What if one day you woke up in a world where everything you loved an knew no longer existed? A sinister destiny looms over our world, an invisible, deadly one. Initially, there were those eerie, gloomy sounds. Then the inexplicable disappearances of some people; isolated, imperceptible cases for most people. Shortly afterwards, changes in government, the new rules, persecutions...and the strange and indescribable experiment...a different enemy, a superior, cruel, indecipherable intelligence pulls the strings of our reality under deceptive, undetectable clothing. Only a few visualize that something obscure, a plan far beyond our understanding, is developing and weaving its cobweb over humankind as a whole. Secluded, persecuted and under the imminent risk of being exterminated, a highly sophisticated interdisciplinary group will attempt to join forces, investigate, understand the inexplicable and find out the truth, exposing their lives in every step taken. Under no circumstances could they know that come to know the truth would just be the beginning of the nightmare.
Another book that I just couldn't put down. To me, it was like sci-fi + conspiracy theory all rolled into one amazing book. As I read through this book, I was filled with anticipation, excitement and sadness. To see what these people went through and the courage that a lot of them had was amazing. Well written. And the end - probably one of the best endings to a story that I have read in a long time. I have so much I want to share, but it's stuff I truly think you need to learn yourself. Read this book. You will love it.
I was given this book for free with the promise of an honest review.
Christian Baker's storyline takes you from a time in our country when our leadership has changed from leaders wanting the best for our citizens to complete control of their destinies. When governments become so strong as an entity in itself all thoughts of individual rights and freedoms slowly erode, leaving regulations and controls over their everyday lives, their friendships, and their futures. This storyline is Science Fiction at its best showing the crossover from one alternate world to our own; not from out in space but in a split dimension here on our planet... An army leader named Cardwell has strong feelings that our government leaders appear to have changed over a short period of time. Their changes at first just seeming to be power hungry officials wanting to control the destinies of the world populace through a series of international unions and joint operational controls. Cardwell seeks out a young commando, named Richard, to partner with him and his group of loyalists believing in the principles developed by our country's founders originally. Cardwell also seeks the additional assistance of a scientist named Benson. Several incidences of happenings to individuals effected by the domineering forces under a President that appears to be not the same man Cardwell had known years before. I will leave this review with a small stage being setup for you reading this... I'll leave it by telling you that Richard and Benson are transferred to an alternate world here on earth, not out in space, and find help from a common person with common values for fairness. This individual and his wife take them in and from that point forward the three individuals work toward solutions toward the dynasty controls that have been put in place in both worlds... I think it would not be fair me to tell you all that happens in both worlds but will leave it with this thought... You will find the importance of the individuals, "Human Spirit." Read and enjoy...
Lots of plot here, but almost no character development, and a tired trope. The plot itself kept me reading til the end, but overall this was disappointing.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. The partially opened door, worn and slightly abused graced my brain with tantalizing clues. What was behind that door? Where did it lead? Was I in store for a subtle horror story, a subtle but still breath-taking sci-fiction novel? The possibilities of that cover, and the title, The Bleak Door was simply intoxicating.
Sadly, I was not intoxicated; I was confused and disappointed. The Bleak Door attempted to weave a taunt thriller where the reader was pulled into an intricate plot of aliens, a new world order, the rise of a new form of thinly-veiled Nazism, and a growing, but confusing rebellion that fails to gain any decisive traction or sense of purpose.
I will say that when the story did provide some action, the description of events did provide well-detailed imagery. A talented artist could easily have drawn very easily from the descriptions provided. Sadly, the majority of the book consisted of the reader being told what happened, or reading it through painfully bureaucratic “missives” from governmental agency.
Perhaps the most disappointing part is that there was so much potential in this book. Any one of the numerous attempted plot lines would have made an enthralling story. However by trying to weave so many of them together the author essentially “threw” the plot and characters at the reader, hoping at least something would stick.
Unfortunately, at least for this reader, nothing did
The author wrote a book that I couldn't put down. To begin with when I saw that cover I had to read it. The broken down , weather worn door that was cracked open just a tad. Intriguing? What was behind that door?
The book brings about a lot of emotion, anticipation, excitement, sadness and questions. Was this a conspiracy that the President takes ill so quickly only to recover so quickly? Or did he?
I couldn't read fast enough or turn the pages fast enough so I could find out more about what these people had and were going through. Bravery was their name.
I could go on and on but that would give it away to you and it was so well written with an ending that will amaze you, that you will want that thrill for yourself. This is one Sci Fi that you won't want to miss even if you're not a Sci Fi fan and I'm not really one. I plan on keeping this book to read again later. The cover was just the right one for this book. It definitely attracts your attention.
I was given a complimentary copy of THE BLEAK DOOR from the author, Christian Baker and Books Machine for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
I was provided a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
The Bleak by Christian Baker: “What if one day you woke up in a world where everything you loved and knew no longer existed? A sinister destiny looms over our world, an invisible, deadly one.” There really is no way for me to sum up this book in a short description without giving away too much. In the end, it’s the human spirit that saves the day, or does it?
Christian Baker has written a tale that reaches to your core, and filled me with suspense as to what was to happen next. I just couldn’t put this book down. By far one of the better ebooks I’ve read in a long time. If you like books about science fiction or conspiracy theory this one really is for you. As I read this one I could see the movie playing out in my mind. This would be a good movie. Excellent work Christian Baker!
This is by far the best free Kindle title I have read. Sci-fi, dystopian, Big Brother-esque, with undertones of religious fanaticism and oppression. Despite several cringe-worthy grammatical errors (I assume this was self-published and low-budget, perhaps), I was blown away by the plot and exposition.
A few sections of the book were a little slow-going, but once I got about 65% done, I didn't want to put it down and was sneaking it in the bathroom on my phone, etc.
The very fantastical technology employed by the antagonistic "others" in this book was presented in a way that was exceptionally believable, as well.
I'd have rated this five stars if based on the plot alone, but I gave it four as I felt the actual structure and style could use a little fine-tuning.
Couldn't finish this one. I have a few reasons and here are a couple.
One. When someone is retelling a past incident to someone else, it really doesn't work to have them tell the story like a writer writes it in a book. Unless, maybe, the character IS a writer, but even then -- no. Long spoken accounts are necessary sometimes for plot exposition. I get that. But if one man is telling something to another man, then the speech should sound like one man is telling another man.
Two. Adverbs should always, ALWAYS be used properly. As in the right meaning for what is clearly meant. This kind of thing makes me cringe and click off the book. I admit to an utter lack of tolerance for this.
I can breathe now after holding my breath through the final chapters. I had previously started the book and was disappointed and put it away. Later I started reading again and had to restart at the very beginning. I am ever so glad I did. Suspenseful as ever and I couldn't figure out what was going on. I was half asleep and had a quick thought.....I know,I know......but I didn't! Extraterrestrial? Read it and find out......
The prose was so bad that it was difficult to read the book at all. Several times I nearly deleted it from my Kindle. The story itself wasn't bad, but it was told in such a stilted manner that I wondered if the author was being translated from another language. Melodramatic, predictable, and badly written. Stay away.
Good book with unexpected twists and dark turns. The story really shows how scared the characters are in vivid detail. I really liked how bleak things got and how/why things got to that point. It started a bit slow but overall enjoyed it.