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Queen's Avatar #1
Phoenix
They went to the stars in search of Earth-like planets. They found life. They had the perfect First Contact. They are even planning the first extra-solar colony. But do they really understand the world they came to conquer?
A fast-paced space exploration saga featuring a strong alien female protagonist. A story for the fans of “Avatar” and “The Host”, a story about love and war, but ultimately a story about friendship and trust
Two worlds are about to collide. And what seems to be strangely familiar may not be familiar at all.
Two hundred years from now, the exoplanet surveyor Endeavour arrives in the Kepler 452 system. Their mission is to map the site of the first human colony. Against all odds, they stumble instead across an alien civilisation triggering a first contact they aren’t ready for. Luckily the natives appear to be technologically in the Middle Ages and look completely unthreatening. Or so it seems ….
Appearances can be deceiving.
Aldeea is a Haillar frontier world at the edge of an ancient star-faring empire. A world where advanced field manipulation melds with astonishing psychical powers, creating something akin to magic. A world that is the frontline of a millennia-old war fought against a deceitful enemy. A world under siege.
Caught between two vastly superior enemies, Endeavour's crew have only one chance of survival. For this to happen, two humans and an alien queen need to learn how to trust each other. And in doing so, they will all end up reinventing themselves.
A fast-paced space exploration saga featuring a strong alien female protagonist. A story for the fans of “Avatar” and “The Host”, a story about love and war, but ultimately a story about friendship and trust
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
348 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2019
10 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 24, 2020
Interesting story of first contact. There is a long list of characters, and the book would benefit from a "cast of characters" list up front, as well as a glossary of terms for the Haillar.
December 20, 2021
The cover of the book was beautiful and the blurb seemed interesting, but the story kind of let me down. I was just bored.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
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July 28, 2022A synopsis of the book said, "They went to the stars in search of Earth-like planets. They found life. They had the perfect First Contact. They are even planning the first extra-solar colony. But do they really understand the world they came to conquer?..." When I started reading it, I found references to various Queens (and other people with titles or said to be members of "Houses") and it seemed like it might be a low-tech society. Some people were said to have "abilities" or "powers." It sounds like a medieval-ish society with magic or psychic powers. So, I looked for more info on the book. The Kirkus review said it was "mystic-tinged" and indicated it was women's romance. I also saw references to aliens kidnapping women. It didn't sound promising for my tastes, so I dropped it.
February 25, 2020
This is an interesting and engrossing novel. At first sight the use of eka seems to have a touch of fantasy to it, but I am reminded of that saying by Arthur C. Clarke ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ There are implicit rules and limitations that affect how eka can be used, and once these are understood this becomes a realistic ‘First Contact’ novel.
Technically, I liked the way the two main threads of the novel are woven together while being kept distinct. This is done by Ellandra's PoV being first-person present tense, while the Earthling PoV is third-person past tense. Some might find this discomforting, but it is well maintained throughout and I got used to it quickly enough. If there is a fault in this novel, it is that sometimes the language is just a little bit unconventional. Even so, it is much smoother than some of the 'classics' I had to read at school. Not serious enough to knock a point off the fifth star.
The alien race encountered is very much like humans, both physically and mentally, and this permits convincing characterisations within a credible plot. How humans meet a race that is very similar in so many ways but whose technology and societal structures are completely different provides the basis for a most enjoyable story. The understandable but mistaken assumptions and resulting false conclusions that both sides carry into this encounter are clearly drawn. The frustrations that arise on both sides are completely reasonable but almost end in disaster. In the end they are saved by one property that both sides have in common; a willingness to trust, even if as a last resort.
December 19, 2019
I really wanted to like this book, unfortunately the language was clunky, which pretty much immediately pulled me out of the story. Would have liked it much better with a more conventional writing style.
May 12, 2020
I love a good sci-fi and this book endeavored to take a new approach on space exploration and contacting a superior alien race. I was pleasantly surprised by the concept and the world building.
The premise of the book is alternated into two POVs: Ellandra's the current Queen of Chaos visiting a city on a Dominion planet and the human's of the incoming spaceship as they realize they're about to make contact with an alien species. The Haillar have 'magic' or eka as well as advanced technology, but to the humans they appear primitive and medieval. It's an interesting interaction where the writing portrays the cliche all american trying to stake his claim and the starry eyed scientists excited to learn more.
Among the species getting to know each other a threat looms on the horizon, preparing to attack the city; mind controlling and powerful Scrouge aliens.
I love the idea of avatars and the queens coming back as something different if they die or at the end of a cycle. It had a fresh, new feel to it in this book.
The book is pretty fast paced, delightfully unpredictable in some parts and has a good ending that does set up for a compelling series.
I liked how the humans noted that with the type of technology the aliens possess it lowers the pollution and creates a better quality of life, something Earth desperately needs.
Although I found the feudal system of the alien species confusing at first, the writer did a good job of touching on characters positions throughout the story frequently enough that I felt I could grasp an understanding of the world they're trying to build. I really hope the physical book will include a map of some sort! I think that will enrich the story. However, there was a "Haillar Timeline" and the Current Haillar Queens written into the end of the book and that was both interesting and helpful.
I really liked Ellandra's character, she felt strong and real and you can tell the writer put thought into her. Peter and the other 'humans' fell flat to me.
There was a large information dump at the beginning of the book, both about the alien race and the people on the space shuttle. It is a lot of names to try and remember and connect jobs and positions to. Like I said though, for the most part the writing touches back on the titles and positions of most characters. I encourage readers to take notes while reading this book.
The chapters are literally in different points of view, as in Ellandra's is in first person and then it switches to omniscient third person for 'Peter' even though there are many points of view breaches in Peter's chapters. I've never read a book that's done this before, and I admit it was confusing and awkward at first, but it seemed to work for this book.
Near the end of the book for some reason the dialogue changed and there were next to no descriptions or action tags of who was talking and it was just jumping all over the place from character to character and it felt like the reader had to figure out who was talking. It took away from the story a bit. I also found the writing inconsistent: it felt like the word 'the' was misunderstood. Sometimes it would be 'the visitors' or just 'visitors' and the same for many other words. I found it disconcerting.
I hope by the time this becomes published as a physical book or sold for money that the many grammar, punctuation and spelling errors get resolved. I was disappointed to see so many and the writing became so clunky, it sometimes felt like a different person was writing different chapters. A great story that needs some serious editing done.
I gave it 3 stars on goodread, but truthfully it's more of a 2.5/5 because I wasn't a fan of the writing style and lack of editing, but the story idea and concept is great and I see potential!
The premise of the book is alternated into two POVs: Ellandra's the current Queen of Chaos visiting a city on a Dominion planet and the human's of the incoming spaceship as they realize they're about to make contact with an alien species. The Haillar have 'magic' or eka as well as advanced technology, but to the humans they appear primitive and medieval. It's an interesting interaction where the writing portrays the cliche all american trying to stake his claim and the starry eyed scientists excited to learn more.
Among the species getting to know each other a threat looms on the horizon, preparing to attack the city; mind controlling and powerful Scrouge aliens.
I love the idea of avatars and the queens coming back as something different if they die or at the end of a cycle. It had a fresh, new feel to it in this book.
The book is pretty fast paced, delightfully unpredictable in some parts and has a good ending that does set up for a compelling series.
I liked how the humans noted that with the type of technology the aliens possess it lowers the pollution and creates a better quality of life, something Earth desperately needs.
Although I found the feudal system of the alien species confusing at first, the writer did a good job of touching on characters positions throughout the story frequently enough that I felt I could grasp an understanding of the world they're trying to build. I really hope the physical book will include a map of some sort! I think that will enrich the story. However, there was a "Haillar Timeline" and the Current Haillar Queens written into the end of the book and that was both interesting and helpful.
I really liked Ellandra's character, she felt strong and real and you can tell the writer put thought into her. Peter and the other 'humans' fell flat to me.
There was a large information dump at the beginning of the book, both about the alien race and the people on the space shuttle. It is a lot of names to try and remember and connect jobs and positions to. Like I said though, for the most part the writing touches back on the titles and positions of most characters. I encourage readers to take notes while reading this book.
The chapters are literally in different points of view, as in Ellandra's is in first person and then it switches to omniscient third person for 'Peter' even though there are many points of view breaches in Peter's chapters. I've never read a book that's done this before, and I admit it was confusing and awkward at first, but it seemed to work for this book.
Near the end of the book for some reason the dialogue changed and there were next to no descriptions or action tags of who was talking and it was just jumping all over the place from character to character and it felt like the reader had to figure out who was talking. It took away from the story a bit. I also found the writing inconsistent: it felt like the word 'the' was misunderstood. Sometimes it would be 'the visitors' or just 'visitors' and the same for many other words. I found it disconcerting.
I hope by the time this becomes published as a physical book or sold for money that the many grammar, punctuation and spelling errors get resolved. I was disappointed to see so many and the writing became so clunky, it sometimes felt like a different person was writing different chapters. A great story that needs some serious editing done.
I gave it 3 stars on goodread, but truthfully it's more of a 2.5/5 because I wasn't a fan of the writing style and lack of editing, but the story idea and concept is great and I see potential!
May 18, 2020
A new world, a new magic system, page-turning, great ending.
Awesome standalone book that will lead nicely into a series. Boy I hope the author has the next book ready to go ASAP. My first priority when reading is that I like to read well-written characters and these characters were, but in this story, my favourite part was the process of learning about the magic system. Edit: Book 2 Human is out and I’ve downloaded it to read after posting this review - can’t wait!
The story was written from both Peter, the human space explorer’s perspective and Ellandra, the Queen of Chaos’s perspective. I felt the change of perspective each chapter was written smoothly.
I didn’t want to put this book down but my eyes and tiredness betrayed me. I couldn’t wait to pick up the story the next morning and I wasn’t wrong because the ending was a well-written surprise.
I would recommend this book to those who like Stargate, although it did have a good amount of fantasy/magic - or is the magic just science we just don’t understand yet? Who knows?
Favourite Quotes: “Peter watched Liz. She seemed perplexed too. By now they were well into the rabbit hole and Ellandra was playing the Mad Hatter, switching places, talking riddles, pulling out trick after trick from her metaphorical hat. Showing up for tea with some treats.”
“Context was everything. We live our lives seeing what we expect to see.”
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author T.S. Alexander for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Awesome standalone book that will lead nicely into a series. Boy I hope the author has the next book ready to go ASAP. My first priority when reading is that I like to read well-written characters and these characters were, but in this story, my favourite part was the process of learning about the magic system. Edit: Book 2 Human is out and I’ve downloaded it to read after posting this review - can’t wait!
The story was written from both Peter, the human space explorer’s perspective and Ellandra, the Queen of Chaos’s perspective. I felt the change of perspective each chapter was written smoothly.
I didn’t want to put this book down but my eyes and tiredness betrayed me. I couldn’t wait to pick up the story the next morning and I wasn’t wrong because the ending was a well-written surprise.
I would recommend this book to those who like Stargate, although it did have a good amount of fantasy/magic - or is the magic just science we just don’t understand yet? Who knows?
Favourite Quotes: “Peter watched Liz. She seemed perplexed too. By now they were well into the rabbit hole and Ellandra was playing the Mad Hatter, switching places, talking riddles, pulling out trick after trick from her metaphorical hat. Showing up for tea with some treats.”
“Context was everything. We live our lives seeing what we expect to see.”
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author T.S. Alexander for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 16, 2019
Ellandra Sen’Dorien: Chaos Queen, always eager to help her people
Peter Jeffries: Misfit Astronaut, with an obscure qualification
Liz Hamilton: Wishful Fantasist, with dreams of universal unity
In a dystopian world, these characters discover that the only way to freedom is by changing themselves.
Wow! What a book! I don’t have much to say, to be honest. I was simply blown away by the sheer dramaticity and tension present from page 1.
Alexander delivers an interesting concept, executed exceptionally.
While the characters’ dialogue can occasionally appear scripted (such as with the therapist onboard the ship), this does not detract from the overall awesomeness of the novel at all! Alexander’s descriptive writing style allows for detailed insight into the characters’ lives, and the brilliant delivery of a unique concept grants this series/trilogy much promise!
Phoenix combines the perspectives of opposing sides in a vicious conquest for power, but also reveals that winning isn’t just about defeating the enemy.
It is a tale of bravery and freedom as three characters discover all is not as it appears to be.
Phoenix is a story of bravery and friendship, tradition and freedom, honour and sacrifice, power...and the ultimate victory.
Peter Jeffries: Misfit Astronaut, with an obscure qualification
Liz Hamilton: Wishful Fantasist, with dreams of universal unity
In a dystopian world, these characters discover that the only way to freedom is by changing themselves.
Wow! What a book! I don’t have much to say, to be honest. I was simply blown away by the sheer dramaticity and tension present from page 1.
Alexander delivers an interesting concept, executed exceptionally.
While the characters’ dialogue can occasionally appear scripted (such as with the therapist onboard the ship), this does not detract from the overall awesomeness of the novel at all! Alexander’s descriptive writing style allows for detailed insight into the characters’ lives, and the brilliant delivery of a unique concept grants this series/trilogy much promise!
Phoenix combines the perspectives of opposing sides in a vicious conquest for power, but also reveals that winning isn’t just about defeating the enemy.
It is a tale of bravery and freedom as three characters discover all is not as it appears to be.
Phoenix is a story of bravery and friendship, tradition and freedom, honour and sacrifice, power...and the ultimate victory.
April 12, 2020
The story is starting with a very good introduction of the characters and of the places where the events take place. The places description has sufficient details to allow the reader to immerse in the environment and become an invisible observer. After the introduction the story starts to unfold at a faster pace and the events are flowing in a very captivating manner over multiple plans. Rather than placing the action only on an extraterrestrial plan, the author has introduced a human first contact with an alien civilization and presented the interaction in a very interesting and realistic manner. The author is also using well documented elements of science and history.
The story has all ingredients of a best seller - originality, alert story, fights between alien civilizations with powerful weapons using advanced technologies and the power of human mind, a bit of romance and humor. The finish is surprising and intriguing (no spoiler!).
Overall, a great first novel of this new author!
The story has all ingredients of a best seller - originality, alert story, fights between alien civilizations with powerful weapons using advanced technologies and the power of human mind, a bit of romance and humor. The finish is surprising and intriguing (no spoiler!).
Overall, a great first novel of this new author!
May 14, 2020
This is a very action packed Sci-Fi adventure that I couldn't put down. I stayed up all night to read this and it was definitely worth the sleep deprivation.
Be forewarned this book has a staggering list of characters but give the book a chance it is worth it! I do admit I was a bit lost trying to remember who was who but after a few chapters I settled in and it became easier to keep up with as I engrossed myself in the story. This book hits a home-run with realistic world building and a believable story-line.. I don't want to ruin this for anyone but this story revolves around an alien race that on the surface appears to be very much like the humans but key differences in beliefs and thought processes are in play that cause conflict that could end in disaster if each race can't set aside their differences and trust each other.
I highly recommend this book it was an excellent read!!
I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an honest review.
#PHOENIX
#NetGalley
Be forewarned this book has a staggering list of characters but give the book a chance it is worth it! I do admit I was a bit lost trying to remember who was who but after a few chapters I settled in and it became easier to keep up with as I engrossed myself in the story. This book hits a home-run with realistic world building and a believable story-line.. I don't want to ruin this for anyone but this story revolves around an alien race that on the surface appears to be very much like the humans but key differences in beliefs and thought processes are in play that cause conflict that could end in disaster if each race can't set aside their differences and trust each other.
I highly recommend this book it was an excellent read!!
I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an honest review.
#PHOENIX
#NetGalley
June 17, 2020
I found another sci-fi/fantasy series to get hooked on and I raced read through this. Interesting concepts, plot and characters even if there are a lot of them (maybe there should be list of the humans and ekas) but it didn't detract from the story. Elandra, Queen of Chaos/Halliar with magical powers gives her narrative happening currently and the human narrative in 3rd person because they are primitive and less advanced on the Dominion; both are on a crash course to make contact and meet each other for the first and they oddly look alike. Each also have different thinking and beliefs, like that is going to work (haha). You have to read this to see what happens!
Yes some of the writing was a little tough and the character list was long but it is worth it and can.t wait to start reading book 2, Human right now!!
Yes some of the writing was a little tough and the character list was long but it is worth it and can.t wait to start reading book 2, Human right now!!
July 30, 2020
Seventy thousand years ago twelve Haillar women did something fighting in a war that somehow allowed them to survive like a Phoenix (ebook from BooksGoSocial) and regrow an avatar body after death. They become the twelve queens of the Dominion. Twenty thousand years ago the Scourge wars began with appearance of the slavers. A few centuries from now the exoplanet surveyor Endeavour arrives in the Kepler 452 system searching from worlds to colonize. The find Aldeea, a Haillar frontier world, and think they have found a mediaeval world because of the absence of radio. Unfortunately the world in on the edge of a Scourge attack. Fortunately the Queen of Chaos is visiting and she has a soft spot for aliens. T. S. Alexander starts a fun series. I’ve already bought Human (ebook) and am waiting eagerly for Flame (ebook) that will be out this summer.Review printed by Philadelphia Free Press
April 7, 2020
So much tension here! An action packed scifi adventure that I couldn't put down.
I have to admit that I'm a little too demanding when it comes to science fiction books, It is a genre a love and, because of that, I expect enthralling adventures with great world building, some tropes mixed with a unique storyline and fascinating characters. This book delivers in all these aspects.
At some times It was like reading the script of a scifi movie, and that is a big deal.
I have to admit that I'm a little too demanding when it comes to science fiction books, It is a genre a love and, because of that, I expect enthralling adventures with great world building, some tropes mixed with a unique storyline and fascinating characters. This book delivers in all these aspects.
At some times It was like reading the script of a scifi movie, and that is a big deal.
April 25, 2020
A sci- Di with lots of originality- initially bubbling over with characters which become well rounded and believable.
This book also turns on its head the “superior” human race ,(although the reactions of said human race are also believable and a little exasperating).
The plotting is good and the book complete on its own standing. However, I can see a, welcome, sequel coming on!
This book also turns on its head the “superior” human race ,(although the reactions of said human race are also believable and a little exasperating).
The plotting is good and the book complete on its own standing. However, I can see a, welcome, sequel coming on!
April 23, 2020
As impressive as it is ambitious!
June 1, 2020
Absolutely awesome story.
Highly recommend to all
Highly recommend to all
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews