Outside Context Problem

Outside Context Problem #1

by Christopher G. Nuttall

When a UFO crashes near a top secret military base, the American Government realises that aliens have been spying on the human race for years. But even as they rush to unlock the technological secrets in the alien craft, the aliens launched the first step in their plan to invade the Earth and enslave the human race. With a giant mothership approaching the planet and the inhabitants promising peace and plenty, humanity must defeat a vastly superior foe with uncertain motives or lose its freedom forever.

On one side, a powerful alien force…

On the other side, a divided humanity…

The battle for Earth has begun.

Genres: Science Fiction, Amazon

543 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2012

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuttall, Christopher G. Outside Context Problem. Outside Context Problem No. 1. Kindle, 2012.
Christopher G. Nuttall has made a career self-publishing on Amazon’s Kindle platform. For almost 20 years he has published almost two books a year there—mostly fantasy and military science fiction. It is hard to believe that any traditional publishing house would have enabled him to be so prolific. Since I like to see independent writers succeed, I applaud his success. But there is a price to be paid for publishing quickly and independently, a price beyond proofreading and advertising help. Independent authors are usually dependent on beta readers to critique their work and perhaps save them from their worst excesses. A good traditional publisher, on the other hand, can provide a skilled book editor to help authors shape their work and tell writers when their work needs a rewrite or a major cut. In Outside Context Problem, Nuttall could have used an editor to suggest a rewrite to tighten things up and rebalance character development. Everywhere in this novel there are signs of hurried writing—unnecessary repetitions and dropped threads. One quick example. The title, a term probably coined by Iain M. Banks in Excession, suggests that the novel will be about how being colonized by aliens will radically alter human culture. But the story arc and several plot details are self-consciously drawn from Independence Day, about how culture survives the existential threat. Individual action scenes are done well. So, as long as you keep turning the pages and don’t worry too much about theme, structure, and character, you might enjoy the novel.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a first contact/alien invasion story, the first volume of a proposed trillogy, by the same author of "The Living Will Envy the Dead." It was enjoyable hard sf, though sometimes the pace was slow - it went into excruciating detail about what happened each successive day, projections, speculations, debates, strategy, and psychology of the aliens. Still, it managed to maintain fairly good suspense. There are a multitude of characters introduced, many of who do not survive, so character development is not a major focus. I liked it well enough to watch for the next volumes in the series.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book series, characters set out very firmly. Overall rather compelling reading. You have to finish it to fully enjoy it.
Excellent from book 1-3. Very enjoyable read even if a bit dark and disturbing should this kind of thing were to happen.

If you get a chance, try this it's a very good series.

Outstanding author in my view, read over half his book and at an acceptable cost for the reader.

[PETER F DEKAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

I gave this book a five because I cu give it a ten!! Logical and reasonable and believable plot. Twists and turns a plenty :) I can't wait to find the sequel!!

[M Hamed · Rating 3 out of 5]

haaaaaaaaa details details details

[Jefferson]

This is a fun little read which took my mind off of unpleasant things. I tend to like Nuttall's novels despite his flaws.

And this has many flaws. His lack of editing, understanding of the American political system, and failure to understand basic American military things distracted me as I sought distraction. So, it achieved its purpose.

[Dr Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story. Good characters and a plot that moves you along at a good pace. The premise of the story, an alien invasion in our own time, is so over done you wonder how someone could get a new angle on it-- but Nuttall succeeds. He tells his story in a way that really draws you in. You care about the characters and, at least for me, that is what keeps me reading.

Nuttall skillfully brings you though an increasingly desperate situation and I found the resolution fun and rewarding.

A good story, well told with characters you will care about.

[Gary Capell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea for a book, poor execution. I didn't care about any of the characters, too much tell not enough show, far too many references to other sci-fi (esp Independence Day). My main problem was the aliens were built up to be a ridiculous overmatch for earth, but ended up taking a ridiculous amount of losses.

[Andrew Niemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars. The bag bogs down from time to time in details, but overall a very well written "invaders from space" storyline. Look forward to reading the next books in the series.