| Title | : | The Sector (Non-Compliance #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1909374032 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781909374034 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 262 |
| Publication | : | First published November 12, 2012 |
The Sector (Non-Compliance #1) Reviews
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Shea Kelly chose to live in the Non-Compliance Sector of the United States, which has become a shade of its former self following a disastrous international war, rather than be implanted with a chip that would store her personal information. Spirited, strong-willed, and intelligent, she makes a living as a bartender and moonlights as a hacker-for-hire. Frustrated by the bullying and shenanigans of a new gangster in town, Shea reaches out to the NCS’s established crime lord, whose name is Robert Jennings but is simply called Boss by most people. Boss may be a mobster who demands payment in exchange for protection, but unlike the newcomer, Danny, he maintains order and allows life to run smoothly.
Daniels paints a vivid picture of Shea’s life in this rough world. Despite the bleakness of her situation, Shea has no desire to leave the NCS. At the very least, she can keep her independence here. She regularly clashes with drunken bar patrons and ruthless thugs, sometimes getting severely injured, and yet she takes her punches with her head held high. She truly isn’t afraid of anything—not the goons, not the government, not the ongoing hardships of her life.
Shea eventually joins forces with Boss’s right-hand man, Quinn Knightly, to find out what Danny’s master plan is and get rid of him before he takes over the NCS. Some of the most captivating scenes in Non-Compliance are the dialogues between these two characters. Whereas Shea is a tough-talking smart aleck, Quinn is the strong-and-silent type who prefers to communicate via growls.
Her narration is straightforward, blunt, and sometimes curt, as though she wants to get her point across to the reader without wasting her breath on whining or flowery descriptions. Even in her internal monologues, she doesn’t say much about her emotions, and yet her meanings are clearly conveyed by the context.
Through her eyes, the reader is shown a fascinating possible future in which comfort is the price one must pay for independence and true freedom is virtually non-existent. Non-Compliance plays on the well-known tropes of cyberpunk, such as invasive technology and a rebellious protagonist, and adds its own spin through Shea’s unique voice. The futuristic technology fades into the background, and it’s treated as a given fact of the setting rather than the center of attention. By zooming in on one woman’s life, it allows the reader to experience the novel’s world in an up-close-and-personal manner, making for an engaging and absorbing story.
[This is a condensed version of a full review on my blog, Zigzag Timeline] -
Loved this book! Shea is smart and spunky, and she's hot for Quinn, even if she won't admit it. I can't wait to see what danger and excitement are to come in book 2!!
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Non-Compliance: The Sector is the tale of a kick arse chick living the best life she can in a Non-Compliance Sector, in a world where those who choose to live a compliant life, accepting the insertion of a microchip, are kept in relative comfort, while those to refuse to submit to such control are shunned. Most of the people who choose to live a non-compliant life are decent people, they just don't want to live under such heavy-handed control. But some are a little more rough around the edges, and Shea tends to find herself dealing with these folks. It's a recipe for action, with the leaders of the non-compliant seeking almost as much control as the leaders of the compliant.
So, what didn't I like?
It took me a while to really understand the stakes on the table. I'm going to put that down to me not being a big dystopian/scifi/cyberpunk reader, so it took me awhile to get into things. That's fine. An author should not hold their reader's hand. It's up to me to decide whether or not to give the book a second go (which I think I will at a later date), with a little more understanding under my belt (I'm going to do that same for
The Blinding Knife).
There were times when I felt things could have been explored further. Some things were skipped over that I would have liked to see - some conversations, some investigations and information gathering. Part of me thought that if I had seen the effort it took to research things than I would have been more worried when things looked shaky. Again, it may be that people already fans of these genres might not need to see these things so deeply. I don't know.
Personally, I didn't 100% gel with Shea, which is something I look for in a book. But she still had her moments. She was someone I'd be happy to be an aquaintence of, but I'm not sure how she and I would get on if we were always in each other's space...
What did I like?
As you've probably seen already... the torture scene. That was pretty imaginative! I'm a real nicey-nice goodie-two-shoes in real life, so I'm very curious about the ways in which people can be cruel to one another. This was nicely done.
I like that the ending leaves an opening for more to come. I suspect things are going to get very interesting around the NCS. I am interested in seeing that. And by the time that one comes around, I should have a little more world knowledge behind me, so that will be good.
Some of the dialogue was very sharp and humorous. While I got over the "Get your knickers out of a twist" line pretty quickly (but that's OK, it's a character trait - and then you see other characters start to pick it up, which I'm sure is a sign of the relationship developments... you know, you hang out with someone enough you start talkign like them) - there was more to come. Definitely a few giggle-worthy moments.
On the whole, it's a decent quick read - worth picking up to pass a weekend!
PS: Oh yeah... And right off the bat, I was a little unsettled that that bad guy was called Danny Rose... that's my cousin, dude! (But I'm sure that happens all the time...) -
When I read the above synopsis of this book I was totally sure that I would have been put in the Non - Compliance sector in this world. There would be no way that they would put a microchip in me even if it meant that I would live in comfort. So yes I would totally be in with the non-compliant crew and probably fearing for my life at every single second - eeek!
Shea is totally kick ass and I'd like to think that I could be that brave in her shoes as she battles her way around mob bosses protecting others. When she joins up with the Boss's right hand man Quinn, to find out what Danny (the newcomer's) plan is. Shea is a talkative but blunt character whereas Quinn replies mainly in groans so the dialogue between these two is pretty weird but a good weird.
After reading a lot of vampire and paranormal romance stories it was good to get back to something very different. This Sci-Fi cyberpunk book really did more than the job. I almost read this in one sitting, I stopped myself as I had to make tea but I was back to continue reading. I absolutely loved this book and as it was her first book I was really impressed and I also found that Daniels bio on Goodreads was totally awesome also.
I can't wait to read more from this author and I'd definitely recommend this to all who love their sci-fi mixed with a kick ass female and a writing style that sticks to the plot. You won't be fed any useless pieces of writing here, each word counts. Absolutely loved it. Can you tell?
Review is on Larissa's Life -
An extremely fun read!
Paige Daniels’ “Non-Compliance: The Sector” is a thrilling, quirky, and humorous look at the near future. Told through the perspective of Shea Kelly, a tough, smart and rebellious engineering gal, the novel transports the reader into a post-war America in which most of society has succumbed to a hypnotic government message of compliance which is symbolized by chips implanted in the back of each compliant person’s neck. Shea, like most non-compliants, chooses to live on a less-regulated reservation with the drawback that it is run by mob bosses, some more dangerous than others. Shea must use all of her craftiness and bold, brawling style to protect herself, her friends and her values against the villains. She’s an unusual character, showing the ingenuity of MacGyver, a TV character who built tools and weapons out of spare parts, and she has a fetish that would make Gomez Addams’ “parlez-vous Francais” seem commonplace. Hint: “Querida, that’s cigar smoke. Mwah, mwah, mwah.” In addition, the book, which is available in Kindle/Nook format and paperback, is a gorgeous product in its paperback form, eschewing the “trade” size and laminated-cover style of most small presses and going to market with a compact, grittier look and feel. I anxiously await Paige Daniels’ next release and recommend “Non-Compliance: The Sector” to anyone who appreciates a good sci-fi, cyberpunk tale. Well, I’ve had my say; think I’ll head to the tobacconist for some finely wrapped aphrodisiac smokes. -
I normally don't read sci-fi but this book's blurb read great and the graphic artwork on the front was really eye-catching. Shea Kelly lives in a place called the Non-Compliance Sector, where people who refuse to wear government chips are interred. They appear to be the dregs of society, but appearances are deceptive. Author Paige Daniels has created a dystopian world and brought it across with atmosphere and complete believability.
Written in first person, this future world is brought to life through the eyes and thoughts of Shea Kelly - a tough female lead who doesn't take any nonsense. From the beginning you see a spark between Kelly and the Boss' right hand man, Quinn, despite the tongue-in-cheek dialogue often shared between them. Danny Rose plays the villain of the piece and each chapter is filled with plenty of action.
Overall, a great first book. Pacing, storyline and characters are all believable and each have their strengths and weaknesses. There is also a great hook at the end of the book - which I won't spoil - but it has me looking forward to the next instalment. -
The characters are the real driving force behind this book. Right from the start we are drawn into this world by Shea and her circle of friends. Though reluctant to enter the world of gangs and turf wars, she ends up right in the middle of it as new threats come to the Non-Compliant sector.
There's a bleakness to the world here, and yet the characters maintain a lot of humour and lightness. Perhaps it is an optimistic view that no matter how terrible things might get, people remain people and keep on with their lives.
The romantic sub-plot was always lurking around the characters and it was no surprise when it came to fruition. I was glad that Shea wasn't turned into a typical damsel in distress, which so often happens in fiction. She remains a badass, and actively moves and drives the story.
If you like your action, your dystopian futures and your exciting plots, give this a go. -
I find post apocalyptic and dystopian stories fascinating. The hope that is found in the misery always makes me feel optimistic. Paige Daniels has done a great job in creating a world where grit, humor, and love coexist in a believable way.
If you don’t agree to have the government chip installed, you get sent to the sector a place run by mobsters, regardless of the presence of the magistrate. Shea lives in the sector, works in a bar, hacks the systems, and hates her job. When the boss’s right hand man starts collecting the protection money, she doesn’t think anything of it. Then Danny starts making trouble and Shea knows a turf war is on the way.
It was time to take a side. And then things change. -
Something a little different for me but I've got to say that I enjoyed it. Shea as the lead character is great and her self doubt and insecurities make her far more interesting than your average heroine.
The cyberpunk setting is really interesting. I'd love to know more about the world beyond the one we see.
Some of the dialogue seems stilted at first but after a while I accepted that was how they spoke and now look forward to reading the sequel. -
The main character, Shea Kelly, came across initially as a testosterone-infested female with guts and sore attitude in her knuckles. That might satisfy many, but I felt like I’d seen that representation of a female before. Wrong – I took a step back, and after the first 4 pages, went back to reading it with clearer thoughts. Although movies and many television programmes promote strong women characters they aren’t a common feature of novels. Sure – they exist but Paige Daniels returns us to the old concept of a strong willed women who doesn’t rely on a vampire bite or a sword blessed with the seven heavens to get the job done.
And it was great to see that return.
I imagined Shea to be a Ripley (Alien[s][3][Resurrection]) type of character but with more drive about her. She has a humorous side and you’ll chuckle at moments, I sure did.
At times, Shea possesses a aura of leave me alone and don’t mess me around, so I didn’t get attached to caring when the risks heightened, but that’s the character and I respect that. I am not prescriptive over world building and hate to see minute details such as every grain of wood, or each light in the skyscraper and what type of lampshade there is, but in some places painting a picture of the novel felt distant. It’s not easy – and I have fallen foul of not giving a clear image – but some explanation might have helped me in footing Shea and her movements. If you are not keen on having descriptions slow the pace, then the world building will work fine. Don’t get me wrong – I could see the world, but couldn’t jump into it fully. (Almost like 3D glasses but slightly smudged).
Many say that Dystopian novels are so yesterday – and I would agree unless you find a new take, and the courage of Shea to non-comply with the controlling organisations delivers that. Trust me it’s not all smiles in this novel; there are some gruesome parts that cause a shudder at how evil and sadistic a human can be. The moments when I did attach to Shea are when her luck is battered and she’s on the verge of losing. Nobody likes to see a female hurt, but as a reader, you’re willing her to fight back and find a way out.
Paige Daniels stays away from purple prose and that’s good. Yes, a little description might have helped, but the quick scenes and the witty dialogue placed cleverly helps to make this a brisk enjoyable read.
As a summary: Although Shea refuses to have her life controlled, she wants control to return her Sector rather than see a newbie unsettle the norm. It contradicts how someone without respect for complying wants it back for her own, but is very true of rebels and groups in the modern world where order within disorder satisfies them.
A comparison I can make to Non-Compliance and my debut: Disconnect is how the nitty-gritty nuts and bolts of how everything works in terms of technology isn’t fully explained. I understand why. It’s up to the reader to form their own conclusion of the techy bits so they can relate to the character’s struggles. If we wanted to know how all work, we’d be picking up a non-fiction novel.
I would give this 3.5 out of 5
And that’s not a bad thing.
My ratings:
0 = Dropped after a few pages.
1 = For when bored.
2 = Kept me going.
3 = A good read.
4 = A really good page turner.
5 = Awesome, didn’t want to put down.
Non-Compliance is a good read that I’d recommend. -
Humanity has been upgraded.
In this cyberpunky near-future SF novel, anyone who refuses to have the government issue electronic chip implanted in their bodies is deemed to be non-complaint, and confined to the low-technology ghetto known as the Non-Compliance Sector. Shea Kelly works a bar in the Sector for a fat weeble named Frank, dodging the attentions of the slums rival gangs and secretly uploading information to an illegal newsfeed and hacking computers with her genius best friend Wynne. But when Danny Rose, the new thug in town, makes a grab for power in the Sector, Shea finds her world changes beyond recognition.
This is a smart, funny, fast-paced book, told in the first person present tense. That’s not a style I usually enjoy reading, but the book was packed with so much action and humour that after a few pages I became so caught up in the story that I stopped noticing. The characters are great, especially the women who take a dominant role in the story – as a short, myopic, frizzy-haired plump lass it’s nice to see a short, myopic, curvy, frizzy-haired heroine, even if Shea could probably break my arm with her little finger! And I was worried that her Breakfast Club style transformation at the hands of Wynne and secret bodyguard Nikki Sweet would result in a change in attitude for our heroine, but within a few pages she’s back in tracky bottoms and Chuck Taylors with her head inside a car engine, and all’s right with the world again.
The Sector is well thought out, though Daniels takes pains not to give too much away. We know Shea has a secret that has landed her in the ghetto, but we’re not sure what it is. We know the government are Up To Something (aren’t they always?) but what it is, is left a mystery. It’s stylishly done, we’re told just enough to keep us hooked, and to provide a well-realised environment, but there are no chucks of exposition, no spoon-feeding, and the mystery helps ratchet up the tension. It’s a slim book, but it’s well worth a read, and it ends on a proper cliffhanger. -
I love the fresh take on a dystopian world. Most of them are the dregs of humanity, just struggling to survive, but this one is where a major war is over and people are now recovering, except for those who refuse to have a chip embedded. The non-compliant are relegated to a ghetto where the life is harsh, if free. Shea Kelly chooses to come to this place rather than submit to the proceedure. I note that previous military people have had a lesser form of this chip that doesn't seem to be as bad for the wearers.
This is not about survival, but about change. Shea and her friend have day jobs in the compound and appear to be regular people, except for their moonlighting, where they are hackers for a price. The sector needs surplies and is often short-changed unless the girls step in and alter things just a little. All this finishes when a new wannabe mobster tries to take over the patch of an existing 'protection' squad. What happens next is thrilling! See for yourself.
Although I am not too sure what the outside world looks like, the sector is well drawn to the point where it is easy to visualise the scenes as they unfold. The characters are very real. Bad people also have some good points and good people have some bad ones, as it should be for that touch of realism.
Great read. Highly recommended. -
Totally loved this book! Really refreshing action ! More please!
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Let me be the first to admit that cyberpunk isn't my favorite genre, and that's as much a matter of taste as of anything else. The other books in this sub-genre I've attempted in the past are just a little too gritty for me. YMMV, as they say.
This, however, I not only finished but found myself enjoying (overall). The main character Shea is a narrator whose voice, from the beginning, is down-to-earth. I'm left with more than enough interest in this world and its characters to buy the next one. It had a pretty good cliffhanger, I thought.
More sensitive readers should be aware that there is quite a bit of cursing (typical of cyberpunk, from my somewhat limited experience). I'm usually willing to wade through that if the story keeps my interest. See above!
This is, in some ways, a bleak vision of what the world could be like if it went the wrong way. And yet, like any bleak vision worth its salt, we are also reminded that life goes on. So does love. Family. Food.
Shea goes through a lot, and I'm sure it's only going to get worse in the next two books. But in this first one, at least, she comes out of it with her humanity intact. Flawed as it is. And she is stronger for it. -
A quick, enjoyable read set in a dystopian future where all citizens are chipped by the gov't and those who do not wish to be are sent to live in 'sectors'.
A growing mystery about what two rival factions vying for power in the sector are up to lead the mains to pick sides an do their best to help keep the sector calm and safe.
The big reveal at the end wasn't what I thought it would be but, overall, this is a enjoyable book. Good characters. Good pacing. Humor. Romance. Action. A bit of everything.
I look forward to checking out the rest of the series. -
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite
The Nano Review:
Why did it have to end! ㅠㅠ
The Plot
When Saoirse 'Shea' Alverez Kelly refuses to subject herself to the newest bit of Gov-Tek she's thrown into Non-Compliance Sector 610-23 , the Heartland district. Set in a grim future where government control is nearly absolute Shea's technical experience quickly comes in handy and with tbe help of her friend Wynne and a few well placed hacks, they are able to procure some much needed goods for the residents.
It's this sort of expertise that gets them noticed and they catch the attention of Boss Jennings, gangster and semi-benevolent protector of the Heartland district. With her's and Wynne's help he hopes to take down his biggest rival and restore peace and order to the community. After one too many encounters with the psycotic rival, Shea is quick to take up Boss's offer.
Kick-ass, intriguing and fast paced Non-Compliance: The Sector by Paige Daniels is a novel that can be quickly summed up in one word: Awesome!
The Awesome Bits
As I was reading Non-Compliance and getting closer and closer to the end I kept hoping for some kind of Disney magic to make the pages increase, it was that good. But alas and alack it did in a horrible cliffhanger-y manner (ㅠㅠ). Shea is cool and smart (no seriously, really smart), and totally kick-ass.
Non-Compliance is like the cooler dystopian version of an Anita Blake novel (there are no vampires but Quinn more than makes up for it *eyebrow wiggle*). Unfortunately I have no idea when the next book comes out but Ms Daniels does have a web site which I fully intend to stalk— ah,visit. -
I felt Non-Compliance was a well constructed story. I enjoyed it and think a few of my friends might enjoy it too. However it seems to have a very specific audience and most of the people I know probably wouldn't read this story. But I will recommend it and hopefully they will give it a go. Below is a short review.
Pace of Story= flowed smoothly in a way that pulled me into Shea's world.
The world= believable and gritty.
Themes= Shea's struggle to make a difference in a seemingly hopeless environment was good. Also the conflicts and power struggles between characters, rich/poor i.e those with power and those without etc were enjoyable and realistic. The romance in the story worked well and although I felt it was a bit much at times I feel it will draw in a lot of readers who enjoy romance as one of the main themes. The sprinkling of technology as a theme was cool and helped draw me into the story.
Characters= I didn't feel too involved with the characters but did have sympathy and empathy for Shea at times.
In summary, I liked it. It's an enjoyable read with a lot of potential. Keep the stories coming. -
Interesting idea and well fleshed out! Paige has created a believable dystopia with rich characters and a story that keeps me reading with its clever plot twists and just-right release of critical information. I am not yet finished, but the main character (Shea) has a million sides to her! Well done, an excellent read!
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I'm still shocked at how much I enjoyed this one. It was a little like an Urban Fantasy only without demons and set in the future. :) Just enough romance to keep me happy. Full review to come.
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Loved this.
