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Empowered #0.6
Nullified
“Nullified” is a linking story set between Renegade, the Empowered series prequel novella, and Agent.
Mathilda Brandt was a rogue Empowered, convicted of using her power illegally and sent to Special corrections at 16. She faces hard truths while inside. You have to fight to protect yourself, and be careful who you trust. Most of all, how can you be a prisoner and remain free inside?
Mathilda Brandt was a rogue Empowered, convicted of using her power illegally and sent to Special corrections at 16. She faces hard truths while inside. You have to fight to protect yourself, and be careful who you trust. Most of all, how can you be a prisoner and remain free inside?
- GenresScience Fiction
24 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2014
45 people want to read
About the author
Dale Ivan Smith
22 books50 followersI love writing fantasy novels, as well as reading, watching and gaming fantasy and science fiction of all kinds. I'm also a librarian for Oregon's largest public library system.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 10, 2019
Sequel to "Renegade", it was a short but fine read.
September 4, 2018
A very short read, about 15 minutes, that fills in a bit of the space between Mat's arrest at the end of the last book and [presumably as I haven't read it yet] her escape from prison in the first full length novel of this series. I doubt that it probably adds much to the overall narrative but it does provide a nice bit of character development and was an interesting read. I'm definitely excited to get to the first real novel next though.
February 11, 2018
I'm currently starting to gring down my TBR list and putting a bit more emphasis on the really short stories. I got an ARC copy from the author some time ago and started the book with fully open expectations without knowing the plot.
The novelette instantly makes you realize this is a prison story. But not just any imnate tale, Mathilda has a superpower to control and sense the health of plants but her abilities have been nullified with a pair of bracelets that are fastened to her wrists.
Reaching two years into her 5 year sentence with no news from the outside world, she is deperately struggling to save her tomato plants that were a priviledge due to good behavior. The catch is that they only supply her with a pitiful amount of water. It agravates her to no end.
Her shovel then feels something hard in the soil. An illegal message in a roll of paper. Without knowing who sent it, the veracity of the message that her grandmother is apparently infirm and with what purpose, she visits a friendly lifer convict named Lenore for advice at once. The exercise obsessed woman tries to brush the message off as something of little relevance and that she should just ignore it. She'll discover how her family is doing in just another three months.
But Mathilda is an angsty 17 year old with little patience and against Lenore's well-wrranted warning, she confesses the message to the warden at once in the hopes of getting a chance to know the truth. Instead, she is pressured to become a snitch and punished with another 6 weeks of now knowing the whereabouts of her family.
Determined to try to pass her sentence without stirring unwanted attention, an inmate that has always given her a hard time called Tricksie wishes to make her a staggering offer...
The novelette is cruelly short and with only 20 pages it has already revealed a rather interesting fantastical world where certain humans have a superpower. What little that we know about this world is that having these abilities aren't illegal per se, but you will get harsh sentences if you use them to commit a crime.
The characters seem rather interesting although I do think Mathilda has too many anger issues for my taste. While Paranormal isn't my preferred genre, I enjoyed this story and will consider reading the full-fledged novel sometime.
The novelette instantly makes you realize this is a prison story. But not just any imnate tale, Mathilda has a superpower to control and sense the health of plants but her abilities have been nullified with a pair of bracelets that are fastened to her wrists.
Reaching two years into her 5 year sentence with no news from the outside world, she is deperately struggling to save her tomato plants that were a priviledge due to good behavior. The catch is that they only supply her with a pitiful amount of water. It agravates her to no end.
Her shovel then feels something hard in the soil. An illegal message in a roll of paper. Without knowing who sent it, the veracity of the message that her grandmother is apparently infirm and with what purpose, she visits a friendly lifer convict named Lenore for advice at once. The exercise obsessed woman tries to brush the message off as something of little relevance and that she should just ignore it. She'll discover how her family is doing in just another three months.
But Mathilda is an angsty 17 year old with little patience and against Lenore's well-wrranted warning, she confesses the message to the warden at once in the hopes of getting a chance to know the truth. Instead, she is pressured to become a snitch and punished with another 6 weeks of now knowing the whereabouts of her family.
Determined to try to pass her sentence without stirring unwanted attention, an inmate that has always given her a hard time called Tricksie wishes to make her a staggering offer...
The novelette is cruelly short and with only 20 pages it has already revealed a rather interesting fantastical world where certain humans have a superpower. What little that we know about this world is that having these abilities aren't illegal per se, but you will get harsh sentences if you use them to commit a crime.
The characters seem rather interesting although I do think Mathilda has too many anger issues for my taste. While Paranormal isn't my preferred genre, I enjoyed this story and will consider reading the full-fledged novel sometime.
May 20, 2017
This short novella tells the story of Mat's time in custody, how she feels frustrated to be separated from her powers (the 'Nullified' of the title), and her almost desperate desire to be free, reunited with her family, powers and able to connect with plants and the earth again. The reason for her imprisonment - her involvement with a banned organisation - is referred to a couple of times - and thus links to book 1 of the series. What happens after this novella is covered in book 2.
While this book is well written, and the characters are really brought to life, I feel that you need to read book 1 of the series to really understand what's happening completely (hence the 4*). In this context, the novella is excellently written, and is a perfect bridge between books 1 and 2.
NB I received a free copy of this book online, but this review is honest and based wholly on my own opinions.
While this book is well written, and the characters are really brought to life, I feel that you need to read book 1 of the series to really understand what's happening completely (hence the 4*). In this context, the novella is excellently written, and is a perfect bridge between books 1 and 2.
NB I received a free copy of this book online, but this review is honest and based wholly on my own opinions.
September 18, 2019
Nullified is Book 0.6 in the Empowered series. It is especially well written and provides us a look into Mat's (Mathilda) prison life. She is extremely frustrated because she is prevented to be intouch with her power by two nullifying bracelets. Nat's main wish is to be free so she can join her family and get on with her life. We get to see a lot of character development. It is very short but an enjoyable and interesting read. Received an ARC and this is my voluntry and honest review.
December 5, 2018
This is an interesting short story that takes place in a prison but a prison for those with magic and abused it. It gives the reader insight into Mathilda’s thoughts, why she was there and how would she try to get out. The lesson she learns in the end was how to survive.
September 18, 2019
This was a short but fun read that gives more information about Mathilda's time in prison. I recommend reading it for the extra information and story telling.
September 19, 2019
An amazing short story to introduce us to the characters. Totally enjoyable.
March 20, 2017
a wonderfully amazing story. I loved it
February 23, 2017
Another look into Matilda's past helping us to see exactly what she's been through why she behaved the way she did and why it is so hard for her to trust. This really gives us more insight into Matilda's character. Loved it
February 24, 2017
Great short about what happens in her jailtime, which of course changed her life
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews