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StarPassage: Book Four, Cyber Plague
In Book One , teenagers Tim and Martie are desperate to end their parents' downward spiral. Then an ancient Christmas ornament reveals its secrets, sending the siblings across the centuries on a search for hope. But Tim and Martie aren't the only ones hunting through time. They're being watched by dark figures-Trackers doomed to haunt history. These Trackers believe the teens' ornament is their key to freedom, and they will do whatever it takes to steal it. In Book Two , Bobby and Mike are struggling after a tragic accident rocked their family. With the help of the Carson family, they go on a dangerous adventure to solve riddles, save lives, escape the stronger, faster Trackers, and experience some of the most dreadful and exciting moments in history. In Book Three . Mike longs to help a struggling new patient who may hold dangerous secrets. An evil Tracker has escaped to the present, bringing with him plans to end the world. Our growing band of travelers work together to resist the powerful Trackers at every turn while trying to solve the relic's riddles and guard against the ever-growing risk of betrayal. Now the Gold Medal winning saga continues with Book Four . Contemporary twin sisters are thrust into a compelling adventure with a mysterious warrior from the past who holds secrets even he does not understand. In the most dangerous adventure yet, our unlikely heroes are thrust into a dangerous and uncertain future where humanity is on the verge of extinction. Pulled from the pages of our modern world, a dangerous cyber plague, societal breakdown, and the relentless Trackers must be overcome to preserve the future. Our inexperienced new travelers must learn quickly to survive while overcoming a series of impossibly complicated and interwoven threats.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2021
6 people want to read
About the author
Clark Rich Burbidge
23 books22 followersClark Burbidge's path to becoming an award winning author had distant beginnings. He received an MBA degree from the University of Southern California and a BS Degree in finance from the University of Utah. His career spans 31 years in banking, project finance, investment banking and more recently as Chief Financial Officer of three separate companies.
He has been actively involved in community and church service, including lay youth and adult ministry, for over 35 years. It has been his long-term dream to write and publish several works that have been kicking around in his mind for many years. His first book, Life on the Narrow Path: A Mountain Biker's Guide to Spiritual Growth in Troubled Times was released nationally in March 2011. His second book A Piece of Silver was published in July 2011 and is currently entering its 2nd edition. Clark enjoys life in the foothills of the Rockies with his wife, children and three grandchildren. He looks forward to this next phase of life's wonderful adventures.
He has been actively involved in community and church service, including lay youth and adult ministry, for over 35 years. It has been his long-term dream to write and publish several works that have been kicking around in his mind for many years. His first book, Life on the Narrow Path: A Mountain Biker's Guide to Spiritual Growth in Troubled Times was released nationally in March 2011. His second book A Piece of Silver was published in July 2011 and is currently entering its 2nd edition. Clark enjoys life in the foothills of the Rockies with his wife, children and three grandchildren. He looks forward to this next phase of life's wonderful adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 7, 2021
I am very excited to see sisters, Callie and Courtney. I was briefly introduced to them in book three. Yet, having now passed the torch and the sisters are the new star holders, they are the main leads in this book. Of course I can't forget Mike. He appeared in prior book.
This book was more on the modern side. The prior books went into the past. Tocho appears at Callie and Courtney's house. Everything is so new to him. I am not just talking about the language but food and technology are huge. As if that is not enough, everyone has to contend with a plague/virus. Of and I can't forget that the Tracker is still chasing after the star.
Having read all of the books in this series, I have grown to really form a close bond with all of the characters. Each book has not only a good story and characters but important messaging as well. While, I did like this book, I did find myself reading it slower that past ones. One I had to caught up speed again on the past books as it has been a while between book three and this one. Also, I liked the past better than the present but still a fan of this series.
This book was more on the modern side. The prior books went into the past. Tocho appears at Callie and Courtney's house. Everything is so new to him. I am not just talking about the language but food and technology are huge. As if that is not enough, everyone has to contend with a plague/virus. Of and I can't forget that the Tracker is still chasing after the star.
Having read all of the books in this series, I have grown to really form a close bond with all of the characters. Each book has not only a good story and characters but important messaging as well. While, I did like this book, I did find myself reading it slower that past ones. One I had to caught up speed again on the past books as it has been a while between book three and this one. Also, I liked the past better than the present but still a fan of this series.
December 27, 2021
Historic facts and other true tidbits mix with an exciting tale, holding time travel, adventure, sibling love, and the determination to do what is right.
Tocho, a Native American, is on one of his first hunts, and while he succeeds, he's accidentally thrown into the future. Here, the twins, Callie and Courtney, have been dreaming of him and realize that they have a star, but aren't sure how to use it. With a powerful group chasing them and dangerous situations awaiting around every bend, the sisters do their best not only to escape but to save the world.
First off, I did not read the other books in this series, which is a mistake. The books, obviously, build on each other to enough extent, that there is background information missing, which makes it a little difficult to completely sink into this read. So, I don't recommend this one as a stand alone.
This is a quick-paced read, which thrills as it bounces between times. It's a lovely mix of reality, history, and science fiction impossibility. Starting in the past with Tocho, the forest and hunt draws in as true to life as possible, thanks to obvious research on the author's part. While the landscape and such aren't that rich in description, the author, instead, slips in facts about the animals, and these perfectly blend into the tale. The hunt scene builds tensions, introduces Tocho, and even brings along some history. Before it grows boring, the science fiction shoots in, and starts adventure pure. When this mixes with modern day scenes and tech, it gains familiarity...and yet, the author makes sure to keep feeding interesting facts the entire way through.
The twins, Callie and Courtney, have a wonderful relationship and are both down to earth. They come across mostly natural and are the kind of girls readers wouldn't mind having as friends. Their decisions and actions are understandable, and their determination is golden. Not everything runs smoothly, but that's what makes them so interesting and easy to root for.
The twists and turns are well laid, and with the Trackers on the heroine's tails, there's never a dull moment. There is quite a bit of action, and the messages are inspiring. This one is sold as a young adult read, but it reads more like an upper middle grade novel. There is a lack of depth in the scene building and characters, which suits this lower level better. So, that's where my recommendation goes.
It's definitely an easy read with all sorts of goodness along with action and fun. I received an ARC and find this to be a well-mixed read.
Tocho, a Native American, is on one of his first hunts, and while he succeeds, he's accidentally thrown into the future. Here, the twins, Callie and Courtney, have been dreaming of him and realize that they have a star, but aren't sure how to use it. With a powerful group chasing them and dangerous situations awaiting around every bend, the sisters do their best not only to escape but to save the world.
First off, I did not read the other books in this series, which is a mistake. The books, obviously, build on each other to enough extent, that there is background information missing, which makes it a little difficult to completely sink into this read. So, I don't recommend this one as a stand alone.
This is a quick-paced read, which thrills as it bounces between times. It's a lovely mix of reality, history, and science fiction impossibility. Starting in the past with Tocho, the forest and hunt draws in as true to life as possible, thanks to obvious research on the author's part. While the landscape and such aren't that rich in description, the author, instead, slips in facts about the animals, and these perfectly blend into the tale. The hunt scene builds tensions, introduces Tocho, and even brings along some history. Before it grows boring, the science fiction shoots in, and starts adventure pure. When this mixes with modern day scenes and tech, it gains familiarity...and yet, the author makes sure to keep feeding interesting facts the entire way through.
The twins, Callie and Courtney, have a wonderful relationship and are both down to earth. They come across mostly natural and are the kind of girls readers wouldn't mind having as friends. Their decisions and actions are understandable, and their determination is golden. Not everything runs smoothly, but that's what makes them so interesting and easy to root for.
The twists and turns are well laid, and with the Trackers on the heroine's tails, there's never a dull moment. There is quite a bit of action, and the messages are inspiring. This one is sold as a young adult read, but it reads more like an upper middle grade novel. There is a lack of depth in the scene building and characters, which suits this lower level better. So, that's where my recommendation goes.
It's definitely an easy read with all sorts of goodness along with action and fun. I received an ARC and find this to be a well-mixed read.
November 15, 2021
The newest book is Clark Burbidge's series, Cyber Plague does not disappoint. Characters Callie and hertwin sister Courtney are now the keepers of the Star of Passage after they found it at a strange antique shop. Thinking it was an old Christmas ornament,they planned to clean it up and gift it to their mother. However, after Callie had a strange dream about a long-ago Native American teen who found a star very similar to the one the twins now possessed, she and her sister realized what they had was no ordinary decoration.
A noticeable difference in this book compared to the others in the series is the fact the passages the characters go on are forward in time. Tocho, the Native American, lived in a time long before white settlers had come into the Northwest to live. His discovery of a mysterious star high up at the point where two trees crossed pulled him into a distant future, our time,with many new dangers.
Burbidge keeps the reader riveted with a high level of tension throughout the story. The amount of research it must have taken to make this story so realistic is impressive. Because the passages are set in the future but near our time, the reader can readily relate to the events as they unfold. Years ago, when I read Lois Lowry’s The Giver, I continued to mull over the events in that book long after I read it. Cyber Plague has impacted me the same way because the frightening things the characters witnessed during their passages could very well happen in our real future.
As in his previous books, Burbidge has developed the characters well. Callie and Courtney returned from book three. Mike was in books two and three and plays in important role in this fourth episode. Together with Tocho,they worked as a team to stay alive while dodging Horst and the Trackers,avoiding a mind-altering cyber plague and the people who have been infected,and more. Grab a copy and prepare to be transported!
A noticeable difference in this book compared to the others in the series is the fact the passages the characters go on are forward in time. Tocho, the Native American, lived in a time long before white settlers had come into the Northwest to live. His discovery of a mysterious star high up at the point where two trees crossed pulled him into a distant future, our time,with many new dangers.
Burbidge keeps the reader riveted with a high level of tension throughout the story. The amount of research it must have taken to make this story so realistic is impressive. Because the passages are set in the future but near our time, the reader can readily relate to the events as they unfold. Years ago, when I read Lois Lowry’s The Giver, I continued to mull over the events in that book long after I read it. Cyber Plague has impacted me the same way because the frightening things the characters witnessed during their passages could very well happen in our real future.
As in his previous books, Burbidge has developed the characters well. Callie and Courtney returned from book three. Mike was in books two and three and plays in important role in this fourth episode. Together with Tocho,they worked as a team to stay alive while dodging Horst and the Trackers,avoiding a mind-altering cyber plague and the people who have been infected,and more. Grab a copy and prepare to be transported!
January 5, 2022
Star Passage: Cyber Plague by Clark Rich Burbidge
This book has some interesting premises that would have been better served by a detailed back story. It appears to be an interesting series but this, the fourth book, doesn’t seem to stand alone well. I recommend reading the previous books since there seeming to be a solid story line but without the back story this book is a bit confusing. I’m not sure if it should be seen as time travel or a smidge of the multiverse. I think time travel is probably the best category. As an aside, I’ve always enjoyed stories with twins.
It should be appealing to the younger section of the YA genre.
This book has some interesting premises that would have been better served by a detailed back story. It appears to be an interesting series but this, the fourth book, doesn’t seem to stand alone well. I recommend reading the previous books since there seeming to be a solid story line but without the back story this book is a bit confusing. I’m not sure if it should be seen as time travel or a smidge of the multiverse. I think time travel is probably the best category. As an aside, I’ve always enjoyed stories with twins.
It should be appealing to the younger section of the YA genre.
October 11, 2025
a little slow, but love the time traveling throughout the series
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews