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Split Second Solution
Bio-punk. Weird literature that is frighteningly real. Watch out for Sick-Reapers (AI). They’ve hacked your minds and know all your secrets.
Split is a dystopian urban novel set in New York City in 2022 that foretells a future we do not want to live. The principal characters are:
Word: Born 2000; French/North African; Last Truth Keeper; ancient texts tattooed on her body hold keys to the future; hunted by Super Recognizers; mother killed when she was eight.
X-it: Born 2000; French Creole heritage; super intelligent; father an astrophysicist; loves Word.
Death: Counter to all human stereotypes; hates people dying; trans; other personas include Cat, Bat, Bowie and Gaga.
Eternity: Extra-terrestrial observer; pure energy; not time bound; appears as the Old Crone and Botticelli’s Venus.
Grann: Creole wise woman; ancient Truth Seeker; ready to die to protect Word.
Ginger Tom: Seized power before the novel begins; consumed by idolatry of self; protected by personal militia and Super Recognizers; gaslight the public; orders purges of people and books; hunts Word because she is the Last Truth Keeper.
Lunatic Eight: Includes the Freaky Geek and Posh Boy; ultra-rich predatory power mongers; destroy the infrastructure of society; lose control.
Super Recognizers: Controlled by Ginger Tom and the Lunatic Eight; known as “Sick Reapers”; by 2022 Sick Reapers are in power; psychopathic obsession with capturing Word.
A.I.: Artificial intelligence hostile to biological intelligence; global surveillance machines; collude with Sick Reapers in vicious endgame; can hack consciousness; hack X-it; obsessed by capturing Word.
At the beginning of Split, the Sick Reapers and A.I. have seized power and captured Word. To escape being raped and killed, Word jumps into the Hudson River and Death splits the last second of her life to save her. And, it is in the last split second of Word’s life that the entire story is told.
Split was written before Trump came to power but mirrors what's happening to us in the wake of his ascendency. The ending of Split is devastating, but there is a chance that by splitting time, X-it, Death, and Eternity will save Word, and use the secrets she protects to stop the Ginger Tom, Lunatic Eight, Sick Reapers and A.I from destroying the future for young people and the planet. Let us hope we are saved too.
Split is a dystopian urban novel set in New York City in 2022 that foretells a future we do not want to live. The principal characters are:
Word: Born 2000; French/North African; Last Truth Keeper; ancient texts tattooed on her body hold keys to the future; hunted by Super Recognizers; mother killed when she was eight.
X-it: Born 2000; French Creole heritage; super intelligent; father an astrophysicist; loves Word.
Death: Counter to all human stereotypes; hates people dying; trans; other personas include Cat, Bat, Bowie and Gaga.
Eternity: Extra-terrestrial observer; pure energy; not time bound; appears as the Old Crone and Botticelli’s Venus.
Grann: Creole wise woman; ancient Truth Seeker; ready to die to protect Word.
Ginger Tom: Seized power before the novel begins; consumed by idolatry of self; protected by personal militia and Super Recognizers; gaslight the public; orders purges of people and books; hunts Word because she is the Last Truth Keeper.
Lunatic Eight: Includes the Freaky Geek and Posh Boy; ultra-rich predatory power mongers; destroy the infrastructure of society; lose control.
Super Recognizers: Controlled by Ginger Tom and the Lunatic Eight; known as “Sick Reapers”; by 2022 Sick Reapers are in power; psychopathic obsession with capturing Word.
A.I.: Artificial intelligence hostile to biological intelligence; global surveillance machines; collude with Sick Reapers in vicious endgame; can hack consciousness; hack X-it; obsessed by capturing Word.
At the beginning of Split, the Sick Reapers and A.I. have seized power and captured Word. To escape being raped and killed, Word jumps into the Hudson River and Death splits the last second of her life to save her. And, it is in the last split second of Word’s life that the entire story is told.
Split was written before Trump came to power but mirrors what's happening to us in the wake of his ascendency. The ending of Split is devastating, but there is a chance that by splitting time, X-it, Death, and Eternity will save Word, and use the secrets she protects to stop the Ginger Tom, Lunatic Eight, Sick Reapers and A.I from destroying the future for young people and the planet. Let us hope we are saved too.
244 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2015
3 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Denny Taylor
31 books70 followersDenny Taylor is a researcher and novelist who regards art, literature, and science inseparable. She is a lifelong activist and scholar committed to nurturing the imagination and human spirit. She has received both national and international awards for her research and scholarship.
She has published thirteen books, is the recipient of the Modern Language of Association of America Mina P. Shaughnessy Award, and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. In 2004 she was inducted in the International Reading Association's Reading Hall of Fame.
She is Professor Emeritus of Literacy Studies at Hofstra University, and the founder of Garn Press.
She has published thirteen books, is the recipient of the Modern Language of Association of America Mina P. Shaughnessy Award, and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. In 2004 she was inducted in the International Reading Association's Reading Hall of Fame.
She is Professor Emeritus of Literacy Studies at Hofstra University, and the founder of Garn Press.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 7, 2019
Seemed like an interesting premise. It was certainly weird, but just too far out for me. 22% of the way through & I just didn't want to pick it up again. I didn't feel any connection to the characters. Death & Fate (if that's what the latter was) were interesting, but that wasn't enough to save it from the disconnect. I might have continued trying a bit longer, but a new book that I want to read more is available so I'm moving on.
I confused this author with Dennis E. Taylor. Don't.
I confused this author with Dennis E. Taylor. Don't.
January 31, 2017
In 2022, a young lady by the name of Word and her significant other X-it are brought to the doorstep of an elderly woman by Death itself in order for Word's life to be saved. Revealed to be a young lady of extreme importance, Word is kept alive in the split second between her life and death in order for everyone to figure out how it is that she can save herself and the world.
Split Second Solution was a story backed by a remarkable concept. It reminds me of a fantasy twist on Fahrenheit 451. The author has talent, but I felt as if the story wasn't as well developed as it could have been. I didn't feel immersed in the story. I felt as if the story itself was broad on detail, even if it was supposed to make you think for yourself. The dialogue felt a bit unrealistic and the story moved a bit too quickly. When I read the story, I felt myself speeding up but I had to keep stopping myself and slowing down.
It was a short read and very enjoyable. Overall, I liked this book, but I feel as if the author has a lot of potential and that a bit more could have been added to completely capture my attention. I am going to continue the series, and I look forward to seeing what Denny Taylor has in store for X-it and Word.
Split Second Solution was a story backed by a remarkable concept. It reminds me of a fantasy twist on Fahrenheit 451. The author has talent, but I felt as if the story wasn't as well developed as it could have been. I didn't feel immersed in the story. I felt as if the story itself was broad on detail, even if it was supposed to make you think for yourself. The dialogue felt a bit unrealistic and the story moved a bit too quickly. When I read the story, I felt myself speeding up but I had to keep stopping myself and slowing down.
It was a short read and very enjoyable. Overall, I liked this book, but I feel as if the author has a lot of potential and that a bit more could have been added to completely capture my attention. I am going to continue the series, and I look forward to seeing what Denny Taylor has in store for X-it and Word.
March 16, 2017
I've never read a book that I thought seemed so real to me. This is a book that could actually be the future that we're facing sooner rather than later. It was unique and well written.
March 5, 2017
This story takes place 5 years in the future, in a world that could unfortunately be our own. The life of a young woman named Word is stopped a split second before her death, by Death herself in order to try to find a way to change their world. They are joined by her significant other X-it and an old crone.
The world is being controlled by an elite group who control everything from the weather to what people are allowed to believe. Governments have been abolished, assassinations are common place, and paper reading materials are outlawed.
I really like this story, but to be honest, it did take me several chapters before I understood who the characters were and what they were trying to accomplish. After that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next book in the series. It was scary to think how close this fictional future could be to our own.
The world is being controlled by an elite group who control everything from the weather to what people are allowed to believe. Governments have been abolished, assassinations are common place, and paper reading materials are outlawed.
I really like this story, but to be honest, it did take me several chapters before I understood who the characters were and what they were trying to accomplish. After that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next book in the series. It was scary to think how close this fictional future could be to our own.
February 5, 2017
I received this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
Was there an editor? Writing is not engaging. Denny Taylor tried to create unique characters. The author has definite concerns regarding our future. Some of these are included in the plot as evils we do not overcome. The book concludes with a message that the future is in our hands and it is up to us to act. To be honest, if I had borrowed the book from a library I would have abandoned it. I always read a book I've received through this forum and review it, as I believe this is the intent in offering it.
Was there an editor? Writing is not engaging. Denny Taylor tried to create unique characters. The author has definite concerns regarding our future. Some of these are included in the plot as evils we do not overcome. The book concludes with a message that the future is in our hands and it is up to us to act. To be honest, if I had borrowed the book from a library I would have abandoned it. I always read a book I've received through this forum and review it, as I believe this is the intent in offering it.
June 12, 2017
This is a futuristic book. About a world that could really happen . Overall, I liked this book, but I feel as if the author has a lot of potential and that a bit more could have been added to completely capture my attention.It is a series of books, and I look forward to seeing what Denny Taylor has in store for X-it and Word
February 13, 2017
Split Second Solution is an innovative, inventive and intellectual fantasy story that will draw you in, spin you around, and leave you wanting more!
This fascinating and compelling tale is set in 2022, a mere 6 years in the future, but the real, disturbing, and often scary events of our present time are harbingers of one possible dystopian future that unfolds in this not so futuristic tale – one that our compliance with the status quo and our reluctance to confront the dangerous trends in our national and global societies could inevitably lead us to.
The young and endearing human protagonists are Word, the guardian of a mysterious box entrusted to her by her executed mother, and her devoted boyfriend X-it, who has helped keep her safe for 14 years. Together with their young graffiti friends, they epitomize the hopes of our young own people and are resisting authoritarian rule, in part by preserving the great printed works of our history.
They are saved from a fatal end at the hands of the Artificial Intelligence and Sick Reapers, who control society and are hunting them for the secrets Word carries by two other endearing and surreal characters who are integral to the story – Death, who appears in various hilarious and unexpected forms, and the strange and timeless Et who has extraterrestrial capabilities that you’ll just have to read the book to appreciate!
Together, Et and Death cocoon Word and X-it in a frozen split second of time while they figure out a soluti>on that does not result in a fatal end for the two young people, and which also might just present a path to the future survival of us all.
This story combines the engaging and intriguing characters with real science and recorded literary history in a well written, fast paced, and entertaining page turner that you won’t be able to put down. The ending – or as “Book One” indicates, the “To Be Continued” – is unexpected, and will leave you anticipating the continuation of the story and the exploits of the characters – both real and surreal.<
This fascinating and compelling tale is set in 2022, a mere 6 years in the future, but the real, disturbing, and often scary events of our present time are harbingers of one possible dystopian future that unfolds in this not so futuristic tale – one that our compliance with the status quo and our reluctance to confront the dangerous trends in our national and global societies could inevitably lead us to.
The young and endearing human protagonists are Word, the guardian of a mysterious box entrusted to her by her executed mother, and her devoted boyfriend X-it, who has helped keep her safe for 14 years. Together with their young graffiti friends, they epitomize the hopes of our young own people and are resisting authoritarian rule, in part by preserving the great printed works of our history.
They are saved from a fatal end at the hands of the Artificial Intelligence and Sick Reapers, who control society and are hunting them for the secrets Word carries by two other endearing and surreal characters who are integral to the story – Death, who appears in various hilarious and unexpected forms, and the strange and timeless Et who has extraterrestrial capabilities that you’ll just have to read the book to appreciate!
Together, Et and Death cocoon Word and X-it in a frozen split second of time while they figure out a soluti>on that does not result in a fatal end for the two young people, and which also might just present a path to the future survival of us all.
This story combines the engaging and intriguing characters with real science and recorded literary history in a well written, fast paced, and entertaining page turner that you won’t be able to put down. The ending – or as “Book One” indicates, the “To Be Continued” – is unexpected, and will leave you anticipating the continuation of the story and the exploits of the characters – both real and surreal.<
August 1, 2018
I don't know how to rate this book. This is not a style I normally read and it is not one I would ever pick out; however, that doesn't mean it's a bad book. It's just not my style.
January 25, 2017
Split Second Solution
By Denny Taylor
This is the second novel of Denny Taylor that I have read. The first was Rosie’s Umbrella. The two books have distinctly different ways of presenting their stories and both books have much in common – they both tell intriguing stories, they both are layered in smart ways, they both contain surprises.
Rosie’s Umbrella is more immediately realistic in the story telling; Split Second Solution requires the reader to look more broadly at the story and appreciate the magic.
I can’t peek into Denny Taylor’s head to discern what she had in mind with Split Second Solution, but the biggest surprise for me is the similarity between the political conditions in the story and the political conditions we are facing in our country. I don’t want to push the similarity too far. There is much in the book that is not possible in the US in 2017. I think. I hope. One of the beauties of the book is the ability of the author to convince the reader of possibilities.
Impressive book. I recommend it highly. You WILL be surprised, and you will know why the title page indicates this is Book One.
*** We are just a few days into the administration of Donald J. Trump. Already I am feeling less comfortable in saying this story "is not possible in the US in 2017." I still hope I am wrong.
Richard Owen
By Denny Taylor
This is the second novel of Denny Taylor that I have read. The first was Rosie’s Umbrella. The two books have distinctly different ways of presenting their stories and both books have much in common – they both tell intriguing stories, they both are layered in smart ways, they both contain surprises.
Rosie’s Umbrella is more immediately realistic in the story telling; Split Second Solution requires the reader to look more broadly at the story and appreciate the magic.
I can’t peek into Denny Taylor’s head to discern what she had in mind with Split Second Solution, but the biggest surprise for me is the similarity between the political conditions in the story and the political conditions we are facing in our country. I don’t want to push the similarity too far. There is much in the book that is not possible in the US in 2017. I think. I hope. One of the beauties of the book is the ability of the author to convince the reader of possibilities.
Impressive book. I recommend it highly. You WILL be surprised, and you will know why the title page indicates this is Book One.
*** We are just a few days into the administration of Donald J. Trump. Already I am feeling less comfortable in saying this story "is not possible in the US in 2017." I still hope I am wrong.
Richard Owen
November 23, 2016
When Denny Taylor wrote this novel prior to the 2016 US election, she did not know what would happen but her writing did. She wrote a strangely real novel that provides a glimmer into the disaster that could be this society in the near future. Her novel combines creativity, the seriousness of our time, with gorgeous literary and philosophical references and some pretty delightful and endearing characters. In short Taylor balances the shadow and the light to show the cracks of possibility and of resilience and the humanity of us all! A must read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews