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Unknown 9: Genesis
Finalist for an International Thriller Writer's Award!
To solve the enigma of her past, a brilliant but troubled young woman joins a deadly global treasure hunt.
Strange hallucinations have plagued PhD student Andie Robertson throughout her life. After years of consulting doctors, she decided the visions were a glitch in her own mind until her mentor, the famous physicist Dr. James Corwin, is murdered in Italy, and Andie finds a stack of ink drawings in his office that bear a remarkable resemblance to her hallucinations.
Shocked, Andie digs deeper and learns that Dr. Corwin developed a device that might shed light on the very nature of reality. She is even more stunned to discover that her mother, an academic who disappeared when Andie was a young girl, might also be involved.
Determined to find answers, Andie follows a trail of clues placed by Dr. Corwin, for reasons unknown, in museums and cultural sites around the world, highlighting human achievement as well as a tapestry of secret knowledge woven into the threads of history.
Yet Andie is not the only one searching. Powerful forces know of her mentor's invention, including a mysterious elite society that spans borders and will stop at nothing to find the device. Now a target herself, Andie and a disgraced journalist embark on a perilous journey that might hold the key to a new frontier of knowledge-and which also promises to unlock the doors of her past.
From the author of the bestselling Dominic Grey novels, Genesis is a mind-bending thriller about how far two people will go for answers, and to save the ones they love.
To solve the enigma of her past, a brilliant but troubled young woman joins a deadly global treasure hunt.
Strange hallucinations have plagued PhD student Andie Robertson throughout her life. After years of consulting doctors, she decided the visions were a glitch in her own mind until her mentor, the famous physicist Dr. James Corwin, is murdered in Italy, and Andie finds a stack of ink drawings in his office that bear a remarkable resemblance to her hallucinations.
Shocked, Andie digs deeper and learns that Dr. Corwin developed a device that might shed light on the very nature of reality. She is even more stunned to discover that her mother, an academic who disappeared when Andie was a young girl, might also be involved.
Determined to find answers, Andie follows a trail of clues placed by Dr. Corwin, for reasons unknown, in museums and cultural sites around the world, highlighting human achievement as well as a tapestry of secret knowledge woven into the threads of history.
Yet Andie is not the only one searching. Powerful forces know of her mentor's invention, including a mysterious elite society that spans borders and will stop at nothing to find the device. Now a target herself, Andie and a disgraced journalist embark on a perilous journey that might hold the key to a new frontier of knowledge-and which also promises to unlock the doors of her past.
From the author of the bestselling Dominic Grey novels, Genesis is a mind-bending thriller about how far two people will go for answers, and to save the ones they love.
432 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2020
About the author
Layton Green
21 books420 followersLayton Green is a bestselling author who loves to tell powerful, edge-of-your-seat stories across a range of genres, including mystery & thriller, suspense, horror, and fantasy (and often blending them together). He is the author of the Dominic Grey series, the Blackwood Saga, the Genesis Trilogy, and other works of fiction. Layton's work has been nominated for numerous awards (including a rare three-time finalist for an International Thriller Writers award), optioned for film, published in multiple languages, and has reached #1 on many genre lists.
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for ten very long years. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in Southern California. You can visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website (www.laytongreen.com).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 12, 2020
I received an early ARC of this book, and, as with all of Layton Green's other books, I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the continuation of this series, as it's clear that the story is far from over, and may continue in multiple media forms. Big recommendation for fans of thrillers, historical fiction, books about secret societies, and books with strong female lead characters.
The story follows two paths in different generations. One path involves Ettore Majorana, a real-world physicist in 1930s Europe who worked on early quantum mechanics, floating in the academic waters with Encrico Fermi, Emilio Segre, Werner Heisenberg, and Niels Bohr, until his mysterious disappearance in 1938 from a ship from Palermo to Naples. The novel shows him as a mild-mannered, socially awkward, brilliant man who is sometimes pushed out of the spotlight in favor of his more socially or politically adept peers, when he is approached by a mysterious figure with an invitation to join a secret society of brilliant men and women with shadowy purposes of the advancement of knowledge and betterment of humanity. The second path involves Andromeda "Andie" Robertson, a physics post-grad student at Duke in modern day Durham, North Carolina, researching under the mentorship of Dr. James Corwin, a Jamaican-American professor of theoretical physics and astronomy who had been a close family friend her whole life, especially after the disappearance of her mother years before. When Andie learns of Dr. Corwin's murder while at a conference in Bologna, Italy, Andie is drawn into a search for the truth behind what happened to Dr. Corwin, what happened to cause her mother to abandon her, and what is behind the strange visions she's had for much of her life. Ettore's research and potential secret society activities take him to the major pre-World War II academic institutions in Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, all the while facing the rising tide of fascism; while Andie's mourning period for Dr. Corwin is interrupted by a postcard received from her dead mentor and an attempt on her life, both of which instigate her search for the truth that takes her from North Carolina to England, Egypt, and Italy. Both generations cross the path of the secretive Leap Year Society, a knowledge-hoarding association in the midst of its own civil war.
Layton Green has an incredible ability to weave plots, with exhaustive research into wide-ranging concepts and fascinating locations around the world, with a real air of mystery and fast-moving plot. He also knows how to build characters with real depth, to the extent that even the characters that initially struck me as kind of annoying ended up growing on me as the novel continued, and those that initially struck me well never diminished. I'm particularly fond of plots with strong female lead characters, and I thought Andie presented as vulnerable and a bit broken, but tenacious and intelligent and compelling in her strength and persistence. I wanted some more backstory on the LYS and the relationship between Andie and her mother, but that's the hallmark of a good first entry in the series: you want to keep reading the later books in the series to get the juicy download that was teased, but not quite revealed. But this book definitely sucked me in, and I'm most definitely going to follow up on the rest of the planned trilogy and any other related stories.
Other than Green's tendency to use some words a little too often for my taste, his books are always well-written and -edited, so I have almost no problems with the mechanics. It's clear that he takes his writing seriously, both in plot and in prose.
I give this a hearty recommendation for readers who love international mysteries/thrillers, books about secret societies, or books about contemporary or near-future science. I look forward to the rest of the series.
The story follows two paths in different generations. One path involves Ettore Majorana, a real-world physicist in 1930s Europe who worked on early quantum mechanics, floating in the academic waters with Encrico Fermi, Emilio Segre, Werner Heisenberg, and Niels Bohr, until his mysterious disappearance in 1938 from a ship from Palermo to Naples. The novel shows him as a mild-mannered, socially awkward, brilliant man who is sometimes pushed out of the spotlight in favor of his more socially or politically adept peers, when he is approached by a mysterious figure with an invitation to join a secret society of brilliant men and women with shadowy purposes of the advancement of knowledge and betterment of humanity. The second path involves Andromeda "Andie" Robertson, a physics post-grad student at Duke in modern day Durham, North Carolina, researching under the mentorship of Dr. James Corwin, a Jamaican-American professor of theoretical physics and astronomy who had been a close family friend her whole life, especially after the disappearance of her mother years before. When Andie learns of Dr. Corwin's murder while at a conference in Bologna, Italy, Andie is drawn into a search for the truth behind what happened to Dr. Corwin, what happened to cause her mother to abandon her, and what is behind the strange visions she's had for much of her life. Ettore's research and potential secret society activities take him to the major pre-World War II academic institutions in Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, all the while facing the rising tide of fascism; while Andie's mourning period for Dr. Corwin is interrupted by a postcard received from her dead mentor and an attempt on her life, both of which instigate her search for the truth that takes her from North Carolina to England, Egypt, and Italy. Both generations cross the path of the secretive Leap Year Society, a knowledge-hoarding association in the midst of its own civil war.
Layton Green has an incredible ability to weave plots, with exhaustive research into wide-ranging concepts and fascinating locations around the world, with a real air of mystery and fast-moving plot. He also knows how to build characters with real depth, to the extent that even the characters that initially struck me as kind of annoying ended up growing on me as the novel continued, and those that initially struck me well never diminished. I'm particularly fond of plots with strong female lead characters, and I thought Andie presented as vulnerable and a bit broken, but tenacious and intelligent and compelling in her strength and persistence. I wanted some more backstory on the LYS and the relationship between Andie and her mother, but that's the hallmark of a good first entry in the series: you want to keep reading the later books in the series to get the juicy download that was teased, but not quite revealed. But this book definitely sucked me in, and I'm most definitely going to follow up on the rest of the planned trilogy and any other related stories.
Other than Green's tendency to use some words a little too often for my taste, his books are always well-written and -edited, so I have almost no problems with the mechanics. It's clear that he takes his writing seriously, both in plot and in prose.
I give this a hearty recommendation for readers who love international mysteries/thrillers, books about secret societies, or books about contemporary or near-future science. I look forward to the rest of the series.
September 7, 2020
PhD student Andie Robertson is stunned when her college professor Dr. Corwin is murdered. Andie receives a mysterious note sending her on a quest for answers. Trust no one is the number one instruction and as Andie begins to uncover the truth she finds herself teaming with Cal but will they uncover more then they bargained for.
In the 1930's Ettore Majorana, a physicist is approached by a man offering an invitation to a secret society that acquires people with the ability to push the envelope on making the world a better place. Both Andie and Ettore's story intertwine even thought they take place decades from each other. Danger lurks in every corner will Andie uncover the truth and will she survive in doing so?
Whirlwind action that takes place all of the world. The story reminded me a bit of DaVinci Code meets National Treasure. The character I was most captivated with was Cal, there is just something about his character that drew me in from the very beginning. The story has a lot of scientific references which is not one of my strong suits in understanding some of it but overall I thought the book was intriguing and unique from other books I read. Worth picking up this new series by Layton Gree.
In the 1930's Ettore Majorana, a physicist is approached by a man offering an invitation to a secret society that acquires people with the ability to push the envelope on making the world a better place. Both Andie and Ettore's story intertwine even thought they take place decades from each other. Danger lurks in every corner will Andie uncover the truth and will she survive in doing so?
Whirlwind action that takes place all of the world. The story reminded me a bit of DaVinci Code meets National Treasure. The character I was most captivated with was Cal, there is just something about his character that drew me in from the very beginning. The story has a lot of scientific references which is not one of my strong suits in understanding some of it but overall I thought the book was intriguing and unique from other books I read. Worth picking up this new series by Layton Gree.
March 14, 2022
The book had the same atmosphere as Dan Brown's “Angels and Demons”.
The book had mystery, thrilling scenes, action, puzzles and a potential love interest. There where no romance per se but the potential for one.
It was a sci-fi kind of futuristic tech and secret society type of story. I really loved it.
The book was definitely a page-turner.
The ending was a little sudden and had a klifhanger.
The plot was slow even though it is a page turner.
Overall, I really liked this book 😍
I got to know about it after seeing a trailer for a game. The game looked really good as well🤣
From what I gathered the game came first, but who knows. There a whole world around this concept.
The book had mystery, thrilling scenes, action, puzzles and a potential love interest. There where no romance per se but the potential for one.
It was a sci-fi kind of futuristic tech and secret society type of story. I really loved it.
The book was definitely a page-turner.
The ending was a little sudden and had a klifhanger.
The plot was slow even though it is a page turner.
Overall, I really liked this book 😍
I got to know about it after seeing a trailer for a game. The game looked really good as well🤣
From what I gathered the game came first, but who knows. There a whole world around this concept.
September 14, 2020
A good adventure story with intrigue. Uknown 9: Genesis is my first Layton Green novel. It ends with some questions, but it is a trilogy. The use of history, myth, legend, and mysticism give the story some depth and keep the narrative interesting. It is a typical humans can't handle power theme. Andromeda and Zawadi are characters the reader wants to learn more about, as well as Andie's mother.
I would read another Layton Green novel.
I would read another Layton Green novel.
January 7, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book for review. The Genesis Trilogy holds promise to be one of my favorite Layton Green series (close second to the Brother's Three series). I really enjoy science fiction stories, especially those that skirt so close to reality. It is fun to imagine that we are right on the edge of experiencing changes in time and dimensions, and Green puts in the right amount of explanation to keep the story interesting, while avoiding getting bogged down in explanations.
As with all of Green's books, I really enjoyed the characters in the story. Green does a great job of making the characters interesting and compelling, pulling us in to their lives and making them more than one dimensional action figures racing from one scene to the next. Both his heroes and villains are well drawn out and I enjoyed the development and growth of each individual in Genesis.
From the past to the present day, Green is excellent at giving his characters fast paced scenes with which they can overcome new obstacles. I found myself reading this book late into the night wanting to know what will happen to our heroes. I also really enjoyed the puzzle solving element in Genesis. As he has shown in his previous book, the Letterbox, Green has shown that he is great at setting out and creating great puzzles to overcome and I like what this adds to both the action and the story line.
As with his other books, Green really sets himself apart with his research on the locations he uses in his books. I loved his description of Egypt (don't want to give away too much here) and he makes all of his settings truly compelling. I feel like I am making the twists and turns with his characters as they are chased across the globe.
I am looking forward to continuing this series!
As with all of Green's books, I really enjoyed the characters in the story. Green does a great job of making the characters interesting and compelling, pulling us in to their lives and making them more than one dimensional action figures racing from one scene to the next. Both his heroes and villains are well drawn out and I enjoyed the development and growth of each individual in Genesis.
From the past to the present day, Green is excellent at giving his characters fast paced scenes with which they can overcome new obstacles. I found myself reading this book late into the night wanting to know what will happen to our heroes. I also really enjoyed the puzzle solving element in Genesis. As he has shown in his previous book, the Letterbox, Green has shown that he is great at setting out and creating great puzzles to overcome and I like what this adds to both the action and the story line.
As with his other books, Green really sets himself apart with his research on the locations he uses in his books. I loved his description of Egypt (don't want to give away too much here) and he makes all of his settings truly compelling. I feel like I am making the twists and turns with his characters as they are chased across the globe.
I am looking forward to continuing this series!
April 5, 2020
This a really great thriller. It is kind of like the Da Vinci Code but with science instead of religion. The story really sucked me in. It only took so long to read because of current events and the fact that the font of the ARC was super tiny making it difficult to read. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads
May 24, 2022
If Dan Brown was obsessed with Assassin’s Creed.
May 9, 2020
I was thrilled to be offered Genesis to review as I have been a huge fan of this author since I first read his Dominic Grey series ages ago, and I was curious as to the subject matter he would present next in his novels. I was definitely not disappointed; a puzzle thriller with mathematics and physics, and some conspiracy theories, at the heart, this book starts off with a bang and doesn't really let up until the end.
Now, this book is quite deceptive as the author actually throws quite a lot at the reader; you've got everything from conspiracy theories about aliens, to government coverups, to mathematical and scientific theories, to secret societies. I loved the scientific and mathematics concepts in this book and was thrilled to meet Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Paul Dirac***, and one of the characters, Ettore Majorana, plus some mathematicians from the Ancient World. Anyone with any knowledge of mathematics/physics will be familiar with those names, even Einstein was mentioned although he hasn't appeared as of yet. And while you non-scientific people may be quailing at the thought of math and science, do not despair, as the author has this amazing ability to explain the concepts in layman's terms so it is easily understood, or as easily understood as possible.
Like all of Green's books, while the action can be pulse-pounding, the strength always lies in his characters and in their development. Andie (Andromeda) and Cal come from completely different worlds, she is a physics doctoral student while Cal is an investigative journalist fired for digging into things he shouldn't have, and the two have crossed paths in their struggle against an organization known only as LYS. Andie's mentor and close family friend was murdered while on a business trip in Bologna, leaving some cryptic clues for Andie to figure out, telling her to trust no one, not even her family, thrusting her into a political struggle that has existed for a long time. Having little experience in evasion, I like how both of them rely on their wits to evade the people chasing them, plus a little bit of luck, but the luck doesn't seem forced or fake. Having read this author before, I know not to take for granted anything in his books, so I am always paying attention to everything, even if I don't understand, as I know it will be explained later on.
The plot of the book can be quite intense, in particular the second half of the book as Andie and Cal race after clues trying to evade people who are after them (and I am still trying to sort out who are the bad guys and who are the good guys in these rival factions). Keep in mind, this is the first book of a planned trilogy, so the author is setting up characters and events for future novels, so the first half of the book does exactly that. However, I find it all fascinating and intriguing; having both a science and history background, this was right up my ally. The story does split into different POVs, even going back to the 1930s, told from Ettore Majorana's POV, giving us a plausible reason for his disappearance before WWII. The multiple story lines are flow quite seamlessly together and I enjoyed the back and forth as it advanced the story without giving too much away.
Genesis does a great job making the story and the characters compelling and interesting. I have always loved puzzle element story lines so this was right up my alley, and I am thrilled there are two more books to come in this trilogy. The author gives the right balance between explanation, description, and action without overwhelming; I particularly loved his descriptions of Egypt and Venice. I highly recommend this book (and his other ones too), and am looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
Now, this book is quite deceptive as the author actually throws quite a lot at the reader; you've got everything from conspiracy theories about aliens, to government coverups, to mathematical and scientific theories, to secret societies. I loved the scientific and mathematics concepts in this book and was thrilled to meet Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Paul Dirac***, and one of the characters, Ettore Majorana, plus some mathematicians from the Ancient World. Anyone with any knowledge of mathematics/physics will be familiar with those names, even Einstein was mentioned although he hasn't appeared as of yet. And while you non-scientific people may be quailing at the thought of math and science, do not despair, as the author has this amazing ability to explain the concepts in layman's terms so it is easily understood, or as easily understood as possible.
Like all of Green's books, while the action can be pulse-pounding, the strength always lies in his characters and in their development. Andie (Andromeda) and Cal come from completely different worlds, she is a physics doctoral student while Cal is an investigative journalist fired for digging into things he shouldn't have, and the two have crossed paths in their struggle against an organization known only as LYS. Andie's mentor and close family friend was murdered while on a business trip in Bologna, leaving some cryptic clues for Andie to figure out, telling her to trust no one, not even her family, thrusting her into a political struggle that has existed for a long time. Having little experience in evasion, I like how both of them rely on their wits to evade the people chasing them, plus a little bit of luck, but the luck doesn't seem forced or fake. Having read this author before, I know not to take for granted anything in his books, so I am always paying attention to everything, even if I don't understand, as I know it will be explained later on.
The plot of the book can be quite intense, in particular the second half of the book as Andie and Cal race after clues trying to evade people who are after them (and I am still trying to sort out who are the bad guys and who are the good guys in these rival factions). Keep in mind, this is the first book of a planned trilogy, so the author is setting up characters and events for future novels, so the first half of the book does exactly that. However, I find it all fascinating and intriguing; having both a science and history background, this was right up my ally. The story does split into different POVs, even going back to the 1930s, told from Ettore Majorana's POV, giving us a plausible reason for his disappearance before WWII. The multiple story lines are flow quite seamlessly together and I enjoyed the back and forth as it advanced the story without giving too much away.
Genesis does a great job making the story and the characters compelling and interesting. I have always loved puzzle element story lines so this was right up my alley, and I am thrilled there are two more books to come in this trilogy. The author gives the right balance between explanation, description, and action without overwhelming; I particularly loved his descriptions of Egypt and Venice. I highly recommend this book (and his other ones too), and am looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
April 16, 2020
Andie Robertson has relied on her mentor and PhD adviser, Dr. James Corwin for much of her life, especially after her mother left. All of Andie's life, she has had strange hallucinations that take her into an eerie shadow world. After Dr. Corwin is mysteriously murdered in Italy, Andie finds some research of Dr. Corwin's that is out of his field of study along with drawings that looks exactly like her hallucinations. With the drawings, Andie finds the Star Phone, a strange device that leads her on an adventure with a series of clues. The clues are associated with a secret society, The Leap Year Society and The Ascendants. On the other side of the US, a disgraced investigative journalist, Cal, is desperately trying to find the people who ruined his career. Once Andie and Cal figure out that they are both being hunted by a very dangerous and secretive group, they team up to help one another on the perilous path that has befallen them
Unknown 9: Genesis is a complex science fiction thriller featuring secret groups, code breaking, hidden history, conspiracy theories and mind bending scientific breakthroughs. This is the first book of a trilogy and the beginning of the book was a gradual set up of characters, events and background before getting too heavy into the plot. The writing gripped me from the beginning, building suspense as Dr. Corwin is running for his life. After that, the set up bounces back and forth between Andie, Cal, Omer who is contracted to deliver them, and Ettore in the 1930's. This lends to a slower pace in the beginning, however it does a wonderful job of creating deep characters and intriguing story line that is compounded, but easily followed. I enjoyed the fast paced adventures in Egypt and Italy's historical spaces. I'm deeply interested in the Leap Year Society and the secrets they want to protect. I was absorbed by the idea of The Fold and the potential it could unlock. There is much more to explore with all of the characters and the journey they are on, I can't wait to read more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Unknown 9: Genesis is a complex science fiction thriller featuring secret groups, code breaking, hidden history, conspiracy theories and mind bending scientific breakthroughs. This is the first book of a trilogy and the beginning of the book was a gradual set up of characters, events and background before getting too heavy into the plot. The writing gripped me from the beginning, building suspense as Dr. Corwin is running for his life. After that, the set up bounces back and forth between Andie, Cal, Omer who is contracted to deliver them, and Ettore in the 1930's. This lends to a slower pace in the beginning, however it does a wonderful job of creating deep characters and intriguing story line that is compounded, but easily followed. I enjoyed the fast paced adventures in Egypt and Italy's historical spaces. I'm deeply interested in the Leap Year Society and the secrets they want to protect. I was absorbed by the idea of The Fold and the potential it could unlock. There is much more to explore with all of the characters and the journey they are on, I can't wait to read more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
September 3, 2022
Similar in style and execution to familiar puzzle thrillers like The DaVinci Code, but with physics rather than religion at the heart, Unknown 9: Genesis is an exciting first instalment in a new multimedia franchise.
Layton Green throws a lot at the reader, with influences ranging from the sci-fi conspiracy theories of The X-Files to the globe-trotting history of Indiana Jones, this was a fast-paced story that that follows several interwoven narratives to keep things moving at a breakneck pace. A big part of what makes it so engaging, despite that pace, is the characters.
Andie is a brave young woman, thrust into world for which she’s completely unprepared by the death of her mentor, Dr. Corwin. Told to trust nobody, she is forced to rely on her own instincts in the search for answers. Cal, the young ex-reporter who crosses her path when they both begin asking the wrong questions, is a paranoid conspiracy podcaster – reminding me of The Lone Gunmen – who adds a little more experience to the quest, fueled by his underground connections in the hacker community. Then there is Omer, the man chasing them both, who captured my attention because while he’s dedicated and relentless, he’s also refreshingly fallible.
Despite the frantic pacing, you do need to have a little patience with the story as there’s a lot to set up and a lot to explain. This is a book that’s heavy on physics, science, and astronomy – not to mention hacking technology – but, to his credit, Green does a stellar job of making it all accessible and interesting. It’s the second half of the book, where we begin getting deeper into the adventure element, that the story really pulled me in, racing from one landmark (and narrow) escape to another.
Granted, this is only the first chapter in a much larger project, but the questions asked and the mysteries teased are more than enough to keep the reader’s interest, despite the cliffhanger ending. Smart, adventurous, and possibly even inspirational, Unknown 9: Genesis is definitely worth the read.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/...
Layton Green throws a lot at the reader, with influences ranging from the sci-fi conspiracy theories of The X-Files to the globe-trotting history of Indiana Jones, this was a fast-paced story that that follows several interwoven narratives to keep things moving at a breakneck pace. A big part of what makes it so engaging, despite that pace, is the characters.
Andie is a brave young woman, thrust into world for which she’s completely unprepared by the death of her mentor, Dr. Corwin. Told to trust nobody, she is forced to rely on her own instincts in the search for answers. Cal, the young ex-reporter who crosses her path when they both begin asking the wrong questions, is a paranoid conspiracy podcaster – reminding me of The Lone Gunmen – who adds a little more experience to the quest, fueled by his underground connections in the hacker community. Then there is Omer, the man chasing them both, who captured my attention because while he’s dedicated and relentless, he’s also refreshingly fallible.
Despite the frantic pacing, you do need to have a little patience with the story as there’s a lot to set up and a lot to explain. This is a book that’s heavy on physics, science, and astronomy – not to mention hacking technology – but, to his credit, Green does a stellar job of making it all accessible and interesting. It’s the second half of the book, where we begin getting deeper into the adventure element, that the story really pulled me in, racing from one landmark (and narrow) escape to another.
Granted, this is only the first chapter in a much larger project, but the questions asked and the mysteries teased are more than enough to keep the reader’s interest, despite the cliffhanger ending. Smart, adventurous, and possibly even inspirational, Unknown 9: Genesis is definitely worth the read.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/...
May 11, 2020
Treasure hunts are always a blast to read—from the daring adventure, the far-too real danger, and the inevitable prize at the end. It’s always a type of story that leaves me wishing that my life was more exciting. But I would have never thought a treasure hunt that focuses on quantum mechanics would have been as thrilling as “Genesis” by Layton Green.
The story follows Andie, whose mother left her when she was very young. Andie has coped with the loss with help from her college professor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Corwin. So, she is terribly devastated when she hears that Dr. Corwin was found dead in Italy after one of his tours. However, soon after the news, Andie receives a note from Dr. Corwin that he must have sent to her right before he died. It’s the first clue in a hunt that Andie is not prepared for, with the dire warning written that Andie is not to trust anyone. Andie tries to take that to heart, but as her adventure gets more out of hand, with people tracking her down, she and an ex-reporter named Cal team up to find what Dr. Corwin hid before he disappeared.
But what are they hunting for? Andie has the impression that Dr. Corwin was onto something big in his research, something that could change the way everyone perceives reality. More terrifyingly, Andie thinks she has seen this new reality before, during her random, but sudden, headaches she has suffered from ever since she was young. Andie and Cal are determined to find this device before an evil organization does, which will take all the wit and strength they have.
Told from multiple points of view, this story really came to life for me. The protagonists fought for what they knew was right, and scarily enough, so did the villains, thinking they were also in the right. I will definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out.
The story follows Andie, whose mother left her when she was very young. Andie has coped with the loss with help from her college professor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Corwin. So, she is terribly devastated when she hears that Dr. Corwin was found dead in Italy after one of his tours. However, soon after the news, Andie receives a note from Dr. Corwin that he must have sent to her right before he died. It’s the first clue in a hunt that Andie is not prepared for, with the dire warning written that Andie is not to trust anyone. Andie tries to take that to heart, but as her adventure gets more out of hand, with people tracking her down, she and an ex-reporter named Cal team up to find what Dr. Corwin hid before he disappeared.
But what are they hunting for? Andie has the impression that Dr. Corwin was onto something big in his research, something that could change the way everyone perceives reality. More terrifyingly, Andie thinks she has seen this new reality before, during her random, but sudden, headaches she has suffered from ever since she was young. Andie and Cal are determined to find this device before an evil organization does, which will take all the wit and strength they have.
Told from multiple points of view, this story really came to life for me. The protagonists fought for what they knew was right, and scarily enough, so did the villains, thinking they were also in the right. I will definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out.
March 17, 2020
The Review
A brilliant novel, the story unfolds as part of Assassin’s Creed, part X-Files, and phenomenal new mythology that readers will instantly fall in love with. The way the story shifts between the past and present make for a fascinating character study of both Ettore and Andie and Andie’s ally in the search for the truth creates a pairing reminiscent of Mulder and Scully on The X-Files, making this story feel much more cinematic in its approach.
The author has brilliantly set up an ongoing storyline that will reach across multiple mediums in the entertainment world. From the incredible trilogy of novels laid out by Layton Green with this first book to video games, podcasts, comic books and more, this book is the launching point for a much larger narrative that is sure to unlock one of the modern ages best new mythologies.
The Verdict
Strong character development, bold new mythology and an evenly paced read make Unknown 9: Genesis by Layton Green a must-read in 2020, and one of our contenders for the best read of 2020 thus far. Action-packed, historical and scientific themes make the story pop out in a truly fresh way and will leave readers on the edge of their seat as revelations lead to more questions as the universe unravels before them. Grab your copy of the first book in the Genesis trilogy by Layton Green today!
A brilliant novel, the story unfolds as part of Assassin’s Creed, part X-Files, and phenomenal new mythology that readers will instantly fall in love with. The way the story shifts between the past and present make for a fascinating character study of both Ettore and Andie and Andie’s ally in the search for the truth creates a pairing reminiscent of Mulder and Scully on The X-Files, making this story feel much more cinematic in its approach.
The author has brilliantly set up an ongoing storyline that will reach across multiple mediums in the entertainment world. From the incredible trilogy of novels laid out by Layton Green with this first book to video games, podcasts, comic books and more, this book is the launching point for a much larger narrative that is sure to unlock one of the modern ages best new mythologies.
The Verdict
Strong character development, bold new mythology and an evenly paced read make Unknown 9: Genesis by Layton Green a must-read in 2020, and one of our contenders for the best read of 2020 thus far. Action-packed, historical and scientific themes make the story pop out in a truly fresh way and will leave readers on the edge of their seat as revelations lead to more questions as the universe unravels before them. Grab your copy of the first book in the Genesis trilogy by Layton Green today!
May 12, 2020
i won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, this is a trilogy. i read "The Brothers Three (The Blackwood Saga #1)", trying to jog my memory as to how i got to reading that book?? (i can say these are similar books in that you can see how Layton's writing abilities go, very cool, enjoyable) was it a goodreads giveaway as well?? i am guessing on this book ... i think that was a goodreads giveaway, i know it could be a different giveaway ... either way i am totally thankful for the win. historical thriller ... i need to research "occult fiction/occult horror" personally i don't enjoy that word. i get it now, but i still don't like that they put it under that heading??! any who ... i enjoyed it ... and i see the google definition. "saw another reviewers say this: get a passport, you will have a great ride, not say word for word, but i have a passport and i totally enjoyed this read!!" love book lovers!! we are a great crowd. i am excited to see how this series will go, or where it will go??! etc. etc. i am a Layton Green fan. love the book cover. very cool. i guess for me what really pulled me in was the historical section, or points ... i am totally a historical lover all life, whatever u should say there, totally!! must read. i enjoyed it!!
June 7, 2020
Genesis by Layton Green
Genesis is the story of an astrophysicist’s search for a murder and a investigative journalist looking for his life.
Andie is devastated with the death of her mentor. After receiving a gift after his death, she discovers there are many secrets involved. Cal is eking out an existence as a podcaster after his career was destroyed. One of his podcasts puts him on the radar of a nefarious secret society.
The two find each other and become embroiled in continent jumping danger.
I particularly enjoyed the historic perspective with Ettore Majorana. I had never heard of him and found my self Googling him to get more background. He did exist and the mystery surrounding him was true.
Green develops the characters well and provides an intriguing plot .
I recommend it.
Genesis is the story of an astrophysicist’s search for a murder and a investigative journalist looking for his life.
Andie is devastated with the death of her mentor. After receiving a gift after his death, she discovers there are many secrets involved. Cal is eking out an existence as a podcaster after his career was destroyed. One of his podcasts puts him on the radar of a nefarious secret society.
The two find each other and become embroiled in continent jumping danger.
I particularly enjoyed the historic perspective with Ettore Majorana. I had never heard of him and found my self Googling him to get more background. He did exist and the mystery surrounding him was true.
Green develops the characters well and provides an intriguing plot .
I recommend it.
February 17, 2020
Genesis is first in a book series that will eventually tie in to the Unknown 9 universe, featuring movies, podcasts, video games and more.
The book is reminiscent of The DaVinci Code (or the National Treasure movies). It combines a cat-and-mouse chase that spans the globe with a cult-y secret society. Genesis features dual timelines - most of the book takes place in the present, with snippets of the past (the mid- to late-1930s, for what it's worth).
It held my attention for the majority of the book. However, precious little is actually revealed (due mostly in part to the fact that this is merely the first of a series, so they can't just show their hand in book one). If you don't mind dealing with a cliffhanger for a while (I think book two is due for release in the fall of 2020?) this is a relatively fun read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is reminiscent of The DaVinci Code (or the National Treasure movies). It combines a cat-and-mouse chase that spans the globe with a cult-y secret society. Genesis features dual timelines - most of the book takes place in the present, with snippets of the past (the mid- to late-1930s, for what it's worth).
It held my attention for the majority of the book. However, precious little is actually revealed (due mostly in part to the fact that this is merely the first of a series, so they can't just show their hand in book one). If you don't mind dealing with a cliffhanger for a while (I think book two is due for release in the fall of 2020?) this is a relatively fun read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2020
I love this type of science-fiction! I was hooked from the beginning of Unknown 9: Genesis by Layton Green and enjoyed every minute of it, with the only disappointment coming at the end, when I realized part two of the trilogy is yet to be released. It’s going to be a tough wait.
The story features Andromeda, Andie for short, a smart and savvy undergrad who gets caught up in a global scheme to find answers to one of the most profound questions mankind has asked. Based in science with plenty of globe-trotting and no one to trust, Andie has to find answers regarding her professor and mentor, her mother and her past in order to stay alive.
This is a fast-paced, dramatic read that will have you asking questions, and enjoying every page.
The story features Andromeda, Andie for short, a smart and savvy undergrad who gets caught up in a global scheme to find answers to one of the most profound questions mankind has asked. Based in science with plenty of globe-trotting and no one to trust, Andie has to find answers regarding her professor and mentor, her mother and her past in order to stay alive.
This is a fast-paced, dramatic read that will have you asking questions, and enjoying every page.
March 30, 2020
It's hard to properly review a novel that is the beginning piece of a broad transmedia story. It is intentionally incomplete. But what I will say is that this was a very well crafted plot and the pacing was just about perfect. My critique is that I felt the main characters were a little bit flat. While I felt their desperation and cared about their safety, I never felt I truly got to "know" either of them.
Nonetheless, I look forward to the next novel as well as the other intervening story media.
Nonetheless, I look forward to the next novel as well as the other intervening story media.
October 2, 2020
I just finished reading this book and I would describe it as an intrigue story.The main character is a civilian and the rest of the characters are other worldly creatures all wanting this special phone that has some special knowledge of mankind or a weapon.I do simplify , it is a little hard to explain in a few words .The story is a little out there but I enjoy how Layton Green writes.Its fluid,descriptive,exciting.I wish the main characters had been fleshed out more. I won't be passing this one on to my mama but definitely to a friend
April 12, 2020
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways and while it isn't my usual genre, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. As a story wrapped with mystery, suspense, and plot twists, Genesis is based around science which can be hard to grasp - and makes for a fascinating read which takes you around the world, and perhaps another realm.
The story isn't finished - I look forward to reading the next book in the Trilogy.
The story isn't finished - I look forward to reading the next book in the Trilogy.
May 16, 2020
I won this as a Goodreads Giveaway.
The book reminded me strongly of Dan Brown style books... conspiracy theories mixed with just enough real facts and places that it draws the reader in. Reminiscent of parts of Indiana Jones or National Treasure as well. Although the main character's intuition and luck really seemed to stretch believability at points, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am interested enough that I'll probably look for the sequels at the library.
The book reminded me strongly of Dan Brown style books... conspiracy theories mixed with just enough real facts and places that it draws the reader in. Reminiscent of parts of Indiana Jones or National Treasure as well. Although the main character's intuition and luck really seemed to stretch believability at points, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and am interested enough that I'll probably look for the sequels at the library.
June 21, 2021
I have never read a book like this! It is a quiet thriller! You feel the chill bumps run up and down your spine on every page!! I was disappointed to find only half a book. Where can we get the rest??? This a completely different book from what I usually read, but it is very connecting to you the minute you start reading. MY eyes aren't too good, so I made the type a little larger and finished it in 2 hours..
More, More, More, PLEASE!!
More, More, More, PLEASE!!
September 9, 2021
This is an exciting read. The story is about Andie whose mother left when she was young and whose mentor has been murdered. It is a fast paced mystery when Andie tries to solve the murder and doesn't know who she can trust. She has to travel the world to look for clues to what is going on. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and would highly recommend the series.
Thank you to #goodreads, @LaytonGreen and @GreenleafBookGroup for a copy of this book.
Thank you to #goodreads, @LaytonGreen and @GreenleafBookGroup for a copy of this book.
February 25, 2020
This book is very suspenseful, which made it nearly impossible to put down. The timelines and story lines of the book worked seamlessly in parallel with the protagonist and other characters. I won this book from Goodreads. The only problem I have with this book is that it left me hanging! I want to read the rest of the story, which I will do once the next book is published.
March 15, 2020
Phew! This is a fast paced, thrilling suspense tale which spans the decades and which ties into the Unknown 9 collection.
The science was a bit mind boggling, but the author did a fantastic job of ensuring that it wasn't distracting from an intriguing story arc, which played out beautifully on the page.
I'm hooked.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
The science was a bit mind boggling, but the author did a fantastic job of ensuring that it wasn't distracting from an intriguing story arc, which played out beautifully on the page.
I'm hooked.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
July 18, 2020
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways and have chosen to give my honest opinion about it.
An exciting read! At first I was skeptical on how this book would go, but following Andie and uncovering the secrets and shadows of the universe of the book was very interesting, it was truly an enjoyable read. The character development was well done here.
An exciting read! At first I was skeptical on how this book would go, but following Andie and uncovering the secrets and shadows of the universe of the book was very interesting, it was truly an enjoyable read. The character development was well done here.
April 10, 2021
For an airport thriller, fantastic. Picked this up thanks to the cover and was suprised by the entertainingly complex physics mystery. Good enough that I went back and finished it even after the plane ride. Fun, fast read that doesn't take a lot of thought to enjoy properly - will likely read the sequel!
January 5, 2021
This was a great book but there is no resolution to the story, so it is not a standalone to the trilogy. I look forward to the next one. The Unknown 9 alternate reality game should be good. I started with this book into the ARG, but this book is good on it's own.
July 5, 2022
Terrible book as first of a trilogy. No ending, just a note to buy the next book. Really trite. I expected an interesting mystery that deals with quantum physics, but all I got were chase scenes and a poor attempt at Davinci Code. I won’t go to the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2020
Well woven plots. Won this from Goodreads Giveaway. Really liked it, but left me hanging, hate to wait months to find out more, and evidently months more for the conclusion.
March 27, 2020
Not really my kind of book, but it was interesting. I received a free copy from goodreads.
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