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Wanderer's Odyssey #4

Wanderer: Origins

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Hunted by a powerful Imperial fleet, his friends infected by the Taint, Jess has only one place to turn — the homeworld of his amazing ship, the Wanderer.

But his journey will reveal the origins of far more than just the Wanderer, and both the Empire and the Taint will be ready to pounce at any moment. Jess expects to learn how things started, but what he learns might also point to how everything will finish… and just how close that end may be.

450 pages, ebook

First published October 10, 2015

305 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

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Simon Goodson

29 books73 followers

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5 stars
271 (41%)
4 stars
247 (37%)
3 stars
113 (17%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
1 review
November 2, 2015
I have read all 4 Wanderer novels to this point. Wanderer Origins being the 4th in the series. Fairly well written, although not up to the standard of the first 3. I found the plot development to be a little looser than the previous novels and some twists seemed more for convenience than actual necessity, but (and it's a BIG but) I still found the novel enjoyable enough to read twice before writing this review. The character development, for the most part, was very good and the action was continuous and pretty consistent. Definitely a book worth the money and I will be looking for the final one next year.
19 reviews
June 22, 2018
More characters are introduced with there own agonising story (in detail) to tell. Plus more agonising from the original characters(in detail). This book is just a filler between 3 and 5 and having read 5 they don't actually have much value in the overall telling.

Continue to skim Jess and his forever agonising of decisions.

This isn't a book but a chapter in a story padded out with words. Glad I paid 99 cents for it.

Easily forgettable.
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews37 followers
October 12, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I really have enjoyed the series so far but this one has to be the best by far. The excitement starts right up and barley slows down for you to catch your breathe, There are so many things happening and all coming together to a fantastic ending. Just when you think there couldn't possibly be more here it comes BAM!! Great read!
1 review
October 11, 2015
Wanderers Origins is a wonderful rollercoaster ride from start to finish and follows on from book three in Simon's great storytelling style. It's a story in itself and I can't wait for the conclusion in Book 5. So I suggest that everyone who enjoys this book gives a positive review to encourage the publication of book 5 !
Profile Image for MaryD.
1,737 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2015
ARRRGGHHH! I can't believe I need to wait until next year to read the next one! This book kept me so much a part of the story that it was almost a physical pain when I realized I'd reached the end. The title is well-named!
Profile Image for Jay.
96 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2016
Another fine installment in the Wanderer series. Once again, Simon Goodson has managed to keep me guessing with unexpected and interesting plot twists, while telling a great story. For readers who've been following this series, there are some very satisfying payoffs as we learn more about the origin of Wanderer, and the alien, Teeko. This new information helps drive the story forward. (It even hints at a reason for something I complained about in the previous volume.)

Our young pilot Jess is still with us of course, and we also see a great deal of Clay, the ace fighter jock with a heart of gold. There are a few new characters introduced, and one major villain in particular meets their end. The Taint, far from being left behind, is a major presence in this book. In fact, the Taint is now clearly THE major antagonist of the Wanderer series.

As of this writing, it appears that book 5 will be out sometime in the first half of 2017. Wanderer - Origins ends with a neat little cliffhanger, and I'm eager to see which way it goes. It's not a huge cliffhanger like the one at the end of Tainted Universe, but one that's sure to shape the early chapters of book 5, which I am eagerly awaiting.
593 reviews21 followers
August 29, 2018
I think this is the best book yet. The many daring escapes and death defying stunts where my heart was in my throat was intense. I was impressed with the authors improvement on all fronts: storyline was more involved, the enemies were more evil yet almost understandable, the action more nerve wracking and not to mention the vocabulary and wording were top of the line. Kudos for such a vast refinement in his techniques. I am going to start the next book right away and am super excited to do so. Recommended for a good old space opera with a great mix of characters and fun aliens.
Profile Image for Anna.
430 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2022
Drags

This book had me hooked on places and bored to tears in others. This is the fourth book in the series and nothing has been resolved by the author. I am not holding out hope that the fifth book or the 6th or resolve anything either. While I enjoyed the series I think I'm done with it the books just dragged out and you get bored waiting for something I'll need to be disappointed when it does occur. I think I shall just make up my own ending and be done with this particular series.
Profile Image for Vivian Thibodeaux.
4 reviews
September 9, 2017
Cliff hanger

The suspense is killing me. I hope I live long enough to get and read the last book. (Not kidding -I'm old and sick.) I love the Wanderer series but books now-a-days are written for the young and healthy. Why oh why can't books be written like they used to be wrote? As a book instead of as an installment plan.
6 reviews
August 7, 2018
Book 1 was rushed with little time for character development. This took place over the next 3 books and you could see the author settling in to enjoy the ride. I read book 1 easily, I read books 2,3,4 furiously as the plot peaked and ebbed. Will Jess and the Wanderer find the peace they deserve? I am just starting book 5 Extinction. Lets go!
9 reviews
September 22, 2018
Great series of books. Complex story line and compelling reading

Great series of books. Unpredictable and exciting. Just couldn't put them down. The characters were a real mix and well represented.
33 reviews
December 15, 2018
Loved this book! Goodson is a true storyteller . As each one ends I grab the next and the next. Started out with a free copy of book 1 and I was hooked.
Very fun read for Young adult and older adult too
22 reviews
September 27, 2020
Please hire a qualified proof reader

Your admittedly interesting story was marred by the agregious misuse of common words. For crying out loud "span" is NOT the past tense of "spin"!!
Profile Image for George Sterling.
204 reviews
December 2, 2020
Wanderer

Just finished reading book 4 of the series and have already ordered the next. This series has kept me spellbound from the beginning and have to read the next right away. A must have if you like outstanding military science fiction with lots of action.
Profile Image for John Wegener.
Author 26 books2 followers
April 8, 2021
The story is too long and just keeps you in suspense of what will happen next far too long without getting on with the story. It's a good story but is spoilt by too much internal reflection etc. If you've read the other books in the series, it's still worth reading.
Profile Image for Arnaud.
491 reviews6 followers
December 29, 2025
Coming closer to the Wanderer's origin, as the Taint spreads faster through the universe. Learning more about the ship's origins in this novel as Jess tries to figure out how to save his tainted friends. Decently good read
Profile Image for J.S. Burke.
Author 8 books508 followers
October 9, 2018
Wanderer’s Odyssey #4 has numerous space fights as Jess tries to escape the groups seeking to capture his powerful ship/friend. The Wanderer continues to grow into a true partner. Worth reading.
3,323 reviews30 followers
August 19, 2019
Wanderer

Heroic struggles with little hope of escaping the end of the universe. The tainted becoming stronger with Sal's extra abilities and too little too late?
61 reviews
October 10, 2019
Fast paced and entertaining. Very much enjoyed this story. Looking forward to the conclusion.
41 reviews2 followers
June 25, 2020
Brilliant

The series grabs and is resistive too being put down. Highly recommended for any age group as not overly descriptive in content. Well written
119 reviews
March 5, 2023
It gets more exciting

So many twists and turns! I can't help it. I have to keep finishing the story book by book. So on to the next.
2 reviews
Want to read
March 22, 2023
Good book, um really interesting book. If you like this one read the other books in the series.
624 reviews4 followers
June 26, 2023
This one is more of the same; lots of action involving space fights and so forth. Jess and the Wanderer are still being chased by Zorn and his fleet. Clay ends up on a ship that has secrets, but those are revealed, at least some of them. Teeko shows some strengths and becomes a focus; various forces are searching for him or his home planet. Sal becomes a problem. Jess meets The Guardian, but issues develop.

So the story moves along parallel lines at times, but parts, just parts of it, come together at the end of the book. However, more is to come. It appears Clay and the ship he is on will connect with the Wanderer, and that's where the book ends. I am still enjoying the story, but there are other things to read, so it will get a rest for a while.
Profile Image for Wilbur G. Lloyd, Jr..
93 reviews
June 29, 2022
Tainted?

I think the author should have done a lot more research and thinking on this idea. I can't see telepathy doing things like causing black webbing to grow on people or altering their DNA. But overall I do love the Wanderer ship. It is like a living creature. It is a great idea.
2 reviews
October 11, 2015
First let me note that I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. The book is the fourth of the Wanderer series. The Wanderer continues its quest to travel to the ship's origin with threats from the Taint and the Empire. This book generally follows four different main characters. However one of the characters, although interesting, it was never clear what their role was in this segment of the saga. Other than that, the book is well written and moves along nicely.
Profile Image for Sharon Phelps.
251 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2016
Another rip, roaring adventure through space aboard the Wanderer. We meet a new species and new characters. And the Taint is spreading faster than expected thanks to Sal. It is all coming down to a race of who can reach and destroy Teeko's home world the fastest. Can't wait for the next book to be out, which I hear is soon.
194 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2016
Really good

I have pretty much enjoyed this series and will buy book 5. Having said that, the story is too long. I get tired of reading it. And nothing good ever seems to happen for the main characters. I think it should have ended much sooner.
25 reviews
April 15, 2017
Curse-word. Warning. This one ends with a cliff-hanger and the promise of a sequel in October 2016. I am writing this in April, 2017, so...
This book is much like the others. Some new characters, one whose story is left hanging. Again, very fast paced and hard to put down. Enough said.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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