What do you think?
Rate this book
Quantum Ascension #1
Quantum Whispers: A Galaxy-wide Epic of Alien Nanotech and Genocidal AI
AI killing machines destroyed his family - how can Ben trust an Alien AI to save humanity?
Ben has just completed a hard day’s work blowing up psychotic killing machines, when he’s acclaimed a hero and sent off to Ceres, an icy planetoid orbiting beyond Mars. He sees this as a promotion - his boss sees this as a way of getting him killed.
Once he gets to Ceres he discovers his imminent demise is the least of his problems. Invincible aliens are on their way from the far side of the Galaxy to eradicate all human life. And the only faint hope for the survival of the human race is a very special young woman, a human/AI hybrid who his bosses also want to destroy. The AI is of alien origin, and gives her “magical” powers. This helps her to fool and outwit the people trying to kill her. Ben would rather just shoot them.
He’s also skeptical about the mysterious Alien AI. Humanity’s own experiments with advanced AI led to the rise of the crazed warmechs that destroyed his family. But as it turns out, nothing is quite what it seems, and everyone has a hidden agenda.
Ben has just completed a hard day’s work blowing up psychotic killing machines, when he’s acclaimed a hero and sent off to Ceres, an icy planetoid orbiting beyond Mars. He sees this as a promotion - his boss sees this as a way of getting him killed.
Once he gets to Ceres he discovers his imminent demise is the least of his problems. Invincible aliens are on their way from the far side of the Galaxy to eradicate all human life. And the only faint hope for the survival of the human race is a very special young woman, a human/AI hybrid who his bosses also want to destroy. The AI is of alien origin, and gives her “magical” powers. This helps her to fool and outwit the people trying to kill her. Ben would rather just shoot them.
He’s also skeptical about the mysterious Alien AI. Humanity’s own experiments with advanced AI led to the rise of the crazed warmechs that destroyed his family. But as it turns out, nothing is quite what it seems, and everyone has a hidden agenda.
- GenresScience Fiction
Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2020
104 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Alex M. Brandt
5 books7 followersAlex M Brandt is the author of the Quantum Ascension series, a Galaxy-spanning saga of humanity’s struggle to survive against the threat of psychotic warmechs - both terrestrial and alien - run out of control.
His stories are also about advanced AI (good & bad), exotic future technology, the nature of the universe, the Fermi Paradox, dangerous nanotech and the future of humanity. We also have aliens, Jim, but not as we know them. They’re millions of years ahead of us - and in hiding. Plus a hint of Fantasy from alien 'magic'. To quote Arther C. Clarke, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Alex lives with his wife and three cats halfway up a mountainside close to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. When he’s not writing, he’s walking in the hills discovering old cities or sailing along the coast in the wake of Odysseus in search of new fish restaurants. He’s a big fan of hard SciFi with a dash of humor.
His stories are also about advanced AI (good & bad), exotic future technology, the nature of the universe, the Fermi Paradox, dangerous nanotech and the future of humanity. We also have aliens, Jim, but not as we know them. They’re millions of years ahead of us - and in hiding. Plus a hint of Fantasy from alien 'magic'. To quote Arther C. Clarke, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Alex lives with his wife and three cats halfway up a mountainside close to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. When he’s not writing, he’s walking in the hills discovering old cities or sailing along the coast in the wake of Odysseus in search of new fish restaurants. He’s a big fan of hard SciFi with a dash of humor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 3, 2022
We find ourselves with the new dystopian science-fiction story. Quantum whispers is the story of Ben, whose family has been destroyed by AI killing machines, and now his life is based on blowing up psychotic killing machines. However, human life seems to be on the verge of extinction with the approach of invisible aliens, and their only chance for survival is to cooperate with an AI woman hybrid machine.
I will categorize this book as a reading level for young adults and/or teenagers. Since it doesn’t have such elaborate or complicated writing, the book is amusing and easy to read. I seem to like Ben from the start as our main protagonist since he's very relatable (not in the sense of his family getting killed of course) and I got hooked on the story very quickly, from the very first chapters, in my case.
This is a book worthy of the science fiction genre and I highly recommend it!
I will categorize this book as a reading level for young adults and/or teenagers. Since it doesn’t have such elaborate or complicated writing, the book is amusing and easy to read. I seem to like Ben from the start as our main protagonist since he's very relatable (not in the sense of his family getting killed of course) and I got hooked on the story very quickly, from the very first chapters, in my case.
This is a book worthy of the science fiction genre and I highly recommend it!
November 28, 2022
Quantum Whispers by Alex M Brandt sets up a very promising opening of a series known as Quantum Ascension series. It introduces us to the main protagonist Ben who was sent to an icy planetoid called Ceres after he was celebrated as a hero for defeating psychotic killing machines. From there, lots of action and adventure awaited him where aliens dominate. The book was intriguing and the plotline has a lot of potentials, however it was not strong enough to keep my attention. There were things to improve when it comes to the narration and the characters' dialogues. Not to mention the character development and the world building. I found the science-centered theme notable though and for me, it is this book's strength that will make us all anticipate for what the next book can offer.
December 2, 2022
Quantum Whispers is a sci-fi book, the first in the series. It’s about alien nanotech and genocidal AI reaching its way to earth and our universe. The book was written by Alex M Brandt and it is the first part of a three-part series. You follow Ben who’s been hard at work killing psychotic machines, when he’s acclaimed to be a hero, he’s sent off to an icy planetoid orbiting mars, there he says promotion. Where he sees promotion, his boss sees him getting himself killed. The story is a fun read about genocidal AI, and interesting to read about machines coming to end humanity itself. It’s hard to put the book down due to the captivating integrity of it and how every page makes you want to flip and flip. It’s a great action book, filled with tons of danger and excitement along with death.
December 2, 2022
Quantum Whispers is a longer book that's engaging and easy to read. It's about a futuristic world with humans and robots and monsters and part robots / part humans.
The main character Ben Hamilton has made it his life's work to eliminate the monsters called warmechs because they killed his family when he was a child. His work gets the attention of higher up officials who offer him a job investigating AI development on the planet Ceres with their elite agency ACIB, but the reader is let in on the secret that this is a death mission and the officers have ulterior motives for trying to get rid of Ben. There's a lot going on and if you like futuristic adventure stories you'll like this book.
December 6, 2022
If you’re a fan of stories about androids and artificial intelligence and fast-paced science fiction, then this is a good choice for you. In Alex M. Brandt’s “Quantum Whispers”, AI war machines present a massive threat in a far future world where nanotechnology has progressed far beyond what we can imagine. The protagonist Ben is responsible for wiping out these destructive bots, but complications arise as he needs their assistance to defend against a bigger enemy.
The story moves extremely fast, with plenty of dialogue and unexpected plot twists which will keep readers guessing to the last minute. The fast pace negatively affects the depth of the characters and the world building somewhat, but fans of sci fi thrillers will no doubt enjoy this read.
The story moves extremely fast, with plenty of dialogue and unexpected plot twists which will keep readers guessing to the last minute. The fast pace negatively affects the depth of the characters and the world building somewhat, but fans of sci fi thrillers will no doubt enjoy this read.
June 14, 2024
I probably would have given a higher rating if it wasn't for Kay. She is introduced as a PhD researcher working on quantum gravity. There is no indication that humans have become super geniuses that regularly get advanced degrees in their teens, so this would make her at least 28. She constantly talks like a 14-year old girl. She might as well be Sailor Moon. At one point she is described as "a little girl" and as a "young woman" on the same page. How old is she???? Is it weird that she flirts with Ben? Is it not? Her mother questions when she is going to get a boyfriend, which makes me think older, but then again she CONSTANTLY acts like a child. I eventually just gave up and accepted that nothing about her was going to be consistent, ever.
December 6, 2022
The quest for the survival of humanity while battling celestial AI powers. A power-packed thriller with mind-boggling twists and incredible characters. The protagonist, a hybrid of human and AI robots has powers to save our planet from this oncoming havoc. The story is so well written that it keeps the reader waiting for more and more twists. The special powers with human - AI hybrid girl sets the plot and ensues a series of discovering hidden agendas. Nothing is what it seems like, there are multiple layers to the plot and each character comes with multiple shades. This is the first installment and I eagerly want to read the next part.
December 14, 2022
Epic!
Alex M Brandt presents a great beginning to a series that is totally promising. “Quantum Whispers: A Galaxy-wide Epic of Alien Nanotech and Genocidal AI” is the first volume in the “Quantum Ascension Series”.
I didn’t find it simple or easy to follow and it is a long book, so I advise readers to take their time to enjoy it if they don’t want to miss any details. The book is intriguing and entertaining; there’s always something happening and that is what hooked me the most.
Characters and scenes were well described, helping the reader imagine the whole situation. I would totally stick to the series! I recommend reading this first installment.
Alex M Brandt presents a great beginning to a series that is totally promising. “Quantum Whispers: A Galaxy-wide Epic of Alien Nanotech and Genocidal AI” is the first volume in the “Quantum Ascension Series”.
I didn’t find it simple or easy to follow and it is a long book, so I advise readers to take their time to enjoy it if they don’t want to miss any details. The book is intriguing and entertaining; there’s always something happening and that is what hooked me the most.
Characters and scenes were well described, helping the reader imagine the whole situation. I would totally stick to the series! I recommend reading this first installment.
July 6, 2024
First in a series
Third person POV
Buckle up! So much happens in this one.
🌌 Space
👽 Advanced alien beings
• Alternate reality timelines
🩷 Pandora & Pan 🩵
• AI technology
⚫ The black hole bar 🖤
• Government conspiracies
• Nanotech mutants
• Daze gas
♠️ Poker♦️
Favourite Scenes: Kay talking to herself (Pandora) in the lab / Teresa's braveness / The daze gas
Favourite Characters: Pandora, Teresa and Mel
Least favourite thing: Sooo much dialogue and verbal explaining
Amazing in-depth world building and strong characters. A well thought out plot with so many things that happen but still flows well.
Third person POV
Buckle up! So much happens in this one.
🌌 Space
👽 Advanced alien beings
• Alternate reality timelines
🩷 Pandora & Pan 🩵
• AI technology
⚫ The black hole bar 🖤
• Government conspiracies
• Nanotech mutants
• Daze gas
♠️ Poker♦️
Favourite Scenes: Kay talking to herself (Pandora) in the lab / Teresa's braveness / The daze gas
Favourite Characters: Pandora, Teresa and Mel
Least favourite thing: Sooo much dialogue and verbal explaining
Amazing in-depth world building and strong characters. A well thought out plot with so many things that happen but still flows well.
March 16, 2021
This Sounds Like a Good Series (and I love the cover) !!
Fast-paced and alive with danger! Just reading as one thing after another jumps out at you will have your breathing increasing. The story line was well done, unpredictable (at least to me), and delightfully surprising the reader at every turn. Who can they trust? Everyone seems to have a secret hidden agenda. Working with the human/AI hybrid whom his bosses want to destroy and he doesn’t totally trust, can Ben save the world from the allegedly invincible aliens already on their way?
Fast-paced and alive with danger! Just reading as one thing after another jumps out at you will have your breathing increasing. The story line was well done, unpredictable (at least to me), and delightfully surprising the reader at every turn. Who can they trust? Everyone seems to have a secret hidden agenda. Working with the human/AI hybrid whom his bosses want to destroy and he doesn’t totally trust, can Ben save the world from the allegedly invincible aliens already on their way?
December 3, 2022
Alien AI invasion
Ben, having fought off AI war mechs time and again, gets a promotion to Ceres moon. Here he is faced with a harsh environment and other dangers that his employers would love to have him succumb to. When he finds out aliens are on their way to destroy humanity, and his only real ally will be a AI hybrid with magical seeming powers, he is dismayed, but he will pick up his gun either way. So this is a good sci fi action story, however it was long and the dialogue dragged the pacing at times. There was also a lot going on which made it confusing at parts.
Ben, having fought off AI war mechs time and again, gets a promotion to Ceres moon. Here he is faced with a harsh environment and other dangers that his employers would love to have him succumb to. When he finds out aliens are on their way to destroy humanity, and his only real ally will be a AI hybrid with magical seeming powers, he is dismayed, but he will pick up his gun either way. So this is a good sci fi action story, however it was long and the dialogue dragged the pacing at times. There was also a lot going on which made it confusing at parts.
December 10, 2022
“Quantum Whispers: A Galaxy-wide Epic of Alien Nanotech and Genocidal AI” is the first book in the trilogy called “Quantum Ascension” written by Alex M Brandt. It is not a light or short read, so I really recommend it should be read with time and all your attention so as not to miss any detail.
I enjoyed the descriptions very much; the plot, which was carefully developed, is entertaining from the very beginning. I liked this mix of humans and aliens AI. The author has done a very good job with the pacing, the development of characters and the dialogues, which were very entertaining.
I enjoyed the descriptions very much; the plot, which was carefully developed, is entertaining from the very beginning. I liked this mix of humans and aliens AI. The author has done a very good job with the pacing, the development of characters and the dialogues, which were very entertaining.
July 16, 2021
Received as a review copy from NetGalley, this is an honest review. A very brilliant book that opens this series with a grounded story packed with secrets, action that moves the story in a graceful way. The author delivers not only a harrowing adventure in the science fiction genre but layers in actual science and known theories in such a way you pleasantly lose yourself in both genres. Highly recommended.
February 23, 2021
Absolutely brilliant, tech science space habitats very new take (to me) on the Fermi paradox, Ai is fabulously thought out, characters are good perhaps need a touch more depth but likeable and fallible, baddies are properly bad not ambiguous so you know where you are at and can enjoy their downfall. This was a lovely surprise, to find a new read from a very promising author!
September 8, 2024
Fun book
This was a fun book. The characters were detailed and interesting, the tech was helpful and supportive to move the story along. It will be interesting to see where the new big bands from the end of the book are from and how they came to become the big bad. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
This was a fun book. The characters were detailed and interesting, the tech was helpful and supportive to move the story along. It will be interesting to see where the new big bands from the end of the book are from and how they came to become the big bad. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
March 30, 2023
Technology evolution has gone wildly paranoid, destructive AI's that are beyond crazy, humans that somehow manage to survive by overcoming superior tech with even more advanced tech. Purchased this item on October 30, 2021, from Amazon for free.
May 17, 2023
War each
Wasn't a great book, readable. I don't believe in trashing a book just because I wasn't thrilled with it.
Fine
Wasn't a great book, readable. I don't believe in trashing a book just because I wasn't thrilled with it.
Fine
March 16, 2024
liked pandora and kay, and ben and the story and that not all people or Ai's are bad and not all are good, easy read, but not a 5 star
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews