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EarthCent Universe #2
Assisted Living
In space, you can never have too much fresh fruit.
Or can you? Flower, the sentient alien colony ship on loan to EarthCent has a problem. Operating at just five percent of her capacity, she needs to attract more humans and give them a reason to stay. Join Harry, Irene, Julie and Bill for the fun in this sequel to Independent Living that shows you’re never too old to teach an alien AI a new trick.
Or can you? Flower, the sentient alien colony ship on loan to EarthCent has a problem. Operating at just five percent of her capacity, she needs to attract more humans and give them a reason to stay. Join Harry, Irene, Julie and Bill for the fun in this sequel to Independent Living that shows you’re never too old to teach an alien AI a new trick.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
194 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books246 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 21, 2024
plenty of fun in this volume however, I'm not quite as impressed as with the previous episode. Rather, I consider this sort of a transition story, setting up the foundation for further developing the sub-universe of the former colony ship Flower and her growing number of inhabitants.
This book is in keeping with the flavor of the Eartcent Universe we've grown to love. Numerous characters continue to develop, often at the inelegant manipulations of Flower, the sentient AI that lacks the subtleness of the Stryx.
Personally, i'd suggest reading these in time sequence with the parallel novels. While they're written as stand alone series, there are cross over references and and cameo appearances which some could feel are minor spoilers if taken out of sequence.
This book is in keeping with the flavor of the Eartcent Universe we've grown to love. Numerous characters continue to develop, often at the inelegant manipulations of Flower, the sentient AI that lacks the subtleness of the Stryx.
Personally, i'd suggest reading these in time sequence with the parallel novels. While they're written as stand alone series, there are cross over references and and cameo appearances which some could feel are minor spoilers if taken out of sequence.
June 22, 2020
Fun story with a meandering story line!
October 4, 2020
The second in E.M. Foner's Union Station adjacent expansion of the Earthcent Universe, Assisted Living continues on from Independent Living, featuring many of the same characters and set mainly on the sentient colony ship, Flower. The story revolves, as many of the other stories in this universe do, around relationships and business with several amusing asides and interesting takes on mundane problems. Foner has said that he keeps writing these books because he loves his characters and it shows. And while I'm not yet as attached to these characters as I am to the ones still on Union Station, I do not mind spending time with them in the slightest. This series is just as much fun as its progenitor series and I hope it continues to grow.
October 10, 2019
Amusing
I like most of the author’s work, and this was no exception. Consistent, well paced, inventive, and amusing.
For criticism: while there was a plot driver, it was very subtle and easily missed. That left the narrative to feel like it was meandering a bit. The first book had greater narrative ‘force’; it had three distinct plots that gave it added tension. This really only had one plot that was hiding behind a variety of sub-plots.
I will continue to purchase this author’s work. I look forward to each expansion of the Union Station Universe.
I like most of the author’s work, and this was no exception. Consistent, well paced, inventive, and amusing.
For criticism: while there was a plot driver, it was very subtle and easily missed. That left the narrative to feel like it was meandering a bit. The first book had greater narrative ‘force’; it had three distinct plots that gave it added tension. This really only had one plot that was hiding behind a variety of sub-plots.
I will continue to purchase this author’s work. I look forward to each expansion of the Union Station Universe.
May 7, 2020
Always a fun read!
I am so glad to have found this author's books, everyone has been a delight to read. The characters are unique and I have to say that the continuity of the prime characters behavior is really noteworthy, very difficult task for a writer and Foner is exceptional. Having an AI with some issues to work through as a backbone character is certainly a great idea...love the overt, and covert, ways that Flower manages the inhabitants of the colony ship... great book and series!
I am so glad to have found this author's books, everyone has been a delight to read. The characters are unique and I have to say that the continuity of the prime characters behavior is really noteworthy, very difficult task for a writer and Foner is exceptional. Having an AI with some issues to work through as a backbone character is certainly a great idea...love the overt, and covert, ways that Flower manages the inhabitants of the colony ship... great book and series!
December 1, 2020
Meh!
Book 1 was amusing and a touch humorous but book 2 has gone from that to spontaneously silly and mostly unreasonable. The storyline rambles, mostly directionless, going nowhere. The limited plot is disjointed, character development is minimal and I quit when It all became boring.
Book 1 was amusing and a touch humorous but book 2 has gone from that to spontaneously silly and mostly unreasonable. The storyline rambles, mostly directionless, going nowhere. The limited plot is disjointed, character development is minimal and I quit when It all became boring.
October 9, 2019
FUN, BUT EPISODIC
The previous Flower book had continued plot and personal development threads. This one is readable and fun, but Flower's chase for profit and a milestone bonus does not give as much coherence to the book. That said, I look forward to the next.
The previous Flower book had continued plot and personal development threads. This one is readable and fun, but Flower's chase for profit and a milestone bonus does not give as much coherence to the book. That said, I look forward to the next.
February 23, 2022
Foner, E. M. Assisted Living. EarthCent Universe No. 2. Foner Books, 2019.
First, Foner needs to rename this spinoff series because EarthCent now has several narrative strands. Assisted Living is a sequel to Independent Living, in which a young woman in witness protection and a group of retirees from Earth find themselves stuck on a cavernous spacecraft run by an AI that calls itself Flower. In this second installment, Flower engages her human passengers to help her find some new passengers, because it is not profitable to run as empty as she has been lately. Flower is snarky and bossy, and she usually gets her way by making the humans act in their own best interests, though what that sometimes surprises us and Flower herself. If this were a mystery, you would call it a cozy. Low-key, humorous, and fun—a literary snack. 3.5 stars.
First, Foner needs to rename this spinoff series because EarthCent now has several narrative strands. Assisted Living is a sequel to Independent Living, in which a young woman in witness protection and a group of retirees from Earth find themselves stuck on a cavernous spacecraft run by an AI that calls itself Flower. In this second installment, Flower engages her human passengers to help her find some new passengers, because it is not profitable to run as empty as she has been lately. Flower is snarky and bossy, and she usually gets her way by making the humans act in their own best interests, though what that sometimes surprises us and Flower herself. If this were a mystery, you would call it a cozy. Low-key, humorous, and fun—a literary snack. 3.5 stars.
October 31, 2020
A very enjoyable story, no heavy thinking required
Sometimes you just want to be entertained, and this book fills that need. No war, no battles, no good versus evil, just good, clean fun.
Flower is a very large colony ship, and she is also a very opinionated artificial intelligence. She runs the ship and the passengers, and everything she does is for someone's own good.
There's a lot of humor, a lot of fun, and there's no need to worry about a thing.
Results: I enjoyed reading this. I get a kick out of the lengths Flower will go to in order to achieve her goals. It's a fun read, so check it out.
Sometimes you just want to be entertained, and this book fills that need. No war, no battles, no good versus evil, just good, clean fun.
Flower is a very large colony ship, and she is also a very opinionated artificial intelligence. She runs the ship and the passengers, and everything she does is for someone's own good.
There's a lot of humor, a lot of fun, and there's no need to worry about a thing.
Results: I enjoyed reading this. I get a kick out of the lengths Flower will go to in order to achieve her goals. It's a fun read, so check it out.
July 6, 2020
EM Foner wrote another excellent book here. Throughly enjoyable with the amazing character development and a really interesting story. He intersperses characters we know from the Union Station series with brand new characters all about the colony ship Flower. I think one of the things I love about these books is the way Foner shows people from very different backgrounds learning to love and interact with each other in love and respect. These science fiction books could be very helpful in the real world of today.
October 25, 2020
Wonderful adventure. Lovable characters. Fun adventure. Unique Tory.
I have so enjoyed this series. The story is fun to follow, and I just love the AI. She is like my aunt Monette.
I love the progression of the character relationships. And the things they get in to, because of the AI, keeps you going.
Nice, clean fiction. At least I think it’s fiction...😳
I have so enjoyed this series. The story is fun to follow, and I just love the AI. She is like my aunt Monette.
I love the progression of the character relationships. And the things they get in to, because of the AI, keeps you going.
Nice, clean fiction. At least I think it’s fiction...😳
November 27, 2020
Lots of fun
My finger slipped and it should have been higher. I really liked the mix of aliens, the process servers I guess are a stand in for a real villain. All tho I hope the lawyers turnout to be the arch villains as it should be in any universe.
My finger slipped and it should have been higher. I really liked the mix of aliens, the process servers I guess are a stand in for a real villain. All tho I hope the lawyers turnout to be the arch villains as it should be in any universe.
November 19, 2020
The story continues
Flower, Julie, Bill, and the rest of the gang are all here. They show that living on an FTL star cruise ship can be interesting. A fun read.
Flower, Julie, Bill, and the rest of the gang are all here. They show that living on an FTL star cruise ship can be interesting. A fun read.
December 17, 2020
Great change
Sci-fi without wars and destruction is a great change,add in a bit of humor and you have a winning series
Sci-fi without wars and destruction is a great change,add in a bit of humor and you have a winning series
December 24, 2020
Bakers dozen
Life on board Flower settles down with the most interesting action being Harry's baking cakes for the aliens on board.
A laugh out loud game of scrabble :D
Life on board Flower settles down with the most interesting action being Harry's baking cakes for the aliens on board.
A laugh out loud game of scrabble :D
April 25, 2021
There are still secrets to be revealed. I'm looking forward to it.
August 8, 2021
New alien overlord
So our pushy Dominick ship is now bossy g her erstwhile intrepid humans around. We will see if is for their own good.
So our pushy Dominick ship is now bossy g her erstwhile intrepid humans around. We will see if is for their own good.
February 26, 2022
Decent
The story is OK, but I just don't care for the characters. I doubt I'll read anymore of these.One more word
The story is OK, but I just don't care for the characters. I doubt I'll read anymore of these.One more word
November 13, 2022
Sci fi humor
An excellent entry in the earth cent universe . I reccomend you start with the Union Station three pack, A cost effective way to go.
An excellent entry in the earth cent universe . I reccomend you start with the Union Station three pack, A cost effective way to go.
December 15, 2022
Great series!
Read through it before I realized it. Heading on to the next one to read more about the adventure on Flower!
Read through it before I realized it. Heading on to the next one to read more about the adventure on Flower!
October 28, 2020
Intriguing and entertaining, looking forward to more
February 25, 2025
If you are not already familiar with E. M. Foner's work, please read the series in order, especially
his new EarthCent Universe. The first volume includes cleverly killing off bad guys, retired people stuck in space due to being scammed, and helpless young people who are aided by the oldies and Flower the colony space ship (who is also an artificial intelligence not used to dealing with humans). In other words, there is a sense of urgency that is largely missing in volume 2.
"Assisted Living" (E.U. #2) continues the gentle humor and character development we have come to love in Foner's books. Flower could be repossessed by the aliens who built her if she can't make a living by enlarging her onboard population of humans and aliens who pay her rent. She schemes with her boarders to create business opportunities that can be lucrative to all involved. It sounds trivial, but Flower can see a future that is far ahead of the humans riding inside her and this builds the tension in the storyline. If the people begin to feel like puppets they might revolt, though they realize that Flower is benevolent at heart. She is just a bit clumsy as she tries to guide their futures and their personal lives. I look forward to volume 3, but I hope that it has more of the juice that drove #1.
his new EarthCent Universe. The first volume includes cleverly killing off bad guys, retired people stuck in space due to being scammed, and helpless young people who are aided by the oldies and Flower the colony space ship (who is also an artificial intelligence not used to dealing with humans). In other words, there is a sense of urgency that is largely missing in volume 2.
"Assisted Living" (E.U. #2) continues the gentle humor and character development we have come to love in Foner's books. Flower could be repossessed by the aliens who built her if she can't make a living by enlarging her onboard population of humans and aliens who pay her rent. She schemes with her boarders to create business opportunities that can be lucrative to all involved. It sounds trivial, but Flower can see a future that is far ahead of the humans riding inside her and this builds the tension in the storyline. If the people begin to feel like puppets they might revolt, though they realize that Flower is benevolent at heart. She is just a bit clumsy as she tries to guide their futures and their personal lives. I look forward to volume 3, but I hope that it has more of the juice that drove #1.
January 22, 2020
A very fun read.
Good characters, fun story, interesting concepts. It does not take itself too seriously. I recommend starting with the union station books, though.
Good characters, fun story, interesting concepts. It does not take itself too seriously. I recommend starting with the union station books, though.
October 12, 2019
Flower Power!
For us Union Station fans this is comfort food. For the rest .... Welcome aboard a ship run by an AI who won't talk to the ship's captain unless he wears the official hat. She also believes in morning stretches, runs her own Assisted living complex, and has started several new businesses. One is a delivery service (complete with a package delivery specialist). The other is a bakery specializing in, er, fruit cake.
For us Union Station fans this is comfort food. For the rest .... Welcome aboard a ship run by an AI who won't talk to the ship's captain unless he wears the official hat. She also believes in morning stretches, runs her own Assisted living complex, and has started several new businesses. One is a delivery service (complete with a package delivery specialist). The other is a bakery specializing in, er, fruit cake.
October 14, 2019
Even Better Than the First!
The second installment of this series was even better than the first as there was more development of the primary and ancillary characters. Plus, it was just plain fun and funny to read.
While you can appreciate some of the characters' references if you've read the Union Station series (which I highly recommend), these books stand well on their own. This one was a great, fun read.
(Write faster, E.M.!)
The second installment of this series was even better than the first as there was more development of the primary and ancillary characters. Plus, it was just plain fun and funny to read.
While you can appreciate some of the characters' references if you've read the Union Station series (which I highly recommend), these books stand well on their own. This one was a great, fun read.
(Write faster, E.M.!)
December 28, 2019
This series is rapidly becoming one of those auto-buy, read, and re-read! A fun look at human foibles against the harsh backdrop of outer space or at least the disconcerting observations of an all-powerful AI who hasn't any of the pre-conditioned understanding or acceptance that we allow ourselves! You'll never look at retirement, employment, or even gardening the same way again!
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
October 12, 2019
More gentle but exciting tales from space
I love the Earth Cent books both on Union Station and also now onboard Flower. They give an almost believable glimpse or life in the future and manage to avoid gratuitous sex and violence. As I work for the real OU, the references to that are fun too.
When is the book our!!
I love the Earth Cent books both on Union Station and also now onboard Flower. They give an almost believable glimpse or life in the future and manage to avoid gratuitous sex and violence. As I work for the real OU, the references to that are fun too.
When is the book our!!
January 16, 2020
Another Entertaining and Just Plain Fun Book
I got hooked on these quirky characters from the Union Station series. They are just a p!measure to read and an excellent mind palate cleanser between more serious books. The characters are fun, the stories keep your attention and, best of all, they are fun.
Looking forward to the next dozen or so.
I got hooked on these quirky characters from the Union Station series. They are just a p!measure to read and an excellent mind palate cleanser between more serious books. The characters are fun, the stories keep your attention and, best of all, they are fun.
Looking forward to the next dozen or so.
October 13, 2019
Excellent as always.
This is my second favorite book series. The first being the union station series also from this author. Highly recommend this book, this series, and this author.
This is my second favorite book series. The first being the union station series also from this author. Highly recommend this book, this series, and this author.
October 24, 2023
Another winner!
This book is a wonderful installment in the continuing (hopefully forever) Stryx world. I only wish I could "retire" on Flower. Laugh out loud funny and so good to view humans from an alien pov.
This book is a wonderful installment in the continuing (hopefully forever) Stryx world. I only wish I could "retire" on Flower. Laugh out loud funny and so good to view humans from an alien pov.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews