To Change the Past

Reality Benders #10

by Michael Atamanov

Im Weltraum lauern viele Gefahren. Hier muss man alles tun, um sich als Jäger zu behaupten, wenn man nicht zum Gejagten werden will. Wer nicht stark genug ist, das allein zu schaffen, braucht eine stärkere Macht im Rücken, um nicht gefressen zu werden. Einst genoss die Erde den Schutz einer solchen Macht, der großen Geckho-Rasse. Doch seit auch die Geckho einem feindlichen Angriff zum Opfer gefallen sind, ist der Planet Erde auf sich allein gestellt. Der Menschheit bleibt nur noch wenig Zeit, um ihren galaktischen Nachbarn zu beweisen, dass mit ihr nicht zu spaßen ist. Zum Glück stehen ihr nicht nur die mächtige Armee der Erde und eine schlagkräftige Raumflotte zur Verfügung, sondern der Planet kann auch auf etwas Einzigartiges zählen, das sonst keine andere Rasse im Universum besitzt: Nat und sein uralter Kreuzer, der in Sekundenschnelle zu jedem Punkt im Universum reisen kann und dabei alle konventionellen Regeln und Gesetze des Krieges bricht.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

481 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2023

About the author

Michael Atamanov was born in 1975 in Grozny, Chechnia. He excelled at school, winning numerous national science and writing competitions. Having graduated with honors, he entered Moscow University to study material engineering. Soon, however, he had no home to return to: their house was destroyed during the first Chechen campaign. Michael's family fled the war, taking shelter with some relatives in Stavropol Territory in the South of Russia.

Having graduated from the University, Michael was forced to accept whatever work was available. He moonlighted in chemical labs, loaded trucks, translated technical articles, worked as a software installer as well as scene shifter for local artists and events. At the same time he never stopped writing, even when squatting in some seedy Moscow hostels. Writing became an urgent need for Michael, driving him to submit articles to science publications, news fillers for a variety of web sites and a plethora of technical and copywriting gigs.

Then one day unexpectedly for himself he started writing fairy tales and science fiction novels. For several years, his audience consisted of only one person: Michael's elder son. Then, at the end of 2014 he decided to upload one of his manuscripts to a free online writers resource. Readers liked it and demanded a sequel. Michael uploaded another book, and yet another, his audience growing as did his list. It was his readers who helped Michael hone his writing style. He finally had the breakthrough he deserved when the Moscow-based EKSMO - the biggest publishing house in Europe - offered him a contract for his first and consequent books.

Reviews

[Jon Svenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've made it to book ten. Gnat is still in fine form while walking a delicate balancing act between powers much stronger than him, from the Geckho, the Meleyonians, the Meleyaphatians, the Composite, Trillians, Georg the First, and on and on and on. He's a busy guy.

The book starts out with Gnat buying Earth's sovereignty from the Geckho. Earth is free for the first time since they joined the game. With that out of the way, he decides to call a conference of world leaders (both magocratic and regular humans) to decide what's going to happen next.

Before that can happen, Gnat needs to find a way to save Minn-0 from dying during the birth of their son. I won't spoil if he manages it or how, but it's a fun read. After that he's literally flying all over the universe to appease other leaders, do tasks for them, and in some cases, help them out.

Book ten really pulls the tangled web that the first nine books brought together in a way that starts making sense. And to be fair, he does make mistakes along the way.

The editing of book ten is not as tight as previous books have been, but on the other hand the stats take center stage. For the first time since books one through four Gnat seriously levels up, and his skills go even higher. It reminded me of why I like this series so much.

The only downside is that the author mentions a book that is only available in Russian. Quarantine World (in Russian Quarantine Planet) isn't available in English, and I hope that changes someday soon. It involves the planet where Valeri Erla grew up along with her shadow panther as part of the Gilvar Syndicate.

All in all, a fun read. I hope we don't have to wait too long for book 11. 5/5* for the series (so far) and 5/5* for book 10.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you haven't been following this series, then this is not the place to start. There's a lot of developments in this book that significantly advance the story. It also introduces some interesting new characters, as well as finding new locations that contain some significant resources, both for the main character, and for the earth factions. I'm liking this series, and really hope the next book in the series isn't too long in coming. Scifi fans should enjoy this one.

[Frank Bertino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

This is one my favorite series. Gnat continues to level up. He has a lot of friends but also makes powerful enemies. His diplomatic skills increase as he negotiates with powerful rulers. I like the game structure of real and virtual world. I also like the action, humor, and a bit of romance. I look forward to the next book.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as always.

Overall rather short compared to some of his previous works but the story itself is still continuing with plot points being revealed regularly. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slower pace

This book is a little slower in pace than the previous books, but it is still good. At the beginning based off story events I thought this was going to be the last in the series... looks like I was wrong.

[Lubos Elexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obcas pride cas, kedy treba seriu ukoncit...alebo prestat citat. Nie je to uplne zle, ale to mnozstvo dejovych schem sa uz zacina opakovat. A s odstupom casu medzi jednotlivymi dielmi to zacina byt nezapamatatelne. Plus klasicky problem litrpg, mega mega megalomanstvo narasta.

[Deconinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

less good then the previous ones, but when the next one arrived il be there!

[symone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series

From perimeter defense to dark herbalist and now reality benders just one series after another to get hooked on by this great author

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

More ships, more action, more fun.