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No Higher Ground:
Sam Czerny’s career as a xenobiologist was relegated to studying strange life forms deep in the oceans. Then a Chinese mining facility discovers an unusual artifact on the far side of the moon. A device which could change the way humanity sees itself and its place in the galaxy. Sam finds himself on the project of his dreams only to get caught up in a sudden war between the US and China. A war that prevents the two governments from noticing an even more dangerous arrival.
A book that is part political thriller, part science fiction, part speculative fiction and part dark fiction, it will keep you turning pages until the stunning conclusion.
"Imaginative science fiction based in hard science and realistically envisioned future geopolitics, NO HIGHER GROUND is a thriller with a wildly inventive reality. Surprising alliances and betrayals are set against stakes which reveal the war games we humans play are a mere footnote in the battles fought across the universe. An exciting debut." - Nina Sadowsky, author of JUST FALL and THE BURIAL SOCIETY
A book that is part political thriller, part science fiction, part speculative fiction and part dark fiction, it will keep you turning pages until the stunning conclusion.
"Imaginative science fiction based in hard science and realistically envisioned future geopolitics, NO HIGHER GROUND is a thriller with a wildly inventive reality. Surprising alliances and betrayals are set against stakes which reveal the war games we humans play are a mere footnote in the battles fought across the universe. An exciting debut." - Nina Sadowsky, author of JUST FALL and THE BURIAL SOCIETY
- GenresScience FictionFiction
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2017
188 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 16, 2018
Amateurish, Uninformed, “Woke” Inspired, and Condescending
“No Higher Ground (A Sam Czerny Novel - Book One),” fails at almost every level. The writing execution is amateurish, stilted and simplistic throughout, very much of the hobbyist mode. The science is fleeting and shallow, as if the author skimmed through a few articles and textbooks, while knowledge of the military and government appears gleamed from leftist tweets. The author’s ham-fisted (nothing subtle) advocacy of being a “woke” SJW theme, permeates the book from beginning to end, in a smug and condescending manner. A couple of examples: Conflict between an amoral, aggressive female corporate climber and males is assigned as “misogyny” by the author, not simple friction between unattractive alpha personality types. Another example is the MC, “Sam,” who is drawn as a high functioning, submissive beta male by the author. “Sam,” is intellectually, but a “pleaser,” who is especially submissive to the wife he loves.
All the aforementioned aside, the story is weak, crude, and ill-formed. A century or so in the future, a xenobiologist, “Sam,” is assigned to a joint Chinese-private corporation mission to the far side of the moon. There, while building a lunar base, the Chinese have discovered an apparent alien artifact. After a day or two of pre-flight astronaut training [sic], “Sam,” and the small international team of experts, under the command of the Chinese military, head to the moon. The lunar base is structured around a rail gun and AI bots. A conspiracy for world domination by the Chinese and the corporate sponsor is revealed, as “Sam” and a pair of his associates, discover [Spoiler Alert] the alien AI within the artifact.
The low level quality of the story and its inane plot lines and devices, along with the poor writing execution, makes it not suitable for adults or even teens. “No Higher Ground,” is an excellent example of a hobbyist writer’s product, that while suitable for a writing workshop or club, is not suitable for a public, commercial offering.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
“No Higher Ground (A Sam Czerny Novel - Book One),” fails at almost every level. The writing execution is amateurish, stilted and simplistic throughout, very much of the hobbyist mode. The science is fleeting and shallow, as if the author skimmed through a few articles and textbooks, while knowledge of the military and government appears gleamed from leftist tweets. The author’s ham-fisted (nothing subtle) advocacy of being a “woke” SJW theme, permeates the book from beginning to end, in a smug and condescending manner. A couple of examples: Conflict between an amoral, aggressive female corporate climber and males is assigned as “misogyny” by the author, not simple friction between unattractive alpha personality types. Another example is the MC, “Sam,” who is drawn as a high functioning, submissive beta male by the author. “Sam,” is intellectually, but a “pleaser,” who is especially submissive to the wife he loves.
All the aforementioned aside, the story is weak, crude, and ill-formed. A century or so in the future, a xenobiologist, “Sam,” is assigned to a joint Chinese-private corporation mission to the far side of the moon. There, while building a lunar base, the Chinese have discovered an apparent alien artifact. After a day or two of pre-flight astronaut training [sic], “Sam,” and the small international team of experts, under the command of the Chinese military, head to the moon. The lunar base is structured around a rail gun and AI bots. A conspiracy for world domination by the Chinese and the corporate sponsor is revealed, as “Sam” and a pair of his associates, discover [Spoiler Alert] the alien AI within the artifact.
The low level quality of the story and its inane plot lines and devices, along with the poor writing execution, makes it not suitable for adults or even teens. “No Higher Ground,” is an excellent example of a hobbyist writer’s product, that while suitable for a writing workshop or club, is not suitable for a public, commercial offering.
The book is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
February 9, 2019
2019 grade B+/B
Good book.
The story is near future hard SciFi and political thriller. Exactly how far in the future was never absolute, which is fine. At times it seemed only 50 years - other times it seemed 200 years. None of the hard SciFi aspects were particularly new. Asimov, Clark, Heinlein, and others have used them. But the story is totally original and believable.
I am not fond of political thrillers, and the politics pretty much drive the actions of the SciFi characters. The politics were a bit to believable for me to be comfortable. I think multi-continental war would have occurred anyway.
As for reading quality, the book is a modern, well written, fast reading, and thoroughly enjoyable book. It has some odd grammatical constructs, but they do not affect the enjoyment. It is a bit long. I skipped one political chapter, which did not seem to affect the story, and I marked three more chapters to skip if I read it again. I did not skip any of the conclusion, which is pretty long. It was "don't stop reading" quality.
This is a recommended book.
Good book.
The story is near future hard SciFi and political thriller. Exactly how far in the future was never absolute, which is fine. At times it seemed only 50 years - other times it seemed 200 years. None of the hard SciFi aspects were particularly new. Asimov, Clark, Heinlein, and others have used them. But the story is totally original and believable.
I am not fond of political thrillers, and the politics pretty much drive the actions of the SciFi characters. The politics were a bit to believable for me to be comfortable. I think multi-continental war would have occurred anyway.
As for reading quality, the book is a modern, well written, fast reading, and thoroughly enjoyable book. It has some odd grammatical constructs, but they do not affect the enjoyment. It is a bit long. I skipped one political chapter, which did not seem to affect the story, and I marked three more chapters to skip if I read it again. I did not skip any of the conclusion, which is pretty long. It was "don't stop reading" quality.
This is a recommended book.
January 25, 2018
Super Sci Fi
Mr Godzich scores a hit with his first published novel. I couldn’t put it down. With wit and depth, the author paints a vivid spacescape filled with finely drawn characters and thrilling adventures. Highly recommend.
Mr Godzich scores a hit with his first published novel. I couldn’t put it down. With wit and depth, the author paints a vivid spacescape filled with finely drawn characters and thrilling adventures. Highly recommend.
April 12, 2018
Extraordinary Goodread
Excellent story line. I've been reading science fiction for 65 years and this is among the best five books I've ever read. I will be waiting impatiently for the next story. My personal library of over 7000 books now has a new addition.
Excellent story line. I've been reading science fiction for 65 years and this is among the best five books I've ever read. I will be waiting impatiently for the next story. My personal library of over 7000 books now has a new addition.
September 12, 2019
I did not finish it. There were too many inanities and bad science. It partly became understandable to me when I found out that it was a "Young Adult" book. Honestly? It read like a book written for 5th graders... by an 8th grader. Disappointing, not recommended for readers over the age of 12.
October 1, 2019
couldn't finish, this book sucks
May 27, 2019
A completely satisfying thrill ride.
One of the best SCI-FI novels I’ve read in a long time. When the author is not keeping us on the edge of our seats, he is making the entire trip relevant to today’s politics without preaching. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, I want more.
One of the best SCI-FI novels I’ve read in a long time. When the author is not keeping us on the edge of our seats, he is making the entire trip relevant to today’s politics without preaching. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, I want more.
May 15, 2019
Wowzers!
Great read! Highly enjoyable! And it ended too soon, dang it.
I really look forward to the next installment from the author.
Great read! Highly enjoyable! And it ended too soon, dang it.
I really look forward to the next installment from the author.
April 4, 2019
Good “old fashioned” hard SF
Not the style currently “in vogue” because it is not really violent (Military SF), or Horror, or Dystopian, nor does it have a strong Female lead (with Red Hair) as the main character. Also the author is male. And the main character survived. Look at the current (2019) Hugo list. Last years list had, at least, a few token male (European) authors. The current popular style is sort of similar to what a friend called “70s gloomy”. John Scalzi went out of his way to make a main character of indeterminate gender (of color, of coarse) and you (the reader) don’t notice because all other characters are definitely gendered, and racially identified. But even that is not “good enough” any more. And.. I would have liked the Biologist to do more Biology. I would have also like to have seen more Geology / Paleontology. The last 3 Hugo’s went to the same person who uses Geologic terms specifically to make the language sound “exotic”... but, in fact, seems to hate both Geologic observations and techniques. But that is my own personal bias. It is very rare in SF to include “Good Geology”. Red Mars is about the only example I can think of. Even Dune, makes a case that Geology should, in fact, be called “Planetology”, but... The really “old fashioned” SF main characters were always Engineers (even though real Engineers tend to not read SF). Both the red hair and the engineering are sort of legacies of Heinlein and, maybe Stan Lee. Ursula K Guin was a genius. (The Left Hand of Darkness (and Earthsea) are classic studies of Sociology.)) As have been many female authors (Mary Shelly, etc...) were genius. And... the readership is now mostly female. So.. But.. I’m not sure how I tumbled to this book. But glad I did. Looking forward to the next one.
Not the style currently “in vogue” because it is not really violent (Military SF), or Horror, or Dystopian, nor does it have a strong Female lead (with Red Hair) as the main character. Also the author is male. And the main character survived. Look at the current (2019) Hugo list. Last years list had, at least, a few token male (European) authors. The current popular style is sort of similar to what a friend called “70s gloomy”. John Scalzi went out of his way to make a main character of indeterminate gender (of color, of coarse) and you (the reader) don’t notice because all other characters are definitely gendered, and racially identified. But even that is not “good enough” any more. And.. I would have liked the Biologist to do more Biology. I would have also like to have seen more Geology / Paleontology. The last 3 Hugo’s went to the same person who uses Geologic terms specifically to make the language sound “exotic”... but, in fact, seems to hate both Geologic observations and techniques. But that is my own personal bias. It is very rare in SF to include “Good Geology”. Red Mars is about the only example I can think of. Even Dune, makes a case that Geology should, in fact, be called “Planetology”, but... The really “old fashioned” SF main characters were always Engineers (even though real Engineers tend to not read SF). Both the red hair and the engineering are sort of legacies of Heinlein and, maybe Stan Lee. Ursula K Guin was a genius. (The Left Hand of Darkness (and Earthsea) are classic studies of Sociology.)) As have been many female authors (Mary Shelly, etc...) were genius. And... the readership is now mostly female. So.. But.. I’m not sure how I tumbled to this book. But glad I did. Looking forward to the next one.
April 28, 2019
Kind of hard to follow but interesting story with an awesome space race that kept me coming back to finish.
May 30, 2021
While I no longer recall how this came recommended to me, I can say with the confidence of a life of reading science fiction that this work fails at just about every level a novel might: 1) an unoriginal concept, 2) ill-considered premises both in the science and the universe premise, 3) stereotyped characters which border on racist representations, 4) one-dimensional characters, 5) amateurishly written with dozens of needless expositions and interruptions, . . . I could go on, but I've already given it more time than it deserves. The solutions to the problems posed are never really solved by any of the characters--more often fortuitous events create storylines. The hero is an unsympathetic bumbler who offers none of his own expertise but develops expertise in other areas without training. Anyone claiming that this is a "hard science" novel is unfamiliar with the notion of science.
May 23, 2018
This is by far the best book I've read all year !
No spoilers but a very good read. Once I started I couldn't stop reading. The ending was not a cliff hanger, but left me wanting more. Suspenseful, dramatic full of action.
No spoilers but a very good read. Once I started I couldn't stop reading. The ending was not a cliff hanger, but left me wanting more. Suspenseful, dramatic full of action.
October 19, 2018
Great book
Really liked the story. This was a good introduction to the characters and an unusual take on alien contact. Several surprises but nothing so dramatic that it interrupts the main story line.
Really liked the story. This was a good introduction to the characters and an unusual take on alien contact. Several surprises but nothing so dramatic that it interrupts the main story line.
February 11, 2019
Good science fiction!
Excellent. Read. I enjoy good science fiction and this story has just enough plausibility about the near future to make it a great story. Looking forward to book two. Five stares because I couldn't put it down
Excellent. Read. I enjoy good science fiction and this story has just enough plausibility about the near future to make it a great story. Looking forward to book two. Five stares because I couldn't put it down
March 10, 2018
A whole lot of fun! Elements of Crichton, Clarke, Asimov and maybe a little twist of Douglas Adams as well. Very impressive first novel! Recommended.
June 24, 2018
Excellent
Very entertaining reading. Well developed characters with a strong story line. I personally think this would be a great movie fleshed out a little better.
Very entertaining reading. Well developed characters with a strong story line. I personally think this would be a great movie fleshed out a little better.
November 7, 2018
Solid SCFI story well written.
February 16, 2019
Great read!
I really enjoyed the characters, they were very believable.The story moved quickly and it was realistic . I would recommend this book to anyone!!
I really enjoyed the characters, they were very believable.The story moved quickly and it was realistic . I would recommend this book to anyone!!
March 17, 2019
Good hard sci-fi thriller in near earth space with near future politics. Regardless of your current political leanings or obsessions, this is a decent entertaining read.
April 29, 2019
Good mostly hard SF
I enjoyed this story of political conflict, problem solving on the moon, and artificial intelligence. Minus one star for somewhat two dimensional characters.
I enjoyed this story of political conflict, problem solving on the moon, and artificial intelligence. Minus one star for somewhat two dimensional characters.
April 1, 2019
Great book.
Great characters and excellent story telling. This book made me lose time while being immersed in the action. The story was fast paced and exciting.
Great characters and excellent story telling. This book made me lose time while being immersed in the action. The story was fast paced and exciting.
April 8, 2019
Great pace
Classic hard sci-fi with good pacing and plot. Worth reading the next one. Will gladly read more by Mr. Godzich
Classic hard sci-fi with good pacing and plot. Worth reading the next one. Will gladly read more by Mr. Godzich
December 12, 2019
I cannot believe they high reviews for this book. The premise is interesting. The writing is...bad. I’d rather watch a telenovela with subtitles.
April 26, 2019
An artifact is found by the Chinese on the far side of the moon, and a multinational group is formed to go there and study just what it is. At the same time a plan is being put in place to create massive mayhem on the Earth; and to make things worse, an asteroid is heading our way with equally disastrous intents. It's up to Sam and his team to mitigate the damage.
I enjoyed reading this first book in a series, but it seems that too many things are happening at the same time. it's hard to believe that all of the calamities could be overcome with just a few people. The conversations seemed to lack impact and urgency. Even for a science fiction story there is a lot of action that is pretty far-fetched.
I really dislike series books, especially when a reader is left hanging at the end of a book so that you're forced to move to the next one to find out what's happening. Fortunately, Mr. Godzich has reached a good ending for book one with an indication that there is something else coming in book two.
I enjoyed reading this first book in a series, but it seems that too many things are happening at the same time. it's hard to believe that all of the calamities could be overcome with just a few people. The conversations seemed to lack impact and urgency. Even for a science fiction story there is a lot of action that is pretty far-fetched.
I really dislike series books, especially when a reader is left hanging at the end of a book so that you're forced to move to the next one to find out what's happening. Fortunately, Mr. Godzich has reached a good ending for book one with an indication that there is something else coming in book two.
March 27, 2018
I will write a full review within the next week or so. I am not a huge sci-fi guy and most of the novels I do end up really enjoying are more like space operas, Vorkosigan Saga, or Military, Marko Kloos books. This novel is well written but it takes a lot longer than I would like before the real "action" begins. The first 40% plus is set up and world building. For a real fan of the first contact style of novel this shouldn't be a big deal but if I had not been reading it as a reviewer I'm not sure I would have finished the novel off on my own because of how long it took to get into the action phase. As I mentioned a moment ago this isn't because I didn't think the writing was up to par, it certainly was, it was just that this isn't really my preference for genre.
October 30, 2019
Great read!
The author did a good job in telling an involved story in which a world war was averted by the actions of many of the characters. Enemies worked together to destroy an asteroid that would have hit the earth along with the help of an AI robot that was created by extra terrestrials 65 million years ago.
The action (and surprises) come fast and you won't want to put the book down.
The author did a good job in telling an involved story in which a world war was averted by the actions of many of the characters. Enemies worked together to destroy an asteroid that would have hit the earth along with the help of an AI robot that was created by extra terrestrials 65 million years ago.
The action (and surprises) come fast and you won't want to put the book down.
September 3, 2018
Science Errors Galore
This book has more fundamental science errors than any science fiction book I've ever read and I started reading Heinlein and Asimov in the 60s! The author seems to have no understanding whatsoever of basic astronomy. I can not recommend this book unless you want to count the mistakes! Because there are so many, that might take you a LONG time.
This book has more fundamental science errors than any science fiction book I've ever read and I started reading Heinlein and Asimov in the 60s! The author seems to have no understanding whatsoever of basic astronomy. I can not recommend this book unless you want to count the mistakes! Because there are so many, that might take you a LONG time.
February 24, 2019
I got this book on Audible but listened to only about 1/3 through it. The story was somewhat interesting but I couldn't listen any more because of the portrayal of the female characters, all respected professionals, came off as giddy schoolgirls. Some blame must go to the author who had them taking like they are in middle school. Then the narrator read their parts with a childish tone that completely turned me off. Overall character development was flat too which didn't help.
October 14, 2018
I recently narrated this novel for Audible. Really good space story and adventure with a great lead into the next book. If you love audiobooks check it out. https://www.audible.com/pd/B07GT8CZK3...
September 3, 2018
A group of scientists discover a mysterious artifact on the moon - I don’t want to give too much away but this was a fast paced exciting read, highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews