Harry Middleton is born in an America staggered by a century of decline, a time of medical and technological marvels beyond the reach of most people in a shattered economy. Pessimism and despair are more common than optimism and hope, and a desperate government bets the future on space. The lunar and Martian colonies have not provided the hoped-for salvation, so despite an angry, disillusioned public, the first star mission will soon be launched.
Harry is a special child, smart, precocious, his only confidante an embittered grandfather. When the old man dies, Harry is lost, until he meets Lorrie. At thirteen, they bond, certain they’ll spend their lives together, but a year later, she disappears, and Harry is desolate.
With help from his friend Carlos, Harry begins a quest to find her, but he quickly learns how powerless he is. Even the police lack the resources to help. Harry and Carlos can only depend on themselves and each other. An unlikely duo, Harry is an academic prodigy while Carlos is a stud athlete. Realizing that school and baseball are their tickets out of the morass they’re caught in, they inspire each other to greatness in both.
Trying to move on with his life, Harry has a college sweetheart, but as long as Lorrie haunts him, he knows the relationship is doomed. He gains celebrity and wealth, but the thing Harry wants most, finding and saving Lorrie from whatever fate took her from him remains beyond his reach. And always, in the background, are the deteriorating state of the country and the coming star missions.
And of course, there's the Portal.
(Synopsis from Goodreads).
My Thoughts:
I've owned The Portal for quite a long time. Even though I really wanted to read it, I put it off for a couple years. It was intimidating to me for some reason. I'm not quite sure why. In 2017, I've made it a goal of mine to catch up on some of my review books. Therefore, I decided to get over the intimidation and read it. I wish I would have read it sooner. I loved it.
Most people that have read The Portal and talk about it on Goodreads classify it as a romance. It is a beautiful, heart breaking romance. However, it is so much more than a romance. I want to touch on an aspect of the book that most people don't talk about, the science fiction. I loved the science fiction aspects of this book. It was fascinating to see how the portal technology worked. I read primarily science fiction book, and this was definitely one of my favorite ones that I've read this year.
There was one thing about The Portal that I didn't like. The timing wasn't explained very well, which made for some confusing moments. For example, four years pass after the attack that happens, and while reading it, it was like no time had passed at all. The only reason why I knew the time had passed was because the author had pointed it out halfway through telling that part of the story. It also took me a little bit to figure out that it had been a year after one of the characters had died (trying to be vague so I don't spoil it for anyone). If the author went back into the book, and fleshed out the time line a little better, the book would be perfect.
The ending of The Portal was absolutely beautiful. It made me bawl. I hope Alan Zendell writes a sequel, or at least a novella, about what happened after the ending. I loved this book so much. I regret that it took me so long to read it because I kept putting it off. I will definitely be reading Alan Zendell's other books very soon. I recommend this book for anyone who loves sci-fi, and enjoys a little romance intertwined.
Most people that have read The Portal and talk about it on Goodreads classify it as a romance. It is a beautiful, heart breaking romance. However, it is so much more than a romance. I want to touch on an aspect of the book that most people don't talk about, the science fiction. I loved the science fiction aspects of this book. It was fascinating to see how the portal technology worked. I read primarily science fiction book, and this was definitely one of my favorite ones that I've read this year.
There was one thing about The Portal that I didn't like. The timing wasn't explained very well, which made for some confusing moments. For example, four years pass after the attack that happens, and while reading it, it was like no time had passed at all. The only reason why I knew the time had passed was because the author had pointed it out halfway through telling that part of the story. It also took me a little bit to figure out that it had been a year after one of the characters had died (trying to be vague so I don't spoil it for anyone). If the author went back into the book, and fleshed out the time line a little better, the book would be perfect.
The ending of The Portal was absolutely beautiful. It made me bawl. I hope Alan Zendell writes a sequel, or at least a novella, about what happened after the ending. I loved this book so much. I regret that it took me so long to read it because I kept putting it off. I will definitely be reading Alan Zendell's other books very soon. I recommend this book for anyone who loves sci-fi, and enjoys a little romance intertwined.
I give The Portal: 4/5.
Want to know more about the author?
Website: https://www.alanzendell.com/
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
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