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Darwin's World #4
The Return
The people on Darwin’s World face a threat that goes far beyond what they’ve experienced before. Even the people of the advanced civilization known as Prime are threatened.
Aided by the computer network known as Central, they turn to the only man who might help them...
Aided by the computer network known as Central, they turn to the only man who might help them...
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2016
137 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Jack L. Knapp
28 books59 followersSoldier, teacher, author, hobbyist; my past experiences find their way into my books.
I have an imagination with few boundaries. I use that imagination extensively, particularly in my New Frontiers Series.
By contrast, imagination figures in my Darwin's World series but there's also tons of personal experience. When I describe chipping flint, I've done it. I've set traps, made and used ropes, raised horses, spent a lot of time in the deep woods. But the series is really not about survival; that's how it begins, but by the time you reach The Return, it's begun to change to hard SF. I'm currently writing Defending Eden, which is not only hard SF, it has elements of space opera.
The Wizards Series is about wish fulfillment. Who wouldn't want to find buried treasure, move huge objects, fly, and do in bad guys? With side journeys into saving lives and fighting wildfires?
As for my novella, Hands, expect everything from grins to belly laughs. And then there's the stand-alone short story, Ants, which offers a different view of where the New Frontiers Series might have gone.
One work-in-progress, two more in the pipeline, and a new home page: http//jacklknapp.com/home
In other words, I'm nowhere near ready to retire!
I have an imagination with few boundaries. I use that imagination extensively, particularly in my New Frontiers Series.
By contrast, imagination figures in my Darwin's World series but there's also tons of personal experience. When I describe chipping flint, I've done it. I've set traps, made and used ropes, raised horses, spent a lot of time in the deep woods. But the series is really not about survival; that's how it begins, but by the time you reach The Return, it's begun to change to hard SF. I'm currently writing Defending Eden, which is not only hard SF, it has elements of space opera.
The Wizards Series is about wish fulfillment. Who wouldn't want to find buried treasure, move huge objects, fly, and do in bad guys? With side journeys into saving lives and fighting wildfires?
As for my novella, Hands, expect everything from grins to belly laughs. And then there's the stand-alone short story, Ants, which offers a different view of where the New Frontiers Series might have gone.
One work-in-progress, two more in the pipeline, and a new home page: http//jacklknapp.com/home
In other words, I'm nowhere near ready to retire!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 15, 2016
I so enjoyed the first three books in Jack Knapp's series about life on Darwin's World, an alternative Earth that's still locked in the Ice Age, that I had to read this fourth book.
When I did I found that it's a lot different from the first three: There are not so many survival stories, fewer confrontations with other people and wild animals, and all the more fascinating because of that. This is a book that delves into the deeper questions facing humanity and while it still has its share of adventure, it's also a book that makes you think about larger issues than how to survive a cruel winter or a flash flood; how to hunt big game with bows, arrows, and spears.
The men and women who have been sent to this alternative Earth by the Futurists in hopes that those who survive can later be "harvested" and brought back "home" to strengthen the gene pool, have thrived. They have fought off slavers, established small towns, and have set about trying to blend with the planet rather than dominating it. They have opened up lines of communication with some of the Futurists and a few have even gone back to the Earth on their own dimension for medical care and to further their education.
Things seem to be going well.
They aren't, however.
A visitor from an Earth that exists on yet another dimension brings with him news that an alien race - a hostile alien race - has killed some people and gotten hold of the machines that the Futurists use to jump from one dimension to another.
That means, of course, that the people of both Earths and those of Darwin's World could well be at risk.
No spoilers here, but I will say that this forces the leaders on both Earths and Darwin's World to make some uncomfortable decisions.
Decisions that could have long-lasting consequences for all three worlds.
Not all of them good.
Knapp has a strong narrative voice and that is readily apparent in this novel. His words flow easily across the page and it is easy to spend hours following the lives and times of his characters, even when you had planned to spend only a half hour or so reading about them.
(I know that because it's happened to me... more than once.)
His characters are nicely drawn and they are complex men and women. I say that because they often find themselves in situations where "doing the right thing" means making difficult choices because it's not always clear which of the several courses of action they must choose is the right one. In the case of Matt, the nominal protagonist of the series, that's especially true when he is forced to choose between staying with his family on Darwin or leaving them to fend for themselves so he can help prepare defenses against the aliens should they find the world he came from or, worse, the one he now calls home.
All in all, a great addition to this series and a novel I highly recommend.
When I did I found that it's a lot different from the first three: There are not so many survival stories, fewer confrontations with other people and wild animals, and all the more fascinating because of that. This is a book that delves into the deeper questions facing humanity and while it still has its share of adventure, it's also a book that makes you think about larger issues than how to survive a cruel winter or a flash flood; how to hunt big game with bows, arrows, and spears.
The men and women who have been sent to this alternative Earth by the Futurists in hopes that those who survive can later be "harvested" and brought back "home" to strengthen the gene pool, have thrived. They have fought off slavers, established small towns, and have set about trying to blend with the planet rather than dominating it. They have opened up lines of communication with some of the Futurists and a few have even gone back to the Earth on their own dimension for medical care and to further their education.
Things seem to be going well.
They aren't, however.
A visitor from an Earth that exists on yet another dimension brings with him news that an alien race - a hostile alien race - has killed some people and gotten hold of the machines that the Futurists use to jump from one dimension to another.
That means, of course, that the people of both Earths and those of Darwin's World could well be at risk.
No spoilers here, but I will say that this forces the leaders on both Earths and Darwin's World to make some uncomfortable decisions.
Decisions that could have long-lasting consequences for all three worlds.
Not all of them good.
Knapp has a strong narrative voice and that is readily apparent in this novel. His words flow easily across the page and it is easy to spend hours following the lives and times of his characters, even when you had planned to spend only a half hour or so reading about them.
(I know that because it's happened to me... more than once.)
His characters are nicely drawn and they are complex men and women. I say that because they often find themselves in situations where "doing the right thing" means making difficult choices because it's not always clear which of the several courses of action they must choose is the right one. In the case of Matt, the nominal protagonist of the series, that's especially true when he is forced to choose between staying with his family on Darwin or leaving them to fend for themselves so he can help prepare defenses against the aliens should they find the world he came from or, worse, the one he now calls home.
All in all, a great addition to this series and a novel I highly recommend.
November 26, 2018
A JLK. SYFY Novel/TDWS (4)/Numerous Changes/New People/New Problems
JLK has penned the (4th) novel in the TDWS series. At the beginning the storyline was confusing but after reading a few chapters and then rereading those chapters it became clearer what JLK was trying to do with the storyline. The Futurist who began the experiment began to have doubts because of so many suicides. The discussions between that sect to make the right decisions was confusing because the members of the sect were confused. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
JLK has penned the (4th) novel in the TDWS series. At the beginning the storyline was confusing but after reading a few chapters and then rereading those chapters it became clearer what JLK was trying to do with the storyline. The Futurist who began the experiment began to have doubts because of so many suicides. The discussions between that sect to make the right decisions was confusing because the members of the sect were confused. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
August 25, 2018
Big drop-off
I think Knapp should have ended the story with book 3. He could have wrapped it up with a nice little bow without taking anything away from the original story. Per usual, it’s about money. More books, more books. Book 4 kinda watered down the whole story. Now I have to decide if I want to read read book 5. Hell, he might milk it out for a few more. The first 3 would have made a fairly good trilogy. Too bad.
I think Knapp should have ended the story with book 3. He could have wrapped it up with a nice little bow without taking anything away from the original story. Per usual, it’s about money. More books, more books. Book 4 kinda watered down the whole story. Now I have to decide if I want to read read book 5. Hell, he might milk it out for a few more. The first 3 would have made a fairly good trilogy. Too bad.
March 10, 2020
Great series!!
Always nice to find a writer from Louisiana (I'm from the Shreveport area). This series keeps evolving into a training exercise. Lots of nifty info out there. And you get the best of both worlds. Time "jumpers" carry people from the future to 15,000 years into the past. Very, very interesting!!
Always nice to find a writer from Louisiana (I'm from the Shreveport area). This series keeps evolving into a training exercise. Lots of nifty info out there. And you get the best of both worlds. Time "jumpers" carry people from the future to 15,000 years into the past. Very, very interesting!!
March 17, 2018
Fascinating always changing loved the series.
I have just finished book four of the series and am wanting the next books. Not once did I find myself skimming to get beyond a dry portion. I admire the ranging imagination and the vivid writing skill.
I have just finished book four of the series and am wanting the next books. Not once did I find myself skimming to get beyond a dry portion. I admire the ranging imagination and the vivid writing skill.
August 22, 2020
World's to contemplate
I am quite taken with the range of ideas in this series. The author could of made it a simple rebuild humanity type story. He has accomplished all that and more. Thank you.
I am quite taken with the range of ideas in this series. The author could of made it a simple rebuild humanity type story. He has accomplished all that and more. Thank you.
February 13, 2020
Marvelous stories!!
This is an accelerated history of the world. From stone age to space ships in one generation. Good action,good characters, good problems.
This is an accelerated history of the world. From stone age to space ships in one generation. Good action,good characters, good problems.
September 27, 2020
I loved the first three books but this one not so much. It's no longer about survival in the ice ages but takes a turn towards a space aged future which is where the series lost me.
July 3, 2021
Good story
Good action, good characters. The aliens are a twist, as are triplets. Bear, you dog! Lucky dog. Willing to keep reading and see what happens.
Good action, good characters. The aliens are a twist, as are triplets. Bear, you dog! Lucky dog. Willing to keep reading and see what happens.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews