What do you think?
Rate this book
Secrets of Mars #1
The Fossil
In 2018, Canadian archaeologist Ron Jackson makes a mind-boggling discovery in Antarctica - right before disappearing without a trace, leaving behind only his controversial theory that humans have lived on Earth far, far longer than we think they have.
Decades later, in 2042, when Jackson's wife dies under mysterious circumstances, an unlikely pair of investigators, Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer, begin investigating whether her death might be connected to Jackson's disappearance. What exactly was it he found before he vanished? Why is the Human Foundation, a hyper-powerful business empire built on an endless series of game-changing inventions it has been rolling out, one after another, for over 20 years, trying to hide the truth from the two investigators?
And what could it possibly have to do with the first manned mission to Mars, which ended in disaster leaving countless conspiracy theories in its wake?
Decades later, in 2042, when Jackson's wife dies under mysterious circumstances, an unlikely pair of investigators, Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer, begin investigating whether her death might be connected to Jackson's disappearance. What exactly was it he found before he vanished? Why is the Human Foundation, a hyper-powerful business empire built on an endless series of game-changing inventions it has been rolling out, one after another, for over 20 years, trying to hide the truth from the two investigators?
And what could it possibly have to do with the first manned mission to Mars, which ended in disaster leaving countless conspiracy theories in its wake?
452 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2021
2125 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
About the author
Joshua T. Calvert
51 books237 followersJoshua T. Calvert has traveled the world--on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he's seen many things most people never see - including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer - his goal is to experience everything possible, and then make it real to you in his books. And he's made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
June 27, 2021
A long drawn out story that seems to be leading you somewhere with little to no action until the last little bit. And then it starts to get interesting and… it ends
BUY BOOK TWO!
Nope.
BUY BOOK TWO!
Nope.
March 21, 2021
X-Files Mulder and Scully search for the origin of mankind
This was well done especially for a first time author. The pacing of a screenplay told over two timelines, 2018 and 2042, with characters i connected with.
Year 2042 Agents Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer are sent looking for archaeologist Ron Jackson who disappeared in 2018. A search that takes them to Antarctica where they discover a threat that could cause the extinction of the human species. Oh, my!
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the lone survivor of the first Mars mission. What did they find on Mars? What survived the destruction of the ship that millions of dollars in rewards are being offered to find the ship at the bottom of the Indian Ocean? What secrets is she hiding that she is willing to go to any length to be on the second mission.
This reminded me of the movie Prometheus with the unexplained happenings of an X-Files episode.
Book ends with a major cliffhanger. Book 2 will be out in May.
This was well done especially for a first time author. The pacing of a screenplay told over two timelines, 2018 and 2042, with characters i connected with.
Year 2042 Agents Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer are sent looking for archaeologist Ron Jackson who disappeared in 2018. A search that takes them to Antarctica where they discover a threat that could cause the extinction of the human species. Oh, my!
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the lone survivor of the first Mars mission. What did they find on Mars? What survived the destruction of the ship that millions of dollars in rewards are being offered to find the ship at the bottom of the Indian Ocean? What secrets is she hiding that she is willing to go to any length to be on the second mission.
This reminded me of the movie Prometheus with the unexplained happenings of an X-Files episode.
Book ends with a major cliffhanger. Book 2 will be out in May.
August 25, 2021
I'm not sure why I didn't like this book so much. The story was OK, and the characters (albeit a little stereotype -- and the two female main characters were so alike I frequently mixed them up). I think the story felt a little bit too unsophisticated with too many loose ends. I also go irritated that the author had clearly planned for a follow-up and there was no real closure in the end.
April 9, 2021
Science-fiction lovers this thriller is for you!
Ron Jackson, a very famous Canadian archaeologist, is on a mission to prove humans once roamed the earth more than sixty-five million years ago. It’s the year 2042 and Dr. Jackson along with the students whom accompanied him on this mission have been missing for over 20 years. When the cold case is opened Detective Agatha and Capitano Hofer are assigned as partners to determine just what happened all those years ago; they soon realize, shockingly, that they’ve discovered a lead.
Three stories seemingly unrelated woven into an unbelievable cyclonic adventure, transports you into a world unknown to mankind. Weird things are happening, things that just can’t be explained; until they are...by a creature encased in an impenetrable glass case who was in fact alive over sixty million years ago. Dr. Jackson was right after all.
Okay... wow... I don’t want to go into it too much because I feel like I will be giving too much away. Im having so many emotions right now. It was very complex at first but then intriguing, then suddenly I’m captivated. On one hand I feel like this story took way too long to get to the point but on the other hand, I feel like there was no other way it could have been written. Then it started to come together and I had a clear understanding of what was unfolding. For the rest of the story, I had a sense of wrongness, impending fear, and knew the inevitable was near: death...then it just ended. At that point I realized there had to be more. This is the first in a Trilogy!! And the 2nd book is expected to be published May 2021. I need it now! I need to know what happened!!
Yes I recommend. Read this book.
I want to thank Goodreads for the giveaway win. This book was enjoyable, I’m a fan.
Ron Jackson, a very famous Canadian archaeologist, is on a mission to prove humans once roamed the earth more than sixty-five million years ago. It’s the year 2042 and Dr. Jackson along with the students whom accompanied him on this mission have been missing for over 20 years. When the cold case is opened Detective Agatha and Capitano Hofer are assigned as partners to determine just what happened all those years ago; they soon realize, shockingly, that they’ve discovered a lead.
Three stories seemingly unrelated woven into an unbelievable cyclonic adventure, transports you into a world unknown to mankind. Weird things are happening, things that just can’t be explained; until they are...by a creature encased in an impenetrable glass case who was in fact alive over sixty million years ago. Dr. Jackson was right after all.
Okay... wow... I don’t want to go into it too much because I feel like I will be giving too much away. Im having so many emotions right now. It was very complex at first but then intriguing, then suddenly I’m captivated. On one hand I feel like this story took way too long to get to the point but on the other hand, I feel like there was no other way it could have been written. Then it started to come together and I had a clear understanding of what was unfolding. For the rest of the story, I had a sense of wrongness, impending fear, and knew the inevitable was near: death...then it just ended. At that point I realized there had to be more. This is the first in a Trilogy!! And the 2nd book is expected to be published May 2021. I need it now! I need to know what happened!!
Yes I recommend. Read this book.
I want to thank Goodreads for the giveaway win. This book was enjoyable, I’m a fan.
September 2, 2021
I Trudged My Way Through - to a Lame Ending
The Human Foundationis a nonprofit organization focused on cleaning up the Earth. A politician, opposed to the nonprofit status afforded this group, is assassinated with a terror group called Sons of Terra claiming responsibility. A couple of days later a woman dies, and they discover an unfinished manuscript of her husband's (who has been missing for 20+ years) with the same opening phrase as that used by the terror group. Two agents are tasked to find the missing scientist. Meanwhile, Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the sole survivor of the first mission to Mars and kicked out of NASA is hell-bent to clear her name and get back to Mars, because something is up there, but her amnesia prevents her from remembering.
I had a bit of trouble with the characters in this book. Agent Agatha Devenworth is cold-hearted, a smug know-it-all, who hates having partners. She is very good at her job but nothing exists but the job. Her partner Pano is a young guy who thinks very highly of himself and is always hinting about a potential sexual romp with Agatha.
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the sole survivor of the Mars mission and suffering amnesia about the mission is let go from NASA and she is obsessed with locating her crashed ship. Her obsession causes her to betray people. But I guess it bugged me that 2 years after the crash, she is able to locate the ship using mathematics (something all of NASA could not find a way to d0) - really? She then manages to blackmail NASA into letting her go to MARS on the next mission. A bit far-fetched.
My main beef about the book is that it took 3/4s of the book to establish the complex plot and then when the pace and action begin to pick up - its stops with a cliffhanger. But I guess that is how you make money writing books these days. Its a decent story and I may give the 2nd book in the trilogy a try.
The Human Foundationis a nonprofit organization focused on cleaning up the Earth. A politician, opposed to the nonprofit status afforded this group, is assassinated with a terror group called Sons of Terra claiming responsibility. A couple of days later a woman dies, and they discover an unfinished manuscript of her husband's (who has been missing for 20+ years) with the same opening phrase as that used by the terror group. Two agents are tasked to find the missing scientist. Meanwhile, Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the sole survivor of the first mission to Mars and kicked out of NASA is hell-bent to clear her name and get back to Mars, because something is up there, but her amnesia prevents her from remembering.
I had a bit of trouble with the characters in this book. Agent Agatha Devenworth is cold-hearted, a smug know-it-all, who hates having partners. She is very good at her job but nothing exists but the job. Her partner Pano is a young guy who thinks very highly of himself and is always hinting about a potential sexual romp with Agatha.
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the sole survivor of the Mars mission and suffering amnesia about the mission is let go from NASA and she is obsessed with locating her crashed ship. Her obsession causes her to betray people. But I guess it bugged me that 2 years after the crash, she is able to locate the ship using mathematics (something all of NASA could not find a way to d0) - really? She then manages to blackmail NASA into letting her go to MARS on the next mission. A bit far-fetched.
My main beef about the book is that it took 3/4s of the book to establish the complex plot and then when the pace and action begin to pick up - its stops with a cliffhanger. But I guess that is how you make money writing books these days. Its a decent story and I may give the 2nd book in the trilogy a try.
March 17, 2021
The Fossil by Joshua T. Calvert is the first in his Science Fiction Thriller series. This book sets the pace and launches the characters seen throughout the progression of missions. Agatha Devenworth is a brass Special Agent who just lost her partner. Being assigned Pano Hofer from Europol begins with a rocky start to an investigation that leads to deeper secrets than anyone thought. Pano was definitely my favorite character. What does the Antarctica and Mars have in common?
Joshua T. Calvert gave me The Fossil for an honest opinion. This novel is well-written, and it is obvious the author did extensive research and study on the multiple subjects to bring us a complex novel that will delight science fiction fans. Missing persons, astronauts, and aliens blend to make a great read. Overall, the author grabs your attention with a fascinating plot and intelligent characters. He makes you believe for just a moment that there are specks of truth woven within this story. I researched parts of this book for myself, Pyramid Mountain, Antarctica, is especially intriguing. I am looking forward to the next novel.
I really enjoyed reading this novel!
Joshua T. Calvert gave me The Fossil for an honest opinion. This novel is well-written, and it is obvious the author did extensive research and study on the multiple subjects to bring us a complex novel that will delight science fiction fans. Missing persons, astronauts, and aliens blend to make a great read. Overall, the author grabs your attention with a fascinating plot and intelligent characters. He makes you believe for just a moment that there are specks of truth woven within this story. I researched parts of this book for myself, Pyramid Mountain, Antarctica, is especially intriguing. I am looking forward to the next novel.
I really enjoyed reading this novel!
March 20, 2021
This was a GoodReads giveaway of a Kindle ebook.
I was not a big fan. Seemed Calvert was too focused in this book #1 on creating a mystery and not enough on getting to the plot. Very little villain development. I felt that the first 90% was all set up. The last 10% was where the action happens and it just to brings you to the climax / cliff hanger to lead into the next book in this trilogy. I feel far too many authors are trying to get you to buy into a series of books and not enough on creating a self contained story that leaves you satisfied, but hungry for more. This one was all appetizer and not enough substance to get me to stick around for the next course.
Now go find your GoodReads.
I was not a big fan. Seemed Calvert was too focused in this book #1 on creating a mystery and not enough on getting to the plot. Very little villain development. I felt that the first 90% was all set up. The last 10% was where the action happens and it just to brings you to the climax / cliff hanger to lead into the next book in this trilogy. I feel far too many authors are trying to get you to buy into a series of books and not enough on creating a self contained story that leaves you satisfied, but hungry for more. This one was all appetizer and not enough substance to get me to stick around for the next course.
Now go find your GoodReads.
March 26, 2021
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
23rd March 2021
TITLE: The Fossil
AUTHOR: Joshua T. Calvert
Star Rating: ***** 5 Stars!
‘A superbly paced and stylishly written sci-fi thriller. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
To begin with, I must say I very much enjoyed this thriller. Having recently read The Martian, I was excited to have a go at this novel with its Martian links. And I'm happy to report, although it's very different to Andy Weir’s book, it's very, very good. In fact, I think I might have just discovered a new author to enjoy.
So, what's the plot? Well, in a nutshell, the story is set in the recent future, and two agents have been sent to look for an archaeologist who disappeared many years ago in Antarctica. At the same time, an astronaut is the only survivor of a mission to Mars; a mission where a very strange object was discovered. What follows is a fast-paced, highly addictive thriller involving a powerful corporation (The Human Foundation) and enough twists and turns to keep a reader hooked - and possibly slightly dizzy.
From the opening – and very tantalizingly written prologue – this is a compelling narrative. The plot is cleverly constructed, the setting is splendidly described, and the pacing is, for the most part, spot on. In terms of writing style, the author's very talented. He works well with speech, and he knows when to keep a sentence short; this is not an author who's fallen into the trap of purple prose.
So now to the important bit. Who is this novel for? Well, if you enjoy a tense story with strong characterization and a tantalising mystery, The Fossil is very much for you. It's the sort of book that stays with you after you finished it; the sort of book you discuss over coffee and recommend two others.
All in all, it's a bit of a gem. Enjoy!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
23rd March 2021
TITLE: The Fossil
AUTHOR: Joshua T. Calvert
Star Rating: ***** 5 Stars!
‘A superbly paced and stylishly written sci-fi thriller. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
To begin with, I must say I very much enjoyed this thriller. Having recently read The Martian, I was excited to have a go at this novel with its Martian links. And I'm happy to report, although it's very different to Andy Weir’s book, it's very, very good. In fact, I think I might have just discovered a new author to enjoy.
So, what's the plot? Well, in a nutshell, the story is set in the recent future, and two agents have been sent to look for an archaeologist who disappeared many years ago in Antarctica. At the same time, an astronaut is the only survivor of a mission to Mars; a mission where a very strange object was discovered. What follows is a fast-paced, highly addictive thriller involving a powerful corporation (The Human Foundation) and enough twists and turns to keep a reader hooked - and possibly slightly dizzy.
From the opening – and very tantalizingly written prologue – this is a compelling narrative. The plot is cleverly constructed, the setting is splendidly described, and the pacing is, for the most part, spot on. In terms of writing style, the author's very talented. He works well with speech, and he knows when to keep a sentence short; this is not an author who's fallen into the trap of purple prose.
So now to the important bit. Who is this novel for? Well, if you enjoy a tense story with strong characterization and a tantalising mystery, The Fossil is very much for you. It's the sort of book that stays with you after you finished it; the sort of book you discuss over coffee and recommend two others.
All in all, it's a bit of a gem. Enjoy!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
December 31, 2021
Rated 4.5*. A really good sci-fi book. The characters are well-thought out. The plot is intense, original, and interesting. For me the characters have to be believable and I particularly liked the descriptions of Karlhammer and Jackson - the disconnectedness and privilege of a man who essentially 'ruled the world', and the truth-seeking and sociable learned explorer, respectively. Some parts of the book were on par for 5* like the description of Jacksons 'disappearing' just as he had recognised that there was an essence inside us all. Also the profoundness and significance of the 'robin tattoo;. This is one of the better written sci-fi books I have read and I would be happy to read more of this authors work. I will not be downloading the next book in the sequel though as apparently there are still some flaws in the editing that need to be addressed. I will likely try one of his other books.
November 29, 2022
Surprised me
I thought this would be the classic “builder race” humans descended from aliens blah blah, but to be fair the story line has surprised me somewhat. The twist on the theory has kept me reading and will continue to read the rest of the series.
I thought this would be the classic “builder race” humans descended from aliens blah blah, but to be fair the story line has surprised me somewhat. The twist on the theory has kept me reading and will continue to read the rest of the series.
February 15, 2022
This is an intriguing and engaging sci-fi thriller with some interesting characters. The author has two timelines (2018 & 2042) going for most of the story along with the storylines of three characters. I suspect readers will find themselves attracted to at least one of the characters more strongly than the others. For me, I found the storyline involving U.S. Special Agent Agatha and Italian Capitano Pano to be the most engaging, probably because of their personality differences and their ensuing banter.
The author creatively brings the storylines together, but along the way the reader has to suspend belief. Perhaps the sequel will provide more information to make some of the unique circumstances in the story more believable. On the other hand, the author is successful in making this reader accept the action that is played out.
The author creatively brings the storylines together, but along the way the reader has to suspend belief. Perhaps the sequel will provide more information to make some of the unique circumstances in the story more believable. On the other hand, the author is successful in making this reader accept the action that is played out.
May 5, 2025
This type of book/story is typically my jam. I have no idea why I just couldn't really get into this one. The narrative is there, but I also felt like there was a lot of stories that were spiraling together. Instead of weaving themselves nicely, it ended up in a bit of a knot (for me). I wasn't super motivated to jump to the next book despite this being a part of a series.
I'm sure I'll pick this one back up eventually, and maybe that will change how I feel about it. Maybe this one was too short to get to the heart of the series? It wasn't bad by any means. Three stars is still solid, I was just hoping for so much more and it fell a little flat in that regard.
I'm sure I'll pick this one back up eventually, and maybe that will change how I feel about it. Maybe this one was too short to get to the heart of the series? It wasn't bad by any means. Three stars is still solid, I was just hoping for so much more and it fell a little flat in that regard.
March 29, 2021
Complex story with good pacing. Well plotted action and intriguing characters. Be aware that there is an incident of animal cruelty early on which some will find upsetting, as I did - however, I understand that in this story we're so much is going on that we don't understand, it serves to delineate a particular character as utterly evil.
October 26, 2024
Interesting start, but very loooong middle part before it picks up pace again. Could have been shorter. But the ending felt satisfying again.
September 20, 2025
Abandoned at 51%. Just not enough going on. Calvert reminds me of Kim Stanley Robinson - great writer, but the pacing is slower, which many people really enjoy. I prefer something a bit quicker. But to be clear, Calvert’s books are very well written and he’ll appeal to most people, just not me.
January 21, 2022
Why did I read the whole thing?
I like sci-fi. That means I am receptive to suspending belief so long as I am rewarded with a good tale. Well, in this case, my credulity has been strained to the breaking point with no reward. The plot is vaguely reminiscent of “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. That said, the plot and characters are ludicrous. The final straw is when the author wraps up the loose ends and and tries to explain the inexplicable in the last few pages. Sequel? No way!
I like sci-fi. That means I am receptive to suspending belief so long as I am rewarded with a good tale. Well, in this case, my credulity has been strained to the breaking point with no reward. The plot is vaguely reminiscent of “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. That said, the plot and characters are ludicrous. The final straw is when the author wraps up the loose ends and and tries to explain the inexplicable in the last few pages. Sequel? No way!
October 30, 2024
Disjointed and Scattered
Not to my taste. While creative, the storyline was so scattered that it lost my attention.
I had to grit my teeth to finish.
The “ending” was clearly designed to entice the reader to read sequels. Not I.
Not to my taste. While creative, the storyline was so scattered that it lost my attention.
I had to grit my teeth to finish.
The “ending” was clearly designed to entice the reader to read sequels. Not I.
August 25, 2022
Boring. Confusing. Can't quite distinguish the characters from each other. Got 60% and then decided I had better things to do.
September 26, 2023
Un misterioso secreto en las entrañas de la Antártida. Una teoría de la conspiración. ¿Puede el destino de la humanidad estar en manos de extraterrestres?
March 6, 2021
A completely involving sci-fi thriller...
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
The Fossil by Joshua T. Calvert is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this sci-fi thriller that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this intriguing tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
The conspiratorial plot is intricately sculpted as the synopsis suggests: ‘A human fossil on Mars. An astronaut who lost her memory and a powerful organization that keeps a secret in Antarctica—one that will change the world forever… In 2018, Canadian archaeologist Ron Jackson makes a mind-boggling discovery in Antarctica—right before disappearing without a trace, leaving behind only his controversial theory that humans have lived on Earth far, far longer than we think they have… Decades later, in 2042, when Jackson's wife dies under mysterious circumstances, an unlikely pair of investigators, Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer, begin investigating whether her death might be connected to Jackson's disappearance. What exactly was it he found before he vanished? Why is the Human Foundation, a hyper-powerful business empire built on an endless series of game-changing inventions it has been rolling out, one after another, for over twenty years, trying to hide the truth from the two investigators? And what could it possibly have to do with the first manned mission to Mars, which ended in disaster leaving countless conspiracy theories in its wake?’
The Fossil unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class sci-fi thriller with perfect pacing.
For fans of the genre looking for an interesting, three-dimensional, and stimulating read, this would come highly recommended. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Joshua T. Calvert in the future. A well-deserved five stars from me.
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
The Fossil by Joshua T. Calvert is a superbly written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The threads of storytelling are so expertly woven in this sci-fi thriller that it guarantees the attention of the reader. Skillfully constructed, this intriguing tale will have you turning the pages from beginning to end. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
The conspiratorial plot is intricately sculpted as the synopsis suggests: ‘A human fossil on Mars. An astronaut who lost her memory and a powerful organization that keeps a secret in Antarctica—one that will change the world forever… In 2018, Canadian archaeologist Ron Jackson makes a mind-boggling discovery in Antarctica—right before disappearing without a trace, leaving behind only his controversial theory that humans have lived on Earth far, far longer than we think they have… Decades later, in 2042, when Jackson's wife dies under mysterious circumstances, an unlikely pair of investigators, Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer, begin investigating whether her death might be connected to Jackson's disappearance. What exactly was it he found before he vanished? Why is the Human Foundation, a hyper-powerful business empire built on an endless series of game-changing inventions it has been rolling out, one after another, for over twenty years, trying to hide the truth from the two investigators? And what could it possibly have to do with the first manned mission to Mars, which ended in disaster leaving countless conspiracy theories in its wake?’
The Fossil unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between the words, the author breathes a pulsating intensity that rolls like a motion picture camera. With an abundance of imagery in the writing style, it makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class sci-fi thriller with perfect pacing.
For fans of the genre looking for an interesting, three-dimensional, and stimulating read, this would come highly recommended. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Joshua T. Calvert in the future. A well-deserved five stars from me.
February 7, 2023
You've already seen this movie and read this book.
Ancient aliens. Antarctica. Mars. *Yawn*
Book 2 has some intrigue and sub-plots that Book 1 only hints at. If that had been in book 1, it could have been a lot better. At least there would have been something except a complete setup and choppity chop deus ex ending.
The premise is almost good, but then it turns into that lazy book you've read before. A main side character is a composite of Graham Hancock and Elon Musk. The biggest problem with that is that a good portion of your associates believe Graham Hancock is serious, and another good portion think Musk is a savior-entrepreneur. If you're sick of those two in real life, you've got no interest in sci-fi that treats them seriously.
Characters are flat. Especially the women. It flips between different character arcs and timelines. That's cool, it's a trick many authors can't pull off. Plotwise, it works, but the characters are so weak you forget who you're reading about and, oh yeah, it's a lazy setup to a story that's overdone.
I wanted to finish it, so I did, but it was forced. None of that magic where you can't wait to read more after putting it down for work/sleep/life.
Book 2 is better, but not recommended, so don't even bother with book 1. I hope the author improves. He's a good writer and self-editor, which is hard to find in this era of DIY self-publishing.
Ancient aliens. Antarctica. Mars. *Yawn*
Book 2 has some intrigue and sub-plots that Book 1 only hints at. If that had been in book 1, it could have been a lot better. At least there would have been something except a complete setup and choppity chop deus ex ending.
The premise is almost good, but then it turns into that lazy book you've read before. A main side character is a composite of Graham Hancock and Elon Musk. The biggest problem with that is that a good portion of your associates believe Graham Hancock is serious, and another good portion think Musk is a savior-entrepreneur. If you're sick of those two in real life, you've got no interest in sci-fi that treats them seriously.
Characters are flat. Especially the women. It flips between different character arcs and timelines. That's cool, it's a trick many authors can't pull off. Plotwise, it works, but the characters are so weak you forget who you're reading about and, oh yeah, it's a lazy setup to a story that's overdone.
I wanted to finish it, so I did, but it was forced. None of that magic where you can't wait to read more after putting it down for work/sleep/life.
Book 2 is better, but not recommended, so don't even bother with book 1. I hope the author improves. He's a good writer and self-editor, which is hard to find in this era of DIY self-publishing.
January 5, 2022
What can I say about an author who, in the 21st century is still throwing around terms like "Dark Continent" for no reason whatsoever? I was already a bit irked with a lot of the chosen details by the time that outdated nonsense was thrown in, presumably for color. I thought we'd moved past that ignorant crap a while back. Apparently not.
One of the things I love best about books is that, unlike movies, they don't need to depend on archetypes and cliches so an audience can grasp characters and concepts quickly given the limited runtime of a movie. So it irritates me that some writers develop stories and characters as if they're in movies. We have here the stoic cop who knows everything about a person without any explanation 5 mins after meeting them, and the playboy whose entire personality is flirting and work-inappropriate inuendo that would a person fired. These are the unfortunate leads who run around the planet busting government budgets to follow a hunch.
In other odd details included in this story. That quick drive from SA to Nambia? A simple Google tells me the distance between Cape Town and Namibia is 1,194 km/741 miles. I have questions.
Another problem is that this story is lacking for whole novel. There is no real satisfaction here because it's very dependent on there being a sequel to complete the plot.
One of the things I love best about books is that, unlike movies, they don't need to depend on archetypes and cliches so an audience can grasp characters and concepts quickly given the limited runtime of a movie. So it irritates me that some writers develop stories and characters as if they're in movies. We have here the stoic cop who knows everything about a person without any explanation 5 mins after meeting them, and the playboy whose entire personality is flirting and work-inappropriate inuendo that would a person fired. These are the unfortunate leads who run around the planet busting government budgets to follow a hunch.
In other odd details included in this story. That quick drive from SA to Nambia? A simple Google tells me the distance between Cape Town and Namibia is 1,194 km/741 miles. I have questions.
Another problem is that this story is lacking for whole novel. There is no real satisfaction here because it's very dependent on there being a sequel to complete the plot.
October 4, 2025
I don't often ditch a book 150 pages into a 420 page book but here we are .
The idea is great, the two time lines work well and the characters are sort of interesting however it really needed an editor to come in and cut it down .
It's 20% plot and conversation and 80% describing how someone took their phone out of their pocket with their right hand and brought it up to their ear have first brushed aside the dark locks ...
Also there is that very annoying thing that tends to happen in films to speed up and explain whats going on . So you have a scene in car with the whole family having sold the house , quite the job, moved schools , said goodbye to friends and family and only when they are 4 hours into the trip does one of the characters say ' So I didn't even know you had a Uncle Fred who died and has left us this house .. ' You don't need to do that in a book but it's here.
Somehow another two of these got published . I bet with a good editor they could all be chopping down into one decent book .
The idea is great, the two time lines work well and the characters are sort of interesting however it really needed an editor to come in and cut it down .
It's 20% plot and conversation and 80% describing how someone took their phone out of their pocket with their right hand and brought it up to their ear have first brushed aside the dark locks ...
Also there is that very annoying thing that tends to happen in films to speed up and explain whats going on . So you have a scene in car with the whole family having sold the house , quite the job, moved schools , said goodbye to friends and family and only when they are 4 hours into the trip does one of the characters say ' So I didn't even know you had a Uncle Fred who died and has left us this house .. ' You don't need to do that in a book but it's here.
Somehow another two of these got published . I bet with a good editor they could all be chopping down into one decent book .
February 25, 2024
This is the first of 4 novels I believe, so keep that in mind when starting. This book is a bit of a slow burn, and it spends time to set up the stories of the various characters from whose lives the story arises. There are two timelines with characters that start to experience a significant change in their lives: Filio Amarosa, an astronaut who survived a first mission to Mars, but sustained injuries and memory loss from the crash of the ship upon return and two agents investigating the crash, and Ron Jackson, a scientist who had a theory that our civilization was actually started by a race of aliens. There is a lot of action as protagonists search for evidence of this alien race and the pace of the novel is fairly urgent. The characters are likeable, but they are primarily here to show the story. The story has some familiar elements, but also has a freshness in the telling that lifts the story. Be prepared to read more of the series if you want a full picture, though.
February 6, 2024
This was well done especially for a first time author. The pacing of a screenplay told over two timelines, 2018 and 2042, with characters i connected with.
Year 2042 Agents Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer are sent looking for archaeologist Ron Jackson who disappeared in 2018. A search that takes them to Antarctica where they discover a threat that could cause the extinction of the human species. Oh, my!
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the lone survivor of the first Mars mission. What did they find on Mars? What survived the destruction of the ship that millions of dollars in rewards are being offered to find the ship at the bottom of the Indian Ocean? What secrets is she hiding that she is willing to go to any length to be on the second mission.
This reminded me of the movie Prometheus with the unexplained happenings of an X-Files episode.
Book ends with a major cliffhanger.
Year 2042 Agents Agatha Devenworth and Pano Hofer are sent looking for archaeologist Ron Jackson who disappeared in 2018. A search that takes them to Antarctica where they discover a threat that could cause the extinction of the human species. Oh, my!
Astronaut Dr. Filio Amarosa, the lone survivor of the first Mars mission. What did they find on Mars? What survived the destruction of the ship that millions of dollars in rewards are being offered to find the ship at the bottom of the Indian Ocean? What secrets is she hiding that she is willing to go to any length to be on the second mission.
This reminded me of the movie Prometheus with the unexplained happenings of an X-Files episode.
Book ends with a major cliffhanger.
November 26, 2024
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
A little too much Coast to Coast AM or Ancient Aliens? After a bit, all the ideas start to sound the same and they're all just slightly different flavors of the same ice cream.
If you can get past the juvenile dialogue and awful characters, the story just isn't that interesting. It follows three protagonists, until they all meet near the end. The problem is, the two storylines in the present (2042) are pretty boring. Selfish and cliched characters. The story in the past (2018) is sort of interesting, but it's fairly obvious where it's going if you've ever read/watched/listened to this genre before.
This is the first of a trilogy, so don't expect any resolution. But, I think I know the arc (since so many other stories have traveled it too) so I'm done.
Skip it!
A little too much Coast to Coast AM or Ancient Aliens? After a bit, all the ideas start to sound the same and they're all just slightly different flavors of the same ice cream.
If you can get past the juvenile dialogue and awful characters, the story just isn't that interesting. It follows three protagonists, until they all meet near the end. The problem is, the two storylines in the present (2042) are pretty boring. Selfish and cliched characters. The story in the past (2018) is sort of interesting, but it's fairly obvious where it's going if you've ever read/watched/listened to this genre before.
This is the first of a trilogy, so don't expect any resolution. But, I think I know the arc (since so many other stories have traveled it too) so I'm done.
Skip it!
April 4, 2021
This book was amazing. Set in the not too distant future, a mission to Mars uncovers a relic buried beneath the lave tubes on the red planet. Something that shouldn't be there. Something they should have left there. Also in the not to distant past, a group of archeologist uncover a pyramid in Antartica. They also find something. Something unimaginable. Something they might explain humanities past. Having been a fan of all Ancient Alien theories, this is most appropriate. This is science fiction that might just have it's origin in truth. It is a thriller like no other. Wide range of characters, much globe trotting adventure, and mysteries dying to be solved. Of course this ends on a cliff hanger and the next book is scheduled for release in May. I am definitely a fan.
May 27, 2021
The secrets of Mars' distant past, the secrets of earth's distant past and the secrets of its future
It's not often, as an avid reader of the sci fi and alien history genre, that I experience a totally new take on the idea nor the monolith of Mars given such an inventive twist. Joshua has managed to wrap a story of man's pre historical distant past into one of his distant future with such talent, creating a tale with breathless depth and breadth filled with action and emotion, (and occasional terror). A thoroughly enjoyable table that I read from book to book without stopping over 2 days!
This trilogy is definitely one to be enjoyed by every lover of a well written romping good story and I look forward to more from this brilliant young writer
It's not often, as an avid reader of the sci fi and alien history genre, that I experience a totally new take on the idea nor the monolith of Mars given such an inventive twist. Joshua has managed to wrap a story of man's pre historical distant past into one of his distant future with such talent, creating a tale with breathless depth and breadth filled with action and emotion, (and occasional terror). A thoroughly enjoyable table that I read from book to book without stopping over 2 days!
This trilogy is definitely one to be enjoyed by every lover of a well written romping good story and I look forward to more from this brilliant young writer
January 27, 2024
Just a 2 star, it could have been a 3 star. Just. I really wanted to like this book and I think I did. Actually, I am not so sure.
There was no real science in the book - which is fine but surely a sci- fi should some science in it.
The characters did grow on me but were a bit of stereotype.
The plot is pretty unoriginal.
And finally this book really is just a build up to the next book (this book is part of a trilogy). This book didn’t really conclude. The end of the book was more like an end of a chapter.
I won’t be reading the next couple of books. Happy not to know what happened.
There was no real science in the book - which is fine but surely a sci- fi should some science in it.
The characters did grow on me but were a bit of stereotype.
The plot is pretty unoriginal.
And finally this book really is just a build up to the next book (this book is part of a trilogy). This book didn’t really conclude. The end of the book was more like an end of a chapter.
I won’t be reading the next couple of books. Happy not to know what happened.
March 27, 2024
My first time to read Calvert. I thought it took a little while to get the story going and for it to grab my attention, but once it did. it was a well-told tale with many new reveals and interesting twists as well as a few very good characters to keep my interest. At its heart this is a SyFy story which I tend to enjoy and further it has some hard science elements that is borders on fantasy which I usually tend to stay away avoid. However, in this case I thought it was well-developed and the entire story was a good mix and I'm now left wondering what will happen in the next of the 3 installment series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews