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Quantum Encryption #1
Path of the Stray
The magical lands of Gaela are on the brink of war when Tryn Bistoria fi nds herself trapped in the taboo caves above Corsanon. As she and her familiar escape, a terrible power is unleashed from another time. On a distant Earth, Janis the 'techno-witch' must hide Jarrod from those who want to destroy him. But in the crossover to Gaela with the shape-shifting Lupins, Jarrod and a stray pup disappear. In a desperate search, Janis' daughter Ruby learns what must be done if everyone is to survive.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
1571 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
20 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Kim Falconer
12 books219 followersKim Falconer, also writing as A K Wilder, is a bestselling speculative fiction author with nine published novels. Her work is described as contemporary and ancient, dark and compelling, humorous, romantic, provocative, and supercharged with blockbuster action. Originally from California, she lives on the far eastern coast of Australia with a house full of kids, and one extraordinary spotted cat.
Along with her author websitess, she runs Good Vibe Astrology, trains with a sword and has recently completed a Masters Degree. As an eternal student, she has studied everything from Jungian psychology to quantum physics theory and marine biology to socio-technology and web design.
Her favourite pastimes, besides daydreaming, include meditation, yoga, organic gardening and weight training. Her novel writing is done in the early hours of the morning.
Find out more at AKWilder.com,
AvaSykes.com, The 11th House Blog and KimFalconer.com
Along with her author websitess, she runs Good Vibe Astrology, trains with a sword and has recently completed a Masters Degree. As an eternal student, she has studied everything from Jungian psychology to quantum physics theory and marine biology to socio-technology and web design.
Her favourite pastimes, besides daydreaming, include meditation, yoga, organic gardening and weight training. Her novel writing is done in the early hours of the morning.
Find out more at AKWilder.com,
AvaSykes.com, The 11th House Blog and KimFalconer.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 24, 2012
I'm rereading again and creating 'work sheets' in preparation for the ISF Book Club launch! So thrilled. It is amazing, and also confronting, to revisit my worlds of Earth and Gaela yet again. I've missed these people! Of course I see things I want to add to or do differently but a book can only be so long and at some point we have to say 'done'! Overall I love this intro to the Quantum E saga. Immediately I want to go on to the next book, Road to the Soul! That bodes well . . . for the future :)
April 27, 2025
Reread since I read the prequel trilogy earlier this year and want to finish them all this time!
——————
I picked this book up purely because of its beautiful cover at a book sale. I paid $2 - which I am just so happy about because at the time I thought $2 is not much of this book is a dud, but nope this book was nowhere near a dud and I would have gladly paid more $ for it if I had known then how much I would love these characters/worlds and story. I got such a bargain!!
This book contains some of my favourite themes all combined into one.
First there is the science stuff (which I will tell you had me wondering if I had the right pages between that oh so fantasy oriented cover).
Fantasy elements of course.
Apocalyptic end of the world survival struggles.
Conspiracy against a higher authority (I love to root for the morally oppressed underdog).
Lots of family values and issues surrounding keeping family together through all manner of struggle.
This book is my second favourite book I have read this year.
The first being Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilkes (the first book in her World of the Lupi series).
5 Stars - I loved this so much that I went straight out and brought the rest of the series. So excited to read the whole series. All my favourite elements in one book!
——————
I picked this book up purely because of its beautiful cover at a book sale. I paid $2 - which I am just so happy about because at the time I thought $2 is not much of this book is a dud, but nope this book was nowhere near a dud and I would have gladly paid more $ for it if I had known then how much I would love these characters/worlds and story. I got such a bargain!!
This book contains some of my favourite themes all combined into one.
First there is the science stuff (which I will tell you had me wondering if I had the right pages between that oh so fantasy oriented cover).
Fantasy elements of course.
Apocalyptic end of the world survival struggles.
Conspiracy against a higher authority (I love to root for the morally oppressed underdog).
Lots of family values and issues surrounding keeping family together through all manner of struggle.
This book is my second favourite book I have read this year.
The first being Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilkes (the first book in her World of the Lupi series).
5 Stars - I loved this so much that I went straight out and brought the rest of the series. So excited to read the whole series. All my favourite elements in one book!
April 5, 2011
21st Century Earth is a stark and depressive place where the airs polluted filled with smog, the seas are filled with death and the lands are barren, tainted. Despite this Luka Paree and Janis Richter are discovering that together they are able to create new life and a hope for the future of Earth, however their actions will affect worlds.
It seems the only way to survive on this changing Earth is to work for ASSIST, but working undercover Ruby must live with the fear of discovery, if her Lupin heritage were to be exposed, if her witchcraft were to be found out, even her womanhood places her in danger. However with little animal life left on Earth the newly born Lupins are in danger of discovery, but even on Gaela their presence has not go by unnoticed.
Jarrod has also been left alone in a new world with only instructions to wait, they would come for him when it was safe, someone would come, but that could take days, years or centuries. So while in Gaela Jarrod might as well make the most of it. However his encounter with Tryn and her mysterious familiar will set of a chain of events that will lead Jarrod farther then he expected while changing Tryn's life forever.
Path Of The Stray leads to self discovery, a new home and a willingness to risk everything to save Jarrod and with him Earth. For those who have followed Rosette through the corridors between worlds and navigated the portals of time this story will take you back to where it all began. An epic story that seamlessly mingles science and technology with sociology, environmentalism, philosophy, and magic. A unique series that must be read.
It seems the only way to survive on this changing Earth is to work for ASSIST, but working undercover Ruby must live with the fear of discovery, if her Lupin heritage were to be exposed, if her witchcraft were to be found out, even her womanhood places her in danger. However with little animal life left on Earth the newly born Lupins are in danger of discovery, but even on Gaela their presence has not go by unnoticed.
Jarrod has also been left alone in a new world with only instructions to wait, they would come for him when it was safe, someone would come, but that could take days, years or centuries. So while in Gaela Jarrod might as well make the most of it. However his encounter with Tryn and her mysterious familiar will set of a chain of events that will lead Jarrod farther then he expected while changing Tryn's life forever.
Path Of The Stray leads to self discovery, a new home and a willingness to risk everything to save Jarrod and with him Earth. For those who have followed Rosette through the corridors between worlds and navigated the portals of time this story will take you back to where it all began. An epic story that seamlessly mingles science and technology with sociology, environmentalism, philosophy, and magic. A unique series that must be read.
April 4, 2019
Overall an easy read, however I found the story lacked depth and engagement with the characters. The storyline jumped around so much you didn’t get enough detail to attach to any character. The time lapses where chaotic and unexpected.
Didn’t leave me with a burning desire to keep on reading.
Didn’t leave me with a burning desire to keep on reading.
March 12, 2018
This book was not one of my favourite Kim Falconer has written. I loved it, but it had a lot of info dumping and because of that some (very small) parts were boring to me. But I can see how they were important to the story and getting to know the characters. The start of the story can be slow and I recommend reading the first three books before this one. (Quantum Enchantment series). As it could be confusing, and you might be more invested in the characters stories. These books are definitely worth reading. I have never read anything like them, and never can guess the outcome. Kim Falconer has made such a unique world that combines magic, astrology and science. The ending was awesome but also horrible at the same time. So many things went wrong... Must read next book! I want to find out what happens to everyone, but also so scared to find out if it doesn't end the way I want it too...
August 20, 2022
The first book in this prequel series to quantum enchantment really set the scene so wonderfully, Kim really does a great job of merging science fiction and fantasy and the twist at the end of this book had me running for the second volume.
June 12, 2012
I seriously struggled with whether to give a three (liked it) or a four (really liked it). First, let me say that I am not often a reader of science fiction, not even a lot of fiction. I love nonfiction and finding out about a particular topic. When I read fiction, my number one goal is to be transported into another body--to feel and experience what that person does. Therefore, being caught up in the inner life of the character is probably the number one factor in how I rate a fiction book.
It was very difficult for me to relate to the characters during the first third or so of The Path of the Stray. I had to become familiar with the two worlds created in the book. Also, there was what seemed like a host of characters introduced in the early part of the book. I did not realize at the time that this book is not just the first in a whole series but that it is actually telling a back story to a book that Kim Falconer had published earlier. This explains some things. Readers of that earlier book already knew about the two worlds. They probably already knew a little about what was going on with the characters in The Path of the Stray.
I stuck it out through these first confusing chapters of the book because I respected that Kim Falconer was a lady of many talents, having read some information about her. I also saw that she was incorporating many important and interesting ideas about government, nature, science, astrology, gender studies, etc. that I knew from my nonfiction readings. About a third to half way through I started seeing more character development. The features of the two worlds began to be less confusing to me. I became immersed in the characters' lives. By the end of the book I was hooked and wanted more.
I am now reading the second in the series: Road to the Soul. I am really enjoying it so far because from the beginning the writing focuses on the characters not setting up their back story or explaining their world. I can't say if this is a function of the writer or the reader, but I think it is probably a combination of both.
It was very difficult for me to relate to the characters during the first third or so of The Path of the Stray. I had to become familiar with the two worlds created in the book. Also, there was what seemed like a host of characters introduced in the early part of the book. I did not realize at the time that this book is not just the first in a whole series but that it is actually telling a back story to a book that Kim Falconer had published earlier. This explains some things. Readers of that earlier book already knew about the two worlds. They probably already knew a little about what was going on with the characters in The Path of the Stray.
I stuck it out through these first confusing chapters of the book because I respected that Kim Falconer was a lady of many talents, having read some information about her. I also saw that she was incorporating many important and interesting ideas about government, nature, science, astrology, gender studies, etc. that I knew from my nonfiction readings. About a third to half way through I started seeing more character development. The features of the two worlds began to be less confusing to me. I became immersed in the characters' lives. By the end of the book I was hooked and wanted more.
I am now reading the second in the series: Road to the Soul. I am really enjoying it so far because from the beginning the writing focuses on the characters not setting up their back story or explaining their world. I can't say if this is a function of the writer or the reader, but I think it is probably a combination of both.
August 27, 2013
I LOVED this book! I have to admit, the size, over 600 pages, was a bit daunting at first blush. I don't read a lot of fantasy, but the concept intrigued me. And as I read, it didn't feel daunting in the least. While you're drawn into several storylines, they are easy to follow and keep straight. We see Earth in a decimated future form, and we also see another dimension that's still beautiful and idyllic...before the wars, that is. There are wolf shapeshifters, Lupins, and their existence comes about in a unique and believable way.
What a gorgeous, expansive, and interesting world Kim Falconer has crafted, peopled with characters I came to care about. Now I must go right into ROAD TO THE SOUL, which continues the story!
What a gorgeous, expansive, and interesting world Kim Falconer has crafted, peopled with characters I came to care about. Now I must go right into ROAD TO THE SOUL, which continues the story!
September 16, 2013
I LOVED this book! I have to admit, the size, over 600 pages, was a bit daunting at first blush. I don't read a lot of fantasy, but the concept intrigued me. And as I read, it didn't feel daunting in the least. While you're drawn into several storylines, they are easy to follow and keep straight. We see Earth in a decimated future form, and we also see another dimension that's still beautiful and idyllic...before the wars, that is. There are wolf shapeshifters, Lupins, and their existence comes about in a unique and believable way.
What a gorgeous, expansive, and interesting world Kim Falconer has crafted, peopled with characters I came to care about. Now I must go right into ROAD TO THE SOUL, which continues the story!
What a gorgeous, expansive, and interesting world Kim Falconer has crafted, peopled with characters I came to care about. Now I must go right into ROAD TO THE SOUL, which continues the story!
June 13, 2012
The book had a really good story line and idea. But the beginning was extremely hard to follow and get into. There were so many different things going on and they would be very short stories. I was able to get a general idea and understanding of where the author was going though. But I wasn't able to get emotionally involved until I was 60% invested into the book and then it ended.
Again the idea the book was written on was very catchy! But the organization or the lack of information was just to frustrating when the ebook cost me $11.
So I will not be getting the sequel. But I am very glad that in purchasing this novel that sum of the money will be donated to the ISF!
Again the idea the book was written on was very catchy! But the organization or the lack of information was just to frustrating when the ebook cost me $11.
So I will not be getting the sequel. But I am very glad that in purchasing this novel that sum of the money will be donated to the ISF!
March 27, 2011
Really enjoyed the storyline and characters!! Kim has done a wonderful job at pulling the reader along the path and making them enjoy the ride.
Ruby, Janis, Luka, Loni, Tryn and many more are all people who you could see in your mind's eye as 'real'.
The astro is interetsing and makes you want to learn more about it.
I can't wait to read the second book 'Road to the Soul' Highly recommended!!
Ruby, Janis, Luka, Loni, Tryn and many more are all people who you could see in your mind's eye as 'real'.
The astro is interetsing and makes you want to learn more about it.
I can't wait to read the second book 'Road to the Soul' Highly recommended!!
June 22, 2012
I loved how she combined science and magic and brought together two completely different worlds. The beginning was confusing with the switching between worlds and stories, until you see how they fit together.
June 14, 2012
I liked it but I didn't. It was too much explaining and not enough content. I also am more into longing looks and unpredictable reactions and this book was predictable. I couldn't read all though I just couldn't stay awake to get any further than halfway. In other words it put me to sleep!
July 8, 2016
Hang on for an incredible story about what can be possible when we face destruction. Who shows up? What is in us? What is out there? Want to look?
May 14, 2012
I think that this is an incredible author who has developed some pretty amazing characters and I cannot wait to read more of her books. If you like fantasy then this is a must read.
June 22, 2012
amazing !
July 19, 2012
Just finished reading this wonderful book. The farther along I read, the more exciting it became. I bought the book in softcover, and will pass it along to my daughter.
January 6, 2013
I enjoyed the worlds Kim Falconer created in this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews