Broadcast Wasteland

The Synthetic Albatross #3

by Ben Van Dongen

On a distant colony world taken over by a rogue corporation, a hacker risks everything to intercept and distribute the one remaining piece of freedom, the Broadcast. When an old friend’s betrayal leaves him with an ultimatum, his only hope is the latest message hidden in the signal. Now, he must escape the city, hoping past comrades will stand up to the tyrannical corporation. With soldiers and highly trained corporate Operatives hunting him down, he must find the source of the Broadcast before he’s sent to work in the mines, if they don’t kill him first.

250 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2020

About the author

Ben Van Dongen was born in Windsor Ontario. He likes to think that if he tried harder he could have been an Astronaut, but he is happier writing science fiction anyway. He wrote the novellas The Thinking Machine and The Neon Heart, co-authored the books No Light Tomorrow and All These Crooked Streets, and is one half of the founding team of Adventure Worlds Press. You can read more crazy notions on his website. BenVanDongen.com

Reviews

[Brittni Brinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with twists and turns, Broadcast Wasteland reads as a part sci-fi, part mystery novel. At the core of it is the complicated nature of human relationships - be they with technology, or with each other. Through analog-inspired technology, vivid characters, and his incredible scenery pieces, Ben Van Dongen will draw you right into Luc’s world of bootleg copies and mysterious underground broadcasts. In this highly anticipated installment of the Synthetic Albatross series, Luc will have to risk everything to find out if there really is hope in the wasteland.

[Christian (C.M. Forest) Laforet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite book in the Synthetic Albatross series! Which is saying a lot because I really liked the previous entries. I love the sense of urgency that Ben Van Dongen can deliver in his storytelling, while at the same time knowing when to pump the brakes and let a conversation play out. It kept me on edge, but wasn't exhausting. This is a great sci-fi book, but could be enjoyed by anyone. An easy recommendation from me.

[Michael Drakich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to imagine a city on a distant world built up around a landed colony spaceship is a task most difficult for many a science fiction author. Ben Van Dongen achieves such a setting with ease in this novella. Add in a mystery about a hidden message received in a broadcast from an unknown source to set the plot. Throw in a lot of action and you have a fast-paced thriller on a distant planet. Worth reading.

[Deborah James Van Dongen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the Synthetic Albatross series is as exciting to read as the first two books; The Thinking Machine and The Neon Heart.
I especially enjoyed how the author went a little bit deeper into the characters and their relationships.
I am not a huge Science Fiction reader but because of these books I’m becoming one. These books are cleverly written.
I read this book in an afternoon. It flowed easily and moved swiftly ( which I like).the denouement was perfect but I don’t want to give it away. You have to read this book!