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Dark Nova #1
The Fifth Kind: Arrival
A secret too terrible to keep. And too dangerous to reveal.
In the depths of an ancient Egyptian tomb, archaeologists make a baffling the mummified body of a man clad in a space suit.
Halfway around the globe, exobiologist Dr. Katherine Shepard and intelligence officer Colonel Devon Peters are summoned to the site of a downed UFO. To their amazement, they find one of the occupants alive. Even more shocking, he appears to be human.
As Shepard and Peters delve deeper into the enigma, they expose a chilling aliens have inhabited Earth far longer than anyone could have imagined, and they are not alone. An ancient, hidden war is being waged, with humanity’s survival hanging in the balance.
Thrust into a perilous world of shifting allegiances and veiled motives, Shepard and Peters must race against time to decipher the aliens’ true intentions and shield humanity from a revelation too shocking to comprehend.
The Fifth Kind is a gripping, high-octane hard science-fiction thriller that will leave you reading late into the night.
In the depths of an ancient Egyptian tomb, archaeologists make a baffling the mummified body of a man clad in a space suit.
Halfway around the globe, exobiologist Dr. Katherine Shepard and intelligence officer Colonel Devon Peters are summoned to the site of a downed UFO. To their amazement, they find one of the occupants alive. Even more shocking, he appears to be human.
As Shepard and Peters delve deeper into the enigma, they expose a chilling aliens have inhabited Earth far longer than anyone could have imagined, and they are not alone. An ancient, hidden war is being waged, with humanity’s survival hanging in the balance.
Thrust into a perilous world of shifting allegiances and veiled motives, Shepard and Peters must race against time to decipher the aliens’ true intentions and shield humanity from a revelation too shocking to comprehend.
The Fifth Kind is a gripping, high-octane hard science-fiction thriller that will leave you reading late into the night.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2023
2313 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 5, 2023
Too repetitive. I got fed up with getting nowhere.
One episode after another as the two dimensional characters put together a puzzle with very few pieces. Moving on, hoping I can find a good book…somewhere.
One episode after another as the two dimensional characters put together a puzzle with very few pieces. Moving on, hoping I can find a good book…somewhere.
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July 16, 2023I couldn’t read it
I feel so bad, I like to finish what I start but I just couldn’t get past the first few chapters. I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s possibly to break into a plane in flight without it de-pressurizing.
I feel so bad, I like to finish what I start but I just couldn’t get past the first few chapters. I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s possibly to break into a plane in flight without it de-pressurizing.
June 23, 2023
Absolutely excellent!
If you are going to start this book make sure you get a lot of sleep beforehand as you won’t get any after you open the book ! What a wild ride! I hope these characters are featured in a future book! A series maybe….woo-hoo!!
If you are going to start this book make sure you get a lot of sleep beforehand as you won’t get any after you open the book ! What a wild ride! I hope these characters are featured in a future book! A series maybe….woo-hoo!!
February 24, 2025
This has an interesting premise and as is the case with most sci-fi books, you do have to be willing to accept some not-currently-possible things as true. The writing was ok, though some descriptions tended to be a bit overdone and there were some issues like the father that was quietly proud of his son's acceptance in a program but a few pages later we are told dad died three days before the acceptance letter came. The team of protagonists had some tools like RUTH that was a huge advantage and seemed like something that would have been used by other agencies etc. Douglas from the FBI seemed to be out on his own a lot and his superiors seemed to not be aware of a lot of the very odd facets of the murder investigation. Isadora and her society were also convenient, though probably a matter of necessity since Shepherd and her group were often lucky rather than smart. I was also bothered by the assertion that humans were being farmed for the dark matter in our brains. That is not what dark matter is in any stretch. This seemed to be a combo of Fifth Element, Matrix and X-Files. This really was a three-star experience except I rather enjoyed reading this so bumped it.
November 21, 2023
A bunch of hackneyed sci-fi tropes cobbled together in a most underwhelming way.
- super sexy and super capable protagonists who are never at a loss for a clever line ✅
- main sexy protagonists are ex lovers to spice things up ✅
- main female protagonist (one half of the pair of ex-lovers that I mentioned in the last point) is not only a gorgeous genius but has a kid and is a superb mom ✅
- aliens replicating human bodies and replacing them with Androids ✅
- ancient war between comically bad parasitic aliens who feed off human emotion on one side and benevolent savior aliens on the other ✅
- aliens base on dark side of moon ✅
- aliens controlling and manipulating human societies since time immemorial ✅
- hidden secrets in ancient Egypt and Göbekli Tepe (kudos on the second one author; not many people know about it) ✅
- dark matter is both limitless energy and the source of consciousness something something ✅
- nerdy Indian scientist ✅
- tough black FBI agent with family problems ✅
- AI that can magically decipher dead languages, hieroglyphs, and satellite landscape imagery ✅
- ancient spaceship buried under the ice cap ✅
I could barely finish this book. The one saving grace is that it is mercifully short. Thank you for that, author.
TLDR: don't bother. This ain't worth your time.
- super sexy and super capable protagonists who are never at a loss for a clever line ✅
- main sexy protagonists are ex lovers to spice things up ✅
- main female protagonist (one half of the pair of ex-lovers that I mentioned in the last point) is not only a gorgeous genius but has a kid and is a superb mom ✅
- aliens replicating human bodies and replacing them with Androids ✅
- ancient war between comically bad parasitic aliens who feed off human emotion on one side and benevolent savior aliens on the other ✅
- aliens base on dark side of moon ✅
- aliens controlling and manipulating human societies since time immemorial ✅
- hidden secrets in ancient Egypt and Göbekli Tepe (kudos on the second one author; not many people know about it) ✅
- dark matter is both limitless energy and the source of consciousness something something ✅
- nerdy Indian scientist ✅
- tough black FBI agent with family problems ✅
- AI that can magically decipher dead languages, hieroglyphs, and satellite landscape imagery ✅
- ancient spaceship buried under the ice cap ✅
I could barely finish this book. The one saving grace is that it is mercifully short. Thank you for that, author.
TLDR: don't bother. This ain't worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2025
This novel is so poorly conceived and written that I have taken this time in order to warn other readers away from it. It is just bad.
March 1, 2024
sort of just ok
The author tries really hard to convince the reader that this story is complicated and interesting. IMHO, it just isn’t. I pushed to finish the first book but will not read others. There is little to no scientific credibility, like assessing alien technology by using gravity lensing, what?? Every ‘tense’ situation was solved by unrealistic chance happenings. I was very unimpressed by the story and the appendix relating UFO sightings to attempt to bolster the story, come on man!
The author tries really hard to convince the reader that this story is complicated and interesting. IMHO, it just isn’t. I pushed to finish the first book but will not read others. There is little to no scientific credibility, like assessing alien technology by using gravity lensing, what?? Every ‘tense’ situation was solved by unrealistic chance happenings. I was very unimpressed by the story and the appendix relating UFO sightings to attempt to bolster the story, come on man!
July 7, 2023
Popouri of every known conspiracy theory
This was a fun book to read...Fast paced and intriguing...However, the author took every possible hypothesis about aliens, UFOs and the universe and integrated into the story...There was really no need to do that. For example, there was no reason for the author to put an alien base on the dark side of the moon.
Nonetheless, it was a fun read. Particularly when one is on a vacation and in a relaxed and carefree mood...
This was a fun book to read...Fast paced and intriguing...However, the author took every possible hypothesis about aliens, UFOs and the universe and integrated into the story...There was really no need to do that. For example, there was no reason for the author to put an alien base on the dark side of the moon.
Nonetheless, it was a fun read. Particularly when one is on a vacation and in a relaxed and carefree mood...
February 14, 2024
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
This is what happens when someone watches all the episodes of Ancient Aliens and wants to tie everything together. It's almost like reading a list of episode guides! But did the author pull it off? No.
The writing is just bad. If there was an AI that was only trained on cliches, this is the sort of book that it would spit out. The dialogue was awful, the action predictable, and the characters were as thin as tissue paper. And the science? I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a good sci-fi story, but referring to the "dark side" of the moon? Aren't we past that? Our consciousness is an interaction with dark matter? Gravity being turned off on a spaceship buried on Earth and everything is thrust into the air?
There are plenty of great alien books out there - this isn't one.
Skip it!
This is what happens when someone watches all the episodes of Ancient Aliens and wants to tie everything together. It's almost like reading a list of episode guides! But did the author pull it off? No.
The writing is just bad. If there was an AI that was only trained on cliches, this is the sort of book that it would spit out. The dialogue was awful, the action predictable, and the characters were as thin as tissue paper. And the science? I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a good sci-fi story, but referring to the "dark side" of the moon? Aren't we past that? Our consciousness is an interaction with dark matter? Gravity being turned off on a spaceship buried on Earth and everything is thrust into the air?
There are plenty of great alien books out there - this isn't one.
Skip it!
August 21, 2024
Fifth Kind wasn't good enough: 2 bill-stars.
Good: I like some of the sci-fi action and plot in this book. And the characters are ok.
Less good: Look, it's the writing style. The prose feels awkward and stilted. There's very little humor in the book. Good writing is magic to me. So I really don't have anything more to say than the writing style isn't good.
QOTD
“Please don’t tell me he was possessed by the Devil. Because if that’s what you’re about to say…”
Douglas chuckled. “No, it’s weirder than that. He wasn’t human.”
Keller stared at him, incredulous. “Okay, now you’re screwing with me.”
“I’ve never screwed with you less.”
- some medium funny dialogue, The Fifth Kind
Not a good read. thanks...yow, bill
October 31, 2023
"The Fifth Kind" wasn't exactly what I expected. It is a mystery complete with riddles that were left for our heroes to find so they could solve the mystery. I'm just not sure why the riddles were left, or who left them. But, it worked for the story which was well-written and held my interest throughout the book. The story is one that has been told many times in the SF genre, complete with good guys, mysterious bad guys, aliens and, like I mentioned, mysterious riddles to help solve the mystery. I occasionally, had to suspend my critical thinking tendencies and just accept the facts of the story as written, in order to enjoy the adventure. But, it was an enjoyable adventure so, all is good.
December 6, 2023
Bubble Gum
Writing is incredibly difficult. I have tried it myself and therefore sympathize with authors brave enough to make the attempt.
That said, not all are successful. Everyone who writes is not Stephen King.
I found this book way too busy. Along the way to discovery, the protagonists did everything but write the Constitution and invent electricity. In an attempt to to create mystery and drama, the author skips around, employing many different potential threats to Our Heroine and Our Hero as he uses standard, back-and-forth alternation between two characters. This is a common device in fiction. However, in my opinion, the author let too many threats and perils come into the story. It wound up as a jumble to me. Sorry.
Writing is incredibly difficult. I have tried it myself and therefore sympathize with authors brave enough to make the attempt.
That said, not all are successful. Everyone who writes is not Stephen King.
I found this book way too busy. Along the way to discovery, the protagonists did everything but write the Constitution and invent electricity. In an attempt to to create mystery and drama, the author skips around, employing many different potential threats to Our Heroine and Our Hero as he uses standard, back-and-forth alternation between two characters. This is a common device in fiction. However, in my opinion, the author let too many threats and perils come into the story. It wound up as a jumble to me. Sorry.
March 24, 2024
Science Fiction that has challenging constructs of how we got here, our potential visitors, creators or those that may have influenced human development (why are the pyramids in MX, Central America, Egypt and Africa so much alike and how did the old civilizations move and fit the stones together?) are so much more intellectually challenging than space wars, militaristic conquests, etc.
This mix of what discoveries are ahead of the characters, the interactions, the archaeological digs and yet the connection to an amazing history was very entertaining. I will order his soon to come out book two.
This mix of what discoveries are ahead of the characters, the interactions, the archaeological digs and yet the connection to an amazing history was very entertaining. I will order his soon to come out book two.
April 1, 2024
See TIA/mini-stroke warning below.
“The Fifth Kind” has every trope you could imagine, combined with repetition, overused plot points, and so-so twists. There are several unbelievable medical, science fiction, and police/FBI procedural moments. Do scientists wear rubber suits whilst examining UAP wreckage?
A mini-stroke is a transient ischemic attack, or TIA—which may cause speech difficulties, facial drooping, arm and leg weakness, etc. I have a medically related background, so I think of TIA/mini-stroke as a WARNING STROKE, because some people may suffer a full-blown stroke in the future. Note that I am not a physician, so please seek medical advice.
“The Fifth Kind” has every trope you could imagine, combined with repetition, overused plot points, and so-so twists. There are several unbelievable medical, science fiction, and police/FBI procedural moments. Do scientists wear rubber suits whilst examining UAP wreckage?
A mini-stroke is a transient ischemic attack, or TIA—which may cause speech difficulties, facial drooping, arm and leg weakness, etc. I have a medically related background, so I think of TIA/mini-stroke as a WARNING STROKE, because some people may suffer a full-blown stroke in the future. Note that I am not a physician, so please seek medical advice.
July 15, 2023
review of "the Fifth Kind Arrival" by James Prescott
A very intriguing concept novel that explores the possibility of extra terrestrial life among our world. It probably stretches the imagination a tad but makes one think just what mankind do in the event of an invading for h of aliens. I love reading archaeology based adventure books laced with science fiction and this one fits the bill. Great cast of characters with a rewarding envy that stimulates our imagination. A good read
A very intriguing concept novel that explores the possibility of extra terrestrial life among our world. It probably stretches the imagination a tad but makes one think just what mankind do in the event of an invading for h of aliens. I love reading archaeology based adventure books laced with science fiction and this one fits the bill. Great cast of characters with a rewarding envy that stimulates our imagination. A good read
August 10, 2023
A fun read!
This is a fascinating first encounter story, with an original twist. While it is such an interesting story, there are tiny moments of creaky writing, where one becomes aware of the writer rather than staying completely inside the story, living it. But those are only a few isolated moments where the author tells us rather than shoes. Most of it is a wild ride through an Earth that turns out to be much different than the one you and I experience every day.
Definitely worth a read! Enjoy!
This is a fascinating first encounter story, with an original twist. While it is such an interesting story, there are tiny moments of creaky writing, where one becomes aware of the writer rather than staying completely inside the story, living it. But those are only a few isolated moments where the author tells us rather than shoes. Most of it is a wild ride through an Earth that turns out to be much different than the one you and I experience every day.
Definitely worth a read! Enjoy!
January 13, 2024
The best for a while
The story is unusual for Kindle Unlimited in that it is very much a in-flight novel rather than quickly written novellas written to formulae that we normally see.
It made an interesting usage of both the fear of bodysnatcher stories combined with the more conventional ufo ideas.
It all works. There are some howlers, the order to launch F22s off an aircraft carrier stood out, for one example. Such things can be quickly fixed (hint subtract 4 for f18).
Next stop book 2.
The story is unusual for Kindle Unlimited in that it is very much a in-flight novel rather than quickly written novellas written to formulae that we normally see.
It made an interesting usage of both the fear of bodysnatcher stories combined with the more conventional ufo ideas.
It all works. There are some howlers, the order to launch F22s off an aircraft carrier stood out, for one example. Such things can be quickly fixed (hint subtract 4 for f18).
Next stop book 2.
July 1, 2023
Secret war
I read this book in a day.The story drags you in, you need to understand the mystery but now we need a sequal, we need to know what happens to a group of characters I've come to like and I need to know what's next for them and the next phase of the on going war..Basically I loved this book ,ful! Of intrigue,action and characters you can care about especially Douglas the GNU agent.So please hurry up with book 2 please
I read this book in a day.The story drags you in, you need to understand the mystery but now we need a sequal, we need to know what happens to a group of characters I've come to like and I need to know what's next for them and the next phase of the on going war..Basically I loved this book ,ful! Of intrigue,action and characters you can care about especially Douglas the GNU agent.So please hurry up with book 2 please
July 30, 2023
We are not alone, maybe.
The 5th kind arrival by James D. Prescott was a great read exciting in many details. The search of our past the struggle to understand was well written and will remain one of my favorites. Hope James writes more of this series as "Dark Nova" is such a great start. I have ordered more of his books and look forward to some great trips in my reading. thank you James.
The 5th kind arrival by James D. Prescott was a great read exciting in many details. The search of our past the struggle to understand was well written and will remain one of my favorites. Hope James writes more of this series as "Dark Nova" is such a great start. I have ordered more of his books and look forward to some great trips in my reading. thank you James.
August 2, 2023
Good story line.
I previously read the Extinction trilogy by James and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read this book and while enjoyable, it didn't quite carry the same dramatic style as the Extinction trilogy. I am keen to follow this story to see how it develops as it seems fairly obvious there will be further books. I just hope James can find that little extra drama to carrying forward.
I previously read the Extinction trilogy by James and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read this book and while enjoyable, it didn't quite carry the same dramatic style as the Extinction trilogy. I am keen to follow this story to see how it develops as it seems fairly obvious there will be further books. I just hope James can find that little extra drama to carrying forward.
March 24, 2024
The joy of science fiction.
The author James D. Prescott love to write an easy to understand science fiction books which are great joy to read or listen to.
An amazing twist leaves you with the taste of more, much more.
Beautiful narration by Gary Tiedemann for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
The author James D. Prescott love to write an easy to understand science fiction books which are great joy to read or listen to.
An amazing twist leaves you with the taste of more, much more.
Beautiful narration by Gary Tiedemann for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
March 27, 2024
A fast, fun read
Arrival is surprising in many ways, the summary given doesn't do it justice. Fast paced, action filled and brimming with some really unexpected twists, one being especially surprising. This would be a great introduction to sci-fi for those unfamiliar with the profound questions about existence it can bring about. If you have a phobia about extraterrestrial life, this isn't a good choice, otherwise, enjoy the ride!
Arrival is surprising in many ways, the summary given doesn't do it justice. Fast paced, action filled and brimming with some really unexpected twists, one being especially surprising. This would be a great introduction to sci-fi for those unfamiliar with the profound questions about existence it can bring about. If you have a phobia about extraterrestrial life, this isn't a good choice, otherwise, enjoy the ride!
April 21, 2024
Interesting premise
This novel started with an interesting plot and lots of possibilities. There were so many illogical progressions in the admittedly nonstop action, that it was distracting. It read kind of like a screen play to me, lacking the depth of detail that makes a story come alive. I skimmed through much of the final few chapters just to get to the end and read the resolution. I won't be reading this author. ( I did want to know what happened!)
This novel started with an interesting plot and lots of possibilities. There were so many illogical progressions in the admittedly nonstop action, that it was distracting. It read kind of like a screen play to me, lacking the depth of detail that makes a story come alive. I skimmed through much of the final few chapters just to get to the end and read the resolution. I won't be reading this author. ( I did want to know what happened!)
June 10, 2024
I am surprised by some of the negative reviews. This book is a fun & fast paced light read. It won’t win a Nobel Prize in Literature but it isn’t awful. There was constant action throughout the entire book so it kept my attention. The plot isn’t unique, so if that’s what you’re looking for then I’d advise you to look elsewhere. I do wish the characters had more depth, but for a light read it’s not a big deal.
November 17, 2024
DNF Too much backstory kills the momentum
I struggled to engage with this story. Every character comes with a backstory dump, and I have no idea who the protagonist is supposed to be or when the main part of the story will take off. The lengthy paragraphs bog down the energy of the action. I think there’s a good premise in the story, but I don’t have the desire to wade through pages of tedious details before getting invested in the key characters.
I struggled to engage with this story. Every character comes with a backstory dump, and I have no idea who the protagonist is supposed to be or when the main part of the story will take off. The lengthy paragraphs bog down the energy of the action. I think there’s a good premise in the story, but I don’t have the desire to wade through pages of tedious details before getting invested in the key characters.
July 24, 2023
Enjoyable romp
Being a lover of Sci-Fi and "First Contact/Invasion" style stories, I have to say I really enjoyed this.
Good characters, a fast paced story line interspersed with information and anecdotes from UFO folklore and historical facts helped make the story feel more believable, would recommend.
Being a lover of Sci-Fi and "First Contact/Invasion" style stories, I have to say I really enjoyed this.
Good characters, a fast paced story line interspersed with information and anecdotes from UFO folklore and historical facts helped make the story feel more believable, would recommend.
August 25, 2023
Perplexing
Ok, three stars for being a well written story. Minus two stars for drawing on nearly every sci-fi, X Files and Indiana Jones storyline and mashing them all together. Almost read like a failed movie script. Don't think I'll be continuing the series but if you like your sci-fi with an extra helping of pulp, then this book is for you!
Ok, three stars for being a well written story. Minus two stars for drawing on nearly every sci-fi, X Files and Indiana Jones storyline and mashing them all together. Almost read like a failed movie script. Don't think I'll be continuing the series but if you like your sci-fi with an extra helping of pulp, then this book is for you!
October 18, 2023
Scary story at it's best!
I found myself very uneasy as I was reading this book. I do not normally get emotional when reading a good story. This was different. Pulled me as the battles got heated up! I'm glad the story ended well with all (most) being saved. I wasn't able to put it down.
I found myself very uneasy as I was reading this book. I do not normally get emotional when reading a good story. This was different. Pulled me as the battles got heated up! I'm glad the story ended well with all (most) being saved. I wasn't able to put it down.
October 24, 2023
Who is an alien
This story provides a well written tale of the possible existence of aliens among us.
The story although entertaining also discusses the potential alien presence! Much of it seems far fetched but so did space travel until recently!
Perhaps we should be more open minded?
This story provides a well written tale of the possible existence of aliens among us.
The story although entertaining also discusses the potential alien presence! Much of it seems far fetched but so did space travel until recently!
Perhaps we should be more open minded?
December 29, 2023
Okay
I would have given it a 4, but there are too many inconsistencies. One that comes to mind is a character whose father is proud of them for being accepted into a program, and then half a page later is stated the father died 3 days before the acceptance. This occurs frequently throughout the novel.
I would have given it a 4, but there are too many inconsistencies. One that comes to mind is a character whose father is proud of them for being accepted into a program, and then half a page later is stated the father died 3 days before the acceptance. This occurs frequently throughout the novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews