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Echo Effect #1
Echo Effect
A terrifying new breed of U.S. super soldier is surfacing. They call it the E.C.H.O., an unparalleled hunter constructed from reverse engineered alien materials. Thousands of miles away, resourceful U.S. Army Ranger Michael Keller is caught in the gears of greed, thrust into the corporate fueled Star Rust conflict of 2074. Despite his wits, he never comes home from war, leaving his fiancée, Vala, behind. Enter the world of debilitating technological diseases, alien salvage mercenaries, and ruthless corporate tycoons in a fight to discover the truth.
254 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2017
105 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 2, 2017
Echo Effect by Robert D. Armstrong is such an exhilaration sci-fi book! It is fast paced but has the heartfelt moments too. It is about new technology, about service, about duty, but most important, it is about love. You wouldn't think so looking at the cover, but this was once a man until they turned him into a unique fighter, made from out-of-this world parts. Great story, lots of battle action, thrills, and the true meaning of love. Great sci-fi without giving up the humanity part. Loved it and who couldn't love the cover!
May 18, 2017
Poorly and Dumbly Written Man/Jaguar/Golden Eagle Cybernetic Gargoyle Story
"ECHO Effect," authored by a Mr. Robert Armstrong, is a potentially headache inducing, poorly and dumbly written story of a Cybernetic Gargoyle hybrid, combing man/jaguar/golden eagle, with recovered alien tech.
The story, taking place in the 2070's, has Earth recovering from limited nuclear war, as nations and entrepreneurs, race about, attempting to recover by any means necessary, alien tech ("Star Rust"), that rained down through the atmosphere, following the disintegration of a large, alien ship. A U.S. Army a Ranger NCO, Michael, facing the terminal disease of his fiancé, Vala, signs a contract with an unscrupulous corporation. In the event he is seriously maimed or killed, the corporation will get Michael's living or dead remains for their use, and in return, funds to secure Vala's potential medical requirements will be available. Michael gets seriously wounded and captured during a mission in North Korea, is rescued, and delivered to the corporation. He gets transformed into a man/jaguar/golden eagle cyborg hybrid, infused with alien tech.
Mr. Armstrong first and foremost, is a particularly bad and unskilled writer. The writing level is juvenile and contemptible. He constantly repeats previous points in narratives, has a fetish for indicating a character's emotions via eyebrow manipulation, obsessively uses "but(s)" and "however(s)," throughout, and annoyingly has decided "smirk" in all its variations, is the go-to descriptive for characterizations. It sounds harsh, but the writing is so, so very BAD (caps intentional). If it was funny bad, like those SciFi B-movies of the 1950's, '60's, then ok. If it was satirical, like "South Park's" episode of a friendless, former VP Al Gore, searching for "man/bear/pig," then ok. The author's man/jaguar/golden eagle Cyborg Gargoyle is truly, unequivocally, one of the worse stories it has ever been my extreme displeasure to read.
There are no characters that are not in some way, mentally deficient. The lovers, Michael and Vala, are not quite right. Keith, the widower, behaviorist/psychologist, still grieving over his wife's and child's death years earlier, ignores all the moral and ethical lapses of the "ECHO" program, because he needs to keep busy. Lucas, the former SEAL commander, plays all ends against the middle, for his own goals. These are the good guy characters. A sadistic, violent, psychotic USMC captain leads an elite group of Marines, who except for one female NCO, are misfits at best. Mr. Armstrong strongly shows his personal PC agenda (solar energy, feminism, climate change, etc.) and his antipathy towards the U.S. military, with particular disparaging of Marines. It is sordid and bluntly, dishonorable. As the author describes himself as a "...former military intelligence analyst...," it begs many questions: which country? civilian or military member? which agency or branch?
"ECHO Effect," is NOT recommended and was fully read (I had nothing else loaded on my Kindle, shame on me) via Kindle Unlimited.
"ECHO Effect," authored by a Mr. Robert Armstrong, is a potentially headache inducing, poorly and dumbly written story of a Cybernetic Gargoyle hybrid, combing man/jaguar/golden eagle, with recovered alien tech.
The story, taking place in the 2070's, has Earth recovering from limited nuclear war, as nations and entrepreneurs, race about, attempting to recover by any means necessary, alien tech ("Star Rust"), that rained down through the atmosphere, following the disintegration of a large, alien ship. A U.S. Army a Ranger NCO, Michael, facing the terminal disease of his fiancé, Vala, signs a contract with an unscrupulous corporation. In the event he is seriously maimed or killed, the corporation will get Michael's living or dead remains for their use, and in return, funds to secure Vala's potential medical requirements will be available. Michael gets seriously wounded and captured during a mission in North Korea, is rescued, and delivered to the corporation. He gets transformed into a man/jaguar/golden eagle cyborg hybrid, infused with alien tech.
Mr. Armstrong first and foremost, is a particularly bad and unskilled writer. The writing level is juvenile and contemptible. He constantly repeats previous points in narratives, has a fetish for indicating a character's emotions via eyebrow manipulation, obsessively uses "but(s)" and "however(s)," throughout, and annoyingly has decided "smirk" in all its variations, is the go-to descriptive for characterizations. It sounds harsh, but the writing is so, so very BAD (caps intentional). If it was funny bad, like those SciFi B-movies of the 1950's, '60's, then ok. If it was satirical, like "South Park's" episode of a friendless, former VP Al Gore, searching for "man/bear/pig," then ok. The author's man/jaguar/golden eagle Cyborg Gargoyle is truly, unequivocally, one of the worse stories it has ever been my extreme displeasure to read.
There are no characters that are not in some way, mentally deficient. The lovers, Michael and Vala, are not quite right. Keith, the widower, behaviorist/psychologist, still grieving over his wife's and child's death years earlier, ignores all the moral and ethical lapses of the "ECHO" program, because he needs to keep busy. Lucas, the former SEAL commander, plays all ends against the middle, for his own goals. These are the good guy characters. A sadistic, violent, psychotic USMC captain leads an elite group of Marines, who except for one female NCO, are misfits at best. Mr. Armstrong strongly shows his personal PC agenda (solar energy, feminism, climate change, etc.) and his antipathy towards the U.S. military, with particular disparaging of Marines. It is sordid and bluntly, dishonorable. As the author describes himself as a "...former military intelligence analyst...," it begs many questions: which country? civilian or military member? which agency or branch?
"ECHO Effect," is NOT recommended and was fully read (I had nothing else loaded on my Kindle, shame on me) via Kindle Unlimited.
October 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book one of two. I continue to enjoy the writers smooth, unsettling pace to tell a story that always maintains my attention. With exception to some typos hereagain, which I blame on the proofreaders, as it can catapult a reader right back out of the story, unintentionally. Also, in this book I was kind of bothered, at points, by the over detailed character building background stories given for almost all the characters, whether necessary or not. For me, if it doesn't add to the story or scene, or takes you somewhere, then it's unnecessary fluff used to add pages. Had it been less obvious, I would have rated this book 4 stars, but it detracted from my enjoying the story as much. Not enough, though, to keep me away from book two. I plan to start that just after I submit this...
May 22, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Echo Effect was a really good book. The story was creative and well thought out. There were a few places that need additional editing, but overall a well written book. The characters were well developed and you could form attachments to them.
If you like sci-fi military, this is a good book for you. Michael is a soldier who goes missing after his last mission goes very wrong. Vala is his fiancé who he left behind. She is determined to find out what happened to him. She will stop at nothing to bring him back.
This book is a very fast-paced, action packed thriller. You can’t put it down until the very end. It leaves you wanting more.
Echo Effect was a really good book. The story was creative and well thought out. There were a few places that need additional editing, but overall a well written book. The characters were well developed and you could form attachments to them.
If you like sci-fi military, this is a good book for you. Michael is a soldier who goes missing after his last mission goes very wrong. Vala is his fiancé who he left behind. She is determined to find out what happened to him. She will stop at nothing to bring him back.
This book is a very fast-paced, action packed thriller. You can’t put it down until the very end. It leaves you wanting more.
February 28, 2018
Superb
The author had a very engaging and compelling writing style. The action scenes were well imagined and believable. Some really neat thoughts on Cyborg vs Ai and drone technology. Some very enjoyable and realistically flawed characters, and some good plot twists make this a really great book.
The author had a very engaging and compelling writing style. The action scenes were well imagined and believable. Some really neat thoughts on Cyborg vs Ai and drone technology. Some very enjoyable and realistically flawed characters, and some good plot twists make this a really great book.
January 30, 2018
Action, military adventure, sci-fi...love
Holy crap...this book was awesome. I would love to see it made into a mini-series on Netflix. I think 3 epidodes would do. It has action, science fiction, military adventure and love. You can feel it all. It's awesome.
Holy crap...this book was awesome. I would love to see it made into a mini-series on Netflix. I think 3 epidodes would do. It has action, science fiction, military adventure and love. You can feel it all. It's awesome.
January 3, 2019
Good Sci Fi
Very original story. I like the blend of modern day and sci-fi.
The author provided nice background on each character and the story moved at a good pace.
I’ll definitely be reading more in the series.
Very original story. I like the blend of modern day and sci-fi.
The author provided nice background on each character and the story moved at a good pace.
I’ll definitely be reading more in the series.
March 15, 2020
I hope to see more from this writer
Very nice and unexpected. Good story line. Good characters. I really liked the ending. Much better than the lioness series. I like your style of writing too. Will there be a series about Lucas's projects?
Very nice and unexpected. Good story line. Good characters. I really liked the ending. Much better than the lioness series. I like your style of writing too. Will there be a series about Lucas's projects?
February 10, 2018
Frankenstein Returns ??
I do not normally write reviews on the first book of a series. They are normally taken up with plot and chary
I do not normally write reviews on the first book of a series. They are normally taken up with plot and chary
November 22, 2018
Liked it
A good syfy read. Action and intrigue. Michael and Vala shows you what love can do. Good characters and story.
A good syfy read. Action and intrigue. Michael and Vala shows you what love can do. Good characters and story.
November 24, 2020
A good book with great action and characters.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews