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EarthCent Ambassador #19
Swap Night on Union Station
Kelly is chosen for an honorary exchange with the other tunnel network ambassadors on Union Station in which all participants pledge to represent the interests of the host species for a week. But the aliens have been playing this game for hundreds of thousands of years and have their own ideas about how to best serve humanity.
Swap Night on Union Station is the nineteenth book of the EarthCent Ambassador series. New readers should start with the three-book bundle, Union Station 1, 2, 3.
Swap Night on Union Station is the nineteenth book of the EarthCent Ambassador series. New readers should start with the three-book bundle, Union Station 1, 2, 3.
- GenresScience FictionHumor
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2021
48 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
60 books247 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 18, 2021
I have been reading the Union Station series since the very first novel, and it has been a pleasure watching the universe Mr. Foner has created grow and evolve into a multi-generational story that has since branched out into two other book series in addition to the Union Station series.
If you are looking for a sci-fi series that is more about day-to-day life, interpersonal relationships, and how Humanity slowly takes it's place among the stars, then you can't go wrong with this series. There isn't the action or high drama such as that found in "The Expanse" series. This is more what I would call "comfy sci-fi". Reading a new book in the series is like dropping in to visit old friends.
New readers would be well advised to not start off anywhere except book 1, and that is kind of my only complaint. It would be helpful to have a "Who's-who" at the beginning of each book. With a cast of characters this large, it sometimes takes me a bit to get back up to speed when a new book is released.
If you are looking for a sci-fi series that is more about day-to-day life, interpersonal relationships, and how Humanity slowly takes it's place among the stars, then you can't go wrong with this series. There isn't the action or high drama such as that found in "The Expanse" series. This is more what I would call "comfy sci-fi". Reading a new book in the series is like dropping in to visit old friends.
New readers would be well advised to not start off anywhere except book 1, and that is kind of my only complaint. It would be helpful to have a "Who's-who" at the beginning of each book. With a cast of characters this large, it sometimes takes me a bit to get back up to speed when a new book is released.
December 9, 2021
this is the best of the last ten books !
all the characters are given a place in the sun, the comedy is gentle and works, it’s easy to identify the different people without mixing them up, the ideas come in as slow burners thoughout the story but drift in and out of the plot.
to a excellent culmination. - if you read the earlier volumes this is one that you do not want to miss.
Great Fun !
all the characters are given a place in the sun, the comedy is gentle and works, it’s easy to identify the different people without mixing them up, the ideas come in as slow burners thoughout the story but drift in and out of the plot.
to a excellent culmination. - if you read the earlier volumes this is one that you do not want to miss.
Great Fun !
July 12, 2021
Love this series
I was pleasantly surprised to see a new book. It’s like returning to visit old friends. The whole series is well-written and well thought out. Can’t wait so see what the author does next.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a new book. It’s like returning to visit old friends. The whole series is well-written and well thought out. Can’t wait so see what the author does next.
August 16, 2021
Outstanding
Another great earth cent book.
A fun read with the magic cat ghost “fixing” the dice. The second and third generations smoothly moved into the series. I highly recommended this book.
Another great earth cent book.
A fun read with the magic cat ghost “fixing” the dice. The second and third generations smoothly moved into the series. I highly recommended this book.
September 7, 2021
Another set of dangling plots, but building anticipation...
You've got to read this series from the beginning to follow the various shades of the many parallel plots, but the book stands well on its own. Settle in for a page turner, you won't be disappointed.
You've got to read this series from the beginning to follow the various shades of the many parallel plots, but the book stands well on its own. Settle in for a page turner, you won't be disappointed.
October 27, 2021
I love E. M. Foner!
His imagination makes me wish the Stryx would open earth in my lifetime. His characters are wonderful and I'd even stop hating cockroaches if I could see the Farling doctor M739qK.
His imagination makes me wish the Stryx would open earth in my lifetime. His characters are wonderful and I'd even stop hating cockroaches if I could see the Farling doctor M739qK.
March 14, 2022
Very sweet and funny
I think this was funniest book in the series. I couldn't stop laughing with each chapter. I also liked how everyone cared for the interests of Kelly. I was just a sweet and funny book. In fact the whole series was sweet and funny.
I think this was funniest book in the series. I couldn't stop laughing with each chapter. I also liked how everyone cared for the interests of Kelly. I was just a sweet and funny book. In fact the whole series was sweet and funny.
November 19, 2021
Amazing read!
This series is the best I've read in. . . forever! I love all the wonderful beings in these books. Best fun I've had in 40 years of reading science fiction!! I'd live in the Stryx universe if it were possible. Thank you Mr. Foner!
This series is the best I've read in. . . forever! I love all the wonderful beings in these books. Best fun I've had in 40 years of reading science fiction!! I'd live in the Stryx universe if it were possible. Thank you Mr. Foner!
July 25, 2021
I'm glad that Foner is so prolific. It would be a sad year that passed without a new book from him. In this volume, the alien ambassadors posted at Union Station quietly arrange to coax the Earthlings and the Alts into sharing a newly built planet (Alts can't tolerate humans when the book begins). But the best part is that the tale touches on so many other parts of Foner's universe. We get updates on many of the older characters in the Earthcent series.
The disguised goodwill coming from the aliens toward humans and Earth's ambassador, in particular, is heartwarming. That is not a word often found in sci-fi and not one most readers seek out. Foner has that territory mostly to himself. There are no battles here, and the action moves at the pace of real life. That doesn't mean that the aliens don't seek to take advantage of each other. They do but within the realm of the super-powerful Stryx AI there is no open combat. But there is intrigue, and that's what keeps readers waiting for the next book. That, and the colorful characters that spring from Foner's inventive mind.
The next book in the series is said to be a prequel. Cool! I wish I could read it right now.
The disguised goodwill coming from the aliens toward humans and Earth's ambassador, in particular, is heartwarming. That is not a word often found in sci-fi and not one most readers seek out. Foner has that territory mostly to himself. There are no battles here, and the action moves at the pace of real life. That doesn't mean that the aliens don't seek to take advantage of each other. They do but within the realm of the super-powerful Stryx AI there is no open combat. But there is intrigue, and that's what keeps readers waiting for the next book. That, and the colorful characters that spring from Foner's inventive mind.
The next book in the series is said to be a prequel. Cool! I wish I could read it right now.
February 2, 2022
I've read all 19 books of this series and almost everything else this author has written so I guess it's no surprise that I really enjoyed this book. In this one, all the ambassadors are doing an exchange with Earthcent Ambassador Kelly McAllister. All along the way it looks like the other ambassadors are trying to sabotage her, but things are not always as they appear. Once again this is a wonderful book about diverse people living in community cleverly disguised as science fiction. Okay it's a lot more than that, but these characters are just so well developed that you genuinely care about them and their interpersonal relationships feel very real and the stories are just so darn engaging. Every time I read one of these books, I come away inspired and feeling upbeat and positive. Foner does another stellar job here. If you decide to begin reading this series, always recommend you start at the beginning with his three pack Union Station 1-3, however the next Foner book I am about to read is a sort of prequel or as the author describes it, a sort of "book zero." That book is called Destiny and it will be my next fiction read. I will review it here as soon as I am done.
July 12, 2021
This author goes from strengths to strengths in this series
The character development and progression is very well done the non human and near human characters are 'people' I would like to get to know they are that well drawn. The plotting across 25 titles so far is well integrated and delightful in is lack of violence good SF does not require blood and gore. The whole series is strongly recommended but do not judge based on the 3 initial books starting with Date Night that are in the 99 cent intro 3 in 1 book. The author gets better and better and by 4 and 5 gets into his stride.
The character development and progression is very well done the non human and near human characters are 'people' I would like to get to know they are that well drawn. The plotting across 25 titles so far is well integrated and delightful in is lack of violence good SF does not require blood and gore. The whole series is strongly recommended but do not judge based on the 3 initial books starting with Date Night that are in the 99 cent intro 3 in 1 book. The author gets better and better and by 4 and 5 gets into his stride.
November 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this one. I'm not sure if it's because I had taken a break from the series or if it's because it focuses on Kelly most of the time but this one felt fresher and more fun than any of the most recent three or four books.
As always, if you like Union Station and you're up-to-date on the series, you will most likely enjoy the novel. It's got the same cast, the same world-building (literally!) as plot, and the same shenanigans as the previous novels and there are some fun new wrinkles to keep things interesting.
On the other hand, if you're new and just thinking about starting the series...go back to book one. While a lot of the books can be read more-or-less independently, this one volume contains a lot of references to the preceding couple of books, so...
As always, if you like Union Station and you're up-to-date on the series, you will most likely enjoy the novel. It's got the same cast, the same world-building (literally!) as plot, and the same shenanigans as the previous novels and there are some fun new wrinkles to keep things interesting.
On the other hand, if you're new and just thinking about starting the series...go back to book one. While a lot of the books can be read more-or-less independently, this one volume contains a lot of references to the preceding couple of books, so...
February 22, 2022
Starting to have a cast of thousands, might benefit from a a dramatis personoe
Strong entry in the series, which splitting into three series. Buy the introductory three pack, it's a bargain. The ambassadors play a sort of musical chairs with their jobs. The arguments over earth two don't make a whole lot of sense? He who buys real estate buys war, and these agreements will be constantly be violated.
Strong entry in the series, which splitting into three series. Buy the introductory three pack, it's a bargain. The ambassadors play a sort of musical chairs with their jobs. The arguments over earth two don't make a whole lot of sense? He who buys real estate buys war, and these agreements will be constantly be violated.
July 10, 2021
Getting past it
I have all the series and I've enjoyed them. But I think the Earth Centre Ambassador is pretty much worn out. Little happens here, characters don't develop and there aren't any even mildly bad hats. Worst thing that happens is copying fashions.
I hope we stick with Flower and the Traders from here on.
I have all the series and I've enjoyed them. But I think the Earth Centre Ambassador is pretty much worn out. Little happens here, characters don't develop and there aren't any even mildly bad hats. Worst thing that happens is copying fashions.
I hope we stick with Flower and the Traders from here on.
December 2, 2024
I continue to admire this author’s commitment to non-violence and the ingenuity required to devise interesting plots. It doesn’t always work – the lecture on legal aspects of terraforming, for example. However, it is often hilarious and the science fair was fascinating. Hope for more of the cat in future installments.
August 6, 2021
Well. It seems to be winding down
Loose ends wrapping awards given and author's note saying they are working on a prequel rather than the next. Our alien overlords seem to be trying to fix where they intervened. Only the next novels will tell.
Loose ends wrapping awards given and author's note saying they are working on a prequel rather than the next. Our alien overlords seem to be trying to fix where they intervened. Only the next novels will tell.
August 18, 2021
Another great book in this series!
Another great book with the characters in this series. Lots of subtle humor and interesting plot twists. One of the few series that I have continued to read through this many releases. I hope it continues!
Another great book with the characters in this series. Lots of subtle humor and interesting plot twists. One of the few series that I have continued to read through this many releases. I hope it continues!
July 8, 2022
I love the Union Station books!
I call them lighthearted not light headed. I recommend reading them in order starting with 'Date Night on Union Station'. Trust me, this is a great series!
I call them lighthearted not light headed. I recommend reading them in order starting with 'Date Night on Union Station'. Trust me, this is a great series!
July 13, 2021
Loved it. I'm always excited when a new Union Station book comes out. They never disappoint.
August 7, 2021
Another awesome book in the series
Another awesome book in the series, as easy and entertaining a book as always, can't wait for the next book.
Another awesome book in the series, as easy and entertaining a book as always, can't wait for the next book.
July 24, 2023
I just love these books!
These stories are so very intelligent, funny, and pleasant. And now I am straight on to the next one. :-)
These stories are so very intelligent, funny, and pleasant. And now I am straight on to the next one. :-)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews