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Alicia Yoder #1
Multiverse: A Technothriller
When Michael Salomon woke up Tuesday morning, he did so with a smile, knowing that today would be a positive turning point in his career. With his first child on the way, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. As he drives into work, he feels a sudden wave of anguish wash over him, and he sees himself alone, at the gravesite of an unborn daughter. It feels like a crystal-clear memory, a waking nightmare that nearly sends him crashing into the car in front of him.
The idea of faster-than-light particles has been a part of science fiction lore for fifty years, yet Michael had made a breakthrough discovery late last night. Tachyons do exist.
Going back into the office, he hasn’t even had a chance to tell anyone about what he’s discovered when the men from DARPA came calling. The entirety of his research has suddenly become an object of national security.
But it was only when a young college student intercepts him as he gets into his car that he knows the life he's looking forward to is over.
The student has memories of her future self… a future where she’s worked with Michael on extending his research. She knows things that he’s only thought of as possibilities, and she speaks of them as if they’d already happened. And most chilling of all, she speaks of a future where they are both in hiding from the government that sees them as the enemy.
MULTIVERSE is a story about a scientist who uncovers a way to pierce the veil of time and space, and has unwittingly opened Pandora’s box.
Is it even possible to undo what a future version of yourself has done, or is everyone doomed to the chaos that’s been loosed on the world?
The idea of faster-than-light particles has been a part of science fiction lore for fifty years, yet Michael had made a breakthrough discovery late last night. Tachyons do exist.
Going back into the office, he hasn’t even had a chance to tell anyone about what he’s discovered when the men from DARPA came calling. The entirety of his research has suddenly become an object of national security.
But it was only when a young college student intercepts him as he gets into his car that he knows the life he's looking forward to is over.
The student has memories of her future self… a future where she’s worked with Michael on extending his research. She knows things that he’s only thought of as possibilities, and she speaks of them as if they’d already happened. And most chilling of all, she speaks of a future where they are both in hiding from the government that sees them as the enemy.
MULTIVERSE is a story about a scientist who uncovers a way to pierce the veil of time and space, and has unwittingly opened Pandora’s box.
Is it even possible to undo what a future version of yourself has done, or is everyone doomed to the chaos that’s been loosed on the world?
374 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2022
451 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Rothman
83 books328 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, is one of the most unlikely novelists you'll ever meet. He's an engineer first and foremost, with a background in the sciences, and somehow or another, this writing habit of his has turned into a bit more than just a run-of-the-mill hobby.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 18, 2022
Michael Solomon was more than just a physics teacher at Princeton. He was also a researcher and is about to discover something that will change the world. Michael’s discovery is brought to the attention of DARPA and they are willing to pour big money into his experiments. Now Michael worries about his experiments will be a success. Michael has nightmares of things that did not happen but felt so real. How can this be? Michael’s wife is worried that anything the government touches will most likely be a bad thing. But Michael needs the job to earn a living for them. DARPA doesn’t want anything or anybody to interfere with the Michael’s experiments and will do just about anything to make that happen. While working in his lab Michael is interrupted by his local police. There has been a situation at his home. His wife and child are missing presumed kidnapped. Alicia, a student at Princeton, has a dream during class that shows her in the future. A future where one can be arrested before a crime is yet to be committed and somehow she is in part responsible. What just happened? She needs to talk to Michael and warn him of the future to come. How is she going to convince him? Help is on the way by means of a group interested in stopping what is to come. Can Alicia and Michael change the future? Is there a multiverse and is it true that “for each possible change in decision, a different universe exits?” Will changing the present ensure a brighter future? I must admit that the first third of this story was a bit to techie/science for me. I am glad that I stuck it out. The story concept was well worth it. The characters added depth to the story as well as keeping the story exciting and entertaining.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in science fact and science fiction.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in science fact and science fiction.
September 20, 2022
Almost Time Travel - Interesting Concepts
Can tachyons go back in time? Could one use tachyons to insert memories into an earlier version of one's self? That's the premise of this well constructed futuristic thriller. The cliche these days is to say "a book is Crichton-esque", but in this case it would be accurate. Interestingly for this reader, the author chose to place this book firmly in his "Levi Yoder" universe, making some of the characters easier to imagine, being already familiar with them. If you like Crichton, try Rothman's books. Highly recommended!
Can tachyons go back in time? Could one use tachyons to insert memories into an earlier version of one's self? That's the premise of this well constructed futuristic thriller. The cliche these days is to say "a book is Crichton-esque", but in this case it would be accurate. Interestingly for this reader, the author chose to place this book firmly in his "Levi Yoder" universe, making some of the characters easier to imagine, being already familiar with them. If you like Crichton, try Rothman's books. Highly recommended!
September 19, 2022
Reminds me of Chriten
Single shot sci fi story that could easily become a movie. As always, well laid out and written. Should make people very interested in the Yoder family.
Single shot sci fi story that could easily become a movie. As always, well laid out and written. Should make people very interested in the Yoder family.
December 11, 2022
Nothing can go faster than the speed of light. Or so goes the conventional wisdom. Michael Salomon is a physicist who works with tachyons, which are particles that not only travel faster than light, they travel at up to 5 times the speed of light. His experiments with these faster-than-light particles prove that breaking the light speed barrier causes travel backwards in time, so that you get to where you’re going before you started. So, if this review prompted you to read “Multiverse” while traveling with a tachyon, you would find that you had already read “Multiverse” before you read this review. Effect paradoxically comes before cause.
Somehow, Professor Salomon figures out a way to use this tachyon effect to send people back in time. Another character, Alicia Yoder, has figured out how to encode memories, and when she teams up with Professor Salomon, they send these memories back in time to their younger selves, creating a situation where people can remember the future. You can see now how all this could get rather complicated, as people try to change the past so their future bad memories don’t come true.
Of course, the government is involved in these experiments, and wants to use the technology for its own nefarious ends. When Michael and Alicia realize this, they try to change the past and erase the technology from ever being developed. Along the way they go through different timelines, and they have different relationships, with different levels of intimacy. Michael also has a wife and child and sometimes is divorced and sometimes has a happy marriage.
The first part of the novel may turn off a lot of readers with all the physics talk, but that does end eventually, and the story becomes more action and adventure oriented without the physics mumbo jumbo. Although, the concepts this book explores have been done several times before, it is still an interesting read, and if you start now, you may find that you already finished this book before you got to my review.
Somehow, Professor Salomon figures out a way to use this tachyon effect to send people back in time. Another character, Alicia Yoder, has figured out how to encode memories, and when she teams up with Professor Salomon, they send these memories back in time to their younger selves, creating a situation where people can remember the future. You can see now how all this could get rather complicated, as people try to change the past so their future bad memories don’t come true.
Of course, the government is involved in these experiments, and wants to use the technology for its own nefarious ends. When Michael and Alicia realize this, they try to change the past and erase the technology from ever being developed. Along the way they go through different timelines, and they have different relationships, with different levels of intimacy. Michael also has a wife and child and sometimes is divorced and sometimes has a happy marriage.
The first part of the novel may turn off a lot of readers with all the physics talk, but that does end eventually, and the story becomes more action and adventure oriented without the physics mumbo jumbo. Although, the concepts this book explores have been done several times before, it is still an interesting read, and if you start now, you may find that you already finished this book before you got to my review.
May 23, 2023
Writing style is immature, these are the smartest people that ever lived and they chatter like a bunch of school girls. The plot is scattered and predictable. Putting it down half way thru
February 2, 2023
I wish one day we will be able to do that....
Read
April 29, 2025Per lavoro.
March 17, 2025
Plays across your mind like the best of SF films!!
M.A. Rothman knows how to write- and writes well! “Multiverse” was a real page turner for me! The science (while not overwhelming) was well presented. The characters are all interesting. The narrative unspools with intrigue, revelations and nuances that entertain throughout the novel! This book will appeal to fans of Philip K. Dick film adaptations including “Minority Report” and “Paycheck, as well as the recent Marvel film, “Madame Webb”. Also, like the most alluring of Michael Crichton books, “Multiverse” expands in the political and societal dangers of technology in the hands of the state. I would love to see this book as a film! But film or not, it’s worth rereading! Kudos to the author!! Can’t wait to read more of your books!
M.A. Rothman knows how to write- and writes well! “Multiverse” was a real page turner for me! The science (while not overwhelming) was well presented. The characters are all interesting. The narrative unspools with intrigue, revelations and nuances that entertain throughout the novel! This book will appeal to fans of Philip K. Dick film adaptations including “Minority Report” and “Paycheck, as well as the recent Marvel film, “Madame Webb”. Also, like the most alluring of Michael Crichton books, “Multiverse” expands in the political and societal dangers of technology in the hands of the state. I would love to see this book as a film! But film or not, it’s worth rereading! Kudos to the author!! Can’t wait to read more of your books!
January 31, 2024
I sat down with it on my Kindle, thinking that I would read for a while and then go to sleep.
Small problem: I couldn't put it down. I finished it at almost 2:30 AM.
I'm not a theoretical physicist but I am more familiar with bleeding edge physics than many. I found the science and the experimental process to be somewhat simplified but plausible and consistent.
Some readers with less science background may find some of the details excessive. I like having them.
Rothman is a good story teller with believable characters that I cared about.
The story explores a couple of real scientific frontiers (tachyons and thought/memory transference) and asks "what could happen if we combined these two technologies?" The projected results are grim.
Small problem: I couldn't put it down. I finished it at almost 2:30 AM.
I'm not a theoretical physicist but I am more familiar with bleeding edge physics than many. I found the science and the experimental process to be somewhat simplified but plausible and consistent.
Some readers with less science background may find some of the details excessive. I like having them.
Rothman is a good story teller with believable characters that I cared about.
The story explores a couple of real scientific frontiers (tachyons and thought/memory transference) and asks "what could happen if we combined these two technologies?" The projected results are grim.
April 24, 2024
Sending a message back in time was a new idea to me. Just a message. If you received one, how would you respond. There was a lot of very hard science in this story, although I suspect that the author toned it down for the reader. It was a thriller, which I enjoyed. For me, there were a few too many characters. Alicia’s character was quite shallow in this story, but I look forward to seeing how she handles situations in future books. The ending came quite suddenly (it was 80% of the way through the book) and I was surprised, but the rest of the book was taken up with a preview of the next book. I enjoyed the story a lot, though, and it sets the tone for a new series which I will certainly check out.
October 6, 2024
Ok!
I can't give this book just 1 star because the writing was ok. But - for me - there was just too much science. Most people - I would imagine - choose to read a fictional story, and particularly a 'fantasy' story to transport themselves into another world. I can't say my 'other world' would be a physics class. I got to chapter 7 and then quit, as I had skimmed too much to maintain my investment in the story.
I can't give this book just 1 star because the writing was ok. But - for me - there was just too much science. Most people - I would imagine - choose to read a fictional story, and particularly a 'fantasy' story to transport themselves into another world. I can't say my 'other world' would be a physics class. I got to chapter 7 and then quit, as I had skimmed too much to maintain my investment in the story.
May 1, 2025
a new star is born
And, just like the old star, her name is Yoder.
Nicely done, MA Rothman. You weaved a beautiful tapestry between the relationships between the characters, a doomsday scenario, and created a new heroine for us to cheer for while you were at it.
Now that Elon Musk is stepping back from DOGE, maybe you can plug the gap and help drain the real swamp in DC as your next trick!
And, just like the old star, her name is Yoder.
Nicely done, MA Rothman. You weaved a beautiful tapestry between the relationships between the characters, a doomsday scenario, and created a new heroine for us to cheer for while you were at it.
Now that Elon Musk is stepping back from DOGE, maybe you can plug the gap and help drain the real swamp in DC as your next trick!
February 8, 2023
I really wanted to like it and it started out well. I enjoyed the science part of it, MA Rothman does a good job utilizing real science as a base for his books, but it just felt really short and the end just wrapped up way too fast.
It felt like he was on a deadline and if he had had more time the book might've been better.
It felt like he was on a deadline and if he had had more time the book might've been better.
July 12, 2024
Well-devised and interesting plot
The plot held my attention almost throughout the book. The early chapters about Michael's research was a little too heavy with science jargon. The science could have been fashioned to be a bit friendlier for non-scientists. But otherwise, the book was quite captivating
The plot held my attention almost throughout the book. The early chapters about Michael's research was a little too heavy with science jargon. The science could have been fashioned to be a bit friendlier for non-scientists. But otherwise, the book was quite captivating
November 16, 2022
Pretty good book
This was a pretty good book. There was just enough science to make it interesting and move the plot forward. I would have enjoyed more science, but what was there worked for the story. There was action, a dog, and intrigue. I liked this book.
This was a pretty good book. There was just enough science to make it interesting and move the plot forward. I would have enjoyed more science, but what was there worked for the story. There was action, a dog, and intrigue. I liked this book.
February 22, 2023
Eventhough the topic might be interesting, the writing is too simplistic and with a lot of "common places"-stereotypes. At no moment I felt really immersed into the plot, too superficial. I stopped reading it at the middle
July 19, 2023
excellent
The author has a good understanding of Tachyons and has projected thoughts of what that knowledge could do scientifically!! I loved the context and interplay of romantic ideals!! It made for excellent and informative reading!!!
The author has a good understanding of Tachyons and has projected thoughts of what that knowledge could do scientifically!! I loved the context and interplay of romantic ideals!! It made for excellent and informative reading!!!
November 30, 2024
A story with multiverse and time travel elements.
An excellent story that starts out as confused as the protagonist, but becomes clearer as he begins getting hints about what is happening. If he carries through with other books as implied I will be reading them.
An excellent story that starts out as confused as the protagonist, but becomes clearer as he begins getting hints about what is happening. If he carries through with other books as implied I will be reading them.
September 13, 2022
A good thriller that kept my attention. It's only too bad it wasn't longer.
October 23, 2022
I found this an interesting story. Its use of particle science and multiverses provided an intriguing twist. Worth reading.
October 24, 2022
Just ok. Started good, but fizzled out in the middle and the ending was very abrupt. Not a lot of typos, but enough that it bugged me (maybe 5-10).
December 9, 2022
I'd like to see more of the very intelligent and sensitive dog Percy, he stole the whole scene!
December 28, 2022
I loved this work
I love this novel, fast paced, action packed and full of science. I would read the next work of Rothman
I love this novel, fast paced, action packed and full of science. I would read the next work of Rothman
August 29, 2023
it was pretty good but not really my thing so kept drifting off while reading
September 17, 2023
Excellent
hard
science fiction and political thriller. Read before New Arcadia; I should have.
February 28, 2024
Not a bad read
No need for a phd in science speak
The story zips along
Characters are ok
No need for a phd in science speak
The story zips along
Characters are ok
April 28, 2024
Yikes. That was a mind bender. It didn’t go deep but it was interesting. He weaves in characters from the Levi Yoder books
May 3, 2024
ein sehr spannender Technothriller !
July 21, 2025
excellent read
A little too much technical info in the beginning of the book but the rest was fast moving and great.
A little too much technical info in the beginning of the book but the rest was fast moving and great.
September 1, 2025
I ğet confused
While I enjoyed this I’m not a big fan of time traveling novels but I’ll press on with the series
While I enjoyed this I’m not a big fan of time traveling novels but I’ll press on with the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews