Eureka: Road Less Traveled

Eureka #3

by Cris Ramsay

A Global Dynamics researcher has a breakthrough on her project visualizing another dimension. And since GD's experiments have a bad tendency to affect the entire town, Sheriff Jack Carter heads over to check it out. What he sees blows him away. The project has revealed a parallel universe, complete with another Eureka-one in which Carter doesn't exist! But as the two worlds begin to bleed into each other and residents confront their alternate selves, Carter may be the one man who can keep both Eurekas from being destroyed.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Media Tie In

262 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 23, 2011

About the author

Cris Ramsay is the house name for Aaron S. Rosenberg, an American novelist and game designer.

Originally from New Jersey and New York, Mr. Rosenberg returned to New York City in 1996 after stints in New Orleans and Kansas. He has taught college-level English and worked in corporate graphics and book publishing. Mr. Rosenberg lives in New York City with his family.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the days before we had access to many of our favorite shows via DVD or streaming, one of the only ways to re-capture the feeling of enjoying an episode or two was via a tie-in novel. Most tie-in novels serve to remind me of why I like a particular show and serve as a nice bubble-gum type of book--enjoyable enough while chewing it, but not something I will necessarily recall long after I'm done.

Such is the case with Eureka: Road Less Traveled.

It's certainly not the worst tie-in novel I've ever read, but it's not the most memorable either.

Part of the problem is that Eureka is such an arc driven show--both plotwise and character wise--that a large portion of the first third of the book is spent trying to figure out what point during the series the novel is set. And while it's not Chris Ramey's fault that certain plotlines have moved forward since the book went to print, it did serve as a major distraction at times.

Not that a tie-in novel can't overcome these things. If they're willing to offer us something new or different or a unique perspective on things. Road Less Traveled doesn't do any of that and ends up being a light reading experience that I didn't necessarily hate but I didn't necessarily love either.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. I loved the syfy series Eureka so it was really nice to enjoy the series through book form. I don’t usually like movie/tv book tie-ins however I did like this one. The writer portrays most of the chartered fairly similarly to the series - so if you’re a fan of the television series you’ll like this book. It was a good story line however as soon as I read the first few chapters I figured what was going to happen, but it was still a good book and I would recommend it.

[Ravay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more of a 3.5.

Hmmm...I thought I had reviewed these three Eureka books I read right after re-watching the series (which I love), but GR majorly messes up between my phone and my computer. And it's been a few months.

Fun, light read if you want more from the world of "Eureka"!

If you have never heard of "Eureka" this is probably not for you!

[Graisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun adventure that matches this fun tv show.

[Tracy Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheriff Carter is an average, every day type of guy that is in charge of keeping a not so average town safe and secure. This is Eureka, a town of America's most talented and intelligent scientists. This is a scientific community that contributes to new discoveries and inventions- and sometimes the experiments and trials can get out of hand! In this adventure in Eureka, someone steals a Thunderbird egg from a laboratory in G.D. Also, a scientist is experimenting on visualizing an alternate dimension. At first she thinks it didn't work, but then we realize it may have worked a little too well!
This actually is one of my favorite TV shows, and I was given this book as part of a random swap for this show! Cool! I really really miss watching this show. I loved the characters and I thought it was a pretty creative show as well. I loved the romance between Carter and Allison...dawww :)
This book was a welcome return to something I really miss! It kind of hand me thinking if this was actually an episode or not. I don't think it was, but it seems like it could have been. This is actually the third book in this series. I don't really think it matters, though. I obviously watched the TV show so I know what's going on, and when its more so an adventure rather than following the characters, you could pretty much tune in or read in any order and still enjoy it, I think.
I enjoyed the storyline, and it did have me wondering how they'd figure everything out when there was only so many pages left! It was fun to revisit all my favorite characters from this show. Its not really the best book I've read of course. It always seems that tv to book translate kind of horribly because the story is always more about the action than what the characters are thinking. I'd read another book if I was given it or traded for it, but I don't think I'd go out of my way either to get another in this series. Its entertaining and fun, but not much else!

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book based on the Syfy television show. This book takes place about halfway during the show's run. In this novel, a scientist discovers a way to look into another dimension. This dimension is almost exactly like the dimension that the show takes place in. There are minor differences. With this being Eureka, we all know that with every science project things will go awry and they do with this one.

This was a fun book. This book could have been an episode of the show. The author portrayed the characters correctly and I had no problem visualizing them. It was fun to see these characters in an alternate dimension and how their lives were different. The problem with this book is the author repeated over and over again the feelings of whatever character was in the scene. If you were a fan of the show, we know that Fargo liked Jo and the whole basis of the show was Allison and Carter circling around their feelings. We didn't need to be reminded over and over. If you weren't a fan of the show, I understand the author was trying to convey their feelings but it was redundant for it to be mentioned repeatedly.

All in all, this was a nice book that contained the earmarks of the show and it was nice visiting this town once again.

[Kerrikoala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the chance to visit Eureka again. It's been almost a year since it went off the air, and I'm missing my favorite town of geniuses. However, the problem with this book is that it was written around the middle of Eureka's run, so it ends up seeming dated. So much about the characters (their relationships, their jobs, etc.) had changed by the end of the show, so it's weird to read about them in a book like this, knowing so much more than the characters do about what's going to happen in their lives. That said, it was a decent plot, and Ramsay does a good job of sticking to the character's personalities, and he brings up things that happened on various episodes that helped to tie this story to the show. It could have used a little better editing, as some of the sentences read as if they were missing words, and he also overused the word "sentient," but overall it was a good read.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a really good story a Global Dynamics research has found a way to visualize another dimension. What she and the others see is a near-duplicate Eureka. Carter, though, doesn't exist in that version.
Problems arise when the sound becomes clear between the two towns and the scientists realize that the two realities are being drawn towards each other. More and more of the Eureka 2 city folk are ending up in Eureka 1 and if the process is not stopped the two dimensions could collide and destroy each other.

It's up to Carter to save the day!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I absolutely love Eureka and I've enjoyed both of the past books written in this universe. But this one didn't really live up the second one (Called Brain Box Blues). It was astonishingly better than the first, but worst than the second. Overall I really liked this book and enjoyed the idea of an alternate universe.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I'd suggest Road Less Traveled to fans of the TV show Eureka. The story was interesting, with sci-fi touches, a bit of humor, and a mixture of action and problem-solving. The characterizations were spot on. And Ramsay integrated previous minor characters and storylines, adding to the world-building for Eureka fans.

[Grant Polachek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this show, and I liked the first two Eureka books. This book is definitely the weakest in the series. Nothing really happens until page 110 or so. Then, still, the story meanders. Yet, as the last new piece of Eureka content I'm likely to ever ingest, I'm savoring the characters and enjoying the book as best I can.

[Carlissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the tv show an am sorry that it has come to an end, but I am glad that books are now being written in the Eureka universe. This one takes place after Zoe has gone to Harvard, but before their trip to '47.

[Danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad that this is the third Eureka Media Tie in and that means that I'm all done with Eureka books (though, I guess I could try to find the graphic novels).

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

researcher has a break through on being able to see into a parallel dimension. The two Eureka's begin to bleed together. Sheriff Carter must save both Eureka's.

[Virginia Rand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like Cris captured the characters much better in this one. :-)

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, fits with the feel of the series.

[Karenb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read. Just like the TV show.