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Adrian Tarn #2
Deep Crossing
Sequel to Fatal Boarding. No one on Earth could ever convince Adrian Tarn to take an untested prototype spacecraft deeper into unexplored space than anyone had ever been, to retrieve a mysterious artifact never before seen by humans. No one on Earth could ever convince him, but someone did…
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 5, 2017
3.5 stars
April 12, 2015
After the high paced, action packed romp that was Fatal Boarding this book is a massive let down.
The charm of the prequel to this book (Fatal Boarding) was its fast pace and emphasis on action instead of characterization. Sadly Mason has thrown that out and decided that he can write real characters then spends 300 pages proving himself wrong. The result is a turgid slog through which nothing happens for most part except for the most one-dimensional characters ever put to paper swapping insipid and meaningless banter.
The first person narration exposes the fact that the protagonist is a droll, adolescent wish fulfillment fantasy extension of the authors ego. The main female characters are all constantly described in terms of how beautiful they are (Except for the one who is beautiful but has a burn mark on her face.) and the author, no, sorry, protagonist can clearly bed any single one of them if he chooses.
He has clearly over-stepped is writing talent in trying to create something more than pulp science fiction and delivered something that falls flat on its face and delivers nothing but groans and boredom.
The charm of the prequel to this book (Fatal Boarding) was its fast pace and emphasis on action instead of characterization. Sadly Mason has thrown that out and decided that he can write real characters then spends 300 pages proving himself wrong. The result is a turgid slog through which nothing happens for most part except for the most one-dimensional characters ever put to paper swapping insipid and meaningless banter.
The first person narration exposes the fact that the protagonist is a droll, adolescent wish fulfillment fantasy extension of the authors ego. The main female characters are all constantly described in terms of how beautiful they are (Except for the one who is beautiful but has a burn mark on her face.) and the author, no, sorry, protagonist can clearly bed any single one of them if he chooses.
He has clearly over-stepped is writing talent in trying to create something more than pulp science fiction and delivered something that falls flat on its face and delivers nothing but groans and boredom.
December 2, 2015
If you like space opera and adventure then you need to get a copy of Deep Crossing by E.R. Mason and read it today. This book has all the elements of a great sci-fi read.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline that is easy to read but deep enough to keep you hooked. With its changing plot twist and fast paced style you will find you cannot put it down. I really enjoyed getting absorbed into the tale.
E.R. Mason has put together a group of characters that are both real and believable. Their individuality and personalities make it easy to get into their life stories and place in the crew.
I really liked Deep Crossing by E.R. Mason and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline that is easy to read but deep enough to keep you hooked. With its changing plot twist and fast paced style you will find you cannot put it down. I really enjoyed getting absorbed into the tale.
E.R. Mason has put together a group of characters that are both real and believable. Their individuality and personalities make it easy to get into their life stories and place in the crew.
I really liked Deep Crossing by E.R. Mason and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
September 6, 2013
While I found the initial idea compelling, the story looses it's drive about halfway through the narrative. The characters remain very superficial and don't really change significantly due to experiences they must see during their long journey.
One of the biggest problems I had with this book might not be the authors fault at all. My Ebook was in big disarray, jumping between passages, repeating whole chapters ...
One of the biggest problems I had with this book might not be the authors fault at all. My Ebook was in big disarray, jumping between passages, repeating whole chapters ...
November 4, 2016
Fun read in science fiction
This was a light and fun story about a trip to the stars. But it's really about people, their personality and relationships. I loved the redemptive ending. The author has rare self awareness and the ability to know and describe different kinds of people. I enjoyed the story immensely!
This was a light and fun story about a trip to the stars. But it's really about people, their personality and relationships. I loved the redemptive ending. The author has rare self awareness and the ability to know and describe different kinds of people. I enjoyed the story immensely!
March 11, 2019
This mostly hard SF, with some Fantasy, plus a touch of mystery, is quite intriguing. It’s a series of five; only the 5th book is disappointing.
December 30, 2017
What a trip!
This novel describes a voyage to another arm in the galaxy made both possible and necessary by a near godlike race of beings who have sort of adopted the human race. Mason's descriptions of the crew makes them come alive. The descriptions of the starship and the voyage are stunning. The final answers to all of the "loose ends" more than satisfy. The pacing is, for me at least, right on. But this book only if you don't mind forming a new habit. I did
This novel describes a voyage to another arm in the galaxy made both possible and necessary by a near godlike race of beings who have sort of adopted the human race. Mason's descriptions of the crew makes them come alive. The descriptions of the starship and the voyage are stunning. The final answers to all of the "loose ends" more than satisfy. The pacing is, for me at least, right on. But this book only if you don't mind forming a new habit. I did
November 18, 2020
Oh, there are so many things wrong
Either Mr Mason has lived it or he gives a good fake from his research. This book isn't really pc, but the language etc. reminds me of the time when we wanted men to match our mountains, and we would toast the host of brother men who fly. That got nullified by Tailhook in Las Vegas '91. It wasn't really believable that Danica would just 'tsk' when inappropriate remarks were made. In today's society, you'd think WWW III had just started. We have a couple of best buds who really enjoy their women, and are reasonably respectful of their abilities and sensibilities like the good old days, and maintain a certain loyalty and respect despite temptation. There's no hanky panky despite the fact that one female succumbs to the void and floats around in the all together singing a nursery rhyme. Everyone has their job, and performs their job in a super competent manner. There are no glass ceilings even for the abrasive and combative crew member. So, as seems to be usual with this series, we have two distinctly different stories. (I'm reading this series of six from back to front. This book is really better than the latter ones.) We have a few misspelled words, like Mellenia vs Mellinia (within a page of each other). You wonder why the author can't keep track of the names he, himself, picked out. The science is amusing. We get detailed descriptions (like Ralph 124c41+) Then we forget what we described (like why are there intake ducts?) There's some ideas bearing on interpersonal relationships and whether bureaucracy is any good. We're told that Porre is really a good guy (you'd hardly know it). You'll wonder about the water you drink, and where you get it. There's a giant almost invisible grasshopper that has a curious way of catching its food. Kinda reminds me of Skylark III by E.E. Smith. Actually, the whole series reminds me of an updated Skylark story without Dr DuQuesne. They even go to other planets and immediately jump out for a swim with only a minor check of the lab (lab says everything's okay, let's go swimming). It's really a fun read, but you have to really suspend reality since the author can't keep his facts straight, either the made up ones or the obvious ones. Bottom line I liked it.
Either Mr Mason has lived it or he gives a good fake from his research. This book isn't really pc, but the language etc. reminds me of the time when we wanted men to match our mountains, and we would toast the host of brother men who fly. That got nullified by Tailhook in Las Vegas '91. It wasn't really believable that Danica would just 'tsk' when inappropriate remarks were made. In today's society, you'd think WWW III had just started. We have a couple of best buds who really enjoy their women, and are reasonably respectful of their abilities and sensibilities like the good old days, and maintain a certain loyalty and respect despite temptation. There's no hanky panky despite the fact that one female succumbs to the void and floats around in the all together singing a nursery rhyme. Everyone has their job, and performs their job in a super competent manner. There are no glass ceilings even for the abrasive and combative crew member. So, as seems to be usual with this series, we have two distinctly different stories. (I'm reading this series of six from back to front. This book is really better than the latter ones.) We have a few misspelled words, like Mellenia vs Mellinia (within a page of each other). You wonder why the author can't keep track of the names he, himself, picked out. The science is amusing. We get detailed descriptions (like Ralph 124c41+) Then we forget what we described (like why are there intake ducts?) There's some ideas bearing on interpersonal relationships and whether bureaucracy is any good. We're told that Porre is really a good guy (you'd hardly know it). You'll wonder about the water you drink, and where you get it. There's a giant almost invisible grasshopper that has a curious way of catching its food. Kinda reminds me of Skylark III by E.E. Smith. Actually, the whole series reminds me of an updated Skylark story without Dr DuQuesne. They even go to other planets and immediately jump out for a swim with only a minor check of the lab (lab says everything's okay, let's go swimming). It's really a fun read, but you have to really suspend reality since the author can't keep his facts straight, either the made up ones or the obvious ones. Bottom line I liked it.
June 17, 2020
The second in the series - and nowhere near the standard of the first book. It took far too long to get off the ground (both metaphorically, and literally as the spaceship in the story isn't even launched till half way through. The several smaller adventures which are then tied together to make up the rest of the book are very mixed - this one does not have the coherent story line of the first book. There are also some wild inconsistencies that any SF author ought to be able to avoid. How can you possibly set one story on a ship with a possible virus and a major quarantine risk - then a couple of stops down the line have the ship land on two unknown planets, where they promptly open the doors to let the fresh air in and wander around without protection against any local pathogens. They didn't even let the Apollo astronauts do that, and they had been to a dead world and never got out of their suits. The final stop, which is what the whole book was supposed to focus on, was rushed, and rather poorly developed: several elements were introduced very quickly, with little explanation, and were never properly developed.
December 26, 2021
Still loving the ride!
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are a few errors but nothing to get irritated about.
The characterisation is good, with individual personalities that allow the reader to form a connection even if they are not fully explored by this point.
The plotline is page turning and keeps the reader engaged.
I do have to say that some of the language is slightly misogynistic so if that upsets you at least you are aware. That said, the series is such a delight to read, written along the lines of an old fashioned adventure story, with no sex scenes and little swearing if any.
There is no great romance, but there is Nira!
And of course, there's the Griffin.
It's a sci fi series and there is more than enough reference to star charts, stellar drives and space to satisfy the reader.
If you are a fan of the genre I have no problem recommending the series.
I intend to continue the adventure with subsequent books in the series.
Please don't be mistaken, this isn't a YA audience target, if you enjoy a good story that includes all the motivators known to man then you would probably enjoy this book.
No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are a few errors but nothing to get irritated about.
The characterisation is good, with individual personalities that allow the reader to form a connection even if they are not fully explored by this point.
The plotline is page turning and keeps the reader engaged.
I do have to say that some of the language is slightly misogynistic so if that upsets you at least you are aware. That said, the series is such a delight to read, written along the lines of an old fashioned adventure story, with no sex scenes and little swearing if any.
There is no great romance, but there is Nira!
And of course, there's the Griffin.
It's a sci fi series and there is more than enough reference to star charts, stellar drives and space to satisfy the reader.
If you are a fan of the genre I have no problem recommending the series.
I intend to continue the adventure with subsequent books in the series.
Please don't be mistaken, this isn't a YA audience target, if you enjoy a good story that includes all the motivators known to man then you would probably enjoy this book.
January 30, 2018
I don't usually do this
I normally don't write reviews. I never even heard of this author before and I am certainly not prone to giving five stars! I have to say though that I enjoyed both of his books in this series. His characters are down to earth, not superhero- ish, not crazy and far out, but believable. He truly makes one feel as though one is part of the group sitting among friends. He writes a good solid story with a great ending. I found myself thinking about the characters and the story after a few days of ending the book and missing them and to me that deserves a five-star review!
I normally don't write reviews. I never even heard of this author before and I am certainly not prone to giving five stars! I have to say though that I enjoyed both of his books in this series. His characters are down to earth, not superhero- ish, not crazy and far out, but believable. He truly makes one feel as though one is part of the group sitting among friends. He writes a good solid story with a great ending. I found myself thinking about the characters and the story after a few days of ending the book and missing them and to me that deserves a five-star review!
February 8, 2021
This is the second book in the series I have read. I dont think I will read any further. This is yet another book that claims to be science fiction, but the ideas showcased here are basically magic. A super fast spaceship drve given to humans by godlike aliens, an area of space called the Void, with strange, nonsensical properties. A race of people who live in "strange looking" mud huts, but have technology far beyond that of man, gold, silver, platinum, duplicate earth, god-human hybrids, all mashed together into a pleasent enough story. Nothing clever about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2022
A Fun Space Adventure
I had read the previous Adrian Tarn novel and decided to give this one a try. I think the previous novel was better, but this one was a fun read, and a step back to the old fashioned type science fiction I had had read as a kid. It does have some rough spots, the people are a bit too perfect, a bit of sexism when describing the women, and perhaps a bit too much time is spent on side stories. Anyway, if you like this type of science fiction, and you want a light, easy read, check it out.
I had read the previous Adrian Tarn novel and decided to give this one a try. I think the previous novel was better, but this one was a fun read, and a step back to the old fashioned type science fiction I had had read as a kid. It does have some rough spots, the people are a bit too perfect, a bit of sexism when describing the women, and perhaps a bit too much time is spent on side stories. Anyway, if you like this type of science fiction, and you want a light, easy read, check it out.
December 21, 2017
The second book in this series was for me better than the first, and let me say, I loved the first one. This is a great follow up and yet would work as a stand alone book. The crew is well balanced and keeps you engaged with all the interplay. The story is fresh and interesting with action, humor and suspense. Looking forward to the next trip.
December 2, 2018
Stunning Detail...
Sometimes detail goes too far; becomes flat and lifeless, becomes boring and monotonous - nothing could be farther from the truth. Deep Crossing is a colorful masterpiece... I loved it! And as I was approaching the end of the last chapter, my prediction of the final line of the book, had I written it, was spot-on!
Sometimes detail goes too far; becomes flat and lifeless, becomes boring and monotonous - nothing could be farther from the truth. Deep Crossing is a colorful masterpiece... I loved it! And as I was approaching the end of the last chapter, my prediction of the final line of the book, had I written it, was spot-on!
June 3, 2019
Refreshing, a new take on a theme that works
Amazon Kindle gives you the opportunity to sample authors you've never heard of sometimes you hit a dead end, other times the story links with you. Iook forward to reading more, there's tension, personal interplay a believable story line. I recommend this book
Amazon Kindle gives you the opportunity to sample authors you've never heard of sometimes you hit a dead end, other times the story links with you. Iook forward to reading more, there's tension, personal interplay a believable story line. I recommend this book
October 9, 2022
Adrian Tarn Fan
Excellent pure science fiction! E. R. Mason combines four terrific basics of what I think is good SF. The theoretical science is good, it's imaginative, the characters are spiritual, and the philosophy is far reaching. I've read the entire series and now I'm going back to catch what I missed; it's fun seeing what I forgot or didn't note before.
Excellent pure science fiction! E. R. Mason combines four terrific basics of what I think is good SF. The theoretical science is good, it's imaginative, the characters are spiritual, and the philosophy is far reaching. I've read the entire series and now I'm going back to catch what I missed; it's fun seeing what I forgot or didn't note before.
September 5, 2017
Worthy sequel
Another amazing and intricate adventure that pulls you in and transports you to another reality that has just enough technological wonder, but keeps the story and the humanity real.
Another amazing and intricate adventure that pulls you in and transports you to another reality that has just enough technological wonder, but keeps the story and the humanity real.
December 23, 2017
A Pleasant Bit of Space Travel With Believable Science
This was a very readable book. I enjoyed the detailed flight mechanics. I would have enjoyed a more in depth explanation of the alien/human connection. The homage to the Star Trek episode with Joan Collins was a nice touch.
This was a very readable book. I enjoyed the detailed flight mechanics. I would have enjoyed a more in depth explanation of the alien/human connection. The homage to the Star Trek episode with Joan Collins was a nice touch.
February 22, 2018
Deep Crossing was an unexpected good Sci-Fi Space story. The author shows a true knowledge of technology,training and testing for space travel along with imaginative possibilities. This was a fun read with a HEA ending. I already started to read his other books.
September 7, 2018
A VERY good story!
This book was another page burner for me. Could NOT put down; I even read it a viewing for me daughter's mother-in-law who had recently past. My bad; but an excellent bpok.
This book was another page burner for me. Could NOT put down; I even read it a viewing for me daughter's mother-in-law who had recently past. My bad; but an excellent bpok.
May 13, 2020
Great story!
If you enjoyed the first book, you will love this one. You could read this one before the first in this series if you had t;however, I strongly suggest reading the first. Starting nil three tonight.
If you enjoyed the first book, you will love this one. You could read this one before the first in this series if you had t;however, I strongly suggest reading the first. Starting nil three tonight.
May 22, 2020
Fabulous read
Started reading and getting into all the crew the stories then went faster and faster that you could not keep up it went onto be the best story I have read in the year of 2020 is the any more please
Started reading and getting into all the crew the stories then went faster and faster that you could not keep up it went onto be the best story I have read in the year of 2020 is the any more please
January 6, 2021
An amazing will written story
An amazing will written story with well developed characters, a fast moving story line with lots of action and surprises, and a wonderful feel good ending. I would recommend this series too anyone who is open minded and love great writing. Enjoy reading 2014
An amazing will written story with well developed characters, a fast moving story line with lots of action and surprises, and a wonderful feel good ending. I would recommend this series too anyone who is open minded and love great writing. Enjoy reading 2014
March 26, 2017
An out-of-this world adventure
A crew of eight gets a chance of a lifetime to go where no humans have gone before. A convoluted plot and well-drawn characters make this an entertaining read.
A crew of eight gets a chance of a lifetime to go where no humans have gone before. A convoluted plot and well-drawn characters make this an entertaining read.
July 4, 2017
Wing bag of nothing happening
12 chapters of preamble. Do they ever get into deep space? Who cares, I stopped caring. I read the previous book, but this failed to capture me.
12 chapters of preamble. Do they ever get into deep space? Who cares, I stopped caring. I read the previous book, but this failed to capture me.
January 1, 2018
Excellent.
I really enjoyed the story line. The style of writing is right up my street. Very descriptive and easy to follow. A jolly good yarn!!!!
I really enjoyed the story line. The style of writing is right up my street. Very descriptive and easy to follow. A jolly good yarn!!!!
January 2, 2018
Excellent
Great story and characters. Not your typical space travel adventure. A few grammatical and punctuation errors but not overwhelming. Very much worth the read.
Great story and characters. Not your typical space travel adventure. A few grammatical and punctuation errors but not overwhelming. Very much worth the read.
January 3, 2018
4.5 stars
An excellent read. I enjoyed is immensely. It is paced just right. It is sort of a fairy tale/adventure type of sci-fi. Quite a few very likable characters.
An excellent read. I enjoyed is immensely. It is paced just right. It is sort of a fairy tale/adventure type of sci-fi. Quite a few very likable characters.
March 25, 2018
Excellent Science Fiction!
The book entertained with nonstop action, plot, and characters. Twists and turns up to the very end kept me in deep space the whole time. Awesome!
The book entertained with nonstop action, plot, and characters. Twists and turns up to the very end kept me in deep space the whole time. Awesome!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews