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Buckle up for this chilling novella tale of first contact! When three probes sent to Mars suffer suspicious catastrophic failures, a clandestine manned mission is dispatched to investigate the probes’ wreckage for clues to explain their demise.
The manned mission is led by Lieutenant Colonel Avery Lockett. He is joined by flight engineer, Captain Nick Reed, and mission specialist, Dr. Christine Baker. Together they embark on a dangerous journey aboard the spaceship Cetus Prime - dangerous because they know what awaits them around Mars. UMO’s, or unidentified magnetic objects.
UMO’s are believed to be an electromagnetic life form feeding on ions caught between Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. The elusive creatures appear as nothing more than small bright lights, but they are capable of supersonic speeds and non-ballistic motion. Space exploration authorities have, at various times, provided benign explanations for these bright lights; melting frost shed by spacecraft caught in sunlight, solar wind particles or flaming meteors bouncing off the Earth’s atmosphere, to name a few. Anything but an alien life form.
Disavowed for decades, the UMO’s had been viewed as harmless, amoeba-like blobs that existed only around Earth, as none had ever been observed by deep space probes to other planets in the solar system. But that perception changed with the final photographs snapped by one of the doomed Mars probes. The pictures showed a swarm of UMO’s descending upon the probe in the moments before communication was lost. Instrument readings from the same probe showed huge spikes in electromagnetic radiation in its last transmission.
No one knows for sure what happened to the Mars probes, but authorities speculate the UMO’s destroyed them. Now, Avery, Nick and Christine must travel sixty-five million miles to Mars and gather evidence to confirm what destroyed the probes without attracting a swarm of the lethal creatures. For if a swarm of the UMO’s appears, Cetus Prime is ill-prepared for fight and too slow to escape.
UMO, a novella, is the first installment of The Rorschach Explorer Missions, a new sci-fi thriller series from mystery-thriller author K. Patrick Donoghue. UMO is also the prequel to the full-length novel, Skywave, which is targeted for release in late November 2018. The Prologue from Skywave is included as a free bonus chapter in UMO.
The manned mission is led by Lieutenant Colonel Avery Lockett. He is joined by flight engineer, Captain Nick Reed, and mission specialist, Dr. Christine Baker. Together they embark on a dangerous journey aboard the spaceship Cetus Prime - dangerous because they know what awaits them around Mars. UMO’s, or unidentified magnetic objects.
UMO’s are believed to be an electromagnetic life form feeding on ions caught between Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. The elusive creatures appear as nothing more than small bright lights, but they are capable of supersonic speeds and non-ballistic motion. Space exploration authorities have, at various times, provided benign explanations for these bright lights; melting frost shed by spacecraft caught in sunlight, solar wind particles or flaming meteors bouncing off the Earth’s atmosphere, to name a few. Anything but an alien life form.
Disavowed for decades, the UMO’s had been viewed as harmless, amoeba-like blobs that existed only around Earth, as none had ever been observed by deep space probes to other planets in the solar system. But that perception changed with the final photographs snapped by one of the doomed Mars probes. The pictures showed a swarm of UMO’s descending upon the probe in the moments before communication was lost. Instrument readings from the same probe showed huge spikes in electromagnetic radiation in its last transmission.
No one knows for sure what happened to the Mars probes, but authorities speculate the UMO’s destroyed them. Now, Avery, Nick and Christine must travel sixty-five million miles to Mars and gather evidence to confirm what destroyed the probes without attracting a swarm of the lethal creatures. For if a swarm of the UMO’s appears, Cetus Prime is ill-prepared for fight and too slow to escape.
UMO, a novella, is the first installment of The Rorschach Explorer Missions, a new sci-fi thriller series from mystery-thriller author K. Patrick Donoghue. UMO is also the prequel to the full-length novel, Skywave, which is targeted for release in late November 2018. The Prologue from Skywave is included as a free bonus chapter in UMO.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2018
776 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
K. Patrick Donoghue
9 books117 followersK. Patrick Donoghue is the author of two series; the Anlon Cully Chronicles, an archaeology-based mystery-thriller series, and the Rorschach Explorer Missions, a new sci-fi thriller series.
Patrick's inspiration for the Anlon Cully Chronicles is rooted in his long-standing interest in ancient civilizations. In particular, a series of still-unexplained archaeological discoveries that suggest at least one advanced society thrived on Earth long before consensus views.
In similar fashion, Patrick takes a contrarian/alternative view toward deep space exploration, the existence of extraterrestrial life and ancient aliens in The Rorschach Explorer Missions.
His books include:
Shadows of the Stone Benders
Race for the Flash Stone
Curse of the Painted Lady
Priestess of Paracas (upcoming release: fall 2019)
UMO (Kindle eBook only at this time)
Skywave
Magwave (new release: July 31, 2019)
Patrick's inspiration for the Anlon Cully Chronicles is rooted in his long-standing interest in ancient civilizations. In particular, a series of still-unexplained archaeological discoveries that suggest at least one advanced society thrived on Earth long before consensus views.
In similar fashion, Patrick takes a contrarian/alternative view toward deep space exploration, the existence of extraterrestrial life and ancient aliens in The Rorschach Explorer Missions.
His books include:
Shadows of the Stone Benders
Race for the Flash Stone
Curse of the Painted Lady
Priestess of Paracas (upcoming release: fall 2019)
UMO (Kindle eBook only at this time)
Skywave
Magwave (new release: July 31, 2019)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 29, 2020
With its 2018 publication date, it’s possible that UMO is intended to reflect the times that we have endured for the past three-plus years. Times when decisions that affect us all are made on a whim by those in power and with little interest in investigating their ramifications with scientific inquiry. If this is what UMO is about, then this book captures that mindset. But, if this is what UMO is about, it also does a poor job at pushing back against such despotic behavior.
At face value, UMO tells the unrealistic story of humanity's first encounter with an alien life form. The rush to label this discovery as a threat and send out a spaceship to attack these life forms is almost comical. However, Donoghue uses the situation to drive his paper-thin, command-and-obey characters forward through his search-and-destroy plot. The end of this story attempts to grasp for some small bit of redemption, but the journey through to the end held me in a state of disbelief. There’s nothing to see here except for some really bad sci-fi.
At face value, UMO tells the unrealistic story of humanity's first encounter with an alien life form. The rush to label this discovery as a threat and send out a spaceship to attack these life forms is almost comical. However, Donoghue uses the situation to drive his paper-thin, command-and-obey characters forward through his search-and-destroy plot. The end of this story attempts to grasp for some small bit of redemption, but the journey through to the end held me in a state of disbelief. There’s nothing to see here except for some really bad sci-fi.
August 19, 2022
I wasn’t expecting much but I was hoping… firstly, this story got real unrealistic real quick. His depiction of military/NASA/astronauts and the bureaucracy/regulations surrounding them is waaaayyyyyy off, as in, completely unbelievable. That huge problem aside, this short story promises to give an account of chilling first contact, but it really doesn’t. There is minor contact, but I didn’t find it to be chilling, meaningful, or profound in any way. Lastly, some of the characters jump to conclusions, and I mean like, take a huge leap into an EV suit and out the nearest airlock without a tether (pun entirely intended) jumping. The narration of the audio version really contributed to the boringness of this story, too.
February 22, 2019
This might be the first book (actually Novella) I've reviewed that I've given such a low rating. Perhaps it just isn't my type of Sci Fi or maybe it just isn't very good. You will have to decide for yourself.
My first issue is with the title UMO (Unidentified Magnetic Object). I felt like I was picking up the manuscript of some conspiracy theorist.
Another complaint is with the poor science - several comments about space object positioning, orbital mechanics, radio communication lags, and mission control are either wrong or poorly presented.
A third is the presentation of NASA as a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants institution. If anything, NASA is almost immovable due to its obsession with checks, crosschecks, and redundancy.
Then you get to the story line. I will not go into any detail here that will spoil the read for you. Let me merely say that the aliens in this story sound like something a sixth grader would dream up.
In fairness, I will say that UMO is a thrilling story - kind of a good guys vs bad guys plot. Donoghue's writing is good, his style is engaging, and his characters interesting (though fairly shallow as is often the case in a Novella). You may find the story line interesting and you can read it in one sitting.
Since Donoghue says that this is an official prequel for his upcoming to Skywave - the first book in The Rorschach Explorer Missions - and his first venture into Science Fiction. You can be sure I won't be going on any further ventures with this series.
My first issue is with the title UMO (Unidentified Magnetic Object). I felt like I was picking up the manuscript of some conspiracy theorist.
Another complaint is with the poor science - several comments about space object positioning, orbital mechanics, radio communication lags, and mission control are either wrong or poorly presented.
A third is the presentation of NASA as a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants institution. If anything, NASA is almost immovable due to its obsession with checks, crosschecks, and redundancy.
Then you get to the story line. I will not go into any detail here that will spoil the read for you. Let me merely say that the aliens in this story sound like something a sixth grader would dream up.
In fairness, I will say that UMO is a thrilling story - kind of a good guys vs bad guys plot. Donoghue's writing is good, his style is engaging, and his characters interesting (though fairly shallow as is often the case in a Novella). You may find the story line interesting and you can read it in one sitting.
Since Donoghue says that this is an official prequel for his upcoming to Skywave - the first book in The Rorschach Explorer Missions - and his first venture into Science Fiction. You can be sure I won't be going on any further ventures with this series.
December 29, 2018
Enjoyed This Science Fiction Novella. No Chills
I enjoyed “UMO,” the prequel to the novel, “Skywave,” which is on my TBR list. This well-paced novella has interwoven storylines, one taking place on Cetus Prime, a U.S. spaceship in Mars orbit; and the other at Goddard Space Flight Center.
For a science fiction novella, the characters are nicely sketched, and I was able to relate to the astronauts and mission control personnel. The hyperventilating-female-astronaut cliche deserved several eye-rolling emojis.
Familiar science fiction tropes include: UMOs are a threat to Earth; the very-likely-to-panic public is kept in the dark; three astronauts are on a secretive mission to Mars; and Goddard mission control good-guys act as astronauts’ guardians—I called them Goddardians. Of course there are villains: an ambitious general with sycophants in tow, craven civilian department heads, overly-dutiful functionaries, etc.
“UMO” is hard science fiction with acronym-laden space-speak, asshat military brass, EMP grenades, sacrificing “for the greater good,” alien life-forms destroying space probes, malfunctioning docking clamps, etc. For those interested in the biological sciences, “UMO” features a mission specialist whose expertise is predatory animal behavior. Sorry, no Xenomorphs.
4.5 stars for no chills, plus a predictable and sentimental ending. I look forward to reading “Skywave.”
I enjoyed “UMO,” the prequel to the novel, “Skywave,” which is on my TBR list. This well-paced novella has interwoven storylines, one taking place on Cetus Prime, a U.S. spaceship in Mars orbit; and the other at Goddard Space Flight Center.
For a science fiction novella, the characters are nicely sketched, and I was able to relate to the astronauts and mission control personnel. The hyperventilating-female-astronaut cliche deserved several eye-rolling emojis.
Familiar science fiction tropes include: UMOs are a threat to Earth; the very-likely-to-panic public is kept in the dark; three astronauts are on a secretive mission to Mars; and Goddard mission control good-guys act as astronauts’ guardians—I called them Goddardians. Of course there are villains: an ambitious general with sycophants in tow, craven civilian department heads, overly-dutiful functionaries, etc.
“UMO” is hard science fiction with acronym-laden space-speak, asshat military brass, EMP grenades, sacrificing “for the greater good,” alien life-forms destroying space probes, malfunctioning docking clamps, etc. For those interested in the biological sciences, “UMO” features a mission specialist whose expertise is predatory animal behavior. Sorry, no Xenomorphs.
4.5 stars for no chills, plus a predictable and sentimental ending. I look forward to reading “Skywave.”
December 15, 2019
Kept me engaged
I probably would give this 3.5 stars if I could. The concept of an alien life form of the type (partially) described is interesting, and I definitely want to see where it leads, so I will be moving on to the Skywave series. There were just two parts that I found iffy...one where one astronaut notices a tear on the face of another, which of course would not be the case in zero G. Tears will well up on the cornea and might break loose to float in the air, but won’t roll down the cheek. To me, “on the face” suggests the cheeks, not the eyes. The other was in the suggestion that X-band, Ku-band and S-band radio waves travel at different speeds. All radio waves travel at the speed of light, but their frequencies affect their bandwidth capabilities. It would have been more accurate to say the data transfer speeds differed. I’m sure that’s what the author meant, but it’s not quite how he worded it. These aren’t deal-breakers, but just a couple of things I noticed that kept me from giving it 4 stars. Other than that, it was a good yarn and worth the read. Enough so to lure me to the rest of the series.
I probably would give this 3.5 stars if I could. The concept of an alien life form of the type (partially) described is interesting, and I definitely want to see where it leads, so I will be moving on to the Skywave series. There were just two parts that I found iffy...one where one astronaut notices a tear on the face of another, which of course would not be the case in zero G. Tears will well up on the cornea and might break loose to float in the air, but won’t roll down the cheek. To me, “on the face” suggests the cheeks, not the eyes. The other was in the suggestion that X-band, Ku-band and S-band radio waves travel at different speeds. All radio waves travel at the speed of light, but their frequencies affect their bandwidth capabilities. It would have been more accurate to say the data transfer speeds differed. I’m sure that’s what the author meant, but it’s not quite how he worded it. These aren’t deal-breakers, but just a couple of things I noticed that kept me from giving it 4 stars. Other than that, it was a good yarn and worth the read. Enough so to lure me to the rest of the series.
June 22, 2019
Pretty good for a first-contact sci-fi story, prequel to Skywave. Obviously very short in length. There are probably significant holes in the science and space technology displayed, but I thought it was OK for general audiences. The presentation of UMO's was interesting. Not the usual depiction of "alien life". The character development was minimal, typical for a novella. The adversarial relationship between NASA and (some of) the military seemed a little forced and over-dramatic. The idea that UMO's could be benign towards many human space operations and threatening to others was very interesting. As was the behavior comparison with swarming honeybees. I was disappointed that there was virtually no mention of the Russian, Chinese, and European Space Programs, who would have certainly known about UMO's and would probably be very aware of the US "secret mission" to Mars. As well as many civilian astronomers worldwide. Still, I found it to be an exciting read. After reading Skywave, I appreciated the depth of story added by UMO.
April 2, 2019
It Figures
In books like this, there are always stupid people, people whose first response to the unknown is to kill it and without knowing what they’re trying to kill and, in this tale, who’s gonna pay the price when trying to kill the unknown results in tragedy.
General Ferris is such a stupid person, letting his fear dictate his actions. Mission Control is about the mission... but not at the cost of the people flying it while CapCom Morgan isn’t willing to throw away a crew’s life and will do his,best to protect them and no matter what it’ll personally cost him.
The crew of Cestus Prime has one member dead, the rest of the crew missing, their current whereabouts unknown and all because of the stupid people the crew trusted to have their back.
Read, enjoy... and beware of fearful, stupid people.
In books like this, there are always stupid people, people whose first response to the unknown is to kill it and without knowing what they’re trying to kill and, in this tale, who’s gonna pay the price when trying to kill the unknown results in tragedy.
General Ferris is such a stupid person, letting his fear dictate his actions. Mission Control is about the mission... but not at the cost of the people flying it while CapCom Morgan isn’t willing to throw away a crew’s life and will do his,best to protect them and no matter what it’ll personally cost him.
The crew of Cestus Prime has one member dead, the rest of the crew missing, their current whereabouts unknown and all because of the stupid people the crew trusted to have their back.
Read, enjoy... and beware of fearful, stupid people.
March 19, 2019
Loved this one! Military Sci-fi becomes a bit tedious for me these days and here, the emphasis seems not to be on the Military, but vaguely 1st conflict. As a hard Sci-fi guy, I didn't find the Science too implausible (although such delays in Earth to ship comms were a bit long), the aliens completely innovative, the characters reasonably realistic. I found Patrick's writing style completely engaging and found myself drawn easily through this one. A really fine prequel and glad I read it 1st as I am now into Skywave...a continuing "goodie!" I think you'll like UMO
February 13, 2019
A KPD. SYFY. Novel/First Contact with Alien Species (?)
KPD. has. penned a SYFY. Novella about a space flight to Mars with the ending in a disaster. The mission was planned with the thought that the astronauts would never return to Earth. As they neared Mars either accidents or alien intervention prevented the mission completion. This is can excellent read for the genre....DEHS
KPD. has. penned a SYFY. Novella about a space flight to Mars with the ending in a disaster. The mission was planned with the thought that the astronauts would never return to Earth. As they neared Mars either accidents or alien intervention prevented the mission completion. This is can excellent read for the genre....DEHS
August 13, 2019
Good setup for the full novel
I had purchased "Skywave" by K. Patrick Donoghue and was about to read it. One of the reviews of "Skywave" suggested reading the author's "UMO" short story as a prologue. Glad I did. "UMO" is a quick, tight read. Good classic sci-fi. Certainly worth the few dollars it cost!
I had purchased "Skywave" by K. Patrick Donoghue and was about to read it. One of the reviews of "Skywave" suggested reading the author's "UMO" short story as a prologue. Glad I did. "UMO" is a quick, tight read. Good classic sci-fi. Certainly worth the few dollars it cost!
September 1, 2019
Very different take on first contact
I am looking forward for more from this series! The concept of first contact coming from the views he writes about is very different. I can hardly wait to see where he leads the readers as we explore a new kind of intelligence in this first contact with glow lights, stays and magnectics.
I am looking forward for more from this series! The concept of first contact coming from the views he writes about is very different. I can hardly wait to see where he leads the readers as we explore a new kind of intelligence in this first contact with glow lights, stays and magnectics.
November 19, 2020
Really bad
It's as though the author had and idea for a story and spent an hour or two jotting down some notes then called it a "book". Simply horrible world building, character development, story telling. The only redeeming feature of this "book" is that I wasted just an hour and a half of my life to read it.
It's as though the author had and idea for a story and spent an hour or two jotting down some notes then called it a "book". Simply horrible world building, character development, story telling. The only redeeming feature of this "book" is that I wasted just an hour and a half of my life to read it.
March 18, 2019
Very interesting and Gael’s my attention, butthe base premise of what UMOs are is not explained. You have to suspend logic on this. There are also military attitudes seen in mid century sci-fi stories that I believe are outdated. I will read the next book for which this is the prequel.
April 12, 2019
Fast paced, enjoyable!
I downloaded this book right before a five hour flight. Nearly finished it when we landed. After I got my bags I sat in baggage claim to finish it! Really enjoyed the story!
I downloaded this book right before a five hour flight. Nearly finished it when we landed. After I got my bags I sat in baggage claim to finish it! Really enjoyed the story!
April 15, 2019
Even though I gave it four Star's when I finished this short novella I felt maybe unsatisfying because it was somewhat more realistic, specially coming from DC!. It really made me sad and angry looking for some justice without so much B.S. well done. Will gladly follow you in your space travel.
June 17, 2019
Very Believable
Good example of the political battles between government factions and how too much power is easley abused. Love the pace of the book. Definitely reading entire series!!
Good example of the political battles between government factions and how too much power is easley abused. Love the pace of the book. Definitely reading entire series!!
July 10, 2019
Space Spooks
This introduction to the strange objects introduced as UMO's is an exciting look at what is coming in main feature.
I would think that without this info I would be lost as I start the first book Skywave. However I Will soon find out as I begin to read it now.
This introduction to the strange objects introduced as UMO's is an exciting look at what is coming in main feature.
I would think that without this info I would be lost as I start the first book Skywave. However I Will soon find out as I begin to read it now.
July 29, 2019
A real page turner
For me this was like one of the great old-fashioned sci-fi page turners. I loved every moment and could hardly wait to get to the next page or two or three, whatever I had time to squeeze in. Now I am definitely off to read Skywave, which follows this prequel.
For me this was like one of the great old-fashioned sci-fi page turners. I loved every moment and could hardly wait to get to the next page or two or three, whatever I had time to squeeze in. Now I am definitely off to read Skywave, which follows this prequel.
August 5, 2019
Excellent
To real not to be real. At the risk of sounding like another conspiracy theorist... I do believe the military would interfere with rational science to promote their own perspective.
To real not to be real. At the risk of sounding like another conspiracy theorist... I do believe the military would interfere with rational science to promote their own perspective.
September 10, 2019
Ok after reading this novella, I know the Crew of Cetus Prime. I think you can read this either before or after Skywave. I read it after and found it to be entertaining. Now on to Magwave. Loving this new series of books.
August 18, 2020
UMO is kind of a prequel to the Skywave series. I say "kind of" because the characters reappear in Skywave and Magwave in a context inconsistent with the resolution of UMO. UMO was an enjoyable read but I'm glad I read it after Skywave and Magwave.
January 22, 2022
This prequel is a good hook, looking forward to the rest of the series.
It’s starting slow but interesting. Stories starting on earth and heading out into space is not the stories I usually read when it comes to sci-fi.
Looking forward to how the story progresses.
It’s starting slow but interesting. Stories starting on earth and heading out into space is not the stories I usually read when it comes to sci-fi.
Looking forward to how the story progresses.
January 2, 2019
This novella is a prequel to Skywave.
January 7, 2019
This is prequel to Skywave and although not necessary to read first it paved way for story line.
May 3, 2019
Don't really need to read this one to enjoy Skywave but cool to get some extra storyline.
May 12, 2019
This is not even a book. the writer could have said what's here in about 3 or 4 pages. Not worth the time to even read it. Its merely an expansion of someone's thought.
May 17, 2019
Dreadfully poor and disappointing. A plodding plot inhabited by two dimensional cliched characters. The writing style is amateurish- perhaps this would sit better in the (very) young adult section?
July 8, 2019
Great piece of work!
As a big fan of the new series, this prequel is like a delicious piece of dessert that you didn't know came with the meal.
As a big fan of the new series, this prequel is like a delicious piece of dessert that you didn't know came with the meal.
May 18, 2020
Enjoyed it as a prequel.. I want to also read Skywave . But read the intro.. you have to forgive a few things.. just go with it ! The ideas are quite interesting
August 3, 2020
First Contact
Our first contact with an alien life form. It is not with a tool using society of minds, but a give mind defending it's territory.
Our first contact with an alien life form. It is not with a tool using society of minds, but a give mind defending it's territory.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews