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Kill Code
WHEN THE OCEANS RISE...THE TRUTH DROWNSIt's the year 2031. Our future. Their present. A world decimated by climate catastrophe, where the sun's heat is deadly and the ocean rises higher every day. A world ruled by the rich, powerful, and corrupt. A world where a good man can’t survive for long. Hogan Duran was a good man once. He was a cop, forced to resign in disgrace when he couldn't save his partner from a bullet. Now Hogan lives on the fraying edges of society, serving cruel masters and scavenging trash dumps just to survive. But after four years of living in poverty, Hogan finally gets a chance to get back on his feet. He's invited to join the National Security Council, the powerful paramilitary organization responsible for protecting the rich and powerful from the more unsavory elements of society. All he needs to do is pass their deadly entrance exam, and he'll be rewarded with wealth and opportunity beyond his wildest dreams. But this ex-cop's path to redemption won't be easy. The NSC are hiding something, and as Hogan descends deeper and deeper into their world, he starts to uncover the terrible truth of how the powerful in this new world maintain their power...and just how far they will go to protect their secrets. In a world gone wrong, can one man actually make a difference, or will he die trying? Kill Code is the first novel in an exciting new dystopian science fiction series from the mind of award-winning author, screenwriter, and director Clive Fleury. Fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, and Divergent by Veronica Roth will be captivated by Kill Code. You'll also love this book if you novels and storiesStories about futuristic societiesStories about disgraced copsStories about unlikely heroesStories about conspiraciesStories about injustice
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2018
About the author
Clive Fleury
6 books16 followersClive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and screenplays and has worked all over the world as a Film/TV director, writer and producer. He has written five books, most recently Off Season, a murder mystery novel.
Off Season is a fish-out-of-water murder mystery, about a disgraced high-flying detective who is relocated from Sydney to a tiny Australian beach town. Here he discovers that small doesn't mean peaceful and murder doesn't take a holiday in the off season. Fans of who dunnit's, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel.
Clive's other books include 'Kill Code' - a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change; ‘Scary Lizzy’ - a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost – and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ - a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems. He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ - a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.
Off Season is a fish-out-of-water murder mystery, about a disgraced high-flying detective who is relocated from Sydney to a tiny Australian beach town. Here he discovers that small doesn't mean peaceful and murder doesn't take a holiday in the off season. Fans of who dunnit's, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel.
Clive's other books include 'Kill Code' - a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change; ‘Scary Lizzy’ - a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost – and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ - a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems. He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ - a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 14, 2020
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed thus book. It is an excellent story and great characters. I hope that this is the start of the series and not a one off. There are a number of questions I would still want answers.
The world economy has crashed. 95% of the worlds population is unemployment, desperate, and or willing to do anything to anyone to survive. Duran Hogan used to be a police officer, but he made a mistake. He has been trying to make up for it, but now he could get another shot. How far is he willing to go? What happens when he finds out the world is not the way he thinks it is?
I really liked this story I was hooked from the first page. If I had an complaints it would be the fights, even though there is plenty of action the fight did not visually work for me, but this was more then forgivable. I am looking forward to what happens next.
I really enjoyed thus book. It is an excellent story and great characters. I hope that this is the start of the series and not a one off. There are a number of questions I would still want answers.
The world economy has crashed. 95% of the worlds population is unemployment, desperate, and or willing to do anything to anyone to survive. Duran Hogan used to be a police officer, but he made a mistake. He has been trying to make up for it, but now he could get another shot. How far is he willing to go? What happens when he finds out the world is not the way he thinks it is?
I really liked this story I was hooked from the first page. If I had an complaints it would be the fights, even though there is plenty of action the fight did not visually work for me, but this was more then forgivable. I am looking forward to what happens next.
April 15, 2019
I like dystopian sci-fi, and if they read fast and furious then I am a fan.
This book by Clive Fleury, at 130 pages had a complete story in it, yet leaving a chance for the next book. The main character Hogan was well depicted, who was once in army, then in police, and now down on his luck when the world changed till he got an offer from National Security Council to join them, but only if he won all the tasks.
The story became exciting for me when the tasks started, there Hogan was ably supported by Ruby. A virtual world in a dystopian world where the lines of truth and created blurred kept me glued to this book. I liked how Clive has given the story twists and each subplot brought its own doubts.
Then came my niggles, I couldn't get into this book from the beginning. It took me 3 tries at 3 different occasions. For me, the worldbuilding was just okay, I didn't find it interesting. I like the lone-ranger kind of a hero, but sometimes it got to be a bit too much, especially in the action scenes where the bike went alongside a truck and our hero could stand, hit the driver, and then climb into the truck through the window. Whoa!! And then Ruby did the same while driving the bike... I was pretty much laughing by this time.
Overall, a fun read with a world within a world, where virtual reality made things happen.
This book by Clive Fleury, at 130 pages had a complete story in it, yet leaving a chance for the next book. The main character Hogan was well depicted, who was once in army, then in police, and now down on his luck when the world changed till he got an offer from National Security Council to join them, but only if he won all the tasks.
The story became exciting for me when the tasks started, there Hogan was ably supported by Ruby. A virtual world in a dystopian world where the lines of truth and created blurred kept me glued to this book. I liked how Clive has given the story twists and each subplot brought its own doubts.
Then came my niggles, I couldn't get into this book from the beginning. It took me 3 tries at 3 different occasions. For me, the worldbuilding was just okay, I didn't find it interesting. I like the lone-ranger kind of a hero, but sometimes it got to be a bit too much, especially in the action scenes where the bike went alongside a truck and our hero could stand, hit the driver, and then climb into the truck through the window. Whoa!! And then Ruby did the same while driving the bike... I was pretty much laughing by this time.
Overall, a fun read with a world within a world, where virtual reality made things happen.
March 18, 2019
In a not too distant future, climate change has led to a dystopian world where the rich and powerful rule. Hogan Duran gets the chance to join the National Security Council (NSC). It’s a prime position protecting the rich and powerful. Hogan and the other applicants are put through a grueling, and deadly, test to win the highly sought after position. There are secrets in the NSC though, and Hogan starts to question everything during his time there.
Hogan is a tough former cop looking for a chance at a better life. He thinks he’s got the opportunity if he can pass the challenging tests issued by the NSC. Of course, things are a lot more complicated than they first appear.
This is a quick and entertaining science fiction story. The dystopian world is dark and gritty. The characters are strong. The plot is exciting. Good read for fans of dystopian novels. The ending does set it up for a sequel.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Hogan is a tough former cop looking for a chance at a better life. He thinks he’s got the opportunity if he can pass the challenging tests issued by the NSC. Of course, things are a lot more complicated than they first appear.
This is a quick and entertaining science fiction story. The dystopian world is dark and gritty. The characters are strong. The plot is exciting. Good read for fans of dystopian novels. The ending does set it up for a sequel.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2019
Decent dystopian novel - really quick read! I have seen this book compared to Hunger Games and although accurate, it reminds me more of the old Mad Max movie with Mel Gibson. Especially with the biker gangs!
Surprising plot twist and interesting characters... I would have preferred a longer story so it could have more depth but I would definitely read a sequel.
*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Surprising plot twist and interesting characters... I would have preferred a longer story so it could have more depth but I would definitely read a sequel.
*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 13, 2019
The rich and powerful are the elite. Nothing new there. But the poor are barely subsisting. There is no real middle class left in this futuristic, climate change afflicted world.
Impulsive Hogan Duran didn't realize giving up his police officer job would put him in the poverty lines. He felt guilty over his partner's shooting and couldn't see himself staying on the force. A handful of years of subsistence later he gets his lucky break. He's been asked to train for the NSC. If he can make it through training it will be a lucrative position protecting the rich and powerful.
As he works through the virtual reality challenges incorporated in the NSC training, Duran's police background makes him more curious and skeptical than normal. He feels there are secrets in the NSC but discovering the truth may be detrimental to his survival.
This story is mostly character driven with action scenes involving the main character. I would have liked to get closer to Hogan Duran by reading more about his feelings and thoughts. The dystopian world also needed more detail. It seemed too close to parts of our current world. But the overall plot arc is an interesting one. This is a good start to a new series.
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via BookSirens
Impulsive Hogan Duran didn't realize giving up his police officer job would put him in the poverty lines. He felt guilty over his partner's shooting and couldn't see himself staying on the force. A handful of years of subsistence later he gets his lucky break. He's been asked to train for the NSC. If he can make it through training it will be a lucrative position protecting the rich and powerful.
As he works through the virtual reality challenges incorporated in the NSC training, Duran's police background makes him more curious and skeptical than normal. He feels there are secrets in the NSC but discovering the truth may be detrimental to his survival.
This story is mostly character driven with action scenes involving the main character. I would have liked to get closer to Hogan Duran by reading more about his feelings and thoughts. The dystopian world also needed more detail. It seemed too close to parts of our current world. But the overall plot arc is an interesting one. This is a good start to a new series.
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via BookSirens
March 16, 2019
The story begins in the year 2034 when ex- cop Hogan is at his second lowest point in his life. The lowest had been when he had failed to save his partner four years before and now he was at rock bottom taking any job just to get by and scratting off rubbish tips to survive. When he is given a chance to join the National Security Council, NSC, he grabs it with both hands, but he has to get through the training and be the last man standing. This would set him up for life. The NSC is an elite force created to protect some of the highest ranking and wealthy people who have survived the irreversible climate changes caused by man in previous years. Hogan jumps at the chance of getting himself out of just existing and having a meaningful life back.
The NSC really have Big Brother type abilities to know all about their new candidates, testing them on every possible level. Not answering a question truthfully can result in leaving the training feet first, not just turning back to where they came from before. Physical skills, logic and loyalty are all tested. It doesn’t pay to make friends here because there is only one winner but living so closely it is hard not to.
I really took to Hogan who although ticks all the boxes is independent thinking too, which could be real deadly for him. There are some pretty cool characters in the story and a whole new race of people. It all makes for a totally fast paced book with action that grows with intensity as each page is turned. This is the first of a new series and one to keep your eye on as a big screen contender in the future.
The NSC really have Big Brother type abilities to know all about their new candidates, testing them on every possible level. Not answering a question truthfully can result in leaving the training feet first, not just turning back to where they came from before. Physical skills, logic and loyalty are all tested. It doesn’t pay to make friends here because there is only one winner but living so closely it is hard not to.
I really took to Hogan who although ticks all the boxes is independent thinking too, which could be real deadly for him. There are some pretty cool characters in the story and a whole new race of people. It all makes for a totally fast paced book with action that grows with intensity as each page is turned. This is the first of a new series and one to keep your eye on as a big screen contender in the future.
January 30, 2019
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
Kill Code was a dystopian fiction novel that revolved around Hogan, his life in the world of poverty, Story of survival, competition, power, conspiracy and injustice. Blurb describes the book precisely with good detail.
Characters-
Protagonist, Hogan Duran was smart, brave and tough guy but unlike other candidates applied for NSC (National Security Council), he never lost his conscience. Even though all applicant told to be competitive and not friends, he built unspoken understanding and friendship with Ruby. His spur of moment decisions were fabulous and never hesitated when he had to choose right over wrong even if it cost his life. He was great character.
Ruby was another fab character who was strong, brilliant and only one with dignity. Like Hogan she was sensitive and had her conscience. I liked how she supported Hogan and believed in his judgement.
Jake was jerk. I hated him ever since his first intro in the book. I knew he would cause lot of trouble when something good was about to happen and he didn’t disappoint me there. I was glad he got what he deserved in the end.
Other secondary characters mainly NSC officers were most surprising.
What I Liked-
Kill Code was first person narrative nicely written with impressive plot design, strong characters, and dystopian world that was narrated with all minor details.
The world was interesting it had two parts one was majority population living in cities where catastrophic climate change made the world worst to live in. There was 80% unemployment, people suffering from famine and drought. Burglary, vandalizing and killing for food and cloth was too common. Garbage hills were home for some people and take away area for food and valuables. Pure food, water, shelter, and safety was only for rich and gangsters. The other was NSC base and separate elite group area to whom NSC provided protection. NSC base was structured in total contrast to the world. Fresh food, sophisticated technology and luxurious shelter was given to all officers. It was built for elites. It was shocking to see such huge contrast between two world and I was eager to know why only they had all luxuries and why they didn’t help people.
Book was pretty short and so things went real fast in the book. Within 35% of the book, world was described, we get to know about Hogan’s life and his guilt trip, deadly NSC entrance tests in fact NSC officer was also selected. It was pretty fast paced. But when they were attacked by Krails, whole NSC thing started to feel fishy.
I was curious to know-
What were the Krails and why they attacked NSC?
Why some officers turned against government and joined Krail?
What was Krail’s ultimate goal?
If what they said to Hogan was right, what NSC people were hiding?
Who were real antagonists, Krail or NSC?
Whose side Hogan will take?
These questions hooked me to book till the end. There were so many unexpected twist and turns that kept the plot exciting.
Last 30% of the book was flurry of events. Climax was shocking. I was filled with rage and felt betrayed along with characters. I couldn’t believe what was revealed. I loved book more in this portion. It was adrenaline inducing, with many smart moves by Hogan. End was satisfactory and sounded like there might be sequel of this book.
Overall, it was interesting, gripping Sci-Fi with impressive and well represented dystopian world.
*** Note : I received e-copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. ***
Kill Code was a dystopian fiction novel that revolved around Hogan, his life in the world of poverty, Story of survival, competition, power, conspiracy and injustice. Blurb describes the book precisely with good detail.
Characters-
Protagonist, Hogan Duran was smart, brave and tough guy but unlike other candidates applied for NSC (National Security Council), he never lost his conscience. Even though all applicant told to be competitive and not friends, he built unspoken understanding and friendship with Ruby. His spur of moment decisions were fabulous and never hesitated when he had to choose right over wrong even if it cost his life. He was great character.
Ruby was another fab character who was strong, brilliant and only one with dignity. Like Hogan she was sensitive and had her conscience. I liked how she supported Hogan and believed in his judgement.
Jake was jerk. I hated him ever since his first intro in the book. I knew he would cause lot of trouble when something good was about to happen and he didn’t disappoint me there. I was glad he got what he deserved in the end.
Other secondary characters mainly NSC officers were most surprising.
What I Liked-
Kill Code was first person narrative nicely written with impressive plot design, strong characters, and dystopian world that was narrated with all minor details.
The world was interesting it had two parts one was majority population living in cities where catastrophic climate change made the world worst to live in. There was 80% unemployment, people suffering from famine and drought. Burglary, vandalizing and killing for food and cloth was too common. Garbage hills were home for some people and take away area for food and valuables. Pure food, water, shelter, and safety was only for rich and gangsters. The other was NSC base and separate elite group area to whom NSC provided protection. NSC base was structured in total contrast to the world. Fresh food, sophisticated technology and luxurious shelter was given to all officers. It was built for elites. It was shocking to see such huge contrast between two world and I was eager to know why only they had all luxuries and why they didn’t help people.
Book was pretty short and so things went real fast in the book. Within 35% of the book, world was described, we get to know about Hogan’s life and his guilt trip, deadly NSC entrance tests in fact NSC officer was also selected. It was pretty fast paced. But when they were attacked by Krails, whole NSC thing started to feel fishy.
I was curious to know-
What were the Krails and why they attacked NSC?
Why some officers turned against government and joined Krail?
What was Krail’s ultimate goal?
If what they said to Hogan was right, what NSC people were hiding?
Who were real antagonists, Krail or NSC?
Whose side Hogan will take?
These questions hooked me to book till the end. There were so many unexpected twist and turns that kept the plot exciting.
Last 30% of the book was flurry of events. Climax was shocking. I was filled with rage and felt betrayed along with characters. I couldn’t believe what was revealed. I loved book more in this portion. It was adrenaline inducing, with many smart moves by Hogan. End was satisfactory and sounded like there might be sequel of this book.
Overall, it was interesting, gripping Sci-Fi with impressive and well represented dystopian world.
*** Note : I received e-copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. ***
June 24, 2019
In a time when the world has gone completely dry and the heat scorches the earth due to global warming, those who are left have suffered unimaginable trials. Fights break out at the landfills over a can of beans because food is so scarce—but so too are jobs. The lucky few that are brave enough to try for an NSC, National Security Council, are the lucky ones. They live a life of luxury while everyone else suffers. Fleury pulls his readers into a life of destruction, getting readers enticed by the shear desperation of holding on to life itself. You’ll be hanging on to your seat the whole way through as there are plot twists and deviations that will throw the world that we know into chaos.
Hogan Duran is an ex-cop, a man who resigned when his partner was shot and paralyzed. Forced to forever live out of a wheelchair, Hogan helps Max as they both now scrap for food and odd jobs to survive in the tiny place that they’ve managed to hold onto. Max has a gambling problem and Hogan applies over and over for the NSC officer program, neither of them having success over the past four years. When some loan sharks find Max and decide that it’s the end of the line because he can’t pay up, Hogan’s ex-cop training kicks in and they both survive, only to be pushed out of their home and wondering the streets on their own. Hogan helps Max to Seattle and gets that final acceptance letter into the NSC program, but nothing is ever truly as it seems. When he arrives to the base, he sees that they have all of these resources that could be helping those in need outside of the base, but they keep everything for themselves. They make it a game of the wealthy verses the poor. Furthermore, there are other secrets that the NSC doesn’t want anyone to know about. As Hogan gets deeper and deeper into the program, being one of the last candidates to make it through, he starts to unravel the missing pieces and finds that he can either look the other way and live a nice cushy life on the other side—or he can make things right. Making up his mind, there is only one question left. Can he actually make a difference, or will he die trying?
Fleury has an incredible story, filled with adventure, action, desperation, and fear. There is little joy in a world that has nearly perished, but these characters find strength and bravery in the tiny things that matter. Their will to make a difference and fight for humankind when all is almost lost is what sets them aside from the lot. This story is written quite well and has little to no spelling or grammatical errors. It is a shorter story; however, the pace is quick and fulfilling. If you are a reader of science fiction, post-apocalyptic and suspense, you may want to pick this one up.
A paperback was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Kill Code by Clive Fleury.
Hogan Duran is an ex-cop, a man who resigned when his partner was shot and paralyzed. Forced to forever live out of a wheelchair, Hogan helps Max as they both now scrap for food and odd jobs to survive in the tiny place that they’ve managed to hold onto. Max has a gambling problem and Hogan applies over and over for the NSC officer program, neither of them having success over the past four years. When some loan sharks find Max and decide that it’s the end of the line because he can’t pay up, Hogan’s ex-cop training kicks in and they both survive, only to be pushed out of their home and wondering the streets on their own. Hogan helps Max to Seattle and gets that final acceptance letter into the NSC program, but nothing is ever truly as it seems. When he arrives to the base, he sees that they have all of these resources that could be helping those in need outside of the base, but they keep everything for themselves. They make it a game of the wealthy verses the poor. Furthermore, there are other secrets that the NSC doesn’t want anyone to know about. As Hogan gets deeper and deeper into the program, being one of the last candidates to make it through, he starts to unravel the missing pieces and finds that he can either look the other way and live a nice cushy life on the other side—or he can make things right. Making up his mind, there is only one question left. Can he actually make a difference, or will he die trying?
Fleury has an incredible story, filled with adventure, action, desperation, and fear. There is little joy in a world that has nearly perished, but these characters find strength and bravery in the tiny things that matter. Their will to make a difference and fight for humankind when all is almost lost is what sets them aside from the lot. This story is written quite well and has little to no spelling or grammatical errors. It is a shorter story; however, the pace is quick and fulfilling. If you are a reader of science fiction, post-apocalyptic and suspense, you may want to pick this one up.
A paperback was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Kill Code by Clive Fleury.
August 1, 2019
I reviewed this via an ARC from the author, for Rosie Amber's Book Review Team. The fact that it was free has not affected this honest review.
At some time in the relatively near future, climate change has affected the world in such a way that those who can afford good food and fresh water live in protected zones, with the majority of the population struggling to survive. Hogan Duran is a former cop scratching a living, until he is given the opportunity of a lifetime with the NSC - the all-powerful National Security Council.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 40% of this book. The world-building was terrific, and I was engrossed. When Hogan gets his life-changing opportunity, he and many other candidates are put through a 'last man standing' series of tests, which was also a real page-turner; I loved this bit. Later, there is a great twist when he discovers that his experiences are not as they seem....
The second half of the book is mostly taken up with action scenes and daring escapes, as some of supposed 'goodies' come up against the Krails, a rebel biker gang. Here, I found that my interest wandered; I rarely find that action in books works anything like as well as it does on screen; there is too much explanation of 'this happened then that happened', and much of it seemed like the stuff of superheroes rather than a man who has been undernourished for years. I was also unconvinced by the escape in the last third of the book, when the all-seeing people in charge suddenly seemed not so all-seeing after all, enabling Duran and his friends to do all they did.
I thought the characterisation of Duran was extremely well done in the first half of the book; I could really see him. However, I often find in action books written by men that the women are just men with a female name, or a one-dimensional kick-ass heroine fantasy who is naked as often as the story will permit, and admonishes the hero in a feisty fashion, using his full name: 'You're a stubborn man, Hogan Duran'. This was no exception; Ruby was never more than a word on a page for me. Also, the story delves in and out of virtual reality, which was sometimes confusing.
I liked the ending, and may possibly check out the next in the series because I like the premise, but I'd have preferred it if the book had concentrated more on the characters and less on the outlandish action plot of the second half.
At some time in the relatively near future, climate change has affected the world in such a way that those who can afford good food and fresh water live in protected zones, with the majority of the population struggling to survive. Hogan Duran is a former cop scratching a living, until he is given the opportunity of a lifetime with the NSC - the all-powerful National Security Council.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 40% of this book. The world-building was terrific, and I was engrossed. When Hogan gets his life-changing opportunity, he and many other candidates are put through a 'last man standing' series of tests, which was also a real page-turner; I loved this bit. Later, there is a great twist when he discovers that his experiences are not as they seem....
The second half of the book is mostly taken up with action scenes and daring escapes, as some of supposed 'goodies' come up against the Krails, a rebel biker gang. Here, I found that my interest wandered; I rarely find that action in books works anything like as well as it does on screen; there is too much explanation of 'this happened then that happened', and much of it seemed like the stuff of superheroes rather than a man who has been undernourished for years. I was also unconvinced by the escape in the last third of the book, when the all-seeing people in charge suddenly seemed not so all-seeing after all, enabling Duran and his friends to do all they did.
I thought the characterisation of Duran was extremely well done in the first half of the book; I could really see him. However, I often find in action books written by men that the women are just men with a female name, or a one-dimensional kick-ass heroine fantasy who is naked as often as the story will permit, and admonishes the hero in a feisty fashion, using his full name: 'You're a stubborn man, Hogan Duran'. This was no exception; Ruby was never more than a word on a page for me. Also, the story delves in and out of virtual reality, which was sometimes confusing.
I liked the ending, and may possibly check out the next in the series because I like the premise, but I'd have preferred it if the book had concentrated more on the characters and less on the outlandish action plot of the second half.
April 25, 2019
"Taking a deep breath, I ripped the envelope open and pulled out an official- looking letter. I scanned the note quickly as Max peered over my shoulder. 'Well?'"
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review; thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. This in no way sways my review or opinion of the novel.
It has been a good while since I've read a dystopian novel --- after a number of disappointing reads, I kept far away. So when Fleury asked me to review his novel, I was a little hesitant. Luckily I stuck with my instincts, for Kill Code ended up being a phenomenal read! Full of plot twists like no other and a compelling main character that I only wish to know more and more about, Fleury's dystopian novel is a thrilling reading experience that will leave you wanting more.
CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains abuse (emotional, verbal, physical), anxiety, blood/gore, death (murder), prostitution (briefly mentioned), trauma (PTSD), and violence (gun violence, physical assault).
Spoiler Free! Full review available at Bookmark Your Thoughts.
The Pros
Heroic yet flawed, the main character's both interesting and relatable in many ways. Hogan Duran's a mid thirties former cop who's simply trying to make ends meat for both himself and his former partner on the force. Haunted by his past, Hogan brings to the novel this beautifully brilliant yet wonderfully imperfect character. From having quick thinking skills to an ongoing struggle with PTSD, Hogan's an exemplary example of how appearances can be deceiving ... even those who SEEM like they've got it all together have their own demons. THAT'S what's so great about him --- he's relatable and real. Hogan shows readers that even when things look dark, there's still a fighting chance. He's not the only character like this --- many of the side characters have intricate and engrossing backstories that make you FEEL for them and want to know more.
Fascinating yet terrifying, Fleury's able to both write a tremendous novel while also highlighting upon some pressing issues. Kill Code discusses a number of environmental and social issues, to which Fleury's NOT afraid to face on and explore. Climate change, government corruption, classism, social injustice ... this novel illustrates a scary yet all too real look at how our world is now, and how it's going to look in the near future if we don't start acting now. The more we hide and deny it all, the worse off we are and the people of the future will be. Authors have the ability to incite a desire for change in the people who read their novels, yet not all of them use this power. Fleury's one of the many wonderful authors who HAS utilized this opportunity, which is invigorating!
Beautifully descriptive and compelling, Fleury's novel flows so well that you'll be left wondering how you already finished the novel. This is SUCH a lovely experience when reading novels! Fleury's novel's one of those rarities that may SEEM like something already published, but contains these special little pieces and elements to create this original flair about it, making Kill Code stand out from the rest. The writing style's mesmerizing, drawing readers into this intense yet exciting futuristic world. An absolutely tremendous thing about Fleury's writing is how capable he is at writing action scenes, making you F E E L as though you're watching a movie ... and there's an abundance of this throughout the novel! This, in addition to the well paced writing style throughout the majority of the novel, made Kill Code such a wonderful reading experience.
If you're looking for a book where you FINALLY won't be able to guess the plot twist ... Kill Code is DEFINITELY the book for you. Honestly, I actually exclaimed my complete and utter shock aloud --- in public, I might add. Sure, there are a few things I had pegged from the first couple of chapters ... but the MAJOR plot twist came out of nowhere! And the best thing? The plot twist ACTUALLY makes sense. Fleury makes sure to cover all the areas in his novel for little to no plot holes --- a pleasant change and surprise from some of my past dystopia reading experiences.
The Woes
Though an action intensive novel, the beginning is --- unfortunately --- a slow start. The first portion of the first chapter in Kill Code is suspenseful, inviting the reader into Fleury's adventure packed novel. Shortly after though, the novel briefly discusses Hogan's mundane day-to-day experiences. This is bound to happen in novels, but this isn't what my issue was --- it was HOW this portion was written. It felt very "matter-of-fact" rather than in-depth and descriptive like the rest of the novel does, making it hard to get into at times. FORTUNATELY, this doesn't last beyond the first two to three chapters.
The story in Kill Code is captivating and unique, but the world and plot exploration needs some work. Though we slowly get to learn more about Hogan and the current state of affairs in this futuristic reality, there wasn't as much attention to the "details" that really help establish the setting and worldly events. This was particularly unfortunate, as it helps explain why Hogan's in his current predicament. Fleury touched upon the government corruption, the injustices between the classes, and major crime groups in the area ... but it still felt as though we were just scratching the surface, never getting into the "good stuff". I was hoping for a world exploration similar to Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. Fleury DOES intend on making this a trilogy, so this may have been done deliberately ... but I was still left with this "unsatisfying" feeling.
Overall
Fleury's Kill Code is an phenomenal reading experience, one that I firmly believe will become an ultimately epic dystopian trilogy. From action packed scenes to addressing the real issues head one, this novel presents a number of wonderful elements and qualities about it for a wide number of reader types. Though some parts are slow and the world building was disappointing, the rest of the novel and the characters within it make up for it all! Looking for a thrilling dystopian adult novel? You may be JUST in luck!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review; thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. This in no way sways my review or opinion of the novel.
It has been a good while since I've read a dystopian novel --- after a number of disappointing reads, I kept far away. So when Fleury asked me to review his novel, I was a little hesitant. Luckily I stuck with my instincts, for Kill Code ended up being a phenomenal read! Full of plot twists like no other and a compelling main character that I only wish to know more and more about, Fleury's dystopian novel is a thrilling reading experience that will leave you wanting more.
CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains abuse (emotional, verbal, physical), anxiety, blood/gore, death (murder), prostitution (briefly mentioned), trauma (PTSD), and violence (gun violence, physical assault).
Spoiler Free! Full review available at Bookmark Your Thoughts.
The Pros
Heroic yet flawed, the main character's both interesting and relatable in many ways. Hogan Duran's a mid thirties former cop who's simply trying to make ends meat for both himself and his former partner on the force. Haunted by his past, Hogan brings to the novel this beautifully brilliant yet wonderfully imperfect character. From having quick thinking skills to an ongoing struggle with PTSD, Hogan's an exemplary example of how appearances can be deceiving ... even those who SEEM like they've got it all together have their own demons. THAT'S what's so great about him --- he's relatable and real. Hogan shows readers that even when things look dark, there's still a fighting chance. He's not the only character like this --- many of the side characters have intricate and engrossing backstories that make you FEEL for them and want to know more.
Fascinating yet terrifying, Fleury's able to both write a tremendous novel while also highlighting upon some pressing issues. Kill Code discusses a number of environmental and social issues, to which Fleury's NOT afraid to face on and explore. Climate change, government corruption, classism, social injustice ... this novel illustrates a scary yet all too real look at how our world is now, and how it's going to look in the near future if we don't start acting now. The more we hide and deny it all, the worse off we are and the people of the future will be. Authors have the ability to incite a desire for change in the people who read their novels, yet not all of them use this power. Fleury's one of the many wonderful authors who HAS utilized this opportunity, which is invigorating!
Beautifully descriptive and compelling, Fleury's novel flows so well that you'll be left wondering how you already finished the novel. This is SUCH a lovely experience when reading novels! Fleury's novel's one of those rarities that may SEEM like something already published, but contains these special little pieces and elements to create this original flair about it, making Kill Code stand out from the rest. The writing style's mesmerizing, drawing readers into this intense yet exciting futuristic world. An absolutely tremendous thing about Fleury's writing is how capable he is at writing action scenes, making you F E E L as though you're watching a movie ... and there's an abundance of this throughout the novel! This, in addition to the well paced writing style throughout the majority of the novel, made Kill Code such a wonderful reading experience.
If you're looking for a book where you FINALLY won't be able to guess the plot twist ... Kill Code is DEFINITELY the book for you. Honestly, I actually exclaimed my complete and utter shock aloud --- in public, I might add. Sure, there are a few things I had pegged from the first couple of chapters ... but the MAJOR plot twist came out of nowhere! And the best thing? The plot twist ACTUALLY makes sense. Fleury makes sure to cover all the areas in his novel for little to no plot holes --- a pleasant change and surprise from some of my past dystopia reading experiences.
The Woes
Though an action intensive novel, the beginning is --- unfortunately --- a slow start. The first portion of the first chapter in Kill Code is suspenseful, inviting the reader into Fleury's adventure packed novel. Shortly after though, the novel briefly discusses Hogan's mundane day-to-day experiences. This is bound to happen in novels, but this isn't what my issue was --- it was HOW this portion was written. It felt very "matter-of-fact" rather than in-depth and descriptive like the rest of the novel does, making it hard to get into at times. FORTUNATELY, this doesn't last beyond the first two to three chapters.
The story in Kill Code is captivating and unique, but the world and plot exploration needs some work. Though we slowly get to learn more about Hogan and the current state of affairs in this futuristic reality, there wasn't as much attention to the "details" that really help establish the setting and worldly events. This was particularly unfortunate, as it helps explain why Hogan's in his current predicament. Fleury touched upon the government corruption, the injustices between the classes, and major crime groups in the area ... but it still felt as though we were just scratching the surface, never getting into the "good stuff". I was hoping for a world exploration similar to Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. Fleury DOES intend on making this a trilogy, so this may have been done deliberately ... but I was still left with this "unsatisfying" feeling.
Overall
Fleury's Kill Code is an phenomenal reading experience, one that I firmly believe will become an ultimately epic dystopian trilogy. From action packed scenes to addressing the real issues head one, this novel presents a number of wonderful elements and qualities about it for a wide number of reader types. Though some parts are slow and the world building was disappointing, the rest of the novel and the characters within it make up for it all! Looking for a thrilling dystopian adult novel? You may be JUST in luck!
February 2, 2020
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was great. It is well written, original, fast-paced and interesting enough to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I literally read 75% of the book in one sitting, 4⭐.
Hogan is introduced to us as this disgraced ex-cop that has to salvage things from the trash and take horrible jobs in order to survive in a very desolated post climate change catastrophe world.
The NSC seems to be the only organization that cares about the starving masses and on top of keeping the peace, it also provides free meals and community service. When he gets a chance to be a part of it he knows this is his chance to get a good life again and he's willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve his goal.
Most of this book takes place in the NSC's training facility where Hogan's whole world gets a 180° degree turn. He goes from eating whatever he can find to eating varied, nutritious foods. From having virtually no access to tech to a high tech compund. He's thrown in a race where only one candidate can win the ultimate prize of becoming an officer and he presses himself over and over again to give it his best.
The writing was on point and the different tests Hogan has to endure show us a little more about who he is, what he's willing to sacrifice and what his morals are. He has to endure a few twists that play with his perception of the world until he's desoriented and so are we.
My only complaint is the worldbuilding, at times it feels generic. But aside form that, I didn't have much I disliked or took me from the story.
The story has a lot of potential. Even though the book doesn't end in a cliffhanger it does leave the reader wanting more. I am curious to know what'll happen next.
This book was great. It is well written, original, fast-paced and interesting enough to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I literally read 75% of the book in one sitting, 4⭐.
Hogan is introduced to us as this disgraced ex-cop that has to salvage things from the trash and take horrible jobs in order to survive in a very desolated post climate change catastrophe world.
The NSC seems to be the only organization that cares about the starving masses and on top of keeping the peace, it also provides free meals and community service. When he gets a chance to be a part of it he knows this is his chance to get a good life again and he's willing to sacrifice everything in order to achieve his goal.
Most of this book takes place in the NSC's training facility where Hogan's whole world gets a 180° degree turn. He goes from eating whatever he can find to eating varied, nutritious foods. From having virtually no access to tech to a high tech compund. He's thrown in a race where only one candidate can win the ultimate prize of becoming an officer and he presses himself over and over again to give it his best.
The writing was on point and the different tests Hogan has to endure show us a little more about who he is, what he's willing to sacrifice and what his morals are. He has to endure a few twists that play with his perception of the world until he's desoriented and so are we.
My only complaint is the worldbuilding, at times it feels generic. But aside form that, I didn't have much I disliked or took me from the story.
The story has a lot of potential. Even though the book doesn't end in a cliffhanger it does leave the reader wanting more. I am curious to know what'll happen next.
December 17, 2019
While I can see why Kill Code has been compared to popular novels such as The Hunger Games, The 5th Wave, and Divergent, I hate to admit that this action-packed adventure is a little disappointing based on those comparisons.
Being a fan of the Divergent series and having read the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy, I have to be honest that I feel like this comparison is in place more for clickbait than actual similarity. The only thing I found in common between them is that there is a “survival of the fittest” storyline and a corrupt government, which is literally the genre of Dystopian–not those books specifically. The most important difference is that Kill Code is an adult Dystopian series, whereas the others are YA, which alone gives it an entirely different mood.
Taking away the comparison, however, and analyzing the book by itself, it was an okay book. I’m still confused about a lot of things and the pace was far too fast in my opinion, but I was interested enough to finish Kill Code and never grew bored of the story. It had a good plot twist that I hadn’t been expecting, but the ending needed about fifty more pages, at least, to explain more what was going on and create believable reasons for why the characters changed their whole endgame. As it is now, the first half of the book is great, the ending is “meh”.
The main character, Hogan, is a fascinating guy, but for the book to be told in first person by him, I’m surprised that I really don’t know all that much about him. The author never really slowed down to let the readers feel any of Hogan’s emotions or hear his thoughts or allowed him to express his passions and desires. He acted certain ways in situations, but we never knew why. Hogan just told his story without that element of depth that I had hoped to see.
Now the action and puzzling aspects of the story were certainly not lacking! There is a good deal of military-inspired suspense and combat scenes, as well as plenty of gory and unfortunate deaths for some characters. You’ll encounter your fair share of explosions too, and I certainly can’t forget to mention the biker gang and their glorious bikes. Believe me, you won’t be missing out on any action, there’s plenty of it there!
The last thing I do want to mention is that there is a good deal of cursing and several scenes that mention nudity. There’s no sexual meaning behind these scenes, just certain parts of the story (I’m being vague so as to not give away spoilers) require the groups of characters to be naked in the same room (e.g. military health inspections), though the rooms do contain both male and females and our male character does mention looking around and describes a female’s breasts later on in the book. There is no romance however, not even a kiss between any characters, and there are no descriptions about the nudity in any sort of detail beyond “he took off his clothes”. So just be aware of that and make your own judgement on if this book is for you.
Overall, I would have liked to see Kill Code more detailed about Hogan’s life and personality, I’d like to have seen some more details to the story and perhaps not such a quickly resolved ending. I give it 2 out of 5 stars and though I wouldn’t tell anyone NOT to read it, it’s not exactly a book that I would recommend to my friends.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
Being a fan of the Divergent series and having read the first book in the Hunger Games trilogy, I have to be honest that I feel like this comparison is in place more for clickbait than actual similarity. The only thing I found in common between them is that there is a “survival of the fittest” storyline and a corrupt government, which is literally the genre of Dystopian–not those books specifically. The most important difference is that Kill Code is an adult Dystopian series, whereas the others are YA, which alone gives it an entirely different mood.
Taking away the comparison, however, and analyzing the book by itself, it was an okay book. I’m still confused about a lot of things and the pace was far too fast in my opinion, but I was interested enough to finish Kill Code and never grew bored of the story. It had a good plot twist that I hadn’t been expecting, but the ending needed about fifty more pages, at least, to explain more what was going on and create believable reasons for why the characters changed their whole endgame. As it is now, the first half of the book is great, the ending is “meh”.
The main character, Hogan, is a fascinating guy, but for the book to be told in first person by him, I’m surprised that I really don’t know all that much about him. The author never really slowed down to let the readers feel any of Hogan’s emotions or hear his thoughts or allowed him to express his passions and desires. He acted certain ways in situations, but we never knew why. Hogan just told his story without that element of depth that I had hoped to see.
Now the action and puzzling aspects of the story were certainly not lacking! There is a good deal of military-inspired suspense and combat scenes, as well as plenty of gory and unfortunate deaths for some characters. You’ll encounter your fair share of explosions too, and I certainly can’t forget to mention the biker gang and their glorious bikes. Believe me, you won’t be missing out on any action, there’s plenty of it there!
The last thing I do want to mention is that there is a good deal of cursing and several scenes that mention nudity. There’s no sexual meaning behind these scenes, just certain parts of the story (I’m being vague so as to not give away spoilers) require the groups of characters to be naked in the same room (e.g. military health inspections), though the rooms do contain both male and females and our male character does mention looking around and describes a female’s breasts later on in the book. There is no romance however, not even a kiss between any characters, and there are no descriptions about the nudity in any sort of detail beyond “he took off his clothes”. So just be aware of that and make your own judgement on if this book is for you.
Overall, I would have liked to see Kill Code more detailed about Hogan’s life and personality, I’d like to have seen some more details to the story and perhaps not such a quickly resolved ending. I give it 2 out of 5 stars and though I wouldn’t tell anyone NOT to read it, it’s not exactly a book that I would recommend to my friends.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
July 3, 2019
Book Reaction: https://nildivision.blogspot.com/2019...
Rating: 3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Thank you to the author, Clive Fleury, for giving a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Thank you to the author, Clive Fleury, for giving a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2021
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on April 1, 2021.
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Kill Code is set 10 years in the future and the apocalyptic world is bleak: There is an 80% unemployment rate where one has to salvage items from the trash and take the lowest jobs possible in order to survive. Climate change has also ruined the world, as the sun can kill you.
Hogan Duran is our narrator and he tells us his story. He is a former cop who failed to save his partner from being shot and he lives with this daily. He struggles to live in this desolate world, but then faces a possible positive future: He is invited to become a part of the NSC (National Security Council), if he can make it through the most rigorous training he has ever gone through, and then his life will improve for the better.
Most of Kill Code takes place in the NSC training center and Duran meets other candidates (trainees) and we see how the candidates are fully tested from the physical, mental, logical, loyalty, and more. Men and women are treated and tested on the same level, but that does not mean that these strong women are any weaker than the men, which we see in Ruby, a candidate that Duran befriends that the reader grows to like. There are also the candidates that you quickly grow to hate.
Kill Code is a short novella at just under 140 pages and full of action. There is no rest for the weary in this novella. It is super-fast paced, and you can tell through his writing that the author, Clive Fleury does have a background in films and television. This novella is for adults, as there is usage of foul language and nudity throughout. I would say this novella could be for ages 15 and up, as it is nothing too extreme that has not been heard before. There are unexpected twists and Kill Code does have an ending, but the story is not over, and I look forward to the next in this series.
Many thanks to the publisher TCK Publishing for granting me a copy to read and review in my own time.
~~~~
This review will appear on my site on April 1, 2021.
~~~~
Kill Code is set 10 years in the future and the apocalyptic world is bleak: There is an 80% unemployment rate where one has to salvage items from the trash and take the lowest jobs possible in order to survive. Climate change has also ruined the world, as the sun can kill you.
Hogan Duran is our narrator and he tells us his story. He is a former cop who failed to save his partner from being shot and he lives with this daily. He struggles to live in this desolate world, but then faces a possible positive future: He is invited to become a part of the NSC (National Security Council), if he can make it through the most rigorous training he has ever gone through, and then his life will improve for the better.
Most of Kill Code takes place in the NSC training center and Duran meets other candidates (trainees) and we see how the candidates are fully tested from the physical, mental, logical, loyalty, and more. Men and women are treated and tested on the same level, but that does not mean that these strong women are any weaker than the men, which we see in Ruby, a candidate that Duran befriends that the reader grows to like. There are also the candidates that you quickly grow to hate.
Kill Code is a short novella at just under 140 pages and full of action. There is no rest for the weary in this novella. It is super-fast paced, and you can tell through his writing that the author, Clive Fleury does have a background in films and television. This novella is for adults, as there is usage of foul language and nudity throughout. I would say this novella could be for ages 15 and up, as it is nothing too extreme that has not been heard before. There are unexpected twists and Kill Code does have an ending, but the story is not over, and I look forward to the next in this series.
Many thanks to the publisher TCK Publishing for granting me a copy to read and review in my own time.
June 30, 2019
Hogan Duran has been living in poverty for several years now after resigning as a cop after his partner was shot. Hogan has signed up to be a National Security Officer serval times and he finally gets his chance. Along with about one hundred other candidates, he must pass several brutal tests before he has a chance at taking the one available spot. During these tests, Hogan discovers some strange things about the NSC. There are several plot twists and right when you think you’ve figured it out, you’re wrong. Is the NSC hiding something? Maybe, you’ll have to read it and find out for yourself.
I really liked Hogan’s character because you could tell he was a loyal and trusting guy. He’s strong but humble and although he knew there could only be one officer out of 100 people, he kept an eye out for another candidate named Ruby.
Ruby’s character was pretty awesome as well. Also humble and strong, Ruby fought just as hard as everyone else to get to the top. Like Hogan, she knew there could only be one officer but had no hard feelings toward Hogan throughout training although it was clearly stated the day they got to the NSC facility that it was best none of the candidates become friends.
I absolutely loathed Jake’s character. He only cared about himself and would do anything as long as it benefited him. While I understand his character is a necessity, I still didn’t like him.
As far as dystopian novels go, this has to be one of the best ones I’ve read. It wasn’t super ‘techy’ and confusing like some sci-fi/dystopian novels can get. I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the way this book was written. I especially liked how all the information about this new, downtrodden world was given throughout the book and not all at once in the beginning. I think the author did a wonderful job explaining things that obviously don’t exist (yet) without having to break down everything about it and you could still imagine it in your mind. I think this was a wonderfully written book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in sci-fi/dystopian novels because you will definitely be adding it to your favorites.
Thank you, Clive Fleury, for the opportunity to read and review your book.
I really liked Hogan’s character because you could tell he was a loyal and trusting guy. He’s strong but humble and although he knew there could only be one officer out of 100 people, he kept an eye out for another candidate named Ruby.
Ruby’s character was pretty awesome as well. Also humble and strong, Ruby fought just as hard as everyone else to get to the top. Like Hogan, she knew there could only be one officer but had no hard feelings toward Hogan throughout training although it was clearly stated the day they got to the NSC facility that it was best none of the candidates become friends.
I absolutely loathed Jake’s character. He only cared about himself and would do anything as long as it benefited him. While I understand his character is a necessity, I still didn’t like him.
As far as dystopian novels go, this has to be one of the best ones I’ve read. It wasn’t super ‘techy’ and confusing like some sci-fi/dystopian novels can get. I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the way this book was written. I especially liked how all the information about this new, downtrodden world was given throughout the book and not all at once in the beginning. I think the author did a wonderful job explaining things that obviously don’t exist (yet) without having to break down everything about it and you could still imagine it in your mind. I think this was a wonderfully written book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in sci-fi/dystopian novels because you will definitely be adding it to your favorites.
Thank you, Clive Fleury, for the opportunity to read and review your book.
March 21, 2019
Global warming is real. The ice caps have melted. What were once vacation destinations sprinkled along the coastal United States are now underwater.
Severe adversity often leads to war, famine, and poverty. Someone is needed to maintain order within the chaos. The NSC bravely comes to the rescue. These officers represent an organization created to protect the citizens from the outside world. To join the ranks would mean becoming part of an elite group. No more having to worry about food or a safe place to lay your head.
A dream come true for many, Hogan Duran, a former cop, has finally been the opportunity to become an NSC Officer. The selection process is grueling. Any candidate could be maimed or killed. Being selected is crucial. While the younger candidates may have another opportunity, Duran knows this is it for him. By NSC standards, he is an "oldie" candidate.
This story stresses the importance of remaining true to one's self. Don't allow greed to sway your position. Trust your instincts. If a situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Take the news with a grain of salt. Remember, there's always more than one side to a story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The flow was smooth and the twists were unexpected. As the ending eludes to a second book, I look forward to seeing what becomes of Hogan and Ruby.
Severe adversity often leads to war, famine, and poverty. Someone is needed to maintain order within the chaos. The NSC bravely comes to the rescue. These officers represent an organization created to protect the citizens from the outside world. To join the ranks would mean becoming part of an elite group. No more having to worry about food or a safe place to lay your head.
A dream come true for many, Hogan Duran, a former cop, has finally been the opportunity to become an NSC Officer. The selection process is grueling. Any candidate could be maimed or killed. Being selected is crucial. While the younger candidates may have another opportunity, Duran knows this is it for him. By NSC standards, he is an "oldie" candidate.
This story stresses the importance of remaining true to one's self. Don't allow greed to sway your position. Trust your instincts. If a situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Take the news with a grain of salt. Remember, there's always more than one side to a story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The flow was smooth and the twists were unexpected. As the ending eludes to a second book, I look forward to seeing what becomes of Hogan and Ruby.
Want to read
May 31, 2019For a moment, I mistook this book for a Maze Runner book....
April 7, 2019
Kill Code by Clive Fleury is a smashing dystopian read that was equal parts engaging and unsettling.
The dystopian settings in the book felt very realistic and, to be honest, seemed like a possibility for our own future. What I really liked about this book is that instead of focusing only on the dystopic settings and the new world, something that most of the authors writing in this genre tend to do, the author focused on the National Security Council (NSC), the elite force to protect the elite class in this horrible new world. The book had some really gritty action scenes which made the plot all the more exciting.
The characterization was strong and the inner conflicts of the MC, Hogan Duran, made it even better as I was able to connect with him. The plot-progression was great and the pacing and tension well tuned. The writing was good and complimented the plot making it easy as well as quick to read.
In a sentence, I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last one and would recommend it to all dystopian readers.
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
The dystopian settings in the book felt very realistic and, to be honest, seemed like a possibility for our own future. What I really liked about this book is that instead of focusing only on the dystopic settings and the new world, something that most of the authors writing in this genre tend to do, the author focused on the National Security Council (NSC), the elite force to protect the elite class in this horrible new world. The book had some really gritty action scenes which made the plot all the more exciting.
The characterization was strong and the inner conflicts of the MC, Hogan Duran, made it even better as I was able to connect with him. The plot-progression was great and the pacing and tension well tuned. The writing was good and complimented the plot making it easy as well as quick to read.
In a sentence, I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last one and would recommend it to all dystopian readers.
You can also read this review on www.thereadingbud.com
July 11, 2019
This book is a fascinating preview of what might happen if the birdenburgers get their way, and they are the rich elite while the masses starve to death and kill each other off for survival. The main character is an ex policeman who quit the force, because he believed it was his fault that his partner was shot and paralyzed. He then applied for a chance to become a part of the elite protective service. He is a good man that is ethical and efficient in combat. He meets a woman in the training, and they tend to pair up. Both characters are very likable. This book is a horrifying glimpse of what the world be like if the super rich had all the money, power, resources, and food.
April 26, 2019
In the not too distant future, the world is falling apart. Climate change has ruined it and people are left starving in the street. Hogan is an ex cop trying to get by. His skills will come in handy as he tries to survive against this harsh new world.
I enjoyed the story, I think Hogan was a decent character who is just trying to do his best. It was a little slow to start but overall a decent read. I would recommend it.
I enjoyed the story, I think Hogan was a decent character who is just trying to do his best. It was a little slow to start but overall a decent read. I would recommend it.
April 14, 2019
Kill Code by Clive Fleury has all the parts I loved about The Fifth Wave series. It is a hardcore dystopian with fascinating multi-dimensional characters and a plot to keep you engaged. I am a die-hard fan of dystopians because I know any of them can come true and I need to be prepared for that.
Just kidding.
The thing is that a dying world brings with it the extent to which humans can fall when their very nature is corrupted by the will to survive. I saw that in the protagonist Hogan Duran. A former cop who was forced to resign was now struggling on the brink of survival.
Before I discuss the characters, I need to talk about the premise which was realistic and borderline scary. The way I see the world today with people not caring about climate change and the wealth getting concentrated in the hands of a few powerful people, I could really see the events of this book turning to reality in a not so distant future.
Meanwhile, everyone who is not on the top positions, among the rich and powerful, must find their own ways of survival. So when a cop who went through forced retirement gets an opportunity to join National Security Council, he would do anything and pass any test. The tough training times and challenging tasks will decide what his fate would be.
The way this book was written with simultaneous build-up of the premise but never allowing the storyline to fall weak, makes it an entertaining read. The characters, even apart from Hogan were dark and gritty. Ruby had her pros and Jake had his cons but the book wouldn’t be complete without them. Secondary characters are often what makes or breaks a book for me and it is very important for dystopians to at least have strong side characters. Kill code gets a star rating, just for ensuring that.
The book kept me thinking throughout the chapters which means that it was completely engaging. But what made this book the most mind-blowing one was the ending. I was shocked and amazed and I hated and loved it both at the same time.
Now the book still has a lot of unanswered questions, which means there is scope for a sequel but even without that, the book feels complete in itself.
Just kidding.
The thing is that a dying world brings with it the extent to which humans can fall when their very nature is corrupted by the will to survive. I saw that in the protagonist Hogan Duran. A former cop who was forced to resign was now struggling on the brink of survival.
Before I discuss the characters, I need to talk about the premise which was realistic and borderline scary. The way I see the world today with people not caring about climate change and the wealth getting concentrated in the hands of a few powerful people, I could really see the events of this book turning to reality in a not so distant future.
Meanwhile, everyone who is not on the top positions, among the rich and powerful, must find their own ways of survival. So when a cop who went through forced retirement gets an opportunity to join National Security Council, he would do anything and pass any test. The tough training times and challenging tasks will decide what his fate would be.
The way this book was written with simultaneous build-up of the premise but never allowing the storyline to fall weak, makes it an entertaining read. The characters, even apart from Hogan were dark and gritty. Ruby had her pros and Jake had his cons but the book wouldn’t be complete without them. Secondary characters are often what makes or breaks a book for me and it is very important for dystopians to at least have strong side characters. Kill code gets a star rating, just for ensuring that.
The book kept me thinking throughout the chapters which means that it was completely engaging. But what made this book the most mind-blowing one was the ending. I was shocked and amazed and I hated and loved it both at the same time.
Now the book still has a lot of unanswered questions, which means there is scope for a sequel but even without that, the book feels complete in itself.
April 28, 2021
I don't read this genre very often, but I have to say that the blurb grabbed me straight away. It reminded me of 'Mad Max" and that's the kind of dystopian I thoroughly enjoy.
The story really opens with a crash, boom, bang and I was immediately devastated and gripped at the same time. Page by page I became more and more immersed and I had a hard time putting the book down.
Hogan was like the James Bond of a dystopian science fiction world. Fans all know that James Bond is invincible and it's always a bit over the top. It was the same here, but it did not bother me. I enjoyed the action.
I was very pleased to find out this book is the first one in a series. I was not ready to say goodbye to Hogan and Ruby and I am looking forward to find out what will happen with them now.
The author had me fooled a few times. I was shocked time and time again by the revelations. When everything feels so real, it must be real, right...? I won't answer this question. I will let you find out for yourself when you grab a copy of the book. Enjoy. I, for one, thought this story deserved 4 big, fat stars.
Thank you, Clive Fleury and TCK Punlishing
The story really opens with a crash, boom, bang and I was immediately devastated and gripped at the same time. Page by page I became more and more immersed and I had a hard time putting the book down.
Hogan was like the James Bond of a dystopian science fiction world. Fans all know that James Bond is invincible and it's always a bit over the top. It was the same here, but it did not bother me. I enjoyed the action.
I was very pleased to find out this book is the first one in a series. I was not ready to say goodbye to Hogan and Ruby and I am looking forward to find out what will happen with them now.
The author had me fooled a few times. I was shocked time and time again by the revelations. When everything feels so real, it must be real, right...? I won't answer this question. I will let you find out for yourself when you grab a copy of the book. Enjoy. I, for one, thought this story deserved 4 big, fat stars.
Thank you, Clive Fleury and TCK Punlishing
November 23, 2019
What I Loved: This book took me on so many twisty turns, I was just in awe! I really loved the way the author created this world and pulled me right in. I was right there with Hogan as he tried to make it into the NSC organization!
How I Felt: I’m giving this book a 5 star because it was great! The story, character building, and surprises were wonderful. There is a little character building for a friend of the main character who probably doesn’t seem to be needed in the story, but it is fairly brief and may be a set up for book 2. The first 20% of the book is building out the world, showing us how the common people are living. We gain some background on Hogan, the main character, as well as the overall culture of the civilization now. From there, the book takes off on this crazy story that is so fast-paced and well told!
To Read or Not To Read: I highly recommend this book for readers that enjoy action and post-apocalyptic stories!
What’s This Book About Anyway?
In 2031, the world is a different place. The oceans are rising, the wealthy are extremely wealthy and well off, while the other 99% live in poverty, struggling to find work, food, and lodging from day-to-day.
Hogan is an ex-officer of the police force. He spends his days applying for a position with the NSC, where he would be set for life. Then, the acceptance letter comes, and he’s in! He boards transportation and heads to the NSC base for a rigorous competition to be the ONE candidate that makes it into the NSC. Can he do it? As he fights to make it to the top of this group, he starts to realize that the NSC may not be exactly what he had dreamed it would be.
I received a copy of this advanced reader's copy for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
How I Felt: I’m giving this book a 5 star because it was great! The story, character building, and surprises were wonderful. There is a little character building for a friend of the main character who probably doesn’t seem to be needed in the story, but it is fairly brief and may be a set up for book 2. The first 20% of the book is building out the world, showing us how the common people are living. We gain some background on Hogan, the main character, as well as the overall culture of the civilization now. From there, the book takes off on this crazy story that is so fast-paced and well told!
To Read or Not To Read: I highly recommend this book for readers that enjoy action and post-apocalyptic stories!
What’s This Book About Anyway?
In 2031, the world is a different place. The oceans are rising, the wealthy are extremely wealthy and well off, while the other 99% live in poverty, struggling to find work, food, and lodging from day-to-day.
Hogan is an ex-officer of the police force. He spends his days applying for a position with the NSC, where he would be set for life. Then, the acceptance letter comes, and he’s in! He boards transportation and heads to the NSC base for a rigorous competition to be the ONE candidate that makes it into the NSC. Can he do it? As he fights to make it to the top of this group, he starts to realize that the NSC may not be exactly what he had dreamed it would be.
I received a copy of this advanced reader's copy for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
All of my reviews can be found at: https://shejustlovesbooks.com/
June 6, 2020
I was enraptured with this novel from the beginning. Climate change, rising sea levels, dystopian society, economic collapse; the richer, the poor lose out, homelessness expands--and outside the cities roam outlaws. The characters are well-drawn and eliciting of empathy (not the bad guys) and the plot is riveting. A really enjoyable near-future Dystopian!
February 9, 2019
>2.75 stars<
I was sent this book by the author for review. This story follows a man named Hogan Duran in the year 2031. Climate change has caused catastrophe on the planet; the oceans have risen to extreme levels and the sun is so hot it can kill if you're not careful. In this new world the rich and powerful have taken complete control and everyone else lives on the fringes of society, many depending on the dump and the wealthy man's garbage to survive. Hogan, an ex-police officer, is struggling through the day-to-day just like the rest of the poor but has high hopes of being selected to train as an NSC Officer, a job that comes with honor and wealth. As an NSC officer his main job would be to protect the wealthy from the Krails, a band of barbaric men and women who aim to take down the elite. When his acceptance letter finally comes, Hogan heads out, with several other men and women, in the hopes of having what it takes to complete his training and take his place among the powerful paramilitary organization. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and everything he thinks he knows about this organization is turned on it's head.
Sounds pretty good, right? This story had so much potential. The foundation is strong, but unfortunately it lacks the guts that could have made this a great novel. For starters, this book is only 137 pages long. In some instances this isn't necessarily a bad thing but here it just doesn't work. The story is too complex to squeeze into so few pages and the result is that there is a huge lack of detail, world-building, and characterization. The main protagonist is a very likable and relatable guy and with a bit more background he could have been much more interesting. We know he is ex-police and the reason behind that. We know why he wants to join the NSC and what he stands to gain from it. And that's it. Almost as if he just popped into existence at some point of adulthood and started living his life. On top of that, once Hogan enters the program you quickly learn that he is the best at everything with very little exception. He's your typical good guy with amazing physical prowess in all things. Now add in Ruby, The stunning and brilliant good girl, and Jake, the arrogant bad guy, and you've got yourself the main competitors for the NSC spot. It's all been done before. Then we have some really cool ideas for futuristic technology. But the way this technology is explained leaves something to be desired. It isn't done in a way that makes it seem believable or possible and especially not when this story takes place just 12 years from now. This is another major area where more world-building and description would have played a major role in the success of this book. The author also fell into the habit of "telling, not showing". He used the words "see" and "saw" many times throughout the book but this did improve closer to the end.
"I saw the others were enjoying the meal as much as I was."
"I could see that it hurt Ruby."
"I opened the overhead storage cupboards and saw plates, cups, glasses, and pots and pans."
There were many action sequences that seemed very unrealistic to me, as well. One in particular stands out. In the following scene, the two main protagonists are sliding down a 100-ft.-roof at high speed, the roof tiles tearing into their clothes and skin, trying to escape from two other individuals.
"Brake!" I pushed my shoes down hard on the tiles.
Behind, the officers were almost upon us. A fat man appeared just to my right. Smiling, he pulled out his gun, pointed at me, and steadied his aim.
On the other side, the woman officer had drawn next to Ruby. Grinning maniacally she mouthed a silent farewell as she pressed the trigger on her gun. Ruby kicked out, hitting her hard on her side. She spun around and the bullet flew harmlessly into the air. Undaunted, the woman pulled her weapon back and aimed it again at Ruby.
"Duck!" I screamed. We both bent forward as the woman's bullet flew over Ruby's head. Simultaneously, the fat officer fired. His bullet struck the woman at the same time as her bullet hit him. both screamed in agony as blood spurted from their wounds.
They continued to slide down, moving past us at a higher speed before smashing into the ground-the impact killing them instantly.
"Head for her, Ruby!" I shouted, pointing to the dead woman officer and moving to position myself above the fat officer's body.
Reaching the bottom, my feet dug into the man and twisted him around just as ruby crashed into the woman.
We stood up slowly, happy to be on solid ground and alive.
Throughout this passage all I could think of was the man officer holding his aim on Hogan while the scuffle with the two women took place. Rather than shooting his target while having him in his sights while also flying down a roof, he waits, only shooting when the woman officer finally gets her aim back on her target after being kicked and spun around on the roof and in turn shooting each other. I don't expect everything to be perfect in this type of situation but the likelihood of everything falling so perfectly into place in order for this scene to be successful is extremely slim. At least, that's how I saw it. This passage is the only one that was unrealistic to this degree but not the only one where the main protagonist defied death. This happened many, many times-and each time there was someone there to save him, or some other equally unbelievable stunt is pulled to save him. There are many things I can look past while reading, especially in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, when reading for enjoyment. But this type of thing gets me every time and pulls me out of the story. Even if something isn't actually possible or real, I still need the author to make me believe it is. I think with a different word structure I could have been convinced throughout this book but this author's style of writing didn't allow for that.
even though I felt this book was problematic in many areas, I can still say with confidence that the plot was intriguing. The author did manage to keep me interested in what would happen next and I never felt compelled to put the book down out of boredom. Many of the issues here also improved as the story progressed. The dialogue became more fluid and the plot progressed nicely. The story ended on a cliffhanger that could potentially go many different ways and gives the author the opportunity to improve upon the plot, characters, and world-building. Given the opportunity, I would be willing to continue on and read the next installment, if one were to be released. The novel was interesting enough for me to be curious as to how the story will conclude. This book would definitely appeal to audiences that are interested in climate change and how it could possibly affect the world, dystopians, and action/war type stories. If reading this book purely for enjoyment rather than reviewing purposes, it's very possible that some of the things noted above could be easily looked over. This book definitely has potential.
Thanks to Clive Fleury for the opportunity to read and review his book.
March 19, 2021
Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel,
Author: Clive Fleury, Publisher: Tck Publishing ( Dec. 2018), Paperback: 148 pages, ISBN-10: 1-63161-056-2, ISBN-13: 978-1-63161-056-1, Price: Rs. 1202/=
This book is an unusual work of fiction, totally based on the fertile imagination of the author. All names and incidents etc. are fictitious. It is said to be a Dystopia novel, which means an imagined state or society, in which there is great suffering or injustice. In the beginning, one is unable to anticipate about the many terrible and terrifying events which follow. Catastrophe is said to be due to climate changes. Temperatures are high and turbulence in the ocean is terrible, leading to ocean water rising and creating havoc frequently. The world scenario appears to be dark, with poor economy and high unemployment. Therefore loss of a job may lead to loss of food and even to loss of life. The rich and corrupt become powerful, do not allow general people to come up and may even starve them and thus dictate and rule the world. In future, due to climate change & overpopulation, a large number of the inhabitants of the earth, may struggle to earn a living, scavenge for food from the waste of the rich & get oppressed by corrupt and rich people, since they feel that with the survival of starving people becoming a serious problem, it is easier to control the world.
The main narrator in this novel is Hogan Duran, who is a painstaking person. At first, he was in the army, then became a police person and then resigned. He too is one, struggling to earn a living and adding income by obtaining things free from the garbage. National Security Council (NSC) is an elite and secret special force, which was formed to protect the rich, privileged and powerful. Entrance into this force depends upon passing a series of potential deadly entrance tests. Added to the location is a rebel group known as Krails. Hogan gets an invitation for joining NSC along with others, for which all of them are subjected to several rigorous, challenging and deadly tests one after the other. If he clears the hard process of competition with other candidates, he is likely to be selected. Being a former police person, Hogan was hopeful to pass the tests based on his experience and thus improve his life. But the things are not that straight forward. He faces many difficulties, but keeps his integrity. The other characters in the novel are Captain Beecham and General Stoker of NSC, Ms. Ruby, who was also in Army, Jake etc. There are several incidents which cannot be forgotten easily, e.g. shooting of his friend Max Creeling, which led to his paralyzed leg and living on wheelchair. While being escorted back to the Base, they are attacked by Krails. But with the earlier experience in the Army, Duran and Ruby escape from Krails. General negotiates with Krails. Later on, Hogan and Max live in a small apartment. But ultimately Duran gets disappointed to observe that both NSC and Krails are together in enjoying wealth and power.
There are 21 Chapters in this book. In the end, Photo of the author and About the author have been provided, followed by “Connect with Clive Fleury”, “Other books by Clive”, “Get Book Discounts and Deals”, and “One last thing”. In the last note, the author is requesting readers to post brief comments/reviews on the relevant page of the book on Amazon. It is a relatively short, well written, thrilling science fiction novel. It has several combinations of climate change, injustice, survival, life threatening competitions, individual strength, feelings, simulation etc. While going through the book, it appears that the whole action drama is taking place in front of us. The characters are strong and clear cut, who play their parts well and action is adequately fast paced. The well thought out plot of the author has many catastrophic events having turns & surprises, against which the people must fight. It is interesting, entertaining and exciting and the reader gets engrossed into the incidents. The journey of reading this novel takes the reader on a futuristic ride. But question that arises is whether it is possible that such a position may arise in future on earth. This is the first book in the series of three being written by the author. The readers have to keep their fingers crossed, about the plots and nature and turn of the events in the next two books in the series. Concluding, it can be stated that this science novel will be found interesting and suitable by all those who like excitement and thrill.
------------------vijaiksharma
Author: Clive Fleury, Publisher: Tck Publishing ( Dec. 2018), Paperback: 148 pages, ISBN-10: 1-63161-056-2, ISBN-13: 978-1-63161-056-1, Price: Rs. 1202/=
This book is an unusual work of fiction, totally based on the fertile imagination of the author. All names and incidents etc. are fictitious. It is said to be a Dystopia novel, which means an imagined state or society, in which there is great suffering or injustice. In the beginning, one is unable to anticipate about the many terrible and terrifying events which follow. Catastrophe is said to be due to climate changes. Temperatures are high and turbulence in the ocean is terrible, leading to ocean water rising and creating havoc frequently. The world scenario appears to be dark, with poor economy and high unemployment. Therefore loss of a job may lead to loss of food and even to loss of life. The rich and corrupt become powerful, do not allow general people to come up and may even starve them and thus dictate and rule the world. In future, due to climate change & overpopulation, a large number of the inhabitants of the earth, may struggle to earn a living, scavenge for food from the waste of the rich & get oppressed by corrupt and rich people, since they feel that with the survival of starving people becoming a serious problem, it is easier to control the world.
The main narrator in this novel is Hogan Duran, who is a painstaking person. At first, he was in the army, then became a police person and then resigned. He too is one, struggling to earn a living and adding income by obtaining things free from the garbage. National Security Council (NSC) is an elite and secret special force, which was formed to protect the rich, privileged and powerful. Entrance into this force depends upon passing a series of potential deadly entrance tests. Added to the location is a rebel group known as Krails. Hogan gets an invitation for joining NSC along with others, for which all of them are subjected to several rigorous, challenging and deadly tests one after the other. If he clears the hard process of competition with other candidates, he is likely to be selected. Being a former police person, Hogan was hopeful to pass the tests based on his experience and thus improve his life. But the things are not that straight forward. He faces many difficulties, but keeps his integrity. The other characters in the novel are Captain Beecham and General Stoker of NSC, Ms. Ruby, who was also in Army, Jake etc. There are several incidents which cannot be forgotten easily, e.g. shooting of his friend Max Creeling, which led to his paralyzed leg and living on wheelchair. While being escorted back to the Base, they are attacked by Krails. But with the earlier experience in the Army, Duran and Ruby escape from Krails. General negotiates with Krails. Later on, Hogan and Max live in a small apartment. But ultimately Duran gets disappointed to observe that both NSC and Krails are together in enjoying wealth and power.
There are 21 Chapters in this book. In the end, Photo of the author and About the author have been provided, followed by “Connect with Clive Fleury”, “Other books by Clive”, “Get Book Discounts and Deals”, and “One last thing”. In the last note, the author is requesting readers to post brief comments/reviews on the relevant page of the book on Amazon. It is a relatively short, well written, thrilling science fiction novel. It has several combinations of climate change, injustice, survival, life threatening competitions, individual strength, feelings, simulation etc. While going through the book, it appears that the whole action drama is taking place in front of us. The characters are strong and clear cut, who play their parts well and action is adequately fast paced. The well thought out plot of the author has many catastrophic events having turns & surprises, against which the people must fight. It is interesting, entertaining and exciting and the reader gets engrossed into the incidents. The journey of reading this novel takes the reader on a futuristic ride. But question that arises is whether it is possible that such a position may arise in future on earth. This is the first book in the series of three being written by the author. The readers have to keep their fingers crossed, about the plots and nature and turn of the events in the next two books in the series. Concluding, it can be stated that this science novel will be found interesting and suitable by all those who like excitement and thrill.
------------------vijaiksharma
August 24, 2020
Kill Code is a gripping dystopian story that offers a glimpse into what the world will be like in 2031 after it has been decimated by climate change. With 80% of the world unemployed and struggling to survive, people will do anything to earn money and put food on the table. It was a scarily accurate view of what it could be like living in a world ravaged by climate change and something that should serve as an eye-opener for today’s society.
The main character, Hogan Duran, is a former cop who’s ravaged by guilt over not being able to prevent the shooting of his partner and friend, Max, which left him in a wheelchair and unfit to work. He quit his job but pretty soon after he regretted it as he struggled to get by and support himself and Max. Ultimately, he finds himself living in poverty. In order to survive, he has to take any job he can find and root around in garbage hills. But when he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime – to work for the National Security Council (NSC) – he puts himself through gruelling trials to earn his place among the elite. The plot definitely became more exciting when Duran arrived at the NSC to complete his trials, which were pretty gruesome and not something I could stomach. They were certainly something, ranging from a lie detector test to staying in a crate for as long as was bearable.
It’s no surprise that I’ve read a fair amount of dystopian books as it has managed to remain a popular genre over the years and each book has a different spin on what the world will be like. Kill Code caught my attention because, as mentioned above, it’s set in a world where climate change was never taken seriously and it has unfortunately reached the point of no return with ocean’s rising and the heat becoming unbearable, causing some regions to become inhabitable. There’s a strong contrast between the poor and the elite – millions of people are living in poverty, while the rich are living a life of luxury. This is all covered at the start of the book and although it was summarised pretty well, I still found myself wanting to know more about what happened leading up to it. The author mentions, for example, that the then-president considered climate change a hoax and pulled out of global climate treaties. However, I’d like to know more about whether any other leaders tried to prevent this from happening and what happened when everyone realised it was too late. Furthermore, I’d like to know what happened when the economy crashed and if governments just fell apart? I still had a lot of questions at the end of the book and craved a more detailed explanation about how climate change was handled worldwide.
Duran was a pretty interesting character. He’s painted as heroic, but he’s also incredibly flawed. We were told a few times that he’s a good character, but I didn’t really see it until towards the end. You’re not necessarily good just because you work for the police – it’s your actions that matter the most and ultimately paint a picture of who you are as a person. This is something that I didn’t feel was covered very well at the start and Duran’s time as a police officer could have been explored a lot better. All I know is that he couldn’t save his friend from being shot and has felt guilty ever since. That being said, he’s redeemed towards the end as he realises the NSC are not quite what everyone has been led to believe. If he manages to succeed in the NSC trials, he will be wealthy beyond his wildest dreams, however, that doesn’t seem to matter to him when he uncovers how the NSC really secures and maintains their powerful position.
I really liked the ending of the story and I hope there will be a second book as, like I said earlier, I still have a lot of unanswered questions and I’m also curious to see what Duran will do next. Ultimately, Kill Code is a compelling dystopian novel with some interesting twists and a unique take on what will become of a world ravaged by climate change.
Thank you to TCK Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main character, Hogan Duran, is a former cop who’s ravaged by guilt over not being able to prevent the shooting of his partner and friend, Max, which left him in a wheelchair and unfit to work. He quit his job but pretty soon after he regretted it as he struggled to get by and support himself and Max. Ultimately, he finds himself living in poverty. In order to survive, he has to take any job he can find and root around in garbage hills. But when he’s offered the opportunity of a lifetime – to work for the National Security Council (NSC) – he puts himself through gruelling trials to earn his place among the elite. The plot definitely became more exciting when Duran arrived at the NSC to complete his trials, which were pretty gruesome and not something I could stomach. They were certainly something, ranging from a lie detector test to staying in a crate for as long as was bearable.
It’s no surprise that I’ve read a fair amount of dystopian books as it has managed to remain a popular genre over the years and each book has a different spin on what the world will be like. Kill Code caught my attention because, as mentioned above, it’s set in a world where climate change was never taken seriously and it has unfortunately reached the point of no return with ocean’s rising and the heat becoming unbearable, causing some regions to become inhabitable. There’s a strong contrast between the poor and the elite – millions of people are living in poverty, while the rich are living a life of luxury. This is all covered at the start of the book and although it was summarised pretty well, I still found myself wanting to know more about what happened leading up to it. The author mentions, for example, that the then-president considered climate change a hoax and pulled out of global climate treaties. However, I’d like to know more about whether any other leaders tried to prevent this from happening and what happened when everyone realised it was too late. Furthermore, I’d like to know what happened when the economy crashed and if governments just fell apart? I still had a lot of questions at the end of the book and craved a more detailed explanation about how climate change was handled worldwide.
Duran was a pretty interesting character. He’s painted as heroic, but he’s also incredibly flawed. We were told a few times that he’s a good character, but I didn’t really see it until towards the end. You’re not necessarily good just because you work for the police – it’s your actions that matter the most and ultimately paint a picture of who you are as a person. This is something that I didn’t feel was covered very well at the start and Duran’s time as a police officer could have been explored a lot better. All I know is that he couldn’t save his friend from being shot and has felt guilty ever since. That being said, he’s redeemed towards the end as he realises the NSC are not quite what everyone has been led to believe. If he manages to succeed in the NSC trials, he will be wealthy beyond his wildest dreams, however, that doesn’t seem to matter to him when he uncovers how the NSC really secures and maintains their powerful position.
I really liked the ending of the story and I hope there will be a second book as, like I said earlier, I still have a lot of unanswered questions and I’m also curious to see what Duran will do next. Ultimately, Kill Code is a compelling dystopian novel with some interesting twists and a unique take on what will become of a world ravaged by climate change.
Thank you to TCK Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2019
What Made Me Read It I was sent a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I'm not usually drawn to military genres but the blurb and some of the reviews I read hinted at interesting character conflicts so I decided to give it a try.
The Good "Kill Code" is the first book in a series of dystopian novels set in the near future. Told in the first person through the eyes of the main character Hogan Duran, a 33 years old ex-cop who struggles to survive in a decaying Los Angeles, ruined by extreme climate change and a collapsed economy and society. After quitting the police force over the guilt of his partner's injury, Hogan's last hope to escape the poverty he lives in is to apply for a position inside the National Security Council, an elite security force that provides protection to the powerful and wealthy. But the selection process is brutal, the competition fierce and his own values a handicap.
The story is fast-paced with plenty of action sequences as the main character tries to pass the punishing physical, mental and emotional tests on NSC Base Camp 17 and fend off an attack from the Krails, a band of outlaws who roam the wastelands and frequently raid the metropolis.
This first volume is short in length and a quick read, with just enough world building to get a general idea of the background setting for the main plot. The author paints a grim future where extreme climate change has led to famine, economic collapse and social inequality; a sort of cautionary tale based on today's reality: political administrations denying the existence of climate change, rising xenophobia and racism prompting repressive border control, police brutality and power abuse, media misinformation practices. But being set in the future, there's also a few interesting sci-fi gadgets: glider steel balls used for communication, cerebral scanners that probe for psychological defects, robotic hand-to-hand combat simulation units and virtual reality rooms.
The main character is 3-dimentional and complex, we follow his personal journey through all his mental and emotional states: from his guilt over his partner's injury to his determination to escape a life of poverty, his weaknesses and strengths during the selection process, his doubts when he realizes the NSC isn't what it's supposed to be and indecision between a life of privilege over his core values. The secondary characters (the NSC senior officers General Stoker and Commander Beecham, the candidates Jake Teerman and Ruby Mason, and the Krail leader Hunter) are mostly stereotypical but they fulfill their roles well as allies and antagonists.
It took me too long to warm up to the plot. A big portion of the novel focus on the merciless selection process to join the ranks of the NSC and I just couldn't connect with the theme. I don't particularly enjoy the military genre and even though the main character was interesting and well developed the book failed to catch my interest. But that's just a personal distaste, for those readers who do enjoy the genre the book delivers on its promise. The plot twist about 3/4 of the way though was brilliant and completely unexpected, it was a work of art that earned the novel an extra star in the final rating.
Read the full review on: https://literaryportals.blogspot.com/...
Final Rating 4 of 5 stars. "Kill Code" is a fast-paced and action packed dystopian novel set in the near future. Recommended for those who enjoy military genre and survival stories with a focus on climate change and economic and social collapse.
The Good "Kill Code" is the first book in a series of dystopian novels set in the near future. Told in the first person through the eyes of the main character Hogan Duran, a 33 years old ex-cop who struggles to survive in a decaying Los Angeles, ruined by extreme climate change and a collapsed economy and society. After quitting the police force over the guilt of his partner's injury, Hogan's last hope to escape the poverty he lives in is to apply for a position inside the National Security Council, an elite security force that provides protection to the powerful and wealthy. But the selection process is brutal, the competition fierce and his own values a handicap.
The story is fast-paced with plenty of action sequences as the main character tries to pass the punishing physical, mental and emotional tests on NSC Base Camp 17 and fend off an attack from the Krails, a band of outlaws who roam the wastelands and frequently raid the metropolis.
This first volume is short in length and a quick read, with just enough world building to get a general idea of the background setting for the main plot. The author paints a grim future where extreme climate change has led to famine, economic collapse and social inequality; a sort of cautionary tale based on today's reality: political administrations denying the existence of climate change, rising xenophobia and racism prompting repressive border control, police brutality and power abuse, media misinformation practices. But being set in the future, there's also a few interesting sci-fi gadgets: glider steel balls used for communication, cerebral scanners that probe for psychological defects, robotic hand-to-hand combat simulation units and virtual reality rooms.
The main character is 3-dimentional and complex, we follow his personal journey through all his mental and emotional states: from his guilt over his partner's injury to his determination to escape a life of poverty, his weaknesses and strengths during the selection process, his doubts when he realizes the NSC isn't what it's supposed to be and indecision between a life of privilege over his core values. The secondary characters (the NSC senior officers General Stoker and Commander Beecham, the candidates Jake Teerman and Ruby Mason, and the Krail leader Hunter) are mostly stereotypical but they fulfill their roles well as allies and antagonists.
It took me too long to warm up to the plot. A big portion of the novel focus on the merciless selection process to join the ranks of the NSC and I just couldn't connect with the theme. I don't particularly enjoy the military genre and even though the main character was interesting and well developed the book failed to catch my interest. But that's just a personal distaste, for those readers who do enjoy the genre the book delivers on its promise. The plot twist about 3/4 of the way though was brilliant and completely unexpected, it was a work of art that earned the novel an extra star in the final rating.
Read the full review on: https://literaryportals.blogspot.com/...
Final Rating 4 of 5 stars. "Kill Code" is a fast-paced and action packed dystopian novel set in the near future. Recommended for those who enjoy military genre and survival stories with a focus on climate change and economic and social collapse.
October 22, 2020
Half of all work tasks will be handled by machines by 2025 in a shift likely to worsen inequality, a World Economic Forum report has forecast, reported the BBC on October 21.
. . . .it said millions of routine or manual jobs would be displaced by technology, affecting the lowest paid, lowest skilled workers the most. It said millions would need to be re-skilled to cope with the change. . .
Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari sees the world heading for a dark future in which a tiny grasping elite increasingly takes over wealth and power while artificial intelligence makes 99 per cent of human qualities and abilities redundant. The result: billions of people are left with no work and no way to support themselves--Harari calls them a "useless class."
He does not mean that pejoratively, but as a matter of fact as he sees it.
Add to the mixture climate change as crop failure forces people off the land and rising sea levels flood populated coastal regions.
Masses of desperate, rejected people looking for meaning in their lives adds up to trouble--this trouble is well on the way to becoming a reality that threatens to catch up with science fiction.
In his book, The Wall, John Lanchester writes about a Britain surrounded by a sort of Hadrian's Wall on which armed guards (known as "Defenders") beat off sea-borne marauding invaders, referred to pithily as as "Others". The "Others" have been displaced by rising ocean levels.
In Clive Fleury's pacey dystopian science-fiction work, Kill Code, set in 2031, the displaced hordes are known as the Krails. They live in wastelands outside the city, rob and kill and make raids into urban areas.
Fleury describes a world in which temperatures continue to soar and global sea levels keep rising. Cities like Miami have disappeared below the water, and the heat has made the Midwest virtually uninhabitable. Agricultural output has collapsed, leaving millions of agricultural workers destitute.
This is not so far from an imminent reality.
The rich live in enclaves. The only non-white, non-Christians allowed in are maids, gardeners, and handymen. Unemployment is put officially at eight percent but the real figure is thought to be touching 80 per cent.
Into this apocalyptic scene steps an ex cop named Hogan Duran, who has himself fallen on hard times. Hogan is forced to take whatever jobs he can just to survive. In a world where only the wealthy can afford the Internet and television, he delivers the Los Angeles Free Times (compulsory delivery for all and presumably their sole source of information) for a pittance, after which he scours rubbish dumps for scraps of food and clothing.
Duran is a tough guy and I wonder if his name was inspired by Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, a world champion at several weight classes who was known for his ruggedness.
Suddenly, (Hogan) Duran's luck changes. He gets the chance to join the National Security Council, an elite military outfit charged with maintaining order in this torn society--that means preventing the storming Krails from wrecking the comfortable life of the wealthy and privileged.
Like his namesake, Roberto, Hogan Duran needs to fight to prove his worth to the NSC--and in ways he could not expect. He becomes seemingly trapped in a virtual reality house of mirrors where little is what it seems. At one stage, he has to practice combat by fighting a robot.
There are some minor quibbles such as when, occasionally, the author lets too much explanation or dialogue smother the action scenes, but eventually this page-turner of a book arrives at its strange but satisfying denouement.
. . . .it said millions of routine or manual jobs would be displaced by technology, affecting the lowest paid, lowest skilled workers the most. It said millions would need to be re-skilled to cope with the change. . .
Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari sees the world heading for a dark future in which a tiny grasping elite increasingly takes over wealth and power while artificial intelligence makes 99 per cent of human qualities and abilities redundant. The result: billions of people are left with no work and no way to support themselves--Harari calls them a "useless class."
He does not mean that pejoratively, but as a matter of fact as he sees it.
Add to the mixture climate change as crop failure forces people off the land and rising sea levels flood populated coastal regions.
Masses of desperate, rejected people looking for meaning in their lives adds up to trouble--this trouble is well on the way to becoming a reality that threatens to catch up with science fiction.
In his book, The Wall, John Lanchester writes about a Britain surrounded by a sort of Hadrian's Wall on which armed guards (known as "Defenders") beat off sea-borne marauding invaders, referred to pithily as as "Others". The "Others" have been displaced by rising ocean levels.
In Clive Fleury's pacey dystopian science-fiction work, Kill Code, set in 2031, the displaced hordes are known as the Krails. They live in wastelands outside the city, rob and kill and make raids into urban areas.
Fleury describes a world in which temperatures continue to soar and global sea levels keep rising. Cities like Miami have disappeared below the water, and the heat has made the Midwest virtually uninhabitable. Agricultural output has collapsed, leaving millions of agricultural workers destitute.
This is not so far from an imminent reality.
The rich live in enclaves. The only non-white, non-Christians allowed in are maids, gardeners, and handymen. Unemployment is put officially at eight percent but the real figure is thought to be touching 80 per cent.
Into this apocalyptic scene steps an ex cop named Hogan Duran, who has himself fallen on hard times. Hogan is forced to take whatever jobs he can just to survive. In a world where only the wealthy can afford the Internet and television, he delivers the Los Angeles Free Times (compulsory delivery for all and presumably their sole source of information) for a pittance, after which he scours rubbish dumps for scraps of food and clothing.
Duran is a tough guy and I wonder if his name was inspired by Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, a world champion at several weight classes who was known for his ruggedness.
Suddenly, (Hogan) Duran's luck changes. He gets the chance to join the National Security Council, an elite military outfit charged with maintaining order in this torn society--that means preventing the storming Krails from wrecking the comfortable life of the wealthy and privileged.
Like his namesake, Roberto, Hogan Duran needs to fight to prove his worth to the NSC--and in ways he could not expect. He becomes seemingly trapped in a virtual reality house of mirrors where little is what it seems. At one stage, he has to practice combat by fighting a robot.
There are some minor quibbles such as when, occasionally, the author lets too much explanation or dialogue smother the action scenes, but eventually this page-turner of a book arrives at its strange but satisfying denouement.
September 14, 2019
I obtained this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Hogan Duran is a man that lost everything he cared about and was pushed aside to live on the fringes of society. He is a very complex and multi-faceted character who is just trying to survive after his downfall in a world that is progressively disappearing unless you happen to be wealthy. After several years of living a squalid hand-to-mouth life, he is suddenly approached by the group whose only purpose is to protect the rich inhabitants from harm. Joining this group seems like a second chance for Hogan. He can finally leave the last four years of base existence behind. The National Security Council seems like the answer to all of his dreams. In order to join them, he faces a grueling and deadly entrance test and is awarded a spot in the NSC for his efforts.
After his induction into the NSC, he begins to notice that there are things that the NSC wants to keep hidden. As he delves further into the world of the NSC, he uncovers the darkness at the heart of the organization. He learns that his path to redemption comes with a terrible price and that he has to be the one to shine a light on that darkness. The only problem is that he is only one man trying to bring about the downfall of a huge corrupt organization. Will he sit back and allow the darkness to grow or will he fight the machine that may ultimately crush him?
This book was set in a unique dystopian world that twists our own into a very different background. The method of using global warming and rising seas as the reason for the world splintering and finally breaking is a fresh new way of creating a future dystopian world. Instead of using existing tropes for the fragmentation of society, Clive Fleury takes something that is already occurring (global warming and the rising oceans) and fast forwards to a time where it has already happened and the world has to deal with the consequences. I found this new way of introducing the dystopian future society trope very intriguing as well as being a possible future that we may soon face.
Combining the oceans rising with a corrupt organization and one man trying to do the right thing made for a taut, realistic book that the reader can connect with. Throughout the book, the reader has the question of how far they would go and what price they would be willing to pay in order to bring down a massive and corrupt organization. I found this book to be fast-paced, but not so fast as to lose the reader. The pace of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat as you develop a mental and emotional bond with Hogan and face the same questions as he does: Is he willing to throw away his new life in order to overthrow corruption or is he capable of following the status quo and keeping his mouth shut? As you read this book, you have to ask yourself what you would do if you were in Hogan's situation.
This book is not only an enjoyable read, it is also a test of your own beliefs and values. What would you do if you were in his shoes? How much would you ignore in order to protect your new life?
I'm definitely looking forward to more from Clive Fleury. His prose and descriptions are visceral and real. When you read this book, be prepared to feel a connection with his characters. They are relatable and multi-faceted and you can't help but feel the internal struggles of Hogan as he tries to decide what to do with the knowledge he discovers.
Hogan Duran is a man that lost everything he cared about and was pushed aside to live on the fringes of society. He is a very complex and multi-faceted character who is just trying to survive after his downfall in a world that is progressively disappearing unless you happen to be wealthy. After several years of living a squalid hand-to-mouth life, he is suddenly approached by the group whose only purpose is to protect the rich inhabitants from harm. Joining this group seems like a second chance for Hogan. He can finally leave the last four years of base existence behind. The National Security Council seems like the answer to all of his dreams. In order to join them, he faces a grueling and deadly entrance test and is awarded a spot in the NSC for his efforts.
After his induction into the NSC, he begins to notice that there are things that the NSC wants to keep hidden. As he delves further into the world of the NSC, he uncovers the darkness at the heart of the organization. He learns that his path to redemption comes with a terrible price and that he has to be the one to shine a light on that darkness. The only problem is that he is only one man trying to bring about the downfall of a huge corrupt organization. Will he sit back and allow the darkness to grow or will he fight the machine that may ultimately crush him?
This book was set in a unique dystopian world that twists our own into a very different background. The method of using global warming and rising seas as the reason for the world splintering and finally breaking is a fresh new way of creating a future dystopian world. Instead of using existing tropes for the fragmentation of society, Clive Fleury takes something that is already occurring (global warming and the rising oceans) and fast forwards to a time where it has already happened and the world has to deal with the consequences. I found this new way of introducing the dystopian future society trope very intriguing as well as being a possible future that we may soon face.
Combining the oceans rising with a corrupt organization and one man trying to do the right thing made for a taut, realistic book that the reader can connect with. Throughout the book, the reader has the question of how far they would go and what price they would be willing to pay in order to bring down a massive and corrupt organization. I found this book to be fast-paced, but not so fast as to lose the reader. The pace of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat as you develop a mental and emotional bond with Hogan and face the same questions as he does: Is he willing to throw away his new life in order to overthrow corruption or is he capable of following the status quo and keeping his mouth shut? As you read this book, you have to ask yourself what you would do if you were in Hogan's situation.
This book is not only an enjoyable read, it is also a test of your own beliefs and values. What would you do if you were in his shoes? How much would you ignore in order to protect your new life?
I'm definitely looking forward to more from Clive Fleury. His prose and descriptions are visceral and real. When you read this book, be prepared to feel a connection with his characters. They are relatable and multi-faceted and you can't help but feel the internal struggles of Hogan as he tries to decide what to do with the knowledge he discovers.
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