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Blurb
:
It's the 24th century and humans, with the help of
artificial intelligences, (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect society. To
make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History
Camps, full-sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens
live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiences the
same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that
almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan. Like in all
groups of youth, there are those who rebel, “hard cases” who just don’t get it.
In this first installment of a trilogy, three spoiled teens from the year 2347
are kidnapped back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy. There they are abandoned and
left with only two choices: adapt to the harsh medieval ways, or die. Hansum,
almost 17, is good looking, athletic and, as his A.I. teacher says, he can
charm the fuzz off a peach. Shamira is 15. She has green eyes, auburn hair, and
a Caucasian complexion. That's something people don't see that much of in the
24th century. She's sassy, independent and has an artistic genius for drawing.
Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don't have to scratch too far beneath
the surface to find his insecurities. There
are two types of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) in the 24th-century. The
first are authorized by society and very conservative. Then there are ‘genies’.
Made by black-market hackers, or blackers, these rascals are the bi-polar
opposite of their unadventurous cousins. A genie’s aim in life is to help
rebellious youth make mischief. Pan, is a very mischievous genie. A curious mix
of past and future, he’s an eccentric, all-knowing, holographic artificial
intelligence in the cartoon shape of the vaunted Greek god. Pan's antics and
insights get the kids both into and out of trouble. Our three teen protagonists meet at a History
Camp where everything and everybody must act like it is 14th-century Verona,
Italy. Society’s plan is to put trouble-making kids into situations where they
are “scared straight”. But Hansum knows better. He’s aware that behind the
scenes there are armies of humans and A.I.’s making sure they are safe. Using
Pan, the teens devise a plan to drive the History Camp enactors crazy, and they
succeed. But what they’re not prepared for is that a History Camp elder from
the 31st century, (where time-travel is possible) kidnaps them back to the real
medieval Verona. Here they are indentured to an alcoholic lens maker. Now,
unquestionably, the dangers are real. All
of this is hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but, for Hansum,
that’s exactly what happens. Guilietta is the beautiful daughter of the master
the teens are working for. She becomes the star-crossed and time-crossed lover
of our story’s Romeo - Hansum. In fact, the novel is peppered with lots of fun
allusions to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In an attempt to survive the
teenage trio, with Pan’s help, risks introducing technology from the future. It
could save them – or it could change history.
About the
Author:
“I write Post-Dystopian
fiction. After society’s collapse, which is imagined in so many great dystopian
stories, humans will either fade into history, with the dinosaurs, or, if it
learns the right lessons, society will go on to construct a civilization to
last tens of thousands of years. History Camp stories are the exciting adventures
of young people doing the latter.” -Lory Kaufman
On the artistic side of
Lory’s career, he’s written, acted and directed children’s theatre and musical
theatre. He enjoys art, especially sculpture. He loves science fiction and
historical fiction and he has been deeply involved in the green movement all
across North America. All this shows through when you read his work. Lory has
three grown children and works and lives in Kingston, Canada.
Contacts:
To find out more about Lory visit www.lorykaufman.com
Review
So not
my typical fare, but a good read. Stay
tuned for more reviews on the other books in this series.
I give
this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This
product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my
opinions or reviews.
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