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Echogenesis #1
Echogenesis
An alien world teeming with deadly life. And fifteen strangers with no memory of how they came to be there.
From the moment Sam Newman and fourteen others awaken inside metal coffins next to the burning wreckage of a spacecraft, they face a constant struggle to stay alive on a seemingly uninhabited planet light-years from home.
Worse, the last any of them remember, they were back home on Earth - at a time when interstellar travel was little more than a distant pipe dream.
Survival means finding out who - or what - brought them to this place. Yet what few answers they find amidst the steaming jungles and the ruins of that distant world defy all logic or sanity, and it soon becomes clear something has gone terribly wrong...
...something that could mean humanity's survival - or its extinction.
From the moment Sam Newman and fourteen others awaken inside metal coffins next to the burning wreckage of a spacecraft, they face a constant struggle to stay alive on a seemingly uninhabited planet light-years from home.
Worse, the last any of them remember, they were back home on Earth - at a time when interstellar travel was little more than a distant pipe dream.
Survival means finding out who - or what - brought them to this place. Yet what few answers they find amidst the steaming jungles and the ruins of that distant world defy all logic or sanity, and it soon becomes clear something has gone terribly wrong...
...something that could mean humanity's survival - or its extinction.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2021
536 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Gary Gibson
52 books420 followersGary Gibson's first novel, Angel Stations, was published in 2004. Interzone called it "dense and involving, puzzling and perplexing. It's unabashed science fiction, with an almost "Golden Age" feel to it ..."
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
His second novel was Against Gravity in 2005; the Guardian described it as "building on current trends to produce a convincing picture of the world in 2096."
Stealing Light was first published in 2007, and garnered a wide range of positive reviews. The London Times called it: "A violent, inventive, relentlessly gripping adventure ... intelligently written and thought-provoking".
Stealing Light is the first volume in a four-book space opera, the final volume of which, Marauder, was published in 2013.
To date, Gary has written ten novels, most recently Extinction Game and its sequel, Survival Game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
April 18, 2023
DNF at 50%.
The premise was promising, but the execution was lacking. There is a lot of tell and not much show.
The characters had as much personality as a toaster and tended to blend together so much that even halfway through the book I couldn't keep their names straight. They were no more than functions: Ethan = doctor, Sam = protagonist, whatever his name is a bad guy, etc.
Most of the backstory is told in infodumps. And when action happens, it's written in such a distant way that I couldn't visualize it or feel involved. Of course, not caring about what happens to any of the characters didn't help either. I don't feel like finishing this, because I just don't care enough to find the answer to the mystery of the crash landing.
The premise was promising, but the execution was lacking. There is a lot of tell and not much show.
The characters had as much personality as a toaster and tended to blend together so much that even halfway through the book I couldn't keep their names straight. They were no more than functions: Ethan = doctor, Sam = protagonist, whatever his name is a bad guy, etc.
Most of the backstory is told in infodumps. And when action happens, it's written in such a distant way that I couldn't visualize it or feel involved. Of course, not caring about what happens to any of the characters didn't help either. I don't feel like finishing this, because I just don't care enough to find the answer to the mystery of the crash landing.
November 1, 2021
This was recommended to me as a "Top Pick" by Goodreads. The author notes that his first ten novels were traditionally published. This one however was self-published. The premise is that a group of fifteen people wake up on an unknown world with no memory of how or why they're there. Having little other choice, they begin exploring. The sole reason I read this was because of the premise, and once again, just because it's an idea I like doesn't mean I'll enjoy it. Fortunately, this was a rather quick and simple read. Even so, it probably should've been a novella rather than a novel. The main problem is how insubstantial it is.
The majority of the book is spent exploring, but it doesn't have the slightest bit of the wonder that should come with discovery. This would've worked much better as a visual medium because it's rather difficult to have many characters involved in the same scene. Because of this, most of the characters have little to no development, though if it were visual at least they would've been seen.
I don't think I can really call it survival horror either because there isn't really any sense of dread. When something happens, it just sort of happens, and that's how it is. The same can be said of the sex scenes which literally last a couple of short sentences. There isn't really anything to recommend about this other than to say it wasn't anything worse than being insipid.
The majority of the book is spent exploring, but it doesn't have the slightest bit of the wonder that should come with discovery. This would've worked much better as a visual medium because it's rather difficult to have many characters involved in the same scene. Because of this, most of the characters have little to no development, though if it were visual at least they would've been seen.
I don't think I can really call it survival horror either because there isn't really any sense of dread. When something happens, it just sort of happens, and that's how it is. The same can be said of the sex scenes which literally last a couple of short sentences. There isn't really anything to recommend about this other than to say it wasn't anything worse than being insipid.
September 3, 2021
Had great potential and the writing was on occasion closer to the awesome earlier novels of the author, but there were so many improbabilities that it was hard to suspend disbelief while the characters were quite bland and ultimately this was a novel that really depended on being interested in the characters as the sfnal content was mediocre at best with the usual current babble about the humanity self destruction etc etc; may get a sequel based on the ending but not that interested in that
January 15, 2023
"History proves that we can't be trusted to share a world with less developed cultures or species because we inevitably wipe them out."
What I loved:
~ Our characters wake up in containment units on what they think is an alien world, with no memory of how they got there.
~ The creatures attached to the trees that resembled spiders, which gave the story an excellent horror vibe.
~ The mystery of why this group was aboard this ship, why they were on the world they named Aranyani.
~ Seeing how this bunch went about survival: making shelter, finding water, experimenting with plants/roots/creatures to find what was edible through trial and error.
~ The setting - the descriptions of this world were so beautiful.
What didn't work for me:
~ Some of the characters pair off immediately and start having sex (fortunately this does not continue all the way through the book)
~ The author reminds us constantly how young all the characters are.
~ None of the characters were developed well. (The plot, in my opinion, balanced out the character deficiency)
September 10, 2021
Fifteen strangers wake up in a place they don’t recognize with no idea how they got there. Which immediately makes me think of a certain popular tv show of yesteryear. But alas, this one is entirely different because a. everyone here mysteriously wakes up as a much younger version of themselves and b. it takes place on a different planet. So a space adventure/survival story. And pretty fun on both accounts as far as those things go.
The narrative is primarily action driven, wherein I might traditionally prefer more character development, but how much can you invest in these guys when their survival rates are so low. There’s a nice twist there too about the mysterious deaging process. And no, it isn’t because they suddenly find themselves in a movie. Although this would probably make a fun B movie.
Fans of action driven whambam paced science fiction would probably enjoy this. For me it was more middle of the road, but reasonably entertaining all the same. Thanks Netgalley.
The narrative is primarily action driven, wherein I might traditionally prefer more character development, but how much can you invest in these guys when their survival rates are so low. There’s a nice twist there too about the mysterious deaging process. And no, it isn’t because they suddenly find themselves in a movie. Although this would probably make a fun B movie.
Fans of action driven whambam paced science fiction would probably enjoy this. For me it was more middle of the road, but reasonably entertaining all the same. Thanks Netgalley.
January 18, 2024
Survival Story on an Alien World
So the first thing that I had thought when I had started reading this was that the situation the characters found themselves in made little sense. Who sends a group off to survive on an alien planet with half of their memories missing and no idea why they are even there? The last thing they remember is being back on Earth. Was some idiot in charge or what? But rest assured that when you reach the end of the book it actually does make sense! And then you will feel silly for not realizing it earlier.
So there were a few things I liked about this book. The first thing is that it is most definitely an action adventure type story. There are loads of dangerous creatures and unexpected events happening. Think of people racing through an awful tangle of trees, hoping not to trip over a tree root, as they run for their lives from some awful thing. It's dark and there is howling coming from everywhere. Plus those creatures are deadly and smart. This planet is trying very hard to kill you. There is never a dull moment in here.
And if that's not enough there is strife among the humans too. The main character, Sam, has to try and deal with it the best he can. But he often struggles with it. He often feels he needs to do everything himself and he certainly feels responsible for things. But its hard to do the job under the current circumstances. Still he tries the best he can. I do like him but I don't really relate to him very much. Still that didn't affect me enjoying this book.
What kept me reading was the huge mystery in here. Basically I wanted to know what was going on. What had really happened. Why were they sent there? Why were their memories missing? What was going to happen to them? The more I read the more details were discovered but it only made the mystery even deeper and more puzzling! Of course the end revealed it all. And then I went "Oh! So that's what it is!"
The actual end of the book - that last scene - was very satisfying too. Its not often that it happens. That satisfying scene. Quite rare I think.
This definitely is a battle for survival, not only for the handful of characters on the surface of this unknown world but for the survival of the entire human race. And yes this story takes place in the far future.
Definitely worth reading especially if you want a fun action story that has a very strong moral story built in, as well as an environmental theme too.
So the first thing that I had thought when I had started reading this was that the situation the characters found themselves in made little sense. Who sends a group off to survive on an alien planet with half of their memories missing and no idea why they are even there? The last thing they remember is being back on Earth. Was some idiot in charge or what? But rest assured that when you reach the end of the book it actually does make sense! And then you will feel silly for not realizing it earlier.
So there were a few things I liked about this book. The first thing is that it is most definitely an action adventure type story. There are loads of dangerous creatures and unexpected events happening. Think of people racing through an awful tangle of trees, hoping not to trip over a tree root, as they run for their lives from some awful thing. It's dark and there is howling coming from everywhere. Plus those creatures are deadly and smart. This planet is trying very hard to kill you. There is never a dull moment in here.
And if that's not enough there is strife among the humans too. The main character, Sam, has to try and deal with it the best he can. But he often struggles with it. He often feels he needs to do everything himself and he certainly feels responsible for things. But its hard to do the job under the current circumstances. Still he tries the best he can. I do like him but I don't really relate to him very much. Still that didn't affect me enjoying this book.
What kept me reading was the huge mystery in here. Basically I wanted to know what was going on. What had really happened. Why were they sent there? Why were their memories missing? What was going to happen to them? The more I read the more details were discovered but it only made the mystery even deeper and more puzzling! Of course the end revealed it all. And then I went "Oh! So that's what it is!"
The actual end of the book - that last scene - was very satisfying too. Its not often that it happens. That satisfying scene. Quite rare I think.
This definitely is a battle for survival, not only for the handful of characters on the surface of this unknown world but for the survival of the entire human race. And yes this story takes place in the far future.
Definitely worth reading especially if you want a fun action story that has a very strong moral story built in, as well as an environmental theme too.
December 13, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
I read this book as a judge for the Self Published Science Fiction competition. I'm on team Book Invasion and this book made it to the quarter finals. It was one of six books chosen out of 30 to progress in the competition.
This book initially drew me in with its mysterious and engrossing situation. A bunch of people wake up in pods in a field with no memory of how they got there. Indeed, they have no idea where or when they are. I love this type of story where you are trying to figure out what is going on the whole time.
Where this book really shines for me is in the plot. It is engrossing and does a good job of thickening and staying on pace. I also really enjoyed the setting and the description of the setting. It was imaginative and fascinating.
The book is weaker in terms of characters. None of the characters are at all likable and most are very underdeveloped. I found that I didn't really care what happened to these characters on an individual level. I wasn't rooting for the main character.
There were also some more philosophical things that rubbed me the wrong way. The story gets really nihilistic at points. It had kind of an "adult Lord of the Flies" feel. I really disliked the commentary on leadership and human potential. This also had a rather male-centric, macho flavor to it that I wasn't such a fan of. There were some female characters, but ultimately this story really focused on male characters and very masculine (macho might be a better term) approaches to power/leadership/etc.
I also got a tiny bit hung up on how unrealistic the amounts of water, food, and energy expended were portrayed.
So I had a few issues with it, but ultimately, it was a very fun and interesting story that kept me engaged throughout.
Sexual violence? No, I don't remember any. Other content warnings? Violence, nihilism, bullying
I read this book as a judge for the Self Published Science Fiction competition. I'm on team Book Invasion and this book made it to the quarter finals. It was one of six books chosen out of 30 to progress in the competition.
This book initially drew me in with its mysterious and engrossing situation. A bunch of people wake up in pods in a field with no memory of how they got there. Indeed, they have no idea where or when they are. I love this type of story where you are trying to figure out what is going on the whole time.
Where this book really shines for me is in the plot. It is engrossing and does a good job of thickening and staying on pace. I also really enjoyed the setting and the description of the setting. It was imaginative and fascinating.
The book is weaker in terms of characters. None of the characters are at all likable and most are very underdeveloped. I found that I didn't really care what happened to these characters on an individual level. I wasn't rooting for the main character.
There were also some more philosophical things that rubbed me the wrong way. The story gets really nihilistic at points. It had kind of an "adult Lord of the Flies" feel. I really disliked the commentary on leadership and human potential. This also had a rather male-centric, macho flavor to it that I wasn't such a fan of. There were some female characters, but ultimately this story really focused on male characters and very masculine (macho might be a better term) approaches to power/leadership/etc.
I also got a tiny bit hung up on how unrealistic the amounts of water, food, and energy expended were portrayed.
So I had a few issues with it, but ultimately, it was a very fun and interesting story that kept me engaged throughout.
Sexual violence? No, I don't remember any. Other content warnings? Violence, nihilism, bullying
August 16, 2021
Set in a plausible far future - Sam and 14 other people wake on another planet with no memory of how they got there, in bodies much younger than they should be.
Initially it's a struggle with interpersonal conflicts and day to day stuff, but the wildlife has a grudge and then things get really weird and wonderful.
The world building and characters are entirely believable. They are who they are, where they are, dealing with their now.
What I genuinely enjoyed about this novel was it's steady pace and every revelation being followed up by another mystery. It's a roller coaster that generally heads up until it needs to drop you back down so that you can head up again and when you finally get back to the staging area you're like "eff yeah - fun ride".
Echogenesis is a brilliant and gripping sci-fi survival mystery.
I couldn't put it down.
Initially it's a struggle with interpersonal conflicts and day to day stuff, but the wildlife has a grudge and then things get really weird and wonderful.
The world building and characters are entirely believable. They are who they are, where they are, dealing with their now.
What I genuinely enjoyed about this novel was it's steady pace and every revelation being followed up by another mystery. It's a roller coaster that generally heads up until it needs to drop you back down so that you can head up again and when you finally get back to the staging area you're like "eff yeah - fun ride".
Echogenesis is a brilliant and gripping sci-fi survival mystery.
I couldn't put it down.
February 28, 2023
This was a bit of a disappointment. Too many characters in the beginning plus a slow start (the book didn't pick up until about 70% in) made this not that enjoyable to read. The concept was cool, but it got bogged down by not much happening, an annoying MC (thought he had to be the leader for no real reason, only trusts himself to do/ know anything, and does exactly what he tells others not do to), and it just didn't give enough description of the alien world. I wanted more details so I could picture this place, and the Howlers were impossible for me to picture in my head. I liked the concept but trimming characters/ slow moving plot points and adding more detail would have made this better.
September 13, 2022
New world colonization gone wrong, maybe
Enjoyable twists and turns that kept me in suspense throughout. This was well thought out and showed just how destructive some humans can be in the face of the unknown.
Although the characters personalities did finally reveal themselves, it took awhile to feel any bond to them and I have no clue what any of them looked like. The author focused on the suspense of the story line and left me hanging for more details elsewhere. I did enjoy this book and I think it's a solid 3 stars. I would recommend it.
Enjoyable twists and turns that kept me in suspense throughout. This was well thought out and showed just how destructive some humans can be in the face of the unknown.
Although the characters personalities did finally reveal themselves, it took awhile to feel any bond to them and I have no clue what any of them looked like. The author focused on the suspense of the story line and left me hanging for more details elsewhere. I did enjoy this book and I think it's a solid 3 stars. I would recommend it.
April 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and thought the plot was pretty clever, but I would have rated it five stars only if a female character had been one of the major three players. Alas, there were only two women in the book with personality; one was there to be a lackey for the villain, and one was there to fuck the hero, and nothing more.
Also, I didn't find the "villain" all that convincing. It was probably because the audiobook narrator gave him such a rational, calm, trusting voice, though. lol I mean, he totally persuaded me. I think the hero treated him unfairly and didn't give him a chance to explain himself until the very end, and when he did, the hero was already prejudiced against him.
The story was good, the characters were interesting and diverse, and I cared about the hero and what was going to happen to everyone. But the female characters weren't portrayed very well. Especially in the future, why can't women be the majority or at least in equal numbers to men as the muscle, the scientists, the mathematicians, the wilderness survivors on an expedition to a new planet? Then again, I don't feel like I trust this author with the characterization of women.
I also wish the book were longer. It felt like it was just getting started and then it was rushing to get complicated and reach its climax, and the other characters were just written off the page like, "And everybody else probably died. Back to the hero!" Like this had a lot of potential but didn't quite live up to what it could have been.
Also, I didn't find the "villain" all that convincing. It was probably because the audiobook narrator gave him such a rational, calm, trusting voice, though. lol I mean, he totally persuaded me. I think the hero treated him unfairly and didn't give him a chance to explain himself until the very end, and when he did, the hero was already prejudiced against him.
The story was good, the characters were interesting and diverse, and I cared about the hero and what was going to happen to everyone. But the female characters weren't portrayed very well. Especially in the future, why can't women be the majority or at least in equal numbers to men as the muscle, the scientists, the mathematicians, the wilderness survivors on an expedition to a new planet? Then again, I don't feel like I trust this author with the characterization of women.
I also wish the book were longer. It felt like it was just getting started and then it was rushing to get complicated and reach its climax, and the other characters were just written off the page like, "And everybody else probably died. Back to the hero!" Like this had a lot of potential but didn't quite live up to what it could have been.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2021
Eh. The "waking up with no memory in a terrible place" and "people dying one at a time to horrible alien things on a primitive alien world" stories have been done to death. Off the top of my head:
- No Way Back by S.J. Morden
- Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
- Proxima by Stephen Baxter
- The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
At this point, it's not the setting which makes a good story, but the execution by the author. Echogenesis reads like a mish-mash of off-the-shelf tropes and imagery, right down to the spaceship at the climax which could have been lifted directly from the video game Subnautica.
I'll put the blame for how I felt on the winter season and the Plague Years, but scene after scene of Real Hard Men with Dark Pasts tensely square off with Gritted Teeth exhausted me. I gave up halfway in, skipped ahead to the end and called it a day.
Echogenesis never takes a break from the misery of its characters to revel in the wonder of an alien world.
- No Way Back by S.J. Morden
- Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
- Proxima by Stephen Baxter
- The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
At this point, it's not the setting which makes a good story, but the execution by the author. Echogenesis reads like a mish-mash of off-the-shelf tropes and imagery, right down to the spaceship at the climax which could have been lifted directly from the video game Subnautica.
I'll put the blame for how I felt on the winter season and the Plague Years, but scene after scene of Real Hard Men with Dark Pasts tensely square off with Gritted Teeth exhausted me. I gave up halfway in, skipped ahead to the end and called it a day.
Echogenesis never takes a break from the misery of its characters to revel in the wonder of an alien world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2023
Another quarterfinalist for SPSFC2!
Since I'll be doing a video review for it, I won't go into too much detail. The premise was really promising and the plot itself was great specially towards the end, but sadly there were two things that annoyed me a lot. One was the unnecessary horniness and the little drag in the middle. But don't have this discourage you from reading the book since it ended up being kinda worth it.
Personal rating: 7/10
Since I'll be doing a video review for it, I won't go into too much detail. The premise was really promising and the plot itself was great specially towards the end, but sadly there were two things that annoyed me a lot. One was the unnecessary horniness and the little drag in the middle. But don't have this discourage you from reading the book since it ended up being kinda worth it.
Personal rating: 7/10
October 27, 2025
Unexpected banger!
Coming into this, I had absolutely no expectations as it hadn't been reviewed too well. This goes to show you should always form your own judgment on something. This book absolutely hooked me from beginning to end.
The core premise is a story told across decades with a cycle doomed to repeat itself, and I'd describe it as Ark Survival Evolved with elements of Androne—a pretty compelling mix. The mystery was incredibly enticing; with every answer came more questions, and it kept me guessing all the way through. The book managed to balance the mystery with elements of horror, sci-fi, and compelling questions of morality really effectively.
I will acknowledge that the characters were shallow, but that didn't matter to me at all; I still found myself getting behind them. For all he is one-dimensional, I'm genuinely rooting for Sam and praying on his success as the series continues.
The ending was really strong, and I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel. This is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling sci-fi mystery.
Coming into this, I had absolutely no expectations as it hadn't been reviewed too well. This goes to show you should always form your own judgment on something. This book absolutely hooked me from beginning to end.
The core premise is a story told across decades with a cycle doomed to repeat itself, and I'd describe it as Ark Survival Evolved with elements of Androne—a pretty compelling mix. The mystery was incredibly enticing; with every answer came more questions, and it kept me guessing all the way through. The book managed to balance the mystery with elements of horror, sci-fi, and compelling questions of morality really effectively.
I will acknowledge that the characters were shallow, but that didn't matter to me at all; I still found myself getting behind them. For all he is one-dimensional, I'm genuinely rooting for Sam and praying on his success as the series continues.
The ending was really strong, and I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel. This is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling sci-fi mystery.
August 1, 2023
Sam Newman et 14 personnes se réveillent dans des pods de stase, près d’un vaisseau crashé, en ayant aucune idée de ce qu’ils font là, et alors qu’ils se trouvaient aux quatre coins du monde à vivre leurs vies, et manifestement pas sur Terre.
L’idée est sympa, hein ?
Vous excitez pas trop les cocos parce que oui mais en fait non.
Ce livre est un ramassis de clichés tous plus gros les uns que les autres, au point où ça te gâche tous les effets et twists de l’histoire. Le livre te déballe tout, c’est honnêtement pas très bien écrit, bref, un bon gâchis.
L’idée est sympa, hein ?
Vous excitez pas trop les cocos parce que oui mais en fait non.
Ce livre est un ramassis de clichés tous plus gros les uns que les autres, au point où ça te gâche tous les effets et twists de l’histoire. Le livre te déballe tout, c’est honnêtement pas très bien écrit, bref, un bon gâchis.
April 14, 2023
Started off on a good premise, but I stopped reading after the 4th or 5th day of the characters trying to figure out where to get food... without seemingly being hungry at all despite not having eaten for nearly a week.
December 23, 2021
Not so good
This story had so much potential but but it devolved into a bunch of people arguing with each other. Author has a really poor evaluation of the military.
This story had so much potential but but it devolved into a bunch of people arguing with each other. Author has a really poor evaluation of the military.
December 23, 2023
worth reading, but something seems missing
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The world at the center of the story is believable, the characters are relatable (even the bad guy), and the story reflects a potential future that could happen. I also like that the author reveals the ugly side of humanity along with its qualities.
However, something seems to be missing. It’s like the author lost his way. There is a great premise and a ton of clever ideas. The world’s threats are very well done, as are the conflicts. But it seems like the author could have taken one extra step to make the story that much more, yet he didn’t.
I will read another story by this author, as I liked his writing. But I hope other stories have that additional step this one didn’t.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The world at the center of the story is believable, the characters are relatable (even the bad guy), and the story reflects a potential future that could happen. I also like that the author reveals the ugly side of humanity along with its qualities.
However, something seems to be missing. It’s like the author lost his way. There is a great premise and a ton of clever ideas. The world’s threats are very well done, as are the conflicts. But it seems like the author could have taken one extra step to make the story that much more, yet he didn’t.
I will read another story by this author, as I liked his writing. But I hope other stories have that additional step this one didn’t.
July 31, 2023
This was a fun book. The only reason it isn't getting a perfect 5 stars is because it doesn't pass the Bechdel test, and because the ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd like. Other than that I don't really have any complaints. The world building was fun, though I wished we would've gotten more info on the whole xenobiology aspect of the planet. The plot and underlying mystery were exciting, and the characters were interesting. Honestly if it would've had a female main character, or just better representation of females in general it would've gotten a perfect 5 stars. Not that this book was sexist. I just prefer books with stronger female characters.
September 9, 2021
Echogenesis by Gary Gibson- I had high hopes for this book. I've enjoyed other books by this author. But some of the improbabilities with plot and some(most) of the annoying characters made it a true slog for me. I know that a lot of people like this book and that's great for Gary. I'll just wait for the next one.
July 2, 2022
I actually enjoyed this though it felt as if it was intended for younger readers.
August 2, 2023
Quite a good read, with interesting twists throughout. I was definitely caught up in the mystery, and the resolution was quite good.
September 13, 2021
Good book
I found it interesting. Read it in one setting. Very easy to read . A unique storyline. I hope there is another one
I found it interesting. Read it in one setting. Very easy to read . A unique storyline. I hope there is another one
October 24, 2021
This novel follows fifteen people who wake up in a crashed spaceship with no memory of where they are, who they are and why they are there. They must survive in a hostile location while trying to regain their memories and their purpose.
Echogenesis was more plot driven than character driven as more time was devoted towards the mystery surrounding the characters than the characters themselves. I really enjoyed this as the novel reminded me of the tv show Lost. I loved reading about the slowly evolving mystery regarding their past. There were plenty of twists and turns and the big twist regarding how and why they ended up where they were surprised me. I’m glad Gibson included the Earth’s eventual fate.
The characters were a little bland and forgettable. It took me approximately 50% of the way through and only seven characters left before I started to remember who was who.
The conclusion was really good as there wasn’t the perfect happy ending. Also, although Gibson finished the novel he left room for either a novelette sequel. The reader could also easily finish it.
The pacing was great as the mystery surrounding the characters past, their location and the world was slowly revealed. This meant their wasn’t a dull moment and I had to keep reading to learn all of the secrets.
The world was interesting but I wish more attention could have been devoted to the world. I loved hearing about the different lifeforms and landscapes and wish I could have learned more about the new, alien planet.
Overall this was a good exploration science fiction novel with an engaging mystery driven plot, forgettable characters and an interesting world building. I would suggest this to sci-fi fans that like mystery/exploration subplots.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brain In a Jar Publishing for the ARC.
Echogenesis was more plot driven than character driven as more time was devoted towards the mystery surrounding the characters than the characters themselves. I really enjoyed this as the novel reminded me of the tv show Lost. I loved reading about the slowly evolving mystery regarding their past. There were plenty of twists and turns and the big twist regarding how and why they ended up where they were surprised me. I’m glad Gibson included the Earth’s eventual fate.
The characters were a little bland and forgettable. It took me approximately 50% of the way through and only seven characters left before I started to remember who was who.
The conclusion was really good as there wasn’t the perfect happy ending. Also, although Gibson finished the novel he left room for either a novelette sequel. The reader could also easily finish it.
The pacing was great as the mystery surrounding the characters past, their location and the world was slowly revealed. This meant their wasn’t a dull moment and I had to keep reading to learn all of the secrets.
The world was interesting but I wish more attention could have been devoted to the world. I loved hearing about the different lifeforms and landscapes and wish I could have learned more about the new, alien planet.
Overall this was a good exploration science fiction novel with an engaging mystery driven plot, forgettable characters and an interesting world building. I would suggest this to sci-fi fans that like mystery/exploration subplots.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brain In a Jar Publishing for the ARC.
June 28, 2024
I have updated my May review after revisiting and completing the book. Initially, “I couldn’t get into… this formulaic plot… having just finished BearHead, the comparison writing is trite, etc,… I’ve given up at 15%”. Now on return I’ve not been able to put the book down, thoroughly enjoyed. Torn between 5 and 2 star, I’ve settled for 4. Looks like I needed to be in the right frame of mind and/or the book needs a little perseverance.
October 5, 2021
Kept me amused for hours…
Excellent book, very twisty and turn-y. I read this in one sitting and now I’m wondering what happened next… maybe in another story.
Highly recommended.
Excellent book, very twisty and turn-y. I read this in one sitting and now I’m wondering what happened next… maybe in another story.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Echogenesis for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As great as science fiction is for presenting heady concepts based on technology the world doesn’t yet have at its disposal or exploring alien worlds, it is often at its best when it has something to say about life on Earth. While Echogenesis indeed presents a heady concept set on an alien world, it also provides an interesting look at the human condition, presented through the group dynamics at its core.
The novel tells the story of fifteen characters (through the eyes of its protagonist, Sam), stranded on a strange planet with no idea how they got there. They're each in their physical prime, with bodies younger than they remember. As well as fighting for survival, they must work to find out what happened to them, figure out a way of returning home, and navigate their different personalities and worldviews.
With fifteen main characters to follow, the author doesn’t have a great deal of space to put a large amount of focus on them, but each character fulfils their role. While Echogenesis doesn’t dig deep into the individual personalities, their interactions throughout feel honest and keep the reader turning the pages.
There are a lot of voices for the book to juggle, particularly as each of them has their moment to shine. The dialogue sounds natural and flows well: it would have been easy for a few of them to get lost in the shuffle, but each is expertly written. At points, Echogenesis is dialogue-heavy with multiple characters all having their say, but these passages are well-written and easy to follow.
After the book's beginning, its prose is filled with mystery, presented in a discombobulating style that sits with Sam’s own discombobulation. Soon, the narrative expands, so we learn more about Sam, the other characters, and their situation. The prose is clean and clear, but as the book continues, it isn’t as inventive as the very beginning. While maintaining the style from its outset wouldn’t have served the book as well, I would have liked a little more inventive prose through later points in the story.
While the book presents an alien world filled with an otherworldly landscape and creatures, its focus is on the characters and their interactions, not the world they reside in. While this works for a story about the characters' mystery, I would have appreciated a little more focus on the alien world.
Echogenesis is an easy read that I finished in a single sitting. The author tells a concentrated tale that doesn’t deviate from its main narrative, meaning it moves forward quickly, and the mystery builds across the pages as it reaches its conclusion.
The novel builds its mystery wonderfully. Characters posit various theories about what could be happening, and no matter what happens in the story, the book questions why they're stranded on the planet, how they got there, and why they’re there. It’s a great hook with a well-earned resolution, and the final sequence brings the book full circle.
Echogenesis is not just an entertaining science fiction story, it's a character study about how people thrown into a situation they're ill-prepared for will handle it, backed up by a wonderful mystery and fantastic resolution. While I'd have liked to explore the alien world in a little more depth, it remains an engrossing read.
My full review will be available on my website from Wednesday, 5 October 2022. To read my full thoughts about it, as well as the author's Proxy (on the 7th), and a host of other reviews, click here.
As great as science fiction is for presenting heady concepts based on technology the world doesn’t yet have at its disposal or exploring alien worlds, it is often at its best when it has something to say about life on Earth. While Echogenesis indeed presents a heady concept set on an alien world, it also provides an interesting look at the human condition, presented through the group dynamics at its core.
The novel tells the story of fifteen characters (through the eyes of its protagonist, Sam), stranded on a strange planet with no idea how they got there. They're each in their physical prime, with bodies younger than they remember. As well as fighting for survival, they must work to find out what happened to them, figure out a way of returning home, and navigate their different personalities and worldviews.
With fifteen main characters to follow, the author doesn’t have a great deal of space to put a large amount of focus on them, but each character fulfils their role. While Echogenesis doesn’t dig deep into the individual personalities, their interactions throughout feel honest and keep the reader turning the pages.
There are a lot of voices for the book to juggle, particularly as each of them has their moment to shine. The dialogue sounds natural and flows well: it would have been easy for a few of them to get lost in the shuffle, but each is expertly written. At points, Echogenesis is dialogue-heavy with multiple characters all having their say, but these passages are well-written and easy to follow.
After the book's beginning, its prose is filled with mystery, presented in a discombobulating style that sits with Sam’s own discombobulation. Soon, the narrative expands, so we learn more about Sam, the other characters, and their situation. The prose is clean and clear, but as the book continues, it isn’t as inventive as the very beginning. While maintaining the style from its outset wouldn’t have served the book as well, I would have liked a little more inventive prose through later points in the story.
While the book presents an alien world filled with an otherworldly landscape and creatures, its focus is on the characters and their interactions, not the world they reside in. While this works for a story about the characters' mystery, I would have appreciated a little more focus on the alien world.
Echogenesis is an easy read that I finished in a single sitting. The author tells a concentrated tale that doesn’t deviate from its main narrative, meaning it moves forward quickly, and the mystery builds across the pages as it reaches its conclusion.
The novel builds its mystery wonderfully. Characters posit various theories about what could be happening, and no matter what happens in the story, the book questions why they're stranded on the planet, how they got there, and why they’re there. It’s a great hook with a well-earned resolution, and the final sequence brings the book full circle.
Echogenesis is not just an entertaining science fiction story, it's a character study about how people thrown into a situation they're ill-prepared for will handle it, backed up by a wonderful mystery and fantastic resolution. While I'd have liked to explore the alien world in a little more depth, it remains an engrossing read.
My full review will be available on my website from Wednesday, 5 October 2022. To read my full thoughts about it, as well as the author's Proxy (on the 7th), and a host of other reviews, click here.
September 12, 2022
Book Blog | Storygraph
Plot
When Sam and fourteen other people wake up in strange coffin-like boxes in a place none of them recognise, in bodies they haven’t seen for decades, they know they are in trouble. Not only that, near to where they awaken is a crash-landed spacecraft that shouldn’t exist. The group of confused strangers must work together to find out what has happened to them and how they plan on surviving on this terrifying planet full of deadly alien creatures and foliage with no food and no prospects for getting home.
Characters
Unfortunately I felt the characters let down Echogenesis. There were fifteen characters introduced very quickly so I felt overwhelmed quite early on and it took me quite a while to distinguish who is who. I also found most of the characters in the book to be pretty two dimensional and lacking in depth. I found myself not caring when someone died or if something bad happened and I think this had a lot to do with there just being so many people that it just didn’t matter if someone was lost. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters either, even main character Sam, which didn’t help. On the plus side, the group of characters was a diverse group consisting of both male and female of different races and ethnicities.
Thoughts
Ultimately, Echogenesis was fine.
I wish I had read this book before reading Gibson’s latest novel, Proxy, as Proxy was so much better in every way and I feel like that maybe clouded my judgement a little. I think my biggest problem with the book was that the concept sounded very good but that there seemed like there were almost too many ideas for me to enjoy the execution very much. It took me over a week to read since I found myself feeling like I just wanted to be finished with it a lot.
That isn’t to say this book is bad. It isn’t bad. Gary Gibson clearly has a fantastic imagination, especially when it comes to science fiction. I wish there was more worldbuilding as the alien planet and creatures the author created were well thought out but just not explored enough for my liking. I think for myself I’d have enjoyed it more had the character list been less and the worldbuilding been a bit more paramount. The book gave me huge vibes of the show Lost for so many reasons. I’d love to know if any inspiration was taken from the show because it made me want to go back and rewatch it as there were so many similarities – in a good way!
This book was a miss for me personally but I’d still recommend people who find the idea interesting to give it a go as it may appeal to others more than it appealed to me.
Plot
When Sam and fourteen other people wake up in strange coffin-like boxes in a place none of them recognise, in bodies they haven’t seen for decades, they know they are in trouble. Not only that, near to where they awaken is a crash-landed spacecraft that shouldn’t exist. The group of confused strangers must work together to find out what has happened to them and how they plan on surviving on this terrifying planet full of deadly alien creatures and foliage with no food and no prospects for getting home.
Characters
Unfortunately I felt the characters let down Echogenesis. There were fifteen characters introduced very quickly so I felt overwhelmed quite early on and it took me quite a while to distinguish who is who. I also found most of the characters in the book to be pretty two dimensional and lacking in depth. I found myself not caring when someone died or if something bad happened and I think this had a lot to do with there just being so many people that it just didn’t matter if someone was lost. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters either, even main character Sam, which didn’t help. On the plus side, the group of characters was a diverse group consisting of both male and female of different races and ethnicities.
Thoughts
Ultimately, Echogenesis was fine.
I wish I had read this book before reading Gibson’s latest novel, Proxy, as Proxy was so much better in every way and I feel like that maybe clouded my judgement a little. I think my biggest problem with the book was that the concept sounded very good but that there seemed like there were almost too many ideas for me to enjoy the execution very much. It took me over a week to read since I found myself feeling like I just wanted to be finished with it a lot.
That isn’t to say this book is bad. It isn’t bad. Gary Gibson clearly has a fantastic imagination, especially when it comes to science fiction. I wish there was more worldbuilding as the alien planet and creatures the author created were well thought out but just not explored enough for my liking. I think for myself I’d have enjoyed it more had the character list been less and the worldbuilding been a bit more paramount. The book gave me huge vibes of the show Lost for so many reasons. I’d love to know if any inspiration was taken from the show because it made me want to go back and rewatch it as there were so many similarities – in a good way!
This book was a miss for me personally but I’d still recommend people who find the idea interesting to give it a go as it may appeal to others more than it appealed to me.
June 21, 2022
I stumbled across this book and started reading on the spur of the moment. I'd had fun with another novel by the author, a big space opera.
Echogenesis is a different type of science fiction novel. It starts with an amnesia plot. Our point of view character wakes up in a place he's never been, in a body which he doesn't recognize, missing a chunk of memory, and surrounded by other people in the same condition. The group tries to figure out what happened.
Beyond this lie spoilers, so I'll save comments for that enclosure. Suffice to say there's a bunch of in-group tension, some scheming, very hostile aliens, frustrating human technology - and that's the first half of the book. Then things really get going.
Getting going is most of what the book is about. The plot cracks along, with puzzles, surprise attacks, sudden mysteries, ambushes, chaos, monsters. Character development is, as a result, pretty thin. The ideas are basic sf mechanisms, but they get some depth in the conclusion. The style is entirely about moving action - i.e., there isn't much in the way of descriptions, lyrics, or experimental prose.
OK, up shields:
Right now I lean towards recommending this as a fun read. It's an sf adventure, if that's what you're looking for.
Echogenesis is a different type of science fiction novel. It starts with an amnesia plot. Our point of view character wakes up in a place he's never been, in a body which he doesn't recognize, missing a chunk of memory, and surrounded by other people in the same condition. The group tries to figure out what happened.
Beyond this lie spoilers, so I'll save comments for that enclosure. Suffice to say there's a bunch of in-group tension, some scheming, very hostile aliens, frustrating human technology - and that's the first half of the book. Then things really get going.
Getting going is most of what the book is about. The plot cracks along, with puzzles, surprise attacks, sudden mysteries, ambushes, chaos, monsters. Character development is, as a result, pretty thin. The ideas are basic sf mechanisms, but they get some depth in the conclusion. The style is entirely about moving action - i.e., there isn't much in the way of descriptions, lyrics, or experimental prose.
OK, up shields:
Right now I lean towards recommending this as a fun read. It's an sf adventure, if that's what you're looking for.
June 13, 2022
It’s about the attempt to colonize a new planet, but there are quite a few twists in this story. The main character, Sam Newman, turns out to be a true new man, but it takes time. The initial scene is on the new planet; Sam and others awake from individual pods. Their lander has been damaged because it crashed against some boulders. That inhibits their abilities in a variety of ways. There are 15 people and a couple of robots. The people represent various skill sets, nationalities and so forth. Curiously, they are all young and healthy, but they retain memories of their past only up to a certain point.
There is division among the group. The smaller faction has a military background and a different vision of how things are to be done from the larger civilian contingent. That causes lots of grief as time goes on. Then there are the local aliens, which the colonists call Howlers. While the locals are not human, they are intelligent and very hostile. It’s a tough deal for everyone.
In the beginning, no one knows where they are and what they are supposed to do. It does become clear they need to survive, and it isn’t going to be easy. It is sci-fi, so there are some interesting devices at their disposal, albeit somewhat ruined in the crash landing: robots, drones, printers, computers, and so forth.
So what’s not to like about the book? There is a fair amount of cursing, a sex scene which really adds nothing to the story, and a few unexplained things that are just glossed over. However, as stated above, the progressive discoveries in the story keep it interesting. The ending was a bit different, but it made sense in light of what went before.
There is division among the group. The smaller faction has a military background and a different vision of how things are to be done from the larger civilian contingent. That causes lots of grief as time goes on. Then there are the local aliens, which the colonists call Howlers. While the locals are not human, they are intelligent and very hostile. It’s a tough deal for everyone.
In the beginning, no one knows where they are and what they are supposed to do. It does become clear they need to survive, and it isn’t going to be easy. It is sci-fi, so there are some interesting devices at their disposal, albeit somewhat ruined in the crash landing: robots, drones, printers, computers, and so forth.
So what’s not to like about the book? There is a fair amount of cursing, a sex scene which really adds nothing to the story, and a few unexplained things that are just glossed over. However, as stated above, the progressive discoveries in the story keep it interesting. The ending was a bit different, but it made sense in light of what went before.
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