The Mind of Many (Bridgers, #4) by Stan C. Smith

The Mind of Many (Bridgers, #4) Reviews

• 
  Meenaz Lodhi

  “Every world is paradise to some creatures and hell to others. You just have to be the right creature. Humans aren’t powerful or indestructible, but we are adaptable. That’s our strength.”
  A biological creativity, with bizarre and frightening details, Stan has a prodigious imagination! Each installment is more gripping, gritty, with fascinating fearsome creatures, filling you with trepidation, edge of the seat and nerve wrecking scenes. Fast paced with no respite for the protagonists nor for the readers. Great world building and credibility. Excellent characters, full of resilience, perseverance, with a fearless and tough kickbutt heroine, Infinity. As much as this series scares me out, I’m more and more drawn to it. Hopefully , it’s not the last installment. This series has my highest recommendations! I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
• 
  Margaret

  Stan C. Smith's Bridgers 4: The Mind of Many is he fourth in his spectacular Bridgers series. The world is being destroyed by catastrophic earthquakes and hurricanes brought on by a side effect of an alien technology which allowed the building of a mechanism to transport people to parallel planets which diverged from our own at selected points in time. Rushing to save at least some of the human race, selected individuals are quickly sent (Bridged) to an un-researched world. The terminal earthquake interrupts the bridging and colony is made up of a few individuals who are totally unprepared for what they find and how to cope. The challenges of colonization are fascinating. There are no people. Just a terrifying near-empty landscape of giant and ferocious bugs! How can they possibly adapt and survive? Smith is a master of creating unknown environments and living creatures, and a genius at imaging survival and adaptation possibilities. I was given an ARC of this fantastic book and am posting an honest review.
• 
  Rosemary Standeven

  Infinity has bridged to a lot of inhospitable and dangerous versions of Earth, but this is certainly one of the most hazardous and most alien. Also, in the past, she has been able to bridge home after 36 hours, this time there is no going back. Earth is disintegrating, billions will die. Infinity and a specially selected group of 720 prospective colonists prepare to bridge out from the world’s last operational bridging facility. The world they are bridging to should have only diverged from Earth 20 years ago. They are expecting an advanced human civilisation, that they can slot into. The colonists can take nothing with them, not even clothes or body hair – but they are not expecting to need anything but their powers of persuasion. Something goes drastically wrong, and the first group of 20 land stark naked on a totally alien world – no humans, no mammals, no birds – not even reptiles. Only insects of mindboggling proportions that bear little resemblance to anything earthly – no trees or bushes, no recognisable plants except mosses, and seemingly, no safe shelter. First contact is anything but friendly.
  Miraculously, most colonists survive their first confrontations with the predatory behemoth insects, but their next encounter – with the tiniest inhabitants – could pose an existential threat.
  Humans are proud of their identities, of their individuality and diversity, of their free will (even if many chose not to use it). It is one of the main things that makes us human. We want to have at least a semblance of control of our destinies. Thus, a Borg like hive-mind is an anathema, and beyond our comprehension. How can you trust an entity that is unable to grasp the concept of individuals? However, resistance is looking increasingly futile. Should the colonists accept the much-needed protection of the hive in return for the abdicating all independence – or can Infinity and Desmond find another way? What can you do when life gives you hubcaps?
  As with the previous books, Infinity and Desmond’s ingenuity in the face of potential annihilation is remarkable. Come the end of the world, these are people you definitely want on your side. Infinity’s forte is defence, Desmond’s is empathy and understanding. Can they together build a viable compromise with the hive?
  There are many thought-provoking themes and questions in this book. Is it enough for humanity to just physically survive, or is living (or dying) free more important? If a dictator pledges safety, can it be held responsible for the unsolicited acts of violence of its minions? Can an entity used to having complete control ever be trusted? What forms can loneliness take? From Earth’s billions, whom would you save for a limited group survival colony? What skills will be needed if a) you are going to a similar version of Earth or b) you are heading into a big unknown? Should you prepare for both eventualities? Are highly educated specialists of any use if there is no technology? Do you need guaranteed healthy breeding stock? Does eugenics ever have a place? Should there be age/fitness/mental health limits? What do we as humans take too much for granted, and can we ever live without it?
  I really enjoyed this book, as I have the whole series so far. The new world and its denizens are so well portrayed, that you feel (uncomfortably) right in there with Infinity, Desmond and the others. The book ends with new beginnings, so hopefully there is a lot more to come. Hubcap stew anyone?
  I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review
  
• 
  Sherri

  Surrounded by disaster with the clock ticking, colony ST6’s first group of twenty refugees is set to bridge. Will they be the final group and the only hope to save a small portion of the human species or will others make it too? Will the desperate campers attempting to infiltrate the ranks of the refugees jeopardize the bridging process? At the last moment, four additional people unexpectedly join the group. Will they become assets or will they create unforeseen problems? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in Bridgers 4: The Mind of Many. This fourth book in Stan C. Smith’s Bridger’s series was so exciting, I devoured it quickly. The problem-solving skills of the main characters, the socio-dynamics of the refugees, and the unexpected plot twists added to the story’s suspense. I especially liked the perspective of one character, Hayley, when she said, “…never forget what made our civilization great….It was altruism….The tendency to behave in ways that benefit others, even at our own expense.” Whether you have read the other books in this series or not, you won’t want to miss book four.
• 
  Auggy

  The literary equivalent of a movie with 15 minutes of plot and an hour and a half of explosions. But this time the explosions are really big bugs trying to kill people. I’m not against mindless entertainment (I love explosions) and I dislike bugs, but I felt a bit bad for all the giant bugs that died in the making of this plot. Perhaps because they were large enough that they became less “bugs” and more “creepy but possibly misunderstood animals”. I liked the ending of this one but I’m not quite sure I want to continue the series as each book is pretty much drama with just a tiny advancement of the overall story but this gives me a nice, complete potential end.
• 
  Al Burke

  Stan Smith does it again. Review here -
  https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/12/...
• 
  Katia M. Davis

  Getting a bit samey
  
  I had hoped this number in the series would get things moving faster again, but it also seems to stagnate somewhat. By that, I mean it is becoming formulaic and repetitive plot wise. While it's not bad, it isn't as the exciting as the first couple in the series. There is a bit of hope at the end that might signal a change. I was about to give up on the series because I was getting bored, but I'll try the first few chapters of the next one to see if it improves.
• 
  Janalyn Prude

  They just get better and better!
  
  Bridgers 4; each book gets better and better. Infenity And Desmond abridge our for the last time. With Mr. Eagleton, Sasha, five guardsmen the president hey Lee her husband and her daughter Isabell and a few other people mostly technicians from fake tracks. They get transported to an alternate universe but due to earthquakes the machine messes up and send them to a really messed up alternative universe. Where all the animals are arthropods in a made of bodies with exoskeletons. There are no mammals, there is also a half that when it infiltrate your body becomes able to study you and talk just like you. I know this sounds crazy but this book is the best one so far..
  
  After battling with strange arthropods and each other they finally settle down to start their new life on this strange planet. 18 months later as they sit to hear the announcement of the new baby coming infinity heroes Armando calling for colonist. As her and Desmond run to see who it is she sees Armando with some strange guardsmen and find out that they were able to use the code Desmond memorized and now could transport objects, closeAN mechanics. They can now use the bridging machine to transport infinity and Desmond back to the world were they left colonist to rescue them and make sure at the very least they are OK. This is the best book in the same race I loved it. I know I say I love every book by Stancy Smith but this one so far is my favorite. Cannot wait for Bridgers five. I suggest anyone who loves life I read s I-do
• 
  Dave

  I got this book as part of the Bridgers 4-6 boxed set. I am reviewing each of the Bridgers books separately as I work through both boxed sets. I am so thrilled I discovered these books and Stan Smith. These have been some of my favorite books ever. They each manage to combine at least some of my favorite themes including sci-fi, fantasy, post-apoc & dystopian, historical fiction and probably others. This book, #4 "The Mind of Many" was no exception. I was so engaged in reading that when it ended I was actually startled! I simply don't know what I am going to do when the series concludes. I suppose I will have to begin the remainder of Mr. Smith's books!
• 
  Susan

  The Mind of Many is the fourth and final book in The Bridgers series. This should not be read as a standalone as you will have problems understanding the storyline if you have not read the previous books. There is violence. The Bridgers series is an imaginative wonder of new versions of earth and the creatures that inhabit them. The Mind of Many was a very fitting ending to the series. This is definitely worth reading.
• 
  Nicole

  After the amazing first trilogy this was an interesting story, and the amount of research to talk to the "inhabitants" of this new word was intense and a little too creepy for me.
  
  I knew is was another 3 set series, so i knew the story had to continue in some manner, but the twist at the end... never saw that comming, well done!
  
  Fun way to think about how your world, other parallel worlds could be happening... so interesting.
• 
  jboyg

  Alt Worlds Series Still Holding Up
  
  Book 4 offers a fascinating look at a hive mind curiously interested in the human refugees from earth who suddenly appear on their version of earth. Are they good or evil? Out to destroy the small human colony of to save it? A good read, very interesting aliens.
• 
  Ron

  Extremely Enjoyable
  
  This series just keeps getting better and better. Desmond and Infinity are now fighting for there lives and the few colonists who have bridged to an unknown earth after a accident with the bridging device.
  A superb story which is very difficult to put down
• 
  RAVEN

  All the previous books was building up to this book and by far the most intense. As the book was coming to an end Armando shows up...ahh what? And start of new book #5 with the home the colonists made is coming to unexpected end. Get ready for another gripping book 💗
• 
  Sheila gullick

  Spellbinding
  
  Spellbinding. Loved every page of this series. absolutely love the characters. Each one of them has strong will. Can’t wait for Bridges 5
• 
  Bryan Wever

  Good series
  
  I am really enjoying this series so far. I am looking forward to the next book to coming out, hopefully soon.