Prelude

Quantum Leap #6

by Ashley McConnell

In 1993, at a New Mexico research laboratory, Dr. Sam Beckett and Admiral Al Calavicci embark on an experiment in time travel, and find themselves battling a determined foe out to stop the project

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Media Tie In, Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fantasy

247 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

Reviews

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge Quantum Leap fan, so the idea of finding out the genesis for the project and how Dr. Beckett ended up traveling to the past appealed to me. However, there is no mention in the story about how Sam and Al became friends in the first place, which I think would be the more interesting tale to tell. Also, the woman in the story (I think her name was Jessie) came off as such a Mary Sue character that she instantly turned me off. I would have enjoyed the book a whole lot more if her role had been minimized or omitted altogether.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a fan of the "Quantum Leap" television series when it originally aired, and when I saw the tie-in novels, I read them as fast as I could find them. However, I somehow never got my hands on this one, until now. As far as I can tell, this is the only book from the series that I hadn't read, and that was a shame, because I think this is actually my favorite.

This book is the back story for the entire Quantum Leap storyline. Unlike the TV show and the other books, this isn't about the lives that Sam is jumping into and trying to fix. While there are hints that Sam is jumping into this story, we never see events from that perspective. Instead, we focus on Sam and Al as they put build the Quantum Leap project and put together the team that we have come to know from the show and other books. Along the way, they have to convince their Federal Government sponsors that the investment of tax dollars is worth the risk, and to keep the penny-pinchers from shutting them down. But the budget wary aren't the only threat, and those who want to see Sam fail are willing to go to any length to make that failure happen.

This book tied up some loose ends from the rest of the stories, giving us the origins of the project, and possibly explaining what went wrong and why Sam isn't in control of his travels. It was a thoroughly enjoyable return to the world of Quantum Leap.

[Leon Lipschitz]

The title here is correct as is the author and description
Incorrectly called THE BEGINNING and credited to the wrong author as well

In the reading sequence first read Genesis (the pilot episode on TV Adaptation)
Then if you want to see how QUANTUM LEAP PROJECT CAME ABOUT read TO CLOSE FOR COMFORT before reading this book
Reason is TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT IS THE PREQUEL to PRELUDE
PRELUDE follows directly onto TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Reading these two books out of sequence would be like going to a movie and coming in half way

I read this book years ago and the only disappointing part that I found out about this book
It ends with many loose strings attached to it (very much of a cliff hanger ending) Sam leaps but there is a whole lot of things that were not resolved at the end of the book

It is a very interesting book and I do heartily recommend reading it just to see how the project came about even with the skulduggery and criminal elements that tried to hijack the project

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember watching reruns of Quantum Leap as a kid, so when I found these books in my parents house, I decided to read them. This was a very entertaining, light read. I certainly enjoyed the story, the characters were good, and the pacing was spot on. My only problem might be that this was the first book that I read, so the ending seemed, at least to me, to be a major cliffhanger/nonending. It probably wrapped up this book directly into the start of the first one, but I was left confused and unsure as to where things were supposed to be going from here. Regardless, this was fun, and I’m excited to read through the series.

[Calenmarwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strongly recommended to those familiar with the original TV series.

For any readers who are unfamiliar with the show, this may be of limited interest. It focuses on the set up of the Quantum Leap project, and the difficulties it runs into. It doesn't delve into technical or political details and so is an easy to read, but without any real depth.

The connection between Sam and Al is the best written, with most other characters appearing slightly flat. Nevertheless by getting more of a view into the minds of these two leads, fans of the series should enjoy the extra insight.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

this was a weird one - the beginning of the book does a lot of time skips to establish motivations for the more compelling final acts. It was harder to get into, partially because for once we had main characters that Sam wasn’t interacting with or privy to their motivations like he would be if this was a Leap storyline. But once we got to the Project stuff it definitely picked up the pace and got more enjoyable.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title indicate, this is a prequel to the TV series, "Quantum Leap". It tells the story of how Sam & Al worked together to create the Quantum Leap project & the obstacles they had to face. Good story, tho a bit slow in spots.

[Junell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jason Brown (Toastx2) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book review, this is a book demand. If you are a fan of the Quantum Leap television series then you must read this. Do not be confused, Prelude is the 4th book in the multi-author QL series, but whatever. I make no claims against the others, but i bet they are decent or there wouldn't be so many of them.. Or perhaps they are "Crappy Good". I won't bother with a full review, but I do feel that a reblurb of the novel summary is warranted ;)

New Synopsis:
You know how it ends, socially awkward Beckett steps into the Quantum Leap system and his consciousness is transported haphazardly to the past. He cannot remember anything and travels time perpetually looking for a way to get back home.

This gives you the back story, the politics, the subterfuge and grandstanding. This pieces together a firm picture of what happened before, and who Beckett was before losing his memory and becoming the worldly man he is now. Wanted to know about how Ziggy works, how he got his name? Why DOES Al wear all those horrendously terrible clothes?

Just read the book already.. The fact that you are even looking at it means you deserve to treat yourself to it. You picked this up, now go pay the average $1.99 used paperback price and geek out. it's only a buck ninety-nine.. Heck, you might even be the lucky person who got the tattered $.99 cent copy!

Super fans pay attention to the foreword and ignore the minor inconsistencies
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Publisher description:
An all-new Quantum Leap adventure, based on the smash hit TV series, gives readers the "beginning" of the story. Dr. Sam Beckett and Admiral Al Calavicci begin an experiment called Project Quantum Leap and discover the secret of time travel via computer. But someone wants to sabotage Quantum Leap before it starts.

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xpost RawBlurb.com

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this until the final chapter. It felt unsatisfying and kind of rushed, particularly the last few pages. I'd have been happy with even just a few extra pages to stretch it out a bit. I was left so disappointed by the final chapter that I feel I need to drop it from a 4 star to a 3 star rating. Other than that, it was really good. It's really made me want to go back a watch Quantum Leap.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

They only did about a dozen novels based on the TV show, but most were nice, solid reads and occasionally they'd do one like this that pushed to do a little more with the formula.
A jumble of story threads that show us what lead to the creation of the Quantum Leap project. It shows us some of the support team and how our two leads got the TV show's first episode.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book but I felt alot more could have been done with it. The initial meeting of Al and Sam would have been interesting to read. I did like the beginning which followed on from another QL novel, "Too Close For Comfort". I thought it was cleverly done.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4 stars. If you're a fan of Quantum Leap, consider giving this a read. Otherwise, you can skip it. I was hoping the plot would go more into Ziggy's programming, or culminate in some time travel, or explore Sam and Al's friendship a little more.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that this book was not particularly good. The plot and characterizations, though, did a pretty great job of setting up the show.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so-so. Since these fall more into the fan fiction category because they weren't actually written by the same people who wrote the show they aren't quite the same.

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great insight for fans of the show, giving us an indepth look at how Project Quantum Leap may have come into being. Well written and fun from the get go.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book. I want to read it again. I was kept on my toes. it explained everything so well. it flowed seamlessly between the author's world and the tv series. this book is a must read.

[Benjamin Revier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for any fan of the TV series MUST read this book. Excellent insight into the origin of the story. Wonderful back stories of the supporting characters. A MUST read for any fan!

[Adam J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun for fans of Quantum Leap. Not great otherwise.