What do you think?
Rate this book
The Devil's Calling
Dive into the second entry in Mike Kelley’s spellbinding trilogy, with freethinking literature professor Sean Byron McQueen returning for another high-stakes adventure.
It’s been nine years since Sean Byron McQueen and quantum physics professor Emily Edens—aka M—discovered his murdered best friend’s Theory of Everything. Now, Sean and M live a near-idyllic life on the campus of a college they’ve established for young women. M’s teaching of the new paradigm-shifting theory of constant creation has made her a rock-star scientist.
When Sean’s missing spiritual guide, Juno—believed to have been abducted by aliens that are targeting enlightened beings—sends him a telepathic message that his beloved and illuminated M is also in danger, Sean becomes hypervigilant in order to protect her.
Meanwhile, troubling AI-produced literature begins arriving in Sean’s inbox, and the culprit may be an ex-CIA operative with the code name Guru who is intent on revenge. Sean presumes the Guru is also the mastermind behind Genesis, a super-intelligent Russian computer that will connect humans via a network of direct brain-to-brain links. Genesis is seen as the next evolutionary step by the wired-in nation (WiN), a group determined to create a New Society. Are the Guru and WiN after M,who is determined to ensure the ethical rollout of the dangerous “hive-mind” technology, or are the threats figments of Sean’s vivid imagination—his superpower and curse?
It’s been nine years since Sean Byron McQueen and quantum physics professor Emily Edens—aka M—discovered his murdered best friend’s Theory of Everything. Now, Sean and M live a near-idyllic life on the campus of a college they’ve established for young women. M’s teaching of the new paradigm-shifting theory of constant creation has made her a rock-star scientist.
When Sean’s missing spiritual guide, Juno—believed to have been abducted by aliens that are targeting enlightened beings—sends him a telepathic message that his beloved and illuminated M is also in danger, Sean becomes hypervigilant in order to protect her.
Meanwhile, troubling AI-produced literature begins arriving in Sean’s inbox, and the culprit may be an ex-CIA operative with the code name Guru who is intent on revenge. Sean presumes the Guru is also the mastermind behind Genesis, a super-intelligent Russian computer that will connect humans via a network of direct brain-to-brain links. Genesis is seen as the next evolutionary step by the wired-in nation (WiN), a group determined to create a New Society. Are the Guru and WiN after M,who is determined to ensure the ethical rollout of the dangerous “hive-mind” technology, or are the threats figments of Sean’s vivid imagination—his superpower and curse?
480 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2022
15 people are currently reading
1536 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 17, 2022
This is a well written, somewhat esoteric tale of a wine drinking, middle aged, yoga practicing, author who has founded a school for young ladies situated on the Oregon coast in a future time. I respect the hard work that has been put into this work but the strong sexual undercurrents were a bit much for me, but that's just me.
My thanks to the author, Michael Kelley, and the publisher, Greenleaf Book Group Press, for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway.
My thanks to the author, Michael Kelley, and the publisher, Greenleaf Book Group Press, for my electronic copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway.
October 21, 2022
A sequel to his first offering, The Lost Theory, Michael Kelley takes the reader to the characters’ lives nine years later in the thrilling sci-fi adventure, The Devil’s Calling.
Kelley cleverly mixes mystery, science-fiction, philosophy, spirituality and action in this globe-spanning thriller of a novel. As in the previous book, the story centers around Sean McQueen and Emily Edens, the latter nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics, finding themselves thrust into the position of having to save the world with the help of friends. On the surface, Kelley takes the reader around the planet for an intriguing high-tech experience while at the same time leading a similar tour of McQueen’s mind, inner conflict and feelings for Emily.
Kelley brilliantly continues to develop the protagonists’ personalities and relationships amid the progression of the story and interactions with both new characters, life-altering situations and entanglements with future-science phenomena. As a Wall Street Businessman who later studied yoga and meditation, perhaps the author has inserted his own spiritual revelations into those McQueen uncovers within himself as Kelley tells the story through his lead’s eyes.
For those who enjoy the proverbial “Easter Eggs” within books and other creations, Kelley offers nods to some of the great classic rock artists sprinkled throughout the book.
Kelley cleverly mixes mystery, science-fiction, philosophy, spirituality and action in this globe-spanning thriller of a novel. As in the previous book, the story centers around Sean McQueen and Emily Edens, the latter nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics, finding themselves thrust into the position of having to save the world with the help of friends. On the surface, Kelley takes the reader around the planet for an intriguing high-tech experience while at the same time leading a similar tour of McQueen’s mind, inner conflict and feelings for Emily.
Kelley brilliantly continues to develop the protagonists’ personalities and relationships amid the progression of the story and interactions with both new characters, life-altering situations and entanglements with future-science phenomena. As a Wall Street Businessman who later studied yoga and meditation, perhaps the author has inserted his own spiritual revelations into those McQueen uncovers within himself as Kelley tells the story through his lead’s eyes.
For those who enjoy the proverbial “Easter Eggs” within books and other creations, Kelley offers nods to some of the great classic rock artists sprinkled throughout the book.
March 17, 2023
The Devil’s Calling
At the heart of this novel is defining telepathy and receiving messages while the recipient is in meditation. How they arrive is described and where is just part of how the messages are received. It was believed that Juno was the one sending these messages and might be testing the hologram technology maybe in deep meditation. Was it an alien abduction? But, Sean McQueen was in a hologram with Ting and the message said M: Dean's wife: from the good in this far outweighs the bad. But the message from Juno said: M, too, will be lost! Then: nothing real is ever lost. Will he tell M? The story begins with the past, nine year's ago and the book which comes to pass is revealed but not quite fast. There are many worlds that are drawn into one into the world at Deejsha West which is a University established for self-realization of self? Students are taught to choose love over fear. Yoga, meditation, telepathy, and Big Love are practiced. Dylan Byrne’s theory of everything, M became famous as the constant creation theory’s main scientific champion. Added M was nominated for A Nobel Prize and a hologram message from Ting and telepathy from Juno the same day.
Humanity moved in 2 directions in responding to threats of annihilation. One direction toward artificial intelligence and the second toward natural spirit. Brain-computer interfacing was providing social distancing and seclusion for the fearful and lonely masses. It allows these people to connect to a virtual world of wishes and dreams. The technology includes an undisclosed number of sensor electrodes which allows and enables the chipped mind to control his computer with thought. The chips are routed to remote self-learning quantum computers enhancing greater abilities. Added we learn that Sean is in the process of writing The Devil is Calling. The novel also centers on those wired in vs those that are not. We learn about the emails Sean receives might be from an ex-CIA operative's code-named Guru who intends revenge on Sean and he thinks he's the one behind Genesis a super-intelligent Russian computer that will connect humans via a network of direct brain-to-brain links. The wired nation sees this as their next evolutionary step. Goal a new society and are they and the Guru after M? She is bent and determined to assure the ethical rollout of the dangerous hive-mind technology. Is this a real threat? Then the revelation as someone arrives to announce the launching of the Global BCI Fellowship. It's an initiative that combines Neurotech’s BCI Brain Mapping Technology and robotic chip implementation with Genesis. In Genesis, the speaker reveals we will have the ability to simultaneously link kinds so thoughts and information can be shared instantaneously with one other person or an entire society linked in minds. A beta test will follow and the hope humans will sign up and take subscriptions to join.
Events moved in many directions as M and Sean spend a final night together but not before an odd happening occurs. Does a painting arrive who sent it? Dealing with two people will they buy it? Moving to the final hours and now on her you have more odd texts and more odd messages and the manipulation comes full circle as Sean and Guru face off in person.
The Guru believed he was doing good by creating got mankind an Uber/ superhero powered by his AI. He even thinks it is benevolent. Is the collective good really his driving desire? What is behind the collaboration offer M got?
His means: took all of Petrovskys Russia had to offer and that was abundant wealth, facilities, and minds, and put it at the service of his creation. Wrong a misstep he claims that Petrovsky’s only power over him war to take his life. Will Genesis make him immortal? He continued and rambled on and questioned Sean about his love of constant creation. He gives his take on it and you begin to wonder if he's delusional and then a revelation about M. His new advances would end disciplined thinking and connect minds. The discussion continues but his terror and fear at his rantings and ideals make him shutter.
Truths come out and what and who he thought was Guru was Samantha and why you will decide for yourself as we hear M speak and a reanalysis about Guru and Genesis added in her answer about Moscow institutes invitation to collaborate. A question that sets off a discussion and answers that M has to respond to.
The question:
Her response in detail follows and readers will decide how they feel about constant creation and why Sean does not want her to Moscow, how his plot comes into this, and how constant creation may be tapped into to connect the wired in a community in some important way and this may be a way of Genesis. What role does Petovsky play? Why does he wants her to not go to Moscow? Why protection?
Characters created by the author are diversified, tension bound, deceitful, cunning, and loyal to a point, but will it all end up?
M goes missing and different speculations follow as Sean goes in search of her Ting needs him about Juno and the truth about where and why she is. A press release that was damaging and an accusation that would hurt Sean. Was the competing press release real or something else? Where is M? Alien option, living in 2036? Her disappearance heats up and Sean seems to help is Samantha involved and just how is he coping? Will telepathy work to reach her? Going to Juno’s sanctuary and meeting with his team different theories were spoken. Then shocking news and a harsh revelation as someone is not who they thought she is and might have been working with the person who took M. How does it link to the messages from Sir Arthur?
Why does the final letter to his children and Astri and YaLan plus Brian and Eric will they care for them if they do not return? Lies, deception, a friend killed, Sean, being taken by the Guru and plans for using M, and the deceptions by Samantha. Old enemies are alive, and sacrifices might be made as Dick who has Sean, and Dylan who died at his hand brings to light the horrors that will follow. Author Michael Kelly created an ending that connects Sean’s plot, everyone at risk, and an explosive twist you won't expect. M had her own theories and Guru was not relenting and others would pay as Sean decided a fate of his own the hologram disappears and the final ending leaves you to wonder about Juno and Dylan and where life and the Genesis ideology, the Guru and his minions wind up and The Devil’s Calling just who is it and who will fall?
2027 and different universes and a novel dealing with AI technology and a cast of chsracters created by a creative author asking this question: who will the devil call next?
Fran Lewis just reviews
Sent from my iPhone
September 3, 2024
Not bad enough to be DNF but slow plotting and over my head details made this DNE(njoy).
October 10, 2022
Writing an impactful book is an author’s primary desire, but ‘The Devil’s Calling’ by Michael Kelley impacted me before I even finished by invading my dreams. This dramatic and rather cinematic apparition highlighted a primary aspect of the story: telepathy. Kelley’s novel, a healthy 550 pages, takes place in 2027 and tracks on parallel story lines: current time, dramatic events nine years earlier that sets up the main conflict and the end of the Great Pandemic in 2022.
Professor Emily Edens, referred to as M by her husband, professor and author Sean McQueen, are the primary characters in the battle which resulted from her new theory, Big Love, and major tech advances for societal control. As the story unfolds, the events of nine years earlier and the book and theory which evolved, are slowly revealed. One is drawn into their world at Deeksha West, a university in the wilds of Oregon they founded, where mediation, Yoga, telepathy and Big Love are taught, practiced and honed to an art form that may help save mankind from itself.
Many colorful characters populate the story and enliven the tightening tension, leaving the reader to guess which are deceitful enemies or true allies? However, it is important to focus on what Michael Kelley wants us to know, understand and cogitate in the wake of the story. Brain chip implants have become the new rage in 2027, they hook the recipient right into the Internet, artificial intelligence and all information and developments in the world. This, of course, allows for possible manipulation and control of the recipient, or victim? On the opposite side is M’s world-famous theory of Big Love and her highly anticipated tour of Europe to tout how “ethical restraints” on wired-in AI is required.
Her quote from the book explains the problem, “Brain-computer interface is an extension of the analytical mind, and though it may be used for poetry and for figuring out ways to feed the hungry and provide healing cures, it will also magnify the ego a hundred times, which, if not restrained by enlightened minds, could lead to the destruction of the world. Imagining AI developing into a superego is a scary prospect.”
Kelley sets up that direct conflict in a manner which takes the reader into the minds of both sides; with all of issues of life hashed out in a dramatic and slowly evolving showdown which keeps the reader focused, intrigued and on edge. A journey well worth taking but realize this: Kelley has picked 2027 because events during the real pandemic have accelerated the real conflict he describes in fiction. Medical mandates, advances in surveillance state techniques, big tech intrusion involving freedom of speech and thought, digital currencies and more picked up steam and morphed dramatically during the pandemic.
Keeping in mind that central control and striving towards freedom are the age-old human dilemma, this is about forcing all of us to look in the mirror and decide if we should trade our freedom for a collective based on ideology and bureaucratic technological power; should we sacrifice our divine soul, beliefs and cognitive decision-making ability to prevent societal or community ostracism; should we allow governmental and corporate digital intrusion to guide what we consume, do, say and write?
Michael Kelley wants every single person to remember that each second ‘The Devil’s Calling.’
Brad Butler, Author
Professor Emily Edens, referred to as M by her husband, professor and author Sean McQueen, are the primary characters in the battle which resulted from her new theory, Big Love, and major tech advances for societal control. As the story unfolds, the events of nine years earlier and the book and theory which evolved, are slowly revealed. One is drawn into their world at Deeksha West, a university in the wilds of Oregon they founded, where mediation, Yoga, telepathy and Big Love are taught, practiced and honed to an art form that may help save mankind from itself.
Many colorful characters populate the story and enliven the tightening tension, leaving the reader to guess which are deceitful enemies or true allies? However, it is important to focus on what Michael Kelley wants us to know, understand and cogitate in the wake of the story. Brain chip implants have become the new rage in 2027, they hook the recipient right into the Internet, artificial intelligence and all information and developments in the world. This, of course, allows for possible manipulation and control of the recipient, or victim? On the opposite side is M’s world-famous theory of Big Love and her highly anticipated tour of Europe to tout how “ethical restraints” on wired-in AI is required.
Her quote from the book explains the problem, “Brain-computer interface is an extension of the analytical mind, and though it may be used for poetry and for figuring out ways to feed the hungry and provide healing cures, it will also magnify the ego a hundred times, which, if not restrained by enlightened minds, could lead to the destruction of the world. Imagining AI developing into a superego is a scary prospect.”
Kelley sets up that direct conflict in a manner which takes the reader into the minds of both sides; with all of issues of life hashed out in a dramatic and slowly evolving showdown which keeps the reader focused, intrigued and on edge. A journey well worth taking but realize this: Kelley has picked 2027 because events during the real pandemic have accelerated the real conflict he describes in fiction. Medical mandates, advances in surveillance state techniques, big tech intrusion involving freedom of speech and thought, digital currencies and more picked up steam and morphed dramatically during the pandemic.
Keeping in mind that central control and striving towards freedom are the age-old human dilemma, this is about forcing all of us to look in the mirror and decide if we should trade our freedom for a collective based on ideology and bureaucratic technological power; should we sacrifice our divine soul, beliefs and cognitive decision-making ability to prevent societal or community ostracism; should we allow governmental and corporate digital intrusion to guide what we consume, do, say and write?
Michael Kelley wants every single person to remember that each second ‘The Devil’s Calling.’
Brad Butler, Author
October 21, 2022
Michael Kelley’s second book of a trilogy, “The Devil’s Calling,” is a brilliant and heart-pounding metaphysical science fiction epic saga. Packed with essential and urgent ethical questions over the future of technology and life in the not-too-distant future, it picks up where his first book, “The Lost Theory,” left off, nine years after the two protagonists discovered an artifact known as the “Theory of Everything.” It’s a journey of self-realization and a cautionary tale for generations to come. It’s the kind of book that hooks you from the start and never lets go until the final sentence of the final page.
Kelley, whose background was in the financial world and on Wall Street, has been a full-time author since 2015 and has spent years studying quantum physics and Eastern mysticism and philosophy. His insights into metaphysical questions and dilemmas are what make this book come to life and really shine.
“The Devil’s Calling” is set in the year 2027 and pits Constant Creation Theory and Big Love against the contemporary beliefs of the Wired-in-Nation or WiN. The book opens with literature professor Sean Byron McQueen and his partner, quantum physics professor Emily Edens, or M, on one of their nature hikes in the mountains of Oregon, just north of their college, the Deeksha West. M has just received word that she has been nominated for a Nobel Prize when Sean receives some foreboding news from a spiritual savant named Juno through the use of telepathy. Both M and Sean are steadfast opponents of the idea of a wired-in New Society named Genesis, soon scheduled to go online by Russian developers. The network would create a kind of interlinked internet of the intellect and is backed by the egomaniacal and dangerous Russian President Petrovsky and possibly also by McQueen’s archnemesis, The Guru, who may or may not be alive. M has written and spoken out extensively about the ethical concerns surrounding the Genesis computer network because it is in conflict with Big Love and Constant Creation Theory, which she and Sean fervently believe in. Despite threats and fear of protests by WiN extremists, M has plans to conduct a European lecture tour that will separate her from Sean and their family and put her on a collision course with her adversaries. This scenario leads to a perilous denouement with everything at stake.
This sci-fi story pits human-based intelligence against automated thought. “The Devil’s Calling” is a deep dive into the future of man and computers and raises countless questions about complex topics like telepathy, and even aliens, angels and demons. The book’s basic questions concern the concepts of the human spirit and free will and the cost of surrendering the latter to achieve happiness. It’s an intense and sometimes challenging novel but, in the end, it is a satisfying and quite brilliant treatise that explores many realms of human consciousness.
Highly recommended.
Kelley, whose background was in the financial world and on Wall Street, has been a full-time author since 2015 and has spent years studying quantum physics and Eastern mysticism and philosophy. His insights into metaphysical questions and dilemmas are what make this book come to life and really shine.
“The Devil’s Calling” is set in the year 2027 and pits Constant Creation Theory and Big Love against the contemporary beliefs of the Wired-in-Nation or WiN. The book opens with literature professor Sean Byron McQueen and his partner, quantum physics professor Emily Edens, or M, on one of their nature hikes in the mountains of Oregon, just north of their college, the Deeksha West. M has just received word that she has been nominated for a Nobel Prize when Sean receives some foreboding news from a spiritual savant named Juno through the use of telepathy. Both M and Sean are steadfast opponents of the idea of a wired-in New Society named Genesis, soon scheduled to go online by Russian developers. The network would create a kind of interlinked internet of the intellect and is backed by the egomaniacal and dangerous Russian President Petrovsky and possibly also by McQueen’s archnemesis, The Guru, who may or may not be alive. M has written and spoken out extensively about the ethical concerns surrounding the Genesis computer network because it is in conflict with Big Love and Constant Creation Theory, which she and Sean fervently believe in. Despite threats and fear of protests by WiN extremists, M has plans to conduct a European lecture tour that will separate her from Sean and their family and put her on a collision course with her adversaries. This scenario leads to a perilous denouement with everything at stake.
This sci-fi story pits human-based intelligence against automated thought. “The Devil’s Calling” is a deep dive into the future of man and computers and raises countless questions about complex topics like telepathy, and even aliens, angels and demons. The book’s basic questions concern the concepts of the human spirit and free will and the cost of surrendering the latter to achieve happiness. It’s an intense and sometimes challenging novel but, in the end, it is a satisfying and quite brilliant treatise that explores many realms of human consciousness.
Highly recommended.
April 9, 2023
The Devil’s Calling by Michael Kelley peers wistfully into the near future. It’s not a dystopian future, nor is it a utopian future. What is so refreshing about Kelley’s world is that it is so much like our own. There are hopeful and joyful elements. There are also perils and wise warnings. It is a world where AI and religion continue to develop, but not at the expense of the human. Technology neither threatens to annihilate humanity like Skynet in The Terminator, nor do the people eschew technology for a more transcendent life. The main character, Sean, is a writer and teacher. His wife, Emily (called M) is a teacher, public speaker, and wise and talented spiritual guide. Sean and M, with their children Juno and Dylan, live at their special school and in the community of other teachers and students. Their beliefs are a mix of various religions, and they live in all things in the pursuit and promotion of Big Love and what is called “constant creation.” But not everyone in the world is convinced that their teaching and lifestyle is the right path to human transcendency and peace! This is the second book in a series. I highly recommend it!
Opinion:
In The Devil’s Calling, Sean and M are pursuing a transcendent life that involves telepathy, various Eastern religious practices, and promoting Big Love. Kelley is touching on something that every human being longs for: something more than this world and this life. It’s in all our hearts to reach or grasp a goodness and a peace that is beyond ourselves. While many religions try to find this from within, it is impossible. What is unique about Kelley’s book is the intermixing of AI and other technology to develop the human psyche and inter-connectedness in the pursuit of this goodness and peace. Technology is not a threat in Kelley’s book (unless it falls in the wrong hands!), but a servant or companion that goes along with humanity on this journey. The book ends with the hope of transcendence beyond the physical. And yet the physical remains such a critical need for humanity, doesn’t it? I do find the intermixing of Christianity with all these other religions curious and interesting. It is surely a caricature of Christianity that is presented—Christianity is not merely following the morals and ethics of Jesus. Christianity is about a total-person transformation that God makes, and it is that transformation from the inside that results in ethical living. The Christian Bible teaches a transcendence that humanity really desires: resurrection of the body and the soul. There is that tension at the end of this book: is spiritual transcendence enough without the body? But I’m interested in reading the next book in the series.
Opinion:
In The Devil’s Calling, Sean and M are pursuing a transcendent life that involves telepathy, various Eastern religious practices, and promoting Big Love. Kelley is touching on something that every human being longs for: something more than this world and this life. It’s in all our hearts to reach or grasp a goodness and a peace that is beyond ourselves. While many religions try to find this from within, it is impossible. What is unique about Kelley’s book is the intermixing of AI and other technology to develop the human psyche and inter-connectedness in the pursuit of this goodness and peace. Technology is not a threat in Kelley’s book (unless it falls in the wrong hands!), but a servant or companion that goes along with humanity on this journey. The book ends with the hope of transcendence beyond the physical. And yet the physical remains such a critical need for humanity, doesn’t it? I do find the intermixing of Christianity with all these other religions curious and interesting. It is surely a caricature of Christianity that is presented—Christianity is not merely following the morals and ethics of Jesus. Christianity is about a total-person transformation that God makes, and it is that transformation from the inside that results in ethical living. The Christian Bible teaches a transcendence that humanity really desires: resurrection of the body and the soul. There is that tension at the end of this book: is spiritual transcendence enough without the body? But I’m interested in reading the next book in the series.
December 13, 2022
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review. I only read this book because I didn’t know it was part of a series.
This book is such a mixed bag. My 1 line review is “when 5 star speculative fiction ideas are taken hostage by a terrible protagonist”. Sean is the worst. A little neuroticism to start the book would have been fine, but by page 250 it’s grating. As the book drags on, you wonder why M would even bother with this dude. His ego was so big that there was no room for Big Love. I won’t even get into the gender politics. Because of how awful he was, The Guru came off as a Saturday morning cartoon villain. I almost rated this as 2 star because of Sean’s character.
But, I really loved some of these ideas of spiritualism meets technology. I loved seeing people at different stages as they embraced and/or rejected technology. The extrapolation of people getting implants is not too far fetched, and it is a likely step forward. I think perhaps there was too much jargon at times that it muddled bigger ideas, but it didn’t stand in the way of the story. I remember a sequence towards the end of the book where blockchain, encrypted communication, private keys, and all sorts of other terms were thrown out while describing something rather simple. These were all previously mentioned, and it didn’t need to be rehashed.
If this book edited out Sean’s neuroticism and ego trip along with extraneous descriptions of technology, it would be at least 200 pages shorter. It would make for a tight book with great ideas. I don’t think I’ll be picking up the first book, but it was fun to see where this went.
This book is such a mixed bag. My 1 line review is “when 5 star speculative fiction ideas are taken hostage by a terrible protagonist”. Sean is the worst. A little neuroticism to start the book would have been fine, but by page 250 it’s grating. As the book drags on, you wonder why M would even bother with this dude. His ego was so big that there was no room for Big Love. I won’t even get into the gender politics. Because of how awful he was, The Guru came off as a Saturday morning cartoon villain. I almost rated this as 2 star because of Sean’s character.
But, I really loved some of these ideas of spiritualism meets technology. I loved seeing people at different stages as they embraced and/or rejected technology. The extrapolation of people getting implants is not too far fetched, and it is a likely step forward. I think perhaps there was too much jargon at times that it muddled bigger ideas, but it didn’t stand in the way of the story. I remember a sequence towards the end of the book where blockchain, encrypted communication, private keys, and all sorts of other terms were thrown out while describing something rather simple. These were all previously mentioned, and it didn’t need to be rehashed.
If this book edited out Sean’s neuroticism and ego trip along with extraneous descriptions of technology, it would be at least 200 pages shorter. It would make for a tight book with great ideas. I don’t think I’ll be picking up the first book, but it was fun to see where this went.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
I got this book from the Goodreads Giveaway.
I was very bored reading this book, but I was also stubborn, so stubborn that I decided to finish it, despite every cell of my body yelling no. It ended up taking me almost a month.
I do not like the book because:
1. It fails to make me care for the characters, who sound and behave rather childishly.
2. It creates an un-convincing world. I am used to suspending belief to make world-building work in sci-fi, but the settings in this book is simply poor, maybe below the 10 percentile mark.
In a word, I simply don't believe any of the characters can exist, let alone function, in a world depicted in the book. Despite my effort to be forgiving, I cannot immerse myself in the story. Perhaps not having read the first book contributes to the disengagement, yet a sequel should not depend on its predecessor to be successful. In fact, I'd argue that a good sequel will entice a reader to reading the first book, not dropping them in a whirlwind of confusion and lackluster plot so that they decide to not touch the series even with a ten-foot pole.
I certainly belong to the latter group.
I was very bored reading this book, but I was also stubborn, so stubborn that I decided to finish it, despite every cell of my body yelling no. It ended up taking me almost a month.
I do not like the book because:
1. It fails to make me care for the characters, who sound and behave rather childishly.
2. It creates an un-convincing world. I am used to suspending belief to make world-building work in sci-fi, but the settings in this book is simply poor, maybe below the 10 percentile mark.
In a word, I simply don't believe any of the characters can exist, let alone function, in a world depicted in the book. Despite my effort to be forgiving, I cannot immerse myself in the story. Perhaps not having read the first book contributes to the disengagement, yet a sequel should not depend on its predecessor to be successful. In fact, I'd argue that a good sequel will entice a reader to reading the first book, not dropping them in a whirlwind of confusion and lackluster plot so that they decide to not touch the series even with a ten-foot pole.
I certainly belong to the latter group.
December 25, 2022
This was an intriguing book. I enjoyed the science fiction blending of technology and the future of artificial intelligence and how it will impact humanity. This is a sequel to The Lost Theory and picks up nine years after the events in that book. The author does an excellent job of blending several different themes to form a cohesive book. The metaphysical aspects I struggled a bit with and hence the four star review. In some aspects it is as as if author tried to take on a little too much, the story is still a thrill ride and without giving away too much, I recommend this trilogy if you are a fan of hard core science fiction.
December 28, 2022
The beginning was a laborious read for me. At 16% I was sure it was going to be a DNF but pushed on. The first 51% took me forever to slog my way into. I was only able to get a few chapters a night completed. I was constantly distracted by the referencing of yoga poses and the flowery prose wasn't helping. Did I really need to know the characters were sitting in lotus while conversing? At 51% the tone and style of the writing shifted with the plot and the remaining chapters started galloping towards their conclusion. I rate the first half 1.5 stars, the second 3.5 stars. My thanks to Goodreads Giveaway for the ebook.
January 3, 2023
Thrilling and Intriguing
The thought that went into the explanation of all the technology and working software this book is amazing. The plot line was thrilling and kept you hanging on as you dove further into the technology and futuristic story.
The thought that went into the explanation of all the technology and working software this book is amazing. The plot line was thrilling and kept you hanging on as you dove further into the technology and futuristic story.
May 28, 2023
The Devil’s Calling
The overall story was okay. I despised how the book was written. It seemed disjointed and didn’t flow very well. Also having very futuristic concepts in a fairly modern book was confusing.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
The overall story was okay. I despised how the book was written. It seemed disjointed and didn’t flow very well. Also having very futuristic concepts in a fairly modern book was confusing.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
Want to read
October 26, 2022 I've received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.
RTC
RTC
January 8, 2023
Great story
This was a good thrill ride of a tale. Great characters and twists that keep the pages turning with anticipation of what comes next
This was a good thrill ride of a tale. Great characters and twists that keep the pages turning with anticipation of what comes next
February 23, 2023
Thanks for the free kindle copy.
I think this could have been written with 300 pages instead of 500.
I think this could have been written with 300 pages instead of 500.
July 24, 2022
‘Nothing real is ever lost’ – telepathic messages from a wondrous novel!
New York author Michael Kelley earned his degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has served as a lawyer, created an international business on Wall Street, and founded his own investment management firm. Now retired he lives in Duchess County and his writing is influenced by his practice of meditation, yoga, reading, and hiking. THE LOST THEORY was his debut novel and now he continues his trilogy with THE DEVIL’S CALLING.
There are so many enchanting aspects of this novel that the reader is bonded with the author even before the novel progresses – such as pages of ‘dedication’ to the innumerable famous artists in many fields who are mentioned or quoted throughout the book: such gracious generosity inspires. The novel is set in 2027 and as the story opens, references are made to this book’s title as though the primary character Sean McQueen is the author Michael Kelley! That clever ploy captures credibility as the sci-fi tale evolves.
For those who have not read the initial volume, very briefly Sean McQueen is a staid, middle-aged NYU literature professor leading an uneventful life, until he receives a cryptic letter from his intellectually and poetically gifted best friend, Dylan Byrne who has discovered "the theory of everything": a revelation that promises to alter man’s view of existence by reconciling science with spirituality. Sean discovers Dylan has died under mysterious circumstances and the theory has gone missing, so he teams with Dylan’s scientific collaborator, quantum cosmologist Emily Edens, to find the lost theory. Significant characters – Guru, Juno, Ting – enliven the story.
Now, in 2027, Sean and Emily (‘M’) – who has been nominated for a Nobel Prize for Science, the Physics prize, for her paper on Constant Creation’s Ethical Implication for Emergent Artificial Intelligence – become involved with the mystery of Juno, who is discovered to be alive through the use of holograms and telepathy. ‘Juno had led M and me into the experience of Big Love, the phrase she used to refer to the ever-present divine love springing infinitely from the source of all creation that might be found within our deep heart’s core.’ The adventure propels along with voracious but eloquent speed in exploring all manner of scientific concepts and theories in a manner that embraces mystery, sci-fi magical realism, romance, philosophy, spirituality, and poetry as well as some fine asides about culture. And there will be a continuation…soon, hopefully!
This is a wondrous novel – on so many levels, not the least of which is an affinity with the great novelists of the century: the work of a master artist is evident on every page and lingers in the mind after reading!
New York author Michael Kelley earned his degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has served as a lawyer, created an international business on Wall Street, and founded his own investment management firm. Now retired he lives in Duchess County and his writing is influenced by his practice of meditation, yoga, reading, and hiking. THE LOST THEORY was his debut novel and now he continues his trilogy with THE DEVIL’S CALLING.
There are so many enchanting aspects of this novel that the reader is bonded with the author even before the novel progresses – such as pages of ‘dedication’ to the innumerable famous artists in many fields who are mentioned or quoted throughout the book: such gracious generosity inspires. The novel is set in 2027 and as the story opens, references are made to this book’s title as though the primary character Sean McQueen is the author Michael Kelley! That clever ploy captures credibility as the sci-fi tale evolves.
For those who have not read the initial volume, very briefly Sean McQueen is a staid, middle-aged NYU literature professor leading an uneventful life, until he receives a cryptic letter from his intellectually and poetically gifted best friend, Dylan Byrne who has discovered "the theory of everything": a revelation that promises to alter man’s view of existence by reconciling science with spirituality. Sean discovers Dylan has died under mysterious circumstances and the theory has gone missing, so he teams with Dylan’s scientific collaborator, quantum cosmologist Emily Edens, to find the lost theory. Significant characters – Guru, Juno, Ting – enliven the story.
Now, in 2027, Sean and Emily (‘M’) – who has been nominated for a Nobel Prize for Science, the Physics prize, for her paper on Constant Creation’s Ethical Implication for Emergent Artificial Intelligence – become involved with the mystery of Juno, who is discovered to be alive through the use of holograms and telepathy. ‘Juno had led M and me into the experience of Big Love, the phrase she used to refer to the ever-present divine love springing infinitely from the source of all creation that might be found within our deep heart’s core.’ The adventure propels along with voracious but eloquent speed in exploring all manner of scientific concepts and theories in a manner that embraces mystery, sci-fi magical realism, romance, philosophy, spirituality, and poetry as well as some fine asides about culture. And there will be a continuation…soon, hopefully!
This is a wondrous novel – on so many levels, not the least of which is an affinity with the great novelists of the century: the work of a master artist is evident on every page and lingers in the mind after reading!
July 25, 2022
Written in the rarely used first person, present tense, this novel spans a few weeks’ time in the life of Sean McQueen. Vaunted author, professor, and cofounder at Deeksha West, a school for women that offers free admission for those who can’t afford it, McQueen is at a crossroads. Set only a few years past present time, the novel contemplates a reality where AI is an integrated part of life, alien abductions are a common phenomenon and people routinely appear as holograms. During a deep mediation to help work through his writer’s block and his worry about the world’s future, McQueen learns from his spiritual counselor that his wife, life’s love and cofounder of the college, M, will be ‘lost’.
As McQueen tries to discern whether the premonition was metaphorical or actual, M sets out on a global tour to discuss her world view theory of Big Love, a notion that puts divine love at the center of creation. Meanwhile, the Guru, the couple’s nemesis, pushes Genesis, a program that will link all human minds to each other with the simple implantation of a device in the brain. Since M’s Big Theory contemplates introspection and individual connection, she is staunchly opposed to Genesis and the Guru seeks to silence her.
In a world where everyone can already ‘wire in’ their brains to the internet (but not yet to each other), the book touches on the ethics of AI and how far we as humans really should take it. Is being able to access all electronically stored information with our brains something we should contemplate? And what about going a step further, linking humans brains to each other? While the novel is fictitious, the questions it posits are ones that we will undoubtedly be addressing in our society perhaps sooner than later.
As McQueen seeks to protect his M, he faces multiple roadblocks including a promiscuous student, an unreliable reporter, a treacherous hike, and armed men, both real and holographic. The good vs. evil pits America against Russia, emotion against technology, and love against brute force. And, of course, the idea of what happens if our seemingly never-ending access to technology falls into the wrong hands for a nefarious purpose. Who prevails? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
As McQueen tries to discern whether the premonition was metaphorical or actual, M sets out on a global tour to discuss her world view theory of Big Love, a notion that puts divine love at the center of creation. Meanwhile, the Guru, the couple’s nemesis, pushes Genesis, a program that will link all human minds to each other with the simple implantation of a device in the brain. Since M’s Big Theory contemplates introspection and individual connection, she is staunchly opposed to Genesis and the Guru seeks to silence her.
In a world where everyone can already ‘wire in’ their brains to the internet (but not yet to each other), the book touches on the ethics of AI and how far we as humans really should take it. Is being able to access all electronically stored information with our brains something we should contemplate? And what about going a step further, linking humans brains to each other? While the novel is fictitious, the questions it posits are ones that we will undoubtedly be addressing in our society perhaps sooner than later.
As McQueen seeks to protect his M, he faces multiple roadblocks including a promiscuous student, an unreliable reporter, a treacherous hike, and armed men, both real and holographic. The good vs. evil pits America against Russia, emotion against technology, and love against brute force. And, of course, the idea of what happens if our seemingly never-ending access to technology falls into the wrong hands for a nefarious purpose. Who prevails? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
February 29, 2024
This is the second book in a trilogy. Sean and M establish college for women. Juno is Sean's spirit guide who just happens to be missing, contracts Sean telepathically. that M is endangered. There are Aliens that are rumored to extract enlightened human beings and M might be next. This story is crazy! Science, Aliens and a human bag guy! What else can you ask for in this thrilling story. The plot and story are AMAZING. If you read the synopsis of this book, you may wonder what is going on here. But the story grabs you from the start and will not let go until the exciting conclusion. Wonderful storytelling.
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews