“Nerdection Excellent Read”
Master Version 1.1 narrates the horrors of war which have now turned into a source of entertainment through live-streaming, a future where soldiers have become social media stars.
It is a near-future sci-fi thriller set in 2028 in the no-man’s land between Russia and Ukraine.
Spoiler-Free Plot:
Master Version 1.1 is a novel written by Antanas Marcelionis and translated by Martynas Majeris.
The story takes place in the gray zone between Russia and Ukraine in the year 2028. With the advancements in technology, traditional wars have changed. Instead of armies battling each other, groups of drone operators do the job. These operators work in the gray zone, where neither Russia nor Ukraine have control. The drones are advanced and perform tasks like gathering information, attacking enemies, and defending their own territory. The missions are live-streamed to several viewers as a source of entertainment.
The story follows a character known as “Master” who is a skilled drone operator. From navigating dangerous situations to making life-or-death decisions, Master does it all with a global audience.
My take on Master Version 1.1:
The book explores several themes like the transformation of war into entertainment, technological advancements, and the consequences people face due to it. The author does a remarkable job blending all themes to make it an interesting read.
He provides readers with a first-person perspective. The protagonist, Master is the main character in the book. Readers get a glimpse of the challenges he faces as a drone operator and his thought process in resolving them. He balances his missions with the expectations of his audience.
For instance, when confronted with three low-level Russian trespassers, he thinks:
”An encounter with such a low-level enemy may not qualify as premium content, but it’s better than nothing”
Master has quick thinking and exceptional skills making him a good operator as well as a famous live-streamer.
The book also provides a strong commentary on the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The author uses lowercase for “russia” and “russian” as a form of disapproval of Russia’s aggression.
The author explains the details of action scenes and political commentary in an interesting manner. He has a direct narrative and he uses a fast-paced writing style that matches the book’s genre.
Antanas Marcelionis uses a harsh tone and does not shy away from narrating the brutal conflict. He uses short sentences and writes detailed descriptions creating tension in the story. While He makes the story progress fast.
At a certain point, Master says:
”Right after the shot, I make the drone lurch upward, perform a loop, and then hang in place. Fatty is now on the run”
Unlike most books, Marcelionis enhances the reader’s experience by adding artwork and illustrations throughout the book providing readers with visual representations of the scenes.
Readers can find the author’s concept of Warvid.Zone both fascinating and disturbing as it raises questions about the line between war and entertainment. They can connect to the dark humor frequently used in the story as a coping mechanism.
Overall, Master Version 1.1 is a gripping read with a unique perspective. It is highly recommended to readers interested in techno-thrillers and science fiction.
Ratings and Content Warning:
Master Version 1.1 is rated an Excellent read. Readers should be aware of its graphic content and harsh tone used by the author which might not be suitable for all readers.
About The Author Of Master Version 1.1
Antanas Marcelionis is a software developer and the author of the widely popular data visualization library amCharts. He is also a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen Union, a sailboat enthusiast, and an avid bicycle traveler. He lives in Vilnius, Lithuania. Master Version 1.1 is his first book.
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