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The Asterist: A Novel
Otherworldly yet grounded, ominous yet tender, The Asterist is a captivating first contact story that will appeal to readers of Andy Weir and John Scalzi.
Dull days drift by at the dead end of the galaxy for misanthrope Bill Jeffries fulfilling his mundane duties as an Asteroid Station Commander, or “Asterist.” But everything changes when his only companion, the monotone computer he has nicknamed “Nag,” alerts him to an unknown spacecraft that has crashed near the station. Thus begins A. T. Sayre’s science fiction novel with equal parts humor and suspense.
Suddenly thrust into circumstances far beyond his experience or pay grade, Jeffries investigates the puzzling wreckage and makes the shocking discovery of a four-foot-long spider-like being inside. If the alien still lives, Jeffries and his superiors from light years away debate if it should be treated as an ambassador, a test subject, or a threat. But as Jeffries studies the alien and attempts to communicate with it, his cynical exterior begins to shatter and a bond grows.
With the alien’s life in his hands, Jeffries must race against the clock to understand its origins and save it before his superiors arrive to determine their fate. Otherwise, both of them may be forced to commit the ultimate sacrifice.
Dull days drift by at the dead end of the galaxy for misanthrope Bill Jeffries fulfilling his mundane duties as an Asteroid Station Commander, or “Asterist.” But everything changes when his only companion, the monotone computer he has nicknamed “Nag,” alerts him to an unknown spacecraft that has crashed near the station. Thus begins A. T. Sayre’s science fiction novel with equal parts humor and suspense.
Suddenly thrust into circumstances far beyond his experience or pay grade, Jeffries investigates the puzzling wreckage and makes the shocking discovery of a four-foot-long spider-like being inside. If the alien still lives, Jeffries and his superiors from light years away debate if it should be treated as an ambassador, a test subject, or a threat. But as Jeffries studies the alien and attempts to communicate with it, his cynical exterior begins to shatter and a bond grows.
With the alien’s life in his hands, Jeffries must race against the clock to understand its origins and save it before his superiors arrive to determine their fate. Otherwise, both of them may be forced to commit the ultimate sacrifice.
Audiobook
Published October 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Did Not Finish
November 3, 2026"For fans of Andy Weir" except it's just a rip-off.
I was really excited for this book. I have a thing for aliens, so the premise sounded great. Unfortunately, I can only see the parallels to PHM. The author clearly took inspiration from this book—which is fine, that's how ideas form—but that was just too similiar.
There were several interactions where I thought, I've literally read this before. Like 1:1. Even the Alien looks like Rocky, and is described in a similiar way. Even the MC's voice/humour is clearly inspired.
So, yeah, this is a hard dnf for me.
✧ I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.
I was really excited for this book. I have a thing for aliens, so the premise sounded great. Unfortunately, I can only see the parallels to PHM. The author clearly took inspiration from this book—which is fine, that's how ideas form—but that was just too similiar.
There were several interactions where I thought, I've literally read this before. Like 1:1. Even the Alien looks like Rocky, and is described in a similiar way. Even the MC's voice/humour is clearly inspired.
So, yeah, this is a hard dnf for me.
✧ I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.
October 24, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great, short, first contact story with quirky interactions between the main character Jeffries, NAG, and AL. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook as the narrator does such a great job. You could definitely see some similarities between Project Hail Mary and this story, but it definitely provides it's own uniqueness with the growing bond between AL and Jeffries. This isn't all fun times though and you do have some heartfelt moments. The ending is a little open ended which I don't like, but it was still interesting and worth the read!
This was a great, short, first contact story with quirky interactions between the main character Jeffries, NAG, and AL. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook as the narrator does such a great job. You could definitely see some similarities between Project Hail Mary and this story, but it definitely provides it's own uniqueness with the growing bond between AL and Jeffries. This isn't all fun times though and you do have some heartfelt moments. The ending is a little open ended which I don't like, but it was still interesting and worth the read!
Did Not Finish
June 12, 2026I received an advance e-book copy from NetGalley and that did not affect my opinion at all.
There are two reasons I gave up on this book at 44% (can't say I didn't give it a fair try).
1) The author ripped off Andy Weir. (Okay there are some slight differences but anyone who's read Weir's books will immediately recognize the basic theme that's going on, plus Weir is a much better writer.)
2) The main character is an annoying, whining asshole.
The MC (I can't even remember his name) is alone on a small one-person station on an asteroid in a solar system empty of human life. The station is like a radio tower that extends signals out to the habitable systems. Something like that. Oh, and there's a non-AI computer voice that is basically an alarm clock/early warning (not that he can do anything if a rogue comet comes zooming his way because his little station has zero defenses) that the MC has named "Nag". (lol)
The MC whines about how he gets crap jobs and has been passed over for promotion, but then tells us that he basically has a bad work ethic and sometimes no work ethic. So, basically he's created his own problems that he whines about and blames upper management for. What a moron!
Then something happens and ah, who cares, I'll spoil it a little for ya, a small alien spaceship crash lands on his asteroid. MC is all excited thinking that this is his moment, that his name will be famous, etc. only to find out that a special first contact team is speeding on it's way to him and for MC to not touch anything. Well MC is having none of that. He's not gonna let them push his to the sidelines and take all the credit for his discovery. So he's goes out to the alien ship and...I won't spoil it anymore except to say he's a frickin' moron! It's like some junior cop walking all over a crime scene trying to find something so they can get credit for it.
I couldn't take it any more. I got to the point where I didn't care what happened and why. So I quit. Sorry author. Next time don't rip off a beloved author (who's books have been made into movies so that even those who don't read know the stories) and make your main character likeable. Don't make him a moron asshole whiner.
There are two reasons I gave up on this book at 44% (can't say I didn't give it a fair try).
1) The author ripped off Andy Weir. (Okay there are some slight differences but anyone who's read Weir's books will immediately recognize the basic theme that's going on, plus Weir is a much better writer.)
2) The main character is an annoying, whining asshole.
The MC (I can't even remember his name) is alone on a small one-person station on an asteroid in a solar system empty of human life. The station is like a radio tower that extends signals out to the habitable systems. Something like that. Oh, and there's a non-AI computer voice that is basically an alarm clock/early warning (not that he can do anything if a rogue comet comes zooming his way because his little station has zero defenses) that the MC has named "Nag". (lol)
The MC whines about how he gets crap jobs and has been passed over for promotion, but then tells us that he basically has a bad work ethic and sometimes no work ethic. So, basically he's created his own problems that he whines about and blames upper management for. What a moron!
Then something happens and ah, who cares, I'll spoil it a little for ya, a small alien spaceship crash lands on his asteroid. MC is all excited thinking that this is his moment, that his name will be famous, etc. only to find out that a special first contact team is speeding on it's way to him and for MC to not touch anything. Well MC is having none of that. He's not gonna let them push his to the sidelines and take all the credit for his discovery. So he's goes out to the alien ship and...I won't spoil it anymore except to say he's a frickin' moron! It's like some junior cop walking all over a crime scene trying to find something so they can get credit for it.
I couldn't take it any more. I got to the point where I didn't care what happened and why. So I quit. Sorry author. Next time don't rip off a beloved author (who's books have been made into movies so that even those who don't read know the stories) and make your main character likeable. Don't make him a moron asshole whiner.
October 24, 2026
The Asterist by A.T. Sayre is an enjoyable, short first-contact story that balances scientific exploration with humor and heart. The interactions between Jeffries, NAG, and AL add charm, while the growing bond between Jeffries and AL highlights the potential for friendship and understanding between very different species.
There clearly similarities to Project Hail Mary, but not enough that it feels repetitive or takes away from the enjoyment. I especially appreciated how Jeffries navigates politics and his superiors, relying on his own judgment, resourcefulness, and compassion to rise to the occasion. The imperfect communication between the characters also felt realistic, showing how trust can develop through actions as much as words.
I highly recommend the audiobook, the narrator does an excellent job. My only drawback was the open-ended conclusion, which left me wanting more closure, but that is personal pet peeve. Overall, this is a thoughtful and heartfelt first-contact story that explores science, friendship, and the possibilities of life beyond our own.
Thank you A.T Sayre, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There clearly similarities to Project Hail Mary, but not enough that it feels repetitive or takes away from the enjoyment. I especially appreciated how Jeffries navigates politics and his superiors, relying on his own judgment, resourcefulness, and compassion to rise to the occasion. The imperfect communication between the characters also felt realistic, showing how trust can develop through actions as much as words.
I highly recommend the audiobook, the narrator does an excellent job. My only drawback was the open-ended conclusion, which left me wanting more closure, but that is personal pet peeve. Overall, this is a thoughtful and heartfelt first-contact story that explores science, friendship, and the possibilities of life beyond our own.
Thank you A.T Sayre, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2026
If you liked Project Hail Mary then you might like this, too, as it’s in a similar vein. It’s not an identical story but it’s very close. I found it immensely satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook and narrator Jon Vertullo does a superb job.
I listened to the audiobook and narrator Jon Vertullo does a superb job.
October 29, 2026
Dear God, what a debut novel. I wept so hard at the end. This will have my vote for the Hugo and Nebula this year and it absolutely should have yours. If you buy only one book this year, buy this.
November 4, 2026
The Asterist by A.T. Sayre
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.
Let's get the obvious out of the way first. If you've read Project Hail Mary, you will spot it within the first few chapters. A lone man far from home, a crashed alien, and a friendship built from scratch. The bones of this book are very, very similar.
Whether that's a problem depends entirely on what kind of reader you are. Some people love more of the same, and they'll have a great time here. Others read for new ideas and twists they didn't see coming, and they'll probably be grinding their teeth at how familiar it all feels. For me it was like a cover of a song I love. I could enjoy the new voice and the different sound, but it never quite grabbed me the way the original does.
What's different is the scale. This time it's not the whole world on the line, and there's no threat to humanity hanging over everything. Instead it's a smaller, more personal tale about one man deciding he knows better than the people giving orders from light years away.
Bill Jeffries is the Asterist, alone on his station at the dead end of the galaxy, and he's not exactly employee of the month. Plenty of readers seem to find him lazy or whiny. I didn't. To me he's efficient. He does every job he's given, even the ones he hates, he just won't lift a finger more than he has to if he can't see the point. I'm a bit like that myself, so I got him. And the moment something actually matters to him, he switches gears completely and shows how much he can care, think and do.
His snark worked for me too, and the audiobook helped a lot there. Jon Vertullo plays him just right. With a character like this, the voice makes or breaks him. Read one way he could easily come across as whiny, but here he lands as dry and a bit snarky instead.
The alien is described as spider-like, but with only four legs I never imagined a spider. It was fascinating rather than creepy, and I loved that they communicate through colours. Watching the two of them get to know each other was the heart of the book for me. It's a slow warming. You don't understand someone, then bit by bit you start to, and the more you understand, the more you care. There's a real playfulness too. They play cards, and the alien gets mock annoyed when Jeffries tries to cheat. Yes, it's déjà vu again, but I'm a sucker for found family, even when the family is one man and one alien.
I also loved how the time delay with home was worked in. Every message he gets is about something he did hours ago, and by the time they see what he's doing now, he's long moved on again. So you get experts carefully telling him how to handle samples while admitting he's probably already suited up and out there. It's funny, and it makes the distance feel real.
Nag, the station computer, was an interesting choice. It can crunch huge amounts of data, but it only ever does exactly what it's told. Ask it for an educated guess and you just get "insufficient data". It calculates, it doesn't think. That felt a little strange in a future where we travel between star systems. Then again, maybe humanity ditched thinking machines for a reason.
The ending is open and on the sad side. One big emotional moment went by too fast to hit me as hard as it should have. It didn't leave me cold, but I wanted more time to sit with it. Not knowing exactly how things turn out didn't bother me though. And I loved the epilogue from a different point of view. It shows how alike two very different species can think, which was a nice touch. I only wish that voice had sounded less human.
The Asterist is a warm, small-scale first contact novel about a grumpy man and an alien learning to understand each other. It walks very close in Project Hail Mary's footsteps, but if you're happy to revisit familiar ground, it's a cosy, bittersweet trip.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.
Let's get the obvious out of the way first. If you've read Project Hail Mary, you will spot it within the first few chapters. A lone man far from home, a crashed alien, and a friendship built from scratch. The bones of this book are very, very similar.
Whether that's a problem depends entirely on what kind of reader you are. Some people love more of the same, and they'll have a great time here. Others read for new ideas and twists they didn't see coming, and they'll probably be grinding their teeth at how familiar it all feels. For me it was like a cover of a song I love. I could enjoy the new voice and the different sound, but it never quite grabbed me the way the original does.
What's different is the scale. This time it's not the whole world on the line, and there's no threat to humanity hanging over everything. Instead it's a smaller, more personal tale about one man deciding he knows better than the people giving orders from light years away.
Bill Jeffries is the Asterist, alone on his station at the dead end of the galaxy, and he's not exactly employee of the month. Plenty of readers seem to find him lazy or whiny. I didn't. To me he's efficient. He does every job he's given, even the ones he hates, he just won't lift a finger more than he has to if he can't see the point. I'm a bit like that myself, so I got him. And the moment something actually matters to him, he switches gears completely and shows how much he can care, think and do.
His snark worked for me too, and the audiobook helped a lot there. Jon Vertullo plays him just right. With a character like this, the voice makes or breaks him. Read one way he could easily come across as whiny, but here he lands as dry and a bit snarky instead.
The alien is described as spider-like, but with only four legs I never imagined a spider. It was fascinating rather than creepy, and I loved that they communicate through colours. Watching the two of them get to know each other was the heart of the book for me. It's a slow warming. You don't understand someone, then bit by bit you start to, and the more you understand, the more you care. There's a real playfulness too. They play cards, and the alien gets mock annoyed when Jeffries tries to cheat. Yes, it's déjà vu again, but I'm a sucker for found family, even when the family is one man and one alien.
I also loved how the time delay with home was worked in. Every message he gets is about something he did hours ago, and by the time they see what he's doing now, he's long moved on again. So you get experts carefully telling him how to handle samples while admitting he's probably already suited up and out there. It's funny, and it makes the distance feel real.
Nag, the station computer, was an interesting choice. It can crunch huge amounts of data, but it only ever does exactly what it's told. Ask it for an educated guess and you just get "insufficient data". It calculates, it doesn't think. That felt a little strange in a future where we travel between star systems. Then again, maybe humanity ditched thinking machines for a reason.
The ending is open and on the sad side. One big emotional moment went by too fast to hit me as hard as it should have. It didn't leave me cold, but I wanted more time to sit with it. Not knowing exactly how things turn out didn't bother me though. And I loved the epilogue from a different point of view. It shows how alike two very different species can think, which was a nice touch. I only wish that voice had sounded less human.
The Asterist is a warm, small-scale first contact novel about a grumpy man and an alien learning to understand each other. It walks very close in Project Hail Mary's footsteps, but if you're happy to revisit familiar ground, it's a cosy, bittersweet trip.
October 20, 2026
~Thank you to RBMedia for the complimentary ALC of The Asterist~
The marketing for this book recommends it to fans of Andy Weir. As someone who adored Project Hail Mary, I concur with that assessment; this story shares the snarky-dude-protagonist-sloppily-does-first-contact vibes. The scope here is narrower, solely focused on the human and alien interactions. There's less technical science stuff and language interpretation.
At the beginning of the book, I was so annoyed with Jeffries. He's been living alone on an asteroid base for a long time and makes some impulsive and stupid-seeming decisions. But truth be told, I love a protagonist whose actions propel the story forward, so I appreciated the agency and initiative. And indeed, his actions are what make things interesting! When the scientists seemed to approve of, or at least be excited by, what Jeffries was doing, I was on board.
I love interspecies friendships that explore how different intelligent species might interact and attempt to communicate and form common understanding, to see the empathy and care that can grow between them. I didn't expect to find this as touching as I did, but I may have shed a tear or two (who can say?).
The audiobook narrator does a great job. Since our protagonist has a healthy dose of snark, we get to hear that in his voice. The voice of the on-board AI has that perfect stoicism and professionalism, which is a fun juxtaposition.
Overall, I would recommend this to sci-fi fans! It's a bit shorter than a lot of books in the genre, but the length of it serves this particular story well. It's interesting, and we have an engaging (though slightly frustrating) protagonist. The ending is a little open-ended in a way that left me satisfied because it let me draw conclusions and write my own ending in my mind.
The marketing for this book recommends it to fans of Andy Weir. As someone who adored Project Hail Mary, I concur with that assessment; this story shares the snarky-dude-protagonist-sloppily-does-first-contact vibes. The scope here is narrower, solely focused on the human and alien interactions. There's less technical science stuff and language interpretation.
At the beginning of the book, I was so annoyed with Jeffries. He's been living alone on an asteroid base for a long time and makes some impulsive and stupid-seeming decisions. But truth be told, I love a protagonist whose actions propel the story forward, so I appreciated the agency and initiative. And indeed, his actions are what make things interesting! When the scientists seemed to approve of, or at least be excited by, what Jeffries was doing, I was on board.
I love interspecies friendships that explore how different intelligent species might interact and attempt to communicate and form common understanding, to see the empathy and care that can grow between them. I didn't expect to find this as touching as I did, but I may have shed a tear or two (who can say?).
The audiobook narrator does a great job. Since our protagonist has a healthy dose of snark, we get to hear that in his voice. The voice of the on-board AI has that perfect stoicism and professionalism, which is a fun juxtaposition.
Overall, I would recommend this to sci-fi fans! It's a bit shorter than a lot of books in the genre, but the length of it serves this particular story well. It's interesting, and we have an engaging (though slightly frustrating) protagonist. The ending is a little open-ended in a way that left me satisfied because it let me draw conclusions and write my own ending in my mind.
October 20, 2026
I received a free copy of The Asterist by A.T. Sayre via NetGalley and Dreamscape Media — a big thank you!
Imagine being 100% alone. Like, honestly, 100% alone. No other humans... anywhere... just alone. Bill Jeffries is that kind of alone. He works on a space station, and his only constant company is an AI computer called Nag (love it!). His mundane job/existence (I guess that's fair to say because what else can he really do up there aside from... exist?) is interrupted when an alien craft crashes near his station. Once he reports the crash, he receives direct orders from his superiors to basically stand down and do nothing until a special unit arrives. But naturally, who's going to follow THAT order?
This book is FUNNY. I wasn't expecting that! It's a serious story, not a comedy, but the dry humor is on point. I really enjoyed the commander — the bickering, even when she wasn't getting a response, was so well done. I really enjoyed the story, and I feel like a lot of it could tie into what would probably happen if first contact occurred in this way. It felt believable. Definitely recommend!
Imagine being 100% alone. Like, honestly, 100% alone. No other humans... anywhere... just alone. Bill Jeffries is that kind of alone. He works on a space station, and his only constant company is an AI computer called Nag (love it!). His mundane job/existence (I guess that's fair to say because what else can he really do up there aside from... exist?) is interrupted when an alien craft crashes near his station. Once he reports the crash, he receives direct orders from his superiors to basically stand down and do nothing until a special unit arrives. But naturally, who's going to follow THAT order?
This book is FUNNY. I wasn't expecting that! It's a serious story, not a comedy, but the dry humor is on point. I really enjoyed the commander — the bickering, even when she wasn't getting a response, was so well done. I really enjoyed the story, and I feel like a lot of it could tie into what would probably happen if first contact occurred in this way. It felt believable. Definitely recommend!
Want to Read
November 3, 2026Some readers feel it's too derivative of the Andy Weir original, "Project Hail Mary". So, maybe?
Here's the author, at Scalzi's: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2026/10/2...
Excerpt:
"He’s a bitter, foul-mouthed, even somewhat mean-spirited man, beaten down by a life that did not turn out as well as he had hoped, which he responds metaphorically to with a perpetual middle finger. It’s a life of grievances, excuses, and petty snark. If there is any type of person who would embrace his fear of the other, it would be him."
Hrm. Maybe??
Here's the author, at Scalzi's: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2026/10/2...
Excerpt:
"He’s a bitter, foul-mouthed, even somewhat mean-spirited man, beaten down by a life that did not turn out as well as he had hoped, which he responds metaphorically to with a perpetual middle finger. It’s a life of grievances, excuses, and petty snark. If there is any type of person who would embrace his fear of the other, it would be him."
Hrm. Maybe??
October 21, 2026
Thank you net galley for the arc of this book. I love anything that has to do with space and aliens so I knew I was going to enjoy this book. That said I think wanted just a little more story at the end to tie it up a little more. I thought there were some great comedy moments while also having deeply emotional moments that show the true duality of the main character. Over all great listen and will definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.
September 24, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Diversion Books for the ARC in exchange for a review.
Bill Jeffries is an Asteroid Station Commander (Asterist) trying to fulfill his duties to get his pension and retire. His only companion is his computer, which he lovingly calls Nag.
Nag informs him that there is an incoming asteroid storm but fails to mention the incoming spacecraft that is crashing with it. An Asterist is not equipped with the knowledge to handle combing through the wreckage or any first encounters with a new species, if there happens to be one on the ship. Against the judgement of everyone communicating with him, decides he is going to poke around anyways.
I am a sucker for all things space or alien, so this was a no brainer or me to pick up. The story combines science with empathy and is written well enough that you feel all of the feelings with the characters. I am glad this was my introduction to author A.T. Sayre, and I will be picking up a few of his other books.
Bill Jeffries is an Asteroid Station Commander (Asterist) trying to fulfill his duties to get his pension and retire. His only companion is his computer, which he lovingly calls Nag.
Nag informs him that there is an incoming asteroid storm but fails to mention the incoming spacecraft that is crashing with it. An Asterist is not equipped with the knowledge to handle combing through the wreckage or any first encounters with a new species, if there happens to be one on the ship. Against the judgement of everyone communicating with him, decides he is going to poke around anyways.
I am a sucker for all things space or alien, so this was a no brainer or me to pick up. The story combines science with empathy and is written well enough that you feel all of the feelings with the characters. I am glad this was my introduction to author A.T. Sayre, and I will be picking up a few of his other books.
October 23, 2026
This book was really good story of first contact meeting two different species meeting and trying tinderstand each other and nice good Sci-Fi book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Honest review of The Asterist by A.T. Sayre: I was a little skeptical at first, but once the plot kicked in, I was fully invested!
The story follows a guy stationed alone on a remote asteroid whose boring routine gets upended when an alien spacecraft crashes.
Instead of a typical sci-fi action thriller, it turns into a battle of wills between Jeffries and the commanding higher-ups from afar.
While the distant bureaucracy debates whether the survivor is a threat or a test subject, Jeffries actively goes against his explicit orders to care for it.
The writer did such an incredible job bringing forth empathy through this defiance that I was genuinely crying by the final pages.
The story follows a guy stationed alone on a remote asteroid whose boring routine gets upended when an alien spacecraft crashes.
Instead of a typical sci-fi action thriller, it turns into a battle of wills between Jeffries and the commanding higher-ups from afar.
While the distant bureaucracy debates whether the survivor is a threat or a test subject, Jeffries actively goes against his explicit orders to care for it.
The writer did such an incredible job bringing forth empathy through this defiance that I was genuinely crying by the final pages.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The idea of being in outerspace, off-world or space exploration brings in a sense of excitement and adventure for any person who loves and wonders what it would be like beyond earth. However, not all jobs offered in space is as interesting as it sounds. Segway to our MC who has been assigned a post in a asteroid set strategically for a communications post. Our MC, Cmdr Jeffries has is like a glorified guard monitoring and keeping the outpost maintained. Its a very mundane and boring task made more tedious with routines and reports that detail no issues day after day. Until a crash happens next to his outpost which changes everything and turns his boring day into an unforgettable moment of first contact.
The story goes beyond discovery of the crash site and collecting debris for further study. It is first contact and how to deal with this encounter. Do we become hard scientists and focus on data collection or do we do so with some empathy and understanding to learn more of the specie in a different way than lab tests.
I like the fact that the story combined both scientific understanding as well as having heart and learning about the alien. And because of this, it not only paves a way of understanding a different race but creating a friendship with them. It is finding life beyond ours in this vast universe and knowing that friendships can grow between two very different species which will last longer and create alliances.
The writing makes our MC more relatable as he deals with politics, his superiors - making his own judgements and following sense and heart. For an “assumed” nobody like him, he rose to the occasion able to figure and analyze things out with the resources he has. I like the fact that communication wasn’t properly established between them yet still with actions understand that both mean well and are there to help each other. Because honestly if that did happen, it wudnt be realistic.
I greatly enjoyed the book and was hoping for it not to end. I love reading sci fi books and this one did not disappoint. I am actually going to read his other novel because of this. Good ending as well. Recommend!
The story goes beyond discovery of the crash site and collecting debris for further study. It is first contact and how to deal with this encounter. Do we become hard scientists and focus on data collection or do we do so with some empathy and understanding to learn more of the specie in a different way than lab tests.
I like the fact that the story combined both scientific understanding as well as having heart and learning about the alien. And because of this, it not only paves a way of understanding a different race but creating a friendship with them. It is finding life beyond ours in this vast universe and knowing that friendships can grow between two very different species which will last longer and create alliances.
The writing makes our MC more relatable as he deals with politics, his superiors - making his own judgements and following sense and heart. For an “assumed” nobody like him, he rose to the occasion able to figure and analyze things out with the resources he has. I like the fact that communication wasn’t properly established between them yet still with actions understand that both mean well and are there to help each other. Because honestly if that did happen, it wudnt be realistic.
I greatly enjoyed the book and was hoping for it not to end. I love reading sci fi books and this one did not disappoint. I am actually going to read his other novel because of this. Good ending as well. Recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
In The Asterist A.T. Sayre certainly delivers on what you’d expect from the best hard science fiction first contact tales but he’s equally adept at inserting humanity into the narrative. This is a story that will leave readers processing various thoughts and emotions long after the final words.
October 23, 2026
The Asterist by A.T. Sayre Audiobook narrated by Jon Vertullo
I really, really liked this one!
Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect or where the story was going to take me. The description compares it to Andy Weir and John Scalzi, and I can absolutely see that. It gave me strong Andy Weir feelings with just a tiny sprinkle of John Scalzi thrown in.
BUT, and I think this is important, if you're expecting the same level of scientific competency and problem-solving that you typically get from an Andy Weir character, you might be disappointed. Our main character is not some brilliant scientist who always knows exactly what to do. He makes some pretty dumb decisions depending on who you ask. But he's also just a guy thrown into an incredibly unique situation, doing the best he can with the knowledge and resources he has. And I loved those types of stories.
There were moments when I was genuinely giggling because, yes, this is futuristic science fiction, but apparently even in the future with faster than light travel, AI is only as smart as the instructions you give it.
What surprised me most was how much heart this story had. Underneath all the science fiction and first contact discoveries is a story about empathy. About recognizing another living being as something more than a scientific discovery or a problem to solve. Sometimes our humanity and ability to care are more powerful than all the technology in the universe.
I can see some readers criticizing the pacing, particularly during the discovery phase, or feeling like the story doesn't follow the typical narrative arc they're expecting. But I actually appreciated both of those things. I enjoyed the process of figuring things out alongside the characters. Not every book needs to follow the same formula, and I don't think this one would have been better if it had.
And that ending! I wanted MORE. Not because I felt cheated, but because I was so invested in this world and these characters that I genuinely wanted to know what happened next. It doesn't wrap everything up neatly like you might expect from an Andy Weir novel, and that's perfectly okay. This is its own story.
I also want to give some credit to audiobook narrator Jon Vertullo. He did a fantastic job! I never had trouble figuring out who was speaking, and none of the character voices or narration choices pulled me out of the story. That's a big deal for me with audiobooks. His performance made it easy to just settle in and enjoy the experience.
This was such a solid first contact story, and I'm really glad I picked it up.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing the audiobook for review. This review is my honest opinion.
5 Stars – For readers who love first contact sci-fi, imperfect characters making questionable decisions, a little humor, and stories that remind us that empathy might just be humanity's greatest strength.
I really, really liked this one!
Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect or where the story was going to take me. The description compares it to Andy Weir and John Scalzi, and I can absolutely see that. It gave me strong Andy Weir feelings with just a tiny sprinkle of John Scalzi thrown in.
BUT, and I think this is important, if you're expecting the same level of scientific competency and problem-solving that you typically get from an Andy Weir character, you might be disappointed. Our main character is not some brilliant scientist who always knows exactly what to do. He makes some pretty dumb decisions depending on who you ask. But he's also just a guy thrown into an incredibly unique situation, doing the best he can with the knowledge and resources he has. And I loved those types of stories.
There were moments when I was genuinely giggling because, yes, this is futuristic science fiction, but apparently even in the future with faster than light travel, AI is only as smart as the instructions you give it.
What surprised me most was how much heart this story had. Underneath all the science fiction and first contact discoveries is a story about empathy. About recognizing another living being as something more than a scientific discovery or a problem to solve. Sometimes our humanity and ability to care are more powerful than all the technology in the universe.
I can see some readers criticizing the pacing, particularly during the discovery phase, or feeling like the story doesn't follow the typical narrative arc they're expecting. But I actually appreciated both of those things. I enjoyed the process of figuring things out alongside the characters. Not every book needs to follow the same formula, and I don't think this one would have been better if it had.
And that ending! I wanted MORE. Not because I felt cheated, but because I was so invested in this world and these characters that I genuinely wanted to know what happened next. It doesn't wrap everything up neatly like you might expect from an Andy Weir novel, and that's perfectly okay. This is its own story.
I also want to give some credit to audiobook narrator Jon Vertullo. He did a fantastic job! I never had trouble figuring out who was speaking, and none of the character voices or narration choices pulled me out of the story. That's a big deal for me with audiobooks. His performance made it easy to just settle in and enjoy the experience.
This was such a solid first contact story, and I'm really glad I picked it up.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing the audiobook for review. This review is my honest opinion.
5 Stars – For readers who love first contact sci-fi, imperfect characters making questionable decisions, a little humor, and stories that remind us that empathy might just be humanity's greatest strength.
October 24, 2026
⭐ Story: 4.5/5
🎧 Audiobook Performance: 5/5
Narrated by Jon Vertullo
I went into The Asterist hoping for an engaging science fiction adventure, and I came away with so much more than I expected.
I’ll admit, the story took a little time to find its footing for me. But Ben’s wonderfully sarcastic inner commentary caught my attention almost immediately. I love a protagonist with a little attitude, and his dry humor and personality made him someone I genuinely enjoyed spending time with.
As the story progressed, what initially felt like an intriguing science fiction premise developed into something far more emotionally compelling. The characters grew on me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and before I knew it, I was completely invested.
What I appreciated most was the emotional depth beneath the science fiction elements. A. T. Sayre explores connection, humanity, sacrifice, and the things that make us who we are without losing the sense of curiosity and discovery that makes this genre so enjoyable.
And the ending? I have feelings. SO MANY FEELINGS. I’m still thinking about this book, and I desperately want more. That’s all I’m saying because this is absolutely a story worth experiencing for yourself.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook.
Jon Vertullo’s narration was outstanding. His delivery of the protagonist’s sarcasm was fantastic, but it was the emotional range and nuance of his performance that really impressed me. He brought so much personality and authenticity to the story, and his narration kept me engaged even during the slower opening. An easy five stars, and he’s officially earned a place on my list of favorite narrators.
The pacing is the only thing keeping the story itself from a full five stars. Once it found its rhythm, though, I was hooked.
Beautifully performed, unexpectedly emotional, and filled with the kind of characters who stay with you long after the final chapter.
I finished wanting more, and for me, that’s one of the best compliments I can give a book.
A huge thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary audiobook listening copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
🎧 Audiobook Performance: 5/5
Narrated by Jon Vertullo
I went into The Asterist hoping for an engaging science fiction adventure, and I came away with so much more than I expected.
I’ll admit, the story took a little time to find its footing for me. But Ben’s wonderfully sarcastic inner commentary caught my attention almost immediately. I love a protagonist with a little attitude, and his dry humor and personality made him someone I genuinely enjoyed spending time with.
As the story progressed, what initially felt like an intriguing science fiction premise developed into something far more emotionally compelling. The characters grew on me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and before I knew it, I was completely invested.
What I appreciated most was the emotional depth beneath the science fiction elements. A. T. Sayre explores connection, humanity, sacrifice, and the things that make us who we are without losing the sense of curiosity and discovery that makes this genre so enjoyable.
And the ending? I have feelings. SO MANY FEELINGS. I’m still thinking about this book, and I desperately want more. That’s all I’m saying because this is absolutely a story worth experiencing for yourself.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook.
Jon Vertullo’s narration was outstanding. His delivery of the protagonist’s sarcasm was fantastic, but it was the emotional range and nuance of his performance that really impressed me. He brought so much personality and authenticity to the story, and his narration kept me engaged even during the slower opening. An easy five stars, and he’s officially earned a place on my list of favorite narrators.
The pacing is the only thing keeping the story itself from a full five stars. Once it found its rhythm, though, I was hooked.
Beautifully performed, unexpectedly emotional, and filled with the kind of characters who stay with you long after the final chapter.
I finished wanting more, and for me, that’s one of the best compliments I can give a book.
A huge thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary audiobook listening copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2026
I wanted to love this one from the start, and, as an Andy Weir devotee, the comparison to Project Hail Mary set a high bar. The Asterist begins slowly, following a disengaged protagonist putting in his time at a remote asteroid outpost until his pension kicks in. But when first contact with a sentient species falls into his lap, Bill Jeffries transforms into exactly the kind of hero worth following.
What distinguishes this story is its scientific realism, particularly the communication time delay between distant points in space, which isn't merely a background detail but a genuine plot driver. Jeffries' physical proximity to the alien gives him control of a situation that the official first contact team, racing across the galaxy, cannot yet reach. Without him making on-site, on-the-spot decisions, this first contact story would have gone very differently.
Without enough time in the story for a shared language to develop, the alien did not attach to my heart as readily as Rocky did in Project Hail Mary. What fills that gap, however, is Jeffries himself: his dedication to the alien's safety and wellbeing grows from mere insubordination into full self-sacrifice for a creature he barely knows, driven purely by compassion and a conviction that basic rights extend beyond humanity. The epilogue, narrated from a different point of view, provides a quiet but meaningful confirmation of the kinship that formed between them.
It started slowly and finished satisfactorily, but by the halfway point I was hooked, and Jeffries earned every bit of it.
What distinguishes this story is its scientific realism, particularly the communication time delay between distant points in space, which isn't merely a background detail but a genuine plot driver. Jeffries' physical proximity to the alien gives him control of a situation that the official first contact team, racing across the galaxy, cannot yet reach. Without him making on-site, on-the-spot decisions, this first contact story would have gone very differently.
Without enough time in the story for a shared language to develop, the alien did not attach to my heart as readily as Rocky did in Project Hail Mary. What fills that gap, however, is Jeffries himself: his dedication to the alien's safety and wellbeing grows from mere insubordination into full self-sacrifice for a creature he barely knows, driven purely by compassion and a conviction that basic rights extend beyond humanity. The epilogue, narrated from a different point of view, provides a quiet but meaningful confirmation of the kinship that formed between them.
It started slowly and finished satisfactorily, but by the halfway point I was hooked, and Jeffries earned every bit of it.
November 3, 2026
What a ride! I agree with a lot of the DNF comments that the main character is not likeable in the beginning of the book. I think he didn't have his first redeeming thought until about 40% into the book. The pacing was a little slow in the first 30-40% of the book as well. But the setting was great and I felt like there was a lot of potential for the story, so I persevered to see if there would be some character growth once the action picked up. And I'm so glad that I did!
The narrator was phenomenal, and that was part of what kept me going. It's easier to continue a lackluster book when I can listen to it while multitasking. But a bad narrator would have guaranteed I gave up too early. Jon Vertullo masterfully emoted, and his accents and character voices enhanced the story.
The complaints that this was just a rip-off of Project Hail Mary are quite an exaggeration. There are some similarities, yes, but I feel like this story stands alone. On the other hand, the comparisons to Andy Weir and John Scalzi are a bit of a reach, but it was a solid, entertaining story. I love a good redemption arc, and we got that here. It was a pleasure to experience the emotional maturation of our main character.
If you love sci-fi and are looking for a good first-contact story with problem-solving, this is worth the read.
This would be good for a high school library, but I won't be acquiring it for my middle school library because there was an unnecessary amount of swearing and especially f-bombs.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC of this book.
The narrator was phenomenal, and that was part of what kept me going. It's easier to continue a lackluster book when I can listen to it while multitasking. But a bad narrator would have guaranteed I gave up too early. Jon Vertullo masterfully emoted, and his accents and character voices enhanced the story.
The complaints that this was just a rip-off of Project Hail Mary are quite an exaggeration. There are some similarities, yes, but I feel like this story stands alone. On the other hand, the comparisons to Andy Weir and John Scalzi are a bit of a reach, but it was a solid, entertaining story. I love a good redemption arc, and we got that here. It was a pleasure to experience the emotional maturation of our main character.
If you love sci-fi and are looking for a good first-contact story with problem-solving, this is worth the read.
This would be good for a high school library, but I won't be acquiring it for my middle school library because there was an unnecessary amount of swearing and especially f-bombs.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC of this book.
November 7, 2026
The Asterist is an easy to grasp science fiction novel reminiscent of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I do think most people who have actually seen or read Project Hail Mary will be able to see the comparisons, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing for people who liked Project Hail Mary and would enjoy a similar first contact story.
The narrator for the audiobook is great and captures the personality of Jeffries well. Our Asterist is witty and stubborn and reminds me a bit of Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl. That being said, he makes a lot of poor decisions which might have some readers shaking their head at him.
This book isn’t overly long or complicated so I think it’s perfect for people just sticking their toes into science fiction or those who don’t care to have a lot of science info-dumping in their science fiction because this book has very minimal explanations about how anything works, in part because Jeffries himself isn’t top of the pay grade.
While the book was fast-paced and suspenseful, if anything I wish we could have gotten a longer epilogue or some follow-through about the experiments run in the book because the ending was a bit unsatisfying to me and I wanted to know more. I did enjoy this story and while I can see the comparisons to Project Hail Mary I think it was also unique and recommend listening to the audiobook.
The narrator for the audiobook is great and captures the personality of Jeffries well. Our Asterist is witty and stubborn and reminds me a bit of Carl from Dungeon Crawler Carl. That being said, he makes a lot of poor decisions which might have some readers shaking their head at him.
This book isn’t overly long or complicated so I think it’s perfect for people just sticking their toes into science fiction or those who don’t care to have a lot of science info-dumping in their science fiction because this book has very minimal explanations about how anything works, in part because Jeffries himself isn’t top of the pay grade.
While the book was fast-paced and suspenseful, if anything I wish we could have gotten a longer epilogue or some follow-through about the experiments run in the book because the ending was a bit unsatisfying to me and I wanted to know more. I did enjoy this story and while I can see the comparisons to Project Hail Mary I think it was also unique and recommend listening to the audiobook.
October 31, 2026
Thank you to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing a gifted advance digital audiobook review copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
An enjoyable alien first contact story that takes its cues from Andy Weir’s The Martian and Project Hail Mary.
Although I mostly found the main character to be an insufferable man-baby, I didn’t mind this story given its balancing of existential morality and mid-level technicality, and its fast pace.
There were many times I did cringe at the main character’s behaviour and dialogue, which mostly comes off as petulant and self-absorbed - and I think at times the audiobook narrator may have exacerbated this in how they read his voice. The frequently consulted AI assistant didn’t have much character or smarts to balance this either. But the second half of the book presents some redeeming experiences through moving interactions between the alien and the MC, along with the speculative side of alien first contact. There were points that I really copped it in the feels, particularly during the Epilogue when we finally get a chance to experience a different point of view.
If you enjoy Andy Weir’s space adventures and Matt Dinniman’s humour, you might enjoy this one.
An enjoyable alien first contact story that takes its cues from Andy Weir’s The Martian and Project Hail Mary.
Although I mostly found the main character to be an insufferable man-baby, I didn’t mind this story given its balancing of existential morality and mid-level technicality, and its fast pace.
There were many times I did cringe at the main character’s behaviour and dialogue, which mostly comes off as petulant and self-absorbed - and I think at times the audiobook narrator may have exacerbated this in how they read his voice. The frequently consulted AI assistant didn’t have much character or smarts to balance this either. But the second half of the book presents some redeeming experiences through moving interactions between the alien and the MC, along with the speculative side of alien first contact. There were points that I really copped it in the feels, particularly during the Epilogue when we finally get a chance to experience a different point of view.
If you enjoy Andy Weir’s space adventures and Matt Dinniman’s humour, you might enjoy this one.
October 28, 2026
Jon Vertullo does a very good job voicing the different characters and gives all of them very distinct and memorable voices. I did find the contrast between the "lived in" voices and the more straightforward, neutral narration of the story proper a little jarring at first. I would have loved to hear some of the same personality for that part of the audiobook, but I quickly got used to it (More a matter of personal taste honestly) and still very much enjoyed the book and the narration!
As for the book itself, I found the story very enjoyable and also a bit heart wrenching towards the end. (I wonder what the timeline would have looked like if Jeffries listened to some of those messages after all). I can see where some might draw comparison between this and PHM, but I think The Asterist both stands on - and holds - its' own. Jeffries had a depth to him and felt authentic, with all his flaws and vices, wich I especially liked since we don't get to know much about the alien until late in the book. That's a long time to keep the interest of the reader and listener, and I think Sayre did an excellent job with Jeffries as well as giving Vertullo lots of golden nuggets to work with!
A great and strongly recommended listen!
November 8, 2026
Jeffries has been stationed on a remote outpost on an asteroid lightyears away from anyone else. It's a 2 year posting, and he is BORED. That is until the asteroid intersects a debris field that turns out to be the remnants of an alien ship, complete with aliens! Jeffries is definitely not trained for this and honestly doesn't really know what to do, but it's several hours delay between each message to the nearest scientists (and even longer to any sort of authority figure), so it's up to Jeffries to do what he thinks best.
The blurb compared the book to Weir and Scalzi. Other than "it happens in space" I don't really see the comparison. There's some humor, but not as successful as Scalzi at merging humor with dramatic situations. There's some humanity/warmth, but not at the level that Weir achieves. It's a good sciencey sci-fi, but I wouldn't put it on the level of Weir or Scalzi. I enjoyed it, though, and will watch for other books by the author.
The narration was good, not spectacular, but nothing glaringly problematic.
I received an ARC of this audiobook from #NetGalley.
The blurb compared the book to Weir and Scalzi. Other than "it happens in space" I don't really see the comparison. There's some humor, but not as successful as Scalzi at merging humor with dramatic situations. There's some humanity/warmth, but not at the level that Weir achieves. It's a good sciencey sci-fi, but I wouldn't put it on the level of Weir or Scalzi. I enjoyed it, though, and will watch for other books by the author.
The narration was good, not spectacular, but nothing glaringly problematic.
I received an ARC of this audiobook from #NetGalley.
November 2, 2026
The Asterist follows Bill Jeffries, a man whose life aboard a space station is defined by isolation. His only constant companion is NAG, an AI computer system. The story offers an accessible introduction to science fiction.
The story starts slowly but builds toward a strong finish. The straightforward writing and simple scientific terminology make the book easy to follow, even for readers who are new to the genre. While I would have enjoyed more world-building and a deeper exploration of the setting, the low-stakes plot offers a relaxed reading experience.
The Asterist is a good starting point for readers looking to dip their toes into science fiction without getting overwhelmed by complicated scientific concepts or an elaborate fictional universe. Fans of quieter, character-focused science fiction may also enjoy this one. I look forward to what A.T. Sayre does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for me to read and honestly review.
The story starts slowly but builds toward a strong finish. The straightforward writing and simple scientific terminology make the book easy to follow, even for readers who are new to the genre. While I would have enjoyed more world-building and a deeper exploration of the setting, the low-stakes plot offers a relaxed reading experience.
The Asterist is a good starting point for readers looking to dip their toes into science fiction without getting overwhelmed by complicated scientific concepts or an elaborate fictional universe. Fans of quieter, character-focused science fiction may also enjoy this one. I look forward to what A.T. Sayre does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for me to read and honestly review.
October 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance audiobook of this story. All thoughts are my own.
The Asterist is a first-contact story unlike any I've read yet. Jeffries is all alone in his station, aside from his AI, which he refers to as "Nag." Aptly named, this one. When a vessel crashes near his station, he's ordered to stand down until a team can arrive to "assist." But that doesn't sit well with him, so he defies orders and does all he can to try and help any visitors still alive.
What I Loved
Jeffries is a great character. The lengths he goes through to try and preserve life is very admirable, and his interactions with Nag were hilarious. I love a good snarky AI.
Audio Narration
Jon Vertullo handles the narration of this novel, and he did a great job.
Overall
This was a really solid novel. I look forward to more from A.T. Sayre.
The Asterist is a first-contact story unlike any I've read yet. Jeffries is all alone in his station, aside from his AI, which he refers to as "Nag." Aptly named, this one. When a vessel crashes near his station, he's ordered to stand down until a team can arrive to "assist." But that doesn't sit well with him, so he defies orders and does all he can to try and help any visitors still alive.
What I Loved
Jeffries is a great character. The lengths he goes through to try and preserve life is very admirable, and his interactions with Nag were hilarious. I love a good snarky AI.
Audio Narration
Jon Vertullo handles the narration of this novel, and he did a great job.
Overall
This was a really solid novel. I look forward to more from A.T. Sayre.
October 27, 2026
I enjoyed this listen/read and found myself choosing to listen to this over other books I had previously started. This is not burdened with science-heavy lingo and is not super long, The story flows and is paced well. There is descriptive language but it's not overly detailed so there's still room for my own imagination. The theme of working for a corporation that values financial benefit and cost effectiveness over human life/employee life is familiar. I identified with the main character who enjoys his solitude and hyper-fixates on things.
Narrator Jon Vertullo is not new to me. I enjoyed listening to his voicing in the Red Rising Saga. He offers a clean sound, even pitch and volume level, and just enough emotion to add to the story without distracting from it.
Narrator Jon Vertullo is not new to me. I enjoyed listening to his voicing in the Red Rising Saga. He offers a clean sound, even pitch and volume level, and just enough emotion to add to the story without distracting from it.
November 8, 2026
There are clear similarities between this and Andy Wier's PHM. But there are also differences. There are no science lectures and the plot is somewhat different.
A lot depends on whether you can sympathise with or relate to the main character. As the novel progresses we see that there is a little more to the character than is first suggested, but I can understand readers losing patience with him.
With all that said, I quite enjoyed this book. My main criticism would be that it ends when the most interesting questions and potential for originality are reaching their peak. The novel is short and there would have been no harm in looking in more detail at what happened next.
A lot depends on whether you can sympathise with or relate to the main character. As the novel progresses we see that there is a little more to the character than is first suggested, but I can understand readers losing patience with him.
With all that said, I quite enjoyed this book. My main criticism would be that it ends when the most interesting questions and potential for originality are reaching their peak. The novel is short and there would have been no harm in looking in more detail at what happened next.
October 23, 2026
If you loved the dry delivery of the astronaut's voice in Andy Weir's Martian, you'll definitely love this story. Jeffries is a little sassier, a little riskier, but with the same McGuyver-esque persona. My only complaint is that this was fairly short and I wanted more!
Read if you like: First contact stories/movies, ET, videos of unlikely animal friendships
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like: First contact stories/movies, ET, videos of unlikely animal friendships
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is not the first A.T. Sayre book I've read; "The Last Days of Good People" was another excellent outing. As in that first book, we have a compelling situation dealing with *genuinely* alien aliens--a rarity! These are not humans with a slightly different forehead; they have intensely different physiology, evolutionary quirks, and come from a strange and deadly-to-humans environment.
In 'The Asterist," as in 'The Last Days of Good People," we begin with a human character who may not be inherently likeable. (Is 'likeability' a necessary quality of a protagonist? Not for everyone!). Jeffries starts off in full-on Robinson Crusoe mode, a hermit in a cell on a distant asteroid, light-years from any other human. He's bored, and going through the motions of a meaningless job, towards an empty retirement. His stagnant existence is shattered when an alien ship crashes on his asteroid, and initially, his involvement in the investigation is little more than a middle finger firmly extended to the bureaucracy that wants to cut him out of the credit for the discovery of a new alien species.
Things take a turn when one of the aliens aboard the ship turns out to be very much alive! And, to take the Robinson Crusoe analogy a little further, the alien *could* be seen as Friday; it comes from a less technologically sophisticated species. But Jeffries comes to empathize more and more with the alien, trying desperately to communicate with it, despite the vast gulf of difference between the two individuals.
And as "Al' (short for 'alien') starts to suffer from cellular degradation, and comes perilously close to death, Jeffries solves the mysteries, one by one--the origin point for these mysterious aliens. Why their ships appear to be 'primitive' in construction. Why his new alien companion is dying--and what he must sacrifice in order to keep Al alive.
It's a cracking good book, well worth the read. Be patient with Jeffries; he's only a jerk on the outside. :P
In 'The Asterist," as in 'The Last Days of Good People," we begin with a human character who may not be inherently likeable. (Is 'likeability' a necessary quality of a protagonist? Not for everyone!). Jeffries starts off in full-on Robinson Crusoe mode, a hermit in a cell on a distant asteroid, light-years from any other human. He's bored, and going through the motions of a meaningless job, towards an empty retirement. His stagnant existence is shattered when an alien ship crashes on his asteroid, and initially, his involvement in the investigation is little more than a middle finger firmly extended to the bureaucracy that wants to cut him out of the credit for the discovery of a new alien species.
Things take a turn when one of the aliens aboard the ship turns out to be very much alive! And, to take the Robinson Crusoe analogy a little further, the alien *could* be seen as Friday; it comes from a less technologically sophisticated species. But Jeffries comes to empathize more and more with the alien, trying desperately to communicate with it, despite the vast gulf of difference between the two individuals.
And as "Al' (short for 'alien') starts to suffer from cellular degradation, and comes perilously close to death, Jeffries solves the mysteries, one by one--the origin point for these mysterious aliens. Why their ships appear to be 'primitive' in construction. Why his new alien companion is dying--and what he must sacrifice in order to keep Al alive.
It's a cracking good book, well worth the read. Be patient with Jeffries; he's only a jerk on the outside. :P
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