realizes he not only is not a threat, but is "captive" of Madam Anastazja. Madam Anastazja wants to know what kind of man Lirium is. She admits that sending "Apple Girl" to him was a test. Then Lirium learns what Madam Anastazja is really all about in a shocking story twist that was entirely unexpected.

Eventually Madam Anastazja agrees to try to help Lirium find Ophelia. She hooks Lirium up with a debt collector "Valic" who works for the Holek Mob where they suspect Ophelia is being held.

Lirium goes to the mob headquarters determined to rescue Ophelia and meets with who he believes is an ally in his efforts to rescue Ophelia. Valic, after a brief delay indicating he has had his sexual satisfaction with Lirium tells Lirium he is taking him to Ophelia and instead takes him directly to the Holek mob boss.

To get to this story, "Broken", lets just say Ophelia is there, Lirium attempts a rescue, Ophelia attacks Valic in order to save Lirium from being murdered. After some excitement and conflict Lirium is now a debt collector for the Holek mob where the next morning he wakes up in bed with Ophelia who is still sleeping.

Broken is about Lirium's introduction to "debt collecting" for the Holek mob. Naturally Lirium doesn't like it and is determined to escape and take Ophelia with him. By the end of the book he is ripe full of anger at the betrayals he has endured in his recent past.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this episode as soon as I heard it was released. The 2 week wait for this one was really long and I was so excited to finally start this episode. I planned on reading just one more chapter before going to sleep and ended up reading the rest of the episode too. I just couldn't stop reading.

The story continues after where Lirium ended up in the last episode. Almost no time has passed and was looking forward to see how Lirium would get himself out of this situation. I have to say I was surprised at what happened. New twists and turns and we learn more about Debt Collectors and the mob.

I was also really surprised and glad to learn more about Ophelia in this book. There is something quite important to her personality we learn in this episode and something about her past that really surprised me. I really got a better idea of who Ophelia is in this episode and I think she is a great character. Lirium shows some strenght in this book and I loved how determined he was to get out of the mob. Also his reluctant to perfom certain tasks made him seem more real and believeable to me. he really is a good character.

Again some things are added to the world building in this book, mainly we find out more about the mob and some tidbits about debt collectors again. There are also some descriptions of the city, which made me realize how dark and gritty this world really is.

To Conclude: this 4th episode is again fantastic. I love where the story goes and I was surprised a few times. I liked getting to know more about Ophelia. And there is some world building added about the mob. I can't wait to read the next episode! These two week waits are really too long, but I'll try to be patient.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayals Big And Small

This series must be read in order. The first book is Delirium (Debt Collector 1). The second book is Agony (Debt Collector 2). The third book is Ecstasy (Debt Collector 3). This is the fourth book.

Lirium now finds himself a collector working for the mob. Looks like he should have just let Ophelia take care of Ophelia.... She does not want to try and escape and thinks him ten times a fool for trying to rescue her. He is not buying it. He does not want to spend his life doing illegal collections and transfers! If he felt like a hitman before ... He is positive he is one now! They both are.... How could Valac turn on his own kind this way? Will Lirium ever escape? Is there even anything to go back to now that he is covered in mob taint?

This episode reveals a lot but adds more questions than it answers. It seems Lirium is finally having his eyes opened to the true nature of the world he lives in and it isn't pretty! With more enemies than friends he is realizing the only person he can trust is himself... Too bad he didn't realize that he was right all along! If he had just stayed true to his original mindset he would not be in the situation he is now! I can't wait to read Driven (Debt Collector 5)!

***This series is suitable for adult readers who love cyberpunk SciFi in their futuristic dystopian worlds!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wait for this episode was really hard. I kept checking and checking to see when it would be released! Finally, it was and I was so happy! I liked this episode a lot. However, not a much as the last one. I found it to be a little slower, not as much going on. But, in the defense of Quinn, she is writing this in episodes. So, if I think of it as a few chapters in a book, it makes total sense. I am loving this series so much. It's really keeping my interest and once I finish one episode I'm chomping at the bit for the next. I love watching Lirium grow and change. He's learning all sorts of things he didn't know about. Ophelia made me mad in this episode, but perhaps she has reason for what she did and it will be explained in later episodes. And I love the villains: Valac and Kolek. I find myself wanting to learn more about them and see what knowledge they possess about the collectors!
Anxiously awaiting the next episode, Ms. Quinn! I am very excited about this series!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO LIRIUM??? This episode is as exciting as the rest!! I think I have become too invested in the characters. I worried all week about what will happen to Lirium now that the mob has him? Yet, I can't bring myself to start the next story for fear of what that will be. Lirium is learning a lot of lessons about a lot of people. Especially Ophelia and the mob. He is having trouble justifying what he's doing now more than he did before. Susan does an excellent job of keeping the suspense level high yet opens up serious questions about life and who gets to live. Great job, Susan. I will read the next one soon and then will finally see what happens! This series must be read in order. Don't hesitate to start it now. You will not be disappointed.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Debt Collector serial finally takes a little space to do some world building. We learn a few details about how the ability to trade in human lifespans came about as well as a few of the dynamics of debt collection that our protagonist is just now learning. A necessary part of a larger story arc that can applies some drag to a story that relies on momentum. This one keeps the action high enough to survive the drag. So far this series is candy and I'm enjoying it in these small doses.

[Amie McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one made me wait more. The pace slowed down and I couldn't quite get into it. Until the end, when tiny morsels of hints were dropped like bombs.

I can't quite get into Ophelia and I think that was my problem with this episode. I don't love or hate her, I just know I don't trust her. And I'm mad at Lirium for trusting her.

[Bookphile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I really like this series, I feel like Lirium is being incredibly dumb. Yeah, he's kind of gullible, but I don't get his sudden, all consuming trust for a woman he just met. He was crazy suspicious of Madam A but he immediately places all his trust in Ophelia? It just doesn't add up for me.

[Sandra Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild ride!

This story just keeps getting better with each episode. There are so many different plot twists, I can barely keep track. I just have to keep reading. It has me on the edge of my seat wanting to see what is coming next.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuff just happened! How can you possibly stop there?! I don't know who to trust anymore... did I trust anyone to start with?

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fast paced addition to the Debt Collector series. Each part makes you wonder what's next and keeps you wanting more. Nothing is ever as it seems.