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The Second Internet Cafe, Part 1: The Dimension Researcher
If you don't have an imagination, stop reading now. But if you can sense the alternative realities you create every time you act, or omit to act, then I offer you a pit your imagination against my reality. Follow me to worlds you might have dreamed of, but never knew existed. Until now.
294 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2011
14 people want to read
About the author
Chris James
19 books33 followersChris James is the critically acclaimed author of Repulse: Europe at War 2062–2064, the history of a future war between NATO and the New Persian Caliphate, and a series of companion novels called The Repulse Chronicles. The first six books, Onslaught, Invasion, The Battle for Europe, The Endgame, The Race against Time, and Operation Repulse, have been published. Chris is currently writing the seventh and final novel, The Repulse Chronicles, Book Seven: Aftermath. He has also published the ground-breaking science fiction novels Dystopia Descending and Time Is the Only God.
Chris works in the international legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe, and is an occasional lecturer in English at Warsaw, Prague and Krakow universities. He lives in an agreeably anonymous and nicely forested suburb of Warsaw, Poland, with his Polish wife and their three children, two dogs and four cats.
Chris works in the international legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe, and is an occasional lecturer in English at Warsaw, Prague and Krakow universities. He lives in an agreeably anonymous and nicely forested suburb of Warsaw, Poland, with his Polish wife and their three children, two dogs and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 22, 2012
Wow. This is probably one of the most intelligent books I have read.
I have to confess, that whilst the Kindle has led me down a number of previously unconsidered genre roads with very pleasing consequences—sci-fi in particular, I do remain a bear of very little scientific brain. And there’s a lot, quite a lot of science in this. I confess, I didn’t understand it all completely—it really is all very clever—but enough to thoroughly enjoy this very compelling novel.
Lucas Hunter is a dimension researcher. So what’s that? Well, simple: he researches dimensions. In a nutshell, he’s a time traveller working for The Second Internet Café exploring different dimensions (after divergence) in Reality One to bring back knowledge and information to the Café. (There are trillions of dimensions, by the way). He also has to save the 10-year project from a takeover by the Americans. Are you with me? No, I didn’t think so.
But don’t worry. This novel will have you with your finger firmly adhered to the click-button of your Kindle. You will be bumping into delightful words and phrases like matter de-confliction and quinvigintillion and inverted anti-neutralino. There’s a wonderful array of characters, from the greedy and ambitious to the dedicated and amiable. Lucas himself is very captivating—we don’t know that much about his physical attributes other than he is tall and dark-haired (who knows, he might even be handsome), but he is dedicated, focused, loyal, and has the odd moment of sincere tenderness (after all, he could have a girl in every dimension…)
This was an incredibly conceived, well thought-out and clever novel. The ‘science bit’ was complex, but what I liked about it, it wasn’t conveyed in a patronising or pompous way.
Sci-fi fans should put this at the top of their TBR. Outstanding.
I have to confess, that whilst the Kindle has led me down a number of previously unconsidered genre roads with very pleasing consequences—sci-fi in particular, I do remain a bear of very little scientific brain. And there’s a lot, quite a lot of science in this. I confess, I didn’t understand it all completely—it really is all very clever—but enough to thoroughly enjoy this very compelling novel.
Lucas Hunter is a dimension researcher. So what’s that? Well, simple: he researches dimensions. In a nutshell, he’s a time traveller working for The Second Internet Café exploring different dimensions (after divergence) in Reality One to bring back knowledge and information to the Café. (There are trillions of dimensions, by the way). He also has to save the 10-year project from a takeover by the Americans. Are you with me? No, I didn’t think so.
But don’t worry. This novel will have you with your finger firmly adhered to the click-button of your Kindle. You will be bumping into delightful words and phrases like matter de-confliction and quinvigintillion and inverted anti-neutralino. There’s a wonderful array of characters, from the greedy and ambitious to the dedicated and amiable. Lucas himself is very captivating—we don’t know that much about his physical attributes other than he is tall and dark-haired (who knows, he might even be handsome), but he is dedicated, focused, loyal, and has the odd moment of sincere tenderness (after all, he could have a girl in every dimension…)
This was an incredibly conceived, well thought-out and clever novel. The ‘science bit’ was complex, but what I liked about it, it wasn’t conveyed in a patronising or pompous way.
Sci-fi fans should put this at the top of their TBR. Outstanding.
February 28, 2012
Chris James' sophomore outing appears to be a clear indication that this particular author has a stranglehold on the sci-fi genre. The Dimension Researcher takes the oft visited notion of time travel into a completely new direction; a direction that lifts time travel out of its seat and violently smacks it around. While Mr. James cites H.G. Wells as an influence, you will not find any of Wells' turn of the century prudence and restraint in a Chris James novel. James' brainchild, this wonderfully complex (and almost unfathomable) idea of traveling back in time to off-shoot realities, is breath-taking and will leave you wanting more.
I do not want to give too much away as it would be far more compelling for you the reader to discover it yourself - that and the fact that I am somewhat at a loss for words as to how to concisely describe this incredibly layered and intricate story. I can probably best describe this book by asking you to imagine the TV series Quantum Leap, marrying that with Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle, and then handing it over to Sam Peckinpah to tell the story.
This book opens the reader's mind to, quite literally, an infinite (or finite but myriad, depending on which characters you believe) amount of possibilities and story lines. This could easily turn into a series that never ends. You will soak up the characters, bathe in the action and savor the plot twists. If there are any intelligent beings left in Hollywood, someone will pick this book up and turn it into a TV series. However, do not expect to see anything reminiscent of Scott Bakula's Dr. Sam Beckett for I am fairly certain that Sam Beckett would not stand a chance in hell if faced with James' rough and tumble characters and extraordinary circumstances.
I do not want to give too much away as it would be far more compelling for you the reader to discover it yourself - that and the fact that I am somewhat at a loss for words as to how to concisely describe this incredibly layered and intricate story. I can probably best describe this book by asking you to imagine the TV series Quantum Leap, marrying that with Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle, and then handing it over to Sam Peckinpah to tell the story.
This book opens the reader's mind to, quite literally, an infinite (or finite but myriad, depending on which characters you believe) amount of possibilities and story lines. This could easily turn into a series that never ends. You will soak up the characters, bathe in the action and savor the plot twists. If there are any intelligent beings left in Hollywood, someone will pick this book up and turn it into a TV series. However, do not expect to see anything reminiscent of Scott Bakula's Dr. Sam Beckett for I am fairly certain that Sam Beckett would not stand a chance in hell if faced with James' rough and tumble characters and extraordinary circumstances.
December 5, 2011
Title: The Second Internet Cafe, Part 1: The Dimension Researcher
Author: Chris James
Media: ebook, Kindle edition
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OYO22O
Recommend: Yes
Grade 0-100: 95 (Five Stars)
The Dimension Researcher is the first in a series for author Chris James. If you're a fan of H.G. Wells, then you will no doubt enjoy this book as much as I did.
The fast pace will keep you turning the pages, long past your bedtime. When you finally do go to bed, don't be surprised if the characters follow you.
Wells may have popularized time travel, but James crafts a tale that can only be described as original. Every action that we take, or fail to, can create a new timeline in an alternate universe.
Follow the adventures of the Dimension Researchers as they travel back in time to record events in worlds that we can only dream of. It's a highly recommended read that will leave you begging for more.
You can contact the author on his website and follow his projects by checking out his GoodReads page here...
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
--Rush
Author: Chris James
Media: ebook, Kindle edition
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OYO22O
Recommend: Yes
Grade 0-100: 95 (Five Stars)
The Dimension Researcher is the first in a series for author Chris James. If you're a fan of H.G. Wells, then you will no doubt enjoy this book as much as I did.
The fast pace will keep you turning the pages, long past your bedtime. When you finally do go to bed, don't be surprised if the characters follow you.
Wells may have popularized time travel, but James crafts a tale that can only be described as original. Every action that we take, or fail to, can create a new timeline in an alternate universe.
Follow the adventures of the Dimension Researchers as they travel back in time to record events in worlds that we can only dream of. It's a highly recommended read that will leave you begging for more.
You can contact the author on his website and follow his projects by checking out his GoodReads page here...
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
--Rush
September 15, 2012
The Dimension Researcher by Chris James is an exciting, creative journey through a future in which the technology exists to travel through time, albeit by visiting different dimensions. The way that the subject is approached in this book is incredibly unique and the story draws you in and doesn't let go.
Lucas Hunter has just become The Second Internet Cafe's newest Dimension Researcher, a group of people who are sent to other dimensions to gather information about them. The dimensions they visit are alternate versions of history, created when events occurred differently that in what is called, Reality One. What if WWII had a different victor? What if John Lennon hadn't been assassinated? What if a baby born stillborn lived and grew to become a famous artist? In The Dimension Resarcher, these alternative realities exist. However, during Lucas' first "jump", he notices a strange man with technology far removed from the time period Lucas is sent to. When that same person pops up on his next mission, Lucas realizes he is being followed and that there is a plot in motion that could destroy The Second Internet Cafe, if not his entire reality.
Chris James has a way with words that makes his characters and his world real. That, and his impressive knowledge of history and science(quantum physics and the such), solidifies the plausibility of the premise and completely suspends any sense of disbelief. Chris James has obviously thought every aspect of this premise through, and his thorough realization of this world truly shows. The story moves at a brisk pace, pulling you through no matter what else you should be doing, and doesn't let up until you turn that last page. Though the book has a very satisfying conclusion, it is left open enough to make you yearn for further adventures with Lucas' and the Second Internet Cafe. At least being titled The Second Internet Cafe Part One ensures that Chris James has plans to grace us with more wonderful stories in this alternative future.
I really love some of the unique concepts Chris James puts forth in this book such as how histories, works of art, and music can be brought back and become popular items among the populace of Reality One. The idea that one event from one dimension can diverge into countless other dimensions which in turn can branch into countless more after that, etc. is interesting.
There are a few moments, though rare, that a couple pages will drag with technical terms and scientific explanations that will go right over the average reader's head, but it also helps to keep things real. You may find yourself skimming over these parts or jumping onto Google to learn more.
I have to say that I could see this as a wonderful idea for a movie, the characters brimming with personality and the story full of action and intrigue. I anxiously await the next entry in this brilliant series.
Lucas Hunter has just become The Second Internet Cafe's newest Dimension Researcher, a group of people who are sent to other dimensions to gather information about them. The dimensions they visit are alternate versions of history, created when events occurred differently that in what is called, Reality One. What if WWII had a different victor? What if John Lennon hadn't been assassinated? What if a baby born stillborn lived and grew to become a famous artist? In The Dimension Resarcher, these alternative realities exist. However, during Lucas' first "jump", he notices a strange man with technology far removed from the time period Lucas is sent to. When that same person pops up on his next mission, Lucas realizes he is being followed and that there is a plot in motion that could destroy The Second Internet Cafe, if not his entire reality.
Chris James has a way with words that makes his characters and his world real. That, and his impressive knowledge of history and science(quantum physics and the such), solidifies the plausibility of the premise and completely suspends any sense of disbelief. Chris James has obviously thought every aspect of this premise through, and his thorough realization of this world truly shows. The story moves at a brisk pace, pulling you through no matter what else you should be doing, and doesn't let up until you turn that last page. Though the book has a very satisfying conclusion, it is left open enough to make you yearn for further adventures with Lucas' and the Second Internet Cafe. At least being titled The Second Internet Cafe Part One ensures that Chris James has plans to grace us with more wonderful stories in this alternative future.
I really love some of the unique concepts Chris James puts forth in this book such as how histories, works of art, and music can be brought back and become popular items among the populace of Reality One. The idea that one event from one dimension can diverge into countless other dimensions which in turn can branch into countless more after that, etc. is interesting.
There are a few moments, though rare, that a couple pages will drag with technical terms and scientific explanations that will go right over the average reader's head, but it also helps to keep things real. You may find yourself skimming over these parts or jumping onto Google to learn more.
I have to say that I could see this as a wonderful idea for a movie, the characters brimming with personality and the story full of action and intrigue. I anxiously await the next entry in this brilliant series.
March 17, 2013
Science Fiction and I have a strange relationship. If asked, I’ll say I’m not much of a sci-fi guy, but when I think of the genre what I picture is the space opera subgenre, full of futuristic space battles, advanced technologies, and life spent entirely in space: Star Trek or Star Wars like stories. Yet I’ve still read some of these and if the characters appeal to me I’ll enjoy them, even though they’ll never be my first choice for reading material.
Obviously, my concept of Science Fiction is way too limited. The truth is, many books I read and enjoy have some Science Fiction elements, although not always enough to fall into the genre. M.P. McDonald’s Mark Taylor series is a good example. What that series and other books which are clearly Science Fiction (but not space opera) that I enjoy have in common is some kind of question that starts, “what if?” In the example of the Mark Taylor books it is, “what if someone had a camera that could show a future negative event, and the camera owner could potentially prevent it from happening?” The Dimension Researcher explores the question of “what if there were alternate realities, and we were able to explore them,” and a second question, “what could go wrong?”
The concept of alternate realities or other dimensions is a common idea in Science Fiction. I’ve encountered it before and expect most sci-fi readers have. In case you’re not familiar with it, the concept is that each time someone makes a decision an alternate reality is created for each of the possible outcomes. The Dimension Researcher can explore the differences between these realities and how alternate decisions, both large and small, could affect the course of the world. It’s an interesting mind exercise. I think any book that makes you think is a good one, and this one did that for me.
But no story is going to work without good characters and, when the story takes place in a world that is changed from our own, in describing and defining that world so it becomes real for the reader – often called world building. It is in these areas where James excelled. The main characters were well-formed with enough detail to feel as if you understood their personalities, both the good and the not. And the world where most of the story took place, a gigantic building with many different areas, each with distinct functions, was described very well. Enough so I could picture it, put myself in the story, and imagine the setting.
The Dimension Researcher is a good read for both sci-fi fans and those who, like me, could benefit from expanding their reading diet as a reminder that the genre is much broader than they think.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Obviously, my concept of Science Fiction is way too limited. The truth is, many books I read and enjoy have some Science Fiction elements, although not always enough to fall into the genre. M.P. McDonald’s Mark Taylor series is a good example. What that series and other books which are clearly Science Fiction (but not space opera) that I enjoy have in common is some kind of question that starts, “what if?” In the example of the Mark Taylor books it is, “what if someone had a camera that could show a future negative event, and the camera owner could potentially prevent it from happening?” The Dimension Researcher explores the question of “what if there were alternate realities, and we were able to explore them,” and a second question, “what could go wrong?”
The concept of alternate realities or other dimensions is a common idea in Science Fiction. I’ve encountered it before and expect most sci-fi readers have. In case you’re not familiar with it, the concept is that each time someone makes a decision an alternate reality is created for each of the possible outcomes. The Dimension Researcher can explore the differences between these realities and how alternate decisions, both large and small, could affect the course of the world. It’s an interesting mind exercise. I think any book that makes you think is a good one, and this one did that for me.
But no story is going to work without good characters and, when the story takes place in a world that is changed from our own, in describing and defining that world so it becomes real for the reader – often called world building. It is in these areas where James excelled. The main characters were well-formed with enough detail to feel as if you understood their personalities, both the good and the not. And the world where most of the story took place, a gigantic building with many different areas, each with distinct functions, was described very well. Enough so I could picture it, put myself in the story, and imagine the setting.
The Dimension Researcher is a good read for both sci-fi fans and those who, like me, could benefit from expanding their reading diet as a reminder that the genre is much broader than they think.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
February 9, 2013
First, let me explain about dimension research. James has taken the process of making a decision and run headlong with it. In the reality he has invented for his series, every decision you make spawns a series of new realities: one that follows the path you decided upon, and one or more others that follow the paths you didn't take. Researchers in Europe have figured out how to move from one of these dimensions to another. Now, a consortium of nations has built a facility called the Second Internet Cafe, from which teams are sent to parallel dimensions to find out what could have been -- for example, how our world would have been enriched if So-and-so hadn't died in the Holocaust. Think Connie Willis's Doomsday Book crossed with Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials (but without the daimons).
Lucas Hunter is a brand-new dimension researcher. On his very first day on the job, not only does he manage to annoy his team leader, ace dimension researcher Jean Bauer, but he also discovers that another nation has figured out how to do dimension research. All of this is happening at the same time that the Russian prime minister is supposed to tour the Second Internet Cafe -- and if he doesn't like what he sees, Russia will pull out of the project and the facility will have to close.
There's intrigue involved, of course, and politics, and some less-than-ethical stuff going on. Lucas brashly appoints himself to figure it all out. The one thing he can't seem to figure out is that his friend Kasha is in love with him -- but hey, even in our dimension, geeks have that problem.
James has done a great job with the world-building, and his science had me convinced. His visual of the decision tree has stuck with me in the months since I read the book. All in all, a good read.
Lucas Hunter is a brand-new dimension researcher. On his very first day on the job, not only does he manage to annoy his team leader, ace dimension researcher Jean Bauer, but he also discovers that another nation has figured out how to do dimension research. All of this is happening at the same time that the Russian prime minister is supposed to tour the Second Internet Cafe -- and if he doesn't like what he sees, Russia will pull out of the project and the facility will have to close.
There's intrigue involved, of course, and politics, and some less-than-ethical stuff going on. Lucas brashly appoints himself to figure it all out. The one thing he can't seem to figure out is that his friend Kasha is in love with him -- but hey, even in our dimension, geeks have that problem.
James has done a great job with the world-building, and his science had me convinced. His visual of the decision tree has stuck with me in the months since I read the book. All in all, a good read.
July 31, 2012
I bought this book on the strength of a previous novel by Chris James, Class Action, which I really enjoyed. The Dimension Researcher has now become my favourite book from this past year! I liked it so much, I'm rereading it now...in preparation for the second in his series, which I understand will be coming up within the next year.
The character of Lucas Hunter compelled me to continue reading as SciFi has never been my genre of choice;however, with this book, I have changed my mind. What I loved about the adventures? The science, the wonder, the human impact of the unique time travel.
The story is a fascinating one...actually, it isn't one story, it's many. Timelines in alternate universes pop up regularly to create new challenges for the characters and the reader. I was enthralled by the choices Mr.James made in these realities, particularly when there was significant attention paid to the emotional toll of this kind of travel.
Mr. James is a skilled literary writer and a wonderful storyteller. I really can't wait to read the next installment...and the next...and the next!
The character of Lucas Hunter compelled me to continue reading as SciFi has never been my genre of choice;however, with this book, I have changed my mind. What I loved about the adventures? The science, the wonder, the human impact of the unique time travel.
The story is a fascinating one...actually, it isn't one story, it's many. Timelines in alternate universes pop up regularly to create new challenges for the characters and the reader. I was enthralled by the choices Mr.James made in these realities, particularly when there was significant attention paid to the emotional toll of this kind of travel.
Mr. James is a skilled literary writer and a wonderful storyteller. I really can't wait to read the next installment...and the next...and the next!
March 17, 2013
A fast-paced, hugely enjoyable read. Chris James is without doubt an excellent story teller who succeeds in creating a credible futuristic world where time travel into other dimensions exists.
Although there are many books which cover this subject, this one is set apart thanks to James's expertise in transporting his character to time zones in the past where he effortlessly describes historical events with panache.
This reader could not put the book down and having finished it, immediately raced onto the second in the series.
Chris James is an author worth discovering and I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
Although there are many books which cover this subject, this one is set apart thanks to James's expertise in transporting his character to time zones in the past where he effortlessly describes historical events with panache.
This reader could not put the book down and having finished it, immediately raced onto the second in the series.
Chris James is an author worth discovering and I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews