By: William Greenleaf
Publisher: Mundania Press
Publish Date: February 1, 2011
Format: Trade print 258pgs, 9" x 6"
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand alone (as far as I can tell)
Recommendation: Yes, an interesting and enjoyable take on an alien visit with science fiction setting in the real world that draws you into the story with the characters.
Synopsis:
When a brilliant point of light appears in the southern sky, Nathan Oakes is finishing his early-morning run in Central Park, Kathy Stratton is preparing to give a speech in San Francisco, Nikki Jamison is dreaming peacefully in her home near phoenix, and Oscar Villalobos is grappling with the guilt that fuels his nightmares. None are yet aware of how much that strange light in the sky will change their lives.
By the time it begins sending a digital signal, however, Kathy Stratton, science advisor to the president, knows that a turning point in the human story has been reached. Aliens have made contact.
Soon after they land on a rural stretch of road west of Phoenix, Nikki Jamison and Oscr Villalobos slip unnoticed into the tiny red spaceship and learn the hard way that Zeke and Simon aren't the friendly back-slappers they pretend to be. Trapped in a weird, impassibly vast labyrinth inside the ship, knowing their chances for survival are slim, Nikki and Oscar discover the truth about the aliens. They also learn about the complex network of interaction between sentient species throughout the universe, and the elegantly simple system of law that holds it all together - and they learn that a partnership with Zeke and Simon will not bring riches to the human race. Instead, it will bring extinction.
First Sentence:
Nathan Oakes jogged down the gentle slope and let himself slow to a stop in a grassy clearing surrounded by giant old trees.
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/ Returning from his run Nathan Oakes realizes it's not the rising sun brightening the sky over Manhattan, in the South and to early. Seeing a red pinpoint of light, which the whole city saw then started to move on in wonder. Kathy Stratton is woken in the wee hours of morning, called to Washington to investigate the red light from outer space. Her expertise in astronomy is needed. Then, when she goes to her window in San Francisco, she too can see the glowing effects of the red light. Nikki Jamison, a young girl intrigued by the light she sees in the sky decodes the message it relays when starts blinking. From her desert home, she does the one thing that feels child-like - uses a flash light to say they are welcome. To Nikki's surprise, the beings that visit her will change her world and bring her together with others she never thought possible.
Wow. Great Science Fiction read. Interesting meeting the 'Teddies.' Quick start on the first page. No time wasted meeting and getting to know the characters, we get to know them through the happenings as the light appears and the aliens appear. I appreciate the quick start, and getting to know the characters in this way. No wasted words.
The characters:
Nathan Oakes - a brilliant business man of Manhattan, who's called to Arizona by his sister in worry of what is happening in her front yard. And plays a big part in saving his niece...and the world.
Kathy - A doctor of astronomy. She's taken with the thought of beings from outer space and what they could introduce us to in the way of universe, technology, and so much more.
Nikki Jamison - a 15 year old smart girl with a science fiction love and knack.
Zeke and Simon - The aliens! Oh, Guardians? Hmm, you'll have to read to find out. ;) Human's had a nickname for them as they appear to look like... Teddies. lol.
Oscar - A man unhappy in his job and aimlessly wondering through life. He is attracted to the same thing Nikki is...the Deirrikon and what he felt looking into it's eyes. Needing to see and feel it again, to know if it was real.
We see many other characters, of course, that make this story interesting with different personalities and goals when aliens with promise come. But will anyone thing long enough on the bigger picture to see what's happening?
We follow along by day and time to see how fast things happen on earth, and with the different time zones until we end up in the same place. And the timeline is important to keep in mind as well. Every couple chapters there is a short interview with Lori Kelcher. A little girl who felt the Echtros come and what happened to her parents and home. She's also visited by Progo prior and tried to help. These are touching glimpses from her. And you learn how special she.
This doesn't read like high tech science fiction stories. This is a story with an alien present, and learning more are out in the universe. There is science talk, but not much beyond what one would have in school, which is in the early pages. The people in the story are not all scientists so have to explain, but is of the happenings with the people not the technology. Great for story readers. Anything mentioned in science or facilities, the location and function is given to keep us in the know. I would even suggest this for YA readers even though it's an Adult book. Well done!
This looks to be a stand alone book. However, there are a few strands left open that I'm curious if the author will take them to continue with this idea. The story is complete, but I think it would be interesting to read more.
*I read this book for an honest review from publisher.
