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Atopia #3
The Utopia Chronicles
Robert Baxter once reveled in the intoxicating delights of Atopia—the man-made island where humans lose themselves in a world of boundless virtual realities. Now, Bob has returned to immerse himself in this mind-altering, consciousness-sharing refuge from the eroding Earth.
But something is very wrong. Bob feels a tidal wave of doom cresting above the pleasure dome that is Atopia. As alternate universes perish, the salvation of all he loves—and all that exists—rests with Bob alone. To save the future, he must journey to the farthest edge of the past, where existence itself began and Atopia’s deepest secrets may lie. Yet even the knowledge Bob ultimately gains may not be a match for an enemy as powerful as a god, and as all-consuming as death . . .
But something is very wrong. Bob feels a tidal wave of doom cresting above the pleasure dome that is Atopia. As alternate universes perish, the salvation of all he loves—and all that exists—rests with Bob alone. To save the future, he must journey to the farthest edge of the past, where existence itself began and Atopia’s deepest secrets may lie. Yet even the knowledge Bob ultimately gains may not be a match for an enemy as powerful as a god, and as all-consuming as death . . .
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2017
407 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Mather
45 books1,821 followersMatthew is the million-copy bestselling author of CyberStorm and Darknet, and the hit series Nomad and Atopia Chronicles. He started out his career working at the McGill Center for Intelligent Machines, going on to become one of the world's leading members of the cybersecurity community. In between he's worked in a variety of start-ups,everything from computational nanotechnology to electronic health records to weather prediction systems. He spends his time between Montreal and Charlotte, NC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 30, 2017
Very disappointing
The first book in the series was amazing! The author should have stopped there. Each book since had got worse.
This book was 200 pages of navel gazing.
The first book in the series was amazing! The author should have stopped there. Each book since had got worse.
This book was 200 pages of navel gazing.
December 4, 2017
I managed to get through this, because I hate to not finish a series. Wished I had not even started it! Loved all his other books that I’ve read, but this was just a rambling series of chapters....My opinion only....
March 14, 2018
If I could give my past self advice, I would say read the second book in the series... only. It's the only one really worth the time in my opinion. The first part of this book starts as an executive summary of the first book... uh, skip please! The rest of the book is a replay of the second book from the main character's point of view (Bob). Aside from that, this book is really about the author struggling to come to terms with the meaning of reality... where do we come from? why is there anything instead of nothing? And simultaneously his rejection of religion.
In the end (spoiler alert)... the main character has sit down meeting with himself and learns the ultimate lesson. You have to love yourself. BLAH! Done.
In the end (spoiler alert)... the main character has sit down meeting with himself and learns the ultimate lesson. You have to love yourself. BLAH! Done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2017
I just couldn't get into this book. I had trouble with the endless science discussions and low level of actual story. It was like reading a science theory book instead of the story I was looking to enjoy.
May 16, 2017
I should never had read this. The smart choice, for me, would have been to say thank you and goodbye to Atopia after book two. Sadly, I didn't.
November 27, 2017
meh
I think he got lost in his idea of what this story could be, the multiple universes and ending just left me feeling like I had wasted my time.
I think he got lost in his idea of what this story could be, the multiple universes and ending just left me feeling like I had wasted my time.
December 7, 2025
2.5 stars. This series would have been better condensed into two books. While I found the writing of this book the best of the 3 I felt I was being hit overhead with the path of self-discovery while in a world of super technologically where time is irrelevant.
May 10, 2018
I was optimistic after reading the Dystopia Chronicles that Matthew Mather was going to be able to wrap up the series in some kind of cohesive, understandable format. I ended this book very much with a feeling of "what did I just read" and spent a lot of time while I was reading it feeling lost, whipped around, and generally like things were being dropped out of nowhere.
**Spoilers**
The book starts with introducing "The Engineer," who is an alien entity working on a "Project." We have no true idea what this is or where it came from. Then it segues back to Bob, in a new reality. This book very much takes inter-dimensional, parallel universe time travel to the limits - but not really in a good way. You watch Bob try to fight the destroyer and destroy planets himself as he's trying to get information and limit where the destroyer has access to. To me, this is a classic example of let's use time travel to fix things, and provide lots of confusing, vague explanations so people will go along with it.
It occasionally drops back to check on what the Engineer is doing, but again - no real idea why she's being included. I guess the only good thing is that you can see the plot twist of the priest being an older Bob at the end coming by the time you're halfway done with the book.
Overall, I think the best book out of this series was The Dystopia Chronicles. It's very unlikely that I will read another book by Matthew Mather - I guess I just don't click with his writing style.
**Spoilers**
The book starts with introducing "The Engineer," who is an alien entity working on a "Project." We have no true idea what this is or where it came from. Then it segues back to Bob, in a new reality. This book very much takes inter-dimensional, parallel universe time travel to the limits - but not really in a good way. You watch Bob try to fight the destroyer and destroy planets himself as he's trying to get information and limit where the destroyer has access to. To me, this is a classic example of let's use time travel to fix things, and provide lots of confusing, vague explanations so people will go along with it.
It occasionally drops back to check on what the Engineer is doing, but again - no real idea why she's being included. I guess the only good thing is that you can see the plot twist of the priest being an older Bob at the end coming by the time you're halfway done with the book.
Overall, I think the best book out of this series was The Dystopia Chronicles. It's very unlikely that I will read another book by Matthew Mather - I guess I just don't click with his writing style.
May 30, 2018
The Utopia Chronicles (Atopia, #3) by Matthew Mather
Each book in this series has been incredible! And this conclusion does a great job too! The first book was a fast paced look at at a possible, near future based upon high technology and artificial realities. The second book takes that as a base, then further develops the characters, and various themes, by mixing in some varied metaphysics and such. This last book takes us into a very logical conclusion.
The characters are quite well developed by now, but still capable of surprising us, and themselves, along the way. As fast paced as the book is, it is also very well crafted. The issues and questions that Bob is dealing with really are the ultimate questions of one's entire existence. But Bob's existence is set upon a rather more grand scope than mine or your's.
So yes, you need ot read this book to see which set of dimensional umultiverses the story goes thru...
Each book in this series has been incredible! And this conclusion does a great job too! The first book was a fast paced look at at a possible, near future based upon high technology and artificial realities. The second book takes that as a base, then further develops the characters, and various themes, by mixing in some varied metaphysics and such. This last book takes us into a very logical conclusion.
The characters are quite well developed by now, but still capable of surprising us, and themselves, along the way. As fast paced as the book is, it is also very well crafted. The issues and questions that Bob is dealing with really are the ultimate questions of one's entire existence. But Bob's existence is set upon a rather more grand scope than mine or your's.
So yes, you need ot read this book to see which set of dimensional umultiverses the story goes thru...
April 30, 2020
So, I am going to review this as a series (such as I generally do)
Atopia starts out a little disconnected, but then pulls you into a well planned scifi future. A few stay threads stayed loose, but it was overall enjoyable and was clearly meant to be followed by the sequel.
Dystopia continues the story, wrapping up a few of the loose ends from book one, but mysteriously starts trying to hint that a technological driven book might actually be secret aliens. There is where it falls apart.
Utopia is a completely unnecessary and overly complicated third installment. It drags out the story from one and two by trying to make is possibly aliens (a plot thread that makes no sense and is poorly explored), possibly religious, (but not a specific one), and possibly existential. It loops around like Groundhog day without any connection or payoff. It is possible the trilogy used the same storyboarding technique as the TV show Lost.
Atopia starts out a little disconnected, but then pulls you into a well planned scifi future. A few stay threads stayed loose, but it was overall enjoyable and was clearly meant to be followed by the sequel.
Dystopia continues the story, wrapping up a few of the loose ends from book one, but mysteriously starts trying to hint that a technological driven book might actually be secret aliens. There is where it falls apart.
Utopia is a completely unnecessary and overly complicated third installment. It drags out the story from one and two by trying to make is possibly aliens (a plot thread that makes no sense and is poorly explored), possibly religious, (but not a specific one), and possibly existential. It loops around like Groundhog day without any connection or payoff. It is possible the trilogy used the same storyboarding technique as the TV show Lost.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2017
While I particularly liked the ideas discussed in the first book, and the second book took them in interesting directions...at a point this ending to the series seemed to leave it in a "Well then, who cares" kind of place. Even the big reveal at the end was entirely predictable from the outset. I mostly think the scale went way too big with this novel, and when you start trying to analyze 'existence' then you end up in a college philosophy class. Not the worst, but I was hoping for a bit more of a concrete conclusion rather than one that makes the whole series literally pointless.
June 29, 2018
Should Have Stopped with Dystopia Chronicles
Th e first 2 books were excellent and entertaining stories, and this book started out that way. However, it rapidly descended into a rambling muddle that seemed more like the recounting of one man's painful struggle to find and accept God as an intrinsic part of Life. Perhaps that is what Mather intended, but I was quite disappointed. However, it reached the point that I had to force myself to finish the book. The one bright spot is the fact that this book was much better edited.
Th e first 2 books were excellent and entertaining stories, and this book started out that way. However, it rapidly descended into a rambling muddle that seemed more like the recounting of one man's painful struggle to find and accept God as an intrinsic part of Life. Perhaps that is what Mather intended, but I was quite disappointed. However, it reached the point that I had to force myself to finish the book. The one bright spot is the fact that this book was much better edited.
July 20, 2017
Ground Hog Day on a galactic scale
This was a nice conclusion to quite an epic trilogy. It is hard science fiction and contains themes that touch at the very meaning and existence of time and space, of human kind and the nature of reality. The concepts can boggle the mind and my mind was indeed boggled, but never bored. A great story and a great series.
This was a nice conclusion to quite an epic trilogy. It is hard science fiction and contains themes that touch at the very meaning and existence of time and space, of human kind and the nature of reality. The concepts can boggle the mind and my mind was indeed boggled, but never bored. A great story and a great series.
October 27, 2017
Similar in feel and scope to the first two. I had thought they ran out of plot with the end of the universe and was worried of a hinky save to allow for another sequel, but it turned out to be a reasonable and interesting basis for the continued narrative with new mindbender concepts and ideas thrown in.
January 3, 2018
Mind bending philosophical sci-fi
A great end to a great series full of emotionally deep and compl x characters that invokes the best traditions of far future and cyberpunk. Well worth the read
A great end to a great series full of emotionally deep and compl x characters that invokes the best traditions of far future and cyberpunk. Well worth the read
May 5, 2017
This will blow your mind
Loved loved loved this book and the whole series. This IS the future of our future I believe. Matthew Mather is the man!
Loved loved loved this book and the whole series. This IS the future of our future I believe. Matthew Mather is the man!
May 4, 2018
Not very impressed, but felt like I had to complete the series.
May 17, 2018
Mr. Mather
To be honest I didn’t known if i was going to like the ending but it was awesome!! I really enjoyed this series! Nice work
To be honest I didn’t known if i was going to like the ending but it was awesome!! I really enjoyed this series! Nice work
July 7, 2018
Mind blown
Loved tha series. It’s witty. Creative. Backed by science and continues to keep the reader entertained. One of the best series I have read in a long time.
Loved tha series. It’s witty. Creative. Backed by science and continues to keep the reader entertained. One of the best series I have read in a long time.
July 9, 2018
The entire series is a fascinating look at what happens when we digitally expand our perceptions and experiences beyond the human lifeform.
July 29, 2018
Fantastic
You will figure out things about the main character if you haven't already, but it is still worth the read to follow his journey of discovery.
You will figure out things about the main character if you haven't already, but it is still worth the read to follow his journey of discovery.
June 25, 2017
I was looking forward to reading the final book in this series, but in the end I was quiet disappointed.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, with its emphasis on technological ideas and the various ways they could be implemented and some of the ways they might affect those using them. The second book in this series seemed to take a turn in a significantly direction, but I still enjoyed where it picked up from the first book. This third book is an entirely different game altogether (which is sometimes very enjoyable and refreshing, but in this case it wasn't executed well). It starts off seeming to have some relation to the first two books and even picks up the plot from a point within the first book. However, it quickly transforms into a very different book and focus altogether.
Essentially the plot had very few concrete elements whatsoever and instead was several hundred pages of the author trying to implement and explain some very abstract concepts. It could have been a good thing but ultimately there were so few concrete anchors and so many of the abstract elements developed so quickly that there was really nothing to hold me (the reader) in place. You go through one chapter after the next that depicts disjointed (and non-linear) singular scenes that should be a way for the main character to essentially discover himself (and in that sense it shares a few similarities with coming-of-age novels). However, there's just nothing to keep your interest and I was often just looking forward to the book being over. The ending was also very anti-climactic, could more or less be guessed from a long ways away, and really didn't enrich the book at all.
So, I applaud the author for having the courage to take the book in a very different direction than the previous ones and for attempting some newer narrative techniques and trying to put such abstract concepts into writing. However, I wish he'd invested more time into making sure it had a worthy plot or was otherwise more engaging. So, the attempt was made and I appreciate that, but it certainly seemed like a failure.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, with its emphasis on technological ideas and the various ways they could be implemented and some of the ways they might affect those using them. The second book in this series seemed to take a turn in a significantly direction, but I still enjoyed where it picked up from the first book. This third book is an entirely different game altogether (which is sometimes very enjoyable and refreshing, but in this case it wasn't executed well). It starts off seeming to have some relation to the first two books and even picks up the plot from a point within the first book. However, it quickly transforms into a very different book and focus altogether.
Essentially the plot had very few concrete elements whatsoever and instead was several hundred pages of the author trying to implement and explain some very abstract concepts. It could have been a good thing but ultimately there were so few concrete anchors and so many of the abstract elements developed so quickly that there was really nothing to hold me (the reader) in place. You go through one chapter after the next that depicts disjointed (and non-linear) singular scenes that should be a way for the main character to essentially discover himself (and in that sense it shares a few similarities with coming-of-age novels). However, there's just nothing to keep your interest and I was often just looking forward to the book being over. The ending was also very anti-climactic, could more or less be guessed from a long ways away, and really didn't enrich the book at all.
So, I applaud the author for having the courage to take the book in a very different direction than the previous ones and for attempting some newer narrative techniques and trying to put such abstract concepts into writing. However, I wish he'd invested more time into making sure it had a worthy plot or was otherwise more engaging. So, the attempt was made and I appreciate that, but it certainly seemed like a failure.
August 12, 2019
Three books into a three-book series, and I only have one question:
What. Happened?
The first book was thought-provoking and told stories that actually made the reader think about human nature and ethics; this one was nothing but a bunch of endless navel gazing about the nature of reality. The first book was full of irony and plot turns that mostly managed to surprise but still always made perfect sense in hindsight; this one ended on a "twist" that I saw coming a mile away... in the previous book, as a matter of fact. The first book told a series of unique, different stories that could all stand alone on their own merits; this one just kept rehashing the same story over and over and over again with minor variations.
And for what? After all was said and done, what exactly did we get out of this? For the stoner surfer who's never done a single worthwhile thing in his whole life, who then goes on to become some sort of omniscient Jesus figure, , and at the end the central message is that Sorry, but I'm not buying it.
This book is a mess. At a guess, it seemed like the author wanted to continue capitalizing on the success of the first book, but then didn't have the first clue what to actually do with it. The first book was good. The second wasn't great but it at least had a plot. This? I don't even know how to classify this, because it doesn't seem to be anything other than pointless.
What. Happened?
The first book was thought-provoking and told stories that actually made the reader think about human nature and ethics; this one was nothing but a bunch of endless navel gazing about the nature of reality. The first book was full of irony and plot turns that mostly managed to surprise but still always made perfect sense in hindsight; this one ended on a "twist" that I saw coming a mile away... in the previous book, as a matter of fact. The first book told a series of unique, different stories that could all stand alone on their own merits; this one just kept rehashing the same story over and over and over again with minor variations.
And for what? After all was said and done, what exactly did we get out of this? For the stoner surfer who's never done a single worthwhile thing in his whole life, who then goes on to become some sort of omniscient Jesus figure, , and at the end the central message is that Sorry, but I'm not buying it.
This book is a mess. At a guess, it seemed like the author wanted to continue capitalizing on the success of the first book, but then didn't have the first clue what to actually do with it. The first book was good. The second wasn't great but it at least had a plot. This? I don't even know how to classify this, because it doesn't seem to be anything other than pointless.
May 13, 2017
Take me, Mather!
Let me give my neurologically damaged body and undamaged brain to those who need it for ... practice! I'd like to donate my living body to those who share the deep belief for the need of post-singularity guides. Pssi-moms! Fill me with smarticles, teach me, and allow me to Know, to help! We are not far from the singularity culmination, its underway now. It's been underway for far longer than many suspect. I only hope I can sustain this dying package of meat, this fragile flesh, so that my mind will be available! Afterwards, no body, one body or a million, it won't matter! I've read and dreamed of this since 1969, since I was 13. I believed long before chalk was put to bored about the Event. And now, it is here, Too few are prepared for the initial chaos.
This book, part creative novel and part text book, is not an easy read. This isn't for speed-reading. Its far more than something to read while catching a tan! It gave me hope. Even though weeding the garden of eden is hard and at hand, even begun in unknown locations, the global changeover still must be done ... if our species, millions of others and Earth are to survive.
Take me to the leaders, Mather's! 🙏🙋🙏 You invested, now I want to also. I wonder if he even reads these reviews? LOL!
Let me give my neurologically damaged body and undamaged brain to those who need it for ... practice! I'd like to donate my living body to those who share the deep belief for the need of post-singularity guides. Pssi-moms! Fill me with smarticles, teach me, and allow me to Know, to help! We are not far from the singularity culmination, its underway now. It's been underway for far longer than many suspect. I only hope I can sustain this dying package of meat, this fragile flesh, so that my mind will be available! Afterwards, no body, one body or a million, it won't matter! I've read and dreamed of this since 1969, since I was 13. I believed long before chalk was put to bored about the Event. And now, it is here, Too few are prepared for the initial chaos.
This book, part creative novel and part text book, is not an easy read. This isn't for speed-reading. Its far more than something to read while catching a tan! It gave me hope. Even though weeding the garden of eden is hard and at hand, even begun in unknown locations, the global changeover still must be done ... if our species, millions of others and Earth are to survive.
Take me to the leaders, Mather's! 🙏🙋🙏 You invested, now I want to also. I wonder if he even reads these reviews? LOL!
June 29, 2018
Well this trilogy went from scifi to philosophy like a ton of bricks falling from the top of Atopia.
I really liked the first book when I read it when it came out. I read the 2nd book soon after it came out but that one got a little trippy and I didn't enjoy it as much. This one I enjoyed even less but kept reading it to the end hoping for a really cool ending that the author surely had planned from the start.
The entire book was sort of the ending. The ending of the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all.
Throughout the book the philosophy was way over my head. I can wrap my head around any science fiction but hard core philosophy is tough.
I liked Cyberstorm enough that most if not all of it are still stuck in my head 5 years later. Same with Atopia Chronicles. I found that when I opened up this book I realized I didn't remember a damn thing about Dystopia Chronicles and had to go back and read the ending again but that barely helped. I knew right then that I was going to have trouble with this book. Eventually I remembered most everything about it as it was recapped in this book along the way, at least.
Because I liked Cyberstorm and Atopia Chronicles so much I will keep on reading Mather's books. Eventually I'll probably read Darknet and the New Earth series.
I really liked the first book when I read it when it came out. I read the 2nd book soon after it came out but that one got a little trippy and I didn't enjoy it as much. This one I enjoyed even less but kept reading it to the end hoping for a really cool ending that the author surely had planned from the start.
The entire book was sort of the ending. The ending of the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all.
Throughout the book the philosophy was way over my head. I can wrap my head around any science fiction but hard core philosophy is tough.
I liked Cyberstorm enough that most if not all of it are still stuck in my head 5 years later. Same with Atopia Chronicles. I found that when I opened up this book I realized I didn't remember a damn thing about Dystopia Chronicles and had to go back and read the ending again but that barely helped. I knew right then that I was going to have trouble with this book. Eventually I remembered most everything about it as it was recapped in this book along the way, at least.
Because I liked Cyberstorm and Atopia Chronicles so much I will keep on reading Mather's books. Eventually I'll probably read Darknet and the New Earth series.
June 21, 2018
3.5 Stars. Audible Version. I think all 3 books could have been combined into 1 really good book. The book covers Objective reality, meaning of life and other philosophical topics. There is a lot of science and thought provoking questions that I enjoyed. The beginning of the book goes over what happened in the first 2 books quite well. You would probably be able to read this one as a standalone. Once again though, the story felt hard to keep track of and follow sometimes. It became hard to tell when he traveled to different universes and what time period it was. I am glad religion didn't take a big part of the story and just became part of the questions that are asked throughout the book. I really enjoyed the science behind these books, but wish they were better written. Narration was great. It would have been nice if Luke Daniels read the other books as well. Nick's narration was good in the 2nd book though.
June 22, 2017
Ok, so I started this book before I read the others in the series. The author does a great job of summarizing the previous books at the beginning of this one. I would however recommend reading them in order because it took me awhile to keep all the names straight and I had to flip back to the beginning a couple of times to clarify some things. It is not impossible though! I just think you should save yourself some trouble because life is complicated enough.
This was a very interesting book because I think this could be a possible future or a similar version of what our world could come to with developing virtual reality. It made this book all the more gripping because of the possibility.
I loved the mystery and action scenes this book has. The plot line went into a completely different direction than I was anticipating and kept me interested with lots of action.
This was a very interesting book because I think this could be a possible future or a similar version of what our world could come to with developing virtual reality. It made this book all the more gripping because of the possibility.
I loved the mystery and action scenes this book has. The plot line went into a completely different direction than I was anticipating and kept me interested with lots of action.
April 7, 2022
Alice? Alice doesn’t live here anymore.
Oh my, such a dilemma. Yes, very much a dilemma. How to entice you to read this book without resorting to spoilers. Most people don’t like spoilers. Thus, the dilemma. OK, let me try. Well, you see, there’s Bob and, well…..no, that would be a spoiler. OK, so Martin…uh no, that would be a spoiler. You see my dilemma? OK, so let’s try this. Get the first book. Read it. Get the second book. Read it. Get this book (the third one, in case you have lost count). Read it. All will be revealed to you without resorting to spoilers. Most of all, enjoy.
Oh my, such a dilemma. Yes, very much a dilemma. How to entice you to read this book without resorting to spoilers. Most people don’t like spoilers. Thus, the dilemma. OK, let me try. Well, you see, there’s Bob and, well…..no, that would be a spoiler. OK, so Martin…uh no, that would be a spoiler. You see my dilemma? OK, so let’s try this. Get the first book. Read it. Get the second book. Read it. Get this book (the third one, in case you have lost count). Read it. All will be revealed to you without resorting to spoilers. Most of all, enjoy.
October 14, 2017
I don't necessarily agree with the people slagging the third book. It IS an evolution from the two before it, and it does go "non linear", but I enjoyed the variation while keeping the story moving forward. Im my assessment the first book was about introducing characters and content, building the universe, the second book was about giving the characters an epic challenge and the third book explodes out into the world stage while at the same time dives deep into the interior character constructs. Not a perfectly even series, but who wants that anyway?
March 30, 2021
The story fell apart in book 3
The first book was very interesting and thought provoking. The second book went in a different direction but was still good. The characters are interesting but most become irrelevant to the story in book 3 which was disappointing. The story line moves from sci-fi to philosophy and the nature of reality. The conclusion was anticlimactic and left me with several questions unanswered.
The first book was very interesting and thought provoking. The second book went in a different direction but was still good. The characters are interesting but most become irrelevant to the story in book 3 which was disappointing. The story line moves from sci-fi to philosophy and the nature of reality. The conclusion was anticlimactic and left me with several questions unanswered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews