York August Sixteen was abandoned as a baby, abused and molested as a child, beaten and harassed as a teen, and had his rightful place in the Republic’s Space Navy stolen from him. Fighting back against huge government systems was useless. Dispensing justice on an individual case-by-case basis was more to his liking, yet even that was taken away when he was stationed on a lonely communication space station. York’s life would change when he decides to seek justice for people even less fortunate than him.
- Paperback: 254 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 16, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1507669232
- ISBN-13: 978-1507669235
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
- Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
A hard but very satisfying story, sort of like Holden Caulfield but way darker. There were some things left hanging, so here’s hoping for another story that answers some of them.
Norman,
Thanks for the kind words. I was shooting for ‘way darker’. I do hear a few complaints that I always leave thing hanging, but that I don’t follow up with a sequel right away. Yeah. I am just that kind of guy.
Great story!! I have about 100 pages left and I’ll be waiting for more. Will check out your other scifi.
Thanks!
Reddog1955. Thanks. How did you hear about this novel?
Stepping in to answer the question. I heard about it by word of mouth. Daughter’s boyfriend’s father, who is also a SF fan. He praised it saying it was really really good. He was right.
Excellent work. And as other’s have said: “More York!”
Thanks.
Sequels are on the schedule for publication in 2017. That is a ways off, but these things take time.
Alan Black
Really enjoyed reading Empty Space. I think York16 was an enticing caracter I would very much like to get to know better. The darkness in him is different from any other scifi book I’ve read. Me wants more 🙂
Thanks for the kind words. We are not done with York. I don’t know when we will see him again, but we will.
I miss York. ?
Looking forward to it 🙂
Amazing read. I’m so glad you created this world and this character- just as Dexter fills that niche on TV, you may have found one with this novel.
Hayden, thanks. I am glad you enjoyed it. I am getting a lot of feedback from my readers who say they did NOT enjoy having a sociopath for a lead character.
Well, I hope you continue with York and his world, there are readers who enjoy it- for instance your Amazon reviews seem generally very positive. I really hope we see York again somewhere!
Enjoyable read, loved the character York16 thought he had the right atitude towards right and wrong. I did think he didn’t go far enough towards the end especially with the those two dicks that gave him the most crap at the academy. He was showing he was a borderline Sociopath up until then. Look forward to more from York but if isn’t any I enjoyed this story.
Arthur,
Thanks for your comments. I know that York didn’t go as far as some people would have wanted, given that he is a sociopath, but I am still hoping that he can learn to control his urges and begin to seek redemption for a normal life. Maybe? Maybe not!
I must say I’m glad to read that it’s not the last we hear of York. I must say it’s a refreshing read having such a disturbing character as the protagonist. And the way you managed to combine such a disturbing setting, character and backhistory into something that was both funny and (somewhat) relateble is impressive. Not sure how many times I burst out laughing. One of the moments where he (I’ll avoid spoilers) York was looking with distaste at some people partying and vomiting in the bushes. “York Wondered if anyone would notice if he drowned a few. Surely, [they] wouldn’t miss them.” and I broke down howling with laughter when I read that part. He’s such a nut and yet so rational about being a nut (even though he has a few blind spots hehehe) 😀
All in all I loved the book and went here to see if there were more to find. Will check out your other sci-fi and look forward more fun with York 🙂
Btw I saw you ask somebody about where they heard about the book. In my case it was Amazon and their “based on your previous books we recommend” function. Downed a sample, loved it an bought the book and didn’t regret doing that a second
Thanks for the comments. I liked York quite a bit and plan on giving voice to his story again.
BTW this should be out on audio book towards the end of June
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Not long finished listening to the audiobook version of this and my god in stitches multiple times. A few things: Is this part of a larger universe you write in as it is the only book of yours that I’ve listened through? and when are the plans for the second in the empty space series?
Phil,
This is the only book in this universe…at this time. I wrote Empty Space as a stand alone. However, I am getting enough feedback that I may write another couple of books about York. I have it on my to do list, but I don’t have any dates attached at this time.
I do have a second book on audio. Titanium Texicans. It is scifi, but a different universe and a different character flavor. And I have other novels in paper and on e-book.
I appreciate your kind words on my book. Have you written a review on Amazon or Audible?
Alan Black
What a great story “Empty Space” loved the main Character also would be love to read more from August and Tasso(Titanium Texicans). Really enjoyed Trapped Outside as well. Bring us more Mr Black and Thanks.
You pose an interesting question in this novel, namely can the love of a community of people cure sociopathy? There is no dot that young York is a sociopath by any definition but his pathology definitely starts to change as he becomes part of the community of Liberty. A very thought provoking read.
A different decision by the Commandant could have changed the history of the Republic. A highly trained and motivated sociopath who saw the entire system and every person operating it as the enemy slung back into the the slums could easily become a Robespierre or Jeffersom. The inevitable result of this would be a busy year for Madame Guillotine.
I did pose the question about curing a sociopath. Very astute analysis. Do you think community can cure sociopathy?
Frankly, I don’t know and I’m sure I’m not qualified to say. Another author I greatly enjoy and respect posited through his character Lazarus Long that people are not born human but become so through the brownian motion of society. Of course Heinlein is alternately idolized or reviled by fandom, so drawing to him may not be the best choice. I do think that healing is contagious. Therefore as she goes through the process of recovery from the multiple rapes, she will spur a similar process in him.
Have read it several times… Can’t wait to read what happens to York.. I read ALOT of SF novels and this is one of my favorites. Its so nice to have a hero who has darker side and only wants to be accepted…. Can’t wait for more..
Any idea of when we could see a sequel?
Website never has any updates, sure would like to hear about progress on upcoming releases.
I am interested in the sci-fi books.
The next book on the publication schedule is A Planet with No Name.
The website only has this statement on it. Any book news you can place the site to keep us up to date on your work?
Thanks, Sam
‘book 4 of the Metal Boxes series should be available on Amazon this October.’
The next book on the publication schedule is A Planet with No Name. It will be published before the end of the year.
I absolutely loved this book and came here hoping to find news of a sequel. Please consider writing one. Thanks!
The 2nd book in the Empty Space series is scheduled. At this time I can’t give you a timeframe for publication.