The Question: If you could have the answer to only one question what would you ask?

by R. Breuer Stearns

THE QUESTION invites readers to consider this If you could have the answer to one question, what would you ask . . . and who would try to stop you from asking it? To what extremes would they go? THE QUESTION is a thriller that explores the nature of thinking, a method powerful enough to answer very complex questions . . . perhaps powerful enough to solve the universe's most beguiling unknowns. THE QUESTION is an adventure story . . . a fantasy . . . fiction that you may wish, may believe, may know, is true. The narrative occurs in the present, with scenes in California, Washington, D.C., Paris, Shanghai, New York, and Afghanistan. The story is aimed at high-school and older readers and contains some graphic violence and occasional sexual allusions. The plot is action-oriented with an element of scientific fantasy, similar to Jack Finney's "Time and Again." The prose is crisply written, professionally edited, and organized into movie-scene chapters. THE QUESTION is ideal reading for anyone who is curious . . . for those who gaze into the cosmos at night and wonder . . . for those who look into the mirror and imagine . . . for those whose hearts beat faster when confronting the unknown . . . for readers who enjoy a fast paced, contemporary thriller that inspires them to think.

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

270 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2013

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually finish books within 2 or 3 days. For a book this length, it typically wouldn't have taken me this long, and I didn't even finish it. I read a book twice and a half it's size and finished it in less than two days.
Honestly, this book...Ugh. Where do I begin? I usually feel pretty bad at not finishing books. Quitting halfway through always leaves me with a guilty conscious, so I only do that with the worst of books. I tried to like this book, and there was a part that I thought, "hey, maybe I could get into this..." but I can't.
Maybe it's because I'm a 15 year old girl and this book is supremely about government issues that I have yet to care about. Maybe it's because there's a lot of terrorism in this book and that makes me super duper uncomfortable. Maybe it's because all of the scientific rants in this book are utter crap.
I felt like all the science rants in this book was supposed to make the main character/author sound smart, but it honestly just made him sound annoying. And no, the rants didn't go over my head. I understood them just fine, but I thought they were stupid. The character often stated the obvious, too, which is one of my biggest pet peeves. Like, duh. You're literally just taking up 5 pages to say what everyone already knows. Can we continue now?
But enough about MY pet peeves. Let's get on to the real problems of the book.
It had so much plot line, honestly. Usually a book with a lot of plot is interesting and it hooks you in, but this...This drowned me in all the plot that was going on. Scientific studies, terrorism, random girlfriend, ex-football player turned scientist, POV from the country bumpkin preacher president...I mean, honestly. I'm sorry, okay, but can you calm it down?
One thing that really stood out to me was the characters. There's way too many characters to keep track of. I made it like 150 pages and the amount of characters I was trying to keep track of hurt my brain. I usually don't mind several characters, but they all just kind of collided in my mind. I thought some of them were pointless and could have been without, but maybe that's because I didn't finish the book to see their great thrill.
I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, I promise you. If I were older and more into science, maybe I would like this book. The thing is, the title and the description on the back are really misleading. I love sci-fi novels. They're one of my favorite genres, but in this context...I don't know. Wasn't my type.
There was constantly talk of, "Is there a God?" in this book. I couldn't tell if he was using it to try and prove there is no God, or there is. Either way, it just kind of annoyed me. He's bringing philosophy into scientific experiments, which is not really my thing. At all.
Nate's theory is that, if he gets a large enough group of people together, they'll have a "Unity," which means when asked a question, they'll see an image in their mind of the right answer. So he thinks if he gets a huge group of people together, they can answer the question, "is there a God?"
Sorry, R. Breuer Stearns. It doesn't work like that. Sci-fi is great. Sci-fi is rad. Sci-fi is awesome. In this case, I was very...irked. I kept thinking, "great plot line...but is this the best you could do? Kind of a disappointment."
It's like when you order triple chocolate fudgy ice cream and realize it's only vanilla with chocolate syrup on top. I tried with this book, I really did, and I'm very sorry that I couldn't connect with it.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several other books that have the scientific aspect and they can run a fine line between being too unbelievable. So how do you make a story so it is plausible? Well you need to make the storyline be something that readers could imagine actually happening without being too "techie". Which there was some of this in this story but that and even the graphic violence and occasional sexual allusions were not what bothered me. In fact this book is a quick read if you can get past the first like sixteen chapters. It was a slow beginning. I struggled to stick with the book in the beginning but I wanted to find out the answer to the "Question". Which I do agree with some of the other readers that this is not the "Question" that would first come to my mind. Also, I found the flow from the different characters and locations not a smooth transfer also in the beginning. I found myself skimming the book at times but the last half of the story is better.

[Michelle (Bookaholic Banter) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Question was one of those books that read like a non-fiction book. The storyline was believable. It is a story that makes you ponder and think what if? This story had an interesting premise that kept me interested and wanting to see how it all played out in the end. It dealt with subjects that I believe for the most part could really happen in real lilfe. This story is one of wondering, spirituality, and finding the meaning to life. It also was a bit of a crime thiller at the same time and had some very raw and horrific moments. Some of the things that happened in this book felt very real and believable and I could see things like this happening in real life.

This characters in this story were for the most part real and relatable. I didn't really feel very connected to any of the characters, however. At times the description and scenes dragged on a bit and I could feel myself losing interest or my mind would start to wander. Luckily though, it wouldn't last long and the book was broken down into chapters were the story would visit another character and scene and then it would grab my interest again.

At times this story was fast-paced and kept me turning the pages, at other times it drug on a bit. For the most part the writing was fantastic. The transition from chapter to chapter however was a bit choppy and didn't quite flow so smoothly.

I loved the idea of Unity in this story and truly do believe that this exists in part. Maybe at times it seemed a little bit far-fetched. This was fictional so it's to be expected.

The beginning of the story starts out a little slow and some of the moments were a little dull for me. However, if you love military type books you will really enjoy it. That part of the story just wasn't for me. The middle of the story was really the meat to this whole book and the part that really grabbed me and held on. I was slightly disappointed in the ending. I felt like a story of this proportion and with this much depth and meaning should have given me a little more. It just kind of left me feeling like "that's it?"

For the most part I really enjoyed the story. It didn't blow me away but for the most part was an enjoyable read. It held my interest and I found the subject(s) to be very interesting and right up my alley. It was the kind of story that made me think and contemplate and I enjoy a book like that. It was quite intriguing. I only wish that the ending had went out with a bit more of a bang.

I would recommend this read to anyone who likes a book that makes them think, enjoys political events, and a bit of intrgue.

*I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing book, is for scientific thinking people, I read but not my choice of books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing that caught my eye about this novel is the book cover. I love whales. The deep blue of the ocean and the evening starry sky is so beckoning. What great imagery. I thought it perfect for this story as it made me wonder about the connection of the whales to "the question" and to the fact that this book is labelled a thriller.

Nate Heartnell, a Navy-trained man and former football star is now Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies. He has the job of creating and controlling the disaster scenarios aboard a mock submarine. In this way, he and his team could study and assess how humans resolve complex questions. This led him to discover the brain's unique capacity to solve or answer a question when looking into the eyes of another person.

When this UNITY concept is further explored with amazing results, the President of the USA gets involved and so does the world, both in a good and terrible way. There are those who think this is an amazing discovery and those who take an extremist view. When Nate and his team set out to question if God exists, things go wrong. And a terrorist act ensues.

From the first page onward I was intrigued. I loved Stearns intelligent writing style. Every character was well introduced and developed. Every chapter built on the suspense from the previous one. My mind worked to connect each scene and characters to the overall theme. When the book ended I looked through the book once again to connect the clues as to who murdered one of the characters. So although some readers may think there are superfluous characters, trust me each of the characters plays a role in the plot. If you miss the clues, you may miss who the mystery terrorist accomplice really is!

There is a great cast of characters in this novel and I was entertained throughout. My favorite character was the president. He was a cowboy who used his stories from the ranch as analogies to bring out a point in his discussions with his White House team. Some of his expressions cracked me up. He came across as quite believable in the role of president.

Suspenseful, intriguing and though-provoking, The Question explores the human brain and its connection with all living things. I was fascinated by the concepts and the author's imagination. How powerful are our thoughts? I love the science of neurobiology so this concept used as a topic in a thriller with some fantastical elements made for a very interesting read. This novel reminded me of The Curiosity by Stephan P. Kiernan, which I read last year and also found fascinating.

Although I didn't agree with how divinity was portrayed (you'll understand what I mean when you read the last few pages of the book) I still thought The Question was a unique story. R. Breuer Stearns is an author to watch out for. I can't wait to see what he will come up with next.

[Rakhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review

The Question is a thriller. Protagonist Nate is trying to solve a Unity Theory. Through experiments, he learns that solutions to problems could be reached easier and with most accuracy if asked to a group- without letting them talk to each other. Nate tries to see if a million people would be able to solve the abstract question "Is there a God?" or " Does God exist?"

What difficulties would Nate face while trying to solve the maze?
Will he succeed? Is there more questions that he try to solve? How will his personal life change ? Grab a copy to know more.

The book is a club of thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. We can see glimpses of different realms of life. The story-line swivels to unforeseen directions which astonishes the reader. This is one of the most unique stories that I have reviewed lately. The message of the book is the ultimate spiritual reality conveyed in the background of an exhilarating experiment. Another quality of the book that impressed me is that author did not use erotic scenes to make the depth of the relation between Nate and his girl friend to the readers. If you are looking for a book with substance, you should definitely read this. On the other hand, if you are looking for an easy read, I would not recommend the book.
There are a lot of characters in the book. Each one is given due importance, in accordance with their role in the story.


Highlights

The plot of the book is promising
The writing style of the book is crisp.
Characters are crafted well.
The pace of the story is maintained well.
There are a lot of twists and turns which forces the readers to hang on to the book.

Drawbacks
The beginning of most chapters are vague. There is a suspense in the beginning of almost every chapter, which was unwanted
There were a few typos.
The blurb is ambiguous.

Reviewed for the iRead Book Tours

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

One Liner

One of the most creative books released lately.

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The full title of this thriller by R. Breuer Stearns, which is dedicated to Katie, always in the author’s mind, and is preceded by a Buddha quote about how all we are is the result of our thoughts, is “If you could have THE answer to only one QUESTION what would you ask?” The writer further asks who would attempt to prevent the reader from asking said inquiry, and to what extremities they would go. This thriller delves into a new form of contemplation which is forceful enough to resolve the universe’s important mysteries, mayhap resolve the great unknowns of Earth’s major religions.

THE QUESTION also crosses genre into the adventure genre, with readers potentially hoping that this work of fiction is somehow true. The setting is present day, with the story’s publication date being May of 2015, and contains various settings in locations such as the State of California; Washington, D.C.; Paris, France; Shanghai, China; New York; and even Afghanistan. The target audience is high school students and adults, given mature sexual and violent material, and is further pitched as a work of “scientific fantasy,” and in general wants readers to think and be curious about the great unknowns of society.

THE QUESTION stars a diverse cast of characters such as the fast-swimming Jake, the football-loving Nate, and surgeon Dr. Sidney Wexler, who all become embroiled in a new form of thinking called Unity, when two people simultaneously see the answer to a complex question in their minds, and an event known as Unity Day gradually draws near when the whole world will be engaged in this scientific discovery. Ultimately, this is an enjoyable novel that crosses various genres and deals with issues such as terrorism, although the many acronyms that the story uses aren’t regularly defined throughout the text, their meanings easy to forget. Even so, this is a good book this reviewer would certainly recommend.

[Sahar Find Me On Story Graph · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea behind the book is very interesting, to say the least, and long-term readers of my blog are probably not surprised that I picked this one up. There is something very intriguing about the new form of (fictional) group thinking explored in this book called Unity, in which people think at the same in silence about the same complex question and see the answer simultaneously in their minds. However, for a book that’s supposed to make a reader think, it doesn’t really explore much in terms of for example what other questions might be considered for the Unity project. There are also a lot of questions on how to achieve Unity that are altogether skipped. I mean, we live in a world that is breaking apart because we are unable to achieve unity, and we are meant to believe that we can easily achieve it in order to answer some of life’s biggest questions? It’s, dare I say, insulting to the very concept of unity.

As a thriller, The Question only delivers part of its promise. The beginning is very slow; it’s not even that it is a slow, deliberate novel meant to be enjoyed slowly. Rather, it felt like the first half was an obstacle course that readers had to sometimes get through while running in mud. The pace is bogged down by the sheer amount of information poured on the reader, a big portion of which we don’t really need to know or that could have been shared more wisely. There is also a need for some more editing and formatting work.

This book has a lot of potential but most opportunities to delve into life-altering and soul-stirring conversations are skimmed over. It’s supposedly made to make you think, but the way it’s presented it doesn’t seem to create a forum for thoughtful analysis. I would love to revisit a thoroughly edited version of The Question because I feel a book that challenges readers to think deeply about the concept of unity as a means to answers life’s toughest questions could make an important contribution to the betterment of the world.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Question, Nate Heartnell stumbles upon and begins to study a phenomenon related to the possibilities and powers of group thinking. After seeing unexplainable tendencies of two people working on the same task quietly coming to the same answer at the same time, Nate starts delving into studying if there is more to the moments of ‘unity’ than just coincidence. This leads to surprising and disastrous threats from people and groups who fear the kinds of questions that may be answered with the powers of ‘unity’.

I wasn’t expecting the story to take the turn that it did, with such strong reactions to even the possibility of philosophical and religious questions being definitively answered, but it took the story to really interesting places both as the plot became much more intense, and also bringing a really thoughtful discussion of how much faith may be more desired than true knowledge about life. The book becomes suspenseful both in how extremists react but also in how the idea of truly being able to answer deep questions on our own existence plays out for all of the characters and their individual perspective.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Carleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting read! I will admit that the book started off rather strangely to me, with whales and an oceanic beginning. It was slow to begin but most definitely picked up the pace. This fantasy is one that will make you analyze your own being and the way that you think. The premise is that a group are looking to create a unity of minds to determine if God exists. As you could possibly guess, there is much controversy within the pages regarding this group who are looking to gain the unity. The book incorporates faith, science, the human condition, and ideas of terrorism all in to one beautifully written novel. The author is able to keep the reader intrigued in seeing if in fact this group can gain a unity and obtain the answer to the question. As with any kind of testing, there are many obstacles endured. The author is able to wrap the book up neatly and leave the reader with a sense of closure, yet it keeps the reader thinking about his/her own life and ideals. I would recommend this book to young adult readers or anyone looking for an intriguing fantasy. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan Bissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first when I started reading this story I thought, what a neat concept of getting a lot of people together to think about one question and see how several people come up with the answer at the same time, why/how does that happen? This story really gets you thinking of all the possibilities of being able to answer a lot of important questions in this world. UNITY is a great word for this concept, but as the story goes on you find out how religious zealots can and will protest (bombings near a certain religious holiday) against doing this kind of research as blasphemy against God or even foreign governments using this for their own benefits to give them more power. Plus, do you really want to ask the question, "Is there a God?". What would be the answer, would you like the answer you get or how about NOT getting the answer you want? Do you really want to know?!?! How will the answer effect everyone once they hear it? This story gives you a lot to think about, but the author does tie up the story, giving you closure and a lot to think about.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Patrycja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through the GoodReads first reads program.

I liked the idea but the whole story was too slow. Also coincidentally names of characters weren't that coincident, I think. President Barrow, terrorist Ali bin Dubari, etc. I couldn't stop thinking about real people.. But besides that.. The story could revolve much faster and more interesting.

Nate was a part of experiment of Unity. There were questions that maybe can be answered if a lot of people think about it at the same time. Can Unity occur? Can Unity show only between humans or also between animals? Can Unity help to get an answer to question? Does Unity really exist? Does God exist? The concept may spark agitation and some may not like the idea at all. To the level that they will do anything to stop the experiment.

[Dennis Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fast, simple read, but a slow deliberate novel. All through the book, my thoughts ran to "What question would I ask". The idea that one and only one question could create a world wide connection is something to think about. The novel involves several characters in thinking about what question would they ask and envelopes the readers! I certainly would recommend this book to anyone that would like a thought provoking novel.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery of the story held my attention. It was a wild ride. There are 2 scenes that stand out to me as being grotesque. The writing is pretty good and the story itself is intriguing. It is sort of sci-fi and mystical mixed together. I really couldn't put it down, because I had to know what was going on and how it fit together. Funny thing is that it did tie in very well with spiritual reading I've been doing lately.

[Ankita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Question by R.Breuer Stearns is a treat for intellectual readers, who crave for a book that is a perfect combination of a challenging concept and an enjoyable plot. Nate Heartnell, the Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, notices an intriguing phenomenon while working on an assignment. He observes that people can communicate and answer the hardest questions only by looking deep into one another’s eyes — no words necessary. He names this project, Mental Unity. With the help of his college friend, Pete Kelly (the White House Chief of Staff), he starts a project on a global scale to understand and establish this concept. However, the choice of his question for this project attracts a wrong crowd, who insist on putting a stop to this project or suffer the consequences. Nate has come too far to go back, but what could he do when the President decided on pulling the trigger. He must weigh his options and decide whether his theory actually has enough evidence of being a reality or it’s a wild goose chase.

I did not know what to expect from the book because the plot started pretty slow, and the synopsis of the book was of no significant help. I liked the narrative style of the author. His writing technique is very impressive, to say the least. Right from the beginning, his immense knowledge on various subjects is clearly established. His description of the technicians, data analysis, and whales is quite engaging. Throughout the book, he includes the readers in a few mental exercises. As Nate’s research progresses, the wonderment of the readers to find answers to his profound questions increases. When he selects the question — does God exist? — for his research, many spectators become an active participant in the research. The author touches the global issue of terrorism, as well, and indicates the irrational logic of terrorists. If a person tries to dig deeper into the existence of God, some people take it upon themselves to stop them. During one conversation, the characters come to a very thought-provoking conclusion regarding faith. Even if the answer to this question comes as negative, it is our choice to accept the result or stick to our faith. Indeed, very deep thought! Just because the result of a project may contradict our belief system, should we use violence to put a stop to it?

The intense research of the author on various topics is easily evident in the book. This must have been a very long term project of the author. His detailed description of the work behind data analysis and cognitive studies, the regions of Afghanistan, the planning of terrorists, and the connection between the brains of humans and animals are enticing and captivating. Although this book is a work of fiction, one cannot help but wonder the existence of the phenomenon of mental unity. When we receive an invitation to a boring event, just by looking into the eyes of our close friend, we know what we want to do. Our thoughts, at that moments, are in sync, and we come up with the perfect excuse to politely refuse the invitation. The author has taken this concept to the next level, where he perceives that this theory expands to a global scale. At times, his perception seemed so real that I wished to try it; however, at other times, I found it hard to correlate.

The characters are realistic, and their actions are believable. The author has enriched his characters with a life and a personality. My favorite character is Charlotte, who is the girlfriend of Nate, because of her intelligent conversations. She is not a typical nagging girlfriend, rather she is a person who is not afraid of contradicting her boyfriend in intellectual matters. She is a confidante and a real companion of Nate. The author has not devoted a lot of time in praising her outer beauty, which is admirable because the common trend is to spend a lot of time in decorating the appearance of a girlfriend; instead, he has given her a life and a brain.

I would recommend this book to the readers who enjoy a fascinating merge of science with philosophy in a book.

[Dhivya Balaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

FIRST IMPRESSION:

Hands down, this book has one of the most interesting summaries I have come across in recent times. Though it appealed to the sceptic in me, I took this book simply for the pleasure of reading something confounding and retrospective.

The cover image is simple and I think reflects the book's contents well. The chapters are each numbered with a question mark and that, according to me speaks a lot about how this book is going to be.
REVIEW:

The Question - the one question everyone will ask. What would that be? In this world of more than 7 billion people (whose thoughts alone are more than enough to create a lot of chaos) what would THE question be? Is there anyone who knows what it is? Once the question is known, what would the answer be? What if it wasn't only the humans who participated, but also the other living things - those that we assume are lesser beings?

If the above paragraph confused you, you probably would not like this book. The overall tone of the book (that surprisingly manages to do justice to the summary) is thrilling and yet, somewhat retrospective. UNITY - or the power of many people joined together. What would it achieve? Are there people who wish you would not find out THE question? What would they do to prevent you from that? (Yes, these lines are paraphrased from the summary). This was the juncture where I knew the book would turn to terrorism. After all, large scale, uncalled for violence is terrorism, no matter where it originates, who it affects or what the effects are.

The opening chapter took me in completely until that one word in the last sentence that alerted me to what was actually being talked about. And from then on, I began reading the other chapters carefully. This somehow attracted me to the book more than the summary, this subtle word play. The beginning chapters are slow and tend to get confusing. But once you get past the hurdle, the book picks up pace. For a thriller, the book takes up too long to set the stage and get people to understand what is what. But even then, casual readers might not pick up a few important hints thrown completely at random and in no particular order.

The book concluded ambiguously, much like THE question itself would. To each, his own. The story concludes well but the questions still need answering. To give a word of praise to the book, it sets the right mood for retrospection and analysis. The language is great and the proofreading near perfect, but the first few chapters would work better with tighter editing.


WHAT I LIKED:
The Summary
The first chapter - this set the mood for reading perfectly
The premise and the story itself


WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
Editing needs to be tighter
The book takes a huge amount of time to come to the point. This can get a bit dreary at times.
While setting the scene can be done in minutes in a motion picture, describing scenes takes a lot longer in text. I think this is one of the reasons why the first few chapters seem so long - there are other ways to split up and give the description.


VERDICT:
A really good book - but not one you should attempt to read on a fuzzy mind, or as a light evening read. It takes more than one reading to appreciate the work that has been put into writing it.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book sticks with you and has your mind drifting back to it long after you've read the last page, and this book fits into that category.

After reading the blurb, I wasn't really sure what to expect from this one but being a fan of science fiction and books that make one think, I wanted to give it a shot. And it was worth it.

The beginning threw me a bit--a man dealing with the ocean world who tries to come to terms with a past catastrophe. I wasn't sure where it was going and was a bit confused about exactly what was going on. Still, I stuck to it, and after a few chapters, the entire thing began to gain clarity.

This isn't a book one can read quickly. There's quite a bit of word play and thoughts sprinkled through, which need to be caught to fall into the depth of it all. This isn't something to be read right before bedtime either, since it isn't something to be read only halfway awake. Although there are thrilling scenes, this isn't always a fast paced read and takes quite awhile to develop everything. The point of it comes, but not without work. So this isn't something to be picked up for quick entertainment.

Although there is a plot to all of it, it isn't so much about what happens to a main character, but rather takes a look at what happens when a larger group tries to accomplish something. A big wave falls on terrorism, and how 'the question' can be pursued or shielded off. Although this is said to be YA, I'd mark it for the higher side not only due to the deeper thought patterns involved, but also to several violent and/or slightly sexual scenes. This takes the mind on a pretty rugged trail at times.

The main message left me a bit off center. There are a lot of truths behind many of the thought processes or actions, where others reactions didn't necessarily follow as I believe they actually might. But I'm not sure that's quite the point. Rather, this can be seen as a starting block into the consideration of how things might really be and lead to a few thoughts which might not have been there before.

Summed up, this is a book with the intention to push the mind to think. The story is there, not the most entangling one, but that's also not the point. This is a book for those who like a little shove with some bite to help bring in thoughts and ideas they might not have wrestled before.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Question is written in a fairly complicated style. I will admit that I read 70--80 pages before I settled in to the author's writing style and was really drawn into the book. Stearns introduces many minor characters throughout the book--each with significant roles in the story line. Initially, I felt as though scenes and characters dropped in and out of the novel too quickly. I found myself wondering if I had skipped some pages or missed details at times. I had to change my perspective and accept that the author would tell me what I needed to know about each character or scene by the end of the given chapter. I had to trust that each chapter played a larger role in the "big picture" of the plot. Probably by the book's halfway point, I settled into the writing style and the flow of the book eased for me.

The Question challenges readers in many ways. Stearns incorporates many troublesome real-world possibilities into this book as his main characters work toward their ultimate "question" experiment. There were times when I found a scene horrific--and I felt challenged to return for the next chapter. There were times when I found scenes so sadly realistic and all too possible in our world that I felt compelled to discuss scenarios in conversations. There were times when I found myself questioning the motivations of characters and the value of an answer to a larger theological or philosophical question. This book will make readers think, question, wonder--and maybe even worry a little.

Would I recommend The Question by R. Breuer Stearns. This is a rather different sort of book. While it holds some futuristic, science fiction and fantasy elements--it also holds some real-world possibilities and philosophical thinking as well. I do think readers need to read this book with an open mind and a little patience. I wasn't a fan of the ending--and I found a few of the plot twists disturbing--but, sadly, I also found some of those twists reasonable and realistic for the modern world. The book is thought provoking and difficult to set aside once caught up in the story. I would recommend it to readers interested in science fiction with political undertones and thought-provoking possibilities.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 4 out of 5]

R. Breuer Stearns in his new book, “The Question” published by Createspace Publishing asks us If you could have THE answer to only one QUESTION what would you ask?

From the back cover: If you could have the answer to one question, and only one question, what would you ask?

Do all questions have answers? Are two minds better than one? Are a billion minds better still? Are science and faith compatible? Does how you think determine what you think? Who would try to stop you from asking your one question? To what extremes would they go?

The Question is an adventure story…a fantasy…fiction that you may wish, may believe, may know, is true.

The way you knew you were reading good science fiction was you asked yourself if what you were reading could be true and if the answer was yes then that is how you knew. Let me state for the record that Mr. Stearns has given us good science fiction. This one is going to keep you guessing. “The Question” is loaded with twists and turns that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. You get both sides of the question as religious zealots protest against doing this kind of research as blasphemy against God. While this book is not a fast read it is going to take up all of your attention so start reading early because once you get started you will not want to put this book down until you actually finish.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from IRead Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[DarthVixReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to thank the author and iRead Book tours for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

From my very first read of the description of The Question I was intrigued – and rightfully so! The Question was definitely not like any other book that I have ever read and I ended up really liking it. I had never before read a book that was at once both scientific and philosophical. The story itself was rather interesting and my attention was grabbed from the very first page and it wasn’t released until the very end. Even then, this is the kind of book that leaves you pondering even hours after you finish reading it.

I enjoyed the experience of reading this book. It challenged me in ways that I think most books don’t. It not only held entertainment value for me but also challenged me to think about my life and just about life in general. I enjoyed the writing style, I thought it was fluid with good dialogue and good characterization. I sometimes got lost in the scientific jargon but it was at the same time, super fascinating.

There was alot about this book that I found interesting and one of those things was the blurring of genres. This book was at the same time thriller, fantasy and science fiction. I don’t think I have ever read a book that quite accomplished that feat and it succeeded in doing so.

I definitely do recommend The Question, I think it was a rather different and satisfying reading experience. I ended up giving this book a four star review and I think everyone can find something to enjoy within it’s pages as it successfully hits different genre points.

[Rajalakshmi Prithviraj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not one of those that can hold your attention with a single reading. It kind of grows on you. With every new reading the interpretations change.

The plot revolves around one single question. And trust me, as you keep reading, chapter by chapter, the storyline keeps popping up a question in your mind.

The narrative may not be free flowing for every reader. Stearns uses lot of terms and statements that are technical in nature. Only those who have come across these concepts would be able to really appreciate. This is probably the reason why the narrative appears to be slow in some places. But notwithstanding that, even when some new concept was being described my mind kept asking a lot of questions.

The characters try playing their parts. There are few whose roles are crystal clear and others whose part is best understood when the story is read once again.

To sum up, this is one book which I am going to read again because of the unique storyline it has. Though a fiction, the theory proposed by the protagonist is something that has got me interested. There are a lot of why, how, who, where, what and when questions popping up in my mind. It is definitely not an easy read but at the same time, if you want to discover an entirely new concept or want to keep questioning yourself as you read, this book is a must-read then.

P.S- Thank you Laura and iRead Books for an interesting book in exchange of an honest opinion.

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story line intrigued me. The idea behind it - if you could ask one question what would it be - is very new age and philosophical. On the other hand, the plot of the book also involves terrorists, government agencies and scientific research facilities. It's an unusual mix to say the least. People come together to experiment - people protest - people die.

Researcher Nate Heartnell runs test scenarios in a controlled environment to evaluate how submarine crews respond to a wide variety unexpected difficulties. During one he seems to notice a strange pattern. When several individuals focus on one problem/question at the same time, a solution is arrived at in less time statistically. Is there a scientific principle at work here? Is there any way to conduct experiments to confirm this principle and how large does a group need to be for the chemistry to happen?

The research that ensues disturbs many people, including a truly violent terrorist who unleashes a terrible attack. For the public's safety, the government shuts down the experiment. But Heartnell is driven to continue his research any way he can. How it all comes together in the end will truly surprise the reader.

[Margaret Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iReads in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Question by R. Breuer Stearns was an interesting book. When I read the back of this book, I was super interested to see what it was all about but after the first couple of pages, I was worried that I wasn’t going to like it. After I was a couple of chapters into the book, I didn’t want to put it down. It was a book that I would take breaks from because it did make me think and that didn’t bother me at all. I love that I spend a good amount just thinking while I was reading this book and in the end, I enjoyed the story and the characters in the book. I also wanted to say that it is an easy read even though it did make me think. If you love books that make you think but also have a great story to go along with than I know you will love this book as much as I do.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Question The book gets you wondering about what is beyond the world we live in.  It's based on if you or more than one person can create a unity.  The author does a pretty good job with the events in the book. While I was reading the book. I felt like it was with the main people that were in the book. It seems like a replica of our congress and president a bit.
 
I do enjoy the plot of this book. It gets you involved making you start wondering along. There are examples of the projects throughout the book. Will terror win out or will the world win out? You will really need to find out by reading this book.
 
The book also keeps you guessing what the question would be asked. Why was some of the groups able to produce a unity and some did not? Nathan seems to want to find Unity.

[Courtney Haas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Question, written by R. Breuer Stearns seeks to answer the questions that are on everyone's mind at one point or another. There's science fiction, fantasy and a few different themes explored. This book began kind of quickly for me. I had to glance over the text a few times to interpret the material. I feel like if the book were a bit more fine tuned it would flow more smoothly. I think the characters are well developed, but some of the concepts seem a bit far-fetched. I am a big fan of books that sort of capture me and move quickly along, this one just didn't do that for me. I do enjoy the purpose of the book as I am open minded and like to theorize about different possibilities. I received a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion, my review is unbiased.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out a little slow. But I stuck with it because I really liked the idea of the book. The question is if there was one question you could ask what would it be. And can a group answer the question. Everyone coming up with the same answer. This is a complex story, that will make you think. It has action, and I really liked the main character Nick. He just doesn't give up on completing his quest. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books that make you think.

I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I turned this book open and began reading I was expecting a psychological book or a science one. I was pleased to find that this book read more like a story than a textbook. Instead this book took me on a journey to discover how people react in crisis situations. Specifically what key factor lays between survival and death. I was sent this book for free for only my honest review.

Full Review: http://hubpages.com/literature/The-Qu...

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Question" by author R. Breuer Stearns is not the kind of book that I usually find myself reading but, it was an interesting one. It was a little hard to get engrossed in at first, but once the reader does it is thought provoking. The characters were very well explained and I liked the story. I also think that the title was very fitting. In the future I have to remind myself to ask why. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for a review and all of these are my opinions.