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Ell Donsaii #2
Smarter
Smarter is a near future SciFi/Thriller whose young heroine Ell Donsaii we learned in "Quicker" has a nerve mutation that makes her an athletic phenomenon, so fast that no one can keep up with her. Like Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) Ell is also a mathematical genius who, while trying to drift off to sleep, instead of counting sheep has developed a new theory of quantum mechanics. At once shy and concerned about her social skills, yet loved by those around her, she goes to grad school to try to understand experimental physics. In the process she discovers a means for enormously improving communications using quantum entangled molecules. Her brilliant quantum theories make her the target of industrial spies, other countries and jealous physicists all at the same time. Those who attack her don't consider that the very skills they envy and desire make her hard to overcome.
Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2012
525 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Laurence E. Dahners
62 books673 followersI was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 6, 2024
So Much Science
I guess I must be a nerd, because I confess to finding this story drowning in mathematical terms and all sorts of Physics that I only half way understood still kind of fun.
Ell Donsaii is not only a physical wonder, she’s a genius who graduated from the Air Force Academy before she was 18 and immediately went into graduate school hoping to prove her own interesting theories. One of her theories involved moving sound or other elements instantaneously from one place to another with minimal energy use.
Evil elements from enemy nations is after Ell and she is forced to live a dual life, one as a girl named Ellen who is far less attractive than Ell.
These are good books, but a little too slow for me. If you are the type that really geeks out on scientific things you would love these books. Good writing so I will give it four stars, but I am not going to make it through 18 books.
I guess I must be a nerd, because I confess to finding this story drowning in mathematical terms and all sorts of Physics that I only half way understood still kind of fun.
Ell Donsaii is not only a physical wonder, she’s a genius who graduated from the Air Force Academy before she was 18 and immediately went into graduate school hoping to prove her own interesting theories. One of her theories involved moving sound or other elements instantaneously from one place to another with minimal energy use.
Evil elements from enemy nations is after Ell and she is forced to live a dual life, one as a girl named Ellen who is far less attractive than Ell.
These are good books, but a little too slow for me. If you are the type that really geeks out on scientific things you would love these books. Good writing so I will give it four stars, but I am not going to make it through 18 books.
July 1, 2021
I haven’t come up with a better term so I will call these books “competency porn” (think Sherlock Holmes and James Bond). I LOVE competency porn so I blew through all the Ell Donsaii books in about two weeks. As a result I’m giving books 1-16 the same review. While these books largely hit my sweet spot, I recognized several imperfection but, before listing those, I want to first say I greatly enjoyed these books and so I encourage anyone who enjoys “competency porn” (I really hate that term) to give them a try.
The first problem is actually kind of a small, yet somewhat annoying: I had read the author’s Vaz series (also recommended competency porn) immediately before this one. In fact the Ell Donsaii blurb did not make the book sound appealing to me and so I only gave them a try because I liked the Vaz series so much. Unfortunately this resulted in realizing the author re-used story lines. While this is disappointing it only slightly diminished my enjoyment and the Ell series, with its 16 books to Vaz’s 4, quickly moves beyond this issue.
The second problem is the author writes by recipe and that recipe is: Have multiple secondary story lines that remain unresolved at the end of the book to make the reader buy the next book. An example would be a main story line about terraforming Mars accompanied by a side story line about a vaccine. The Mars story will be resolved by the end of the book but the author will also have spent pages setting up a will he/won’t he for a character to secretly try the vaccine. While the author almost universally handles multiple story lines well, in the end I found this approach truly unfortunate as this author is good enough to keep readers coming back without this manipulation. In short, this author’s books would have been much better if treated as stand alones rather than installments.
Finally, from my point of view, the books are short. The three samples I took from the series were: 217, 210 and 210 pages. I view anything under 300 pages as short and prefer books 350 pages or longer. I must admit, however, that I got all of these books for $4 off Amazon so I don’t really feel shorted. Had I seen these books on a shelf in a book store I likely wouldn’t even have picked them up based on how thin they are.
Bottom line: While not perfect, these books are pretty easily worth the read for any lovers of competency porn.
The first problem is actually kind of a small, yet somewhat annoying: I had read the author’s Vaz series (also recommended competency porn) immediately before this one. In fact the Ell Donsaii blurb did not make the book sound appealing to me and so I only gave them a try because I liked the Vaz series so much. Unfortunately this resulted in realizing the author re-used story lines. While this is disappointing it only slightly diminished my enjoyment and the Ell series, with its 16 books to Vaz’s 4, quickly moves beyond this issue.
The second problem is the author writes by recipe and that recipe is: Have multiple secondary story lines that remain unresolved at the end of the book to make the reader buy the next book. An example would be a main story line about terraforming Mars accompanied by a side story line about a vaccine. The Mars story will be resolved by the end of the book but the author will also have spent pages setting up a will he/won’t he for a character to secretly try the vaccine. While the author almost universally handles multiple story lines well, in the end I found this approach truly unfortunate as this author is good enough to keep readers coming back without this manipulation. In short, this author’s books would have been much better if treated as stand alones rather than installments.
Finally, from my point of view, the books are short. The three samples I took from the series were: 217, 210 and 210 pages. I view anything under 300 pages as short and prefer books 350 pages or longer. I must admit, however, that I got all of these books for $4 off Amazon so I don’t really feel shorted. Had I seen these books on a shelf in a book store I likely wouldn’t even have picked them up based on how thin they are.
Bottom line: While not perfect, these books are pretty easily worth the read for any lovers of competency porn.
December 13, 2020
The first book in the series was a bit of a mess, rescued by an interesting character, Ell Donsaii, and, after a rocky start (and later a completely ridiculous ending), good pacing that lifted it above the norm.
'Smarter' is a lot of a mess - 187 pages in and you could boil it down to roughly 40 pages. To put it simply, Ell has a theory and is trying to create a doohickie, a gizmo, a thingamajig - and it seems that most of the book so far is given over to explaining what it should be, how it may work, etc.
I don't care. For the love of all that's sacred could the author not just tell a story.
This time round Elle is in hiding from the Chinese who want to kidnap her (her disguise: fat pants, a fake nose, and a New York accent).
I don't care, whatever it was about the first book, 'Quick', it has been lost in a forest of scientific blather and nonsense - I'm giving up, it is a waste of time.
P.S. Just like 'Quick', 'Smarter' has a really ugly cover.
P.P.S. I did finish it and it did not improve.
'Smarter' is a lot of a mess - 187 pages in and you could boil it down to roughly 40 pages. To put it simply, Ell has a theory and is trying to create a doohickie, a gizmo, a thingamajig - and it seems that most of the book so far is given over to explaining what it should be, how it may work, etc.
I don't care. For the love of all that's sacred could the author not just tell a story.
This time round Elle is in hiding from the Chinese who want to kidnap her (her disguise: fat pants, a fake nose, and a New York accent).
I don't care, whatever it was about the first book, 'Quick', it has been lost in a forest of scientific blather and nonsense - I'm giving up, it is a waste of time.
P.S. Just like 'Quick', 'Smarter' has a really ugly cover.
P.P.S. I did finish it and it did not improve.
May 26, 2020
If Only
Ever imagined a life where you felt in control of it? Where you were actually SMARTER than everyone else? Where you had abilities ABOVE everyone else? You were richer than everyone else? Prettier than everyone else? If so, put yourself into the fictional role of Ell Donsaii. Her abilities are within the realm of plausible even though (probably) impossible. If only that were possible. 😒 It's a fun story and a great escape from our normal life. It even makes you think about possibilities.
Ever imagined a life where you felt in control of it? Where you were actually SMARTER than everyone else? Where you had abilities ABOVE everyone else? You were richer than everyone else? Prettier than everyone else? If so, put yourself into the fictional role of Ell Donsaii. Her abilities are within the realm of plausible even though (probably) impossible. If only that were possible. 😒 It's a fun story and a great escape from our normal life. It even makes you think about possibilities.
March 8, 2017
A fun read
Fun story. It really is better if you read Quicker first. I just wish more of the series was available via kindle unlimited.
Fun story. It really is better if you read Quicker first. I just wish more of the series was available via kindle unlimited.
August 19, 2017
17.7.2017 - 3*
Co mi zatraceně vadilo:
- takřka rasistické postavení vůči Číně. Ano, má své problémy, ale autoři by ve fikci měli být nestranní. Čtu příběhy pro zábavu a relax, nechci nad tím uvažovat i ve svém volném čase. Kdybych tušila, že mě to čeká, tak se aspoň připravím, takhle jsem na to postupně přicházela a docela mi to zkazilo náladu hned ze začátku. Možná proto jsem z knihy nakonec byla tak rozladěná.
-
Je mi líto, že se mi kniha nelíbila více, jelikož samotný nápad je skvělý, příběh má potenciál být taky hodně dobrý, zaměření na fyziku a vysokoškolské studium je zatraceně dobrá myšlenka, který by jeden v knihách dnes pohledal. Oproti prvnímu dílu je i mnohem lépe napsaná, především atmosféra a vystupňované napětí autor zvládl velmi dobře. Ale kvůli dvěma negativům výše jsem si to nedokázala úplně užít.
Co mi zatraceně vadilo:
- takřka rasistické postavení vůči Číně. Ano, má své problémy, ale autoři by ve fikci měli být nestranní. Čtu příběhy pro zábavu a relax, nechci nad tím uvažovat i ve svém volném čase. Kdybych tušila, že mě to čeká, tak se aspoň připravím, takhle jsem na to postupně přicházela a docela mi to zkazilo náladu hned ze začátku. Možná proto jsem z knihy nakonec byla tak rozladěná.
-
Je mi líto, že se mi kniha nelíbila více, jelikož samotný nápad je skvělý, příběh má potenciál být taky hodně dobrý, zaměření na fyziku a vysokoškolské studium je zatraceně dobrá myšlenka, který by jeden v knihách dnes pohledal. Oproti prvnímu dílu je i mnohem lépe napsaná, především atmosféra a vystupňované napětí autor zvládl velmi dobře. Ale kvůli dvěma negativům výše jsem si to nedokázala úplně užít.
October 31, 2017
Another wonderful book!
Every bit as good as the first! For whatever reason I've been having a hard time lately finding any book that could hold my interest. So I decided to read Smarter because the first in the series was so good. Having been a grad student (in chemistry rather than physics, but close enough) I particularly enjoyed Smarter. Laurence Dahners has found his way onto my list of favorite authors! Read this, you'll like it.
Every bit as good as the first! For whatever reason I've been having a hard time lately finding any book that could hold my interest. So I decided to read Smarter because the first in the series was so good. Having been a grad student (in chemistry rather than physics, but close enough) I particularly enjoyed Smarter. Laurence Dahners has found his way onto my list of favorite authors! Read this, you'll like it.
July 5, 2023
Just as good as expected
Ell goes to school, grad school, and boy howdy, things got interesting. Just like that infamous Chinese curse, the Chinese are very persistent in wanting her intellectual property and her freedom of movement. She gets the Professor from hell. Her Love Life gets - - - complicated. Much, much better than I could have ever imagined. Buy the book and enjoy!
Ell goes to school, grad school, and boy howdy, things got interesting. Just like that infamous Chinese curse, the Chinese are very persistent in wanting her intellectual property and her freedom of movement. She gets the Professor from hell. Her Love Life gets - - - complicated. Much, much better than I could have ever imagined. Buy the book and enjoy!
November 3, 2025
Really fun read - hard to put down.
I’m always a sucker for “hard science fiction”, meaning factual, and/or likely to be accurate based on current or reasonably possible theory. This is that. Particularly liked the light dive into the world of business which in this case was equally accurate (including the jerk from the venture capital firm). Most are honorable folks, but not all. Really nice treatment of that subject.
I’m always a sucker for “hard science fiction”, meaning factual, and/or likely to be accurate based on current or reasonably possible theory. This is that. Particularly liked the light dive into the world of business which in this case was equally accurate (including the jerk from the venture capital firm). Most are honorable folks, but not all. Really nice treatment of that subject.
July 16, 2017
Another good book
Another good Ell book. This is real SciFi book, unlike many others, where you have a lot of action but no research. Many elements looks ones on Vaz series. I was initially afraidhidden device will be found and it will be patented before Ell does so...after all they have almost full scheme.
Another good Ell book. This is real SciFi book, unlike many others, where you have a lot of action but no research. Many elements looks ones on Vaz series. I was initially afraidhidden device will be found and it will be patented before Ell does so...after all they have almost full scheme.
February 20, 2022
Great
I feel like this was a great addition to the series, even if it was only the second book lol, that’s making it a series. It was a very fun read, some great intrigue, awesome action sequences when they came up, and even though I didn’t understand a word of the science, it was still fun to read lol. I don’t think you were great giving the second book a try.
I feel like this was a great addition to the series, even if it was only the second book lol, that’s making it a series. It was a very fun read, some great intrigue, awesome action sequences when they came up, and even though I didn’t understand a word of the science, it was still fun to read lol. I don’t think you were great giving the second book a try.
January 6, 2023
Nicely written feel good story.
Well written and entertaining story hampered somewhat by a naive premise that the Air Force, NSA and uncountable other agencies would allow the young heroine to ever see the the outside of a laboratory or think tank without a cadre of armed bodyguards.
Well written and entertaining story hampered somewhat by a naive premise that the Air Force, NSA and uncountable other agencies would allow the young heroine to ever see the the outside of a laboratory or think tank without a cadre of armed bodyguards.
May 15, 2023
weaker not smarter
This was a let down after the first book. The setting was less interesting and the side characters were worse. The antagonists were less interesting and much less vicious or interesting. Proving some dumb science problem just isn’t that good. The ML in the last book was much better as there was less of it and Phil was more compelling than useless Roger.
This was a let down after the first book. The setting was less interesting and the side characters were worse. The antagonists were less interesting and much less vicious or interesting. Proving some dumb science problem just isn’t that good. The ML in the last book was much better as there was less of it and Phil was more compelling than useless Roger.
March 26, 2024
Absolutely enjoyable and entertaining series!!!!!
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Congratulations to Lawrence Dahners for this amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
February 14, 2026
Agree with comparison to Heinlein - Asimov
But only their early works, "Have Spacesuit, will travel", perhaps " I, Robot," and I dearly hope this author is quietly working on the side toward works like "Time Enough For Love" and "Foundation" series. Author has uncanny similarity in character development and pacing.
But only their early works, "Have Spacesuit, will travel", perhaps " I, Robot," and I dearly hope this author is quietly working on the side toward works like "Time Enough For Love" and "Foundation" series. Author has uncanny similarity in character development and pacing.
October 15, 2017
Good! Good! Good!!!
Very well written, you get to see the heroine grow into her character, it has comedy, drama and pathos. She becomes a friend you would like to know. Awesome read!
Very well written, you get to see the heroine grow into her character, it has comedy, drama and pathos. She becomes a friend you would like to know. Awesome read!
December 21, 2018
Short and enjoyable. I grew to like this author's works, though I haven't managed to get my hands on a lot of them in the audiobook format yet. "Yet" being the operative word, as I plan to keep trying :)
November 23, 2019
Great as the rest!
Ready for the next book. On my way to get it now.
I don't watch TV. I don't need to when I can live with in these books know what people are thinking and feeling.
You don't get that by watching TV.
Ready for the next book. On my way to get it now.
I don't watch TV. I don't need to when I can live with in these books know what people are thinking and feeling.
You don't get that by watching TV.
December 13, 2020
3rd re-read and still fun
I'm long time fan of the series this is my 3rd reread. And I'm still enjoying it. As a series I highly recommend it. It deals with what "if" technologically and the impact not only on society but people individually. Will continue the re-read
I'm long time fan of the series this is my 3rd reread. And I'm still enjoying it. As a series I highly recommend it. It deals with what "if" technologically and the impact not only on society but people individually. Will continue the re-read
January 9, 2021
OK...I'm officially hooked...
I can't tell if it's the characters, the plot, but I am hooked. As good as the best sci to series I ever read I WANT to find out what happens and that is the essence of a good story....
I can't tell if it's the characters, the plot, but I am hooked. As good as the best sci to series I ever read I WANT to find out what happens and that is the essence of a good story....
December 9, 2023
Buy it. Read it. You won’t be sorry!
Great book in a great series. You won’t regret buying it. Mr. Dahners’ development of the Ell character and the story of her life’s adventures and accomplishments is beyond masterful. I thoroughly recommend this series.
Great book in a great series. You won’t regret buying it. Mr. Dahners’ development of the Ell character and the story of her life’s adventures and accomplishments is beyond masterful. I thoroughly recommend this series.
December 30, 2023
great
Too tired to write another review in the same night. just get the series. Goodnight and make sure you write a good review because you cannot leave only a few words like my tired has just done.
Too tired to write another review in the same night. just get the series. Goodnight and make sure you write a good review because you cannot leave only a few words like my tired has just done.
Read
July 5, 2024this is not the cover of Larry’s 2’nd book. It however is terrific. I read it my 3rd time today. What’s not to like about a beautiful gold medalist heroine, who escapes two Chinese kidnapping attempts, and invents a world-changing technology! At 18.
January 29, 2018
all of these book are too short
September 4, 2018
3.5 stars
May 13, 2019
Book 2 - Yay!
Ditto the good reviews.
Amazon reviews = author perks.
No reviews = no perks.
Dahners deserves plentiful perks.
20 words.
Ditto the good reviews.
Amazon reviews = author perks.
No reviews = no perks.
Dahners deserves plentiful perks.
20 words.
May 15, 2019
2.5 to 3 stars, Not as good as the first book but still okay.
July 28, 2019
Okay
The science is good, however the physics is waaaay too detailed. Perhaps a physicist might be entertained but otherwise? I aced my physics in undergrad BTW.
The science is good, however the physics is waaaay too detailed. Perhaps a physicist might be entertained but otherwise? I aced my physics in undergrad BTW.
January 29, 2020
Good
Pretty good. Maybe best for a young adult audience. I would not categorize it as hard science fiction. Fun read.
Pretty good. Maybe best for a young adult audience. I would not categorize it as hard science fiction. Fun read.
May 27, 2020
Great read
I love Dr Dangers books. Intelligent and thought provoking as always.
I highly recommend all of his books in this and his other storylines. 😊
I love Dr Dangers books. Intelligent and thought provoking as always.
I highly recommend all of his books in this and his other storylines. 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews