Today we have a sneak peek from The Transhumanist Wager, the visionary fiction novel by Zoltan Istvan.
The Transhumanist Wager is a seminal statement of our times. Set in the present day, the novel tells the story of transhumanist Jethro Knights and his unwavering quest for immortality via science and technology. Fighting against him are fanatical religious groups, economically depressed governments, and mystic Zoe Bach: a dazzling trauma surgeon and the love of his life, whose belief in spirituality and the afterlife is absolute.
Unknown (The Elements Trilogy, #1) by Melissa Pearl
Genre: YA Fantasy
Word count: 71,500
Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.
Then a star begins to fall.
Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.
Then a star begins to fall.
Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.
Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown.
The toucans calmly regarded the human on the ground. He seemed in a terrible hurry about something.
“Well, that one’s making an awful racket,” said Sam.
“He looks as if he’s trying to run away from something.” Winona replied. “Maybe he’s frightened of those humans behind him.”
“Ground dwellers are such ridiculous creatures.” Sam snorted derisively.
“I feel a bit sorry for him. They have such pitiful little beaks, can’t fly a lick – I’ve really no idea how they manage to feed themselves at all. Perhaps we should help the poor thing.”
“Oh really, Winona! You do carry on so. It’s only a human, after all. Besides, even if he outruns those others, he’s headed straight for that Jaguar.”
Sam’s indifference aside, Winona took flight to see what she could do about it.
“Winona!” Sam called after her. “I’m not coming along this time. Do you hear me?” He shuffled from one foot to the other, agitated at the whole situation. Why can’t we ever just enjoy a quiet breakfast? I’m going to sit right here. You are on your own, old girl.
He shifted once more and ran his elegant beak down the length of his wing. As if there aren’t enough humans. Ridiculous. He craned his neck, but could no longer see Winona or the running man. The little herd of angry humans was just passing below the tree. Well, perhaps I’ll go over and just have a look.
In 250 words or less, tell us a story incorporating the elements in the picture. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.
Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.
Today we have a sneak peek from The Transhumanist Wager, the visionary fiction novel by Zoltan Istvan.
