Mindwarp

Earthsearch #0.5

by James Follett

There is a legendary place in the culture of Arama whose origins are lost in pre-history. It is a place outside the great caverns of the known world. An unimaginable place peopled with demons and the damned. A place so steeped in fears and superstitions that the dread consequences of being banished there are enshrined in children's nursery rhymes.

But two students, Jenine and Ewen, believe that such a place really exists. They are destined to become technicians- the elite band of holy men and women that rule Arama- and yet they abandon their studies and become fugitives in a terror-filled relentless quest.

They don't know what they are looking for.

They don't even know what it looks like.

All they know is its name: The Outdoors.

Genres: Science Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

James Follett (not "Follet") was an author and screenwriter, born in 1939 in Tolworth, England.

Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the details are all quite different, this is really just a remake of Logan's Run. So I was more than a little disappointed to find that so much of the premise was cobbled, and watered down, from another narrative.

[Paul Bennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prelude to the Earthsearch series (2 other books) which I would definitely recommend reading before reading the other two books. It gives you a grounding in some of the ideas of the people of the planet at this time and leads to a better understanding of what is happening in the other books. It turns conventional thinking on its head as normal life is conducted underground and "The Outdoors" which is where you are sent if you are bad is above ground. You follow Jenine and Ewen on a journey of discovery of what is happening on their world and how they learn about the world around them. As a reader, it leads you to question whether you would think the same as them when presented with things that we take for granted. It isn't even clear where they are until you get quite a way into the book.

I found this book an engrossing read that made me want to read more of the adventures and discoveries.

[Emz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely outstanding read that I thoroughly enjoyed and found utterly unputdownable. This book delivers on every front, brimming with suspense, action, and thrilling twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Interestingly, it brought to mind some thematic parallels with the Silo series, feeling like a significant precursor in its bold conceptualization.

The premise is nothing short of brilliant, executed with superb writing that brings both the narrative and its well-crafted characters to life. The pace is simply phenomenal, flowing like mercury and ensuring a truly immersive experience. If you're looking for a book that has it all, look no further.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little read

It was pleasant that this read well as a standalone novel though part of a series. I thought some of the personalities weren't fully convincing, and I never really gelt 'there' so the descriptions were perhaps lacking, which is a bit of an issue when world building.
But it was fun and I read it all the way.

[gary stobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindboggling

A book you can read over and over again. And very believable, The future starts here. Or does it???? Maybe not

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not to be confused with the Doctor Who story Mindwarp. Apparently this is a prelude to a couple other Earthsearch stories. Not quite sure if I’ll check them out.

[Cameron Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic science fiction story but the wooden performance of Leon Parris kept throwing me off. He did make an amazing soundtrack for this story though

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my intro to the series. I put it into the usual run of books like the island until towards the end when the expected plot was ditched for a much more interesting and wider range of options.
The quest is now on to get the rest of the series.

[Robert C. Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good! As expected

Fillet is a gifted writer of fiction. As with such, he channels the truth about the human condition. Love sinking into a cozy chair and traveling with him to created planets. A great read even if you don't like science fiction.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After escaping Aroma, Ewen and Jenine must learn to survive the dangers of the island. But are they truly alone?

[Timo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good prequel to Earthsearch itself.
A very good Big Finish production.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1884449...

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[pete flowerdew]

Do you know, I started reading James Follett prior to discovering Ken Follet. I then read every book the latter wrote, but now I have read Mindwarp (OK Title aint to prepossessing) I have rediscovered him all over again.
The length and breadth of this epic story makes it one of my top ten best books, and pretty high up there too! Magnificent.