BOOK REVIEW - LOST BITS BY KERRY NIETZ

 How did K-404 end up in this pile of discarded technology? Why is there a disconnect of years in his memory? And can he protect his friends, humans that distrust him, and himself from annihilation?

If you enjoy dystopian science fiction and you have yet to discover Kerry Nietz, shame on you. And "Lost Bits" is the place to start. Those who are familiar with the Dark Trench Saga, the Peril in Plain Space trilogy, "Mask," and his "Rhats!" additions to the Takomo Universe, you enjoy his creative new novel.

I'm not a super geek, but this book has some inside jokes I got. For example, you'll notice that on the title has a zero and a one in the title, the two numbers of the binary system. Likewise, each chapter is designated by the typical arabic numbers (such as 21) and the binary counterpart (0001 0101). Not to mention the dreaded 404 code when something's not found. But you'd expect no less from the computer programmer who wrote of his experiences with Fox Software in his autobiographical "Fox Tales."

One thing I enjoy about Nietz is that he deals with community and friendship. I enjoy his friendships of ThreadBare and BullHammer in the Dark Trench Shadow series and with Frolic and Abs in the Rhats books. Here, we find 404 befriended by Sam, Wes, Blue, Fuzzy, and Radial. 

As usual for a book by Kerry Nietz, I highly recommend this story.

 

Interview With Kerry Nietz

Late October 2013. With less than a week before posting date on the Hoosier Ink blog I then contributed for, my scheduled interview fizzled at the last minute. What do I do?

I then remember seeing an ad for a book that just came out that not only sounded interesting, but it also fit the Halloween season. This novel, the first of the Peril in Plain Space series, was Amish Vampires In Space, written by Kerry Nietz (pronounced Neets). So I contacted Kerry and a week later I posted one of my favorite interviews.

I've read several of his novels as well as his auto-biographical Fox Tales: Behind The Scenes Of Fox Software, and thoroughly enjoyed each one. He also is a contributor to a devotional series which I'll mention later. So here's my interview with Kerry Nietz.

*    *    *

JR: I believe your most recent project is a contribution to the second volume of the Faith In Fiction Devotionals (you also wrote the foreword in the first volume). That series is exactly what I'm trying to deal with in this blog. Could you tell us about that series, and are there plans for more?

KN: I’d be happy to, Jeffrey. The Faith in Fiction devotional series is the brainchild of author Christopher Schmitz and is geared toward the large segment of Christians out there that enjoy science fiction and fantasy. About a half-dozen authors contributed. Each of us created devotions based on speculative stories we’ve enjoyed in the past (e.g. The Hunger Games or Dune) along with our own stories. In my case, I took some of the short stories that have stuck with me—by classic authors like Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov and Jack Finney—and connected them to Biblical wisdom to form, I hope, concise inspirational messages. I think it’s a fantastic series. I’m glad Chris asked me to be part of it.

JR: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing your best-known project is Amish Vampires in Space. One thing that impressed me in the Peril in Plain Space series is the emphasis on our responsibility to community and that our community may be larger than we think. How do Christians develop a stronger community, especially dealing with pandemics, protests, and political division?

KN: Wow, good question. The times have certainly made many aspects of community more difficult. I know I find myself, even when I’m outside the home in public spaces, wanting to isolate and withdraw. Just putting on headphones and going about my business, oblivious to those around. (Plus, it’s hard to communicate when everyone is wearing masks!)

Even online community can be difficult. There’s a lot of fear, uncertainty, and anger out there. It’s tempting to withdraw from that altogether—and for a season that might not be a bad thing, especially if you have people nearby who you should be connecting with. In Acts 1:8, Jesus talked about first reaching those closest to you and moving outward in your witness from there. I have younger kids, and I know I’ve enjoyed hearing and seeing more of them during these otherwise trying times—especially since I know they won’t always be this young. My oldest just signed up for drivers training!

I guess if I had any advice, it would be to be sensitive to those God puts in your path—either in your local vicinity or online. There’s a lot of hurt and insecurity out there. It’s a great opportunity to put faith in action. Find ways to serve and console!

JR: Maybe it's just me, but I also believe your dystopian works (the Dark Trench Saga, the Dark Trench Shadow Series, and the stand-alone novel Mask) also point to community in a more hostile society. (Does that mean vampires, zombies, and werewolves are less hostile?) Any lessons we can learn from Radial, Sandfly, and ThreadBare?

KN: I think the wisdom there too is to thrive in whatever environment you find yourself in. Be the encourager and the problem-solver. Steer clear of the negative as much as possible. Resist complaining and squabbling. Find like-minded folks and work toward a common, righteous goal.

One advantage Sandfly, Threadbare—and to a lesser extent—Radial have is that they are in near-continual communication with their support team. Whenever there’s a problem, there’s always someone available to talk to. Normal humans like us are invited into something similar with God himself. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all situations.” If there’s one thing I think the world needs more of right now, it’s prayer.

JR: I know Amish Werewolves of Space came out late last year. What else is in the pipeline?

KN: I just sent a story off to the publisher. I’ve written a handful of stories in the Takamo gaming universe over the last couple years. It’s fun, because their universe is so vast that there are a lot of story ideas to play with. (Takamo started as a by-mail game in the 80s and is now being developed into a massive multiplayer online game.) It’s pure escapism. So far, my stories have revolved around a society of aliens that look like man-sized rats. This latest entry involves them too, but there’s a bit of an alternative history angle.

JR: Thank you very much for your time.

KN: You’re welcome, Jeffrey. Thanks for inviting me. May God bless all your endeavors! 

 *    *    *

Who do you consider your community? Are there those who you should consider part of your community you tend to overlook or ignore? How do you get them involved in community? 

Killing Time Among Other Things, or a Look At Novels About Assassains

 

How many of you have dreamed of becoming a professional assassin? Or at least hanging out with them? I don't see many hands raised.

Most stories tend to have a positive protagonist: a police officer, a soldier, a doctor, a parent, or just an all-around decent person. There are some that have a negative protagonist, on the other hand. An assassin would probably fall into that category.

There are exceptions like The Godfather, but negative protagonists are usually redeemed. Probably the best known story with a negative protagonist is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Above are a trio of Christian novels featuring assassins. All of them are stories of redemption. Interestingly, all were originally published by Marcher Lord Press, which now is known as Enclave Publishing. The two in the back are still available by that publisher, the third can now be purchased via Freeheads. 

Let me look at them in alphabetic order by title.

Mask by Kerry Nietz (pronounced Neets) looks at a post-apocalyptic era where citizens still have the right to vote. However, don't think of voting as going to the polling place and picking who you'd like to lead the country (or more often picking who you would less dislike to lead the country). Instead, picture the reality TV show Survivor. Except those voted off don't join a jury or even go back home.

Technically, Radial is not an assassin. He's a collector. His job is to pick up people voted away as inconvenient. Then, he has an assignment that makes him reconsider his method of living.

Numb by John Otte (pronounced Ah-tee) is also set in the future, but unlike the earthbound Mask, this tale takes place in outer space. The Crusader does the dirty work for the Ministrix, the kind of government left-wingers fear if the Religious Right took over the country. One thing that helps Crusader is that he is numb, both physically and emotionally. Then, like Radial, an assignment shatters the life as he knows it and changes him from hunter to hunted.

Son Of Truth by Morgan Busse (pronounced Bus-see) is actually the second part of the fantasy trilogy Follower Of The Word. Caleb Tala is introduced in Daughter of Light as an assassin, until he encounter truthsayer Rowan Mar. Rowan is the main character of the series, but Caleb's journey is developed throughout as well.

Of course, there's another Christian story about an assassin. His name was Saul, and he came from a place called Tarsus. Anybody familiar with him and his story?

Has there been anybody that you think God couldn't do anything with and He proved you wrong?