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Not Alone #3
The Final Call
They came in peace. But that was last time…
As the world gears up for the first anniversary of Contact Day, Dan McCarthy's year-long effort to stay out of the limelight collapses in an instant.
A direct call from the Messengers throws Dan into urgent action, but the fallout plants a troubling seed of doubt:
This time, maybe they didn't come here to help....
As the world gears up for the first anniversary of Contact Day, Dan McCarthy's year-long effort to stay out of the limelight collapses in an instant.
A direct call from the Messengers throws Dan into urgent action, but the fallout plants a troubling seed of doubt:
This time, maybe they didn't come here to help....
Audio CD
Published December 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 16, 2019
Boring and predictable
Would be a good short story but the author had to put in so much meaningless fluff and plow the same ground over and over it was awful. Save your money.
Would be a good short story but the author had to put in so much meaningless fluff and plow the same ground over and over it was awful. Save your money.
September 16, 2023
Kopš agra vecuma Dens Makkartijs paskatoties debesīs un zvaigznēs, iztēlojoties, cik plašas distances pašam jāmēro uz Zemes, lai nokļūtu no punkta A uz punktu B, ir ticējis, ka citplanētiešiem tik lielā Visumā kaut kur ir jāpastāv. Diemžēl tēva solījums labākas ekonomikas apstākļos nopirkt teleskopu, kas ļautu kļūt par to, kas to atklāj, nekad tā arī nepiepildījās.
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May 14, 2019
As with any trilogy, coming to the conclusion is hard. The characters have become friends, like people you'd want to hang out with. Or other characters, not so much! But a good storyteller brings these characters to life, and a story that is so compelling, that reading the trilogy is a joy. When Not Alone was first published, my review's first line was it was the best sci fi I had read all year. Had you ever dreamed of meeting aliens, not in space but practically in your own back yard? Dan McCarthy had all his young life. But when he literally trips over proof, his life would never be the same. Although Not Alone : Final Call was a long time coming , it was thoroughly worth the wait. It's hard to review a book that no matter what you say may give plot points away, so if you want to read one of the best sci fi trilogies around, pick up Not Alone, and enjoy the ride. A job well done, Craig A. Falconer!
July 15, 2019
A fitting finale!
An excellent conclusion to a very good trilogy, I thoroughly enjoyed all three books, getting fully engaged with the characters and really rooting for them in the tough times. The ending ties everything off nicely and leaves a crack open for a follow on series in the future - a sign of very clever writing 😉
An excellent conclusion to a very good trilogy, I thoroughly enjoyed all three books, getting fully engaged with the characters and really rooting for them in the tough times. The ending ties everything off nicely and leaves a crack open for a follow on series in the future - a sign of very clever writing 😉
July 10, 2019
I would like more books about can and emma
I hope this is not the final book with Dan and Emma as I really enjoyed reading about their adventures. I could not put the books down when I started reading them and read all three books one after the other. Thank goodness I started reading them as I very nearly passed them over
I hope this is not the final book with Dan and Emma as I really enjoyed reading about their adventures. I could not put the books down when I started reading them and read all three books one after the other. Thank goodness I started reading them as I very nearly passed them over
July 6, 2019
Great series
Alien contact with lots of twists and surprises, especially in the first book. A reclusive bike messenger, bookshop barista becomes a world respected contact for visiting aliens. He could never have done it without his public relations liaison and love interest. This third book provides quite the satisfying conclusion.
Alien contact with lots of twists and surprises, especially in the first book. A reclusive bike messenger, bookshop barista becomes a world respected contact for visiting aliens. He could never have done it without his public relations liaison and love interest. This third book provides quite the satisfying conclusion.
June 22, 2019
Craig Deserves a Knighthood
This is one of the best series of books I have read in a long time. The story, spread over three volumes, is expertly crafted. There are no sections that "drag". The characters are believable and human. A few of them didn't actually enter the human race... they couldn't qualify for that event... but they exhibit traits that are desirable in humans. Characters possessive of virtue seem somewhat rare these days so it is comforting to read a story that doesn't stoop to embarrassing levels.
I think the most complimentary thing I can say is: This is a story of sufficient quality that one wants to read it through without stopping. However whilst consuming it one regrets in advance the inevitable end. So. One rations the chapters to one's self to prolong the pleasure as long as possible!
Great job, Craig!
This is one of the best series of books I have read in a long time. The story, spread over three volumes, is expertly crafted. There are no sections that "drag". The characters are believable and human. A few of them didn't actually enter the human race... they couldn't qualify for that event... but they exhibit traits that are desirable in humans. Characters possessive of virtue seem somewhat rare these days so it is comforting to read a story that doesn't stoop to embarrassing levels.
I think the most complimentary thing I can say is: This is a story of sufficient quality that one wants to read it through without stopping. However whilst consuming it one regrets in advance the inevitable end. So. One rations the chapters to one's self to prolong the pleasure as long as possible!
Great job, Craig!
April 14, 2020
This book was a bit more than ok so I gave it 3 stars not 2.
To be honest, after the first 2 books in the trilogy it felt like this book was written in a rush just to get it over with.
Spoilers ahead!
Book 1 was very good - we all fantsaize about learning that life on other plants exist.
Book 2 was also good - the idea that the Earth is under existential risk is a popular scenario in books and movies and the extraterestrial connection to it was nice.
Book 3, like I said, felt like it was done with very little thought as if the writer just wanted to be done with it - what's the deal with giving Dan super powers? What's the point of Jack's "twist" in the plot that lasted about 2 seconds and ended not with a bang but with... Well, nothing...
And, seriously, having the aliens as geusts at Dan and Emma's wedding?
After reading this book, I'm really not sure about the next ones...
To be honest, after the first 2 books in the trilogy it felt like this book was written in a rush just to get it over with.
Spoilers ahead!
Book 1 was very good - we all fantsaize about learning that life on other plants exist.
Book 2 was also good - the idea that the Earth is under existential risk is a popular scenario in books and movies and the extraterestrial connection to it was nice.
Book 3, like I said, felt like it was done with very little thought as if the writer just wanted to be done with it - what's the deal with giving Dan super powers? What's the point of Jack's "twist" in the plot that lasted about 2 seconds and ended not with a bang but with... Well, nothing...
And, seriously, having the aliens as geusts at Dan and Emma's wedding?
After reading this book, I'm really not sure about the next ones...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2019
Oh so sweet
I'm reminded of the final scene in Star wars (first movie). It was so hokey. A bunch of poorly organized troops that didn't know how to march parading while princess Leia smiled at everybody standing at the top of a podium alongside a grungy bunch of smugglers, and everyone was happy as Wookie bellowed approval. Well, this was similar. We've got innocent Dan and his sophisticated girlfriend Emma and brother Clark who's big hearted with a dark and brutal past and poor drug addicted Tara who's a fashion model open to being misled by anyone, and this unlikely group save the works from a fractured advanced society that is so ignorant they don't even know how to fix a roof. At the end we have a ceremony just like star wars where everyone is smiling at each other no matter all the previous backstabbing. No thanks. I'm very disappointed in this book
I'm reminded of the final scene in Star wars (first movie). It was so hokey. A bunch of poorly organized troops that didn't know how to march parading while princess Leia smiled at everybody standing at the top of a podium alongside a grungy bunch of smugglers, and everyone was happy as Wookie bellowed approval. Well, this was similar. We've got innocent Dan and his sophisticated girlfriend Emma and brother Clark who's big hearted with a dark and brutal past and poor drug addicted Tara who's a fashion model open to being misled by anyone, and this unlikely group save the works from a fractured advanced society that is so ignorant they don't even know how to fix a roof. At the end we have a ceremony just like star wars where everyone is smiling at each other no matter all the previous backstabbing. No thanks. I'm very disappointed in this book
May 24, 2019
I'm going to miss going places
"Reading will take you places." That's what we are told from a Young age. Craig has definitely taken us places in this trilogy.
I'm going to miss these characters who have become real to me. That is perhaps the best way I can compliment the author.
Well done!
"Reading will take you places." That's what we are told from a Young age. Craig has definitely taken us places in this trilogy.
I'm going to miss these characters who have become real to me. That is perhaps the best way I can compliment the author.
Well done!
June 4, 2019
I believe it ! I dislike politics ! A man who has morals!
I would like a life like Dans ! To be protected by so many friends and family ! He came out of his shell, and helped rebuild not one, but two worlds ! He is a remarkable, person, and you Mr. Faulkner are a remarkable, far seeing, intelligent
Writer ! GOOD JOB !
I would like a life like Dans ! To be protected by so many friends and family ! He came out of his shell, and helped rebuild not one, but two worlds ! He is a remarkable, person, and you Mr. Faulkner are a remarkable, far seeing, intelligent
Writer ! GOOD JOB !
October 12, 2020
This is a very long series, close to 100 hours of listening in the unabridged audiobook format of six novels. Given the length, you need a voice pleasant to hear and James Patrick Cronin does a terrific job throughout. Pacing, tempo, male and female voices, etc., overall production very well done. Not Alone is a SciFi series and Book One was released in August of 2016, book 6 in June of 2020, all by Audible Studios. Not Alone is character-driven, albeit few main characters – which is nice listening and you get to know everyone. No need for struggling to keep track of who-is-who, and thanks to the excellent narration, no problems with who-is-speaking-to-who.
Plot. Dan McCarthy, while riding his bike on a delivery, collides with a robber who drops an envelope containing definitive proof of a government cover-up. Human knowledge of aliens, i.e., we are Not Alone, has been a fact since 1938. Early on, you're skeptical and before the books are finished - well, no spoilers. But, SciFi lovers will be beyond pleased as Dan's amazing adventures unfold. Start with book one, and read in sequence or you'll miss a great deal.
Liked. Character development, humanoid, and otherwise. You like most, hate a few. The ultimate goodness of mankind, and any potential visitors, is something we all wish to be true.
Not so hot? Repetitive. Most noticeable in the series, Falconer re-caps a great deal, almost as if he needs to remind himself where the plot is and how we got here, reading from his own notes. Painful to listen to for anyone who is binge-listening to all six books in the series. Kept mumbling, 'Yeah, yeah, I know, I know - move on." Actually did have to fast-forward a bit.
No clicking knees, not a blood-and-guts type horror SciFi. This is a first contact story out of a vivid imagination telling us what it might really be like. World politics, wonder, fear, greed, hope - it's all here. No sex, nothing offensive. Recommended!
Plot. Dan McCarthy, while riding his bike on a delivery, collides with a robber who drops an envelope containing definitive proof of a government cover-up. Human knowledge of aliens, i.e., we are Not Alone, has been a fact since 1938. Early on, you're skeptical and before the books are finished - well, no spoilers. But, SciFi lovers will be beyond pleased as Dan's amazing adventures unfold. Start with book one, and read in sequence or you'll miss a great deal.
Liked. Character development, humanoid, and otherwise. You like most, hate a few. The ultimate goodness of mankind, and any potential visitors, is something we all wish to be true.
Not so hot? Repetitive. Most noticeable in the series, Falconer re-caps a great deal, almost as if he needs to remind himself where the plot is and how we got here, reading from his own notes. Painful to listen to for anyone who is binge-listening to all six books in the series. Kept mumbling, 'Yeah, yeah, I know, I know - move on." Actually did have to fast-forward a bit.
No clicking knees, not a blood-and-guts type horror SciFi. This is a first contact story out of a vivid imagination telling us what it might really be like. World politics, wonder, fear, greed, hope - it's all here. No sex, nothing offensive. Recommended!
February 2, 2021
I wish I could give this first Trilogy 5 stars. The story is engaging and I have enjoyed the direction Mr. Falconer takes the characters. I have started the second set of books with this story line and it too is a fascinating story concept. The story has kept me reading despite a couple of problems with the presentation of the story.
There are too many chapters that just rehash story line that has either occurred in the book or has already been reviewed to catch up readers that did not read the two previous books. I have read many, many trilogies and multi-book series. There is really no need to take the updates this far and it disrupts the flow of the story.
Also, being Scottish, Mr. Falconer uses expressions and descriptor words that American's would not use. Had his characters been set primarily in the British Isles, that would have made sense. But the main character of the trilogy is from Colorado and the details of the story should reflect that and not the author's heritage.
Don't avoid this series because of my comments. These issues are something to be aware of but this series is well worth dealing with those small points. Be prepared to see words that appear misspelled. That is just how they are spelled where Mr. Falconer lives.
There are too many chapters that just rehash story line that has either occurred in the book or has already been reviewed to catch up readers that did not read the two previous books. I have read many, many trilogies and multi-book series. There is really no need to take the updates this far and it disrupts the flow of the story.
Also, being Scottish, Mr. Falconer uses expressions and descriptor words that American's would not use. Had his characters been set primarily in the British Isles, that would have made sense. But the main character of the trilogy is from Colorado and the details of the story should reflect that and not the author's heritage.
Don't avoid this series because of my comments. These issues are something to be aware of but this series is well worth dealing with those small points. Be prepared to see words that appear misspelled. That is just how they are spelled where Mr. Falconer lives.
May 29, 2024
am not too surprised that Earth, following the confirmation on Contact Day, that the fact there really are aliens out there. That is such a major thing to have happened and it changed everything for just about every body.
Except now the aliens made indirectly contact again...with the very wrong groups and with nations inimical to the West.
Why?
For the West this is soon evident that East and West are being driven to a new split and might end up with dire consequences.
The Final Call concludes a trilogy in the series Not Alone by Craig A Falconer. All three books are tomes, character driven in a milieux that we are actually quite familiar with. Hence the brilliance of a plot that draws you in willy nilly and have you pursuing age old philosophical speculation in a unique and event driven story that tantalises and challenges the brain page by page to the final conclusion in The Final Call.
Author Craig A Falconer is a past master in this respect and is well deserving of all accolades coming his way.
I love this series.
Enjoy.
Except now the aliens made indirectly contact again...with the very wrong groups and with nations inimical to the West.
Why?
For the West this is soon evident that East and West are being driven to a new split and might end up with dire consequences.
The Final Call concludes a trilogy in the series Not Alone by Craig A Falconer. All three books are tomes, character driven in a milieux that we are actually quite familiar with. Hence the brilliance of a plot that draws you in willy nilly and have you pursuing age old philosophical speculation in a unique and event driven story that tantalises and challenges the brain page by page to the final conclusion in The Final Call.
Author Craig A Falconer is a past master in this respect and is well deserving of all accolades coming his way.
I love this series.
Enjoy.
July 15, 2019
The Not Alone series has to be one of the odder entries into sci-fi world, as its a parable of the media age. Ratings, talking heads, social media dictate the course of public opinion... just as it does in real life but rarely does a novel include extended chapters on exchanges on a talk-show cable-news program.
So thus becomes a meta-commentary about the reality of unreality of hot-take snippet culture, where PR firms, media coaches and representational lawyers are major players of an alien encounter. Whether this is boring or not is going to be up to the reader, it's probably a little on-the-nose accurate as we're living in an era where race-baiting, right-wing media conspiracies are spouted by our own president on social media.
It's a restrained series, this book feeling slightly tacked onto the last two, and the resolution a little too convenient but ultimately I enjoyed it.
So thus becomes a meta-commentary about the reality of unreality of hot-take snippet culture, where PR firms, media coaches and representational lawyers are major players of an alien encounter. Whether this is boring or not is going to be up to the reader, it's probably a little on-the-nose accurate as we're living in an era where race-baiting, right-wing media conspiracies are spouted by our own president on social media.
It's a restrained series, this book feeling slightly tacked onto the last two, and the resolution a little too convenient but ultimately I enjoyed it.
August 13, 2019
Dan McCarthy and Emma Ford wrap up the Not Alone trilogy with more healthy Colorado Springs living, and more work to save two worlds from disaster.
I like the characters and dialog in this series. The action is slower, the money is easy, and Dan is the most honest man you'll ever meet. Well, he's honest in the way that he is not open about his secrets.
But when he comes clean, he does it in a way that is selfless. It's for the greater good. He makes friends easily, his family and neighbors are really cool and really strong, and he travels in circles that include heads of state.
What's not to like? There's even a dog.
I like the characters and dialog in this series. The action is slower, the money is easy, and Dan is the most honest man you'll ever meet. Well, he's honest in the way that he is not open about his secrets.
But when he comes clean, he does it in a way that is selfless. It's for the greater good. He makes friends easily, his family and neighbors are really cool and really strong, and he travels in circles that include heads of state.
What's not to like? There's even a dog.
August 16, 2019
A good read that was so hard to put down.
Having spent many years writing and reviewing everything from business policies, action procedures and instructions, and complex business letters, I learned that almost anybody can make changes to what another person wrote. Yet as I read Craig's books it didn't even enter my mind. He does get long on the details but that just pulled me into living inside the story and becoming one of the family. A great job Craig, and I'm not just saying that because I have the same first name.
Having spent many years writing and reviewing everything from business policies, action procedures and instructions, and complex business letters, I learned that almost anybody can make changes to what another person wrote. Yet as I read Craig's books it didn't even enter my mind. He does get long on the details but that just pulled me into living inside the story and becoming one of the family. A great job Craig, and I'm not just saying that because I have the same first name.
June 13, 2021
Great Series Arc Conclusion
Bar a few points where i disagree with how things work there way through things and i feel perhaps I think things would go in a different direction this works out overall very well with things mostly tied up in a nice bow. As further books go on to show the overall story doesn't end here but the particular focus to date does work out to a convoluted but rather satisfying conclusion with some cracking pieces of rather excellent moments which make this book stand out to me.
Bar a few points where i disagree with how things work there way through things and i feel perhaps I think things would go in a different direction this works out overall very well with things mostly tied up in a nice bow. As further books go on to show the overall story doesn't end here but the particular focus to date does work out to a convoluted but rather satisfying conclusion with some cracking pieces of rather excellent moments which make this book stand out to me.
June 5, 2019
Great series
Final call is the last book in this trilogy and I loved it. Sad to see all these characters go as the development is so well done, I feel I know them.
This series is less about science fiction and more of an expose of politics at its worst, and the characters involved at their best. At the heart of the series is first contact, but it's not your usual sci-fi read.
I thought the series was wrapped up rather nicely.
Final call is the last book in this trilogy and I loved it. Sad to see all these characters go as the development is so well done, I feel I know them.
This series is less about science fiction and more of an expose of politics at its worst, and the characters involved at their best. At the heart of the series is first contact, but it's not your usual sci-fi read.
I thought the series was wrapped up rather nicely.
July 29, 2019
Just NOT All That Good ...
Perhaps I’m jaded because there were too many Earth-based political issues thrown into this book (and the Series, in general). The SciFi/Alien aspects of the books was fine, but there was otherwise just endless on-and-on-and-on-and-on stuff about Earth’s distrust and this and that. Truthfully, there were also too many instances of disbelief in this book ... Jack-the-Evil guy, China vs the US/Britain, etc.
Perhaps I’m jaded because there were too many Earth-based political issues thrown into this book (and the Series, in general). The SciFi/Alien aspects of the books was fine, but there was otherwise just endless on-and-on-and-on-and-on stuff about Earth’s distrust and this and that. Truthfully, there were also too many instances of disbelief in this book ... Jack-the-Evil guy, China vs the US/Britain, etc.
February 12, 2020
Good Landing to a Thrill of a Ride
As I came to the end of this book I realized that there is so much more that I want to know. After a peek at New Kergulen I want to see more. I want to learn more about the aliens and their society. I want to see what kind of world Baby McCarthy grows up in. There are so many possibilities for more stories. Whether Mr. Falconer writes of them, or my imagination takes off, the possibilities are endless.
As I came to the end of this book I realized that there is so much more that I want to know. After a peek at New Kergulen I want to see more. I want to learn more about the aliens and their society. I want to see what kind of world Baby McCarthy grows up in. There are so many possibilities for more stories. Whether Mr. Falconer writes of them, or my imagination takes off, the possibilities are endless.
May 12, 2021
Nicely done
It's tough to discuss this story without spoilers. Dan, Emma and the rest are wrapped up in dealing with the East West conflict and their alien contacts. Things look pretty tense for awhile as some bad actors move into positions of power. But things work out for the best. In the meantime, it looks like we have some powerful friends in the aliens. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
It's tough to discuss this story without spoilers. Dan, Emma and the rest are wrapped up in dealing with the East West conflict and their alien contacts. Things look pretty tense for awhile as some bad actors move into positions of power. But things work out for the best. In the meantime, it looks like we have some powerful friends in the aliens. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 31, 2025
I can't say how much I enjoyed this series
I will consider this series in my Top 3. Most of my sci-fi readings are space drama/ opera types considerably in the distant future. I feel this one as the most realistic "first contact" scenarios we may someday see, hopefully in my lifetime.
I would love to be the Dan McCarthy should that day ever come.
Thank you Mr. Falconer for the fantastic reading experience.
I will consider this series in my Top 3. Most of my sci-fi readings are space drama/ opera types considerably in the distant future. I feel this one as the most realistic "first contact" scenarios we may someday see, hopefully in my lifetime.
I would love to be the Dan McCarthy should that day ever come.
Thank you Mr. Falconer for the fantastic reading experience.
June 5, 2019
Sad to realize the story is over, but so glad to have had the experience of reading it!
This series always left room for hope for the characters. Facing daunting odds, the "good guys" kept up the fight for a peaceful conclusion, and after each obstacle, still pursued honorable ends. Any time C.A. Falconer wants to resurrect these characters, I'm in!
This series always left room for hope for the characters. Facing daunting odds, the "good guys" kept up the fight for a peaceful conclusion, and after each obstacle, still pursued honorable ends. Any time C.A. Falconer wants to resurrect these characters, I'm in!
June 14, 2019
A CAF. SYFY. Novel (NA. - TFC)
CAF. has. penned the final installment of the Not Alone series. In this novel DM receives another message and stops an international kidnapping attempt. After the current atmosphere settles down the old man returns and offers suggestions to accomplish. the mission this is an excellent read for the genre ....DEHS
CAF. has. penned the final installment of the Not Alone series. In this novel DM receives another message and stops an international kidnapping attempt. After the current atmosphere settles down the old man returns and offers suggestions to accomplish. the mission this is an excellent read for the genre ....DEHS
August 18, 2019
Way Wow!
I enjoyed this book as much as the last two! What a great story. At first I wasn't sure how it would all turn out but I loved the ending. The only problem with the writing were a few places where words were left out. So I have to say to the author, please re-read carefully. I look forward to any new books. Thanks.
I enjoyed this book as much as the last two! What a great story. At first I wasn't sure how it would all turn out but I loved the ending. The only problem with the writing were a few places where words were left out. So I have to say to the author, please re-read carefully. I look forward to any new books. Thanks.
October 18, 2019
Ya know....lately I've been finding a few writers that can carry continuity of their story they bring to you.....I wasn't disappointed here....Craig gave us a different take on meeting aliens. Alright I'm a very old soflty...the ending brought two tears to my old ass eyes BUT no more than that...I'M not that soft. Yup.....thumbs up from me....😁😎
February 11, 2021
Reading that has a positive ending!
I read the first three books, but the third book required a response. Many science fiction books end on doomsday note. This series has, so far, been an upbeat and enjoyable adventure. Excitement and drama carry throughout the books: this has made it an excellent read. I am looking forward to book four, and, possibly the rest of the series.
I read the first three books, but the third book required a response. Many science fiction books end on doomsday note. This series has, so far, been an upbeat and enjoyable adventure. Excitement and drama carry throughout the books: this has made it an excellent read. I am looking forward to book four, and, possibly the rest of the series.
August 9, 2021
Fitting capstone
I found myself surprising the others in my home regularly with laughter, surprise and other exclamations throughout. The series had regular character growth, and even the things I should have seen coming were cleverly shrouded until arrival. I'm glad I took the time to read these and hope I can get my friends and family to do the same!
I found myself surprising the others in my home regularly with laughter, surprise and other exclamations throughout. The series had regular character growth, and even the things I should have seen coming were cleverly shrouded until arrival. I'm glad I took the time to read these and hope I can get my friends and family to do the same!
June 9, 2022
I'm glad this installment really made the first two reads worth it. It's positive, fun, simple, and worth the time. The first two books were just way too long for me for what they offered, but the good parts still made the books worth it. Here we have a premise that has potential to really grow into something. Fortunately there is a fourth book which I now look forward to reading next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews