Automaton - Softcover

Davies, Cheryl

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1849821054 ISBN 13: 9781849821056

Publisher: MP Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

In the not too distant future, after the huge successes of role-playing games and virtual worlds such as ‘The Sims’ and ‘Second Life’ and reality shows such as ‘Big Brother’, it was only a matter of time before somebody took the next step.

A remote island. An android population existing only to entertain. Their lives broadcast around the clock and around the globe. Their actions dictated by their owners. It’s the world’s biggest game played by thousands. Welcome to 'Gameworld'.

Dean 3012 is a good guy living on the Island. He loves his girlfriend, Lily, to pieces. With their first baby on the way, life is perfect. But when things take a sinister turn, the couple are plunged into a world of darkness and despair. Dean must somehow find a way to take control and fight for all their lives. Amelia watches the game, given the gift of a droid when she was but a small child. However, when her character’s happiness is threatened, how far will Amelia go to protect her?

About this title

About the Author:

Cheryl Davies was born in Ashford, England in 1978. She moved with her family to the Isle of Man when aged five. She obtained her degree in English Lit at the University of Hertfordshire, and returned to the Island and qualified as a teacher. She has taught in a local primary school for nine years. Davies loves the Manx countryside, and her small but gorgeous garden. She's a little obsessed with palm trees. As a demented but doting first-time mum, much of her time is spent caring for her new baby, who is both beautiful and bonkers! She's the centre of her world and the reason for everything Davies does. Davies lives happily with baby beautiful, the spirit of their much-missed cat, Pudge, and fiance Dean. She is the author of the acclaimed book Automaton and upcoming novel Resonance.

Review:

Automaton reminded me slightly of a mash up of the TV show Caprica, and the video game The Sims. I cannot wait to read another book by C.L. Davies.

(Melissa from 'Lily Element')

This book is a quick, but complex read. It's not at all a fluffy bunny story, so be prepared for some serious thought.'

(The Book Lady of 'Must Read Faster')

People already create fantasy avatars for themselves and live out virtual lives; and although Automaton is a work of fiction, we also know truth can be stranger than fiction.

(Author Shirley Ford)

Cheryl Davies’ sci fi novel Automaton takes social media, reality TV and online gaming to a whole new level – with deadly results

(Author - Bard Constantine)

Another thing that I really loved about this book is how the story has so many twists and turns and it totally shocks you...It is rare that a book actually makes me sit and cry to the point my mom has to comfort me, but this book made it happen.

(Stephanie at 'Paper Cuts Reviews')

I was drawn in on every single page, desperate to know what was going to happen to each character, both real and in android form. The story is well written and captivated me.

(Zoe of 'The Book Lovers' blog)

The penultimate chapters are where Davies really shines, delivering a staccato of revolutions that leave us reeling, following good writers etiquette and leaving out distasteful cliches we often see coming a mile off.'

(Jason R.Vowles, aka 'TheNovelReviewer.')

This book totally consumed me for a few days...It has a sci-fi, romance, cautionary, 1984 feel to it, with a really creepy vibe because it is all for the entertainment of others.

(Mommabel of 'The Eclectic Bookworm,')

I think one of the things that I loved the most was the intricate layering of plots. The outside world had control over Gameworld but in its own way, Gameworld began to influence the outside world. There were so many threads woven beautifully together.

(Erin Eymard of 'The Bookworm's Fancy.')

About this edition

• Publisher: MP Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1849821054
• ISBN 13: 9781849821056
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200