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Space Cowboys #1
The Star Gate
If the men and women of Omega Force and Alpha Unit special ops teams thought that what they faced in the Amazon jungle their last time out was rough…
Well, they’ve been reassigned—to outer space—serving as Earth’s advanced guard against encroaching threats.
And this threat is a big one.
An artifact has been found on the moon, dating back over two billion years. Its origins and reasons for existence are unclear. Whatever it is, it has picked now to activate.
The clock is ticking.
Natty Young—the Nikola Tesla of his times—whose tech toys Omega Force and Alpha Unit use to keep them one step ahead of the bad guys—has a theory about the artifact.
The two special ops teams, with Natty and his bioengineering genius of a wife, Laney, in tow, are headed into space to find out if he’s correct—aboard a starship so advanced, to merely talk of its existence spells death. It was designed by Natty’s father—off-world—beneath the ocean of Europa. The science involved with its creation alone boggles the mind; what’s inside the ship is even more impressive.
But what they’re up against—well, it has had a couple billion years head-start on the rest of us. To say Omega Force and Alpha Unit are going hunting for bigger game than they can take down may be the understatement of all time.
OTHER OMEGA FORCE AND ALPHA UNIT NOVELS:
MIND OF A CHILD: SENTIENT SERPENTS
Well, they’ve been reassigned—to outer space—serving as Earth’s advanced guard against encroaching threats.
And this threat is a big one.
An artifact has been found on the moon, dating back over two billion years. Its origins and reasons for existence are unclear. Whatever it is, it has picked now to activate.
The clock is ticking.
Natty Young—the Nikola Tesla of his times—whose tech toys Omega Force and Alpha Unit use to keep them one step ahead of the bad guys—has a theory about the artifact.
The two special ops teams, with Natty and his bioengineering genius of a wife, Laney, in tow, are headed into space to find out if he’s correct—aboard a starship so advanced, to merely talk of its existence spells death. It was designed by Natty’s father—off-world—beneath the ocean of Europa. The science involved with its creation alone boggles the mind; what’s inside the ship is even more impressive.
But what they’re up against—well, it has had a couple billion years head-start on the rest of us. To say Omega Force and Alpha Unit are going hunting for bigger game than they can take down may be the understatement of all time.
OTHER OMEGA FORCE AND ALPHA UNIT NOVELS:
MIND OF A CHILD: SENTIENT SERPENTS
827 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2018
83 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Dean C. Moore
46 books642 followersWhile action-packed sci-fi/techno-thrillers set in the near future are my forte, I also stray into other genres from time to time, such as space operas, paranormal fantasy, and detective stories. All my novels can be described as action-thrillers, no matter the sub-genre.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 16, 2018
To be honest, I didn’t like this one that much. It has more to do with personal preference than any fault of the book’s.
The book is really long, which becomes wearying. It consists of video game-style fights mixed with hard science fiction theorizing. All the people are suped-up so much that they’re immune to death, so they have fights with each other and with aliens and die and “respawn” and die and “respawn” over and over. The fights were for entertainment value and didn’t create any suspense or sense of doom. The characters never settle down enough to get to know them personally, so I never connected with any of them.
When they’re not fighting, the characters are working out complex science problems and theories. This was all very smart, very thought-out stuff but just started feeling long after a while.
This is the start of a spin-off series, and I haven’t read the other books. I got the feeling the characters were easier to know in those books. I also wasn’t sure what the time period was. At first I thought it was the near future, but then it seemed like the far future. There are a lot of references to current and classic sci fi movies and films.
The writing is solid and competent, the imagination is there, and I expect the author will enjoy a fruitful writing career. It just wasn’t quite my thing.
There is lots of violence, sometimes graphic, and occasional strong language. I received a free copy from the author. I had the option to review.
The book is really long, which becomes wearying. It consists of video game-style fights mixed with hard science fiction theorizing. All the people are suped-up so much that they’re immune to death, so they have fights with each other and with aliens and die and “respawn” and die and “respawn” over and over. The fights were for entertainment value and didn’t create any suspense or sense of doom. The characters never settle down enough to get to know them personally, so I never connected with any of them.
When they’re not fighting, the characters are working out complex science problems and theories. This was all very smart, very thought-out stuff but just started feeling long after a while.
This is the start of a spin-off series, and I haven’t read the other books. I got the feeling the characters were easier to know in those books. I also wasn’t sure what the time period was. At first I thought it was the near future, but then it seemed like the far future. There are a lot of references to current and classic sci fi movies and films.
The writing is solid and competent, the imagination is there, and I expect the author will enjoy a fruitful writing career. It just wasn’t quite my thing.
There is lots of violence, sometimes graphic, and occasional strong language. I received a free copy from the author. I had the option to review.
Read
June 28, 2018The kind of space opera I enjoy most is larger than life characters, huge vistas, big stakes, big ideas, and the full range of emotions from humor to (some) horror. I found that in indie writer Dean C. Moore’s SPACE COWBOYS: THE STAR GATE.
This book, I discovered, is a follow-on from stories about Omega Force and Alpha Unit, elite forces that usually take on country-sized problems and mega villains threatening world peace (oh, where are they now?). But the new reader can dive right into this volume with minimal confusion; the flashbacks are short and illustrative.
Moore does a nice job with drawing the reader in with a single character driving along a road until a spaceship appears. The subsequent scene when cops catch up and the space ship takes off establishes not only character, but tone: it’s a lot of fun, and promises plenty of action.
Omega Force and Alpha Unit have a new assignment: guarding a billionaire and his wife aboard a space ship driven by a supersentience. By the way, said billionaire (and his wife) are brilliant scientists, Natty (the male element) full of crazy ideas a la Nicola Tesla.
And so these super soldiers, enhanced into transhumans by futuristic nanotech, end up in space, dealing with aliens, super-Vikings, and star gates.
The ideas keep coming, interspersed with vivid action scenes. The characters are painted in broad strokes, a lot like superheroes, which they really are. The thing that makes this book especially enjoyable is that Moore is doing his best to ground his superscience in current scientific speculation. At the end, there is a lengthy list of places the reader can go to read up on various ideas.
Altogether a ton of fun!
Copy courtesy of author.
This book, I discovered, is a follow-on from stories about Omega Force and Alpha Unit, elite forces that usually take on country-sized problems and mega villains threatening world peace (oh, where are they now?). But the new reader can dive right into this volume with minimal confusion; the flashbacks are short and illustrative.
Moore does a nice job with drawing the reader in with a single character driving along a road until a spaceship appears. The subsequent scene when cops catch up and the space ship takes off establishes not only character, but tone: it’s a lot of fun, and promises plenty of action.
Omega Force and Alpha Unit have a new assignment: guarding a billionaire and his wife aboard a space ship driven by a supersentience. By the way, said billionaire (and his wife) are brilliant scientists, Natty (the male element) full of crazy ideas a la Nicola Tesla.
And so these super soldiers, enhanced into transhumans by futuristic nanotech, end up in space, dealing with aliens, super-Vikings, and star gates.
The ideas keep coming, interspersed with vivid action scenes. The characters are painted in broad strokes, a lot like superheroes, which they really are. The thing that makes this book especially enjoyable is that Moore is doing his best to ground his superscience in current scientific speculation. At the end, there is a lengthy list of places the reader can go to read up on various ideas.
Altogether a ton of fun!
Copy courtesy of author.
July 4, 2018
I watched the movie Cowboys and Aliens few years ago and kinda liked it. Seeing the very name Space cowboys had me reminded of the very thing and its how I picked this one up and while it wasn't the same thing ,it definitely had me up wanting for more and filled my sci-fi desire.
For a surprisingly big read than spans 800 pages , its jam packed with action , humour , character development and everything scifi lover could possibly want!
And the best part? It's got hella interesting plot that does not waver at all !
Also while it may be a follow up of his previous works(which I havent read) , it did not hamper my enjoyment while reading here.
I'd like to thank the author for the ARC kindly provided by him in exchange for an honest review!
For a surprisingly big read than spans 800 pages , its jam packed with action , humour , character development and everything scifi lover could possibly want!
And the best part? It's got hella interesting plot that does not waver at all !
Also while it may be a follow up of his previous works(which I havent read) , it did not hamper my enjoyment while reading here.
I'd like to thank the author for the ARC kindly provided by him in exchange for an honest review!
June 26, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and was given the option to review or not to review:
If you were expecting a mindless read, this is not the book for you. This book is full of action, drama, and scientific concepts that really make you think (hence, not mindless). It is a great book to fall asleep to, as all I’m thinking about is what I just read (I will admit that my dreams got weird, fast). This is also a very dense book and handles some dense concepts, and is very much worth the read.
If you were expecting a mindless read, this is not the book for you. This book is full of action, drama, and scientific concepts that really make you think (hence, not mindless). It is a great book to fall asleep to, as all I’m thinking about is what I just read (I will admit that my dreams got weird, fast). This is also a very dense book and handles some dense concepts, and is very much worth the read.
July 1, 2018
It starts out with Natty finally getting Leon on the space ship from "mind of a child" story and ends up having a crazy, out of the world adventure. Never quite knew what was going to happen in the next chapter except it would be action packed and wild. A well written near future story that kept me entertained and glued to the end to see who or what would show up next and how Leon and the gang would save the day. There was lots of action, crazy hysterical dialogue, funny scenes, and a wild insane plot that made the story worth reading. I liked its over the top story.
June 30, 2018
I received a free copy of the novel from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Since I liked reading this book I'm writing a review.
Although this book is a stand-alone novel, I would recommend to read Dean C. Moore's book "Sentient Serpents" first, as it will introduce some of the main characters of The Star Gate. I didn't, so it took me more time to get a feel for Natty, Leon, Skyhawk and Patent, to name only a few of my favorite characters.
I like this book a lot! It made me think of what it would be like to live post-singularity. What makes a human a human? Would it feel different to know you're a clone and have just been printed by some supersentient AI entities? How do you know that you're living a real life, as opposed to Virtual and Augmented Reality (aka The Matrix)? Is a synthetic person less real or valuable than a human?
The writer explores these themes (and a lot more) in this Science Fiction and Space Opera tome, where the action is never far away and the ideas range across universes, dimensions and timelines. Aliens, nano enhanced humans, good guys, unknown (and sometimes evil) civilizations, humor and deep plots make this a very enjoyable read!
Also the characters have grown on me. Not like an extra appendage or an extra eyeball at the back of your head! Looking forward for the next Space Cowboys installment!
Since I liked reading this book I'm writing a review.
Although this book is a stand-alone novel, I would recommend to read Dean C. Moore's book "Sentient Serpents" first, as it will introduce some of the main characters of The Star Gate. I didn't, so it took me more time to get a feel for Natty, Leon, Skyhawk and Patent, to name only a few of my favorite characters.
I like this book a lot! It made me think of what it would be like to live post-singularity. What makes a human a human? Would it feel different to know you're a clone and have just been printed by some supersentient AI entities? How do you know that you're living a real life, as opposed to Virtual and Augmented Reality (aka The Matrix)? Is a synthetic person less real or valuable than a human?
The writer explores these themes (and a lot more) in this Science Fiction and Space Opera tome, where the action is never far away and the ideas range across universes, dimensions and timelines. Aliens, nano enhanced humans, good guys, unknown (and sometimes evil) civilizations, humor and deep plots make this a very enjoyable read!
Also the characters have grown on me. Not like an extra appendage or an extra eyeball at the back of your head! Looking forward for the next Space Cowboys installment!
June 25, 2018
Action packed, thought provoking, startling. Before you start the book, read Space Odyssey, watch Spaceballs, and listen to Major Tom. The good news is Omega Force and the Theta Unit are back, and Leon is still attempting to steal a bazillonaires wife, and the bazillonaire has become his bestie. The surprising news is living on a space ship, in reality, a multidimensional vehicle about the size of the moon, our heros are busy fighting, feuding, and figuring out how to go though a Star Gate. The snark and sarcasm achieve a professional level heretofore unreachable via the written word. Death, mayhem, screaming torture, and multispecies blood of various colors splash across the pages with such regularity you may be tempted to alert the Multiverse Red Cross. And weapons. The best news is the weapons? More weapons from more dimensions that create more havoc than any normal Theta Unit can imagine and configure. Psi Ops reach new complexities as only nanite infested techies can dream and multiverse citizens imported onto the ship can fix. Oh, did I mention the intelligence of an entire planet is seeking everyone’s death. Hook up your IV and catheter; you won’t leave your seat until the last page.
July 2, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Expect the unexpected! In the first book of this series, I suggested you expect the unexpected. Here we go again. This time the Alpha and Omega teams are preparing for whatever may happen as they explore space, specifically the Star Gate. No one knows where the Star Gate will take them, or what lay beyond, but they are willing to take it on. As the alien artifact heads toward the gate, everyone is preparing. Natty, his wife Laney and the teams are using all available tools to learn what is needed to protect and save humanity and as many worlds as possible. They must prepare themselves for a war that will be more frightening and challenging than the Amazon war while learning new equipment, tactics, and alien civilizations. What could be better?
Mr. Moore brings his penchant for humor, absurdity and over-the-top story-telling to his sequel. Some of the characters we meet in this book are beyond the usual and fun to get to know. What at first appears to be full-blown enemies become friends in outrageous circumstances. This tale is another winner from an author who knows how to make his characters come to life. Be prepared to lose yourself in another dimension!
Expect the unexpected! In the first book of this series, I suggested you expect the unexpected. Here we go again. This time the Alpha and Omega teams are preparing for whatever may happen as they explore space, specifically the Star Gate. No one knows where the Star Gate will take them, or what lay beyond, but they are willing to take it on. As the alien artifact heads toward the gate, everyone is preparing. Natty, his wife Laney and the teams are using all available tools to learn what is needed to protect and save humanity and as many worlds as possible. They must prepare themselves for a war that will be more frightening and challenging than the Amazon war while learning new equipment, tactics, and alien civilizations. What could be better?
Mr. Moore brings his penchant for humor, absurdity and over-the-top story-telling to his sequel. Some of the characters we meet in this book are beyond the usual and fun to get to know. What at first appears to be full-blown enemies become friends in outrageous circumstances. This tale is another winner from an author who knows how to make his characters come to life. Be prepared to lose yourself in another dimension!
June 25, 2018
Review: SPACE COWBOYS: THE STAR GATE by Dean C. Moore
(Omega Force and Alpha Unit 2)
What can you expect from a Dean C. Moore novel? Guaranteed will be wild adventure, over-the-top action, characters whose personalities are larger-than-life (think superheroes if they were four-dimensional), not-too-futuristic advanced high technology, dialogue and narrative that, like the characters, are LARGER than life, almost over-the-top also! In SPACE COWBOYS: THE STAR GATE, you find even more: humour (often laugh-out-loud), secondary characters who are so out of the loop they function magnificently as foils for Our Heroes, spaceships, and ALIENS!! ALIEN ARTIFACTS!! GLOBAL DANGER!! I ask you: What's not to love? I can readily visualize this long novel as a long movie--but I can't think of anyone suitable to play these folks. So I guess I'll just imagine my movie version, in my head. Meanwhile, go carve out a block of time, turn off the phone and TV, disconnect the doorbell, and settle in for the wildest ride of your life. (Hope the premise never comes true!)
(Omega Force and Alpha Unit 2)
What can you expect from a Dean C. Moore novel? Guaranteed will be wild adventure, over-the-top action, characters whose personalities are larger-than-life (think superheroes if they were four-dimensional), not-too-futuristic advanced high technology, dialogue and narrative that, like the characters, are LARGER than life, almost over-the-top also! In SPACE COWBOYS: THE STAR GATE, you find even more: humour (often laugh-out-loud), secondary characters who are so out of the loop they function magnificently as foils for Our Heroes, spaceships, and ALIENS!! ALIEN ARTIFACTS!! GLOBAL DANGER!! I ask you: What's not to love? I can readily visualize this long novel as a long movie--but I can't think of anyone suitable to play these folks. So I guess I'll just imagine my movie version, in my head. Meanwhile, go carve out a block of time, turn off the phone and TV, disconnect the doorbell, and settle in for the wildest ride of your life. (Hope the premise never comes true!)
July 1, 2018
Dean C. Moore is a favorite author of mine so it’s worth cheering about to know that he’s starting a new series. The Star Gate (Space Cowboys Book 1) is everything you’d expect from this author, a rousing adventure with well-crafted characters and also a scifi story that makes you ask those great “what if” questions. We met the Omega Force and Alpha Unit special ops teams in this author’s well-done Sapient Serpents book, but they - along with brilliant scientist-inventor Natty Young and his bioengineering genius wife Laney - are in for so much more now, and we readers get to sit back safely and enjoy. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 4, 2018
Wow, what a ride! This book is full of action, adventure and thrills Space Opera style. It's full of great characters like Natty and Laney, husband and wife, who bounce ideas off each other then go work their separate ways, Cassandra, who has a lot of anger and is an awesome weapon, my favorite, Leon, who leads the Omega force and so much more, and let's not forget the kid, Thor, who gets into a lot of mischief even with Frog Doll by his side.
The plot is literally out of this world. The Nautilus is a spaceship that Natty's father built for him in secrecy. They're headed for a star gate that should take them to worlds with higher intelligence and there is so much to figure out before, during and after reaching and going through the star gate. There's lots of awesome sci-fi fighting and things to discover. If you like your sci-fi space opera style, you're going to love this book!
The plot is literally out of this world. The Nautilus is a spaceship that Natty's father built for him in secrecy. They're headed for a star gate that should take them to worlds with higher intelligence and there is so much to figure out before, during and after reaching and going through the star gate. There's lots of awesome sci-fi fighting and things to discover. If you like your sci-fi space opera style, you're going to love this book!
July 1, 2018
I really enjoyed The Star Gate (Space Cowboys Book 1). It was a mix of speculative science fiction (in the realm of "it could happen") and what I call fantasy sci-fi (think "The Matrix). The mix was both odd and entertaining, and kept me in a state of anticipation for what was next. I liked the unpredictability of the book and characters. And boy, what characters! They are so multi-dimensional and alive on the page - for me, the characters WERE the story. The Star Gate is a long read, but there is a lot of action and a lots of humor, of the laugh out loud variety, that kept the story moving right along. I am excited to read the next book in this new series.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and chose to leave an honest review.
(This review is cross-posted on Amazon.)
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and chose to leave an honest review.
(This review is cross-posted on Amazon.)
June 20, 2019
Strap in for a wild ride! The space cowboys buck around star gates, alien planets, nanites, dying a few times and crossing dimensions in space. Amazingly creative writing with a lot of possibilities to open your mind to the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2018
In a class of its own. A strangely compelling read where the imagination knows no bounds. A very interesting thought experiment where the rules are non existent and even death is not the end. You'd think it would be too easy and lack depth but not so. The characters are complete and the settings imaginative.
Very thought provoking and I'd recommend for fans of sci fi, especially the military kind. It also has a quirky sense of humour and stands in a class of its own. I've not read anything quite like it and I'm better off for the experience.
Very thought provoking and I'd recommend for fans of sci fi, especially the military kind. It also has a quirky sense of humour and stands in a class of its own. I've not read anything quite like it and I'm better off for the experience.
June 30, 2018
Needs to be read by Science Fiction/Techno Fiction lovers
In true Dean C. Moore fashion The Star Gate delivers on action, adventure, humor and character growth all wrapped up in an interesting story. Introducing intriguing scenarios and dangerous curve balls to our heroes journey to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, I could easily see this book turned into a multiple part movie or television mini series. This is an excellent new series to add to Mr. Moore's repertoire. Readers be warned this is not a single day read.
In true Dean C. Moore fashion The Star Gate delivers on action, adventure, humor and character growth all wrapped up in an interesting story. Introducing intriguing scenarios and dangerous curve balls to our heroes journey to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, I could easily see this book turned into a multiple part movie or television mini series. This is an excellent new series to add to Mr. Moore's repertoire. Readers be warned this is not a single day read.
July 1, 2018
A new series by Dean C. Moore that follows the Alpha & Omega forces introduced in Mind of a Child : Sentient Serpents. Mr. Moore takes current scientific concepts/theories and stretches them to their limits as he takers the reader on a journey across the stars in a self-aware space craft. This story is well worth the time investment, along with plenty of action, some humor, and a little romance, it will stretch a SIFY lover's imagination in multiple dimensions.
I'm looking forward to seeing where/when Natty, Leon and the crew go on their next adventure.
I'm looking forward to seeing where/when Natty, Leon and the crew go on their next adventure.
June 12, 2019
The Star Gate is a fast paced read that pulls you into the story. There is a massive cast with more added regularly. But the way it is written it is fairly easy to follow.
Really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the second book.
Really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the second book.
June 23, 2018
Amazing military scifi. Extremely thought provoking and lots of action thrown in to make this a perfect read.
July 1, 2018
Dean C. Moore is a favorite author of mine so it’s worth cheering about to know that he’s starting a new series. The Star Gate (Space Cowboys Book 1) is everything you’d expect from this author, a rousing adventure with well-crafted characters and also a scifi story that makes you ask those great “what if” questions. We met the Omega Force and Alpha Unit special ops teams in this author’s well-done Sapient Serpents book, but they - along with brilliant scientist-inventor Natty Young and his bioengineering genius wife Laney - are in for so much more now, and we readers get to sit back safely and enjoy. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 5, 2019
A DCM. SYFY. Novel (SCB - 1)
DCM. has penned a SYFY space action adventure that takes humanity to the stars. One man whose IQ exceeds 200 has developed certain programs for the government and at the same time constructed the space vehicle, "The Nautalis" which unbeknownst to him could be the last step of protection between Earth and an Alien force. This is an excellent read for the genre......*I enjoy the novel, but the details at the end of the novel were fascinating. Especially, the consternation in combining the different programs.
DCM. has penned a SYFY space action adventure that takes humanity to the stars. One man whose IQ exceeds 200 has developed certain programs for the government and at the same time constructed the space vehicle, "The Nautalis" which unbeknownst to him could be the last step of protection between Earth and an Alien force. This is an excellent read for the genre......*I enjoy the novel, but the details at the end of the novel were fascinating. Especially, the consternation in combining the different programs.
June 28, 2018
"The Star Gate" is not the type of science fiction that I typically read, but I certainly enjoyed the book and am glad I read it. I had not read the previous book. Fortunately, I didn't struggle to get into or understand the story. Mr. Moore does a good job explaining the basics of references to the previous book. I tend to prefer what I call "serious" science fiction, where everything seems plausible. "Star Gate" reads more like a comic book - there are plenty of things that are not realistic, but they fit in the universe of the comic and so you enjoy them and move on. For this reason, I would call this a "light read" science fiction book. Certainly there are elements that are (or could be) realistic, but overall it felt like I just needed to accept aspects of the story and keep reading. Again, this is much like I do with comic books. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book given that it's not my normal science fiction fare.
I feel that I should state fairly early that this is a long book. A very long book; it is listed at 750 pages. I like long books, so I don't view this as a problem, but if you don't care for long books you should consider yourself warned! On the other hand, you get money's worth out of it! The pacing was handled pretty well through the book. It did get bogged down slightly in the middle, as long books often do, but it didn't last long and then it picked back up again through the remainder of the book. I did not find the slow section to be problematic or to last overly long. Overall the book is very action oriented - it seems like there is constantly something going on!
The plot is interesting and engaging. There were surprises and twists that I didn't see coming, and ultimately the book did not go in the direction that I thought it would! Characters are interesting and varied. The book is told through the point of view of multiple people, and it works. The dialogue is ok. Some sections of dialogue were really good, but mostly it was just sufficient. With that said, the dialogue level felt right for the book due to the action-oriented nature of the story. There are a few confusing characters who I assume will have a more defined role in later books (I'm thinking of a certain extremely foolish young boy in particular), but these also add character to the book.
The book certainly presents certain worldview beliefs fairly clearly with themes like reincarnation, polytheism, and more. There were a couple of points that felt a bit "preachy", but those occurrences are very limited and overall aren't bad.
The main negative I have is that sometimes things seem to come too easily for the characters. There are challenges, and there is a lot that the characters don't know and have to figure out. However, with the amazing science at their disposal it seems like the answer is always right around the corner - and somewhat inevitable. There's always a new power, or a new application of an existing power, that pops up at just the right time for a given situation. I think this lessens the tension in the story. Without giving away too much information, how does a death occur with the abilities and resources represented in the story? This takes me back to my earlier comment about it reading like a comic book. It's somewhat like the original Star Trek TV series - fun, sometimes wildly improbable, sometimes thoughtful, and ultimately enjoyable.
I really like the references included at the conclusion of the story. These are references to sources for some of the technical ideas in the book - some research and other thoughts about where science might take us, on different types of intelligence, and so on. There are both summaries and links to the sources, so we get an idea of what they are for and can dig into the ideas deeper if desired. This was a really nice touch.
Overall, I very much enjoyed "The Star Gate". It is a fun, light read with a LOT of story included. Twists keep it from being obvious where the story is heading in the end. I would recommend this book to fans of science fiction. This is clearly part of a series - this story line has a conclusion but is not the end of the overarching story line. Fortunately, it does NOT end on a cliff hanger!
I received a free Advanced Reader Copy of the novel from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
I feel that I should state fairly early that this is a long book. A very long book; it is listed at 750 pages. I like long books, so I don't view this as a problem, but if you don't care for long books you should consider yourself warned! On the other hand, you get money's worth out of it! The pacing was handled pretty well through the book. It did get bogged down slightly in the middle, as long books often do, but it didn't last long and then it picked back up again through the remainder of the book. I did not find the slow section to be problematic or to last overly long. Overall the book is very action oriented - it seems like there is constantly something going on!
The plot is interesting and engaging. There were surprises and twists that I didn't see coming, and ultimately the book did not go in the direction that I thought it would! Characters are interesting and varied. The book is told through the point of view of multiple people, and it works. The dialogue is ok. Some sections of dialogue were really good, but mostly it was just sufficient. With that said, the dialogue level felt right for the book due to the action-oriented nature of the story. There are a few confusing characters who I assume will have a more defined role in later books (I'm thinking of a certain extremely foolish young boy in particular), but these also add character to the book.
The book certainly presents certain worldview beliefs fairly clearly with themes like reincarnation, polytheism, and more. There were a couple of points that felt a bit "preachy", but those occurrences are very limited and overall aren't bad.
The main negative I have is that sometimes things seem to come too easily for the characters. There are challenges, and there is a lot that the characters don't know and have to figure out. However, with the amazing science at their disposal it seems like the answer is always right around the corner - and somewhat inevitable. There's always a new power, or a new application of an existing power, that pops up at just the right time for a given situation. I think this lessens the tension in the story. Without giving away too much information, how does a death occur with the abilities and resources represented in the story? This takes me back to my earlier comment about it reading like a comic book. It's somewhat like the original Star Trek TV series - fun, sometimes wildly improbable, sometimes thoughtful, and ultimately enjoyable.
I really like the references included at the conclusion of the story. These are references to sources for some of the technical ideas in the book - some research and other thoughts about where science might take us, on different types of intelligence, and so on. There are both summaries and links to the sources, so we get an idea of what they are for and can dig into the ideas deeper if desired. This was a really nice touch.
Overall, I very much enjoyed "The Star Gate". It is a fun, light read with a LOT of story included. Twists keep it from being obvious where the story is heading in the end. I would recommend this book to fans of science fiction. This is clearly part of a series - this story line has a conclusion but is not the end of the overarching story line. Fortunately, it does NOT end on a cliff hanger!
I received a free Advanced Reader Copy of the novel from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
July 31, 2018
This book follows on from Mind of a Child – Sentient Serpents, where Omega Force and Alpha Unit were sent to watch out for Natty and his wife Laney. They had faced lots of strange and unusual opponents in the Amazon jungle and thought that had been really rough. Now, they are in for quite a surprise as their next mission will take them out to outer space, in the hunt for a Star Gate, which may be an enormous threat to Earth itself.
An ancient artefact, over two billion years old, was found on the moon and has now been activated. Natty’s job is to try and found out what the artefact will do and what this means. There are strange symbols on the artefact, but nothing any of them can translate. Truman is somewhat ahead of them and has sent probes out through the Star Gate, to get information sent back.
Natty, Laney, Leon and his special ops teams have to now travel into outer space to find the Star gate and see where it will lead them. They are travelling on a spaceship designed and built by Natty’s father, beneath the ocean of Europa, off-world. It is so far advanced and the tech inside even more impressive and out of this world. The starship is controlled by its own AI (artificial intelligence) and can communicate directly to all the people and aliens on board.
Natty believes that the activation of the artefact on the moon, will notify an ancient society, that Earth had reached Singularity and was advanced enough to possibly come and be a danger to them. The artefact would help move Earth and the moon to another galaxy or dimension, to safety from these advanced races, who have billions of years of knowledge ahead of them. Leon and his special forces, men and women, will have quite a battle ahead of them and they may not all survive.
This takes on an even more spectacular ride than the previous book. Both books are really long tomes, but need to be, with all that is going on in each – so leave yourself enough time to read them. They are so original and bring the world of future tech and alien worlds to a new extreme. I can’t really say what they come across and if they manage to get through the Star Gate when or if they find it, as that would give away most of the best parts. Just remember that Natty does his best work with his childlike mind, but everyone has to adapt to their new situation and continue with nano tech adaptations to survive.
This has taken the series onto another level. The first book took you to extremes of nano tech and battles against various creatures and machines, all with an advanced edge over Natty’s protectors, making Natty and Laney have to come up with new tech and solutions to allow Leon and his forces to survive and overcome all the different opponents they faced. Now, they are facing aliens and alien worlds, with tech and knowledge so far ahead of them, all based in outer space. Welcome to a nano tech version of Stargate and Star Trek, but with a much more intensive back story.
I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from the author and will definitely want to read what happens next. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
An ancient artefact, over two billion years old, was found on the moon and has now been activated. Natty’s job is to try and found out what the artefact will do and what this means. There are strange symbols on the artefact, but nothing any of them can translate. Truman is somewhat ahead of them and has sent probes out through the Star Gate, to get information sent back.
Natty, Laney, Leon and his special ops teams have to now travel into outer space to find the Star gate and see where it will lead them. They are travelling on a spaceship designed and built by Natty’s father, beneath the ocean of Europa, off-world. It is so far advanced and the tech inside even more impressive and out of this world. The starship is controlled by its own AI (artificial intelligence) and can communicate directly to all the people and aliens on board.
Natty believes that the activation of the artefact on the moon, will notify an ancient society, that Earth had reached Singularity and was advanced enough to possibly come and be a danger to them. The artefact would help move Earth and the moon to another galaxy or dimension, to safety from these advanced races, who have billions of years of knowledge ahead of them. Leon and his special forces, men and women, will have quite a battle ahead of them and they may not all survive.
This takes on an even more spectacular ride than the previous book. Both books are really long tomes, but need to be, with all that is going on in each – so leave yourself enough time to read them. They are so original and bring the world of future tech and alien worlds to a new extreme. I can’t really say what they come across and if they manage to get through the Star Gate when or if they find it, as that would give away most of the best parts. Just remember that Natty does his best work with his childlike mind, but everyone has to adapt to their new situation and continue with nano tech adaptations to survive.
This has taken the series onto another level. The first book took you to extremes of nano tech and battles against various creatures and machines, all with an advanced edge over Natty’s protectors, making Natty and Laney have to come up with new tech and solutions to allow Leon and his forces to survive and overcome all the different opponents they faced. Now, they are facing aliens and alien worlds, with tech and knowledge so far ahead of them, all based in outer space. Welcome to a nano tech version of Stargate and Star Trek, but with a much more intensive back story.
I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from the author and will definitely want to read what happens next. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
July 8, 2019
This book was just not really my cup of tea. It had an interesting premise and lots of wildly creative technologies. But it lost me when it started dealing with elemental wizards and magic. I also did not care for the virtual immortality, provided by the nanobots they used. I prefer more sci fi and less fantasy elements.
It reminded me of "god mode" in some video games. It is really fun to play that way, for a while, because no matter how badly you are outnumbered, you cannot die. You can just blaze through the game, checking everything out and wiping out anything that gets in your way. After a while, though, there is not much fun in this. If people are immortal, what cost is death and what value is life?
I tried to like this. But I just could not get into it. And this book is REALLY long. I usually read 1-2 books a week. It took me about a month to slog through this. I would consider another book by this writer, but it would need to be a lot different from this one.
I received an ARC of this book, with no obligation to review.
It reminded me of "god mode" in some video games. It is really fun to play that way, for a while, because no matter how badly you are outnumbered, you cannot die. You can just blaze through the game, checking everything out and wiping out anything that gets in your way. After a while, though, there is not much fun in this. If people are immortal, what cost is death and what value is life?
I tried to like this. But I just could not get into it. And this book is REALLY long. I usually read 1-2 books a week. It took me about a month to slog through this. I would consider another book by this writer, but it would need to be a lot different from this one.
I received an ARC of this book, with no obligation to review.
June 13, 2018
Kindle unlimited, see that have free book, can't remember if asked for it or was sent to be as one of my here's a free book would be nice if you reviewed it but in any case you should find it interesting, horrible at names especially when thinking about email, so just know the book popped up on my tablet in the kindle carousel, and since have read most of his books, yeah that might be why sent freebie, since review everything I read type thing. Really strange story, but then can say the same thing about a lot of Moore's books. Usually list all the books at end of review, but he has out so many already that it's easier just to direct people to goodreads or amazon writer section so you can get the full list to check out.
OMEGA FORCE’s and ALPHA UNIT’s usual assignments involve taking down warlords, overturning coups, or triggering some of their own in the name of a stable world order.
So when the Special Ops teams are called in to babysit a multi-billionaire and his wife on their vacation of a lifetime in the Amazon rainforest, they are none too pleased.
The assignment is a new low.
Little do they know their charge, Natty Young, is the Tesla of his times, within whose mind many of their next-generation-tech toys are born. But he refuses to cooperate any longer with RevoCorp that holds so many DARPA contracts. Hence the attitude check of a series of war games disguised as a “vacation getaway;” maybe once he gets a taste of the real world, he’ll get over his idealism.
The men and women of OMEGA FORCE and ALPHA UNIT are about to be challenged in ways they never have before coming up against the transhuman era head on. The human upgrade technology they must face down calls more than their survival into question; it calls the survival of the human race into question.
OMEGA FORCE’s and ALPHA UNIT’s usual assignments involve taking down warlords, overturning coups, or triggering some of their own in the name of a stable world order.
So when the Special Ops teams are called in to babysit a multi-billionaire and his wife on their vacation of a lifetime in the Amazon rainforest, they are none too pleased.
The assignment is a new low.
Little do they know their charge, Natty Young, is the Tesla of his times, within whose mind many of their next-generation-tech toys are born. But he refuses to cooperate any longer with RevoCorp that holds so many DARPA contracts. Hence the attitude check of a series of war games disguised as a “vacation getaway;” maybe once he gets a taste of the real world, he’ll get over his idealism.
The men and women of OMEGA FORCE and ALPHA UNIT are about to be challenged in ways they never have before coming up against the transhuman era head on. The human upgrade technology they must face down calls more than their survival into question; it calls the survival of the human race into question.
July 31, 2018
The Star gate (Space Cowboys 1) by Dean C. Moore is an original, entertaining science fiction book of 750 pages that is the first in a new series. The author is new to me and I did not know what to expect - and wow! he delivered a book unlike any others I have read in this genre.
The story has an interesting, original plot that has been well though out, is enjoyable, engaging, has many twists and turns, and is full of unexpected surprises. It stretches reality to a maximum.
The reader should prepare to be immersed in this reality that could be vaguely familiar but wildly unrealistic at the same time.
There is a lot happening in this book, it is fun, fast paced, has continuous action, and the characters have to face and overcome different trials and challenges. It also includes vivid action scenes that are well described and easily envisioned.
Humorous at times, hilarious at others, it takes the reader on a journey that includes a whole gamut of different emotions - from fun to horror.
There are heroes, aliens, spaceships and much, much more.
On the serious side, there is nano technology, multiple timelines and dimensional concepts.
The story is well written, with intriguing, believable main characters, and the secondary cast of characters are well thought out, vivid and colourful and enhance and support the storyline. Apparently the Mega Force and the Theta Unit are back.
Dean C. Moore is not simply an Author, he is one of the most creative writers that I have had the pleasure to run across.
The book does NOT end on the famous cliff hanger so beloved by various Authors.
I look forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended.
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
The story has an interesting, original plot that has been well though out, is enjoyable, engaging, has many twists and turns, and is full of unexpected surprises. It stretches reality to a maximum.
The reader should prepare to be immersed in this reality that could be vaguely familiar but wildly unrealistic at the same time.
There is a lot happening in this book, it is fun, fast paced, has continuous action, and the characters have to face and overcome different trials and challenges. It also includes vivid action scenes that are well described and easily envisioned.
Humorous at times, hilarious at others, it takes the reader on a journey that includes a whole gamut of different emotions - from fun to horror.
There are heroes, aliens, spaceships and much, much more.
On the serious side, there is nano technology, multiple timelines and dimensional concepts.
The story is well written, with intriguing, believable main characters, and the secondary cast of characters are well thought out, vivid and colourful and enhance and support the storyline. Apparently the Mega Force and the Theta Unit are back.
Dean C. Moore is not simply an Author, he is one of the most creative writers that I have had the pleasure to run across.
The book does NOT end on the famous cliff hanger so beloved by various Authors.
I look forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended.
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
June 30, 2018
"In the face of the impossible, do the stupid."
Not having read any earlier Dean Moore books, this reader had no idea what to expect. But the surprisingly humourous start to the Star Gate was a reassuring introduction to what proved to be an action packed, unusual SF.novel bursting with dare-devil characters and unexpected encounters. Although set in the near future it is also almost off the scale futuristic, with curious characters and interesting ideas.
I have to confess to sometimes becoming lost in the plot, especially initially - these guys play as hard as they fight - but overall a good fun read with characters which stay in the mind after the story reaches it's conclusion. It's certainly different!
Not having read any earlier Dean Moore books, this reader had no idea what to expect. But the surprisingly humourous start to the Star Gate was a reassuring introduction to what proved to be an action packed, unusual SF.novel bursting with dare-devil characters and unexpected encounters. Although set in the near future it is also almost off the scale futuristic, with curious characters and interesting ideas.
I have to confess to sometimes becoming lost in the plot, especially initially - these guys play as hard as they fight - but overall a good fun read with characters which stay in the mind after the story reaches it's conclusion. It's certainly different!
August 27, 2018
Following the Mind of a Child, we again go forth further into space. This time we're trying to go through a stargate to find what lays beyond. The Nautilus crashes and the supersentient is only partially available to help. A new team is added, Theta Team. Their focus is to repair and protect Nautilus and their fighting ability is amazing considering that they are not soldiers. The battles, adventures, characters with all the back stories, is absolutely amazing! The book is so fast paced that it is hard to remember it all. These books are filled with incredible thoughts about technology and possibilities of our future! Now that I have a better idea of what is happening, I'm ready go read both books again at a slower pace so I can get take a second look! Bravo for both books!
June 28, 2018
There is a lot of throwing ideas around. Some I can make since of some I can't. Their is a lot of high tech and I don't understand most of it. Nanites and putting people back together again. There is a lot of playing war games also. Some of the commits are funny and make me laugh out loud. For me there is to many hypothesis going on, but that is just me. Some would like that. I do like the story and I hope you will also. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
July 1, 2018
I received an advance review copy of this book. If you love mind bending sci-fi with twists, turns, wild concepts, anthropomorphized animals and other such cyberpunk and biopunk type things, then you'll absolutely love this book!
It's not my preferred genre as I generally don't enjoy "punked" genres and stories. But, the writing is solid and the characters are enjoyable.
It's not my preferred genre as I generally don't enjoy "punked" genres and stories. But, the writing is solid and the characters are enjoyable.
July 1, 2018
The Omega Force and Alpha Unit are back, but not on Earth. They seem to be in a planet sized multidimensional ship kicking some serious space ass. Deane has thought long and hard to make this science fiction believable and from my reading, has pulled it off. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next installment!
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