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Nolan Kilkenny Thriller #2
Quantum Web
DECEIT
BETRAYAL
DEATH
THEY'RE ALL RELATIVE
In 1948, a young German emigre reached the threshold of an incredible scientific discovery: a blueprint for the construction of the universe that could surpass the theories of Einstein. But the scientist's secret past catches up to him with a vengeance, and he and his work are seemingly lost forever.
Now, buried knowledge has been rediscovered -- and whoever controls it holds the key to the future. Two sides, American and Russian, are in a ruthless fight for the ultimate fight for the power of the new millennium -- quantum technology -- and ex-Navy SEAL nolan Kilkenny finds himself caught in the crossfire. To stop the fate of the world from being hijacked, Kilkenny must wage a war across two hemispheres as he races to solve a decades-old mystery -- if the solution doesn't kill him first.
BETRAYAL
DEATH
THEY'RE ALL RELATIVE
In 1948, a young German emigre reached the threshold of an incredible scientific discovery: a blueprint for the construction of the universe that could surpass the theories of Einstein. But the scientist's secret past catches up to him with a vengeance, and he and his work are seemingly lost forever.
Now, buried knowledge has been rediscovered -- and whoever controls it holds the key to the future. Two sides, American and Russian, are in a ruthless fight for the ultimate fight for the power of the new millennium -- quantum technology -- and ex-Navy SEAL nolan Kilkenny finds himself caught in the crossfire. To stop the fate of the world from being hijacked, Kilkenny must wage a war across two hemispheres as he races to solve a decades-old mystery -- if the solution doesn't kill him first.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
19 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Tom Grace
24 books52 followersTom Grace is the bestselling author of the Nolan Kilkenny series of adventure novels, and an architect in private practice. The Kilkenny novels feature Graces signature character, an ex-Navy Seal with strong ties to the Catholic Church.
In constructing his novels, Grace draws upon his intensely detail-oriented skills honed in the practice of architecture, in which he designs projects ranging from private residences to cutting-edge research facilities.
As both an author and architect, Grace lives by Mies van der Rohes famous aphorism: God is in the details. Painstaking research underpins each of his novels, creating the factual foundations that support the stories.
Tom Grace resides with his family in Michigan.
Series:
* Nolan Kilkenny Mystery
In constructing his novels, Grace draws upon his intensely detail-oriented skills honed in the practice of architecture, in which he designs projects ranging from private residences to cutting-edge research facilities.
As both an author and architect, Grace lives by Mies van der Rohes famous aphorism: God is in the details. Painstaking research underpins each of his novels, creating the factual foundations that support the stories.
Tom Grace resides with his family in Michigan.
Series:
* Nolan Kilkenny Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 14, 2012
Take an old fashioned James Bond plot that has a very weak premise with no character development; add in some Tom Clancy special forces and top governmental support and distinguished career characters; and create from this mix a Johnny Quest cartoon: all plot, flat black/white-good guy/bad guy protagonist-antagonist, super simplistic nuclear physics that can operate in a set-top box and there you have it - the Quantum thriller.
This gets 1 star because for me the quantum physics premise was promising, though only provided backdrop and sideshow appearances.
It gets the second star from being a clean plot-only story that didn't get dragged down from overbearing psychological problems in the bad guys or from allied political infighting and politics destroying a career.
No sex, straightforward plot, little intrigue, few surprises, not practical application physics, and internet penetration methods that work out of the box without hours of tweaking and hacking to infiltrate a system.
You can safely skim this about as fast as you can turn the pages and it will leave neither a nasty after-taste nor a lasting memorable experience.
This gets 1 star because for me the quantum physics premise was promising, though only provided backdrop and sideshow appearances.
It gets the second star from being a clean plot-only story that didn't get dragged down from overbearing psychological problems in the bad guys or from allied political infighting and politics destroying a career.
No sex, straightforward plot, little intrigue, few surprises, not practical application physics, and internet penetration methods that work out of the box without hours of tweaking and hacking to infiltrate a system.
You can safely skim this about as fast as you can turn the pages and it will leave neither a nasty after-taste nor a lasting memorable experience.
September 15, 2011
This was a nice, easy and enjoyable read. An action thriller about the science of power and human power. It read much like a tie-in to a movie and there was no literary depth to the the story, just page turning action.
June 2, 2017
This was an ok story that cements itself firmly at the turn of the century. E.g. Explanations as to how GPS works make it outdated and clumsy but the story itself is ok and the action parts make it readable.
November 22, 2019
This is a great little thriller series, it's smart, fast-paced, imaginative and gripping. There's plenty of technology, but you don't get buried in it. The characters are great. (especially if you are listening on Audible) The Narrator Christopher Lane is AMAZING...
October 17, 2021
This was a very interesting look into the beginning of quantum computing. I’ve read books that broached the topic that are much more up-to-date on the technology, but this was nice to read at a time when quantum computing was in its infancy.
August 9, 2021
Great read highly recommend
November 6, 2022
Fantastic book, once I started reading it, I had trouble putting it down!
December 5, 2022
The second book in the Nolan Kilkenny thriller series. Fast-paced and entertaining.
December 22, 2012
Fast, easy read. Tons of University of Michigan references! It felt like overkill at some points when Ann Arbor streets and campus buildings were repeatedly described in detail. I’m sure it would be cool if I had attended U of M, but alas...
There were a few Catholic references at the beginning of the book, such as characters attending mass. However, the bulk of the book showed no religious or spiritual awareness. A scientific reference to Big Bang went unchallenged. Characters pursue money, violence, sex and power though scientific advancements. The hero, Kilkenny, seems like a decent guy but even he “mentally undresses” his girlfriend at the end of the novel. Not exactly pure of heart. He also makes some odd choices to pursue military tactics rather than rush to the aid of friends.
This is the second Kilkenny book and I haven’t read the first. The source of Kilkenny’s family wealth was confusing to me. It isn’t explained but he (and his girlfriend) are always driving luxury cars. It threw me off a bit. The fact that his girlfriend is a rich, beautiful & blond scientist teaching at U of M also seemed a bit far fetched. The female scientists I’ve met aren’t exactly beautiful or rich. Does the author live in a gilded world where everyone is rich & beautiful? Or do these books just reveal his fantasies?
Still entertaining enough. Quick read. Lots of violence, but nothing too offensive.
There were a few Catholic references at the beginning of the book, such as characters attending mass. However, the bulk of the book showed no religious or spiritual awareness. A scientific reference to Big Bang went unchallenged. Characters pursue money, violence, sex and power though scientific advancements. The hero, Kilkenny, seems like a decent guy but even he “mentally undresses” his girlfriend at the end of the novel. Not exactly pure of heart. He also makes some odd choices to pursue military tactics rather than rush to the aid of friends.
This is the second Kilkenny book and I haven’t read the first. The source of Kilkenny’s family wealth was confusing to me. It isn’t explained but he (and his girlfriend) are always driving luxury cars. It threw me off a bit. The fact that his girlfriend is a rich, beautiful & blond scientist teaching at U of M also seemed a bit far fetched. The female scientists I’ve met aren’t exactly beautiful or rich. Does the author live in a gilded world where everyone is rich & beautiful? Or do these books just reveal his fantasies?
Still entertaining enough. Quick read. Lots of violence, but nothing too offensive.
July 2, 2012
So-so effort
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Read by Jerry O'Connell
For once this was an abridgment to an audiobook in which I didn't feel like something important was left out.
Unfortunately, the plot and the characters in Quantum were only so-so. Jerry O'Connell read the story - and at first I thought that would be a big plus since I've liked most of the stuff that he has done. However, this time I was not impressed. Not his best work.
Nolan Kilkenny, who should be known as 'the one man army' based on his unstoppable one man's (a former Navy SEAL) performances against several teams of battle-tested, better-armed former Russian Special Forces throughout the book, is a tiresome character. Many of the supporting characters were much more interesting and I would have preferred it if some of them would have had a greater role throughout the book.
If you are a fan of Tom Clancy and want something that is similar (but not as well done) to hold you over until the next Clancy book, this may fit the bill.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Read by Jerry O'Connell
For once this was an abridgment to an audiobook in which I didn't feel like something important was left out.
Unfortunately, the plot and the characters in Quantum were only so-so. Jerry O'Connell read the story - and at first I thought that would be a big plus since I've liked most of the stuff that he has done. However, this time I was not impressed. Not his best work.
Nolan Kilkenny, who should be known as 'the one man army' based on his unstoppable one man's (a former Navy SEAL) performances against several teams of battle-tested, better-armed former Russian Special Forces throughout the book, is a tiresome character. Many of the supporting characters were much more interesting and I would have preferred it if some of them would have had a greater role throughout the book.
If you are a fan of Tom Clancy and want something that is similar (but not as well done) to hold you over until the next Clancy book, this may fit the bill.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/
February 3, 2011
ODYSSEYA -- An Epic Journey: From Russia to Australia
Great Read. Combines New state of the art science fiction technology with a spy thriller - portraid in a masterly fashion. Written by an Architect turned author - who pays great attention to detail without loosing the reader and avoids 'Wham Bam thank you mam'. Go for it Tom!
My favourite for 2010.
Great Read. Combines New state of the art science fiction technology with a spy thriller - portraid in a masterly fashion. Written by an Architect turned author - who pays great attention to detail without loosing the reader and avoids 'Wham Bam thank you mam'. Go for it Tom!
My favourite for 2010.
February 10, 2013
I enjoyed Quantum Web very much. Giving this book four stars for me is high praise. I have come to only give five stars to the books that "wow" me.
Although Quantum Physics is a very technical/intellectual subject Tom Grace wrote in terms for laymen to understand. I felt like I could relate to the characters and they felt like warm "real" people. I'm glad to learn that Tom Grace has also written an earlier book with some of the same characters.
I would very much like to learn more about these characters and their lives in future books.
Keep writing Mr. Tom Grace!
Although Quantum Physics is a very technical/intellectual subject Tom Grace wrote in terms for laymen to understand. I felt like I could relate to the characters and they felt like warm "real" people. I'm glad to learn that Tom Grace has also written an earlier book with some of the same characters.
I would very much like to learn more about these characters and their lives in future books.
Keep writing Mr. Tom Grace!
August 14, 2011
Awesome. awesome. awesome. Awesome.
This is super cool.. all bout quantum physics abdintriguing shit that u dont get! loooll. Wow, its so interesting.. and the action. whooo, left me breathless. Oh and my best line "no, I'm just gonna stand here and watch you walk toward me, while I mentally undress you each step of the way,"
Total romance! <3
This is super cool.. all bout quantum physics abdintriguing shit that u dont get! loooll. Wow, its so interesting.. and the action. whooo, left me breathless. Oh and my best line "no, I'm just gonna stand here and watch you walk toward me, while I mentally undress you each step of the way,"
Total romance! <3
August 16, 2012
What a page turner!
Dialogue was a little unbelievable at times (many occasions actually)
but who cares about that when you've got an ex Navy SEAL trying to stop a bunch of rich asshole Russians from taking over the world with a free energy device.
It's amazing how quick and easy this book is to read.
I can't wait to read more of Tom Grace's work.
Dialogue was a little unbelievable at times (many occasions actually)
but who cares about that when you've got an ex Navy SEAL trying to stop a bunch of rich asshole Russians from taking over the world with a free energy device.
It's amazing how quick and easy this book is to read.
I can't wait to read more of Tom Grace's work.
November 4, 2013
An utter piece of predictable, cliche-ic crap. Where the bad boys are Russian (duh), the good guys are American (double duh), the protagonist's an ex-SEAL (triple duh) and his blonde, PhD'd girlfriend, after being kidnapped at gunpoint, asks 'Do you think these guys are dangerous?'. All's well that ends well and discovers the TOE.
November 23, 2014
In 1948 a German immigrant to the United States is on the threshold of a fantastic discovery when his hopes of a life in America are terminated. Hald a century later scientists in the USA and Russia are both on the path to discovering quantum power. Nolan Kilkenny will wage a fight across to hemispheres to prevent the Russian from stealing the power.
September 29, 2008
Another good book. Same characters as Spyder Web. James Bond-ish...only the protagonist is a boy-scout, faithfull kinda guy. Good story!
October 28, 2008
This is a good thriller, pretty close to Michael Crichton in entertainment value. I picked up this book solely based on the cover design and title. I'm glad I read it.
April 13, 2013
A interesting fun page turner. My tax dollars at work. Requested online from my library. They found it, shelved it and sent me email say it was ready for pick up.
May 30, 2010
This is the second in the series with the Nolan Kilkenny character. It is a good, fast-paced read with lots of action and a minimum of intimate situations. Recommend the author and the book.
October 22, 2010
an enjoyable, fast paced thriller.
July 30, 2011
'round the world thriller about the possibility of nuclear energy.
January 17, 2012
i enjoyed this book both science and action so for me ideal. although i thought that the russian special forces were done a disservice as they are way tougher and most seals woulnt pass the traing
September 24, 2014
Well this one deserves the 5 stars. Can't wait to get the next one.
April 29, 2017
A fast moving action thriller. It can turn into movie. I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews