What do you think?
Rate this book
The Second Coming
While hiking through the wilderness of New Zealand, Ben Mitchell witnesses a remarkable a meteorite streaking through the night sky then smashing into the ground nearby. When he digs it up, it sets off a sensational chain of events that will change his life and that of two planetary systems, forever. What he uncovers will redefine history, but will it save humanity from itself or spell the beginning of a new, sinister age of subjugation?
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2015
18 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Sedgwick
8 books7 followersT.J. Sedgwick is a British science fiction novelist based in New Zealand.
His books include the novels, 'Overlord,' (2015), 'The Second Coming' (2015) and the 'Home Planet' series (2016). His new dystopian novel, 'The Free Citizen', set in a late-21st Century American dictatorship, is planned for release in mid-2019.
All of T.J.'s books feature at least some hard sci-fi and include elements of espionage, action and some political context. His fascination with the future, technology, extra-terrestrial life and human society helps feed his ideas. His influences in fiction include Adrian Tchaikovsky, Michael Crichton, Nick Kernick, Christopher Nuttall and Robert Harris.
His books include the novels, 'Overlord,' (2015), 'The Second Coming' (2015) and the 'Home Planet' series (2016). His new dystopian novel, 'The Free Citizen', set in a late-21st Century American dictatorship, is planned for release in mid-2019.
All of T.J.'s books feature at least some hard sci-fi and include elements of espionage, action and some political context. His fascination with the future, technology, extra-terrestrial life and human society helps feed his ideas. His influences in fiction include Adrian Tchaikovsky, Michael Crichton, Nick Kernick, Christopher Nuttall and Robert Harris.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 16, 2015
An enthralling tale about an aging man who is thrust into a first-contact situation. Somehow, he manages to shuffle his family life, a fatal diagnosis and a chance encounter with an alien species. But, are these aliens friendly or are they playing tricks on him? Maybe there are no aliens and it's just all in his head. Maybe it's some of both...
I was privileged to read an early draft of this one. Author T.J Sedgwick has a firm grasp on what it means to write in the science-fiction genre. In a time where good, hard Sci-Fi is actually quite difficult to find, Sedgwick produced a rare breed of first contact story that is reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke's work. He juggles many plot elements and creates likable and believable characters. Ordinary folks with extraordinary problems populate Second Coming. The worlds and cultures he creates are so vivid that my only wish was to spend more time with them. The main character, Ben, is an everyman until he discovers a meteorite while hiking one day and it changes his life forever. A simple chance finding thrusts him into a cat and mouse game with international spy agencies, powerful world governments and science labs the world over. Still, none of those people are as dangerous as the mysterious and destructive Hoard, capable of destroying whole planets. The whole time, Ben questions his sanity and ability as his health declines and his family and friends doubt him. He becomes obsessed with an alien on the other side of a computer screen that may or may not even be real. By the time Ben finds out the truth, he's already neck deep in it.
A delightful and fun read for all lovers of science fiction.
I was privileged to read an early draft of this one. Author T.J Sedgwick has a firm grasp on what it means to write in the science-fiction genre. In a time where good, hard Sci-Fi is actually quite difficult to find, Sedgwick produced a rare breed of first contact story that is reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke's work. He juggles many plot elements and creates likable and believable characters. Ordinary folks with extraordinary problems populate Second Coming. The worlds and cultures he creates are so vivid that my only wish was to spend more time with them. The main character, Ben, is an everyman until he discovers a meteorite while hiking one day and it changes his life forever. A simple chance finding thrusts him into a cat and mouse game with international spy agencies, powerful world governments and science labs the world over. Still, none of those people are as dangerous as the mysterious and destructive Hoard, capable of destroying whole planets. The whole time, Ben questions his sanity and ability as his health declines and his family and friends doubt him. He becomes obsessed with an alien on the other side of a computer screen that may or may not even be real. By the time Ben finds out the truth, he's already neck deep in it.
A delightful and fun read for all lovers of science fiction.
May 28, 2016
Truly thought provoking.
I give this work a solid 4 stars. It is well written, charming, and keeps the reader invested in the outcome. To me, very few books are worthy of 5 star perfection; I consider reviews when choosing a selection and I appreciate those hard-earned 3 and 4 star ratings. This book is definitely worth your time.
The heart of this story is what would you do if your life depended on it? Would you take a leap of faith or would you see it through to the end? The sci-fi element is distinctly human while the human element seems abstractly alien. How would governments react? Are we, as humans, capable of coexistence? My only major criticism would be in the portrayal of the American elements of the story. Sure, we're a cocky, arrogant bunch but our government shouldn't be singled out as Machiavellian players on the world stage. However; I am a very proud American and perhaps have my own bias.
Anyway, this is an excellent story that will tug at your heartstrings and broaden your ideals of being human. Read it immediately!
I give this work a solid 4 stars. It is well written, charming, and keeps the reader invested in the outcome. To me, very few books are worthy of 5 star perfection; I consider reviews when choosing a selection and I appreciate those hard-earned 3 and 4 star ratings. This book is definitely worth your time.
The heart of this story is what would you do if your life depended on it? Would you take a leap of faith or would you see it through to the end? The sci-fi element is distinctly human while the human element seems abstractly alien. How would governments react? Are we, as humans, capable of coexistence? My only major criticism would be in the portrayal of the American elements of the story. Sure, we're a cocky, arrogant bunch but our government shouldn't be singled out as Machiavellian players on the world stage. However; I am a very proud American and perhaps have my own bias.
Anyway, this is an excellent story that will tug at your heartstrings and broaden your ideals of being human. Read it immediately!
September 28, 2018
Yet another superb read. Gripping all the way to the end - another can't put it down book. I'm gutted that I'm fast running out of books from T.J. Sedgwick to keep reading!
This book I thought set itself up for a part 2 - too many unanswered questions for me at the end. Didn't believe I'd finished to start with. But awesome read.
This book I thought set itself up for a part 2 - too many unanswered questions for me at the end. Didn't believe I'd finished to start with. But awesome read.
January 18, 2016
Entertaining enough, if a little predictable
A lightweight science fiction novel which could have been better edited. Only the two main characters had any real depth.
A lightweight science fiction novel which could have been better edited. Only the two main characters had any real depth.
April 8, 2017
Great story, but why did it seem to end so arbitrarily?
I was very deeply into the story and eager to read the second half, and then it just stopped. I felt the author just got too tired of writing , so they just said "the end". I would love to read the second half.
I was very deeply into the story and eager to read the second half, and then it just stopped. I felt the author just got too tired of writing , so they just said "the end". I would love to read the second half.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews