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EarthCent Universe #1
Independent Living
In space, nobody can hear retirees complain about the food.
What do a group of retirees leaving Earth and a young woman in EarthCent's new witness protection have in common? They're all going to live on Flower, an enormous alien colony vessel employed by Eccentric Enterprises to travel a circuit of far-flung human communities. But Flower is a sentient ship that's been traveling the galaxy for 20,000 years and has her own opinions about how her inhabitants should conduct themselves.
I wrote Independent Living because readers of my EarthCent Ambassador series were always asking what happens in the galaxy where the Stryx aren't around to watch every second. The answer is, about what you'd expect. In terms of the EarthCent universe, Independent Living would be the seventeenth book in the sequence, but it can be read as a standalone.
What do a group of retirees leaving Earth and a young woman in EarthCent's new witness protection have in common? They're all going to live on Flower, an enormous alien colony vessel employed by Eccentric Enterprises to travel a circuit of far-flung human communities. But Flower is a sentient ship that's been traveling the galaxy for 20,000 years and has her own opinions about how her inhabitants should conduct themselves.
I wrote Independent Living because readers of my EarthCent Ambassador series were always asking what happens in the galaxy where the Stryx aren't around to watch every second. The answer is, about what you'd expect. In terms of the EarthCent universe, Independent Living would be the seventeenth book in the sequence, but it can be read as a standalone.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2019
403 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books246 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 24, 2019
Read everything E. M. Foner writes.
As an active senior human living in an apartment in an assisted living facility I would like to apply for the next available apartment on board “Flower’s Paradise." As a life long gardener I would be willing to work on one of the agriculture decks. In my spare time I enjoy reading. Sci fi and military being among my favorites. E. M. Foner is one of my favorite authors. Hope you have all of his books in the ship library.
As an active senior human living in an apartment in an assisted living facility I would like to apply for the next available apartment on board “Flower’s Paradise." As a life long gardener I would be willing to work on one of the agriculture decks. In my spare time I enjoy reading. Sci fi and military being among my favorites. E. M. Foner is one of my favorite authors. Hope you have all of his books in the ship library.
April 27, 2020
Very enjoyable! I got a kick out of the alien doctor and the play director!
February 27, 2025
E. M. Foner is a sly and witty writer. Who else could make up a really good story about a group of cheated and stranded senior citizens? And while the plight of a whistleblower on the run with a target on her back may be a standard theme in crime fiction, few could end her peril in such inventive ways. It's not uncommon to hear people say that what we need for a leader is a benevolent dictator. Foner's AIs are not just benevolent, they can also determine intent from possibility. Under their rule, people can have all the weapons they can afford as long as they mean no malice to other citizens. But individuals with criminal intent are dealt with quickly, justly, often harshly, and cleverly. But those with no malice in mind have the freedom to do almost whatever they wish, though the AIs are not likely to protect them from themselves. The result is total freedom but with justice. And it is fun! As far as I'm concerned, Foner cannot churn out stories fast enough to keep me happy. I read them as soon as they come out and likely reread them before the next one appears. It isn't stretching the truth to admit that he has become my favorite author.
February 12, 2024
Spin off series begins with many of the traditions we've become accustomed to in the main line Union Station series. Plenty of AI string-pulling in the background although lacking in the same Stryx subtilties employed by Jeeves and Libby. Flower, the Dollnick AI, plays a much more open role in her influences of the circuit ship inhabitants' lives and on the surface seems as dilettante as ever. However, this novel kicking off the series dedicated to the ongoings aboard the Flower colony ship reveal that while often "uncooperative", Flower is a quirky AI with a big heart.
June 17, 2021
Fresh and Fun
I grew up on Heinlein’s juveniles (“The Star Beast,” “Have Spacesuit, Will Travel,” and the rest) and am a sucker for clever stories about plucky kids and quirky aliens. This has all that plus a band of down-on-their-luck retired people and a ship-sized AI with an attitude. Loved it!
I grew up on Heinlein’s juveniles (“The Star Beast,” “Have Spacesuit, Will Travel,” and the rest) and am a sucker for clever stories about plucky kids and quirky aliens. This has all that plus a band of down-on-their-luck retired people and a ship-sized AI with an attitude. Loved it!
April 30, 2019
Flower rules the roost!
For those of who are Union Station fans, this one is comfort food, for those who are not: come hang out on a ship run by an AI who insists on morning stretches, exercise, and sets up her own Independent Living facility. Fun guaranteed!
For those of who are Union Station fans, this one is comfort food, for those who are not: come hang out on a ship run by an AI who insists on morning stretches, exercise, and sets up her own Independent Living facility. Fun guaranteed!
April 28, 2019
Fun times
Another fun ride through the earthcent universe, with humans, aliens, librarys, swords, pre-emptive defensive homicides, crooks don't win, innocent people pulling together to conquer adversity and win, good times read. Go forth and read!
Another fun ride through the earthcent universe, with humans, aliens, librarys, swords, pre-emptive defensive homicides, crooks don't win, innocent people pulling together to conquer adversity and win, good times read. Go forth and read!
October 14, 2019
Worth reading
If you get tired of plasma beams, bombs and space battles. E. M. Foner gives a choice of books with subtle chuckles, great characters and an AI that's always there.
If you get tired of plasma beams, bombs and space battles. E. M. Foner gives a choice of books with subtle chuckles, great characters and an AI that's always there.
January 3, 2020
Elderly ripoffs, murder attempts yet utterly positive and charming. Not a heavy weight book by any stretch but thoroughly entertaining.
September 1, 2020
Independent Living is author Foner's attempt to embiggen the world he's created with the EarthCent Ambassador series beyond the confines of Union Station. Working under her Stryx mentor, Dollnick colony-ship Flower has decided to partner with EarthCent to run a circuit between human worlds and settlements all in the name of helping humankind catch up to the rest of the tunnel aliens. Flower is an independent entity and she has her own way of doing things which puts her at odds with many of the humans who find themselves living aboard her, one way or another.
I like this addition to Foner's universe and I like the new characters that have been added in, of course, but what I really enjoy most about it is that, in Flower, we have another super-powerful long-lived alien intelligence who does not always see eye-to-eye with the Stryx. Having that different point of view allows us, the readers, to revisit certain themes and scenes from previous books in a new light, which is always interesting. Beyond that, the themes of salvation through sound economics and good engineering continue, and the story moves at the same rapid clip that the ECA books do.
One last note, I don't think it's necessary to have read any of the ECA books before reading this one. In fact, through intention or accident, Foner has created a very good jumping on point for new readers in this volume.
I like this addition to Foner's universe and I like the new characters that have been added in, of course, but what I really enjoy most about it is that, in Flower, we have another super-powerful long-lived alien intelligence who does not always see eye-to-eye with the Stryx. Having that different point of view allows us, the readers, to revisit certain themes and scenes from previous books in a new light, which is always interesting. Beyond that, the themes of salvation through sound economics and good engineering continue, and the story moves at the same rapid clip that the ECA books do.
One last note, I don't think it's necessary to have read any of the ECA books before reading this one. In fact, through intention or accident, Foner has created a very good jumping on point for new readers in this volume.
February 13, 2022
Foner, E. M. Independent Living. EarthCent Universe No. 1. Kindle, 2019.
The EarthCent Ambassador series, which in my mind is always the Union Station series, has now spawned a couple of spinoff series. Independent Living is set on a huge Colony ship now running a trade and passenger circuit. It is called Flower, which is also the name of its Artificial Intelligence. A group of senior citizens invested in some off-planet retirement communities that did not actually exist, leaving them stranded on Flower, who takes them in with strings attached. Another passenger is a young woman in the EarthCent witness protection program because she testified against her syndicate bosses. Assassins have a hard time on Flower. The fun of the story is watching Flower manipulate and steer all their lives to its own ends. Flower helps those who help themselves and Flower. Foner advertises the book as being proudly PG, and it does remind me of a lot of old science fiction magazine stories and Ace doubles I read in my youth. Entertaining snark. 4 stars because I have no standards.
The EarthCent Ambassador series, which in my mind is always the Union Station series, has now spawned a couple of spinoff series. Independent Living is set on a huge Colony ship now running a trade and passenger circuit. It is called Flower, which is also the name of its Artificial Intelligence. A group of senior citizens invested in some off-planet retirement communities that did not actually exist, leaving them stranded on Flower, who takes them in with strings attached. Another passenger is a young woman in the EarthCent witness protection program because she testified against her syndicate bosses. Assassins have a hard time on Flower. The fun of the story is watching Flower manipulate and steer all their lives to its own ends. Flower helps those who help themselves and Flower. Foner advertises the book as being proudly PG, and it does remind me of a lot of old science fiction magazine stories and Ace doubles I read in my youth. Entertaining snark. 4 stars because I have no standards.
December 7, 2022
my new infatuation
Ok I admit it… I am addicted to EM Foner’s EarthCent Ambassador Series… the last one I read left me feeling I was missing something and since I am a fan of Woojin(one of the ancillary characters) I decided to read the Flower books in tandem… I honestly believe they are better than many of the Ambassador books… although I love Space Operas(Honor Harrington is my all time favorite!!) I was in need of something a little more care free… lighter… and a witsec client being chased through space by contract killers was just the ticket! Seriously, this entire universe is so uplifting and joyous! Even when everything seems to be going wrong, it is always for a better outcome! And since I personally KNOW there is a omniscient hand guiding us if we pay attention, this series just feels “right”! Thanks to EM and keep up the great work!!!
Ok I admit it… I am addicted to EM Foner’s EarthCent Ambassador Series… the last one I read left me feeling I was missing something and since I am a fan of Woojin(one of the ancillary characters) I decided to read the Flower books in tandem… I honestly believe they are better than many of the Ambassador books… although I love Space Operas(Honor Harrington is my all time favorite!!) I was in need of something a little more care free… lighter… and a witsec client being chased through space by contract killers was just the ticket! Seriously, this entire universe is so uplifting and joyous! Even when everything seems to be going wrong, it is always for a better outcome! And since I personally KNOW there is a omniscient hand guiding us if we pay attention, this series just feels “right”! Thanks to EM and keep up the great work!!!
February 19, 2020
I have only read one of the union station books by this author but liked it enough to put the others on my to read list. This book's premise of a group of retirees getting ripped off and ending up on a huge sentient space ship sounded interesting.
It's not my typical space opera or military science fiction, but I enjoyed it. The characters, including Flowers, the ship's AI, are interesting and well-written. The aliens are different, as is their food and industries. The human retirees setting up a community and solving the problems of how to pay for room and board, along with Flowers' demands that they exercise and be involved in certain group activities is a large part of the story. The one non-retiree human is a young woman who gave testimony against the "mob", is now on a hit list, and putting her on the ship was Earth Centrals attempt at a witness relocation, is another major part of the story.
I plan to read book 2.
It's not my typical space opera or military science fiction, but I enjoyed it. The characters, including Flowers, the ship's AI, are interesting and well-written. The aliens are different, as is their food and industries. The human retirees setting up a community and solving the problems of how to pay for room and board, along with Flowers' demands that they exercise and be involved in certain group activities is a large part of the story. The one non-retiree human is a young woman who gave testimony against the "mob", is now on a hit list, and putting her on the ship was Earth Centrals attempt at a witness relocation, is another major part of the story.
I plan to read book 2.
January 19, 2025
I was absolutely delighted with this book! First, the main character is a lieable, realistic young lady who is doing her best to survive a situation she was born into. Second, the aliens are diverse beings -- not weird humans. Flower, the AI/ship is an absolute delight. The general plot is fast-paced with just enough "real world" to make it believable. There is the very slightest hing ot romance, but it is definitely not the central theme. Best of all, this is not a canned plot. It's like this folks: You can only "save the cat" so many times before it becomes stale and predictable. So, yeah, five stars. I had fun reading this book.
May 1, 2019
An interesting mix
Science fiction without wars, but still intrigue and a bit of shock surprise. Interest for seniors as well as young adults about to embark on first love. What a delightful mix of circumstances.
I chose four stars instead of five simply because I felt that the plot did not have a strong driving forward force, but I still enjoyed seeing what would happen next and was always glad to pick up my book and continue on. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Science fiction without wars, but still intrigue and a bit of shock surprise. Interest for seniors as well as young adults about to embark on first love. What a delightful mix of circumstances.
I chose four stars instead of five simply because I felt that the plot did not have a strong driving forward force, but I still enjoyed seeing what would happen next and was always glad to pick up my book and continue on. I will be looking for more books by this author.
June 7, 2020
Another excellent book by E.M. Foner. This is spin off on his Earthcent Ambassador series set onboard the Colony Ship Flower. Foner gives us a whole new set of characters to meet as a group of retirees is conned into buying cabins on board the ship in an independent living facility that doesn't actually exist. This book contains pretty much everything I've enjoyed about his other books, but in this series, he ups the action. I've read over 20 books by this author, and really enjoyed them all, but this may be my favorite. It's a great book and you should check it out.
August 30, 2022
A rating of 3 means that I finished the book but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. Independent Living had several interesting ideas about an alien AI running a retirement home on a spaceship. However, these could have been distilled down to a short story or novella rather than 239 pages. There is almost no suspense in the book – just some of the dumbest assassins in the world, or make that the universe, who get on a spaceship in which the AI monitors everything. Again, the book isn’t badly written, but I think there are better choices for humorous/satirical sci-fi.
April 26, 2019
wish my friend was a ship A.I.
spoiler alert one of the very best images ,in my head, is of having a friend who is sneaky enough to get rid of a hitman after you by having a "shark" jump out of the water and eat him!!!! greatest gotcha ever!! there are a few more unexpected gems like this through out the story! loved all the background filler too. very catchy and entertaining story hope there's more!!!!
spoiler alert one of the very best images ,in my head, is of having a friend who is sneaky enough to get rid of a hitman after you by having a "shark" jump out of the water and eat him!!!! greatest gotcha ever!! there are a few more unexpected gems like this through out the story! loved all the background filler too. very catchy and entertaining story hope there's more!!!!
July 28, 2019
Geriatric Living in Space
Having reached the ripe old age where my husband and myself could move into an assisted living facility (providing we could afford one which we can’t), I found this one fascinating. The seniors get swindled into moving into what they think is an assisted living on board a spaceship. There is a subplot about a couple of teenagers one of whom is supposededly in witness protection and the other is a stowaway...
Having reached the ripe old age where my husband and myself could move into an assisted living facility (providing we could afford one which we can’t), I found this one fascinating. The seniors get swindled into moving into what they think is an assisted living on board a spaceship. There is a subplot about a couple of teenagers one of whom is supposededly in witness protection and the other is a stowaway...
December 5, 2020
Great Expectations
It's good enough for five stars. Things happen pretty fast, there are a lot of characters, and a lot of aliens that need further description. Character development is shallow, but as an introduction to a series it works. It's as if the reader just stepped on to a cruise liner and met all new people.- oh, and an AI - you don't know them well at all. Hoping the next book fills out the characters as well as the story.
It's good enough for five stars. Things happen pretty fast, there are a lot of characters, and a lot of aliens that need further description. Character development is shallow, but as an introduction to a series it works. It's as if the reader just stepped on to a cruise liner and met all new people.- oh, and an AI - you don't know them well at all. Hoping the next book fills out the characters as well as the story.
August 4, 2019
A sweet fun read
I am so over war based,evil alien, apocalyptic scifi-this is just the opposite of us fun, sweet, interesting sci do that doesn't give bad dreams. Fiber writes about a positive future...with realistic themes and norms ...all of the books in his series (plural) have been fun reads try them
I am so over war based,evil alien, apocalyptic scifi-this is just the opposite of us fun, sweet, interesting sci do that doesn't give bad dreams. Fiber writes about a positive future...with realistic themes and norms ...all of the books in his series (plural) have been fun reads try them
August 7, 2019
Gently meandering cosy science fiction
Basically undemanding: a lot of nice people, aliens, and robots who chatter away constantly and eventually sort out their problems without too much fuss. The sinister threat in the background is sorted out off-screen. There are no upsetting scenes and no real tension, and a couple of quickly glossed over incidents of cartoon violence.
Basically undemanding: a lot of nice people, aliens, and robots who chatter away constantly and eventually sort out their problems without too much fuss. The sinister threat in the background is sorted out off-screen. There are no upsetting scenes and no real tension, and a couple of quickly glossed over incidents of cartoon violence.
October 1, 2019
Under Cover Living and Second Chances
Being trapped in working for the drug
traffickers. Then having to testify against them. Puts a girl in a life and death situation. Where she's whisked
Into another life and learns that friendship and trust go's hand in hand.
A great sicfi book, with a lot of twists &
turns in it. A great read.
Debra H.
Being trapped in working for the drug
traffickers. Then having to testify against them. Puts a girl in a life and death situation. Where she's whisked
Into another life and learns that friendship and trust go's hand in hand.
A great sicfi book, with a lot of twists &
turns in it. A great read.
Debra H.
December 24, 2020
Flowers story ?
Interesting spin off from Kelly's story and having a mobile habitat enables visits to different worlds.
However there are so many different narrative arc that this first book in the series is a bit of a mess. Hopefully future books will settle down into a more regular rhythm.
Interesting spin off from Kelly's story and having a mobile habitat enables visits to different worlds.
However there are so many different narrative arc that this first book in the series is a bit of a mess. Hopefully future books will settle down into a more regular rhythm.
July 30, 2021
Cannot say it was badly written, but nothing happens and I found it hard to like any of the characters. Maybe if you like juvenile / YA books, but as far as I was concerned: I got it for free and it was worth every penny (and if did makes you groan, it is still better than any humour in this book). Could have worked better as a short story of 30 pages max.
October 14, 2021
I'm a big fan of the Union Station series, but for some reason, hadn't gotten to the the EarthCent Universe series before. Once again, it's great fun without having to worry about what the next world-ending event is going to be. The humor isn't over the top outrageous, but still makes for a good time. I'm looking forward to more stories from Flower's adventures.
February 26, 2022
Decent story!
Everyone has problems, this story was about two main issues that were being solved. A good story is about people, it doesn't matter if they wear skin or shells, carry a six gun or a blaster, if the reader doesn't like the characters, it's a bad tale. This one was OK and I plan to read the next one.
Everyone has problems, this story was about two main issues that were being solved. A good story is about people, it doesn't matter if they wear skin or shells, carry a six gun or a blaster, if the reader doesn't like the characters, it's a bad tale. This one was OK and I plan to read the next one.
May 5, 2019
Wonderful story.
Want to retire someplace out of this world? Broke a few laws and want a second chance? Luckily for you, a spaceship Artificial Intelligence can solve everything for everyone.
Want to retire someplace out of this world? Broke a few laws and want a second chance? Luckily for you, a spaceship Artificial Intelligence can solve everything for everyone.
May 8, 2019
Another winner
The thing I love about these books is that he makes the plots so different and the characters are so interesting even if they're unbelievably good the way people should be but aren't.
The thing I love about these books is that he makes the plots so different and the characters are so interesting even if they're unbelievably good the way people should be but aren't.
May 14, 2019
Great spin-off
Excellent story and a great spin off of the EarthCent stories. Flower is getting more likeable, in the EarthCent series I formed an impression she was always tough and did not like humans, nice to discover otherwise.
Excellent story and a great spin off of the EarthCent stories. Flower is getting more likeable, in the EarthCent series I formed an impression she was always tough and did not like humans, nice to discover otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews