I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the QUANTUM CANNIBALS by Nathan Elberg Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: QUANTUM CANNIBALS (Stories from the Milky Way Book 1)
Author: Nathan Elberg
Pub. Date: August 16, 2020
Publisher: Taiku
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 487
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org
In the Stone Age Arctic, Osnat, a brilliant, pregnant, quantum scientist knows where she is but she doesn’t know when. A mysterious technology has exiled her and her people across time to a frigid wasteland above the northern radiation belts. She and her husband Simon search for food, warmth, for any kind of help. They find instead a band of indigenous Tunniq who attack, rather than assist. Though she craves vengeance, Osnat realizes that the murderous savages are the help her people need to survive. The conflict between need and ideals tears at her as she learns their ways. Must Osnat become a brutal savage in order to save her people?
Quantum Cannibals weaves a series of intersecting stories that span time, from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to a Post-Modern city-state. It’s the epic story of three incarnations of two people: alternately son and mother, husband and wife, father and daughter, savage and scholar, who simply want to return to the home they were brutally evicted from. Quantum Cannibals brings together authentic cultures and history from the far reaches of the world, from the far reaches of time.
Reviews:
“Set over a large span of time: from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to a Post-Modern city-state, this debut of Nathan Elberg is a dazzling expedition into a treacherous past…Elberg’s outstanding fluency when writing in various characters’ voices, who are born in different time periods is instantly absorbing, and he is brilliant when it comes to developing the mythologies of different cultures and societies. He proficiently balances time travel and magic with precise historical research, complex plot, intricate worldbuilding, and top-of-the-line characterization.” —Prairies Book Review
“The author pulls it all together, however, in admirable fashion through solid characterization; the sweeping mix of science, mythology, history; and precise, yet metaphor-filled writing. Those willing to decipher it all will be greatly rewarded.” —Kirkus Reviews
EXCERPT
There was no way to appease the Bear. All it was interested in was her life. She crouched down, prepared to spring to battle. And she prayed that she be spared. In the merit of any good that she’d ever done in her life, in the merit of her ancestors, please send salvation.
The animal’s growls were now a low rumble. She could sense it circling her little shelter, sniffing at its prey. She turned to follow, backing off the little she could from wherever it was, her small, fractured spear clutched in her mitts.
Half the shelter collapsed under massive white and red forelegs that smashed through the top, a roar of rage coming from the animal’s throat. Bright, fresh blood soaked the snow as Osnat’s broken harpoon headed towards the beast’s right eye. It barely acknowledged the attack.
It didn’t make sense. There were copious amounts of blood all over the bear before her spear even touched it. It must be hers, but then she should be in pain, she should feel weak.
Aarluk scowled at Osnat through the smashed remains of her snow hut. “I’m glad to see you were ready to protect my fish. I wouldn’t want some stupid bear to steal them, after all the effort I put into catching them. Come on, let’s go.”
Osnat stared at the huge rent in the bear’s throat, and then threw her arms around Aarluk. All the terror, all the anger poured out of her heart, poured in liquid form from her eyes. After a few minutes she was finally able to speak. “Thank you for coming back for me.”
Aarluk gently disengaged her arms. “Never mind that; I didn’t leave. I just stayed back so you could learn to find your way. We’ll cut up the bear, and then go. I’ll follow you, so I can keep an eye on what’s left of my fish in your back-pack.”
Osnat blanched. Not again. “I don’t know where to go; I can’t find the way under normal conditions. I certainly can’t find it in a storm like this.”
“Bah! Without ever having been taught, you built yourself a snow hut. You lit a lamp without having a flame. You were facing certain death from the bear, yet you prepared to fight. You knew how to move back, so that when it came through the walls it wouldn’t strike you. You’re one of us now, maybe stronger. You’re Tunniq. Stop whining; stop thinking. Shut your eyes if it helps. Let’s go.”
Osnat looked at the person who had raped her when they first met. Now the overwhelming feeling she had for Aarluk was – well, she didn’t know what it was. There was no word, no concept that encompassed gratitude, deep affection, revulsion and terror. It wasn’t love, it wasn’t hatred, nor was it somewhere between those feelings. But it was absolutely what she felt.
“Yes, mother.”
About Nathan Elberg:
Nathan Elberg is a retired Realtor, anthropologist and recovered ex-radical. He lived & hunted with Indians and Inuit. He’s been tear-gassed, rebuilt his car’s transmission, had a bayonet in his face, and hitch-hiked across the continent.
Nathan has studied folklore, warfare, Kabbalah, primitive art and communications among other things. His essays and stories have been published in a variety of venues. Elberg studied with the late Dr. Michael Harner, a practicing shaman and recognized expert on cannibalism. Nathan’s father Yehuda Elberg was a world-renowned Yiddish author and lecturer. His mother was a poet and translator.
A descendent of the biblical King David, Nathan recently put aside his plan to rule the galaxy so he could devote more time to writing. He’s a member of the Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction Association and is active with the Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, a think tank.
Elberg’s been married for many decades and has been blessed with children and grandchildren.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
5/30/2022 | Guest Post | |
5/30/2022 | Guest Post/IG Post | |
5/31/2022 | Guest Post | |
5/31/2022 | Excerpt | |
6/1/2022 | IG Post | |
6/1/2022 | Excerpt/IG Post | |
6/2/2022 | IG Review | |
6/2/2022 | Excerpt | |
6/3/2022 | Review | |
6/3/2022 | Excerpt |
Week Two:
6/6/2022 | IG Review | |
6/6/2022 | Excerpt/IG Post | |
6/7/2022 | Excerpt | |
6/7/2022 | Review/IG Post | |
6/8/2022 | Review | |
6/8/2022 | Excerpt/IG Post | |
6/9/2022 | Review | |
6/9/2022 | IG Review | |
6/10/2022 | Review/IG Post | |
6/10/2022 | Review |