Earthside

Maybe I was in a bad mood, but I wasn't impressed with my first read of this. Seemed to be shallow? Then I reread it on a whim and found myself having a great time. On my third reread I have to admit that my initial impression was wrong. This whole series is a good time and the book extends the story in a satisfying way. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Book number two of a two book science fiction apocalyptic series. I read the well printed and well bound POD (print on demand) trade paperback published by the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency in 2023. I really hope that there will be a book three in the series. Basically in the first book, a group of college students invent a trans-dimensional device and start exploring a parallel Earth that does not have humans on it. The author's description of the wandering Smilodons is unnerving. Then the Yellowstone Super Volcano blows up back on their home Earth. The first book pays very serious homage to _Wildside_ by Stephen Gould. It mentions the book in the story a couple of times. The second book starts a couple of months after the Yellowstone Super Volcano exploded, covering the entire planet with ash. Basically, the entire northern hemisphere of Earth is trashed with a severe population crash of over 90%. The southern hemisphere of Earth is very damaged too from all the volcano particles in the troposphere. Global cooling and crop damage mean starvation across the planet. The 400 people living in Rivendell on Outland have not had it easy but at least they have clean air, clean water, and plenty of food. The recent failed revolution was an eye opener as to what lengths people will go to get their way with several deaths and many injuries. Plus the roaming Mastodons, giant sloths, dire wolfs, and Smilodons make any trip outside the fence line dangerous. There are six trans-dimensional gates from human sized to truck sized and many people gate back to Earth daily to scavenge what they can from the Lincoln, Nebraska area. Many of the buildings in Lincoln have collapsed due to the weight of the ash and snow so the pickings are starting to get fairly slim. And the gate electronics need maintenance but those materials came from Omaha so an expedition is needed. And more refugees are found to move across a gate to Outland. And other Earths have found, Dinosaur Earth and Greenhouse Earth, both very dangerous places to go to. I really enjoy the author's writing style. Short chapters and continuously changing points of view. Also his books do not take themselves too seriously. My rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (I could be persuaded to go 5 stars)

Both Outland and Earthside provide a wonderful sense of possibilities for further exploration and adventure in this alternate Earth series.

great read, could happen anytime in today's world!