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U-10
Koritt Diviak’s assignment was simple—travel to Earth and return with a human specimen, along with samples of their technology. After Koritt’s transport crashes in the desert of Afghanistan, Army Ranger Lieutenant Ty Lavender commandeers the ship, along with the U-10— the most ingenious technology in the galaxy focused into a weapon with multiple capabilities—and uses it to protect his team from local insurgents, who want retribution.
Things heat up when special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, determined to appropriate the alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency tasked with eliminating threats to national security. Thinking a breeding pair will be even more valuable to his home planet, despite the animosity between them, Koritt captures both Lavender and Frost, along with the U-10, and waits for help.
But rescue isn’t coming…and the humans are more intelligent, and resourceful, than Koritt anticipated. As the true purpose of Koritt’s mission comes to light, the battle begins. Under attack from all sides, hidden agendas emerge, and Koritt, Lavender, and Frost—all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory. Now they must work together if they—and the planet—are going to survive.
Things heat up when special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, determined to appropriate the alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency tasked with eliminating threats to national security. Thinking a breeding pair will be even more valuable to his home planet, despite the animosity between them, Koritt captures both Lavender and Frost, along with the U-10, and waits for help.
But rescue isn’t coming…and the humans are more intelligent, and resourceful, than Koritt anticipated. As the true purpose of Koritt’s mission comes to light, the battle begins. Under attack from all sides, hidden agendas emerge, and Koritt, Lavender, and Frost—all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory. Now they must work together if they—and the planet—are going to survive.
Audiobook
First published August 10, 2019
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About the author
Sam B. Miller II
7 books20 followersSam B. Miller II holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance, from the University of Tennessee. He has five children and lives with his wife, Susan, and their many dogs, in Northeast Tennessee. After writing a successful Science Fiction 3-book series, Miller turned his attention upon the mystery of the supernatural. Smith was his fourth novel. He has now returned to his favorite genre, Science Fiction, for his fifth novel, U-10.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 7, 2019
My rating 4.0
The book "U-10" by Sam B. Miller II is quite a solid science fiction action spectacle. If you want to read a book, with nonstop action, and countless really well-thought gadgets, then this is the book for you. Throughout the book, the writer shows us how much some people are willing to sacrifice to gain power, whether it be an earthly or an alien thing. If necessary, they will sacrifice the whole world for their own interests. The story takes us to Afghanistan, where the main character Koritt Diviak is to find a human specimen, but on his spaceship, a malfunction occurs and he falls into the war zone. Koritt manages to escape with a rescue capsule, but the ship is found by the US Marines and takes a U-10 survival kit from the crashed ship. In the meantime, the US Special Forces SEED arrives at the crash site, which complicates the situation. But Koritt manages to capture the two commanders, which was his primary objective, but unfortunately, nothing will go according to the plan he has planned. Especially since Earthlings are much more intelligent than he has in his data. If you like action books, then this book will fulfill all your expectations. I would recommend the book to science fiction and action fans.
The book "U-10" by Sam B. Miller II is quite a solid science fiction action spectacle. If you want to read a book, with nonstop action, and countless really well-thought gadgets, then this is the book for you. Throughout the book, the writer shows us how much some people are willing to sacrifice to gain power, whether it be an earthly or an alien thing. If necessary, they will sacrifice the whole world for their own interests. The story takes us to Afghanistan, where the main character Koritt Diviak is to find a human specimen, but on his spaceship, a malfunction occurs and he falls into the war zone. Koritt manages to escape with a rescue capsule, but the ship is found by the US Marines and takes a U-10 survival kit from the crashed ship. In the meantime, the US Special Forces SEED arrives at the crash site, which complicates the situation. But Koritt manages to capture the two commanders, which was his primary objective, but unfortunately, nothing will go according to the plan he has planned. Especially since Earthlings are much more intelligent than he has in his data. If you like action books, then this book will fulfill all your expectations. I would recommend the book to science fiction and action fans.
August 24, 2019
Great read
The story was spellbinding and fast paced. Anyone interested in SciFi will enjoy this book. Thanks, Sam, for another great adventure.
The story was spellbinding and fast paced. Anyone interested in SciFi will enjoy this book. Thanks, Sam, for another great adventure.
September 19, 2019
The fictional planet created for the story is in danger as the home planet as the book refers, and the humans are fighting. The home planet is at risk for national security threats and tampering of technology. Special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, his motives pure or evil? The alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency is Lincoln’s domain and his two functions are governing policy and action over national security and securing the planet.
Aliens and humans each with their objectives of power, greed, destruction and battle.
Kingdoms fight for their ranks and to stay alive. Koritt, Lavender, and Frost are the key characters in the story and for me, the first couple of chapters were confusing because the book starts with dialogue and little description. I can see how the author was passionate to dive straight into the story but I had issues figuring out who is who.
By the same token, this is a sequel book so I’m coming in at an odd place to begin with. —all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.
Sci-Fi legend Sam B. Miller has an esteemed career of creating imagery, deep struggles between characters and convinces reader’s his fictional stories are a reality to come true.
Aliens and humans each with their objectives of power, greed, destruction and battle.
Kingdoms fight for their ranks and to stay alive. Koritt, Lavender, and Frost are the key characters in the story and for me, the first couple of chapters were confusing because the book starts with dialogue and little description. I can see how the author was passionate to dive straight into the story but I had issues figuring out who is who.
By the same token, this is a sequel book so I’m coming in at an odd place to begin with. —all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.
Sci-Fi legend Sam B. Miller has an esteemed career of creating imagery, deep struggles between characters and convinces reader’s his fictional stories are a reality to come true.
November 10, 2019
The alien magic bag'o stuff
Koritt Diviak just wants to go on vacation. As a mid-level career functionary for the Galactic Coalition, he's tasked with one more routine mission to a backwater part of the galaxy. Also known as Earth. Koriitt has managed to piss off Upper Management because of his attitude so they don't tell him this mission is a one way trip because the experiment is forbidden under Galactic Coalition law. But they screw up because they also tell him to bring a U-10.
Trying to cut corners, Koritt also didn't heed the advice of his mechanic. Stabilizers cost money, that money comes out of his bonus, just patch it up. He ends up crash landing in the dusty hills of Afghanistan as the part the mechanic warned him about, fails upon entry. Now he's stuck waiting for a rescue mission.
The crash attracts the attention of Ty Lavender, a Lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Brigade, and his squad of elite soldiers. It also attracts the attention of another group in the US government; the Special Extraction or Elimination Division, SEED. Who send their top field agent, Lincoln Frost, to retrieve anything of value from the crash.
But before she can arrive and take charge; Ty discovers the alien magic bag'o stuff, the U-10. Pick a card, stick it in the slot, take out the new toy! The only problem; anything that comes out of the bag only works one time. But the bag comes with a lot of cards!
The rest of the story revolves around the conflicts between the characters; first in Afghanistan, since the Insurgents keep trying to kill all the Americans, then in the US as the Director of SEED, Richard Cruneval, tries to forcibly acquire all the alien tech including the magic bag'o stuff.
The action is fast paced; the characters are well developed. The story is well written. All of the tech is plausible. The interactions between the Earth soldiers and the AI of the alien spaceship (who gets renamed from Computer to Elvis) are realistic. The climatic scene is satisfying and the cliff hanger at the end left me wanting to read the next book.
Highly recommended!
And I gotta get me one of those U-10's!!
Koritt Diviak just wants to go on vacation. As a mid-level career functionary for the Galactic Coalition, he's tasked with one more routine mission to a backwater part of the galaxy. Also known as Earth. Koriitt has managed to piss off Upper Management because of his attitude so they don't tell him this mission is a one way trip because the experiment is forbidden under Galactic Coalition law. But they screw up because they also tell him to bring a U-10.
Trying to cut corners, Koritt also didn't heed the advice of his mechanic. Stabilizers cost money, that money comes out of his bonus, just patch it up. He ends up crash landing in the dusty hills of Afghanistan as the part the mechanic warned him about, fails upon entry. Now he's stuck waiting for a rescue mission.
The crash attracts the attention of Ty Lavender, a Lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Brigade, and his squad of elite soldiers. It also attracts the attention of another group in the US government; the Special Extraction or Elimination Division, SEED. Who send their top field agent, Lincoln Frost, to retrieve anything of value from the crash.
But before she can arrive and take charge; Ty discovers the alien magic bag'o stuff, the U-10. Pick a card, stick it in the slot, take out the new toy! The only problem; anything that comes out of the bag only works one time. But the bag comes with a lot of cards!
The rest of the story revolves around the conflicts between the characters; first in Afghanistan, since the Insurgents keep trying to kill all the Americans, then in the US as the Director of SEED, Richard Cruneval, tries to forcibly acquire all the alien tech including the magic bag'o stuff.
The action is fast paced; the characters are well developed. The story is well written. All of the tech is plausible. The interactions between the Earth soldiers and the AI of the alien spaceship (who gets renamed from Computer to Elvis) are realistic. The climatic scene is satisfying and the cliff hanger at the end left me wanting to read the next book.
Highly recommended!
And I gotta get me one of those U-10's!!
October 8, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"With a curling twist of his aural pincers..."
The brief synopsis blurb for U-10 does not do it justice: it is a glorious (and humourous) ongoing battle from start to finish, involving Ti Lavender and his awkward squad, the FAST team, led by self satisfied Lincoln Frost (well named), and later the Men-in-black type government organisation, SEED, the vast forces of Afghani insurgents, the alien, Koritt Diviak, tasked with recovering an human for research purposes, his alien bosses, determined to hide their own transgressions by eliminating both him and all sentient life on earth, and basically, anyone else who can get a toe into the battles. It all begins when Korrit crashes his not fully up to service space craft and his survival pack is discovered by one of the animals he had come to study....
Great fun as well as almost non stop action, constant confusion, alien artifacts and technologies, a friendly space ship, hostilities of a personal nature and unlikely coalitions, with good dialogue make this an intriguing, very readable book. The narration by John Pirhalla is excellent: he has so many very different characters to voice and he does it all with seamless ease. The in between text is read with understanding and panache as well. A fine performance.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of U-10 by the rights holder, at my request. Thank you. It was a very enjoyable confection of fun, in some ways reminiscent of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat, though very different in content. Recommended to all S.F.fans who enjoy a touch of humour and lots of character with their multi level battles.
"With a curling twist of his aural pincers..."
The brief synopsis blurb for U-10 does not do it justice: it is a glorious (and humourous) ongoing battle from start to finish, involving Ti Lavender and his awkward squad, the FAST team, led by self satisfied Lincoln Frost (well named), and later the Men-in-black type government organisation, SEED, the vast forces of Afghani insurgents, the alien, Koritt Diviak, tasked with recovering an human for research purposes, his alien bosses, determined to hide their own transgressions by eliminating both him and all sentient life on earth, and basically, anyone else who can get a toe into the battles. It all begins when Korrit crashes his not fully up to service space craft and his survival pack is discovered by one of the animals he had come to study....
Great fun as well as almost non stop action, constant confusion, alien artifacts and technologies, a friendly space ship, hostilities of a personal nature and unlikely coalitions, with good dialogue make this an intriguing, very readable book. The narration by John Pirhalla is excellent: he has so many very different characters to voice and he does it all with seamless ease. The in between text is read with understanding and panache as well. A fine performance.
I was very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of U-10 by the rights holder, at my request. Thank you. It was a very enjoyable confection of fun, in some ways reminiscent of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat, though very different in content. Recommended to all S.F.fans who enjoy a touch of humour and lots of character with their multi level battles.
September 11, 2019
U-10 – Sam B Miller II
The fictional planet created for the story is in danger as the home planet as the book refers, and the humans are fighting. The home planet is at risk for national security threats and tampering of technology. Special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, his motives pure or evil? The alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency is Lincoln’s domain and his two functions are governing policy and action over national security and securing the planet.
Aliens and humans each with their objectives of power, greed, destruction and battle.
Kingdoms fight for their ranks and to stay alive. Koritt, Lavender, and Frost are the key characters in the story and for me, the first couple of chapters were confusing because the book starts with dialogue and little description. I can see how the author was passionate to dive straight into the story but I had issues figuring out who is who.
By the same token, this is a sequel book so I’m coming in at an odd place to begin with. —all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.
Sci-Fi legend Sam B. Miller has an esteemed career of creating imagery, deep struggles between characters and convinces reader’s his fictional stories are a reality to come true.
The fictional planet created for the story is in danger as the home planet as the book refers, and the humans are fighting. The home planet is at risk for national security threats and tampering of technology. Special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, his motives pure or evil? The alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency is Lincoln’s domain and his two functions are governing policy and action over national security and securing the planet.
Aliens and humans each with their objectives of power, greed, destruction and battle.
Kingdoms fight for their ranks and to stay alive. Koritt, Lavender, and Frost are the key characters in the story and for me, the first couple of chapters were confusing because the book starts with dialogue and little description. I can see how the author was passionate to dive straight into the story but I had issues figuring out who is who.
By the same token, this is a sequel book so I’m coming in at an odd place to begin with. —all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.
Sci-Fi legend Sam B. Miller has an esteemed career of creating imagery, deep struggles between characters and convinces reader’s his fictional stories are a reality to come true.
November 19, 2019
We open this story with Korit Diviak, immediately noted as impatient. In the first few lines we get “No use wasting time and effort...” which is how we jump into the story, which maintains a fast pace mostly throughout. Miller wastes no time getting right into grabbing his readers. This is a well-written sci-fi story, full of interesting tech and characters that really drive this story forward.
I think the biggest thing, for me, was really formatting. The bold and enlarged text for “thoughts” really pulled me out of the flow. Thought-text already tends to drag away from action a bit, and drawing extra attention to it really doesn’t aid in pacing.
With that being said, one of my favorite parts of this story is that even though there is a good amount of “telling” the author spent a lot of time using strong sentences to keep it moving. He shows us a lot of what Koritt is doing, rather than having the character explain his motives and actions as often as you’d expect with newer authors.
If you like sci-fi, with interesting characters and futuristic tech, this is the story for you.
I think the biggest thing, for me, was really formatting. The bold and enlarged text for “thoughts” really pulled me out of the flow. Thought-text already tends to drag away from action a bit, and drawing extra attention to it really doesn’t aid in pacing.
With that being said, one of my favorite parts of this story is that even though there is a good amount of “telling” the author spent a lot of time using strong sentences to keep it moving. He shows us a lot of what Koritt is doing, rather than having the character explain his motives and actions as often as you’d expect with newer authors.
If you like sci-fi, with interesting characters and futuristic tech, this is the story for you.
August 13, 2019
A group of soldiers face an alien enemy in the Middle East. An enjoyable, fast paced, sci fi action adventure. I would recommend it
August 16, 2019
‘Koritt David is a hothead. Why did you choose him for this mission?’
Tennessee author Sam B. Miller II made his literary debut with his book, THE ORIGIN OF F.O.R.C.E. followed by the equally impressive other book sin the series, DAWN OF CHRYSALIS, and EVOLUTION OF F.O.R.C.E. His fourth success was simply titled SMITH. Sam received his education firm the University of Tennessee - Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance. There is no evidence from his biographical data that he has published articles or short stories on the genre he has chosen for his books of science fiction, but it is evident that he has a keen interest in fantasy and how fantasy can prophecy possible reality.
Science Fiction tales, being fantasy, are enhanced when the author makes the decision to include contemporary world situations in the supernatural mix. And that is precisely what Sam does with U-10, Sam’s fifth novel. Referencing Afghanistan, now daily in the news with ongoing conflicts, brings a seed of reality to this excellent sci-fi mystery.
The fine tuned prose includes a healthy aspect of humor, not usually seen in thrillers such as this book. But that feature is evident form the opening paragraphs: ‘”I have an assignment for you.” The voice came from the top of a high dais. The lights in the room were positioned to create darkness at the top of the platform to hide the identity of the speaker. Koritt Diviak had stood before the dais on so many prior occasions, he didn’t bother to see who hid in the darkness. No wasting time and effort in a fruitless endeavor. “I hop it’s more challenging than the last one. Examining worms is not my idea of fun.” ‘Your job is not to have fun. It is to do as I command.” Koritt scowled but remained at attention…’ and almost inadvertently we find ourselves on another planet…'
Sam offers a solid synopsis for this story: ` Koritt Diviak’s assignment was simple—travel to Earth and return with a human specimen, along with samples of their technology. After Koritt’s transport crashes in the desert of Afghanistan, 10th Mountain Division Lieutenant Ty Lavender commandeers the ship, along with the U-10— the most ingenious technology in the galaxy focused into a weapon with multiple capabilities—and uses it to protect his team from local insurgents, who want retribution. Things heat up when special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, determined to appropriate the alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency tasked with eliminating threats to national security. Thinking a breeding pair will be even more valuable to his home planet, despite the animosity between them, Koritt captures both Lavender and Frost, along with the U-10, and waits for help. But rescue isn’t coming …and the humans are more intelligent, and resourceful, than Koritt anticipated. As the true purpose of Koritt’s mission comes to light, the battle begins. Under attack from all sides, hidden agendas emerge, and Koritt, Lavender, and Frost—all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.’
This is an especially fine new direction for Sam B. Miller, blending fact, possible fact, humor, mystery, fantasy and human interest into one very successful novel.
Tennessee author Sam B. Miller II made his literary debut with his book, THE ORIGIN OF F.O.R.C.E. followed by the equally impressive other book sin the series, DAWN OF CHRYSALIS, and EVOLUTION OF F.O.R.C.E. His fourth success was simply titled SMITH. Sam received his education firm the University of Tennessee - Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance. There is no evidence from his biographical data that he has published articles or short stories on the genre he has chosen for his books of science fiction, but it is evident that he has a keen interest in fantasy and how fantasy can prophecy possible reality.
Science Fiction tales, being fantasy, are enhanced when the author makes the decision to include contemporary world situations in the supernatural mix. And that is precisely what Sam does with U-10, Sam’s fifth novel. Referencing Afghanistan, now daily in the news with ongoing conflicts, brings a seed of reality to this excellent sci-fi mystery.
The fine tuned prose includes a healthy aspect of humor, not usually seen in thrillers such as this book. But that feature is evident form the opening paragraphs: ‘”I have an assignment for you.” The voice came from the top of a high dais. The lights in the room were positioned to create darkness at the top of the platform to hide the identity of the speaker. Koritt Diviak had stood before the dais on so many prior occasions, he didn’t bother to see who hid in the darkness. No wasting time and effort in a fruitless endeavor. “I hop it’s more challenging than the last one. Examining worms is not my idea of fun.” ‘Your job is not to have fun. It is to do as I command.” Koritt scowled but remained at attention…’ and almost inadvertently we find ourselves on another planet…'
Sam offers a solid synopsis for this story: ` Koritt Diviak’s assignment was simple—travel to Earth and return with a human specimen, along with samples of their technology. After Koritt’s transport crashes in the desert of Afghanistan, 10th Mountain Division Lieutenant Ty Lavender commandeers the ship, along with the U-10— the most ingenious technology in the galaxy focused into a weapon with multiple capabilities—and uses it to protect his team from local insurgents, who want retribution. Things heat up when special operative Lincoln Frost shows up, determined to appropriate the alien technology for SEED, the top-secret, power-hungry US paramilitary agency tasked with eliminating threats to national security. Thinking a breeding pair will be even more valuable to his home planet, despite the animosity between them, Koritt captures both Lavender and Frost, along with the U-10, and waits for help. But rescue isn’t coming …and the humans are more intelligent, and resourceful, than Koritt anticipated. As the true purpose of Koritt’s mission comes to light, the battle begins. Under attack from all sides, hidden agendas emerge, and Koritt, Lavender, and Frost—all at odds with each other—will do whatever it takes to ensure victory.’
This is an especially fine new direction for Sam B. Miller, blending fact, possible fact, humor, mystery, fantasy and human interest into one very successful novel.
October 2, 2019
** Review of Audio Format **
Military Special Ops against Aliens and Spooks
Koritt is an alien tasked with kidnapping a human for his superiors. Lavender is a special ops commando who is used to getting the job done, no matter what. Lincoln Frost is trained to manipulate and bully anyone she needs to in order to recover alien tech for the shady company she works for, SEED. What none of them know is that Koritt’s planet has decided that humans are an illegal experiment that must be destroyed to cover their tracks.
Koritt’s ship promptly crashes and Lavender quickly swoops in to scavenge the broken vessel. They find some interesting artifacts while Koritt observes. Then Frost is on the scene, expecting to be obeyed. She didn’t count on Lavender’s total disregard for orders or his resourcefulness...or how quickly he would learn to use the U-10. Add in some locals who keep trying to obliterate everyone and things become interesting really quickly.
I enjoyed this listen more than I expected to. It had interesting characters that I liked and cared about. The story was interesting and I had a vested interest in earth staying intact. I also took an instant dislike to the owner and head of SEED and kept hoping that he would get his hat handed to him. In the end, this was a well thought out story which light in the right places and serious in the right places. The narration was well done and enjoyable to listen to. John Pirhalla gives a nuanced performance where it is easy to tell who is speaking at any time and his voice can be deep and gravelly or high and nasal.
I received this audiobook for free from the author in exchange for an honest review
Military Special Ops against Aliens and Spooks
Koritt is an alien tasked with kidnapping a human for his superiors. Lavender is a special ops commando who is used to getting the job done, no matter what. Lincoln Frost is trained to manipulate and bully anyone she needs to in order to recover alien tech for the shady company she works for, SEED. What none of them know is that Koritt’s planet has decided that humans are an illegal experiment that must be destroyed to cover their tracks.
Koritt’s ship promptly crashes and Lavender quickly swoops in to scavenge the broken vessel. They find some interesting artifacts while Koritt observes. Then Frost is on the scene, expecting to be obeyed. She didn’t count on Lavender’s total disregard for orders or his resourcefulness...or how quickly he would learn to use the U-10. Add in some locals who keep trying to obliterate everyone and things become interesting really quickly.
I enjoyed this listen more than I expected to. It had interesting characters that I liked and cared about. The story was interesting and I had a vested interest in earth staying intact. I also took an instant dislike to the owner and head of SEED and kept hoping that he would get his hat handed to him. In the end, this was a well thought out story which light in the right places and serious in the right places. The narration was well done and enjoyable to listen to. John Pirhalla gives a nuanced performance where it is easy to tell who is speaking at any time and his voice can be deep and gravelly or high and nasal.
I received this audiobook for free from the author in exchange for an honest review
September 21, 2019
If you have become tired of the standard first-contact science fiction stories, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with Sam B. Miller’s new audiobook release simply called “U-10”. Not only is the story well expressed and the action flows like white-water rapids, the audiobook’s narration by John Pirhalla was professionally performed and flawless in its execution. He is a narrator on my radar to watch. The publisher’s summary does a decent job of giving you an idea of what the audiobook is about, but it is only a small example of all that will be uncovered in this fast-paced alien adventure. If you like contemporary science fiction with a fair amount of unique and interesting technology along the way, I suggest you pick up “U-10” and give it a listen.
The book is mainly about an alien society sent to earth to retrieve specimens of humans for their continued studies. I did enjoy that Mr. Miller added elements of humor to the story such as when are shown the pile of bureaucracy involved in such investigation activities. The aliens were required to fill out forms in triplicate before the mission could proceed. It made me think of the reputation of the United States Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and their required paperwork for a simple address change. The alien sent to perform the task experienced issues and was required to land off course near a group of US military members in an Afghanistan region. The members of this team were all well assigned for their given roles or possessed skills. Every one of them were required to stick together and be a functional unit to accomplish their end goal. Being in the information security industry, my favorite member was “Hashtag”. Yet, every time he was referenced, I could only imagine a twitter or social media tag being referenced.
What I found interesting in this story was not only that people were dealing with an alien visitation, but the United States was also in the middle of a heated battle with local insurgents trying to destroy them. So, there were actually two enemies to deal with as the story plays out. On top of all of this, we also have a covert agency assigned to investigate said alien visits much like the movie “Men in Black”; but far less humorous. You know it is not a good day for our team when this mysterious agency shows up with the highest level of clearance. Our team members struggle with the many different orders from above and even who they can ultimately trust.
What made this book more interesting was the unique and rather alien technology the team discovers. By simply adding, what appears to be a digital punch card, this alien swiss army device they discovered is able to become almost anything, and if misused, it could destroy not only our team but the entire world as well. The technology itself felt alien and I liked that it was not just earth-based devices that were more powerful. The only technology that mirrored other books was the use of universal translators, but even the way these were incorporated by the humans were different from others. Not only are we given a view into the U-10 device itself, but we also learn of the other alien technology this mysterious agency stole or confiscated from past alien encounters. This is one of the main reasons the secretive company has such power. Some of this technology is also leveraged against our alien visitors as well. Again, I highly recommend this to both technology sci-fi enthusiasts.
Unlike with other audiobooks in this genre, the aliens see the humans as savages and much lower on the galactic IQ rating. We are also shown the heavy set of rules governing various types of life, and thankfully humans are granted a small level of protection because they exist and are a bit sentient compared to animals and other life on the planet. Humans are thought to be nothing more than an unintelligent creature with some drives and motives, near animal status. The aliens quickly realize that they have underestimated humans and begin to see them in a very different light once they discover just how smart and innovative they really are.
I enjoyed that the author sprinkled in some pop-culture and nostalgic references for the listener. There is also an alien computer which is given a fun name by their human counterparts which keeps the laughs going as well. At times I would have liked to have had a few periods of downtime or more character backstory to better understand them. Although the action was flowing like white water rapids, there should be some time before experiencing the next set of rapids; I felt the story lacked some of these lulls. The story does close up the main plotlines. However, I can see where there might be future books in this series based on the potential open plots the story could pivot too.
The audiobook’s narration was done exceptionally well, and I liked the simple addition of some audio effects such as one sounding like they were talking to another via a radio. I do not recall any audio artifacts such as swallows, background noise, or page turns. The audio was clean and crisp along with the volume consistent. The ability of Mr. Pirhalla to voice the many different characters and keeping track of their accents was seamless. It made the characters feel alive and personal.
Parents and younger readers I have to give Mr. Miller credit for writing a science fiction book of this caliber without the need to include vulgar language or overly sexualized material. There is quite a bit of violence, some graphic at times, but nothing overly excessive for an action science fiction piece. I think young teen readers would enjoy the story along with adults.
In summary, the audiobook was a real rollercoaster of a ride. It was filled with action, adventure, and aliens. What more could someone ask for? There were a few plot holes and I would have liked to have had more background details on the characters, but these are more easily overlooked as the story if designed for entertainment, and that it provides. I have enjoyed some of Mr. Miller’s other books, and this one is right up there as well. If you enjoy aliens, science fiction, and mysterious agencies, I think you should give this book a listen.
The book is mainly about an alien society sent to earth to retrieve specimens of humans for their continued studies. I did enjoy that Mr. Miller added elements of humor to the story such as when are shown the pile of bureaucracy involved in such investigation activities. The aliens were required to fill out forms in triplicate before the mission could proceed. It made me think of the reputation of the United States Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and their required paperwork for a simple address change. The alien sent to perform the task experienced issues and was required to land off course near a group of US military members in an Afghanistan region. The members of this team were all well assigned for their given roles or possessed skills. Every one of them were required to stick together and be a functional unit to accomplish their end goal. Being in the information security industry, my favorite member was “Hashtag”. Yet, every time he was referenced, I could only imagine a twitter or social media tag being referenced.
What I found interesting in this story was not only that people were dealing with an alien visitation, but the United States was also in the middle of a heated battle with local insurgents trying to destroy them. So, there were actually two enemies to deal with as the story plays out. On top of all of this, we also have a covert agency assigned to investigate said alien visits much like the movie “Men in Black”; but far less humorous. You know it is not a good day for our team when this mysterious agency shows up with the highest level of clearance. Our team members struggle with the many different orders from above and even who they can ultimately trust.
What made this book more interesting was the unique and rather alien technology the team discovers. By simply adding, what appears to be a digital punch card, this alien swiss army device they discovered is able to become almost anything, and if misused, it could destroy not only our team but the entire world as well. The technology itself felt alien and I liked that it was not just earth-based devices that were more powerful. The only technology that mirrored other books was the use of universal translators, but even the way these were incorporated by the humans were different from others. Not only are we given a view into the U-10 device itself, but we also learn of the other alien technology this mysterious agency stole or confiscated from past alien encounters. This is one of the main reasons the secretive company has such power. Some of this technology is also leveraged against our alien visitors as well. Again, I highly recommend this to both technology sci-fi enthusiasts.
Unlike with other audiobooks in this genre, the aliens see the humans as savages and much lower on the galactic IQ rating. We are also shown the heavy set of rules governing various types of life, and thankfully humans are granted a small level of protection because they exist and are a bit sentient compared to animals and other life on the planet. Humans are thought to be nothing more than an unintelligent creature with some drives and motives, near animal status. The aliens quickly realize that they have underestimated humans and begin to see them in a very different light once they discover just how smart and innovative they really are.
I enjoyed that the author sprinkled in some pop-culture and nostalgic references for the listener. There is also an alien computer which is given a fun name by their human counterparts which keeps the laughs going as well. At times I would have liked to have had a few periods of downtime or more character backstory to better understand them. Although the action was flowing like white water rapids, there should be some time before experiencing the next set of rapids; I felt the story lacked some of these lulls. The story does close up the main plotlines. However, I can see where there might be future books in this series based on the potential open plots the story could pivot too.
The audiobook’s narration was done exceptionally well, and I liked the simple addition of some audio effects such as one sounding like they were talking to another via a radio. I do not recall any audio artifacts such as swallows, background noise, or page turns. The audio was clean and crisp along with the volume consistent. The ability of Mr. Pirhalla to voice the many different characters and keeping track of their accents was seamless. It made the characters feel alive and personal.
Parents and younger readers I have to give Mr. Miller credit for writing a science fiction book of this caliber without the need to include vulgar language or overly sexualized material. There is quite a bit of violence, some graphic at times, but nothing overly excessive for an action science fiction piece. I think young teen readers would enjoy the story along with adults.
In summary, the audiobook was a real rollercoaster of a ride. It was filled with action, adventure, and aliens. What more could someone ask for? There were a few plot holes and I would have liked to have had more background details on the characters, but these are more easily overlooked as the story if designed for entertainment, and that it provides. I have enjoyed some of Mr. Miller’s other books, and this one is right up there as well. If you enjoy aliens, science fiction, and mysterious agencies, I think you should give this book a listen.
January 31, 2021
An action-packed Sci-fi – not a quiet moment.
As soon as we are introduced to Koritt – an insectoid alien who has been sent on an important mission – we are automatically intrigued as to what’s going to happen when he reaches planet Earth.
However, things seem to go very wrong very fast for Koritt, as he ends up crash-landing on Earth in a desert in Afghanistan. This becomes the setting for the rest of the book and is where we encounter many interesting characters: Insurgents protecting their homeland in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Ty Lavender and his quirky-nicknamed squad members from a nearby American military base, and SEED – a special military unit in charge of tracking and capturing Alien ships and technology. This is where we also meet Lincoln Frost. She is a SEED agent who ends up being held captive with Ty. Their demand for authority causes yet more tension, humour and even a hint of romance as they are forced to work together for the good of not only their country, but the entire planet.
But what is the mysterious U-10? Why has is caused Koritt so much trouble? And why has it got Ty, Frost, the Insurgents and American SEED military attacking one another? I started the book intrigued to discover the secrets of the U-10. As the novel developed, all the answers I wanted were revealed. It soon becomes clear that such an advanced and dangerous weapon would not do well to fall into the wrong hands. But who – if anyone – can be trusted with such responsibility? The apprehension this question poses is what makes the novel a gripping read, from start to end.
Miller’s use of third-person narration allows the story to switch fluidly between characters in a way where the story is always moving forward, keeping its swift pace without leaving readers confused and, dare I say it, alienated. I found myself laughing at moments of comedy, rooting for characters when tension was high, and hooked throughout.
I rate this book a 5 out of 5.
As soon as we are introduced to Koritt – an insectoid alien who has been sent on an important mission – we are automatically intrigued as to what’s going to happen when he reaches planet Earth.
However, things seem to go very wrong very fast for Koritt, as he ends up crash-landing on Earth in a desert in Afghanistan. This becomes the setting for the rest of the book and is where we encounter many interesting characters: Insurgents protecting their homeland in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Ty Lavender and his quirky-nicknamed squad members from a nearby American military base, and SEED – a special military unit in charge of tracking and capturing Alien ships and technology. This is where we also meet Lincoln Frost. She is a SEED agent who ends up being held captive with Ty. Their demand for authority causes yet more tension, humour and even a hint of romance as they are forced to work together for the good of not only their country, but the entire planet.
But what is the mysterious U-10? Why has is caused Koritt so much trouble? And why has it got Ty, Frost, the Insurgents and American SEED military attacking one another? I started the book intrigued to discover the secrets of the U-10. As the novel developed, all the answers I wanted were revealed. It soon becomes clear that such an advanced and dangerous weapon would not do well to fall into the wrong hands. But who – if anyone – can be trusted with such responsibility? The apprehension this question poses is what makes the novel a gripping read, from start to end.
Miller’s use of third-person narration allows the story to switch fluidly between characters in a way where the story is always moving forward, keeping its swift pace without leaving readers confused and, dare I say it, alienated. I found myself laughing at moments of comedy, rooting for characters when tension was high, and hooked throughout.
I rate this book a 5 out of 5.
March 13, 2020
I had Sam reach out to me via email a few months back, asking if I’d be willing to take a crack at his Science-Fiction book U-10. I looked at my release dates for Netgalley books etc, and said I could, I just wouldn’t get to it until March, which he said was fair.
Boy, if you are a fan of Sci-Fi and Action/Adventure, don’t wait on this one. It’s been out since August 2019, but based on what I’ve read, I hope Sam sees an increase in page views on this.
What I liked: This book is action packed from the first paragraph and never lets up. We are quickly introduced to Koritt, an insectoid type alien who is being sent to Earth to gather some human specimens. As all good books do, there’s a snafu and his ship crashes in the middle of an ongoing war in Afghanistan. From there, Miller introduces us to a number of amazing characters who bring depth and real feels to this read. Sure, there are plenty of gadgets as well as action sequences, but it is the relationships and character building that really catch you and hold you.
What I didn’t like: an action packed story can be a double edged sword and I found a few times, it would’ve been nice to have moments where the story can breathe a bit. It’s not overly detrimental, but this entire book is essentially a sprint instead of a race.
Why you should buy it: I don’t want to negatively influence anyone with this reference, but if you enjoyed watching a movie like ‘Starship Troopers’ then this book will be right up your alley. Think about a military-alien-action-adventure movie on your Kindle or in your hands. It’s a blast and a lot of fun and I think fan’s of Science Fiction would do themselves a favour and snag this. I’m not the biggest Sci-Fi fan, but I really, really dug this one.
Boy, if you are a fan of Sci-Fi and Action/Adventure, don’t wait on this one. It’s been out since August 2019, but based on what I’ve read, I hope Sam sees an increase in page views on this.
What I liked: This book is action packed from the first paragraph and never lets up. We are quickly introduced to Koritt, an insectoid type alien who is being sent to Earth to gather some human specimens. As all good books do, there’s a snafu and his ship crashes in the middle of an ongoing war in Afghanistan. From there, Miller introduces us to a number of amazing characters who bring depth and real feels to this read. Sure, there are plenty of gadgets as well as action sequences, but it is the relationships and character building that really catch you and hold you.
What I didn’t like: an action packed story can be a double edged sword and I found a few times, it would’ve been nice to have moments where the story can breathe a bit. It’s not overly detrimental, but this entire book is essentially a sprint instead of a race.
Why you should buy it: I don’t want to negatively influence anyone with this reference, but if you enjoyed watching a movie like ‘Starship Troopers’ then this book will be right up your alley. Think about a military-alien-action-adventure movie on your Kindle or in your hands. It’s a blast and a lot of fun and I think fan’s of Science Fiction would do themselves a favour and snag this. I’m not the biggest Sci-Fi fan, but I really, really dug this one.
December 14, 2021
A Tale of Subversive Inventiveness
Sam B. Miller II writes novels that are marked by boundless inventiveness and devilishly clever plotting. His latest U—10 steps up his winning combination of apocalyptic situations and subversive merriment that characterized Miller’s F.O.R.C.E. trilogy, since the work highlights the absurdity of the human condition, exposing our species in all its glorious cruelties, kindnesses, mendacities, ingenuities, and resiliencies.
The action, which follows a special forces team led by Ty Lavender onto an alien ship and into a battle simultaneously for and against humanity, is non-stop, even as intellectual challenges pile up, ones that encourage philosophical ruminations. I won’t take you through the plot, which is well-covered in summaries and other reviews, only to say that Miller is masterful at juggling various entities. Those entities range from the grunts on the ground to the leaders at the secret group S.E.E.D. to the Afghan insurgents to the aliens (particularly Koritt Diviak) to even the computer dubbed Elvis. The shifting motivations of the players in this deadly game signal the evolving outlooks of numerous protagonists. Given Miller’s deftness with unfolding an increasingly complicated plot, the character swings make for crackling dynamics and exchanges.
At the center of the story is the U—10, which serves as a wonderful allegory for our age of specialization, military and otherwise. In a world pullulating with digital cookies and algorithms, the U—10 is one part Swiss-army knife, one part Manhattan Project, and a bigger part Aladdin’s lamp. Part of the fun of the novel is seeing what this problem-solving U—10 will come up with next to address a desperate situation; Miller impresses with technical wizardry and resourcefulness as he rises to the increasing expectations of the reader.
Given the playful and satiric elements of the novel, Miller’s work has been compared with that of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams. I see links even further back. Miller provides a fine update on the central theme of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein of a creation gone out of control, a creation whose abilities transcend that of the creator. But the author whom I equate with Miller most in Q—10 is Scheherazade, in that like the conjuror of One Thousand and One Nights, the author is forever challenged to enthrall the reader. And like the legendary author of those Arabian tales, Miller doesn’t disappoint, down to his fabulous climax featuring a confrontation with the protean villain Cruneval. Simply put, Q—10 is a rush of adrenaline to the brain.
Sam B. Miller II writes novels that are marked by boundless inventiveness and devilishly clever plotting. His latest U—10 steps up his winning combination of apocalyptic situations and subversive merriment that characterized Miller’s F.O.R.C.E. trilogy, since the work highlights the absurdity of the human condition, exposing our species in all its glorious cruelties, kindnesses, mendacities, ingenuities, and resiliencies.
The action, which follows a special forces team led by Ty Lavender onto an alien ship and into a battle simultaneously for and against humanity, is non-stop, even as intellectual challenges pile up, ones that encourage philosophical ruminations. I won’t take you through the plot, which is well-covered in summaries and other reviews, only to say that Miller is masterful at juggling various entities. Those entities range from the grunts on the ground to the leaders at the secret group S.E.E.D. to the Afghan insurgents to the aliens (particularly Koritt Diviak) to even the computer dubbed Elvis. The shifting motivations of the players in this deadly game signal the evolving outlooks of numerous protagonists. Given Miller’s deftness with unfolding an increasingly complicated plot, the character swings make for crackling dynamics and exchanges.
At the center of the story is the U—10, which serves as a wonderful allegory for our age of specialization, military and otherwise. In a world pullulating with digital cookies and algorithms, the U—10 is one part Swiss-army knife, one part Manhattan Project, and a bigger part Aladdin’s lamp. Part of the fun of the novel is seeing what this problem-solving U—10 will come up with next to address a desperate situation; Miller impresses with technical wizardry and resourcefulness as he rises to the increasing expectations of the reader.
Given the playful and satiric elements of the novel, Miller’s work has been compared with that of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams. I see links even further back. Miller provides a fine update on the central theme of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein of a creation gone out of control, a creation whose abilities transcend that of the creator. But the author whom I equate with Miller most in Q—10 is Scheherazade, in that like the conjuror of One Thousand and One Nights, the author is forever challenged to enthrall the reader. And like the legendary author of those Arabian tales, Miller doesn’t disappoint, down to his fabulous climax featuring a confrontation with the protean villain Cruneval. Simply put, Q—10 is a rush of adrenaline to the brain.
February 27, 2020
Koritt Diviak is sent from his home planet to retrieve human specimen. His relatively simple task takes an interesting turn when he crash lands in the deserts of Afghanistan. This happens right under the nose of a US Military Unit led by Ty Lavender. A tussle for control of the alien tech discovered at the site of the crash ensues between Lavender's squad and the Special Extraction or Elimination Division, represented by Lincoln Frost. The winners of this power struggle are bound to take all, or are they?
Sam B. Miller's U-10 is ostensibly set in contemporary times. The vibrant sci-fi features are depicted in the form of alien ware and extraterrestrial life forms. You always feel like there is a competition between sci-fi authors on who could churn out the most mind-numbing scientific advancements and tech gadgets. Miller proves he's no pushover, as he leads his readers through an adventure filled with jaw-dropping gizmos and phenomena. He makes the U-10 the central object of attraction.
Miller doesn't only depend on his magical imagination to thrill his readers though. Despite the fast pace at which the action-packed plot unrolls, he is still able to give us lucid glimpses of the characters' nuances and traits. He does more showing than telling (for example, Lavender's most defining traits are perceived through most of his actions in the book).
The book's central themes are built around the astonishing nature of the human mind when viewed from the lens of unfamiliarity or through the eyes of an objective observer. Miller uses the alien, Koritt, to highlight just how unpredictable and random humans can be. You see some things as normal now but I bet you would better appreciate the intricacies of the human mind after reading U-10.
I'd love to give the book a 5star rating but I was a little turned off by the exaggeration I perceived in some of the characters' motives, so U-10 gets 4 stars from me! Fans of action-themed Scifi books would love this one.
Sam B. Miller's U-10 is ostensibly set in contemporary times. The vibrant sci-fi features are depicted in the form of alien ware and extraterrestrial life forms. You always feel like there is a competition between sci-fi authors on who could churn out the most mind-numbing scientific advancements and tech gadgets. Miller proves he's no pushover, as he leads his readers through an adventure filled with jaw-dropping gizmos and phenomena. He makes the U-10 the central object of attraction.
Miller doesn't only depend on his magical imagination to thrill his readers though. Despite the fast pace at which the action-packed plot unrolls, he is still able to give us lucid glimpses of the characters' nuances and traits. He does more showing than telling (for example, Lavender's most defining traits are perceived through most of his actions in the book).
The book's central themes are built around the astonishing nature of the human mind when viewed from the lens of unfamiliarity or through the eyes of an objective observer. Miller uses the alien, Koritt, to highlight just how unpredictable and random humans can be. You see some things as normal now but I bet you would better appreciate the intricacies of the human mind after reading U-10.
I'd love to give the book a 5star rating but I was a little turned off by the exaggeration I perceived in some of the characters' motives, so U-10 gets 4 stars from me! Fans of action-themed Scifi books would love this one.
August 27, 2020
The book opens with the curiously likeable alien Koritt, sent on one last mission before he can go on holiday. Unfortunately the mission ends in disaster when he crash-lands into war-torn Afghanistan with a hugely advanced technology in his possession - the U-10. The problem is that in addition to being a survival kit, the U-10 can also be used as a weapon of mass destruction. As Afghani insurgents, American military and a Black Ops unit called SEED all vie to get control of the U-10, we are taken on a non-stop action adventure that grips you from the start.
I enjoyed the fact that the opening chapter seems to set up an adventure that would take place on a strange alien world, but the alien world Koritt is going to is Earth.
The main characters – Ty Lavender, Seed Agent Lincoln Frost and Koritt draw you in from the start, as well as the colourful group of paramilitaries and shady SEED operatives. The characters are well written and feel believable. The world is cinematic and immersive – I felt like l had watched a film after reading the book, which demonstrates the skill of the author in absorbing the reader into to the story. In addition to the vast array of interesting characters, I also loved the fact that the action does not let up, the story is exciting and the science fiction elements were really well crafted. The tension in the book is palpable, but there is a good deal of humour and the hint of a love story enhances the story further.
The story is well written, with an addictive plot and I look forward to reading the next book!
Five out of five stars for this one!
I enjoyed the fact that the opening chapter seems to set up an adventure that would take place on a strange alien world, but the alien world Koritt is going to is Earth.
The main characters – Ty Lavender, Seed Agent Lincoln Frost and Koritt draw you in from the start, as well as the colourful group of paramilitaries and shady SEED operatives. The characters are well written and feel believable. The world is cinematic and immersive – I felt like l had watched a film after reading the book, which demonstrates the skill of the author in absorbing the reader into to the story. In addition to the vast array of interesting characters, I also loved the fact that the action does not let up, the story is exciting and the science fiction elements were really well crafted. The tension in the book is palpable, but there is a good deal of humour and the hint of a love story enhances the story further.
The story is well written, with an addictive plot and I look forward to reading the next book!
Five out of five stars for this one!
March 6, 2020
What happens when everyone wants the same thing? Well, Sam B. Miller’s U-10, is exactly that. It is a race to either get or retain ownership of U-10, a strange device that could either save or doom the user.When a paramilitary squad is deployed to retrieve it, the man who has the U-10 wants to keep it that way, and the alien who is the original owner of U-10, all three groups are on a collision course, but only one can fully win out.
Miller hooks the reader with Koritt, the alien who owned U-10 before crash landing on Earth and
becoming embroiled in the middle of human conflict in Afghanistan. We are also introduced to Ty
Lavender, who is part of the battalion in the local area and also Lincoln Frost, who belongs to SEED, the paramilitary group that tracks aliens and other outer space anomalies. The characters despite sharing some overlap in description and job description, with the exception of Koritt, Miller is able to impart rich personalities that shine on the page.
Despite the strong science fiction elements, U-10 reads more as a thriller that makes the pages flip on by with ease and exciting tension. Miller is able to weave humor, action, and alien perspectives with the easy rhythm of third person perspectives, which keeps the narrative fresh and moving. The perspective of Koritt was my own personal favorite, since not enough science fiction stories today choose to involve the aliens directly in the story. This is also a great testament to Miller’s own characterization and ability to impart real empathy towards non-human persons.
Fans of military science fiction would be pleased with this fun adventure, that’s grounded in the present Middle-East, while thriller readers would enjoy a slightly different take on a classic trope military v.s. clandestine military units.
Miller hooks the reader with Koritt, the alien who owned U-10 before crash landing on Earth and
becoming embroiled in the middle of human conflict in Afghanistan. We are also introduced to Ty
Lavender, who is part of the battalion in the local area and also Lincoln Frost, who belongs to SEED, the paramilitary group that tracks aliens and other outer space anomalies. The characters despite sharing some overlap in description and job description, with the exception of Koritt, Miller is able to impart rich personalities that shine on the page.
Despite the strong science fiction elements, U-10 reads more as a thriller that makes the pages flip on by with ease and exciting tension. Miller is able to weave humor, action, and alien perspectives with the easy rhythm of third person perspectives, which keeps the narrative fresh and moving. The perspective of Koritt was my own personal favorite, since not enough science fiction stories today choose to involve the aliens directly in the story. This is also a great testament to Miller’s own characterization and ability to impart real empathy towards non-human persons.
Fans of military science fiction would be pleased with this fun adventure, that’s grounded in the present Middle-East, while thriller readers would enjoy a slightly different take on a classic trope military v.s. clandestine military units.
November 10, 2019
When I read the synopsis of U-10 I was reminded of one of my favourite movies, District 9 by Neil Blomkamp. That was enough to make me purchase the book and I'm so glad I did. A lot of the themes in the book mirrored those in the films from my favourite director, where you get to see on both sides of a conflict, with Sci-Fi elements. I really enjoyed Sam B. Miller's take on the Sci-Fi genre. His characters were fully realised, the plot was fast paced with plenty of unexpected turns, and I was fully engrossed from start to finish.
An alien comes to earth with advanced technology and weaponry, and of course, a secret agency wants to utilise the technology for themselves. But, the alien Koritt Diviak is after technology of his own – he wants samples of earth's technology and a human specimen to boot to take back to his home planet. But when he crashes in war-torn Afghanistan, things go drastically wrong. Korritt was told his plan was simple, but things soon become complicated and dangerous and not just for him.
Full of action, modern themes, and even a little humour. Great read!
An alien comes to earth with advanced technology and weaponry, and of course, a secret agency wants to utilise the technology for themselves. But, the alien Koritt Diviak is after technology of his own – he wants samples of earth's technology and a human specimen to boot to take back to his home planet. But when he crashes in war-torn Afghanistan, things go drastically wrong. Korritt was told his plan was simple, but things soon become complicated and dangerous and not just for him.
Full of action, modern themes, and even a little humour. Great read!
December 30, 2019
Sam Miller doesnt publish a lot ,but this may be because when he does it hits the nail on the head.
In this new series im very minded of Smith another story as some of the characters just automatically bond with the listener almost from the start.
This feels very quick to finish maybe due to the engrossed listening and the enjoyment, I was impressed with the quick actions and imaginative solutions offered by the BAG and the authors imaginative writing.
Pirnhalla isnt a big narrator but he takes this one on with ease and i really liked his take on Elvis and Lavender.
Hopefully the 2nd installment is around the corner as i shall be waiting with baited breath, small spoiler is ends on a cliffhanger arghh.
In this new series im very minded of Smith another story as some of the characters just automatically bond with the listener almost from the start.
This feels very quick to finish maybe due to the engrossed listening and the enjoyment, I was impressed with the quick actions and imaginative solutions offered by the BAG and the authors imaginative writing.
Pirnhalla isnt a big narrator but he takes this one on with ease and i really liked his take on Elvis and Lavender.
Hopefully the 2nd installment is around the corner as i shall be waiting with baited breath, small spoiler is ends on a cliffhanger arghh.
April 28, 2021
When you take great characters who are easily relatable and combine them with a plot that holds your attention like a vise, you get a book like U-10.
This story gets the sci-fi formula right because the tech is the canvas the story is painted on, and the characters shine through making it enjoyable to read. I found the alien more relatable than some of the humans, and his perspective allows for some interesting commentary and satire on how we behave. The action is fast and intense keeping the reader guessing what will happen next.
Overall U-10 is a fast and enjoyable story with great characters who will have you cheering for them as they face their challenges. I definitely recommend this book!
This story gets the sci-fi formula right because the tech is the canvas the story is painted on, and the characters shine through making it enjoyable to read. I found the alien more relatable than some of the humans, and his perspective allows for some interesting commentary and satire on how we behave. The action is fast and intense keeping the reader guessing what will happen next.
Overall U-10 is a fast and enjoyable story with great characters who will have you cheering for them as they face their challenges. I definitely recommend this book!
December 7, 2020
I bought this book because it got a large number of positive reviews. Perhaps I started with my expectations too high, but I struggled with this story. The good news is, the writing is both clear and clean. I generally knew what was happening, and I spotted a below-average number of typos. The story itself isn't bad.
I'll start with the science, because it's objective and easier to explain why it bothered me. Most of the time I have no trouble suspending my disbelief for a sci-fi story, even when the science isn't quite right. If a spaceship travels at Ludicrous Speed or a main character sends blueprints of a time machine back in time to herself, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. If a story is getting high school level physics wrong, it becomes irksome. Maybe it's fine if a spy novel ignores Newtonian physics, but in a sci-fi story, the “sci” is at least mildly significant.
The following quote got the science so wrong that I had to put down the book and go outside for some fresh air for a while before resuming the story:
“Turner pulled back the throttle on their modified cargo jet, and for the first time in several hours, the G-forces pushing against them eased.”
So they've been at a constant acceleration (as opposed to a constant velocity) for several hours? And not just a constant acceleration, but an acceleration at which they feel noticeable G-forces. So let's say it's a G-force of 2, and they've been accelerating for 2 hours, just to be conservative. Their “modified cargo jet” is now traveling at 315,891 miles per hour. Impressive! Except that in the next line it says they'll be on site in four minutes, and we've already been told they're exactly 5 kilometers away, so something is off.
One more science quote, and then I'll stop dwelling on it. This one is two characters discussing satellite surveillance:
”...but we can't see where she is until the Earth rotates again.”
“I told you our satellite needed to be maneuverable,” Thann said.
That's not...... that's not how satellites work.
The story also contains some frustrating continuity issues. One example is that we're told from various sources that no aliens have visited Earth since 3,000 years ago, when an alien corporation broke galactic law. If there had been any alien visitors since, they would have discovered the law violation, and there would be big consequences. In fact, that galactic corporation is making efforts to ensure no one visits Earth and finds out about their illegal activities here 3,000 years ago. At one point Koritt promises the humans that if they let him go, he'll file a report with the corporation saying there's no intelligent life on Earth, and then the humans will be left alone. HOWEVER, the main villains in the story belong to a secret government agency set up several decades ago that studies and reverse engineers alien tech that they recover from the aliens who sometimes crash on Earth.
Does every single UFO that comes close enough to Earth to detect life immediately crash with no survivors and no way to report back and no distress beacons for a search and rescue party? What are the odds? It's either the worst luck imaginable on the part of the aliens, or a major continuity issue.
Finally, the thing that probably bothered me the most, and made it difficult for me to get lost in the story and ignore the nit-picky issues like science and continuity, is the tired racist stereotypes. Sometimes it's subtle; sometimes it's not so subtle.
The Americans are all flawless geniuses. They're untouchable in a firefight, they're at all times three steps ahead of every opponent they face, human or alien, and they correctly interpret how to use every piece of alien tech on the first try with zero hesitation. The Afghan locals, on the other hand, are all bumbling idiots who are obsessed with beheading everyone and anyone they come in contact with. Friend or foe, if it has a head, every Afghan citizen in this story wants to chop it off. But it's ok, you see, because they also get killed literally hundreds at a time, while the small group of Americans come away unscathed without breaking a sweat (and often using a healthy dose of deus ex machina).
The distinctly racist gun used near the beginning of the story didn't help this for me either. Even in the narration, there's a clear difference in attitude towards the sacredness of human lives depending on the nationality of the character.
The concept was fun, the writing isn't bad, and the story had so much potential, but it just wasn't the book for me.
I'll start with the science, because it's objective and easier to explain why it bothered me. Most of the time I have no trouble suspending my disbelief for a sci-fi story, even when the science isn't quite right. If a spaceship travels at Ludicrous Speed or a main character sends blueprints of a time machine back in time to herself, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. If a story is getting high school level physics wrong, it becomes irksome. Maybe it's fine if a spy novel ignores Newtonian physics, but in a sci-fi story, the “sci” is at least mildly significant.
The following quote got the science so wrong that I had to put down the book and go outside for some fresh air for a while before resuming the story:
“Turner pulled back the throttle on their modified cargo jet, and for the first time in several hours, the G-forces pushing against them eased.”
So they've been at a constant acceleration (as opposed to a constant velocity) for several hours? And not just a constant acceleration, but an acceleration at which they feel noticeable G-forces. So let's say it's a G-force of 2, and they've been accelerating for 2 hours, just to be conservative. Their “modified cargo jet” is now traveling at 315,891 miles per hour. Impressive! Except that in the next line it says they'll be on site in four minutes, and we've already been told they're exactly 5 kilometers away, so something is off.
One more science quote, and then I'll stop dwelling on it. This one is two characters discussing satellite surveillance:
”...but we can't see where she is until the Earth rotates again.”
“I told you our satellite needed to be maneuverable,” Thann said.
That's not...... that's not how satellites work.
The story also contains some frustrating continuity issues. One example is that we're told from various sources that no aliens have visited Earth since 3,000 years ago, when an alien corporation broke galactic law. If there had been any alien visitors since, they would have discovered the law violation, and there would be big consequences. In fact, that galactic corporation is making efforts to ensure no one visits Earth and finds out about their illegal activities here 3,000 years ago. At one point Koritt promises the humans that if they let him go, he'll file a report with the corporation saying there's no intelligent life on Earth, and then the humans will be left alone. HOWEVER, the main villains in the story belong to a secret government agency set up several decades ago that studies and reverse engineers alien tech that they recover from the aliens who sometimes crash on Earth.
Does every single UFO that comes close enough to Earth to detect life immediately crash with no survivors and no way to report back and no distress beacons for a search and rescue party? What are the odds? It's either the worst luck imaginable on the part of the aliens, or a major continuity issue.
Finally, the thing that probably bothered me the most, and made it difficult for me to get lost in the story and ignore the nit-picky issues like science and continuity, is the tired racist stereotypes. Sometimes it's subtle; sometimes it's not so subtle.
The Americans are all flawless geniuses. They're untouchable in a firefight, they're at all times three steps ahead of every opponent they face, human or alien, and they correctly interpret how to use every piece of alien tech on the first try with zero hesitation. The Afghan locals, on the other hand, are all bumbling idiots who are obsessed with beheading everyone and anyone they come in contact with. Friend or foe, if it has a head, every Afghan citizen in this story wants to chop it off. But it's ok, you see, because they also get killed literally hundreds at a time, while the small group of Americans come away unscathed without breaking a sweat (and often using a healthy dose of deus ex machina).
The distinctly racist gun used near the beginning of the story didn't help this for me either. Even in the narration, there's a clear difference in attitude towards the sacredness of human lives depending on the nationality of the character.
The concept was fun, the writing isn't bad, and the story had so much potential, but it just wasn't the book for me.
August 6, 2024
I just finished reading "The U-10: A Survival Kit You Might Not Survive Using," and it was quite the ride! Right from the start, the concept hooked me—a survival kit that's basically a game of Russian roulette. You never know if you're going to get a can of soup or a grenade, and that unpredictability kept me on my toes the whole way through.
The story centers around this mysterious U-10 device, and I loved the blend of humor and suspense as the protagonist tries to figure it out. Every time they used it, I was right there with them, holding my breath to see what would happen next. The whole "anything-can-happen" vibe added a fun, chaotic energy to the plot.
The stakes are sky-high, with a secret paramilitary group, the guy who has the U-10 trying to hang onto it, and an alien who desperately wants it back. It’s a wild chase, and I really enjoyed how the book kept me guessing about who I could trust. The death squad willing to blow up Earth to get the U-10 back added a serious sense of urgency that made the story even more exciting.
The characters were a blast. They each had their own quirks and motivations, which kept things interesting. I especially liked following the protagonist as he tried to navigate the moral dilemmas the U-10 threw his way. The way the characters interacted was full of tension and unexpected humor, making it feel real and engaging.
What I really appreciated was how the book mixed action, humor, and sci-fi in a way that felt fresh. It wasn't afraid to be a bit absurd, which made it all the more entertaining. The unpredictable nature of the U-10 itself was mirrored in the story, and that kept me glued to the pages.
In the end, "The U-10: A Survival Kit You Might Not Survive Using" is a fast-paced, fun read. If you’re into sci-fi adventures with a good dose of humor and unpredictability, you’ll definitely want to check this one out. It’s a wild, enjoyable ride from start to finish!
The story centers around this mysterious U-10 device, and I loved the blend of humor and suspense as the protagonist tries to figure it out. Every time they used it, I was right there with them, holding my breath to see what would happen next. The whole "anything-can-happen" vibe added a fun, chaotic energy to the plot.
The stakes are sky-high, with a secret paramilitary group, the guy who has the U-10 trying to hang onto it, and an alien who desperately wants it back. It’s a wild chase, and I really enjoyed how the book kept me guessing about who I could trust. The death squad willing to blow up Earth to get the U-10 back added a serious sense of urgency that made the story even more exciting.
The characters were a blast. They each had their own quirks and motivations, which kept things interesting. I especially liked following the protagonist as he tried to navigate the moral dilemmas the U-10 threw his way. The way the characters interacted was full of tension and unexpected humor, making it feel real and engaging.
What I really appreciated was how the book mixed action, humor, and sci-fi in a way that felt fresh. It wasn't afraid to be a bit absurd, which made it all the more entertaining. The unpredictable nature of the U-10 itself was mirrored in the story, and that kept me glued to the pages.
In the end, "The U-10: A Survival Kit You Might Not Survive Using" is a fast-paced, fun read. If you’re into sci-fi adventures with a good dose of humor and unpredictability, you’ll definitely want to check this one out. It’s a wild, enjoyable ride from start to finish!
January 31, 2021
Get me one of those U-10 cards
As a huge sci-fi fan, U-10 was a true pleasure to read.
Alien tech, a paramilitary squad of elite assassins working for the US government, Afgan insurgents, this book is not just sci-fi, it's all you'd want in sci-fi, while the whole representation of all the interested parties is quite plausible.
The whole story revolves around a death race of a sort - everyone wants to get their hands on the U-10 cards, which can, as the author puts it, do 3 things - save you, kill you or turn you into the alien form that created them!
No more spoilers, get a copy and prepare for your mind to be blown.
Christian
BooksShelf Reviewer
As a huge sci-fi fan, U-10 was a true pleasure to read.
Alien tech, a paramilitary squad of elite assassins working for the US government, Afgan insurgents, this book is not just sci-fi, it's all you'd want in sci-fi, while the whole representation of all the interested parties is quite plausible.
The whole story revolves around a death race of a sort - everyone wants to get their hands on the U-10 cards, which can, as the author puts it, do 3 things - save you, kill you or turn you into the alien form that created them!
No more spoilers, get a copy and prepare for your mind to be blown.
Christian
BooksShelf Reviewer
September 21, 2020
I enjoyed the technology in this book. It was definitely interesting to see what sci-fi toys the author came up with and I definitely thought they were unique. I really liked the interaction of the alien and the humans and how everyone reacted in their own way, it brought more depth to the characters. I really like how the story was able to take place on Earth as it made a lot of things more relatable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2020
A good story, lots of guns, insurgents, secrecy, and a few aliens mixed in with military and spook ops.
Simple concept, the U10 well executed.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Simple concept, the U10 well executed.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2022
U-10 by Sam B Miller II is a superb science-fiction book! Interesting and action-packed plot about alien society sent to earth to collect human specimens for their studies. Fascinating and well-developed characters and well-written story. Absolutely recommend it!
January 15, 2021
Verry predictable Verry disappointed
March 28, 2024
Disappointing, a good premise poorly executed, the plot felt clunky and the dialogue was awkward and cringeworthy at times. Overall, a dissatisfying experience.
September 24, 2020
The U-10 is a guessing game of life or death. A top-secret paramilitary agency wants the U-10 and its gadgets, the guy who has the U-10 wants to keep it, and the alien who lost the U-10 wants it back. A death squad is dispatched to retrieve it and will stop at nothing, including the destruction of Earth, to accomplish their mission. With an introduction like that, you know that this is going to be a wild ride at a relentless pace.
Koritt, described as an insectoid alien is sent on a mission to Earth, but his ship crashes right in the middle of the war in Afghanistan. Other characters are brought forward and the character descriptions and interactions will hold the reader entranced. This isn’t a book you can flip through casually. It takes off and doesn’t slow down. So plan the time accordingly. But I think you will enjoy the journey.
Koritt, described as an insectoid alien is sent on a mission to Earth, but his ship crashes right in the middle of the war in Afghanistan. Other characters are brought forward and the character descriptions and interactions will hold the reader entranced. This isn’t a book you can flip through casually. It takes off and doesn’t slow down. So plan the time accordingly. But I think you will enjoy the journey.
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