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The Lost Colony #1
Missing
Sometimes the darkness we fear is our own…
Despite his reputation as a brilliant and dedicated space engineer, John Rees is certain he is not the man everyone thinks he is. Haunted by the death of his father and one fatal decision that questions his morality, he doubts he will have a chance to redeem himself for a past he cannot escape.
But when 100 colonists go missing on an alien planet, he sees his chance to prove once and for all that one decision doesn’t create a monster. With only a skeleton crew chosen to lead the rescue mission, and John not making the cut, he struggles to find any way possible to help save them.
Can John find a way to get on board the vessel bound to find the lost colony, or will he be forced to watch from the sidelines as his destiny is snatched from him?
Strap in for Missing! The first book in Andrew Broderick’s new Sci-fi adventure, The Lost Colony series!
Please note: Missing is a novella, complete at 15,000 words
Save $5 by buying The Lost Colony Series: Omnibus Edition, which contains all 4 books in one
Despite his reputation as a brilliant and dedicated space engineer, John Rees is certain he is not the man everyone thinks he is. Haunted by the death of his father and one fatal decision that questions his morality, he doubts he will have a chance to redeem himself for a past he cannot escape.
But when 100 colonists go missing on an alien planet, he sees his chance to prove once and for all that one decision doesn’t create a monster. With only a skeleton crew chosen to lead the rescue mission, and John not making the cut, he struggles to find any way possible to help save them.
Can John find a way to get on board the vessel bound to find the lost colony, or will he be forced to watch from the sidelines as his destiny is snatched from him?
Strap in for Missing! The first book in Andrew Broderick’s new Sci-fi adventure, The Lost Colony series!
Please note: Missing is a novella, complete at 15,000 words
Save $5 by buying The Lost Colony Series: Omnibus Edition, which contains all 4 books in one
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
54 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2016
82 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 30, 2017
I have to take off a star because this is the first part of what is clearly going to be a much longer SF work, so it is just at the stage of setting up everything, introducing the characters and posing a problem. Other than that nothing has happened.
One of the main characters we meet is an antihero who has faked personality tests to get to be an astronaut. He is first waiting to hear back from a colonising mission, then distraught when no word returns. He is determined to be on the first ship to travel in their wake, though we don't know why he is so worried, other than bad stuff he doesn't want to come out on Earth. I didn't really take to him. We also see some of the colonists arriving at a new planet.
While we get plenty of descriptions of high-tech locations, in Germany for one, in a short read this reader tends to skim pages of location description or science background in the hope that something will happen on the next page. All very well to be description heavy at the start of a full length book, but not a short story. If this was a full book I would have taken my time and got into it, so should it all be released as one, I might revisit the story.
The author made this available as a free download. This is an unbiased review.
One of the main characters we meet is an antihero who has faked personality tests to get to be an astronaut. He is first waiting to hear back from a colonising mission, then distraught when no word returns. He is determined to be on the first ship to travel in their wake, though we don't know why he is so worried, other than bad stuff he doesn't want to come out on Earth. I didn't really take to him. We also see some of the colonists arriving at a new planet.
While we get plenty of descriptions of high-tech locations, in Germany for one, in a short read this reader tends to skim pages of location description or science background in the hope that something will happen on the next page. All very well to be description heavy at the start of a full length book, but not a short story. If this was a full book I would have taken my time and got into it, so should it all be released as one, I might revisit the story.
The author made this available as a free download. This is an unbiased review.
January 17, 2024
The first group of settlers arrive on planet Epsilon from the spaceship Hercules only to disappear. A nano virus which is activated by radio waves to kill humans was invented by a scientist. Everyone not exposed to the virus moves underground. Robotics have replaced humans causing planet-wide revolts, panic and chaos. A group of survivalists including mission specialist John Rees who has a dark past are sent to investigate and find adequate resources. I really enjoyed this fantastic short-story fantasy science fiction novel.
January 12, 2019
Good read!
Although I never identified with any of the characters, the plot was sufficiently tense to almost be a thriller. Almost but not quite, probably because it seemed too much of a prequel than the first book of a series. I did enjoy it enough to get the next book so you see, I did enjoy the plot!
Although I never identified with any of the characters, the plot was sufficiently tense to almost be a thriller. Almost but not quite, probably because it seemed too much of a prequel than the first book of a series. I did enjoy it enough to get the next book so you see, I did enjoy the plot!
March 8, 2023
Missing
Andrew C. Broderick
Sci Fi Novella length.
Space probe sent from a colony on an exoplanet light years distance returns with no records. Would you want to be among the next group of colonists to be sent there?
Avoid if you don’t like cliffhanger endings. In fact the entire 4 book series priced at $10 USD barely qualifies as a single book.
Andrew C. Broderick
Sci Fi Novella length.
Space probe sent from a colony on an exoplanet light years distance returns with no records. Would you want to be among the next group of colonists to be sent there?
Avoid if you don’t like cliffhanger endings. In fact the entire 4 book series priced at $10 USD barely qualifies as a single book.
September 3, 2017
Just OK
This was a short read. Not very good. Seems like its just a hook for the next book. I already have part two or I would not bother going on. I hope it picks up and rounds out, otherwise I will not recommend this serries.
This was a short read. Not very good. Seems like its just a hook for the next book. I already have part two or I would not bother going on. I hope it picks up and rounds out, otherwise I will not recommend this serries.
November 12, 2017
Excellent read
Only thing wrong is it’s a tad short. Well written easy to follow the story line. Can’t wait for then next book. Nice to read a book without taking notes on who’s who with complicated names an places. Recommend.
Only thing wrong is it’s a tad short. Well written easy to follow the story line. Can’t wait for then next book. Nice to read a book without taking notes on who’s who with complicated names an places. Recommend.
February 15, 2018
As a reader magnet, I enjoyed this very much. As entertainment, I felt short-changed. It's a great sample of the author's style and the setup of a promising story, but it ends just at the exciting bit. Disappointing.
January 16, 2019
Although I never identified with any of the characters, the plot was sufficiently tense to almost be a thriller. Almost but not quite, probably because it seemed too much of a prequel than the first book of a series. I did enjoy it enough to get the next book so you see, I did enjoy the plot!
July 24, 2017
A good mystery but no likable characters
I didn't find a character I wanted to follow to the next book. There's a mystery but no foreshadowing to keep me turning pages
I didn't find a character I wanted to follow to the next book. There's a mystery but no foreshadowing to keep me turning pages
August 4, 2017
What happened?
That's,the bottom line. The next story will hopefully provide so answer. Be it life or death. It will be one or the other. Daw genius
That's,the bottom line. The next story will hopefully provide so answer. Be it life or death. It will be one or the other. Daw genius
September 28, 2017
Great story. This is a quick read that keeps you hooked.
March 20, 2018
Good start
Can't wait for the second book. Story has kept me interested. Very well written. characters are excellent with afew two
Can't wait for the second book. Story has kept me interested. Very well written. characters are excellent with afew two
April 22, 2018
Fast paced and exciting!
Fast paced with an exciting premise. One in which all can find interest as we leave this planet and venture to the stars.
Fast paced with an exciting premise. One in which all can find interest as we leave this planet and venture to the stars.
March 29, 2019
Good Read
This is a solid first story in this new series. Man's first venture to a new planet and the events surrounding it. Good character's and story line
This is a solid first story in this new series. Man's first venture to a new planet and the events surrounding it. Good character's and story line
June 28, 2019
Review of missing the lost colony part one
Really enjoyed reading part one good characters nothing I did not like can't waiting to get part 2
Thanks Brenda
Really enjoyed reading part one good characters nothing I did not like can't waiting to get part 2
Thanks Brenda
September 18, 2019
Not for me
I couldn't get into this book. I felt it was not organized well and lacked any flow. At the end I was not interested in the characters.
I couldn't get into this book. I felt it was not organized well and lacked any flow. At the end I was not interested in the characters.
June 26, 2017
I have read the four parts of this series. I have discovered recently that I love serialize novel, so therefore I am more lenient in my reviews of them, so be warn. I really liked the story of The Lost Colony, I liked the characters, I liked the action and I liked the straightforwardness of the writing. But that's just it, I only liked the series and I was never impressed or blown away by anything. There is a little something missing in the series, but I can't put my finger on it. The author has created some very clever and interesting situations facing the characters that enable them to show resolve and growth. The ending of the series is a bit rash with some great leap in the timeline that I find jarring, but otherwise I liked the series and will read more about the author.
August 12, 2017
Missing is Part One in The Lost Colony series. Overall it is supposed to be a space opera. This is a short quick read. Perfect for a lunch break or when you don't have a lot of time. You should not read it as a standalone as it does have a cliffhanger ending for the next book.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is the start of what is supposed to be a space opera. Part One is slow paced, and I hope anyway that's just because it is setting the stage for the rest of the story. As usual, everything and everyone is not as it seems. Now off to read Hunted which is Part Two.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. This is the start of what is supposed to be a space opera. Part One is slow paced, and I hope anyway that's just because it is setting the stage for the rest of the story. As usual, everything and everyone is not as it seems. Now off to read Hunted which is Part Two.
February 24, 2017
This is an interesting short story. Maybe a longish short story, but not even a novella. It's an interesting premise, which handles interstellar travel with just enough structure to be not be silly, but still leave challenges to weave a story around (specifically how does one find out a far-remote, cannot-communicate colony has gone missing so as to mount a rescue mission). But other aspects are just given too little thought - the crime dogging the main character, his too-shallow, too simplistic character development, short shrift on how he came to be on the mission. Even the mission itself leaves the impression of a badly run local lodge project rather than a huge government undertaking (but I guess in a sense everything gets short shrift in so few pages).
It's unfortunate. I think with better writing, and about 4-8 times as much content, there was a good novel here (even covering just the same events -- the whole back story of cheating the system to get in, for example, rather than a brief conversation could have been chapters, giving development of the character - instead it is just a conversation with a crew member that almost certainly would have been reported and the story ended, not ignored as an artifact to provide explanation to the reader).
It's unfortunate. I think with better writing, and about 4-8 times as much content, there was a good novel here (even covering just the same events -- the whole back story of cheating the system to get in, for example, rather than a brief conversation could have been chapters, giving development of the character - instead it is just a conversation with a crew member that almost certainly would have been reported and the story ended, not ignored as an artifact to provide explanation to the reader).
November 22, 2016
If this were a full-length story, I'd have given it five stars. I just don't feel it would be fair to give the same rating to this book as one of the same caliber but several times longer.
Some fantastic new technology has allowed space travel so fast it's possible to visit an earth-like planet over twenty-two Light Years away. Numerous unmanned missions have been made before the first manned colonizing mission. In fact, utilizing robotic construction techniques, all the required infrastructure is in place before the first colonists arrive.
Normal communications are impossible over these vast distances so small hi-speed courier craft are used to send early mission status reports back to Earth. These status reports show No Status at all and are in fact completely blank. It's obvious something serious has occurred that must be investigated immediately if there is any hope of rescuing the Crew and Colonists.
Meanwhile, planet-wide revolts are devastating Earth because Robotics have rapidly displaced most human workers.
A rescue mission is planned by accelerating the schedule of a second colonization mission to a pace many fear is unsafe.
Compounding all of this, we learn one of the key mission specialists has some dark secrets in his past that have plagued him with guilt and fear of discovery.
This is one of those books you just can't put down. As soon as I post this review I'm going to begin the next book in this series.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
Some fantastic new technology has allowed space travel so fast it's possible to visit an earth-like planet over twenty-two Light Years away. Numerous unmanned missions have been made before the first manned colonizing mission. In fact, utilizing robotic construction techniques, all the required infrastructure is in place before the first colonists arrive.
Normal communications are impossible over these vast distances so small hi-speed courier craft are used to send early mission status reports back to Earth. These status reports show No Status at all and are in fact completely blank. It's obvious something serious has occurred that must be investigated immediately if there is any hope of rescuing the Crew and Colonists.
Meanwhile, planet-wide revolts are devastating Earth because Robotics have rapidly displaced most human workers.
A rescue mission is planned by accelerating the schedule of a second colonization mission to a pace many fear is unsafe.
Compounding all of this, we learn one of the key mission specialists has some dark secrets in his past that have plagued him with guilt and fear of discovery.
This is one of those books you just can't put down. As soon as I post this review I'm going to begin the next book in this series.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
November 29, 2016
Missing is the first part of a sci-fi series, and it's unputdownable. We meet John in a future era when space travel is becoming common. The author's explanation of the technology of the time, and his detail about timespace, is impeccably believable and sounds authentic. This was one solid star right there--how masterfully he handles the science behind the story.
Next comes the fiction elements, which begin to slowly unravel after a group settled on a distant planet to form the first human colony in space. Yet when it's discovered that they disappear, a select few are chosen to investigate. John lucks out at the last minute to embark on the voyage. Yet John isn't your typical hero. He has a dark past that involves a murderous revenge and some psychological question marks that make him intriguing. While we don't get all the answers in this short story prequel, we get a taste for more.
When adding together a solid plot beginning, compelling character, aptly executed science elements, and budding mystery, I give Missing 5 stars. It's a solid read, and I look forward to reading part 2.
Next comes the fiction elements, which begin to slowly unravel after a group settled on a distant planet to form the first human colony in space. Yet when it's discovered that they disappear, a select few are chosen to investigate. John lucks out at the last minute to embark on the voyage. Yet John isn't your typical hero. He has a dark past that involves a murderous revenge and some psychological question marks that make him intriguing. While we don't get all the answers in this short story prequel, we get a taste for more.
When adding together a solid plot beginning, compelling character, aptly executed science elements, and budding mystery, I give Missing 5 stars. It's a solid read, and I look forward to reading part 2.
February 6, 2017
This is a book set in the future when intergalactic travel has been made possible by several accomplishments in the field of space travel, but what has failed to happen is whether or not the planned destination is safe. The reader gets the impression that this could be the lost colony that disappeared from Virginia, U.S.A. No on on Earth knows what has happened to this ship or astronauts. A rescue ship is hurriedly organized, but one of those who wants to go is a master manipulator who has rigged his test results, and the author frogs a cliff hanger at the end of the book. A UFO is discovered orbiting the targeted planet by the crew of the first ship.
November 21, 2018
It's short but it'll grab you, if you like space-travel and mystery.
I'm looking forward to getting into the second book soon!
I'm looking forward to getting into the second book soon!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews