Upended

by P.A. Kramer

When a failed experiment renders everything within a mile completely weightless, Dr. Kyle Kessler narrowly avoids joining the countless cars, buildings, and people falling into the sky.

In the aftermath, he and the other survivors are given a regain their weight with time or become astronauts in the newest space program. With the wealth of weightless materials, NASA plans to build a spacecraft capable of venturing anywhere in the Solar System without gravity to hold it back. But for this diverse and inexperienced crew, astronaut training may prove to be as dangerous as space itself. And if Kyle can’t keep the truth of the failed experiment out of the wrong hands, it could destroy the only thing holding the Earth together.

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

P. A. Kramer is a scientist and science fiction writer who also publishes under the name Philip A. Kramer. He has short fiction and non-fiction published by Baen Books, Writer’s Digest, The Colored Lens, Eldritch Science, and in several anthologies with award-winning and best-selling authors. He is the winner of the 2017 Baen Memorial Short Story award and the 2017 N3F short story contest. After obtaining a doctorate in Biomedical Science, he now helps authors write with scientific authenticity on his blog. He is formerly a resident of Seattle, but now lives in North Carolina with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[PenelopeDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.A. Kramer does it again! He managed to make a book filled to the overflowing brim with science (even if some of it was wholly imagination based) a thoroughly enjoyable story to read. This is my favorite kind of science fiction, the kind rooted in real knowledge and made into make-believe with a fascinating “what if”.

I was hooked from first word to last. I found myself getting a bit of sympathy nausea and anxiety many times. I rooted for the characters’ wins and anxiously fretted over how they would overcome their pitfalls.

I once again find myself thinking I would’ve been a bit crueler to the antagonist 😅

I’m a big fan. I dare to say P.A. Kramer might be the next best thing in Science fiction since Hugh Howey.

[Zach Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book falls into the very enjoyable "what if?" niche of sci-fi - the matter in an area no longer being effected by gravity is a zany, impossible proposition, but what if it somehow happened anyway? What would be the real world fallout resulting from such an event? P.A. Kramer does a good job of exploring many facets of that questions, in a way that ends up coming together into a fun story.

The book does become more of a thriller as it moves along and doesn't progress all that far into the space program storyline, which I didn't necessarily expect but if you enjoy that more action-packed type of narrative I would definitely recommend this. I don't know if there are any follow-up books planned to this but I do hope so as I think there's a lot more story to tell from this premise.

Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing me with a free advanced review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Solin Rask · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The premise is exceptional, and you can tell this author has worked to hone their voice and craft. The prologue drops you straight into the disaster. It's just amazing. The pleasure of the novel comes from watching smart people reason their way through a situation none of them were trained for. Honestly, if this were turned into a movie or show, I wouldn't be surprised. I tore through it and will be reading whatever Kramer writes next.

[Lia Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant Science Fiction Book

Another book that confirms P.A. Kramer's incredible talent.
The book transforms complex scientific concepts into a fascinating adventure.The story hooks you instantly, from the very first word to the last.Pure suspense and anxiety make you live through every single page.The characters are so well-crafted that you feel their every win and failure.The perfectly drawn antagonist will leave you wishing for an even harsher revenge.P.A. Kramer officially becomes the next major force in science fiction.

[Greg Braden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so Just ignore, OR Embrace . The lack of scientific laws. I chose to embrace it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Good Story, Good Characters . Just a bit slow at times. I recommend the read and look forward to the next chapter.

[Laney · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed it!

I was a big fan of this author's debut novel, Motus, so of course I bought this book as soon as it was released. The premise of losing gravity is super interesting and I didn't care (or even notice much) that the science played a bit fast and loose. It's a good "what-if" novel and fun to think about the implications of the aftermath of an accident like this.

However, I did not connect with or particularly care about any characters at all. Since this book has a contemporary and realistic setting, and the majority of the plot involves interpersonal conflict, I think good characterization becomes more necessary than in a book like Motus.

Again, I still enjoyed reading it and I think the sequel has the potential to be even more interesting!