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Bridgers #1–3 omnibus
Bridgers Box Set: Books 1-3
INCLUDES BOOKS 1, 2, and 3.
Bridgers 1: The Lure of Infinity
Some worlds are better left alone.
Infinity Fowler has been fighting all her life. As a child, she had to fight for survival. Then she fought professionally. But when humans obtained the technology to bridge to alternate versions of Earth, she saw a chance for a new life. She signed up to become a bridger—an elite fighter and survival expert who protects tourists bridging to alternate worlds.
Desmond Weaver is a tourist making a last-ditch effort to complete his PhD in evolutionary biology. He has booked the excursion of a lifetime, a data collection mission to a vastly different version of Earth. If he fails, his career will be over.
Infinity is Desmond’s assigned trainer and bridger. She is one of the best, willing to die protecting tourists. And also willing to kill. When it’s time to bridge, Desmond and his two college roommates feel well prepared. But they aren’t. Naked and weaponless, on an extraordinary world teeming with lethal predators, the team becomes entangled in a life-and-death struggle more terrifying than anything they could ever have imagined.
Bridgers 2: The Cost of Survival
How far would you go to save the human species? Heart to blood, muscle to bone, tourist flesh above my own. It’s the bridgers’ directive: risk your own life to save tourists bridging to alternate worlds. Bridger Infinity Fowler has no qualms about the directive. Risking death is just what bridgers do. But now the earth is dying. Bridgers have a new directive—save as many humans as possible, even if some must be sacrificed in the process. Sacrificing lives is not what Infinity signed up for.
Desmond Weaver, determined to help save the human species, has volunteered to be Infinity’s partner. He has ingenuity and grit, but is this enough to make it as a bridger? Their mission: bridge 718 refugees to a new world and establish a colony. If the world is occupied, avoid conflict and learn to coexist.
Once bridging begins, there is no turning back. The new world is indeed occupied, but not by humans, and avoiding conflict isn’t so easy. As violence erupts, Infinity and Desmond realize they may have only one hope of saving the colony—sacrificing refugees they have sworn to protect.
Bridgers 3: The Voice of Reason
A devastated world. A desperate colony.
As Earth’s destruction approaches, bridgers Infinity Fowler and Desmond Weaver wrestle with the fact that eight billion people are about to die. While on the road to see Desmond’s mother one last time, they witness chaos like nothing they’ve ever seen.
Infinity and Desmond must fight their way back to SafeTrek to fulfill their primary duty—saving the human species. Their next mission: bridge 718 civic leaders to an alternate world. They'll then have thirty-six hours to help the refugees find their place in this new world, after which the bridgers will return to SafeTrek—assuming the building hasn't collapsed.
But when the bridgers and refugees arrive, they don’t find the civilized world they had expected. Instead, they find a ravaged planet where humans are forced to live in caves and fight for scraps. They discover creatures that shouldn’t exist and weapons that do worse than kill.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2018
542 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 20, 2018
“Every world is paradise to some creatures and hell to others. You just have to be the right creature. Humans aren’t powerful or indestructible, but we are adaptable. That’s our strength.” Stan has a prodigious imagination! Each installment is more gripping, gritty, with fascinating fearsome creatures, filling you with trepidation, edge of the seat and nerve wrecking scenes. Fast paced with no respite for the protagonists nor for the readers. Great world building and credibility. Excellent characters, full of resilience, perseverance, with a fearless and tough kickbutt heroine, Infinity. As much as this series scares me out, I’m more and more drawn to it. This series has my highest recommendations!
February 16, 2019
After reading the complete Bridger series as individual books, it is easy for me to recommend this packaged set. Each story immerses the reader on a journey of Bridgers as they accompany SafeTrek clients to alternate timelines. The books are filled with unexpected twists and will leave you ready for more. Trust me; you will not be disappointed with Stan C. Smith's gripping adventure/sci-fi novels!
August 31, 2024
Excellent! This was a truly great read! I loved every minute of it! I was a little put off by the cover, but I am so glad the blurb was good & it caught my attention. It was such a pleasure to read! A brilliant idea, so well written, I was completely absorbed in this story. Fast paced action, interesting characters & places, some death & mayhem, all the trimming for a great series! I do recommend & I will definitely look for more by this author!
December 20, 2018
These tales are exciting, action packed, and incredibly imaginative! The characters are fully developed and real. The plots are original and believable. I rarely read dystopian or apocalyptic books but these hooked me and won’t let go! And I’m loving it.
September 30, 2025
Awesome alternative universe saga! Convincing, lovable characters, (Infinity is a bad-ass!) Desmond is finally cracking through the shell she has built up, great dialog, fast paced non-stop action. Everything a Sci-fi fan could ask for. I read the first 3 books in 3 1/2 days, and am starting the final 3 right now. I really don't want this series to end. Highly recommend!
July 1, 2023
Good SciFi; Not-So-Good Social Dynamics; Interesting Plots (for Books #1-#3)
It took me 10 days to plow through these 3 SciFi stories, and kudos to The Author for presenting something different. By the end of Book #3, I’m ready to call it quits for this Series — but, for you more diligent Readers out there — I highly recommend jumping into The Bridgers world and seeing what it presents to you. Hopefully, you’ll get into Books #4-7 (or more) and enjoy them.
You should understand that this is an immediately captivating SciFi action book, that will quickly grab and keep The Reader’s attention — particularly when The Author takes pains to state how stark naked the lead woman is, with no other explanation provided until later. (But, unfortunately, there are very, very few other sexual details written into this book, aside from the fact that all men and women undergoing the Bridging technique will loose their clothes [and hair, but oddly — not fingernails, toenails or teeth … go figure]).
It took me 10 days to plow through these 3 SciFi stories, and kudos to The Author for presenting something different. By the end of Book #3, I’m ready to call it quits for this Series — but, for you more diligent Readers out there — I highly recommend jumping into The Bridgers world and seeing what it presents to you. Hopefully, you’ll get into Books #4-7 (or more) and enjoy them.
You should understand that this is an immediately captivating SciFi action book, that will quickly grab and keep The Reader’s attention — particularly when The Author takes pains to state how stark naked the lead woman is, with no other explanation provided until later. (But, unfortunately, there are very, very few other sexual details written into this book, aside from the fact that all men and women undergoing the Bridging technique will loose their clothes [and hair, but oddly — not fingernails, toenails or teeth … go figure]).
December 20, 2018
This is a fantastic 5 star techno thriller series you will enjoy. The characters are marvelous and the worlds seen are incredible. Each book is better than the last. I'm breathlessly awaiting the next in series. I received pre-publication copies of the each book in the Bridgers series by Stan Smith and have posted honest a fair reviews voluntarily.
December 20, 2021
Having got these 3 books as a package, I have reviewed them separately so that the reader can get an idea about each book in the series. The reviews below have been repeated for the individual books so that they will be seen no matter which way the reader comes across them. Although the books can be read as standalone, I probably wouldn't recommend this as you would definitely miss parts of the storyline if you did this.
The Lure of Infinity
This is the first book in the Bridger series although there is a prequel called "Infinity: A Bridger's Origin". If you read the prequel first it is possible you would get more out of this book. This is because the prequel introduces Infinity as a character and tells you more about bridging - moving betweem Earth and alternate versions of our planet in parallel universes.
This book continues the story of Infinity (the infinity in the title actually being the infinite number of parallel universes rather than the character). People on Earth pay large sums of money to bridge to versions of our planet as it was thousands of years ago. Although they are only there for a maximum of 36hrs the reader discovers that a lot can happen in such a short time. The characters also discover that a lot can happen in the same time on our planet when they bridge back.
This was a very gripping read, where the reader sometimes wonders how the characters are going to get out of some pretty hairy situations. The only downside in the book I thought was that it seemed to end rather abruptly. I am, however, looking forward to reading further books in this series..
The Cost of Survival
Because so much of this story hinges on what happened in the first book, it is quite hard to review it without giving too much away. But Earth is dying and the bridgers have a new mission - to save as many of the human race as possible. Infinity and Desmond bridge into a world that seems as though it might be "iffy" for the bioprobe that is initially done. but have to press on regardless because of their mission This world is quite violent in many ways and things go seriously wrong when groups of people are bridged into this world hoping to be saved.
Just like the bridgers in the story you are left wondering what happened when the bridgers left the planet. It is again another absorbing read in this series that leaves you wanting more to see how things will pan out.
The Voice of Reason
Continuing there mission to save humankind, Infinity and Desmond bridge to yet another world . Before they do, in a journey by road on Earth they witness extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, and storms that seem a precursor to the dying Earth. The world they bridge into has ony a divergence of 150yrs form the current time so they are expecting to find more of what they recognise from this world (buildings, roads, etc) which will make it easier for refugees from Earth to survive. However, when they arrive they find a vastly different world where aliens have already landed and control what the humans can do. Working with aliens and the existing population to get them to accept the refugees and to make sure there is food for all proves to be extremely challenging for the bridgers.
As part of the liaison with the aliens, something is discovered that could be the key to reversing things on Earth provided that Earth's journey to its destruction has not progressed to far.
This was enjoyable read and I am look forward to reading the next book to see what happens next.
The Lure of Infinity
This is the first book in the Bridger series although there is a prequel called "Infinity: A Bridger's Origin". If you read the prequel first it is possible you would get more out of this book. This is because the prequel introduces Infinity as a character and tells you more about bridging - moving betweem Earth and alternate versions of our planet in parallel universes.
This book continues the story of Infinity (the infinity in the title actually being the infinite number of parallel universes rather than the character). People on Earth pay large sums of money to bridge to versions of our planet as it was thousands of years ago. Although they are only there for a maximum of 36hrs the reader discovers that a lot can happen in such a short time. The characters also discover that a lot can happen in the same time on our planet when they bridge back.
This was a very gripping read, where the reader sometimes wonders how the characters are going to get out of some pretty hairy situations. The only downside in the book I thought was that it seemed to end rather abruptly. I am, however, looking forward to reading further books in this series..
The Cost of Survival
Because so much of this story hinges on what happened in the first book, it is quite hard to review it without giving too much away. But Earth is dying and the bridgers have a new mission - to save as many of the human race as possible. Infinity and Desmond bridge into a world that seems as though it might be "iffy" for the bioprobe that is initially done. but have to press on regardless because of their mission This world is quite violent in many ways and things go seriously wrong when groups of people are bridged into this world hoping to be saved.
Just like the bridgers in the story you are left wondering what happened when the bridgers left the planet. It is again another absorbing read in this series that leaves you wanting more to see how things will pan out.
The Voice of Reason
Continuing there mission to save humankind, Infinity and Desmond bridge to yet another world . Before they do, in a journey by road on Earth they witness extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, and storms that seem a precursor to the dying Earth. The world they bridge into has ony a divergence of 150yrs form the current time so they are expecting to find more of what they recognise from this world (buildings, roads, etc) which will make it easier for refugees from Earth to survive. However, when they arrive they find a vastly different world where aliens have already landed and control what the humans can do. Working with aliens and the existing population to get them to accept the refugees and to make sure there is food for all proves to be extremely challenging for the bridgers.
As part of the liaison with the aliens, something is discovered that could be the key to reversing things on Earth provided that Earth's journey to its destruction has not progressed to far.
This was enjoyable read and I am look forward to reading the next book to see what happens next.
February 24, 2020
This series is breathtakingly original. Stan C Smith has created something different, something instantly addictive, something brilliant. I can’t wait to see where he takes the rest of this series. The series features Infinity, a bridger, who leads tourists to alternate worlds to explore what Earth could have been like. The process is simple: pick a divergent point at which Earth could have turned out differently, travel there via some little understood alien technology and go explore. Okay, that’s over simplifying Stan C Smith's brilliant story somewhat but you get the idea. There's fascinating characters, vivid strange landscapes and nail biting tension in each and every book making for a truly breathtaking read. When she learns the Earth is dying she then switches jobs to help establish colonies on alternate versions of our world. That's not an easy thing to do especially with 718 colonists to look out for and unknown dangers at every turn. This is great fantasy/sci-fi/alternate reality/apocalypse writing. If a writer can mix all of those separate ideas and write compelling believable stories to go with it then it's surely got to be something special. A must read series and this trio has me salivating for the rest of the series. I recommend each book very highly and the series too.
June 14, 2023
No, Just No. I liked the premise, but the execution was poor. I made it halfway through the second book before I gave up, mostly because poorly explained what was happening.
For example, the device they created, allow them to select some point in time in the past, and then randomly select a divergent earth. However, divergent from one point? Not the selected time, that would simply be the past. When selecting a point 200,000 years in the past are you selecting a ‘present day’ divergent earth that diverted 200,000 years ago?
Also, if you trying to evacuate earth with limited time left, and only 6 stations to extract them from. Where each evacuation period is 108 hours. You just start stuffing people through, forget the bio-probe. And for GOD sake, some though has to go into the combustion of the teams. Not just randoms.
For example, the device they created, allow them to select some point in time in the past, and then randomly select a divergent earth. However, divergent from one point? Not the selected time, that would simply be the past. When selecting a point 200,000 years in the past are you selecting a ‘present day’ divergent earth that diverted 200,000 years ago?
Also, if you trying to evacuate earth with limited time left, and only 6 stations to extract them from. Where each evacuation period is 108 hours. You just start stuffing people through, forget the bio-probe. And for GOD sake, some though has to go into the combustion of the teams. Not just randoms.
October 14, 2024
Interesting and deadly survival past. Questionable future.
Travel back thousands of years to earth in a different timeline.
With the help and protection of an experienced "bridger". When you bridge to The past the only thing you can take with you is your body, your hair and clothing leave you before you arrive.
The bridging technology came from a message deciphered from who they call "others" from another galaxy.
The act of bridging is also killing the Earth and soon scientific and personal journeys to the past are now a rescue mission for very few who can travel to a different Earth to save the human species on this Earth. A pretty wild ride and wild imagination in this series of books. Check it out.
Travel back thousands of years to earth in a different timeline.
With the help and protection of an experienced "bridger". When you bridge to The past the only thing you can take with you is your body, your hair and clothing leave you before you arrive.
The bridging technology came from a message deciphered from who they call "others" from another galaxy.
The act of bridging is also killing the Earth and soon scientific and personal journeys to the past are now a rescue mission for very few who can travel to a different Earth to save the human species on this Earth. A pretty wild ride and wild imagination in this series of books. Check it out.
August 30, 2022
Terrific! Can’t wait to start on books 4-6. Liked the whole idea of the parallel universes and thought it was going to become a kind of holiday excursion for people whose stories we would read. No, suddenly it was an end of the world scenario with the main characters, Infinity and Desmond, working to save various groups of refugees. Infinity is the kind of heroine I like, strong and capable but eventually showing a softer side. The worlds they travel too are interesting and terrifying with imaginative peoples, wildlife and terrain and of course adversities to overcome. I shall be looking out for more books by Stan Smith!
December 19, 2023
A little idea from string theory and Stan makes an incredible world-ending adventure about traveling to other earths in other timelines. In books 1 – 3, we follow a very scrappy "tourist" guide to world after world, one seemingly more dangerous and weirder than the one before. Written with great imagination and a very real feel to the characters, this is NOT your typical Syfy story. I suggest you put it on your TBR list and get to it sooner than later. Thinking about it, this would make a great TV series! I received a free copy from somewhere, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 28, 2019
Three adventures now in one volume for easy binge reading.
Bridgers #1: Allow a long weekend for this adventure into an alternative world with plenty of action.
Bridgers #2: Allow yourself a day for this PG-13 survival story that picks up where Bridgers 1 ends.
Bridgers #3: This PG13 time-traveling dystopia can be read in a day as a standalone, but it is best to read the series in sequence.
I read ARCs and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
Bridgers #1: Allow a long weekend for this adventure into an alternative world with plenty of action.
Bridgers #2: Allow yourself a day for this PG-13 survival story that picks up where Bridgers 1 ends.
Bridgers #3: This PG13 time-traveling dystopia can be read in a day as a standalone, but it is best to read the series in sequence.
I read ARCs and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
March 29, 2020
This was one of the most enjoyable series I've read in some time! I liked the characters and how they developed, the world-building was well-described. I read all 7 books and just had a great time doing so! I also liked the fact that most of them could be read as a stand-alone, but you won't be sated doing that! I know they won't be for everyone, but I suggest starting out with Infinity (the add-on) and go from there.
May 22, 2023
The box set of books 1 - 3 is the best way to buy and enjoy the start of this series. This is one of the best science fiction series that I've read in recent years. It has good plots lines both within each book and bridging (no pun intended) across books - as well as a good central character and a solid supporting cast. I posted separate review on each of the books but felt the need to give a thumbs up to the box set - which is how I purchased them.
September 29, 2020
I loved the 3 book series!!! I barely could put stop reading. A mix of science fiction and adventure with a touch of romance. Great narration and very define, personable and interesting characters make this series very enjoyable to read. I could project myself within the stories with the fear and hope of the characters. Can't wait to start the other books...
January 13, 2021
Exciting Adventure
The Bridgers series(books1-3) have been added to my top 5 favorites list! The author presents a unique plot with ever changing circumstances! The characters are relatable, except for some odd "folks" that our main characters run into! I literally won't wait to read the next book so off I go.I hope you enjoy the series as much as I have!
The Bridgers series(books1-3) have been added to my top 5 favorites list! The author presents a unique plot with ever changing circumstances! The characters are relatable, except for some odd "folks" that our main characters run into! I literally won't wait to read the next book so off I go.I hope you enjoy the series as much as I have!
November 2, 2021
Excellent foundational concept look fwd to 4-6
I enjoyed the quantum mechanics foundation of sister universes and the VERY imaginative parallel earth(s) created/penned. Life is conflict, live or die. This story is a fictional reminder when ANY species is threatened, war will occur.
I enjoyed the quantum mechanics foundation of sister universes and the VERY imaginative parallel earth(s) created/penned. Life is conflict, live or die. This story is a fictional reminder when ANY species is threatened, war will occur.
May 31, 2023
Thought provoking.
I enjoyed the whole series it was thoroughly thought provoking and very well written with characters that were full of character. The alternate earths were totally absorbing and entertaining.I fully recommend these books for hours of escapism especially if you are 75 years of age or younger if you are lucky
I enjoyed the whole series it was thoroughly thought provoking and very well written with characters that were full of character. The alternate earths were totally absorbing and entertaining.I fully recommend these books for hours of escapism especially if you are 75 years of age or younger if you are lucky
September 8, 2024
this is a book you can’t put down.
I read these books and had a hard time stopping. They are so engrossing that you want to finish but you don’t have enough time in the day. They truly are amazing unputdownable books.
The characters and plot is truly unique. The author has a fervent interest for imagination.
I read these books and had a hard time stopping. They are so engrossing that you want to finish but you don’t have enough time in the day. They truly are amazing unputdownable books.
The characters and plot is truly unique. The author has a fervent interest for imagination.
September 11, 2024
Interesting take on time travel and alternate dimensions.
The character development is really good. I enjoyed Infinity getting to know herself and becoming more of a person rather than a tool/guard. It’s interesting to think about how different the world could be with just minor changes.
The character development is really good. I enjoyed Infinity getting to know herself and becoming more of a person rather than a tool/guard. It’s interesting to think about how different the world could be with just minor changes.
October 1, 2024
I am not a huge fan of multi-universe stories because they allow essentially anything to happen, although some authors have handled this well. In the Bridgers books the multi-universe concept lets the author make up whatever scenario he considers interesting. The problem for me was that I did not find the particular settings and inhabitants he chose to be that interesting. I did like the main protagonists, Infinity and Desmond, but not enough to continue reading the next set of books.
March 19, 2019
All three of these short novels are winners, excelling in well-wrought imaginative plots replete with action, adventure and intriguing characters. Suffice it to say, I'll be reading more of Stan C. Smith's works.
May 25, 2019
More mindbending action adventure than before
New alternate universe to survive .. purple glow, 2 legs 4 arms, not the world of similarities they hoped for.... will they make it back this time? if they do will they ever be the same?
New alternate universe to survive .. purple glow, 2 legs 4 arms, not the world of similarities they hoped for.... will they make it back this time? if they do will they ever be the same?
December 2, 2019
Still hooked on this series
Well, looks like I'll be buying the rest of the boss in this series. It's really good! Each book is almost like a twilight zone episode, journeying to a different version of our world. All are very entertaining.
Well, looks like I'll be buying the rest of the boss in this series. It's really good! Each book is almost like a twilight zone episode, journeying to a different version of our world. All are very entertaining.
December 12, 2019
Wow
How wonderful to come across a unique storyline in what has been a universal of copy cat space opera adventures. Not that I haven’t enjoyed many of those adventures, but this tale is one of wonder and survival of the human spirit. Kudos to the author.
How wonderful to come across a unique storyline in what has been a universal of copy cat space opera adventures. Not that I haven’t enjoyed many of those adventures, but this tale is one of wonder and survival of the human spirit. Kudos to the author.
August 7, 2020
This writer focus a lot on Nudisum
But the pace of the book is easy to pick up and the character s
Are liked though the alien species are interesting
It had to much dealing with Evolution for me
In all a good book and a Great series
But the pace of the book is easy to pick up and the character s
Are liked though the alien species are interesting
It had to much dealing with Evolution for me
In all a good book and a Great series
June 17, 2023
Bridget’s book 1-3
This is a very entertaining story not like most science fiction that I have read. Its alternate universe is a neat plot/storyline. I’m very interested in the follow up story
This is a very entertaining story not like most science fiction that I have read. Its alternate universe is a neat plot/storyline. I’m very interested in the follow up story
August 28, 2024
So happy I found this box set through bookbub. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
It is a really cool idea and has great characters. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and I will also try Stan's other books
It is a really cool idea and has great characters. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and I will also try Stan's other books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews