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Not From Earth #1
Not From Earth
The fate of Earth hangs in the balance in Book One of Not From Earth. When James Ripley discovers he is not human, but a hybrid of two different species, he is determined to save his beloved home planet from destruction. Along his epic journey, James uncovers secrets of the universe, from the Moon Landing to Area 51, and wrestles with questions of AI, Quantum Physics, and Alien Percipience. With the alien's unwillingness to interfere, James' love for Earth sets off an intense struggle to keep his endangered planet alive. An unforgettable adventure of romance and suspense, Not From Earth will have readers hooked until the very last page.
If you enjoyed the gripping adventure of The Hunger Games, you'll also love Not From Earth. Don't miss out - buy now before the price changes!
If you enjoyed the gripping adventure of The Hunger Games, you'll also love Not From Earth. Don't miss out - buy now before the price changes!
180 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2022
About the author
Robert Adamson
6 books7 followersI began writing science fiction after a strange encounter in Kauai led me to suspect we live in a simulated reality.
I've been writing software since the golden age. I knew the founders of Novell, Microsoft, Borland, Evans & Sutherland, Pansophic, Apple (a fun story), Oracle, Electronic Data Systems, Computer Associates, and others. Most of the legends are gone now, but what a trip. They would dream about a world connected by computers. Some of the legends became wealthy from luck or just good business sense, and some did not, but they were all dreamers. That is what they all had in common.
I'm married with six adventurous children. I love the island of Kauai, science fiction, and mountain biking.
I've been writing software since the golden age. I knew the founders of Novell, Microsoft, Borland, Evans & Sutherland, Pansophic, Apple (a fun story), Oracle, Electronic Data Systems, Computer Associates, and others. Most of the legends are gone now, but what a trip. They would dream about a world connected by computers. Some of the legends became wealthy from luck or just good business sense, and some did not, but they were all dreamers. That is what they all had in common.
I'm married with six adventurous children. I love the island of Kauai, science fiction, and mountain biking.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 27, 2024
"Not from Earth" by Robert Adamson is a fascinating and imaginative ride through a blend of science fiction and historical reflection. The story follows James Ripley, a human-alien hybrid, from his mysterious conception to his poignant mission to document or potentially alter Earth's impending doom.
The narrative hooks you from the beginning with its unique premise and intriguing character development. James, who excelled in computer science in the 1970s, is a curious and relatable protagonist who meets a mysterious woman who guides him through life's challenges. This setup adds layers of mystery and excitement.
The book takes you through a whirlwind of historical events, from the Moon Landing to Woodstock, weaving in fascinating science and speculative fiction elements. I particularly enjoyed the clever integration of historical references, adding realism to the otherwise fantastical plot. Exciting twists and a compelling love story pepper the tale, making it hard to put down.
However, some parts of the book could use a little more polish. The storytelling sometimes feels like reading a historical record rather than experiencing the events firsthand. This approach makes the plot feel detached. While the characters are interesting, they could have benefited from further development to enhance their depth and emotional impact.
Despite these minor hiccups, the book offers plenty of action, thoughtful science fiction concepts. Adamson's storytelling shines in its ability to balance complex ideas, like artificial intelligence and quantum physics. The vivid descriptions and imaginative scenarios are a highlight, painting a rich picture of a world on the brink of transformation.
For those who enjoy sci-fi with a twist of historical context and a good dash of existential pondering, "Not from Earth" is a delightful read. It's an entertaining blend of adventure, romance, and profound ideas that promises more exciting tales in the books to come. Prepare for a slow pace and some narrative quirks, and you'll find this book a rewarding escape into an otherworldly adventure.
The narrative hooks you from the beginning with its unique premise and intriguing character development. James, who excelled in computer science in the 1970s, is a curious and relatable protagonist who meets a mysterious woman who guides him through life's challenges. This setup adds layers of mystery and excitement.
The book takes you through a whirlwind of historical events, from the Moon Landing to Woodstock, weaving in fascinating science and speculative fiction elements. I particularly enjoyed the clever integration of historical references, adding realism to the otherwise fantastical plot. Exciting twists and a compelling love story pepper the tale, making it hard to put down.
However, some parts of the book could use a little more polish. The storytelling sometimes feels like reading a historical record rather than experiencing the events firsthand. This approach makes the plot feel detached. While the characters are interesting, they could have benefited from further development to enhance their depth and emotional impact.
Despite these minor hiccups, the book offers plenty of action, thoughtful science fiction concepts. Adamson's storytelling shines in its ability to balance complex ideas, like artificial intelligence and quantum physics. The vivid descriptions and imaginative scenarios are a highlight, painting a rich picture of a world on the brink of transformation.
For those who enjoy sci-fi with a twist of historical context and a good dash of existential pondering, "Not from Earth" is a delightful read. It's an entertaining blend of adventure, romance, and profound ideas that promises more exciting tales in the books to come. Prepare for a slow pace and some narrative quirks, and you'll find this book a rewarding escape into an otherworldly adventure.
June 16, 2024
A summary of an alien hybrid’s life to start the series
This story is told as the summation of James’ life, literally from the womb. We get glimpses of events, some random and irrelevant to the plot, as the years go by. I never quite saw how he was an observer providing any meaningful data to the aliens as he lived his life while they observed him and all humans. They tell him of earth’s impending demise and refuse to help because we are not a worthy species. (Can hardly argue that.)
It needs a bit more editing for mistakes and could have focused on showing some scenes more vividly while skipping over others. Impactful moments such as falling in love and the tragic death of a spouse are told in passing with little emotional toll. At other times, character reactions don’t seem to match the circumstance, like when James is told he’s half alien and basically says, ‘cool’, and goes about his day.
This story is told as the summation of James’ life, literally from the womb. We get glimpses of events, some random and irrelevant to the plot, as the years go by. I never quite saw how he was an observer providing any meaningful data to the aliens as he lived his life while they observed him and all humans. They tell him of earth’s impending demise and refuse to help because we are not a worthy species. (Can hardly argue that.)
It needs a bit more editing for mistakes and could have focused on showing some scenes more vividly while skipping over others. Impactful moments such as falling in love and the tragic death of a spouse are told in passing with little emotional toll. At other times, character reactions don’t seem to match the circumstance, like when James is told he’s half alien and basically says, ‘cool’, and goes about his day.
August 5, 2023
This book, about a hybrid alien whose mission is to save Earth from certain disaster, was well-written and very inventive. The protagonists are a team of explorers that uncover an alien civilization after coming upon a mysterious artifact. The alien worlds and cutting-edge technology are brought to life with vivid descriptions that pull readers into the action. The strong female protagonist and the other well-rounded characters were highlights for me. The plot arc involving artificial intelligence (AI) and the imminent singularity is interesting and clearly was created by someone with technical competence. Even though it wasn't a conventional love story, I found the conclusion to be quite satisfying. All science fiction lovers should read this!
November 25, 2022
AN EXCELLENT READ. I've read everything else by this author, and loved it, so when this book was published, I pounced on it! The story of a human-alien hybrid called James, this novella presents a hard-hitting argument for global change - everything from our outmoded systems of government and economics to a pressing need for the technology to intercept comets headed in out direction. The book also poses a fascinating question about the potential of A.I. to bring us to the point of singularity, and deal with rogue comets, before it's too late. I especially loved the scene in which the protagonist meets Isaac Asimov!
January 6, 2023
Great choice to begin a new year! I am five years younger than James and can remember many of the historical events he experiences while growing up. Very much hope for a continuation of this story. So many interesting issues introduced that merit further discussion.
November 11, 2023
A great book to read
This book is a sci-fi adventure with a compelling plot. The characters are interesting and well written. The author is very descriptive making it easy to picture the world. This story will leave you wanting more.
This book is a sci-fi adventure with a compelling plot. The characters are interesting and well written. The author is very descriptive making it easy to picture the world. This story will leave you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews