Genesis

Ancient Origins #4

by Robert Storey

Sometimes it’s safer in the dark...

Deep beneath the mountains of Mexico lies an abandoned underworld; an ancient and enormous archaeological wonder that dwarfs anything ever created by humanity. Trying to flee from its clutches with a stolen artefact, Sarah Morgan holds the key to exposing an extinct species, once capable of extraordinary cultural and scientific advances. But an unknown terror awaits her in the abyss, something distinctly... inhuman.

As Sarah fights for survival, Malcolm Joiner is busy weaving a web of lies. The feared and ruthless director of the GMRC’s Intelligence Division has uncovered a shocking truth about Project Ares that not only undermines his authority, but threatens the existence of humanity itself...

Genres: Science Fiction

509 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2015

About the author

As a young boy Robert always dreamed about becoming a fiction writer, but it never occurred to him that he could follow that dream. Some years later fate intervened and he was struck down with a debilitating neurological condition, which was brought on by a car accident some years earlier. Rendered housebound on and off for well over a decade, he thought his condition signaled an end to his life, but Robert had failed to realize something ... he was wrong, and in his darkest hours he turned to writing as a means of escape. Never thinking anyone would read his work, let alone like it, Robert has now published four books in his bestselling Ancient Origins series and plans on writing four more, along with a fantasy series and a number of thrillers. His condition still keeps him indoors more than he would like, but it doesn't stop him from writing, and more importantly it doesn't stop him from dreaming...

Robert currently lives in the county of Kent in England and is a lover of science, archaeology and the mysterious. He has a passion for films, specifically action and adventure, science fiction and blockbuster thrillers, but as he got older he realised new releases rarely matched the classics he'd already had the privilege of watching, and it was partly this frustration that led him to create a world of his own.

Reviews

[Red Tide]

No effort


Refused to Finish. Rating: minus 5

I am rewriting my reviews for clarity and honest directness. A Goodreads tech (rogue, oh course) will not allow me to see others' reviews. 🤔 I would refer you to a better review but am not allowed. 🙂

A Goodreads tech, rogue of course has masked commenter ID's on my pages. They remove the masks when I reference the review. 🤗 What kind of life do these little men (I assume) have, I wonder. 😎

I finally closed my page to comments and removed all my lurkers but one. A Goodreads tech will not allow me to remove Dr Susan Hamilton (a Maths professor at University of Tennessee ?). 🤔🤔🤔 She posted nothing for more than 2 years after her friend request and has refused to respond to four requests that she unfriend me. 🤔 If she is that fascinated by my reviews, that is sad. I am just not that interesting and she is incredibly rude. 🙂🤗

Apparently the above happens when you use this site. 🤗 Write one brutally negative review of "a sorry libertarian salute to the January 6, 2021 hero", suddenly being a communist is become a bad thing. 🤗🤗

I was surprised that I actually was able to see my commenter on this review for a few moments. I interrupted my rewrite for a hot drink and member name returned. This is the third teview that has magically changed. 😄😃😃😃 Amazon/Goodreads are a hilarious organization and yet businesses pay them for cloud storage. I can not fathom business decisions. 🤗🤗

It amazes me that AWS is their most profitable division. I wonder why the indiscipline and strange authorities/permissions of their techs doesn't constitute a security red flag to customers. It's a wonder. Amazon quietly sell the feed from their security systems to local police. Amazon has been accused of unfair practices towards its partners. Amazon workers suffer from horrendous work rules and the highest industrial accident rate in america, I think. What is the corporate culture in that organization? .🤔🤔🤔

For more fun, please either my review of "Stowaway", a poor attempt at space adventure or Powers of the Earth (a sorry libertarian salute to the January 6, 2021 hero) and the comments from a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi and US patriot).

To Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710
Don't be a numpty. Be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party. 🤗🤗

I wonder how these US patriots (Tucker Carlson, Claes Rees Jr and a rogue Goodreads tech) are still supportive of Putin's Russia, even after he has threatened their own country. I suspect that it is more than bars of Russian gold. It might be hope of acquiring their own Ukrainian slave (or as Russia labels them, Siberian deportees). In any case.

Today. Kherson! Tomorrow Crimea! GLORY TO UKRAINE !!! and GLORY TO THE HEROES. !!!

With the useful idiots discussed and dismissed, we can crack on. The characters are thin, the plot gets spotty, the premise is silly. The world building would offend an eight year old. 😁 If you are into US ethnocentricity, this book may be comforting. It is insanely implausible but to a certain reader (american male probably) probably delivers a small tingle. The book was free which makes the book less of a disappointment than paying for it.

The heroine goes from being driven by science to chasing her boyfriend of a month all over the underground scenery. She has dialogue worthy of a romance novel. We go from US superiority to US male demigods. This plot seems tailor made for incels. I wonder what ethnicity or racial designation is shared by all the characters. Sexism check! Racism check!

The U.S.military is portrayed as an evil badly led group and a mercenary army are the professional, dedicated and courageous good guys who protect their charges at all costs. This is the libertarian dream. Sign a contract and all is well. American mercenaries only rape, steal and murder in brown countries. When their charges are white, they are paragons. That makes sense to a fifteen year old or a middle aged man child.

While the US military has earned hostility abroad and it's leadership has lost credibility, I do not think that anyone would claim that any mercenary group is the more professional. As for equipment, the military actually generates the weapons systems. I guess the writer and his fifteen year old fans think that the tanks, aircraft, artillery etc are created by the "Arms" fairies..

Has the writer ever bothered to price the cost of procurement, maintenance, ammunition and sailor pay/spare parts/fuel and supplies/shipyard time for the smallest warships. I do not think that he even understands that maintenance and resupply is done in shipyards and ports.This is No Effort, low end, US fiction at its best. 🤗🤗

I did in the past blame HALO for these books but I now think that this ultra nationalist fantasy is a political expression and that the target audience is not fifteen. It is a sad possibility, since these readers are prepared to send as many eighteen year olds as needed to conquer this, intervene there. While these middle aged warriors chant USA! USA! USA!, they do not even consider the cost in terror and death of their heart's desire. Sound like sociopathy to you? 🤔 It does to me.

I mention the small ships because an aircraft carrier needs an air group, aviation fuel, flight crew, ground crew, and about 4,000 additional sailors. Then the carrier needs a mixed squadron of smaller ships for anti submarine and anti air screening. I imagine that the mercenary corporation bought at least one replenishment ship, one fuel tanker, replacement warplanes, aviation spare parts and aviation fuel. 🤗🤗🤗

If the reader looks up numbers on Wikipedia alone, he might think to himself about how much this mercenary corporation charges in order to make a profit. It would be awesome to purchase my own ten to twenty billion Dollar (US) aircraft carrier but my budget does not allow. They might even have the realization that these ships are too expensive for most countries and only a few countries have even one aircraft carrier.

At that point, they might realize that a mercenary corporation does not provide tanks, armored personnel vehicles, artillery and medical services to its troops. It does not pay for logistical support, intelligence support, supply trains or air cover.

Black Water and the Wagner Group have reputations that would cause anyone sane to protest these heroes being deployed in the home country for any reason. They are undisciplined, murderers who suffer no consequences for actions but they are white working class sorts with a moral center?

I have a working class background so impoverished that my community msde almost all the charscters on Eastenders seem solidly middle class. Neither I nor my childhood friends would have considered that one bit of this background universe made the least bit of sense. Least of all the mercenaries.

These are the heroes of the book. Wow! It makes Starship Troopers seem plausible. 😂😂

The civilian leaders are scarily incompetent and remorse free but still manage to be ruthless. How? 😀

These are national leaders, while the nation is not a significant actor in this entire story. The idea that government leaders aren't looking for orders from the capital owning class, makes little sense. These americans are so moral but they are not sharing their hideout or whatever with even the Mexican people?

Mexico's people and government are so stupid that they do not know that the US is building this base? or whatever under their country? They do not notice this american invasion? Last but not least, a redoubt that is to save humanity that isn't overflowing with american billionaires is unbelievable. The book defines humanity as american? Racist much?

At the fifty percent mark, I could not finish the book. I was hoping for more of a story, no matter how badly written but did not get it. What is the point of this story? This book is a political statement, not a novel. It is written to showcase accepted values and attitudes, not human reactions to extreme circumstances. I am flexible (less than formerly) in my entertainment choices but this type of clumsy propaganda really crosses the line.

This book is a good example of No Effort US science fiction. Wading through this kind of drivel drove me away from reading science fiction, even before the Amazon/Goodreads trauma above. 😃 I have been watching science fiction rather than wasting time sifting through rubbish print. Netflix and other streaming services are the better option for higher quality stories across all genre, I think. With their libraries, you are more certain to find a gem, or at least a passable work.

I stumbled across documentary sites and book tubers at about the same time on YouTube. I liked the interest areas covered by various channels but the book tubes were the best surprise. 😍😍😍 For a community of readers who are thoughtful and excited by books and all bookish things, you must take a look at the book channels (I've listed some below). It is a pleasant escape from the lurkers and creepy commenters of Goodreads.

My YouTube picks of the moment.
The Leftist Cooks Philomena Cunk, Rowan Ellis, Third Paradigm, Second Thought, James Ker-lindsay, Lex Fridman, Book Odyssey, Chloe Stafler, Get Factual, Geo Girl, Verdsna, Book Furnace.

As for Goodreads, please treat this as a potentially hostile site. Ominous music plays.
From my own experience, minimize your profile information, be wary of messaging (exchange emails instead) and remove all lurkers (they are not just weird members but can be dangerous and at least one low level tech is willing to support them, even to illegality). Ominous music ends. 😃

Some of my favorite YouTube channels are.

Tara Mooknee, Some More News, Munecat, Novara Media, Chugging Along, Tom Nicholas, Tulia, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Linguoer Mechanic, Philosophy Tube, Sabine Hossenfelder, Mythic Concepts, Karolina Zebrowska, Jill Bearup, A Clockwork Reader, The Armchair Historian, Dan Davis History, Sort of Interesting, Vlad Vexler, Steam Punk, AstronautX, Neringa Rekaslute, Tibees, Sarah Z, Three Arrows, Second Thought, The Narrowboat Chef, 2Cellos, Cruising the Cut, What Vivi did next, The Narrowboat that James built, Camper Vibe, Mala Armia Janosika, Kathy's Flog in France, Ryan Chapman, Overly Sarcastic Productions, We're in Hell, Between the Wars, The Great War, Denys Davydov, Celtica, Lady of the Library, Renegade Cut, Kings and Generals, Cool Worlds, Mythology and Fiction Explained, The Shades of Orange, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Jessica Gagnon, France 24, Double Down News, Swell Entertainment, Practical Engineering, Mike's Book Reviews, Lady knight the Brave, Emmie, Cruising Alba, Nerdstalgia, Patrick is a Navajo, SandRhoman History, Daniel Rubin, Austin McConnell, Boat Time, With Olivia, Chris Animations, Fall of Civilizations, Kathy's Flog in France, Military History Visualized, The Radical Reviewer, Perun, Noelle Gallagher, Merphy Napier, Katie Colson, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, A Life of Lit, Maximillien Robespierre, IzzzYzzz, Dark Docs, I'm Rosa, Lilly's expat life, Brittany the Bibliophile, Alexa Donne, Jack in the Books, Kelly loves Physics and History, Prime of Midlife, Zoe Baker, Mrs Betty Bower, Make Better Media, History Line, Military Aviation History, Epimetheus, Nikolay Kutuzov, Enby Reads, Autumn's Boutique, 2 Steps from Hell, The Welsh Viking, Invicta, Avishavili, The People Profile, Adult Wednesday Addams, The Institute of Arts and Ideas, UA Courage, Art by Annamarie, Artificial Intelligence Universe, The Carpenter's Daughter.

I wish you a gorgeous morning, an exhilarating afternoon, a cozy evening, a splendid night and may we all keep learning.

Hope is the light that dispels the cosmic darkness.
Principles, Dark Sisters

[Ronny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of it was 3, parts of it was 4*
A lot of interesting things happened, and some not so much. Some military sci-fi (ish) in there and some attempts at horror and suspense (some more successful than others). Quite a few characters attempted to be made "larger than life", with varying degree of success.
There were some focus put on the cross/crucifix that I'm not sure wether were attempts at writing in faith in the series, or will have relevance to the plot later (or, as it's been at times before, maybe a bit of both), not enough of it to be a real problem.
My main annoyance with the book came at the very end, though I'm hoping the next book will fix it, when (and really, don't read this before the book, it's an actual spoiler) in the last chapter, Joiner ponders wether to hand over Morgan or not, and then in the epilogue, it sounds like he allready has and that she's been prepared for some experiment. That whole interaction, both form Joiners pov and more importantly from Morgans, would've been interesting to have included.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the earth starts to recover from the “winter” caused by the dust cloud from the meteor, problems increase in Sanctuary. Sarah, Jason and Trish manage to find a way out of the USSB base they had tumbled into, but hot on their heels are several groups intent on capturing the artifacts she managed to recover. As this drama unfolds, the other storylines continue to develop. By the end of this volume, Sarah is captured by a powerful and powerfully evil man, intent on gaining control of Sarah’s pendant; a mad Col. Samson managed to get to the surface after escaping from a life and death battle, free to again commit violent atrocities at will; and an evil force that had been trapped in Sanctuary for 800,000 to 900,000 years escapes to the surface. And the 6 asteroids? They are still enroute to hit the earth with most of the human population still unaware of the impending collision.

This volume continues to develop the various storylines in parallel, building interest and excitement as we see the convergence between the sets of characters and their actions. This volume stops at a pause in the action, which will no doubt be resumed in the next book. Just as the other books were hard to put down, so it was with this one. There are still things I have not figured out, which makes me eager to see how Mr. Storey has resolved these points. Be warned, you will have trouble putting these books down!

This volume continues to develop the various storylines in parallel, building interest and excitement as we see the convergence between the sets of characters and their actions. This volume stops at a pause in the action, which will no doubt be resumed in the next book. Just as the other books were hard to put down, so it was with this one. There are still things I have not figured out, which makes me eager to see how Mr. Storey has resolved these points. Be warned, you will have trouble putting these books down!

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like long, drawn-out sagas with a ga-zillion characters, then you may like this trilogy turned series. The story is interesting, but I found myself questioning many things as the story progressed until I decided to suspend my ideas of "normal?" and just let it happen.
As an English teacher, I found myself stumbling over words that were not conventionally spelled (as in using an "s" where there is normally a "z" as in organised), and getting hung-up on unfamiliar phrases and wording which tended to slow me down. I often had to go back and read over some of these "roadblocks" so it took a little longer for me to finish.
I am not sure if I will go on to read the 5th book, although I am slightly curious as to how the author intends to tie up all the story lines. I believe it will come out sometime this year. Right now, I can wait, having a long list of books ready for my attention.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Storey has created an unforgettable series with his Ancient Origins stories. Book 4 of the series is a real page turner as you follow Sarah and her team, the Sanctuary team, the Steadfast Team, and Professor Steiner and his group each doing their best to successfully achieve their goals. Interestingly enough no one group shares the same goals with any of the other groups and within groups there are conflicting goals.
The level of adventure, intrigue and the rich storytelling have been present rom the first book and continue full force through this fourth book.
A must read for Ancient origins fans, and if these stories sound interesting, grab the first three books in the box set and start reading

[Janet Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Along with many others, I have enjoyed reading this series, although at times, I do want to skip pages as there is just what seems to be rambling. The story to me suffers through these times where you are on the edge of 'something' that is happening in the book, and the author draws it out wayyy to long in getting there.

i understand the skipping around to various sets of characters, but keep it even. by the time one set of characters resurfaced, i had actually forgotten to care about them.

I did enjoy this series overall - however, i am kicking myself for reading another so called series that is waiting for the 'final' book. UGH!!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these books. My only reservation (and it might be a purely personal thing) is that because the genre is outside of my normal preference I had trouble visualising some of the action sequences and in this book in particular, the fourth in the series, there is a lot of action. For some readers that may be a great thing, but personally I found myself pushing through trying to get a clear picture of it all in my mind while wanting to get back to the main story. I'm not entirely sure I succeeded with the visualisation. I will, however continue with the series when the 5th one comes out next year, because the back story is good.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not wait as long between the third and the fourth book in this series as I did between the second and third. This was good, because in fact, in the foreword, the author tells you that the intent was for "Let there be Light" and "Genesis" to be a single novel... and it does indeed pick up immediately at the end of the earlier book.

Over the series I have become invested in several of the characters. Interestingly, as with Game of Thrones (totally different genre), or your favorite soap opera, characters you thought dead, aren't always. Just sayin'. Now on the hunt for the next one!

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book cannot be read as a standalone novel as it's entirely dependent on the previous books for essential context. While the story is indisputably action driven and dynamic, the plot is becoming turgid with the antagonists and protagonists losing cohesion or becoming caricatures. That's where my issue is with these novels. The choices made by either, become outlandish and there seem to be very few consequences for them no matter what their actions. However, the epilogue does have some salient messages for humanity which is hardly a saving grace. I have one more book to go and I am almost gritting my teeth to have to go through it

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up

These books started out great but after this one I'm done. I found myself flipping through pages and still able to keep up with the plot. A word to the author, if you are going to write from the perspective of a certain culture you should do better research, in this case American. It is very clear you do not know Americans other than what you are exposed to in the news media. Mercs having more honor than our military, laughable. Also Americans do not refer to a truck as a lorry, car trunk as the boot, and I could go on and on...

[Tina P. Naumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believability in the It could happen

If you want spine tingling, nail biting suspense, this series is for you. Now, to wait for the next book in the series and discover what has happened to Sarah, Jason and all the rest. Will Joiner get what he deserves? Will the committee? And, what of the God device? So many unanswered questions. I hope Storey is writing well, because his writing is compelling. Stay tuned...

[Debra Chiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

This book moves fast so be careful. There were parts I didn't always understand, like what was on the ground as our heroes were traversing this land in the dark, but the book still moved quickly and how anyone survived all that they went through is beyond me... I thoroughly enjoyed it and became completely surprised when certain characters, like Samson, are still alive. So now I can't wait to read book five.

[doreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

by now book 4 the story line should be coming together. It does NOT. Its very long and repetitive. I still feel like there are different story's in the book. By the time we get back to another character and their story I have forgotten where they are and what they are doing. These are available on Kindle Unlimited and that is why I have read 4 of these books in this series. If I had to purchase them I WOULD NOT!

[Cathy Buge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Head worthy reading

This series deals with asteroid of the earth shattering kind! Hidden from us no names by the upper class choice no names. Ah truth be known would you want to know? My answer...absolutely... I want the opportunity to let my family know what I think of them. Ha ha!❣️

[Yvonne Timm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read the other three books in the series and looking forward to the final book, The Tenth Protocol. With now I feel like I am hanging to see what happens next and how and if they servive the ordeal with the mentors and what is happening to them below ground. I have enjoyed Robert Storey books and this is no exception. He makes you wanting more.

[shirley gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! The former books in this series intrivued me and i didn'think the story could continue much longer, buti was wrong.

Sometimes in a series of books the story can get boring. But not this time. The suspense keeps mounting. This is due to the skill of a master story Teller.

[Angela Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

High octane

This is a story I could not put down. The combination of evil scientists, an ancient species, a government conspiracy, ancient rune's in a future and a few asteroids. I started with ancient origins revelation. I got hooked and could not put the story down. If you like science fiction this is the story for you.

[Cathy Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mezmerizing

In depth novel that will hold your attention and fascination. I would recommend reading from the beginning. At times I get mad at the characters but who wouldn't and then I get pissed at the author when he kills off one of my favorite characters and let's the bad guys live. But I'm still hooked to the bitter end. Lol.

[Linda Pobanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible

This book was exciting, dramatic, and entertaining. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want to put it down! It had me enthralled. Can't wait to read the next one. While I'm at it, I really liked Mr Storey's poetry, and I felt it was related to the book. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Yevtushenko Engelbrecht · Rating 2 out of 5]

It reads like a poorly written romance novel. The lead female character starts strong and driven and ends up having a crisis of faith. I almost dreaded having to read chapters involving 'Jas', Trish and 'Saz'. The chapters involving the other characters were enjoyable though. The book is half good! Please stick to the genre!

[Ed And · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting with lots of sub plots.

Exciting is a very good word for this book. The story is fast paced but with all of the subplots it seems slower than expected. The next book will probably be more of the same. Still exciting and fun.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the series has continued it has gotten more drawn out - the note saying book 3 and 4 was going to be one but was too long was too long. I really enjoyed book one and 2 now I am not sure about finishing the saga.

[James Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

This is a great sci fi series. I love the details given very descriptive. I have always loved ancient aliens series on history channel and this these books are like a mirror of that show.

[Jami Segraves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can this series get any better!

I continue to be enthralled with every word. And am awestruck at how closely things could parallel in our lives today. Yes science fiction, yes fantasy....but how far off could it be? Maybe. Just maybe

[Andrew Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Put Down

This series is great, and I was hooked all the way through. The future (and past) that Robert has created is incredible in the possibilities and detail. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!

[Jann Weinrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing. I really like the various different characters and how they interact, but are so far apart.

I definitely would recommend this series to any apocoliptic sci-fi enthusiasist. Looking forward the the fifth book. Well written Robert.

[judtih wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unreal future darkness

This is a fiction with a few mistakes as for in the book Revelations Was mentioned does not mention in rev 1 vs 4what genesis in ch 1and vs 4 does and there for this needs correction .

[Lynn Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynnie

It is a series that is hard to put down. Some is so far fetched but you want to go on and see what happens.

All the characters, they are so entwined that they don’t know but it is a serious you don’t want to put down.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

The intense adventure through dimensions and humanity continues in the same energetic style. This book is fantastic and maintains the pace of earlier books. Time to read book 5.

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced

Fast paced action, puzzles yet unsolved, waiting for next in the series, all books in series have been exciting in my opinion.