The Gateway

It was a fabulous read that reminded me of Doctor Who meets The Demon Headmaster and the Uglies series. I also detected a sprinkling of Kafka-like surrealism.

The characters were vivid, particularly the main three, and as a secondary school teacher myself, I relished Matt and Joan's sentiments!

The worldbuilding was terrific, and I cried more than once during my two sittings. It's confidently written, fun, sad, and engaging. I adore mysteries, character growth, and what-ifs; this book did all of them brilliantly.

Thank you so much for the advance reader copy!

Loved the vibes of this one. Very polished and engaging. Lance knows his sci-fi adventure audience. 4.5.

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...

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Finished this quickly. A very fun read with next to no fat.

The laser-focused prose keeps the pace swift and the twists exciting. It's a race-to-the-finish-line thriller with some great characterization and memorable scenes. Just wanted it to be a tad longer.

It was fast-paced with ample settings, which I love, but for me, the best part of the book was the main characters themselves. They were well-developed and likeable, and I found myself quickly invested. Each had their own personality and believable motivations (one especially tragic, which I can sadly relate to), which made the narrative more engaging. While the sci-fi elements were intriguing, compelling, and well-executed, the characters stood out the most. I had a great time and was sad to finish it. Perfect length for this reader.

Really enjoyed this sci-fi thriller. Couldn't put it down. Knowing what you do at the end makes it highly re-readable. I thought the pacing was excellent, too. See this being a big hit.

A thought-provoking and stimulating novel with an enduring sense of mystery (that I don't want to spoil).

The characters in the story are complex and flawed, making them feel like real people rather than merely characters. It was a delight to see so many relatable and well-rounded female characters among them, notably Joan Clarke, who steals the show but maintains an endearing presence with what she's trying to accomplish.

I was pulled into the intrigue and suspense, wondering what would happen to the relatable Matthew and his challenging fate. The dialogue was authentic and believable, and the prose was easy to glide through.

I do hope there's more to come from Joan and the group.