loragracegrace's review against another edition
4.0
Fast-paced, fun premise with just enough science backing it up that I can now get through a conversation about quantum mechanics and recognize several of the concepts. I finished it in a day, it’s a good vacation read.
me511kev's review against another edition
4.0
Quite an entertaining sci-fi/murder mystery, that is fast paced with a nice alternating time perspective. I don't ordinarily like when perspectives change from chapter to chapter, but Walton does a good job, and, as it turns out, it's essential to the story. The book certainly is heavy on the science of quantum mechanics, so if you are not a science geek, this book probably won't interest you and most likely lose you. I felt he did a good job of explaining the more complex concepts of quantum mechanics in a way that non-PhD's could relate. If you like science, read this book, you'll love it.
atarbett's review against another edition
4.0
You know what would make this murder mystery better?
Quantum Physics.
Yeah, not a sentence I’d ever thought I’d make, but here we are. As a mystery and as science fiction, it’s solid. I approve.
The big twist ending could have used some better groundwork, but I’ll give it to him. Perhaps I’ve become sentimental.
8/10. Would recommend.
Quantum Physics.
Yeah, not a sentence I’d ever thought I’d make, but here we are. As a mystery and as science fiction, it’s solid. I approve.
The big twist ending could have used some better groundwork, but I’ll give it to him. Perhaps I’ve become sentimental.
8/10. Would recommend.
nany007's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant! I've read more murder mysteries than I care to admit, but when I had a glimpse of this at BookCon 2015, I knew I had to get it. So I met the author! ..purchased the book and it did NOT disappoint. Not only did it give such a smart and creepy spin to a suspenseful thriller, but it explained quantum physics in a way that had my mind spinning with possibilities. Murder and quantum physics. Who knew?!?!
julaun's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
Going to rate this book based on three factors, then summarize.
As Courtroom Murder Mystery, it felt like Snow Falling on Cedars. Suspense was well maintained, with facts dolloped out as needed. There was even some intrigue from the police department side.
As Primer on Quantum Mechanics, this book works well. In the guise of explaining to the lawyer, jurors, and other non-scientific types, some good analogies are used and Quantum Physics gets a good break down.
As Thriller, this short novel is excellent. I read it in four very busy days, and could have easily finished in an evening.
As a whole, it was quite good, but for me there were rough patches. I had a tough time suspending disbelief in the use of physics, and found some of the character interactions stilted. Plenty of positives though - it is a relatively short and accessible mystery utilizing Quantum physics set in an interesting near-future (smart paper, the large company named towards the end). Creative and definitely recommended.
As Courtroom Murder Mystery, it felt like Snow Falling on Cedars. Suspense was well maintained, with facts dolloped out as needed. There was even some intrigue from the police department side.
As Primer on Quantum Mechanics, this book works well. In the guise of explaining to the lawyer, jurors, and other non-scientific types, some good analogies are used and Quantum Physics gets a good break down.
As Thriller, this short novel is excellent. I read it in four very busy days, and could have easily finished in an evening.
As a whole, it was quite good, but for me there were rough patches. I had a tough time suspending disbelief in the use of physics, and found some of the character interactions stilted. Plenty of positives though - it is a relatively short and accessible mystery utilizing Quantum physics set in an interesting near-future (smart paper, the large company named towards the end). Creative and definitely recommended.
diesmali's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and intricate plot, but ultimately lacking in suspense. Kudos for managing to explain the science and its implications to the reader.
hardscifi's review against another edition
5.0
Great sequel to Superposition
Very well written in order to be interesting and yet accurate in extrapolating quantum physics to the macroscopic universe. Engaging characters and smooth dialogue. I want more.
Very well written in order to be interesting and yet accurate in extrapolating quantum physics to the macroscopic universe. Engaging characters and smooth dialogue. I want more.
seak's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason I'm always impressed when something both entertains me and educates me. It's as if all those years of
But that is the case here. David Walton's Superposition is a fun romp through quantum physics. Jacob Kelly is a brilliant physicist who is confronted by an old friend who pretty much destroys his life.
His old friend has some secrets, mostly involving his scientific research and he arrives at Jacob's house, uninvited, and points a gun at Jacob's wife. He shoots, but nothing happens to her. He's discovered something big, but this discovery ends up with Jacob on trial for murder.
The whole book switches back and forth between two viewpoints. One is the present time where Jacob is figuring out the mysteries surrounding his friend's odd behavior, the other time period is Jacob on trial for the murder of that same friend. All of this is told in the first person.
As an attorney, I was actually quite impressed with Walton's grasp of the courtroom. I spend quite a bit of time there and just ask my wife, she can't stand watching shows with any amount of court. But I can't help it, the stuff Hollywood does in a courtroom tends to make no sense at least half the time.
Walton does a great job, however, making the courtroom both realistic and entertaining, which is why Hollywood tends to not follow the realistic approach I'm lead to believe. And the worst part is, the District Attorney has a pretty great case against Jacob only made worse by the fact that the real explanation is absolutely ludicrous.
Throughout the entirety of the book, you're also learning a lot about how quantum physics work. How probability plays more of a role than just about anything and how that is just about impossible to wrap your mind around because how can probability have anything to do with things that exist!
And that's not to say the narrative gets bogged down in explanations, it's a smooth thriller and the science only adds to the wonder.
I quite thoroughly enjoyed Superposition and probably mostly for how much I get to bug people with my new found knowledge of particle physics. It's a fascinating concept on display in an entertaining read. Highly Recommended.
4 out of 5 Stars.
kaisu's review against another edition
5.0
Eine gute runde Story, wo man auch mal sein Hirn anstrengen muss :)