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The Fold #1
The Initial Fold: A first contact space opera adventure
“This needs to be picked up by Netflix and made into a TV show. Absolutely brilliant” – Goodreads
"In the vein of great writers like Harry Harrison and Robert A Heinlein" - Amazon
"Nick Adams is a storyteller of rare ability" – Goodreads
"I read a lot of sci-fi and this is in the top percent" – Amazon
"Superb writing, editing and excellent storytelling" – Kobo
"The best sci-fi series I have read in a while" - Amazon
The Initial Fold Synopsis
What would you do if you materialised inside an alien starship?
It’s 2049, and NASA-sponsored physicist Edward Virr is on the cusp of man’s greatest breakthrough – the ability to fold space, and to travel faster than light.
He personally tests NASA’s futuristic prototype fold ship with a hand-picked crew.
But when their first mission takes an unexpected twist, Edward suspects that they may not have been the only ones developing the new technology.
Discovering there’s a lot more at stake than first contact, they soon realise that Earth’s survival depends on their ability to solve a crime of galactic proportions.
Join Edward Virr and his crew as they undertake their first space adventure, laughing and swearing their way into the depths of the Milky Way.
Discover The Fold Series
"In the vein of great writers like Harry Harrison and Robert A Heinlein" - Amazon
"Nick Adams is a storyteller of rare ability" – Goodreads
"I read a lot of sci-fi and this is in the top percent" – Amazon
"Superb writing, editing and excellent storytelling" – Kobo
"The best sci-fi series I have read in a while" - Amazon
The Initial Fold Synopsis
What would you do if you materialised inside an alien starship?
It’s 2049, and NASA-sponsored physicist Edward Virr is on the cusp of man’s greatest breakthrough – the ability to fold space, and to travel faster than light.
He personally tests NASA’s futuristic prototype fold ship with a hand-picked crew.
But when their first mission takes an unexpected twist, Edward suspects that they may not have been the only ones developing the new technology.
Discovering there’s a lot more at stake than first contact, they soon realise that Earth’s survival depends on their ability to solve a crime of galactic proportions.
Join Edward Virr and his crew as they undertake their first space adventure, laughing and swearing their way into the depths of the Milky Way.
Discover The Fold Series
434 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2019
481 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Nick Adams
11 books35 followersNick Adams grew up in a small village near Maidstone in Kent, England and right from an early age was a fervent NASA, space and Apollo fan. After watching the first moon landing in 1969 and the subsequent moon missions that followed, he discovered science fiction books and cut his teeth reading Asimov, E. E. Doc Smith and Alan Dean Foster. In more recent times, Andy Weir and Peter F Hamilton to name but two, have joined them on the bookshelves.
After serving in the British Army for several years, Nick became a publican, managing and later owning his own village pubs for a number of years before moving to Brisbane in Australia where he began writing his own space opera, and the Fold series was born.
In late 2018 he returned to the UK, where the next adventures in the series evolved, along with the ‘Bache Loftt’ spin-off series.
Nick writes the kind of stories he would like to read. The Fold Series is set a little in the future and based around upcoming NASA technology. The series features normal everyday people put into extraordinary circumstances, with realistic reactions, humour and language. After all, nobody would say ‘oops’ if a 14km-long alien starship de-cloaked next to them.
Head over to his website to sign up to the Reader Group, and Nick will personally keep you up to date with his bi-monthly newsletters about what novels he’s currently reading, cover reveals, book launch dates and general progress on his current project.
Lastly, don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy the books. It only needs to be a few words and it helps spread the word about these exciting space opera stories.
Find out more at www.nickadamsbooks.com
After serving in the British Army for several years, Nick became a publican, managing and later owning his own village pubs for a number of years before moving to Brisbane in Australia where he began writing his own space opera, and the Fold series was born.
In late 2018 he returned to the UK, where the next adventures in the series evolved, along with the ‘Bache Loftt’ spin-off series.
Nick writes the kind of stories he would like to read. The Fold Series is set a little in the future and based around upcoming NASA technology. The series features normal everyday people put into extraordinary circumstances, with realistic reactions, humour and language. After all, nobody would say ‘oops’ if a 14km-long alien starship de-cloaked next to them.
Head over to his website to sign up to the Reader Group, and Nick will personally keep you up to date with his bi-monthly newsletters about what novels he’s currently reading, cover reveals, book launch dates and general progress on his current project.
Lastly, don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy the books. It only needs to be a few words and it helps spread the word about these exciting space opera stories.
Find out more at www.nickadamsbooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 12, 2021
Lost in Space
There are some enjoyable parts in this installment but for the most part it’s a lot of questionable technology and magic. I can deal with the magic sci-fi tech but the virus which develops open sores and kills within hours was a stretch too far. Lots of deaths in this book and most with no good reason. Even though our protagonists survive, this installment left me sad and just lost at its end. And for that reason I will not be following the series further.
There are some enjoyable parts in this installment but for the most part it’s a lot of questionable technology and magic. I can deal with the magic sci-fi tech but the virus which develops open sores and kills within hours was a stretch too far. Lots of deaths in this book and most with no good reason. Even though our protagonists survive, this installment left me sad and just lost at its end. And for that reason I will not be following the series further.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
This is my style of Sci-fi, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good adult characters who you can get to like. All the usual high tech tropes of beam weapons, shields, star drives, etc, however, done in an interesting way. A good plot which was developed as you got through the book and lead you on wanting more. A distinctly British sense of humour which probably explains the levels of death and destruction not seeming too bad. At least the main characters show regret when forced to strong actions. As this is part of the inevitable series will be following up with the subsequent titles.
June 29, 2021
Great book. I am not a fan of Sci-Fi, usually, but I gave this book a chance and I am not disappointed. I will honestly state that I AM a fan of Edward Virr and his crew. The Gabriel is also amazing, I so want that ship! I don't want to say much for fear of giving spoilers, but the story itself: "became better and better as it progressed".
Started slow for my taste with time jumps and character POV switches that made me dizzy, but once the necessary information I needed as a reader was set, the rest just fell naturally and became a true joy to read.
From someone who reads fantasy fiction works like that of Trudi Canavan, Phillip Pullman and similar style stories/authors, this book was one well outside my normal element. Yet here I am, giving actual praise to a science fiction novel.
I have read a lot of books over the years and sci-fi isn't something I am new to trying. I have liked a couple, such as War of the Worlds and Battlefield Earth. The rest were given away just so I just didnt see them anymore on my bookshelves. The Initial Fold will be staying with my collection to 'read again' in the future!
Great work. Fully intend to get the other books. Getting started on The Aspirant first though. Only a little after 4:am so I guess now is a good a time to start as any. ^_^
Started slow for my taste with time jumps and character POV switches that made me dizzy, but once the necessary information I needed as a reader was set, the rest just fell naturally and became a true joy to read.
From someone who reads fantasy fiction works like that of Trudi Canavan, Phillip Pullman and similar style stories/authors, this book was one well outside my normal element. Yet here I am, giving actual praise to a science fiction novel.
I have read a lot of books over the years and sci-fi isn't something I am new to trying. I have liked a couple, such as War of the Worlds and Battlefield Earth. The rest were given away just so I just didnt see them anymore on my bookshelves. The Initial Fold will be staying with my collection to 'read again' in the future!
Great work. Fully intend to get the other books. Getting started on The Aspirant first though. Only a little after 4:am so I guess now is a good a time to start as any. ^_^
November 22, 2023
Mildly entertaining.
Like so many books these days, this had the depth of a tea saucer. It as billed as being humorous; I will let you draw your own conclusion on that claim. I see no need to continue this series.
Like so many books these days, this had the depth of a tea saucer. It as billed as being humorous; I will let you draw your own conclusion on that claim. I see no need to continue this series.
June 21, 2024
Thin plot, and little else.
No character development. The aliens are all more advanced than we are, yet behave with limited intelligence. The newly space travelling humans are somehow naturally adept at the alien tech, frequently outsmarting the aliens. The conversations are only spoken plot, with way too many childish jokes.
No character development. The aliens are all more advanced than we are, yet behave with limited intelligence. The newly space travelling humans are somehow naturally adept at the alien tech, frequently outsmarting the aliens. The conversations are only spoken plot, with way too many childish jokes.
August 7, 2020
Excellent read
Superb writing/editing and excellent storytelling lead to a grand adventure story with a whodunit type mystery to solve. All this combined to produce an easy to read book you will want to take in all at once! Well done, Mr. Adams. Well done, indeed.
Superb writing/editing and excellent storytelling lead to a grand adventure story with a whodunit type mystery to solve. All this combined to produce an easy to read book you will want to take in all at once! Well done, Mr. Adams. Well done, indeed.
May 6, 2022
Fun
I liked this book. It was an adventure! It was also nice to imagine the Queen's English instead of the American, a refreshing change in the sci-fi I normally read. Keep it up.
I liked this book. It was an adventure! It was also nice to imagine the Queen's English instead of the American, a refreshing change in the sci-fi I normally read. Keep it up.
January 17, 2025
What an amazing story. I could not put the puck down until I read the last part. Because I enjoyed the book so much, I purchased the prequel (Short Story) and the other 6 book in the series. Looking forward to start reading The Architect Fold (prequel).
Curios to Nick Adam’s; he’s a great storyteller!
Curios to Nick Adam’s; he’s a great storyteller!
December 8, 2022
Utterly unrealistic, but oh MY, it’s funny! Who cares about anything else?
It’s not hilarious, it’s just very cozy and funny. The characters are people you would genuinely like to hang out with. And the story is GOOD.
It’s not hilarious, it’s just very cozy and funny. The characters are people you would genuinely like to hang out with. And the story is GOOD.
November 26, 2023
Entertaining but comic-book-like pl0t. There ARE other civilizations in the galaxy. Some of them are not friendly and others are super friendly. Two groups on earth are trying to make a test spacecraft that 'folds' space for the effect of FTL travel without actually moving the vessel through space at a speed faster than light.
Yes, there actually is a real scientific basis that suggests that this may be possible: https://futurism.com/sci-fi-becomes-s...
The good guys get the girls, meet friendly aliens and generally save the day. The second group are mostly using ideas pirated from the good guys. They meet unfriendly aliens and very nearly get the population of Earth wiped out, until the good guys come to their rescue.
Yes, there actually is a real scientific basis that suggests that this may be possible: https://futurism.com/sci-fi-becomes-s...
The good guys get the girls, meet friendly aliens and generally save the day. The second group are mostly using ideas pirated from the good guys. They meet unfriendly aliens and very nearly get the population of Earth wiped out, until the good guys come to their rescue.
November 16, 2022
Fun Space Opera
Interesting characters and an almost believable story line. Good twists and turns of plot not soon realized by the reader. Easy and entertaining.
Interesting characters and an almost believable story line. Good twists and turns of plot not soon realized by the reader. Easy and entertaining.
December 8, 2024
A most excellent first contact space opera adventure!
I really enjoyed this book. All the characters were really interesting, AIs, aliens and humans. An exciting, action filled plot really held my attention. Really looking forward to a sequel, hopefully!
Read this book now, you WILL be glad you did! :)
I really enjoyed this book. All the characters were really interesting, AIs, aliens and humans. An exciting, action filled plot really held my attention. Really looking forward to a sequel, hopefully!
Read this book now, you WILL be glad you did! :)
July 9, 2019
Lent this with a free Kindle Unlimited trial.
Good beginning for the series, but not sure, wether I will read the next books, 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 - due to the language, which was unnecessarily juvenile-jokingly, even in serious situations and when it was dangerous due to possible miss-understandings (sarcasm not understood by some races etc.).
The main story with two first-contact scenarios happening, was fast moving and without the language this could easily have been a 4star book, but the sexual innuendos and the language seemed out of place, without it this could have been an easy fast rainy-weekend-YA-read, so while not really NA, it felt off for me. With real sex scenes this might have worked, but as it was written this was somehow feeling like a different story added to the book, and did not work for me.
The persons where ok written, but some got on my nerves, with their quirks and ticks.
For KU this was one of the better books, so I recommend it, it may also be that the next books in the series get better, but to state it again, I am not sure wether I will read them.
Good beginning for the series, but not sure, wether I will read the next books, 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 - due to the language, which was unnecessarily juvenile-jokingly, even in serious situations and when it was dangerous due to possible miss-understandings (sarcasm not understood by some races etc.).
The main story with two first-contact scenarios happening, was fast moving and without the language this could easily have been a 4star book, but the sexual innuendos and the language seemed out of place, without it this could have been an easy fast rainy-weekend-YA-read, so while not really NA, it felt off for me. With real sex scenes this might have worked, but as it was written this was somehow feeling like a different story added to the book, and did not work for me.
The persons where ok written, but some got on my nerves, with their quirks and ticks.
For KU this was one of the better books, so I recommend it, it may also be that the next books in the series get better, but to state it again, I am not sure wether I will read them.
July 6, 2021
A look into the future
Loved the concept and had fun with all the characters presented. The path you choose makes all the difference and affect the results. Loved how this was written and it really is believable. A must read.
Loved the concept and had fun with all the characters presented. The path you choose makes all the difference and affect the results. Loved how this was written and it really is believable. A must read.
October 5, 2023
This is basically a comic book. Not in any way believable. But fun.
What knocks it down to 3* is the first 30% of the book. The dialogue is, for the most part, the most boring interaction you can think of. Attempts at humour get a wry smile at best. The descriptions are flat. Later, there is more and better repartee. The story is well paced after that first 30%. Silly at times, but fun.
This book would have been vastly improved by starting on the space stations and filling in the back story with a couple short conversations. I assume the next in the series will be an improvement because it will jump right in where this one left off.
What knocks it down to 3* is the first 30% of the book. The dialogue is, for the most part, the most boring interaction you can think of. Attempts at humour get a wry smile at best. The descriptions are flat. Later, there is more and better repartee. The story is well paced after that first 30%. Silly at times, but fun.
This book would have been vastly improved by starting on the space stations and filling in the back story with a couple short conversations. I assume the next in the series will be an improvement because it will jump right in where this one left off.
June 3, 2024
so fun, non-sciencey, just enjoy the fiction
This is how pulp sci-fi should be, fun, simple, & without being bogged down in terminology or hard to pronounce character names.
You do need to just read & let the story flow over & through you rather than try to digest and fit the elements into reality. Just go with it, rather like a story from say Red Dwarf or Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Will definitely be adding the next in the series to read soon.
This is how pulp sci-fi should be, fun, simple, & without being bogged down in terminology or hard to pronounce character names.
You do need to just read & let the story flow over & through you rather than try to digest and fit the elements into reality. Just go with it, rather like a story from say Red Dwarf or Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Will definitely be adding the next in the series to read soon.
August 14, 2022
“The Initial Fold” is a very imaginative SciFi novel, which is the first in Nick Adams’ series of “Fold” tales. It is a wide-ranging, Earth-global, deep space novel that is highly-entertaining and a true page-turner with many twists and turns. Very Definitely Recommended. Four ENTERTAINING Stars. Apple Books. 494 pages.
August 8, 2023
Pretty good yarn
Fast paced and good characters along with fairly believable science for the most part. I am not sure that the first earthlings on the galactic stage will be as quick on the uptake as the heroes of this story but it is nice to think that they will be. I really like the intergalactic story line and will purchase the second book in the series.
Fast paced and good characters along with fairly believable science for the most part. I am not sure that the first earthlings on the galactic stage will be as quick on the uptake as the heroes of this story but it is nice to think that they will be. I really like the intergalactic story line and will purchase the second book in the series.
May 17, 2024
Very entertaining! Ready for the next one
This was really entertaining with likable characters and an exciting story. Good fun all around and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I have to admit the plot is a bit far fetched, but I was happy to suspend my skepticism and enjoy the ride.
This was really entertaining with likable characters and an exciting story. Good fun all around and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I have to admit the plot is a bit far fetched, but I was happy to suspend my skepticism and enjoy the ride.
June 30, 2019
Fun tale
The Initial Fold is a fun and easy summertime read. The storyline has been done a thousand times, with almost magical super science, and the plucky humans bumping along. Suspend belief and enjoy the story.
The Initial Fold is a fun and easy summertime read. The storyline has been done a thousand times, with almost magical super science, and the plucky humans bumping along. Suspend belief and enjoy the story.
May 8, 2022
What a kicker!
The premise of the story was initially intriguing anyway but then when we got into the story and it started to evolve into something really frighteningly possible and unimaginable at the same time it was a treat to read it to the end
The premise of the story was initially intriguing anyway but then when we got into the story and it started to evolve into something really frighteningly possible and unimaginable at the same time it was a treat to read it to the end
June 2, 2022
A great adventure!
Enjoyed this from start to finish. A little bit of space opera, some adventure, and a few good laughs as well. Only down side? Another damn series that I have been sucked into. Oh well...my own fault for being a biblioholic.
Enjoyed this from start to finish. A little bit of space opera, some adventure, and a few good laughs as well. Only down side? Another damn series that I have been sucked into. Oh well...my own fault for being a biblioholic.
January 30, 2023
light and enjoyable
Life is short so start with dessert. The initial fold is unpretentious and thoroughly enjoyable. If you need a bit of fun and enjoy a good space opera on your pub crawl, the initial fold is just the ticket.
Life is short so start with dessert. The initial fold is unpretentious and thoroughly enjoyable. If you need a bit of fun and enjoy a good space opera on your pub crawl, the initial fold is just the ticket.
August 27, 2019
Great start to the series.
Excellent book, can't wait for the next one in the series. Highly recommend that you read it. Hopefully it will be released early.
Excellent book, can't wait for the next one in the series. Highly recommend that you read it. Hopefully it will be released early.
December 22, 2020
Smashing great surprise!
I chose the highest rating because this story was written well for any aged reader. Good job! Can't wait for more!
I chose the highest rating because this story was written well for any aged reader. Good job! Can't wait for more!
January 6, 2022
Great story!
Well worth the time and cost. Uplifting, funny as he'll and good story line. Highly recommend giving it a try
Well worth the time and cost. Uplifting, funny as he'll and good story line. Highly recommend giving it a try
April 18, 2022
What a ride
I hadn't read any sci-fi in awhile. This adventure has helped return m e to the genre. Got to care about all of this crew...especially sassy Linda
I hadn't read any sci-fi in awhile. This adventure has helped return m e to the genre. Got to care about all of this crew...especially sassy Linda
May 10, 2022
Enjoyable and Fast
I found this book enjoyable and a real rollercoaster ride. I'm not telling you anything more because you must read this one. It's well written and fun to read.
I found this book enjoyable and a real rollercoaster ride. I'm not telling you anything more because you must read this one. It's well written and fun to read.
June 3, 2022
An enjoyable space opera, good character development, good story!
March 8, 2024
Very weak writing. How did it get good reviews?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews