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Warp Speed #2
The Quantum Connection
Steven Montana, computer whiz and hacker extraordinaire, was attending college in Ohio when his world fell apart. A swarm of huge meteors fell all over the world, on Europe, on the United States, and in particular on Steven¿s home town in California. In an instant, his family and all his friends were gone. Eventually, he learned that the ¿meteor¿ onslaught that had orphaned him had actually been a brief and still secret war between the U.S and its enemies (as told in Warp Speed) using a new warp drive technology that was more secret than top secret. Another secret was that U.S. had been sending faster-than-light ships to other star systems. Most secret of all was that unfriendly aliens were observing the Earth, and while U.S. spaceships were not quite in a war with the unknown aliens, they were shooting at the intruders. Whether any of these answers would do Steven any good was an open question because he learned them only after his was abducted by those very same aliens and was held prisoner on one of their ships orbiting Saturn. At first, he was one of three human prisoners, but he had just seen the aliens completely dissect one of the three, and it looked like either Steven, or the Russian girl who was his fellow prisoner, were scheduled to be the next alien lab experiment. . . .
398 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
26 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Travis S. Taylor
54 books224 followersTravis Shane Taylor is a born and bred southerner and resides just outside Huntsville, Alabama. He has a Doctorate in Optical Science and Engineering, a Master’s degree in Physics, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, all from the University of Alabama in Huntsville; a Master’s degree in Astronomy from the Univ. of Western Sydney, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama.
Dr. Taylor has worked on various programs for the Department of Defense and NASA for the past sixteen years. He is currently working on several advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, space based beamed energy systems, future combat technologies and systems, and next generation space launch concepts. He is also involved with multiple MASINT, SIGINT, IMINT, and HUMINT concept studies.
He has published over 25 papers and the appendix on solar sailing in the 2nd edition of Deep Space Probes by Greg Matloff.
His first science fiction novel is, Warp Speed, and his second is The Quantum Connection published by Baen Publishing. He is also working on two different series with best-selling author John Ringo also by Baen Publishing. He has several other works of both fiction and nonfiction ongoing.
Travis is also a Black Belt martial artist, a private pilot, a SCUBA diver, races mountain and road bikes, competed in triathlons, and has been the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of several hard rock bands. He currently lives with his wife Karen, his daughter Kalista Jade, two dogs Stevie and Wesker, and his cat Kuro.
Dr. Taylor has worked on various programs for the Department of Defense and NASA for the past sixteen years. He is currently working on several advanced propulsion concepts, very large space telescopes, space based beamed energy systems, future combat technologies and systems, and next generation space launch concepts. He is also involved with multiple MASINT, SIGINT, IMINT, and HUMINT concept studies.
He has published over 25 papers and the appendix on solar sailing in the 2nd edition of Deep Space Probes by Greg Matloff.
His first science fiction novel is, Warp Speed, and his second is The Quantum Connection published by Baen Publishing. He is also working on two different series with best-selling author John Ringo also by Baen Publishing. He has several other works of both fiction and nonfiction ongoing.
Travis is also a Black Belt martial artist, a private pilot, a SCUBA diver, races mountain and road bikes, competed in triathlons, and has been the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of several hard rock bands. He currently lives with his wife Karen, his daughter Kalista Jade, two dogs Stevie and Wesker, and his cat Kuro.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 30, 2013
I hoped this book would be better than the last...it's actually worse.
In the last book Dr Clemmons had achieved the pinnacle of human achievement. He was a karate master, astronaut, war hero, super genius physicist. This book the author felt the need to one up himself so he took a fat computer geek, and turned him into an unstoppable super human being.
The main character gives himself super human strength, speed, intelligence with the help from alien technology. While at it, his girlfriend turns herself into a buxom super beauty, reminiscent of Wonder Woman. He does this in a scene that makes me think of erotic internet fan fiction, it gave me the willies. The main character then proceeds to trounce the two evil alien races, without difficulty. He betters their technology in a year with his super team, in what took the aliens millennia. He does this through good old American human ingenuity.
As is the authors want, the last 20 pages of the book he crams in super cool thoughts that other authors would develop into a series, but our author doesn't have the time for such things.
In the last book Dr Clemmons had achieved the pinnacle of human achievement. He was a karate master, astronaut, war hero, super genius physicist. This book the author felt the need to one up himself so he took a fat computer geek, and turned him into an unstoppable super human being.
The main character gives himself super human strength, speed, intelligence with the help from alien technology. While at it, his girlfriend turns herself into a buxom super beauty, reminiscent of Wonder Woman. He does this in a scene that makes me think of erotic internet fan fiction, it gave me the willies. The main character then proceeds to trounce the two evil alien races, without difficulty. He betters their technology in a year with his super team, in what took the aliens millennia. He does this through good old American human ingenuity.
As is the authors want, the last 20 pages of the book he crams in super cool thoughts that other authors would develop into a series, but our author doesn't have the time for such things.
January 5, 2023
2021 Reread: A bit better than the first book. I enjoyed it! 3.5 stars.
June 13, 2025
Not usually the type of book I read but it was ok. It’s very scientific and technical which after a while I just kind of zoned out during the explanation of certain things. I really liked the first part of the book as it was focused on earth and the mysteries that were taking place. And when chaos strikes the story complete takes off to another place and it’s just a crazy journey from there.
December 17, 2007
This book wasn't as good as the first book. Again we go with the geek guy who is clueless towards women. The thing about this book is that the nanomachines (which the author says could theoretically be a reality some day) are a lot like a 9th level wizard spell from D&D. In other words, super high powered magic. The heroes didn't have enough serious challenges due to their ability to master significantly more powerful alien tech. It just wasn't very well written.
February 9, 2018
A swarm of meteors hit the Earth and wipes out Steven Montana's world as he knew it. His entire family and hometown are gone. The only thing from his early life that he has left is his pet dog. After this tragedy, Steven hasa hard time adjusting to his new life. He drops out of college and ends up working in a video game store. One day he is approached by a man that offers a chance to really use his computer skills in a top secret government program. This job will open up a world of secrets that Stephen could never have imagined.
This is actually a sequel to the book, Warp Speed. I have never read that book and kept putting off reading this one because I don't usually like to read the sequel first. But one day, I grabbed this book to read while I was going to have down time between errands since I forgot it was a sequel. Having nothing to read, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. This book stands alone with no problem. From what I gathered, both books have some common characters but they each focus on different characters having separate but connected adventures.
This book uses a lot of cutting edge physics. As in stuff so new, that they are still thinking of ways to try and explore them. The author does a remarkable job of making some pretty heady physics easy to follow for the reader without resorting to making it feel like a teacher is explaining it to you in a classroom. There is plenty of adventure thrown in to balance the science as well. Even though this book is nearly 400 pages and has a lot of hard science, the pace is extremely quick.
There were a few points that caught my attention. They aren't problems, just things that stood out to me. First, the book was written in 2005. So you have the strange juxtaposition of cutting edge physics and a guy to comments that he really needs to get a cell phone and regularly uses a payphone. The second thing is the reactions of Stephen and Tatiana when they first liberate themselves and discover the nanobots. The instalove thing is never that believable in stories. Also. I can understand their body modifications but Tatiana's sounds more like how a guy would imagine (or maybe hope is a better word) that a girl would modify herself. (Not surprising considering it is a male author. Haha) Finally, once Stephen and Tatiana start getting the upper edge for themselves, it almost becomes too easy for the good guys.
This is actually a sequel to the book, Warp Speed. I have never read that book and kept putting off reading this one because I don't usually like to read the sequel first. But one day, I grabbed this book to read while I was going to have down time between errands since I forgot it was a sequel. Having nothing to read, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. This book stands alone with no problem. From what I gathered, both books have some common characters but they each focus on different characters having separate but connected adventures.
This book uses a lot of cutting edge physics. As in stuff so new, that they are still thinking of ways to try and explore them. The author does a remarkable job of making some pretty heady physics easy to follow for the reader without resorting to making it feel like a teacher is explaining it to you in a classroom. There is plenty of adventure thrown in to balance the science as well. Even though this book is nearly 400 pages and has a lot of hard science, the pace is extremely quick.
There were a few points that caught my attention. They aren't problems, just things that stood out to me. First, the book was written in 2005. So you have the strange juxtaposition of cutting edge physics and a guy to comments that he really needs to get a cell phone and regularly uses a payphone. The second thing is the reactions of Stephen and Tatiana when they first liberate themselves and discover the nanobots. The instalove thing is never that believable in stories. Also. I can understand their body modifications but Tatiana's sounds more like how a guy would imagine (or maybe hope is a better word) that a girl would modify herself. (Not surprising considering it is a male author. Haha) Finally, once Stephen and Tatiana start getting the upper edge for themselves, it almost becomes too easy for the good guys.
February 19, 2022
No stakes, no conflict. Everything just comes easily to our protagonists. Especially a back for genocide and a jingoistic philosophy that carried over from the previous book. Reader beware Taylor has a folksy way if spinning a yarn but t this point in his writing career he didn't have much of a grasp of three act structure or making characters who aren't Mary Sues...
October 28, 2017
Unfortunately the book started slow - TMI on computerspeak - once I got further into the book it flowed fine - perhaps if I reread Warp Speed I may have been able to grasp the concept right away.
December 19, 2018
Bad. One supposed scientist characterizes the book as "very cutting-edge physics". What? Well possibly but for the average reader like myself who just wants to have fun in a good story, the agonizing detail and scientific jibber-jabber just didn't get it done. The story-line of one human being able to transform themselves into a super being who easily defeats the vastly superior alien forces is juvenile at best and simply trite to an extreme. The fact that the author does not shy away from getting mad at or killing aliens, albeit in a distant and non-messy manner is marginally refreshing insofar as it seems political correctness nowadays is by-and-large preventing authors from indulging in killing scenes. Pretty bad.
August 21, 2019
I enjoyed this
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
November 17, 2023
A great sequel. I found this book to be a lot more exciting than the first.
January 1, 2025
First I have to say the name Steven Montana is cool, I am from Montana. This is a good science fiction read to add to your to be read lsit.
November 24, 2011
Computer geek Steven Montana was left alone in the world after the secret war in Warp Speed. Life is looking up as he gets a job for the government working on top secret stuff. Then it all goes to hell as he is abducted by aliens (again, as it turns out). At that point, the story changes scope significantly, as Steven hooks up with the protagonists of Warp Speed and they fight a war for the survival of humanity in a hostile galaxy.
This format of this novel is Heinleinian romp straight out of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. But there are differences. All the science is cutting edge, with quantum entanglement, computer agents and nanomachines to name but a few things. The generally positive outlook on humanity and charming naif tone from the prequel remain. Steven is an archetypal good guy who gets the intelligent and pretty girl (how the latter happens is a bit unusual, but still). It is also a novel of how opportunity for personal growth and turning yourself around can lurk behind the most unlikely corner.
Just like it’s predecessor, this one was immensely enjoyable. It is pure, shameless fun. The characters are perhaps a bit over the top but it feels as if the author does this very much on purpose, with a glint of mischief in his eye. All the Golden Age clichés are treated with respect and irreverence both, as this book harkens back to a simpler time, reminding us that goold old fashioned heroes can help us navigate today’s more complex moral landscape.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1412
This format of this novel is Heinleinian romp straight out of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. But there are differences. All the science is cutting edge, with quantum entanglement, computer agents and nanomachines to name but a few things. The generally positive outlook on humanity and charming naif tone from the prequel remain. Steven is an archetypal good guy who gets the intelligent and pretty girl (how the latter happens is a bit unusual, but still). It is also a novel of how opportunity for personal growth and turning yourself around can lurk behind the most unlikely corner.
Just like it’s predecessor, this one was immensely enjoyable. It is pure, shameless fun. The characters are perhaps a bit over the top but it feels as if the author does this very much on purpose, with a glint of mischief in his eye. All the Golden Age clichés are treated with respect and irreverence both, as this book harkens back to a simpler time, reminding us that goold old fashioned heroes can help us navigate today’s more complex moral landscape.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1412
November 27, 2010
Interesting read. However I was unable to connect to the main character, nor could I muster up strong feelings against the antagonists. This isn't all bad, since my ability to put myself in the characters place is directly related to how much stress (or excitement) I experience reading a book. In this case, it was a very low stress book.
The author highlights three major technological advances based in current science theory: nanotechology, quantum teleportation, and artificial intelligence. The vast majority of which is directly stolen from a race of human abducting aliens.
Compared to some of the really bad scifi I've read over the years, I gave it an average score. So, if you are looking for a book that has some interesting ideas, but not a lot of emotional commitment, you may enjoy it.
Bought as a DRM-free ebook from Baen Publishing.
The author highlights three major technological advances based in current science theory: nanotechology, quantum teleportation, and artificial intelligence. The vast majority of which is directly stolen from a race of human abducting aliens.
Compared to some of the really bad scifi I've read over the years, I gave it an average score. So, if you are looking for a book that has some interesting ideas, but not a lot of emotional commitment, you may enjoy it.
Bought as a DRM-free ebook from Baen Publishing.
May 9, 2011
A lot of folks think this is terrible writing--someone even suggested he never write anything else again. But what is terrible writing? What is good writing? There certainly weren't a lot of grammatical errors. I think good writing is something that makes you come away feeling good, feeling entertained, feeling educated, feeling humbled, in short, somehow feeling like you are in some way better off for having read it. I had a good time reading it. It was fun. It wasn't a highbrow read, and it definitely wasn't Simon Winchester. It was just plain fun. If that's not enough, then go read Winchester, Melville, etc. Yes, a lot of it was silly. But so was the movie Airplane. And wasn't Einstein being a bit silly when he described quantum menchanics as "spooky action at a distance"? 'Nuff said?
June 25, 2016
Like many SF stories which concentrate on the science and the implications of new technologies, the book shows a serious lack of narrative sophistication and story development. If you are bothered by that, do not bother with reading this book. It is almost pure wish-fulfillment using a ridiculous rate of technological evolvement in the wake of one accidental discovery made by alien abductees able to overpower their abductors. Sounds ridiculous? Well, it is. Under duress deciphering alien technology, overpowering your captors and then using their technology better than they are able to? The main protagonist is a computer geek and the story reads for the most part like the plot line of a fast-paced video game. On the other hand, if you are interested in the concept introduced, nanotechnology, AI, body modification, transhumanism, then you might give this book a try.
February 25, 2011
A pretty good space opera that fantasizes about the theoretical possibilities that can be achieved by mastering quantum physics.
Guaranteed to give your inner geek-techno-nerd spasms of delight.
Nanotechnology coupled with a PS (Personal Supercomputer) to make us beautiful, super intelligent, healthy, strong, and indestructible while giving complete mastery of the world around us.
Warp technology for super shields and speed.
A universe wide quantum internet guarded by aliens who are clueless about hackers and security.
Add a dash of aliens who are stupid or at least have some pretty large blind spots.
What a fun book, even if the bad guys never stood a chance.
Guaranteed to give your inner geek-techno-nerd spasms of delight.
Nanotechnology coupled with a PS (Personal Supercomputer) to make us beautiful, super intelligent, healthy, strong, and indestructible while giving complete mastery of the world around us.
Warp technology for super shields and speed.
A universe wide quantum internet guarded by aliens who are clueless about hackers and security.
Add a dash of aliens who are stupid or at least have some pretty large blind spots.
What a fun book, even if the bad guys never stood a chance.
October 17, 2015
This takes the "written from the perspective of a tween telling a story" of the first book and enhances it with a dash of "Hey, I'm going to make myself super amazing awesome with nano-technology".
Expect lots of humanity for some reason being able to out think and out perform against alien species that have conquered half the galaxy, and even more insults to the medical profession than the first book.
It was hard to force myself through this one...it looses the redeeming features of the first novel, and, in fact, goes back and erases a lot of them. "Oh look, aliens did it all along" style.
Expect lots of humanity for some reason being able to out think and out perform against alien species that have conquered half the galaxy, and even more insults to the medical profession than the first book.
It was hard to force myself through this one...it looses the redeeming features of the first novel, and, in fact, goes back and erases a lot of them. "Oh look, aliens did it all along" style.
March 6, 2013
Just like the first book in this series, 'Warp Speed,' this one confuses me. When I am reading it i'm completely taken in, between readings I find myself reflecting on the comic-book plot and events and think, 'Oh come on! Seriously?' Less science and more space opera than the first book, just as immersive and fun. If you like 'old-school' science fiction give this a whirl- it's a first rate pop-corn read.
June 8, 2016
I didn't learn after the first book, so I read this one too. The speculative physics are interesting, if you're into that sort of thing. (You know who you are.) The story comes across as Flash Gordon-esque, which I don't suppose is an entirely bad thing. If you read Warp Speed and then pick this up, you basically know what you're going to get.
August 8, 2016
The sequel to 'Warp Speed', is all one could expect from it's predecessor.
Our hero, Travis (sorry, Anson Clemmons), fresh from completing a hard days genocide, takes on evil aliens and outsmarts the stupid fellows with his stupefyingly clever brilliance and derring-do.
And he has a cute girlfriend. What is not to like....
Our hero, Travis (sorry, Anson Clemmons), fresh from completing a hard days genocide, takes on evil aliens and outsmarts the stupid fellows with his stupefyingly clever brilliance and derring-do.
And he has a cute girlfriend. What is not to like....
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May 1, 2016Excellent application of current theory .
What I like best about these books is that they are a fantastic application. They take what we know now and expanded possible uses in the future
What I like best about these books is that they are a fantastic application. They take what we know now and expanded possible uses in the future
June 6, 2020
Fun and Games with the Aliens
Are there really aliens out there? If there are, are they good guys or bad guys? Want a super-course in physics? Read this book! It's a really fun romp through our galaxy!
Are there really aliens out there? If there are, are they good guys or bad guys? Want a super-course in physics? Read this book! It's a really fun romp through our galaxy!
May 24, 2016
Alien abductions, oh my! Explanations and use of SF story plots as action points moves this space opera right along.
May 5, 2011
Very imaginative. The poor antagonists never really had a chance but that makes for a great techno geek fantasy. A very fun read, but it wouldn't be difficult for a literature snob to bash.
July 24, 2016
I really liked the first half of the book (4 stars), but the second half was i little over the top in my eyes so that drags the book down a bit for my.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews