Diffusion (Diffusion, #1) by Stan C. Smith

Diffusion (Diffusion, #1) Reviews

• 
  Bandit

  To be honest normally a cheesy cover on a kindle freebie from an unknown author is usually enough to warn me off the book. But in this case there was an armchair trip to Papua New Guinea offered and I'm all about vicarious travel, so I checked it out and I'm glad I did. The quality of the writing certainly surpassed the quality of the cover. It may be occasionally silly and there's enough teens to attract a YA audience (which is basically too many for an adult reader), but it still works. It's a really entertaining adventure, far fetched for sure, but fast paced, original and conceptually intriguing. Exotic setting helps, but the main premise of the greatest discovery since...whatever you consider the last greatest discovery and the possibility/threat of subsequent diffusion from a purely anthropological view is fascinating. Looks like the author is expanding his fictional universe with a prequel, sequel and so on, because...well, why not, it's a fun world to visit if only from a safety of your favorite reading place and not in person. This is evolution with a sci fi angle and plenty of action. Good for a quick diverting read.
• 
  Megan Mccormack

  Some spoilers below...Read with caution!
  
  This was a fascinating book by first-time-published author, Stan Smith. What I particularly enjoyed was how quickly the book introduces action and conflict; this makes for a story that is riveting and engaging.
  
  The setting of the book is different from a lot of books I've read lately, and I loved learning about Papua and the impact of anthropology and diffusion. What costs come with our interactions with other cultures? When we visit another country and civilization, is it only for our own needs? What happens when we make assumptions of those with beliefs and practices different than ours?
  
  Smith explores these questions using elements of science fiction that I found to be unique and interesting. Using science fiction to investigate and address real-life issues is just one of the many ways that this book transcends multiple genres. Quentin, his family, and a small group of students start out as relatively naive characters with the goal of exploring another culture. After a mysterious plane crash, the characters quickly learn that their assumptions, mindsets, and previous ways of living must be discarded in order to try to understand their new situation and
  to adapt to their surroundings. Their arrival in this unfamiliar territory is devastating not only for themselves, but also for the tribe they encounter.
  
  In this novel, the "end of the world" is presented in many ways: the death of loved ones, the end of a culture, the end of previous ways of living, the end of one's previously formed identity, the literal ending of the world, and more. The novel is not an apocalyptic novel, but it certain has some of those influences. The end of the world is something that many of the characters express, especially those from the tribe. They are aware of this (and have been expecting it for quite some time), while Quentin and the others struggle with trying to understand and shed their preconceived notions of the world and beyond.
  
  This inability to "let go" and to be more open-minded is also represented in the fate of Quentin's son, and it causes many fatal problems for all the characters. Those from the tribe warned Quentin and his wife about Addison, but they refused to believe them until it was far too late. Even Samuel, a character who has been with this tribe for a couple hundred years, still fails to see that he is the one who is a relic of a closed-minded and damaging culture; he may see himself as progressive, but that is hardly the case.
  
  What I've mentioned above is just a little piece of Diffusion; this creative and fast-paced novel is sure to fascinate many readers. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series!
• 
  Rosemary Standeven

  An American biology teacher, his wife and son, and six of his teenage students go on a school trip to Papua New Guinea to study the indigenous flora and fauna. Papua New Guinea is a highly forested country, full of many as yet unidentified species. It also has many tribes and languages, and in most of the country, few of the trappings of Western Civilisation. Quentin Darnell is passionate about the place, and all the scientific possibilities that he could investigate here, and is equally passionate about introducing his students to such an intoxicating environment. The students, for their part, are generally very interested, but also attached to their smart phones, computer games and Western lifestyle.
  The writing is excellent – you can feel the steamy oppressiveness of the forest, and the mounting fears (and confusion) of the Americans. The Papuan landscape and cultures have been well researches (bibliography at the end), and the dialog is scattered with Papuan phrases, which are translated at the end. On a Kindle it is rather difficult to look up each phase as it is used, but you can usually understand what is being said by either the context, or an immediate translation of general sense.
  (Small spoiler alert)
  On the final day in the field, they come into contact with some Papuan men, in traditional garb, who appear very intimidating. It is generally believed, that while there is a lot of intertribal and anti-government violence in the country – tourists are usually quite safe. Suddenly it appears that might not be the case.
  Back in town, the students are allowed to spend their last hours exploring on their own. But, the atmosphere changes substantially for the worst, and they need to evacuate immediately. It takes time to get everyone together, and they are forced to take the last (tiny) plane out. Relief on making the plane soon turns into horror as they crash. A book that started as American teens abroad, interacting with local peoples and nature, now becomes a fight for survival as they crash in impenetrable jungle, miles from anywhere. Nothing way out of the ordinary so far.
  But then it gets strange … stranger … and really weird. We are not in Kansas anymore! There is an abrupt change of genre – that takes a while to work out exactly what the new genre is: ethnography, fantasy, scifi, folklore – or all mixed in together. The pace increases markedly, and the possible outcomes shift from moment to moment. Each of the Americans has to make profound moral decisions. Whose life is worth saving? At what price? Can killing another person ever be justified? What if they are a stranger, a friend, a family member? Is one culture more important than another? Is scientific advancement paramount at all cost? After the explosion of the A-bomb, Oppenheimer quoted the Bhagavid-Gita: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. What will Quentin Darnell, his son and the students become?
  This is a remarkable novel that changes and evolves as the pages turn. It is very difficult to put down, and even when you have finished reading it, the tale still occupies your thoughts. Even if the moral dilemmas leave you cold, you will definitely be left with an overwhelming love for tree kangaroos.
  I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
  
• 
  David

  Just finished reading this thriller by first-time novelist Stan C. Smith. Once started I couldn't put it down and finished it up in three sittings over three days. This mix of nature, science, and fantasy is a compelling read. Set in Indonesian Papua you'll be surprised and unsettled by what an anthropologist turned teacher, his wife, son and six students stumble into deep in the jungle. The secret they discover changes them, and could change the world as we know it. But, only if they survive the jungle and it's 'lost in time' inhabitants. The author has done his homework and the novel's setting is based in reality, or at least what is known about this remote jungle area. I'm looking forward to the sequel that's out very soon.
• 
  William

  I met Stan at book signing and was interested in his novels. A plane crash leaves a group of mid-American students trapped among natives that are anything but typical. Stan places his characters in such dangers there is no possible way they can escape alive and that keeps you reading wanting to know how they do survive. The turbulent twists and use of language adds to the suspense. Well worth a read.
• 
  J.elaine

  A first novel by a brand new author? That's exactly what Diffusion by Stan C. Smith is. Once I started the book, I read it as quickly as I could - not really wanting to put it down. When I was forced to set it aside, I determined the next time I picked up Diffusion it would be all-the-way-to-the-finish-non-stop reading! I'm not usually a very fast reader, but the totally surprising plot twists drew me into the text and propelled me through to the end. When I finished, I conjured up all kinds of possibilities for the characters' future experiences. After all, with sci-fi anything can happen - right? That's when I picked up Book 2 - Infusion to actually find out for myself!
• 
  Jeff

  This book is set in Papua, New Guinea. The author has done a reasonable amount of research and gleaned some of the native language, which is used as the American characters interact with indigenous people of the land.
  
  As the story begins, a man named Peter Wooley is trying to get away. We aren't sure what he is trying to get away from, but he runs into a man named Samuel, who is accompanied by a group of people who are indigenous to the land. He cannot be allowed to leave. We are not sure why he cannot be allowed to leave. To keep him from leaving, Peter is killed.
  
  A creature called tree kangaroo watches from above, as the natives kill Peter. The words speak of the creature filtering data, "discarding certain parts and wrapping the rest into a coherent package of understanding."
  
  42 years later, a group of high school students, seven, to be exact, ranging in age from 14-17, are on a science trip, led by Quentin Darnell and his wife, Lindsey. We do learn that they are from Missouri. At the beginning of their part of this story, they are in Lorentz National Park, in Papua, in the forest, observing animals and other wildlife.
  
  After their excursion, the drive back to Wamena, in their rented van. They are planning to fly out in the morning, to a larger city, from where they will fly back home.
  
  Something very strange happens on their way, though. After a brief moment when it seems that all of them blacked out, they plane crashes in the forest. Not all of the survive. As the survivors struggle to help the injured, some very weird stuff is going on, such as pieces of the plan dissolving into dirt mounds.
  
  They eventually are found by some native Papuans, along with . . . a man named Samuel.
  
  I won't go any further into the story, so as to avoid spoilers. What kind of book is this? What genre does it fit in? Amazon lists it as "Teen & Young Adult Aliens Books," as well as "Metaphysical Science Fiction." I suppose that might be accurate.
  
  At first, there is nothing alien-like, supernatural, or "science-fictiony" about it. But as the story progresses, things get stranger, and it becomes apparent that there is a force about that is deeper and darker than any of them would have ever imagined. This force is known simply as Lamotelokhai. And it apparently came from somewhere out in space.
  
  And that's all I'm going to say about that.
  
  This story, in my opinion, was well-written and moved along quite well. I don't recall ever being bored or losing interest. In fact, I was always eager to get back to it, in order to find out what happens next. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and would not have guessed it to be YA oriented until I saw how Amazon listed it as such. It has elements of Science Fiction, and, as Amazon lists it, a little bit of metaphysical nature, as well. There might even be a little bit of horror, as well.
  
  It reminded me, more than once, of the book and movie called The Ruins. This was another story where "civilized" people stumbled onto a forest secret, after which they could not be allowed to leave.
  
  Oh, and about that "tree kangaroo?" A most interesting creature. You'll have to read for yourself to find out what he was.
  
  This is, of course, the first in a series. Will I read the next one? Perhaps. But not right away. It would be interesting to see where it all leads, as the ending of this one is not really an ending.
• 
  Ziggy Nixon

  2 stars, just squeaking away from 1 as it's not so much poorly written as just a very badly executed story that reads so superficially I would classify it as a 'airport lay-over book', that is, bought on sale just to pass the time.
  
  "Diffusion" is one of those books with a promising promo-tag and a cool cover that just makes you wish at the end you had spent your money on a latte instead. A painfully dull and unnecessarily repetitive book that will have you thinking of other but much better books (for example, the original Michael Grant 'Gone' series ... no, not the trainwreck relaunches) as it hops around like a tree kangaroo from one uncertain and poorly developed plot point to the other. By the time you hit the 'Ready Player One' moment, you will wonder what was the point of the entire exercise.
  
  There is almost nothing to be found in this story that deserves belief. Seriously, these kids are from Missouri and their school trip was to Papua New Guinea? Yeah, right. My reaction to this and later then the conclusion itself: "lame". A wasted afternoon reading what was often just beyond some of the cruder (in terms of quality) young adult books I've read, dipping even into middle grade quality.
  
  The characters are feebly developed (if at all prior to what happens to many) and despite a promising premise which at first glance seemed to be somewhat unique, the book fails to deliver on any level of satisfaction. By the end, I felt that someone had taken the draft of a much, MUCH briefer novella and stretched it out with herky jerky action scenes (the latter chapters being divided into mere snippets of dialogue as compared to the earlier parts), repeated descriptions of jungle flora and fauna, not to mention the ever-present take on the 'Prime Directive' in terms of how to approach (or not) the natives.
  
  If you want better books to read with much of the same ideas presented here, allow me to recommend:
  - the aforementioned original "Gone" series by Michael Grant (you can then avoid the lame adult roles), especially if mutating kids is your thing;
  - "Hell's Gate" by Bill Schutt which is an adult, high adrenaline but well-executed jungle tale;
  or even
  - "The Rosetta Man" by Claire McCague which will blow your little sci-fi minds away (not to mention silly bouncing marsupials).
  
  Oh and not "Ready Player One". That someone turned that written disaster into a filmed disaster still boggles my mind. But hey, if your misery needs company, give it this book.
• 
  Janalyn Prude

  I’m just getting started
  
  This book starts with two married teachers who bring seven students on a trip to papa New Guinea. Quinton and Lindsay or the teachers and Addison is their son. And they are accompanied on their school adventure by six other students Ashley, Miranda, Bobby, Carlos, his brother George and Russ.
  
  On their third day in Ghana, they were allowed to go explore on their third day and papa new guinea they’re allowed to go explore. Until Quinton and Lindsay find out the papa new guinea freedom fighters I was starting an uprising. Having to take an emergency prop plane off the island and feeling iffy about the pilot they strapped in and pray. That is until the pilot goes into convulsions and dies midflight and Quinton trying to fly the plane only slows it down as it crashes in the papaya forest.
  
  That is when the real adventure begins. Quinton becomes Friends with a tree kangaroo that knows things most tree kangaroos do not know. While going off to find help he needs a 182-year-old Englishman who has lived there since 1842! Yet he doesn’t look a day over 30. They have so many things going on in this book from an alien God that the aborigine people were ship and a medicine that can fix any ailment. From a broken leg all the way to a smashed in head. They give this medicine to each of the sick Americans The aborigine do not want to give it to Addison though he is unconscious and they think his soul has already left his body. After Lindsey bags they give him a little and it does come back but is he still Addison?
  
  OK, you know if I ask that question it’s because the answer is no. He is not Addison AN the new him is an old friend to the Americans new friends. I hope that made sense this is a great book! I cannot go into all the details there are so many you have to read this book! It is great!
• 
  Margaret

  Building on prequel or book #0 Savage, Diffusion by Stan C. Smith tells of a small group of teachers and students returning by plane from Papua due to an outbreak of hostilities by local freedom fighters. Their small plane crashes in an area virtually isolated from any sort of civilization. The remaining survivors, unable to contact anyone for assistance do their best to survive and assist the wounded.
  
  A Tree Kangaroo finds them and seems to begin helping them. They become aware of a few undiscovered tribe members who do not appear to be friendly. The teacher in charge of the group, Quentin, tries to go for help and encounters an explorer who seems to have been living with the tribe for a good many years, prevented from ever leaving. At least, the explorer is able to persuade the tribe to help the group and not kill them. Once brought to their village and miraculously and almost instantly healed. they find themselves also prevented to leave. Tribe members are unable to heal one of the student, Quentin's son. However, the boy appears to come back to life, but does not seem himself.
  
  All this sets the scene for mystery and unearthly happenings involving the source of the healing and a great deal more. This fascinating story is one thrilling scene after another. What the tribesmen have found, and what they have been protecting has been awaiting someone foretold to come and take it to the rest of the world. They believe that some of those in Quentin's group are those who will be the ones foretold. Fortunately for us, there are more books coming to trace what happens when they leave with what the tribe has been protecting. Very exciting reading.
• 
  Lisa

  What can I say? Words are not enough to express how much I enjoyed this book. If you like adventure and the outdoors, this is for you. Imagine being on a plane over the jungle and it crashing! You, along with your family and a few others survive. This is what happens to one couple, along with the students that are traveling with them. They meet a tribe that has never had contact with the outside world except for a few men. Just think what people in the jungle would think of us and modern stuff. Not only would we affect them but we would also be affected. We could also pass along certain diseases they haven’t been vaccinated for. But this isn’t what happens in this story. There are magical things out there that can’t be explained. These Americans also meet a man who once lived centuries ago. Strange things seem to happen in this jungle. There’s something that can’t be explained. I loved how this really brought nature up close and personal. I’ve always wanted to go to the jungle, but now it also seems a little creepy. I loved all the characters and felt great sorrow when a few passed away.
• 
  Sarah Elizabeth

  I read the entire novel over the course of a single 6-ish hour period. It was THAT good. I haven't had a novel captivate me this much in months, possibly longer. It was really touch and go when Bobby realized the intelligence communicated with the same symbols as the video game, but now I want to know so much more. How did Peter survive long enough to make the game? Why did he make the game? To prepare others for when the intelligence came out of the forest? I looked at the excerpt from the next book, and it's clear they don't stay in the forest very long. I hope the next book maintains the same engagement that the first did. I'm not sure if it was entirely because of the tribal stuff, or if it was a mix of everything.
  
  I was afraid that since the novel focused on a group of teenagers, it would be too YA for me to stay engaged, but it really wasn't. The teenagers were mature enough that it was okay to follow along with, and there was enough other content to maintain my interest.
  
  I REALLY hope Mbaigo stays wih the group. He can shapeshift into, like, a dog or something, right? :D
• 
  C.L.

  Truly Interesting Anthropological Mystery With Twist
  
  Imagine discovering an unknown tribe of humans at a moment of great personal trauma and being made aware that there is a power greater than anything you could imagine that has been tapped into. If you have ever wondered what it might be like to truly explore an unknown world with the potential of new discovery, this book will be a thrill. Two teachers of science take a group of teens, including their son, to New Guinea on an exploration trip. They suffer an unexpected setback that forces them into life & death...and even beyond those conditions and situations. The world turns upside down. Intrigue, mystery and even frightening elements will have you turning the pages quickly to find out what force is at work and who will survive.
• 
  Dave

  I came to the Diffusion series after I had devoured Stan Smith's Bridgers books (which were some of my all time favorites). This book moves at a slower pace than Bridgers, so if this series isn't your cup of tea I encourage you to check out Bridgers. Perhaps it moves slower because it was the author's first book and he hadn't learned what to cut yet. I started to give it a 4 due to the pace but then thought about how over editing can strip out some of the fine detail as authors become more practiced and popular. I think this book earned 5 stars for its rich descriptions and complex world building. I am continually impressed by Mr. Smith's vivid imagination and look forward to his future literary endeavors.
• 
  Mel

  Diffusion
  
  Well crafted and written storyline. I have enjoyed this first book, thrilling plot. I must say that I nearly liked the whole book, but as I found out what they have found I was a bit baffled, because somehow it doesn't fit in this fantastic detailed storyline within this extraordinary tribe they found. I couldn't believe that they take it with them. But I guess this will lead to more books in this series. I would have liked to read more in this series, but the thing they found its not my kind of interest. Sorry. I loved the style and imagination in this book, special to read about this hidden tribe, how they lived.
• 
  Éric Kasprak

  There's something about an exotic jungle setting that makes for great adventure stories if you ask me; throw in some mysterious alien (or alien artifact) to the mix and it's become even better! Diffusion from Stan C. Smith is one such novel. Jungle, exotic natives, alien, great writing and perfect pacing equal a really great novel. The characters are all interesting and the mystery surrounding the alien is very well presented and well kept throughout. I have bought the complete series and can't wait to continue on my jungle journey.
• 
  Susan

  Diffusion is the first book in the Diffusion series. This book can be read as a standalone but is open-ended for the next book. There is violence.
  
  The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. This storyline is an interesting mix of mystery, anthropology, and SciFi. There are some interesting twists and turns throughout the book. I have my suspicions as to some of the things in the next story. I'll have to read it to find out if I guessed right.
• 
  Raymond White

  Diffusion is the opening third of a trilogy but is a stand alone novel. The plot is original and intriguing. The environmental details of the Irian Jaya rainforest are pretty realistic--but folks in the know do NOT ever sleep on the ground.
  
  The combination of virtual immortality, a cure for all known diseases and alien technology that can talk means I'll undoubtedly read the other two books in the series.
• 
  Kim

  I really have to remember to jot down thoughts on books that I read BEFORE reading everyone else's reviews! It tends to negatively impact my thoughts.
  
  OK...original thoughts.
  A) I liked the story
  B) Yes, I had to suspsend belief at times...(talking tree kangaroos?- a middle school trip to Paupau?)
  C) It flowed well and went quickly.
  D) Sometimes the characters were virtually interchangable.
  
• 
  Eunice

  The first book in a series filled with otherworldly phenomenons and mystery. I think I just felt confused for around half of this book, wondering how the author will explain all the stuff that's happening. Even at the end of it, I had more questions than answers. The last chapters just added a bunch more questions rather than answering the ones I already had. Looking forward to the shitfest that will definitely happen in the sequel.
• 
  Mike Goodman

  Wow Totally Surprised
  
  This story of a school field trip that really gets started after the plane crash was so far from expected totally surprised me. While they're captured by a group of savages who are guarding an ancient alien artifact really piqued my intrest. Couldn't stop reading. ..
• 
  Margo James

  Strange magic!
  
  This book was hard for me to get into. It took me a week to read, but I stuck with it because there is a message that I needed to discover. Please read to the end before you decide. The premise is unique, the writing dodgy, but there is action, and more importantly,it makes you think.