Review by Kei Nakagawa -- Timewise by Robert Leet

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keiyoshi
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Review by Kei Nakagawa -- Timewise by Robert Leet

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Timewise" by Robert Leet.]
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3 out of 4 stars
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What would happen if a physicist and a mathematician work together in using a time machine to manipulate the stock market? That’s exactly the question that Robert Leet’s Timewise answers. This unconventional science fiction follows the story of Ron, an esteemed mathematician who found a method to predict the stock market as he came to help his old friend and sponsor, Regina Russo, a professor and a physicist with ambitious theories on the existence of time.

With his choice to help Regina comes the inevitable destruction of the life he had just started building – his marriage and his career in the financial world brought about by his recent discovery. However, he easily realizes how leaving his previous and almost-perfect life to be worth it as Regina’s theories and experimentations on the nature of time have proven to have practical results. Regina was able to build a time machine that could show the activity of the stock market at a specified time in the future, and with Ron’s help, the machine will allow her to profit easily and endlessly.

In a short 388 pages, Robert Leet was able to narrate Ron’s story in a full circle, describe the most important ideas and theories of quantum mechanics, provide a different perspective of the world, and present a different take on the whole time travel idea. That alone already deserves a handful of praises from his readers.

Ron’s story was particularly interesting as it seemed very realistic. Not everyone has a planned future and not everyone can live up to what’s expected of them and that’s okay. I like how this alone already provides reasons as to why he had to meet all the people in his life as they opened up multiple paths to the person Ron can be while still leaving all decisions up to him.

With the protagonist having no particular ambitions for himself, his story provided a good arc for character development. Unfortunately, this is something I did not observe. He seemed to stay nonchalant and just go about where the world takes him throughout the whole book. However, as the story progresses, it can be seen how the other characters developed upon the influence of Ron in their lives.

Moreover, I liked how the story went on a full circle – how everything started and ended with a simple game of chess.

Aside from Ron’s story, Leet was also able to discuss and present the relevant theories of quantum mechanics in the simplest way possible that readers can understand without requiring any scientific background. Figures are also provided to aid in the discussion of the theory. As a woman in the sciences, this allowed me to understand the basic postulates of the sciences in a unique manner and a different perspective which is something I highly admire. On the downside, some theories didn’t seem to be worth mentioning in the long run since they did not contribute much to the story’s progress.

The book also provided Leet with the perfect avenue to discuss his ideas and teachings like how humans have yet to get in touch with nature, the world, and the universe in general. In a way, he also stresses how science doesn’t just revolve around itself.

Opposed to the impression it presents, Timewise is not comparable to the other science fiction books that usually deals with the past. It is future-based and focuses more on what’s ahead than what’s behind. In fact, it did not reference the past in any way and at any time. I think this is what makes the book really stand out.

Overall, the book is a good read. It looked clean and professionally edited. I immediately fell in love with its typeface! I took some time reading it, but this may be due to the heavy nature of science fiction books in general. There is no notable profanity in the book. The story necessitates some romantic scenes but they are not detailed and are kept short. There are a few and minor typographical errors but they can easily be shrugged off. However, a certain figure was mistakenly placed that it blocked out some of the text.

I would give Robert Leet’s Timewise a three out of four stars. What really threw me off was the ending. While the story went on a full circle, the ending seemed underwhelming for all the buildup. It seemed as though it was forced to end hastily, resulting in some open-ended side stories and incomplete explanations. It isn’t perfect but I liked how the ideas are presented and I think my fellow people in the sciences would enjoy it as much as I did.

If you’re looking for something new, this is the book for you.

******
Timewise
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rahilshajahan
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Post by rahilshajahan »

I am intrigued as to how the author uses Quantum Mechanics to explain time travel. Being a Physics graduate, this might be hard to digest. Anyways, thanks for an awesome review! The ending being underwhelming is a shame.
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Post by Olabode Joshua »

Wow! I really enjoyed reading your review. I don't like loose ends too. The author should have concluded the story patiently. The premise is entirely new to me too
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keiyoshi
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Post by keiyoshi »

rahilshajahan wrote: 31 Jul 2020, 03:30 I am intrigued as to how the author uses Quantum Mechanics to explain time travel. Being a Physics graduate, this might be hard to digest. Anyways, thanks for an awesome review! The ending being underwhelming is a shame.
Is that so? Then, I think the theory on how the time machine was created will surely interest you. Give the book a read if you have the time. Thanks for dropping by!
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keiyoshi
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Post by keiyoshi »

Olabode Joshua wrote: 31 Jul 2020, 03:57 Wow! I really enjoyed reading your review. I don't like loose ends too. The author should have concluded the story patiently. The premise is entirely new to me too
Thanks for reading! Yes, I really hope that all the parts of the story were provided with the proper endings. It really is a new thing for everybody and that itself is very rare.
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Post by Vic Chimezie »

The first line I read in this review got me eager to read this book. I can't wait! Thank you for your detailed review and recommendation.
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keiyoshi
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Post by keiyoshi »

Vic Chimezie wrote: 01 Aug 2020, 13:50 The first line I read in this review got me eager to read this book. I can't wait! Thank you for your detailed review and recommendation.
Thank you for dropping by!
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Post by riyosha »

Pretty unusual book! Nice review :)
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Post by keiyoshi »

riyosha wrote: 03 Aug 2020, 03:02 Pretty unusual book! Nice review :)
True! It was definitely a new concept for me. Thanks for dropping by!
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Post by derialist »

I wonder what would happen if someone finds a way of predicting the stock market. I'm already getting a feel of what it's like to be Ron. Who could blame him. Preety great review. Loved it!
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Post by Kanda_theGreat »

I cannot wait to find out the theories of the existence of time, which were formulated by Russo.
Thank you for your amazing review.
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keiyoshi
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Post by keiyoshi »

derialist wrote: 03 Aug 2020, 10:43 I wonder what would happen if someone finds a way of predicting the stock market. I'm already getting a feel of what it's like to be Ron. Who could blame him. Preety great review. Loved it!
Thanks!
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Post by keiyoshi »

Kanda_theGreat wrote: 04 Aug 2020, 09:42 I cannot wait to find out the theories of the existence of time, which were formulated by Russo.
Thank you for your amazing review.
Thank you!
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Post by LuciusM »

Nice review. Your description makes the book to be like a movie!
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keiyoshi
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Post by keiyoshi »

LuciusM wrote: 08 Aug 2020, 19:40 Nice review. Your description makes the book to be like a movie!
The book is indeed film-worthy! Thank you for reading.
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