Fair Coin (#1)
Next: Quantum Coin (#2)
Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.
Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.
The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.
Reviews
“[A] dizzying debut […] Ephraim’s ability to see past the temptations of power despite an active teen libido provides him with a sturdy moral base.”
“Tired of cookie-cutter young-adult novels? The cure awaits, in the shape of E.C. Myers’ astounding FAIR COIN — a book which, among other things, achieves the feat of seeming like a dark fairy tale and a clever science fiction epic, rolled into one. It’s a fast-moving book full of twists and cool character moments, and definitely ideal for adults who miss the days of engaging, idea-driven science fiction […] don’t plan on doing anything else until you finish reading it.”
“With clear, engaging prose […] this is a good young-adult novel that also has lots to offer not-so-young adults.”
“This one reminded me of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies: realistic and compelling characters, a world whose creepiness only gradually reveals itself, awesome adventure. But don’t take my word for it […] read for yourself!”
“Magic and science collide in this retelling of the classic fable about misguided wishes never having exactly the outcome you intend […] A complex plotline explores experimental theories in this fast-paced and fun story.”RT Book Reviews
“An entertaining, exciting science-fiction adventure […] [teens] wil identify with the protagonist’s desires and angst.”School Library Journal
“Fair Coin starts with an intriguing idea that becomes more interesting as the story develops […] This is a great book that fans of fantasy or science fiction will enjoy.”
“[A] complex, complicated, intelligent, thought-provoking story that challenges expectations and plays around with science in all sorts of weird ways.”
“I love the way FAIR COIN takes a fairy tale motif and first, makes it its own, then transforms it into a solid SF outing […] fabulous from start to finish.”
“Fair Coin was a most pleasant surprise […] Myers writes with a very brisk prose style, and when combined with the pace and the quality of the story, I was pulled on throughout and I ended up staying up well into the wee hours of the morning to get it finished […] Highly recommended.”
“Impossible to put down, this fast-paced scifi adventure is laced with teen angst and humor. An impressive debut, Fair Coin is a non-stop thrill ride with plenty of unexpected twists.”SciFi Chick
“I applaud Myers for coming up with an exciting and science-based premise and the twisty, puzzly adventure that his reality-bending ideas consequently bring.”
“Fair Coin by author E.C. Myers is a whirlwind of a tale […] The element of the unknown, the suspense of who will do what with or to whom, and the eventual resolution of the story are engaging, interesting, and really fun to read.”Astro Guyz
“I really loved this book! Fair Coin is a refreshingly unique read. It’s a story that takes you from fantasy into science fiction and back again. and does it seamlessly. I loved the characters, I loved the concept, and most of all I loved how immersed I was in the story.”
“Some clever twists and a very quick read.”Critical Mass
“Myers quickly immerses us in the characters, who in turn usher us through a complex and fast-paced plot […] I recommend this book to anyone interested in a character-driven science fiction YA novel.”The YA Report
“This interesting young adult sci-fi starts out innocently enough before turning into a darker tale of greed, responsibility, and choices.”Monsters & Critics
“Fair Coin is an interesting spin, or perhaps I should say “flip,” on a standard science fiction trope. The gimmick of the “wishing coin” is clever, Myers writes good dialogue and his prose is solid […] E.C. Myers has talent and a quirky vision, and this idea has potential.”
“This is author E.C. Myers’ first full-length book and it’s a cracking read […] The characters are well written and the switch from ‘magic’ to science is cleverly done, tackling some big ideas without alienating the reader at any point.”SFcrowsnest
“Corruption of power grounds the novel, but the attention paid to teenage romance and familial relations elevate the book beyond its genre. A fun, fast read, Ephraim’s excellent adventures will continue with the next installment, Quantum Coin, out this month.”
“Fair Coin had me back in elementary school discovering the Goosebumps series […] Myers uses that penchant for nostalgia to great effect.”
“[This] is an intriguing book with an unusual yet unique concept. The writing is good as are the characters and it’s so nice to have another book with an interesting male lead. This is a good read that I recommend to anyone that likes sci-fi and fantasy books.”
“Fans of sci-fi, time travel, doppelgangers, and reads that will mess with your mind will devour FAIR COIN by E.C. Myers. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in QUANTUM COIN.”
“Final verdict? If you love sci-fi/fantasy and you want to learn more about quantum physics mixed in with that sci-fi/fantasy, you DEFINITELY need to read FAIR COIN […] This is one YA debut you won’t want to miss!
“A very good, well written story with realistic teenage characterisation and all the teenage behaviour that comes with it. Among other things the story deals with the moral issues facing Ephraim, such as making someone like you and so taking away their choices and changing other people’s lives to suit your own purposes. I like the plot twists and the ending and I’m interested to see where the next book goes.”
“Funny, sexy, and unexpectedly poignant, FAIR COIN takes the phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’ and runs with it. A standout debut from an author to watch.”Lauren McLaughlin, author of Scored
“FAIR COIN is a fantastic, non-stop thrill ride. I barely remembered to breathe!”Sarah Beth Durst, author of Drink, Slay, Love
Awards & Accolades
USA
2013 Dragon*Con: Featured Novel