Neuracode: Part I

Project Juniper #0.5

by Eris Goode, Kris Ruhler

A reluctant thief. A caring robot. A death that changes everything.

QUINN wants nothing more than to live a normal life after being rescued from the New Realm station. But when he and his eccentric friend Hana encounter Cass, he finds himself dragged into countless daring schemes.

Normal is no longer an option.

And with their most ambitious job on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever. They’ll need to pull out all the stops—their lives depend on it.

TSUKI is a special PAC—Personal Assistant and Care—bot. Her unique personality chip allows her to experience the intricacies of life, including a wide spectrum of emotions.

Humanity is hers to embrace.

Through painting and taking care of her friends, Tsuki enjoys her life on the New Realm station. But she’s about to discover everything she thought she knew about humanity is wrong.

So very wrong.

Neuracode: Part I is the first half of the prequel to Project Juniper, a thrilling YA/NA cyberpunk series written by Eris Goode. If you like Amie Kaufman’s Illuminae, Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, or Marie Lu’s Legend, you’ll love this story about friendship, integrity, and flawed heroes.

Genres: Science Fiction

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2024

About the author

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Eris Goode is the author of Project Juniper, a YA/NA cyberpunk series that marks her first foray into the world of self-publishing. A twenty-three-year-old from Canada, she graduated in 2022 with a double degree in Geomatics and English Lit and Rhetoric, complete with a minor in computer science and a specialization in creative writing.

Other than obsessing over writing, Eris also enjoys obsessing over art. Recently, she’s wielded her sketchbook and pencil once more to draw some poor anatomy, cute frogs, and poisonous-looking mushrooms. When she’s not doing that, she’s re-watching shows and movies she’s seen a million times because she just can’t stick with something new. Her favorites include Bee and Puppycat, Arcane, Jennifer’s Body, Adventure Time, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Eris wrote her first story when she was ten years old. It was about the souls of the dead, and it was extremely cringe, but it was also a stepping stone that led her to continue writing cringe. Then, at seventeen years old, she completed the first draft of Neurahack, which was (lazily) called Juniper at the time. Those 50K words were a total mess, and over the years, it was rewritten and edited countless times, along with the other books in the series. Now, she’s excited to share her published work with everyone!

Reviews

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed part I of Neuracodeit was a fun sci-fi read.

[Kaitlin D · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫Stars

This series has so much potential! I love that it’s written like journal logs. It makes it feel like you’re piecing together parts of a futuristic mystery or case to be solved. It’s starts off with YA vibes and quickly changes to more NA cyberpunk vibes. Time travels quickly. The MMC Quinn starts around the age 11, and we get quick snippets throughout his teen years into his 20s.

I love the way the author developed the idea of the neuracode in the futuristic society. It’s a great tale of the evils that can come with too much technology. In this society, it is the Blessed and Enforcers. I enjoyed that it was multiple perspectives from the journal like entires, especially with the last 40% being the PAC robot Tsuki. Tsuki alone is written so well. I just love that heartfelt female Baymax like robot. However with the different perspectives, it is difficult at times references back to what was happening at the times for other characters. I can safely say I will continue with this series to see where all the main characters end up. Thank you BookSirens, authors and publishers for this arc.

[Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neuracode holds immense promise, unfolding like a captivating puzzle through its journal-like narrative. Shifting seamlessly from youthful tones to gritty cyberpunk atmospheres, the story follows main character's journey from adolescence to adulthood, offering glimpses into a future shaped by the enigmatic neuracode. The authors skillfully explores the dangers of unchecked technology within a society divided between the Blessed and Enforcers. While the multiple perspectives, including the endearing robot, enrich the narrative, occasional challenges arise in recalling past events across characters. Nevertheless, the complex plot and nuanced characters leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Project Juniper series. A compelling blend of sci-fi elements and engaging storytelling, Neuracode is a promising start that leaves a lasting impression.

I obtained an ARC of this book at no cost and am sharing this review willingly.

[Terry M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Cyberpunk novel with likeable characters. Contains inhumane testing, escape, friendship, loss and more. An easy read with action throughout. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neuracode was the first novella in what is yet to become a YA Science Fiction series by this author duo- it proved to be quite an interesting read.

The story was fast paced, immersive and was told in two parts- one from the point of view of humans in a futuristic society and the other from a robots view point.

I found it to be quite intriguing with a twist towards the end.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild adventure into the future and the relivence today. Excellent writers 👏 👌 I loved it!!!!!

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining read that does turn a bit darker near the end. A good set up for Book 1 in the Juniper series.

https://montysbookreviews.blogspot.com/

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

This prequel to the Project Juniper series is one that should be read after book one so that it can be understood. We delve into the backstory of Quinn and Hana's dubious past, and get to see things from the perspective of Tsuki the robot.

The first half centered on the two human side characters from book one didn't quite grab me as it seemed to skip around a lot and I didn't understand why they acted the way they did (perhaps because of the third person style). I absolutely loved Tsuki's section though, as we learn she's more than "just" a robot and her narration of her logs kept me wanting to find out more about the New Realm station projects she witnesses.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Project Juniper 0.5 part 1 book is a nice interlude as I wait to read book 3 in the Juniper Project series. Easy to read, with an amusing style. It fills in background, and allows you to find out more in the backstory of the characters in the series. Suggest you read this after books 1 and 2 as you will understand somethings about the characters already and won’t get any spoilers about what happens in books 1 and 2. Now off to get 0.5 part 2 and book 3, really looking forward to reading more back ground and also see where this exciting series is going next. Thank you to Eris Goode, Kris Ruhler and BookSirens for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neuracode - a review by Rosemary Kenny.


Kris Ruhler's Neuracode is set 500 years in the future, on the New Realm space station, where 12 year old Quinn Anderson and fellow captive Hana Owens (11), manage to escape from captivity in Fray, later  helped by Cass to get to Lumina. 

What does their future there hold? Who's Tsuki?


A YA novel with a flavour of The Matrix, mixed with snippets of Hunger Games, Neuracode is riveting but somewhat unsettling too.  

It's an ultimately rewarding read imho and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

Why not try it for yourself to see what you think!

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌐Original and mysterious

Year 2509:
Quinn, 12, looks through the window of his glass cage.
He misses his home and his parents.

He covers his eyes and ears while the giant screens broadcast their propaganda...

---------

I really liked the first part of the book. I found the characters of Quinn and Hanna rather endearing.
I enjoyed the mysterious plot of this prequel.

I liked and understood less the second part of the book dedicated to the Tsuki robot.

A dystopian/YA universe to discover for fans of the genre.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent, young adult, science friction prequel is told in two sections. The first section follows Hana and Quinn using short chapters and entries while the second half is written as personal reflections of a PAC bot, Tsuki. The reader is taken along on Tsuki’s journey as it learns more about humanity…good and bad!

Enjoyed this fast paced prequel and look forward to reading more of this series!

I received this as an Advanced Reader via BookSirens and this is my own opinion, given voluntarily.

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I really enjoyed this but it was really short. I really enjoyed the characters and how cyberpunk this book is with the robots and such and I'm really interested into reading more of this type of stuff. If you're a fan of scifi/cyberpunk stuff and like character driven stories this is highly recommended. I will go back and read this again though as I just used the voice option to read it to me on kindle app but I feel like lost a bit of the story. Still enjoyable though for sure.

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A futuristic version of Fate’s tapestry weaving its way through our lives. The Universal Code melds data and time, until one cannot distinguish between them. This prequel begs the question of how much technology is too much for humanity to handle ethically?

Fave Line:
‘What is my purpose […] why do I exist?’

Now on to the second part then Neurahack!

[LatinAmericas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn´t know this author, and I began reading this prequel without knowing nothing about the main story and I`ve spent a really nice reading time,

Now I know much more about Quinn, Hanna, Tsuki and more endearinh¡g characters, and I wanna begin reading the main novel!!

Just wish me good luck!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn and Hana are currently "living" in glass cages at New Realm station and they are about to receive an opportunity to escape. They run through corridors, find escape pods, take one, and land by Astrellune on Lumina. This story is a perfect choice for SF readers who want a little comedy along with some action in their reading. Very highly recommended.

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely left me wanting more … many loose ends! It’s a prequel novella, introducing the main characters. I’m curcurious about what the universal code is, and what being “Blessed” is all about, and the secret program, and …. I received a free copy, with no obligation.

[ILyk Tourid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut author and an intro to the world-building with robots and Ream station in space.
Can't wait for book 1.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and unique YA novella that I had a good time reading! Cyberpunk is a new genre I hope to see more of.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read and a great series starter, highly recommended.

[Monica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy it.