The Mechanical Heart (The Feedback Loop)

The Feedback Loop #5

by Harmon Cooper

The fifth book in the Feedback Loop series - death, betrayal, new beginnings. This action-packed, litRPG hybrid has it all.

Quantum Hughes and the rest of the Dream Team are in for a serious awakening when tragedy strikes the team. Finding Strata Godsick's son isn't as easy it they originally thought it would be, and real world repercussions seem to put a damper on everything they do. This on top of the fact that they're being hunted in both the Proxima Galaxy and the real world only raises the stakes even higher.

Ultima Thule, a rebirth, a death, a betrayal, a mysterious Reaper -- this is the book that turns hunters to hunted, innocent to guilty, friends to enemies, the expected to the unexpected.

The thin line between dream and reality is pixilated.

For those needing to catch up on the series, a 3 book box set is available on the author's page at an entry level price!

Reading Order:
1. The Feedback Loop (now available as an audiobook narrated by Jeff Hays!)
2. Steampunk is Dead
3. High Fantasy
4. Reapers and Repercussions
5. The Mechanical Heart
6. Cyber Noir Redux
7. Proxima Riven (Pre-order coming soon. To be released Summer 2017!)

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

436 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2016

About the author

Harmon Cooper is the author of over sixty fantasy works. His bestselling series include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, and Tokens and Towers.

His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.

Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.

Reviews

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:

It took a while but the right mix of action, game world hijinks, character interactions & plot progression has collided together in this installment.

I really enjoy Jeff Hays but I do not like overblown sound effects. =(
If the sound effects are a set thing that's going to happen in recordings, I may have to start re-thinking if they're good for me to get on audio.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, This writer has serious 'issues', reviews are reader's way of saying ya need help sparky, just wait and write some more first.

The Feedback Loop: (Book One) (Sci-Fi LitRPG Series) - Steampunk is Dead: (Book Two) (Sci-Fi LitRPG Series) (The Feedback Loop 2) - High Fantasy: (Book Three) (Sci-Fi LitRPG Series) (The Feedback Loop 3
The Feedback Loop (3-Book Box Set): (Scifi LitRPG Series)
Reapers and Repercussions: (Book Four) (Sci-Fi LitRPG Series) (The Feedback Loop 4) - The Mechanical Heart: (Book Five) (Sci-Fi LitRPG Series) (The Feedback Loop 5) - Cyber Noir Redux: (Book Six) (The Feedback Loop 6)

Life is a Beautiful Thing (4-Book Box Set)
Life is a Beautiful Thing: (Book One) (Cyberpunk Sci-Fi Series) - Life is a Beautiful Thing: (Book Two) (Cyberpunk Science Fiction Series) - Life is a Beautiful Thing: (Book Three) (Cyberpunk Science Fiction Series) - Life is a Beautiful Thing: (Book Four) (Cyberpunk Science Fiction Series)

Dear NSA: A Collection of Politically Incorrect Short Stories
Zombie Lolita: (A Collection of Short Stories)
Tokyo Stirs {Short Stories}
Boy versus Self

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a consistent 5 stars for this series and this is no different with Zany Pop culture references and Bromance galore ,peppered with wit and humour as Quantum and Co attempt to keep one step ahead of Reaper Co. This is the best audio series out so far and i think showcases the best of Jeff Hays talents , if this wasn't so good i would be tempted to take away a star as the audio releases are about as fast as filling our tax returns. Im unashamedly a fan so my usual critque is missing as you either love it or hate it marmite style.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow down for a breather

For some the less action might be a it of a problem but in a long series sometimes it is needed. Luckily the pop culture references, bad one liners and the added background keeps it going. Still on top form with some good reveals however.

[Marty Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in this increasingly good series. Well drawn and engaging characters.

[Timelord Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I gave this series too many chances... I never really connected with it... so I doubt I'll continue/finish it... I seem to be pretty picky about LitRPGs...

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harmon Cooper is an incredible writer. I first read a couple of his Life is a Beautiful Things first and really enjoyed them. So I started reading the Feedback Loop Books. I LOVE them. The detailed way the the interaction between the characters is so real. The stories flow so logically, even when the things that happen are not very logical. Even the background characters are fully fleshed.

Book 5 takes a couple of twists that I didn't see coming but is wonderful. I am starting book 6 as soon as I finish this review.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all, a fun installment in The Feedback Loop series by Harmon Cooper. If you have not read the prior installments, please don't start here! Go back to The Feedback Loop, Steampunk is Dead, High Fantasy, Reapers and Repercussions, then this book. Otherwise you will miss out on so much back-story, character development, and the overall arc of the series. Public Services Announcement is concluded.

In the Mechanical Heart, the Dream Team is still on the hunt for Strata's son. It's driving the team into some high-stakes danger and I'll share that there is death in the Real World. I won't spoil who/what/when/how as that would make me a douche canoe.

Morning Assassin continues to be, well, Morning Assassin. He has evolved into a likeable and capable resource for the Dream Team.

Quantum is making strides to plant himself in the RW and he even makes a friend out of FDA/PTSD Monitor #1351885. In fact, I look forward for future development here.

There are still loads of pop-culture references sprinkled throughout the book with Doc and Quantum, being the old pair, doing most of the one-liners. Sophia does make an attempt, though. The Brits have a smaller role in this installment, but Pip gets to spend some quality time with his Sheep. Oh, Tom Myspace is alive and well in the Proxima World.

The majority of this book centers on the quest to find Strata's son. There is a powerful roadblock in the team's way and it is brutal.

Author provided advance review copy.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from Harmon Cooper. I love this series. It has everything I could ever want for enjoyment:

A totally flawed main character who has the best banter with his Dream Team (whether they understand it or not);

Twists and turns that come up from nowhere and bite you on the bum;

Quantum's (non-/maybe/on/off) relationships with the NVA Seed, Dolly, and Frances Euphoria;

The UK Assassins are back! They get more like Daphne Moon's brothers in 'Frasier' every time;

FUN!;

Quantum's constant breaking of rules balanced with his totally unique use in combat of the items in his Inventory List...simian flinging poo, anyone?;

FUN! In particular with his FDA Monitor, who actually turns out to be useful (and nice);

Then betrayal, death and utter...utter...sadness.

So riveting and entertaining. I can only wait patiently with everyone else for the revenge to take place along the line. It will be worth it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Good read. Editing is superb. The humor is great and I often laughed out loud. The story was engaging and the action is well written.