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The Eden Chronicles #1
A Bright Shore
A military Sci-Fi political thriller set a short decade from now. In 2031, holding to the concept of Individual Liberty can get you killed. Western Civilization is in collapse, a process led and driven by the world's leading supposed democracies, our own included. What was once the western world's guiding light of Liberty is quickly being replaced by state sponsored serfdom under the guise of a global economic re-set done in the name 'the workers.' The people of The Program have seen the unfettered growth of government power coming for decades and they've worked in secret since the 1950's on engineering their way around and through the multiverse established by Quantum theory. They aren't perfect and they've lost the political fight to the left's government power and to the right's corporate statism. The world's people have been force fed a political chasm between left and right for so long they don't recognize that the governments themselves drive this supposed battle while ensnaring everyone.
Those that see the truth, people from nearly every country on the planet, have banded together in secret knowing they can't win. Not on this world. They're leaving… but new destinations rarely mirror the guide book. The thing about a new empty world is that they may not be the only ones willing to fight for it.
Kyle Lassiter has seen the worst the world can offer from behind a gun for the last fifteen years, fighting terrorists and revolutionary movements in an unending global conflict that his own government has no intention of winning. Forced out of the Special Forces and the military he volunteered for, he is sent a federal subpoena to report for work at the New Civilian Works Administration. Turns out the Government feels his readjustment back to the civilian world needs to take place via federally mandated guidelines. Ignoring the subpoena, he's on his way to a foreign consulate to sign up as mercenary, and leave the US behind like so many of his brothers in arms have already done. Before he goes, he attends one last job interview, with a company everyone has heard of. An interview unlike anything he's imagined is followed by a job offer that he can’t believe or possibly turn down.
A debut novel, the first in a series from a former CIA operations officer who has decided that his lifelong writing habit/hobby/obsession is more fun than "real" work.
Those that see the truth, people from nearly every country on the planet, have banded together in secret knowing they can't win. Not on this world. They're leaving… but new destinations rarely mirror the guide book. The thing about a new empty world is that they may not be the only ones willing to fight for it.
Kyle Lassiter has seen the worst the world can offer from behind a gun for the last fifteen years, fighting terrorists and revolutionary movements in an unending global conflict that his own government has no intention of winning. Forced out of the Special Forces and the military he volunteered for, he is sent a federal subpoena to report for work at the New Civilian Works Administration. Turns out the Government feels his readjustment back to the civilian world needs to take place via federally mandated guidelines. Ignoring the subpoena, he's on his way to a foreign consulate to sign up as mercenary, and leave the US behind like so many of his brothers in arms have already done. Before he goes, he attends one last job interview, with a company everyone has heard of. An interview unlike anything he's imagined is followed by a job offer that he can’t believe or possibly turn down.
A debut novel, the first in a series from a former CIA operations officer who has decided that his lifelong writing habit/hobby/obsession is more fun than "real" work.
253 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2018
2018 people are currently reading
987 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Anderson
9 books209 followersSmall town kid born in Idaho, raised in Eastern Oregon. I left the Northwest for the CIA. Twenty eight years and a ton of travel mileage later, I am living in Northern Virginia with my wonderful family and still writing. You can follow my progress and blog at www.smanderson-author.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
April 10, 2020
I am a huge fan of dystopian novels. Absolutely one of my favorite genres. And I really enjoyed another one of this author’s books. At the beginning I liked this one too. The concept and story arc was interesting and kept me reading, but there were entire chapters so full of political shit that I nearly stopped reading so many times. Does this guy think he’s the new Ayn Rand? The amount of such trite generalizations and conspiracy theory was gag inducing. Individual liberties? Jihadists trampling the world because immigration? Nationalizing the world’s economy with nazi themed jackboots and secret armies? The goddamn socialists taking everything and reeducating vets at work camps? Sending all the real patriots to death camps in New Mexico?
As I said, I love a good dystopian novel, but one that sounds like Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones are the rational benevolent spirit guides for the tea party soul....stick to a parallel dimension that separatists colonize because they disagree with a world gone to hell but don’t try to pretend that the rednecks who know how to work hard are so welcome to all races and religions if they just work hard. Don’t try to pretend that racists are not really racists and that they are kind and generous to all of those just as smart as them.
The part that was hardest to stomach was the knowledge that for many people this isn’t fiction. There are people who really believe this.
As I said, I love a good dystopian novel, but one that sounds like Rush Limbaugh and Alex Jones are the rational benevolent spirit guides for the tea party soul....stick to a parallel dimension that separatists colonize because they disagree with a world gone to hell but don’t try to pretend that the rednecks who know how to work hard are so welcome to all races and religions if they just work hard. Don’t try to pretend that racists are not really racists and that they are kind and generous to all of those just as smart as them.
The part that was hardest to stomach was the knowledge that for many people this isn’t fiction. There are people who really believe this.
June 15, 2020
It`s a rough go
Honestly I'd give it a 1 star but I only made it half way through so the extra star is to not make it quite so disingenuous. I can't believe I had to read through so much ham handed political drivel. I've never particularly cared what type of government collapse spurs the cool sci~fi books I read and I truly have no idea why this author thought he needed to include so much questionable commentary. I would say the same if it was switched and all liberal orientated it's so slanted and stilted that it's unbelievable. Like how are you focusing more on the fact that they're socialists or too PC or too lazy over making people serfs??? I have to listen to you go hurr durr the liberals were creating our gold standard economy woo! Like whyyyyyy you have a cool concept with solid characters, why do I feel like I'm reading some freshman's political science essay. Your other book series is really good which is why I tried so very hard to make it through this one but good god almighty why.
Honestly I'd give it a 1 star but I only made it half way through so the extra star is to not make it quite so disingenuous. I can't believe I had to read through so much ham handed political drivel. I've never particularly cared what type of government collapse spurs the cool sci~fi books I read and I truly have no idea why this author thought he needed to include so much questionable commentary. I would say the same if it was switched and all liberal orientated it's so slanted and stilted that it's unbelievable. Like how are you focusing more on the fact that they're socialists or too PC or too lazy over making people serfs??? I have to listen to you go hurr durr the liberals were creating our gold standard economy woo! Like whyyyyyy you have a cool concept with solid characters, why do I feel like I'm reading some freshman's political science essay. Your other book series is really good which is why I tried so very hard to make it through this one but good god almighty why.
September 19, 2019
Holy s**t, that was a great read
Scary as he'll too, if it wasn't for Mr Trump, I could totally see this happening. Can't wait to read the next one.
Scary as he'll too, if it wasn't for Mr Trump, I could totally see this happening. Can't wait to read the next one.
August 5, 2021
How did anyone enjoy this book? This isn’t science fiction, it’s a political manifesto. The author stole ideas from other stories and then decided he can sell books by wrapping them in a stale and backwards thinking view of humanity. Boring, condescending, and stuffed with page after page after page of preachy, sad, paranoid and honestly concerning views on how human beings think and feel. I think my favorite conceit of this book if the notion that conservatives are the only ones who truly understand what is best for humanity. And here I thought their claim was that’s how liberals all think?
August 1, 2018
I wanted to like this book but,
What would have been a great story was ruined y all the preaching. I am going to give the author one more chance to hop down off that soapbox, as he really is a good writer.
What would have been a great story was ruined y all the preaching. I am going to give the author one more chance to hop down off that soapbox, as he really is a good writer.
December 8, 2019
The book is set in a future dystopia. Unlike most dystopian novels based on the idea of an authoritarian government, in this one the evil figure is clearly liberal, left-leaning. In the background, a group of conservatives is regrouping. They have found a way to travel through dimensions and discovered a copy of the Earth called Eden, without any human footprint in it. They are planning on a mass migration there, away from the totalitarian government and starting from scratch. One problem though, they're not the only dimension that found Eden.
The book is told using the point of view of different characters. From ex military to the daughters of eastern Europeans mathematician geniuses, the author uses each of them to show us the different plot threads that are moving during the book.
The story itself is not bad. And the author, keeping in mind this is his first book, is also not bad. He does need a better editor, though: In the edition I read (ebook kindle), there are tons of typos, missing or duplicated words, and confusing sentences that could have been fixed with a couple proof reads.
There are a couple problems, though:
- Too much political propaganda. Initially, I was intrigued with the idea of a dystopian future based on the premise of "Political correctness and liberal ideas taken to the extreme," even if they didn't match 100% my political believes. However, it is delivered in a very simplistic way and it quickly becomes rather absurd. I had a similar problem when I tried to watch the remake of the show Sabrina: It's political propaganda wrapped around a thin layer of a story.
- The characters are too simple. Following previous point, you have two archetypes: The liberal, kinda dumb, incompetent and evil type and the conservative, hardworking, smart and good type. Every single character falls in one of the two. And there's very little development: One chapter Mr. X is interested in Ms. Y and the next chapter they are in a relationship. Whatever happens in between, who knows. A guy lost an arm and it's barely mentioned. He just got a mechanical replacement and moving on. A lot of lost possibilities for some good, old character development.
- It's very USA-centric. There're tons of acronyms that make no sense if you haven't lived in the USA, there're constant questionable references to America being "The best place in the world" and a lot of American nationalism. It gets old very quickly if you're not in the same tune as the author. There were passages in which I was just rolling my eyes at random speeches about the greatness of the country. It's particularly frustrating because the rest of the countries are painted in a similar caricaturist way, but in the other direction: Dull countries whose whole identity is based on being a follower or an enemy of the USA.
At the end, I had the feeling that I was just not the audience for the book. The story can be interesting, but if you are not a libertarian American who doesn't mind some story thrown in their political propaganda, you are likely not going to enjoy it.
The book is told using the point of view of different characters. From ex military to the daughters of eastern Europeans mathematician geniuses, the author uses each of them to show us the different plot threads that are moving during the book.
The story itself is not bad. And the author, keeping in mind this is his first book, is also not bad. He does need a better editor, though: In the edition I read (ebook kindle), there are tons of typos, missing or duplicated words, and confusing sentences that could have been fixed with a couple proof reads.
There are a couple problems, though:
- Too much political propaganda. Initially, I was intrigued with the idea of a dystopian future based on the premise of "Political correctness and liberal ideas taken to the extreme," even if they didn't match 100% my political believes. However, it is delivered in a very simplistic way and it quickly becomes rather absurd. I had a similar problem when I tried to watch the remake of the show Sabrina: It's political propaganda wrapped around a thin layer of a story.
- The characters are too simple. Following previous point, you have two archetypes: The liberal, kinda dumb, incompetent and evil type and the conservative, hardworking, smart and good type. Every single character falls in one of the two. And there's very little development: One chapter Mr. X is interested in Ms. Y and the next chapter they are in a relationship. Whatever happens in between, who knows. A guy lost an arm and it's barely mentioned. He just got a mechanical replacement and moving on. A lot of lost possibilities for some good, old character development.
- It's very USA-centric. There're tons of acronyms that make no sense if you haven't lived in the USA, there're constant questionable references to America being "The best place in the world" and a lot of American nationalism. It gets old very quickly if you're not in the same tune as the author. There were passages in which I was just rolling my eyes at random speeches about the greatness of the country. It's particularly frustrating because the rest of the countries are painted in a similar caricaturist way, but in the other direction: Dull countries whose whole identity is based on being a follower or an enemy of the USA.
At the end, I had the feeling that I was just not the audience for the book. The story can be interesting, but if you are not a libertarian American who doesn't mind some story thrown in their political propaganda, you are likely not going to enjoy it.
October 10, 2023
Some of the positive reviews here do have a point. We see very few examples of a left leaning authoritarian government becoming the bad guy in modern sci fi. It's a valid criticism.
It's always either some facist V for Vendetta style theme or religious nutbars in the Handmaid's tale. And they do have a point that past Commie governments = bad. They murdered many. We dont want that type of government any more than Nazi Germany.
But this freaking book is NOT the Fountainhead. And to describe it even remotely at the same level shows how crazy the Alt-Right has become.
The editing in this book is like a punch drunk Grammerly bot did the job.
The weird political crap was so lame.
The general plot was ok I guess. Little illogical but whatever.
Compare this to the Handmaid's tale. Did I have to sit through pages and pages of political garbage? Nope. A good book generally focuses on characters and is not generally a manifesto with a vapid story wrapped around it.
I received this book for free. And I must now shower everytime I think of it.
It's always either some facist V for Vendetta style theme or religious nutbars in the Handmaid's tale. And they do have a point that past Commie governments = bad. They murdered many. We dont want that type of government any more than Nazi Germany.
But this freaking book is NOT the Fountainhead. And to describe it even remotely at the same level shows how crazy the Alt-Right has become.
The editing in this book is like a punch drunk Grammerly bot did the job.
The weird political crap was so lame.
The general plot was ok I guess. Little illogical but whatever.
Compare this to the Handmaid's tale. Did I have to sit through pages and pages of political garbage? Nope. A good book generally focuses on characters and is not generally a manifesto with a vapid story wrapped around it.
I received this book for free. And I must now shower everytime I think of it.
December 22, 2021
This is a 4-star review.
I'm only reviewing the first book as the rest of the series (total 4 books as of this moment) but the rest are just fantastic. They continue the story that begins here.
Scientists have discovered the existence of alternate Earths via something akin to string theory. They can only access adjacent "Earths" on the string. But from each successive "Earth" they think they can access ever further iterations of Earth.
The one they can access immediately is like our Earth except humanity never evolved on the new Earth. Some of the animals are a little different. Geographically there are some modest differences as well.
Coincidentally, the governments of our Earth are driving civilization into the ground. Rather than acknowledging reality, they pursue an ever-spiraling round of regulation and taxes to create opportunities to give away "free" stuff.
The authorial motivation to retell Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" renders the narrative paper-thin - excuse the pun. This is one of two weaknesses of the book. You can read the lines of "Atlas Shrugged" through the pages of "A Bright Shore".
People that value liberty gather like-minded people to their cause. They intend a mass exodus to the new Earth that will leave those that support ever-expanding government behind. Naturally, a few ne'er-do-wells make it through. More on that later.
The settlers expand out across North America. They eventually come in contact with an armed force from the next "Earth" along the string. These humans are not quite as technologically advanced, but they are ruthless in battle. Their means of traveling to this new Earth is more based on understanding where the versions of Earth almost touch so they can (more or less) just walk from one to the other.
They want this New Earth as much as our band of intrepid settlers. War ensues. Elements of the warrior band eventually learn a bit about what makes our settler tick; philosophically speaking. They flip to our side based on our promise of freedom. It seems that the political structure of the warrior band is inherently violent and authoritarian.
At the end of the book, our settlers and their new allies win the day.
Back at the new seat of government, one of those ne'er-do-wells has acquired control of the government and is using it to re-insert some of the collectivist ideas that ruined the Old Earth. The settlers, now an expanded group of military veterans, remove the government's access to the more valuable resources that allow it to control people and issue a threat to the ne'er-do-well that they do not enjoy the "consent of the governed" to introduce a large level of government control.
Yet, apparently, the ne'er-do-well did have "consent of the governed". They acquired it via deceptive politics and other acts of demagoguery, but they did get people to support them.
The idea that the endorsement of the military is needed to confirm the "consent of the governed" is the first step down a perilous road.
That step down that road and the tissue-thin cover over the ideas expressed in "Atlas Shrugged" are the only weak points in this book. Neither is an issue in the later books.
The other books will all get 5-stars from me without any additional review. Go read the entire series. It is well worth your money and your time.
I'm only reviewing the first book as the rest of the series (total 4 books as of this moment) but the rest are just fantastic. They continue the story that begins here.
Scientists have discovered the existence of alternate Earths via something akin to string theory. They can only access adjacent "Earths" on the string. But from each successive "Earth" they think they can access ever further iterations of Earth.
The one they can access immediately is like our Earth except humanity never evolved on the new Earth. Some of the animals are a little different. Geographically there are some modest differences as well.
Coincidentally, the governments of our Earth are driving civilization into the ground. Rather than acknowledging reality, they pursue an ever-spiraling round of regulation and taxes to create opportunities to give away "free" stuff.
The authorial motivation to retell Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" renders the narrative paper-thin - excuse the pun. This is one of two weaknesses of the book. You can read the lines of "Atlas Shrugged" through the pages of "A Bright Shore".
People that value liberty gather like-minded people to their cause. They intend a mass exodus to the new Earth that will leave those that support ever-expanding government behind. Naturally, a few ne'er-do-wells make it through. More on that later.
The settlers expand out across North America. They eventually come in contact with an armed force from the next "Earth" along the string. These humans are not quite as technologically advanced, but they are ruthless in battle. Their means of traveling to this new Earth is more based on understanding where the versions of Earth almost touch so they can (more or less) just walk from one to the other.
They want this New Earth as much as our band of intrepid settlers. War ensues. Elements of the warrior band eventually learn a bit about what makes our settler tick; philosophically speaking. They flip to our side based on our promise of freedom. It seems that the political structure of the warrior band is inherently violent and authoritarian.
At the end of the book, our settlers and their new allies win the day.
Back at the new seat of government, one of those ne'er-do-wells has acquired control of the government and is using it to re-insert some of the collectivist ideas that ruined the Old Earth. The settlers, now an expanded group of military veterans, remove the government's access to the more valuable resources that allow it to control people and issue a threat to the ne'er-do-well that they do not enjoy the "consent of the governed" to introduce a large level of government control.
Yet, apparently, the ne'er-do-well did have "consent of the governed". They acquired it via deceptive politics and other acts of demagoguery, but they did get people to support them.
The idea that the endorsement of the military is needed to confirm the "consent of the governed" is the first step down a perilous road.
That step down that road and the tissue-thin cover over the ideas expressed in "Atlas Shrugged" are the only weak points in this book. Neither is an issue in the later books.
The other books will all get 5-stars from me without any additional review. Go read the entire series. It is well worth your money and your time.
June 1, 2021
Main story was okay, bad editing and more
The story itself has merit, but the glaring issues mean I won't be reading more in this series, as I had genuinely hoped to do. The book started off stacking too many premises one after the other far too quickly. It felt forced. It was made even more confusing by the terrible editing throughout the entire book: constant overuse/misuse of pronouns made it frustrating to know which "he" was being referred to over and over, missing words (especially articles) like "the" and "a' and others like "of," and so many more, on every single page make one's head hurt. I wish the author well, and hope he finds an editor worth anything.
The story itself has merit, but the glaring issues mean I won't be reading more in this series, as I had genuinely hoped to do. The book started off stacking too many premises one after the other far too quickly. It felt forced. It was made even more confusing by the terrible editing throughout the entire book: constant overuse/misuse of pronouns made it frustrating to know which "he" was being referred to over and over, missing words (especially articles) like "the" and "a' and others like "of," and so many more, on every single page make one's head hurt. I wish the author well, and hope he finds an editor worth anything.
November 7, 2021
-Wow!
-Amazon 1,875 ratings with an average of 4.6
-Goodreads 1,500 ratings with an average of 4.48
I really liked this book. It felt like today, it takes place in the near future. World governments are going to hell, it is socialism the world over. I hope some readers don't get political, but I can see this happening, but not by 2030. It is full of action with a great premise. What if the world was going to hell and you could escape to a new, untainted, untouched Erath and start over. Not for everyone, but thought-provoking.
What I liked:
-The premise of multiple Earths in parallel universes is unique. What is most unique is that each of these Earths are different places in advancement and evolution with different people or no people.
-The characters are good, some exceptional.
-There is one character that shows up from one of these other Earths and he becomes a big part of the story.
-There is some humor, I loved the passage of two monkeys finger painting. You will notice it when you get there.
-There are a few West Pointers in the book and they are all good guys. I liked that.
-Special note: I was afraid This book (book one in the series) was going to end in a whimper when at 90% into it, I just felt a big cliffhanger coming. I was surprised that it ended very well, some action and surprises. Of course, there is a lot more story to tell, but it ended very well. As people like to say, "It was very satisfying."
What I did not like:
-Not a big detractor for me, but there was was some editing problems. Small, but a missing word or punctuation here and there. Just look past it, it wasn't that bad and the story is worth reading.
-I felt there was a little too much charter development of some minor characters. But maybe it's just me. It was all interesting.
Overall-Excellent and I strongly recommend it.
-Amazon 1,875 ratings with an average of 4.6
-Goodreads 1,500 ratings with an average of 4.48
I really liked this book. It felt like today, it takes place in the near future. World governments are going to hell, it is socialism the world over. I hope some readers don't get political, but I can see this happening, but not by 2030. It is full of action with a great premise. What if the world was going to hell and you could escape to a new, untainted, untouched Erath and start over. Not for everyone, but thought-provoking.
What I liked:
-The premise of multiple Earths in parallel universes is unique. What is most unique is that each of these Earths are different places in advancement and evolution with different people or no people.
-The characters are good, some exceptional.
-There is one character that shows up from one of these other Earths and he becomes a big part of the story.
-There is some humor, I loved the passage of two monkeys finger painting. You will notice it when you get there.
-There are a few West Pointers in the book and they are all good guys. I liked that.
-Special note: I was afraid This book (book one in the series) was going to end in a whimper when at 90% into it, I just felt a big cliffhanger coming. I was surprised that it ended very well, some action and surprises. Of course, there is a lot more story to tell, but it ended very well. As people like to say, "It was very satisfying."
What I did not like:
-Not a big detractor for me, but there was was some editing problems. Small, but a missing word or punctuation here and there. Just look past it, it wasn't that bad and the story is worth reading.
-I felt there was a little too much charter development of some minor characters. But maybe it's just me. It was all interesting.
Overall-Excellent and I strongly recommend it.
February 26, 2023
This book could have been great. Political views aside, it seemed interesting to read a book where left wing ideas lead to a dystopia.
Three main issues:
THE EDITING IS HORRIBLE, so many missing words, or repeated words.
The story itself is smothered with entirely too much political crap. As others have mentioned, its like a Tucker Carlson wet dream. If this was toned down just a tad, it would be perfect. I get that the dystopia was caused by left wing ideas, however it was extremely overdone in the book, to the point it killed the story and it was never explained how those ideas led to the world being the way it is.
The characters are extremely flat.
Yes I don't agree with the political views of this book. But I was still interested as it was unique. The politics were taken to the extreme and made the book unenjoyable, if the story was the primary focus it would have been good.
Three main issues:
THE EDITING IS HORRIBLE, so many missing words, or repeated words.
The story itself is smothered with entirely too much political crap. As others have mentioned, its like a Tucker Carlson wet dream. If this was toned down just a tad, it would be perfect. I get that the dystopia was caused by left wing ideas, however it was extremely overdone in the book, to the point it killed the story and it was never explained how those ideas led to the world being the way it is.
The characters are extremely flat.
Yes I don't agree with the political views of this book. But I was still interested as it was unique. The politics were taken to the extreme and made the book unenjoyable, if the story was the primary focus it would have been good.
April 11, 2020
It’s not terrible
The writing is decent, the plot moves well. There is a bit too much ‘tell’ in the form of infodumps early on, but that happens in series starters. And the characters are a little too universally competent.
The politics are just *so* overt. Chokingly overt. I say that as a conservative who leans libertarian and largely *agrees* with the underlying concepts. This is akin to being repeatedly slapped with a dead fish.
I don’t know. It just didn’t capture my imagination. Too predictable, maybe? Too obvious?
This does not compare well to Ringo. Similar themes, but wildly different skills in storytelling.
DNF 30%
The writing is decent, the plot moves well. There is a bit too much ‘tell’ in the form of infodumps early on, but that happens in series starters. And the characters are a little too universally competent.
The politics are just *so* overt. Chokingly overt. I say that as a conservative who leans libertarian and largely *agrees* with the underlying concepts. This is akin to being repeatedly slapped with a dead fish.
I don’t know. It just didn’t capture my imagination. Too predictable, maybe? Too obvious?
This does not compare well to Ringo. Similar themes, but wildly different skills in storytelling.
DNF 30%
February 2, 2022
Just trash
I had to force myself to get through this book. It could of been better should of been better but you can tell the writer wanted to write a book about how to make a white paradise with everyone wanting to live in it. He didn’t try to hid his hatred for brown people and his weird love hate for America. Just skip this book I’m mad that I even gave it a try.
I had to force myself to get through this book. It could of been better should of been better but you can tell the writer wanted to write a book about how to make a white paradise with everyone wanting to live in it. He didn’t try to hid his hatred for brown people and his weird love hate for America. Just skip this book I’m mad that I even gave it a try.
September 22, 2020
Seldom give reviews but since i was motivated to read this by the high ratings i thought i would explain. This is not a scifi new world to explore book. It is a thinly desguised Libertarian rant with Islamaphobia, immigrant phobia, and conspiracy theory to boot. Amercan gone amok due to the liberal corrupt government and the world following. Only option escape and re start in a parallel universe. Thanks to the rightous miltary men who believe in freedom, The escapees made it with few things but all had their guns ( NRA happy ). As the plot and conversations became more trite i skimmed to the end. To bad, the idea had potiential. I will not was my time on the rest of the series.
Ayn Rand would have liked the plot.
Ayn Rand would have liked the plot.
October 27, 2018
Captivating story!
In the world we live in now, it would be so nice to have a fresh start where one can live in peace and harmony again in a world that has not been savagely ravaged by the greed of mankind. The author tells a story that I wish was a reality. I would go in a heartbeat. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys genres of these types.
In the world we live in now, it would be so nice to have a fresh start where one can live in peace and harmony again in a world that has not been savagely ravaged by the greed of mankind. The author tells a story that I wish was a reality. I would go in a heartbeat. I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys genres of these types.
April 24, 2018
Thumbs up !
The only thing wrong with this book is that the next in series isn't available yet !
Thanks for a great read and please hurry on the next one. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
The only thing wrong with this book is that the next in series isn't available yet !
Thanks for a great read and please hurry on the next one. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
June 29, 2018
Atlas Shrugged meets high quality sci fi
I really enjoyed this refreshing book. I am looking forward to more from this author. The movie is going to be great.
I really enjoyed this refreshing book. I am looking forward to more from this author. The movie is going to be great.
August 4, 2019
Very fun, dystopian, near future action/scifi. Being a bit lazy I've been going back through my favorite scifi audiobooks lately. A passing description of this story hooked me and without an audiobook edition, I figured I would see if it could keep my interest enough to make it through. That was last weekend.
This story covers an ambitious scope and scale. There is some great world building here. The scifi roots are reminiscent of Wildside, but the way they are used in the narrative arc keeps this story fresh. The political drama is something Ayn Rand would be proud of, there's even a solid head nod to Atlas Shrugged towards the end. I found the characters in this story generally more compelling than those in Rand's worlds. There's a lot of deep motivational exploration that plays out more like the First Colony series.
Overall, this story stands on its own, on the shoulders of literary giants, but with new perspectives that make it more than worth a read. Very happy to see the next book is already out and I'll be starting into that one shortly.
If I could make one change, I'd want more. Every character gets solid treatment, but I think the story would have been richer if it had a deeper treatment of fewer characters. Not my story to tell and I'm happy enough to keep reading more of the same the way it is.
This story covers an ambitious scope and scale. There is some great world building here. The scifi roots are reminiscent of Wildside, but the way they are used in the narrative arc keeps this story fresh. The political drama is something Ayn Rand would be proud of, there's even a solid head nod to Atlas Shrugged towards the end. I found the characters in this story generally more compelling than those in Rand's worlds. There's a lot of deep motivational exploration that plays out more like the First Colony series.
Overall, this story stands on its own, on the shoulders of literary giants, but with new perspectives that make it more than worth a read. Very happy to see the next book is already out and I'll be starting into that one shortly.
If I could make one change, I'd want more. Every character gets solid treatment, but I think the story would have been richer if it had a deeper treatment of fewer characters. Not my story to tell and I'm happy enough to keep reading more of the same the way it is.
March 19, 2022
Well, I am very glad that my battle buddy-turned thriller author - MICHAEL SLAVIN, recommended this author to me. And as a former nuclear engineering undergard, I still read non-fiction stuff like string theory, etc. Scott Anderson has really embarked upon a huge undertaking of greating many worlds in a multi-verse, ala. Rowling and Tolkein. Even tho this was written before COVID and Russia invasion of Ukraine, the possibilty of Andeson's "future" world certainly seem a plasubile possibility. I like another reviewer's comment about A BRIGHT SHORE being "Atlas Shrugged" meeting Quantum Mechanics Altho Quantum mechanics waas developed in the 1920, it truly didn't become "common knowledge" until after WW2, and the 1960's-1980's when physics became "cool" through the writings of Richard Feyman. Well written, graet characters, and a story that moves along fast enough that there is never as easy page to put the book down for sleep or work. I have just ordered the rest of the books in this series. And with all of the smaller prodiuctions on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Paramount, etc. Excellent thiought out sci-fi in the near future. I had to "look up" the comment by a most certain Navy veteran reviewer, byut BRAVO ZULU Mr Anderson froma retired ARMY veteran.
August 12, 2020
Couldn’t put it down (Possible Spoilers Below)
The Bright Shore was a good little entry to a fascinating parallel world and I’m eager to learn more about 1) Audy’s people and 2) the fate of Sir Geoff (I’m sorry but I can’t help but picture him played by Sean Connery circa Hunt For Red October). I‘m also thinking Eden has some more surprises to share in the way of other possible evolved hominids and/or creatures that humans haven’t encountered yet. It’s a big world after all and the Program’s pioneers have only been there a little over a decade. No way they can be sure it’s empty of humanity or something like it.
I see some reviews gave the story some flack regarding the author’s political views. Well, I have to say: They were at least warned by the author up front.
When us right-leaning people get fed (some might say
force fed...) leftist philosophy on regular basis, in News, in TV, in books, in movies, we don’t get a warning. We just get lectured and we’re always the bad guys.
The Bright Shore was a good little entry to a fascinating parallel world and I’m eager to learn more about 1) Audy’s people and 2) the fate of Sir Geoff (I’m sorry but I can’t help but picture him played by Sean Connery circa Hunt For Red October). I‘m also thinking Eden has some more surprises to share in the way of other possible evolved hominids and/or creatures that humans haven’t encountered yet. It’s a big world after all and the Program’s pioneers have only been there a little over a decade. No way they can be sure it’s empty of humanity or something like it.
I see some reviews gave the story some flack regarding the author’s political views. Well, I have to say: They were at least warned by the author up front.
When us right-leaning people get fed (some might say
force fed...) leftist philosophy on regular basis, in News, in TV, in books, in movies, we don’t get a warning. We just get lectured and we’re always the bad guys.
January 27, 2022
Qanon members will love it
Didn't even make it to the 5% mark before I gave up on this. It was 5% of "liberals are going to ruin everything" laid on so thick I couldn't see past it with any hope the book would improve.
Didn't even make it to the 5% mark before I gave up on this. It was 5% of "liberals are going to ruin everything" laid on so thick I couldn't see past it with any hope the book would improve.
August 31, 2018
Great story
Enjoyed the concept and the character development! Can't wait to see what happens next. So many possibilities with the story on three plus worlds!
Enjoyed the concept and the character development! Can't wait to see what happens next. So many possibilities with the story on three plus worlds!
July 19, 2024
Slightly slow to start, then really good! On to the next one!
December 4, 2021
Actually read it twice. This was tremendous.
I kept thinking: when is John Galt showing up. 🤣
I kept thinking: when is John Galt showing up. 🤣
May 28, 2022
Dnf
Nudne w chuj, mokry sen konserwatysty, nie polecam (ale była tanio lub za darmo więc niewiele stracone).
Nudne w chuj, mokry sen konserwatysty, nie polecam (ale była tanio lub za darmo więc niewiele stracone).
June 27, 2021
Only got 30% done before I gave up. Just didn’t find the book interesting. If I’d known it was a “alternate universe” type book, I never would have started it. Some reason I just can’t get into books like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
Libertarian hard military science fiction. If that sounds good to you you'll love this book. I just finished book two as well. Even better.
August 13, 2020
We don't have another planet to run to.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot is reasonably well thought out. The characters are fairly straightforward sci-fi tropes, the technologies included, aside from the dimension hopping, are believable. The story turns the typical "right wing, racist, sexist, war mongering world destroyers" on its ear. The bad guys in this book are all politically leftists. The only reason I'm unable to give it 5 stars, is because the bad guys are all cartoonish commies, the kind of antagonists who are caricatured every day, on every right leaning website out there. There might as well have been a scene where the people in power were twirling their mustachios. The problem with that is, it makes the bad guys less believable. I hope the author fleshes them out more in the subsequent novels, which I'm going to read, because it is an interesting story being told. All in all, this is a fine start to a conservative sci-fi cheeseburger meal. It's not particularly nutritious, but it does taste good.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot is reasonably well thought out. The characters are fairly straightforward sci-fi tropes, the technologies included, aside from the dimension hopping, are believable. The story turns the typical "right wing, racist, sexist, war mongering world destroyers" on its ear. The bad guys in this book are all politically leftists. The only reason I'm unable to give it 5 stars, is because the bad guys are all cartoonish commies, the kind of antagonists who are caricatured every day, on every right leaning website out there. There might as well have been a scene where the people in power were twirling their mustachios. The problem with that is, it makes the bad guys less believable. I hope the author fleshes them out more in the subsequent novels, which I'm going to read, because it is an interesting story being told. All in all, this is a fine start to a conservative sci-fi cheeseburger meal. It's not particularly nutritious, but it does taste good.
August 19, 2020
Interesting and unique plot
Although I consider myself a liberal, I also find that I agree with the ideals this characters in this book fight for. How that reconciles I'm not sure; something I'm sure I will be thinking about in the days to come....
Read and believe the author's warning on the book's store page. This near future dystopian story takes a unique angle on an old trope.
Characters are likeable, although not fully fleshed out to be seen as real people. I'm sure the will be further developed in future books of the series.
I didn't really understand A lot of the economic theory speak throughout the book but the gist is clear. The military abbreviations were annoying (example: I had to look up what "TDY" was but yet author explained that MREs are Meals Ready to Eat. )
I think this book would appeal to most readers. It has kept me thinking. I definitely recommend.
Although I consider myself a liberal, I also find that I agree with the ideals this characters in this book fight for. How that reconciles I'm not sure; something I'm sure I will be thinking about in the days to come....
Read and believe the author's warning on the book's store page. This near future dystopian story takes a unique angle on an old trope.
Characters are likeable, although not fully fleshed out to be seen as real people. I'm sure the will be further developed in future books of the series.
I didn't really understand A lot of the economic theory speak throughout the book but the gist is clear. The military abbreviations were annoying (example: I had to look up what "TDY" was but yet author explained that MREs are Meals Ready to Eat. )
I think this book would appeal to most readers. It has kept me thinking. I definitely recommend.
September 14, 2020
A insanely awesome book
Wow , what a powerful and compelling read. Especially with the political climate that is here in the United States today. I found the story jaw dropping and was unable to put the book down and read it in one go around. The author has definitely put a lot of time into making sure that the science behind this story is based in reality so much so that I would not be surprised to find out that there is a portal somewhere under Cheyenne Mountain along with the Stargate ( just joking ). As with all end of the world books there has to be some semblance of reality to draw you into the story and S M Anderson did the job well. I am very pleased to recommend this book and will be certain to get the next book as well..
Wow , what a powerful and compelling read. Especially with the political climate that is here in the United States today. I found the story jaw dropping and was unable to put the book down and read it in one go around. The author has definitely put a lot of time into making sure that the science behind this story is based in reality so much so that I would not be surprised to find out that there is a portal somewhere under Cheyenne Mountain along with the Stargate ( just joking ). As with all end of the world books there has to be some semblance of reality to draw you into the story and S M Anderson did the job well. I am very pleased to recommend this book and will be certain to get the next book as well..
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