Accidental Gods

by Andrew Busey

What would happen if humans discovered a way to create a whole new universe? Find out in this scientific thriller, Accidental Gods. After years of research and countless failures, a team of scientists and physicists at the Institute for Computational Physics (ICP) has finally achieved the ultimate feat for developing a supercomputer powerful enough to recreate the Big Bang. As galaxies, planets, moons, stars, and solar systems form before their eyes, the team find themselves grappling with the theological implications behind this new creation of life. Soon they’re bombarded by attention from the media, religious fanatics, and rival scientists, despite ICP’s attempt at keeping the new development under wraps. As more details of the experiment come to life, it raises questions of the extent of the team’s responsibility for the alternate universe they have created, as well as questions about the details of their own reality. Ultimately, readers are swept along in this thrilling high-tech adventure into a simulated universe where a primitive society is just beginning to emerge—complete with language, buildings, and human sacrifice in an attempt to earn the goodwill of those who rule over their world…the ICP team.

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2014

Reviews

[Kerri Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite

This one was a slow starter but finished strong. I hope that it is a series as it stopped on a cliffhanger.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story! I even tweeted the author, I loved it so much. I had to know if a sequel was coming. He said it was more a matter of "when" he could write it. I am waiting with bated breath!!

This is the story of a group of scientists - physicists and computer tech guys who create a simulated universe to mimic our own so they can see how ours developed. At first they have virtual reality to see it develop and eventually as they become more and more successful with licensing technology they create, they have enough money to create "rendering rooms." Years go by in our world and billions of years go by in the simulated universe, and they get to study it and watch it happen.

Soon they bring in an astrobiologist who helps them pinpoint planets in the "habitable zone," and they find one! Through a series of creating universe spin offs that are basically parallel universes -- when they have to nudge things here and there to allow this world to be perfectly possible to create life - then, it happens!

This was a fascinating read. It felt very much like this could really happen. It makes you worry about the idea of us possibly living in a simulated universe. There are current theories that look good for us to be living in a hologram universe -- which is just totally creepy!

This book made me think of The Martian because it has lots of science and math involved. If that's your thing, you'll enjoy this.

My only issue is the ending. I need more!! You'll know what I'm talking about when you get to the last page. After finishing it, I ferociously searched the internet for any inkling of a sequel. When I couldn't find one, that's when I had to ask the author myself. And, he replied back to me in just a matter of minutes, which was awesome!!

[Hanan Elsharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this.

In all honesty, I felt a little lost initially as the creation of the simulated universe was explained: the physics and computational explanations were a little over my head. If it wasn't necessary to be introduced to all the characters as the universe was being created, I might have been able to do without the first 40% of the novel. The fact that I stuck with it regardless is testament to Andrew Busey's writing.

As life formed in this simulated universe, the novel really started to take shape for me. I enjoyed the ethical viewpoint that was being put forward; can we grow to love, want to protect and learn from a fabricated community? It is ironic that the reader watches the characters grapple with the rights and wrongs of observing this simulated civilisation - some even feeling uncomfortable as they watch these 'people' in their private homes - and yet isn't that what we always do when we read novels and discover every ounce of a character's life and inner most thoughts. It's fascinating to be voyeurs watching voyeurs observe this universe that they have created: these accidental gods.

As an Egyptian, I couldn't help but enjoy the idea that if the universe was created and we were lucky enough to have all the requirements needed to create a planet like our own, capable of human life, that life would develop into a mirror image of ancient Egyptian civilisation. What's not to like about that notion?

I also really enjoyed the linguistic discoveries made by the crew. It's interesting to imagine how a new language can be explained when there is no translation whatsoever to get you started.

There is so much to enjoy in this novel but
,as so many others have stated, it does end abruptly so I'm really looking forward to the next installment. I hope there is one.

[Bob Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plodding ... and then weird\non-ending.

The story plodded along, largely because of excessive technical description. I consider myself fairly sophisticated in my understanding of what makes up a good sci-fi story or techno-thriller as a professional engineer, but this time, the ending left me with a feeling of what the heck just happened. This one went right over my head, and so left me with a sense of "so what". Not my cup of tea, I guess.

[Paul Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very enjoyable book, but I can only assume there will be a sequel. It ended so abruptly that I had to look and see if my edition was missing pages.