What do you think?
Rate this book
The Invasion Chronicles #1
Transmission
From #1 worldwide bestselling fantasy author Morgan Rice comes a long-anticipated science fiction series debut.
When SETI finally receives a signal from an alien civilization, what will happen next?
A 13 year old boy, dying of a rare brain disease, is the only one able to hear and decode signals from outer space. SETI confirms it is a real signal.
What is the message? How will the world react?
And most of all: are the aliens coming?
Book #2 in the series—ARRIVAL—is also available!
When SETI finally receives a signal from an alien civilization, what will happen next?
A 13 year old boy, dying of a rare brain disease, is the only one able to hear and decode signals from outer space. SETI confirms it is a real signal.
What is the message? How will the world react?
And most of all: are the aliens coming?
Book #2 in the series—ARRIVAL—is also available!
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2018
1959 people are currently reading
2400 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Rice
584 books3,374 followersMorgan Rice is the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series THE SORCERER’S RING, comprising seventeen books; of the #1 bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, comprising twelve books; of the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising three books; of the epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS, comprising six books; of the epic fantasy series OF CROWNS AND GLORY, comprising 8 books; of the new epic fantasy series A THRONE FOR SISTERS, comprising eight books (and counting); and of the new science fiction series THE INVASION CHRONICLES. Morgan’s books are available in audio and print editions, and translations are available in over 25 languages.
TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer’s Ring) and RISE OF THE DRAGONS (Kings and Sorcerers—Book #1) are each available as free downloads!
Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!
TURNED (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals), ARENA ONE (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer’s Ring) and RISE OF THE DRAGONS (Kings and Sorcerers—Book #1) are each available as free downloads!
Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
June 23, 2018
I have read many of Morgan Rice's fantasy books and have been generally impressed with them. That's why I "followed" her on both Amazon and Bookbub and jumped at the chance when notified of this new book coming out. But now I just wish I hadn't bothered.
From the description I thought this book would be science fiction. Which I guess it is, but it's really more YA than anything else. Now I'm not against that, I actually read a decent amount of YA fiction. When it's done well it can be quite entertaining, but done badly it becomes far worse than intolerable.
There is a trope in YA that is exceedingly common, to the point that people have often made fun of it for that reason. That being the scenario where the adults all act like idiots until the kids come up and show them the right way to do things. The problem with this trope is that it's completely unrealistic, but at the same time if you're trying to write a book where kids are the main actors and there are big global events to deal with then it's almost unavoidable. So good YA authors and editors find ways to hide it so the reader doesn't see it. But here instead, the author goes the opposite way and repeatedly bludgeons the reader with multiple occurrences of this same scene. Repeating it to the point where it almost seems like a parody. Almost, but the book isn't funny enough to be a parody, unfortunately.
On top of that the adult characters in the story all feel like the same character there's very little individual personality other than that they have different jobs. Compared to Rice's other works, this just didn't feel like the same author at all. I started to wonder if she let her kid write it for her.
At about two thirds through I was ready to give up on this book, I even came here and hovered over the review button for a bit. But I don't do that, so I trudged on and read the rest. Hoping it would get better. Alas, it actually got worse! I can't go into too much detail, because…spoilers. But for a book about SETI and decoding alien transmissions it just seems really cheesy to suddenly throw in zombie gas. Okay, she doesn't call them zombies but there's not enough of a difference to matter.
And then there's a cliffhanger on top of that. Nothing resolves at the end, not even a subplot (not that there are any).
Definitely not recommended.
Two stars instead of one because I feel sorry for the author. And because at least the plot made sense, even if the writing was hard to stomach.
From the description I thought this book would be science fiction. Which I guess it is, but it's really more YA than anything else. Now I'm not against that, I actually read a decent amount of YA fiction. When it's done well it can be quite entertaining, but done badly it becomes far worse than intolerable.
There is a trope in YA that is exceedingly common, to the point that people have often made fun of it for that reason. That being the scenario where the adults all act like idiots until the kids come up and show them the right way to do things. The problem with this trope is that it's completely unrealistic, but at the same time if you're trying to write a book where kids are the main actors and there are big global events to deal with then it's almost unavoidable. So good YA authors and editors find ways to hide it so the reader doesn't see it. But here instead, the author goes the opposite way and repeatedly bludgeons the reader with multiple occurrences of this same scene. Repeating it to the point where it almost seems like a parody. Almost, but the book isn't funny enough to be a parody, unfortunately.
On top of that the adult characters in the story all feel like the same character there's very little individual personality other than that they have different jobs. Compared to Rice's other works, this just didn't feel like the same author at all. I started to wonder if she let her kid write it for her.
At about two thirds through I was ready to give up on this book, I even came here and hovered over the review button for a bit. But I don't do that, so I trudged on and read the rest. Hoping it would get better. Alas, it actually got worse! I can't go into too much detail, because…spoilers. But for a book about SETI and decoding alien transmissions it just seems really cheesy to suddenly throw in zombie gas. Okay, she doesn't call them zombies but there's not enough of a difference to matter.
And then there's a cliffhanger on top of that. Nothing resolves at the end, not even a subplot (not that there are any).
Definitely not recommended.
Two stars instead of one because I feel sorry for the author. And because at least the plot made sense, even if the writing was hard to stomach.
August 17, 2018
I was very disappointed by this book. I picked it up thinking it would be a tale for adults. In the end, I'm not sure it would satisfy even a YA reader. The protagonist is a 13 year old boy. This would make the typical reader somewhere around 10- 12. For readers of that age, the tale will be engaging. It has all the important elements: unending action, smart young people surrounded by bumbling unimaginative adults, aliens, zombies, NASA - what more could a kid want?
Unfortunately, in the reviews I read prior to purchasing the book, there was no mention of it being a young reader's story. So I thought I would post this review in the interest of full disclosure.
I skipped through most of the pages, and was very unsatisfied with the ending. But as a read-aloud for your ten year old, you will have a winner.
Unfortunately, in the reviews I read prior to purchasing the book, there was no mention of it being a young reader's story. So I thought I would post this review in the interest of full disclosure.
I skipped through most of the pages, and was very unsatisfied with the ending. But as a read-aloud for your ten year old, you will have a winner.
July 5, 2021
Muy bueno! La trama me ha mantenido enganchado todo el tiempo. Es un libro sencillo y sin tecnicismos científicos. Es una ciencia ficción que apuesta por el estilo y la trama como únicos argumentos para mantener “enganchado” al lector. Un gran plus, a razón de que hoy día la mayoría de los libros del género, en un gran afán por parte de sus autores por demostrar sus conocimientos en materia de ciencias exactas, metafísica, cosmología, etc, en ciertas ocaciones se me han hecho demasiado técnicos. Continuamos con la segunda parte. 😊👍
June 21, 2018
Bleh, this book is a real stinker. Boring, the writing isn't that great, and I just didn't connect with the characters. It's about a thirteen-year-old boy named Kevin who is terminally ill—and receiving transmissions from these aliens. I confess that I didn't finish it because I just really didn't like it. It was definitely a disappointment to me because I've read this author's work before (Arena One: Slaverunners and Arena Two were both really compelling, exciting reads). I just wasn't feeling this book, I guess.
Note: I won this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
Note: I won this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
November 14, 2018
Don't do it
When I first began reading the book I had a great deal of hope. However, the more I read the worse it got. The premise being that the young protagonist, who suffers from a debilitating illness is somehow receiving messages from an unknown alien civilization. Sadly there were too many problems to overcome. From the medical diagnosis, access to SETI, NASA, timeline, travel by plane and security, far more flaws than one person would expect. I don't recommend this book. The only saving grace being that no paper was sacrificed to this printing.
When I first began reading the book I had a great deal of hope. However, the more I read the worse it got. The premise being that the young protagonist, who suffers from a debilitating illness is somehow receiving messages from an unknown alien civilization. Sadly there were too many problems to overcome. From the medical diagnosis, access to SETI, NASA, timeline, travel by plane and security, far more flaws than one person would expect. I don't recommend this book. The only saving grace being that no paper was sacrificed to this printing.
June 26, 2018
Kevin is a 13 year old boy who has a deadly brain disease with only months to live. He has hallucinations and they're telling him that aliens are coming and sending him data. Are they real or merely the boys brain making up stories?
It was an interesting mystery and kept me engaged almost to the end. The ending, though, was awful. Once the aliens are discovered it goes off the rails completely and I wanted to throw my iPad against the wall having been duped into reading that seemed promising only to turn into an awful SyFy Channel made for TV movie.
It was an interesting mystery and kept me engaged almost to the end. The ending, though, was awful. Once the aliens are discovered it goes off the rails completely and I wanted to throw my iPad against the wall having been duped into reading that seemed promising only to turn into an awful SyFy Channel made for TV movie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2024
DNF bei 37%
Ich finde das Konzept so genial, dass ich unbedingt das Buch lesen wollte. Das war mein zweites und letztes Buch von Morgan Rice. Das erste Buch war auch für mich eher mittelmäßig, aber das hier ist leider ... nur Müll. Ich will echt nicht fies sein, aber man merkt einfach, dass Sci-Fi nicht ihr Genre ist. Sie kennt sich nicht nicht mit den Weltall aus und sie kennt sich auch nicht mit der NASA aus. Es ist einfach alles so unglaubwürdig und der Protagonist verhält sich auch eher wie ein Baby. Ich meine, er ist 13 und als er ein Problem hatte, hat er sich einfach auf den Boden gesetzt und hat sich geweigert aufzustehen - und junge, das hat sogar geklappt. Und so war er die ganze Zeit. Was mir aber überhaupt nicht gefallen hat, sind die Erwachsenen, die Kevin "unterstützen" mit seine dummen Ideen als wäre es das klügste überhaupt. Der einzige glaubhafte Charakter war seine Mutter und die mochte ich auch eigentlich. Aber sollte ich wegen der Mutter, das Buch weiterlesen? Nein, garantiert nicht. Auch der Schreibstil war mir zu simpel und nicht so wirklich passend für ein Sci-Fi Buch, der mit Wissenschaftlern arbeitet.
Ich finde es einfach so schade, weil - wie gesagt - das Konzept und die Idee ziemlich cool sind, aber die Umsetzung ging einfach mal gar nicht. Sie sollte bei Fantasy bleiben.
Ich finde das Konzept so genial, dass ich unbedingt das Buch lesen wollte. Das war mein zweites und letztes Buch von Morgan Rice. Das erste Buch war auch für mich eher mittelmäßig, aber das hier ist leider ... nur Müll. Ich will echt nicht fies sein, aber man merkt einfach, dass Sci-Fi nicht ihr Genre ist. Sie kennt sich nicht nicht mit den Weltall aus und sie kennt sich auch nicht mit der NASA aus. Es ist einfach alles so unglaubwürdig und der Protagonist verhält sich auch eher wie ein Baby. Ich meine, er ist 13 und als er ein Problem hatte, hat er sich einfach auf den Boden gesetzt und hat sich geweigert aufzustehen - und junge, das hat sogar geklappt. Und so war er die ganze Zeit. Was mir aber überhaupt nicht gefallen hat, sind die Erwachsenen, die Kevin "unterstützen" mit seine dummen Ideen als wäre es das klügste überhaupt. Der einzige glaubhafte Charakter war seine Mutter und die mochte ich auch eigentlich. Aber sollte ich wegen der Mutter, das Buch weiterlesen? Nein, garantiert nicht. Auch der Schreibstil war mir zu simpel und nicht so wirklich passend für ein Sci-Fi Buch, der mit Wissenschaftlern arbeitet.
Ich finde es einfach so schade, weil - wie gesagt - das Konzept und die Idee ziemlich cool sind, aber die Umsetzung ging einfach mal gar nicht. Sie sollte bei Fantasy bleiben.
November 24, 2019
When you sloppily copied your schoolmate's homework.
June 29, 2018
I was given a copy of this story - lucky me! - and found it to be enjoyable, entertaining and thought-provoking. I am a fan of this author and like the style and tone of writing - fast-paced for sure.
What would the people of Earth do if there were supposed messages from aliens? What could it mean?
I thought the story to be insightful in regard to fear, power plays, politics, scientists, media, mobs and religious mania and more, especially how quickly folks turn into despicable mobs /selfish turncoats.
Themes of friendship and family are a good basis and perfect for when things go wrong - who would be on your side in difficult times?
It's not easy to say much because I don't give spoilers, but will say that this is an adventurous dive into a science-fictional scenario with a definite human touch.
Highly recommended.
What would the people of Earth do if there were supposed messages from aliens? What could it mean?
I thought the story to be insightful in regard to fear, power plays, politics, scientists, media, mobs and religious mania and more, especially how quickly folks turn into despicable mobs /selfish turncoats.
Themes of friendship and family are a good basis and perfect for when things go wrong - who would be on your side in difficult times?
It's not easy to say much because I don't give spoilers, but will say that this is an adventurous dive into a science-fictional scenario with a definite human touch.
Highly recommended.
February 21, 2023
Cea mai proastă carte SF citită vreodată!
Un băiat grav bolnav începe să receptioneze mesaje de la extratereștri - 'sună interesant' mi-am zis, și cum nota de pe GR e destul de bună, am citit-o - proastă decizie!
Oricât ar părea de ciudat, dat fiind subiectul, cartea este des plictisitoare, apoi enervantă, apoi devine o telenovelă proastă, apoi atât de absurdă, încât a trebuit să o tratez ca pe una de comedie, ca s-o pot termina - ultimele 40 de pagini au părut o veșnicie. :(
Uitasem, sunt și elemente de teorie a conspirației... Iar finalul... ce să spun, 2 copii reușesc să scape de N adulți posedați de extratereștri, după aventuri demne de Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Van Damme etc, la un loc! Îmi pare rău, băieți, puștii v-au dat clasă!
PS: Scuze pentru repetarea adjectivului 'proastă', dar chiar nu o pot cataloga altfel.
Un băiat grav bolnav începe să receptioneze mesaje de la extratereștri - 'sună interesant' mi-am zis, și cum nota de pe GR e destul de bună, am citit-o - proastă decizie!
Oricât ar părea de ciudat, dat fiind subiectul, cartea este des plictisitoare, apoi enervantă, apoi devine o telenovelă proastă, apoi atât de absurdă, încât a trebuit să o tratez ca pe una de comedie, ca s-o pot termina - ultimele 40 de pagini au părut o veșnicie. :(
Uitasem, sunt și elemente de teorie a conspirației... Iar finalul... ce să spun, 2 copii reușesc să scape de N adulți posedați de extratereștri, după aventuri demne de Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Van Damme etc, la un loc! Îmi pare rău, băieți, puștii v-au dat clasă!
PS: Scuze pentru repetarea adjectivului 'proastă', dar chiar nu o pot cataloga altfel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
This book is well written and was quite an interesting topic... BUT.
I want to start with mentioning that this is definitely a book more suited towards the Young Adult category than it is Science Fiction - strictly because of the main protagonist, and how the book itself is written. The first part of this review (part one) will not give you spoilers - but the second part of this review (part two) will.
Review Part One (no spoilers)
This book actually starts out well! I am always intrigued when I find a new book that has already established a multi book series. That alone lets me know that it was received well enough for the story to continue! As a Science Fiction fanatic, this book isn't exactly what I thought it would be.
Your protagonist is a thirteen-year-old boy that is diagnosed with a deadly disease. Like many diseases in the world, it comes with some unanticipated, and somewhat unwanted, side effects that complicate the protagonist's life at home and school.
Alas, this is the point that my interest was piqued, but as more of a throwback to reading a book in middle school verses reading a book now, as a full-fledged adult. From here the story takes a stereotypical thirteen-year-old point of view: kids know better than adults.
This is a thought-provoking book, and it covers some interesting topics while being quite enjoyable! It is a fast read, so you shouldn't have to denote too terribly long to it. I think that the biggest take away from this one, is that you are left with questions at the end of the first book. Not necessarily about the book itself, but more into the thought of "how would the real world react to a scenario like this, because it would not be anything like this book portrays that it would?"
I give this 4 out of 5 stars because I was a little disappointed with the genre once I started it, but the book itself was still pretty good!
I would recommend this book for Young Adults verses a more seasoned reader - unless you are really into Young Adult Fiction! This story will still get a four-star review because it was entertaining despite my personal issues with the story and timeline. I'm not sure if I will hop at the chance to read the rest of the series at this time. If I found the next book offered for free on the Kindle store, I might consider it.
Review Part Two (spoilers)
I won't recap part one of this review, so I will just hop into the review containing spoilers.
I can't say enough that this really is a good little story - but it leaves a lot behind.
Thirteen-year-old boy diagnosed with a deadly disease. He has hallucinations (not in his eyes) which turn into the ability to communicate with life outside of our planet. He is somehow able to get the attention of NASA after what I can consider a "sit in" in their lobby, where he had one of his hallucinations (which piqued the interest of one of the scientists, and it was off from there.) Why is a civilian child, no matter how ill, able to just walk into NASA/SETI and gain access to all of this information? It is a good thought, but outside the realm of reality just enough for it to bother me.
That isn't the best start, but it isn't terrible! I became lost once this thirteen-year-old boy faces off to a Columbian soldier and wins. He has been galivanting through the jungle with an oxygen tank - and is able to stop an argument between two soldiers from different countries. It is a nice idea, but not plausible in today's society - supposedly when this book is taking place.
I want to start with mentioning that this is definitely a book more suited towards the Young Adult category than it is Science Fiction - strictly because of the main protagonist, and how the book itself is written. The first part of this review (part one) will not give you spoilers - but the second part of this review (part two) will.
Review Part One (no spoilers)
This book actually starts out well! I am always intrigued when I find a new book that has already established a multi book series. That alone lets me know that it was received well enough for the story to continue! As a Science Fiction fanatic, this book isn't exactly what I thought it would be.
Your protagonist is a thirteen-year-old boy that is diagnosed with a deadly disease. Like many diseases in the world, it comes with some unanticipated, and somewhat unwanted, side effects that complicate the protagonist's life at home and school.
Alas, this is the point that my interest was piqued, but as more of a throwback to reading a book in middle school verses reading a book now, as a full-fledged adult. From here the story takes a stereotypical thirteen-year-old point of view: kids know better than adults.
This is a thought-provoking book, and it covers some interesting topics while being quite enjoyable! It is a fast read, so you shouldn't have to denote too terribly long to it. I think that the biggest take away from this one, is that you are left with questions at the end of the first book. Not necessarily about the book itself, but more into the thought of "how would the real world react to a scenario like this, because it would not be anything like this book portrays that it would?"
I give this 4 out of 5 stars because I was a little disappointed with the genre once I started it, but the book itself was still pretty good!
I would recommend this book for Young Adults verses a more seasoned reader - unless you are really into Young Adult Fiction! This story will still get a four-star review because it was entertaining despite my personal issues with the story and timeline. I'm not sure if I will hop at the chance to read the rest of the series at this time. If I found the next book offered for free on the Kindle store, I might consider it.
Review Part Two (spoilers)
I won't recap part one of this review, so I will just hop into the review containing spoilers.
I can't say enough that this really is a good little story - but it leaves a lot behind.
Thirteen-year-old boy diagnosed with a deadly disease. He has hallucinations (not in his eyes) which turn into the ability to communicate with life outside of our planet. He is somehow able to get the attention of NASA after what I can consider a "sit in" in their lobby, where he had one of his hallucinations (which piqued the interest of one of the scientists, and it was off from there.) Why is a civilian child, no matter how ill, able to just walk into NASA/SETI and gain access to all of this information? It is a good thought, but outside the realm of reality just enough for it to bother me.
That isn't the best start, but it isn't terrible! I became lost once this thirteen-year-old boy faces off to a Columbian soldier and wins. He has been galivanting through the jungle with an oxygen tank - and is able to stop an argument between two soldiers from different countries. It is a nice idea, but not plausible in today's society - supposedly when this book is taking place.
September 7, 2022
Esta novela de ciencia ficción ha sido un descubrimiento agradable. No leo mucha scify desde la u. aunque entonces me encantaba. La novela protagonizada por un niño es super original. Estilo Contacto. No quiero hacer spoiler... Si bien mantiene la intriga todo el tiempo, a ratos el tema de la enfermedad del niño se hacía reiterativo, bajando el ritmo. Sin embargo, no pierde el interés, no siendo predecible. No hay grandes giros pero si bastante acción en la trama. Tiene personajes más o menos atípicos, con un par de excepciones. Ahora, si ya lo leíste y seguiste la saga, cuéntame si crees que la película El Arribo es parte de la saga, porque me parecen similares. #latrasmision #morganrice
June 12, 2023
“Transmission” by Morgan Rice is a thrilling science fiction novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The book follows the story of a young boy named Kevin, who is terminally ill and believes he is receiving transmissions from aliens. As the story progresses, Kevin travels to SETI to get help in decoding the transmissions, but he faces a lot of skepticism from the scientists there.
The novel is a great mix of thriller and sci-fi elements, making it a perfect read for fans of both genres. The plot is well-crafted and keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. The characters are also well-developed, and the psychological profiles of the characters are strong, which adds depth to the story.
One of the strengths of the book is its accessibility. While it is a young adult novel, the thriller elements are surprising and will reach adults as much as young adult audiences. The book is also quite accessible to readers who are not typically fans of science fiction.
The book raises some interesting questions about the existence of extraterrestrial life and the possibility of communicating with them. Should Kevin notify SETI that he's receiving alien transmissions? What if they don't believe him? These questions add depth to the story and make it more than just a simple sci-fi thriller.
Overall, “Transmission” is a riveting and unexpected read that is firmly rooted in strong psychological profiles backed with thriller and sci-fi elements. Morgan Rice has done an excellent job of crafting a story that will appeal to a wide range of readers. If you're looking for a fast-paced, engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then “Transmission” is definitely worth checking out.
The novel is a great mix of thriller and sci-fi elements, making it a perfect read for fans of both genres. The plot is well-crafted and keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. The characters are also well-developed, and the psychological profiles of the characters are strong, which adds depth to the story.
One of the strengths of the book is its accessibility. While it is a young adult novel, the thriller elements are surprising and will reach adults as much as young adult audiences. The book is also quite accessible to readers who are not typically fans of science fiction.
The book raises some interesting questions about the existence of extraterrestrial life and the possibility of communicating with them. Should Kevin notify SETI that he's receiving alien transmissions? What if they don't believe him? These questions add depth to the story and make it more than just a simple sci-fi thriller.
Overall, “Transmission” is a riveting and unexpected read that is firmly rooted in strong psychological profiles backed with thriller and sci-fi elements. Morgan Rice has done an excellent job of crafting a story that will appeal to a wide range of readers. If you're looking for a fast-paced, engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then “Transmission” is definitely worth checking out.
June 2, 2019
Ehhhh. At least it was free? And short? Definitely an easy read. The dialogue wasn't my favorite and I don't think anyone has feared being "uncool" since the 90s, but...idk. I don't have a ton to say about this. The characters had roles moreso than personalities - there was Mom, Best Friend, Trusted Adult With Answers, etc. The ineptitude of adults with doctorates was laughable, and the lack of security at NASA is truly unbelievable. I thought this was a really interesting premise, but it headed in a weird direction and everything started to fall apart. I'm giving this 1.5 stars but rounding up because I have to really hate a book to give it just one star.
BUT! If you're the type of person who reads things for enjoyment, please don't let my review deter you! It's short and it's free, so if you're interested you should definitely check it out.
Also...a small spoiler, and a note to future me, should I come back to this review 😂 ...
Not a fan of the zombie-like implications. They (and/or plagues) are a thing I just don't like reading about, so I won't be continuing this series.
BUT! If you're the type of person who reads things for enjoyment, please don't let my review deter you! It's short and it's free, so if you're interested you should definitely check it out.
Also...a small spoiler, and a note to future me, should I come back to this review 😂 ...
Not a fan of the zombie-like implications. They (and/or plagues) are a thing I just don't like reading about, so I won't be continuing this series.
July 16, 2018
I'll echo another review in that this book hits the "all adults are dumb" YA trope hard. Seriously, kids/teens are way dumber than they think adults are.
Had a hard time connecting with the characters, most were really just "meh"; stereotypical scientists (both helpful and controlling types), sad mother of a sick kid, main character that's oblivious to his best friend's love interest, and semi-mysterious CIA guy that probably won't be hard to figure out either.
Being the first book I've read by this particular author I was somewhat disappointed with the writing. After seeing so many of her books so well reviewed, I expected better. The writing isn't terrible, for this particular book, it could just use a bit of work.
Had a hard time connecting with the characters, most were really just "meh"; stereotypical scientists (both helpful and controlling types), sad mother of a sick kid, main character that's oblivious to his best friend's love interest, and semi-mysterious CIA guy that probably won't be hard to figure out either.
Being the first book I've read by this particular author I was somewhat disappointed with the writing. After seeing so many of her books so well reviewed, I expected better. The writing isn't terrible, for this particular book, it could just use a bit of work.
July 15, 2019
It started out well, I even considered recommending it to my husband, who enjoys sci fi. But here comes the "all adults are stupid" and seriously? A thirteen year old is going to handle international negotiations and stop Columbian soldiers from doing whatever they want? And then when looking for a satisfying conclusion to this mess, we got... stay tuned for how we fix the zombie apocalypse.
Nope.
Nope.
June 2, 2019
Shallow
This book had potential. A kid dying of a rare brain disease receiving messages from aliens 40 light years away. But the lack of details or descriptive language is striking. My middle school students write better than Morgan Rice did when whipping out Transmission. Don't waste your time reading this book.
This book had potential. A kid dying of a rare brain disease receiving messages from aliens 40 light years away. But the lack of details or descriptive language is striking. My middle school students write better than Morgan Rice did when whipping out Transmission. Don't waste your time reading this book.
August 18, 2019
Written at a gradeschool level at best. Very short (for a book) and despite that much of it is plodding and repetitive. The theme started as interesting but quickly left any reasonable thoughts of "science" fiction, then degraded to a typical zombie theme.
September 12, 2018
A book with shallow character and stupid plot...
September 12, 2018
Disappointing. I sometimes like Young Adult fiction but this was not well written. Interesting plot but totally unrealistic.
September 15, 2018
this is like some loooooong drawn out first chapter and the second chapter.. oh you have to buy another book
September 28, 2018
(place curse word here)
If you enjoy being strung along.
Buy this episode. It is in no way to be considered a book.
Beware.
If you enjoy being strung along.
Buy this episode. It is in no way to be considered a book.
Beware.
November 22, 2018
Boring drivel
This work was simplistic in all measures. Maybe suitable for 9 year olds. Silly story. Little characters development and mostly filler.
This work was simplistic in all measures. Maybe suitable for 9 year olds. Silly story. Little characters development and mostly filler.
December 6, 2018
Love that the main character is a 13 year old out to save the world. Seeing everything through his eyes and experiences made it a great story.
January 21, 2019
This was a great page turner. Exciting, fast pace book. As I got into it more I found I could not put it down.
January 13, 2023
4/5
I think this was a pretty engaging book. I am bias towards space and alien related things maybe? 😂
I think this was a pretty engaging book. I am bias towards space and alien related things maybe? 😂
April 18, 2024
3.75 stars ***Mild spoilers.***
Thirteen year old Kevin has just been told he has a rare and lethal brain disease. The doctor also informs Kevin and his mother that his longest live expectancy is 6 months.
Now subjected to seizures and blackouts, Kevin begins to see visions of another other world in his head and hearing messages only he can understand. Thus begins the boy's adventure to unravel the mystery the messages contain.
Going first to SETI Director Dr. Levin, then to NASA station Director Professor Brewster, the hunt for answers begins.
Through outstanding world building, action-packed adventures and mostly despicable characters, once the world is informed of their discovery via interpretations of Kevin's messages he's receiving, the hunt is on for a spacecraft that has been tracked to a dense Columbian jungle.
What they discover is both shocking and unsettling, to say the least.
What is buried beneath a small clearing in that Columbian jungle? Read "Transmission" and discover for yourself!
Minor editing errors and scenes of killing in self-defense.
Thirteen year old Kevin has just been told he has a rare and lethal brain disease. The doctor also informs Kevin and his mother that his longest live expectancy is 6 months.
Now subjected to seizures and blackouts, Kevin begins to see visions of another other world in his head and hearing messages only he can understand. Thus begins the boy's adventure to unravel the mystery the messages contain.
Going first to SETI Director Dr. Levin, then to NASA station Director Professor Brewster, the hunt for answers begins.
Through outstanding world building, action-packed adventures and mostly despicable characters, once the world is informed of their discovery via interpretations of Kevin's messages he's receiving, the hunt is on for a spacecraft that has been tracked to a dense Columbian jungle.
What they discover is both shocking and unsettling, to say the least.
What is buried beneath a small clearing in that Columbian jungle? Read "Transmission" and discover for yourself!
Minor editing errors and scenes of killing in self-defense.
December 1, 2019
I enjoyed this book because the storyline is compelling. A young adolescent suffers from bizarre visual and auditory hallucinations the doctors ascribe to the effects of a brain lesion. But, are they a medical manifestation of a rare disease, or are they messages being sent by an alien intelligence from a distant star system? Morgan Rice’s Young Adult novel is enjoyable, and the suspense keeps you compelled to the very end.
However, I was disappointed to learn (at the end) that this serves as the “introduction” to a series of novels whose larger plot involves an interplanetary invasion. I think that if you are prepared to purchase or gain access to the remainder of the novels in this series, you shouldn’t be disappointed!
However, I was disappointed to learn (at the end) that this serves as the “introduction” to a series of novels whose larger plot involves an interplanetary invasion. I think that if you are prepared to purchase or gain access to the remainder of the novels in this series, you shouldn’t be disappointed!
May 12, 2020
This book was free on Kobo app for the quarentine, so I figure I might give him a chance and I am so glad that I did. As the title states, this is a fiction trailer. Kevin is a 13 year old boy with a rare neurodegenerative disease that will, most likely, kill him before he gets to adulthood. Due to his illness he receives aliens message's, the problem is: no one believes him. Everyone thinks this is just an effect of the disease. Kevin figures a way to be believed and gets to NASA, where he starts working with scientists. I found the first part of the book rather slow and repetitive, I must admit. However, as soon as Kevin finds an alien artifact the plot thicks. Kevin experiences a set back, where he is not believed anymore. I really like this part. Somehow it made the fiction more "believable". Instead of a linear plot as in "here are the aliens" we got a problem to solve right there, as well as a question "Are there really aliens coming? Where is this story taking us?" I really loved it from that point on, and I'm really interesting in finding out what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
I was hoping for more with this book. The story is good its just a tad slow moving and there are weird gaps in time. In the story it will feel like its only been a couple of days but it has been months and the author does not really come out and say it you just kind of figure out through things that happen and you really don't know how long its actually been. I think that was the biggest thing for me and that it drug on a bit. I still liked it enough to see what happens in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews