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Wildside
Forget the lottery.
Teenager Charlie Newell has just discovered something that will make him and his friends billionaires. What if a world existed in which no humans ever evolved? No cities. No pollution. No laws. A fantastic world filled with unimaginable riches in which everything— everything —was yours just for the taking?
Charlie has found that world. And he plans to use it to make him and his friends rich.
There is a How do you keep something this big a secret?
Teenager Charlie Newell has just discovered something that will make him and his friends billionaires. What if a world existed in which no humans ever evolved? No cities. No pollution. No laws. A fantastic world filled with unimaginable riches in which everything— everything —was yours just for the taking?
Charlie has found that world. And he plans to use it to make him and his friends rich.
There is a How do you keep something this big a secret?
316 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
37 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Steven Gould
52 books1,148 followersSteven Charles Gould is an American science fiction author. His novels tend to have protagonists fighting to rid government of corrupt antagonists. The struggle against corruption is the focus, rather than the technology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 23, 2008
This is a tightly written story about a young man who discovers a gateway to another earth inhabited by Ice Age mammals and, apparently, no other humans at all. He hatches a plot to get rich, and invites his friends along to help. The story sticks to a plot that wouldn't be out of place in a Heinlein juvenile from 50 years ago, but it kept my attention all day. This is fun reading for an old fogey like me, but I bet I would've liked it even more if I was still fifteen.
September 24, 2009
Another from the very short list of books that I re-read. I loved this book so much I made a fan site for it, with maps of the locations of the Wildside airstrips, and pictures of the planes.
May 12, 2011
I was surprised by this book. When I first started reading the book, I was getting some creep-vibes from the main character. I was certain he was setting his friends up so that he could kill them and wear their skin (or something,) but as you relax into the book, you realise that the guy is just a normal kid. Well, "normal" if you count being particularly savvy and always having an alternate plan ready as normal.
The kid, Charlie, finds himself with access to an alternate world where many of the speices never went extinct. He starts finding ways to use these resources to fund himself and his friends. Along the way, the characters struggle with the ethics of what they are doing, and in case you think that might be a boring read, they're also chased by a shadowy government group. Because, well, it IS a Steven Gould book, after all.
The kid, Charlie, finds himself with access to an alternate world where many of the speices never went extinct. He starts finding ways to use these resources to fund himself and his friends. Along the way, the characters struggle with the ethics of what they are doing, and in case you think that might be a boring read, they're also chased by a shadowy government group. Because, well, it IS a Steven Gould book, after all.
September 8, 2012
I've thought through numerous ideas similar to this one, so I had pretty high standards going into this book. I definitely enjoyed the premise, the setting, the logistics, and how the events played through to the end. Sometimes the writing was a bit stiff, especially when trying too hard to make the other characters a bit more distinct. At times it did seem as though the author actually wanted to write aviation manuals for a living. Also, the reveal at the end was...weird and kind of unnecessary. I personally would have been fine with not knowing the origins.
September 15, 2011
A much more coherent counterpoint to Pratchett/Baxter's The Long Earth. Gould has believable, interesting characters that remind me of nothing so much as an 80s-era teen adventure (your Goonies, your Explorers, etc.). I mean this as a compliment.
December 6, 2025
This book is really close to a 5-star for me. The first 60% of the book definitely was. As usual, I loved the world building and wasn't sure about how the author chose to wrap things up.
Charlie Newell inherits his uncle's farm after graduating high school, and discovers a portal to another version of Earth, one where it seems like humans have never evolved. He recruits his friends to explore the world and make themselves rich while learning more about it. At the same time, Charlie is very careful not to expose the world to outsiders, having a healthy fear of what the government would do if they discovered it.
It just so happens that Charlie is a pilot, and so after selling a few extinct pigeons to raise some cash (really!) he sets out to explore the new world via airplane. He sets up a base on the other side, the "wild side." I loved the meticulous planning that went into setting up bases and reaching his destination (gold-filled rivers of Colorado) through a series of steps.
But of course, something this good can't stay a secret forever, and once they are discovered, things get crazy quickly. Overall a really good book, with a great first half and solid wrap-up, even if it couldn't sustain greatness the whole way through.
Charlie Newell inherits his uncle's farm after graduating high school, and discovers a portal to another version of Earth, one where it seems like humans have never evolved. He recruits his friends to explore the world and make themselves rich while learning more about it. At the same time, Charlie is very careful not to expose the world to outsiders, having a healthy fear of what the government would do if they discovered it.
It just so happens that Charlie is a pilot, and so after selling a few extinct pigeons to raise some cash (really!) he sets out to explore the new world via airplane. He sets up a base on the other side, the "wild side." I loved the meticulous planning that went into setting up bases and reaching his destination (gold-filled rivers of Colorado) through a series of steps.
But of course, something this good can't stay a secret forever, and once they are discovered, things get crazy quickly. Overall a really good book, with a great first half and solid wrap-up, even if it couldn't sustain greatness the whole way through.
July 3, 2017
Know those SyFy movies that are so bad they're actually entertaining? That was this book. A kid (high school age) is given a farm by his uncle, and the farmhouse just happens to have a portal to another world in it, an earlier version of Earth from around prehistoric times. The kid brings in his other high school friends, and they bring animals to this world and sell them for hundreds of thousands to zoos.
To give this book credit, it was entertaining enough that I almost continued reading it. I liked seeing the prehistoric world, but the kids successfully twisting the arms of all the world's most successful and biggest zoos into paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars, without the government knowing what they were doing or where the prehistoric animals were coming from... I just couldn't get passed that. Abandoned at the 17% point.
To give this book credit, it was entertaining enough that I almost continued reading it. I liked seeing the prehistoric world, but the kids successfully twisting the arms of all the world's most successful and biggest zoos into paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars, without the government knowing what they were doing or where the prehistoric animals were coming from... I just couldn't get passed that. Abandoned at the 17% point.
February 6, 2017
This was good. Really good. Surprisingly good :)
I enjoyed the Jumper series a lot, but I was hesitant about trying the other books by Mr. Gould. You know....old looking covers, non-jumper characters.... but I decided to give it a go. At first, I had no idea what was going on, as I forgot what the premise was. But after a short while, I got into it and loved it.
The book follows a similar path to jumper - something paranormal happens, and the main character decides to use it in a well thought-out way. Believable, enjoyable...I just kind of wish it was a series :)
I'm definitely going to try other books from this author soon...and perhaps, I'll re-read the jumper series too :)
I enjoyed the Jumper series a lot, but I was hesitant about trying the other books by Mr. Gould. You know....old looking covers, non-jumper characters.... but I decided to give it a go. At first, I had no idea what was going on, as I forgot what the premise was. But after a short while, I got into it and loved it.
The book follows a similar path to jumper - something paranormal happens, and the main character decides to use it in a well thought-out way. Believable, enjoyable...I just kind of wish it was a series :)
I'm definitely going to try other books from this author soon...and perhaps, I'll re-read the jumper series too :)
February 6, 2016
Damn does Gould really know how introduce some characters, to set the rules, and let the story play out. Honestly I was hooked. I will say though it didn't grip me like others though. There were times where I was more questioning then being in the moment. It was still a cracking good time but.. I don't see may re-reads of it in my future. On to the next one though. It's high time I check these off of my list. It's honestly been years.
September 21, 2016
Too YA for me. Conquistador by S.M. Stirling has (I think) a similar premise. A gateway to an undeveloped alternative reality. But this is a YA book, and all the characters are teenagers, and they annoyed me, and didn't like any of the characters. So I gave up.
March 11, 2022
When 18yo Charlie Newell inherits his uncle’s farm after he has been missing for five years, he moves in and discovers a mysterious locked door in the barn. The door leads to a short tunnel and another locked door…through which is an alternate Earth where no humans developed. For people of a certain age this book will evoke fond memories of Heinlein’s Farmer in the Sky and Tunnel in the Sky, and while it has a definite YA feel to it, this book is a riveting read for all ages. Charlie comes up with a plan to make some money for himself and his four friends, by selling passenger pigeons to zoos and then panning for gold in the virgin territory. Of course the secret can’t withstand too much scrutiny, and despite engaging lawyers and planning carefully, the military and other more sinister government organizations slam down hard. The remainder of the book details the clever and desperate ways in which the ‘Wildside Investments’ members try to evade capture, rescue those imprisoned and keep the gate out of the hands of those who would abuse it. Oh yeah, and there is one more secret revealed by Steven Gould at the end. RECOMMENDED.
August 23, 2025
That was a fast reread. I first read this book by Steven Gould back in the late 90s (the paperback was published in '97) and remember enjoying it very much. So I thought I'd read it again --before donating it to a library book sale. It's the kind of story that really grabs me--a gateway to another world is discovered. Most interestingly, the discovery is made by a teen ( in Texas), who wants to keep the world a secret. It's a pristine world where there are mammoths and saber-tooth tigers but no people. Either, the Stone Age hunters ( "Paleoindians") have not arrived yet or humans never even evolved...Our hero Charlie does tell some close friends about his world, swearing them to secrecy. His first--and biggest--mistake? You know the government will take a definite interest in a world where there are abundant resources just waiting to be pillaged, I mean exploited...
March 17, 2021
Bom, até às últimas páginas era 2*...Estória interessante e com muito potencial, mas as aventuras no mundo selvagem são escassas e os detalhes sobre todos os parafusos e como se apertam são excessívos. Pode ser problema meu, de falta de atenção, mas nunca percebi nada de como funcionavam ou onde estavam ou como eram as coisas, pura e simplesmente não consegui formar qualquer imagem na minha cabeça (em bom rigor, nem dos personagens). Nesse "capítulo", 2* (ou 1), frustração...
November 6, 2021
Mastodonia?
Outland?
What else??
I didn't realize this was a trope.
I think I want more.
---
Hm. I don't think this quite worked. I never wanted to put it down, but I always wanted more. Lots and lots about airplanes, esp. the little ones that teens tend to learn to fly. Lots of how everything was built and arranged to further the project. Love 'triangles.' (Five eighteen yo kids on a secret project, well, yeah....). A lot of military-type excitement at the last third or so (iirc) when someone w/ access to soldiers found out about it. A fair bit of poor planning by the kids and the adults that they trusted. A fairly unsatisfactory ending.
And the other world never came alive for me. Although I did like that "each puff of exhaust [of the tractor] seemed like a profane act" over there... the kid who said that did feel the difference, and wasn't just in it for the money or the adventure.
Two token interesting characters. Several different family structures. Gould really wanted every reader to see a bit of himself or herself, or at least of a friend, in the story, to connect with it.
Not a horrible read, but I can't bear to give it more than 2 stars. Otoh, I do want to look at the author's other works.
(I wonder why the author chose to make this a parallel or alternate world, instead of Time Travel? It seemed to amount to basically the same thing....)
Outland?
What else??
I didn't realize this was a trope.
I think I want more.
---
Hm. I don't think this quite worked. I never wanted to put it down, but I always wanted more. Lots and lots about airplanes, esp. the little ones that teens tend to learn to fly. Lots of how everything was built and arranged to further the project. Love 'triangles.' (Five eighteen yo kids on a secret project, well, yeah....). A lot of military-type excitement at the last third or so (iirc) when someone w/ access to soldiers found out about it. A fair bit of poor planning by the kids and the adults that they trusted. A fairly unsatisfactory ending.
And the other world never came alive for me. Although I did like that "each puff of exhaust [of the tractor] seemed like a profane act" over there... the kid who said that did feel the difference, and wasn't just in it for the money or the adventure.
Two token interesting characters. Several different family structures. Gould really wanted every reader to see a bit of himself or herself, or at least of a friend, in the story, to connect with it.
Not a horrible read, but I can't bear to give it more than 2 stars. Otoh, I do want to look at the author's other works.
(I wonder why the author chose to make this a parallel or alternate world, instead of Time Travel? It seemed to amount to basically the same thing....)
April 7, 2015
Wildside (1996) 316 pages by Steven Gould.
Loved it. Wildside is an alternate universe story. Charlie Newell has a gate to an alternate Earth where humans never evolved. There are dangers on the wildside. There is danger of the government or some entity finding out about the gate.
Charlie's Uncle Max died and left him a ranch that contained the gate, and now that Charlie is 18 the ranch is his. He has just graduated high school and he has come up with a plan, first he gets his friend Marie, Joey, Rick and Clara to help him with a project to raise some capital. Then on to the bigger plan.
It's a story of those five teenagers without us knowing that it is, because of all of the other action going on.
The meticulous preparations that Charlie makes is so reminiscent of the preparations that Davy makes in Jumper that if there were no author's name on the book, I would still know that it was the same author. There's a lot of talk about flying, getting pilots licenses, planes, dangers of flying, maintenance and more aviation stuff. If every novel had this it would get boring, but this was the first one that I've run across, and that information was worked into the story, seamlessly.
It's exciting. The characters are likable, at least the protagonists. There's a pace to the story, easy to read, hard to put down. Terrific.
Loved it. Wildside is an alternate universe story. Charlie Newell has a gate to an alternate Earth where humans never evolved. There are dangers on the wildside. There is danger of the government or some entity finding out about the gate.
Charlie's Uncle Max died and left him a ranch that contained the gate, and now that Charlie is 18 the ranch is his. He has just graduated high school and he has come up with a plan, first he gets his friend Marie, Joey, Rick and Clara to help him with a project to raise some capital. Then on to the bigger plan.
It's a story of those five teenagers without us knowing that it is, because of all of the other action going on.
The meticulous preparations that Charlie makes is so reminiscent of the preparations that Davy makes in Jumper that if there were no author's name on the book, I would still know that it was the same author. There's a lot of talk about flying, getting pilots licenses, planes, dangers of flying, maintenance and more aviation stuff. If every novel had this it would get boring, but this was the first one that I've run across, and that information was worked into the story, seamlessly.
It's exciting. The characters are likable, at least the protagonists. There's a pace to the story, easy to read, hard to put down. Terrific.
July 31, 2017
In honor of meeting the author at an upcoming kaffee klatch at sasquan, I thought I'd read an old one. Actually I'm hoping to get to Helm and Blind Waves before then - but we'll see if I run out of time.
As I remembered this was a fun read, kind of like a much different much more detailed and modern version of Tunnel in the Sky. And it starred young adults that were actually young adults.
I've read a number of travel-to-alternate-world books before and since this one. Wildside is actually pretty light though fun. I seem to remember not thinking the government doing evil was as likely when I read this the first time.
This book would definitely allow for sequels of both short and long form - certainly there's room for lot's more stories here.
A fun re-read.
As I remembered this was a fun read, kind of like a much different much more detailed and modern version of Tunnel in the Sky. And it starred young adults that were actually young adults.
I've read a number of travel-to-alternate-world books before and since this one. Wildside is actually pretty light though fun. I seem to remember not thinking the government doing evil was as likely when I read this the first time.
This book would definitely allow for sequels of both short and long form - certainly there's room for lot's more stories here.
A fun re-read.
December 16, 2018
Rereading this book I was reminded of everything that I like and dislike about Steven Gould’s work.
On the one hand we have an unconventional situation which the characters work through carefully and logically. Just as we see Davey exploring his powers in Jumper, or Cent building her space station in Exo, here we see a group of youngsters with access to a portal to parallel world which they set about exploring and exploiting. All fascinating stuff.
On the other hand we have bad guys who are one dimensional and frankly not believable so far as motive or method is concerned. The situation that arises is resolved cleverly, but the reason for it is not credible - in a more realistic treatment it wiould not arise. Finally, the ending (where the origins and purpose of the gateway are revealed) got decidedly preachy.
Overall there is a lot to like about this book, but a lot of flaws as well.
On the one hand we have an unconventional situation which the characters work through carefully and logically. Just as we see Davey exploring his powers in Jumper, or Cent building her space station in Exo, here we see a group of youngsters with access to a portal to parallel world which they set about exploring and exploiting. All fascinating stuff.
On the other hand we have bad guys who are one dimensional and frankly not believable so far as motive or method is concerned. The situation that arises is resolved cleverly, but the reason for it is not credible - in a more realistic treatment it wiould not arise. Finally, the ending (where the origins and purpose of the gateway are revealed) got decidedly preachy.
Overall there is a lot to like about this book, but a lot of flaws as well.
April 4, 2013
One of my favorite books of all time! What if a zoo got a hold of an extinct species? Where did it come from? What would they do with it?
The kids keep a good balance between conservation and profit-making, all through Charlie's uncle's barn-door portal to an uninhabited version of earth.
I've heard of some authors updating their 80's/90's set books for modern times, but I think this story would be absolutely destroyed by genetic preservation corporations and government black ops...
I love this book so much that I don't want a movie made out of it, even if they didn't modernize it. Another book that I've worn the cover off at least one copy.
The kids keep a good balance between conservation and profit-making, all through Charlie's uncle's barn-door portal to an uninhabited version of earth.
I've heard of some authors updating their 80's/90's set books for modern times, but I think this story would be absolutely destroyed by genetic preservation corporations and government black ops...
I love this book so much that I don't want a movie made out of it, even if they didn't modernize it. Another book that I've worn the cover off at least one copy.
May 11, 2014
Not too bad. The synopsis is a bit misleading. In fact, the real story doesn't begin until about 60% into the book. The first half of the story seems to be all about light aircraft and aviation with all the associated (and mostly boring) jargon that entails. However, if you can plough through all of that, the last 40% is worth reading with a surprise ending. I think Gould ascribes far too much ingenuity, fast learning and quick thinking to such young people. Charlie is just too good to be true, but I guess that's why they call this "fiction".
Overall, a good young adults book.
Overall, a good young adults book.
September 21, 2016
the target audience for this book is, i think, about a 16 year old boy. soo... not me. and yet i finished it! because it was easy and i kinda wanted to see how it ended, even as i rolled my eyes.
disappointing, because the jumper series by this author, which i'd also call ya, didn't seem quite so juvenile.
disappointing, because the jumper series by this author, which i'd also call ya, didn't seem quite so juvenile.
January 6, 2017
I love this book. The teens are resourceful, smart, and capable. Not all the adults are as well-adjusted. Charles is a great lead character with big dreams, a code of ethics, and a brain. His friends have their issues, but they all end up staying strong for each other. I sure wish I had access to this gate. Imagine seeing an unspoiled world!
I've read this at least 4 times.
I've read this at least 4 times.
May 5, 2021
I’m an escapist reader so this book, in spite of its larger fantastical story line, was not for me. I was roughly 70% of the way through this book before I started skipping the stupid bits. I’m guessing I skipped about 10% of this book. 10% isn’t too bad except it was all the villain stuff. The villains are so poorly written I am left dumbfounded. The villain is a supposedly rogue CIA agent capable of bringing military personnel and helicopters from Panama to attack a Texas farm owned and occupied by an 18 year old American who has broken no laws. The villain’s motivation is apparently just to be evil, after all neither the CIA nor the military are to conduct operations on American soil. All the author provides by way of motivation is a rant about how the government has to control the technology involved, but that in no way requires the villain’s involvement.
The villain is so bad I stopped reading. I finally convinced myself to skip the stupid bits and go on and the ending was fairly enjoyable and pretty much the only reason this book is getting 2 stars instead of one. Part of why I kept reading, however, was curiosity about how the sale of passenger pigeons in the US even came to the attention of a CIA agent combating the drug trade in Panama, let alone came to his attention in such a way as to convince the CIA agent to break multiple laws in pursuit of a pigeon seller. The answer: unknown, the author just ignores this glaring plot hole.
The only reason to involve the rogue CIA agent is heighten tensions. After all soldiers taking insane life threatening risks and shooting down planes with American citizens in them is a lot more tense then the FBI showing. Except this isn’t television or a movie, it is a book and I’ve read plenty of FBI stories that were plenty tense. Point being it should be within a professional author’s ability to write a good book without resulting to contrived drama in the form of a rogue CIA. So, basically, the author appears to be writing for Hollywood rather than attempting write good books.
The book begins with a recent high school graduate, Charlie, inheriting a bit of land from a missing uncle. This land has a portal to an earth where humans never developed. Charlie captures passenger pigeons from earth 2 (extinct on earth 1) and sells them to zoos. Charlie’s plan is to use those funds to mine gold from earth 2. To do this Charlie brings his high school friends, two couples, into his plans. This is where I almost stopped reading the first time as the baggage these high schoolers have is pretty heavy, first and foremost being one of the guys is a raging alcoholic. However, I stuck it out and the group evolves to cope with its issues turning these story lines into character development rather than depressing background stories. In fact the author handles character development very well, which makes the horrible writing of the villain all the more glaring.
The story then goes into how the high schoolers organize and plan to travel and recover gold on earth 2, which is the part of the story I found enjoyable. But the high schoolers come to the attention of the rogue CIA agent SOMEHOW??? And this CIA agent redirects military troops from drug and terrorism intervention to ACTUALLY INVADE A TEXAS FARM OWNED BY AN 18 YEAR OLD KID. This is where I stopped reading. Again: HOW WOULD THE CIA EVEN BECOME AWARE OF A KID FROM TEXAS SELLING PASSENGER PIGEONS AND WHY WOULD IT CARE???? The MC was concerned early on that reintroduction of passenger pigeons will cause people to assume time travel, but really??? The discovery of a species previously thought extinct doesn’t indicate time travel, especially since the pigeons were sold. A time traveler would have much easier and efficient ways of making money. Besides, this would all still be the jurisdiction of the FBI.
Bottom line: a mostly good book but with an UNBEARABLY badly written (and unnecessary) villain.
The villain is so bad I stopped reading. I finally convinced myself to skip the stupid bits and go on and the ending was fairly enjoyable and pretty much the only reason this book is getting 2 stars instead of one. Part of why I kept reading, however, was curiosity about how the sale of passenger pigeons in the US even came to the attention of a CIA agent combating the drug trade in Panama, let alone came to his attention in such a way as to convince the CIA agent to break multiple laws in pursuit of a pigeon seller. The answer: unknown, the author just ignores this glaring plot hole.
The only reason to involve the rogue CIA agent is heighten tensions. After all soldiers taking insane life threatening risks and shooting down planes with American citizens in them is a lot more tense then the FBI showing. Except this isn’t television or a movie, it is a book and I’ve read plenty of FBI stories that were plenty tense. Point being it should be within a professional author’s ability to write a good book without resulting to contrived drama in the form of a rogue CIA. So, basically, the author appears to be writing for Hollywood rather than attempting write good books.
The book begins with a recent high school graduate, Charlie, inheriting a bit of land from a missing uncle. This land has a portal to an earth where humans never developed. Charlie captures passenger pigeons from earth 2 (extinct on earth 1) and sells them to zoos. Charlie’s plan is to use those funds to mine gold from earth 2. To do this Charlie brings his high school friends, two couples, into his plans. This is where I almost stopped reading the first time as the baggage these high schoolers have is pretty heavy, first and foremost being one of the guys is a raging alcoholic. However, I stuck it out and the group evolves to cope with its issues turning these story lines into character development rather than depressing background stories. In fact the author handles character development very well, which makes the horrible writing of the villain all the more glaring.
The story then goes into how the high schoolers organize and plan to travel and recover gold on earth 2, which is the part of the story I found enjoyable. But the high schoolers come to the attention of the rogue CIA agent SOMEHOW??? And this CIA agent redirects military troops from drug and terrorism intervention to ACTUALLY INVADE A TEXAS FARM OWNED BY AN 18 YEAR OLD KID. This is where I stopped reading. Again: HOW WOULD THE CIA EVEN BECOME AWARE OF A KID FROM TEXAS SELLING PASSENGER PIGEONS AND WHY WOULD IT CARE???? The MC was concerned early on that reintroduction of passenger pigeons will cause people to assume time travel, but really??? The discovery of a species previously thought extinct doesn’t indicate time travel, especially since the pigeons were sold. A time traveler would have much easier and efficient ways of making money. Besides, this would all still be the jurisdiction of the FBI.
Bottom line: a mostly good book but with an UNBEARABLY badly written (and unnecessary) villain.
May 5, 2019
Charlie Newell's got a secret hidden at the farm he inherited from his uncle... a tunnel that leads into a parallel Earth, one seemingly untouched by human hands. He brings in a group of his friends with a plan to get rich by mining gold on the other side, but it takes a lot of preperation, and not only does he have to manage the dangers of the Wildside itself, but conflicts with and among his friends, and, eventually, the risk of the government finding out and wanting to take control of the gateway.
The author often writes in a mode where he takes one fantastical premise (in this case, an artificial gateway linking parallel worlds) and then tries to deal with it as realistically as possible (setting up rules for how it works or occasionally doesn't), explore how intelligent people use it (including to make money), posing challenges (for you can't just pop up on the other side, pick up some gold and get back, you have to get to where gold is easily accessible, which in this case means plane travel, which means getting qualified pilots and a runway, and so on), and exploring how those challenges get overcome (or don't as the case may be).
It may not always make for the most compelling human character drama (there is character growth and conflicts but it doesn't particularly stand out either for good or bad), but the particular mode is pretty fun if you're in the mood for it, and teaches you stuff along the way, although if you're not interested in some of the particular topics it might seem a little dry... and I confess, while it was interesting the first time, on rereads I tend not to be so into all the stuff about piloting small aircraft. For me the book really kicks into high gear when government officials start to figure out that there's something potentially world-changing going on, and that takes a while to get going.
I love the author much more for his Jumper series, and by comparison this one suffers a little, but it's still fun enough that I reread it every now and then (and, though it stands well enough on its own and I suspect it's incredibly unlikely to continue after all this time, if there were ever a sequel I'd check it out).
The author often writes in a mode where he takes one fantastical premise (in this case, an artificial gateway linking parallel worlds) and then tries to deal with it as realistically as possible (setting up rules for how it works or occasionally doesn't), explore how intelligent people use it (including to make money), posing challenges (for you can't just pop up on the other side, pick up some gold and get back, you have to get to where gold is easily accessible, which in this case means plane travel, which means getting qualified pilots and a runway, and so on), and exploring how those challenges get overcome (or don't as the case may be).
It may not always make for the most compelling human character drama (there is character growth and conflicts but it doesn't particularly stand out either for good or bad), but the particular mode is pretty fun if you're in the mood for it, and teaches you stuff along the way, although if you're not interested in some of the particular topics it might seem a little dry... and I confess, while it was interesting the first time, on rereads I tend not to be so into all the stuff about piloting small aircraft. For me the book really kicks into high gear when government officials start to figure out that there's something potentially world-changing going on, and that takes a while to get going.
I love the author much more for his Jumper series, and by comparison this one suffers a little, but it's still fun enough that I reread it every now and then (and, though it stands well enough on its own and I suspect it's incredibly unlikely to continue after all this time, if there were ever a sequel I'd check it out).
February 15, 2022
Wildside by Steven Gould is at first thought, a story that brings back to me the “fun” of science fiction from my youth. The sort of book that pulled me in willingly to this genre that could place me in a fantastical situation that would set my mind reeling at the possibilities. Good enough that I just read it for my second time.
The main cast are 5 friends led by Charlie Newell, all young college aged kids. Charlie has a secret that he’s willing to share, because he needs a team he can trust. He has access to a portal to what seems to be Earth that has no humans. Is it a time portal, a door to a parallel Earth, … does it matter? There is an untouched world waiting for them.
The story is well told. The author (who also wrote the Jumper series) takes the time to explain and describe the gang’s planning and setting up a base in this new frontier. While some may feel that slows the story down a bit, he keeps it interesting and it gave me a better sense of realism. In all this he also adds a layer of characterization to breath a bit more life into a group that could easily slip into a bunch of cardboard characters.
By the end when conflict intrudes, we have a nice setting with actions on all sides that just feel right to me. While this book can easily be catalogued on the shelves of YA novels, I read this as an adult and I easily enjoyed it for what it was.
I’m honestly surprised that this book hasn’t been optioned as a movie or limited series on one of the streaming services. It would translate well. Young cast, just enough issues to add dynamics to the group, and a nice ecological message that is in focus nowadays.
The main cast are 5 friends led by Charlie Newell, all young college aged kids. Charlie has a secret that he’s willing to share, because he needs a team he can trust. He has access to a portal to what seems to be Earth that has no humans. Is it a time portal, a door to a parallel Earth, … does it matter? There is an untouched world waiting for them.
The story is well told. The author (who also wrote the Jumper series) takes the time to explain and describe the gang’s planning and setting up a base in this new frontier. While some may feel that slows the story down a bit, he keeps it interesting and it gave me a better sense of realism. In all this he also adds a layer of characterization to breath a bit more life into a group that could easily slip into a bunch of cardboard characters.
By the end when conflict intrudes, we have a nice setting with actions on all sides that just feel right to me. While this book can easily be catalogued on the shelves of YA novels, I read this as an adult and I easily enjoyed it for what it was.
I’m honestly surprised that this book hasn’t been optioned as a movie or limited series on one of the streaming services. It would translate well. Young cast, just enough issues to add dynamics to the group, and a nice ecological message that is in focus nowadays.
April 10, 2023
This book ended up being disappointing. First, it does not involve time travel. To be fair, the description on the back cover does not specifically say that this is a time travel book; however, the cover images show saber-toothed cats and/or wooly mammoths and the prologue mentions dire wolves, giving the impression that there will be travel to a prehistoric time. Such travel involves an alternate universe rather than time travel per se. Second, the book is heavy on details and light on action. At one point I found this approach very interesting. Most books ignore the details such as logistical problems. In this case, more than half of the book is spent dealing with those types of issues. After a point it becomes tedious, along the lines of asking someone the time and they tell you how to build a watch. As for the dire wolves, etc. they barely even appear in the story. There is plenty of text about how they always have one or two people keeping watch for predators, and how they have their shotguns, and their pepper mace, and their bullhorns...but the predators rarely even appear; lots of details, but little action.
June 16, 2020
This was a really good change of pace audiobook for me. It really brought me back to the 90s with technology and it was great to hear how the world has changed from then until now. I have to admit, because I read the entire Jumper series 1st I sort of was comparing this work to that series and I know that’s unfair but the jumper series was just so fantastic I felt like maybe it took away from this work in my mind. I love the characters in the premise of this book and it grabbed my attention. I enjoyed this book but I just cannot put my finger on what was missing. But this book was just missing that special something to give it that bump over the edge to a great book. I did enjoy it and I do recommend it but, it’s a drag at times and I thought there would be a little bit more. The performance was very well done and the narrator gave voices that were unique to each character and you can tell who is speaking at all times. I think I would just love to see more of these characters and what sort of happens next.
June 13, 2017
Another really good one from Gould. Like in his Jumper series he spends a lot of time developing his characters, which adds so much to the overall quality of the book. Also like the Jumper books this story centers on a few protagonists that have to take on a crooked government entity. It was an interesting direction for this story to take, instead of developing the conflict on the "Wildside" with some of the animals or something.
The story itself centers on Charlie, who has a gate to another "earth" on his Uncle's ranch, that he decides to use to sell extinct animals and find gold with some of his friends. Some people in the government catch wind of this and try to hijack their operation through illegal means.
Overall this is a great story and worth checking out if you like his other books.
The story itself centers on Charlie, who has a gate to another "earth" on his Uncle's ranch, that he decides to use to sell extinct animals and find gold with some of his friends. Some people in the government catch wind of this and try to hijack their operation through illegal means.
Overall this is a great story and worth checking out if you like his other books.
September 16, 2017
As with most of his books, I like the premise of one thing that is fantastic, that then creates an effect on the mundane world, and as readers we just enjoy it unfolding.
The book is about a young pilot, who discoveres a tunnel into a seemingly parallel earth that is exactly the same as ours... except there had never been humans around to transform and destroy the environment.
What would you do?
Our hero decides to take advantage of this unique opportunity, to finance flying around, and charting up this other world with his friends.
I liked the idea of the book, but I felt it was lacking on plot. The ending feels to simplified and too fast and too radical to easily process. It's like suddenly boom, the end. Other than that I enjoyed it.
As a disclaimer: English is not my first language, so if something reads weird, sorry for that.
The book is about a young pilot, who discoveres a tunnel into a seemingly parallel earth that is exactly the same as ours... except there had never been humans around to transform and destroy the environment.
What would you do?
Our hero decides to take advantage of this unique opportunity, to finance flying around, and charting up this other world with his friends.
I liked the idea of the book, but I felt it was lacking on plot. The ending feels to simplified and too fast and too radical to easily process. It's like suddenly boom, the end. Other than that I enjoyed it.
As a disclaimer: English is not my first language, so if something reads weird, sorry for that.
February 15, 2023
Charlie Newell finds a gateway to an alternate Earth, one in which humans didn't evolve and on which sabretooths and mammoths still roam, in his missing uncle's barn. He recruits a group of friends to help. The first bring back passenger pigeons, anonymously selling them to various zoos. With the money they raise, they plan to return to this alternate Earth to search for gold and become rich.
This is the start of an entertaining novel. Gould grounds the novel in detail, as all the actions taken by the group of friends are meticulously planned and described, so that all that happens feels real, despite the setting. The characters and their interactions are also well worked out and again believable, making the reader care for what happens to them. And despite the depth of detail, it's a fast read.
Fun, and recommended.
This is the start of an entertaining novel. Gould grounds the novel in detail, as all the actions taken by the group of friends are meticulously planned and described, so that all that happens feels real, despite the setting. The characters and their interactions are also well worked out and again believable, making the reader care for what happens to them. And despite the depth of detail, it's a fast read.
Fun, and recommended.
January 22, 2024
Despite some flaws, a good concept and story (3 stars)
This story has some real flaws, with several instances of profanity/blasphemy. There's also several unmarried couples that sleep together, some sexual content, and one character has gay fling. The relationship infighting that is part of the storyline is also far less interesting than the overall concept. But the main story about a group of students that end up in an unspoiled parallel world is a good one. They are able to get otherwise extinct animals from the parallel world, and come up with a plan to mine gold there. But things turn rough when the government finds out about what they are doing, and tries to get a piece of the action. It's more about being an entertaining story than thought-provoking, but it's a suspenseful and fun read. Real pity about the flaws
This story has some real flaws, with several instances of profanity/blasphemy. There's also several unmarried couples that sleep together, some sexual content, and one character has gay fling. The relationship infighting that is part of the storyline is also far less interesting than the overall concept. But the main story about a group of students that end up in an unspoiled parallel world is a good one. They are able to get otherwise extinct animals from the parallel world, and come up with a plan to mine gold there. But things turn rough when the government finds out about what they are doing, and tries to get a piece of the action. It's more about being an entertaining story than thought-provoking, but it's a suspenseful and fun read. Real pity about the flaws
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