Whatever It Takes

Nano Contestant #1

by Leif Sterling

An incredible future. A dangerous game. How far would you go to save your family?

In 2114, there’s no such thing as a fair trial. Roland’s father has just been sentenced to death in a sham case controlled by the all-powerful Pinnacle Corporation. He only has one chance to find out the truth: enter Pinnacle’s death-defying Tech Games and do everything he can to survive.

Roland must undergo a risky procedure to install the necessary extra-human tech enhancements. Success could mean a shot at a $100 million prize and the evidence he needs to clear his father’s name. If he fails, both of them will surely die…

Whatever It Takes is the first episode in the Nano Contestant series of sci-fi serials. If you like futuristic technology, evocative new worlds, and action-packed sci-fi, then you’ll love Leif Sterling’s incredible series.

Genres: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk, Amazon, Fiction, Futuristic, Thriller, Dystopia

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2014

About the author

Leif Sterling has always had a rich imagination and an eccentricity for all things technical. He read every door-stoppingly, thick computer manual that he could get his hands on from the time he was twelve on. Not surprisingly, college yielded bachelors and masters degrees in IT for him, which has come in handy when describing futuristic nano systems that haven’t been invented yet.

He enjoys using his powers for good, especially in the craft of storytelling - dreaming up the barely possible, and then placing the reader right in the middle of the action.

Writing is also a great reason to stay inside, in the AC, away from the hot Texas sun where he lives with his beautiful wife, two children and one feisty cat.

Reviews

[Dixie Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this isn't a book, so much as the introductory section of one. If it were part of a whole book, I'd certainly keep reading, as what's here has intrigued me enough to do so, but as it is, I don't think I'll take the time or trouble to track down the rest of it, especially as it appears that the book is being published in episodes.

This is the story of a man who's competing in a athletic contest for those altered by digital, robotic or nano means. He's doing this to get information on the sponsoring company which used to employ his father -- before accusing his father of treason and paying off a judge to get him a death sentence.

This section contains an extremely gross eyeball injection and the prep for the qualifying race. The race is the most interesting bit so far.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of this tale. However it loses a star for spending quite a lot time going on about needles stuck into eyeballs. And another star for ending as a race is about to start when we have not seen any real benefit to the person who endured said needles.

A young man whose father is jailed for selling weapons to terrorists, gets together with a female pal who has a smart computer which can access sensitive documents - this is a polite convention that computers can hack into a judge's bank account etc. There is no other way they would find out the data. Anyway they decide that a major company is framing people for doing what the firm itself is secretly doing, and buying convictions. Although the young man has not been in his father's life for very long, he loyally decides to find out what is going on in the firm. To him the best way seems to be taking part in endurance sports for those who are surgically enhanced. I'm sure it all makes sense but I could not read too carefully on account of needles in eyeballs.

The detail and characterisation is fine and I would read more, but I don't read in instalments especially if they are cliffhangers. Maybe if it's all released as one book I'd read it.

I downloaded a free copy. This is an unbiased review.

[Farhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an engaging first episode to what could be a good series: a man bent on avenging his scientist father's wrongful imprisonment decides to infiltrate the evil corporation by qualifying and then winning their annual Tech Games.

The games involve humans who are either digitally enhanced with computer software running their mental and physical faculties or people fitted with robotic implants. Our hero fits in the third category as he has a special nanotechnology augmenting all his functions. The technology was designed by his father.

The first episode deals mostly with our hero being injected with the nanobots and the process was harrowing. I look forward to the second episode which would have our guy actually participating in the Tech Games.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would really have liked to have given the author five stars because as a first work the story and its credibility are very good.

However the story itself is split and until I reach its conclusion in the later books I will rate them individually.

I promise however that if the rest live up to the first books promise I will write further reviews and increase the rating to the magic five.

Not a spoiler but if you are squeamish at all, the authors description of a medical procedure part way through is very graphic and worth bearing with even if like me you may need to break it up a little to let your mind settle.

[Harry Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Sterling has taken a different look at nanotechnology. The story follows the actions of the lead character, rather than what the nano does. An interesting storyline that brings you back to looking at family values, and what a person might do to save what's left of the family that he has. A possible love interest? I guess we will find out more in the next volume.

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start to this serial. Now so just need a good sale or a bundled compilation to continue.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Episode 1 of a series that I won't be going on with. The longest part of this episode was a very grisly medical procedure injecting nanotech through the character's eyeball without anesthesia, done by a stereotyped Russian who drinks vodka before the procedure . I almost didn't finish it, but wanted to use this book for a challenge so kept going.
It might work better if there was more format to the story instead of ending as a cliffhanger followed by pages advertising the next episodes. (And given the number of episodes available, we already know the main character is going to survive the event where this book ends.)

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running

First off I really hate being left on such a cliffhanger. That being said, I felt this was a really well written book that kept you thinking. It is a complex story that definitely needs multiple books to tell the whole story without losing too much detail. I am thinking of getting the next book to find out what happens.

[Jeannette Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I came across this as we were looking for a new book to read. He was very engaged in it up to the point where the nanotechnology was implanted... This is an intense book and some preteens may enjoy reading this type of futuristic technology based books. But it can be a little descriptive.

[saintlouis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story line was good, the characters were fully developed, the 'teaser' was too short. And it looks like they have taken a whole book and split it into four section, charging a hardback book price out of four ebooks.
I won't be spending anymore money on the rest of this series.
Writing was good, marketing was a total failure.

[Steven Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one is fast!

So far, this is a great story. The characters are fun and the description of the insertion of the nanobots is highly engaging. My only complaint is the length of the story.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good nano tech intro story. Nano Contestant - Episode 1: Whatever It Takes (2nd Edition): The Free Technothriller Futuristic Science Fiction Adventure of a Cyberpunk Marine (Nano Contestant Series) [Kindle Edition]
By: Leif Sterling
Sold By: Amazon.com Services LLC
Purchased November 7, 2017 for free
Appears to no longer be available on Amazon ...

[Valery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read that draws you in.
My biggest complaint is the shortness of the story. This is closer to a novella, and the ending is a complete cliffhanger.
There are some grammar issues as well.

For my clean readers: little to no violence. No romance. No language.

[dean landsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Just brilliantly done. The perfect amount of tech and human interest to hold you fast and keep you reading page after page...

[Joseph Veca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a interesting take on sports enhancements.

This series is made up of 5 books (all currently free on Amazon)

[Andrew Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lief takes us into a futuristic world where biotech is nearly as commonplace as Starbucks is on every corner today.

What would you do for $100 Million dollars? Would you give up a limb or two for cybernetic implants to increase your speed or strength? Would you have specially engineered DNA to make yourself the better competitor? How about experimental nanotechnology that could blow up and kill you?

Roland has a secret. His father is a brilliant biotech engineer, but now he's facing a death sentence. The Pinnacle Corporation is to blame. To prove it, Roland needs to enter their annual Tech Games. The Tech Games are where the best and the most expensive tech is showcased in a winner takes all brutal competition. People die in this competition, but Roland has no tech. He doesn't have bionic limbs, or genetically engineered DNA. He doesn't even have nanotech. That is until he discovers a bit of tech his father was working on.

With the help of his father's computer genius friend Skylar, Roland takes a chance on his father's untested tech and finds himself in line for the Tech Games. It doesn't take long for him to draw the attention of a nearly illegal level cyborg competitor, Duke. Roland doesn't need to win, he just needs to stick around long enough to find out what the Pinnacle Corporation knows that could free his father.

I suggest you try this episode out, as Leif will leave you looking for more. Unless of course, you are scared Duke will squash you.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those of us that grew up on the Space-Opera remember, the innocent Maiden who is attacked by the dastardly villain/critter that is only intent is to destroy all of the good upstanding Citizens of the Galactic Empire. or that Dashing Hero, , gleaming teeth and all, that stands against them...What no one ever thought of was, what a toll it would take on such a "Hero" to be "On the Spot" 24/7s say,when he is out of his element,, or how, in all of this there even Could be a "Total Innocent" that were in need of protection. How much more IS there to this Lady who is thrust into battle? . This story brings the two protagonists into focus, as the Galactic Heroes usual gallant protection leads him to this Naive Not-So "Nobody" starting to show obvious struggle to become a Somebody. This 1st book was quite a one after -the- other battle, with bits of alien tech destroying whatever is in their way, as we pick up little bits of clues of who is "Plain Jane," ..and start to root for BOTH the heroes and that is also why I also went to buy the 2nd book in a...3 part? series. If it is set up this swell on the first one,well gee golly Miss Molly, I'm hoping our Author will give us just as exciting an adventure next episode too! ;)

[K.J. Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 2114, and Roland needs information on Pinnacle, the world's leading tech company who hold the answers for his father's incarceration on death row. What better way to get close to the corporation than by entering the deadly Tech Games; a Pinnacle run tournament to showcase the latest technology with a prize of £100 million.

This book has no conclusion. It is part one of a much longer story, hence why I couldn't give it 5*. It is a unique way of writing a story because you risk leaving readers dissatisfied with the ending, but I believe that Sterling pulled it off. I want to know what happens during Roland's time in the Tech Games.

The small cast of characters was a refreshing change from a large array, and works well for this small installment. The character's motivation is made known, and the reason for taking the risks are believable. I can't wait to get to learn more on Roland and Skylar in particular.

Sterling does a great job of world building. The technology in 2114 is well thought through and a graphic description of a surgical operation is not for the faint hearted. I would call this book the Hunger Games on Speed!

[Karsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but WAY too short! I'm not a fan of Episodes on a whole, cuz i'd rather have the full book, but it was enjoyable. Loved that the Title of each chapter was within that chapter, except for chapter 4. That drove me nutters that it wasn't there. Also, my only other issue was that the characters said their names ALL the time. For a 101 page book, the MC's name was used over 500 times. Seems excessive to me. Story was enjoyable though and I do want to read more.

[Emma Christina]

I started this book and just couldn't stop, I devoured it in an hour and a half,great stuff. The downside it's only 100 pages and there's 12 books, I really want to read the next ones but it's quite expensive. So my recommendation is if you are cheapskate like me do not start this book as you will need to read the rest of the series too. I suppose this makes this both a bad and good review.

[Michelle Kuipers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clumsily written and does not get close to the meat of the story in the first episode. Nonetheless, deals with very intriguing concepts and a fun twist on all the parts that were good about the Hunger Games with some great extra stuff that definitely sets it apart from Hunger Games.

[Harm Hazeu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book of the "Nano Contestant "! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Rui Yip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story, but a bit short. It's almost like a Light Novel.

[Jim Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good beginning to a great series! Good guys, bad guys, future tech and interesting characters. What more could you ask?

[Lon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh take on human competition. Excited to start the next episode.

[Velvetink]

smashwords

[MaryD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed this, I wish it had been put together in one volume instead of stretched out to 12 "episodes".

[Kenn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but very captivating. Can't wait until I can read Episode 2.

[Mary Sue Newson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating

I liked this book. It is actually a prequel to the rest of the series. When$$$ allows, I will be reading the rest. Can't wait!

[angela reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Cliffhanger!

I'm dying to know how the race goes! I'm invested. I need to know that he gets retribution for his father!