Awakening

by Kenneth E. Harrell

In the aftermath of humanity's last golden age, civilization reached unimaginable heights only to crumble into dust in an instant. Now, thousands of years later, Earth is a transformed world. Nature has reclaimed the planet's greatest cities, and colossal, abandoned mega-structures stand as eerie testaments to a forgotten past. Throughout the solar system, derelict starships drift in silence, cold relics of a once-mighty human civilization. Humans are extinct. In their place, a race of intelligent machines now dominates the world humanity once called home. Lucas awakens to find that the sleek, high-tech 22nd-century world he remembers is long gone, replaced by alien flora and fauna that has transformed Earth into something unrecognizable. Driven by haunting questions, Lucas embarks on an epic journey to discover what happened to him and to the world. Why was he revived by these strange machine beings? And most importantly, what do they want from him? From the crater-scarred badlands of the former North American Federation to the snow-capped mountains of the ancient Peruvian Andes, from the expanse of the Euphrates inland sea to the tropical forests of East Antarctica, every step brings him closer to uncovering the truth an ancient catalyzing event that altered the course of human history forever. "Awakening" is a science fiction odyssey set in a universe of exploration, empire, war, and revolution, where every discovery brings new wonders and new dangers.

312 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2024

About the author

My name is Kenneth E. Harrell, and I'm a cybersecurity professional and science fiction Novelist with over three decades of professional experience in the technology field. I hold advanced degrees in Information Systems, Information Technology, Information Security and Organizational Leadership, along with extensive training in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. In my view Science fiction is like a mythos about now set in the future. Like a backward pointing arrow, screaming at the past, begging to be paid attention to.

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Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucas awakens on Earth thousands of years after the fall of humanity. His memories are incomplete and he is haunted by dreams of a woman. He familiarizes himself with advanced technology while he searches for a way to make contact with any humans still alive on far-flung colony worlds. It sounds simple, but it is not.

The science fiction elements of this book solidly establish the futuristic setting. Constructs, a race of sentient artificial intelligence, have revived Lucas from his damaged cryostasis chamber and are teaching him how to work with their technology. Lucas uses programmable matter to create tools and traverses great distances with “fold travel.” The determination to remember the woman and other lost parts of his past, as well as the search for ways to find other survivors, give the story human warmth to balance the technical aspects.

The desire for human connection is a driving force and so is the search for explanations about the past. Lucas is able to access the historical archive of the Constructs, but he still travels across the Earth looking for answers. His exploration of ancient ruins and encounters with wildlife that has evolved over the centuries reinforce the distance between his original lifetime and the time period he currently inhabits. At one point he shouts, “I should be dead and buried, but I’m not. Instead, I am like a wandering ghost that haunts this world!”

To capture the story in a visual sense - imagine a race like the Mecha who reactivate the android David in the movie “AI,” add in the missing memories and haunted dreams of Tom Cruise’s character in “Oblivion,” and along with the ruins of Earth’s past from that movie mix in the frightening creatures of Will Smith’s “After Earth.” Once the story moves out from Earth in the search Lucas makes for humanity among the stars, it begins to take on the feel of The Expanse novels by James S. A. Corey. The presence of the Constructs also gives the book a similarity to We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy sci-fi books such as those, as well as those that include descriptions of the technical aspects involved in how the technology within the story works.

I received a free ARC from Reedsy Discovery for review purposes.

[Winrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author shows how history repeats itself in humanity and its evolution. "Book of circle and song"


I love any book that contains a Dyson sphere!

[George Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awakening is a thoughtful, atmospheric science fiction novel that blends big-concept worldbuilding with a deeply human core. Kenneth Harrell imagines a future where humanity has vanished, leaving behind ruins, machines, and unanswered questions and places a single revived man at the center of it all.

What makes the story compelling isn’t just the scale of its setting, but the emotional weight of memory, loss, and the need for connection. The balance between advanced technology, exploration, and quiet introspection gives the novel a grounded, reflective tone reminiscent of Oblivion, The Expanse, and We Are Legion (We Are Bob). An intriguing and immersive read for fans of thoughtful, idea driven science fiction.

[Magaret Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awakening is a fascinating journey into a future Earth reclaimed by nature. Lucas’s awakening into a machine-dominated world raises deep questions about identity, purpose, and what it means to be human. Highly recommended for fans of philosophical sci-fi.

[Mike Harty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging sci-fi story! The idea of a human waking up in a future ruled by machines is fascinating. The mystery and world-building kept me interested all the way through. Definitely worth reading.

[Linda Carthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and thought-provoking read. The storyline is engaging, with strong themes and well-developed characters that keep you interested from start to finish.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t just about a post apocalyptic world; it’s about feeling lost, discovering meaning, and reconnecting with humanity. I couldn’t put it down

[Dolly Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrell’s depiction of Earth’s ruins intertwined with intelligent machines is breathtaking. Every scene paints a vivid picture of a world both alien and familiar

[Hellen Rolland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awakening made me think about the future of humanity and technology. The ethical questions posed by Lucas’s journey are profound and lingering

[Lois Perea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page. The mystery of why Lucas was awakened and the strange world around him kept me reading late into the night.

[Jordan Macie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas’s character is compelling confused, curious, and deeply human even in a world dominated by machines. His journey is both thrilling and emotional.

[mike john · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read anything quite like Awakening. The combination of post-human Earth, sentient machines, and the search for meaning is totally original.

[Jessica Ramond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in Awakening has a lyrical quality that makes even the desolate ruins of Earth feel alive. A truly immersive experience.

[John Hato · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very great and amazing book

[Jodywise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The concept is unique and the story pulls you in quickly. It’s a great mix of science fiction, mystery, and discovery.

[Dalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative and thought-provoking sci-fi novel. The future world is well imagined and the journey of the main character is very interesting. Highly recommended!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The storyline is intriguing and the futuristic setting makes it even more exciting. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic concept and a very enjoyable story. The author does a great job building a mysterious future world. A solid sci-fi book!