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Driven
Urban Fantasy with a Cyberpunk Twist
***fifth 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.
Driven is approximately 14,000 words or 56 pages, and is the fifth of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial.
Lirium pretends he's a willing debt collector for the mob while deciding whether he can trust Ophelia to help him escape.
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
***fifth 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.
Driven is approximately 14,000 words or 56 pages, and is the fifth of nine episodes in the first season of The Debt Collector serial.
Lirium pretends he's a willing debt collector for the mob while deciding whether he can trust Ophelia to help him escape.
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
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kaye Quinn
101 books996 followersCLICK 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 15, 2013
This is the fifth installment of the Debt Collectors serial/season.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this episode! Lirium has to prove himself to Kolek, the mob boss that has him, after trying to escape.
I feel like I'm vindicated a bit, because we get to see a little more of Valac and understand partially, why he is the way he is. It broke my heart a little bit.
Lirium.... Ah, how I love thee. He is definitely my bookboyfriend and has climbed the ranks of favorite leading men. He's made into the top ten! What I loved about this episode is that in spite of what he learned about the possible state of his soul, Lirium still chose to be good even though it would likely get him killed.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this episode! Lirium has to prove himself to Kolek, the mob boss that has him, after trying to escape.
I feel like I'm vindicated a bit, because we get to see a little more of Valac and understand partially, why he is the way he is. It broke my heart a little bit.
Lirium.... Ah, how I love thee. He is definitely my bookboyfriend and has climbed the ranks of favorite leading men. He's made into the top ten! What I loved about this episode is that in spite of what he learned about the possible state of his soul, Lirium still chose to be good even though it would likely get him killed.
May 23, 2013
In this fifth installment of the Debt Collector a battered Lirium must prove his worth to his mob boss, Kolak, or risk certain death. With help from his mentor, Lirium learns how to control his collection of life-energy from both willing and unwilling donors. And, when faced with the choice between his own soulless end or the end of a high potential, he places yet another life on the line.
A fast-paced read that will have you asking "pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top" for the next episode. Now.
A fast-paced read that will have you asking "pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top" for the next episode. Now.
August 24, 2016
This episode manages to move the story along even as the action begins to slip into a routine of debt collections and payouts for the mob. There are revelations as the power of organised crime sinks its tentacles into our protagonist. But he is maturing and becoming more powerful. The spring of plot is being pulled taut for the back end of this season.
May 6, 2013
Very much looking forward to the next installment. If you'd like to know how I feel about the series in general, take a look at my reviews of Episodes 1, 2, 3 and 4. But I can't stress enough how good this series is. So READ it.
December 14, 2014
Wow this series is a heart-pounding non-stop head-rush!
December 13, 2018
Spoilers for previous Debt Collector books are unavoidable. We are at book five of nine in this "season". Driven (Debt Collector #5). If you've read this far, you will continue to read. I am giving only 3 stars for this book. I decided two chapters prematurely of a solid 4 star book. So, it's my character defect of sticking with decisions that ends up being unfair to this book.
I stopped reading and made notes about how the protagonist was becoming tedious and the minor characters more interesting. Also, I made notes about the audiobook reader's dramatization. Let's move along.
To avoid spoilers, I recommend this book. Events are interesting, exciting, there is big reveal, a big decision, an unexpected twist with the promise of plenty more tension and suspense.
Spoilers:
When Holek tells Lirium to drain the kid, he instantly takes two steps toward the kid. He tells himself, he doesn't have a choice. It is him or the kid.
Susan Kaye Quinn managed to win me back with the last two chapters of this book. I judged this book prematurely.
I stopped reading and made notes about how the protagonist was becoming tedious and the minor characters more interesting. Also, I made notes about the audiobook reader's dramatization. Let's move along.
To avoid spoilers, I recommend this book. Events are interesting, exciting, there is big reveal, a big decision, an unexpected twist with the promise of plenty more tension and suspense.
Spoilers:
When Holek tells Lirium to drain the kid, he instantly takes two steps toward the kid. He tells himself, he doesn't have a choice. It is him or the kid.
Susan Kaye Quinn managed to win me back with the last two chapters of this book. I judged this book prematurely.
December 15, 2014
In Over His Head
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). The fourth book is Broken (Debt Collector 4). This is the fifth book.
Lirium has decided to play along. He is a newly minted Collector for the mob. Forget all his training and the rules... They will not help him and Ophelia survive this new predicament. Lirium must learn a new set of rules and new ways of Collecting and Paying Out if he is going to survive this! He is still planning and escape... But first he must trick everyone around him that he is a team player and ready to play by the rules.... Will he be successful? Will they survive intact until he can find a way out? Who really betrayed them? Or was he the only one truly betrayed?
Ophelia is a conundrum... Probably even to herself. What matters to her is survival no matter the cost! She is where she is and is going to make the best if it. There is no way she will risk anything that would jeopardize her life.. Unless it is to save someone she cares about. Will Lirium get them both killed? Or has he finally realized that no matter who they work for or what they do... They will always be slaves? How will she keep them both alive when he is so soft and righteous?
Filled with more and more intrigue this series just keeps getting better! Every single time you think you know what is going on.... Guess again! I love this series not only for the broad scope of the world but also the convoluted characters! Every book is filled with surprises from beginning to end! I can't wait to read Fallen (Debt Collector 6)!
***This series is suitable for adult readers
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). The fourth book is Broken (Debt Collector 4). This is the fifth book.
Lirium has decided to play along. He is a newly minted Collector for the mob. Forget all his training and the rules... They will not help him and Ophelia survive this new predicament. Lirium must learn a new set of rules and new ways of Collecting and Paying Out if he is going to survive this! He is still planning and escape... But first he must trick everyone around him that he is a team player and ready to play by the rules.... Will he be successful? Will they survive intact until he can find a way out? Who really betrayed them? Or was he the only one truly betrayed?
Ophelia is a conundrum... Probably even to herself. What matters to her is survival no matter the cost! She is where she is and is going to make the best if it. There is no way she will risk anything that would jeopardize her life.. Unless it is to save someone she cares about. Will Lirium get them both killed? Or has he finally realized that no matter who they work for or what they do... They will always be slaves? How will she keep them both alive when he is so soft and righteous?
Filled with more and more intrigue this series just keeps getting better! Every single time you think you know what is going on.... Guess again! I love this series not only for the broad scope of the world but also the convoluted characters! Every book is filled with surprises from beginning to end! I can't wait to read Fallen (Debt Collector 6)!
***This series is suitable for adult readers
May 2, 2013
This episode is just as good as the 4 before it. I start to like Lirium more every episode and every episode there is something new we learn and the world get's darker every book it seems and still I keep hoping for a happy ending.
The story continues around a week later than where episode 4 ended. At first the pace was a bit slow, but then there where some revelations and twists that made me want to keep reading. Some things I didn't expect and people who Inever thought about being responsible for the mess Lirium is in. The author is great in making me suprised every episode.
A character that really develops in this book is valec or maybe it's just that we learn more from him, so much more. And it makes me understand a bit why he is the way he is and I actually think he isn't a bad person either. Ofcourse there is also more about Lirium we learn, there is this scene at the end that's just written great. Lirium is such a strong character and I start to like him more every episode, he is so different from the main characters in other books and I like him.
There again is some world building, but again only little pieces. It does make the world come alive more every episode, because every episode there is something new to learn.
To conclude: I loved this episode! The story started a bit slow for me, but after that it got so good. I liked learning more about Valec and every episode I like him more, he is such an awesome character. I can't wait for the next episode, because one thing is sure I have no idea where this is story going!
The story continues around a week later than where episode 4 ended. At first the pace was a bit slow, but then there where some revelations and twists that made me want to keep reading. Some things I didn't expect and people who Inever thought about being responsible for the mess Lirium is in. The author is great in making me suprised every episode.
A character that really develops in this book is valec or maybe it's just that we learn more from him, so much more. And it makes me understand a bit why he is the way he is and I actually think he isn't a bad person either. Ofcourse there is also more about Lirium we learn, there is this scene at the end that's just written great. Lirium is such a strong character and I start to like him more every episode, he is so different from the main characters in other books and I like him.
There again is some world building, but again only little pieces. It does make the world come alive more every episode, because every episode there is something new to learn.
To conclude: I loved this episode! The story started a bit slow for me, but after that it got so good. I liked learning more about Valec and every episode I like him more, he is such an awesome character. I can't wait for the next episode, because one thing is sure I have no idea where this is story going!
May 4, 2013
I actually love how every one of the Debt Collector instalments have all so far been 4/5* reads for me. And this latest one—Driven—was just as satisfying.
Again, I find myself totally loving Lirium. It’s kinda starting to feel like we have our own fictional romance going on, and each time a new episode is released, it’s date time again—and whilst I’m waiting for that date, I have the anticipation to work with, where I get to try and predict where he’s going to take me next.
Well, guess what? So far, I’ve predicted nothing. Because this series is one surprise after and another, which constantly keeps the reader guessing and, thus, on the edge of their seats.
In Driven, Lirium is forced to participate in acts he finds distasteful—I agree with him—but he has little choice as the price of not obeying is his life. He’s still in deep. He’s still in a whole pile of shizzazz, which, quite frankly, stinks. And he’s still tugging on my heartstrings and whispering his tales so clearly in my ears that I found myself at the end of this episode feeling somewhat tainted on his behalf. He’s still redeemable, though. He’s still good at his core. And I still want to cuddle him up and save him from exposure to the evils he’s being forced to experience.
In short, Driven is another great instalment to a series that has fast become one of my favourites.
p.s. what the fudge is Ophelia playing at? I don’t trust that chick one bit (grrrrrrrr).
Again, I find myself totally loving Lirium. It’s kinda starting to feel like we have our own fictional romance going on, and each time a new episode is released, it’s date time again—and whilst I’m waiting for that date, I have the anticipation to work with, where I get to try and predict where he’s going to take me next.
Well, guess what? So far, I’ve predicted nothing. Because this series is one surprise after and another, which constantly keeps the reader guessing and, thus, on the edge of their seats.
In Driven, Lirium is forced to participate in acts he finds distasteful—I agree with him—but he has little choice as the price of not obeying is his life. He’s still in deep. He’s still in a whole pile of shizzazz, which, quite frankly, stinks. And he’s still tugging on my heartstrings and whispering his tales so clearly in my ears that I found myself at the end of this episode feeling somewhat tainted on his behalf. He’s still redeemable, though. He’s still good at his core. And I still want to cuddle him up and save him from exposure to the evils he’s being forced to experience.
In short, Driven is another great instalment to a series that has fast become one of my favourites.
p.s. what the fudge is Ophelia playing at? I don’t trust that chick one bit (grrrrrrrr).
September 24, 2014
So, I'm not sure what else I can say about this serial. Each episode is so great! I have my favorites and the ones I think aren't as good, but overall I just love it. I am in love with Lirium and I want to meet him. I'm not liking Ophelia so much. Lirium really needs someone to trust and I'm not so sure she's it! She has betrayed him and she made me mad! I am ready for him to have some romance to be honest, but I can wait if it's the kind that's gonna make him happy! And the story just keeps surprising. I never know where it's going to go. I never know what kinds of turns it's going to take. And I love that. I want it to be unpredictable. It's totally fascinating and keeps me on the edge of my seat for sure! And I'm even liking some of the "bad guys". That would be Valec. He's an ass but he's got some good qualities. And I have some sympathy for him for what has happened to him in the past (at least what we have been told so far).
I'm once again chomping at the bit for the next installment. Quinn has not disappointed yet!
I'm once again chomping at the bit for the next installment. Quinn has not disappointed yet!
September 17, 2013
Loved this one. I still think Lirium is an idiot when it comes to Ophelia, but I'm also starting to look at her as a literal drug to which he's addicted. Because of this, the beginning disappointed a little, but then Lirium started to take a more proactive role in his life and realize he could make choices rather than allow himself to be a victim of circumstance.
Valac is also becoming more interesting and complex and I'm interested to see what role he will have to play as the series progresses.
Valac is also becoming more interesting and complex and I'm interested to see what role he will have to play as the series progresses.
April 12, 2016
Someone Help Lirium!!!
This episode Lirium just keeps getting in deeper. Ophelia seems to be just using Lirium and the tension continues to build. Lirium has learned that he has to pretend to go along with the mob if he wants to live. He doesn't know who he can trust. Definitely not Ophelia or can he? We'll have to see with the next installment. I love this series. Quinn, as always, has a way of keeping your attention and wanting more. Her imagination continues to amaze me. Do yourself a favor and start this series today!!
This episode Lirium just keeps getting in deeper. Ophelia seems to be just using Lirium and the tension continues to build. Lirium has learned that he has to pretend to go along with the mob if he wants to live. He doesn't know who he can trust. Definitely not Ophelia or can he? We'll have to see with the next installment. I love this series. Quinn, as always, has a way of keeping your attention and wanting more. Her imagination continues to amaze me. Do yourself a favor and start this series today!!
May 24, 2016
I continue to be impressed with this serial. It is well written and fast paced. Each addition to the serial leaves me wanting more and wondering what will happen next. Just when you think you know what is going on and who to hate, you are given a new perspective that really makes you think things differently.
May 2, 2013
Well that took a whole different turn than I expected. Right there in the last few paragraphs too! I still don't like Ophelia and am so frustrated with Lirium for not seeing it. He shouldn't trust her!
Need more!
Need more!
October 10, 2016
Wild Ride
This story just keeps getting better. Just when I think I have an idea which way the plot is heading, boom. Another twist in the plot. This story is keeping me on the edge of my seat. To top it off, this story has me on an emotional roller coaster ride as well.
This story just keeps getting better. Just when I think I have an idea which way the plot is heading, boom. Another twist in the plot. This story is keeping me on the edge of my seat. To top it off, this story has me on an emotional roller coaster ride as well.
May 12, 2013
Amazing! One of my favorite episodes so far.
Proper review forthcoming.
Proper review forthcoming.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews