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The Way Out: A Novel
When the Alpha Centauri crew returns to earth after a failed mission to explore a distant planet, they quickly learn the world is not how they left it.Under new global leadership, the planet has managed to go decades without conflict, except for one major problem. Thanks to a pandemic caused by a mutation in a new strain of GMO corn, the world’s population plummeted to 2.6 billion, wiping out a disproportionate number of men and leaving the globe run almost entirely by women. The mutation altered the human DNA, making it impossible to produce male babies and increasing Y-chromosome related diseases.
Because of their lack of exposure, the Alpha Centauri crew, especially the men on board, now find themselves in high demand. The Powers that Be think they are the solution, but with that solution comes the inevitable hunger for power and control. As greed, self-interest, and corruption rear their ugly heads, a planet that had found its way to peace is thrust into turmoil once again.
So, the question Are they really the answer to a seemingly unsolvable problem? The world may soon come to understand that sometimes getting what you wish for isn't the gift you think it will be.
The Way Out is at once a brilliant and relatable work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Think The Handmaid’s Tale mixed with Netflix’s The Wilds, and a touch of Interstellar, the movie. It’s a uniquely told story that will have you waiting as impatiently as the crew to understand the New World Order of the near future.
Because of their lack of exposure, the Alpha Centauri crew, especially the men on board, now find themselves in high demand. The Powers that Be think they are the solution, but with that solution comes the inevitable hunger for power and control. As greed, self-interest, and corruption rear their ugly heads, a planet that had found its way to peace is thrust into turmoil once again.
So, the question Are they really the answer to a seemingly unsolvable problem? The world may soon come to understand that sometimes getting what you wish for isn't the gift you think it will be.
The Way Out is at once a brilliant and relatable work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Think The Handmaid’s Tale mixed with Netflix’s The Wilds, and a touch of Interstellar, the movie. It’s a uniquely told story that will have you waiting as impatiently as the crew to understand the New World Order of the near future.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2020
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14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 22, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
The Way Out (Book 1: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas was labeled science fiction, but I could see the possibilities of real-life implications.
One day, we will be traveling to distant planets because Earth won’t be able to sustain life any longer. I’m not sure if a space crew will encounter a black hole on the journey, but that’s a plausible scenario.
Now, entering a wormhole and traveling in space/time is where things get a little science-fictiony. I’m not an astrophysicist or any other type of scientist, so I could not tell you the probability that’ll happen. Again, that’s where the sci-fi aspect of the story comes into play.
If that could happen and a crew “lands” in the future, they would be overwhelmed, much like the crew of Alpha Centauri.
What I found fascinating about this story was its setup. It was interview logs between a reporter and the crew and members of present-day Earth. The second thing I found interesting was how Earth had changed in the forty years the crew was presumed dead. No, apes didn’t replace humans. However, the population has taken a big hit. A virus has endangered the lives of humankind. Men are being an endangered species. WOW! Women also control everything. YES!
With untainted DNA arriving on planet Earth, every powerhouse wants to possess the males. They are considered a hot commodity.
We’ve seen a virus take hold of the world and know firsthand the destruction it can unleash. So, this scenario (in my mind) could be plausible (one day).
Note: The book does discuss Roe v Wade. I bring this up only because, as I am writing this, it was overturned by the SCOTUS.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
August 8, 2022
Readers will find a Unique Format in The Way Out. The novel is written in almost an interview/ question & answer format at times with a diary log entry feel at others. It took a bit for me to settle into the storytelling style. Generally, I prefer written books to audiobooks. However, I think I may have eased into this novel's format better with the audio version. While it did take a bit for me to get into the flow of the story--the structure did allow better delivery of many insights and details as the novel played out.
The Way Out is Less Science Fiction Than Expected. As with many science fiction / save the world style novels--the authors created an oddly realistic, relevant glimpse of the world as it could reasonably become. The Way Out feels more of a political/social look at the authors' fictional world--that (unfortunately) too much mirrors issues and realities of our real world.
Would I Recommend The Way Out? If you enjoy a novel that takes a science fiction premise and creates something a little more philosophical and political--this novel may suit you well. I did enjoy reading the views and angles that the story took as the situation for the human race was revealed and evolved. It is undoubtedly politically/socially charged--and the political aspects far outweigh the science fiction fantasy aspects of the novel. While this is the first book in the series, it gives readers some resolution, leaving some pieces to pull readers into the second novel.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
The Way Out is Less Science Fiction Than Expected. As with many science fiction / save the world style novels--the authors created an oddly realistic, relevant glimpse of the world as it could reasonably become. The Way Out feels more of a political/social look at the authors' fictional world--that (unfortunately) too much mirrors issues and realities of our real world.
Would I Recommend The Way Out? If you enjoy a novel that takes a science fiction premise and creates something a little more philosophical and political--this novel may suit you well. I did enjoy reading the views and angles that the story took as the situation for the human race was revealed and evolved. It is undoubtedly politically/socially charged--and the political aspects far outweigh the science fiction fantasy aspects of the novel. While this is the first book in the series, it gives readers some resolution, leaving some pieces to pull readers into the second novel.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2022
“THE WAY OUT” - BOOK 1 OF “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR SERIES” BY GORDON JENSEN, CARA HIGHSMITH AND GORDON THOMAS.
I read this dystopian- science fiction -political book recently for a book tour and I must say, this book is unique in its many ways. Though I have mixed opinions about this book, it definitely was interesting and distinctive.
The crew members of Alpha Centauri I return to earth after being caught in a void in the space during their expedition. They come back with full of hopes and excitement of meeting their family members and how the new world will welcome them. But what awaits them is a shocker, because they have come back in a whole new world in a whole new time frame. The political drama that follows will only make their lives harder than what it was during their space mission.
Pros: The whole book was written in the form of an interview and it was interesting to read the pov of every character in the book.
More of a political drama with a lot of suspense.
The concept of their dystopian world was fascinating.
Lot of discussions involving women’s rights, pandemic effects, abortion rights and male abuse.
Cons: Was slow in the beginning and towards the end. I felt some conversations were very hastened while some were very much dragged.
There was not much of sci-fi parts. It’s mostly only what happens after they returned.
Many stereotypical lines like repeatedly declaring Asian and South African countries poor and also against women.
My review: 3/5
Can definitely read it once if you like dystopian political books and for the unique style of narration.
I read this dystopian- science fiction -political book recently for a book tour and I must say, this book is unique in its many ways. Though I have mixed opinions about this book, it definitely was interesting and distinctive.
The crew members of Alpha Centauri I return to earth after being caught in a void in the space during their expedition. They come back with full of hopes and excitement of meeting their family members and how the new world will welcome them. But what awaits them is a shocker, because they have come back in a whole new world in a whole new time frame. The political drama that follows will only make their lives harder than what it was during their space mission.
Pros: The whole book was written in the form of an interview and it was interesting to read the pov of every character in the book.
More of a political drama with a lot of suspense.
The concept of their dystopian world was fascinating.
Lot of discussions involving women’s rights, pandemic effects, abortion rights and male abuse.
Cons: Was slow in the beginning and towards the end. I felt some conversations were very hastened while some were very much dragged.
There was not much of sci-fi parts. It’s mostly only what happens after they returned.
Many stereotypical lines like repeatedly declaring Asian and South African countries poor and also against women.
My review: 3/5
Can definitely read it once if you like dystopian political books and for the unique style of narration.
September 25, 2022
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MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
The Way Out is Book 1 in the Be Careful What You Wish for Series by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas. Sci-fi is a genre I don’t read a lot, but this one was quite interesting. It was pretty much fun following eighteen men and eight women as they leave on a mission and ended up staying much longer than expected. They ended up in a deep black hole that kept them for a while. Well, the crew thought it was only a few years, but it was in fact forty years. And they found that the world had changed immensely while they were gone. No conflict in decades? So not like today, but wouldn’t it be nice? But there was one issue that took out an excessive amount of men and now the world is mostly run by women. As the crew continued to find changes in this new world, it was scary to think, it could easily happen today, especially in the light of the pandemic the last few years.
Some of the things were over my head, or maybe it just didn’t interest me. Yet all in all, this is a well written book. The writing style different that any I have read before, and I like it.The Way Out is a quick and easy read, and I am happy to give it Four Stars. If you enjoy a good sci-fi read, I’m sure you will love this one.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
July 26, 2022
The Way Out by Gordon Jensen, with C. Highsmith and G. Thomas, begins in the near future, 2025. The Alpha Centauri I is the first manned spaceship to be sent to the planet Proxima b, in the Alpha Centauri galaxy, 4.24 light years. All is going well on what would have been a ten-year mission (measured in earth time) until the spaceship encounters increased energy pulling them towards what is assumed to be a black hole. Forty years later, the spaceship appears and plummets into the ocean. After a short prologue on board the spaceship, the rest of the story is told in the form of interviews conducted by a documentarian-journalist who talks with a NASA employee who communicated with the spaceship the day of its return to Earth and major spaceship crew members.
I enjoyed this fictional world and the characters within it. However, as stated previously, the story moves forward by means of interview with the major characters. This is an interesting concept. But any vivid action and suspense are rather subdued. Everything is relayed to the reader second-hand and is seen through limited viewpoints. However, we get to meet each important character and learn their foibles up close.
I recommend The Way Out and look forward to reading Two Roads to Paradise, the second book in Gordon Jensen’s Be Careful What You Ask For series.
I enjoyed this fictional world and the characters within it. However, as stated previously, the story moves forward by means of interview with the major characters. This is an interesting concept. But any vivid action and suspense are rather subdued. Everything is relayed to the reader second-hand and is seen through limited viewpoints. However, we get to meet each important character and learn their foibles up close.
I recommend The Way Out and look forward to reading Two Roads to Paradise, the second book in Gordon Jensen’s Be Careful What You Ask For series.
August 5, 2022
The Way Out: A Novel is the first book from the Be Careful What You Wish For series by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas. This is not from my usual genre that I usually go to when I want to find something new to read. However, I wanted to see what it was all about. The plot was different and one that I could not be compare to another story I have ever read. The concept and structure of the the book was unique. I found it to be refreshing to be reading something new and distinct. It was entertaining to be taken out of this world for a few hours and nice to take a journey from every day stresses. The book does start a little slow and the format is hard to get used to at first. About a third of the way through, I caught on and got used to it. Once I did, I was hooked and had to keep reading to see how it would all end for the characters.
I am giving The Way Out: A Novel three and a half stars. I believe readers who enjoy reading books from the science fiction genre. I will be looking for the next installment from the Be Careful What You Wish For series, Two Roads to Paradise, to see what the authors has in store for their readers. This one is worth a read.
I received a paperback copy of The Way Out: A Novel from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving The Way Out: A Novel three and a half stars. I believe readers who enjoy reading books from the science fiction genre. I will be looking for the next installment from the Be Careful What You Wish For series, Two Roads to Paradise, to see what the authors has in store for their readers. This one is worth a read.
I received a paperback copy of The Way Out: A Novel from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
July 10, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I was entertained by the way the novel was written. It's a series of interviews that stitch together the story, very meta, as the point of view character is working on a documentary or a book... I forget which.
There is no true "bad guy" in this, which is nice to see becoming more common. It is man against nature and man against itself since GMO corn is what was behind the virus that made male births become a thing that does not happen anymore. I can only remember, in ALL my reading over my past 40 some years, ONE sci-fi in which I encountered a species that had no more male births. THEIR solution was COMPLETELY different than the one in this book.
I was definitely in awe of Captain Halverson when told in one of the interviews what her solution was to the black hole that allows the first challenge to mankind to begin... their "loss."
Time travel, repopulation, political intrigue, social justice questions... all good old school sci-fi trajectories the founders of the genre would be proud of, I think. I am very much looking forward to reading the next installment of the series.
There is no true "bad guy" in this, which is nice to see becoming more common. It is man against nature and man against itself since GMO corn is what was behind the virus that made male births become a thing that does not happen anymore. I can only remember, in ALL my reading over my past 40 some years, ONE sci-fi in which I encountered a species that had no more male births. THEIR solution was COMPLETELY different than the one in this book.
I was definitely in awe of Captain Halverson when told in one of the interviews what her solution was to the black hole that allows the first challenge to mankind to begin... their "loss."
Time travel, repopulation, political intrigue, social justice questions... all good old school sci-fi trajectories the founders of the genre would be proud of, I think. I am very much looking forward to reading the next installment of the series.
September 23, 2020
The year is 2025 and the place is somewhere in outer space. A twenty-six member crew made up of both men and women left their family and friends and set out on a journey to outer space. The goal was to find a nearby planet that could possibly support human life. The Alpha Centouri I crew was expecting to be away from home for approximately ten years. What they weren’t expecting was to find themselves face to face with a spinning black hole. With no other feasible choice available, the team decides to rev up their engines and go full throttle into the center of the wormhole. And so the adventure begins . . .
I have to start out by saying that I don’t normally read science fiction novels. But because THE WAY OUT came highly recommended to me by a friend, I decided to give it a go. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I loved the writers’ unique storytelling style and was totally intrigued with the fast moving and suspenseful plot. Once I started reading it, I was unable to put it down.
Thank you Gordon Jensen, Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas for this very thought provoking read! I’m happy to give you five stars!
I have to start out by saying that I don’t normally read science fiction novels. But because THE WAY OUT came highly recommended to me by a friend, I decided to give it a go. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I loved the writers’ unique storytelling style and was totally intrigued with the fast moving and suspenseful plot. Once I started reading it, I was unable to put it down.
Thank you Gordon Jensen, Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas for this very thought provoking read! I’m happy to give you five stars!
August 2, 2022
I do like the tone of the story that I got from reading it. It definitely gave me a sci fi feel. Which is what I was hoping for when I picked up this book. The way that this book is formatted as interview style is intriguing. It did bring me into the story a little better. Kind of like a "Captain's logbook." Something that a famous "Captain" would do. I am speaking of Captain Picard of the Enterprise from Star Trek. Yes, I am a "Trekkie".
While I liked the formatting style of this book, I sadly found myself not fully engaged with the characters. It was not for a lack of trying though as the storyline is what kept me reading. It just would have been better if I had been more engaged with the characters. Also, I found the beginning to be slow but the story did slowly pick up as the story progressed. I may not have loved this book but other readers did seem to enjoy this book, so I would give it a try if you like sci fi.
While I liked the formatting style of this book, I sadly found myself not fully engaged with the characters. It was not for a lack of trying though as the storyline is what kept me reading. It just would have been better if I had been more engaged with the characters. Also, I found the beginning to be slow but the story did slowly pick up as the story progressed. I may not have loved this book but other readers did seem to enjoy this book, so I would give it a try if you like sci fi.
July 21, 2022
A great beginning to a post-apocalyptic series. I loved the writing style, unique and refreshing. Twenty six crew members go on a mission to discover a new planet that is habitable in space. However, due to a back hole they end up back on Earth a few years later, or so they think. It's been 40 years for the people on Earth. And a lot has changed - males are no longer being born and have been eradicated pretty much. So they male crew members are hot commodities. I found this to be a fun story will diverse and crazy characters that I adored. The pacing is fast and you won't be able to put this one down. If you are into sci-fi, check this book out - you won't be disappointed.
Huge thanks to iRead Book Tours and Gordon Jensen for my gifted copy.
Huge thanks to iRead Book Tours and Gordon Jensen for my gifted copy.
July 24, 2022
This was such a fun story! It’s filled with science fiction, space and time travel, post-apocalyptic situations, and some political commentary!
I really enjoyed the characters, and the situations they were put into. When a space crew heads into space, they hit a black hole and end up back on earth 40 years in the future. Let me tell you…things are VERY different.
Earth is now a place where men are pretty much gone. Male babies aren’t being born anymore, so these Y chromosome people are in high demand!
I thought this was a story with a unique view on the future of Earth. I enjoyed the big personalities in some of the characters, and the super fun storyline! I’m looking forward to book 2!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the characters, and the situations they were put into. When a space crew heads into space, they hit a black hole and end up back on earth 40 years in the future. Let me tell you…things are VERY different.
Earth is now a place where men are pretty much gone. Male babies aren’t being born anymore, so these Y chromosome people are in high demand!
I thought this was a story with a unique view on the future of Earth. I enjoyed the big personalities in some of the characters, and the super fun storyline! I’m looking forward to book 2!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 3, 2022
I wanna start by saying that SciFi is NOT my genre. It has never been a genre I find easily engaging, and I tend to get confused or lose interest quickly. With that said, this is a GREAT BOOK for someone trying to get their feet wet in that area! The writing was engrossing and fast-paced, mostly told in interview format. This left me feeling less like I was reading a novel, and more like I was involved and part of the story. A unique view into a post-apocalyptic world that could be plausible was both fascinating and a bit frightening at times.
This is Book 1 in the “Be Careful What you Wish For” series, and I look forward to seeing what happens in Book 2, Two Roads to Paradise!
Thanks so much for this ARC copy, @ireadbooktours!!
This is Book 1 in the “Be Careful What you Wish For” series, and I look forward to seeing what happens in Book 2, Two Roads to Paradise!
Thanks so much for this ARC copy, @ireadbooktours!!
July 1, 2021
A seriously cool plot that’s so close to a potential reality it’s almost unnerving. Looking forward to more books in this series!
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