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Across Horizons #3
Hostile Emergence
A frenzied escape. A city of hope. An unforeseen threat.Skyra, Lincoln, and their companions have narrowly escaped a brutal war between Neanderthals and humans. Now they find themselves far in the future, in a world filled with a puzzling assortment of creatures, many with a craving for flesh and a habit of attacking in swarms.
With equipment remaining for only one more time jump, the group must try to make a life here or risk jumping to an even more hostile environment. The good news? A city of gleaming skyscrapers is visible in the distance.
After a harrowing journey through miles of wilderness, the travelers discover the city is empty. Or is it? Never mind the giant killer bats roosting in the abandoned buildings-something else is here, a presence not even Lincoln, with his vast technological knowledge, can explain.
Skyra is Neanderthal, Lincoln is human, but they are bound by an intense love for each other. They just want to find a safe place to start a new life. The abandoned city seems like a suitable home-until the residents begin to show themselves.
Hostile Emergence, the third book in the Across Horizons series, is for readers who love time travel adventures, strange alien societies, and unforgettable characters.
With equipment remaining for only one more time jump, the group must try to make a life here or risk jumping to an even more hostile environment. The good news? A city of gleaming skyscrapers is visible in the distance.
After a harrowing journey through miles of wilderness, the travelers discover the city is empty. Or is it? Never mind the giant killer bats roosting in the abandoned buildings-something else is here, a presence not even Lincoln, with his vast technological knowledge, can explain.
Skyra is Neanderthal, Lincoln is human, but they are bound by an intense love for each other. They just want to find a safe place to start a new life. The abandoned city seems like a suitable home-until the residents begin to show themselves.
Hostile Emergence, the third book in the Across Horizons series, is for readers who love time travel adventures, strange alien societies, and unforgettable characters.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2020
171 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 27, 2022
This third book of the series was my first visit to a full-length adventure by Stan Smith. I was thoroughly engaged and entertained—and educated. A major plus for me is that it’s a clean book—there’s violence, yes. Enemies in animal or human form are killed in defense of self or others, but that’s not the dominant action by any means. The main characters are time travelers, encountering themselves in different lives, and acting always for the betterment of the world—Earth—in whichever time they visit. There’s always an immediate quest, immediate danger, a strange creature, act of bravery—something to follow avidly. Since Smith is a teacher and scientist, his fictional world always seems plausible. Creatures common to earth now appear as they have evolved over millennia—surprising and frightening. The main group includes Lincoln, time traveler scientist, his Neanderthal wife, drone Ripple, and three other companions, all with special skills and definite personalities. Surprisingly, I’m fond of Ripple, the drone. Truly a good read.
December 1, 2020
An outrageous adventure that stimulates thought…
I have read and reviewed all of Stan Smith’s writings and there is definitely a recurring theme of time travel, time lines, hostile environments and survival. It is described quite imaginably and often with violence. Repeatedly, I have wondered amidst the intriguing storyline and personal relationships of the characters, when will there be peace and harmony? And so, the journey continues…
This time, however, I was stroke by the comparison of fiction and the history (at least, as we have been told) of life on planet Earth. Has it really been much different? Haven’t the masses succumbed to a way of life without questioning it, one civilization after another? We may not need to battle creatures in the wilderness but we are dealing with battles in our own minds and the minds of others – to such an extent that we are now confronted with violence in our own homes, businesses, city streets, etc. Is this how it comes to an end, without personal joy and satisfaction and love among our neighbors? I think not…the best IS yet to come.
I feel that Stan C. Smith comes a giant step closer to what is the purpose of our existence. What would you do if given the choice to basically check out and live in a world of desensitized illusion? Perhaps there is a time and place for that, however, these bodies were actually designed for the purpose of experiencing and not just for fantasizing. Thus, we must learn to overcome what we don’t want and manifest what we do want…and so the beat goes on and the journey continues for Skyra, Lincoln and the team. Just when you are hopeful that there will be a HEA, they are being met with more challenges. Although it is exhausting, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel that will keep me coming back for more.
The story is well-written and obviously (if anything like me) will make you think about different aspects of life as you read. I cannot claim to know Stan Smith’s intentions but as long as it holds my interest, I am in for the long haul despite the savagery required to stay alive.
I have read and reviewed all of Stan Smith’s writings and there is definitely a recurring theme of time travel, time lines, hostile environments and survival. It is described quite imaginably and often with violence. Repeatedly, I have wondered amidst the intriguing storyline and personal relationships of the characters, when will there be peace and harmony? And so, the journey continues…
This time, however, I was stroke by the comparison of fiction and the history (at least, as we have been told) of life on planet Earth. Has it really been much different? Haven’t the masses succumbed to a way of life without questioning it, one civilization after another? We may not need to battle creatures in the wilderness but we are dealing with battles in our own minds and the minds of others – to such an extent that we are now confronted with violence in our own homes, businesses, city streets, etc. Is this how it comes to an end, without personal joy and satisfaction and love among our neighbors? I think not…the best IS yet to come.
I feel that Stan C. Smith comes a giant step closer to what is the purpose of our existence. What would you do if given the choice to basically check out and live in a world of desensitized illusion? Perhaps there is a time and place for that, however, these bodies were actually designed for the purpose of experiencing and not just for fantasizing. Thus, we must learn to overcome what we don’t want and manifest what we do want…and so the beat goes on and the journey continues for Skyra, Lincoln and the team. Just when you are hopeful that there will be a HEA, they are being met with more challenges. Although it is exhausting, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel that will keep me coming back for more.
The story is well-written and obviously (if anything like me) will make you think about different aspects of life as you read. I cannot claim to know Stan Smith’s intentions but as long as it holds my interest, I am in for the long haul despite the savagery required to stay alive.
November 30, 2020
I am a long-time fan of Stan Smith, and I am constantly amazed and delighted at his fertile imagination. He creates fascinating worlds, and puts interesting people in them. His visions are unusual and stimulating and this can be both a blessing and a problem.
In this latest work in another series, he has created a world of time travel in parallel existences. It's a complicated vision, and in this third book, the complications become more - well, complicated. At one point, one of the characters (a young woman from an earlier world who has traveled with our 20th century intrepids into a world somewhere in a future existence) says of the humans that they talk too much. She is a creature of instinct and action. And she points out one of the difficulties with this work. The characters talk too much - too much hypothetical analysis in anticipation of action. I understand that explaining the complexities of the vision takes time - but too much time is spent guessing about what something might mean.
This was a problem in this series - too much talk, not enough action - and while there is certainly action - and again, wonderfully imaginative and unusual characters and situations - yet I always feel that there could have been more time to more fully explore the new civilizations encountered. For all the talk, there are too many dimensions on these new worlds that remain unexplored.
Now to be clear - this is still a delightful and stimulating book, and thoroughly entertaining. But I am disappointed because - knowing some of the earlier works and the talent of the author - I cannot help but feel it could have/should have been so much more. Definitely buy the book - and if you have not read the first two in the series, while this is a stand alone, the experience will be much richer if you have the background.
In this latest work in another series, he has created a world of time travel in parallel existences. It's a complicated vision, and in this third book, the complications become more - well, complicated. At one point, one of the characters (a young woman from an earlier world who has traveled with our 20th century intrepids into a world somewhere in a future existence) says of the humans that they talk too much. She is a creature of instinct and action. And she points out one of the difficulties with this work. The characters talk too much - too much hypothetical analysis in anticipation of action. I understand that explaining the complexities of the vision takes time - but too much time is spent guessing about what something might mean.
This was a problem in this series - too much talk, not enough action - and while there is certainly action - and again, wonderfully imaginative and unusual characters and situations - yet I always feel that there could have been more time to more fully explore the new civilizations encountered. For all the talk, there are too many dimensions on these new worlds that remain unexplored.
Now to be clear - this is still a delightful and stimulating book, and thoroughly entertaining. But I am disappointed because - knowing some of the earlier works and the talent of the author - I cannot help but feel it could have/should have been so much more. Definitely buy the book - and if you have not read the first two in the series, while this is a stand alone, the experience will be much richer if you have the background.
February 21, 2021
Interesting characters and intriguing plotting continue, as usual.
This one begins much the same way as the previous two. Our time travelers emerge into an Earth that is 27,000 or so years either before, or after, a previous location. They are confronted by aggressive Homo Sapiens or Neanderthal groups and are forced into defending themselves with rocks, clubs, and spears. Large colonies of bats, prairie dogs, and yellow jackets attack and are either fended off with the aforementioned rocks, clubs, and spears, or are outrun. And then there is a vast city, unlike any city in the experience of our main characters, and it is devoid or life, or even any artifacts that would be evidence of a different culture.
There is another of those Stan C. Smith you-will-never-see-this-coming reveals, and the humans who started in our time, and timeline, encounter a technology that is beyond their comprehension.
A few reviewers of the previous two novels in this series panned the books on the basis of body count and violence. Stan C. Smith does not do vicarious violence, but in conflicting encounters with “primitive” human-like beings, and carnivorous animals, those are realistic consequences. Stan does not pull his punches when these things happen, and there will be casualties on all sides.
If you found yourself fascinated and drawn to the portrayal of Skyra, a young woman who grew up in a Neanderthal culture, this book will be very satisfying as her character continues to “evolve”, and attempts to cope with inexplicable concepts, and languages that convey meanings that so often are just a bit beyond understanding, will put a grin on your face.
A fourth – and final – novel is in the works, and a prequel has been promised, and I will continue to be on the lookout for new “pre-order” buttons to appear on Stan’s Amazon Kindle page.
This one begins much the same way as the previous two. Our time travelers emerge into an Earth that is 27,000 or so years either before, or after, a previous location. They are confronted by aggressive Homo Sapiens or Neanderthal groups and are forced into defending themselves with rocks, clubs, and spears. Large colonies of bats, prairie dogs, and yellow jackets attack and are either fended off with the aforementioned rocks, clubs, and spears, or are outrun. And then there is a vast city, unlike any city in the experience of our main characters, and it is devoid or life, or even any artifacts that would be evidence of a different culture.
There is another of those Stan C. Smith you-will-never-see-this-coming reveals, and the humans who started in our time, and timeline, encounter a technology that is beyond their comprehension.
A few reviewers of the previous two novels in this series panned the books on the basis of body count and violence. Stan C. Smith does not do vicarious violence, but in conflicting encounters with “primitive” human-like beings, and carnivorous animals, those are realistic consequences. Stan does not pull his punches when these things happen, and there will be casualties on all sides.
If you found yourself fascinated and drawn to the portrayal of Skyra, a young woman who grew up in a Neanderthal culture, this book will be very satisfying as her character continues to “evolve”, and attempts to cope with inexplicable concepts, and languages that convey meanings that so often are just a bit beyond understanding, will put a grin on your face.
A fourth – and final – novel is in the works, and a prequel has been promised, and I will continue to be on the lookout for new “pre-order” buttons to appear on Stan’s Amazon Kindle page.
November 30, 2020
Hostile Emergence carries Lincoln’s team on another thrilling and dangerous journey. As the story layers peel away, each revelation allows the reader to fully experience the group’s struggles and motivations. A science-minded reader will love the way Smith’s detailed descriptions divulge clues as they learn about everything from temporal distortion technology to evolutionary arms races. A character-driven reader will appreciate the internal conflicts and transformations as well as the life quotes sprinkled throughout the story. Check out Derek’s quip about the “full six-pack” in chapter 6. I predict it will leave you smiling. More than just another well-rounded story, Stan C. Smith’s third installment in his Across Horizons series thrusts the reader into a world infused with adventure, excitement, and suspense.
December 1, 2020
The Across Horizons Book 3, Hostile Emergence, is another winner.
Stan Smith has a mind that exceeds that of any other science fiction. His unusual thinking process is truly out-of-the-box and brings us another series that exceeds that exceeds that of his last one, the Bridger series. And you should read that one too.
In this third installment of the Across Horizons series, we have Lincoln, Skyra, and the other members of the team traveling 47,659 years into the future. While adjusting to the surroundings, they discover and travel to what appears to be a city hoping to meet the citizens living there.
And here is where the adventure really begins. After arriving to the city, Stan Smith treats the reader with a number of surprises that makes the reader extremely hard to put the book down.
Stan Smith has a mind that exceeds that of any other science fiction. His unusual thinking process is truly out-of-the-box and brings us another series that exceeds that exceeds that of his last one, the Bridger series. And you should read that one too.
In this third installment of the Across Horizons series, we have Lincoln, Skyra, and the other members of the team traveling 47,659 years into the future. While adjusting to the surroundings, they discover and travel to what appears to be a city hoping to meet the citizens living there.
And here is where the adventure really begins. After arriving to the city, Stan Smith treats the reader with a number of surprises that makes the reader extremely hard to put the book down.
December 1, 2020
Hostile Emergence is science fiction and adventure at it's best. It is the third book in Stan C. Smith's Across Horizons series, and is a thrill ride from start to finish. The settings and imagery of this far-future world is remarkable. It is a complicated tale filled with science and technology far ahead of what we have today. Yet, there is so much in this fantastic world that has been built on the science and technology we do have, that the reader can't help but stop and think, and wonder. Hostile Emergence is thrilling, thought provoking, exciting, and highly entertaining. The story structure is well laid out and each page holds the readers attention. I enjoyed this book very much and didn't want it to end. It's a wonderful addition to the series and I am very anxious for the next one. I highly recommend this book.
November 30, 2020
Hostile Emergence (Across Horizons Book 3) by Stan C. Smith is a great continuation of a terrific highly original plot. The characters are fully developed and fascinating - the original scientific crew, the Neanderthal girl Skylar, and the current planet inhabitants.
The group travels over 47k years into the future to escape Skylar's people who want to kill them all and find themselves in a time where there appear to be no other people. The wildlife is carnivorous and highly dangerous. As they explore, they see what appears to be a huge city in the distance and hope to make contact.
Smith is a highly talented writer who will keep you guessing from one plot twist to another. All his stories are a real treat!
The group travels over 47k years into the future to escape Skylar's people who want to kill them all and find themselves in a time where there appear to be no other people. The wildlife is carnivorous and highly dangerous. As they explore, they see what appears to be a huge city in the distance and hope to make contact.
Smith is a highly talented writer who will keep you guessing from one plot twist to another. All his stories are a real treat!
December 11, 2020
I enjoyed all three books in this series, but I would probably rank Book 3 as my favorite. The secondary characters, Jazzlyn, Derek, and Virgil, had more prominent roles, and their personalities came into sharper focus for me. The dialogue was fun and often humorous, especially from the drone Ripple. Splitting time between the two vastly different settings, outside and inside the futuristic city, made the story line more diverse, and helped avoid any slow stretches. The mysteries behind both settings helped make the book a page-turner. The natural environment outside the city gave the author an outlet for his background in biology. The futuristic city gave him an outlet for his Sci-Fi imagination. As was the case in Books 1 and 2, the plot was action-packed, with plenty of cliffhangers.
December 11, 2020
Book 3 Back On Track—and It’s Good!
After a weaker second book in the series, Smith is back firing on all cylinders with the third. Still liking the characters and their zany time traveling antics, not to mention the inter-species love connection between the Neanderthal chick and the brainy homo sapien dude. I guess I misunderstood because I thought this was the series finale, but turns out there is one more coming. I’m a little miffed, but at the same time happy I get to hang with my peeps a little more. Stan C.Smith is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors with his seemingly limitless imagination.
After a weaker second book in the series, Smith is back firing on all cylinders with the third. Still liking the characters and their zany time traveling antics, not to mention the inter-species love connection between the Neanderthal chick and the brainy homo sapien dude. I guess I misunderstood because I thought this was the series finale, but turns out there is one more coming. I’m a little miffed, but at the same time happy I get to hang with my peeps a little more. Stan C.Smith is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors with his seemingly limitless imagination.
December 28, 2020
Fast paced
Another fast paced story from Smith. This series has grabbed my attention because of the diverse world building coupled with twisty time travel concepts. This is not your basic cave man time travel story. It explores ethical and moral problems as well as issues of survival. It is an escapist read that keeps you turning the pages. If you are after something fun that also has you pondering esoteric concepts, give it a go. Once more, we end on a cliff hanger, which would normally annoy me, however I've got used to Smith's pattern of story telling and look forward to the next in the series when it is released.
Another fast paced story from Smith. This series has grabbed my attention because of the diverse world building coupled with twisty time travel concepts. This is not your basic cave man time travel story. It explores ethical and moral problems as well as issues of survival. It is an escapist read that keeps you turning the pages. If you are after something fun that also has you pondering esoteric concepts, give it a go. Once more, we end on a cliff hanger, which would normally annoy me, however I've got used to Smith's pattern of story telling and look forward to the next in the series when it is released.
November 24, 2020
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary unbiased opinion. This third book in the series continues the exciting adventure of Lincoln and his friends. Having travelled far into the future they find that every time has its' challenges... some more challenging than others, but the team is up to the task. This time has very different protagonists, very intriguing ones... and an interesting explanation of how they came to be. An engaging and enjoyable read, with a satisfying conclusion but a definite hook into the next book (mini cliffhanger) that I look forward to reading.
November 29, 2020
This series is one exciting jump after another in a time machine and the places and things they see will, shiver your timbers! Another excursion into the unknown with Lincoln, Skyra and his three assistants many years into the future. The magnitude of what was in store for them, can you say very large, aggressive animals and some eye opener buildings. It's hard to be safe in unsecured regions, watch out! This is a very exciting series, put this on your to be read list!
November 30, 2020
This is one of those books that makes you want to not put it down and to keep reading , with an absolutely brilliant storyline , the time traveling group have arrived far into the future , and it seems were Lincoln and skyra goes trouble seems to follow.
Along with the snarky drone Maddy and the rest of the team they face trials of nature and !!!!! No more to say or I would give spoilers .
Needless to say I totally recommend reading this book.
Along with the snarky drone Maddy and the rest of the team they face trials of nature and !!!!! No more to say or I would give spoilers .
Needless to say I totally recommend reading this book.
November 30, 2020
Wonderful storytelling! Stan C Smith deftly weaves us into a palpably possible yet unanticipated alternate world. I happily followed interesting, unique characters as they navigated wholly satisfying twists in an often mind-bending timeline. Intriguing science and excellent pacing helped keep me glued to the excitement. A very tantalizing finale makes me hunger for the sequel.
Superlative sequel in a nicely satisfying series!
Superlative sequel in a nicely satisfying series!
November 18, 2020
Lincoln and his friends have jump 47000 years into the future. But will they find it safe or another dangerous time. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of new experiences and adventures. With some surprising twists along the way. Great addition to this series definitely recommend this story and the whole series.
November 30, 2020
Action packed and highly imaginative! Lincoln, Skyra, and the gang once again find themselves in an alien, puzzling world where all too soon survival becomes the goal. The story started a little slow but soon ramped up into “can’t put it down” status.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book
November 30, 2020
This series just keeps getting better as we get to know the main characters more and more. I really enjoyed where Mr. Smith took the series in this book and where he appears to be heading with it in the future. Please note, this book is part of a series, and is better read after the previous books in the series, but it can be read all on its own and still be enjoyable.
December 1, 2020
Stan has written another great book, no 3 in a serie. It follows Skyra, a neanderthal girl and her modern man companions through several times. Literally. They find themselves in world's so different to what they know, it is mindbogglingly strange. His imagination is amazing, the stories keeps you up at night, reading. This book you can re read and enjoy several times.
March 21, 2021
And the story continues...
Blasted into 47,000 CE, I had no idea how it would go. I liked their ideas on how the would evolved into what it they were seeing. This one is more cerebral and less action but fits well with the story. Highly imaginative and well worth reading. I read it in two sittings.
Blasted into 47,000 CE, I had no idea how it would go. I liked their ideas on how the would evolved into what it they were seeing. This one is more cerebral and less action but fits well with the story. Highly imaginative and well worth reading. I read it in two sittings.
December 2, 2020
This third book in the series was fantastic! A futuristic city that is empty, jumbo sized critters, a last hope for refuge...what could possibly go wrong? Stan Smith has such an imaginative mind and he weaves a great story. Loved it!
December 2, 2020
Fabulous. I really can't get enough of this series. The characters, the locations, the whole timetravel thing - all of it is put together so well :) It is just an amazing series.
I admit I got an ARC of this book but it in no way alters my view that this is a top-notch read
I admit I got an ARC of this book but it in no way alters my view that this is a top-notch read
December 4, 2020
This is such a great book. I read it in one day. The characters are wonderfully written. I am enjoying this series. I can't wait for the next one to come out. I received an ARC of this book for a voluntary review.
December 17, 2020
Here we go again
Can we catch a break? I love the characters the differences in them the way they all evolved the way the story just fits together like a puzzle this is another winner winner chicken dinner right here
Can we catch a break? I love the characters the differences in them the way they all evolved the way the story just fits together like a puzzle this is another winner winner chicken dinner right here
April 17, 2021
Great story heading to what ending?
Bouncing 90 to a hundred thousand years is the norm for this science fiction fantasy. Buckle up and enjoy the ride and don't stop to the end. Excitement is a regular event in this well written series.
Bouncing 90 to a hundred thousand years is the norm for this science fiction fantasy. Buckle up and enjoy the ride and don't stop to the end. Excitement is a regular event in this well written series.
June 4, 2024
Should we stay or should we go?
Sykra, Lincoln and the crew have jumped to another time line in the future and found that the world has evolved again with dangerous dangers and technological wonders that could change their lives. But in the end, survival is the key word
Sykra, Lincoln and the crew have jumped to another time line in the future and found that the world has evolved again with dangerous dangers and technological wonders that could change their lives. But in the end, survival is the key word
November 23, 2025
good read
This is a very good series as the characters jump to different timelines and encounter various situations. The characters are interesting and three dimensional and the plot twists keep the reader engaged
This is a very good series as the characters jump to different timelines and encounter various situations. The characters are interesting and three dimensional and the plot twists keep the reader engaged
November 30, 2020
Time travel has been written about for decades but never with the flourish Stan Smith has injected into Across Horizons. Fantastic read!
December 1, 2020
Amazing story! I really enjoyed reading this book
December 1, 2020
Hostile Emergence is one of the best books for characters. They are great and the story is very good too. The ending is the kicker.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews