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Slice: a novella
What would you risk to save your family?
Half orphaned and struggling to survive, could Tzun save his family with a drug that enhanced his powers?
Half orphaned and struggling to survive, could Tzun save his family with a drug that enhanced his powers?
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Drew Briney
42 books19 followersRecipient of London's prestigious Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence - Reader's House magazine. He was also featured in Author Essence, Mosaic Digest, Novelist Post, Newyox, the Bookshelf Times, Arts Society & Me, Central Europe Online, Book Press Releases, and more.
Drew writes both historical non-fiction and sci-fi/fantasy books. He's been lauded by non-fiction readers as "one of the greatest LDS scholars of our day" and "the icon of thoroughness." When he's ready to chill, he explores what happens when technology clashes with magic.
For his sci-fi/fantasy work, he's drawn comparisons to heavy hitters: Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), Fydor Dostoevsky (psychological godfather of Crime and Punishment), Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. However, Drew takes greatest pride from knowing he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet (sometimes, 8).
His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magic-wielding aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a powerless mage and camouflaging dragons (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to discern memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug-enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world-building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth.
For regular and up to date information from Drew, look him up on Substack.
Drew writes both historical non-fiction and sci-fi/fantasy books. He's been lauded by non-fiction readers as "one of the greatest LDS scholars of our day" and "the icon of thoroughness." When he's ready to chill, he explores what happens when technology clashes with magic.
For his sci-fi/fantasy work, he's drawn comparisons to heavy hitters: Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), Fydor Dostoevsky (psychological godfather of Crime and Punishment), Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. However, Drew takes greatest pride from knowing he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet (sometimes, 8).
His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magic-wielding aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a powerless mage and camouflaging dragons (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to discern memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug-enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world-building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth.
For regular and up to date information from Drew, look him up on Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2019
It kept me on the edge through every page. Heart always feeling like it will break for the main character. Takes you right there with him and you feel what he is going through. Well written and graphic with each twist and turn in the storyline.
Highly recommend this to every.
Highly recommend this to every.
March 31, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Let's see what you can do."
Darkly futuristic but with the feeling of being very close at hand.
Slice is an addictive drug which can enhance abilities, an illegal drug which destroys as well as giving power. And much sought after by one who needs to earn more to save his family.
Well written, but slightly confusing at first but short enough for a second listen.
Narration by Julian Pearson is fine, but could be more engaging. His very English voice reads the text well but somehow remains disengaged. In a way, in character but there was insufficient definition to be a good performance.
Dark, visual, interesting - and, frankly, frightening. Well worth reading it S.F. is your genre.
"Let's see what you can do."
Darkly futuristic but with the feeling of being very close at hand.
Slice is an addictive drug which can enhance abilities, an illegal drug which destroys as well as giving power. And much sought after by one who needs to earn more to save his family.
Well written, but slightly confusing at first but short enough for a second listen.
Narration by Julian Pearson is fine, but could be more engaging. His very English voice reads the text well but somehow remains disengaged. In a way, in character but there was insufficient definition to be a good performance.
Dark, visual, interesting - and, frankly, frightening. Well worth reading it S.F. is your genre.
June 9, 2019
A quick read involving the life of a junkie. It doesn't matter if you are addicted to heroin, alcohol or this futuristic drug called Slice, it consumes your entire life. Everything you do is leading to your next fix.
The author does a good job in developing characters and writing about the life of addiction. Throw in a little magic and a little mystery and it makes for a good story.
The narrator does a good job and kept my interest in the book. I look forward to reading more by this author.
The author does a good job in developing characters and writing about the life of addiction. Throw in a little magic and a little mystery and it makes for a good story.
The narrator does a good job and kept my interest in the book. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 1, 2020
Written in 3rd person pov with the occasional thought bubble of the main character, it reads a bit like a graphic novel without the illustrations which I had to get used to coming from mainly 1st person stories.
Why the main character jumped on the slice so eagerly wasn't totally convincing as he came across as a thoughtful boy who tried his best to stay low-key with his meager abilities. And why was the conclusion about slice usage at the end of the book not general knowledge?
This all said, the down spiral into addiction was well described and the storyline was interesting and well paced.
Why the main character jumped on the slice so eagerly wasn't totally convincing as he came across as a thoughtful boy who tried his best to stay low-key with his meager abilities. And why was the conclusion about slice usage at the end of the book not general knowledge?
This all said, the down spiral into addiction was well described and the storyline was interesting and well paced.
November 2, 2020
Tzun, a poor beggar/thief is Uzzit, a person with weak magic powers. He is approached by Max, who sells Slice, a drug that enhances the powers of Uzzit.
Tzun becomes powerful but also develops a dark side and has an alter ego of the Dark Uzzit.
In the end, he turns to the darlk side and kills his family and also kills Max, and then takes over Max's position of selling Slice.
Tzun becomes powerful but also develops a dark side and has an alter ego of the Dark Uzzit.
In the end, he turns to the darlk side and kills his family and also kills Max, and then takes over Max's position of selling Slice.
April 13, 2019
Odd little book, not sure I'll read more from the author.
June 25, 2014
I'm happy and very, very disappointed. Here's why:
I started following this story back when it was on Wattpad and unfinished. Life overwhelmed me and I was blessed with a lag period--which in the end, allowed the author time to complete and publish the story. My hopes were that the story would not turn out the way I thought it would turn out. The moment I saw it for sale on Barnes & Noble I snatched a copy for my Nook.
I like the characters. I like the setting, ideas, possibilities...enough to pull me to the end, because I wanted so badly for there to be a different ending than the one I was positive was coming.
That's the problem: I knew the ending long before I reached it. There was no twist or shock or surprise for me to fully appreciate the ride, no matter how much I enjoyed the characters and basic story.
Hence the disappointment. Deep disappointment.
I started following this story back when it was on Wattpad and unfinished. Life overwhelmed me and I was blessed with a lag period--which in the end, allowed the author time to complete and publish the story. My hopes were that the story would not turn out the way I thought it would turn out. The moment I saw it for sale on Barnes & Noble I snatched a copy for my Nook.
I like the characters. I like the setting, ideas, possibilities...enough to pull me to the end, because I wanted so badly for there to be a different ending than the one I was positive was coming.
That's the problem: I knew the ending long before I reached it. There was no twist or shock or surprise for me to fully appreciate the ride, no matter how much I enjoyed the characters and basic story.
Hence the disappointment. Deep disappointment.
June 21, 2014
Well written, as would be expected from this author. I would be eager to read any of this authors novels! This story gets pretty dark but is thought provoking. The imagery is excellent! Talk about being able to smell the rain and feel it against your skin and the build up of suspense!!! Very interesting twists and unexpected ending. Good Job. Five stars.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews