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The Key to the Universe
When the mythical Key to the Universe lands in 107-yr-old Abe’s antique shop on the Martian moon of Phobos, he and his great-grandson Quinn know the Key is something very special
As word starts to spread, Martian Mafia, the Solar Government, and rival antique dealers will go to any lengths to get their hands on an artifact that can potentially unlock the very meaning of existence.
From the desert world of a long-dead intergalactic philosopher to a techno planet whose atmosphere is composed entirely of satellites, Abe and Quinn are about to see more of the universe than they ever expected as they race to discover the secrets of the Key.
They might even survive the trip.
As word starts to spread, Martian Mafia, the Solar Government, and rival antique dealers will go to any lengths to get their hands on an artifact that can potentially unlock the very meaning of existence.
From the desert world of a long-dead intergalactic philosopher to a techno planet whose atmosphere is composed entirely of satellites, Abe and Quinn are about to see more of the universe than they ever expected as they race to discover the secrets of the Key.
They might even survive the trip.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2019
1 person is currently reading
1338 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Scalisi
13 books38 followersPatrick Scalisi is a writer and storyteller from Connecticut. He has published fiction in several magazines and anthologies, and served as the editor of The Ghost Is the Machine, a bestselling anthology of steampunk-horror stories from the now-defunct Post Mortem Press. His debut book, The Horse Thieves and Other Tales of the New West, was released in 2014. His debut novel, The Key to the Universe, was published by Owl Hollow Press in 2019.
In addition to his fiction work, Pat co-created the local history book Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird & Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State with artist Valerie Ruby-Omen. Developed over three years, Connecticut Cryptids collects creature folklore from throughout the state and examines both the history of these stories and the impact that some of them continue having today. Available now wherever books are sold.
In his spare time, Pat often sheds his guise of a responsible adult to play video games, build Lego models, and generally be a nerd. He lives in Connecticut with his partner, Crystal, and their cadre of cats.
ABOUT GOODREADS
My reviews tend to be honest, since I believe that sugarcoating things for any writer does a disservice to their craft. I grade books on Goodreads' recommended scale, meaning that 3 stars ("liked it") is a positive review.
In addition to his fiction work, Pat co-created the local history book Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird & Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State with artist Valerie Ruby-Omen. Developed over three years, Connecticut Cryptids collects creature folklore from throughout the state and examines both the history of these stories and the impact that some of them continue having today. Available now wherever books are sold.
In his spare time, Pat often sheds his guise of a responsible adult to play video games, build Lego models, and generally be a nerd. He lives in Connecticut with his partner, Crystal, and their cadre of cats.
ABOUT GOODREADS
My reviews tend to be honest, since I believe that sugarcoating things for any writer does a disservice to their craft. I grade books on Goodreads' recommended scale, meaning that 3 stars ("liked it") is a positive review.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 19, 2019
Disclosure: I've known the author since his literary pursuits didn't extend much beyond goofing off from the back of our freshman English class, so I'm biased.
I don't read many books that qualify as 'young adult,' so I don't necessarily have a great sense of the conventions of the form, or the accessibility level that it aims for. As someone who was reading R.L. Stine's 'Goosebump' novels at the same time I was reading Tom Clancy (I was a weird kid) I know that it's a tough age bracket to hit: you don't want to condescend to them, but you don't want to be the weird adult trying to act like he's down with the youths.
'The Key to the Universe' threads the needle very nicely for the most part. I feel like there are bits that might have been over my head when I was a tween, but I think the writing is rich enough that one could follow along even if some of the jokes didn't land, and I could see this being a book I would have grown into: 13 year-old me would have felt very clever to have caught the reference to Douglas Adams even if 11 year-old me would have zipped right past it.
There's also some very enjoyable humor to the book. The idea of a 'Martian mafia' in which members of all species have to take on names like extras from a Scorsese movie tickled me, as did some of Quinn Titterman's inappropriately-timed philosophical interjections. The silliness of the characters is a nice counterpoint to a plot that plays straight with genre trope. While I won't discuss the ending, I will say I thought it was a genuinely clever way to resolve a situation that otherwise would have been a bit too heavy for the preceding plot.
In fairness, I will say that the plotting is a bit madcap: the characters have a couple instances of "hurry up and wait," and they spend a bit of time bouncing back and forth between locations which advance the plot and their home base. Some of that could have been tightened up a bit. I also thought the arcs of two of the main characters could have been streamlined a bit: over the course of the story it seemed like 107 year-old Abe was progressing from being casually reckless to being more cautious, while Quinn was going from being retiring to being genuinely engaged in having an adventure, but there were blips for both characters where it felt like they were regressing. Minor quibbles, though: you generally know where people are and where they're going, and the supporting cast was fun and played with some genre archetypes.
In closing, acknowledging my bias, I'd still recommend this for precocious youngsters (and the young at heart) with a taste for space opera. If another Abe Titterman book comes out, I'll be there.
I don't read many books that qualify as 'young adult,' so I don't necessarily have a great sense of the conventions of the form, or the accessibility level that it aims for. As someone who was reading R.L. Stine's 'Goosebump' novels at the same time I was reading Tom Clancy (I was a weird kid) I know that it's a tough age bracket to hit: you don't want to condescend to them, but you don't want to be the weird adult trying to act like he's down with the youths.
'The Key to the Universe' threads the needle very nicely for the most part. I feel like there are bits that might have been over my head when I was a tween, but I think the writing is rich enough that one could follow along even if some of the jokes didn't land, and I could see this being a book I would have grown into: 13 year-old me would have felt very clever to have caught the reference to Douglas Adams even if 11 year-old me would have zipped right past it.
There's also some very enjoyable humor to the book. The idea of a 'Martian mafia' in which members of all species have to take on names like extras from a Scorsese movie tickled me, as did some of Quinn Titterman's inappropriately-timed philosophical interjections. The silliness of the characters is a nice counterpoint to a plot that plays straight with genre trope. While I won't discuss the ending, I will say I thought it was a genuinely clever way to resolve a situation that otherwise would have been a bit too heavy for the preceding plot.
In fairness, I will say that the plotting is a bit madcap: the characters have a couple instances of "hurry up and wait," and they spend a bit of time bouncing back and forth between locations which advance the plot and their home base. Some of that could have been tightened up a bit. I also thought the arcs of two of the main characters could have been streamlined a bit: over the course of the story it seemed like 107 year-old Abe was progressing from being casually reckless to being more cautious, while Quinn was going from being retiring to being genuinely engaged in having an adventure, but there were blips for both characters where it felt like they were regressing. Minor quibbles, though: you generally know where people are and where they're going, and the supporting cast was fun and played with some genre archetypes.
In closing, acknowledging my bias, I'd still recommend this for precocious youngsters (and the young at heart) with a taste for space opera. If another Abe Titterman book comes out, I'll be there.
September 15, 2019
An intergalactic, intergenerational adventure that's equal parts thrilling and philosophical.
September 27, 2019
Quirky, fun sci-fi read. Not my usual genfe, but I really enjoyed it.%
August 13, 2019
Excellent book!!!
March 19, 2021
Loved the dynamic of spontaneous grandpa and cautious grandson. And the universe was so fun!! Laughed hard. Actually fulfilled the promise of there being a key to the universe. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews