Rampage Ridge

by Stan C. Smith

Rampaging creatures. An apocalyptic conspiracy. A desperate struggle to survive.

Bobby just wants to be a normal teenager, but the universe has other plans. He died two years ago in a tragic accident. Now his consciousness occupies a new body consisting entirely of alien nanoparticles. Unfortunately, the body didn’t come with an instruction manual.

When you’re the most dangerous object in the world, learning how to do things by trial and error can be tricky. That’s why Ashley, Bobby’s off-and-on girlfriend, proposes a seemingly harmless training mission: investigate a rash of strange animal sightings.

The mission starts out mildly interesting, but soon it turns serious, then downright deadly. Facing a cataclysmic threat, Bobby must fight to save his friends and, ultimately, all of humanity.

Perfect for fans of Stranger Things and I Am Number Four, this explosive coming-of-age tale will have you turning pages late into the night.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2021

Reviews

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first full-length novel in the ‘Fused’ series, following on from the ‘Diffusion’ series, and the Prequel ‘Fused: Training Day’, but can be read as stand-alone starter to the new series, though the previous books do help with background.
Bobby is a teenager – but no longer really human, having been resurrected in a fused union with the Lamotelokhai (aka Lamo), an all-powerful alien entity. Bobby retains his human form, mostly, but is able to change appearance at will, and to pinch off bits of his body to ‘grow’ other things (such as a boat, dinosaur …), and to heal people. He and the Lamo have separate consciousness, and can communicate with each other.
Bobby, Ashley, Addison and the adults Quentin and Lindsey have moved into hiding in Missouri. The world is now aware of the existence of the Lamo, but does not know where it is, nor that it has fused with Bobby. In order to teach Bobby how to deal with his new, (almost limitless) powers, his friend/sometimes-girlfriend, Ashley, has designed some training exercises for him – and the book open with one going increasingly pear-shaped:

Bobby: ““I’m trapped—underground and underwater. It’s freaking me out!”
Lamo: “You wished for me to remain dormant so you could build self-efficacy, did you not?”
But why be afraid? He couldn’t die. At least he didn’t think he could. His consciousness was no longer in a flesh-and-bone body—hadn’t been ever since Puerto Rico.”

While on the training exercise, Bobby sees a weird animal. Ashley has seen more such creatures reported on the internet. Through the Lamo, many people around the planet have been supplied with biobots, designed to keep people healthy and safe. Bobby and Ashley are concerned that the weird animal sightings are illegitimately altered biobots. So, they decide the next training exercise will be to discover where these abnormalities are originating from.
Unfortunately, with adults Quentin and Lindsey out of the country, they have to take Addison with them. While Bobby and Ashley are very mature teenagers, Addison (also in a teenage body) has a child-like brain, and is highly unpredictable. Furthermore, his appearance is quite abnormal, and can alarm others. As you can imagine, the plans and cover-stories last very little time, and soon all three are involved in a very, very dangerous situation, with some seriously mixed-up preppers and their psychotic leader. Bobby can’t die – but Ashley and Addison are distinctly mortal. Can Bobby and the Lamo save them – and the world (again)?
Apart from the exciting mystery/adventure/nightmare, there are also some very deep underlying threads relating to technological progress, morality and responsibility:

“Peter had informed Bobby some of the technology and medical breakthroughs the Lamo had previously released had caused what Peter called calamitous marketplace disruption. Making the world a better place was turning out to be more difficult than Bobby had imagined.”
““Lamo, I know your creators made you to share all their great knowledge and accomplishments, but sometimes I think you coming here has made things worse than before.” “My creators anticipated such an outcome. They hypothesized that some civilizations would destroy themselves using the knowledge and capabilities possessed by myself and the millions of other entities like me. Nevertheless, my creators deployed us to the stars in search of planets such as this one, where we might have the opportunity to share. What you do with the knowledge we share is entirely your decision.””

This is similar to the debate about nuclear science, which has given us the positives in power generation and medicine, and also the potential world-destroying weaponry. Can humans be trusted with the immeasurable knowledge of the Lamo?
This is an exciting start to the new series – with fast-paced action and thought-provoking themes. I look forward to the next book. Definitely recommended.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous new sequel series to the equally fascinating Diffusion series! 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review to come soon.

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rampage Ridge has some unique characters as well as an equally unique setting that combine to give us an original, and addictive, story. That’s something the book has in common with the author’s other books . Each one is imaginative, with complex and unique characters and then there’s the stories themselves. I loved reading this book and a large part of that was because I was never really sure where the tale was heading. Of course, I hoped the ‘good guys’ would prevail but how exactly they’d do that wasn’t something I could guess at. The ‘good guys’ in question are Bobby, Ashley and Addison, three teenagers that carry a secret. I don’t want to give anything away for future readers but will note one thing and that’s these characters are from another series called Diffusion. I can say that you need not have read that series to enjoy this book as I myself still haven’t plucked it from my To-Be-Read list yet. The author does a superb job of making this book work on it’s own while still referencing the previous series. If anything I am now keener than ever to read Diffusion! This author always delivers a story full of imaginative, clever ideas and characters that keep the reader hooked from start to finish. Surely another great success for Stan C Smith.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the diffusion series and the prequel to this new series. So was really looking forward to reading this book.
I was not disappointed it has been great to join Bobby, Ashley and Addison on a new adventure. There is plenty of suspense and surprise’s along the way. Plus the action sequences are truly amazing. Could not put it down definitely recommend

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful spin-off series

I have been with these characters for an extended time now and this turned out to be a truly great series for them to continue their stories. I do recommend reading the prequel to this book. Stan Smith has an incredibly creative mind and I always enjoy his books - Rampage Ridge was no exception.

[Fatherjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of books, and I remain open to new authors - and I confess I am often unable to tell the name of a book or the author when I am in the middle of reading it. I get caught up in the action and the "accessories" of title and author aren't important.

The exception is Stan C. Smith. When I read his first book - and I don't even remember which one it was - I marked his name as something to pay attention to. And I await his books with eager anticipation. He creates whole new ways of looking at things - sometimes unusual creatures interacting with our world, and sometimes human beings interacting with other (and highly imaginative) worlds. He is scrupulous about making sure the reader is caught up, so if your "first" book is one of a series, while I recommend going back to read the prior volumes, Mr. Smith makes sure you have the background necessary to appreciate, understand and enjoy the one you are reading.

And so it is with RAMPAGE RIDGE. It rests on several earlier works (which are wonderful) but he makes sure you have all you need to fully participate in this adventure. In the same vein, when he does introduce a strange scientific anomaly or a new wrinkle, he also make sure there is explanation. Sometimes this reader feels there is too much talking, too much explaining - but it does not hinder the action at all.

This book is a mix of real humans dealing with extraordinary abilities in our world - but the "power" of these humans makes them more than human - so in this work he touches both of his styles. And it is great fun. Young people and adults, "alien" abilities and human fears, good people and some true villains, and what I especially appreciate is that Mr. Smith avoids the "deux ex machina" approach to solving problems - the actions proceed logically within the structure that has been created, and the finale comes out of the people and the adventure.

It's a WONDERFUL book - with LOTS of surprises and science and action - and I heartily recommend it.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bobby, Ashley and Addison are back and they are in bigger trouble than ever. When Ashley hears a boat strange animals on a website, she decides it would be a great first training session for Bobby. It will help him learn his abilities with the Lamatelacka that lives inside of Bobby. When investigating the strange creatures on rampage ridge, they get stopped by three scary looking guys and a forced off the property. It isn’t until the next day when they go back to rampage ridge and follow a strange creature with transparent skin an 8 foot legs, but they are stopped again by the same three guys and their friends. Now Bobby Ashley and Addison are even more scared and they have a lot to be scared of. Can Bobby and that lamatellacay get them out of the trouble they now find their self in. This book brings doomsday preppers to a new level. This book was so good I am so happy to see that Stan C Smith has brought Bobby back into the literary world and the sharing it with us. It was like seeing all family members again. I can’t wait to see what the next book is going to be about. Stan Smith is a genius and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again his imagination is next to no one. I have read every book he has ever written that I could get my hands on and can’t wait to read the books he writes in the future. I highly recommend this book if you like sci-fi on steroids you’ll love this book. Please forgive any grammatical or punctuation errors as I am blind and dictate most of my review but all opinions are my own.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expect the unexpected…

Stan C. Smith never fails to surprise you with his avid imagination.

Fused: Training Day (series Book #1) set the stage for this remarkable teenage character who continues to discover what he is capable of at the same time as we do while reading Fused: Rampage Ridge. With each page that is read, Bobby is further challenged to come up with a solution in a dire situation. With the aid of the mysterious Lamo that resides within Bobby, his options seem only to be limited by his own imagination and his ability to provide descriptive instructions. His girlfriend, Ashley, is not without cause since she pushes him to test his abilities and to satisfy both their curiosity and desire to explore the mysterious. Will they thwart some disaster or fall victim to some heinous plot?

Put all logic and nay saying aside and enter the adventurous world of the unexpected and enjoy the ride…you might even awaken to some unknown realities of our real world if you stop to think about it. I enjoy finding truths often hidden in fiction and I appreciate the creativity of thoughtful and well-written literary authors (no typos found)…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual animals, well researched, appeals to young adults and teens!
This book was great fun. It is loosely linked to several other books by this author, but the only one I would recommend reading before this one is Fused: Training Day, a short (and cheap!) novella which does really come before this one.
The writing is aimed at those who have read the other books, plus this is very suitable and understandable for a teen audience, as the majority of the characters are teens and the writing is suitable for that age group. I think those readers, in particular, would really enjoy this book, as there is mostly action all the way through, and it may be easy to identify with one of the main characters.
As usual, from this author, there has been a load of research done, and the particular speciality of his, unusual animals, has been taken to the usual fantastical and weird lengths!
I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who wants an unusual read; it is part of a series but a complete story in itself.

[Cbyarling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rampage Ridge is the first of an unusual yet great new sci-fi series by Stan Smith

Main Characters

• Bobby Truex
• Ashley, Bobby's close friend and trainer
• Addision
• Lamotelokhai (aka Lamo), a nano-particle alien being living inside Bobby, who is just learning how to communicate and properly use the being in his everyday life.
• Residents of Rampage Ridge

The Storyline

Ashley identifies unknown creatures near Rampage Ridge. As an early training mission, Ashley, Bobby, and Addison begin to investigate and hopefully identify if these are just normal creatures found in the forest or if they are something else.

Eventually, these three find themselves inside Rampage Ridge and the true adventure begins. Fasten your seatbelts because this is a story that you cannot possibly begin to imagine before you read it - period!

[Paul Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Stan C. Smith's writing while reading "Diffusion", the first book I read by him. Since then, I've devoured the rest of his writing, and enjoyed every book. This book was no exception. I love how he's developing the main characters and I love the situations he comes up with to add tension to his books. One thing he does really well is write a complete story within a larger story. I really dislike it when authors tell half of a story in a book, forcing you to buy their next book just to see how the story ends. But I love when a story is part of a larger universe where you can keep reading about the same characters and grow more attached to them over time. Mr. Smith manages to write books that leave you completely satisfied, and yet wanting more at the same time.

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A interesting take on sci-fi, you think you've heard it all but in no you haven't. Bobby Truex was dead as a door knob but brought back to life as a rebuilt teenager that could do things only the imagination could come up with and put together by an alien race called Lamotelokhai, that was superior to ours. Bobby could make his nanoparticles do whatever he wanted but he had to think hard about what he was requesting them to do. This author does a good job of storytelling and his imagination has no limits.

[June Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

By now we know the people involved. We know they are special so when you pick up a book where the main characters are Bobby and Lamo, you know it will be a good story.
Ashley decide it's time for Bobby to do some training. In itself not a bad idea, but it doesn't exactly pan out the way they thought it would.
It's a good opportunity for Bobby to grow into the thought of being Lamo, and to start to ajust to his future role in society, and to understand the symbiotic relationship between himself and the Lamo.

[Mark P. Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book by an awesome author! Rampage Ridge follows the growth and maturation of Bobby, who is also the Lamotelokhai, introduced in an earlier series by the author (also highly recommended). Bobby and his friends just can’t help getting in trouble (read the prequel, Training Day) and this book is another of those adventures. It’s well-edited, well-paced, and will appeal to adults and teens.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is action packed with our teenaged protagonist, Bobby, stumbling around trying to learn how to problem solve while dodging bullets and escaping other dangerous situations. Figuring out how to make the best use of the most advanced alien “computer” in the universe at the same time also makes for some harrowing moments.
Suitable for youths and an entertaining read for adults.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.

[Les Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to use the number of superlatives that are going through my mind, this review would have credibility issues. I consider the uniqueness and handling of the otherworldly creatures and situations to be enthralling. A reader will be drawn into a world that should be unbelievable... and yet be made to feel part of not only the world, but the hearts (good, evil, and both) of the characters. I will be unreasonably impatient for the continuation of this story.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book for most ages, but particularly teen since that is the age of the central characters, but these are not your average teens! there are definitely science fiction elements, but it's more character driven than many, as the "hero" grows into his abilities. There is a prequel, and I believe this series ties into previous books, but it's not necessary to read them to enjoy this one. I received an ARC, and this is my voluntary review.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Promising Start to a New Series

This is an engaging story spun off from the Diffusion series. Well thought out and executed along with quality editing, but that’s what we’ve come to expect from Stan Smith. This one is a little different from his other books in that it’s told from a younger perspective, and is perhaps a little less technical or complex than some. Even with a YA slant it should appeal to readers of all ages. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

[Betty McArdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where does he get these ideas? That’s what I think when I read Stan C. Smith’s new book Rampage Ridge. You know the old saying, “I couldn’t put it down”? Well, I couldn’t put it down. Just when I think our teen-age heroes are done for, they come up with a new and clever idea to get them out of that bind. Sure, the book is full of fantastical ideas, but there is always just enough reality to make you think – “That could happen”.

[Connie Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great adventure. When you couple a teenager and an all powerful alien, things tend to go boom. This is action-packed, hilarious at times and sometimes, for a teenager learning to save the world, it takes a lot of work to save the good guys. It has a great ending. It would be good for teens and adults alike. It is very amusing and even sweet at times.

[Linda Novak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah

Just couldn't get into this one. His other books were fantastic. Couldn't bear to put them down. The only Alensian kept reading this one was his name on the cover. The Allen's method for helping Earth was convaluded. The only character I liked was the villain with the weird tattoo monks head

[David A. Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting & Compelling Storytelling! Stan C. Smith always delivers on a creatively unique world of unexpected experiences and consequences. This launch into a new series kept me reading late and riding early to follow the evolution of Lamotelokhai / Bobby in the modern world…what excitement will they brew as the future unfolds? I’m looking forward to follow up adventures!

[Michelle L. Reeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this first in series we follow Bobby while he learns to control his alien powers. Ashley, his sort of girlfriend, likes to send him on quests to learn about his powers. This time Ashley gets caught up in a dangerous situation with Bobby and Addison, his best friend, as they try to figure out the mystery of mutant animals in the area. Will they solve the mystery or die trying? Excellent book!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rampage Ridge (Fused Book 1) by Stan C. Smith is another stunning book by this imaginative author. I can't resist each new book. They are dependably action-packed, unpredictable, original and haunting. I was given an ARC of this book by they author and am voluntarily posting an honest review.

[Christina Elnicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Stan Smith has hit another home run! This has all the promise of becoming an amazing journey! This book is truly great on its own, but even better when you have read the series that started it all.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping. This book was great. I loved the characters. Got me from the first sentence. I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for book 2

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life after death complete with major challenges. Visit a region populated with fantastic creatures.

[Peter Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of the 4th series I've read and the author's imagination still thrills me!

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, really enjoyed it. I was given an ARC and this is my voluntary review.

[Duff Kindt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

Stan just keeps them coming. Wish he wouldn't keep me waiting so long. I know quality takes time. Lost another and evening. Time well spent. Thanks!