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The Beyond Experience
Dr. Lewis had always found a way to hide his deepest secrets: the abuse as a child, the loss of his fiancé, the reasons why he rejected the lucrative offer from Harvard. But, when Kyle, his lab assistant, convinces him to push the limits of the drugs he'd spent a decade perfecting, his lies begin to unravel.
Kyle's emotional events during treatment forced him to believe it was an event on another plane of life, a spiritual experience at its highest echelon. Thousands of people all over the world were experiencing similar events to Kyle's, claiming they'd been to heaven. However, Dr. Lewis disagreed, and spent countless hours searching for a neural pathway within the brain itself as the source of the augmented reality.
More secrets, lies, and love drive the two close friends apart, beginning a cascade of events that point Dr. Lewis toward entering The Beyond Experience himself. He fought the treatment for nearly two decades, convinced his terrifying past would confront him. What he experiences becomes far more world shattering than he'd ever imagined possible, but will finally give him the answer to why his fiancé, Lily, had spoken her haunting final words: "forgive me."
Kyle's emotional events during treatment forced him to believe it was an event on another plane of life, a spiritual experience at its highest echelon. Thousands of people all over the world were experiencing similar events to Kyle's, claiming they'd been to heaven. However, Dr. Lewis disagreed, and spent countless hours searching for a neural pathway within the brain itself as the source of the augmented reality.
More secrets, lies, and love drive the two close friends apart, beginning a cascade of events that point Dr. Lewis toward entering The Beyond Experience himself. He fought the treatment for nearly two decades, convinced his terrifying past would confront him. What he experiences becomes far more world shattering than he'd ever imagined possible, but will finally give him the answer to why his fiancé, Lily, had spoken her haunting final words: "forgive me."
- GenresFictionScience Fiction
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 2, 2017
*received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
**UPDATE** 7/2/17 I think initially I should have rated this book 5 stars. I went camping this weekend and I was urging my friend (who is also a self published writer) to buy this book and I went on and on and on about how much I loved it. Sometimes you only discover how much you truly enjoyed something well after the fact. I recommend this book wholeheartedly and enthusiastically.**
I think author Mike Reid created a new genre hybrid: the Spiritual Sci-Fi! The Beyond Experience is a unique and original read. I could tell right away that the author spent a copious amount of time on research and development for this story. So in that regard, I felt like I was in capable hands. The pacing of the story moved forward at a well crafted pace (which must be Mike's wheelhouse because his debut novel, Debt of Fear, shared this trait.).
I found the spiritual aspects on dying and the afterlife very engaging and interesting. I've never read anything like it and I enjoyed learning as I went along on this journey.
I think Mike invested a lot of himself into this story. It felt personal--emotional--vulnerable. There were moments in this book where I felt like there were stories within the story--something that Mike was trying to teach us and urge us to believe was possible and for that, I applaud him. I loved this story and everything it is--especially the relationship aspect of it and the personal experience of love & loss. I think everyone should read this one.
**UPDATE** 7/2/17 I think initially I should have rated this book 5 stars. I went camping this weekend and I was urging my friend (who is also a self published writer) to buy this book and I went on and on and on about how much I loved it. Sometimes you only discover how much you truly enjoyed something well after the fact. I recommend this book wholeheartedly and enthusiastically.**
I think author Mike Reid created a new genre hybrid: the Spiritual Sci-Fi! The Beyond Experience is a unique and original read. I could tell right away that the author spent a copious amount of time on research and development for this story. So in that regard, I felt like I was in capable hands. The pacing of the story moved forward at a well crafted pace (which must be Mike's wheelhouse because his debut novel, Debt of Fear, shared this trait.).
I found the spiritual aspects on dying and the afterlife very engaging and interesting. I've never read anything like it and I enjoyed learning as I went along on this journey.
I think Mike invested a lot of himself into this story. It felt personal--emotional--vulnerable. There were moments in this book where I felt like there were stories within the story--something that Mike was trying to teach us and urge us to believe was possible and for that, I applaud him. I loved this story and everything it is--especially the relationship aspect of it and the personal experience of love & loss. I think everyone should read this one.
September 1, 2017
"Mostly I think of the things he won't be here for."
Dr Ethan Lewis is a scientific researcher developing a treatment for anxiety and depression wherein patients are "put under" using a cocktail of drugs and plant extracts, finding their symptoms alleviated upon awakening again. Alongside his lab partner, Kyle, they further explore the possibilities of this treatment, finding that it can be used to allow patients to experience a higher spiritual plane, almost as if they are in Heaven. Their friendship and working relationship is put to the test as they disagree over how best to progress with such a phenomenon, as Dr Lewis is both an atheist and a scientist, therefore he is searching for a logical, biological explanation for these experiences. Things quickly start to unravel as Dr Lewis' dark past is brought to the fore.
This book felt like it was written for me - Mike even likes to placate me by saying he wrote it with me in mind ;) People often question how I can be a scientist having grown up in a religious household - for a lot of people the two cannot co-exist. I'm not going to explain my beliefs or thoughts in this blog post as frankly it's not anyone's business what I believe, but I really enjoyed how Reid was able to create a book that transcended genres by having it be both scientific and yet also spiritual. Another personal aspect for myself is that "The Beyond Experience" allows people to communicate with loved ones who had previously passed on - my dad passed away when I was 10 therefore the idea of such being able to have such an experience hits home. I can fully appreciate the conflicts and intense desires that these characters go through when presented with the possibility of conversing with loved ones. All these personal interests led me to race through this book within 5 days, which is particularly speedy for me and really signifies how much I enjoyed this book.
I strongly feel like I need to commend the research Reid put into this book. As someone who has worked in scientific research for almost 4 years, the way he depicts academic life is spot on. It must have been difficult for him to present this side of the story in a way that is both accurate, whilst remaining understandable for those who perhaps don't have a scientific background - he really pulls it off. Reid also presents an impressive cast of characters within this book, they are all flawed and real in their own ways and greatly developed. You will cheer with them during the good times and commiserate with them during their bad times. The pacing of the story is perfect, I never felt bored at any point and constantly felt the need to pick the book up during any free time that I had!
Lastly, do not let the mention of the word "heaven" or "spiritual" put you off this book. It is not really about that - it's about so much more. How far we will go to get the closure we need from those who have passed on before us - it's about science and friendship and love. I felt EMOTIONS and I felt like this book really touched me. I really enjoyed it, it was such a unique reading experience, unlike anything I'd read before. 5 stars out of 5 from me!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a signed copy of this book (and for Vince and Jessica for getting it to me!).
Dr Ethan Lewis is a scientific researcher developing a treatment for anxiety and depression wherein patients are "put under" using a cocktail of drugs and plant extracts, finding their symptoms alleviated upon awakening again. Alongside his lab partner, Kyle, they further explore the possibilities of this treatment, finding that it can be used to allow patients to experience a higher spiritual plane, almost as if they are in Heaven. Their friendship and working relationship is put to the test as they disagree over how best to progress with such a phenomenon, as Dr Lewis is both an atheist and a scientist, therefore he is searching for a logical, biological explanation for these experiences. Things quickly start to unravel as Dr Lewis' dark past is brought to the fore.
This book felt like it was written for me - Mike even likes to placate me by saying he wrote it with me in mind ;) People often question how I can be a scientist having grown up in a religious household - for a lot of people the two cannot co-exist. I'm not going to explain my beliefs or thoughts in this blog post as frankly it's not anyone's business what I believe, but I really enjoyed how Reid was able to create a book that transcended genres by having it be both scientific and yet also spiritual. Another personal aspect for myself is that "The Beyond Experience" allows people to communicate with loved ones who had previously passed on - my dad passed away when I was 10 therefore the idea of such being able to have such an experience hits home. I can fully appreciate the conflicts and intense desires that these characters go through when presented with the possibility of conversing with loved ones. All these personal interests led me to race through this book within 5 days, which is particularly speedy for me and really signifies how much I enjoyed this book.
I strongly feel like I need to commend the research Reid put into this book. As someone who has worked in scientific research for almost 4 years, the way he depicts academic life is spot on. It must have been difficult for him to present this side of the story in a way that is both accurate, whilst remaining understandable for those who perhaps don't have a scientific background - he really pulls it off. Reid also presents an impressive cast of characters within this book, they are all flawed and real in their own ways and greatly developed. You will cheer with them during the good times and commiserate with them during their bad times. The pacing of the story is perfect, I never felt bored at any point and constantly felt the need to pick the book up during any free time that I had!
Lastly, do not let the mention of the word "heaven" or "spiritual" put you off this book. It is not really about that - it's about so much more. How far we will go to get the closure we need from those who have passed on before us - it's about science and friendship and love. I felt EMOTIONS and I felt like this book really touched me. I really enjoyed it, it was such a unique reading experience, unlike anything I'd read before. 5 stars out of 5 from me!
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a signed copy of this book (and for Vince and Jessica for getting it to me!).
August 27, 2017
So I'm sure most of you who follow me know by now how savage I can be with my reviews. I like to try to review a book as soon as I can after finishing it, because I like to incorporate my immediate reactions and emotions. I've said this numerous times, but my opinions often change. Not with the books that I really loved at first, but rather the ones that I tore apart. Often I will realize that I actually quite liked a book that I initially didn't rate very highly, and my friends are always calling me out on it because even though I change my mind, I almost never change my reviews. I almost always forget my star ratings, and then I end up recommending a book that doesn't have a very high rating from me. You can imagine how confusing this is for my friends. lol
Recently I've become very active in the bookstagram community on Instagram. Bookstagram is fantastic, because I've not only made some lifelong book lover friends, but I've also had the chance to interact with authors. This is a totally new experience for me. I've found authors on Instagram that I never would have discovered on my own, and it's amazing. I've become friends with a few self-published authors as well, and recently I decided to finally read Michael Reid Jr's The Beyond Experience. It's so unusual to interact with authors and get to know them before actually reading their books, so I was both excited and apprehensive to pick this one up. I knew that I would have to be completely honest with my review, but I like Michael, and I was worried about having to tear apart something that means so much to someone I personally know.
That's why three chapters into the book I was already immensely relieved. Michael can write, and he had me hooked with this book from the beginning. He didn't know it, but getting me to enjoy this book was an especially daunting task because the story is very spiritual, and I'm not a religious person. My husband and I often talk about the differences between spirituality and religion. You can be a very spiritual person without actually having religion, and even though I'm not a believer, I have a deep respect for people who have faith and religion in their lives. Michael has a background in medicine, and he expertly combined both science and faith to create a very heartfelt and engrossing story. It never felt preachy or over the top. The Beyond Experience is a story with fantastic characters, a riveting concept, and a storyline that kept me up until late at night. It's both heartbreaking and comforting. This book honestly took me by surprise, and managed to be both tense and sorrowful at times, while ultimately leaving me with a deep feeling of serenity. Not an easy task for a writer, but Reid pulls it off flawlessly. I highly recommend this book.
Recently I've become very active in the bookstagram community on Instagram. Bookstagram is fantastic, because I've not only made some lifelong book lover friends, but I've also had the chance to interact with authors. This is a totally new experience for me. I've found authors on Instagram that I never would have discovered on my own, and it's amazing. I've become friends with a few self-published authors as well, and recently I decided to finally read Michael Reid Jr's The Beyond Experience. It's so unusual to interact with authors and get to know them before actually reading their books, so I was both excited and apprehensive to pick this one up. I knew that I would have to be completely honest with my review, but I like Michael, and I was worried about having to tear apart something that means so much to someone I personally know.
That's why three chapters into the book I was already immensely relieved. Michael can write, and he had me hooked with this book from the beginning. He didn't know it, but getting me to enjoy this book was an especially daunting task because the story is very spiritual, and I'm not a religious person. My husband and I often talk about the differences between spirituality and religion. You can be a very spiritual person without actually having religion, and even though I'm not a believer, I have a deep respect for people who have faith and religion in their lives. Michael has a background in medicine, and he expertly combined both science and faith to create a very heartfelt and engrossing story. It never felt preachy or over the top. The Beyond Experience is a story with fantastic characters, a riveting concept, and a storyline that kept me up until late at night. It's both heartbreaking and comforting. This book honestly took me by surprise, and managed to be both tense and sorrowful at times, while ultimately leaving me with a deep feeling of serenity. Not an easy task for a writer, but Reid pulls it off flawlessly. I highly recommend this book.
April 11, 2017
The Beyond Experience, by Michael Reid, Jr. tells how two men find a way to find What's Out There, when the brain is inactive. Death. But what they find is more than frightening, more than curious... But are they using the experiences or are the experiences using them?
Using prose that easily allowed me to form a relationship with every character involved, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what was out there too, and why it pulled everyone in such a manner that boundaries were crossed and secrets were, well hidden.
I found this tale of fiction spiritual, philosophical and even frightening. It placed me in mind of the movie Flatliners, because the doctors pushed the limits; their curiosities causing them to go beyond extreme and place themselves and others in danger. I also saw myself attached to those most important, wanting them to succeed, regardless of the cost. Not many books do that for me.
I have to warn you, this is a science fiction novel, so you will receive a lot of medical information- but it's necessary. Well, maybe not all of it, but the books is so good, you want to know what's going on and how they'll do it.
There's really nothing negative I can say about the novel. And check out that beautiful cover! Isn't it amazing? I think the cover alone should draw you in! Check out The Beyond Experience and see what the rave is. I'll be moving on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com
Using prose that easily allowed me to form a relationship with every character involved, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what was out there too, and why it pulled everyone in such a manner that boundaries were crossed and secrets were, well hidden.
I found this tale of fiction spiritual, philosophical and even frightening. It placed me in mind of the movie Flatliners, because the doctors pushed the limits; their curiosities causing them to go beyond extreme and place themselves and others in danger. I also saw myself attached to those most important, wanting them to succeed, regardless of the cost. Not many books do that for me.
I have to warn you, this is a science fiction novel, so you will receive a lot of medical information- but it's necessary. Well, maybe not all of it, but the books is so good, you want to know what's going on and how they'll do it.
There's really nothing negative I can say about the novel. And check out that beautiful cover! Isn't it amazing? I think the cover alone should draw you in! Check out The Beyond Experience and see what the rave is. I'll be moving on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com
December 19, 2016
Dr. Lewis and Kyle team up to perform testing on a new cocktail of drug that is to help those with anxiety and/or depression. Kyle takes on the treatment and convinces Dr. Lewis to push the limits of the drug. Dr. Lewis's past makes him hesitant to do so but his scientific mind eventually pushes him toward this experimentation, which leads to thousands of patients (including Kyle) thinking they are "going to Heaven" or reaching a higher spiritual plane or consciousness. As a scientist, the good doctor has a hard time believing there's not a more rational explanation and continues to search for the neuro pathways that would explain this phenomenon. However, as they push further and further, his past catches up with him and the secrets and lies associated tear at their friendship. The consequences that unravel will affect everyone's lives and their views of The Beyond Experience.
Let me commend the author for the obvious amounts of research that he did! History shows various types of (now recreational and illegal) drugs that were first intended for the sole purpose of helping to "cure" depression and/or anxiety. While most scientists attribute hallucinogenic affects to the spiritually enlightened, there's still much about the brain and our bodies that are still to be discovered. I've done quite a bit of research from my degree in Social Work and with my continued fascination with the scientific studies of the brain, mental health, and the various drugs/treatment associated with helping those afflicted keep them under control. Are you conditioned as a spiritualist or a scientist and is there anything that could happen to change and/or open your mind?
But before I go completely off topic, let's get back to the book. This book hit home in a variety of ways. For those who are not so spiritually or religiously inclined (like me), don't let the mention of heaven, or spiritual plane, or anything similar, deter you from this book. This is a book about friendship, partnership, love, science and how far people will go to find what they need for any type of closure, including the harsh reality of what that closure could cost. This is a book about journey, forgiveness, learning and growing, while still being human and making mistakes.
Take a chance on this book and get it for free today and tomorrow (December 19/20, 2016) on Amazon! :D
Big big thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it! <3
Let me commend the author for the obvious amounts of research that he did! History shows various types of (now recreational and illegal) drugs that were first intended for the sole purpose of helping to "cure" depression and/or anxiety. While most scientists attribute hallucinogenic affects to the spiritually enlightened, there's still much about the brain and our bodies that are still to be discovered. I've done quite a bit of research from my degree in Social Work and with my continued fascination with the scientific studies of the brain, mental health, and the various drugs/treatment associated with helping those afflicted keep them under control. Are you conditioned as a spiritualist or a scientist and is there anything that could happen to change and/or open your mind?
But before I go completely off topic, let's get back to the book. This book hit home in a variety of ways. For those who are not so spiritually or religiously inclined (like me), don't let the mention of heaven, or spiritual plane, or anything similar, deter you from this book. This is a book about friendship, partnership, love, science and how far people will go to find what they need for any type of closure, including the harsh reality of what that closure could cost. This is a book about journey, forgiveness, learning and growing, while still being human and making mistakes.
Take a chance on this book and get it for free today and tomorrow (December 19/20, 2016) on Amazon! :D
Big big thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it! <3
July 10, 2017
THE BEYOND EXPERIENCE is the sophomore novel from Michael Reid Jr. I loved his first book and I was very excited to start this one. A very emotional, spiritual, scientific, and unique read. Never thought you'd see spiritual and scientific next to each other for a description of a book!
Dr. Lewis and his assistant Kyle team up to try pushing the limits of different drugs that Lewis had spent a decade perfecting. His past - childhood abuse, loss of his fiance, rejecting an offer from Harvard - is causing him to be hesitant, but Kyle eventually convinces him. Their experiments lead to thousands of patients, Kyle being one of them, experiencing the sensation of "going to Heaven". The scientific side of Lewis is conflicted with what Kyle had spiritually experienced. He is relentless in his search for a specific neural pathway within the brain that would explain this phenomena thousands had experienced.
With his past catching up, Lewis realizes he can't avoid it much longer. A divide becomes to form between the two friends, Kyle and Lewis. No matter how much he resists, he is being pushed to enter The Beyond Experience himself. Will he finally get the closure he needs and find out why his fiance's final words were, "Forgive me."?
This book crosses a few different genres - there's the science fiction portion and a spiritual side. Like a fellow book lover stated in her review, Reid has come into a potential new hybrid genre: Spiritual Sci-Fi (well put, Sadie!) Just as it was with his debut novel, the amount of research that went into this novel shows. It was such a unique reading experience. For those of you that aren't very religiously or spiritually inclined (I'd say I fall into that category), don't let the description deter you. This is much more scientific and about human emotions in regards to life and what lies beyond.
If you want a book that bends genres and provides a unique reading experience then look no further. If you want human like characters that are emotional and flawed, this is one you need to pick up. If you want a well-paced and researched book, then grab a copy of THE BEYOND EXPERIENCE.
I give this 5/5 stars!
Dr. Lewis and his assistant Kyle team up to try pushing the limits of different drugs that Lewis had spent a decade perfecting. His past - childhood abuse, loss of his fiance, rejecting an offer from Harvard - is causing him to be hesitant, but Kyle eventually convinces him. Their experiments lead to thousands of patients, Kyle being one of them, experiencing the sensation of "going to Heaven". The scientific side of Lewis is conflicted with what Kyle had spiritually experienced. He is relentless in his search for a specific neural pathway within the brain that would explain this phenomena thousands had experienced.
With his past catching up, Lewis realizes he can't avoid it much longer. A divide becomes to form between the two friends, Kyle and Lewis. No matter how much he resists, he is being pushed to enter The Beyond Experience himself. Will he finally get the closure he needs and find out why his fiance's final words were, "Forgive me."?
This book crosses a few different genres - there's the science fiction portion and a spiritual side. Like a fellow book lover stated in her review, Reid has come into a potential new hybrid genre: Spiritual Sci-Fi (well put, Sadie!) Just as it was with his debut novel, the amount of research that went into this novel shows. It was such a unique reading experience. For those of you that aren't very religiously or spiritually inclined (I'd say I fall into that category), don't let the description deter you. This is much more scientific and about human emotions in regards to life and what lies beyond.
If you want a book that bends genres and provides a unique reading experience then look no further. If you want human like characters that are emotional and flawed, this is one you need to pick up. If you want a well-paced and researched book, then grab a copy of THE BEYOND EXPERIENCE.
I give this 5/5 stars!
October 10, 2017
"You're gonna feel a chill."
Blending the worlds of science fiction and spirituality, specifically Christianity, is not a sub-genre most authors would dare to expound upon. Reid clearly hits the mark with scenic writing, engrossing the reader from the first chapter and setting the bar high for any future writer's who are brave enough to attempt this sub-genre. Is there a place we can vote or encourage for more stories like this!? The Christian community needs more stories like this.
Outside of the book's description, I can tell you that the description is but a glimpse of the entirety of this story. With character profiles that will endear you and weaving them all through within each other, you quickly come to care for each character, each circumstance and the experiment as a whole.
At first I had a little trouble keeping up with the back and forth between time frames, but as the story progressed I understood why it had to be structured that way. Reid was meticulous in his organization of the story, allowing for it to neatly unfold.
Typically I don't grab a science fiction book to read, though spirituality and Christianity are well peppered throughout my bookshelves. Blending these two together took a twist I didn't expect to enjoy, to be honest. Void of sappy theology yet maintaining reverence allows this story to be enjoyed by persons of all walks of faith, although I do think the Christian community would most enjoy it.
This is a story you don't realize you need to read. You do. It's clearly amazing and I'm excited to see this take off. The entire time I read it I couldn't help but think to myself, "This would make an amazing movie!" I'm even more surprised at myself for adding this to my small shelf of 2017 Favorites. I cannot recommend this book enough!
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
Blending the worlds of science fiction and spirituality, specifically Christianity, is not a sub-genre most authors would dare to expound upon. Reid clearly hits the mark with scenic writing, engrossing the reader from the first chapter and setting the bar high for any future writer's who are brave enough to attempt this sub-genre. Is there a place we can vote or encourage for more stories like this!? The Christian community needs more stories like this.
Outside of the book's description, I can tell you that the description is but a glimpse of the entirety of this story. With character profiles that will endear you and weaving them all through within each other, you quickly come to care for each character, each circumstance and the experiment as a whole.
At first I had a little trouble keeping up with the back and forth between time frames, but as the story progressed I understood why it had to be structured that way. Reid was meticulous in his organization of the story, allowing for it to neatly unfold.
Typically I don't grab a science fiction book to read, though spirituality and Christianity are well peppered throughout my bookshelves. Blending these two together took a twist I didn't expect to enjoy, to be honest. Void of sappy theology yet maintaining reverence allows this story to be enjoyed by persons of all walks of faith, although I do think the Christian community would most enjoy it.
This is a story you don't realize you need to read. You do. It's clearly amazing and I'm excited to see this take off. The entire time I read it I couldn't help but think to myself, "This would make an amazing movie!" I'm even more surprised at myself for adding this to my small shelf of 2017 Favorites. I cannot recommend this book enough!
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
September 20, 2017
great book! detailed review to come!
September 21, 2017
It is very hard for me to give a book a perfect, five star rating. I always ask myself, was this book perfect? I will love a book but I always find something to give it a lesser rating. Not so with The Beyond Experience. I found this book nearly flawless and a completely new idea. Michael Reid wrote a book that was both melancholy and beautiful, tense yet also comforting. I was nervous at first because this book relies heavily on a lot of aspects of science and I am not a scientist. Yet, I was not put off or made to feel unwelcome with the attention to detail regarding science and scientific study Reid included in the book. Not only did I appreciate the amount of research it must have taken to ensure accuracy but it actually felt welcoming. I could tell from the very start this was a true labor of love.
There were times when the book was very science heavy but also, the author put just as much detail into the spiritual aspect of the book. However, The Beyond Experience is not religious and does not preach. Reid does not cast a pejorative shadow over either science or religion. They coexist. It is not a book about the timeless struggle of science versus religion, it is a book about love, loss, grief, friendship, revenge, forgiveness, and closure.
Reid (somehow) artfully blends the spiritual with science which, I believe, reflects the dichotomy within the main character, Dr. Ethan Lewis. He struggled, he was flawed, I both loved Dr. Lewis and hated him, which was the case with most of the characters (there were a few that were just not likeable). All of the characters were well written and real! I was definitely invested in them. I rooted for the good guys and wanted nothing more for the bad guys to get what was coming.
I will recommend The Beyond Experience to anyone who asks, and also those who do not. To quote the author himself, “the effect in the moment was beautiful, surreal, inspired.”
There were times when the book was very science heavy but also, the author put just as much detail into the spiritual aspect of the book. However, The Beyond Experience is not religious and does not preach. Reid does not cast a pejorative shadow over either science or religion. They coexist. It is not a book about the timeless struggle of science versus religion, it is a book about love, loss, grief, friendship, revenge, forgiveness, and closure.
Reid (somehow) artfully blends the spiritual with science which, I believe, reflects the dichotomy within the main character, Dr. Ethan Lewis. He struggled, he was flawed, I both loved Dr. Lewis and hated him, which was the case with most of the characters (there were a few that were just not likeable). All of the characters were well written and real! I was definitely invested in them. I rooted for the good guys and wanted nothing more for the bad guys to get what was coming.
I will recommend The Beyond Experience to anyone who asks, and also those who do not. To quote the author himself, “the effect in the moment was beautiful, surreal, inspired.”
May 2, 2018
I had the opportunity a few months ago to have a great chat with Michael Reid Jr. about his novel THE BEYOND EXPERIENCE and immediately had to order a copy. I was so intrigued with the plot to this novel and knew that once I read it was going to be in for an interesting journey that would take me completely out of my comfort zone. Being a "mood reader", I often find myself at times looking for something to take me by surprise and kind of knock me out of my norm. This was that novel and I was not disappointed. I was immersed, obsessive, and completely taken back with how this reading experience was unlike any I've ever had the joy of reading.
The plot to this novel is so intricate and diverse that I was genuinely shocked with the world I was entering that was so foreign to something I usually read. While this one is labeled as a medical suspense that flirts with science fiction, it was so much more than that. This novel is genuinely fantastic and lyrically written. The plot is merely a verse with the dazzling character development acting as its chorus. With most novels, I find that I pay attention more to the plot and good (and or decent) character development is something that I merely enjoy as rather a palette cleanser in between plot twists. This novel was built on character development. While the medical and science fiction aspect was a bit intimidating at first, I was finding myself nervous that I wasn't fully grasping the terminology and what was happening, but in between the luxurious vocabulary, Reid does a phenomenal job of taking the reader on an adventure and using character development and the sequence of events to ensure that the reader has a full understanding of each and every turn in this addictive and remarkable tale. The drama and the heart and soul that went into these characters is not only palpable, but an effective tool that makes this novel an experience that is beyond in itself.
I would say this novel is a multi-genre layered masterpiece that focuses so much on love, loss, and friendship that at times, I didn't even focus on what was going to happen with the novel, whether any parts were slower than others, or try to guess the ending because I was so invested in these characters and genuinely cared with how their lives were going to turn out. The first half of the novel reads as a medical drama, but not in a cliched way. It gives you the character development you want, the drama you crave, and the beautiful map of where each and every character is in their life. In an artistic and brilliant fashion, the second half really picks up with suspense and twists and turns that were unlike any. Within 300+ pages, I was left breathless, curious, and anxious to see where this story would go and how it would end. I was not disappointed with this story and as much as I have to read in the upcoming months, I didn't want it to end. With a prose that is dangerously luminous and revelations that would send chills up the spine of even our dear Stephen King, this novel is one that has it all and is relentless with its grip. If you're looking for something that is unlike any novel out there and will draw you in, this is the one for you. I cannot recommend this one enough.
The plot to this novel is so intricate and diverse that I was genuinely shocked with the world I was entering that was so foreign to something I usually read. While this one is labeled as a medical suspense that flirts with science fiction, it was so much more than that. This novel is genuinely fantastic and lyrically written. The plot is merely a verse with the dazzling character development acting as its chorus. With most novels, I find that I pay attention more to the plot and good (and or decent) character development is something that I merely enjoy as rather a palette cleanser in between plot twists. This novel was built on character development. While the medical and science fiction aspect was a bit intimidating at first, I was finding myself nervous that I wasn't fully grasping the terminology and what was happening, but in between the luxurious vocabulary, Reid does a phenomenal job of taking the reader on an adventure and using character development and the sequence of events to ensure that the reader has a full understanding of each and every turn in this addictive and remarkable tale. The drama and the heart and soul that went into these characters is not only palpable, but an effective tool that makes this novel an experience that is beyond in itself.
I would say this novel is a multi-genre layered masterpiece that focuses so much on love, loss, and friendship that at times, I didn't even focus on what was going to happen with the novel, whether any parts were slower than others, or try to guess the ending because I was so invested in these characters and genuinely cared with how their lives were going to turn out. The first half of the novel reads as a medical drama, but not in a cliched way. It gives you the character development you want, the drama you crave, and the beautiful map of where each and every character is in their life. In an artistic and brilliant fashion, the second half really picks up with suspense and twists and turns that were unlike any. Within 300+ pages, I was left breathless, curious, and anxious to see where this story would go and how it would end. I was not disappointed with this story and as much as I have to read in the upcoming months, I didn't want it to end. With a prose that is dangerously luminous and revelations that would send chills up the spine of even our dear Stephen King, this novel is one that has it all and is relentless with its grip. If you're looking for something that is unlike any novel out there and will draw you in, this is the one for you. I cannot recommend this one enough.
September 30, 2017
I can tell the author did a lot of research on all the science-y and medical stuff in this book. The author did a good job of putting the sci-fi and the spiritual things together. It was on point. Sometimes I was confused about the order of what was happening. There are dates at the start of each chapter, but sometimes I would have to go back to the start of the previous chapter to see if what I was going to read next happened before or after. I'm not sure if any other readers did that? Anyways, I was emotionally invested in the characters. I was happy when they were happy. I was sad when they were sad. I smiled when something good happened and I cried when they cried. I was satisfied with everything, the story was really realistic and the details and descriptions of The Beyond Experience was very vivid.
July 9, 2017
Beyond Good
Medical and psychological fiction stories are often similar, one to another. This one, however is deeply woven with themes of mental illness, friendship, betrayal, love vengeance, ethics, faith, and brokenness by an author with a deep understanding of the brain and the biology of the human body. The suspense, engaging characters, and skilled, beautiful writing made this a captivating read. Thoroughly gripping and full of heart, this book rates well above others in and out of its genre. Don't miss this story.
Medical and psychological fiction stories are often similar, one to another. This one, however is deeply woven with themes of mental illness, friendship, betrayal, love vengeance, ethics, faith, and brokenness by an author with a deep understanding of the brain and the biology of the human body. The suspense, engaging characters, and skilled, beautiful writing made this a captivating read. Thoroughly gripping and full of heart, this book rates well above others in and out of its genre. Don't miss this story.
September 20, 2017
I loved this book! While at its core, it’s a love story, it is really about much more.
Dr. Lewis is haunted by the physical and emotional abuse he suffered as a child, the death of his fiancé and his role in her death. Because of this trauma, he avoids attachment, is driven to test and perfect a drug cocktail that his deceased fiancé created to treat anxiety and depression. Given the loss and emotional trauma he has suffered, he is unable to have any faith that there is a heaven and that God exists.
The only true friend that Dr. Lewis has is his research assistant, Kyle. Kyle’s life has been emotionally impacted by the early loss of his father. Dr. Lewis becomes his mentor, friend and surrogate father. But like many long-term, complex relationships, they experience tremendous highs and horrible lows. They learn from each other, they have secrets that they hide from each other, they grow close and they grow apart.
Dr. Lewis and Kyle are dedicated to test and perfect a medical treatment for anxiety and depression using a cocktail of drugs originally developed by Dr. Lewis’ deceased fiancé. They achieve great success but in the process, they discover that this cocktail may be used to allow people to see and talk to their lost love ones. The process profoundly impacts everyone who experiences it but it raises many ethical, medical and spiritual questions.
While the story itself is inventive and fascinating, seeing the changes in each character, and the struggle to sort out and come to terms with the bigger issues that are raised is what really elevates this book. You care about these people, the struggles that they face, the decisions they make and the book makes you think about these larger issues.
Are people truly connecting with the dead or is the drug cocktail creating a hallucination? If you can connect to the dead does that mean there is a God, that there is a heaven? Is the treatment safe – both physically and emotionally. In other words, can the drug and the process kill you or can you become addicted to it? Do the benefits to the deeper treatment exceed the potential harm it may cause?
While the breakthrough is sci-fi, how the characters interact, their emotional baggage they struggle with, and their motivations to act the way they do are very real.
If you are looking for a unique story with fully developed characters that you can relate to that also manage to raise larger issues, I highly recommend that you give this The Beyond Experience a chance!
Dr. Lewis is haunted by the physical and emotional abuse he suffered as a child, the death of his fiancé and his role in her death. Because of this trauma, he avoids attachment, is driven to test and perfect a drug cocktail that his deceased fiancé created to treat anxiety and depression. Given the loss and emotional trauma he has suffered, he is unable to have any faith that there is a heaven and that God exists.
The only true friend that Dr. Lewis has is his research assistant, Kyle. Kyle’s life has been emotionally impacted by the early loss of his father. Dr. Lewis becomes his mentor, friend and surrogate father. But like many long-term, complex relationships, they experience tremendous highs and horrible lows. They learn from each other, they have secrets that they hide from each other, they grow close and they grow apart.
Dr. Lewis and Kyle are dedicated to test and perfect a medical treatment for anxiety and depression using a cocktail of drugs originally developed by Dr. Lewis’ deceased fiancé. They achieve great success but in the process, they discover that this cocktail may be used to allow people to see and talk to their lost love ones. The process profoundly impacts everyone who experiences it but it raises many ethical, medical and spiritual questions.
While the story itself is inventive and fascinating, seeing the changes in each character, and the struggle to sort out and come to terms with the bigger issues that are raised is what really elevates this book. You care about these people, the struggles that they face, the decisions they make and the book makes you think about these larger issues.
Are people truly connecting with the dead or is the drug cocktail creating a hallucination? If you can connect to the dead does that mean there is a God, that there is a heaven? Is the treatment safe – both physically and emotionally. In other words, can the drug and the process kill you or can you become addicted to it? Do the benefits to the deeper treatment exceed the potential harm it may cause?
While the breakthrough is sci-fi, how the characters interact, their emotional baggage they struggle with, and their motivations to act the way they do are very real.
If you are looking for a unique story with fully developed characters that you can relate to that also manage to raise larger issues, I highly recommend that you give this The Beyond Experience a chance!
June 17, 2018
Review to follow.
February 6, 2017
The Beyond Experience by Michael Reid Jr. is a beautifully written passageway between Medical Science and Spiritual Beliefs. The way this author was able to take two opposing and even somewhat controversial convictions and braid them together into a believable work of art is phenomenal. Sy-fi of this nature isn't usually my forte and neither is Medical anything really, but thanks to this book I may just be converted. It's easy to follow and even the terminology is placed in just the right places, so that it isn't tedious or confusing at all. In other words it still makes sense, which is very refreshing.
I'll get to some very important aspects (or what felt the most important to me). The pace and flow of The Beyond Experience is perfect and the characters are very well developed. I actually felt attached to the people which is rare for me. I was able to experience their emotions on a very real level, and I felt that the shocks and secrets were so intricately placed throughout that it consistently kept my anticipation rolling.
This book is full of lies, secrets, and betrayal, but it's also jam packed with love, obsession, passion, dedication, inspiration, and even yes even humor. Calling it well rounded would be an understatement.
Kudos Michael Reid Jr. I am now your fan!! This book was beautiful, I loved it!
I'll get to some very important aspects (or what felt the most important to me). The pace and flow of The Beyond Experience is perfect and the characters are very well developed. I actually felt attached to the people which is rare for me. I was able to experience their emotions on a very real level, and I felt that the shocks and secrets were so intricately placed throughout that it consistently kept my anticipation rolling.
This book is full of lies, secrets, and betrayal, but it's also jam packed with love, obsession, passion, dedication, inspiration, and even yes even humor. Calling it well rounded would be an understatement.
Kudos Michael Reid Jr. I am now your fan!! This book was beautiful, I loved it!
April 19, 2017
Great start, good ending but in the middle i was a bit lost and confused.. maybe it's just me but this book as a whole is an amazing read. It evokes soo many emotions at various points ,i think this could be made into a great movie.
February 7, 2017
What if I told you that you could have one more conversation with a loved one that has passed? What if you no longer had to wonder "if only?" What if it was possible for you to finally say "I love you" instead of missing your opportunity? What if I told you that you could go to heaven? What would you do? What would you give up? Would you do it? The Beyond Experience by Michael Reid Jr. sets his foundational plot with this premise while weaving together a story about love, redemption, friendship, deception, jealousy, and faith.
Dr. Ethan Lewis has created a groundbreaking treatment for anxiety and depression. With his trusted lab assistant Kyle, they begin researching the effectiveness of their treatment on patients. Dr. Lewis and Kyle push the limits of their treatment and stumble upon an amazing discovery. Not only are their treatments 100% effective, all patients are describing eerily similar descriptions of what could only be characterized as heaven. Could patients possibly be gaining a momentary glimpse into heaven? Dr. Lewis, a natural skeptic, is not so sure. Especially for a man who has never experienced the goodness of a so called God shine on him. The death of his fiancée and the beatings he experienced during his childhood are proof of that. Dr. Lewis and Kyle explore the possibilities of this exciting treatment as they press farther into worlds unknown, each willing to assume the risks for their own selfish reasons. But this type of power, this type of experience in the wrong hands could be disastrous. Because of this treatment, Dr. Lewis, Kyle, and their staff will experience love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, curiosity and greed, gain and loss, and the earth and what is beyond.
The Beyond Experience has everything you are looking for in a good novel. A storyline that grips you from the beginning, relatable and lovable characters, twists and surprises that will keep your fingers anxiously awaiting to turn the next page. The author does an excellent job of immersing you in the world of medicine and medial research without overwhelming you with details and medial jargon. You are easily swept away by the story and not bogged down by the technical aspect. In fact, don't let the medical suspense/Si-fi label scare you away. This novel is more about love, friendship and redemption with a medical plot as its background. The skeletal bones of this story capture the basic human questions we all deal with. What is love? What happens when we die? Why do bad things happen? This is why The Beyond Experience will appeal to a wide variety of readers. We all share the same basic experiences in humanity.
The Beyond Experience is a good combination of Romeo and Juliet plus Grey's Anatomy. When you are finished with this novel you will want to immediately start reading it again. I found myself echoing the words of Bryan McKnight: "and I started back at one." Chapter one that is.
To read more of my reviews please visit: Thelakesidecover.com
Dr. Ethan Lewis has created a groundbreaking treatment for anxiety and depression. With his trusted lab assistant Kyle, they begin researching the effectiveness of their treatment on patients. Dr. Lewis and Kyle push the limits of their treatment and stumble upon an amazing discovery. Not only are their treatments 100% effective, all patients are describing eerily similar descriptions of what could only be characterized as heaven. Could patients possibly be gaining a momentary glimpse into heaven? Dr. Lewis, a natural skeptic, is not so sure. Especially for a man who has never experienced the goodness of a so called God shine on him. The death of his fiancée and the beatings he experienced during his childhood are proof of that. Dr. Lewis and Kyle explore the possibilities of this exciting treatment as they press farther into worlds unknown, each willing to assume the risks for their own selfish reasons. But this type of power, this type of experience in the wrong hands could be disastrous. Because of this treatment, Dr. Lewis, Kyle, and their staff will experience love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, curiosity and greed, gain and loss, and the earth and what is beyond.
The Beyond Experience has everything you are looking for in a good novel. A storyline that grips you from the beginning, relatable and lovable characters, twists and surprises that will keep your fingers anxiously awaiting to turn the next page. The author does an excellent job of immersing you in the world of medicine and medial research without overwhelming you with details and medial jargon. You are easily swept away by the story and not bogged down by the technical aspect. In fact, don't let the medical suspense/Si-fi label scare you away. This novel is more about love, friendship and redemption with a medical plot as its background. The skeletal bones of this story capture the basic human questions we all deal with. What is love? What happens when we die? Why do bad things happen? This is why The Beyond Experience will appeal to a wide variety of readers. We all share the same basic experiences in humanity.
The Beyond Experience is a good combination of Romeo and Juliet plus Grey's Anatomy. When you are finished with this novel you will want to immediately start reading it again. I found myself echoing the words of Bryan McKnight: "and I started back at one." Chapter one that is.
To read more of my reviews please visit: Thelakesidecover.com
December 23, 2017
"You're going to feel a chill."
The Beyond Experience was, in a word, stunning. To be blunt, I was skeptical about reading this. I'm a cognitive scientist, and most books I read that have something to do with neuroscience and psychology are so far from reality that they are painful to read. Mike, this story was fantastic.
The amount of passion and research that went into the characters and their story was quite clear from the get go. Even the setting of the story was intimately detailed. Mike clearly has a marvel of an imagination, and an eye for taking brilliant scientific ideas to the next level, while still remaining as realistic as possible. That is one tall order to follow.
The characters were really well written, it was enjoyable to watch them grow and change. The dynamic relationship between Dr. Lewis and Kyle, and their battle between science and religion, was well crafted. There were incredibly brutal struggles some of the characters faced, but I loved the book even more for that. It was easy to grow attached to the characters and really feel for them.
The Beyond Experience was captivating. It might be bold to say, but I think this book really has something to offer for everyone--whether you are a scientist, a religious/spiritual person, both, or neither--and that is an extremely difficult variety of people for an author to please.
Plus, how gorgeous is that cover?!
That'll do Mike, that'll do.
The Beyond Experience was, in a word, stunning. To be blunt, I was skeptical about reading this. I'm a cognitive scientist, and most books I read that have something to do with neuroscience and psychology are so far from reality that they are painful to read. Mike, this story was fantastic.
The amount of passion and research that went into the characters and their story was quite clear from the get go. Even the setting of the story was intimately detailed. Mike clearly has a marvel of an imagination, and an eye for taking brilliant scientific ideas to the next level, while still remaining as realistic as possible. That is one tall order to follow.
The characters were really well written, it was enjoyable to watch them grow and change. The dynamic relationship between Dr. Lewis and Kyle, and their battle between science and religion, was well crafted. There were incredibly brutal struggles some of the characters faced, but I loved the book even more for that. It was easy to grow attached to the characters and really feel for them.
The Beyond Experience was captivating. It might be bold to say, but I think this book really has something to offer for everyone--whether you are a scientist, a religious/spiritual person, both, or neither--and that is an extremely difficult variety of people for an author to please.
Plus, how gorgeous is that cover?!
That'll do Mike, that'll do.
Read
February 6, 2017 The Beyond Experience, by Michael Reid, Jr. tells how two men find a way to find What's Out There, when the brain is inactive. Death. But what they find is more than frightening, more than curious... But are they using the experiences or are the experiences using them?
Using prose that easily allowed me to form a relationship with every character involved, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what was out there too, and why it pulled everyone in such a manner that boundaries were crossed and secrets were, well hidden.
I found this tale of fiction spiritual, philosophical and even frightening. It placed me in mind of the movie Flatliners, because the doctors pushed the limits; their curiosities causing them to go beyond extreme and place themselves and others in danger. I also saw myself attached to those most important, wanting them to succeed, regardless of the cost. Not many books do that for me.
I have to warn you, this is a science fiction novel, so you will receive a lot of medical information- but it's necessary. Well, maybe not all of it, but the books is so good, you want to know what's going on and how they'll do it.
There's really nothing negative I can say about the novel. And check out that beautiful cover! Isn't it amazing? I think the cover alone should draw you in! Check out The Beyond Experience and see what the rave is. I'll be moving on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com
Using prose that easily allowed me to form a relationship with every character involved, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know what was out there too, and why it pulled everyone in such a manner that boundaries were crossed and secrets were, well hidden.
I found this tale of fiction spiritual, philosophical and even frightening. It placed me in mind of the movie Flatliners, because the doctors pushed the limits; their curiosities causing them to go beyond extreme and place themselves and others in danger. I also saw myself attached to those most important, wanting them to succeed, regardless of the cost. Not many books do that for me.
I have to warn you, this is a science fiction novel, so you will receive a lot of medical information- but it's necessary. Well, maybe not all of it, but the books is so good, you want to know what's going on and how they'll do it.
There's really nothing negative I can say about the novel. And check out that beautiful cover! Isn't it amazing? I think the cover alone should draw you in! Check out The Beyond Experience and see what the rave is. I'll be moving on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com
September 27, 2017
I feel entirely frustrated reviewing this book. I don't think it's a bad book nor is it a terribly written one either. I just couldn't connect with it nor with the story it told.
I kept turning page after page more out of stubbornness than a real will to read on. I was expecting it to be more sci-fi and I confess that last paragraph on the synopsis made me believe there'd even be some thriller worthy tension - there was very little of either.
I feel the topic is close to the author and it is thus passionately presented to the reader. The characters are nicely developed and there's some really heartfelt writing bits.
But this is clearly a book to be appreciated by those who are able to relate to its religious expression.
I kept turning page after page more out of stubbornness than a real will to read on. I was expecting it to be more sci-fi and I confess that last paragraph on the synopsis made me believe there'd even be some thriller worthy tension - there was very little of either.
I feel the topic is close to the author and it is thus passionately presented to the reader. The characters are nicely developed and there's some really heartfelt writing bits.
But this is clearly a book to be appreciated by those who are able to relate to its religious expression.
July 30, 2017
There were some interesting concepts presented here, and I appreciate the execution of some of the more ethereal ideas. That said, I had a real hard time relating to the characters in this one, and given that it's a very character-driven & dialogue-heavy novel, it just ultimately wasn't for me. Although it seems like a very personal story, it wasn't one I found myself easily connecting with.
Thank you to the author, Michael Reid Jr. for sending a copy my way in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to the author, Michael Reid Jr. for sending a copy my way in exchange for an honest review!
August 6, 2017
Pretty much the plot of the movie Flatliners with its own spin. Goes on forever in details that don't matter. In the end I didn't care if they all died. Also no real reason for the whole parent thing. Augh I just hated it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was a page-turner. It has been awhile since I’ve read a book that made me want to keep reading from start to finish. Some unexpected twists!
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