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The Defiant Spark
In a contemporary world without electricity, mana powers everything. And the artisans control all access to mana. Abelard works in a call centre, helping people with their artefact problems. He dreams of being an artisan, until an accident with a malfunctioning artefact makes that dream a reality.
But the world of the artisans is full of secrets, and Abelard uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy at the very heart of society. He will have to choose between living the life he has always wanted, and giving up everything to bring the artisans down. Sparking a robot uprising along the way isn't really part of the plan.
But the world of the artisans is full of secrets, and Abelard uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy at the very heart of society. He will have to choose between living the life he has always wanted, and giving up everything to bring the artisans down. Sparking a robot uprising along the way isn't really part of the plan.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2021
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54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 7, 2021
This work of intelligent imagination takes us on a journey with well-rounded characters into a world of mixed fantasy and science fiction. We’re not told when the story takes place, but that’s not an essential detail: we know we’re in the future, on a probable Earth, and that’s enough of a setting to make the story both accessible and plausible.
A form of magic in the role of ‘mana’ mixes an imagined energy source with some future scientific and technical advances that allow it to be manipulated by the elite in many fantastic ways. There is an underlying theme of inequality here, a suggestion of injustice and some analogy with the failures of capitalism.
But the story is essentially an adventure laced with romance. There is threat, menace, and some terror in the atmosphere. As is generally the case in civilisations, the haves lack any real understanding of the lives of the have-nots and treat them with a certain disdain, never understanding that it is the fault of the elites that keeps the others subjugated. And there is the resentment of those who circumstance forces to live unfulfilled lives at the service of the well-off.
So, this is a moral tale that allows the players to represent social problems while the story draws the reader into the created world, entertaining, while illustrating and commenting on human frailty.
I enjoyed the read, empathised with many of the characters, enjoyed the way the initially part-formed androids grew once they were given a clue to their status. It’s a clever book, but one that is easy to read. The denouement is as satisfying as it is inevitable. Well worth reading.
A form of magic in the role of ‘mana’ mixes an imagined energy source with some future scientific and technical advances that allow it to be manipulated by the elite in many fantastic ways. There is an underlying theme of inequality here, a suggestion of injustice and some analogy with the failures of capitalism.
But the story is essentially an adventure laced with romance. There is threat, menace, and some terror in the atmosphere. As is generally the case in civilisations, the haves lack any real understanding of the lives of the have-nots and treat them with a certain disdain, never understanding that it is the fault of the elites that keeps the others subjugated. And there is the resentment of those who circumstance forces to live unfulfilled lives at the service of the well-off.
So, this is a moral tale that allows the players to represent social problems while the story draws the reader into the created world, entertaining, while illustrating and commenting on human frailty.
I enjoyed the read, empathised with many of the characters, enjoyed the way the initially part-formed androids grew once they were given a clue to their status. It’s a clever book, but one that is easy to read. The denouement is as satisfying as it is inevitable. Well worth reading.
January 5, 2021
In The Defiant Spark by Annie Percik, technology is powered by mana (essentially by magic, though that’s not a term that is used in the book). As in our own world, the artefacts that facilitate routine living: cooking cleaning, travelling, gaming etc, go wrong. Devices break down, jealousies erupt over bigger and better versions. Percik dives into a side of magic worlds that is usually glossed over or forgotten; the world of customer service, complaints and call centres.
Protagonist Abelard is a humble mana engineer who works in a call centre and lives in a run-down apartment. His dream was to make the leap to becoming one of the elite band of artisans. Convinced he had the skills, he and a friend applied to take the tests, but failed at the first hurdle. Abelard is resigned to a humdrum existence though he hankers after someone to share his life.
An accident on a routine call-out almost kills him … and changes his life. Not only has he met someone special, but the world of the artisans is suddenly within his grasp.
Is that his ‘happy ever after’? Hell, no! The material improvement in his life is as sudden as the disturbing revelations that start to pull the privileged rug from under his feet almost the moment his toes touch the weave.
He is bullied, threatened; he looks set to lose the only true friends he had, and he makes an inadvertently human contact with a robot, quite unaware of the problems that he has unleashed and the unintended consequences.
The relationships within the book look set to take a particular course, but don’t be fooled. Things quickly take an unexpected turn. And if you then feel with some satisfaction – as I did – ah ha, that’s how it’s going to end up, think again. There’s a twist that takes things in another direction. I wondered at a sci-fi novel launching on Valentine’s Day, but within all the machinations, there are more than enough tangled relationships to justify the launch date. And there’s a satisfying feel to the unconventional but convincing resolution.
(Reviewed prior to launch from an advance reading copy)
Protagonist Abelard is a humble mana engineer who works in a call centre and lives in a run-down apartment. His dream was to make the leap to becoming one of the elite band of artisans. Convinced he had the skills, he and a friend applied to take the tests, but failed at the first hurdle. Abelard is resigned to a humdrum existence though he hankers after someone to share his life.
An accident on a routine call-out almost kills him … and changes his life. Not only has he met someone special, but the world of the artisans is suddenly within his grasp.
Is that his ‘happy ever after’? Hell, no! The material improvement in his life is as sudden as the disturbing revelations that start to pull the privileged rug from under his feet almost the moment his toes touch the weave.
He is bullied, threatened; he looks set to lose the only true friends he had, and he makes an inadvertently human contact with a robot, quite unaware of the problems that he has unleashed and the unintended consequences.
The relationships within the book look set to take a particular course, but don’t be fooled. Things quickly take an unexpected turn. And if you then feel with some satisfaction – as I did – ah ha, that’s how it’s going to end up, think again. There’s a twist that takes things in another direction. I wondered at a sci-fi novel launching on Valentine’s Day, but within all the machinations, there are more than enough tangled relationships to justify the launch date. And there’s a satisfying feel to the unconventional but convincing resolution.
(Reviewed prior to launch from an advance reading copy)
December 31, 2024
⚫️Annie Percik's The Defiant Spark is an electrifying, genre-bending adventure that weaves together elements of dystopian fantasy, mystery, and science fiction in a uniquely compelling world where mana, not electricity, powers everything. Percik masterfully builds a contemporary society ruled by the enigmatic artisans who control all access to this mystical energy, and her protagonist, Abelard, is caught in the midst of a high-stakes journey that challenges both his dreams and his values.
⚫️Abelard starts as just an ordinary call center boy quietly helping people with malfunctioning artefacts. Aspiration to become an artisan is relatable he wants to be part of the elite, to tap into the power that drives their world. An unexpected accident involving a rogue artefact thrusts Abelard into the artisans' world, where his world turns upside down. It's a dream come true, but one that quickly becomes fraught with peril as Abelard uncovers a deep, centuries-old conspiracy that could unravel the very fabric of society.
⚫️One of the standout qualities of The Defiant Spark is Percik's ability to blend a magical system rooted in mana with a near-future, dystopian setting. It's a unique idea: the mana-powered artifacts and the world Percik so deftly shows off with it. Wonderful, seeing how that kind of energy system is able to power the mundane everyday life of people as much as it powers the dark, driving forces of political intrigue under the surface of things. Wonder lingers over artifacts as the reader discovers and dives deeper into the shadowy world of artisans but now imbued with magic as something dark and sinister in tone. Abelard is an excellent hero, fueled by a very strong sense of ambition and yet faced with moral issues that make him even more human.
⚫️His development while discovering the conspiracy at the heart of society is at once exciting and heartbreaking. He's confronted with a decision: continue living his life the way he had always envisioned it or take a stand for something much bigger, something that could easily cost him everything. Percik does a wonderful job of balancing Abelard's personal journey with the broader stakes of the plot, making the stakes feel urgent and meaningful. The plot is riddled with unexpected twists, especially as Abelard manages to instigate a robot uprising that brings an even more exciting and unpredictable spin to the story. With themes related to technology, power, and control well-timed, Percik touches upon rebellion, choice, and the price paid for unbridled ambition. Pacing is tight with many action moments, mystery elements, and reflective passages.
⚫️The Defiant Spark is a refreshing and thrilling read, offering a mix of suspense, intrigue, and thought-provoking questions about power and society. Percik has crafted a world that is as fascinating as it is dangerous, with a protagonist who is both flawed and heroic in his pursuit of justice. For readers who enjoy intricate world-building, complex characters, and fast-paced adventures, this book is an absolute must-read.
⚫️Highly recommended, Brilliant, enthralling, and sparkly with unique twists of intrigue. An excellent choice for fans of dystopian fantasies and individuals who like a good blend of magic and technology.
Happy reading ❤️✨
November 19, 2024
Here’s my review for The Defiant Spark by Annie Percik
I found I really enjoyed reading this story and got into it right from the start. It was an easy book to get into and very easy to read. I liked the storyline and thought it was quite well thought out. The author has used her imagination to think up an ingenious story that is fairly similar to how we live now with just a different energy supply, called mana and some people can supply that mana themselves, they are called artisans. Abelard works in a call centre and dreams of being an artisan along with his friend Mateo. One night Abelard is sent to fix a malfunctioning artefact and has an accident with the artefact that makes the dream come true. The only trouble is he can’t control his mana. He goes home with Mateo the next night to talk to him and Mateo gets him to show him what’s wrong. When Abelard shows the energy, Mateo gets him trying things until Abelard scorches the rooftop and flies back into him. He’s burnt some fingers so they go to the hospital and Abelard is signed off work for the rest of the week. The next day Abelard decides he needs help so gets in touch with Jonathon, a fellow engineer and asks to meet up. When he sees him, he shows him what he can do. Jonathan gets rather angry, gets someone to re-arrange his shift for him at work quoting code 47 and takes Abelard to headquarters to see his uncle Walter. Walter asks for a demonstration and Abelard sets alight to his office and burns his fingers on his other hand. A very interesting read and his adventures don’t end there! A good fantasy read.
Blurb :
In a contemporary world without electricity, mana powers everything. And the artisans control all access to mana. Abelard works in a call centre, helping people with their artefact problems. He dreams of being an artisan, until an accident with a malfunctioning artefact makes that dream a reality.
But the world of the artisans is full of secrets, and Abelard uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy at the very heart of society. He will have to choose between living the life he has always wanted, and giving up everything to bring the artisans down. Sparking a robot uprising along the way isn’t really part of the plan.
I found I really enjoyed reading this story and got into it right from the start. It was an easy book to get into and very easy to read. I liked the storyline and thought it was quite well thought out. The author has used her imagination to think up an ingenious story that is fairly similar to how we live now with just a different energy supply, called mana and some people can supply that mana themselves, they are called artisans. Abelard works in a call centre and dreams of being an artisan along with his friend Mateo. One night Abelard is sent to fix a malfunctioning artefact and has an accident with the artefact that makes the dream come true. The only trouble is he can’t control his mana. He goes home with Mateo the next night to talk to him and Mateo gets him to show him what’s wrong. When Abelard shows the energy, Mateo gets him trying things until Abelard scorches the rooftop and flies back into him. He’s burnt some fingers so they go to the hospital and Abelard is signed off work for the rest of the week. The next day Abelard decides he needs help so gets in touch with Jonathon, a fellow engineer and asks to meet up. When he sees him, he shows him what he can do. Jonathan gets rather angry, gets someone to re-arrange his shift for him at work quoting code 47 and takes Abelard to headquarters to see his uncle Walter. Walter asks for a demonstration and Abelard sets alight to his office and burns his fingers on his other hand. A very interesting read and his adventures don’t end there! A good fantasy read.
Blurb :
In a contemporary world without electricity, mana powers everything. And the artisans control all access to mana. Abelard works in a call centre, helping people with their artefact problems. He dreams of being an artisan, until an accident with a malfunctioning artefact makes that dream a reality.
But the world of the artisans is full of secrets, and Abelard uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy at the very heart of society. He will have to choose between living the life he has always wanted, and giving up everything to bring the artisans down. Sparking a robot uprising along the way isn’t really part of the plan.
April 8, 2021
So forgettable that I had to open it three or four days after I finished it to even remember what book it was.
A kind of contemporary alternate-universe fantasy, in which devices (known as artefacts) run by magic. They are all called X-e-facts, where X is what they do; a car is a speed-e-fact, a phone is a call-e-fact, and so on. This becomes annoying almost immediately.
Most of the characters are flat and have no real arc, with the exception, not of the male lead and (arguable) protagonist, but of his love interest - who has to have an arc, and change, to be someone we would want to see him with. Unlike the rest of the characters, she has hints of backstory and touches of things about her that are not simply about her role in the plot but about her being a rounded, believable character. Everyone else, including the male lead, seems to have sprung into existence fully formed at the point they're introduced to the plot, and then undergoes very little more development. Jen barely has any characteristics at all, and Marco has very little beyond his "protagonist's best mate" role.
The conscious-robots subplot is underdeveloped, and never really seemed that integrated with the main plot to me. The triggering event - the MC giving a robot a name instead of a number - seems like an insufficient cause for the effect it has.
All this is presented to us in the punctuation style I think of as "British breathless," because it needs about 20% more commas, mostly between grammatical clauses.
Shows some potential; if all the characters were at least as developed as Alessandra, and the worldbuilding was a bit less annoying, and the plot tighter, and the prose went up a notch, I can see a future book by this author being reasonably good. But there's a hill to climb for that to happen.
I received a review copy via Netgalley.
A kind of contemporary alternate-universe fantasy, in which devices (known as artefacts) run by magic. They are all called X-e-facts, where X is what they do; a car is a speed-e-fact, a phone is a call-e-fact, and so on. This becomes annoying almost immediately.
Most of the characters are flat and have no real arc, with the exception, not of the male lead and (arguable) protagonist, but of his love interest - who has to have an arc, and change, to be someone we would want to see him with. Unlike the rest of the characters, she has hints of backstory and touches of things about her that are not simply about her role in the plot but about her being a rounded, believable character. Everyone else, including the male lead, seems to have sprung into existence fully formed at the point they're introduced to the plot, and then undergoes very little more development. Jen barely has any characteristics at all, and Marco has very little beyond his "protagonist's best mate" role.
The conscious-robots subplot is underdeveloped, and never really seemed that integrated with the main plot to me. The triggering event - the MC giving a robot a name instead of a number - seems like an insufficient cause for the effect it has.
All this is presented to us in the punctuation style I think of as "British breathless," because it needs about 20% more commas, mostly between grammatical clauses.
Shows some potential; if all the characters were at least as developed as Alessandra, and the worldbuilding was a bit less annoying, and the plot tighter, and the prose went up a notch, I can see a future book by this author being reasonably good. But there's a hill to climb for that to happen.
I received a review copy via Netgalley.
February 14, 2021
Grand fantasy
Percik pens a fantastical story in The Defiant Spark. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The world shows that mana has power when there isn't electricity, and the people called the artisans control mana. This is a grand fantasy and part sci-fi story. Abelard is a man who strives to live a better life, be part of the artisans, and then ... well, you'll have to read what comes next. It's a well-written, well told story about the new world of artisans where there are secrets and conspiracies at every twist and turn. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Percik pens a fantastical story in The Defiant Spark. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The world shows that mana has power when there isn't electricity, and the people called the artisans control mana. This is a grand fantasy and part sci-fi story. Abelard is a man who strives to live a better life, be part of the artisans, and then ... well, you'll have to read what comes next. It's a well-written, well told story about the new world of artisans where there are secrets and conspiracies at every twist and turn. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
February 28, 2021
I found this book hard to put down! Right from the start when he accidentally sets his breakfast on fire in a brilliant sequence we can all relate to, I was rooting for the somewhat harried protagonist. Although the book is set in a world in which magical "mana" takes the place of electricity, the style is more soft sci-fi/thriller than traditional fantasy and the world-building is fun and deftly executed (not at all heavy or tedious like some sci-fi/fantasy novels).
The characters and their relationships develop realistically, although not in the way you might anticipate, and the plot twists and turns as it gains pace. I had one or two questions remaining at the end, but sometimes that is better than having everything overly neatly tied up; I will be interested to see if the author returns to this world in future books. I hope so!
The characters and their relationships develop realistically, although not in the way you might anticipate, and the plot twists and turns as it gains pace. I had one or two questions remaining at the end, but sometimes that is better than having everything overly neatly tied up; I will be interested to see if the author returns to this world in future books. I hope so!
April 5, 2021
I really enjoyed the opening chapters of this book - great world building and ideas - but then it just seemed to fizzle out and become increasingly plot-driven with the characters sitting around earnestly discussing their situation and relentlessly agreeing with each other for large chunks of the book.
It was still a pleasant read, but after an exciting beginning, this book felt more like a novel outline rather than a complete and rich narrative driven by fully-realised characters. I can't help thinking this would have been better as a two or three-book series where there was more time/space to develop the characters and their motivations within the interesting world setting.
It was still a pleasant read, but after an exciting beginning, this book felt more like a novel outline rather than a complete and rich narrative driven by fully-realised characters. I can't help thinking this would have been better as a two or three-book series where there was more time/space to develop the characters and their motivations within the interesting world setting.
December 5, 2024
Skip it
It was well edited with no spelling, punctuation or grammar errors that jump out.
The issue is the characters are boring and flat.
The actions they take make no sense.
Interesting plotlines were ignored.
The main plot line had a good potential, it just was never realized.
Also naming everything -a-fact ( as an artifact) isn’t clever, it’s annoying.
Lift-a-fact, wash-a-fact, copy-a-fact, etc.
I made it about 80% of the way through and then gave up.
Hopefully the authors future works will be more engaging.
It was well edited with no spelling, punctuation or grammar errors that jump out.
The issue is the characters are boring and flat.
The actions they take make no sense.
Interesting plotlines were ignored.
The main plot line had a good potential, it just was never realized.
Also naming everything -a-fact ( as an artifact) isn’t clever, it’s annoying.
Lift-a-fact, wash-a-fact, copy-a-fact, etc.
I made it about 80% of the way through and then gave up.
Hopefully the authors future works will be more engaging.
November 24, 2024
The Defiant Spark by Annie Percik.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I got into this book straight away. I did like Abelard. I liked Mateo. Alessandra and Jonathan grew on me. I didn't like Walter at all. I wasn't sure how I felt about the Gadg-E-Tech brain-efact. I liked the writing style. I read this book in two sittings. I certainly didn't see that coming. I did like the ending. I really do hope there is more to come
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I got into this book straight away. I did like Abelard. I liked Mateo. Alessandra and Jonathan grew on me. I didn't like Walter at all. I wasn't sure how I felt about the Gadg-E-Tech brain-efact. I liked the writing style. I read this book in two sittings. I certainly didn't see that coming. I did like the ending. I really do hope there is more to come
February 7, 2021
This is an exciting and interesting book with a dash of humour. It would not only appeal to fantasy lovers but to other readers as well. It has something to say about the way people with certain abilities look down on those without. It's easy to read and makes you want to know what happens next. Also I really liked the brain-e-facts and wanted a good outcome for them.
February 7, 2021
The author creates an original fantasy world with great imagination. The characters are engaging - I especially liked the brain-e-facts - and the story moves along at a good pace. At the same time the themes of inequality in society and the abuse of power by a favoured few resonate with our real world. A most promising debut.
January 12, 2021
I know the author and was lucky enough to get a pre-release copy. I really enjoyed the plot, world building and characters but the style feels like it could do with a bit more depth. I'm definitely looking forward to Annie's future books.
March 8, 2021
I thought the book was very imaginative and exciting and I read it in two sessions.
May 7, 2021
A fun, witty adventure through a mana-powered world. I loved this book!
June 1, 2025
Pretty good
The intense use of the 'e-fact' suffix in the first few pages almost put me off, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Jarring character deaths aside I quite enjoyed the story.
The intense use of the 'e-fact' suffix in the first few pages almost put me off, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Jarring character deaths aside I quite enjoyed the story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews