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Renegade World
Naami, a renegade visionary from the late 21st century, leads a small team back in time to 1505 to change history.
How does her vision impact Mohkave, the third son of a respected chief, who knows he is a disappointment to his father? On the brink of manhood, he desperately seeks a vision.
Perhaps neither of them really controls their own destiny while aliens secretly meddle in human affairs. The aliens Avram and Lilith have been at odds with each other for millennia. Avram is the better shapeshifter, but Lilith has the power to hypnotize humans.
Renegade World, the first book in a series of Sci-Fi, Alternative History
How does her vision impact Mohkave, the third son of a respected chief, who knows he is a disappointment to his father? On the brink of manhood, he desperately seeks a vision.
Perhaps neither of them really controls their own destiny while aliens secretly meddle in human affairs. The aliens Avram and Lilith have been at odds with each other for millennia. Avram is the better shapeshifter, but Lilith has the power to hypnotize humans.
Renegade World, the first book in a series of Sci-Fi, Alternative History
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2014
25 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
G.D. Patten
3 books3 followers"In England the Patten family claim an ancestry coeval with the Conquest." This is the beginning of the genealogy handed down to me when I was young. My Scots-Irish ancestors were said to have been privateers during the Revolutionary War, but then moved to Nova Scotia shortly after the war. My great-grandfather brought his family to Minnesota, but died of typhoid in the early 1880s. My great-grandmother returned to Nova Scotia with her daughters, leaving my grandfather with relatives to recuperate from typhoid. This family history was just the beginning of my interest in history.
Growing up at the beginning of the Computer Age and Space Age, I was sure that the moon, if not Mars, would be colonized by the early 21st century and that robots would be at least as advanced as the robot from "Lost in Space". I wrote my first computer programs in 1968 and carried them around on rolls of punched paper tape.
I was addicted to science fiction and fantasy. A Marvel Comics fan, I still have 15 of the first 20 Iron Man, 35 of the first 100 Avengers, 30 of the first 100 Spiderman, 25 of the first 100 X-Men, Marvel Tales #2 (The Origin of the Avengers, The origin of the X-Men, The origin of Doctor Strange), and many others. The first books I remember reading were the Lucky Starr series by Isaac Asimov (as Paul French).
By the time I started at the University of Minnesota, I had been writing computer programs for almost four years, so I decided I wanted to study something broader than computer science. I earned a B.S. and an M.A. in Economics, learning from three Nobel Laureate Professors: Leonid Hurwicz, Christopher Sims, and Thomas Sargent. Another of my professors and also my boss when I was an instructor was Professor Edward Coen, father of the Coen Brothers.
It turns out I never had just one career. I was an economist, a programmer (writing programs for statistical software, compilers, and operating systems), a project manager, a VP of Information Services, and a consultant. I also earned a 2nd degree black belt in Song Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do and was an instructor for several years.
Now, I'm fulfilling the prediction of my 9th grade standardized assessment. I'm writing sci-fi alternative history novels.
Growing up at the beginning of the Computer Age and Space Age, I was sure that the moon, if not Mars, would be colonized by the early 21st century and that robots would be at least as advanced as the robot from "Lost in Space". I wrote my first computer programs in 1968 and carried them around on rolls of punched paper tape.
I was addicted to science fiction and fantasy. A Marvel Comics fan, I still have 15 of the first 20 Iron Man, 35 of the first 100 Avengers, 30 of the first 100 Spiderman, 25 of the first 100 X-Men, Marvel Tales #2 (The Origin of the Avengers, The origin of the X-Men, The origin of Doctor Strange), and many others. The first books I remember reading were the Lucky Starr series by Isaac Asimov (as Paul French).
By the time I started at the University of Minnesota, I had been writing computer programs for almost four years, so I decided I wanted to study something broader than computer science. I earned a B.S. and an M.A. in Economics, learning from three Nobel Laureate Professors: Leonid Hurwicz, Christopher Sims, and Thomas Sargent. Another of my professors and also my boss when I was an instructor was Professor Edward Coen, father of the Coen Brothers.
It turns out I never had just one career. I was an economist, a programmer (writing programs for statistical software, compilers, and operating systems), a project manager, a VP of Information Services, and a consultant. I also earned a 2nd degree black belt in Song Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do and was an instructor for several years.
Now, I'm fulfilling the prediction of my 9th grade standardized assessment. I'm writing sci-fi alternative history novels.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 26, 2015
`All sixteen humans shared something else, genetic modifications.'
GD Patten debuts as a published author with this sci-fi alternative history novel RENEGADE WORLD, and while this may be a first novel, it works on so many levels that readers of all genre will be attracted to this man's gifts of imagination, speculation, reality - all aspects of which the author has either studied, or inherited from a fascinating family tree, or gleaned from his early addiction to Marvel Comics and their ilk. With a history of writing computer programs he entered the University of Minnesota and earned a B.S. and an M.A. in Economics following which he was an economist, a programmer (writing programs for statistical software, compilers, and operating systems), a project manager, a VP of Information Services, and a consultant. And as some significant background information for the thoughts in this novel he earned a 2nd degree black belt in Song Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do and was an instructor for several years. A fascinating and handsome figure of a hero-like character, GD Patten is now focusing (hopefully for more than just one book) on sharing his kaleidoscope mind in writing sci-fi alternative history stories.
Patten states in his introduction that on influence for this story was his gaining familiarity with Eric Flint's books about the War of 1812 and the manner in which he provides an alternative history glance. Patten goes a step further and `found myself wondering about an alternative history that would have branched off earlier, around the time that Europeans first discovered the New World. In fact, I thought about it so much that I wrote this book, the first in a series, which begins a few years after Columbus's discovery of the West Indies, but well before the massive influx of Europeans.' And pushing the boundaries of imagination the result is a book that embraces time travel, changing history, Native Americans, and even aliens. And Patten does this with such apparent ease that we are with him at every outrageous tangent.
The story in synopsis: `Time travel, genetic engineering, nanotech, and artificial intelligence appear normal for the enhanced humans from the future, but what on Earth are the aliens up to? Naami, a renegade visionary from the late 21st century, leads a small team back in time to 1505 to change history. How does her vision impact Mohkave, the third son of a respected chief, who knows he is a disappointment to his father? On the brink of manhood, he desperately seeks a vision. Perhaps neither of them really controls their own destiny while aliens secretly meddle in human affairs. Avram and Lilith have been secretly manipulating humans for millennia, but with different goals. Avram is the better shapeshifter, but Lilith has the power to hypnotize humans.'
A grand epic, this, full of Native American lore and space age technology and DNA shapeshifting spanning centuries - a story that pushes our minds into interstices not explored before. GD Patten is a very fine writer (or alchemist) and this book is highly recommended.
GD Patten debuts as a published author with this sci-fi alternative history novel RENEGADE WORLD, and while this may be a first novel, it works on so many levels that readers of all genre will be attracted to this man's gifts of imagination, speculation, reality - all aspects of which the author has either studied, or inherited from a fascinating family tree, or gleaned from his early addiction to Marvel Comics and their ilk. With a history of writing computer programs he entered the University of Minnesota and earned a B.S. and an M.A. in Economics following which he was an economist, a programmer (writing programs for statistical software, compilers, and operating systems), a project manager, a VP of Information Services, and a consultant. And as some significant background information for the thoughts in this novel he earned a 2nd degree black belt in Song Moo Kwon Tae Kwon Do and was an instructor for several years. A fascinating and handsome figure of a hero-like character, GD Patten is now focusing (hopefully for more than just one book) on sharing his kaleidoscope mind in writing sci-fi alternative history stories.
Patten states in his introduction that on influence for this story was his gaining familiarity with Eric Flint's books about the War of 1812 and the manner in which he provides an alternative history glance. Patten goes a step further and `found myself wondering about an alternative history that would have branched off earlier, around the time that Europeans first discovered the New World. In fact, I thought about it so much that I wrote this book, the first in a series, which begins a few years after Columbus's discovery of the West Indies, but well before the massive influx of Europeans.' And pushing the boundaries of imagination the result is a book that embraces time travel, changing history, Native Americans, and even aliens. And Patten does this with such apparent ease that we are with him at every outrageous tangent.
The story in synopsis: `Time travel, genetic engineering, nanotech, and artificial intelligence appear normal for the enhanced humans from the future, but what on Earth are the aliens up to? Naami, a renegade visionary from the late 21st century, leads a small team back in time to 1505 to change history. How does her vision impact Mohkave, the third son of a respected chief, who knows he is a disappointment to his father? On the brink of manhood, he desperately seeks a vision. Perhaps neither of them really controls their own destiny while aliens secretly meddle in human affairs. Avram and Lilith have been secretly manipulating humans for millennia, but with different goals. Avram is the better shapeshifter, but Lilith has the power to hypnotize humans.'
A grand epic, this, full of Native American lore and space age technology and DNA shapeshifting spanning centuries - a story that pushes our minds into interstices not explored before. GD Patten is a very fine writer (or alchemist) and this book is highly recommended.
August 5, 2015
~~~~2.5 Stars~~~~~~
***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Let me start off at the end and work my way forwards defending my (no doubt ostracising) views/rants and ultimately poor rating. I am sad to say that I am very disappointed! The pace was torturously snail like. Everyday minutiae: what was eaten, chores that need to be tended to, inner monologues (both mundane and critical...but mostly mundane) were highlighted ad nauseum. The dueling POVs were equal parts enlightening and confusing. The writing style was basic, bare bones, and extremely succinct. Now everyone and anyone that will stand still long enough for me to prattle on about how I adore/crave/breathe Time Travel books will attest to the fact that I indeed am a world class sucker for a good romp through space and time. I even willingly, and usually quite happily, digest enormous amounts of pages and chapters and tomes of alternative historical time lines and many a SciFi rants about questionable quantum mechanics. I love love love it!! But this is a Time Travel story without any time traveling. There is no explanation about how it was even possible let alone the fact that there was little to no time jumping action of any kind. Let that sink in for a moment...NO TIME JUMPING ACTION OF ANY KIND!!!! A Time Travel book without any time travel??? A book averaging in the high 4 star range about Time Travel should (in my most humble of opinions) contain some (if not copious amounts of) time/space jumping, discourses about quantum mechanics, or at the very least have some sort of science-y mumbo jumbo. These are a must, for without them I ended up cursing the Book Gods repeatedly and teetering on the edge of causing physical damage to my guilty-by-association e-reader. I am heartbroken to be giving this sort of review, I really am. I was SUPER excited to be given a chance to read a new Time Travel book in exchange for an honest review but I can not in good conscience recommend this book to fellow enthusiasts. It dragged on, so much so that it took forever to finish. Yes I started this book at the beginning of a fairly busy vacation. Yes I admit it, I chose to put Renegade World down a few times in favor of a fruity drink poolside. It wasn't my type of book. I just couldn't get into it. To be honest it felt like work...actual 9-5 ho-hummery...and I am sad to say that I am very disappointed.
***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Let me start off at the end and work my way forwards defending my (no doubt ostracising) views/rants and ultimately poor rating. I am sad to say that I am very disappointed! The pace was torturously snail like. Everyday minutiae: what was eaten, chores that need to be tended to, inner monologues (both mundane and critical...but mostly mundane) were highlighted ad nauseum. The dueling POVs were equal parts enlightening and confusing. The writing style was basic, bare bones, and extremely succinct. Now everyone and anyone that will stand still long enough for me to prattle on about how I adore/crave/breathe Time Travel books will attest to the fact that I indeed am a world class sucker for a good romp through space and time. I even willingly, and usually quite happily, digest enormous amounts of pages and chapters and tomes of alternative historical time lines and many a SciFi rants about questionable quantum mechanics. I love love love it!! But this is a Time Travel story without any time traveling. There is no explanation about how it was even possible let alone the fact that there was little to no time jumping action of any kind. Let that sink in for a moment...NO TIME JUMPING ACTION OF ANY KIND!!!! A Time Travel book without any time travel??? A book averaging in the high 4 star range about Time Travel should (in my most humble of opinions) contain some (if not copious amounts of) time/space jumping, discourses about quantum mechanics, or at the very least have some sort of science-y mumbo jumbo. These are a must, for without them I ended up cursing the Book Gods repeatedly and teetering on the edge of causing physical damage to my guilty-by-association e-reader. I am heartbroken to be giving this sort of review, I really am. I was SUPER excited to be given a chance to read a new Time Travel book in exchange for an honest review but I can not in good conscience recommend this book to fellow enthusiasts. It dragged on, so much so that it took forever to finish. Yes I started this book at the beginning of a fairly busy vacation. Yes I admit it, I chose to put Renegade World down a few times in favor of a fruity drink poolside. It wasn't my type of book. I just couldn't get into it. To be honest it felt like work...actual 9-5 ho-hummery...and I am sad to say that I am very disappointed.
March 25, 2015
This book had all of the qualities of a strong sci-fi book to satisfied any lover of this genre--time-travel, advanced technology, artificial intelligence--and all of these subplots are mixed in with strong characters that really carry the narrative of the story. It is a mixed genre of historical fiction and sci-fi, which made for a unique reading experience. There is also an interesting mix of folklore, as much of it takes place in Native American 1500’s, which to me made the novel much more memorable. Instead of focusing on a more traditional time period, author G.D. Patten chooses to unearth native american history and mix it with a sci-fi point of view that equates to a highly entertaining, thoroughly descriptive novel.
The storyline was so fluid that I found myself reading for way longer than I had originally intended. The action and adventure was so real that I was put into the narrative of the book and could imagine everything perfectly, as if it was a movie. This is the mark of a strong author, who can make me forget about my surroundings and completely engross me into the world of Naami and Mohkave. I really loved reading about the interconnection between 21st century mannerisms and the culture of 1500 North Dakota Native Americans. The descriptions of the communication attempts were so detailed and realistic, which immediately set the tone for the rest of the novel. There is also definitely some comedic relief in people trying (and sometimes failing) to fit in with a new culture, which I enjoyed reading.
There are nice undertones about philosophy, free will, and how much power we should really have in the ability to change things. Ideas of fate vs. choice really come in to play here, which, when added into an already fantastic narrative, makes for a great story.
The storyline was so fluid that I found myself reading for way longer than I had originally intended. The action and adventure was so real that I was put into the narrative of the book and could imagine everything perfectly, as if it was a movie. This is the mark of a strong author, who can make me forget about my surroundings and completely engross me into the world of Naami and Mohkave. I really loved reading about the interconnection between 21st century mannerisms and the culture of 1500 North Dakota Native Americans. The descriptions of the communication attempts were so detailed and realistic, which immediately set the tone for the rest of the novel. There is also definitely some comedic relief in people trying (and sometimes failing) to fit in with a new culture, which I enjoyed reading.
There are nice undertones about philosophy, free will, and how much power we should really have in the ability to change things. Ideas of fate vs. choice really come in to play here, which, when added into an already fantastic narrative, makes for a great story.
March 30, 2015
I am a sucker for a good time travel story. There is something about learning how each particular stories rules for time travel works, and wrapping your head around it. This story not only has time travel, but ALIENS as well, I was completely on board from the start.
Naami is from the latest 21st century. She leads a group back in time to 1505, to change history. It is there she meets Mohkave, a SON OF A Chief, who wants to gain some favor back in the eyes of his father, who is disappointed in him. But they soon find out that they are not the only ones that are traveling back in time, to meddle in the affairs of human history. Which is rude. It was Naami's terrible idea first! Avram and Lilith are aliens who have been steering the course of human history for a very long time. And they are not about to let Naami ruin their carefully laid plans.
While the time travel ideas do not work the way that I think they should (that's an entirely different discussion...), I very much enjoyed reading this author's take. It was interesting, and complex, without being frustratingly so. All of the main characters are interesting enough, and have unique perspectives on the situations that they have found themselves in. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Naami and Mohkave (considering the latter met the former during a "vision quest"), and am very interested in seeing the next installment in this series, to see where this story goes!
Who knew the fate of the world was already fought for, in North Dakota, in 1505?
Naami is from the latest 21st century. She leads a group back in time to 1505, to change history. It is there she meets Mohkave, a SON OF A Chief, who wants to gain some favor back in the eyes of his father, who is disappointed in him. But they soon find out that they are not the only ones that are traveling back in time, to meddle in the affairs of human history. Which is rude. It was Naami's terrible idea first! Avram and Lilith are aliens who have been steering the course of human history for a very long time. And they are not about to let Naami ruin their carefully laid plans.
While the time travel ideas do not work the way that I think they should (that's an entirely different discussion...), I very much enjoyed reading this author's take. It was interesting, and complex, without being frustratingly so. All of the main characters are interesting enough, and have unique perspectives on the situations that they have found themselves in. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Naami and Mohkave (considering the latter met the former during a "vision quest"), and am very interested in seeing the next installment in this series, to see where this story goes!
Who knew the fate of the world was already fought for, in North Dakota, in 1505?
July 31, 2016
This is the first book in the Renegade World series. It does not end in a huge cliffhanger, but by the ending you know the story is not over. There is violence.
This is the first book I read by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a surprisingly complex story that included time travel, advanced science including artificial intelligence and genetic manipulation. The book is part SciFi yet historical and educational. The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. But things and people are not what as what they appeared or as was expected.
At times I felt the author was trying to educate me as the reader, just as Naami was teaching Mohkave in the storyline. There are places in the books where it was so dry, it reminded me of reading a college textbook. Most of those were early in the book and I struggled to get through those parts. I'm glad I stayed with it as the storyline improved and was easier reading.
Now I'm invested in these characters and want to see what's next. While Book Two in the series is published, it is a prequel to this storyline. I'm looking forward to reading the prequel, but unfortunately I'm going to have to wait to find out what's next for Mohkave and the villagers, as well as where Naami went. I hope the author writes the next book soon.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I read by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a surprisingly complex story that included time travel, advanced science including artificial intelligence and genetic manipulation. The book is part SciFi yet historical and educational. The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. But things and people are not what as what they appeared or as was expected.
At times I felt the author was trying to educate me as the reader, just as Naami was teaching Mohkave in the storyline. There are places in the books where it was so dry, it reminded me of reading a college textbook. Most of those were early in the book and I struggled to get through those parts. I'm glad I stayed with it as the storyline improved and was easier reading.
Now I'm invested in these characters and want to see what's next. While Book Two in the series is published, it is a prequel to this storyline. I'm looking forward to reading the prequel, but unfortunately I'm going to have to wait to find out what's next for Mohkave and the villagers, as well as where Naami went. I hope the author writes the next book soon.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2015
If you're in the mood for a good time travel/science fiction novel, than Renegade World, by GD Patten, is perfect. There are so many different elements to this book, combined together to make up an extremely interesting storyline that I haven't really seen before. GD Patten has a load of talent, as the writing of this book blew me away.
Naami is the main character of this one, and she was written so well. She wants to time travel back to the year 1505, to North Dakota. Her main mission is to change the past in order to improve the future.
I liked the fact that the story was also told in a few different perspectives - kept me hooked! I would definitely recommend this one to any Sci-Fi/Time Travel fan.
Naami is the main character of this one, and she was written so well. She wants to time travel back to the year 1505, to North Dakota. Her main mission is to change the past in order to improve the future.
I liked the fact that the story was also told in a few different perspectives - kept me hooked! I would definitely recommend this one to any Sci-Fi/Time Travel fan.
January 19, 2015
"Renegade World" by G.D. Patten is a time-travel / sci-fi novel. While it may sound like a typical sci-fi/adventure novel, it is so much more than that. Not only does it tick all the boxes for science fiction fans, but the author also concentrates on what really matters in the book - the characters. Told from different perspectives, what unfolds is a fascinating plot that keeps the reader guessing throughout. The only problem is that once you start it - everything else gets put on hold until you finish it .... it's that good! Overall I would have to say that this was a rewarding read.
November 13, 2014
This is a Sci-Fi book fan must-have! G.D. Patten's book "Renegade World" will hook you right up until the very end with its colorful dialogue, plot intrigue, and unique twist on an alternative history. Excitingly, this is only the beginning, being the first in a series. You definitely yearn to lean more in this "Dances With Wolves" Native American warriors meets "Avatar" superhuman species. Check it out and support a new great author!
May 26, 2015
Renegade World
I really liked the whole aspect of the native Americans learning from future people. I also enjoyed the experience of living with the indian people and seeing how they lived and thought.
I really liked the whole aspect of the native Americans learning from future people. I also enjoyed the experience of living with the indian people and seeing how they lived and thought.
May 21, 2015
Great story. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 7, 2015
Very interesting
I liked the characters and the plot line. Would be interested in more. Not sure if I pronounced the words correctly but it was easy to understand.
I liked the characters and the plot line. Would be interested in more. Not sure if I pronounced the words correctly but it was easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews