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Alien Morning #2
Alien Day
Set on a near-future Earth and on the alien homeworld of S'hudon, Rick Wilber's Alien Day explores murderous sibling rivalries, old-school mercantile colonialism, ambition, greed, and the saving strength that can emerge from reluctant heroes called to do the right thing despite the odds.
Will Peter Holman rescue his sister Kait, or will she be the one to rescue him? Will Chloe Cary revive her acting career with the help of the princeling Treble, or will the insurgents take both their lives? Will Whistle or Twoclicks wind up in charge of Earth, and how will the Mother, who runs all of S'hudon, choose between them? And the most important question of all: who are the Old Ones that left all that technology behind for the S'hudonni . . . and what if they come back?
Will Peter Holman rescue his sister Kait, or will she be the one to rescue him? Will Chloe Cary revive her acting career with the help of the princeling Treble, or will the insurgents take both their lives? Will Whistle or Twoclicks wind up in charge of Earth, and how will the Mother, who runs all of S'hudon, choose between them? And the most important question of all: who are the Old Ones that left all that technology behind for the S'hudonni . . . and what if they come back?
- GenresScience Fiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Rick Wilber
78 books37 followers Rick Wilber's novel ALIEN DAY (Tor Books 2021) is the sequel to ALIEN MORNING (Tor 2016), which was a finalist for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Novel of the Year. ALIEN DAY offers a wry near-future look at life on Earth and the alien home planet of S'hudon. On Earth, the ambitious TV celebrity and action hero Chloe Cary finds herself involved with Earth's jovial but deadly alien overlord Twoclicks and his son, The Perfection. On S'hudon, Chloe's boyfriend, Peter Holman, tries to rescue his sister Kait from the clutches of Twoclicks' evil brother Whistle; but finds out that it isn't Kait who needs to be rescued. The novel, says best-selling author Julie Czerneda, offers an "original, engaging, wonderfully complex alien world populated by unforgettable characters."
Wilber also recently co-authored (with Alan Smale), the alternate-history collection, THE WANDERING WARRIORS (WordFire Press, 2020). The book features "The Wandering Warriors" novella that first appeared as the cover story in the May/June 2018 edition of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, and also has two additional stories, one from each author. Both authors have won the Sidewise Award for their alternate-history stories.
Also out in 2020 was the short-story collection, RAMBUNCTIOUS: NINE TALES OF DETERMINATION (Word Fire Press, 2020), which holds nine of Rick's favorite stories from more than fifty published over the past thirty years.
Rick recently edited the ebook anthology, MAKING HISTORY: CLASSIC ALTERNATE HISTORY STORIES (New Word City, 2019). The book reprints classic stories by writers Karen Joy Fowler, Gregory Benford, Kathleen Goonan, Harry Turtledove, Lisa Goldstein, Walter Jon Williams, Maureen McHugh, Nisi Shawl, Michael Bishop, Alan Smale, Rich Larson, Sheila Finch, Ben Loory, Nicholas DiChario, Michael Swanwick and Eileen Gunn, and editor Rick Wilber.
His collection, THE MOE BERG EPISODES (New Word City, 2018) reprints four alternate-history stories that first appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine.
The author of some sixty published short stories, his most recent short fiction includes the novella, "Billie the Kid," forthcoming in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, "Tin Man," co-authored with Brad Aiken, in the May/June 2021 Asimov's, the novelette "The Hind," co-authored with best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson, in the November/December 2020 issue of Asimov's, the short story, "False Bay," in the forthcoming anthology, MOVIES, MONSTERS & MAYHEM (WordFire Press, 2020), the novelette, "Ithaca," co-authored with Brad Aiken, in the May/June 2020 Asimov's), the story, "Donny Boy," in the Alternate Peace anthology (ZNB, edited by Steven Silver and Joshua Palmatier) and the novella, "The Secret City," in the September/October 2018 Asimov's, among others.
Rick's short story, "Today is Today," from the July 2018 issue of Stonecoast Review, has been reprinted in The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2019 (ed, Rich Horton) and in Lightspeed Magazine. His novella, "The Secret City," was runner-up for the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History -- Short Form of 2018 and his story, "Something Real," won the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History--Short Form in 2013.
He is the editor of the baseball fantasy anthology, "Field of Fantasies" from Nightshade/Skyhorse (2014), which reprints about two dozen baseball/fantasy stories by outstanding mainstream and genre writers from Stephen King to Karen Joy Fowler and and many more. He also edited 2011's "Future Media" (Tachyon) 2011, brings together classic works of fiction and non-fiction about the future of the mass media.
Rick's 2009 novel, "Rum Point," is a baseball/murder mystery/thriller from McFarland Books and his 2007 memoir, “My Father’s Game: Life, Death, Baseball” from McFarland Books, was called by best-selling author Peter Straub “a stunning book,” and one that “abounds with faith, heartbreak, love,
Wilber also recently co-authored (with Alan Smale), the alternate-history collection, THE WANDERING WARRIORS (WordFire Press, 2020). The book features "The Wandering Warriors" novella that first appeared as the cover story in the May/June 2018 edition of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, and also has two additional stories, one from each author. Both authors have won the Sidewise Award for their alternate-history stories.
Also out in 2020 was the short-story collection, RAMBUNCTIOUS: NINE TALES OF DETERMINATION (Word Fire Press, 2020), which holds nine of Rick's favorite stories from more than fifty published over the past thirty years.
Rick recently edited the ebook anthology, MAKING HISTORY: CLASSIC ALTERNATE HISTORY STORIES (New Word City, 2019). The book reprints classic stories by writers Karen Joy Fowler, Gregory Benford, Kathleen Goonan, Harry Turtledove, Lisa Goldstein, Walter Jon Williams, Maureen McHugh, Nisi Shawl, Michael Bishop, Alan Smale, Rich Larson, Sheila Finch, Ben Loory, Nicholas DiChario, Michael Swanwick and Eileen Gunn, and editor Rick Wilber.
His collection, THE MOE BERG EPISODES (New Word City, 2018) reprints four alternate-history stories that first appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine.
The author of some sixty published short stories, his most recent short fiction includes the novella, "Billie the Kid," forthcoming in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, "Tin Man," co-authored with Brad Aiken, in the May/June 2021 Asimov's, the novelette "The Hind," co-authored with best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson, in the November/December 2020 issue of Asimov's, the short story, "False Bay," in the forthcoming anthology, MOVIES, MONSTERS & MAYHEM (WordFire Press, 2020), the novelette, "Ithaca," co-authored with Brad Aiken, in the May/June 2020 Asimov's), the story, "Donny Boy," in the Alternate Peace anthology (ZNB, edited by Steven Silver and Joshua Palmatier) and the novella, "The Secret City," in the September/October 2018 Asimov's, among others.
Rick's short story, "Today is Today," from the July 2018 issue of Stonecoast Review, has been reprinted in The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2019 (ed, Rich Horton) and in Lightspeed Magazine. His novella, "The Secret City," was runner-up for the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History -- Short Form of 2018 and his story, "Something Real," won the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History--Short Form in 2013.
He is the editor of the baseball fantasy anthology, "Field of Fantasies" from Nightshade/Skyhorse (2014), which reprints about two dozen baseball/fantasy stories by outstanding mainstream and genre writers from Stephen King to Karen Joy Fowler and and many more. He also edited 2011's "Future Media" (Tachyon) 2011, brings together classic works of fiction and non-fiction about the future of the mass media.
Rick's 2009 novel, "Rum Point," is a baseball/murder mystery/thriller from McFarland Books and his 2007 memoir, “My Father’s Game: Life, Death, Baseball” from McFarland Books, was called by best-selling author Peter Straub “a stunning book,” and one that “abounds with faith, heartbreak, love,
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 27, 2021
There is something about the universe that this author is created that is really interesting to me. The S'hudoni are such an interesting race, combining buffoonery with menace in a way that never completely resolves one way or the other. You just know that something bigger is happening than what you're reading about, it this anticipation that keeps me interested in this series.
For all that though, it's taking a long time for this to actually bear fruit. There was a lot in this particular novel that I didn't find it particularly interesting and essentially had to wade through in order to get to what I am hoping will be an interesting resolution in the third instalment.
When I read the first book, I came away thinking that Peter and Chloe were such shallow, self-interested people. The story kind of works because they are; people with more broader interest in the world around them would be much much less likely to accept what they are exposed to. And yet, in this book, these characters grew more on me.
The thing that keeps me going with these books is that the most interesting characters - all S'hudoni - are all so maddingly opaque. I'm much more interested in Heather and what makes her tick (and exasperated that we only get to find out so little about her - she is in many ways the perfect mirror), that I am in the adventures of Peter, Chloe or Kait.
Looking forward to the third novel in the series - there's something going on and I really want to know what it is.
For all that though, it's taking a long time for this to actually bear fruit. There was a lot in this particular novel that I didn't find it particularly interesting and essentially had to wade through in order to get to what I am hoping will be an interesting resolution in the third instalment.
When I read the first book, I came away thinking that Peter and Chloe were such shallow, self-interested people. The story kind of works because they are; people with more broader interest in the world around them would be much much less likely to accept what they are exposed to. And yet, in this book, these characters grew more on me.
The thing that keeps me going with these books is that the most interesting characters - all S'hudoni - are all so maddingly opaque. I'm much more interested in Heather and what makes her tick (and exasperated that we only get to find out so little about her - she is in many ways the perfect mirror), that I am in the adventures of Peter, Chloe or Kait.
Looking forward to the third novel in the series - there's something going on and I really want to know what it is.
May 17, 2021
Personalized world inclusions certainly add dimensions to the expanding depth and insight reflected through the story lines of the book.
The story is fun, involved, and more close to home with current life themes than I might have anticipated.
June 4, 2021
Recommended
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
December 21, 2021
Meh sequel to a meh novel of post-first encounter adjustment to new alien overlords. Lead stays oddly passive while being a sort of media quisling for an internecine conflict within the alien ranks which, odds be damned, is also mirrored by his own conflicts with his brother. Newfound sister, publicity-based human lover, oddball overlord, too cute by half overlord child, etc. Still reads like the author just added verbs to an outline. Like I started with, meh.
September 6, 2021
What's better than a good old fashioned nasty sibling rivalry? Why, a good old fashioned sibling rivalry between alien brothers who are arguing over the control of planet Earth. What's better than that? Well, not only both human and alien sibling rivalries, but the humans getting involved in the aliens' rivalry. And that's just for starters.
ALIEN DAY is the sequel to ALIEN MORNING, Rick Wilber's highly entertaining and very original take on first contact and alien invasion all wrapped into one. As a quick summary, the S'hudonni have come to Earth to attain goods from Earth in exchange for advanced science and technology. And, of course, it turned out to be something quite different, as this arrangement ultimately
results in humanity living in the shadow of the S'hudonni. Oh, humanity does appear to prosper and reap benefits under this arrangement, but there's a nagging suspicion - at least I have a nagging suspicion - that not is all as it appears with this arrangement.
However, there are factions within both humanity and the S'hudonni that don't like the way things are going. Twoclicks is the current leader of the S'hudonni on Earth, but his brother Whistle is not happy with the arrangement in the very least, and a violent conflict erupts between the two. As a result, there are to be family negotiations back on the S'hudonni to determine who gets control of Earth (like I said, a little suspicious, I tell you). Peter Holman, the protagonist of ALIEN MORNING, gets to go to the home world to witness the negotiations and broadcast them to an anxious human population on Earth.
Meanwhile, Peter's brother Tom leads a group of people rebelling against what appears to be Twoclicks' benevolent rule. He and his gang go about sabotaging various crops that contribute to the creation of the alcohol that the S'hudonni are so fond of. In reality, Tom is more tied into the conflict between Twoclicks and Whistle than he is letting on. The intertwined conflicts make
for some interesting situations as Tom escalates his attacks.
All is not a bed of roses for Peter on the S'hudonni homeworld. He is there alone without human companionship. He does have Treble, the offspring of Twoclicks and Whistle to keep him company and parade him around the homeworld. Through Treble, Peter gets to meet the great Mother of the sparring siblings, who will make the final decision as to who is in control of Earth. Throw Peter's sister Kait into the mix, and you have a full family outing in this novel.
As a reader who lives in the United States, I feel that there is a parallel between what is going on with both the S'hudonni and humanity and what is going on here in the U.S. The world situation in the novel is pitting brother against brother as a result of entities who are struggling for the power to control the population, a scenario we are seeing played out every day here in the United States. The conflicts are eerily similar. I don't know if Wilber intended it, but given the time frame in which I'm guessing the book was written, I suspect that national, if not global politics played a large part in shaping the story in ALIEN DAY.
Having said that, the undertones don't override what is a really terrific story. All of the characters we enjoyed in ALIEN MORNING are back here in ALIEN DAY, contributing to this novel in the same way they contributed to the prior novel. The book is well written and moves along; I was never bored nor did I look ahead to see what was coming up next. I was engaged in the story and the characters, just as I was in ALIEN MORNING. This book is well worth reading, and I expect the third novel in the series to be the same way. I'm looking forward to it.
ALIEN DAY is the sequel to ALIEN MORNING, Rick Wilber's highly entertaining and very original take on first contact and alien invasion all wrapped into one. As a quick summary, the S'hudonni have come to Earth to attain goods from Earth in exchange for advanced science and technology. And, of course, it turned out to be something quite different, as this arrangement ultimately
results in humanity living in the shadow of the S'hudonni. Oh, humanity does appear to prosper and reap benefits under this arrangement, but there's a nagging suspicion - at least I have a nagging suspicion - that not is all as it appears with this arrangement.
However, there are factions within both humanity and the S'hudonni that don't like the way things are going. Twoclicks is the current leader of the S'hudonni on Earth, but his brother Whistle is not happy with the arrangement in the very least, and a violent conflict erupts between the two. As a result, there are to be family negotiations back on the S'hudonni to determine who gets control of Earth (like I said, a little suspicious, I tell you). Peter Holman, the protagonist of ALIEN MORNING, gets to go to the home world to witness the negotiations and broadcast them to an anxious human population on Earth.
Meanwhile, Peter's brother Tom leads a group of people rebelling against what appears to be Twoclicks' benevolent rule. He and his gang go about sabotaging various crops that contribute to the creation of the alcohol that the S'hudonni are so fond of. In reality, Tom is more tied into the conflict between Twoclicks and Whistle than he is letting on. The intertwined conflicts make
for some interesting situations as Tom escalates his attacks.
All is not a bed of roses for Peter on the S'hudonni homeworld. He is there alone without human companionship. He does have Treble, the offspring of Twoclicks and Whistle to keep him company and parade him around the homeworld. Through Treble, Peter gets to meet the great Mother of the sparring siblings, who will make the final decision as to who is in control of Earth. Throw Peter's sister Kait into the mix, and you have a full family outing in this novel.
As a reader who lives in the United States, I feel that there is a parallel between what is going on with both the S'hudonni and humanity and what is going on here in the U.S. The world situation in the novel is pitting brother against brother as a result of entities who are struggling for the power to control the population, a scenario we are seeing played out every day here in the United States. The conflicts are eerily similar. I don't know if Wilber intended it, but given the time frame in which I'm guessing the book was written, I suspect that national, if not global politics played a large part in shaping the story in ALIEN DAY.
Having said that, the undertones don't override what is a really terrific story. All of the characters we enjoyed in ALIEN MORNING are back here in ALIEN DAY, contributing to this novel in the same way they contributed to the prior novel. The book is well written and moves along; I was never bored nor did I look ahead to see what was coming up next. I was engaged in the story and the characters, just as I was in ALIEN MORNING. This book is well worth reading, and I expect the third novel in the series to be the same way. I'm looking forward to it.
November 25, 2022
Tween tales not fully flushed out or engaging. Look elsewhere
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews