Hotdog pilot Marcus Powell has been chosen to test Taurus Enterprises' prototype craft Crossline and its newly developed warp thrusters. But during the flight something goes incredibly wrong, forcing Powell into a parallel universe.
Soon after he lands on that strangely altered Earth, Powell reluctantly teams up with a trigger happy rebel leader, a pot-smoking shaman, a crafty pie-maker, and a weary solider who hates his guts -- all to survive an epic battle he may have been destined for all along!
Meanwhile, back home, reclusive oil tycoon and Taurus CEO Buddy Rheams Jr. -- who sent Powell on that very mission -- has a mysterious past and a secret agenda, one that could prevent Powell from ever making it back to wife and little girl.
From author Russ Colchamiro, CROSSLINE is the exciting tale of two ambitious men -- and two mirror worlds -- linked across time and space in a way neither of them could ever have imagined. Because once you've crossed the line, can you ever really go back?
For the CROSSLINE book trailer, visit: youtu.be/mJ8fey7_4VA
Fantastic!
Hold onto your hats sci-fi lovers. Crossline is a fantastic epic, with many memorable characters. In fact, it's convinced me that my work-in-progress needs lots more. I now have Russ to thank for all the late nights that's going to generate.
The story starts when Marcus Powell sets out to fly Crossline, the most powerful, elegant, and sophisticated spacecraft known to man. The engines, based on the Hunsucker's relative isolation theory of quantum physics, propels him through space at seven times the speed of light. Yikes!
The engine works, but that's where the problems start. I won't spoil any of the story, and leave it to you to follow the twists and turns. Lets just say the story comes full-circle - or is it a figure of eight - and propels the reader along at a rate not far short of the speed of light?
I forgot to mention, whilst Crossline is not overtly a comical novel, some of the scenes are hilarious due to the characters involved. Watch out for...oh, just read it for yourself!
A scintillating sci-fi full of remarkable imaginative vision and humorous clichés!
Once you have crossed the line can you ever go back?I myself am trapped in an extraordinary parallel universe; a mirror image of another world that's linked through time and space. With flashes of brilliance {akin to Doctor Who}, Russ Colchamiro remains true to the typical science-fiction genre while adding a sprinkling of satirical humor. In parts I felt like I was experiencing an epic Star Wars novel being read to me by T. Pratchett {the true master of outlandish wit}, and yet the author's distinctive style shone through.
Crossline is a highly readable, explosive out-of-this-world adventure in space that keeps you sat in suspense. I loved the dry humor and `light' tone to the story, which essentially I would call a sci-fi comedy, containing a cast of colourful characters who are individually unforgettable in their own way. Fabulously fun and fast-paced this thrilling, riveting read brings life exploring the universe in spaceships vividly to life on the page.
I would highly recommend this to avid readers of the genre including those `hard-core' fans of science fiction, although I would heed caution, as there are some spiritual elements to Russ' book. Crossline is a story that lingers within your mind long after being read, which I feel is a definitive sure-fire sign of a sensational story! This space adventure{about a space pilot getting forced through a wormhole and into a parallel universe}is a light, enjoyable entertaining read; hence I shall be seeking out more of this author's work in the future.
{Note - contains some strong language and intense situations. Not for young readers}.
A reminder of Why I Love Sci-Fi
Seeing as it's a whole new year and everything, I decided to start 2014 off on a new note for myself. While I have always been a fan of science fiction and fantasy, I can honestly say that it's been a long time since I read something that is firmly planted in the realm of science fiction.
When Russ Colchamiro asked if I would read and review Crossline, I almost turned him down, but something about this story intrigued me into agreeing. I am incredibly happy that I trusted my gut about it. In just a few short chapters, I was hooked.
The tale in Crossline is simple, but complex. An oxymoron, I know, but it makes sense. At the heart of all the wormhole, space travel, and alternate reality complexities, is a simple tale of two men and their struggle to get home.
Colchamiro takes his readers from world to world and even into the past to tell this story. Marcus Powell takes off in a ship in the modern time to test a new technology in space only to end up going through a wormhole and into a world that ends up being almost a fun-house mirror reflection of the world he left. Marcus finds himself stranded in a world that is at war with itself - but it's a strangely familiar world. But it seems as though this was where that space flight was meant to end up when prophets and prophecies proclaim he was destined to arrive.
Meanwhile back on Earth, the man who sent Marcus on that flight has a mysterious past and an agenda all his own. These two brave men and their tales are a fascinating glimpse into the human psyche. What would you do if you found yourself stranded not just across a the world from your loved ones and people, but stranded on a whole different world? And the women in this story? They may not be the title characters, but their strength and resolve seem to be what pushes the men to do what they must to find their ways.
Crossline takes the reader on a roller-coaster of hope, fear, wonder and joy, but at the end of the ride, you're more than willing to get right back on.
Colchamiro has re-introduced me to my love of true sci-fi - the sci-fi of my childhood - of Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly and all those other things people say can never happen, but I know just might.
