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Android City Chronicles #1
The Return of the Operator
The Operator is just passing through.
That’s what he tells the people of the polluted, rat-infested bottom levels of the city: just a man and his dog, Fenix, moving along from the dusty badlands en route to somewhere other than here.
But in a world where the wealthy and important occupy the higher levels of the massive towers above the impenetrable smog, the dregs of society left to fend for themselves down below, why would someone choose this place? Why would someone choose to stay in a pool hall with no patrons beyond the deactivated androids who took a seat at the bar one day and never left? Why would someone let himself be pulled in so immediately by a man as dangerous as Bacas, the government enforcer who runs the district from within the Suerte casino?
Soon the Operator is playing both sides of a gang war. He’s seeking out evidence against Bacas in abandoned railway tunnels occupied only by the deformed midliners. And whatever purpose brought him here—whatever addiction—it may well be more than one man and his dog can handle.
The Return of the Operator is the exciting second sci-fi thriller from Marcos Hernandez.
That’s what he tells the people of the polluted, rat-infested bottom levels of the city: just a man and his dog, Fenix, moving along from the dusty badlands en route to somewhere other than here.
But in a world where the wealthy and important occupy the higher levels of the massive towers above the impenetrable smog, the dregs of society left to fend for themselves down below, why would someone choose this place? Why would someone choose to stay in a pool hall with no patrons beyond the deactivated androids who took a seat at the bar one day and never left? Why would someone let himself be pulled in so immediately by a man as dangerous as Bacas, the government enforcer who runs the district from within the Suerte casino?
Soon the Operator is playing both sides of a gang war. He’s seeking out evidence against Bacas in abandoned railway tunnels occupied only by the deformed midliners. And whatever purpose brought him here—whatever addiction—it may well be more than one man and his dog can handle.
The Return of the Operator is the exciting second sci-fi thriller from Marcos Hernandez.
254 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2018
51 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Marcos Antonio Hernandez
17 books109 followersMarcos writes from the suburbs of Washington D.C. He didn’t always know about his passion for writing but has always known about his passion for reading. He began by carving out time every day to develop the habit of writing until the foundations of his first novel had been built. He reads everything he can get his hands on but particularly enjoys science fiction/fantasy. When reading is not possible, he has his headphones in, listening to audiobooks.
After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in chemical engineering and a minor in physics, Marcos has been lucky enough to have not one but two dream jobs. He began flexing his creativity muscles during his time as a food scientist at a dessert think tank, specializing in helping clients find solutions to their frozen dessert problems (read: professional ice cream maker). After leaving this career, he began a new career as a strength and conditioning coach (what he calls his “retirement”). He has been a coach for over five years and enjoys interacting with a diverse range of people.
Marcos believes in training his creativity muscles through storytelling. Like exercise, he believes in showing up every day to get the work done. His hope is to learn from every experience and let it shine through the stories he tells.
After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in chemical engineering and a minor in physics, Marcos has been lucky enough to have not one but two dream jobs. He began flexing his creativity muscles during his time as a food scientist at a dessert think tank, specializing in helping clients find solutions to their frozen dessert problems (read: professional ice cream maker). After leaving this career, he began a new career as a strength and conditioning coach (what he calls his “retirement”). He has been a coach for over five years and enjoys interacting with a diverse range of people.
Marcos believes in training his creativity muscles through storytelling. Like exercise, he believes in showing up every day to get the work done. His hope is to learn from every experience and let it shine through the stories he tells.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2022
This book wasn’t all that good, if I’m being honest. It’s got some interesting ideas, but they’re not well-executed.
The premise of this book has a drifter (known only as the Operator) and his dog passing through the bottom-most reaches of a megacity on his way from here to there. His hovercraft is damaged by some local thugs, though, and he ends up getting caught up in the rivalries between the local gangs/law enforcement (the line between the two categories is fuzzy at best). Influences include Fallout, Blade Runner, and spaghetti Westerns.
The execution needs work though. If I were to point to a single overriding issue, it would be a lack of character motivation. Some people help the Operator, some people don’t. Some people trust him, some people don’t. I could discern no pattern for which side of the line characters would fall on, let alone any reasons why they ended up where they did. It made for a frustrating read, and one that struggled to hold my attention and interest.
Additionally, the plot jumped all over the place. Androids (and androids passing as humans) are a major part of the story, but one that feels disconnected from the rest. The same can be said for the semi-feral tribes of people living in the tunnels underneath the mega city, and the (unseen) wealthy upper reaches of the city.
All in all, not an author I plan to revisit.
The premise of this book has a drifter (known only as the Operator) and his dog passing through the bottom-most reaches of a megacity on his way from here to there. His hovercraft is damaged by some local thugs, though, and he ends up getting caught up in the rivalries between the local gangs/law enforcement (the line between the two categories is fuzzy at best). Influences include Fallout, Blade Runner, and spaghetti Westerns.
The execution needs work though. If I were to point to a single overriding issue, it would be a lack of character motivation. Some people help the Operator, some people don’t. Some people trust him, some people don’t. I could discern no pattern for which side of the line characters would fall on, let alone any reasons why they ended up where they did. It made for a frustrating read, and one that struggled to hold my attention and interest.
Additionally, the plot jumped all over the place. Androids (and androids passing as humans) are a major part of the story, but one that feels disconnected from the rest. The same can be said for the semi-feral tribes of people living in the tunnels underneath the mega city, and the (unseen) wealthy upper reaches of the city.
All in all, not an author I plan to revisit.
March 29, 2021
Amazing
This is an amazing story. The Operator is an amazing character. A somewhat slow start, a frantic fast ending. I didn't see the story ending where it did. Too good to give away.
This is an amazing story. The Operator is an amazing character. A somewhat slow start, a frantic fast ending. I didn't see the story ending where it did. Too good to give away.
July 30, 2022
I am so glad I stumbled upon this Dystopian gem, just a masterpiece.
Living in a future society where life is lived on levels. The main character
who goes by the Operator lives on the 52nd level it is nice and he has a fiance.
He pushes himself with two to three jobs at a time to raise up to much higher levels of society for his fiance Patrice. He comes to her home early one day and sees her
father with her head in his hands manipulating wires, she is an android. He backs
out of her apartment devastated. He goes to his apartment where he mother lives
and confronts her, she swears she had no idea but she works for the bio tech company and he feels she is lying. It has all been a lie. He packs a bag and escapes to the out lands. Where he meets a beloved dog who he names Finix and he makes him decide it is time to go back into society on a low level. This is his story. It is brutal and interesting to say the least. Enjoy!
to make his wake back to society
Living in a future society where life is lived on levels. The main character
who goes by the Operator lives on the 52nd level it is nice and he has a fiance.
He pushes himself with two to three jobs at a time to raise up to much higher levels of society for his fiance Patrice. He comes to her home early one day and sees her
father with her head in his hands manipulating wires, she is an android. He backs
out of her apartment devastated. He goes to his apartment where he mother lives
and confronts her, she swears she had no idea but she works for the bio tech company and he feels she is lying. It has all been a lie. He packs a bag and escapes to the out lands. Where he meets a beloved dog who he names Finix and he makes him decide it is time to go back into society on a low level. This is his story. It is brutal and interesting to say the least. Enjoy!
to make his wake back to society
June 18, 2023
The return of the Operator
This was so good. It started slow, I almost gave up on it, I'm so happy I didn't. It ends with a reveal of something I've suspected very early on. I'll read the next book, that's for sure! I wish we knew Operator's name...
This was so good. It started slow, I almost gave up on it, I'm so happy I didn't. It ends with a reveal of something I've suspected very early on. I'll read the next book, that's for sure! I wish we knew Operator's name...
August 11, 2023
This is a really wonderful and intriguing Book. The plot is an old standard but updated with surprises and lots of hints leading to a couple of twists. Lots of fun and a high body count make for a good read.
January 7, 2021
Great book
The writing was interesting, I felt drawn into the delema of AI, sentient beings and vertical ltravel. I will be ready .lee of his books.
The writing was interesting, I felt drawn into the delema of AI, sentient beings and vertical ltravel. I will be ready .lee of his books.
November 17, 2024
Very enjoyable
Quick read. Very addictive. Once I started I could not put it down until I was done. Great futuristic novel
Quick read. Very addictive. Once I started I could not put it down until I was done. Great futuristic novel
December 21, 2018
Fun, and engaging read. I really enjoyed the world that the author created in this story. Great book if you’re looking for something fast, and fun!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews