What do you think?
Rate this book
Unknown
It happens every year. A select few disappear, never to return. From The Falkland Islands to the Himalayas, Puerto Rico to England - people are vanishing without trace or explanation. A young man who's lost everything stumbles across an ancient secret. Can he unlock the mystery? Will he find those who need him? ...can he escape the Unknown? This is the large print edition of Unknown, with a larger font / typeface for easier reading.
- GenresScience Fiction
770 pages, Paperback
Published June 22, 2021
77 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Phil Price
30 books221 followersPhil Price was born in Sutton Coldfield in 1974. He lived in various places in the UK until his family settled in Rednal, a suburb on the outskirts of Birmingham in 1979. Growing up with an older brother and sister, he always flirted with reading, his home always littered with books. Then in 1997, Phil embarked on a travel expedition that took him from Greece to Thailand, via East and Southern Africa. Sitting in dusty bus stations in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi with Wilbur Smith and James Herbert accompanying him, his imagination was sparked into life. Since those far-off days, he has never been without a book to read.
Phil started toying with the idea of writing a book in 2009. After writing a few short stories, he caught a whiff of an idea in his head. It started to evolve in 2010 until he had enough to begin his writing journey. Marriage and two children came along, with the story being moved to the back burner for periods of time. However, during those periods of writing inactivity, the story continued to manifest until it just needed one thing. To be written down.
The story was littered with places that had influenced Phil's life. From the Lickey Hills in Birmingham to the Amatola Mountains in South Africa, with other many other locations, in-between and far beyond.
The book was finished sometime in 2014, left on his computer until a chance conversation with an author friend made Phil take the bold step to publish his story, Unknown.
From there, Phil’s love for the first book spurred him on, creating The Forsaken Series. A vampire/paranormal/horror saga, set in our world, and others too. His love of horror and all things supernatural, inspired by authors such as King, Herbert and others, helped create the epic series.
After venturing into science fiction with his fourth title, Zoo, he turned to thrillers, with Ashes of Innocence being published in 2020 and His Dark Shadow expected early 2021 and The Retreat in 2023. Returning to his dark roots, Nobody's Son was released in 2025.
Aside from his writing, Phil lives on the edge of a small town in Worcestershire, UK. A wife and two sons keep Phil happily occupied as he steers his way through life, playing the husband, dad, and world creator in equal measure.
Phil started toying with the idea of writing a book in 2009. After writing a few short stories, he caught a whiff of an idea in his head. It started to evolve in 2010 until he had enough to begin his writing journey. Marriage and two children came along, with the story being moved to the back burner for periods of time. However, during those periods of writing inactivity, the story continued to manifest until it just needed one thing. To be written down.
The story was littered with places that had influenced Phil's life. From the Lickey Hills in Birmingham to the Amatola Mountains in South Africa, with other many other locations, in-between and far beyond.
The book was finished sometime in 2014, left on his computer until a chance conversation with an author friend made Phil take the bold step to publish his story, Unknown.
From there, Phil’s love for the first book spurred him on, creating The Forsaken Series. A vampire/paranormal/horror saga, set in our world, and others too. His love of horror and all things supernatural, inspired by authors such as King, Herbert and others, helped create the epic series.
After venturing into science fiction with his fourth title, Zoo, he turned to thrillers, with Ashes of Innocence being published in 2020 and His Dark Shadow expected early 2021 and The Retreat in 2023. Returning to his dark roots, Nobody's Son was released in 2025.
Aside from his writing, Phil lives on the edge of a small town in Worcestershire, UK. A wife and two sons keep Phil happily occupied as he steers his way through life, playing the husband, dad, and world creator in equal measure.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 29, 2019
Combining the worlds and civilisations of both British and Aliens is no small feat. The story of how a sleepy village comes to be abducted to be placed in a Zoo for the enjoyment of others, includes politics, terrorists and relationships. I can genuinely see this story as a fantastic movie! I really loved the flow of the story and got behind the characters too. I think with a story like this it’s always a hard balance between giving enough description to make the worlds seem believable and not weighing the reader down with too much detail. The author Price has done a great job here.
