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EarthCent Ambassador #6
Wanderers On Union Station
Start the series with the first book - Date Night on Union Station.
Three years have passed, and the children are growing like weeds as Aisha grows into a new career. A mob of alien party animals has settled near Union Station like a plague, but nobody seems willing to see them off. They bring word of a new wave of helpful artificial intelligence, but perhaps there’s such a thing as too helpful?
Three years have passed, and the children are growing like weeds as Aisha grows into a new career. A mob of alien party animals has settled near Union Station like a plague, but nobody seems willing to see them off. They bring word of a new wave of helpful artificial intelligence, but perhaps there’s such a thing as too helpful?
179 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2015
227 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books246 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 11, 2015
#6. More Trouble
This series continues to be a blast. Ambassador Kelly starts a quiz show to promote understanding between alien species and to help human relationships between them all. This does not work out as expected after the show's producers make a few changes. Also a multi-alien group shows up called the Wanderers and basically extorts repairs and money from the various alien governments, threatening to visit their home planets if aid isn't extended. There is also a look into the mind of Beowulf, the reincarnated Huravian Dog, who is becoming quite a character in this series. In fact a lot of new background information is presented concerning the Makers, Styrx and others. Start with the first book and read in order. You might as well get them all, they are original and worth it.
This series continues to be a blast. Ambassador Kelly starts a quiz show to promote understanding between alien species and to help human relationships between them all. This does not work out as expected after the show's producers make a few changes. Also a multi-alien group shows up called the Wanderers and basically extorts repairs and money from the various alien governments, threatening to visit their home planets if aid isn't extended. There is also a look into the mind of Beowulf, the reincarnated Huravian Dog, who is becoming quite a character in this series. In fact a lot of new background information is presented concerning the Makers, Styrx and others. Start with the first book and read in order. You might as well get them all, they are original and worth it.
March 13, 2018
Read this one while on a weekend trip. It is yet another great book in this series. I've read six of them this year, and will continue for sure. They are just fun books—slices of life in a sci-fi world. They are clean, not-at-all violent and just interesting as all get out. Foner does such a great with characterization that you really care what happens with these people and wonder what they will experience next.
August 8, 2016
Space gypsies and space Sesame Street in this book in the series of life-on-a-crazy-space-station. Also, some evil robots and an orphan alien princess.
As usual, all tropes delightfully inverted.
March 25, 2017
The series continues in fine form, March 25, 2017
This review is from: Wanderers On Union Station (EarthCent Ambassador Book 6) (Kindle Edition)
Wanderers on Union Station continues the light hearted science fiction series in the style to which fans have become accustomed. In addition to the main story about the Wanderers, readers learn a lot more about Dring, the Makers and the origin of the Stryx. Each volume in this series pretty much stands alone but to keep the characters straight, it would probably be best to start at the beginning with Date Night On Union Station.
This review is from: Wanderers On Union Station (EarthCent Ambassador Book 6) (Kindle Edition)
Wanderers on Union Station continues the light hearted science fiction series in the style to which fans have become accustomed. In addition to the main story about the Wanderers, readers learn a lot more about Dring, the Makers and the origin of the Stryx. Each volume in this series pretty much stands alone but to keep the characters straight, it would probably be best to start at the beginning with Date Night On Union Station.
July 3, 2016
SUPER enjoying this series. Very easy to read and absorbing. The kids are adorable and funny! Actually, quite like the time skip, which is surprising, since I usually don't. But the author writes it quite well and it just seems natural.
July 28, 2017
A bit of a disappointment after book #5 IMHO. Last chapter humor redemed it enough for me to give more than one star. Still prefer the consistance of Scalzi over Foner.
December 14, 2017
Another fun EarthCent story by Foner. I find it fascinating that in focusing on small group of people who are really trying to just survive and help one another Foner is able to continually utilize and develop engaging characters that the reader just enjoys. I think the reason I enjoy his books because the underlying mystery behind them is that of how the universe works, which is a concept anyone can connect with. The characters are humans who are trying to make their way (and find their place) amongst a galactic ecosystem that has been going on for thousands (or hundreds of thousands!) of years.
If you've never read any of the EarthCent stories, start with the first book (Date Night on Union Station). But if you have enjoyed any of them, this is another fun continuation of the ongoing saga of the zany but likeable family of characters.
If you've never read any of the EarthCent stories, start with the first book (Date Night on Union Station). But if you have enjoyed any of them, this is another fun continuation of the ongoing saga of the zany but likeable family of characters.
December 17, 2018
EarthCent ambassador Kelly McAllister has too much time on her hands so the Stryx librarian suggests that she work on a new video show. Kelly conceives of the show as an adult version of the her daughter-in-law’s successful program that encourages children of the various alien species on Union Station to become friends. It turns out that the taste of a galactic audience are just as low as that of an earthly one. With each book of the series the author introduces new characters – human, alien, and artificial. Most of them have names of only one or two syllables and it is getting difficult to keep them straight. The story offers an interesting exploration of the origins of several artificial species and how they reflect the minds of their makers. (The series deserves much better covers.)
August 13, 2018
I am hooked on this series!
I tried reading Snow Crash before Wanderers and just couldn't take the narrative tone at this time.
This is my favorite Union Station book so far. I really enjoy how the author introduces new groups of sentient beings in each new book. The Wanderers and the Helper AI were both very interesting concepts and kept my interest throughout the storyline.
I'm about halfway through the series now and am already wondering what I'm going to do when I get to the end. I sincerely hope Mr. Foner never tires of writing for this series and is productive in turning out new episodes.
I tried reading Snow Crash before Wanderers and just couldn't take the narrative tone at this time.
This is my favorite Union Station book so far. I really enjoy how the author introduces new groups of sentient beings in each new book. The Wanderers and the Helper AI were both very interesting concepts and kept my interest throughout the storyline.
I'm about halfway through the series now and am already wondering what I'm going to do when I get to the end. I sincerely hope Mr. Foner never tires of writing for this series and is productive in turning out new episodes.
February 15, 2024
Who knew being an interstellar ambassador required so many PR events? Earth’s economy is unaccountably booming, and the wheelers and dealers of Union station stage one diplomatic reception after another to entice Ambassador Kelly Frank to give them a cut of the action.
Meanwhile, Max’s son is becoming a galactic gaming star. Plus la change, I guess.
But then a mob of Wanderers shows up—millions of planetless, multi-species nomads whose philosophy seems to be that the road goes on forever and the party never ends. Will they steal your children like gypsies of folklore?
Will there be an invasion of meddlesome AIs who just want to help?
Meanwhile, Max’s son is becoming a galactic gaming star. Plus la change, I guess.
But then a mob of Wanderers shows up—millions of planetless, multi-species nomads whose philosophy seems to be that the road goes on forever and the party never ends. Will they steal your children like gypsies of folklore?
Will there be an invasion of meddlesome AIs who just want to help?
March 31, 2020
Oh, those Wanderers...
Still entertained with the latest madcap adventures of Kelly and friends on Union Station! The station is visited by the Wanderers, basically a "mob" of bums made up from many different species. Why do the Stryx allow their nonsense? Kelly gets talked into show business, which doesn't go as well as she would have liked, but turns out to be fascinating in the end. A new family member is adopted. And Beowulf wants beer! Stay tuned folks, after this commercial break we'll be on the air with book 7.
Still entertained with the latest madcap adventures of Kelly and friends on Union Station! The station is visited by the Wanderers, basically a "mob" of bums made up from many different species. Why do the Stryx allow their nonsense? Kelly gets talked into show business, which doesn't go as well as she would have liked, but turns out to be fascinating in the end. A new family member is adopted. And Beowulf wants beer! Stay tuned folks, after this commercial break we'll be on the air with book 7.
April 21, 2021
I continue to be surprised how wach story is yet a new story, distinct from those previous.
Plenty of humor and yet, also, there are touching moments ocassionally.
The characters, old faves, and new continue to develope in interesting ways.
Love our main character.
No doubt I will continue to check into Union Station from time to time.
Plenty of humor and yet, also, there are touching moments ocassionally.
The characters, old faves, and new continue to develope in interesting ways.
Love our main character.
No doubt I will continue to check into Union Station from time to time.
July 22, 2018
Excellent story
Always funny and interesting. Kelly can't catch a break it seems, always being embarrassed by her good intentions. The Wanderers are an odd group. Good background on the Stryx.
Always funny and interesting. Kelly can't catch a break it seems, always being embarrassed by her good intentions. The Wanderers are an odd group. Good background on the Stryx.
May 21, 2019
Worst yet. Still breezy but even more dull than they'd be getting. Nonsense about what's an essentially a political diatribe about a groups of sentients wandering through the galaxy partying, supported by the core civilizations of the species. Also, more dumb things about a TV show.
November 28, 2020
More laughs and inter species drama
More adventures of Kelly and her growing family, with friends who are as confusing as confused by weird Earth culture and food.
ROFL dream of intergalactic panel game :D
More adventures of Kelly and her growing family, with friends who are as confusing as confused by weird Earth culture and food.
ROFL dream of intergalactic panel game :D
December 4, 2020
Book 6 in the series
This is an entertaining story but the wandering characters are not nice people. It takes all kinds to make a diverse galaxy, so they fit in the story. A good read.
This is an entertaining story but the wandering characters are not nice people. It takes all kinds to make a diverse galaxy, so they fit in the story. A good read.
January 2, 2021
Each one is better than the one before
Series often become slow and unexciting as they go along,not so in Union Station. The characters are intriguing and fun. This is a ride you should take
Series often become slow and unexciting as they go along,not so in Union Station. The characters are intriguing and fun. This is a ride you should take
June 23, 2021
Alien AI wipes out biologics
Well they certainly worked on it for a good long while. The beneficial rulers of the tunnels put a stop to that. Unfortunately there were darn few Makers left. Good reading.
Well they certainly worked on it for a good long while. The beneficial rulers of the tunnels put a stop to that. Unfortunately there were darn few Makers left. Good reading.
October 28, 2021
Entertaining
A new diplo!attic curveball and navigating more diplomats. Still fun, entertaining with lots not beloved characters. Easy to read and simple plots to follow.
An enjoyable series continues.
A new diplo!attic curveball and navigating more diplomats. Still fun, entertaining with lots not beloved characters. Easy to read and simple plots to follow.
An enjoyable series continues.
October 6, 2022
always a fun time
I enjoy the pacing of Foner’s series. Always a pleasure to return to well of good stories. Continues to scratch that itch for “slice-of-life” stories that are hard to find.
I enjoy the pacing of Foner’s series. Always a pleasure to return to well of good stories. Continues to scratch that itch for “slice-of-life” stories that are hard to find.
June 27, 2017
This book is really something else.
A light funny world, with a series of wonderful characters, funny situations and a perfect balance of storyline and humor.
A light funny world, with a series of wonderful characters, funny situations and a perfect balance of storyline and humor.
August 21, 2017
Pleasant fluff. Better than spending time watching TV situation comedies.
October 17, 2017
Not much plot to this one. The most entertaining parts are the TV shows.
January 13, 2018
Enjoyable
February 21, 2018
I really like the world building in the later Union Station books. The series started out really simple and every books keeps expanding the universe.
July 14, 2018
It is interesting to see what is happening in Union station
July 27, 2019
Very cute and funny
I just love the adventures and antics of these friends and family who live on union station. It just makes a great story.
I just love the adventures and antics of these friends and family who live on union station. It just makes a great story.
August 17, 2019
Great fun as always. This continues to be an excellent and enjoyable series and I look forward to the next book in the series.
May 19, 2020
this is a fun series, but some aspects are getting a little stale after 6 books. They're good stories but too formulaic.
June 8, 2020
There were several subplots that had me slightly confused as to who was doing what, but on the whole I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews