Zig Zag [Synopsis]

"While an advanced physics graduate student at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, Elisa Robledo, a young physics professor was invited to join a select research team working on manipulating String Theory, making it possible to witness images of the past as if they were live and actually happening. According to the team's research, breaking down particles of light, and accessing the code hidden within each fragment, they theorized that the possibility of witnessing the past, viewing such milestone events as of the crucifixion of Christ, or the earth when dinosaurs still roamed. Scurried away on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, they made leaping advancements in their analysis. Yet, their experiments resulted in something much more frightening and dangerous than any of them could have ever imagined. The team awoke something dangerous in their meddling into the fluctuation of Time.

Now, years later, Elisa is faced with solving the mysterious and gruesome deaths of each member of the team she was once so proud to be a part of. Something or someone has focused their sights on Elisa and her former academic fellowship. In order to solve the mystery behind what the team's experiments awoke and just who or what is behind the dark forces trailing the once team's every move, Elisa must discover what really happened on the island where her team was once sequestered, and where she had naively thought their dedicated science was meant for good."

Zig Zag [Teaser]

I think I found the utopia of science fiction thrillers. This book blends modern theoretical physics with contemporary intrigue in a setting that enlightens as well as entertain. Already into chapter 8, I know I will love this book.

String theory states that everything that exists in our universe (you, me, my pet goat) is made up of infinitely tiny strings that can be found in all four dimensions including time. The theory would make a very poignant argument for science, if it can ever be proven.

Zig Zag extends the current research of time strings into the year 2015, where our future physicists have found a way to glance into the past by taping into the unknown energies of these strings.

The book starts with a suspenseful introduction of our heroine's futuristic world. In essence, nothing has changed - no flying cars, no robots (although some cars are equipped with automatic drivers). Even today's theological challenges still exist, as creationism is still being debated among the scientific community. Luckily, there are still unanswered science questions that drive Elisa (our heroine) into the center of a time travelling controversy.

The author does a great job with establishing a hierarchy between the characters and placing them within a struggling society with modernized philosophies very early in the story, making for a very enlightening read.

So far, this is a good blend of both science and fiction. The book is so convincingly written that I have to keep reminding myself that it is a novel, not a science textbook.

I can't wait to properly review this book. I'll let you know how it turns out.

The Prophet And The Astronomer [Book Review]

Title: The Prophet And The Astronomer
Author: Marcelo Gleiser
Category: Science
Tastes like: History, philosophy, and theology wrapped around the birth and the death of the universe.

This book is appropriately subtitled "Apocalyptic Science And The End Of The World", as the sense of dread and doom that normally accompany celestial happenings are dissected in a historical account of the apocalyptic visions that humans have adopted since the dawn of time. After all, who hasn't gazed in awe or fear at the sight of their first solar eclipse or the passing of a comet.

It is a scientific certainty that our time in the physical world we know is limited. The author wastes no time with explaining this statement as he draws a parallel between our fear of the unknown and the theological reasoning we create for ourselves in times of crisis and impending doom. From astrology to astronomy, from Judaism to Christianity, the author does a fantastic job of explaining our need to constantly look beyond ourselves for answers to questions that exist beyond this material world.

Theology is just the beginning. As our knowledge of the cosmos increases, so does our ability to logically predict the fate of our universe. There is nothing left untouched in this scientific exploration of planets, suns, galaxies and universes. From a full account of what will happen when our sun spends all of its fuel (hint: it is not good) to a fictional short story about an adventure into the world of quantum mechanics, this book is sure to entertain both science and science fiction fans alike.

In closing, I would like to entice you with a summary of the short story I alluded to earlier. To explain the effects of quantum mechanics on larger scale bodies like humans, the author creates a fictional character who dives beyond the event horizon of a black hole. The result is an adventure into a psychedelic universe that draws you closer to the weirdness of the very small. By the end of the story, I was convinced that there are things in this world that are bigger (or smaller) than any of us.

The Quintessential Geek Makeover!

I'm back, ready to give you more geeky goodness! Thank you to everyone who has helped make the Quintessential Geek what it is today - you know who you are. I hope you enjoy the new site. As always, let me know if there is something specific you want to see...

Peace!