A New Reality

Stan Lee's Alliances #2

by Stan Lee, Kat Rosenfield, Luke Lieberman

A brand-new audio event set in the Audible and New York Times best-selling Alliances universe of legendary creator Stan Lee, performed by fan favorite Wil Wheaton.

Biohacker Olivia Park is obsessed with an emerging mystery within Oz, the online portal created by alien technology. What she finds is a primitive xenobot, Eno, who takes her on a mind-bending trip through time that begins as the Berlin Wall is falling, and takes her back to the origins of the modern internet and the fall of a digital Atlantis created by her father, Wesley Park, and entrepreneur William Ackerson.

A New Reality expands Stan Lee’s final science fiction universe in new and unexpected ways, exploring the early global computing boom of the 1990s through the eyes of two well-meaning visionaries whose innovations introduce the world to the promise, power, and perils of connectivity - and whose original sins could destroy it all.

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

4 pages, Audiobook

First published July 8, 2021

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I will say this is book 2 in a series and it is not a standalone story.

I am seeing complaints from people who got this free on audible and complaining that there was inadequate character development.

That’s because that happened in book one.

This is the story of the brilliant fathers who created the world in book one.

A very good one.

Very fascinating one.

Read them in order.

This was a fun ride.

Although it answered a lot of questions about the origin story of the kids, I still want to know what’s next.

Again, read them in order.

If you listen, you get to hear an introduction by Stan Lee.

I enjoyed both audio books

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. I listened to this audiobook because it was included in the Audible membership (not realizing it is Book 2). This book is obviously part of a series and is not a standalone book. None of the characters stood out. I'm not sure if it's because I didn't listen to Book 1 or because this book is so short, time wasn't spent in developing the characters.

[Todd Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best part of this book was the intro by Stan Lee. I will always smile when I hear that magnificent voice that brought me so much joy throughout my childhood. The story itself wasn't nearly as good as the first book, but I did still enjoy it. I loved Wil Wheaton's narration. He always does a great job, but I don't know if he was the right person for this book. This is very different than Ready Player One, but had a similar feel to it. And of course, Wil narrated that. Another reason is that one of the main characters is named Wesley. Wil Wheaton is most know for his role in Star Trek Next Generation as Wesley Crusher. Every time Wesley is mentioned in the book, I keep picturing little Wesley on Star Trek lol.

[Mia Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick and fun little read. It is not the most intricate story I've ever read. The tropes and action it uses are pretty mainstream. However; again sometimes you DON'T want a very heavy read and you just want to be entertained. Well this one is certainly entertaining. I am not running out right away to get any follow ups, but overall it was enjoyable.

[Carri Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so disappointed by this audiobook. I just love Stan Lee - I mean, who doesn't love Stan Lee, right?? And it's narrated by Wil Wheaton, and I loved how he narrated Ready Player One. But this was not a winner for me.

I think it was the format. It's a visual story, but I don't know why it was ONLY made as an audiobook. Maybe my problem was Wil's tendency to over-enunciate. I don't know. I really felt I would have enjoyed this as a comic book, possibly even a written story. But as an audiobook, it was a little hard for me to follow.

Rest in Peace, Stan. ❤️

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I really liked was Wil Wheaton's narration.

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series, so I was utterly overwhelmed by the long exposition in the beginning of the book. The "recap" of previous events was so ridiculous and convoluted I could hardly believe they fit all that into one book. The writing was basic, but not particularly bad. The plot was like a techbro fantasy for most of it--two techbros against the evil, heavily-accented Russian baddies. In comic book fashion, you end up with two superpowered dudes fighting it out (a la Spiderman & Doctor Octopus). There was something a little cool about the way the narrative is told through VR "memories" conveyed to Olivia (the ostensible protagonist), but she was extremely unlikeable. Her main purpose as a character was to convey back story and exposition (the vehicle for the memories about the two super dudes). The VR space was right out of Ready Player One, with the nostalgia/retro references included.

Wait, I thought of one more thing I liked--that it was short. I won't be listening to any others in this series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it was because the first book was so bad. Maybe it was because Wil Wheaton was narrating. Maybe it was because those annoying teenagers weren't in it. Regardless, this was a much better book than the first. I received this for free through my Audible membership which is what prompted me to read the first book prior to listening to this one. I wish I didn't but, from reading other reviews complaining of lack of character development, I supposed that novel served its purpose.

I enjoyed it. It's a short novella that dives into the only fun parts of the first novel. I enjoyed these characters much more than those in the first and the writing didn't seem as clunky. While this was better than the first, I'm not sure I will continue with the series when the third book comes out.

[Sol Turco · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ES]
Una historia corta, concisa y al pie. Sin demasiadas vueltas. Una historia dentro de una historia con suficiente información para completar el panorama entero.
Una trama interesante que aborda temas como la condición humana, qué nos hace lo que somos, el concepto de "bien" y "mal", avances tecnológicos que van más allá de lo moralmente aceptable.
Personajes simples pero a la vez con bastante profundidad.

[EN]
A short, concise and straight to the point story. No needless filler. A story within a story with enough info to get the big picture.
An interesting plot that exploring themes like the human condition, what makes us what we are, the concepts of good and evil, technological advances that challenge what's morally acceptable.
Simple characters but quite deep at the same time.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wil Wheaton did a great job with what seemed like a lot of weird stuff... dropping into what was a virtual world, and going back in time. I presume that was also virtual. The ending left a big opening for a sequel.

I'd listen to this audiobook again. I think there were somethings I missed... like reading book 1, "A Trick of Light"! I don't know if it would have helped. The narrative in book 2 seemed straightforward enough.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short work, more a novella than a novel, suffers from middle book syndrome. It only purpose is to explain book 1 and set up book3. In that it succeeds admirably. The father figures in book 1 were rather peripheral. Here, they come into their own as much as old school sci-fi characters ever can. I'm looking forward to episode 3 (and following -- this is Marvel world after all) where Olivia, Nia, and Cameron are sure to encounter each other and continue and/or end the feud that set this saga in motion. And, oh yes, save the world--perhaps.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly run of the mill story mixing sci-fi aspects with super-heroics. There is absolutely no Stan Lee feel to any of it. Stan would have made you feel like you were part of the story, and even though I didn't read the first novel, Stan would have brought me up to speed so I didn't feel like I missed something. None of that here. Two business partners take different roads to success, one gains Dazzler-like super powers (makes light out of sound) and the other through technology. The friends lose their ways and it doesn't end well. Can't recommend.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan Lee's Alliances: A New Reality
By: Stan Lee, Kat Rosenfield, Created by Stan Lee, Luke Lieberman, Ryan Silbert
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
what an amazing twist on science, technology, and development. it's a scary look at the future if it's crossed by technology beyond mankind. very good book similar to the dawn of science fiction.

[Mark Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instead of picking back up with our heroes from the previous story, this is the prequel story of William Ackerson and Wesley Park. It’s a good story in its own right and seems sort of strange that this is what would be focused on after the last book, but it does tie back together more at the end. Interested to see what if anything else gets done with this as a series.

[Dave Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This provides interesting backstory to the first book, and I assuming it sets the stage for a third. It’s just not as good as the first on many levels…almost feels like a different genre. I would caution readers not to read this first….you won’t have any of the necessary context without the first book.

[Cobalt714 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this because I couldn't resist Stan Lee narrated by Wil Wheaton, but I don't really enjoy reading sci-fi, so I struggled to get into the story. It's an interesting concept and I'd love watching it as a Sci-Fi style Twilight Zone episode.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was pretty good. I wish I would have realized it was book 2 in a series. It would have made a little more sense. It was an ambitious undertaking rewriting history. The narration was well performed. Wheaton even does his German accent.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It is the second book in the Alliances series and gives us the story of how everything started with the founders. It is fascinating and little creepy. You really won't see our main characters from the previous book, but the story is interesting and held my attention

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It shouldn't have been so short, it needed to be longer.

The story development was too fast.

Also, boo audible making this included in my waning membership, but not book 1.

But I still liked the story, it just felt like an outline with only the most pivotal points fleshed out.

[Saugat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its the second book in the series. The story is fun and the science is plausible. This is more of flashback on how the story started and what happened to the fathers of the main characters. Enjoyed the story and now looking forward to the third installment.

[Nai Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the mind of Stan Lee comes this remarkable take on the digital world. This is a great part of the overall story and free on Audible+ so I gave it a shot and liked it. I'm hoping the rest will be just as good.

[Jacob Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely think this would work better in a seeable media there is too many concepts that are hard to visualize and I found myself trying to visualize it while driving and listening it is a fun story and I liked the plot and story telling format but it can be a little confusing and dense

[Kia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un libro que al estar solamente en audio libro y en inglés pues no es apto para todo el mundo ya que no todo el mundo sabe el inglés suficiente para entenderlo o no le gustan los audiolibros por lo tanto mejor ahorrarse el leerlo

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay.

I can't say that anything about it particularly stood out as great, but it also wasn't terrible. It's on the shorter side, more of a novella so it was easier to stick with it and finish.

I probably wouldn't read any other books in the series.

[Cmoore · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed and mad in this book! I expected to totally love it but that was just didn't happen! I absodamnlutely loved the first book! It was like reading a special gift from Stan Lee but book 2 was like throwing everything into the toilet!

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan Lee is very much missed.

[Marion Schloemer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ Story / 5 ⭐️ Narration… I legitimately couldn’t tell you the plot of this book, but Wil Wheaton made it palatable. He’s the only reason I kept listening/reading.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun prequel to the first book in this series--fast adventure, nuanced characters, cool powers. It's a novella, so it's not especially complex, but it's well written.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, and fairly interesting premise, great for a weekend read.

[Sharon Jorde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Stan lee is gone now but I hope we get a conclusion

[alexofmacedonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too short. Confusing ending. Wish there was more, since I liked the first one.