What do you think?
Rate this book
Sworld: The Chronicles of Whyman (Volume 1) by W. R. Harris
Forced to flee his homeworld, Oberus, the genetically re-engineered Malick leads a scientific expedition to the far reaches of the solar system. A distress call from an alien ship with a mysterious cargo leaves the team marooned on the arcane planet Sworld. Plunged into a quest for answers that ultimately leads them to their genesis, Malick and the crew must solve the enigmas of Sworld or perish.
- GenresScience Fiction
Paperback
66 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
William R. Harris
3 books11 followersThe author spent his childhood in Colorado skiing and riding dirt bikes. After spending way too much time in college, he took his engineering degree to the deserts of southern California. After retiring to the mountains of northwest to play golf, his wife dared him to write a book. The rest, as they say, is history
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 3, 2019
Sworld is an inventive and multilayered story that hardcore sci fi fans and dilettantes alike will enjoy. The characters are fun and relatable, and the universe of Sworld smartly rendered and unique. Many times I found myself reading long after I’d intended to put the book down and go to bed. I’d especially recommend this book for fans of Star Trek.
June 24, 2019
Sworld is a slow-burn space exploration sci-fi novel hitting on themes of power, colonialism, and the unintended consequences of scientific exploration. A novel with a definite Star Trek vibe, Sworld takes the reader on a journey into the unknown on a planet with elements both familiar and alien.
The Story And Pacing
"Forced to flee his homeworld, Oberus, the genetically re-engineered Malick leads a scientific expedition to the far reaches of the solar system. A distress call from an alien ship with a mysterious cargo leaves the team marooned on the arcane planet Sworld. Plunged into a quest for answers that ultimately leads them to their genesis, Malick and the crew must solve the enigmas of Sworld or perish." - Blurb from Goodreads.
Sworld begins with a strange alien ship lying in apparent wait for centuries for an expected rendezvous with a ship from elsewhere in the solar system. When that ship arrives it is crewed by representatives from three different races; two humanoid ones, the Oberuns, and the Imps, along with the Redulins - a species evolved to inhabit computer systems and robots. When their ship receives the distress call from the alien ship above Sworld the mission is diverted and their lives change forever. After picking up individuals of new alien races they are forced to abandon their ship in space (which is subsequently destroyed) and land on Sworld. With no way to get home again they must explore their new home and begin to make a life for themselves.
And that is essentially the story - the crew of the ship led by their captain Malick, the discoveries they make on Sworld, and how they deal with them. They encounter even more new alien species, amazing forms of plant and animal life, and previously unknown scientific phenomenon. As they do they are sucked into the various existing conflicts between the species on the planet. Here is where much of that Star Trek vibe comes in, boldly going where no one has gone before. The scenes on board their spaceship are also highly reminiscent of the Star Trek bridge and way in which the ship and its crew operates.
What the story seemed to lack was an obvious objective until much of the way through the book. Here's where that "slow-burn" comment I made above comes in. Some readers will object to that label and argue that there is plenty of action in Sworld, and while that is true and there are multiple fight/battle scenes, the overall pacing has a slow feel. This is because for at least half the book you aren't sure where things are going. The characters are exploring their wold, encountering new races and species, getting into conflicts and exploring some more. It just takes a while to figure out where the plot is headed and why. Once you do get a feel for it the read starts to settle in and the pace begins to pick up. The major conflict is resolved a little too quickly and easily in my opinion but it is in the falling arc that things get a bit mysterious and really intriguing before ending on a surprising cliffhanger leaving you wanting the next installment.
Characters
There are many, many characters in Sworld. Most are secondary and there are too many to mention them all. The protagonist is Malick, a genetically enhanced humanoid (Oberun) and the captain of the expedition. Malick was a wealthy scientist who was forced into exile due to his unorthodox experiments. One of those experiments is Kitty, a genetically enhanced cat modified by splicing together the DNA of multiple feline species to create one super cat (more on Kitty below). Malick is something of a Gary Stu - that male version of a Mary Sue. He isn't full on Gary at first but his abilities enhance over time to a point where he is pretty unbeatable.
The story is told in the third person from Malick's point of view. Most of it is told in the present on-board the ship or on Sworld, but nearly every chapter has some piece of it told as a dream sequence where Malick is recalling his past. It's through these dream sequences we get to know more of his inner turmoil, what's driving him, and how he got to this point in his life. There are surprises in Malick's past that have a profound impact on his decisions on Sworld and add some interesting depth and moral question to his character.
Kitty was a favorite character of mine throughout the story. Her genetic enhancements give her the ability to communicate with others in surprising ways. One of my favorite aspects of Sworld is the way Kitty communicates with Malick and the influence she has on him. Harris' way of writing the relationship between Kitty and Malick is well done and allows the reader to really connect with the two much like a loving relationship between pet and its human in our world, only here the pet can talk back so-to-speak. But don't let Kitty's name fool you into thinking she's a tiny sweet little kitten. She's far from it, and becomes perhaps the most deadly creature to on the planet.
I was also a big fan of the Redulin characters. Harris manages to give varied persona to life forms that inhabit computer/robotic structures. This seems odd I know but he pulls it off. Though the Redulins begin the story as sort of a hive mind, they each begin to develop their own personalities related to their function. My favorites were Bit and Byte, two small Redulins who befriend Kitty right away and become inseparable. Bit and Byte have characteristics similar to children...very intelligent and deadly children that is.
World-Building
Where Harris shines in Sworld is in his world-building. He has created a completely alien world where the sky is a green and blue mix, where most of the intelligent creatures are birdlike, where forests are made up of colossal super-trees, where there are fearsome animals, giant insects, and monstrous sea creatures. Even the main and secondary characters are all alien. This is a world (or solar system) where nobody is human. They may behave in ways that resemble us, but each is something different. Harris' has a way of having just enough built into the various species for the reader to find a common touch-point, and just enough to be different that makes the story both familiar and foreign.
The only aspect of the world-building I didn't like was how easy it was for the characters to come up with quick solutions to all their problems just when they needed to. Again this made me think a little of Star Trek. There was almost no problem for which they couldn't come up with a quick scientific solution to give them an advantage. Advantages the natives to Sworld did not possess or understand.
Themes
As I noted above, Sworld hits on a number of themes including those of power, colonialism, and the unintended consequences of scientific exploration. Hanging over the entire story is the fact that a group of scientifically advanced species lands on a planet with no modern technology. This immediately creates a power imbalance where you have space travelers interacting with species still using knives as weapons. It's like the European powers sailing into the Americas or Africa during the so-called age of exploration, only to an exponential degree. Malick has the ability and option to rule the world if he and his crew chooses to do so.
While Malick does not go on a tyrannical conquest binge the themes associated with this imbalance are played out. The native species on Sworld hit on this imbalance in various ways including calling Malick out on it when they perceive he is treating them as children. Though he recognizes it and attempts to adjust his behavior it doesn't change the fact the imbalance remains. It also doesn't change the fact that as the group with all the technology, Malick and his crew are able to push their (his) agenda on Sworld even if doing so is unintentional and will forever change the structure of the world's societies (which may be good or bad).
Malick and his crew also introduce new technology and thus weaponry to Sworld. They even develop new weaponry they didn't previously possess in order to deal with conflicts that arise with some of the native species. Here the book touches on the ways technology advances through warfare in ways it might not have otherwise. There is a particular scene that stuck out to me where Malick becomes appalled at what his crew has created while knowing things were almost inevitably heading in that direction. That no matter what our best intentions may be, circumstances will often take us on a different course.
Conclusion
Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick was an enjoyable read and I'm interested to see where the story goes. There were a number of threads regarding Malick and his back-story that were not fully explored, there is definitely much more to the planet and why things are the way they are which were barely touched upon, many unanswered questions about the alien spacecraft at the beginning of the book and its purpose, and it ended on a mysterious cliff-hanger and I REALLY want to know what happens next. While some elements left some things to be desired such as the Gary-Stu aspect of Malick and how easily the crew came up with solutions to problems, I was able to look past them and enjoy the book. I mean, I like comic book characters and they are pretty much all Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus when you think about it. This isn't a comic book (may have been a bad analogy), but all I'm saying is I can deal with it to a point. I really enjoyed the non-human characters throughout the book, especially the Redulins and Kitty and the way they were brought to life. I look forward to what direction Harris takes the story in the future.
The Story And Pacing
"Forced to flee his homeworld, Oberus, the genetically re-engineered Malick leads a scientific expedition to the far reaches of the solar system. A distress call from an alien ship with a mysterious cargo leaves the team marooned on the arcane planet Sworld. Plunged into a quest for answers that ultimately leads them to their genesis, Malick and the crew must solve the enigmas of Sworld or perish." - Blurb from Goodreads.
Sworld begins with a strange alien ship lying in apparent wait for centuries for an expected rendezvous with a ship from elsewhere in the solar system. When that ship arrives it is crewed by representatives from three different races; two humanoid ones, the Oberuns, and the Imps, along with the Redulins - a species evolved to inhabit computer systems and robots. When their ship receives the distress call from the alien ship above Sworld the mission is diverted and their lives change forever. After picking up individuals of new alien races they are forced to abandon their ship in space (which is subsequently destroyed) and land on Sworld. With no way to get home again they must explore their new home and begin to make a life for themselves.
And that is essentially the story - the crew of the ship led by their captain Malick, the discoveries they make on Sworld, and how they deal with them. They encounter even more new alien species, amazing forms of plant and animal life, and previously unknown scientific phenomenon. As they do they are sucked into the various existing conflicts between the species on the planet. Here is where much of that Star Trek vibe comes in, boldly going where no one has gone before. The scenes on board their spaceship are also highly reminiscent of the Star Trek bridge and way in which the ship and its crew operates.
What the story seemed to lack was an obvious objective until much of the way through the book. Here's where that "slow-burn" comment I made above comes in. Some readers will object to that label and argue that there is plenty of action in Sworld, and while that is true and there are multiple fight/battle scenes, the overall pacing has a slow feel. This is because for at least half the book you aren't sure where things are going. The characters are exploring their wold, encountering new races and species, getting into conflicts and exploring some more. It just takes a while to figure out where the plot is headed and why. Once you do get a feel for it the read starts to settle in and the pace begins to pick up. The major conflict is resolved a little too quickly and easily in my opinion but it is in the falling arc that things get a bit mysterious and really intriguing before ending on a surprising cliffhanger leaving you wanting the next installment.
Characters
There are many, many characters in Sworld. Most are secondary and there are too many to mention them all. The protagonist is Malick, a genetically enhanced humanoid (Oberun) and the captain of the expedition. Malick was a wealthy scientist who was forced into exile due to his unorthodox experiments. One of those experiments is Kitty, a genetically enhanced cat modified by splicing together the DNA of multiple feline species to create one super cat (more on Kitty below). Malick is something of a Gary Stu - that male version of a Mary Sue. He isn't full on Gary at first but his abilities enhance over time to a point where he is pretty unbeatable.
The story is told in the third person from Malick's point of view. Most of it is told in the present on-board the ship or on Sworld, but nearly every chapter has some piece of it told as a dream sequence where Malick is recalling his past. It's through these dream sequences we get to know more of his inner turmoil, what's driving him, and how he got to this point in his life. There are surprises in Malick's past that have a profound impact on his decisions on Sworld and add some interesting depth and moral question to his character.
Kitty was a favorite character of mine throughout the story. Her genetic enhancements give her the ability to communicate with others in surprising ways. One of my favorite aspects of Sworld is the way Kitty communicates with Malick and the influence she has on him. Harris' way of writing the relationship between Kitty and Malick is well done and allows the reader to really connect with the two much like a loving relationship between pet and its human in our world, only here the pet can talk back so-to-speak. But don't let Kitty's name fool you into thinking she's a tiny sweet little kitten. She's far from it, and becomes perhaps the most deadly creature to on the planet.
I was also a big fan of the Redulin characters. Harris manages to give varied persona to life forms that inhabit computer/robotic structures. This seems odd I know but he pulls it off. Though the Redulins begin the story as sort of a hive mind, they each begin to develop their own personalities related to their function. My favorites were Bit and Byte, two small Redulins who befriend Kitty right away and become inseparable. Bit and Byte have characteristics similar to children...very intelligent and deadly children that is.
World-Building
Where Harris shines in Sworld is in his world-building. He has created a completely alien world where the sky is a green and blue mix, where most of the intelligent creatures are birdlike, where forests are made up of colossal super-trees, where there are fearsome animals, giant insects, and monstrous sea creatures. Even the main and secondary characters are all alien. This is a world (or solar system) where nobody is human. They may behave in ways that resemble us, but each is something different. Harris' has a way of having just enough built into the various species for the reader to find a common touch-point, and just enough to be different that makes the story both familiar and foreign.
The only aspect of the world-building I didn't like was how easy it was for the characters to come up with quick solutions to all their problems just when they needed to. Again this made me think a little of Star Trek. There was almost no problem for which they couldn't come up with a quick scientific solution to give them an advantage. Advantages the natives to Sworld did not possess or understand.
Themes
As I noted above, Sworld hits on a number of themes including those of power, colonialism, and the unintended consequences of scientific exploration. Hanging over the entire story is the fact that a group of scientifically advanced species lands on a planet with no modern technology. This immediately creates a power imbalance where you have space travelers interacting with species still using knives as weapons. It's like the European powers sailing into the Americas or Africa during the so-called age of exploration, only to an exponential degree. Malick has the ability and option to rule the world if he and his crew chooses to do so.
While Malick does not go on a tyrannical conquest binge the themes associated with this imbalance are played out. The native species on Sworld hit on this imbalance in various ways including calling Malick out on it when they perceive he is treating them as children. Though he recognizes it and attempts to adjust his behavior it doesn't change the fact the imbalance remains. It also doesn't change the fact that as the group with all the technology, Malick and his crew are able to push their (his) agenda on Sworld even if doing so is unintentional and will forever change the structure of the world's societies (which may be good or bad).
Malick and his crew also introduce new technology and thus weaponry to Sworld. They even develop new weaponry they didn't previously possess in order to deal with conflicts that arise with some of the native species. Here the book touches on the ways technology advances through warfare in ways it might not have otherwise. There is a particular scene that stuck out to me where Malick becomes appalled at what his crew has created while knowing things were almost inevitably heading in that direction. That no matter what our best intentions may be, circumstances will often take us on a different course.
Conclusion
Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick was an enjoyable read and I'm interested to see where the story goes. There were a number of threads regarding Malick and his back-story that were not fully explored, there is definitely much more to the planet and why things are the way they are which were barely touched upon, many unanswered questions about the alien spacecraft at the beginning of the book and its purpose, and it ended on a mysterious cliff-hanger and I REALLY want to know what happens next. While some elements left some things to be desired such as the Gary-Stu aspect of Malick and how easily the crew came up with solutions to problems, I was able to look past them and enjoy the book. I mean, I like comic book characters and they are pretty much all Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus when you think about it. This isn't a comic book (may have been a bad analogy), but all I'm saying is I can deal with it to a point. I really enjoyed the non-human characters throughout the book, especially the Redulins and Kitty and the way they were brought to life. I look forward to what direction Harris takes the story in the future.
April 23, 2019
Sworld is the first novel in the Chronicles of Malick series, by William R. Harris. It's also Harris' debut novel (according to Goodreads, at least). It's a science fiction novel, but that description really doesn't do it justice. It's a space exploration novel, sometimes similar in feel to Star Trek, sometimes becoming a thing of its own creation. It's a detailed and fascinating tale, full of science and trials.
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review, but having read it I can honestly say that I would have happily purchased a copy. It is not every day that you can find a science fiction novel of this type, so you better believe that I appreciate it when I come across one.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review, but having read it I can honestly say that I would have happily purchased a copy. It is not every day that you can find a science fiction novel of this type, so you better believe that I appreciate it when I come across one.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
April 8, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A larger than life adventure through space brings one group of explorers to an uncharted world, and the untold dangers it holds in author William R. Harris’s novel “Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick”. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Forced to flee his homeworld, Oberus, the genetically re-engineered Malick leads a scientific expedition to the far reaches of the solar system. A distress call from an alien ship with a mysterious cargo leaves the team marooned on the arcane planet Sworld. Plunged into a quest for answers that ultimately leads them to their genesis, Malick and the crew must solve the enigmas of Sworld or perish.
The Review
This was a truly masterful space exploration/sci-fi novel. The truly original storytelling by the author was fantastic, as was the incredible detail that went into the various creatures, technologies and mythologies built upon during the story as the explorers ventured further and further into the world of Sworld.
What really shined through however was the character development in this novel. Not only was the protagonist Malick an ever evolving hero and leader in the story, but each chapter introduced new characters that allowed Malick to further expand the group’s exploration as they survive in this new and unfamiliar world. From the crew of the ship that began the journey with him to the new creatures who he either befriends or is forced to fight, and even the newcomer who begins to capture the hero’s heart, this novel is built upon character growth and helps the narrative flow smoothly during this expansive story.
The Verdict
This is a must read for any sci-fi fan out there. If you enjoy science fiction in all it’s glory, long and detailed stories of space exploration and new mythologies surrounding mysterious creatures, this is the novel for you. The true grabber though is the shocking ending that will leave readers breathless and eager for a sequel, as it leaves the protagonist in a shocking situation that you never saw coming. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of William R. Harris’s novel “Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick” by either pre-ordering it or grabbing your own copy on May 3rd, 2019.
A larger than life adventure through space brings one group of explorers to an uncharted world, and the untold dangers it holds in author William R. Harris’s novel “Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick”. Here is the synopsis.
The Synopsis
Forced to flee his homeworld, Oberus, the genetically re-engineered Malick leads a scientific expedition to the far reaches of the solar system. A distress call from an alien ship with a mysterious cargo leaves the team marooned on the arcane planet Sworld. Plunged into a quest for answers that ultimately leads them to their genesis, Malick and the crew must solve the enigmas of Sworld or perish.
The Review
This was a truly masterful space exploration/sci-fi novel. The truly original storytelling by the author was fantastic, as was the incredible detail that went into the various creatures, technologies and mythologies built upon during the story as the explorers ventured further and further into the world of Sworld.
What really shined through however was the character development in this novel. Not only was the protagonist Malick an ever evolving hero and leader in the story, but each chapter introduced new characters that allowed Malick to further expand the group’s exploration as they survive in this new and unfamiliar world. From the crew of the ship that began the journey with him to the new creatures who he either befriends or is forced to fight, and even the newcomer who begins to capture the hero’s heart, this novel is built upon character growth and helps the narrative flow smoothly during this expansive story.
The Verdict
This is a must read for any sci-fi fan out there. If you enjoy science fiction in all it’s glory, long and detailed stories of space exploration and new mythologies surrounding mysterious creatures, this is the novel for you. The true grabber though is the shocking ending that will leave readers breathless and eager for a sequel, as it leaves the protagonist in a shocking situation that you never saw coming. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of William R. Harris’s novel “Sworld: The Chronicles of Malick” by either pre-ordering it or grabbing your own copy on May 3rd, 2019.
April 9, 2019
“SWORLD…” is by far the best science fiction book I have read in years. It has a complex plot that keeps the pages turning and characters, whom you will question when they are first introduced, but will end up rooting for in the end. The authors’ knowledge of science and engineering makes the story real and will bring you to an imaginary world that has challenges at every turn. The main character, Malick, is virtually impervious to poisons or wounds, being so adaptable that he can heal himself almost immediately. And since one sign of human adaptability is the ability to change one’s environment, Malick sets out to change his surroundings for maximum evolutionary benefit for everyone and everything around him. I do not want to give away the plot so I will stop here, other than too say, I promise you will have a hard time putting this book down.
March 27, 2019
Malick is a top scientist, but he also developed incredible fighting skills as a result of some major bodily modifications he was forced to make because of his life experiences. But he discovers on a voyage to another planet that he also has great leadership qualities. Empathetic? Not so much, but he is willing to learn. The strange magnetic field of a planet he was planning to just sweep by draws he and his crew to the surface, and the adventures begin. Meeting new life forms, fighting against powerful and evil foes, Malick's story is very well told by the author, who has a knack for making the characters stand out and the adventures plausible.
April 23, 2019
A massive forrest of carnivorous tree, primitive tribes who don’t believe Malick’s intentions, and a growing Kitty who may be the thing that will tip the scales in the crew’s favor. Caught up in civil wars and the crew is trying to figure out its own role… Sworld is a sprawling epic that can be enjoyed for all the ingenuity of creation.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/04/23/sw...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
3.5 out of 5 stars.
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/04/23/sw...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
June 6, 2019
Sworld is written like passable fanfic. The dialogue is very choppy and forced. The action sequences are the same.
The main character is Mary Sue, and a combination of Superman, Flash, and Captain Kirk. The only thing he can't do is fly (at least so far). He apparently hates violence and guns, but in the one scene he kills a dozen bad guys and the next he's upset that someone made a gun and reminding everyone that killing is bad ya'll.
The plot basically is:
Meet new character (or race) in the ___ (trees, field, river, sky)
Immediately save the day
Become trusted friends and allies (or fall completely in love/soul mates)
Discover new mutant power or be named the prophesized hero
Fight some other bad guys and save the mutant cat (named Kitty)
Rinse and repeat
Honestly though, the book isn't horrible, it's just not very good. With a few revisions it could be fine.
3 stars for effort on a debut novel.
The main character is Mary Sue, and a combination of Superman, Flash, and Captain Kirk. The only thing he can't do is fly (at least so far). He apparently hates violence and guns, but in the one scene he kills a dozen bad guys and the next he's upset that someone made a gun and reminding everyone that killing is bad ya'll.
The plot basically is:
Meet new character (or race) in the ___ (trees, field, river, sky)
Immediately save the day
Become trusted friends and allies (or fall completely in love/soul mates)
Discover new mutant power or be named the prophesized hero
Fight some other bad guys and save the mutant cat (named Kitty)
Rinse and repeat
Honestly though, the book isn't horrible, it's just not very good. With a few revisions it could be fine.
3 stars for effort on a debut novel.
May 12, 2019
Wonderful story with a fantastic crew. The side characters were introduced slowly enough to not only get good descriptions of them and who they are, but to actually love them. I adored Bit and Byte so much, they were so real.
May 4, 2019
I love reading science-fiction and this book was a thrill-ride. It has a complex plot that keeps the pages turning and characters that you will root for even though they are not human. The authors’ knowledge of science and engineering makes the story real and will bring you to an imaginary world that has challenges at every turn. There is an underlying story behind the main character “Malick” that weaves carefully through this first book and has left me looking forward to a sequel.
June 17, 2019
Promising. Malick on Sworld recalled for me Edgar Rice Burrough's John Carter. Obvious cast differences aside, the story of the able outsider who finds himself on a strange alien world is common to both stories. Based on the assumption that there will be more to come, one can accept the mostly slim development of the characters and setting as a brief overview of a grander adventure. That would be my hope.
June 17, 2019
So to start with something positive, I think there are some good ideas here... some potential for an engaging and interesting series even.
That said... I don't know how to even begin here. The main character's flaw is that he's to perfect. He's a super warrior, he's a brilliant multi-discipline scientist, he has psychic powers to heal people, he inspires his multi-species crew so much that his merely showing up in the room elicits cheers and smiles, despite being labeled an aberration by his species because he doesn't have his species' Star Trek style head prosthetic he is Captain Kirking it around with the alien women he meets. Oh, he's also the prophesied one. He's also "super logical", arrogant, paternalistic, talks down to anyone who doesn't have the same understanding of things he does, practices a lot of "Do what I say not what I do" and berates people for doing things that he then does. He repeatedly a jerk to people and is shown to be self aware enough to know he is doing it, but then he just goes "Eh, they deserve it because I'm smarter and know best" and then does it again to someone else.
There is this reoccurring use of the old "humor" standard of "Men are idiots, women are emotional" trope that just feels so... old now. Repeatedly the men in the book will say stupid things that make women cry or get angry or run away and every else laughs and goes "You're so dumb!". It's just so tiring.
The main character meets a new race, is distrusted and sentenced to die, survives and takes the loyalty of that race's ancient guardians, leaves them and gains the loyalty of a hand full of that race in the space of like... a chapter or two. It's like a break neck pace for an arc that could literally be a major plot point for most of a book. And this sort of thing happens repeatedly. Basically, the author is not great at pacing.
He's also not terribly good at explaining things... the relative technology levels of the three races, how the space faring hive mind computer race hasn't already explored the planets of this solar system, why does that hive mind race have the goal of separation into individuals but seem unable to to do that until the captain orders them to just do it, how the first space flight of a race is using some sort of quantum tunneling drive, how they've never managed to look at the planets in their solar system with like telescopes or anything because everything seems to be a mystery.... just so many questions. Some of it can be hand waved with "The alien super intelligence must have set up this whole system and everything in it as some sort of elaborate test..." but that just makes me go "WHAT?!"... I dunno.
That said... I don't know how to even begin here. The main character's flaw is that he's to perfect. He's a super warrior, he's a brilliant multi-discipline scientist, he has psychic powers to heal people, he inspires his multi-species crew so much that his merely showing up in the room elicits cheers and smiles, despite being labeled an aberration by his species because he doesn't have his species' Star Trek style head prosthetic he is Captain Kirking it around with the alien women he meets. Oh, he's also the prophesied one. He's also "super logical", arrogant, paternalistic, talks down to anyone who doesn't have the same understanding of things he does, practices a lot of "Do what I say not what I do" and berates people for doing things that he then does. He repeatedly a jerk to people and is shown to be self aware enough to know he is doing it, but then he just goes "Eh, they deserve it because I'm smarter and know best" and then does it again to someone else.
There is this reoccurring use of the old "humor" standard of "Men are idiots, women are emotional" trope that just feels so... old now. Repeatedly the men in the book will say stupid things that make women cry or get angry or run away and every else laughs and goes "You're so dumb!". It's just so tiring.
The main character meets a new race, is distrusted and sentenced to die, survives and takes the loyalty of that race's ancient guardians, leaves them and gains the loyalty of a hand full of that race in the space of like... a chapter or two. It's like a break neck pace for an arc that could literally be a major plot point for most of a book. And this sort of thing happens repeatedly. Basically, the author is not great at pacing.
He's also not terribly good at explaining things... the relative technology levels of the three races, how the space faring hive mind computer race hasn't already explored the planets of this solar system, why does that hive mind race have the goal of separation into individuals but seem unable to to do that until the captain orders them to just do it, how the first space flight of a race is using some sort of quantum tunneling drive, how they've never managed to look at the planets in their solar system with like telescopes or anything because everything seems to be a mystery.... just so many questions. Some of it can be hand waved with "The alien super intelligence must have set up this whole system and everything in it as some sort of elaborate test..." but that just makes me go "WHAT?!"... I dunno.
May 6, 2019
Sworld is a rare find!
After reading some of the reviews I decided to give this unknown author a try.
This book is a diamond in the rough, meaning, you need to crack open the book to really experience its brilliance.
I downloaded Sworld after dinner and started reading. The next thing I knew it was 2 in the morning and I had to go to work in 4 hours. I actually thought about calling in sick just so I could finish this magnificent book.
The characters seemed to jump right off the pages and I soon lost myself in the detailed and well-scripted plot. You are swept into the life of Malick, the Captain of a band of explorers from different planets. The mysteries of Malick and Sworld lies underneath a breathtaking description and exploration of an alien planet. The author’s imagination is unparalleled and his breadth of scientific knowledge makes Sworld and the creatures living on it seem within the realm of possibility.
Not since I found Julian May’s books in the stacks of my local library several years ago have I been this excited about reading a book.
I gave this book 5 stars because it’s well written, the plot is fantastic, the characters are engaging, my heart was pounding during the action scenes, and the pages just fly by.
William R. Harris’s debut novel Sworld has soared into my top ten most memorable science fiction books of all time. Yes, it’s that good.
After reading some of the reviews I decided to give this unknown author a try.
This book is a diamond in the rough, meaning, you need to crack open the book to really experience its brilliance.
I downloaded Sworld after dinner and started reading. The next thing I knew it was 2 in the morning and I had to go to work in 4 hours. I actually thought about calling in sick just so I could finish this magnificent book.
The characters seemed to jump right off the pages and I soon lost myself in the detailed and well-scripted plot. You are swept into the life of Malick, the Captain of a band of explorers from different planets. The mysteries of Malick and Sworld lies underneath a breathtaking description and exploration of an alien planet. The author’s imagination is unparalleled and his breadth of scientific knowledge makes Sworld and the creatures living on it seem within the realm of possibility.
Not since I found Julian May’s books in the stacks of my local library several years ago have I been this excited about reading a book.
I gave this book 5 stars because it’s well written, the plot is fantastic, the characters are engaging, my heart was pounding during the action scenes, and the pages just fly by.
William R. Harris’s debut novel Sworld has soared into my top ten most memorable science fiction books of all time. Yes, it’s that good.
August 3, 2019
Very good!
This is a book that comes along after having read a handful of disappointing ones. My pickiness for good story telling makes me read books that I consider boring but nevertheless I don't let that stop me let alone lose hope, and sure enough eventually I pick up a book as good as this one, the title kind of hinted this is a series but that is minor issue, as long as the story keep my interest I'll read the entire series. The science here hovers between real and fantasy but it's the way is put together that makes for a good book and in "Sworld" the author did a splendid job! My only complaint and the reason why afforded "The chronicles of Malick" four stars only is the use of the name of our star as the name for all stars in a fictional story, it lacks originality but I can understand why, I'll leave it at that I'm not going to state the obvious.
This is a book that comes along after having read a handful of disappointing ones. My pickiness for good story telling makes me read books that I consider boring but nevertheless I don't let that stop me let alone lose hope, and sure enough eventually I pick up a book as good as this one, the title kind of hinted this is a series but that is minor issue, as long as the story keep my interest I'll read the entire series. The science here hovers between real and fantasy but it's the way is put together that makes for a good book and in "Sworld" the author did a splendid job! My only complaint and the reason why afforded "The chronicles of Malick" four stars only is the use of the name of our star as the name for all stars in a fictional story, it lacks originality but I can understand why, I'll leave it at that I'm not going to state the obvious.
September 12, 2020
Vivid world, characters and creatures
This was a wonderful epic story of other worlds. Exceptionally detailed, every creature and character was brought to life and the impossible made believable.
This was a wonderful epic story of other worlds. Exceptionally detailed, every creature and character was brought to life and the impossible made believable.
June 5, 2019
Good
Very good story I would definitely recommend it. Lots of good characters and action. It will not disappoint you. Fun
Very good story I would definitely recommend it. Lots of good characters and action. It will not disappoint you. Fun
June 9, 2019
Great read.
Very interesting storyline and hard to put down. I found the characters well developed and easy to identify with. I recommend this book.
Very interesting storyline and hard to put down. I found the characters well developed and easy to identify with. I recommend this book.
June 26, 2019
Interesting sci fi
Enjoyed the forward momentum of this story, the characters were novel and the main character had an interesting back story.
Enjoyed the forward momentum of this story, the characters were novel and the main character had an interesting back story.
July 11, 2019
Really good
I liked the high science in the beginning and the fantasy elements as it progressed. It is a good read for anyone.
I liked the high science in the beginning and the fantasy elements as it progressed. It is a good read for anyone.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews