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The Harvester
Dormant Diversion: We Do Not Come in Peace
Extraterrestrial DNA mutates life on Earth into a cosmic playground and an obscure frequency draws in the players.
US Secretary of Energy, Ed Marker, is living his dream as head of the most ambitious power initiative in the world. He is overseeing the roll-out of the harvester project, which will provide clean, efficient, and unlimited energy. When this new technology activates alien DNA, the price of free energy becomes too high.
This uncatalogued genetic code is reshaping the planet as the world's oceans turn a deep crimson and seismic activity shakes the globe. People are developing photosynthetic properties, growing scales, and using previously inaccessible portions of the human mind. These alarming changes are accelerating with each passing day. Millions of years of evolution are occurring near these monstrosities in only months, and it is up to Ed and a team of scientists to stop these transformations before the human race is unrecognizable.
Dormant Diversion is the first book in The Harvester Series. Diane Lauer and Sarah Lauer Nakawatase have turned biology and physics upside down, weaving a contemporary story of genetically-unimaginable proportions.
US Secretary of Energy, Ed Marker, is living his dream as head of the most ambitious power initiative in the world. He is overseeing the roll-out of the harvester project, which will provide clean, efficient, and unlimited energy. When this new technology activates alien DNA, the price of free energy becomes too high.
This uncatalogued genetic code is reshaping the planet as the world's oceans turn a deep crimson and seismic activity shakes the globe. People are developing photosynthetic properties, growing scales, and using previously inaccessible portions of the human mind. These alarming changes are accelerating with each passing day. Millions of years of evolution are occurring near these monstrosities in only months, and it is up to Ed and a team of scientists to stop these transformations before the human race is unrecognizable.
Dormant Diversion is the first book in The Harvester Series. Diane Lauer and Sarah Lauer Nakawatase have turned biology and physics upside down, weaving a contemporary story of genetically-unimaginable proportions.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
322 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2023
44 people are currently reading
2087 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Lauer Nakawatase
3 books36 followersSarah lives by the beach with her forever husband, three children, and one chicken. Over the years, family hikes, Little League games, and big family dinners have kept her smiling. Her spice rack occupies twelve square feet!
She earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Health Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her Registered Nurse (RN) license from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Presently, she works as a cardiac nurse.
In her twenties, she started an agave farm in Jalisco, Mexico, with her first husband, lending accurate details to Double-Crossing the Border. In her teens, she worked as a dairy farmer, drawing upon this experience while writing Southern Souls.
Sarah also provides her local community with a yearly creative writing scholarship—details available at sarahlauernakawatase.com.
She earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Health Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her Registered Nurse (RN) license from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Presently, she works as a cardiac nurse.
In her twenties, she started an agave farm in Jalisco, Mexico, with her first husband, lending accurate details to Double-Crossing the Border. In her teens, she worked as a dairy farmer, drawing upon this experience while writing Southern Souls.
Sarah also provides her local community with a yearly creative writing scholarship—details available at sarahlauernakawatase.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 25, 2023
I am a fan of disaster and first contact novels. For me, the best scenes are the thrilling scenes and sometimes wild plot. Well let me tell you, this story grabs the reader from the first page and doesn't let go. Love the creativity of the story. It's not a hard science fiction novel, it's a popcorn science fiction novel, and I really enjoyed it. I will recommend it to patrons at my library.
I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.
I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.
February 1, 2023
Dormant Diversion
Unique and engrossing – 5 stars!
The last thing you would call this well-crafted sci-fi thriller is derivative. The hint is right there in the title, it is a complete diversion from the cookie-cutter rubbish flooding this genre these days. The story involves the reader from the beginning; I found myself continually wondering what was really causing all the anomalies. On the surface the answer seemed simple, it was all those wonderful new machines that were generating cheap and plentiful energy without a trace of pollution. The Secretary of Energy had ignored the warnings, they had checked every possible effect on human life in such excruciating detail. It was simply impossible that the harvesters could be the cause of those few odd events. Ah, but had they checked the effect on alien artifacts?
There are stories within stories, a host of unique (there’s that word again) characters, and a mystery that slowly unfolds, rendering the reader reluctant to put the book down until the last page. To tell any more would be to give it away, but if you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure that is a refreshing departure from the norm, look no further than Dormant Diversion. Like me, you’ll leave looking forward to the next installment in The Harvester series.
Bill Schweitzer - author of Doves in a Tempest-The Valley of Horror and Anna Belle Cook and The Boy Who Talked to Dogs
Unique and engrossing – 5 stars!
The last thing you would call this well-crafted sci-fi thriller is derivative. The hint is right there in the title, it is a complete diversion from the cookie-cutter rubbish flooding this genre these days. The story involves the reader from the beginning; I found myself continually wondering what was really causing all the anomalies. On the surface the answer seemed simple, it was all those wonderful new machines that were generating cheap and plentiful energy without a trace of pollution. The Secretary of Energy had ignored the warnings, they had checked every possible effect on human life in such excruciating detail. It was simply impossible that the harvesters could be the cause of those few odd events. Ah, but had they checked the effect on alien artifacts?
There are stories within stories, a host of unique (there’s that word again) characters, and a mystery that slowly unfolds, rendering the reader reluctant to put the book down until the last page. To tell any more would be to give it away, but if you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure that is a refreshing departure from the norm, look no further than Dormant Diversion. Like me, you’ll leave looking forward to the next installment in The Harvester series.
Bill Schweitzer - author of Doves in a Tempest-The Valley of Horror and Anna Belle Cook and The Boy Who Talked to Dogs
February 27, 2024
Dormant Diversion masterfully combines Michael Crichton-like action with the unknowable mystery of extraterrestrial life that Maria Doria Russell provided in The Sparrow.
Diane Lauer and Sarah Lauer Nakawatase contrast the thrill of scientific innovation with the terror of unintended consequences in a gripping narrative where the quest for clean energy unwittingly transforms Earth into an alien landscape. This opener of The Harvester Series constructs a compelling stage, highlighting the fine line between human ambition and the unpredictable forces of "unknown unknowns."
A definite must-read for fans of science fiction and environmental thrillers.
Diane Lauer and Sarah Lauer Nakawatase contrast the thrill of scientific innovation with the terror of unintended consequences in a gripping narrative where the quest for clean energy unwittingly transforms Earth into an alien landscape. This opener of The Harvester Series constructs a compelling stage, highlighting the fine line between human ambition and the unpredictable forces of "unknown unknowns."
A definite must-read for fans of science fiction and environmental thrillers.
February 17, 2023
Dormant Diversion, by Sarah Lauer Nakawatase and Diane Lauer, is sure to appeal to science fiction fans. Frequencies from a new energy source are activating alien DNA, causing horrible mutations worldwide. In a race against the clock, secret military forces hurry to get answers from a confined alien. This thrill ride of a novel leads the reader on a high adventure that is sure to entertain. One could easily picture this fun novel as an exciting movie. Enjoy!
Greg Hoover, author of "The witching of the king" and "The pain killer"
Greg Hoover, author of "The witching of the king" and "The pain killer"
July 19, 2023
What a ride!!
Want escapist fare? You'll get it here in spades. I loved this debut book .. it was wonderfully entertaining with a very unique premise. Yes ... it's been thoroughly edited, and I only found one misspelled word (ore instead of oar) in Colleen's lagoon. Realistically crafted characters, without any irritating terrestrial villain. I truly hope Book 2 is in the works because I truly cannot wait to find out where this story goes from here. Kudos ladies. I had a blast!
Want escapist fare? You'll get it here in spades. I loved this debut book .. it was wonderfully entertaining with a very unique premise. Yes ... it's been thoroughly edited, and I only found one misspelled word (ore instead of oar) in Colleen's lagoon. Realistically crafted characters, without any irritating terrestrial villain. I truly hope Book 2 is in the works because I truly cannot wait to find out where this story goes from here. Kudos ladies. I had a blast!
March 21, 2025
Fascinating Sci-Fi
I’ve watched tons of sci-fi films, but this is the first novel like this I’ve read. I was mesmerized by the story and the writing. A unique twisty and surprising tale that doesn’t rely on graphic violent scenes to keep you turning the pages. Each chapter takes you to another place on Earth where strange and unworldly things are occurring due to the harvester machines, which generate a new energy source. The characters are interesting and well-developed. The ending does not satisfy, because there will be another book, not yet available. Hope it is coming soon!
I’ve watched tons of sci-fi films, but this is the first novel like this I’ve read. I was mesmerized by the story and the writing. A unique twisty and surprising tale that doesn’t rely on graphic violent scenes to keep you turning the pages. Each chapter takes you to another place on Earth where strange and unworldly things are occurring due to the harvester machines, which generate a new energy source. The characters are interesting and well-developed. The ending does not satisfy, because there will be another book, not yet available. Hope it is coming soon!
April 16, 2023
At first, you think that it is the new technology, Harvesters, that were causing mutations within the human populace. Instead, you learn that aliens seeded our planet with their DNA to create a new world that had lain dormant for million of years.
The science of the was interesting and I really enjoyed reading the different POVs. I am hoping there is a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and this is my honest review.
The science of the was interesting and I really enjoyed reading the different POVs. I am hoping there is a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and this is my honest review.
July 16, 2023
change
This was a very interesting science fiction book. Instead of human like aliens there was a genetic anomaly that was poison to human genes thousands of years ago. sometimes the alien let you know is the one you cannot see. There are many changes to earth as a result of a signal that activated the gene. I would recommend this book Hulu like a different kind of science fiction story. I assume there must be a sequel to this book building by the ending
This was a very interesting science fiction book. Instead of human like aliens there was a genetic anomaly that was poison to human genes thousands of years ago. sometimes the alien let you know is the one you cannot see. There are many changes to earth as a result of a signal that activated the gene. I would recommend this book Hulu like a different kind of science fiction story. I assume there must be a sequel to this book building by the ending
February 29, 2024
one in a 1000!
Dormant Diversion is for me a one in a 1000 reading experiences! The characters are otherworldly at times, and guaranteed to pluck at heartstrings. The story plays out from before humanity began, all the way past contact with an alien craft. I loved the subtlety of descriptions. It was extremely difficult to stop reading for sleep times even. An amazing and wonderful book. And watch out for the ending! Go Clarence!!!
Dormant Diversion is for me a one in a 1000 reading experiences! The characters are otherworldly at times, and guaranteed to pluck at heartstrings. The story plays out from before humanity began, all the way past contact with an alien craft. I loved the subtlety of descriptions. It was extremely difficult to stop reading for sleep times even. An amazing and wonderful book. And watch out for the ending! Go Clarence!!!
March 13, 2023
really good book! usually i only read things with female lead characters but decided to take a risk with this one and glad i did. The writing is good & thankfully so is the editing - which is rare these days. Looking forward to next in series (and i dislike series in general). The plot is epic, my favorite, tho the characters could be a lot more developed, especially the women.
April 17, 2023
I had very low expectations for this book and was delightfully surprised. While it’s not best written book I’ve ever read, the creativity of the plot and overall concept makes it a winner. If you’re mildly into sci-fi (like me) I think it’s worth checking out. Definitely curious how this story will advance in future books.
February 17, 2023
In an ever changing world we have become accustomed to, Dormant Diversion is an eye opening glimpse into the unknown and unfathomable future we all may face one day. We are definitely not alone in this vast universe.
March 29, 2023
Wow
When people start to change it is originally blamed on side effects from being too close to the harvesters. But soon a more accurate cause is found. And, apparently, it's incurable and alien.
I'm entranced.
When people start to change it is originally blamed on side effects from being too close to the harvesters. But soon a more accurate cause is found. And, apparently, it's incurable and alien.
I'm entranced.
April 26, 2023
Interesting sci-fi but also more complex than it needed to be.
Too many things going on, random mutations, secret aliens in military seclusion.
And there is no resolution by the end of the book.
Not interested enough to continue with the series.
Some interesting characters here.
Too many things going on, random mutations, secret aliens in military seclusion.
And there is no resolution by the end of the book.
Not interested enough to continue with the series.
Some interesting characters here.
July 10, 2023
wow!
Wow indeed. This book was quite interesting. It started off a bit slow but all the pieces gradually came together. This is a different take on the end of the world. I was totally hooked. Looking forward to the next one.
Wow indeed. This book was quite interesting. It started off a bit slow but all the pieces gradually came together. This is a different take on the end of the world. I was totally hooked. Looking forward to the next one.
March 9, 2026
Awesome!
Very interesting concept, I loved this book! I was so bummed to see that it was written three years ago and the next book is still not out. At this point I wonder if it will ever be written.
Very interesting concept, I loved this book! I was so bummed to see that it was written three years ago and the next book is still not out. At this point I wonder if it will ever be written.
February 1, 2023
This book was great, it keeps you on the edge if your seat the whole time. I cant wait for the next one in the series to come out. If you don't read this book your definitely missing out.
February 26, 2023
Cannot wait for to read this book cover to cover again
March 18, 2023
Very unique storyline; clever, riveting, rich characters. I look forward to reading more in this series.
May 12, 2023
Incredible and intriguing story line
The book and twist leaves you wanting more, the “unnatural “ changes to the Human race and World as we know it.
The book and twist leaves you wanting more, the “unnatural “ changes to the Human race and World as we know it.
January 14, 2026
I love that this is different from all the other books I have read. I could not put this book down AND I did not know I would be left hanging! I need to know what happens next!!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews