Near some thirty five thousand years ago a colony of extra-terrestrials descended upon the earth, striking an engagement with Paleolithic mankind. From that point forward the history of the planet unfolds through the eyes of Omegan, a watcher, who attempts to guide his own people, the “science-blinded” Technocracy, from spiritual doom. Morphing from one epoch to the next, Omegan, a spirited Phoebian who lives through a succession of hosts, experiences life through other extraterrestrials as ancient myths, biblical accounts, and much of earth's Pre-diluvian history is corrupted by the presence of his species, and their manufactured servants, the Nephilim. By their scientific studies and interactions upon our planet these Phoebians managed to skew earth's historical timeline, creating archaeological anomalies that to this day divide geologists and historians as to the true course of our planet's events. This novel’s vivid rendering of ancient earth not only support the claims of many a conspiracy theorist, but will also illuminate an epiphany within the imagination of any diehard skeptic.
Having completed over a dozen novels—some having been ahead of their time in their speculative nature—the world of publishing has taught me a great deal. The years have tempered my once seemingly endless flow of creativity; some would even argue that it has fully run its course now that today’s acknowledged sciences have caught up to yesterday’s science fiction. With world governments pulling back the curtain of secrecy, it shall remain to be seen if my stories will one day be a reference to Earth’s hidden past and humanity’s interaction with extraterrestrials. (Just kidding)
Painting pictures with words has forever been my passion, and now I feel I have taken my colorful imaginings as far as I can. Therefore, I have decided to switch from the genre that has been good to me all these years and change it, ultimately challenging my ability to paint pictures in a more diverse and family-oriented manner.
Going forward, my new stories will become mainstream and more inclusive. I will look to include themes spanning generations and take into consideration family dynamics, bringing to light just how and why people do what they do and why everything must change.
Yes, I feel it is time for me to change my perspective. To seek out a genre where I can further connect with readers, though on a far more personable level. I will now hone my writings to that, which will hopefully leave my readers feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and without a care as to what's really going on in the world around them.
Suspend your belief Leave the routine Look at the stars Wander the imagination Are we really the only one? Think beyond the skies Look beyond the world Leave the theories aside Can linear be the evolution? Look at the proof Look to the wonders Look at the past Look into science Can we really be the only one?!! Open your minds Unveil the known There is something more Before it all began
Wondrous is the prose when the author can leave me thinking – What if this had really happened?!! I don’t believe in evolution or that we have come from the apes. There are too many differences between us, including our chromosomes, and such an evolution leaves behind multitude of questions?
I have always believed that in some stage of Earth’s evolution, there has been an alien influx, hence the Stonehenge, Mohenjadaro and Harappa, the Indus Valley civilization, the Pyramids. The time when people could predict everything or navigate looking at the stars. Who gave ancient man the knowledge, and what happened to that era? Well, these questions have plagued me forever. And I have spent many a days wondering and imagining the What If?!!
And then lo and behold, I get to read this book by Thomas Zman, and the story triggers my imagination. Here is an author who thought outside the box and took the evidences found today, to write a fictional tale. This was book 3 in the series, but it actually precedes the other two as it gives the story about how aliens came to Earth and what happened henceforth.
Thomas Zman’s books find their core strongly rooted in theology, and the prose strongly reflects those beliefs. This is certainly a different sci-fi thriller, where questions are asked and questions are pondered upon.
Looking at the skies, at the stars makes me feel insignificant and leaves me with a surety, that maybe just maybe, Thomas Zman is right. Before the humanity began, there was the help given from outside.
The book has its niggles. Thomas’s style of writing takes time to get used to, it may not appear like a fictional stories of today. There is a formality in the structure of the sentences. I would have liked more linking up of evidences found today into the story to make it more believable. The entire prose should have brought goosebumps ideally!!
The book requires an open mind, the concept is great. This is the story of the Phoebians after their own planet is destroyed, some of them find their way to Earth, and this story captures the saga how the aliens amalgamated their life with ancient man. Some with disastrous results!! But since newer evidences are popping up in different parts of the world that we do not know the complete truth. Maybe one day, the pieces can be joined together!!
What really is the truth when it comes to the archaic question of what is the origin of man? Is it as they say in the history books or is there something that happened in the history of man that we do not know about? These are some of the questions that Thomas Zman asks in this brain expatiating science fiction novel called Before it Began, the first book in The Neuphobes Series. In his introduction and pertaining to an anomalous finding and peculiarity such as the Stonehenge structure, the author writes: “I feel further study of such, immixed with a good amount of speculation, would no doubt give rise to a more intriguing account as to Earth’s Ancient History.”
A supremely advanced civilization known as Phoebians have no choice but to leave their home planet Phoebius. They must travel the stars and seek out new worlds to live in. A group of Phoebians known as the Followers have been left behind to perish along with the planet. Omegan, a medium, was left behind on the planet too. It was not his end, however. Omegan has chosen to bind his soul with that of an Elder called Remsis. And so, around 33,000 B.C., the Phoebians arrive on Earth to find a primitive human race as the planet’s dominant species. The Nephilim, a species the Phoebians originally created for labor means, threaten what the Phoebians initially set out to do. Omegan chronicles everything that happens on Earth since the arrival of their kind.
Zman starts readers off with a powerful image of immense Mother Ships overshadowing the horizon of the planet Phoebius in its final hours. Those that end up on the ships include almost the entire Phoebian population who have been selected because of their individual abilities. A group of Phoebians known as the Followers are, along with the medium Omegan, left behind to succumb to the Super Nova of Qua, a Red Giant. The author gives readers an excellent understanding of why it is that not all Phoebians were allowed to escape the fate of Phoebius. The Followers worshiped the Almighty while their Phoebian kin chose to believe in their own technological savvy rather than in a high power.
Even before their arrival on Earth, readers learn a lot about the Phoebian species. What I found most interesting was the manner in which their offspring were born. When a Phoebian child is born, it is not one child, but actually two. At a certain point during their growth, the Phoebian babe “cleaves”. Cleaving being a process in which the Phoebian babe splits to become two separate individuals that is described by the author as being slightly painful and a means for population control. These beings also lack many of the emotions that humans and the Nephilim that have come along with the Phoebians are privy to. They also talk telepathically, although Omegan, being a medium and all, is somewhat of an anomaly among his people who talks through his mouth.
Upon the arrival of the Phoebians on Earth, readers can certainly experience as much awe and enjoyment through the eyes of the Phoebians as they see our wonderful blue planet for the first time. “We vectored across the planet’s southern regions until the blue yielded a jagged coastline, and then an expansive plain.” For primitive human beings, one can only imagine what must go through their minds as they gaze upon these beings for the first time. “Mountain beings”, is what they are called at first. Initially, no attempt is made to subjugate the human species.
The blessing of having Omegan’s soul bonded with his makes Remsis, or rather Remsis III, different in many ways. The most notable of which would be his new proclivity to communicate with his mouth. Remsis’s part in this novel is short, however, as Omegan becomes a being in this book that constantly binds with different Phoebians. Especially after the twelve remaining Elders go into the Ethereal Abode, the Phoebian version of heaven. Thus, the narrative of this book is more of a record of events jumping forth and back through many years as great cities with advanced technologies are built in an ancient world.
Zman greatly explores the effect scientific advancements have on a species’ belief and willingness to worship the divine. The main question that the author seeks to answer is that of what the result might be if humans were pushed towards something that they weren’t ready for. “Damascus offered bandages and medicine, instructing the women on how they were to be applied, remedying injuries that would otherwise have been grave.”
Through Ragalion, His Supremacy and the Ancient Leader of the Phoebians on the Earth, we see envy and pride in full swing. Ragalion wants his world to be better than that of another Phoebian world leader, but he’s bound only for a rude awakening. Stardom, meanwhile, is advanced human working on behalf of every single human being throughout all the cosmos. He is what I believe the author uses to illustrate what all humans can become someday.
A type of computer called the Encyphilatron concludes that the dominant species of Earth are to be called humans. I find it hard to believe that even an advanced alien computer could be responsible for the word “humans”. If so, than I must add that the author could’ve made this more believable by stating along with the naming of our species that humans exist on other planets too, but also that the origin of the term “humans” should be elaborated upon, better answering the question of where the word came from.
Thomas Zman makes readers see clearly what happens when the solely scientific minded try to answer things that cannot be answered. The Phoebians on Earth have shed their need for God completely, yet when they themselves try to play God they are bound to be disappointed down the line. A fictitious tour of wonder that shatters and transcends our thinking of time, space, man, and God’s plan!
Zman’s latest offering ‘Before it Began’ is a prequel to his earlier work ‘From Whence They Came.’ It’s a colourful, whirling carnival of ideas, which can be loosely defined as religious sci fi. He incorporates many of the anomalies, peculiarities, myths and legends of mankind’s early history and prehistory, into his plot. His language is grand, and colourful, his alien characters travel in space and time and manipulate the development of humankind over millennia. It is an admix of time travelling Chronoscape laboratories, flying saucers, inter species mutations, even the lost civilisation of Atlantis – it’s all there waiting for the reader to take their first hesitant step into another of Thomas Zman’s fantasies. Long may his fingers continue the dance.
I found Before it Began a creative novel implementing aliens into our early ancestors. Thomas Zman intertwines an alien species, that flees its failed world, with humans who have not advanced above cave dwelling. The Phoebians excel in science and rely on it to escape their demise, only to leave behind those who are believers in their God to their death. They allow only a few to represent the hierarchy which leaves their society unbalanced. The Ruling Council is left unchecked in their manipulation of humans and do not believe someone will question their actions. The Medium in spirit recorded the actions of their disregard of humans and the experiments they performed on them. They ignored the warning that judgment was coming, only to be surprised when it did.
I received Before it Began from Thomas Zman for an honest review. First, I enjoyed the mysteries of historical events playing out in this novel. Though many are unexplained, it is intriguing to think about how some of these early civilizations received the technology to manufacture the buildings they did. I loved the unique children that the Phoebians had. The conjoining twins that separated after they were several years old was very interesting, allowing them to have a unique personality. Last, I found the ending a more complicated solution than expected. Zman holds the reader's attention as he adds calculated twists. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys science fiction or aliens, but do not mistake this for an actual proof of aliens.
A Creative Sci-Fi take on Human Evolution! I liked the flowing yet structured style of Thomas Zman's writing. I was quickly pulled into the story. The connections with historical and mythological events made it all the more interesting as I followed the main character, Omegan, through time as he watches Phoebians and Nephilim influence human evolution for good and for not so good. A fun and fast-paced read!
A strange tale of prehistoric beings from another planet, galaxy, solar system coming to earth and interacting with earth inhabitants until God takes over control. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
Well-written; nice to read a book not written for dummies. This is a book that demands your attention. This science fiction novel attempts to explain many of the phenomenon that science can’t explain. The story begins with the destruction of one planet. Survivors from the ancient past descended upon the Earth encountering Paleolithic mankind. Discover an alternate version as seen through the eyes of an extraterrestrial. In this novel, history unfolds through the eyes of Omegan, a spirited Phoebian (Medium). Omegan attempts to guide the “science-blinded.” Morphing from one epoch to the next, Omegan lives through a succession of hosts, experiencing life through others. Much of pre-dynastic history is corrupted by the presence of these extraterrestrials and their manufactured servants, the Nephilim (a name of a giant people from the bible). The Phoebians manage to skew the historical timeline. They create archaeological anomalies that to this day divide paleontologists and historians alike as to the actual course of Earth's history. This novel’s vivid depiction of our planet's far distant past is built on claims of numerous conspiracy theorists. There is an underlying current of spirituality versus technocrats. Or in our language, people who believe in God and secularists. As a God fearing man, I appreciate the author’s criticism of pure secularism. Throughout, Omegan maintains the narrative of the story from his alien perspective. He experiences the first meeting of mankind, the cleaving of his adopted child, the diabolical dealings of their manufactured species the Nephilim, the Great Flood, and consequently all the abominations that the science-driven Phoebians institute upon the planet over the ensuing 35,000 years. In his dealings with primitive humans, Omegan, as are all Phoebians, is intrigued by their “emotions,” for Phoebians have but one: the Desire for Advancement. I have done many book reviews and not only is the concept unique the writing is excellent. The only drawback is this book isn’t for everyone. It is limited to people who use their intellect. If you are one of them, then you’ll enjoy this book.
If you are looking for a break from today's typical shallow writing than you'll love this book. Enter a quest that spands the history of beyond our planet from the King of Description and imagination. A perfect blend of pondering that will leave one questioning the true history of mankind. Where are we from and where are we going? Maybe this book answers more than we ought to know!
The voice is ethereal, the writing full of 'big words' not always used properly, one could almost believe this was written by an alien. But, as an alternate history, it has both heights and depths, some is self-contradictory, some is preposterous. Flying saucer fans may like it, but I found it hard to feel sympathy for the main character and the misuse of language was annoying.
Audible:This was an excellent story.I enjoyed the timelines and fixes.I was not as enamored with the narration.There were quite a few repetitive spots and a lackluster performance though Mr McLoughlin did come alive more towards the end.I would be interested to see how book 2 works out. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
A somewhat confusing, albeit simplistic journey of one intergalactic visitor, and his tale of an alien species populating the earth in pre-creation, their attempts to engineer the perfect human, and upon their failure, God's intervention.
We're it "fascinating" to me, I might venture into subsequent volumes, but it is not.
Would recommend this book the author has a great imagination and creativity and you never know it could border on some level of truth if you want your mind opening this is the book for you
The author wrote descriptive world building using imagination to create unique characters. The author also did a awesome job of weaving Bible stories into the plot without being over done. Excellent job!
I am not much on the sci-fi genre but this was a very well written and intriguing book. I enjoyed how it blended aliens and science with views on hierarchy and godly beliefs. It was also a new way to veiw the beginning of human civilization here on Earth. I would recommend it, definetly.
For many years people asked others that if they could go back in time what would they do ? Many said: simple I would kill Adolf Hitler or buy IBM stocks.
The Author Thomas Zman creation of this first book of the series shows us in a beautiful way what happens when you mess with time no matter how big or small the repercussion will be great and never for good, meaning leave time alone even if you could save humanity from total distraction in the future the consequences could be saving the devil because you just can’t know ! Is it philosophy is it true really don’t matter because the results are the same and this author shows it using an alien race, first science-fiction book of this series. Make you think that maybe, just maybe this is no Science fiction at all but Science fact and that someone already meddled with the human race many years ago ? Narration by John McLoughlin was ok a couple of times he repeated himself but not bad.