Greetings travelers, and welcome to our last stop in the Otherworld of the week. With today’s story, you’ll be able to live Friday over again and again, over and over in ten-minute increments. That’s because we’re exploring something that’s a little wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey in Elsewhen, by Shob Diko. Read on to learn more about this interesting, twisty sci-fi time-traveling adventure!
Shob Diko is an author that lays everything on the table in his wonderful science fiction novel, Elsewhen. There are some twists and turns, but there are clues leading the reader forward, ensuring that nothing feels trapped beyond their reach. In Elsewhen, Diko effortlessly blends the portents of the future with some touching romance, and even some harder sci-fi that enhances the read. It helps to have characters that the reader are interested in following, even with their less upstanding morals. There are also quirky events that they’ll enjoy seeing manipulated in strange ways, and, of course, the time machine that really connects the flow of everything together. With a single press of a button, Diko’s lead can remain in place, while the rest of the world changes around him, moving backward ten minutes at a time.
In this gripping tale, the protagonist, Larry, possesses a remarkable time machine capable of transporting him ten minutes into the past. The story begins with a mesmerizing introduction to this extraordinary device and reaches its first turning point when Larry encounters the love of his life. The initial chapter sets the stage, intertwining the concept of time travel with the budding romance that will shape the narrative.
Subsequent chapters delve deeper into the captivating love story between Larry and Alice. However, as their relationship intensifies, unforeseen circumstances force Larry to make a heart-wrenching decision—absconding his beloved to ensure her safety. The third chapter delves into the emotional aftermath as Larry grapples with the anguish of leaving his mate and gradually nurtures a growing resentment towards the very time machine that once seemed like a miraculous gift.
Just when all seems lost, a momentous event occurs in the fourth chapter—an invasion of Earth by a formidable alien species. As chaos ensues, Larry seizes an opportunity to reunite with his lost love amidst the turmoil. Together, they embark on a daring journey, employing the powers of the time machine to confront and repel the alien invaders. The final chapter encapsulates their thrilling battle against the extraterrestrial threat, intertwining their love story with a fight for humanity’s survival.
At 60000 words, “Elsewhen” presents an innovative blend of science fiction, romance, and high-stakes adventure. It explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. Readers will be captivated by the intricate character dynamics, the seamless fusion of time travel elements, and the breathless suspense that permeates the story.
Diko’s story is a bit farcical at times in addition to the moments that are meant to be deep and grounded. There’s a nice pendulum swing of sensibilities, ensuring that the story never grows stale. Of course, when you have a time travel device that has a strict set of rules, you use it as cleverly as you can, giving your reader plenty of time to be impressed by all the unscrupulous ways the character can bend time to his whim. The story ends on an established note, meaning that if you’re in the market for a story that doesn’t linger past its prime, and one that plays in the sandbox it makes itself to good effect, this is the book for you. Check out Elsewhen, by Shob Diko, on Amazon today!
