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The Glass #1
The Other Place
When a mysterious invisible barrier appears on a Montana ranch, no one knows what to think of it.
Drake, a retired police detective, receives a call in the dead of night from an alien-obsessed podcaster. He hastily departs for Montana the following morning.
The phenomenon continues all over the globe. What are they? What do they mean?
Britt is on assignment for a digital magazine when she encounters one of the Glass in a tragic boating accident, leaving her no choice but to follow the lead.
Panic ensues as mysterious creatures are sighted.
Will has never left the relative safety of his small town, having begun to accept a life he doesn’t want. Now he must venture into the unknown with the girl of his dreams.
The Glass seem innocuous, until they start to glow…
Ransom, a washed-up Broadway actor and single father, tends bar in the Upper West Side. His daughter shares his knack for knowing things, and they head west as their intuition guides them to the source.
Together they must discover the truth behind the Glass, or risk losing their world forever.
The Other Place is an epic post-apocalyptic science fiction tale from the best-selling author of Lost Contact, First Life, and The Event.
Drake, a retired police detective, receives a call in the dead of night from an alien-obsessed podcaster. He hastily departs for Montana the following morning.
The phenomenon continues all over the globe. What are they? What do they mean?
Britt is on assignment for a digital magazine when she encounters one of the Glass in a tragic boating accident, leaving her no choice but to follow the lead.
Panic ensues as mysterious creatures are sighted.
Will has never left the relative safety of his small town, having begun to accept a life he doesn’t want. Now he must venture into the unknown with the girl of his dreams.
The Glass seem innocuous, until they start to glow…
Ransom, a washed-up Broadway actor and single father, tends bar in the Upper West Side. His daughter shares his knack for knowing things, and they head west as their intuition guides them to the source.
Together they must discover the truth behind the Glass, or risk losing their world forever.
The Other Place is an epic post-apocalyptic science fiction tale from the best-selling author of Lost Contact, First Life, and The Event.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
1221 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 9, 2022
I had a really hard time getting through this book. The concept is interesting but they waste so much time on pointless crap that it was boring more often than it was interesting. I am not going to bother with the sequel.
October 27, 2024
October 2024
For some reason I didn't find it difficult to keep track of the characters. Obviously I'd read it previously but it made more sense this time. Still a good story, not the best I've ever read (although I do like the author's work) but still a decent series. This sets the scene but doesn't answer all the questions, which is good. We have aliens, but we apparently have different aliens, then we have time travel, yep, it's all in there. It makes sense but has an open ending, providing the opportunity for the next book in the series to answer some questions.
It also has a character who's kind of an anti-hero; he's pretty shifty and it's great entertainment to try and figure him out. And RC Bray is his usual fantastic self on audio.
May 2023
There are a lot of characters to keep track of here - but it's still a pretty good story in terms of zombie-like creatures and alternate dimensions. I think this book is pretty much setting the stage for the rest of the series. I'm in.
And RC Bray, I mean, yeah.
For some reason I didn't find it difficult to keep track of the characters. Obviously I'd read it previously but it made more sense this time. Still a good story, not the best I've ever read (although I do like the author's work) but still a decent series. This sets the scene but doesn't answer all the questions, which is good. We have aliens, but we apparently have different aliens, then we have time travel, yep, it's all in there. It makes sense but has an open ending, providing the opportunity for the next book in the series to answer some questions.
It also has a character who's kind of an anti-hero; he's pretty shifty and it's great entertainment to try and figure him out. And RC Bray is his usual fantastic self on audio.
May 2023
There are a lot of characters to keep track of here - but it's still a pretty good story in terms of zombie-like creatures and alternate dimensions. I think this book is pretty much setting the stage for the rest of the series. I'm in.
And RC Bray, I mean, yeah.
September 9, 2022
THE OTHER PLACE is top-flight Earthbound Science Fiction from accomplished and prolific multi-genre Author Nathan Hystad. Here he brings the Science Fiction to we earthlings...and does he ever.
Across the globe, invisible sheets of an otherworldly transparent substance inexplicably appear without warning, in some cases resulting in fatalities, in others, virtually unnoticed, without rhyme or reason. A Podcaster focusing on Alien events, a private Investigator once a homicide Detective, a freelance digital media journalist, two small-town adolescents, and others find themselves inextricably involved, while all around them, the world is on the verge of collapse.
THE OTHER PLACE brings heart-in-mouth, breathtaking, nonstop Apocalyptic Science Fiction.
Across the globe, invisible sheets of an otherworldly transparent substance inexplicably appear without warning, in some cases resulting in fatalities, in others, virtually unnoticed, without rhyme or reason. A Podcaster focusing on Alien events, a private Investigator once a homicide Detective, a freelance digital media journalist, two small-town adolescents, and others find themselves inextricably involved, while all around them, the world is on the verge of collapse.
THE OTHER PLACE brings heart-in-mouth, breathtaking, nonstop Apocalyptic Science Fiction.
September 14, 2022
Ransom and his daughter have 'inclinations' inciting them to perform certain actions or go to some place. He doesn't know why, just that the urge to do it is undeniable. Chrissy, his daughter, knows what will happen and draws pictures of it, them, or where, depending. She's been through the Glass, in a dream. She just knows things.
Strange glass boxes appear around the world. Impenetrable, unbreakable, completely transparent, the glass boxes appear randomly, it seems, and things begin to come out of them. Strange beings, human-like in appearance, naked hairy and bestial, come through the glass and attack people, eating them. Bites on survivors heal with black tendrils growing from the wounds. Soon, something else begins coming from the Glass, colorless, barely an odor, but changing Earth's atmosphere, none the less. The changed atmosphere begins killing people by the millions billions maybe. Seems the only survivors have touched the Glass, or been wounded by the Strangers, the Visitors, whatever you want to call them. One man has an idea what's happening, Cedric by name. He knows things, and he has a UFO that he acquired in a farmer's barn. A UFO! Stranger things are happening and he seems to know why.
A terrific cast, an amazing storyline we're still working through, and enough action to fill another boom! Hard to pit down! Characters we're just getting to know and love. Altogether, a terrific story and a great read! I can't wait to dig into book 2!
Strange glass boxes appear around the world. Impenetrable, unbreakable, completely transparent, the glass boxes appear randomly, it seems, and things begin to come out of them. Strange beings, human-like in appearance, naked hairy and bestial, come through the glass and attack people, eating them. Bites on survivors heal with black tendrils growing from the wounds. Soon, something else begins coming from the Glass, colorless, barely an odor, but changing Earth's atmosphere, none the less. The changed atmosphere begins killing people by the millions billions maybe. Seems the only survivors have touched the Glass, or been wounded by the Strangers, the Visitors, whatever you want to call them. One man has an idea what's happening, Cedric by name. He knows things, and he has a UFO that he acquired in a farmer's barn. A UFO! Stranger things are happening and he seems to know why.
A terrific cast, an amazing storyline we're still working through, and enough action to fill another boom! Hard to pit down! Characters we're just getting to know and love. Altogether, a terrific story and a great read! I can't wait to dig into book 2!
September 12, 2022
Solid, transparent walls begin to suddenly appear in random places: in a pasture, cutting a cow in half; in a lake, causing a boat to crash; in a street, causing cars to wreck. Sometimes lights flash in a wall and strange, naked humanoid creatures walk out. Then large numbers of humans start dying, sometimes via humanoid attack, but mostly by apparent asphyxiation. A very few humans survive, regardless of age, race, gender or occupation. Mr. Hystad presents the story by switching through the point of view of a number of characters, so the plot is a bit slow to set up, but then it quickly takes off. Through the shifting POVs, we see how their weak and strong characteristics are quietly and remotely orchestrated by Cedric, a mysterious podcaster, so they come together in different regions and eventually meet at a beach on the West Coast of California. This is well-written, with a strong story line, containing many twists and turns that kept me guessing what was happening as the story slowly revealed more information, keeping me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down. I am eager to read the next chapter of the story. Great job, Mr. Hystad!
September 7, 2022
And so begins another wild adventure that stars a few simple folks that get caught up in crazy situations where they must figure out what is going on and survive what they find. Fast paced and addicting to read, it was hard to put down as the main characters figure out what is going on. Cannot wait to see what happens next and what surprises are coming. Good story and good characters.
September 20, 2022
Perfectly serviceable aiport novel and I mean that as a compliment.
Pros
- the story is kinda-ish concluded at the end of the book. The problems, questions and challenges the protagonists faced were solved, answered, overcome. This gives the reader a sense of closure while (of course) keeping bigger questionsunanswered and bigger challenges looming. Plus, the story avoids the usual enemies of the genre, i.e. completely off the rocker psychopaths sadistically inflicting violence
- the characters are suitably mature; interpersonal conflict is quickly resolved by talking/listening to each other instead of milking it for drama ("Oh, did we do something we shouldn't have done?" "No, me and her we are not that close" "Good, thanks for letting me know.")
- speaking of: the novel avoids some ... controversal character tropes that can be found a lot in apocalyptic/"Shit hits the fan" novels; you won't find family patriarchs protecting their nuclear family with the stalwart wive standing strongly behind her man; you won't find plucky teenagers saving the day and failing at relationship. The relationships between characters are based on mutual respect instead of the all too common paternalistic "I'm the guard dog/alpha/leader of the pack" kinda approach
Cons:
- the story itself is rather uneventful. While the background of the story covers momentous events, the protagonists mainly .... travel from a to b .... and then to c. Leaving aside the occasional vague nod to the landscape this is basically a same-y collection of rural America's motels, rest stops and diners
Conclusion:
- if you need something to distract you on a long drive or during a house cleaning, give this a try.
Pros
- the story is kinda-ish concluded at the end of the book. The problems, questions and challenges the protagonists faced were solved, answered, overcome. This gives the reader a sense of closure while (of course) keeping bigger questionsunanswered and bigger challenges looming. Plus, the story avoids the usual enemies of the genre, i.e. completely off the rocker psychopaths sadistically inflicting violence
- the characters are suitably mature; interpersonal conflict is quickly resolved by talking/listening to each other instead of milking it for drama ("Oh, did we do something we shouldn't have done?" "No, me and her we are not that close" "Good, thanks for letting me know.")
- speaking of: the novel avoids some ... controversal character tropes that can be found a lot in apocalyptic/"Shit hits the fan" novels; you won't find family patriarchs protecting their nuclear family with the stalwart wive standing strongly behind her man; you won't find plucky teenagers saving the day and failing at relationship. The relationships between characters are based on mutual respect instead of the all too common paternalistic "I'm the guard dog/alpha/leader of the pack" kinda approach
Cons:
- the story itself is rather uneventful. While the background of the story covers momentous events, the protagonists mainly .... travel from a to b .... and then to c. Leaving aside the occasional vague nod to the landscape this is basically a same-y collection of rural America's motels, rest stops and diners
Conclusion:
- if you need something to distract you on a long drive or during a house cleaning, give this a try.
September 5, 2022
♥️♥️💚 CRUSH for this GREAT book !
Montana, July 1986:
Horace Bennett was enjoying his evening after a tiring day, on the porch of his house, lost in thought, yet another cold beer in hand.
Seeing his cattle agitated, he went to see what was happening in his field...
‐---------------
If at first I was a little lost in the story and the number of characters, I quickly plunged into the events, the second half of the novel having become totally incredibly captivating!
I found the plot and the characters excellent.
The mystery that remains for a long time is almost unbearable.
We want to know and we devour the pages...
I can't wait to read the sequel!
Great start to the series ♥️♥️💚
Montana, July 1986:
Horace Bennett was enjoying his evening after a tiring day, on the porch of his house, lost in thought, yet another cold beer in hand.
Seeing his cattle agitated, he went to see what was happening in his field...
‐---------------
If at first I was a little lost in the story and the number of characters, I quickly plunged into the events, the second half of the novel having become totally incredibly captivating!
I found the plot and the characters excellent.
The mystery that remains for a long time is almost unbearable.
We want to know and we devour the pages...
I can't wait to read the sequel!
Great start to the series ♥️♥️💚
April 24, 2025
Glass this book
This is a fresh take on an old idea. Aliens come to earth and a relentless band of humans race to save humanity. But how the aliens travel and where they come from is unique. It’s worth putting your glasses on and reading this book
This is a fresh take on an old idea. Aliens come to earth and a relentless band of humans race to save humanity. But how the aliens travel and where they come from is unique. It’s worth putting your glasses on and reading this book
September 6, 2022
This is a fantastic full length novel that I really enjoyed. I would describe it as an apocalypse mystery.
It's a page turner with an incredible plot and a wealth of characters that are fully fleshed out.
Highly recommended. I am definitely looking forward to book two.
It's a page turner with an incredible plot and a wealth of characters that are fully fleshed out.
Highly recommended. I am definitely looking forward to book two.
March 28, 2024
I did really enjoy this well written story! A great idea, with interesting, well developed characters, some completely unexpected parts to the plot, which is great! Good levels of tension & excitement had me finishing this book in no time at all really! A really great read!
September 22, 2024
Decent story, great ending.
July 15, 2023
DNF at 52%
August 23, 2022
Oh my goodness. Nathan Hystad has does it again. This was a fantastic book to read. A very eclectic group of people get together and travel across the U.S., trying to escape the beings that have come from another plane of existence. This Glass has shown up all over the U.S. and nobody knows where exactly they've come from. Too many people have died from something, but the big question is, from what? There are so many unanswered questions about what is going on that you can't help but continue reading to see what is going to happen no mankind next. Thank you, Nathan, for another great read and I can't wait for his next book.
April 28, 2024
Wow! What an incredibly well done book one in this interesting sci-fi apocalyptic series! I will say I’m a sucker for a well done science fiction series to delve into that isn’t written by AG RIDDLE LOL I’m always happy to find a new author and this author has his books on kindle unlimited which is almost the only way I read books these days. I highly recommend this book because it’s really good! 😊
September 9, 2022
Apocalypse in which aliens erect glass walls and most people die - 4.5 stars
It seemed to happen quickly. There were solid glass walls all over. Sometimes they glowed and people found a way in but large creatures came out.
As the story developed, we learn that a UFO had crashed in Montana several years ago. A UFO enthusiast tried to get people interested. Until the glass appeared, hardly anyone took interest beyond a few tin-hat types.
As survivors befriended fellow survivors, we are with rural survivalists who eventually perceive that there is a location in the continental United States that was ready, willing, and able to accept fellow survivors.
Because only a tiny percentage of the humans but nearly all animals survived, they share and help each other. They take supplies, weapons, and automobiles from businesses and homes that no longer have workers or residents. They learn how to avoid the tall biped beasts who exited the glass.
The survivors we meet include an ex-cop, a reporter, two recent high school grads, and an unemployed actor with his daughter. Will they have the skills to live without the internet and mass communications? Hint, there are already two follow-on books to keep this story going.
It seemed to happen quickly. There were solid glass walls all over. Sometimes they glowed and people found a way in but large creatures came out.
As the story developed, we learn that a UFO had crashed in Montana several years ago. A UFO enthusiast tried to get people interested. Until the glass appeared, hardly anyone took interest beyond a few tin-hat types.
As survivors befriended fellow survivors, we are with rural survivalists who eventually perceive that there is a location in the continental United States that was ready, willing, and able to accept fellow survivors.
Because only a tiny percentage of the humans but nearly all animals survived, they share and help each other. They take supplies, weapons, and automobiles from businesses and homes that no longer have workers or residents. They learn how to avoid the tall biped beasts who exited the glass.
The survivors we meet include an ex-cop, a reporter, two recent high school grads, and an unemployed actor with his daughter. Will they have the skills to live without the internet and mass communications? Hint, there are already two follow-on books to keep this story going.
December 6, 2022
The Other Place follows multiple different characters as a new phenomena begins to appear across the planet which quickly becomes known as ‘Glass’. These phenomena are a strange, completely transparent, unbreakable barrier that is about 20 ft long. The first is found in Montana and sets in motion a chain of events. A reporter is tasked to go and investigate, Brit Kline for an Independent News Site “Urban Rural”. At the same time, Private Investigator Drake Astin and his loyal dog Sage are tasked by the mysterious Radio Host Cedric Bellows, to also head to Montana and check out the farm in Montana and investigate this ‘Glass’ phenomena.
As they start to make their way to Montana, we also get to meet Peggy and Will, two young adults, still stuck in their small town, both looking for a way to get out so they don’t end up like everyone else in the town, or like their parents.
Initially, they are with friends, and being hounded by the town’s local hoodlums, until something decides that the town’s local hoodlums would make a good meal. Because where they are, also has a Glass object, and something has come through it.
In New York, bartender Ransom is finishing up and feels a pull to Central Park. Ransom is ‘special’, he has always felt things, sensed things, had visions or premonitions. And he has had some about the Glass. He has a younger daughter, Chrissy, who is only around 10yrs, she is also special, able to see things. Together, Random and Chrissy have to make their way across country, a country that has changed.
This is a book that follows several major characters (and some minor ones), as they each come into contact with the Glass (or something else more sinister), and have to deal with it. Brit is first on scene when a boat crashes full speed into a Glass object appears in the middle of a river, right in the path of the boat, the boat, its occupants, and those it was towing, have a sudden stop.
I don’t want to say too much else, for fear of spoilers.
Hystad has again delivered a stunning character driven story that captivates you from the very first chapter, drawing you into his world, and engaging you with the lives of these people he has created. Drake is this ex-cop, struggling with a trauma from his past that he lost his job over, and is now a P.I. He and his dog Sage, travel from job to job, doing whatever is needed to make money to survive. When he is contacted by Cedric Bellows, the radio host of the Pod Cast ‘Gray Matters’, a show about UFO encounters on Earth, Drake is initially skeptical. Cedric is a fascinating character, mysterious, intriguing, with deeply guarded secrets and an obvious agenda.
He and Drake head to Montana to see what they can uncover there.
Brittany’s character is brilliant, although heading towards that dreaded 30, she is still young at heart, with a sharp mind, and a clever intellect. She is a keen investigator, which is what has made her such a great reporter. And those skills are what lead her to Montana, and run her into something she never would have expected.
Two of the best characters in the book are Will and Peggy. They are late teens, sick of their lives in the small town they live in. Whilst Peggy had been the popular girl at school, she now finds that after school, her life is not so great, and she wants out. Will doesn’t want to follow in his Father’s footsteps, and wants out to. They both move in the same small group of friends, with Will having a crush on Peggy, who is beautiful and intelligent.
The pair find themselves thrust together though, when their town is visited by not only the Glass, but something that has come from the Glass, something otherworldly, and not friendly to humans.
We follow the paths of each of these characters, Drake, Brit, Ransom, Chrissie, Cedric, Will, Peggy, as well as several others that they meet as the story unfolds. This is a story with some incredible world building, Hystad is brilliant at immersing us into this stunning worlds, of not only the places we know, but adding elements to them so that they become something captivating, revealing a new and fascinating place or portraying strange things that leave you in awe and leave you unable to put the book down. His descriptive work around the Glass and everything to do with it is intriguing, mysterious and thrilling, it grabs you from the first pages, and as with all of his books, it is just extraordinary.
This is an exceptional first book in what is going to be an outstanding series, one that is full of gritty, realistic characters, a thrilling and intriguing storyline that will captivate you from the start, and world building that is just stunning!!
The Other Place is an absolute must read, Hystad has created another Sci-Fi masterpiece!!
As they start to make their way to Montana, we also get to meet Peggy and Will, two young adults, still stuck in their small town, both looking for a way to get out so they don’t end up like everyone else in the town, or like their parents.
Initially, they are with friends, and being hounded by the town’s local hoodlums, until something decides that the town’s local hoodlums would make a good meal. Because where they are, also has a Glass object, and something has come through it.
In New York, bartender Ransom is finishing up and feels a pull to Central Park. Ransom is ‘special’, he has always felt things, sensed things, had visions or premonitions. And he has had some about the Glass. He has a younger daughter, Chrissy, who is only around 10yrs, she is also special, able to see things. Together, Random and Chrissy have to make their way across country, a country that has changed.
This is a book that follows several major characters (and some minor ones), as they each come into contact with the Glass (or something else more sinister), and have to deal with it. Brit is first on scene when a boat crashes full speed into a Glass object appears in the middle of a river, right in the path of the boat, the boat, its occupants, and those it was towing, have a sudden stop.
I don’t want to say too much else, for fear of spoilers.
Hystad has again delivered a stunning character driven story that captivates you from the very first chapter, drawing you into his world, and engaging you with the lives of these people he has created. Drake is this ex-cop, struggling with a trauma from his past that he lost his job over, and is now a P.I. He and his dog Sage, travel from job to job, doing whatever is needed to make money to survive. When he is contacted by Cedric Bellows, the radio host of the Pod Cast ‘Gray Matters’, a show about UFO encounters on Earth, Drake is initially skeptical. Cedric is a fascinating character, mysterious, intriguing, with deeply guarded secrets and an obvious agenda.
He and Drake head to Montana to see what they can uncover there.
Brittany’s character is brilliant, although heading towards that dreaded 30, she is still young at heart, with a sharp mind, and a clever intellect. She is a keen investigator, which is what has made her such a great reporter. And those skills are what lead her to Montana, and run her into something she never would have expected.
Two of the best characters in the book are Will and Peggy. They are late teens, sick of their lives in the small town they live in. Whilst Peggy had been the popular girl at school, she now finds that after school, her life is not so great, and she wants out. Will doesn’t want to follow in his Father’s footsteps, and wants out to. They both move in the same small group of friends, with Will having a crush on Peggy, who is beautiful and intelligent.
The pair find themselves thrust together though, when their town is visited by not only the Glass, but something that has come from the Glass, something otherworldly, and not friendly to humans.
We follow the paths of each of these characters, Drake, Brit, Ransom, Chrissie, Cedric, Will, Peggy, as well as several others that they meet as the story unfolds. This is a story with some incredible world building, Hystad is brilliant at immersing us into this stunning worlds, of not only the places we know, but adding elements to them so that they become something captivating, revealing a new and fascinating place or portraying strange things that leave you in awe and leave you unable to put the book down. His descriptive work around the Glass and everything to do with it is intriguing, mysterious and thrilling, it grabs you from the first pages, and as with all of his books, it is just extraordinary.
This is an exceptional first book in what is going to be an outstanding series, one that is full of gritty, realistic characters, a thrilling and intriguing storyline that will captivate you from the start, and world building that is just stunning!!
The Other Place is an absolute must read, Hystad has created another Sci-Fi masterpiece!!
January 30, 2024
not bad for a first contact book; but has a way to before he is truly comparable to the first contact genre. the beginning was engaging. and I would have rated a it a 4. however, ‘my put do
OTHER PLACE
The use of the First Contact trope was not too badly done (Apocalypse that spares a small group, who then follow an intuition or feeling to move to a specific place, with a focus on the road trips of each group, etc; The Stand being one of the classics of this storyline). A big problem was the absence of a strong protagonist or hero. Having a first person protagonist or even two would have helped. Having to keep track of 6 or more characters, along with the people accompanying them was just too distracting. They also joined up too early. The characters were not defined enough, and it made for a jumble of characters.
However, I love FC books and it is so well written that I thought the character problem would work itself out if I went on. At 30% done I thought it was a 4 and worth reading.
My DNF point was 66%. The above issues didn’t get worked out. The aliens were confusing too. If there are portals, it seems that ‘good’ aliens should be lurking around too if they care about humans and earth. If they don’t it is really not an interesting story. Keeping to the trope with a good alien teaming up with human(s) would have added something here. The story arc here is not strong and unique enough to carry the various plot lines without character details or something. I basically didn’t really care particularly about any of them.
So why bother writing a review? This guy is an excellent writer. He’s prolific enough for me to try again even though this book was written in 2022. Also he is self-published and I have great deal of respect for self-published authors. I’m gonna read a few more (they are on KU.) Good First Contact books are hard to find so, it’s definitely worth a try
he beginning of the book was engaging and it is very well written. However,there are too many characters to keep track of. There is protagonist
OTHER PLACE
The use of the First Contact trope was not too badly done (Apocalypse that spares a small group, who then follow an intuition or feeling to move to a specific place, with a focus on the road trips of each group, etc; The Stand being one of the classics of this storyline). A big problem was the absence of a strong protagonist or hero. Having a first person protagonist or even two would have helped. Having to keep track of 6 or more characters, along with the people accompanying them was just too distracting. They also joined up too early. The characters were not defined enough, and it made for a jumble of characters.
However, I love FC books and it is so well written that I thought the character problem would work itself out if I went on. At 30% done I thought it was a 4 and worth reading.
My DNF point was 66%. The above issues didn’t get worked out. The aliens were confusing too. If there are portals, it seems that ‘good’ aliens should be lurking around too if they care about humans and earth. If they don’t it is really not an interesting story. Keeping to the trope with a good alien teaming up with human(s) would have added something here. The story arc here is not strong and unique enough to carry the various plot lines without character details or something. I basically didn’t really care particularly about any of them.
So why bother writing a review? This guy is an excellent writer. He’s prolific enough for me to try again even though this book was written in 2022. Also he is self-published and I have great deal of respect for self-published authors. I’m gonna read a few more (they are on KU.) Good First Contact books are hard to find so, it’s definitely worth a try
he beginning of the book was engaging and it is very well written. However,there are too many characters to keep track of. There is protagonist
February 4, 2026
Overall: boring. Two many characters. The switching back and forth between characters disguised as chapters became too confusing. I didn't have a scorecard: and there definitely should have been one included in the publication, because I could remember who was shacking up with whom.
The pacing was awful. My best time to drive between New York City and Sacramento was less than 24 hours. Given the amount of debris and blockages expected on major highways and such, why did the author have to write a "million" words as he crawled across the continent. Most of the so-called action could have been told as flashback reminisces once the principal characters had reassembled.
The story line labors in circular patterns, doubled down with this chapter is about Will, next Ransom, next Britt, next god-knows-who; all of whom are in different locations in an undefined timeline. The cherry on top is this Cedric who becomes a directionless wizard, a wannabe tyrant commanding a meager and unorganized party of three or four to save the world. It is at this point that reading any more simply becomes a chore.
The pacing was awful. My best time to drive between New York City and Sacramento was less than 24 hours. Given the amount of debris and blockages expected on major highways and such, why did the author have to write a "million" words as he crawled across the continent. Most of the so-called action could have been told as flashback reminisces once the principal characters had reassembled.
The story line labors in circular patterns, doubled down with this chapter is about Will, next Ransom, next Britt, next god-knows-who; all of whom are in different locations in an undefined timeline. The cherry on top is this Cedric who becomes a directionless wizard, a wannabe tyrant commanding a meager and unorganized party of three or four to save the world. It is at this point that reading any more simply becomes a chore.
August 29, 2022
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. Nathan Hystad delivers one hell of a poignant, profound and realistic science fiction adventure with a twist of a unique mystery mixed in. Everything changes the moment a bizarre invisible barrier suddenly shows up on a lonely ranch in Montana that no one can make sense of and sometimes causes problems when these odd glass-like walls materialize. Weird as the barriers are, humanity is hauntingly tested as frightening creatures emerge kicking this mystery to a epic journey of survival as a band of strangers comes together to find the answers as normal life takes a back seat to the tough struggles forced upon them. Realistically written characters engage you with distinctive personal stories woven together to create a complex hot ride. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2023
This book starts up pretty promising, catching attention and introducing some intriguing premises. Unfortunately it pretty quickly gives up and becomes a pretty generic apocalypse story with all the expected stereotypes, two-dimensional characters and predictable dialogues. There's a disgruntled ex cop, a young love story, a psychic child (well, together with psychic pretty much everyone else), zombies (or something close enough), a creepy cult leader, and people with lots of guns traveling across the post-apocalyptic US (because that's where all apocalypses happen and where the world is always saved). By the end of it, it's difficult to keep focused and try to care about any of the characters or their destiny. Meh.
October 15, 2022
An alright passing read. At a time it really felt like this was going to turn into a horror type of book. This book has a handful of main characters, each of whom are fighting for survival after an apocalyptic event and trying to make sense of everything. Really felt like a story similar to what you get reading a Jeremy Robinson book, if that gives you any insight.
Would rate it somewhere around 2.5 stars. It has an interesting end, (like something out of a film that would star Ethan Hawke), which sets it up well for a second book. Unsure if I will read further though.
Would rate it somewhere around 2.5 stars. It has an interesting end, (like something out of a film that would star Ethan Hawke), which sets it up well for a second book. Unsure if I will read further though.
November 25, 2025
A good story.
I didn't mind the multiple POVs. Only kept up with two though.
I wish the monsters were more interesting.
This story takes you across country during a very recent apocalyptic event but there were times it didn't FEEL like most of the population had died. Also, not enough character deaths which leaves ... too many characters. They all get around far too easily - cars are literally just get in and drive not 'let me find the keys.' Guns are plentiful. Trying to escape the monsters, just jump in a car and drive off. So, great idea but survival is far too easy in this book.
Story should be enough to carry the rest of the series forward.
Enjoyable.
I didn't mind the multiple POVs. Only kept up with two though.
I wish the monsters were more interesting.
This story takes you across country during a very recent apocalyptic event but there were times it didn't FEEL like most of the population had died. Also, not enough character deaths which leaves ... too many characters. They all get around far too easily - cars are literally just get in and drive not 'let me find the keys.' Guns are plentiful. Trying to escape the monsters, just jump in a car and drive off. So, great idea but survival is far too easy in this book.
Story should be enough to carry the rest of the series forward.
Enjoyable.
September 20, 2022
Potty-Mouth award!
Amazon is clueless about recommendations to Kindle Unlimited readers.
The first thing I do after downloading a book is use the Search feature for several crude words. (Sorry, but if I put those words in this review it would not meet Amazon "standards" and the review would be rejected. Fact. )
"The Other Place" by Nathan Hystad is full of such potty mouth. Why Amazon continues to recommend such books to me is inexplicable. I've read every day for about 3 or 4 years. Lots of reader 'awards'. Amazon could know if they tried.
Amazon is clueless about recommendations to Kindle Unlimited readers.
The first thing I do after downloading a book is use the Search feature for several crude words. (Sorry, but if I put those words in this review it would not meet Amazon "standards" and the review would be rejected. Fact. )
"The Other Place" by Nathan Hystad is full of such potty mouth. Why Amazon continues to recommend such books to me is inexplicable. I've read every day for about 3 or 4 years. Lots of reader 'awards'. Amazon could know if they tried.
September 26, 2022
Glass portals appear all over the world that allow poisonous air and brutal beings from other worlds to enter Earth. The limited number of people who survive are encouraged to head to Monterey, California. Unfortunately, the people who know the most about what is happening are allowed to withhold important details. This permitted duplicity and the great number of people with psychic abilities damage the credibility of the novel, but I did appreciate its allowing both genders and people of many different ages to be heroes.
April 8, 2024
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
I'm not going to write a whole review because, bleh.
On the surface, it's just the typical "mix a bunch of conspiracy theories together plus horrible humans" story. Watch enough UFO Hunters and you get the idea. But below the surface, it's even worse. Because by the end, it's one of those "the bad guys we defeated aren't even the real bad guys, so all this was sort of pointless" stories. And an epilogue to make sure a primary antagonist is still out there and reveal someone we might have trusted is actually sinister. Bleh.
Skip it!
I'm not going to write a whole review because, bleh.
On the surface, it's just the typical "mix a bunch of conspiracy theories together plus horrible humans" story. Watch enough UFO Hunters and you get the idea. But below the surface, it's even worse. Because by the end, it's one of those "the bad guys we defeated aren't even the real bad guys, so all this was sort of pointless" stories. And an epilogue to make sure a primary antagonist is still out there and reveal someone we might have trusted is actually sinister. Bleh.
Skip it!
September 26, 2022
The Other Place - a creepy adventure you'll enjoy
Author Nathan Hystad has written another creepy adventure. There are parts that remind me of The Stand, only because people meet up with other people with a similar destination. Don't let that confuse you, it's nothing like The Stand.
As with other writings by this author, he will keep you reading. If you enjoy Audible books, The Other Place is performed by the great R. C. Bray.
Author Nathan Hystad has written another creepy adventure. There are parts that remind me of The Stand, only because people meet up with other people with a similar destination. Don't let that confuse you, it's nothing like The Stand.
As with other writings by this author, he will keep you reading. If you enjoy Audible books, The Other Place is performed by the great R. C. Bray.
May 20, 2023
Readable - yes. Worth your time?
I had high hopes that maybe, possibly I’d found a new author that would captivate....... brutally disappointed. Readable but halfway through I realized this was a loser. Returning the series to Kindle Unlimited mostly unread. Don’t waste your time on this series. I normally only do a star rating but this demanded more. Can’t believe how low literary standards have fallen! 4.5 stars? Really??
I had high hopes that maybe, possibly I’d found a new author that would captivate....... brutally disappointed. Readable but halfway through I realized this was a loser. Returning the series to Kindle Unlimited mostly unread. Don’t waste your time on this series. I normally only do a star rating but this demanded more. Can’t believe how low literary standards have fallen! 4.5 stars? Really??
August 31, 2024
DNF 33%
The plot seemed very similar to the film "Signs" except it used transparent enclosures rather than crop-circles. Sure, it may have some amazing premise hiding in the last half, but I don't care enough to find out.
The main characters are uninteresting, and the plot far too slow to develop. This was bland writing - neither offensive or engaging.
Perhaps Hystad's style is just not for me.
The plot seemed very similar to the film "Signs" except it used transparent enclosures rather than crop-circles. Sure, it may have some amazing premise hiding in the last half, but I don't care enough to find out.
The main characters are uninteresting, and the plot far too slow to develop. This was bland writing - neither offensive or engaging.
Perhaps Hystad's style is just not for me.
September 6, 2022
Nathan Hystad is a great writer. His books always just flow and keep you interested to read the next chapter. I found this hard to put down for just that reason. Following each character on their journey was amazing. I loved it great read and cannot wait for the next book.
This was an ARC for my Honest opinion.
This was an ARC for my Honest opinion.
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