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Quarton - The Coding: Immortality at any cost
"He will find a way. He always does."
When a vast hole appears in the sky over England, the alien phenomenon proves to be beyond the comprehension of everyone on the planet. Everyone except a bad-tempered scientist with a score to settle, his gentle giant assistant, and the one person on the other side of the world who wants nothing whatsoever to do with it. She is determined she will carry on building a new life; one that does not involve quartons, bridges or aliens.
The coding is equally determined she won’t.
Readers of ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, will lap this up.
Quarton: The Coding is the second book in the thought-provoking Quarton Trilogy.
When a vast hole appears in the sky over England, the alien phenomenon proves to be beyond the comprehension of everyone on the planet. Everyone except a bad-tempered scientist with a score to settle, his gentle giant assistant, and the one person on the other side of the world who wants nothing whatsoever to do with it. She is determined she will carry on building a new life; one that does not involve quartons, bridges or aliens.
The coding is equally determined she won’t.
Readers of ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, will lap this up.
Quarton: The Coding is the second book in the thought-provoking Quarton Trilogy.
320 pages, ebook
First published May 18, 2020
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Ian Hornett
15 books28 followersWith absolutely no inkling that he wanted to be an author, Ian was born in Colchester in 1964. Aged 19, he did a degree, which involved 3 years of playing around with sports equipment, before joining Customs & Excise. This job, alas, involved more serious adult behaviour and a lot less sporting fun. At 40, he became a primary teacher where he hoped to rekindle his love affair with sport. This did happen, even if a lot of time was spent tidying the P.E. shed. Teaching children how to write in an exciting way was an inspiration, however, and he still teaches.
As well as the Quarton Trilogy, Ian has just released a comedy series about Maggie Matheson, a retired octogenarian who is recalled into the Secret Service. He writes 100 word stories for a local radio station and has appeared many times on Essex Radio reading his comedy blogs.
Ian is married with two grown-up children who tease him relentlessly about how long it takes him to text.
Quarton: The Bridge was Ian's first published novel. The sequels, The Coding and The Payback, are available
Follow Ian on his website and through his various social media platforms through Linktree - @buzzian
As well as the Quarton Trilogy, Ian has just released a comedy series about Maggie Matheson, a retired octogenarian who is recalled into the Secret Service. He writes 100 word stories for a local radio station and has appeared many times on Essex Radio reading his comedy blogs.
Ian is married with two grown-up children who tease him relentlessly about how long it takes him to text.
Quarton: The Bridge was Ian's first published novel. The sequels, The Coding and The Payback, are available
Follow Ian on his website and through his various social media platforms through Linktree - @buzzian
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 31, 2020
In Quarton : The Bridge, we were introduced to four characters from the planet Garial, each powerful in their own right, but destined to fight and struggle with each other over millennia, in many different incarnations, for control of the power and secrets to eternal life stored within the coding of the mysterious quarton blocks.
The second instalment is as thrilling as the first, as the reader tries to piece together the outcome from the final battle of the first novel on the Friendship bridge in war torn London, when the last quarton was supposedly destroyed. The second book introduces some intriguing new characters, mingling these with some curiously resurrected older characters, each with their own unique agenda and trying to take the upper hand. I particularly enjoyed the colourfully spoken Irish military leader- Lessey, who somehow conjured up a slightly less comical version of Mrs Brown. As the main players fight to out manoeuvre each other in a bid to realise their varying ambitions of power, domination, eternal life or just peace, we build on our relationship with the original four and learn about the changing nature and capabilities of the quartons and their coding.
The Author uses a combination of thought provoking original ideas, such as how the world might change politically in the future, intrigue of the potential to be invaded by another planet and what those aliens might look like, and be capable of, adventure, familiar and unfamiliar locations, and witty humour, not least carried in the colourful characters he creates and the banter between them, to propel us rapidly through the book, willing us to uncover all the secrets which unfold, keeping us guessing to the last pages who will prevail and whether the earth will be safe.
We are getting used to being teased throughout the story by which character will turn out to be one of the original four. In this case we are presented with a number of possibilities for who might be Pella, and I have no intention of letting on. You will have to read the book!
I think people will love this episode and will be hungry to read the final part of the trilogy when it comes out.
The second instalment is as thrilling as the first, as the reader tries to piece together the outcome from the final battle of the first novel on the Friendship bridge in war torn London, when the last quarton was supposedly destroyed. The second book introduces some intriguing new characters, mingling these with some curiously resurrected older characters, each with their own unique agenda and trying to take the upper hand. I particularly enjoyed the colourfully spoken Irish military leader- Lessey, who somehow conjured up a slightly less comical version of Mrs Brown. As the main players fight to out manoeuvre each other in a bid to realise their varying ambitions of power, domination, eternal life or just peace, we build on our relationship with the original four and learn about the changing nature and capabilities of the quartons and their coding.
The Author uses a combination of thought provoking original ideas, such as how the world might change politically in the future, intrigue of the potential to be invaded by another planet and what those aliens might look like, and be capable of, adventure, familiar and unfamiliar locations, and witty humour, not least carried in the colourful characters he creates and the banter between them, to propel us rapidly through the book, willing us to uncover all the secrets which unfold, keeping us guessing to the last pages who will prevail and whether the earth will be safe.
We are getting used to being teased throughout the story by which character will turn out to be one of the original four. In this case we are presented with a number of possibilities for who might be Pella, and I have no intention of letting on. You will have to read the book!
I think people will love this episode and will be hungry to read the final part of the trilogy when it comes out.
May 31, 2020
Quarton the coding is the second book in the trilogy and moves the stories of the four main combatants on with pace and style. It has all the required ingredients of this genre: epic battles, futuristic weaponry, scheming individuals and enigmatic characters. The first book of the trilogy introduced us to the four main players and their complicated existences which it did well, although at times I did find myself having to re-read parts to make sure I understood. However, this time the author has served an exhilarating, action-packed adventure that takes you on a fast paced journey to a thrilling conclusion. His ability to weave the many characters into each others lives and actions is excellent and no re-reading is required at all. In addition there is someone for the reader to focus on and care about as there should be in any good action story. Other characters are well drawn and their interaction with the story arc is well handled by the author. I did find one character a bit annoying and stereotypical, but that really is just nit-picking as they and their actions are key to the overall narrative.
In summary Hornett succeeds in weaving backstories and action effectively as the novel builds to a rousing battle-scene climax. and this book is an excellent addition to the Quarton trilogy - bring on the Payback.
In summary Hornett succeeds in weaving backstories and action effectively as the novel builds to a rousing battle-scene climax. and this book is an excellent addition to the Quarton trilogy - bring on the Payback.
June 20, 2020
I read the first one loving how graphic the imagery was, however got a little lost with the change of characters and time periods. I was ready to read this one with a little apprehension. However was pleasantly surprised. The second book is mainly focused in the one time period and reading the story from only a handful of characters' perspectives. It was easier to follow and I genuinely got into the book from the first page, which showed us how life had changed for Fen since we last left her. The last 50 pages, it was more heavy going trying to work out the characters' motives, however the author does help explain this and makes links to their previous lives which helped make it easier to follow. My negative, the target audience. Yes, young adults could enjoy this, however I do not think it is aimed for them solely. I think us older adults would enjoy this too.
May 29, 2020
Just spent the morning devouring Quarton the coding - it was a morning very well spent. What a cracking Sci- fi adventure. Hooked in immediately by this fast- paced and brilliantly told story that spans time the world and beyond. The Baddies are deliciously evil, power hungry and despicable. The goodies are...well reluctant and tired. Fen wants more than anything to protect her family but when worlds need to be saved someone has to step up. I loved every minute of this second in series. A great YA Fiction read 😍
June 7, 2020
The Quarton series is an intriguing adventure/science fiction story set in a post nuclear dystopia that features scheming villains, steady heroes, and a unique take on the concept of reincarnation. Quarton - The Coding is an enjoyable, fast-paced sequel with a mix of returning and new characters that takes the story forward and reveals more about the quartons. Fen is my favorite character and I was invested in her storyline.
July 7, 2020
Enjoyed this sequel, that still has the interesting complexity about who is the reincarnation of each of the main characters, and interesting to see a guy in a wheelchair who for a change is portrayed as a real but not very nice person that is vital to the story. And the story keeps twisting this way and that, which concludes this stage but leaves you with the need to have the final book in the trilogy now.
July 7, 2020
Fantastic follow up to Quarton-the Bridge. You are completely drawn into all the characters and invested in what happens to everyone. The power, the twists and turns,who can you trust in this intriguing sequel.
Highly recommended - a great read for a night or 2 or 3 in.... who needs to go out to enjoy an adventure when it's right in the pages of this emerging author's book.
Highly recommended - a great read for a night or 2 or 3 in.... who needs to go out to enjoy an adventure when it's right in the pages of this emerging author's book.
June 1, 2020
Even better than the first one - characters I grew to love are back to save the planet. Such an un-put-downable series - highly recommend!!
March 7, 2021
Hooked again. A great sequel to Quarton: The Bridge.
December 22, 2024
More Mind Bending Sci Fi Fun
Picking up some 12 years after the events of the first book, Fen has survived and is now living with her husband Sam and daughter Martha in Australia. She is happy, living her best life until something mysterious appears over the skies of England. Dragged back there is not what she wants but as the only person with experience in what’s going on she reluctantly agrees. She thought she saw the last of Arrix, the last time he died and of her planet, Garial. The quartons should have all been destroyed but Arrix has found a way and he’s back. It’s all to do with the mysterious coding. It has changed the rules. As with the first book there are many twists and turns that will leave your mind realing especially one at the very end that will make you go “WTF” The story was well crafted and although dealt with some rather complicated science it was easy to understand what was going on and enjoyable to read. It had me hooked right from the start and after the dramatic cliffhanger I will definitely be getting the third book to see what happens next.
Picking up some 12 years after the events of the first book, Fen has survived and is now living with her husband Sam and daughter Martha in Australia. She is happy, living her best life until something mysterious appears over the skies of England. Dragged back there is not what she wants but as the only person with experience in what’s going on she reluctantly agrees. She thought she saw the last of Arrix, the last time he died and of her planet, Garial. The quartons should have all been destroyed but Arrix has found a way and he’s back. It’s all to do with the mysterious coding. It has changed the rules. As with the first book there are many twists and turns that will leave your mind realing especially one at the very end that will make you go “WTF” The story was well crafted and although dealt with some rather complicated science it was easy to understand what was going on and enjoyable to read. It had me hooked right from the start and after the dramatic cliffhanger I will definitely be getting the third book to see what happens next.
January 28, 2022
Book two of the Quarton series, and I must admit to enjoying this book a lot more than the first. Straight into the action, the author wasted no time in moving the plot swiftly along. As I was comfortable with the characters and the premise, it was easy to slip into the story and this book felt a smoother ride than the first.
Imaginative and interesting, much of this book explores the nuances of the human psyche even though most of the main characters are aliens. You have the leader who refuses to believe what her eyes are telling her and convinces herself of a rational explanation. Some are purely out for their own gain, no matter who gets hurt in the process. And the prickly and surly character who turns out to be more self-sacrificing than the agreeable ones.
This was a quick read, again, quicker than the first book, and there is very much the feeling of events coming together for an explosive finale in book three.
If you enjoy intelligent and well-written sci-fi, then this is the book for you.
Imaginative and interesting, much of this book explores the nuances of the human psyche even though most of the main characters are aliens. You have the leader who refuses to believe what her eyes are telling her and convinces herself of a rational explanation. Some are purely out for their own gain, no matter who gets hurt in the process. And the prickly and surly character who turns out to be more self-sacrificing than the agreeable ones.
This was a quick read, again, quicker than the first book, and there is very much the feeling of events coming together for an explosive finale in book three.
If you enjoy intelligent and well-written sci-fi, then this is the book for you.
March 23, 2022
This is the second book in the Quarton trilogy and, like the first book, is a fast-paced page-turner of a story which kept me guessing right to the end, with lots of clever cliff-hangers as the point of view shifts from one character to the next. World-building is excellent and the complexities deepen as we learn more about the powers of the eponymous quartons and the roles of the various characters who find themselves being reincarnated over and over in an attempt to fulfil their fates either to destroy or protect a bridge, powered by the quartons, which is being built from one world to another. I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the main characters from the first book in their new guises, and also getting to know and care about some really well-drawn new characters.
If you like intelligent sci-fi that makes you think and keeps you on your toes, then this is a series for you. It’s difficult to see how this one can be topped but I’m looking forward to finding out in the final part of the trilogy.
If you like intelligent sci-fi that makes you think and keeps you on your toes, then this is a series for you. It’s difficult to see how this one can be topped but I’m looking forward to finding out in the final part of the trilogy.
July 15, 2021
Hornett knocks it out of the park again!
I was amazed by the imagination and scope of the first Quarton book (Quarton: The Bridge), and the second, Quarton: The Coding, was just as impressive! Hornett is one of those authors whom I would love to be a fly on the wall of his brain. How does one come up with such a convoluted, yet well conceived story? I am in awe. If you enjoy sci-fi dystopian fantasy, intrigue, ruthless villainy, and indefatigable heroes, this series is for you. The third book of this trilogy, Quarton: The Payback, is on my TBR.
I was amazed by the imagination and scope of the first Quarton book (Quarton: The Bridge), and the second, Quarton: The Coding, was just as impressive! Hornett is one of those authors whom I would love to be a fly on the wall of his brain. How does one come up with such a convoluted, yet well conceived story? I am in awe. If you enjoy sci-fi dystopian fantasy, intrigue, ruthless villainy, and indefatigable heroes, this series is for you. The third book of this trilogy, Quarton: The Payback, is on my TBR.
March 7, 2021
Hooked again. A great sequel to Quarton: The Bridge.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews