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Retirement. Publishers, thank you for the many years of reading pleasure you gave me, but all good things must come to an end. Due to failing eyesight I am forced to retire. I can no longer review your books, and any that you send will be donated to the local library, unread. Do not send any more. I can only read for a couple hours every day, and this does not allow me to finish a book in reasonable time. I will be devoting time to my own books from now on, and reading on a personal level. Books that interest me. I prefer paperbacks and hardbacks, not eBooks. My eyesight has been failing the last few years, and I cannot handle hundreds of review books any more. My books are still available for review. Anyone interested in reviewing any of them, they are found in the Link to Tom’s Books On Amazon. Contact me for pdf copies at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Cobalt

Combine a hidden sadistic puppet-master, a hijacked American population, a wounded soldier, plenty of ‘Pseudos’, and you have Cobalt. What is an Artificial Intelligence that’s reached singularity secretly trying to achieve before humanity can stop it? In this first twisted novel in our Pseudoverse, a genetically modified re-engineered wounded patriot finds herself thrust forward into a world surrounded by greed, corruption, and tyranny. This is a twisting, turning, story of regeneration, retribution, and renewal. Fans of historical science fiction and lovers of satire will be turning pages quickly to find out what happened to the world they once knew so well. Is everyone who they seem to be in this tale of humanity’s last stand? The mystery deepens as First Lieutenant Petra Kayden Dace sets out to discover who or 'what' is behind the takeover of the United States, the world, and its citizens. Cobalt is an action packed thriller sure to entertain and keep you guessing until the very end. Filled with humor, hidden clues, and new technology, this is a one-of-a-kind science fiction mystery that you will never forget. Step into a world of political corruption as Cobalt becomes a lethal weapon in an arsenal against pure technological evil.


Cobalt (SF Spy Satire)
By CG Blade
“Trinity Series #1”
Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN #978-1520220196
Price $8.99
261 Pages
Rating 5-Stars

“Cobalt Is Our Captain America Of The Future.”

Army 1st Lieutenant Petra Kayden Dace is critically injured on a combat mission, and her father’s best friend, General James Cooper, head of NIB has his lab synthesize her DNA to replicate her memory cells within the DNA, and grow a new body with the capability of using her mind like a computer. She trains her body to super human abilities, making her a formidable spy. It is 2076, and the world is a much different place. Our government consists of a tri-presidency, with three presidents in office, Helen Long, Mark Sheehan, and Dave Keller. It appears there is a government conspiracy with the aid of industrialist, Raymond Nelson.  It’s up to super spy Petra Dace to uncover the plot, and neutralize the situation.

This was a fun read, and well written, though the story was slow. It could have been a much smoother read, but was a bit wordy and technical. The author could have included the action scenes of Petra’s training, which would have moved the story a little faster in the beginning; we’re told she put a couple martial arts instructors in the hospital. Don’t tell us. Show us. Think about Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin training at the beginning of each story, moves that Modesty will use in a final fight scene at the end. That’s what we want to see. Action. Instead we were bogged down with too much detail and not enough action.  There was a bit of humor, as Petra has an implant in her head that talks to her, and they have a running commentary throughout the assignment. Reminded me a lot of the old SF series, AGENT OF T.E.R.R.A by Larry Maddock (Jack Jardine); the main characters are Hannibal Fortune and his android, Webbley, a shape shifter who shoots barbs back and forth. Another fun thing about COBALT, the author leaves little Easter Eggs for the reader to watch for, like naming authors, and other little secrets. For instance, the main character, Petra Kayden Dace’s initials are PKD (Philip K. Dick, naturally). Since this is the first in the Trinity series, I’m hoping all the detail is used in this one, and we have more action in the rest of the series. Over all, it is a darn good read. Cobalt is our Captain America of the future. Highly recommended.

Tom Johnson

Author of WORLDS OF TOMORROW

4 comments:

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  2. Thank you Tom for taking the time to read and review this book. I am looking forward to the future.

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  3. Thanks, Cindy and CG. Lots of fun, and I enjoyed all the Easter Eggs (G).

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  4. There are fifty of them in Cobalt, forty of them in Crimson. I have the list if anyone ever wants to see it...

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