Thank you for the opportunity to read and edit your novel. Man, you are not kidding that it is dark. I hope you've exorcised your demons. It's an interesting dialectic, given that the synthesis permits only annihilation. I think it's quite good overall and much improved by my editing :), with well-developed characters (I think you're being a bit hard on yourself re: Samia; I'm not sure such a shallow person requires much more development), a thought-provoking and engaging plot, and complex dialogue, although of course, there are some passages I wish fervently that I could forget, although that's unlikely.<br /><br />With that said, I am sure you will see in some of my more or less WTF? comments near the end that I really haven't a clue what's going on. Ignore my comment about 2 Brians. Once I've made a lot of comments, it won't let me delete any. I presume that Brian is just as&nbsp;he represents himself to Barry--a non-human agent. However, I have no earthly idea what grievous error Cyrus has made, and that must be really crystal clear in order for it to make sense. Btw, I love the droplet.&nbsp;<br /><br />I've pointed out that, and where, you have a further opportunity to indulge your Cormac McCarthy tendencies by having the gang learn the details of Taylor's demise.<br /><br />There is a total mess just before the climax, in which Brian and Cyrus are watching the martial arts cum yoga amidst blood splatters, and Cyrus is talking about a car crash, both of which are impossible. Therefore, I have just deleted those references.<br /><br />If you could take a moment to rate my work, I'd really appreciate it, and if you'd like any more help after you've further developed some of the bits you haven't yet, I'm more than happy to oblige.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />Debra aka Nyanidoc