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Exchange: Book One of the Exchange Universe
It’s called Bear Country, an untamed alternate reality where humans never evolved, but saber-tooth tigers and suspiciously intelligent little green monkeys did. Random chunks of Bear Country are temporarily swapped—exchanged—with Earth, bringing a risk-averse, bubble-wrapped society unimagined threats, from giant bears to the hazards of unknown bacteria. They also bring opportunity for anyone brave enough—or crazy enough—to settle there.
Computer guru Sharon Mack prepares to evacuate when she finds out her town is about to be Exchanged . But when her crazed ex-husband kidnaps their autistic daughter, dragging her into Bear Country, Sharon has no choice but to go after them, find her daughter, and escape before the Exchange reverses, cutting her off from her own reality forever.
Flash floods and giant bears aren’t the most dangerous thing in this wild frontier. Bands of escaped convicts, with nothing left to lose, roam freely in a land with no laws but survival of the strongest. Then there’s enigmatic Leo West and the secretive Sister West cult, determined to claim Bear Country for their own. And there are those willing to kill to hide the true secrets of the Exchange.
Exchange is the first book in the Exchange universe. The second is Devouring Wind, available now.
Computer guru Sharon Mack prepares to evacuate when she finds out her town is about to be Exchanged . But when her crazed ex-husband kidnaps their autistic daughter, dragging her into Bear Country, Sharon has no choice but to go after them, find her daughter, and escape before the Exchange reverses, cutting her off from her own reality forever.
Flash floods and giant bears aren’t the most dangerous thing in this wild frontier. Bands of escaped convicts, with nothing left to lose, roam freely in a land with no laws but survival of the strongest. Then there’s enigmatic Leo West and the secretive Sister West cult, determined to claim Bear Country for their own. And there are those willing to kill to hide the true secrets of the Exchange.
Exchange is the first book in the Exchange universe. The second is Devouring Wind, available now.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2010
6 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Dale Cozort
44 books28 followersDale Cozort lives in a college town near Chicago with his wife, daughter, three cats and a lot of books. Dale is a computer programmer and teacher as well as a long-time science fiction fan. He has a huge and diverse range of interests, ranging from computers and history to martial arts. He loves animals and did a stint as a foster home for orphan Samoyeds.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 18, 2011
When the Exchange occurs, seemingly at random, a small portion of our world switches places with that from an alternate reality. This other Earth, known as Bear Country, is a wild, dangerous land where humans either died out or (more probably) never evolved at all, inhabited instead by strange animals such as enormous bears, twittering wolves, and minuscule poisonous bats. When Sharon's hometown of Rockford, Illinois, is Exchanged, she is stuck in a strange world of religious cults, escaped convicts, and demanding Marines. If that weren't headache enough, her abusive ex-husband has kidnapped their special-needs daughter and escaped into Bear Country with her. I haven't read such an action-packed book in quite a while. There's never a dull moment. I am fascinated by the idea of the Exchange, and can imagine many more stories set in this universe. I wish there had been some mention of Exchanges happening in the middle of the ocean, but that's a petty quibble. I also enjoyed how I was never quite sure when people were telling the truth, without feeling like the drama emerged purely from people not telling each other things. In short, this was a fun SF adventure and a quick read. I look forward to Cozort's future works.
December 22, 2010
I really enjoyed this book! I was glad to see it was different then other science fiction books I've read as that is not my genre of choice. If you've ever wanted to transport your life into a different time and place...this book will make you think twice. Great read for a person that needs to stay fascinated with a book till the end!
February 17, 2011
Sharon Mack has volunteered to help with the latest "exchange" happening in her town of Rockport. She's heard stories of what this alternate dimension contains: deadly monkeys, huge bears, out-of-place kangaroos, and various other strange and deadly creatures. If she can survive the two weeks until this block of land is returned to its own dimension, then she'll be in good shape. Unfortunately, she hadn't counted on her violent exhusband kidnapping their special needs daughter, or her repeated encounters with the convicts who had managed to escape to this alternate world during an exchange two years ago. Add in the mysterious cult members and some marines, and Sharon has a lot more to contend with than she expected. What will happen when the dimensions exchange places again? In which dimension will Sharon stay?
Written by Dale R. Cozort, this novel contains a truly unique concept- that of periodic "exchanges" of land with an alternate dimension. With just a day or so of preparation time, these exchanges may be routine, but they are fraught with immense danger and interesting potential. I loved this concept! It's fascinating to think of the possibilities in alternate dimensions colliding on a periodic basis. The repercussions of huge tracts of land in different dimensions "exchanging" with one another are potentially devastating for both dimensions. This concept is truly the strongest point of this novel, and the underlying storyline does maintain interest level until the end. You won't know in which dimension Sharon remains until the last few pages, and you just may be surprised at what you find out.
Although I really enjoyed the overall idea behind the book, there were several things I didn't like about the story. The characters didn't feel well-rounded to me, and the dialogue didn't ring true. I felt that almost any piece of dialogue (with the exception of Bethany's short blurbs) could have be said by a number of other characters. I didn't get a good feel for characters by the things they said. So much of the novel consists of conversation back and forth, so it was difficult to immerse myself into this novel when the characters sounded so much like one another to me. I didn't get a lot of emotional depth from the characters, and that left the characters feeling one-dimensional and unrealistic. Additionally, the matter-of-fact dialogue tended to mask some of the quick changes in scene with various characters entering and exiting, and I found myself rereading passages in several places to get a grip on what had just happened.
The plot is full of twists and turns- so many that you just sort of give up on doing any guessing, and just read the words on the page. There is a twist at the end that is very unexpected and really thought-provoking, but I felt the details behind this twist were explained too many times by too many people. I think tightening up the conversations between characters, some of the twists, and making the ending more succinct would have made this book more powerful. Overall, I love the concept behind this story, and that made it worth the read to me.
@ MotherLode blog
Written by Dale R. Cozort, this novel contains a truly unique concept- that of periodic "exchanges" of land with an alternate dimension. With just a day or so of preparation time, these exchanges may be routine, but they are fraught with immense danger and interesting potential. I loved this concept! It's fascinating to think of the possibilities in alternate dimensions colliding on a periodic basis. The repercussions of huge tracts of land in different dimensions "exchanging" with one another are potentially devastating for both dimensions. This concept is truly the strongest point of this novel, and the underlying storyline does maintain interest level until the end. You won't know in which dimension Sharon remains until the last few pages, and you just may be surprised at what you find out.
Although I really enjoyed the overall idea behind the book, there were several things I didn't like about the story. The characters didn't feel well-rounded to me, and the dialogue didn't ring true. I felt that almost any piece of dialogue (with the exception of Bethany's short blurbs) could have be said by a number of other characters. I didn't get a good feel for characters by the things they said. So much of the novel consists of conversation back and forth, so it was difficult to immerse myself into this novel when the characters sounded so much like one another to me. I didn't get a lot of emotional depth from the characters, and that left the characters feeling one-dimensional and unrealistic. Additionally, the matter-of-fact dialogue tended to mask some of the quick changes in scene with various characters entering and exiting, and I found myself rereading passages in several places to get a grip on what had just happened.
The plot is full of twists and turns- so many that you just sort of give up on doing any guessing, and just read the words on the page. There is a twist at the end that is very unexpected and really thought-provoking, but I felt the details behind this twist were explained too many times by too many people. I think tightening up the conversations between characters, some of the twists, and making the ending more succinct would have made this book more powerful. Overall, I love the concept behind this story, and that made it worth the read to me.
@ MotherLode blog
January 5, 2015
Dale Cozort's "Exchange" was really very enjoyable. Set to be publicly available for sale in early July 2010, I openly suggest this to sci-fi and alternate history fans. Do not get it in your head that it is either of these genre though... It is more fringe on both counts.
Background on the Exchange:
Exchange is set in modern standard time. It is neither history nor future. For unknown reasons, large tracts of land are transported to an alternate dimension version of Earth. In this alternate dimension, humans never made it through the evolutionary bottle neck. Evolution in general is completely unhinged. Giant bears, sabre tooths, and green monkeys rule the land.
In an ever increasing number of global events, humanity is able to predict an Exchange only three hours before they occur. They know that an event can last for between one and two weeks, but cannot predict the reversal. As a result, they mobilize huge groups of personnel and equipment in the time allowed to stave off complications of contact with this alternate Earth.
The story:
The core of the story revolves around Sharon, forcibly volunteered into a government work party putting up fences during the exchange. She is the mother of an OCD and autistic daughter with a keen perception of things to come. After her home town is transported to the alternate Earth, she finds that her daughter has been kidnapped by her survivalist nut job ex-husband, bent on staying in the "new" anarchic world. Sharon needs to locate her daughter before the exchange reverses, trapping her and her daughter in a foreign hell with out society to back her.
my thoughts:
The book is a lot like Burrough's Pellucidar series, but with out Tarzan to kick butt, take names and generally save the day. Instead, it is a single mother, a couple hand guns, a generally unhelpful military, and a big world full of very very bad things.
After making it through the whole book, I was really very attached to the concepts and story itself. The characters were lively, I cared how it all turned out, and as the final pages came to fruition, I full expected a sequel to be in process.
Instead, I received "the end". There is nothing more disappointing to me than getting to the end of a book I enjoy greatly and finding the concrete statement "the end". I am hopeful that this is something that only existed in the advance reading copy I was sent. This book deserves to have its answers explored and characters expanded on.
I will be anxiously watching the authors website for updates on an extension to the series.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
Background on the Exchange:
Exchange is set in modern standard time. It is neither history nor future. For unknown reasons, large tracts of land are transported to an alternate dimension version of Earth. In this alternate dimension, humans never made it through the evolutionary bottle neck. Evolution in general is completely unhinged. Giant bears, sabre tooths, and green monkeys rule the land.
In an ever increasing number of global events, humanity is able to predict an Exchange only three hours before they occur. They know that an event can last for between one and two weeks, but cannot predict the reversal. As a result, they mobilize huge groups of personnel and equipment in the time allowed to stave off complications of contact with this alternate Earth.
The story:
The core of the story revolves around Sharon, forcibly volunteered into a government work party putting up fences during the exchange. She is the mother of an OCD and autistic daughter with a keen perception of things to come. After her home town is transported to the alternate Earth, she finds that her daughter has been kidnapped by her survivalist nut job ex-husband, bent on staying in the "new" anarchic world. Sharon needs to locate her daughter before the exchange reverses, trapping her and her daughter in a foreign hell with out society to back her.
my thoughts:
The book is a lot like Burrough's Pellucidar series, but with out Tarzan to kick butt, take names and generally save the day. Instead, it is a single mother, a couple hand guns, a generally unhelpful military, and a big world full of very very bad things.
After making it through the whole book, I was really very attached to the concepts and story itself. The characters were lively, I cared how it all turned out, and as the final pages came to fruition, I full expected a sequel to be in process.
Instead, I received "the end". There is nothing more disappointing to me than getting to the end of a book I enjoy greatly and finding the concrete statement "the end". I am hopeful that this is something that only existed in the advance reading copy I was sent. This book deserves to have its answers explored and characters expanded on.
I will be anxiously watching the authors website for updates on an extension to the series.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
March 26, 2011
Sharon Mack has been caught in an 'Exchange', a natural phenomenon in which a portion of our current-time earth is swapped with its twin on an alternate earth. In that alternate reality, humans died out somewhere in the evolutionary cycle, but many animals that are extinct in our reality have continued to evolve and are stronger and, in many cases, very intelligent.
The Exchange lasts a week or two before the swap reverses, and since there is some advance notice of an upcoming Exchange, US Marines are sent to follow the area into the alternate universe and protect the people who are Exchanged, and to ensure that contamination of our world by new predators is avoided.
Sharon returns to her home in the nearby town that was also Exchanged, and discovers that her ex-husband has kidnapped their special-needs daughter and taken her into 'Bear Country', the area outside where the exchange happened. If they are not found and returned before the reversal, they will live out their lives on this alternate earth.
There are many reasons why someone might want to leave our reality to live on this lovely and untouched version of earth...many of the reasons are not good, and Bear Country is deceptively beautiful. It is a hard environment in which survival is nearly impossible.
This is the story of Sharon's search for her daughter. It is filled with adventure, surprises, a bit of romance, and it kept my interest throughout.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.
The Exchange lasts a week or two before the swap reverses, and since there is some advance notice of an upcoming Exchange, US Marines are sent to follow the area into the alternate universe and protect the people who are Exchanged, and to ensure that contamination of our world by new predators is avoided.
Sharon returns to her home in the nearby town that was also Exchanged, and discovers that her ex-husband has kidnapped their special-needs daughter and taken her into 'Bear Country', the area outside where the exchange happened. If they are not found and returned before the reversal, they will live out their lives on this alternate earth.
There are many reasons why someone might want to leave our reality to live on this lovely and untouched version of earth...many of the reasons are not good, and Bear Country is deceptively beautiful. It is a hard environment in which survival is nearly impossible.
This is the story of Sharon's search for her daughter. It is filled with adventure, surprises, a bit of romance, and it kept my interest throughout.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.
May 3, 2011
Sharon Mack, a computer guru, is working on the front lines of the Exchange Zone due to a mistake by the local government. Being a divorced single mother of a 7 year old she shouldn't be there in the midst of an Exchange, the swapping of the World with an alternate reality, in case something goes wrong. And wrong it does go. Sharon returns home from the EZ lines only to find her world already turned upside down when she is knocked out by her crazy ex-husband and awakens to find her daughter missing. Stolen by the man she once loved and kidnapped into the Exchange Zone world called 'Bear Country'.
Can Sharon get to her daughter before she is trapped in Bear Country when the Exchange ends? Can Sharon fight through the politics, the cult and family that try to keep her from her daughter? Can Sharon fight herself to get to her daughter in time and make the ultimate choice.. love or life?
What a book!
Science Fiction is really not my favorite genre but this is one of my most favorite books of all time.
See the rest of the review at: 1000 + Books to Read
Can Sharon get to her daughter before she is trapped in Bear Country when the Exchange ends? Can Sharon fight through the politics, the cult and family that try to keep her from her daughter? Can Sharon fight herself to get to her daughter in time and make the ultimate choice.. love or life?
What a book!
Science Fiction is really not my favorite genre but this is one of my most favorite books of all time.
See the rest of the review at: 1000 + Books to Read
August 24, 2016
Romantic science fiction filled with mystery and traps; serious science fiction where the well-researched facts blend so seamlessly that you hardly notice you’ve been asked to believe them; complicated fiction with its premise so beautifully drawn you just have to read on; Dale Cozort’s Exchange has it all, smoothly written to offer a rich, complex read with great characters, involving mystery, and an endlessly fascinating strange new world. I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t guess how it would end.
Exchange is the first in a series of novels, and it leaves plenty of questions to be resolved when the final page is turned. But it also resolves its own central story, making for a nicely complete and satisfying read. It’s a smooth, convincing story, beautifully told, and I can hardly wait to read more.
Disclosure: I’d read one tiny part of this online before and eagerly awaited the chance to read more.
Exchange is the first in a series of novels, and it leaves plenty of questions to be resolved when the final page is turned. But it also resolves its own central story, making for a nicely complete and satisfying read. It’s a smooth, convincing story, beautifully told, and I can hardly wait to read more.
Disclosure: I’d read one tiny part of this online before and eagerly awaited the chance to read more.
February 27, 2012
I wasn't sure I was going to like this novel at first, as it isn't normally a genre that I normally read. However I was pleasantly surprised about how much I really enjoyed this novel. In fact I read it in just under a day and was unable to put it down in order to do anything else.
The characters are full of life and bring a lot of depth to the novel. The plot had a interesting take on an alternate reality and was very well thought out. It was very fast paced and I felt it was easy to follow the plot throughout the novel.
This novel kept me engaged until the very end and overall was a really good read.
A copy of this novel was received for review and all opinions expressed are my own through reading this novel.
This review first appeared on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
The characters are full of life and bring a lot of depth to the novel. The plot had a interesting take on an alternate reality and was very well thought out. It was very fast paced and I felt it was easy to follow the plot throughout the novel.
This novel kept me engaged until the very end and overall was a really good read.
A copy of this novel was received for review and all opinions expressed are my own through reading this novel.
This review first appeared on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
January 13, 2015
I was honestly surprised by this book, because it's not something that I would typically pick up and read. Personally, I like science fiction, but I'm really picky about it. This book, though a little flat at times, held my attention at least until the last page.
The first few pages had me interested enough that I was able to be propelled through a lot of, what I felt to be, slow points. Besides that, there are also a few things, particularly when it came to love in the story, that seemed to happen instantly without any sort of conflict at all. Instant love, instant hate, instantly back together.
That said, the book is enjoyable, though I wouldn't say I'd read it more than once.
The first few pages had me interested enough that I was able to be propelled through a lot of, what I felt to be, slow points. Besides that, there are also a few things, particularly when it came to love in the story, that seemed to happen instantly without any sort of conflict at all. Instant love, instant hate, instantly back together.
That said, the book is enjoyable, though I wouldn't say I'd read it more than once.
July 25, 2019
I Reeeaaallly want to give this five stars, but I can't. The beginning starts off like loosely strung beads. There's a whole lot of action and lots of confusion and a plethora of people that I don't like nor care about. I strongly urge a rewrite of the first several chapters.
That being said...I really had a fun read here! I want more! Thankfully, this book is just the beginning of a series, it appears. Even though I don't like the main character at all, there are some really interesting other characters. The plot is pretty interesting and the world is fascinating with lots of promise for the future.
If you enjoy action, sci-fi, westerns, religious cults, and plenty of craziness going on, this is definitely a book for you to pick up. I read it entirely too quickly and ran out of book before I was ready to. Though the beginning was rough, I'm hoping Cozort can continue with the momentum he built in the middle and end of this book. If so, he'll become another author that I collect in the library.
That being said...I really had a fun read here! I want more! Thankfully, this book is just the beginning of a series, it appears. Even though I don't like the main character at all, there are some really interesting other characters. The plot is pretty interesting and the world is fascinating with lots of promise for the future.
If you enjoy action, sci-fi, westerns, religious cults, and plenty of craziness going on, this is definitely a book for you to pick up. I read it entirely too quickly and ran out of book before I was ready to. Though the beginning was rough, I'm hoping Cozort can continue with the momentum he built in the middle and end of this book. If so, he'll become another author that I collect in the library.
January 2, 2011
Article first published as Book Review: ExChange by Dale R. Cozort on Blogcritics.
In an interesting twist on an alternate reality, Dale R. Cozort has brought us a rip in the continuum that occurs on different levels of time and place. It is being charted by the government and they are now getting closer to being able to plot the times and places these occur. A wide rift occurs in the area, which then relocates the portion of the earth in that rift to an alternate universe for a period. All people that are still within that area are then shifted as well. Preparing for the rift becomes a structured action, and many of the people are relocated to a safe area. In order to save the others there is a military presence brought in and a group of volunteers to help keep the area safe and secure. Sharon Mack is there, helping to prepare the area for the Exchange, as that is what the rift is called. She is selected as a volunteer, but needs to be home prior to the actual exchange so that she can pick up her daughter and relocate to a safe area until the Exchange reverses. That shift seems to average two weeks.
There are those that look forward to the exchange, planning on breaking the law and staying in the pristine wilderness known as Bear Country. In one of the first Exchanges, a group of convicts was included; they escaped and have become a part of Bear Country. On top of the wild animals and strange new species, this group of convicts also adds to the danger of being in the Bear Country side of the Exchange. There is also a group of extremists, a communal group, known as Sister West after it founder. It too plans to stay in after the exchange and is well prepared going in. As Sharon continues her work, she unintentionally catches the eye of a gang known only as the AK’s, short for Aryan Kings.
As she enters her home, she is attacked by her ex-husband, tied up and left for dead, as he kidnaps her daughter, Bethany. As she escapes she realizes that she must find her ex-husband and her daughter, she has a short window of opportunity, the two weeks of the exchange. If she cannot find her and get her back, she could lose her forever with the reversal.
It is during this mission that she first meets Leo West. He is part of the Sister West group, and ready to change his life by staying in Bear Country. The meeting and connection are electric. They are separated by a flash flood, not knowing if the other lives, but hoping to reconnect if possible.
Will she find her daughter before the exchange reversal? Will she be able to save herself? The government is now using her, and when she finds Leo again, she finds that even he has secrets, things he does not share about his past. How will the pieces come together?
Exchange is a very interesting and comprehensive look at an alternate universe. It is intense and exciting with action and adventure at every turn of the page. This is a great book and I found it to be fast paced and easy to follow.
The characters, which include several of the animal species, are well developed and interesting. The human characters are alternately strong and fierce, or stubborn and mean. The interaction is well written and believable, with snappy and sharp dialogue. The interaction with the animals is both amusing but at time fierce and deadly. Each group whether it is animal or human tries to find a niche in the changes occurring in Bear Country. Even with the actionable characteristics, there is also romance and tenderness, a longing that is as old as the earth.
The rival gangs keep the pace going, and yet there too you find pockets of good. Just when you think you have everything figured out; the story twists again, with new information and tactics.
I would recommend this book, it is full of interesting and charismatic people, and it is action packed, full of adventure and surprises. This is a book packed with fantasy and science fiction, with a bit of history thrown in. It would be a great book for anyone interested in the Science Fiction Fantasy genre, but it is also full of suspense, so should also attract the thriller or mystery buff. It would be a great addition to any book club or reading group with a rich array of conversational activity.
This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.
In an interesting twist on an alternate reality, Dale R. Cozort has brought us a rip in the continuum that occurs on different levels of time and place. It is being charted by the government and they are now getting closer to being able to plot the times and places these occur. A wide rift occurs in the area, which then relocates the portion of the earth in that rift to an alternate universe for a period. All people that are still within that area are then shifted as well. Preparing for the rift becomes a structured action, and many of the people are relocated to a safe area. In order to save the others there is a military presence brought in and a group of volunteers to help keep the area safe and secure. Sharon Mack is there, helping to prepare the area for the Exchange, as that is what the rift is called. She is selected as a volunteer, but needs to be home prior to the actual exchange so that she can pick up her daughter and relocate to a safe area until the Exchange reverses. That shift seems to average two weeks.
There are those that look forward to the exchange, planning on breaking the law and staying in the pristine wilderness known as Bear Country. In one of the first Exchanges, a group of convicts was included; they escaped and have become a part of Bear Country. On top of the wild animals and strange new species, this group of convicts also adds to the danger of being in the Bear Country side of the Exchange. There is also a group of extremists, a communal group, known as Sister West after it founder. It too plans to stay in after the exchange and is well prepared going in. As Sharon continues her work, she unintentionally catches the eye of a gang known only as the AK’s, short for Aryan Kings.
As she enters her home, she is attacked by her ex-husband, tied up and left for dead, as he kidnaps her daughter, Bethany. As she escapes she realizes that she must find her ex-husband and her daughter, she has a short window of opportunity, the two weeks of the exchange. If she cannot find her and get her back, she could lose her forever with the reversal.
It is during this mission that she first meets Leo West. He is part of the Sister West group, and ready to change his life by staying in Bear Country. The meeting and connection are electric. They are separated by a flash flood, not knowing if the other lives, but hoping to reconnect if possible.
Will she find her daughter before the exchange reversal? Will she be able to save herself? The government is now using her, and when she finds Leo again, she finds that even he has secrets, things he does not share about his past. How will the pieces come together?
Exchange is a very interesting and comprehensive look at an alternate universe. It is intense and exciting with action and adventure at every turn of the page. This is a great book and I found it to be fast paced and easy to follow.
The characters, which include several of the animal species, are well developed and interesting. The human characters are alternately strong and fierce, or stubborn and mean. The interaction is well written and believable, with snappy and sharp dialogue. The interaction with the animals is both amusing but at time fierce and deadly. Each group whether it is animal or human tries to find a niche in the changes occurring in Bear Country. Even with the actionable characteristics, there is also romance and tenderness, a longing that is as old as the earth.
The rival gangs keep the pace going, and yet there too you find pockets of good. Just when you think you have everything figured out; the story twists again, with new information and tactics.
I would recommend this book, it is full of interesting and charismatic people, and it is action packed, full of adventure and surprises. This is a book packed with fantasy and science fiction, with a bit of history thrown in. It would be a great book for anyone interested in the Science Fiction Fantasy genre, but it is also full of suspense, so should also attract the thriller or mystery buff. It would be a great addition to any book club or reading group with a rich array of conversational activity.
This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.
November 14, 2015
Exchange is a science fiction story about and world that is plagued with inter-dimensional shifts in space. Part of a planet in one universe is exchanged with the an equal part of the same planet in an alternate reality. Whatever is on the surface or in the sky when the bubble of land swaps to the other dimension goes with the land. In the world in this story, over two hundred Exchanges have occurred in the last five years. Entire towns have disappeared, only to return a week later empty of all life. Now, with three hours to prepare for an Exchange, the Marines are flown in to protect the land that is going to appear in Bear Country.
I was very excited about this book when I first started reading it. I thought that the concept of the story was really cool and I couldn't wait to see what kind of obstacles the humans in the story would face on a new planet. Albeit, the planet is still Earth, but an Earth like we have never seen before. It is an Earth that developed differently than our planet where human never evolved to become the dominant species. I was disappointed in the story that the biggest problem that the humans faced in Bear Country was not the bears, or the green monkeys, or the weather, or anything like that. It was humans . . . other humans that had come over earlier in a previous Exchange. I'm talking about the former convicts, which were mostly Aryan Kings. This is not where I had hoped that this story to go.
As for Bear Country, it is a fairly inhospitable land and I don't think I would want to go there. Even though the story didn't go it he direction where I thought it should, I was still entertained by it. I liked the pesky green monkeys and also enjoyed that a young one hung out with Sharon for the first half of the story. I was also partial to Leo West, although I wasn't sure if he was to be trusted, and wanted more interactions with him. The convicts are fairly ruthless as are the Rockport Aryan Kings. I didn't care about them at all.
The story pace is quick and filled with little surprises. At first, was disappointed that Sharon wasn't better in the sticky situations she finds herself in. After all, she is a trained black belt, but doesn't seem to have her spidey sense turned on. At the beginning of the book, she keeps getting caught with her pants down and captured. Later, when the Aryan Kings come to her house and threaten her, she finally defends herself, as you can read in the Excerpt above.
Overall, Exchange is an good story that I wished would have gone in a different direction. As I said earlier, I love the concept, but I just didn't want to read about humans fighting humans on another planet. I can read about this theme in a ton of books about life on our planet or watch on television. I was hoping for a story about the human will to survive on a foreign planet. If Dale R. Cozort writes another science fiction alternate reality book, I will definitely read it.
I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.
I was very excited about this book when I first started reading it. I thought that the concept of the story was really cool and I couldn't wait to see what kind of obstacles the humans in the story would face on a new planet. Albeit, the planet is still Earth, but an Earth like we have never seen before. It is an Earth that developed differently than our planet where human never evolved to become the dominant species. I was disappointed in the story that the biggest problem that the humans faced in Bear Country was not the bears, or the green monkeys, or the weather, or anything like that. It was humans . . . other humans that had come over earlier in a previous Exchange. I'm talking about the former convicts, which were mostly Aryan Kings. This is not where I had hoped that this story to go.
As for Bear Country, it is a fairly inhospitable land and I don't think I would want to go there. Even though the story didn't go it he direction where I thought it should, I was still entertained by it. I liked the pesky green monkeys and also enjoyed that a young one hung out with Sharon for the first half of the story. I was also partial to Leo West, although I wasn't sure if he was to be trusted, and wanted more interactions with him. The convicts are fairly ruthless as are the Rockport Aryan Kings. I didn't care about them at all.
The story pace is quick and filled with little surprises. At first, was disappointed that Sharon wasn't better in the sticky situations she finds herself in. After all, she is a trained black belt, but doesn't seem to have her spidey sense turned on. At the beginning of the book, she keeps getting caught with her pants down and captured. Later, when the Aryan Kings come to her house and threaten her, she finally defends herself, as you can read in the Excerpt above.
Overall, Exchange is an good story that I wished would have gone in a different direction. As I said earlier, I love the concept, but I just didn't want to read about humans fighting humans on another planet. I can read about this theme in a ton of books about life on our planet or watch on television. I was hoping for a story about the human will to survive on a foreign planet. If Dale R. Cozort writes another science fiction alternate reality book, I will definitely read it.
I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.
June 12, 2011
This was basically a romance. Girl meets boy, sparks fly, all kinds of obstacles get in their way, yet, finally... well, I won't spoil the ending - even though I felt it was inevitable all the way through.
The premise is that another universe is "rubbing up" against ours and little pieces get swapped between them. In the other universe, the Earth is very similar but evolution took some different turns and we are not there. So there's an empty wilderness that misfits and pioneers can escape to, if they're lucky enough to be inside a piece that gets swapped. A small US town goes over for a couple of weeks and then comes back. While it's there religious nuts and survivalists head for the hills and one of them snatches the leading lady's young daughter. For the rest of the book, she tries to get her daughter back, fighting wild animals, wild weather, said nut-jobs, and a bunch of convicts who just happened to escape to the wilds two years earlier when the same thing happened to their prison.
The writing is good - not beautiful or clever, but workmanlike and competent (which is way more than one can say about many books in print). Sadly, I couldn't believe in any of the characters and the plot was straight out of Mills and Boone. The protagonist is determined to rescue her daughter, yet seems to be easily sidetracked by all kinds of things - including falling in love at first sight. She talks tough and acts tough and is pretty damned masculine, yet seems to attract every hard-bitten desperado in the book - the ones she isn't shooting or beating up, that is. Every now and then she sits down and has a quick cry as if the author is trying to re-establish her femininity. The rest of the characters are mostly props for her adventure, except for the survivalist ex-husband who turns out to be the only interesting character in the book.
Sci-fi fans will notice that the scenario is very like the Asitti Shards Universe that Eric Flint and co-writers invented in the hugely popular 1632 series. In fact, if you've read "Time Spike" you'll know that Flint even has a prison full of convicts being swapped into another timeline too. Comparison is odious, of course, but with so many similarities, it is hard not to draw parallels and "Exchange" definitely does not shine in such company.
The premise is that another universe is "rubbing up" against ours and little pieces get swapped between them. In the other universe, the Earth is very similar but evolution took some different turns and we are not there. So there's an empty wilderness that misfits and pioneers can escape to, if they're lucky enough to be inside a piece that gets swapped. A small US town goes over for a couple of weeks and then comes back. While it's there religious nuts and survivalists head for the hills and one of them snatches the leading lady's young daughter. For the rest of the book, she tries to get her daughter back, fighting wild animals, wild weather, said nut-jobs, and a bunch of convicts who just happened to escape to the wilds two years earlier when the same thing happened to their prison.
The writing is good - not beautiful or clever, but workmanlike and competent (which is way more than one can say about many books in print). Sadly, I couldn't believe in any of the characters and the plot was straight out of Mills and Boone. The protagonist is determined to rescue her daughter, yet seems to be easily sidetracked by all kinds of things - including falling in love at first sight. She talks tough and acts tough and is pretty damned masculine, yet seems to attract every hard-bitten desperado in the book - the ones she isn't shooting or beating up, that is. Every now and then she sits down and has a quick cry as if the author is trying to re-establish her femininity. The rest of the characters are mostly props for her adventure, except for the survivalist ex-husband who turns out to be the only interesting character in the book.
Sci-fi fans will notice that the scenario is very like the Asitti Shards Universe that Eric Flint and co-writers invented in the hugely popular 1632 series. In fact, if you've read "Time Spike" you'll know that Flint even has a prison full of convicts being swapped into another timeline too. Comparison is odious, of course, but with so many similarities, it is hard not to draw parallels and "Exchange" definitely does not shine in such company.
May 15, 2011
With his novel Exchange Dale R. Cozort's presents an exciting mix of science-fiction and alternate history. At the core this is an adventure set in a world where places of Earth will occasionally be "exchanged" with parts of another world. Sharon Mack, a computer expert, is one of those who remain in what's called Bear Country until places are changed back into their respective worlds. Faced not only with a strange and dangerous world, where convicts stayed behind in a previous exchange and a cult who wants to permanently remain here, she desperately searches for her daughter who's been abducted by her ex-husband.
The fascinating premise got me hooked right away. The idea and especially the descriptions of the “exchanged” world are well written and devised and a fair amount of heroes and villains have been thrown into the mix too. Unfortunately though most characters remained rather two-dimensional and I had a hard time relating to Sharon, because some of her actions were just not believable. Especially the romance part seemed superfluous, or at least overdone in this case, as I highly doubt a mother looking for her child will fall in love with a handsome stranger that easily, or fast, for that matter. If it weren't for the, in some cases, weak characterizations, this could have been more than just an average read.
In short: An entertaining novel with twists and turns for science-fiction fans!
The fascinating premise got me hooked right away. The idea and especially the descriptions of the “exchanged” world are well written and devised and a fair amount of heroes and villains have been thrown into the mix too. Unfortunately though most characters remained rather two-dimensional and I had a hard time relating to Sharon, because some of her actions were just not believable. Especially the romance part seemed superfluous, or at least overdone in this case, as I highly doubt a mother looking for her child will fall in love with a handsome stranger that easily, or fast, for that matter. If it weren't for the, in some cases, weak characterizations, this could have been more than just an average read.
In short: An entertaining novel with twists and turns for science-fiction fans!
August 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. It was a really cool, interesting & imaginative take on an alternate reality. Wonderful job by the author--this one took some major imagination & work.
The only thing that felt wrong to me was the romance. Instant attraction, then distrust, then happily ever after. I need more communication, or passion, or something. But that's just a teensy complaint, because this book was awesome--if you like sci-fi & alternate reality, definitely pick it up.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley.
The only thing that felt wrong to me was the romance. Instant attraction, then distrust, then happily ever after. I need more communication, or passion, or something. But that's just a teensy complaint, because this book was awesome--if you like sci-fi & alternate reality, definitely pick it up.
I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley.
July 6, 2011
I really liked it. THe end was somehow lacking, I think. But I enjoyed it.
July 12, 2012
Review coming soon.
September 5, 2011
Great book, it was very confusing, but awesome! Loved it! Loved all the twists and turns!
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