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Constellation Chronicles: The Lost Civilization of Aries
A blinding fireball rips across the night sky and slams into a field in the remote town of Rigel, New Mexico. Glenn Sawyer, a broke and disillusioned 18-year-old, witnesses and investigates the crash, finding a surreal craft and an even stranger monkey-like creature named Paako, who secretly follows him home and stirs trouble. As Glenn captures Paako and attempts to return her to the crash site, he discovers unexpected company, and learns that his remarkable journey -- filled with adventure, evil, and a cast of captivating characters -- has only just begun. Thus starts the first book in Vincent Lowry's unforgettable epic "Constellation Chronicles." Both visionary and gripping, "The Lost Civilization of Aries" will sweep you away to an extraordinary world of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction.
212 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
1500 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Lowry
8 books1,057 followersVincent Lowry is an author, poet, screenwriter, photographer, painter, accountant, moderator, and environmentalist. His eight published books are the result of his own experiences and skills (in other words, AI was not used to write his books). His most recent TV pilot script, Constellation Chronicles, is the official selection and award winner of seven 2024/2025 film festivals. His newest poetry book, Between Stars and Tides: Poems, is a collection of poems about love, loss, aging, and parenting. His newest novel, Luke Sawyer & Jimmy the Free Bird, is an inspirational story that deals with alcoholism and homelessness.
Flow: Poems of Faith, is a book of Christian poems about the New and Old Testament.
Vincent also wrote American Vineyard, a finalist in the 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. As reviewed by Publishers Weekly: "Lowry...demonstrates his versatility with this memorable coming-of-age narrative." Vincent's fourth book is #LucysLetter - The Children of the Greenhouse Age, a literary novel about climate change as seen from the eyes of tomorrow's youth. His third book, Surfing the Seconds (4.4 stars), is an Amazon best-selling poetry collection described as "beautifully written," and "evocative." Dreams Reign Supreme (4.7 stars), is Vincent's second book, containing short stories and poetry. His first novel, Constellation Chronicles, a sci-fi adventure, is his most rated book. Vincent was born in Albuquerque, N.M., and lives in California. He created and moderates a large group on Goodreads with 50,000+ members that connects readers with authors (http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/2...). He also runs sites to aid authors: (E-Author Resources: https://eauthorresource.wordpress.com/ and a 17,000+ member Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/graut....
When Vincent is not writing, he enjoys taking landscape photographs, which have been published in newspapers such as The Santa Fe New Mexican: http://vincentlowry.zenfolio.com/
Slide Show: http://youtu.be/QKOPP4kIGLc
Vincent's Favorite Quote:
"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi
Reviews for Constellation Chronicles:
"Vincent Lowry’s adventure is an inventive and exciting coming-of-age story." Publishersweekly.com (2009)
"A Winner of an Adventure" http://www.threedifferentdirections.c...
"I could not put it down!"
-Goodreads Reader
Flow: Poems of Faith, is a book of Christian poems about the New and Old Testament.
Vincent also wrote American Vineyard, a finalist in the 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. As reviewed by Publishers Weekly: "Lowry...demonstrates his versatility with this memorable coming-of-age narrative." Vincent's fourth book is #LucysLetter - The Children of the Greenhouse Age, a literary novel about climate change as seen from the eyes of tomorrow's youth. His third book, Surfing the Seconds (4.4 stars), is an Amazon best-selling poetry collection described as "beautifully written," and "evocative." Dreams Reign Supreme (4.7 stars), is Vincent's second book, containing short stories and poetry. His first novel, Constellation Chronicles, a sci-fi adventure, is his most rated book. Vincent was born in Albuquerque, N.M., and lives in California. He created and moderates a large group on Goodreads with 50,000+ members that connects readers with authors (http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/2...). He also runs sites to aid authors: (E-Author Resources: https://eauthorresource.wordpress.com/ and a 17,000+ member Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/graut....
When Vincent is not writing, he enjoys taking landscape photographs, which have been published in newspapers such as The Santa Fe New Mexican: http://vincentlowry.zenfolio.com/
Slide Show: http://youtu.be/QKOPP4kIGLc
Vincent's Favorite Quote:
"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi
Reviews for Constellation Chronicles:
"Vincent Lowry’s adventure is an inventive and exciting coming-of-age story." Publishersweekly.com (2009)
"A Winner of an Adventure" http://www.threedifferentdirections.c...
"I could not put it down!"
-Goodreads Reader
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 10, 2009
Vincent Lowry has created a science fiction book that held my attention from the very start. This is a book for everyone whether they are Sci-Fi lovers or not. The main character is a young boy named Glenn. His passion is trying to figure out if there is life on other planets. Due to the dog eating the dinner he was to fix for his sister and himself he decides to take his sister out to dinner. Something goes flying past their truck and crashes. They turn around to check it out. Imagine his surprise to discover it is a spacecraft. He and his sister venture inside. When they leave a small creature follows them out and stowsaway in his truck. After creating a mess in the kitchen they capture it just as their father returns. When Glenn tries to return the creature to its spacecraft he runs into not only the military, but an alien race that needs his help.
July 26, 2009
I'm not really into sci-fi books and all but this book was absolutely marvelous! The characters were well set up. So well that for most of the time I thought the Povars were actually human! That's how good it was! They were alien-like creatures but they were so convincing that they made you see past their alieness and see them as humans. The plot was okay.
What I thought was the coolest things in the book were how the Povars can freeze time with like this flash thing and how they have this program that stores tons of information for them, making them unbelievably smart!
I got attatched to Paako! That little mammal! When Glenn found out that the Povars let him keep Paako, I was...happy!
Awesome book! Can't wait to read the next in the series! :)
What I thought was the coolest things in the book were how the Povars can freeze time with like this flash thing and how they have this program that stores tons of information for them, making them unbelievably smart!
I got attatched to Paako! That little mammal! When Glenn found out that the Povars let him keep Paako, I was...happy!
Awesome book! Can't wait to read the next in the series! :)
November 21, 2009
Please visit the book's website for reviews and special offers (free shipping + signed copies): http://www.ConstellationChronicles.com
Also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble ($12.78 at both).
For 4 and 5 star Goodreads reviews, please scroll down.
For blog reviews, please click these links (Publishers Weekly is the second link):
http://www.threedifferentdirections.c...
http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/... (You'll have to skip down a few books to see Constellation Chronicles.)
Here is the book video link for CC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PezFYN...
Also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble ($12.78 at both).
For 4 and 5 star Goodreads reviews, please scroll down.
For blog reviews, please click these links (Publishers Weekly is the second link):
http://www.threedifferentdirections.c...
http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/... (You'll have to skip down a few books to see Constellation Chronicles.)
Here is the book video link for CC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PezFYN...
August 26, 2009
I am not and never have been a sci-fi fan, but I loved Constellation Chronicles, and I especially loved the furry little Paako. There is plenty of action, plenty of drama, and plenty of conflict. I liked the philosophical ending and felt everything was as it should be. All in all, a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
August 28, 2010
You know, when I first saw this title I was curious. I checked with my library and unfortunately they didn't have a copy. That was about a year ago.
So recently I was going through my TBR list and realized I still wanted to read this - the reviews were solid, the premise interesting. I've always been a sci-fi/fantasy geek but real sci-fi is getting harder and harder to find. So I splurged and I purchased the e-book and just last night decided to start reading the story.
Almost immediately my concerns about it being a small-name title by an author I'd never heard of vanished. I was sucked into a story about 18 year old Glenn, a boy with girl problems of his own (although very seriously downplayed which was refreshing) and a family with issues of its own.
Then the book took an interesting twist with the arrival of a UFO and what is, quite possibly, the cutest little alien life-form I've ever read about. Sweet, adorable Paako.
Seriously, Paako and her popcorn-eating ways had me eating out of the palm of her hand. The rest of the story was interesting too and I can see my nephew LOVING this book as he approaches the teenage years. Spaceships, alien lifeforms, a prophecy, wars, exploring planets in our solar system (with some really fascinating, educational tidbits thrown in for good measure). This was a teenage boys dream-come-true type of story.
From what I understand there's eleven more books that are due to come out and all I can think is.. okay I waited this long to pick this one up, please don't make me wait another few years! Vincent Lowry has gained a new fan in me.
So recently I was going through my TBR list and realized I still wanted to read this - the reviews were solid, the premise interesting. I've always been a sci-fi/fantasy geek but real sci-fi is getting harder and harder to find. So I splurged and I purchased the e-book and just last night decided to start reading the story.
Almost immediately my concerns about it being a small-name title by an author I'd never heard of vanished. I was sucked into a story about 18 year old Glenn, a boy with girl problems of his own (although very seriously downplayed which was refreshing) and a family with issues of its own.
Then the book took an interesting twist with the arrival of a UFO and what is, quite possibly, the cutest little alien life-form I've ever read about. Sweet, adorable Paako.
Seriously, Paako and her popcorn-eating ways had me eating out of the palm of her hand. The rest of the story was interesting too and I can see my nephew LOVING this book as he approaches the teenage years. Spaceships, alien lifeforms, a prophecy, wars, exploring planets in our solar system (with some really fascinating, educational tidbits thrown in for good measure). This was a teenage boys dream-come-true type of story.
From what I understand there's eleven more books that are due to come out and all I can think is.. okay I waited this long to pick this one up, please don't make me wait another few years! Vincent Lowry has gained a new fan in me.
November 16, 2009
Glen Sawyer, fascinated with astronomy and science, is picked on by boys in his high school science class as a nerd, has girlfriend troubles and also carries around emotional baggage concerning the death of his mother and distancing by his father...plus, Glen has to take care of his little sister. In Glen's circle of friends, family and acquaintances, he would not be viewed as anybody's hero. That is, not until a select group of 'visitors' are convinced he is their only hope of survival. Now, they have to convince Glen.
I enjoyed getting to know all the characters in Mr. Lowry's story...human or otherwise. Lowry imaginatively adorns his characters and creatures with emotional and psychological layers allowing the reader to see them as believable and care about their fates.
Normally, I do not read much science-fiction but found this book a fun, quick read. Once started, I wanted to finish it as soon as I could to see how Glen's story would resolve itself. It is also a coming of age story of a young man finally realizing the guilt he feels over his mother's death is unjustifiable. Glen can then move forward and discover his own life has meaning and importance in the greater circle of all those around him. He learns to accept what is past and move on to a brighter future with love and self-assurance.
I recommend "Constellation Chronicles: The Lost Civilization of Aries" to anyone whether they are a science fiction reader or not and look forward to Vincent Lowry's next book in the "Constellation Chronicles" series.
I enjoyed getting to know all the characters in Mr. Lowry's story...human or otherwise. Lowry imaginatively adorns his characters and creatures with emotional and psychological layers allowing the reader to see them as believable and care about their fates.
Normally, I do not read much science-fiction but found this book a fun, quick read. Once started, I wanted to finish it as soon as I could to see how Glen's story would resolve itself. It is also a coming of age story of a young man finally realizing the guilt he feels over his mother's death is unjustifiable. Glen can then move forward and discover his own life has meaning and importance in the greater circle of all those around him. He learns to accept what is past and move on to a brighter future with love and self-assurance.
I recommend "Constellation Chronicles: The Lost Civilization of Aries" to anyone whether they are a science fiction reader or not and look forward to Vincent Lowry's next book in the "Constellation Chronicles" series.
February 19, 2010
The author seems to have a problem with the word "just." Every time any character said it, it was spelled jus'. Now where I live in the midwest, when people are having a conversation, the word is usually pronounced jus'. It's like going vs goin'. I think a lot of people, no matter how educated, say jus' or goin'.
HOWEVER. In a story, when I read a character saying jus' I assume the author is trying to show us they are uneducated. Sometimes words like jus' are used to show a southern accent. But in this story, the author didn't seem to intend either use. The characters weren't supposed to be uneducated, or stupid, and they lived in New Mexico--not a hotbed of regional accents. I found the word distracting and less than halfway through the story, I was counting and looking for jus' instead of focusing on the story. Why was it necessary to use jus' instead of just saying just? The story would have flowed a lot smoother and I probably would have enjoyed it a little more.
And honestly, it's the jus' that will stop me from picking up another book in this series. Yes, I'm that anal retentive.
HOWEVER. In a story, when I read a character saying jus' I assume the author is trying to show us they are uneducated. Sometimes words like jus' are used to show a southern accent. But in this story, the author didn't seem to intend either use. The characters weren't supposed to be uneducated, or stupid, and they lived in New Mexico--not a hotbed of regional accents. I found the word distracting and less than halfway through the story, I was counting and looking for jus' instead of focusing on the story. Why was it necessary to use jus' instead of just saying just? The story would have flowed a lot smoother and I probably would have enjoyed it a little more.
And honestly, it's the jus' that will stop me from picking up another book in this series. Yes, I'm that anal retentive.
January 15, 2010
Vincent Lowry originally wanted to use Zodiac in the title instead of Constellation. As you can guess, he's planning to write eleven more books. The Lost Civilization of Aries is thus the first book in The Constellation Chronicles.
Glenn Sawyer lives in Rigel New Mexico. He is (of course) a UFO geek with his own theories of life on other planets and extra terrestrial visits to Earth. When a ship crash lands outside the town Glenn will have his theories proved right. He will also be recruited to save Earth from a centuries old war in the deepest reaches of the universe.
Lowry mentioned in the close of his book that his first draft of the novel was significantly longer. He cut it down for pacing. I think he cut too much. It feels choppy and rushed in places. There's not enough time to get to know Glenn, his family or their situation until the crash. Likewise, I wanted more time to learn about the Povars before Glenn agrees to join them.
Finally, there is the Povar's language. They use it on and off throughout the book even though they can apparently speak fluent English. It's an interesting addition to the novel and I don't think it's used enough. A glossary at the back would have been fun.
My final thoughts on The Lost Civilization of Aries is that it is a shaky but promising start to a science fiction series. If a second one comes out I would like to give it a try.
I received the book for review and have passed it on to a friend to read.
Glenn Sawyer lives in Rigel New Mexico. He is (of course) a UFO geek with his own theories of life on other planets and extra terrestrial visits to Earth. When a ship crash lands outside the town Glenn will have his theories proved right. He will also be recruited to save Earth from a centuries old war in the deepest reaches of the universe.
Lowry mentioned in the close of his book that his first draft of the novel was significantly longer. He cut it down for pacing. I think he cut too much. It feels choppy and rushed in places. There's not enough time to get to know Glenn, his family or their situation until the crash. Likewise, I wanted more time to learn about the Povars before Glenn agrees to join them.
Finally, there is the Povar's language. They use it on and off throughout the book even though they can apparently speak fluent English. It's an interesting addition to the novel and I don't think it's used enough. A glossary at the back would have been fun.
My final thoughts on The Lost Civilization of Aries is that it is a shaky but promising start to a science fiction series. If a second one comes out I would like to give it a try.
I received the book for review and have passed it on to a friend to read.
Want to read
November 20, 2015As this book is the first book I've ever won in a giveaway, I promptly sat down and started to read. After only 20 pages my husband wanted me to do something and frankly, I've never picked it up again. My impression so far is that it reads like the author's first effort, sincerely meant, but when competing against a copy of Ancillary Mercy and working at the Halloween store, and now getting ready for Thanksgiving, what I read just didn't grab me enough to make a place for my attention.
But the author wrote a very nice note, so I hesitate to just write it off as a DNF, so I've every intention of trying again, when things aren't so busy. I've posted this in response to an email from the Goodreads team as I take seriously the social contract involved in reviewing the books that are given away here.
But the author wrote a very nice note, so I hesitate to just write it off as a DNF, so I've every intention of trying again, when things aren't so busy. I've posted this in response to an email from the Goodreads team as I take seriously the social contract involved in reviewing the books that are given away here.
January 26, 2015
Vincent thank you for a very good book. It reminded me of "Who goes out there" and ET. I can not thank you enough for the descriptions of the solar system let it not be said that you can not learn anything from a fiction book. I look hopefully for Paako and now understand what is happening to my vanishing popcorn. thanks V. look forwards to the rest of the books.
September 18, 2009
Great book!! I had only meant to pick it up and start a few pages at first. Well that did not happen. I got so sucked in that I could not put it down! I am hoping now for the next one.
June 23, 2013
This book was fantastic. I have not read a scifi book since taking the class in high school. I would recommend this book to everyone.
December 3, 2011
This book is amazing! My favorite character is Paako. This is one of those books that I want to read again and again. I can't wait to read the others!
March 20, 2015
Quick and enjoyable read. Got lost a bit with all the strange names and language in the last half og the story but overall I enjoyed it very much :)
September 6, 2023
Lowry demonstrates an impressive ability to blend imaginative storytelling with relatable characters and thought-provoking themes. The novel's seamless fusion of ancient mythos, futuristic technology, and a thrilling quest for knowledge make it a compelling read for fans of both science fiction and adventure. As the first installment in the series, it promises an exciting journey that will surely captivate readers' imaginations and leave them eager for more.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews