ORB: An aeronautical love story from an altered world

by Francisco Rebollo

Runner-up The Green Book Festival 2016 (Sci-Fi)

Sci-Fi / Romance

A mid-air encounter with a mysterious ball of light changes everything for a young airline pilot and the child he loves.

All is about to be unveiled...

Oannes Jones is an airline pilot living in a much altered world where a pervasive technology seeps into every part of people’s lives in order to create a compliant, unthinking society.
He believes he has found his purpose in playing father to Riply, a young girl not his own. But he also feels hopelessly torn between two women, one of whom is Riply’s mother.

And then it happens: a dangerous mid-air encounter with a mysterious ball of light – the Orb.
The encounter awakens him to a new reality. Life, the world and even dreams begin to look and feel different. His friends begin to change as well. Clues are laid out for him to follow, most of them provided by Riply.

As dark forces begin to encircle, something happens that will change everything for many people, not least for the child whom Oannes loves.

The Orb nears...
Everyone changes...
Here goes the autopilot...

Genres: Science Fiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2015

About the author

Francisco Rebollo is the author of 2016 'Green Book festival' Runner-up novel:
‘ORB: An aeronautical love story from an altered world.’
Francisco is a writer and airline pilot. Originally from Mexico, he now lives in Ireland. His work has been featured by Ireland's national broadcaster RTE, in The Hope Foundation's anthology 'Be the Change' and the 'Word on the Waves' 2015 Long list. His articles have been featured in the local press.

Reviews

[Monika Petrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page-turner! From the first page I was sucked into Rebollo’s imaginary world, a world consisting of futuristic terms like “opties,” “mil,” and “bio-pregs” (all of which you intuitively understand without further explanation), as well as rules and behaviors of a society which struggles to find happiness under the watchful eye of an authoritarian government. Against this thought-provoking and critical backdrop, the author draws the portrait of a soulful, passionate and empathetic man who seeks a few very real things, like friendship, truth, freedom and love. Making the main character a pilot adds another interesting layer to the story. But the main reason by far why I enjoyed reading this book is the beautiful and poetic language with which Rebollo describes everything from the apparition of the Orb to the turbulent emotions inside the hero’s heart. Thank you for writing such a great book! I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Félix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually wary of alternate reality stories, for it is all too easy to get lost in the world-building and forget about what is important: characters, passions, and relationships. This time, though, I was amazed by the subtle intertwining between story, tech, heart, and meaning. Without wanting to spoil it for other readers, this story about a disenchanted airline pilot in an Orwell-esque world and how his life changes after a near-collision with a mysterious flying object (the title's Orb), is mesmerizing. A love triangle that starts out looking like a trope, suddenly becomes something entirely new and unexpected, all thanks to the heart of a unicorn and a little book.

Please, read this book. You will be amazed.

[Cahilld · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully entertaining read — one of the most exciting and intelligent books that I have read this year. Similar to the Philip K. Dick novels that I have enjoyed so much in the past; the author, Francisco Rebollo, also explores philosophical, sociological and political themes in a world dominated by an authoritarian and all-seeing government that uses technology to control and monitor its citizens. He draws upon his experience as an airline pilot to frame this compelling love story set in a paranormal world where a mid-air encounter with a mysterious ball of light changes everything. This book will leave you wanting more of Mr. Rebollo’s beautifully flowing prose.

[Maarten Stam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too much of a sci-fi fan, I wasn't too sure if this book would be for me really. Once reading it however, I couldn't stop! The book touches upon some very relevant topics that we are faced with these days and that we seriously need to hold to the light. The hypocrisy of our most highly valued good called "freedom" and how it permits countries the right to take away basic rights and preventive measurements. The writer touches upon all this and more in a philosophical fashion but with a good storyline that basically makes you want to finish the book in one ride. I sincerely hope there will be a second part..

[Cynthia A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book entails a dangerous mid-air encounter with a mysterious ball of light – the Orb. Oannes Jones finds himself in a new reality. He must find out what is happening. Everyone around him are changing.
A very good fiction novel and a pleasure to read.

I won on Goodreads and would read more books by this author.

[Michelle Olms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Unodostrescuatro · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enticing, entertaining and surprising story; with deep and believable characters on a journey that shows us the heart and philosophy of the author who is a great voyager himself.