63,000 years ago, an ancient civilization existed far advanced over our own, but it was destroyed by a natural cataclysm. Now that same cataclysm is about to strike our modern world…
When Carl stumbles upon an unknown robot’s head, he manages with some effort to get it working. From the robot, Carl learns that it was created by an ancient civilization 63,000 years ago in northern India. The robot reports though, that the culture was destroyed by a meteor storm that killed all, but a thousand people planet wide.
When Carl learns that Earth is entering the same place in the galaxy where the meteor field exists, he warns people on TV, but finds himself ridiculed and ignored. To protect the world, Carl works to find out more about the ancient civilization and how to prevent a repeat of history.
To do this, Carl travels to a secret cave where the ancient technology is stored and here Carl meets a fully functioning robot from the ancient civilization. Now Carl must do everything in his power to preserve as many lives and as much of the current civilization as possible to avoid full scale destruction…
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. They asked for honest!
This book started with a promising idea, but the prose quickly disassembled that promise.
This was written in first-person POV, but it would have faired much better as third-person as the protagonist had very little personality. Most of the issues in the protagonist's narrative were dealt with in one-sentence summaries, i.e. "After two weeks, I had completed it." As a reader, I wasn't given scenes to read to show the character's development or progress, I was simply told that progress had already been made.
The love interest (and so-called "romance") was equally as flat. Another case of, "We became close over the months." Did you? Really? Why can't you show them interacting or something? I can probably count their scenes together on my two hands, yet they're super in love. How?
The protagonist, Carl, is exceptionally Gary Stu-ish. He's a genius hacker with a heart of gold fighting against the evil government. "But, Kit! He has flaws!" I imagine the author yelling at me. You mean the ? That's not a character flaw, that's just a terrible attempt at giving him some dimension (it doesn't) and creating a villain.
I found the fact that the robot head (there had to have been a cooler term to call it... "the robot head" sounded really silly after the twentieth time) had been put in a storage room, unguarded and not experimented on very unbelievable, then the repeated missile attacks (considering world conditions) even less believable.
I considered giving this two stars for the idea alone, but I've given much better books than this two star ratings, so I couldn't do so with a clear conscience. This was rough.
> The David Capps novel, Meteor Storm, is listed as a science fiction thriller, and indeed it is that. Yet, if scientific imaginings and action thrills were all that the book offered, I might not be submitting this review. > > Our being close friends over many years, I can vouch that this author, David Capps, is anything but a mere science fiction writer letting a creative imagination run wild. True, if the potential reader loves real suspense thrillers, Meteor Storm certainly will not disappoint. If vicarious experiences of unbelievably imaginative - - yet genuinely workable - - applications of the physical laws of science and innovative engineering is one's thing, this book will more than satisfy. > > If one just enjoys demonstrations of pure-hearted, heroic and selfless dedication to meeting and resolving critical, emergency needs, to the benefit and betterment of everyone affected, this book is definitely for you, as well. > > And if, like me, the reader harbors grave concerns about some very real problems in today's real world, needing to understand why they persist, and learning how people of good heart the world over can work together to resolve them, this story will be most encouraging. For, through sheer altruism, Meteor Storm's best characters illustrate for us the resilience and ingenuity of the human mind and spirit to meet and rise above death-defying challenges, and, in this case, even while facing a threat of total life extinction. > > Personally, I enjoyed seeing so much of the real person of David Capps come through the pages of this book: David Capps as gifted inventor, skilled and accomplished mechanical and electrical engineer, and - - best of all for me - - watching as an unobtrusive but ever-solicitous moral/spiritual guide cares unconditionally for and about the needs of every life and of every soul, each one viewed by him as "an individualized expression of God in material form." I've heard mention of a possible sequel to Meteor Storm, and am already looking forward to it.
David Capps has delivered a solid, hard science fiction thriller in Meteor Storm that can easily capture your imagination and leave you with endless possibilities for intellectual exploration on a number of different levels. The main character is complex and ever-changing while the supporting cast might tend a bit toward the archetype. That is completely forgivable, though, in the light of an entertaining story full of real science to explore and endless possibilities for the future to discuss. In linking the past to the future and personal development to societal development, the author delivers more than what is hoped for in reading the blurb. I've written in more detail, but this book has me highly anticipating seeing his next book, due out in April I believe. This book is highly deserving of all 5 stars.
I've read a lot of books where the world ends and immediately people turn bad--like we'd all love a chance to rape and pillage and only our fear of a life in prison keeps us in check. This book was a refreshing change. In the face of tragedy some people made a plan to make things better. Yes,.. there are some villains, but we have some real heroes too.
The author is obviously a fan of some "out there" theories, but he makes them work. The legacy of an ancient civilization saves a handful of survivors and gives us a chance at a new and better world. But it's not easy, and you'll enjoy the ride.
Oh, I just SO wanted to enjoy this book. I really did.
Okay, I like this book. It's a standalone work with some interesting concepts and bursts of brilliance.
Unfortunately, this is the limit of what I can positively say about the novel.
The editing and formatting is downright nightmarish. Some pages are full justification, but most aren't. Some paragraphs are double spaced, some are single spaced. The work is littered with typographical errors which instantly distract the reader and diminish interest in the plot and characters.
The entire book is written in first person singular, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes every other character feel very two- or even one-dimensional. Most seem like poor charicatures of terribly overused stereotypes.
The story is reasonable as a science fiction plot, however it's very easy to pick massive holes in various concepts.
*** Moderate Spoilers Below ***
For instance: a large stationary mass of small meteors which don't get swept away by the sun, other stars and/or gas giants like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune ... or are even affected by their gravitational pulls. A massive underground bunker for sheltering thousands, if not tens of thousands, of VIP elites, but then only two characters from this elitist class form any part of the story. Rampant rodents which, within a span of only a few months, devour their way through billions of deceased to then turn on the living ... for the space of about a page and a half of the story. How the concentration of meteor impacts devastated life on Earth, but left pretty much all of the world's naval fleets intact.
*** End of Spoilers ***
This book needs a serious overhaul, first to fix the terrible formatting and editing, but mainly to concentrate on characterization and serious plot holes.
I'd have to pin this work into the 18+ bracket due to graphic violence and adult situations.
Damn, what an amazing journey this book turned out to be, I didn't expect it to move me to the point where I almost cried. And I think that wether you belive in aliens or a cataclysmic event coming from space, you will at least take in consideration what's been told in this book, and decide for yourself what to belive. But in any case, I belive something is coming soon that will change our society drastically.
The idea of the meteor storm is interesting - hanging around in the eventual path of earth as the solar system rotates through the galaxy. The plot is straight forward and predicable - evil government, altruistic survivalist groups, lots of intrigue. In the end, the story is kind of boring with just about every step being something you expect. While the concept is intriguing, the author did not take in anywhere.
I really liked the beginning of the book. On the last visit to the moon, the head of a robot was found, along with various other electronics that were destroyed. Apparently, no one could be told about this discovery because people couldn't handle the idea that other intelligent civilizations existed, so the robot head was put in a box and sent to a warehouse. The treatment of the head kind of reminded me of an X-Files episode or even Raiders of the Lost Ark, where the ark was put in a box and sent to a warehouse.
Then Carl is introduced. He is a brilliant engineer and computer scientist who has been demoted to working in the warehouse because he had a fight with his boss. He finds the head and gets it to talk to him. This is like, "Independence Day", where the alien mother ship can be taken down by a MAC. Sure, I believe it. All throughout the book, people are able to take technology used by the people with the robot head, work on it a little, and make it work in the technology of the world today.
I did like the trek to Tibet and learning about the guardian and the cave. It is one explanation for the types of things we read about from that part of the world and it actually made sense to me.
The evil government I can buy because government is evil, but I'm pretty sure it would have been impossible to cover up the meteor storm with all the amateur astronomers out there all over the world. The group Carl belonged to tried to warn the rest of the country and the world, but the government kept making them sound like they were nutjobs, which is what the government would probably do. I do not believe what happened after the meteor storm with the government and the rest of the country. They would do this why? To create a new world order? Who were they going to rule over?
The characters are all brilliant. When something goes wrong, someone will come up with an alternative in like two minutes. All of the characters are flat. The dialogue is flat. This could have been such a good book. The deaths of billions of people are barely mentioned. No one grieves. All that is said is that it smells bad and that there's a rat problem. They just go about creating a new world out of the old and everyone cooperates. It would be nice to think that is what would happen, but it is highly doubtful.
I liked how brilliant and adaptable the people were, but something they worked on had to not work. But it all worked.
There's only one major female character in the book and the most interesting this about her is that her eyes are different colors. She is brilliant and beautiful, of course, and Carl's love interest.
I really wanted to like the book, but I don't. The premise is solid, but the execution is not. It might have been better in the third person, but the story is told by Carl and so the entire perspective is his. He doesn't have a lot of people in his life, so he probably isn't good at relating to them or telling their stories (I'm rationalizing here). Who knows?
Carl had a certain job, got into argument with his boss and got demoted to taking inventory of NASA materials. He finds a robot head in a box, the head having been discovered on the moon and, of course, kept secret.
It turns out Carl is able to interface with the robot and what he discovers is that an incredibly massive meteor storm will be starting relatively soon and it could wipe out the entire human race. He ends up joining a survivalist group that wants to warn the average person about what is going to happen, allowing at least some of them to find shelter.
The government doesn't want this information divulged since safety is only for the rich and the political big-wigs. Thus, the entire weight of the government, FBI, the military, etc, is after him and the survivalists.
The President wants to take over the world after the catastrophe and is willing to kill them to do just that. On the other hand, Carl and the survivalists want to set up a post-catastrophe world where no corporations are allowed, banks can's charge interest, there are no taxes except for a simple tax on something, there will be free food, medicine and shelter and there will be no more wars.
Question is whether or not the group will survive the government's attempt to kill them all off and what side will the U.S. Navy, much of which survives the meteor storm, support. A good read.
Although at times some of the technical engineering real is over my , I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It has enough realism to make the story plausible and enough science fiction to attract any nerd. If you like sci-fi, or dystopian, this is a must read to add to your list. There is plenty of action, suspense, and just a little romance to cover a wide audience. Only minor editing errors, that with all the action, are almost not noticeable.
Challenging authority results in a dead end job. Chance of a lifetime opportunity. Unknown technology discovered and innovative uses. End of the world and a spark of romance makes a great read.
Challenging authority results in a dead -end job which turns into the opportunity of a lifetime. Ancient technology discovered and used to help save the world and make it better. Personal issues resolved and a touch of romance thrown in.
Just as in the Zeta Gray books, D F Capps has captured the depths of men's depravity and the heights of mankind's generosity. This book displays an intricate mix of science fact, science fiction, horrific possibility and wonderful potential. My only problem with the book is that I could not put it down for the four and a half hours that it took for me to finish it!
I've always thought there is other intelligence in the universe and a more advanced technology than we currently know. Mr Capps has woven a brilliant story combining those two possibilities into an alternate reality. His writing makes the possibility very believable! I felt as if I was there, a part of Carl's story.
I never tired of the story. As the disaster approached, the protagonists prepared physically and mentally for the difficulties ahead. The villains remained entrenched in their "rule the world" goal, never entertaining compromise. Sound familiar?
It is refreshing to read a novel portraying a new scenario for a near extinction event for mankind. This book will make you think! I don't want to give any spoilers so I will leave it at that, truly a new scenario. I will think about this book for a long time...
Amazing Sci-fi Book that Goes Beyond the Oridinary Label
I love the conspiracy theories and the play out of finding out the truth, no matter the cost. The author does a great job building suspense and tension, making you wonder what is real and what isn't before unveiling it. The consequences of such are as detailed and brilliantly painted with words, leaving you hanging on until the end. A must read for sci-fi fans and those loving a good all-around thriller.
Carl works at NASA & there's a robot head & there's a whole secret society & - I just don't care. It was like reading a book report that recapped this book. There was no heart. I felt no connection to the characters & I didn't believe their connections to each other. A compelling novel without characters that I invest in just doesn't do it for me.
I couldn't put it down! A fascinating mix of science, fiction, and romance with a hero who doesn't believe he is one. My only quibble is that the rest of the characters aren't as well developed, but this story will definitely make you think.
Amazing EOW saga that actually has substance and technology behind it. Making it a great read. Not just a dismal tale of mankind's demise but one with rebuilding and a new age. So love this author.
Meteor storm is a fast moving Sci Fi story.It gives us a different look at the end of the world. In Meteor storm the people work together to make the world a better place.
This was an enjoyable read start to finish. Some interesting curves along the way to figuring out possible endings. Well worth reading again. Thank you 😺
Great story. The technical aspects were fascinating and well thought out. The political aspects however were silly. The plot was reminiscent of atlas shrugged for young readers.