Book Review: Explorations: Through the Wormhole

Explorations: Through the Wormhole

Publish Date:  September 2, 2016

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Sci Fi

Series:  Stand alone stores

First Impression:  Different lives lived around and through the wormhole.

Synopsis:
It's 2052 and the first known wormhole appears in lunar orbit. Earth sends a ship to investigate and the future of space travel changes forever. The Solar System develops in many ways over the centuries, but one thing remains constant; the wormholes continue to appear.

Join many of today's most exciting indie science fiction authors as they chart a shared universe and future-history, each telling us stories of: Explorations: Through the Wormhole.

The Challenge - Ralph Kern
Through Glassy Eyes - PP Corcoran
Here, Then, Forever - Chris Guillory
AI Deniers - Rosie Oliver
Flawed Perspective - PJ Strebor
The Lost Colony - Josh Hayes
The Aeon Incident - Richard Fox
The Doors of the Temple - Jo Zebedee
Dead Weight - Thaddeus White
Webbed Prisms - Charlie Pulsipher
Anathema - Jacob Cooper
When the Skies Open - Shellie Horst
A Second Infection - Stephen Palmer
Personal Growth - Stephen Moss

Purchase At:
Amazon 

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was offered a copy of this book from the author or publisher for review.

A book full of wormhole stories. Each is different in the worlds they create and characters that interact. There is a story here for everyone.

After each story is a quick interview with the author. One question is on where they got the spark of an idea for the story. Nice to meet the authors this way in the book. Especially if they are new to you.

The Challenge by Ralph Kern
Captain Elaine Harmon-Sykes flies the Olympus through the newly appeared wormhole, the first to investigate. Working to learn more of the worlds and the wormhole from the other side, the wormhole starts to fade. Will they make it out in time?

This story feels relatable to what we have in the way of technology now, not like Star Trek or super advanced technologies. Which makes it easy to understand and visualize things.

The story was good. I liked that we also got to see 400 years later. This future vision gave the story the feel of conclusion.


Through Glassy Eyes by P.P. Corcoran
Professor Chris Kane is working back on Earth, after the wormhole closed. He's made a great discovery that could rocket human and machine interface into existence. Wetware.

This story gives us a glimpse of over two years of meetings with Chris on his creation and launch of Wetware. And there is a complication in the end.

This was a good story but not what I expected in this book, especially with the title. I had thought all stories would be about space and adventures on the other side of the wormhole. This one was not about going through a wormhole. It's only connection was to the first story, and the wormhole closing on the Earth side, then it dove into a story on human technology that's the next evolution in human and machine interfacing.

Here, Then, Forever by Chris Guillory
Aliza volunteered for this mission. It's a one way mission, to fire the item into Khonsu, the wormhole, to keep it stable and from closing.

I really liked this one. The beginning caught my attention, though the transition to memory felt unclear until after I read it. Where Aliza ends up feels like a science fiction fantasy story. And was something I totally enjoyed!

In a wide rounded way it felt as a reminder of Alice in Wonderland.


AI Deniers by Rosie Oliver
Melrika headed out into space to fix the droid, but upon touching it found herself in the future and a different part of space. Through an unknown wormhole she had gone.

When Melrika is found and brought back to the world she learns she's rich, and many want her money. People will work for her or kidnap her for it. But the wildest thing is the way of the world now. She recovers in the hospital then sent to a recovery center to gradually bring her into the world of technology and living now. Things have drastically changed since her time. The recovery center had me thinking of a rotating stage of eras she would move through to gradually get use to the technology as it expands. Though some people never move past certain years.

While in the hospital and at her recovery center she sees snipits of the news, which we get to read, on the Al Denier.

There is a reason she has so much money, and why someone attempts to kidnap her. That we learn in the end.

I felt like there was a lot to this story and world and this short format was too compact with information. To much in one place.


Flawed Perspective by PJ Strebor
His ship comes out of the wormhole 64,000 light years away. They expected to only be 20,000 light years from Earth when entered the wormhole. The mission, find a planet suitable to sustain human habitation.

Oh how easily someone's views and ideas start to sway from the path with events and options before them. I really liked this take on this story. Captain Stonehaven is on a peace mission, but becomes the policing of peace in space when he hears of a bullying race. But could he become the bully with his reactions?

I liked this stories format. We have movement and reason to the characters, and a dilemma to get through. The type of technology here reminds me of the Star Trek feel, which I do enjoy.


The Lost Colony by Josh Hayes
Unscheduled use of wormholes carry a hefty fine with the STA, if you are caught. Captain Hale plans to not get caught. He has a passenger who's paid him to jump. Captain Hale's ship is pulled further than expected, to discover the key to the wormholes.

Off the bat I enjoyed Ears and Captain Hale's chatting, more banter. Even Kenzie and Lincoln too! There was great chemistry with the characters on this ship. The technology and connection between tech in body and the ship and how it works is a cool addition that makes this story and plot.

I was left wondering, what if Earth was the colony... Well done.


The Aeon Incident by Richard Fox
Lyon and his crew are sent through the wormhole to inspect the observation shuttle that was watching over Aeon, and now are all dead. What happened from a race that's not far into technology yet can get to a shuttle?

This is sort of like a little mystery and action story. Lyon finds the doctor from the station is alive and held captive. He's determined to get the doctor back, and find out what happened here.

I liked the story. Lyon acts differently than expected in a crucial moment, but it seems to work!


The Doors of the Temple by Jo Zebedee
The war has left Earth battered and destroyed. A new wormhole opens. But it's different, one way in, two ways out. Coulter volunteered for this mission.

This story has a mythical feel to the reasoning for going through the wormhole. What they find on the other side explains, as does the passenger from Trinity College in Dublin. To save those left on Earth.

This felt like a fast read. There is a reason to the wormhole and something more to the world than some expected.


Dead Weight by Thaddeus White
Guan will not surrender his ship. Even though they are damaged and limping along, he finds a way to make it to the wormhole and escape. But when he comes out on the other side, the ship is in need of desperate repairs. They have to stop to fix it, and may not have enough supplies for all aboard.

We start in with action. The crew interact under stress and personalities shine. I like the daring and determined action, but in being this there are deadly consequences too. It's a story that kept me reading.

It seems there could be someone on the ship killing people, so they can survive longer...

Webbed Prisms by Charlie Pulsipher
T'en has powers he shouldn't with being of a slave stature. But he sees the ripples of the Nexus from his world, and watches it nightly.

After 19 years of applications at Omniscient, AJ's dream of working with wormholes comes true. His synthetic arm making the job a bit easier as he's already wired to the interface of Omniscient's technology. Kendra works with AJ and create a strong bond together.

This is a bit different in how AJ is able to travel into space. It's interesting. And he has a bit of a different way in which he works "with" the wormhole, like going through it.

This is a blend of computer science fiction tech and wormholes.

We get this story from two sides of the wormhole, AJ and T'en. We see where AJ and Kendra are coming from and where they are going.


Anathema by Jacob Cooper
A supply run through the wormhole. Through the wormhole, to the station, then home. However when they come through there is debris everywhere and hitting their ship.

This story has many elements to it. We have haulers coming through behind Everson's ship that need protected from the floating debris. Then we get a signal that they need to investigate. Possible survivors? But we also have some elements that feel supernatural in a sense, though it's done by technology. One example is the elemental, he's of science fiction creation but has a paranormal feel to him. Even the Captains "knowing".

The characters all feel like a crew. They have their connections and dislikes in each other but keep working. It all works together to create the environment.

This story works the story and characters to the end. I enjoyed it.


When the Skies Open by Shellie Horst
I ended up giving up on this one. There are hints to the world and characters, but I found it harder to keep it all in line and pieced together. Others might like this, but the style didn't work for me.


A Second Infection by Stephen Palmer
I think my interpretation of this story was wrong. I just couldn't visualize what Seneschal Smith went through. I passed onto the next story.


Personal Growth by Stephen Moss
The wormhole was thought to be normal. The crew was thought by citizens to never return, like others in different wormholes. This one turns out special, it grows in size as they near it, but now they can't turn around. They will find the works of the wormholes on the other side.

This is the longest story in the book.

This is different. I like it but sometimes I struggled understanding the world or way of things to adapt to space needs. Once we get through the wormhole though, things iron out and I understood clearly what's happening.

I enjoyed the ending of this one. Neat. It might be a one way trip, but seems worth it.

Audio Book Review: Shadowed Glass

Shadowed Glass

By:  Charlie Pulsipher

Publish Date:  September 8, 2015, Audiobook Release January 8, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Keith Michaelson

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  3rd in Lost Shards series; 1st Book ~ The Crystal Bridge, 2nd Book ~ Obsidian Threads

First Impression:  The cycle of events needs to continue to happen.

Synopsis:
Stranded thousands of years in the past on the distant planet of Ealdar, Kaden, Aren, and James are building a life and a community with what’s left of Omegaphil. Rho is gone. Vander too. The universe seems safe, but adventure isn’t done with anyone just yet.

Aren’s gifts will grow, Kaden will learn new ways to use his Egg, and James will tap into Ealdar’s magic. Lyle will rebuild, Hasla’s heart will mend, and Taggers will grow into a master mage. Dveldor rides a dragon, but remains Dveldor, solid as the stone he loves.

They do not know the gods are watching, what Penny will become, or that a new horror slumbers in the place of Rho’s greatest failure. This enemy has less appetite than the dark god that spawned it, but also none of Rho’s weaknesses.

It will take all their newfound skill to survive and save Ealdar from destruction once more.

First Sentence:
Kaden pushed his Egg outward to accommodate James' height, the top of the shell just brushing the ceiling.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

The village they have started since landing thousands of years in the past is starting to shape into something special. James needs Kaden and Aren to help keep it on the strong path. Aren and Kaden feel deep down the desire to do more than stay in this little town. Gathin and Erastin along with Penny move them forward and backward through time to do as needed to keep events on the path needed for the world to exist.

I do really enjoy listening to Keith's voice, in all character forms. He takes on the personality of each character and it is heard in each personality and voice. I could listen to him talk all day long. I smile when he comes to drastically different voices, like a dragon or Rho. He switches with ease from one to the other. The questions, worries, and all emotions that come through voice are ever present. The narration is seamless in flow.

This series is one to read in order. If you are unsure of where we left off in Obsidian Threads, don't fret. Charlie has a synopsis for book 1 and 2 at the beginning to bring us back up to speed. Cool, thank you.

We get to see many of our favorite characters again. James and Angie along with Penny and others. We can't forget about Kaden and Aren, they are the most important characters to make things happen as they should. Their gifts are still growing and what they can do will help them along their way. We also get to see the Twin Gods more! Gathin and Erastin have a lot more face time here along with tinkering in what is happening.

The characters blend so well with their different personalities and quirks. They make me smile with their small jokes trying to lighten the moods. They all have a great charisma that I fall for that has me wanting to be here with them.

We don't visit as many worlds this time, but we do visit different times. It's easy to follow! The heading of each chapter tells you when we are. But, if you've read/listened to the previous two books you'll understand this with ease. If you remember, at the end of book 2 Kaden and many others ended up in the past. But we still have friends in the future as well. What happens in the past creates the events they lived through, so we see a few setting things up so it can happen as it's needed to happen. We visit three time frames; the past where Kaden and many are at now, in the future before the war is fought for important events and setting, and the distant future after the war fought in Obsidian Threads as things still need ironed out.

Charlie has come back strong with this story. We learn new secrets and a shocker or two in regard to a few characters and why they are doing what they do. We end with a possibility for Kaden and Aren. Will they take it? Will it work out? I'm curious to find out.



*If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you.

Audio Book Review: Obsidian Threads

Obsidian Threads

By:  Charlie Pulsipher

Publish Date:  November 24, 2014, Audiobook September 16, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 34 mins
Narrated By:  Keith Michaelson

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Lost Shards series; Book 1 ~ The Crystal Bridge

Impression:  All come together and battle starts!

Synopsis:
Rho has awakened. Its acolytes will tear worlds apart to release their deity from its prison. Any hope of Rho's defeat lies with two people lost in a strange universe. Kaden and Aren must learn to harness all their unique gifts if they are to rival the god of darkness reborn.

They will not fight alone. A brilliant geneticist, a furry dwaro, two less than friendly elves, dragons, and a spunky red-haired computer stand with them. But if Kaden and Aren fail to reach their full potential, all of reality will be devoured until nothing remains but Rho.

First Sentence:
The twin gods Gathin and Erastin popped into existence on a cliff overlooking the forest far below, the scent of dragons faint.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

Rho is working his way lose on Ealdar to consume all that's here. All those living in this world are in danger. The four races, Sidra, Dwaro, Humans, and the ancients, and more must work together to save their world. Kaden is sent to one of the human kingdoms to see where the Prophet and Prophetess first arrived, in hopes of finding Aren. Aren stumbles across the king of the kingdom in search for Kaden, returning to his kingdom with him. Kaden and Aren are the key to stopping the dark god Rho with help from others. But how do you stop a god that devours everything? Omegaphil is now on the search to find out where James went, through a wormhole, in hopes of curing death.

I once again had the great pleasure of listening to Keith narrate this story. He's continued with the series, which is a bonus for us. Keith feels as he is part of the story and is the characters. He really yells when Kaden is in pain, along with other characters. By doing this he catches my attention and draws me back into the story. I do enjoy the tone differences and accents of each character as Keith slips into their character. For me this is a highlight along with talent in emotions shared through voice. I don't get lost on who's who and who's talking or acting in the story. I do have to laugh at times when I listen to Keith do the Dwaro speak. It's fun to listen to.

We start with a recap of The Crystal Bridge, bringing us back to where we left all the characters at on that big ending leaving us wanting to know.

Obsidian Threads dives right back in with exactly where everyone's left. It's quick moving like the ending of The Crystal Bridge. People were left in moments of need and danger and the story picks up with the same pacing to get them out of it. We hop each character along with new ones to see their predicament and what is happening. The story as a whole feels to be faster paced. We get shorter sections in each character's eyes, seeing them all come together, prep for battle, and the big battle be fought. There is a lot covered, learned, and happening. There is loss along with realizing there are many that were saved that wouldn't have been if there was nothing done.

The story holds to the large fantasy feel with different people in different places and point of view's we get. We meet new characters and get new views of the worlds. We see things from the human side at Ealdar, the humans that are so hated for what they've done to the Sidra and Dwaro, who we've come to know as they helped Kaden and Aren. Lyle, the king of the humans, comes into a very important rule in the story. The humans don't seem so bad at the view through Lyle's eyes. But I do understand why they would be looked at as they are from the other beings present.

We get to see humans with magic! There is a human, Taggers, that can work the true language of the land. There is another that's not as strong in magic but grows stronger from the darkness. Taggers is a neat character. It would be nice to see more of him in the future.

Rho is dark and powerful. He grows through this book and is a terrible foe in battle. He has his creatures, demons, and followers to help him. Oh heavens do we see all sorts of deranged creatures! It really brings the fantasy world to life. And the battle! Wow.

The side of the story from Omegaphil is interesting. There are things that are going on there, in search of the cure to death. But what happens to the characters there brings us to a new place in the story and world. In the end there is a big change in their landing. It almost feels as if it could be a big circle and explains a few things as to how the prophecy was started, along with who the spirit of Ealdar is. I like this connection.

We are left with a new twist in the story. It's not as big of a moment that I need the next book, but one that makes me curious to see where the author will go next. It left me with an Oooo feeling as my mind raced back to see if I could place it. I do look forward to the next story and the adventures of Kaden and Aren, and any others we have grown to know and enjoy along the way.

Audio Book Review: The Crystal Bridge

The Crystal Bridge

By:  Charlie Pulsipher

Publish Date:  September 1, 2011, Audiobook August 17, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 11 mins
Narrated By:  Keith Michaelson

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Lost Shards series

Impression:  A young adult epic fantasy story where we discover the powers each hold.

Synopsis:
Kaden is your typical 16 year old boy who can open wormholes to far away worlds. His first trip almost killed him. Now he spends hours inside his Egg, a glowing sphere only he can see, where he glimpses wonder and adventure, but is afraid to travel again.

Aren has the ultimate gift of empathy, seeing into the memories of others and experiencing them as though they were her own. When she turns her ability toward Kaden, it fails to open his memories to her, seeing in their place a golden shell with impossible images flashing along the interior. Aren reaches out to one of these images, plunging Kaden and herself into a world full of unknown danger on the edge of war.

James, a research geneticist for Omegaphil Pharmaceuticals, recreates extinct species with the help of an AI simulation program and the nano nueral transmitters in his head. But, to find all the genetic codes he needs, his altered brain will do anything and go anywhere to find the answers.

Meanwhile, deep within the emptiness between universes, an ancient creature awakes. With inhuman patience it has waited millennia to be freed from its prison and the existence of both worlds is threatened if it can find a way out.

First Sentence:
Yellow light flickered along the edges of Kaden's vision and he rolled his eyes at the lightning and groaned.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

Keith, the narrator, is now one of my favorite male voices. Wow. He steals the show in this book for me. The first chapter starts with Kaden full of worry, fear, and panic while trying to stay in control. A child's call for mom when things are scary. Keith hits it. Keith does many different tones for the female voices, adult and young. He also has many different sounds and attitudes for the male voices that give you a strong feel to personality and who you could trust, or maybe keep an eye on. Keith talks in the accent and singing tone of the dwaro. It's always neat to hear this from the narrator as he reads. Brings the language to life. What I find as an added bonus in stories that I've listened to Keith voice so far, is the music lead in with the reading of the title page. It's small, I know, but I really love this and it makes me excited to get to the story.

We first meet Kaden and his ability. He has a light that wraps around him like an egg and he can see other worlds along with visit them. We then meet Aren as she meets Kaden for the first time in school. Her power is different and intriguing. She can feel another persons feelings and see their memories when she makes eye contact. Then we jump to James who is on his first day at his new job as a geneticist for Omegaphil Pharmaceuticals. This meeting is interesting! To see what this company does, creates, and learns about James's brain without him knowing. O.O The man in charge of the pharmaceutical company and overseeing all the projects...well, he's powerful in the way of manipulation and money. He has plans and I was curious as to what he wanted and how these people all come together.

Then we get a quick glimpse at the awakening of Rho and monk Fustis who is 9.4 light years away and knows it's time to use what the gods have taught him for the battle that will happen on Earth. I understood the implications of what Rho is doing or trying to do. But I'm not sure what affect Fustis's hard work was having on trying to counter Rho's actions.

The story has all the elements that I enjoy. Science, mystical magic, and fantasy realms. The story moves forward with the characters and strange things happen to them all. Yet as well done the story was, I found my mind drifted. I even loved the audio narrator and his work. The story is YA Epic Fantasy, and designed as such. I do find in some Epic Fantasy series beginnings there are many details and descriptions that feel to slow the pace for me. So I'm thinking that's what it was. And I was waiting for the paths to cross for all the characters, to see what the connection would be. I was hanging on the words waiting for just some small drop of a clue. THEN! I got it! When Evandrel went through his trials to be a Light Bringer things for Kaden and Aren along with Rho start to draw together. I like this connection for them. Then my mind started to race with what could come.

It's wonderful for young readers looking for fantasy stories with an epic feel. This story has the different character POV's that tell of different events and worlds in motion at the same time. It has the elements of the classic epic fantasy with light fights that young readers can read.

I wondered through the story how the connection between Kaden and Aren with James and Omegaphil Pharmaceuticals, or with Rho and Fustis, would work out. I wasn't sure how it all related to each other, or if it did. Though Rho and Fustis are connected and I think, in some way, are in relation to James and what he can do now. We see them all come together in one moment at the end of this book.

Now, at the end of the book, I want to know how all works out! And what's next with where Kaden, James, and Aren are left. This is the end of the discovery of a new world and the beginning of a connection I've been waiting for. And now we dig in to see how to save the worlds!