A survey crew of the human starship Geoffrey Laird lands on a small, unexplored planet quaintly named Fleece as part of a standard scientific mission. The planet looks benign but a small mix-up with "hostile life-forms" has the three surviving members of the team on the run. Drik, Max, and Laree seek shelter in a small cave, completely cut off from their ship and communications. But it turns out the cave is anything but small. Kodo, frozen in stasis for almost a thousand years, awakens to find everything he knew is gone. His fellow crewmembers are dead, his ship is a wreck, and his homeworld is gone. Only one other member of the crew survives, Kalaya, the Aurora's synthetic organism. Now, on top of it all, humans are on his ship! Humans, the universe's newest addition to deep space-faring races and a complete embarrassment to the galactic community, are on his ship. Could this get any worse?... yes it can! Follow Kodo, Laree, and friends on their mission to escape Fleece and the human military eager to capture their ship. A mission filled with danger, laughter, spiteful hamsters, and...Sentient BLT sandwiches? Game show hosts? Space crickets? This is a light science fiction novel, if you are looking for discussions of quantum theory; then this is not the book for you.
This light sci-fi adventure story had the feel of one of those SyFy B-movies. It had all the ingredients of a good story but just lacked the execution and that special something to make it anything memorable or teuly exciting. I'm not slamming this as it was an OK read that mixed in action, humour, some fun sci-fi stuff, and even a tad of romance into a mildly interesting story.
Drik, Max, and Laree are three human scientists who find themselves in trouble on an alien planet they are doing a survey on when a bunch of weird giant alien wolves attack them. The security officer assigned to the team died in the attack but the trio of scientists managed to escape into some caves to shelter and wait for the return of their ship, the Geoffrey Laird, to the system. While they wait they discover the "cave" they stumbled into is actually the ruins of an alien spacecraft. Things get more complicated from there as a couple of aliens are awakened from their cryopods!
The setup of the story was fine. The humans were a mixed bag but Laree, the lead POV character, was likeable enough and the two alien characters, one of whom had a POV, were both interesting. Some of the alien tech was cool and the foundations of a fairly interesting sci-fi world were put into place in this first book. Things in the story complicated with the arrival of a human military vessel in the region. I'm not sure why I did not enjoy this one more than I did as I was a fan of the three main characters a did like the balance between the action, humour, and mystery we got in the story. It even threw in a few fun twists and turns. For some weird reason it just never managed to fully click with me which is why I ended up comparing it to a B-movie.
The best thing in the story was probably the crazy alien AI. She provided most of the humour as she enjoyed keeping the humans on their toes!
All in all this was an OK read but not a particularly memorable one. I did like some aspects of it enough that I'm mildly interested in picking up the sequel to see how the rest of the story plays out.
Rating: 3 stars.
Audio Note: I was unsure of Greg Tremblay to begin with but after a while I got used to his narration and felt like he did a good job. He did especially well differentiating between the two POV characters.
You can't help but be a big fan of certain narrators, but what I really love about following them around, is they come across some of the most amazing stories I might not have found otherwise.
I have no expectations when I first start with a new book, and I have to admit, the 'female' pov of Larie was a little different from a male narrator. I think I was only a little jarred by this because I just presumed at the start that it was a guy, till she spoke, lol. But Greg does wonderful inflections and voices, and I was soon swept away into this new and exciting and scary world.
For me, what matters most, is really decent characters. I thought the writer had both side of this nailed. Great, alien creatures and a sentient AI and human characters who were smart, and stupid. :) lol at Max. He was such a doofer of a character, but throughout the book he had some really life changing moments... and I found myself really liking him as well.
Kodo, and Kalayya were really fun. but I have to say the writer has a thing for names beginning with a K... Komega, Krik..... and was there some more. It didn't stop me enjoying the book :)
There were a few very tense moments. Some that had me on the edge of my seat, (literally pretty hard while driving) and of course, some extreme teary ones.
I do wish there was some interaction with the crew of the Jeff at the end
Fantastic story and narration. This is a book I'd highly recommend... and I do hope there's a lot more in store for the ship and her crew... I kinda know it's going to be nasty with the new threat heading to Earth... but... eeek. Hope I can get to listen in soon. I daren't go see if it's already out on amazon...
It's fun to read. Another great sci-fi book. This story would make a great movie. It wasn't easy to stop reading and put the tablet down to get some sleep or go to work. I think I finished reading this book in record time. The characters were lovable. The technology is to dream for. The Ship! Well, come by and pick me up any time. The humor had me giggling more then I can count. This is and amazing feel good, good times story where you get to stand by as the Aliens amaze the human guests with luxury and surprises.
Idk how this has so many high reviews. The world building felt barely there to holdup this group of characters- the ditsy scientist girl, unga bunga brother, another scientist that doesn’t show much intelligence, “alien” dude that’s literally just a guy, and horny AI chick. I really tried to wait for it to get better, but it didn’t
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
For all the years I have read science fiction, this is the best writing I have experienced in my entire life reading science fiction. To bad that there is no sequel to this. Best writing I have ever been subjected to. Bravo
Apparently, after 1000 years of space flight, humans are still pathetic imbeciles, improbably naive, weak, and either vicious and/or clueless. Douglas Adams called us "mostly harmless". Our epitaph, according to this author, should be "mostly useless". The writing and pacing are simple and trite. Still, I did finish it and wanted to know what would happen next. Will humanity rise to the challenge, or just roll-over and whine?
Great, action-packed sci-fi. It was a fun romp with fantastic characters, humorous cultural references, and a couple of strong minded, kick ass female leads. The world building was really well done and has me ready to read another in the same universe.
Would I read it again? Absolutely Would I recommend it to a friend? Already have Will I read the next in the series? I'm hoping there is another! Would I ask my Hubby to read it? I've added it to his Kindle already.
Just as I have liked all of Mr. Ford's books I have found I really liked this one. Character development was well done and the storyline flowed well. I would recommend this book as I would all his books, and just like all his other books I find I am now impatiently waiting for his next one.
The book was great, the one thing that I did not like was there wasn't enough foreshadowing the ending. So it seemed a bit dues exmachine, but I stayed up all night to finish this book and I can tell you it was worth it. Very well written book with a lot of surprises to knock you out of your usual mind set.
I recommend this book to all SciFi and Fantasy lovers around this primitive globe. Well... I don't mean the world is primitive, but rather, Mankind sure is! Just like the civilizations in Mr. Ford's story thought of Terrans! It is a great book with a mega surprise at the end.
Excellent book could not put it down....can't wait for more!
The story flowed wonderfully I was cheering on the main characters and razzing the bad guys. The character development was great and I was having fun the whole time I read this book! I really want more!
Truly a very fictitious book of unusual person s doing unusual thinks with unusual effects or is it affects. Just enjoy if you like the different space novel.
This story was worth the time. a great page turner that keeps you wanting more. Perhaps in future stories, the other characters will have greater roles in the story