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Deplosion #2
The Reality Incursion
One in a thousand will be saved. Are you on the list?
Dr. Darian Leigh is missing, presumed dead, and the “Eater” microverse he created is about to destroy Earth. His protégés, Kathy Liang and Greg Mahajani, race to solve the mysterious anomaly. If they can’t figure it out, they’ll need to convince world leaders to colonize the asteroid belt and save as many people as they can. Will Alum, ruthless leader of the powerful YTG church, use his resources to help, or will he exploit the growing chaos to launch his reign as the Living God? There isn’t much time and they can’t save everyone.
Dr. Darian Leigh is missing, presumed dead, and the “Eater” microverse he created is about to destroy Earth. His protégés, Kathy Liang and Greg Mahajani, race to solve the mysterious anomaly. If they can’t figure it out, they’ll need to convince world leaders to colonize the asteroid belt and save as many people as they can. Will Alum, ruthless leader of the powerful YTG church, use his resources to help, or will he exploit the growing chaos to launch his reign as the Living God? There isn’t much time and they can’t save everyone.
570 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2017
14 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Paul Anlee
9 books12 followers“Life is big enough for more than one dream.”
Canadian author Paul Anlee writes provocative, epic sci-fi in the style of Asimov, Heinlein, Asher, and Reynolds, stories that challenge our assumptions and stretch our imagination. Literary, fact-based, and fast-paced, the Deplosion series explores themes in philosophy, politics, religion, economics, AI, VR, nanotech, synbio, quantum reality, and beyond.
“When done right, I think sci-fi is the best genre for challenging what you think you know about the universe and your place in it. One reason I write is to shine a bright, rigorous light on the assumptions in our everyday interactions with our world.
“In large part, I became a scientist because of my love of science fiction. It made me think of a future I hoped to help create. Helping others to create their own visions of the future is another reason I write. Although my specialty was molecular biology and genetics, it was not long before I was involved in the new fields of nanotechnology and synthetic biology.
“As a scientist/storyteller, I try not to use "magical" explanations as the basis for any of my settings, conflicts, or resolutions. I think long and hard about a plausible scientific rationale for everything important that happens in my stories. If I can't see some way that something could have a natural explanation, I won't use it.
“That's quite a challenge in the Deplosion series as I cover quite a range of ideas: a universe evolving naturally from virtual particles; a generated field that changes the natural laws of physics; a way to grow a supercomputer in your head; a combination of artificial intelligence and downloading of a human mind; instantaneous travel throughout the universe; virtual worlds; buildings you grow; genetic engineering for living on different planets; etc.
“For each of these, I can conceive of a scientific route that justifies the different technologies in question. Add in political intrigue, religion, philosophy, and human passion and you have the kind of story I enjoy reading. That's what I try to write.”
Paul Anlee and his wife live in Cuenca Ecuador, where they are learning Spanish and Tai Chi, exploring the Andes, and crafting exciting and provocative stories guaranteed to challenge your thinking.
Canadian author Paul Anlee writes provocative, epic sci-fi in the style of Asimov, Heinlein, Asher, and Reynolds, stories that challenge our assumptions and stretch our imagination. Literary, fact-based, and fast-paced, the Deplosion series explores themes in philosophy, politics, religion, economics, AI, VR, nanotech, synbio, quantum reality, and beyond.
“When done right, I think sci-fi is the best genre for challenging what you think you know about the universe and your place in it. One reason I write is to shine a bright, rigorous light on the assumptions in our everyday interactions with our world.
“In large part, I became a scientist because of my love of science fiction. It made me think of a future I hoped to help create. Helping others to create their own visions of the future is another reason I write. Although my specialty was molecular biology and genetics, it was not long before I was involved in the new fields of nanotechnology and synthetic biology.
“As a scientist/storyteller, I try not to use "magical" explanations as the basis for any of my settings, conflicts, or resolutions. I think long and hard about a plausible scientific rationale for everything important that happens in my stories. If I can't see some way that something could have a natural explanation, I won't use it.
“That's quite a challenge in the Deplosion series as I cover quite a range of ideas: a universe evolving naturally from virtual particles; a generated field that changes the natural laws of physics; a way to grow a supercomputer in your head; a combination of artificial intelligence and downloading of a human mind; instantaneous travel throughout the universe; virtual worlds; buildings you grow; genetic engineering for living on different planets; etc.
“For each of these, I can conceive of a scientific route that justifies the different technologies in question. Add in political intrigue, religion, philosophy, and human passion and you have the kind of story I enjoy reading. That's what I try to write.”
Paul Anlee and his wife live in Cuenca Ecuador, where they are learning Spanish and Tai Chi, exploring the Andes, and crafting exciting and provocative stories guaranteed to challenge your thinking.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 13, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this second of three books. I know the author which drew me to the trilogy. I haven't read sci-fi for years, but found this a great re-entry into the genre. He has action, suspense, interesting questions and interesting characters. He writes of some technology/physics that I don't understand but that doesn't interfere at all with the enjoyable read. Thought provoking in a number of ways. Looking forward to book three. Good read indeed~
September 14, 2017
I gave the book five stars on Amazon, but four here, because Goodreads is, in my experience, tougher. In reality I'd have liked to give 4.5 stars on both platforms.
Firstly - it's proper hard scifi, and Anlee scifi is basically what you'd expect from Asimov or Clarke. Rich concepts, epic scopes, roots in real science. The author's own scientific background stands out throughout the book. Coming off the Reality Thief, the Incursion ups the ante and the action. From ten-dimensional simulations to Ringworlds to battles between artificially constructed Angels, this has got it all.
That said, you will need to read the previous book to even hope to understand this one, and there is much exposition and a marked contempt towards faith and religion that comes from the narrator, not the characters. While an atheist myself, I found this gets repetitive rather quickly.
As with most hard scifi, characters are not the strongest - Greg, Kathy and the Reverend change in character abruptly as the plot drives along, but in this genre we care about the plot and the science, and not as much about what the puppets feel. Here's looking to the next book in the series!
Firstly - it's proper hard scifi, and Anlee scifi is basically what you'd expect from Asimov or Clarke. Rich concepts, epic scopes, roots in real science. The author's own scientific background stands out throughout the book. Coming off the Reality Thief, the Incursion ups the ante and the action. From ten-dimensional simulations to Ringworlds to battles between artificially constructed Angels, this has got it all.
That said, you will need to read the previous book to even hope to understand this one, and there is much exposition and a marked contempt towards faith and religion that comes from the narrator, not the characters. While an atheist myself, I found this gets repetitive rather quickly.
As with most hard scifi, characters are not the strongest - Greg, Kathy and the Reverend change in character abruptly as the plot drives along, but in this genre we care about the plot and the science, and not as much about what the puppets feel. Here's looking to the next book in the series!
September 12, 2017
Things speed up some in Book Two with god determined to hit the rewind button so he can accomplish Big Bang Redux and hopefully this time get it right; angels engage in all-out sword fight in a distant part of the universe leaving wings and limbs scattered about the stars; a planet-eating alternate universe is spawned and let loose in Vancouver; tens of millions of earthlings are selected to colonize bored-out asteroids but not before uncooperative world leaders are assassinated and a new form of religious zealotry takes hold. Book one was already a page turner but the action in book two is set to warp speed as the characters, plots and all that meaty science come together nicely. Everything's in place for a stunning conclusion in Book Three.
August 19, 2017
Sci-fi is often fiction that defies science but that doesn't happen in The Reality Incursion. Book 2 of the Deplosion series lays bare Anlee's science cred. If you're like me, when the physics and technology are over your head, the plot and characters will keep you turning the pages, racing to the end. Can't wait for Book 3!
October 2, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I wouldn't say I feel slow for not knowing this, but in the disposition series there was two stories going on. In this book, "Reality Incursion," I finally realized it when I meet the character known as Trillion and how he is basically a master hacker. I knew there was two different stories, I just didn't know in reality it was the same story from two different timelines. Paul basically tells the story of how they got to where they are now and why they are starting a rebellion against Alum.
"Reality Incursion," is a great follow up to the first book, "Reality Thief." This one will make you laugh, awwwww, ohhhhh, yell, say don't trust him and everything in between. If you loved the first one, then this is definitely a series for you.
I wouldn't say I feel slow for not knowing this, but in the disposition series there was two stories going on. In this book, "Reality Incursion," I finally realized it when I meet the character known as Trillion and how he is basically a master hacker. I knew there was two different stories, I just didn't know in reality it was the same story from two different timelines. Paul basically tells the story of how they got to where they are now and why they are starting a rebellion against Alum.
"Reality Incursion," is a great follow up to the first book, "Reality Thief." This one will make you laugh, awwwww, ohhhhh, yell, say don't trust him and everything in between. If you loved the first one, then this is definitely a series for you.
September 16, 2017
Not equal to the first book.
In "Reality Thief" I found a fresh and thought provoking story that made me ponder possibilities. I was annoyed by the dual story format, telling two stories at the same time millions of years apart. The dialogue was fresh and each character had a somewhat unique voice. In "The Reality Incursion" the dialogue is less specific to character, the cutting edge science, for the most part has been explained and in the first book, and we are left with superficial descriptions of deep relationships, bland action scenes, heavy handed atheism, and a social political polemic that is extraordinarily narrow in its scope. All foreign powers roll over without their own intrigue - Really?
I still really hate the dual story format. I still love the skill in writing and look forward to a conclusion to this tale. I will not keep buying an unlimited string of books to get that closure, and can only hope that it ends in a climax and not a raspberry.
In "Reality Thief" I found a fresh and thought provoking story that made me ponder possibilities. I was annoyed by the dual story format, telling two stories at the same time millions of years apart. The dialogue was fresh and each character had a somewhat unique voice. In "The Reality Incursion" the dialogue is less specific to character, the cutting edge science, for the most part has been explained and in the first book, and we are left with superficial descriptions of deep relationships, bland action scenes, heavy handed atheism, and a social political polemic that is extraordinarily narrow in its scope. All foreign powers roll over without their own intrigue - Really?
I still really hate the dual story format. I still love the skill in writing and look forward to a conclusion to this tale. I will not keep buying an unlimited string of books to get that closure, and can only hope that it ends in a climax and not a raspberry.
October 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this second installment in the trilogy. Fast paced, provocative, and always making me think. I found book 2 even more immersive than book 1. Now that we know the basics of what's going on, Anlee puts the pedal to the metal, with alot of action, plot twists, and a quick moving story. One of the clear differentiators from most SciFi out there is that Anlee, as an accomplished scientist in his non-writer life, deeply understands the science and technology implications of the world he creates. A worthy read!
April 28, 2019
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. For scientists Kathy and Greg their lives are already turned upside down by the mysterious disappearance of two of their colleagues. Now they and entire world are facing a microverse that will destroy the entire world. And there's nothing that can stop it- so how do convince world leaders to rescue those they can and leave the only home humans have known. With earth torn apart by ideas and faith, can everyone care enough to give hope when all seems dark? The second book in a seriously mind blowing series that is worth the read.
February 21, 2019
The second installment to Paul Anlee's imagined future kept me guessing and thoroughly entertained along the way. I thought it was better written and less confusing than the first book, maybe because I was already up to speed from having been previously introduced to Anlee's world and characters, but be that as it may, I enjoyed it more than the first book and found it more accessible. The science is sound and the characters complex...and that's what makes this sci fi worth reading.
October 28, 2017
Time out?
Why, I as the reader , see that there is religious sculdugery going on.
Yet the clever rich and famous,do not?
I suppose I am just to thick to see it my self.
One thousand off one percent does not logarithmic, kill all humankind.
Why, I as the reader , see that there is religious sculdugery going on.
Yet the clever rich and famous,do not?
I suppose I am just to thick to see it my self.
One thousand off one percent does not logarithmic, kill all humankind.
October 13, 2018
Holy smokes, no pun intended, this novel is full of suspense, action, and enough scientific demonstration to fill your brain to overflow. I loved the story with all its twists and actually got quite angry at the end. This is some great sci-fi, you will enjoy it.
May 11, 2019
It is a bit hard to get into this book, but once you do it will be worth the effort. A different take on the norm.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews