Book – A World Between

A World Between – Robert M. Herzog (2016 – The Story Plant) – Pieces of the world are disappearing, leaving only blank places that seem to call to people’s minds.  Through some governmental manipulation, the United Nations Science Missions gets handed the problem.  The small team that is assembled to initially take on the question of just what is happening will find their lives, and perhaps the world itself, changed forever.

I will confess upfront that I knew I was in trouble when the writer decided to pursue a more “hard science” kind of science fiction.  I struggle with a lot the esoteric ideas in science.  Consequently, when those details have to be discussed, the storytelling breaks down for this reader.  It’s not that Herzog overloads the book with that stuff (A World Between is a very comfy 324 pages), but I lose interest quickly.  The upside is that he is a writer of solid ability, so I picked back up quickly after the science bits.

This novel takes on fractals, quantum physics, the question of the Divine, and even tosses a little romance into an “end of the world” thriller.  Add to that the author’s love of language, resulting in writing that reaches towards the literary.   It’s a huge vision and I credit Herzog for going for it.

The problem for me is that he only manages 80-85% of any of them.  Now 80-85% of a great idea is still a lot better than much of what is floating around out there right now.  It just left me with a feeling that I never quite got to finish.  Characters that were just a little shy of being fully fleshed out, relationships that just aren’t quite completely defined, issues that are allowed to slide by without getting the full attention they deserve.

Here’s an example – when the “villain” is “identified” (no spoiler here), all they really have done is trace the cause back to a specific place.  No further investigation is done about what that person may be doing at the moment.  They are the villain and let’s move on.  Of all the characters shorted by lack of development, that one gets it the worst (OK, maybe the one who appears for a total of three and a third pages, just so he can die might have a better claim.  Doesn’t seem to serve any purpose.  No back story.  And then he’s dead).

Given the enormity of the concepts Herzog is wrestling with it is disappointing not to have so many things left short of wholeness.  The idea that the human mind/spirit may have an influence on the development of pivotal new ways of seeing the world is great stuff.  The bringing together of quantum physics and spirituality/philosophy has great potential too.

Finally, a prediction.  Herzog is planning (maybe already writing) a sequel.  Let’s put it this way, He better be.  Otherwise, his ending is crap.  The final sentence was the perfect culmination of a book that never quite brings it all together.

There is much to like here.  And a sequel could be very interesting.

A World Between hits the shelves May 24, 2016

What I Liked About It – Herzog pushes everything onto the table with this one.  I like the breadth of his vision.

What You Will Like About It – This isn’t every other book you’ve ever read.  It will offer you some new and interesting challenges with relatable characters.

Rating – *** Worth A Look

This review was based on an Advance Reader Copy from The Story Plant.  Please see my policy on reviews HERE