It is 2041. Mankind has pushed his planet from rapid climate change to the brink of nuclear holocaust. In the midst of the chaos, brilliant young scientists Jon Castel and Levi Clarke discover new data that suggests the situation is far more dire than anyone could have predicted. Soon after, the President forms a task force bent on taking drastic action against the impending doom. Through Jon's leadership, the task force determines that the best possible hope for mankind is to begin colonizing the moon, and eventually, Mars. Only a civilization that can come together from all corners of the globe will be able to handle such an immense problem. This will prove to be the ultimate test of unity and equality. Friendships are made, a love is rekindled, and an out of this world adventure ensues. Will mankind be forced into space? Who will be sent? What will they find there? What will happen to those left on Earth? Ironically, it may take the worst disaster man has ever known to uncover the greatest discovery in the history of mankind.
Dustin Kuhlman was raised in the Midwest. Growing up he loved to draw and always thought drawing and producing art would be his creative outlet. Around his 24th birthday, through unusual circumstances, he found his calling to write while in Las Vegas. He currently lives and writes at the foot of America's Mountain. With his first novel finished, Dustin hopes to write many more books in various genres. He puts high importance on self-education and learning, whether it is literature, philosophy, science, or the human condition. He enjoys quotes and studying the great thinkers of mankind from Eratosthenes and Epicurus to Voltaire and Thoreau and always considers himself a student of the world.
In full disclosure I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to Dustin Kuhlman for both sending at signing me a copy of your book.
Synopsis: The story begins in 2045 with Jon landing on Mars with a two other members of his crew. Due to a miscalculation they land too far from the zone they were trying to land, and the only craft nearby is only able to take two of them back to their spaceship. Jon sends his crew back, leaving himself stranded with no hope of rescue before his air runs out. Just in time an alien called “Buddy” turns up, saves Jon and begins to tell him about all the wonderful things out in the universe. The story then jumps between the Jon and Buddy’s conversation, and a story starting in 2041 detailing how Jon and his friends discover the Earths climate is failing, and mankind’s attempts to leave the planet before it is too late.
Review: The most important thing that need I to be say about this book is that it is really more of a philosophical essay on the authors thoughts and beliefs on society with a few science-fiction elements thrown in than an actually science-fiction story.
I found the pacing of the book to be too slow, there is hardly any action or exciting scenes. There was a "hook" at the start to entice the reader in, after that there was hardly any action.
The descriptions in this book are very good, the author has the ability to make even everyday activities seem interesting. The crew going up in the space lift was one of my favourite parts of this book.
The science elements were pretty light compared to most science-fiction books that I read. There were several times that the science was either wrong or highly unlikely. For example a solar burst launches radiation towards the spaceship and they only have eight minutes to get to safety. In real life it would take DAYS for the radiation to reach the ship, giving plenty of time for the crew to get to safety. Plus the fact it would be crazy to have a spaceship that doesn't have better protection against the elements. It is also unlikely that radiation could turn food into something that would almost instantly kill someone just because it was genetically modified. Finally if the crew was supposed to be made up of some of the most intelligent people in the world, how could they forget to adjust the fuel for the reduced crew? There were also times when we are just given a small amount of information about some science-fiction technology but then quickly move onto the next part of the story. Typically this comes from Buddy who will show Jon some technology he has or tell him a theory, but then we are not told anything about it or how it works because Buddy is not allowed to share technologies with other species.
There were times that the book seemed pretty preachy, sometimes with some extreme views (that I disagree with), such as saying most of society is selfish and becoming more evil, any child that doesn't have BOTH a father and a mother is doomed to be immoral and that social networking sites are making people selfish and obsessed with their own image.
The characters in this book are interesting. For the most part they act like real people with real emotions instead of your typical sci-fi hero. Although sometimes the characters moped around a little too much, and Jon was a bit of a stereotypical nerdy guy that has trouble speaking to women. The character interaction was great; I especially enjoyed the pre-launch party the crew had. Buddy was an interesting character, I enjoyed what he had to say and his personality. He was very different from your typical alien, being much more humanlike. Sometimes his emotions seemed a little over the top (seriously, getting upset about no more kissing, especially as he doesn’t even have a mouth)
Overall this was a pretty good book, but be warned it is really more about the authors philosophy and believes with only a very small amount of science-fiction used.
I won this book from Goodreads first read giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
Warned is primarily a philosophical essay intertwined with an end of the world adventure. The protagonist, Jon, is invited to help determine the best way to save part of humankind hopefully by finding another suitable planet to live on.
This book is extremely thought provoking. Usually, I can read a book in one or two sittings, but I found myself reading a few chapters and pondering on what I read. Kuhlman brings up very poignant arguments about how we, as the human race, use our resources without really understanding what kind of side effects we may generate from that use. The strength of this novel really lies in the sections with his interaction with Buddy. I won't go too much into detail about this character, so that the reader can discover Buddy himself. While the alternating action scenes were exciting, I found that I was most drawn to these thoughtful conversations. The dialogue really served as a way to think about deep issues and while some may complain that this detracted from the pacing, I really loved the world building that Kuhlman does in these chapters.
The only reason I have given this book four stars not five is more of a personal reason. I was not in love with the characters because I learned more of their philosophy rather than their relationships, but this was not really a fault of the book; that's just not the type of book that this is. And paradoxically, that is part of why it is so great.
I think that this book will make people think for days afterwards. This is a really wonderful book, and I hope that it reaches more people because it is worth reading. After all, we as a human race, should be warned.
Note: I received a copy of this title from the author in exchange for a review.
I very much enjoyed this title. Hadn't read science fiction in a while since I really got into horror, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read this one. I am glad that I took a chance on this one.
This is about the only science fiction novel I have read that is not about a violent conflict, at least not in the sense where you are reading about the main characters being involved. There is war involved, but it happens outside of the happenings of this story and is only mentioned in short descriptions of things happening elsewhere.
The story does jump between different times, but it does so in a way that it wasn't confusing or distracting to me. It is clear when each chapter takes place, and the time jumps don't happen mid-chapter. If that was the case I definitely don't think I'd have enjoyed this story like I did.
There were some minor issues that I noticed with editing, but nothing that was really distracting or pulled me away from the story.
Overall a strong story for me and I hope to see more from this author. I'd like to also see more these characters. A continuation to this story would be nice, but I don't expect that due to conclusion of the story.
I am a middle/high school science teacher - I'm curious if others think this is appropriate for 8th grade earth/space science curriculum? I am leaning to yes. Thoughts?
This book was provided to me, gratis, by the author, in exchange for one of my titles, and a review - for good or ill. He's getting a large dose of the prior, in this case.
The work itself: It reminded me a great deal of Heinlein's 'Stranger In A Strange Land' in pacing, tone, and story thread. I don't know why, but I felt like I was reading a rough draft of something that Heinlein could very well have written himself. And if that sounds like it isn't praise, then read it again. Because it is.
The work seems to struggle to get off the ground, but once it hits its pacing, it's fairly tight, with a few minor lapses, and a few minor gaps in scientific believability/explanation. Accent on the word minor.
Overall, it makes you think. A great deal. And in the best way possible. This is a book that should be foisted on a lot of folks, from any or all walks of life, if for no other reason than to give them a few hours of deep thought about the world around them, and their role in it.
I did have a few niggling issues with the work. Specifically, I think Kuhlman needs to pretend that the words 'my friend' either don't exist, or should break up and see other people. I also would have liked to have seen less repetition of words in paragraphs. Small complaints, I know. But they're things that plague many authors, and are often hard for them to spot. I mention them more from a positive place than a negative one. Myself? I have readers just for that, because I'm myopic when >I'm< doing it. So far be it from me to hold it against anyone without being ultra-hypocritical.
Throughout the work, I only found two typographical errors. This is astonishing, given the fact that this is an indie work, and even the big houses, I've come to find, have a few slip past from time to time. Well done, editing team.
Indie books have always been more miss than hit, in my experience. I'd like to think that my own are sleeper hits (and what author doesn't?) What struck me from the beginning of this work was how like-minded Kuhlman and I are. Curious, I did some cursory looking into what makes him tick. I was shocked to discover that we have almost nothing in common. Zero. Zip. Nada. He zigs, I zag. Even so, Kuhlman's theories and ideas struck a chord with me. Honestly, it was like reading a work that I otherwise might have written (and a few that I have), from a conceptual perspective. It was... disconcerting. Here were premises that paralleled my own works, yet in completely differing ways. I only mention this, because it might give me an unfair bent on the work.
In closing, this work felt like a big-name work, with a few minor tweaks needed. Honestly, if Kuhlman doesn't make a splash on the writing scene in the near-term, I'll be somewhat amazed. Overall, the work was solid, and worth the read. Well done, Dustin. I can't wait for the next one.
Note: I recieved a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for a review.
This book lies somewhere between Lost in Space, Left Behind and Dune in terms of the emotions and situations it portrays. The main characters find themselves faced with the sudden and unavoidable failure of Earths ecosystem. There is no longer a question of fixing it, the question is now: How will we survive. And so our brilliant heros set about forming contingency plans, building systems that would allow us to colonize space, and hide beneath the surface of our own planet.
I really enjoyed his take on the psyche of the human race when faced with our own demise. Some nations paniced, some stood up and took notice, some tried to ignore it. There is a certain inevitability to the consequences of our actions today and how they affect the generations of tommorrow.
The lost in space aspect comes from the second half of the book as a team is cast adrift into space to try and make it to Mars to explore habitability. They are isolated, dependant upon themselves and unable to send for or recieve help. And because of that they grow stronger as a team.
The Left Behind aspect, the same side of the coin for those trying to make it work back on earth. things are irrevocably changed, and we are left with a broken planet and the difference between life and death is the edge fo a knife.
And Dune? Because this book makes the reader think about what it really means to be "human" and our place in the cosmos. Beyond the typical apocolypic novel, this book looks beyond our petty squabbles and cosmologically insignificant achievements. It addresses the question "Are we alone" in a whole new light.
I gave this book 4/5 because I was annoyed by the love story. I despise stories which include romance for romance sake, and I think that what Kuhlman was trying to do was give the story a "hope" thread, but it came across as a forced kind of thing to me.
In all, A book I would highly reccomend, and have already reccomended to a few people.
(i received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review...and boy am i glad i came across this GEM!)
(this review is a long time coming, but i've thought about this book often since i finished it 2 months ago)
the prose....oh the prose....beautiful and brilliant!!!! i am IN LOVE
this book was truly amazing. i was SHOCKED to learn that this was a self-published book. i'm a real stickler for grammar, and it is such a rare thing (sadly) to have a book that is well written, published through a publishing house with a whole slew of editors and proofreaders, let alone a beautifully written seflie...bravo.
the storyline was so captivating! and original. i loved the alternating POV's, generally, when an author does this, i have one character i look forward to the most, but i found myself yearning for the mars chapters and then yearning for the pre-mission chapters...some of the techie stuff was a little over my head, but that didn't hinder the overall experience and i enjoyed the in-depth information and commend the author for his research, or sharing his own personal knowledge in a captivating way...
the author certainly has a knack for words. it was just...BEAUTIFUL...a real work of art...there are so many instances of beautiful prose, that if i were to list them, it would take multiple reviews...and pretty much just copying most of the book on here...
This book was so-so for me. It takes place pre and mid an environmental disaster on earth and chronicles the story of Jon (a scientist) from his initial discovery of the impending disaster through the following years leading up to and during the disaster. For a apocalyptic-type book, it was surprisingly slow....not the action/adventure book that I was expecting at the beginning. Instead, this book focuses more on the environmental factors surrounding disaster and philosophical conversations between the characters. The book is also based on evolutionary theories and proceeds to expand upon these throughout which I also found to be distracting, unappealing, and the biggest "turn-off" for me. Too many assumptions went into the scientific base of the book for me to believe or relate to any of the outcomes or progression of events. Unlike some science-fiction books which are just fun and obviously not to be taken seriously, this book is presenting serious material that is meant to make the reader question their own actions today. But, as it is based on theories and assumptions I found it to be a little silly...as though it was trying way too hard.
Scientists have found that our worlds climate will change drastically, not in decades but in years, possibly months. This change could render the Earth uninhabitable as we know it. A bold plan is put forth to colonize space and also provide a way to survive the approaching disaster on Earth. But even as this plan is followed man still has a surprise awaiting them in space.....
I started reading this book today and did not stop until I finished it. Without being able to explain why I found it very easy to read and lose myself in it. Regardless of content if you read a book and all around you ceases to exist you have an excellent read! I connected with the characters easily and the technical was written in such a way as to seem very plausible but quite understandable. Away from that it simply was a wonderful escape, notwithstanding the important lesson to be learned. Mr. Kuhlman you have the true talent for writing, please continue!
This was a enjoyable book and a very easy read. I am not so sure I agree with the author's scientific premise on why the world was ending, but you don't have to agree with his views on global warming to enjoy this book. Characters are likable and interesting. Chapters alternate between present and past. I usually find this makes a book difficult to follow, but not in this case. Each chapter was dated and the dates follows on each page at the top, making the story much more easy to follow.
My only major complaint with this book was the ending. The end felt very rushed, like the author had a limited number of pages for the book and realized he only had a chapter left to cram in the ending. I would of enjoyed much more an extended ending with more details. Also the ending seemed very "kumbaya" where everything worked out for the best for everybody. It's just seemed a little contrived for my taste.
Overall, I recommend this book and would love to see it made into a movie.
The Good: Kuhlman does an excellent job of creating a unique story with well written descriptions/prose that I would compare to similar styles during the golden age of sci-fi. A good balance of fatal realism is mixed with the hope and promise of an unwritten future.
The Criticism: The story suffers from slow pacing in a few areas and the overt preaching agenda, even though I do agree. The author tackles a complicated topic and I would have liked to see a more subtle approach used that would have allowed the reader to make their own conclusions.
The Conclusion: Overall, Kuhlman delivers a well written and unique story that was a refreshing change of pace in today's crowded sci-fi market.
I received this book from author Dustin Kuhlman in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to be honest and freely admit to not giving this book my full attention while reading it. I read it in 3 - 5 page increments, normally while waiting on something else. With that said, I gave it 4 stars because "Warned" would still have the ability to make my mind think over and try to answer what most would consider to be the most powerful questions all of up and coming society should be thinking about. One of the few books I look forward to rereading, only this time it will receive 100% of my attention, as I once again try to put myself in the protagonist shoes. I do however hold the feeling, that once said rereading has occurred the rating of this book will most definitely go up to 5 out of 5 stars.
This is a fantastic book!!! It's scifi only in that it does partially take place in space. It's not about that, it's about the journey to get there. Two scientists discover that global warming is irreversible and that human life is on the brink of extinction. That is unless the powers that be can find a way to live & thrive in space. This is the story of the discovery and what happens afterwards. It's a cautionary tale in some respects but so good that I was ok with that. I did stop to think, " what if this really happened? What would we do?" Read it, it's easy to read and yet makes one stop and think.
I received a free paperback copy of Warned by Dustin Kuhlman in a goodreads giveaway.
This disturbing book has the potential to be a forecast rather than science fiction. Perhaps we should take heed. Eager to read more. Dustin Kuhlman has a unique voice & I like it.
This is a book about the potential consequences of what could happen to our planet if we don't take better care of it.
It is a five star book. The only thing I didn't care for was the time shifting back & forth between chapters.
I really enjoyed this book. The concept was easy to comprehend and had the air of reality around it, in the same way that Gene Roddenberry did. This was not some disaster that was hard to imagine, nor the solutions completely out of the realm of possibility. The characters were well written, and the time line easy to follow. This is a book I will pass on to my husband, and others. I will admit I wasn’t expecting aliens, but it did not make the story unbelievable, and in fact it added nicely to it.
I suppose I can appreciate anyone who sits down and finishes a book. In this case, I can even admire the sentiment, but the writing was disturbingly lacking. The moment when the super-intelligent, highly-evolved being bemoans the demise of kissing, I wanted to call it quits. I didn't hate the book, and there were moments when I thought the storyline was clever, but I would have preferred a more adult treatment, a more developed plot. And perhaps a big word or two.
The author, Dustin Kuhlman, was nice enough to not only send me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, but to sign it as well. Many thanks, sir. This book is extremely thought provoking. It took me longer to read due to that. I really enjoyed it... the plot was very good and kept me hooked to find out what was next. The characters were enjoyable and I am very glad I found this author. He will be on my "To Be Read" list for any other books that he writes. :)
Wow.. so this isn't my normal genre but I wanted to try it. The author sent me a signed copy of his book in exchange for my review. This book made me think.. a lot. It took me longer to read due to that. I really enjoyed it... the plot was very good and kept me hooked to find out what was next. The characters were enjoyable and I am very glad I found this author. He will be on my tbr list for any other books that he writes. :) Very glad I found this one.
This is not my usual genre but I found myself I forgetting I was in the future and on the moon and listening to the message that is so timely and important. It reminds me of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson. Her efforts to get the government's attention on the mistreatment of the American Indian fell on deaf ears until her novel became popular. Good work Justin! What's next?
While I have promised a review; This is still forthcoming. I plan on writing a more indepth review. But for now, I shall say that I very much enjoyed reading this book. So much so, that I paid for a copy for my kindle, even though the author gave me a signed copy.