| Title | : | Delirium: Debt Collector Episode One (Debt Collector Episode One) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published March 17, 2013 |
SEASON ONE NOW COMPLETE.
What's your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.
Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He's just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja's sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane... until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn't what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone--a dark pit he's not sure he'll be able to climb out of again.
Delirium: Debt Collector Episode One (Debt Collector Episode One) Reviews
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3.5 STARS
…they tally it up, and when your debts - medical bills, taxes, that foolish vacation you took in the Bahamas on credit - when all of it is no longer worth your future productive contribution to society, otherwise known as the price of your life on the open market, they call in the debt collectors.
As a first book in a series, I thought this was pretty impressive. True, the world building is still pretty flimsy and the protagonists are severely lacking in the personality department, but in terms of keeping my interest for it’s short length and making me curious for the next one, Delirium was pretty good.
The premise incorporates some elements of that film In Time where time is the new currency, except here someone is tasked to collect the remaining time from a dying person whose remaining days alive is deemed worthless by some obscurely depicted agency. This remaining time is transferred to someone whose life is valued in society and thus needs to be prolonged, for example, a scientist researching the cure for cancer.
Lirium is one such collector and he paints a pretty detailed picture of his way of life as he runs through the motions of his job and the rituals involved in dealing with the after: sex, alcohol and depression. Conflict arises when the prostitute he hires turns out to have an extraordinary and illegal proposition for him in exchange for her services.
”If you help my sister,” she says very solemnly, “I’ll have sex with you, just like I said.”
I take the shoes from her, break off the dangling, busted heel, and hand it back with a smirk. “Then we better go see if you actually have a sister.”
For some reason, this story played out in my imagination like a late 90s Japanese anime OAV, much in the stylistic (not necessarily thematic) vein of Kite. Lirium is a hardened and cynical hero, immersed in the grisly world of prostitution, substance abuse and social injustice, now forced in a situation that leads him to question everything he has believed in. The conflicts presented here were more personal for Lirium, though it plants some seeds of doubt that will probably play a role later on in the bigger picture.
The characters did feel lacking any perceivable depth in them, coming across as perfunctory devices meant to deliver the more interesting setting. Though I suppose this was intentional, giving much room for the reader to be curious enough to discover more about Lirium and Elena in the next books. I still felt some personality and background from either protagonists would’ve been welcome. Elena felt like a two-dimensional stereotype and the finer details on Lirium’s job as a collector came across a little rudimentary. I was particularly fuzzy on how the alcohol and the sex factors in the story. These were details that I felt needed to be clear this early in the series seeing as its a vital component of this instalment’s plot.
That being said, this was a pretty solid introduction to a very intriguing story. One that promises edge, grit and complexity in its progression.
Review Copy provided by the publishers.
Also on BookLikes. -
If you do not read any other novella this year, you MUST read this one! Susan has done it yet again. She's taken science fiction and romance and action to a whole new level. She's sucked me right in with it, too! When I heard Sue was writing more, I had to get my hands on this. I loved her Mindjack trilogy so much!
Blurb from Goodreads:
What’s your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.
Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He’s just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja’s sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane… until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn’t what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone—a dark pit he’s not sure he’ll be able to climb out of again.
What can I say, first of all, about this cover. I LOVE IT! It's such a great depiction of the main character!
And the main character, Lirium (or Delirium) well, he's just awesome. I love his way of telling his story. I didn't get a full sense of him, since this is only a novella and I know there's more to come but I can tell that he is independent and self serving, at least at first. As the story progresses you see him change a bit, beginning to mold into something he knows he's not supposed to be. But it's a better mold and he is pulled to take the risk of doing it. I find myself wanting to know more about him. Why did he take this job? What was it like for him growing up? And he's so young, how long has he been doing this? Where is his family? So many questions that I hope to have answered as I make my way through this series.
Susan has done something totally creative with this series, she is releasing the book in episodes. And let me tell you, she left me wanting the next episode RIGHT NOW! I love the dark world she has created where people give up their life force to pay off their debt. I need to know more about how this came about and why? I need to know about those who might be bucking the system and those who might be taken too early with so much life force yet left to live!
And her writing, oh her writing! It's just great. It flows so easily and pulls you right through the story. I couldn't put it down once I picked it up.
This story really captivated me and I am already addicted. It's edgy and different. It will suck you right in. So go get your copy and jump on the ride that is The Debt Collector!
5/5 stars! -
Delirium is the first "episode" in The Debt Collector serial and you get an introduction to this dark and gritty new world.
Now, what's exactly a debt collector?
Well, basically, they collect life force and they get a small share for themselves. And they redistribute that life force, to people that are considered to have a high potential to society.
And that's a question that will make you wonder, how it's choose the people from which they collect the life or who names the ones that should get it.
Anyway, Lirium ( such a cool name, btw), his a debt collector. And in this "chapter" you see a glimpse how it all works and the take that have on him. And how some unexpected turn of events may change the way he view things.
This is good start for a series...however it's normal that the characters aren't full developed yet but they were wrote in a way, that makes you already intrigued about them.
So neither to say that this one that left me curious to read more about this twisted world... So bring on the next ones!
**egalley kindly provided via netgalley in exchange of an honest review ** -
That. Was. INTENSE. Oh my gosh, I was glued to this from the very first sentence. How am I going to wait for the next installment? Impossible. It's like asking me to wait an entire year for the next season of my favourite TV series, and I only have to wait a week! This is fabulous. FABULOUS! I even got teary when Lirium gave his 'mercy hit'. Won't go into detail, I don't want to spoil anything. But this is SO well written, SO intriguing, SO FULL-ON. And you know what I just realised? There is no description of setting, whatsoever, but I could picture everything from the gritty tone of the writing. This is brilliant. Brilliance on a cyber-stick. Can not wait for more.
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This is a fabulous short read - currently free on Amazon - that introduces a gorgeous/dark new world. Our main character, Lirium, is a struggling debt collector (meaning he's paid to absorb the life-force of the dying and transfer it over to those who need it more). I'm a sucker for the damaged ones, and they don't come more damaged than Lirium. He struggles with the constant highs and lows (literally) of his profession, drinks and sexes himself into a stupor and is on the fast-train to derailment. You only scratch the surface with this opening episode, but the full season is just a few dollars, so you don't feel like you've been hooked into a money pit (which some serials take advantage of).
It's dark, clever, sexy, and witty; everything I love, and to top it off, the writing is exquisite.
I don't often read shorts, and I'm not a big fan of serials, but for this story, I've broken all my rules.
Go try it.
Update May 2015 ~ I read the entire season and loved it. See my review here:
Season 1 Review -
My first experience with a serial read and Susan Kaye Quinn certainly kept me wanting more!
"Delirium" is about a man (Lirium) who collects people's life energies and essentially kills them- all to repay their debts to the government. What is in it for him? He gets a cut of their life force as payment for the job.
The first installment was just a taste of what is to come in the series and it completely whet my appetite. It was very well done; bold, dark, and fast- just how I like 'em! I think that this series has a lot of potential and I will certainly be reading more of Susan Kaye Quinn's books in the future.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review** -
Utterly captivating and completely amazing from the first word to the last. This is science fiction at its forward-thinking best. Delirium is the first in a serial about a man who collects people's life force when their time is up and they have ceased to be a productive member of society with a valuable future. It promises to be an outstanding series, one that I will be waiting on with bated breath. This is everything the movie 'In Time' should have been, and then some. It would not surprise me in the least if Hollywood comes calling Susan on this one.
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So good! Unexpected! The only downside is the lead is soooo young yet had wisdom out his ass. I'm still excited to see where the rest of this goes.
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Delirium is a short, serialized story, the first part, or episode, is currently free on Amazon.com
Imagine a world where your debts aren't just measured in €, $ or £, but in soul energy as well. Better not be broke in Lirium's world. He or his fellow debt collectors will come to get you. And I do mean "get you" as in drain you dry of soul energy. This results in the immediate death of the hapless debtee. The debt collector gets a share of the energy along with a fresh stain on his soul, but the majority of the energy is transferred, via the collector, into a more worthy recipient, like an important and productive member of society or a child. Or at least, thats what we are led to believe until Lirium meets a young woman with information telling him otherwise.
Lirium's character is as broken as they come, usually drinking and f..ing himself into a stupor after a debt transaction. Now, let's see how Elena's wake up call will impact his life and chosen profession...
This is a dark and depressing world. Don't get me wrong, the premise is quite original, I've never come across anything remotely similar. I debated whether I should give this episode 3 or 4 stars. In the end I decided on 3.75, rounded up to 4. It was a little too gloomy for my taste, but on the other hand; the characters have great potential. -
The Grim Reaper with benefits. This version of the grim is not a romantic lost soul he is an addict. He gets a charge off every life he ends and it is euphoria for him, not so much for the other guy. He works for controlling people who sell his collections
to prominent clients and give him a small tip/hit for his service. After a good hit he likes to celebrate with a little hide the sausage in one of the prostitutes that specialize in his kind. It's all going as planned till his girl on the pay check is not after his payment but needs him to help another. This change upsets his balance and has him stumbling to understand what he is and why he is.
I was not expecting to like this much I went in with negative expectations. First it's a serial which haven't sold me till now. Second, well the blurb sounded good but I've been disappointed a lot. Ha ! I loved it. Wow, it was edge of the seat, mind twisting, sci-fi, urban fantasy, and horror dark fun. The grim was not at all like I expected, and I loved reading him. His world was do far off from what everyone else writes and it worked, oh it sure
did. I'm hooked. -
Part 1 in a serial whose premise is that some people's lifeforce is taken from them as payment of debt, and then given to people who have great potential to do good for society. For example, they may take the last two months of someone's life who is dying of cancer (and who has some of debt), and give it to someone doing cancer research. We follow one of the guys who actually absorbs the lifeforce of the dying and carries it to whomever gets it.
I am completely sold on the premise. You know any society with this kind of system is going to be corrupt as hell. Should be good. I find reviewing serials to be incredibly difficult since I am in essence reviewing a few chapters of a longer work, but just know that I'm going to go on to read part two. At this point the world is more interesting than the characters, but it's only been 48 pages.
And this part is free on amazon, so give it a read. -
I received a copy of this episode in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
I'm really excited about this series. In a way I'm reminded of the movie A.I. because Delirium takes place in a futuristic world with technology that seems to have outstripped what society is ready for. This seems to be the beginning of a series where anything is possible. There could be androids! Well, I'm hoping there will be androids at some point. ;)
The main character, Lirium, works for the government's Debt Collector Agency, collecting souls from people who only have a short time to live and who have racked up too much "debt" - medical bills, taxes, credit cards, etc. The problem is that if the doctors are wrong about how much time a person has left to live, the collector collects the soul anyway. Basically this process is supposed to get rid of people who are no longer productive in society and give their life force to someone who is at the height of his or her productivity.
I was pulled in right away, and I really like the way Delirium makes me think about the implications of this system. It's horrific really - if I only had six weeks to live right now, my soul would be collected today. I have so much student debt it's ridiculous, not to mention I still owe on my car and my house... I would love to know more about this world. How was this system devised? Who came up with it? When did it start?
Lirium is complicated with many layers to his personality, and I'm eager to peel back those layers. He seems bitter and disenchanted with the world, but he is doing a job that is depressing. He doesn't seem to really live until he's collected a soul and gets his cut. Collecting souls is like a drug for the collectors. They can keep a certain percentage before turning the rest in, and they feel like they're "high." Lirium only lives for those highs, but once he meets a new sex worker from Madam Anastazja, a different side of him is revealed once he realizes this girl isn't quite who she claims to be.
This leaves you wanting more, to read the next episode right away. At this time, I haven't read beyond this first episode, but I've bought the entire season. I recommend you have the entire season to read each episode back to back. With the way this first episode ends, you'll definitely be ready for the rest immediately! -
The reasons I ended up requesting this serial on Netgalley are two:
First the blurb sounded interesting, obviously.
Second because I kinda liked the idea of the serials. For many reasons actually. On a sentimental side, it reminded me of Duma. The fact that most of his work was published as serials, kinda makes this form of publishing endearing to me. Then I like reading novellas, a quick fix between books. But mostly I thought this could go two way; either this is going to be totally bad or really good. Curiosity got the better of me.
Well, Delirium is the latter.
It's a a quick read. I actually had to wait for something, so it filled my time. - exactly what I like about novellas. Though it is really short, Quinn managed to outline an entire new world and the main character.
The plot is fast paced, but despite that and its length, it doesn't feel rushed. And though the story obviously just started, I like where it ended. No massive cliffhanger which will make waiting for future episode bearable. And most importantly it left me wanting more!
The story is narrated by Delirium. A dept collector at the age of 20. Though he seems much more mature in some ways. While obviously there isn't loads to know about him just yet and there are only outlines set, I still connected with him. Quinn opened a window into the character, that gives one a glimpse, just enough that it makes you care but not too much so it feels overly pushed. You left with an idea of who Delirium is, what drives him and the hint that there is more to him than all that as well.
The world building is intriguing, I like the idea of the dept collectors and human worth, the life force etc. Again, Quinn somehow got the balance just right, again. There is enough world building over the few pages to outline it, but not too much to way it down or feel tried.
I really like Quinn's writing. It's simply beautiful and I am sure I will be reading more of her works in the future.
All in all an intriguing, fast paced and well written serial!
A warning: This will leave you wanting more!!
Review copy was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! -
Goodreads Synopsis: Delirium - EPISODE 1 of the nine-part, first season of the Debt Collector serial.
SEASON ONE NOW COMPLETE.
What's your life worth on the open market?
A debt collector can tell you precisely.
Lirium plays the part of the grim reaper well, with his dark trenchcoat, jackboots, and the black marks on his soul that every debt collector carries. He's just in it for his cut, the ten percent of the life energy he collects before he transfers it on to the high potentials, the people who will make the world a better place with their brains, their work, and their lives. That hit of life energy, a bottle of vodka, and a visit from one of Madam Anastazja's sex workers keep him alive, stable, and mostly sane... until he collects again. But when his recovery ritual is disrupted by a sex worker who isn't what she seems, he has to choose between doing an illegal hit for a girl whose story has more holes than his soul or facing the bottle alone--a dark pit he's not sure he'll be able to climb out of again.
My Review: I absolutely loved this book. It was exciting, and unlike anything I've read before... I'm sad that it was only 50 pages long, because I definitely could've read more. Gotta find episode 2!! The characters were intriguing, and I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting. That's how awesome this story was. Lirium is essentially a Grim Reaper. He's dressed in black, and he goes around to suck the life energy out of the sick and the old. Then, he goes home, gets drunk, and hires a 'sex worker'. Little did he know, this little hook up would be a lot different than the others. The girl who comes into his apartment is different, and she doesn't want to cut of energy like the rest of them. She wants him to give it to her dieing sister. It's a crazy book. Definitely check it out if you get the chance!! (': Thanks for reading.
(radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com) -
Susan Kaye Quinn’s DELIRIUM sets up a great introduction to her new episodic series, DEBT COLLECTOR.
DELIRIUM sweeps the reader into Lirium’s world. As a debt collector, his job is to take the life energy from a dying person and transfer it to the people who will make the world a better place—or so they say. Each transfer creates a blot on his soul. Lirium is dark and tragic, yet I cheered for him and felt connected to his plight. Apple Girl is brave and full of an inner light that makes the reader care about her. She’s a good foil to Lirium. I love how Quinn sets up the minor characters and creates a distrust in the ones with “high potential” as well as the life energy accountants.
This fast-paced episode does its job to set up the main character as well as future problems that could happen in the storyline. The present tense gives an intense edge and sense of immediacy to the story. The amazing futuristic setting is dark, gritty, and has a noir feel—minus the detective. Quinn’s writing rips open the emotions—sadness, horror, smiles, and smirks. I feel like we’ve just scratched the surface, and I can’t wait for future episodes.
The first of nine episodes, DELIRIUM by Susan Kaye Quinn has the reader craving for more, just like a debt collector taking a sweet hit of life energy. -
I'm very happy with this serial so far. I read the first three in the collected edition and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next set. The story is very fun and addictive. Each edition has a defined story, much like a tv show. This is not just a novel broken up into chunks and that's the reason I like it so much. So, without even getting into the details of the story that's plenty of reasons to read it.
As far as the story goes, I really like the concept of debt collectors moving life force around from the dying to the people who can use it more. It introduces all sorts of fun moral grey areas and really makes you think. Lirium isn't really the most original character ever. He's the pretty typical naive, stubborn, young guy with a penchant for being soft-hearted, but I like him anyway. The other characters have pretty cool back-stories that it's fun to discover while Lirium tries to puzzle out their motivations.
I'd recommend it to pretty much anyone who would enjoy a read that is paced like a good sci-fi/drama television show. -
These debt collectors won't be coming for your house or money. They want your life energy. Only those who have high potential to make the world a better place earn more energy. As a debt collector, Lirium carries a black mark on his soul. The only way he can keep sane after a transfer is to medicate with a bottle of vodka and a visit from a sex worker afterward. Yet this time, the sex worker is a girl with a problem that only he can help with. Will he help with an illegal hit for a sick child or sink deeper into the darkness of his life?
An amazing start to the Debt Collector series! The story is dark and gritty. The mood set on the first page. It's fast-paced and well written. Lirium is a fascinating character. Even more so, the world building is incredible. It's perhaps the not so distant future. A grim world that might be possible.
I'll definitely be picking up the rest of the books in this urban fantasy sci-fi series. I can't wait to read more! -
Delirium is the first episode in a serial--think Charles Dickens, only so much better I can't even really think Charles Dickens (okay, I hated Great Expectations, so what do you expect of me?). Think dark and gritty dystopian future and forget Charles Dickens. This is fast paced, adult (definitely not recommended to under 18 readers), and thought-provoking. There are a lot of unanswered questions, but you know what? There better be! This is the first episode. If everything was answered in the first installment, Great Expectations would have been about 500 words long and I would have liked it a lot more. In this case, although the situations are more adult than I typically like to read, I'm still very interested in reading the next installment, and wouldn't mind another 300 pages. A serial (and a writer!) to watch!
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Ok, I couldn't wait to get home from work to rate this story. Absolutely amazing, very original and I LOVED it. Man, oh, Susan. I need the next short like two weeks ago. :D Will write a proper review in a bit.
My advice? Grab this as soon as it's released.
Now I'm fit enough to write a coherent review.
First the cover, love it!
I loved Lirium! I sense there is more to him, which hopefully will be revealed in the next series. I'll definitely pick up the next serial. I really enjoyed the world Susan created. Great characterization. Vivid descriptions, plus a steamy scene -kissing- in there ;) Lirium +Apple Girl= Awesome. Hope she'll be in the next series.
The next installment releases in a few days. I'm looking forward to that. :) -
Delirium was both familiar and new. It took many of the ideas I've loved over the years from sci-fi books and movies and mashed them together into a new look at what it would be like to play Death in a future where our very lives are used to pay off our debts to society. My only complaint, and I'm sure the author will get this a lot, was that it was too short. I'm debating whether to wait until they are all done and buy it in one big chunk, or read it as each installment comes out. But you know what? There really is no debate because I want to read what happens next, RIGHT NOW! So, I guess she's got me hooked.
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Susan Kaye Quinn’s new serial, Debt Collector, is dark, gritty and a whole lot scary. It is set in a future time and gives one pause to think that life’s energy can be taken away and reabsorbed by another. Not unlike her previous work, The Minjack Trilogy, Dr. Quinn takes us into a new world, with unique and strange ideas to be discovered by the reader. All around a great read and I look forward to the next episodes.
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I'm having the privilege of beta-reading this series, and it is FANTASTIC!
It's tense and fast-paced and incredible. I've got a total book-crush on Lirium, who's like the Joseph Gordon-Leavitt character in LOOPER. He goes from life-draining job to job until everything changes when Apple Girl shows up.
The end of this installment leaves you wanting MORE...
Which is great b/c #2 is already out! And it's even better! -
Different, exciting, drama & more....
very exciting novella. I love the concept Ms. Quinn has put together in the debt collector. it's easy to get involved in liriums life, the way feels after collecting a debt, the weight it puts on his soul.
the book comes to a end and it leaves you really wanting more.
I will definitely read this series.
I have no doubts in giving g it a 5 star. it's awesome! -
Sighs it's hard to review something that I only read the first episode but I will say overall I like the concept but I'm really curious what happens after Lirium leaves the young women apartment and gave extra life time to her little sister.
I hope to get the rest of the episodes so I can do a full review of all the episodes.
As far as rating it I'm going to rate it 3 because I really do like it but I need to read more. -
Susan hits it out of the park again! This time, we get to see a gritty, futuristic world in serial form. I am not sure yet how I feel about serials, but if I was going to recommend one, it sure would be this book.
If you liked her Mindjacker series or you are a fan of futuristic fiction, this is definitely one I'd pick up. I promise you'll want to pick up the second installment once you do! -
This is my first serial and it's going well. I'm not really sure I understand that purpose of serials and why they aren't just chapters to a book but I suppose I will figure it out eventually. I did however enjoy this first serial.
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Really great start to a series that WILL BECOME AN ADDICTION!
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Un début prometteur. J'ai préféré la première partie à la fin, mais le tout reste intéressant et parfait pour donner envie de poursuivre : le principe de départ est bien fichu et intéressant, le personnage principal ne vaut pas un Caleb mais reste pas mal, et l'intrigue promet. Hâte de lire la suite de ce feuilleton que je lirai par épisodes et non d'un coup.
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As always, I’m late to the party. I feel like every man and his dog has discovered the sheer delight of this new serial, except me. Back in the old old days – think Charles Dickens – serial writing was the name of the game. Stories were serialized in newspapers, with readers desperately awaiting the next ‘episode’. In a time where there was no radio, no television and books were fairly expensive for the ordinary person, serialized stories in the newspapers were the entertainment of the day. It slowly died out around the time of radio and then television, and newspapers shifted from entertainment to more news. One of the more well-known resurrections of it was Stephen King’s The Green Mile, published in six printed books, one per month. I can actually remember desperately awaiting the next book – so that definitely dates me. LOL.
Susan Kaye Quinn is publishing the Debt Collector series as a serial. At present, you can purchase them from Amazon for 99c each for kindle, or every 3 episodes they’ll be released in a threesome box set for $2.99. (Please note: prices quoted are current for the time of this writing). It’s an interesting experiment and one I’m curious to see how it pans out.
I don’t know how I’ll go with weekly or fortnightly episodes. I hate having to wait so much with my tv episodes that usually I end up buying the box set of each season, instead of watching it weekly on tv when it airs. Yes, it means that I don’t get to watch it as it happens, but it does mean that when I am so immersed in a programme, I get to watch them all at once. :D Each episode of the Debt Collector series is so short that it can be read quickly, and I’m thinking that may drive me a little insane.
But on the other hand, this serial is so damn good, that I may have to just bite the bullet and grab them as they are released. I’ve never read Susan Kaye Quinn before, so I really had no idea what to expect when I first started Delirium. I didn’t know if she was a great writer, if her World would suit me, or if I was going to enjoy it. I needn’t have worried – I absolutely loved it. The World of the Debt Collectors is not light and fluffy, not sweet and heartwarming. It’s dark and gritty. The type of stuff I love to read. A futuristic setting, with Debt Collectors collecting your life.
I was still a little bit confused tho about the World Building. But considering this was only the first episode, I enjoyed it enough to continue and hope the world is explained a bit more as we go on. I’m not exactly sure how it all works – which in a full blown novel is a bad thing, but in a serial, is not. A debt collector’s cut of the job is to keep a little bit of the “life” they have collected – something that seems a lot like a drug hit. And when Lirium meets a woman who he thinks is a prostitute sent to service him, and realizes she wants a bit of that “life/energy” for someone else instead of herself as part of the payment, he’s angry. He calls her a Collector Hunter, a person who tries to force a Collector to transfer some of that hit to them. As Lirium says about the “hit”: They all start out pretty to begin with, then get even better with all the life hits they earn in their trade. When I give her the hit, it will make her eyes shine brighter, her skin glow even more vibrant, and her body come alive with all those heightened sensitivities the warning label carries.
Very much like a drug rush. The girl – who he names Apple Girl due to her perfume – wants him to give the hit to her ill younger sister. Lirium decides the choice is between going with Apple Girl to help out her sister, or spending the night with a bottle again…and guess which one he chooses? :D And thus our tale begins.
It’s enough to have me wanting the next episode. The rather damaged hero, the interesting world of Debt Collectors – I want to keep reading this. And if it means that I have to wait for the next episodes, biting my nails, desperate to find out what happens, then so be it. I will.
Cos Susan Kaye Quinn has successfully sucked me into her World and her Imagination and I want to continue. -
Sometimes I head into a book and get exactly what I expected to. And sometimes I head in and get so much more.
You see, I’m a total sucker (as I’ve mentioned numerous times) for not reading blurbs, or skimming blurbs, or forgetting whatever the blurb said even when I did read it. So, I’d seen the bits about the MC being a collector and automatically made the leap to reaper.
This is absolutely not a reaper story.
Let me just point out before continuing: Delirium is not a complete story. Susan Kaye Quinn has decided to venture down the (possibly insane) route of publishing (and writing) a book in instalments. Kinda like you’d get with a TV series, I guess, where you get a piece of the whole and then have to wait for the next episode (instalment) to find out what happens next. Well, I loved the idea of this. Little tidbits of tale drip-fed to me so I’ll always be eager for more and spend the following weeks in perpetual anticipation.
So am I eager and waiting in anticipation?
Actually, yes. Which is surprising as this reads almost sci-fi to me (which I struggle immensely with).
Because although this is only a short snippet—the intro so to speak—I was kinda wowed by a good few things.
Like Susan’s writing. I have Open Minds on my Kindle to read but haven’t gotten around to it, and now I’m wondering why the heck not? From the off, I liked the style, the voice, the flow, the descriptions. This author seems to have written with such natural ease, that I was swept along with scarcely a hitch to my stride.
The MC. I loved Lirium. I thought he was a great MC. Good tone to his voice. A decent connection. Hard nut to crack in the opening with attitude and arrogance, yet the longer you read, the more you see there’s potential for him to be better than your initial assumptions peg him.
And the world building. Now, I’ll hold my hand up and admit, I got confused by the world building. HOWEVER, this is by no means the fault of the author. It is down to ME. Because when there is a lot of world building, due to my concentration levels not being brilliant to begin, I struggle to absorb everything I need to absorb in order to not question if ‘I’m supposed to know this’ when we get to something relevant to the built world. But these confusions I had didn’t mar my reading enjoyment, or my connection with the story, or my understanding of what was going on. Admittedly, once I’d finished reading, I hunted down the author and bombarded her with questions. The ones where I’d gotten confused, she dumbed them down for me (at my request), and the others, she told me I’d have to wait and see (darn you, you pesky tease), which leads me to my next good point ...
All these blasted questions I have swirling in my head. I love that I reach the end wondering if X means Z, and if Y might happen, and if I’d read M’s character correctly ... and so on and so forth.
More so than being filled with all those Q’s, though, I loved that I reached the end and so didn’t want it to be so. In fact, I may have sat here, staring at my Kindle, going, ‘What? Nooooooooooooo! You can’t finish here because I’m not done yet dammit!’
So I guess one can safely say I enjoyed it. I guess they can also safely say I’ll be reading on.
