It was well-written and had a fast-paced plot that kept this reader engaged from beginning to end. The author has a talent for creating an intricate and gripping storyline full of unexpected twists and turns.

Matthew's transformation from a miserable person to a kind and compassionate individual was a compelling example of character development. At the beginning of the story, Matthew is portrayed as bitter, self-centred, and closed off from the world. However, as the story progressed, we witnessed a remarkable change in his demeanor and behavior. Through a series of experiences and interactions with other characters, Matthew began to show empathy, understanding, and a genuine concern for others. This transformation not only added depth to his character but also served as an inspiring reminder of the capacity for positive change within all of us. Ethan, of course, was clearly the opposite, starting off compassionate and moving towards something else... I think this was a very clever construction.

The author's skilful use of settings also greatly enhanced the storytelling and made the narrative come alive. Each setting was vividly described, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of the story. The careful attention to detail in depicting the settings not only provided a rich backdrop for the characters and events but also helped to set the tone and atmosphere of each scene. The settings were not just locations but integral elements that contributed to the overall mood and impact of the story. There was excellent use of settings here that added depth and dimension to the narrative, making the reading experience all the more engaging.

A very enjoyable read.

I rarely put a book down - and certainly not if it's an arc - but this book was badly written, so put it down after the first few chapters.
Let me start by saying that I cannot write, nor do I aspire to - what I do know is how not to write, and this book is sadly an example of that.
I wanted to like it so much because the blurb sounded promising, but unfortunately the execution leaves much to be desired and in my opinion the book needs to be edited.

There's no cohesion in the writing, it goes from Socrates to coming home, reflecting on student days, all with the protagonist's thoughts and judgements mixed in; the writing just doesn't flow, nor do the interactions between people and the dialogues.
Matthew Barker, 26, teacher, partner, house owner - is a particularly negative, pessimistic and critical character. What warms him is 'the smell of black liquid wafted up in his nostrils as each cup is filled. ' [red.] OK, I get it, he likes coffee.
The author uses pompous language in an otherwise disjointed style of writing, and this does not make it a pleasant read. I also found the use of the passive voice confusing, and not fitting. I am classically trained myself, but I find it strange to quote Socrates in the first chapter when there is no reason to do so. It feels like a show-off.

Sentences are written in and then, and then, and then, and then, and at the same time all thoughts and opinions, and things happening outside the narrator are jumbled into one sentence; the writing is incoherent.
Writing is deletion, and this book needs to be re-edited.

Matthew Barker's quiet life changes when he investigates a mysterious portal in the Scottish Highlands, thanks to an old friend's urgent call. -- Very good and fast read.

Interesting premise but couldn't really get into this book. Further review may come in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

There is something about old-school science fiction mystery that is simply thrilling to me. It has a certain charm that today's science fiction lacks. Perhaps it was the way in which the stories were told or the way in which the mysteries were crafted, but there was undoubtedly a certain magic to the genre that is hard to replicate today. The stories were often more grounded in science and technology, and the ideas presented were thought-provoking and often ahead of their time. Additionally, the pacing and structure of the stories were often more deliberate and methodical, allowing for a greater sense of tension and suspense to build. Ultimately, the combination of these elements resulted in a genre that was able to captivate and engage audiences in ways that modern science fiction struggles with. I got that same feeling again from this. It's an old-school sci-fi mystery at its best. Some will miss the point, but for the target audience like me, this is a must-read!

I just finished reading The Gateway, a must-read for any fan of sci-fi thrillers. This book hooked me from the beginning and held my attention right until the end. The level of accessible detail in the science and technology fields was impressive, and the characters were well-developed and relatable.

What sets this book apart is the pacing and tension. The author expertly builds suspense and keeps you guessing until the very end. There were several twists and turns that I did not see coming, and the climax was genuinely thrilling. I had Twilight Zone vibes with this; one of my all-time favorite shows.

This is the story of Matthew Barker, a despondent teacher who explores the origins of a portal in the Scottish Highlands.

Things begin to change for Matt when his old university friend, Ethan Madison, contacts him and claims their former lecturer, Professor Joan Clarke, wants to share her discovery.

Little does Matt realise the life-changing journey he's about to embark on...

-

I absolutely loved it. Thrilling from start to finish!

Oh dear. I'm sorry, but this was quite dreadful. The initial premise - Matt Barker reunites with an old friend to meet their favorite college professor in Scotland for what turns out to be her discovery of a Gateway - seems properly intriguing, but any excitement you may have soon falls flat. The characters are certainly flat, with all the depth of a sheet of paper. The dialogue is wooden. The writing is pedestrian, to say the most. People's actions and reactions were odd and unbelievable and empty. And nobody asks questions! You know, basic ones like "where are we?" and "who or what are these people?" Matt is unbelievably passive, his friend headstrong and thoughtless, and the Professor speaks in platitudes but never actually says anything. I wanted to slap Matt silly and drop Ethan off a cliff. Supposedly these two are best friends, but there is no sign of it here. I would not have finished it if it had not come from NetGalley and my promise of a review. The story did sort of pull together by the end, so it does get 2 stars for that.

If you are a fan of science fiction thrillers, then I highly recommend The Gateway. It is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and thought-provoking novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. I loved the novel's exploration of the nature of humanity, morality, and the future of technology.

This is the story of Matthew Barker, a despondent teacher who explores the origins of a portal in the Scottish Highlands.

Things begin to change for Matt when his old university friend, Ethan Madison, contacts him and claims their former lecturer, Professor Joan Clarke, wants to share her discovery.

Little does Matt realise the life-changing journey he's about to embark on...

-----------------------------

I take ages to read books nowadays. I read this one yesterday afternoon in one go... Very satisfied with the story, and it didn't mess up the ending either.

Interesting take on a portal novel. The story took some time to get into but then pulled one in. The choice to italicize words to drive emotion happened a little too frequently and wasn’t necessary as the writing was able to do that on its own.

Thanks to James Lance and the team for the eARC. What a tale. This rocked hard!!! I'm wondering about that final scene and where it could lead!

It was a great read. If this had been a little longer, perhaps five more chapters, I would have easily given it a 5/5. It was extremely fun. The author really respects his audience's time.

This is the story of Matthew Barker, a despondent teacher who explores the origins of a portal in the Scottish Highlands.

Things begin to change for Matt when his old university friend, Ethan Madison, contacts him and claims their former lecturer, Professor Joan Clarke, wants to share her discovery.

Little does Matt realise the life-changing journey he's about to embark on...

--

The more I read, the more I liked it. By the end, I LOVED it!!

Fab, fab, fab. When everything clicked into place at the end, I was like, what? That's wild! Gave me the feels the Ace Attorney visual novel games do. It's really well assembled and fresh.

this author really knows how to tell a story. At frist when i was 11 chapters in i lost interest in it but as i kept reading i got hooked. Diidnt think i would like the scifi type books as ive not read many of them but this one was good.

The novel is a critique of the dangers of technology and consumerism. It raises important ethical questions about the role of science and technology across society in a way Crichton would have. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging, with several unexpected twists and turns. The exploration of deep philosophical themes is shown as the characters grapple with questions of power, destiny, and the nature of humanity, while the futuristic city is a metaphor for the ecological costs of resource exploitation.

The story challenges readers to question their own values. It is a cautionary tale and a must-read for anyone interested in science fiction and dystopian literature.

The most fun I've had with a sci-fi this year!! I can't be the only one who got some spicy sexual tension there, either. Can we have a steamy romance circle next time?! :)

Great characterization, memorable themes, and thrilling from start to finish. There's depth here, too, particularly in the subtext and character motives, although Lance is clearly performing a delicate balancing act between entertaining first and educating second. It has more depth than the average genre fiction but keeps itself fast and engaging. It felt like hybrid fiction to me. Lance knew exactly what he was doing with this polished text; absolutely an author to watch.

This is the story of Matthew Barker, a despondent teacher who explores the origins of a portal in the Scottish Highlands.

Things begin to change for Matt when his old university friend, Ethan Madison, contacts him and claims their former lecturer, Professor Joan Clarke, wants to share her discovery.

Little does Matt realise the life-changing journey he's about to embark on...

-

This was an excellent read. The author excels at making complex sci-fi accessible, and the text gave this reader strong Crichton/Turton vibes throughout. I cared a great deal about the characters in what is a typical thriller runtime—in other words, pretty short. I have to say, that's rare for me. It easily met the genre's expectations and ticked off pretty much everything I like to see. I would love to see more from the author.