Amanojaku

by Damien Lutz

"I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gritty sci-fi and has fond memories of Blade Runner. Amanojaku will be exactly what you have been looking for." - San Francisco Book Reviews

Andre Cross keeps his volatile temper on a sturdy leash—an implant auto-medicating him to subdue his violent impulses. Dreaming of leaving his dark past behind, he slaves away on Brulle’s perilous vertical farms, and peddles the drug Neura, to fund his escape to a distant ocean city called Anchora. But when he meets the intriguing android Mo Da, he discovers the implant not only sedates his aggression, it also subdues his ability to love. Andre's desires unravel his carefully controlled plans, delivering him to a place where even his implant may not contain the madness of amanojaku determined to consume him.

Amanojaku is the first book in the Splintered Horizon series—a sequence of dystopian and cyberpunk thrillers following the interwoven lives of humans and the emerging hybrid-races surviving a weather-ravaged Earth.

"A multilayered protagonist and stellar setting help guide this sci-fi narrative to an unforgettable coda." - Kirkus Reviews

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Mbv_2esp_2M

ebook

First published June 3, 2016

About the author

Damien Lutz is a Sydney-based UX designer, researcher, teacher and writer. He is the author of the speculative design guide Future Scouting, The Life-centred Design Guide, and two science fiction novels, The Lenz and Amanojaku. He also writes about emerging and experimental design on Medium and runs workshops and guest lectures.

Damien has made it his personal purpose to scout the fringes of design to empower the community with more awareness of what can be done with design to create a kinder and more regenerative world, for today and tomorrow.

Reviews

[Jeanne Felfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damien Lutz has created a world I could actually believe was real. That is a difficult task as a writer, and he pulled it off in ways that left me mesmerized. I am normally a slow reader and rarely read Sci-Fi. However, this novel grabbed me and would not let me put it down, instead raced me to the finish, through twists and turns. The author led me on a journey straight to an end I never saw coming. No formulaic writing here.

This is a must-read for both fantasy and sci-fi lovers and non, for all will be thrilled. My audible response at the end was, "Oh WOW!" Now I'm sitting here waiting for Book 2!

[The Bookclectic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never got around to a written review of this book, but here is a link to my video review/discussion, and I highly recommend it! This author's talent is undeniable, and I strongly feel that in the future he will be considered one of the great story tellers of his time, like J.R.R. Tolkien only for science fiction! I will definitely be reading all his books the moment I can get my hands on a copy! emnoir.wordpress.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6pW3...

[J.W. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm usually pretty good at seeing what's coming, but Damien Lutz kept surprising me. Just when it looked like he was going right, he stopped and went in reverse!

This is futuristic story about a man who amounts to as much as a farm hand who dreams of a better station in life. The only thing stopping him are his internal demons, some that he was born with and some that have been implanted in him.

[Rianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of science fiction but this novel was something else. The main character Andre Cross is well crafted with many layers which are revealed as the story goes on. We learn early on that an implant is implanted in Andre's body to help control his violent urges after being released from prison. The android Mo Da is another really well-written character. As a robot with great intelligence, there are times you'd think she was human claiming to be a robot. Their interactions between Andre and her are some of the best parts of the book. The storyline itself is very intriguing with a lot of twist and turns. The ending was very unexpected and left my head spinning (in a good way). I highly recommend this novel.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A science fiction futuristic thriller, Amanojaku takes the reader into the life of Andre Cross. A year ago Andre was in prison. The chance to get out of course has stipulations. For Andre getting an implant that is supposed to control his anger is worth what he thinks is freedom. Of course, strings are always attached and Andre's adventure begins. I found the characters in this novel amazing. Readers are going to have empathy for some and hatred for others. You don't have to love science fiction to enjoy this novel because it is also a great adventure. I think if you are a futuristic sci-fi fan you would easily give this novel a five star because it is well written and a page turner.