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The Prospector
In this present-day science fiction novel, Earth confronts an alien invasion. But not from a marauding army.
It’s just one guy who got a bad tip.
Jacob is a Prospector. He makes a living by discovering lost civilizations on long dead-worlds and selling off their cultural relics. And now he’s chasing a hot lead about a world where the population has only recently perished due to climate change. The artifacts would be worth a fortune. But when he reaches the planet called Earth, it isn’t dead at all. And the people there don’t appreciate him saying so. But they do like his spaceship. Would he be interested in selling?
The problem is Jacob’s hot lead is a lot more accurate than anyone realized.
It’s just one guy who got a bad tip.
Jacob is a Prospector. He makes a living by discovering lost civilizations on long dead-worlds and selling off their cultural relics. And now he’s chasing a hot lead about a world where the population has only recently perished due to climate change. The artifacts would be worth a fortune. But when he reaches the planet called Earth, it isn’t dead at all. And the people there don’t appreciate him saying so. But they do like his spaceship. Would he be interested in selling?
The problem is Jacob’s hot lead is a lot more accurate than anyone realized.
- GenresScience Fiction
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
214 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Williams
18 books3 followersCJ Williams is a husband and wife writing team. He was a military pilot, and she was an artist. Today, they live in Washington State, enjoy hiking in the Olympic Mountains, boating in the Salish Sea, and writing.
Librarian note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.
Librarian note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 6, 2024
climate change is bad….
This very much seems like a story where someone said, hey ChatGPT create a story where climate change is bad and aliens are illogical… Even by chapter 2 the plot holes are glaring… Made it very hard to finish
This very much seems like a story where someone said, hey ChatGPT create a story where climate change is bad and aliens are illogical… Even by chapter 2 the plot holes are glaring… Made it very hard to finish
April 10, 2024
heavy-handed environmentalist propaganda
It started with an interesting opening.
The writing was good and the character was interesting.
Then they got to earth and every third sentence is about climate change. I don’t care if you believe in climate change or deny climate change, the story has to be the center of the story, not the propaganda of a particular opinions.
Tell me the planet is hosed, and the aliens feel bad, and the locals don’t want to die. Then get on with the story about how that conflict is getting resolved, don’t spend 15 pages telling me about how humans screwed up the planet, without actually giving me any specific reasons about how humans screw up the planet, but harping on how badly the plan just screwed up and how everybody’s gonna die.
Doesn’t matter if it’s scientifically true or not: it’s just not interesting.
The echo chamber is so loud. I can’t hear the story over the noise.
It’s really a shame , the first couple chapters showed the author has its ability to tell a good story when caught up, preaching their favorite cause.
Skip this book it’s not worth the headache .
It started with an interesting opening.
The writing was good and the character was interesting.
Then they got to earth and every third sentence is about climate change. I don’t care if you believe in climate change or deny climate change, the story has to be the center of the story, not the propaganda of a particular opinions.
Tell me the planet is hosed, and the aliens feel bad, and the locals don’t want to die. Then get on with the story about how that conflict is getting resolved, don’t spend 15 pages telling me about how humans screwed up the planet, without actually giving me any specific reasons about how humans screw up the planet, but harping on how badly the plan just screwed up and how everybody’s gonna die.
Doesn’t matter if it’s scientifically true or not: it’s just not interesting.
The echo chamber is so loud. I can’t hear the story over the noise.
It’s really a shame , the first couple chapters showed the author has its ability to tell a good story when caught up, preaching their favorite cause.
Skip this book it’s not worth the headache .
March 24, 2024
Jacob is a guy who goes to dead and dying planets looking for saleable artifacts. Dying planets are better than dead ones because you can persuade the population to donate their artifacts to preserve their culture after they are gone. They are usually grateful for his service. And it is a lot easier than digging.
But when he visits Earth, a planet deemed to have only a few decades before an ecological collapse, he finds the population in denial. His version of the prime directive says he shouldn’t give them an ore that makes nonpolluting antigravity possible, but he falls for this Earth girl, and well, you can guess the rest.
C. J. Williams writes entertaining pulp science fiction that never takes itself too seriously.
But when he visits Earth, a planet deemed to have only a few decades before an ecological collapse, he finds the population in denial. His version of the prime directive says he shouldn’t give them an ore that makes nonpolluting antigravity possible, but he falls for this Earth girl, and well, you can guess the rest.
C. J. Williams writes entertaining pulp science fiction that never takes itself too seriously.
June 29, 2024
It's fun, but...
Science fiction-y space opera about Earth being accidentally discovered by aliens, and so on.
The plot is interesting, but the interactions between characters and between characters and institutions are bland and unrealistic; the dialogue is a bit wooden, and the development of emotions is stated, not described.
I don't expect this to develop into a series. I hope further work from this author will be just as inspired as this one, but A LOT more elaborated.
Science fiction-y space opera about Earth being accidentally discovered by aliens, and so on.
The plot is interesting, but the interactions between characters and between characters and institutions are bland and unrealistic; the dialogue is a bit wooden, and the development of emotions is stated, not described.
I don't expect this to develop into a series. I hope further work from this author will be just as inspired as this one, but A LOT more elaborated.
July 19, 2024
Compelling and Disturbing
The story begins like many others, with mysterious characters, unexpected exposure and tech that’s as much magic as scientific but mostly it works. The storyline moves well, everything copacetic and pleasant and then, suddenly, it’s not. Dramatic conflict, massive collateral deaths, and possible sudden termination almost halts the story. The recovery is slow but realigns with the initial storyline. The book ends on a even note, with a potential for the future.
The story begins like many others, with mysterious characters, unexpected exposure and tech that’s as much magic as scientific but mostly it works. The storyline moves well, everything copacetic and pleasant and then, suddenly, it’s not. Dramatic conflict, massive collateral deaths, and possible sudden termination almost halts the story. The recovery is slow but realigns with the initial storyline. The book ends on a even note, with a potential for the future.
March 28, 2024
Really enjoyable read
This was a well thought out story. It had the right balance of humour and action to keep me interested throughout the entire book. The characters were believable and entertaining. My only disappointment was that the story isn't on Audible so that I could listen and get off the couch, thanks for adding to my beer belly. I have read several books by C J Williams and haven't been disappointed yet. I look forward to a sequel.
This was a well thought out story. It had the right balance of humour and action to keep me interested throughout the entire book. The characters were believable and entertaining. My only disappointment was that the story isn't on Audible so that I could listen and get off the couch, thanks for adding to my beer belly. I have read several books by C J Williams and haven't been disappointed yet. I look forward to a sequel.
April 20, 2024
Climate crazies invade SF
About what you would expect from the propaganda driven culture we now have, I almost stopped reading halfway through as I couldn't stand one more propaganda stereotype shoved down my throat. But I made it through because the concepts were interesting,.
But WOW, the climate won't end our society, but this uninformed pseudo science group think will be the end of our society as it slowly descends into rabid, freedom destructive didaster.
About what you would expect from the propaganda driven culture we now have, I almost stopped reading halfway through as I couldn't stand one more propaganda stereotype shoved down my throat. But I made it through because the concepts were interesting,.
But WOW, the climate won't end our society, but this uninformed pseudo science group think will be the end of our society as it slowly descends into rabid, freedom destructive didaster.
September 30, 2024
This was one of the most fun SciFi books I've read in a long time, it kept me engaged the whole way through. Not sure if this is part of a series, but if not, it should be as there are so many interesting places this story could go. Highly recommend if you enjoy Sci Fi stories that include earth as it is today, just seemed to make it more real/possible. Something a bit different. Enjoyed it immensely!
April 3, 2024
Imaginative, Quirky, Fun
The only negative I found was the repeated “ deus ex machina” sudden solutions to what were presented as almost insurmountable problems. That gave the book an immature, simplistic flavor.
The attempt yo solve global warming despite widespread lack of acceptance of the problem is timely and pokes fun at the nay-sayers.
I wish it were this easy,
The only negative I found was the repeated “ deus ex machina” sudden solutions to what were presented as almost insurmountable problems. That gave the book an immature, simplistic flavor.
The attempt yo solve global warming despite widespread lack of acceptance of the problem is timely and pokes fun at the nay-sayers.
I wish it were this easy,
July 23, 2024
Not at all what I expected!
This story was recommended by an email bot that announces new sci-fi space operas. I was pleasantly surprised at this stand alone novel. The description in Amazon's listing is enough to peak your interest. A truly enjoyable book and well worthy of your time.
This story was recommended by an email bot that announces new sci-fi space operas. I was pleasantly surprised at this stand alone novel. The description in Amazon's listing is enough to peak your interest. A truly enjoyable book and well worthy of your time.
January 4, 2024
Global Warming Save!!
Great 5
star read!!
I wish there were more books like this.
One session...not able to put down book that spins a tale of criminal theft of oil and anti.gravity to save the planet from over.heating.
A great tale!!
Great 5
star read!!
I wish there were more books like this.
One session...not able to put down book that spins a tale of criminal theft of oil and anti.gravity to save the planet from over.heating.
A great tale!!
February 20, 2024
A real gem
Slow to start but a proper page turner by the end loved this book, if you want a nice read and some great action then this has both a basicallyhow do you join another group of spacefaring people and stop global warming andcus humans going extinct.
Slow to start but a proper page turner by the end loved this book, if you want a nice read and some great action then this has both a basicallyhow do you join another group of spacefaring people and stop global warming andcus humans going extinct.
February 28, 2024
Darn good read!
I am a voracious and eclectic reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. Excellent plot, very good characters. I will be checking for more from this duo of author's.
I am a voracious and eclectic reader. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. Excellent plot, very good characters. I will be checking for more from this duo of author's.
March 4, 2024
Very Good
I recommend this book! A very rich story that could have easily been three times the length. There were so many ramifications that boggled my own imagination. I do hope there's a sequel!
I don't give a 5 star rating ever! Unless the book is very good.
I recommend this book! A very rich story that could have easily been three times the length. There were so many ramifications that boggled my own imagination. I do hope there's a sequel!
I don't give a 5 star rating ever! Unless the book is very good.
March 12, 2024
Fun read, good story!
Managed to take on a serious issue in a novel way, without being preachy or political. Enjoyed the writing, and the characters were believable. Well, except for the Cardinal’s helpers! Hah.
Managed to take on a serious issue in a novel way, without being preachy or political. Enjoyed the writing, and the characters were believable. Well, except for the Cardinal’s helpers! Hah.
March 21, 2024
The Prospector, Alien intrusion, a bit lame storyline along a capitalist theme, ineffective character development. Got about half way in book - just got bored, DNF. Borrowed this eBook with Kindle Unlimited on March 7, 2024, Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
April 23, 2024
Brilliant!
One of the best science fiction novels I've ever had the pleasure to read. Not too technical, just right. Believable characters, excellent twists and turns. More like this please!
One of the best science fiction novels I've ever had the pleasure to read. Not too technical, just right. Believable characters, excellent twists and turns. More like this please!
July 5, 2024
It’s a Romp
It has more magic in it than science,but for a quick fun read it it’s OK.
I think Heinlein said to a primitive man turning a light switch looks like magic. Well, Mr. Williams sure took that to heart.
It has more magic in it than science,but for a quick fun read it it’s OK.
I think Heinlein said to a primitive man turning a light switch looks like magic. Well, Mr. Williams sure took that to heart.
November 30, 2024
Enjoyable
There were: likeable characters, unlike able characters, and, some somewhere in between. The story moved along and kept me interested in reading what came next. The story had a good ending.
There were: likeable characters, unlike able characters, and, some somewhere in between. The story moved along and kept me interested in reading what came next. The story had a good ending.
January 14, 2026
a great plot and story
i read most fantasy and sci fi and there are many constantly repeated theems. this was unique and a lot of fun. i throughly recomend this author. This book is well worth recomending to others
i read most fantasy and sci fi and there are many constantly repeated theems. this was unique and a lot of fun. i throughly recomend this author. This book is well worth recomending to others
January 3, 2024
Great read
Loved the book. Great characters and lots of action. The storyline was interesting. The only flaw was the nonsensical focus on climate change. Great read otherwise.
Loved the book. Great characters and lots of action. The storyline was interesting. The only flaw was the nonsensical focus on climate change. Great read otherwise.
January 30, 2024
You did good. Love it
Good read. Some dry passages, always some dry parts. C J Williams turned out a very good story. Looking forward for more books.
Good read. Some dry passages, always some dry parts. C J Williams turned out a very good story. Looking forward for more books.
March 5, 2024
Excellent Read
Never heard of this Author but he has truly written a very, very good SF read. I will keep this book.
Never heard of this Author but he has truly written a very, very good SF read. I will keep this book.
March 20, 2024
A fun read
Great story. I've been reading science fiction for about 60 years now. This was a fun read, not too serious, but not too corny.
Great story. I've been reading science fiction for about 60 years now. This was a fun read, not too serious, but not too corny.
April 20, 2024
Good read
Quite a concept excellent , character. development . Really fun to read, could not put it down. Wife fussed then read it and understood.
Quite a concept excellent , character. development . Really fun to read, could not put it down. Wife fussed then read it and understood.
April 23, 2024
Something that could be viewed as a mix of Antonio Gramsci and that cousin"Coom-uhn-ay-taayh activist" that just came home from three years of interpretive dance studies.
April 23, 2024
Science unaddressed
Yeah, a previously unknown method of propulsion arrives. But it doesn't enable advancements in energy production! Also, the ending, the Simpsons did it first.
Yeah, a previously unknown method of propulsion arrives. But it doesn't enable advancements in energy production! Also, the ending, the Simpsons did it first.
April 24, 2024
Good reading.
A
Wonderful story . Good for science fiction and mystery fans.great for today's people with global warming in discussion.also a little
Romance.just a great book.
A
Wonderful story . Good for science fiction and mystery fans.great for today's people with global warming in discussion.also a little
Romance.just a great book.
May 11, 2024
A review of The Prospector.
A very quick moving story. Loved the characters and the story line. The little bit of romance didn’t hurt the story either.
A very quick moving story. Loved the characters and the story line. The little bit of romance didn’t hurt the story either.
May 21, 2024
fun read
This was a fun read and hope the series continues in the future. We need more adventures of Jacob and Rachel.
This was a fun read and hope the series continues in the future. We need more adventures of Jacob and Rachel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews