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Marooned
My name is Bee Bee, well, at least that’s what everyone calls me, and I’m 15, nearly 16. The last year has been tough, and I’ve found myself on the Empress of Incognita, travelling through the stars toward a new life with my dad and step-mum. Or at least that’s what should be happening.
When the Empress hits a mine in deep space, things go from bad to worse. Not only are some of the other passengers a threat, once we leave the Empress and end up on ‘Arcadia’, we realise that its occupants, the Great Ones, are going to make life extremely difficult for all of us.
Find out how we get Marooned!
When the Empress hits a mine in deep space, things go from bad to worse. Not only are some of the other passengers a threat, once we leave the Empress and end up on ‘Arcadia’, we realise that its occupants, the Great Ones, are going to make life extremely difficult for all of us.
Find out how we get Marooned!
- GenresScience Fiction
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2022
2 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Williams
267 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 27, 2022
An exciting and entertaining sci-fi adventure!
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
MAROONED by Andrew R. Williams is a prequel to the Arcadia's Children Series. It’s a brilliantly written and richly descriptive novel with skillfully drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted sci-fi action and adventure that had me captivated from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and energetic sci-fi had me turning the pages from beginning to end.
To summarize the synopsis: I'm 15, almost 16, and my name is Bee Bee, or at least that's what everyone calls me. After a difficult year, I've found myself on the Empress of Incognita, sailing through the stars to a new life with my father and stepmother. At the very least, that's how it should be. Things only become worse when the Empress collides with a deep-space mine. Not only are some of the other passengers dangerous, but as we leave the Empress and get to 'Arcadia,' we realize that the Great Ones that live there will make life incredibly difficult for us all. Read on to learn how we became stranded!
MAROONED is well-written and exactly the right length to give you excitement with many surprises along the way, and then it's over, leaving you feeling good but eagerly anticipating more. Very highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology. It was a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a lifelong love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them. That book still remains in my collection today. The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It’s a substantial volume, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking, and some are adventurous. I love them all.
MAROONED by Andrew R. Williams is a prequel to the Arcadia's Children Series. It’s a brilliantly written and richly descriptive novel with skillfully drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted sci-fi action and adventure that had me captivated from the start. Skillfully constructed, this exciting and energetic sci-fi had me turning the pages from beginning to end.
To summarize the synopsis: I'm 15, almost 16, and my name is Bee Bee, or at least that's what everyone calls me. After a difficult year, I've found myself on the Empress of Incognita, sailing through the stars to a new life with my father and stepmother. At the very least, that's how it should be. Things only become worse when the Empress collides with a deep-space mine. Not only are some of the other passengers dangerous, but as we leave the Empress and get to 'Arcadia,' we realize that the Great Ones that live there will make life incredibly difficult for us all. Read on to learn how we became stranded!
MAROONED is well-written and exactly the right length to give you excitement with many surprises along the way, and then it's over, leaving you feeling good but eagerly anticipating more. Very highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
May 2, 2022
“Eventually, we were told that the Empress of Incognita was heading towards an unknown semi-Earth type planet. Someone dubbed it Arcadia, and the name stuck.”
The goal sounded easy enough, but as with all good stories, once twists were added, it changed the objective. Suspense, greed, power, and control became part of the story, and you have a page-turner.
The recent addition of the Arcadia series was marked with these human behaviours, but only unity and one young man’s ability to listen could save the day.
Being in space on a ship would have been perfect for most people. But for Bee Bee and his fellow travellers, it was an entirely different thing.
Bee Bee (James) Kinfrank was a typical teenager that asked a lot of questions, to everyone’s chagrin. Left disfigured after a gruesome accident, the scare in his face didn’t make him a favourite. But this was also the reason for him to connect with people on differently, which made him in the end more acceptable, even a leader in his ‘tribe’.
His father was a genuine piece of work which showed his true colors at the end. And Mary was his only support when things really became difficult, even though she was only his step mum.
To be stuck into deep space without knowing if you would be saved created all sorts of problems and soon to be sixteen-year-old Bee Bee had to grow up.
Not only were there an enemy in the wormholes, but there were enemies inside. And he had to listen to the inner voice for guidance.
Lack of space, oxygen and food added to the tension as the depilated ship tried to stay on course.
This is the prequel to the Arcadia series and because I have read most of it, I struggled to understand where the new characters fit into the bigger plotline. But in the author’s typical writing style it became clear, and it was worth the read. It gives the reader a better understanding of where it had all begun.
Chas Foony knew too much but was a good informant/friend to Bee Bee. Then there was the Whiston family—the bain in everyone’s life that caused havoc wherever he and his gang of misfits went. Charl Whyler was thrusted into a leadership position and way over his head. Mary became Bee Bee’s support and protector while he became her purpose for being in the ‘tribe’.
The fast-paced plot quickly takes you from one suspenseful scenario to another while the group tries to survive. First on the ship, then on the new planet, where more twists made for adventurous moments.
When an alien appeared on the ship, killing everyone on its path, it left Bee Bee a strange message. This was where the story escalated and became very interesting. With flashbacks from Mars and his mother’s death, you could sense the building tension.
Especially the secretive ‘Great Ones’ no one knew about except for Bee Bee and his dreams. A force that added an additional layer of tension to the entire plot.
“The Great Ones were sent to this planet for security reasons. This planet is far from the rest of our culture. Under our laws, execution is not possible. So sending them here seemed a sensible solution; they were banished to repent for their war crimes.”
These parasite creatures or beings controlled the new planet, and the survival game has stepped up a notched. Adding more drama, mystery, and suspense. Especially when Suzanne Flyfield stepped into the picture.
Except for a few grammar problems, this was a good read that every science fiction reader would enjoy. The story touches on primal behaviours and how humans would cope when put in a strange environment where the only aim is to survive. Not only as a human, but as a race.
The character of Bee Bee became the centre of their survival, which made this a good plotline. In the end, his own struggles and how he had to overcome it were woven into the many layers and a race was saved.
The goal sounded easy enough, but as with all good stories, once twists were added, it changed the objective. Suspense, greed, power, and control became part of the story, and you have a page-turner.
The recent addition of the Arcadia series was marked with these human behaviours, but only unity and one young man’s ability to listen could save the day.
Being in space on a ship would have been perfect for most people. But for Bee Bee and his fellow travellers, it was an entirely different thing.
Bee Bee (James) Kinfrank was a typical teenager that asked a lot of questions, to everyone’s chagrin. Left disfigured after a gruesome accident, the scare in his face didn’t make him a favourite. But this was also the reason for him to connect with people on differently, which made him in the end more acceptable, even a leader in his ‘tribe’.
His father was a genuine piece of work which showed his true colors at the end. And Mary was his only support when things really became difficult, even though she was only his step mum.
To be stuck into deep space without knowing if you would be saved created all sorts of problems and soon to be sixteen-year-old Bee Bee had to grow up.
Not only were there an enemy in the wormholes, but there were enemies inside. And he had to listen to the inner voice for guidance.
Lack of space, oxygen and food added to the tension as the depilated ship tried to stay on course.
This is the prequel to the Arcadia series and because I have read most of it, I struggled to understand where the new characters fit into the bigger plotline. But in the author’s typical writing style it became clear, and it was worth the read. It gives the reader a better understanding of where it had all begun.
Chas Foony knew too much but was a good informant/friend to Bee Bee. Then there was the Whiston family—the bain in everyone’s life that caused havoc wherever he and his gang of misfits went. Charl Whyler was thrusted into a leadership position and way over his head. Mary became Bee Bee’s support and protector while he became her purpose for being in the ‘tribe’.
The fast-paced plot quickly takes you from one suspenseful scenario to another while the group tries to survive. First on the ship, then on the new planet, where more twists made for adventurous moments.
When an alien appeared on the ship, killing everyone on its path, it left Bee Bee a strange message. This was where the story escalated and became very interesting. With flashbacks from Mars and his mother’s death, you could sense the building tension.
Especially the secretive ‘Great Ones’ no one knew about except for Bee Bee and his dreams. A force that added an additional layer of tension to the entire plot.
“The Great Ones were sent to this planet for security reasons. This planet is far from the rest of our culture. Under our laws, execution is not possible. So sending them here seemed a sensible solution; they were banished to repent for their war crimes.”
These parasite creatures or beings controlled the new planet, and the survival game has stepped up a notched. Adding more drama, mystery, and suspense. Especially when Suzanne Flyfield stepped into the picture.
Except for a few grammar problems, this was a good read that every science fiction reader would enjoy. The story touches on primal behaviours and how humans would cope when put in a strange environment where the only aim is to survive. Not only as a human, but as a race.
The character of Bee Bee became the centre of their survival, which made this a good plotline. In the end, his own struggles and how he had to overcome it were woven into the many layers and a race was saved.
May 8, 2022
This is a great sci-fi story that was written specifically for teens. This age group will be interested in the story. It’s written in an accessible and interesting way. It’s a page-turner and a great story, which isn’t surprising given Andrew Williams’ talent for writing brilliant stories.
Bee Bee, also known as James Kinkfrank, was a teenager who differed from the rest of the teens. He questioned everything and always wanted to get answers to some really hard questions. After a terrible accident, he was quite disfigured and hurt. He sustained some awful physical injuries. But this never stopped him from connecting with people. He was a gregarious boy with a vivid imagination and an unquenchable need for knowledge and information.
His Dad was a troublesome man and hard to be around. His stepmother, Mary, was the only person who supported him through all his trials and sorrows in life. This made his childhood and teen years very difficult indeed. So, when he was given an opportunity to go up on the Empress of Incognita, he jumped at the opportunity.
There was something exciting about being in a spaceship way up in this semi-Earth type of plane. Someone dubbed it Arcadia, and the name seemed to stick. There were a lot of challenges aboard the spaceship, such as lack of space, oxygen, and food. But it was something that Bee Bee really embraced, because he needed to get away from all his cares and worries.
The plot of fast-paced and quickly takes the reader from one suspenseful scenario to another while the group tries to survive. First on the ship, then on the new planet, made for many adventurous moments. The story escalates when an alien appeared on the ship, killing everyone on its path. It left Bee Bee with a strange sense about his mother’s death.
This is a great read for readers of all ages. I truly enjoyed it. The character of Bee Bee was wonderful and the center of their survival. This made for a mesmerizing plot line. One of the key themes of the story is that regardless of what happens to us, we can still leave a positive mark in the world.
Reviewed by: Irene Roth
Andrew Williams’ Website: https://andrewrwilliamsauthor.co.uk/
Bee Bee, also known as James Kinkfrank, was a teenager who differed from the rest of the teens. He questioned everything and always wanted to get answers to some really hard questions. After a terrible accident, he was quite disfigured and hurt. He sustained some awful physical injuries. But this never stopped him from connecting with people. He was a gregarious boy with a vivid imagination and an unquenchable need for knowledge and information.
His Dad was a troublesome man and hard to be around. His stepmother, Mary, was the only person who supported him through all his trials and sorrows in life. This made his childhood and teen years very difficult indeed. So, when he was given an opportunity to go up on the Empress of Incognita, he jumped at the opportunity.
There was something exciting about being in a spaceship way up in this semi-Earth type of plane. Someone dubbed it Arcadia, and the name seemed to stick. There were a lot of challenges aboard the spaceship, such as lack of space, oxygen, and food. But it was something that Bee Bee really embraced, because he needed to get away from all his cares and worries.
The plot of fast-paced and quickly takes the reader from one suspenseful scenario to another while the group tries to survive. First on the ship, then on the new planet, made for many adventurous moments. The story escalates when an alien appeared on the ship, killing everyone on its path. It left Bee Bee with a strange sense about his mother’s death.
This is a great read for readers of all ages. I truly enjoyed it. The character of Bee Bee was wonderful and the center of their survival. This made for a mesmerizing plot line. One of the key themes of the story is that regardless of what happens to us, we can still leave a positive mark in the world.
Reviewed by: Irene Roth
Andrew Williams’ Website: https://andrewrwilliamsauthor.co.uk/
May 14, 2022
“Marooned” by Andrew R. Williams introduces us to Bee Bee, alias James Kinfrank, a fifteen-year-old boy on board a ship–The Empress of Incognita—from Mars. Their ship hits a mine, an accident whose impacts and cause are worrying. Yet, Captain Wainwright wants the information concealed from other passengers on board the ship. However, curiosity gets the better of Bee Bee, who begins asking questions during the Captain’s dinner. Although the passengers are assured of the ship’s ability to use the triple-shield against any future attacks, more mines destroy the ship and force it to go off-course.
In this desperate state, a munity thrives, led by Dugal Whiston. During all this time, Bee Bee keeps hearing a voice inside his mind that he cannot quite place. In addition, he experiences strange dreams that he can only write about in his diary, as he cannot interpret them. After an alien millipede invades the ship aboard the shuttle, it becomes clear to Bee Bee that not only is Dugal after his life, but the Great Ones are also baying for his blood. Meanwhile, the survivors have to find a safe place to land because the wreck will not hold for long. Will they survive? What dangers must they overcome in Arcadia?
Andrew uses the first-person perspective as a narration technique that allows the reader or viewer to connect directly with the characters. He wanted to give his readers more of an in-depth understanding of why certain things happened at certain times. It is the first book in the “Arcadia's Children Series” and acts as a prequel to introduce us to the main character of this series. The author immediately dives into plenty of action and reveals enough mystery to hook you from beginning to end. This book gives immense detail on how some of the dramatic events occur, which form the basis of subsequent sequels that are yet to be written.
I enjoyed the book very much, with its sophisticated writing and depth of character. I found it particularly interesting that distinct characters' personalities shone through in their dialogue so that even when they were not physically present, their presence was still felt on the page. Characters are not simply mentioned as they play out their roles on stage; each has distinctive but straightforward personalities, so we can quickly figure out who is who among them, even when there are many of them. It gave a strong sense of place, with a genuine feeling for place and time-something I've never encountered in a book by an author known only to me as a sci-fi/fantasy writer. My thanks go to Andrew for proving me wrong through his creativity. This book is one of the best prequels I have come across in my review career. The author incorporates intertextuality to break from the monotony of narration and give the book an aesthetic taste. The characters are well thought out and play their roles accordingly.
The action scenes are graphically recreated with vivid descriptions that convey a sense of urgency. We know where every person is standing, what they look like, and what they are wearing. We can almost feel the sound of cold air rushing against the ship's hull as the missiles hit it or smell the smoke from the burning parts. As we read, we feel like we are along for the ride. The author extensively uses foreshadowing and flashbacks to provide background information. These techniques also add suspense and intrigue to this tale. The fast-paced action, imaginative plot twists and engaging characters set on a futuristic island make this book a joy to read.
It is clear that this book has been written by an experienced author who understands plot devices and how to use them effectively. It is a quick read, with good grammar and spelling throughout. The book's flow was excellent, with smooth transitions between scenes and events. I happily award ‘Marooned’ five out of five stars and recommend it to lovers of sci-fi texts, especially those centred around space exploration. Regardless of your age, this book will entertain you until the end.
In this desperate state, a munity thrives, led by Dugal Whiston. During all this time, Bee Bee keeps hearing a voice inside his mind that he cannot quite place. In addition, he experiences strange dreams that he can only write about in his diary, as he cannot interpret them. After an alien millipede invades the ship aboard the shuttle, it becomes clear to Bee Bee that not only is Dugal after his life, but the Great Ones are also baying for his blood. Meanwhile, the survivors have to find a safe place to land because the wreck will not hold for long. Will they survive? What dangers must they overcome in Arcadia?
Andrew uses the first-person perspective as a narration technique that allows the reader or viewer to connect directly with the characters. He wanted to give his readers more of an in-depth understanding of why certain things happened at certain times. It is the first book in the “Arcadia's Children Series” and acts as a prequel to introduce us to the main character of this series. The author immediately dives into plenty of action and reveals enough mystery to hook you from beginning to end. This book gives immense detail on how some of the dramatic events occur, which form the basis of subsequent sequels that are yet to be written.
I enjoyed the book very much, with its sophisticated writing and depth of character. I found it particularly interesting that distinct characters' personalities shone through in their dialogue so that even when they were not physically present, their presence was still felt on the page. Characters are not simply mentioned as they play out their roles on stage; each has distinctive but straightforward personalities, so we can quickly figure out who is who among them, even when there are many of them. It gave a strong sense of place, with a genuine feeling for place and time-something I've never encountered in a book by an author known only to me as a sci-fi/fantasy writer. My thanks go to Andrew for proving me wrong through his creativity. This book is one of the best prequels I have come across in my review career. The author incorporates intertextuality to break from the monotony of narration and give the book an aesthetic taste. The characters are well thought out and play their roles accordingly.
The action scenes are graphically recreated with vivid descriptions that convey a sense of urgency. We know where every person is standing, what they look like, and what they are wearing. We can almost feel the sound of cold air rushing against the ship's hull as the missiles hit it or smell the smoke from the burning parts. As we read, we feel like we are along for the ride. The author extensively uses foreshadowing and flashbacks to provide background information. These techniques also add suspense and intrigue to this tale. The fast-paced action, imaginative plot twists and engaging characters set on a futuristic island make this book a joy to read.
It is clear that this book has been written by an experienced author who understands plot devices and how to use them effectively. It is a quick read, with good grammar and spelling throughout. The book's flow was excellent, with smooth transitions between scenes and events. I happily award ‘Marooned’ five out of five stars and recommend it to lovers of sci-fi texts, especially those centred around space exploration. Regardless of your age, this book will entertain you until the end.
March 5, 2023
Great Space Opera.
Yet another excellent addition to the Arcadia’s Children series. Not only does it have great action but the characters are excellent. Both grounded in reality and relatable. I would highly recommend this as not only a great intro into the series but for anyone looking for something new from a writer whose books never cease to impress. An easy five stars!
Yet another excellent addition to the Arcadia’s Children series. Not only does it have great action but the characters are excellent. Both grounded in reality and relatable. I would highly recommend this as not only a great intro into the series but for anyone looking for something new from a writer whose books never cease to impress. An easy five stars!
May 20, 2023
DNF 30%
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be from the synopsis. I thought we were in for a "damaged ship stranded in the middle of space with no hope of rescue" type of scenario. Unfortunately, that's not what this is.
The setting changes around the 30% mark but that wasn't the only thing I was struggling with. The writing is also very juvenile. I wish it had more depth. Everything sort of just happens. It's jumpy with little suspense or feeling.
The book is told from the perspective of a 15 year old boy with little education, so it feels as though he is much younger. So, maybe the writing style is intentional.
I wasn't really a fan of the dreams or the aliens either, so I decided to put this one down. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be from the synopsis. I thought we were in for a "damaged ship stranded in the middle of space with no hope of rescue" type of scenario. Unfortunately, that's not what this is.
The setting changes around the 30% mark but that wasn't the only thing I was struggling with. The writing is also very juvenile. I wish it had more depth. Everything sort of just happens. It's jumpy with little suspense or feeling.
The book is told from the perspective of a 15 year old boy with little education, so it feels as though he is much younger. So, maybe the writing style is intentional.
I wasn't really a fan of the dreams or the aliens either, so I decided to put this one down. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2023
My review of Marooned can be found on my blog....
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
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