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Ascension #1
Star Shroud
They’ve been watching us. Now they need our help.
A hacker makes one of the biggest discoveries that will forever change the world.
A NASA pilot whose secret abilities may be the key to humanity’s survival.
Kept secret for 60 years, the discovery of an alien signal forces an unlikely team to investigate a mysterious structure discovered in the furthest reaches of the solar system. Join the crew of the Athena, Earth’s most advanced space ship on the ultimate journey beyond our wildest imagining.
A hacker makes one of the biggest discoveries that will forever change the world.
A NASA pilot whose secret abilities may be the key to humanity’s survival.
Kept secret for 60 years, the discovery of an alien signal forces an unlikely team to investigate a mysterious structure discovered in the furthest reaches of the solar system. Join the crew of the Athena, Earth’s most advanced space ship on the ultimate journey beyond our wildest imagining.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2016
1855 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
Ken Lozito
61 books466 followersKen Lozito is the best-selling author of multiple science fiction series, including First Colony, Ascension, & Federation Chronicles. He writes about first contact, colonization, exploration, heroic tales, redemption stories, and old-fashion adventure stories with rich and interesting characters. He’s had over a million books sold and loves the fact he’s been able to reach so many amazing readers with his stories. Readers have lost precious hours of sleep while they read just one more page.
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 5, 2017
There are several sins or bad habits that writers can fall into, especially science fiction writers. This book by Ken Lozito is guilty of at least two.
The first, that's common to both science fiction and thriller writers, is the information dump. There are two ways that sci-fi writers use this. Usually the reader sees it in the science info dump. This is where a writer will take anywhere from a paragraph to several pages to stop everything to describe the science behind contraptions used in the story. "William touched the megalator. Megalators had been introduced by the Fingians 232 years before. This device ....) And the next thing you know you're trying to power your way through technology that exists nowhere other than the author's mind and in a few theoretical physics papers. This tends to break the Arthur C. Clarke insight that any technology sufficiently advanced will seem like magic. So why bother?
The info dump can also take place with characters. This can happen in almost any genre, but it seems to particularly show up in sci-fi and thrillers. This is where every time we meet a new character we get their full bio. "Harry looked at Jill. She was blonde and full-busted, with a belt that showed her Texas roots and that she'd worn almost every day since she'd left Amarillo after having a light brush with the law. They'd made fun of it when she made it to University of Minnesota to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an anthropologist ....." This breaks the cardinal "show don't tell" rule and by the end of a paragraph we'll learn things that may never show up in the book again. It's just there to show that the author thought this character out ... but not enough to be a real person.
This series-opening book is filled with this kind of stuff as we follow a computer hacker who exposes a secret that has been held by NASA for several decades: that there's a structure on Pluto. He gets dragged in by the feds for questioning. The next thing you know he's invited, with minimal training, to take part in a mission originally aimed at Triton but will now continue on to Pluto. Many adventures and Uranus jokes ensue.
The book then commits what is an even greater sin, as it mistreats the reader and is done in the hopes of generating sales rather than reader loyalty. Instead of a book that comes to a full conclusion, with the assumption that there will be great things to follow in the next volume, the book ends in a cliffhanger. That turns it more into a Saturday morning serial than a book.
If you're a fan of the 1940s, of both cliffhanger serials and SF writers needing to describe every calculation to reach Mars, then this is your kind of book. Otherwise, there are so many new science fiction writers that they almost crowd out fans at conventions. The author can do better and you can find better.
The first, that's common to both science fiction and thriller writers, is the information dump. There are two ways that sci-fi writers use this. Usually the reader sees it in the science info dump. This is where a writer will take anywhere from a paragraph to several pages to stop everything to describe the science behind contraptions used in the story. "William touched the megalator. Megalators had been introduced by the Fingians 232 years before. This device ....) And the next thing you know you're trying to power your way through technology that exists nowhere other than the author's mind and in a few theoretical physics papers. This tends to break the Arthur C. Clarke insight that any technology sufficiently advanced will seem like magic. So why bother?
The info dump can also take place with characters. This can happen in almost any genre, but it seems to particularly show up in sci-fi and thrillers. This is where every time we meet a new character we get their full bio. "Harry looked at Jill. She was blonde and full-busted, with a belt that showed her Texas roots and that she'd worn almost every day since she'd left Amarillo after having a light brush with the law. They'd made fun of it when she made it to University of Minnesota to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an anthropologist ....." This breaks the cardinal "show don't tell" rule and by the end of a paragraph we'll learn things that may never show up in the book again. It's just there to show that the author thought this character out ... but not enough to be a real person.
This series-opening book is filled with this kind of stuff as we follow a computer hacker who exposes a secret that has been held by NASA for several decades: that there's a structure on Pluto. He gets dragged in by the feds for questioning. The next thing you know he's invited, with minimal training, to take part in a mission originally aimed at Triton but will now continue on to Pluto. Many adventures and Uranus jokes ensue.
The book then commits what is an even greater sin, as it mistreats the reader and is done in the hopes of generating sales rather than reader loyalty. Instead of a book that comes to a full conclusion, with the assumption that there will be great things to follow in the next volume, the book ends in a cliffhanger. That turns it more into a Saturday morning serial than a book.
If you're a fan of the 1940s, of both cliffhanger serials and SF writers needing to describe every calculation to reach Mars, then this is your kind of book. Otherwise, there are so many new science fiction writers that they almost crowd out fans at conventions. The author can do better and you can find better.
February 16, 2020
Yet another book, among many recently, I didn't finish. So maybe it's partially just me right now. But while the general concept of this story seemed really interesting the pacing and way it was displayed was not really enjoyable. Some portions of the story felt forced while some felt like they were overlooked in the telling. Rushed a bit.
The final straw that made me put the book down was not exactly this so it shouldn't be a spoiler but... "Okay so you have been antagonistic, troublesome, and proven yourself untrustworthy and outright dangerous... But we need you so.. Well we don't really "need" you but the author of this story wanted to force the readers to deal with an unpleasant character constantly for.. I dont know? Drama... So we are going to keep you around free to make more trouble and hopefully try to murder so more people during your selfish pursuits! Because reasons!"...
Yeah sort of like that. I don't know where it went from that point on. I honestly don't even know if other parties involved argued the point and won. Because that point in the story seemed so stupid to me that I don't care what more the story had to say.
The final straw that made me put the book down was not exactly this so it shouldn't be a spoiler but... "Okay so you have been antagonistic, troublesome, and proven yourself untrustworthy and outright dangerous... But we need you so.. Well we don't really "need" you but the author of this story wanted to force the readers to deal with an unpleasant character constantly for.. I dont know? Drama... So we are going to keep you around free to make more trouble and hopefully try to murder so more people during your selfish pursuits! Because reasons!"...
Yeah sort of like that. I don't know where it went from that point on. I honestly don't even know if other parties involved argued the point and won. Because that point in the story seemed so stupid to me that I don't care what more the story had to say.
July 3, 2017
Didn't finish. Couldn't get past the cringeworthy dialogue.
January 28, 2021
Ouch. This was lame as a science fiction space op. And if it’s meant to be a romance, it’s lame in that genre, too. A few of the supposedly brilliant characters behave like children playing with explosives.
It ends on an interesting note, though, and if it’s free, I might skim thru book 2.
It ends on an interesting note, though, and if it’s free, I might skim thru book 2.
October 3, 2018
Exciting
A great spin on the end, but it's definitely not a stand alone read. You'll want the next book and the next several books. Dialog to descriptive ratio was spot on. Grammar and spelling is spot on. It's an exciting read, but a bit slow in the beginning. 4 stars for great sci-fi that's written correctly. I look forward to reading book two. Stick around, it has a few unexpected twists and turns. (Written on Kindle)
A great spin on the end, but it's definitely not a stand alone read. You'll want the next book and the next several books. Dialog to descriptive ratio was spot on. Grammar and spelling is spot on. It's an exciting read, but a bit slow in the beginning. 4 stars for great sci-fi that's written correctly. I look forward to reading book two. Stick around, it has a few unexpected twists and turns. (Written on Kindle)
May 28, 2018
My Book Review Number 168:
This review is on Star Shroud (Ascension Series Book 1) by Ken Lozito. This is the first book I have read by this Sci-Fi author. It is a Sci-Fi Space Opera, first alien contact, suspense story.
The story begins at Fort Meade, Maryland in 1986. Bruce Matherson is working late when an incident occurs at the US Army base. Bruce works for Dux Corp contracted to provide intelligence gathering services using a top secret program that involves “psychic warriors”; special individuals with remote viewing psychic abilities. Something just caused the psychics to go into a trance-like state or coma.
Now jump forward to Chicago, Illinois in 2046. A new character named Zack who dropped out of MIT in 2037 is involved in hacking large corporations and exposing their dirty secrets to the public. Zack poked around NASA and found some old images that were taken by the New Horizons spacecraft that flew by Pluto in 2015. The images show some structures on Pluto that should not be there. The images were processed by Dux Corp, the military contractor that is now a big conglomerate deeply involved with the government.
Zack realizes the original images have been kept secret 60 years for unknown reasons and now he has uncovered them. It is clear the structures were built by another alien race and the government did not want the public to know. Zack decides to release the images and tries to go into hiding to avoid capture.
Another character enters the story named Kaylan who is the granddaughter of Bruce Matherson. She is an astronaut getting ready to go on the Athena mission to Titan. With the public release of the Pluto photos, Kaylan’s mission to Titan is now revised for Pluto.
The suspense keeps on building as the Athena crew heads for Pluto to investigate the alien structures and encounters unsuspected crises. What they eventually find on Pluto only further intensifies the mystery surrounding the aliens who built the structures and the reasons why.
I give this book Five Stars because the story is full of suspense and mystery. The plot moves at a quick pace with plenty of twists and turns. The scientific explanations are plausible. The main characters are well developed and likeable. The dialogue and writing style are excellent. Book 1 ends with a bigger mystery that makes you want to read Book 2 as soon as possible. The entire Ascension Series is composed of six highly rated books.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
This review is on Star Shroud (Ascension Series Book 1) by Ken Lozito. This is the first book I have read by this Sci-Fi author. It is a Sci-Fi Space Opera, first alien contact, suspense story.
The story begins at Fort Meade, Maryland in 1986. Bruce Matherson is working late when an incident occurs at the US Army base. Bruce works for Dux Corp contracted to provide intelligence gathering services using a top secret program that involves “psychic warriors”; special individuals with remote viewing psychic abilities. Something just caused the psychics to go into a trance-like state or coma.
Now jump forward to Chicago, Illinois in 2046. A new character named Zack who dropped out of MIT in 2037 is involved in hacking large corporations and exposing their dirty secrets to the public. Zack poked around NASA and found some old images that were taken by the New Horizons spacecraft that flew by Pluto in 2015. The images show some structures on Pluto that should not be there. The images were processed by Dux Corp, the military contractor that is now a big conglomerate deeply involved with the government.
Zack realizes the original images have been kept secret 60 years for unknown reasons and now he has uncovered them. It is clear the structures were built by another alien race and the government did not want the public to know. Zack decides to release the images and tries to go into hiding to avoid capture.
Another character enters the story named Kaylan who is the granddaughter of Bruce Matherson. She is an astronaut getting ready to go on the Athena mission to Titan. With the public release of the Pluto photos, Kaylan’s mission to Titan is now revised for Pluto.
The suspense keeps on building as the Athena crew heads for Pluto to investigate the alien structures and encounters unsuspected crises. What they eventually find on Pluto only further intensifies the mystery surrounding the aliens who built the structures and the reasons why.
I give this book Five Stars because the story is full of suspense and mystery. The plot moves at a quick pace with plenty of twists and turns. The scientific explanations are plausible. The main characters are well developed and likeable. The dialogue and writing style are excellent. Book 1 ends with a bigger mystery that makes you want to read Book 2 as soon as possible. The entire Ascension Series is composed of six highly rated books.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
July 2, 2022
In 1986, some thoughtful aliens send us a message warning us to be wary of some other aliens and establish a base on Pluto to create a “shroud” that prevents human communications from alerting the bad guys of our progress. Who would you call in 2046 to go to Pluto to investigate? Obviously, a couple of recent graduates from an MIT gifted and talented program, one of whom is training to be an astronaut and the other already adept computer hacker. It is every bit as pulpy as it sounds. 3 stars because I am a sucker for all near-future space opera.
October 28, 2016
This was an electronic review copy provided for review purposes.
Very quickly paced. A fast and interesting read. At times, I thought it was a little too quickly paced and (at least I) would have enjoyed a bit more detailed narrative regarding the technology. I am not sure I buy into the romance portions of the relationships, but it is difficult to weave in romance and not bog down the storyline. Especially in a fast paced storyline. That may be why I am not too keen and attempts to mix the two together.
Just the first in a series of books, but it was somewhat satisfying it that the story had a plot and ended in a logical place. It does have a cliff hanger ending, but I did not mind this ending as much as some other multi part books series that I have started and don't have enough interest in to continue. This one as least makes we interested in the next one.
This was a GoodReads.
Very quickly paced. A fast and interesting read. At times, I thought it was a little too quickly paced and (at least I) would have enjoyed a bit more detailed narrative regarding the technology. I am not sure I buy into the romance portions of the relationships, but it is difficult to weave in romance and not bog down the storyline. Especially in a fast paced storyline. That may be why I am not too keen and attempts to mix the two together.
Just the first in a series of books, but it was somewhat satisfying it that the story had a plot and ended in a logical place. It does have a cliff hanger ending, but I did not mind this ending as much as some other multi part books series that I have started and don't have enough interest in to continue. This one as least makes we interested in the next one.
This was a GoodReads.
May 9, 2017
A fine premise, adventure, & read
It is difficult these days to find a new idea for space fiction. This is a good one, and I can see myself reading future books in the series.
In good best-selling fashion, it has a combination of good adventure, lots of tension from protagonist against antagonists, and a little romance thrown in for entertainment.
My only beefs are that I t makes the standard assumptions that laws of physics are bendable in order to facilitate space travel, but authors pretty much must do this to write a space adventure. There are aliens, and I'm afraid they're a little too predictable in form. And the relatively short length of the book makes me think the author is going to monetize using the strategy of selling a lot of short books.
But I'll let those complaints go, since the book kept my attention, and I'm off to buy the next installment.
It is difficult these days to find a new idea for space fiction. This is a good one, and I can see myself reading future books in the series.
In good best-selling fashion, it has a combination of good adventure, lots of tension from protagonist against antagonists, and a little romance thrown in for entertainment.
My only beefs are that I t makes the standard assumptions that laws of physics are bendable in order to facilitate space travel, but authors pretty much must do this to write a space adventure. There are aliens, and I'm afraid they're a little too predictable in form. And the relatively short length of the book makes me think the author is going to monetize using the strategy of selling a lot of short books.
But I'll let those complaints go, since the book kept my attention, and I'm off to buy the next installment.
April 14, 2016
Avoid this if you are looking for science fiction; this is science fantasy.
This is well written and and engaging science fantasy...if that is what you want to read. Sadly, the synopsis sells this book as hard SF space opera, and was disappointed.
This is well written and and engaging science fantasy...if that is what you want to read. Sadly, the synopsis sells this book as hard SF space opera, and was disappointed.
October 28, 2022
The first book I’ve ever stopped reading after 10 pages or so. The dialogue is awful. Adults don’t speak like that. At least not adults I want to read about. Perhaps this was written for children and I bought it in error.
October 12, 2016
Intriguing
This book is a very intriguing plot. It pulls you into the story with conspiracy and then it shows you the truth behind it. I loved it.
This book is a very intriguing plot. It pulls you into the story with conspiracy and then it shows you the truth behind it. I loved it.
December 2, 2024
Mechanical storytelling, with not much character development or reasons to care about any of them. Contrived romances, why do all the scientists/astronauts pair up as soon as they get into space?
February 18, 2019
A good Sci-Fi that builds momentum and a sense of adventure all the way through.
This book reminds me of the First Colony series that I enjoyed so much. It is told in third-person omnipresent point of view. this can be hit or miss depending upon the author and even depending upon the series. So far it is fairly smooth here and pulls the reader alone through mainly to protagonist though we do get to I jump into the points of views of a couple other people. The language is clean and the story overall is appropriate for young adults and above.
This is without spoiling the story set in an alternate future a couple decades from now and with the advantage of having a group of people having made contact I'll be at distance with an alien presence that enabled them to start on a path to expand space exploration. The two main protagonist are geniuses in their own right in around 30 years of age. We get some backstory from them but are put in the action fairly quickly so that it will take additional books to really get a more in-depth picture of them. We do get to see some romance and humor as well as a cast of characters that could develop into something more memorable.
This is not a story that can stand on its own and needs other books in the series to feel complete. It was a quick read any good introduction to this world and I cannot wait to dive into the next book.
Having read the First Colony series first and then jumping into his older sci-fi fantasy series I had mixed feelings coming to this one. The first colony series is fun and pulled me all the way through. He is sci-fi fantasy was an interesting story that kept me captivated until the final book of the series soured. Let's just say he took a concept that is better set for episode of a TV series and made it the Crux of the finale of that series by introducing it in the final book. However I am greatly encouraged that this book resembles more of the First Colony series than anything.
I did not see his hand as much and relief felt as if I was with the characters and riding along for the adventure.
This book reminds me of the First Colony series that I enjoyed so much. It is told in third-person omnipresent point of view. this can be hit or miss depending upon the author and even depending upon the series. So far it is fairly smooth here and pulls the reader alone through mainly to protagonist though we do get to I jump into the points of views of a couple other people. The language is clean and the story overall is appropriate for young adults and above.
This is without spoiling the story set in an alternate future a couple decades from now and with the advantage of having a group of people having made contact I'll be at distance with an alien presence that enabled them to start on a path to expand space exploration. The two main protagonist are geniuses in their own right in around 30 years of age. We get some backstory from them but are put in the action fairly quickly so that it will take additional books to really get a more in-depth picture of them. We do get to see some romance and humor as well as a cast of characters that could develop into something more memorable.
This is not a story that can stand on its own and needs other books in the series to feel complete. It was a quick read any good introduction to this world and I cannot wait to dive into the next book.
Having read the First Colony series first and then jumping into his older sci-fi fantasy series I had mixed feelings coming to this one. The first colony series is fun and pulled me all the way through. He is sci-fi fantasy was an interesting story that kept me captivated until the final book of the series soured. Let's just say he took a concept that is better set for episode of a TV series and made it the Crux of the finale of that series by introducing it in the final book. However I am greatly encouraged that this book resembles more of the First Colony series than anything.
I did not see his hand as much and relief felt as if I was with the characters and riding along for the adventure.
September 28, 2025
In terms of genre, you are looking at a near-future medium sci-fi (yes, as opposed to 'hard'--given there's a decent amount of science, but there's also some hand-wavy super advanced alien stuff.)
Going into this, I think it's important to know upfront that it's less like the first book in a series and more like the first half of a book. (Not as much a "cliffhanger" ending as a pretty clear Part 1.) I'm still up in the air on whether I'll continue on to the next book, and I'll try to explain why...
The book opens on Earth not-too-far in the future, when a well-meaning (if a bit myopic and self-righteous) hacker stumbles across a corporate/government secret... and immediately releases it to the public. This sets off an international space/arms race--as of course, all the superpowers want to get to and unlock the alien tech first. So, it's only fair that said hacker--Zach--gets recruited (strong-armed) into joining the crew for NASA's attempt to reach the alien outpost.
The premise really grabbed me. The pacing was pretty snappy all the way through, and I generally liked Zach as our primary male POV--despite how much younger than his age he seemed.
What I didn't really care for was the romantic element. Or the two female love interests. The chemistry just wasn't there, and neither of the women felt distinct enough... or particularly memorable.
This stands to be a fun, space-adventure kind of series that may appeal to NASA fans. I just would have liked to feel a little more invested in the characters.
Going into this, I think it's important to know upfront that it's less like the first book in a series and more like the first half of a book. (Not as much a "cliffhanger" ending as a pretty clear Part 1.) I'm still up in the air on whether I'll continue on to the next book, and I'll try to explain why...
The book opens on Earth not-too-far in the future, when a well-meaning (if a bit myopic and self-righteous) hacker stumbles across a corporate/government secret... and immediately releases it to the public. This sets off an international space/arms race--as of course, all the superpowers want to get to and unlock the alien tech first. So, it's only fair that said hacker--Zach--gets recruited (strong-armed) into joining the crew for NASA's attempt to reach the alien outpost.
The premise really grabbed me. The pacing was pretty snappy all the way through, and I generally liked Zach as our primary male POV--despite how much younger than his age he seemed.
What I didn't really care for was the romantic element. Or the two female love interests. The chemistry just wasn't there, and neither of the women felt distinct enough... or particularly memorable.
This stands to be a fun, space-adventure kind of series that may appeal to NASA fans. I just would have liked to feel a little more invested in the characters.
July 18, 2020
After reading the first 8 books of Ken Lozito's other series, First Colony, I decided to check out this one. It definitely didn't grab me in the same way.
The biggest issue with this book is the characters. None of them are particularly likeable. A couple of them are OK, but they are not written all that compellingly. By the end of the book I found myself kind of invested, but it took a long time to get there.
That's the other problem with the book, it takes a long time to get anywhere. Some people have written about how fast paced the story is, and well, it really isn't. It takes forever for anything to happen.
That's not to say the story isn't interesting, it is. The technology is believable, given the events of the book, and things progress fairly well. The "info dumps" really aren't that bad, and are a necessary evil for the ideas to be presented as quickly as they are.
My biggest problem was the narrator, Jeff Hayes (could be misspelled I only heard it). He is not a bad narrator, quite the opposite in some ways. He has a good range, does good accents and does acceptable female voices. The issue is he doesn't narrate in a coving way. His style didn't draw me in.
All in all, a good book, but not great. I like this authors other series much better. I'm not sure if I will continue or not.
The biggest issue with this book is the characters. None of them are particularly likeable. A couple of them are OK, but they are not written all that compellingly. By the end of the book I found myself kind of invested, but it took a long time to get there.
That's the other problem with the book, it takes a long time to get anywhere. Some people have written about how fast paced the story is, and well, it really isn't. It takes forever for anything to happen.
That's not to say the story isn't interesting, it is. The technology is believable, given the events of the book, and things progress fairly well. The "info dumps" really aren't that bad, and are a necessary evil for the ideas to be presented as quickly as they are.
My biggest problem was the narrator, Jeff Hayes (could be misspelled I only heard it). He is not a bad narrator, quite the opposite in some ways. He has a good range, does good accents and does acceptable female voices. The issue is he doesn't narrate in a coving way. His style didn't draw me in.
All in all, a good book, but not great. I like this authors other series much better. I'm not sure if I will continue or not.
May 15, 2018
A well-paced beginning to an intriguing tale
I was prepared to slot this series away as yet another “first contact” story that was probably too long. The opening that discussed a history of what was effectively ESP made it seem all the less likely there would be serious and interesting concepts presented. Then it turned a corner...
Not one to write reviews or spoil stories (unintentionally or otherwise), I won’t reveal much more. Suffice it to say that the potential “ESP” was handled and explained much the way I would have in my own story. The other typical tropes often used — evil corporations, warmongering militaries, angelic scientists as heroes — were well avoided by a much more thoughtful approach than anticipated.
While I wouldn’t categorize this as hard science fiction, a solid effort was made to keep potential tech advances reasonable and explicable. My eyes rolled few times and questions I’ve had were usually answered in reasonably short order. That said, it’s not a scientific foundation of steel either. Plainly the author chose to focus on characters and anthropological exploration more than science, and in doing so spins a decent yarn. I look forward to seeing how it continues.
I was prepared to slot this series away as yet another “first contact” story that was probably too long. The opening that discussed a history of what was effectively ESP made it seem all the less likely there would be serious and interesting concepts presented. Then it turned a corner...
Not one to write reviews or spoil stories (unintentionally or otherwise), I won’t reveal much more. Suffice it to say that the potential “ESP” was handled and explained much the way I would have in my own story. The other typical tropes often used — evil corporations, warmongering militaries, angelic scientists as heroes — were well avoided by a much more thoughtful approach than anticipated.
While I wouldn’t categorize this as hard science fiction, a solid effort was made to keep potential tech advances reasonable and explicable. My eyes rolled few times and questions I’ve had were usually answered in reasonably short order. That said, it’s not a scientific foundation of steel either. Plainly the author chose to focus on characters and anthropological exploration more than science, and in doing so spins a decent yarn. I look forward to seeing how it continues.
May 17, 2018
I just don't care
This book is simplistic Sci-Fi fare. It's a lightweight space opera, a rudimentary space-adventure, a laughably transparent mystery and a junior-high-level romance. There is a galactic-political struggle, but the players and their roles are ambiguous. There is an adventure, but the objective of the quest is unknown and the fellowship is tenuous at best. There is an alien mystery, but it isn't very mysterious, and is solved way before the end of the book. There is a romance, but the character's ruminations, behavior and dialog have that awkward, juvenile feel of seventh grade. If they had classrooms, they would have been passing notes. There was very little character development beyond the two main protagonists. The science and technology were mostly the "and then magic happens" variety.
That said, the writing and editing were decent, and I was easily able to finish. I did start the second book, but started skipping and eventually gave up about half-way through. Ultimately, there just wasn't anything about the characters or plot that I cared enough about to continue.
This book is simplistic Sci-Fi fare. It's a lightweight space opera, a rudimentary space-adventure, a laughably transparent mystery and a junior-high-level romance. There is a galactic-political struggle, but the players and their roles are ambiguous. There is an adventure, but the objective of the quest is unknown and the fellowship is tenuous at best. There is an alien mystery, but it isn't very mysterious, and is solved way before the end of the book. There is a romance, but the character's ruminations, behavior and dialog have that awkward, juvenile feel of seventh grade. If they had classrooms, they would have been passing notes. There was very little character development beyond the two main protagonists. The science and technology were mostly the "and then magic happens" variety.
That said, the writing and editing were decent, and I was easily able to finish. I did start the second book, but started skipping and eventually gave up about half-way through. Ultimately, there just wasn't anything about the characters or plot that I cared enough about to continue.
May 4, 2017
Hacker Zack Quick stumbles upon a secret that has been kept from the world for 60 years: Humanity is not alone in the universe. After he releases the information to the public and pictures of an alien structure on Pluto go viral, the world's first deep space vessel Athena, originally slated to head to Titan for exloration, is given a different mission: Travel all the way to Pluto and learn as much as possible about the strange structure. Piloting the ship is Kaylan Farrow, granddaughter of the man behind the decision to keep the secret all those decades ago, who has unwittingly been prepared for this mission to Pluto her entire life.
Despite employing a number of genre clichés, this was an entertaining, fastpaced sci-fi read that easily kept my attention all the way through. I'll likely be checking out the sequel at some point.
(On a nitpicking sidenote: May I just mention that "Yoshiko" is a) a Japanese name and b) commonly a girl's name and therefore seems really rather weird as the name of a male Chinese character? Just sayin'.)
Despite employing a number of genre clichés, this was an entertaining, fastpaced sci-fi read that easily kept my attention all the way through. I'll likely be checking out the sequel at some point.
(On a nitpicking sidenote: May I just mention that "Yoshiko" is a) a Japanese name and b) commonly a girl's name and therefore seems really rather weird as the name of a male Chinese character? Just sayin'.)
January 6, 2018
Overall I found the book enjoyable enough. The premise is interesting and I rather liked the whole conspiracy aspect. However, I feel I should put a sort of "buyer beware" here. I don't believe the plot summary/teaser on the store page accurately describes what the book actually is. I was expecting something a bit more "advanced" from a technological and timeline perspective. The summary does not lead one to believe this is a rather low-tech near-future setting. This is not a "bad thing" in terms of what the book really IS, I just think that some readers may think they are getting something else based on the summary.
That said... if you want a near-future book with some intriguing first contact and conspiracy subplots, I can recommend this one.
That said... if you want a near-future book with some intriguing first contact and conspiracy subplots, I can recommend this one.
December 8, 2018
The start and premise of this book was kind of ok. The "romance" was atrocious. The characters seemed kind of simpleminded.
The biggest thing that annoyed me though, was the author constantly (and seemingly randomly) would change viewpoints left and right, without any kind of breaks. The author constantly gave thoughts of various characters. It seemed like he was doing it so he didn't have to give descriptions and good dialog. It just seemed lazy and hard to follow.
I'll continue the series for now, but I don't know for how long.
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Hmm actually I don't think I'll continue this series or this author. This series was the second one I'd read by him, and I'd already decided he was on my personal thin ice. Time to move on.
The biggest thing that annoyed me though, was the author constantly (and seemingly randomly) would change viewpoints left and right, without any kind of breaks. The author constantly gave thoughts of various characters. It seemed like he was doing it so he didn't have to give descriptions and good dialog. It just seemed lazy and hard to follow.
I'll continue the series for now, but I don't know for how long.
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Hmm actually I don't think I'll continue this series or this author. This series was the second one I'd read by him, and I'd already decided he was on my personal thin ice. Time to move on.
June 2, 2025
All Zack wanted to do was find out what happened on the day his father died and hping after hoping after the big corporation he worked for seem the best way to get answers. What he did not expect was to be schuttled unboard a spaceship heading out to Jupiter because his program can decipher the alien communication that has been received. Immediately thrown into action whereby they save two Russian astronauts who seems to eerily appear whenever they are working on space info, or the alien contacts being more frequent for Zacks girlfriend, this star expedition is turning into a bigger opera each day on the Jupiter.
May 25, 2018
Cool, my review may contain some spoilers but that's the only way i can make a review! Earth receives a message in 1986 from aliens, a message to warn Earth of the Xiiginns; evil aliens! 60 years later the message is released to more people because a computer hacker finds it and reveals it. Later on this computer hacker goes on to play one of the main characters to search for more answers from this warning message, leading him and a team through the solar system to Pluto where there is a station built by the Boxans; good aliens. This then leads to book 2; action, adventures, more aliens.
January 14, 2020
It was, fine.
A good sci-fi romp, not amazingly deep but an interesting premise. I don’t like mixing my sci-fi and fantasy so the psychic elements irked me a little bit not too much. The cardinal sin that made me sad was that it is NOT a stand-alone book in any way. It’s not just a series kickoff it’s a straight up cliffhanger ending. I don’t like that when not pre-warned (by being a ‘part 1’ or whatever) as it always feels like a cheap play to get future sales.
I’ll keep the series in mind but won’t be immediately jumping into the second.
A good sci-fi romp, not amazingly deep but an interesting premise. I don’t like mixing my sci-fi and fantasy so the psychic elements irked me a little bit not too much. The cardinal sin that made me sad was that it is NOT a stand-alone book in any way. It’s not just a series kickoff it’s a straight up cliffhanger ending. I don’t like that when not pre-warned (by being a ‘part 1’ or whatever) as it always feels like a cheap play to get future sales.
I’ll keep the series in mind but won’t be immediately jumping into the second.
November 24, 2020
Here's my take on stars for this book. Hold on, here goes.
Let's start with 4 stars.
Minus 1 star for coincidences. Hate 'em and it's cheating.
Minus 1 star for having to TOTALLY suspend believability. Getting to an outer planet in a few weeks???
Plus 1 star for characters I liked and rooted for.
Plus 1 star for being well written. Not literary just a good yarn.
Minus 2 stars for a continued story. Nothing ends. Tune in next time!!! Okay I'll give 1 star back since the next book is already written, although I probably won't read it.
Net result, 3 stars.
Let's start with 4 stars.
Minus 1 star for coincidences. Hate 'em and it's cheating.
Minus 1 star for having to TOTALLY suspend believability. Getting to an outer planet in a few weeks???
Plus 1 star for characters I liked and rooted for.
Plus 1 star for being well written. Not literary just a good yarn.
Minus 2 stars for a continued story. Nothing ends. Tune in next time!!! Okay I'll give 1 star back since the next book is already written, although I probably won't read it.
Net result, 3 stars.
September 9, 2022
So, the adventure part of this book i very entertaining. It is build up slowly, end up well, of course the story continues... The romance parts, eeeh, I give that 3 stars. How many times do we we first of all, read, that Katie is curvy? TOO many. Describe a character once, and be done with it. In the time of huge objectification of men and women ,it is hard to think that people would think something else than their appearances, but hey do! the relationship part was a a bit some high school drama. But sci-fi part good.
September 22, 2023
Alien discovered.
Ken Lozito is a great writer with an incredible imagination only that this is the first book of the series so I still have no clue where and how this story go for a true review, not yet.
But just now an interesting twist appeared out of nowhere so I might be wrong and the story does start to pull you in.
Narration by Jeff Hays is perfectly done for each of the characters in this book.
Recommended !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
Ken Lozito is a great writer with an incredible imagination only that this is the first book of the series so I still have no clue where and how this story go for a true review, not yet.
But just now an interesting twist appeared out of nowhere so I might be wrong and the story does start to pull you in.
Narration by Jeff Hays is perfectly done for each of the characters in this book.
Recommended !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
September 14, 2024
2.5 stars.
After reading House of Suns, it was hard to find a book to live up to it, because House of Suns is one of the best science fiction books I've ever read.
What can I say about this one, except that the characters are stereotyped, childish in their reactions (especially Kaylan, jealous of Zack's interest in another woman when there's never been anything between them... 10 years ago?!).
Still, I'd like to know what's next. I'll read the 2nd volume and see if it's worth putting up with Kaylan for 6 volumes.
After reading House of Suns, it was hard to find a book to live up to it, because House of Suns is one of the best science fiction books I've ever read.
What can I say about this one, except that the characters are stereotyped, childish in their reactions (especially Kaylan, jealous of Zack's interest in another woman when there's never been anything between them... 10 years ago?!).
Still, I'd like to know what's next. I'll read the 2nd volume and see if it's worth putting up with Kaylan for 6 volumes.
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February 8, 2025First book in the Ascension: Volume 1 omnibus I read. Multi-species space opera with a setting based around the Fermi Paradox (if the galaxy is full of other intelligent life... where are they?) and the trope where humans go from obscure unknowns to mighty warriors who save the galaxy, although Alan Dean Foster still did that best in The Damned trilogy. Also... I'm not really a fan of ESP, which plays a major role in this book.
December 27, 2017
This is a pretty good science fiction tale - the author does a good job of getting you into the head of his characters, as well as making me feel as if I was right in the middle of the action as a participant vs. a reader. I picked the Kindle version up for free during a Kindle promotion vs. the normal price of $3.99 – I received more than $3.99 of entertainment value out of this one and am off to grab the next book in the series. If you enjoy science fiction, I would recommend this one.
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