Monkey Trap (Nova Sapiens, Book 1) [Paperback]

Lee Denning (Author)

Book Description

Series: Nova Sapiens | Publication Date: November 2004

Lara and John are given the incredible powers of the next stage of human evolution by two alien visitors. One wants to help the human race fulfill its potential, to transition into the Nova sapiens state. The other wants to use those powers to return the race to a more primitive state of mindlessness and darkness, to assert its power. But which is which? The human protagonists' identities are concealed from each other, and they are set on a collision course to death and destruction.

Thus begins an intricate psychodrama and a furious battling chase in which John and Lara have to penetrate induced alien falsehoods, rely on their inner strengths, and relinquish power in favor of love. If they are to survive. If the human race is to survive.

This story takes place today, in familiar places. It launches from the current cutting edges of knowledge about human development and consciousness. Slight twists from this state suspend disbelief, and embedded mysticism creates a powerful undercurrent.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...I have not often seen such an evocative presentation... of both the science and the philosophy..." -- Dr. Roger Nelson, Director, Global Consciousness Project

"...Make time to read this one! You'll not be disappointed." -- Bill Tellefsen for Fictional Worlds of Fantasy, SciFi & Mythology

"...convincing characters and compellingly paced plot ...sf adventure that combines hard science, mysticism, and alien contact. For most libraries." -- Library Journal (the Sci Fi column by Jackie Cassada)

"...the dialogue, action and scenes in Monkey Trap are compelling." -- Connecticut Law Tribune, September 27, 2004

"...well drawn characters and a wealth of detail. ...A great read." -- Annette Gisby, editor of Twisted Tales.

"This is an immensely exciting SF thriller..." -- Dr. Bob Rich, author of "Sleeper Awake"

"they weave together mythology, fantasy, religious theory, scientific fact, and fantastic, imaginative speculation into a roller coaster adventure of possibility." -- Charlene Austin August 2004 for Writers and Readers Network

From the Publisher

Lara and John are given the incredible powers of the next stage of human evolution by two alien visitors. One wants to help the human race fulfill its potential, to transition into the Nova sapiens state. The other wants to use those powers to return the race to a more primitive state of mindlessness and darkness, to assert its power. But which is which? The human protagonists’ identities are concealed from each other, and they are set on a collision course to death and destruction.

Thus begins an intricate psychodrama and a furious battling chase in which John and Lara have to penetrate induced alien falsehoods, rely on their inner strengths, and relinquish power in favor of love. If they are to survive. If the human race is to survive.

This story takes place today, in familiar places. It launches from the current cutting edges of knowledge about human development and consciousness. Slight twists from this state suspend disbelief, and embedded mysticism creates a powerful undercurrent.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 423 pages
• Publisher: Twilight Times Books (November 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193120134X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931201346
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,641,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lee Denning is a composite novelist persona, a father-daughter team. Denning has been a soldier, scientist, engineer and entrepreneur. The Connecticut resident recently sold his environmental consulting firm, and now uses his extensive technical background to plot and underpin their stories. Leanne is a psychologist, poet and mystic. The California resident is busily turning her passion for words and ideas into metaphysical and psychodramatic content for their stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific science fiction, May 1, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monkey Trap (Nova Sapiens, Book 1) (Paperback)

At the Goddard Space Flight Center, the staff observes a fight between aircrafts in outer space, which end with both objects plunging toward earth. One crashes in Columbia and the other in Washington DC. Officially the government claims space debris.

In Columbia, Black Ops drug lord assassin Captain John Jacob Connard takes a bullet during a jungle fight and lies near death in a cave until an entity somehow enters his body. John quickly learns to heal himself and to use other telepathic powers. For saving his life, his symbiotic partner demands John kill the enemy who will destroy all living beings on earth unless stopped.

FBI Agent Lara Ellen Picard rides her bike when a bee flies into her mouth stinging her several times. Struggling for air she stumbles off the path and is near death below the biking path until an entity somehow enters her body. Lara quickly learns to heal herself and to use other telepathic powers. For saving her life, her symbiotic partner demands Lara kill the enemy who will destroy all living beings on earth unless stopped.

MONKEY TRAP is a terrific science fiction starring two humans who become the battle armor for aliens at war. Readers will wonder who the evil species is as the evidence is cleverly designed so that the audience keeps switching perspective to include one or the other, both and even neither. The father-daughter team Dennng opens the Nova Sapiens trilogy with an exciting, fast-paced thriller that keeps fans on the edge of their seats wondering who contains the potentially pandemic killer.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great Book, October 12, 2005

By 

T. Kacy (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monkey Trap (Nova Sapiens, Book 1) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading this book. Once I got started, it was hard to put the book down, especially towards the end and the culmination of events. The novel is categorized science fiction, but rarely there is such a deep spiritual and philosophical theme found within this genre. The topic of the evolution of a species and its consciousness was interesting. The book isn't merely a traditional aliens-invade-the earth-the humans-must fight-them, but instead pulls out questions about our own possibilities we can open up to, as well as our own demons we must fight. There are many different themes intertwined inside the story, some of them more scientific and concrete and some of them more mystical and imaginative, which is great combination, and keeps the feet of the story firmly on the ground while its head is in the couds.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only for Science Fiction fans, March 8, 2005

By 

Cary (Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Trap (Nova Sapiens, Book 1) (Paperback)

I have read few science fiction books in my life (my field is modern languages) but this one certainly got me involved from the first few lines. Once I accepted the necessary "suspension of disbelief" the story seemed highly plausible...and even possible. The occasional difficulty I had with some unfamiliar scientific/philosophical terms did not lessen the enjoyment. I got caught up in the imagery, the suspense and the psychology of the characters, who I found well-developed and coherent. I had to find out: would the two lovers John and Lara save themselves from committing a terrible mistake? Would good triumph over evil, reason over instinct? It was a compelling read to the end.