Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sunday Reviews - The Dimension Researcher

Sunday Reviews Week 4



The Dimension Researcher: The Second Internet Cafe Part 1

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. This is not only one of the best independently published books I've read, but one of the best sci-fi/thrillers as well.

The second title in The Second Internet Cafe series, The Cascade Annihilator has also recently been released.  Though I haven't had the chance to get to it just yet, I look forward to the further adventures of Lucas Hunter.  Do yourself a favor and check out The Dimension Researcher.




5/5


The Dimension Researcher is available on AmazonBarnes and Noble, and Smashwords

Learn more about Chris James here.

3 comments:

  1. Great review Brian. I have plans to get The Cascade Annihilator as well. Just four more books to go on my TBR list!

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    1. Thanks! It's so easy for that TBR pile to grow!

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  2. Brian, once again thank you for taking the time to read and review my book. I especially appreciate it because we are both writers and know the pressures we have on our time - with writing and reading for research and all the rest, it's amazing we can get any time to sit down and read for pleasure.
    This is a fantastic review, and I'm very happy to read it - thanks!

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