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Cradle of Oblivion

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Aliens have been watching us. For a very long time.What if the secrets of the universe were hidden in an alien computer, and the fate of humanity rested on the shoulders of a small group of adventurers and scientists?After a sub-orbital mishap, adventurers Thurgood Jane and Kii Brockheart join a team of scientists in a remote corner of Antarctica. They make a startling an alien computer that has fallen to Earth. As they race to uncover the secrets of the extraterrestrial technology, they realize that the crash was a deliberate act of first contact.This is the thrilling premise of Cradle of Oblivion, the first book in the Gods of Distant Suns series. It brings you along on the ultimate to encounter a truly alien sentience.With treachery and discovery woven together in a thought-provoking narrative, this action-packed science fiction novel will keep you on the edge of your seat.If you enjoyed the adventure of Andy Weir's The Martian, the alien technology of The Expanse by S.A. Corey, and the camaraderie of Omega Force by Joshua Dalzelle, you'll love Cradle of Oblivion. Buy now before the price changes!

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2023

415 people are currently reading
282 people want to read

About the author

Gunnar Helliesen

3 books42 followers

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5 stars
313 (40%)
4 stars
255 (33%)
3 stars
130 (16%)
2 stars
49 (6%)
1 star
20 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
90 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of what I love about sci-fi. It takes place in the not too distant future, which gives me hope as I see some of the problems we’re struggling with finally addressed. Some of the medical advances were pretty inspiring. I also love a first contact story that isn’t about mass invasions, more like Star Trek’s prime directive. The main characters were well developed, intelligent, and likable. The evolution of Nigel was so enjoyable. It’s well written and I had a hard time putting it down. I really didn’t want to get into another series, but this one was so much fun that I can’t wait for the second book.
60 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2023
A bit choppy.

I was lost in the middle of this book. No transitions to speak of, then things came back together. I’m still debating if it’s is worth continuing,
Profile Image for Ralph.
255 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2024
This book started out interesting, with the alien computer's thought process regarding its situation and actions just before crashing to earth. Then it jumpred to an adventure undertaken by our protagonist and his co-protagonist. I thought the adventure was a little over the top and was worried that the book may become a bit silly. But, to my delight, it kept getting better and better. I was a little miffed when the evil billionaire showed up and worried that the story was going to turn into 'evil billionaire seeking world domination vs action heros'. I thought, " What does tis have to do with a first contact story?" But as events progressed, the two stories began to come together. Then everything abruptly ended with a "to be continued" line at the end.

I hate cliffhangers! And the sequel has not yet been published so I have no idea how long I will have to wait to get to the conclusion of the story, if it even happens at all. If you are going to write a book, then write a whole book. Use the necessary word-count to complete the story. I understand the conceptof trilogies or a series. I have read and enjoyed many, but this was half a book . Deduct one star for not completing the story.
13 reviews
November 23, 2023
Liked it but

Ok I liked the idea but didn't the part with the villain I felt it became just an adventure story with alien bits in it where I wanted to learn more of the aliens

Spoiler
The empty rooms in Antarctica remind me of the citadel of one of H. P. Lovecraft one top of a mountain also in Antarctica also empty of traces of who made them, and another by ? On Mars in valles marineris on a cliff was a building with a series of chambers, alien, and also empty.
Will read the next one just to see and also promote new sci fi
10 reviews
January 4, 2024
Fantastic

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started this book but it took me beyond my wildest imaginations. I enjoyed every page and each moment I spent reading it.

I have always been a SciFi fan first, last & always but this book was grounded in such reality and is a book of this moment that is shouldn’t be missed by anyone. It has AI, political intrigue, mystery, love of people and life…well I just can’t say enough good things about it.

I actually didn’t realize it was the first in a series when I started it so I look forward to reading book 2.
2 reviews
September 14, 2023
Fast start slow middle but an amazing finish

There were times the plot line was a bit punctuated leaving me unsure how we got there. But, the main NHI (non human intelligence) was very interesting. By the time we arrive at the last third it is really very good. It wraps up very interesting and leads into wanting to get to the next installment. Will definitely continue the series.
Profile Image for Greg.
62 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2023
A Benevolent AI, with a hidden past

The story is a novel idea the does carry the story. At times it seems there is a lit of loose ends dangling. Obviously we have to read the next books to tie together the loose ends.
67 reviews
November 2, 2023
A pleasant surprise

This is a fantastic story. I could not put it down till the last page, and will anxiously wait for more. I am sure this author will be a large hit. His first novel is amazing. Great characters, loads of action and complicated well thought out plots.
Profile Image for Eliatan.
619 reviews8 followers
December 8, 2023
What started out as an interesting sci fi quickly devolved into one long, boring and repetitive action sequence that added nothing to the story. It didn’t even end on a cliffhanger, it just stopped and I have no intention of picking up the next instalment to see if it gets better.
Profile Image for Brett Spindler.
1 review
December 17, 2023
Took me ages to get into it and by the time I was really enjoying it, it was over. I found some of the transitions a bit confusing and the middle of the book disjointed. All said, I am looking forward to the next instalment…
51 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
Strangely Believeable


Almost real and just into the future with almost realistic happenings. The action is fantastic and the characters quite realistic. Hard to wait for the next one.
25 reviews
February 6, 2024
Good read.

I'm really bad about writing reviews, which is sad since I read 5-10 books a week. I enjoyed this one as a good start to a potentially much longer story and am glad it's labeled book 1.
355 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2025
Great story

This is a very interesting story and the cast of characters are great. Full of action and suspense, I couldn't put it down. I recommend reading this to all that love science fiction and great writing.
483 reviews16 followers
August 11, 2023
Cliff hanger!

Ok that was a fun read and book 2 is on my radar!
But when will it be released?
Thanks for the great read!
1 review
September 13, 2023
Great book

This was an awesome read.
Really looking forward to reading book 2 when it’s released
Hoping it’s sooner rather than later
1 review
September 17, 2023
good book

Good book. Could not put it down! Slow start but it picked up as it went, looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Gary Kemp.
12 reviews
October 5, 2023
fast read

Kept my interest and could hardly put it down
I need more answer so will continue with the series forthwith
202 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2023
interesting,

The fictional world has a very different set of premises. This story has me hooked and I am interested to see how the story goes.
Profile Image for Patrick Hebert.
7 reviews
October 28, 2023
Started GREAT
then splintered into disjoined side stories
Good enough to read and hope the next book stays on the main storyline
4 reviews
November 8, 2023
Good gripping story

Thoroughly enjoyed this fast moving story. And it’s fast paced and looking forward to the rest. I cannot wait much longer
1 review
November 26, 2023
Fast pace

Pre Star Trek meets James Bond. Story moves rapidly through a near future scenario and unintentional first contact. Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Profile Image for Rodney Kim.
17 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2023
Can't wait

Great job in characters especially the evolution of the Artifact into Nigel. Can't wait for next book. Let's go Nigel!
11 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2024
Gripping

Constantly on the move. Easy to read. Unexpected twists and turns. I’m not a big reader so this style has me hooked.
1 review1 follower
January 12, 2024
A little simplistic for my tastes. Found myself skipping over the many boring bits. The concept of the plot was very good, but the writing was average.
Profile Image for Sheldo Magnifico.
11 reviews
February 24, 2024
Enjoyed it, but…

Kinda thought the bad guy was a total cliche, and some other characters are a bit too caricature-ish, but still enjoyed most of the story.
35 reviews
April 24, 2024
excellent AI

Very compelling story. It had me hooked on page five. The progression was very well done and didn’t over stimulate to then become boring. Well put together story.
501 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2023
great series really enjoyed it.

I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment  I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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