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Empty Sky
Jamie's mother has vanished and his father is falling in and out of an inexplicable coma. Now he and his dog, Shem, have been tasked with saving the world's dreams. Their quest will take them from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Dartmouth College where a neurophysiologist has developed a dreaming computer named Ann. Along the way they get help from the Guardians of the Moon, creatures who carry our dreams to and from us, and some heroic people who've lost the ability to dream. But one division of the NSA and especially Earl Pangiosi knows that dreaming is powerful and important, and will use all their power to stop Jamie from succeeding. What does it mean to dream, to hope? To wake up each morning with the belief that today will be better than yesterday? And if we lose the ability to hope, to dream, to wish, to believe in better tomorrows? What happens when people don't want to dream yet can't wake up? And what if humans aren't the only ones who can dream? Jamie McPherson and his dog, Shem, discover where dreams are kept and who guards them, and why people are losing the ability to dream. Jamie is willing to help but to do so he must make what seems a boy's ultimate sacrifice, the loss of his best friend, and with it the loss of his innocence.
336 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2016
9 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Carrabis
57 books119 followersJoseph Carrabis is a master storyteller with a sharp sense of humor and linguistic expertise. Hailing from New Hampshire, USA, his passion for writing began at the tender age of seven while washing dishes with his older sister, Sandra. She’d read ‘Mission to the Heart Stars’ for a book report and shared her fascination and excitement over the story. Joseph, a plate in one hand and a dish towel in the other decided, “I want to give that to people.” With a career deeply embedded in evolving technologies, Joseph served as Chief Research Officer, Chief Neuroscience Officer, and Senior Research Fellow at several institutions and agencies while earning numerous awards for his journalism and trade technical writing.
Joseph refers to himself as boring - something loudly debunked by his readers and peers - and weaves wildly imaginative stories that dance on the boundary of the known and unknown sciences where natural, preternatural and supernatural intersect. Fans’ comments regularly mention Carrabis’ ability to bring together advanced mathematics, quantum physics, cybernetics, and neuroscience with believable multi-dimensional characters and spellbinding future technology. Joseph has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, recommended for a Nebula Award, and received an honorable mention in ‘Writers of the Future’.
Joseph refers to himself as boring - something loudly debunked by his readers and peers - and weaves wildly imaginative stories that dance on the boundary of the known and unknown sciences where natural, preternatural and supernatural intersect. Fans’ comments regularly mention Carrabis’ ability to bring together advanced mathematics, quantum physics, cybernetics, and neuroscience with believable multi-dimensional characters and spellbinding future technology. Joseph has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, recommended for a Nebula Award, and received an honorable mention in ‘Writers of the Future’.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2023
After Jamie is unable to wake his dad one night, he is drawn into a mystical mystery, and danger, unlike anything he could have ever imagined.
This was an incredibly engaging, truly unique read. The story is a mix of sci-fi and urban fantasy with strong mystery and thriller elements and even a touch of horror. It's got some very technical scientific elements too (and I learned several new terms), and wonderful philosophical questions and considerations with timely messages about despair and hope and dreams. There's some heartbreak in the story, and plenty of wonder. The descriptions that set the scenes are often full of beautiful imagery, approaching the poetic.
The story revolves around a fair number of characters, all of them developed so well that their individual tales are equally compelling. I especially enjoyed the parts told from the dog's viewpoint. I loved his words for things, such as 'the Itsforyou' and 'the Letsgoforaride' - so very well done! I was definitely rooting for the 'good guys' and didn't want to put the book down until I knew how the story would turn out.
I truly enjoyed this story and can see coming back to read it again to discover what subtleties I might have missed the first time around. It's well worth reading, and worth reading more than once.
This was an incredibly engaging, truly unique read. The story is a mix of sci-fi and urban fantasy with strong mystery and thriller elements and even a touch of horror. It's got some very technical scientific elements too (and I learned several new terms), and wonderful philosophical questions and considerations with timely messages about despair and hope and dreams. There's some heartbreak in the story, and plenty of wonder. The descriptions that set the scenes are often full of beautiful imagery, approaching the poetic.
The story revolves around a fair number of characters, all of them developed so well that their individual tales are equally compelling. I especially enjoyed the parts told from the dog's viewpoint. I loved his words for things, such as 'the Itsforyou' and 'the Letsgoforaride' - so very well done! I was definitely rooting for the 'good guys' and didn't want to put the book down until I knew how the story would turn out.
I truly enjoyed this story and can see coming back to read it again to discover what subtleties I might have missed the first time around. It's well worth reading, and worth reading more than once.
June 29, 2023
I haven’t read a novel this imaginative in quite some time. I’m trying to think of something to compare it to, and I’m drawing a blank. It has elements of Stephen King and Michael Crichton, but not so much in an emulative way as in an author-who’s-found-their-voice-and-does-their-homework-and-brings-everything-to-the-story kind of way. Superb writing. Characters that are thoroughly developed and multifaceted, each with a unique voice and a complicated life. Numerous threads all expertly woven together. Details that ground the story in reality, even as the plot line shifts effortlessly between the mundane and the surreal. I hesitate to say too much for fear of depriving readers of their own discovery. Suffice it to say that—in the context of this science fiction/fantasy/horror/drama—dreams and hope are intimately connected, we humans are not the only ones who dream, and those dreams and our connections through them (to each other and to all possible realities) are our best weapon against the despair that constantly threatens to consume us all. Highly recommend this story.
October 12, 2018
An excellent story
It's been a while since I read a fantasy story. Not truly fantasy but more of a supernatural. This book was an excellent surprise.
Here is a modern story that goes to the heart of North American legends.
I recommend it to everyone who is fascinated by the myths and legends of the North American continent. Go ahead and take part in a wonderful journey.
It's been a while since I read a fantasy story. Not truly fantasy but more of a supernatural. This book was an excellent surprise.
Here is a modern story that goes to the heart of North American legends.
I recommend it to everyone who is fascinated by the myths and legends of the North American continent. Go ahead and take part in a wonderful journey.
August 22, 2023
Empty Sky by Joseph Carrabis is a novel worth reading at least twice to ensure the reader does not miss any of the rich and quotable thoughts available in this complex and gripping story. The book sends one in "...search of the one great truth that holds all the other truths together." And we find the truth at the novel's conclusion, where we may feel spent after following the journeys of each character vividly described--characters we may love and for whom we follow with concern, and characters we do not like, but whom we must grow to know so that we realize the impact of menacing antagonists. We may seriously dislike Pangiosi and Virgil, but we love Jamie, Tom, Ellie, Shem, and the many other characters introduced by Mr. Carrabis, a master at character development. We are sad to leave them at the end of the story and want to know more about the pursuit and realizations of their dreams.
While characters develop in roughly the first third of the book, the conflict builds, and around page 109, the magic begins as the descriptions and imagery propel the reader through pages where we sometimes smile and occasionally cry.
To add to his writing techniques, the reader will be pleased to realize that Mr. Carrabis speaks dog fluently. We are charmed as Shem discusses "thefrisbee," "thecooler," "thestore," "thepark," and many more endearing one-word combinations which Shem uses in his delightful contributions to the plot's progression.
Joseph manages to create a live character from a massively parallel, multiple processing quantum logic system of circuits which actually dream, and here is another take-home quotable from the book: "To dream is to go to places that don't exist," provided by Ann, an articulated neural network who will fascinate the reader, and who will make us laugh and cry.
Empty Sky takes the reader through a lifetime where we emerge not unscathed as we live the lives of these characters, feeling their pain and joy. Readers should be sure to include this piece in their near future reading plans.
While characters develop in roughly the first third of the book, the conflict builds, and around page 109, the magic begins as the descriptions and imagery propel the reader through pages where we sometimes smile and occasionally cry.
To add to his writing techniques, the reader will be pleased to realize that Mr. Carrabis speaks dog fluently. We are charmed as Shem discusses "thefrisbee," "thecooler," "thestore," "thepark," and many more endearing one-word combinations which Shem uses in his delightful contributions to the plot's progression.
Joseph manages to create a live character from a massively parallel, multiple processing quantum logic system of circuits which actually dream, and here is another take-home quotable from the book: "To dream is to go to places that don't exist," provided by Ann, an articulated neural network who will fascinate the reader, and who will make us laugh and cry.
Empty Sky takes the reader through a lifetime where we emerge not unscathed as we live the lives of these characters, feeling their pain and joy. Readers should be sure to include this piece in their near future reading plans.
June 18, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by author Joseph Carrabis. Quite frankly, it is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. At first it was hard for me to define this novel. Is it fantasy? Perhaps mystery or thriller? Maybe even science fiction? Well, the answer is yes to all of them. There are a lot of dimensions to this story, making it a very interesting and enjoyable reading experience.
The narrative reads almost like a series of vignettes that are all masterfully stitched together as we follow Jamie and his dog on their journey through Upper Peninsula Michigan on their way to Dartmouth College where a neurophysiologist (expert in the study of the nerves and the brain) has developed a dreaming computer. I found myself having to pay attention to every word on every page, or I felt like I might miss something important. Nothing is wasted, even though at times I wasn’t sure where the author was taking me. The storytelling is topnotch however, which allowed me to suspend my disbelief and trust the author’s vision. That, to me, is the mark of a writer who knows his craft.
If you are a fan of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, or just good storytelling, this is a novel that covers all the bases. Grab a comfortable chair and a beverage and strap yourself in for a very interesting ride into the world of dreaming.
The narrative reads almost like a series of vignettes that are all masterfully stitched together as we follow Jamie and his dog on their journey through Upper Peninsula Michigan on their way to Dartmouth College where a neurophysiologist (expert in the study of the nerves and the brain) has developed a dreaming computer. I found myself having to pay attention to every word on every page, or I felt like I might miss something important. Nothing is wasted, even though at times I wasn’t sure where the author was taking me. The storytelling is topnotch however, which allowed me to suspend my disbelief and trust the author’s vision. That, to me, is the mark of a writer who knows his craft.
If you are a fan of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, or just good storytelling, this is a novel that covers all the bases. Grab a comfortable chair and a beverage and strap yourself in for a very interesting ride into the world of dreaming.
May 27, 2023
A truly engaging, unique read with beautifully drawn characters. Loved it.
Empty sky is extraordinary. Elements of fantasy, science fiction, horror and myth weave through a complex story. The characters are drawn with deep psychological insight, humour and empathy - some of the most skilful depictions I have read in a long time. I particularly liked the intelligence of Ann, the consciousness inhabiting Dr Lupicen's APS System 70v computer and her relationship with the doctor, her 'Poppie.' Jamie's dog Shem is an utter delight, with his obsession over the inadequacy of human teeth in a Challenge, his twisted sock and his 'Glorious wags.'
While the twists and turns of the story make for a story that is never dull, I did find myself having to reread sections, due to the intersection of numerous characters, plotlines and realities. It was worth the effort, though I would have liked a bit more streamlining.
There was a wonderful theme of hopefulness and strength in unity bringing the cast together against the wicked machinations of Dr Pangiosi , but I believe it's also the author's message to us all, that hope is needed in the world today and must be fostered by loyalty, courageous generosity, integrity and love.
Empty sky is extraordinary. Elements of fantasy, science fiction, horror and myth weave through a complex story. The characters are drawn with deep psychological insight, humour and empathy - some of the most skilful depictions I have read in a long time. I particularly liked the intelligence of Ann, the consciousness inhabiting Dr Lupicen's APS System 70v computer and her relationship with the doctor, her 'Poppie.' Jamie's dog Shem is an utter delight, with his obsession over the inadequacy of human teeth in a Challenge, his twisted sock and his 'Glorious wags.'
While the twists and turns of the story make for a story that is never dull, I did find myself having to reread sections, due to the intersection of numerous characters, plotlines and realities. It was worth the effort, though I would have liked a bit more streamlining.
There was a wonderful theme of hopefulness and strength in unity bringing the cast together against the wicked machinations of Dr Pangiosi , but I believe it's also the author's message to us all, that hope is needed in the world today and must be fostered by loyalty, courageous generosity, integrity and love.
April 30, 2023
Empty Sky by Joseph Carrabis doesn’t just fill a series of checkboxes on what makes a novel great but is a veritable gold mine in character development, rich plot, and never-ending strings of ‘well, I never saw that coming.” A masterfully built world where sci-fi and fantasy fans can feel right at home with an engaging marriage of folklore and computer science. Yet, at its core, making up the immovable bedrock of an already solid foundation is a thought-provoking villain. Faint-hearted readers beware. A nightmare dwells within these pages and its presence is felt from beginning to end. Whether you are into thrillers, mysteries, or haunting tales, you’ll find a little of all three here and the details hidden within the narrative are just icing on the cake. Empty Sky ages like a fine wine and must be re-read to fully appreciate the flavor.
April 20, 2023
This is a very interesting though a bit confusing (for me) story that combines elements of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and drama.
After his mother's mysterious disappearance, Jamie and his dog Shem can't wake his father one night. What happens after, is a strange parade of experiences from different people having dreams as well as from Shem, Jamie's dog. Through it all, are strange shadow creatures, the Icelin, that affect dreams. What is their purpose?
It should be noted that there are adult situations and there is considerable foul language in the novel, including the f word used in several places.
After his mother's mysterious disappearance, Jamie and his dog Shem can't wake his father one night. What happens after, is a strange parade of experiences from different people having dreams as well as from Shem, Jamie's dog. Through it all, are strange shadow creatures, the Icelin, that affect dreams. What is their purpose?
It should be noted that there are adult situations and there is considerable foul language in the novel, including the f word used in several places.
April 9, 2022
Let go of expectations because this book is trippy and multi-dimensional. The plot works well as a murder mystery or a detective story, or a fantasy/mythology/SF fusion. As well as insightful psychology, it entangles computer science, AI, and quantum physics. So, it has no boundaries but does have lots of suspense, a truly psychopathic villain, and what I felt was a satisfying conclusion. Carrabis books are not for the faint of heart or lazy readers.
July 17, 2023
An incredible science fiction/fantasy story! Mr. Carrabis’ writing is detailed and thorough, especially when describing technical ideas such as the creation of Ann or the validity of dreams. I liked the dialogue the best. It gave the reader a real sense of the characters’ personalities, whether it was the evil Earl Pangiosi or Ann’s creator, big-hearted Dr. Lupicen. I enjoyed EMPTY SKY also because of the emphasis it put on hope, an important part of everyone’s outlook on life.
April 8, 2020
WHAT IF ... dreams make indeed the world go round, I mean, why do humans and other creatures have to sleep...just asking...
If you like inspiring, fantastic, elaborate stories, this is your novel. Rich in detail, beautifully written, whether it is from the point of view of a dog or the moon, the reader can identify with all of them.
A real mind movie treat.
If you like inspiring, fantastic, elaborate stories, this is your novel. Rich in detail, beautifully written, whether it is from the point of view of a dog or the moon, the reader can identify with all of them.
A real mind movie treat.
March 13, 2020
A good read. It’s a blend of supernatural and Native American influence. Not your normal SiFi or Fantasy and was a very refreshing read. The characters are well developed, and a few somewhat surprising twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews