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On the Loop
How can 30 crew members just vanish into thin air?
One last month in paradise before an 8,000-year journey. That’s what the Company had promised before whisking Alina Andra and her entire crew of 500 to tropical Tilulipu, where it had built a luxurious resort just for the occasion.
Only the rooms of the entire executive team now stand empty, and Alina’s crewmates turn to her to make sense of their predicament. So why have a handful of her more dubious colleagues decided that the mass disappearance is part of an outlandish plot? And why have they named Alina as a co-conspirator?
Now thrust into a less glamorous spotlight, Alina heads a search for the truth. But while the answer she discovers may explain the missing crew members, it may also put Earth’s first crewed extrasolar mission in jeopardy.
One last month in paradise before an 8,000-year journey. That’s what the Company had promised before whisking Alina Andra and her entire crew of 500 to tropical Tilulipu, where it had built a luxurious resort just for the occasion.
Only the rooms of the entire executive team now stand empty, and Alina’s crewmates turn to her to make sense of their predicament. So why have a handful of her more dubious colleagues decided that the mass disappearance is part of an outlandish plot? And why have they named Alina as a co-conspirator?
Now thrust into a less glamorous spotlight, Alina heads a search for the truth. But while the answer she discovers may explain the missing crew members, it may also put Earth’s first crewed extrasolar mission in jeopardy.
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2020
42 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Robinson
6 books15 followersJ.D. Robinson writes intimate, humanist science fiction, speculating on the human condition as fallible characters face the most exotic existential questions.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 30, 2020
A mind-bending science fiction adventure...
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a brilliantly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted Sci-Fi that’s packed to the rafters with plenty of mystery, action and adventure. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and energetic novel will have you turning the pages from beginning to end.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘One last month in paradise before an 8,000-year journey. That's what the Company had promised before whisking Alina Andra and her entire crew of 500 to tropical Tilulipu, where it had built a luxurious resort just for the occasion… Only the rooms of the entire executive team now stand empty, and Alina's crewmates turn to her to make sense of their predicament. So why have a handful of her more dubious colleagues decided that the mass disappearance is part of an outlandish plot? And why have they named Alina as a co-conspirator?...Now thrust into a less glamorous spotlight, Alina heads a search for the truth. But while the answer she discovers may explain the missing crew members, it may also put Earth's first crewed extrasolar mission in jeopardy.’
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written sci-fi with perfect pacing.
On the Loop was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly spellbinding journey. Highly recommended.
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a brilliantly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted Sci-Fi that’s packed to the rafters with plenty of mystery, action and adventure. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and energetic novel will have you turning the pages from beginning to end.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘One last month in paradise before an 8,000-year journey. That's what the Company had promised before whisking Alina Andra and her entire crew of 500 to tropical Tilulipu, where it had built a luxurious resort just for the occasion… Only the rooms of the entire executive team now stand empty, and Alina's crewmates turn to her to make sense of their predicament. So why have a handful of her more dubious colleagues decided that the mass disappearance is part of an outlandish plot? And why have they named Alina as a co-conspirator?...Now thrust into a less glamorous spotlight, Alina heads a search for the truth. But while the answer she discovers may explain the missing crew members, it may also put Earth's first crewed extrasolar mission in jeopardy.’
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written sci-fi with perfect pacing.
On the Loop was a fascinating and captivating read that had me immersed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly spellbinding journey. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2020
500 people are on an atoll for thirty days of luxury prior to setting off to colonize a planet in the Lyra constellation. They will be suspended in pods and the journey will take 8,000 years. (What could conceivably go wrong with a machine with nom maintenance for 8,000 years?) However, all is well on the atoll until someone notices the occupants of the entire fifth floor of their hotel have disappeared. At first, no concern, but eventually they decide they should search. They are "forbidden" to leave the resort grounds, but when they fail to find the missing people, they start to go outside the wire fences. Eventually some sort of trouble occurs, someone presumably dies, and then . . . back to the beginning for a reboot. Groundhog week!
The basic aspect of the book is for the reader to try to work out what is going on. The characters are well-drawn for what the plot requires, the cycle does not repeat exactly and some memory of previous cycles leaks through. However, I found the long cycle period less interesting than the day cycle of Groundhog Day and I am not entirely sure why. I also found the wash-up somewhat unsatisfactory because too much is thrown at the reader after some fairly pedestrian pacing earlier. Overall, it made sense, but in detail getting to it was a little confusing and I think a little editing would greatly improve it. However, overall highly imaginative and a pleasant writing style.
The basic aspect of the book is for the reader to try to work out what is going on. The characters are well-drawn for what the plot requires, the cycle does not repeat exactly and some memory of previous cycles leaks through. However, I found the long cycle period less interesting than the day cycle of Groundhog Day and I am not entirely sure why. I also found the wash-up somewhat unsatisfactory because too much is thrown at the reader after some fairly pedestrian pacing earlier. Overall, it made sense, but in detail getting to it was a little confusing and I think a little editing would greatly improve it. However, overall highly imaginative and a pleasant writing style.
June 3, 2024
On The Loop has a slow-burn mystery intrigue going on, keeping you guessing, misleading you with where you think the story is going, and then...a TWIST! Written with an emotive, intuitive touch, J.D. Robinson has a way of creating three dimensional characters, delving in and drawing out their personalities, all while the true mystery unfolds. Using the main character's intimate point of view, we learn things as Alina Andra does, and experience all the suspense, mystery, confusion and hopelessness first hand. This is a story about connections, relationships and learning about oneself when pitted against unimaginable circumstances. Set against a sci-fi/speculative fiction setting, it has an old school vibe of classic science fiction novels.
September 15, 2020
Having read the author's The Hole in the World , it didn't take an arm twist to pick up On the Loop.
The first novel is listed in young adult and this one is not--so, there is that.
This one takes us to a resort island; however it is about a group of people who are getting ready to leave the planet to settle on another far off world. This is their farewell to Earth party and the company sending them has put some rather strange limitations on them(limits that are vital to the plot).
I have to say that the author is beginning to show a style preference in his plot threads.
This is not a bad thing, just an observation.
Once again we have a good start that leads to a bit of a slowdown as we build an image of things that are taking place, because things are going to get turned on their ear again. For this reader it was easy to figure out; however the author doesn't belabor the point as the story becomes something reminiscent of such movies as Groundhog Day.
All this build up is because there is something going on in the background that eventually has to be dealt with.
There are a handful of characters that take the focus: all of them well developed with their own idiosyncrasies.
It's interesting to watch how they work(or fail to work)together.
Once more the editing could be a bit tighter; however again this is only mildly distracting for this reader. Though there is one place where a he is referred to as she and that one might need fixing.
This author has at least three more novels almost completed.
So, lets hurry it up.
JLD
The first novel is listed in young adult and this one is not--so, there is that.
This one takes us to a resort island; however it is about a group of people who are getting ready to leave the planet to settle on another far off world. This is their farewell to Earth party and the company sending them has put some rather strange limitations on them(limits that are vital to the plot).
I have to say that the author is beginning to show a style preference in his plot threads.
This is not a bad thing, just an observation.
Once again we have a good start that leads to a bit of a slowdown as we build an image of things that are taking place, because things are going to get turned on their ear again. For this reader it was easy to figure out; however the author doesn't belabor the point as the story becomes something reminiscent of such movies as Groundhog Day.
All this build up is because there is something going on in the background that eventually has to be dealt with.
There are a handful of characters that take the focus: all of them well developed with their own idiosyncrasies.
It's interesting to watch how they work(or fail to work)together.
Once more the editing could be a bit tighter; however again this is only mildly distracting for this reader. Though there is one place where a he is referred to as she and that one might need fixing.
This author has at least three more novels almost completed.
So, lets hurry it up.
JLD
October 3, 2020
Intriguing Space Mystery
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a spellbinding space mystery involving a crew of 500 men and women who are about to embark on an 8000 year journey into space. However, prior to their huge space adventure, they have been promised a time of R&R.
Their preflight "liberty call" will take place on a tropical island by the name of Tilulipu. In commemoration and in honor of these crewmembers upcoming spaceflight of many millennia a special resort has been constructed to give the crew a memorable time. A appreciative experience arranged by a trillionaire by the name of Sems.
The crew settles in nicely and expectations run high for this special time. However, things go terribly wrong and people begin to go missing.
And so, the science fiction mystery begins. A mystery that involves the executive team of Sems, Sems himself , Alina Andra and her daughter Ria. A mystery that swirls and one in which Alina finds herself under suspiscion.
Add in space technology and an advanced race and you have a novel entitled "On the Loop."
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a well-written novel. The plot is fascinating, the writing is engaging and is sure to stimulate the imagination of the reader. Additionally,the characters are well developed.
Added to the enjoyment of the book is a surprising and sensitive ending that most will find warming.
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a spellbinding space mystery involving a crew of 500 men and women who are about to embark on an 8000 year journey into space. However, prior to their huge space adventure, they have been promised a time of R&R.
Their preflight "liberty call" will take place on a tropical island by the name of Tilulipu. In commemoration and in honor of these crewmembers upcoming spaceflight of many millennia a special resort has been constructed to give the crew a memorable time. A appreciative experience arranged by a trillionaire by the name of Sems.
The crew settles in nicely and expectations run high for this special time. However, things go terribly wrong and people begin to go missing.
And so, the science fiction mystery begins. A mystery that involves the executive team of Sems, Sems himself , Alina Andra and her daughter Ria. A mystery that swirls and one in which Alina finds herself under suspiscion.
Add in space technology and an advanced race and you have a novel entitled "On the Loop."
On the Loop by J.D. Robinson is a well-written novel. The plot is fascinating, the writing is engaging and is sure to stimulate the imagination of the reader. Additionally,the characters are well developed.
Added to the enjoyment of the book is a surprising and sensitive ending that most will find warming.
October 4, 2020
A thrilling and unusual tale of the first interstellar expedition.
The crew of a massive star ship destined to be humankinds first interstellar expedition are sent to a vacation island before they leave, in order to relax and prepare themselves to leave the earth forever. As they settle in to enjoy themselves a series of strange events begin to upset the harmony of the occasion and an unpleasant reality begins to become apparent, a reality about their true situation that places the whole mission in jeopardy. Related in the third-person format, from the point of view of Alina, this fascinating narrative explores the technological and the psychological aspects of prolonged space travel and its implications for the human race. This is a familiar theme in science fiction, however, the author introduces some startling concepts that give the story a unique slant and a perspective never examined before that makes it highly absorbing reading entertainment.
The crew of a massive star ship destined to be humankinds first interstellar expedition are sent to a vacation island before they leave, in order to relax and prepare themselves to leave the earth forever. As they settle in to enjoy themselves a series of strange events begin to upset the harmony of the occasion and an unpleasant reality begins to become apparent, a reality about their true situation that places the whole mission in jeopardy. Related in the third-person format, from the point of view of Alina, this fascinating narrative explores the technological and the psychological aspects of prolonged space travel and its implications for the human race. This is a familiar theme in science fiction, however, the author introduces some startling concepts that give the story a unique slant and a perspective never examined before that makes it highly absorbing reading entertainment.
October 8, 2020
I was up and down on this one. It started OK, with enough interesting quirks and questions to keep it interesting. But then, I started to not find the character’s reactions believable. It felt like the story was going in circles until about a third of the way through. Then it hit a moment that recycled my interest. Then it started getting repetitive again. But I was starting to have an idea about what was happening and wanted to see if I was right. About two-thirds of the way through, it took another huge plot twist.
There are a few editing issues, but as an indie author myself, I don’t ding points (or stars) for that.
By the end, I found I had invested in the main character, and was interested in what would happen to her. It eventually got to be fun, trying to decipher the mystery.
This is worth the time and effort to read. Hang in there if it starts a little slow.
There are a few editing issues, but as an indie author myself, I don’t ding points (or stars) for that.
By the end, I found I had invested in the main character, and was interested in what would happen to her. It eventually got to be fun, trying to decipher the mystery.
This is worth the time and effort to read. Hang in there if it starts a little slow.
February 27, 2021
Really interesting but disjointed
Pros: well written and edited, main character has a lot of depth, lots of subplots, character driven not science driven, intriguing philosophic themes touched upon, a story about humans reaching beyond our planet’s limits.
Negs: really repetitive and slow first 60% of book, lots of quick references without well drawn explanations, not much depth of character outside the main one, lacking in world building hugely.
Overall, I am very glad I read it. Wish it had been broken into several novels with much richer world building, but ironically faster pacing.
Pros: well written and edited, main character has a lot of depth, lots of subplots, character driven not science driven, intriguing philosophic themes touched upon, a story about humans reaching beyond our planet’s limits.
Negs: really repetitive and slow first 60% of book, lots of quick references without well drawn explanations, not much depth of character outside the main one, lacking in world building hugely.
Overall, I am very glad I read it. Wish it had been broken into several novels with much richer world building, but ironically faster pacing.
September 2, 2020
Clearly I'm desperately slow, because it wasn't until the 37th chapter that things solidified as to exactly where our characters really were and what was going on. The paper messaging for semiconscious caretaking of things seemed a bit of a clutch, and the alienness toward the end kind of made the first three quarters of the novel meaningless for me. Combine that with the rather vague and hard-to-relate-to Alina and I liked it, but no more than that.
June 18, 2021
This book is why I read!
I read a lot and this book is better than any I've read in a very long time. The plot is unique and unexpected, yet each part is consistent with the others. The story progresses smoothly throughout and has some unexpected turns along the way. The characters are interesting and engaging and the tropical setting is inviting. Another bonus, at least for me : there is no improper grammar nor misspelled words! A real treat.
I read a lot and this book is better than any I've read in a very long time. The plot is unique and unexpected, yet each part is consistent with the others. The story progresses smoothly throughout and has some unexpected turns along the way. The characters are interesting and engaging and the tropical setting is inviting. Another bonus, at least for me : there is no improper grammar nor misspelled words! A real treat.
October 21, 2020
Outstanding!
It starts out as a classic page-turner mystery, and slowly morphs into something much more. Strong characters, incredibly well written. Unusual premise and plot features. Well worth reading.
It starts out as a classic page-turner mystery, and slowly morphs into something much more. Strong characters, incredibly well written. Unusual premise and plot features. Well worth reading.
November 12, 2020
A beautifully written story, an engrossing mystery that unfolds slowly . It took me a long time to work out what was happening. It's a long book but certainly worth taking your time to enjoy.
I received a complementary copy via Hidden Gems and am leaving a voluntary honest review
I received a complementary copy via Hidden Gems and am leaving a voluntary honest review
October 27, 2022
Hung in.
I will admit to almost bailing out on this book. But just as I was about to make that call the loop finally changed and I continued on. So, while first thirty chapters started to become annoying/tedious, the rest was pretty good and I liked the ending.
I will admit to almost bailing out on this book. But just as I was about to make that call the loop finally changed and I continued on. So, while first thirty chapters started to become annoying/tedious, the rest was pretty good and I liked the ending.
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October 19, 2020🎁 Free on Amazon today (10/18/2020)! 🎁
January 15, 2021
Mind Blowing
The best science fiction I have read in a long time. Very unpredictable. Recommended for all who grew up reading the masters.
The best science fiction I have read in a long time. Very unpredictable. Recommended for all who grew up reading the masters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews