Review
In 2085, 9-year-old Aly was summoned to the bedside of her namesake, Alyson, her grandmother. The 105-year-old Alyson is dying and had been living on a Rejuvenator the last 15 years of her life. Four generations of women sit in the room, all scientists. Aly knew that her granny wanted something from her but didn't know what; she knew she'd been preparing for a quest all her short life. Granny had written a book, "Turn of the Century." Aly had read it over and over. Her mission would have something to do with that book and with two letters that her grandmother showed her. She was told that she could not read the letters yet, the time wasn't right. Years previously, when Alyson was in the prime of her life, she was part of a particle physicist team. A photon probe was sent from the year 2108. The probe offered warnings if messing with the time space continuum a paradox could take place. Events could be altered. Five Oracles were included in the probes. The oracles were suggestions to be presented to the UN. The oracles concerned human rights, environment, multi-culturalism, international medical and organic health and militarism. At age 29 Alyson is allowed to read her grandmother's letters. Her quest is clear. She is to find Jacque. In less than four hours after meeting him, they are in love. What if we were offered a chance to redo the past? Would we heed the warnings? Would we make changes? What would we be willing to sacrifice? "Turn of the Century," by Charlie Pedersen, is a "timely" (pun intended) novel. Mr. Pedersen is an extremely talented author. The characters are well developed. Aly is a multi-dimensional character. She is brilliant and yet has a soft side. The plot is filled with intrigue, twists, suspense and romance. While there is definitely a serious statement in this plot, I also felt the author strived to lighten it with humor. A case in point is the relationship between Aly, Alyson and Jacque. I was a little intimidated when I first began reading this book. I am definitely not a "science person." But Mr. Pedersen has included Appendices that assist in defining terms and statistics to help even science challenged persons like myself to understand the theory behind the plot. To sum it up this was a fascinating book. Well done Mr. Pedersen. I highly recommend "Turn of the Century" to fans of science fiction. --
Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)
From the Publisher
Strong female and male characters in two centuries and on three continents engage in romantic intrigue with the future of the world in balance. The reader is taken into the amazing world of quantum science and it's potential, but also is confronted by the economic, human rights, environmental, multi-cultural, and militaristic imbalance that is our present time. But this is not a search for the guilty or evil doers. Our story faces you with the reality that it will take the collective will and positive action of the citizens of the earth to move from the significant state of denial and paralysis that is our times. Turn of the Century 2100 walks the reader down the path of "science faction" that path between fact and fiction that can only be traveled by the imagination. Be drawn by the story, enlightened by where quantum science is taking us, and be ready to be challenged by the realities we are facing as a human species. It's a new Century and it's our turn. you'll find that this story is all about people, good and bad, across the world and between two centuries. In 2085, nine year old Aly visits her 105 year dying great grandmother, Alyson and is told that their destinies will be linked in about 20 years. Then we return to our time and find young Alyson (yes great granny of 2085) as a budding quantum physicist in a Berkeley California science lab. When a "photon probe" from the future shows up , she begins to have an "inter-action " with Jacque, a Geneva (Switzerland) scientist from the year 2108..kind of like quantum email across the space-time continuum. When Harry Crocker from the CIA comes in to aid the science team, the making of a love quadrangle begins between Alyson, Harry, Jacque, and Aly. Then the evil doers show up headed by James T. Slaber, New York head of Withinsight (in sight from within). His international band of technology mafia engage our scientists and CIA and Interpol agents from New York, Geneva, London, Hamburg, Moscow, Beijing, and Tokyo... to try to prevent world changing directives from reaching the UN General Assembly. Behind the central cast, male and female scientists, agents, terrorists and other bad people make a colorful band of characters that take us on a global trek converging on New York City. Meanwhile, we meet Jacque, Christina, Philippe, and Gabriella in 2108 and get a taste of life in the twenty second century, how they learn how to send and receive messages through a space-time gateway in a parallel dimension, and why they are very motivated to offer a change in direction to the people of the 21st century. Then Aly shows up (remember our 9 year old in 2085?). Through our cast of characters , all of our issues are explored. You'll meet the President, dine with diplomats from all over the world, and yes there's plenty of romance, action, death, and redemption. But most of all, our benefactors from the future offer us answers and make us face the seemingly strongest force in our world, our own denial.
