Review for the Innerscape Trilogy by acflory

The image shows the three covers of the three books of the "Innerscape Trilogy".
~ Yorgos KC

I usually hesitate before writing reviews.

Things like:
“It won’t make a difference.”
“I don’t have a big audience.”
“No one will read it.”
“What if the author hates it?”

These thoughts normally win. But a few days ago, I got a review for one of my own stories, and it made me realise:

  • It does make a difference — it completely lifted my mood.

  • I didn’t care how big that reviewer’s audience was.

  • I read it, others read it.

  • And I loved it — not just because it was kind, but because someone had put in the time and effort to write it. And writing a review isn’t exactly easy.

So before my brain can talk me out of it again, here’s one that’s been long overdue.

The Innerscape Trilogy

Miira: Book 1 of Innerscape

The Godsend: Book 2 of Innerscape

Nabatea: Book 3 of Innerscape

by acflory

The omnibus edition I read doesn’t seem to be on Amazon, but you can still find the three books separately — and I’d recommend you do.

This trilogy takes you deep into an incredibly sophisticated virtual reality, built not for entertainment, but for the terminally ill — giving them the chance to live out their remaining days free from pain, free from sickness, free to simply be.

It could have stayed in the territory of pure wish-fulfilment — comfort, escape, a second chance — but it doesn’t. Instead, it peels back the layers of this virtual paradise to show us the very human dilemmas, the corporate greed, and the ethical shadows lurking beneath. The contrast between the serene beauty of Innerscape and the machinations happening behind the scenes keeps the tension simmering. It’s impossible not to start asking yourself what “reality” really means, and who we are when we leave our physical bodies behind.

The Characters Make the Journey

Miira Tahn is our way in — terminally ill, and suddenly able to move, taste, and live again. Her story is one of self-discovery as much as survival.

Kenneth Wu, the young doctor who helps her through the process, is a standout — we see different sides of him as the trilogy unfolds, and his connection with Miira adds a strong emotional pull.

Jaimie Watson, the youngest Resident of Innerscape, is perhaps the most unusual point of view. Growing up inside this digital refuge, isolated from peers, his experiences of loss, loneliness, and searching for connection are poignant and memorable.

And here’s something that made me genuinely happy: the inclusion of a gay married couple and the warm and nuanced way Jaimie’s own sexuality is portrayed. Homosexuality wasn’t the theme of the story. It was just there, part of the world, like it should be.

Where the Shadows Meet Light

The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes — terminal illness, grief, betrayal, the ethics of technology, the abuse of power — but it never becomes hopeless. After taking us through a lot of darkness, it still offers the main characters (and us) a sense of resolution and hope. That balance is one of the things I appreciated most.

It also helps that the world feels so believable. Reading the “About the Author” at the end of the omnibus (not sure if it’s in the individual books), I wasn’t surprised to see acflory’s background in biology, genetics, and psychology, or to find out she loves MMORPGs. The science gives Innerscape its plausibility; the gaming gives it its vibrant, immersive life.

Concluding

In short: this trilogy isn’t a light read, but it’s a rewarding one. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, occasionally unsettling, and unexpectedly diverse. It stayed with me long after I turned the last page, and I think it will for you too.

Have a nice read!

Love and Kisses
💖💖💖💖💖
😘😘😘😘😘
Yorgos KC

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Published by Yorgos KC

24 thoughts on “Review for the Innerscape Trilogy by acflory”

  2. You’re welcome, and thank you! 😁
    As an author myself, I (should) know how important reviews are, but I often chicken out from writing them. 😅
    Love and Kisses!
    😘💖💖

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  3. Oh my…I’m gobsmacked, seriously, 100% gobsmacked because I never, ever expected you to read Innerscape much less review it. You see… you’re young! Ugh, I need to explain that. Quite a few years ago a friend did a kind of survey amongst some young people, and she found that most of them couldn’t even get past chapter one of Miira. And my only 1 star review basically said it was boring and he stopped reading at 6%. So…I resigned myself to only appealing to Boomers which makes this wonderful review feel like 10 Christmases rolled into one.
    Thank you for getting it. Thank you for liking my characters, especially Jaimie. He grew from many of the young people I’ve met through my gaming and the story would not have worked without him.
    And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to reblog your review as the highlight of my weekend. -massive hugs-
    A

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    1. I’m so glad you liked it! 😍💖😍

      Boring is one word I wouldn’t use for Innerscape.

      If something would discourage someone from reading it is that it’s not a light read, but that wasn’t your intention, and it’s clear from the start and the setting itself. But boring? NO!!!

      Of course I liked your characters. They are loveable. I was so happy Miira was right about… ehm… you know about what – I don’t want to give away spoilers. And the frustration when the healer appears, but then that “Oh! That’s absolutely awesome!” that came later. 😍😍😍

      Trust me! There is nothing boring about Innerscape!

      You’ve written an amazing trilogy, Andrea!

      Love and Kisses!
      💖😘💖

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      1. lmao – I have to tell you that Innerscape was supposed to be my foray into ‘light’ writing. Vokhtah is my first book and even those who ended up loving it all say it was hard work. 😉
        That said, I’m incredibly happy that you didn’t find Innerscape boring. You really should see the grin on my face!
        -hugs-

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      2. It seems that my “light” and yours are a tinny bit different. Just a tinny bit! 😘
        I’d love to see this grin, but even without seeing it, I’m really glad you are grinning. That’s how you should always look – and feel! 💖💖💖

        Now WRITE! 😇

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    1. Thank you!
      To be honest, when I downloaded the Omnibus and saw 1000+ pages, I felt discouraged. I’m a slow reader – very much so – and 1000 pages feel a hell of a lot.

      But it’s such an engaging story and it pulled me into its world really fast, so, who cares how many pages it is? 😁

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      1. You’re welcome, Yorgos.
        When a long book is engaging, its length becomes a plus. And page number is a factor only when the book is borrowed from a library or you have some sort of deadline for reading it.

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      2. I’ll agree wholeheartedly with the first sentence. Its length does become a plus. As for the rest, although my rational mind says you are right, that’s not the way I experience it. Most people read silently twice to thrice as fast as they read aloud. I read just as slowly, or even more slowly when I read silently, because I feel more confident controlling my articulation when sound comes out of my mouth than when it doesn’t. (Yes, I can “hear” my silent speech). When a site says, “5 min read” it usually takes me more than 10 but less than 15 minutes to read that text. My speed becomes even slower when I read something I want to understand and not let’s say just a tweet.

        This slow speed caused me some problems in school. It’s not dyslexia or any issue that would warrant understanding and proper handling by the teachers. So, it was considered my fault. And things were even worse at home, as it was a proof of my stupidity. And this made me feel scared of long books.

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    1. I like sci-fi movies/series, but I rarely read sci-fi books. I probably wouldn’t have attempted this trilogy if it wasn’t written by Andrea (acflory), but it turned out to be a very rewarding read with an amazing story. I believe you’ll enjoy it as well.

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