What do you think?
Rate this book
Leap
One small step could ruin mankind’s greatest leap...
Brilliant scientist, Uma Jakobsdóttir, harbours a chilling family secret. One that shattered her father's mind. And now she's ready to unleash it on the world, with the help of troubled billionaire, Ethan Rae.
Known as LEAP, it promises Earth's salvation—a second chance for humanity...until it falls into the wrong hands.
In a desperate race to recover LEAP, Uma and Ethan are forced to confront their own dark pasts as they begin to question what it means to be human.
Brilliant scientist, Uma Jakobsdóttir, harbours a chilling family secret. One that shattered her father's mind. And now she's ready to unleash it on the world, with the help of troubled billionaire, Ethan Rae.
Known as LEAP, it promises Earth's salvation—a second chance for humanity...until it falls into the wrong hands.
In a desperate race to recover LEAP, Uma and Ethan are forced to confront their own dark pasts as they begin to question what it means to be human.
317 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2023
44 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
About the author
O.C. Heaton
7 books70 followersI write what I love to read - globetrotting, big issue thrillers that are super well researched inside complex plots full of twists and turns.
The result of the above is The Race Is On Series, an idea I had on a trip to Iceland. The first in the series is called LEAP, which tells the tale of a device which has the power to halt global warming. The ensuing race to control the power of this machine continues in:
- Green Ray, Book 2,
- ATOM INC, Book 3, and
- Godwin's Revenge, Book 4, which launches 31st March 2025.
I have also written a prequel to The Race Is On series called MAD which you can download for FREE off my website.
I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me - loads of time for research and of course writing!
The result of the above is The Race Is On Series, an idea I had on a trip to Iceland. The first in the series is called LEAP, which tells the tale of a device which has the power to halt global warming. The ensuing race to control the power of this machine continues in:
- Green Ray, Book 2,
- ATOM INC, Book 3, and
- Godwin's Revenge, Book 4, which launches 31st March 2025.
I have also written a prequel to The Race Is On series called MAD which you can download for FREE off my website.
I live in Leeds, UK with the love of my life and our two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for me - loads of time for research and of course writing!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 12, 2025
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4⭐️
Leap is such a strong introduction to the Race Is On series. To start, there are several players, and each is given grounded motives, believable traits, and differentiating mannerisms. I found Ethan, Uma, Anderson, Reynolds, Grond, and Agent Forbes were each fully developed, and meticulously crafted, which made for a great narration style switching between their points of view. I was a bit confused by the inclusion of some sexual ideation and fantasy for Ethan and Anderson. It seemed like Anderson's behavior was written to be abhorrent, and Ethan's subsequent behavior and ideation are similarly unwelcome, but there were other times when Ethan's fantasies weren't clearly positive or negative; just felt a little off and creepy to me as a female reader. I couldn't tell whether to root for the chemistry I was reading or be totally turned off by it. This isn't a huge part of the characterization, but it was noteworthy to me.
The tech in Leap is simultaneously simple in its practicality, and marvelously complex in its scientifically reasonable explanation and moral ambiguity. The ethical implications and consequences of the tech are thoroughly explored and utilized in the story, and it makes for some of the best speculative moral quandaries I've read in this genre. This is the standout strength of the story. I absolutely LOVED the development of this tech, its rules, and how it was utilized to both address a real-world dilemma and also raise thought-provoking hypotheticals for the reader. Fascinating, terrifying, gripping stuff!
The plot of Leap is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of great set-up and payoff. Particularly, the action scenes are well-placed, detailed, suspenseful, and perfect for the genre. Heaton has a talent for writing these moment-to-moment thrill rides that had me on the edge of my seat. While the setups are strong, they are almost too strong in that some of the payoff was predictable for me. It didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book, but I am hoping for even more twists I can't predict as the series continues! I am mentally invested, but not emotionally all-in yet. So, I'm also excited to feel more attached as the series continues.
This is thematically strong, exploring the nature of the self, the temptation to cheat death, and the question of what makes a person what they are. There are plenty of moral conundrums, questions of identity, and speculation about the nature of the soul. This is the good stuff. Tucked in, Heaton writes about grief, legacy, social responsibility, the climate crisis, mental fortitude, and PTSD. There's a range of subtle to more obvious themes, all great for discussion and pondering. Heaton clearly leans hard into the speculation side of speculative fiction and doesn't avoid any of the implications.
I'm so excited to recommend this to my fellow techno-thriller readers and to continue this series!
Note: I was NOT compensated for this review, and have written it unprompted. However, I was sent this book as a gift with compensation to feature this title on another platform.
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4⭐️
Leap is such a strong introduction to the Race Is On series. To start, there are several players, and each is given grounded motives, believable traits, and differentiating mannerisms. I found Ethan, Uma, Anderson, Reynolds, Grond, and Agent Forbes were each fully developed, and meticulously crafted, which made for a great narration style switching between their points of view. I was a bit confused by the inclusion of some sexual ideation and fantasy for Ethan and Anderson. It seemed like Anderson's behavior was written to be abhorrent, and Ethan's subsequent behavior and ideation are similarly unwelcome, but there were other times when Ethan's fantasies weren't clearly positive or negative; just felt a little off and creepy to me as a female reader. I couldn't tell whether to root for the chemistry I was reading or be totally turned off by it. This isn't a huge part of the characterization, but it was noteworthy to me.
The tech in Leap is simultaneously simple in its practicality, and marvelously complex in its scientifically reasonable explanation and moral ambiguity. The ethical implications and consequences of the tech are thoroughly explored and utilized in the story, and it makes for some of the best speculative moral quandaries I've read in this genre. This is the standout strength of the story. I absolutely LOVED the development of this tech, its rules, and how it was utilized to both address a real-world dilemma and also raise thought-provoking hypotheticals for the reader. Fascinating, terrifying, gripping stuff!
The plot of Leap is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of great set-up and payoff. Particularly, the action scenes are well-placed, detailed, suspenseful, and perfect for the genre. Heaton has a talent for writing these moment-to-moment thrill rides that had me on the edge of my seat. While the setups are strong, they are almost too strong in that some of the payoff was predictable for me. It didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book, but I am hoping for even more twists I can't predict as the series continues! I am mentally invested, but not emotionally all-in yet. So, I'm also excited to feel more attached as the series continues.
This is thematically strong, exploring the nature of the self, the temptation to cheat death, and the question of what makes a person what they are. There are plenty of moral conundrums, questions of identity, and speculation about the nature of the soul. This is the good stuff. Tucked in, Heaton writes about grief, legacy, social responsibility, the climate crisis, mental fortitude, and PTSD. There's a range of subtle to more obvious themes, all great for discussion and pondering. Heaton clearly leans hard into the speculation side of speculative fiction and doesn't avoid any of the implications.
I'm so excited to recommend this to my fellow techno-thriller readers and to continue this series!
Note: I was NOT compensated for this review, and have written it unprompted. However, I was sent this book as a gift with compensation to feature this title on another platform.
January 16, 2025
This had me hooked from the first page as we are thrown straight into the action. It has everything I love in a book, and the mixed genres of sci-fi/thriller/crime worked so well. It was a page turner as I needed to see how the story would unfold. Some parts were full of tension... the ending has me ready for book 2!
Billionaire Ethan meets Uma at a lecture on green technology and is soon transported into a whole new way of looking at the world. Ethan knows LEAP is going to be huge, beyond his wildest dreams and he is ready to invest in it. Uma hopes it can save the world from humanities destruction. However, they are not the only ones who have a use for this technology and some people will stop at nothing to get what they want.
I really liked Uma and Ethan’s characters, they felt well rounded and this made the stakes feel higher as I wanted them to succeed. The book is full of fast-paced action and it felt believable
The pacing is great and kept me invested throughout. It is well written and the writing flows nicely and you feel part of the action. I thought the science/technology elements were explained well and seemed convincing. It also captures some deep themes such as sense of self, creation, humanity, morality, global warming, greed and selfishness.
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review which I'm leaving voluntarily.
Billionaire Ethan meets Uma at a lecture on green technology and is soon transported into a whole new way of looking at the world. Ethan knows LEAP is going to be huge, beyond his wildest dreams and he is ready to invest in it. Uma hopes it can save the world from humanities destruction. However, they are not the only ones who have a use for this technology and some people will stop at nothing to get what they want.
I really liked Uma and Ethan’s characters, they felt well rounded and this made the stakes feel higher as I wanted them to succeed. The book is full of fast-paced action and it felt believable
The pacing is great and kept me invested throughout. It is well written and the writing flows nicely and you feel part of the action. I thought the science/technology elements were explained well and seemed convincing. It also captures some deep themes such as sense of self, creation, humanity, morality, global warming, greed and selfishness.
With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book. This is my honest review which I'm leaving voluntarily.
February 29, 2024
Leap is book one in The Race Is on Series by O.C Heaton.
The novel follows Ethan, who is known for his billions, but his latest business Venture is about to really put him on the map: a teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as "Leap', the system is capable of giving Ethan the second chance he needs, that is until it falls into the wrong hands.
I truly loved this novel. The novel takes you all over the globe, from Iceland to London and New York and the authors writing is so good that he makes you feel like that you are in the novel along with the characters. Leap is a techno thriller and very different from anything else that I have read. I was hooked from the very first page and kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. A truly brilliant novel that I highly recommend.
❤️ Thank you to the author, O.C Heaton and Zooloobooktours for my gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
The novel follows Ethan, who is known for his billions, but his latest business Venture is about to really put him on the map: a teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as "Leap', the system is capable of giving Ethan the second chance he needs, that is until it falls into the wrong hands.
I truly loved this novel. The novel takes you all over the globe, from Iceland to London and New York and the authors writing is so good that he makes you feel like that you are in the novel along with the characters. Leap is a techno thriller and very different from anything else that I have read. I was hooked from the very first page and kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. A truly brilliant novel that I highly recommend.
❤️ Thank you to the author, O.C Heaton and Zooloobooktours for my gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
February 28, 2024
Wow. That word hardly is good enough to sum up Leap but it will have to suffice. This Technothriller packs a mighty punch, grabs you from the first page and does not let go, not that you would want it to!
The first thing I loved about this was the pace and mixture of genres. I mean we have some pretty intense action in the first page so I am not sure how you can beat that. That said it doesn’t feel rushed or that the focus is solely on action and thrills. We actually get a lot of philosophical and ethical moments in this book. Some of which I feel are very prominently with our relationship with technology and AI currently. Now I won’t go into spoilers, I never do, but let me say Heaton does a masterful job at putting forward several view points.
Speaking of that the characters are perfect. They are flawed but incredibly human. I loved Uma the most. She is such a strong character and I adored following her journey, even if it was one heck of a rollercoaster ride. Ethan was also any interesting character. While he is a billionaire he seems to keep a bit more humanity than others, such as Samuel Reynolds who focuses on profits over people…a bit like some real life billionaires who own certain media platforms.
If you worry that because this is a techno thriller it may be filled with too much technical jargon – fear not. It is but we get to understand what it all means. I am most certainly not a physicist or up to date with science in general but I could follow on what was happening and was totally entranced. I suppose it helps watching all that Star Trek and Star Wars! But in all seriousness you will not be lost in the science (which is well researched and realistically applied). This is because Heaton’s masterful writing. We are guided along with the story and science but in such a way that there aren’t large information dumps or anything like that. We find out in the natural flow of the story what LEAP is and what it can do and more importantly what others are willing to do to control it. There are also numerous twists and turns that keep you guessing!
I cannot wait to start the second book in this series and I think it is perfect for any thriller fan out there but will also appeal to those who prefer a more scientific or almost science fiction read. But the thing that does set this out is that while currently we can’t teleport people or clone them (yet) or revive the dead Heaton presents a world were this is possible and not once do you question it or have to suspend disbelief because his writing makes it seem so natural, so normal. Indeed it is both exciting and terrifying to look at the world of LEAP and see it’s not so far away from our own. Perhaps in a few years we will face the same dilemmas? Best of all throughout the novel Heaton keeps the question at the forefront of what it means to be human and how far people will go to gain control.
The first thing I loved about this was the pace and mixture of genres. I mean we have some pretty intense action in the first page so I am not sure how you can beat that. That said it doesn’t feel rushed or that the focus is solely on action and thrills. We actually get a lot of philosophical and ethical moments in this book. Some of which I feel are very prominently with our relationship with technology and AI currently. Now I won’t go into spoilers, I never do, but let me say Heaton does a masterful job at putting forward several view points.
Speaking of that the characters are perfect. They are flawed but incredibly human. I loved Uma the most. She is such a strong character and I adored following her journey, even if it was one heck of a rollercoaster ride. Ethan was also any interesting character. While he is a billionaire he seems to keep a bit more humanity than others, such as Samuel Reynolds who focuses on profits over people…a bit like some real life billionaires who own certain media platforms.
If you worry that because this is a techno thriller it may be filled with too much technical jargon – fear not. It is but we get to understand what it all means. I am most certainly not a physicist or up to date with science in general but I could follow on what was happening and was totally entranced. I suppose it helps watching all that Star Trek and Star Wars! But in all seriousness you will not be lost in the science (which is well researched and realistically applied). This is because Heaton’s masterful writing. We are guided along with the story and science but in such a way that there aren’t large information dumps or anything like that. We find out in the natural flow of the story what LEAP is and what it can do and more importantly what others are willing to do to control it. There are also numerous twists and turns that keep you guessing!
I cannot wait to start the second book in this series and I think it is perfect for any thriller fan out there but will also appeal to those who prefer a more scientific or almost science fiction read. But the thing that does set this out is that while currently we can’t teleport people or clone them (yet) or revive the dead Heaton presents a world were this is possible and not once do you question it or have to suspend disbelief because his writing makes it seem so natural, so normal. Indeed it is both exciting and terrifying to look at the world of LEAP and see it’s not so far away from our own. Perhaps in a few years we will face the same dilemmas? Best of all throughout the novel Heaton keeps the question at the forefront of what it means to be human and how far people will go to gain control.
March 1, 2023
didn't know what to expect from this book, but, what I got, I really enjoyed.
It is well written with a compelling story and well developed characters. It is a fast paced thriller that is full of action and I couldn't put it down. The atmosphere and action left me on the edge of my seat and not knowing what to believe or think. I was kept guessing all the way through.
A fantastic read that has left me wanting more from these characters and from this author in general. I really liked it.
It is well written with a compelling story and well developed characters. It is a fast paced thriller that is full of action and I couldn't put it down. The atmosphere and action left me on the edge of my seat and not knowing what to believe or think. I was kept guessing all the way through.
A fantastic read that has left me wanting more from these characters and from this author in general. I really liked it.
February 23, 2023
Leap is a real fast paced, action thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. The first half of the novel sets the scene and builds up the action and then at the halfway point I just couldn’t put the book down, I had to find out what was going to happen next and the tension made me quite nervous at times. Ethan and Uma are great main characters and I am looking forward to reading more OC Heaton in the future.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
February 26, 2024
Leap by OC Heaton, the first book of 'The Race is On' series, offers a thrilling ride through the world of quantum teleportation and its dangerous consequences. Ethan Rae is a billionaire businessman on the verge of solving global warming with his groundbreaking invention - which is called ‘LEAP’. However, when playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds steals LEAP and attempts to destroy Ethan's partner, Uma Jakobsdóttir, the stakes rise to unimaginable and exciting levels.
The author skillfully navigates the race to recover LEAP, taking readers from the frozen landscapes of Iceland to the vibrant streets of New York City. Along the way, Ethan and Uma face harrowing sacrifices that test their determination. As they delve deeper into the possibilities of LEAP, the characters must confront moral dilemmas surrounding cloning, reviving the dead, and merging minds and species.
Heaton weaves a compelling tale that explores humanity's relationship with cutting-edge technology. Through his intricate plot and well developed characters, he raises many thought provoking questions about the nature of being human. The technothriller genre is brought life in Leap, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they are compelled to question their own perceptions of humanity.
Overall, Leap is a captivating and thought provoking read that intricately balances action, suspense, and ethical dilemmas. With its exciting plot and engaging characters, OC Heaton sets the stage for an enthralling series that addresses the fundamental questions of our existence. I couldn’t wait to pick up the second book!
March 2, 2024
Leap by OC Heaton.
Book one of the race is on series.
Ethan Rae is known for his billions, but his latest business venture is about to really put him on the map: a quantum teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as LEAP, the system is capable of providing Earth’s ultimate second chance...until it falls into the wrong hands. When playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III snatches LEAP out from under Ethan’s nose, he adds insult to injury by attempting to destroy Ethan’s business partner, Uma Jakobsdóttir. But this is no malicious whim. As the daughter of its creator, Uma enforces the LEAP Laws.
Because of its potentially devastating capabilities, LEAP users must not clone people, revive the dead, or merge minds and species. But in the race to recover their precious piece of tech, Ethan and Uma are faced with sacrifices that push their resolve to breaking point. From the frozen wastelands of Iceland, to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a technothriller that will keep you questioning what it means to be human.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover. Action from the start. I did not want to put this down. I did like Ethan and Uma. Twisty and gripping. I read in 2 sitting. I did like the Iceland features and the city with the lights and busyness. Omgosh I certainly didn't see that coming. Double twist. I am left wondering certain things but hopefully book 2 will answer. I am looking forward to the next book. 5*.
Book one of the race is on series.
Ethan Rae is known for his billions, but his latest business venture is about to really put him on the map: a quantum teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as LEAP, the system is capable of providing Earth’s ultimate second chance...until it falls into the wrong hands. When playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III snatches LEAP out from under Ethan’s nose, he adds insult to injury by attempting to destroy Ethan’s business partner, Uma Jakobsdóttir. But this is no malicious whim. As the daughter of its creator, Uma enforces the LEAP Laws.
Because of its potentially devastating capabilities, LEAP users must not clone people, revive the dead, or merge minds and species. But in the race to recover their precious piece of tech, Ethan and Uma are faced with sacrifices that push their resolve to breaking point. From the frozen wastelands of Iceland, to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a technothriller that will keep you questioning what it means to be human.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover. Action from the start. I did not want to put this down. I did like Ethan and Uma. Twisty and gripping. I read in 2 sitting. I did like the Iceland features and the city with the lights and busyness. Omgosh I certainly didn't see that coming. Double twist. I am left wondering certain things but hopefully book 2 will answer. I am looking forward to the next book. 5*.
November 16, 2022
Sometimes you encounter a book that just leaves you shaking your head at the insight and intelligence of the author. When that book is combined with a decent plot it becomes even more attractive.
In LEAP, O.C. Heaton poses questions and dilemmas that might never have occurred to me. Dr. Uma Jakobsdóttir has followed in her father’s path to become one of the leading geothermal scientists in the world. Secretly, she has pursued another path her father initiated: instantaneous travel to anywhere in the world. Her father had done much of the groundwork for this technology. Uma had worked to complete it but needed a financial and business backer to make it a reality.
Enter Ethan Rae. Ethan is a businessman who specializes in making technologies better and cheaper, forcing other companies to match his prices or go bankrupt. He is also known for his philanthropy, donating 40% of his personal salary to worthy projects around the world. Uma has chosen Ethan to be her benefactor. Ethan is understandably wary, but once Uma proves that her technology works he is entirely on board.
Uma has drawn up four inviolable laws to govern the use of LEAP. 1) You cannot “copy” a person. You start with one woman, you end with one woman. 2) You cannot restore someone to life who has died by using an older LEAP copy of them. The files get destroyed with the demise of the person. 3) You can’t alter memory. Once LEAP scans a person, their memories are frozen in the computer along with a file of their physical bodies. If someone experiences trauma, they cannot use LEAP to restore their memories to an earlier version. 4) You cannot use LEAP to merge a person with another creature.
If you have read any fiction then you will assume correctly that these laws fall apart almost immediately. An emergency arises and two people get merged, one of whom was dead. Separating the two bodies changes the memories and personality of the living person. Before they are ready to release the technology into the world, they are confronting enormous ethical dilemmas.
Furthermore, despite their efforts to keep the project secret, a rogue businessman hears of it. At first he tries to make his own version. When that fails, he moves to corporate espionage, theft, and murder.
LEAP posits a seemingly impossible technology (though lots of other Star Trek technologies have come to be so who knows?). Buried within that technology may be an insurmountable number of ethical dilemmas. What is the point of saving the world if you decimate civilization to do it?
In LEAP, O.C. Heaton poses questions and dilemmas that might never have occurred to me. Dr. Uma Jakobsdóttir has followed in her father’s path to become one of the leading geothermal scientists in the world. Secretly, she has pursued another path her father initiated: instantaneous travel to anywhere in the world. Her father had done much of the groundwork for this technology. Uma had worked to complete it but needed a financial and business backer to make it a reality.
Enter Ethan Rae. Ethan is a businessman who specializes in making technologies better and cheaper, forcing other companies to match his prices or go bankrupt. He is also known for his philanthropy, donating 40% of his personal salary to worthy projects around the world. Uma has chosen Ethan to be her benefactor. Ethan is understandably wary, but once Uma proves that her technology works he is entirely on board.
Uma has drawn up four inviolable laws to govern the use of LEAP. 1) You cannot “copy” a person. You start with one woman, you end with one woman. 2) You cannot restore someone to life who has died by using an older LEAP copy of them. The files get destroyed with the demise of the person. 3) You can’t alter memory. Once LEAP scans a person, their memories are frozen in the computer along with a file of their physical bodies. If someone experiences trauma, they cannot use LEAP to restore their memories to an earlier version. 4) You cannot use LEAP to merge a person with another creature.
If you have read any fiction then you will assume correctly that these laws fall apart almost immediately. An emergency arises and two people get merged, one of whom was dead. Separating the two bodies changes the memories and personality of the living person. Before they are ready to release the technology into the world, they are confronting enormous ethical dilemmas.
Furthermore, despite their efforts to keep the project secret, a rogue businessman hears of it. At first he tries to make his own version. When that fails, he moves to corporate espionage, theft, and murder.
LEAP posits a seemingly impossible technology (though lots of other Star Trek technologies have come to be so who knows?). Buried within that technology may be an insurmountable number of ethical dilemmas. What is the point of saving the world if you decimate civilization to do it?
April 25, 2025
Thank you to Zooloo's Book tours and the author OC Heaton himself for sending me a copy of this book along with some goodies in exchange of my honest review.
LEAP is categorised as a technothriller with sci-fi elements, written by UK-based author OC Heaton. It is a story revolving around a quantum teleportation system that can help combat climate change. It is Uma Jakobsdottir who owns the tech as per her late father's initiative. Then there's Ethan Rae, the philanthropic billionaire who is carefully selected by Uma to fund her project. What they don't expect is a 3rd gen heir of an airline company, who is willing to prove all the naysayers in his life and doubters of his capabilities, wrong by pulling off what he thinks is the deal of the century - to steal LEAP technology by hook or crook. Set in the early 2000s, this book follows a narrative that literally hops timelines from Iceland, to America and to London. The chapters are titled with the locations of the action. In this story, as new technology is eventually leading to Iceland's biggest murder hunt, tragedy upon tragedy mounts and arising of doubts seem endless. This a scientific peek clad in the narrative of a thriller, on trying to explore what life truly is. It makes you question which laws would you follow? Which laws would you break? And who will you break the laws for? Business, technology, emotions, laws, morals and ethics are spun into a wild tale of action and gore.
As for my thoughts on the book, the start-off was having a lot of technical jargon which was counterproductive of hooking the reader as I feel. A prologue would've helped get the reader some firm footing before exploring further because as I started reading the first page, I felt like someone who was thrown into the 3rd season of a TV show where the plot was already moving too fast to make any sense of. Chapters are very very short, almost too jumpy from one to another. You have to redirect your mental focus dial too frequently now and then which was a bit tiresome. At first the story was a bit all over the place. The pace is almost too quick for the reader to sink in to the story. The scientist in me was immediately triggered by the very interesting, new and groundbreaking science that was explored in this book. It's a good premise that would be a hit or miss with readers. The story was surely leaping from page to page and throwing the reader from one location to the other faster than the speed of light, which was a big concern for me. Had it moved a bit slower, it would've been better. Too many characters, appearing and disappearing way too easily and quickly. 17 chapters in and only then did I find my footing in the story as all the random names and places were associated with one another. More than a technothriller, it was actually an action thriller with very gritty and graphic descriptions of roadside mayhem and gore. Typos were very frequent, and I'm sure those would make a glidereading grammar nazi very unhappy. I felt like there were too many characters whose lengthy backstories the reader has to meticulously keep track of ripped the excitement away from the actual plot, which was overshadowed and hidden almost despite being of substance and originality. It tries very hard to be a breakneck thriller but the plot seemed kind of loose and unworked on at places. The characters are forgettable and too much to keep up with. As much as I so badly wanted to emotionally connect with at least one character, I just couldn't seem to and I'm still wondering why. This book is not really unputdownable, clearly takes a lot of effort to get through the boring bits. Some chapters actually sounded and felt like a real thriller. The suspense aspect was quite lacking hence the story wasn't that grippy. Usually from a sci-fi thriller I personally expect to learn something more in a theoretical sense, more facts and knowledge if you will, the kinds of things that satiates the quench sci-fi readers have when they pick up a book to read. If you're like me, you may need to give some time for the story to absorb you deep enough to get you to turn those pages. Grond and Anderson were two minor characters that were also given believable backstories, but the desires of the Ethan-Anderson hybrid were a bit grey to me and I was left confused after a certain point whether to root for the characters or not. Apart from the two main characters, most others were just rising and falling through the pages. I wish there were more chapters like Chapter 41, introspective, thought provoking with less dialogue would have constructively slowed the pace of the book a bit. The real puzzle is about the character, dreams, traumas and memories of Ethan Rae that brings us to questions about existentialism and self. Uma's character and her twin Eva made me scratch my head more than once. And I'm still confused as to who is who, who died and who survived? Some characters I really wanted to know more about were just cut off from existence suddenly with no warning or followup. On the bright side, the settings and the climates were very well described that I almost felt the Icelandic chills on my skin. It is undeniable that the author has a real skill of making descriptions of places and character traits of people feel real and tangible through the pages. The plot twist was good but I think I've read enough books to know what almost always transpires when identical twins are involved, nevertheless it was original. The separate narratives coming from the different characters was messy rather than constructive in bringing the story together. As a first book in a series, LEAP itself would not really make me pick up the next book without some heavy and powerful recommendations coercing me to give this series a go. In my personal opinion, the 2nd half of the book was much better than the 1st half which takes a ton of patience to get through. I liked the creative use of language in this book. The originality was also definitely there and the individual aspects of the writing were good when stood alone but something just didn't click as a thriller to me in this book as a whole and I wasn't on edge as I was expecting myself to be. Hope the next books in the series will make up for the shortcomings of this book! The scientist in me still waits to be surprised and wants to be thrilled because teleportation is cool and I want to really badly like a book based on it.
My favourite quotes:
"Mankind needs to remember its place on this planet. Our time here will be fleeting and, if we're not careful, will end sooner than even nature intended"
"You know that feeling when you commit to something but realise straight away that you won't make it but still keep going?"
My rating for the book: 3/5 ⭐s.
Fingers crossed for the next book. I really want this series to grip me in. Hoping the next books will be better.
LEAP is categorised as a technothriller with sci-fi elements, written by UK-based author OC Heaton. It is a story revolving around a quantum teleportation system that can help combat climate change. It is Uma Jakobsdottir who owns the tech as per her late father's initiative. Then there's Ethan Rae, the philanthropic billionaire who is carefully selected by Uma to fund her project. What they don't expect is a 3rd gen heir of an airline company, who is willing to prove all the naysayers in his life and doubters of his capabilities, wrong by pulling off what he thinks is the deal of the century - to steal LEAP technology by hook or crook. Set in the early 2000s, this book follows a narrative that literally hops timelines from Iceland, to America and to London. The chapters are titled with the locations of the action. In this story, as new technology is eventually leading to Iceland's biggest murder hunt, tragedy upon tragedy mounts and arising of doubts seem endless. This a scientific peek clad in the narrative of a thriller, on trying to explore what life truly is. It makes you question which laws would you follow? Which laws would you break? And who will you break the laws for? Business, technology, emotions, laws, morals and ethics are spun into a wild tale of action and gore.
As for my thoughts on the book, the start-off was having a lot of technical jargon which was counterproductive of hooking the reader as I feel. A prologue would've helped get the reader some firm footing before exploring further because as I started reading the first page, I felt like someone who was thrown into the 3rd season of a TV show where the plot was already moving too fast to make any sense of. Chapters are very very short, almost too jumpy from one to another. You have to redirect your mental focus dial too frequently now and then which was a bit tiresome. At first the story was a bit all over the place. The pace is almost too quick for the reader to sink in to the story. The scientist in me was immediately triggered by the very interesting, new and groundbreaking science that was explored in this book. It's a good premise that would be a hit or miss with readers. The story was surely leaping from page to page and throwing the reader from one location to the other faster than the speed of light, which was a big concern for me. Had it moved a bit slower, it would've been better. Too many characters, appearing and disappearing way too easily and quickly. 17 chapters in and only then did I find my footing in the story as all the random names and places were associated with one another. More than a technothriller, it was actually an action thriller with very gritty and graphic descriptions of roadside mayhem and gore. Typos were very frequent, and I'm sure those would make a glidereading grammar nazi very unhappy. I felt like there were too many characters whose lengthy backstories the reader has to meticulously keep track of ripped the excitement away from the actual plot, which was overshadowed and hidden almost despite being of substance and originality. It tries very hard to be a breakneck thriller but the plot seemed kind of loose and unworked on at places. The characters are forgettable and too much to keep up with. As much as I so badly wanted to emotionally connect with at least one character, I just couldn't seem to and I'm still wondering why. This book is not really unputdownable, clearly takes a lot of effort to get through the boring bits. Some chapters actually sounded and felt like a real thriller. The suspense aspect was quite lacking hence the story wasn't that grippy. Usually from a sci-fi thriller I personally expect to learn something more in a theoretical sense, more facts and knowledge if you will, the kinds of things that satiates the quench sci-fi readers have when they pick up a book to read. If you're like me, you may need to give some time for the story to absorb you deep enough to get you to turn those pages. Grond and Anderson were two minor characters that were also given believable backstories, but the desires of the Ethan-Anderson hybrid were a bit grey to me and I was left confused after a certain point whether to root for the characters or not. Apart from the two main characters, most others were just rising and falling through the pages. I wish there were more chapters like Chapter 41, introspective, thought provoking with less dialogue would have constructively slowed the pace of the book a bit. The real puzzle is about the character, dreams, traumas and memories of Ethan Rae that brings us to questions about existentialism and self. Uma's character and her twin Eva made me scratch my head more than once. And I'm still confused as to who is who, who died and who survived? Some characters I really wanted to know more about were just cut off from existence suddenly with no warning or followup. On the bright side, the settings and the climates were very well described that I almost felt the Icelandic chills on my skin. It is undeniable that the author has a real skill of making descriptions of places and character traits of people feel real and tangible through the pages. The plot twist was good but I think I've read enough books to know what almost always transpires when identical twins are involved, nevertheless it was original. The separate narratives coming from the different characters was messy rather than constructive in bringing the story together. As a first book in a series, LEAP itself would not really make me pick up the next book without some heavy and powerful recommendations coercing me to give this series a go. In my personal opinion, the 2nd half of the book was much better than the 1st half which takes a ton of patience to get through. I liked the creative use of language in this book. The originality was also definitely there and the individual aspects of the writing were good when stood alone but something just didn't click as a thriller to me in this book as a whole and I wasn't on edge as I was expecting myself to be. Hope the next books in the series will make up for the shortcomings of this book! The scientist in me still waits to be surprised and wants to be thrilled because teleportation is cool and I want to really badly like a book based on it.
My favourite quotes:
"Mankind needs to remember its place on this planet. Our time here will be fleeting and, if we're not careful, will end sooner than even nature intended"
"You know that feeling when you commit to something but realise straight away that you won't make it but still keep going?"
My rating for the book: 3/5 ⭐s.
Fingers crossed for the next book. I really want this series to grip me in. Hoping the next books will be better.
March 6, 2023
Leap by @ocheaton is the first book in the The Race Is On Series. It’s a sci-fi thriller that is fast paced and easy to keep up with and understand. Heatons writing is a perfectly balanced melody of technical knowledge and readability.
Leap is a mysterious device developed by the father of Uma and has the ability to reverse global warming. A race begins to protect the LEAP device and the future of mankind as Uma teams up with Ethan, a tech-savvy billionaire. Together, they have their worlds torn apart as a trail of murder and destruction begins and they fight to protect LEAP.
This book is quite different from what I would usually reach for but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The first half of this book pulls you in with the world building as the action starts to build before the second half swoops in and grasps you as everything begins to unfold.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Leap is a mysterious device developed by the father of Uma and has the ability to reverse global warming. A race begins to protect the LEAP device and the future of mankind as Uma teams up with Ethan, a tech-savvy billionaire. Together, they have their worlds torn apart as a trail of murder and destruction begins and they fight to protect LEAP.
This book is quite different from what I would usually reach for but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The first half of this book pulls you in with the world building as the action starts to build before the second half swoops in and grasps you as everything begins to unfold.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 7, 2024
I don't normally read Sci - fi books, but the fact this was a Crime/Thriller as well. I had to give it a try, and I am so glad that I did!
We are taken on a fast pace journey between Iceland and New York where we meet Uma who has created LEAP to stop Global Warming and we meet Ethan who can help make it available to everyone doing what he does best and of course help his reputation, Leap does bring questions/doubts throughout and why laws must be followed. It really does make you think about the ethical side!
It is a bit of a slow burn to start with, but with the short chapters you dont realise how much you've read, and when the action really starts kicking off, you can't help but read on! I couldn't put this down! I can't wait to read book 2 in the Race is on Series - Green Ray and see what happens next
We are taken on a fast pace journey between Iceland and New York where we meet Uma who has created LEAP to stop Global Warming and we meet Ethan who can help make it available to everyone doing what he does best and of course help his reputation, Leap does bring questions/doubts throughout and why laws must be followed. It really does make you think about the ethical side!
It is a bit of a slow burn to start with, but with the short chapters you dont realise how much you've read, and when the action really starts kicking off, you can't help but read on! I couldn't put this down! I can't wait to read book 2 in the Race is on Series - Green Ray and see what happens next
March 3, 2023
I don't normally read a lot of science fiction but when I read the synopsis for LEAP by O.C. Heaton, I knew I had to read it. It follows Uma Jacobsdottir and Ethan Rae. They are business partners getting ready to launch LEAP their answer to the climate crisis. Nothing goes as planned for them. They face sabotage at every turn.
I really enjoyed the book was set in 2003. As someone who grew up then, it added a nice bit of nostalgia. I enjoyed the scientific explanation of teleportation, along with the moral ramifications. The plot was well thought out and paced. I enjoyed everyones characterization, you were really able to understand each character's motives.
I definitely need to pick up the next book in the series. If you enjoy science fiction this book is definitely for you.
I really enjoyed the book was set in 2003. As someone who grew up then, it added a nice bit of nostalgia. I enjoyed the scientific explanation of teleportation, along with the moral ramifications. The plot was well thought out and paced. I enjoyed everyones characterization, you were really able to understand each character's motives.
I definitely need to pick up the next book in the series. If you enjoy science fiction this book is definitely for you.
March 3, 2024
I was really drawn to this book by the great front cover and although I don't have the best science brain, I was really intrigued by the blurb too.
Uma's father, a quantum scientist, invented the LEAP, which was designed to help reverse the effects of global warming. But as with many new inventions, could always be used for other, more sinister purposes.
Uma is determined to keep LEAP safe from the wrong hands and secure a launch which will help keep the world safer - but others have a different plan and will do anything to get hold of it.
I really loved the characters in this book. Uma was so passionate about her task and made clear decisions to benefit mankind and was not, like others, totally self-absorbed and money orientated.
Her relationship with Ethan and the way this developed throughout was great.
The writing style was really engaging. I found the short chapters and constantly changing setting kept you on your toes and focussed.
This was a really clever plot and a perfect read for this current era where we are all concerned and open to looking into ways to reduce and improve the effects of global warming. Not sure this will ever be possible but how amazing it would be if it were to become a reality!
Great book and well written - look forward to seeing more from this author.
Uma's father, a quantum scientist, invented the LEAP, which was designed to help reverse the effects of global warming. But as with many new inventions, could always be used for other, more sinister purposes.
Uma is determined to keep LEAP safe from the wrong hands and secure a launch which will help keep the world safer - but others have a different plan and will do anything to get hold of it.
I really loved the characters in this book. Uma was so passionate about her task and made clear decisions to benefit mankind and was not, like others, totally self-absorbed and money orientated.
Her relationship with Ethan and the way this developed throughout was great.
The writing style was really engaging. I found the short chapters and constantly changing setting kept you on your toes and focussed.
This was a really clever plot and a perfect read for this current era where we are all concerned and open to looking into ways to reduce and improve the effects of global warming. Not sure this will ever be possible but how amazing it would be if it were to become a reality!
Great book and well written - look forward to seeing more from this author.
April 30, 2025
ahhhh I wanted to like this one...however it just wasn't for me. I didn't really love any characters and felt whip lash between chapters. I typically love multiple POVs but couldn't keep the characters straight and sometimes was confused by who's chapter it was.
March 1, 2024
I loved this fast-paced action, sci-fi thriller and couldn't put it down. Leap is the first book in The Race is On series. I adored this science fiction which dive into climate change issue. I have never read this specific genre before(technothriller) but it was interesting and impossible to put the book down. It was fast paced with a social message. I am highly anticipitated to read Green Ray the next book in the series. I found the idea of device Leap exciting and from the moment Uma explained it to Ethan the story starts to gets electrifying. I adored the way how the story takes us across the world, from Iceland to London and Newyork. I loved and enjoyed this well written and compelling story. I am highly anticipitated to read Green Ray the next book in the series.
February 21, 2024
This premise of this book intrigued me - time travel and it falling into the wrong hands.
A fast paced and action packed thriller that had me gripped from the beginning. Some parts of it had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen. Time travel fascinates me, but LEAP also scared and intimidated me. Imagine being able to just go through a door and end up on the other side of the world. But then also the fact you could be possibly cloned. Not sure some people would like 2 of me haha!
I like Uma and Ethan and the danger they put themselves in had my heart racing at times. Uma had the hardest decisions to make I think, keep to the rules as her father had said, or break them to save people and also LEAP. The cliffhanger ending has left me wanting more. Looking forward to book 2.
A fast paced and action packed thriller that had me gripped from the beginning. Some parts of it had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen. Time travel fascinates me, but LEAP also scared and intimidated me. Imagine being able to just go through a door and end up on the other side of the world. But then also the fact you could be possibly cloned. Not sure some people would like 2 of me haha!
I like Uma and Ethan and the danger they put themselves in had my heart racing at times. Uma had the hardest decisions to make I think, keep to the rules as her father had said, or break them to save people and also LEAP. The cliffhanger ending has left me wanting more. Looking forward to book 2.
February 25, 2024
Although I don't read a lot of science fiction novels, I did like the synopsis of this one, and I also do like a book series too.
This one is set up well. The settings, characters and events that unfold all made me intrigued to read more.
It's a thriller so the pace matches what I'd expect from this genre.
You can also find a Prequel of this series via the authors website.
This one is set up well. The settings, characters and events that unfold all made me intrigued to read more.
It's a thriller so the pace matches what I'd expect from this genre.
You can also find a Prequel of this series via the authors website.
February 7, 2024
No criticisms of the book, it just did not interest me. There are too many characters and locations, making it develop too slowly.
January 12, 2025
Leap is the first book in The Race Is On series and what a fantastic start to the series.
This is a book different from anything I would normally read, but I am so glad I gave it ago. It is a Sci-Fi story, about Ethan, who is a very rich businessman and his latest business venture, which is a teleportation system, created by Uma, to help solve global warming. This story also has plenty of intense action which kept me hooked too, it wasn’t too fast paced either, for me it was perfect.
I truly loved this story, it takes you all over, from Iceland to New York to London, OC Heaton’s writing is that good that I really felt like I was in the story. I really like the characters too, they aren’t perfect, they are flawed which makes them feel more human. I really adored Uma, she is a strong character and I really liked her knowing more about her along the way. Ethan is an interesting character too, and I hope to find more out about him in the rest of the series.
I really recommend this book for someone looking for an action-packed Sci-Fi story. If, like me, at times you worry that Sci-Fi books can be full of jargon you won’t understand, then rest assured this isn’t like that, I didn’t feel lost, I feel that Heaton researched it all well and realistically applied it to his story. I am genuinely going to look at purchasing the next book in the series because I really need to see what is going to happen next.
This is a book different from anything I would normally read, but I am so glad I gave it ago. It is a Sci-Fi story, about Ethan, who is a very rich businessman and his latest business venture, which is a teleportation system, created by Uma, to help solve global warming. This story also has plenty of intense action which kept me hooked too, it wasn’t too fast paced either, for me it was perfect.
I truly loved this story, it takes you all over, from Iceland to New York to London, OC Heaton’s writing is that good that I really felt like I was in the story. I really like the characters too, they aren’t perfect, they are flawed which makes them feel more human. I really adored Uma, she is a strong character and I really liked her knowing more about her along the way. Ethan is an interesting character too, and I hope to find more out about him in the rest of the series.
I really recommend this book for someone looking for an action-packed Sci-Fi story. If, like me, at times you worry that Sci-Fi books can be full of jargon you won’t understand, then rest assured this isn’t like that, I didn’t feel lost, I feel that Heaton researched it all well and realistically applied it to his story. I am genuinely going to look at purchasing the next book in the series because I really need to see what is going to happen next.
November 19, 2022
With questions already raised by the end of the first chapter, I knew I was going to be in for a thrilling read. When Ethan Rae, a philanthropic billionaire and Uma Jacobsdottir, a scientist and eco activist, work together to bring bring a new form of transportation to the world, there’s more than just them determined to launch the programme, no matter what it takes. I found this a breathless read and a true page-turner as the action moved from London to Iceland and America. With an assassin also hunting Ethan and Uma, at times I felt my heart pounding as the thrills, tension and action steadily ramped up. To add to my reading pleasure there were a few twists as well as a third player in the story who I instantly took a dislike to. I also appreciated the fact that although this could have been a bit of a confusing read due to the subject matter, it was written in such a way that I had no problem understanding the story.
Leap was great read and I can definitely say I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Leap was great read and I can definitely say I’m looking forward to the sequel.
January 2, 2026
I was lied to, and it goes deeper than I originally thought. (Beware of other reviews. I haven't read all of them, but you'll see why I give this warning later).
Spoilers ahead.
(Also, this was 2.5 at best, but I rounded up to be nice).
So, I decided to pick up this book on the recommendation of a reading content creator that I have a lot of faith in after they compared it to Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. That is one of my favorites, and I love that type of genre (a piece of advanced scientific tech imagined in the present day). I suppose by that definition, Leap fits the bill, but the similarities end there.
While this book is about the invention of the technology that allows for teleportation, the teleportation is used very rarely and with little imagination. At first it intrigued me by focusing on how an invention like this might affect the economy and other travel industries. I was ready for a more pragmatic look at what this leap in technology would do in today's world (or ~20 years ago), but this quickly became tiresome and didn't amount to much. I'm going to divide my thoughts into sections.
The Genre:
As I said, this is a mild sci-fi story about teleportation, but it almost never feels that way. The book spends most of its time focusing on corporate espionage and generic action/spy thriller action that makes the whole book feel more like a generic "thriller" you'd find in an airport gift shop. The action itself isn't very exciting or creative, and neither is the corporate feuding. If I'm reading a book about teleportation, I want that to at least be one of the major factors of the story.
The Science (Fiction):
This is one area that really confused me. Not because I didn't understand the science, but because I think the author missed important implications about the tech they wrote. Let me explain. There are a few different popular theories about how teleportation could be made in the future (VERY hypothetical but they're usually chosen to be used in fiction). This book chooses the method of a device that can scan your quantum data, deconstruct your, and reconstruct you at a different location almost instantly. This idea is very abstract and comes with a lot of philosophical issues. To its credit, the book did kind of address the philosophical and moral issues with this kind of teleportation, but not in an interesting way. My biggest issue with it though was the motive for the development of the technology. This is something I'll get more into later, but the scientist who invented this technology (who was given the generic "mysterious genius" characteristic that they worked on the Manhattan Project) did so for the sole purpose of saving the environment. He wanted to eliminate the need for motorized vehicles so that they will stop polluting the atmosphere. It is an admirable goal, to be sure, but it is such a minor thing that can be accomplished with this technology. This type of teleportation offers the ability to do so much more than just teleport, and the book goes out of its way to address some of these things. The developer of the technology (and the character who is continuing it in the book) only care about reducing carbon emissions, and don't seem to care at all that their technology is actually the greatest revolution the field of medicine has ever seen. It could cure cancer, heal injuries, and even regrow limbs. The possibilities are nearly endless but the books seems to think that these things are trivial, and only want to reduce CO2 emissions (more on this later). If the author really wanted to focus solely on the fact that teleportation can allow for greener travel, they should have chosen a different explanation for the science that allows for teleportation, because as it stands it is hard to watch the characters ignore all of the other possibilities that the technology allows.
The Characters:
Ethan: For the majority of the book he is mostly uninteresting. He's a somewhat reclusive genius businessman despite his young age. Throughout the book he is shown to be mostly meek and not physically intimidating (so much so that in a moment of need they decide to fix that problem). However, in the last act of the book it was revealed that he actually has a really dark past where he spent years in a foreign prison getting tortured which actually made him really scrappy and tough. (Keep in mind, this is after they switched him back to his original physicality). More than anyone he should have seen the possibilities that the technology provided, but he didn't. I never really felt much for him throughout the story, but that's also not entirely his fault because halfway through the book they drastically changed him mentally as well as physically, so it's hard to judge "Ethan" on his own merit.
Uma: I still blame her for only caring about the teleportation aspect of the technology. Even when she decided that teleportation shouldn't be available to the public, she could have still used it for its medical benefits, but she instead chose to scrap the whole program. She wasn't a bad character, but she wasn't compelling either.
Generic Assassin Guy: We spent WAY too much time with him. He is a one-dimensional terminator-esque assassin who spends a chunk of the book trying to kill our main characters. We don't need multiple chapters following him so that the reader can see how he gets around. He (and the spy/thriller aspect) is the least interesting part of the story, yet we spend so much time with him.
Characters who got way too much focus: Almost all of them. The book is peppered with chapters that follow the POV of a character that we only see once as they are adjacent to some of the book's main events.
The POV Issue:
This book seemed to struggle to decide what it wanted to be. It was somewhere between third person limited and omniscient narrator. It was always written as if third person limited, but in the middle of scenes would switch to the limited POV of another character in a way that was really jarring.
The Twist(s):
The twist was so weak and so predictable. The book spends so much time talking about one potential bad thing that the technology could be used for that when the main character has a "twin" sister, you know exactly what is happening. And when the book tries to pull off the same twist a second time... Fool me once...
The Motive:
As I read through the book the main character's interest in saving the environment felt very impassioned to the point that I was convinced that the author was writing this book for the sole purpose of promoting awareness of climate change and advocating for a greener lifestyle. This was further shown by the prioritization on teleportation over other health benefits of the technology, like I said before. Once I got to the end and saw the tie-in website and the name of the series I am more convinced of this than ever. There is nothing wrong with this goal, of course. I support it. However, if you are going to use a story to try to address this issue, it should be done in a better way. The way this book was written, the technology felt like far more of a threat than climate change. I can't even remember a single time the book mentioned an actual example of a consequence of climate change. They just repeatedly threw out claims of how much CO2 vehicles produce.
The Creator That Recommended This:
Like I said, I read this on the recommendation of a content creator that I like because we share tastes, and they are famous for having really high standards and are a very harsh critic. Once I read the book and was underwhelmed, I went back and watched the video where this person recommended it. Then I saw that they had a newer video promoting the whole series. Watching this creator make these recommendations with a new perspective, it feels VERY obvious that they were just paid to promote these books. Coming here to see how few reviews and rating there are years after publication (by a shadowy publisher) only makes me feel more confident about this. Be wary of who recommends this series to you, because it is likely a paid promotion. It's not inherently bad for people to take paid promotions (nor for authors to pay people to promote them) but consumers should be aware so that they can take it with a grain of salt.
In Conclusion:
This book is very mediocre message-pusher that bears more resemblance to a James Patterson "thriller" than a mild sci-fi story with thought and consideration. Again, the message of the book is important and good, climate change is a serious problem, but this was a really weird way to try to handle it. If you are a fan of the genre this book presents itself as, you'll probably have a better time rereading one of your favorites. If you do decide to pick this up, proceed with caution. Not because you're going to have an intense experience, but because you're going to be left thinking "Is that it?"
Spoilers ahead.
(Also, this was 2.5 at best, but I rounded up to be nice).
So, I decided to pick up this book on the recommendation of a reading content creator that I have a lot of faith in after they compared it to Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. That is one of my favorites, and I love that type of genre (a piece of advanced scientific tech imagined in the present day). I suppose by that definition, Leap fits the bill, but the similarities end there.
While this book is about the invention of the technology that allows for teleportation, the teleportation is used very rarely and with little imagination. At first it intrigued me by focusing on how an invention like this might affect the economy and other travel industries. I was ready for a more pragmatic look at what this leap in technology would do in today's world (or ~20 years ago), but this quickly became tiresome and didn't amount to much. I'm going to divide my thoughts into sections.
The Genre:
As I said, this is a mild sci-fi story about teleportation, but it almost never feels that way. The book spends most of its time focusing on corporate espionage and generic action/spy thriller action that makes the whole book feel more like a generic "thriller" you'd find in an airport gift shop. The action itself isn't very exciting or creative, and neither is the corporate feuding. If I'm reading a book about teleportation, I want that to at least be one of the major factors of the story.
The Science (Fiction):
This is one area that really confused me. Not because I didn't understand the science, but because I think the author missed important implications about the tech they wrote. Let me explain. There are a few different popular theories about how teleportation could be made in the future (VERY hypothetical but they're usually chosen to be used in fiction). This book chooses the method of a device that can scan your quantum data, deconstruct your, and reconstruct you at a different location almost instantly. This idea is very abstract and comes with a lot of philosophical issues. To its credit, the book did kind of address the philosophical and moral issues with this kind of teleportation, but not in an interesting way. My biggest issue with it though was the motive for the development of the technology. This is something I'll get more into later, but the scientist who invented this technology (who was given the generic "mysterious genius" characteristic that they worked on the Manhattan Project) did so for the sole purpose of saving the environment. He wanted to eliminate the need for motorized vehicles so that they will stop polluting the atmosphere. It is an admirable goal, to be sure, but it is such a minor thing that can be accomplished with this technology. This type of teleportation offers the ability to do so much more than just teleport, and the book goes out of its way to address some of these things. The developer of the technology (and the character who is continuing it in the book) only care about reducing carbon emissions, and don't seem to care at all that their technology is actually the greatest revolution the field of medicine has ever seen. It could cure cancer, heal injuries, and even regrow limbs. The possibilities are nearly endless but the books seems to think that these things are trivial, and only want to reduce CO2 emissions (more on this later). If the author really wanted to focus solely on the fact that teleportation can allow for greener travel, they should have chosen a different explanation for the science that allows for teleportation, because as it stands it is hard to watch the characters ignore all of the other possibilities that the technology allows.
The Characters:
Ethan: For the majority of the book he is mostly uninteresting. He's a somewhat reclusive genius businessman despite his young age. Throughout the book he is shown to be mostly meek and not physically intimidating (so much so that in a moment of need they decide to fix that problem). However, in the last act of the book it was revealed that he actually has a really dark past where he spent years in a foreign prison getting tortured which actually made him really scrappy and tough. (Keep in mind, this is after they switched him back to his original physicality). More than anyone he should have seen the possibilities that the technology provided, but he didn't. I never really felt much for him throughout the story, but that's also not entirely his fault because halfway through the book they drastically changed him mentally as well as physically, so it's hard to judge "Ethan" on his own merit.
Uma: I still blame her for only caring about the teleportation aspect of the technology. Even when she decided that teleportation shouldn't be available to the public, she could have still used it for its medical benefits, but she instead chose to scrap the whole program. She wasn't a bad character, but she wasn't compelling either.
Generic Assassin Guy: We spent WAY too much time with him. He is a one-dimensional terminator-esque assassin who spends a chunk of the book trying to kill our main characters. We don't need multiple chapters following him so that the reader can see how he gets around. He (and the spy/thriller aspect) is the least interesting part of the story, yet we spend so much time with him.
Characters who got way too much focus: Almost all of them. The book is peppered with chapters that follow the POV of a character that we only see once as they are adjacent to some of the book's main events.
The POV Issue:
This book seemed to struggle to decide what it wanted to be. It was somewhere between third person limited and omniscient narrator. It was always written as if third person limited, but in the middle of scenes would switch to the limited POV of another character in a way that was really jarring.
The Twist(s):
The twist was so weak and so predictable. The book spends so much time talking about one potential bad thing that the technology could be used for that when the main character has a "twin" sister, you know exactly what is happening. And when the book tries to pull off the same twist a second time... Fool me once...
The Motive:
As I read through the book the main character's interest in saving the environment felt very impassioned to the point that I was convinced that the author was writing this book for the sole purpose of promoting awareness of climate change and advocating for a greener lifestyle. This was further shown by the prioritization on teleportation over other health benefits of the technology, like I said before. Once I got to the end and saw the tie-in website and the name of the series I am more convinced of this than ever. There is nothing wrong with this goal, of course. I support it. However, if you are going to use a story to try to address this issue, it should be done in a better way. The way this book was written, the technology felt like far more of a threat than climate change. I can't even remember a single time the book mentioned an actual example of a consequence of climate change. They just repeatedly threw out claims of how much CO2 vehicles produce.
The Creator That Recommended This:
Like I said, I read this on the recommendation of a content creator that I like because we share tastes, and they are famous for having really high standards and are a very harsh critic. Once I read the book and was underwhelmed, I went back and watched the video where this person recommended it. Then I saw that they had a newer video promoting the whole series. Watching this creator make these recommendations with a new perspective, it feels VERY obvious that they were just paid to promote these books. Coming here to see how few reviews and rating there are years after publication (by a shadowy publisher) only makes me feel more confident about this. Be wary of who recommends this series to you, because it is likely a paid promotion. It's not inherently bad for people to take paid promotions (nor for authors to pay people to promote them) but consumers should be aware so that they can take it with a grain of salt.
In Conclusion:
This book is very mediocre message-pusher that bears more resemblance to a James Patterson "thriller" than a mild sci-fi story with thought and consideration. Again, the message of the book is important and good, climate change is a serious problem, but this was a really weird way to try to handle it. If you are a fan of the genre this book presents itself as, you'll probably have a better time rereading one of your favorites. If you do decide to pick this up, proceed with caution. Not because you're going to have an intense experience, but because you're going to be left thinking "Is that it?"
March 13, 2023
http://amorinacarlton.com/2023/03/08/...
This fictional action-thriller is probably the most pressing and enjoyable dive into the climate change issue you can possibly take. And O.C. Heaton’s “LEAP” leaves nothing to the imagination when tackling this important issue, which is unfortunately set twenty years ago – meaning we’ve wasted two decades without making much progress.
About the Book
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner…
My Thoughts
LEAP is billed as a “technothriller,” and I’m not sure I’ve ever read something in this specific genre before. But the premise sounded interesting and important, so I jumped at the chance. Most nights, it was almost impossible to put the book down. Which we all know is the hallmark of a fantastic read. That alone merits the five-star rating and probably tells you most of what you need to know. But I’ll keep writing, anyway.
The “chapters” were broken into time periods, often minutes apart – sometimes traveling back and forth in time because of time zone differences. The prime action of the book was set within a thirty-six hour time period and the break-neck pace kept you on the edge of your seat. This unique setup helped the author build the sense of urgency both in the storyline and the importance of the important ecological and technological battles they main characters were facing. The book was filled with heart-pounding, anxiety inducing tension – in a good way, of course.
The characters seemed a little flat in some places, but by the end, they had mostly been unfolded into wonderfully complex, flawed, amazing characters. There were twists that left you questioning the characters right up until the final pages, which was a unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Back for More
This is a book for people who enjoy fast-paced stories with clear socio-political messaging. If you sign up for the author’s email list, you can get access to a free short story related to this fictional universe, and I can’t wait to dig into that. I’m also highly anticipating the follow- up to this novel “Green Ray,” which will further follow the storyline.
About the Author
O.C. Heaton writes thrillers, specifically technothrillers with a twist of sci-fi inside complex plots that are inhabited by grey characters – even the good guys!
He lives in Leeds, UK, with the love of his life and their two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for him – loads of time for research and, of course writing!
You can contact him at:
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ocheaton
Email: oc@ocheaton.com
Web: www.ocheaton.com
This fictional action-thriller is probably the most pressing and enjoyable dive into the climate change issue you can possibly take. And O.C. Heaton’s “LEAP” leaves nothing to the imagination when tackling this important issue, which is unfortunately set twenty years ago – meaning we’ve wasted two decades without making much progress.
About the Book
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner…
My Thoughts
LEAP is billed as a “technothriller,” and I’m not sure I’ve ever read something in this specific genre before. But the premise sounded interesting and important, so I jumped at the chance. Most nights, it was almost impossible to put the book down. Which we all know is the hallmark of a fantastic read. That alone merits the five-star rating and probably tells you most of what you need to know. But I’ll keep writing, anyway.
The “chapters” were broken into time periods, often minutes apart – sometimes traveling back and forth in time because of time zone differences. The prime action of the book was set within a thirty-six hour time period and the break-neck pace kept you on the edge of your seat. This unique setup helped the author build the sense of urgency both in the storyline and the importance of the important ecological and technological battles they main characters were facing. The book was filled with heart-pounding, anxiety inducing tension – in a good way, of course.
The characters seemed a little flat in some places, but by the end, they had mostly been unfolded into wonderfully complex, flawed, amazing characters. There were twists that left you questioning the characters right up until the final pages, which was a unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Back for More
This is a book for people who enjoy fast-paced stories with clear socio-political messaging. If you sign up for the author’s email list, you can get access to a free short story related to this fictional universe, and I can’t wait to dig into that. I’m also highly anticipating the follow- up to this novel “Green Ray,” which will further follow the storyline.
About the Author
O.C. Heaton writes thrillers, specifically technothrillers with a twist of sci-fi inside complex plots that are inhabited by grey characters – even the good guys!
He lives in Leeds, UK, with the love of his life and their two daughters. It rains a lot in Leeds but that works out well for him – loads of time for research and, of course writing!
You can contact him at:
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ocheaton
Email: oc@ocheaton.com
Web: www.ocheaton.com
March 21, 2023
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 9
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 8
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(5/5⭐)
🖋️ Author: OC Heaton @ocheaton
🎭 Genre: Sci-Fi
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages: 408
🖨️ Publisher: Rookwood Publishing
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Tour dates: 27th Feb - 16th March
📅 Review date: 15th March 2023 (sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book with a really tactile thick cover, cream thick pages which feel great in the hand
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I particularly liked the colour of the pages to make the font contrast on the eye nice and easy. The author kept the chapter lengths short and snappy which made it really easy to roll from one in to the next.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
I have to admit was totally drawn to the cover of this book. The pallet is impactful and you just want to drive right in.
✒️ Style & Plot 📉
Totally immersive book with great character and story building and who doesn't like fantasy technology. I particularly enjoyed trying to work out which way the story was going to go and the tension the author builds through the book. I love the dichotomy at the ethical dilemma through second half of the book. I couldn't put this one down.
📢 Favourite quote
"What the hell is going on? Is this a trap Uma's stubbornness has gotten us into?"
📖 Read more 📖
Yes yes yes, can I be on the tour for Green Ray 💚
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO, Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner...
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3SGOiZi
#️⃣ 2023 Tour Number: 9
#️⃣ 2023 Books Read: 8
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 📚(5/5⭐)
🖋️ Author: OC Heaton @ocheaton
🎭 Genre: Sci-Fi
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages: 408
🖨️ Publisher: Rookwood Publishing
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours @lbt.crew
📅 Tour dates: 27th Feb - 16th March
📅 Review date: 15th March 2023 (sorry it's late)
#LBTCrew #lovebooktours
.
#bookstagram #bookblog #bookreview #ukbookblog #ukbookstagram #bookworm #readersofinstagram #booktour #lovebooks #lovereading #2022books #bookstoread #bookstoread #BookTourReview #ad #adpr #blogtour #TDEPReviews
💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Paperback book with a really tactile thick cover, cream thick pages which feel great in the hand
🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
I particularly liked the colour of the pages to make the font contrast on the eye nice and easy. The author kept the chapter lengths short and snappy which made it really easy to roll from one in to the next.
🎨 Artwork 🎨
I have to admit was totally drawn to the cover of this book. The pallet is impactful and you just want to drive right in.
✒️ Style & Plot 📉
Totally immersive book with great character and story building and who doesn't like fantasy technology. I particularly enjoyed trying to work out which way the story was going to go and the tension the author builds through the book. I love the dichotomy at the ethical dilemma through second half of the book. I couldn't put this one down.
📢 Favourite quote
"What the hell is going on? Is this a trap Uma's stubbornness has gotten us into?"
📖 Read more 📖
Yes yes yes, can I be on the tour for Green Ray 💚
🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO, Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner...
🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://amzn.to/3SGOiZi
March 15, 2023
🎉BOOK TOUR STOP ALERT 🎉
Leap by O. C. Heaton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: wow! I couldn’t stop reading this book! I loved the short chapters and how fast-paced this sci-fi thriller was! The idea of teleporting to other places is brilliant until it could be used for dangerous purposes for monetary gain! Uma was fantastic and Ethan had some morally grey qualities. I highly recommend! Go pick it up today!
Blurb
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO, Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner…
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #readwhatyouown2022 #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #badassbookbabes #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
Leap by O. C. Heaton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @lovebookstours for my gifted copy.
My thoughts: wow! I couldn’t stop reading this book! I loved the short chapters and how fast-paced this sci-fi thriller was! The idea of teleporting to other places is brilliant until it could be used for dangerous purposes for monetary gain! Uma was fantastic and Ethan had some morally grey qualities. I highly recommend! Go pick it up today!
Blurb
Three broken people
An impossible dream
A discovery that will change the world as we know it
Uma dreams of reversing global warming using LEAP, a mysterious device invented by her brilliant quantum scientist father.
After teaming up with Ethan Rae, Britain’s youngest tech billionaire, the pair plan to launch LEAP to help mankind and the planet, but news of the invention has leaked out and playboy CEO, Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas.
As a trail of murder and destruction begins, the race is on to protect the powerful LEAP device and ultimately, the future of mankind. Along the way, Uma and Ethan’s worlds are torn apart and they’re left questioning what it really means to be human and what price they will pay to protect it.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you turning the pages as Uma and Ethan battle to protect the greatest invention in the history of mankind.
A race in which there can be only one winner…
#booktour #ad #lovebookstours #lbtcrew #gifted #unreadshelf #bookworm #bookclubs #readwhatyouown2022 #bibliophile #bookreview #bookdragon #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #readersofinstagram #bookclub #goodreads #prettybooks #bookfeature #booksbooksbooks #instabook #booktime #bookcommunity #badassbookbabes #itsnothoardingifitsbooks
March 2, 2024
This book? It is Dean Koontz meets Robert Ludlum meets James Patterson.
It should have it somewhere typed in bold WELCOME TO THE NEW ERA OF TECHNOTHRILLERS. Or, to the new generation of sci-fi books. Because this is not your usual sci-fi or your regular thriller. This is a fast-paced, scary, and then even scarier if you are anything like me and let yourself think that hey, this isn’t far-fetched at all, and people are horrible out there, and we have no clue where the science and all the discoveries are really going, and omg how naïve it once was it to think that all things people ever invent and discover are going to be used for good.
On one hand, I want back the old days when science fiction in books meant “oh and then they landed on Mars, found a meowing dog who had a calculator and one laser eye there”. On the other hand, nope. This, please, for now on. Only this. Only things that are only somewhat borderline made up, only things that you can actually imagine happening in some semi-parallel universe.
Ok, back to the book. The book is well written, and it has something that many (myself included) have found to be fond of lately: short chapters. Short! Chapters! Please! This book takes it an even step further and has those short chapters broken down into paragraphs/sub-chapters of time periods and this little hack makes reading it feel like a breeze. Those short chapters also induce a bad case of one-more-chapter-itis. Because it feels like what is one more short chapter before I have to get back to my adulting duties.
And, yes, as a thriller would imply, there were twists too. Not just all action and break-neck speed of page-turning. And yes, the characters. By the end of the book, it all makes sense, until it doesn’t again. The characters are flawed and… you will find your favorite among them. Guaranteed.
It should have it somewhere typed in bold WELCOME TO THE NEW ERA OF TECHNOTHRILLERS. Or, to the new generation of sci-fi books. Because this is not your usual sci-fi or your regular thriller. This is a fast-paced, scary, and then even scarier if you are anything like me and let yourself think that hey, this isn’t far-fetched at all, and people are horrible out there, and we have no clue where the science and all the discoveries are really going, and omg how naïve it once was it to think that all things people ever invent and discover are going to be used for good.
On one hand, I want back the old days when science fiction in books meant “oh and then they landed on Mars, found a meowing dog who had a calculator and one laser eye there”. On the other hand, nope. This, please, for now on. Only this. Only things that are only somewhat borderline made up, only things that you can actually imagine happening in some semi-parallel universe.
Ok, back to the book. The book is well written, and it has something that many (myself included) have found to be fond of lately: short chapters. Short! Chapters! Please! This book takes it an even step further and has those short chapters broken down into paragraphs/sub-chapters of time periods and this little hack makes reading it feel like a breeze. Those short chapters also induce a bad case of one-more-chapter-itis. Because it feels like what is one more short chapter before I have to get back to my adulting duties.
And, yes, as a thriller would imply, there were twists too. Not just all action and break-neck speed of page-turning. And yes, the characters. By the end of the book, it all makes sense, until it doesn’t again. The characters are flawed and… you will find your favorite among them. Guaranteed.
March 14, 2024
LEAP is a science fiction thriller novel told from a narrative perspective, it flicks between time stamps and locations quite rapidly with a new time/local with each new chapter, I did find that this can be slightly difficult to keep up with, but it does not take away from the completely captivating storyline and timeline of events.
The world building is fantastic with the first half of the book setting the scene, and explaining/describing the complexity of the stories plot, as well as the technology the plot is based on (LEAP, the teleportation system that allows instant travel across the world) but when you hit the second half, the author has clearly hit the gas, and the plot thickens whilst the pace quickens.
This book is completely full of action, there are some scenes throughout which are slightly gruesome, but this just proved that the writing and world building were brilliant, as it was easy to envision some of the scenes and characters despair! But those plot twists! They were well hidden and revealed with fantastic shock, and that cliff-hanger makes me want to start book two as soon as possible!
The character development is fantastic, the main characters Ethan and Uma were developed really well, and their relationship felt very business-like throughout, I feel it lacked a little something as I feel some of the betrayals could of hit a little harder than they did. Plus, the vast number of characters introduced felt a bit over the top, especially as some of them did not seem to serve much purpose other than becoming victims throughout the book. Plus, what happened to Shane?
Either way this is a fantastic start to a series I will complete, the plot and intriguing technology is definitely thought provoking, and despite being set in 2003, I would not be surprised if this is not some kind of future technology scientists would be trying to develop
The world building is fantastic with the first half of the book setting the scene, and explaining/describing the complexity of the stories plot, as well as the technology the plot is based on (LEAP, the teleportation system that allows instant travel across the world) but when you hit the second half, the author has clearly hit the gas, and the plot thickens whilst the pace quickens.
This book is completely full of action, there are some scenes throughout which are slightly gruesome, but this just proved that the writing and world building were brilliant, as it was easy to envision some of the scenes and characters despair! But those plot twists! They were well hidden and revealed with fantastic shock, and that cliff-hanger makes me want to start book two as soon as possible!
The character development is fantastic, the main characters Ethan and Uma were developed really well, and their relationship felt very business-like throughout, I feel it lacked a little something as I feel some of the betrayals could of hit a little harder than they did. Plus, the vast number of characters introduced felt a bit over the top, especially as some of them did not seem to serve much purpose other than becoming victims throughout the book. Plus, what happened to Shane?
Either way this is a fantastic start to a series I will complete, the plot and intriguing technology is definitely thought provoking, and despite being set in 2003, I would not be surprised if this is not some kind of future technology scientists would be trying to develop
March 1, 2024
Here is my review for Leap by OC Heaton
It took me a few pages to get into this book but it’s worth sticking with it because once I got into it, I really started to enjoy it and the story grew on me. There are twists and turns galore. At the beginning there is a lot of rough stuff going on and the writing for this is thrilling, really well plotted and written, in fact the whole book is. OC Heaton has done really well with writing this book and keeping the momentum going with swapping between Iceland, London and New York. The idea is brilliant and I love his imagination that has led to this trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in it.
Blurb @
One small step could ruin mankind’s greatest leap...
November 2003. Ethan Rae is known for his billions, but his latest business venture is about to really put him on the map: a quantum teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as LEAP, the system is capable of providing Earth’s ultimate second chance...until it falls into the wrong hands.
When playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III snatches LEAP out from under Ethan’s nose, he adds insult to injury by attempting to destroy Ethan’s business partner, Uma Jakobsdóttir. But this is no malicious whim. As the daughter of its creator, Uma enforces the LEAP Laws.
Because of its potentially devastating capabilities, LEAP users must not clone people, revive the dead, or merge minds and species. But in the race to recover their precious piece of tech, Ethan and Uma are faced with sacrifices that push their resolve to breaking point.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland, to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a technothriller that will keep you questioning what it means to be human.
It took me a few pages to get into this book but it’s worth sticking with it because once I got into it, I really started to enjoy it and the story grew on me. There are twists and turns galore. At the beginning there is a lot of rough stuff going on and the writing for this is thrilling, really well plotted and written, in fact the whole book is. OC Heaton has done really well with writing this book and keeping the momentum going with swapping between Iceland, London and New York. The idea is brilliant and I love his imagination that has led to this trilogy and I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in it.
Blurb @
One small step could ruin mankind’s greatest leap...
November 2003. Ethan Rae is known for his billions, but his latest business venture is about to really put him on the map: a quantum teleportation system that would solve global warming for good. Known as LEAP, the system is capable of providing Earth’s ultimate second chance...until it falls into the wrong hands.
When playboy CEO Samuel Reynolds III snatches LEAP out from under Ethan’s nose, he adds insult to injury by attempting to destroy Ethan’s business partner, Uma Jakobsdóttir. But this is no malicious whim. As the daughter of its creator, Uma enforces the LEAP Laws.
Because of its potentially devastating capabilities, LEAP users must not clone people, revive the dead, or merge minds and species. But in the race to recover their precious piece of tech, Ethan and Uma are faced with sacrifices that push their resolve to breaking point.
From the frozen wastelands of Iceland, to the leafy suburbs of London and the mean streets of New York City, LEAP is a technothriller that will keep you questioning what it means to be human.
March 15, 2024
Every now and again, I like to dip out of my normal genres and try something a bit new. Sometimes, like this occasion, it really pays off. This book was fantastic. Leap is a fast-paced, action stuffed thriller that keeps you on your toes and takes you on a wild ride across the globe.
This is book 1 in the race is on series, and I am very much looking forward to diving into book two. The author manages to write in such a style that keeps you captivated and engaged from beginning to end and has your page turning like a ninja to find out what's coming next. I haven't read a techno thriller before, so this was a fantastic start to the genre for me and was also fresh and exciting.
I loved the world building and detail that went into the first half of the story so that by the time you hit the halfway point you are fully immersed in the world almost as if you are feeling it in real time. The depth to the characters enables you to form the bond with them that really keeps you invested in both the characters themselves and over running story. You can clearly see by the time taken to delve into the ethical dilemmas and the side effects on civilisation as a whole that this story has been intelligently and thoroughly thought out and planned and it really added to the overall legitimacy of the story. It felt believable, the characters and corporate machinations were realistic and really drew you in whilst simultaneously making you sit back and think over the moral dilemmas you would face when posed with the ability to either save the world or destroy civilization in order to do so. What would you do? I loved this, I loved that the story not only entertained me but challenged me mentally. It was brilliant and refreshing.
Overall, it was a fantastic read. Highly recommend
This is book 1 in the race is on series, and I am very much looking forward to diving into book two. The author manages to write in such a style that keeps you captivated and engaged from beginning to end and has your page turning like a ninja to find out what's coming next. I haven't read a techno thriller before, so this was a fantastic start to the genre for me and was also fresh and exciting.
I loved the world building and detail that went into the first half of the story so that by the time you hit the halfway point you are fully immersed in the world almost as if you are feeling it in real time. The depth to the characters enables you to form the bond with them that really keeps you invested in both the characters themselves and over running story. You can clearly see by the time taken to delve into the ethical dilemmas and the side effects on civilisation as a whole that this story has been intelligently and thoroughly thought out and planned and it really added to the overall legitimacy of the story. It felt believable, the characters and corporate machinations were realistic and really drew you in whilst simultaneously making you sit back and think over the moral dilemmas you would face when posed with the ability to either save the world or destroy civilization in order to do so. What would you do? I loved this, I loved that the story not only entertained me but challenged me mentally. It was brilliant and refreshing.
Overall, it was a fantastic read. Highly recommend
January 9, 2026
Rating: 2.75⭑˚.⋆
Date: 08/01/26
Format: E-book
Clearly a well researched book with an interesting concept and a unique timeline in which it’s set (post 9/11). However, the book was repetitive in a lot of places and the first half was a drag to get through. I also feel that not much happened throughout the 400+ pages that we spend with these characters and for a series called “The Race is On”, it truly wasn’t until the last 15% or so. I also really wanted to know more about Uma/Eva’s dad and the initial conception of LEAP. The author explains how LEAP works but never explains how it came to be? How it was developed for the first time and what errors/mistakes were noticed in the beginning. I wish instead of writing it as a separate short story, MAD was a part of this book because it would’ve explained so many things and given a different perspective on this technology!
But, I did enjoy the concept of two extremely different people being merged through teleportation, resulting in the formation of this completely new person who is constantly in an existential crisis. I could see that the author tried his very best to give the main characters some depth but Uma was genuinely the only character I cared about. The rest were not properly fleshed out due to constant changes in the character povs.
Although I don’t think I will be continuing with this series, LEAP is a pretty interesting and cool concept!
Date: 08/01/26
Format: E-book
Clearly a well researched book with an interesting concept and a unique timeline in which it’s set (post 9/11). However, the book was repetitive in a lot of places and the first half was a drag to get through. I also feel that not much happened throughout the 400+ pages that we spend with these characters and for a series called “The Race is On”, it truly wasn’t until the last 15% or so. I also really wanted to know more about Uma/Eva’s dad and the initial conception of LEAP. The author explains how LEAP works but never explains how it came to be? How it was developed for the first time and what errors/mistakes were noticed in the beginning. I wish instead of writing it as a separate short story, MAD was a part of this book because it would’ve explained so many things and given a different perspective on this technology!
But, I did enjoy the concept of two extremely different people being merged through teleportation, resulting in the formation of this completely new person who is constantly in an existential crisis. I could see that the author tried his very best to give the main characters some depth but Uma was genuinely the only character I cared about. The rest were not properly fleshed out due to constant changes in the character povs.
Although I don’t think I will be continuing with this series, LEAP is a pretty interesting and cool concept!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews