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LEVEL SIX
Humans have spread out across the stars and the Coalition ship Magellan has come to the alien planet of Kiana to study the inhabitants and their potential for resources and trade. The inhabitants appear willing enough to let the humans onto their planet, even to the extent that the humans establish a government, drive their machines all over, dig in the ground and spread their ideas and culture to the Kians.
The native Kians are similar to humans, but with differences. They are covered with a pelt of short fur that often has interesting tattoos. Otherwise, they can speak and communicate and have their own developed culture. They worship the goddess Ki and are amazingly docile, but intelligent. The culture appears simple and primitive. There are no signs of advanced weapons, energy powered vehicles, or advanced technology. As the story develops, it becomes apparent that they are hiding deep secrets concerning their origins, their alien nature and their past.
The story contains a wide variety of characters from the human Danny Gordon who falls in love with a native Kian, to the arrogant ship's captain who calls them "monkeys." An intricate tapestry of relationships develops, both on board the Magellan and on Kiana.
Stoker Payne heads up that part of the human exploration team that tries to unearth the secrets of Kiana's past through archeology. He finds little until he reaches level six and there a startling find holds the key to the history and unique powers of the Kian people.
Stoker Payne becomes romantically involved with Melanie Frasier, an astronomer, who gets booted off the starship Magellan down to Kiana by her bad ass boss. There, while looking through a telescope, she discovers an incoming comet. It turns out that every 800 years an unusual comet sweeps in and alters the planet and the people....and now it's eight hundred years later and its coming back.
For me the story began slow as it established the various characters, and the initiating action. As I read, things heated up until I couldn't put down the reader. The story line is exciting, the characters believable, and the action builds to a climatic end. If you like science fiction, interesting alien cultures and apocalyptic events...this one's for you.
(Amazon review by Sheri)
The native Kians are similar to humans, but with differences. They are covered with a pelt of short fur that often has interesting tattoos. Otherwise, they can speak and communicate and have their own developed culture. They worship the goddess Ki and are amazingly docile, but intelligent. The culture appears simple and primitive. There are no signs of advanced weapons, energy powered vehicles, or advanced technology. As the story develops, it becomes apparent that they are hiding deep secrets concerning their origins, their alien nature and their past.
The story contains a wide variety of characters from the human Danny Gordon who falls in love with a native Kian, to the arrogant ship's captain who calls them "monkeys." An intricate tapestry of relationships develops, both on board the Magellan and on Kiana.
Stoker Payne heads up that part of the human exploration team that tries to unearth the secrets of Kiana's past through archeology. He finds little until he reaches level six and there a startling find holds the key to the history and unique powers of the Kian people.
Stoker Payne becomes romantically involved with Melanie Frasier, an astronomer, who gets booted off the starship Magellan down to Kiana by her bad ass boss. There, while looking through a telescope, she discovers an incoming comet. It turns out that every 800 years an unusual comet sweeps in and alters the planet and the people....and now it's eight hundred years later and its coming back.
For me the story began slow as it established the various characters, and the initiating action. As I read, things heated up until I couldn't put down the reader. The story line is exciting, the characters believable, and the action builds to a climatic end. If you like science fiction, interesting alien cultures and apocalyptic events...this one's for you.
(Amazon review by Sheri)
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2012
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 5, 2015
This book is an interesting read for me. Not just the fact that I also write science fiction, but because it contains Alien history. There are so many things that attract me, from the characters and their emotions, the romance, the action, the suspense, and everything. All I can say that the author has done a great job in wrapping several aspects into one package to attract readers from any genre. Do I want to read it all over again? Well to be honest, I am picturing myself sitting in a movie theater and watching this story. I would be 2 hours of excitement.
June 10, 2012
You'll speed through this book, whether you like science fiction, archaeology, history, biology or cross-cultural studies, but you'll tear through it if you like all the above. A really fun read- you won't want to put it down. I did get worried a few times with all the characters that I would get lost trying to remember them, but Mr. Compton solved this problem handily by giving a location (the starship, the city, the dig site, etc.) at the beginning of each chapter. Helped me stay organized! Get this book and be prepared to stay up late.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews