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Squaring the Circle
Physicist Sam Jacobson has made an astounding discovery:
A particle that serves as a direct line of communication to the fabric of spacetime. If a person conveys expectations to the cosmos, as he now can, reality answers in kind.
Want to create a black hole in the laboratory? Done.
Make yourself bullet-proof? No problem.
But with great power comes great insanity. Left unhindered, the evolution of man into God could come to a horrific, world-ending conclusion. Two strangers, entangled like a pair of fundamental particles, are the only ones who can stop him.
The first is David Sandoval, the executive producer of a once-popular television show, and he isn't ready to retire just yet. His program will be canceled by the network unless he can find a way to improve the ratings. An invitation to a mysterious laboratory might be the miracle he's looking for. The second is a girl named Eddie.
Pissing off her overbearing mother, popping psychotropic medications, trying to ignore the voices - these are the sum total of nineteen-year-old Eddie's life. But when forced into a surreal connection with the creator of her favorite science program, her world changes forever.
Eddie's meds aren't working, but that's okay. She doesn't dare ignore the voices now.
A particle that serves as a direct line of communication to the fabric of spacetime. If a person conveys expectations to the cosmos, as he now can, reality answers in kind.
Want to create a black hole in the laboratory? Done.
Make yourself bullet-proof? No problem.
But with great power comes great insanity. Left unhindered, the evolution of man into God could come to a horrific, world-ending conclusion. Two strangers, entangled like a pair of fundamental particles, are the only ones who can stop him.
The first is David Sandoval, the executive producer of a once-popular television show, and he isn't ready to retire just yet. His program will be canceled by the network unless he can find a way to improve the ratings. An invitation to a mysterious laboratory might be the miracle he's looking for. The second is a girl named Eddie.
Pissing off her overbearing mother, popping psychotropic medications, trying to ignore the voices - these are the sum total of nineteen-year-old Eddie's life. But when forced into a surreal connection with the creator of her favorite science program, her world changes forever.
Eddie's meds aren't working, but that's okay. She doesn't dare ignore the voices now.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
17 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
B.K. Brain
10 books19 followersI am the author of Nephilim Push, Handbook for the Criminally Insane, Collapse at Hidden Verse Three-Three-Two, Doris and the Ankh, Handbook for the Festive Sociopath, and the new supernatural thriller, Dead Yet Dying.
I drink coffee from a cup named Dorothy.
I drink coffee from a cup named Dorothy.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 11, 2019
Come for the story, stay for the voice acting
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.
Squaring the circle is an experiment that is used to show the impossible. This book explores complex concepts such as quantum entanglement, super position and quantum computing or other complex physics concepts.The book explains these concepts in an semi-complex but accessible way. It is clear that the author has spent time researching these concepts to be able to write intelligently about them.
The characters are well developed and for the most part explored, with their motivations examined. They are deep and complex and their actions are in line with what we've learned about them. The locations are familiar rooted in reality.
The plot surrounds a scientist, a secret government agency, a TV producer and a girl with a mental disorder. The first three come together in an organic and believable way. The fourth, however, is where the fiction comes into the science fiction, it is also the most likable character and the arguably the main character.
The story suffers from pacing problems and some plot inconsistencies. The physics of the world are based on theoretical quantum physics and pushed into a fictional place. While listening to this book, I found myself reminded of "Dark Matter" by Blake Crouch, which is a definite good thing. However, I was also reminded of "Rise of Endymion" by Dan Simmons. Specifically the part where it is established that 'love' is a force in the universe. While this book doesn't go down that road, it does establish several rules that are equally loose with rational thought, but also are not clear in the context of the book. For example, two quantumly entangled people who are indestructible when together, but not when a few feet apart, but are indestructible again when one has moved to another plain.
The story is told from multiple POV's and it switches back and forth quickly, sometimes after only a few sentences. For the most part, this only leads to some confusion if you're not paying close attention when the switches are happening, but sometimes it leads to a lack of focus on the time line. A sequence of events is explained from one point of view, then parts of it from another point of view, after going back in time. Sometimes it is vital, a lot of the time, it is not and only slows down the pace of the story. For example, if we left a character walking down a hall towards the antagonist, then it is revealed she has been captured, we then don't need to rewind and see her get captured. It is unnecessary and only serves to slow down the story.
The voice acting is excellent. Susan Marlowe does a great job at voicing all the characters and bringing them all to life. When doing male voices she does sound like a woman, doing a male voice, however it is not overly noticeable and does not take away from the story.
All in all, this is a good book, from a character and setting standing. It suffers from some issues around pacing and inconsistencies, though it does not make the book enjoyable. If you like books about theoretical physics gone bad, you'll like this book
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.
Squaring the circle is an experiment that is used to show the impossible. This book explores complex concepts such as quantum entanglement, super position and quantum computing or other complex physics concepts.The book explains these concepts in an semi-complex but accessible way. It is clear that the author has spent time researching these concepts to be able to write intelligently about them.
The characters are well developed and for the most part explored, with their motivations examined. They are deep and complex and their actions are in line with what we've learned about them. The locations are familiar rooted in reality.
The plot surrounds a scientist, a secret government agency, a TV producer and a girl with a mental disorder. The first three come together in an organic and believable way. The fourth, however, is where the fiction comes into the science fiction, it is also the most likable character and the arguably the main character.
The story suffers from pacing problems and some plot inconsistencies. The physics of the world are based on theoretical quantum physics and pushed into a fictional place. While listening to this book, I found myself reminded of "Dark Matter" by Blake Crouch, which is a definite good thing. However, I was also reminded of "Rise of Endymion" by Dan Simmons. Specifically the part where it is established that 'love' is a force in the universe. While this book doesn't go down that road, it does establish several rules that are equally loose with rational thought, but also are not clear in the context of the book. For example, two quantumly entangled people who are indestructible when together, but not when a few feet apart, but are indestructible again when one has moved to another plain.
The story is told from multiple POV's and it switches back and forth quickly, sometimes after only a few sentences. For the most part, this only leads to some confusion if you're not paying close attention when the switches are happening, but sometimes it leads to a lack of focus on the time line. A sequence of events is explained from one point of view, then parts of it from another point of view, after going back in time. Sometimes it is vital, a lot of the time, it is not and only slows down the pace of the story. For example, if we left a character walking down a hall towards the antagonist, then it is revealed she has been captured, we then don't need to rewind and see her get captured. It is unnecessary and only serves to slow down the story.
The voice acting is excellent. Susan Marlowe does a great job at voicing all the characters and bringing them all to life. When doing male voices she does sound like a woman, doing a male voice, however it is not overly noticeable and does not take away from the story.
All in all, this is a good book, from a character and setting standing. It suffers from some issues around pacing and inconsistencies, though it does not make the book enjoyable. If you like books about theoretical physics gone bad, you'll like this book
June 13, 2019
( Format : Audiobook)
"Baseballs and hockey sticks."
As she had grown out of childhood, Eddie had been beset by hallucinations and heard voices. Diagnosed as bipolar and paranoid schizophrenic, the psychotropic drugs failed to keep the terrifying Nowhere Man at bay. Her parents were unsympathetic but big sister Rachel did her best to protect her until, when Eddie was 19, she too was pulled into these hallucinations and a connection Eddie had with a favourite TV programme develloper, David Sanderval. 'She never had a choice...' Now she didn't either.
A tale of quantum entanglement and gravitons, a black hole, courage and terror, love and selfisness, time and connections, shadows, a man who wou!d be God - and a dog. The whole is woven into an intriguing thriller of a story laced with quantum science, the theories gently explained as the action progresses, the concepts making for a bizarre tale told from several perspectives. So what is your purpose?
The book is masterfully performed by Susan Harlow. No histrionics here but a steady reading, with good pacing, well spoken intonation in an expression of gentle emotion and understanding, and with each protagonist given their own separate voice. Plus, she is very pleasant to hear. Her performance definitely adds to the enjoyment of the book.
I was most fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of Squaring the Circle by the rights holder after I requested a copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I enjoyed it enormously even if the actual science behind it is still beyond my understanding. It's us who move through time, not the other way round, isn't it? If it exists, that is. The end and the beginning, time unwound. A great thriller, good characters, intriguing premise and ideas to ponder on. 'The journey never ends.'
Very satisfying, and recommended.
"Baseballs and hockey sticks."
As she had grown out of childhood, Eddie had been beset by hallucinations and heard voices. Diagnosed as bipolar and paranoid schizophrenic, the psychotropic drugs failed to keep the terrifying Nowhere Man at bay. Her parents were unsympathetic but big sister Rachel did her best to protect her until, when Eddie was 19, she too was pulled into these hallucinations and a connection Eddie had with a favourite TV programme develloper, David Sanderval. 'She never had a choice...' Now she didn't either.
A tale of quantum entanglement and gravitons, a black hole, courage and terror, love and selfisness, time and connections, shadows, a man who wou!d be God - and a dog. The whole is woven into an intriguing thriller of a story laced with quantum science, the theories gently explained as the action progresses, the concepts making for a bizarre tale told from several perspectives. So what is your purpose?
The book is masterfully performed by Susan Harlow. No histrionics here but a steady reading, with good pacing, well spoken intonation in an expression of gentle emotion and understanding, and with each protagonist given their own separate voice. Plus, she is very pleasant to hear. Her performance definitely adds to the enjoyment of the book.
I was most fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of Squaring the Circle by the rights holder after I requested a copy via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I enjoyed it enormously even if the actual science behind it is still beyond my understanding. It's us who move through time, not the other way round, isn't it? If it exists, that is. The end and the beginning, time unwound. A great thriller, good characters, intriguing premise and ideas to ponder on. 'The journey never ends.'
Very satisfying, and recommended.
June 1, 2019
Intriguing from Go to Woe
This author has some brilliantly colourful expressions. A superb writer - had me hooked throughout. Plausible and yet stretching the envelope severely. Just how I like it!
This author has some brilliantly colourful expressions. A superb writer - had me hooked throughout. Plausible and yet stretching the envelope severely. Just how I like it!
March 5, 2020
Entertaining
I enjoyed this interesting and entertaining story. The characters have depth, are relatable, and entertaining. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I enjoyed this interesting and entertaining story. The characters have depth, are relatable, and entertaining. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews