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The Splashdown Saga #1
Splashdown: First Contact?
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
L'atel stared at the power readout in front of him, main and reserve levels both showed zero. "This is not possible, this isn't supposed to happen," he spoke out loud, well aware that the others couldn't hear him. He and his six passengers were going to die and there was no one in the universe that could save them.
Splashdown tells a different story of first contact with extraterrestrials. L'atel is the pilot of an alien cargo ship who is illegally hauling passengers through our solar system when an accident forces them to crash-land on Earth.
As L'atel and his passengers know, Earth is a primitive planet that has been placed off limits by the Ebens, the self appointed guardians of the galaxy. No outsider is allowed to land or even approach within one light year of Earth to protect its fragile culture. Or at least that is what the Ebens want the rest of the galaxy to believe.
Soon L'atel and his passengers discover that all is not as it appears. The Ebens have secrets, and will go to any length to protect them, even if it means war, with the Earth as the battleground.
Splashdown weaves a story to include many of the better known UFO and alien myths, as well as other conspiracy theories that are so popular in today's media. For example, Splashdown includes references to the 1947 Roswell New Mexico crash, the rumored 1954 meeting between aliens and President Eisenhower at Holloman Air Force Base, Project Serpo, the MJ12 documents as well as other lesser known events, such as, the Nuremberg Germany event of 1561. The novel also incorporates several historical events such as, the Kennedy assassination, the Cuban missile crisis, and the Watergate scandal resulting in a new and unique twist on the old aliens on Earth story.
L'atel stared at the power readout in front of him, main and reserve levels both showed zero. "This is not possible, this isn't supposed to happen," he spoke out loud, well aware that the others couldn't hear him. He and his six passengers were going to die and there was no one in the universe that could save them.
Splashdown tells a different story of first contact with extraterrestrials. L'atel is the pilot of an alien cargo ship who is illegally hauling passengers through our solar system when an accident forces them to crash-land on Earth.
As L'atel and his passengers know, Earth is a primitive planet that has been placed off limits by the Ebens, the self appointed guardians of the galaxy. No outsider is allowed to land or even approach within one light year of Earth to protect its fragile culture. Or at least that is what the Ebens want the rest of the galaxy to believe.
Soon L'atel and his passengers discover that all is not as it appears. The Ebens have secrets, and will go to any length to protect them, even if it means war, with the Earth as the battleground.
Splashdown weaves a story to include many of the better known UFO and alien myths, as well as other conspiracy theories that are so popular in today's media. For example, Splashdown includes references to the 1947 Roswell New Mexico crash, the rumored 1954 meeting between aliens and President Eisenhower at Holloman Air Force Base, Project Serpo, the MJ12 documents as well as other lesser known events, such as, the Nuremberg Germany event of 1561. The novel also incorporates several historical events such as, the Kennedy assassination, the Cuban missile crisis, and the Watergate scandal resulting in a new and unique twist on the old aliens on Earth story.
- GenresScience Fiction
437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2013
24 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 9, 2019
Sometimes you just want to read a book where humans aren't the assholes. This is a good book for such occasions--it doesn't take itself too seriously and is entirely unapologetic about how idealistic events of the story are. But it's an entertaining read, with just enough suspense and unexpected twists to keep you reading. It's a quick read--I think is this the first book I've finished in less than 24 hours in a long time, and this on an average and reasonably productive workday.
That said, the dialogue often felt rather stilted, particularly when it was two human characters talking to each other. It was easier to excuse this in the aliens, but the conversations didn't feel 'natural.' There isn't a single thing I can easily point to, but little things like using the other character's name in dialogue just a tad too often (when's the last time you said the person you were talking to's name in conversation when you /weren't/ trying to get their attention?) are probably what created that impression.
This is definitely a story that's more plot-driven than character driven, but again--Sometimes you just want to read a book about Humans Being Bros (and okay, maybe a bit of Humans Are Special too) and conflict resolution that doesn't involve gratuitous amounts of violence.
I may just be reading (heh) too much into things, it felt like this book was (lovingly) thumbing its nose at some of the most popular sci-fi tropes in this genre--Shadowy Government Conspiracies, the Prime Directive, Uplifting, etc. There was a moment early on where one of the POV aliens was getting looked over by an EMT, and gets a bit concerned about just how many orifices this weirdo alien was going to probe as part of her 'ritual' that really exemplified this, but there are tons of examples littered throughout the book.
Overall, a fun and lighthearted read.
(Sidenote:: I'm actually not 100% sure how I got this book--I think in some sort of giveaway a year-ish ago? If so, this is my (incredibly belated) review in honor of that.)
That said, the dialogue often felt rather stilted, particularly when it was two human characters talking to each other. It was easier to excuse this in the aliens, but the conversations didn't feel 'natural.' There isn't a single thing I can easily point to, but little things like using the other character's name in dialogue just a tad too often (when's the last time you said the person you were talking to's name in conversation when you /weren't/ trying to get their attention?) are probably what created that impression.
This is definitely a story that's more plot-driven than character driven, but again--Sometimes you just want to read a book about Humans Being Bros (and okay, maybe a bit of Humans Are Special too) and conflict resolution that doesn't involve gratuitous amounts of violence.
I may just be reading (heh) too much into things, it felt like this book was (lovingly) thumbing its nose at some of the most popular sci-fi tropes in this genre--Shadowy Government Conspiracies, the Prime Directive, Uplifting, etc. There was a moment early on where one of the POV aliens was getting looked over by an EMT, and gets a bit concerned about just how many orifices this weirdo alien was going to probe as part of her 'ritual' that really exemplified this, but there are tons of examples littered throughout the book.
Overall, a fun and lighthearted read.
(Sidenote:: I'm actually not 100% sure how I got this book--I think in some sort of giveaway a year-ish ago? If so, this is my (incredibly belated) review in honor of that.)
November 26, 2018
This is my assessments of this book Splashdown by Dave Cole according to 6 criteria:
1. Too long and Strenuous action - exciting - 5 stars
2. Boring - fun - 5 stars
3. not difficult to read (as for non English native speaker] - 4 stars
4. predictable (common) - good story (unusual) - 4 stars
5. Shalow story - has a deeper meaning - 4 stars
6. The story is mass and Unfinished - The story is clear, understandable and well rounded story - 4 stars
Total 4.5 stars.
1. Too long and Strenuous action - exciting - 5 stars
2. Boring - fun - 5 stars
3. not difficult to read (as for non English native speaker] - 4 stars
4. predictable (common) - good story (unusual) - 4 stars
5. Shalow story - has a deeper meaning - 4 stars
6. The story is mass and Unfinished - The story is clear, understandable and well rounded story - 4 stars
Total 4.5 stars.
April 7, 2020
Absolutely the best story for a 💘 lover of the ❤HEART and a ALIEN 👽👽 COUPLE 💑!😍BUY THIS BOOK!
If you enjoy reading 📚books about characters that captivate your time with adventures that are about Love 💘between different races of ALIENS! 😍😍😍 I Recommend This Book HIGHLY!SO BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍
If you enjoy reading 📚books about characters that captivate your time with adventures that are about Love 💘between different races of ALIENS! 😍😍😍 I Recommend This Book HIGHLY!SO BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍
April 30, 2020
Out of this world!
A most excellent read. Every conspiracy theory expertly woven into a well-written tale of good guys, bad guys, and who-knows guys. And, by the way, a clever reference to a popular History Channel program and its famous host! Story flows believably, smoothly, well worth the time spent reading this sci-fi gem.
A most excellent read. Every conspiracy theory expertly woven into a well-written tale of good guys, bad guys, and who-knows guys. And, by the way, a clever reference to a popular History Channel program and its famous host! Story flows believably, smoothly, well worth the time spent reading this sci-fi gem.
August 15, 2023
Quite enjoyable!
March 15, 2015
Motivations: The heart of this novel.
This novel is entertaining and indeed thought provoking. It blends many conspiracy theories together, both our own as well as alien. It also shows what many, if not all citizens, believe of their governments. That is the most people in power think they know better than the populace. It takes a lot of effort for a politician to overcome the entrenched elite. The good, the bad, the self hypocrites who lie even to themselves about their own motives along with those who actually believe,with good intentions, that the populace can not "handle the truth" are blended together in fine fruit salad. Very little suspension of disbelief is necessary to get deep into this one. For me this was a non-stop read except for a food break and a couple .... other momentary pauses.
This book has no gratuitous scenes which prevent me from recommending this book to any age group capable to read and understand it. In fact, The younger the better. One of the few adult fiction books I won't be embarrassed to recommend to my 15 year old daughter.
This novel is entertaining and indeed thought provoking. It blends many conspiracy theories together, both our own as well as alien. It also shows what many, if not all citizens, believe of their governments. That is the most people in power think they know better than the populace. It takes a lot of effort for a politician to overcome the entrenched elite. The good, the bad, the self hypocrites who lie even to themselves about their own motives along with those who actually believe,with good intentions, that the populace can not "handle the truth" are blended together in fine fruit salad. Very little suspension of disbelief is necessary to get deep into this one. For me this was a non-stop read except for a food break and a couple .... other momentary pauses.
This book has no gratuitous scenes which prevent me from recommending this book to any age group capable to read and understand it. In fact, The younger the better. One of the few adult fiction books I won't be embarrassed to recommend to my 15 year old daughter.
March 5, 2014
The story is compelling and enjoyable. It is a what-if scenario about a possible first public and verified contact with extraterrestrials, and the consequences of such an event. The author uses real historic events and UFO theories to the story, which makes everything seem believable (and plausible).
This is a self published book, and even though I liked the story, you can see how it would have helped to have an editor to correct many aspects of the writing (grammar, consistent style, etc), but unless you're a grammar nazi you will probably enjoy the book.
This is a self published book, and even though I liked the story, you can see how it would have helped to have an editor to correct many aspects of the writing (grammar, consistent style, etc), but unless you're a grammar nazi you will probably enjoy the book.
December 7, 2015
Talk about having a book glued to your hand this book was welded to mine
I can't say enough from start to finish this story grabs you and draws you in . The characters are vibrant and the storyline is so completely thought out you really don't mind .letting this book take you on a journey
I can't say enough from start to finish this story grabs you and draws you in . The characters are vibrant and the storyline is so completely thought out you really don't mind .letting this book take you on a journey
January 24, 2016
Interesting,moves quickly with detailed characters.
I liked the concept of a chance occurrence bringing an alien ship to our world. I also enjoyed seeing the people of the world accept the idea of alien life.
Most of all I liked the President of the United States. He made all the right calls. He was fearless.
I liked the concept of a chance occurrence bringing an alien ship to our world. I also enjoyed seeing the people of the world accept the idea of alien life.
Most of all I liked the President of the United States. He made all the right calls. He was fearless.
January 21, 2014
A very good story. Very plausible. Good read.
December 9, 2015
Good book
Good book and a terrific story! I was hoping for another story coming and if I get down and plead????
Good book and a terrific story! I was hoping for another story coming and if I get down and plead????
June 15, 2016
Great story!!
This book is filled with action from start to finish!! If you like nonstop action and current day stories, this book will keep you reading from start to finish...
This book is filled with action from start to finish!! If you like nonstop action and current day stories, this book will keep you reading from start to finish...
April 6, 2017
This is one of the best first contact books I have ever read. Looking for more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews