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The Tachyon Web
They did it for kicks.
Five young thrill seekers in a stolen spaceship on a joyride to the stars. But one of them had a more dangerous plan- to blast beyond the Tachyon Web, the iron boundary that barred mankind from the worlds beyond.
There they found danger, excitement and heart stopping adventure. And, on a strange alien world, one of them would also find love.
Five young thrill seekers in a stolen spaceship on a joyride to the stars. But one of them had a more dangerous plan- to blast beyond the Tachyon Web, the iron boundary that barred mankind from the worlds beyond.
There they found danger, excitement and heart stopping adventure. And, on a strange alien world, one of them would also find love.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 1986
7 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Pike
261 books5,470 followersChristopher Pike is the pseudonym of Kevin McFadden. He is a bestselling author of young adult and children's fiction who specializes in the thriller genre.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 27, 2018
Working my way through Pike’s novels, I’ve reached he’s third published book - which is a fun space adventure.
I guess that it’s no surprise he’s a Sci-Fi fan, as he’s pen name is a Star Trek character...
It was interesting to read a different genre by him, I liked the premise and the story movie along quite quickly.
I felt the story didn’t quite pay off during the second half, I found myself starting to loose interest.
I’m glad that I’ve read it though, but I much prefer he’s teen revenge storylines.
I guess that it’s no surprise he’s a Sci-Fi fan, as he’s pen name is a Star Trek character...
It was interesting to read a different genre by him, I liked the premise and the story movie along quite quickly.
I felt the story didn’t quite pay off during the second half, I found myself starting to loose interest.
I’m glad that I’ve read it though, but I much prefer he’s teen revenge storylines.
November 8, 2018
I read this in high school. Yes. In high school. And I still love it. Blame the SF geek in me. Yes, convenient plot devising. Yes, corny romantic interest. Yes, Disney ending. But I enjoyed every last bit of it. LOL. Yes Chris Pike is known for his horror/thriller books. But this is my favourite book of his. HOHO. So there.
You can't fight with impressionable-mind-life-stage memories consarned it!!
XD!
You can't fight with impressionable-mind-life-stage memories consarned it!!
XD!
November 6, 2017
I wanted to like this more than I did, because I did and do have an admiration for Christopher Pike, as the "like R L Stine, but better" of my youth. But... this is not very good YA science fiction, and it's not very good science fiction period.
The plot is that Eric Tirel, older teen on Future Earth, signs on to his friend Strem's plan to take a joyride on Strem's uncle's spaceship, going to the mysterious forbidden space beyond the titular tachyon web that prevents anyone without proper authorization from leaving earth space. The five teens are quickly stranded without gas, but discover an alien race nearby that are fleeing their recently supernova'd star. A plan is formed: they'll disguise themselves as aliens, sneak aboard, steal some fuel, and return back to their space, with no one the wiser. Only Eric didn't count on one of the aliens being so gosh darn attractive.
Perhaps this is an unfortunate consequence of a thirty something reading a book written for teens, but any decision Eric made based around the premise that a girl he's known for a few hours is worth risking everything for--and there are a lot of such decisions--is not something I'm willing to take seriously. There's admittedly larger stakes at work as well, the argument being that the human technology could be invaluable to speeding up the aliens' exodus, and depriving them of that tech is morally irresponsible. However, to get a better sense of why the humans withheld their technology in the first place, we need background for both cultures, and Pike tends towards telling over showing on this front. While the personalities of the other four seem strong at the story's beginning, by halfway through, almost everyone but Eric is a nonentity, his would-be alien included. And in case it wasn't clear yet, leaving me with just Eric to hang the story on is not going to win anyone any favors.
(And lest we forget to even mention it: it's kind of preposterous that the aliens don't have faster than light technology, but their fuel is compatible with whatever makes Strem's uncle's ship run. It'd be like going back in time to the 16th century and demanding that the English help fix your nuclear reactor.)
On the other hand, by the story's end, it seems that the only reason the humans are withholding aid from the aliens, even though they knew of the exodus and the destruction of their planet, is because the humans are more afraid of what the aliens could be some day than they are committed to helping those in need. Given a dominant strain of North American belief regarding immigration, that seems a pretty accurate assessment of our character.
I assume people who read my reviews are here for the wild, out of nowhere swings to the left, right?
The plot is that Eric Tirel, older teen on Future Earth, signs on to his friend Strem's plan to take a joyride on Strem's uncle's spaceship, going to the mysterious forbidden space beyond the titular tachyon web that prevents anyone without proper authorization from leaving earth space. The five teens are quickly stranded without gas, but discover an alien race nearby that are fleeing their recently supernova'd star. A plan is formed: they'll disguise themselves as aliens, sneak aboard, steal some fuel, and return back to their space, with no one the wiser. Only Eric didn't count on one of the aliens being so gosh darn attractive.
Perhaps this is an unfortunate consequence of a thirty something reading a book written for teens, but any decision Eric made based around the premise that a girl he's known for a few hours is worth risking everything for--and there are a lot of such decisions--is not something I'm willing to take seriously. There's admittedly larger stakes at work as well, the argument being that the human technology could be invaluable to speeding up the aliens' exodus, and depriving them of that tech is morally irresponsible. However, to get a better sense of why the humans withheld their technology in the first place, we need background for both cultures, and Pike tends towards telling over showing on this front. While the personalities of the other four seem strong at the story's beginning, by halfway through, almost everyone but Eric is a nonentity, his would-be alien included. And in case it wasn't clear yet, leaving me with just Eric to hang the story on is not going to win anyone any favors.
(And lest we forget to even mention it: it's kind of preposterous that the aliens don't have faster than light technology, but their fuel is compatible with whatever makes Strem's uncle's ship run. It'd be like going back in time to the 16th century and demanding that the English help fix your nuclear reactor.)
On the other hand, by the story's end, it seems that the only reason the humans are withholding aid from the aliens, even though they knew of the exodus and the destruction of their planet, is because the humans are more afraid of what the aliens could be some day than they are committed to helping those in need. Given a dominant strain of North American belief regarding immigration, that seems a pretty accurate assessment of our character.
I assume people who read my reviews are here for the wild, out of nowhere swings to the left, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2011
Started this late last night, I think it's the only Pike book from the 80's that I haven't already read (and that includes the Cheerleader series book he wrote early in his career!).
Finished it last night. I'm a HUGE Pike fan, but I prefer his thrillers to his science fiction books- of which this was his first official book. I'm not much of a science fiction fan, most that I have read for pleasure have been more sci-fi fantasy then pure science fiction. But because Pike is the author that he is, I was able to enjoy the characters and the drama of deep space adventure.
Eric goes along with his friends on a dangerous space run, they're already breaking the rules by not having the owner of the ship on board, but Eric's friends Shrem and Sammy are planning on breaking even more rules. They're going to jump the Tachyon Web.
I'll admit, I'm bad with the science fiction parts of the book. Maybe that's why it works for me? This book was written in the 80's so I'm not sure how some of the science has withstood the test of time, or how unrealistic it may seem to sci fi aficionados. So, while I was impressed with some of the plot details, I'm not sure someone with a more sophisticated knowledge of, oh, let's say how the blender works, would enjoy it as much.
I liked the romance and usual teenage angst. I would have liked to see even more of what made some of the minor characters tic- Cleo and Sammy in particular. I liked the ending, it's a little happier than some of Pike's later science fiction-y books like See You Later.
Overall I enjoyed it, but when it comes to Pike I prefer Final Friends or Chain Letter (the first one, not the second). Will I still read everything he ever writes? Yup. I can't help it, I'm a fan for life.
Finished it last night. I'm a HUGE Pike fan, but I prefer his thrillers to his science fiction books- of which this was his first official book. I'm not much of a science fiction fan, most that I have read for pleasure have been more sci-fi fantasy then pure science fiction. But because Pike is the author that he is, I was able to enjoy the characters and the drama of deep space adventure.
Eric goes along with his friends on a dangerous space run, they're already breaking the rules by not having the owner of the ship on board, but Eric's friends Shrem and Sammy are planning on breaking even more rules. They're going to jump the Tachyon Web.
I'll admit, I'm bad with the science fiction parts of the book. Maybe that's why it works for me? This book was written in the 80's so I'm not sure how some of the science has withstood the test of time, or how unrealistic it may seem to sci fi aficionados. So, while I was impressed with some of the plot details, I'm not sure someone with a more sophisticated knowledge of, oh, let's say how the blender works, would enjoy it as much.
I liked the romance and usual teenage angst. I would have liked to see even more of what made some of the minor characters tic- Cleo and Sammy in particular. I liked the ending, it's a little happier than some of Pike's later science fiction-y books like See You Later.
Overall I enjoyed it, but when it comes to Pike I prefer Final Friends or Chain Letter (the first one, not the second). Will I still read everything he ever writes? Yup. I can't help it, I'm a fan for life.
September 13, 2020
Fun teen space adventure.
January 3, 2021
The Tachyon Web: Or, Teen Sci-Fi Funventures!
This is the science fiction story that I wanted to live through as a teenager. Mysteries! Adventures aboard a stolen space ship! Another alien race! Disguises and hijinx and universal diplomacy! I had a blast as I boarded the spaceship with our five teenager characters and set out to explore space. Christopher Pike kept me intrigued with danger, world-building, and interesting plot moves. It was a great fun time for a light science-fiction fan. The characters are a bit cliched and thin, but otherwise, I had fun along this epic space ride. I can't wait for space travel to be a reality! #JetsonsDreams
This is the science fiction story that I wanted to live through as a teenager. Mysteries! Adventures aboard a stolen space ship! Another alien race! Disguises and hijinx and universal diplomacy! I had a blast as I boarded the spaceship with our five teenager characters and set out to explore space. Christopher Pike kept me intrigued with danger, world-building, and interesting plot moves. It was a great fun time for a light science-fiction fan. The characters are a bit cliched and thin, but otherwise, I had fun along this epic space ride. I can't wait for space travel to be a reality! #JetsonsDreams
January 12, 2023
It’s spring break! For some it’s time for surf, sand, and sun. But for Eric and his friends it’s time to steal a spaceship; cross through the Tachyon Web, a boundary set up to keep people from their universe from venturing too far into space; and play savior to some hot golden aliens.
The Tachyon Web is not the worst thing I’ve ever read, but it’s probably best left in the past as Pike’s mostly forgotten foray into science fiction.
Read my full recap and review of The Tachyon Web at The Christopher Pike Project.
The Tachyon Web is not the worst thing I’ve ever read, but it’s probably best left in the past as Pike’s mostly forgotten foray into science fiction.
Read my full recap and review of The Tachyon Web at The Christopher Pike Project.
March 12, 2010
A fun romp through space! Basically you have some teenagers, on spring break, who "borrow" an uncle's "car"... where they get into grouble, grope girls, and get it on with alien women.... but seriously! Fun little read with a little adventure, a little teenage angst, a little teenage romance (awwwww)... and a nice morality play. Thoroughly enjoyable!
August 29, 2011
Re-reading all these classic Pike books... but this one wasn't one of my favorites, simply because it took half the book to get sucked in. But you do, and its classic teen insecurity, adventure, strange worlds or people, and romance (romance in this one, sex in the others, ha!)
July 31, 2011
One of my favorite authors. Some stuff is brilliant, some is just bizarre.
November 17, 2021
I haven't read a book about space travel in forever, probably. I used to love space travel when I was a kid. I read this because I'm on a mission to read all Christopher Pike's book and I started from his first works. I didn't even know what "tachyon" mean...
The book is a bit slow at first and I struggled a bit. It wasn't the book's fault, though: I'm über-tired and usually fall asleep after reading three words on a page. But then it improves. The part when Eric reaches the Kaulikans and interact with them is way better than the beginning.
The insta-love was very instantaneous but...well, not sure if I expected something else. Eric transforming into a leader in three pages was also weird. But the book was enjoyable and that's what's important.
On to Last Act now.
The book is a bit slow at first and I struggled a bit. It wasn't the book's fault, though: I'm über-tired and usually fall asleep after reading three words on a page. But then it improves. The part when Eric reaches the Kaulikans and interact with them is way better than the beginning.
The insta-love was very instantaneous but...well, not sure if I expected something else. Eric transforming into a leader in three pages was also weird. But the book was enjoyable and that's what's important.
On to Last Act now.
December 20, 2023
I read this book when I was in the fourth grade. I believe it was in a free book pile at the library. Couldn’t really comprehend it, and had trouble even pronouncing the word “Tachyon”.
That said, I remember this book, there’s just something about it that I remember. It was the first sci-fi novel I ever picked up, and I haven’t stopped reading since. It was the first time I had ever read a book that had worldbuilding, a futuristic society, commentary on race and economics, and space travel. It was just insane…
As an adult, I may look at it again, but I’m afraid of losing that magic, so I keep this book on a pedestal. I wouldn’t enjoy reading as much as I do if I hadn’t run across this one.
That said, I remember this book, there’s just something about it that I remember. It was the first sci-fi novel I ever picked up, and I haven’t stopped reading since. It was the first time I had ever read a book that had worldbuilding, a futuristic society, commentary on race and economics, and space travel. It was just insane…
As an adult, I may look at it again, but I’m afraid of losing that magic, so I keep this book on a pedestal. I wouldn’t enjoy reading as much as I do if I hadn’t run across this one.
September 8, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect with a Christopher Pike book that goes all-in on science fiction, but I was excited to find out. What I found was that it takes his usual character types and just puts them in space. It's quite a lot of fun! The situations in The Tachyon Web somehow suspended my disbelief more than the situations in Slumber Party. I think writing this kind of book was more fun for Pike, and it shows. I want to read more of his SF, immediately.
March 3, 2019
I'm not a fan of science fiction, but I do like Christopher Pike. It could be because I'm not a science fiction person, but this felt like a slow starting book. I did get interested after the halfway mark. Overall, not a bad book.
September 8, 2024
I love it when a plan goes awry, and turns into an adventure, especially when it includes strange alien races, sweet love interests, and a moral struggle over what we are supposed to do, and what is right. I first read this book as a teen, and even over 20 years later I still loved it.
August 6, 2020
Not one of Pike's best or most compelling. Kind of cliched and predictable.
March 6, 2021
Eh. It was interesting until about 80%. The words he uses...It’s like this was written in a different language.
July 11, 2021
Pretty good
January 21, 2022
One of my favorite YA sci fi books
August 1, 2025
Or how to rebel as a teen when space travel is a thing. Of course consequences are heightened.
Just sucks you in.
Pike really does what he does well. For YA scifi, we are giving this 4 hearts.
Just sucks you in.
Pike really does what he does well. For YA scifi, we are giving this 4 hearts.
November 23, 2025
Pike has a go at sci-fi and it falls a little flat. A bit haphazard in it’s plotting, science and characters.
April 17, 2021
Rated 2.5 really.
RTC
RTC
April 23, 2013
NOTE: review to be edited. Not final version. Temporarily unrestrained blurb.
Alternate alien race concept super awesome. sustainable farms on inter-galactical space crafts, jet packs. the lead character was very brave and determined to make right between the two races. The human race had the technology to travel across the galaxy (universe?? long ways) in mere seconds, AND they knew about the supernova going to happen AND that there was a planet going to be destroyed that housed a race of intelligent life forms (PRODIGIOUSLY alike to the human race in body structure) who had technology and materials to build a humongous (80? 180? 800!?) fleet BUT sadly not the technology to build quick enough engines. AND the human race decided not to help them (i forget the exact reason), although this decision cost the lives of AN ENTIRE PLANET OF LIFE except for selected individuals. Every individual saved in the 80 - 800 spacecraft fleet (each individual ship i remember them referring to as 'planets' or maybe 'earths') had to leave their families and friends behind on their home-world to be destroyed by the dying star. AND FOR SOME REASON THE HUMANS DIDN'T HELP THEM OUT.
the main character falls in love with an alien and also puts two and two together to realize that his race did nothing to help the alien race. With cunning wit, cleverness and determination he arranges a meeting between the generals of each race (about to wage war on one another because the aliens have the potential to steal the technology to make faster ships which will make them more agile across the galaxy which i think i remember being the reason the humans didn't want them to have it, because they didn't want the two races to meet).
all is well in the end. all is love. everyone gets home safe (besides everybody that died on the alien planet... KIND OF FUCKED UP). the aliens have awesome self sustainable farms (doesn't make up for everybody dying).
makes me think, "fuck the human race for being assholes, THEY should be the ones who died instead because the aliens were tough stuff and had much better ways of living". while some of this may be true, the decision to let the alien race get near annihilated was made by a small group of people in the military/government. the same organization inhibiting space travel (an obstacle early on: how to get past the "tachyon web" border patrol).
does this momentous decision reflect the entire perspective of the human race? difficult to say. our hero certainly doesn't think so, as he puts himself in the line of fire (risking arrest/imprisonment/huge fines on home planet) to make things right between the worlds.
what about the rest of the humans? if you were raised to be the president of the world or the leader of our planet's military, disregarding my and Pike's obvious bias, would you help the aliens? Sure. you as a compassionate human being say "of course i would!" but in the situation, with pressure from all sides and everyone saying "SAVE THE HUMANS. ALIENS DIFFERENT. ALIENS BAD. FEAR. PROTECT WHAT IS YOURS". ...
would you ignore what's not your problem
and kill an alien race?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2011
I've read and loved Christopher Pike's books since the late 1980's, but had never gotten to re-reading ”The Tachyon Web” for some reason. Most of his other books deal with life, afterlife and undead life down here on the ground, so it was nice to take a trip outside the atmosphere.
You need not be a fan of science fiction, although as usual Pike blends in deeper, more symbolic (and sociological) elements that transcend such labeling of genre if you so wish to read between the lines. There’s the influence of other science fiction writers, but I simultaneously perceived a very unique storyline. The mood-clothes were a nice touch.
I especially liked the way Pike went against the grain of the usual sci-fi fare by portraying the alien civilization as weaker and less technologically advanced than ourselves. I was impressed to find out that this was one of his first published works, if not the first.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title The Tachyon Web
Author Christopher Pike
Reviewed By Purplycookie
You need not be a fan of science fiction, although as usual Pike blends in deeper, more symbolic (and sociological) elements that transcend such labeling of genre if you so wish to read between the lines. There’s the influence of other science fiction writers, but I simultaneously perceived a very unique storyline. The mood-clothes were a nice touch.
I especially liked the way Pike went against the grain of the usual sci-fi fare by portraying the alien civilization as weaker and less technologically advanced than ourselves. I was impressed to find out that this was one of his first published works, if not the first.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title The Tachyon Web
Author Christopher Pike
Reviewed By Purplycookie
July 23, 2014
I liked this book. It had a good mixture of characters. It had boring description for me. It was however unavoidable because it is futuristic, lengthy description are a given.
The story is perfect all the way to the end. I however hated the part where Eric does not search for ethylene glycol yet his friends lives and ship were in danger. It was clearly uncaring and selfish of him. Pike should have found a way of Eric knowing Tani more without endangering his friends.
The ending was good though….. You never know with Pike.
The story is perfect all the way to the end. I however hated the part where Eric does not search for ethylene glycol yet his friends lives and ship were in danger. It was clearly uncaring and selfish of him. Pike should have found a way of Eric knowing Tani more without endangering his friends.
The ending was good though….. You never know with Pike.
March 25, 2008
I don't know what to say... I really like this book, for as cheesy as it turned out. I almost want to rewrite it, to make it uglier, less mainstream. It might have made a popular kid's movie in the eighties, but alas, it's lost it's commercial appeal. The best thing for it would be to give it a splash of mud and turn it over to an art house. Luc Besson could fix it, I'm sure.
January 31, 2025
His first real hit, imo, and 3rd published book. Pike shines when he’s writing about the unusual, speculative & paranormal. It starts off a bit slow but the last third is very compelling. With the way the ending is left, he could make a whole series out of it too.
February 8, 2012
I might have enjoyed this more had I read it in high school. It was just a so-so read for me, not one of my favorites from Christopher Pike. But then again, I always preferred his thrillers over his more sci-fi stuff.
October 10, 2012
Incredibly childish for science fiction. The aliens just happen to be just like humans except with green eyes. How creative. I got about halfway through the book before moving on, thinking that my time would be better used elsewhere.
Read
September 15, 2015I think this one was the first YA book by Christopher Pike and it was already out of print by the early 90s when I was at my CP reading peak. Good? I have no idea. But does it even matter? I'm two books away from having read them all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews