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LifeShift
Was Zeus a Greek God or merely a space explorer?
Following his mission to bring civilization to Earth, Zeus vanished on a newly discovered planet in the system Wolf 1061. Before he left, he set up a follow-on mission to come for him 35,000 years in the future. LifeShift tells the story of how, at a small high school in the Midwestern United States, in the Earth year 1957, that quest came to light.
That year, when sixteen-year-old Alex Monroe escaped death in an Illinois train yard, he learned that it was no accident. The same night, he dreamt he was with a beautiful girl in a strange world. The next day, he found the details of the dream not only don’t go away, but the girl in his dream is a new student at his high school. Which life, he wonders, is his?
Circe, the girl, tells him she is the reincarnation of Lachesis, one of the Moirae, or Fates, of Greek Mythology. An original offspring of Nyx and Zeus, she is an Eternal, from an advanced race of humans. He learns he may also be an Eternal, whose memories have been blocked, and he has some prescribed destiny. He discovers other girls at his high school are also Eternals, the reincarnation of various Greek figures, including Susan, who is Iris, the Goddess of the Rainbow; Irene, who is Atropos, the oldest of the Moirae; and Patty, who is Celaeno, one of the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades.
While not knowing that Alex has been picked to lead a quest to join Zeus, Circe (Lachesis) and Irene (Atropos), take him under their protection, as Eris, the goddess of Strife, and various not-so-nice Eternals attempt to rectify the mistake of his escaping death in the railroad yard. Irene is able to trace back his memories to his last life, as a German Luftwaffe pilot prior to the Second World War, and finds his future as an Eternal is tied to the recovery of the Moire's youngest sister, Clotho, the details of whose rebirth have been hidden.
Alex, in his journeys with Irene and others, eventually discovers that thousands of years ago, he was selected for the mission to join Zeus, who disappeared while exploring another planetary system eons ago. To do that, he must first find Clotho. Alex's only clue is he can find her somewhere in California's Sequoia National Park. Clotho was born at the same time he was, and he must be with her at the exact moment of their seventeenth birthdays for her to regain the knowledge of her past.
When he finds her, he discovers that his quest has only just begun.
Following his mission to bring civilization to Earth, Zeus vanished on a newly discovered planet in the system Wolf 1061. Before he left, he set up a follow-on mission to come for him 35,000 years in the future. LifeShift tells the story of how, at a small high school in the Midwestern United States, in the Earth year 1957, that quest came to light.
That year, when sixteen-year-old Alex Monroe escaped death in an Illinois train yard, he learned that it was no accident. The same night, he dreamt he was with a beautiful girl in a strange world. The next day, he found the details of the dream not only don’t go away, but the girl in his dream is a new student at his high school. Which life, he wonders, is his?
Circe, the girl, tells him she is the reincarnation of Lachesis, one of the Moirae, or Fates, of Greek Mythology. An original offspring of Nyx and Zeus, she is an Eternal, from an advanced race of humans. He learns he may also be an Eternal, whose memories have been blocked, and he has some prescribed destiny. He discovers other girls at his high school are also Eternals, the reincarnation of various Greek figures, including Susan, who is Iris, the Goddess of the Rainbow; Irene, who is Atropos, the oldest of the Moirae; and Patty, who is Celaeno, one of the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades.
While not knowing that Alex has been picked to lead a quest to join Zeus, Circe (Lachesis) and Irene (Atropos), take him under their protection, as Eris, the goddess of Strife, and various not-so-nice Eternals attempt to rectify the mistake of his escaping death in the railroad yard. Irene is able to trace back his memories to his last life, as a German Luftwaffe pilot prior to the Second World War, and finds his future as an Eternal is tied to the recovery of the Moire's youngest sister, Clotho, the details of whose rebirth have been hidden.
Alex, in his journeys with Irene and others, eventually discovers that thousands of years ago, he was selected for the mission to join Zeus, who disappeared while exploring another planetary system eons ago. To do that, he must first find Clotho. Alex's only clue is he can find her somewhere in California's Sequoia National Park. Clotho was born at the same time he was, and he must be with her at the exact moment of their seventeenth birthdays for her to regain the knowledge of her past.
When he finds her, he discovers that his quest has only just begun.
274 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2018
770 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 17, 2023
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Things can change in a moment. All it takes it that tiny second that can turn our lives upside down. This happened to Alex. See, one day, he is just this unpopular boy that goes to school, and works to earn a little something for himself. Then, in one little moment, he is about to be hit by a train. Only - a miracle happens and he remains alive. But something changed. No, EVERYTHING changed. A new girl comes to school the next morning and tells him he is an Eternal, just like her, a person that lives many lives and keeps getting reborn. He is also supposed to remember his past lives once he turns 18. And not only that, but he also needs to go on a mission to find another Eternal, that would lead them to Zeus.
Bonus: This book is filled with Greek Mythology characters, but they are not the Greek Gods as we know them - they are all Eternals and have a special new fictional story.
I know some of you guys messaged me that the synopsis of the book looked so complicated, and it put you off. The story is actually quite interesting and easy to understand, once you start reading it. So go on, and put this on your TBRs!
The story and the plot itself are so unique - I haven’t read anything like this before. Michael managed to recreate a whole new world, and new type of creatures - Eternals. I loved the idea of the Eternals - people that have many lives and remember their previous lives. They can even choose where they want to get born next, and how to look. I also loved the superpowers they have - communicating through thoughts and dreams, healing, reading the past of a person by touching their hand… However, in many places in the book this was described too fast and too wide - there would be 5 pages of an essay of only description. I would much prefer if we could explore the story and history through the characters more.
The characters were likable. All of them. I liked Alex - he was a typical American boy. Sometimes a bit oblivious to everything happening around him. I found it a bit upsetting how he couldn’t choose who he wanted to be with. But on the other side, I quite admired him for how he coped when his world just changed in an instant, and so many people he knew were not what he thought they were, and on top of that he had to choose who to trust and who not to, and he had to agree to go on a mission that risks his life, even though he still couldn’t remember if he was an Eternal, which meant that maybe he is not like them at all.
Circe was an interesting character too. Such an energetic person with a wild personality - she would be the one that brightens up a room as soon as she walks into it. She can also be very possessive of the people she loves. She quite reminds me of myself in my teenage years in everything she did - funny, reckless moments - all worth remembering. Even though I couldn’t find a favourite character, all the people we meet in the book were equally loved by me.
This is an amazing story - a fiction fantasy that gathered Greek Mythology characters and created something entirely new. I enjoyed it a lot and I can’t wait for the next book of the series to come out. This book opens up a great discussion about people that can be reborn and remember their past. My view on life is that once we die, our soul goes into another body that gets born in the exact same moment, and even though we don’t remember it, we always carry a piece of that inside our hearts. There are occasions though, where some people remember their past lives.
What are your thoughts about life after death? Would you maybe pick this book up?
A special thank you to the author, Michael Kott, who send me a copy of LifeShift in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts are my own, and completely unbiased.
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Things can change in a moment. All it takes it that tiny second that can turn our lives upside down. This happened to Alex. See, one day, he is just this unpopular boy that goes to school, and works to earn a little something for himself. Then, in one little moment, he is about to be hit by a train. Only - a miracle happens and he remains alive. But something changed. No, EVERYTHING changed. A new girl comes to school the next morning and tells him he is an Eternal, just like her, a person that lives many lives and keeps getting reborn. He is also supposed to remember his past lives once he turns 18. And not only that, but he also needs to go on a mission to find another Eternal, that would lead them to Zeus.
Bonus: This book is filled with Greek Mythology characters, but they are not the Greek Gods as we know them - they are all Eternals and have a special new fictional story.
I know some of you guys messaged me that the synopsis of the book looked so complicated, and it put you off. The story is actually quite interesting and easy to understand, once you start reading it. So go on, and put this on your TBRs!
The story and the plot itself are so unique - I haven’t read anything like this before. Michael managed to recreate a whole new world, and new type of creatures - Eternals. I loved the idea of the Eternals - people that have many lives and remember their previous lives. They can even choose where they want to get born next, and how to look. I also loved the superpowers they have - communicating through thoughts and dreams, healing, reading the past of a person by touching their hand… However, in many places in the book this was described too fast and too wide - there would be 5 pages of an essay of only description. I would much prefer if we could explore the story and history through the characters more.
The characters were likable. All of them. I liked Alex - he was a typical American boy. Sometimes a bit oblivious to everything happening around him. I found it a bit upsetting how he couldn’t choose who he wanted to be with. But on the other side, I quite admired him for how he coped when his world just changed in an instant, and so many people he knew were not what he thought they were, and on top of that he had to choose who to trust and who not to, and he had to agree to go on a mission that risks his life, even though he still couldn’t remember if he was an Eternal, which meant that maybe he is not like them at all.
Circe was an interesting character too. Such an energetic person with a wild personality - she would be the one that brightens up a room as soon as she walks into it. She can also be very possessive of the people she loves. She quite reminds me of myself in my teenage years in everything she did - funny, reckless moments - all worth remembering. Even though I couldn’t find a favourite character, all the people we meet in the book were equally loved by me.
This is an amazing story - a fiction fantasy that gathered Greek Mythology characters and created something entirely new. I enjoyed it a lot and I can’t wait for the next book of the series to come out. This book opens up a great discussion about people that can be reborn and remember their past. My view on life is that once we die, our soul goes into another body that gets born in the exact same moment, and even though we don’t remember it, we always carry a piece of that inside our hearts. There are occasions though, where some people remember their past lives.
What are your thoughts about life after death? Would you maybe pick this book up?
A special thank you to the author, Michael Kott, who send me a copy of LifeShift in exchange for an honest review. All my thoughts are my own, and completely unbiased.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
December 10, 2018
I got this book from a Goodreads Giveaway with agreement to do a review. Review contains a summary which may have spoilers.
I also let my oldest read this because he really likes sci fi & Greek mythology. He is in high school & read through this in a few days. He really enjoyed it as well.
It started off a bit slow but once it got going it was a compelling and fairly quick read. The concept is creative and interesting. Basically the storyline is the Greek gods & goddesses were actually space explorers. Zeus & Hera were pretty much rivals. Zeus goes missing but sets into place a plan to be found which no one knows details of until its time for the plan to come to fruition. My son thinks it was a cool idea. The way Greek gods & goddesses were reinvented as aliens was a creative concept whiuch as an adult I appreciated for its ingenuity & that my son loved. The characters were all likeable too. My son already wants to buy Michael Kott's next book which doesn't come it til next year so we will be looking for other books he's written before Life Shift .
I also let my oldest read this because he really likes sci fi & Greek mythology. He is in high school & read through this in a few days. He really enjoyed it as well.
It started off a bit slow but once it got going it was a compelling and fairly quick read. The concept is creative and interesting. Basically the storyline is the Greek gods & goddesses were actually space explorers. Zeus & Hera were pretty much rivals. Zeus goes missing but sets into place a plan to be found which no one knows details of until its time for the plan to come to fruition. My son thinks it was a cool idea. The way Greek gods & goddesses were reinvented as aliens was a creative concept whiuch as an adult I appreciated for its ingenuity & that my son loved. The characters were all likeable too. My son already wants to buy Michael Kott's next book which doesn't come it til next year so we will be looking for other books he's written before Life Shift .
January 2, 2020
LifeShift by Michael Kott draws the reader in right from the first sentence. It’s well-written and fun. Nonetheless, it can get a bit confusing to be honest with its bizarre science fiction meets Greek mythology cast of characters. I get that that is supposed to be part of the point (the protagonist Alex dealing with being plunged into an intense, bizarre, amazing and confusing new reality) but it still detracts from the enjoyableness and is why I only give this four stars. Also it is a bit much verging into parody how every single super-hot new female companion lusts over Alex as part of some epic quest. Still, it’s imaginative and the main idea keeps your attention. I recommend reading it for anyone into mythology, science fiction and esoteric concepts like past lives, alternate identities and things like that.
April 10, 2020
After nearly being killed in a train yard, strange things begin to happen to shy teenager Alex Monroe. He’s about to embark upon adventures beyond his wildest dreams, filled with beautiful women—Eternals—who claim he’s known them for thousands of years, from prior incarnations. In addition to a secret mission to find a missing Greek Goddess, he learns he’s also an Eternal who has been chosen to be part of the quest to rescue Zeus. (Zeus isn’t a figure from Greek mythology, he’s actually a space explorer from another planet!) This pastiche of Greek gods, UFOs and space travel, Helen of Troy, psychic women from Nazi Germany, and many-lived lives, is told in creative swirls of imaginative superpowers. From mind reading, to healing, to super strength, LifeShift is a sci-fi blend that opens the mind to out-of-this-world possibilities!
January 20, 2020
-Alex avoids a workplace death via runaway train caboose.
-An Eternal Goddess inserts herself in his life claiming they've known each other for eons even though Alex is 16.
-Alex keeps having flashbacks to when he was someone else in another world in another time.
-The girls he's always eyed at school are all Eternal Godesses, and he's in love. With all of them. Isn't he?
A new mixture of sci-fi and mythology, Lifeshift brings readers into a world Alex doesn't understand. He, along with the good Eternals, must figure out why Alex has a block on his memory. Using his fantastic ability to bring characters to life, author Michael Kott has created a fun, interesting novel readers will surely enjoy.
-An Eternal Goddess inserts herself in his life claiming they've known each other for eons even though Alex is 16.
-Alex keeps having flashbacks to when he was someone else in another world in another time.
-The girls he's always eyed at school are all Eternal Godesses, and he's in love. With all of them. Isn't he?
A new mixture of sci-fi and mythology, Lifeshift brings readers into a world Alex doesn't understand. He, along with the good Eternals, must figure out why Alex has a block on his memory. Using his fantastic ability to bring characters to life, author Michael Kott has created a fun, interesting novel readers will surely enjoy.
April 15, 2020
I love stories where the hero (or heroine) goes from being a zero to being a hero overnight. I guess we can all relate to that. When we read fiction, we want to read about ordinary people who discover that they are way more, with hidden destinies and powers.
This story didn't disappoint. The main character's transformation is believable, the way he leaves his old life behind, slowly learning about his past and his quest enjoyable. I can recommend it for those who like science fiction, but with a touch of self-development.
This story didn't disappoint. The main character's transformation is believable, the way he leaves his old life behind, slowly learning about his past and his quest enjoyable. I can recommend it for those who like science fiction, but with a touch of self-development.
December 23, 2019
Michael Kott should be applauded for his unique take on Greek mythology and the gods who live in his world. Each character is unique and three-dimensional. Kott uses just enough historical data to make characters feel real, but he doesn’t borrow the plot from mythical stories. Instead, he adds on to the epic tales to build on the ancient master’s stories. He tests the waters and begs the questions – did the gods really exist? Are the advanced humans or space aliens?
April 19, 2020
A high school fantasy meshed with Greek mythology. I thought the characters were well developed in this story and it was a lot of fun to read. Sometimes I thought it was a bit too much info dump, but I did enjoy the mixing of Greek mythology. If you're a lover of Greek mythology, and want to see your favorite gods in a new story, this is the book for you!
December 14, 2018
I won this book in the goodreads giveaway! Awesome read, I am very impressed with Michael Kott's novel.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews