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The Twin Paradox
“Once again, and amazingly enough, Charles Wachter manages to meet us where we are in the uncertain, ever-shifting moment.”
Wesley Morris, Critic at Large, The New York Times
“... a worthy addition to the genre that Michael Crichton perfected. The summer techno-thriller.”
Jake Halpern, New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize Winner
“It’s a rollercoaster of fun.”
Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better
With ten years passing for every three minutes on a remote stretch of Texas coast, planes fall out of the sky, evolved species are on the hunt, and people die inside one of the most vicious ecosystems ever grown—all a result of the government’s efforts to slow down time.
A lot can happen in ten years. That’s the point. Governments are always racing for supremacy, for scientific breakthroughs, for technological advantages—and these things take time.
Until something goes wrong.
With the grounded yet massive world-building of READY PLAYER ONE, thrilling scientific questions of JURASSIC PARK, and the time-bending teen drama of BEFORE I FALL, Wachter’s THE TWIN PARADOX is a brilliantly plotted tale that is both intimate and massive, relentless yet deliberate, and explores the themes of self-acceptance, self- confidence, and natural selection in a richly hued and unforgettable world. Ultimately the eternal question of Nature versus Nurture is boiled down into this fast-paced thriller told over the course of five days and culminates in one single question:
Do we get to choose who we are?
MORE PRAISE FOR THE TWIN PARADOX
“The Twin Paradox is one of the best science thrillers to come along since Andy Weir’s The Martian.”
Chris Weitz, Screenwriter, Rogue One
“It’s a cracking adventure and gallops along at break-neck speed.”
Jonathan Oliver, Author The Language of Beasts
“Electric, insane, and crackling with science, and characters you’ve never encountered. Read it, share it. You won’t forget it.”
Dick Cook, Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios
“This book is filled with surprises, intrigue, and lots of dark fun. Loved it.”
Jon Turteltaub, Director, The Meg & National Treasure
Wesley Morris, Critic at Large, The New York Times
“... a worthy addition to the genre that Michael Crichton perfected. The summer techno-thriller.”
Jake Halpern, New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize Winner
“It’s a rollercoaster of fun.”
Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better
With ten years passing for every three minutes on a remote stretch of Texas coast, planes fall out of the sky, evolved species are on the hunt, and people die inside one of the most vicious ecosystems ever grown—all a result of the government’s efforts to slow down time.
A lot can happen in ten years. That’s the point. Governments are always racing for supremacy, for scientific breakthroughs, for technological advantages—and these things take time.
Until something goes wrong.
With the grounded yet massive world-building of READY PLAYER ONE, thrilling scientific questions of JURASSIC PARK, and the time-bending teen drama of BEFORE I FALL, Wachter’s THE TWIN PARADOX is a brilliantly plotted tale that is both intimate and massive, relentless yet deliberate, and explores the themes of self-acceptance, self- confidence, and natural selection in a richly hued and unforgettable world. Ultimately the eternal question of Nature versus Nurture is boiled down into this fast-paced thriller told over the course of five days and culminates in one single question:
Do we get to choose who we are?
MORE PRAISE FOR THE TWIN PARADOX
“The Twin Paradox is one of the best science thrillers to come along since Andy Weir’s The Martian.”
Chris Weitz, Screenwriter, Rogue One
“It’s a cracking adventure and gallops along at break-neck speed.”
Jonathan Oliver, Author The Language of Beasts
“Electric, insane, and crackling with science, and characters you’ve never encountered. Read it, share it. You won’t forget it.”
Dick Cook, Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios
“This book is filled with surprises, intrigue, and lots of dark fun. Loved it.”
Jon Turteltaub, Director, The Meg & National Treasure
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2020
492 people are currently reading
4685 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
August 8, 2021
“Does everything need to make sense?” said Leo. “Sometimes you just need a little faith that we are special, and things will turn out okay.”Thanks to NetGalley and Trevaney Bay for sending me an ARC of The Twin Paradox in exchange for an honest review.
Kat said, “Do you really believe—”
“No,” said Leo. “Not at all. We’re going to die.”
As I first started reading The Twin Paradox, it seemed to be a rather straightforward Jurassic Park-type story. There’s a secret, inherently dangerous facility that is having problems—instead of a dinosaur theme park here it’s a time machine of sorts—and a new group of people are brought to the facility to evaluate and fix the problem. While they are there, a saboteur causes a disruption to the facility, and we spend the rest of the story watching the characters try to survive and escape.
But there’s so much more going on in The Twin Paradox. Russian scientists. Clones. Spies. Corporate greed. Conspiracy theories. Stunningly poor security. More clones. Evolution resulting in plants and animals that are essentially monsters. Cannibals. Wormholes.
There were some parts of The Twin Paradox that I quite enjoyed. The cannibal scene is just wild. Alastair, Milk, and Zack’s escape is clever and fun. And the poison drinking game is like a twisted version of the one in The Princess Bride, and probably the best scene in the book.
But in the end, I think there’s just too much happening in this novel. All the storylines feel rushed, and that there’s only time to scratch the surface level, because we constantly have to move on to the three other things happening at the same time. Characters behave illogically in service of moving the plot forward. There were a number of times I was not entirely sure what was happening or why. I can see where Mr. Wachter was exploring this question of “do we get to choose who we are”? But in a novel with enough science fiction for ten different books, that question—like every other one posed by The Twin Paradox—ultimately got lost in the noise. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
May 19, 2021
The Twin Paradox
by Charles Wachter
Trevaney Bay
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book. It's a bit science fiction bordering on fantasy and parts are just fanciful. It reminds me a bit of some of Preston and Child books where there is some science fiction but then there is creepy monsters.
This has cloning of historical personalities, 'evil' persons, geniuses, and thinkers. There is also a way to slow down time and speed it up! Need a wormhole to China? Got one of those too! It's a wild ride through time with characters in the past, good and bad, along with creatures never before seen.
I found it a fun novel. It started out as a science fiction but it slowly turned into a creature feature. I think it was a bit over the top but okay.
by Charles Wachter
Trevaney Bay
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book. It's a bit science fiction bordering on fantasy and parts are just fanciful. It reminds me a bit of some of Preston and Child books where there is some science fiction but then there is creepy monsters.
This has cloning of historical personalities, 'evil' persons, geniuses, and thinkers. There is also a way to slow down time and speed it up! Need a wormhole to China? Got one of those too! It's a wild ride through time with characters in the past, good and bad, along with creatures never before seen.
I found it a fun novel. It started out as a science fiction but it slowly turned into a creature feature. I think it was a bit over the top but okay.
August 5, 2021
What happens when the government tries to control time and clone the greatest minds in history? You get a group of teenagers who have just graduated from an honors program paid for by Gene-E Corp. trying to solve the problem. Their problems only grow when it is discovered that the Russians have also been able to develop the same technology and clone some of the most reprehensible people in history. To tell anymore than this would be to give the plot away.
This scientific thriller has great character development, an amazing premise, and a plot that once it gets past the world building, takes off at breakneck speed. Though a lot of the science was over my head, it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. If you enjoy a good sci-fi thriller, this first in a planned series book is for you!
Thank you to Trevaney Bay, Charles Wachter, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This scientific thriller has great character development, an amazing premise, and a plot that once it gets past the world building, takes off at breakneck speed. Though a lot of the science was over my head, it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. If you enjoy a good sci-fi thriller, this first in a planned series book is for you!
Thank you to Trevaney Bay, Charles Wachter, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2020
Here goes. I've read maybe 2,000 science fiction books in my lifetime and only written reviews for five or so. Is this guy the next Michael Crichton? It feels like a Crichton book on hyperdrive. It also feels like it should be the basis for the next major game release from bungie or something. A cross between a near-future Lost World and the surreal environments in Destiny or Halo universes. "Action-packed" just does not cover it well enough. This is a highly crafted adventure, written by someone who clearly understands broad, sweeping stories. Five stars for sure. If there were a sixth to give, I'd give it just for the concept of "accelerator."
January 21, 2022
There are some really interesting ideas in this science fiction novel about cloning some of history’s greats and bringing them up as American teenagers, including the crypt and time experiments, evolution and more but it eventually gets lost in a strange combination of adventure novel and cartoonish geopolitics that had me rolling my eyes. Ultimately disappointing after a strong start.
June 11, 2021
Imagine you are just approaching or in your early teen years. You are normal, doing all the regular things that kids do. Everything is great, until one day you discover that you are not who you think you are. You are not the you that you’ve grown to know, you are a clone. Not just any clone, but a duplicate of an famous intelligent or influential adult.
There was enough in that one idea to create a decent plot, but author Charles Wachter upped the ante by transporting the children to a facility in Texas that is the perfect definition of science running amok. Time moves at different speeds within the facility, and a dangerous world has evolved within its confines. The sci-fi story quickly morphs into a sci-fi horror, and there is a race against time to escape a cruel fate that has been left for them to blunder into its clutches.
I liked the heavier-than-normal doses of science, and the book teetered between a story for young adults while still capturing the interest of older readers. This is a multiple-book series, but I wouldn’t classify it as a cliffhanger ending. The main plot lines are wrapped up, though it is obvious that more adventures wait in the wings. For me, this was one of the top books I have read this year, and I am so glad it was introduced to me. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.
There was enough in that one idea to create a decent plot, but author Charles Wachter upped the ante by transporting the children to a facility in Texas that is the perfect definition of science running amok. Time moves at different speeds within the facility, and a dangerous world has evolved within its confines. The sci-fi story quickly morphs into a sci-fi horror, and there is a race against time to escape a cruel fate that has been left for them to blunder into its clutches.
I liked the heavier-than-normal doses of science, and the book teetered between a story for young adults while still capturing the interest of older readers. This is a multiple-book series, but I wouldn’t classify it as a cliffhanger ending. The main plot lines are wrapped up, though it is obvious that more adventures wait in the wings. For me, this was one of the top books I have read this year, and I am so glad it was introduced to me. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.
August 9, 2021
Well that was a trippy read! I’m not quite sure how to explain what I just read as there were several major things going on at the same time. The premise/s was/were amazing though.
Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Leonardo DaVinci, Martin Luther King, and Catherine the Great are all main characters in this story. Cannibals, time, and monsters are also in this story. In fact, this book could have been several books with all the wild storylines. It would make for an excellent movie!
And, I did research a bit and see that this book did get picked up by a movie studio.
The things I didn’t like… For the first half of the book, in many instances, I had no idea what was going on. At one point I almost gave up until I stopped and read a few reviews to see if I should keep going. Apparently I’m not the only one that felt this way. I stuck with it and loved the second half.
The Twin Paradox was definitely a major science thriller (Jurassic Park comes to mind) and it ended up being a really fun read. I can’t wait to jump into Divine Paradox when it releases in 2022.
*Thanks to Trevaney Bay and NetGalley for a copy of this book!*
Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Leonardo DaVinci, Martin Luther King, and Catherine the Great are all main characters in this story. Cannibals, time, and monsters are also in this story. In fact, this book could have been several books with all the wild storylines. It would make for an excellent movie!
And, I did research a bit and see that this book did get picked up by a movie studio.
The things I didn’t like… For the first half of the book, in many instances, I had no idea what was going on. At one point I almost gave up until I stopped and read a few reviews to see if I should keep going. Apparently I’m not the only one that felt this way. I stuck with it and loved the second half.
The Twin Paradox was definitely a major science thriller (Jurassic Park comes to mind) and it ended up being a really fun read. I can’t wait to jump into Divine Paradox when it releases in 2022.
*Thanks to Trevaney Bay and NetGalley for a copy of this book!*
October 30, 2020
Good start turns into a complete mess
The first couple of chapters were good, well written and interesting. And then, boom. The story went everywhere. Character's actions made no sense. Spoiler alert. For example, the main protagonist, an 18 year old Albert Einstein clone/kid, meets up with a gorgeous spy. He's given the opportunity to fly to Russia to oversee his own billion dollar time warping lab or something like that. Does he call his buddies to tell them about the hot spy and crazy opportunity? Nope. Flies to Texas with all his friends to see another billion dollar time warping American lab. Might be good time to mention the hot spy but nope, not a peep out of him. During the tour of this outlandish facility (the story is really going downhill at this point), he sees the spy, she's the lead manager at the wacky dangerous facility. (How did she get this job? This place is super top secret.) She's obviously up to no good. He's under no duress, all his friends may be in grave dancer and still he says nothing. Finally, she betrays him and all his friends and he's thinking, "oh yeah, why didn't I tell anybody about her. The hot spy also brought along a bunch of evil clones from history such as Attila the hun, Hitler and Winston Churchill, not sure why old Winny was there. They just materialized behind her. How did they get there? This place is super duper secret yet security really sucks. I quit reading right about here. You should quit well before.
The first couple of chapters were good, well written and interesting. And then, boom. The story went everywhere. Character's actions made no sense. Spoiler alert. For example, the main protagonist, an 18 year old Albert Einstein clone/kid, meets up with a gorgeous spy. He's given the opportunity to fly to Russia to oversee his own billion dollar time warping lab or something like that. Does he call his buddies to tell them about the hot spy and crazy opportunity? Nope. Flies to Texas with all his friends to see another billion dollar time warping American lab. Might be good time to mention the hot spy but nope, not a peep out of him. During the tour of this outlandish facility (the story is really going downhill at this point), he sees the spy, she's the lead manager at the wacky dangerous facility. (How did she get this job? This place is super top secret.) She's obviously up to no good. He's under no duress, all his friends may be in grave dancer and still he says nothing. Finally, she betrays him and all his friends and he's thinking, "oh yeah, why didn't I tell anybody about her. The hot spy also brought along a bunch of evil clones from history such as Attila the hun, Hitler and Winston Churchill, not sure why old Winny was there. They just materialized behind her. How did they get there? This place is super duper secret yet security really sucks. I quit reading right about here. You should quit well before.
June 7, 2024
I can see how others would like this. It's an interesting mix of sci-fi and weird twist of events to keep people guessing. But I knew right from the beginning, it wasn't going to work for me.
The writing, to me, felt detached. Right from the first chapter, it felt like the story was written like a checklist and the main character was reading the list to me - then this happened, then this. I kept me from really getting into the story or the groove of the characters. Which meant when the story got really odd and seemed to change what it was about, I wasn't invested enough to get into it.
I wish I'd loved it - if the synopsis sounds like your jam and you like to read books before you see them (Goodreads says it will soon be a major motion picture) - then definitely read those other 4 and 5 star reviews and grab this one. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The writing, to me, felt detached. Right from the first chapter, it felt like the story was written like a checklist and the main character was reading the list to me - then this happened, then this. I kept me from really getting into the story or the groove of the characters. Which meant when the story got really odd and seemed to change what it was about, I wasn't invested enough to get into it.
I wish I'd loved it - if the synopsis sounds like your jam and you like to read books before you see them (Goodreads says it will soon be a major motion picture) - then definitely read those other 4 and 5 star reviews and grab this one. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 17, 2021
I confess to being astounded as to why this book is so popular. It felt like it was written for people who really love American reality competition TV series and want to see those TV shows turned into novels. I'm not against turning reality competition TV series into novels in principle. However, if you're going to do that, then work to the strengths of the novel, not reality competition TV.
I nearly stopped reading altogether when Joseph Stalin showed up riding a giant chicken. Again, I'm not against dictators riding giant poultry in principle. If Stalin had appeared astride an enormous chicken in a comedic novel, then it might have been fantastic. But The Twin Paradox is not a comedic novel. It’s a thriller (of sorts). And this brings me to the crux of the problem.
It felt like Wachter never really decided what kind of novel he wanted to write. Other reviews have said it already, with comments like, "The story went everywhere," or "It just went too far and became a bit ridiculous to me."
For me, it felt like Wachter was just throwing things at the wall to see what would stick. At times it seemed he wanted me to take the novel somewhat seriously (by including scientific explanations, for example), but at other times he was, well, bringing in Stalin on a giant chicken. The first chapter felt mythic and dreamy, and it was beautifully written. Later on there's an exceptionally gruesome scene where a man is eaten alive--all described in horrible detail. That scene seemed to have come straight out of the most repulsive body horror movie ever filmed. The overall effect was that the novel felt random and disjointed.
This is Wachter's first book. I looked him up to discover that he actually is an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer and writer for reality television. That explained a lot to me. To be fair, he’s clearly good at what he does, and he’s had a lot of success in that field. We can thank him for his work on Fear Factor, The Hero, American Gladiator, and certain episodes of the mini-golf sports reality competition Holey Moley.
I just don’t think that experience makes for a solid training ground for novel writing. That said, this book is apparently an international bestseller, so what do I know? Wachter might be smarter than me.
Here’s what I enjoyed about this novel. It has some really interesting ideas. Manipulating time in a remote stretch of Texas coast, so that ten years passes there for every three minutes elsewhere? Great! Bringing back the geniuses of history through human cloning? Fantastic! And really, that first chapter was pure magic. (In fact, that chapter was why I decided to read the book.)
I know how much personal passion and dedication goes into writing a novel, and I don’t like to bring other writers down. Normally if I dislike a book this much I'll stop reading and won't leave a review. But Twin Paradox is simultaneously so bad and so popular that I felt compelled not only to finish it but to write a review, just to get my head around it. Doing so has helped me to figure out what I personally value, both as a reader and as a writer. It has also helped me to figure out want to create more of and what I want to avoid.
Regardless of what I think, based on the apparent popularity of this novel, Wachter is clearly headed for a long and successful series. I wish him huge success and a massive audience.
As for me, I won’t be reading any more of his books. I’d rather eat a bowl of blended, raw rat (see Fear Factor, Season 5, Episode 9).
I nearly stopped reading altogether when Joseph Stalin showed up riding a giant chicken. Again, I'm not against dictators riding giant poultry in principle. If Stalin had appeared astride an enormous chicken in a comedic novel, then it might have been fantastic. But The Twin Paradox is not a comedic novel. It’s a thriller (of sorts). And this brings me to the crux of the problem.
It felt like Wachter never really decided what kind of novel he wanted to write. Other reviews have said it already, with comments like, "The story went everywhere," or "It just went too far and became a bit ridiculous to me."
For me, it felt like Wachter was just throwing things at the wall to see what would stick. At times it seemed he wanted me to take the novel somewhat seriously (by including scientific explanations, for example), but at other times he was, well, bringing in Stalin on a giant chicken. The first chapter felt mythic and dreamy, and it was beautifully written. Later on there's an exceptionally gruesome scene where a man is eaten alive--all described in horrible detail. That scene seemed to have come straight out of the most repulsive body horror movie ever filmed. The overall effect was that the novel felt random and disjointed.
This is Wachter's first book. I looked him up to discover that he actually is an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer and writer for reality television. That explained a lot to me. To be fair, he’s clearly good at what he does, and he’s had a lot of success in that field. We can thank him for his work on Fear Factor, The Hero, American Gladiator, and certain episodes of the mini-golf sports reality competition Holey Moley.
I just don’t think that experience makes for a solid training ground for novel writing. That said, this book is apparently an international bestseller, so what do I know? Wachter might be smarter than me.
Here’s what I enjoyed about this novel. It has some really interesting ideas. Manipulating time in a remote stretch of Texas coast, so that ten years passes there for every three minutes elsewhere? Great! Bringing back the geniuses of history through human cloning? Fantastic! And really, that first chapter was pure magic. (In fact, that chapter was why I decided to read the book.)
I know how much personal passion and dedication goes into writing a novel, and I don’t like to bring other writers down. Normally if I dislike a book this much I'll stop reading and won't leave a review. But Twin Paradox is simultaneously so bad and so popular that I felt compelled not only to finish it but to write a review, just to get my head around it. Doing so has helped me to figure out what I personally value, both as a reader and as a writer. It has also helped me to figure out want to create more of and what I want to avoid.
Regardless of what I think, based on the apparent popularity of this novel, Wachter is clearly headed for a long and successful series. I wish him huge success and a massive audience.
As for me, I won’t be reading any more of his books. I’d rather eat a bowl of blended, raw rat (see Fear Factor, Season 5, Episode 9).
September 17, 2023
THE TWIN PARADOX by Charles Wachter
Publication: 8/23/2020 by Trevaney Bay Books
Jump aboard this thriller SF Thriller roller coaster ride …overflowing with intriguing concepts. Explore the concept of nurture versus nature … which is really more important. In this far reaching melange of ideas explore the nature of time and cloning, while conspiracies and sabotage abound. I would recommend not getting bogged down in the hard science .. such as interwoven discussions involving quantum physics and laws of relativity. This wild ride can be read just for a fun adventure.. and will appeal to lovers of Jurassic Park. In one setting ten years pass for every three minutes of experienced time in an environ / ecosystem where mega-evolved species roam the hellish region … all on the hunt for prey.
Wachter weave a complex narrative with astounding world building … utilizing a cast of multi-layered characters to build intrigue , suspense and menace. These honor graduate teenagers are actually clones of famous intellectual giants of history. If anything this this gem is filled with too many ideas and concepts… but remains very cinematic. Thanks to NetGalley and Trevaney Bay Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Publication: 8/23/2020 by Trevaney Bay Books
Jump aboard this thriller SF Thriller roller coaster ride …overflowing with intriguing concepts. Explore the concept of nurture versus nature … which is really more important. In this far reaching melange of ideas explore the nature of time and cloning, while conspiracies and sabotage abound. I would recommend not getting bogged down in the hard science .. such as interwoven discussions involving quantum physics and laws of relativity. This wild ride can be read just for a fun adventure.. and will appeal to lovers of Jurassic Park. In one setting ten years pass for every three minutes of experienced time in an environ / ecosystem where mega-evolved species roam the hellish region … all on the hunt for prey.
Wachter weave a complex narrative with astounding world building … utilizing a cast of multi-layered characters to build intrigue , suspense and menace. These honor graduate teenagers are actually clones of famous intellectual giants of history. If anything this this gem is filled with too many ideas and concepts… but remains very cinematic. Thanks to NetGalley and Trevaney Bay Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2021
Plot: 5 stars!!!
Writing: 3 stars
Overall: 3 stars
Wow! This was a crazy experience, in a good way! The author came up with some mind-bending science and made it feel real. I was on the edge of my seat to see if they would make it out in the end.
The reason I am giving it only three stars is that I didn't feel a real emotional connection to the characters. It was written almost as if it were intended for TV (which it would make a great show!), and so the characters didn't feel fleshed out, and I had a hard time feeling for their struggles. The dialogue between the characters was also a little forced. It didn't flow like a generic conversation, it felt almost like a way to quickly get the reader up to speed. And lastly, minor complaint: the use of character names would be incorrect on occasion. It would say a character was speaking when that character wasn't even in the same place.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book! It was a lot of fun and I see big potential for the author! I will definitely read something he writes in the future.
Writing: 3 stars
Overall: 3 stars
Wow! This was a crazy experience, in a good way! The author came up with some mind-bending science and made it feel real. I was on the edge of my seat to see if they would make it out in the end.
The reason I am giving it only three stars is that I didn't feel a real emotional connection to the characters. It was written almost as if it were intended for TV (which it would make a great show!), and so the characters didn't feel fleshed out, and I had a hard time feeling for their struggles. The dialogue between the characters was also a little forced. It didn't flow like a generic conversation, it felt almost like a way to quickly get the reader up to speed. And lastly, minor complaint: the use of character names would be incorrect on occasion. It would say a character was speaking when that character wasn't even in the same place.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book! It was a lot of fun and I see big potential for the author! I will definitely read something he writes in the future.
December 27, 2020
An insanely fast-paced, edge of your seat, sci-fi thriller. It has a little bit of everything - time shifting, quantum physics, human cloning, secret governmental experiments, biological warfare, mutated animals, Russian espionage, and a sprinkling of magic. The teenage protagonists include history’s most brilliant minds. Not only must they learn to come to terms with who they really are but they also must escape the time trap they are in while warding off history’s greatest villains. Wachter does an amazing job painting a vivid picture, fueled with twists and turns (and time hops) at every corner. A great first novel - can’t wait to see it turned into a major motion picture! Hollywood - option this stat!
August 11, 2021
Where do I even begin with this book? There was a lot of stuff going on in here. It was action from start to finish. This one would appeal to people who like books like Jurassic Park and Sci-Fi that involves messing with time and nature.
There are several sets of characters that we follow through this tale but the primary one is a group of American teens, who at the beginning of the book are told that they are clones of great minds of the world, including Leonardo DiVinci, Isaac Newton, and Catherine the Great. Then there is a young man, Jimmy, who is a diver working on an offshore oil rig when disaster strikes...and an assorted crew of men who work for the government and/or for a project called Cornerstone. At Cornerstone, they have found a way to make 1o years pass in 3 minutes. They are using this to try to make leaps in technical advances over other nations.
Ok, there is A LOT going on in this book, as I mentioned earlier. Man messing with nature, clones, cannibals, wormholes, espionage, strange/dangerous animals created at the hand of men, man trying to control time. A lot of the storylines in the book weave in and out throughout. Early on it was a bit hard for me to follow but I eventually remembered who everyone was. The book was definitely fast paced but at times I felt like it was a bit too much. This is a good one if you are looking for a crazy adventure ride of a read.
3.5 stars
What to listen to while reading...
God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash
Clones by Smashing Pumpkins
Conspiracy By Paramore
Twin Paradox by Arpanet
The Kids Aren't Alright by Offspring
Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses
Time is Running Out by Muse
Freak by Sub Urban
The Final Countdown by Europe
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
There are several sets of characters that we follow through this tale but the primary one is a group of American teens, who at the beginning of the book are told that they are clones of great minds of the world, including Leonardo DiVinci, Isaac Newton, and Catherine the Great. Then there is a young man, Jimmy, who is a diver working on an offshore oil rig when disaster strikes...and an assorted crew of men who work for the government and/or for a project called Cornerstone. At Cornerstone, they have found a way to make 1o years pass in 3 minutes. They are using this to try to make leaps in technical advances over other nations.
Ok, there is A LOT going on in this book, as I mentioned earlier. Man messing with nature, clones, cannibals, wormholes, espionage, strange/dangerous animals created at the hand of men, man trying to control time. A lot of the storylines in the book weave in and out throughout. Early on it was a bit hard for me to follow but I eventually remembered who everyone was. The book was definitely fast paced but at times I felt like it was a bit too much. This is a good one if you are looking for a crazy adventure ride of a read.
3.5 stars
What to listen to while reading...
God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash
Clones by Smashing Pumpkins
Conspiracy By Paramore
Twin Paradox by Arpanet
The Kids Aren't Alright by Offspring
Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses
Time is Running Out by Muse
Freak by Sub Urban
The Final Countdown by Europe
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
March 28, 2022
I absolutely LOVED The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter! It’s hard sci-fi, along the lines of Michael Crichton. Their writing style isn’t the same, but they are both very good at my favorite part of science fiction: taking something innocuous, like time or nanites, and asking, “what happens if it all goes to hell?”
My Thoughts
Charles Wachter brought to life an amazing story. Stories about time, especially time travel, tend to give me a headache. This one did a little bit, too, even though it has nothing to do with time travel. The Twin Paradox is definitely “hard sci-fi,” because it uses tons of actual science, such as quantum physics, and the laws of relativity. Because of Michael Crichton’s books, I’ve learned to love that part of science fiction, and I absolutely adored The Twin Paradox because of that.
Sadly, this book only mentioned what The Twin Paradox is, once, which frustrated me a little. I enjoy the title of the books I read actually being a theme throughout the story, and while this one talked about The Twin Paradox a little, it didn’t really feel like an ongoing theme.
Characters in The Twin Paradox
I can’t really say I related to any specific character, because each one had traits that I understood. They all felt like misfits, and like they never really fit in anywhere, but each had different reasons for feeling that way. As the story progressed, each character seemed to evolve into who they could be, and were able to work together in various pursuits. Obviously, I can’t give away anything, because you really should read the book. Trust me, though, The Twin Paradox has a character for everyone. Each person who reads it, will find someone with whom they can relate.
Conclusion
Overall, I absolutely adored The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter. It has a sequel coming at some point, and I’m super excited. If you’ve read this book, let me know below! I’d also love to know if you want to purchase this book! If you enjoy Michael Crichton’s books, you’ll love The Twin Paradox. Like I said above, their writing styles are different, but they are both able to make various scientific principles thrilling, and even scary at times.
My Thoughts
Charles Wachter brought to life an amazing story. Stories about time, especially time travel, tend to give me a headache. This one did a little bit, too, even though it has nothing to do with time travel. The Twin Paradox is definitely “hard sci-fi,” because it uses tons of actual science, such as quantum physics, and the laws of relativity. Because of Michael Crichton’s books, I’ve learned to love that part of science fiction, and I absolutely adored The Twin Paradox because of that.
Sadly, this book only mentioned what The Twin Paradox is, once, which frustrated me a little. I enjoy the title of the books I read actually being a theme throughout the story, and while this one talked about The Twin Paradox a little, it didn’t really feel like an ongoing theme.
Characters in The Twin Paradox
I can’t really say I related to any specific character, because each one had traits that I understood. They all felt like misfits, and like they never really fit in anywhere, but each had different reasons for feeling that way. As the story progressed, each character seemed to evolve into who they could be, and were able to work together in various pursuits. Obviously, I can’t give away anything, because you really should read the book. Trust me, though, The Twin Paradox has a character for everyone. Each person who reads it, will find someone with whom they can relate.
Conclusion
Overall, I absolutely adored The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter. It has a sequel coming at some point, and I’m super excited. If you’ve read this book, let me know below! I’d also love to know if you want to purchase this book! If you enjoy Michael Crichton’s books, you’ll love The Twin Paradox. Like I said above, their writing styles are different, but they are both able to make various scientific principles thrilling, and even scary at times.
May 30, 2021
Book Review: The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter
(Published by Trevaney Bay, August 23, 2020)
eBook: ★★★★☆ (4.0 Stars)
Paradox, noun. / pærəˌdɑks/
A person, thing, or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange. - OED
-----
Day One. And done.
This fast-paced YA techno, sci-fi thriller set in southern Texas is entirely about a single day - the first day of orientation for a batch of new high school graduates, teenage honor students freshly recruited to do research and advance studies at Gene-E Corp, an independent research firm.
Unbeknownst to the teens until that very day, they are all duplicates of famous scientists and leaders, including two versions of Isaac Newton, an Albert Einstein, a Leonardo Da Vinci, inter-alia, in other words, the luminaries of mankind - cloned from DNA gathered from bones, chopped fingers, and relics by grave robbers and their ilk, paradoxically, mankind's dregs.
And in those first orientation hours, the young prodigies go on-the-job training full time through several adult lifetimes, unwittingly and unprepared, as they muster the full measure of their guts and brains to survive.
Time travel, in wormholes and vortexes, against a Michelangelo-led tribe of retro-stone age cannibals, and against a myriad of mutants and horrors created in a warped timespan of over a million years by Cornerstone, a top-secret particle accelerator project "...infinity more powerful than CERN..", a super-collider spread over an area of fifty square miles.
E=mc2. Cornerstone covers an ecosystem of over 5,000 square miles where energy, mass, light and time are manipulated, and the equivalent of 7,800 years pass in a single night with the sun rising and setting only once, - and the rest of America and the world none the wiser!
And then comes the revelation that the Russians and Chinese also have their own "Cornerstone", their own clones - Stalin, Hitler and a gallery of rogues.
With timelines and universes of both ecosystems intertwined in a spiral!
Breathtakingly creative!
Hard to exactly digest the storylines in this novel, but nonetheless, breathtaking!
-----
A debut novel penned by heavy-hitting TV executive producer, Charles Wachter ("Fear Factor", "American Gladiators"), it comes as no surprise that raves and accolades come in droves from the industry and adjuncts, and that a motion picture or television series seems to be already in the works.
It also comes as no surprise that the book at times reads like a television script outlined perhaps for an entire mini-series, with the cloned teen protagonists coming across as caricatured test tube babies, sorely lacking in character development, without emotional connections, background, parentage or upbringing.
As a techno sci-fi thriller, the book is definitely at par, or even superior compared with the best of the genre(s). But persons, events, twists and turns come and end hurriedly, jumbled with loose ends unresolved, conjured as though on a tight schedule and on a whim.
Overall, this novel may neither be entirely unputdownable nor meet all the usual prerogatives for a good book, yet, paradoxically, so to speak, it is one helluva read!
Review based on an ARC from Trevaney Bay and NetGalley.
(Published by Trevaney Bay, August 23, 2020)
eBook: ★★★★☆ (4.0 Stars)
"...It's called the Twin Paradox.
If one twin left earth on a spaceship at the speed of light, time would pass slower for him, dilating to accommodate the speed, and then eventually, when he returned, his brother would be much older, or dead.
Here, this is backward. Time passes faster.
Ten years for three minutes..."
- from "The Twin Paradox" by Charles Wachter
Paradox, noun. / pærəˌdɑks/
A person, thing, or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange. - OED
-----
Day One. And done.
This fast-paced YA techno, sci-fi thriller set in southern Texas is entirely about a single day - the first day of orientation for a batch of new high school graduates, teenage honor students freshly recruited to do research and advance studies at Gene-E Corp, an independent research firm.
Unbeknownst to the teens until that very day, they are all duplicates of famous scientists and leaders, including two versions of Isaac Newton, an Albert Einstein, a Leonardo Da Vinci, inter-alia, in other words, the luminaries of mankind - cloned from DNA gathered from bones, chopped fingers, and relics by grave robbers and their ilk, paradoxically, mankind's dregs.
And in those first orientation hours, the young prodigies go on-the-job training full time through several adult lifetimes, unwittingly and unprepared, as they muster the full measure of their guts and brains to survive.
Time travel, in wormholes and vortexes, against a Michelangelo-led tribe of retro-stone age cannibals, and against a myriad of mutants and horrors created in a warped timespan of over a million years by Cornerstone, a top-secret particle accelerator project "...infinity more powerful than CERN..", a super-collider spread over an area of fifty square miles.
E=mc2. Cornerstone covers an ecosystem of over 5,000 square miles where energy, mass, light and time are manipulated, and the equivalent of 7,800 years pass in a single night with the sun rising and setting only once, - and the rest of America and the world none the wiser!
And then comes the revelation that the Russians and Chinese also have their own "Cornerstone", their own clones - Stalin, Hitler and a gallery of rogues.
With timelines and universes of both ecosystems intertwined in a spiral!
Breathtakingly creative!
Hard to exactly digest the storylines in this novel, but nonetheless, breathtaking!
-----
A debut novel penned by heavy-hitting TV executive producer, Charles Wachter ("Fear Factor", "American Gladiators"), it comes as no surprise that raves and accolades come in droves from the industry and adjuncts, and that a motion picture or television series seems to be already in the works.
It also comes as no surprise that the book at times reads like a television script outlined perhaps for an entire mini-series, with the cloned teen protagonists coming across as caricatured test tube babies, sorely lacking in character development, without emotional connections, background, parentage or upbringing.
As a techno sci-fi thriller, the book is definitely at par, or even superior compared with the best of the genre(s). But persons, events, twists and turns come and end hurriedly, jumbled with loose ends unresolved, conjured as though on a tight schedule and on a whim.
Overall, this novel may neither be entirely unputdownable nor meet all the usual prerogatives for a good book, yet, paradoxically, so to speak, it is one helluva read!
Review based on an ARC from Trevaney Bay and NetGalley.
May 24, 2021
I would like to thank Trevaney Bay and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC free for an honest review. The book starts with the death of Isaac Newton and people prying a tooth from his mouth. Almost 250 years later, in 1975, a collector in Russia has amassed tissue from many greats of history – De Vinci, Edison, Curie, Galileo, Darwin, Newton, etc. The collector is killed and his collection stolen by a doctor. Forty years later, a dozen young people are graduating early from high school. At the ceremony, they find out their true identities. They are clones of Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Leonardo Da Vinci, Issac Newton and Catherine the Great. Their names are Alastair, Milk, Leo, Zach and Kat and they are all somewhat in shock. Their school has taken money from a company named Gene-E Corp, who has taken lots of money from the American government, to give these kids the best education. Once they graduate, they will all be employed by Gene-E Corp, where their education will continue. And boy! Does it ever! They are flown to a secret instillation in Texas, where they learn Gene-E Corp has learned, not only how to clone people, but how to manipulate time. Each of the recent graduates find out messing with time may not be a good thing to do – especially when they are sharing their living space with cannibals. I’ll admit to never having taken a physics class, so I didn’t understand any of the scientific jargon. This story kept me reading because I liked the students and wanted to make sure they made it out of the complex. I liked Jimmy and his father, too. The question that stayed in my head throughout the reading was, “Exactly what age group was this book written for?” Because most of the characters were teenagers, I figured it must be young adult, but all the cloning, science race with Russia, and cannibalism makes me think it’s for an older audience.
November 2, 2020
* I was given this book in a giveaway *
Wow, what a mind-bender! At times it was a little hard to keep up with who was what character but I think in the end it was a good choice. It added to the chaos that ensued and the complications that occurred throughout.
The only con I have about this book is that I wish the characters had been developed a little more. It felt like they were these super-smart geniuses but you don't get much deeper than that. At times I felt like the plot was rushed and I didn't quite understand why things were happening.
Overall I gave this book 4 stars because it was a really cool concept and I liked the idea behind the story. The only thing is that I felt like the characters could have been developed more and some of the science explanation was confusing.
Wow, what a mind-bender! At times it was a little hard to keep up with who was what character but I think in the end it was a good choice. It added to the chaos that ensued and the complications that occurred throughout.
The only con I have about this book is that I wish the characters had been developed a little more. It felt like they were these super-smart geniuses but you don't get much deeper than that. At times I felt like the plot was rushed and I didn't quite understand why things were happening.
Overall I gave this book 4 stars because it was a really cool concept and I liked the idea behind the story. The only thing is that I felt like the characters could have been developed more and some of the science explanation was confusing.
May 9, 2021
I was really surprised by this book. Not only is the story original, but it was enthralling. I couldn't put it down, even though I had to many times to participate in everyday activities. I was so disappointed to learn the sequel won't be released for awhile, but I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it.
July 12, 2021
wow, this book was truly amazing. the start was a bit slow, but once the action got started i flew through the pages. the concept was amazing, i loved the many plot twists and the way it made you so confused about which character you can trust and who not. i loved it. i recommend this!
**thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review**
**thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review**
May 26, 2021
It was barely 12 hours after I finished this novel that I saw a headline: Russia to clone 3,000 year old Scythian warriors. While that is a scary thought, the scenario presented in "The Twin Paradox" is even scarier. Imagine cloning history's greatest minds AND monsters. What havoc they could wreak.
The US government clones the greatest minds and sends them all to the same school. It also builds a biosphere/ecosystem on the Texas Gulf coast to carry out all sorts of experiments with time compression. The kids graduate high school and are sent to this biosphere for their internship. Disaster strikes. Meanwhile Russia has built a smaller version of the facility in China. And the two are connected via a wormhole - sometimes. Russia clones monsters like Stalin and Hitler who try to thwart the intrepid kids.
This novel was a wild ride: fast-paced, unbelievable, confusing, sometimes gruesome and always entertaining. Charles Wachter has quite an imagination. I can't wait for the movie or TV Show.
Thanks to Net Galley for the review copy. #TheTwinParadox #NetGalley
The US government clones the greatest minds and sends them all to the same school. It also builds a biosphere/ecosystem on the Texas Gulf coast to carry out all sorts of experiments with time compression. The kids graduate high school and are sent to this biosphere for their internship. Disaster strikes. Meanwhile Russia has built a smaller version of the facility in China. And the two are connected via a wormhole - sometimes. Russia clones monsters like Stalin and Hitler who try to thwart the intrepid kids.
This novel was a wild ride: fast-paced, unbelievable, confusing, sometimes gruesome and always entertaining. Charles Wachter has quite an imagination. I can't wait for the movie or TV Show.
Thanks to Net Galley for the review copy. #TheTwinParadox #NetGalley
February 16, 2021
Interesting SF Adventure involving Clones, Time Travel And More.
Funny book, I liked it but it became tedious at times. As part of a vast experiment, historical figures are cloned and a special area expanding time passage and condensing it simultaneously is constructed. International problems become exacerbated as countries rival each other in discoveries and scientific growth. A lot of big ideas are broached and old fashioned adventure are undertaken, a curious mix in some ways but ultimately enjoyable.
Funny book, I liked it but it became tedious at times. As part of a vast experiment, historical figures are cloned and a special area expanding time passage and condensing it simultaneously is constructed. International problems become exacerbated as countries rival each other in discoveries and scientific growth. A lot of big ideas are broached and old fashioned adventure are undertaken, a curious mix in some ways but ultimately enjoyable.
September 14, 2020
If you've ever wondered what would happen if you took the clones of great minds of history (and an underwater welder) and stuck them in a biosphere where the meaning of time is different... this book is for you. I was interested at first, but as I neared the end it felt like the author tried to cram in as many obstacles as possible for the characters. And there was some weird weird weirdness in the middle with restless natives. That said, it would probably make a good action/sci-fi movie.
March 8, 2021
Stark Shadows from the Cold War
I liked the author's style, which is why it got a three instead of a two. The plot was a bit dreamlike, which can be fun with the right tempo. The science did not seem very plausible. Cold war mentality was disappointing, China and Russia are painted with two dimensional perspectives. Characters were worth the read and the overall theme was worthy. Not a bad read, but not give-me-more.
I liked the author's style, which is why it got a three instead of a two. The plot was a bit dreamlike, which can be fun with the right tempo. The science did not seem very plausible. Cold war mentality was disappointing, China and Russia are painted with two dimensional perspectives. Characters were worth the read and the overall theme was worthy. Not a bad read, but not give-me-more.
May 10, 2021
This book is simply amazing. It is a wild ride through time, physics, and friendships. You simply have no idea where this book will go next, though at no point are you ever disappointed. And while I wished I could have read it faster, there were times when my eyes simply lost focus and I had to sleep. I can not wait to see what comes next!
September 16, 2020
Amazing
Well written story about a crazy plot to clone the great minds of history and put them in accelerator to get ten years of genius in three minutes. Chaos happens when China builds a collided too and then tries to steal the American clones. Great read
Well written story about a crazy plot to clone the great minds of history and put them in accelerator to get ten years of genius in three minutes. Chaos happens when China builds a collided too and then tries to steal the American clones. Great read
June 6, 2021
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley and Trevaney Bay for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
//TW: death, torture, violence//
All quotes are taken from The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter.
Spoilers are marked.
~Quick Statistics~
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
~Quick Review~
A timeless tale and a future classic, The Twin Paradox is an original and fascinating story that will stand the test of time. The Twin Paradox is full of adventure, science, theories, friendship, danger, and survival. Reminiscent of Jurassic Park, I could not stop reading this fantastically unique and vibrant novel.
~Other Information~
Publisher: Trevaney Bay
Page Count: 384 pages
Release Date: August 23, 2020
The Twin Paradox is the first novel in the Twin Paradox series. The sequel, Divine Paradox, is set to be published on January 31, 2022.
~Book Description (via Goodreads)~
With ten years passing for every three minutes on a remote stretch of Texas coast, planes fall out of the sky, evolved species are on the hunt, and people die inside one of the most vicious ecosystems ever grown—all a result of the government’s efforts to slow down time.
A lot can happen in ten years. That’s the point. Governments are always racing for supremacy, for scientific breakthroughs, for technological advantages—and these things take time.
Until something goes wrong.
With the grounded yet massive world building of READY PLAYER ONE, thrilling scientific questions of JURASSIC PARK, and the time-bending teen drama of BEFORE I FALL, Wachter’s THE TWIN PARADOX is a brilliantly plotted tale that is both intimate and massive, relentless yet deliberate, and explores the themes of self-acceptance, self- confidence, and natural selection in a richly hued and unforgettable world. Ultimately the eternal question of Nature versus Nurture is boiled down into this fast-paced thriller told over the course of five days and culminates in one single question:
Do we get to choose who we are?
~Characters~
The Twin Paradox has a large cast of characters: Alastair, Leo, Milk, Katherine, Zack, Isaac, Jimmy, Paul, and Ralls. Alastair, Leo, and Milk have been friends since they met at their school for super smart kids. Turns out, that school I mentioned? Well, it’s for super smart kids who are biological copies of history’s greatest individuals. Alastair is a copy of Albert Einstein, Leo of Leonardo Da Vinci, Milk of Martin Luther King Jr, and Zack and Isaac both of Isaac Newton. Jimmy is an ex diver for an oil rig, Paul is someone from the Pentagon, and Ralls is the manager of Cornerstone, a top secret project that practically consumes anyone it involves.
In terms of Alastair, Leo, Milk, Kat, Zack, and Isaac, it is very interesting to analyze their characters. On one hand, they are normal kids and act like it. On the other hand they are very similar to the historical figures that they are replicas of. The Twin Paradox begs the question: are we born the way we are or do we evolve into ourselves? It handles this question beautifully and shows that our environment truly does have an effect on us.
Milk, the intelligent, beautiful, and humane character that she is, was by far my favorite. Throughout the novel she is constantly calling Ralls out for his inhumane and possibly illegal experiments. Raising a class of kids as an experiment? Probably not the best thing to do. Running an experiment that accelerates time in an enclosed area, allowing that area to be evolved far past everywhere else? Most definitely not a good thing to do. Speaking of Ralls, I absolutely hated him (which I was probably supposed to, anyways). He was constantly concerned only about himself, and didn’t at all care how his actions affected everyone around him. I hated him so much!
~Writing and Setting~
The Twin Paradox, though written a little too sciency for my taste, was super visual and creative. I felt transported into the story, which was slightly terrifying, but I couldn’t stop picturing myself in the scenes.
A large part of the novel takes place in Cornerstone, a large circular jungle that is enclosed by Texas and the sea. Inside Cornerstone, ten years pass for every three minutes on the outside. After running the cycle at 3 pm for 8 months, millions of years have passed and millions of years of evolution have taken place. The once familiar ecosystem morphed into a dangerous, unfamiliar, and undiscovered biosphere. Navigating Cornerstone is a challenge that the characters must endure. And when it comes crashing down around its manager, Ralls, it becomes even more perilous to be inside Cornerstone.
~Plot~
So much goes on in this novel, it’s hard to keep track. The novel was fairly fast-paced; I think the frequent changes in point of view allowed for that. Alastair and his friends are sent to Cornerstone by Ralls, unaware of what truly lies there. Once Jimmy’s workplace (an oil rig) sinks, and he sees some of the creatures from Cornerstone, Paul, from the Pentagon, is enlisted to hire Jimmy and his father to work at Cornerstone.
~Overall Review~
I love this novel so much; it has the perfect mix of adventure, science, horror, friendship, and discovery. Personally, I cannot wait for its sequel, Divine Paradox. I need to know more about this world that Charles Wachter has created and brought to life, for it is so creative, unique, and sprightly that I feel so connected to its characters.
Author's Website || Amazon
Thank you to NetGalley and Trevaney Bay for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
//TW: death, torture, violence//
All quotes are taken from The Twin Paradox by Charles Wachter.
Spoilers are marked.
~Quick Statistics~
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
"Albert Einstein, the second one, wasn't born yesterday. This was all bullshit.”
~Quick Review~
A timeless tale and a future classic, The Twin Paradox is an original and fascinating story that will stand the test of time. The Twin Paradox is full of adventure, science, theories, friendship, danger, and survival. Reminiscent of Jurassic Park, I could not stop reading this fantastically unique and vibrant novel.
“We are not built for this time period. This is a disaster. We should not exist. We died. Our DNA is outside its time period.”
~Other Information~
Publisher: Trevaney Bay
Page Count: 384 pages
Release Date: August 23, 2020
The Twin Paradox is the first novel in the Twin Paradox series. The sequel, Divine Paradox, is set to be published on January 31, 2022.
~Book Description (via Goodreads)~
With ten years passing for every three minutes on a remote stretch of Texas coast, planes fall out of the sky, evolved species are on the hunt, and people die inside one of the most vicious ecosystems ever grown—all a result of the government’s efforts to slow down time.
A lot can happen in ten years. That’s the point. Governments are always racing for supremacy, for scientific breakthroughs, for technological advantages—and these things take time.
Until something goes wrong.
With the grounded yet massive world building of READY PLAYER ONE, thrilling scientific questions of JURASSIC PARK, and the time-bending teen drama of BEFORE I FALL, Wachter’s THE TWIN PARADOX is a brilliantly plotted tale that is both intimate and massive, relentless yet deliberate, and explores the themes of self-acceptance, self- confidence, and natural selection in a richly hued and unforgettable world. Ultimately the eternal question of Nature versus Nurture is boiled down into this fast-paced thriller told over the course of five days and culminates in one single question:
Do we get to choose who we are?
~Characters~
The Twin Paradox has a large cast of characters: Alastair, Leo, Milk, Katherine, Zack, Isaac, Jimmy, Paul, and Ralls. Alastair, Leo, and Milk have been friends since they met at their school for super smart kids. Turns out, that school I mentioned? Well, it’s for super smart kids who are biological copies of history’s greatest individuals. Alastair is a copy of Albert Einstein, Leo of Leonardo Da Vinci, Milk of Martin Luther King Jr, and Zack and Isaac both of Isaac Newton. Jimmy is an ex diver for an oil rig, Paul is someone from the Pentagon, and Ralls is the manager of Cornerstone, a top secret project that practically consumes anyone it involves.
In terms of Alastair, Leo, Milk, Kat, Zack, and Isaac, it is very interesting to analyze their characters. On one hand, they are normal kids and act like it. On the other hand they are very similar to the historical figures that they are replicas of. The Twin Paradox begs the question: are we born the way we are or do we evolve into ourselves? It handles this question beautifully and shows that our environment truly does have an effect on us.
Milk, the intelligent, beautiful, and humane character that she is, was by far my favorite. Throughout the novel she is constantly calling Ralls out for his inhumane and possibly illegal experiments. Raising a class of kids as an experiment? Probably not the best thing to do. Running an experiment that accelerates time in an enclosed area, allowing that area to be evolved far past everywhere else? Most definitely not a good thing to do. Speaking of Ralls, I absolutely hated him (which I was probably supposed to, anyways). He was constantly concerned only about himself, and didn’t at all care how his actions affected everyone around him. I hated him so much!
“There is nothing special about us. There are no rules that keep us alive. Everyone dies. But because we are the center of our own story, we feel special, like we will buck the odds, but we’re not and won’t.”
~Writing and Setting~
The Twin Paradox, though written a little too sciency for my taste, was super visual and creative. I felt transported into the story, which was slightly terrifying, but I couldn’t stop picturing myself in the scenes.
A large part of the novel takes place in Cornerstone, a large circular jungle that is enclosed by Texas and the sea. Inside Cornerstone, ten years pass for every three minutes on the outside. After running the cycle at 3 pm for 8 months, millions of years have passed and millions of years of evolution have taken place. The once familiar ecosystem morphed into a dangerous, unfamiliar, and undiscovered biosphere. Navigating Cornerstone is a challenge that the characters must endure. And when it comes crashing down around its manager, Ralls, it becomes even more perilous to be inside Cornerstone.
“It’s called the Twin Paradox. If one twin left earth on a spaceship at the speed of light, time would pass slower for him, dilating to accommodate the speed, and then eventually, when he returned, his brother would be much older, or dead. Here, this is backward. Time passes faster.”
~Plot~
So much goes on in this novel, it’s hard to keep track. The novel was fairly fast-paced; I think the frequent changes in point of view allowed for that. Alastair and his friends are sent to Cornerstone by Ralls, unaware of what truly lies there. Once Jimmy’s workplace (an oil rig) sinks, and he sees some of the creatures from Cornerstone, Paul, from the Pentagon, is enlisted to hire Jimmy and his father to work at Cornerstone.
“I am now alone in an infinite hell of your creation. You are the great Satan. I come to haunt your soul.”
~Overall Review~
I love this novel so much; it has the perfect mix of adventure, science, horror, friendship, and discovery. Personally, I cannot wait for its sequel, Divine Paradox. I need to know more about this world that Charles Wachter has created and brought to life, for it is so creative, unique, and sprightly that I feel so connected to its characters.
“The past is a terrible prediction for the future when it comes to complexity.”
Author's Website || Amazon
May 21, 2021
What happens when you combine Sir Isaac Newton's tooth, the toppling of an oil rig in the Atlantic, bits and pieces of the famous stolen by a modern day graverobber, and a high school honors program? There are any number of possibilities that would provide a great reading experience. Unfortunately, THE TWIN PARADOX doesn't live up to its potential. The blurb calls the book "relentless yet deliberate…" I'm finding it relentlessly lackluster and deliberately dull. Like a hyperactive child, the chapters veer off in disparate directions without finishing a thought. There is so much occurring that it is difficult to follow just who is doing what and why.
This book was not written to be read… it was written to be optioned as a movie. My suspicions were confirmed today when I received an email telling me that THE TWIN PARADOX was "Soon to be a Major Motion Picture!" As a decades long avid reader, I can tell you from personal experience that the best books, the five-star plus reads, don't need to be turned into film for me to see the action, feel the emotion, or laugh out loud at the hilarity in the story. I believe the age old complaint about movies made from books - 'the book was better than the movie' - comes from great writing setting an expectation the movie will elicit the same sense of action, emotion, or humor felt while reading the original. I don't go to the movies with that presupposition. I try to see the book as one art form and film as another. On occasion, I find that 'the movie was better than the book.' I can only hope that this will prove true for THE TWIN PARADOX.
The only reason that THE TWIN PARADOX didn't end up on my DNF (did not finish) pile is that I wanted to see if anything would come of the fact that Kat was not really a clone of Catherine the Great but of a little girl named Catherine who was a ward of the graverobber. It is a thread not followed.
This is the first book in a series. The second book, DIVINE PARADOX, is available for pre-order. I won't be reading it.
This book was not written to be read… it was written to be optioned as a movie. My suspicions were confirmed today when I received an email telling me that THE TWIN PARADOX was "Soon to be a Major Motion Picture!" As a decades long avid reader, I can tell you from personal experience that the best books, the five-star plus reads, don't need to be turned into film for me to see the action, feel the emotion, or laugh out loud at the hilarity in the story. I believe the age old complaint about movies made from books - 'the book was better than the movie' - comes from great writing setting an expectation the movie will elicit the same sense of action, emotion, or humor felt while reading the original. I don't go to the movies with that presupposition. I try to see the book as one art form and film as another. On occasion, I find that 'the movie was better than the book.' I can only hope that this will prove true for THE TWIN PARADOX.
The only reason that THE TWIN PARADOX didn't end up on my DNF (did not finish) pile is that I wanted to see if anything would come of the fact that Kat was not really a clone of Catherine the Great but of a little girl named Catherine who was a ward of the graverobber. It is a thread not followed.
This is the first book in a series. The second book, DIVINE PARADOX, is available for pre-order. I won't be reading it.
May 31, 2021
Check this out...
Take a story where a bunch of high school students one day, out of the blue, are told they are clones of Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton; Martin Luther King Jr. & Catherine the Great. These kids graduate early (cuz apparently they are geniuses but not aware of this) & are then taken to a secret location. Here, within its ecosystem, 10 years passes inside for every 3 minutes on the outside, but some stuff is busted & they need to figure it out cuz the world could be in some trouble.
Uh... Ok... I’m in!!
This book was interesting from page one & FUN. Just sit back, let your mind open up & enjoy the ride. We are talking some serious smarty-pants kids here talking equations, physics, time travel, biology, chemistry, & tons of interesting tech. (Let’s just say I Googled & Wiki’d a lot). There are some really cool, deep, dark bad guys (imagine with the whole cloning thing happening!) & some other interesting characters I really got into. This is a sci-fi-meets-thriller-meets-suspense page turner.
Yeah, you might run into a giant chicken or two, but it’s totally worth it!
Special thanks to Trevaney Bay & NetGalley.
#TheTwinParadox #NetGalley
Take a story where a bunch of high school students one day, out of the blue, are told they are clones of Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton; Martin Luther King Jr. & Catherine the Great. These kids graduate early (cuz apparently they are geniuses but not aware of this) & are then taken to a secret location. Here, within its ecosystem, 10 years passes inside for every 3 minutes on the outside, but some stuff is busted & they need to figure it out cuz the world could be in some trouble.
Uh... Ok... I’m in!!
This book was interesting from page one & FUN. Just sit back, let your mind open up & enjoy the ride. We are talking some serious smarty-pants kids here talking equations, physics, time travel, biology, chemistry, & tons of interesting tech. (Let’s just say I Googled & Wiki’d a lot). There are some really cool, deep, dark bad guys (imagine with the whole cloning thing happening!) & some other interesting characters I really got into. This is a sci-fi-meets-thriller-meets-suspense page turner.
Yeah, you might run into a giant chicken or two, but it’s totally worth it!
Special thanks to Trevaney Bay & NetGalley.
#TheTwinParadox #NetGalley
June 21, 2021
First of all, thanks to the publisher and author, as well as NetGalley, for providing an Advance Readers Copy of the Twin Paradox. I've been reading a lot of science fiction and time travel books lately, but this one is the most unique and interesting one I've read in years. Part hard science fiction, part time travel, part Lord of the Flies, part Boys from Brazil, part Island of Dr. Moreau. The author has a vivid and wide ranging imagination, and I was repeatedly stunned and delighted by every new twist and turn of the story. I'm so glad there's a sequel, as one book with this story and this group of characters definitely is not enough. I highly, highly recommend it, and I trust that many others will enjoy it as much as I did. Looking forward to The Divine Paradox.
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