First published 2011
Duncan Chalk runs a media empire built on human suffering. The monstrous mogul feeds on pain and packages it for mass consumption. His latest targets are perfect specimens of agony. Minner Burris returned from space forever changed. Alien surgeons dismantled his body and reassembled it wrong. Every moment brings physical torment. Lona Kelvin served as a breeding experiment for scientists who harvested her eggs to create one hundred children before abandoning her. Chalk sees opportunity in their trauma. He envisions enormous ratings as audiences watch these two damaged souls attempt connection. The media vampire orchestrates their meeting and manipulates their relationship. Burris carries the constant reminder of alien intervention in his reconstructed flesh. Kelvin bears the emotional scars of scientific exploitation and maternal loss. Chalk feeds on their suffering while the public devours their intimate struggles. Two people search for healing while a predator profits from their wounds.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, thriller, psychological-thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, predator-prey
224 pages · Kindle Edition · Gateway
Content warnings: body-horror