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The Oort Chronicles #1
Icicle: A Tensor Matrix
Braxton Thorpe has discovered a threat to the entire Solar System, but he has a he's dead.
"There's interstellar travel, wormholes, aliens, and the threat of inter-planetary war, which, together with Braxton's personal and wider quest, adds up to one hell of an adventure. Not bad for a dead man!" —Sebastian J. Brook, Editor of Doctor Who Online
Frozen at death, Thorpe awakens to find himself uploaded into an electronic matrix. Exploring beyond the matrix and the larger GlobalNet, he discovers the Oort, a distributed electronic entity older than humanity, with an unnerving aliens wiped out nearly all life on Earth once, and are coming back to do it again.
The mathematical entity that is Thorpe has to find a way to convince humans of the threat, and in time to do something about it. But how, and what?
If you've read Niven's A World Out of Time or Taylor's We Are Legion, the opening of Icicle will only "seem" familiar. Buckle up for a wild ride—you ain't seen nothin' yet!
"There's interstellar travel, wormholes, aliens, and the threat of inter-planetary war, which, together with Braxton's personal and wider quest, adds up to one hell of an adventure. Not bad for a dead man!" —Sebastian J. Brook, Editor of Doctor Who Online
Frozen at death, Thorpe awakens to find himself uploaded into an electronic matrix. Exploring beyond the matrix and the larger GlobalNet, he discovers the Oort, a distributed electronic entity older than humanity, with an unnerving aliens wiped out nearly all life on Earth once, and are coming back to do it again.
The mathematical entity that is Thorpe has to find a way to convince humans of the threat, and in time to do something about it. But how, and what?
If you've read Niven's A World Out of Time or Taylor's We Are Legion, the opening of Icicle will only "seem" familiar. Buckle up for a wild ride—you ain't seen nothin' yet!
- GenresAliens
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2025
About the author
Robert G. Williscroft
48 books83 followersDr. Robert G. Williscroft is a retired submarine officer, deep-sea and saturation diver, scientist, author, and a lifelong adventurer. He spent twenty-two months underwater, a year in the equatorial Pacific, three years in the Arctic ice pack, and a year at the Geographic South Pole. He holds degrees in Marine Physics and Meteorology and a doctorate for developing a system to protect scuba divers in contaminated water. A prolific author of both non-fiction, submarine technothrillers, and hard science fiction, he lives in Centennial, Colorado.
Dr. Williscroft is a member of Colorado Author’s League, Independent Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Authors, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Libertarian Futurist Society, Los Angeles Adventurers’ Club, Mensa, Military Officer’s Association, U.S. Sub Vets, American Legion, and the NRA, and now spends most of his time writing his next book, speaking to various regional groups, and hanging out with the girl of his dreams, Jill, and her two cats.
Dr. Williscroft is a member of Colorado Author’s League, Independent Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Authors, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, Libertarian Futurist Society, Los Angeles Adventurers’ Club, Mensa, Military Officer’s Association, U.S. Sub Vets, American Legion, and the NRA, and now spends most of his time writing his next book, speaking to various regional groups, and hanging out with the girl of his dreams, Jill, and her two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 2, 2021
Hard Science Fiction at its Best by Robert G. Williscroft
In Icicle: A Tensor Matrix: The First Oort Chronicle, eDaphne, an electronic upload of a flesh-and-blood woman named Daphne, describes certain scientific developments as “the most amazing turn of events in human history”. This is certainly true, beginning with page one. As the novel starts, Braxton Thorpe is dying of prostate cancer that has “metastasized throughout his core”. Though his body is doomed, he stays alive by having his head removed and cryogenically preserved in an electronic matrix. Later his consciousness is transferred to a “massive MIT databank”.
What follows is no less than a detailed How-To Guide for creating Portal Technology that will enable ships to travel quickly across the universe. What’s more, there is also the possibility that human beings will one day live virtually forever and interact with others through their holoimages. Though Thorpe says that “Not having a body has got to be the biggest downside of this electronic existence,” it also provides insurance against death. One’s body may die, but life goes on through periodic uploads, and people may even have backups for their backups. Oh Death, where is thy sting?
The novel not only includes the scope of ideas that one finds in the best hard science fiction, but it is a dandy set-up for a series. Despite the wonderful scientific achievements, there is trouble looming, and more than one threat to humanity’s future. The novel’s conclusion is riveting and awe-inspiring with a fascinating extrapolation of scientific developments into the future. Will wonders ever cease?
Also Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/34tUaid ~
In Icicle: A Tensor Matrix: The First Oort Chronicle, eDaphne, an electronic upload of a flesh-and-blood woman named Daphne, describes certain scientific developments as “the most amazing turn of events in human history”. This is certainly true, beginning with page one. As the novel starts, Braxton Thorpe is dying of prostate cancer that has “metastasized throughout his core”. Though his body is doomed, he stays alive by having his head removed and cryogenically preserved in an electronic matrix. Later his consciousness is transferred to a “massive MIT databank”.
What follows is no less than a detailed How-To Guide for creating Portal Technology that will enable ships to travel quickly across the universe. What’s more, there is also the possibility that human beings will one day live virtually forever and interact with others through their holoimages. Though Thorpe says that “Not having a body has got to be the biggest downside of this electronic existence,” it also provides insurance against death. One’s body may die, but life goes on through periodic uploads, and people may even have backups for their backups. Oh Death, where is thy sting?
The novel not only includes the scope of ideas that one finds in the best hard science fiction, but it is a dandy set-up for a series. Despite the wonderful scientific achievements, there is trouble looming, and more than one threat to humanity’s future. The novel’s conclusion is riveting and awe-inspiring with a fascinating extrapolation of scientific developments into the future. Will wonders ever cease?
Also Available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/34tUaid ~
September 3, 2020
ICICLE: A TENSOR MATRIX is the first instalment in Robert G Williscroft’s hard, science fiction story line focusing on engineer and entrepreneur Braxton Thorpe, and his consciousness journey into the electronic matrix.
Told from third person perspective ICICLE: A TENSOR MATRIX follows engineer and entrepreneur Braxton Thorpe into the twenty-second century. Approximately one hundred years earlier, Braxton Thorpe died but his head was cryogenically frozen until such a time the technology became available to reanimate the human consciousness. Fast forward to the early twenty-second century wherein Braxton Thorpe’s consciousness is uploaded into a tensor matrix (ala Tron), where our hero will discover he is not the only consciousness ‘aware’ in the matrix. With all of human knowledge available to Braxton Thorpe, our hero, along with scientists, mathematicians, computer specialists and an alien civilization known as the Oort, will endeavour to save Earth and humanity from a Marauder invasion.
ICICLE: A TENSOR MATRIX is a complex, infinitely detailed, technologically diverse, hard science fiction story line that focuses on the possibility of the awareness of the human consciousness in a computer matrix, and the resulting immortality for those willing to undergo a consciousness exchange. Robert G Williscroft pulls the reader into a world of wormhole portals, alien civilizations, rapid planetary transport, and the duality of mankind both in and out of the matrix. When Earth is threatened by an unknown enemy, politics plays hard and fast, and the resulting strain mirrors twenty and twenty-first century tensions.
If you are a fan of hard, science fiction (using mathematics, chemistry and physics) ICICLE is the perfect vehicle to ask the questions what if and how.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from third person perspective ICICLE: A TENSOR MATRIX follows engineer and entrepreneur Braxton Thorpe into the twenty-second century. Approximately one hundred years earlier, Braxton Thorpe died but his head was cryogenically frozen until such a time the technology became available to reanimate the human consciousness. Fast forward to the early twenty-second century wherein Braxton Thorpe’s consciousness is uploaded into a tensor matrix (ala Tron), where our hero will discover he is not the only consciousness ‘aware’ in the matrix. With all of human knowledge available to Braxton Thorpe, our hero, along with scientists, mathematicians, computer specialists and an alien civilization known as the Oort, will endeavour to save Earth and humanity from a Marauder invasion.
ICICLE: A TENSOR MATRIX is a complex, infinitely detailed, technologically diverse, hard science fiction story line that focuses on the possibility of the awareness of the human consciousness in a computer matrix, and the resulting immortality for those willing to undergo a consciousness exchange. Robert G Williscroft pulls the reader into a world of wormhole portals, alien civilizations, rapid planetary transport, and the duality of mankind both in and out of the matrix. When Earth is threatened by an unknown enemy, politics plays hard and fast, and the resulting strain mirrors twenty and twenty-first century tensions.
If you are a fan of hard, science fiction (using mathematics, chemistry and physics) ICICLE is the perfect vehicle to ask the questions what if and how.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
January 20, 2022
I’m not a smart person, so I had to look a few things up during the read, but that’s not the author’s fault. Icicle is a very cerebral novel with well thought out theories and a solid plot line. The author writes a clean story, with very few sticky sentences or gummy descriptions. The thought of waking up decades from now with no real physical body gives the book an eerie sci-fi feel. Are we really better off fighting death or should we attempt to continue the human conscience? This book covers it all!
July 7, 2021
Icicle: A Tensor Matrix, is the story of a man cryogenically frozen and then brought back to life in the future, only it's a digital version of himself. His "consciousness" has been preserved, much like Johnny Depp in the movie Transcendence. It is a great premise for a story, as mankind's computing power creeps ever closer to this being a reality. However, this is only the backdrop of the plot as the rest of the story involves new advances in space travel and the discovery of an alien species, hell-bent on earth's destruction.
PLOT: 9/10 - I think the overall story was well fleshed out, the author really took a massive task in trying to tell this grand story, which involved many elements squashed into one book. For me, the story really lacked a strong middle act, and you might find yourself skimming through from the 25% to 80% mark.
WRITING: 9/10 - Not much to either criticize or commend when it comes to the writing, it's good, and the author clearly has an above-average knowledge when it comes to the technical science aspects. However, therein lies my one complaint, in that it often just gets way too technical. Vector sequences, Cauchy limits, and Banach spaces might turn on a mathematics professor, but I dare to say it's over the heads of most sci-fi fans, but don't worry, there are shooty laser guns too. Note to the author: please take out those two models/pictures of the spacecraft - they are unnecessary and sorry to say, just not cool enough or detailed enough to be in there.
CHARACTERS: 7/10 - Probably the weakest point in the story. Braxton Thorpe just didn't seem to be THAT interesting of a character other than his strange predicament. I didn't like any of the female characters, I thought they were all very one-dimensional and often times acted like ditzy, horny, teenaged blondes, rather than scientists. The Oort was cool, I would have liked to hear from them more.
OVERALL: This is hard sci-fi folks, very hard. If that is your thing, I believe you will love this. For the average alien invasion/shooter fan, this might be a tough one to get through. Still, I found myself turning the pages, wanting to know how the final showdown would go down. Unfortunately, the final battle was a little more like Atari space invaders rather than say, the Star Wars Battle of Yavin. I am 60% likely to purchase the next book in the series.
PLOT: 9/10 - I think the overall story was well fleshed out, the author really took a massive task in trying to tell this grand story, which involved many elements squashed into one book. For me, the story really lacked a strong middle act, and you might find yourself skimming through from the 25% to 80% mark.
WRITING: 9/10 - Not much to either criticize or commend when it comes to the writing, it's good, and the author clearly has an above-average knowledge when it comes to the technical science aspects. However, therein lies my one complaint, in that it often just gets way too technical. Vector sequences, Cauchy limits, and Banach spaces might turn on a mathematics professor, but I dare to say it's over the heads of most sci-fi fans, but don't worry, there are shooty laser guns too. Note to the author: please take out those two models/pictures of the spacecraft - they are unnecessary and sorry to say, just not cool enough or detailed enough to be in there.
CHARACTERS: 7/10 - Probably the weakest point in the story. Braxton Thorpe just didn't seem to be THAT interesting of a character other than his strange predicament. I didn't like any of the female characters, I thought they were all very one-dimensional and often times acted like ditzy, horny, teenaged blondes, rather than scientists. The Oort was cool, I would have liked to hear from them more.
OVERALL: This is hard sci-fi folks, very hard. If that is your thing, I believe you will love this. For the average alien invasion/shooter fan, this might be a tough one to get through. Still, I found myself turning the pages, wanting to know how the final showdown would go down. Unfortunately, the final battle was a little more like Atari space invaders rather than say, the Star Wars Battle of Yavin. I am 60% likely to purchase the next book in the series.
March 12, 2022
Great science fiction writers like Robert G. Williscroft have the ability to explain fantastical concepts that you have never imagined, and make you say “Oh, of course. That makes sense.” In Icicle, Mr. Williscroft answers the obvious question of what happens to a cryogenically frozen head when it is thawed out and reawakened far in the future. The answer is that the consciousness of the human brain will be uploaded into an electronic matrix and will exist as an independent entity, disconnected from any corporeal body. And the electronic person, who was rich when he froze himself hundreds of years ago, is now richer than God.
This portion of the book is fascinating and explained in meticulous detail as to the tech and the non-Euclidian geometric existence of Braxton Thorpe, our intrepid ePerson. Thorpe develops relationships with the scientists who revived him and who help him explore his new world. A female scientist and her journalist friend play a particularly exciting role. (wink) Thorpe reaches out into the GlobalNet to explore the world, and into the orbital network of micro-satellites that provide power and communications to the Earth. It is an amazing and compelling journey.
From there, the story expands exponentially into geopolitics, the nature of existence, and the discovery of the existence of portals capable of transporting a person, or an ePerson, to far-away locations instantly. Who made them? Where are they now? Did they build the swarm of micro-satellites beyond the moon? I won’t spoil anything, but the story reaches to the farthest points of our solar system . . . and beyond. At each step of the way, the author explains the scientific principles involved with each new development and makes us believe that it could all be true. Hence, brilliant science fiction.
This very enjoyable read includes a cast of characters to whom we are introduced in the beginning, but the development of the relationships recedes into the background as the story continues. The events of the story become so large-scale that the advancement of the story arc overshadows the characters. The story then expands to a several-years scale that flashes by with minimal description. This is necessary for the plot, but it minimizes the exceptional detail of the early sections of the book that were so wonderfully compelling. There are also a few times when the scientific/technical explanations became (for me) a bit too detailed at the expense of the pacing of the rest of the plot. But these are minor quibbles.
By the end, there is a very large plot arc that will continue in the next book in the series, and I will be very happy to follow Thorpe and the other residents of Earth as they continue the adventure.
Icicle is a marvelous example of superior science fiction writing. It is extraordinarily well-edited and well-written, making it a pleasure to read and enjoy. I Recommend it for any sci-fi fan.
This portion of the book is fascinating and explained in meticulous detail as to the tech and the non-Euclidian geometric existence of Braxton Thorpe, our intrepid ePerson. Thorpe develops relationships with the scientists who revived him and who help him explore his new world. A female scientist and her journalist friend play a particularly exciting role. (wink) Thorpe reaches out into the GlobalNet to explore the world, and into the orbital network of micro-satellites that provide power and communications to the Earth. It is an amazing and compelling journey.
From there, the story expands exponentially into geopolitics, the nature of existence, and the discovery of the existence of portals capable of transporting a person, or an ePerson, to far-away locations instantly. Who made them? Where are they now? Did they build the swarm of micro-satellites beyond the moon? I won’t spoil anything, but the story reaches to the farthest points of our solar system . . . and beyond. At each step of the way, the author explains the scientific principles involved with each new development and makes us believe that it could all be true. Hence, brilliant science fiction.
This very enjoyable read includes a cast of characters to whom we are introduced in the beginning, but the development of the relationships recedes into the background as the story continues. The events of the story become so large-scale that the advancement of the story arc overshadows the characters. The story then expands to a several-years scale that flashes by with minimal description. This is necessary for the plot, but it minimizes the exceptional detail of the early sections of the book that were so wonderfully compelling. There are also a few times when the scientific/technical explanations became (for me) a bit too detailed at the expense of the pacing of the rest of the plot. But these are minor quibbles.
By the end, there is a very large plot arc that will continue in the next book in the series, and I will be very happy to follow Thorpe and the other residents of Earth as they continue the adventure.
Icicle is a marvelous example of superior science fiction writing. It is extraordinarily well-edited and well-written, making it a pleasure to read and enjoy. I Recommend it for any sci-fi fan.
June 2, 2020
The concept of embedding a human consciousness into the digital architecture of computers has been around since at least 1982 when Disney Studios released the groundbreaking movie Tron. We’re not talking Artificial Intelligence, but human intelligence, consciousness, however disembodied that might be.
I suspect that Robert G. Williscroft, author of the novel Icicle, a Tensor Matrix, is fully aware of the new science suggesting that consciousness is perhaps not constrained to the brain. It may be distributed. Arguably, it may function quite well in disembodied form; a form that some are bold enough to identify as the human soul.
Williscroft borrowed the creativity of Tron, infused it with current knowledge of global information networks and topological mathematics, sprinkled on modern research on the nature of consciousness, and ended up creating something totally new.
Williscroft’s new book, Icicle, is fundamentally different from his earlier work. True to form, it is a techno-thriller, but this time his work is a sometimes dizzying, mind-bending romp through hyperspace (both virtual and real). One indication of its originality is that it has one character becoming both the protagonist and antagonist—the same, yet different. It takes a darn good writer to pull that off.
For added spice, there are smart and sensuous women who coyly taunt the protagonist/antagonist with enticing displays of flesh. Can a digital consciousness with memory of a human past become titivated? Is voyeurism even possible in the disincarnate? Well, that’s just one of the many thought-provoking questions explored in this novel.
Adding to that powerful mix are geo-political tensions and the good guys versus bad guys theme that makes any thriller, well, thrilling.
Of course, any reader of Williscroft would be disappointed without outer space adventure. Rest assured, there’s plenty of that in his beautifully detailed, hard-hitting, hard science fiction story.
There is a lot to enjoy about this memorable, one-of-a-kind novel. But when you’ve closed the final pages, you’ll see there is more to come. Icicle is merely the first of the “Oort Chronicles.”
I can’t wait to read the next one.
I suspect that Robert G. Williscroft, author of the novel Icicle, a Tensor Matrix, is fully aware of the new science suggesting that consciousness is perhaps not constrained to the brain. It may be distributed. Arguably, it may function quite well in disembodied form; a form that some are bold enough to identify as the human soul.
Williscroft borrowed the creativity of Tron, infused it with current knowledge of global information networks and topological mathematics, sprinkled on modern research on the nature of consciousness, and ended up creating something totally new.
Williscroft’s new book, Icicle, is fundamentally different from his earlier work. True to form, it is a techno-thriller, but this time his work is a sometimes dizzying, mind-bending romp through hyperspace (both virtual and real). One indication of its originality is that it has one character becoming both the protagonist and antagonist—the same, yet different. It takes a darn good writer to pull that off.
For added spice, there are smart and sensuous women who coyly taunt the protagonist/antagonist with enticing displays of flesh. Can a digital consciousness with memory of a human past become titivated? Is voyeurism even possible in the disincarnate? Well, that’s just one of the many thought-provoking questions explored in this novel.
Adding to that powerful mix are geo-political tensions and the good guys versus bad guys theme that makes any thriller, well, thrilling.
Of course, any reader of Williscroft would be disappointed without outer space adventure. Rest assured, there’s plenty of that in his beautifully detailed, hard-hitting, hard science fiction story.
There is a lot to enjoy about this memorable, one-of-a-kind novel. But when you’ve closed the final pages, you’ll see there is more to come. Icicle is merely the first of the “Oort Chronicles.”
I can’t wait to read the next one.
July 2, 2020
Robert Williscroft’s new book is a mind-expanding journey into the future where human consciousness becomes immortal through the technology to be uploaded into the net. It explores a future where human life spans solar systems and galaxies. But there is a problem when species reach that far: it’s the risk of treading on the territory of other species.
This was a fascinating exploration of the idea of Fermi’s Paradox, that is, if the possibility of other intelligent life is almost assured, why haven’t we encountered it yet? Stephen Hawkins once warned us against searching for intelligent life in that a more-advanced species might arrive and dominate us, as has been the case through most of human history when an advanced civilization meets a less-advanced people.
This is an interesting book describing what such consequences might be. The book tells a fascinating story of the earth’s past and its future. The characters are well written, and the plot moves along well. I found myself considering the ideas it puts forth for many hours reading. I recommend this book for a stimulating and fun read.
This was a fascinating exploration of the idea of Fermi’s Paradox, that is, if the possibility of other intelligent life is almost assured, why haven’t we encountered it yet? Stephen Hawkins once warned us against searching for intelligent life in that a more-advanced species might arrive and dominate us, as has been the case through most of human history when an advanced civilization meets a less-advanced people.
This is an interesting book describing what such consequences might be. The book tells a fascinating story of the earth’s past and its future. The characters are well written, and the plot moves along well. I found myself considering the ideas it puts forth for many hours reading. I recommend this book for a stimulating and fun read.
October 18, 2020
Icicle starts with a familiar premise - super rich technology tycoon Braxton Thorpe arranges to have his head frozen after death, waiting for sufficient advances to bring him back to life (or in this case, virtual life as a machine intelligence). Where Williscroft maps new territory is the way he explores feasible and reasonable scientific and cultural advances across the world, with an emphasis on global (and intrastellar) connectivity.
The book is well written, with mostly believable characters and motivations throughout (although if you can understand the mind of a cat, then you are better than I). There are some signs of American-centric patriotism, but this doesn't detract from the story (a few other cultures would have been nice to explore).
There is a very solid scientific and mathematical background to the novel, but you don't need to understand any of it in depth to enjoy reading. There are sufficient explanations throughout to keep any interested readers in touch with the methods employed - otherwise just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The book is well written, with mostly believable characters and motivations throughout (although if you can understand the mind of a cat, then you are better than I). There are some signs of American-centric patriotism, but this doesn't detract from the story (a few other cultures would have been nice to explore).
There is a very solid scientific and mathematical background to the novel, but you don't need to understand any of it in depth to enjoy reading. There are sufficient explanations throughout to keep any interested readers in touch with the methods employed - otherwise just sit back and enjoy the ride.
November 5, 2020
Icicle is a really intriguing story - the idea of the singularity, of human consciousness meeting technology, has always interested me. This explodes those boundaries with multi-billionaire Braxton Thorpe who is regenerated after being cryogenically frozen into a digital being. As he funds a team and works with them to expand the "human" (and feline!) digital presence in the matrix, they explore the dangers facing humankind. The concept is so interesting, that it was easy to overlook the highly technical language in the text - this did mean skimming over quite a bit in several sections, but honestly, you don't need to understand it to love the concept and the story. The character start of a little cheesy, especially the women, who are written as almost manically sex-driven, but they do develop a little better as the story does on. While I would have loved their characterization to be smoothed out a fair bit in the beginning, the plot is so compelling, you can't help but read on.
March 20, 2026
(Audible.) I spent many hours going back and re-listening to the beginning parts of this book to understand what the author was getting at. I give credit for the deep creativity in creating this imaginary world. After all, AIs do you matrices extensively, and I can see the proposal that an AI is actually a form of matrix, and I can see the idea of being able to jump around in space via various dimensions. Once I got the basic idea of what was going on, it wasn't holding my attention anymore. I am not interested in a sequel.
May 6, 2022
Impressive Science…
That makes this fiction eerily possible. If you want mind blowing science fiction that brings the future to here and now, read this book. How will we reach light speed? With the power of the sun and a few worm holes. What killed the dinosaurs? An asteroid pushed our way. I can’t wait to read the next book. Getting to Mars is nothing!
That makes this fiction eerily possible. If you want mind blowing science fiction that brings the future to here and now, read this book. How will we reach light speed? With the power of the sun and a few worm holes. What killed the dinosaurs? An asteroid pushed our way. I can’t wait to read the next book. Getting to Mars is nothing!
January 28, 2023
Wow, made it through it. Not an easy read, kept wanting to stop. Author seemed confused with the difference between the people as computer code and straight energy only lifeforms. Since they seemed to be able to look around and interact without the use of cameras, speakers, etc.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews