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Warpworld #1
Warpworld
On his first crossing through the warps, Seg discovers a world rich in vita – fuel to save his dying world. Cold, brilliant and desperate to prove himself as a Cultural Theorist, Seg breaks away from the recon squad sent to protect him, to scout out prime vita sources. But to find his prize he must face his biggest fear: water.
Fiery and headstrong, Ama receives an ultimatum from her people’s tyrannical overlords: betray her own kind or give up the boat she calls home, forever. When a wealthy traveler hires her as a guide, Ama thinks her prayers are answered – until a violent murder reveals Seg’s true identity.
On the run, over land and water, hunted by a ruthless and relentless tracker, and caught in the schemes of a political powerhouse, Seg and Ama will have to strike an uneasy truce to survive.
The fate of two worlds is in their hands.
Fiery and headstrong, Ama receives an ultimatum from her people’s tyrannical overlords: betray her own kind or give up the boat she calls home, forever. When a wealthy traveler hires her as a guide, Ama thinks her prayers are answered – until a violent murder reveals Seg’s true identity.
On the run, over land and water, hunted by a ruthless and relentless tracker, and caught in the schemes of a political powerhouse, Seg and Ama will have to strike an uneasy truce to survive.
The fate of two worlds is in their hands.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2012
About the author
Kristene Perron
13 books81 followersKristene is a former professional stunt performer for film and television (as Kristene Kenward) and a self-described ‘fishing goddess’. Pathologically nomadic, she has lived in Japan, Costa Rica, the Cook Islands and a very tiny key in the Bahamas, just to name a few. Her stories have appeared in Canadian Storyteller Magazine, The Barbaric Yawp, Hemispheres Magazine, Denizens of Darkness, Pulp Literature, Escape Pod, and On Spec. In 2010 she won the Surrey International Writers’ Conference Storyteller Award for BIRDS ALSO CRY and in 2015 she was a Writers of the Future Finalist.
She is the co-author of the five-book, adventure science fiction series Warpworld, which she penned with Joshua Simpson, and is back at the keyboard after an extended break.
Kristene currently resides in the salmon capitol of the world, Campbell River, BC, Canada, but her suitcase is always packed.
She is the co-author of the five-book, adventure science fiction series Warpworld, which she penned with Joshua Simpson, and is back at the keyboard after an extended break.
Kristene currently resides in the salmon capitol of the world, Campbell River, BC, Canada, but her suitcase is always packed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 31, 2013
Excellent suspenseful read! I'm not a big fan of sci-fi books but this one got me caught up really quickly and it was hard to put down. Click the links to go over to my blog for a more in-depth review as well as more reviews from the blog tour. http://didibooksenglish.wordpress.com...
March 6, 2013
Warp World is the first book in an ambitious series being put out by Canadian author Kristene Perron, and US author Joshua Simpson. Kristene is far more of an adventurer than I am and her work has appeared in a number of magazines, while this is Josh’s first published novel.
The two main characters are literally from two different worlds – neither of them ours. Ama is a seafaring woman in a mostly pre-industrial world where she has few rights and is being forced into a position to betray her own people. Seg is a from another world leading his very first scouting party, preparing for a tactical strike of Ama’s world to take resources back to his world – though not the kind of resources you’d ever expect invaders to be interested in.
Ama ends up being hired by a wealthy traveller for an extended journey, and it might well be the opportunity she’s looking for to earn enough money to get away from everyone forever and live her own life. The traveller, however, is Seg in disguise on a separate recon mission from the rest of his unit.
It’s not giving away anything to say that the story ultimately leads to the big raid, but getting there is far from easy (of course) on either world.
What impressed me most about this book is how it avoided having “the good guys” in it. Oh, there are good guys (and gals) but no side is on the path of virtue. The People of Seg’s world are nationalistic, ultra-orthadox, and have a serious master race complex going on which allows them to take slaves from all the worlds they travel to and treat them as sub-human. Ama’s people, the Kenda, are subjugated under the heel of an authoritarian, sexist, and religious elite. And despite being the downtrodden the Kenda aren’t saints, either, being just as sexist as the rest of them. So while you will side with and like individuals (or grow to) you don’t see any culture as being a paragon of virtue, or even close. And likewise there aren’t any convenient Empire of Ultimate Evil, either, just individuals who are scum, and a regime that – well, it’s no Utopia, sure, but there have been worse on our planet, let’s be honest.
And I don’t just mean you personally don’t agree with them (because you can disagree with Robert Heinlein’s views in Starship Troopers and still recognize that he’s trying to portray their culture as a positive thing), but even the authors are simply laying these cultures out there as things that exist, rather than proxies for someone’s ideals or warnings of where we might end up.
And that, when you think about it, isn’t all that common in Fantasy or SF.
Instead you have a situation of potential mutual convenience. Seg’s people need fuel (of a sort), Ama’s people want freedom. Eventually it seems they can work to achieve both their needs, but to do so has a cost. There’s nothing “clean” about the solutions provided, only ruthless, efficient, and necessary to reach the ends they both require.
But that’s not to say that morality isn’t at play. It’s in the works. Seg in time gets over his master-race mentality. But if you’re expecting “Dances with Warps” in which he goes native and joins to live with the primitives, you’re way off base. Seg’s mentor, Jarin, has plans for the young pupil to change their own dying world – assuming that he can survive.
I found Warp World to be a fun and entertaining read that managed to avoid a number of the cliches I had come to expect. As a fan of strong female characters I liked Ama a lot, and Seg, while he gives uptight a whole new meaning, is far from flat and uninteresting. He is a character destined for growth, and does so as the story develops. You realize quickly he’s a product of his world, and it will take time for him to break out of his shell.
The two main characters are literally from two different worlds – neither of them ours. Ama is a seafaring woman in a mostly pre-industrial world where she has few rights and is being forced into a position to betray her own people. Seg is a from another world leading his very first scouting party, preparing for a tactical strike of Ama’s world to take resources back to his world – though not the kind of resources you’d ever expect invaders to be interested in.
Ama ends up being hired by a wealthy traveller for an extended journey, and it might well be the opportunity she’s looking for to earn enough money to get away from everyone forever and live her own life. The traveller, however, is Seg in disguise on a separate recon mission from the rest of his unit.
It’s not giving away anything to say that the story ultimately leads to the big raid, but getting there is far from easy (of course) on either world.
What impressed me most about this book is how it avoided having “the good guys” in it. Oh, there are good guys (and gals) but no side is on the path of virtue. The People of Seg’s world are nationalistic, ultra-orthadox, and have a serious master race complex going on which allows them to take slaves from all the worlds they travel to and treat them as sub-human. Ama’s people, the Kenda, are subjugated under the heel of an authoritarian, sexist, and religious elite. And despite being the downtrodden the Kenda aren’t saints, either, being just as sexist as the rest of them. So while you will side with and like individuals (or grow to) you don’t see any culture as being a paragon of virtue, or even close. And likewise there aren’t any convenient Empire of Ultimate Evil, either, just individuals who are scum, and a regime that – well, it’s no Utopia, sure, but there have been worse on our planet, let’s be honest.
And I don’t just mean you personally don’t agree with them (because you can disagree with Robert Heinlein’s views in Starship Troopers and still recognize that he’s trying to portray their culture as a positive thing), but even the authors are simply laying these cultures out there as things that exist, rather than proxies for someone’s ideals or warnings of where we might end up.
And that, when you think about it, isn’t all that common in Fantasy or SF.
Instead you have a situation of potential mutual convenience. Seg’s people need fuel (of a sort), Ama’s people want freedom. Eventually it seems they can work to achieve both their needs, but to do so has a cost. There’s nothing “clean” about the solutions provided, only ruthless, efficient, and necessary to reach the ends they both require.
But that’s not to say that morality isn’t at play. It’s in the works. Seg in time gets over his master-race mentality. But if you’re expecting “Dances with Warps” in which he goes native and joins to live with the primitives, you’re way off base. Seg’s mentor, Jarin, has plans for the young pupil to change their own dying world – assuming that he can survive.
I found Warp World to be a fun and entertaining read that managed to avoid a number of the cliches I had come to expect. As a fan of strong female characters I liked Ama a lot, and Seg, while he gives uptight a whole new meaning, is far from flat and uninteresting. He is a character destined for growth, and does so as the story develops. You realize quickly he’s a product of his world, and it will take time for him to break out of his shell.
March 23, 2015
When I first started this book it had been a while since I had last picked up a Sci-Fi/fantasy novel, so I was very much looking forward to this read. Admittedly, it was slow getting into but it managed to progress into everything that I hoped it would be. To me it read like an episode of Stargate, which I very much appreciated since I’m a massive fan.
The main characters weren't particularly likeable when first introduced but there is definitely something to be said for character building. On first impressions Seg seemed to have too much confidence in his own self worth, which had me envisioning all sorts of unfortunate mishaps for his character. I discovered I had an intense urge to punch him in the face. I almost wanted him to fail... Almost. I eventually was compelled to stand in his corner and cheer him on when it was quickly obvious no one else seemed to think much of him either. What can I say I'm a sucker for the underdog. Seg is a genius, self assured and seems to have a habit of walking around talking to people like a five year old with no filter. At times his disregard for social etiquette and his insensitivity to people's consequent reactions had me a little miffed - for an anthropologist (of sorts) he seemed either totally oblivious or indifferent. Despite these flaws, I couldn't help but admire his tenacity, and his willingness to admit when he is wrong.
What is there to say about Ama? She is strong willed, loyal and independent but there were many times I just thought she was a spoilt brat. Even towards the end it appeared as though she hadn’t changed much at all and was still impulsively acting on her emotions without thought for the possible fallout. Looking passed this she held firm in the face of adversity and fought for her beliefs and the people she cared for – that I can admire. Towards the end I inevitably became in invested in Seg’s and Ama’s happiness and couldn’t wait to see if the end would present with their HEA.
There are a few questions that are left unanswered (for example the actual nature of the Storm). I would have liked more detail with regards to the Storm and what it means for the different worlds but a solid storyline on the whole and for the most part the world building was well done. It was a well written story that was action packed, filled with intrigue, and a dash of romance.
*A free copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters weren't particularly likeable when first introduced but there is definitely something to be said for character building. On first impressions Seg seemed to have too much confidence in his own self worth, which had me envisioning all sorts of unfortunate mishaps for his character. I discovered I had an intense urge to punch him in the face. I almost wanted him to fail... Almost. I eventually was compelled to stand in his corner and cheer him on when it was quickly obvious no one else seemed to think much of him either. What can I say I'm a sucker for the underdog. Seg is a genius, self assured and seems to have a habit of walking around talking to people like a five year old with no filter. At times his disregard for social etiquette and his insensitivity to people's consequent reactions had me a little miffed - for an anthropologist (of sorts) he seemed either totally oblivious or indifferent. Despite these flaws, I couldn't help but admire his tenacity, and his willingness to admit when he is wrong.
What is there to say about Ama? She is strong willed, loyal and independent but there were many times I just thought she was a spoilt brat. Even towards the end it appeared as though she hadn’t changed much at all and was still impulsively acting on her emotions without thought for the possible fallout. Looking passed this she held firm in the face of adversity and fought for her beliefs and the people she cared for – that I can admire. Towards the end I inevitably became in invested in Seg’s and Ama’s happiness and couldn’t wait to see if the end would present with their HEA.
There are a few questions that are left unanswered (for example the actual nature of the Storm). I would have liked more detail with regards to the Storm and what it means for the different worlds but a solid storyline on the whole and for the most part the world building was well done. It was a well written story that was action packed, filled with intrigue, and a dash of romance.
*A free copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2013
I was not really sure if this would be to my liking. Don't get me wrong, I love science fiction and the premise sounded great. You just never know until you get into the book and begin reading. This book is told from two different perspectives. We have Ama who lives in a society that reminds me almost of a medieval caste society. Ama is part of the Kenda society. This is just one step above the Welfs (slaves to the others) I like Ama and her spunk. She lives in a society where she is given freedom to own and captain her boat for a short time. The reason? She is female. They have a certain place in society and it is not owning and operating a business. She has a family full of brothers who believe she should marry and accept her place in society. It doesn't help that she has a brother who is soon to become a part of the highest place in society.
The second main character is Seg. He is from a world where the technology is more advanced. His people prey on societies like Ama's. They take what they need to survive and use the people they take back to their world as slaves. Seg is an up and coming Theorist. He is very gifted and so he does the unthinkable. He decides to change the way things are usually done. He goes undercover to get what they need to take back and meets Ama. It is only a matter of time before the situation becomes more complex as Ama and Seg start to have feelings for each other. I loved the world building in this book. It took me a while to get into this world. But, once there it was a world I didn't want to leave. I absolutely loved this book and I look forward to reading more in the books that will follow. I definitely recommend this book to all science fiction/fantasy lovers.
The second main character is Seg. He is from a world where the technology is more advanced. His people prey on societies like Ama's. They take what they need to survive and use the people they take back to their world as slaves. Seg is an up and coming Theorist. He is very gifted and so he does the unthinkable. He decides to change the way things are usually done. He goes undercover to get what they need to take back and meets Ama. It is only a matter of time before the situation becomes more complex as Ama and Seg start to have feelings for each other. I loved the world building in this book. It took me a while to get into this world. But, once there it was a world I didn't want to leave. I absolutely loved this book and I look forward to reading more in the books that will follow. I definitely recommend this book to all science fiction/fantasy lovers.
July 12, 2018
Easily relatable
A good introduction to a new parallel world story. It was slow in the beginning, trying to familiarise with the terminologies used but eventually picks up. It demonstrates what it's like to visit a parallel world. It displays and brings to the forefront our cultural biases. Finally, no matter how apaat our worlds or cultures may be, we all have major nationalistic issues to face… or turning a blind eye and deaf ear to. This could become a good movie or TV series.
A good introduction to a new parallel world story. It was slow in the beginning, trying to familiarise with the terminologies used but eventually picks up. It demonstrates what it's like to visit a parallel world. It displays and brings to the forefront our cultural biases. Finally, no matter how apaat our worlds or cultures may be, we all have major nationalistic issues to face… or turning a blind eye and deaf ear to. This could become a good movie or TV series.
August 15, 2014
I was offered a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this book. I was slow to warm up, not gonna lie, but was this great! The worlds and cultures within were interesting. Ama was fierce and Seg, well, he was just trying to do his job. Now I just need to know more more more. More about Ama and her dathe. More about The People and The World. What's up with The Storm? Need answers!
Wow, this book. I was slow to warm up, not gonna lie, but was this great! The worlds and cultures within were interesting. Ama was fierce and Seg, well, he was just trying to do his job. Now I just need to know more more more. More about Ama and her dathe. More about The People and The World. What's up with The Storm? Need answers!
October 4, 2014
Full disclosure, I've been friends with Josh, one of the authors of this book for years. I was given a Kindle copy of the book when Josh heard I was doing a review series on books. You can see the full original review at http://frigidreads.blogspot.com/
Warpworld is Ms. Perron and Mr. Simpson's first book and it is a fantasy story. The story revolves around two lead characters Seg and Ama. I'll be focusing a lot on them in this review because the story not only is entirely dependent on their choices and actions, but 90% of it is through their eyes. So you'll be spending alot of time with them if you decide to pick this book up. Seg... Excuse me, Segkel Eraranat, Field Cultural Theorist (a cultural theorist being basically a combat anthropologist, something which tickles me pink) is a fucking asshole. A man who has knife fought his way up from the humblest of origins to the point where he can almost see the top of the mountain of his society. And Whoo Boy, this is a society of sharks and piranhas. They call themselves the People, because they don't regard anyone else they meet as people. Just living tools they can use up as they see fit. The People however, have a problem, their world is trying to kill them via a big angry life eating thing, they call the Storm. Frankly I can't blame the planet. Because of this, they must open Warpgates to other worlds, attack them and rob them of people and cultural and religious artifacts. Why cultural and religious artifacts? Because the technology they use to travel to other worlds and to keep their planet from murdering them wholesale is powered by magic. Don't look at me like that, it's tech that runs off the energy built up by belief and emotion, it's fucking magic! I don't have a problem with this in all honesty but a number of books these days attempt to tell me that the magic isn't magic, which I refuse to fall for! In fairness to the writers of warpworld, they don't try to sell me a potion of bullshit here, they get the characters to try to sell me a potion of bullshit. Which I can live with. Seg would roll his eyes at me and tell me firmly that this is not magic... And he would be full of shit, but characters are sometimes full of shit and often the story is better for it.
Anyways, back to Seg. He has been commissioned to find artifacts and sites of great religious and cultural impotence so one of the many armed forces of the People (divided between mercenaries and Noble Houses, because the People are to big a collection of Dicks to bite the bullet and centralize their armies for the greater good) can come through the warpgate and loot them dry! This of course isn't a new thing, the People have been doing this since Seg's grandfather's grandfather was a bouncing baby boy. So there are procedures, codes, regulations. Seg, despite being on his very first real mission... Believes he knows better then people who have been doing this entire lives. Because he is a genius and everyone else is a moron. He's not shy about letting people know they're morons either. I told you he was an asshole. What keeps him bearable is his willingness to admit when he doesn't know something and the fact that he keeps his word to the last. Additionally is his utter refusal to leave people behind or stab them in the back. Seg is also very forthright and blunt, which makes me wonder how the hell he survived in his society but it does add to his entertainment value. All in all, Seg keeps from being unbearable or a big enough dick that I am not consumed with hatred for him. I don't know if I like him... But I respect him and I enjoy his toils and efforts. Plus I usually hate the people he's being an asshole to more. Sometimes I'm even sympathetic to the amount of shit he's going through. Besides to be fair, given his culture and his experiences growing up he's practically Ghandi. I mean imagine being surrounded by people who are not only waiting for you fail, but are wanting you to fail so they can send you off to a life of backbreaking labor and humiliation. Now imagine this is your life from the age of something like 9...
I'd be a raging asshole to, on my good days.
On the flip side of the coin we have Captain Amadahy Kalder of the Kenda. She and her people have a problem. This problem is a another group of people named the Shasir. The Shasir are a group of people who had the industrial revolution first on their planet. Unlike the Europeans of our world though, the Shasir decided to make a religion out this and ensure that only those who entered and climbed the ranks of their priesthood would be allowed to study and understand the resulting technology. Using firearms and airships, they proceeded to conquer and subdue a good chunk of the globe. Including the part the Kenda were living on. The Kenda are a waterbound people, they worship a water god, love to sail on boats, make water oaths and metaphors so on and so forth. They're very much an oppressed people however and the book shows us this through little things (conversations and interactions between the characters) that the Kenda's lives are ringed around with restrictions and obstacles both grand and petty. In alot of ways it's kinda like looking back at the lives of the some of the colonized peoples here. Although the Kenda are not without privileges, being better off then the other subdued people, the Welf.
The Welfs don't really get to speak for themselves in this novel, the story isn't about them, they're just more or less background to it. Although we do get a couple of moments that shine a light on their lives. They live on the bottom of the social and economic order. There are no Welf priests (there are Kenda priests), no Welf land owners or anything like that. The Welf have 3 roles in society. To grub in the mud so their betters can eat without toil. To serve as their maids and cooks and other low level servants and to perform the work no one else wants to. Honestly the Welf made me a bit uncomfortable, calling back indirectly to parts of American History I rather not think about to often... But that adds to the realism. The Shasir are a imperialist, racist bunch of assholes who have seized control of large chunks (if not all) of their planet through better technology and being willing to use it and horde it. Course that kind of empire is fragile, Seg himself openly states that Shasir empire couldn't last more then another 2 or 4 generations but it can and will smash alot of people into the mud, for no better reason then who their parents were, in that time frame. Worse, it'll do so because that's one of the things it was designed to do. I don't know if the writers were trying to make the point that imperialism isn't very nice and is often a dirty, nasty business... But they did a good job of making that point without giving any lectures or rubbing your nose in it. The actions and thoughts of the characters drive that point home without any really calling attention to it.
As for Ama herself. I didn't like her at first. Not because she's unpleasant or anything. She's a fairly nice person as far as characters go, it's just... Let me just ask if this sounds familiar... She is a person fighting against what her society and family expects of her, trying to reach her own dreams. Her mother died when she was young and she wants nothing more then to be a free ship Captain. Her family on the other hand wants her to settle down and get married and live a respectable life. Her society isn't very keen on a woman Ship Captain (which I admit is very silly of them). As such she finds herself arguing with her Father, who Just Doesn't Understand! I call this standard fantasy protagonist number 3, variant b. For Ama to be variant a, she would have be a child or a teenager, a very popular choice in fantasy books, in fact I'm not sure Mercedes Lackey has actually written any other kind of character. That might be unfair dig at Ms. Lackey, and this isn't a review of one of her books, so I'll stop there.
Thankfully Ama, doesn't spend a lot of time acting like standard fantasy protagonist number 3b. She doesn't mope around and wish for adventures and whine and nag and generally act like a angsting teen. Note to aspiring and published writers, reading someone whine and angst gets old... FAST. Instead Ama does stuff. She plots, schemes, fights, swims, sails and curses. It also helps that she actually pretty good at at least some of that. Additionally, she's not moping around wanting a higher destiny or anything, she just wants to be allowed to sail her damn boat. Which is a reasonable desire in my book and a point her favor. Ama doesn't want to be a princess or an archmage... Or run around with a magic white horse with an over inflated sense of it's own importance (okay I'll stop now). She just wants people to leave her alone and let her be a ship captain and she's willing to work to that end. When she discovers Seg's secret, her reaction is "how do I make this work for my people and for me?" It's realistic, pragmatic and decisive, which makes Ama and her decisions frankly a breath of fresh air compared to say Shadow Ops, nor does Ama sit around moodily and wonder about her enemies like a certain jumped up Starship captain (I still like that character, but there are bits I could do without). Additionally pragmatic and decisive is her willingness to go behind Seg's back to warn her people and family and make sure they get the most out of this. Frankly I approve this, she isn't willing to let the best interests of her family and friends take a back seat to some dude she meet a few days ago. Ama is fairly straightforward and easy to deal with once you realize that she isn't protagonist 3b, or if she is, she's a very well done one who isn't constrained by the mold. Honestly I like her more then I like Seg, but Seg is the more interesting of the two characters. Additionally, his goals and plans end up pretty much superseding Ama's. So what Seg is going to do next towards the end of the book becomes alot more important then what is Ama going to do next.
I also enjoyed a number of the secondary characters, like Brin, Ama's cousin. Seg's mentor Jarin, a cunning and crafty old man with his own mission and his own possibly shady past. He seems to have been in Seg's position before in a lot of ways and is trying to keep the kid from repeating his mistakes. Seg seems to feel that Jarin hasn't done him that many favors coming up, but considering the fact that someone with Seg's lack of connections and rather smart mouth is still breathing... I kinda think Jarin has spent a lot of time giving Seg cover. However, my favorite minor character is hands down the old rogue that is Viren. Who we met trying to rob Seg when he stumbles around a port city after being drugged by Ama (I told she was pragmatic didn't I?). Viren was a bit of treat for me. He's sly, clever and irrelevant and completely refuses to take this shit seriously. He's no Han Solo but he is pretty fun. Just don't ever play cards with the man.
There are drawbacks to the story. I felt the action scenes were overall pretty average. Not bad just... Average. They are competently written and plotted out, I was never left lost or confused but they lack a certain edge. The mass firefight at the end of the book for example didn't quite click for me. I enjoyed reading it but I was also sitting thinking "that's not how it would really work..." This might be my own life experiences working against me, plus I'm not a huge fan of 'large masses of under equipped enemies throw themselves in frontal assaults against dug in enemies with better weapons.' Yes, it's happened more than a few times in history. Yes, it makes perfect sense in the context of the story. I'm still just not a fan. I'm hoping to see more even fights later in the series.
The antagonists are the weakest part of the story. We don't get much of a sense of them, other then one member of the people being ambitious and petty and a law enforcer being an utter bastard for reasons unknown. For the most part the antagonists are a faceless mass. The People's society and the Shasir empire are the main antagonist forces in this book, only they are left without spokesmen (or spokeswomen) to speak to their side of the story or to give an opposing viewpoint to the characters. Instead everyone who opposes them is a petty, ambitious bastard, an utter psychopath or a deluded victim. I'm left wondering why the CMC (the People's organization that is opposed to the Cultural Theorist Guild) is so dead set on wrecking Seg's raid when he can provide grand amounts of the the very energy they're so desperately hungry for. Why is the Constable so fired up to see Ama put in what he thinks is her place? For that matter why is he so anti-Kenda? That said, they serve fairly well as forces or individuals that are dangerous to our characters. Ama and Seg bleed, they get beat up, they have problems and suffer. This is not an easy walk over for them, unlike some professionally published stories I could name. So there is more then enough tension in the story to keep you turning the pages. For that matter, you don't feel like the antagonists are absolute idiots (Seg's opinion not withstanding, but he thinks almost everyone is an idiot), it's just you're not very sure their motivations or their goals expect in a vague broad sense (keep the Shasir in power, get more power over the People and get more magic energy to keep the planet from killing us, stuff like that). The antagonists are serviceable but nothing more.
Warpworld rests on the character of it's protagonists and their relationship with each other. Which is a dynamic evolving relationship between two people with their own goals and desires. The relation is also put under strain by the stakes and tensions of the situation and how Seg's and Ama's goals align or clash depending on the situation. Which works fairly well. It makes for a strong interesting story with enough bad things happening to the protagonists to keep it interesting. This is good first book for these authors and a good start to the series (there are something like 4 more books) and I can recommend these books with a clear conscience.
Warpworld gets a B+, the lack of attention to the antagonists and averageness of the action keep it from going any higher but the well written plot and characterization lift it firmly out of the average run of the mill fantasy.
Warpworld is Ms. Perron and Mr. Simpson's first book and it is a fantasy story. The story revolves around two lead characters Seg and Ama. I'll be focusing a lot on them in this review because the story not only is entirely dependent on their choices and actions, but 90% of it is through their eyes. So you'll be spending alot of time with them if you decide to pick this book up. Seg... Excuse me, Segkel Eraranat, Field Cultural Theorist (a cultural theorist being basically a combat anthropologist, something which tickles me pink) is a fucking asshole. A man who has knife fought his way up from the humblest of origins to the point where he can almost see the top of the mountain of his society. And Whoo Boy, this is a society of sharks and piranhas. They call themselves the People, because they don't regard anyone else they meet as people. Just living tools they can use up as they see fit. The People however, have a problem, their world is trying to kill them via a big angry life eating thing, they call the Storm. Frankly I can't blame the planet. Because of this, they must open Warpgates to other worlds, attack them and rob them of people and cultural and religious artifacts. Why cultural and religious artifacts? Because the technology they use to travel to other worlds and to keep their planet from murdering them wholesale is powered by magic. Don't look at me like that, it's tech that runs off the energy built up by belief and emotion, it's fucking magic! I don't have a problem with this in all honesty but a number of books these days attempt to tell me that the magic isn't magic, which I refuse to fall for! In fairness to the writers of warpworld, they don't try to sell me a potion of bullshit here, they get the characters to try to sell me a potion of bullshit. Which I can live with. Seg would roll his eyes at me and tell me firmly that this is not magic... And he would be full of shit, but characters are sometimes full of shit and often the story is better for it.
Anyways, back to Seg. He has been commissioned to find artifacts and sites of great religious and cultural impotence so one of the many armed forces of the People (divided between mercenaries and Noble Houses, because the People are to big a collection of Dicks to bite the bullet and centralize their armies for the greater good) can come through the warpgate and loot them dry! This of course isn't a new thing, the People have been doing this since Seg's grandfather's grandfather was a bouncing baby boy. So there are procedures, codes, regulations. Seg, despite being on his very first real mission... Believes he knows better then people who have been doing this entire lives. Because he is a genius and everyone else is a moron. He's not shy about letting people know they're morons either. I told you he was an asshole. What keeps him bearable is his willingness to admit when he doesn't know something and the fact that he keeps his word to the last. Additionally is his utter refusal to leave people behind or stab them in the back. Seg is also very forthright and blunt, which makes me wonder how the hell he survived in his society but it does add to his entertainment value. All in all, Seg keeps from being unbearable or a big enough dick that I am not consumed with hatred for him. I don't know if I like him... But I respect him and I enjoy his toils and efforts. Plus I usually hate the people he's being an asshole to more. Sometimes I'm even sympathetic to the amount of shit he's going through. Besides to be fair, given his culture and his experiences growing up he's practically Ghandi. I mean imagine being surrounded by people who are not only waiting for you fail, but are wanting you to fail so they can send you off to a life of backbreaking labor and humiliation. Now imagine this is your life from the age of something like 9...
I'd be a raging asshole to, on my good days.
On the flip side of the coin we have Captain Amadahy Kalder of the Kenda. She and her people have a problem. This problem is a another group of people named the Shasir. The Shasir are a group of people who had the industrial revolution first on their planet. Unlike the Europeans of our world though, the Shasir decided to make a religion out this and ensure that only those who entered and climbed the ranks of their priesthood would be allowed to study and understand the resulting technology. Using firearms and airships, they proceeded to conquer and subdue a good chunk of the globe. Including the part the Kenda were living on. The Kenda are a waterbound people, they worship a water god, love to sail on boats, make water oaths and metaphors so on and so forth. They're very much an oppressed people however and the book shows us this through little things (conversations and interactions between the characters) that the Kenda's lives are ringed around with restrictions and obstacles both grand and petty. In alot of ways it's kinda like looking back at the lives of the some of the colonized peoples here. Although the Kenda are not without privileges, being better off then the other subdued people, the Welf.
The Welfs don't really get to speak for themselves in this novel, the story isn't about them, they're just more or less background to it. Although we do get a couple of moments that shine a light on their lives. They live on the bottom of the social and economic order. There are no Welf priests (there are Kenda priests), no Welf land owners or anything like that. The Welf have 3 roles in society. To grub in the mud so their betters can eat without toil. To serve as their maids and cooks and other low level servants and to perform the work no one else wants to. Honestly the Welf made me a bit uncomfortable, calling back indirectly to parts of American History I rather not think about to often... But that adds to the realism. The Shasir are a imperialist, racist bunch of assholes who have seized control of large chunks (if not all) of their planet through better technology and being willing to use it and horde it. Course that kind of empire is fragile, Seg himself openly states that Shasir empire couldn't last more then another 2 or 4 generations but it can and will smash alot of people into the mud, for no better reason then who their parents were, in that time frame. Worse, it'll do so because that's one of the things it was designed to do. I don't know if the writers were trying to make the point that imperialism isn't very nice and is often a dirty, nasty business... But they did a good job of making that point without giving any lectures or rubbing your nose in it. The actions and thoughts of the characters drive that point home without any really calling attention to it.
As for Ama herself. I didn't like her at first. Not because she's unpleasant or anything. She's a fairly nice person as far as characters go, it's just... Let me just ask if this sounds familiar... She is a person fighting against what her society and family expects of her, trying to reach her own dreams. Her mother died when she was young and she wants nothing more then to be a free ship Captain. Her family on the other hand wants her to settle down and get married and live a respectable life. Her society isn't very keen on a woman Ship Captain (which I admit is very silly of them). As such she finds herself arguing with her Father, who Just Doesn't Understand! I call this standard fantasy protagonist number 3, variant b. For Ama to be variant a, she would have be a child or a teenager, a very popular choice in fantasy books, in fact I'm not sure Mercedes Lackey has actually written any other kind of character. That might be unfair dig at Ms. Lackey, and this isn't a review of one of her books, so I'll stop there.
Thankfully Ama, doesn't spend a lot of time acting like standard fantasy protagonist number 3b. She doesn't mope around and wish for adventures and whine and nag and generally act like a angsting teen. Note to aspiring and published writers, reading someone whine and angst gets old... FAST. Instead Ama does stuff. She plots, schemes, fights, swims, sails and curses. It also helps that she actually pretty good at at least some of that. Additionally, she's not moping around wanting a higher destiny or anything, she just wants to be allowed to sail her damn boat. Which is a reasonable desire in my book and a point her favor. Ama doesn't want to be a princess or an archmage... Or run around with a magic white horse with an over inflated sense of it's own importance (okay I'll stop now). She just wants people to leave her alone and let her be a ship captain and she's willing to work to that end. When she discovers Seg's secret, her reaction is "how do I make this work for my people and for me?" It's realistic, pragmatic and decisive, which makes Ama and her decisions frankly a breath of fresh air compared to say Shadow Ops, nor does Ama sit around moodily and wonder about her enemies like a certain jumped up Starship captain (I still like that character, but there are bits I could do without). Additionally pragmatic and decisive is her willingness to go behind Seg's back to warn her people and family and make sure they get the most out of this. Frankly I approve this, she isn't willing to let the best interests of her family and friends take a back seat to some dude she meet a few days ago. Ama is fairly straightforward and easy to deal with once you realize that she isn't protagonist 3b, or if she is, she's a very well done one who isn't constrained by the mold. Honestly I like her more then I like Seg, but Seg is the more interesting of the two characters. Additionally, his goals and plans end up pretty much superseding Ama's. So what Seg is going to do next towards the end of the book becomes alot more important then what is Ama going to do next.
I also enjoyed a number of the secondary characters, like Brin, Ama's cousin. Seg's mentor Jarin, a cunning and crafty old man with his own mission and his own possibly shady past. He seems to have been in Seg's position before in a lot of ways and is trying to keep the kid from repeating his mistakes. Seg seems to feel that Jarin hasn't done him that many favors coming up, but considering the fact that someone with Seg's lack of connections and rather smart mouth is still breathing... I kinda think Jarin has spent a lot of time giving Seg cover. However, my favorite minor character is hands down the old rogue that is Viren. Who we met trying to rob Seg when he stumbles around a port city after being drugged by Ama (I told she was pragmatic didn't I?). Viren was a bit of treat for me. He's sly, clever and irrelevant and completely refuses to take this shit seriously. He's no Han Solo but he is pretty fun. Just don't ever play cards with the man.
There are drawbacks to the story. I felt the action scenes were overall pretty average. Not bad just... Average. They are competently written and plotted out, I was never left lost or confused but they lack a certain edge. The mass firefight at the end of the book for example didn't quite click for me. I enjoyed reading it but I was also sitting thinking "that's not how it would really work..." This might be my own life experiences working against me, plus I'm not a huge fan of 'large masses of under equipped enemies throw themselves in frontal assaults against dug in enemies with better weapons.' Yes, it's happened more than a few times in history. Yes, it makes perfect sense in the context of the story. I'm still just not a fan. I'm hoping to see more even fights later in the series.
The antagonists are the weakest part of the story. We don't get much of a sense of them, other then one member of the people being ambitious and petty and a law enforcer being an utter bastard for reasons unknown. For the most part the antagonists are a faceless mass. The People's society and the Shasir empire are the main antagonist forces in this book, only they are left without spokesmen (or spokeswomen) to speak to their side of the story or to give an opposing viewpoint to the characters. Instead everyone who opposes them is a petty, ambitious bastard, an utter psychopath or a deluded victim. I'm left wondering why the CMC (the People's organization that is opposed to the Cultural Theorist Guild) is so dead set on wrecking Seg's raid when he can provide grand amounts of the the very energy they're so desperately hungry for. Why is the Constable so fired up to see Ama put in what he thinks is her place? For that matter why is he so anti-Kenda? That said, they serve fairly well as forces or individuals that are dangerous to our characters. Ama and Seg bleed, they get beat up, they have problems and suffer. This is not an easy walk over for them, unlike some professionally published stories I could name. So there is more then enough tension in the story to keep you turning the pages. For that matter, you don't feel like the antagonists are absolute idiots (Seg's opinion not withstanding, but he thinks almost everyone is an idiot), it's just you're not very sure their motivations or their goals expect in a vague broad sense (keep the Shasir in power, get more power over the People and get more magic energy to keep the planet from killing us, stuff like that). The antagonists are serviceable but nothing more.
Warpworld rests on the character of it's protagonists and their relationship with each other. Which is a dynamic evolving relationship between two people with their own goals and desires. The relation is also put under strain by the stakes and tensions of the situation and how Seg's and Ama's goals align or clash depending on the situation. Which works fairly well. It makes for a strong interesting story with enough bad things happening to the protagonists to keep it interesting. This is good first book for these authors and a good start to the series (there are something like 4 more books) and I can recommend these books with a clear conscience.
Warpworld gets a B+, the lack of attention to the antagonists and averageness of the action keep it from going any higher but the well written plot and characterization lift it firmly out of the average run of the mill fantasy.
August 22, 2017
Warp world was a brilliant read. I’ve been looking for a book to fulfil that odd space in my head that real SFF lives (stuff like MZB, the late great Aldis and so on) all those places where you find swords right next to space ships and all the fun that ensues there. And all the questions about civilisation that raises.
This was a real roller coaster ride, told by super compelling characters, in a beautiful and complex universe. Off to find the sequel now!
This was a real roller coaster ride, told by super compelling characters, in a beautiful and complex universe. Off to find the sequel now!
April 13, 2017
Hard to describe my enjoyment. Excellent writing, strong vibrant characters and villains, rich description of the clash of cultures between worlds, complex social and political machinations, so !much action and romance. Wow!,
It is terrific. No matter what you like, this will enthrall you. I couldn't put it down. On to the next one from these authors!
It is terrific. No matter what you like, this will enthrall you. I couldn't put it down. On to the next one from these authors!
October 20, 2019
Enjoyable
Lots of action, story lines woven together well. Definitely leaves the story set up for the sequel. Easy read, flows well
Lots of action, story lines woven together well. Definitely leaves the story set up for the sequel. Easy read, flows well
December 3, 2019
A KP./JS. SYFY. Deep Space Action Adventure (W)
KP./JS. have penned a SYFY. deep space action adventure titled "Warpworld", which begins with one species of humans using a form of Time Tunnel to transport from one galaxy to another's or from one parallel universe to another. There are some differences to similar events. However, the authors delved into the elements of time travel via an unusual method. Their arrival on another planet with a different species was thought provoking in the similarities of both species, but T the same time switched to the opposite side for comparison. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
KP./JS. have penned a SYFY. deep space action adventure titled "Warpworld", which begins with one species of humans using a form of Time Tunnel to transport from one galaxy to another's or from one parallel universe to another. There are some differences to similar events. However, the authors delved into the elements of time travel via an unusual method. Their arrival on another planet with a different species was thought provoking in the similarities of both species, but T the same time switched to the opposite side for comparison. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
May 7, 2018
Excellent Story, Excellent characters. The main objective of the plot was reached with a decent but not overbearing link to a sequel. My highest recommendation is I am buying the sequel.
July 23, 2020
A good read a Society that is so dead it thinks anybody not if it’s world is slaves they don’t even realize how dead their world is.
July 22, 2013
Ama has been content in living her life as she sees fit. Granted, there are a good many who don't quite understand her or the things she does. She's faithful to her people, even if she has a fiery temper, and speaks her mind whenever possible. She can't help herself in doing so. It's a part of who she is, and she wouldn't have things any other way.
When she comes across the beautiful Seg, she's not quite sure as to what to make of him. There's something about him that intrigues her, though she can't quite put her finger on what it is. She knows he's different. She can see it in his eyes, yet she can't quite make sense of what it is that draws her to him.
Her people have given her a decree, one she must fulfill if she's to keep her beloved ship, though she's not quite as to whether she can fulfill the ultimatum she's been given. Ama vows to do everything possible to avoid bloodshed. Granted, she knows that's not likely possible, though she'll do her best, none-the-less.
Thrown into Seg's path, albeit unwillingly, Ama has no choice but to act as the guide she is. She might not have a choice in the matter at hand, but she'll do everything possible to complete her objectives. When an unexpected murder sheds light on Seg's true origins, she soon realizes that there's more to the story than she ever knew. Though she's not content with what is now going on, she knows she'll need to place her trust in Seg's hands if they're to survive to see another day, once and for all.
A truly original storyline, Warpworld is one of those science-fiction stories that truly engrosses the reader. We get caught up in a bit of political intrigue as two opposing factions from two distinct worlds fight to survive. We catch glimpses of the unique worlds Kristene has created, following along as she gives us a little background on the different worlds and factions within them. I think she's done a great job in setting the stage for this wonderful series, and I look forward to seeing what happens next within it.
When she comes across the beautiful Seg, she's not quite sure as to what to make of him. There's something about him that intrigues her, though she can't quite put her finger on what it is. She knows he's different. She can see it in his eyes, yet she can't quite make sense of what it is that draws her to him.
Her people have given her a decree, one she must fulfill if she's to keep her beloved ship, though she's not quite as to whether she can fulfill the ultimatum she's been given. Ama vows to do everything possible to avoid bloodshed. Granted, she knows that's not likely possible, though she'll do her best, none-the-less.
Thrown into Seg's path, albeit unwillingly, Ama has no choice but to act as the guide she is. She might not have a choice in the matter at hand, but she'll do everything possible to complete her objectives. When an unexpected murder sheds light on Seg's true origins, she soon realizes that there's more to the story than she ever knew. Though she's not content with what is now going on, she knows she'll need to place her trust in Seg's hands if they're to survive to see another day, once and for all.
A truly original storyline, Warpworld is one of those science-fiction stories that truly engrosses the reader. We get caught up in a bit of political intrigue as two opposing factions from two distinct worlds fight to survive. We catch glimpses of the unique worlds Kristene has created, following along as she gives us a little background on the different worlds and factions within them. I think she's done a great job in setting the stage for this wonderful series, and I look forward to seeing what happens next within it.
August 1, 2013
3.5 Stars. I don't read too much sci-fi, but every once in a while a book comes along that catches my attention, and I was really intrigued by Warpworld's description and sample chapter. I'm glad I took a chance on it. It's an action-packed adventure with some great plot twists and a slow-burning romance set amidst a richly detailed story world. And the authors have done a fantastic job at characterization. Seg is a brilliant theorist, the youngest ever to do what he's doing, and thus, arrogant and dauntless as he faces the dangers of a world--and a woman--he didn't reckon for. Ama is tough and smart and capable, and fears nothing except the gilded cage that comes with an arranged marriage. Watching these two work together, first toward their own personal agendas and then toward survival while saving each other's butts, was great fun.
Because the story world is so complex, there's a lot of description and time spent establishing the multi-layered facets of society, and in this case, a lot of politicking and strategizing, especially toward the end, which slowed the reading down, and I found myself skimming a bit. There are also too many POVs for my taste. I don't mind switching back and forth from hero to heroine, but I didn't think it was necessary to be in the minds of the bad guys and the head honchos at the Guild. And lastly, I can't say I was a huge fan of the ending. It's not a bad ending, but it didn't turn out quite the way I thought it would, and I guess I expected more emotional impact from it after all the build up.
But overall, as debut novels go, it's pretty well done. The ending leaves room for a sequel and I would read the next book from this writing duo. It was a more complicated read for me, but imaginative and well written, and not quite like anything I've read before.
Because the story world is so complex, there's a lot of description and time spent establishing the multi-layered facets of society, and in this case, a lot of politicking and strategizing, especially toward the end, which slowed the reading down, and I found myself skimming a bit. There are also too many POVs for my taste. I don't mind switching back and forth from hero to heroine, but I didn't think it was necessary to be in the minds of the bad guys and the head honchos at the Guild. And lastly, I can't say I was a huge fan of the ending. It's not a bad ending, but it didn't turn out quite the way I thought it would, and I guess I expected more emotional impact from it after all the build up.
But overall, as debut novels go, it's pretty well done. The ending leaves room for a sequel and I would read the next book from this writing duo. It was a more complicated read for me, but imaginative and well written, and not quite like anything I've read before.
July 17, 2013
3.5 stars
(as reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews)
Did I enjoy this book: Yes!
As with most sci-fi there was a bit of a language learning curve, but once I figured out who all the races were and how they related to each other, I couldn’t put it down (I may have given up a movie night with Husband to keep reading). There were enough classic elements to keep things comfortable (think: interstellar travel, culture clashes, secret missions, interspecies love), and enough corkscrews to keep me reading. I won’t give any of the unique bits away, but I will say this: it took me almost as long to figure out what was going to happen as it took the protagonists (and they were the ones deciding, after all)!
I’ve read other reviews that compare this book to Stargate, The Hunger Games, even Harry Potter. I’d say… it’s all of those plus a bag of awesomesauce.
Would I recommend it: I already have! I have this weekly Girls’ Night thing where my lady friends and I all sign on to Mumble and chat about life, liberty, and why our SO’s are currently annoying us. Last week, even though I was barely half-way through Warpworld, I recommended it to my girls. We’ve passed around books like The Name of the Wind, The Lord of the Rings, and The Princess Bride, so it’s no small thing to recommend a book to my gals. :-)
Will I read it again: I’ll definitely review it before I read the next one… I’m addicted to Seg & Ama’s story!
(Melissa received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/07/bl...
(as reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews)
Did I enjoy this book: Yes!
As with most sci-fi there was a bit of a language learning curve, but once I figured out who all the races were and how they related to each other, I couldn’t put it down (I may have given up a movie night with Husband to keep reading). There were enough classic elements to keep things comfortable (think: interstellar travel, culture clashes, secret missions, interspecies love), and enough corkscrews to keep me reading. I won’t give any of the unique bits away, but I will say this: it took me almost as long to figure out what was going to happen as it took the protagonists (and they were the ones deciding, after all)!
I’ve read other reviews that compare this book to Stargate, The Hunger Games, even Harry Potter. I’d say… it’s all of those plus a bag of awesomesauce.
Would I recommend it: I already have! I have this weekly Girls’ Night thing where my lady friends and I all sign on to Mumble and chat about life, liberty, and why our SO’s are currently annoying us. Last week, even though I was barely half-way through Warpworld, I recommended it to my girls. We’ve passed around books like The Name of the Wind, The Lord of the Rings, and The Princess Bride, so it’s no small thing to recommend a book to my gals. :-)
Will I read it again: I’ll definitely review it before I read the next one… I’m addicted to Seg & Ama’s story!
(Melissa received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/07/bl...
August 5, 2014
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This.Book.Was.AMAZING!!!! It has been a long time since a book pulled me in as thoroughly as Warpworld did. First off, the writing was top notch, there was enough detail to create vivid pictures in my brain without being over saturated with descriptive words (a problem a lot of writers seem to have) and everything had a natural flow to it. The characters are awesome, even side characters that the protagonist only interact with briefly come through as actual people and not just characters in a story. The settings are unique and very clear, they contrast beautifully with each other.
I loved it, everything about this book...it was an emotional roller coaster at times, incredibly tense, filled with action (and very easy to follow battle scenes, something I immensely enjoy) and characters that I adore. Especially Seg, but he is a cold, calculating genius who is actually a bit high strung and very emotional (and at times a complete jerk)...I have a type with fictional character loves and he is definitely in that type. Ama is an amazing strong badass female character who manages to have traits associated with being a badass heroine without being a stereotype.
I could go on and on about how awesome this book is, but I think the best way to sum it up is this: I lost (if you can call it that) a night's sleep to this book and I am currently wondering what I can sell so I can buy the next book in the series because I need it NOW!
Oh it has been far too long since I enjoyed a fiction book that much, I have been craving one and kept finding myself disappointed. I am a very happy bookworm.
This.Book.Was.AMAZING!!!! It has been a long time since a book pulled me in as thoroughly as Warpworld did. First off, the writing was top notch, there was enough detail to create vivid pictures in my brain without being over saturated with descriptive words (a problem a lot of writers seem to have) and everything had a natural flow to it. The characters are awesome, even side characters that the protagonist only interact with briefly come through as actual people and not just characters in a story. The settings are unique and very clear, they contrast beautifully with each other.
I loved it, everything about this book...it was an emotional roller coaster at times, incredibly tense, filled with action (and very easy to follow battle scenes, something I immensely enjoy) and characters that I adore. Especially Seg, but he is a cold, calculating genius who is actually a bit high strung and very emotional (and at times a complete jerk)...I have a type with fictional character loves and he is definitely in that type. Ama is an amazing strong badass female character who manages to have traits associated with being a badass heroine without being a stereotype.
I could go on and on about how awesome this book is, but I think the best way to sum it up is this: I lost (if you can call it that) a night's sleep to this book and I am currently wondering what I can sell so I can buy the next book in the series because I need it NOW!
Oh it has been far too long since I enjoyed a fiction book that much, I have been craving one and kept finding myself disappointed. I am a very happy bookworm.
June 27, 2013
I'll be frank -- I had a lot of reservations about Warpworld after reading the first couple of pages. It reminded me of Stargate which I didn't like at all and I was already thinking about dropping the book. But I kept on reading, and I'm glad I did!
After a while, I found myself really starting to care about the characters. I just got generally sucked into the story with its unconventional characters and detailed worlds and societies, so much so that I pushed aside other things just to make more time for reading.
I'm not usually a big fan of adventure books. However, all the action in Warpworld is balanced with carefully thought-out worlds and characters that give a background and reason for all the fighting, cunning and running through the woods. It doesn't at all feel like a series of meaningless action scenes that take place just for the sake of -- well, action. Warpworld's societies and characters are believable and well-written, they feel real with all their flaws and contradictions.
Warpworld is a book a wide audience can enjoy. You don't have to be a hard core science fiction fan to enjoy the book and I can see many different age groups falling for its versatile plot. Warpworld tells an entertaining and captivating story, which is not something to be taken for granted.
I'm definitely looking forward to the second book to find out what happens next!
After a while, I found myself really starting to care about the characters. I just got generally sucked into the story with its unconventional characters and detailed worlds and societies, so much so that I pushed aside other things just to make more time for reading.
I'm not usually a big fan of adventure books. However, all the action in Warpworld is balanced with carefully thought-out worlds and characters that give a background and reason for all the fighting, cunning and running through the woods. It doesn't at all feel like a series of meaningless action scenes that take place just for the sake of -- well, action. Warpworld's societies and characters are believable and well-written, they feel real with all their flaws and contradictions.
Warpworld is a book a wide audience can enjoy. You don't have to be a hard core science fiction fan to enjoy the book and I can see many different age groups falling for its versatile plot. Warpworld tells an entertaining and captivating story, which is not something to be taken for granted.
I'm definitely looking forward to the second book to find out what happens next!
August 16, 2014
This was an amazing book! The clash of two disparate cultures from two vastly different worlds made for a fascinating tale.
Seg's world is technologically advanced, but also dying. In order to save it, the People steal from other worlds that they access through their Warpgate. Seg is a cultural theorist who's job is to study worlds and their people to determine if the planet is ripe for the picking.
Ama lives on such a planet. Her world is loaded with the vita that is so desperately needed on Seg's world.
Seg hires Ama and her ship to scout for the resources he plans to steal. In doing so, Seg forever changes his life and Ama's when they are forced to work together to survive the political powers that would see them both destroyed. Powers from both worlds.
I'll be honest. I wasn't too sure when, early in the book, politics began to play a large role in the story. It did not bode well for me. But the story of Ama and Seg became the all-consuming focal point that kept me engaged in the story. Ama's world, with it's three different castes/races of people was a rich, fascinating location, and in fact, could be the setting for a whole new story of the events following Warpworld, if the authors so choose.
If you are a sci-fi fan, I think you will enjoy Warpworld.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Seg's world is technologically advanced, but also dying. In order to save it, the People steal from other worlds that they access through their Warpgate. Seg is a cultural theorist who's job is to study worlds and their people to determine if the planet is ripe for the picking.
Ama lives on such a planet. Her world is loaded with the vita that is so desperately needed on Seg's world.
Seg hires Ama and her ship to scout for the resources he plans to steal. In doing so, Seg forever changes his life and Ama's when they are forced to work together to survive the political powers that would see them both destroyed. Powers from both worlds.
I'll be honest. I wasn't too sure when, early in the book, politics began to play a large role in the story. It did not bode well for me. But the story of Ama and Seg became the all-consuming focal point that kept me engaged in the story. Ama's world, with it's three different castes/races of people was a rich, fascinating location, and in fact, could be the setting for a whole new story of the events following Warpworld, if the authors so choose.
If you are a sci-fi fan, I think you will enjoy Warpworld.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2014
This is defiantly worth picking up any fan of science fiction writing. The book plot reminds me a little bit of the tv show Stargate meets anthropology to some minor extant. The main character Seg is a cultural theorist who charters Ama's boat to search for vita to prevent the Storm from expanding on his world. Ama and Segs relationship is simple to begin with but as Ama gets to know Seg she slowly begins to trust him. Meanwhile Ama father gets taken by in the authorities on Ama's world in an attempt to find Ama and Seg. Near the end of the book Seg returns to Ama's world to save her father as he promised. In addition Seg aids the rebellion on Ama's world to overthrow the religious rulers of her world and the people who aid them while searching for the vita needed for his world. The book concludes by Seg and Ama returning to Seg's world to explorer other worlds by Seg's side. I'm defiantly looking forward to reading the next book.
September 28, 2013
I loved this book. It threw me back to my teenage days when I read for the sheer thrill of it. The novel is extremely well constructed to hit all of the high points that readers of science fiction want and expect. The middle part of the book when Seg and Ama are on the run was my favourite. The two worlds and their politics were well developed and believable and the characters, especially Ama, were very enjoyable. There were a lot of subtle messages in the book and observations regarding power structures, environmental destruction, and competition over scarce resources that were worked in to the narrative very effectively. I found it a bit slow to start, but once I got past the first twenty to thirty pages I could not put it down.
July 25, 2014
Warpworld is the first book in a great new series. Seg and Ama literally come from two different worlds. Seg is on a mission to steal Vita from other worlds to save his from the Great Storm while Ama is fighting to survive after her people are conquered by a hostile race. It was an interesting read and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. I'm thrilled that the sequel and a short are already out . There are some of the standard romantic tropes but the action was great and even though Seg's people are more technologically advanced the foes they face on both worlds are credible threats. If you like a little Taming of the Shrew in your Romeo and Juliet or are a fan of Zelazny's Amber I think this will be a series to watch.
March 3, 2013
This book is a page-turner...a full throttle adventure, balanced with a clever storyline & an engaging well developed cast of characters. Perfect for Sci-Fi fans as well as readers who aren't typically drawn to this genre.
Perron & Simpson have created a story so well constructed that it truly has an endless array of subsequent adventures awaiting its readers. Not since "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" or "Hunger Games" have I been so expectant for the next book in a series. If you're looking for the next great series, dive into "Warpworld."
...Then we can both wait patiently for book #2 "Wasteland Renegades"
Perron & Simpson have created a story so well constructed that it truly has an endless array of subsequent adventures awaiting its readers. Not since "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" or "Hunger Games" have I been so expectant for the next book in a series. If you're looking for the next great series, dive into "Warpworld."
...Then we can both wait patiently for book #2 "Wasteland Renegades"
August 12, 2014
I received an ebook copy of Warpworld from the authors. Thank you so much for a very enjoyable book.
Of the 69 books I've read so far this year, it's one of my favorite 2 or 3.
If you remember the TV show Sliders or have played the RPG D20 Modern (with dimensional travel), then the book will be even more fun.
It is well written and very interesting. The characters are nicely defined and their feelings and relationships change throughout the adventure. The plot(s) are intricate and the players are looking out for themselves. Deals lead to friendships and more.
I'm looking forward to the 2nd book, and beyond.
Of the 69 books I've read so far this year, it's one of my favorite 2 or 3.
If you remember the TV show Sliders or have played the RPG D20 Modern (with dimensional travel), then the book will be even more fun.
It is well written and very interesting. The characters are nicely defined and their feelings and relationships change throughout the adventure. The plot(s) are intricate and the players are looking out for themselves. Deals lead to friendships and more.
I'm looking forward to the 2nd book, and beyond.
June 8, 2018
Two cultures meet due to an ability to travel the warp by one. Seg and his small military escort are looking for riches as they do recon on a somewhat, to them, more primitive world. Ama is from one of the three races on the world and is a revolutionary at heart trying to survive being a lower class citizen and maintaining her freedom. As the two parallel stories develop into one, the reader's interest is held by the actions of the two main characters. The story has touches of Andre Norton and Philip K. Dick. It was an interesting read. This was a free review copy provided by the author that I enjoyed.
July 30, 2013
It is two totally separate cultures and worlds that was meshed well together. Especially with two authors creating each culture and cast divisions, I was taken away to their worlds. Each author wrote of worlds they know well from our 'fishing goddess' to our West Texas road rat. I especially loved the line "Life is a bloody business." For all the ups and downs we experience, life comes with unexpected twist we all take. Very enjoyable read and well worth the time. Can they hurry up though and get the next book out?
August 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, could not put it down and finished it in one day. Now I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. The best part of reading this book was the over arcing story and the layering it felt like a real world it was easily imaginable, the characters in their own ways were relatable. My only regret in reading this book is that I finished it too quickly! but I love to re read books and I'm sure this one will get tattered with reading and re reading like some of the other books on my shelf.
January 28, 2013
Really enjoyed the world building. Well written with great, fully developed characters. Perron and Simpson don't let the details of two entirely different worlds bog down the pacing in this new scifi franchise. I'll be looking for book 2.
What also strikes me is just how far they can take this series. There are literally endless rabbit holes to go down and the MC makes for a perfect rabbit for readers to follow.
What also strikes me is just how far they can take this series. There are literally endless rabbit holes to go down and the MC makes for a perfect rabbit for readers to follow.
April 30, 2013
After reading this book I only can say "What a ride!".
Being a science fiction fan it was refreshing to read a story that does not follow some used "cliché".
In the first chapters it reminded me of "Stargate", but it was only a "scent", because as the story was evolving "Warpworld" was carving it own "world and settings".
For now I'm only wishing the release of the second chapter to see how the story flows.
Being a science fiction fan it was refreshing to read a story that does not follow some used "cliché".
In the first chapters it reminded me of "Stargate", but it was only a "scent", because as the story was evolving "Warpworld" was carving it own "world and settings".
For now I'm only wishing the release of the second chapter to see how the story flows.
November 30, 2012
I don't normally read science-fiction but this book has certainly made me a fan. It is the story of two worlds, one in another dimension and one similar to ours. Seg is the hero of the invading world and Ama is the protagonist in this world. The characters, the action and the powerful imagination of the authors holds the reader enthralled and eager to know what happens next.
This is the first of a projected five volumes. I can hardly wait for the next one.
This is the first of a projected five volumes. I can hardly wait for the next one.
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