Description:
Kikiloa is an irrepressible Mitochondrial Eve, born a lonely prehistoric outcast, now a time-surfing San Francisco teen whose friend Hazel can defeat entropy. Probably. Circe meets Douglas Adams in the spirit of Ursula K. Le Guin.
Brief description: Author of the acclaimed, award-winning Kikiloa Chronicles, Erik D. Larson is an Illinois farm boy turned MIT rocket scientist, decorated Air Force captain, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, avid gardener, and aspiring waterman. He splits his time between Marin County and Hanalei, two versions of paradise.He has written poetry, edited university newspapers and literary reviews, and published behavioral science research on how we really make decisions.The Kikiloa Chronicles is his debut novel - a story born from a love for grandmothers and a lifelong fascination with time, choice, nature, and what it means to be human.
Review Quotes:
Kirkus Reviews: Our Verdict: ✓ GET IT. Featured Review.
"An engaging time-travel romp that mashes up Jung and Doctor Who to masterful effect. Like Jasper Fforde or Douglas Adams, Larson is one of a true minority of writers who can make cerebral science fiction both lucid and entertaining. This philosophical depth anchors the multiverse shenanigans in a tangible, and very human, reality."
BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly: ⚡ Editor's Pick
"Moving, surprising time travel story of the fight against entropy. With sharp prose, warm characterization, and the literary chops to make the heady ideas resonate at a human level, Larson spins a deep, winding epic about hope, empathy, and living in the moment...Lovers of humane SF will find much to relish."
Foreword Clarion Reviews: 5 out 5
"Kiki's omnipotent, puckish narration relays an absorbing story ... Fun yet complex characters navigate this intricate and interconnected world. A thoughtful science fiction novel about how people derive meaning from a random and temporary existence."
Literary Titan: ★★★★★ and Gold Book Award
"Imaginative, sincere, and bigger on the inside than it first appears."
The Wishing Shelf UK: ★★★★★
"Wildly imaginative, surprisingly moving, and unlike anything else I've read-Kiki's voice stays with you long after the final page. Most of all, The Kikiloa Chronicles succeeds because it has a personality all its own. It's funny, strange, imaginative, heartfelt, and unapologetically ambitious."
BlueInk Reviews: Recommended.
"This is a wildly original story, anchored by Kiki's engaging voice and the author's assured prose. Readers will eagerly await Book Two."
Reader Views - Paul Knobloch: ★★★★★
"Thoughtful, original, and emotionally resonant science fiction that leaves readers with much to ponder."
Reedsy Discovery: ★★★★★
"The perfect novel for the imaginatively restless who want their cosmic stakes rooted in real humanity.."
The US Review of Books: RECOMMENDED.
"Kikiloa at first feels like Gaia, a mother in Greek mythology, rising up before current generations blinked open bleary eyes. The writing mirrors Kiki's personality, including unexpected turns or zingers, a contrast of daily life and time's vast expanse, and a mystery right out of reach."
Chanticleer Book Reviews: Recommended!
"A highly original story of contrasts. It takes the multiverse in directions that few others have, bringing to the surface deep philosophical questions about the conflicting choices we make for ourselves and others."
The International Review of Books: Highly Recommended.
"An ambitious and deeply imaginative exploration of time, destiny, and the choices that shape our existence...A refreshing new take. Its unexpected conclusion lingers in the mind."
Readers' Favorite: ★★★★★
"Well written and immersive, readers who enjoy multiverse fiction with strong character stakes will adore this. Very highly recommended."
San Francisco Book Review: Recommended.
"Its imaginative power and thematic depth make it compelling. Fans of Neal Stephenson and Madeleine L'Engle ... will likely find this novel a worthy addition to their shelves. For readers who seek a challenging narrative that intertwines ancestry, identity, and the multiverse, The Kikiloa Chronicles is a must-read."