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Title: Keeping It Real (Quantum Gravity | Book 1)
Score:
Author: Justina Robson
Rating: Not available
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Review of Keeping It Real (Quantum Gravity | Book 1)

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Comments for Keeping It Real (Quantum Gravity | Book 1)

• Posted on 2009-11-11
  Keeping it real? More like get real.
  
  The book opens with a disjointed and for all practical purposes useless chapter that tries to establish the time and place. Unfortunately it fails, feels rushed and has way too many 'in' references for someone not familiar with the world that Ms. Robson has created. If you've already read the first three books, then it makes more sense.
  
  The story then continues as if she was making it up as she went along and decided to throw 'this or that' ingredient into the mix because it seemed like a good idea at the time rather than as coherent part of an overarching storyline. The descriptions of events and places never seem to crystalize with a sharp coherent image, showcasing the authors lack of ability to do these things cleanly.
  
  I can't honestly reccomend the book for people who like good literature, though, if you are into goosebumps or perhaps stories about sparkling vampires you'll enjoy this immensely. Which leads me to my comparison. This is to fantasy literature as Twilight comics are to Anne Rice Vampires. What Dungeons and Dragons the choose your own adventure books are to Tolkiens Lord of the Rings.
  
  
  
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• Posted on 2009-11-08
  Super creative new world with wonderful characterization
  
  This is the first book in the Quantum Gravity series by Justina Robson. So far there are four books in the series with a 5th being planned for future release. I wasn't able to find the number of books actually contracted for this series. Anyway, I really liked it. It is a great first book in the series and I want to learn a lot more about both the world and the characters.
  
  A quantum bomb exploded in 2015 ripping a hole in reality and revealing five other realities; an elven realm, an elemental realm, a demon realm, the realm of death, and Otopia (Used to be known as Earth). Zal is an elf that has abandoned his homeland and become half demon; he then entered Otopia and started performing as a rock star. The elven community wants him dead and Lila Black is the one assigned to guard him. Lila is not quite human. She got into a horrible accident and the only way to save her life was for her to agree to be part of an experiment. Now she is part AI, part cyborg, and part human. Initially she thinks that she is guarding a rock star...then she finds the plot goes much deeper and wonders how deep into Elven territory it will take her.
  
  This was a very creative book. I loved the five realms (with a possible sixth somewhere) they were awesome. We really only get to visit Otopia and the Elven realm, Alfheim, in a lot of depth and I am eager to visit the other realms. The characters are very engaging. All of them have their heroic points and their flaws. Lila and Zal both struggle with being different in a world where things are more bizarre than ever before. The dialogue was witty and funny most of the time; Lila in general is a kick butt character always ready with a quick jibe and tease.
  
  The plot is complex and densely packed. There is a ton of action and Robson does a very good job writing the action scenes. Robson's writing style is pretty straight-forward, there is not a lot of flowery language here or over-description, the writing style fits the story well so it all works out.
  
  There were some small problems with the book. The whole world (actually five worlds) are a lot to throw at a reader all at once; it can get a little bit confusing. I thought this was handled okay. Also most of the book is written from Lila's viewpoint, then suddenly in the second half some chapters are from Zal's point of view. This was a bit odd; although it worked okay, it took me a few moments to figure out what was going on. The last problem was that a lot hinges on The Game that Lila and Zan are bound up in. I never really understood what a Game was or how it got initiated; I understand it happens through Wild Magic but I though that aspect of the plot could have been clarified better.
  
  Other than the above, I thought the complicated world and plot was handled pretty well. The characterization, world-building, and action scenes were fantastic. I am really, really looking forward to reading more books in this series. I stumbled upon this series in a special display at a bookstore and I am wondering why this series isn't getting better coverage. It is a good series. People who have described it as Dragonlance meets Star Trek are right on. I can't wait to see what the next book holds.
  
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• Posted on 2009-10-18
  Smart and Sexy ROCKS!
  
  I've been addicted to fantasy and sci fi since high school. Now 19 years and thousands of fantasy and sci fi books later, Quantum Gravity has rocked my world more than any other series ever. I've never written a review, or ever thought about writing a fan letter, but here I am doing one and figuring out how I wanna write fanmail that doesn't sound trite :P.
  
  Justina Robson is smart and hot, and Keeping it Real is the start of an adventure that is the perfect blend of the good parts of every fantasy and sci fi book I've ever read amplified 10,000% and combined with the theory of everything...merging spirituality with science.
  
  Justina, you rock my world!
  
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• Posted on 2009-09-16
  Dragonlance meets Star Trek
  
  I bought this book for the cover alone. I mean it just spoke to the graphic designer in me...white space, great typography and a bit of 3D graphics...you can't get any better than this. Then I read this baby!
  Keeping it Real has everything you ever wanted in a SF/Fantasy book, but just didn't know you really wanted it: Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. What's better entertainment? A elf that happens to love scarfing down red meat and singing punk rock, or drug crazed and drunk fairies. Gotta love the concept.
  
  The year is 2021, six years after a quantum bomb blew a hole in the fabric of spacetime - bringing to reality five other realities/dimensions. The revelation of the other realities isn't as happy as it could be, there are certain extremist that are making trouble for humans and elves alike. A group of these malcontented activists from Alfheim (the home of the elves) have targeted a "sell-out" elf, Zal, who is the lead singer of a rock band and lives in the human world. Zal has been receiving some serious death threats, which get the Otopian officials involved. Lila Black, human/cyborg security agent is assigned to protect Zal.
  
  Things get a little dicey when a group acts on the death threats and kidnaps Zal. Lila has to follow Zal to Alfheim - something she really didn't want to do. Can she save Zal and figure out just who is behind these plots? Read the book, it is well worth it.
  
  I love the character of Lila - she is the epitome of tough as nails chick. A walking swiss army knife, she is nuclear powered and machine guns can pop out of her arm! Not to mention she is just getting to know all of her equipment, so her bit of insecurity makes her very much human. Then there is Zal, he is an absolute mystery and just when you think you are going to get to know him - well he gets kidnapped and a new set of characters is introduced.
  
  Robson filled this book with twists and turns that keep the book moving and the reader on the edge of their seat. The completely unique world that she introduces you too also keeps you gawking as more and more depth is revealed with each page deeper into the novel. I really enjoy these SF meet fantasy books, it really is neat to read of a Dragonlance-esqu elf meeting up with a Star Trek-type cyborg. I highly recommend this book, and the follow-up Selling Out is also as enjoyable. I haven't moved on, there are two others Going Under, and Chasing the Dragon - which just released this past August. Put these on your TBR, if you enjoy SF & Fantasy you shouldn't be disappointed.
  
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• Posted on 2009-03-10
  Moderately entertaining
  
  Actgually the writing is fine, except for a few scenes that are in trashy romance novel style. The main problem is that the main caracter (Lila) is a stupid, incompetent loser. She tries to ignore hard limits without good reason. She acts before she thinks. She cannot assess risks. The list goes on.
  
  Somebody like that as super-spy in a mech-body with incredible power is just plain unbelivable. Interestingly, from cirumstancial remarks, the author knows that Lila is a cretin. No idea what the rationale behind this is, but if you want the main character in a book to be at least halfway adept, then do not read this.
  
  
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