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The Augmented Man
The US Military concedes that any kind of combat leaves soldiers psychologically damaged and makes reintegration to society difficult. The solution is to find individuals who are already so psychologically damaged the most horrendous combat experience will seem trivial by comparison. Better, find individuals psychologically damaged who’ve also experienced massive physical insult and trauma. Best, individuals psychologically damaged, physically traumatized, and emotionally vacant.
But where to find such individuals?
Captain James Donaldson suggests using massively abused and traumatized children as the basis, arguing “...they’ve already experienced more at home than they’ll ever experience in the field. All we need to is help their bodies catch up to where their psyches and emotions already are.”
Nine individuals are selected for Augmentation and entered into combat.
One survives.
And comes home.
But where to find such individuals?
Captain James Donaldson suggests using massively abused and traumatized children as the basis, arguing “...they’ve already experienced more at home than they’ll ever experience in the field. All we need to is help their bodies catch up to where their psyches and emotions already are.”
Nine individuals are selected for Augmentation and entered into combat.
One survives.
And comes home.
311 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2019
About the author
Joseph Carrabis
40 books105 followersPersonally, I think I'm rather boring and dull. I figured that wouldn't make good copy so I asked a bunch of friends how they'd describe me. Everybody said I was "intriguing". That's a nice double-edged word, don't you think? Kind of like something you want to stare at from a distance or with a good, solid, thick piece of steel reinforced glass between you and whatever you're looking at.
Me, if I think something's intriguing, I want to know more about it but I don't want to get too close while getting to know more about it. Know what I mean?
Next came "multi-dimensional, refined and cerebral" and in that order except for one person who actually used "refined and cerebral" together. Okay. I might get invited to more parties being "multi-dimensional, refined and cerebral" than simply "intriguing". Probably depends on the type of party.
Then came, to me, the good stuff: loves to talk around a campfire, loves to fly kites, finds joy in the simple things, loves to cook for friends, befriends all sorts of wildlife (raccoons, skunk, opossum, deer, turkey, coyote, gray and red fox, hawk, deer, squirrel, chipmunk, finches, robins, snakes, turtles) to the point that they come up and take food from his hand (this one I can verify as can most people who come over to visit us in the evenings), always ready to help his friends and strangers when asked, makes pizza to die for, loves long walks with his wife and dog, ...
One friend wrote "You want to know about Joseph Carrabis? He's a master story-teller with a sharp sense of humor. He's a musician and an extraordinary pizza maker. He flies kites that are so big they would tear my arms off, and he knows the best diners with the best pie in New England. He taught me what real coffee should taste like, and how to really enjoy a good cigar. He can bring forth the joy of a five year old in one moment, and the wisdom of a thousand year old sage the next. He's someone who can help you change how you experience the world, and you'll laugh harder than you thought possible while it's happening. Don't ever buy into his 'I'm boring and dull' line."
I find that flattering (blush). I won't attest to its accuracy, only that I'm flattered by it.
Then there's my professional bio (which, to me, is truly boring and dull): "Joseph Carrabis is Founder and Chief Research Officer of The NextStage Companies and helps clients understand how people think and react to marketing, leveraging that information to improve marketing efforts. He has been awarded patents for NextStage’s Evolution Technology, creating a new, disruptive field of technology and applications. Evolution Technology allows any programmable device to understand human thought and respond accordingly.
"He has designed, developed and delivered over 100 tools that analyze everything from group and individual social behaviors to product design and development to community development and monitoring to consumer psychology to resume analysis and improvement to finding compatible life-partners to personal growth to training measurement for governments, businesses and individuals worldwide.
"He was a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center for the Digital Future; is a Senior Research Fellow and Board Advisory Member for the Society for New Communications Research; a Founder, Senior Researcher and Director of Predictive Analytics for the Center for Adaptive Solutions; is an Advisory Board member to the Center for Multicultural Science, Editorial Board member to the Journal of Cultural Marketing Strategy, a member of Scientists Without Borders; has served as Chief Neuroscience Officer, Chief Data Scientist, Chief Scientist and Neuromarketer-in-Residence for a number of companies worldwide." (there was more)
So take your pick which of me you like. Just remember that front and back I'm boring and dull. I only seem to be interesting in the middle.
Me, if I think something's intriguing, I want to know more about it but I don't want to get too close while getting to know more about it. Know what I mean?
Next came "multi-dimensional, refined and cerebral" and in that order except for one person who actually used "refined and cerebral" together. Okay. I might get invited to more parties being "multi-dimensional, refined and cerebral" than simply "intriguing". Probably depends on the type of party.
Then came, to me, the good stuff: loves to talk around a campfire, loves to fly kites, finds joy in the simple things, loves to cook for friends, befriends all sorts of wildlife (raccoons, skunk, opossum, deer, turkey, coyote, gray and red fox, hawk, deer, squirrel, chipmunk, finches, robins, snakes, turtles) to the point that they come up and take food from his hand (this one I can verify as can most people who come over to visit us in the evenings), always ready to help his friends and strangers when asked, makes pizza to die for, loves long walks with his wife and dog, ...
One friend wrote "You want to know about Joseph Carrabis? He's a master story-teller with a sharp sense of humor. He's a musician and an extraordinary pizza maker. He flies kites that are so big they would tear my arms off, and he knows the best diners with the best pie in New England. He taught me what real coffee should taste like, and how to really enjoy a good cigar. He can bring forth the joy of a five year old in one moment, and the wisdom of a thousand year old sage the next. He's someone who can help you change how you experience the world, and you'll laugh harder than you thought possible while it's happening. Don't ever buy into his 'I'm boring and dull' line."
I find that flattering (blush). I won't attest to its accuracy, only that I'm flattered by it.
Then there's my professional bio (which, to me, is truly boring and dull): "Joseph Carrabis is Founder and Chief Research Officer of The NextStage Companies and helps clients understand how people think and react to marketing, leveraging that information to improve marketing efforts. He has been awarded patents for NextStage’s Evolution Technology, creating a new, disruptive field of technology and applications. Evolution Technology allows any programmable device to understand human thought and respond accordingly.
"He has designed, developed and delivered over 100 tools that analyze everything from group and individual social behaviors to product design and development to community development and monitoring to consumer psychology to resume analysis and improvement to finding compatible life-partners to personal growth to training measurement for governments, businesses and individuals worldwide.
"He was a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center for the Digital Future; is a Senior Research Fellow and Board Advisory Member for the Society for New Communications Research; a Founder, Senior Researcher and Director of Predictive Analytics for the Center for Adaptive Solutions; is an Advisory Board member to the Center for Multicultural Science, Editorial Board member to the Journal of Cultural Marketing Strategy, a member of Scientists Without Borders; has served as Chief Neuroscience Officer, Chief Data Scientist, Chief Scientist and Neuromarketer-in-Residence for a number of companies worldwide." (there was more)
So take your pick which of me you like. Just remember that front and back I'm boring and dull. I only seem to be interesting in the middle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 9, 2019
The Augmented Man follows a long tradition of supermen trained by the military or black ops to accomplish tasks. But, the Augmented Man takes it a few steps further where the men are somewhere between Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator than and Matt Damon in Jason Bourne. They are Augmented in their senses and damn near indestructible. But, to get them there where they can fulfill their missions - sometimes morally difficult missions - they had to start with psychologically dented beings who had survived childhoods of abuse and that is the word- survived. Do you bring back a rogue Augmented to the fold or find some way to destroy him? This book is half psych ops study and half black ops action. As such, it occupies new terrain, often distant terrain difficult to traverse.
June 11, 2019
Joseph Carrabis writes a masterful tale of how greed and power can corrupt the better judgement of a man. Although this story is set in the future, it actually seems plausible that the sorts of physiological and psychological modifications discussed and inflicted on some of the characters could and have occurred in the name of military dominance. It was fascinating to me how Carrabis compared the capability of Navy Seals as an example against the next gen efforts as well as the results.
Not only did the story grab my attention from the first scene opening in the bar, but it enthralled me until the very end. After this opening, “Trailer closed his eyes and sat at the end of the bar where the cigarette-burned, cheap black Formica countertop met the wall. He eased himself onto the last stool, tucking into the corner in the dim light, a spider hiding out of sight at the edge of its web.” I felt drawn to Nick Trailer from the outset that expanded into compassion for the life he was forced to live. He is a warrior who struggles to find his way in a world against him from the start. Nick’s relationship with Major Donaldson is one which I suspect many leaders have with their men. I liked both of these characters for very different reasons because they were so well developed. Learning all the whys and wherefores of Trailer’s life from both men’s perspective had me turning the pages until the surprising end.
All of the scenes set the perfect stage for a movie playing in my mind as I raced through the story. The descriptions were vivid and certainly exacting for gruesome military combat actions, yet realistic and plausible. Covert squads, spies, behind closed doors actions, and intrigue create great action stories. Carrabis has no shortage of action or intrigue as he lifts the curtain to reveal actions sanctioned by government leaders in a crass offhanded manner like changing shoes after stepping into a few inches of mud. I would certainly recommend this story to any reader who likes to consider the possible while reading a complex story with a heavy lacing of conspiracy, which I do hope is purely fiction, yet … what do I know about what the military does behind closed doors at the direction of powerful leaders.
Trust me you want to read this one.
Not only did the story grab my attention from the first scene opening in the bar, but it enthralled me until the very end. After this opening, “Trailer closed his eyes and sat at the end of the bar where the cigarette-burned, cheap black Formica countertop met the wall. He eased himself onto the last stool, tucking into the corner in the dim light, a spider hiding out of sight at the edge of its web.” I felt drawn to Nick Trailer from the outset that expanded into compassion for the life he was forced to live. He is a warrior who struggles to find his way in a world against him from the start. Nick’s relationship with Major Donaldson is one which I suspect many leaders have with their men. I liked both of these characters for very different reasons because they were so well developed. Learning all the whys and wherefores of Trailer’s life from both men’s perspective had me turning the pages until the surprising end.
All of the scenes set the perfect stage for a movie playing in my mind as I raced through the story. The descriptions were vivid and certainly exacting for gruesome military combat actions, yet realistic and plausible. Covert squads, spies, behind closed doors actions, and intrigue create great action stories. Carrabis has no shortage of action or intrigue as he lifts the curtain to reveal actions sanctioned by government leaders in a crass offhanded manner like changing shoes after stepping into a few inches of mud. I would certainly recommend this story to any reader who likes to consider the possible while reading a complex story with a heavy lacing of conspiracy, which I do hope is purely fiction, yet … what do I know about what the military does behind closed doors at the direction of powerful leaders.
Trust me you want to read this one.
July 25, 2019
Joseph Carrabis's The Augmented Man begins with a bang when physically enhanced ex-soldier Nick Trailer wipes out an entire New England bar. What emerges is a futuristic noir-ish thriller as Trailer's former handler, Jim Donaldson, attempts to corral his rogue cadet. The early world-building is very strong, with details about a past drug war and a secret project to genetically augment and psychologically manipulate ideals soldiers sprinkled throughout the first chapters. And the tension of the Trailer-Donaldson collision pulls the story along nicely.
However, the plot comes to a halt with a 100+ page psychoanalysis session in the middle of the book. In a novel that is marketed and begins as a military sci-fi thriller, this slowdown is jarring. While the information revealed in this section is useful for understanding Trailer and Donaldson's backgrounds, the delivery comes off as somewhat heavy-handed. Carrabis makes an effort to reveal a more few details about the war that helped shape Trailer's psychology, but this intriguing backstory is outweighed by plodding psychotherapeutic exchanges. A similar critique applies to the frequent use of imagery—some are successful, but at least half are not and seem forced, with a few bewildering mixed metaphors thrown in.
Fortunately, the final third of the book is fast-paced and thoroughly engrossing. I was so caught up in the last few pages that I missed my bus stop. There is also some payoff from the middle section, as the traits revealed in that part of the story make Donaldson, Trailer and his wife, Karen, characters I eagerly rooted for. Overall, it's clear that Carrabis is a smart and talented writer, and when he steps back and allows his characters, plot and attention to detail to take over, The Augmented Man really shines.
However, the plot comes to a halt with a 100+ page psychoanalysis session in the middle of the book. In a novel that is marketed and begins as a military sci-fi thriller, this slowdown is jarring. While the information revealed in this section is useful for understanding Trailer and Donaldson's backgrounds, the delivery comes off as somewhat heavy-handed. Carrabis makes an effort to reveal a more few details about the war that helped shape Trailer's psychology, but this intriguing backstory is outweighed by plodding psychotherapeutic exchanges. A similar critique applies to the frequent use of imagery—some are successful, but at least half are not and seem forced, with a few bewildering mixed metaphors thrown in.
Fortunately, the final third of the book is fast-paced and thoroughly engrossing. I was so caught up in the last few pages that I missed my bus stop. There is also some payoff from the middle section, as the traits revealed in that part of the story make Donaldson, Trailer and his wife, Karen, characters I eagerly rooted for. Overall, it's clear that Carrabis is a smart and talented writer, and when he steps back and allows his characters, plot and attention to detail to take over, The Augmented Man really shines.
January 18, 2023
While I may not like the underlying world view of this book, I found myself caught up in the swift, engaging story telling of Joseph Carrabis, whose skill in creating this grim scenario is as sharp as the teeth of his monster-men.
Be aware, graphic violence pervades ‘’The Augmented Man.'' Occasional passages almost smack of a comic book, and it is not clear whether these were intentionally designed to be implausible or tongue in cheek.
If you aren’t put off by an abundance of bloodletting and seek a harrowing, highly original, breakneck ride on the dark side of a not-impossible future, down a tumbler of whiskey and brace yourself for ‘’The Augmented Man.''
Maybe follow it up with a chaser of ‘’The Prophet’’ or ‘’Watership Down.''
March 29, 2022
Dazzling and mind-bending; brutal and uplifting. Carrabis has an incisive style studded with military and indigenous cultural concepts way beyond mainstream experience. If you want to understand a version of PTSD whether from war or childhood trauma, this is a journey you should consider. It's not for delicate sensibilities, although there is no violence without purpose.
I kept wanting to have a direct line to the author's life to ask, "How do you know that?"
It was hard sometimes, reading with empathy and identifying with the characters. In the end, I felt hopeful and eager for the next book.
I kept wanting to have a direct line to the author's life to ask, "How do you know that?"
It was hard sometimes, reading with empathy and identifying with the characters. In the end, I felt hopeful and eager for the next book.
October 21, 2019
The Augmented Man by Joseph Carrabis is an engaging thriller that grabs you from the first page and pulls you through this book with each line that you read. I enjoy thriller novels and this author does a fantastic job mixing together thriller, medical, and military into this story. This story will honestly get to you on an emotional level as well as you discover the things that the characters went through and as they struggle to deal with that what has happened with the changes they experienced.
The Augmented Man is the first book that I have read Joseph Carrabis and a book that I found myself quickly engrossed in. The author introduces me to Trailer first; he’s an augmented man, and the last one still alive. At first, he seems like just an average guy, but something triggers him and then all hell breaks loose. Now, if you’re worried that you’re going to experience a scene of catastrophic gore…rest assured in this…the author spares you what happens. I’ll admit that I was a bit disappointed, but the author comes back to fill in what happened to an extent. Trailer is truly a fascinating character. Dealing with him almost like dealing with more than one Trailer. He’s hurting, but then a darker side of him wants to hurt others in turn. He surfaced for a reason, but it’s almost like he himself is confused about what it is that he truly wants.
The author breaks this story down into three parts. This makes this story very easy to follow along with what is happening. When Trailer surfaces, which is the beginning of the story, the author goes back and forth in time. Each time there is a shift the author does an excellent job marking the change so that you can follow along with ease. When Trailer feels secure he meets up with Donaldson, the man he wanted to find him, and they go “Through” a period of time together as Donaldson tries to reach and get through to Trailer. This section is truly fascinating as Trailer struggles with what he has become. I will warn readers of this…there are some truly shocking moments in this part. Shocking, but fascinating nonetheless. The last section is “Out” and that’s when things begin to really get going. Choices must be made concerning Trailer and Donaldson has to make sure that he is more than able to carry them out.
The only thing that I would have to say that I don’t like about this book is some of the jargon the author uses. There is a lot of anatomies and physiological word usage in this book and it’s not something that the average person will know, so I feel that some who choose to read this book will need to have their dictionaries ready. I understood most of it because I took an anatomy class in high school, but I will admit that some I need to check out myself to fully understand what was written. But honestly, that is the only drawback with this story.
At the end of the day, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. The medical jargon, while I wasn’t familiar with all of the terminology does nothing to truly detract from this story. If anything it makes a touch educational. The author lured me into this book with the fast-hitting beginning and kept me riveted all the way to the end with emotional moments and surprise twists. If you enjoy military thrillers with a well-balanced amount of detail, and engaging characters then this is a good book to pick up.
The Augmented Man is the first book that I have read Joseph Carrabis and a book that I found myself quickly engrossed in. The author introduces me to Trailer first; he’s an augmented man, and the last one still alive. At first, he seems like just an average guy, but something triggers him and then all hell breaks loose. Now, if you’re worried that you’re going to experience a scene of catastrophic gore…rest assured in this…the author spares you what happens. I’ll admit that I was a bit disappointed, but the author comes back to fill in what happened to an extent. Trailer is truly a fascinating character. Dealing with him almost like dealing with more than one Trailer. He’s hurting, but then a darker side of him wants to hurt others in turn. He surfaced for a reason, but it’s almost like he himself is confused about what it is that he truly wants.
The author breaks this story down into three parts. This makes this story very easy to follow along with what is happening. When Trailer surfaces, which is the beginning of the story, the author goes back and forth in time. Each time there is a shift the author does an excellent job marking the change so that you can follow along with ease. When Trailer feels secure he meets up with Donaldson, the man he wanted to find him, and they go “Through” a period of time together as Donaldson tries to reach and get through to Trailer. This section is truly fascinating as Trailer struggles with what he has become. I will warn readers of this…there are some truly shocking moments in this part. Shocking, but fascinating nonetheless. The last section is “Out” and that’s when things begin to really get going. Choices must be made concerning Trailer and Donaldson has to make sure that he is more than able to carry them out.
The only thing that I would have to say that I don’t like about this book is some of the jargon the author uses. There is a lot of anatomies and physiological word usage in this book and it’s not something that the average person will know, so I feel that some who choose to read this book will need to have their dictionaries ready. I understood most of it because I took an anatomy class in high school, but I will admit that some I need to check out myself to fully understand what was written. But honestly, that is the only drawback with this story.
At the end of the day, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. The medical jargon, while I wasn’t familiar with all of the terminology does nothing to truly detract from this story. If anything it makes a touch educational. The author lured me into this book with the fast-hitting beginning and kept me riveted all the way to the end with emotional moments and surprise twists. If you enjoy military thrillers with a well-balanced amount of detail, and engaging characters then this is a good book to pick up.
October 22, 2019
This has a good amount of action and tension and mostly held my attention. Military sci-fi is not my fave genre but this was good. Nice character creation and occasional tug on emotions. Recommended for sci-fi thriller fans.
