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Dawn of Mankind
Commander Cassian Reeve expected his survey run to end the way it always did. Tag the rocks, log the readings, go home.
Then object four fifty-three rolls across his display. Its surface reads like ordinary nickel-iron. Its core says something else entirely. Whatever is buried inside that asteroid has been waiting a very long time.
Reeve makes one mistake. He tells his crew to drill.
The moment the bit touches that ancient shell, a pulse goes out. Somewhere far beyond human space, something old and patient opens its eyes. A silent vessel shifts course through systems no human has ever charted, and another faction, older and far less forgiving, is already closing in.
For centuries, humanity believed it was alone. It wasn't. It was simply beneath notice.
Reeve came out here to catalog rocks. Instead, he has stumbled onto a galaxy-spanning network that was buried for a reason, and every ancient power that still remembers why is moving to claim it first.
Humanity has just stepped onto the galactic stage. And the galaxy has been waiting.
Then object four fifty-three rolls across his display. Its surface reads like ordinary nickel-iron. Its core says something else entirely. Whatever is buried inside that asteroid has been waiting a very long time.
Reeve makes one mistake. He tells his crew to drill.
The moment the bit touches that ancient shell, a pulse goes out. Somewhere far beyond human space, something old and patient opens its eyes. A silent vessel shifts course through systems no human has ever charted, and another faction, older and far less forgiving, is already closing in.
For centuries, humanity believed it was alone. It wasn't. It was simply beneath notice.
Reeve came out here to catalog rocks. Instead, he has stumbled onto a galaxy-spanning network that was buried for a reason, and every ancient power that still remembers why is moving to claim it first.
Humanity has just stepped onto the galactic stage. And the galaxy has been waiting.
- GenresScience Fiction
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
John Walker
1,095 books192 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 11, 2026
For fans of Arthur C Clarke
This is intelligent SCIENCE fiction, thought provoking first contact where suspense keeps building and building during a strategic cat and mouse game where the survival of humanity is at stake interspersed with space battles from a separate alien force. These authors understand human nature, the good and the bad, on which we will be judged. I cannot wait for the next book to continue the story!
This is intelligent SCIENCE fiction, thought provoking first contact where suspense keeps building and building during a strategic cat and mouse game where the survival of humanity is at stake interspersed with space battles from a separate alien force. These authors understand human nature, the good and the bad, on which we will be judged. I cannot wait for the next book to continue the story!
May 9, 2026
Qualifying for access to fellowship with something unknown
Reeve, captain of a military survey ship, finds an artifact that is a detection key on an observation network that has been active for a long time. One race that tried to monopolize the network got disqualified. Reeve and his crew have to make clever and thoughtful responses under stress and combat situations. They manage to get to a formal recognition, but the story continues with a temporary hiatus and promising outcomes.
Reeve, captain of a military survey ship, finds an artifact that is a detection key on an observation network that has been active for a long time. One race that tried to monopolize the network got disqualified. Reeve and his crew have to make clever and thoughtful responses under stress and combat situations. They manage to get to a formal recognition, but the story continues with a temporary hiatus and promising outcomes.
June 3, 2026
good
Make a good netflix series this
Something like star trek
But showing how good humans can be
Amongst the idiots
Looking forward to second book
Make a good netflix series this
Something like star trek
But showing how good humans can be
Amongst the idiots
Looking forward to second book
June 26, 2026
Fun read
These authors provided a very interesting first contact story. I enjoyed the characters very much. However, I found too many illogical events to give this more stars. Without spoiling too much, let me say that the practical aspects of distance and travel are completely ignored in several scenarios. The proferred FTL travel method isnt even really explained. And why have paths between star systems if an enemy ship can get there just as fast after being thrown out of it? That kind of illogic is distracting to me. I still enjoyed it, though!
These authors provided a very interesting first contact story. I enjoyed the characters very much. However, I found too many illogical events to give this more stars. Without spoiling too much, let me say that the practical aspects of distance and travel are completely ignored in several scenarios. The proferred FTL travel method isnt even really explained. And why have paths between star systems if an enemy ship can get there just as fast after being thrown out of it? That kind of illogic is distracting to me. I still enjoyed it, though!
May 11, 2026
Good writing,fast paced
I actually loved this book and hope there are at least 1 or 2 more to come. The writing is done well ,there were no dead spots I only
Put the book down to use the bathroom. Please more in this series.
I actually loved this book and hope there are at least 1 or 2 more to come. The writing is done well ,there were no dead spots I only
Put the book down to use the bathroom. Please more in this series.
June 16, 2026
confusing story
It was interesting and different. A much more restrained or subdued humanity and first contact. I still haven’t figured out the big deal about the network of artifacts. I’m very undecided about reading another book in this series.
It was interesting and different. A much more restrained or subdued humanity and first contact. I still haven’t figured out the big deal about the network of artifacts. I’m very undecided about reading another book in this series.
May 8, 2026
A new take on first contact...
this story is vastly different and to me, more entertaining on any other book based on first contact that I have ever read.
Hopefully there will be more in the series .
this story is vastly different and to me, more entertaining on any other book based on first contact that I have ever read.
Hopefully there will be more in the series .
June 1, 2026
it was okay
This was an OK book, I know I will not be reading the subsequent stories. The characters really were not that likable, in my opinion. At first, I didn’t understand the story then when I figured out what was going on, I found the cruise ability to extrapolate information astonishing on such small samples. It’s a three star if you don’t read it you haven’t really missed anything.
This was an OK book, I know I will not be reading the subsequent stories. The characters really were not that likable, in my opinion. At first, I didn’t understand the story then when I figured out what was going on, I found the cruise ability to extrapolate information astonishing on such small samples. It’s a three star if you don’t read it you haven’t really missed anything.
June 5, 2026
Not a book that you can't put down
An interesting concept, almost by accident you find a rock, a large rock floating in far distant space. It turns out this rock has a lot of ancient history locked within it. It has to be a very special rock to keep someone interested in reading this book till it's end.
An interesting concept, almost by accident you find a rock, a large rock floating in far distant space. It turns out this rock has a lot of ancient history locked within it. It has to be a very special rock to keep someone interested in reading this book till it's end.
May 31, 2026
Wispy
Pretty soon the answers out of nowhere start to annoy and it doesn't let up . What happened to defining your books physics then making later events consistent with it?
This is full of characters hard deductions based on nothing!
Pretty soon the answers out of nowhere start to annoy and it doesn't let up . What happened to defining your books physics then making later events consistent with it?
This is full of characters hard deductions based on nothing!
May 26, 2026
The idea behind this book is intriguing, but the writing is very distracting. "He had the face of someone who ..." is repeated so often that it became distracting. Sometimes I wondered if this was AI produced. I know some like this book, but I just couldn't get past the overused conventions of the author's writing style.
May 19, 2026
Review for Dawn of Mankind
It was a little choppy. Events taken out of sequence and jumps in sequence with no bridge as to what happened. Plot interesting but a little tedious. overall not a bad book and had some interesting ideas.
It was a little choppy. Events taken out of sequence and jumps in sequence with no bridge as to what happened. Plot interesting but a little tedious. overall not a bad book and had some interesting ideas.
July 24, 2026
An asteroid conceals an artifact that is part of a multispecies distributed galactic network. Humanity had better learn the rules of the game. There is an alien warlike civilization that wants the artifact and is willing to shoot to get it, but this first-contact story does not do warm, fuzzy aliens or typical mil-sf tropes. In fact, we never meet an alien in person. The message from the interstellar network cautions restraint, and our stiff-upper -lip captain must resist pressure from his military bosses and big corporations, not to mention alien belligerence.
I appreciate the premise, but I wish the style had more professional polish (like finding a better title for a start) and that the characters were more fully developed.
I appreciate the premise, but I wish the style had more professional polish (like finding a better title for a start) and that the characters were more fully developed.
August 5, 2026
Like watching Star Trek TMP. I had no clue what was going on, but they seemed to, and it was fun to watch!
I can say that this book was a fun read. It was fast-paced and engaging. In fact, I'm reading the second book now.
The only issues I had with the book were; 1. they seemed to pull answers out of nowhere, 2. the terminology was mostly unintelligible.
"Not a hole, Keisha... a valve" << sometimes it felt like this.
1. Virtually every decision the characters made was based on a guess for which there was given no real reason. It was "explained" to us, but not really.
2. Speaking of explanation, the terms used were all "phase" something. So, they took a hiccup in the background radiation and decided it was communication, and from there we now have a language.
Again. I'm reading the second book. And, so far, it shows to have a little more depth in what I describe below.
I can say that this book was a fun read. It was fast-paced and engaging. In fact, I'm reading the second book now.
The only issues I had with the book were; 1. they seemed to pull answers out of nowhere, 2. the terminology was mostly unintelligible.
"Not a hole, Keisha... a valve" << sometimes it felt like this.
1. Virtually every decision the characters made was based on a guess for which there was given no real reason. It was "explained" to us, but not really.
2. Speaking of explanation, the terms used were all "phase" something. So, they took a hiccup in the background radiation and decided it was communication, and from there we now have a language.
Again. I'm reading the second book. And, so far, it shows to have a little more depth in what I describe below.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
Unusual: Fascinating
I didn't expect philosophical. Briefly it was a bit slow... Then it became clear that the thoughts, feelings, values, and resulting actions of the characters were the point. As the story progressed it became more intriguing and more historically and immediately pertinent. How shall we conduct ourselves in the face of not knowing? In the face of differing perspectives and beliefs? In the face of many different motivations and actions? What is the right thing to do?
I didn't expect philosophical. Briefly it was a bit slow... Then it became clear that the thoughts, feelings, values, and resulting actions of the characters were the point. As the story progressed it became more intriguing and more historically and immediately pertinent. How shall we conduct ourselves in the face of not knowing? In the face of differing perspectives and beliefs? In the face of many different motivations and actions? What is the right thing to do?
August 1, 2026
A good story ruined by bad editing and AI assisted writing
This has potential to be a good story but there is some really poor editing that mars the read. More than once I found transitions on the story that were out of place and made no sense. Care was not taken in editing. The biggest turn off however is the ever present sense the authors made extensive use of AI in the writing of this story. It’s in every part of the story and just cheapens it for me. Too bad because it has potential otherwise…
This has potential to be a good story but there is some really poor editing that mars the read. More than once I found transitions on the story that were out of place and made no sense. Care was not taken in editing. The biggest turn off however is the ever present sense the authors made extensive use of AI in the writing of this story. It’s in every part of the story and just cheapens it for me. Too bad because it has potential otherwise…
May 28, 2026
Yes, we listen"
Very interesting take on the "First Contact" scenario. Plenty of action with known but in described antagonists. Character development could be a little stronger in my opinion, but then I can't Wright worth a hill of beans. Descriptions of the unknown objects & aliens(?) is well done.
Very interesting take on the "First Contact" scenario. Plenty of action with known but in described antagonists. Character development could be a little stronger in my opinion, but then I can't Wright worth a hill of beans. Descriptions of the unknown objects & aliens(?) is well done.
August 2, 2026
Not what I expected
but much better. I love alien contact novels and this one is one of the best. I love the short, choppy sentence structure that avoids wordy sentence construction. Keeps you turning the page and somewhat tense at what's comes next and will humanity survive. On to book 2!
but much better. I love alien contact novels and this one is one of the best. I love the short, choppy sentence structure that avoids wordy sentence construction. Keeps you turning the page and somewhat tense at what's comes next and will humanity survive. On to book 2!
May 14, 2026
Great Beginning for a new series
.99 what could go wrong! You take a chance on a new series and it pays off! Excellent book. Highly recommend it to any serious ST reader. Hope to see more in the series
.99 what could go wrong! You take a chance on a new series and it pays off! Excellent book. Highly recommend it to any serious ST reader. Hope to see more in the series
May 31, 2026
Military Syfy at it best
Doing the right thing pays off when a survey ship encounters the ghost of the Founders -the remnants of the intelligence that regulates the known solar system.
Doing the right thing pays off when a survey ship encounters the ghost of the Founders -the remnants of the intelligence that regulates the known solar system.
June 4, 2026
Totally freaking awesome!
I loved that this story was not easy or the usual thing I read. I liked not really knowing what is coming next but liking the reasoning behind everything.
I look forward to more...
I loved that this story was not easy or the usual thing I read. I liked not really knowing what is coming next but liking the reasoning behind everything.
I look forward to more...
June 16, 2026
Interesting
Was a bit hard getting into the story buy once I started to understand it became very intriguing. I couldn't put it down as I kept reading .Now I can't wait follow the story.
Was a bit hard getting into the story buy once I started to understand it became very intriguing. I couldn't put it down as I kept reading .Now I can't wait follow the story.
June 16, 2026
truly fascinating and different
A, more than rare, brilliant, different approach to first contact! Great characters and their technology is fascinating. The main characters are all brilliant in different ways and all add to and support the story.
A, more than rare, brilliant, different approach to first contact! Great characters and their technology is fascinating. The main characters are all brilliant in different ways and all add to and support the story.
July 19, 2026
Very Unique First Contact Story
I found this a very unique first contact story based on morals and ethics and not warfare. It worked because of the composition of the crew. Will it work for mankind in general will need to be a future book.
I found this a very unique first contact story based on morals and ethics and not warfare. It worked because of the composition of the crew. Will it work for mankind in general will need to be a future book.
July 26, 2026
Much to Do About Nothing
I don’t know why, but I had to really struggle to force myself to finish the book.
I still don’t understand whose ship is on the book cover? Hope the next book shows more ????
I don’t know why, but I had to really struggle to force myself to finish the book.
I still don’t understand whose ship is on the book cover? Hope the next book shows more ????
May 10, 2026
Great story
Very interesting treatment of first contact. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. I hope this story continues. Thank you
Very interesting treatment of first contact. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. I hope this story continues. Thank you
May 20, 2026
excellent read
An interesting and clever story.well worth a read. The plot is interesting and the concept of the book very good.
An interesting and clever story.well worth a read. The plot is interesting and the concept of the book very good.
May 22, 2026
Very interesting book
A different take on first contact, the ending is definitely open ended. I hope there is a continuing story line. 🤞🤞🤞
A different take on first contact, the ending is definitely open ended. I hope there is a continuing story line. 🤞🤞🤞
May 30, 2026
A bit too long.
A good book to waste a lot of time on. It could have been about 1/4 th as long. Wasted words and wasted time. Not my favorite thing.
A good book to waste a lot of time on. It could have been about 1/4 th as long. Wasted words and wasted time. Not my favorite thing.
June 27, 2026
good Read
Enjoyed it. Quick read. Easy assumptions keeps the book moving. Would read follow up books. Worth the time to read
Enjoyed it. Quick read. Easy assumptions keeps the book moving. Would read follow up books. Worth the time to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews