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Vaz Gettnor #4
Invaders
“Invaders” is about events that occur several years after those in the novel “Disc.”
GSI (Gettnor Space Industries) is beginning to investigate our solar system and mine the asteroids. Aircraft and automobile companies are beginning to switch over to thrusters from their more traditional products. New uses for thrusters are popping up in the healthcare and sports industries.
However, at Epsilon Eridani, a race of aliens has so overpopulated their own solar system that they must move many tens of billions of their people to another system before overcrowding destroys them. They send an exploratory vessel to our solar system to determine whether it would be a suitable place to move. The mere presence of another intelligent race doesn’t deter them—they’ve always just wiped out any problem species in new systems.
When the aliens first arrive through a wormhole near the sun, their ship is thought to be an asteroid in a highly elliptical orbit. Earth isn’t even aware that an alien race has arrived until the aliens separate a lander and send it to study Earth.
Attempts to communicate with the aliens fail. The aliens’ complete lack of any interest in communication with us contributes to these failures. The aliens are far ahead of us in biotechnology, materials technology, and wormhole physics. They aren’t really worried about any threats from the human race, but don’t recognize that we have advantages in computing and thruster technology.
Will the aliens be able to successfully deploy their bio weapon, destroying the human race and moving their excess population to our solar system?
Or can we fight back…somehow?
GSI (Gettnor Space Industries) is beginning to investigate our solar system and mine the asteroids. Aircraft and automobile companies are beginning to switch over to thrusters from their more traditional products. New uses for thrusters are popping up in the healthcare and sports industries.
However, at Epsilon Eridani, a race of aliens has so overpopulated their own solar system that they must move many tens of billions of their people to another system before overcrowding destroys them. They send an exploratory vessel to our solar system to determine whether it would be a suitable place to move. The mere presence of another intelligent race doesn’t deter them—they’ve always just wiped out any problem species in new systems.
When the aliens first arrive through a wormhole near the sun, their ship is thought to be an asteroid in a highly elliptical orbit. Earth isn’t even aware that an alien race has arrived until the aliens separate a lander and send it to study Earth.
Attempts to communicate with the aliens fail. The aliens’ complete lack of any interest in communication with us contributes to these failures. The aliens are far ahead of us in biotechnology, materials technology, and wormhole physics. They aren’t really worried about any threats from the human race, but don’t recognize that we have advantages in computing and thruster technology.
Will the aliens be able to successfully deploy their bio weapon, destroying the human race and moving their excess population to our solar system?
Or can we fight back…somehow?
- GenresScience FictionAction
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2016
181 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Laurence E. Dahners
60 books668 followersI was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.
If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com
Laury Dahners
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 21, 2016
Typical Dahners, for good and bad
Dahners' usual workmanlike job with plenty of adrenaline boosts and more focus on the difficulties--emotional and practical--of communicating with Vaz even when it's desperately important to get real answers out of him. Clunky romantic insertions with all the important women being secretly or openly gorgeous, likable and brilliant in one way or another. At the same time as Dahner focusses on the women's appearances, he also makes all the men at least attractive and at most actively handsome (aside from Vaz, of course). Is this his attempt to disrupt the typical nerd physical stereotype? If so, it's annoying and just as much a stereotype in the opposite direction, as is his insistence on the women being beautiful and gifted. I'm also tired of Dahners' depictions of government and military dolts. Yes, some of them are doubtless just as self-centered and arrogant as he makes them out to be, but surely their idiocies vary. They are people, after all, and we are make ourselves obstructive or helpful or creative or purposely blind and deaf, in an untold diversity of ways. Dahners doesn't write a very broad range of characters, and so his books too often come off as chess games played with pieces instead of people making choices and dealing with the consequences. That's frustrating, because Vaz is a very interesting and unusual person, and Dahners could be doing so much more with him than just winding him up, setting up a situation with Dahners' current scientific question, and then letting Vaz work while other windup characters either help or interfere in his ultimately getting the job done--which includes improving or saving the world by himself.
That's not a real story, it's more of a spreadsheet explanation, but it could be made real with a good editor who would help Dahners deepen and expand his repertoire of characters and the relationships between them.
Dahners' usual workmanlike job with plenty of adrenaline boosts and more focus on the difficulties--emotional and practical--of communicating with Vaz even when it's desperately important to get real answers out of him. Clunky romantic insertions with all the important women being secretly or openly gorgeous, likable and brilliant in one way or another. At the same time as Dahner focusses on the women's appearances, he also makes all the men at least attractive and at most actively handsome (aside from Vaz, of course). Is this his attempt to disrupt the typical nerd physical stereotype? If so, it's annoying and just as much a stereotype in the opposite direction, as is his insistence on the women being beautiful and gifted. I'm also tired of Dahners' depictions of government and military dolts. Yes, some of them are doubtless just as self-centered and arrogant as he makes them out to be, but surely their idiocies vary. They are people, after all, and we are make ourselves obstructive or helpful or creative or purposely blind and deaf, in an untold diversity of ways. Dahners doesn't write a very broad range of characters, and so his books too often come off as chess games played with pieces instead of people making choices and dealing with the consequences. That's frustrating, because Vaz is a very interesting and unusual person, and Dahners could be doing so much more with him than just winding him up, setting up a situation with Dahners' current scientific question, and then letting Vaz work while other windup characters either help or interfere in his ultimately getting the job done--which includes improving or saving the world by himself.
That's not a real story, it's more of a spreadsheet explanation, but it could be made real with a good editor who would help Dahners deepen and expand his repertoire of characters and the relationships between them.
July 17, 2018
Wonderful
I can always count on Laurence Dahners for a great story and this book is no exception. Interesting ideas that challenge the imagination. Great characters that have flaws as well as strengths and ultimately you come to care about. I loved this book. My only regret is that I've almost made my way through Mr Dahners entire backlist and now must wait for him to write more. My hope is for a long and prolific career that Mr Dahners finds incredibly fulfilling, as I am willing to read anything he cares to write.
I can always count on Laurence Dahners for a great story and this book is no exception. Interesting ideas that challenge the imagination. Great characters that have flaws as well as strengths and ultimately you come to care about. I loved this book. My only regret is that I've almost made my way through Mr Dahners entire backlist and now must wait for him to write more. My hope is for a long and prolific career that Mr Dahners finds incredibly fulfilling, as I am willing to read anything he cares to write.
January 25, 2018
I really hated to see, 'The End', I really want this series to continue. The story is interesting and I love to see what the Gettnors will come up with next. Will Vaz use his wormhole technology to explore other worlds? Will Teona marry Nolan? Will they build a space marine saucer? What's next?
December 16, 2019
I really hope that Laurence continues with this series, it is a great read I really enjoyed it.
May 21, 2019
Still a great ride.
These are just plain fun. The Nolan scenario was incredibly well done, but the engendered emotions weren't at all pleasant. It's a bit hard to believe Nolan wouldn't naturally move into a more significantly stellar role on his own creds. I found Carolyn, as a character, kind of disruptive to the storyline. She just seems to exist in some alternate, other being, phase of reality as some kind of mystical party planner personification? The additions of the adolescent characters, however, were wonderful.
Usually, it's hard to wait for books when a series isn't complete. Dahner's books might be an exception. He's a little bit too good at maintaining tension, angst, and trepidation. Easier to take if you're reading the series as it's written so there's time between books? Yep, it's definitely a 'fasten your safety harness and hang on for an intense ride' experience.
Yet another "for the perks" Amazon review. 😻
These are just plain fun. The Nolan scenario was incredibly well done, but the engendered emotions weren't at all pleasant. It's a bit hard to believe Nolan wouldn't naturally move into a more significantly stellar role on his own creds. I found Carolyn, as a character, kind of disruptive to the storyline. She just seems to exist in some alternate, other being, phase of reality as some kind of mystical party planner personification? The additions of the adolescent characters, however, were wonderful.
Usually, it's hard to wait for books when a series isn't complete. Dahner's books might be an exception. He's a little bit too good at maintaining tension, angst, and trepidation. Easier to take if you're reading the series as it's written so there's time between books? Yep, it's definitely a 'fasten your safety harness and hang on for an intense ride' experience.
Yet another "for the perks" Amazon review. 😻
June 17, 2020
The value of money.
In seminary classes, a professor once posed a question, "Why can't rich people just give all their money to the poor?" I answered, "Then we would just have a lot of POOR people!" (He didn't much like my answer.) But in THIS story about an alien invasion, there is also a sub-story about the ability of those with money, power, and influence to CONTINUALLY help others in need and how much it means to them. Tiona is aware that there are dishonest people, but there are many who have gotten where they are through no fault of their own, or perhaps a lesson learned, and need a hand up to get on their own feet. Personally, I liked the side-story more than the main.
In seminary classes, a professor once posed a question, "Why can't rich people just give all their money to the poor?" I answered, "Then we would just have a lot of POOR people!" (He didn't much like my answer.) But in THIS story about an alien invasion, there is also a sub-story about the ability of those with money, power, and influence to CONTINUALLY help others in need and how much it means to them. Tiona is aware that there are dishonest people, but there are many who have gotten where they are through no fault of their own, or perhaps a lesson learned, and need a hand up to get on their own feet. Personally, I liked the side-story more than the main.
September 14, 2016
The adventures continue for Vaz and Tiona. There isn't a great deal of character development past what was established in the earlier books. There are some new minor characters that are introduced that add some fun and color. This is a good story that is well paced and evenly plotted. The "Invaders" have some interesting qualities as all the aliens the Dahners creates. This is not literature or high drama, but it is a simple and very fun read.
June 15, 2017
A typical Dahners book. He tries to flesh out his characters, but in the end he is unable to move on from the dominant position of his main character whose flaws are described almost maniacally and most other charaters are relegated to the position of village idiot. Still, his ruminations on the consequences of specific technologies in standard SF settings, in this case an alien invasion, are engaging and invite further speculation.
October 26, 2016
In my opinion, the plot in this book continues the pattern of the whole series. Too much of the story depends on an unbelievably smart person. The rest of the inhabitants of earth are portrayed as idiots who can't even come up with obvious applications of an invention - or obvious attack tactics, without getting help from the guy who must be the only genius on earth.
December 25, 2024
I've read most of Dahners bibliography and the Vaz series is the worst one by far, worst of all this one. I get that the main character has autism, but it's as if everyone in the universe have never heard of someone without social skills ironically making them all seem autistic. Everyone's confused he doesn't think exactly like themselves, as if every human ever had no variants whatsoever in their thought processes. Even his family tries to talk around subjects, making the subject as diffuse as possible and then get upset that he doesn't understand their tragic attempts at mind games.
Every book in the series is some variant of people refusing to even contemplate that the smartest guy on the planet could possibly know anything and it successively gets worse book by book as the smartest guy on the planet proves himself over and over.
The side stories are bad as well,
The other side stories only waste a ton of time for hardly any reward. I'd be a lot more interested in knowing what happened to THE MAIN CHARACTERS rather than the epilogue we get.
Every book in the series is some variant of people refusing to even contemplate that the smartest guy on the planet could possibly know anything and it successively gets worse book by book as the smartest guy on the planet proves himself over and over.
The side stories are bad as well,
The other side stories only waste a ton of time for hardly any reward. I'd be a lot more interested in knowing what happened to THE MAIN CHARACTERS rather than the epilogue we get.
February 2, 2021
Disappointed but not giving up on the author
I've read book 1-3 and was pretty amazed by all 3. The story line and characters are just plain entertaining but unfortunately I cannot say the say for this book. Needless to say it was very difficult for me to get into the book. Somethings were just not plausible and droll that i couldn't bemring my self to even finish the book. I forced my self to give the book the benefit of the doubt by continue reading it up until 41% but after (warning spoiler alert) Tiona agrees going out to hang out with the girl who her boyfriend cheated on her with and even if it wasn't physical,which I believe he was, he still thought he might of and still continued to hang out with her. Even imaging himself with her. I couldn't put up with this trash. So I stoped reading this horrible book and I'm moving on and good luck to any wanting to read this book.
I've read book 1-3 and was pretty amazed by all 3. The story line and characters are just plain entertaining but unfortunately I cannot say the say for this book. Needless to say it was very difficult for me to get into the book. Somethings were just not plausible and droll that i couldn't bemring my self to even finish the book. I forced my self to give the book the benefit of the doubt by continue reading it up until 41% but after (warning spoiler alert) Tiona agrees going out to hang out with the girl who her boyfriend cheated on her with and even if it wasn't physical,which I believe he was, he still thought he might of and still continued to hang out with her. Even imaging himself with her. I couldn't put up with this trash. So I stoped reading this horrible book and I'm moving on and good luck to any wanting to read this book.
May 26, 2025
outstanding
I greatly enjoyed this excellent series (Vaz). The story line was clear and includes a somewhat tedious justification of physics, that is actually appealing to the nerds among us. The characters are well fleshed out and although somewhat stereotypical, delightfully lovable and or hateful.
The Vaz character is nicely on the spectrum but seems intellectually unable to understand moral reasoning, feeling major guilt for actions against North Korea, and bloodthirsty aliens. Unlike the Girl with the dragon tattoo. Vaz’s daughter however is quite marvelous.
And yet I highly recommend Lawrence Dahner as an author to be read enjoyed and entertained.
I greatly enjoyed this excellent series (Vaz). The story line was clear and includes a somewhat tedious justification of physics, that is actually appealing to the nerds among us. The characters are well fleshed out and although somewhat stereotypical, delightfully lovable and or hateful.
The Vaz character is nicely on the spectrum but seems intellectually unable to understand moral reasoning, feeling major guilt for actions against North Korea, and bloodthirsty aliens. Unlike the Girl with the dragon tattoo. Vaz’s daughter however is quite marvelous.
And yet I highly recommend Lawrence Dahner as an author to be read enjoyed and entertained.
April 9, 2018
The Usual Fun Story with Exciting Near-Science
“Invaders” brings back all our favorite characters acting obvious, childishly transparent and obtuse while they industriously solve the impossible problems that confront them and save the world. Vaz as usual does things no one else can but can’t figure out the people around him, while in this story displaying added human touches that should delight his fans. Tiona plays the pivotal role to keep the plot moving, and has some delightful moments telling off the annoying military brass.
“Invaders” brings back all our favorite characters acting obvious, childishly transparent and obtuse while they industriously solve the impossible problems that confront them and save the world. Vaz as usual does things no one else can but can’t figure out the people around him, while in this story displaying added human touches that should delight his fans. Tiona plays the pivotal role to keep the plot moving, and has some delightful moments telling off the annoying military brass.
June 25, 2019
Decent story.
Continuing the Vaz series, this story was all right but not amazing. I would probably rate it at 3.5 but not a 4 so I had to round it downward to 3.0. I can't say what it was that bothers me most about the story. The characters are rather more like caricatures of people. Their emotions are so raw and overblown. There's very little subtlety here. Of course Vaz is the genius in the background who saves the world and the book has a happy ending. Pretty much according to formula.
Continuing the Vaz series, this story was all right but not amazing. I would probably rate it at 3.5 but not a 4 so I had to round it downward to 3.0. I can't say what it was that bothers me most about the story. The characters are rather more like caricatures of people. Their emotions are so raw and overblown. There's very little subtlety here. Of course Vaz is the genius in the background who saves the world and the book has a happy ending. Pretty much according to formula.
July 5, 2024
very hard to put down
The 2 series, Vas (4 books) and post epidemic world of the Hyllis family (7 books) were very well written and engaging. Read these 11 books at every opportunity over the last few weeks.
Can put my tablet down on occasion now to get to the gym, make jam, clean house and do final prep for business papers. Everything went on hold for a while there. If you pick up one of these series, clear the decks before you start.
Laurence Dahners has become one of my favorite authors.
The 2 series, Vas (4 books) and post epidemic world of the Hyllis family (7 books) were very well written and engaging. Read these 11 books at every opportunity over the last few weeks.
Can put my tablet down on occasion now to get to the gym, make jam, clean house and do final prep for business papers. Everything went on hold for a while there. If you pick up one of these series, clear the decks before you start.
Laurence Dahners has become one of my favorite authors.
November 24, 2020
Well written and thought provoking as always, Dahners is a genius for thinking outside the box. He takes simple beginnings with amazing detail and turns them into world changing science fiction. I haven't enjoyed science fiction this much in years. All of his books are technically thought out in ways that i would not have thought of and have the right mix of detail and action that really engages me and you feel like you are there. I haven't been this excited about SF since I was a young man.
February 16, 2023
An amazing blend Of Fiction With Science
I got this Series of 4 books several years ago. This is The 1st time I have reread the entire series. I appreciate the fact That the author has gone to great pains To avoid the ZAP, BANG PEW,PEW ,PEW that seems to be the rage of science fiction. A great series,with a surprisingly human cast of characters. I WILL be recommending this author's work to others.
Bill Hodges
I got this Series of 4 books several years ago. This is The 1st time I have reread the entire series. I appreciate the fact That the author has gone to great pains To avoid the ZAP, BANG PEW,PEW ,PEW that seems to be the rage of science fiction. A great series,with a surprisingly human cast of characters. I WILL be recommending this author's work to others.
Bill Hodges
March 9, 2024
Brilliant continuation Of a Hero saga
The best way to deal with power creep I've ever seen. To balance the heroes To To To blance how the hero's powers have grown the the already established social anxiety and agrophobia have grown worse the heroes t could be expect all the character has been throug bounce house the heroes have grown the oldest established social anxiety as could be expected from the drama this character has gone through. this keepS the story exciting
The best way to deal with power creep I've ever seen. To balance the heroes To To To blance how the hero's powers have grown the the already established social anxiety and agrophobia have grown worse the heroes t could be expect all the character has been throug bounce house the heroes have grown the oldest established social anxiety as could be expected from the drama this character has gone through. this keepS the story exciting
July 17, 2024
The invaders in question in the fourth Vaz Gettnor book are aliens with an overpopulation problem. They strip their worlds of resources, move to a new star system, terraform a likely planet, and move in. Can the Gettnors prevent Earth from becoming their new home? The aliens are ahead of us in biotech, materials science, and some areas of physics. The problem will test Vaz’s technical ingenuity and moral compass.
January 11, 2020
Is there more?
Another great story! It seems like Laurence hits all the right spots of your emotions to ellisit feelings of compassion and elation that make it a roller coaster ride! Thanks for not unnecessarily involving romantic physical contact between characters. It can ruin a good read.
Another great story! It seems like Laurence hits all the right spots of your emotions to ellisit feelings of compassion and elation that make it a roller coaster ride! Thanks for not unnecessarily involving romantic physical contact between characters. It can ruin a good read.
January 25, 2020
Fascinating sequel to Vaz, etc.
I must admit I 'fast read ' through the more technical portions of Laurence Dahners books, I thoroughly enjoyed all of his books. They make a fascinating story of what could happen. I heartily recommend all of his books. They are on my MUST READ list.
I must admit I 'fast read ' through the more technical portions of Laurence Dahners books, I thoroughly enjoyed all of his books. They make a fascinating story of what could happen. I heartily recommend all of his books. They are on my MUST READ list.
May 16, 2020
Book four
Mistakes: I didn’t find any mistakes in this book. Very well written.
Plot: This is mostly about an alien invasion. I didn’t find the ending as satisfying, but it has left the door open for a book where Earth returns the favor and invades the aliens.
Characters: Not as much Vaz in this book as I’d have liked.
8/10
Mistakes: I didn’t find any mistakes in this book. Very well written.
Plot: This is mostly about an alien invasion. I didn’t find the ending as satisfying, but it has left the door open for a book where Earth returns the favor and invades the aliens.
Characters: Not as much Vaz in this book as I’d have liked.
8/10
May 24, 2025
Another great trilogy
The author always takes the time to develop the characters and give us insight into what motivates them and enough technology to keep our nerd brains teased. I'm always sad that the story ends so soon, but never with a cliff hanger. I really like the Vaz family and will be looking for more.
The author always takes the time to develop the characters and give us insight into what motivates them and enough technology to keep our nerd brains teased. I'm always sad that the story ends so soon, but never with a cliff hanger. I really like the Vaz family and will be looking for more.
December 28, 2025
A very disappointing end to the series. U should skip this book if you can.
Author seems to be experimenting with how to write a really annoying story. This book is largely about dysfunctional personal relationships. It also includes the dreaded miscommunication trope. Far less enjoyable than the first 3 books.
Author seems to be experimenting with how to write a really annoying story. This book is largely about dysfunctional personal relationships. It also includes the dreaded miscommunication trope. Far less enjoyable than the first 3 books.
August 10, 2020
Arthur has to be very intelligent as well as innovative.
Love the science and story of this intelligent family. Want to read more of their inventive stories. Love the kindness of their actions.
Love the science and story of this intelligent family. Want to read more of their inventive stories. Love the kindness of their actions.
September 20, 2020
Good series
Good story line throughout the series. Kept me interested. The humanity that Raz is given even with his lack of social abilities really endears you to him.. Overall, a good read for science fiction people.
Good story line throughout the series. Kept me interested. The humanity that Raz is given even with his lack of social abilities really endears you to him.. Overall, a good read for science fiction people.
November 27, 2021
Idiotic don't waste your time
The plot was so stupid the author should be ashamed of himself. After a while I skimmed over sections to see who was more stupid, the humans or the aliens .It was so stupid it was comical
The plot was so stupid the author should be ashamed of himself. After a while I skimmed over sections to see who was more stupid, the humans or the aliens .It was so stupid it was comical
August 9, 2022
Incredible
I find of hour books so well written. They are different than other books that I read. As a bookaholic I read constantly but yours are probably the most inspiring. Thank you please don't stop writing.
I find of hour books so well written. They are different than other books that I read. As a bookaholic I read constantly but yours are probably the most inspiring. Thank you please don't stop writing.
November 4, 2022
interesting use of wormholes
I find that the use of the disks of the skateboards is a fun way to using the technology. I have never thought of using that technology for wheelchairs , even though it is like Professor X’s chair in the later comics.
I find that the use of the disks of the skateboards is a fun way to using the technology. I have never thought of using that technology for wheelchairs , even though it is like Professor X’s chair in the later comics.
March 23, 2024
A really good series
I loved this series, it's well written, with believable characters. I just wish someone could invent the items Vaz has, our world would be so much better off.
I loved this series, it's well written, with believable characters. I just wish someone could invent the items Vaz has, our world would be so much better off.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews