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Echoes of Extinction
A vicious predatory alien alliance…
An advanced alien civilization on the edge of extinction…
An Afghanistan war veteran operating a solar farm in the desert…
From best-selling author, D. Ward Cornell, comes a new tale of human ingenuity, alien conflict, and one man’s struggle to lead a reluctant world to preparedness, despite the personal and political barriers placed in his way.
When Kyle Wimberly, the hands-on president of Full Cycle Solar, Inc., investigates a unit failure, he finds an alien shuttle that has crashed into it. The shuttle’s captain is grievously injured, his crew dead. Then, to Kyle’s surprise, the captain asks for help, speaking perfect English.
Kyle and colleague Alexandra Reyes carry the captain to the shuttle’s medical bay for treatment by its auto-doc. This simple act of compassion launches the two down a path that will change their lives and the world forever.
An advanced alien civilization on the edge of extinction…
An Afghanistan war veteran operating a solar farm in the desert…
From best-selling author, D. Ward Cornell, comes a new tale of human ingenuity, alien conflict, and one man’s struggle to lead a reluctant world to preparedness, despite the personal and political barriers placed in his way.
When Kyle Wimberly, the hands-on president of Full Cycle Solar, Inc., investigates a unit failure, he finds an alien shuttle that has crashed into it. The shuttle’s captain is grievously injured, his crew dead. Then, to Kyle’s surprise, the captain asks for help, speaking perfect English.
Kyle and colleague Alexandra Reyes carry the captain to the shuttle’s medical bay for treatment by its auto-doc. This simple act of compassion launches the two down a path that will change their lives and the world forever.
- GenresScience Fiction
561 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2023
844 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
D. Ward Cornell
23 books51 followersD. Ward Cornell lives on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. His career as an engineer, consultant, and entrepreneur has taken him all over the world. Many of those places and elements of those cultures are featured in his writing.
Although still dabbling in those fields, his passion now is bring stories to life.
Although still dabbling in those fields, his passion now is bring stories to life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 29, 2023
A silly book. Everything goes perfectly and the world revolves around the lead character. Certainly the whitest book I have ever read. The lead is a veteran, PhD in physics, and the son of a family that makes wine. The alien immediately assesses him and decides he had to be the only conduit for Alien tech for thee whole planet. Of corse, the Chinese and the Russians and all of Europe are completely left out. The Aussies are invited into share in the attack/testing of the fighters. There is no understanding of international relations or the reality of dealing with the federal government.
It’s a good premise: the powerful aliens are coming to invade/conquer earth. Humans will be replaced with arachnids. Another humanoid alien appears to help. Good start that just doesn’t become a good story. And , the end is just setting up another book. It really wasn’t worth reading.
It’s a good premise: the powerful aliens are coming to invade/conquer earth. Humans will be replaced with arachnids. Another humanoid alien appears to help. Good start that just doesn’t become a good story. And , the end is just setting up another book. It really wasn’t worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
Hardcore SF
Cornell created characters with which I would disagree if I met them, but I found myself caring for them.
His jaded insights into our governmental processes are, alas, far too accurate.
The good aliens are complicated, and the bad aliens are terrifying!
Couldn't put it down.
Cornell created characters with which I would disagree if I met them, but I found myself caring for them.
His jaded insights into our governmental processes are, alas, far too accurate.
The good aliens are complicated, and the bad aliens are terrifying!
Couldn't put it down.
April 28, 2023
When the book began with a person physically picking up an alien, no hazard suit or gloves, and then taking a ride in the alien's space craft to the far side of the moon, no space suit, I had my doubts about this book being a good read. It just seemed amatourishly written at this point. But as the story unfolds the book was OK to me. But I did notice a number of places where I think the arthor borrowed from other science fiction writers. One itemed that stood out was when the lead character said they would put jump drivers with emitters on their ships. That appeared to be clearly something that he took from another writer whose book I have read.
I thought the book moved ratherly slowly and I was surprised that there was no effort to include the major powers on the Earth, Russia and China at the least, in the planning for the defense of the world. After all this was a world problem and not a US problem. And as Kai put together his team for crewing the shuttles it seemed that it was made up for the most part of his friends and family.
And the the last bit of borrowing in this book was when the aliens transferred to Kai a data ark. This is directly from another writer's books that I have read.
The book was OK in my opinion but I do not plan to read the next chaper.
I thought the book moved ratherly slowly and I was surprised that there was no effort to include the major powers on the Earth, Russia and China at the least, in the planning for the defense of the world. After all this was a world problem and not a US problem. And as Kai put together his team for crewing the shuttles it seemed that it was made up for the most part of his friends and family.
And the the last bit of borrowing in this book was when the aliens transferred to Kai a data ark. This is directly from another writer's books that I have read.
The book was OK in my opinion but I do not plan to read the next chaper.
August 5, 2024
Fun reading.
It's the old standard of an alien race giving us technology so we can beat up some bad guys. The story is engaging as our hero overcomes bureaucratic delays, technical problems, and a skirmish with a scout of the bad guys. We end up with some experimental weapons that we test out in a conflict with the bad guys. End result is good, and ends up with an alliance being created with an alien race against the bad guys. Book stops rather abruptly, but satisfactorily with the belief that a successful campaign will be concluded against the bad guys. The author clearly has some issues with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and civilian control of the military. He makes his feelings known. He also has some feelings about sexual relations, and describes some interpersonal relationships that are both sour and sweet.
Grammatically, the author appears to not know that there is such a word as "whom". Overall, I found the book to be entertaining.
It's the old standard of an alien race giving us technology so we can beat up some bad guys. The story is engaging as our hero overcomes bureaucratic delays, technical problems, and a skirmish with a scout of the bad guys. We end up with some experimental weapons that we test out in a conflict with the bad guys. End result is good, and ends up with an alliance being created with an alien race against the bad guys. Book stops rather abruptly, but satisfactorily with the belief that a successful campaign will be concluded against the bad guys. The author clearly has some issues with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and civilian control of the military. He makes his feelings known. He also has some feelings about sexual relations, and describes some interpersonal relationships that are both sour and sweet.
Grammatically, the author appears to not know that there is such a word as "whom". Overall, I found the book to be entertaining.
March 28, 2023
Truly an ever evolving story.
Although much of this story is about an alien invasion there are so many twists and turns with a logical easy to follow plot. Our hero has many allies and even more enemies. He and his partners are constantly evolving finding was to maneuver through the stupidity that blocks almost every door with politics or simple ignorance derived from fear. He has been gifted with implants that grant him intelligence and insights that I wish the author could express more thoughtfully. Otherwise a great story that I will welcome the next book.
Although much of this story is about an alien invasion there are so many twists and turns with a logical easy to follow plot. Our hero has many allies and even more enemies. He and his partners are constantly evolving finding was to maneuver through the stupidity that blocks almost every door with politics or simple ignorance derived from fear. He has been gifted with implants that grant him intelligence and insights that I wish the author could express more thoughtfully. Otherwise a great story that I will welcome the next book.
November 7, 2023
This is a good start to a series with the tried-and-true concept of a guy finding an alien spaceship and obtaining access to the technology, he makes a financial killing doing it, and the proverbial bad aliens are coming to destroy Earth. The technical aspects of the SF were believable with lots of details which was a plus. I picked this up for free using my Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. the normal price of $1.99, and I certainly received more than $1.99 of entertainment value out of it. If technical SF is in your wheelhouse I would recommend giving this one a try.
December 18, 2024
The End of the Beginng
This is an excellent example of what the end of the Beginning of Eternity might be like. As someone else already pointed out, this first book, at times, expounds on details of science that tend to bog down a reader.
But, overall a five star beginning to a series I look forward to following. I can only hope the action parts are not overwhelmed by the inane details of the characters’ personal lives, to the point where a reader desiring a plot with action is forced to give up on the series.
This is an excellent example of what the end of the Beginning of Eternity might be like. As someone else already pointed out, this first book, at times, expounds on details of science that tend to bog down a reader.
But, overall a five star beginning to a series I look forward to following. I can only hope the action parts are not overwhelmed by the inane details of the characters’ personal lives, to the point where a reader desiring a plot with action is forced to give up on the series.
September 19, 2025
Excellent saga worthy of your time
A couple retired military Seals find a crashed alien spaceship on their property along with a single live alien. Boy befriending him they discover that in addition to this alien, there is another race of beings who are intent on taking over the conquest and eliminating of all beings they come upon. Our heroes take upon themselves the challenge of overcoming all problems facing the human race along the way. Great clean story that I would love to see expanding to the big screen. 😋
A couple retired military Seals find a crashed alien spaceship on their property along with a single live alien. Boy befriending him they discover that in addition to this alien, there is another race of beings who are intent on taking over the conquest and eliminating of all beings they come upon. Our heroes take upon themselves the challenge of overcoming all problems facing the human race along the way. Great clean story that I would love to see expanding to the big screen. 😋
July 17, 2023
Great Entertainment!
A well crafted storyline, with plenty of interesting characters and a host of supporting cast members make this an entertaining and enjoyable book. While the science relies heavily on “deus ex machina” style developments, their introduction is not heavy handed and the positive spin provided raised this reader’s satisfaction level. I read to be entertained and this fit the bill nicely.
A well crafted storyline, with plenty of interesting characters and a host of supporting cast members make this an entertaining and enjoyable book. While the science relies heavily on “deus ex machina” style developments, their introduction is not heavy handed and the positive spin provided raised this reader’s satisfaction level. I read to be entertained and this fit the bill nicely.
July 21, 2024
is this a romance novel or sci-fi
Novel was laborious to get through. I give credit to Mr Cornell for a somewhat interesting and original plot but was thoroughly bored with relationships of the protagonist to the point that I almost did not finish novel. This arduously long novel could have and should have been a novella. Additionally, some of his sci-fi wranglings, are just plain supercilious nonsense. I definitely will not read book 2.
Novel was laborious to get through. I give credit to Mr Cornell for a somewhat interesting and original plot but was thoroughly bored with relationships of the protagonist to the point that I almost did not finish novel. This arduously long novel could have and should have been a novella. Additionally, some of his sci-fi wranglings, are just plain supercilious nonsense. I definitely will not read book 2.
June 5, 2025
Aliens are coming to invade, so Earth has to build up a defensive fleet with the help of a scout from a third alien race already defeated, but who has technology to help the Earthlings in their defense. There's not much action, it's mostly about what I would call "the engineering and logistics of building spaceships" - that and the protagonist's love-life, both of which were equally uninteresting to me. Not bad writing, but I was so bored I quit after reading 75% of it.
April 9, 2023
Interesting Concept
Interesting concept seems well written and was sufficiently paced to keep the reader interested. A lot of subplots in the story, never sure which one will take root and change the story course. Story worked well and was enjoyable, I will be buying the next one in the series.
Interesting concept seems well written and was sufficiently paced to keep the reader interested. A lot of subplots in the story, never sure which one will take root and change the story course. Story worked well and was enjoyable, I will be buying the next one in the series.
April 30, 2023
Somebody has to be in charge
good thing it is a humble realist here and not a politician or the aliens would wipe out earth. I see very skilled plotting in this adventure. I guess authors mandatory boards to arrange the scenes to build toward the big confrontation. Nicely done.
good thing it is a humble realist here and not a politician or the aliens would wipe out earth. I see very skilled plotting in this adventure. I guess authors mandatory boards to arrange the scenes to build toward the big confrontation. Nicely done.
May 22, 2023
great read!!
Great technical sci fi read with wonderful characters and a strong plot. Like the way the author finished the story in a satisfying way while providing for a sequel. This book gets high marks from me (been reading sci fi for 50 years) and I’ll definitely now read the rest of his works. Nice book Don!
Great technical sci fi read with wonderful characters and a strong plot. Like the way the author finished the story in a satisfying way while providing for a sequel. This book gets high marks from me (been reading sci fi for 50 years) and I’ll definitely now read the rest of his works. Nice book Don!
September 4, 2023
Absolutely refreshing !
It is not common for me to find writing in this genre that keeps me up when I should be sleeping. This story not only does that, but it actually continues while I dream. The characters interact perfectly and the telling is so well constructed as to hold the reader in thrall. Well done!
It is not common for me to find writing in this genre that keeps me up when I should be sleeping. This story not only does that, but it actually continues while I dream. The characters interact perfectly and the telling is so well constructed as to hold the reader in thrall. Well done!
December 31, 2023
An intriguing story which has all the elements to become a full blown "space opera". Characters abound, both human and nonhuman, with motives yet to be determined in some cases.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it is set in the very near future which bothered me a little, given the scientific breakthroughs which the narrative requires. Of course the alien presence helps with these [of course].
Most if not all the main characters are very well developed but there are a lot of them, which for me was somewhat distracting. It was a little difficult keeping them their abilities and motives straight.
In the final analysis though, this is a whale of a story.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it is set in the very near future which bothered me a little, given the scientific breakthroughs which the narrative requires. Of course the alien presence helps with these [of course].
Most if not all the main characters are very well developed but there are a lot of them, which for me was somewhat distracting. It was a little difficult keeping them their abilities and motives straight.
In the final analysis though, this is a whale of a story.
October 17, 2024
Really not a fan of Cornell's writing. The aliens are the most human aliens I've ever seen written. Any time there's a problem, an instant solution is found. The characters are just warping to each location, do something quickly, and move on. Beyond a mild curiosity of what is going to happen with the aliens, nothing in the story is captivating.
January 22, 2025
DNF
I wanted to like this book so bad. The story could have been amazing but the author lives in the weirdest details. The romance is teenage and juvenile. The MC seems weirdly emotional and dense. I the book has continuity problems also and strange jumps around . All in all I gave up at 63% will not be reading anymore
I wanted to like this book so bad. The story could have been amazing but the author lives in the weirdest details. The romance is teenage and juvenile. The MC seems weirdly emotional and dense. I the book has continuity problems also and strange jumps around . All in all I gave up at 63% will not be reading anymore
March 6, 2023
Awesome!
Cornell is my favorite author. As with his other books, the plot is intricate but fast paced, the characters credible and the type that can bond with as a reader, and the technology outstanding. An amazing read, I look forward to future installments!
Cornell is my favorite author. As with his other books, the plot is intricate but fast paced, the characters credible and the type that can bond with as a reader, and the technology outstanding. An amazing read, I look forward to future installments!
March 25, 2023
Great story, hard to put down
Mr Cornell does it again with "Echoes..". I love the balance of science, humanity and minimal violence that snares my mind and imagination. Can't wait for more!
Mr Cornell does it again with "Echoes..". I love the balance of science, humanity and minimal violence that snares my mind and imagination. Can't wait for more!
May 24, 2023
WHAT A WILD RIDE!
This has been the most mesmerizing tale I've read in a long time! I was reading non-stop from the very first paragraph to the last sentence. Probably need to check out some of the author's other stories!
This has been the most mesmerizing tale I've read in a long time! I was reading non-stop from the very first paragraph to the last sentence. Probably need to check out some of the author's other stories!
Read
May 27, 2023First Contact
This was an interesting take on first contact. The story was engaging, a little heavy on the technical but balanced it with the characters. I am ready to see what's next for Kyle and the gang.
This was an interesting take on first contact. The story was engaging, a little heavy on the technical but balanced it with the characters. I am ready to see what's next for Kyle and the gang.
June 24, 2023
Good start!
I rarely enjoy first person based story telling. However, D. Ward Cornell's Space Opera Echoes of Extinction easily won me over. This is a wonderful start to an exciting & thrilling sci-fi series. I strongly recommend!
I rarely enjoy first person based story telling. However, D. Ward Cornell's Space Opera Echoes of Extinction easily won me over. This is a wonderful start to an exciting & thrilling sci-fi series. I strongly recommend!
July 12, 2023
Excellent read
All of the characters are very well done, which makes them very interesting and keeps you rooting for the good guy. So far this has been a very exciting read, with lots of excitement, including blood and guts
Looking forward to the sequels if there are any
All of the characters are very well done, which makes them very interesting and keeps you rooting for the good guy. So far this has been a very exciting read, with lots of excitement, including blood and guts
Looking forward to the sequels if there are any
July 22, 2023
Great Read
This story of a guy who saves an alien and becomes Earth envoy for his race for technology. In this Author’s multi verse spiders are the big nasty against hominid beings. Fantastic Story
This story of a guy who saves an alien and becomes Earth envoy for his race for technology. In this Author’s multi verse spiders are the big nasty against hominid beings. Fantastic Story
September 9, 2023
Very excellent story
Thank you for the Echoes of Extinction book and story line. Though science fiction, the reactions of the government reflect a lot of failures in current real governments. The ending is a great prelude to wanting to know more.
Thank you for the Echoes of Extinction book and story line. Though science fiction, the reactions of the government reflect a lot of failures in current real governments. The ending is a great prelude to wanting to know more.
January 6, 2024
A good read
This book was captivating and the reason I search for books to read, good character development, smart plot design and the right mix of drama, humor and personal relationships.
This book was captivating and the reason I search for books to read, good character development, smart plot design and the right mix of drama, humor and personal relationships.
February 8, 2024
Original and interesting
Original thoughts and interesting concepts. If sometimes delivering too deeply into internal thoughts. Anyway, love the story and moving on to the next book. Wilamima
Original thoughts and interesting concepts. If sometimes delivering too deeply into internal thoughts. Anyway, love the story and moving on to the next book. Wilamima
February 17, 2024
Echoes of Extinction
This is a wonderful book to read. No part to wordy that you would want to skip a few pages to get to the interesting part. You will not retreat the time to read it.
This is a wonderful book to read. No part to wordy that you would want to skip a few pages to get to the interesting part. You will not retreat the time to read it.
June 15, 2024
I struggled to get through this book. The idea of the story had potential but it just never got very interesting. I kept waiting for the exciting part but it never came. I actualy took a break and read another book in between bouts with this one. I won't read the sequels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews