Wrathworld: A Science Fiction Novel [Paperback]

Thomas Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2002

Wrathworld takes place under the domes of Mars, where a moralistic government provides recreational cyber-realities for its citizens to escape from their crowded, repressive world. Foster Grey is a middle aged man forced by circumstances to traverse these alternative "worlds" to rescue his Virtual family lovely young wife, two kidsfrom Wrathworld, where Real World preds are authorized to vent their frustrations by committing acts of violence. To save his family, Foster must reach Wrathworld through the side doors of the cyber-realities pursued by the Morality Police (think Taliban). Along the way, he walks on the sea with Jesus Christ; falls into erotic-romantic encounters with beautiful, scheming women; and fights an ultimate, high-tech battle with the help of a virtual John Wayne. There is also a vast, underground complex of great antiquity, and an ancient silicon genie who might be the key to powers beyond imagination.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Henry Quell is a retired Army officer who flew helicopters in Vietnam, for which he twice received the Distinguished Flying Cross. A former high school English teacher and graduate of the University of Idaho, Quell also holds a Master's degree in theology and has staged an unsuccessful run for the Georgia House of Representatives. This is his first published novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595260403
• ISBN-13: 978-0595260409
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,001,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Sexy, Fast-Paced: The Matrix Meets Beh Hur, January 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Wrathworld: A Science Fiction Novel (Paperback)

One of the best Sci-Fi books I've ever read. Wrathworld is a story about a middle-aged guy named Foster Grey who lives under a domed city on Mars in the future. The citizens have a Taliban kind of government, but they get to escape into virtual realities worlds after work every day. Foster has designed himself this hot young "Virt" wife and programmed them with two kids, but when he gets fired from his job his Virt family is confiscated and sent to Wrathworld. This is the virtual reality world where you can go in and raise hell...kill the virtual humans, burn down buildings, generally run wild. The super-moralistic government says it reduces tensions to let your wild side out in Warthworld. Foster has to go into Wrathworld to rescue his wife and kids, and he has to get there by going through side doors in adjacent realities. So, he walks on the sea with Jesus in one reality; he has an orgy in a "paradise" world. He fights his way to Wrathworld...and then it really gets wild! The ending is breath-taking...it sent chills down my neck. Highly recommend, but not for kids. The book contains a few scenes of high violent content and several explicit sexual encounters...naughty but nice. Well-written, fast-paced. It was like the Matrix meets Ben Hur.

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and original, March 6, 2004

By 

Cavan Terrill (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wrathworld: A Science Fiction Novel (Paperback)

I found Wrathworld to be a highly entertaining book and it held my attention well. Quell paints a vivid portrait of a futuristic world overrun by extreme political correctness. Personally, I found the ideas in this novel to be far more engaging than the actual plot itself. At times, it took rather far-fetched plot twists and lost some of its credibility. By the end of the book, the plot was barely held together, though an interesting ending did much to redeem it. Quell seemed most at home writing historical scenes set in Biblical times, especially Foster's interactions with Jesus. Apparently, he has a Master's degree in theology, so maybe that shouldn't surprise me. The novel was reminiscent of some of The Matrix without being a copycat. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a book with an interesting outlook on morality.

By category:
Plot: 5/10 - starts out strong, but ends up unraveling over the course of the book
Characters: 5/10 - only Foster Grey seems three-dimensional
SF Concepts: 9/10 - very interesting fusion of reality and VR
Writing Ability: 6/10 - at times it's top notch, at others it's amateurish
Pace: 7.5/10 - the pace keeps up well for the entire book

Blurred Line Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wrathworld is the next big Science Fiction Book of 2003, July 3, 2003

By 

Nicholas H. Schreck (Saint Joseph, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wrathworld: A Science Fiction Novel (Paperback)

Wrathworld blew me away. I will never read a Science Fiction book as good as Wrathworld unless Wrathworld 2 comes out. I suggest the book for anyone interesed in Sci Fi.
You'll Love it.