Neuromantic Subversion
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7796780304
N’s review
Aug 03, 2025
really liked it
Neuromantic Subversion is an unusual book that blends science fiction, mythology, and politics.
The story jumps across different places in the world — from Australia to Afghanistan — weaving
together ancient beliefs, secret agencies, psychic powers, and the struggle for control. At times
it’s challenging to follow, but it’s certainly original and different. A great fit for readers who enjoy
unconventional and thought-provoking stories.
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
August 3, 2025 – Shelved
The Review by Sefina Hawke for Readers’ Favorite
At: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/artifice
Re-titled: Neuromantic Subversion.
Artifice by Lutz Barz is a dark science fiction, fantasy and horror novel that will appeal to a
mixed audience of mature young adults and adults who enjoy reading dark science fiction with
horrifying twists mixed in. Artifice takes place when the Soviet Union occupies Afghanistan in
1979, strange murders happen in Australia, and the occult is both real and dangerous. Artifice is
a novel that combines the occult, aliens, and the time stream all in one plot line.
Artifice has a slightly confusing beginning in that Lutz Barz puts the reader right into the middle
of events; there is no gentle send off, but a launch into the unknown. However, I kept reading,
and as the story continued, things began to make sense in this world of fiction and fantasy. The
plot began to come together as I learned more and more about the world state; in fact for me the
story felt a bit like an adventure and a mystery to be solved as I had to find and put pieces
together for myself. I enjoyed the fact that Lutz Barz did not hold my hand and give me each
piece of the puzzle on a silver platter. Instead, I had to find and understand it myself, which felt
more like an accomplishment. The end of Artifice was not something I expected, but I really
enjoyed the way Lutz Barz ended the story.
Review/Intro of Alien Animus by Lutz Barz
Alien Animus totally subjugated me!
It isn’t quite what I expected. It isn’t all good, either. But it has fascinating aspects that have kept
me hooked and made for a real page-turner.
Alien Animus by Lutz Barz begins in the middle of a war between two alien races. The struggle
is fierce. The prize is universal domination.
At Sumtek Monastery, Kathmandu Valley, ca. 1979, we’re introduced to Amithama, a deeply
meditative monk, to Adibuddha, the lord of all Buddhas, and to the black mandala.
The action then switches to Australia, where university student Martin has to grapple with a
mystery buried in a seemingly sleepy town of the Napier Valley. Not just the town. It appears that
the entire valley hides dark secrets somehow entangled with the aborigines and their ancient
myths.
From then on, things get even more complicated with the Hindu couple, Savarna and Rana, who
pursues power and knowledge via blind submission to Kali’s bloody cult. There’s an
archaeological expedition in Nepal and Afghanistan that wants to uncover a purported alien
artifact. There’s a ring of international conspirators that include both German and Russian
personalities with an agenda of their own. There’s the traveling back to an all but forgotten
Indian past of proud traditions. There’s the impending Soviet-Afghan War that attracts an
abundance of spies, double agents, and double dealers. Throw in the good old paranoia of
hidden truths and a considerable dose of splatter horror, and you get a pretty fair idea of what
the ca. 600 pages of Alien Animus are all about.
If you think this is confusing, wait till you read it!
Seriously, though, I do like it, but let me point out the pros and cons of this book.
My first issue is, what genre best describes Alien Animus?
My opinion is that it defies categories.
You’ll find it’s a mix of sci-fi, paranormal, time-travel, horror, current history, and religious zeal.
Mostly, it’s fanta-politics, with its imaginative reconstructions of past worlds and critical
assessments of the ‘70s experience.
My second issue is with the structure.
Like it’s evident from the above summary, the many sub-plots tend to hinder the reader’s
comprehension of the overall story. To the author’s credit, however, he manages to connect
them all to my complete satisfaction. More than that, he turns them into layers that you have to
peel off in order to get to the truth of things. Like in a maze where each corridor can lead you
both in or out, so these various threads intercept and reveal what’s hidden behind the accepted
appearance. And I think it’s a damn brilliant way of exposing the truth!
Mr. Barz’s crisp, no-nonsense style wins me over from the first page. It keeps you interested and
thirsty for more. The only shortcoming is his less intelligible approach to matters he’s obviously
not familiar with. The Australian thread, for instance, is by far the best-written part of the entire
novel. It is also the most credible, heartfelt, and genuine. Which isn’t the case of the alien
universe or the Russian cover-ups. Still, it hasn’t detracted from my enjoyment of the narration.
The strength of Alien Animus lies in its skillful and fascinating descriptions of the Hindu’s rich
culture. The author does an excellent work of weaving strong religious elements inside his fanta-
politics. It’s not easy, yet Mr. Barz pulls it off, and it makes perfect sense in the grand scheme of
things. No, make that utterly enthralling! I just couldn’t get enough of all the stuff about the black
mandala, the rituals, and the deities. Although mythical, they become vibrantly alive and
coalesce the attention more than any alien business.
Another plus is the way the original theme evolves.
It seems to me that the book’s leitmotif is: Time to subjugate Earth. Interestingly enough, this
isn’t the exclusive prerogative of the alien races that have been contending the universe
between them since the beginning of time. Earth’s subjugation seems to be everybody’s priority.
From the innocent monks to the invading Russians, from the Hindu fanatics to the rebellious
aborigines, from the curious archaeologists to the international conspirators—everybody has a
stake in submitting Earth to its own devilish plans. This is so Philip K. Dick that I absolutely love
it!
In the end, I feel compelled to recommend this book to all fans of sci-fi, history, and horror with
particular attention to anyone willing to go beyond the appearance of things while seeking the
concealed meaning behind the long-established truths.
Laura Tolomei
https://au.pinterest.com/pin/497084877642765625/
Renee (Starr Poetress)
I am not a complete fan of this book. Some of the writing was picturesque but some, one had to
sit and look up words to understand the author’s message. This would be an adult book for sure.
There were some spelling and grammatical errors. They were distracting from the read.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7371181125077143552
Amarachi Jackson
Author Support Specialist & Official Reviewer Representative @ OnlineBookClub.org ||
Freelance Writer & Social Media Manager.
6d
A medicine man with invocations, a PhD candidate with investigations, and a Countess on a
global search. Sounds intriguing!
Jesse Amiandah
Software Engineer |Intern(Green World Campaign Kenya)|Tester&Bug Finder|Research
Supervisor| VA | Chat Moderator | Customer Service
6d
What stands out most is the book’s willingness to blur lines, between myth and reality, tradition
and modernity, war and inner struggle. At times, the narrative’s density may test a reader’s
patience, but the reward is a story that feels both intellectually daring and spiritually resonant.
For readers who enjoy speculative fiction that defies formula and forces them to grapple with
ideas bigger than themselves, Neuromantic Subversion is a daring and memorable read.
Alida Spies
6d
The different locations and events sound interesting. The occurrence of psychic phenomena and
having proof of it is fascinating. It sounds like a story with diverse aspects that may appeal to
various people.
Surabhi Rani
Reviewer at OnlineBookClub.org
6d
Amithama had to find the location where the wrongful entrance threatened the present. He
would have to leave the monastery to achieve this aim. He decided to revert to his previous
incarnation. An intriguing storyline in the action thriller, ‘Neuromantic Subversion: Psychotronic
Warfare,’ by Lutz Barz!
Chaitanya Sunil Godbole
Sr. Analyst, Investment Research
6d
Based on the sample read, the book appears to be a medley of psychic / paranormal stuff,
historical references and strife. I am not sure it it the right one for me as I found it hard to follow.
Petro Kleynhans
—
6d
Lutz Barz’s Neuromantic Subversion is a wild fusion of history, culture, and psychic intrigue.
From the Soviet-Afghan War to ancient myths and global conspiracies, the story builds toward
an occult showdown over a “psychotronic site” in Afghanistan. With Martin Ferguson’s
investigation, Jimmy the Medicine Man’s shamanic edge, Zohex’s rise, and the Countess’s
relentless search, the novel brims with twists. A must for sci-fi fans who love their futures mixed
with myth and mystery. Not really my type of read but congratulations on BOTD anyway.
Rose Angela
—
6d
Neuromantic Subversion by Lutz Barz is a sprawling, genre-bending novel that fuses dark
science fiction, mythology, ancient history, and occult horror into a cerebral, time-warped
narrative. Set against the backdrop of real-world geopolitical tension—particularly the lead-up to
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1978—it weaves together multiple timelines and locations,
from Outback Australia to Kathmandu, Berlin, and Moscow.
Beth Andrade
Electronic Engineer | Redactor | Editor | Reader
6d
I like the cover of this book, although I don’t think it fits with the theme. The colors are striking,
and I think it’s going to tell me something about a type of city or issues related to computers and
information technology. Now, this is a fantasy fiction book where a war between different races
takes place, with invaders attempting to take over the land. It seems like a very entertaining and
interesting read; congratulations to the author.
Judy Burr
Owner, Professional Real Estate Svcs.
6d
I sampled the book. c 20,000 BP! Oh my goodness! This is a sci-fi and a thriller. Not my genre,
but congrats to the author on the #BOTD.
Galactic Inheritance
https://manager.submittable.com/user/submissions/41470046#reviews
Writer’s Digest Competitions shared feedback with you.
02/02/2024
Structure, Organization, Pacing: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.
Reviewer 1
This book is satisfactory in its structure, organization, and pacing. Some improvement in at least
one of these areas could be made to improve the reader’s experience.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Structure, Organization, Pacing:
Reviewer 1
n/a
Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.
Reviewer 1
This book has some inconsistencies or errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Additional
proofreading is recommended.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar:
Reviewer 1
n/a
Production Quality and Cover Design: Please choose the statement that best applies to this
book.
Reviewer 1
This book is satisfactory in production quality and cover design. The digital file is mostly of
professional quality, though there may be a few small errors in chapter/URL linking. The cover
could benefit from improvements to the overall design quality, and/or in relation to the
genre/content of the book.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Production Quality and Cover Design:
Reviewer 1
n/a
Plot, Story, or Topic Appeal: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.
Reviewer 1
This book is satisfactory in its choice of topic or theme for the story. It has some unique
elements and will appeal to many readers in its intended genre. If the book is fiction or narrative
nonfiction, the book has a plot but could use some improvements. If the book is poetry or
prescriptive nonfiction, the theme or delivery of information works but could use improvement.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Plot, Story, or Topic Appeal:
Reviewer 1
n/a
Character Appeal and Development: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.
Reviewer 1
This book is satisfactory in character appeal and development. Most main characters are
developed and have appealing or interesting aspects but could use more complex motivations.
Secondary characters may have a purpose but have few unique characteristics.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Character Appeal and Development (for
fiction and narrative nonfiction only):
Reviewer 1
n/a
Voice and Writing Style: Please choose the statement that best applies to this book.
Reviewer 1
This book is satisfactory in its voice and writing style. Both are generally consistent throughout
but may need to improve on uniqueness. The style and tone may appeal to readers of its
intended genre.
Optional: Additional reader commentary related to Voice and Writing Style:
Reviewer 1
n/a
In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 things that you enjoyed or that
readers will find compelling about this book and why.
Reviewer 1
This is an epic science fiction story with complex themes that will appeal to readers of that
genre. Worldbuilding and character development of Ratze and Nervina is thorough.
In a few explanatory sentences, please share with the entrant 1-3 of the most important aspects
that need to be improved for this book to be more appealing/useful to readers and why.
Reviewer 1
Periods not needed after chapter titles. The use of jargon, short incomplete sentences, multiple
adjectives and one-word sentences is disruptive to the narrative and difficult to read. The first
chapter appears to have been n the voice of an AI and has technology jargon and equations
making it hard to read and doesn’t link to the beginning of the rest of the story.
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite
It is always very easy to write a quick summary of a simple
narrative with a straightforward plot and a single, well-defined
protagonist, but not for a long novel that transports readers into
space, following characters and agents through an interplanetary
conflict and exploring quantum physics. First off, the language is
complex, at times very technical, and it is loaded with scientific
concepts. Virtual Quantum Collapse by Lutz Barz is colossal; a novel
featuring a super-power galaxy and beings of exceptional abilities
and qualities. In a theocracy in the galaxy, Prima will do anything to
subdue its twin race, Regum, and Earth using the psychic
visionaries located in space. With Regum’s nano-technology
growing exponentially, Prima uses the psychic abilities to get what
they need. But what awaits Earth is even more dangerous and
powerful. Readers are pulled into a world where quantum physics
rule and where artificial intelligence is highly developed, with a lot
of controversial conflicts between the planets.
Here is a book for those who enjoy a complex novel, and it is only
fair to warn the reader that it will be not only a lengthy read but
one that is mind-boggling. The vocabulary is rich, and it is tailored
for readers who enjoy scientific terminology; there is verbosity in
expression, but there is fast pacing that mimics the intensity of the
activities in space. Following exceptional agents, especially the
women in Regum who hide their brains for fear of psychic attacks
from Prima, is fun. The setting is no place like Earth and readers
may have to create whole new images in their minds as they read. I
enjoyed the use of neologisms, referring to completely new
scientific concepts. The descriptions are terrific and they highlight
Lutz Barz’s narrative style. Virtual Quantum Collapse isn’t a quick
read. It is a long and enjoyable ride through the galaxy and what
makes it stand out.
Review: Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Virtual Quantum Collapse by Lutz Barz is a science fiction novel set
in a galaxy much like ours but in other ways very different. Set in a
super galaxy with just two planets, two races are constantly vying
for dominance. Prima and Regum are home to people who are
highly technologically advanced, with a deep sense of loyalty to
their respective planets. Prima is claustrophobic; some of its people
want to break away from the shackles and take refuge in Regum.
Enraged and power-hungry, Prima wants nothing more than to
capture Regum for its own. However, they have found Earth,
populated by a race they believe is nothing more than barbarians
hell-bent on spilling blood. But they still want it and they want to
claim it. It is a tussle between two very powerful planets that have
weapons and intelligence of their own and there is only one Earth.
Who will get to own it?
Virtual Quantum Collapse is a fast-paced science fiction novel that
contains two very realistic alien planets. I have to admit, I thought
there would be too many characters with difficult names and I
wouldn’t be able to keep up with the story. The novel has multiple
characters with difficult names, but they are very well constructed
and developed. They have their own charms and their own quirks
which make them relatable. The story itself is very complex, which
the fan of science fiction will really enjoy. The author smoothly
transitions from one character to the other, from one storyline to
the other, and ensures that the reader is with them all the way until
the end.
Review: Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Virtual Quantum Collapse is a lengthy and deeply complex work of
science fiction penned by author Lutz Barz. This sweeping novel
tells the tale of the history of different galaxies, planets, and the
races which live in them. In the Great Attractor, the original species
Prima and their more primitively cultured twin Regum fall into
unrest after the shocking discovery and later murder of an
astronomer. From here, a cataclysmic chain of events begins,
including suicides, scientific missions, disappearing people and a
gigantic interplanetary war which is sure to wipe out millions. The
question is which planets will survive the devastation and rise again
to power?
This is an extensive and intense read which hardcore fans of
science fiction are sure to get into and relish every detail. For my
part, author Lutz Barz writes with such an intimate and automatic
knowledge of his creation that I occasionally found myself referring
back to find out what was going on, but as the epic plotline
progresses, so does your understanding of the many people
involved in the relations between Prima and Regum, and later other
planets too. The end result is truly epic in proportions, both
shocking and satisfying to come to after such a huge, high stakes
adventure tale. Overall, Virtual Quantum Collapse is sure to leave
the hardest science fiction fans amazed by its technical prowess,
political sensibilities and atmospheric depictions of the different
levels of conflict. Recommended for those brave enough to take on
the epic reading challenge.
Review: Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite
Virtual Quantum Collapse by Lutz Barz is a science fiction novel of
huge cosmic proportions, a story that takes place in a world far
larger than ours and that presents scientific phenomena that evoke
primal energy. At the center of the story is the Great Attractor, the
galaxy that has existed before the Earth and within which are found
two planets, Prima and her twin planet Regum. The reader is
introduced to unique species, to alien technology and the fight for
power amongst powerful races. Scientists are setting up stations in
a world that is utterly strange and genuinely horrifying to explore.
There is a lot in this story; alien conspiracy, the clash of
technologies and a threat to Earth, considered by the Primarians as
a race that is self-destructive. In this narrative, the forces clash
against each other and planets compete in intelligence. When the
conflict climaxes, which of the superior races will take control over
the others?
This is a huge story, filled with many subplots. At times it feels like
one is reading many novels in one, but the subplots create a great
sense of suspense. The author does an incredible job in
constructing a universe that is punctuated by conflict. It’s a
universe that can be easily imagined with the elements of the
galaxy captured in descriptions that allow vivid imagery. The focus
on the settings is very noticeable and the worlds the author creates
are filled with intelligence. The world-building is unique and the
phraseology uncommon, with stand-alone words and short phrases
that make for a unique and dramatic reading experience. Virtual
Quantum Collapse is patiently and cunningly plotted, reflecting the
ingenuity and the storytelling gift of the author. It’s interesting and
filled with adventure, the kind of work that is replete with exciting
images and scientific concepts.
Review: Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite.
You have to pay attention to this one. Virtual Quantum Collapse by
Lutz Bartz is definitely not a quick read. And, as the name suggests,
it is not a particularly easy read, especially for those not up on their
quantum physics. But with its exciting and gifted three main
characters/agents and their potentially universe-saving mission,
Virtual Quantum Collapse is a very satisfying and exciting hard
science fiction novel in the vein of works by authors like Neil
Stephenson. If you love his works, you will like Lutz Bartz. I am not
a scientist nor do I have a scientific educational background. I am
simply a huge science fiction fan who appreciates when the science
and ideas are accurate, challenging, exciting, and very well written.
You get all of that in Virtual Quantum Collapse, and more.
Hard science fiction books like Virtual Quantum Collapse usually
start out very slowly. You have to set things up so that the reader
can appreciate the fictional world you have created for them. Lutz
Bartz does this beautifully at the beginning of Virtual Quantum
Collapse, and he does it well. We start on Andromeda Station Three
and this is a mission briefing. A briefing for a mission bigger than
any I can recall in any novel I have read so far. This introduces us to
some of the most capable agents in the history of science fiction
and the fact that all three are women added tremendously to the
desire to see what happens next. The more you read, the more the
human element and consequences come into play as the stakes
start rising. A pretty good formula for success. A great work, all in
all.
Ray
https://manager.submittable.com/user/submissions/41470046#reviews
You have to pay attention to this one. With over 3300 pages, Virtual Quantum Collapse by Lutz Bartz is
definitely not a quick read. And as the name suggests it is not a particularly easy read, especially for
those not up on their quantum physics. But with its three exciting and gifted three main character/agents
and their potentially universe saving mission Virtual Quantum Collapse is a very satisfying and exciting
hard science novel in the vein of works by authors like Neil Stephenson. If you love his works you will like
Lutz Bartz. I am not a scientist nor do a have a scientific educational background. I am simply a huge
science-fiction fan who appreciates when the science and ideas are accurate, challenging, exciting, and
very well written. You get all of that in Virtual Quantum Collapse…and more. Hard science=fiction like
Virtual Quantum Collapse usually start out very slow. You have to set things up so that the reader can
appreciate the fictional world you have created for them. Lutz Bartz does this beautifully at the beginning
of Virtual Quantum Collapse ad he does it well. We start on Andromeda Station Three and this is a
mission briefing. A briefing for a mission bigger than any I can recall in any novel I have read so far. This
introduces us to some of the most capable agents in the history of science fiction and the fact that all
three are women added tremendously to the desire to see what happens next. The more you read, the
more the human element and consequences come into play as well as the stakes rising. A pretty good
formula for success.
Review: Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers’ Favorite
Virtual Quantum Collapse by Lutz Barz is an epic science fiction tale
full of action-packed moments, adventure, danger, and space
exploration. Ung is one of three agents at the Arktus space station
and each is tasked with their own mission. As Ung ventures into
Prima’s space, Ratze connects to the Discrepancy and a Primaian
agent attempts to recruit Nervina. Elsewhere, Mena is drawn
toward the Discrepancy while Carias is sent to an asylum and
recruited to look into the WebWorld politics. As their paths all cross
and missions shift, Prima has plans for domination and they aren’t
stopping at the planet while Mars faces a crisis which could halt the
Reganian mission.
Lutz Barz weaves through various perspectives to deliver a well-
rounded story where everyone has a mission or agenda that will
have consequences for various civilizations. Ung’s story begins with
her at the space station as an agent who embarks on a journey
that’s filled with excitement and danger in her decision to join the
DVs, and even a little romance through a briefly met relationship.
She goes through several ups and down which Barz uses to show
Ung time and again acting as a hero who helps others. The other
agents she works alongside play a significant role in events as each
of them has their own arc and personal journey. Barz gives each
character their own place in the story which allows for you to get to
know each of them A conspiracy element is woven throughout,
primarily at the asylum and through the use of experiments.
Barz delivers a series of challenges for each to face which centers
around space, planets, and technology. Carias’ side of the story
focuses on her search into the WebWorld and the startling truths
she uncovers at the asylum which leads her story toward a tragic
turn of events. Mena is training underneath Niata and her journey
pushes her against her limits to who she’s meant to be. Everyone’s
story overlaps as their journeys connect to the core of the story
which is Prima and the impact the civilization has. Several other
perspectives are seen that give a new aspect to the plot and show a
different side to how events unfold. Barz incorporates various
science fiction elements such as an alien field, BrainDraining,
Holographic pictures, AI, and much more that give a vivid society of
technology. Virtual Quantum Collapse is ideal for lovers of science
fiction and epic adventures with detailed characters, advanced
technology, and surprising turns.
Events in Quantum Experiments
indiereader.com
A POSITIVE LOSS EMERGENCE | IndieReader
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By Lutz Barz
IR_Star-black
IR Rating:
1.5
Lutz Barz’s A POSITIVE LOSS EMERGENCE contains some interesting ideas, but it struggles to get its
point across due to issues of structure and style.
Posted by IR Staff
|
April 23, 2025
In A POSITIVE LOSS EMERGENCE, Crystel takes part in a sinister experiment – and has clones made
of herself.
A POSITIVE LOSS EMERGENCE is a science fiction epic about a protagonist named Crystel who has
clones made out of her in a laboratory. It is largely written in a stream-of-consciousness style, but
exposition and plot are unclear.
Author Lutz Barz is deeply engrossed in the vagaries of quantum mechanics, but (for all the interesting
ideas flying around) struggles to get a solid grasp of characterization or plot development. Moreover,
terms are bandied about that are peculiar to the world in which Crystel lives, and so require definitions,
but never receive them. “Shadow Casters,” “Satellite Surveyors,” and an organization called the
Kommantura are all mentioned at one point or another in the book, but they are never heard from again,
left unexplained, or both. The most egregious instance, “machineHead” [sic], occurs many times, and
seems to be an integral idea. While alert readers may make educated guesses as to its meaning—this
reviewer reckoned it to be a slang name for sentient entities, perhaps powered by AI—the fact that it’s
never explained does not speak well to an awareness of the audience’s need for clarity. Perhaps the
impenetrable nature of all this is an intentional feature—it would explain the unnatural dialogue, such as
“That persuaded me to follow whither my lead. No psychotronics detected. Given I sometimes
considered myself somewhat mentally liminal helped to detect weak signals if close enough”—but given
the other issues in the narrative, it’s doubtful. Random plays on words do not help; it’s not clear to the
reader whether Alimaxine is the same character as Almaxine, or indeed Alimaxi, who is introduced into
the narrative two-thirds of the way through with the sentence, “Alimaxi, Almaxi, Allmaxed was out for
now.” This wordplay comes at the expense of clarity. It seems a high price to pay to indulge one’s
fascination with the sound of names.
Nor does the prose style hit the mark. Its abbreviated sound is at times almost Joycean, but for every
striking line in that vein—“All so physiological. Avoid to think of pathy or pathological” has a sonorous feel
to it—there are a dozen more that are arcane, arrhythmic, or just plain bad. Moreover, the book has not
been line-edited, and there are multiple formatting, mechanical, and grammatical errors of various types.
One feels there is the kernel of a good story here, but Barz overreaches in presenting it in almost 600
pages of this format. Sufficient exposition, a more straightforward writing style, and less reliance on
technobabble would be a necessary first step in increasing the readability of this interesting but deeply
flawed work.
Lutz Barz’s A POSITIVE LOSS EMERGENCE contains some interesting ideas, but it struggles to get its
point across due to issues of structure and style.
~Craig Jones for IndieReader
A Positive Loss Emergence
Re: Review of A Positive Loss Emergence
Posted: 20 Jun 2025, 14:44
by NetMassimo
Despite the struggle in the plot develpment, this seems like an intriguing, mind-bending story. From the
cover, I expect phase 2 and more, which makes me curious about the possible developments of those
experiments. Thank you for your great review!
Re: Review of A Positive Loss Emergence
Posted: 22 Jun 2025, 10:49
by Kibet Hillary
It is amazing to read that the author’s writing style is rich and stylistic. The name Tau reminded me of the
book Project Tau, which also had a character named Tau. Many thanks for the amazing review,
@Charles Benson.
Discussion Forums about Books and Reading | Review of A Positive Loss Emergence – reviewer Charles
Benson
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/
Review of A Positive Loss Emergence
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=646691
Page 1 of 1
Review of A Positive Loss Emergence
Posted: 01 May 2025, 05:42
by Charles Benson[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “A Positive Loss Emergence” by Lutz Barz.]
Book Cover4 out of 5 stars Share This Review
Reading”A Positive Loss Emergence” feels like stepping into a dream where science and imagination
blur. This is not the usual sci-fi book with villains and heroes; instead, it is a wild and mind-bending look
into the world of quantum experiments. The story follows a test subject, Tau, and another character,
Crystel, as they both experience strange and confusing reactions in the secret laboratory where they run
high-level experiments that bend space, time, and reality. Scientists try to track and understand the
changes that occur in these test subjects, but what they discover isn’t always clear or safe.
This book blurs the line between what is real and fixed and what is an illusion. It also explores technology
and how it affects the human mind while also showing the beauty of science in the realm of quantum
physics. Central to the book are themes such as what is real versus what is imagined, alongside
concepts drawn from science, logic, and quantum physics.
I like the author’s rich and artistic writing style; one of the charms of this book is how the author mixes
technical science talks with moments that feel like inner dreams or even hallucinations. Another part of
the book I love is the progression of its details; it peels the plot layer by layer without making it
overbearing. Lastly, the book did a fantastic job of explaining what happens when human minds enter
quantum spaces, where logic no longer works the way we expect.
There are a few things I dislike about this book: first, the scientific terms used, and second, how slow-
paced the book is; I had to read certain chapters over again to understand in-depth what was being
passed across, and for readers who have no detailed background in science and how the laboratory
works, it might be hard for them to understand every detail being passed across in this book. Also, the
characters in this book do not have emotional development, making them more of a concept than
relatable humans.
The editing of this book is meticulous. However, I will give it a 4 out of 5 stars rating, deducting one star
mainly because of how the book struggles to get across the major point of the story, and this ultimately
affected the book’s plot development. This book isn’t for everyone, but I will recommend it to readers
interested in complex science and quantum mechanics experiments.