April 17, 2019
Wading through 13 pages gave me some idea what it must be like to wade through a cesspool for hogs. Putting that much trash and foul language in a book just shows lack of imagination or vision. I just wasted good money on used toilet tissue.
April 12, 2019
I read an ARC of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. A group of villagers is suddenly abducted by aliens, only to find out they're to be an exhibit in an intergalactic zoo. But the villagers also find themselves in the middle of a war, with terrible consequences for everyone.
The story is told from both the aliens' and the humans' points of view - and no matter how much you want to dislike the aliens, you end up sympathising with them. I found myself liking them more than some of the humans!
The author has given a lot of thought to both the aliens and their worlds, and how the humans react to their abduction. The story keeps you hooked all the way through, right to the end. A great read for lovers of sci-fi!
The story is told from both the aliens' and the humans' points of view - and no matter how much you want to dislike the aliens, you end up sympathising with them. I found myself liking them more than some of the humans!
The author has given a lot of thought to both the aliens and their worlds, and how the humans react to their abduction. The story keeps you hooked all the way through, right to the end. A great read for lovers of sci-fi!
April 18, 2019
Ok but kind of juvenile
The romance was like a teen love affair (uninteresting). The story itself was far fetched and mostly boring .....could have been a chick flick..the girls formed life long friendships. Still it was interesting enough that i finished it. Author dropped the f bomb every other paragraph, which was totally unnecessary and irritating.
The romance was like a teen love affair (uninteresting). The story itself was far fetched and mostly boring .....could have been a chick flick..the girls formed life long friendships. Still it was interesting enough that i finished it. Author dropped the f bomb every other paragraph, which was totally unnecessary and irritating.
June 21, 2020
Good 1st book
Well written 1st bloom. You will enjoy the chacters. Goood first contact book will nice blend of Helios and herions.
Well written 1st bloom. You will enjoy the chacters. Goood first contact book will nice blend of Helios and herions.
April 10, 2019
So, one of my favourite authors has turned their hand to science fiction & what an excellent job he’s done! It begins with a mission to scoop up humans from earth, transport them to an alien ‘zoo’ & observe their behaviour, but as the storyline unfolds it’s soon apparent that the zoo inhabitants have no intention of complying with their captors. Fast-paced, exciting & addictive, the writing is punchy & the characters brilliant. There is such raw emotion in the scenes that it was easy to imagine the players in all their colourful glory, making this an ideal plot for film adaptation. An easy five stars to award.
April 15, 2019
After reading and loving The Forsaken Trilogy by Phil Price, I was eager to read ZOO,
Now Zoo, is completely different, it's science fiction, and just like his other books Phil Price has managed to grip his readers attention, hold their breath, and be thoroughly creeped out, in the best possible way.
Set in a quaint sleepy little village in England, where not a lot really happens, the locals are enjoying a day and evening at their annual fete, children are having fun, laughing and eating far too many hotdogs, and the adults getting a little tipsy, they have no idea, that life as they know it is about to change, things will look the same, but won't be.
Earth is being watched and the villagers are just what the inhabitants of a far flung plane need, for their ZOO,!
Taken from the homes, the humans are placed into a replica, of their village, everything is the same, but different, for one thing, they can't leave the village, they are expected to live their lives out, here in a ZOO, that's not going to be easy, a caged animal will fight to get free, and humans are no different.
While reading, I was thinking "What if" and had a quick look out of the window, shook my head and carried on reading, all the while hearing Mulder " The Truth Is Out There Scully"''''
Now Zoo, is completely different, it's science fiction, and just like his other books Phil Price has managed to grip his readers attention, hold their breath, and be thoroughly creeped out, in the best possible way.
Set in a quaint sleepy little village in England, where not a lot really happens, the locals are enjoying a day and evening at their annual fete, children are having fun, laughing and eating far too many hotdogs, and the adults getting a little tipsy, they have no idea, that life as they know it is about to change, things will look the same, but won't be.
Earth is being watched and the villagers are just what the inhabitants of a far flung plane need, for their ZOO,!
Taken from the homes, the humans are placed into a replica, of their village, everything is the same, but different, for one thing, they can't leave the village, they are expected to live their lives out, here in a ZOO, that's not going to be easy, a caged animal will fight to get free, and humans are no different.
While reading, I was thinking "What if" and had a quick look out of the window, shook my head and carried on reading, all the while hearing Mulder " The Truth Is Out There Scully"''''
May 2, 2019
Absolutely Brilliant
I loved this book from beginning to end and would not have expected anything less from the author. The story had me hooked from the very beginning, until the very end. The characters, you felt every emotion they felt and wouldn't expect anything less. I highly recommend this book to anyone even if you don't normally read this kind of book.
I loved this book from beginning to end and would not have expected anything less from the author. The story had me hooked from the very beginning, until the very end. The characters, you felt every emotion they felt and wouldn't expect anything less. I highly recommend this book to anyone even if you don't normally read this kind of book.
August 1, 2019
Very enjoyable read :-)
Never having read sci-fi before, I wasn't sure what to expect but really enjoyed this book.
Great story about a community who are abducted by aliens and subsequently become embroiled in a inter-galactic war.
I found it exciting and hard to put down and think it would make a great movie.
Definitely worth five stars.
Never having read sci-fi before, I wasn't sure what to expect but really enjoyed this book.
Great story about a community who are abducted by aliens and subsequently become embroiled in a inter-galactic war.
I found it exciting and hard to put down and think it would make a great movie.
Definitely worth five stars.
June 12, 2020
Good read
Always looked forward to picking this back up. Just enough science built upon a good story and a good wrap up.
Always looked forward to picking this back up. Just enough science built upon a good story and a good wrap up.
January 27, 2020
Zoo: by Phil Price
Over a hundred villagers in a sleepy rural English town are suddenly abducted by an alien force and taken to the planet Volkash where they are placed under a dome and become a human exhibit in a zoo.
There has been an intergalactic war and Volkash is in debt to the Lomags who have helped them. The zoo has been built in order to collect funds by enticing alien species from all over the cosmos to come and view the weird collection of life inside the domes.
Apart from the villagers´ story, the plot branches out to include other subplots which bring the book together. We learn of the villagers left behind on earth and how they try to deal with the abduction of their loved ones who are somewhere in space, 13,000,000,000 light years away.
We read of a developing love interest between Torben and Kyra, two members of the space ship which abducted the villagers. And then there is a trio of resistance members who are plotting revenge on the Lomogs for killing their leader.
I have to admit that although I´m intrigued by the thought of alien forces and abductions , I tend to avoid Sci-fi books as they seem to be all war focused and I lose interest. This book however, was much more than that. The relationships which grew between the main characters, both human and alien were well developed and the plot easily held my interest until the very end.
Will the villagers ever get home? Is Torben and Kyras´s love affair doomed from the very beginning? And will the resistance faction complete their evil plan? I recommend that you read this well written book and find out!
Over a hundred villagers in a sleepy rural English town are suddenly abducted by an alien force and taken to the planet Volkash where they are placed under a dome and become a human exhibit in a zoo.
There has been an intergalactic war and Volkash is in debt to the Lomags who have helped them. The zoo has been built in order to collect funds by enticing alien species from all over the cosmos to come and view the weird collection of life inside the domes.
Apart from the villagers´ story, the plot branches out to include other subplots which bring the book together. We learn of the villagers left behind on earth and how they try to deal with the abduction of their loved ones who are somewhere in space, 13,000,000,000 light years away.
We read of a developing love interest between Torben and Kyra, two members of the space ship which abducted the villagers. And then there is a trio of resistance members who are plotting revenge on the Lomogs for killing their leader.
I have to admit that although I´m intrigued by the thought of alien forces and abductions , I tend to avoid Sci-fi books as they seem to be all war focused and I lose interest. This book however, was much more than that. The relationships which grew between the main characters, both human and alien were well developed and the plot easily held my interest until the very end.
Will the villagers ever get home? Is Torben and Kyras´s love affair doomed from the very beginning? And will the resistance faction complete their evil plan? I recommend that you read this well written book and find out!
April 15, 2019
Another brilliant book from Mr Price. His ability to draw the reader into the story with fantastic characters left me switching sides, with my emotions torn. The content and sci-fi jargon were also pitched at just the right level without being too over the top. I loved the ending and it really got my imagination working (can’t spoil the plot). Would recommend and I especially love the local links, which is what hooked me in the beginning with ‘Unknown’, set in the Lickey Hills.
A lovely book.
A lovely book.
May 1, 2022
Interesting premise and characters. There are some flaws in the story, in my opinion. Also, there are more typos than I find acceptable, and the author likes to end character statements with question marks instead of periods.
November 14, 2024
2024 review: I DNFed this book in 2019, but somehow it got onto my Kindle again. I must have gotten a new copy of it, since in 2019 I dropped it since it had multiple typos/editing issues in each paragraph. The author must have gotten an editor and published a new version, since those were gone. Unfortunately the story was too uninteresting for me to stick with. But kudos on (eventually) getting an editor, author!
---
2019 review: So many authors of self-published books try to trick you into buying their books. They make up a fake publisher, they do everything they can to try to hide that they're self-publishing. The latest new trick they seem to be doing is listing an editor next to the author's name. They probably think that it will fool some people into buying the book, thinking it will be edited better.
This one listed an editor. This one was, like so many self-published books are, full of typos, grammar issues, spelling mistakes, etc.
If the author can't be bothered to edit the book, why should I bother to read it?
---
2019 review: So many authors of self-published books try to trick you into buying their books. They make up a fake publisher, they do everything they can to try to hide that they're self-publishing. The latest new trick they seem to be doing is listing an editor next to the author's name. They probably think that it will fool some people into buying the book, thinking it will be edited better.
This one listed an editor. This one was, like so many self-published books are, full of typos, grammar issues, spelling mistakes, etc.
If the author can't be bothered to edit the book, why should I bother to read it?
September 18, 2019
I requested a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was happy I was able to borrow the Kindle copy as well (text included in KindleUnlimited) but I didn't refer to it much. The narrator had a very strong accent (matching the UK setting) and I liked it a lot ... although sometimes the women's voices were a bit silly, as unfortunately is often the case when men voice women and vice versa. Some of the text was a bit silly itself, and I think the audio amplified that somewhat. If I had to hear Kyra sigh "Oh Torbey" one more time! And the statement "their loved ones" was repeated over and over (far away from their loved ones, back to their loved ones, missing their loved ones, wondering what their loved ones were thinking).
This did have a language/sex/violence heads up (on the audiobook request, I don't see it on the Amazon page, as I sometimes do). It definitely delivered on all three.
Now - for the story itself. It kept my interest, even though the premise of the "zoo" was actually quite minor (unlike a book I read a while back with that premise, The Cage which also had humans/teens taken by aliens to be showcased in a outer-space zoo). That concept really brings up some food for thought (book club type material) on the justifications for animal zoos here on Earth (we are treating them well, re-creating their environment, oh-they had families?, we might actually be saving them because left in their natural environment they might end up killing each other). Another point to ponder nearer the end ... as alien existence becomes know, it affects religion, negating it (God couldn't have created ALL that out there) which again could create a lot of discussion and thought.
I'm not sure if our alien characters were really described (I'll admit, listening while multi-tasking it is possible I get distracted and miss something here and there. I know the pilot Rex was "humanoid, but I pictured him like Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy). Most of the aliens seemed very much like humans. They talked and acted too familiarly (it wasn't so much they could speak English, but in phrases and thoughts and calling the females "women" and grabbing a beer. I just would have expected things to differentiate them more. I guess I don't think humans, being so similar, would even be an attraction in their zoo. It was interesting to hear about some of the other creatures they collected.
The story skips around, following the main alien Torben, then featuring a few of the villagers, then it would hop back to Earth and talk about how those left behind were handling things. Then there were a lot of general scenes not featuring one of the lead characters, but giving back story and alternate action. We see the POV of some minor characters all the way through to their deaths!
This did have a language/sex/violence heads up (on the audiobook request, I don't see it on the Amazon page, as I sometimes do). It definitely delivered on all three.
Now - for the story itself. It kept my interest, even though the premise of the "zoo" was actually quite minor (unlike a book I read a while back with that premise, The Cage which also had humans/teens taken by aliens to be showcased in a outer-space zoo). That concept really brings up some food for thought (book club type material) on the justifications for animal zoos here on Earth (we are treating them well, re-creating their environment, oh-they had families?, we might actually be saving them because left in their natural environment they might end up killing each other). Another point to ponder nearer the end ... as alien existence becomes know, it affects religion, negating it (God couldn't have created ALL that out there) which again could create a lot of discussion and thought.
I'm not sure if our alien characters were really described (I'll admit, listening while multi-tasking it is possible I get distracted and miss something here and there. I know the pilot Rex was "humanoid, but I pictured him like Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy). Most of the aliens seemed very much like humans. They talked and acted too familiarly (it wasn't so much they could speak English, but in phrases and thoughts and calling the females "women" and grabbing a beer. I just would have expected things to differentiate them more. I guess I don't think humans, being so similar, would even be an attraction in their zoo. It was interesting to hear about some of the other creatures they collected.
The story skips around, following the main alien Torben, then featuring a few of the villagers, then it would hop back to Earth and talk about how those left behind were handling things. Then there were a lot of general scenes not featuring one of the lead characters, but giving back story and alternate action. We see the POV of some minor characters all the way through to their deaths!
February 7, 2020
Excellent escapist Sci - fi entertainment.
Although Sci-fi isn't my usual choice of reading, I saw the cover, read the description, and thought I'd give this book a try. I'm glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoyed it. A group of people are enjoying a village fair when a bright light appears in the sky and in the blink of an eye, the villagers are gone as if they were never there.
They soon realise that they've been abducted by aliens! Despite fearing they will be subjected to experiments and physical abuse, it is soon explained to them that they are being transported to another world where a recreation of their home village awaits them and where they will live out their lives as exhibits in a sort of inter-galactic zoo, there to be observed at leisure by beings from many unknown worlds totally unheard of by the people of earth.
What happens next details the villagers attempts to convince the aliens to return them to their home planet and their families.
As their struggle continues, intergalactic war threatens their captors, and the plight of the earthlings becomes insignificant to their captors.
What follows is a whirlwind tale of alien love and inter-planetary warfare, with some surprising twists and turns as the possibility of returning to earth, seen at first as impossible, becomes a faint possibility. No spoilers from me. All I will say is that this book held my attention from start to finish, a real page turner and I have no hesitation in recommending it to readers of all ages.
Although Sci-fi isn't my usual choice of reading, I saw the cover, read the description, and thought I'd give this book a try. I'm glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoyed it. A group of people are enjoying a village fair when a bright light appears in the sky and in the blink of an eye, the villagers are gone as if they were never there.
They soon realise that they've been abducted by aliens! Despite fearing they will be subjected to experiments and physical abuse, it is soon explained to them that they are being transported to another world where a recreation of their home village awaits them and where they will live out their lives as exhibits in a sort of inter-galactic zoo, there to be observed at leisure by beings from many unknown worlds totally unheard of by the people of earth.
What happens next details the villagers attempts to convince the aliens to return them to their home planet and their families.
As their struggle continues, intergalactic war threatens their captors, and the plight of the earthlings becomes insignificant to their captors.
What follows is a whirlwind tale of alien love and inter-planetary warfare, with some surprising twists and turns as the possibility of returning to earth, seen at first as impossible, becomes a faint possibility. No spoilers from me. All I will say is that this book held my attention from start to finish, a real page turner and I have no hesitation in recommending it to readers of all ages.
April 22, 2019
First, I want to congratulate the author for becoming a bestseller! I think he had scenes in his book that displayed energy and well-done description. I think he has promise.
I did see way too much profanity. Why the F-bombs? Mr. Price, you do not need to use vulgarity to get the point across. There is nothing new or creative about using curse words. So why do you feel the need to use them? Nothing is unique or enjoyable about reading a surplus of foul words that you can pick up at any dive bar.
Another problem I saw... this book is written for teens and young adults. With all the profanity and vulgarity, the adult content, I don't know about you, but I do not want my daughter reading this sort of reading material. Zoo contains far too much adult content to target children. This upset me more than anything. Author's need to be responsible. If you have adult content in your book, you should not target young people.
I also saw nothing original about the story. The dome, The Divergent, and The Hunger Games covered it already. Imagination means using your own ideas. Also, the book needs another edit. Way too many mistakes that should've been caught. Too much passive voice. Show the story rather than tell. The dialogue had no grit. The characters were flat, one dimensional, and the plot requires more work. His editor should've advised him on these things.
I did see way too much profanity. Why the F-bombs? Mr. Price, you do not need to use vulgarity to get the point across. There is nothing new or creative about using curse words. So why do you feel the need to use them? Nothing is unique or enjoyable about reading a surplus of foul words that you can pick up at any dive bar.
Another problem I saw... this book is written for teens and young adults. With all the profanity and vulgarity, the adult content, I don't know about you, but I do not want my daughter reading this sort of reading material. Zoo contains far too much adult content to target children. This upset me more than anything. Author's need to be responsible. If you have adult content in your book, you should not target young people.
I also saw nothing original about the story. The dome, The Divergent, and The Hunger Games covered it already. Imagination means using your own ideas. Also, the book needs another edit. Way too many mistakes that should've been caught. Too much passive voice. Show the story rather than tell. The dialogue had no grit. The characters were flat, one dimensional, and the plot requires more work. His editor should've advised him on these things.
February 22, 2020
So I feel the need to start with my parental morality rating - PG13-R. There's a lot of language (in just the first 10 mins. there was an f-bomb and several others thrown in for good measure), there's a bunch of sexual references and language. I honestly couldn't get into it because it was all too distracting. I love the movie Truman Show and was honestly quite excited about seeing it revamped into an alien sci-fi... Just wished the author had kept it cleaner. It is definitely an 18+ only read due to the writing style. The narrator is good, although some of the voices sound the same, he has a nice voice and is easy to listen to.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 19, 2019
Audiobook review
A wild ride with this 1!
Sci Fi meets a sleepy town, people are herded up by another race & the wild ride is on.
How would you react to this happening to you? I know how I would.
There are sad parts, fun parts, loving parts. The story has it all & it’s put together so well.
Phil Price has written a combination of aliens, humans & life. It made me think of things going on around us now.
Narrator was good. He did the voices & carried the story along nicely.
A wild ride with this 1!
Sci Fi meets a sleepy town, people are herded up by another race & the wild ride is on.
How would you react to this happening to you? I know how I would.
There are sad parts, fun parts, loving parts. The story has it all & it’s put together so well.
Phil Price has written a combination of aliens, humans & life. It made me think of things going on around us now.
Narrator was good. He did the voices & carried the story along nicely.
October 1, 2019
Despite some adult language, I'd have to call this a juvenile novel for the simplistic characterizations and silly romance subplots. I mean, alien woman on a spaceship brings boyfriend home to meet parents before committing to a relationship? Really?
February 26, 2020
An interesting premise however a bit let down in the presentation. I felt the romance overtook the sci-fi. The regular use of 'the man/woman' for named characters was frustrating and unnecessary. Okay overall but could definitely have done more with the main storyline.
May 15, 2020
I really liked this book.It had a few flaws that could have been explained more,but it was good.Hannibal Hills was the perfect narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
March 18, 2020
Not my usual cup of tea, but I really enjoyed the author's take on the mass abduction of a small village.
Loved the sci-fi elements of the book too.
Loved the sci-fi elements of the book too.
July 28, 2024
Waste of time
I have no idea how this book had any good reviews. It was all over the place, barely thought out. Terrible story. I'm not sure how I even made it to the end.
I have no idea how this book had any good reviews. It was all over the place, barely thought out. Terrible story. I'm not sure how I even made it to the end.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews