When Nexus catches the attention of the alien croc ambassador, his first space travel goes weirdly astray.
A backwoods Earth terraformer, young Nexus is awkward with people, good with creatures, at a time when the human worlds are bumping against the alien races who surround them.
He sets off to explore human space.
But to leave home, he must first repay a debt of honor, and smuggle a highly illegal sentient robot off-planet. Memory murky, the poor robot got stranded on Earth before Nexus was born.
Nexus is delighted when the alien ambassador boards his space train to Luna. Most fear the enigmatic crocs, but he’s fascinated. Then an explosion derails the train car.
But was the attack aimed at the aliens? Or his forgetful robot?
Join an upbeat civilian team on a hopepunk science fiction odyssey, with mystery, space trains, flying life support suits, and enigmatic aliens! Come for world-building and adventure, and stay for the characters. This fresh new series takes place 200 years into the future of Booth’s long-running Thrive series.
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After 14 years on walkabout to New York, Colorado, Texas and Tokyo, I swam home to spawn in shoreline Connecticut. A recovering computer programmer, I’ve worked in the seismic industry, semiconductor electronics, academic research in biology and environmental science, and online teaching simulators.
I live alone, and enjoy swimming, walking, and crafts. I grow vegetables indoors, until my crops spill outside and down the driveway. I read voraciously, curious about everything, especially how things work.
Wow if you’ve been waiting for a new Thrive Universe series you won’t be disappointed. If you’ve lucked here as an entry point to the series get ready for an intense ride. Nexus is a believable autism spectrum hero. He has the mink, Angus, as his digi companion. But it’s thirty years later and while Earth and Luna haven’t changed much, the crocs have been at work. With a two Millenia advance on human technology, special people are required as intermediaries. Nexus has no clue. All he wants to do is fulfil Angus’ dying wish. To see his family again.
I am a big fan of the Thrive Series, but was a bit unsure about this new series as it leaps forward 200 years! It’s amazing! What a feat - the author connects this new series to past stories and the prior and tangential - and it all weaves together beautifully!
I became a bit teary with on chapter where they pay respect to the people who came before. I feel that they are folks I know. This story is the beginning of another great series. I am looking for the next one to come.
Finally, a space hero that everyone can love. Nexus is not a space marine, or a reformed space pirate, or a Superman. He is a neurodivergent, introvert with the ability to relate differently to humans and aliens alike. Follow Nexus and his odd assortment of companions as they escape assassins, smuggle contraband, try to free an AI, and enlist alien help to survive. And all that before they even leave the solar system.
This was a really enjoyable first book in this new & exciting, sci fi series! A lovely selection of characters, in a brilliant story, well written & great ideas in this unbalanced dystopian world! Following Nexus, the underdog, in his fast paced adventure! A really mad adventure! I loved it all, what an amazing world you have created! Brilliant! I will definitely read the next part when it releases! I do recommend!
There is mystery and intrigue, deception, and deceit. It is a thriller and a coming-of-age book. It is the beginning of an adventure to solve a mystery that has been in the making for over two hundred years. The reader is introduced to new characters while old friends make cameos. Oh, and there are cyborg crocodile aliens that may or may not be friendly.
This is a story of determination, discovery, diversity, and family. Determination of commitment, discovery of inner self and of friends, diversity of people and environment, and the creation of a new and finding of an old family. It takes on prejudice and perception.
I love how Ginger can expand the reach of technology while delving into the inner aspects of human nature. She reminds me so much of Asimov.
A good read, I admit it took a few starts for me but I must admit I also had a lot of other stuff to do and the more I read the more I wanted to read. To say it started with what you think is a boy and his favourite you soon makes you realize what you thought Is way wrong and you need to re-read to remind yourself and enjoy more. Again read and enjoy.
I probably would have given this book 4 stars but, I thought the writing was, at times, a bit cumbersome. Stumbling over the occasional confusing sentence detracted from the flow of the story. And, I thought the author could have described the worlds she created and the technology she discussed, more thoroughly. Aside from those writing style discrepancies, I loved this story and the protagonist, Nexus. The story moved along and held my interest from begining to end. There was just the right amount of action interspersed with introspection and intrigue to make for an engaging story. Booth's imagination when it comes to world-building is first rate. The title character, Nexus is relatable, engaging and admirable in his own unique way.
Nexus is different from the usual science-fiction hero, in that he is "on the autism spectrum". He is not the traditional swashbucking hero of the shoot-em-up space war adventures. Nor is he the exceedingly brilliant scientific explorer. While most of humanity has moved out toward the stars Nexus is an Earth terraformer who is trying to re-vitalize an Earth that has been abused for mellennia by humankind. He feels out-of place among most of his fellow humans but has an afinnity for communicating with animals and, is much more comfortable with them than with his own kind.
Orphaned at a young age when his mother died, Nexus' only emotional attachment was an AI, robotic mink that became his constant companion, friend and mentor. Now that Nexus is an adult, he sets off on a mission to return the ageing and degrading AI to his original human family on a distant colony world. He believes he owes it to his little AI friend, and he is determined to pay his debt even if it means associating with other people. He soon finds himself on a trip to the stars with a small group of traveling companions. That's when the adventure begins.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will probably read the rest of the Nexus trilogy. The series is highly rated by other readers so, the issues I mentioned regarding writing style, may not be as much of an issue for other readers.
I loved the Thrive universe and watched how it and all the characters evolved over time. From a marginal colony moon in a slow inevitable decline gradually turned around by the efforts of Sas and those she touched along the way. Not always happy but always hopeful. I was sad when all that ended as all space operas do. Now the story picks up 200 years later with a young autistic man from earth trying to reunite Angus (a sentient mink digi) with his family in Mahina. Lots of mystery to unravel here, and of course, more great characters. Thank you Ginger!
I admit I cried; the years had not been kind to the extended Acosta family. This more future world is fascinating, although still prone to violence, bigotry, and poverty. Angus is heartbreaking but finds happiness. Nexus is excellently written and believable, and his supporting cast are engaging. The "crocs" are a walking mystery. I'm looking forward to book 2.