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LUX and the New TECH #5
LUX-5: Interstellar
Lux has discovered a way to travel to the stars, but it is more like naval cruises into uncharted territory. It is treacherous outside the heliosphere, and people are still people. All the Earth's nations are producing ships within the solar system, and it's like a new gold rush. What happens to a civilization when interplanetary travel is unlimited, and the only law is the law of survival? What will the fanatics do when they feel too restricted by Earth's laws and policies, and they can set up their own colonies?
- GenresScience Fiction
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2023
174 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Ken Pence
70 books53 followersKen R Pence, Ph.D. is a professor of engineering at Vanderbilt University. He is a retired captain from the Metro Nashville Police Department where he served 31 years (16 on SWAT) and has taught police and military in the US and Europe (England, Germany, France, and Northern Ireland) in confrontation management skills. He has researched sniper shot location for DARPA, acoustic sensors to protect African elephant herds and inexpensive magnetic levitation. He lives in Nashville with his wife and his large - drooling - black lab (Drools Verne).
ken.pence@vanderbilt.edu
ken.pence@vanderbilt.edu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 10, 2023
Really very good!
August 15, 2023
Very uneven
While complaining about the lack of editing in the earlier books, they were at least readable. The first half of this, isn't. It's not a book so much as a random selection of author notes and partially written scenes. There are some great ideas and plot lines that are rushed and then dropped. The second half is at least coherent, but the editing is abysmal. I wanted very much to like it... But it barely rates one star.
While complaining about the lack of editing in the earlier books, they were at least readable. The first half of this, isn't. It's not a book so much as a random selection of author notes and partially written scenes. There are some great ideas and plot lines that are rushed and then dropped. The second half is at least coherent, but the editing is abysmal. I wanted very much to like it... But it barely rates one star.
September 11, 2023
sooooo good! November seems like forever!
Really great series. Things change quickly in this series. Technology is huge and makes a huge difference in the leaps forward they can take in advancement (change), but it also brings along its troubles too. I love how corrupted people, who try to harm others, actually get what’s coming to them. And many times it’s all those people behind the scenes of those in positions of power. Those who care about themselves and no one else. Those who could care less about the hardships or even deaths that will be the result of their influence. The punishment to those types of people hardly ever happen in the reality of our non-fiction lives but in this series, these heroes of humanity (including Anna & her sisters) are diligent in finding, monitoring and handing out punishment for the crimes, yet they’re fair in their process.
There are some things that bug me in the series ie,: the idea of even telling the world about a new planet, much less selling it off to the highest bidder or giving it away without first looking, researching and even sending a party there to see what it’s like is crazy, definitely nieve and potentially, negligent. This scenario just does not make sense. There could be sentient life there that no one is aware of, a species who claims that planet as there’s, yet, human ego’s believe in the rule of finders keepers—again, despite the fact that the sentients would say “we found it first.” Sometimes I do find it a little uuuuh…aggravating at how things can occur and I think, “Come on, how could people (society)believe that or go along with that?” But the analogy of “dumb & numb” (from the book)certainly has its precedence in our recent history, so the author just takes free reign with it. Can’t blame him and it makes for good storytelling opportunities. People like me just have to adjust to this notion of dumb and numb, much like we’ve had to adjust in real life. It’s also hard for me to believe that our main characters, (who are such smart people, with a ton of common sense & A+morals and who are surrounded by the same types of people) could do such dumb things as they do in the book. But I guess we chalk it up to being human and just move on. Besides that, (again), it makes for a good story. I might also suggest to the author that he keep back one of his beta readers to read the final draft and do a final edit prior to print. The edits are much better than book1, (good job!) yet there are still errors slipping through. It’s not a huge number, nor are they disruptive in anyway to the rhythm of reading the book. It’s simply a bit of tidying up. That’s just a suggestion about the bear reader. I know it’s hard to do a bunch of drafts and how many times do youdo a draft to catch the errors ? Heck, I don’t know, but I suggested the one bear reader (a trusted one) that has nit yet read it. Repeat readers in the job of beta reader, know the story already so will tend to miss those tricky errors. New eyes on final draft, right before print might help. Just a guess and suggestion.
Readers will love Anna even more in this book. She’s really taken on a funny, witty with a bit of sarcasm thrown-in character, as well as resourceful, creative, loyal, protective and loving.
Although our characters don’t show it, the newly “found” planets are worrisome and should be setting off alarm bells and red flags but they’re all kind of treating it as business as usual. I think they’re going to find out this is anything but usual. And I think the next book may be a true struggle for them and Anna.
November cannot come soon enough!
Really great series. Things change quickly in this series. Technology is huge and makes a huge difference in the leaps forward they can take in advancement (change), but it also brings along its troubles too. I love how corrupted people, who try to harm others, actually get what’s coming to them. And many times it’s all those people behind the scenes of those in positions of power. Those who care about themselves and no one else. Those who could care less about the hardships or even deaths that will be the result of their influence. The punishment to those types of people hardly ever happen in the reality of our non-fiction lives but in this series, these heroes of humanity (including Anna & her sisters) are diligent in finding, monitoring and handing out punishment for the crimes, yet they’re fair in their process.
There are some things that bug me in the series ie,: the idea of even telling the world about a new planet, much less selling it off to the highest bidder or giving it away without first looking, researching and even sending a party there to see what it’s like is crazy, definitely nieve and potentially, negligent. This scenario just does not make sense. There could be sentient life there that no one is aware of, a species who claims that planet as there’s, yet, human ego’s believe in the rule of finders keepers—again, despite the fact that the sentients would say “we found it first.” Sometimes I do find it a little uuuuh…aggravating at how things can occur and I think, “Come on, how could people (society)believe that or go along with that?” But the analogy of “dumb & numb” (from the book)certainly has its precedence in our recent history, so the author just takes free reign with it. Can’t blame him and it makes for good storytelling opportunities. People like me just have to adjust to this notion of dumb and numb, much like we’ve had to adjust in real life. It’s also hard for me to believe that our main characters, (who are such smart people, with a ton of common sense & A+morals and who are surrounded by the same types of people) could do such dumb things as they do in the book. But I guess we chalk it up to being human and just move on. Besides that, (again), it makes for a good story. I might also suggest to the author that he keep back one of his beta readers to read the final draft and do a final edit prior to print. The edits are much better than book1, (good job!) yet there are still errors slipping through. It’s not a huge number, nor are they disruptive in anyway to the rhythm of reading the book. It’s simply a bit of tidying up. That’s just a suggestion about the bear reader. I know it’s hard to do a bunch of drafts and how many times do youdo a draft to catch the errors ? Heck, I don’t know, but I suggested the one bear reader (a trusted one) that has nit yet read it. Repeat readers in the job of beta reader, know the story already so will tend to miss those tricky errors. New eyes on final draft, right before print might help. Just a guess and suggestion.
Readers will love Anna even more in this book. She’s really taken on a funny, witty with a bit of sarcasm thrown-in character, as well as resourceful, creative, loyal, protective and loving.
Although our characters don’t show it, the newly “found” planets are worrisome and should be setting off alarm bells and red flags but they’re all kind of treating it as business as usual. I think they’re going to find out this is anything but usual. And I think the next book may be a true struggle for them and Anna.
November cannot come soon enough!
June 14, 2024
Un - believable
First, I have to start off by saying this is a good book. It’s a great book to be honest and it continues the tradition of the series. More new technology more exploration. Yes there are some wonderful battle scenes but it’s what you’ve come to know and love from the series. I do have some issues however, it’s a bit unbelievable. Hear me out. The science the human interaction it’s all rooted in fact. Yes the sci-fi stretches the science to the extreme but at least it has some roots to knowledge we have. I have problems with some of the scenes that occur in the book that are unbelievable. They don’t vibe with how we know these interactions will be handled in real life, and it just breaks away from the tradition of the book. For instance, minor spoiler if there’s a military interaction between two forces in an enclosed environment and force has access to drones and the other does not, why would you ever the opposite force without first sending in your drone. That happened in this book and it makes no sense. There are other times in this book where things happen that make no sense. Anyone who’s a scientist or has even studied the scientific method knows there are processes that everybody follows when you’re experimenting with new technology we’ve seen those processes followed in previous books, but here there are times when they break away from that idea and again it makes no sense because theoretically it could be putting lives Risk. Why would you be attempting an experiment if there was a perfectly capable drone right next to you that can do the experiment. That’s my issue with the book some situation. Some interactions are unbelievable. Also, this fighting back-and-forth with earth. It doesn’t make sense anymore. It’s unbelievable, eventually other groups would have said we are done with them. Let’s go elsewhere. The universe is huge. Why still mess with these people again? It makes no sense. Not that the story isn’t great. I can’t wait to read the next book, but I have to call out strange things when I see them and there were some things in this book that I said why that makes no sense.
First, I have to start off by saying this is a good book. It’s a great book to be honest and it continues the tradition of the series. More new technology more exploration. Yes there are some wonderful battle scenes but it’s what you’ve come to know and love from the series. I do have some issues however, it’s a bit unbelievable. Hear me out. The science the human interaction it’s all rooted in fact. Yes the sci-fi stretches the science to the extreme but at least it has some roots to knowledge we have. I have problems with some of the scenes that occur in the book that are unbelievable. They don’t vibe with how we know these interactions will be handled in real life, and it just breaks away from the tradition of the book. For instance, minor spoiler if there’s a military interaction between two forces in an enclosed environment and force has access to drones and the other does not, why would you ever the opposite force without first sending in your drone. That happened in this book and it makes no sense. There are other times in this book where things happen that make no sense. Anyone who’s a scientist or has even studied the scientific method knows there are processes that everybody follows when you’re experimenting with new technology we’ve seen those processes followed in previous books, but here there are times when they break away from that idea and again it makes no sense because theoretically it could be putting lives Risk. Why would you be attempting an experiment if there was a perfectly capable drone right next to you that can do the experiment. That’s my issue with the book some situation. Some interactions are unbelievable. Also, this fighting back-and-forth with earth. It doesn’t make sense anymore. It’s unbelievable, eventually other groups would have said we are done with them. Let’s go elsewhere. The universe is huge. Why still mess with these people again? It makes no sense. Not that the story isn’t great. I can’t wait to read the next book, but I have to call out strange things when I see them and there were some things in this book that I said why that makes no sense.
August 6, 2023
Fun series
Another good book in the series. It's an enjoyable series and always a good break from my other books. The delivery is a bit dry but the Pace is rapid. Not much feeling or emotive content. Certainly enjoy all the scientific exploration and Innovation. The pace in this book has rapidly accelerated from prior books in the series This point I wonder where the author is headed. The author's work shows a clear cynicism towards What would be considered upper echelon or elite of humans on earth. Unfortunately history has verified Much of this is true. There are plenty of exceptions though . I guess that's what we're reading about 1 of the exceptions. Lol. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Another good book in the series. It's an enjoyable series and always a good break from my other books. The delivery is a bit dry but the Pace is rapid. Not much feeling or emotive content. Certainly enjoy all the scientific exploration and Innovation. The pace in this book has rapidly accelerated from prior books in the series This point I wonder where the author is headed. The author's work shows a clear cynicism towards What would be considered upper echelon or elite of humans on earth. Unfortunately history has verified Much of this is true. There are plenty of exceptions though . I guess that's what we're reading about 1 of the exceptions. Lol. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
April 17, 2026
More socialism being dealt out as morally proper
This ignorance is sickening. Book’s okay until author starts pontificating about which he has no experience or any clue. If he gives unearned authority to people just because they are more numerous than the truly productive among them it perpetuates need based values. Which gives merit to the less deserving, and leadership to the less capable. That's the misinterpretation of majority rules. Majority can and should rule if circumstance presents the actual truth to the people. In America schools teach young a lie. "Believe the institution, we know what's good for you."
This ignorance is sickening. Book’s okay until author starts pontificating about which he has no experience or any clue. If he gives unearned authority to people just because they are more numerous than the truly productive among them it perpetuates need based values. Which gives merit to the less deserving, and leadership to the less capable. That's the misinterpretation of majority rules. Majority can and should rule if circumstance presents the actual truth to the people. In America schools teach young a lie. "Believe the institution, we know what's good for you."
July 30, 2023
Mok's review
The book ended badly. The author didn't do his research when it came to Samalian refugees. The author wrote as though they are mostly women and children. The truth is far from that. Most Refugees from those parts of the world in today's times are in fact young military age men by 99.3%. These young military age men come from a culture that tells them that deceit, theft, Rape and murder of anyone Not a part of their culture is perfectly acceptable. This includes the brutalization of children.
The book ended badly. The author didn't do his research when it came to Samalian refugees. The author wrote as though they are mostly women and children. The truth is far from that. Most Refugees from those parts of the world in today's times are in fact young military age men by 99.3%. These young military age men come from a culture that tells them that deceit, theft, Rape and murder of anyone Not a part of their culture is perfectly acceptable. This includes the brutalization of children.
July 30, 2023
Awesome Scary Series
This story of a young genius who pushes humanity to a multi planetary species was fantastic and horrifying. Horrifying because it is quite reasonable that the Lord Elites keep trying to kill Golden Goose to control monetary benefits for one of his eggs when he has hundreds more to lay. How many per year do these foolish people kill for real? That’s the scary.
This story of a young genius who pushes humanity to a multi planetary species was fantastic and horrifying. Horrifying because it is quite reasonable that the Lord Elites keep trying to kill Golden Goose to control monetary benefits for one of his eggs when he has hundreds more to lay. How many per year do these foolish people kill for real? That’s the scary.
August 6, 2023
decent continuation
If Lux’s father questions something as a deep fake again I will quit this series, it’s annoying and it jars me out of immersion. The blue highlighted words was a terrible option as well. I’m not sure I like where this series is goin and the timeline is not understandable at all. Lux is a psychopath at this point of the series.
If Lux’s father questions something as a deep fake again I will quit this series, it’s annoying and it jars me out of immersion. The blue highlighted words was a terrible option as well. I’m not sure I like where this series is goin and the timeline is not understandable at all. Lux is a psychopath at this point of the series.
August 9, 2023
Love the science tidbits
As a child in the 1960s, I read a series of science fiction books about a character called Tom Swift Jr. Lux reminds me somewhat of Tom and his adventures. I have thoroughly enjoyed the series, including this book. I am drawn to the tidbits of science without the need of a PhD in order to enjoy it. I await the next book in the series.
As a child in the 1960s, I read a series of science fiction books about a character called Tom Swift Jr. Lux reminds me somewhat of Tom and his adventures. I have thoroughly enjoyed the series, including this book. I am drawn to the tidbits of science without the need of a PhD in order to enjoy it. I await the next book in the series.
Read
September 1, 2023Go Lux Go
Ken Pence again intrigues with his vision of near future and the stories of Lux and friends. As in the previous installments we follow Lux, a gifted young man and his meanderings through life as an 18 year old PhD. To tell you more would ruin the stpry, buy it and read it.
Ken Pence again intrigues with his vision of near future and the stories of Lux and friends. As in the previous installments we follow Lux, a gifted young man and his meanderings through life as an 18 year old PhD. To tell you more would ruin the stpry, buy it and read it.
February 9, 2024
Ken Pence keeps upping the game!
This is one wild ride after another. The plot is fast-paced, both the Earth-based challenges (including spies and enemies) and technology advancement keep accelerating. The hard sci-fi is believable. Best of all, you get to keep watching favorite characters grow and evolve. Still could use a professional edit, but the story rocks.
This is one wild ride after another. The plot is fast-paced, both the Earth-based challenges (including spies and enemies) and technology advancement keep accelerating. The hard sci-fi is believable. Best of all, you get to keep watching favorite characters grow and evolve. Still could use a professional edit, but the story rocks.
July 31, 2023
Great Series
I love this series from the moment I started it it captures my imagination as well as some well founded science theroies. The characters are solid and the earth politics are what I expect.
Look forward to more of these journeys with lux and his team...
I love this series from the moment I started it it captures my imagination as well as some well founded science theroies. The characters are solid and the earth politics are what I expect.
Look forward to more of these journeys with lux and his team...
July 31, 2023
Please don’t be the last of this series?
It is just getting really interesting so I’m hoping this not the last of Lux and his t team! So much left to learn and find out. I really enjoyed the series to date and can only hope for more. I love your imagination!
It is just getting really interesting so I’m hoping this not the last of Lux and his t team! So much left to learn and find out. I really enjoyed the series to date and can only hope for more. I love your imagination!
August 2, 2023
Wonderful space colonization
Interesting concepts in space colonization. In some ways to easy but fun to read. Fascinating to see other authors universe or at least species show up. 👍
Interesting concepts in space colonization. In some ways to easy but fun to read. Fascinating to see other authors universe or at least species show up. 👍
August 4, 2023
Fabulous story
I’m a huge fan of the Lux series. This one was as good as the others. I couldn’t put it down and cannot wait for the sixth installment, and have repurchased it. I loved all the references to other sci-fi books that I loved too.
I’m a huge fan of the Lux series. This one was as good as the others. I couldn’t put it down and cannot wait for the sixth installment, and have repurchased it. I loved all the references to other sci-fi books that I loved too.
August 12, 2023
Absolutely excellent!
Whenever I come to the end of a book in this series, I always wish it was longer. I love the plot and storyline. Cannot wait for the next book in the series and would definitely recommend this series and the writer to anybody who may see this blurb.
Whenever I come to the end of a book in this series, I always wish it was longer. I love the plot and storyline. Cannot wait for the next book in the series and would definitely recommend this series and the writer to anybody who may see this blurb.
August 21, 2023
Hooked from the start
Great story, fast paced and interesting read. Like Lux-5 could have done with more proof reading. Some Repetative text and a few sections that are hard to follow.
Great story, fast paced and interesting read. Like Lux-5 could have done with more proof reading. Some Repetative text and a few sections that are hard to follow.
November 20, 2024
Ratcheting global politics up a notch
As Lux develops Mars and starts locating habitual worlds, the government of the world gets greedy for tech & resources. It’s another well written sci-fi adventure for the young man. Enjoying it greatly. Probably make a great TV series.
As Lux develops Mars and starts locating habitual worlds, the government of the world gets greedy for tech & resources. It’s another well written sci-fi adventure for the young man. Enjoying it greatly. Probably make a great TV series.
May 2, 2025
What’s five interstellar Lex new tech
Need to read it from the first to the fifth there’s a sixth one which is after this, but these are all real good books and they keep you entertained. Just keep reading and and enjoy what
Need to read it from the first to the fifth there’s a sixth one which is after this, but these are all real good books and they keep you entertained. Just keep reading and and enjoy what
April 13, 2026
Good reading
I highly recommend this series it's entertaining creative and has a lot of good humane concepts as well as responsibility aspects it's well worth reading and the time spent David schlosser.
I highly recommend this series it's entertaining creative and has a lot of good humane concepts as well as responsibility aspects it's well worth reading and the time spent David schlosser.
July 30, 2023
Good
I was impressed with this book, I never expected it to be so good. I hope to read another one similar soonest. I do recommend this book .
I was impressed with this book, I never expected it to be so good. I hope to read another one similar soonest. I do recommend this book .
July 30, 2023
Brilliant
I enjoy this series so much it just keeps getting better and the tease at the end it seems like this could start a new story arc.
I enjoy this series so much it just keeps getting better and the tease at the end it seems like this could start a new story arc.
July 31, 2023
Real dream
Darn, this book series really shows the best and the worst of humanity. Also a lot of good ideas on how to improve humanity condition. If only we can stop our greed...
Darn, this book series really shows the best and the worst of humanity. Also a lot of good ideas on how to improve humanity condition. If only we can stop our greed...
August 1, 2023
Great next installment
This was a fast moving continuation of the story. I can't wait to see all the threads weave into a new story line. Thanks for the fun read.
This was a fast moving continuation of the story. I can't wait to see all the threads weave into a new story line. Thanks for the fun read.
August 2, 2023
Couldn’t put it down!
WOW, the series just keeps getting better. I don’t know if this is the end of the series or not, but if Ken keeps writing, I’ll keep reading! Great Book.
WOW, the series just keeps getting better. I don’t know if this is the end of the series or not, but if Ken keeps writing, I’ll keep reading! Great Book.
Read
August 8, 2023Fun read
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review.
Good read. I laughed a lot while reading this book. Now I need ten more words to finish this review.
August 10, 2023
Wow!!!
Love the world building and character development looking forward to the next book. Shame it's such a long time before the next release
Love the world building and character development looking forward to the next book. Shame it's such a long time before the next release
September 9, 2023
Love your LUX books series
Although I am not tech savvy, never been to college, I have always enjoyed the Science Fiction more than the fantasy novels. Thank you.
Although I am not tech savvy, never been to college, I have always enjoyed the Science Fiction more than the fantasy novels. Thank you.
April 11, 2024
I learned a lot by following the links that were presented in the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews