The Infinity Caverns

Parallel Society #1

by Stuart Jaffe

Roni works in her family bookstore and soon learns that Grandma and Grandma's two pals have been saving the universe for decades. But it's hard to keep that up with a bad back and arthritis. They have a simple solution, though -- train Roni to take over. Tossed into a new reality that she never expected, Roni must decide if she will step up and join the team or forever leave behind all she has learned and all she cares about. Oh, and she’ll have to save the universe, too.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fiction, Magic

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2017

About the author

Stuart Jaffe is the madman behind the Nathan K thrillers, Max Porter paranormal-mystery series, The Malja Chronicles, The Bluesman series, and much more. He has written numerous short stories in Fantasy, SF, and Horror. He was also the co-host of The Eclectic Review (http://eclectic.libsyn.com) -- a podcast about science, art, and well, everything.

Stuart lives in rural North Carolina, and for those who keep count, the latest animal listing is as follows: one dog, two cats, one albino corn snake, three aquatic turtles, assorted fish, seven chickens, and a horse. Thankfully, the chickens and the horse do not live inside the house.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very imaginative and well-crafted. After binge watching The Librarians, I stumbled onto this book. The books chained to the walls in Roni Rider's grandmother's bookstore basement are the locked rifts between this universe and others. The rifts between universes have to be contained, and the somebodies who do it are three elderly people who call themselves the Parallel Society. When Roni Rider opens the door of her grandmother's bookshop to the man she just had her first date with, she doesn't know it will also open the door to the secret lives of her grandmother and her grandmother's two 70-year-old friends. There should be four, but that position has been vacant for a bit. So since Roni's date just got sucked in to a parallel universe, Roni is invited to try to help retrieve him and join the Parallel Society.

Don't expect a completely happy ending.

[Macjest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to like this a bit more than I did because it’s a neat idea. Roni works at her grandmother’s book store. As the book progresses we find out that it is so much more. Gram and her two senior citizen friends belong to a secret society that protects our world from other universes with the use of books. Think of the books in the restricted section of Hogwarts or the books in the Addams Family. The problem was that I just couldn’t get into the characters. Maybe this will appeal to someone else.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that 3 of the main characters were elderly but still heroes. A fun read, for the most part; however, I'm not sure if I'm going to continue. The book was pretty short, and the next one is even shorter (171 pages.)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had picked another cozy. I am happy to say ,it was not . I bought the second one immediatley

I am not so sure I like the relationship between the granddaughter and grandmother - it seems oddly adversarial, we shall see

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Infinity Caverns" is the first book in the "Parallel Society" series by Stuart Jaffe. I am definitely liking the world building that was happening in this book. Veronica (Roni) is finding out so much about her grandma (Lillian), Elliott, and Sully. Roni's gram has a bookstore, and Elliott and Sully help out, too. Roni came back to the bookstore after her date and the three were asking her all kinds of questions. They then said it was time to call it a night and headed to their apartments above. Roni's date, Darin showed up at the bookstore and was being really nosey. That is when things changed for Roni. I liked how Stuart was able to get my attention with the opening scene and kept it throughout the entire book. I was so intrigued with everything that was going on and all the different things that Roni was learning. I will definitely continue on in this series and can't wait to see what Roni experiences next.

[Katinka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roni helps out in a bookstore that is owned by her grandmother and 3 of her grandmother's closest friends. But there's so much more to it than that, as she learns when her date breaks into a locked area in the basement of the building. And down there, Darin finds himself in a world of trouble when he opens a book that sucks him into another world, almost taking everyone else with him. It seems that Roni's grandmother and friends were tasked with keeping their world safe from rips between worlds. And now they must both rescue Darin and once again save their world from destruction.

This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed watching Roni learn that her grandmother and friends are so much more than merely the four elderly people they seem to be. The story was very entertaining. Watching Roni come to terms with what to her is a new reality, I found captivating. I enjoyed the surprises and twists this story took. It’s not every day when four elderly persons are tasked with saving the world. Usually, that task seems to be left to the younger generations. But in this book, it definitely works.

If you enjoy paranormal fiction, urban fantasy, or stories about trying to defend the world from threats from other realities then I think you'll enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series goes.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a new series comes out by an author I really like, I do get a little nervous. Will it be as good? Will it appeal to me? I really like Mr. Jaffe and the way he writes, but that old nervousness came on when I saw that he had written a new book. Well, I should have trusted him! This book was excellent. In fact, I loved this book so much, this series is on track to become my favorite series by this author, and I didn’t think the Nathan K series could be replaced. This book was such a delight as the premise was different than I had read before. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the same premise, but it is refreshing when something new comes along and this book had plenty of something new. I really liked the characters, too, and as always, the book was well-written and hard to put down. I think it’s nice to see characters that aren’t young and invincible but have to admit I’m still on the fence about Roni’s grandmother; she is certainly difficult. Take a chance on something new with this one. I can’t wait to see what else is in store! Highly recommend! Thanks to the author for the e-copy which I voluntarily reviewed, but I loved this book so much I bought a copy!

[Mary A. Muchowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roni's Gram and her two friends have secrets that Roni could not even begin to guess

Roni's new friend Darin has an interest in seeing the basement of her grandmother's bookshop and he breaks into Gram's private collection. Ronnie needs to get him out of here before Gram finds out, but she is astounded at the huge cavern that the locked door was hiding. Gram, Sully and Elliott appear and try to keep Darin from being sucked into the book he had opened. Now, they need to give Roni information about their real mission and powers and invite her to join them.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written. It drew me in from the beginning. Other books by Stuart Jaffee are on my TBR shelf.

I was looking to see what is available by Mr. Jaffe via the Hoopla app at my library and was intrigued by the blurb. It sounds much like the TV series "The Librarians" so I started reading it.

I had to read it on my tablet because Hoopla does not allow transferring to my Kindle Paperwhite. I am glad I went with this one and intend to read others in the series when I can.

[Janice Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book stores, like libraries, are magical places. Roni discovers her grandmother's store is more magical than most, as a date gone wrong leads to an exciting (maybe terrifying) adventure. Fast paced action and lots of weird stuff happening. I prefer my adventures to take place within a book (which probably would have been Roni's first choice as well) , but greatly enjoyed this one. It's set up to introduce a series, but works fine as a stand-alone.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of Stuart's books that I have read, the Infinity Caverns pulled me in and would not let go. Characters were interesting to start and then developed to be even more intriguing. I wanted to prowl the book store and it's book shelves even before the story started to evolve. A great start to a new series with infinite possibilities.

[Cmoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book pulled me in because magical bookshops are my jam!!! Stuart Jaffe's writing and voice performance is tight! But I ended up not really enjoying the turn of events...
The book held me all the way to the end, and eventually because of her love of the books it brought the MC back too!

So, ummmm 3½ ⭐'s

[JoAnn Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been good if there was some humor thrown in. Unfortunately there was just a whiny 30something “Roni” and her snotty grandma. Could not like any of the characters although the two friends got the closest. But they had no backbone and spent most of the time they were featured complaining about their age. Storyline was interesting just not the execution.

[Joseph K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book

This was a fun book with interesting characters and lots of action in what looks to be a unique to me take on the multiverse. The dimensions in here do look sound like they would be much fun to visit, but the characters in the story would be fun to meet up with to have a burger. I recommend this book and am glad it is part of a series.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start for a New Series

This book is Good. Really Good. I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed.
If you can, get this book! It full of twists, turns and magic!
Mr. Jaffe has created a whole new series with great characters and a new place to lose yourself for hours!

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this amazing must read.What a fun and exciting story.
I really enjoyed reading it, it has a wonderful plot line, fascinating
characters and lots of adventure. Definitely a great start to a
awesome new series. I can't wait to read more.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but I found it difficult to like the characters--well, mostly Gram and Roni. In some ways, this book felt more like an outline of characters, like the 1st few episodes of a new series before the actors and characters really come together.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is have found a new author. Stuart Jaffe holds your attention from first to last page. The characters are engaging and he makes his world's sound real.
Been a while since a new (to me anyway) writer held me like this did. I really enjoyed it.

[Willi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise...

This is a great story. It had an unusual cast of characters and I enjoyed the Old Gang. There are so many possibilities for the next story I can't wair to see where it leads.

[Julian White]

Kobo epub 2 (DRM-Free); 205 pages; second edition October 2019 - no printed ISBN

Bookshops can be magical places - and the one at the centre of this series is particularly so. Veronica was brought up by her grandmother wo owns the place. Now an adult Roni is a drifter, unable to settle until she meets a young man, Darin, who opens up a completely different world...

This might have been a standard 'portal' story - but it is rather more than that...

[Robert D Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique view

I wasn't sure about this story to start, but it turned out to be a good one. It got my interest enough that I couldn't put it down after I got into the last quarter of the book. Lots of questions to answered, but should be a good search for them.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was an awesome new series. Monsters, Magic and books more books this group of people saving the world. Fast paced exciting from the first page.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and constantly grumpy

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story but I think Roni is a weak character, love the old gang. I may read more as I like books with a library setting.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a little weird... enough to set me on edge a few times... a predictable outcome. Not sure if I’ll read the others in the series... but maybe.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and good

Not the same story with different characters and twists but an actual different plot. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the nsxt.

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first book in series

[Teri Radogna-linquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read to take your mind off your own stresses. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Sharon Golding · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Loved this book, it was a great read. First time I’ve read Stuart Jaffa and I really enjoyed it. Cannot wait to read the next in the series!

[Erin Penn]

Part of the Parallel Society Collection Volume 1.