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Kenstibec #3
Rig
A fast-moving, filmic and violent SF thriller, perfect for fans of Jack Campbell. A meeting of The Road and Rogue Trooper.
Barricade introduced artificial lifeform, Kenstibec. Steeple saw him reduced to the level of humanity. Now Kenstibec must fight his way to the home of the man who created him and the other Ficials. The man who tipped the world into war and sealed humanity's fate. Can Kenstibec win a future back for man?
Jon Wallace has written a series of short, high-action yet thoughtful SF thrillers. Controversial yet full of dark humour these are rewarding SF thrillers that echo the pleasures of noir and bring a sharp new perspective to British SF.
Barricade introduced artificial lifeform, Kenstibec. Steeple saw him reduced to the level of humanity. Now Kenstibec must fight his way to the home of the man who created him and the other Ficials. The man who tipped the world into war and sealed humanity's fate. Can Kenstibec win a future back for man?
Jon Wallace has written a series of short, high-action yet thoughtful SF thrillers. Controversial yet full of dark humour these are rewarding SF thrillers that echo the pleasures of noir and bring a sharp new perspective to British SF.
- GenresScience Fiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2016
146 people want to read
About the author
Jon Wallace
13 books34 followersJon Wallace is an author living in London.
The Kenstibec trilogy is out now from Gollancz - Barricade, Steeple and Rig. He has also had numerous stories published in magazines and collections like Interzone, Jupiter Science Fiction and Best British Fantasy 2013 and is the SciFi columnist for The Engineer Magazine.
His hobbies include watching the cricket and listening to his wife sing her way around the house.
The Kenstibec trilogy is out now from Gollancz - Barricade, Steeple and Rig. He has also had numerous stories published in magazines and collections like Interzone, Jupiter Science Fiction and Best British Fantasy 2013 and is the SciFi columnist for The Engineer Magazine.
His hobbies include watching the cricket and listening to his wife sing her way around the house.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 3, 2018
This gritty trilogy set in a post-nuclear war world comes to a satisfactory conclusion. It's been a pleasure to get to know Kenstibec, now no longer Ficial (artificial) or Real (human).
March 28, 2020
Because of the ending! Otherwise, this is a fine new voice in the world of Sci-Fi. Though why do so many dystopian novels centre around fundamental Christianity? You'd have thought the future world left behind after some sort of apocalypse, would have noticed that no 'God' came to save them? So why use this so often as the twisted saviour?
Anyhooo, recommend.
Anyhooo, recommend.
May 26, 2017
A very entertaining book. Not what I expected and a step up from steeple.
June 28, 2016
The book is out for almost two weeks and I’m the first to even mark it as read. This is ridiculous. This book is even better than the first two, and I feel that there are not enough good new writers (or even old writers) out there that we can afford to overlook a series as good as this one.
The story is everything the above synopsis - which is also better than most - says. It is never boringly predictable, and also well written. Extremely entertaining.
Do yourselves a favor and read the series.
The story is everything the above synopsis - which is also better than most - says. It is never boringly predictable, and also well written. Extremely entertaining.
Do yourselves a favor and read the series.
August 28, 2016
To steal a quote from the movie Blade Runner: "More human than human." The final novel sees Kenstibec in his limbo state, neither Ficial nor Real, but coming to terms with his situation. Full of trills, mystery, tension and action, this was a strong finish to the trilogy. Previous characters and new for you to love, hate or pity and with strong dialogue to immerse you in the story. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 17, 2019
Rig - the third and final installment(so far) following Kentisbec and his quest to build! I have loved this series and am really sorry Mr Wallace that I can only give this one three stars(though I'm pretty sure some random rating on Goodreads isn't going to ruin his Sunday and I hope it doesn't as everyone deserves a restful and happy Sunday).
Ken is back and is more and more Real, however he's also lost some of the fun and lack of giving a flying that is his hallmark - I personally didn't think he needed to fall for someone, that has never been a part of his character so far. Bridget is back and is a good fun character and a moral compass for the story. Both Carlos and Bruiser are very good additions and I hope if there's more books(though if you've read the end you like me will probaby doubt it).
The world in which Ken inhabits has gotten bigger and his adventures are still good fun and action packed and the Drome Races conjure vivid images along the Mad Max lines or if you every played Battle Cars board game, then you can see a bit of that in there as well.
My biggest problem was the last few pages, the ending of Ken's story was ruined for me. He isn't your typical hero but really deserved and better closure than that. I can only hope that Ken and Bridget, Marsh, Carlos and Bruiser sail again.
But, thank you Mr Wallace for creating this world and making the majority of it a massively enjoyable experience.
Ken is back and is more and more Real, however he's also lost some of the fun and lack of giving a flying that is his hallmark - I personally didn't think he needed to fall for someone, that has never been a part of his character so far. Bridget is back and is a good fun character and a moral compass for the story. Both Carlos and Bruiser are very good additions and I hope if there's more books(though if you've read the end you like me will probaby doubt it).
The world in which Ken inhabits has gotten bigger and his adventures are still good fun and action packed and the Drome Races conjure vivid images along the Mad Max lines or if you every played Battle Cars board game, then you can see a bit of that in there as well.
My biggest problem was the last few pages, the ending of Ken's story was ruined for me. He isn't your typical hero but really deserved and better closure than that. I can only hope that Ken and Bridget, Marsh, Carlos and Bruiser sail again.
But, thank you Mr Wallace for creating this world and making the majority of it a massively enjoyable experience.
November 6, 2017
Absolutely loved this book up until the last dozen or so pages - ending seemed to loose momentum - otherwise would have been 5/5. The trilogy may or may not end here - some story threads could be picked up again, I hope so as it's my favourite sci-fi series since The Tripods about 40 years ago!
It's the first book I can ever remember intentionally slowing down my reading speed so it lasts longer....so we'll done Jon & Kenstibeck, ably assisted by a pleasure model, fatty and canine companion!
It's the first book I can ever remember intentionally slowing down my reading speed so it lasts longer....so we'll done Jon & Kenstibeck, ably assisted by a pleasure model, fatty and canine companion!
January 18, 2018
This series reminded me of Gormenghast where the first two excellent books are followed by a weak third which suffers from taking the protagonist out of the environment of the first two novels (in this case a future Britain) which worked so well into the wider world.
If you like 20,000 leagues under the Sea meets Rollerball meets Mad Max you may like this novel
If you like 20,000 leagues under the Sea meets Rollerball meets Mad Max you may like this novel
August 13, 2019
details the origins of the ficials , a cracking read
December 18, 2019
Underrated trilogy, overlooked writer, deserves more readers.
November 28, 2021
This is a book which will be on my mind for long. The anti-hero Kenstibec deserves a movie take. All those adventures.... Wow!
January 23, 2022
It was amazingly entertaining! Almost as good as Steeple, the 2nd part of the trilogy, but thrilling and exciting enough.
February 6, 2022
Entertaining and exciting! What a great distopia!
August 20, 2016
Yet another super irritating 3rd in a trilogy - except it doesn't say anywhere that there are 2 preceding books you should read first. I'm starting a policy of refusing to read any books by authors who allow their publishers to do that.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews