Audible Book Review: Not Alone by Craig A. Falconer

This first contact story is long but mostly engaging.
Not Alone
By: Craig A. Falconer
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 22 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 08-09-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Aliens, First Contact, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's summary
Aliens exist, the government knows, and Dan McCarthy just found the proof. When Dan McCarthy stumbles upon a folder containing evidence of the conspiracy to end all conspiracies - a top-level alien cover-up - he leaks the files without a second thought. The incredible truth revealed by Dan's leak immediately captures the public's imagination, but Dan's relentless commitment to exposing the cover-up and forcing disclosure quickly earns him some enemies in high places. For his whole life, Dan McCarthy has searched for a reason to believe. Now that he finally has one, he might soon wish he didn't.... Not Alone is a stand-alone tale of contact and disclosure for the 21st century. ©2015 Craig A. Falconer (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Dan McCarthy is a sensitive, intelligent, but socially awkward man working two jobs to make ends meet. He stumbles upon proof that aliens have been on earth and a US agency has been hiding the truth. Rather than turning the information into officials, Dan releases it anonymously through the internet. His identity is soon exposed, and his efforts are condemned by a few but applauded by many. Dan could be overwhelmed by the media while he waits for his former military brother to get home to help him.

But suddenly a PR expert, Emma Ford, shows up to guide him. Emma doesn’t necessarily believe in aliens, but she has been assigned to take charge of the story for as long as it is worth news. Emma is sure Dan sincerely believes and as Emma lines up interviews, she slowly begins to accept that Dan may be right.

The American agency leader denies the story, calling it a hoax. Political figures, particularly the British Prime Minister and American President begin to take sides. Soon more evidence appears that supports Dan’s version of the facts. And Dan hasn’t revealed everything he found yet.

There is interesting worldwide discussion by experts and public reaction ranges from fear to excitement. There is political involvement and twists as the story continues. The public responses and political involvement may be a little overdone, but they are within the realm of possibility.

There is minimal alien activity and conflict. The story is focused on the characters and the author does a strong job of sharing the personal touches of the main character. The story is long at 738 Kindle (740 pint) pages and almost 23 hours of audio. Although the writing seems cliched and amateurish at times, the character driven story kept me engaged. I recommend this to die hard fans of first contact stories.

Audio Notes: James Patrick Cronin does an excellent job with the narration. He clearly portrays the characters as drawn by the author, even to the peripheral friends. I appreciated having this on audio rather than trying to read through 700+ pages.

Source: 1/27/19 Audible Daily Deal Rewind Sale $1.99. This qualifies for2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Contact Front, Drop Trooper, Book 1 by Rick Partlow

I wanted a space story and I liked the action and interaction in this military space story.

Contact Front
Drop Trooper, Book 1
By: Rick Partlow
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 8 hrs
Release date: 04-28-20
Publisher: Aethon Audio
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's summary
Go to war or go to jail.
For small-time street hustler Cam Alvarez, the choice is simple. He has no family, no friends, no place in the world...nothing to lose. When his latest con results in the death of a cartel hitman, Cam opts to join the Marines and leave Earth to fight a vicious alien enemy.
Drafted into the Marine Drop-Troopers, Cam discovers there’s one thing he’s even better at than running street-con games, and that’s killing the enemy. Wrapped in an armored battlesuit, Cam finds purpose amidst the horror and destruction of the war, and the opportunity for a new sort of friends and family...if he can break the habits of a life spent alone, trusting no one.
And, if he can survive....
Rick Partlow returns with another kickass military sci-fi epic. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jasper T. Scott, and Scott Bartlett.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Review:
Cam grew up in the foster care system and made some bad choices along the way – not that he had much choice. He gets caught in another crime and when he won’t give up his girlfriend as the accomplice, he is given a choice: go to war (as a Marine) or go to jail.

As he learns basic skills, Cam does well at controlling the armored battlesuit and he is soon assigned to the Drop-Troopers. Cam finds that he finally has something he is really good at and even though not all of his troop members are supportive, he does get encouragement from superiors as he improves. One old habit they have to break in Cam is working alone and trusting no one. They have to teach him that he and his teammates can only survive by working together.

Not all of the characters are nice and not everyone survives, but I enjoyed the action of the story and the growth that Cam achieves. There are some surprises and twists that keep the story interesting through the end. I would be interested in reading more in the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy space military action.

Audio Notes: James Patrick Cronin does a fine job with the narration. I could distinguish each character voice and I liked the clear energy James brings to the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale –$5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Black Sheep by Rachel Aukes

This was a satisfactory sci fi if not overwhelming.
Black Sheep
A Space Opera Adventure (Flight of the Javelin, Book 1)
By: Rachel Aukes
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Aethon Audio
Genre: First Contact, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's summary
An alien ship. Stolen colonists. All Throttle wanted was a vacation....
Fifteen years into a 20-year voyage, war veteran Captain Throttle Reyne is looking forward to taking a break from dealing with malfunctions, glitches, and the hassles of monitoring 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep.
But when her colony ship breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Throttle and her crew must leave the colonists behind to search for help. They find a ship that's not only missing a crew...it's clearly not from their star system.
It's the discovery of a lifetime. All they need to do is tow the mysterious vessel back to their colony ship for further study and Throttle won't ever have to work again. One problem. While they're away, the colony ship is stolen - with the colonists still on board.
Throttle gives chase to a lawless star system on the outer rim. To get their colonists back, they must take on the pirates and ganglords who will do anything - and sell anyone - to make a buck.
They play dirty. But Throttle and her crew play dirtier.
Strap on your restraints and experience the start of this new space-opera thrill ride. It's perfect for fans of Jay Allan, Jennifer Foehner Wells, and Star Wars.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Review:
Throttle and her crew have been managing to maintain 1,000 colonists in cryo-sleep while coping with malfunctions and glitches on their ship, the Gabriella, 15 years into a 20-year voyage. For a long time there have been rumors that there is a ghost or stowaway saboteur on the ship although the culprit has never been caught. Things go from troubled to disaster when the ship goes into complete services and power loss. The crew have to rush to move the colonist pods to a location to give them the best chance of survival while the crew goes out on a shuttle seeking help.

Once out in space the crew stumble across an alien ship that is apparently dead in the water. They approach with caution to find an AI that has maintained the ship for hundreds of years but needs just a little assistance to come back alive. Once they are able to get more power to the AI, dubbed “Rusty”, the AI is able to begin to give the crew help, including telling them that the Gabriella has been moved from its location.

The Gabriella has been hijacked by pirates in space and Throttle follows the ships into an unexpected and ‘gang controlled’ space station. Not only will Throttle and her team need to figure out how to get out of the clutches of the warring sibling leaders, but they must rescue the colonists before they are sold into mining slavery.

Throttle is a strong character as a paraplegic with no use of her legs without the special braces her crew helps to maintain. Her crew includes a good mix with a former pirate, a medical officer, a recalcitrant machinist, a computer hacker, and an added warrior. Throttle earned her name due to her full-on attitude and her crew gives her the best support. There is full-on action and adventure with one escapade after another needed to succeed in the survival of the team and colonists. I enjoyed the action and escapes and will look forward to reading more by this author. I recommend this to fans of fast-paced space action.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is a really good narrator. She provides clear voices and on target energy to keep up with the pace of the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of this story.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and my 2023Color goals.

Audible Book Review: Junkyard Pirate by Jamie McFarlene

This was fun even if you have to stretch belief.

Junkyard Pirate
By: Jamie McFarlane
Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

Series: Junkyard Pirate, Book 1 (4 books)
Length: 10 hrs
Release date: 12-31-19
Publisher: Fickle Dragon Publishing
Genre: Adventure, Alien, First Contact, Military, Pirate, Space
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Knocking at death’s door. Bargaining for a second chance. Seems like a heck of a way to find out about an alien invasion....
Vietnam vet Albert Jenkins is battling a bulging waistline and a passion for drink. So when a towering pile of scrap rocket parts falls and crushes the stubborn curmudgeon, he thinks it’s finally the end. But just as he’s about to take one final breath, a snarky alien parasite offers him a deal: His life in return for sharing his body.
With a little coaxing from his new pop-culture-loving inner resident, AJ’s broken carcass improves so much that even an old flame is impressed. But his bright outlook fizzles when he discovers he's at ground zero of a galactic conspiracy to strip Earth of precious resources humans don't even know exist.
Can the unlikely partners join forces and use AJ's rusty military skills to raise the alarm? Or, will the alien invaders put him down once and for all?
Junkyard Pirate is the first book in an imaginative space opera series. If you like grizzled soldiers, clever twists and turns, and intergalactic tactical pairings, then you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s fast-paced alien adventure.
Buy Junkyard Pirate to boot the invaders back to where they came from today!
©2019 Fickle Dragon Publishing LLC (P)2019 Fickle Dragon Publishing LLC

Review:
Vietnam veteran, Albert, better known as AJ, is a stubborn curmudgeon in his 70s who is winding down his life with food and alcohol. He runs a junkyard and occasionally gets loads from NASA that includes some good parts. His latest purchase is a huge pile of scrap rocket parts. When his dog, Maxie, continually barks at the tower, Albert steps out and gets caught under a slide of the rocket parts. He expects that he will die under the crush and thinks he is hallucinating a tiny alien who offers to save his life if he will share his body. What does he have to lose? He gives permission before he passes out.

When he wakes up, he learns his best friend, Darnell, got him to the hospital. The doctor recognized her surgery work from the Vietnam days and is surprised that AJ isn’t paralyzed. Meanwhile he sees an 8” woman on the doctor’s shoulder and realizes he has to get out of the hospital before the doctor discovers the alien that is restoring his body. Doctor Amanda Jayne is reluctant to let AJ go and soon starts visiting him at home to follow-up trying to figure out what is going on with his body.

Beverly, the alien, explains to AJ that she and her crew were on a reconnaissance mission to gather information about an enemy alien people on Earth. The Korgul are parasitic aliens controlling millions of humans while they mine special materials unknown to the humans. Beverly and her friends need permission to take over a body but the Korgul don’t ask permission. Beverly needs AJ’s help to get to a spaceship they can use but it will make him a target for the enemy.

Sure enough, strangers soon arrive at AJ's home and he is scrambling to escape flying bullets. AJ gets the help of a few friends including a new pet, who share their bodies with Beverly’s friends. Now the handful of old military companions set off to steal the spaceship and maybe save the planet.

This is a fun story. AJ is not a classy character but very much a suggestive old man who is surprised and pleased to have his body returning to youthful vigor. I enjoyed Beverly’s character and the other friends add to the mix too. There were close calls and escapes in preposterous situations, but these allow the story to move forward. The story concludes this episode but leaves the heroes/heroines waiting for the next step in saving Earth. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy fun, sort of warped humor, and military to space adventure.

Audio Notes: Mikael Naramore does a good job of narrating the story. The voices are distinct, and the snark appropriately conveyed. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: July 2021 Audible $5.00 Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Occupation goals.

Audible Book Review: Galactic Forge by Alex Guerra

This is an entertaining sci fi with action and a 'kidnapped' human caught up with an AI entity.

Galactic Forge
Galactic Forge Series, Book 1
By: Alex Guerra
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Series: Galactic Forge Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 02-19-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Former Marine Arthur Holland’s destiny begins when an aircraft crashes on his property in the mountains of Colorado. He moves to investigate and to help any survivors, but the closer he gets the less control he has of his movements.
An unknown force urges him to open the door of the mysterious craft, discovering the secret that lies within: a dead, alien pilot and a peculiar, otherworldly crystal. If that wasn’t enough, the crystal feels like it is alive. That’s when he hears a single word inside his mind: run.
An enemy vessel approaches overhead in pursuit of the downed ship, leaving Arthur little time to make his escape.
Guided by this strange voice, Art is propelled through a hidden portal, arriving somewhere unknown. On the other side of the galaxy, without a means of returning home, he has no choice but to move forward and help the crystal accomplish its mission: upgrade the ancient derelict ship, recruit new allies, and help the Galactic Conglomerate fight the Vael Empire.
It may be destiny that’s called him, but it’s the choices he makes that will forge his future.
©2018 Alex Guerra (P)2019 Podium Publishing

Review:
Arthur Holland is a former Marine running a car repair shop in Colorado. A strange aircraft crashes on his property and he is pulled to the crash to investigate. The closer he gets, the stronger the pull until he can’t control his own actions. He finds a dead alien pilot and takes a crystal from his hand. Next thing Arthur knows he is hearing a voice in his head telling him to “run!” The voice guides Arthur to a cave and a hidden portal that transports him to a strange, unknown place.

Arthur is in a closed room when he wakes up to learn he is in a spaceship on the other side of the galaxy. The crystal is an AI (Art names her Dotty) that begins to integrate with Art. She explains that she needs his help to find core drives for her ship so she will have power to continue. And, by the way, she doesn’t have the power to get him back home.

Art doesn’t have any choice but to go along with Dotty. As she hunts for power drives, they come across a young elfin looking woman who is under attack. Art rescues Seya and they proceed to a planet to allow her to reconnect with the Galactic forces. Soon Art finds himself in the middle of an intergalactic war between the Galactic allies and the Vael Empire. Art keeps getting hopeful that power cores will allow him to go home but then some other action is required. Step by step Art becomes a warrior and a hero, resulting in his new friends declaring that this is his destiny.

There were some unexplained matters that distracted me…particularly what happened to the enemy that chased the original spaceship to Colorado? Will that make earth a target for the Vael? And Art’s whining to get home is a little annoying. Other than that, I enjoyed the easy writing and the different character personalities. I liked the friendships that are developing for Art. I am engaged with the team matesand want to follow their next adventures as they face the enemy. I recommend this to fans of military space opera with a hero character.

Audio Notes: Paul Heitsch’s voice fits the story and the main character. I enjoyed the audio version of the story.

Source: February 2021 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Forging Zero: The Legend of ZERO by Sara King

This is a good space sci fi.
Forging Zero: The Legend of ZERO
By: Sara King
Narrated by: Liam Owen

Series: Legend of ZERO, Book 1
Length: 21 hours and 54 minutes
Published: December 17, 2013 by Sara King
Genre: First Contact, Science Fiction, Space Exploration
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

The Legend of Zero begins the epic journey of 14-year-old Joe Dobbs in a post-apocalyptic universe following a massive alien invasion of Earth. The oldest of the children drafted from humanity's devastated planet, Joe is impressed into service by the alien Congressional Ground Force - and becomes the unwitting centerpiece in a millennia-long alien struggle for independence.
Once his training begins, one of the elusive and prophetic Trith appears to give Joe a spine-chilling prophecy that the universe has been anticipating for millions of years: Joe will be the one to finally shatter the vast alien government known as Congress. And the Trith cannot lie. But first Joe has to make it through bootcamp.

Review:
Joe Dobbs accidentally got impressed into service by aliens who take children to train as expendable military forces. Joe is 14 which is above the age they take but he got pulled into the ship after he attacked the aliens. Bootcamp is hard. The alien troop leaders are pretty harsh and most of them would be glad to kill Joe in training. But one supervisor has received a prophesy that makes him think that Joe is part of the future to destroy the Congress government. This creates a quandary because he isn’t sure if he wants to allow Joe to fulfill the prophesy or just kill him now.

As the oldest of the captured children, Joe tends to take care of the younger kids. His small team of kids begins to look up to him and trust him to lead them safely. But at some point they are going to find out that he has kept his prophesy a secret and some may see that as a betrayal.

I did have a little confusion early in the story trying to figure out which of the aliens were good and which bad. I enjoyed the relationships that developed between the children. The level of growth in Joe’s personality, and reluctant determination to shield his team, was intriguing. Initially this seems like a good story for young people, but then it adds suffering, sexual content, and graphic violence that might not be comfortable for all readers. I became invested in the characters and was sad when they became disillusioned and separated.

The author tells the story from Joe’s view and the reader, like Joe, is unaware of a lot of the political intrigues that are going on. The last quarter of the book rushes forward in time, skipping a lot of the time during which Joe’s character and position change. This was a bit awkward and disappointing. The end leaves the door open for more adventures but I am sorry that the books are not available in audio format. It is less likely that I will continue with the series in digital. I recommend this to fans of first contact and space exploration stories.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Liam Owen. The voice and energy fit the characters for the most part – I’m not so sure there was strong distinction among the alien characters. I am very glad I had this on audio and wish the next in the series was available in audio format.

Source: 11/28/2016 Audible Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Numbers goals.

Audible Book Review: TFS Ingenuity, The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1, by Tori L. Harris

This has an interesting dilemma – trying to determine who is friend or foe in first contact aliens.

TFS Ingenuity
The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
By: Tori L. Harris
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 03-29-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Alien, First Contact, Sci Fi, Space Opera, Technothriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
It's the year 2277. For 50 years, Earth has received mysterious data transmissions from random locations in deep space. The streams include advanced technology, allowing humans to achieve faster-than-light travel virtually overnight. As we prepare to take our first tentative steps into interstellar space, we know almost nothing about our alien benefactors, and their motivations remain unexplained.
While completing their shakedown cruise, Captain Tom Prescott and the crew of the first Terran Fleet Command starship, TFS Ingenuity, stumble into a first contact situation. They learn that Earth is not the first civilization granted access to the stars before their time - and how this Faustian gift has inevitably led to centuries of interstellar war. Humanity's existence hangs in the balance as a powerful alliance assembles a preemptive military strike, believing it to be their only option to protect themselves...from us. Prescott and his small, initially unarmed starship must serve as our only line of defense. Ingenuity is our only hope.
©2015 Tori L. Harris (P)2016 Podium Publishing.

Review:
The Earth has been receiving mysterious data transmissions that include advance technology. This has allowed the powers that be to build a spaceship to take them into interstellar space. Captain Tom Prescott is the leader of the first starship, TFS Ingenuity. When they take their maiden, and intended to be test, voyage, they stumble upon a first contact situation which includes observing a space battle.

When the ship returns to Earth, they are directed to land in a secret facility where they discover they are not the only ship in town. Earth leaders have been busy even though they don’t know who their technology benefactor is. Now they have to figure out between two alien races which means to help, and which seeks to harm.

This is another sci fi space opera that is interesting but a little light on character development. There is interest created by chapters from the POV of the alien ‘guardians’, giving some background to the interference with lesser advanced species. The major problem is that this ends at a point where the reader would have to continue in book 2 to find out what happens. I am glad the second book is another free book on Audible Plus as I am not sure I would run out to buy it. Fans of first contact and jump technology might like to try this series.

Audio Notes: Once again, Jeffrey Kafer’s narration works for me. It may seem monotone and dry to some but I have learned to enjoy the straight forward narration.

Source: 12/17/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant

Although the title indicates this is sci fi it is really post-apocalyptic with a twist of anticipating first alien contact.

Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1
By: Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Alien Invasion (Platt/Truant), Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 07-21-15
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: First Contact, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
They are coming. The countdown has begun.
First visible only as blips on a telescope image, the discovery of objects approaching from Jupiter's orbit immediately sets humanity on edge. NASA doesn't even bother to deny the alien ships' existence. The popular Astral space app (broadcasting from the far side of the moon and accessible by anyone with Internet) has already shown the populace what is coming. So the news has turned from evasion to triage, urging calm and offering the few facts they have:
The objects are enormous, perfectly round spheres numbering in the dozens, maybe hundreds. They are on an approach vector for Earth. And they will arrive in six days.
©2015 Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Meyer Dempsy is a high energy, successful film producer. He controls those around him by his sheer presence. He has participated in meditation and training with a shaman which he obsesses over, while being unable to get his current and former wives to take it seriously. Fortunately for Meyer and his family, which includes his teenaged son and daughter, he has acted on visions of future danger and secured a protected bunker home for everyone in his personal circle, which includes not only his current wife, Piper, but his ex-wife, a popular star, Heather.

Although the government and NASA stayed quiet, a popular space app has revealed that a multitude of unexplained ships are approaching from outer space. Society begins to panic when they are told the ships will arrive in six days.

Meyer gathers Piper and his children, Trevor and Lila, along with Lila’s boyfriend, Raj, and heads out of New York trying to get to his bunker in Vail. He has told Heather to meet them there. Of course, they will all face dangers on the way as others are leaving cities to seek more sheltered areas. And will they be protected if they can get to Vail?

This story warns of the invasion but has little to do with the sci fi invasion aspect. Instead the author focuses on the family journey across country and develops the six primary characters – almost too much. There is a strange twist near the end which of course leaves open the next book to wonder what happens to the family.

I liked the premise but there is quite a bit I don’t like. I am not in favor of marital infidelity, and it is really unpleasant when the ex-wife is a (not totally secret) lover. I liked the danger and logical way that Meyer deals with problems, but he is such a controlling person that he borders on abusive – at least emotionally if not out right verbally. The female characters are portrayed with less than strong features. They appear as weak, whiny, and unable-to-follow-directions, ditzy women.

This introduction was free on Audible Plus. I am not rushing out to buy the series. There are more positive reviews, so check around and decide for yourself if you want to try this.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a very good narrator. He delivers distinct voices and emotion that fits the story. I am glad that I had the audio version.

Source: 3/22/21 'Sci Fi' title from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Jumpgate by Robert Stadnik

I enjoyed the characters in this space exploration adventure.

The Jumpgate
by Robert Stadnik

File Size: 1396 KB
Print Length: 237 pages
Publication Date: August 1, 2019
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
ASIN: B07RTPMVYS
Genre: Alien, First Contact, Space Fleet
My Rating:4.25 of 5.0.

After being trapped within the solar system for nearly a century, humanity is finally free to explore the galaxy. But questions still remain about the aliens that oppressed the human race. Where are they from? Why did they come to the Milky Way galaxy? The opportunity to uncover those answers finally presents itself. But is anyone brave enough to go through...the jumpgate.
This novel is part of the exodus universe.

Review:
Lieutenant Jacob Diego was part of a renegade human starship, the Phoenix, that defied military orders. Although the crew members became heroes to the public as their actions resulted in defeating the alien forces, they are shunned and spurned by most other military crews as traitors. Jacob requested reassignment to be the Commanding Officer (XO) of the Solaris, one of the few remaining capital ships that are being directed to patrol space. The communication officer on the Solaris is another ostracized survivor of the Phoenix. Jacob is surprised to find another crew member or two onboard who are willing to accept him. Even the captain’s acceptance is reluctant as he has no choice but to follow the orders of the Admiral.

Captain Dewis knows this is his last ship before he is sent to retirement. Instead of maintaining patrol, Dewis decides to take the unauthorized risk of entering the jumpgate to explore the other side and make a name for himself. Jacob protests but is helpless to stop Dewis as the crew would certainly not support the 'traitor'. Two other alien races agreed to explore the outside of the jumpgate but they are unhappy with the digression going through the jumpgate.

When Captain Dewis pursues his obsession by taking the Solaris through the jumpgate it isn’t long before they are attacked by enemies. Jacob and a handful of other crew members, including allied aliens, struggle to keep the ship intact and bring it back to the home galaxy. Will they be able to escape the enemy and destroy the jumpgate to protect their own worlds?

Although there is space action, including battles, this story is strongly character-driven with characters who are troubled. I found the development of the characters – the isolationism, the disharmony, and the power-seeking – interesting. I recommend this book to fans of space adventure who like the character elements as well as the space elements.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020NetGalley goals.

Audible Book Review: The Event By Nathan Hystad

This is a quick sci fi listen.

The Event
By: Nathan Hystad
Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Series: The Survivors, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-24-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: First Contact, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
The ships came at dawn. Dean’s wife is dead. Her last words: When the ships come...wear the necklace. Then the ships arrived.
Cities all around the world reported strange alien vessels descending. Some saw them as the heralds of a new age; others fired everything they had at them. All were taken as the beams lashed down and drew them into the sky.
Dean was left behind, seemingly the last man on Earth. A trail of clues left by his dead wife guides Dean on a perilous journey across America and beyond to learn the truth behind the mysterious ships and save humanity from its doom.
But not everything is as it seems.
The Event is the epic first novel by Nathan Hystad, creator of the best-selling Explorations anthology series.
©2018 Nathan Hystad (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Dean’s wife suffered an unexplained illness and died a few years ago. She left Dean with a whispered “sorry” and instructions to wear the necklace when the ships arrive. Now the ships have arrived and Dean retrieves the necklace just in time to see everyone around him beamed into the alien ships. Why wasn’t he taken and what secrets did his wife hide from him? With a letter from his dead wife in hand, Dean sets off with his neighbor’s dog as his only companion. It is only as he follows the mysterious instructions of the letter that he begins to find others with similar mysteries. Dean, an accountant, is an unlikely hero to help save humanity but he is a man on a mission and finds more and more reasons to persist as he gets closer to the goal.

This wasn’t really compelling for me but it is a quick story/listen. It kept me interested to see how the small band of survivors would face the aliens. There isn’t a great depth of character development and there are scenes that just don’t jive. I liked that there was light humor and no swearing. There are six more books in the series and the ratings seem to have gotten better so I might continue the series sometime in the future.

Audio Notes: Luke Daniels is a reliable narrator who is able to add life to a story. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 1/24/2019 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.