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Unwelcome Visitors #1
Stranded
“Never Leave Anyone Behind” is a familiar refrain for American Servicemen. A crew is incapacitated in a strange land and a hostile government tries to capture them and steal their resources; a typical tale of corruption and betrayal. What if you’re not a member of the military? Do you put you and your family’s lives at risk to help those who can’t help themselves, especially for those who may never reward you or who may not even survive?
Josh discovers an injured shipwrecked alien and undertakes to not only care for it, but to seek out, rescue and protect its companions from not only his government, but others too.
Out of print. Republished 11/20/2015 as "Stranded in a Foreign Land".
Josh discovers an injured shipwrecked alien and undertakes to not only care for it, but to seek out, rescue and protect its companions from not only his government, but others too.
Out of print. Republished 11/20/2015 as "Stranded in a Foreign Land".
290 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2014
457 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Berg
28 books39 followersVincent Berg (1957) was born in New Jersey but, being a military dependent, grew up on 'more or less the East Coast'. Working in Systems Engineering in the Financial Services in Chicago and New York City, he never considered himself a writer, but after retiring and moving closer to his family, he wanted to explore the kinds of books he enjoyed.
His writings aren't typical, with the writing style harking back to the early twentieth Century, and the stories being complex and meandering. Without action heroes, antiheroes or even clear conflicts, the stories are more character based, as the central characters try to figure out where they are and where they're going. The reader gets sucked along, as they try to piece together where they fit in the world.
His work includes 5 series (ranging from 2 to 6 books), for a total of 16 original books published to date.
His writings aren't typical, with the writing style harking back to the early twentieth Century, and the stories being complex and meandering. Without action heroes, antiheroes or even clear conflicts, the stories are more character based, as the central characters try to figure out where they are and where they're going. The reader gets sucked along, as they try to piece together where they fit in the world.
His work includes 5 series (ranging from 2 to 6 books), for a total of 16 original books published to date.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 19, 2016
To be honest, I had been looking for a story like this one, where the aliens aren't your usual invader kind. It's always refreshing to discover little jewels like these. Don't take me wrong, I wouldn’t call this book, perfect, but it's original and quite entertaining, and that is what I wanted. There were a few strange uses of participle clauses but while it made me smile at times, it didn't prevent me from enjoying the tale. Now, on a side note, the book I bought and read is an out of print edition. There is a new edition out, which has a beautiful and much-improved cover.
I liked Josh, the main character. He was loyal to his ideals and never once hesitated to do what he thought was best. His views of the government were dark and scary but sadly true (at least for this story).
Overall, I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone, who like me, loves friendly aliens no matter how they look like.
I liked Josh, the main character. He was loyal to his ideals and never once hesitated to do what he thought was best. His views of the government were dark and scary but sadly true (at least for this story).
Overall, I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone, who like me, loves friendly aliens no matter how they look like.
January 17, 2017
I started this series with the 2nd book! I loved this one just as the other. I got to say I'm not a fan of sci-fi, but I'm a fan of Vincent.
Josh, the main character, is a strong man with good intentions. He's not looking to be a hero, but maybe will he be only by fighting for what he thinks is the best to do.
I'm always having a nice time reading Vincent's books, because the stories is easy to follow and the intrigue is always good.
I can't wait to read the other books of Mr Berg.
Josh, the main character, is a strong man with good intentions. He's not looking to be a hero, but maybe will he be only by fighting for what he thinks is the best to do.
I'm always having a nice time reading Vincent's books, because the stories is easy to follow and the intrigue is always good.
I can't wait to read the other books of Mr Berg.
March 10, 2018
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by this.
I've read a number of Vincent's books (both under this name and one of his pseudonyms) and he always stretches the bounds of credulity.
With others (such as the first four books of the Catalyst series, and the first of his Great Death series) I've been able to willingly suspend disbelief.
But like the later books in his Calayst series, Stranded just didn't carry me along as well.
Character development was paper-thin, and the motivations were simply not credible, even given the clear libertarian streak running through this novel.
While 'over-reaching politicians' are a staple of mil-porn science fiction, the president in this book goes from being well-meaning-but-muddle-headed to moustache-twiddlingly-evil in the space of a few pages.
This isn't the author's best work ... I'd try some of his other works instead.
I've read a number of Vincent's books (both under this name and one of his pseudonyms) and he always stretches the bounds of credulity.
With others (such as the first four books of the Catalyst series, and the first of his Great Death series) I've been able to willingly suspend disbelief.
But like the later books in his Calayst series, Stranded just didn't carry me along as well.
Character development was paper-thin, and the motivations were simply not credible, even given the clear libertarian streak running through this novel.
While 'over-reaching politicians' are a staple of mil-porn science fiction, the president in this book goes from being well-meaning-but-muddle-headed to moustache-twiddlingly-evil in the space of a few pages.
This isn't the author's best work ... I'd try some of his other works instead.
February 11, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, which was something of a departure from my usual genres of reading.
Initially, I found it a bit slow to get going, but,although sceptical by nature as to the likelihood of the events described, it did hold my attention whilst waiting for the plot to develop. Although a certain suspension of disbelief may be required by some, the plot did get going and although the main character initially lacked a little credibility for me, I did find myself becoming engaged with the storyline and speculating as to what was going to happen next.
Although never having given much thought to government conspiracy theories, the story was ultimately credible, although I felt the book could have been a little shorter without losing any of its appeal.
A good read.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, which was something of a departure from my usual genres of reading.
Initially, I found it a bit slow to get going, but,although sceptical by nature as to the likelihood of the events described, it did hold my attention whilst waiting for the plot to develop. Although a certain suspension of disbelief may be required by some, the plot did get going and although the main character initially lacked a little credibility for me, I did find myself becoming engaged with the storyline and speculating as to what was going to happen next.
Although never having given much thought to government conspiracy theories, the story was ultimately credible, although I felt the book could have been a little shorter without losing any of its appeal.
A good read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews