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The Perfect Moment #1
The Passing of Each Perfect Moment
A Science Fiction/Mystery Novel That Will Knock You Flat! Emily is terrified. She is lost and alone in a world in which her family, her friends, the entire human race has moved into the future without her. Racing to catch up, she finds herself in a shocking new world, a utopian world. It's all so perfect...perhaps too perfect. As she finds cracks in the utopian facade, a powerful force from a distant world calls to her. It wants her, and it will not give up until it has her. She doesn't know why it wants her, but her determination to face the mysterious force sets her on a path to a planet sixteen light-years away...where it waits for her...waits to fulfill her destiny. Emily has a date with destiny. It is a destiny that will have a frightening impact on the fate of humanity.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2015
54 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Preston
10 books71 followersKenneth Preston is the author of “The Trouble With Charlie,” “The Final Girl,” and “The Legend of Us.” From literature to television to film, the myriad tales that painted his cultural landscape inspired him to begin writing his own stories. He was born and raised on Long Island and studied English at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 19, 2016
Full disclosure: I didn't finish this book. I COULD NOT finish this book (and I make it a point to finish books even if I hate them ... I couldn't even do that here, is what I'm saying). It was terrible. Here's how this author's writing comes off to me: "There's this (insert technology here) and it's really important and I'm about to tell you about (insert technology here). Are you ready? Are you ready to here about (insert technology here) which I've talked about for five minutes and have said nothing?" And then this is repeated MULTIPLE TIMES. I wanted to blow my brains out, as a reader. Also, ever character talks in the same voice, which reminds me of a robot; a pseudo-intellectual robot. The dialogue is terrible and the "love story"* at the beginning was awkward and made me puke in my mouth a little bit. And then there's the fact that the main character, who is 19, talks like the aforementioned pseudo-intellectual robot. And the author likes to tell you all about the characters instead of allowing actions to inform the reader (we disagree about what kind of characters these are). You think your main character thinks she's beautiful and self-confident, well I beg to differ, sir. She committed/attempted suicide. She is stupid, naive and selfish. Anyway, I could go on, but I won't because it's not worth it. I will not be giving the author another chance.
*Not a love story
*Not a love story
September 19, 2015
A book with a few interesting premises. They were woven together very nicely, never felt ham fisted. It also briefly hits on a few social issues. The over population/long life aspect reminded me of a Vonnegut short story.
It felt like characters were being rushed for the sake of the story which was rushed to get to certain scenes or just get the story to the next point. I know I'm not from 2135, but the pace at which things were happening or even how the character reactions were timed was unrealistic. In fact the entire section leading up to and including boarding Encounter was so fast things just did not fit where they were put.
We never got to know characters. Emily aside, they're all sort of described at us. This person has this color hair, this color eyes, and seems to have this personality. The next person has this this this. This person is beautiful. This person is witty. But we never get to really see any of it . Even the semi love story element doesn't make much sense. We're told there's a connection and they love each other, but there's really no indication of it in the story. It's written in third person but often reads like it should be in first, especially with Emily who the book focuses on.
The characters all seem to have the same voice when speaking. The moral arguments of the book all seemed to be had by one person (which shouldn't be the case if it's a 19 year old from 2015 and ostensibly a NASA Chief Scientist from 2135). They were also very on the nose. Slightly off putting to read in print.
There was also a real lack of description of the settings. I never quite got the feel of any place in the future. We're told a lot, but we don't see it.
I thought the strongest element was actually the last few chapters. That's classic scifi there but it worked with the story and not necessarily a trope. I thought the ending with the crew actually had a lot more that could be dealt with. The acceptance came way too easily and the premise they were given was a little shaky. A lot could have been done with it.
All in all, I thought it was a decent book. I was interested to see what would happen, the author never made things too cliché. There were a few things that struck me as things I've seen in other works, specifically the Mars factions from Red Mars, the Ancients from Stargate, the light in Star Trek, Dark Matter, etc, but these are scifi things and a scifi book would natually have them. It worked well. I did find that there was a repetitiveness in the writing style that made for some redundant lines.
An edit to the review, I also thought the dialogue didn't flow as well as it could have.
I give it a 3.
It felt like characters were being rushed for the sake of the story which was rushed to get to certain scenes or just get the story to the next point. I know I'm not from 2135, but the pace at which things were happening or even how the character reactions were timed was unrealistic. In fact the entire section leading up to and including boarding Encounter was so fast things just did not fit where they were put.
We never got to know characters. Emily aside, they're all sort of described at us. This person has this color hair, this color eyes, and seems to have this personality. The next person has this this this. This person is beautiful. This person is witty. But we never get to really see any of it . Even the semi love story element doesn't make much sense. We're told there's a connection and they love each other, but there's really no indication of it in the story. It's written in third person but often reads like it should be in first, especially with Emily who the book focuses on.
The characters all seem to have the same voice when speaking. The moral arguments of the book all seemed to be had by one person (which shouldn't be the case if it's a 19 year old from 2015 and ostensibly a NASA Chief Scientist from 2135). They were also very on the nose. Slightly off putting to read in print.
There was also a real lack of description of the settings. I never quite got the feel of any place in the future. We're told a lot, but we don't see it.
I thought the strongest element was actually the last few chapters. That's classic scifi there but it worked with the story and not necessarily a trope. I thought the ending with the crew actually had a lot more that could be dealt with. The acceptance came way too easily and the premise they were given was a little shaky. A lot could have been done with it.
All in all, I thought it was a decent book. I was interested to see what would happen, the author never made things too cliché. There were a few things that struck me as things I've seen in other works, specifically the Mars factions from Red Mars, the Ancients from Stargate, the light in Star Trek, Dark Matter, etc, but these are scifi things and a scifi book would natually have them. It worked well. I did find that there was a repetitiveness in the writing style that made for some redundant lines.
An edit to the review, I also thought the dialogue didn't flow as well as it could have.
I give it a 3.
May 24, 2016
Decent but not deep.
I like the story and direction but I never felt like any character other than Emily was developed. The other characters were "supporting cast" and, to me, were paper dolls, flat with no real depth. The locations were much the same.
There were sections I felt were rushed and superficial to move the story along.to the next scene. I could never buy in to the views and attitudes of the time before boarding Encounter. It was all too neat, wrapped up and unbelievable. While physical recovery was explained through tissue regeneration what about the psychological and emotional recovery one must have after a massively traumatic event? Not considered at all. Emily just accepts and moves on? Wouldn't happen, we, as a species, don't evolve that quickly.
I liked the story but would have enjoyed a more in depth and meatier offering.
I like the story and direction but I never felt like any character other than Emily was developed. The other characters were "supporting cast" and, to me, were paper dolls, flat with no real depth. The locations were much the same.
There were sections I felt were rushed and superficial to move the story along.to the next scene. I could never buy in to the views and attitudes of the time before boarding Encounter. It was all too neat, wrapped up and unbelievable. While physical recovery was explained through tissue regeneration what about the psychological and emotional recovery one must have after a massively traumatic event? Not considered at all. Emily just accepts and moves on? Wouldn't happen, we, as a species, don't evolve that quickly.
I liked the story but would have enjoyed a more in depth and meatier offering.
August 3, 2019
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: The Passing of Each Perfect Moment
Subtitle:
Author: Kenneth Preston
Genre: Science Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series? N/A
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of Emily who wakes to find the world changed and empty. There is no sound, no other person or even animal around and the trees don’t move. In a panic she searches the student accommodation to find it empty. She drives to her father’s home to not find anyone present there either. On her return to the dorm she finds things unchanged and investigates further. Slowly, she starts to hear things happening around her and shadows popping up. She finds herself awakening to a new world and needs to learn to cope in a futuristic situation.
What I liked about the book:
I liked the author’s style of writing. The story flowed well and had some interesting twists and turns. I also liked the positive outlook Emily had on life.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was not really anything I did not like about this book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved when Emily met her family again after waking up in the futuristic world. Having familiar people around her was important for her.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I liked the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand this book is the first in a trilogy. Although it is the first, the book is able to read as a stand-alone.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book contains some of the common things in other science fiction books, freezing people to preserve them for later life, bio-engineering and prolonging lifespans, travelling to far-away planets.
Recommendation:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like Science Fiction this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Nineteen-year-old Emily Díaz is lost, left to wander in a familiar landscape devoid of life. She is lost in a world in which her friends, her loved ones, the entire human race has moved into the future without her. Racing to catch up, she finds herself in a shocking new world, a futuristic world of incredible advancements. Medicine is extending human life, giving scientists reason to believe that immortality will one day be a reality. Famine and poverty have been eradicated. World peace has been achieved. Humanity is reaching deep into the cosmos. It is all so perfect...perhaps too perfect. Emily is skeptical. She begins asking questions. As she finds cracks in the utopian facade, a powerful force from a distant world begins to call to her, begins to beckon her. It wants her, and it will not give up until it has her. She finds herself torn, both terrified and entranced by this mysterious force. She wants to run from it but is inexplicably drawn to it. She doesn't know what it wants or why it only wants her, but as time marches on, her compulsion to face it begins to take precedence over her fear. Her determination to face the mysterious force sets her on the path toward an unexplored planet sixteen light-years away...where it waits for her...waits to answer the questions she has been asking...waits to show her what it has in store for her...waits to fulfill her destiny. Emily Díaz has a date with destiny. It is a destiny that will have a monumental impact on the fate of humanity.
About the Author:
Basic Details:
Book Title: The Passing of Each Perfect Moment
Subtitle:
Author: Kenneth Preston
Genre: Science Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series? N/A
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of Emily who wakes to find the world changed and empty. There is no sound, no other person or even animal around and the trees don’t move. In a panic she searches the student accommodation to find it empty. She drives to her father’s home to not find anyone present there either. On her return to the dorm she finds things unchanged and investigates further. Slowly, she starts to hear things happening around her and shadows popping up. She finds herself awakening to a new world and needs to learn to cope in a futuristic situation.
What I liked about the book:
I liked the author’s style of writing. The story flowed well and had some interesting twists and turns. I also liked the positive outlook Emily had on life.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was not really anything I did not like about this book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved when Emily met her family again after waking up in the futuristic world. Having familiar people around her was important for her.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I liked the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand this book is the first in a trilogy. Although it is the first, the book is able to read as a stand-alone.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book contains some of the common things in other science fiction books, freezing people to preserve them for later life, bio-engineering and prolonging lifespans, travelling to far-away planets.
Recommendation:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like Science Fiction this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Nineteen-year-old Emily Díaz is lost, left to wander in a familiar landscape devoid of life. She is lost in a world in which her friends, her loved ones, the entire human race has moved into the future without her. Racing to catch up, she finds herself in a shocking new world, a futuristic world of incredible advancements. Medicine is extending human life, giving scientists reason to believe that immortality will one day be a reality. Famine and poverty have been eradicated. World peace has been achieved. Humanity is reaching deep into the cosmos. It is all so perfect...perhaps too perfect. Emily is skeptical. She begins asking questions. As she finds cracks in the utopian facade, a powerful force from a distant world begins to call to her, begins to beckon her. It wants her, and it will not give up until it has her. She finds herself torn, both terrified and entranced by this mysterious force. She wants to run from it but is inexplicably drawn to it. She doesn't know what it wants or why it only wants her, but as time marches on, her compulsion to face it begins to take precedence over her fear. Her determination to face the mysterious force sets her on the path toward an unexplored planet sixteen light-years away...where it waits for her...waits to answer the questions she has been asking...waits to show her what it has in store for her...waits to fulfill her destiny. Emily Díaz has a date with destiny. It is a destiny that will have a monumental impact on the fate of humanity.
About the Author:
April 28, 2020
DNF-stopped at 35%
Writing a book is an amazing feat. I hate giving bad reviews, but bad reviews help writers get better.
Every writer is told not to tell but to show. This book is an example of why this is so important. The premise was interesting, but I spent more time skimming the story than reading the details. And that's what it's full of, details. She opened this set of doors. Then she opened the next set of doors. Then she opened the next set of doors...
On and on and on, until the MC stops in a random spot to tell us about her appearance and how beautiful she is. Weird.
Then we jump to a flashback that is not only out of place, it's bizarre. Twilight was a better love story.
Confusing as it was I pressed on, because I hate not finishing and I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, because, hey! They wrote a book and that's awesome! But...It just didn't get any better.
Let me explain what happened to you, but here, let's talk for hours first. Then, hey! I'm going to tell you this really important thing, but let's do this first.
Yeah, no.
I'm out.
Maybe after a great editor takes a look at it I could try again.
For my clean readers:
Full of language, f-word especially. Includes underage drinking and drug use. Includes driving under the influence and resisting arrest.
Includes teen and adult suicide. Also includes the ideas that teen drug/alcohol use as well as teen sexual activity is absolutely normal and acceptable.
Writing a book is an amazing feat. I hate giving bad reviews, but bad reviews help writers get better.
Every writer is told not to tell but to show. This book is an example of why this is so important. The premise was interesting, but I spent more time skimming the story than reading the details. And that's what it's full of, details. She opened this set of doors. Then she opened the next set of doors. Then she opened the next set of doors...
On and on and on, until the MC stops in a random spot to tell us about her appearance and how beautiful she is. Weird.
Then we jump to a flashback that is not only out of place, it's bizarre. Twilight was a better love story.
Confusing as it was I pressed on, because I hate not finishing and I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, because, hey! They wrote a book and that's awesome! But...It just didn't get any better.
Let me explain what happened to you, but here, let's talk for hours first. Then, hey! I'm going to tell you this really important thing, but let's do this first.
Yeah, no.
I'm out.
Maybe after a great editor takes a look at it I could try again.
For my clean readers:
Full of language, f-word especially. Includes underage drinking and drug use. Includes driving under the influence and resisting arrest.
Includes teen and adult suicide. Also includes the ideas that teen drug/alcohol use as well as teen sexual activity is absolutely normal and acceptable.
August 25, 2018
Wow, what a book.
I am in awe of this book. It was so fantastic, the ending wow, I never saw that coming. I cannot wait to read the next book
I am in awe of this book. It was so fantastic, the ending wow, I never saw that coming. I cannot wait to read the next book
November 1, 2015
When we read stories, we often look for the familiar. It is from these sturdy beginnings and foundations which we leave what was known and seek out what is beyond such trappings of identity.
'The passing' is a novel that will not appeal to those who seek a connection with characters. People who read, that wish to 'know' characters.
I state this because many of the characters are left in the background. Who they are, what motivates them, and what their intrinsic identity is, is left shrouded.
However, stories such as 'The passing' is something else. Something more.
We take concepts like love, peace, joy, and hope and try to fit them into definitions and ways of life that are ultimately unsuitable to be a universal themeset for all ideologies and ways of life.
Yet they still exist, and we still seek them.
In this story we follow Emily, and her own story is one of self discovery. A human, a mind displaced from what we know to be true, and thrusted into worlds beyond.
Is such a mind free? Or is such a mind trapped in ways now archaic?
This is also a story of science fiction, offering many plausible paths human technology and thinking can take.
Imagine a world where the common goal is no longer self serving, but of service to all.
That right there, is a concept alien to this day and age, at least in practice.
Ultimately, I strongly disagree with the ending of this novel, seeing it as a betrayal of sorts of what I see as humanity,
However, I rate 5/5 stars, because the storytelling, and the writing is strong. It makes you think, it asks you many of the right questions.
And, ultimately this story could easily be seen as a reflection of life itself.
For right here, right now, I am severely disappointed with my own life, and if one were to write it, I would disagree with -my- ending as well.
Doesn't mean the life wasn't well lived.
Doesn't mean the book wasn't well done...as well as the story.
Keep an eye on this author, I am looking forward to his other works.
-cyeote.
'The passing' is a novel that will not appeal to those who seek a connection with characters. People who read, that wish to 'know' characters.
I state this because many of the characters are left in the background. Who they are, what motivates them, and what their intrinsic identity is, is left shrouded.
However, stories such as 'The passing' is something else. Something more.
We take concepts like love, peace, joy, and hope and try to fit them into definitions and ways of life that are ultimately unsuitable to be a universal themeset for all ideologies and ways of life.
Yet they still exist, and we still seek them.
In this story we follow Emily, and her own story is one of self discovery. A human, a mind displaced from what we know to be true, and thrusted into worlds beyond.
Is such a mind free? Or is such a mind trapped in ways now archaic?
This is also a story of science fiction, offering many plausible paths human technology and thinking can take.
Imagine a world where the common goal is no longer self serving, but of service to all.
That right there, is a concept alien to this day and age, at least in practice.
Ultimately, I strongly disagree with the ending of this novel, seeing it as a betrayal of sorts of what I see as humanity,
However, I rate 5/5 stars, because the storytelling, and the writing is strong. It makes you think, it asks you many of the right questions.
And, ultimately this story could easily be seen as a reflection of life itself.
For right here, right now, I am severely disappointed with my own life, and if one were to write it, I would disagree with -my- ending as well.
Doesn't mean the life wasn't well lived.
Doesn't mean the book wasn't well done...as well as the story.
Keep an eye on this author, I am looking forward to his other works.
-cyeote.
September 30, 2015
Let me start by saying, “This book is full of surprises!”
When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Emily Diaz, the girl that wanted every perfect moment to last. The only problem was, life had a path carved out for her, a mission for her to complete while on earth even if she didn’t know it yet. And she soon realized that nothing perfect lasted forever at least not while she was human.
Emily Diaz, grew up in a loving family, a father that cared for her, a mother that was also a friend, a sister she loved with all her heart to crown it all, she fell in love with a beautiful “It boy” she met a school at the tender age of fifteen and life was good for a brief beautiful passing perfect moment.
Then the rug was pulled from under her when her best friend took away the boy she loved, her mother died of cancer and her father left the world so suddenly dying of a heart attack. Everything took a turn and left her unable to cope; she attempted suicide but wakes up to find herself in the twenty-second century, a world with no greed, where money didn’t hold value, where humans inhabited mars and the moon. It was different to what she was used to. She soon found love again in the arms of David, a boy she knew back in the twenty-first century that she had thought died after he committed suicide, but his love as pure and as perfect as it was it was not enough to quench the yearnings she had for a much higher power calling her home.
This book is science fiction at its best; I enjoyed how the author told the love story between Emily and Michael, I was sad when that didn’t work but that is life. I am sorry I have given a little away but trust me there are loads more in store. The good thing about this book is that I didn’t see a lot of things coming which made for a treat when I am hit with a surprise and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a sci fi book with a romantic edge.
When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure what to expect of Emily Diaz, the girl that wanted every perfect moment to last. The only problem was, life had a path carved out for her, a mission for her to complete while on earth even if she didn’t know it yet. And she soon realized that nothing perfect lasted forever at least not while she was human.
Emily Diaz, grew up in a loving family, a father that cared for her, a mother that was also a friend, a sister she loved with all her heart to crown it all, she fell in love with a beautiful “It boy” she met a school at the tender age of fifteen and life was good for a brief beautiful passing perfect moment.
Then the rug was pulled from under her when her best friend took away the boy she loved, her mother died of cancer and her father left the world so suddenly dying of a heart attack. Everything took a turn and left her unable to cope; she attempted suicide but wakes up to find herself in the twenty-second century, a world with no greed, where money didn’t hold value, where humans inhabited mars and the moon. It was different to what she was used to. She soon found love again in the arms of David, a boy she knew back in the twenty-first century that she had thought died after he committed suicide, but his love as pure and as perfect as it was it was not enough to quench the yearnings she had for a much higher power calling her home.
This book is science fiction at its best; I enjoyed how the author told the love story between Emily and Michael, I was sad when that didn’t work but that is life. I am sorry I have given a little away but trust me there are loads more in store. The good thing about this book is that I didn’t see a lot of things coming which made for a treat when I am hit with a surprise and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a sci fi book with a romantic edge.
January 17, 2016
Emily is a very thoughtful and interesting character. Throughout the story, we learn more and more about Emily through intriguing introspection. Her emotions, feelings and thoughts are shared throughout the story. The story was remarkably interesting, since I love stories with deep introspection in a character. I fully felt the story all throughout.
Emily goes on many adventures through her life, and at a young age, is very philosophically brilliant in her mode of thinking. She had her own personal disorder which led to some amount of suffering, but it also gave her a deep insight on the future, which she eventually had gone to. Her deep realization and grip on this moment, the perfect moment, is very touching to the heart and makes on think, "How wonderful would it be to be in the perfect moment again?" The idea of the perfect moment really struck me, because I've had a few of them, and this book made me wish I could be in one forever, like Emily in this book. Emily mentions once, if I live in this moment forever, then does the now exist?
She also falls in love with a young man named Michael, and they spend lots of time together throughout the story. Their connection is very affectionate, and is truly romantic. I was deeply touched by their close relationship, how they got along, what they talked about, and how they interacted. She also has a friend named Danielle who is very lighthearted, funny and brings humor and relief to the situation. I loved this character.
The description in the book is truly great, the characters are wonderfully interesting, and the plot is truly, truly amazing. It's truly rare that an author comes up with a plot this interesting! I was shocked to realize how drawn I was to the story.
I look forward to reading more of this authors work. As for this book, it is definitely a must read.
Emily goes on many adventures through her life, and at a young age, is very philosophically brilliant in her mode of thinking. She had her own personal disorder which led to some amount of suffering, but it also gave her a deep insight on the future, which she eventually had gone to. Her deep realization and grip on this moment, the perfect moment, is very touching to the heart and makes on think, "How wonderful would it be to be in the perfect moment again?" The idea of the perfect moment really struck me, because I've had a few of them, and this book made me wish I could be in one forever, like Emily in this book. Emily mentions once, if I live in this moment forever, then does the now exist?
She also falls in love with a young man named Michael, and they spend lots of time together throughout the story. Their connection is very affectionate, and is truly romantic. I was deeply touched by their close relationship, how they got along, what they talked about, and how they interacted. She also has a friend named Danielle who is very lighthearted, funny and brings humor and relief to the situation. I loved this character.
The description in the book is truly great, the characters are wonderfully interesting, and the plot is truly, truly amazing. It's truly rare that an author comes up with a plot this interesting! I was shocked to realize how drawn I was to the story.
I look forward to reading more of this authors work. As for this book, it is definitely a must read.
July 25, 2016
Nineteen-year-old college student Emily Diaz wakes up in a sterile world. Everyone she knows is gone and the landscape around her is lifeless. The human race seems to have moved on to the future without her, but a distant planet calls out to her. Suddenly, she wakes up again, and she is 120 years into her own future, awakening from cryogenic storage, where she has been since attempting suicide after the death of her father.
The Passing of Each Perfect Moment by Kenneth Preston follows Emily on her journey as she learns to deal with each moment, looking for the perfect moment, which will occur, but pass on. As Emily comes to grips with her new ‘reality,’ she must also face the truth about herself—and about humanity.
A different kind of science fiction, part Ichabod Crane, part Star Trek, completely entertaining. The technology is never fully explained, but hinted at just enough to make it almost believable, and the ending will catch you by surprise.
The Passing of Each Perfect Moment by Kenneth Preston follows Emily on her journey as she learns to deal with each moment, looking for the perfect moment, which will occur, but pass on. As Emily comes to grips with her new ‘reality,’ she must also face the truth about herself—and about humanity.
A different kind of science fiction, part Ichabod Crane, part Star Trek, completely entertaining. The technology is never fully explained, but hinted at just enough to make it almost believable, and the ending will catch you by surprise.
April 28, 2017
A Sci-Fi Epic
This was the sort of Sci-fi story I had been looking to read for a long time. The whole mixture of freezing humans for 120 years, bio-engineering, body regenerative medicine, virtual world programs, planet colonies, and human ascention to a community of light; formed for me an epic written by K. Preston. To discover just how "different" Emily is to the rest of those selected puts the reader in a phase of thought about the real evolution of mankind thousands of years in the future.
I would go as far to say the story contains something to suite most Sci-Fi fans and would make a great gift. Also, with more than 300 pages of futuristic adventure it was a great excuse to schdule sit-in reading sessions and for me that was value for money.
Without spoiling the story, my favourite part was where a repair adjustment was required for the virtual world and how that program glitch interrupted the seemingly real scene for the viewer.
This was the sort of Sci-fi story I had been looking to read for a long time. The whole mixture of freezing humans for 120 years, bio-engineering, body regenerative medicine, virtual world programs, planet colonies, and human ascention to a community of light; formed for me an epic written by K. Preston. To discover just how "different" Emily is to the rest of those selected puts the reader in a phase of thought about the real evolution of mankind thousands of years in the future.
