Waking up in a strange house, with no memory of how or why he is there, Stuart Milton finds his life has changed beyond recognition. His pregnant wife is missing, but his only living relative, his brother, is incapable of substantiating his claim. Lost in a world of confusion that is spiralling out of his control, Stuart finds temporary salvation in a psychiatrist assigned to his case. Meanwhile, … Meanwhile, peculiar events across the world lead a team of Oxford scientists to develop top secret technology that will change the future of humanity. Betrayed by double agents, the race to control this technology endangers the lives of all involved, which unwittingly includes Stuart and his psychiatrist. This enthralling journey takes Stuart to the edge of sanity, culminating in an unparalleled climax of kidnapping, betrayal and murder.
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This book terrified me. I’m sure Smith didn’t intend for this to be the case, but I would hate to be in Milton’s position. In this day and age, we are always cautious about ‘big-brother’, and the concepts covered in ‘unparalleled’ had me uncomfortable and on the edge of my seat. As the story unfolds, the bigger picture at play is a harrowing account of conspiracy within the system. Smith’s character’s are strong and each play an important role in what culminates to be an exciting and unpredictable ending. I could really see this book making a great sci-fi TV series.
Unparalleled by D. S. Smith
Interesting read and just what I needed as I’ve been binge watching Vikings and need to get away from them for a bit.
This one starts out with Stuart and he’s confused as to where he is, his house, his pregnant wife, etc. Nothing is making sense to him even after talking to his brother David.
He gets help from a psychiatrist and she’s tried to help him piece the missing parts together-no one at the museum where Laureen works even know her…
Interesting concept of the unexplained black spots on weather tracking satellites-could happen I suppose….Reminds me so much of the twilight zone as the scenes that the cops and others come across just can’t be explained…
Other events around the world are going awry also, lots of high technology and things above my comprehension but they are making sense that this could totally happen in the world today.
One explanation is quantum earthholes…like how they plan to send Stuart back with the DNA implanted and he knows what he has to do with it…
Very detailed transformation and I worry what he will find at the end of the journey. Very scientific believable read.
Enjoyed the book and the subject.
Received this review copy from the author via the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
This book is a thrilling science fiction novel that makes you question sanity right along with the main character, Stuart Milton. Emotions in this book run high as Stuart strives to solve the mystery of his missing wife and why no one seems to believe him. I found this to be a gripping tale. Author D. S. Smith pulled me into this book with the mysteries and conspiracies that abound. They are also an exceptional writer, which makes this book that much harder to put down once you have started. I really enjoy reading sci-fi, and this book felt unique in the genre in a way that kept me engaged and guessing on what would happen next. I would definitely recommend checking this book out.
Unparalleled by D.S. Smith is the author’s first novel, however it shines with provocative writing and an interesting story line. A scary prologue open things up nicely and sets a creepy tone for the balance of the book. Things are upside down in Stuart Milton’s life. Stuart is the lead character and to say he is confused is an understatement. He wakes in a strange bed, and seems to have forgotten events of the previous evening. He does know he is married, and his wife is pregnant. At least he thinks he knows these things. This is where the parallel universe aspect comes in, has he been living a different life? This is compelling writing, capturing your imagination, pulling you forward in the story. The author writes with a sense of clarity, yet keeps the reader guessing and on edge until the end. Gripping, with a great science fiction edge, this book is not only entertaining, but will challenge everything you take for granted. Throw in some technology, double agents, and more, this book is highly recommended for something different from the usual science fiction.
Unparalleled is a well-written story with plenty of turns and twists. As an avid sci-fi reader, I found this book to be very interesting. The book starts with an incredible prologue, which is not only captivating but also sets the tone of the story. The storyline itself is incredible. DS Smith has written a compelling and entertaining story that has commendable clarity.
Stuart Milton, the lead character, wakes up in a strange house perplexed and with no memory of how he got there. He knows that he has a pregnant wife though she is missing now. Stuarts is assigned to a psychiatrist. A team of scientists from Oxford invents a technology that will affect humanity’s future. Double agents betray them. The technology puts the lives of all involved, including Stuart and psychiatrist, on the line. What follows is kidnapping, murder and betrayals.
It is absolutely a page-turner that will keep you reading and looking forward to what happens next. Add in conspiracies and technology, and you have a lovely read that is far much different than the usual science fiction. I recommend it.
In a parallel world people and places would be the same, but in Unparalleled by D. S. Smith things are similar with just a twist. Stuart Milton wakes up one morning and finds he is in the wrong house and he can’t find his pregnant wife, Lauren. Dave, his brother, is confused when Stu insists on finding Lauren and everyone must be playing a trick on him. Stuart was just one of the many people who are sucked into a void and spit out naked, bewildered, and totally a different person. Someone out there has the answers, but is he willing to set things straight, or will he even want to?
I found Unparalleled thought provoking and intriguing. D. S. Smith provides a warped world where not everything is the same for Stuart Milton. He is adamant about his life though there is evidence it never happened. The author adds events that make everyone puzzled about Stu, my favorite is his missing tattoo. While reading this science fiction thriller, it isn’t hard to put yourself in Stuart’s situation and wonder what you would do. Unique plot with a distorted world, very captivating story.
Author DS Smith appears to be making a publishing debut with UNPARALLELED and offers no biographical information that usually assists the reader in appreciating the background for a novel. There are suggestions in the writing that he is British…
A signal that a novel that is classified as a science fiction story will be credible enough to involve the reader is the curtain raising Prologue, and Smith has already mastered this entre: ‘He regained consciousness to the distant sound of pass¬ing cars. Every few minutes, starting off quiet, gradually getting louder and fading away again. He opened his eyes, squinting against the early morning sun that shone low through the fence. The fence surrounding him with tall iron bars curved at the top and tipped with ends like spears. He had no idea where he was or how he had gotten there but it all looked vaguely familiar, like he should recognise it but could not. He remembered falling. Falling forward into darkness, spinning and tumbling as he fell. No sound, no light, just falling. And the sickness, he remembered the sickness in his stomach. He felt it now. He leaned over and retched but nothing came out. With some effort he pushed himself up onto his knees and onto his feet. His head throbbed and he felt dizzy but he managed to stay standing. He heard another car pass by in the distance. Where the hell am I, he thought? And why am I naked? He covered his genitals with his hands as he turned to look for a way out but the fence stretched all the way around, stopping only when it met with a large stone building. The wall of the building was completely flat and as tall as the fence so there was no way he could climb out. As he approached the building he noticed there were two hatchways cut into the wall, each blocked by a metal gate. Perhaps one of these would offer a way out. He approached one of the gates. There were two handles at the bottom suggesting the gate either swung outwards or lifted upwards. He took hold of the handles and lifted. At first there was considerable resistance and he thought he was not going to be able to lift it. But the gate clicked twice and shot up under its own inertia. Before he had chance to register what was happening, two huge paws struck him at shoulder height and knocked him to the ground. He felt an immense pressure on his chest which pinned him to the floor. He heard a deafening roar and felt hot, foul breath on his face. The last thing he saw was the gaping smile of the devil in front of his eyes revealing teeth the size of pitchfork prongs.’
Writing of this quality makes the incredible more credible, and that is the sign of a successful foray into the unknown. The synopsis captures the essence of the story: ‘Waking up in a strange house, with no memory of how or why he is there, Stuart Milton finds his life has changed beyond recognition. His pregnant wife is missing, but his only living relative, his brother, is incapable of substantiating his claim. Lost in a world of confusion that is spiraling out of his control, Stuart finds temporary salvation in a psychiatrist assigned to his case. Meanwhile, peculiar events across the world lead a team of Oxford scientists to develop top secret technology that will change the future of humanity. Betrayed by double agents, the race to control this technology endangers the lives of all involved, which unwittingly includes Stuart and his psychiatrist. This enthralling journey takes Stuart to the edge of sanity, culminating in an unparalleled climax of kidnapping, betrayal and murder.’
Welcome to the literary scene, DS Smith, your qualifications are assured!