Not the Norm (Sub-Normal) [Kindle Edition]

Becca J. Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Eden has a dangerous secret.

In a world where GenEns (enhanced humans) are the norm, her own ability is flawed. If anyone found out about the glitch in her genetic code, she'd be deemed a sub-norm, as one unfit to exist in the human race. Her certain fate would be extermination.

She always thought keeping her defect secret was her biggest struggle. That concern vanishes when her life is put in danger. Suddenly, fighting back is her only option, and she's completely unprepared.

Her only chance for survival is by wielding her damaged power. But fear and painful memories threaten to hold her back. What will happen to her if she unleashes the terror within?

A Sub-Normal short story. Approximately 6500 words.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I loved this story. Campbell has succeeded again in populating her world with characters that I care about. I have read a lot of really bad writing recently, so it was with great pleasure that I read this story and was swept up in Eden's story." - Jason Sharp

"Becca J. Campbell has a knack for human connection and a driving interest in the individual flaws that do so much to define characters. As an author, she loves exploring these utterly mundane aspects of the human condition in fantastically imaginative environments." - Aaron Pogue

About the Author

An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca J. Campbell looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity.
 
Becca's journey into writing began as many of her other creative endeavors do - by daring herself to try something new. The question "what if I wrote a novel?" and some hastily scribbled notes on a church handout were the inspirations that jump-started her first book. Since then, she has written half a dozen additional novels and several shorter works.
 
As the wife of a musician and mother of three young boys, Becca's life is never dull. Whether it is writing, painting or knitting, she enjoys making stuff that wasn't there before.
 
Find out more at: beccajcampbell.com.

Product Details

• File Size: 165 KB
• Print Length: 22 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Surreal Media Studios; 1 edition (June 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0088SZA7O
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #703,082 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the Norm is a good thing. June 5, 2012

By SETM

Format:Kindle Edition

Great read when you are in the mood for a quick but interesting trip into Dystopia. Right from the beginning every little clue as to just what type of world you are reading about makes the story more and more interesting, drawing you into it. I especially enjoyed that the characters are written as real and ordinary people. They are believable, likable and "follow able" so I wanted to see them through whatever was coming. I'm glad that I did. I hope Rebecca will let us follow them a bit further in the future.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful - I'll be watching for more! November 11, 2012

By K. Sozaeva TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

Book Info: Genre: Speculative science fantasy/Dystopia
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of the paranormal, urban fantasy, speculative science fiction and fantasy, dystopias, those interested in the darker side of eugenics, etc.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this short story from the author in gratitude for taking part in a blog tour. An honest review was requested when I had the chance to read it. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Eden has a dangerous secret.

In a world where GenEns (enhanced humans) are the norm, her own ability is flawed. If anyone found out about the glitch in her genetic code, she'd be deemed a sub-norm, as one unfit to exist in the human race. Her certain fate would be extermination.

She always thought keeping her defect secret was her biggest struggle. That concern vanishes when her life is put in danger. Suddenly, fighting back is her only option, and she's completely unprepared.

Her only chance for survival is by wielding her damaged power. But fear and painful memories threaten to hold her back. What will happen to her if she unleashes the terror within?

My Thoughts: This is an interesting world that Cambell has created, and in only a very few pages, too. I am very excited to hear that she plans to continue telling stories in this world - I think there are a lot more stories to tell. How did humans develop the GenEn technology? Why did it become mandatory? How did things reach this level? An intriguing dystopian universe to explore. This book is a great introduction to this world. Campbell does a great job creating characters, using a broad but thorough brush - in the short span I knew them, I felt I developed a strong understanding of what these characters were about, although I would love to learn more background and see how they get along after the ending.

I will be watching for upcoming stories in this world. Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction, speculative fiction, paranormal fiction and so forth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Twisted and different October 30, 2012

By Justin Matthews

Format:Kindle Edition

I swore I posted reviews for this book, I reviewed it on my blog. Here is what I said:
I sat down knowing that "Not the Norm" was a short story but I didn't expect to finish it in one sitting. That said, I was disappointed that it was that short. I liked the story, the initial set up was intriguing and then act one ended. Act two had a really good action scene that ended satisfactorily but then the story was over!

Now I like short fiction. I like to write short stories. I felt that this story was a bit too short. There is so much more in this world that Becca has imagined that this story seemed like the trailer to the blockbuster coming next summer. I would like to know more about the backgrounds of the society where this is set, and then what happens afterward; they can't just go quietly into the night, they just can't.

It is a good little read that gives you a good taste of Becca's mind and storytelling ability. I really like how she handles the interpersonal relationships in her stories and makes the people seem so real. Most of my stories only have the hero and the dead guys. Even when I have a person relationship they die rather quickly. Becca is really good at keeping people alive and together.

This book is an excellent appetizer while waiting for the 3 course meal in this strange and interesting world.

More About the Author

An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca J. Campbell looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity.

Becca's journey into writing began as many of her other creative endeavors do - by daring herself to try something new. The question "what if I wrote a novel?" and some hastily scribbled notes on a church handout were the inspirations that jump-started her first book. Since then, she has written half a dozen additional novels and several shorter works.

As the wife of a musician and mother of three young boys, Becca's life is never dull. Whether it is writing, painting or knitting, she enjoys making stuff that wasn't there before.

Find out more at: beccajcampbell.com.