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War of the Second Iteration #1
The Luck of Han'anga
The Human Commonwealth of Worlds had colonized their small corner of the galaxy for almost four centuries before an intelligent non-human species was encountered. During that time hundreds of stellar systems were settled in an effort to spread life out into the Great Void, creating a thriving culture shared by flesh and blood people and machine minds known as Artificials, vast intellects that opened the way to the stars for the Human species. The economics of scarcity and want are ancient history, and illness and old age have been banished. The Commonwealth is a civilization at peace with itself, but it is all Humanity knows.
Like many citizens of the Commonwealth the crew of the probeship William Bartram has come to believe Humanity is alone in the galaxy. Then they meet the Leyra'an. In that encounter they find an unsettling mystery, for the Leyra'an are so similar to Humans that it defies both science and belief.
But before the crew of the probeship can investigate this mystery, there is a darker and far more dangerous matter before them. Someone else met the Leyra'an first, and started a war.
Like many citizens of the Commonwealth the crew of the probeship William Bartram has come to believe Humanity is alone in the galaxy. Then they meet the Leyra'an. In that encounter they find an unsettling mystery, for the Leyra'an are so similar to Humans that it defies both science and belief.
But before the crew of the probeship can investigate this mystery, there is a darker and far more dangerous matter before them. Someone else met the Leyra'an first, and started a war.
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
First published June 8, 2012
201 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Watson
20 books30 followersI am a writer living in the Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest, to which I relocated from my childhood home in Illinois. I have a B.S. in plant biology from the University of Arizona, and have in the past worked as a laboratory technician for that institution. Most recently I worked for Steward Observatory, as an inventory coordinator. Among other things, I am also a student of history, natural history, astronomy, and backyard horticulture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 7, 2018
I was glad it was over.
I am not sure what the intention behind this book was, but I am almost certain it failed. Neither characters nor world are interesting and the action is frequently too confused to matter. The story focusses narrowly on one single character and therefore misses the scope that would have given it perspective. Too often action is experienced second hand, telling me what I could and should have read. Add to that a main character that is basically missing any kind of background and the story got excruciatingly boring.
The choice of perspective also screws with the worldbuilding. On the one hand, exposition is inserted more or less organically into the conversations. On the other hand, that happened at a time when I had already given up, didn’t care and didn’t want to know more. It was good then, that even the exposition was too vague to create anything like a sharp image of the world.
This book is too bland to be interesting. Characters I don’t care about because they are little more than names do things I don’t care about for motivations… you get the point. More than anything else, I was bored.
I am not sure what the intention behind this book was, but I am almost certain it failed. Neither characters nor world are interesting and the action is frequently too confused to matter. The story focusses narrowly on one single character and therefore misses the scope that would have given it perspective. Too often action is experienced second hand, telling me what I could and should have read. Add to that a main character that is basically missing any kind of background and the story got excruciatingly boring.
The choice of perspective also screws with the worldbuilding. On the one hand, exposition is inserted more or less organically into the conversations. On the other hand, that happened at a time when I had already given up, didn’t care and didn’t want to know more. It was good then, that even the exposition was too vague to create anything like a sharp image of the world.
This book is too bland to be interesting. Characters I don’t care about because they are little more than names do things I don’t care about for motivations… you get the point. More than anything else, I was bored.
August 7, 2019
This one started a little slow for me with lots of character development and I almost gave up before the 10% mark on my Kindle; I’m glad I stuck with it, as it turned out to be a good story. A little light from a true science fiction standpoint, this one is more about relationships that can develop between people with different cultures. Sure, you have some of the typical death and destruction in space you come to expect from a SF novel, but overall it was a good tale. I picked this up for free during a Kindle promotion vs. its regular price of 99 cents, and I certainly received more than 99 cents worth of entertainment value out of it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 16, 2019
Wonderful! A complex, nuanced story with realistic, evolving characters
Robert's story caught me up completely in the immediacy of his starfaring universe from beginning to end. Surprises and challenges unfold continuously as the William Bartram and its capable, believable crew are drawn into a momentous first contact with the only alien space-faring civilization ever discovered by humanity. Thus begins a fascinating journey, shared by individuals from three civilizations. The journey shapes each of them in unexpected ways, making them more deeply aware of their own complexities and those of the others as both their personal relationships, and the possibilities among their civilizations, evolve. I can't wait to read book 2.
Robert's story caught me up completely in the immediacy of his starfaring universe from beginning to end. Surprises and challenges unfold continuously as the William Bartram and its capable, believable crew are drawn into a momentous first contact with the only alien space-faring civilization ever discovered by humanity. Thus begins a fascinating journey, shared by individuals from three civilizations. The journey shapes each of them in unexpected ways, making them more deeply aware of their own complexities and those of the others as both their personal relationships, and the possibilities among their civilizations, evolve. I can't wait to read book 2.
May 4, 2022
Robert McGregor, lead pilot on the Commonwealth probe ship William Bartram, is excited when their ship is dispatched to make contact with an alien species called the Leyra'an. However, it seems humanity has already arrived under rule of the Republic and this unyielding government started a conflict with the only aliens humanity has ever known. The Commonwealth offers to negotiate a truce, but deep-rooted hostilities may make this impossible. Fueling the fire is the fact that the people of the Commonwealth seem to have more in common with the Leyra’ans than their fellow humans of the Republic. Robert’s involvement becomes much more than he’d anticipated as the adventures unfold. Fast-paced with interesting characters, this story will make you rush to buy the sequel.
April 21, 2020
I loved this story! One of the things that cause me to pick up a 2nd book in a series is when I fall in love with the characters and the world building. This one did that amazingly well. I ached for the losses, and anxiously anticipated the answers to the mysteries, and boy does this one have some interesting ones! I will definitely be picking up the next in the series, and can't wait to jump in to see how our bagpipe-playing pilot will help solve the riddles and bring peace to that corner of the galaxy!
April 12, 2018
Characters that you care about.
This was a good, easy read. The science was believable, but more importantly, the characters, especially the main protagonist, were people that the reader could care about. Caring about the characters and their fates made it hard to put this book down and has made me keen to get the next book in the series.
This was a good, easy read. The science was believable, but more importantly, the characters, especially the main protagonist, were people that the reader could care about. Caring about the characters and their fates made it hard to put this book down and has made me keen to get the next book in the series.
November 14, 2018
I have never been so delighted with a series as I was with this one. I am not usually a science fiction/fantasy person but once I read the first book I was hooked. Not only is the story a great one but the writer is a wonderful writer. I would recommend this book to all readers and I guarantee once you read the first one you will want to finish the series.
December 9, 2018
A good foundation for the series
The characters were well-developed. Once you got to know them you cared about them. The author spent a great deal of time describing scenes, locations and the three cultures. At first I didn't like it but then I recognized it as the author's way of getting you engaged with the characters, cultures and conflicts.
The characters were well-developed. Once you got to know them you cared about them. The author spent a great deal of time describing scenes, locations and the three cultures. At first I didn't like it but then I recognized it as the author's way of getting you engaged with the characters, cultures and conflicts.
December 23, 2018
A complex universe
I began reading, not expecting the complexity of the universe this aithor has created. Once I adjusted to that, I kept finding echos to the dilemmas that our place and time face. Despite the hard things that occurred, hope was extended for the various forms of humanity.
I began reading, not expecting the complexity of the universe this aithor has created. Once I adjusted to that, I kept finding echos to the dilemmas that our place and time face. Despite the hard things that occurred, hope was extended for the various forms of humanity.
January 12, 2022
This could be the best I’ve yet read!
So we’ll written: fast paced; eloquent; flowed impeccably. At once brutal, sensitive and tender; philosophical. The minimalist science disappointed, but story, character and world building more than made up for this. Excited to start the sequel!
So we’ll written: fast paced; eloquent; flowed impeccably. At once brutal, sensitive and tender; philosophical. The minimalist science disappointed, but story, character and world building more than made up for this. Excited to start the sequel!
December 28, 2022
What worldbuilding !
There are no words to convey the pleasure of reading this book. I leave plot details to others. It's more social science fiction than the hard sort, but there's still plenty of space stuff, ship stuff and action. Great characters, about whom I care deeply. Can't wait to find out what's next for them and to get the answer to the little genetic mystery.
There are no words to convey the pleasure of reading this book. I leave plot details to others. It's more social science fiction than the hard sort, but there's still plenty of space stuff, ship stuff and action. Great characters, about whom I care deeply. Can't wait to find out what's next for them and to get the answer to the little genetic mystery.
March 20, 2024
Book 1 in a fascinating sci-fi novel set in space about first contact with a non-human species. Or more correctly (and this isn't a spoiler since it's revealed near the beginning of the novel), SECOND contact. Interesting characters that I look forward to getting to know. A friend from Arizona recommended this book series, for which I'm grateful. Enjoy!
June 7, 2024
An interesting experience of "first contact" -- meeting aliens who were very human-like in many ways -- while actual humans in another location were the adversaries. This book was way too wordy, so I had to skim a lot, but well worth the read. It did end pretty abruptly, although on a positive note.
March 7, 2017
Absolute pleasure
Having not read much science fiction I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. I am starting the second book now and will read them all. So refreshing to read a book with such wonderful writing.
Having not read much science fiction I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. I am starting the second book now and will read them all. So refreshing to read a book with such wonderful writing.
September 13, 2018
War but between a humanity offshoot and an alien (sort of) offshoot
Complex story with much going on.not all fully explained. much action. Heroism. Betrayal. Cultures melding. Good characters. Worth reading. And Wirth thinking about.
Complex story with much going on.not all fully explained. much action. Heroism. Betrayal. Cultures melding. Good characters. Worth reading. And Wirth thinking about.
October 7, 2018
Excellent!
This is an excellent example of "What would life be like if this had happened back in the beginning? "
I kept waiting for the next big 'proper' question to pop into the minds of the characters; the idea of true origin.
Good book,read it and ponder.
This is an excellent example of "What would life be like if this had happened back in the beginning? "
I kept waiting for the next big 'proper' question to pop into the minds of the characters; the idea of true origin.
Good book,read it and ponder.
August 30, 2019
First contact
This is one of the best sci-fi books I have read in a long time. Characters are well drawn. I was hooked on this story from the first few chapters and can't wait to read the next in the series
This is one of the best sci-fi books I have read in a long time. Characters are well drawn. I was hooked on this story from the first few chapters and can't wait to read the next in the series
September 25, 2019
Spectacular! Buy these books by this author! Buy!
Fantastic stories, lots of all the excitement a reader want and more! Kept me from wanting to even stop for more than a few minutes. But the books 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Fantastic stories, lots of all the excitement a reader want and more! Kept me from wanting to even stop for more than a few minutes. But the books 😍😍😍😍😍😍
December 16, 2020
First contact
If humans are not alone whirling around on our planet in the dark, we should hope for a contact experience more like this than not. This is a hopeful vision of a possible future.
If humans are not alone whirling around on our planet in the dark, we should hope for a contact experience more like this than not. This is a hopeful vision of a possible future.
September 25, 2024
At 10% I just wasn't feeling it. It's not badly written and the premise seemed interesting -- "First Contact" with an alien race but, for them, it's not. I think I just wasn't in the mood. May try again later, but a DNF for now.
November 13, 2017
Sci-fi of the good kind!
Great story! Plausible characters with lot's of excite. 1 of the better adventures I have read recently. Lot's of room for another book.
Great story! Plausible characters with lot's of excite. 1 of the better adventures I have read recently. Lot's of room for another book.
January 5, 2018
Loved it
Could not put this book down. Believable, enjoyable, well written story. Look forward to followings these characters through several books.
Could not put this book down. Believable, enjoyable, well written story. Look forward to followings these characters through several books.
November 21, 2018
Interesting
A good story with some unexpected twists. The writing is, unfortunately, overly, painstakingly descriptive to the point of pedantry...and beyond.
A good story with some unexpected twists. The writing is, unfortunately, overly, painstakingly descriptive to the point of pedantry...and beyond.
December 13, 2018
Ok, I'm hooked!
I want to follow the characters along to the next book. I want to find out what happens. I.just.need.to.know!
Well done Mr. Watson. Well done!
I want to follow the characters along to the next book. I want to find out what happens. I.just.need.to.know!
Well done Mr. Watson. Well done!
June 29, 2020
In the end I cried, tears
Of joy.
I loved the story, from beginning to end. Looking forward to more of this world so far in our future.
Of joy.
I loved the story, from beginning to end. Looking forward to more of this world so far in our future.
October 26, 2020
A bit slow and all the surprises are not a surprise as they are sort of spelled out ahead of time. Not my type of hero but a different look at SciFi.
December 15, 2021
Great read, loved it.
Actually, I couldn’t put it down. The story is very well written and kept me engaged right up till the end. I highly recommend it, it’s really good.
Actually, I couldn’t put it down. The story is very well written and kept me engaged right up till the end. I highly recommend it, it’s really good.
July 28, 2023
4.5*, a worthwhile series
October 6, 2012
I am tempted to call this "Space Opera" with a tad of"Mil SF", but it's much more serious than both sub-genre archetypes would imply. No, this is just good old fashion Science Fiction, and a wonderful first novel for Watson. Rich in detail and having a story deep in both political and social commentary, I think readers will be satisfied with something that regular publishers don't put out so much these days.
The ending builds up a bit slowly, but readers I think will be satisfied with lots of military gun battles, explosions, and drama. The ending too is quite nice. It ends on a positive note but does not answer every question raised by the book. There is still a mystery to be solved, and to get my answers I'm looking forward to reading the next of this series.
Finally, let me say that this book speaks quite well for indie publishing. It's stuff like this that supports the theory about good books outside the mainstream.
The ending builds up a bit slowly, but readers I think will be satisfied with lots of military gun battles, explosions, and drama. The ending too is quite nice. It ends on a positive note but does not answer every question raised by the book. There is still a mystery to be solved, and to get my answers I'm looking forward to reading the next of this series.
Finally, let me say that this book speaks quite well for indie publishing. It's stuff like this that supports the theory about good books outside the mainstream.
March 7, 2016
I probably would not had been introduced to Thomas Watson's writings if it were not for a Goodreads giveaway. Oh my goodness, rich details, love the twists. Had me right from the first few pages. Also read the Founder's Effect, Book Two. It can easily stand on it's own. But, I a glad I read the first one to get the background story. You won't be disappointed with these two stories. I certainly hope Mr. Watson is writing another soon. I'll be watching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews