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The Search for Cern
Not yet published
Expected 28 Oct 04When a mysterious force destroys an experimental steam generator, it starts a chain of events that will see Henry Coombs leave the safe confines of his university and embark on a dangerous journey that will change his life. Aided and guided by the enigmatic Lady Grey, a woman whose past is longer than it appears, he searches for answers that may only be found at Cern; the fabled center of knowledge believed to have been devastated in the Great Event when electricity was banned. On this quest Henry gathers together a group of friends, all committed to discover the truth about the Great Event. It’s a quest that will take them to the Swiss Alps and expose them to the fatal threat of luddites.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 28, 2104
16 people want to read
About the author
F.A. Baker
1 book1 followerF A Baker is a writer of science fiction, currently with a leaning to Steampunk, as well as other genres when inspired (or paid) to do so. Baker is also a software consultant with expertise on embedded systems and has an in-depth knowledge of micro-electronics that gives a solid underpinning to her writing.
F A Baker also holds a BSc honors degree in cognitive science that has given her a broad understanding of the nature of artificial intelligence, perception, neuroscience, language and philosophy. She regards these skills to be most useful in writing for today's science fiction and fantasy audience.
F A Baker also holds a BSc honors degree in cognitive science that has given her a broad understanding of the nature of artificial intelligence, perception, neuroscience, language and philosophy. She regards these skills to be most useful in writing for today's science fiction and fantasy audience.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 4, 2015
The Search for Cern marked my first foray into the steampunk genre, and I have to say right off, it set a terrific precedence. The story opens in a world where electricity has not been in use on Earth for over a hundred years. Long ago, there was what was referred to as The Great Event, a catastrophe where most electrical devices ceased to work, and others were outright destroyed by a mysterious race. I will leave it at this: There was a real-world fear of a recent technological advancement. And as it turns out, it happened.
Since then, this race forbids any use of electricity. Should humans generate it, silver ships known as Sentinels appear and destroy the device (and anybody who should be standing around it). Enter Professor Henry Coombs, a researcher of electronic artifacts. While this may seem a trivial pursuit, unworthy of a university, F.A. Baker creates a believable account of a cascading effect of when electronic devices were lost, so were the electronic records of these devices. Further, many of the paper documents were destroyed in the aftermath of The Great Event. In a sense, something as simple as an instruction booklet to a toaster would be a goldmine for Coombs and his associates.
Henry soon meets The Lady Grey, and as a reader, we are instantly intrigued by her. She’s extremely wealthy and seems to hold an interest in electronics that rivals Coombs’s . There is also an immediate feeling that she knows much more than she initially lets on.
Baker weaves clever plot devices that had me turning pages from beginning to end. She did a great job in the astonishment within the characters on products we take for granted today. She also paints vivid scenery of the various locations that Henry visits, from France to mountains of Switzerland.
The pacing was generally good, however, there were a few points where I felt things could have moved a little faster. I would also like to add that Baker seems to know her stuff. By the end, I was convinced that she is a fluent French speaking, Electric Engineer. Perhaps she is! All in all, it was a wonderful story that I would highly recommend. I would be very interested in future works from F.A. Baker with hopes that there is a direct sequel of The Search for Cern.
Since then, this race forbids any use of electricity. Should humans generate it, silver ships known as Sentinels appear and destroy the device (and anybody who should be standing around it). Enter Professor Henry Coombs, a researcher of electronic artifacts. While this may seem a trivial pursuit, unworthy of a university, F.A. Baker creates a believable account of a cascading effect of when electronic devices were lost, so were the electronic records of these devices. Further, many of the paper documents were destroyed in the aftermath of The Great Event. In a sense, something as simple as an instruction booklet to a toaster would be a goldmine for Coombs and his associates.
Henry soon meets The Lady Grey, and as a reader, we are instantly intrigued by her. She’s extremely wealthy and seems to hold an interest in electronics that rivals Coombs’s . There is also an immediate feeling that she knows much more than she initially lets on.
Baker weaves clever plot devices that had me turning pages from beginning to end. She did a great job in the astonishment within the characters on products we take for granted today. She also paints vivid scenery of the various locations that Henry visits, from France to mountains of Switzerland.
The pacing was generally good, however, there were a few points where I felt things could have moved a little faster. I would also like to add that Baker seems to know her stuff. By the end, I was convinced that she is a fluent French speaking, Electric Engineer. Perhaps she is! All in all, it was a wonderful story that I would highly recommend. I would be very interested in future works from F.A. Baker with hopes that there is a direct sequel of The Search for Cern.
November 29, 2014
An original approach to the world of Steampunk in that it takes place in a post dystopian future where mankind has reconstructed society along Victorian lines, due to the constraint of not using electricity. What is most enjoyable is how the story weaves around the two central characters while immersing the reader in this strangely familiar future. Add to this the threat of Luddites, contrasted against the genteel romantic undercurrent that pervades the book and you have a thoroughly engaging read from beginning to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews