Lauren C. Teffeau
Author of Implanted
About the Author
Image credit: author provided
Works by Lauren C. Teffeau
Accelerated Growth Environment 3 copies
Jump Cut (Short story) 1 copy
Associated Works
Up and Coming: Stories by the 2016 Campbell-Eligible Authors (2016) — Contributor, some editions — 24 copies, 1 review
Worlds of Light & Darkness (The Best of DreamForge and Space & Time Book 1) (2021) — Contributor — 14 copies, 2 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Agent
- Gabrielle Harbowy, Corvisiero Literary
- Short biography
- Lauren C. Teffeau's work focuses on environmental issues, examines the role of technology in our lives, and centers women's voices through fantastical adventures and immersive worlds. Her novel Implanted (2018, Angry Robot) was a finalist for the 2019 Compton Crook award for best first SF/F/H novel and named a definitive work of climate fiction by Grist. Her environmental fantasy novella A Hunger with No Name was published by the University of Tampa Press in 2024. Her eco-thriller novella Accelerated Growth Environment comes out March 3, 2026 from Shiraki Press. Her short fiction can be found a variety of professional and semi-pro speculative fiction magazines and anthologies.
- Nationality
- USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
In this SFF novella, teenaged Thurava unwillingly relocates to the Glass City after her people's traditional existence is threatened by climate change. She finds herself facing discrimination from the urban dwellers and paternalism from the mysterious mechanical "liaisons," but also frustration and isolation from her fellow youthful immigrants, who are striving to integrate into the new society. As she learns more about the liaisons and their omissions and manipulations, Thurava becomes show more convinced that the Glass City is not the promised utopia and takes action.
In some respects, this is an interesting reworking of the YA dystopia framework of the last twenty years or so: while she struggles against an oppressive system, Thurava's impulses are often conservative ones, and from the readers' perspective, it seems that at least some are based on incomplete knowledge, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings (understandable for a teenaged protagonist). On the other hand, she appears to be correct about the Glass City's exploitative nature, even if it's more a matter of misaligned goals than malevolence. These nuances complicate Thurava's ultimate actions and their outcomes. Like other reviewers, I found the ending rushed: it made sense from a character perspective for the denouement to be abrupt, but there was little space devoted to considering the long-term effects, both for Thurava herself and for the two societies. But on the whole, this was a well written and though-provoking speculative novella. show less
In some respects, this is an interesting reworking of the YA dystopia framework of the last twenty years or so: while she struggles against an oppressive system, Thurava's impulses are often conservative ones, and from the readers' perspective, it seems that at least some are based on incomplete knowledge, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings (understandable for a teenaged protagonist). On the other hand, she appears to be correct about the Glass City's exploitative nature, even if it's more a matter of misaligned goals than malevolence. These nuances complicate Thurava's ultimate actions and their outcomes. Like other reviewers, I found the ending rushed: it made sense from a character perspective for the denouement to be abrupt, but there was little space devoted to considering the long-term effects, both for Thurava herself and for the two societies. But on the whole, this was a well written and though-provoking speculative novella. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.I enjoyed the juxtaposition of these two cultures. This really felt like a true fantasy/science fiction cross over. It dealt with real life issues of loss of cultural identity as people move into big urban centers and the struggles many indigenous communities face with a changing climate. I live in New Mexico and could feel the author's love for it. Really enjoyed this book. Only minor criticism would be the ending felt a little rushed but would recommend this book.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
You don’t need to imagine a science fiction future where information is such a valuable resource that it has to be encrypted to move it safely between A and B, as that’s what we have now. You also don’t need to imagine that corporate espionage and hackers might be after their rivals’ trade secrets and will go to any lengths to get them. However, in a world where all communications channels can be intercepted and there are infrastructure blackspots that cables won’t provide a show more service to, the science fiction next step is a city where a service exists to transport information encrypted and injected into people, athletic and smart couriers.
To set a context, the city the author has based the action is an urban dystopia. There’s a class system which builds a lot of resentment (reminds me of the film Demolition Man) and the people are all trapped for generations with their overcrowding, jealousies, tech-crime and self-interested governors because the outside world has a climate so poor that planet Earth itself is being terraformed to bring itself back to Earth-like habitation standards. The other area of separation is technological, with the majority of the population of the domed bio-refugium (one of several domed cities) having implanted upgrades and those who have not simply putting up with their lack of access to services, jobs and information.
There’s a Logan’s Run feel to this story. Most people seem to be in their 20s and 30s, all feel trapped and look forward to the day they can get away and there’s a hint that something more is going on behind the scenes and that the authorities are keeping important facts from the public. Certainly it’s in the interests of the system to keep everyone inside the dome because the whole control, system relies on the population not being able to walk away. Why would it be in the rulers’ interests to work toward making that possible, just because it’s what everyone expects?
Having a job where people mess with your blood is a pretty disgusting idea, so there would have to be a pretty good reason why you would consent to do something like that. You’d think it would be money but a different reason is supplied in convincing style, then there’s a sort of induction phase followed by the meat of the adventure. Essentially, the characters go through a series of parkour chases through a large, commuter-filled city, switching routes, losing tails and trying to move fast but stay inconspicuous. The story covers this really well and provides some hair-raising chase sequences that are really enjoyable to read.
Of course, inevitably, the protagonist gets involved in an assignment that nudges her out of her depth and then just about every interested party seems to be hunting her down as a renegade. Run rabbit, run rabbit, run run run.
The science fiction angle is there but not too heavy, so this is more of an exciting hunt and chase adventure with a sinister plot that needs to be exposed or it’ll drive the reader cray trying to guess what it could be. The story-telling skill of this author is pretty good, so you become unaware of the narrator and fall into the scene, almost flexing your legs and tying up your running shoes in case it’s you next. There’s also the dream fantasy of leaving your whole life behind, going incognito and then being the heroine, fit, fast and the girl everyone wants to catch, deciding who she’s going to allow to catch her.
It’s a smashing adventure, slightly squirmy with the blood encryption thing but even so I thought it was a wild ride, super fun, just crazy enough to be credible and an idea that could easily transfer to film someday. They say that when you do sports you get a rush of endorphins. Well, this book gives you that same feeling and you never even have to roll out from under the comfy pillow pile. show less
To set a context, the city the author has based the action is an urban dystopia. There’s a class system which builds a lot of resentment (reminds me of the film Demolition Man) and the people are all trapped for generations with their overcrowding, jealousies, tech-crime and self-interested governors because the outside world has a climate so poor that planet Earth itself is being terraformed to bring itself back to Earth-like habitation standards. The other area of separation is technological, with the majority of the population of the domed bio-refugium (one of several domed cities) having implanted upgrades and those who have not simply putting up with their lack of access to services, jobs and information.
There’s a Logan’s Run feel to this story. Most people seem to be in their 20s and 30s, all feel trapped and look forward to the day they can get away and there’s a hint that something more is going on behind the scenes and that the authorities are keeping important facts from the public. Certainly it’s in the interests of the system to keep everyone inside the dome because the whole control, system relies on the population not being able to walk away. Why would it be in the rulers’ interests to work toward making that possible, just because it’s what everyone expects?
Having a job where people mess with your blood is a pretty disgusting idea, so there would have to be a pretty good reason why you would consent to do something like that. You’d think it would be money but a different reason is supplied in convincing style, then there’s a sort of induction phase followed by the meat of the adventure. Essentially, the characters go through a series of parkour chases through a large, commuter-filled city, switching routes, losing tails and trying to move fast but stay inconspicuous. The story covers this really well and provides some hair-raising chase sequences that are really enjoyable to read.
Of course, inevitably, the protagonist gets involved in an assignment that nudges her out of her depth and then just about every interested party seems to be hunting her down as a renegade. Run rabbit, run rabbit, run run run.
The science fiction angle is there but not too heavy, so this is more of an exciting hunt and chase adventure with a sinister plot that needs to be exposed or it’ll drive the reader cray trying to guess what it could be. The story-telling skill of this author is pretty good, so you become unaware of the narrator and fall into the scene, almost flexing your legs and tying up your running shoes in case it’s you next. There’s also the dream fantasy of leaving your whole life behind, going incognito and then being the heroine, fit, fast and the girl everyone wants to catch, deciding who she’s going to allow to catch her.
It’s a smashing adventure, slightly squirmy with the blood encryption thing but even so I thought it was a wild ride, super fun, just crazy enough to be credible and an idea that could easily transfer to film someday. They say that when you do sports you get a rush of endorphins. Well, this book gives you that same feeling and you never even have to roll out from under the comfy pillow pile. show less
From the get-go I was reminded of a direct mix of [b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] and [b:Europe in Autumn|18143945|Europe in Autumn|Dave Hutchinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1382971951s/18143945.jpg|25491267].
This isn't a bad thing. I love neurotech and transhumanist stories and love spy fiction couched as Courriers. So based on nothing more than the blurb and a Netgalley interest, I tore through show more this book and quite enjoyed it.
Who doesn't like to do clandestine data handoffs through their blood, become invisible to all sensors, or otherwise erase your identity in favor of being a hardcore member of a spy network in a futuristic Earth city under a dome with archeological layers of city life within? You know, with the poor down below and the rich up above?
Uh, right. That doesn't sound too good, even if direct mind-to mind linking is possible and it encourages a level of intimacy unheard of except among full telepaths. Or the wild virtual games that are better than life. Unfortunately, the haves and the have-nots take up the crux of the novel.
I thought it was going to be more about intimacy avoidance and layers of consciousness and identity, and there was a lot of that, but most of it revolved around economics, re-terraforming our own planet, and other dystopian stuff. I liked the early spy stuff quite a bit more than the later stuff. :)
All in all, it was a very enjoyable mix of tech and the future vision of dystopia with a bit of romance, rebellion, and funky spy-stuff. :) Quite decent for what it is: some fluff, some angst, great tech, and an overarching idea. :) show less
This isn't a bad thing. I love neurotech and transhumanist stories and love spy fiction couched as Courriers. So based on nothing more than the blurb and a Netgalley interest, I tore through show more this book and quite enjoyed it.
Who doesn't like to do clandestine data handoffs through their blood, become invisible to all sensors, or otherwise erase your identity in favor of being a hardcore member of a spy network in a futuristic Earth city under a dome with archeological layers of city life within? You know, with the poor down below and the rich up above?
Uh, right. That doesn't sound too good, even if direct mind-to mind linking is possible and it encourages a level of intimacy unheard of except among full telepaths. Or the wild virtual games that are better than life. Unfortunately, the haves and the have-nots take up the crux of the novel.
I thought it was going to be more about intimacy avoidance and layers of consciousness and identity, and there was a lot of that, but most of it revolved around economics, re-terraforming our own planet, and other dystopian stuff. I liked the early spy stuff quite a bit more than the later stuff. :)
All in all, it was a very enjoyable mix of tech and the future vision of dystopia with a bit of romance, rebellion, and funky spy-stuff. :) Quite decent for what it is: some fluff, some angst, great tech, and an overarching idea. :) show less
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- Works
- 5
- Also by
- 13
- Members
- 68
- Popularity
- #253,410
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 5
- ISBNs
- 6
