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An exhilarating futuristic dystopian with captivating worldbuilding, great characters, and a well-structured plot

Synopsis

Welcome to LifeCast.

There is no government...

There is no law…

There is no choice...

There is only the Idol.

Extreme urban sprawl has resulted in one massive megalopolis simply called, “The City.” The City’s wealthiest families live in the Highland, above a freezing layer of indigo mist.

Noble Valet Bear was born in the lowland, but now lives and works in the Highland as the sole servant of House Telladyne. Bear’s best friend, Aleks, was born to House Yukita, but has resisted her Noble grooming since she was young. 

Until now, Bear has kept Aleks at a distance for fear his love might put them both in danger. Little does he know that they are about to stumble upon deeply-hidden secrets of the Idol that will threaten both of their lives. 

In the fight to save themselves, Bear and Aleks must join forces with dangerous allies, face off against a foe who wields unimaginable power, and make the impossible choice between desire and survival. 

Lifecast is a futuristic dystopian with such captivating and immersive worldbuilding I would often forget I was reading. Yeah, you heard that right.


This book did an incredible job painting a vivid, opulent, high-tech future world with well-placed details that made sense within its internal logic. Also, the naming schemes and futuristic slang weren't obnoxious. (If you read a lot of dystopian and sci-fi, you'll know this is a huge compliment.)


But what really made this book's execution shine was the author's writing style: Clear, crisp, and short of a few technical errors, astoundingly professional. It also had one of the most well-paced plots I've read in a long time. It moved quickly without disorienting you and incorporated relevant information without exposition-dumping. If this is the author's debut, he had me fooled! Opsal is one to watch, and I mean that whole-heartedly.


As for characters, Bear's dry wit and level-headed problem-solving were refreshing and believable. He was very to the point and observational, but honestly, I haven't read a book written in a first-person male perspective in forever, so I forgot how different it could be. Good different. As in, a welcome change of pace.


Aleks was also a well-rounded, three-dimensional character and for that reason, I think I would've liked even more dialogue with her, though she is very central to the story's plot. Her and Bear's relationship is so sweet and sincere and you root for them from the beginning to the end. I also really appreciated that it starts with them getting together and then builds from there, versus them coming to terms with their feelings throughout the story. Do you have any idea how rare that is in YA?


This book didn't just build a cool futuristic world; it grounded it in real people and relationships, which is how you truly succeed in worldbuilding. The dialogue always felt natural and each character had their own distinct way of talking and interacting with the world. The conflict got intense and kept me on the edge of my seat, but never felt hopeless or meanspirited. The parallels between this society and ours were poignant without being too on the nose. There's definitely a commentary there and it definitely makes you think, but it doesn't sacrifice good storytelling to prove a point.


And, of course... it ended on a cliffhanger and now I have to know what happens next.

Reviewed by

Freelance writer and content developer by day, blogger and aspiring author by night. However, my only professional goal has always been to make a living doing what I love most: reading and writing! At my core, I'm just a goof who loves a good story.

Synopsis

Welcome to LifeCast.

There is no government...

There is no law…

There is no choice...

There is only the Idol.

Extreme urban sprawl has resulted in one massive megalopolis simply called, “The City.” The City’s wealthiest families live in the Highland, above a freezing layer of indigo mist.

Noble Valet Bear was born in the lowland, but now lives and works in the Highland as the sole servant of House Telladyne. Bear’s best friend, Aleks, was born to House Yukita, but has resisted her Noble grooming since she was young. 

Until now, Bear has kept Aleks at a distance for fear his love might put them both in danger. Little does he know that they are about to stumble upon deeply-hidden secrets of the Idol that will threaten both of their lives. 

In the fight to save themselves, Bear and Aleks must join forces with dangerous allies, face off against a foe who wields unimaginable power, and make the impossible choice between desire and survival. 

Prologue

Welcome to LifeCast, by Neurogem.

You are: The Idol, Voxonica Aslanian.

 

           You see the Idol, Vox, through her own eyes. She stands before a full-length mirror in a brilliant gold wedding dress. You can't influence Vox's actions or feel what she feels, but in this moment, you inhabit the Idol's life.

           Stylists pull your lavender hair into place, add finishing touches to your makeup, and spout platitudes about what a perfect canvas you are. Whenever your champagne glass gets low, a composed blonde man in black formal attire refills it without a word.

           Your dressing room door crashes open. A tall woman with broad shoulders enters. Her bright orange dress robes float as she speedwalks into the room. The woman shouts to herself in a furious, one-sided conversation.

           "15 minutes until showtime!" the woman calls out. "Idol Aslanian, this came for you."

           "Don't you know it's bad luck to open gifts before the ceremony?" you ask. "What kind of handler are you? Put it with the others!"

           "Idol Aslanian, it is customary for the bride and groom to exchange small, meaningful trinkets before they meet down the aisle. Judging by the slate box and turquoise ribbon I assume this is from your fiancé."

           "In that case, give it here! Stylists, scatter!"

           The stylists scurry out of sight, while the handler breaks into another hurried conversation with someone unseen. You're left alone with the box.

           "Valet!" you beckon, and the blonde man in black formal attire appears at your side. "Hold my glass."

           "Yes, Idol Aslanian."

           You pull the turquoise ribbon and let it float to the ground. With both thumbs you slide back the box's smooth stone top. A flash of bright white light envelops you.

 

           "... and you, get a cool washcloth! She can't breathe, this dress is coming off!"

           "We don't have time to redress her, Valet! Try another dose!"

           "She isn't responding to the drugs!"

           "You don't know what you're doing. Where's the medic?"

           You hear a loud rip. Your eyes flutter open.

           You're on the ground. Your gaze darts between all the faces staring down at you. You hear quick, panicked breaths. They're your quick, panicked breaths.

           You examine the details of your dress as though you've never seen the garment before and look straight ahead. The mirror that previously reflected a confident girl at the center of everyone's attention is gone. She's been replaced by someone broken, crumpled to the ground, with a terrified expression.

           "Idol Aslanian, are you all right?" the handler asks. "Can you go on?"

           "Why am I wearing this?" you ask. "Where am I?"

           "Idol Aslanian, this is no time for jokes!" the handler snaps.

           You look around with more urgency than before, pop to your feet, and race out of the dressing room. Your long legs take you to the end of a hallway where you burst through a pair of huge double doors.

           You find yourself in an open-air garden that overlooks several smaller stratoscrapers. A long white aisle extends before you. Rows of guests in chairs flank the aisle. All at once, the guests rise to look back at you. Their faces blur as tears well in your eyes.

           You wipe away the tears and scan the guests' faces. They're all so beautiful, the most beautiful people you've ever seen.

           No one moves to help you. A din of murmurs rises into the air. You fall to your knees.

           "Why is this happening?" you shout. "Help me, please! Where are you?"

           Sweat-drenched locks of lavender hair hang slack over your face. You brace yourself with open hands on the ground. Every blink drops more tears onto the aisle.

           The shadow of someone approaches from behind. A large hand wraps around your shoulder. You brush it away and spring back up.

           The guests' murmurs turn to screams as you climb onto the garden ledge. You stare down into the swirling layer of indigo mist far below. Dozens of camera drones hover in place around you.

           Frantic pleas come from the guests. Once again, you scan their faces but don't linger on any one. You inhale a long, deep breath and release a shaky exhale.

           "I'm sorry," you say. "There's nothing left of me to give."

           The guests drop out of sight as you fall backward. A vast sky of bright stars opens before you until your body turns. You plummet straight down toward the mist.

           Hysterical laughter overtakes you. Your arms flail. The only sound you hear is the air as it rushes past.

           Light tendrils of mist kiss your still, outstretched hand. Frosted borders form at the edges of your vision.

 

LifeCast Terminated.


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3 Comments

Blake DoepkerA great read! I highly recommend for anybody fond of dystopian stories.
0 likes
about 3 years ago
Ibrahim AyoolaGood
0 likes
almost 3 years ago
Khushal MakhareThis story also amazing and also be good
0 likes
over 2 years ago
About the author

Marc Opsal is a native of Spokane, WA and graduated from Western Washington University. He currently lives in Pasadena, CA with his family. view profile

Published on February 02, 2022

Published by Goldshif Publishing

110000 words

Contains mild explicit content ⚠️

Genre:Dystopian

Reviewed by