EXOSKELETON IV: REVENANT

by Shane Stadler

William Thompson awakens in an unknown place and senses a clock ticking in the back of his mind. He realizes that he’s made a promise that he might not be able to keep. Jacob Hale embarks on his first assignment as an Omniscient. Denise Walker and Jonathan McDougal are called back to Space Systems, joining Daniel Parsons and Sylvia Barnes in a mission that has final and existential consequences as the world is cast into a grave tribulation. Someone is coming ...

Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Paranormal

670 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Shane Stadler is an experimental physicist. He has worked at numerous government research and defense laboratories, and is currently a professor of physics at a major research university. EXOSKELETON is his first novel.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenant is the fourth novel in the Exoskeleton series by experimental physicist Shane Stadler, and it follows on directly from its predecessors.

It continues the story of Will Thomson, after the surprising events at the Antarctic Base featured in Omniscient. As expected, all the main characters from the previous books also return to continue their parts of this larger story. I don’t want to spoil anything by going in depth and explaining the plot, but if you’ve enjoyed the series so far, you’ll likely appreciate this concluding chapter.

In similar fashion to the earlier books, a large part of Revenant has a lot of somewhat boring, descriptive detail. Such as:
“Denise filled a mug and took a seat to Jonathan’s left at the end of the table, furthest from the screen. On the left side of the table was Sylvia, with Daniel to her left. Jacob, who looked like he’d just gotten out of bed, was on the right side, next to Jonathan.” – p218

This results in the novel having a rather slow pace at times, and coupled with a repetitive narrative it can also be a bit tedious to read. Such as, with its constant reminders of what the character just did or said a few pages earlier. Or when they mull over the same details of a situation within their own head, before discussing these very details as a group. The continuous rehashing of the same facts and information over and over again, can sometimes be useful but more often causes irritation when you just want the plot to move forward and reach its point.

Discounting book one, these are all long novels, which I feel could maybe be streamlined into slightly shorter books which have a better flow, with a reduction in some of the unnecessary details. However, despite my misgivings and the length of time it’s taken me to read this series, I have really enjoyed it, and I admire the underlying concepts that form the backbone of the series. At 4 out of 5 stars, I recommend lovers of science fiction check out these books, and judge their worth for themselves.

[Gary Peacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic

This has been quite the journey. Thoroughly enjoyed this series and the characters there in. I'm more than a little sad that it's reached its conclusion. Hope Love and Faith.

[Graham Pryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

With book IV of the Exoskeleton series, Stadler's writing seems to take a leap of confidence and reads so much more fluently than his earlier volumes. I still found some of the minutiae irritating (e.g. how he has to tell you, when describing a meeting, who sat where and next to whom, a propo of nothing), but in Revenant he creates a vivid picture of the vast Starship taking William Thompson away from Earth, a spacecraft crewed by AI, on which virtually every wish he has can be generated as if it is real (he even plays football in Premier League matches). What I found most interesting is Stadler's metaphysical discussion (and suppositions) about the nature of death and what lies afterwards. Although this is a work of fiction, the picture he paints of the various states of regeneration, reincarnation, or simply absorption, actually gave me a fresh sense of optimism. The book ends with a slight deterioration into sentimentality, with the resolution of Thompson's troubled love life, but if you can bear the tone of Spielbergian film endings you won't be troubled by it. This is a long book, but I found myself flying through the pages in next to no time, it was that compelling.

[Violet Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing and Profound

I read a lot of sci-fi. I stumbled upon this series by accident, and quickly became engrossed. Mr. Stadler has achieved a monumental task of blending espionage, science fiction, spirituality, physics, good and evil and of course...our friends from beyond.
Honesty, what a fantastic blend of human nature: cruelty and defeat, torture and evil, alongside good, hope, trust, love and the pursuit of enlightenment and redemption.
The storytelling, the characters, the evolving plot... At the end I wondered how I got from book 1 to book 4, but the robust story line delivered on every account.
Please tell me there's more coming from this author. What a stellar talent!

[Debbie Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!

I had to wait to do my review for this amazing, thought-provoking series at the end of last book.
All I can say is..I loved every second of this story! First time that I've read a story like it.
The author made me feel like I was physically in one of the UFO'S, looking out at this vast endless 🌎 we know so little of.. I'm terrible at
describing what the series is about, but, I do
Hope you read a better review and just read
The books to see for yourself! And, it's the first time reading from the author, but not the last!!

[David Caster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible series

What do you read after you have read this series where do you go from here, can you remember when you watched the Stephen Spielberg movie Saving Private Ryan and it was undoubtedly the best ever depiction of a war movie ever everything else was just "acting" and unrealistic, so after I read this fantastic series, I don't know what I am going to read now as nothing will ever live up to this brilliantly written series. This is the Saving Private Ryan of movies the Bohemian Rhapsody of the Rock music world incredible series

[Jim Byler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

I enjoyed this series very much. It is difficult to put this book in a specific genre. It was a combination of science fiction with religious overtones. When it comes to science and religion, most choose one or the other. If you're like me, and feel the two don't have to be mutually exclusive, this book is for you. In the words of Albert Einstein... "science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind."

[samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please…Earth is ready for the Deltas!
This series of books was incredible. I honestly cannot emphasise how much i enjoyed the journey I was taken on. From torture chambers to Hitler’s soul, probes and aliens. The physicist in this author was prevalent throughout, I really loved this detail too, even though much went over my head, it added to the authenticity. 4 books later and I wish there were more. The development of the character Will was so pleasing to follow. More!

[Dan Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the expansion on the world/ lore building, plus the increased sci-fi elements. I could however really have done without knowing when every character had a cup of tea or coffee, etc. I'm not going to lie; I was also very disappointed at the utter lack of Will using his powers in a less benign way (where violence??!!!). Overall, a solid conclusion.

[Maxine Thorndike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Read all 4 of these books sad to finish them love the characters you never know where it will take you was a roller coaster of a read will look forward to his next book not what I normally read but loved them all so take the plunge but you be reading them all in one go ❤️

[trci werman · Rating 5 out of 5]

captivating

From the moment I began the first book in the series I was immediately drawn into the story of Will/Lux and could not stop reading till the END. The use of science, both physics and biological, politics, and espionage were fantastic. I just can’t believe the story is over

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abs0lutely loved these books takes into another dimension of life beyond ,with Will and his life with the help of his close friends ,hard to explain but well worth the read.
Another dimension judging us could this be possible and ready to wipe us out because of things we do to corrupt the world ,which could bring it in line as to world we now survive in .

[Gene Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey beyond imagination

The entire series is absolutely amazing. Lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Fast paced with well developed characters and plenty science and philosophy for for hard science fiction fans. This could be a great movie !!!

[Andy Venn · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a hard book to put down. That, and the three before it, probably were some of the best science fiction I have read. A first contact story that starts in a quite disturbing way and finishes on a high. Very reminiscent of Carl Sagan's 'Contact' in a way.

[MICHAEL R · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing conclusion to the four book series!

I absolutely loved all four books of this series! They were intense, frightening and thought provoking! I highly recommend all four books!

[Jeff Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best sci fi series ever

I have a very hard time finding good sci-fi. I’ve been an avid reader for over 50 years. This is as good as it gets. Don’t pass this up. Pure genius

[Jennifer Lum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting ending to an amazing series

Everything explained and wrapped up in a nice neat package... truly with existential potential implications... makes you really think and hope for our humanity

[Homer Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original

I read slot of Sci-fi and this was in a class of its own. What a refreshing take on humanity! The worst, best, and most promising of us all on clear display. Rare to read something that is not already tired and done before.

[Claire Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from the Exoskelton series.
Scarily accurate to the pandemic times we are living through just now which made it an ever more compelling read.

[john · Rating 5 out of 5]

good series

A great set of books I could barely put them down and i hope there is more to follow. Thanks

[Steven Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from being the best 4 books I've ever read they have lead me to change my beliefs about reality.
Please everyone read them, you must.

[mrs j cumming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book great series.

Very good series that gives you something different from the norm when it comes to this genre. Give it a try. You won't be disae.

[Paula whittleworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

I now need sleep. I've loved this series. I did find myself skimming as I was eager to find out what happened so had to stop myself as I missed bits.

[Alan Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Sci-fi I’ve read for a while, couldn’t put it down - excellent 👍

[Eric WIlder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The craziness continues, and I will be gutted if this is the last installment.

Cant recommend this series enough.

May be too long for some readers., but I thouroughly enjoyed this one!

[Emz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be excessively lengthy. Nevertheless, it has been a captivating and enjoyable series that I have largely appreciated.

[Veritus · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting take on motality and what it means to be alive

It was a well written conclusion, or more aptly said a discourse on the true nature of the soul. Very well done

[Joe Reininger · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable book series I've ever read. Every book is a page turner. A bit of everything-- horror, science fiction, thriller, espionage, metaphysics, and a bit of romance.

[gary owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new Carl Sagan

Thoroughly good read, thought provoking and cool insight into a great concept of who we are and where we are going. Movie? Yes, Series? a must.

[alejandro de la fuente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved these books series, after being a long time since my Last read, these books made me a book junkie again