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Deragon Hex: The Vipdile Key
Deragon The Vipdile Key is the first book to integrate pi into its narrative while telling a fast-paced and darkly hilarious tale of survival and vengeance. The three main characters are a gender-neutral vigilante killer, a dominatrix and a girl in a coma. The tale begins at the blood-drenched site of a mass murder then rewinds to play out the toxic events that brought the killer to this point . Ash must figure out which one of the four main villains in Leah’s life is responsible for her lying poisoned in a hospital bed and avenge her before it is too late. There is only one person they can turn to for help, the creepy Estana, who is probably evil and possibly not even human. After leaving the ruined hotel suite in Blue Five Nine , the story careens through narcotised festivals, disastrous relationships, vulture trials, prison fights, televised violence and surreal dream sequences, with frequent social commentary from two voyeuristic alcoholics. The six -sided setting is populated by mentally vacant consumers and insidious social climbers, but there’s also a helpful prison clerk, a mysterious night porter and a cat that drinks vodka. Can Leah be saved? Will anybody be pushed out of a level Plus Five window? Will Ash run out of hair gel? Which number is the trigger - a three digit figure that begins with five and is destined to cause a major explosion? You'll find out if you follow the white badger.
314 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2016
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Carlie Martece
4 books20 followersThe Carlie Nooka Martece collective is a gender-fluid, autistic, dissociative system working as a visual artist, fetish model and independently published writer. Their books explore social issues and mental illness using rapid-paced storytelling and brutal comedy. They live simultaneously in a hilarious dreamworld and Yorkshire.
Martece wrote their first book, the semi-autobiographical Toxic Nursery, to provide insight into the often-misunderstood diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder. They have since received the dual diagnosis of autism, which explains how they have memorised pi to over two thousand digits! Deragon Hex: The Vipdile Key was their first work of science fiction, and has six hundred and sixty six digits of pi integrated into the narrative. Along with their latest novel, Chroma: Calanooka, these books form the Constructed Sanity Sequence, a series of autobiographies and novels that will become increasingly entangled as the overall story progresses.
If you enjoy their work, please leave reviews wherever possible. Leaving reviews, along with sharing links, is a great way to help independent authors.
The Carlie Nooka Martece collective is now living Toxic Nursery's sequel, and continues to share their creations with the world via their website at www.carliemartece.com.
Martece wrote their first book, the semi-autobiographical Toxic Nursery, to provide insight into the often-misunderstood diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder. They have since received the dual diagnosis of autism, which explains how they have memorised pi to over two thousand digits! Deragon Hex: The Vipdile Key was their first work of science fiction, and has six hundred and sixty six digits of pi integrated into the narrative. Along with their latest novel, Chroma: Calanooka, these books form the Constructed Sanity Sequence, a series of autobiographies and novels that will become increasingly entangled as the overall story progresses.
If you enjoy their work, please leave reviews wherever possible. Leaving reviews, along with sharing links, is a great way to help independent authors.
The Carlie Nooka Martece collective is now living Toxic Nursery's sequel, and continues to share their creations with the world via their website at www.carliemartece.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 16, 2019
As the main character perfectly describes it, this is an Overly Dramatic Revenge Sequence. It's set in a dystopian world of hexagons, constant surveillance and social media trials. Whilst seemingly very different to Martece's first book Toxic Nursery, one of the best aspects of this book is the way in which it connects with the first.
Naturally, mentioning the first book I feel compelled to compare it with this and I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first. I think a lot of that comes down to character development. Toxic Nursery is really focused on character development it's basically overflowing with it, which I really like. Whereas Deragon Hex didn't really seem to have much. Well some of the characters develop into corpses but I'm not sure if that counts. I also feel that there was a lot more humour in Toxic Nursery. It discusses dark subjects but then springs in a bit of comedy to take the edge off. Whereas Deragon Hex just seemed rather bitter. That's not to say there's no comedy. It certainly has its Black Mirror-esque moments of satirical humour largely aimed at social media and cliques. It's just more snide remarks than something that will have you laughing your arse off.
Given the nature of the book, I can totally understand why it's written this way of course. And despite these criticisms the book certainly has a lot going for it. It makes for a compelling read that's hard to put down. The world is beautifully created and described. And I do love all the little easter eggs that permeate the book: the anagrams, the weaving of 666 digits of pi throughout the narrative (even if it does feel a little forced at times), figuring out why some of those digits are underlined in the contents page (smug alert: the author tells me I was the first person to work that out), the connections between these characters and those in the first book, the breaking of the sixth wall.
Also the cover art is fantastic!
Naturally, mentioning the first book I feel compelled to compare it with this and I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first. I think a lot of that comes down to character development. Toxic Nursery is really focused on character development it's basically overflowing with it, which I really like. Whereas Deragon Hex didn't really seem to have much. Well some of the characters develop into corpses but I'm not sure if that counts. I also feel that there was a lot more humour in Toxic Nursery. It discusses dark subjects but then springs in a bit of comedy to take the edge off. Whereas Deragon Hex just seemed rather bitter. That's not to say there's no comedy. It certainly has its Black Mirror-esque moments of satirical humour largely aimed at social media and cliques. It's just more snide remarks than something that will have you laughing your arse off.
Given the nature of the book, I can totally understand why it's written this way of course. And despite these criticisms the book certainly has a lot going for it. It makes for a compelling read that's hard to put down. The world is beautifully created and described. And I do love all the little easter eggs that permeate the book: the anagrams, the weaving of 666 digits of pi throughout the narrative (even if it does feel a little forced at times), figuring out why some of those digits are underlined in the contents page (smug alert: the author tells me I was the first person to work that out), the connections between these characters and those in the first book, the breaking of the sixth wall.
Also the cover art is fantastic!
April 12, 2021
There is so much hiding in plain sight:
Second read through prior to starting the new third book by Carlie Martece.
Second read through prior to starting the new third book by Carlie Martece.
July 17, 2020
This futuristic tale really hit home, reading it from my 2020 experience. Deragon Hex is an underground city, cut off from the overground, and people are constantly being watched by the cameras. When a mass murder takes place we find out the murderer, Ash, has an assignment, given to them by someone that might not even be human...and hoping that this dark mission will bring back their friend who lies comatose. The Vepdile Key is one possible solution, if they can find it, it is a way to control every machine in the city. Math and art collide in this almost-believable fiction. The author not only wove an engaging story but framed it around the digits of pi. 3.14 - perhaps the most famous irrational number. What a brilliant concept for such an irrational world we live in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2019
This book was stunningly great. A terrific dark humor pervades the entire story while the author takes us through a world that feels like a horrible evolution of our own under the harshest extreme of instant celebrity and social media influence. With that comes characters that when viewed one dimensionally resemble a basic impulse of the human condition, but are much deeper in their content as viewed by their actions and motivations. Well written, perfectly paced, and the inclusion of PI and anagrams are a unique and entertaining addition to unravel with the rest of this amazing story.
April 16, 2021
This is the second book I've read by C Martece. Another wonderful and complicated story that cleverly incorporates Pi into it. A beautiful and intricate work of art. I felt a strong sense of isolation, with the desolate landscape that's been ruined by pollution and the vapid socialites that brought misery to our main characters. It felt like some kind of dystopian cyberpunk Alice in Wonderland. A wonderful evolution of their prior, more autobiography work, which I suggest you read...
April 7, 2017
I've been looking forward to Carlie Martece’s second novel since reading the wonderful Toxic Nursery a few months ago, and I’m pleased to say I wasn't disappointed.
The Vipdile Key is written in the same fast paced, brutally honest style, and while it isn't exactly a sequel, some of the themes from Toxic Nursery are expanded upon here. I certainly wouldn't say it's a pre-requisite that you read the books in order of publication, but knowing the background of some of the characters and their relationship to one another added dimension for me.
Deragon Hex is a dystopian future world where people are sealed in an underground network by a secret key code. Technology, social media and reality TV have all taken a step up in their influence, and now everything is under surveillance; the public may decide the fate of criminals and their victims using voting buttons, raping the unconscious is considered entertainment, and popularity is everything. Even research into medicine has taken an irrational turn:
“All thoughts create energy,” an oncologist is explaining to the narrator. “This new device harnesses the energy radiated when a so called ‘troll’ sends anonymous abuse over the com network to someone with severe depression. We're investigating whether the frequency of this particular energy wave can slow the growth of cancer cells.”
In a world where justice is in the hands of the popular, how will Ash save and avenge their comatose best friend?
This is the only book I have read that stars a gender-neutral character, and it is done very well. The author shows that non-binary pronouns may be unusual but they do not have to be grammatically difficult, nor do they have to become the main focus. Ash is a well-rounded, relatable character like any other, and their gender is irrelevant to the way the plot pans out.
The central story gives a very real account of how it feels to be on the receiving end of emotional abuse, and the factors affecting a person’s recovery from it. We are forced to take a look at the way social groupings, and the implied hierarchies within them, affect our judgement. The book may use extreme examples, but the way we are becoming desensitised to suffering is quite real.
“I hate that!” Ash rants. “People finding a cheerful person’s death more tragic than a sad person’s… when I hear “What a shame, they were so happy’, I think, “Fuck you! Just because somebody’s incredibly depressed doesn't mean their life is worth any less!”
Although the subject matter is serious and claustrophobic, it is always written with a dark sense of humour which simultaneously lightens the mood and makes a mockery of the enemy. At times this comes across as aggressive emotional response, but it is fitting with the characters and creates a unique writing style that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages.
Along the way The Vipdile Key also explores the concept of freedom:
“Nobody who has to work is free” declares Ash. “I remember the days of needing medication to sleep and synthacoffee to wake up. Can you honestly follow the timetable they prescribe you without chemical assistance? I just wanted to fall asleep when I was tired and wake up naturally in the day. Now, think about how simple a request that is, actually think about it, then try telling me you're free.”
And the concept of sanity:
“This is literally crazy… This is what a crazy person does… I'm a crazy person…”
“The level of self-awareness needed to make those observations makes you paradoxically sane.”
There are some really nice signature touches too, such as the letters between Ash and Leah having acrostic sign offs, and most notably the incorporation of the first 666 digits of pi into the narrative. There is also a vodka-drinking cat called Derek who has a key part to play!
So all in all, there is a lot packed into this 300 page book. It is both a terrifying future vision and an effective metaphor for the norms we already accept on social media, reality shows, and in privacy laws. The Vipdile Key will assault your assumptions, make you laugh, and quite possibly have you falling in love with an axe murderer.
For the original review and more, please visit my blog.
The Vipdile Key is written in the same fast paced, brutally honest style, and while it isn't exactly a sequel, some of the themes from Toxic Nursery are expanded upon here. I certainly wouldn't say it's a pre-requisite that you read the books in order of publication, but knowing the background of some of the characters and their relationship to one another added dimension for me.
Deragon Hex is a dystopian future world where people are sealed in an underground network by a secret key code. Technology, social media and reality TV have all taken a step up in their influence, and now everything is under surveillance; the public may decide the fate of criminals and their victims using voting buttons, raping the unconscious is considered entertainment, and popularity is everything. Even research into medicine has taken an irrational turn:
“All thoughts create energy,” an oncologist is explaining to the narrator. “This new device harnesses the energy radiated when a so called ‘troll’ sends anonymous abuse over the com network to someone with severe depression. We're investigating whether the frequency of this particular energy wave can slow the growth of cancer cells.”
In a world where justice is in the hands of the popular, how will Ash save and avenge their comatose best friend?
This is the only book I have read that stars a gender-neutral character, and it is done very well. The author shows that non-binary pronouns may be unusual but they do not have to be grammatically difficult, nor do they have to become the main focus. Ash is a well-rounded, relatable character like any other, and their gender is irrelevant to the way the plot pans out.
The central story gives a very real account of how it feels to be on the receiving end of emotional abuse, and the factors affecting a person’s recovery from it. We are forced to take a look at the way social groupings, and the implied hierarchies within them, affect our judgement. The book may use extreme examples, but the way we are becoming desensitised to suffering is quite real.
“I hate that!” Ash rants. “People finding a cheerful person’s death more tragic than a sad person’s… when I hear “What a shame, they were so happy’, I think, “Fuck you! Just because somebody’s incredibly depressed doesn't mean their life is worth any less!”
Although the subject matter is serious and claustrophobic, it is always written with a dark sense of humour which simultaneously lightens the mood and makes a mockery of the enemy. At times this comes across as aggressive emotional response, but it is fitting with the characters and creates a unique writing style that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages.
Along the way The Vipdile Key also explores the concept of freedom:
“Nobody who has to work is free” declares Ash. “I remember the days of needing medication to sleep and synthacoffee to wake up. Can you honestly follow the timetable they prescribe you without chemical assistance? I just wanted to fall asleep when I was tired and wake up naturally in the day. Now, think about how simple a request that is, actually think about it, then try telling me you're free.”
And the concept of sanity:
“This is literally crazy… This is what a crazy person does… I'm a crazy person…”
“The level of self-awareness needed to make those observations makes you paradoxically sane.”
There are some really nice signature touches too, such as the letters between Ash and Leah having acrostic sign offs, and most notably the incorporation of the first 666 digits of pi into the narrative. There is also a vodka-drinking cat called Derek who has a key part to play!
So all in all, there is a lot packed into this 300 page book. It is both a terrifying future vision and an effective metaphor for the norms we already accept on social media, reality shows, and in privacy laws. The Vipdile Key will assault your assumptions, make you laugh, and quite possibly have you falling in love with an axe murderer.
For the original review and more, please visit my blog.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews