Base: The Edge of Reality

Not From Earth #3

by Robert Adamson

Imagine a future from where you explore endless simulated worlds and repeatedly live an entire life anywhere and at any time of your choosing.

Skyler Anderson is a handsome young tour guide sailing the Napali Coast in Kauai. One day, a mysterious, inexplicable rainbow leads him on a journey where he encounters a team of software engineers and scientists secretly working on a solution for interstellar flight.

He teams up with a beautiful astronomer and finds island romance, friendship, a magic rainhut and a breathtaking adventure to the stars.

Yet only one original Civilization was the first. To visit the Base Civilization is to go where it all began.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2007

About the author

I began writing science fiction after a strange encounter in Kauai led me to suspect we live in a simulated reality.

I've been writing software since the golden age. I knew the founders of Novell, Microsoft, Borland, Evans & Sutherland, Pansophic, Apple (a fun story), Oracle, Electronic Data Systems, Computer Associates, and others. Most of the legends are gone now, but what a trip. They would dream about a world connected by computers. Some of the legends became wealthy from luck or just good business sense, and some did not, but they were all dreamers. That is what they all had in common.

I'm married with six adventurous children. I love the island of Kauai, science fiction, and mountain biking.

Reviews

[Sandra Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing and fun adventure

The characters feel like good friends and I hope they appear in other stories in this series. The concepts of simulated reality are intriguing yet the story jumps around a bit making it a little hard to follow. Still quite a fun sci-fi adventure.

[Jeremy Clift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging your perceptions of reality

Robert Adamson's BASE: The Edge of Reality is a fascinating and imaginative dive into the concept of simulated reality, blending cutting-edge science fiction with deep philosophical questions. The novel takes readers on an adventure that stretches from the stunning coastlines of Kauai to the enigmatic edges of existence, where the Base Civilization—humanity’s possible origin—awaits discovery.

Skyler Anderson, the story’s charming protagonist, stumbles into a mysterious world of science, romance, and cosmic intrigue after an inexplicable rainbow leads him to a secret team working on interstellar flight technology. Alongside a brilliant astronomer, Skyler embarks on a breathtaking journey that challenges the limits of human understanding.

Adamson excels at world-building, with the lush descriptions of Kauai and the novel’s metaphysical concepts adding a vivid, immersive quality. The integration of Hindu theology, quantum mechanics, and speculative technologies is ambitious, making this a thought-provoking read for fans of cerebral science fiction. The narrative is sprinkled with moments of wonder and philosophical depth, forcing readers to grapple with the big questions: Are we living in a simulation? Where do we come from? What lies beyond the edge of reality?

Skyler is a likable lead, and his interactions with supporting characters bring emotional weight to the plot. But, despite its strengths, the novel struggles in some places. The dialogue often feels awkward and unnatural (“What the flip is that?”), occasionally pulling readers out of the narrative. The story’s pacing suffers from meandering subplots and stretches of exposition, particularly during its deep dives into Hinduism and quantum mechanics. While fascinating, these sections can feel heavy-handed and disrupt the story’s flow. Lastly, the lack of consistent conflict weakens the tension, reducing the narrative's intensity.

Nevertheless, Adamson’s passion for his subject matter shines through, offering readers a blend of intellectual stimulation and bold, imaginative escapism.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philosophical Science fiction

BASE by Robert Adamson is an enthralling journey through the wonders of the universe and the enigma of reality itself.

the story follows Skyler Anderson, a young tour guide who finds himself swept up in a cosmic adventure after encountering a mysterious rainbow.

As Skyler teams up with a team of scientists and a beautiful astronomer, the book delves into deep questions about the nature of reality, exploring a possible connection between our world and a computer simulation.

This science fiction is an action page-turner with a touch of romance. Readers who enjoy space exploration will find "BASE" as I found it a memorable read.

[V.M. Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY IMAGINATIVE. This is story about a civilization that has access to something like interstellar travel through a massive complex that offers simulated reality. Although this concept has been done before, and has its tropes as a sub genre of sci-fi, this book does have its own unique flair and there are a few unexpected plot twists that make it a good read. The author weaves in several strands of theoretical physics as well as religious philosophies in a way that feels credible and essential to the plot. Overall, it's a good read.

[Syd Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating

Captivating and thought provoking, "The Edge of Reality" takes readers on a journey through time and space. The story has a fresh and engaging premise, believable characters, and a satisfying conclusion. Excellent work was done on both the plot and the setting. In my opinion, though, there should be less talking and more showing. Apart from that minor flaw, the book is a must read for science fiction enthusiasts.

[Katrina Zarubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story for the lovers of that genre

I’m a huge fan of sci-fi, or action/adventure, or romance. However this story doesn’t necessarily stays in those genres, but deviates more into philosophical and spiritual aspects.
Overall the story is interesting and imaginative.

[Michael Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book.