Review: The Borderlands of Forever by Jeff B. Willey

Spiraling forward through time, space, evolution, and human exploration, The Borderlands of Forever by Jeff B. Willey is an experimental and exceptionally well-written novel depicting our species’ tragic and star-bound future.

In this sprawling portal into the future, the second half of the 21st century is punctuated by the discovery of inter-dimensional enemies and the collapse of freedom as we know it. That’s nothing compared to the cataclysmic events leading into the 22nd century, including the blending of man and machine, and violent pushbacks against these autags and cyborgs. Eventually, the machine intelligence on Earth wins out, and a point of collaboration must be reached with humans, so that the enjoined species can continue expanding across the universe.

A wildly detailed vision of humanity’s destiny, spanning multiple centuries and countless technological, social, astronomical, and existential advancements, the book speeds the reader through time on an exhilarating whirlwind of powerful prose. Inter-dimensional travel agents and energy-hungry conquerors from other galaxies run up against humanity’s self-destructive tendencies, social rebellions, and environmental espionage, all of which will feel relatable or recognizable.

Willey is clearly knowledgeable in astro-tech and cutting-edge science, but he also crafts characters that are immediately engaging, including Kina and Valen (mischievous 29th century kids) and Zekiah Ninch, a scientist on an ill-fated quest for immortality. Part of the novel is written from the perspective of invasive alien entities – high-brow Boltzmann Brains that have infiltrated humanity. Other chapters detail the discovery of God, or perhaps it’s just a spiritual parasite existing beyond the conception of our feeble minds. Rather than relying on heavy-handed exposition in each chapter, the story unveils new frames of reference, forcing readers to engage with each new time period and narrative voice.

On the philosophical side, this universe of vignettes explores complex ideas of consciousness, honesty, free will, and the ultimate purpose of existence – procreation, pleasure, connection, and observation. Willey’s ability to blur the line between theoretical science, quantum spirituality, and creative extrapolation manages to keep the storytelling within the bounds of believability, giving the writing a practically prophetic feel. The book is allegorical, aspirational, and apocalyptic, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking for modern readers facing further decades of disruption.

The level of detail and draughtsmanship that went into this novel obviously demanded extensive revision, leaving every edge polished and precise, and there are few if any editing critiques. The unique structure of the novel, leaping forward and backward in time, reinforces the idea of nonlinearity and the quantum puzzles of existence; in other words, it is perfectly on brand for this type of writing, which also leaves readers with a sense of uncertainty, as well as an unusual level of control over their own reading experience.

Battling against the notion of hopelessness and nihilism, The Borderlands of Forever seeks to prove that we are more than just “dust in the sunlight,” whether man, machine, or something in between, and does so admirably through the book’s disconnected glimpses into the future. Bolstered by Willey’s skillful pen and rampant imagination, this is an ambitious, inspiring, and truly original achievement.