Where we agreed
6 ratings; average 3.92/5. Standard deviation: 0.73.
July 2026 selection
3.9/5
- Published
- 2018
- Genre
- Science fiction thriller
- Length
- 400 pages
- Participation
- 6 finished · 2 without a score
About the book
NCIS agent Shannon Moss investigates the murder of a Navy SEAL's family and the disappearance of his teenage daughter, following clues through possible futures where an extinction event known as the Terminus waits on the horizon.
Club summary
Club verdict
A clever science-fiction detective story that hooked the room with its mystery, then split opinion with its time-travel mechanics and crowded final act.
Nathan's July pick landed at a strong 3.9/5 from six scores. The group liked the blend of crime investigation, time travel, alternate realities, and cosmic horror, with Shannon, the Terminus, and the crucifixion imagery generating the most discussion. The main resistance came late: too many names, timelines, concepts, and a rushed final third made the ending harder to land for several readers. The epilogue also divided the room, even when a second explanation made more of it click.
Club scorecard
Where we fought
Matt went highest at 5/5; Oliver went lowest at 3/5. Range: 2.0 stars.
Unnecessarily official honours
Club categories
What aged the best/worst?
The investigation, 1990s atmosphere, Shannon's character, and the Terminus all held up. The late-stage density and repeated explanations did not.
Ed, Eric, Josh, Matt, Nathan, Oliver
One Fix Changes Everything
Trim the number of names and timeline explanations in the final third, giving the central mystery more room to land.
Ed, Eric, Josh, Nathan, Oliver
The Dion Waiters Heat Check Award
The amputee nub scene took the most reliable walk-on award of the night.
Ed
Casting Couch Corner
The cinematic ending, 1990s investigation, and True Detective energy made this one feel ready for a prestige miniseries.
Ed, Eric, Oliver
The Oprah Bookclub Award
A strong recommendation for readers who like science fiction and detective fiction, with a warning about the density of the payoff.
Six scored members
8 ballots
Member ballots
NathanNathan liked the investigation and the first three quarters, but time-travel fatigue and the crowded wrap-up made the ending too convoluted.4/5
Nathan liked the investigation and the first three quarters, but time-travel fatigue and the crowded wrap-up made the ending too convoluted. He especially liked Shannon seeing herself at the Terminus and the question of whether the group is in Terra Firma.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
MattMatt loved the blend of science fiction and detective fiction, the 1990s X-Files atmosphere, and the alternate-reality logic.5/5
Matt loved the blend of science fiction and detective fiction, the 1990s X-Files atmosphere, and the alternate-reality logic. He found the ending and epilogue satisfying, with only the jam-packed final third holding it back from a completely effortless read.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
AlecAlec did not submit a rating or notes for this meeting, so he is listed as unscored and is not included in the club average.DNR
Alec did not submit a rating or notes for this meeting, so he is listed as unscored and is not included in the club average.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
JacobJacob did not submit a rating or notes for this meeting, so he is listed as unscored and is not included in the club average.DNR
Jacob did not submit a rating or notes for this meeting, so he is listed as unscored and is not included in the club average.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
JoshJosh found the mix of small-town crime drama and huge science-fiction stakes compelling, especially the Terminus, the body horror, and the philosophy around consciousness.4.5/5
Josh found the mix of small-town crime drama and huge science-fiction stakes compelling, especially the Terminus, the body horror, and the philosophy around consciousness. The slow start and confusing time jumps were his main reservations.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
EdEd enjoyed the mystery around the crucifixions and the easy readability, but felt the book became repetitive and dragged.3/5
Ed enjoyed the mystery around the crucifixions and the easy readability, but felt the book became repetitive and dragged. The timeline map helped, though the reveal did not fully land after so much had happened.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
EricEric loved Shannon, the prosthesis, the Terminus, and the alternative conception of consciousness in the QTNs.4/5
Eric loved Shannon, the prosthesis, the Terminus, and the alternative conception of consciousness in the QTNs. He found the first two sections strongest and thought the ending was cinematic, even if it worked better as an idea than on the page.
No questionnaire answers recorded.
OliverOliver enjoyed the time-travel premise but felt the book tried to do too much, with too many characters and a late slip in momentum.3/5
Oliver enjoyed the time-travel premise but felt the book tried to do too much, with too many characters and a late slip in momentum. He thought the ending would work better as a film or miniseries and strongly disliked the epilogue.
No questionnaire answers recorded.