‘Dark Place stands as a thoughtful addition to contemporary dystopian literature…raises profound questions..’
Book-shelfie (4.5/5 stars)
‘Loved it…a strong premise and a satisfying twist that inspires thought and discussion about the world we live in today…’ Reedsy Discovery (4/5 stars)
NEW - an eight chapter novelette available now on Amazon
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Meanwhile please read description and review comments below.
A world that is struggling to survive…a solution that only Artificial Intelligence can envisage.
“Dark Place” is a short novelette that readers will find to be a compelling alternative dystopian story.
Set in a near-future world ravaged by resource depletion, society is controlled by the Authority that has imposed a strict citizen scoring system. Everyone must maintain a Citizen Score or face banishment to the mysterious “Dark Place.” The narrative follows Ros, Femke, and Domhnal – brilliant university students who discover that parts of Earth have been hidden from the privileged population of what they call the “Light Place.” Through clandestine research using backdoor access to restricted networks, they uncover evidence suggesting that the Authority is using the social credit system to cull the population.
The three idealistic students are determined to denounce the Authority, but first, they must become ‘dispossessed’. When they find themselves stranded in the Dark Place they discover it has a different purpose with profound consequences for the future of society.
“Dark Place” is an examination of humanity’s resilience and capacity for adaptation in the face of existential challenges.
More review comments:
‘… haunting and intellectually stimulating…’
‘Kell skilfully builds tension…excels at character development throughout…’
‘…invites readers to continue the conversation beyond the final page.’