Alternate Purpose

by Christopher Coates, Dillon Horinek (Narrator)

A global pandemic has devastated the world. Facing a rebuilding time of generations, two scientists come up with a Send someone back in time to prevent the horrible accident that released the deadly pathogen on the world.

The problem with their discovery? The time travel process is fatal to anyone trying it.

The solution? Create someone with the ability to survive the transition across timelines.

When Devin Baker sets out on the mission that will define the future of their world, he has to overcome challenges beyond his comprehension.... And come to terms with a past he's not ready to face.

Genres: Science Fiction

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

I grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and moved to Michigan in 1988 to attend Davenport University’s Paramedic school. I reside in Kent City, Michigan, with my wife of 32 years. We have an adult son and daughter who both have graduated college and live out of town.
I am a retired Firefighter/Paramedic who works full-time in Information Systems for a major West Michigan company.
In my off time, I enjoy traveling to unique places, family time, and my two dogs, who keep life fun.

Reviews

[TK · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Review contains some spoilers***

Spoilers will be hidden by spoiler tags.

----

This has the bones of a good story, and I enjoyed it. But I have to say, the dialogue and descriptions at times were utterly terrible.

The dialogue was stilted and awkward, existing only to advance the plot and never feeling particularly like real conversations. Teenaged Devin and Sawyer did not sound or act like teenagers, and as they got older, it was no better. Likewise everyone else in the story was fairly unbelievable, and the characters just felt like cardboard cutouts. Dialogue exists for info dumps, got it.

But also, descriptions at times broke the fourth wall, being obviously for sake of the reader, and directly addressing the reader, as opposed to being for sake of exposition, description, or plot movement.

--- Spoilers below this point ---


Even the plot itself was very contrived, in a way that made little sense at times. If a decade or a bit more was needed for this healing ability to manifest, why did they send someone back something like 85 years? In fact, at this point, the scientists and authorities were aware of patient zero and the chain of events that caused the pandemic. Why didn't Becker just send a note back to himself, Stoffer, or general Quimby about it and stop if from occurring without the healing factor shenanigans?

Or, if we still require this healing factor as part of the story, why wasn't the serum sent back several years and provided to Stoffer with a personal comp, who could have analyzed it and figured out a way to mass produce it? It was his work after all, he'd have been aware of it.

Like Devin said, why him? Feels like Coates had an idea he wanted to run with, but didn't really plan it all through. Which might explain why the whole thing felt rather stilted and awkward. The plot movement in this story all felt rather forced.

Lastly, the girlfriend early in the story, Brittany I believe. The car accident... Why? I get this is probably supposed to give Devin some tragic backstory, but the way it was written with the thing with Trevor and her planning to leave Devin... the whole scene gave me the ick, it read like some neckbeard revenge tale.


As I said, I enjoyed the story for the most part and there was a good concept here, but I feel the author executed on it rather poorly. There were a few typos throughout as well. Could have done for an editor pass or three.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of time travel in a strange attempt to avoid a pandemic, a man-made pandemic. It starts in 2005 when the future comes back to visit a new born baby. Then we follow this baby as he grows for a couple of decades and then he disappears. As with a lot of time travel stories there is a bit of jumping about.

Overall it's mildly entertaining. It always raises the paradox of "if you chance the past do you cease to exist?" The characters are likeable enough and it's an easy story to follow. It does make one think about things like man made pathogens and why we even tinker in the field. However, in light of the recent changes in AI technologies I don't think the future envisioned in this book is the one we are heading toward.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This appears to be written for young teens, including the insertion of several definitions and explanations, but there's a *lot* of sudden, random death. And, the basic premise doesn't really make sense. Since they can send inorganic items back in time easily, why not send themselves a note? The vaccine? Even the magical healing serum?

But the one silly thing that sticks in my head: when Devin thought his healing was a gift from God, he felt that made it okay to put his name in lights and get rich, BUT when he found out it was just science, then he felt a duty to provide healing humbly and for free. Isn't that backwards?

I feel like this could have been better.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good time travel novel. This was a fun to read time travel book instead of one of those that bogs down in so many circles of time paradox that the reader just gives up and loses track of the story line. It was pleasant to be able to just follow the characters and the story line instead of having the reality constantly shifting. Admittedly, it seemed to be for juvenile reading, but so have been many great books. Quite enjoyable.

[Macjest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been much better, especially after an interesting start. The book has time travel, a pandemic, and a boy who is able to heal. The healing is the result of a time traveler who injects him with something when he is a baby. Turns out he was injected so he can come forward in time to help with a pandemic, just not the way he thinks he should. Like I said, interesting, but not well put together and the ending was a huge disappointment.

[Bob Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year, I set out to explore new authors, and Christopher Coates was a delightful discovery. He has quickly become one of my favorite storytellers. I've devoured five of his books so far, and I eagerly anticipate his next release. His narratives are engaging, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining. Well done, sir—keep up the excellent work!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the writing is rather simple and juvenile I loved this book! What a great story filled with a few twists and surprises. Great time travel and dystopian tale filled with likable characters and smart ideas.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book I enjoyed it.

I have enjoyed this book along with 2 others. I enjoy the author and enjoy the characters. Compelling story line. And it's interesting developments.

[BLOOPY! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but felt the ending was rushed and lacked substance.

[Lester Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, well structured story.

I liked how the story flowed even with the time shifts. Paradoxes not fully explained but believably written. I liked and enjoyed this book.

[Kathleen Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Very interesting theory but let down by not making it clear weather the global pandemic happened. Could of improved the ending

[Bernard A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Reed

I found this book to be riveting. A real page turner. You won’t be able to put it down. You will love it.

[Tee · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Story seemed cool but the writing was just sooooo terrible and amateur I couldn't continue. Like something I would write in 6th grade.

[Joel C. Gorick · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun read

Gripping with a measure of plausibility but a very abrupt wrapping at the end kept the last star away. Still a fun read

[Samantha Deppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and will be reading other books by this author.

[Derek Segura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. The ending felt a little flat but all in all it was worth the read. I enjoy Coates writing style and storytelling

[Donna Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternate Purpose

A very believable book. With technology making advances every day, one can see how this story could possibly become our future reality.

[Mandys_Book_Nook3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is your purpose...your plan...what's God's plan? Perhaps there's an alternate purpose in store for everyone.

Devin was a cool kid, tons a friends, enjoyed school, tv and his family. When someone he knew got hurt, he noticed he had the ability to heal. What was this power? A gift from God? He kept it a secret with his best friend, but as he got older, he wanted to heal others, so much he became used to the glory and started touring, eventually becoming a millionaire.

How did he get this gift? Time travel...in order to prevent a massive pandemic, a time traveler found Devin as an infant, implanted a futuristic biochip which allowed him this gift of healing. Was his purpose to heal, or was there an alternate purpose in place to stop the pandemic that would occur years down the road. You'll have to read to find out the occurrences that take place to stop the events of time...or does it...

Terrific sci fi mystery by Christopher Coates. This was my 3rd book I've read by him.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting spiritual scifi