Word Night on Union Station

EarthCent Ambassador #9

by E.M. Foner

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Book Nine of the EarthCent Ambassador Series - Start with the free Book One, Date Night on Union Station

Over half of Earth's population has left the planet, mainly as contract workers for aliens, and the homeworld is losing relevance to the emigrants. The EarthCent president takes on the task of making sure that humanity isn't permanently stuck in a rut as low-skilled labor. Can the ambassador put aside her new-found obsession with the Galactic Free Press crossword puzzle and help save the day?

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fiction

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2016

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as many of the other parts of this series. Nonetheless, still an enjoyable read laced with witticisms.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the previous volumes in this series. However, this volume is essentially pointless as well as lacking the humor of the earlier books.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

…I may have just downed this series like a can of Pringles.

But I think that’s understandable considering that this series is a) hilarious and b) optimistic – two things we could all use more of these days. Also, Foner is a genius at both inverting tropes and really getting into the mechanics of how a multi-species space station would work.

In the latest Union Station story, Ambassador Kelly is a wee bit distracted by trying to beat her neighbor Dring, the incredibly intelligent alien (who is so old and smart he might as well be a god) at the weekly crossword puzzle in their local newspaper. Good luck Kelly!

So, while Kelly has her head in the Cloud, we see her teenage daughter feeling her way forward towards adulthood. There’s a hilarious scene in which (usually) intelligent teenage aliens get together at a party, get stoned, and argue higher level math theories. Dorothy has an interest in fashion and sees a market for cross-species marketing. And Kelly's son Sam has become a competitive dancer in an style of alien ballroom dancing, that's only slightly more ruthless than human ballroom dancing. Its going to be hilarious whenever in this series everyone finds out he's been secretly long distance dating a queen!

Meanwhile, back on Earth, the humans have realized the other members of the Stryx network offer way better deals, education, health care, and employment opportunities, and Earth is rapidly becoming a ghost town, so there are some serious talks about how to adapt.

The president of Earth is boring (a very conventional horny, middle aged, white dude - c’mon, Foner, you do can better) but he’s at least smart enough to know they need to start taking steps immediately if they want to course correct, and that there is nothing wrong with a socially acceptable bribe to slick the wheels of diplomacy.

Spies, reporters, and actors are running all over the place and a few people who can see Big Picture realize this might only be the beginning of some big Changes.

Can't wait for next in the series!

[Coyora Dokusho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad this is the last book published right now, because I'm running out of steam! Funny!!! Honestly... my least favorite? I think it was the crossword stuff... Really looking forward to the next books!!!!!!

[Groucho42 · Rating 3 out of 5]

More dull than usual. This one revolves around EarthCent prez visiting and a newly adult Dorothy going into business with friends. Oh, yeah, and the title obsession with crossword puzzles. More dully episodic than usual.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point in the series, opening an EarthCent novel is similar to going to visit old friends and see what they've been up to. Foner has such a firm grasp on the universe he has created it has a heft and solidity which pervades the entire book. This gives him an amazing depth and flexibility for both plot and character development. All that to say, it's another fun entry into the series. Known and older characters return and younger characters begin to come into their own.

At this point there is an overarching question of how humans can fit into the larger universe the Stryx control. What makes Foner's books so fun is he doesn't settle for the tried and worn out tropes of human superiority or creativity, or some "special"-ness which makes mankind just better than other aliens. Nope. He paints humans as just weird and different that they are discovering their significance in their "weirdness." Humans are portrayed as different and even nutty enough to make their existence work alongside so many other superior species. And it's that discovery of how humankind can figure out its existence in Foner's zany universe that continues to prove so intriguing and just plain fun. His writing has a humorous and subtly sarcastic undertone which is as enjoyable as it is engaging. I plan on continuing to read through all of the books in the series.

[Jennifer Linsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are things in this universe which are solid and dependable. E. M. Foner's books are one. When you're stressed, when you're depressed, you can always step into an E. M. Foner joint and know what you'll find: People who are smart, and friendly, and not out to fundamentally screw each other over for the fun of it. A vision of the future that's family friendly and someplace you'd actually want to live. And I've said it before; I'll likely say it again... Foner is Fabulous.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really reminded me of my favorite of the M.Y.T.H. series, Little-Myth Marker. I loved that one for the sheer ridiculousness of Dragon Poker and I loved this one for the sheer ridiculousness of the crossword puzzles and Kelly's obsession with them. It might help that I have been known to get pretty obsessed over the occasional puzzle, but, really, who hasn't?

Puzzles aside, this volume of the series, yet again, shows that author Foner has done a remarkable job in creating a bunch of characters you just want to hang out with. On his webpage, I think, Foner says something about writing a future he wants to live in and, honestly, if this is the future we get, I'll be very happy just to tag along.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thoroughly enjoyable book in this series. The way Foner develops characters is really quite good. It's really odd how engaging these little slices of life on a space station far away can be. I'm looking forward to reading book 10.

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow at the beginning

The story was a little slow going at the beginning. Once it got going I really enjoyed reading it. I got to check up on Sam, Dorothy, and of course Jeeves. It was like visiting old friends.

[Victoria Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crosswords can be a pet peeve

Kelly gets hooked on crosswords as she entertains the earth president and his mistress.
Can she spare the time to find out what her children are up to ?

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bland, harmless fun.

[Cat Girczyc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up

I love these books and how I’ve gotten to see the characters grow up and change so much. I liked the crossword theme for this one!

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story line.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossword puzzles, anyone?

The puzzles are only a small part of this great story but it’s where the title comes from, at least partly. A fine mix of diverse characters. A fun read.

[LinHigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

much fun

I wizzed through it. It needs a name glossary for us people who put it down for a month .

[Maryjane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keepinggoing

These books are wonderful lunchtime diversion and great continuity.Moving on to book 1o to keep up with some of these characters.

[Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing new under the sun

Nothing our working humans come up with is new. Our alien rulers keep track of fashion trends for millennia. But knock offs are a thing.

[Elaine Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Jeeves!

Got a new word , cruciverbalist , although don't know when I'd use it. I love Jeeves, the idea of a smart aleck AI is just hilarious to me.

[Rob]

Another great feel good read from E M Foner. I have read the whole series twice now and am about to buy the newest one,. Artists on the Galactic Tunnel Network.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crud, I’m nearly caught up on this series. As anyone who has followed my reviews will know, this is a travesty. What will I do when I don’t have my monthly hit of feel-good?

What’s left to say? This series is great. This one seems to really be the mark that is transitioning on generation of characters to the next. I’ve seen this done in other series, and I can’t say it is always handled well. This one, thankfully, does handle it well. My best guess is that this is because it really holds true to its roots. And I for one cannot wait to see where it goes from here.

Again, for the tenth time now, I recommend this series to people who like feel good books, humorous scifi, or slice of life.

[Denise Weldon-siviy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alien fashion? What next!

I love this series. It's smart and witty. The universe needs more science fiction that isn't doom and gloom violence or bimbos in space!

Read via Kindle Unlimited

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Galactic Free Press is recruiting alien actors to provide training for their human reporters in avoiding kidnapping. Kelly, the ambassador from EarthCent, is obsessed with the weekly crossword puzzle; an addiction she is sure that she could break if she could succeed in solving just one of them. Her daughter Dorothy is a student at the Open University and is trying to start a business in cross-species fashion design. (When one goes clothes shopping on Union Station it is an avatar that tries on the clothes.) More a slice of life of the characters than an actual plot with far too many deals being negotiated, but the story is still quite entertaining.

[Jacque Holst]

I really enjoy this series. They are fun to read and entirely different from most sci-fi books. I enjoy them for their differences. They are a change of pace. Love the characters including the multitude of aliens and the Stryx that somehow with as little interference as possible maintain benign non aggression in the universe. It's not a love your neighbor peace, more a tolerate your neighbor peace. The humans being the newest race to be accepted by the Stryx are a catalyst. Where all other beings are thousands and/or millions of life times in space the humans were taken under the Stryx care because they were about to destroy themselves. The Stryx found them too interesting to allow that to happen. They are also have the shortest life span. The have the nickname Stryx pets and very little respect. Fun, interesting and worth reading.

[Albert E Bunce · Rating 4 out of 5]

#9 in the series

Be sure to start with the first book in the series ( date night) . That one is free. I read all nine in one month which is a good way to get your money's worth from a kindle unlimited subscription. I don't normally read that much but these books have a way of making you ignore your other distractions and spend your reading. They are that good.

[Kathy Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite so far in the series and not only because I work in higher education. Foner doesn't hesitate to skew those sacred cows any more than he stints in taking on the foibles of fashion, alien and otherwise. Add it seemingly random crossword puzzles, and this installment in the Union Station antics is a word lover's dream!

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

EarthCent Ambassador Series

Not as exciting as some of the previous books but interesting enough to keep me reading. Obviously I think they are pretty good since I've read them all! I'm looking forward to new books in the series. I just love the cast of characters and adore all the alien action.

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today's headlines: Academia takes a hit. Crosswords maligned.

In this episode, Mr Finer takes aim at academics, cross words, and reveals some of the secrets of the ever present Stryx. Read all about it!!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving this series!

Adore the characters! Continues to be a refreshing, lighthearted, and surprisingly creative read. Evokes the joy, humor, and individual spirit of - being human!