HellSans

HellSans is set in a near-future UK dominated by a ubiquitous typeface called HellSans, enforced by the government as the ultimate control device. Most people experience euphoric bliss when exposed to it, but a persecuted minority known as the HellSans Allergic (HSAs) suffer severe, even fatal reactions. These HSAs are marginalized, forced into ghettos and constant danger. Jane Ward, CEO of the company that manufactures the Inex—a cyborg doll-like personal assistant replacing smartphones—loses everything when she develops the allergy, plunging her from privilege into the harsh realities of the ghetto. Dr Icho Smith, a scientist on the run, has developed a potential cure for the HellSans allergy but faces threats from both the government and a militant group called the Seraphs, each with their own agendas. Together, Jane and Icho navigate a volatile landscape of power struggles and oppression, aiming to bring the cure to the afflicted and dismantle the system of control. The novel’s unique structure allows the first two parts to be read in any order, offering dual perspectives on the divided society and building toward a revolutionary climax.