Omegasphere

by Christopher John Chater

Kurt Robbins always wondered where ideas came from. Then he found out. . . . Kurt Robbins just finished his first novel and his editor loves it. The only problem is that six other writers submitted the same manuscript, word for word. Is Kurt a plagiarizer or had something or someone seeded his mind with the idea? Memeticist Ursula Stevens is Kurt’s only hope in finding out the truth. While being chased by an unknown government agency, Kurt and Ursula search out the other authors, hoping to figure out who infected them, and why, day by day, Kurt’s intelligence is growing by leaps and bounds. A NOVELLA.

Genres: Ebooks, Science Fiction

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Christopher John Chater is the author of the novels The Traveler's Companion, Omegasphere, Aquarius Rising, Out of Body, and the award winning series, Dating in the Apocalypse. He was born in Burbank, California, but has lived all over, the East Coast, the West Coast, and the South. He's worked in several industries, a production assistant in the film industry, a song plugger in the music industry, and a bartender and server in the hospitality industry. He now lives in San Diego and writes full time.

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Omegasphere" is a novella (~145 pages) about Kurt Robbins, a young writer who's just been accused of plagiarism involving his just-finished first novel, even though he *knows* that his book is original. Seems that Kurt and at least five other people turned in the exact same story within days of each other (!) and around the time a famous author submitted a sixth version of the same book. So, either plagiarism is involved (with everybody else slavishly copying from the famous author, of course), or somehow ideas are being broadcast or shared over the mental ether. Worse, Homeland security gets involved and treats the whole thing like a terrorist plot!

As Kurt avoids the authorities, he meets Ursula, another budding writer (non-fiction), who seems to specialize in memetics, a theory of mental information transfer. Kurt initially doesn't understand her ideas, but is willing to listen to the cute-but-odd girl and her take on the problem, because her special field might just have the answers he's seeking. As they try to unravel the mystery and stay one step in front of Kurt's pursuers, Kurt seems to get increasingly more intelligent as time goes by. He's gonna need that extra intelligence to deal with the cause -- or the effects -- of the problem.

This strange-but-interesting book examines how ideas are formed and whether they can be shared in non-traditional ways. It ends perhaps a bit abruptly, but I enjoyed the story and the main characters. 4 stars.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurt is a writer who finally finishes his first novel, only to be told six other people have handed in the exact same work. Coincidence or something more sinister? Kurt goes on the run from the authorities with the help of memeticist Ursula and tries to discover the truth of the mysterious manuscript. I loved this novella, would have been happy to read more. Lots of technology, sci-fi and action! A great read!

[Christina (Ensconced in Lit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a member librarything giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

Omegasphere is a rather clever book about Kurt, our protagonist, who is a burgeoning novelist that has just finished his first novel and then gets told that the same exact novel has been submitted by 6 other people. Unsurprisingly, he gets accused of plagarism. But the events that unfold make it clear there is something more sinister going on, and along the way, he meets the reclusive but fascinating character Ursula Stevens. Together, they try to unravel the mystery.

This book is lightning fast paced. I didn't put it down once. The characters and mystery kept my interest all the way through. I really liked Ursula, who is a very unusual character. The secrets of this book are worth discovering.

There were a couple of minor issues I had with this book, and some of it is personal preference. *SPOILER ALERT* Part of the novel is about how Kurt is getting smarter on a totally different level than Ursula even though already she is very intelligent. At one point, when he is already much smarter than her, they start discussing memes and he has trouble understanding the concept. I think this is because the author wanted to explain memes in detail to the reader. However, the problem with this decision is, for someone so smart, this idea should immediately have made sense and more discussion should not have been needed. Secondly, the ending of the book seemed to initially drag and then suddenly ended rather abruptly. Ursula, who was so smart initially, is portrayed as almost agonizingly stupid in the last part of the book (and this may be entirely deliberate since she basically is, in comparison to Kurt at this point) and takes forever to realize that Kurt is actually right about everything. But as soon as she does, the book basically ends.

This said, the book was highly entertaining and will be a really fun read to any science fiction lover.

[Renny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered where ideas come from? What prompts us write what we write or do what we do?Or do you just fancy a good read with an interesting topic?

Well, if you answered yes to any of those questions, then Omegasphere is the right book for you. The book has intriguing plot, engaging characters and is packed full of action. I am not a massive sci-fi fan, and although I would prefer the plot go down the conspiracy theory route rather than the way it did, I enjoyed the book non the less. It is very good and thought through gripping read that would satisfy even the more picky readers.

I even enjoyed the ending despite it being somehow abrupt. All in all, this book is very good read that provokes some interesting thoughts.

(review copy)

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It began with a strange a case of plagiarism in which Kurt and seven others write the same book. Soon Kurt is running for his life, a supposed terrorist, from the office of Homeland security. With the help of Ursula Stevens, an attractive but untrusting researcher, Kurt is forced to accept the theory of memetics as fact when he learns that he's been infected with a potentially dangerous and infections idea.

Omegasphere is a well written, fast paced, and fun thrill ride. I loved the science behind the story, the characters fighting to save humanity, and the fast paced action.

I highly recommend Omegasphere to readers of Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, or Isaac Asimov.

[Bill Thibadeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a Sci-Fi fan. Fortunately for me, this novella is not standard sci-fi in terms of plot or characters.

I enjoyed the book, with the exception of the ending, very much. I do not think the ending was up to the rest of the story. I was engaged from the beginning by the writing style and the interesting characters.

I do think that all sci-fi fans should get this novella and spend a couple of hours engrossed in the read. For me, I will read more by the author.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from LT giveaway.

This is a traditional science fiction story, dealing with ideas but with action and suspense thrown in. Likable characters, interesting story line.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurt Robbinshas written a book . Unfortunately it is exactly the same a five other people have written. the government sweeps in and takes the authors into custody and destroys the books.
Kurt evades capture and finds himself getting smarter by the day.
Aliens have somehow transmitted the ideas into peoples minds.

[Lostaccount · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book but an interesting idea and a quick, enjoyable read, and the writer has a sneakily dry sense of humour if I'm not mistaken. :) I'd like to read some of Chater's other books if they're as readable as this one.

[Frau Blücher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nette Idee, die an der Umsetzung scheitert – das kurze Geschichtchen liest sich stellenweise wie ein ambitionierter Schüleraufsatz. Wäre das hier volle Romanlänge gewesen, hätte ich augenrollend abgebrochen.

[Tuan Ho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, the pace of this book is beyond lightning fast!

For such a short book, there is a surprising amount of depth to the characters.

And the story is amazing. It's original and very thought-provoking.

My only complaint is the ending — it ends very "abruptly".

But other than that, Omegasphere is one of the most entertaining reads in recent memory.

Can't wait to read more books from the author.