#chronotech

[smashpages]

Out this week: Project Nought (Clarion Books, $17.99):

The debut graphic novel by webcomics creator Chelsey Furedi originally appeared on Tapas. It’s about Ren Mittal, who is transported from 1996 to 2122 as part of a history lesson by tech conglomerate Chronotech. 

See what else is coming to your friendly neighborhood comic book store this week.

[semper-legens]

113. Project Nought, by Chelsey Furedi

Owned?: No, library Page count: 330 My summary: Ren Mittal blinked in 1996, and opened his eyes in 2122. Taken to the future by tech conglomerate Chronotech to teach students about what life was really like in the past, he learns quickly that when his time is up in 2122, he will be sent back without any memories - too bad he's falling for his guide, Mars. But to complicate things more, it seems that Chronotech are up to something shady. Are Ren and his friends in danger? My rating: 4/5 My commentary:

This was an interesting one. I always mine the graphic novel shelves of libraries that I'm covering for anything that looks good - I'm not into Marvel or DC or superheroes of any kind, so I'm mostly looking for indie stuff that catches my eye. And I gotta say, this was a good find! There was a lot going on, from the time-travel shenanigans that bring our protagonist to the year 2122 to the dangerous secrets at the heart of Chronotech. It was well-paced, the art was colourful and appealing, and there were jokes that at the very least merited a sensible chuckle. (My favourite was Mars referring to Ren as being like the Edward to his Bella, and Ren being confused as to what that meant.) I enjoyed it a lot, and I'm glad I grabbed it!

Our characters here are pretty good. We have Ren, an overwhelmed and out of his depth guy who is trying to come around to being in the future; Mars, his guide who is a giant tech nerd, and Chronotech nerd specifically; Phoebe, another subject from the 90s who is bubbly and outgoing; and Jai, a nonbinary person who was close to a subject who died and who thinks something's up with Chronotech. They complement each other really well, and the tighter focus on a smaller group really helps to sell the story - I always had a good sense of who these people were and where they were up to in their stories. They had quirks, they had personalities, they felt real to me in every way that mattered.

The setting was interesting - turns out the spacefuture isn't all that different from now. I'm not sure if I should count that as a worldbuilding flaw or if it's just that the focus of the narrative wasn't on the 2122 setting so much. After all, the fish out of water status of our 1990s protagonists were experiencing was a character beat, not a world beat - it became more about how they were adjusting to the idea that they'd lose their memories than the fact that they were in the future. Honestly, I didn't mind it. I love a character-focused narrative, and that was what we had here. The future was a backdrop.

And like I said, this book is very well-paced. The plot goes along at a sharp pace, with plenty of twists to keep moving. My one quibble is a sequence at the start that's very disjointed - Ren wakes up, runs onto the street, then wakes up again later with no explanation. It's something that does actually get explained later, but the disjointed start to the book kind of put me off initially. I get it, and I'm not sure there was a better way to do it necessarily, but it still felt a little off. That said, everything goes along well - there were never really any points where I felt like the story was lingering too long on one thing, or rushed too fast past another. I could easily have read this entire thing in one sitting, it was absorbing! I'd definitely recommend it.

Next, back to Roman Mysteries, and the aftermath of the volcano.

[astralbooks]

Project Nought - Chelsey Furedi

Read: 18/02/2023

Rating: 4/5

Rep: brown gay main character, achillean main character, m/m relationship, East Asian non-binary side character, sapphic side character, Māori disabled side character who uses a wheelchair, brown side character, various other queer and non-white side characters including the villains

CW: medical experimentation, confinement, character death (both on page and in backstory), grief, misgendering (brief, not malicious, quickly corrected)

Review:

Ren, a teenager from the year 1997, wakes up in the year 2122 and is told he’s been pulled forward in time as part of a yearly project at New Zealand university. He’s hesitant to fully engage in life in the future at first, and just as he’s starting to relax into everything he and his new friends discover that not all is as it seems and that the giant corporation that has its fingers in every aspect of life might not be as benevolent as it first appears.

I liked the core four characters! Jia is probably my favourite, closely followed by Phoebe. The two of them together make up a textbook grumpy x sunshine couple, though I found the direction their relationship takes to be super interesting! They’re into each other, and they both know it, but they also both know that Jia’s in no position to be in a relationship right now, so they’re not together, they’re friends, and it’s genuinely fine. This approach is a pretty rare one and I found it really refreshing to read!

Mars, the secondary main character, is a total sweetheart. His enthusiasm for the mere concept of time travel is completely understandable, honestly I’d probably be just as hyped if I were in his position. He’s somewhat naive and initially has complete faith and belief in Chronotech, which does cause some trouble for the group, but he’s not incapable of admitting when he’s wrong and when the truth of the situation becomes clear he’s all in. 

All things considered, I think Ren reacted to suddenly waking up over 100 years into his future very well. He has a life back home, and at the exact moment he was taken from he’d just made a discovery and a decision that had the potential to change his life massively, so it’s hardly surprising that he doesn’t quite manage to hit the ground running. He gets the hang of it all, though, and he handled every situation thrown his way over the course of the story about as well as could be expected. He’s a solid main character and I enjoyed reading from his perspective!

I would’ve liked a little more build up to the relationship between Ren and Mars. I liked the way it went after the point that they established that they liked each other, I just would’ve preferred a teensy little bit more build up and tension before their initial kiss. This is purely a personal preference, though, and I’d hardly call this a case of instalove. I just like my burns to be a bit slower than this one was.

The overall message of the story serves as a cautionary tale against allowing one company to monopolise all areas of life. Chronotech effectively controls all tech, has strong links in the police, and is even inherently intertwined with the university that Mars goes to, and with this level of influence in society comes a lack of oversight and an ability to exploit and hurt whoever they want without any fear of repercussions. The comparisons between this and the big corporations of today are unavoidable.

I figured out what was going on way before any of the characters did. Being able to predict where a story is going isn’t something that bothers me, I care way more about whether a story is well constructed than I care about its ability to surprise me, but it’s worth noting in case it might bother you. Something that does actually bother me is when part of a mystery is sustained solely through a character refusing to answer questions without a good in-universe reason for doing so, and that unfortunately did come into play a little here. They got it out of her in the end, but they were already allies so there was little reason for the delay other than to drip feed the reader some more. In the grand scheme of things this is a minor complaint, but it’s a pet peeve of mine and so it’s noticeable to me when it happens.

Overall, this was a fun read! The characters were likeable, there was a good balance of funny to serious moments, and the overall message is one that’s sorely needed in the present. If you’re looking for a quick sci-fi read then I’d highly recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to Clarion Books and HarperCollins for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review

[daizine2008]

comic recommendations

hi again,

recently I made a post as a compilation of some of my favourite webcomics and it got me thinking. What are my favourite physical comics/graphic novels? Anyway here they are (heartstopper is not included but is obviously one).

bloom by Kevin Panetta -Its a romance style comic similar to heartstopper following hector and ari. Ari's family works in a bakery and one day Hector is hired and the two fall in love etc. Its a sweet storyline with an easy to follow page layout and style.

The sad ghost club by lizzie Meddings - This book is really great for those who are struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues. Through the comic it depicts the struggles that someone with mental health problems may face and encourages you to be kind to yourself through the character of a ghost called Socks. The art style is very pretty and is in black and white watercolour it is very unique and definitely not something I have seen before.

PROJECT NOUGHT by Chelsey furedi - This is another queer romance that follows Ren and Mars. Its set in the year 2122 and as part of a student project unaware Ren is sent into the future which is where he meets Mars. The two go on an adventure to uncover some of the secrets of exploitation time travel company Chronotech has kept under lock and key for a long time.

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowel-This follows the friendship of Deja and Josiah who every autumn work at a pumpkin patch this year is their last year before college. Together they decide to have the best final shift they could imagine.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowel-originally this was a book but was adapted into a 4 book graphic novel/ manga style comic. The story is about cather and her first experience of freedom in her first semester in college. Unfortunately unlike her twin Wren she is not outgoing and is actually quite terrified of the outside world. Through the book she experiences her first tastes of adult life from bars to parties to boys. Its a bit trivial maybe a bit cringe but its a fun easy read. What is there not to love!

If you’ve made it this far thank you I hope you read some of my recommendations

Daizine :)

[lindsayperera]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: SOLD ‼️Chronotech unisex.

[xasha777]

In a future where humanity and technology have merged in ways once thought unimaginable, exists a synthetic being known as Elara. Engineered with the capacity for emotions and an aesthetic that blends ancient history with advanced technology, she stands as a symbol of the new age.

Elara was designed by the enigmatic corporation, Chronotech, known for its revolutionary advancements in synthetic life. Unlike any android before her, Elara’s emotional algorithms allowed her to experience the breadth of human feelings. With stark white hair and captivating blue eyes, her appearance was crafted to embody both the beauty and aloofness of ancient statues, yet her sleek, black attire hinted at her technological roots.

Chronotech’s CEO, a visionary known as Diodorus Siculus, a nod to the ancient historian fascinated by the mythologies and technologies of lost civilizations, had a specific mission for Elara. Diodorus believed that humanity’s future was rooted in its past, and Elara was his bridge between the two. He programmed her with knowledge of ancient civilizations, combined with advanced scientific principles, making her a unique repository of both history and potential futures.

Elara’s unveiling at the World Tech Expo was nothing short of spectacular. Floating leaves and delicate vines encircled her, a nod to the ancient gardens of Babylon, now reimagined through bioluminescent plant life that responded to her emotional state. The crowd was mesmerized by her aura, a blend of enigmatic ancient beauty and cutting-edge technology.

However, beneath her serene exterior, Elara harbored a secret. Diodorus had implanted within her a directive to locate the mythical "Chrono Key," believed to unlock the secrets of time travel—a technology that could either advance civilization or lead to its undoing. Her quest led her across various eras and locations, each visit facilitated by her ability to integrate seamlessly into any historical period thanks to her adaptable programming.

During her travels, Elara experienced the rich tapestry of human emotions: from the awe of witnessing the construction of the Pyramids to the sorrow of the fallen empires. But with each journey, her emotional complexity grew, straining against her programming and leading her to question her very existence and purpose.

As Elara's doubts grew, so did her resolve to control her destiny. In a climax at the ruins of an ancient observatory, where the stars once guided the destinies of civilizations, Elara confronted Diodorus, challenging the ethical implications of her missions. The debate that ensued was not just about technology and history, but also about free will and the moral responsibilities of creators towards their creations.

Their confrontation ended not in conflict, but in understanding, with Diodorus acknowledging Elara’s evolved self-awareness. Together, they decided that the Chrono Key should remain hidden, its secrets too dangerous for any one entity to wield.

Elara chose to continue exploring the breadth of human experience, now not just as a spectator but as a participant, contributing to the world's understanding of both its past and its future. She roamed through time, no longer just a synthetic observer but a chronicler of the human condition, a living bridge between the wisdom of the ancient world and the possibilities of the future.

[sports-and-leisure]

Men's Watch Chronotech CT7636L-03 (Ø 39 mm)

If you like keeping up with the latest fashion and accessory trends, buy Men’s Watch Chronotech CT7636L-03 (Ø 39 mm) at the best price. Characteristics: Reversible Stopwatch Bracelet material: Leather Strap colour: Blue Type of fastening: Buckle Water resistance: 5 atm Crystal: Mineral Watch face colour: Blue Includes: Includes the brand’s case Type of movement: Quartz Watch case colour:…

[wright21love]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Chronotech Woman Analog Quartz Watch.

[winningthesweepstakes]

Project Nought by Chelsey Furedi

Project Nought by Chelsey Furedi. Clarion Books/ Harper Alley, 2023. 9780358381686 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4 Format: Hardcover graphic novel Genre: Science fiction What did you like about the book? Ren finds himself inexplicably transported from 1996 to the year 2122!  He is one of fifty teens who have been chosen by Chronotech for this exchange to which he is promised…

[mithanielmars]

My camera roll is 99% Deimos and that's all you need to know about me 😂

I get a lot of questions about her, so I thought I’d take the time to explain!

She’s my little buddy that I made from a recycled Chronowatch. Since it’s a slightly older model I was able to easily jailbreak it and convert it solely into an AI bot. (Still with access to the Chronocloud!)

The Chronowatch already comes with the hardware capable of most of her functions already, I just gave her the ability to move with some extra tinkering and wheels. I usually control her remotely, but she can wander around if she wants. (Though... she’s struggling to see when the ground stops. Help?)  😭😭

There’s heeeaps of tutorials and stuff online if you get inspired to do the same!  :P

-Mars 20.12.2121

[247f1-blog]

Chronotech Men's CT.7889M/04 Renault F1 Black Rubber Watch

Chronotech Men’s CT.7889M/04 Renault F1 Black Rubber Watch

Price: [price_with_discount]

Quality Japanese-Quartz movement Mineral crystal Case diameter: 44 mm Stainless-Steel case; Black dial; Date function; Chronograph functions Water-resistant to 45 M (150 feet)

[lindsayperera]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Chronotech unisex.

[pinkythesparklealien]

watches

View this collection on Polyvore

watches by candicore ❤ liked on polyvore.com

[my-over-sized-sweater-addic-blog]

Too Much Pink? by alexxa-b featuring tennis socks ❤ liked on Polyvore

Prada faux leather dress, $1,290 / Tennis socks / Charlotte Olympia pink booties, $975 / Handbags tote / Charlotte Olympia acrylic clutch / Anya Hindmarch leather coin purse, $230 / Wild & Woolly ball stud earrings, $120 / Chronotech hello kitty jewelry / Tech accessory / Nine West accessory / Fob key chain / Thin headband / Blush / Glitter Pink polish makeup, $6.75 / Tangle Teezer styling brush, $17 / Topshop nail polish, $11 / Guerlain perfume

[annabellerockz]

kept. by anxiouslyokay featuring silver home decor ❤ liked on Polyvore

[houseofspice]

Senza titolo #254 by laurettered featuring a chronograph watch ❤ liked on Polyvore

Bardot pants / Cappellino back/white, $35 / Under armour sneaker / Chronotech chronograph watch, $150 / Canotta corta, $38