Customer Reviews

Specific Impulse

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Justiz has written a first novel with the verve and nerve worthy of a long-time storyteller. Carin and Jake, the main characters, probably are like nobody you've ever met and yet they are people you quickly grow to care about. The fully drawn characters in the book, villains included, are as warm-blooded -- and cold-blooded -- as anybody you know. Justiz never uses his extensive knowledge of technology and science to show off but always and only to propel the story upward. The cleverness in the ways he uses that knowledge will keep your heart racing and may even make you smile.

What a fantastic book. Of course the movie will be a box office hit...DUH! It was so easy to read and actually very hard to put down. I would read until my lips hurt. I expecially enjoyed how each chapter brought you up to date on the characters through some detailed comment from another character so that you were always familiar with them and knew exactly what you needed to know to get the full impcact of the story line. I could hear Dr. J's expressions in so many chapters and know that the next books will only get better...if that is humanly possible. This book is so full of scientific facts and details that only someone of CJ's background could put to pen. He is not just another pretty face, he is brilliant!!! I'm about to start reading this book again...I can't wait for the next one.

Arthur Dent unexpectedly found himself on an adventure when his cottage was about to be razed to make way for a new highway, but that wasn't the worst part. Earth was also being destroyed to make way for a supergalatic highway at the same time. When he dejectedly went to the local pub and ran into Ford, fortunately for them, and us as readers of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the improbable tale began with the Improbability Drive leading the way.

In Specific Impulse, Carin and Jake do not take time for tea, romp through the universe bumping into preposterous nouns and tidbits of explanation on them, nor make us chortle, but they do take us on as hitchhiker's on their great adventure. Like Arthur, they are unexpected pilgrims through events they could never have imagined and we get to tag along. But while Mr. Dent is a lovable dolt and parity of things British, Carin and Jake have excelled at their professions of scientist and submarine commander respectively. Time and again, they must rely on all they know and have done to not get by, but to survive.

Carin's science is key to how the characters race through the novel, but she is docent to Jake and us as readers to help explain what is going on. Tenacious, tough, and determined, she is a decided loner, which is coincidentally the same words we can use to describe Jake. These are unlikely traits for characters you come to love, and who discover they are incomplete without the other, but there it is. You grow wildly enamored with them. As it should be when you are a hitchhiker to their great adventure.

Specific Impulse is great fun, a captivating read, and extremely well written. But the most important thing in this wonderful first novel by Charles Justiz is the last sentence. With this simple construct, Justiz makes it absolutely clear that we insist on more. We see one view of this story, but there are others that we crave to know, about other characters. And having become enamored with Carin and Jake, and they apparently with each other, we insist on finding out where they go next.

I have my thumb out to hitch rides on the prequel and sequel episodes. Hop on Specific Impulse now to be ready to join us.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS A FIRST TIME AUTHOR!

This is a well written, believable work of science fiction that captivated me from the first chapter.

You feel as though you know the characters personally and end up really caring about what happens to them.

The coolest part (aside from the story NEVER stalling) is the fact that Fred, Jake and Carin can easily sequel into a 2nd book filled with intergalactic adventure and intrique that we can only hope the author is writing as we speak...

I can't wait to see the movie!

I read a lot of books and a good portion of those are Sci-Fi and Fantasy. It was refreshing to read a book that didn't have the same plot as all the others on my shelves! This was completely unique compared to the other books I've read and I really enjoyed seeing where the characters were going to take me next. I found myself staying up much later than I planned to read just one more chapter :) Both my husband and I enjoyed reading this book and recommend giving it a read to anyone who enjoys Sci-Fi. I look forward to Justiz's next book!

I downloaded Specific Impulse to my Kindle as a Sample. I wanted to see if the book was as good as the reviews. It was and it blew my socks off! I downloaded the rest of it and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to find out what happens in the 2nd book of the trilogy. Hurry up, CJ and get that book finished.

The twists and turns of this sci-fi have sparked a new interest in this genre for me. Like others with busy schedules, I haven't found a lot of time to read, but I found I couldn't put this book down! Now I'll be anxiously awaiting the second of this trilogy to find out the fates of Carin, Jake, Fred....and Crubari. Thanks Charles for a great read!

I was made aware of Charles Justiz's book through Peter Shankman's HARO notification. His short intro immediately peaked my curiosity about the book. From there I visited CJ's website and was intrigued... I had to get the book! It is great fun for the sic-fi fan, offers great, real science (and military) details and best of all, it hooks you a few pages in! A page turner from start to finish, a really good first novel... With character and style growth as you progress through the story. I truly look forward to CJ's next book... Which BETTER be a sequel! I'm sure that is what Fred would do!

PS Charles and Danya have done some great promotions to build excitement for the release and to encourage reviews. I was one of the winners of their release contest, but I must say, that did not influence my interest in the book... I would have ordered it regardless! And so glad I did!

Bought Specific Impulse for my husband for Father's Day. I was just going to read the first couple of pages but couldn't put it down. Had to be very careful to not crease the pages before I gave it to hubby!! Fabulous book - like others, can't wait for the sequel.

I picked up the book after I saw the reccomendation from Dayna on Facebook. I got thru the first 100 pages or so, before my wife took it over. She can't put it down either. But now I have to wait til she finishes it (for the 2nd time).