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The Babel Trilogy #3
Infinity's Illusion
In the conclusion to Richard Farr’s richly imaginative Babel Trilogy, Morag and Daniel race toward a terrifying confrontation with an entity that holds the key to humanity’s fate.
After narrowly surviving an encounter with the Architects, Daniel Calder experiences visions of global destruction, dreamlike moments of insight, and vivid “memories” of a meeting with a famous scientist—none of which ever happened. When he and his sister, Morag Chen, are attacked by unknown assailants deep in the cavernous city of the I’iwa cave dwellers, they must escape with an enigmatic, centuries-old mathematical calculation.
Time is running out. All signs point to the final “Anabasis,” when the Babel myth will reach its terrible culmination. But thousands of miles of hazardous jungle and unforgiving ocean lie between the siblings and their one slim chance to fight back.
As they undertake their perilous journey, the apocalypse seems imminent: scores of vanished believers, global telecom failures, societies in chaos. The Architects have set the stage for their conquest, and Morag and Daniel—armed only with a list of mysterious numbers and the dreams of an aging astrophysicist—seem hopelessly outmatched.
After narrowly surviving an encounter with the Architects, Daniel Calder experiences visions of global destruction, dreamlike moments of insight, and vivid “memories” of a meeting with a famous scientist—none of which ever happened. When he and his sister, Morag Chen, are attacked by unknown assailants deep in the cavernous city of the I’iwa cave dwellers, they must escape with an enigmatic, centuries-old mathematical calculation.
Time is running out. All signs point to the final “Anabasis,” when the Babel myth will reach its terrible culmination. But thousands of miles of hazardous jungle and unforgiving ocean lie between the siblings and their one slim chance to fight back.
As they undertake their perilous journey, the apocalypse seems imminent: scores of vanished believers, global telecom failures, societies in chaos. The Architects have set the stage for their conquest, and Morag and Daniel—armed only with a list of mysterious numbers and the dreams of an aging astrophysicist—seem hopelessly outmatched.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2018
86 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Richard Farr
6 books89 followersI grew up in England's West Country - one of the world's leading producers of strange names for small villages. I now live in Seattle - the only American city with exactly the same climate.
When I'm not reading, writing, mentoring students and adults (richardfarr.net), or staring out of the window, I enjoy running, hiking and sea kayaking.
When I'm not reading, writing, mentoring students and adults (richardfarr.net), or staring out of the window, I enjoy running, hiking and sea kayaking.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 19, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
It was okay, but I got lost several times.
It was okay, but I got lost several times.
April 15, 2019
A good plot to this book. However this seemed rushed to me. It had some errors in it. Not mention i kept getting a little lost on the characters.
December 27, 2020
Read on: Aug 14 & 15. 3.5/5 stars. Recommendation is irrelevant. If you read the first two, you'll read this one.
I'm not immune to the negative reviews of others. I will say I don't recall the disappointment so many have discussed in their reviews. Alternately 95% of the time I was listening to the audiobook, I was also doing menial chores. So if things went crappy, I just tried to keep up rather than notice things that I balked at.
I think in the reader's contract to suspend disbelief when we read fiction, we are inclined to "let it go" for a bit in order to allow the author to clear up things in the near future of the story. If Mr. Farr failed on any of this horribly, my attempt at multi-tasking while listening to the audiobook masked any of his gaffs.
I did have an odd inner relationship/reaction with/to the author that is unrelated to the book. I suspect this may be a contributing unconscious factor in the negative reaction to the book others experienced. I may realize this due to my skills & experience along with decades of writing and reading. These things catch my attention when my "inner editor" is reading rather than me enjoying a story.
I did consume the "afternotes" that Richard Farr adds to his books and found those interesting. I even went to his website where he expands further on his research & commentary. I found that fun. Wish I had more time to delve into it.
I did find Daniel, Morag & several others interesting characters who drove the story. The antagonists, less the Architects, were less so to me. Like some of the other reviews, I did not "get it" at times.
When Architect followers became zombie-like, it seemed off to me. I suspended disbelief and made it through without much fuss. I know there were efforts to bridge the "suspend disbelief" canyon, but that bridge seemed long and narrow at times.
I'd not discourage anyone interested in this series and there are a number of things interesting in this series. Mr. Farr did a lot of research & likely has as many "facts" as right as many archeologists ignore things right in front of them. There are tidbits of history and other amusing details to add texture to this series.
Like most life, you usually get out of it what you put into it. I'm guilty of some neglect on my part trying multi-tasking while audio consuming the story.
I'm not immune to the negative reviews of others. I will say I don't recall the disappointment so many have discussed in their reviews. Alternately 95% of the time I was listening to the audiobook, I was also doing menial chores. So if things went crappy, I just tried to keep up rather than notice things that I balked at.
I think in the reader's contract to suspend disbelief when we read fiction, we are inclined to "let it go" for a bit in order to allow the author to clear up things in the near future of the story. If Mr. Farr failed on any of this horribly, my attempt at multi-tasking while listening to the audiobook masked any of his gaffs.
I did have an odd inner relationship/reaction with/to the author that is unrelated to the book. I suspect this may be a contributing unconscious factor in the negative reaction to the book others experienced. I may realize this due to my skills & experience along with decades of writing and reading. These things catch my attention when my "inner editor" is reading rather than me enjoying a story.
I did consume the "afternotes" that Richard Farr adds to his books and found those interesting. I even went to his website where he expands further on his research & commentary. I found that fun. Wish I had more time to delve into it.
I did find Daniel, Morag & several others interesting characters who drove the story. The antagonists, less the Architects, were less so to me. Like some of the other reviews, I did not "get it" at times.
When Architect followers became zombie-like, it seemed off to me. I suspended disbelief and made it through without much fuss. I know there were efforts to bridge the "suspend disbelief" canyon, but that bridge seemed long and narrow at times.
I'd not discourage anyone interested in this series and there are a number of things interesting in this series. Mr. Farr did a lot of research & likely has as many "facts" as right as many archeologists ignore things right in front of them. There are tidbits of history and other amusing details to add texture to this series.
Like most life, you usually get out of it what you put into it. I'm guilty of some neglect on my part trying multi-tasking while audio consuming the story.
June 2, 2018
Fell kind of flat for me
I had enjoyed this series, I thought it was an interesting concept, but the ending leaves a lot to be desired. I didn't completely hate it, but it's a pretty hollow ending. It felt like the author ran out of story and just tried to throw something together that gives a tiny bit of closure. We only know the fate of 3 characters, sort of, they were too late for most of the world, they got to leave a warning in many languages, but we don't know for sure if their massive number worked. The beginning of the book was the most interesting, and with how long it took them to get through everything, I was expecting more of a climax than Rosko just being self-sacrificing. Then Morag and Daniel are left trying to survive in volcanic ruins hoping that enough of humanity is around somewhere to carry on. Awesome. The overall themes, mysteries, the value of consciousness and language were all good, interesting, thought provoking. I just didn't feel a wrap up to the series, it doesn't work as a separate book. It could have been shortened and tacked onto the second book. I found myself saying,"wait, that's it?" at the end, and I don't like ending a book or a series that way.
I had enjoyed this series, I thought it was an interesting concept, but the ending leaves a lot to be desired. I didn't completely hate it, but it's a pretty hollow ending. It felt like the author ran out of story and just tried to throw something together that gives a tiny bit of closure. We only know the fate of 3 characters, sort of, they were too late for most of the world, they got to leave a warning in many languages, but we don't know for sure if their massive number worked. The beginning of the book was the most interesting, and with how long it took them to get through everything, I was expecting more of a climax than Rosko just being self-sacrificing. Then Morag and Daniel are left trying to survive in volcanic ruins hoping that enough of humanity is around somewhere to carry on. Awesome. The overall themes, mysteries, the value of consciousness and language were all good, interesting, thought provoking. I just didn't feel a wrap up to the series, it doesn't work as a separate book. It could have been shortened and tacked onto the second book. I found myself saying,"wait, that's it?" at the end, and I don't like ending a book or a series that way.
March 21, 2018
Disappointment
I loved this trilogy and was eager to read this book upon it's release. It drew me in as the first two books did, but it felt like the author just threw this manuscript together to finish quickly so as to move on to his next project. Many times I was confused on what characters were speaking, how characters got certain places, and the setting in general wasn't nearly as perfected as the previous two books. I still enjoyed the read, but was sorely disappointed with the ending. There is a failure in the authors work to wrap up characters storylines and provide a truly, wrapped up ending at all. Sciences, philosophies, history, and religions are well written about, but fail to be expressed properly into the narrative (or fully and accurately threshed out in the first place, but still good ideas). Many times the narrative fails to explain what a character is going to do or is doing.
This felt like reading a fresh manuscript that is missing several chapters and an ending. This did not in any way feel like reading a published book that's supposed to complete a trilogy. After I finished the book the only feeling I had was disappointment.
I loved this trilogy and was eager to read this book upon it's release. It drew me in as the first two books did, but it felt like the author just threw this manuscript together to finish quickly so as to move on to his next project. Many times I was confused on what characters were speaking, how characters got certain places, and the setting in general wasn't nearly as perfected as the previous two books. I still enjoyed the read, but was sorely disappointed with the ending. There is a failure in the authors work to wrap up characters storylines and provide a truly, wrapped up ending at all. Sciences, philosophies, history, and religions are well written about, but fail to be expressed properly into the narrative (or fully and accurately threshed out in the first place, but still good ideas). Many times the narrative fails to explain what a character is going to do or is doing.
This felt like reading a fresh manuscript that is missing several chapters and an ending. This did not in any way feel like reading a published book that's supposed to complete a trilogy. After I finished the book the only feeling I had was disappointment.
January 16, 2018
I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've read the first and second books in the trilogy so I wanted to see it through and finish the story. This isn't a book you can read without having read the other two; none of the books are standalones at all, just so you know.
I liked the previous two well enough (as far as fairly nutty sci-fi conspiracy YA fiction goes), but this last one felt terribly rushed, particularly toward the end. Farr had introduced so many conspiracies and favourite ancient alien tropes that it must've been just impossible to resolve it all by the end, and it does feel like he just gave up a little beat and settled for a few character beats. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but once the Morag-Kit story had been resolved in the second book, there weren't too many character beats left to actually address. So it all just dissolved a little bit. But at the same time, if you've read and enjoyed the first two, there's no reason why you wouldn't spend a few quite pleasant hours finishing the story here.
I've read the first and second books in the trilogy so I wanted to see it through and finish the story. This isn't a book you can read without having read the other two; none of the books are standalones at all, just so you know.
I liked the previous two well enough (as far as fairly nutty sci-fi conspiracy YA fiction goes), but this last one felt terribly rushed, particularly toward the end. Farr had introduced so many conspiracies and favourite ancient alien tropes that it must've been just impossible to resolve it all by the end, and it does feel like he just gave up a little beat and settled for a few character beats. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but once the Morag-Kit story had been resolved in the second book, there weren't too many character beats left to actually address. So it all just dissolved a little bit. But at the same time, if you've read and enjoyed the first two, there's no reason why you wouldn't spend a few quite pleasant hours finishing the story here.
February 7, 2018
Good book, some science errors, hate deus ex machina
As with the previous novels, you have what is basically a good, compelling story. It is let down a little by some science fact glitches, the assumption that mega-intelligent aliens use RSA, and two cases of deus ex machina where it looks like the author ran out of ideas.
One test I use for a novel is whether I can imagine myself in the story. This is based on JRRT's essay On Fairy Stories. This series fails this test, but that only tells you the book isn't in a style that matches me. I still liked it enough to give it four stars. That should tell you something.
Whilst I recommend buying the trilogy, I urge readers to investigate anything presented as science fact in our universe if they are interested. If they aren't, then listen to Terry Nation instead: if an author puts talking rocks on a planet, then on that planet rocks talk.
As with the previous novels, you have what is basically a good, compelling story. It is let down a little by some science fact glitches, the assumption that mega-intelligent aliens use RSA, and two cases of deus ex machina where it looks like the author ran out of ideas.
One test I use for a novel is whether I can imagine myself in the story. This is based on JRRT's essay On Fairy Stories. This series fails this test, but that only tells you the book isn't in a style that matches me. I still liked it enough to give it four stars. That should tell you something.
Whilst I recommend buying the trilogy, I urge readers to investigate anything presented as science fact in our universe if they are interested. If they aren't, then listen to Terry Nation instead: if an author puts talking rocks on a planet, then on that planet rocks talk.
April 10, 2018
Daniel and his sister Morag have survived their meeting with the Architects, but their life is nowhere near to settled down. They have recently been attacked by an unknown group and must use their ancient mathematics to discover a way out. Will the Anabasis truly unleash what the Babel myth predicted? Will the human race survive what the Architects put in place?
Infinity’s Illusion is the final book in The Babel Trilogy. Readers truly must read the first two books in order to fully understand this mathematically and linguistically complex tale. I am satisfied with how the story concluded and am also glad that Farr did not take the story further. This trilogy was the right length to unravel many myths and legends, while still taking the reader on a literary adventure. Infinity’s Illusion is a good ending to the trilogy, yet the series will appeal to a limited sci-fi group of readers.
Infinity’s Illusion is the final book in The Babel Trilogy. Readers truly must read the first two books in order to fully understand this mathematically and linguistically complex tale. I am satisfied with how the story concluded and am also glad that Farr did not take the story further. This trilogy was the right length to unravel many myths and legends, while still taking the reader on a literary adventure. Infinity’s Illusion is a good ending to the trilogy, yet the series will appeal to a limited sci-fi group of readers.
June 23, 2018
Most disappointing series ender I've read
Loved the first two and re-read them before I read this. When I saw "epilogue" come up as a chapter I thought "You've got to be kidding me".
After how short and frustrating the epilogue was I thought "seriously??"
The concept of the ending was fine. The execution was terrible. As other reviewers wrote, it felt like the author gave up and I wondered if the science lesson in the middle was added after to add to the word count.
Some books let you down in the end for difderent reasons and you move on. The conclusion to this series actually ticked me and left me feeling...cheated? All of these characters I got to know over the series and not an inkling of their fate?
I work in a creative field. I know when I half ass something and try to pass of a draft as a final. This reeks of that. Wouldn't recommend this series to anyone no matter how much I liked the first two because this conclusion is just that bad.
Loved the first two and re-read them before I read this. When I saw "epilogue" come up as a chapter I thought "You've got to be kidding me".
After how short and frustrating the epilogue was I thought "seriously??"
The concept of the ending was fine. The execution was terrible. As other reviewers wrote, it felt like the author gave up and I wondered if the science lesson in the middle was added after to add to the word count.
Some books let you down in the end for difderent reasons and you move on. The conclusion to this series actually ticked me and left me feeling...cheated? All of these characters I got to know over the series and not an inkling of their fate?
I work in a creative field. I know when I half ass something and try to pass of a draft as a final. This reeks of that. Wouldn't recommend this series to anyone no matter how much I liked the first two because this conclusion is just that bad.
February 7, 2021
I won this book a while back in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the first book I've read by the author, which is unfortunate because this is the 3rd book in a series.
I really wish I had read the other 2 books first, I think they would have added to my understanding and there by my enjoyment of this book. This was an interesting read part religious text, part dystopia nightmare, and part alien invasion story. It's well written but at times it felt like someone new was writing the book. There was a snarky almost Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the guide in the Douglas Adams book, not the Douglas Adams book), then it would turn super serious and intense, and other sections were just depressing. If I get a chance to read the first 2 I think I will and then re-read this one. This is definately not a jumping on point.
I really wish I had read the other 2 books first, I think they would have added to my understanding and there by my enjoyment of this book. This was an interesting read part religious text, part dystopia nightmare, and part alien invasion story. It's well written but at times it felt like someone new was writing the book. There was a snarky almost Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the guide in the Douglas Adams book, not the Douglas Adams book), then it would turn super serious and intense, and other sections were just depressing. If I get a chance to read the first 2 I think I will and then re-read this one. This is definately not a jumping on point.
March 7, 2020
If you are a fan of Richard Farr's works, you'll need to get your hands on the conclusion to his "Babel Trilogy".
"Infinity's Illusion" was a fitting end to the trilogy but it left me wanting for more. At times it felt overtly drawn out, and yet I still was left yearning for there to be more content. It feels a bit rushed in the end just to give the series some closure. Readers are left in the dark about the fates of many characters and only are graced with the knowledge about a select handful and how they ended up.
I loved the first two books and jumped at the opportunity to read the conclusion, yet it left me feeling incomplete in the end.
A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
"Infinity's Illusion" was a fitting end to the trilogy but it left me wanting for more. At times it felt overtly drawn out, and yet I still was left yearning for there to be more content. It feels a bit rushed in the end just to give the series some closure. Readers are left in the dark about the fates of many characters and only are graced with the knowledge about a select handful and how they ended up.
I loved the first two books and jumped at the opportunity to read the conclusion, yet it left me feeling incomplete in the end.
A copy of the book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
February 19, 2018
This is an interesting trilogy. The first book starts like a conventional thriller but, by the middle of the second book, it has turned into pure sci-fi. On the plus side, the writing is exceptionally good, and a lot of the science is spot on. On the minus side, the sheer number of gifted characters strains the ability to suspend disbelief, and the story loses its way about half way through and has to rely on deus ex machina plot devices. In other books, these minuses would be fatal, but this trilogy is - just about - rescued by the quality of the writing.
February 11, 2018
Disappointed
This book was so bad! I really liked the other 2. This one was just stupid! It’s like the author took out all emotions from his characters so he could rush to the ending of the book. An ending that wasn’t really an ending anyway. Just an odd stopping point. So disappointing.
This book was so bad! I really liked the other 2. This one was just stupid! It’s like the author took out all emotions from his characters so he could rush to the ending of the book. An ending that wasn’t really an ending anyway. Just an odd stopping point. So disappointing.
February 19, 2018
I waited about 3 years for this trilogy to be complete and wow was it worth it. I am not a scientist or a mathmatician (can't even figure out how to spell that..lol), but I was so intrigued by every part of these books. Great story and characters. Loved the mystery of it all. Incredibly well written and clear enough for someone like me. Loved it!
March 7, 2018
Overall I really enjoyed the trilogy, although something seemed a little off about the last book. Maybe that it was written in third-person as opposed to first-person like the first two novels (aside from the epilogue where we are back in Daniel's thoughts)? The ending felt a little rushed, but I enjoyed the openness of how the book concluded and also enjoyed the themes on consciousness.
March 11, 2019
Disappointed
I really like the way Farr writes, I really liked most of this trilogy. I am very disappointed I the end though. It was like this HUGE buildup with a completely glossed over and hurried ending.
I really like the way Farr writes, I really liked most of this trilogy. I am very disappointed I the end though. It was like this HUGE buildup with a completely glossed over and hurried ending.
May 7, 2019
I am not really sure how I feel about this one. There is a random history/science lesson in the middle of the book that seemed to come from nowhere. I did enjoy the food for thought concepts that the book offered, but the book was so rushed that it got a little confusing.
July 1, 2020
Solid if less intriguing than the first two
I like the continuing links to the intersection between the scientific and spiritual, and the plot developments are not bad. That said, I think it could have moved along more quickly, and the ending was a bit underwhelming to me.
I like the continuing links to the intersection between the scientific and spiritual, and the plot developments are not bad. That said, I think it could have moved along more quickly, and the ending was a bit underwhelming to me.
June 14, 2021
Another great read!
Thank you Richard for! I have enjoyed reading the Bible truth. It has been stimulating provoking and very entertaining. The scope of languages he’s always interested me also. Thank you for your creative cast of characters it was a very good read thank you!
Thank you Richard for! I have enjoyed reading the Bible truth. It has been stimulating provoking and very entertaining. The scope of languages he’s always interested me also. Thank you for your creative cast of characters it was a very good read thank you!
March 7, 2018
Just want more
A great trilogy! Kept interested through all three books. I jus want more of the story. There could be more to tell...
A great trilogy! Kept interested through all three books. I jus want more of the story. There could be more to tell...
March 21, 2019
Really disappointing ending without a real resolution.
March 23, 2019
All right
This is one of the shortest books I have read in long time. I was expecting a much longer 3 rd book
This is one of the shortest books I have read in long time. I was expecting a much longer 3 rd book
April 13, 2020
Weaker than the others, but still goes down smooth
April 13, 2018
2.5 stars (I rounded up to 3)
I really loved the first book in the series (The Fire Seekers) while the second book (Ghosts in the Machine) annoyed me with Morag's narration. We get Daniel back as our narrator but I found myself being quiet bored during this book. Nothing really happens for the first 20% and the other 80% was just okay. The concepts and ideas are really what drew me to this series and I read the notes at the end of this book with great anticipation (like I have with the other books). I wish the ending gave us more closure too - it ended quite abruptly IMO.
*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I really loved the first book in the series (The Fire Seekers) while the second book (Ghosts in the Machine) annoyed me with Morag's narration. We get Daniel back as our narrator but I found myself being quiet bored during this book. Nothing really happens for the first 20% and the other 80% was just okay. The concepts and ideas are really what drew me to this series and I read the notes at the end of this book with great anticipation (like I have with the other books). I wish the ending gave us more closure too - it ended quite abruptly IMO.
*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 30, 2022
point5.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews