Assassin Hunter: a novella

by Drew Briney

When a legendary assassin questions his memories, life gets messy for his brotherhood. But is reality less plausible than the memories he accepts?

Although short, this novella packs a punch as it explores the inevitable challenges of a futuristic world where memory implants and memory erasures are a reality. Action packed with carefully researched world building, Assassin Hunter will leave your brain scrambling to vainly guess the ending while hanging on the edge of your seat.


Reader Reviews From Drew's Previous Books:
Suspenseful and pulls you into its many twists and turns. Leaves you wanting more. You in my humble opinion have a hit.
Beth “Bea” Roose, Producer

An imaginative novel that manages to capture your attention right from the start with fantastic storytelling, engaging characters, strong dialogue and a plot that is refreshingly original. … lushly written with an eye for detail … wonderful world-building and character development that feel authentic, multi-layered and intricately woven together... creating a novel that sparks with originality, imagination and enjoyable reading. … memorable and worthy of a second (or third) reread.
Capri Coker

It captures you and drags you in fast and strong … just as thrilling the second time as it is the first time through.
@coppertree

Love the visuals. Fantastic flow.
Jaime Buckley, Author of Wanted Hero

My heart was racing … wicked! I can’t wait for more.
@JeckoJasher

Briney isn't afraid to stand out and offer his own unique twist to the genre, which, I should mention, is executed near flawlessly through the great writing. … will impress even the most critical fans of the genre.
J. Lavuire

Visually and sensorily compelling epic fantasy with tremendous world-building.
Mallory A. Haws

A brilliantly woven storyline … a riveting story.
Victoria Lucas

Wonderfully developed and complex world ala [Ursula] Le Guin.
Chris Nystrom

Tremendously action packed with a very unique setting and an original theme … will appeal both to lovers of science fiction and fantasy.
Colleen D.

[Briney develops] characters that are believable and with whom you will definitely empathize. … a riveting story, relatable heroes, and nasty villains.
Victoria Lucas

Richly developed and believably depicted [characters].
Clefmeister

Dramatic storyline with curveballs.
Jacob

Pure twists, turns and unpredictability. … leaves you continually guessing.
Bethany Sturgeon

Tangible images … I could smell the rain and feel it against my skin.
A. Thompson

Unforgettable, imaginative, and unbelievably exhilarating.
M. Hamilton

A surprisingly human, visceral and yet lyrical tale.
Chloe H.

73 pages, ebook

Published September 5, 2018

About the author

Recipient of London's prestigious Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence - Reader's House magazine. He was also featured in Author Essence, Mosaic Digest, Novelist Post, Newyox, the Bookshelf Times, Arts Society & Me, Central Europe Online, Book Press Releases, and more.

Drew writes both historical non-fiction and sci-fi/fantasy books. He's been lauded by non-fiction readers as "one of the greatest LDS scholars of our day" and "the icon of thoroughness." When he's ready to chill, he explores what happens when technology clashes with magic.

For his sci-fi/fantasy work, he's drawn comparisons to heavy hitters: Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), Fydor Dostoevsky (psychological godfather of Crime and Punishment), Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. However, Drew takes greatest pride from knowing he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet (sometimes, 8).

His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magic-wielding aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a powerless mage and camouflaging dragons (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to discern memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug-enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world-building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth.

For regular and up to date information from Drew, look him up on Substack.

Reviews

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Vaya Sage couldn’t countenance killing innocents. He’d never taken a job that required the killing of someone for the sake of revenge. There needed to be a legitimate reason behind his hits. Justice. Betterment of society. Prevention of wrongdoing. Protection of country.”

Vaya Sage, an assassin with a conscience. Because of the technology of the time the question I am still left with is: was any of it real? What are memories that can be trusted. Is paranoia a new normal in this future?

This is a fast read from an author that I want to read more of. It is an interesting, intelligent and actually believable story that drove me to read it twice. Highly Recommended 5/5

[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]

[Carol Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing, yet chilling, novella. In a world where memories can be altered, personal freedoms are being eroded, and mages exist, how can one know what is real? Vaya Sage is taking out a team of assassins … or is he? Is he really taking them out? Are they assassins? I enjoyed the narration. This was an interesting tale, and in the end I was left puzzled as to what was real and what wasn’t. But I expect that to be cleared up in the next book, which I’m looking forward to. I received a free copy of this novella, with no obligation.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An assassin that’s outstanding in his field. A short but powerful story. Can’t wait for another book by this talented writer.

[J.D. Penley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I hope to see future adventures from this world. Vaya Sage kept me on the edge of my seat constantly and I couldn't put this book down!

[Michael O’Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good kept on edge and still wondering what was happening and who was responsible for the memories he had and what was true and what was fabricated excellent storyline !!

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vaya Enta Sage (high-tech assassin, retired Marine sniper) was surprised to find Treiliki Naktai (14, young girl) engaged in this sort of business.
In his profession, he was bound by moral codes & despised anyone involved in child sex human sex slavery/trafficking.
News flash: Qi Jon & Essa Fen assassins, had shot/killed Mahal Ashbaz (Blazing Monkey franchise) & 3 of his children.
Did Vaya Enta Sage just have a chance encounter with Midi Ella (Ji Anna’s 1/2-sister, Vay’s ex-wife).
What did Ji Anna Fen (f) reveal to Vaya Enta Sage?

I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (bi-sexual, transvestite, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA), incest, pedophile, rape, sodomy, child verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse, kidnapping/prostitution of a minor, human sex slavery, & trafficking, BDSM) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written futuristic world book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc.
to keep track of. This could also make another great futuristic world movie, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author (s); On the Fly Publications; BookFunnel; PDF book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Assassin Hunter by Drew Briney about two weeks ago and still haven't written a review up until now. Which is totally my fault. I've been busy as of late with a new family pet and a new school year, but I've still been reading so I should have a couple of reviews out today. This book, last I heard, has a planned publishing date of September fourth of this year at the latest, but with a quick Google search I wasn't able to find it., so I'm not quite sure when this novella is going to be published (assuming it isn't already).

This book is about Vaya Sage, an assassin, who is hired to take out the group he works with, full of other assassins (13 total), or else. Of course, he is reluctant, but he seemingly has no other option, so he complies. Throughout the book, it tells as he hunts down as many as he can, but with various twists and turns.

I really enjoyed this book. It is only a novella, but it is a good short, quick, interesting read. The book is set in the future, so it involves new technology like completely silent guns (even through walls), and some really cool other stuff. The book, for the most part, isn't that graphic. It says what happens, but doesn't describe it in a way that might tell any gory details, really only one, maybe two parts that come to mind and both are short and really not too gore descriptive. I do recommend this book, I think the story itself is appropriate for almost all ages. Really, it's about as graphic as a Goosebumps book. And I mean that in a good way. This book does have bigger ideas/emotions though and definitely a bigger vocabulary. This book is really good for anyone and with the size of it, it is a nice weekend read.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a high-tech assassin is captured by a lithe little teen and her thugs, Vaya Sage questions his memories and launches the messiest blood bath of his career. But will the reality he unravels be less believable than memories he never questioned?

Although short, this novella packs a punch as it explores the inevitable challenges of a futuristic world where memory implants, memory erasures, and maybe even magic are a reality. Action packed with carefully researched world building, Assassin Hunter will leave your brain scrambling to vainly guess the ending while hanging on the edge of your seat. Fans of X-Files and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files are in for a treat as they meet Vaya Sage and the craftiest nemesis he's encountered so far. Blurring the lines between dark fantasy, science fiction, and crime thrillers, this novella is uniquely poised to become a favorite.

I really enjoyed this book. It is only a novella, but it is a good short, quick, interesting read. The book is set in the future, so it involves new technology like completely silent guns (even through walls), and some really cool other stuff.
The blending of magic and advanced technology is unique. You are caught up wondering with the assassin what memories are real, what is mind-altering technology and what is psionic abilities and what is outright mental magic. The ending is disturbing.
Not my usual genre but I did enjoy reading it very much .

I received this free from Author and this is my honest voluntary review.

[Terry Ables · Rating 2 out of 5]

3/10* really. It's a book with fantastic content that would go well in something better written, but with the major issues I know I won't read it again.
The WORST thing about this book is that you are more or less just dropped into what feels like the middle of the story, with no real explanation of the background; you don't have a good setting, you don't have a story for the character, you feel like you've picked up book three and missed it all.
It eventually does get explained, but only just before the climax but they don't give any real feeling of amnesia or such at the beginning or soon after so your just confused for over half the book.
Another bad thing about the book is that it's a sci-fi book, or at least feel like one throughout most of it, and then suddenly, SPONTANEOUSLY, in the last two chapters it becomes a futuristic fantasy.
The Only good things about the books were its actual contents, its ideas. The idea of the assassin, of the weapons and tools that he uses AS an assassin. It was also nice, near the end, the emotion he began to feel but not put together well with the early parts of the story.
Bad overall first half, BAD very end.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book for two reasons; (1) the cover/Title, I know the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover", but I do - if the cover is terrible, well I am more likely to over look it, and (2) The Description of the book - it sounded like an excited story of moral complexity.

In the beginning of the book I felt utterly lost - as if I was walking into the middle of a story, and I had missed everything. Although this seemed to clear up the longer I read I still felt lost at points.

I also felt the book could have been a bit longer - I know, probably not a popular thought. However, when a book or story seems rushed it bothers me. I don't mind a little more detail, a little slower pace as the tension and action build.

Over all though this was a good book and worth giving a chance.

[Melynda Wangsness · Rating 1 out of 5]

"[...] superior technology often looks like magic."

An exciting concept that ended in disappointment.

I received an advance review copy and I am sharing my honest opinion.

Briney's writing is grandiloquent and over-written, taking away from this interesting subject matter and causing this novella to move at a snail's pace. The characters were unengaging and the world building lacked, mostly due to the reader being thrown into an incomplete beginning. Even so, I was able to guess the ending only 37% of the way through this book, causing the end to drag even more.

While after reflection this could have been added as a hint toward the plot, the two instances of pedophilic writing were extremely problematic to me.

Would love to see this concept developed further in a different format!

[Marion McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult one for me to nail down - I really enjoyed some aspects and struggled with others. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and story, but felt something was missing, for me. I think, perhaps, I'd have appreciated it more if it was expanded on further. At the end of the book, I didn't feel strongly that I wanted to read the others in the series though... BUT a sneak preview of the start of the 2nd instalment was included and I was curious, so I did read on and I MUCH preferred the way book 2 was shaping up to my average view of book 1, so I think I will give it a chance too if I can find it. A solid example of the genre, on balance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marion McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult one for me to nail down - I really enjoyed some aspects and struggled with others. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and story, but felt something was missing, for me. I think, perhaps, I'd have appreciated it more if it was expanded on further. At the end of the book, I didn't feel strongly that I wanted to read the others in the series though… BUT a sneak preview of the start of the 2nd instalment was included and I was curious, so I did read on and I MUCH preferred the way book 2 was shaping up to my average view of book 1, so I think I will give it a chance too if I can find it. A solid example of the genre, on balance.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[David Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to Assassin Hunter was an interesting experience. From the story’s start I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of an ongoing story, then as it progressed, I began to see how it was about the main character Vaya Sage’s memories being altered. The story has a considerable amount of action and some intrigue as it applies to Vaya Sage and his memory – short and long-term. For me the narration was problematic. The announcement that the chapter had ended was odd to say the least, but what I really found off putting was the narrator possibly having something in his mouth as he told the story. It sounded like he had a lozenge of hard candy in his cheek as he spoke.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. What an amazing story this is and Vaya Sage is a brilliantly complex morally gray character. Cleverly caught in a trap, the assassin Vaya Sage finds himself forced to take out prominent and powerful fellow assassins... while making good money at the same time. And while Vaya finds it rather easy to complete these job, the man struggles with conflicted feelings of ruthless murders; as Vaya steps closer to claiming Ji Anna, he discovers a truth of the woman behind the demand of skills... and twisting the whole story on its head. A wicked smart journey. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with Drew Briney's work, and I enjoyed it. The story was short as it was a novella, but it was gut-wrenching and impactful. This was one of those stories that opened in the middle of an action and the protagonist had to figure out how he came to be in the situation. I liked the twists and turns that unveiled the circumstances of the protagonist's plight. Julian Pearson's narration was fine, but I found that his announcing the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next one was distracting. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Joe Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is full of coolness.

Author Drew Briney threw a plethora of sci-fi things at the wall, and they all stuck. I mean that as a compliment. This one has memory implants, near-future tech, magic, and more good stuff, each of which could be the basis of their own novellas, but Briney combines them all into one.

It's a feat of geeky excellence, and I can't wait to read more from him.

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting and it never really drew me into the story. Lots of memories as seen through the eyes of a futuristic assassin. Some are real and some implanted. There was the emotional part where he killed his ex, but other than that it was just hard to follow. Especially when we aren't privy to which of his memories are real and which aren't.

[Brian Busby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has a great storyline and a at times a bloodthirsty cast.
Being kidnapped always has it's ultimate motive unfortunately it seems these bit of more than they could chew the name assassin is not one to be taken lightly,with mind altered states unfortunately this assassin goes through a tangled web of . I suggest at this point you get a copy of this book I have no problem recommending it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well developed characters and storyline. Seen from one assassins eye and your right there with him throughout the assessment. You come to understand that world he lives in and how he handles himself and others.
Not my usual genre but I did enjoy reading it very much .

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very interesting read. Vaya an assassin is sent on a hunt to kill people of his own order. But the problem is he no longer can tell what is real and what may be his brain playing tricks on hin. well worth reading

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I personally did Not care for this story, it seem as if I started in the middle of a story. I was as confused as the main character about why & What was happening.
I did not care for the Narrator either seem so distant and the announcing of the chapters was jarring.

[Patricia Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightfully twisted. I could easily see it on The Twilight Zone. It's great to find an author who can do justice to this kind of story. An intelligent and entertaining story. I received a free review copy of the audio version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story though it's not really my usual sort of choice. Mostly well written with a few odd editing errors...such as mention of someone staying in a "youth hostile".

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second read from author Drew Briney was a little longer than my first and more enjoyable.

[Chiyaa Pasal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but fascinating read that takes a few mind turns. Quite enjoyable and well done.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dystopian tale takes about three hours to read. I read an ARC which was lost in my TBR pile for far too long and this voluntary review is my own opinion.

[Asiaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like twist then you will love this book. The plot is twisted and the book is enjoyable including the ending.

[David Napper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written.
Not my genre.

[Nicole Dunton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Date Started: 1/19/21
Date Finished: 1/20/21
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

Book Title: Assassin Hunter
Author: Drew Briney
Page Count: 73

This book intrigued me at first because the cover was just so stunning to look at it. I was prompted to read it because it seemed to be a very unique story. I found out about it because I am subscribed to the author’s newsletter.

I think the author did a very good job at painting a visual picture of the settings and the characters. Especially with the limited amount of words he used for this book. I personally think it would have been better if it had been a longer novel and drawn out a bit more. That’s just me.

The main character is a very well known assassin. However, something happens that makes him question everything he knows and remembers. We follow him as he continues to complete his missions despite everything.

I think this book would make a wonderful movie. It would be full of action and suspense. It would also be full of drama and intrigue. The only thing is that they would definitely have to make the book longer in order to do so. Either that or combine all books in this series into one solid movie. I would definitely watch it.

This book was great. I loved the idea behind it. The only reason I couldn’t give it a full five star is because I just thought it could have been a long longer of a novel. This is a book that really could have used the dramatic suspense to be drawn out. Other than that, I’m totally in love with the book.