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Orbs #3
Redemption
At the end of the world, who do you save?
With their numbers diminishing and the alien armies growing stronger, Sophie's biosphere decides to join forces with the team from NTC's submarine.
Using data from a surviving satellite, they discover strange, alien poles at each of the world's seven highest summits: alien technology that the survivors believe may hold the key to shutting down the alien ships once and for all.
That's not all. The satellite also discovers an encrypted set of coordinates that reveal SOS messages from US Military bases around the world, all activated on invasion day, except for one: Offutt Air Force Base.
But before they can launch an offensive, the biosphere team must deal with sabotage from within and a strange nanotechnology that has infected several of the survivors. As tensions rise, Sophie and team must decide whether a new discovery at Offutt is worth abandoning the biosphere. The more the team learns, the more they realize the planet may be beyond saving and that salvation may require leaving the planet forever.
With their numbers diminishing and the alien armies growing stronger, Sophie's biosphere decides to join forces with the team from NTC's submarine.
Using data from a surviving satellite, they discover strange, alien poles at each of the world's seven highest summits: alien technology that the survivors believe may hold the key to shutting down the alien ships once and for all.
That's not all. The satellite also discovers an encrypted set of coordinates that reveal SOS messages from US Military bases around the world, all activated on invasion day, except for one: Offutt Air Force Base.
But before they can launch an offensive, the biosphere team must deal with sabotage from within and a strange nanotechnology that has infected several of the survivors. As tensions rise, Sophie and team must decide whether a new discovery at Offutt is worth abandoning the biosphere. The more the team learns, the more they realize the planet may be beyond saving and that salvation may require leaving the planet forever.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2015
545 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
103 books2,379 followersNicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels with two million copies sold. Before his writing career, he served at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a background that inspired many of his story concepts. A two time Ironman triathlete, he enjoys running, biking, and hiking. Nicholas also loves traveling, especially to his cabin in Northern Minnesota where he weaves his tales. He lives in Iowa with his wonderful wife and their son and daughter.
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
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November 15, 2025Rating: minus 25. On a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
It is sometimes more difficult to generate the needed enthusiasm to rewrite a review than to write a new.
Before I continue, I need a YouTube visit. This was made possible by Doctor Who/Be Kind, NCMI, Sarah Paine, Keffals, Suchomimus, LuckyBlackCat, RevolutionarythOt, Terrible Writing Advice, Red Glasgow, Hindustan Times, Owen Jones, Bernadette Banner, Nomadic Crobot, Kayla Says, Verilybitchie, The Interesting Times, Welcome to Ukraine, Savannah Brown, Philosophy Tube, Media is Fay, Not Even Emily, Ponderful,
I've Had It, History with Kayleigh, Sailing Melody, Ship Happens, Discourse Minis, The Ministry of Miniatures, Ukraine Calling, The Kavernacle, Perun, Mandy, KernowDamo, Dr Fatima, Lady Knight the Brave, Ash L G, Abby Cox, Engineering with Rosie, Your True Shelf, The Closet Historian, New Enlightenment with Ashley, The Welsh Viking, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, History of Everything, Lisandra Vazquez, Anark,
Jabzy, The How and Why of Mathematics, Jess of the Shire, SK Media, Foster on the Spectrum, Hello Future Me, Amie's Literary Empire, Amanda the Jedi, Friendly Space Ninja, Squire, Kings and Generals, Anna from Ukraine, The Shades of Orange, Delamer, OrangeRiver, Bookslike Whoa, Jessie Gender, Dropkick Murphys, Sally's economics, The Gaze, Vlad Vexler, Crow Caller, Supertanskiii, Oliver Lugg. Biz, Reese Waters.
I recently saw that a member of the Morons Are Great Americans, who whilst insulting an essayist, complain to her that I listed other trans creators. The plague of Snowflakes (nasty, self-important, US white man-babies) continues unabated. A trigger warning then.
The channels I mention include architect, farmer, blond, bi, socialist, Kenyan, tall, mathematician, intersex, military historian, archaeologist, het, musician, cosplayer, social historian, lesbian, German, older, military boardgamer, culture critic, lumber mill family, trans, book reviewer, redhaired, artist, married, asexual, WOC, communist, mathematician, cis, sewist, primatologist, modeller, Swedish, queer, photographer, theoretical physicist and other creators known as Women.
Almost as damaging to the limited reference group are channels hosted by the wood worker, neurodivergent, Canadian, chemist, astrophysicist, fashion historian, particle physicist, other BIPOC, linguist, fashion historian, other LGBTQI+, Irish, book critic, architect, hobbyist, older, anarchist, artist, comedian, short, film reviewer, Ukrainian, fantasy gamer and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
Should the voices demand a visit to any of these, I suggest emergency therapy, adoption of a hobby such as reading or a visit to the nearest Taoist monastery.
Continuing to mock these idiots is tiring. Fortunately I remember the early days interview with a middle aged Ukrainian teacher who organised and led her civilian anti-tank team in hunting Russian armour north of Kyiv. In the face of their example, I can not but continue. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
This book is one of the best examples of bad writing, which ever I have read.
There is no worldbuilding. This book was a major effort to finish but that was early days on Amazon and I had not yet decided to bin rubbish. I have not finished a book as bad for more than three years. I also have not DNF'd so many titles ever.
Prior to their invasion, aliens build huge towers on seven mountains on earth as the backbone of the broadcast power network to be used by their invasion army. No satellite, government or other noticed.
Rather than mine the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt, they may have decided that they would invade Earth because gas and ice giants are boring.
They land an army despite their super technology. which includes strange rays to drain all moisture from humans. The aliens seemed not to notice the oceans.
There are only two nations on Earth., China and the USA. Fortunately for the aliens, a dozen or so super US mercenaries destroyed the Chinese state.
The US military consist of branches of New Tech Corporation. Clever naming that. How they generated a profit from that ownership escaped me. That the US Marines were not part of New Tech was not explained.
A PhD heading a government base personally leads raids and scouting expeditions against the super advanced aliens, as one would expect. Not.
That concludes my observations of unbelievable plot, characters with less definition than video avatars, plot holes galore, dialogue worthy of a ten year old and more or perhaps less.
Have earned another visit to the YouTube. This next is courtesy of Doctor Who/Where I Stand, is Where I Fall, NCMI, SK Media, Scaredketchup, The Juice Media, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Emma Thorne, The British Museum, Jake Broe, Honest Government Ads, Anna from Ukraine, World Anvil Worldbuilding, Reads with Rachel, Tale Foundry, Eileen, Books and Lala, Jessie Gender, ThePrimeChronus, The Pioneer, Cindy's Villa, Steve Shives,
The New Enlightenment with Ashley, The Confused Adipose, Kozak Muzon, Autumn's Boutique, A Life of Lit, Jean's Thoughts, Abbie Emmons, Bobbing Along, Ship Happens, Dust, Ukraine Calling Me, A Confused Brit, Cruising Alba, Philosophy Tube, Simply Christine, Hannah's Books, FAFO, Acollierastro, Elina Charatsidou, Daisy Viktoria, Mom on the Spectrum, The Dadvocate, The Chloe Connection, Jay Reed, FunkyFrogBait,
Raptor Chatter, Hoots, Smack the Pony, May, Riverboat Jack, Kirkpattiecake, Up and Atom, Verilybitchie, Physics Girl, CBC News, Planarwalker, Terrible Writing Advice, SciFi Odyssey, Gutsick Gibbon, TIKHistory, Chloe Daniels, Jay Exci, Raw News and Politics, France 24, Daily Live, Mynameismarines, Purple Ella, Fran Blanche,
Zoe Gardner, Jack Edwards, The Institute of Art and Ideas, Emancipation Media, Lindsay Nikole, Warthog Defence, Lee Francis, Naughty Nana DUZ, Barry's Economics, Strange Lucidity, Betty on a Boat, Times Radio.
This was an example of the worst of low end US science fiction. There are three publisher standards - No Effort, Pathetic and Godawful. Kindle loans provide a broad selection of each.
I began visiting YouTube a bit more than two years ago in search of science fiction film and TV commentary. There were a surprising number of channels devoted to the genre, which led me to the lifestyle, documentary, hobbyist and essayist channels. My last but most gratifying discovery was that of the book tube. 😍 The channels host communities of thoughtful, curious and courteous readers in love with the entirety of the world of books.
I promise the environment is opposite to whatever Goodreads are. The essayist and other educational channels carry sponsorship of dedicated educational sites, of which Nebula is my favourite.
Another YouTube break. This next is made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly -Ozar, NCMI, Deerstalker Pictures, Andrewism, Ben and Emily, Horses, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, Kris Atomic, Yarmak, Alice Cappelle, Owen Jones, AllShorts, WokeGardener, Lindsay Ellis, Mia Asano, Leeja Miller, Snappy Dragon, Karolina Zebrowska, J. Draper, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, Anne Applebaum,
kgb detected, Leena Norms, Camper Vibe, Cindy's Villa, NFKRZ, Lily Simpson, Aid Thompsin, Anka Daily News, Cruising the Cut, Ben and Emily, Nomadic Crobot, Diary of an unusual Life, Ruby Granger, Duo Vagari, How To Do Stuff, ThatDaneshGuy, Tabithaspeakspolitics, Hardy's Books, Books and Things, HBomberGuy, Political CUSTARD, May, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Activist Witch, Diary of a Ditch Witch,
Marianne Williamson, JohnTheDuncan, WhoCulture, Fit 2B Read, Book Furnace, Gary's Economics, Lurie Daniel Favors, Roisin's Reading, Cheri Jacobus, Lena Down Under, Ember Green, The Dice Keep, Legendary Tactics, Smitty's Game Table, Mark's Game Room, Scotland History Tours, Battle Guide, Invicta, Hawk's podcasts, Brandon Fisichella, Kazachka, Strange Aeons, sidneymorss, It ain't half hot mum,
Planarwalker, Up and Atom, Physics Girl, Irish Myths, Jen The Librarian, CriminOlly, JuLingo, Nini Music, Litt Up, Songs Sped Up, Puddles Pity Party, Daily Soak, The Onion, Dominc Noble, MilitaryRated, Political X, NanyaCim, Shawna the Mom, Elvira Bary, Inside Russia, Brigitte Empire, Tom Powell, Letterkenny, Guard the Leaf.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage or allow discourse and critical thought. As example, I wrote a short direct review of a book glorifying the quest of a newly rich twat to overthrow the US government with the aid of the military in order that he not pay taxes. Prophetic in hindsight.
I found the theme or something like it, which is popular in Kindle selections to be both dangerous and unhealthy.
The book was Powers of The Earth. The blurb now changed, likened it to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" which that book in no way resembles. It was instead, "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon
The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without the millions), advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance with the State of Utah completing the first forced labour prison for detained homeless), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (popular among US patriots).
The Corcoran and six fellow patriots took exception. There followed a year of comments asserting that my lack of a response was narcissistic, challenging my intelligence, European racism is a social good (now openly espoused by Thiel, Musk and others) and more. Surprisingly not a single comment addressed the merits of that drivel.
I was disappointed that no comments offered insights into the origins of Yamnaya culture. Such is life.
The layers of irony almost overwhelmed my communist soul.
A final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka Cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr, who proudly declared after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, that They had "won" (?).
I discovered after that They (and many friends) apparently launched a year long campaign of vile sexual/sexist, racist and other comments against every female creator of channels which I mentioned. It continues still.
The midteen boater and her mother, theoretical physicist, model builder, primatologist and others were not charmed by American courtship ritual.
While They were unable to secure sex partners, They did increase the world's overabundance of unpleasantness. They also delivered an eerily perfect self-portrait of the snowflake (vicious, poorly socialised, outraged US man-child) to a multinational audience.
Quite the Victory. Goodreads discourse was not quite what I had expected at start.
Another stepaway to the YouTube. This next was made possible by Doctor Who/Day of the Doctor - The Oncoming Storm, Broken Peach, Imperial War Museums. Kings and Generals, Military Aviation History, ScaredKetchup, Dark Brandon, FAFO, The Marsh Family, SandRhoman History, The Great War, Dropkick Murphys, TIKHistory, TimeGhost History, Brit in Germany, Democratic Penguins Republic, Gingers are Black,
Twinshangout Kenya, Left of Black, MoAn Inc, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Oceanliner Designs, Isaac Arthur, Central Crossing, Shannon Makes, Hat Historian, Historical Fashion, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Roads with Belle, Roisin's Reading, Raw News and Politics, Ukraine Today, The Military Show, Heather Cox Richardson, Todd Maffin.
Larry. & Paul, The Cosy Creative, Ukraine News TV, Yugopnik, Think that Through, Andrewism, Parkrose Permaculture, Kneecap, Candid with Lubna, TechnoFeudalism, Event Horizon, Dr J Marion Sims, TMX News, Amanda's Mild Takes, Professor Tim Wilson, Black Stories Journal, Mary Trump Media. Mallen Baker, IMY2, Nerdforge.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The example at the top is extreme but not the first or only directed directed at myself and other readers who dare to write one star or two star reviews of bad science fiction or book tubers who might agree. Members who are mental are not the worst of the site. Goodreads/Kindle employees have abetted doxxing, stalking and threats with no Amazon action against members, writers who organise or employees who aid either.
In my case by way of example, Goodreads/Kindle shared my limited message history with these emotionally damaged man-children. There followed a favour requested of Australian Intelligence through Pine Gap Centre by some US secret clearance holder to interrogate the one friend, whom I occasionally messaged. I was concerned for my friend who feared for my safety.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple, whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions and the ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. This was well before the ascension of the US data corporations, which indicates to me that their behaviours will become more outrageous. Things to think about.
I have a small list of precautions. Remove any personal information from member profile and avoid the message function. Remove the lurker, those who do not post. These are monitors likely for comment gangs or employee dummies, not admirers.
With the Amazon penchant for Alterations of customer pages and other minor (?) harassment, the screenshot of the ugly, odd or threatening are invaluable. There are BooKTubers to direct a reader to more useful reader forums
Kindle are the more dangerous. Do Not use Email, Contacts, Calendar or Files. Amazon read customer emails without notice or permission . Make of that what you will.
Do Not "Purchase" Kindle e-books. Downloads belong to Amazon and may deleted at Their whim. There are BookTubers to direct the reader to other ebook and device vendors. They are helpful in suggesting alternatives to ebook purchase.
Between a hacking attempt and the Australian incident imagine what might have happened. Amazon have never been trustworthy but my thought is that it will be more openly monopolistic going forward.
You may not be targeted at present but your temporary immunity is dependent on the whims of psychopathic employees/members. The one question which they will never ask is "Are we the baddies?". Bear in mind that they have minimal oversight, no morality and no restraint but these beasties are US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading. 🤗
These are some of my favourites.
NCMI, Russian Media Monitor, Bobbing Along, Scaredketchup, Mrs Betty Bowers, History with Kayleigh, Ben and Emily, Shitty Book Club, A Day of Small Things, Some More News, The Book Leo, Abney Park, Rachel MacDonald, Clever Dick Films, Not even Emily, Prime of Midlife, Chris and Shell, Owen Jones, The Second Story, Elin Harness,
Dark Seas, UATV, Dark Docs, Munecat, Tibees, Max Mayorov, It's Black Friday, Abbie Emmons, Historical Fashion, Lily Alexandre, Dark Brandon, Are We the baddies - Mitchell and Webb, Sabine Hossenfelder, Science of Science Fiction, Hello Future Me, The Clockwork Reader, The British Museum, Joe Blogs, Weirdo Book Club, Living Anachronism,
Quinn's Ideas, Templin Institute, Capitalist Realism, Beyond Books, Alt Shift X, Roomies Digest, A Life of Lit, JuLingo, Dominic Noble, A Cup of Nicole, Bookslike Whoa, The Russian Dude, The Caspian Report, NFKRZ, Kathy's Flog in France, Asianometry, Red Plateaus, Red Viburnam Song, Military History Visualized, Tin Sonzya,
Cold Fusion, Lady of the library, Princess Weekes, Cruising Alba, Cruising Crafts, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Viva La Dirt League, Kazachka, Abby Cox ,nTom Powell, iWriterly, Queen City Minis, Verilybitchie, Planet D, Naughty Nana DUZ, The Grungeon Master, Cecilia Blomdahl, Fran Blanche, BlondiHacks, Katii, Whilenoiz,
What Vivi did next, TVP World, Omeleto, Dungeons and Discourse, The Cold War, Up and Atom, Engineering with Rosie, Caitlin Doughty, MIchael Lambert, Claus Kellerman POV,v ThePrimeChronus,, Spacedock, OrangeRiver, Trae Crowder, Big Train, Nordic Perspective, PonySmasher, Linguoer Mechanic, Hej Sokoly, Brickcrafts, Travelling K.
I wish you a fine morning, a glorious afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
This quote seems appropriate to British, German and other readers.
"Tell the lowest white man that he is better than the best black man, he will never notice that you are picking his pocket. Hell, give him someone to look down on and he'll empty his pockets for you."
US President Lyndon B Johnson
It is sometimes more difficult to generate the needed enthusiasm to rewrite a review than to write a new.
Before I continue, I need a YouTube visit. This was made possible by Doctor Who/Be Kind, NCMI, Sarah Paine, Keffals, Suchomimus, LuckyBlackCat, RevolutionarythOt, Terrible Writing Advice, Red Glasgow, Hindustan Times, Owen Jones, Bernadette Banner, Nomadic Crobot, Kayla Says, Verilybitchie, The Interesting Times, Welcome to Ukraine, Savannah Brown, Philosophy Tube, Media is Fay, Not Even Emily, Ponderful,
I've Had It, History with Kayleigh, Sailing Melody, Ship Happens, Discourse Minis, The Ministry of Miniatures, Ukraine Calling, The Kavernacle, Perun, Mandy, KernowDamo, Dr Fatima, Lady Knight the Brave, Ash L G, Abby Cox, Engineering with Rosie, Your True Shelf, The Closet Historian, New Enlightenment with Ashley, The Welsh Viking, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, History of Everything, Lisandra Vazquez, Anark,
Jabzy, The How and Why of Mathematics, Jess of the Shire, SK Media, Foster on the Spectrum, Hello Future Me, Amie's Literary Empire, Amanda the Jedi, Friendly Space Ninja, Squire, Kings and Generals, Anna from Ukraine, The Shades of Orange, Delamer, OrangeRiver, Bookslike Whoa, Jessie Gender, Dropkick Murphys, Sally's economics, The Gaze, Vlad Vexler, Crow Caller, Supertanskiii, Oliver Lugg. Biz, Reese Waters.
I recently saw that a member of the Morons Are Great Americans, who whilst insulting an essayist, complain to her that I listed other trans creators. The plague of Snowflakes (nasty, self-important, US white man-babies) continues unabated. A trigger warning then.
The channels I mention include architect, farmer, blond, bi, socialist, Kenyan, tall, mathematician, intersex, military historian, archaeologist, het, musician, cosplayer, social historian, lesbian, German, older, military boardgamer, culture critic, lumber mill family, trans, book reviewer, redhaired, artist, married, asexual, WOC, communist, mathematician, cis, sewist, primatologist, modeller, Swedish, queer, photographer, theoretical physicist and other creators known as Women.
Almost as damaging to the limited reference group are channels hosted by the wood worker, neurodivergent, Canadian, chemist, astrophysicist, fashion historian, particle physicist, other BIPOC, linguist, fashion historian, other LGBTQI+, Irish, book critic, architect, hobbyist, older, anarchist, artist, comedian, short, film reviewer, Ukrainian, fantasy gamer and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
Should the voices demand a visit to any of these, I suggest emergency therapy, adoption of a hobby such as reading or a visit to the nearest Taoist monastery.
Continuing to mock these idiots is tiring. Fortunately I remember the early days interview with a middle aged Ukrainian teacher who organised and led her civilian anti-tank team in hunting Russian armour north of Kyiv. In the face of their example, I can not but continue. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
This book is one of the best examples of bad writing, which ever I have read.
There is no worldbuilding. This book was a major effort to finish but that was early days on Amazon and I had not yet decided to bin rubbish. I have not finished a book as bad for more than three years. I also have not DNF'd so many titles ever.
Prior to their invasion, aliens build huge towers on seven mountains on earth as the backbone of the broadcast power network to be used by their invasion army. No satellite, government or other noticed.
Rather than mine the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt, they may have decided that they would invade Earth because gas and ice giants are boring.
They land an army despite their super technology. which includes strange rays to drain all moisture from humans. The aliens seemed not to notice the oceans.
There are only two nations on Earth., China and the USA. Fortunately for the aliens, a dozen or so super US mercenaries destroyed the Chinese state.
The US military consist of branches of New Tech Corporation. Clever naming that. How they generated a profit from that ownership escaped me. That the US Marines were not part of New Tech was not explained.
A PhD heading a government base personally leads raids and scouting expeditions against the super advanced aliens, as one would expect. Not.
That concludes my observations of unbelievable plot, characters with less definition than video avatars, plot holes galore, dialogue worthy of a ten year old and more or perhaps less.
Have earned another visit to the YouTube. This next is courtesy of Doctor Who/Where I Stand, is Where I Fall, NCMI, SK Media, Scaredketchup, The Juice Media, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Emma Thorne, The British Museum, Jake Broe, Honest Government Ads, Anna from Ukraine, World Anvil Worldbuilding, Reads with Rachel, Tale Foundry, Eileen, Books and Lala, Jessie Gender, ThePrimeChronus, The Pioneer, Cindy's Villa, Steve Shives,
The New Enlightenment with Ashley, The Confused Adipose, Kozak Muzon, Autumn's Boutique, A Life of Lit, Jean's Thoughts, Abbie Emmons, Bobbing Along, Ship Happens, Dust, Ukraine Calling Me, A Confused Brit, Cruising Alba, Philosophy Tube, Simply Christine, Hannah's Books, FAFO, Acollierastro, Elina Charatsidou, Daisy Viktoria, Mom on the Spectrum, The Dadvocate, The Chloe Connection, Jay Reed, FunkyFrogBait,
Raptor Chatter, Hoots, Smack the Pony, May, Riverboat Jack, Kirkpattiecake, Up and Atom, Verilybitchie, Physics Girl, CBC News, Planarwalker, Terrible Writing Advice, SciFi Odyssey, Gutsick Gibbon, TIKHistory, Chloe Daniels, Jay Exci, Raw News and Politics, France 24, Daily Live, Mynameismarines, Purple Ella, Fran Blanche,
Zoe Gardner, Jack Edwards, The Institute of Art and Ideas, Emancipation Media, Lindsay Nikole, Warthog Defence, Lee Francis, Naughty Nana DUZ, Barry's Economics, Strange Lucidity, Betty on a Boat, Times Radio.
This was an example of the worst of low end US science fiction. There are three publisher standards - No Effort, Pathetic and Godawful. Kindle loans provide a broad selection of each.
I began visiting YouTube a bit more than two years ago in search of science fiction film and TV commentary. There were a surprising number of channels devoted to the genre, which led me to the lifestyle, documentary, hobbyist and essayist channels. My last but most gratifying discovery was that of the book tube. 😍 The channels host communities of thoughtful, curious and courteous readers in love with the entirety of the world of books.
I promise the environment is opposite to whatever Goodreads are. The essayist and other educational channels carry sponsorship of dedicated educational sites, of which Nebula is my favourite.
Another YouTube break. This next is made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly -Ozar, NCMI, Deerstalker Pictures, Andrewism, Ben and Emily, Horses, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, Kris Atomic, Yarmak, Alice Cappelle, Owen Jones, AllShorts, WokeGardener, Lindsay Ellis, Mia Asano, Leeja Miller, Snappy Dragon, Karolina Zebrowska, J. Draper, Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, Anne Applebaum,
kgb detected, Leena Norms, Camper Vibe, Cindy's Villa, NFKRZ, Lily Simpson, Aid Thompsin, Anka Daily News, Cruising the Cut, Ben and Emily, Nomadic Crobot, Diary of an unusual Life, Ruby Granger, Duo Vagari, How To Do Stuff, ThatDaneshGuy, Tabithaspeakspolitics, Hardy's Books, Books and Things, HBomberGuy, Political CUSTARD, May, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Activist Witch, Diary of a Ditch Witch,
Marianne Williamson, JohnTheDuncan, WhoCulture, Fit 2B Read, Book Furnace, Gary's Economics, Lurie Daniel Favors, Roisin's Reading, Cheri Jacobus, Lena Down Under, Ember Green, The Dice Keep, Legendary Tactics, Smitty's Game Table, Mark's Game Room, Scotland History Tours, Battle Guide, Invicta, Hawk's podcasts, Brandon Fisichella, Kazachka, Strange Aeons, sidneymorss, It ain't half hot mum,
Planarwalker, Up and Atom, Physics Girl, Irish Myths, Jen The Librarian, CriminOlly, JuLingo, Nini Music, Litt Up, Songs Sped Up, Puddles Pity Party, Daily Soak, The Onion, Dominc Noble, MilitaryRated, Political X, NanyaCim, Shawna the Mom, Elvira Bary, Inside Russia, Brigitte Empire, Tom Powell, Letterkenny, Guard the Leaf.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage or allow discourse and critical thought. As example, I wrote a short direct review of a book glorifying the quest of a newly rich twat to overthrow the US government with the aid of the military in order that he not pay taxes. Prophetic in hindsight.
I found the theme or something like it, which is popular in Kindle selections to be both dangerous and unhealthy.
The book was Powers of The Earth. The blurb now changed, likened it to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" which that book in no way resembles. It was instead, "Atlas Shrugged" set on the Moon
The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without the millions), advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance with the State of Utah completing the first forced labour prison for detained homeless), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (popular among US patriots).
The Corcoran and six fellow patriots took exception. There followed a year of comments asserting that my lack of a response was narcissistic, challenging my intelligence, European racism is a social good (now openly espoused by Thiel, Musk and others) and more. Surprisingly not a single comment addressed the merits of that drivel.
I was disappointed that no comments offered insights into the origins of Yamnaya culture. Such is life.
The layers of irony almost overwhelmed my communist soul.
A final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka Cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr, who proudly declared after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, that They had "won" (?).
I discovered after that They (and many friends) apparently launched a year long campaign of vile sexual/sexist, racist and other comments against every female creator of channels which I mentioned. It continues still.
The midteen boater and her mother, theoretical physicist, model builder, primatologist and others were not charmed by American courtship ritual.
While They were unable to secure sex partners, They did increase the world's overabundance of unpleasantness. They also delivered an eerily perfect self-portrait of the snowflake (vicious, poorly socialised, outraged US man-child) to a multinational audience.
Quite the Victory. Goodreads discourse was not quite what I had expected at start.
Another stepaway to the YouTube. This next was made possible by Doctor Who/Day of the Doctor - The Oncoming Storm, Broken Peach, Imperial War Museums. Kings and Generals, Military Aviation History, ScaredKetchup, Dark Brandon, FAFO, The Marsh Family, SandRhoman History, The Great War, Dropkick Murphys, TIKHistory, TimeGhost History, Brit in Germany, Democratic Penguins Republic, Gingers are Black,
Twinshangout Kenya, Left of Black, MoAn Inc, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Oceanliner Designs, Isaac Arthur, Central Crossing, Shannon Makes, Hat Historian, Historical Fashion, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Roads with Belle, Roisin's Reading, Raw News and Politics, Ukraine Today, The Military Show, Heather Cox Richardson, Todd Maffin.
Larry. & Paul, The Cosy Creative, Ukraine News TV, Yugopnik, Think that Through, Andrewism, Parkrose Permaculture, Kneecap, Candid with Lubna, TechnoFeudalism, Event Horizon, Dr J Marion Sims, TMX News, Amanda's Mild Takes, Professor Tim Wilson, Black Stories Journal, Mary Trump Media. Mallen Baker, IMY2, Nerdforge.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The example at the top is extreme but not the first or only directed directed at myself and other readers who dare to write one star or two star reviews of bad science fiction or book tubers who might agree. Members who are mental are not the worst of the site. Goodreads/Kindle employees have abetted doxxing, stalking and threats with no Amazon action against members, writers who organise or employees who aid either.
In my case by way of example, Goodreads/Kindle shared my limited message history with these emotionally damaged man-children. There followed a favour requested of Australian Intelligence through Pine Gap Centre by some US secret clearance holder to interrogate the one friend, whom I occasionally messaged. I was concerned for my friend who feared for my safety.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple, whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions and the ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. This was well before the ascension of the US data corporations, which indicates to me that their behaviours will become more outrageous. Things to think about.
I have a small list of precautions. Remove any personal information from member profile and avoid the message function. Remove the lurker, those who do not post. These are monitors likely for comment gangs or employee dummies, not admirers.
With the Amazon penchant for Alterations of customer pages and other minor (?) harassment, the screenshot of the ugly, odd or threatening are invaluable. There are BooKTubers to direct a reader to more useful reader forums
Kindle are the more dangerous. Do Not use Email, Contacts, Calendar or Files. Amazon read customer emails without notice or permission . Make of that what you will.
Do Not "Purchase" Kindle e-books. Downloads belong to Amazon and may deleted at Their whim. There are BookTubers to direct the reader to other ebook and device vendors. They are helpful in suggesting alternatives to ebook purchase.
Between a hacking attempt and the Australian incident imagine what might have happened. Amazon have never been trustworthy but my thought is that it will be more openly monopolistic going forward.
You may not be targeted at present but your temporary immunity is dependent on the whims of psychopathic employees/members. The one question which they will never ask is "Are we the baddies?". Bear in mind that they have minimal oversight, no morality and no restraint but these beasties are US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading. 🤗
These are some of my favourites.
NCMI, Russian Media Monitor, Bobbing Along, Scaredketchup, Mrs Betty Bowers, History with Kayleigh, Ben and Emily, Shitty Book Club, A Day of Small Things, Some More News, The Book Leo, Abney Park, Rachel MacDonald, Clever Dick Films, Not even Emily, Prime of Midlife, Chris and Shell, Owen Jones, The Second Story, Elin Harness,
Dark Seas, UATV, Dark Docs, Munecat, Tibees, Max Mayorov, It's Black Friday, Abbie Emmons, Historical Fashion, Lily Alexandre, Dark Brandon, Are We the baddies - Mitchell and Webb, Sabine Hossenfelder, Science of Science Fiction, Hello Future Me, The Clockwork Reader, The British Museum, Joe Blogs, Weirdo Book Club, Living Anachronism,
Quinn's Ideas, Templin Institute, Capitalist Realism, Beyond Books, Alt Shift X, Roomies Digest, A Life of Lit, JuLingo, Dominic Noble, A Cup of Nicole, Bookslike Whoa, The Russian Dude, The Caspian Report, NFKRZ, Kathy's Flog in France, Asianometry, Red Plateaus, Red Viburnam Song, Military History Visualized, Tin Sonzya,
Cold Fusion, Lady of the library, Princess Weekes, Cruising Alba, Cruising Crafts, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Viva La Dirt League, Kazachka, Abby Cox ,nTom Powell, iWriterly, Queen City Minis, Verilybitchie, Planet D, Naughty Nana DUZ, The Grungeon Master, Cecilia Blomdahl, Fran Blanche, BlondiHacks, Katii, Whilenoiz,
What Vivi did next, TVP World, Omeleto, Dungeons and Discourse, The Cold War, Up and Atom, Engineering with Rosie, Caitlin Doughty, MIchael Lambert, Claus Kellerman POV,v ThePrimeChronus,, Spacedock, OrangeRiver, Trae Crowder, Big Train, Nordic Perspective, PonySmasher, Linguoer Mechanic, Hej Sokoly, Brickcrafts, Travelling K.
I wish you a fine morning, a glorious afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
This quote seems appropriate to British, German and other readers.
"Tell the lowest white man that he is better than the best black man, he will never notice that you are picking his pocket. Hell, give him someone to look down on and he'll empty his pockets for you."
US President Lyndon B Johnson
May 10, 2017
Review: ORBS III: REDEMPTION by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Anyone who ponders the possibility of a global apocalypse needs to read this outstanding series. So does anyone who doubts the existence of the survival instinct in humans, or who needs inspiration to hope. The destruction of the planet is close to complete, and the terrors for the survivors at the Cheyenne Mountain Biosphere and on the submerged submarine Ghosts of Atlantis have never been greater. It seems only a miracle could turn the alien tide, and miracles are few and far between.
Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith vivified the apocalypse for me (as he did in his TRACKERS series), so that I was present in each moment. His descriptions of the varied species of aliens, and their history on Mars, was splendidly described and comprehensible.
Anyone who ponders the possibility of a global apocalypse needs to read this outstanding series. So does anyone who doubts the existence of the survival instinct in humans, or who needs inspiration to hope. The destruction of the planet is close to complete, and the terrors for the survivors at the Cheyenne Mountain Biosphere and on the submerged submarine Ghosts of Atlantis have never been greater. It seems only a miracle could turn the alien tide, and miracles are few and far between.
Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith vivified the apocalypse for me (as he did in his TRACKERS series), so that I was present in each moment. His descriptions of the varied species of aliens, and their history on Mars, was splendidly described and comprehensible.
June 28, 2017
This is the last book in the trilogy and while I enjoyed it I still wanted something more from it. The characters were good but I was no longer as invested in what happened to them as I had been when the series started. It's like they were in a rut and didn't really grow very much between the first and last book. I knew what to expect from them without them having to do or say anything. The story moved forward at a good pace though it lacked some of the suspense that I was expecting from the final installment.
The inhabitants of the Biosphere have been pared down significantly while the aliens seem to have limitless replacements so Sophie decides that they should join with Captain Noble and his NTC crew. Sophie's people learn through a satellite that has survived that the Organics have set up poles on the highest points around the planet and wonder what this discovery could mean for their own survival.
Before anything can be done about their new information the biosphere must deal with sabotage that could be the end of them and any hopes they have a living to see the Organics destroyed. Sophie still believes that the best chance they have would be to leave the planet if a way can be found.
Even though I may not have loved it I still think it is well worth the time. I recommend the series because it is different enough to stand out with aliens that I do not remember having seen before. Not to mention that the author does work it.
The inhabitants of the Biosphere have been pared down significantly while the aliens seem to have limitless replacements so Sophie decides that they should join with Captain Noble and his NTC crew. Sophie's people learn through a satellite that has survived that the Organics have set up poles on the highest points around the planet and wonder what this discovery could mean for their own survival.
Before anything can be done about their new information the biosphere must deal with sabotage that could be the end of them and any hopes they have a living to see the Organics destroyed. Sophie still believes that the best chance they have would be to leave the planet if a way can be found.
Even though I may not have loved it I still think it is well worth the time. I recommend the series because it is different enough to stand out with aliens that I do not remember having seen before. Not to mention that the author does work it.
December 24, 2019
Is no character safe !!!
November 16, 2018
Redemption is the third book in the Orbs series. Dr Sophie Winston continues to be the main character. Many other strong characters have come and and gone. Nothing will deter Sophie from saving the human race.
Action packed page turner like its predecessors, Orbs 1 & Orbs 2. This is an evolving story that keeps pushing forward fast. That’s why it’s so addicting. The aliens taking over earth are beyond anything anyone understands. Until this new plan Redemption is hatched. Redemption is the plan to save earth. You will have to read it to see how that goes.
When I can’t read these I listen to the Audibles. Sometimes life just gets in the way. The narrator does an amazing job giving this book life. I will never forget the way the narrator adds the necessary sound effects which are vividly described in these books.
Action packed page turner like its predecessors, Orbs 1 & Orbs 2. This is an evolving story that keeps pushing forward fast. That’s why it’s so addicting. The aliens taking over earth are beyond anything anyone understands. Until this new plan Redemption is hatched. Redemption is the plan to save earth. You will have to read it to see how that goes.
When I can’t read these I listen to the Audibles. Sometimes life just gets in the way. The narrator does an amazing job giving this book life. I will never forget the way the narrator adds the necessary sound effects which are vividly described in these books.
January 25, 2020
I hope there are more books coming in this series, but with earth about finished and dry there won't be survivors for long. Sophie and her team decide to join forces with the sub forces and put all their hope in Project Redemption. With help from Alexia the computer running their damaged biosphere they hope to launch to Mars. The Organics and Spiders are winning the battle for earth and the action is as vigorous as always. A great Science Fiction series, for mature readers since violent warfare is a major part of the story.
April 9, 2018
Book 3 sees Sophie and her team struggling to survive. There is very little left of the original team and the biosphere that they are hunkered in is their only salvation, that is until sabotage from within causes something to happen and the team have to reach out to Captain Noble for help. Will they get help before they are over run?
Wow, I thought book 2 left me breathless, but whoa, this one was non stop!! Talk about action packed!!! My poor heart couldn't keep up with everything that was going on. Not only did something happen the biosphere, but they found hope! They have found alien poles on the highest summits of mountains around the world. They hope that the weapon they created will disrupt the signal, thus giving them time to attack them and the alien ships. They also found encrypted messages from different bases from when the attack first happened, but one stands out because it was sent after. It's from Offutt Air Force Base and this base may hold the answer to getting survivours off of earth.
As I said, the pacing was extremely fast paced! So much happens that I was on the edge of my seat throughout. I kept imagining it as a movie while reading, and I honestly think it would make an amazing one!! The author really brings the scenes to life with his descriptive writing and any time I hear a scratch/scrap sound, my first thought will be alien spiders!!!
My emotions were spent while reading this! The characters I've come to love are put into situations that had my emotions all over the place. A sign of a good book is one where you become invested in the lives of the characters, and I was invested! Sophie, Rodriguez, Noble, the boys... all of these have captured my heart. I was rooting for them the whole way through.
In all, the 3rd book was amazing. It was action packed, exciting, entertaining, well written and developed and held my attention till the breath taking end. I really can not wait to dive into the final book later today!!
Wow, I thought book 2 left me breathless, but whoa, this one was non stop!! Talk about action packed!!! My poor heart couldn't keep up with everything that was going on. Not only did something happen the biosphere, but they found hope! They have found alien poles on the highest summits of mountains around the world. They hope that the weapon they created will disrupt the signal, thus giving them time to attack them and the alien ships. They also found encrypted messages from different bases from when the attack first happened, but one stands out because it was sent after. It's from Offutt Air Force Base and this base may hold the answer to getting survivours off of earth.
As I said, the pacing was extremely fast paced! So much happens that I was on the edge of my seat throughout. I kept imagining it as a movie while reading, and I honestly think it would make an amazing one!! The author really brings the scenes to life with his descriptive writing and any time I hear a scratch/scrap sound, my first thought will be alien spiders!!!
My emotions were spent while reading this! The characters I've come to love are put into situations that had my emotions all over the place. A sign of a good book is one where you become invested in the lives of the characters, and I was invested! Sophie, Rodriguez, Noble, the boys... all of these have captured my heart. I was rooting for them the whole way through.
In all, the 3rd book was amazing. It was action packed, exciting, entertaining, well written and developed and held my attention till the breath taking end. I really can not wait to dive into the final book later today!!
November 27, 2025
What a freaking wile ride this series is! I couldn't get enough. I love the fact that I was constantly surprised by what was happening. Kept me on my toes throughout the series. This is a definite read if you love aliens, apocalypse and non-stop guessing.
May 3, 2018
The saga continues.
Orbs III did not disappoint. Earth is doomed and the few survivors have fled to Mars. Each successive book gets better and I cannot wait to start the next one.
Orbs III did not disappoint. Earth is doomed and the few survivors have fled to Mars. Each successive book gets better and I cannot wait to start the next one.
September 10, 2019
4 stars for BOTH Orbs 2 and Orbs 3. I'm combining my review of these two books simply because I didn't take a break between ending one and starting the next. No joke: first time ever I've read two novel length books in one day. OK, I have to sleep in the basement for a few days because I got NONE of my chores done and I desperately need a shower but DAMN!
NSS is, simply put, the master of apocalypse tales. Between these books and his amazing 'Hell Divers' series, he pushes all the right buttons. There's just enough science to make it flow (is it perfect? No but I don't need it to be), there's just enough military tech to keep things legitimately edgy and there's MORE than enough human emotions, weaknesses and all the gooey stuff in between to make you care about the characters beyond any reasonable expectations. It is this latter point that is just amazing as the cast runs the gamut of various scientific backgrounds, military training and even youthfulness that plays so well together.
In Orbs 2, I did find myself getting a little, I don't know, annoyed? at the growing tension of the cast, particularly between Sergeant Overton and Sophie. And yet, I realized what else could they be feeling? Trapped in a biosphere while the world died around them, knowing that thousands of their fellow humans were being killed just outside their very walls. So my annoyance was not only legitimate it was part of the story. Even knowing how it must have felt for an accomplished psychologist to turn into a de facto baby-sitter pushed buttons that this old dad had forgotten he had! Oh and don't forget that while all this is going on, NSS is introducing even more blood-thirsty (literally) and nightmare-inducing aliens to fight!
Orbs 3 was a lot more of the same (and thus my only hesitation to giving this 5 stars instead of 4). Colonel Noble and his GOA squad was a nice addition but as I've stated before, damn, NSS sure doesn't hesitate to kill off a bunch of characters if need be. I thought the emotional aspect of the Chinese team was very well handled and again, the military aspects are balanced well against the very real emotional aspects. Maybe a few too many flashbacks to the same wise advice from his dad but ok, whatevs. The MindTec bit was a little silly (really? We can view dreams but don't have, I don't know, light sabers invented?) but heck, let's let that one slide, too.
I will say this about Book 3 as I head into Book 4 in the next hours (come on Smith, I have to leave the house occasionally!): what a depressing view of the end of the world. Hang on, let me re-read that...
NSS is, simply put, the master of apocalypse tales. Between these books and his amazing 'Hell Divers' series, he pushes all the right buttons. There's just enough science to make it flow (is it perfect? No but I don't need it to be), there's just enough military tech to keep things legitimately edgy and there's MORE than enough human emotions, weaknesses and all the gooey stuff in between to make you care about the characters beyond any reasonable expectations. It is this latter point that is just amazing as the cast runs the gamut of various scientific backgrounds, military training and even youthfulness that plays so well together.
In Orbs 2, I did find myself getting a little, I don't know, annoyed? at the growing tension of the cast, particularly between Sergeant Overton and Sophie. And yet, I realized what else could they be feeling? Trapped in a biosphere while the world died around them, knowing that thousands of their fellow humans were being killed just outside their very walls. So my annoyance was not only legitimate it was part of the story. Even knowing how it must have felt for an accomplished psychologist to turn into a de facto baby-sitter pushed buttons that this old dad had forgotten he had! Oh and don't forget that while all this is going on, NSS is introducing even more blood-thirsty (literally) and nightmare-inducing aliens to fight!
Orbs 3 was a lot more of the same (and thus my only hesitation to giving this 5 stars instead of 4). Colonel Noble and his GOA squad was a nice addition but as I've stated before, damn, NSS sure doesn't hesitate to kill off a bunch of characters if need be. I thought the emotional aspect of the Chinese team was very well handled and again, the military aspects are balanced well against the very real emotional aspects. Maybe a few too many flashbacks to the same wise advice from his dad but ok, whatevs. The MindTec bit was a little silly (really? We can view dreams but don't have, I don't know, light sabers invented?) but heck, let's let that one slide, too.
I will say this about Book 3 as I head into Book 4 in the next hours (come on Smith, I have to leave the house occasionally!): what a depressing view of the end of the world. Hang on, let me re-read that...
March 24, 2015
Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man. - Stewart Udall
It is 2061 and the aliens have been destroying our beautiful world, gallons of water at a time. It is going on three months since the sinister Spiders and Orbs and alien ships started taking ALL the fresh and salt water on the planet...and the end is near.
One Biosphere is still semi-functioning with our small group of civilian and military survivors hunkered down, waiting for a miracle. Doctor Emanuel Rodriguez is in charge of the Biosphere and wondering just how long the survivors can keep going.
Meanwhile, the Earth is dying. Vegetation is gone, high temperatures are the rule, dust storms are blasting the human technology left.
This is the last book in the ORBS trilogy and I've enjoyed each and every book. These aren't cuddly aliens like E.T. These are monsters with one objective - get ALL of Earth's water.
Can they do it or will mankind have the drive and ingenuity to save the planet? Read this last installment and find out.
Also, if you haven't read author Smith's EXTINCTION series, you definitely should read this dynamite series from this talented author.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
It is 2061 and the aliens have been destroying our beautiful world, gallons of water at a time. It is going on three months since the sinister Spiders and Orbs and alien ships started taking ALL the fresh and salt water on the planet...and the end is near.
One Biosphere is still semi-functioning with our small group of civilian and military survivors hunkered down, waiting for a miracle. Doctor Emanuel Rodriguez is in charge of the Biosphere and wondering just how long the survivors can keep going.
Meanwhile, the Earth is dying. Vegetation is gone, high temperatures are the rule, dust storms are blasting the human technology left.
This is the last book in the ORBS trilogy and I've enjoyed each and every book. These aren't cuddly aliens like E.T. These are monsters with one objective - get ALL of Earth's water.
Can they do it or will mankind have the drive and ingenuity to save the planet? Read this last installment and find out.
Also, if you haven't read author Smith's EXTINCTION series, you definitely should read this dynamite series from this talented author.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 8, 2015
The Earth is dying, rapidly being sucked dry by a powerful alien race which act like parasites moving from one place to another consuming precious resources until there is nothing left but a barren wasteland. Three months on from the initial invasion there are few survivors of Earth remaining including the biospheres scientific team and an NTC submarine. Startling new discoveries may hold the key to saving the Earth but may also lead to the hardest choices of all.
I loved the final instalment of Orbs and feel that it had quite an epic conclusion. The ending is quite open to interpretation which I liked as I am free to imagine the possibilities that this story begins. Orbs III is definitely packed full of action, suspense and emotion. I have grown to love the characters in Orbs and am sad to have finished the series. I have hope that maybe one day there may be another book to continue this epic story.
If you have not read Orbs III start reading it NOW! If you are new to Nicholas Sansbury Smith I recommend reading the whole Orbs series as well as his Extinction cycle series. I could not recommend them more highly.
I loved the final instalment of Orbs and feel that it had quite an epic conclusion. The ending is quite open to interpretation which I liked as I am free to imagine the possibilities that this story begins. Orbs III is definitely packed full of action, suspense and emotion. I have grown to love the characters in Orbs and am sad to have finished the series. I have hope that maybe one day there may be another book to continue this epic story.
If you have not read Orbs III start reading it NOW! If you are new to Nicholas Sansbury Smith I recommend reading the whole Orbs series as well as his Extinction cycle series. I could not recommend them more highly.
April 10, 2015
The Earth is dying, rapidly being sucked dry by a powerful alien race which act like parasites moving from one place to another consuming precious resources until there is nothing left but a barren wasteland. Three months on from the initial invasion there are few survivors of Earth remaining including the biospheres scientific team and an NTC submarine. Startling new discoveries may hold the key to saving the Earth but may also lead to the hardest choices of all.
I loved the final instalment of Orbs and feel that it had quite an epic conclusion. The ending is quite open to interpretation which I liked as I am free to imagine the possibilities that this story begins. Orbs III is definitely packed full of action, suspense and emotion. I have grown to love the characters in Orbs and am sad to have finished the series. I have hope that maybe one day there may be another book to continue this epic story.
If you have not read Orbs III start reading it NOW! If you are new to Nicholas Sansbury Smith I recommend reading the whole Orbs series as well as his Extinction cycle series. I could not recommend them more highly.
I loved the final instalment of Orbs and feel that it had quite an epic conclusion. The ending is quite open to interpretation which I liked as I am free to imagine the possibilities that this story begins. Orbs III is definitely packed full of action, suspense and emotion. I have grown to love the characters in Orbs and am sad to have finished the series. I have hope that maybe one day there may be another book to continue this epic story.
If you have not read Orbs III start reading it NOW! If you are new to Nicholas Sansbury Smith I recommend reading the whole Orbs series as well as his Extinction cycle series. I could not recommend them more highly.
January 26, 2018
Well. What can I say? Just finished reading it, and...
It's an excellent book and, I think, a fitting conclusion to the series. The action is ramped up with some new threats from the Organics, making one wonder just what they aren't capable of, but hope arrives in the form of Sunspot, a prototype spaceship left behind. The big question is: Will any of humanity survive on Earth?
Vividly written, Smith pulled me right into the action and the fears and hopes of all the characters within the story. One of the things I really appreciate about Smith's writing is his attention to detail. One doesn't feel short-changed on any of the technical elements such as military and medical. Research has clearly been done, making the story more authentic and threatening.
Totally recommend this book to all lovers of post-apocalyptic thrillers, with a caution of horror.
It's an excellent book and, I think, a fitting conclusion to the series. The action is ramped up with some new threats from the Organics, making one wonder just what they aren't capable of, but hope arrives in the form of Sunspot, a prototype spaceship left behind. The big question is: Will any of humanity survive on Earth?
Vividly written, Smith pulled me right into the action and the fears and hopes of all the characters within the story. One of the things I really appreciate about Smith's writing is his attention to detail. One doesn't feel short-changed on any of the technical elements such as military and medical. Research has clearly been done, making the story more authentic and threatening.
Totally recommend this book to all lovers of post-apocalyptic thrillers, with a caution of horror.
December 10, 2016
I usually give books better ratings than I generally gave the Orbs series, at least for book 1, but he improved as this series went along and this last one is good. I can't say I liked the ending but then again, how else could this series end? The flip side is, this third book manages to finally pull off the series in that it the characters we love are there and true to form, everything falls together tragically yet in the only way they really can, and Sandsbury Smith touches on using other actual fiction writing skills in addition to his standby skill - keeping the reader hooked with post Apocalyptic military suspense. It's not a negative skill. I myself am a fan. But it's interesting to catch him actually writing fiction in more and better ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2015
Epic read!
Nicholas Sansbury Smith just keeps pumping them out. With every book he leaves me wanting more. And I wait..... anxiously. In my reviews I'll never tell you details of the book. I feel me picking apart characters and going into depth of the story is a cheat to Mr Smith's work. All I can do is encourage you to get these books and read them!!!! Some of the best reading I've ever read. As an avid reader, that's saying something. This is a series I'll come back to and read again! Invest in his books- you'll not be disappointed if this is one of your favorite genres. GOOD JOB NICK!!!
Nicholas Sansbury Smith just keeps pumping them out. With every book he leaves me wanting more. And I wait..... anxiously. In my reviews I'll never tell you details of the book. I feel me picking apart characters and going into depth of the story is a cheat to Mr Smith's work. All I can do is encourage you to get these books and read them!!!! Some of the best reading I've ever read. As an avid reader, that's saying something. This is a series I'll come back to and read again! Invest in his books- you'll not be disappointed if this is one of your favorite genres. GOOD JOB NICK!!!
May 29, 2016
The perfect close of an epic adventure. The 'Orbs' series is a complete and yet complex science fiction series that details the resiliency and perseverance of the human race when faced with ultimate extinction.
This third book continues the fight with Dr. Sophie Winston, Dr. Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Captain Noble as humanity is at the end of their survival options. Beautifully written with incredibly detailed characters, the end of life on Earth will not be given up easily.
I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who enjoys an excellent sci-fi tale filled with suspense, action and determination. Outstandingly well done!
This third book continues the fight with Dr. Sophie Winston, Dr. Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Captain Noble as humanity is at the end of their survival options. Beautifully written with incredibly detailed characters, the end of life on Earth will not be given up easily.
I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who enjoys an excellent sci-fi tale filled with suspense, action and determination. Outstandingly well done!
September 8, 2015
I loved Orbs III. The group's struggles to survive the devastation of the planet were great and held my attention. I just read too fast and it was over before I know it. I really like Alexia and enjoyed her relationship with Sophie. I can't figure out Dr. Hoffman...is he good, bad, bad with good intentions? I hope this is not the end of the series as I would love to read more about their adventures!
If you haven't read the first two Orbs books, I highly recommend them. You will be hooked! Also check out the author's other series Extinction Cycle. Most excellent!
If you haven't read the first two Orbs books, I highly recommend them. You will be hooked! Also check out the author's other series Extinction Cycle. Most excellent!
August 19, 2020
This review addresses the entire Orbs Series, Books 1-4 including two shorts, Red Sands and White Sands. Suggest reading the prequel shorts first, but it doesn't matter. Just read from the beginning of the series to get the most from this exciting SciFi story. Several characters traverse the entire series.
Plot. Earth is invaded, a handful of humans survive to save the human race, and the earth itself - even taking you to Mars. The aliens are sucking up all the water on this planet, and other worlds in the cosmos. Lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, the snow from mountain tops, ice, and ... the human body. As the climate changes, temperatures soar, and more humans are gobbled up. Cut to a huge space ship that has abducted some humans and other life forms and it is speeding through space headed for........no spoilers. Did you know alien blood is blue?
Liked. Length. Just a personal thing. Long stories are yummy. This series is close to 40 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format. Narration, production is fine, no sex, no language inappropriate to the scene. Given this is very futuristic, sexism is not an issue - there are many strong female characters - yea!
Not so hot? Not too much. You may get attached to a few characters that become alien munchies, but that's SciFi. Hard to roll your eyes at fantasies - but you may. 🙄
Written by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, narrated by Bronson Pinchot, released in 2019 by Blackstone Audio, Inc. Okay for the SciFi fan world, but no so much if you are not a fan of gooey aliens and monster spiders.
Plot. Earth is invaded, a handful of humans survive to save the human race, and the earth itself - even taking you to Mars. The aliens are sucking up all the water on this planet, and other worlds in the cosmos. Lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, the snow from mountain tops, ice, and ... the human body. As the climate changes, temperatures soar, and more humans are gobbled up. Cut to a huge space ship that has abducted some humans and other life forms and it is speeding through space headed for........no spoilers. Did you know alien blood is blue?
Liked. Length. Just a personal thing. Long stories are yummy. This series is close to 40 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format. Narration, production is fine, no sex, no language inappropriate to the scene. Given this is very futuristic, sexism is not an issue - there are many strong female characters - yea!
Not so hot? Not too much. You may get attached to a few characters that become alien munchies, but that's SciFi. Hard to roll your eyes at fantasies - but you may. 🙄
Written by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, narrated by Bronson Pinchot, released in 2019 by Blackstone Audio, Inc. Okay for the SciFi fan world, but no so much if you are not a fan of gooey aliens and monster spiders.
March 10, 2019
Third installment in the Orbs series. Not as enjoyable as the first two books. This one was a bit slow and boring for the most part. There were moments when the action picked up and it felt like I was reading one of the first two books but sadly not often enough. In this one the Bio team is forced to abandon the Biospere and hook up with a team from Captain Nobles sub. They have found another spaceship and plan to take off for Mars. Captain Noble also has a plan to take out The Organics completely. Both plans meet with disaster. Captain Nobles attack fails and he loses a few good men but more devastating than anything, man's last hope to defeat the aliens fails. Having reached the spaceship and discovering what had happened only a few weeks prior, Dr, Winston and her team unwittingly find a nest of Organics hidden in the ship. When the dust settles, only Emmanuel is left standing. All the other members from the biosphere are either dead or seriously wounded. The children and other wounded are placed in cryogenic chambers as is the dead body of Dr. Sophie Winston. Emmanuel and a few volunteers from Captain Noble's crew take off for Mars. Captain Noble and what remains of his men start the journey back to their sub. Somehow they must find a way to survive on this defeated planet they call Earth. Where does humanity's destiny really lay, here on a defeated and dying planet called Earth or in the stars on a distant planet called Mars?
February 2, 2021
I've read all three book of the Orbs series. It's always difficult to process the long story, the fate of the characters, the decisions made by the characters and the plot roll-out. I felt that the AI's were a bit
disappointing as they did not use logic to protect the humans all the time and I don't understand.
Spoiler: #1) When LT Smith got up from bed and went to the console to turn-off the AI, the AI should have sounded the biosphere alert. As a result the biosphere was overtaken by aliens. #2) At the spaceport when Sophie asked the AI to open the doors to the starship, it did...knowing that all the base staff were did inside it with aliens. Again, this resulted in lives lost. Another battle with aliens. The biosphere remaining humans did manage to get the starship off. Lots of questions why there is a base on Mars and why the earth wasn't warned that the aliens were on the way, apparently the Mars commander know at least 2 years before the invasion. Also, the various crews (biosphere and sub) keep doing missions that were doomed to fail, only to lose more lives. Overall, a good read. One does need to take the ride and suspend my own logic to observe how the characters act.
disappointing as they did not use logic to protect the humans all the time and I don't understand.
Spoiler: #1) When LT Smith got up from bed and went to the console to turn-off the AI, the AI should have sounded the biosphere alert. As a result the biosphere was overtaken by aliens. #2) At the spaceport when Sophie asked the AI to open the doors to the starship, it did...knowing that all the base staff were did inside it with aliens. Again, this resulted in lives lost. Another battle with aliens. The biosphere remaining humans did manage to get the starship off. Lots of questions why there is a base on Mars and why the earth wasn't warned that the aliens were on the way, apparently the Mars commander know at least 2 years before the invasion. Also, the various crews (biosphere and sub) keep doing missions that were doomed to fail, only to lose more lives. Overall, a good read. One does need to take the ride and suspend my own logic to observe how the characters act.
March 4, 2019
I read another reviewer who suggested that Orbs needs to be binge read (or heard). Couldn't I agree with them more. While book 2 has a satisfying ending had it been over right then and there, book 3 sets up book 4 (hopefully that's not a huge shock since I am writing this review years after the release and having read the entire series).
So book 3 keeps up the pace while letting the readers in to more of the overarching theme that something is not quite clear about these alien baddies. The earth is absolutely dying and by now both the characters and the reader have accepted the fact. So what now? What can they possibly do on a dying planet with no salvation in sight?
For me, book 3 and 4 are basically one giant tome. If you have made it this far into the series then you simply need to keep reading into the 4th book to its satisfying ending. There's simply no other suggestion I could make as a reviewer that's stronger than this. Yes, it's an awesome book. Now stop reading this review and go read book 4!! :)
So book 3 keeps up the pace while letting the readers in to more of the overarching theme that something is not quite clear about these alien baddies. The earth is absolutely dying and by now both the characters and the reader have accepted the fact. So what now? What can they possibly do on a dying planet with no salvation in sight?
For me, book 3 and 4 are basically one giant tome. If you have made it this far into the series then you simply need to keep reading into the 4th book to its satisfying ending. There's simply no other suggestion I could make as a reviewer that's stronger than this. Yes, it's an awesome book. Now stop reading this review and go read book 4!! :)
April 10, 2018
Man, this series just keeps getting better. The spiders/organics are definitely wreaking havoc and the Earth/humanity are suffering because of it. I continue to be drawn to the team, and even more-so Alexia, as I've watched each of them grow over the three books thus far (and as I move on to book four). As I've stated in other reviews, I am a huge fan of AI and I love witnessing how each author interprets/develops an AI character. Alexia is growing and it makes me wonder about the technicals of her neural net.
Nick continues to draw me in to his multiverse and I am very excited to see what he/Tony Melchiorri have in store for book four. My hope is that the team on Earth isn't led into a Mark Watney style adventure for the crew on the NTC Sunspot. But alas, I digress, go read this series if you haven't already started. If you are reading reviews for all entries in the series before deciding, hurry up and start already. You won't regret it.
Nick continues to draw me in to his multiverse and I am very excited to see what he/Tony Melchiorri have in store for book four. My hope is that the team on Earth isn't led into a Mark Watney style adventure for the crew on the NTC Sunspot. But alas, I digress, go read this series if you haven't already started. If you are reading reviews for all entries in the series before deciding, hurry up and start already. You won't regret it.
January 31, 2018
Page turner from the first page of the series to the last of this book.
If you enjoy science fiction and you aren't reading this series, all I can say is why not. The author has created a futuristic world that combines every facet of emotion and struggle that can happen in a battle to save the human race from extinction from an impossible alien race. The story combines elements from all of the classic sci-fi movies we all love to watch and spins them on a tale that keeps the reader glued to the page. I started out slow on book one, as I was finishing up books from other series, but burned through books two and three after I was finally able to focus on this story line. Can't wait for book four to be released in a couple months. Give this series, or any of Nicholas Smiths series, a chance and you won't be disappointed.
If you enjoy science fiction and you aren't reading this series, all I can say is why not. The author has created a futuristic world that combines every facet of emotion and struggle that can happen in a battle to save the human race from extinction from an impossible alien race. The story combines elements from all of the classic sci-fi movies we all love to watch and spins them on a tale that keeps the reader glued to the page. I started out slow on book one, as I was finishing up books from other series, but burned through books two and three after I was finally able to focus on this story line. Can't wait for book four to be released in a couple months. Give this series, or any of Nicholas Smiths series, a chance and you won't be disappointed.
April 24, 2018
The alien infestation continues in Orbs III and it doesn't look good for mankind!
The page turning third installment of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's series turns up the heat on the dwindling survivors!The imaginative sci-fi thriller reveals the truth regarding Earth's bleak future. The planet is being decimated by the Invaders and hope seems lost! Using ingenuity and resilence the remnants of our speices struggle to stave off extinction of life as we know it! It's an amazing story of unimaginable horror. No one is better at writing in the post apocalyptic genre than Nicholas Sansbury Smith.
The page turning third installment of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's series turns up the heat on the dwindling survivors!The imaginative sci-fi thriller reveals the truth regarding Earth's bleak future. The planet is being decimated by the Invaders and hope seems lost! Using ingenuity and resilence the remnants of our speices struggle to stave off extinction of life as we know it! It's an amazing story of unimaginable horror. No one is better at writing in the post apocalyptic genre than Nicholas Sansbury Smith.
February 19, 2024
The stakes in this installment are top-notch. Unfortunately, the first installment still remains a setback to me holding me back from the possibility of this ever being a really enjoyable series. I'm not connecting with the characters; I'm not connecting with the "organics", and I'm not liking the premise and setup at all. I do like the AI, both ours and theirs. I do like the visions that the heroine has and the mystery surrounding them. In short, there are good elements here but not enough to make this a memorable experience, but there is enough going on for me to continue on to the final installment.
April 11, 2018
Fleeing from Earth
Imagine the home of humanity becoming such a Hell that the best option, the only option, is to flee. We have been wiped from the earth like so much dust. Whatever pockets might still exists have little hope. The aliens have slapped us down at every turn. So perhaps our best hope is a world we have spurned as a wasteland. Likewise, our team is being whittled down to the core. Utterly gripping and terrifying tale. Definitely keeps you awake at night reading and hoping that the team, and humanity, can find a way to survive.
Imagine the home of humanity becoming such a Hell that the best option, the only option, is to flee. We have been wiped from the earth like so much dust. Whatever pockets might still exists have little hope. The aliens have slapped us down at every turn. So perhaps our best hope is a world we have spurned as a wasteland. Likewise, our team is being whittled down to the core. Utterly gripping and terrifying tale. Definitely keeps you awake at night reading and hoping that the team, and humanity, can find a way to survive.
January 16, 2021
A perfect addition to the series!!
At the end of Orbs II , Sergeant Overton was killed saving Lieutenant Allison Smith and Sophie believes she was abducted by the Organics and was on the black space ship, but nobody believes her. The group in the Cheyenne mountain are trying to save Lieutenant Smith and find out what’s wrong with Sophie, and Captain Noble on the GOA is trying to devise a plan to fight the Organics. I love this series so far and can’t wait to read the last book!!
At the end of Orbs II , Sergeant Overton was killed saving Lieutenant Allison Smith and Sophie believes she was abducted by the Organics and was on the black space ship, but nobody believes her. The group in the Cheyenne mountain are trying to save Lieutenant Smith and find out what’s wrong with Sophie, and Captain Noble on the GOA is trying to devise a plan to fight the Organics. I love this series so far and can’t wait to read the last book!!
April 6, 2018
ok, so I read all three. and when I was done I looked for more.... I found the prequels (Thank GOD!). I am running out of colorful adjectives to explain to why you should spend your money on this. I can tell you it's worth every cent. The wrap up on this was extremely good. A very good way to leave us all hanging! But a solid enough finish that I wasn't left *entirely* feeling a loss (just a hunger for more!)
July 21, 2018
Redemption lost?
Third book of this exciting sci fi, dystopian, thriller! This story quickly swapped storylines between the original biosphere team and the the GOA team all working towards a plan to bring down the organically. On the way there is still disaster, tragedy, loss, discovery, horror and relative escape.
I am intrigued to see what the fourth book brings and if it can resolve some “problems” this episode of the story threw up (without wanting to give spoilers!)
Third book of this exciting sci fi, dystopian, thriller! This story quickly swapped storylines between the original biosphere team and the the GOA team all working towards a plan to bring down the organically. On the way there is still disaster, tragedy, loss, discovery, horror and relative escape.
I am intrigued to see what the fourth book brings and if it can resolve some “problems” this episode of the story threw up (without wanting to give spoilers!)
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