Official Review: The Quantum Cartographer

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 11 Oct 2017, 12:17

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Quantum Cartographer" by Kristen Keenon Fisher.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The Quantum Cartographer by Kristen Keenon Fisher takes the reader back to the Twentieth Millennium B.C., to a world where time travel is possible. Kressya city (once welcoming all time travelers) is now divided into the Old Kressya and the New Kressya. The latter is home to a ruling despot who is plotting to experiment on and destroy all time travelers (whom they call “sky-fallen”) who arrive at their doorsteps.

It is the year 2033 in Nevada. Eliza Carrefour is taking care of her two-year-old son, but she is constantly on edge. Her fears materialize when strange people appear at her doorsteps asking about someone called August while simultaneously eyeing her child. Eliza knows what she must do. She grabs her son and drives to a hidden place that August mentioned to her a while ago. When she gets there, she learns that she must send her son back in time to fulfill his destiny and, hopefully, put an end to the raging, ongoing war.

The story captivated me from the start. I love time-travel fiction (be it books, movies, or television series) and as such, The Quantum Cartographer doesn’t disappoint. Although if you dig deeper, you realize the book is so much more than just a sci-fi and time-travel adventure. It is a story about dictatorship, Utopia, and the long-term Resistance movement to eliminate the oppressors. At its heart, it is the history of humankind itself with all its never-ending struggles.

The story is fast-paced. The scene of Eliza driving away with her son, Nija, to escape from her followers, reminded me of Sarah Connor making her getaway from Terminator. My heart was pounding, and I was cheering on Eliza to escape. I was on the edge of my seat even when the story moved back in time to the ancient land of Kressya. There is always something going on with Nija, our main character in the story. He is repeatedly getting himself into trouble due to his unpredictable teen behavior, and he is relentlessly chased by the Scythe, the city guards who want to apprehend him at all costs. I often chuckled at some of Nija’s rather short and smart-ass lines that popped up at the weirdest times.

“And you are …?” the shopkeeper asks them collectively.
“Lying low,” Nija answers.

The author created a whole group of entertaining characters. Eserae Sorra, a teen who teams up with Nija, is fearless, clever, and quite fun to be around. As the story unfolds, she begins to play a major part in Nija’s life and in the events to follow. Then we have Serros, a quirky old guy who takes care of Nija for a while. Legends call him “a man who survived a thousand deaths.” He loves his Saphire rum too much, but when it comes to fighting, he can sober up within minutes.

I have to admit that I struggled a little with the story at first as I had several questions right off the bat. How come the ancient time was as modern as ours? What or who is the Cartographer? And what on Earth is the Crux? And how does all this relate to time-travel? However, when Nour gave a detailed explanation to Eliza before sending Nija back through time, my confusion cleared up.

The writing is near perfect. While there are some difficult and uncommon words within the pages, they are soon explained in following dialogues or descriptions. You are never left in the dark for long. The Quantum Cartographer is a well-written and properly edited book. I expected several grammatical and spelling mistakes while reading, yet I have found none, which is a rarity in a debut novel. I had a great time with this book, so I give The Quantum Cartographer 4 out of 4 stars. I can recommend it to anyone who loves science-fiction and time-travel stories with a hint of reincarnation, and to people who welcome excitement and thrill in their books.

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The Quantum Cartographer
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KitabuKizuri · Post by **KitabuKizuri** » 12 Oct 2017, 02:10

This is a fairly good review, you provide a vivid glimpse into the characters in the book and I'm sold to the interesting storyline. I'm not a fan of reading sci-fi, maybe I'd watch it in movie format. Or change my mind later.

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 12 Oct 2017, 02:12

Thanks for your comment. Actually, I forgot to mention in my review, but I'd love to see this book translated into a movie or even a sci-fi TV series. It's really visual that way.

Athena Moon · Post by **Athena Moon** » 12 Oct 2017, 05:06

I got truly hooked on the title and the cover of the book, and I made no mistake by simply reading your review! Time travel is a real classic and the book proves no wrong. The review you gave makes it sound like a juicy read expected to engage all the senses and enjoy it thoroughly. You really make it sound like perfect! Thanks, I shall include it on my list!

Mercelle · Post by **Mercelle** » 12 Oct 2017, 05:30

Sounds like a captivating story. Time travel especially in the twentieth millennium B.C is a topic I'd love to read about.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 12 Oct 2017, 07:28

It sounds quite entertaining. This is one I definitely would like to read. Thanks for the review! I'll look at it.

KeriCraven · Post by **KeriCraven** » 12 Oct 2017, 09:47

This sounds like an interesting read. I agree that I would like to see it made into a movie as well. Thank you for your review.

Star88 · Post by **Star88** » 12 Oct 2017, 16:39

I usually don't like time-traveling novels because it can get quite confusing when the author writes the same scene in multiple ways. However, from your review, this sounds like an exciting book to try.

Spirit Wandering · Post by **Spirit Wandering** » 12 Oct 2017, 18:20

I was intrigued by the title of this book and your review has definitely piqued my interest. I too enjoy books about time travel and the added element of reincarnation is a bonus. Thanks for the review!

MsTri · Post by **MsTri** » 12 Oct 2017, 18:29

I don't know how it happened, but I really felt like I was in your head while reading your review. Just as I finished thinking that it sounds Terminator-ish, you mentioned Sarah Connor and then when I was thinking that I love stories that take place back in time but have future technology - like the Star Wars series, for instance ("A long time ago") - you question that fact; how funny!

Great review, over all. I'm fully convinced and will be getting this one.

Aimy · Post by **Aimy** » 13 Oct 2017, 04:41

It seems like this story has a lot to keep the reader interested. I think, if someone travelled to our world, he would feel like he had arrived in a magic world. I wonder how it would be like to go in the past.

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 13 Oct 2017, 05:15

@Athena Moon thank you for coming by. Yes, you are absolutely right. The book engages all senses.

@Mercy Bolo the book is well worth reading, for sure.

@kandscreeley do check it out, I think you will like it.

@KeriCraven I hope at some point it will become a motion picture. Would great seeing it on the screen.

@Star88 yes, it's definitely worth checking it out.

@Spirit Wandering if you like time-travel and reincarnation stories, then this book is a must.

@MsTri oh, your comment really warmed my heart. Thank you, I was smiling all the time while reading it

@Aimy I'm pretty sure they would also think it's a world of wonders and miracles, and wonder, you are absolutely right.

mumoscar · Post by **mumoscar** » 13 Oct 2017, 23:54

Time travels are quite gripping especially in books and movies. The book sounds captivating with the action packed scenes included. Thanks for a nice review.

Sarah Immanuel · Post by **Sarah Immanuel** » 14 Oct 2017, 06:50

This book would make an interesting and a must watch TV series. Ofcourse with interesting characters.

KlareAllison · Post by **KlareAllison** » 14 Oct 2017, 07:16

2033 Nevada! Kristen Keenon's The Fisher Quantum Cartographer is a futuristic narrative where the character of Eliza Carrefour appears to drive the storyline. I think the book will make a worth-while read. Fine review, kislany!