"When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, it's up to six university students and their experimental physics project to prevent the end of civilization."
The plot: It's Richard's and Kevin's applied physics project, Matt's computer system, and Bill's engineering skills that bring Kevin's theory of an interdimensional portal into existence. What they find on the other side is another earth, one where humans never evolved and mammoths and dire wolves still roam. They bring in geology student, Erin, and zoology major, Monica, to help explore this new world. They have dreams of finding enough gold in this other world to fund their experiment and the rest of their education...and also of winning a Nobel prize. But then the supervolcano underneath Yellowstone erupts, changing all their plans. Now they and several hundred university students are just trying to survive in this other Earth, the one they call Outland.
My thoughts: Disaster/survival reads have always been favorites of mine, and the premise of this one sounded so fun I couldn't resist checking it out. And it was entertaining, with humorous dialogue, funny movie references, and enough science to believe in the characters without getting bogged down in all the technological details. It's a go-with-the-flow kind of novel. And Taylor keeps the story moving at a good clip. But in juggling so many characters, not all of them are fully fleshed out. There were times I completely forgot Kevin was even in the room; and I felt Matt's martial arts skills should have been used in the story at least once. But the main characters had enough personality and hints of backstory to make them likable and interesting. I did think some of their survival preparations got glossed over, and their stay in Outland felt a little too easily managed, with a lot of the details happening off page. So it's not perfect, but I enjoyed it. A fun popcorn kind of read. And one I gave 4 stars.
Happy Reading!
I really like this sort of thing too. I also see he produced a sequel in 2023... Might be worth checking out. SF used to be my 'go to' genre. Now its all part of the mix.
ReplyDeletePart of the mix...love it. And I can totally relate. :D
DeleteI enjoy disaster/survival books too. This one sounds really good. I'll have to add it to my list. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a fast, fun read. Not too in depth, but entertaining.
DeleteI laughed at the premise of this one, Lark. I learned on our trip to Yellowstone about the super volcano that is beneath that area and the fact that it is something like 30,000 years overdue for an eruption. Yikes! However, they also said that if it did erupt, it would likely take out at least half of the US. I imagine we would be part of that half. No point fretting about it. I didn't think about things like this book 'suggests' - ha!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be in the half taken out if that supervolcano erupted. Better than surviving it and having to deal with the aftermath. ;D
DeleteThese days a "fun popcorn kind of read" might be just the ticket!
ReplyDeleteIf you don't take it too seriously it's just fun.
DeleteIt does have an interesting premise. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice change from all the books I ended up DNFing last month.
DeleteLark, I understand that! I DNFed 4!
DeleteIt's funny how it often goes in waves like that. Hopefully this month will be better for both of us.
DeleteI'm not into the disaster stories but this does sound good.
ReplyDeleteI liked the thought of another earth, one without people in it. ;D
DeleteHumans returning to an earth where mammoths still roam is interesting. How could they survive. Is it pre-stone age?
ReplyDeleteIt's pre-people, so yes?
DeleteI like the premise of this book. It does sounds like it has a lot of characters. Not exactly space travel, not exactly time travel, but with similarities?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely similarities to time travel, because the other earth they go to still has woolly mammoths and saber tooth tigers, and NO technology. But they keep going back and forth through their portals to get the stuff they need, which sometimes felt a little cheaty. ;D
DeleteHere in the UK we'd be in 'aftermath' territory which is not a nice thing to think about. When I first learnt about Yellowstone and its terrifying secret I was - well - 'terrified'. Not a lot we could do about it though so we might just as well crack on with living. :-)
ReplyDeleteExactly. There's nothing you can do to stop a volcano. Though Iceland would be the first country to figure it out if it were possible. ;D
DeleteI haven't read many disasters books but this sounds like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole survival aspect of disaster books.
DeleteI would pick this up, it sounds like fun. Popcorn reads are my go to when I'm stressed😁
ReplyDeleteExactly! That's probably why I enjoyed it so much. It didn't require anything from me, and was a nice escape from reality.
DeleteI do enjoy end of the world type scenarios, so this does sound like fun! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not very deep but I thought it was fun.
DeleteHave a blessed day my friend.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
Thank you, Regine!
DeleteEntertaining is good.
ReplyDeleteMy head isn't really in the space for deep and literary right now. I need fast and fun and escapism. :D
DeleteWell I do like popcorn reads
ReplyDeleteThen you might enjoy this one.
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