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Aether #2
Mint
#ShortStory
It's the year 2099 and Cerise is alone and running a data facility nicknamed "The Farm." Left to her own devices she explores a virtual world and when she miscalculates the dosage for a commonly used hallucinogen, she is trapped in a nightmare.
Can she find her way home again?
Welcome to the Aether Series by Bibiana Krall
A collection of short fiction speculating on the future. From cults to A.I. and beyond...you will find these stories surreal, modern and realistic enough to make you wonder if this Dystopian world is what waits for us on the other side.
All the important questions we want to ask, but no one can answer exist in the Aether.
It's the year 2099 and Cerise is alone and running a data facility nicknamed "The Farm." Left to her own devices she explores a virtual world and when she miscalculates the dosage for a commonly used hallucinogen, she is trapped in a nightmare.
Can she find her way home again?
Welcome to the Aether Series by Bibiana Krall
A collection of short fiction speculating on the future. From cults to A.I. and beyond...you will find these stories surreal, modern and realistic enough to make you wonder if this Dystopian world is what waits for us on the other side.
All the important questions we want to ask, but no one can answer exist in the Aether.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2022
5 people want to read
About the author
Bibiana Krall
35 books197 followersBanshee, Vol.1 inspired a series. Are you stoked for a brand-new addition to Winter Ghosts? www.bibianakrall.com/winterghosts
"Deathcap" Vol. 2 is here for your reading pleasure! Thank you for your interest! www.books2read.com/deathcap
If you love pop-culture, gothic tropes and supernatural suspense, Winter Ghosts is your ultimate book series! Watch full trailer on @blackcalyxbooks YouTube Channel!
"Deathcap" Vol. 2 is here for your reading pleasure! Thank you for your interest! www.books2read.com/deathcap
If you love pop-culture, gothic tropes and supernatural suspense, Winter Ghosts is your ultimate book series! Watch full trailer on @blackcalyxbooks YouTube Channel!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 6, 2025
I've read many books by Bibiana, and she continues to surprise me with her creativity and thought-provoking themes.
Mint is set in the future where life is lonely. Much like today where in-person interaction is diminishing gradually. Cerise, the protagonist, who as per me, shows how delusional we are to the radical changes taking place in our lives. And how we're so easily fooled if our small desires are taken care of. Or perhaps that we like to stay in a dream state to not think of the ugly reality in plain sight.
Another compelling sub-plot was how Jinn occupied Cerise's mind space. It was similar to how people are now leaning on AI to answer every question. Though Jinn is more of a villain. But then again, is AI also not?
No one but the strange cab driver, Dimitri, was not the 'bad guy' in this story. Or was it? I mean a real guy. The entrance of Dimitri made me feel Cerise's loneliness was done for, even though her pet's fate was in doldrums. Their conversation was hard-hitting, pointing out the realities of the dystopian world.
Bibiana makes the reader question the reality of things by divulging Cerise's state of being. She was like any other woman, who felt and yearned. Though her feelings were corporeal, were they indeed factual or triggered was the question.
The story's conclusion was eccentric but phenomenal, leaving me questioning the authenticity of the world we live in. True to its title, Mint pronounced a cool world with an untainted outlook through lucid dreaming.
Mint is set in the future where life is lonely. Much like today where in-person interaction is diminishing gradually. Cerise, the protagonist, who as per me, shows how delusional we are to the radical changes taking place in our lives. And how we're so easily fooled if our small desires are taken care of. Or perhaps that we like to stay in a dream state to not think of the ugly reality in plain sight.
Another compelling sub-plot was how Jinn occupied Cerise's mind space. It was similar to how people are now leaning on AI to answer every question. Though Jinn is more of a villain. But then again, is AI also not?
No one but the strange cab driver, Dimitri, was not the 'bad guy' in this story. Or was it? I mean a real guy. The entrance of Dimitri made me feel Cerise's loneliness was done for, even though her pet's fate was in doldrums. Their conversation was hard-hitting, pointing out the realities of the dystopian world.
Bibiana makes the reader question the reality of things by divulging Cerise's state of being. She was like any other woman, who felt and yearned. Though her feelings were corporeal, were they indeed factual or triggered was the question.
The story's conclusion was eccentric but phenomenal, leaving me questioning the authenticity of the world we live in. True to its title, Mint pronounced a cool world with an untainted outlook through lucid dreaming.
May 5, 2022
Wow! What a virtual ride! Mrs. Krall has done it again. Mint is a speculative short story set in the future where daily lives are run by technology AI, virtual reality, a world of lucid dreams that have replaced everyday human interaction. Cherise lives a lonely life set somewhere in a single bunker with her new forbidden pet. In a place where it's difficult to discern lucid dreams from reality, Mrs. Kralls, depiction will pull you in until the last word, leaving you wanting more of this fast, captivating read. More, please!
May 6, 2022
Welcome to the future...where a lone (and lonely) young woman named Cerise is the sole caretaker of a rather extensive data facility. Early on, we learn that our heroine is a bit of a rebel in this world by virtue of the fact that she orders in snack crackers, indulges in the reading of banned books, and dares to try befriending another living creature. It all sounds harmless enough, but not according to the new world order. When Cerise is chastised and basically "sent to bed" by an AI over-seer, she takes an extra provided tablet of hallucinogen before settling in. Readers are then taken on an epic ride through a series of dreamscapes that are packed with disturbing, subtle, and not-so-subtle messages regarding the dangers of AI overindulgence and dependence. It's a well-depicted adventure through a nightmare that seems to endlessly morph into darker places. The tension builds up until the very end of the story, which delivers a jump-start to the brain. If you don't finish this brilliant piece of speculative fiction with a number of insights, then you weren't paying attention.
May 15, 2022
“Gray is a hue created with swirls of white gouache and a daub of midnight pain.”
Thus begins Bibiana Krall’s poetically-constructed tale of an IT-industrial-military dystopia of 2099, in which the analog aspects of existence have been overwhelmed by the digital. On the irradiated Earth, paper books have been banned, the cities taken over by violent gangs, and civilization as we know it has ceased. In what little remains of humanity, AI and computers rule. Cerise, the main protagonist, finds that her ‘small’ rebellion against the system has unexpected consequences…
I have read several Bibiana Krall books, and enjoyed them all, but so far, this one is my favourite.
Thus begins Bibiana Krall’s poetically-constructed tale of an IT-industrial-military dystopia of 2099, in which the analog aspects of existence have been overwhelmed by the digital. On the irradiated Earth, paper books have been banned, the cities taken over by violent gangs, and civilization as we know it has ceased. In what little remains of humanity, AI and computers rule. Cerise, the main protagonist, finds that her ‘small’ rebellion against the system has unexpected consequences…
I have read several Bibiana Krall books, and enjoyed them all, but so far, this one is my favourite.
May 10, 2022
In 2099, global farms house the amped-up technologies and networks to take you on virtual journeys you can't even imagine. For data caretaker and domain designer, Cerise, the singular, soulless environment is all she's known, supplemented with sterile interactions with her AI Jinn, secret readings of renegade books, and a furry friend who must remain hidden, named Invictus.
Deviations from the derivative norm are not tolerated. When you go into the virtual world of escapist fantasy, the minions are watching. There are fees to be paid for pleasures you desire. Are you willing to pay the price and indenture your mind and being for oblivion? There are escapes from the meta world, but will you outwit the technological surveyors who want to control your every move? Cerise has a life and death choice to make.
Author Krall pens a chilling view of future life as it may evolve---a virtual world where you will own nothing and be happy and look over your shoulder constantly. What reality will you choose? A thought provoking, gripping read, highly recommended!
Deviations from the derivative norm are not tolerated. When you go into the virtual world of escapist fantasy, the minions are watching. There are fees to be paid for pleasures you desire. Are you willing to pay the price and indenture your mind and being for oblivion? There are escapes from the meta world, but will you outwit the technological surveyors who want to control your every move? Cerise has a life and death choice to make.
Author Krall pens a chilling view of future life as it may evolve---a virtual world where you will own nothing and be happy and look over your shoulder constantly. What reality will you choose? A thought provoking, gripping read, highly recommended!
September 14, 2022
We’re in a new golden age of science fiction, especially science fiction short stories. The generations that grew up with the evolution of smartphones and apps, anime, Pokémon, and ground-breaking video games are now writing fiction—really damn good fiction—with new views and commentary on technology and science that haven’t been seen before. Experts are already building a future world brimming with artificial intelligence, but here in the present most of us are still trying to figure out what AI even is. This is a technology that will influence many aspects of our lives, from jobs to entertainment to health care, but that also engages with fundamental questions about what it means to be human. Questions like, “what is the nature of creativity?” and “how do we define consciousness?” Posing the question “how can I understand AI?” is nearly as daunting as asking “what is the meaning of life?” Just about the topic I recently came across a book, a very short story which I loved. The book you all should give a try. The book I am talking about is called “MINT: A Short Story About the Future”.
I usually start with the title and the cover of the book majorly because it's the most exposed part of the book to the viewer’s eye. May be not to all but the readers do notice the appearance of the book which sets the vibe before reading. When it comes to “MINT: A Short Story About The Future” I am geek when it comes to the content about future.
talking about the content of the book, the book has been written in about 50 pages. The book can be completed in one sitting. It took me about an hour and a half to complete and I was left in the thoughts of it. I love the way book has been designed and written because it gives a very sophisticated vibe. Mint is both fascinating and incredibly frightening. The future environment created by Bibiana Krall mesmerised me. Technology is skillfully used in Cerise's daily life, and frighteningly, it may not be that far off. I thought about the things I'd miss the most if I lived in a world like hers after finishing Mint. A lot! Invictus gives an otherwise manufactured existence a delicate and kind touch. The stark contrast between Cerise's sterile life and the natural world conjures up panic inadvertently. Numerous times, Bibiana's views are dead accurate. Dive into the Mint's water's multicoloured rainbow. Paper books are no longer permitted on the radioactive Earth, ruthless gangs are in control of the cities, and civilisation as we know it is no more. AI and computers are in charge of what little of humanity is left. The main character, Cerise, discovers that her "little" rebellion against the system has unanticipated effects. n the irradiated Earth, paper books have been banned, the cities taken over by violent gangs, and civilization as we know it has ceased. In what little remains of humanity, AI and computers rule. Cerise, the main protagonist, finds that her ‘small’ rebellion against the system has unexpected consequences. Every narrative is intriguing and engrossing, keeping readers hooked and leaving them wanting just a little bit more by the time the book is finished. Trust me when I say, there’s a lot you will learn through the journey. I would like to thank the author for giving me such an experience through the book. So what are you waiting for Go grab your copy fast.
I usually start with the title and the cover of the book majorly because it's the most exposed part of the book to the viewer’s eye. May be not to all but the readers do notice the appearance of the book which sets the vibe before reading. When it comes to “MINT: A Short Story About The Future” I am geek when it comes to the content about future.
talking about the content of the book, the book has been written in about 50 pages. The book can be completed in one sitting. It took me about an hour and a half to complete and I was left in the thoughts of it. I love the way book has been designed and written because it gives a very sophisticated vibe. Mint is both fascinating and incredibly frightening. The future environment created by Bibiana Krall mesmerised me. Technology is skillfully used in Cerise's daily life, and frighteningly, it may not be that far off. I thought about the things I'd miss the most if I lived in a world like hers after finishing Mint. A lot! Invictus gives an otherwise manufactured existence a delicate and kind touch. The stark contrast between Cerise's sterile life and the natural world conjures up panic inadvertently. Numerous times, Bibiana's views are dead accurate. Dive into the Mint's water's multicoloured rainbow. Paper books are no longer permitted on the radioactive Earth, ruthless gangs are in control of the cities, and civilisation as we know it is no more. AI and computers are in charge of what little of humanity is left. The main character, Cerise, discovers that her "little" rebellion against the system has unanticipated effects. n the irradiated Earth, paper books have been banned, the cities taken over by violent gangs, and civilization as we know it has ceased. In what little remains of humanity, AI and computers rule. Cerise, the main protagonist, finds that her ‘small’ rebellion against the system has unexpected consequences. Every narrative is intriguing and engrossing, keeping readers hooked and leaving them wanting just a little bit more by the time the book is finished. Trust me when I say, there’s a lot you will learn through the journey. I would like to thank the author for giving me such an experience through the book. So what are you waiting for Go grab your copy fast.
May 15, 2022
Mint is engrossing and enormously unsettling. I was in awe of Bibiana Krall's futuristic world. The application of technology in Cerise's daily life is adept and, frighteningly, perhaps not so far off. After finishing Mint, I reflected on the things I'd miss most if I lived in a world such as hers. A lot! Invictus adds a soft and gentle touch to an otherwise engineered existence. The contrast between the sterilized life of Cerise and the natural world is striking and definitely raises prickles of alarm. Bibiana's observations are absolutely spot on so many times. Dive into the rainbow colored waters of Mint. If you haven't read Hive yet, read that too!
July 9, 2022
This is my first book from Bibiana Krall, and it was a pretty fun read. It’s a story that also makes you think a little and wonder what’s going on in the background of your life, or maybe who’s in charge. Or if it’s real? Read it, and tune out!
September 22, 2022
New World Order, Sci-fi, Dystopian, A.I... this short story has it all!
The year is 2099, civilisation has been destroyed, cities have fallen. Cerise, works for the Farm, gets plugged in and drugged and takes a ride in the virtual world.
Highly recommend, easy short read.
The year is 2099, civilisation has been destroyed, cities have fallen. Cerise, works for the Farm, gets plugged in and drugged and takes a ride in the virtual world.
Highly recommend, easy short read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews