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X-Universe #1
X: Farnhams Legende
Eine Legende der Erde besagt, dass die Sterne nicht für den Menschen geschaffen wurden. Als Cpt. Kyle-William Brennans Raumschiff auf einem Testflug spurlos verschwindet, scheint sich die alte Vorhersage zu bewahrheiten. Doch Elena Kho, Brennans Kollegin und beste Freundin, lässt sich nicht abschrecken. Auf eigene Faust macht sie sich auf die Suche nach Brennan - und entdeckt dabei die wahre Bedeutung von Farnhams Legende. Dass sie und Brennan von einem Clan fanatischer Kriegstreiber, einer Meute mathematikbesessener Dreiäugiger sowie einer eiskalten Maschinenrasse gehetzt werden, erkennt Elena erst, als es schon viel zu spät ist. Die Treibjagd ist eröffnet..."Für Liebhaber klassischer Space Opera ist dieser ... Roman ein echter Geheimtipp!"Gerd Frey, Alien ContactNominiert für den Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis 2001. Neue, komplett überarbeitete Ausgabe
- GenresScience Fiction
409 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
33 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Helge T. Kautz
14 books7 followersEin kurzer Abriss über Helges Werdegang. Über die weniger ruhmreichen Lebensabschnitte — sprich: die Schuljahre — breiten wir den Mantel des Schweigens.
Helge erblickte am Valentinstag 1967 in Hilden bei Düsseldorf als Sohn eines Druckers und einer Chemotechnikerin das Licht der Welt. Zu seinem neunten Geburtstag schenkten ihm seine Großeltern seinen ersten Science-Fiction Roman; von diesem Augenblick an war er dem Genre verfallen. Ab dem 13. Lebensjahr enstanden erste, eigene Kurzgeschichten und wenig später auch ein umfrangreicher Roman, den Helge ob seiner sprachlichen Ungelenkheit heutzutage nur noch ungerne vorzeigt.
Wie die Zeit vergeht...
In den späten 80er und frühen 90er Jahren gab es kleinere Veröffentlichungen in Computer-Magazinen und die Ausstrahlung seines SF-Märchens Marina im Lokalradio. Für die Softgold Computerspiele GmbH übersetzte er ab 1994 nebenberuflich verschiedene Texte sowohl aus dem Englischen ins Deutsche als auch umgekehrt, während er hauptberuflich in Kundendienst und Telefonsupport derselben Firma arbeitete. Zwischen 1996 und 2006 beaufsichtigte Helge als Webmaster die Internetauftritte der THQ Entertainment GmbH.
Im Juli 2000 erschien Helges Roman Farnhams Legende, der in einer Erstauflage von 20.000 Exemplaren dem SF-Computerspiel X-Tension beilag. Der Roman wurde von Lesern und Spielern gleichermaßen begeistert aufgenommen und brachte Helge, der mit Derartigem mitnichten rechnete, eine Nominierung zum Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis ein. In den Jahren darauf folgten drei weitere Buchveröffentlichungen.
Seit Mitte 2007 ist Helge freiberuflich als Autor und Musiker tätig. An den nächsten Veröffentlichungen — darunter ein Jugendbuch, ein Thriller, ein Game-Lexikon und ein Rock-Musical — arbeitet er bereits mit Eifer.
Helge lebt zusammen mit seiner Katze Zora in Düsseldorf am Rhein.
Helge erblickte am Valentinstag 1967 in Hilden bei Düsseldorf als Sohn eines Druckers und einer Chemotechnikerin das Licht der Welt. Zu seinem neunten Geburtstag schenkten ihm seine Großeltern seinen ersten Science-Fiction Roman; von diesem Augenblick an war er dem Genre verfallen. Ab dem 13. Lebensjahr enstanden erste, eigene Kurzgeschichten und wenig später auch ein umfrangreicher Roman, den Helge ob seiner sprachlichen Ungelenkheit heutzutage nur noch ungerne vorzeigt.
Wie die Zeit vergeht...
In den späten 80er und frühen 90er Jahren gab es kleinere Veröffentlichungen in Computer-Magazinen und die Ausstrahlung seines SF-Märchens Marina im Lokalradio. Für die Softgold Computerspiele GmbH übersetzte er ab 1994 nebenberuflich verschiedene Texte sowohl aus dem Englischen ins Deutsche als auch umgekehrt, während er hauptberuflich in Kundendienst und Telefonsupport derselben Firma arbeitete. Zwischen 1996 und 2006 beaufsichtigte Helge als Webmaster die Internetauftritte der THQ Entertainment GmbH.
Im Juli 2000 erschien Helges Roman Farnhams Legende, der in einer Erstauflage von 20.000 Exemplaren dem SF-Computerspiel X-Tension beilag. Der Roman wurde von Lesern und Spielern gleichermaßen begeistert aufgenommen und brachte Helge, der mit Derartigem mitnichten rechnete, eine Nominierung zum Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis ein. In den Jahren darauf folgten drei weitere Buchveröffentlichungen.
Seit Mitte 2007 ist Helge freiberuflich als Autor und Musiker tätig. An den nächsten Veröffentlichungen — darunter ein Jugendbuch, ein Thriller, ein Game-Lexikon und ein Rock-Musical — arbeitet er bereits mit Eifer.
Helge lebt zusammen mit seiner Katze Zora in Düsseldorf am Rhein.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 21, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a fan of the X games, I knew what I was getting myself into with this book, and it did not disappoint!
There were times where things felt like they were moving a little too fast. Connections were being made a little too quickly for my liking and I felt like it wasn't necessary.
The special envoy to the Split Patriarch, Cho t'Nnt, was a well thought out character and was what I imagine a Split to be. Impulsive and tough.
Nopileos, an amazingly fleshed out young Teladi, quickly became a favourite of mine. The dynamic between his and Elena Kho's relationship was fun to read.
And finally, Kyle Brennan. I feel like this book really gave a great personality to the test pilot from X: Beyond The Frontier. Having an extended look into the background of the test pilot really gives him more of a personality, and less of a "main protagonist" feel.
Overall, this is a book well worth the read for any fan of the space opera sub-genre, and a definite recommendation for any fan of the games by Egosoft.
(As a side note, I've played the X games for many years before I even knew the books existed. I know, I know, bad fan.)
There were times where things felt like they were moving a little too fast. Connections were being made a little too quickly for my liking and I felt like it wasn't necessary.
The special envoy to the Split Patriarch, Cho t'Nnt, was a well thought out character and was what I imagine a Split to be. Impulsive and tough.
Nopileos, an amazingly fleshed out young Teladi, quickly became a favourite of mine. The dynamic between his and Elena Kho's relationship was fun to read.
And finally, Kyle Brennan. I feel like this book really gave a great personality to the test pilot from X: Beyond The Frontier. Having an extended look into the background of the test pilot really gives him more of a personality, and less of a "main protagonist" feel.
Overall, this is a book well worth the read for any fan of the space opera sub-genre, and a definite recommendation for any fan of the games by Egosoft.
(As a side note, I've played the X games for many years before I even knew the books existed. I know, I know, bad fan.)
March 26, 2019
An interesting read with a lot of information that the games never really told you, but the errors!! Wow. I just have no words to describe how that many errors could possibly get past that many translators and the editor.
I did a rough count and came up with approximately 480 errors that I marked while reading. This number does not include the ones I fixed before reading it, and it does not include the errors that were marked once, but the same error is repeated multiple times in the book.
I did a rough count and came up with approximately 480 errors that I marked while reading. This number does not include the ones I fixed before reading it, and it does not include the errors that were marked once, but the same error is repeated multiple times in the book.
January 27, 2016
Brilliant book - I want to read more from this author in ENGLISH
November 1, 2023
İlk olarak bu serideki 2. kitabı okudum; bu ilk cildin İngilizce çevirisi bulunmuyordu/bulunamıyordu o zamanlar. Çok keyif aldığımı hatırlıyorum o ciltten. Bundansa... Keyifliydi.
Aradan geçen zamanda yazarın kendisini geliştirdiğini bariz şekilde görebiliyorum. Bu kitapta birkaç defa "bu neden burada şimdi?" dediğim sekansa denk geldim, zorlama bazı "süpersonik artistik hareketler" gördüm vs. Sanki ABD'li olmadığı halde oraya öykünüyor gibiydi yazar. Dümdüz, dandik ve anlamsız kötüler, her şeyi beceren "o yakışıklı çocuk" vs. vs.
Ama, kendisine ve X'e has o tadı da barındırıyordu içerisinde. Okuduğuma pişman değilim. Aksine, 3. cildin de çevrildiğini öğrendiğim için mutluyum.
Aradan geçen zamanda yazarın kendisini geliştirdiğini bariz şekilde görebiliyorum. Bu kitapta birkaç defa "bu neden burada şimdi?" dediğim sekansa denk geldim, zorlama bazı "süpersonik artistik hareketler" gördüm vs. Sanki ABD'li olmadığı halde oraya öykünüyor gibiydi yazar. Dümdüz, dandik ve anlamsız kötüler, her şeyi beceren "o yakışıklı çocuk" vs. vs.
Ama, kendisine ve X'e has o tadı da barındırıyordu içerisinde. Okuduğuma pişman değilim. Aksine, 3. cildin de çevrildiğini öğrendiğim için mutluyum.
November 30, 2020
The X Universe has has such a big impact on my life... after Frontier Elite, it was a natural progression. I have just finished X3AP and decided to read this to complete this chapter of the games... very well written, fast moving, explains so much about the Universe. Even if you haven't played the games I still think its a good read. I just wish I could read more of the books as I believe this is the only one translated into English. More than happy to be corrected on that point.
Thank you Helge
Thank you Egosoft
Now moving on to X Rebirth
Thank you Helge
Thank you Egosoft
Now moving on to X Rebirth
February 1, 2025
Simple but fun science fiction book. I guess it makes the most fun if you already know the story of the games.
February 8, 2023
The first X-universe novel is competent, mostly interesting but often falls flat in its delivery.
I’ve played all X games and very much enjoy the universe created by Egosoft. It’s big, diverse and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
As a ty-in novel it is remarkably well self-contained. I’d say that no previous knowledge of the games or gameplay is required to enjoy this book, though it will be enriched by it.
It is the world, aliens and cultures where this book shines. While the alien races at large might be a bit too one-note (the extremely economic and unimaginative Teladi, the clannish and war-like Split) the individuals of all races met throughout the story give nuances and insights into these peoples that make them come alive.
Each of the races has their own quirky speech patterns, even the humans. In fact, it was these that often caused me to scratch my head. Dialogues are the biggest hinderance in the novel and I could never really get used to the way people talked or interreacted. It appears to be a mix between odd writing style and faltering translation, but most interactions feel unnatural, forced or even bordering on the surreal. This is a boon in making the different species seem more alien, but boils down to an annoying experience in most cases in the end.
Another hinderance in the writing of interactions was the habit of switching POVs mid conversation, narrating each and every character's intentions and emotions. I can see why this could be useful as a fixed perspective would come with the trouble of aliens interpreting each other's expressions and mannerism, but as a reading experience it’s chaotic, annoying and hurting my interest in the characters.
This is a shame, since much depends on these interactions, there isn’t a whole lot of action going on and the politicking between the difference races and factions is supposed to build up tensions and stakes. It’s decently successful in this through the way the alien cultures are displayed and collide in the coalition of races of the galaxy, but as said, the dialogue does not help this cause.
The action that is there is decent, the close combat was chaotic and not very exiting but Kautz does a good job at space battles, implying a nice feeling of momentum, power and location.
There’s a decent number of characters on display and most aliens are distinct. The humans, however, save for the more dynamic Elena Koh, were largely forgettable to me.
The three main characters are all at the top of their game, young, attractive and incredibly well off. Aside from some problems early on in the book, they are hardly presented with any personal troubles or growth. The awkward interactions reach dizzying hights as Kyle and Elena, supposedly best friends, continually hint at romantic relations through flirting and odd remarks that totally lost me.
The Teladi have always been a favourite of mine and Napileos was one of the highlights of the book, . It is a strange kind of coming-of-age story that has me interested.
The religious Paranid were also very nicely represented. Intimidating, aloof with a nice mixture of superiority complexes countering diplomatic interactions.
While the plot is quite interesting, it drags a bit at times. There are two antagonists in the Xenon and the Split of which the latter is vastly more potent and interesting. Even though the Split appear almost comically evil at times, the reasons for their actions and animosity is well founded on their backwards and violent culture. Their actions often had me quite piqued.
As said, there’s some trouble with the (community provided) translation of this novel and it especially began to show towards the end. But there was nothing as bad as the hundreds of spelling and grammatical errors reported in other reviews (as far as I was aware of), in my version anyway.
I had already briefly started in X2: Nopileos before reading this book (not knowing there were English translations of the first three) so some of the end was spoiled for me already, but it was obvious that these cannot really be read independently from each other.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment, but am not in a rush. I enjoyed this read, but it was far from flawless.
I’ve played all X games and very much enjoy the universe created by Egosoft. It’s big, diverse and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
As a ty-in novel it is remarkably well self-contained. I’d say that no previous knowledge of the games or gameplay is required to enjoy this book, though it will be enriched by it.
It is the world, aliens and cultures where this book shines. While the alien races at large might be a bit too one-note (the extremely economic and unimaginative Teladi, the clannish and war-like Split) the individuals of all races met throughout the story give nuances and insights into these peoples that make them come alive.
Each of the races has their own quirky speech patterns, even the humans. In fact, it was these that often caused me to scratch my head. Dialogues are the biggest hinderance in the novel and I could never really get used to the way people talked or interreacted. It appears to be a mix between odd writing style and faltering translation, but most interactions feel unnatural, forced or even bordering on the surreal. This is a boon in making the different species seem more alien, but boils down to an annoying experience in most cases in the end.
Another hinderance in the writing of interactions was the habit of switching POVs mid conversation, narrating each and every character's intentions and emotions. I can see why this could be useful as a fixed perspective would come with the trouble of aliens interpreting each other's expressions and mannerism, but as a reading experience it’s chaotic, annoying and hurting my interest in the characters.
This is a shame, since much depends on these interactions, there isn’t a whole lot of action going on and the politicking between the difference races and factions is supposed to build up tensions and stakes. It’s decently successful in this through the way the alien cultures are displayed and collide in the coalition of races of the galaxy, but as said, the dialogue does not help this cause.
The action that is there is decent, the close combat was chaotic and not very exiting but Kautz does a good job at space battles, implying a nice feeling of momentum, power and location.
There’s a decent number of characters on display and most aliens are distinct. The humans, however, save for the more dynamic Elena Koh, were largely forgettable to me.
The three main characters are all at the top of their game, young, attractive and incredibly well off. Aside from some problems early on in the book, they are hardly presented with any personal troubles or growth. The awkward interactions reach dizzying hights as Kyle and Elena, supposedly best friends, continually hint at romantic relations through flirting and odd remarks that totally lost me.
The Teladi have always been a favourite of mine and Napileos was one of the highlights of the book, . It is a strange kind of coming-of-age story that has me interested.
The religious Paranid were also very nicely represented. Intimidating, aloof with a nice mixture of superiority complexes countering diplomatic interactions.
While the plot is quite interesting, it drags a bit at times. There are two antagonists in the Xenon and the Split of which the latter is vastly more potent and interesting. Even though the Split appear almost comically evil at times, the reasons for their actions and animosity is well founded on their backwards and violent culture. Their actions often had me quite piqued.
As said, there’s some trouble with the (community provided) translation of this novel and it especially began to show towards the end. But there was nothing as bad as the hundreds of spelling and grammatical errors reported in other reviews (as far as I was aware of), in my version anyway.
I had already briefly started in X2: Nopileos before reading this book (not knowing there were English translations of the first three) so some of the end was spoiled for me already, but it was obvious that these cannot really be read independently from each other.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment, but am not in a rush. I enjoyed this read, but it was far from flawless.
April 2, 2018
More!
I love the x-series and this book seriously filled in a lot of the unknowns I had about the lore.
It was a great read and I look forward to more!
I love the x-series and this book seriously filled in a lot of the unknowns I had about the lore.
It was a great read and I look forward to more!
November 11, 2014
A nice story of the beginning of the X series of games as the story follows the events from the first game in the series from a few different perspectives. If you like sci-fi or a fan of the games you may find it enjoyable.
June 15, 2016
A must read for fans of X Universe games
- Good storytelling - entertaining and original
- Gives a better understanding of game universe
- Made me pick up X3 again
- Good storytelling - entertaining and original
- Gives a better understanding of game universe
- Made me pick up X3 again
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews