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Gates Saga #1
Into the Lightning Gate
What happens when you find out everything you know is a lie?
Cameron Maddock, a queer tech genius cast aside by his adopted family, always felt like a misfit. But he never imagined his differences were dormant superpowers—powers that are suddenly unleashed, throwing him into a desperate fight for survival. Now, he's racing through interdimensional portals, hunted by shadowy figures who seem to know more about Cam than he does.
Alone and on the run, Cam finds unlikely allies who become his chosen family: a streetwise gamer with a heart of gold and a pair of otherworldly strangers who might be more than they seem. Together, they must unravel the mystery of his origins, expose a cosmic conspiracy that threatens to shatter reality and help embrace his true self in a world that never understood him.
Into the Lightning Gate is a pulse-pounding sci-fi noir adventure filled with twists, turns, and electrifying action. Get ready to journey through hidden worlds where identity is fluid, technology is magic, and the fight for acceptance is a matter of life and death.
Cameron Maddock, a queer tech genius cast aside by his adopted family, always felt like a misfit. But he never imagined his differences were dormant superpowers—powers that are suddenly unleashed, throwing him into a desperate fight for survival. Now, he's racing through interdimensional portals, hunted by shadowy figures who seem to know more about Cam than he does.
Alone and on the run, Cam finds unlikely allies who become his chosen family: a streetwise gamer with a heart of gold and a pair of otherworldly strangers who might be more than they seem. Together, they must unravel the mystery of his origins, expose a cosmic conspiracy that threatens to shatter reality and help embrace his true self in a world that never understood him.
Into the Lightning Gate is a pulse-pounding sci-fi noir adventure filled with twists, turns, and electrifying action. Get ready to journey through hidden worlds where identity is fluid, technology is magic, and the fight for acceptance is a matter of life and death.
442 pages, ebook
Published June 7, 2021
33 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Robert Roth
4 books28 followersRobert Roth (he/him) stands out as a refreshing and vital voice in a literary landscape often dominated by voices from the privileged classes. As a working-class queer nerd and author, Roth uses his writing to challenge the status quo and question the capitalist patriarchy. His extensive body of work ranges from stories and novels to hundreds of magazine and news articles, dozens of published film and video scripts, and even a four-act play. Roth calls Seattle home, where he lives with his partner and immerses himself in the worlds of creators like N.K. Jemisin, Ann Leckie, Neal Stephenson, Rebecca Roanhorse, and G. Willow Wilson as he continues to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. Roth's voice reminds us that the stories we tell, and the voices we amplify, have the power to shape our world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 25, 2021
The decision to read this book is quite random. I just wanted to start reading a Netgalley ARC while waiting for my phone to fully charge. I was very surprised how I love the characters, the plot and the writing on this story.❤
I read this book on one seating. Like I flew through the pages of this book (on my Kindle). I knew a few pages in that the writing is up to my liking. It was a smooth read to me. I was able to focus on the plot, the world building and the characters.
Maybe scifi is really my thing. I enjoy books with concepts of time travel and multiverse on it. Admittedly this one isn't that super science-y, but it was just right for me.👍
The book centered on Cam. How at the start he felt that he does not belong anywhere and that something isn't quite right.
I love how the author built the world on this book. I love that there are inter-dimensional gates/portals, different races and all the advance technologies introduced. The characters are likeable especially Cam. I love how diverse the cast is. And the mystery is super exciting.😆
Totally recommended.😄❤
*Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for review via Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest thoughts and opinions of the book.*
I read this book on one seating. Like I flew through the pages of this book (on my Kindle). I knew a few pages in that the writing is up to my liking. It was a smooth read to me. I was able to focus on the plot, the world building and the characters.
Maybe scifi is really my thing. I enjoy books with concepts of time travel and multiverse on it. Admittedly this one isn't that super science-y, but it was just right for me.👍
The book centered on Cam. How at the start he felt that he does not belong anywhere and that something isn't quite right.
I love how the author built the world on this book. I love that there are inter-dimensional gates/portals, different races and all the advance technologies introduced. The characters are likeable especially Cam. I love how diverse the cast is. And the mystery is super exciting.😆
Totally recommended.😄❤
*Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for review via Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest thoughts and opinions of the book.*
April 29, 2021
Did somebody mention Stargate? 👀💫
I just picked up Into the Lightning Gate today and now I'm somehow done with it. Oops.
What happens when you find out everything you know is a lie? Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced SciFi thriller that will have on the edge of your seat. This story never went exactly where I thought it would. Everytime I thought I had something figured out, I was wrong. It was frustrating. It was intriguing. Stargate meets Fast and Furious is literally the best way I can explain it. And I may have sort of figured out the 'twist' at the end but I'm excited to see where the storyline goes.
TW:
***Thank you to Netgalley, Jetspace Studio, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for providing me with a review copy.***
I just picked up Into the Lightning Gate today and now I'm somehow done with it. Oops.
What happens when you find out everything you know is a lie? Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced SciFi thriller that will have on the edge of your seat. This story never went exactly where I thought it would. Everytime I thought I had something figured out, I was wrong. It was frustrating. It was intriguing. Stargate meets Fast and Furious is literally the best way I can explain it. And I may have sort of figured out the 'twist' at the end but I'm excited to see where the storyline goes.
TW:
***Thank you to Netgalley, Jetspace Studio, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for providing me with a review copy.***
June 27, 2022
Robert Roth’s Into the Lightning Gate was a fast-paced, addictive science fiction thriller. There were times I honestly did not wish to the put the book down for trivial things like sleeping.
Cam Maddock is a well-developed, likable character thrown into a world outside his understanding. The questions are can he stretch himself to learn what is happening to him and how does he fit into the mystery surrounding him? Cam must be willing to question everything he believes he knows about himself to discover why he has become a trans-dimensional person of interest to unsavory characters.
This was an extremely enjoyable read I rate 4.5 stars out of 5. The ending leaves me desperately wanting to know where Roth will take his readers in his sequel.
Note: This ARC was provided by NetGalley and publisher Jetspace Studio in exchange for an honest review.
Cam Maddock is a well-developed, likable character thrown into a world outside his understanding. The questions are can he stretch himself to learn what is happening to him and how does he fit into the mystery surrounding him? Cam must be willing to question everything he believes he knows about himself to discover why he has become a trans-dimensional person of interest to unsavory characters.
This was an extremely enjoyable read I rate 4.5 stars out of 5. The ending leaves me desperately wanting to know where Roth will take his readers in his sequel.
Note: This ARC was provided by NetGalley and publisher Jetspace Studio in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2021
This is a brisk read and a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the main character Cam, who was very relatable. As a video gamer, it was fun to see how his gaming skills translated into real life situations. And there's one character who is a complete mystery, and learning more about that character is one key element that propels me to want a sequel right away. It's really action-intensive, and I was never bored.
It's a great story for anyone to read, but including queer characters made me resonate with the material in a deeper way.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the main character Cam, who was very relatable. As a video gamer, it was fun to see how his gaming skills translated into real life situations. And there's one character who is a complete mystery, and learning more about that character is one key element that propels me to want a sequel right away. It's really action-intensive, and I was never bored.
It's a great story for anyone to read, but including queer characters made me resonate with the material in a deeper way.
May 25, 2021
Received Netgalley ARC for honest review.
I loved this book. From the first page to the last it captured and held my attention. The world-building is very well done, uses a great concept of multiverse, and characterization and intersection between characters is so well done. Even side and background characters are well fleshed out. Can't wait for more of this series, and it's definitely one I'll make sure to have hard copies of.
I loved this book. From the first page to the last it captured and held my attention. The world-building is very well done, uses a great concept of multiverse, and characterization and intersection between characters is so well done. Even side and background characters are well fleshed out. Can't wait for more of this series, and it's definitely one I'll make sure to have hard copies of.
May 8, 2021
4.5/5. I really enjoyed this one! This was my first proper Sci Fi read in years and what a great way to swing back into it.
The protagonist was really likable and had a solid mix of charm, intelligence, and adventure about him to easily imagine him reacting as he did to the series of fairly incredible world-building details this first novel in the saga delivers. Roth also does a good job of building in the science aspect in subject-specific terminology, but with mundane enough explanations that as a reader I walked away feeling I’d not only understood the story, but possibly joined an elite science club as well.
The supporting characters are developed quite well for a first in a series and I particularly enjoyed the mix of personalities and diverse representation from Tony (loyal, witty and deeply sarcastic Chinese-American best friend), and Tasha (young Russian spy vibes with deadpan humour and matter-of-fact delivery of essentially every line).
The settings are rich and the world-building was excellent, though I was slightly frustrated by the lack of any real information and a deep sense of secrecy that blanketed the first 37%. The revelations and quick pace afterward certainly made up for this, but it seemed we could have reached that point maybe 10% sooner, as that’s when the enjoyment really kicked in and deepened.
As an own-voices author for lgbtqia category, it was very evident that the author chose to fit in non-binary pronouns wherever possible, never informing the reader of people’s gender unless they were and acquaintance of the protagonists, and then often providing pronouns once we did get introduced - for example when describing bar bouncers, market stall vendors, multiple assassins and mercy etc, it was always they/them/their, and the readers were left to imagine the genders, or more importantly, realise that it didn’t matter and had no real impact on the story. It really grew on me. I’d never encountered this in a book before, and while I found it initially jarring and had to do some line rereading at first to make sure i was understanding, I eventually became accustomed. There was also a specifically non-binary supporting character eventually, which is thankfully finally becoming more commonplace in novels now - and I am keen to continue learning about them in the sequels - but this other method of only providing pronouns when absolutely necessary was novel and welcomed. I hope I see more of it.
There was very little romance in this story, though the possibility thrummed throughout and became far more present nearer the end, so I am keen to see how it affects the plot dynamics in the future sequels, especially because i like the pairing and think it will be fun to explore.
Overall a great read and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fast-paced adventure and Sci-Fi.
* This ARC was provided by NetGalley and publisher Jetspace Studio in exchange for an honest review.
The protagonist was really likable and had a solid mix of charm, intelligence, and adventure about him to easily imagine him reacting as he did to the series of fairly incredible world-building details this first novel in the saga delivers. Roth also does a good job of building in the science aspect in subject-specific terminology, but with mundane enough explanations that as a reader I walked away feeling I’d not only understood the story, but possibly joined an elite science club as well.
The supporting characters are developed quite well for a first in a series and I particularly enjoyed the mix of personalities and diverse representation from Tony (loyal, witty and deeply sarcastic Chinese-American best friend), and Tasha (young Russian spy vibes with deadpan humour and matter-of-fact delivery of essentially every line).
The settings are rich and the world-building was excellent, though I was slightly frustrated by the lack of any real information and a deep sense of secrecy that blanketed the first 37%. The revelations and quick pace afterward certainly made up for this, but it seemed we could have reached that point maybe 10% sooner, as that’s when the enjoyment really kicked in and deepened.
As an own-voices author for lgbtqia category, it was very evident that the author chose to fit in non-binary pronouns wherever possible, never informing the reader of people’s gender unless they were and acquaintance of the protagonists, and then often providing pronouns once we did get introduced - for example when describing bar bouncers, market stall vendors, multiple assassins and mercy etc, it was always they/them/their, and the readers were left to imagine the genders, or more importantly, realise that it didn’t matter and had no real impact on the story. It really grew on me. I’d never encountered this in a book before, and while I found it initially jarring and had to do some line rereading at first to make sure i was understanding, I eventually became accustomed. There was also a specifically non-binary supporting character eventually, which is thankfully finally becoming more commonplace in novels now - and I am keen to continue learning about them in the sequels - but this other method of only providing pronouns when absolutely necessary was novel and welcomed. I hope I see more of it.
There was very little romance in this story, though the possibility thrummed throughout and became far more present nearer the end, so I am keen to see how it affects the plot dynamics in the future sequels, especially because i like the pairing and think it will be fun to explore.
Overall a great read and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fast-paced adventure and Sci-Fi.
* This ARC was provided by NetGalley and publisher Jetspace Studio in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2021
Cameron Maddock, who goes by Cam, isn’t just your average twenty-something gay tech guy in San Francisco avoiding his less-than-accepting family. He’s a cyber-security genius. But that doesn’t explain why an apparent alien assassin is pursuing him.
Robert Roth’s Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced, pulpy sci-fi snack with a solid, high-concept base that hits all the right notes. It’s a cocktail of easily accessible action, comic book infused tech, and mysterious motivations, enriched by its young gay multiracial lead.
Cam knows he’s different from the people around him. Apart from being prodigiously smart, he’s always been an outcast, for either his colour, or his sexuality. When his apartment is broken into, his first thought is that it’s a disgruntled cyber-security client of his, but when they attempt to kidnap him he is surprisingly able to defend himself against professionals. There’s a little voice in his head telling him there’s likely more to his story than he realises.
Into the Lightning Gate by Robert Roth
Think of it as The Long Kiss Goodnight meets The Last Starfighter, as Cam’s newfound abilities throw him into the middle of a multiversal, sci-fi action-thriller. There are plenty of mass-market sci-fi elements on display here and Roth knows how to craft a real rollercoaster of a story. The sci-fi mainly consist of easily digestible concepts—teleports, multiverses, body-hacking—any viewer of TV shows like The Expanse, Star Trek or Doctor Who will be familiar with. Roth’s strengths lie in his ability to imprint a strong image in your mind and choreograph an action sequence that makes this an action-adventure page-turner.
Writer Robert Roth
As for the queer content, this is gay with a lower-case ‘g’. Cam spends most of the book on the run, and while his attraction to his bisexual rescuer/ally, Finn, is clear—and clearly mutual—there’s no time to explore it further.
At times, Roth’s characters are a little two-dimensional, from a Russian who speaks with a broad accent straight out of a Bond film, to Cam’s best friend who uses frustratingly contemporary—and instantly dated—idioms. Similarly, we barely scratch the surface of the wider multiverse at play here, but that is less of an issue as Into the Lightning Gate is the starting point for The Gates Saga, and hopefully we’ll get into the nuances in further installments.
With Into the Lightning Gate, Roth tells a satisfying story that left me intrigued and it makes for a great summer read. There are many questions left unanswered, and hints of a bigger canvas to be explored. If this was season one of a TV series, I’d be hooked and eagerly awaiting for a second season to drop.
This review originally appeared on The Queer Review
Robert Roth’s Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced, pulpy sci-fi snack with a solid, high-concept base that hits all the right notes. It’s a cocktail of easily accessible action, comic book infused tech, and mysterious motivations, enriched by its young gay multiracial lead.
Cam knows he’s different from the people around him. Apart from being prodigiously smart, he’s always been an outcast, for either his colour, or his sexuality. When his apartment is broken into, his first thought is that it’s a disgruntled cyber-security client of his, but when they attempt to kidnap him he is surprisingly able to defend himself against professionals. There’s a little voice in his head telling him there’s likely more to his story than he realises.
Into the Lightning Gate by Robert Roth
Think of it as The Long Kiss Goodnight meets The Last Starfighter, as Cam’s newfound abilities throw him into the middle of a multiversal, sci-fi action-thriller. There are plenty of mass-market sci-fi elements on display here and Roth knows how to craft a real rollercoaster of a story. The sci-fi mainly consist of easily digestible concepts—teleports, multiverses, body-hacking—any viewer of TV shows like The Expanse, Star Trek or Doctor Who will be familiar with. Roth’s strengths lie in his ability to imprint a strong image in your mind and choreograph an action sequence that makes this an action-adventure page-turner.
Writer Robert Roth
As for the queer content, this is gay with a lower-case ‘g’. Cam spends most of the book on the run, and while his attraction to his bisexual rescuer/ally, Finn, is clear—and clearly mutual—there’s no time to explore it further.
At times, Roth’s characters are a little two-dimensional, from a Russian who speaks with a broad accent straight out of a Bond film, to Cam’s best friend who uses frustratingly contemporary—and instantly dated—idioms. Similarly, we barely scratch the surface of the wider multiverse at play here, but that is less of an issue as Into the Lightning Gate is the starting point for The Gates Saga, and hopefully we’ll get into the nuances in further installments.
With Into the Lightning Gate, Roth tells a satisfying story that left me intrigued and it makes for a great summer read. There are many questions left unanswered, and hints of a bigger canvas to be explored. If this was season one of a TV series, I’d be hooked and eagerly awaiting for a second season to drop.
This review originally appeared on The Queer Review
January 31, 2023
Oh wow, this book is so catchy!! There are interdimensional gates, an exciting and fast-paced plot, and very effectively described fight sequences👌.
It has a `LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS` ♥️☠️🤖 vibe in some parts, and never serves a boring moment.
I put off finishing the last 10% for weeks because I just didn't want it to end.
I love the variety of characters in this book, and found it refreshing, how that variety is explicitly illustrated and leaves no scope for anyone to whitewash or straightwash the characters. ☑️
It also feels like some clichés were employed here and there, but it works just fine. I like the characters and feel invested in their fate while reading, and that's what matters to me in the end. 📖
One of the best themes in the book was familial abuse and the lasting trauma that comes from not having a safe environment to grow up in. Cam guiltlessly holds his parents accountable and cuts them off for abusing him and raising him with conditional love. I haven't come across this in books that often.💯
There is also a cool version of an alternative human civilization that grew better compared to what we know on Earth. Old idea, sure. But it was newly interpreted here with more attention to the sociology, and was very interesting to read about.🌆 It was also a nice complimentary nod to anti-capitalistic cultures.
I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series! 🤓💥
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
It has a `LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS` ♥️☠️🤖 vibe in some parts, and never serves a boring moment.
I put off finishing the last 10% for weeks because I just didn't want it to end.
I love the variety of characters in this book, and found it refreshing, how that variety is explicitly illustrated and leaves no scope for anyone to whitewash or straightwash the characters. ☑️
It also feels like some clichés were employed here and there, but it works just fine. I like the characters and feel invested in their fate while reading, and that's what matters to me in the end. 📖
One of the best themes in the book was familial abuse and the lasting trauma that comes from not having a safe environment to grow up in. Cam guiltlessly holds his parents accountable and cuts them off for abusing him and raising him with conditional love. I haven't come across this in books that often.💯
There is also a cool version of an alternative human civilization that grew better compared to what we know on Earth. Old idea, sure. But it was newly interpreted here with more attention to the sociology, and was very interesting to read about.🌆 It was also a nice complimentary nod to anti-capitalistic cultures.
I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series! 🤓💥
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
June 7, 2021
See more of my reviews and other bookish content here!
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my honest assessment and reaction to the book.***
This book was a fast-paced and fascinating science fiction thrill ride that reminded me of Stargate crossed with Fringe. The characters were well thought out and incredibly compelling. The LGBT representation was amazing, and the author did a great job of seamlessly introducing some great dialogue on heavy issues, including racism, heterosexism, capitalism, and environmentalism, without distracting from the overall story. The world-building was exquisite and done in a way that was fairly easy to follow without many giant info dumps. I wish I could live in the world the author created for these characters! The plot was interesting and had its twists to keep you guessing, but by the end it felt a bit repetitive, with multiple iterations of run, fight, and hide, over and over. However, the information learned and the world-building kept me from getting bored despite the repetition. I also still have many questions that I hoped would receive some type of answer before the end, but I guess that just means I'll have to pick up the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for any science fiction or thriller fans that don't mind critiques of the current social order.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my honest assessment and reaction to the book.***
This book was a fast-paced and fascinating science fiction thrill ride that reminded me of Stargate crossed with Fringe. The characters were well thought out and incredibly compelling. The LGBT representation was amazing, and the author did a great job of seamlessly introducing some great dialogue on heavy issues, including racism, heterosexism, capitalism, and environmentalism, without distracting from the overall story. The world-building was exquisite and done in a way that was fairly easy to follow without many giant info dumps. I wish I could live in the world the author created for these characters! The plot was interesting and had its twists to keep you guessing, but by the end it felt a bit repetitive, with multiple iterations of run, fight, and hide, over and over. However, the information learned and the world-building kept me from getting bored despite the repetition. I also still have many questions that I hoped would receive some type of answer before the end, but I guess that just means I'll have to pick up the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for any science fiction or thriller fans that don't mind critiques of the current social order.
October 16, 2021
Oh, I LOVED this, this book was so unexpectedly amazing!
What I liked most:
All of the characters, even the minor ones, felt so REAL and layered, masterfully done!
This started off in such a familiar world that I honestly did not expect where the story was going and how huge the world wold become by the end of the book. WOW!
Aaah, that epilogue! I want the next book nooooooooooow!
Cam was such a likable protagonist, I loved seeing the world through his eyes and was rooting for him from page one
The lgbtq+ rep is a big plus of course - we desperately need more good rep in scifi and fantasy!
The pacing was immaculate, it had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and I read the book in one sitting. But despite that it never felt rushed
The world building was really cool and it feels like this is the very solid setup for what I am hoping will be a long and wonderful scifi series!
Overall I highly recommend this if you like scifi stories and/or fast-past, action-packed thrillers.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked most:
All of the characters, even the minor ones, felt so REAL and layered, masterfully done!
This started off in such a familiar world that I honestly did not expect where the story was going and how huge the world wold become by the end of the book. WOW!
Aaah, that epilogue! I want the next book nooooooooooow!
Cam was such a likable protagonist, I loved seeing the world through his eyes and was rooting for him from page one
The lgbtq+ rep is a big plus of course - we desperately need more good rep in scifi and fantasy!
The pacing was immaculate, it had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and I read the book in one sitting. But despite that it never felt rushed
The world building was really cool and it feels like this is the very solid setup for what I am hoping will be a long and wonderful scifi series!
Overall I highly recommend this if you like scifi stories and/or fast-past, action-packed thrillers.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2021
Wow, such a great story. Stargate vibes, since I'm a huge fan of Stargate and the sci-fi genre, I've enjoyed this book enormously. The character are very good built, the scenario and the background are amazing. I loved how the author explained through Cam his relationship with his parents, and I fully understand why, Cam doesn't want to meet them again.
I loved the different representation and the treatment of some important subjects as racism, capitalism. etc.
It's fast paced, that don't get you bored in any moment of the reading. I would love to read the next book. Highly recommended for the fun of sci-fi.
A huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing book
I loved the different representation and the treatment of some important subjects as racism, capitalism. etc.
It's fast paced, that don't get you bored in any moment of the reading. I would love to read the next book. Highly recommended for the fun of sci-fi.
A huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing book
June 7, 2021
Received a review copy through NetGalley, this is an honest review. Having read the author's Steal the Demon, I was impressed with the immersive creativity that Robert Roth can write; so this book was an easy pick up. Cam's this fun, brazen hacker that gets himself into a world trouble that puts his skills to to one a hell of test that change everything. Visually stunning with epic secrets... another stellar masterpiece by this author... Highly recommended.
December 26, 2021
Thriller
Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced, sci-fi thriller. The characters, setting, and technology are excellent. I'm looking forward to reading more by Robert Roth. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy sci-fi, technology, or thrillers.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Into the Lightning Gate is a fast-paced, sci-fi thriller. The characters, setting, and technology are excellent. I'm looking forward to reading more by Robert Roth. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy sci-fi, technology, or thrillers.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
December 28, 2021
Into the Lightning Gate is the queer sci-fi novel I've always wanted. From the deep, layered world-building and pulse-pounding action to the complex, diverse lineup of characters, I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait for book 2!
November 13, 2021
*Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book as I am a big fan of anything scifi. I think the writing is really good, but I had a hard time really getting in to the book at times. It was fast paced and Cam is a great character, but I wasn't always engaged. I do recommend reading this book!
I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book as I am a big fan of anything scifi. I think the writing is really good, but I had a hard time really getting in to the book at times. It was fast paced and Cam is a great character, but I wasn't always engaged. I do recommend reading this book!
June 18, 2021
This has a likeable MC, and the other characters are enjoyable as well. Good tech and good pacing are also part of the story. Most sci-fi thriller fans will probably like this.
Thanks very much for the review copy!!
Thanks very much for the review copy!!
January 31, 2022
Exciting book
A very good fast action paced si-fi read. The characters are well defined and we learn a lot about all. I had trouble with the use of “they” or “their “ in the story making those parts confusing to me. I like to see definite gender associated with characters even if they are AI. A great book and I look forward to the next installment.
A very good fast action paced si-fi read. The characters are well defined and we learn a lot about all. I had trouble with the use of “they” or “their “ in the story making those parts confusing to me. I like to see definite gender associated with characters even if they are AI. A great book and I look forward to the next installment.
June 24, 2021
Received a review copy through NetGalley, this is an honest review. Having read the author's Steal the Demon, I was impressed with the immersive creativity that Robert Roth can write; so this book was an easy pick up. Cam's this fun, brazen hacker that gets himself into a world trouble that puts his skills to to one a hell of test that change everything. Visually stunning with epic secrets... another stellar masterpiece by this author... Highly recommended.
January 27, 2022
I received this in a Goodreads giveaway (thank you) which in no way influenced my review. It's more like a 3.5 read but man that first quarter of the book was rough. Watching someone hack a computer security system is about as fun as watching grass grow so while it serves to set up the protagonist, Cam, as a coding genius, it needed trimming. I had some qualms about the worldbuilding but more on that later.
Cam is a twenty-something adopted young man of color raised by abusive, racist parents (which we're given the hint have taken on a brown boy to look pious and good). His one best friend is a Chinese guy, Tony. They're both into online gaming, living in the San Fran area. It's a pretty good life until one day a woman in black and a strange man they call boss shows up guns blazing trying to capture Cam only he fights back with impressive skills ala Jason Bourne because he has no idea how he knows how to fight and shoot.
Cam and Tony go on the run and barely survive it by literally leaping through the lightning gate and end up on another world. Up to this point I was fighting to read it because it wasn't doing it for me but I believe in reading any book I was given to review. Once we get to this point they meet up with two Protectorate agents, Finn and Tasha and then the story really got going. It became very entertaining. The story started to gel.
I liked all four characters a lot. The idea of parallel universes and how they diverged from Earth Prime (i.e. us) was intriguing. I enjoyed the banter between Finn and Cam and Tasha especially. What the female agent, Omni, does is also interesting (and what happens with Tony). There is some interesting world building but there were things that bothered me. I'm not putting it under a spoiler cut since it's not that spoilery.
Where it fell down for me was in its social justice aspect. This took the sledgehammer approach which rarely works for me. Literally every white person Cam meets is a racist and homophobe. I'm shocked he didn't accuse Tasha of it (but she does say there aren't people of color in Saint Petersburgh which is an untrue stereotype). I can easily believe racial bias. I can see a few extremely outright racist characters but all of them? I would think San Fran with its reputation for being queer friendly wouldn't be so homophobic to Cam but I definitely can believe he'd be targeted for his sexuality because that is definitely reality.
And that's what bothered me about the parallel worlds. This is where some humans found passage through the gates throughout the centuries but all of them are super peaceful, not-racist and more scientifically evolved than Earth Prime. Humans are humans. Most primates have violent streaks. I could buy one non-violent planet but all of them was such a stretch for me. THough I suppose the radical group of villains in this are violent.
Don't get me wrong. In spite of these qualms (and once we meet Finn/Tasha most of the social justice stuff leveled off and became more subtle and much more believable) I did enjoy the book and I would like to see the next one as the end of this one sets it up well. It also does the romance for Cam pretty well.
Cam is a twenty-something adopted young man of color raised by abusive, racist parents (which we're given the hint have taken on a brown boy to look pious and good). His one best friend is a Chinese guy, Tony. They're both into online gaming, living in the San Fran area. It's a pretty good life until one day a woman in black and a strange man they call boss shows up guns blazing trying to capture Cam only he fights back with impressive skills ala Jason Bourne because he has no idea how he knows how to fight and shoot.
Cam and Tony go on the run and barely survive it by literally leaping through the lightning gate and end up on another world. Up to this point I was fighting to read it because it wasn't doing it for me but I believe in reading any book I was given to review. Once we get to this point they meet up with two Protectorate agents, Finn and Tasha and then the story really got going. It became very entertaining. The story started to gel.
I liked all four characters a lot. The idea of parallel universes and how they diverged from Earth Prime (i.e. us) was intriguing. I enjoyed the banter between Finn and Cam and Tasha especially. What the female agent, Omni, does is also interesting (and what happens with Tony). There is some interesting world building but there were things that bothered me. I'm not putting it under a spoiler cut since it's not that spoilery.
Where it fell down for me was in its social justice aspect. This took the sledgehammer approach which rarely works for me. Literally every white person Cam meets is a racist and homophobe. I'm shocked he didn't accuse Tasha of it (but she does say there aren't people of color in Saint Petersburgh which is an untrue stereotype). I can easily believe racial bias. I can see a few extremely outright racist characters but all of them? I would think San Fran with its reputation for being queer friendly wouldn't be so homophobic to Cam but I definitely can believe he'd be targeted for his sexuality because that is definitely reality.
And that's what bothered me about the parallel worlds. This is where some humans found passage through the gates throughout the centuries but all of them are super peaceful, not-racist and more scientifically evolved than Earth Prime. Humans are humans. Most primates have violent streaks. I could buy one non-violent planet but all of them was such a stretch for me. THough I suppose the radical group of villains in this are violent.
Don't get me wrong. In spite of these qualms (and once we meet Finn/Tasha most of the social justice stuff leveled off and became more subtle and much more believable) I did enjoy the book and I would like to see the next one as the end of this one sets it up well. It also does the romance for Cam pretty well.
December 23, 2021
I gave up after a hundred + pages, out of sheer frustation.
The blurb was very promising (* stargate -like stuff *) , but - honestly - I felt like being trapped in a Zelda game instead.
The dialogues are a plus, but the rest is over the top action-packed game stuff. Better to play the game, instead of reading it.
The blurb was very promising (* stargate -like stuff *) , but - honestly - I felt like being trapped in a Zelda game instead.
The dialogues are a plus, but the rest is over the top action-packed game stuff. Better to play the game, instead of reading it.
March 21, 2022
A whirlwind adventure story with a thrilling plot, inventive world-building, and delightfully charming characters. Cam is a refreshing change of pace from traditional sci-fi lead characters.
January 22, 2022
Enjoyed very much. Kept me thinking until the end. Good work.
October 30, 2021
Well, it started off pretty well… The promise of not resorting to gender markers, a MC who had the potential to be well-developed, fast-paced action, the whole of it set up in an intriguing world. Unfortunately, this good first impression didn't last. While I did enjoy the first part of the book, many annoying things started to pile up.
The author took care to explain it's important not to assume someone's gender because of their appearance, and I couldn't agree more. Hence the use of they/them pronouns. But if you also use sexist elements to describe a character (long hair for a woman, a suit for a man but a pantsuit for a woman…), it kind of defeats the purpose. And the cherry on top of the cake is that the only clearly identified non-binary character is referred twice with "she". Maybe because they had long hair? Other inconsistencies also made me cringe, like how can you hear someone speaking in your earbuds if the other person doesn't have a mike? Or if you describe a place where people offer some goods for free, isn't it better to avoid words such as "market", "selling", or "vendors"? Talking about market, the more than naïve "communism is paradise"/"capitalism is evil" opposition was downright ridiculous, as well as the assumption that most of people on Earth are not good people, except of course for the MC and his friend. That is by the way the only explanation as for why everything is kept secret from people on Earth (which the MC totally accepts without questioning). As a consequence, those who presumably want truth and transparency are the villains. Well, that idea doesn't sit well with me. Just like I have problems with villains who are described as caricatures of villains, while the heroes are so good and sweet it gives me a toothache. Actually, by the end of the book, with little interest I have left, I found myself rooting for Omni. The writing in the second part of the book didn't help holding my interest indeed: the number of "smiles" and "nods" was astounding and to the point that Finn and Cam had become smiling, head-bobbing simpletons with no character development. Obviously, I won't read the second book.
The author took care to explain it's important not to assume someone's gender because of their appearance, and I couldn't agree more. Hence the use of they/them pronouns. But if you also use sexist elements to describe a character (long hair for a woman, a suit for a man but a pantsuit for a woman…), it kind of defeats the purpose. And the cherry on top of the cake is that the only clearly identified non-binary character is referred twice with "she". Maybe because they had long hair? Other inconsistencies also made me cringe, like how can you hear someone speaking in your earbuds if the other person doesn't have a mike? Or if you describe a place where people offer some goods for free, isn't it better to avoid words such as "market", "selling", or "vendors"? Talking about market, the more than naïve "communism is paradise"/"capitalism is evil" opposition was downright ridiculous, as well as the assumption that most of people on Earth are not good people, except of course for the MC and his friend. That is by the way the only explanation as for why everything is kept secret from people on Earth (which the MC totally accepts without questioning). As a consequence, those who presumably want truth and transparency are the villains. Well, that idea doesn't sit well with me. Just like I have problems with villains who are described as caricatures of villains, while the heroes are so good and sweet it gives me a toothache. Actually, by the end of the book, with little interest I have left, I found myself rooting for Omni. The writing in the second part of the book didn't help holding my interest indeed: the number of "smiles" and "nods" was astounding and to the point that Finn and Cam had become smiling, head-bobbing simpletons with no character development. Obviously, I won't read the second book.
Read
December 5, 2025Into the Lightning Gate is a high voltage blend of sci-fi noir, identity exploration, and multiversal intrigue. Robert Roth crafts a narrative that moves with cinematic energy, following Cameron Maddock a queer tech prodigy whose life fractures the moment he discovers that everything he believed about himself is a lie. What begins as a story of emotional displacement quickly escalates into an interdimensional race for survival, as Cam’s dormant powers ignite and thrust him into a world of portals, conspiracies, and shadowy figures who understand more about his past than he ever imagined.
Roth’s worldbuilding is vivid and inventive, weaving together futuristic technology, hidden dimensions, and a gritty noir undertone that keeps tension sharp and constant. Yet it is the emotional core of the novel that stands out most. Cam’s evolution from a cast aside outsider to someone who discovers strength, identity, and belonging on his own terms is handled with nuance and heart. The formation of his chosen family, especially the street smart gamer and the enigmatic beings who join his journey, brings warmth to the relentless action.
Fast paced, imaginative, and deeply character driven, Into the Lightning Gate delivers a thrilling exploration of identity, empowerment, and what it means to find connection when the world or even the universe insists you don’t belong. It is both a pulse pounding adventure and a resonant story of self discovery that will appeal to fans of queer fiction, speculative thrillers, and multiverse spanning sci fi.
Roth’s worldbuilding is vivid and inventive, weaving together futuristic technology, hidden dimensions, and a gritty noir undertone that keeps tension sharp and constant. Yet it is the emotional core of the novel that stands out most. Cam’s evolution from a cast aside outsider to someone who discovers strength, identity, and belonging on his own terms is handled with nuance and heart. The formation of his chosen family, especially the street smart gamer and the enigmatic beings who join his journey, brings warmth to the relentless action.
Fast paced, imaginative, and deeply character driven, Into the Lightning Gate delivers a thrilling exploration of identity, empowerment, and what it means to find connection when the world or even the universe insists you don’t belong. It is both a pulse pounding adventure and a resonant story of self discovery that will appeal to fans of queer fiction, speculative thrillers, and multiverse spanning sci fi.
February 5, 2022
Into the Lightning Gate is an exciting, fresh take on the sci-fi thriller, with grand, multi-dimensional set pieces, an intriguing storyline, and a diverse cast of enjoyable, well-conceived characters.
I was excited to finally read Robert Roth's Into the Lightning Gate after hearing so many wonderful things about it. Fast-paced, adventure-filled plot? Check. Unique premise combining the best parts of alt-history, near-future settings, and holes purposefully ripped in the fabric of space/time? Check. Delightful cast of characters, including a gay, multiracial lead who's charming as hell and a fearsome, badass villain who I both desperately want to meet and would run away from if I ever did? Check.
The story started off slow, giving me time to enjoy learning about Cameron Maddock, the main character, before taking off at breakneck speed about a third of the way in. Some may find that inconsistent, but it was going up that giant first hill on a roller coaster for me. You know that big drop is coming, but you're not sure exactly when. It was delicious. And then the world gets so big! But Roth did an excellent job building things out. Info dumps were sparing and usually given in an easily digestible narrative format.
But the characters! Cam is one of my new favorite all-time heroes, combining effortless charm, engaging wit, and a down-to-earth sensibility that made me instantly like him. But all the characters were well developed, with individual personalities and quirks that made them unique. Roth has a flair for conversational writing. The banter is top-notch. Extra points to Roth for making his work gender inclusive. No one's gender is assumed based on their appearance, so Roth sticks with they/them pronouns unless the character or someone who knows them confirms otherwise. I was pleased to see a queer main character and multiple characters on different parts of the queer spectrum. I was especially pleased to see non-binary representation as well, without all those clunky are you he or she assumptions.
Roth includes a slow-burn romance, which takes a backseat to the action. I'm glad it's there and that it wasn't shoehorned into the story unnecessarily. Who's got time for love when you're constantly running for your life?
The story contains descriptions of death and violence, mentions of racism, homophobia, and abusive parents, and light drug use.
I was excited to finally read Robert Roth's Into the Lightning Gate after hearing so many wonderful things about it. Fast-paced, adventure-filled plot? Check. Unique premise combining the best parts of alt-history, near-future settings, and holes purposefully ripped in the fabric of space/time? Check. Delightful cast of characters, including a gay, multiracial lead who's charming as hell and a fearsome, badass villain who I both desperately want to meet and would run away from if I ever did? Check.
The story started off slow, giving me time to enjoy learning about Cameron Maddock, the main character, before taking off at breakneck speed about a third of the way in. Some may find that inconsistent, but it was going up that giant first hill on a roller coaster for me. You know that big drop is coming, but you're not sure exactly when. It was delicious. And then the world gets so big! But Roth did an excellent job building things out. Info dumps were sparing and usually given in an easily digestible narrative format.
But the characters! Cam is one of my new favorite all-time heroes, combining effortless charm, engaging wit, and a down-to-earth sensibility that made me instantly like him. But all the characters were well developed, with individual personalities and quirks that made them unique. Roth has a flair for conversational writing. The banter is top-notch. Extra points to Roth for making his work gender inclusive. No one's gender is assumed based on their appearance, so Roth sticks with they/them pronouns unless the character or someone who knows them confirms otherwise. I was pleased to see a queer main character and multiple characters on different parts of the queer spectrum. I was especially pleased to see non-binary representation as well, without all those clunky are you he or she assumptions.
Roth includes a slow-burn romance, which takes a backseat to the action. I'm glad it's there and that it wasn't shoehorned into the story unnecessarily. Who's got time for love when you're constantly running for your life?
The story contains descriptions of death and violence, mentions of racism, homophobia, and abusive parents, and light drug use.
October 4, 2022
Really wanted to like this one (queer sci-fi?? hell yeah) but I couldn't make it through the first 100 pages. The dialogue is clunky, the writing generally needs another good round of editing, and the characters are flat.
March 7, 2023
A good read
A good read. That said, so much detail that adds nothing to the narrative slows the story down and even disrupts dramatic action sequences that need to be directly rendered.
(NB: dashes between clauses appear as mid-word hyphens in kindle - obtrusive but easy to fix.)
A good read. That said, so much detail that adds nothing to the narrative slows the story down and even disrupts dramatic action sequences that need to be directly rendered.
(NB: dashes between clauses appear as mid-word hyphens in kindle - obtrusive but easy to fix.)
March 7, 2023
Excellent!
Once again, I am willingly sucked into another wonderful series! I had an even harder time putting this book down!
Excited about the next book!
Once again, I am willingly sucked into another wonderful series! I had an even harder time putting this book down!
Excited about the next book!
March 14, 2023
Into The Lightning Gate by Robert Roth - 5 stars!
This was a great return to real sci-fi for me. I loved this read and really got into the characters, their backgrounds and of course the diversity represented by the multiverse. Action-packed yet full of reflective moments, the pace felt fairly balanced and by the end I really wasn't ready to leave the story and characters behind!
Bits I liked:
- fantastic diverse cast with rep across the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ spectrum. Full of queer characters, and I was super happy with enby rep that really just flowed as part of the story.
- I found it well-written and nicely paced, avoiding some of the overdone tropes seen more recently in YA sci-fi.
- it felt mostly unpredictable. Though I did see a few bits coming, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
- exciting plot with some great quantum and multiverse elements. I'm not a sci-fi expert but I really enjoyed the exploration of a world with completely different human cultural development.
Bits I liked less:
- it took a little while to get to the multiverse part of the story, but that wasn't really detrimental.
- it's not a story that feels complete by itself, the way books in some series can almost stand alone. By the end it really felt like you were at the beginning of the real adventure, with so many questions left unanswered! Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but I wasn't prepped to start what feels like a saga!
Overall it was a fantastic, queer, diverse story with exciting sci-fi action and relatable characters despite the otherworldly plot. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
This was a great return to real sci-fi for me. I loved this read and really got into the characters, their backgrounds and of course the diversity represented by the multiverse. Action-packed yet full of reflective moments, the pace felt fairly balanced and by the end I really wasn't ready to leave the story and characters behind!
Bits I liked:
- fantastic diverse cast with rep across the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ spectrum. Full of queer characters, and I was super happy with enby rep that really just flowed as part of the story.
- I found it well-written and nicely paced, avoiding some of the overdone tropes seen more recently in YA sci-fi.
- it felt mostly unpredictable. Though I did see a few bits coming, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
- exciting plot with some great quantum and multiverse elements. I'm not a sci-fi expert but I really enjoyed the exploration of a world with completely different human cultural development.
Bits I liked less:
- it took a little while to get to the multiverse part of the story, but that wasn't really detrimental.
- it's not a story that feels complete by itself, the way books in some series can almost stand alone. By the end it really felt like you were at the beginning of the real adventure, with so many questions left unanswered! Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but I wasn't prepped to start what feels like a saga!
Overall it was a fantastic, queer, diverse story with exciting sci-fi action and relatable characters despite the otherworldly plot. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
November 1, 2023
I tried really hard to get into the book, but I had to DNF because the writing style just didn’t vibe with me. I do applaud the pronoun choice the writer made (using they/them unless necessary).
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