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Redleg in Space #1
Stowaway
Re-edit as of 31MAR2021
Lt Zade, on his last days of his last deployment to Afghanistan, still couldn’t find the excitement he so desperately needed. A chance encounter, on his last mission, sends him hurtling through space on the Unity exploration ship XES01. Surrounded by aliens, Zade must quickly learn to interact with the non-soldiers on the crew.
As he tries to earn his place amongst the ship, Zade’s combat prowess quickly earns him a spot as the security officer of the ship. A seat left vacant because of a fatal exchange between the former security officer and the wildlife of a far planet. As Zade begins living the adrenaline filled life of a space explorer, he has to ask himself some very important questions.
How does he get back to earth? Does he even want to?
The main character is a combat veteran, so there is some rough language throughout the book.
Lt Zade, on his last days of his last deployment to Afghanistan, still couldn’t find the excitement he so desperately needed. A chance encounter, on his last mission, sends him hurtling through space on the Unity exploration ship XES01. Surrounded by aliens, Zade must quickly learn to interact with the non-soldiers on the crew.
As he tries to earn his place amongst the ship, Zade’s combat prowess quickly earns him a spot as the security officer of the ship. A seat left vacant because of a fatal exchange between the former security officer and the wildlife of a far planet. As Zade begins living the adrenaline filled life of a space explorer, he has to ask himself some very important questions.
How does he get back to earth? Does he even want to?
The main character is a combat veteran, so there is some rough language throughout the book.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2019
428 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Z.D. Dean
9 books32 followersZ.D. Dean is a former Army officer who spent most of his free time on deployments either working out or reading. As an avid fan of science fiction, once he left the military, he began writing his own. When he's not working his day job or writing, Dean enjoys helping local veterans' charities and being outdoors.
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September 22, 2025Rating: minus 5 (scale of -5 to +5)
These rewrites are a chore but if one reader benefits, I feel that it was worth the effort. This new format is clearer.
I had maintained a level of courtesy in my responses to ugly comments over several years. I ignored Richard Todaro until the comments to my review of Powers of the Earth taught me how to respond to the US ass. His comment among many others have been deleted, restored, then deleted again, how very Amazon.
Before continuing I must visit the YouTube. The next was made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, fig tree, Anark, Red Glasgow, Keffals, NFKRZ, Media is Fay, LuckyBlackCat, Keffals, Smack the Pony, Leeja Miller, 2 Cellos, Reese Waters, Anna from Ukraine, Book Leo, AllShorts, Welcome to Ukraine, LIbrary Ladder, OrangeRiver, Jed Herne, Tod Maffin, Karolina Zebrowska, Jake Broe, Katie Montgomerie, Joe Blogs, Bobbing Along, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Queen Penguin, Ukraine Calling, Kyiv Independent, Verilybitchie, Silicon Curtain, Yankee Farm Wife, Viva La Dirt League, Riverboat Jack, Physics Girl, Diem25, Mandy, ScaredKetchup, Kelly Loves Physics and History, Warthog Defence, Times Radio, France 24, Kazachka, Lily Alexandre, Tibees, LydLoves, Canadian Dominion, Sound of Music Flashmob, Truth to Power, Biz, FAFO, TLDR News EU, Raw News and Politics, The Shades of Orange, Cecilia Blomdahl, Leena Norms, Cruising Alba, Marsh Family, The Present Past, Squire, It's Black Friday, Abney Park, Tibees, CBC News, Discourse Minis, Rogue Hobbies, Ms Paints, Red Viburnam Song, The Dadvocate, CTV News, Amanda Rae, Gingers are Black, Fiona Hill, Haropones, ATP Geopolitics, Gingers are Black, The History of Everything, Kiko1006 -Secret Melody.
An idiot whilst attacking a trans female creator, complained to her that I list trans creators. It must be wonderful to be an arrogantly unselfaware US male. Warning then to idiots.
The channels which I list include older, archaeologist, lesbian, mathematician, artist, Swedish, cis, socialist, redhaired, writer, intersex, science historian, marine biologist, asexual, model painter, Kenyan, communist, trans, economist, chess player, WOC, bi, tall, Canadian, het, astrophysicist, married, singer, queer, military historian and other creators known as Women.
Nearly as threatening to the limited reference group are other channels with anarchist, Finnish, other LGBTQI+, philosopher, logician, linguist, ethnocynologist, musician, New Zealander, other BIPOC, hat historian, musician, ginger, neurodivergent, military board gamer, Scottish, chemist, zoologist, science fiction critic, boater and other creators by the sane labelled Human Beings.
If the voices persist, seek emergency pastoral counselling, develop a hobby (reading perhaps) or adopt Mahayana Buddhism. My feelings towards these dullards are summed in one word, Contempt. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more unto the page, dear friends. The worldbuilding as is usual in low end US science fiction lacking. The writer has no clear idea of what this universe is, how it functions and where the characters live. The first few pages seemed almost plausible but my forbearance was repaid in bad coin.
Science fiction involve technologies which define the limitations of combat or other interaction, character's choices, range of options in a given scene, the how and why of plot points and more. The science and engineering may be magical but must be consistent and hopefully logical.
The book's alien technology is of the "it can do everything" variety. One can only guess how the writer expected to illustrate plausible danger to the characters. Fortunately contrivance avoidance is not an issue in spacey-space boom-boom books. With that restriction lifted, the plot hole is soon to follow. The writer exercises that freedom with wild abandon.
As examples, a crew member suffers life threatening loss of a limb. After returning to the ship, nether it nor treatment is again mentioned. No environmental protection suits are required on any unexplored worlds. Ship systems able to transmute any material into the needed, can for no apparent reason locate feedstock in an entire solar system.
Worldbuilding extends beyond the engineering to encompass the societies in which characters live and/or from which any originate. The broad structure, economy, cross polity interaction, military policy, internal politics and the small touches which define cultural differences are essential.
The crew are a mix of species without need for a mix of environmental living spaces. The galaxy hopping explorers are five or six in a ship the approximate size of an outsized Widebeam Narrowboat from description. That ship with less internal space than the "Millennium Falcon" is fitted out with all resources, equipment and supplies to explore a galaxy.
The crew number less than the functions described in the book with no cross training. The stowaway from a barely space capable race assumes command. Being american is enough apparently.
There is vague mention of a home authority of some sort and the crew are descriptive cutouts of each species. The authority is described as having no Navy or other Military and the ship itself is unarmed. The purposes of the trip are several, unclear and contradictory. That is the extent of societal description.
There is another civilisation labelled the "baddies" for reasons unknown, which may or may not be at war with the extra-galactic protagonists.
The book could not pass muster with a sixth grader, as according to that reading level, my sample questions would also be asked and go unanswered. The book is a children's story, written below the sixth grade reading level, which I believe is 11 to 12 years old. Yet the rating from adult readers is 4+ stars?
Have earned a small YouTube break before continuing. This next was made possible by Doctor Who/Never fail to be Kind - Slyfer2812, NCMI, fig tree, Russian Media Monitor, Heather Cox Richardson, Page Perspective, Sailing Melody, Ship Happens, Crow Caller, Jean's Thoughts, Ben and Emily, Geo Girl, Up and Atom, Physics Girl, Tale Foundry, PoliticsGirl, Kyiv Post, Ahsoka Hyrule, The Kavernacle, Russian Dude, Lynn Saga, LydLoves, Nikki Howard, Burd's Books, Michael Lambert, SK Media, Honest Government Ads, Kings and Generals, Snappy Dragon, Mercado Media, Abby Cox, Sarah Millican, Puddles Pity Party, Climate Town, The Dice Hour, Dungeons and Discourse,
Ukraine:The Latest, Whitney Avalon, Julie Nolke, Natasha's Adventures, Not the Andrew Marr Show, Paola Hermosin, Spacedock, The Dungeon Dad, IzzzYzzz, Chloe Daniels, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Cruising Alba, Philosophy Tube, Terrible Writing Advice, Gemma Dyer, Riverboat Jack, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Canada Pressroom, Break N Remake, Eileen, Jabzy, Kanal 13, Northern Narrowboaters, Shannon Makes, Cruising the Cut, Roomies Digest, Installation 00, Weirdo Book Club, Real Time History, GhostTime History, Tank Museum, The Octupus Lady, Gutsick Gibbon, ScaredKetchup, Verilybitchie, DArk Side of Russia, Little Wars TV, Tiktok Board Games, Chanse Hungerford, Matriarchetype, Outlaw Bookseller.
I had lost most of my interest in recent science fiction print after using Amazon's loans. I accidentally discovered YouTube about four years ago and was stunned by the choice of channels. The special interest channels were a welcome surprise but the book tube were the best. 😍 The book channels cover the entire world of books from book hauls through library organization to book reviews. The communities these creators foster are friendly, thoughtful and excited by the entirety of the bookish world. I promise that they are a different environment to that of Goodreads.
Consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not do discourse. As example, I wrote a short review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to what would now be called the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero.
The story is that of a heroic twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he need not pay inheritance tax. The Amazon blurb likened it to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" (it has since been changed) but is actually a sad imitation of "Atlas Shrugged" set on Luna.
The writer, a Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without portfolio?) and vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery (very popular US stance which is supported by legislative and policy efforts of both political Parties), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and supporter of Putin (another popular stance among the MAGA and in the White House).
My communist opinion was that the theme while popular in current US science fiction, especially Amazon Unlimited, was dangerous and unhealthy. The Corcoran and six fellow patriots spent almost a year and pages of comments demanding that I engage with them.
Their comments ranged from slavery being a social good (which narrative is mandated even at University level in Texas, Florida and many other US states) through historical analysis which would embarrass a Reform candidate, my evil socialist proselytizing and my questionable intelligence. Oddly none directed me to the sublime nuance, excellent prose or other award worthy (Claes Rees Jr) elements of that bin-worthy waste of ink.
I do object to their comparing my former anemic pushback against that and other drivel being offered as "free" loan titles, to an active campaign against the anti-human being promoted by Amazon and other US publishers. Yes Travis, Amazon is a major ebook publisher. My rewrites are an attempt to correct my previous detached, semi-indifferent ramblings. As for intelligence, my siblings would sadly and rightly concur with The Corcoran. Heavy sigh.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr who after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, wrote that They had "won" (?).
I found that They had launched a year long deluge of vile sexual, anti-LGBTQI, racist and other comments against apparently every female creator of channels I mentioned (sometimes in my name), which continues in muted form still.
The midteen boater and her mother, historian, sewist, the splendid couple restoring a historic wooden boat and the many other female creators were neither impressed nor charmed. The world's overabundance of unpleasantness was certainly increased and They did deliver an accurate self-portrait of the Snowflake (vicious, poorly educated, "middle class" US man-child) to a multinational audience, which seem a Victory ?? Goodreads discourse, Yay ??
Fortunately there are BookTubers to direct you to a number of alternative, superior reader forums.
Another pause required. This last made possible by Channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly -The Who Editor, Ponderful, Stevie Emerson, Mia Mulder, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Radio Retrofuture, Cindy's Villa, Barging Through, Emma Thorne, Tom Nicholas, Mercado Media, Books and Things, Delamer, Red Dawn, Mandy, Owen Jones, May, Nope Brigade, FAFO, Cover in French, EU Made Simple, Lily Simpson, CultCollege, Allie_202, D'Angelo, Zilla Blitz, The Dice Treasures, Geek and Sundry, Aid Thompsin, No Justice, Quackalope, The Discriminating Gamer, Leeanne Morgan, Hej Sokoly, Roisin's Reading, Reads With Cindy, Jess Owens, WokeGardener, Whitenoiz CA, Munecat, HIstory with Kayleigh, Squire, Tiktok Board Games, Legendary Tactics, Joe Scott, Engineering Knits, V. Birchwood, Planet D, MechWest Show, Double Down News, ATP Geopolitics, Shitty Book Club, Jay Reed, RevolutionarythOt, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, Read Rant Review, Unlearning Economics, TransCrush, Bobbing Along, Cruising Crafts, Think Ukraine, Grace McGuire, Bernadette Banner, BardCore, Jill Bearup.
Ominous music begins. 😊 I endured comment clouds from 3 months or so into my Goodreads adventure and survived several years of them after. The reactions directed at myself were crude and some threatening (as only cowards can be) but the grossest which I saw were always directed at women in the science fiction space.
The comment gangs in both speculative fiction and romance have moved beyond the ugly comment storms. With no Amazon intervention, Their activity included doxxing, stalking, threats and given the new US norm, I suspect may soon move to the swatting.
No members were disciplined, no writers who sometimes lead them punished and no employees dismissed or criminally charged.
My own most extreme experience on the site involved the sharing of my very limited message history with these animals. After the Powers review, Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal history failed, though two outraged customers were created.
Amazon were unconcerned until we broadcast our outrage as widely as possible. No apology was offered, no recognition of the violation of customer privacy and certainly not the criminality. Their response was the sudden removal of all visible harassment from my pages. Page format and options restored, lurkers not previously Allowed to be removed were disappeared, etc. One might wonder whether Amazon customer service protocols were in need of replacement. 🤔
I have several simple safety suggestions. Remove all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurkers, those friends who do not post. They are certain to be monitors for gangs or dummies created by deranged employees, not admirers. Given the cavalier attitude of Amazon towards customer safety, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. These should suffice for Goodreads.
Kindle however are a far more serious threat. Do not use Kindle Calendar, Email, Contacts or Files. I confirmed that Emails are read by Amazon with neither permission nor notice. Make of that what you will. Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books, as you own only your device. Downloads may be altered or deleted at whim. Fortunately there are BookTubers to suggest safer, more customer friendly ebook and device sellers, as well as alternatives to ebook purchases.
All Silk searches should of course, be innocuous and non-critical. Use of a single use email address for all things Amazon is hardly overkill.
Despite any seeming immunity, your status tests on the whims of unstable individuals. To implement the above will cost nothing but to not might well do. Remember that these mental man-children, employees and members alike embrace no non-Randian morality but are freedom loving US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, Narrowboat Pirate, No Justice, Tom Nicholas, Some More News, Tara Mooknee, In the Woodyard, Double Down News, Munecat, The Juice Media, Chloe Stafler, Kathy's Flog in France, Kings and Generals, The Mindful Narrowboat, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Wizards and Warriors, Brandon Fisichella, NFKRZ, Atun Shei Films, Tibees, Karolina Zebrowska, Rebecca Watson, Raw News and Politics, What Vivi did next, Sciencephile The AI, Ember Green, Blooms and Greens by Chloe, Politics Joe, Templin Institute, Physics Girl, Red letter Media, Dominic Noble, The Great War, Vlad Vexler, Tank Museum, Chill Goblin, Sabine Hossenfelder, Tulia, Bookpilled, Belinda Carr, Abby Cox, Prime of Midlife, Duck bricks, Esoterica, Maiorianus, Then & Now, Owen Jones, Kazachka, Gresham College, All Shorts, Fit 2B Read, Rowan J Coleman, Pentatonix, Autumn's Boutique, The Shades of Orange, Sort of Interesting, Ben and Emily, Hej Sokoly, Cruising Alba, Boat Time, Mrs Betty Bowers, Travelling K, Chris Animations, Spacedock, Hello Future Me, Resurrected Starships, Jack in the Books, The Researcher, Omeleto, Lilly's life, GateWorld, Steve Shives, Lily Simpson, Amie's Literary Empire, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, The Historian's Craft, Eugenia from Ukraine, Half as Interesting, Dr Becky, Ana Psychology, Luciana Zogbi, A Day of Small Things, Lady of the Library, Cruising the Cut, Vanwives, Historia Civilis, With Olivia, I'm Rosa, ConeOfArc, Nomadic Crobot, Bobbing Along, Engineering with Rosie, The Leftist Cooks, The Present Past, SciFi Odyssey, Ancient Americas, The Welsh Viking, Jack Edwards, Lady knight the Brave, Renegade Cut, Jessie Gender, Lindsay Stirling, Lady of the Library, RobWords, Alice Cappelle, Alizee, DW News, Perun, A Life of Lit, Told in Stone, Reads with Rachel, Mike's Book Reviews, Venom Geek Media, Austin McConnell, DUST, Squire, The Science of Science Fiction, Jean's Thoughts, Lindsay Ellis, Marx Engels Lenin Institute, Guard the Leaf.
I wish you a sunny morning, a breezy afternoon, a wonderful evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.
Purpose is the driver of both stories and lives.
Paraphrasing Mia Mulder
These rewrites are a chore but if one reader benefits, I feel that it was worth the effort. This new format is clearer.
I had maintained a level of courtesy in my responses to ugly comments over several years. I ignored Richard Todaro until the comments to my review of Powers of the Earth taught me how to respond to the US ass. His comment among many others have been deleted, restored, then deleted again, how very Amazon.
Before continuing I must visit the YouTube. The next was made possible by Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, NCMI, fig tree, Anark, Red Glasgow, Keffals, NFKRZ, Media is Fay, LuckyBlackCat, Keffals, Smack the Pony, Leeja Miller, 2 Cellos, Reese Waters, Anna from Ukraine, Book Leo, AllShorts, Welcome to Ukraine, LIbrary Ladder, OrangeRiver, Jed Herne, Tod Maffin, Karolina Zebrowska, Jake Broe, Katie Montgomerie, Joe Blogs, Bobbing Along, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Queen Penguin, Ukraine Calling, Kyiv Independent, Verilybitchie, Silicon Curtain, Yankee Farm Wife, Viva La Dirt League, Riverboat Jack, Physics Girl, Diem25, Mandy, ScaredKetchup, Kelly Loves Physics and History, Warthog Defence, Times Radio, France 24, Kazachka, Lily Alexandre, Tibees, LydLoves, Canadian Dominion, Sound of Music Flashmob, Truth to Power, Biz, FAFO, TLDR News EU, Raw News and Politics, The Shades of Orange, Cecilia Blomdahl, Leena Norms, Cruising Alba, Marsh Family, The Present Past, Squire, It's Black Friday, Abney Park, Tibees, CBC News, Discourse Minis, Rogue Hobbies, Ms Paints, Red Viburnam Song, The Dadvocate, CTV News, Amanda Rae, Gingers are Black, Fiona Hill, Haropones, ATP Geopolitics, Gingers are Black, The History of Everything, Kiko1006 -Secret Melody.
An idiot whilst attacking a trans female creator, complained to her that I list trans creators. It must be wonderful to be an arrogantly unselfaware US male. Warning then to idiots.
The channels which I list include older, archaeologist, lesbian, mathematician, artist, Swedish, cis, socialist, redhaired, writer, intersex, science historian, marine biologist, asexual, model painter, Kenyan, communist, trans, economist, chess player, WOC, bi, tall, Canadian, het, astrophysicist, married, singer, queer, military historian and other creators known as Women.
Nearly as threatening to the limited reference group are other channels with anarchist, Finnish, other LGBTQI+, philosopher, logician, linguist, ethnocynologist, musician, New Zealander, other BIPOC, hat historian, musician, ginger, neurodivergent, military board gamer, Scottish, chemist, zoologist, science fiction critic, boater and other creators by the sane labelled Human Beings.
If the voices persist, seek emergency pastoral counselling, develop a hobby (reading perhaps) or adopt Mahayana Buddhism. My feelings towards these dullards are summed in one word, Contempt. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more unto the page, dear friends. The worldbuilding as is usual in low end US science fiction lacking. The writer has no clear idea of what this universe is, how it functions and where the characters live. The first few pages seemed almost plausible but my forbearance was repaid in bad coin.
Science fiction involve technologies which define the limitations of combat or other interaction, character's choices, range of options in a given scene, the how and why of plot points and more. The science and engineering may be magical but must be consistent and hopefully logical.
The book's alien technology is of the "it can do everything" variety. One can only guess how the writer expected to illustrate plausible danger to the characters. Fortunately contrivance avoidance is not an issue in spacey-space boom-boom books. With that restriction lifted, the plot hole is soon to follow. The writer exercises that freedom with wild abandon.
As examples, a crew member suffers life threatening loss of a limb. After returning to the ship, nether it nor treatment is again mentioned. No environmental protection suits are required on any unexplored worlds. Ship systems able to transmute any material into the needed, can for no apparent reason locate feedstock in an entire solar system.
Worldbuilding extends beyond the engineering to encompass the societies in which characters live and/or from which any originate. The broad structure, economy, cross polity interaction, military policy, internal politics and the small touches which define cultural differences are essential.
The crew are a mix of species without need for a mix of environmental living spaces. The galaxy hopping explorers are five or six in a ship the approximate size of an outsized Widebeam Narrowboat from description. That ship with less internal space than the "Millennium Falcon" is fitted out with all resources, equipment and supplies to explore a galaxy.
The crew number less than the functions described in the book with no cross training. The stowaway from a barely space capable race assumes command. Being american is enough apparently.
There is vague mention of a home authority of some sort and the crew are descriptive cutouts of each species. The authority is described as having no Navy or other Military and the ship itself is unarmed. The purposes of the trip are several, unclear and contradictory. That is the extent of societal description.
There is another civilisation labelled the "baddies" for reasons unknown, which may or may not be at war with the extra-galactic protagonists.
The book could not pass muster with a sixth grader, as according to that reading level, my sample questions would also be asked and go unanswered. The book is a children's story, written below the sixth grade reading level, which I believe is 11 to 12 years old. Yet the rating from adult readers is 4+ stars?
Have earned a small YouTube break before continuing. This next was made possible by Doctor Who/Never fail to be Kind - Slyfer2812, NCMI, fig tree, Russian Media Monitor, Heather Cox Richardson, Page Perspective, Sailing Melody, Ship Happens, Crow Caller, Jean's Thoughts, Ben and Emily, Geo Girl, Up and Atom, Physics Girl, Tale Foundry, PoliticsGirl, Kyiv Post, Ahsoka Hyrule, The Kavernacle, Russian Dude, Lynn Saga, LydLoves, Nikki Howard, Burd's Books, Michael Lambert, SK Media, Honest Government Ads, Kings and Generals, Snappy Dragon, Mercado Media, Abby Cox, Sarah Millican, Puddles Pity Party, Climate Town, The Dice Hour, Dungeons and Discourse,
Ukraine:The Latest, Whitney Avalon, Julie Nolke, Natasha's Adventures, Not the Andrew Marr Show, Paola Hermosin, Spacedock, The Dungeon Dad, IzzzYzzz, Chloe Daniels, Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Cruising Alba, Philosophy Tube, Terrible Writing Advice, Gemma Dyer, Riverboat Jack, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Canada Pressroom, Break N Remake, Eileen, Jabzy, Kanal 13, Northern Narrowboaters, Shannon Makes, Cruising the Cut, Roomies Digest, Installation 00, Weirdo Book Club, Real Time History, GhostTime History, Tank Museum, The Octupus Lady, Gutsick Gibbon, ScaredKetchup, Verilybitchie, DArk Side of Russia, Little Wars TV, Tiktok Board Games, Chanse Hungerford, Matriarchetype, Outlaw Bookseller.
I had lost most of my interest in recent science fiction print after using Amazon's loans. I accidentally discovered YouTube about four years ago and was stunned by the choice of channels. The special interest channels were a welcome surprise but the book tube were the best. 😍 The book channels cover the entire world of books from book hauls through library organization to book reviews. The communities these creators foster are friendly, thoughtful and excited by the entirety of the bookish world. I promise that they are a different environment to that of Goodreads.
Consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not do discourse. As example, I wrote a short review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to what would now be called the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero.
The story is that of a heroic twat enlisting the military to overthrow the US government in order that he need not pay inheritance tax. The Amazon blurb likened it to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" (it has since been changed) but is actually a sad imitation of "Atlas Shrugged" set on Luna.
The writer, a Travis Corcoran self-described as libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without portfolio?) and vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery (very popular US stance which is supported by legislative and policy efforts of both political Parties), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and supporter of Putin (another popular stance among the MAGA and in the White House).
My communist opinion was that the theme while popular in current US science fiction, especially Amazon Unlimited, was dangerous and unhealthy. The Corcoran and six fellow patriots spent almost a year and pages of comments demanding that I engage with them.
Their comments ranged from slavery being a social good (which narrative is mandated even at University level in Texas, Florida and many other US states) through historical analysis which would embarrass a Reform candidate, my evil socialist proselytizing and my questionable intelligence. Oddly none directed me to the sublime nuance, excellent prose or other award worthy (Claes Rees Jr) elements of that bin-worthy waste of ink.
I do object to their comparing my former anemic pushback against that and other drivel being offered as "free" loan titles, to an active campaign against the anti-human being promoted by Amazon and other US publishers. Yes Travis, Amazon is a major ebook publisher. My rewrites are an attempt to correct my previous detached, semi-indifferent ramblings. As for intelligence, my siblings would sadly and rightly concur with The Corcoran. Heavy sigh.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr who after referencing the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend, wrote that They had "won" (?).
I found that They had launched a year long deluge of vile sexual, anti-LGBTQI, racist and other comments against apparently every female creator of channels I mentioned (sometimes in my name), which continues in muted form still.
The midteen boater and her mother, historian, sewist, the splendid couple restoring a historic wooden boat and the many other female creators were neither impressed nor charmed. The world's overabundance of unpleasantness was certainly increased and They did deliver an accurate self-portrait of the Snowflake (vicious, poorly educated, "middle class" US man-child) to a multinational audience, which seem a Victory ?? Goodreads discourse, Yay ??
Fortunately there are BookTubers to direct you to a number of alternative, superior reader forums.
Another pause required. This last made possible by Channels - Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly -The Who Editor, Ponderful, Stevie Emerson, Mia Mulder, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Radio Retrofuture, Cindy's Villa, Barging Through, Emma Thorne, Tom Nicholas, Mercado Media, Books and Things, Delamer, Red Dawn, Mandy, Owen Jones, May, Nope Brigade, FAFO, Cover in French, EU Made Simple, Lily Simpson, CultCollege, Allie_202, D'Angelo, Zilla Blitz, The Dice Treasures, Geek and Sundry, Aid Thompsin, No Justice, Quackalope, The Discriminating Gamer, Leeanne Morgan, Hej Sokoly, Roisin's Reading, Reads With Cindy, Jess Owens, WokeGardener, Whitenoiz CA, Munecat, HIstory with Kayleigh, Squire, Tiktok Board Games, Legendary Tactics, Joe Scott, Engineering Knits, V. Birchwood, Planet D, MechWest Show, Double Down News, ATP Geopolitics, Shitty Book Club, Jay Reed, RevolutionarythOt, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, Read Rant Review, Unlearning Economics, TransCrush, Bobbing Along, Cruising Crafts, Think Ukraine, Grace McGuire, Bernadette Banner, BardCore, Jill Bearup.
Ominous music begins. 😊 I endured comment clouds from 3 months or so into my Goodreads adventure and survived several years of them after. The reactions directed at myself were crude and some threatening (as only cowards can be) but the grossest which I saw were always directed at women in the science fiction space.
The comment gangs in both speculative fiction and romance have moved beyond the ugly comment storms. With no Amazon intervention, Their activity included doxxing, stalking, threats and given the new US norm, I suspect may soon move to the swatting.
No members were disciplined, no writers who sometimes lead them punished and no employees dismissed or criminally charged.
My own most extreme experience on the site involved the sharing of my very limited message history with these animals. After the Powers review, Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal history failed, though two outraged customers were created.
Amazon were unconcerned until we broadcast our outrage as widely as possible. No apology was offered, no recognition of the violation of customer privacy and certainly not the criminality. Their response was the sudden removal of all visible harassment from my pages. Page format and options restored, lurkers not previously Allowed to be removed were disappeared, etc. One might wonder whether Amazon customer service protocols were in need of replacement. 🤔
I have several simple safety suggestions. Remove all personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid messaging. Remove the lurkers, those friends who do not post. They are certain to be monitors for gangs or dummies created by deranged employees, not admirers. Given the cavalier attitude of Amazon towards customer safety, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. These should suffice for Goodreads.
Kindle however are a far more serious threat. Do not use Kindle Calendar, Email, Contacts or Files. I confirmed that Emails are read by Amazon with neither permission nor notice. Make of that what you will. Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books, as you own only your device. Downloads may be altered or deleted at whim. Fortunately there are BookTubers to suggest safer, more customer friendly ebook and device sellers, as well as alternatives to ebook purchases.
All Silk searches should of course, be innocuous and non-critical. Use of a single use email address for all things Amazon is hardly overkill.
Despite any seeming immunity, your status tests on the whims of unstable individuals. To implement the above will cost nothing but to not might well do. Remember that these mental man-children, employees and members alike embrace no non-Randian morality but are freedom loving US patriots. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
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I wish you a sunny morning, a breezy afternoon, a wonderful evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.
Purpose is the driver of both stories and lives.
Paraphrasing Mia Mulder
March 22, 2021
After a few chapters I was beginning to think this might be an interesting book, then came the nanites. This went too far, was the author trying to turn into a ‘backdoor’ superhero novel? After half-a-dozen chapters the book seemed to be about how big were Zade’s mods and little else.
As the story progressed I began to find the ‘Universe and Technology’ were fairly shaky, I wasn’t really convinced about any of it, at times it was more Fantasy than SciFi.
Perhaps if I had been in the mood for some 'comic book' SciFi I might have kept going, but I'm afraid this just wasn't for me.
As the story progressed I began to find the ‘Universe and Technology’ were fairly shaky, I wasn’t really convinced about any of it, at times it was more Fantasy than SciFi.
Perhaps if I had been in the mood for some 'comic book' SciFi I might have kept going, but I'm afraid this just wasn't for me.
December 3, 2020
Could not read. So many typos and missing words
I tried to read this story, it seemed to have promise however the sheer number of mistakes was unforgivable in an age of computer editing, did no one proof this book before selling it! It was like a reddit post crossed with a Wikipedia rant. Wish I could get my money back.
I tried to read this story, it seemed to have promise however the sheer number of mistakes was unforgivable in an age of computer editing, did no one proof this book before selling it! It was like a reddit post crossed with a Wikipedia rant. Wish I could get my money back.
January 9, 2020
This book and author saddens me
It truly makes me sad that a man can join the army, come out with an engineering degree and a commission in the U.S. armed forces and still have the writing level of a middle schooler.
It truly makes me sad that a man can join the army, come out with an engineering degree and a commission in the U.S. armed forces and still have the writing level of a middle schooler.
September 9, 2020
Exhausting
A good concept with exhausting descriptions that can last pages long before minimal dialog makes what could have been an entertaing tale instead a dismal read. It was a drag to read and finally found myself looking for quotation marks indicating verbals exchanges between characters.
A good concept with exhausting descriptions that can last pages long before minimal dialog makes what could have been an entertaing tale instead a dismal read. It was a drag to read and finally found myself looking for quotation marks indicating verbals exchanges between characters.
November 27, 2020
I think Mr Dean read "Glory Road" and thought he could do that. Sadly he isn't Robert Heinlein, and he can't.
April 21, 2022
A few egregious grammar issues ('breakdown' is a noun; 'break down' is the verb) I could deal with. Too much bad science. Aliens just humans in different skins. I made it half way before giving up.
July 3, 2022
completely unbelievable. I stopped after 60 pages
September 26, 2020
Decent story marred by clumsy writing
This is a military power fantasy in the shape of a science fiction book. And there's nothing at all wrong with that, as long as you know what you're getting into. The story was alright, overall, and an enjoyable, fast-paced read, with all the usual Clancy/Ringo military tropes you want in this kind of thing, mixed with some he-man scifi. I would have given it 3 stars, but the writing was poor-to-average. The very few, very minor technical mistakes weren't too bad, but the style was clearly "new author honing his craft" and while I expect later books will be gradually better as Dean finds his voice, this one could have benefited from an editor to chop unnecessary things off of sentences and do some rewrites. It's not a bad book, but it's not a good one either. If I could give 2.5 stars, I would.
This is a military power fantasy in the shape of a science fiction book. And there's nothing at all wrong with that, as long as you know what you're getting into. The story was alright, overall, and an enjoyable, fast-paced read, with all the usual Clancy/Ringo military tropes you want in this kind of thing, mixed with some he-man scifi. I would have given it 3 stars, but the writing was poor-to-average. The very few, very minor technical mistakes weren't too bad, but the style was clearly "new author honing his craft" and while I expect later books will be gradually better as Dean finds his voice, this one could have benefited from an editor to chop unnecessary things off of sentences and do some rewrites. It's not a bad book, but it's not a good one either. If I could give 2.5 stars, I would.
December 22, 2019
Story is great. Grammar is atrocious.
Dawn: The period of time just before sunrise, or just as something is happening. Or as a verb to indicate the same. The sun dawns in the morning.
Don: among other things, to put things on.
This author repeatedly uses the word dawn instead of don, and it is driving me insane.
Dawn: The period of time just before sunrise, or just as something is happening. Or as a verb to indicate the same. The sun dawns in the morning.
Don: among other things, to put things on.
This author repeatedly uses the word dawn instead of don, and it is driving me insane.
August 24, 2020
Basic HFY trope
This story is too short and boring to be worth the purchase. Use the money to buy something better.
There is no character development or any real explanation for why the characters make the choices they make

This story is too short and boring to be worth the purchase. Use the money to buy something better.
There is no character development or any real explanation for why the characters make the choices they make

September 23, 2020
Chapter 12 and I'm done with this. It started out GREAT! Stayed real good till about chapter 10, then started going down hill... fast. Meeting Sam's father after he all but kills Z and then says "Oh, I'm sorry" and all is fine.... killed the book for me.
February 10, 2020
Illogical
Poorly written with many incosistency's which might have been fixed with some decent editing especially if done during the writing.
Poorly written with many incosistency's which might have been fixed with some decent editing especially if done during the writing.
September 21, 2020
Struggling to continue through this novel. I'll give it one more go before I post an actual review.
October 8, 2022
Glad that I was listening to this book instead of trying to read it. On the plus side it had a few interesting moments. A few contradictions and plot holes but that’s just par for the course with new sci-fi stories. Nothing truly great about the book but nothing too dislikable about it either. The story was okay, no real character growth but for the type of story this is, it wasn’t expected. The book was sufficiently described and nicely read.
I got it from the Audible plus store for free. An okay listening experience designed for a sequel.
3 stars.
I got it from the Audible plus store for free. An okay listening experience designed for a sequel.
3 stars.
October 7, 2022
I was able to complete books 1 & 2, but just barely. The author relies on stupidity to tell his tale. Most obvious are the lengths the author goes to to lose navigational data so the MC can't be immediately returned to earth. This is ridiculous in the extreme as it results in highly advanced aliens being less competent with computers than earth. By the time humans are interstellar travelers we will have galactic maps in our AV glasses or some such. Alternatively the author could have just had the MC choose to take advantage of a once in a life time opportunity.
The MC ends up joining the crew of the spaceship. Shortly thereafter a glitch in the highly advanced spaceship results in the AI using an extremely convoluted plan to kill the MC by stranding him on a backwards planet. Fortunately the captain of the ship turns the computer off and on again, fixing the problem and allowing for the rescue of the MC from amazingly stupid locals, locals who were only chasing the MC because the other crew member with him had done something incredibly stupid.
Are you getting the feeling yet that the author only uses stupidity to move his story forward? If so, go with it. It is basically accurate.
After the AI fiasco the ship returns to “the Unity” which is essentially an interstellar empire run by its wealthy elite with democratic window dressings. The Unity leader, the Chancellor, has the MC imprisoned and tortured. Why? Essentially because Chancellor is crazy, after all, Chancellor concludes MC is a spy contrary to all available evidence. Even if MC was a spy a remotely intelligent person would have MC watched, not break the law to get a cheap thrill by personally participating in the MC's torture. Is the MC rescued by stalwart companions or his own ingenuity? No. He is rescued because Chancellor is too stupid to post guards or lock doors so Chancellor’s daughter walks in on the torture when she comes to call Chancellor to diner.
Chancellor then attempts to kill MC in the stupidest possible way. Chancellor gives MC a decrepit ancient alien (Groz) ship. A couple of centuries ago the Groz fought the Unity and lost to the Unity’s numbers in spite of the Groz’s advanced tech. The Groz are now believed extinct. In an insane turn of events, the Groz ship is so advanced it was able to hide this fact from Unity scientist for decades. The Groz ship, however, immediately reveals itself to the MC (end book 1).
In book 2 MC takes his magic Groz ship (and it really is a magic ship for all intents), and heads in the general direction of earth because the author ignores the fact that the necessary information to find earth should be readily available on the Unity home world. MC names his ship Ananna. MC and Ananna plan to scavenge more Groz technology on the way to earth. However they become involved in fighting piracy in the first system with a Groz wreck. The pirates are preying on local miners but, as the large corporations running the mining are themselves pirates, difficulties ensue including some really dumb stuff and a twist which can be seen from a mile off but I still won’t reveal it here.
MC & co. resolve the piracy/corporate greed problem and continue on their way to earth via Groz salvage sites. I realize I failed to give examples of stupidity in book 2 but, trust me, they are there.
Bottom line: Only worth the read if you have a high tolerance for stupidity.
The MC ends up joining the crew of the spaceship. Shortly thereafter a glitch in the highly advanced spaceship results in the AI using an extremely convoluted plan to kill the MC by stranding him on a backwards planet. Fortunately the captain of the ship turns the computer off and on again, fixing the problem and allowing for the rescue of the MC from amazingly stupid locals, locals who were only chasing the MC because the other crew member with him had done something incredibly stupid.
Are you getting the feeling yet that the author only uses stupidity to move his story forward? If so, go with it. It is basically accurate.
After the AI fiasco the ship returns to “the Unity” which is essentially an interstellar empire run by its wealthy elite with democratic window dressings. The Unity leader, the Chancellor, has the MC imprisoned and tortured. Why? Essentially because Chancellor is crazy, after all, Chancellor concludes MC is a spy contrary to all available evidence. Even if MC was a spy a remotely intelligent person would have MC watched, not break the law to get a cheap thrill by personally participating in the MC's torture. Is the MC rescued by stalwart companions or his own ingenuity? No. He is rescued because Chancellor is too stupid to post guards or lock doors so Chancellor’s daughter walks in on the torture when she comes to call Chancellor to diner.
Chancellor then attempts to kill MC in the stupidest possible way. Chancellor gives MC a decrepit ancient alien (Groz) ship. A couple of centuries ago the Groz fought the Unity and lost to the Unity’s numbers in spite of the Groz’s advanced tech. The Groz are now believed extinct. In an insane turn of events, the Groz ship is so advanced it was able to hide this fact from Unity scientist for decades. The Groz ship, however, immediately reveals itself to the MC (end book 1).
In book 2 MC takes his magic Groz ship (and it really is a magic ship for all intents), and heads in the general direction of earth because the author ignores the fact that the necessary information to find earth should be readily available on the Unity home world. MC names his ship Ananna. MC and Ananna plan to scavenge more Groz technology on the way to earth. However they become involved in fighting piracy in the first system with a Groz wreck. The pirates are preying on local miners but, as the large corporations running the mining are themselves pirates, difficulties ensue including some really dumb stuff and a twist which can be seen from a mile off but I still won’t reveal it here.
MC & co. resolve the piracy/corporate greed problem and continue on their way to earth via Groz salvage sites. I realize I failed to give examples of stupidity in book 2 but, trust me, they are there.
Bottom line: Only worth the read if you have a high tolerance for stupidity.
February 11, 2020
Mr Lagree Walker
I enjoyed this all the twist and turns held me spelled bound. But you left me hanging the way it ended now I Gabe to wait for book 2 damn please it’s already written
I enjoyed this all the twist and turns held me spelled bound. But you left me hanging the way it ended now I Gabe to wait for book 2 damn please it’s already written
December 23, 2019
Very good 1st book in a series.
Seems as the science was ok. Also the background development of the different races was adequate. Am wondering how you will fill out the crew requirements of the ship. Possibly for the security-related forces finding operator's in the VA hospitals that are disabled that can be healed with the namites.I did enjoy this book really hope you continue the series.
Seems as the science was ok. Also the background development of the different races was adequate. Am wondering how you will fill out the crew requirements of the ship. Possibly for the security-related forces finding operator's in the VA hospitals that are disabled that can be healed with the namites.I did enjoy this book really hope you continue the series.
December 12, 2019
Could’ve been good
Interesting premise, and this book could’ve been pretty good. But spelling, punctuation errors, and lack of disciplined editing brings this down a couple of stars. It reads like a first draft. At least our hero isn’t some super spec ops guy like similar plot lines out there. This story is a good first attempt.
Interesting premise, and this book could’ve been pretty good. But spelling, punctuation errors, and lack of disciplined editing brings this down a couple of stars. It reads like a first draft. At least our hero isn’t some super spec ops guy like similar plot lines out there. This story is a good first attempt.
January 14, 2020
Someone to follow
This rookie writer will be someone to follow going forward. As he found his stride the book developed good rhythm. Yes ZD, you should write the sequel which you more than hinted at in the last chapter. Being a vet myself it is always a special treat to watch another vet succeed. Lock and load ZD!
This rookie writer will be someone to follow going forward. As he found his stride the book developed good rhythm. Yes ZD, you should write the sequel which you more than hinted at in the last chapter. Being a vet myself it is always a special treat to watch another vet succeed. Lock and load ZD!
January 19, 2020
Great book
I was initially put off by the cover art, but the reviews convinced me to give this book a try. I’m really pleased I did, the book was hard to put down. Pacing was good, I enjoyed the unfolding of events and history. Good twist there at the end. I’m really looking forward to part 2.
I was initially put off by the cover art, but the reviews convinced me to give this book a try. I’m really pleased I did, the book was hard to put down. Pacing was good, I enjoyed the unfolding of events and history. Good twist there at the end. I’m really looking forward to part 2.
January 23, 2020
Overall I enjoyed this tale of a current military vet becoming a stowaway on an alien science survey starship. Good main character in Lt. Zade and I liked the alien characters Samix and Porlux. The issues the guy deals with feel real and credible. And I want to read a sequel to this novel. That said, the negatives killed off a star in the rating. The author badly needs a good editor to catch missed periods, misspellings, poorly phrased "Zade said" segments and wrongly spelled locations in Afghanistan, like Bagram Air Base, which is not Bogram Air Base. The word 'Salerno' is also spelled two ways. Wrong word choice was also a bother--the use of 'dawning' instead of the correct 'donning' to indicate putting things onto oneself was common. And the location of Earth and the Unity space empire was made confusing by comments that made Unity sound like it was in another galaxy, when the action made it clear it was all happenig in the Milky Way galaxy. Problems with a lack of quote marks used around dialogue were also common. Overall the writing was decent if not accomplished. Good editing and some thought by the author on scene transitions would help. As would consistent use of third person limited POV for the hero guy. Recommended. Tom.
December 16, 2019
Loved the story
The characters are interesting with a believable background for each. The how they came to be on the explorer, their different missions and how they interact as a crew. I would be very interested in the next installment. My only reason for not giving the fifth star is the number of typographical errors, misspellings and a few inconsistencies in character names. The author should spend a little time on his dictionary of this series' names and functions. The editor assigned by the publisher should know the difference between donned clothing and "dawned clothing". I don't know why anyone would not see that particular mistaken use. But it is in the book, more than once.
The characters are interesting with a believable background for each. The how they came to be on the explorer, their different missions and how they interact as a crew. I would be very interested in the next installment. My only reason for not giving the fifth star is the number of typographical errors, misspellings and a few inconsistencies in character names. The author should spend a little time on his dictionary of this series' names and functions. The editor assigned by the publisher should know the difference between donned clothing and "dawned clothing". I don't know why anyone would not see that particular mistaken use. But it is in the book, more than once.
January 23, 2020
Good and Stereotypical Elements
This was a pretty good, if flawed story. Very little character building for any of the characters. An extremely amateurish writing style and grammar. Lots of grammar mistakes. Most of the time I read the entire book and don’t feel like I know or can relate to any of the characters at all. And did you really have to make the main character fall for the alien captain ? YAWN. UNORIGINAL. I almost stopped reading when he kissed her. The only thing that somewhat kept my interest is that the book gets better toward the end. Too many sci-fi stories overwhelm you with tedious details. This story is on the other side of the spectrum. More world building and descriptive narratives please !
This was a pretty good, if flawed story. Very little character building for any of the characters. An extremely amateurish writing style and grammar. Lots of grammar mistakes. Most of the time I read the entire book and don’t feel like I know or can relate to any of the characters at all. And did you really have to make the main character fall for the alien captain ? YAWN. UNORIGINAL. I almost stopped reading when he kissed her. The only thing that somewhat kept my interest is that the book gets better toward the end. Too many sci-fi stories overwhelm you with tedious details. This story is on the other side of the spectrum. More world building and descriptive narratives please !
November 14, 2020
While a fair story, not sure it is deserving of an overall 4 1/3 stars. A good deal of conversation and description, but not much action. The writing style is bland, and not terribly engaging. The lead character seems to have little emotional life. His reaction to his new life and inability to return home seems to be a yawn. And his ability to instantly utilize wildly advanced technology with barely a missed step is not very believable. Forming almost instant relationships with utterly alien people, including jokes, seems way too simplistic.
One MAJOR complaint! Is proofreading a defunct artform? Far too many mistaken hominyms, and terrble use of language.
Not sure that I would take up the next book in the series
One MAJOR complaint! Is proofreading a defunct artform? Far too many mistaken hominyms, and terrble use of language.
Not sure that I would take up the next book in the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2022
Review of Stowaway by Z.D. Dean
I liked this book because of the characters in it. The premise of the book being human meeting aliens from anotherters planet and his acceptance that his life has changed and he needs to find a way home to planet earth. His acceptance by the crew of the alien ship letting become a member of the crew and helping them on their mission to explore new worlds and collect samples of vegetation and soil and. The characters are believable and come across as real beings. I gave this book 5 stars because it deserves such a rating, although my review of the book doesn't deserves even 1 star. This is my first rating of a book ever. So please accept my stumbling attempt to review. Its a good book and series.
I liked this book because of the characters in it. The premise of the book being human meeting aliens from anotherters planet and his acceptance that his life has changed and he needs to find a way home to planet earth. His acceptance by the crew of the alien ship letting become a member of the crew and helping them on their mission to explore new worlds and collect samples of vegetation and soil and. The characters are believable and come across as real beings. I gave this book 5 stars because it deserves such a rating, although my review of the book doesn't deserves even 1 star. This is my first rating of a book ever. So please accept my stumbling attempt to review. Its a good book and series.
April 4, 2020
Challenging
I have read a lot of sci-fi books. Most are very similar to one another, in plot and character development. I can see how much thought you put into the concept of this series and the individual characters. You have made me really think and challenged my own thought process. I enjoyed your novel more with every turn of the page. You may not have been sure if you could write this. I can only say, that you should never have had any doubts. Incredible story and great characters. I would recommend this to any one with thoughts of the heavens and the universe around us. Thank you so much and I look forward to next in-line.
I have read a lot of sci-fi books. Most are very similar to one another, in plot and character development. I can see how much thought you put into the concept of this series and the individual characters. You have made me really think and challenged my own thought process. I enjoyed your novel more with every turn of the page. You may not have been sure if you could write this. I can only say, that you should never have had any doubts. Incredible story and great characters. I would recommend this to any one with thoughts of the heavens and the universe around us. Thank you so much and I look forward to next in-line.
June 19, 2020
Found this a very enjoyable read with good characters with interesting backgrounds. It has believable future technology with some loopholes. They manage to loose all information regarding Earth in an accident something needed for the plot progression, but hardly likely never heard of backups? This is one of few negatives I found, however more positives like a story based on exploration not war although there hints of a big bad in the background. The alien society portrayed seem as flawed as earth's despite it higher tech, with class, sex and racial differences apparent. End on something of a cliffhanger which has me looking forward to the next episode.
September 16, 2020
Enjoyed a good read
This book started off OK but was not outstanding. However as it went along I felt that the author was fairly new at the craft and was improving the more that was written. I completed reading within a day and will go on to read Book 2. I enjoyed the overall story and look forward to see where it goes. If this was a first Book then well done by the author. I often feel annoyed by others who comment bitterly about the quality of books, when they themselves have probably never written a single chapter. Try to write a book before you get too critical. This was a good read
This book started off OK but was not outstanding. However as it went along I felt that the author was fairly new at the craft and was improving the more that was written. I completed reading within a day and will go on to read Book 2. I enjoyed the overall story and look forward to see where it goes. If this was a first Book then well done by the author. I often feel annoyed by others who comment bitterly about the quality of books, when they themselves have probably never written a single chapter. Try to write a book before you get too critical. This was a good read
January 28, 2023
For a book about aliens, completely unrelated to earth and humans, all of the characters are not only very human, but very American. They are culturally the least alien beings to have ever been written. I kept trying to get past it but ultimately any of the fun concepts or interesting themes are thoroughly overshadowed by amature writing and simplistic story development.
To be fair, I read so far past when I wanted to stop, but ultimately can't bring myself to finish the book. All the same, I really can't imagine how this book is rated as highly on here as it is. Who knows, maybe it got a *ton* better in the second half, I just can't imagine how.
To be fair, I read so far past when I wanted to stop, but ultimately can't bring myself to finish the book. All the same, I really can't imagine how this book is rated as highly on here as it is. Who knows, maybe it got a *ton* better in the second half, I just can't imagine how.
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