The Quantum Bomb of 2015 changed everything. The fabric that kept the universe's different dimensions apart was torn and now the people of earth ex...
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Mar 21, 2009
Inara
rated it: 
If you like to read an action-filled book with a strange heroine in a strange world pick this one up and start reading immediately.
After a fatal explosion at a research center in Texas nothing on earth (or Otopia as earth is called now) is as it has been before. The explosion opened spheres to other realities - magical spheres where elves, demons and other strange creatures dwell. Some years after this incident Lila Black, a special agent, receives the order to protect an elvish rock star More...
After a fatal explosion at a research center in Texas nothing on earth (or Otopia as earth is called now) is as it has been before. The explosion opened spheres to other realities - magical spheres where elves, demons and other strange creatures dwell. Some years after this incident Lila Black, a special agent, receives the order to protect an elvish rock star More...
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Dec 17, 2009
Res
rated it: 
The one where half-robotic Lila is hired as a bodyguard for an elf rock star.
OK, mega-points for originality here; this book is chock-full of interesting stuff. I'm especially intrigued by the idea that elves have a sort of a sense organ made of magic. Very clever. Wish I'd thought of it. And as romantic conflicts go, "I've been alienated from my body since I became bionic" beats the hell out of "My parents had a rough divorce."
In the end, though, I wa More...
OK, mega-points for originality here; this book is chock-full of interesting stuff. I'm especially intrigued by the idea that elves have a sort of a sense organ made of magic. Very clever. Wish I'd thought of it. And as romantic conflicts go, "I've been alienated from my body since I became bionic" beats the hell out of "My parents had a rough divorce."
In the end, though, I wa More...
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(5 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Ian
rated it:
This is a romance novel in disguise. Suckered in by the cyborg on the cover, seduced by the concept of a universe formed by the juxtaposition of elves n fairy's n humans I foolishly continued reading past the introduction into the angst ridden world of the bionic woman with appearence issues (granted of course she is now a meld of machinary and woman, so she is fairly justified in this regard).
The redeeming feature of cool wiz-bang sci-fi goodness coupled with a magic should have mad More...
The redeeming feature of cool wiz-bang sci-fi goodness coupled with a magic should have mad More...
Aug 19, 2009
Josh
rated it:
Well, first impression - sceptical about the redhead on the front. From what I could see, she was apparently meant to be a sexy, leather-clad cyborg. Hm. Ok.
The premise for the book, the idea of science and magic co-existing with a case of broken history sounded promising at first. Despite the clumsily written lore at the start and the extremely-difficult-to-pronounce Interstitial, I was looking forward to some science/magic fusion.
Not so. Maybe a third of the book has an More...
The premise for the book, the idea of science and magic co-existing with a case of broken history sounded promising at first. Despite the clumsily written lore at the start and the extremely-difficult-to-pronounce Interstitial, I was looking forward to some science/magic fusion.
Not so. Maybe a third of the book has an More...
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Apr 16, 2009
Danielle
rated it: 
Uniquely envisioned story, another satisfying combination of Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres. I have to admit I enjoyed the first half (sci-fi) a little more than the second half (fantasy); can't really pinpoint exactly why. It felt... faster-paced, and more engrossing. Harder to put down. (I really just enjoy a good chase scene on a motorcycle.)
I am waffling as to whether or not to put it on my lesson-in-feminism shelf or not, but I think I won't. Yes, it's a revisionary female character More...
I am waffling as to whether or not to put it on my lesson-in-feminism shelf or not, but I think I won't. Yes, it's a revisionary female character More...
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Oct 30, 2009
Blue Eyed Vixen
rated it:
*Nearly worth 5 stars* I often flick through the shelves at my local library to see what covers catch my attention - yes... I also freely admit that I judge books by their covers.
It's easy to understand, then, why I was drawn to this one. “What's this? A sexy lycra clad vixen with enough metal weaponery in her arms and legs to start a war?”. I read the back cover and was even more enticed: Agent Lila Black, half human-half robot, all attitude!
This was a cross between be More...
It's easy to understand, then, why I was drawn to this one. “What's this? A sexy lycra clad vixen with enough metal weaponery in her arms and legs to start a war?”. I read the back cover and was even more enticed: Agent Lila Black, half human-half robot, all attitude!
This was a cross between be More...
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(4 people liked it)
Dec 05, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 30, 2011
CD
rated it: 
Wow. Excellent fantasy read with hot elf romance. A Quantum Bomb changed the nature of the world when it allowed the other dimensions access to the human world. Elves, elementals, demons and other magic realms are all now connected and there are some (mainly the high elves) who are a bit pissy about it all. In comes Lila Black (half machine, half human) who is assigned bodyguard duty to a rocker elf named Zal. Things are not what they seem, dangerous machinations are afoot and a deadly game has
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Mar 23, 2008
Tim
rated it:
Now this one is really fun. It postulates a surprisingly believable universe of us, demons, faeries, elementals and elves (and all sorts) with a hard science (of sorts) back story.
The heroine is a tough girly fantasy figure but not stupidly so. She's a bit of a lonely ladette and I suppose she's been written up for the modern twenty something rather than old salts like this reviewer. But she seems real enough and characterisation is good.
Be prepared for some genuinely r More...
The heroine is a tough girly fantasy figure but not stupidly so. She's a bit of a lonely ladette and I suppose she's been written up for the modern twenty something rather than old salts like this reviewer. But she seems real enough and characterisation is good.
Be prepared for some genuinely r More...
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 08, 2008
Heidi
rated it:
New series that looked intriguing from the blurb on the back. NOT your typical fantasy at all! Very fun! This book/series breaks all the fantasy stereotypes. Humerous writing, clever, and unique.
Lila Black is a survivor of a magickal attack, saved only by technology that makes her body more machine than human, except for her heart. Her first job out of recovery is to protect Zal, rockstar and somewhat renegade elf, from a death threat from his own people. What seems like a simple bo More...
Lila Black is a survivor of a magickal attack, saved only by technology that makes her body more machine than human, except for her heart. Her first job out of recovery is to protect Zal, rockstar and somewhat renegade elf, from a death threat from his own people. What seems like a simple bo More...
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(2 people liked it)
Nov 13, 2011
All Things Urban Fantasy
rated it:
KEEPING IT REAL was reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, ON THE ROAD, and DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? all rolled into one, though the way these elements came together is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Magical and lyric and lovely, this book sweeps from page to page like breathing, wrapping you in the world building so completely it is both foreign and utterly encompassing. Like learning a language through immersion, the music of what you read carries you along until the meani
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Jan 01, 2011
Yolanda
rated it:
When I read the blurb for this book I couldn't decide if it was a futuristic, an urban fantasy, a Sci-Fi, or just a straight out fantasy. I just knew that I wanted to read it. After I started it, I found out that it's pretty much a mix of all of the above. Just like Lila is a mesh between human and machine.
After the Quantum Bomb, the world changed forever. Even the name changed, Earth is now known as Otopia. But more importantly, the fabric between the dimensions was torn, opening up More...
After the Quantum Bomb, the world changed forever. Even the name changed, Earth is now known as Otopia. But more importantly, the fabric between the dimensions was torn, opening up More...
Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
This is the first book in the Quantum Gravity series by Justina Robson. So far there are four books in the series with a 5th being planned for future release. I wasn't able to find the number of books actually contracted for this series. Anyway, I really liked it. It is a great first book in the series and I want to learn a lot more about both the world and the characters.
A quantum bomb exploded in 2015 ripping a hole in reality and revealing five other realities; an elven realm, an More...
A quantum bomb exploded in 2015 ripping a hole in reality and revealing five other realities; an elven realm, an More...
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Nov 29, 2010
Katy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 28, 2010
Silver Thistle
rated it:
A bit of fantasy, a bit of sci-fi, a bit of mystery and a bit of romance. It's got it all.
It's maybe got a bit too much going on though, if I'm honest. I did really like it, but sometimes it felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. It's got science and tech stuff which is good for the sci fi fan but is a minus for me because in truth I can do without knowing the 'why's' and 'how's'. Then it's got the fantasy stuff which I'm more comfortable with (elves, demons, fae...otherworldly More...
It's maybe got a bit too much going on though, if I'm honest. I did really like it, but sometimes it felt like it wasn't sure what it wanted to be. It's got science and tech stuff which is good for the sci fi fan but is a minus for me because in truth I can do without knowing the 'why's' and 'how's'. Then it's got the fantasy stuff which I'm more comfortable with (elves, demons, fae...otherworldly More...
Jul 03, 2009
Rebecca
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 03, 2009
Coffcat
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was a little skeptical at first because I thought the title was kind of stupid. (I'm still not really certain what the title has to do with the story, eh well) But I was intrigued by the book cover and the plot that included both fantasy and sci-fi. Being a huge fan of authors Wen Spencer, Eve Kenin and Linnea Sinclair, so this seemed like a perfect book for me. And it was! I admired the author's ability to create a such a well rounded central character-bein
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 01, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Full of big and intriguing, somewhat only half-realised, ideas, the book is predominately a sketch of the worlds and dimensions that will host subsequent books in the series, and fly-by action sequences. No great deal of time is spent on what could have been the fascinating (rather than interesting) characters; they purely serve the story and, as such, are hard to care for or learn from. Lastly, the pacing of the novel can be quite uneven; some important action zips by so dizzyingly fast amids
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Feb 19, 2010
Fiendishly
rated it:
Lila Amanda Black is no more. In her place is a half-human half cyborg hybrid body. Meshed with her own psyche and an onboard Ai, Lila is no ordinary girl anymore, but she still bleeds, and still feels within that drop dead exterior-even if she can bench-press a small auto.
Now working for Incon, Lila is test-driving her new body on a routine bodyguard assignment for one of the most popular bands to hit the realms. An unorthodox mix of faery and elven witchery, The No Shows have rece More...
Now working for Incon, Lila is test-driving her new body on a routine bodyguard assignment for one of the most popular bands to hit the realms. An unorthodox mix of faery and elven witchery, The No Shows have rece More...
Nov 23, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
I'd like to review this in the style of an internet meme:
At first I was like :D
But then I was like D:
And then I was like :-\
And finally I was like :-|
The very premise of the book—a sci-fi magitech near future with a cyborg bodyguard for a rock star elf—is relevant to my interests and I wish to subscribe to the newsletter. Too bad that it rapidly devolved into some kind of schlocky romance with the awesomesauce cyborg chick wangsting over her existance a More...
At first I was like :D
But then I was like D:
And then I was like :-\
And finally I was like :-|
The very premise of the book—a sci-fi magitech near future with a cyborg bodyguard for a rock star elf—is relevant to my interests and I wish to subscribe to the newsletter. Too bad that it rapidly devolved into some kind of schlocky romance with the awesomesauce cyborg chick wangsting over her existance a More...
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Oct 15, 2010
Nicolas
rated it: 
Disons-le tout de suite pour citer une phrase désormais célèbre : "les frites, j'aime bien, le nutella, j'aime bien. Mais les frites au nutella ... j'aime moins", trop de trop tue le trop.
Et là, des trucs en trop, il y en a à la pelle. Rien que notre héroîne, Lila Black, qui se trimballe un Tokamak dans le ventre et une IA au fond du crâne (ainsi que quelques dizaines de kilos d'armes à feu dans des parties du corps difficilement descriptibles) est en soi boursouflée, à la fois p More...
Et là, des trucs en trop, il y en a à la pelle. Rien que notre héroîne, Lila Black, qui se trimballe un Tokamak dans le ventre et une IA au fond du crâne (ainsi que quelques dizaines de kilos d'armes à feu dans des parties du corps difficilement descriptibles) est en soi boursouflée, à la fois p More...
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Sep 23, 2009
Mike
rated it:
In all honesty it was the back of August’s Chasing the Dragon that helped form my decision to read Keeping It Real. I remember when the series first hit and thinking that it sounded cool but I somehow managed to never pick it up. Set in a world where a “Quantum Bomb” has opened up the gateways between the dimensions that are home to humans, elves, demons, faeries, and elementals Agent Lila Black is almost more machine then human. Her body rebuilt after a botched diplomatic mission Lila first
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May 14, 2011
Lexi
rated it:
Cyborg bodyguard for an Elven Rock N Rock star. How could I resist?
This was a dark, sometimes fun and interesting urban fantasy about Lila Black in a post-apocalyptic world where the fabric between dimensions it torn allowing travel between them. More robot than human in body, Lila knows exactly how dangerous those other dimensions are. After nearly dying and being changed into this being that has no real place in any of the worlds, Lila goes on her first assignment to protect th More...
This was a dark, sometimes fun and interesting urban fantasy about Lila Black in a post-apocalyptic world where the fabric between dimensions it torn allowing travel between them. More robot than human in body, Lila knows exactly how dangerous those other dimensions are. After nearly dying and being changed into this being that has no real place in any of the worlds, Lila goes on her first assignment to protect th More...
Aug 15, 2010
Dorri
rated it:
In the begining the year is 2021 and the history of the world as we knew it is no longer true. Ever since the Quantum Bomb of 2015, overlapping worlds have intersected Earth as we knew it and changed history to include things such as elves, magick, demons, ghost (not the cute kind of our world, but the soul killers of the space between thw worlds).
It is in the alternate future world that we meet Special Agent Lila Black. She once was fully human but is currently less than half hu More...
It is in the alternate future world that we meet Special Agent Lila Black. She once was fully human but is currently less than half hu More...
Mar 07, 2010
Raj
rated it:
I decided to get this after seeing Ms Robson at EasterCon in Glasgow a couple of years ago and deciding that she sounded cool. It's 2021, 6 years after an accident in a particle accelerator broke down walls between dimensions (the "quantum bomb"), letting elves, demons and magic into our world. Our heroine, Lila Black, is a young special agent who was almost killed on a diplomatic mission to the Elf lands and has been rebuilt better, stronger, faster than before. She now works for the
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Apr 17, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Robson's Keeping It Real is a well-written, fast-paced page-turner, and very good for entertainment purposes though it comes up just a hair short from the larger picture
The characters are unique and interesting, with a hint of backstories that lend them the depth needed for one to believe the character is real and worth considering. The problem is that while we know the characters are flawed, we don't get much into the meat of who they are and how they came to be in this first novel, More...
The characters are unique and interesting, with a hint of backstories that lend them the depth needed for one to believe the character is real and worth considering. The problem is that while we know the characters are flawed, we don't get much into the meat of who they are and how they came to be in this first novel, More...
Apr 30, 2011
Lightreads
rated it:
The one where Lila the cyborg spy with emotional issues is assigned to protect an elf rock star in post quantum-bomb multi-dimensional reality.
This is a spaghetti book. As in “throw the spaghetti at the wall an see how much of it sticks.” Except when Robson threw an elf conflict, a rock star, spy agendas, soul bonds, demons, and quantum physics, somehow it all stuck. It’s not that Robson doesn’t have cool ideas – she does. The setup alone with five alternate earth dimensions split of More...
This is a spaghetti book. As in “throw the spaghetti at the wall an see how much of it sticks.” Except when Robson threw an elf conflict, a rock star, spy agendas, soul bonds, demons, and quantum physics, somehow it all stuck. It’s not that Robson doesn’t have cool ideas – she does. The setup alone with five alternate earth dimensions split of More...
Jun 16, 2010
Laurel
rated it:
I very much enjoyed this book. The first fifty pages or so felt a little disjointed; as the main character herself expresses it (with regard to something else, of course), a disjointed series of events that have lost a narrative thread. The plot soon thickened, however, and gelled in a good way, and I zipped right through it until the first of a couple porny sex scenes. Particularly with that first one, it seemed like Robson suddenly said to herself, "Oh right, this is being marketed as an
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Dec 17, 2009
Topher
rated it:
I've been on a butcher / caine / armstrong / etc run recently - a fantasy in a modern setting kick. This one just didn't do it for me; it was a little too shadowrun-y for me. I like cyborgs. I like elves in a modern setting. I like the idea of a quantum bomb ripping open paths to other universes. I just didn't like this one.
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Mar 04, 2008
Michael
rated it:
Umm. The book had cyborgs and elves and dragons, but I think this wasn't actually fantasy or scifi, but chick lit. Not sure why I picked it up. Maybe because Robson has solid hard scifi credentials, and I was curious what she would be doing with this material. Not much, as it turned out.
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