Phase Shift

by Elise Abram

If you knew the world were about to end, what would you do? If you found the key to another Earth, would you use it? When archaeologist Molly McBride finds the key to a doppelganger Earth she is swept into a world of conspiracy that could end in the death of not one, but two planets. Will Molly be able to prevent the impending cataclysm?

Genres: Science Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Elise Abram is a high school teacher of English and Computer Studies, former archaeologist, avid reader of literary and science fiction, and student of the human condition. Everything she does, watches, reads and hears is fodder for her writing. She is passionate about Second Cup lattes, cooking, writing and language, differentiated instruction and ABC’s Once Upon A Time. In her spare time she experiments with paleo cookery, knits badly, and writes. She also bakes. Most of the time it doesn’t burn. Her family doesn’t seem to mind.

Reviews

[Gary McGugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise Abram creates an engaging science fiction story from the perspective of an archeologist with an added environmental element. Not my my usual genre, but she held my attention with well-developed characters and an out-of-the-physical-state story that seemed just close enough to reality to be plausible.

The author's prior experience working as an archeologist was very apparent and provided an interesting twist on story. No doubt it helped her considerably with development of the main character Molly. The combination Elise Abram create is entertaining, enjoyable and well worth spending a few hours reading and thinking about what one day might be possible!

[Elise Abram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Publisher's Weekly describes this novel as a fast-paced, entertaining and cautionary tale. "Phase Shift" by Elise Abram takes our fears about global warning to the extreme. Molly McBride, archaeologist and professor at the University of Toronto is given a curious artifact that gives her the ability to travel between this world and another version of Earth (called Gaia) where she meets Reyes Prefect, a scientist and scholar. Together, they discover that the phase of each planet is changing due to the condition of the environment on Earth and terra-forming on Gaia. When the phase of the planets is equal, the two will collide, and the process has already begun. Random shifts in phase of small areas of the planet cause confusion and devastation. Molly is tasked with preventing Cataclysm, but people on both planets have a vested interest in seeing her fail. Will Molly be successful in her endeavour to stop Cataclysm?

Other characters include Molly's husband, Palmer Richardson, a forensic anthropologist, 15 years Molly's senior and her former professor, and world-renowned pseudo-scientist Josef Schliemann. The novel documents their quest to save both worlds. The structure of the novel shifts between Gaia and Earth initially, but each of shorter chapters that interrupt Molly's story have a purpose that becomes clear later in the narrative.

The dialogue is well-written and helps propel the story forward. The relationships are believable. I love the scenes between Molly and Palmer. Though he is 15 years her senior and technically her boss, they are true equals in their relationship and playful when together. Josef Schliemann is the true villain in the story. Known for travelling the globe and investigating weird happenings, Molly idolizes him and uses his books as texts in the courses she teaches. His true colours are revealed later in the novel when he joins forces with negative factions on Gaia. Even so, one cannot help but like the persona of this charismatic, womanizing turncoat.

Phase Shift is a science fiction adventure mystery, the novel that introduces the characters of Molly, Palmer and Josef to the world. There are two novellas soon to be released by this author as ebooks, soon to be published entitled The Mummy Wore Combat Boots and Throwaway Child which furthers the adventures of Dr. Palmer Richardson as he does his job as forensic anthropologist for the Metropolitan Police Department.

[G.F. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phase Shift
Elise Abram

An interesting read; good characters, and well written…

I enjoyed this book. It took me some time to read it, though not in any way because it was a bad book. It took time due to my personal life and involvement with other things. Plus, while I was reading it, I was also reading several other good books. I did finish it some time ago, and I’m just now finding the time to write this review.

Phase Shift has a very interesting premise: parallel worlds which are briefly opened up to each other where a few people can travel if they have the means. These worlds are similar but have evolved differently. Though in contrast to each other, both have characters that display the full range of humanity: the good, the bad, and the horrible. This, I thought, was a strong part of the book, and Elise Abram’s writing in particular. The characters came alive because of this, and carried the story well. As in most worlds, there is prejudice, and this one is no different.

I liked the main character very much; Molly McBride kept me interested throughout the entire book; I saw things through her eyes, her emotions, and her humanity. I also liked her courage, and tenacity. She’s a very strong and likable character.

There was another interesting premise in the book that plays a big part in the novel. Both worlds—for reasons I won’t mention here—were a danger to each other, with potentially catastrophic consequences looming for the characters, and for the two worlds. This was what propelled the good, as well as the bad part of humanity—on both worlds—and gave credence to their ultimate choices and sacrifices. To me, regardless of the genre, this is what makes a great story, and book.

I love a book where a larger universe is opened up to character(s), and they have to find in themselves the purpose and fortitude to engage the new universe and do whatever it is they can to make it better, even if they’d rather not. This is certainly one of those books.

Phase Shift is well worth the read.

I purchased this book on 8/30/16

G. F. Smith
Author of Smartbrain, and the three-book series: Subjected.