Impermanent Universe

Impermanent Universe, Book 1

By: Vern Buzarde

Narrated by: Jacqueline Rendell

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Tess has designed the mind of the first sentient machine....

And it's waking.

But there's a problem.

It's networking...with another dimension

When a well-known visionary develops technology that could result in the first sentient machine, a sequence of events unfolds that will result in mankind’s inevitable intersection with the most important moment in history - technological singularity.

After computer scientist Tess Carrillo experiences a traumatic personal loss, as if guided by fate, she is recruited to assemble a team of eccentric experts in a secret complex deep within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

As they work to develop the code for the most powerful computer ever created, Tess finds herself pulled into a high-stakes world where two powerful technology titans battle over the future of reality itself. As the first sentient computer comes to life, Tess realizes they’ve unleashed something that could threaten the existence of mankind.

As the machine evolves, dimensional lines begin to fray and blend, causing Tess to question what is real. Equipped with clues scattered throughout her psyche, time, and space, she struggles to solve the ultimate mystery before time, literally, ends.

As pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place, Tess is forced to look within...and face a terrifying truth.

©2020 Vern Buzarde (P)2022 Vern Buzarde

Sci-fi at its absolute best. A must listen/read!

Having read the paperback I couldn’t resist revisiting the “Impermanent Universe” via audio. Not only was Jacqueline Rendell’s performance first class, but the story also took on a new life when read aloud and I found myself immersed in the story from a completely new perspective and discovered more gems layered within the action packed yet empathetic story.

This book has so many dynamic elements... it’s like a good movie that you can watch more than once, each time coming away with something new. “IU” is SciFi at its absolute best and on the level that we have expect from the leading creative minds entertaining us today.

Read it, listen to it...(not necessarily in that order) Read the follow up “Navigator” and repeat!

Terrific Read!

I loved reading Impermanent Universe! Vern Buzarde has crafted a story that pulled me right in and didn’t let go until I reached the end! Buzarde demonstrates a quick wit and a smooth finesse with words and sentences and paragraphs and descriptions! The story is fascinatingly sobering, and I’ll probably never look at technology the same way! A wonderful read!

Glimpse into the future?

This book was so interesting. I always enjoy a good Sci-Fi and this was even better than usual. I wish I could fit the other book of this series into my book budget but . . . . Maybe the Kindle Version?

I must include though that a couple of the characters used language that was inappropriate and unnecessary to the plot. Does the author have a limited vocabulary?

The narration was great! Kudos to Jacqueline Rendell.

I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.

Mind-Bending SciFi/Mystery/Fantasy

This is a complex work that took all my concentration in the Audible format. Multiple dimensions flex with multiple time frames but with the same characters, most struggling for a better world, most without a clue. Buzarde weaves all of these intricately, beautiful painting (you'll get that pun if you read/listen to the book) not just the SciFi, but the emotions of the well-developed characters. You'll be trying the solve this Mystery for the entire read...Good Luck!

Speculative sci-fi at its best

What I like about Imperminant Universe is that it doesn't hesitate to consider unique and difficult concepts. The story delves into the dangers and hopes provided by an AI singularity and concepts like simulated universes. The protagonist, Tess, is complicated and has a multi-dimensional character. The pacing, writing, and dialog are all good. If you enjoy speculative science fiction, this might be the book for you.

The voice acting by Jacqueline Rendell is top-notch.

Psychological Blast

The story is so keenly woven and so genre spanning that it's difficult to categorize. Transcendence is a theme throughout Impermenant Universe, and here Vern Buzarde has clearly achieved a transcendent work. It delves deep into philosophical and metaphysical questions in insightful and novel ways. The characters are so well developed you will feel like they are real people whom you know very well. IU progresses with the pacing and sheer entertainment of an action thriller. IU begs for repeat readings as it is very layered and nuanced. This was my first time listening to it on audio, and I the narrator did an excellent job. I found myself lulled away into the story. This is a truly authentic work. Five stars.

Very hard to follow

I had a tough time getting into this book. The first section was pretty draggy. I basically listened to it, because it was the first in the series that I had recommended to me. Hoping #2 is better.

Narrated like it was a childrens’ book

This was an incredibly trying listen. Firstly, the choice of narrator was unfortunate. Secondly, the characters did not even rise to the level of 1 dimensional. Thirdly, the story could have been cut by 50%, at the least.

To summarize: Awful read, awful narration.