Dark Matters

Dark Matters Trilogy #1

by Michael Dow

When an unlikely duo finally unravels the mystery of dark matter… will it save our world? Or destroy it?

In a not-so-distant future of extreme income inequality, controlled by a handful of the über-elite, wealth, science, and the power of the human spirit get one last chance to determine humanity’s ultimate fate.

Rudolph “Rudy” Dersch is the newly minted CEO of the world’s largest, multi-trillion-dollar corporate conglomerate. But the job comes with an unexpected twist–an invitation to join the Consortium, a small, secretive group of global elites who effectively decide what’s best for the rest of humanity. How does Rudy’s struggle to reconcile business and family impact the world’s future? And who, if anyone, can break the Consortium’s iron grip on the status quo?

The answer may lie with a renegade physicist, close to unravelling one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. And a headstrong art curator, driven to find the meaning behind her increasingly compelling visions. From a life-changing moment in a crowded Singapore marketplace, to the business end of an assassin’s gun, they face a power beyond any the world has ever seen. To survive, they’ll have to decipher the truth about dark matter–before the Consortium can achieve its ruinous end game.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Book Club, Mystery, Dystopia

337 pages, Hardcover

Published February 16, 2016

About the author

Michael Dow spent 25+ years in corporate America, in roles running the gamut from consultant to CEO. He has worked at companies ranging in size from start-up to over one billion dollars in revenue, and in locations across the globe, from Washington DC to Saudi Arabia. DARK MATTERS is his first work of fiction (though his competitors have accused him of writing fiction for decades).

Mike grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia Engineering School. He has also completed the Harvard Business School General Manager Program. He currently lives in Traverse City, Michigan, with his wife and two teenage daughters.

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, abandoned early on. Whoever did the editing for this book should be ashamed, the author loves random hyphens, but uses them incorrectly, so I kept looking for the rest of a hyphenated word. He also needs lessons "show don't tell," but that could have been forgiven if his drivel was even mildly read-able.

Apparently, this is supposed to be part of a trilogy, but rather than standing on its own as a novel, just ends as a cliffhanger in some sort of attempted enticement to get sales for books 2 and 3. I'm glad this was free on Prime Reading, or I'd probably be very unhappy.

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V.]

DNF @ 38% It's not that there was really anything wrong with this read, the writing was well done and no spelling errors, but I just could not get interested. There are a few different stories going on but nothing to show how they all link together, and I honestly couldn't get into enough to care to see how it all turned out.

I wouldn't say I wouldn't recommend this but I can say it just wasn't my thing. I needed there to be more congruity.

Thank you Netgalley for the free copy of Dark Matters, it's unfortunate as this is the first Netgalley title I've DNF'd.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Matters is a brilliant start to a new trilogy. In a book that began as a Kickstarter project, I had a keen interest in it and had heard good things from others, leaving me with high expectations.

I am happy to say that my expectations were certainly met. Dark Matters is a spectacular new science-fiction thriller that captures the future of our world from three distinct and vastly different viewpoints. This book hits the ground running and never lets up!

The three main characters the reader follows are Rudy, Monique, and Jonas. Rudy is a newly promoted CEO of the world's first trillion-dollar company and become privy to the nefarious existence of a group known as the Consortium. Monique was left with an extremely large inheritance that caused her to want to give back and be charitable in life and also to have the means to pursue the urging of her ever-present visions. Jonas is a scientist who funds his dark matter research efforts with grants from his companies efforts to locate asteroids worth the effort of mining for resources from Earth-bound companies—three vastly different individuals who cast three vastly different lights on the events going on around the world.

Putting this book down was hard, and not knowing what was coming next was hard. I can't wait to continue this trilogy and hope subsequent books bring as much action and intensity as possible.

An easy 5 stars for me.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dark Matters" is a delicate sci-fi dance in a universe that could even be our own universe. Intrigue, danger, greed, control of nations and lives and death if the main characters can't get through this maze leaves the reader wanting more.

The three separate story lines set well with me as I was constantly trying to imagine how all these disparate characters and plots would meet.

Something is going on that the public is unaware. Rudy Dersch had no idea that becoming CEO of GRI would lead him through a door to an unknown group, the Consortium, who appear to control everything and want to always control everything for "our own good."

Monique, the art dealer, is one of the strongest characters in the book. She represents all humanity and all that is good in ourselves. Jonas, the scientist, finds his destiny when he meets a human force that matches his own.

From a reader's perspective, "Dark Matters" places high hopes for a possible future that hangs in the balance.

Thank you, Net Galley. I look forward to the rest of Dow's books in this series.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/17/2020)! 🎁

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark matters by michael dow.
Rudolph “Rudy” Dersch is the newly minted CEO of the world’s largest corporate conglomerate. But the job comes with an unexpected twist – an invitation to join the Consortium, a small, secretive group of global elites who effectively decide what’s best for the rest of humanity. In a not-so-distant future of extreme income inequality, can anyone break their iron grip on the status quo? The answer may rest on a renegade physicist, close to unraveling one of the universe’s greatest mysteries. And a headstrong art curator, driven to find the meaning behind her increasingly compelling visions.
A very good read. It was a little slow and some of the characters I wasn't sure on. 4*. Netgalley and 128 publishing

[Zippergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy becomes head of GRI, the first "multi-trillion dollar conglomerate," after an 'unfortunate' accident takes the life of his mentor and friend. Life is good, right? Oh, but there's one little thing they didn't mention when he accepted the position; the secret command center buried under the company headquarters. The top-secret Consortium is composed of fewer than a hundred individuals who hold most of the world's wealth, and together they control, well, everything. Rudy has been invited to join the club.

Jonas and his team of scientists at Hanssen Scientific are asteroid hunters, in downtown Honolulu. They are working under contract for one of Rudy's mining companies and they need to make a significant find in the next thirty days. It's make or break time; they do not want to meet The Fixer.

Meanwhile, Monique follows visions in search of faces and places that come to her during meditation sessions. When she discovers Bhima in a market in Singapore, he shares certain of her unearthly powers and her vague sense of purpose. Together they seek out several other uniquely endowed individuals. She doesn't know why she needs to find them, but she knows it's critical that she does.

These three lead characters will come together in unpredictable ways as the Consortium operates subliminally to "maintain the status quo." Oh, and maximize profits. But you knew that.

Yes, it is a first book in a proposed series, which has inherent drawbacks. Do I wish I had all three books already in hand? Of course, but the story has me on a meat hook. I want to "come up to the lab," and see what Jonas has on the slab, so to speak. His side project involves dark matter and several dimensions beyond the three that I'm personally aware of. Monique and her little posse of mind-readers and psychokinetics are already pushing the envelope with their newly found skills. And Rudy, man, he is so screwed. Be careful what you wish for . . .

This was an ARC procured through NetGalley.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Matters tells three different stories but then blends them together near the end. I found the story interesting with the characters having visions and powers of levitation. The plot was good and the characters were well developed. What I did not enjoy is an inconclusive ending. I don't mind if a book wraps up and then teases you with a bit more to get you to buy the next book but this one did not wrap up at all. I would have given it more stars for a more completed book. I received this book for an honest review from NetGalley.

[Mel { wolfsbanebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very clear that this book is part of a bigger picture as it includes a lot of introduction and getting to know the characters, which isn't bad perse. But with 3 main characters that for 2/3 of the book don't seem to have a clear connection, it leaves a lot of frustration and questions.

FULL REVIEW: https://goo.gl/He2Agm

(I received this book for free via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.)

[Bert-Oliver Boehmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book sets up a trilogy and does a great job at it, with several intriguing plotlines which intertwine toward the end of this first novel. The author is upfront about this so the book not wrapping up any larger story arcs will not be held against him ;-).

Characters, organizations, and settings are well fleshed out, without being over-described. At all times, you feel well taken care of as a reader. Great start for a trilogy!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Matters (Dark Matters #1) is the debut novel by Michael Dow. Funded through Kick Starter and subsequently self-published, this is a novel that has an interesting premise and is not your typical action orientated sci-fi adventure, instead looking at events from a more corporate and scientific point of view.

Set in the not-too-distant future, Dark Matters is a novel about corporate power and how, behind the scenes, the wealthy guide the world in the direction of their choosing. Why? Quite simply to maintain the status quo and not cause too many ripples in the worldwide economy. After the death of the current CEO at General Resources, Incorporated, Rudy Dersch is selected as the next in line to run the company, a goal he has been working towards for many years. However, the job comes with an unexpected revelation: the Consortium also require his services. With responsibilities that now involve decisions that not only affect his company, but matters all over the world, Rudy is not quite as prepared as he’d imagined.

Meanwhile, Jonas Hanssen is the lead at Hanssen Scientific, a company working for GRI by using algorithms to find a mineral rich asteroid that can be harvested to replenish Earth’s dwindling supplies. In his spare time he is also conducting research into dark matter through a link to the Planck III probe that is now heading out of the solar system for interstellar space. When he makes a discovery that he has been hoping for he can scarcely believe it, but it must take a back seat when GRI starts applying pressure to find them what they want.

The independently wealthy and headstrong art curator Monique Durand has been experiencing visions for some time, and it is through her meditations that she is discovering more and more to them. Finally taking a step that she has been hesitant to make, she discovers that the visions are guiding her to specific people, one at a time. With a strong feeling of rightness, Monique begins her journey to discover just what these visions – and other powers that are making themselves known – actually mean.

So, Dark Matters is a novel with some interesting ideas going on within its pages. The Consortium is a conglomerate of wealthy individuals that work behind the scenes to push through the policies they want, to influence the right people in a way that suits them best, and even working to change the wealth of entire nations though various acts. It’s all very cloak-and-dagger, though through Rudy’s eyes we get a rather balanced view of the situation. He wants to know more about what he’s asked to do, and isn’t afraid to push for information that will give him the context he needs to make those decisions. It’s not until the last third that events and plans lead to much more interesting places, really solidifying the Consortium as the antagonist that is hinted at throughout.

While both Jonas’ and Monique’s plot threads are interesting, they do have their issues. Character relationships that go from nothing to everything in such a short space of time are the biggest culprits here. Jonas meets and quickly trusts Kat, a PhD student directed his way by a former colleague, and promptly spills all details about his work into dark matter – details that he hasn’t shared with anyone else. The same goes for Monique and the way she meets those in her visions, though due to the more otherworldly nature of those experiences, and of the deeper connection at the heart of her relationships, it’s easier to forgive.

The pacing and prose of Dark Matters is one of its strongest points. The chapters are relatively short and sharp, moving the story forward, even if only by small increments. However, this is a novel that uses the majority of its page count setting up events that come to fruition in the finale. Even then, it feels somewhat underwhelming, mainly due to the lack of any real explanations at its conclusion. It’s a shame that the hints that are dropped aren’t more thoroughly explored.

For a novel that doesn’t contain much in the way of action, I found myself drawn into the plot and characters very easily. The narrative picked me up and carried me along almost from the get-go, and I was eager to see where all the threads would lead. Despite being left wanting after the somewhat abrupt and subdued ending, I’m certainly looking forward to see where the story goes from here.

[Melisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, set as the first of the Dark Matters trilogy, introduces us to a discovery that could change the universe. The struggle is between a large corporate enterprise immersed into all important aspects of the free world and a few unique individuals discovering new abilities within themselves. They are also finding material beyond what we already know and more important than can be conceived. Something big is about to change what we believe about the universe, yet who will eventually be in charge when this new, powerful matter is fully understood? What will happen when those with the power and means are confronted by strong willed people with knowledge and mental capabilities also not entirely understood and available only to a select few thus far? Who will have the advantage?

Rudy is the newly appointed CEO of General Resources Inc, and with his promotion, he is also inducted into an elite secret society known as the Consortium. Members of this group are behind a number of critical events- government related, economical, technological.. they can even rig the lottery. The decisions they make and events they're behind can occasionally test ones morals, though, but it is their mission to "protect the status quo," and what must be done must be done.. even if it means people will die.

Jonas is a professor at Hassen Scientific, a research facility that is trying to locate asteroids to replenish earth's dwindling resources. When they stumble upon a discovery of immense value, Jonas and crew devise a plan to hold back and possibly dupe and extract more money from their parent company, GRI. See where we're going? Not yet? Me neither.. and there's more. In addition to his work with asteroids, Jonas is also on the forefront of dark matter research, and when he enters into a relationship with Kat, he finds someone to share his interest with.

Lastly, Monique is the manager and curator of an art gallery. Through meditation, she has learned to control psychic visions she has. In pursuit of these visions, she travels around the world looking for people she sees in her mind and tries to learn more about her ability. How is she connected to the others? Well, I'm not about to give that away. :)

I felt like lots of ideas were introduced but not complete closure was provided. There's definitely material left for future books. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out how all the characters were connected and what their common, overriding goal was. I didn't even realize we weren't learning about people who didn't already know one another. Also, Jonas's dark matter research particularly seemed strange and irrelevant even though it is the namesake of this book. I still don't quite understand what it is other than it has a great potential impact on the universe as it is what holds it together. I think.. maybe.. right? These three somewhat independent character arcs do eventually collide, but perhaps it was that the book became increasingly scientific at times, referencing physics, and science has never been my strong suit, where I lost some interest. I do look forward to seeing what becomes of Monique and her growing group of people with psychic visions, though, and maybe getting a better idea of this dark matter business. :)

Please note: I received this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who made that possible.

[Greg Del Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This is a review for an advance copy via Net Galley**

Dark Matters is a great ride as an adventure novel, set a few decades in the future. Carl Wilson, CEO of GCI (General Resources Inc.) the largest single corporation in the world, dies along with his family in a fiery car crash. His protege, an up-and-coming family man named Rudy, is offered Carl's position. by a man named Arthur. Rudy soon finds out that bundled with this position is a membership in a group called The Consortium, an almost omnipotent group of men who act as puppeteers in swaying world events.

Arthur tells Rudy that it is all for the common good, but is it? The groups' inner workings are shrouded in mystery, and Rudy already feels pulled into areas of questionable ethics. His family is unaware of what is becoming a web in which Rudy increasingly feels trapped.

At the same time,Monique, a fine art dealer is having visions, which show her people and places. She feels compelled to seek them out, and in doing so a group is taking shape. that is growing in power and purpose. A third group, led by a man named Jonas, is searching for rare elements in an asteroid field by day, and studying dark matter by night. Finding the right asteroid could be the final piece GCI and the Consortium need to exert control over Earth. Jonas wants to find such an asteroid, but just wants enough money to be able to give up hunting asteroids and stick to his own research.

Somehow, the three groups are linked. How is a mystery. As the novel ends, their paths are merging in ways none would have expected, except perhaps the Consortium. But what is their endgame? What Faustian deal has Rudy really struck in joining their ranks? Does Jonas' dark matter research hold the key to damage the Consortium's growing stranglehold on the rest of humanity? Are Monique's group's visions linked somehow, and why are they coming at this time? The Consortium knows Monique somehow. . .

There are a few instances that strain credulity in the novel, where things didn't add up as far as Jonas trying to trick GCI, or Rudy not being more cautious jumping in with the Consortium, or Bimi being led away from his whole livelihood by a stranger based on almost nothing. I also would have liked to get to know Monique better- I didn't know enough to be invested in her and like her character. However, I felt the pacing was good- a little backstory and character development is needed when there are three disparate groups of people to set on a path. I'm sure it will just get better, and the intrigue has me in suspense for the next novel in the series. I can't wait to find out how all the threads connect, and where it will lead. I would give it 4.5 stars.

[The Potholes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: This review is based on an unfinished copy of the text from Netgalley.
What attracted me:

I loved the title, it just shouted science fiction with supernatural elements.

What’s it about:

In a technology filled future, Rudy gets appointed as the new CEO of GRI company and gets introduced to a whole new world he didn’t even knew existed.

Working under Rudy, a scientist Jonas, works to find a asteroid that would profit GRI in quadrillions, with a side project of finding more information on Dark Matters.

Following her visions, a curator travels the world trying to make sense of her visions while picking up a few companions.


What I loved:

The book made me think of all the possible tech our future could reach and create. If this is our future I would not mind to live in it. Of course without the Consortium.

The science behind the theory of Dark Matters was so nicely explained and realistic for a dystopian type book.

Every word made me wanting more on all the parallel stories, I was waiting to see how they all connected. Each of the characters was so mysterious and I didn’t even know who was good or bad till the end (in all honesty it could change by the next book).

What I thought could be added:

I wanted to know more on the abilities that Monique and Jonas have; are they due to Dark Matters? And if yes, how does Dark Matters fit into our daily lives?

More on Consortium and how it started its motive and history. Towards the end of the book I was getting an antagonist vibe from them but we won’t know till the next book.

I also felt that many of the major details were rushed in order to fit all of that information into one book and I would’ve like more explanation on the abilities, Dark Matters and Consortium.

What I didn’t like:

The first few chapters were a little confusing and fast paced, it was hard to catch up and digest all the information that was thrown at my face and I had reread many paragraphs multiple times just to make sense of the science behind them.

Verdict:

BUY IT WHEN IT RELEASES and you will not regret it, it was a really good book which I could not put down from the minute I started and I can not wait to read the next two books.

~kalon

For more reviews like this one (and some not like this one), check out our blog at: almostelysian.wordpress.com

[Richard Burke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently this is the author's first book, so perhaps you can forgive him, but there is one vital thing missing:

The story is well-written and intriguing with some well-crafted characters and an interesting plot, but as I neared 95%, I wondered how the various plot points would be wrapped up. The straight answer is, they weren't. Not at all. Not one. This may be the first part of a trilogy, but as far as I am concerned, this is unacceptable. By all means leave some open threads for a sequel, but to resolve nothing is breaking the contract between author and reader. As a former CEO, the author should know better about breaking a customer's trust!

If I'm being picky, I also found the typography a bit irritating. The difference between hyphen and em-dash may seem trivial, but it caused me to go back several times to work out the meaning.

In case you were still wondering what that last word in the first sentence would have been, it was resolution (annoying, isn't it?)

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Matters outlines a thrilling science fiction story that definitely left me anticipating the second book. It's full of deceit, control, and an underlying reality of what our world could potentially be in the future.
I enjoyed the overlapping story lines of the characters....a breakout novel for sure! If you love thriller or science fiction....or just want to read something new, this is it!!

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 3/4 Stars: A good futuristic novel. What I liked: the setting; the juxtaposition of various chapters as they focus on different characters; the futuristic elements, showing the impact of our present on future generations. What I didn’t like: the “to be continued” ending; the “bad guys”/“fixers”; the disconnection between the scientists and the meditators. Overall a good read, although I do not feel compelled to keep reading this series.

I won this book in a Good Reads Giveaway.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an advance copy of the book. It is an interesting mix of science fiction and social commentary. We have projections of what could happen when the wealthy few take over, and how the human spirit/mind bends to break the control of the barriers put up around it. Looking forward to reading the whole trilogy!

[Robert Downes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Dow’s “Dark Matters” weaves a tale of speculative fiction in the near future as a mysterious group of trillionaires aim for control of the earth, the solar system and beyond. Its a futuristic take on the so-called “one percent” of the super-rich who currently control much of the wealth on earth. As such, it blends fiction with some thoughtful commentary on the divide between the rich and the poor.
The story has a propulsive power that pulls you in with its rapid trajectory as a shifting cast of characters grapple with their roles both within and without a sinister group known as the Consortium, whose front is a corporation known as General Resources, Inc (GRI).
The book starts out with a bang with a trillionaire CEO getting the surprise of a lifetime while driving his $8 million car at 128 miles per hour.
Thereafter we learn more about the Consortium, which has a habit of manipulating the media and current events for the benefit of the super rich while crushing the human race beneath an iron heel of paternalism.
Dow pits a motley crew of adversaries against the Consortium, including a team of paranormal psychics who find each other across the globe through the medium of meditation, and a team of asteroid hunters. This, and a CEO named Rudy, who is faced with life or death decisions at the behest of the Consortium. Ultimately, all are concerned with the search for dark matter, the unseen force which makes up most of the universe.
“Dark Matters” has a global reach and I enjoyed Dow’s descriptions of some of the places I’ve
visited, such as the Egyptian Museum and Singapore. The characters came to life for me and the depth of research on such subjects as asteroid mining, macro-economics, physics and the like made the book of particular interest, taking it a step beyond much of the sci-fi I've read.  I also liked the fact that some of it was over my head, and thus, a learning experience. Dow works the same territory as William Gibson and also the "Black Mirror" series on Netflix with plenty of techno knowledge that gives the story a sense of edge.
One critique: Dow alludes to the miserable existence of the mass of humanity under the sway of the Consoritium, but I would like to know more about how this octopus-like organization affects the common man or woman. Are they wretched, starving, or just a bit pinched? Perhaps succeeding books will shed more light. That’s because “Dark Matters” is part one of a trilogy and ends with a cliff-hanger, moving the action to Iran in Dow’s follow-up, “Dark Matters: Betrayal.”
But overall, owing to its link to current events in the divide between the rich and the poor, I found “Dark Matters” to be a refreshing, even urgent, bridge between speculative- and science- fiction, which succeeds in that genre’s goal of being the literature of ideas.

[Red Tide]

I was curious about the series since the science was so funny and the background universe was so flat. I even tried the sequel. It did not get better. It was not a light read, just a pass-the-time-read.

This was another example of the books that you will probably not choose if you visit YouTube and book tubers. If you are interested in the real science, engineering, space construction in the future that is missing in low end science fiction, there are many science communicators. If interested in the shape of plausible societies in the near and far future, there are a number of culture/art/history/political sites with short and long videos, documentaries and video essays. I find it an easy way to sort out the big ideas in science fiction from the lazy, ill-informed or the completely silly universes.

Sometimes I need to refresh my memory, when I read silliness. Other times I do a quick dive into a subject of which I have a hazy understanding and can get a quick but solid overview (and a dive into the rabbit hole, is most times more entertaining than the books that triggered it). When you have looked into details that seem implausible, you come away with the realization that most of these low end types invest no effort in researching the underpinnings of their "world building". They make no effort to investigate the current political and economic processes of modern capitalism, the role of state actors, etc. The dissatisfaction these poor books generate is not due to your failure to understand the background universe but to the shoddy product that you have been delivered.

If I have made the case, I should at least provide a small sample of possibly useful sites. Let's go.

UA Courage, Jessie Gender, Zoe Baker, Odyssey, Big Joel, Dan Davis History, Sarah Z, Karolina Zebrowska, Tulia, Narrowboat Pirate, Lady knight the brave, Tara Mooknee, Books with Emily Fox, Serena Skybourne, Sabine Hossenfelder, Real Engineering, Alice Cappelle, Zoe Bee, Mike's Book Reviews, The Armchair Historian, The Shades of Orange, Munecat, Novara Media, Sufficiently Advanced Lena, Spacedock, Double Down News, Swell Entertainment, Therapy in a nutshell, Noah Sampson, Alize, With Olivia, Northern Narrowboaters, Cold Fusion, We're in Hell, Renegade Cut, Book Odyssey, Fire of Learning, The Gravel Institute, Second Thought, SandRhoman History, Books and LaLa, Books and Quills, Camper Vibe, Tom Nicholas, Cruising Alba, Natasha's Adventures, The Juice Media, Dead Good Book Reviews, Narrowboat Girl, Hello Future Me, Lilly's expat life, Lily Alexander, Steve Shives, Kitty G, Lady of the Library, Elliot Brooks, Ana Psychology, Philosophy Tube, Practical Engineering, Joe Scott, Physics Girl, Noelle Gallagher, Elena Taber, Maggie May Fish, Books like Whoa, I'm Rosa, Jesse Gender, Katie Colson, Anton Petrov, Petrik Leo, Books with Chloe, Atun Shei, Kings and Generals, Templin Institute, Perimeter Institute, Rebecca Watson, Jake Tran, Jack in the books, Dr Ben Miller, Kelly loves Physics and History, Emmie, AI Universe, Merphy Napier, Between the Lines, Between the Wars, Cari can read, The Irish Reader, Quinn's Ideas, A Clockwork Reader, Ship Happens, A Cup of Nicole, Brittany the Bibliophile, Tibees, Autumn's Boutique, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Inside Russia, France 24 clips, Task and Purpose, DW News clips, Maximillien Robespierre, Make Better Media, Jill Bearup, Alexandra Roselyn, A Life of Lit, Writing with Jenna Moreci, Ask a Mortician, Juliette Wade and Abbie Emmons.

I find that science fiction film and TV is superior to most poorly written novels. There are so many options that did not exist ten years ago. Good period fiction, science fiction galore, historical fiction with accuracy and good production values!!!! Taking a look at Netflix offerings can be intimidating, what a wonderful feeling. Films from Gaelic to Greek, from Turkish to Thai, Italian to Indonesian. With all the story telling styles, national and cultural idiom overlaid, boredom should not be a problem. Whether you like a film or not, the quality usually does not disappoint. It seems as if all Russian, German, Scandinavian and Turkish films bring a lot of freshness to science fiction.

As a communist, it is probably no surprise that I am not a cheerleader for any non-state corporation but Amazon sinks to the bottom of the heap. From Goodreads I really expected a different environment and I thought that the Kindle free library would have better fiction. I was actually made physically sick attempting to read some of the science fiction novels. I was stunned that some members found them unappealing perhaps, but none were grossed out. The first comments to my reviews were insane. They consisted of my being a traitor (I kid you not), anti-Muslim (from a self-identified volunteer soldier fighting terror, which just happens to be any oil producing country that disagrees with American policy), my not being able to appreciate hard science fiction and should consider fantasy or some such (in defense of a book that was hard to read, poorly edited, with spaceships that cross the Galaxy in minutes and with MC's better not described) and "You're stupid".
I expected very occasional chats with bibliophiles and got a stream of american thugs instead and no reaction from the "normal" americans. I was naive and I should not have been. About 8 years ago, I saw two polls of americans, showing that less than 20% supported ultra nationalism or racist ideology but the same respondents agreed more than 60 to 85% with every major white nationalist position, anti-socialist or racist talking point.

See my review of "Powers of the Earth" (a fifth rate book by a barely literate, anarcho-capitalist patriot - there's a contradiction somewhere in that self-description), More than a half dozen of the usuals, were offended by my review, my values, my existence. Wow! But then again it was just another Tuesday. See the current comments, other reviews and you might view Goodreads differently. I was impressed that I saw a backlash against the book trying to imitate a Heinlein classic. My default opinion of american members is still poor.


To american patriots from Tucker Carlson to every militia man, seem to love Putin (fascist icon?), I say. GLORY TO UKRAINE !


That ugliness addressed, I hope that anyone who slogged through my review has at least the best possible morning, a wonderful productive afternoon, a relaxing evening and a splendid night. Hope is never a defensive tool, when married to will.

[Vaj Vijaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review - The book " Dark Matters " by Michael Dow is Novel which comes under multiple genres like Science fiction,Thriller,Suspense & Psychological Fiction.

I wouldn't say this is my best read but it certainly grabbed my attention. It has several screen plays like in cinema where it explores the life of three Individuals who stand out along with their personal/ professional life.

Though its divided, and each protagonist had a chapter consecutively along with the other two, one could imagine their lives vividly. Gave a glimpse of the world of the ultra rich and the poor scrapping for livelihood.

We all see future where the world is either completely annihilated or dystopian where humanity is struggling to survive after a epedimic or a nuclear explosion or a world with highest scientific tech.

This books deals with the scientific tech where man after relinquishing all the resources on planet earth is hunting for asteroids. It gives a glimpse of the space hotels and other ventures of the ultra rich.

As we come to the near end of the book, one can see how the relatively distant life of the 3 protagonists are intertwined.

All u science fiction fans or science fans, pls do read the book as it will be a feast for the geek minds with all science and tech details and talk of the beginnings of the universe.

Overall a good read and gives a visual of the probable live of humanity in the near future. The constant battle btw the rich and the poor and how rich manage to win anyway.

There is a sequel to this book - Dark Matters - Betrayal which is part of the trilogy

P.S - love the quotes at the beggining of each chapter. That's the most beautiful thing abt this book for me 😊

[Vishnu Kartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice! Loved it. This is the first installment in the Dark Matters trilogy by Michael Dow. Being said that, don't expect to know more about dark matters in this one, since by this this one, author basically solidifies the premise and let us experience the world, and the core of the story will probably be unveiling in the next installment. Neverthless, the book is a fast-pased gripping page-turner, that will pique your interest from the beginning and gets better as the story materialises. The genre is a mix of sci-fi and sort-of-fantasy and is set in the future.

This is the first installment in the Dark Matters trilogy and boy, Michael Dow nailed it. As far my memory goes, this was the first sci-fi novel I have read and am already rooting for more.

I recommend it!
Already fetched the next one!

[Maryam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exhange for an honest review

2.5

I wanted to like this but... It was just not a book for me at all, I just found it ok.

Full review originally published here : https://thecurioussffreader.wordpress...

« Forget the one percent. It just takes one.

Dark Matters is set in a not-too-distant future of extreme income inequality, where a select few of the über-elite have the resources and cutting-edge technologies to choose what’s best for the rest of humanity. Are they committed to saving a world gone wrong? Or simply bent on perpetuating their new status quo?

In this first book of the trilogy, a new CEO takes over the world’s largest corporate conglomerate. But the job comes with an unexpected twist–an invitation to join the Consortium, the small group of global elite who quietly rule the world. The deeper he dives into his new role, the harder it becomes to distinguish between right and wrong.

At the same time, a headstrong art curator is beset by a series of visions, putting her squarely in the crosshairs of the Consortium. From a life-changing moment in a crowded Singapore marketplace, to the business end of an assassin’s gun, she struggles to understand their meaning, and to topple the status quo. In order to succeed, she needs help from the strangers in her visions, including a renegade physicist determined to unravel the century-old mystery of dark matter, and its role in our universe. Together, they might just break the Consortium’s stranglehold – if they don’t strangle each other first. »

Okay… I have conflicted thoughts about this one but I think it is mostly my fault. Indeed if before requesting this book from Netgalley I had read the full synopsis, I probably won’t have pick it up. I think that I only saw the « « Forget the one percent. It just takes one. » which is pretty intriguing line and it got me hooked. I was expecting a story of a man fighting over a huge corporation that was ruling the world, however it is a story that follows mostly three different main characters, the first one is Rudy the new CEO of GRI, one of the largest and most powerful company in the world mentionned first in the synopsis, the second one is Monique Durand an art dealer who has strange visions about people and places, and the last one is Jonas Hanssen, a physicist working for GRI and studying dark matter.

So I did not quite grasp the fact that it was not 100% a scifi book because one the main characters have visions and telekinesic abilities. And for me those are paranormal stuff, which doesn’t mean in any way that it makes it a bad book but it wasn’t what I expected going in… When those elements were introduced I was a bit surprised to say the least. I don’t usually have lots of problem with powers and strange abilities as I almost only read fantasy, but when I start a SF book, I usually want it to be based on scientific stuff you know. ;)

Anyway, this was not my biggest complain, this book rubbed me the wrong way for two reasons.

First of all, I didn’t really liked how women were portrayed. I found that almost none of them had ‘real’ work,. I mean yes, Monique worked in a gallery but she was so rich she spent 98% of the book travelling around the world and spending her money on hotels . Also, Victoria, Rudy’s wife, only took care of the children and went to social events. But for me the worst female representation probably was Kat. She was a graduate student in physics, introduced as a brilliant student at first. However as soon as she met Hanssen, the other physicist always described as « the passionated man who could only think with his guts », he almost immediately fall in love with her and starts telling her all of his company’s secret . Not really because she was that brilliant but most of all because she was hot. Oh and he also offered her a position in his company. Of course, because she is his « luck charm » after all.Ugh.

My second problem with this book was the pacing and how convenient everything was. For example, Monique, the one with the paranormal abilities, has visions about different people and she feels that she has to find them. So she leaves on a quest which sounds pretty complicated since some of her visions take place in Singapore and Egypt. You may think that it will take ages for her to find those persons. As a matter of fact, no. She always finds them in less about 5 pages once she is the country. Of course. Totally believable.

Also, the plot felt rushed in a lot of place and things just go to ‘smoothly’, there was no real challenge . Another thing that I did not like about the pacing was the fact that during more than half of the book, I still did not know where the story was going. I don’t mind it at the beginning up until a third of the book but after that, I kind of want to know why I’m reading something.

However, it was not a complete disaster . The writing was good and it all flowed pretty easily. It was a pretty quick read and some passages were really good. The ending was also pretty interesting and some of the technologies created in this near-future novel were completely believable which was great to see.

I don’t see myself reading the sequel but if you like near-future dystopian with paranormal elements, that might be something you’ll enjoy.

★★ 1/2

This book will come out on February 2016 from 128 Publishing

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating futuristic thriller

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself getting so involved in a sci fi futuristic thriller. This author made this story very readable considering it delves in deep science and physics. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Book 1 and plan on reading the next book in this series. The way the author ended the first book creates a need to know what is next..

[Michael Scott Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Sci-fi

Dark Matters by Michael Dow really keeps the pages turning. I enjoyed his fast paced, action packed story telling and am typing this 5-star review quickly as I've just purchased Book #2 and am anxious to dig in before it gets too late tonight. Thanks Michael, keep them coming!!

[Jim Paddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Future setting

Nice emphasis on real science and possible human potential and true friends. Enjoyed the scientific explanations and discussions. Lots of detailed info.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Review comong soon!

[JC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but a bit unbelievable. The book kept a good pace and was fairly interesting, but found it hard to really get into because of the premise being a bit far fetched for me.

[Jane Hamerle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you on the edge

The book has an excellent pace and character buildup. Book 1 ended in a way to keep you wanting more.

[Veronica · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF