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The View from Here
Two adventurous people. A strange world. One goal. Unravel the mystery.
When Thomas sets out for a hike he has done many times before, he never expected to find himself with a stranger, navigating through a newly discovered world hidden from view at the end of the trail.
Getting to the bottom of the mystery might be difficult, but getting to the bottom of the cliff will be their first challenge as they begin their adventure. Only their physical fitness and combined knowledge will get them through everything they may encounter, proving two heads are better than one.
The view at the end of the trail was not what he expected—neither were the friendships.
When Thomas sets out for a hike he has done many times before, he never expected to find himself with a stranger, navigating through a newly discovered world hidden from view at the end of the trail.
Getting to the bottom of the mystery might be difficult, but getting to the bottom of the cliff will be their first challenge as they begin their adventure. Only their physical fitness and combined knowledge will get them through everything they may encounter, proving two heads are better than one.
The view at the end of the trail was not what he expected—neither were the friendships.
- GenresScience Fiction
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
21 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Leon Stevens
15 books91 followersLeon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the trilogy, The View from Here, The Second View, and The Final View, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and books one and two of a new sci-fi series called The Orion Arm Alliance.
Free sample eBooks at books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
Instagram @lines_by_leon
Free sample eBooks at books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
Instagram @lines_by_leon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 29, 2022
This is a fascinating science fiction novella that explores the idea of other worlds or dimensions that can be reached from Earth. The main characters Thomas and April find a new dimension or world separately while hiking, meet up there, and decide to go exploring. They soon find themselves relying on their wits to stay alive and solve the puzzles of this world.
This story will keep you spellbound as Thomas and April navigate a new world, learn its special properties, and use their combined knowledge to survive. It is a tiny bit reminiscent of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary in that they have to improvise and learn to communicate with another species using only math and science. The world-building is fantastic, and the author expertly conveys the beauty of the scenery with vivid word pictures. I liked the fact that Thomas was in his sixties and still out there exploring and taking risks. This novella feels like the introduction to a series, and I hope that is true. Those who love science fiction and love to solve puzzles will enjoy this one!
My only criticism is I would like to see more color on the cover to make it more eye-catching for readers scrolling through millions of books on Amazon and other sites.
I downloaded this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
This story will keep you spellbound as Thomas and April navigate a new world, learn its special properties, and use their combined knowledge to survive. It is a tiny bit reminiscent of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary in that they have to improvise and learn to communicate with another species using only math and science. The world-building is fantastic, and the author expertly conveys the beauty of the scenery with vivid word pictures. I liked the fact that Thomas was in his sixties and still out there exploring and taking risks. This novella feels like the introduction to a series, and I hope that is true. Those who love science fiction and love to solve puzzles will enjoy this one!
My only criticism is I would like to see more color on the cover to make it more eye-catching for readers scrolling through millions of books on Amazon and other sites.
I downloaded this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
July 17, 2022
An exploration themed sci-fi novella not of this world…
Leon Stevens combines a unique mix of adventure, exploration and sci-fi in this intriguing novella that see’s a pair of hikers find their way into another world. At the heart of the story is a problem-solving theme that runs alongside adventure.
From figuring out how high a cliff is to deciphering alien language and maps, this world they explore becomes more intriguing as the story unfolds. The premise is original and full of mystery throughout where most chapters finish with a moment where readers will want to keep reading. A seemingly deserted place creates intrigue and even a sense of eerie atmosphere that kept me interested throughout. I would have liked to have seen a little more from both characters in terms of character depth but their chemistry together works well to tell their tale of exploration and fun.
Leon Stevens combines a unique mix of adventure, exploration and sci-fi in this intriguing novella that see’s a pair of hikers find their way into another world. At the heart of the story is a problem-solving theme that runs alongside adventure.
From figuring out how high a cliff is to deciphering alien language and maps, this world they explore becomes more intriguing as the story unfolds. The premise is original and full of mystery throughout where most chapters finish with a moment where readers will want to keep reading. A seemingly deserted place creates intrigue and even a sense of eerie atmosphere that kept me interested throughout. I would have liked to have seen a little more from both characters in terms of character depth but their chemistry together works well to tell their tale of exploration and fun.
February 9, 2022
Leon Stevens lets us see if we can survive a strange alien world in the exciting and fantastically-paced The View From Here! Thomas goes on a hike, past an abandoned car, only to find that the trail leads somewhere entirely unexpected. I’m being vague on this one on purpose because I found the mystery and that sense of discovering what’s up the trail, and who, to be part of the novel’s charm. This novel blows by thanks to the compelling mystery and Stevens’ fantastic description and pacing! If you’re looking for sci fi that’s thrilling, thought-provoking, and part survival novel, strap on your hiking boots and come see The View From Here!
January 28, 2022
Thomas goes for a hike and happens upon another world. He discovers that another human, April, is there and has been there before. They decide to get supplies and explore this new world they have found.
This book is a short fun Sci-Fi read. I felt like I was in the journey with Thomas and April. Looking forward to more books by this author.
This book is a short fun Sci-Fi read. I felt like I was in the journey with Thomas and April. Looking forward to more books by this author.
February 1, 2022
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. Sci-Fi isn’t usually my first choice, but I am glad I read this book. I love how detailed it was. I felt like I was really inside this book. I found myself truly enjoying the writing style of this author.
October 1, 2022
Darn interesting story. It was like nothing I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
April 9, 2024
It is an interesting premise. I wish there had been more about the alien. But it is a short story, and that does limit what you can expect. I look forward to the next one.
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March 12, 2025Original review posted on Before We Go Blog for the SFINCS competition: https://beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-rev...
The View From Here was the first SFINCS book I picked up and is an unusual, original read (never a bad thing!). A science fiction, puzzle box mystery, The View From Here will appeal most to fans of sci-fi that makes its ideas the focal point. There's also a bit of a tongue-in-cheek, pop culture-referencing element to the narration that may mean it'll work for fans of Ready Player One (I say "may" only because I've never read Ready Player One, though I will say I enjoyed The View From Here vastly more than I enjoyed RPO's film adaptation, so don't let a dislike of RPO put you off). I'm a sucker for both hiking-gone-wrong stories and the puzzle box genre, and so this one called to me right away on a personal level.
The View From Here has a tight cast of two central characters. Our protagonist, Thomas, is an older man who adores hiking and who one day comes across an anomolous "pocket" into what appears to be another dimension. Thomas isn't the only one to have discovered this portal to another world, however, and immediately upon entering he's introduced to a young woman (and fellow hiker) named April. Together, the pair explore the world they've discovered, all while attempting to find their way home.
Where View shines is in its plotting and through its ideas. I'm honestly hesitant to say too much, because part of the fun of the novella is attempting to work out just what's happening and how Thomas and April are going to escape their situation. The mystery elements are very well-handled. That said, View is the first in a trilogy, and so not every question is answered by the end of the book. One of the most propulsive questions I had was related to April and the nature of her relationship to Thomas (they appear on the surface to be strangers, but I have my suspicions that there may be more to their history than is presented on the surface). I don't hold the fact that the story continues into Books 2 and 3 against it--actually, I'm very likely to pick the next two up to find out whether I'm right in my guesses--but it does make it challenging to judge the book's plotting, since I don't know if ultimately what were the most engaging pieces of the narrative are satisfyingly concluded. I suspect, based on the fact that Stevens does a good job writing View to have a self-contained feel in terms of the story's major thrust, that he'll also do a great job in terms of tying together the larger mysteries of the trilogy.
Although I was interested in Thomas and April from an analytical, plot-centered perspective, I will say that I didn't get too much of a sense of their characters. The pair have a lot of banter, but are so similar in terms of the way they speak that I imagine you could swap their dialogue without much impact. A lot of their interactions were based around shared pop-culture knowledge that I didn't find to always be woven naturally into the story or dialogue. For example, Thomas might say something like, "This is just like that moment from Gladiator!" and April would follow up by agreeing or perhaps with a quotation from the film. Stevens's choice of what conversations to focus on and which to summarize in narration confused me a little here. We get a lot of this style of exchange, but have scenes in which April shares her personal history and talks about her relationship with her father relegated to one-line summaries. I'd have loved to see more of those character moments on-page, as they would have helped enflesh both April and Thomas a little better. A little more interiority from the characters--a sense of how they're feeling as they navigate this strange new world--would also have helped infuse the parallel universe with a greater sense of alien wonder. This issue, combined with a very dry prose, meant that I never really became immersed in the story the way I typically like. That said, readers who are more plot-focused likely won't mind this at all.
Outside of these issues, the prose is spare but competent and is easy to follow. I was reminded in places of Cixin Liu's work, as well as the Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter-authored Long Earth series. There's something to be said, too, for the fact that the characters' lack of emotional reactions to their weird circumstances adds a surrealism to the story.
The View From Here is well worth a look if you're intrigued by puzzle box mysteries and like a bit of adventure. It'll also appeal to sci-fi fans who prefer a focus on concept and plot and who enjoy straightforward prose with a bit of banter. For all that there's not a lot of time spent on fleshing out the characters, I also can't help but feel that in its final revelations, the series will prove to be heartbreaking.
The View From Here was the first SFINCS book I picked up and is an unusual, original read (never a bad thing!). A science fiction, puzzle box mystery, The View From Here will appeal most to fans of sci-fi that makes its ideas the focal point. There's also a bit of a tongue-in-cheek, pop culture-referencing element to the narration that may mean it'll work for fans of Ready Player One (I say "may" only because I've never read Ready Player One, though I will say I enjoyed The View From Here vastly more than I enjoyed RPO's film adaptation, so don't let a dislike of RPO put you off). I'm a sucker for both hiking-gone-wrong stories and the puzzle box genre, and so this one called to me right away on a personal level.
The View From Here has a tight cast of two central characters. Our protagonist, Thomas, is an older man who adores hiking and who one day comes across an anomolous "pocket" into what appears to be another dimension. Thomas isn't the only one to have discovered this portal to another world, however, and immediately upon entering he's introduced to a young woman (and fellow hiker) named April. Together, the pair explore the world they've discovered, all while attempting to find their way home.
Where View shines is in its plotting and through its ideas. I'm honestly hesitant to say too much, because part of the fun of the novella is attempting to work out just what's happening and how Thomas and April are going to escape their situation. The mystery elements are very well-handled. That said, View is the first in a trilogy, and so not every question is answered by the end of the book. One of the most propulsive questions I had was related to April and the nature of her relationship to Thomas (they appear on the surface to be strangers, but I have my suspicions that there may be more to their history than is presented on the surface). I don't hold the fact that the story continues into Books 2 and 3 against it--actually, I'm very likely to pick the next two up to find out whether I'm right in my guesses--but it does make it challenging to judge the book's plotting, since I don't know if ultimately what were the most engaging pieces of the narrative are satisfyingly concluded. I suspect, based on the fact that Stevens does a good job writing View to have a self-contained feel in terms of the story's major thrust, that he'll also do a great job in terms of tying together the larger mysteries of the trilogy.
Although I was interested in Thomas and April from an analytical, plot-centered perspective, I will say that I didn't get too much of a sense of their characters. The pair have a lot of banter, but are so similar in terms of the way they speak that I imagine you could swap their dialogue without much impact. A lot of their interactions were based around shared pop-culture knowledge that I didn't find to always be woven naturally into the story or dialogue. For example, Thomas might say something like, "This is just like that moment from Gladiator!" and April would follow up by agreeing or perhaps with a quotation from the film. Stevens's choice of what conversations to focus on and which to summarize in narration confused me a little here. We get a lot of this style of exchange, but have scenes in which April shares her personal history and talks about her relationship with her father relegated to one-line summaries. I'd have loved to see more of those character moments on-page, as they would have helped enflesh both April and Thomas a little better. A little more interiority from the characters--a sense of how they're feeling as they navigate this strange new world--would also have helped infuse the parallel universe with a greater sense of alien wonder. This issue, combined with a very dry prose, meant that I never really became immersed in the story the way I typically like. That said, readers who are more plot-focused likely won't mind this at all.
Outside of these issues, the prose is spare but competent and is easy to follow. I was reminded in places of Cixin Liu's work, as well as the Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter-authored Long Earth series. There's something to be said, too, for the fact that the characters' lack of emotional reactions to their weird circumstances adds a surrealism to the story.
The View From Here is well worth a look if you're intrigued by puzzle box mysteries and like a bit of adventure. It'll also appeal to sci-fi fans who prefer a focus on concept and plot and who enjoy straightforward prose with a bit of banter. For all that there's not a lot of time spent on fleshing out the characters, I also can't help but feel that in its final revelations, the series will prove to be heartbreaking.
July 12, 2022
“The View From Here” tag line “What would you do if you found yourself on or in another world? Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to survive or to make sense of what you see?” whets the appetite for a gritty survival story set either in another dimension co-existing with Earth’s or on another world that connects to Earth via a tunnel through space and time. However, the book is more of a dreamy fantasy than science fiction.
To freshen up the “fish out of water” trope, author Leon Stevens introduces an older hiker named Thomas as the main protagonist. Not bad, until Thomas mouths almost Andy Weir-style dialogue when he says, “I’m going to totally MacGyver this thing,” and “[grabs] a T-shirt, duct tape, a plastic bag and … knife” (to solve a problem). And an equally shoot-from-the-hip hiker, April, serves as Thomas’s tour guide through an otherworldly land of water that tastes like wine, with wacky constellations above (“The Tower,” “The Twisty Snake,” “The Giraffe,” and others), and redwoods and desert scrub coexisting below.
Despite a surreal sense of place, to be sure, this story lacks the necessary suspense and thrills of a true adventure. Things crawl along until the appearance of indigenous being “Flick,” the third character. Until then, both humans’ tones become interchangeable (except for gender), with one wisecrack after another trying to liven up the exposition. Interacting with a totally different being helps the pace pick up, but there’s still no reason to believe anyone is in any imminent danger. In fact, there’s the sense that there’s no real antagonist in this “survival story.” Thus, what essential “skills and knowledge [are] needed to survive?"
“The View From Here” affords a 2-star outlook for good editing and its poet-author’s ability to create a palpable sense of place. But if you’re expecting memorable or unique characters, you’re out of luck. If your idea of “survival” is a gripping test of the fittest or “sci-fi” as Arthur C. Clarke originality or meticulous Isaac Asimov plotting, then “The View From Here” will also disappoint. If you want wise-cracking hiking posing as a trek, this might be to your liking.
To freshen up the “fish out of water” trope, author Leon Stevens introduces an older hiker named Thomas as the main protagonist. Not bad, until Thomas mouths almost Andy Weir-style dialogue when he says, “I’m going to totally MacGyver this thing,” and “[grabs] a T-shirt, duct tape, a plastic bag and … knife” (to solve a problem). And an equally shoot-from-the-hip hiker, April, serves as Thomas’s tour guide through an otherworldly land of water that tastes like wine, with wacky constellations above (“The Tower,” “The Twisty Snake,” “The Giraffe,” and others), and redwoods and desert scrub coexisting below.
Despite a surreal sense of place, to be sure, this story lacks the necessary suspense and thrills of a true adventure. Things crawl along until the appearance of indigenous being “Flick,” the third character. Until then, both humans’ tones become interchangeable (except for gender), with one wisecrack after another trying to liven up the exposition. Interacting with a totally different being helps the pace pick up, but there’s still no reason to believe anyone is in any imminent danger. In fact, there’s the sense that there’s no real antagonist in this “survival story.” Thus, what essential “skills and knowledge [are] needed to survive?"
“The View From Here” affords a 2-star outlook for good editing and its poet-author’s ability to create a palpable sense of place. But if you’re expecting memorable or unique characters, you’re out of luck. If your idea of “survival” is a gripping test of the fittest or “sci-fi” as Arthur C. Clarke originality or meticulous Isaac Asimov plotting, then “The View From Here” will also disappoint. If you want wise-cracking hiking posing as a trek, this might be to your liking.
January 21, 2022
This was a book, not to be passed up in any form or shape at all! I found the adventure astounding in more ways than one. The descriptive techniques by the author really created a visual masterpiece I really enjoyed how the story flowed, with the author's technique and making the story come to life!
I am someone as much as Thomas I would say, who loves to go on the adventure of a nature walk, but I like him, would not expect anything more to come of it. What happened to him was visually amazing and something beyond his eyes and mind I would say. I loved the adventure itself, what he got experience was something that an experience for the reader as well, visually speaking. I loved how things flowed from that moment on and what happened and what Thomas got to experience. Breathtaking book, I could not put this one down. It was a book I will not forget reading. When I concluded it, I felt very much at peace, and full of amazement with visual images soaring through my mind! Loved it!
A very impressive author in writing I would say! Highly recommend this thrilling adventure and this very creative author as well. Both are very high on my recommendation list! Truly a treat, and not one that should even be considered to be past up. The book takes you on a journey, that is far beyond the far corners of your imagination. Loved this beautiful book and for all it contained!
I am someone as much as Thomas I would say, who loves to go on the adventure of a nature walk, but I like him, would not expect anything more to come of it. What happened to him was visually amazing and something beyond his eyes and mind I would say. I loved the adventure itself, what he got experience was something that an experience for the reader as well, visually speaking. I loved how things flowed from that moment on and what happened and what Thomas got to experience. Breathtaking book, I could not put this one down. It was a book I will not forget reading. When I concluded it, I felt very much at peace, and full of amazement with visual images soaring through my mind! Loved it!
A very impressive author in writing I would say! Highly recommend this thrilling adventure and this very creative author as well. Both are very high on my recommendation list! Truly a treat, and not one that should even be considered to be past up. The book takes you on a journey, that is far beyond the far corners of your imagination. Loved this beautiful book and for all it contained!
February 4, 2022
Thomas is a man with a lot of life experience under his belt and now all he wants to do it hike the trails around where he lives and absorb the nature around him and that is exactly what he sets out to do, however on this particular day, it is the one thing that doesn’t happen.
The hike starts off as any other does, apart form the car in the car park with a note saying it is “not abandoned”, he admires the viewpoint and makes his way up to the part of the trail with a wall around it and the decision to either follow the trail and either go up or down. This changes when he spots a footprint on the top of the wall and he has a decision to make, but in the end he makes a discovery and takes a leap of faith following where he thinks the person may have gone.
What Thomas finds when he follows in another’s footsteps is nothing like he has seen before, but the friendships he creates will leave a lasting effects on him. If you were in his shoes, somewhere you have never been before and with only your skills and those of another to keep you going, would you be able to take the same leap of faith and be brave enough to create the friendships it may lead to? This is a dystopian adventure where science fiction becomes a new reality and nothing is what it seems.
The hike starts off as any other does, apart form the car in the car park with a note saying it is “not abandoned”, he admires the viewpoint and makes his way up to the part of the trail with a wall around it and the decision to either follow the trail and either go up or down. This changes when he spots a footprint on the top of the wall and he has a decision to make, but in the end he makes a discovery and takes a leap of faith following where he thinks the person may have gone.
What Thomas finds when he follows in another’s footsteps is nothing like he has seen before, but the friendships he creates will leave a lasting effects on him. If you were in his shoes, somewhere you have never been before and with only your skills and those of another to keep you going, would you be able to take the same leap of faith and be brave enough to create the friendships it may lead to? This is a dystopian adventure where science fiction becomes a new reality and nothing is what it seems.
January 27, 2022
This enjoyable and engaging sci-fi adventure story had me hooked from the very beginning. When Thomas sets out on a familiar hike that he has done many times before, he could never imagine how his world was going to change. As Thomas starts his hike he passes a vehicle in the parking lot with a handwritten note on the dashboard saying, Not Abandoned, he thinks nothing of this, until he reaches the end of his hike, only to discover the view is not what he expected. “What would you do if you found yourself on or in another world?”, “Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to survive or to make sense of what you see?”, these are the questions Thomas is suddenly faced with, but he’s not on his own.
The intriguing and exciting storyline had plenty of plot twists, as the two adventurers had to use their physical fitness and combined knowledge to get them through all the challenges that they faced. The characters are well defined and Thomas is a likeable and relatable main character, and I felt that I was alongside him on his journey. The descriptive narrative really brought the setting vividly to life and I felt completely immersed in the story. A great read, which I recommend.
The intriguing and exciting storyline had plenty of plot twists, as the two adventurers had to use their physical fitness and combined knowledge to get them through all the challenges that they faced. The characters are well defined and Thomas is a likeable and relatable main character, and I felt that I was alongside him on his journey. The descriptive narrative really brought the setting vividly to life and I felt completely immersed in the story. A great read, which I recommend.
December 15, 2022
4.5 stars
Imagine you set out for a simple hill walk but end up finding yourself in a cave that is hanging there out of sight, that you've somehow stumbled upon. Now imagine that in that cave you find someone else and they tell you that you need to see what they've discovered and so you agree to trust them and come back to see what is so amazing. When Thomas does just this he finds that he could never have imagined just how big the discovery would actually be.
This is a story that takes you to another world, a world where the laws of physics don't appear to apply and your mind is getting twisted as you discover each new thing that makes no sense but are you truly safe and once you've entered can you ever truly escape?
An interesting writing style that works perfectly with the weird feel that the land needs, characters that you buy-into and a story that is intriguing and works well. The small markdown? A little bit of editing but it's a tiny markdown and still a highly recommended book, just be ready for your head to be all over the place from the weirdness of the world it describes.
Imagine you set out for a simple hill walk but end up finding yourself in a cave that is hanging there out of sight, that you've somehow stumbled upon. Now imagine that in that cave you find someone else and they tell you that you need to see what they've discovered and so you agree to trust them and come back to see what is so amazing. When Thomas does just this he finds that he could never have imagined just how big the discovery would actually be.
This is a story that takes you to another world, a world where the laws of physics don't appear to apply and your mind is getting twisted as you discover each new thing that makes no sense but are you truly safe and once you've entered can you ever truly escape?
An interesting writing style that works perfectly with the weird feel that the land needs, characters that you buy-into and a story that is intriguing and works well. The small markdown? A little bit of editing but it's a tiny markdown and still a highly recommended book, just be ready for your head to be all over the place from the weirdness of the world it describes.
January 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this sci-fi adventure story. The author does an amazing job of world building and the description of the world inside the cave to the world outside the cave is what really makes the reader feel they have crossed over into another place.
The characters are well written. Both are adventurous and wanting to learn more about the place they have found no matter how crazy it seems.
The main point of this story for me is the characters resilience and their determination to survive what ever this new world throws their way. Using only their combined knowledge they need to figure out what this place is and why its there. What I liked is the fact that the characters do get things wrong which makes them feel very real and human.
You are taken on a adventure into a strange unknown world. And they only have their knowledge and health to survive the tasks and things that will be thrown at them. Will they survive this unique and different world?
The characters are well written. Both are adventurous and wanting to learn more about the place they have found no matter how crazy it seems.
The main point of this story for me is the characters resilience and their determination to survive what ever this new world throws their way. Using only their combined knowledge they need to figure out what this place is and why its there. What I liked is the fact that the characters do get things wrong which makes them feel very real and human.
You are taken on a adventure into a strange unknown world. And they only have their knowledge and health to survive the tasks and things that will be thrown at them. Will they survive this unique and different world?
January 24, 2022
When Thomas starts out on his day hike, he has no idea what awaits him. When he reaches the top of the trail, he notices a foot print in an unexpected place. Investigating the footprint leads him to find a cave opening he had not previously noticed. Feeling adventurous he enters the cave where he meets April. The two quickly decide to return to the cave and explore the world or dimension after getting supplies. The two then set out into the unknown who knows what they will encounter. I was not sure what I expected when I selected this book as it is not from one of my go to genres. I was really just looking for something different, which is exactly what I got. The book was a comfortable read that I just could not put down. I enjoyed how Thomas and April seem to fall into an easy friendship. The imagery of the dimensions and other things the two encountered. It is worth the read.
January 26, 2022
4 Stars
The View From Here by Leon Stevens is a really original and interesting sci-fi adventure story. I know this author for his gift with poetry, so this was an unexpected find that immediately captured my attention.
This story is fantastically detailed and descriptive- with wonderful worldbuilding that really brought everything to life. I can see it making a great movie, too.
We meet Thomas who is setting off for a day of hiking- but he could never have predicted what awaited him on the trail, soon finding himself thrust into an adventure that spans time and place and testing him on many levels. With different dimensions, dramatic developments, friendship, intrigue, survival, and a crazy adventure- everything Thomas thought he knew will be turned upside down- making for an unputdownable read.
Looking forward to seeing what Mr. Stevens does next!
Happy reading.
Thank you, Leon Stevens!
The View From Here by Leon Stevens is a really original and interesting sci-fi adventure story. I know this author for his gift with poetry, so this was an unexpected find that immediately captured my attention.
This story is fantastically detailed and descriptive- with wonderful worldbuilding that really brought everything to life. I can see it making a great movie, too.
We meet Thomas who is setting off for a day of hiking- but he could never have predicted what awaited him on the trail, soon finding himself thrust into an adventure that spans time and place and testing him on many levels. With different dimensions, dramatic developments, friendship, intrigue, survival, and a crazy adventure- everything Thomas thought he knew will be turned upside down- making for an unputdownable read.
Looking forward to seeing what Mr. Stevens does next!
Happy reading.
Thank you, Leon Stevens!
February 2, 2022
5/5 Stars
The View from Here by Leon Stevens
This is the first book I've read by the author. The author definitely has a way with words. I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down. I do hope to see more of Thomas and April in the future.
Thomas goes on a hike on a trail he's been on several occasions. He finds that there's a ledge down there and makes his way down. When he gets there he isn't alone. The quote I chose for Thomas is: “Come. There’s your ledge. Hand me your hiking pole. Solid. That’s wide enough. Grab some rope.”
April has found a cave and isn't sure where it leads. When Thomas shows up they make a plan to go on an adventure. Little did they know that something was living there. The quote I chose for April is: “Let go of the rope! Let go of the rope! Let go and untie yourself now! Quick! You don’t have time!”
Highly recommended for Sci-fi Adventure lovers.
The View from Here by Leon Stevens
This is the first book I've read by the author. The author definitely has a way with words. I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down. I do hope to see more of Thomas and April in the future.
Thomas goes on a hike on a trail he's been on several occasions. He finds that there's a ledge down there and makes his way down. When he gets there he isn't alone. The quote I chose for Thomas is: “Come. There’s your ledge. Hand me your hiking pole. Solid. That’s wide enough. Grab some rope.”
April has found a cave and isn't sure where it leads. When Thomas shows up they make a plan to go on an adventure. Little did they know that something was living there. The quote I chose for April is: “Let go of the rope! Let go of the rope! Let go and untie yourself now! Quick! You don’t have time!”
Highly recommended for Sci-fi Adventure lovers.
January 21, 2022
I enjoyed this adventure story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their writing style as well as their attention to details. This is a well written story where the characters pull you in from the beginning. It is a story about Thomas and what happens when he sets out on a hike. The thing about this hike is something that he did not expect and an adventure of a lifetime. He is a great character that brought the story to life. He made me want to know what was going to happen next. This is a fast paced story that will take you on an adventure that was hard to put down. An engaging story that you don’t want to miss. I enjoyed the character growth as well as the growth of the plot. I really enjoyed this book and what the characters brought to the story. I highly recommend it.
January 24, 2022
In this fast paced story, Thomas sets out on a hike and turns out to be one heck of an adventure. I am not typically a Sci-Fi reader but this one kept me wanting to know what happens next. I really enjoyed how well the scenes were set and the pictures laid out for you. The geeky references to Star Trek and other sci-fi related shows really made me smile. I enjoyed that the main character is not your typical young stud that winks at all the ladies and wins them over, but a 60 yr old man with realistic expectations. It definitely reads smoothly, and easy to follow, with intricate characters and character growth along the way. This is a new author for me, but I really enjoyed the writing style and pace. Overall, I would say 4.5 stars, and I will be delving into some other Leon Stevens books soon!
February 5, 2022
I thought this book was pretty interesting to start with, in terms of the story itself. I was intrigued by reflecting on what I would do in an incredibly uncharted world, and I was eager to find out what Thomas and his new acquaintance turned friend did! The book was pretty easy to read, and visualize, but as the story progressed, I became really confused. I let that feeling subside and continued to try and read it. I believe that the description of the surroundings needed to be viewed, which instantly made me want to SEE this book in cinema! Not being able to visualize it was really tough but I tried as much as I could to progress. I think this book could benefit from an accompanying set of drawings, or a YouTube graphics video etc to help visualize. At any rate, by the end I was interested in moving through the novella series. The ending was highly disappointing.
August 18, 2023
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the premise of this one more than the execution. While the idea behind the story is solid, this one could use the benefit of a good editor, one that can help the author shape and guide the story. As it is, the writing is a bit juvenile (someone really took to heart the 'real writers don't use contractions' assertion that was so popular in the late '80s in schools - and one that was wholly incorrect). As a result, the dialogue comes across as rather stilted and doesn't flow organically at all. It's also a lot of tell and not a lot of show. Example (not from book, but style of book):
"The cookies are all gone."
"You do not expect me to say I ate them do you?"
The cookies were no longer on the plate.
With work, and elbow grease, this could be awesome. But as it is, this is in its nascent stages. Cool concept though. Really cool concept.
"The cookies are all gone."
"You do not expect me to say I ate them do you?"
The cookies were no longer on the plate.
With work, and elbow grease, this could be awesome. But as it is, this is in its nascent stages. Cool concept though. Really cool concept.
January 7, 2022
Things that made me like this book, the author is the same kind of nerd that i am, references to star trek and doctor who 😁 and some other fandons 😅
I did like the world build, how the inside cave was explained and explored. Also this is the kind of situation any sci-fi fan dreams off, to find a way of travel to another place/time, a place where the rules that make our world work do not apply at least not in the same way.
What was harder to love was the fact that the main character was 60 and he talked like someone half his age. And the before finding the third character, the story drags a bit, so its 3,5 stars for me.
I recieved a free ARC of this book and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did like the world build, how the inside cave was explained and explored. Also this is the kind of situation any sci-fi fan dreams off, to find a way of travel to another place/time, a place where the rules that make our world work do not apply at least not in the same way.
What was harder to love was the fact that the main character was 60 and he talked like someone half his age. And the before finding the third character, the story drags a bit, so its 3,5 stars for me.
I recieved a free ARC of this book and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 25, 2022
Even though this story was quite unlike anything I’ve read recently, I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure that the characters and the reader themselves went on with this book! The author has great attention to detail, the book was incredibly hard for me to put down, and the best part of it all was it was a great way to spend the afternoon, taking less than two hours to read! I felt like I was being transported to another world as I spent the afternoon devouring this novel. I was so sad to reach the end! I thoroughly hope that the story of Thomas and April continues, their friendship was so adorable and I thoroughly enjoyed the constant back and forth between the two of them. Can’t wait to read more by this author!
January 28, 2022
This book was an interesting read, Thomas, the main character is an older man. He is still quite spry despite his age and enjoys going hiking, on this particular hike he is in for quite a surprise.
I honestly like the mechanics of travelling to another world, I thought it was quite unique. This other world had some very interesting set pieces, that I would love to be able to learn more about in a sequel or even prequel. My only real issue is that the story seemed to end almost abruptly, though it was teasing for a sequel at the same time, so maybe I'll get my wish there.
The book was well written, and had some fun little pop culture references, you could really imagine the main characters, and I could easily see myself chatting away with them like an old friend.
I honestly like the mechanics of travelling to another world, I thought it was quite unique. This other world had some very interesting set pieces, that I would love to be able to learn more about in a sequel or even prequel. My only real issue is that the story seemed to end almost abruptly, though it was teasing for a sequel at the same time, so maybe I'll get my wish there.
The book was well written, and had some fun little pop culture references, you could really imagine the main characters, and I could easily see myself chatting away with them like an old friend.
January 30, 2022
This was a quick sci-fi novella that will have you wondering at the possibilities of life outside of our current realm of understanding. We see a different view of life you’d never imagine otherwise, as two hikers meet in what seems to be another world. I enjoyed how different this novella was from the usual sci-fi where other worlds are involved and how the two main characters were able to bridge the age gap and work well together to explore some of that world. The new place Thomas and April find not only intrigues them, but tests their combined survival skills during their exploration, and brings the two together in an easy friendship. This novella does feel like it could be a prequel to what I think could be a promising sci-fi series.
December 20, 2023
At 176 pages, this is a quick read. Thomas goes on his usual hike and encounters a woman. Despite their age difference, they work as a team to get through a cave that leads to a strange place that they set out to explore. I thought the characters should’ve been a little more afraid of what they might discover, especially after what was in the cave, and that they might never find their way back. Other than finding it difficult to picture, the story was compelling, with a unique premise. I like that it’s so inventive with Thomas and April having to figure out how to navigate and communicate in this world so different from our own. Though this first book concludes, we don’t really know what this strange place is. Two more books in the trilogy continue the story.
January 21, 2022
5 stars!!!
Excellent book! I was so engrossed in this story and absolutely did not want it to end! I really hope there will be more added onto this book soon, I really want to see what happens with April and Thomas in their future. I really liked reading about this world they stumble upon and the quick friendship they formed, even with an age gap. Everything was so vividly explained and described that it was really easy to picture what this world looked like. Dorito leaves was a funny way to describe the taste of the food, and calling whatever creature they met Flick. This was a really fun read, and I can’t wait to check out more by this author.
Excellent book! I was so engrossed in this story and absolutely did not want it to end! I really hope there will be more added onto this book soon, I really want to see what happens with April and Thomas in their future. I really liked reading about this world they stumble upon and the quick friendship they formed, even with an age gap. Everything was so vividly explained and described that it was really easy to picture what this world looked like. Dorito leaves was a funny way to describe the taste of the food, and calling whatever creature they met Flick. This was a really fun read, and I can’t wait to check out more by this author.
January 22, 2022
This book is unlike anything I have read before. I have never had a book that has drawn me in and kept me there just waiting to see what happens next. I am usually a romantic comedy kind of girl and this story is far from that. There are moments when you are just reading along and holding your breath hoping that nothing bad happens. Then you take that deep breath and just read along anxiously hoping that the main characters get from point A to point B with out failing. This book was very interesting and I hope there is a sequel, I really would like to know what is next for our adventurers.
January 22, 2022
This Sci Fi Adventure story is certainly different. We are taken on a journey to another place or is it another time? It seems this author has many different genres, but I guess that is what you get when you read from the artistic view of an author, musician, songwriter, and composer. His writing shows he is an eclectic person loves to engage, captivate, and entertain and keep his audience on their toes. I think it would be very interesting to get inside his head, although I am not sure I would find my way back. Anyhoo, you will find yourself strangely intrigued by this quirky and vividly imaginative tale if you are able see things from outside what is considered the norm.
January 24, 2022
5 Stars
The View from Here by Leon Stevens
The View from Here is a wonderfully written Sci-Fi/Adventure that once you start reading you won’t want to stop till you’ve finished . This is a fairly new author to me and I’m definitely a fan already and can’t wait to read more from him. This is a fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. This is a story about Thomas and the hike he sets out to do. Only he didn’t realise the adventure he was really going to go on. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. If you like adventure and Sci-Fi then this is definitely worth the read.
The View from Here by Leon Stevens
The View from Here is a wonderfully written Sci-Fi/Adventure that once you start reading you won’t want to stop till you’ve finished . This is a fairly new author to me and I’m definitely a fan already and can’t wait to read more from him. This is a fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. This is a story about Thomas and the hike he sets out to do. Only he didn’t realise the adventure he was really going to go on. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. If you like adventure and Sci-Fi then this is definitely worth the read.
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