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Chameleon Moon #0.5
Runtime
The streets of Parole are dangerous - and fragile. They can crumble underfoot and vanish at any moment. And with a permanent fire below, even walking can be perilous. Sometimes, it's safer to run. When people with practical survival skills or fantastic abilities join forces to get jobs done without getting burned, they call it runtime.
Even when stealth and reconnaissance expert Regan isn't actually invisible, nobody's better at hiding in plain sight. Or at slipping into places nobody else can reach, hearing things he shouldn't hear, learning things he shouldn't know. His reptilian reflexes and very specific skills make him invaluable to Parole's resistance, and very dangerous to the brutal Major Turret and his military and surveillance force called Eye in the Sky... and anything they want to keep a secret.
Regan works best in the dark, and happily leaves the spotlight to his celebrated runtime partner: celebrated, infamous cyber-revolutionary CyborJ - that's 'Cybor-Jay,' who spends every night gleefully jabbing at Eye in the Sky with his keyboard of justice. His technical brilliance and flair for drama combine with Regan's stealth and secrecy to form Parole's most frighteningly effective runtime duo. Fortunately, they're the good guys.
Tonight's run went off without a hitch. CyborJ just delivered the best cache of goodies yet to the people of quarantined Parole - but this time, that's just the beginning. Across the city, his silent partner Regan carries the real treasure in his pocket: a secret. A very sensitive, very dangerous secret about the world beyond the barrier.
The hard part is over. All Regan has to do is get home alive - but this run is about to be intercepted. The grinning ghost Hans will make Regan an offer nobody in Parole could refuse: escape. Not just for Regan, but for all of them. All he has to do is betray everyone and everything he loves.
Welcome to Parole, where the fire is always burning, and everyone is always running out of time.
Even when stealth and reconnaissance expert Regan isn't actually invisible, nobody's better at hiding in plain sight. Or at slipping into places nobody else can reach, hearing things he shouldn't hear, learning things he shouldn't know. His reptilian reflexes and very specific skills make him invaluable to Parole's resistance, and very dangerous to the brutal Major Turret and his military and surveillance force called Eye in the Sky... and anything they want to keep a secret.
Regan works best in the dark, and happily leaves the spotlight to his celebrated runtime partner: celebrated, infamous cyber-revolutionary CyborJ - that's 'Cybor-Jay,' who spends every night gleefully jabbing at Eye in the Sky with his keyboard of justice. His technical brilliance and flair for drama combine with Regan's stealth and secrecy to form Parole's most frighteningly effective runtime duo. Fortunately, they're the good guys.
Tonight's run went off without a hitch. CyborJ just delivered the best cache of goodies yet to the people of quarantined Parole - but this time, that's just the beginning. Across the city, his silent partner Regan carries the real treasure in his pocket: a secret. A very sensitive, very dangerous secret about the world beyond the barrier.
The hard part is over. All Regan has to do is get home alive - but this run is about to be intercepted. The grinning ghost Hans will make Regan an offer nobody in Parole could refuse: escape. Not just for Regan, but for all of them. All he has to do is betray everyone and everything he loves.
Welcome to Parole, where the fire is always burning, and everyone is always running out of time.
60 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2016
8 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
RoAnna Sylver
26 books271 followersRoAnna Sylver is passionate about stories that give hope, healing and even fun for LGBT, disabled and other marginalized people, and thinks we need a lot more. Aside from writing oddly optimistic dystopia and vampire books, RoAnna is a blogger, artist, and singer.
RoAnna lives with family near Portland, OR, and probably spends too much time playing videogames. The next adventure RoAnna would like is a nap in a pile of bunnies.
RoAnna lives with family near Portland, OR, and probably spends too much time playing videogames. The next adventure RoAnna would like is a nap in a pile of bunnies.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 12, 2018
I love Regan so, so much.
October 4, 2016
In all honesty, I was sold before I started. I love Chameleon Moon, I love its people, I love SFF with an ace protag and I am all over Zilch, my great zombie baby
With all of that said, this is a fast paced read packed with feels, great representation, and a good dive into the smoke-filled, hot, shit hole of Parole, where Hope, Friendship, Love, and Trust will see you through. if you read RUNTIME and like it even one little bit, are curious about what goes next and who Ultimate Goddess Evelyn Calliope is, you gotta get CHAMELEON MOON.
With all of that said, this is a fast paced read packed with feels, great representation, and a good dive into the smoke-filled, hot, shit hole of Parole, where Hope, Friendship, Love, and Trust will see you through. if you read RUNTIME and like it even one little bit, are curious about what goes next and who Ultimate Goddess Evelyn Calliope is, you gotta get CHAMELEON MOON.
September 9, 2016
Runtime doesn't take very long to suck you under into the pretty literal hellhole that is Parole. It's a return to the world of Chameleon Moon for me, but it won't take long for first time visitors to get acquainted. (Imagine a palpable feeling of oppression, and I mean that in the sociological sense but also in the sense of smothering weight choking you, and then imagine yourself refusing to let it swamp you completely (please believe me when I say it gets better)). There's a lifetime's worth of characterization crammed into a few dozen pages, and the ethical dilemma presented within ratchets up the tension between the all-too-relatable characters. A taut, satisfying story that will resolve questions (and present new ones) to previous readers of Chameleon Moon and introduce one of the most stunning alternative realities I've experienced in fiction to new readers. See my review of Chameleon Moon here.
September 10, 2016
Great prequel to Chameleon Moon, which I read a few weeks back. I love the world and characters and this was really interesting and suspenseful.
I am a bit confused by Ragan's sudden change of mind, though, which is my only complaint.
__________
Genre: dystopia
Rating: 4 stars
I am a bit confused by Ragan's sudden change of mind, though, which is my only complaint.
__________
Genre: dystopia
Rating: 4 stars
November 3, 2024
Meh.
First of all, do not be like me and read this before Chameleon Moon. You will understand nothing. You will not know who these people are and nothing in their characterization here will make you care. Nothing about the world will be explained - just a few hints dropped that would be more than enough for someone that had read Chameleon Moon.
The plot, as it is, seems okay enough.
The writing style seems a little purposefully abrupt and choppy in dialogue. I say purposefully because none of the non-dialogue is that way, so it feels like it's a stylistic choice (that I personally do not much care for).
Honestly, if more of this is what I can look forward to from the novels...Yeah, I'm not sure this is a series for me.
First of all, do not be like me and read this before Chameleon Moon. You will understand nothing. You will not know who these people are and nothing in their characterization here will make you care. Nothing about the world will be explained - just a few hints dropped that would be more than enough for someone that had read Chameleon Moon.
The plot, as it is, seems okay enough.
The writing style seems a little purposefully abrupt and choppy in dialogue. I say purposefully because none of the non-dialogue is that way, so it feels like it's a stylistic choice (that I personally do not much care for).
Honestly, if more of this is what I can look forward to from the novels...Yeah, I'm not sure this is a series for me.
June 18, 2018
intense af. painful and action packed and relatable and /good/. 10/10. <3
March 6, 2017
**Warning: Spoilers**
This is explains so much more of Chameleon Moon. Why Regan is attempting to “take out” Garrett. What happened before he lost his memories. Where Hans comes in to make deals with all the lives of Parole on the line. And most importantly, who is CyborJ? How do Radio Angel’s powers work? What’s the name of the really cool robo cat that follows Regan around everywhere in Chameleon Moon?
This short story answers all and much more. One of the few questions that kept popping up for me was finally answered towards the end. Which was, How the heck do they get media dumps from the outside if they have no outside connections or communications? You’ll also find out how Regan was pretty much always connected to Danae, Rose, and Evelyn from the very beginning and how they all know CyborJ. You’ll also get a hint as to what is to come possibly in a sequel to Chameleon Moon with mentions of something happening in the Tartarus Zone just outside of Parole.
This happens to be a prequel to Chameleon Moon but it’s much better to read it afterwards. It helps fill in the gaps and sets you up for what’s to come. Maybe we’ll even get to meet some of the new characters mentioned in a sequel? Who knows. But we can keep hoping.
This book is just as inclusive and amazing as Chameleon Moon even for so short a book. We find out that Danae’s brother is married to CyborJ and that it’s possible that CyborJ and Regan may have a strictly ace relationship. As well as Regan also loving Zilch. See that? Poly relationships. :)
We also discover that since Parole and all the amazing characters are based on Greek mythology that we can some very recognizable friends. Hint Hint. :)
This is explains so much more of Chameleon Moon. Why Regan is attempting to “take out” Garrett. What happened before he lost his memories. Where Hans comes in to make deals with all the lives of Parole on the line. And most importantly, who is CyborJ? How do Radio Angel’s powers work? What’s the name of the really cool robo cat that follows Regan around everywhere in Chameleon Moon?
This short story answers all and much more. One of the few questions that kept popping up for me was finally answered towards the end. Which was, How the heck do they get media dumps from the outside if they have no outside connections or communications? You’ll also find out how Regan was pretty much always connected to Danae, Rose, and Evelyn from the very beginning and how they all know CyborJ. You’ll also get a hint as to what is to come possibly in a sequel to Chameleon Moon with mentions of something happening in the Tartarus Zone just outside of Parole.
This happens to be a prequel to Chameleon Moon but it’s much better to read it afterwards. It helps fill in the gaps and sets you up for what’s to come. Maybe we’ll even get to meet some of the new characters mentioned in a sequel? Who knows. But we can keep hoping.
This book is just as inclusive and amazing as Chameleon Moon even for so short a book. We find out that Danae’s brother is married to CyborJ and that it’s possible that CyborJ and Regan may have a strictly ace relationship. As well as Regan also loving Zilch. See that? Poly relationships. :)
We also discover that since Parole and all the amazing characters are based on Greek mythology that we can some very recognizable friends. Hint Hint. :)
October 10, 2016
A truly beautiful jump-off point and start to the Chameleon Moon Universe. The character introductions and developing story leaves your chest aching and craving more. It's written in such a way that you literally feel as if you're standing there witnessing everything unfold, and feeling everything that's being felt. It sets things up perfectly and it's definitely a must-read before you jump into the first book. Prepare to feel!
February 6, 2017
Review originally posted Here
So, I’m currently participating in the #AceBookClub on Twitter and our first book was Chameleon Moon which I absolutely adored and after devouring it, I just had to read more about Parole and the characters that I’d grown to love.
This is a short story focusing on Regan, one of the main characters in Chameleon Moon. It’s set just before the events in Chameleon Moon and give you an excellent background to the events in the beginning of the book and lets you see what some of the other characters are up to. As somebody who had already read Chameleon Moon, I absolutely adored it for the added look at characters I loved (especially Kari, I can never have too much of her!) and for some interesting insight into Regan’s past. The world-building is just as fantastic in this story and I really enjoyed the additional look at some of the characters and of the world in general. The story can also serve as an excellent introduction to the world of Parole as, being a prequel, there are no spoilers for the first book. Indeed, reading it first will even help explain a couple things in Chameleon Moon.
I would definitely recommend this short story, both to fans of Chameleon Moon and to those who haven’t read it before as an excellent introduction to a fantastic world. I would also highly recommend #AceBookClub because if this is the quality of the books they pick, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
So, I’m currently participating in the #AceBookClub on Twitter and our first book was Chameleon Moon which I absolutely adored and after devouring it, I just had to read more about Parole and the characters that I’d grown to love.
This is a short story focusing on Regan, one of the main characters in Chameleon Moon. It’s set just before the events in Chameleon Moon and give you an excellent background to the events in the beginning of the book and lets you see what some of the other characters are up to. As somebody who had already read Chameleon Moon, I absolutely adored it for the added look at characters I loved (especially Kari, I can never have too much of her!) and for some interesting insight into Regan’s past. The world-building is just as fantastic in this story and I really enjoyed the additional look at some of the characters and of the world in general. The story can also serve as an excellent introduction to the world of Parole as, being a prequel, there are no spoilers for the first book. Indeed, reading it first will even help explain a couple things in Chameleon Moon.
I would definitely recommend this short story, both to fans of Chameleon Moon and to those who haven’t read it before as an excellent introduction to a fantastic world. I would also highly recommend #AceBookClub because if this is the quality of the books they pick, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
September 6, 2016
Runtime is a great prequel that sets the scene for RoAnna Sylver's first book, Chameleon Moon. It's currently available to patrons of Sylver's Patreon page, but will soon be released to the public, bridging the gap between the relaunch of Chameleon Moon and the release of the second book in the series, The Lifeline Signal. If you enjoyed Chameleon Moon, or are curious about the fires of Parole, please take a look at this short story! It's real, it's happening, and it's a great prequel. Sylver is not going to let fans down, and is working hard to continue to produce content for fans of the Chameleon Moon universe. Despite illness, publisher closings, and the strange journey that is life, Roanna Sylver is persistent in reminding us that- eventually, if not now- Everything Is Going to Be Alright.
September 3, 2016
This is a beautiful addition to the Chameleon Moon series! Featuring Regan, our main POV character from the novel Chameleon Moon, it provides needed insight to his life and the circumstances surrounding the city of Parole. New readers will find a great introduction to this series that can lead amazingly into the first novel and existing fans will find great new character introductions and hints dropped for the continuation of the series.
The author has created an amazing short story here and I look forward to anything else they write in this series!
The author has created an amazing short story here and I look forward to anything else they write in this series!
September 3, 2016
this short story drew me in at once, the way their writing always does. start to finish, my heart was in my throat at familiar and unfamiliar characters reminding me why this world they have made is both beautiful and painful, and, in the end, to always have hope <333
July 3, 2017
Punchy, clever prose and dialogue; instantly distinctive and endearing characters; classic moral dilemma; hints of fascinating world-building yet to come.
Overall, a fast first course that whets my appetite for the upcoming novel!
Overall, a fast first course that whets my appetite for the upcoming novel!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews