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Across Horizons #.5
Genesis Sequence
Prequel
A young Neanderthal. A robotic drone. A new future begins.
Banished from her tribe, Skyra Una-Loto wanders through an ancient landscape teeming with fierce predators. Skyra searches for a way to overcome the crippling fear that has plagued her since witnessing her birthmother's brutal death.
The problem is, to overcome her fear and reclaim her strength, she must attack and kill predators that will probably kill her first.
Skyra's desperate quest takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a creature unlike anything she has seen before. It walks on four legs, yet it can also fly. It eats fire instead of flesh, and it speaks a strange language called English. Its name is Ripple.
Ripple cannot believe its good luck. Having jumped 47,000 years into the past, the robotic drone has completed its research mission and is stranded here forever. Now it has found a living, breathing Neanderthal to study. The more Ripple learns about Skyra, the more the drone is convinced she is important to the future of this new world-but only if Ripple can keep her alive.
Genesis Sequence, a prequel to the Across Horizons series, is for readers who love time travel, wilderness survival, and unforgettable characters.
Grab your copy and join the adventure now!
A young Neanderthal. A robotic drone. A new future begins.
Banished from her tribe, Skyra Una-Loto wanders through an ancient landscape teeming with fierce predators. Skyra searches for a way to overcome the crippling fear that has plagued her since witnessing her birthmother's brutal death.
The problem is, to overcome her fear and reclaim her strength, she must attack and kill predators that will probably kill her first.
Skyra's desperate quest takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a creature unlike anything she has seen before. It walks on four legs, yet it can also fly. It eats fire instead of flesh, and it speaks a strange language called English. Its name is Ripple.
Ripple cannot believe its good luck. Having jumped 47,000 years into the past, the robotic drone has completed its research mission and is stranded here forever. Now it has found a living, breathing Neanderthal to study. The more Ripple learns about Skyra, the more the drone is convinced she is important to the future of this new world-but only if Ripple can keep her alive.
Genesis Sequence, a prequel to the Across Horizons series, is for readers who love time travel, wilderness survival, and unforgettable characters.
Grab your copy and join the adventure now!
222 pages, Paperback
Published July 24, 2021
254 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 13, 2021
A Pleasure Throughout!
This book has been on my reading list for several months, now. I have planned to read it several times, but for some reason I kept putting it off.
So sorry about that.
This book is a wonderful thing! A story of a Neanderthal girl, about eighteen years old, living in Spain around 48 thousand years ago.
An AI (robotic drone) from present day USA, is sent into the past to gather data. It has been programmed for interaction between itself and the people in the past.
While gathering data, Ripple, the drone, encounters Skyra, said teenager, and they grudgingly become friends. The grudge is on her part.
They experience numerous adventures and many dangers together. It was a dangerous time (much like today).
Their shared adventures bring them together and help them find a common ground.
This book is very fascinating. The pace moves right along. The book is definitely worth the money paid and the time to read.
I only wish I read this book sooner.
This book has been on my reading list for several months, now. I have planned to read it several times, but for some reason I kept putting it off.
So sorry about that.
This book is a wonderful thing! A story of a Neanderthal girl, about eighteen years old, living in Spain around 48 thousand years ago.
An AI (robotic drone) from present day USA, is sent into the past to gather data. It has been programmed for interaction between itself and the people in the past.
While gathering data, Ripple, the drone, encounters Skyra, said teenager, and they grudgingly become friends. The grudge is on her part.
They experience numerous adventures and many dangers together. It was a dangerous time (much like today).
Their shared adventures bring them together and help them find a common ground.
This book is very fascinating. The pace moves right along. The book is definitely worth the money paid and the time to read.
I only wish I read this book sooner.
September 7, 2021
Prequel to the series, Genesis Sequence by Stan C. Smith provides the backstory for the Across Horizons series more than 40,000 years before the beginning of book 1. It is fabulous series with many twists and turns. Totally original story line. I love it.
January 12, 2022
Time travel with alternate universes creation. A shifting point of view creates a sense of being lost in the story. Received free from Amazon.
July 29, 2021
Spoiler alert - I LOVE the writing of this author. This book is a prequel - something I usually hate - but having read all the other books in the series, it is fascinating to see how the little individual pieces will fit in with the stories that come later chronologically but have already been written.
And at the same time - if you have never read any of the earlier books in this series - this book stands alone. Stan Smith has the critical ability to create interesting environments, into which he then puts interesting people - some human, some of other species or forms of life - and then we get to watch the interaction between the characters and often enough, the environment. He is clear, specific, draws pictures with his words, and NOTHING is cliche, standard or like anyone else doing this kind of writing.
If you like being surprised - if you enjoy the challenge of imagining other worlds that may be more different than you expect or more like our world than you might think - this is the author, and this is his latest work, and I most heartily recommend both.
Final Note - You notice I don't talk about the plot. I lived overseas for many years, and I learned that when people asked what life was like in whatever country I was living in, it took too much explanation of the culture or the country for my stories to make sense. The same is true with the writing here - the worlds he creates - and true for all of his many wonderful series - is too complex to be encapsulated in a couple of sentences, and without explaining all that, the plot elements are simply confusing or inadequate. Read the book - best advice you will get today.
And at the same time - if you have never read any of the earlier books in this series - this book stands alone. Stan Smith has the critical ability to create interesting environments, into which he then puts interesting people - some human, some of other species or forms of life - and then we get to watch the interaction between the characters and often enough, the environment. He is clear, specific, draws pictures with his words, and NOTHING is cliche, standard or like anyone else doing this kind of writing.
If you like being surprised - if you enjoy the challenge of imagining other worlds that may be more different than you expect or more like our world than you might think - this is the author, and this is his latest work, and I most heartily recommend both.
Final Note - You notice I don't talk about the plot. I lived overseas for many years, and I learned that when people asked what life was like in whatever country I was living in, it took too much explanation of the culture or the country for my stories to make sense. The same is true with the writing here - the worlds he creates - and true for all of his many wonderful series - is too complex to be encapsulated in a couple of sentences, and without explaining all that, the plot elements are simply confusing or inadequate. Read the book - best advice you will get today.
July 29, 2021
Striving to overcome barriers of communication…
Everything that I have ever read by Stan Smith, and that’s a lot, has always fascinated me. At times, the violence made me uncomfortable but my imagination was constantly engaged because Stan’s imagination is so wildly original. Although often based on familiar Earth life forms, he greatly expands on the nature of the creatures and characters in his stories.
This particular story actually takes us back to the beginning of the series and focuses on the developing relationship between Skyra, a female Neanderthal, and Ripple, a robotic drone. Naturally, having been from two different timelines – many, many ages apart - these two characters had much to process before they could develop trust and understanding between them. And, there is so much more to the story – what is the significance of there relationship? How does it further the underlying theme of the series and its subtle messages being conveyed to the reader?
Quite original and well written, you will find this book to be insightful as well as entertaining. The role of other characters and the violent acts of survival are necessary to the plot and, according to Ripple, very important to the future of humanity. Thus, you may find yourself emotionally involved in achieving a positive outcome. The dialogue between Ripple and Skyra and Ripple and his other robotic persona is certainly thought provoking and broadens our understanding of these two main characters in this series – a well-deserved five-star prequel.
Everything that I have ever read by Stan Smith, and that’s a lot, has always fascinated me. At times, the violence made me uncomfortable but my imagination was constantly engaged because Stan’s imagination is so wildly original. Although often based on familiar Earth life forms, he greatly expands on the nature of the creatures and characters in his stories.
This particular story actually takes us back to the beginning of the series and focuses on the developing relationship between Skyra, a female Neanderthal, and Ripple, a robotic drone. Naturally, having been from two different timelines – many, many ages apart - these two characters had much to process before they could develop trust and understanding between them. And, there is so much more to the story – what is the significance of there relationship? How does it further the underlying theme of the series and its subtle messages being conveyed to the reader?
Quite original and well written, you will find this book to be insightful as well as entertaining. The role of other characters and the violent acts of survival are necessary to the plot and, according to Ripple, very important to the future of humanity. Thus, you may find yourself emotionally involved in achieving a positive outcome. The dialogue between Ripple and Skyra and Ripple and his other robotic persona is certainly thought provoking and broadens our understanding of these two main characters in this series – a well-deserved five-star prequel.
Read
August 2, 2021If you have read the other books in the Across Horizons series, you may have wondered how it was that Skyra and Ripple became friends. Why didn’t Skyra and her tribemates just smash Ripple to bits with large rocks? Genesis Sequence answers those questions and more.
One of my favorite parts of this pre-quel is the introduction of an entirely new character who speaks in analogies and metaphors. This supposedly “advanced” use of language is not something that one would expect from a Neanderthal – very enjoyable if a bit frustrating at times.
Genesis Sequence also develops Ripple’s “personality” in unexpected ways. I won’t give it away, but don’t miss this aspect of the book.
Genesis Sequence also develops the relationship between Skyra and her twin sister Veena. Veena shows some surprising characteristics that filled out her personality.
Genesis Sequence is a very enjoyable book in its own right, as well as a welcome fill-in for the series.
Don’t miss it!
One of my favorite parts of this pre-quel is the introduction of an entirely new character who speaks in analogies and metaphors. This supposedly “advanced” use of language is not something that one would expect from a Neanderthal – very enjoyable if a bit frustrating at times.
Genesis Sequence also develops Ripple’s “personality” in unexpected ways. I won’t give it away, but don’t miss this aspect of the book.
Genesis Sequence also develops the relationship between Skyra and her twin sister Veena. Veena shows some surprising characteristics that filled out her personality.
Genesis Sequence is a very enjoyable book in its own right, as well as a welcome fill-in for the series.
Don’t miss it!
July 30, 2021
Stan C. Smith has done a terrific job of creating suspense in his newest book, Genesis Sequence, a story that goes back to the beginnings of his Across the Horizon series. Genesis Sequence is unique in that it shares Ripple’s (a drone’s) point of view during his encounters with Skyra, a Neanderthal who lives 47,675 years in the past. In Genesis Sequence, Smith creates a fresh, compelling backstory that reveals new aspects about Ripple that were not previously known. In the story, Ripple aptly describes himself as the “Swiss Army knife of robotic drones. Besides having a wealth of information and decisional autonomy, Ripple also has the ability to create his own cognitive companions, Muffin and Data. I especially loved the characters’ personalities, the wonderful analogies, and the rich detail. I predict you will find Genesis Sequence as addictive as I did.
July 25, 2021
As always Stan writes a very good entertaining book. As in the other 3 ( "Horizon") books are loosely hooked together. A couple of new characters but they are minor characters. As in the other books there is a strong female character. Very good writing about what could have happened 47k years ago. This book is easy to read and especially makes a great nite time book. The characters are original as is the plot. I would make a suggestion that you start at the first book because that will really tell you of what is to come. I like Stan's writing and they way he weaves this story. There are some exciting encounters with a panther as well as with some wolves. The book is just a very good read. You can start with this book and see if you want to go get the first book of the series.
July 29, 2021
This novella does two jobs: firstly, it’s a great introduction to the Across Horizons series; secondly, it’s a prequel for fans of the series showing how two of the main characters met. Skyra, a neanderthal woman living 47,000 years ago and Ripple, an AI drone sent to the past. How do the two find any common ground when one is from the past and one the future? Stan C Smith does not skimp on the story despite the relatively short length of the book. So much happens and the author takes his characters on quite the ride through this land from long ago. It’s a great addition to the series and, for me at least, was a nice return to the characters that I’d loved from the other books of the series.
July 29, 2021
With the release of Genesis Sequence we have the closing of the series. Whilst not as exciting as the other books — primarily due to the fact that we have already “met” the many different creatures, it does raise interesting thought experiments on how we humans might interact with future aliens (assuming they exist and that we meet). Just simple gestures, such as nodding in agreement, smiling, things that come naturally to us, may be interpreted entirely differently by said aliens. If I had to fault the book it would be the length. There are still some aspects I would have liked Stan to go into in further depth, however, with that said, it is a wonderful read and makes for a gratifying conclusion.
July 29, 2021
This was a short book but a really good one - great for those readers who have already read this series, but as it is a prequel, also great for readers wanting an introduction to this world!
I found it fascinating to hear how Ripple had found Skyra and the reasons for Ripple to be in Skyra’s time. I also thoroughly enjoyed the alternative Ripple personas, and the reason. It was also good getting more background about Skyra’s life before the series began, and this book fits with the later ones very well.
As always, this author writes with a very unique and quirky set of interests, and although these books are hard to pigeonhole, they are well worth reading!
I found it fascinating to hear how Ripple had found Skyra and the reasons for Ripple to be in Skyra’s time. I also thoroughly enjoyed the alternative Ripple personas, and the reason. It was also good getting more background about Skyra’s life before the series began, and this book fits with the later ones very well.
As always, this author writes with a very unique and quirky set of interests, and although these books are hard to pigeonhole, they are well worth reading!
July 30, 2021
I received an ARC of this new release, and this review is voluntary. I don't usually like prequels ... I prefer sequential stories, which in this series is a lost cause! There is a lot of time travel, and this story takes place before the other 4 books in the series and yet there is still a lot to be learned about the central characters of this book, Skyra and the AI Ripple... and his alter egos, which were a big surprise! So, I enjoyed this book far more than I expected and would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys good, action filled, exciting and well told tales featuring time travel and an unusual cast of characters.
September 8, 2021
Unique & Intriguing
While the characters individually, are somewhat one dimensional, their interaction with each other and the evolving circumstances they find themselves in make the story interesting and intriguing. As the story proceeds, this one dimensionality, which normally would result in the loss of a star, disappear completely as the reader becomes absorbed into the developing relationships and growth of each character’s personality. The uniqueness of the future meets past storyline is amplified by the twist, not found in similar stories, of mechanical meets biological. So. Five out of five stars is well warranted and earned here! Bravo Mr. Smith!
While the characters individually, are somewhat one dimensional, their interaction with each other and the evolving circumstances they find themselves in make the story interesting and intriguing. As the story proceeds, this one dimensionality, which normally would result in the loss of a star, disappear completely as the reader becomes absorbed into the developing relationships and growth of each character’s personality. The uniqueness of the future meets past storyline is amplified by the twist, not found in similar stories, of mechanical meets biological. So. Five out of five stars is well warranted and earned here! Bravo Mr. Smith!
November 26, 2021
Reasonable
Good idea, however this should be displayed before we start reading "Genesis Sequence is the prequel to the Across Horizons series, so there’s more excitement waiting for you.", As usual for this kind of writing the story is short on story and long on subsequent chapters, none of the questions raised by the storyline are resolved but I guess that might be addressed in future books, do I want to gamble on that? No, some people like to buy a story chapter by chapter, I hope you enjoy the story, I don't.
Good idea, however this should be displayed before we start reading "Genesis Sequence is the prequel to the Across Horizons series, so there’s more excitement waiting for you.", As usual for this kind of writing the story is short on story and long on subsequent chapters, none of the questions raised by the storyline are resolved but I guess that might be addressed in future books, do I want to gamble on that? No, some people like to buy a story chapter by chapter, I hope you enjoy the story, I don't.
July 26, 2021
Did you wonder what happened before Lincoln travelled to Skyras home? How Ripple came to be in that place at that time?
This book explains it, the start of Ripple and how he became Skyras friend. It solves some of the things we wondered about.
We meet a very hostile Skyra, one that is depressed, sad and wants to die. We get to understand the relationship between her and Ripple. And we get to understand Ripple and his way of working.
This book explains it, the start of Ripple and how he became Skyras friend. It solves some of the things we wondered about.
We meet a very hostile Skyra, one that is depressed, sad and wants to die. We get to understand the relationship between her and Ripple. And we get to understand Ripple and his way of working.
August 1, 2021
Genesis Sequence is the prequel to the Across Horizons series. A drone, Ripple, travels back in time 47,675 years and meets a young Neanderthal, Skyra. The two make the ultimate odd couple, but they form an endearing bond. The elderly Neanderthal, Osroc, is also an interesting character, frequently speaking in humorous metaphors. The fast-paced book has plenty of scenes of prehistoric danger and action. It was thoroughly proofread, as I didn’t find a single typo in the entire book.
April 15, 2022
Ripple the drone is sent back into the past and teams up with a gifted Neanderthal teen girl Skyra who is trying to get her mojo for hunting back into order as she has been banished from her tribe. Her twin sister goes back but she is left to gain her confidence helped by Ripple the drone and another old Neanderthal Osroc who she rescued from cave hyenas. The story is engrossing and imaginative and leaves the link to the rest of the series temptingly open.
April 26, 2022
An interesting story
I liked the idea of a friendship between a human and a drone. Skyra is an exceptional female and I admire and adore her. Ripple is sweet and thoughtful and he is a very good friend. I usually hate hunting because I love animals and suffer when they are hurt and killed but I can accept hunting for living. I have read this book in a short time because I couldn't put it down.
I liked the idea of a friendship between a human and a drone. Skyra is an exceptional female and I admire and adore her. Ripple is sweet and thoughtful and he is a very good friend. I usually hate hunting because I love animals and suffer when they are hurt and killed but I can accept hunting for living. I have read this book in a short time because I couldn't put it down.
August 1, 2021
This author has a way of looking at time travel a different way and each jump is exciting as the last. The series is wonderful, wow! A robot like nothing ever seen, goes in the jump and meets Skyra, her sister and the tribes and becomes her friend. The actions Skyra takes in trying to find her strength is very dangerous but she is committed and goes at them unwavering. Excellent series.
April 30, 2022
Very unusual time travel story!
I am fascinated by stories about early prehistorical people. Having a drone as a major character was rather unique. I like the way it became emotionally attached and protective of the Neanderthal girl. Very interesting and well written.
I am fascinated by stories about early prehistorical people. Having a drone as a major character was rather unique. I like the way it became emotionally attached and protective of the Neanderthal girl. Very interesting and well written.
July 23, 2023
Very intriguing book. I really liked the dialogue between AI robot and itself, Neanderthals, Neanderthals and AI. I got this for free from BN (probably) and am hooked. Time travel, not so real to me, however the explanations for this by the author are very good. At the end of the book are interesting questions dealing w history and science presented in this story.
July 28, 2021
I loved this book! Skyra & Ripple are marvelous characters and you quickly become immersed in their adventures. Wonderful prequel to the Across Horizon series. Bravo, Mr. Smith!
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
July 30, 2021
When Ripple met Skyra….wow what a way to meet! Skyra’s way of life is violent and unpredictable and Ripple is a drone who wants to learn more about a Neanderthal so he insinuates himself in her life a soon the two find themselves friends. It’s a great prequel to the series!
August 1, 2021
Great Prequel
This story is a backfill of how Ripple and Skyra met and became friends but is also about Skyra's quest to find her courage. It's is a great action adventure about life 47,000 years ago. Very imaginative.
This story is a backfill of how Ripple and Skyra met and became friends but is also about Skyra's quest to find her courage. It's is a great action adventure about life 47,000 years ago. Very imaginative.
August 1, 2021
This book begins Skyra's backstory and how she and Ripple meet and become friends. It was very interesting and fun to learn about the origin of their friendship. There was lots of action, but some thought provoking cultural elements, as well. I look forward to the continuation of this storyline.
April 24, 2022
interesting prequel
An interesting and not too unrealistic story depicting primitive culture, lifestyle, attitude and beliefs and the monitoring of a drone from the future. It leaves you with a curiosity about the future progression of the tribe.
An interesting and not too unrealistic story depicting primitive culture, lifestyle, attitude and beliefs and the monitoring of a drone from the future. It leaves you with a curiosity about the future progression of the tribe.
April 29, 2022
If you go back in time, you may cause accidental timelines. In this story, it's not a person but a drone that went back. The drone had a small window when it could send data back but then it was left wanting to participate.
Unusual concept of time
Unusual concept of time
June 21, 2023
This book has an interesting twist on things.
I had read book 1 before this book and thought I'd be let down because of Book 1.
How wrong I was.
It has some interesting twists, that even if you read book 1 first, you will be pleasantly surprised!
I had read book 1 before this book and thought I'd be let down because of Book 1.
How wrong I was.
It has some interesting twists, that even if you read book 1 first, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Read
July 24, 2021I enjoyed reading the prequel to this series. The author's writing is superb with original characters and a wonderful story line. The story held my interst from beginning to end.
July 27, 2021
I read this book as an arc. I found it to be a great addition to the series. As a prequel I thought it was a very good story. I highly recommend it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews