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There Is No Antimemetics Division Hardcover – June 19, 2021

by qntm (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 5,329 ratings

An antimeme is an idea with self-censoring properties; an idea which, by its intrinsic nature, discourages or prevents people from spreading it.

Antimemes are real. Think of any piece of information which you wouldn't share with anybody, like passwords, taboos and dirty secrets. Or any piece of information which would be difficult to share even if you tried: complex equations, very boring passages of text, large blocks of random numbers, and dreams...

But anomalous antimemes are another matter entirely. How do you contain something you can't record or remember? How do you fight a war against an enemy with effortless, perfect camouflage, when you can never even know that you're at war?

Welcome to the Antimemetics Division.

No, this is not your first day.

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Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    209 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 19, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.72 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8514063031
Next slide of product details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09766RWR8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 19, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 209 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8514063031
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.72 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 5,329 ratings

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qntm

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
5,329 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book engaging and thought-provoking, praising its rich descriptive prose and relatable characters. Moreover, the narrative consistently surprises readers with its bizarre horror elements, and one customer notes how the suspense builds throughout the story. Additionally, the concept receives positive feedback, with one review highlighting its original gut-punching ideas told with precision.

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ReadabilitySuspensefulConceptPacingWriting qualityCharacter developmentExecutionGripping read
173 customers mention "Readability"156 positive17 negative

Customers find the book engaging and intelligent, describing it as an interesting and fun read.

"...The concepts were fresh and engaging, and I'm amazed that the author was even able to put them into words, esoteric as the ideas are...." Read more

"...with the unknown and the unknowable and it all comes together to be a fun ride that almost nails the ending but falls a bit short due to a few..." Read more

"...project in which many different writers tell stylized horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories through fake academic/governmental/scientific..." Read more

"...This is a must-read for science fiction/horror fans who are looking for something that is a little more abstract than aliens, body horror, and..." Read more

151 customers mention "Suspenseful"108 positive43 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, praising its consistently surprising narrative and thought-provoking story, with one customer noting how the plot elements are woven together to form a larger arc.

"...many different writers tell stylized horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories through fake academic/governmental/scientific research files about..." Read more

"...of the manifestations of various anomalies is viscerally and existentially terrifying, with allusions to the fourth wall that don't directly address..." Read more

"...something with leaps and rewinds, and still end with a narratively satisfying product, is an incredibly impressive task...." Read more

"...It's hard to explain, it's not really purple prose, but a few passages felt a little pretentious where I just had to roll my eyes and mentally make..." Read more

127 customers mention "Concept"123 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's concept fascinating and thought-provoking, with one customer noting that each chapter introduces new ideas.

"...The ideas that are explored within the story were incredibly interesting and novel to me in a way that I would only expect to come from the mind of..." Read more

"...There is a sense of grandeur mixed with the unknown and the unknowable and it all comes together to be a fun ride that almost nails the ending but..." Read more

"...There's Marion Wheeler, the head of the Antimemetics Division, extremely intelligent and competent, and still terrified about how badly the odds are..." Read more

"...I was intrigued by the description, and I'm extremely glad I picked this book up...." Read more

62 customers mention "Pacing"50 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, with its fascinating premise and engaging first scenes. One customer notes that the suspense builds throughout the story, while another mentions it provides a new approach to reality.

"...the book get up to the multiversal level, and the supernatural elements are blended with science to keep it fresh and engaging...." Read more

"...some great imagery for multiple parts of the story that helped greatly with the scene...." Read more

"...deliberate 'holes' but still has storyline progression, and bends the rules a bit, definitely pick this up." Read more

"...It's a fascinating thought experiment about how you build a team, foster hope, and fight against the impossible...." Read more

36 customers mention "Writing quality"28 positive8 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, particularly its rich descriptive prose, with one customer noting its serial narrative structure.

"...The writing was excellent, and the descriptions of the manifestations of various anomalies is viscerally and existentially terrifying, with..." Read more

"...Being able to write something with leaps and rewinds, and still end with a narratively satisfying product, is an incredibly impressive task...." Read more

"...It's well written but I also felt dumb at times. I would re-read sections to double check that I understood what the author was telling me...." Read more

"...The words don't exist for it so the author has to get creative or use a lot of abstract ideas/words to attempt to get the point across...." Read more

21 customers mention "Character development"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them very relatable, with one customer noting how the author skillfully manipulates memory and another highlighting the intense humanity throughout the narrative.

"...WHAT I LIKED: - Interesting characters that feel human because despite their badass actions, they can still fail or break -..." Read more

"...We get some excellent characters mixed in here...." Read more

"...Wheeler and her husband are decent characters, and the facts of the story help to smooth over some flatness that would otherwise be tiresome...." Read more

"...You have to look for what isn't there. The main character is a brilliant and brave middle-aged woman who uses toughness and love to overcome the..." Read more

19 customers mention "Execution"19 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's execution, particularly its thought-provoking setups and world-building.

"...They're setup and executed well and do a good job of initiating someone with the ideas at play (antimemes, mnemetic drugs, and an invisible war)..." Read more

"...and still end with a narratively satisfying product, is an incredibly impressive task...." Read more

"...The scientific mumbo-jumbo is an interesting setup and makes the setup for the story have some interesting features...." Read more

"Innovative idea, great execution. Or was it...I seem to be forgetting what I was talking about. Who are you? Why am I here?..." Read more

12 customers mention "Gripping read"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a gripping read, with one mentioning it feels very real and another noting it leaves a sinking feeling.

"...WHAT I LIKED: - Interesting characters that feel human because despite their badass actions, they can still fail or break -..." Read more

"...and the descriptions of the manifestations of various anomalies is viscerally and existentially terrifying, with allusions to the fourth wall that..." Read more

"...Very spooky, very cool, very gripping. The book is worth reading for this section alone...." Read more

"...This book is an experience. It felt so real. It is somewhat scattered...." Read more

Content is awesome, book quality is subpar.
3 out of 5 stars
Content is awesome, book quality is subpar.
I really don't like the book cover colors - they look very bland compared to digital art on item selling page. I was also hoping to have some sort of a compendium somewhere in the book - to be able to check out what everything means - but sadly there nothing like that. I've already read web version 3-4 times and with such quality i think it's still more convenient to read web version. But anyway, worth it to support the writer. Wish qntm all the best in his future plans!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • James Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Utterly Astonishing Read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. The ideas that are explored within the story were incredibly interesting and novel to me in a way that I would only expect to come from the mind of the most transitional generation that is the makeup of Millennials. The concepts were fresh and engaging, and I'm amazed that the author was even able to put them into words, esoteric as the ideas are. It will fill you with the deepest sense of dread with the cosmic horror aspects. I found my heart beating with total terror as I considered how horrid the concepts would be if they were actually *real*. Part of me wonders if they actually might be, because it's the kind of thing that can't be known for certain.

    The story goes over ideas that don't spread easily, antimemes, and a division within the SCP framework that deals with entities that are of this nature. The way the story comes together with its willingness to be told outside of typical chronological storytelling, gave me the sensation of being a detective trying to piece together an absolutely strange casefile. It was fun work and incredibly gratifying. I learned a lot more about what makes us human and parts of ourselves that are difficult to look at without confusion. Parts that are within each and every one of us but often ignored. The scale of the events in the book get up to the multiversal level, and the supernatural elements are blended with science to keep it fresh and engaging.

    Having read about 28 books this year, many of them fiction and nonfiction, many of them Sci-Fi, this is probably the best book I have read in 2024. I can't express the joy that I've experienced reading it and I'm looking forward to exploring more of this author.

    A Note: The version I read is no longer on Kindle format on the site because the author recently got a publishing deal which requires the elements connecting it to SCP to be reforged. That said, he is coming out with a new version at some point next year that will not contain those elements, with many other changes, so if you want to read this version you'll have to get the paperback version or read the originals on his website which can be found online. That said, for me this is incredibly awesome because I get to read a completely revamped and retold version of it *again* next year. Leaving this note because it clearly modifies the review.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Matthew R
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great original story/characters set in a pre-existing world
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I was searching for new horror (specifically Cosmic Horror or Psychological) to read and came across this book in my recommendations.

    Before reading this book it should be understood that the entire world/setting is based on the SCP Foundation which is a universe created by a group of anonymous contributors/writers on the internet. There are other reviews here that go into extensive detail on what the SCP Foundation is so there's no need to rehash it in this review. If you haven't been exposed to the SCP world I highly suggest typing SCP Foundation into Google and delving through that massive wiki rabbit hole.

    If you've never read anything SCP-related before, then there may be places where you will have to stop to look up an in-universe word. The author on their webpage explains that most of the book is original content of their own creation that happens to take place in the SCP world. Despite this, there are a few ideas, SCPs, and items that are obviously SCP Foundation related, but no explanation is ever given.

    OVERALL:

    The early and mid chapters are amazing and the characters are interesting to follow. There are some cool scenes and glimpses into other characters or occurrences that have great visuals that are truly horrifying. Some of the scenes that seem to not make sense at the moment are later revisited from another point-of-view or at another time to provide understanding. There is a sense of grandeur mixed with the unknown and the unknowable and it all comes together to be a fun ride that almost nails the ending but falls a bit short due to a few different issues. Ultimately I think this project works really well as entries on the SCP Foundation Wiki but it falls a bit short of what I would expect from a published book.

    WHAT I LIKED:

    - Interesting characters that feel human because despite their badass actions, they can still fail or break
    - Amazing world that is full of interesting creatures, people, and mystery/horror
    - Scenes that actually feel horrific or tense without making it feel too predictable or cliche. These characters are mostly competent agents or brilliant scientists who are encountering entities far beyond their own understanding.
    - The monsters in this book are horrifying and fun to see in action
    - A relationship that felt fairly genuine between two people. I cared about their feelings towards one another and their interactions.
    - The unique thinking or actions that needed to be taken by characters in order to combat something (or an idea) that couldn't be known without harming the knower
    - The author used some great imagery for multiple parts of the story that helped greatly with the scene. There were a few passages where after I read them I thought: "That is probably the best way to describe that really odd creature where I can not only picture it, but also FEEL it in the room with me as well."
    - The grandeur and massive scale of some of the imagery gives the reader that weird itch in their brain when it has to think of something that shouldn't be possible

    WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:

    - This book suffers from the same issues that nearly every cosmic horror book has; There is not a simple way to explain with human words a thing that is unknowable to humans or so abstract that human language can't describe it. It's like explaining a new color that doesn't exist yet or a sound you can't hear. The words don't exist for it so the author has to get creative or use a lot of abstract ideas/words to attempt to get the point across. There were a few times in this book where I either had no idea what the author was trying to convey or I had to accept the words on the page and come up with my best guess for an idea or action that takes place in either a thought or location that can't exist. Even here, trying to describe it to you is nearly impossible.
    - There are a few instances where the chronological flow of the book is shuffled around and the scenes that are out of order aren't given explanations or connections to help the reader figure out what is happening or when. I can't explain it further without spoilers but the book could have benefited from either markers or some sort of wording to denote when/where we are.
    - There are parts of the book that felt like filler to try and help a reader get a grasp on what an anti-meme and meme were as they pertained to the in-universe setting. Ultimately these scenes felt wasted because to me they didn't add anything to the characters I wanted to follow. There are pieces of the book where I have completely forgotten what happened in that chapter because it felt like filler and I didn't care about that scene. I wanted more Wheeler and we get less than I'd like. It's one of the downsides of the SCP world; The SCPs can carry the story by themselves because people read them to be fascinated or enthralled by SCP entry. But most stories require a character to follow and experience the world through. Without that character anchor, you may as well just be describing a setting where people are milling about.
    - Some of the prose in this book dipped a toe in the pool of sounding smart for the sake of trying to come off as a smart writer. It's hard to explain, it's not really purple prose, but a few passages felt a little pretentious where I just had to roll my eyes and mentally make a note that the author could have sounded more natural with different words.
    - The ending comes abruptly and the explanation is weak and very hand-wavey/deus-ex-machina. As I mentioned above, I think it's about 40% the failing of the author and 60% the failing of how hard it is to write about something so abstract or unknowable using words and human experience that can't touch that abstract.
    - In a typical book the reader has to have some sort of character anchor in order to experience the world from their POV. This book jumps between following a few different characters and it feels like the world, the crisis, and the creatures carry most of the book. I think I would have loved this book more if it had followed Marion Wheeler as a main character and cut out the fluff.
    18 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • renato
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo
    Reviewed in Italy on September 30, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Ottimo
    Report
  • Dariusz
    5.0 out of 5 stars SCP Extravaganzva
    Reviewed in Germany on October 24, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Für jeden Fan von Sci-Fi (Horror) ein must-read. Alleine das Konzept von sich selbst schützenden Informationen (Anti-Memes) hat mich tagelang beschäftigt. Die Geschichte ist meiner Meinung nach der literarische Höhepunkt von QNTM
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
    Reviewed in India on May 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The first half was incredible, full of compelling vignettes and concepts. The second half couldn’t live up to the first half, and the ending was a bit anticlimactic, but that didn’t tarnish my experience with the book. Short breezy read. I’d recommend it!
    Report
  • J. Romme
    5.0 out of 5 stars I read this book on one day
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on August 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Literally bought this book this morning. The story is both very good and enthralling as it is horrifying.

    Fortunately it ends will. No spoilers.
    Report
  • Nuno Miguel Fonseca
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good SF
    Reviewed in Spain on September 16, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    The story is great. Good SF with fresh ideas and uptakes.
    Report