I really appreciate the NetGalley copy for review!!
I really appreciate the NetGalley copy for review!!
September 19, 2019
In the same vein as Orson Scott Card’s, Ender’s Game - Joseph Carrabis’s newest novel, The
Augmented Man thrusts the reader into an unknown but realistic world of the future where
governments create devastating war weapons of their choosing. In this fast paced thriller those
weapons are nothing more than abused children who grow up in a society which has no room
for them until Captain James Donaldson finds a useful purpose for these cast offs. These poor
wretches who have never felt the love of another human being and have no hope at a normal
life eventually learn of their future. A future so terrifying and painful all they can do is suffer
through it at the hands of Donaldson. What he creates for them is a living hell. His plan was to
genetically modify the children and as they mature becoming the very tools of destruction
which are nothing less than terrifying. After their usefulness is complete there is another plan
of Donaldson’s which goes horribly wrong. Instead of termination for all of these
manufactured miscreants as planned, a miscalculation arises leaving Donaldson fighting for
his life as well as humankind. His own perverted experiment has come back to haunt him.
This exciting story will make the reader truly question if such things as The Augmented Man
could or does exist under the blackness of government secrecy. At the conclusion of the
novel, the reader can only pray it is strictly fiction and not a harbinger of things to come in the
near future.
Reviewer: John R. Beyer, award winning author of fictional short stories and novels.
Augmented Man thrusts the reader into an unknown but realistic world of the future where
governments create devastating war weapons of their choosing. In this fast paced thriller those
weapons are nothing more than abused children who grow up in a society which has no room
for them until Captain James Donaldson finds a useful purpose for these cast offs. These poor
wretches who have never felt the love of another human being and have no hope at a normal
life eventually learn of their future. A future so terrifying and painful all they can do is suffer
through it at the hands of Donaldson. What he creates for them is a living hell. His plan was to
genetically modify the children and as they mature becoming the very tools of destruction
which are nothing less than terrifying. After their usefulness is complete there is another plan
of Donaldson’s which goes horribly wrong. Instead of termination for all of these
manufactured miscreants as planned, a miscalculation arises leaving Donaldson fighting for
his life as well as humankind. His own perverted experiment has come back to haunt him.
This exciting story will make the reader truly question if such things as The Augmented Man
could or does exist under the blackness of government secrecy. At the conclusion of the
novel, the reader can only pray it is strictly fiction and not a harbinger of things to come in the
near future.
Reviewer: John R. Beyer, award winning author of fictional short stories and novels.
September 19, 2019
Military sci-fi thrillers are usually not my go-to genre when I look for a book, but I was excited to pick up The Augmented Man. This story immediately thrust me into a Dues Ex like world with Nick Trailer, the ex-soldier, being the primary protagonist. His struggles were easily to relate with and, honestly, I found myself hoping to see his happy ending by the end of the novel. Admittedly, the middle of the book had a few slow spots, but being a student of psychoanalysis, I found it intriguing. Joseph Carrabis did an excellent job in piecing together this masterpiece. Now when do I get to see the movie?
June 10, 2019
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of The Augmented Man by Joseph Carrabis and highly recommend you add this new release to your late summer plans. Nicholas Trailer is an augmented man, developed to be a perfect war machine by a secret government group. But what's next for someone trained to do something so well that is such anathema to regular society? How can he just live his life? The book is a sci-fi/military novel but it is so much more - it's a classic tale of monsters and men where identifying the monster isn't so easy. It has rich characters along with plenty of intense action. An excellent read that will make you think, but also entertain the heck out of you. What more could you ask?
July 23, 2019
This military story strongly reminded me of the "Universal Soldier" films at times, with its focus on a super-soldier program that had unseen consequences.
Nick Trailer is the sole survivor of a group of genetically-modified soldiers sent to fight in a jungle war where extreme measures were deemed the most expedient solution. Unfortunately, Nick's return will open a lot of old wounds, both emotional and psychological.
What makes this book interesting is the premise behind the selection of the super-soldier candidates, and those involved in the program. If you're someone who loves military stories or seeing the role psychology plays in politics and war, you definitely want to pick this book up.
Nick Trailer is the sole survivor of a group of genetically-modified soldiers sent to fight in a jungle war where extreme measures were deemed the most expedient solution. Unfortunately, Nick's return will open a lot of old wounds, both emotional and psychological.
What makes this book interesting is the premise behind the selection of the super-soldier candidates, and those involved in the program. If you're someone who loves military stories or seeing the role psychology plays in politics and war, you definitely want to pick this book up.
August 24, 2019
The first time I read this book, I couldn't put it down due to the page-turning plot and flow of the author's style. The second time I read it, I was struck by the depth of its characters and themes. On the surface, it is highly recommended for fans of Science Fiction and Military but I truly believe there is something for everyone here. I was looking for a unique voice in the SciFi/ Fantasy genre and I found it. I can't wait to read more of Joseph Carrabis' bibliography.
October 16, 2019
This book was scary good. And yes, I mean that in all the ways you can imagine. It was a little gory, but I don't think it would have been as good without it, oddly enough. It was absolutely riveting and a real nail biter. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
October 9, 2020
Set in the relatively near future in a USA that has been through and come out the other side of a conflict over control of the South American Coca fields, 'The Augmented Man' of the title is Nicholas Trailer, the last remaining member of a special forces unit which took the special forces and black ops to a logical extreme, starts with him resurfacing in the states some ten years after the end of the war, and follows his former CO, his own personal Doctor Frankenstein, Captain Donaldson, trying to break through the walls he built turning Nick into one of the monsters the US needed to win their war.
This is where the truth lays upon which this novel is built because for generations old white men have fought their wars using young men already broken by the system. This was as true in Vietnam as it was in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simply put if young men have better choices they don't join the army. It why the most successful recruiting stations are in South Central or the Bronx rather than Malibu and Manhattan. It's why judges offer prison or the army as a choice to young offenders. If your already damage by the system then your disposable fodder for its wars. Take that to the extreme and the more damaged the more abused the better. All the easier to mold your pet monster if you can use the physiological trauma that is already there.
Donaldson took this all a step or three further, seeking candidates scared by childhood abuse and trauma and then changing their biology to match an already scared mental state. It worked, if anything it worked too well, because the powers that be determined that once they had done their job 'The Augmented Men' were surplus to requirements, ordering Donaldson to betray them, which is why Nick is the only one left. In this there is another of those grains of truth, politicians will always praise veterans when they are looking for votes, but it never ceases to astound me just how much those in powers want the Vets to suffer the after effects of war in silence and to be conveniently forgotten about till the next election cycle... The more inconvenient the veteran, well having purpose made monsters to win a war is one thing, letting them back on the streets that could be problematic... Think 'First Blood' the original Rambo movie (and easily the only one worth watching as it has something important to say.) but if Rambo was more physiologically scared and had been genetically altered till he was a stealthy version of the hulk...
And of course, once you invent the government an atomic bomb, they will get someone to make a better one...
There is a lot to unpack in this novel, there is a lot of psychology and intelligence behind it. The complex relationship between a monster and his maker. The torrid reality of Nicks early life that made him the perfect candidate. The politics behind everything. The man inside the monster desperately seeking a way to come back to the humanity he left behind. A master class in how to create a super solider from a physiological frame work damaged in the right ways to start with. The wiliness of the elite to use the monsters the failures in the system create, then dispose of them afterwards...
There is a lot uncomfortable truth in here, which is why it works so well. Its a cracking read, that will also make you think, like all good science fiction...
This is where the truth lays upon which this novel is built because for generations old white men have fought their wars using young men already broken by the system. This was as true in Vietnam as it was in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simply put if young men have better choices they don't join the army. It why the most successful recruiting stations are in South Central or the Bronx rather than Malibu and Manhattan. It's why judges offer prison or the army as a choice to young offenders. If your already damage by the system then your disposable fodder for its wars. Take that to the extreme and the more damaged the more abused the better. All the easier to mold your pet monster if you can use the physiological trauma that is already there.
Donaldson took this all a step or three further, seeking candidates scared by childhood abuse and trauma and then changing their biology to match an already scared mental state. It worked, if anything it worked too well, because the powers that be determined that once they had done their job 'The Augmented Men' were surplus to requirements, ordering Donaldson to betray them, which is why Nick is the only one left. In this there is another of those grains of truth, politicians will always praise veterans when they are looking for votes, but it never ceases to astound me just how much those in powers want the Vets to suffer the after effects of war in silence and to be conveniently forgotten about till the next election cycle... The more inconvenient the veteran, well having purpose made monsters to win a war is one thing, letting them back on the streets that could be problematic... Think 'First Blood' the original Rambo movie (and easily the only one worth watching as it has something important to say.) but if Rambo was more physiologically scared and had been genetically altered till he was a stealthy version of the hulk...
And of course, once you invent the government an atomic bomb, they will get someone to make a better one...
There is a lot to unpack in this novel, there is a lot of psychology and intelligence behind it. The complex relationship between a monster and his maker. The torrid reality of Nicks early life that made him the perfect candidate. The politics behind everything. The man inside the monster desperately seeking a way to come back to the humanity he left behind. A master class in how to create a super solider from a physiological frame work damaged in the right ways to start with. The wiliness of the elite to use the monsters the failures in the system create, then dispose of them afterwards...
There is a lot uncomfortable truth in here, which is why it works so well. Its a cracking read, that will also make you think, like all good science fiction...
May 31, 2023
The Augmented Man is both sci-fi and a psychological thriller. The main character is a person transformed to be a super-soldier with both physical augments and psychological conditioning—a
logical extension of what already happens with SEAL or some other hyper-elite military training. Nick, the augmented man, is a purpose-built man-made monster.
Except that he isn't. In spite of the intensive “training” which started when he was young, Nick still has a mind and a heart of his own.
Parts of the book are very technical, as befits a sci-fi novel. Many of the technical sections concern either psychology or the human nervous system or some other aspect of the human physiology and mental development. I don't know how accurate any of it is but the science stuff is all written in such a way as to be convincing.
The first half of the book is a duel between Nick and his creator, Donaldson, the professional in charge of the program that inflicted psychological manipulation on Nick and other elite super-soldiers. The first half also flashbacks to Nick's childhood and to significant events in his career. But mainly the first half is the duel, the war, between Donaldson and Nick. It's an intense war of words—the psychological part of the thriller--since both parties are trying to out-think and out-maneuver the other. The depth of characterization and the layers of conflict between the two makes for taut, emotionally involving reading.
The second half of the book goes into more action thriller genre, also tautly written and emotionally involving.
The best sci fi uses the future to explore the issues of current events and culture. The Augmented Man explores the relationship between the soldier and the nation the soldier serves, but not in the usual sentimental way. Nick was exploited for goals that were highly questionable—and isn't that a much more accurate way of describing military service than the usual platitudes about fighting for freedom?
The book is an intelligently written thriller with A LOT more character development than is usual in sci fi. It is an intense and immersive read and I recommend it highly.
logical extension of what already happens with SEAL or some other hyper-elite military training. Nick, the augmented man, is a purpose-built man-made monster.
Except that he isn't. In spite of the intensive “training” which started when he was young, Nick still has a mind and a heart of his own.
Parts of the book are very technical, as befits a sci-fi novel. Many of the technical sections concern either psychology or the human nervous system or some other aspect of the human physiology and mental development. I don't know how accurate any of it is but the science stuff is all written in such a way as to be convincing.
The first half of the book is a duel between Nick and his creator, Donaldson, the professional in charge of the program that inflicted psychological manipulation on Nick and other elite super-soldiers. The first half also flashbacks to Nick's childhood and to significant events in his career. But mainly the first half is the duel, the war, between Donaldson and Nick. It's an intense war of words—the psychological part of the thriller--since both parties are trying to out-think and out-maneuver the other. The depth of characterization and the layers of conflict between the two makes for taut, emotionally involving reading.
The second half of the book goes into more action thriller genre, also tautly written and emotionally involving.
The best sci fi uses the future to explore the issues of current events and culture. The Augmented Man explores the relationship between the soldier and the nation the soldier serves, but not in the usual sentimental way. Nick was exploited for goals that were highly questionable—and isn't that a much more accurate way of describing military service than the usual platitudes about fighting for freedom?
The book is an intelligently written thriller with A LOT more character development than is usual in sci fi. It is an intense and immersive read and I recommend it highly.
September 18, 2023
Reading is a personal experience. What touches one person may mean nothing to another. When I read a book, it is like the words come alive, I am surrounded by the scenery and the characters as the entire story unfolds around me and I am part of it. Reading to me becomes an all-encompassing sensory experience.
I did not get that experience with The Augmented Man by Joseph Carrabis.
I did, however, contemplate becoming a vegetarian.
The Augmented Man provides a glimpse into the brutal and not-impossible grim scenario of a future world where the government stops at nothing to create the ultimate weapon of war. With the backstory of the protagonist, and the mission of the story, Carrabis displays the effects of childhood trauma and PTSD and how people in power can extort that torment under the guise of the greater good, and the unintended, or not cared about, consequences of doing so.
His detailed descriptions, similar to the level of Tom Clancy at times, and comic bookish at others, reminded me of the narrative of a video game. Not necessarily a bad thing, but different. I wanted a creature of old that was violent but that my heart wept for. Instead I got a video game character, a lot of detail, a smattering of who the characters are, and a whole heap of violence. For me, that made it hard to empathize with the characters, and therefore embrace the story.
Now, admittedly, military sci-fi is not my favorite genre, nor am I a lover of video games. So, if you have a strong stomach, don’t mind graphic violence and you enjoy any of these topics, this is the book for you. For me, The Augmented Man continues to stay with me as I continue to ponder what is going on in the mind of Joseph Carrabis. I am hoping to be able to explore that a bit more in the future, as well as more of his books. If he can create this world, I am intrigued to see what else he can do.
I did not get that experience with The Augmented Man by Joseph Carrabis.
I did, however, contemplate becoming a vegetarian.
The Augmented Man provides a glimpse into the brutal and not-impossible grim scenario of a future world where the government stops at nothing to create the ultimate weapon of war. With the backstory of the protagonist, and the mission of the story, Carrabis displays the effects of childhood trauma and PTSD and how people in power can extort that torment under the guise of the greater good, and the unintended, or not cared about, consequences of doing so.
His detailed descriptions, similar to the level of Tom Clancy at times, and comic bookish at others, reminded me of the narrative of a video game. Not necessarily a bad thing, but different. I wanted a creature of old that was violent but that my heart wept for. Instead I got a video game character, a lot of detail, a smattering of who the characters are, and a whole heap of violence. For me, that made it hard to empathize with the characters, and therefore embrace the story.
Now, admittedly, military sci-fi is not my favorite genre, nor am I a lover of video games. So, if you have a strong stomach, don’t mind graphic violence and you enjoy any of these topics, this is the book for you. For me, The Augmented Man continues to stay with me as I continue to ponder what is going on in the mind of Joseph Carrabis. I am hoping to be able to explore that a bit more in the future, as well as more of his books. If he can create this world, I am intrigued to see what else he can do.
September 1, 2023
After reading The Augmented Man, I really had to pause and collect my thoughts before writing this review. (I always have to pause and reflect before I write any review.)
It is such a unique story.
But I have to admit that I always struggle with military-type, super-soldier books. I get lost in the lingo and the macho dude stuff that so many of these books are full of.
This one was no different in that I did get lost in the words and the militaryish details quite a bit.
Not a writer or a story flaw, exactly.
The first half of the book was full of very wordy descriptions and mild character development. The pacing was a little strange and I wasn't sure what to expect from the rest of the book, but I'm happy to say the second half straightened out and came together a bit better.
There's a really neat story hidden in all those words and extra descriptive pieces that I wasn't fond of. The author's enthusiasm for story telling and writing is there-which is probably the best part of a difficult read-and I think the story could certainly be tidied up and that neat story could really come out.
Take childhood trauma/PTSD and mix it up with military/ultimate weapon-type stories and this is what you get. If that's your jam, The Augmented Man may be for you.
I enjoyed that the author wasn't afraid of the nasty, the gritty. When I think of super soldiers, I think of hostile mutant-type guys that seem indestructible and destructive, and I got that from this story. If the pacing was tightened up, those super soldiers and the rest of the characters really could have gone at it and made some really intense scenes. I love a good fight scene between a good guy and a bad guy and use it in my books, as well.
Solid 3-4 star book from Joseph Carrabis.
It is such a unique story.
But I have to admit that I always struggle with military-type, super-soldier books. I get lost in the lingo and the macho dude stuff that so many of these books are full of.
This one was no different in that I did get lost in the words and the militaryish details quite a bit.
Not a writer or a story flaw, exactly.
The first half of the book was full of very wordy descriptions and mild character development. The pacing was a little strange and I wasn't sure what to expect from the rest of the book, but I'm happy to say the second half straightened out and came together a bit better.
There's a really neat story hidden in all those words and extra descriptive pieces that I wasn't fond of. The author's enthusiasm for story telling and writing is there-which is probably the best part of a difficult read-and I think the story could certainly be tidied up and that neat story could really come out.
Take childhood trauma/PTSD and mix it up with military/ultimate weapon-type stories and this is what you get. If that's your jam, The Augmented Man may be for you.
I enjoyed that the author wasn't afraid of the nasty, the gritty. When I think of super soldiers, I think of hostile mutant-type guys that seem indestructible and destructive, and I got that from this story. If the pacing was tightened up, those super soldiers and the rest of the characters really could have gone at it and made some really intense scenes. I love a good fight scene between a good guy and a bad guy and use it in my books, as well.
Solid 3-4 star book from Joseph Carrabis.
April 26, 2023
This intense near-future sci-fi story explores the question of "what do you do with a deadly weapon when it's no longer needed?" And when that deadly weapon is a person, an Augmented Man, is it possible for him to come home?
The bulk of the first half of the book delves into the psyche of "people who couldn't let go of war", namely Trailer, one of the Augmented Men, and explores whether he can be rehabituated or whether he'll need to be neutralized. Using flashbacks, that section also takes the reader through some of what was done to create the Augmented Men, the conditioning they experienced, and describes some of Trailer's traumatic childhood experiences that made him a candidate for the program. Then the second half of the book moves away from the heavy psychological thoughts and morphs into more of a political thriller, with plenty of action as Trailer fights for his own survival and for his love.
The story features some incredible descriptive details, such as "globs of rain arced down from the sky and exploded on Donaldson's shoulder boards". It's also heavily detailed in areas ranging from military equipment to psychology to anatomy and physiology. The story is well written, with intriguing characters, and flows smoothly, even the parts where it bounces from one time period to another, from chapter to chapter.
Overall, this was an engrossing read, thought-provoking, with a very plausible feel to it, informative in the psychological aspects and exploration of trauma, intense in the action in the latter parts and in the characters' memories. It's not a light read, but it is a satisfying one.
The bulk of the first half of the book delves into the psyche of "people who couldn't let go of war", namely Trailer, one of the Augmented Men, and explores whether he can be rehabituated or whether he'll need to be neutralized. Using flashbacks, that section also takes the reader through some of what was done to create the Augmented Men, the conditioning they experienced, and describes some of Trailer's traumatic childhood experiences that made him a candidate for the program. Then the second half of the book moves away from the heavy psychological thoughts and morphs into more of a political thriller, with plenty of action as Trailer fights for his own survival and for his love.
The story features some incredible descriptive details, such as "globs of rain arced down from the sky and exploded on Donaldson's shoulder boards". It's also heavily detailed in areas ranging from military equipment to psychology to anatomy and physiology. The story is well written, with intriguing characters, and flows smoothly, even the parts where it bounces from one time period to another, from chapter to chapter.
Overall, this was an engrossing read, thought-provoking, with a very plausible feel to it, informative in the psychological aspects and exploration of trauma, intense in the action in the latter parts and in the characters' memories. It's not a light read, but it is a satisfying one.
August 15, 2020
Author Joseph Carrabis (https://josephcarrabis.com/) published the novel “The Augmented Man” in 2019. Mr. Carrabis has published more than a dozen novels.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in the near-contemporary US.
The Augmented Men were created by the US to take brutal warfare to the enemy. All but one have, by the time of the story, died. The last one, Nick Trailer, surrenders himself to Captain James Donaldson. Donaldson is one of the men who created the Augmented men.
The two are left alone for days to talk about what has happened and how Trailer can if possible move forward with his life.
I had to call a Rule of 50 after 5+ hours reading this 313-page science fiction novel and abandon it. I had read 46% of it by then but I felt it was so dull and seemed to be going nowhere. I kept going on hoping that the story would develop, but, with disappointment, I just had to give it up. The author did a good job of writing, but I could not get interested in the plot. I do not like the cover art. It has as dark a feel to it as the story does. I give this novel a 2 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in the near-contemporary US.
The Augmented Men were created by the US to take brutal warfare to the enemy. All but one have, by the time of the story, died. The last one, Nick Trailer, surrenders himself to Captain James Donaldson. Donaldson is one of the men who created the Augmented men.
The two are left alone for days to talk about what has happened and how Trailer can if possible move forward with his life.
I had to call a Rule of 50 after 5+ hours reading this 313-page science fiction novel and abandon it. I had read 46% of it by then but I felt it was so dull and seemed to be going nowhere. I kept going on hoping that the story would develop, but, with disappointment, I just had to give it up. The author did a good job of writing, but I could not get interested in the plot. I do not like the cover art. It has as dark a feel to it as the story does. I give this novel a 2 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
May 29, 2020
Joseph Carrabis' "The Augmented Man" at first glance might appear to be just another military SF novel, but it's so much more that that. The story Carrabis tells with consummate skill is a reinvention of "Frankenstein", the classic tale by Mary Shelley. Set in a near future United States that seems very plausible, we are witness to the fate of a "monster" created by the US military who was supposed to die after accomplishing his mission, but managed to survive and return from a foreign war. It plumbs the depths of his psychology and those who were instrumental in his development, as the Augmented Man attempts to reclaim his humanity, even as the US military and his handlers work to terminate his existence. Not just a suspense thriller set in the future, this is an astonishing novel of great psychological depth and power that transcends its genre and its themes of love, redemption and what it means to be human will resonate with you long after you finish the book. I highly recommend it, whether you are a fan of SF or simply want a great read to explore.
May 4, 2021
A great insight into future military warfare
The Augmented man is a cleverly written piece that is set between a time period of 10 and 30 years from the now and focuses on issues surrounding childhood trauma and PTSD.
A Soldier returns to the USA from a war in South America, the sole survivor of his team and seeks out to confront his past to make peace with his current physical and mental state. Most of the book is centred on a dialog between Nicholas Trailer (the Augmented Man) and his Commander Donaldson. The tension, anger, the fear, confusion and suppressed volatility is palpable in this reunion. The authenticity of these scenes, thoughts, emotions and feelings drew me into this story and it kept me on my toes till the very end. I ended up empathising with all the characters in the book, particularly Trailer as he straddles the line of hero and anti-hero.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph on this book, and you can read my interview in this link..
https://rikachandra.medium.com/the-mi...
The Augmented man is a cleverly written piece that is set between a time period of 10 and 30 years from the now and focuses on issues surrounding childhood trauma and PTSD.
A Soldier returns to the USA from a war in South America, the sole survivor of his team and seeks out to confront his past to make peace with his current physical and mental state. Most of the book is centred on a dialog between Nicholas Trailer (the Augmented Man) and his Commander Donaldson. The tension, anger, the fear, confusion and suppressed volatility is palpable in this reunion. The authenticity of these scenes, thoughts, emotions and feelings drew me into this story and it kept me on my toes till the very end. I ended up empathising with all the characters in the book, particularly Trailer as he straddles the line of hero and anti-hero.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Joseph on this book, and you can read my interview in this link..
https://rikachandra.medium.com/the-mi...
January 20, 2020
I'm not normally a fan of science fiction or military thrillers, but the description of this book intrigued me and I was happy to win a review copy from Library Thing and Black Rose Writing.
I admire the author's ability to apply his knowledge of existing science, psychology, and technology to imagine and create a somewhat plausible future world. Complete with the obligatory evil, self-serving government officials.
Nick Trailer, the rogue augmented man whom the military had not expected to survive the war, starts out a bit like a monster but grows sympathetic by the end of the story. I enjoyed the relationship between him and his creator, Jim Donaldson, as the two had much more in common than they originally realized.
There was a lull in the middle where the characters delved into psychoanalysis, the intense final battle scene went on too long (I kept thinking each fight was the final one), and the ending left me a little cold. But otherwise, it was a fast-paced, entertaining read.
I admire the author's ability to apply his knowledge of existing science, psychology, and technology to imagine and create a somewhat plausible future world. Complete with the obligatory evil, self-serving government officials.
Nick Trailer, the rogue augmented man whom the military had not expected to survive the war, starts out a bit like a monster but grows sympathetic by the end of the story. I enjoyed the relationship between him and his creator, Jim Donaldson, as the two had much more in common than they originally realized.
There was a lull in the middle where the characters delved into psychoanalysis, the intense final battle scene went on too long (I kept thinking each fight was the final one), and the ending left me a little cold. But otherwise, it was a fast-paced, entertaining read.
September 3, 2023
The augmented man Nicholas Trailer is a man that was raised up and out of the traumatic ashes in a world on fire around him, a society that groomed, and enslaved the innocence of children, of this young man to be a soldier of evil, one of many thousands. Do we ever truly understand the underworld of absolute brutal darkness that stains the soul? a world that children are destroyed and used behind the veil of wars. augmented man takes the reader on a experience and introduces heroes like Captain James Donaldson, who made it his mission to save some children, and raise them from the horror and pain into augmented men. Nicholas Trailer was one of these boys, rescued, his journey will leave the reader spellbound, emotional and a champion for not only Nicholas, but for all of humanity that rises above great pain to have a light shine through them. * the author uses some of his own personal life experiences in his characters*
February 21, 2020
This is a blistering tour de force that delves into the sociology and psyche of both the Frankenstein monster creator and the monster himself. Joseph Carrabis has created a military and scientific warrior that could mind read and wipe out Rambo, Robocop and Steve Austin ‘The Bionic Man’ at once, in an instant.
The writing is masterful with the author displaying a depth of understanding of:
• Empathy – love, camaraderie and bond-ship
• Communication (verbal, none verbal, visual)
• Technology
• Science
• Psychoanalysis
• Intelligence based warfare
I was hooked by this line - ‘The function of intelligence isn’t to discover secrets, it’s to instil fear…’
I’m delighted to find an author who has a great catalogue of work ranging from fiction to state of the art Artificial Intelligence and expertise in IT.
The writing is masterful with the author displaying a depth of understanding of:
• Empathy – love, camaraderie and bond-ship
• Communication (verbal, none verbal, visual)
• Technology
• Science
• Psychoanalysis
• Intelligence based warfare
I was hooked by this line - ‘The function of intelligence isn’t to discover secrets, it’s to instil fear…’
I’m delighted to find an author who has a great catalogue of work ranging from fiction to state of the art Artificial Intelligence and expertise in IT.
April 20, 2020
I am not one to read science fiction thrillers but I was truly amazed how much feeling the author, Joseph Carrabis, has put into each character and the story. The Augmented Man is a deadly weapon!
The military looked for severely beaten up children who have no idea that anyone cares about them. The Military takes these abused kids and turns them into monsters capable of the most horrifying deeds without feeling or remorse. One of the men, Trailer, came back from the war.....how is he going to somehow fit in with "people"? He looks like a huge monster but under that guise he really still has feelings and is capable of loving and being loved.......
You will feel compassion, love, for the protagonist in this scary, caring story and see what the military is capable of doing........really a revelation on how far we would go to win a war !
The military looked for severely beaten up children who have no idea that anyone cares about them. The Military takes these abused kids and turns them into monsters capable of the most horrifying deeds without feeling or remorse. One of the men, Trailer, came back from the war.....how is he going to somehow fit in with "people"? He looks like a huge monster but under that guise he really still has feelings and is capable of loving and being loved.......
You will feel compassion, love, for the protagonist in this scary, caring story and see what the military is capable of doing........really a revelation on how far we would go to win a war !
June 6, 2020
Set in the future, this is a story of a high tech solider that has become redundant to the world after they have fought the wars. This story is so familiar in today’s world and the past, as governments the world over treat their returning soldiers with callousness and the lack of appreciation. Once the fighting is over, the government wants nothing more to do with those who have done their duty. It also brought up the memory of Ozzie Osborne’s Iron Man.
But what to do with a super soldier that cannot be destroyed. As the ex-soldier tries to find a place in the world, the government wants to get rid of its deadly secret. They draw battle lines, only to find that there is a more dangerous enemy on the battlefield.
The story is an exciting and thoughtful look at how soldiers are treated after the fighting stops.
But what to do with a super soldier that cannot be destroyed. As the ex-soldier tries to find a place in the world, the government wants to get rid of its deadly secret. They draw battle lines, only to find that there is a more dangerous enemy on the battlefield.
The story is an exciting and thoughtful look at how soldiers are treated after the fighting stops.
January 17, 2021
Honestly, it's science fiction but it feels prophetic. This book explores a Frankenstein-esqe relationship (and more) between monster and creator, but I can't tell where reality ends and the sci-fi starts. Brilliantly and empathically written, this novel takes you on a journey into the near future where the the lines between humans and technology have been thrown away and now they can't get it back. The authors knowledge of these matters goes beyond uncommon and makes me wonder if he isn't writing from experience in some clandestine black budget program. (Just joking... please don't kill me)
So glad I signed up for a virtual book signing at the beginning of the pandemic and bought this book. It's given me a lot to digest and think about. Carrabis is a gifted writer, possibly a cyborg and I will definitely be looking into more of his work.
So glad I signed up for a virtual book signing at the beginning of the pandemic and bought this book. It's given me a lot to digest and think about. Carrabis is a gifted writer, possibly a cyborg and I will definitely be looking into more of his work.
June 6, 2020
Lots of interesting technology outlined in the story.
I struggled a bit with the first half of the book while the characters were being developed. Somewhat dark, and it triggered empathy and deep emotions as I was reading.
Once I got into the second half of the book, it was riveting and fast paced and difficult to put down. There were a few twists and turns that made the story even more interesting.
I was glad I read it on my Kindle because there was a bit of medical and military terminology that I could look up as I read which helped to clarify parts of the story.
Overall, a good read. I am looking forward to Joseph’s next book.
I struggled a bit with the first half of the book while the characters were being developed. Somewhat dark, and it triggered empathy and deep emotions as I was reading.
Once I got into the second half of the book, it was riveting and fast paced and difficult to put down. There were a few twists and turns that made the story even more interesting.
I was glad I read it on my Kindle because there was a bit of medical and military terminology that I could look up as I read which helped to clarify parts of the story.
Overall, a good read. I am looking forward to Joseph’s next book.
July 2, 2023
Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. A visual and intelligent morally gray story that leaves you haunted as in this future time the US military show on honor in abusing already traumatized children and turning them into terrifying soldiers to fulfill whatever is needed. And Nick Trailer, he was once of those taken and experimented upon, now he's trying to put his live back into something that allows him to regain his humanity that was stolen from him. Scarred by his time, Nick becomes a force all his own and those that tortured him are now the hunted; where death would be a mercy.
December 10, 2019
This is a new author to me and I am flabbergasted at how awesome this book is. Pulled into the story from the beginning, I was compelled to read until I could not hold my eyes open any longer. This is an awesome story with strong and awesome characters such as Nick (the augmented man). This is a fast-paced story with an incredible ending. I would love to see more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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