Binary Existence

Across Horizons #4

by Stan C. Smith

A journey’s end. A bold plan. A final conflict.

Skyra, Lincoln, and their companions have made their last time jump and are stuck 47,000 years in the past. For Skyra, it’s home. For Lincoln and his team, it’s fraught with menace—a land of claws, teeth, and stone weapons.

Just surviving here is hard enough, but the group now must deal with the consequences of binary existence—two copies of the same person coexisting in the same timeline.

For Skyra, coexisting with a copy of herself becomes a struggle to hold on to her own identity and personal worth. She has returned to her homeland to save her sister Veenah, only to find that her other self has already rescued Veenah and does not want Skyra around.

As the group strives to establish a permanent home, Skyra’s personal dilemma gives way to a much greater challenge. Is perpetual war or extinction unavoidable, or can this ragtag team of humans and Neanderthals somehow usher in a better future for an entire world?

Binary Existence, the fourth and final book in the Across Horizons series, is for readers who love time travel adventures, mind-bending surprises, and unforgettable characters.

Genres: Science Fiction

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2021

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln and Skyra along with Jazzlyn, Virgil and Derek. Have jumped back to Skyra's time to attempt to rescue Veenah Skyra's sister., Plus Ripple hopes that his plan for Lincoln and Skyra to start a new Tribe of both bolup's and nandup's will succeed.
I love this series its like catching up with old friends to continue there journey with them. There are plenty of surprises and shocks along the way. With a brilliant ending. Definitely recommend this series its well written with Great Characters and fast paced story line

[Christina Elnicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!! I really enjoyed this series! We are all truly blessed that Stan C Smith shares his gift of imagination and skill with us. Great job Stan! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. This is his true calling in life.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this the end or only the beginning?

Given that this adventure experience into the past and future is born of Stan Smith’s imagination, I can still see parallels between fiction and non-fiction since we truly are about to embark on a new age experience of our own, encountering alien beings from afar and near and their different cultures. How will we choose to adapt? There have been wars on Earth for a very long time – countless thousands of years, infact. Were they necessary or perpetuated by habit and a form of mind control? Civilizations have come and gone. Are we destined to survive?

Survival is a key focus of this series of books. Although not a fan of violence, these stories reflect the very real dangers that a person or group may be up against both human and non-human. You know the old saying, “if you only have lemons, make lemonade.” Well, this team of time-travellers most certainly needed to work with what they’ve got which wasn’t much.

Can a small robotic companion come up with a plan and see it through in order to rebuild and save civilization? Having read this series from the beginning, I was anxious to know where it was heading. Sometimes I was frustrated with the continuing feeling of angst and hopelessness but then there were these uncanny occurrences that seemed to point to newer concepts and improved relationships. This was one heck of a journey!

The writing is professional and a comfortable read despite the challenge of the tribal languages. The characters are well developed but I recommend reading the series from the beginning. Obviously, it got me thinking. You’ll also get serious adventure, a bit of mystery and romance and not least of all, fighting, which I am happy to say, tapers off at the end. I suppose that Stan Smith would say that it often takes some struggle before achieving a civil society.

[Fatherjohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am A FAN - a long time, many series, constant reader fan. Not only good writing but even more, great imagination and unusual plots and settings.

Having said that - this last book has the same quibble I had with the prior one - as one of the characters said, "Too much talking." She says it again, and wonders why the humans spend so much time talking and planning, instead of simply doing. And there was a point in this last volume when I was agreeing with her.

Now I understand that he is dealing with a complicated conjecture in terms of the "science" that makes possible the travel that is the core of the whole series. It's not exactly time travel - and it's not exactly dimensional travel - and so to keep the reader (especially a curious reader willing to ask questions) up to date, he does have to engage in some deep background or explanation. But I will still at a point where I would give the book three stars.

But the ending!!! Endings have not always been the strongest point of earlier series but this is most satisfying, and surprisingly so. And it's not a Deux ex machina ending, or some implausible something but an ending that takes place not all at once and one that could - perhaps - gently suggest another series starting where this book ends. It's not an ending that demands another book - but there is a door with a small crack that could open into a whole different tale.

If you have read the earlier books, you have to read this. If you haven't read the earlier books, go back and catch up. You will enjoy them, and it will make this all easier to grasp. If you don't, you will still enjoy this book, but pay special attention to the conversations.

But as a general note - any time you see Stan C Smith on the cover - buy the book.

[Grogan Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best And Last Book Of The Series--A Heart and Soul Satisfying Book

Binary Existence is the 4th and last book In Stan C. Smith's amazing series Across Horizons. It starts with a bang and doesn't let up. It's action packed and exciting from start to finish. This book has the six main qualities, that in my opinion, make a good book into a great book. Number 1, it's enjoyable. Number 2, it's well written. Number 3, it's interesting. Numbers 4, 5, and 6, all go together. It makes you think, feel, and learn. The first 3 books in Mr. Smith's Across Horizon series have all these qualities, and in abundance. Binary Existence, the final and best one, is a heart and soul satisfying ending to this exceptional series. The whole book was very good and very thought provoking. I think the biggest thing was that life was so hard, yet the people didn't work to make things better just for themselves, but for the world. And yes there are many books that do this but not in such a fundamental manner. Though very different people, the things they all went through, everything they did, consciously working together, to help each other, wanting and trying to change not just themselves for the better, but to change the future as well, was heart lifting. It gave me hope, hope for us all...and so much hope for humanity.

I closed the cover of the book with a sigh and pulled it against me. My arms wrapped around the book and held it there, a small smile on my lips and a big smile in my heart.

[Sharon Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was worth every single word, every complex paragraph of world-building that brought us to the finale of the "Across Horizons" series -- and the result of the Skyra - Lincoln relationship. If you like sci-fi that brings hope to the human condition this book IS FOR YOU!!! I don't care much for violence, and there was plenty of it to get through in this series -- especially when the Bolups and the Nandups were engaged in full-scale war in Book 2. But I guess there can't be light without the dark...

This book brings it all together -- Ripple's audacious plan to repopulate the world with offspring from the mating of a human male from the present day (Lincoln) and a neanderthal female from over 70,000 years ago (Skyra) -- thus combining the best of both races and re-writing our history. I was crying at one point near the end because the author really got it right... the hopes and dreams of those of us who would like to live in a world where war is obsolete and all that energy goes into progress, both technological and social-cultural.

Stan, if you have more like this in your writing plans, sign me up!!! I'm totally in!!!

[June Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the series must be the best one. I am not saying the others are bad, its just better as it has progressed in its language and story. It takes you through the ages, from stone age to well into the future, from Neanderthal to Alinga-uls.
You also get to see several alternative futures, and read how people spread across the worlds, into other worlds and universes. The story is about love, and changes, and how to make a better world, with some time travel, and hardships along the way.
I'm currently re reading the book, just because it fascinates me, and I love it. It is hard to say goodbye to Lincoln and Skyra, to the people we have gotten to know, with their quirky ways.
The author has a way with words, and I am sure no matter what he writes I will be interested in reading it, but the 4 books in the serie with Ripple, Skyra, Lincoln and the others are so far a definitive re read.
It is interesting to read about hunting methods, and the weapons they use. You get to know the characters in an intimate way, and how they survive in unfamiliar surroundings. If you like to read about time travel, humans but not violence (although there is violence in this series too), you will like the book. You should absolutely read the other books first, as it is the last in a series.

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the Across Horizons series Stan C. Smith has once again created a wonderful unique Sci-Fi series. With the author's own take on time travel we’ve seen what the world was like in the far past and what the world may be like in the far future. Binary Existence sees our heroes once more back in the far past just before the time when they had arrived previously. As established throughout the series each time jump creates a new timeline, so what might they face this time? The story is a wonderful mix of science fiction and imagination with a real understanding of the natural world. There’s so much in this last addition to the series from action to romance and some funny moments too. I have enjoyed the whole series and Binary Existence is a great way for the series to sign off. There is an epic feel to this last book and it’s addictive reading right up to the last word. Stan C. Smith never fails to deliver something unique and engrossing with each book he writes and this is right up there with his very best.

[Cbyarling · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ending to an unusual series.

This series has had Lincoln Skyra, and their companions traveling 47,000 years in the past and 47,000 years in the future from what could be considered their present time when the series started. Their final jump in time is now 47,000 years in the past to the time when Skyra originally lived.

Since they have been unable to travel with a minor number of possessions and no weapons, their first job is to make weapons to fend off dangerous animals and people living here.

But this particular jump has allowed them to exist in a time frame where their very existence allows them to see copies of themselves who have previously landed. In other words, they are now living with their very own "Binary Existence" - two copies of them at the same time.

This last jump means everyone must establish a permanent home in this past time. Follow Skyra, Lincoln, and their companions in their adventures in dealing with establishing their new home and dealing with their dual copies.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan C. Smith is one of my favorite authors, especially when it comes to unique versions of time travel. So, the fact that Binary Existence was the fourth (and last) book in his Across Horizons series held a lot of weight for me. I was intrigued to see how Smith would wrap up the story of Skyra and Lincoln. In book three, they had used their very last time-jump to travel back from a futuristic world filled with gleaming skyscrapers to Skyra’s neanderthal time. The characters of Binary Existence are great, but in this installment, things become complicated when two copies of the same person coexist. Combine this with the challenge of bringing two warring factions together in the hopes of changing the future of the world, and you have a can’t miss book. Should you read this series? If you like an addictive plot with fast action, and if you like unforgettable characters with a bit of romance mixed in with your science fiction, then, yes, this series is for you.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series has got better and better. I really did enjoy reading this book, as there was action throughout and everything seemed to fall into place and 'make sense'. My favourite character was, as always, the wonderfully sarcastic drone Ripple, and it was interesting to find out whether her plans bore fruition. Ripple has gone from annoying me at the start of the series, to someone who I will miss!
I found it particularly interesting that the end of the book did not focus on who and when I expected it to, but carried the story forward. I don't want to give spoilers - I hate them - so all I can really say is that the ending was great, imaginative, and unusual.
This does need to be read as part of a series, but anyone who likes unusual and quirky books, should definitely like this book and this series.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have enjoyed the other books in the series this concluding novel is by far my favourite. The series has an interesting hypothesis, in that time travel is possible but going into the past creates an alternate timeline and you can't go back to where you came from, and unlike many time travel stories this author has made multiple versions of a person not only possible but logical. Sociological and genetic manipulation by the AI to create a better world is also an interesting concept. However I think the strength of this book is in the character development, and the extrapolation forward in time that occurs at the end of the book is brilliant. I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.

[Asiaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Binary Existence Across Horizons book 4
This book is in a plot that is set mostly 47k years ago
There is very little time travel involved and this time travel is made by one of the robots called Mandy/Ripple.
Binary Existence takes you on a trip that gives a version of how homo sapiens might have evolved.
There is action of the hunting of the woolly mammoth that is exciting as are the meetings between 2 different tribes as they try to find a way to become one tribe. Good suspense during this meeting.
Stan writes a visual book that is very good because you can see the pictures in your mind from his words. This is a very good book that was a joy to read.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read a series uninterrupted from start to finish these days as the comprising books are often repetitive and my interest wanes when encountering similar background explanations and story lines in a short period of time. That was not my experience in this case. I binge read from start to finish and was always anxious to find out what would happen next. Great concepts, plot, writing, and editing. Plenty of conflict with some unexpected resolutions. Well thought out and executed. And to top it off the concluding volume does not disappoint as is the case with many series. Well worth the read!

[Betty McArdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the kind of Science Fiction that asks “What if?” Binary Existence is just such a book. The question is “What would happen if modern humans (homo sapiens) went back in time to the era when both ancient humans and Neanderthals existed at the same time?” The science part comes in in how the modern humans got back in time and a few other twists that I won’t reveal here. I very much enjoyed this book, perhaps my favorite of the series. If you, like me, have read the other books in this series, you will already know the main characters, although they each have some surprises for us in Binary Existence. I like to think of this book as a “thinker”; what would happen?

[Daniel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to the series, although there will be a prequel. Binary Existence is an ambitious conclusion, particularly because of the Epilogue. Like book #1 of the series, this book provides an entertaining narrative of the lives of stone age humans and Neanderthals, including their confrontations with each other and with large animals that are now extinct. It also includes imaginative sci-fi, particularly with the use of the "caretakers". I enjoyed the entire series, and look forward to the prequel and the author's next series.

[Monica Peavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a tough job to change the world

With no chance of ever jumping to another timeline again, Lincoln, Skyra and Ripple (a drone) and the rest of the team jump back to a new timeline and where the original Skyra was from + 1 hour earlier. They are there to rescue vina and also another Skyra, also to continue on with ripples plan to change the future and bring to the Bolups and Nandups a future with peace, community and more intelligence.
The first part is to show other tribes what there is to gain by joining? Great book

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a closing to a wonderful series! Time travel forward and backwards, what fun. Lincoln was the leader of the crazy bunch of time travelers. Skyra was a bolup from a very early time jump destination and was brought along with the time travelers, also became Lincoln's wife. The concept of jumping years is so awesome and the things that happen to the group is extraordinary and some was really hard on them. But life goes on. Great series

[David A. Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this ans others of Stan Smith’s collection of excellent series. Always imaginative, with well-developed characters I cared about, each novel has masterfully built worlds, thought-provoking science and story lines I can’t put down. To paraphrase what Picasso said when asked which was his favorite painting, each of Stan’s novels I read is the best. Certainly Binary Existence, with its wonderful Epilogue, left me happy and satisfied. Bravo again!

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Binary Existence. This volume is more thoughtful with a bit less action. It is a very satisfying conclusion to the series.  
I particularly liked the character development of Skyra and Lincoln as well as their honest and steadfast love.
The entire premise of building a world of cooperation and inclusivity is wonderful!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.

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

Wow another great book in this series! Two Skyra’s in the same timeline can be a dangerous combination. In this fourth book in the series we follow the group as they try to merge their “clan” with other bullop and nandup clans in the hopes of creating a stronger society. Interesting, original, and twisted.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I can't get enough of Stan C. Smith's writing. His fabulous imagination gives us the conclusion to this series and it's even better than Books 1, 2 and 3.. and they were all worth at least 5☆. The story is gripping and flows beautifully, drawing together for an inspired ending. As usual I was so involved with the characters I stayed up reading most of the night.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Binary Existence (Across Horizons, #4) by Stan C. Smith finishes the series in a satisfying way. As good as the 3 books leading up to #4 and the back story. Loved this imaginative series.

Not sure if I was given this book by the author or got it otherwise. However, I am voluntarily posting an honest review.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing! I was so caught up in these stories that I did what I rarely ever do, which is to read them through breakfast and lunch. The writing moves along, with unexpected plots twists and turns that keep you wanting to read more. As with the best science fiction, the ideas are fresh and very interesting.

[Laurie Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story idea!

Just finished Across Horizons series and absolutely LOVED this amazing story! If I wasn’t already post menopausal, I’d name my kids Lincoln and Skyra 😉 Loved ALL the characters though and just wanted to report how much I thoroughly enjoyed everything! Will definitely be reading this author again!

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan C Smith is an extraordinary writer. He can make history come alive. The final book in his Across Horizons series, wraps everything up with a bang. It has thrills, adventure, romance and mystery, everything a reader wants.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books in this series. I liked them very much. This was a great end to the series. The characters were easy to relate to. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes time travel and alternate realities

[Mark Molter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful ending to a great series. The characters were engaging with the addition of a few new ones to the mix. The advanced tech was a welcome addition to the plot as well. Quite sorry to see the story end, was a great ride through time.

[Paul Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful conclusion to a great 4-book series! I really enjoyed the creativity and originality of the plot line in the entire series. Spreading the story out over four books allowed for great character development and made for an epic adventure.

[Connie Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I loved this one because of all the cool characters and personalities which includes the robots Maddy and Ripple. It left me with much hope for the future. I inhaled it just like the other books in the series.