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Cronix
Recreational suicide bombings and revelers in fancy dress throwing themselves from the top of the Empire State Building: when scientists break the final frontier of Death and find a way for the soul to live forever, humanity leaves Earth with a bang, bound for a man-made paradise. On the Orbiters, supercomputers riding beyond the edge of Earth's atmosphere, these Eternals live out their wildest dreams or build fantastic idylls, free at last from the tyranny of Evolution.
Back on Earth, however, the man known to history simply as the Missing Link is hiding out in the woods. Luis Oriente was the product of a brutal but successful experiment to capture a human mind and synthesize it into ultra-human form. Not quite mortal, and fearful of heaven, Oriente has spent centuries fleeing his past, living a quiet life in the woods, far from prying eyes.
But when a giant wolf disrupts the rhythm of the forest to deliver a cryptic message, Oriente is dragged back into the turbulent currents of the history he has tried so hard to forget. Something is rotten in paradise, and Evolution is not quite done with humanity yet.
Back on Earth, however, the man known to history simply as the Missing Link is hiding out in the woods. Luis Oriente was the product of a brutal but successful experiment to capture a human mind and synthesize it into ultra-human form. Not quite mortal, and fearful of heaven, Oriente has spent centuries fleeing his past, living a quiet life in the woods, far from prying eyes.
But when a giant wolf disrupts the rhythm of the forest to deliver a cryptic message, Oriente is dragged back into the turbulent currents of the history he has tried so hard to forget. Something is rotten in paradise, and Evolution is not quite done with humanity yet.
- GenresScience Fiction
400 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2014
About the author
James Hider
4 books22 followersI have always been fascinated by what you might call the pathology of ideas -- how they mutate as different societies inherit, steal or are infected by foreign concepts, customs and gods. How a Disney character can become an icon of Islamist martyrdom, how we invent gods because we are afraid of dying, then end up dying for these invented gods. Having seen at first hand, and all too often, the most extreme results of these ever-warping ideas, I sat down and tried to write about them in "Spiders of Allah," the result of seven years covering conflict across the Middle East. Because the history of the region stretches back so far, the ideas that have come out of it have had millennia to warp and twist. You can see front lines that date back thousands of years, and which are still being fought over, affecting people's lives around the world. And what really fascinated me was, what if many of these central ideas are not only absurd, but extremely dangerous?
After Spiders was published, I covered the Arab Spring, and for a while there on Tahrir Square and Benghazi, I was hopeful the rational might sweep away the power of the supernatural. Unfortunately, the subsequent chaos in the region has shown the abiding power of religious division, sectarianism and the deep-seated power of hatred and fear.
After Spiders was published, I covered the Arab Spring, and for a while there on Tahrir Square and Benghazi, I was hopeful the rational might sweep away the power of the supernatural. Unfortunately, the subsequent chaos in the region has shown the abiding power of religious division, sectarianism and the deep-seated power of hatred and fear.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 11, 2015
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Intelligent science fiction, unafraid to tackle big ideas is sometimes deficient in other areas - I have read plenty of 'ideas' novels where the author gets so carried away that the plot or the characters get left behind. I'm pleased to say that Cronix doesn't fall into those traps.
It starts with a standard SF trope: what happens if humans become immortal? Thankfully, it quickly establishes itself as more thoughtful on the subject than most; immortality is not presented as a plot device so that we can experience deep space travel or the passing of epochs; simply as an end in itself, which is refreshing. Instead, we have a divided tale of the history of how the breakthrough was made - it involves digitally storing the human mind, which may be a little over-used, but it is handles well - and the consequences of having millions of minds with no better thing to do than amuse themselves, which leads to...
Which leads to some philosophy and earnest thinking about the nature of religion and the rights of sentient beings which are played out believably for the most part and lead to a conclusion which not only satisfies but leaves itself open to further development.
The plot is generally solid, although there are a couple of grey areas - in particular, I found myself wondering about the role of finance in the scenario; the drive to immortality is presented as a straightforward choice of all, where I couldn't help feeling that the costs involved would have made it significantly more complex than that, and that the politics and religious aspects were underplayed.
Overall, however, a satisfying read which reminded me very much of the work of Adam Roberts and had more than a hint of JG Ballard in there.
Intelligent science fiction, unafraid to tackle big ideas is sometimes deficient in other areas - I have read plenty of 'ideas' novels where the author gets so carried away that the plot or the characters get left behind. I'm pleased to say that Cronix doesn't fall into those traps.
It starts with a standard SF trope: what happens if humans become immortal? Thankfully, it quickly establishes itself as more thoughtful on the subject than most; immortality is not presented as a plot device so that we can experience deep space travel or the passing of epochs; simply as an end in itself, which is refreshing. Instead, we have a divided tale of the history of how the breakthrough was made - it involves digitally storing the human mind, which may be a little over-used, but it is handles well - and the consequences of having millions of minds with no better thing to do than amuse themselves, which leads to...
Which leads to some philosophy and earnest thinking about the nature of religion and the rights of sentient beings which are played out believably for the most part and lead to a conclusion which not only satisfies but leaves itself open to further development.
The plot is generally solid, although there are a couple of grey areas - in particular, I found myself wondering about the role of finance in the scenario; the drive to immortality is presented as a straightforward choice of all, where I couldn't help feeling that the costs involved would have made it significantly more complex than that, and that the politics and religious aspects were underplayed.
Overall, however, a satisfying read which reminded me very much of the work of Adam Roberts and had more than a hint of JG Ballard in there.
May 23, 2016
I just finished reading Cronix and loved it. It was very difficult to put down.
The author takes us through a possible future (with some suspension of disbelief) with as a starting point a recognisable world with believable characters; and riffs through the unintended consequences of what a cyber eternity might look like: what would happen if Man is given all the keys to become God? The book is fast paced, but in between reads I found myself thinking back to some of the issues it raised.
Finishing this was like stepping out of an Escher drawing.
A great read.
The author takes us through a possible future (with some suspension of disbelief) with as a starting point a recognisable world with believable characters; and riffs through the unintended consequences of what a cyber eternity might look like: what would happen if Man is given all the keys to become God? The book is fast paced, but in between reads I found myself thinking back to some of the issues it raised.
Finishing this was like stepping out of an Escher drawing.
A great read.
February 25, 2015
As far as original story concept goes, this is one of the best I've read in a while from a new author.
The world of the Cronix is pre-apocalyptic and leads the reader thru the crisis of the world and into the post apocalyptic norm. It has been a long time since I've been able to use the term “epic” in its true sense of the word. The story opens with Luis Oriente as The Hunter, living as a hermit in the woods outside London – 600 years after the revolutionary technology made permanent death obsolete. Humans signed up by the millions to be “chipped” – a process that allowed their conscious mind to be uploaded into a computer transfer system – and participate in mass suicide/homicide to move “airside” during an event called Exodus. Once airside, the extracted minds are allowed to enjoy the “after world” of any number of visions of heaven, or be sent back to earth as Eternals in carefully engineered avatar bodies.
Hider takes the reader on an adventure through the woods that uses the changed environment and futuristic landmarks (places of noteworthy mass death), to describe the aftereffects of the Exodus, and some of the denizens, mainly scolds and Cronix, that now inhabit the Earth, and describes the life of the indigenous humans, those that have not been chipped and have raised their children naturally. After Oriente is caught for unlicensed regeneration, another layer of the story begins as Oriente tells of his origins as the Missing Link, and how all the uploads began. During this tale, the apocalypse happens, and the next segment of his journey occurs, and the reader witnesses the downfall of all the systems that made concepts of God and literal death abstract thoughts.
I enjoyed all the philosophy and religious discussions these highly intelligent characters perform, all meant to engage the reader intellectually on a deep, emotional level. There is love, controversy, beauty (aesthetic and esoteric), heroics and humor that entertains the ironic nature of humanity; all mixed together in a compelling story that had me searching my own views of the origin of human conscientiousness. The most awesome aspect of this story was that there is no specific antagonist (unless you count the Cronix that have no minds and are nothing but killing/breeding entities); no single villain to blame everything that goes wrong onto. There are many people that have adjusted to the new world, some who are working towards its betterment or at least consistent upkeep, and a few who have taken advantage of its short falls (a criminal element), but mostly there are the Sapiens that are neither good nor evil.
Luis Oriente is the main perspective character, but there are a variety of perspectives as the story moves along. Whether you support the theory of creation or evolution, whether you are atheist, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or follow some other form of higher being, I think this story will appeal intellectually and spiritually to all.
The only complaint I have with this novel is in the editing – or lack of. Had the story concept not been so well developed and compelling, I would have put it down within the first couple chapters. The author’s ability to tell a superior story kept me turning pages, despite the technical errors that consistently pulled me out of the well developed and intriguing world. I give Cronix a 4 star rating, but would gladly up it to a 7 star if Mr Hider were to hire an editor and upgrade the quality of the reading. I am looking forward to reading more from this debut author.
The world of the Cronix is pre-apocalyptic and leads the reader thru the crisis of the world and into the post apocalyptic norm. It has been a long time since I've been able to use the term “epic” in its true sense of the word. The story opens with Luis Oriente as The Hunter, living as a hermit in the woods outside London – 600 years after the revolutionary technology made permanent death obsolete. Humans signed up by the millions to be “chipped” – a process that allowed their conscious mind to be uploaded into a computer transfer system – and participate in mass suicide/homicide to move “airside” during an event called Exodus. Once airside, the extracted minds are allowed to enjoy the “after world” of any number of visions of heaven, or be sent back to earth as Eternals in carefully engineered avatar bodies.
Hider takes the reader on an adventure through the woods that uses the changed environment and futuristic landmarks (places of noteworthy mass death), to describe the aftereffects of the Exodus, and some of the denizens, mainly scolds and Cronix, that now inhabit the Earth, and describes the life of the indigenous humans, those that have not been chipped and have raised their children naturally. After Oriente is caught for unlicensed regeneration, another layer of the story begins as Oriente tells of his origins as the Missing Link, and how all the uploads began. During this tale, the apocalypse happens, and the next segment of his journey occurs, and the reader witnesses the downfall of all the systems that made concepts of God and literal death abstract thoughts.
I enjoyed all the philosophy and religious discussions these highly intelligent characters perform, all meant to engage the reader intellectually on a deep, emotional level. There is love, controversy, beauty (aesthetic and esoteric), heroics and humor that entertains the ironic nature of humanity; all mixed together in a compelling story that had me searching my own views of the origin of human conscientiousness. The most awesome aspect of this story was that there is no specific antagonist (unless you count the Cronix that have no minds and are nothing but killing/breeding entities); no single villain to blame everything that goes wrong onto. There are many people that have adjusted to the new world, some who are working towards its betterment or at least consistent upkeep, and a few who have taken advantage of its short falls (a criminal element), but mostly there are the Sapiens that are neither good nor evil.
Luis Oriente is the main perspective character, but there are a variety of perspectives as the story moves along. Whether you support the theory of creation or evolution, whether you are atheist, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or follow some other form of higher being, I think this story will appeal intellectually and spiritually to all.
The only complaint I have with this novel is in the editing – or lack of. Had the story concept not been so well developed and compelling, I would have put it down within the first couple chapters. The author’s ability to tell a superior story kept me turning pages, despite the technical errors that consistently pulled me out of the well developed and intriguing world. I give Cronix a 4 star rating, but would gladly up it to a 7 star if Mr Hider were to hire an editor and upgrade the quality of the reading. I am looking forward to reading more from this debut author.
February 27, 2015
Disclosure: I received a review copy for the purpose of reviewing this book.
Cronix was alright. The premise was interesting, and Hider weaves some interesting subtleties into the story. He clearly wants more to be going on underneath the plot, and he accomplishes that. But the story just did not grab. One of the main characters, Luis, at no point seems like the 600-year-old man he apparently is. Luis's story is filled with way too much expository dialogue. Some things thrown under the veneer of "You don't know about ? Where have you been? Well let me tell you..." are ok and somewhat expected in a sci-fi novel, but it's just too much in Luis' storyline. More of the details of the world needed to unfold naturally, perhaps with a little more characterization to Luis himself as we're hearing from him. The story picks up later but it's just too front-loaded to keep someone reading.
We also hear from Glenn Rose, and here we have a much more interesting story, taking place years before. Glenn's story is much more compelling, has a variety of twists and turns and things are kept moving. It acts as a sort of background for the world Luis finds himself in, but I think it's better on it's own. I know both storylines are mixed up with one another, but I couldn't help feeling that Glenn's story could have worked as a short story or a novella and been a much tighter experience.
The writing is functional. It does it's job, but nothing really jumped out at me during the read. The dialogue could use some work, especially in the opening parts which sprinkled some pretty heavy accents in there to little effect. The action is splinte
As I said at the beginning of the review, Cronix is alright. It's not bad, but it wasn't memorable.
Cronix was alright. The premise was interesting, and Hider weaves some interesting subtleties into the story. He clearly wants more to be going on underneath the plot, and he accomplishes that. But the story just did not grab. One of the main characters, Luis, at no point seems like the 600-year-old man he apparently is. Luis's story is filled with way too much expository dialogue. Some things thrown under the veneer of "You don't know about ? Where have you been? Well let me tell you..." are ok and somewhat expected in a sci-fi novel, but it's just too much in Luis' storyline. More of the details of the world needed to unfold naturally, perhaps with a little more characterization to Luis himself as we're hearing from him. The story picks up later but it's just too front-loaded to keep someone reading.
We also hear from Glenn Rose, and here we have a much more interesting story, taking place years before. Glenn's story is much more compelling, has a variety of twists and turns and things are kept moving. It acts as a sort of background for the world Luis finds himself in, but I think it's better on it's own. I know both storylines are mixed up with one another, but I couldn't help feeling that Glenn's story could have worked as a short story or a novella and been a much tighter experience.
The writing is functional. It does it's job, but nothing really jumped out at me during the read. The dialogue could use some work, especially in the opening parts which sprinkled some pretty heavy accents in there to little effect. The action is splinte
As I said at the beginning of the review, Cronix is alright. It's not bad, but it wasn't memorable.
September 16, 2023
Cronix
Cronix is a awesome adventure. This story leaves you wanting more from first page to the very last page. Looking forward to reading more!
Cronix is a awesome adventure. This story leaves you wanting more from first page to the very last page. Looking forward to reading more!
September 24, 2019
Incredibly interesting tale
What a strange and interesting tale. I've never read anything like this. My only complaint is the ending. This easily could have been a two-book series. The epilogue leaves much to be desired; but I still recommend the book.
What a strange and interesting tale. I've never read anything like this. My only complaint is the ending. This easily could have been a two-book series. The epilogue leaves much to be desired; but I still recommend the book.
April 30, 2015
What a tremendous novel! I was lucky to be approached by the author and asked to read and review the book which can be somewhat of a mixed blessing - clearly the author is interested in a critique of their work but to be brutally honest is sometimes an awkward thing to do. No such concern was required here though, Hider having done a wonderful job of coming up with a well thought out and unique story that has been extremely well executed.
Having read Doctorow's Magic Kingdom years ago and Richard Morgan's Takeshi Novak novels recently I was concerned at first that Hider was going over old ground with the concept of humans finding a 'cure' for death but firstly I really enjoyed the style of storytelling and layer discovered that the story had many hidden elements and was not going where I expected.
I loved the way Hider tells the story of Oriente's present alongside the origins of mankind's new evolutionary leap towards a digitally-stored consciousness-only existence, it gives proper character to both time lines and allows each to develop at their own pace. The actual theme of the book is slowly revealed as it becomes apparent that although many see becoming an Eternal is the correct next step for mankind, there are others who believe we should live one life and die a real death, not be reborn as a mind in a spaceship. Add into the mix 'failed downloads' - the Cronix of the title - beings that were meant to be temporary skins for Eternals fancying some coporeal time back on Earth but didn't work quite right and ended as a pre-human automoton of sorts, capable only of killing, eating and existing.
There's a real dark edge in this book - I think borne of the fact that the Eternals are just different and have moved on from the morals of humanity somewhat. It's a very clever concept to capture and is one of the things that gives the novel such a futuristic and fantastical air. It's also very classic 'hard sci-fi', nothing is given for free or spelt out initially, you have to invest time in understanding what's going on and that was what I enjoyed. Some truly unique concepts and a wonderful storytelling style made this for me an extremely enjoyable and enthralling read. Brilliant!
Having read Doctorow's Magic Kingdom years ago and Richard Morgan's Takeshi Novak novels recently I was concerned at first that Hider was going over old ground with the concept of humans finding a 'cure' for death but firstly I really enjoyed the style of storytelling and layer discovered that the story had many hidden elements and was not going where I expected.
I loved the way Hider tells the story of Oriente's present alongside the origins of mankind's new evolutionary leap towards a digitally-stored consciousness-only existence, it gives proper character to both time lines and allows each to develop at their own pace. The actual theme of the book is slowly revealed as it becomes apparent that although many see becoming an Eternal is the correct next step for mankind, there are others who believe we should live one life and die a real death, not be reborn as a mind in a spaceship. Add into the mix 'failed downloads' - the Cronix of the title - beings that were meant to be temporary skins for Eternals fancying some coporeal time back on Earth but didn't work quite right and ended as a pre-human automoton of sorts, capable only of killing, eating and existing.
There's a real dark edge in this book - I think borne of the fact that the Eternals are just different and have moved on from the morals of humanity somewhat. It's a very clever concept to capture and is one of the things that gives the novel such a futuristic and fantastical air. It's also very classic 'hard sci-fi', nothing is given for free or spelt out initially, you have to invest time in understanding what's going on and that was what I enjoyed. Some truly unique concepts and a wonderful storytelling style made this for me an extremely enjoyable and enthralling read. Brilliant!
February 11, 2015
This is near future post human science fiction. The premise is that humanity works out how to upload consciousness to virtual worlds and this results in amazing breakthroughs of scientific knowledge and an effective end to death. Almost everyone chooses to join the exodus from fleshy existence to living eternally in the comfort of virtual worlds.
The story is set several hundred years after the break through. Told from multiple points of view, including flashbacks to the pre uploading memories of one of the protagonists. It takes a while to build to sound engagement because you need to get engaged with each of the viewpoints, but when you get there you really are engaged.
There is a clear sense of a believable future world, it sort of makes sense given the technology. To relieve boredom a very small number of the Eternals re-manifest in flesh either to maintain things or to reproduce, offspring only come in the old fashioned way. There are also descendants of those that chose not to be uploaded still on Earth. Lastly, there are also those that have been thrown out of the Orbiters for criminal activity.
The story mainly revolves around a single character who was involved in the original research on uploading as a test subject. Choosing to stay on Earth with a phobia of the virtual worlds he is forced out of his backwoods life (in Dorking) and driven into London where he comes to the attention of the authorities. He is very much a reluctant hero, doing the right thing but forced to act either by the authorities or by some shadowy agents of another power that remains anonymous most of the way through the story.
This was an interesting read and it made me think a little when I was reading it. Not least of which I wondered where the power and maintenance of the orbiters was coming from. However, that isn't relevant for the story. There is a god story in here and one that continues past the end of the book. I know that there is a sequel in progress and I will look out for it.
The story is set several hundred years after the break through. Told from multiple points of view, including flashbacks to the pre uploading memories of one of the protagonists. It takes a while to build to sound engagement because you need to get engaged with each of the viewpoints, but when you get there you really are engaged.
There is a clear sense of a believable future world, it sort of makes sense given the technology. To relieve boredom a very small number of the Eternals re-manifest in flesh either to maintain things or to reproduce, offspring only come in the old fashioned way. There are also descendants of those that chose not to be uploaded still on Earth. Lastly, there are also those that have been thrown out of the Orbiters for criminal activity.
The story mainly revolves around a single character who was involved in the original research on uploading as a test subject. Choosing to stay on Earth with a phobia of the virtual worlds he is forced out of his backwoods life (in Dorking) and driven into London where he comes to the attention of the authorities. He is very much a reluctant hero, doing the right thing but forced to act either by the authorities or by some shadowy agents of another power that remains anonymous most of the way through the story.
This was an interesting read and it made me think a little when I was reading it. Not least of which I wondered where the power and maintenance of the orbiters was coming from. However, that isn't relevant for the story. There is a god story in here and one that continues past the end of the book. I know that there is a sequel in progress and I will look out for it.
December 27, 2014
I don't know where to begin this review. This book was intense, marvelously imaginative and even somewhat terrifying. Whether you are and individual of faith, one of science or a believer of both you will find yourself completely entranced with this novel.
Hider creates a riveting tale of life after presumably death. The idea that the mind is something that can live beyond the body and the future that, that knowledge could potentially lead too. That what makes up a person has nothing to do with their physical being but everything to do with the manifestation of their mind. Its memories, thoughts, feelings, ambitions. He builds a world where the definition of a human being has come to mean something entirely different then what we know today. A world where empathy is nil and the value of life is diminished because there isn't any fear of death. There are so many boundaries pushed and crossed in this tale; the dismantling and rebuilding of religious beliefs, the defiance of death and time, and the concept of evolution or the circle of life.
This novel had me questioning the impossible and believing in its possibility. Hider's writing is eloquent and his transitions between periods of time are flawless throughout the story. I enjoyed how the book weaved stories within other stories as well as the entwined parallels with both science and religion. The characters in Hider's novel are fascinating, especially Oriente who will have you utterly enraptured in his storytelling. Hider's novel is that of a magnificent puzzle or mystery where clues of mankind's outcome are placed ever so carefully throughout the plot. Then those pieces and clues fall into place in what can only be described as evolution's way of rectifying imbalance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel it is well written, enlightening and genuinely captivating.
Hider creates a riveting tale of life after presumably death. The idea that the mind is something that can live beyond the body and the future that, that knowledge could potentially lead too. That what makes up a person has nothing to do with their physical being but everything to do with the manifestation of their mind. Its memories, thoughts, feelings, ambitions. He builds a world where the definition of a human being has come to mean something entirely different then what we know today. A world where empathy is nil and the value of life is diminished because there isn't any fear of death. There are so many boundaries pushed and crossed in this tale; the dismantling and rebuilding of religious beliefs, the defiance of death and time, and the concept of evolution or the circle of life.
This novel had me questioning the impossible and believing in its possibility. Hider's writing is eloquent and his transitions between periods of time are flawless throughout the story. I enjoyed how the book weaved stories within other stories as well as the entwined parallels with both science and religion. The characters in Hider's novel are fascinating, especially Oriente who will have you utterly enraptured in his storytelling. Hider's novel is that of a magnificent puzzle or mystery where clues of mankind's outcome are placed ever so carefully throughout the plot. Then those pieces and clues fall into place in what can only be described as evolution's way of rectifying imbalance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel it is well written, enlightening and genuinely captivating.
November 1, 2014
James Hider, a veteran war correspondent with a wicked sense of humor, took a stab at a science fiction and came up with this compelling tale: Cronix. It’s about time. Or rather, reincarnation.
This novel redefines heaven and earth, death and desire, myth and reality --all in a very literal sense. There’s a decidedly fast pace and a droll turn of phrase. Plus an unlikely love story woven into the action. Aside from the hero, a hermit who lacks the mandatory computer chip implant in his brain and has kept himself hidden from authorities for six centuries, readers will encounter recreational suicide bombings, visitations by a gargantuan wolf, and plenty of bizarre characters in a futuristic class system.
Hider’s imagery is vividly weird, so I couldn’t sleep and kept reading to find out what happened next. The author uses some of the conventions of horror, fantasy and war stories and turns them inside out. The decidedly odd gods of the future cannot hold their own against the hero’s sacrilegious logic. The central ideas that power this weird future society are challenged at every turn. After reading the blurb, I was expecting some version of Clockwork Orange meets White Fang -- but encountered something far more original. Cronix made me laugh out loud and then rethink. Now I am going to read it again!
This novel redefines heaven and earth, death and desire, myth and reality --all in a very literal sense. There’s a decidedly fast pace and a droll turn of phrase. Plus an unlikely love story woven into the action. Aside from the hero, a hermit who lacks the mandatory computer chip implant in his brain and has kept himself hidden from authorities for six centuries, readers will encounter recreational suicide bombings, visitations by a gargantuan wolf, and plenty of bizarre characters in a futuristic class system.
Hider’s imagery is vividly weird, so I couldn’t sleep and kept reading to find out what happened next. The author uses some of the conventions of horror, fantasy and war stories and turns them inside out. The decidedly odd gods of the future cannot hold their own against the hero’s sacrilegious logic. The central ideas that power this weird future society are challenged at every turn. After reading the blurb, I was expecting some version of Clockwork Orange meets White Fang -- but encountered something far more original. Cronix made me laugh out loud and then rethink. Now I am going to read it again!
May 24, 2015
I have to say I haven't read a book that good and fresh since a long time.
I've absorbed quite renowned novel "Blindsight" recently, which is mostly about consciousness, and tries to answer some philosophical questions, but Cronix made much stronger impression on me.
James Hider tries to think, what would it be like if humans could upload contents of their brain into some kind of "cloud". This simple idea is just a pretext to rethink what is soul, what value has life, how to deal with immortality and omnipotence in virtual reality.
And of course, how would it change mankind.
Story is well carried by the author. Plot is beeing revealed gradually but in good pace. There is an atmosphere of mystery to the very end, but as you get to know main character better - puzzles methodically fit to their places.
The very moment, when I started to understand what is really going on, gave me a lot of satisfaction. I mean this feeling that everything has been in front of me all the time but I couldn't see it.
I love books which force me to think about life and this one did its job superbly.
"Cronix" is a "must have" to all hard science fiction fans. And not only for them.
I recommend it to everyone who want to read something wise, fresh and inspiring.
I hope we will hear from James Hider soon. I can't wait to read next novel of his.
I've absorbed quite renowned novel "Blindsight" recently, which is mostly about consciousness, and tries to answer some philosophical questions, but Cronix made much stronger impression on me.
James Hider tries to think, what would it be like if humans could upload contents of their brain into some kind of "cloud". This simple idea is just a pretext to rethink what is soul, what value has life, how to deal with immortality and omnipotence in virtual reality.
And of course, how would it change mankind.
Story is well carried by the author. Plot is beeing revealed gradually but in good pace. There is an atmosphere of mystery to the very end, but as you get to know main character better - puzzles methodically fit to their places.
The very moment, when I started to understand what is really going on, gave me a lot of satisfaction. I mean this feeling that everything has been in front of me all the time but I couldn't see it.
I love books which force me to think about life and this one did its job superbly.
"Cronix" is a "must have" to all hard science fiction fans. And not only for them.
I recommend it to everyone who want to read something wise, fresh and inspiring.
I hope we will hear from James Hider soon. I can't wait to read next novel of his.
December 22, 2014
Can we control our conscious state, eventually harness it, perhaps recreate it? Even if we developed such a power, do we have the right to play God? These moral questions and many others surface during the reading of "Cronix." This novel spans the scope of many lives but manages to do so within the same characters, all while explaining a lofty Science Fiction concept and its damaging effects on Earth society. Though such ideas have been attempted before in books and movies alike, this novel remains unique in its scope and perspective. There are echoes of Neil Stephenson in the beginning; you find yourself immersed in a world that as a reader you do not fully understand. It is worth the trouble to stick through the confusion, as it quickly becomes intrigue and then thrill once you comprehend the situations the main character must attempt to overcome. Another enjoyable subtlety is the fact that even the main character is no hero, as he is riddled with poor judgement and thrust into situations that he cannot control and perhaps should have avoided completely. Like all good Science Fiction, this novel will have you questioning humanity as well as our moral (and mortal) limits.
January 9, 2015
This book is just... It's bananas. Really, to be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I picked it up. I don't read much science fiction, and when I do, it's usually the easy pickings. I love Philip K. Dick and Joe Halderman, but not much else.
So it was with these impossible standards that I turned to the first pages of "Cronix" when I was especially in need of a distraction... And my goodness if I didn't get it exactly that and much more. This is a remarkable achievement in creativity, one built on the foundation of the hard wisdom earned by the author during his long tenure as a celebrated conflict journalist. Comparisons to Philip K. Dick probably don't hold, but the one to Halderman I'll absolutely stand behind. This work is every bit as powerful as "The Forever War"; it touches, originally and gracefully, on the concepts of faith, reality and community.
I don't know how one writes a tale so outlandish while keeping the guts of the story universal and familiar. However I do know how one reads such a thing; they do it by opening this book and digging in.
So it was with these impossible standards that I turned to the first pages of "Cronix" when I was especially in need of a distraction... And my goodness if I didn't get it exactly that and much more. This is a remarkable achievement in creativity, one built on the foundation of the hard wisdom earned by the author during his long tenure as a celebrated conflict journalist. Comparisons to Philip K. Dick probably don't hold, but the one to Halderman I'll absolutely stand behind. This work is every bit as powerful as "The Forever War"; it touches, originally and gracefully, on the concepts of faith, reality and community.
I don't know how one writes a tale so outlandish while keeping the guts of the story universal and familiar. However I do know how one reads such a thing; they do it by opening this book and digging in.
February 2, 2015
I received a free copy of this novel which I was happy to review. James Hider constructs a truly fantastic universe featuring rein- and de- carnation of humans among other species, with multiple layers of narrative, of internal logics, and of worlds within and across worlds.
The novel opens up so many questions - about societies, myths, religions, sciences - that I got a sense of the author struggling to get everything back in the box to be able to finish the book.
That said there are many likeable and intriguing characters in the novel and such a range of actions and scenarii that you keep turning the page to see what weird thing might happen next.
By way of external reference points, I liked Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon with its disposable and re-downloadable minds and personalities so James Hider's premise in Cronix appealed to me. The narrative voice has a not dissimilar tone and edge- so if you like that kind of thing, definitely worth a go.
The novel opens up so many questions - about societies, myths, religions, sciences - that I got a sense of the author struggling to get everything back in the box to be able to finish the book.
That said there are many likeable and intriguing characters in the novel and such a range of actions and scenarii that you keep turning the page to see what weird thing might happen next.
By way of external reference points, I liked Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon with its disposable and re-downloadable minds and personalities so James Hider's premise in Cronix appealed to me. The narrative voice has a not dissimilar tone and edge- so if you like that kind of thing, definitely worth a go.
November 4, 2014
"Cronix" is one of those rare things in science fiction, something new. A brilliant, discursive, thoughtful, and at times uproariously funny book. Hider, a long time war correspondent, has the detailed eye of a journalist as he shows us a foreign country where the ability to upload human minds into an electronic heaven has led to a mass exodus of the living from the Earth. Luis Oriente is a delightful and somewhat untrustworthy narrator who paints the picture of how this new world came to be, and how its original sin may bring it crashing down. While it begins as a dystopian novel its ambition frees it from that often cramped space and ends as a slightly disturbing love child of Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End" and Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 31, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
"There was one other thing the messenger said before it vanished. It said that for millennia, god had lived in the minds of people. Now it would be the other way round.” - Cronix, James Hider
A very satisfying take on the meaning of the human spirit, consciousness, the quest for immortality and in some ways the meaning of Heaven and Hell. Cronix started a bit on the rough side for me and had some rough transitions and slow spots, but they tied together some pretty solid science fiction. I found myself frequently highlighting passages and smiling at the intensity of the picture they painted.
"There was one other thing the messenger said before it vanished. It said that for millennia, god had lived in the minds of people. Now it would be the other way round.” - Cronix, James Hider
A very satisfying take on the meaning of the human spirit, consciousness, the quest for immortality and in some ways the meaning of Heaven and Hell. Cronix started a bit on the rough side for me and had some rough transitions and slow spots, but they tied together some pretty solid science fiction. I found myself frequently highlighting passages and smiling at the intensity of the picture they painted.
February 10, 2015
For a truly accurate review of Cronix, you really should check out the excellent review posted by Richard Watt. The only addition from my perspective is that Hider really does an fabulous job of developing characters that engaged my interested and imagination. The journey was enriched by this evolving cast and culminated in some engrossing page turning. Cronix quickly became a favorite evening escape and I may of snapped rather harshly to those interrupting me. It's possible that I can make it up by recommending this book to them.
December 21, 2014
In Cronix, existence is an amusement park, each ride a lifetime, and each death a ticket to the next ride. Hider parades common cultural beliefs past his funhouse mirrors, revealing the twisted distortions generally accepted as truth.
Not an easy book to read. Strip away the tech, and Cronix becomes an ominous prophesy of an all-to-possible world.
Not an easy book to read. Strip away the tech, and Cronix becomes an ominous prophesy of an all-to-possible world.
March 2, 2015
Slow beginning, but picks up speed. A lot of cross-cutting across time, which was confusing. However, I very much enjoyed the inventiveness of the author, the mini side-excursions, and acceleration into a spectacular finish. It was reminiscent of Iain Banks.
January 26, 2015
Really excellent premise and kept me engaged throughout with new ideas and great followthrough action. Would recommend.
December 19, 2014
One of the theoretical fates of the universe is something called heat death. In heat death, the universe will have reached a state of maximum entropy, which means that all of the universe's heat will have distributed itself equally. Without a temperature gradient, there can exist no free energy. Without free energy, no chemical or physical interaction can occur. In short, nothing can happen, ever.
That we call this 'heat death' is suggestive of human psychology. Why not call this state tranquility? Or nirvana? This fate is, after all, an eternal peace, free of conflict, forever.
This suggests a rather insidious conclusion: we equate peace with death. We don't like death and therefore we don't like peace. I'd qualify this by saying we like the IDEA of peace, certainly, but not the reality. Peace makes us fat and bored. I am convinced that a desire to escape boredom - and the associated feeling of 'life must SURELY be greater than this' - lies at the root of all great tragedy, and all great triumph.
It is the latter I wish to focus on because this line of reasoning is what convinced me to write this review.
The author James Hider offered me a free copy of Cronix in exchange for maybe a review. I told him I was happy to accept this offer because - as an aspiring author myself - I empathized with his endeavor. Also, free book! Yet as I neared the end of Cronix, I knew that while I had enjoyed my read, I could not in good faith write a glowing review. I considered simply declining to write anything at all. I mean shoot, I don't want to be a debbie downer.
But I started thinking about this heat death thing. If difference of temperature leads to the ignition of stars and the formation of planets and the creation of life, then what does diversity do for human beings?
Great things I happen to believe. Diversity should be encouraged, not swept under the rug.
Thus I state that not all stories can appeal to all readers and Cronix, alas, did not appeal to me.
This is not to suggest it is poorly written or boring. Far from it! I finished it in about a week of pleasurable reading. Cronix is an ambitious undertaking. It is full of big ideas, touching upon everything from immortality to divinity to the nature of the soul, all of which are explored in clear, unaffected prose. Cronix is a book easy to get into but nevertheless invites deep thought.
Alas, it fails to reward such contemplation. Neither the plot itself nor the ideas that fuel the plot stand up to close inspection. So much so that I'd go so far as to suggest that this isn't really science fiction at all - but fantasy. The technology at the heart of Cronix isn't science but magic, and I don't mean in the Arthur C. Clarke sense.
The primary conceit of Cronix is that, in the future, we figure out how to upload our consciousness into a digital form. What follows is a mass Exodus, wherein the vast majority of humanity gets 'chipped' and then commits spectacular (if not quite believable) suicide, thereby uploading itself into orbiting supercomputers. Safely encoded, these Eternals are free to explore virtual paradise after virtual paradise. So far so good. The problem is that in Cronix, the more minds that upload themselves the faster the supercomputers run. This isn't just a minor detail - it is an absolutely essential motivating factor for one of Cronix's major characters. Unfortunately, it makes no sense. It is equivalent to suggesting that a computer would run faster because you put more stuff in its hard-drive. We all know the opposite is true.
Furthermore, the notion that people must die to be uploaded makes no sense. It's not even true in the book's universe, as digital 'back-ups' of people are constantly being made. Yet peppered throughout are stories of tragedies in which people committed suicide, expecting to be resurrected in virtual paradise, only to fail because the up-link was destroyed or tampered with. It's like, gee, maybe it would have been smarter to upload yourself first and then die.
But of course that's not as spectacular an image as people throwing themselves from the roof of skyscrapers. There was a clear friction between the book's world-building and the realistic adoption of new technology. I often felt the author was willing to ignore human nature in order to present shocking images and ideas.
Or, more egregiously, for the sake of plot convenience. With my suspension of disbelief crumbling, I spent some time contemplating the plot as a whole. I quickly realized it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I cannot explain without spoiling the entire plot, so take heed of this spoiler tag, as I mean it:
Well! That's a bit like having a car full of petrol and then driving a thousand miles away to a gas station because you know your tank will be empty after driving a thousand miles. Rather circular, no?
Now certainly explanations can be put forth to explain all of this. But plots, like jokes, aren't so good if they have to be explained. Rather, such plot convenience reveals the strings attached to the puppets. No longer does the story seem real. And not seeming real, it begins to lose much of its vigor. It is the difference between seeing a truck speeding toward a CHILD versus that same truck speeding toward a CHILD-LIKE DOLL. One might well inspire you to risk your life. The other would be of almost no interest.
Thus, I give Cronix 2.5 stars. Is it competently written and entertaining? Yes it is. Is its ambition admirable? That too, yes. Did it succeed in its ambitions? For this reader, no. I like my science believable and my plots, wibbly wobbly though they might be, to ultimately feel inevitable.
Yet I am only one voice among many. For more punctilious readers or those especially experienced with science-fiction, I cannot recommend Cronix. Yet for those who are looking simply for a good time, Cronix is easy to recommend.
That we call this 'heat death' is suggestive of human psychology. Why not call this state tranquility? Or nirvana? This fate is, after all, an eternal peace, free of conflict, forever.
This suggests a rather insidious conclusion: we equate peace with death. We don't like death and therefore we don't like peace. I'd qualify this by saying we like the IDEA of peace, certainly, but not the reality. Peace makes us fat and bored. I am convinced that a desire to escape boredom - and the associated feeling of 'life must SURELY be greater than this' - lies at the root of all great tragedy, and all great triumph.
It is the latter I wish to focus on because this line of reasoning is what convinced me to write this review.
The author James Hider offered me a free copy of Cronix in exchange for maybe a review. I told him I was happy to accept this offer because - as an aspiring author myself - I empathized with his endeavor. Also, free book! Yet as I neared the end of Cronix, I knew that while I had enjoyed my read, I could not in good faith write a glowing review. I considered simply declining to write anything at all. I mean shoot, I don't want to be a debbie downer.
But I started thinking about this heat death thing. If difference of temperature leads to the ignition of stars and the formation of planets and the creation of life, then what does diversity do for human beings?
Great things I happen to believe. Diversity should be encouraged, not swept under the rug.
Thus I state that not all stories can appeal to all readers and Cronix, alas, did not appeal to me.
This is not to suggest it is poorly written or boring. Far from it! I finished it in about a week of pleasurable reading. Cronix is an ambitious undertaking. It is full of big ideas, touching upon everything from immortality to divinity to the nature of the soul, all of which are explored in clear, unaffected prose. Cronix is a book easy to get into but nevertheless invites deep thought.
Alas, it fails to reward such contemplation. Neither the plot itself nor the ideas that fuel the plot stand up to close inspection. So much so that I'd go so far as to suggest that this isn't really science fiction at all - but fantasy. The technology at the heart of Cronix isn't science but magic, and I don't mean in the Arthur C. Clarke sense.
The primary conceit of Cronix is that, in the future, we figure out how to upload our consciousness into a digital form. What follows is a mass Exodus, wherein the vast majority of humanity gets 'chipped' and then commits spectacular (if not quite believable) suicide, thereby uploading itself into orbiting supercomputers. Safely encoded, these Eternals are free to explore virtual paradise after virtual paradise. So far so good. The problem is that in Cronix, the more minds that upload themselves the faster the supercomputers run. This isn't just a minor detail - it is an absolutely essential motivating factor for one of Cronix's major characters. Unfortunately, it makes no sense. It is equivalent to suggesting that a computer would run faster because you put more stuff in its hard-drive. We all know the opposite is true.
Furthermore, the notion that people must die to be uploaded makes no sense. It's not even true in the book's universe, as digital 'back-ups' of people are constantly being made. Yet peppered throughout are stories of tragedies in which people committed suicide, expecting to be resurrected in virtual paradise, only to fail because the up-link was destroyed or tampered with. It's like, gee, maybe it would have been smarter to upload yourself first and then die.
But of course that's not as spectacular an image as people throwing themselves from the roof of skyscrapers. There was a clear friction between the book's world-building and the realistic adoption of new technology. I often felt the author was willing to ignore human nature in order to present shocking images and ideas.
Or, more egregiously, for the sake of plot convenience. With my suspension of disbelief crumbling, I spent some time contemplating the plot as a whole. I quickly realized it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I cannot explain without spoiling the entire plot, so take heed of this spoiler tag, as I mean it:
Well! That's a bit like having a car full of petrol and then driving a thousand miles away to a gas station because you know your tank will be empty after driving a thousand miles. Rather circular, no?
Now certainly explanations can be put forth to explain all of this. But plots, like jokes, aren't so good if they have to be explained. Rather, such plot convenience reveals the strings attached to the puppets. No longer does the story seem real. And not seeming real, it begins to lose much of its vigor. It is the difference between seeing a truck speeding toward a CHILD versus that same truck speeding toward a CHILD-LIKE DOLL. One might well inspire you to risk your life. The other would be of almost no interest.
Thus, I give Cronix 2.5 stars. Is it competently written and entertaining? Yes it is. Is its ambition admirable? That too, yes. Did it succeed in its ambitions? For this reader, no. I like my science believable and my plots, wibbly wobbly though they might be, to ultimately feel inevitable.
Yet I am only one voice among many. For more punctilious readers or those especially experienced with science-fiction, I cannot recommend Cronix. Yet for those who are looking simply for a good time, Cronix is easy to recommend.
June 12, 2024
An inspired tale
James Hider has done a stellar job of creating a thoroughly believable future for humanity. A story peopled with colorful characters and convincing science from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down.
James Hider has done a stellar job of creating a thoroughly believable future for humanity. A story peopled with colorful characters and convincing science from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down.
June 17, 2024
Fast moving page turner
I really enjoyed this fast moving sci-fi book with an intriguing plot. Interesting characters with a great hero, I just wish he had been more sad about the death of his dogs.
I really enjoyed this fast moving sci-fi book with an intriguing plot. Interesting characters with a great hero, I just wish he had been more sad about the death of his dogs.
June 3, 2017
Strange and beautiful. Disclaimer: this is my brother-in-law. That said, this is a fantastic book, that is truly thought-provoking.
May 2, 2024
What an odd story
My rating actually would be a 3.5. There were parts I found quite interesting, others I had a difficult time following. Glad it was a stand-alone story.
My rating actually would be a 3.5. There were parts I found quite interesting, others I had a difficult time following. Glad it was a stand-alone story.
January 27, 2015
Here is some explosive science fiction that redefines the genre. Intelligent, witty and remarkable. A revelation! It pushes the boundaries of what humans are capable of.
Intricate plots weaved cleverly into the storyline. We are introduced to a bold new world with not only humans but other creations of God. But as usual there are conflicts between races, and rules that cannot be broken due to dire consequences. You are bound by the actions of characters, craving to know what will happen next. It is so smart you'll feel better educated for just having read it. 'Cronix' explores the human race, evolution, euthanasia, hierarchy, punishment, afterlife, along with everything and anything else that would affect our existence today.
Sensational, powerful, and gripping. The ultimate page turner! Is James the king of sci-fi? He certainly has a lot to say in this novel, about science, the limits of reality and what is possible, as well as many issues relating to our modern society. A multi-faceted masterpiece! Hold on tight and pay attention. With so many complex themes and issues ongoing in this fast paced, riveting tale, you need to focus.
In a world where everyone has a complex and mystifying past, Oriente's identity is in question. So he is forced to divulge exactly who he is to the authorities, by telling a tale that will shock them to their core.
A mind-blowing concept explored through this fiction that has no holes in it you fear it may one day exist. If you are going to read one novel this year, or one sci-fi fiction, make it 'Cronix' or miss out on a truly exhilarating icon of evolution. It is mystical, magical and mesmerising, featuring intriguing characters all with extraordinary pasts. A truly epic tale. A world where euthanasia is simply a form of hibernation or travel.
In a world with millions of fictional literature it amazes me that authors such as James keep creating ground-breaking stories that are 100% original. And bear little or no resemblance to other fiction in the sci-fi sub-genre. I was utterly amazed and spellbound by 'Cronix'.
Let's not forget the cover. Props have to go to the design, it is sensational. And as you read the novel you'll realise a greater significance to the images in the cover. But the font used is very indicative of the futuristic elements at work in the publication.
A whirlwind of mystery and enigmas. Philosophical, metaphorical, historical, intellectual and mythical. Truly remarkable.
The ending was, in a word, epic. The perfect conclusion to the tale. Emotional, spellbinding and marvellous.
Intricate plots weaved cleverly into the storyline. We are introduced to a bold new world with not only humans but other creations of God. But as usual there are conflicts between races, and rules that cannot be broken due to dire consequences. You are bound by the actions of characters, craving to know what will happen next. It is so smart you'll feel better educated for just having read it. 'Cronix' explores the human race, evolution, euthanasia, hierarchy, punishment, afterlife, along with everything and anything else that would affect our existence today.
Sensational, powerful, and gripping. The ultimate page turner! Is James the king of sci-fi? He certainly has a lot to say in this novel, about science, the limits of reality and what is possible, as well as many issues relating to our modern society. A multi-faceted masterpiece! Hold on tight and pay attention. With so many complex themes and issues ongoing in this fast paced, riveting tale, you need to focus.
In a world where everyone has a complex and mystifying past, Oriente's identity is in question. So he is forced to divulge exactly who he is to the authorities, by telling a tale that will shock them to their core.
A mind-blowing concept explored through this fiction that has no holes in it you fear it may one day exist. If you are going to read one novel this year, or one sci-fi fiction, make it 'Cronix' or miss out on a truly exhilarating icon of evolution. It is mystical, magical and mesmerising, featuring intriguing characters all with extraordinary pasts. A truly epic tale. A world where euthanasia is simply a form of hibernation or travel.
In a world with millions of fictional literature it amazes me that authors such as James keep creating ground-breaking stories that are 100% original. And bear little or no resemblance to other fiction in the sci-fi sub-genre. I was utterly amazed and spellbound by 'Cronix'.
Let's not forget the cover. Props have to go to the design, it is sensational. And as you read the novel you'll realise a greater significance to the images in the cover. But the font used is very indicative of the futuristic elements at work in the publication.
A whirlwind of mystery and enigmas. Philosophical, metaphorical, historical, intellectual and mythical. Truly remarkable.
The ending was, in a word, epic. The perfect conclusion to the tale. Emotional, spellbinding and marvellous.
October 8, 2015
An interesting book, very speculative and not all that predictable. All of which is both good and bad, and I guess a lot of it depends on how compelling you find the speculation. I was left very much in doubt about most of it. The central premise and setup was good (though I strongly doubt recreational, painful suicides are even remotely plausible), but I could never quite buy in to the implications the author drew, both for the new "heavenly" society and those left behind. The dialogue and characterization wasn't all that strong, either, so that threw me off a bit, too.
Still, there was plenty to like, and a lot of interesting ideas. I rarely say this--and it's a compliment--but I think the book should have been longer. Apart from a rushed ending, there was so much about the setting that needed more fleshing out, and ideas that were barely scratched at, that I was left wanting more. Which is always a better place than wanting less.
Still, there was plenty to like, and a lot of interesting ideas. I rarely say this--and it's a compliment--but I think the book should have been longer. Apart from a rushed ending, there was so much about the setting that needed more fleshing out, and ideas that were barely scratched at, that I was left wanting more. Which is always a better place than wanting less.
March 31, 2015
A novel with a lot of interesting ideas, but the pace of the story telling was clunky and frequently lost suspense for me. This is Hilder's first novel, and to me it definitely shows. The main character was kind of your stereotypical male hero guy who fulfills most of the sci fi protagonist tropes (gets the hot chick, has "mad skills" or "unrecognized" talents, naturally liked by many, a loner). All of the characters were pretty flat, with their physical attractiveness usually alluding to their overall good guy/bad guy alignment. Some parts were unnecessarily long and without suspense, while others richly deserved far more space, detail, and gravitas than they got. As a first novel, it had a lot of interesting content worthy of being explored, and maybe it will get better treatment in his future novels as he develops more narrative skill.
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