Outland (Quantum Earth)

Based on the publication date, I thought this novel was written after the first Bobiverse book. But based on some of the references in Outland, it felt like it was written earlier. I think Outland was written before Bob, then republished with a later date. So be prepared for some dated references and a writing style that doesn't develop into full Bobishness until the second half of Outland. What I didn't like: The first half of the novel isn't plausibly grounded. Not in terms of the technology (sci fi novels get to make things up, like interdimensional gateways), but in terms of human behavior (as in, a few college students are the ones who develop a gateway using basic undergrad engineering lab equipment and then don't tell anybody while using it for an interdimensional joyride). The setup in the Bobiverse felt strangely more plausible. What I really liked: Once I got past the implausibility (which the author himself slyly noted by having one of the characters refer to the implausibility of behavior in teen slasher movies), I really enjoyed the world of this novel. It has the same "engineers rule" POV as the Bobiverse. It feels like (passively) playing a really good civilization sim, where you have to create a working society after an apocalyptic event, combined with a classic colony sim, since you get to build the colony while staying loosely connected to the post-apocalypse world. The characters play well off each other. And the novel reaches a satisfying conclusion -- a point at which to pause and take stock, even as you recognize that it's only the end of the beginning. Bill in the story seems to be an early model for Bob. Who knows -- maybe he came back from Outland, started a software company, sold the company, met a car, and became a von Neumann machine. Who's to say? Bottom line: If you enjoy the Bobiverse (which I do!), there's a high probability you'll enjoy Outland. Just suspend disbelief during the first part of the novel (the implausible story setup) and enjoy the world you've landed in. This author has a talent for delivering plots reminiscent of Heinlein, Hamilton, Tchaikovsky, etc. with the light touch reminiscent of Hitchhiker's Guide or Trouble with Tribbles.

This was not the best book ever written, but it was good enough. I think you could say tat the first half was passable and the second half was better, which is a good thing. I feel like I left this book feeling better about it than I did when I started it. My expectations were pretty high, as I absolutely love the Bobiverse series. This was not that, far from it, but in the end it was a pretty good read. I don't know what I could call this SciFi. While technically it is, it's really more of a real-life post/mid-apocalyptic reality game show scenario. That's not quite right but those of you who have read it will probably agree there's some truth to it. The drama isn't overwrought, which is good because I don't think the author really wants to go there. I enjoy the characters, and maybe he is too simple in making it obvious who is good and who is not. You really have no problem rooting for the good guys and against the bad guys. In all it's an easy read, a good enough book by a very good author. I will confess that I was hoping for a Bobiverse-level read here but I can't say it was quite up to that. But I did enjoy it and you could do worse than picking this one up. I will most likely grab another of his before too long.

I found this book on a recommendation page when I was looking for any books written along the line of the canceled TV show Terra Nova. I am so happy I ran across that page because this book is fantastic. Very imaginative and extremely well written. Characters are well fleshed out with back stories and descriptions. The science is not so technical that I couldn’t grasp the concepts. Above all, it’s just such a great story that captures your imagination. Great famous movie line references by a couple of quirky lovable characters. A great fun read.

Fun characters. I would have liked a little more development of them. Delving a little more deeply into at least a few of the main four/five. I think perhaps Monica was the most well rounded out (no pun initially intended), which is maybe a bit surprising since she's the last of the major players to appear. Interesting concept. A little handwaving as to how parallel realities are created/how many exist, and how to access them (obviously), but it's tied to quantum mechanics (which obviously no one really understands anyway - at least the "why" or the "how it ties to everything else") manifesting on a macro scale. Interesting treatment of alternate Earth timelines if certain things had gone differently. Overall, I liked it a lot and definitely recommend it for science fiction fans who like humor. Or just for readers who like humor and a good story.

Good read! Interesting topic covering many fields.

I loved the premise of this book. But there were a few major things I just couldn't get over. First, I've worked with college students. Unless I missed where these 6 are described as "grad students working on their PhD," there is no way I can just believe they are as knowledgeable about their subjects as the author wants us to think. Second, no atv or *anything* to get around in Outland the first many times? No idea how to make coffee without a generator? What!? For larger things - the story took forever to take off. The first half of the book really dragged on. And on. The characters are stereotypical quirky nerds... and that's about it. I wish they had more depth. I kind of want to read the 2nd just to see if it finally finds its footing. But I also didn't find the first appealing enough to feel the urge to see where the story goes.

You will like this. A new take on the multiple Earths theme. Taylor's still captures realistic dialog and interactions. Can't wait to read book two.

My 7th (and final) Dennis Taylor novel in a row. His stories are fun. Not the best book if you are new to the author; it was his first novel, and not nearly as funny as those that followed. Not that it aims to be. Try Bobiverse instead. Plot wise it combines two common SF tropes - interdimensional portals, and post-apocalyptic earth. How the portals work allows for some interesting plot devices. It reads like its target audience is teens/young adult, all clean cut G rated fun. I note that the author updated this in 2015, so the characters have tablets, mobile phones, GPS etc. This gives it a fresh, contemporary feel, as if it could happen in this world we live in today. And you won't get that from the classic Heinlein, Clark and Asimov stories that have gone before.

The wit, the geekery, the BANTER! Found family, diverse relationships, and all the checks that make my brain whirrrr! I loved every moment and I couldn't put it down. If I didn't need sleep I'd immediately hop into book 2!

Really great premise of super volcano catastrophe and a fun, thrilling novel. Paints a bleak picture of the post apocalyptic earth!

I already found the idea of the portal very interesting. The author has created two exciting books with interesting characters and plot twists from this idea. I am not a native English speaker, but for me the language was on a good level. I was excellently entertained and almost couldn't put the two books down. Within two weeks both were through. I would be very happy if the author would continue the series.

A really fun and fast paced read. I’m not going to go on and on about character development..but there certainly are a lot of interesting characters. My only regret is that this must have been written before there were 3D printers. Bill would have loved them. Read it!