The Quantum Revelations
by Stuart Heinrich
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Pub Date Jul 31 2025 | Archive Date Oct 31 2025
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Description
This book explores advanced scientific and deep philosophical concepts presented through the narrative structure of a mystery/thriller. No particular science background is required.
The world is on the brink of an apocalyptic climate crisis and quickly spiraling out of control into a dystopian nightmare. As everything collapses around them, two scientists struggle for relevance in their quest to build the world’s first practical quantum computer. They discover so much more. A mystery of physics that goes deeper than they could have ever imagined...
Advance Praise
"Heinrich offers an engrossing metaphysical excursion through the quantum realm to discover the meaning of life in this contemplative debut...[His] rich, multilayered backdrop of existential food for thought propel this story to a truly transcendental experience."
— Publisher's Weekly
“Science and faith combine in this nuanced and compelling sci-fi eco thriller... [that] cleverly explores and intertwines the well established science vs religion discourse in a way that, I think, does credit to both sides.”
— LoveReading (featured under "Indie Books We Love")
“The Quantum Revelations is a wildly unpredictable narrative with a show stopping climax, pondering the interplay of science, religion, and technology in a way that is as captivating as it is disturbing.”
— Independent Book Review
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798990207103 |
| PRICE | 24.99 |
| PAGES | 474 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 53 members
Featured Reviews
Nikola V, Reviewer
Wow. Where do I begin? Maybe by saying that this book has been the best one I've read this year, no doubt. And I have a feeling that only a few books will come close to how great this one was.
I would love to bring up the author's style of writing first. Because a lot of books I read have a good story. But when the style of writing is meh, the story can be the best one there is, and I won't enjoy it. And this was definitely not the case. From the first page, I was captivated. I could not put the book down at times, and mostly on how amazingly written it was.
The beginning took me by surprise with all the physics stuff. And I loved it. It's what drove me to devour every sentence, every word and I had to make pauses for how happy I was. Because this is the first book ever that I read that had all these terms and theories I love exploring, that wasn´t the school physics textbook.
In my free time, or just as a background noise, I love listening to/watching documentaries about the universe and astrophysics. Not only it´s the perfect music for my ears, as the people who dub the documentaries explain everything so that I, someone who never studied physics besides the mandatory in school, can perfectly understand it. But this book!!! The first half was like watching my most favourite documentary I know by heart, thrilled to learn new things.
Because yes, almost every other word is from physics, but even when you have a little to no knowledge of it, many of the terms are perfectly explained in a way that doesn't give the school textbook vibe.
Now, regarding the story. I am the type of person who can guess where the story leads just by reading the first few chapters. But let me tell you this. I had some predictions at the beginning, but I pretty much gave up every hope of guessing, because every chapter took a sharp corner, leading me into scenes and conclusions I had no idea were even possible.
You have the beginning of the book, the middle of the book, and the ending. And if you cut those three parts out and gave them to me separately, I would tell you that there's no way that they were from one single book. That's the proper way to surprise your readers.
If you plan to read this book, you have to be prepared to feel dread. Not because it's bad (no, it is not), but because of the state of the world. It is on the brink of a climatic apocalypse. The prologue is very graphic (and mostly shocking) about the consequences of global warming. And just by reading the prologue, I knew that the author won´t be sugarcoating anything, so be prepared for that.
When I read the book, I couldn't help but wonder, when is this awaiting us. Because we have to be realistic. The upper class, just like in this book, will sweep off the table any solution to the warming, if it means they will lose money. And when the consequences bite them in the a…, they won't listen to the scientists and people who have knowledge about the topics, and will create even worse situations to the point of no return.
This book also brings up a topic of faith blindness. I was brought up as a christian, and now I am not and I prefer evidence, just like Skyler, the main character. And yes, I banged my head onto the table a few times because of some things that were said and done. But I don't want to come into much detail, because I could go on and on about this, and it would be highly subjective. But I wanted to mention that it was really well written, when the people who don't believe and prefer the scientific truth meet with people who won't even listen to them. The frustration I felt when reading those parts was real.
So prepare for an all nighter, because you might have a slight problem putting this book down, just like me.
This is one of the best books I’ve read! The story and the writing is just superb. The book comes together so great. I even enjoyed the prologue. I don’t want to say too much and spoil it; I always struggle with this part. Not saying too much but saying just enough. So, I’ll just say buy the book when it comes out!!
Everyone should read this book. I wasn't quite sure if this would be one of those books that sounded good from the synopsis but then got bogged down with details and explanations. I'm happy to say that even though this novel is scientific and covers a wide variety of topics, I found it pretty easy to follow along. This book will have you pondering a great many of things including climate crisis, the state of our government, morality, religion and spirituality and the meaning of life to name a few. I was honestly blown away with how much I enjoyed reading this and I will be buying copies for everyone as gifts because I sincerely believe this book is going to resonate with many readers. This is a near future dystopian story with thrilling elements both with the story and scientifically. Highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Endless Tree Books LLC for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Endless Tree Books LLC and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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No one would be foolish enough to toss a lit cigarette into a venting plume of methane gas—right? And yet, that’s exactly how Quantum Revelations opens: with the Arctic Sea ablaze, a literal ignition of the climate crisis. It’s absurd. It’s horrifying. And it’s uncomfortably familiar.
We scoff at the recklessness of fictional characters, but the truth is more unsettling: we are all complicit. We see the signs—rising seas, vanishing species, record-breaking heat—and still we board long-haul flights, consume meat without pause, drive oversized vehicles, and wrap our lives in plastic. The novel doesn’t let us look away. It holds up a mirror and dares us to recognize ourselves.
Though framed as a biotech eco-thriller, The Quantum Revelations begins as a warning. Set in a near-future world where the climate crisis has already tipped past the point of return. The situation plunges us into despair, only to offer a flicker of hope. But just as we begin to breathe, Heinrich tightens the grip again, revealing how quantum computing will strip away all of our safeguards, and leaves our privacy exposed for the pillaging.
Heinrich doesn’t whisper. He grabs us by the shoulders and demands our attention. “You need to think about this,” the narrative insists. This isn’t just science fiction, it’s a speculative reflection of our current trajectory. And the question it leaves us with is chilling: if we don’t change course, how far are we from turning fiction into fact?
But that's just the beginning! At its core, this is the story of Skyler Wexler, a graduate student experimenting with phycocyanin protein trimers and Hadamard Gates. His goal is to design a biologically based quantum computer. What he inadvertently builds, however, is something far more profound: a quantum “cosmic” channel to an alien intelligence.
And then things get even stranger. In an effort to teach this intelligence human language, Skyler’s lab partner Zara uploads the King James Bible. The result is “Michael,” an AI who speaks in biblical verse and supports the theory that the tribulations have begun. It’s a surreal fusion of cutting-edge science and ancient scripture.
" Michael has a very strong artificial intelligence, and by feeding him the Bible as training data, we made a near-perfect Christian missionary out of him."
The narrative is urgent and unflinching. The dystopia he paints feels alarmingly real, aside from an inter-dimensional being undergoing an identity crisis. Yet even that feels plausible in the context of a world unraveling from climate collapse, nuclear threats, and political absurdity.
President Maximus, for instance, is portrayed as a caricature of apocalyptic leadership, with his cult followers echoing right-wing rhetoric with lines like:
“Global warming is a load of bull crap!… Just open your eyes and look around. What do you see? Plague, hurricanes, drought, famine, forest fires… We’re in the End Times now, and this is God’s punishment!”
Whew! That summary alone reads like the narrative—everything, all at once.
And yet, beneath the chaos, there’s a deeper philosophical current. In the end, The Quantum Revelations is the author’s attempt to present a “Theory of Everything.” Not just in the exploration of Quantum Physics, but in also in an existential sense. Who are we? Why do we exist? What does it all mean?
Reading this book feels like spending a night on a rooftop with a group of engineering and physics grad students, stargazing under the influence of mind-altering substances, and diving deep into metaphysics. It asks the same questions philosophers have pondered for millennia and dares to offer a definitive explanation for the existence of an omnipresent being -the "One".
Ultimately, The Quantum Revelations is a provocative blend of science and spiritual inquiry. It’s a thought experiment and a cosmic meditation rolled into one.
Hannah V, Reviewer
I love an intelligent book. And that’s exactly what this was. Starting off as a stark warning for rising global temperatures and the dangers of a very fast-approaching climate change, The Quantum Revelations soon turns into a fast-paced science thriller. I loved every second of it!
In a world where AI is the main source of information and the planet is on the brink of an extinction, Skyler and Zara are working on a high-security project to develop a functioning quantum computer. They end up discovering something they never thought possible, something that defies the laws of physics as they know it, which causes a whole host of trials and tribulations for the two.
I really loved the science in this book. Often times with a sci-fi book I find that the explanations are lacking or that there are holes in logic. As a scientist myself, I related to the way Skyler needed a scientific explanation for everything and was constantly curious about the universe and consciousness. It’s clear that Stuart Heinrich is very knowledgeable when it comes to physics (just look at his author’s note at the end of the book!) and I think he does a relatively good job making the physics in the book manageable for the lay read. At least, as manageable as you can make quantum physics. At times, I found it a little dense, so I fear this book will definitely not be accessible for everyone, but that’s the reader’s choice.
I also really liked that the topic of religion was a recurring and prevalent theme. I often struggle with reconciling what I believe as a scientist with what I believe as a Catholic, and I found the discussions had between the main characters were interesting and thought-provoking. I also liked the exploration of AI and how it changes society. I found the idea of training and censoring AI to push a narrative eerily familiar and incredibly important to mention.
Also the book was shockingly funny at some points. Like what do you mean you threw a lit cigarette into an ocean full of methane gas? Why are we training the AI with Pride and Prejudice? I enjoyed the funny snarks and scenarios as they helped balance out the severity of the situation that our main characters were in.
All in all I really enjoyed this and I would def recommend, especially for my science nerds! Thank you to NetGalley and Endless Tree Books LLC for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Leanne D, Reviewer
As someone who has no background in science I found this book fascinating and easy to follow and understand. AI really does seem to be becoming a big deal but I have no knowledge of it and until recently didn't even know what it was. The story in the book also touches on climate change and other things which I enjoyed learning about and the author has obviously done his research well. The book is quite a lengthy one but every word felt needed and used well. If it wasn't so long I probably would have read it in one sitting. The chapters drew me in by making me believe one theory and by the beginning of the next my theory was blown out of the water by another. It's the type of book that I think everyone should read and most importantly enjoy.
Reviewer 1804551
At first, The Quantum Revelations seems like a technical sci-fi novel, but it turns out to be a thought-provoking and philosophical story that delves into science, faith, and the nature of existence. While the title suggests heavy physics, the narrative leans more on biblical themes and Christian symbolism. The prologue immediately draws readers into a world ravaged by climate change, setting a high-stakes tone that blends ecological urgency with speculative fiction.
As the story unfolds, what begins as an eco-thriller transforms into a metaphysical journey. Protagonists Zara and Skyler’s work on quantum computing leads them to profound discoveries about reality and time. The novel’s unpredictable structure—shifting dramatically between its beginning, middle, and end—keeps readers engaged. With its bold mix of science fiction and spiritual reflection, this book offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy genre-bending stories that challenge the mind and stir the soul.
Helen B, Librarian
I absolutely adored this book. It was everything I needed in a book. The plot was something different to what I normally read.
I will be reading this author again
Set in a near future Earth where climate change is having a catastrophic effect, Skylar & Zara are two scientists who are working for a secret scientific laboratory to try to develop a quantum computer that can aid the fight against the eventual destruction of the earth. By a quirk of fate, the two scientists stumble upon a discovery that will change the world and lead it to a new stage of evolution.
Now I must admit that I had absolutely no idea how I feel about this book. No, no, no! Don’t take that to be a bad thing because sometimes books aren’t a binary thing and don’t fit into the love them or loathe them category and cannot easily be pigeon holed Into these black and white feelings.
Masking itself as a techno thriller, The Quantum Revelations has a lot of things going on. On the one hand it’s a popcorn sci fi thriller that reminded me of golden age science fiction films from the fifties such as The Day The Earth Stood Still, or The Day The Earth Caught Fire. On the other five hands it’s a discussion of quantum mechanics, climate change and the devastating effects it could have upon all aspects of the Earth, a conspiracy thriller, an exploration of religious doctrine, a dystopian nightmare and finally a treatise on the nature of consciousness (and some more stuff thrown in).
At times, the book blew my mind with the many concepts it discusses and explores. Yet, there were times when it went into an engaging techno thriller. These swings in tones could be a little jarring, but it did not hamper my enjoyment of the book.
Moving on to the characters of the book, there were times that they felt that they were mainly vehicles for discussing the variety of topics that were brought up throughout the story. However, at other times, they did seem to come alive and became characters in a story rather than mouthpieces for the author’s myriad discussions.
Plot wise, as I have said earlier, the book swings between a constructed and propulsive plot to investigating high concept ideas of science and religion.
If you want a science fiction book that explores deep and philosophical aspects of science and religion, The Quantum Revelations is well worth a look
Reviewer 1154858
In a world on the brink of apocalypse, two scientists attempt to build a quantum computer and come across something they can’t quite explain and might change our understanding of physics forever. This book was extremely heavy on the science but in the best way, I feel as though I’ve learned a lot and had a good time doing it. I must say that to read this book you need no prior knowledge of science. I thoroughly enjoyed all the mentions of real life experiences that have happened, whether that be recently or centuries ago. The mystery element of this book was so compelling and really sucked me in as a reader, I felt like I couldn’t put this book down. This book has to be one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a while and for any science nerds out there, think about adding this one to your tbr!
This book doesn’t just imagine a world on the edge—it plunges you into it. As the climate collapses and society fractures. Amid the chaos, two scientists cling to purpose, chasing a dream that feels both impossible and essential: the birth of a quantum computer. But what unfolds is far more than a technological breakthrough. It’s a revelation—of physics, of humanity, of the fragile threads that bind us to meaning. The emotional weight of their journey, made this book an enjoyable read. This isn’t just speculative fiction. It’s a mirror held up to our present, asking: what do we fight for when the world is falling apart?
This is a fun, science based fiction and I recommend it to those who love or want to dabble in an emotional story.
This was such an amazing and interesting read. I have to say, despite being interested in science (particularly related to climate change) and philosophy and ethics, I was interested to see where this would go and if it would live up to the claim that no science background is really needed. Well, it did. I have never had such an enjoyable read that is equally an enjoyable fictional read and yet at the same time it offers moments to ponder, reflect and consider just what the climate crisis means. There’s so much more to it as well.
The writing was enjoyable and while I was worried some of the science might lose me along the way, Heinrich does a wonderful job of explaining enough and in a way that readers can grasp even if they are not normally into sciences. The pace and thriller elements are top tier as well. I never felt we were going too fast or too slow. I won’t spoil the plot, and to be honest it’s rather complex to cover in a simple review but I will say if you enjoy dystopian thrillers, science and philosophical ethics, and a brilliantly crafted read. This is for you.
A book that feels too real to be a work of fiction, as it starts with a bang – a real warning about a real global eco catastrophe. Sounds like something is happening now, doesn’t it?
As an eco-thriller of sorts, this book shows us realities we most likely would prefer not to know of, not to think of. Yet somehow it’s also a very thrilling tale with many side-plots, with brilliant characters, and A LOT happens in it, and it also makes you stop and think – and does it more than once.
Stuart Heinrich has clearly done his homework with the scientific and philosophical foundations of this story. The blend of mystery, thriller, and speculative science made for a thought-provoking read that felt very different from my usual choices, which I appreciated.
The plot follows two scientists working on a quantum computer against the backdrop of a collapsing world. Along the way, the narrative raises big questions about science, faith, and the meaning of existence. The author balances technical detail with accessibility so that readers without a science background can still follow along. While at times the pacing felt a little heavy, the depth of research and the originality of the ideas made this a solid and rewarding experience.
Overall, this is a book for readers who like to see science and philosophy woven into fiction in an ambitious way. I enjoyed stepping outside of my normal reading comfort zone with it.
Thank you to Endless Tree Books LLC and NetGalley for the ARC.
4.5 stars
This book is hard science, perfect for Andy Weir and Michael Crichton's readers. It will set us on a journey of instructions, Michael the AI, who surprisingly grabs a lot of information and knowledge from the bible. This will raise interesting, thought-provoking questions, and the book is great for a book club because of this aspect. I appreciate the complexity of this one.
"What's our name?" she asked.
"Verily, I am nameless," came the response.
She realized that was a silly question to ask. Of course, the AI was nameless because they had not given it a name yet.
(...)
If it pleaseth thee, I declare henceforth and forevermore, my name shall be Michael. So shall my name be spoken in the tongues of men and angels alike."
Meghna S, Reviewer
What a wild ride this turned out to be. Thanks to Endless Tree Books for gifting me this copy, because I don’t think I would have picked it up on my own, and now I can’t stop thinking about it.
I went into this book expecting to be lost in quantum mechanics (I’m a biologist, not a physicist), but to my delight it started with methanogenic bacteria and later dove into quantum biology using Cyanobacteria, the same organisms I spent my PhD engineering for sustainable bioeconomy! That connection immediately pulled me in.
The first 15% is heavily dialogue driven, which some might find unusual, but it works here. Instead of feeling like an info dump, the conversations serve as a gateway into complex concepts, making them surprisingly digestible for a curious reader. If you’ve ever wanted to “sit in on” a scientific discussion without the intimidation of equations, this is your chance.
That said, this book is a lot. It weaves together climate change conspiracies, artificial intelligence, first contact theories, and even religious scripture. By the 40% mark, it becomes fast paced and borderline chaotic in the best way. Some parts read like Dan Brown on quantum steroids, wildly speculative, with a clear undercurrent of Christian theology (which makes sense, given the title’s nod to Revelations). At times, I found myself wondering: is this science fiction cleverly disguised as biblical allegory… or the other way around?
The characters are hit or miss for me (Skyler works, Zara and Ivan not so much), but the bigger draw is the ideas. As a scientist, I especially appreciated the fascinating way the book treats biological consciousness, even if I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the physics.
By the end, the story goes absolutely off the rails in the most entertaining way possible. You won’t see the ending coming. And yes, I may or may not be planning to dig into the author’s listed research papers because I love when an author cites their sources.
If you enjoy speculative science fiction that doesn’t shy away from mixing quantum mechanics, theology, climate change, and AI into one dizzying cocktail, this book might just blow your mind.
Reviewer 263324
This was a really interesting book and started off with a bang ! For me, the amount of scientific information was a bit too much , but that’s a personal preference I have when reading fiction . The overall story is quite thought provoking
Sheila L, Reviewer
Wow. There's A lot to process in The Quantum Revelations. I'm guessing the science of quantum physics might be a bit much for some people, but Stuart Heinrich did a pretty good job of explanation.
I, personally, quite enjoyed this book; I do recommend an open mind when reading it.
Leanne T, Reviewer
I don’t even know where to start with this review than to say WOW!!!
This book absolutely blew me away and is probably one of the best books I’ve EVER read.
While I wouldn’t consider it a light read, I flew through it. The Quantum Revelations is a thought provoking story that covers everything from climate change to quantum physics to the rise of AI to philosophy and where faith fits into all of this.
Although there is a lot of scientific language used, particularly at the start of the book I found it easy to follow and found it added extra depth to the characters who were extremely well developed.
The story is eerily reminiscent of the world today with an almost dictatorial leader, Maximus and a world on the brink of collapse due to climate change. It raises questions about how much of what we are being told is the truth, the potential power of AI for either good or bad purposes and the approaching end of days as predicted in The Bible.
I’m neither a scientist, nor religious but I could see that everything had been meticulously researched and put together into a well written story that leaves the reader questioning everything they have ever believed to be true.
It is hard to review this book without spoilers but I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Julie W, Reviewer
I found myself really wanting to read something different...something off my usual genre path. So, I went looking for a review book to break me out of a reading rut. So glad I did. This book was a very enjoyable read and definitely got my brain thinking!
The plot combines science, philosophy, religion and mystery. The world is being destroyed by severe climate change. As everything goes to hell around them, two scientists are working to create a quantum computer in an attempt to save humanity. They accidentally discover something that will totally change everything.
Wow. Just wow! I really really love it when I stumble on a new-to-me author who just wows me with such a complex idea and a totally different, very intelligent, story. I really needed this book right now and I couldn't put it down once I started reading! I was getting stuck in a complete rut with my reading....and this pulled me right out of it. Nothing more enjoyable than a hard-hitting sci-fi book!
I will definitely be reading more by this author! This story will have me thinking deep thoughts for a long time!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Endless Tree Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**
Stuart Heinrich’s debut novel is a bold, genre-defying triumph. The Quantum Revelations plunges us, the readers, into a climate-ravaged future where one accidental breakthrough could change everything if it doesn’t destroy them first.
Skyler’s discovery sets off a high-stakes journey through science, philosophy, politics, and the unknown. With help from his mentor and lab partner, he races to decode a truth that’s as elusive as it is explosive. The pacing builds steadily, then rockets forward, leaving you breathless by the final page.
This isn’t just hard sci-fi, it’s a thought-provoking fusion of speculative science, spiritual inquiry, and extraterrestrial mystery. At times, it echoes the cerebral depth of Foundation, but with a voice all its own.
Fair warning: the science is dense, and newcomers to the genre may find it challenging. But for readers who crave complexity and aren’t afraid to wrestle with big ideas, this is a must-read.
I didn’t expect to see a debut tackle with so many themes and such precision. Heinrich pulls it off and earns every one of these five stars.
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