Annihilation has a way of following some people.Infinity and Desmond are bridgers, sworn to protect travelers to alternate versions of Earth. But now their own Earth has been destroyed, and they have a new task—protecting a small community of fellow refugees who managed to escape to a world teeming with giant arthropods. Stranded there, they’ve gradually managed to etch out a fulfilling … managed to etch out a fulfilling existence. But it seems nothing good can ever last.
Infinity and Desmond’s hopes of living out their lives in peace are shattered when their old friend Armando inexplicably bridges to their world. Armando’s arrival triggers a devastating series of events and forces the bridgers and their fellow refugees to leave their new home. After narrowly escaping, they find themselves entangled in a cruel game, a trial to decide humankind’s worth. The rules of the game are unclear, but the stakes are high—the annihilation of billions of people.
Caught up in an impossible dilemma, on a world populated by extraordinary sentient creatures, Infinity and Desmond discover the limits of what they are willing to do for their species—and for each other.
Don’t miss this fifth book in the thrilling science fiction Bridgers series!
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The author’s love of nature and vivid imagination is what makes his books so interesting. You never know what familiar creature will be transformed into either a startling friend or foe – each depicting an aspect of human nature that may be positive or negative depending upon your own perspective. Thus, Bridgers 5 raises a critical question: Do all cultures deserve to survive?
The surviving colonists from an alternate version of earth are once again faced with devastation, combat and the unknown. Different alternate worlds have different capabilities and life styles. Is independence, balance and peace even achievable? If you like well-written, futuristic, wildly adventurous and thought-provoking novels, then, you will enjoy taking the journey with these Bridgers.
Is this the final chapter? Only Stan C. Smith knows but he does leave the door open to more interesting stories and characters.
I received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I really enjoyed reading. The storyline is very well written and keeps you interested throughout. I had a hard time putting this book down. Stan C. Smith is a great author and I highly recommend his books. (I received this book as an arc and am leaving a voluntary honest review)
What an adventure!
This fantastic, unique and immersive series is quite unlike anything else around – and all the better for that.
Kudos to the Author for having the breadth and richness of imagination to create such a world and universal times lines with an original plot that has been carefully thought out and one that takes the reader on an incredible journey.
Thrilling, exciting introduction to new beings and species, the story is presented in such a way that turning the page becomes instant – you never know where the plot is going with the well executed unpredictable twists.
The development of the characters is so detailed and complete that you feel you have known them all your life. Infinity is still strong and determined as ever, and with her partner, their friend Gideon and team of marines, face a different trial. Can humanity be saved from extinction?
Stan C. Smith has created an utterly original lush and cohesive series inhabited by different and multi-dimensional characters, that we have come to care about (even the minor ones) all the more so as the plot unfolds.
Intricately woven where you cannot predict what will happen, where it will happen or how it will happen holds the tension for quite a while as you follow along with the story in this non-stop, fast paced, action packed adventure.
I look forward to reading the sixth and final book in the series.
Recommended!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Liked the alternate world ideas a lot. Characters are very easy to get involved with as well. The creatures attributes are fascinating. The idea of Bridging is one that holds much promise. Great book!
Firstly, this picky reader loves this author, and has high expectations for all his books. If you have read any of the Bridgers series, and I highly reccomend you do, you will know that each book is well written, and filled with fast-paced excitement from start to finish. In this manner, Bridgers 5 did not dissapoint.
That being said, this it was less than amazing. It felt disjointed, and three segmented, the middle segment seemingly tossed in to maintain the theme of the previous novels. Whilst Stan Smith is known for his imaginative, and descriptive other-worldly creatures, I found these to be much too bland, and lacking diversity. Even so, I am eagerly looking forward to the next, and possibly final segment of the series.
Note: Bridgers 5 can be read as a standalone, but is best as a part of the series.
*I received an advance copy in return for an unbiased review.
The Bridgers 5 was the best of them all. The characters were the same and you knew what they would do if you had read the other books. Stan is a super writer and makes the words come to life in your mind. If I could, I would give it 6 stars. There is not much left to say except that I know you will enjoy this book. It would help if you read the full series from start to finish.
It’s so good! Stan C. Smith had really outdone himself with this book. I think it’s the best one so far, of the serie. His words are sharp, spot on, kerps you in suspense, makes you read until late at night. Read the setie and judge for yourself.
I have read all of the Bridgers series and this one let me down. I had a hard time staying with it until the last chapter. Then it got interesting and I wanted more. I just thought Infinity deserved more than lemurs, even though they were intelligent and strong. The story line was ok. Would have liked to have seen more adventure for Infinity and Desmond. It sounds like the next one will give it to me. Curious to see what the new planet has to offer and if it is what Infinity and Desmond and group wanted. Sorry Stan!
Stan Smith has gone it again! The Bridgers series has been one of my favorites, it’s so unique and full of adventure. The concept of multiple universal timelines and their potential for diverse life forms is the basis for the Bridgers adventures. Many are mutations or the advanced evolution of creatures found today. You never know what creatures and cultures the Bridgers will face when bridging to a new timeline. The characters are so rich and well developed, you easily get sucked into their world and enjoy following them on their adventures. The bonds and relationships between the Bridgers and other team members is what makes the stories so endearing but without being shallow and sappy, just true human emotions based on their seemingly never ending attempts at survival. This book in particular had some great surprises and unexpected twists. I’m anxiously awaiting the next book but will be disappointed to have the series end.
Non-stop pulse-pounding adventure! Bridgers 5: The Trial of Extinction delivers in every way! Without a doubt, Stan C. Smith’s fifth book in his Bridgers’ series is the best book I have read all summer despite the fact that I just finished reading two New York Times best-selling books. In addition to the robust storyline filled with well-executed plot twists, I adore the strong female character, Infinity, who can out-think and outfight any opponent in any situation. Infinity along with her partner, Desmond, and their friend, Gideon, bridge out with a team of marines. However, this bridging is different—it is a trial that could cause the extinction of humankind. Once you start reading this book, you won’t be able to put it down.
Wow! One surprise after another! This series keeps surprising me! In each book, Stan C. Smith dreams up new and unexpected plot twists to keep me on the edge of my seat. I truly love this series, and look forward to each new book. And this in a series I didn’t think I would like based on the series premise I read before I read the first book. I mainly started that first book due to my enjoyment of Mr. Smith’s other works, despite my initial reaction when I read the premise. I am so glad I gave the first Bridgers book a chance. Now I just have to wait for Bridgers 6 to find out what is in store for us next.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review. I have read all the books in this series and this book was great. I enjoyed reading about Infinity and the adventures of bridging to other worlds.
From the first sentence of Bridgers 5: The Trial of Exctinction you’re on a bullet train of action and suspense that doesn’t stop racing along until the very last page. Infinity, Desmond and a select few others are in a fight to save their newest world and everyone on it from extinction. In order to do this, they must prove to a new race of creatures that they do not intend to use the bridging knowledge unwisely. But playing by this races rules is a puzzle because Infinity and Desmond have no idea what “unwisely” means to them. And, too, after being bridged to another alien world which threatens their lives yet again, how do they survive in this world and prove their home world deserves to survive? It’s a race against time without an instruction manual and a seemingly blood thirsty puppet master pulling the strings!! For Stan Smith fans this is a must read. For new readers, DEFINITELY read this series from book 1…you don’t want to miss ANYTHING!!
This is my 3rd Bridgers book and they just keep getting better. Love the characters who can repeatedly face the unknown and win.
Surprise! There is a unique storyline after Bridgers 4 – prepare to explore. Well written, great characters… I love this series!
Keep your hands and feet inside the car because you’re in for a wild ride! Just when Infinity and the rest of her bridged colony are settling in all Hell breaks loose and Infinity and Desmond are dragged back into bridging. If they don’t bridge and pass the tests of another species what’s left of the human race will perish. Fast paced and action packed!
This is a great series. It grabs you and takes you on a wild ride thru time, space and possibilities. Through out the series you have been asked, What if? Now you are asking the question Why? Every story is exciting and the adventures are edge of your seat reading. I wouldn’t miss out on this if I were you !
Great story; excellent finale to the series (or is it really the finale?) Keeps you breathlessly on the edge of your seat! An advanced species is not happy with the new bridging technique Armando developed & punishes worlds with extreme prejudice. Can Infinity and Desmond save the world this time?
Earth’s demise occurred as an after-effect of humans discovering and using alien technology from those they called the Outlanders. The technology allowed earth inhabitants to bridge (i.e., transport) to alternate but parallel earths. For some reason, however, the adverse effect of the planet’s eventual destruction was never revealed to them until it was too late. Billions of earth’s inhabitants died with the planet’s demise. However, thousands were saved when they bridged to an inhabitable alternate earths.
Infinity, Desmond, her partner and lover, and twenty of earth survivors are now pleasantly living on an alternate earth for over a year now. However, it appears that this planet is beginning to collapse like their home planet earth did. As the devastation (tornadoes, wild storms with winds able to knock people down) all of the group continues a trek to a bridging site – the place where came to this planet. Then they bridge to another alternate earth.
Almost immediately, a group of three off-world species arrive. Their representative, a female they call Kitty, tells everyone that they earthlings had violated a rule imposed by the Outlanders and the they are here to give “consequences” for their actions. Their meaning? – is the destruction of all inhabitants on their planet.
After a short discussion, the earthlings convinced Kitty to give them a test; if they past the test, then all of the inhabitant will be saved. If no, it’s goodbye to all! So Kitty transports Infinity, Desmond, a few civilians, and a squad of armed marine escorts to another alternate earth. Then things get very surreal as they find members of what appear to be intelligent new species approaching them.
Follow Infinity, Desmond, and the others as they do their best to convince Kitty and her friends that humans on this earth are worthy enough to remain alive!
Captivating and terrific books that are scintillating! Stan C. Smith has once again totally snagged me! An explosive and visceral premise with the most terrifying and original scenarios. The shocking and exhilarating new installment had me turning the pages late into the night. Mr. Smith has cleverly surrounded his protagonist withbelievable characters, providing a powerful continuity to each paragraph, extraordinary detail, and a tension that grows until the climactic end. A tour-de-force…one of the scariest and bleakest tales I can remember. I already want to read book #6!