Upgrade

Zine
Title:	Upgrade
Publisher:	Agent With Style
Editor:
Author(s):	Yvonne McCool
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	2006
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	The Sentinel
Language:	English
External Links:	online here
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Upgrade is a 302-page gen AU Sentinel novel by Yvonne McCool.

cover of print zine

Summaries

Summary: "The gang are making plans for the future and learning more about the past."

Cascade Library summary: "In the far distant future, police officers have neural chips that try to replicate Sentinel senses. Lt. Ellison's chip has, unfortunately, broken down. Luckily for him, the brilliant Dr. Sandburg knows exactly what's going on and why there's nothing really wrong with Jim. Of course, he's going to need to stick around to keep track of his patient."

Reactions and Reviews

A Fresh Start: First story in the Upgrade series, set in a future parallel universe. I like the idea, a true Sentinel in a world of cyborg-enhanced ones. The style is frustrating, I feel as if Jim and Blair's relationship is rushed, brushed over, instead of giving us time to savour its development. We're just told they became friends, without seeing why or how. All we actually see is that Jim has reason to be grateful, and Blair is unaccountably generous. Frustrating. Cutting Edge: Second story in the Upgrade series. Again, good ideas, and some great dialogue, but again, I feel as if things have happened behind my back that I've missed out on. Frustrating. Also, Blair's background is a bit too good to be true.

I want to recommend Yvonne's Upgrade series. These are a series of A/U science-fiction stories set in the future. Jim is a Retrieval Officer, the futuristic equivalent of a police officer. All Retrieval Officers are artifical Sentinels; their senses are enhanced by implanted computer chips. When Jim's naturally enhanced senses start to come on-line, they interfere with the chip, and the only person who can save him is Dr. Blair Sandburg. It's by Yvonne, so you know it's good.

This huge, 300+ paged novel, written by the talented Yvonne S. McCool, is a truly original A/U and a joy to read. In the far distant future, police officers have neural chips that try to replicate Sentinel senses. Lt. Ellison's chip has, unfortunately, broken down. Luckily for him, the brilliant Dr. Sandburg knows exactly what's going on and why there's nothing really wrong with Jim. Of course, he's going to need to stick around to keep track of his patient... An interesting premise, fascinating cases, a cool twist on genetic engineering, and the absolutely most memorable portrayal of Blair ever, bar none. This is one zine you don't want to miss!