I would go as far to say the story contains something to suite most Sci-Fi fans and would make a great gift. Also, with more than 300 pages of futuristic adventure it was a great excuse to schdule sit-in reading sessions and for me that was value for money.
Without spoiling the story, my favourite part was where a repair adjustment was required for the virtual world and how that program glitch interrupted the seemingly real scene for the viewer.
November 2, 2015
This was a fantastic sci-fi read with a twist of spirituality and fantasy. The protaganist, Emily Diaz wakes up from a dream that had been filled with screams, crying and confusion. She woke up in her dorm room, but looking around she feels something is off. The story moved forward quickly with a stunning amount of twist and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Without giving anything away, Emily has always felt she did not belong in this world and when she wakes up in her dorm room that day and begins her journey of awareness the author creates a world of mystery and a storyline where you cannot wait to find out what happens next. The details are engaging and the development of characters makes you feel like you are part of their story.
It is an exciting thrill and I highly recommend this book!
Without giving anything away, Emily has always felt she did not belong in this world and when she wakes up in her dorm room that day and begins her journey of awareness the author creates a world of mystery and a storyline where you cannot wait to find out what happens next. The details are engaging and the development of characters makes you feel like you are part of their story.
It is an exciting thrill and I highly recommend this book!
September 14, 2015
This story starts present day and then gradually climbs its way to the future, and for a good chunk of the novel it is difficult to tell that it is meant to be science fiction. The characters are interesting, and we see a sort of blossoming romance caught up in the throes of youth, and it ends tragically, but this is actually before the real story takes place.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is a very spiritual story with a deep rooted view of the galaxy and history that is very intriguing. It has a powerful and meaningful ending that will leave the reader with a lot of personal questions, even if the story itself is coming to a close.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in good science fiction with a spiritual message.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is a very spiritual story with a deep rooted view of the galaxy and history that is very intriguing. It has a powerful and meaningful ending that will leave the reader with a lot of personal questions, even if the story itself is coming to a close.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in good science fiction with a spiritual message.
February 5, 2016
Imaginative! Wow! I really enjoyed this book. I smiled while typing this because I am not a Sci-Fi reader. Glad I opened my mind and read it.
The story began with the protagonist, Emily Diaz waking up from a dream, only to find herself in another dimension. The author does a great job detailing Emily’s struggles to find her place. The writing is compelling and at times, I felt pushed towards introspection.
For sure, this story will keep you guessing. Just when you think, you’ve figured it out, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board. Great job, Kenneth. Looking forward to more great reads. Highly recommended!
The story began with the protagonist, Emily Diaz waking up from a dream, only to find herself in another dimension. The author does a great job detailing Emily’s struggles to find her place. The writing is compelling and at times, I felt pushed towards introspection.
For sure, this story will keep you guessing. Just when you think, you’ve figured it out, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board. Great job, Kenneth. Looking forward to more great reads. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2019
This was an interesting premise for a story, but quite confusing in the beginning.
The characters were interesting and I liked the plot, but there was just too much in the way of getting the story to move along.
I scrolled quickly through page after page of words that I’d not read- describing where the characters were, or what they were doing -as it was not interesting enough to keep my attention.
I still got the story just fine. I think this would be a good book if a lot of that extra, don’t need to know stuff was cut out, like it took far too long to get to the point. A bit like a college paper adding in filler words to make up the prescribed number, only this was filler pages.
The characters were interesting and I liked the plot, but there was just too much in the way of getting the story to move along.
I scrolled quickly through page after page of words that I’d not read- describing where the characters were, or what they were doing -as it was not interesting enough to keep my attention.
I still got the story just fine. I think this would be a good book if a lot of that extra, don’t need to know stuff was cut out, like it took far too long to get to the point. A bit like a college paper adding in filler words to make up the prescribed number, only this was filler pages.
September 18, 2015
This book is a really cool science-fiction novel that continues to keep you guessing throughout. Just when you think you have things figured out there is a new twist that gets you up on your toes again.
The book starts out in modern day, but then moves forward through time. I loved the imagination on what the future holds. The main character, Emily is fascinated and confused by a world that has moved on without her. The author goes a great job of showing her struggles through the new world keeping the reader interested the whole time.
The book starts out in modern day, but then moves forward through time. I loved the imagination on what the future holds. The main character, Emily is fascinated and confused by a world that has moved on without her. The author goes a great job of showing her struggles through the new world keeping the reader interested the whole time.
February 27, 2016
An engaging story from page one. Emily wakes up to a mystery, of where everyone went and why the world is devoid of life. The Passing of Each Perfect Moment explores the concept of time moving on and the awareness that one has little ability to do anything about it except to witness it doing so. This is vibrantly detailed, and with a strong clear voice of narration.
January 16, 2016
I enjoyed this story, as it was very different and kept you wondering how it was going to work out in the end. The main character is very lost and confused at the beginning of the story, and I wanted to keep reading to see where her journey would take her. Very imaginative page turner!
December 22, 2018
Did not finish this book.
February 19, 2017
The story was a great, very in depth detailed sci-fi story about a teenage girl named Emily who tries to kill herself after her father's death and boyfriend and best friend's betrayal. This takes place in current day, but upon her attempted suicide she's put into cryoperservation and wakes up a hundred and twenty years later to an exciting new world. In this new world she discovers she still has loved ones and family members due to bio engineered tissue regeneration which has extended life for humans up to a hundred and fifty plus years. Over population has become a major problem so people on earth have built colonies on the moon and Mars and are looking for a new place to colonize. Sixteen light years away they discover an earth like planet they named Eden, which they think is inhabited because they've found trails in the forest and a strange light source. Emily is beyond intrigued when she sees video footage of the light on Eden. She feels strangely drawn to it and knows when the opportunity presents itself for her to be a crew member of the ship sent to explore Eden she has to take it. Emily is faced with leaving the life she knows and loved ones on earth to be part of Eden. The ending wraps this all up naturally and spectacularly. The story leaves you with a good dose of spirituality and the eager curiousity of mankind's hope of what they may find in other worlds. Good job Kenneth!
May 21, 2017
Emily Diaz wakes up to a world where everyone else is gone. When she climbs out of bed at Stony Brook University all around her is evidence that the people she knew and cared about have suddenly disappeared. All that she remembers is hearing someone screaming in her sleep.
Once Emily begins to sort out what’s real and what’s virtual she makes some startling discoveries. An image in a hologram somehow beckons to Emily -- leading her on a voyage to another world. The story is mostly told through her perspective. Although there are a couple of other POV’s which provide added texture and dimension to this new universe.
It’s a compelling scifi story line. The author makes use of virtual realities that test the boundaries of medicine, human life spans and space in this engaging read. His writing style makes clever use of pop culture references while weaving a thought-provoking plot.
This might sound a little self-serving (it’s not meant to be). I suspect that the author and I have similar approaches to writing, character development and syntax. We’ve never met but both of us have created an: Emily, David and ‘beings of light’ in our novels.
I enjoyed the story and can highly recommend it for ages 13 and above. It does not end on a cliffhanger but sets up the possibility of a sequel. I for one would be interested in seeing what happens in the future once ‘recolonization’ has taken place.
Once Emily begins to sort out what’s real and what’s virtual she makes some startling discoveries. An image in a hologram somehow beckons to Emily -- leading her on a voyage to another world. The story is mostly told through her perspective. Although there are a couple of other POV’s which provide added texture and dimension to this new universe.
It’s a compelling scifi story line. The author makes use of virtual realities that test the boundaries of medicine, human life spans and space in this engaging read. His writing style makes clever use of pop culture references while weaving a thought-provoking plot.
This might sound a little self-serving (it’s not meant to be). I suspect that the author and I have similar approaches to writing, character development and syntax. We’ve never met but both of us have created an: Emily, David and ‘beings of light’ in our novels.
I enjoyed the story and can highly recommend it for ages 13 and above. It does not end on a cliffhanger but sets up the possibility of a sequel. I for one would be interested in seeing what happens in the future once ‘recolonization’ has taken place.
May 28, 2017
The fortune of humankind has an imminent calling. Fate is chasing Emily Diaz. She is resolute to encounter an enigmatic power and in doing so discovers a planet, sixteen light-years away. I got absorbed in this innovative and mind-stimulating story. “The Passing of Each Perfect Moment” is imaginative and laced with the surreal and real. Emily deals with the reality of parting her natural existence. She’s mysteriously yielding to Eden and connects with others to discover a place where they may settle. I enjoyed the twists and turns; it’s not lacking in surprises. The characters are witty and up to date in their dialog, and the writing is fast-paced. Kenneth Preston, has a complex imagination that he’s fully utilized in this action-packed page-turner.
August 11, 2016
The Passing of Each Perfect Moment is an engaging sci-fi tale focused on Emily, a teenage girl who, distraught over her father’s death, her boyfriend’s betrayal, and a friend’s apparent suicide, jumps off a building. Afterwards, she’s put in cryopreservation and awakens over a hundred years later to a very different world.
Tissue regeneration has allowed people to live very long, healthy lives of 150 to 200 years, so over-population is a pressing problem. Colonies on the moon and Mars can only provide a temporary solution. The new hope is the discovery of a “life-sustaining Super-Earth,” dubbed Eden, which lies 16 light years away. From probes sent there, scientists know that it is covered in forests. And that there’s a path through the trees, indicating it’s already inhabited. Still Emily, feeling oddly drawn toward Eden, joins five others in the trip to explore Eden with the goal of colonizing it.
The ending is an interesting and unexpected twist, especially as far as Emily’s shipmates are concerned.
I don’t know if a sequel is planned, but if there is, I’d like to see how the struggle between individualism and collectivism plays out, how the five shipmates adapt, and how the new arrivals will view these “old folks.”
Tissue regeneration has allowed people to live very long, healthy lives of 150 to 200 years, so over-population is a pressing problem. Colonies on the moon and Mars can only provide a temporary solution. The new hope is the discovery of a “life-sustaining Super-Earth,” dubbed Eden, which lies 16 light years away. From probes sent there, scientists know that it is covered in forests. And that there’s a path through the trees, indicating it’s already inhabited. Still Emily, feeling oddly drawn toward Eden, joins five others in the trip to explore Eden with the goal of colonizing it.
The ending is an interesting and unexpected twist, especially as far as Emily’s shipmates are concerned.
I don’t know if a sequel is planned, but if there is, I’d like to see how the struggle between individualism and collectivism plays out, how the five shipmates adapt, and how the new arrivals will view these “old folks.”
May 23, 2016
First of all, the concept of this partially sci-fi, partially dystopian novel is very compelling and will definitely resonate with many readers. The idea of immortality through science and colonization of new planets has been brought up multiple times in literature and has been bothering the minds of both scientists and ordinary people, so putting such concepts in one very well thought out plot was a brilliant idea.
The main character, Emily, is highly likeable; she’s both tough, sensitive and unique. Unique is probably the most correct word to describe her, both in her past – real world, when she placed a scar on her own face for a very interesting reason, and in her new, futuristic world, in which she woke up to complete a mission very important for all humanity.
I applaud the author for creating such a believable future, in which I, to be honest, would love to live. I also very much enjoyed that every single concept and idea was explained, which only added to the credibility of the future world. Overall, this is a brilliant first novel told from a fresh, unique perspective. Highly recommended!
The main character, Emily, is highly likeable; she’s both tough, sensitive and unique. Unique is probably the most correct word to describe her, both in her past – real world, when she placed a scar on her own face for a very interesting reason, and in her new, futuristic world, in which she woke up to complete a mission very important for all humanity.
I applaud the author for creating such a believable future, in which I, to be honest, would love to live. I also very much enjoyed that every single concept and idea was explained, which only added to the credibility of the future world. Overall, this is a brilliant first novel told from a fresh, unique perspective. Highly recommended!
May 21, 2016
The Passing of Each Perfect Moment is a science fiction, and a light hearted mystical philosophical novel. Emily Díaz's encounter with mysterious forces that enable her to travel an unimaginable distance left me completely impressed. The spirituality is very naturally and artfully weaved into the whole story making it even better. Even though the experiences Emily goes through and her encounters with outside world aren't what we see day to day, yet she is someone each one of us can relate to and wish that only the best happens to her. A very likable character, Emily sure keeps the reader wanting to finish reading the book at the earliest to know everything that would happen to her. The ending is very satisfying too--unlike many writers who don't know how to end a great book, Kenneth Preston surely knows his readers :). A very highly recommended book to the readers of science fiction!
March 19, 2016
Emily Diaz is an adolescent girl caught in a time travel saga, that asks many questions and provides lots of questions about humanity. It’s a sci-fi novel that captivates the reader and puts you in another world where everything is perfect, there is no war, or famine no sickness but it is still not without problems. Emily tries to find herself in this world, amid a strange force trying to take her to a place far away. This book is well written, and is plot driven. The author has a vivid imagination, and describes everything so that you actually feel you’re there. Lots of twists and turns here, very thought provoking and a good satisfactory ending. Impressive, would like to read more from the same author.
July 5, 2016
The good: The book has a lot of surprises. There are twists, turns, and a lot of interesting speculative science fiction. The way the book is set up is kind of interesting, too, with early chapters alternating between action and introduction of characters. Highly imaginative work.
The bad: Mostly it's just far too wordy. There were a couple of unresolved issues and some plot developments come across a little Dea ex Machina-y.
Warnings: Lots of adult language, underage drug and alcohol use, not recommended for those under 18. Also, trigger warning: suicide/ suicide attempts play a pretty big part in the plot.
The bad: Mostly it's just far too wordy. There were a couple of unresolved issues and some plot developments come across a little Dea ex Machina-y.
Warnings: Lots of adult language, underage drug and alcohol use, not recommended for those under 18. Also, trigger warning: suicide/ suicide attempts play a pretty big part in the plot.
October 17, 2017
This book was full of surprises for me - when I started I thought I was reading about one thing. Then I realised I'd gotten it all wrong and the story took a sharp turn. And then another. And because of the author's ability to lead me one way and then surprise me so well, I loved this book!
There is nothing in it that would prevent me from handing it to a teenager - there are no sexual scenes or any violence.
Overall I think it is a great read for anyone of any age.
There is nothing in it that would prevent me from handing it to a teenager - there are no sexual scenes or any violence.
Overall I think it is a great read for anyone of any age.
April 14, 2016
Liberalism at it it's core
It started out as an interesting story but just kept sliding to the left. Evolution, peace, and goodwill to everyone. I was willing to put up with some of that until I got to the part where Richard and George were husband and husband in a futuristic homosexual so called "marriage". Time for me to close the book!
It started out as an interesting story but just kept sliding to the left. Evolution, peace, and goodwill to everyone. I was willing to put up with some of that until I got to the part where Richard and George were husband and husband in a futuristic homosexual so called "marriage". Time for me to close the book!
May 3, 2016
A good read, and I was intrigued, but the ending didn't satisfy me for some reason.
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