Elixir Project
Will this fact set Sienna free or plunge her into an even bigger lie?
Sienna Lewis lives in a world constantly threatened by a hacktivist group known as SWARM. After SWARM executes its deadliest attack yet, Sienna and her three college friends learn they have been chosen for the ELIXIR Project—a master plan designed to overthrow SWARM—and participation is mandatory.
As she faces the deadly challenges of the Project, Sienna confronts layers of conspiracies that force her to question everyone she trusts and everything she believes about her friends, her parents’ untimely deaths, and herself—all while staying one step ahead of SWARM. In this fast-paced, near-future thriller, will love and loyalty have time to catch up with Sienna? Or will she crack under the pressure of a future already chosen for her?
SAMPLE:
“Strip search ’em,” barks the senior TSA officer to his junior. Then he lowers his voice. “After last week’s events, I’m not taking any chances.”
The younger officer snaps up from his stool. “You heard him. You two, follow me!” he says, scowling at an attractive couple in their mid-twenties. Both look innocent enough. What set the agents off? I’m not sure if the junior officer’s abrupt tone is meant to impress his superior or intimidate those of us waiting in line. Judging by our expressions, I don’t think either strategy is working well for Mr. Mall Cop.
“You can’t be serious,” the woman says. “I’m not going with you. And I’m definitely not getting naked.”
Her travel companion jumps in. “We’re just tech professionals on our way to meet with a private client in London. Why the search?”
They argue back and forth. Their growing resistance and escalating voices cause other officers to stop their check-in process. Pens freeze midway through verifying a long line of travelers anxious to get through security and one step closer to their anticipated destinations.
The other officers place their paperwork down and shuffle closer to the couple. Easygoing chitchat among the passengers dissipates. Like a thin metal wire stretched
taut, the patience in the room is dangerously close to snapping.
“I think there’s going to be a problem here,” Nick whispers to me, Darren, and Chloe.
“Yeah,” Chloe says. “This is starting to feel a little weird.”
The senior officer towers directly over the couple in front of us. He looks crusty and weathered, like old leather left out in the afternoon sun too long. His eyes bug out slightly, but oddly they don’t blink. He’s close enough to smell—a musty odor, a mixture of cheap aftershave and wet dog. I read the lettering on his narrow tan name tag:
Officer McNultey
“Don’t give us that ‘tech professional’ spiel,” the irritable officer hisses. “We know exactly who you are. We can either discuss details here or privately back in
our control room.”
At the words control room, I catch a glimmer in his eye. Maybe even a wink?
The woman’s eyebrows narrow. “I said, I’m not going anywhere with you.” Her speech drips of a strength that I envy. Her associate maintains his poise, too, but I’m near
enough to see his fingers twitch nervously. I’m sure he’s capable, but the officers outnumber him half a dozen to one.
I want to look at my three friends instead. Maybe they know something I don’t? But that would require turning from McNultey, and I’m not sure that’s a good
idea.
“We have passports and papers,” the young businessman says, reaching in his pocket.
“Stop! And keep your hands where we can see them. We know you’re linked with a SWARM sleeper cell here in the States.”
Time stumbles and spins as I process his accusation. SWARM? Here? Now? A bead of perspiration trickles slowly down McNultey’s face.
“Did you say SWARM?” a deep voice growls directly behind me.
Something hard smacks my back...
Reviews (345)
I can't believe I read this so fast!
I can't believe I read this so fast! I'm not generally a techie thriller reader. I usually go for the assassination/conspiracy theory/lone wolf type of books. And although the sci fi aspects of this were far fetched I just could NOT put this book down. And when it ended and I figured out this was just published and there's no sequel yet?!?!? Aaarrrggghhh!!!
Intensely Intriguing and Captivating...Be Very Afraid
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water [cue Jaws theme]...Things are not what they seem to be. Trust nobody. Trust nothing. Will SWARM find you? Does ELIXIR have the solution? If you are drawn to the Hunger Games arena, you will not be able to resist ELIXIR Project. I simply can't put the book down. As each chapter unfolds, I am more and more certain that this is a life-changing novel. You are being hacked--whether you like it or not. What should you do? Read ELIXIR Project...and find out. Oh, Kary Oberbrunner, when is the sequel coming out?! I'm on the edge of my seat, just waiting...
Cliffhanger ending!
It's mostly well written except for a couple of errors that make me cringe! The 1-star rating is because the book was too long, too convoluted, and just didn't make sense much of the time. And worst of all...the cliffhanger ending. Arrrrgh! Please, authors, give readers a warning so we can avoid your books with cliffhanger endings and thus vow never to read another of your books again!
Lacks a Believable Premise
Normally, I'm a total fan of SciFi, but I don't see what all the raving is about. While well written, it lacks a believable premise, takes major leaps of faith, and reaches conclusions never explained. For example, (spoiler alert) the fact the majority of the "un-hackables" were hacked into self-destruction is never explained. How, why did that happen? Finally, the ending was especially frustrating in that the author seemed to pull out the old "the butler did it" kind of surprise. Sorry, but I don't want to waste more time writing this review. I did want to warn you that while the beginning seems like it might go somewhere, it never does.
This is the second book I read from Kary Oberbrunner
This is the second book I read from Kary Oberbrunner. It's hard not to ask what it means that "everything can be hacked even the truth." And the book trailer makes my curiosity grows stronger. I have to post the free book trailer here. I believe some of you would like it as much as I do. [...] The book is interesting. The main characters are four college students. I enjoy reading the shy Sienna's secret admiration toward Darren. It brings me back my memory when I was a college student. These four students are a bit different from the regular college students' profile. They involve in Elixir Project to fight a crime group called, SWARM. I had fun reading it!
Note that this is YA fiction and noticeably so...
I almost felt bad giving a 3 star review when all the reviews were 5 stars, but I got a few chapters in before going back to the Amazon listing trying to see if I had missed something that said this book was written for teenagers. Eventually I found it, one line in the "further details" mentioning that it was for children 12-18. That explains a lot. It feels like I'm reading a screenplay for the next YA sci-fi flick, complete with cheesy code names and ominous bad guys. The very first page had me scratching my head and thinking "really?". It's just all too contrived. It could be very entertaining to a grade 10 kid but I think the author should modify the description and mention somewhere that it's Young Adult fiction.
Dead end
Really great writer and plot - kept me wanting more - but then it just ended with no hope of a righteous outcome over Swarm. I am sorry but it just didn't make me want to pick up another one of the author's books.
I loved this story
I listened to the audio version of Kary Oberbrunner's book, and while I am not usually a sci-fi fan at all, I loved this story! I found myself waiting for my next driving commute or gap in my day so that I could listen to the next installment. The plot and characters kept me well engaged from start to finish; I was sorry when it ended, and will certainly be on the lookout for its sequel. It's a very interesting and imaginative take on a scary reality that threatens most of us on many levels and aspects of our lives, and as such is thought-provoking as well as entertaining. In addition, it is very well narrated by a talented young lady who maintained a great consistency of voices and accents throughout. Thoroughly recommended! (Will definitely be buying a hard copy of the book for keeps, sharing and second reading...)
Brilliant
This book quickly grabbed me and before I knew it I was immersed into this new world of possibilities. This story challenge my mind at every turn and I loved it. It is so good that it stays with you long after you stop reading. I know I will want to read it again while waiting for book #2.
Glad I Got For Free
Story was okay but writing, dialogue, character development, story logic, etc. were disappointing. Decided to read based solely on the outstanding ratings and reviews. After reading, however, I don't understand or agree with either the high ratings or the reviews. Feel like I wasted my time and that other reviewers must have been reading a different book. Do not recommend.
Comments
Post a Comment