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Introspection: Transformation
After investigating the scene of a seemingly routine crash of a commercial airliner, United States authorities discover a substance later determined to be of extraterrestrial origin. Authorities subsequently confirm that there are aliens on Earth, and their response to this intelligence ensues.
Jake, a gifted sixteen-year-old high school student defined in his community by a tragic event, inherits superhuman cognitive abilities due to an alien encounter. Jake embarks upon a journey to use his new abilities to help mankind prepare for an eminent alien invasion. The seemingly invincible and impenetrable aliens, who roam undetected among earthlings, are methodically plotting their invasion since their home planet is dying and has nearly been depleted of all resources required to sustain life. It becomes a race against time as Jake tries to save the world.
Introspection: Transformation is the first installment of a trilogy.
Jake, a gifted sixteen-year-old high school student defined in his community by a tragic event, inherits superhuman cognitive abilities due to an alien encounter. Jake embarks upon a journey to use his new abilities to help mankind prepare for an eminent alien invasion. The seemingly invincible and impenetrable aliens, who roam undetected among earthlings, are methodically plotting their invasion since their home planet is dying and has nearly been depleted of all resources required to sustain life. It becomes a race against time as Jake tries to save the world.
Introspection: Transformation is the first installment of a trilogy.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Steven Hamburg
1 book8 followersI was inspired to write a sci-fi novel when I watched the movie Back to the Future as a kid in 1985. I identified with the new and improved George McFly, who ended up being a successful sci-fi author. Just two years after seeing this movie, while I was a freshman in college, I came up with the primary concept of Introspection: Transformation.
After graduating from college, I landed my first job, got married, helped raise my three amazing children, transitioned careers for the fifth time - this time into the field of cyber security - and then started and eventually sold two cyber security consulting companies.
I am extremely thankful for the successes I have been able to achieve, and I am now, more than ever, motivated to help others. This is why I will be donating all profits I personally receive from book sales to various organizations in order to improve the health of our planet, and to help animals and people all over the world.
Seemingly, at a blink of an eye, it was December 31st 2015; nearly 24 years after I graduated college. My New Year's resolution was very simple: I am going to finally dedicate myself to writing Introspection: Transformation!" Spending nearly five hours everyday beginning New Year's day in 2016, I completed my first draft of the novel in five months.
Between the multiple re-writes I performed during the refinement process, I had family members and friends, ranging in ages from 16 to 76 years old, read my evolving novel. The feedback was invaluable, enabling me to develop a novel I am very confident you will enjoy.
It has been an incredible journey, and I am very excited to share Introspection: Transformation with the world!
After graduating from college, I landed my first job, got married, helped raise my three amazing children, transitioned careers for the fifth time - this time into the field of cyber security - and then started and eventually sold two cyber security consulting companies.
I am extremely thankful for the successes I have been able to achieve, and I am now, more than ever, motivated to help others. This is why I will be donating all profits I personally receive from book sales to various organizations in order to improve the health of our planet, and to help animals and people all over the world.
Seemingly, at a blink of an eye, it was December 31st 2015; nearly 24 years after I graduated college. My New Year's resolution was very simple: I am going to finally dedicate myself to writing Introspection: Transformation!" Spending nearly five hours everyday beginning New Year's day in 2016, I completed my first draft of the novel in five months.
Between the multiple re-writes I performed during the refinement process, I had family members and friends, ranging in ages from 16 to 76 years old, read my evolving novel. The feedback was invaluable, enabling me to develop a novel I am very confident you will enjoy.
It has been an incredible journey, and I am very excited to share Introspection: Transformation with the world!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 3, 2018
On the surface, a commercial airliner crash seems to be an innocent tragic disaster, however the FBI and American government become increasingly concerned after they discover an alien substance in the wreckage. FBI agents Kent and Emily are charged with investigating this extraterrestrial discovery and ensuring the safety of planet Earth. The alien race are surveying various planets for takeover due to the imminent demise of their current home. Meanwhile, teenager Jake who has until now, lead a fairly normal life, encounters an alien in his local park and subsequently inherits superhuman abilities. Jake takes it upon himself to attempt to use his new skills to overcome the invading aliens and ultimately maintain the world as humans know it.
I have to say, I ended up being drawn into the story of this book and raced through the last 45% or so, trying to find out WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PLANET EARTH. A sci-fi, YA book wouldn’t be my top book choice but I went in open minded and I’m glad that I did. The story was quite gripping and engaging and I can imagine that there are plenty of teen readers out there that would gobble this up.
I liked Jake’s character in this book. He had a lot on his shoulders yet remained kind and good. Considering the huge impact on his life that his abilities forced upon him, it was nice to see the author show the teenage side to him regardless of the pressures, for example when he decided utilise his new powers to treat himself. I wasn’t mad about his parents. I think I would have liked the relationships in Jake’s home to be a little more deep (especially given the circumstances they find themselves in), but maybe I am expecting a little too much from a YA book on that front.
I do have a gripe I need to get off my chest. The timeline is an awful lot of back and forth between months and years, but not really that far apart. I found it difficult to keep up with where I was in time and had to skip back to the beginning of the previous chapter a lot to decipher whether the chapter I was embarking on was past, present or future.
In summary, I didn’t hate reading this and as I mentioned, I actually got pretty hooked for the latter half. I think my partner’s son who is of a YA age would love this and would be the perfect audience. Who am I kidding, I’ll be reading the second book in the trilogy. I need to know if Earth is safe or not darn it!!!
I have to say, I ended up being drawn into the story of this book and raced through the last 45% or so, trying to find out WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PLANET EARTH. A sci-fi, YA book wouldn’t be my top book choice but I went in open minded and I’m glad that I did. The story was quite gripping and engaging and I can imagine that there are plenty of teen readers out there that would gobble this up.
I liked Jake’s character in this book. He had a lot on his shoulders yet remained kind and good. Considering the huge impact on his life that his abilities forced upon him, it was nice to see the author show the teenage side to him regardless of the pressures, for example when he decided utilise his new powers to treat himself. I wasn’t mad about his parents. I think I would have liked the relationships in Jake’s home to be a little more deep (especially given the circumstances they find themselves in), but maybe I am expecting a little too much from a YA book on that front.
I do have a gripe I need to get off my chest. The timeline is an awful lot of back and forth between months and years, but not really that far apart. I found it difficult to keep up with where I was in time and had to skip back to the beginning of the previous chapter a lot to decipher whether the chapter I was embarking on was past, present or future.
In summary, I didn’t hate reading this and as I mentioned, I actually got pretty hooked for the latter half. I think my partner’s son who is of a YA age would love this and would be the perfect audience. Who am I kidding, I’ll be reading the second book in the trilogy. I need to know if Earth is safe or not darn it!!!
October 14, 2018
As we move consistently from the perspectives of FBI agents to a high school teenage boy all the way to aliens in outer space, we find ourselves incredibly engaged in how human and thoughtful all these beings are. In trying to accomplish each of their back-breaking missions, all of these beings convey a strong sense of determination and yet a deep sense of internal conflict as they try to stay true to their morality. As the first of a series, Introspection: Transformation highly succeeds on two fronts: not rushing but not stalling either, welcoming us into an enriching, imagery filled world we can easily buy into, and want to stay in. As you finish the pages of this one, you’ll be eagerly waiting for the next.
May 1, 2019
I was given this book in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed this book although somewhat predictable in times. It’s definitely a classic Alien takes over the earth type of book. I enjoyed the characters and definitely had moments I didn’t want to put the book down. There are parts of the book when the details seem very gruesome to me, and although that is not my particular cup of tea, I was able to get through them and still enjoy the story. I was definitely left wanting at the end of the book. If there isn’t a second book to come, then, they left the story with no closure.
December 16, 2018
Introspection: Transformation is a wonderful science fiction story by Steven Hamburg that will appeal to both Young Adults and Adults.
I enjoy science fiction stories that take place in our current time as that helps add a sense of realism, relatibility and believability. In addition, I enjoy science fiction stories that introduce aliens that I haven't run across in other stories. Introspection: Transformation succeeds in both of these aspects. The biology of these aliens is unique and interesting. In addition, Steven doesn't just stop at the biology, but he goes further by also creating a unique alien history, society and culture.
Introspection: Transformation is great for parents and their young adult children to read together as it offers an opportunity to discuss the book as it will appeal to a broad age group.
The protagonist in Introspection: Transformation is a teenage boy named Jake who has to deal with a new reality and balance that with his family and friends. Jake grows up fast as a result and he represents a positive role model for teenagers. Jake makes mistakes but he learns from them and continues to mature; always with a positive moral compass.
Another aspect of the book that was compelling and enjoyable were the twists and turns that Steven presented. This made the book hard to put down.
I can't wait for the second (and third) book in this trilogy!
I enjoy science fiction stories that take place in our current time as that helps add a sense of realism, relatibility and believability. In addition, I enjoy science fiction stories that introduce aliens that I haven't run across in other stories. Introspection: Transformation succeeds in both of these aspects. The biology of these aliens is unique and interesting. In addition, Steven doesn't just stop at the biology, but he goes further by also creating a unique alien history, society and culture.
Introspection: Transformation is great for parents and their young adult children to read together as it offers an opportunity to discuss the book as it will appeal to a broad age group.
The protagonist in Introspection: Transformation is a teenage boy named Jake who has to deal with a new reality and balance that with his family and friends. Jake grows up fast as a result and he represents a positive role model for teenagers. Jake makes mistakes but he learns from them and continues to mature; always with a positive moral compass.
Another aspect of the book that was compelling and enjoyable were the twists and turns that Steven presented. This made the book hard to put down.
I can't wait for the second (and third) book in this trilogy!
February 7, 2019
[Disclaimer: I got this book via LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program]
This book is based on an idea not really new but interested anyway: a planet inhabited by some telepathic races who want to invade the Earth, killing all the people. While the invasors are setting their path, a teenager obtains the same power: he struggles to manage them and to warn the authorities about the impending invasion. The plot contains some superflous moments in which things are re-explained, but it is good except for the last chapter. I don't complain that the narration ends rather abruptly to leave space for the sequels; that's fair game. But what happens in that chapter does not fit with the assumptions we had throughout the text. Suspension of disbelief is ok, but there must be a deal with the reader and things must stay the same.
This book is based on an idea not really new but interested anyway: a planet inhabited by some telepathic races who want to invade the Earth, killing all the people. While the invasors are setting their path, a teenager obtains the same power: he struggles to manage them and to warn the authorities about the impending invasion. The plot contains some superflous moments in which things are re-explained, but it is good except for the last chapter. I don't complain that the narration ends rather abruptly to leave space for the sequels; that's fair game. But what happens in that chapter does not fit with the assumptions we had throughout the text. Suspension of disbelief is ok, but there must be a deal with the reader and things must stay the same.
May 17, 2019
I was given a free copy to give my honest opinion of this book.
Although I dabble in science fiction, this is not typically the type of science fiction I grab. Usually I read it with my daughter and I am thankful I didn’t read it with her. It was very detailed and graphic. It was written well and I definitely was engaged the entire time, hence the 4 star rating. Although too gruesome in some parts for me, I was able to push through it and continue reading. It seems it’s a typical alien invasion coming to earth story but since the story leaves it unfinished, I am hoping that means there is a second one. Will I read it? I think so....
Although I dabble in science fiction, this is not typically the type of science fiction I grab. Usually I read it with my daughter and I am thankful I didn’t read it with her. It was very detailed and graphic. It was written well and I definitely was engaged the entire time, hence the 4 star rating. Although too gruesome in some parts for me, I was able to push through it and continue reading. It seems it’s a typical alien invasion coming to earth story but since the story leaves it unfinished, I am hoping that means there is a second one. Will I read it? I think so....
February 3, 2019
This is a nice face paced scifi book. Nothing too hard to follow and an easy read. Not really standing out in anyway, but it's a good story. Like the development of the characters and I am looking forward to read the next chapter in this sage.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews