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Redux: The Lost Patrol: A SciFi Time Travel Novel
Redux, Commander of the Freedom Fighters Brigade and reluctant time traveler finds himself tasked with assaulting an advanced enemy’s production facility to destroy their time-altering technology once and for all.
When he and his trusty war robot Floyd get their hands on one of the enemy’s time refining vehicles, the pair set forth upon an impossible mission, becoming entangled within the loops and limitations of time travel, enduring endless battles and death. What begins as defense of a Moon Colony quickly turns into a high-stakes gambit where the very fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Trapped within a past he never experienced and facing a future where nothing is certain, the horrors of war extend across all dimensions in this action-packed adventure where doing the right thing often comes with consequences that ripple through time itself.
When he and his trusty war robot Floyd get their hands on one of the enemy’s time refining vehicles, the pair set forth upon an impossible mission, becoming entangled within the loops and limitations of time travel, enduring endless battles and death. What begins as defense of a Moon Colony quickly turns into a high-stakes gambit where the very fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Trapped within a past he never experienced and facing a future where nothing is certain, the horrors of war extend across all dimensions in this action-packed adventure where doing the right thing often comes with consequences that ripple through time itself.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 21, 2023
I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair review.
This is going to be short because a lot of what I could talk about would be spoilers, as this book is very plot-heavy (and I don’t mean that in a bad way).
Time travel (as in jumping around in time versus the story taking place sequentially over hundreds or thousands of years) is not my favourite trope in sci-fi, though there are a few exceptions.
This novel is more of a "going back and trying to fix things" type of time travel, and then things get messy. I also found this idea, the attempt to change the past, a great metaphor for regret and grief, which are a few themes this book does address.
I will admit it took me a few chapters to get into the style of the novel. It’s not hard to read, but I find adjusting to first person always takes me a bit. The novel also has a bit of The Edge of Tomorrow (the movie) aspect, where we’re getting a slew of the same or similar battles over and over. If you like military sci-fi action, you will likely love this. There’s a huge focus on the camaraderie of soldiers, a fun relationship between the main character and his battle robot named Floyd, and a real sense of loss and grief Redux has for his mother, best friend, and girlfriend, all of whom he’s trying to save … though sometimes in a roundabout way.
The best thing about the novel is how Cunningham has crafted a time travel story that makes freakin’ sense. It’s highly complex, but it’s also not hard to understand if that makes any sense. It’s clearly very well plotted out and a testament to the sub-genre. Floyd is also great - he has some pretty funny lines.
In truth, while I didn’t love the novel, I think there are some great things about it and if you want to support indie publishing and like military sci-fi time travel stories, check this one out.
This is going to be short because a lot of what I could talk about would be spoilers, as this book is very plot-heavy (and I don’t mean that in a bad way).
Time travel (as in jumping around in time versus the story taking place sequentially over hundreds or thousands of years) is not my favourite trope in sci-fi, though there are a few exceptions.
This novel is more of a "going back and trying to fix things" type of time travel, and then things get messy. I also found this idea, the attempt to change the past, a great metaphor for regret and grief, which are a few themes this book does address.
I will admit it took me a few chapters to get into the style of the novel. It’s not hard to read, but I find adjusting to first person always takes me a bit. The novel also has a bit of The Edge of Tomorrow (the movie) aspect, where we’re getting a slew of the same or similar battles over and over. If you like military sci-fi action, you will likely love this. There’s a huge focus on the camaraderie of soldiers, a fun relationship between the main character and his battle robot named Floyd, and a real sense of loss and grief Redux has for his mother, best friend, and girlfriend, all of whom he’s trying to save … though sometimes in a roundabout way.
The best thing about the novel is how Cunningham has crafted a time travel story that makes freakin’ sense. It’s highly complex, but it’s also not hard to understand if that makes any sense. It’s clearly very well plotted out and a testament to the sub-genre. Floyd is also great - he has some pretty funny lines.
In truth, while I didn’t love the novel, I think there are some great things about it and if you want to support indie publishing and like military sci-fi time travel stories, check this one out.
October 19, 2022
This is the absolute first Sci-fi book I’ve ever started reading and finished! I love Sci-fi movies but, for some reason books have not been able to translate the same imagery to my mind’s movie screen. Cunningham’s “Redux” broke through that long-time dislike of reading Sci-fi because I “saw” everything he wrote! This guy is sharp! Sharp witted, gifted in presenting the time travel events in what I found to be easy to follow. I must have a twisted brain because I had no trouble following.
My favorite character is Floyd. I loved the humor which is presented in Cunningham’s unique style. The action, the smells, the possibilities are all there, just waiting for you to jump in for the ride through time and space.
I recommend this book to fans of Sci-fi and those just wanting to test out the genre. I don’t know that I’ll be reading Sci-fi regularly, but, if Cunningham writes it, I’ll be reading it.
My favorite character is Floyd. I loved the humor which is presented in Cunningham’s unique style. The action, the smells, the possibilities are all there, just waiting for you to jump in for the ride through time and space.
I recommend this book to fans of Sci-fi and those just wanting to test out the genre. I don’t know that I’ll be reading Sci-fi regularly, but, if Cunningham writes it, I’ll be reading it.
June 27, 2022
For someone who is not a Science Fiction aficionado, this book had a rocky start, but for someone who thrives on Literary fiction that deals with the emotions of the characters influencing their every move, the book nailed it.
I don’t know how the author was able to write the early chapters without using a bulletin board and string to cross reference the different time shifts, because time travel at its best is a tricky thing to keep track of. Towards the center of the book, the protagonist found his place which made the story interesting enough that I didn’t want to put it down. I recommend this book with the caveat to have patience because the story is well worth your time and attention.
I don’t know how the author was able to write the early chapters without using a bulletin board and string to cross reference the different time shifts, because time travel at its best is a tricky thing to keep track of. Towards the center of the book, the protagonist found his place which made the story interesting enough that I didn’t want to put it down. I recommend this book with the caveat to have patience because the story is well worth your time and attention.
December 31, 2021
NO MORE DO OVERS
Mr Cunningham has written a mind-numbingly complex temporal adventure that (paradoxically or perhaps I mean ironically) is easy for readers to understand.
In short, this is the story of a soldier stuck in a time loop as he tries to change the outcome of a battle on the Moon, hundreds of years in our future. But it is so much more. It’s a tale of adventure, humanity, age, love, death, loyalty, and morality.
Mr Cunningham clearly understands soldiering and the camaraderie of a close-nit unit, unspoken and spoken codes of honour and sacrifice. He also has thought a lot about time travel. At one point I thought the author was really the time-travelling Commander Redux, leaving his story here in the past as a warning of what might happen in the future.
It’s that believable.
The paradoxes the commander encounters and tries to understand or unravel are worthy of their own T.V show. I mean, at one point Redux has to kill… no that’s a spoiler, Sweetie.
Don’t be fooled - this is not time travel in the style of The Doctor, with it’s saccharin sentiment, reliable monsters who are clearly the baddies, and a space screwdriver to save the day. This is Gregg Cunningham time travel. It messes with your mind, your perspective – it’s dark, gritty, and grim. Death lurks with every step, and those steps are trodden many times – all with various outcomes. Ask yourself what you would do to stay alive if you were in the commander’s borrowed boots? How far would you go to save the girl you love, or to see your best friend again? Does it really matter how convoluted the timelines become? Is it possible to make a better future from the mess of war? And can you do all this with a witty one-liner—and a roll-up—on your lips?
Commander Redux is a Great character, one of the best. If Disney are looking for something new to add to their sci-fi schedule, then Redux is the man. As is his loyal friend, Floyd – a pink battle robot with a witty turn of phrase and interchangeable body parts (think Worzel Gummidge – but less friendly).
Congratulations, Mr Cunningham. This is time travel done right.
We Save All Souls.
Mr Cunningham has written a mind-numbingly complex temporal adventure that (paradoxically or perhaps I mean ironically) is easy for readers to understand.
In short, this is the story of a soldier stuck in a time loop as he tries to change the outcome of a battle on the Moon, hundreds of years in our future. But it is so much more. It’s a tale of adventure, humanity, age, love, death, loyalty, and morality.
Mr Cunningham clearly understands soldiering and the camaraderie of a close-nit unit, unspoken and spoken codes of honour and sacrifice. He also has thought a lot about time travel. At one point I thought the author was really the time-travelling Commander Redux, leaving his story here in the past as a warning of what might happen in the future.
It’s that believable.
The paradoxes the commander encounters and tries to understand or unravel are worthy of their own T.V show. I mean, at one point Redux has to kill… no that’s a spoiler, Sweetie.
Don’t be fooled - this is not time travel in the style of The Doctor, with it’s saccharin sentiment, reliable monsters who are clearly the baddies, and a space screwdriver to save the day. This is Gregg Cunningham time travel. It messes with your mind, your perspective – it’s dark, gritty, and grim. Death lurks with every step, and those steps are trodden many times – all with various outcomes. Ask yourself what you would do to stay alive if you were in the commander’s borrowed boots? How far would you go to save the girl you love, or to see your best friend again? Does it really matter how convoluted the timelines become? Is it possible to make a better future from the mess of war? And can you do all this with a witty one-liner—and a roll-up—on your lips?
Commander Redux is a Great character, one of the best. If Disney are looking for something new to add to their sci-fi schedule, then Redux is the man. As is his loyal friend, Floyd – a pink battle robot with a witty turn of phrase and interchangeable body parts (think Worzel Gummidge – but less friendly).
Congratulations, Mr Cunningham. This is time travel done right.
We Save All Souls.
July 29, 2022
Time travel, robots and kick ass characters? Yes please!
Cunningham writes in a face paced, gritty, gusty style that doesn’t disappoint. His characters are tough, his plots are twisty. I particularly liked how he manages to make the reader believe that even robots can have souls. Highly entertaining! Definitely a recommended read.
Cunningham writes in a face paced, gritty, gusty style that doesn’t disappoint. His characters are tough, his plots are twisty. I particularly liked how he manages to make the reader believe that even robots can have souls. Highly entertaining! Definitely a recommended read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews