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Das Tor #1

The Portal: Hard Science Fiction

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Tyler’s wealth bought him adventures…

…but this time he was in over his head.

Could the legendary underworld be found?

After years of hard work, Tyler built his IT Security company into a massive success. He trusted his people and now it was time to enjoy the fruits of that labor. Everything was perfect until an unexpected discovery. Should they go through the Maya portal?

Adriana’s small diving instruction shop is popular enough with the tourists for her to scrape out a living, but it’s not the life she expected. When she got the call, it seemed impossible. Wasn’t Xibalbá a myth?

In a fantastic world of danger and possibility, two people want to discover the truth, but for entirely different reasons.

Have they opened Pandora’s box?

You’ll love this Portal Science Fiction thriller because the story pulls you in and leaves you guessing about what might happen next.

Get it now.

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2024

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About the author

Brandon Q. Morris

164 books482 followers
Brandon Q. Morris is a physicist and space specialist. He has long been concerned with space issues, both professionally and privately and while he wanted to become an astronaut, he had to stay on Earth for a variety of reasons. He is particularly fascinated by the "what if” and through his books he aims to share compelling hard science fiction stories that could actually happen, and someday may happen. Morris is the author of several best-selling science fiction novels.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
62 (33%)
4 stars
68 (36%)
3 stars
38 (20%)
2 stars
15 (8%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Jana.
149 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2025
Mir hat die Story ganz gut gefallen, vor allem wie Xibalba beschrieben wird und auch der Weg dorthin. Allerdings empfand ich die Geschichte irgendwie flach.

Ein reicher Archäologe findet Hinweise über die Lage zum sagenumwobenen Zugang in eine andere Welt, die die Azteken Xibalba nennen. In Mexiko gibt es in überfluteten Höhlensystemen alte religiöse Stätten der Azteken, deshalb wendet er sich an eine junge Frau, die Führungen für erfahrene Taucher durch diese Höhlen anbietet. Es gibt aber auch einen Konkurrenten, der den Auftrag an sich zieht. Sie finden den Zugang tatsächlich. Im übrigen fand ich die Beschreibung der Unterwasserwelt in den mexikanischen Cenoten faszinierend. Aber noch besser hat mir die Wasserwelt Xibalbas gefallen. Denn es gelingt den Tauchern das Portal zu aktivieren. Xibalabs hat eine wundervolle Vegetation und Fauna, die Bewohner des Planeten, oder eher Mondes, scheinen intelligent zu sein und friedfertig, helfen den Gestrandeten auch den Rückweg zu finden. Es gibt auch Gefahren auf Xibalba, die Auswirkungen auf das Ökosystem Erde haben könnte.

Im Großen und Ganzen war die Geschichte nicht schlecht und ich werde auch den zweiten Teil lesen. Es war aber kein einschneidendes Leseerlebnis, wie zum Beispiel die „Untergang des Universums“ Reihe, oder die „Eismond Reihe“.
Profile Image for Maria Fledgling Author  Park.
1,011 reviews52 followers
April 16, 2026
Would You Go Through that Hole?

Are you a fan of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine? Have you ever dreamed of stepping through a Faerie Ring and being magically transported to the Kingdom of Fae? Or perhaps you've just looked into your mirror and let your imagination take you to a place only you could create. If so, Portal to Xibalbá is the book for you.

Brandon Q. Morris and Tim L. Rey have created a World within a World, full of ancient mysticism, a highly detailed biological alternate world, and a thriller that will keep you holding your breath until the last page.

Set in Mexico, under the influence of the mysterious Mayan people, Portal to Xibalbá is part Science Fiction, part archeology Thriller, and all entertainment, chills, and wonder. These two authors are obviously highly imaginative, you'll see what I mean when you read the book. I give this one a full five stars for its broad spectrum of wonder.
Profile Image for Sunsy.
1,999 reviews28 followers
October 19, 2024
Enttäuschend. Ich hatte mir eindeutig mehr versprochen. Leider konnte ich zu keiner Zeit wirklich in die Geschichte abtauchen. Mit keiner der Figuren habe ich mich identifizieren können. Gut, ich wusste, dass Wasser eine wesentliche Rolle spielt, aber unter einem "Stargate unter Wasser" habe ich mir eindeutig etwas anderes vorgestellt.

Bin ich länger als 20 Minuten in der Badewanne, werden meine Finger schrumpelig, und ich würde in einer Umgebung wie der Unterwelt bzw. einem fremden Planeten ganz bestimmt nicht mutwillig meine Handschuhe ausziehen !!!

Einige Klischees werden bemüht, alles mutet eher als ein Jugendroman und keine Hard Science Fiction an, und als Schwester eines Bruders, der MANCHMAL Schwesterherz zu mir sagt, aber ansonsten durchaus meinen Namen kennt, fühlte ich mich an Adrianas Stelle durch Diego nahezu verarscht.

Der Plot hat durchaus Potential, die Umsetzung allerdings klang für mich eher nach Spaß und Spiel. Sorry, aber die Folgebände werde ich nicht lesen.

Einige Fehler (falsche Worte, die einfach nicht passten), hätten vermieden werden können. Dafür ist das Cover echt ein Hingucker !!!

Von mir gibt es 54/100 bzw. 05/10 Punkte.

https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2024...
377 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2024
A Mayan portal to another world exists!

The wealthy Drake is searching for the portal to Xibalba, said to be the underworld, in a secret Mayan codex. Two divers know the Cho Maul area well enough to help him find the likely location, but which one should he go with? The one with 20 plus more years of experience or the younger Adrianna? If they find the portal where does it go and how do they cross? What will happen on the other side?
This first novel in a series paints an interesting tale with hints of previous unplanned excursions... There is the usual mix of intrigue, suspense, strong female characters, scientifically based descriptions and hypotheses as you'd expect from Brandon Morris. The majority of the tale occurs underwater and paints a vivid picture. An entertain tale leaving you eager for more.
Profile Image for Scarlettz.
47 reviews
June 30, 2024
Not my cup of tea i knew it was going down hill as soon as she called him a rich entitled gringo DNF when she said she would go to coffee with said rich entitled gringo because why not he turned away when she changed not my cup of tea at all
Profile Image for Eric Eskin.
78 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2024
unnecessarily long

Goes on ans on with very little benefit to the story — would have enjoyed a Horner version. I would of recommend.
13 reviews
January 8, 2025
keeps me reading

The characters are a little stereotypical / flat but the story flows very well. It keeps me reading and anxious to see what happens next.
37 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2025
Entertaining read. Looking forward to reading book 2 in this series.
299 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2025
Great start

Well, book one ended on a good note, I really enjoyed the storyline, and I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book two great start in this series
Profile Image for Tyler Ellison.
29 reviews
July 28, 2025
Absolutely loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will say some parts did drag a bit, but the suspense kept me glued. Its a trilogy, so I'm excited to see how it plays out.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews