Throughout Brilliant, steveLearn is where Jennifer learns new material, takes college courses, and practices on the Brilliant Bridge Simulator.  Here is the story of that technology.

 

 

 

steve

 

In 2019, Alexandra Warner received her Ph.D. From Harvard in Educational Psychology. Based on her love for working with both kids and computers her undergraduate work included a double major in Child Psychology and Computer Science. A descendant of Hollywood royalty, she returned to her hometown of Burbank and became one of the first faculty members at the newly formed University of Van Nuys.

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Throughout Brilliant, steveLearn is where Jennifer learns new material, takes college courses, and practices on the Brilliant Bridge Simulator.  Here is the story of that technology.

 

 

 

steve

 

In 2019, Alexandra Warner received her Ph.D. From Harvard in Educational Psychology. Based on her love for working with both kids and computers her undergraduate work included a double major in Child Psychology and Computer Science. A descendant of Hollywood royalty, she returned to her hometown of Burbank and became one of the first faculty members at the newly formed University of Van Nuys.

Continue reading →

by Jim Bennett

Review of Brilliant by  Rick Lakin, Available for pre-sale on Amazon.com

Science fiction, technology, tennis, and mostly humans interacting.

This is three hundred plus pages of mostly sheer action. It is well written, with clearly defined characters and the necessary tensions.

The future has a number of technical innovations, but they are not used ‘deus ex machina’ but are part of the story’s world. People interact and grow. You will find yourself liking most of the characters.

The scenes of conflict are very well done and I can’t easily show you with small quotes. But let me try.

 It is well written, with clearly defined characters and the necessary tensions.

The future has a number of technical innovations, but they are not used ‘deus ex machina’ but are part of the story’s world. People interact and grow. You will find yourself liking most of the characters.

The scenes of conflict are very well done and I can’t easily show you with small quotes. But let me try.

“Well, at least you get to follow your dream this summer.”
Jennifer looked away and shrugged. “If I get in.”
“Come on. You’re way over-qualified. You had a great interview,” Tayla smiled at her friend. “You’ll be starting that internship before you know it.”
Jennifer bit her lip. “Assuming Mom agrees.”
“Your mom understands you and trusts you. She’ll let you go.”
Jennifer looked Tayla in the eye. “I’m going to find him.”
Tayla paused and looked at Jennifer, “Your father?”
“Yes.”
“You think he’s alive?”
“I know he is.”
“The vision thing?”

Now let me try again:

Jennifer remembered the day she found the file on her mother’s computer. Jennifer was surprised that her mother would keep a news story that was many years old. Then she looked at the date. December 10, 2049. Mom was pregnant with me then. Was he my father?

And again:

“Captain, they are running and hiding,” Hanna said.
“The ship is grounded. Lowering the ramp.”
“I, for one, am famished. It is almost noon. Let’s see if these filmmakers will invite us to lunch.”
 The three time-travelers emerged and walked toward the movie set location.

I have not even tried to handle the battle scenes and the tennis matches. You will have to buy the book to read them. Now for my star count boilerplate.

My personal guidelines, when doing an ‘official’ KBR review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. I try hard to be consistent. I have read a Lot of science fiction, and many novels. Five stars is my evaluation. Extremely recommended.

Kindle Book Review Team member.

(Note: this reviewer received a free copy of this book for an independent review. He is not associated with the author or Amazon.)