The first lap of a very long run

No wormholes, no teleportation devices or inventive technologies to manipulate the fabric of space time, and certainly no alien invasion to fend off, at least not yet. No, this is the vast bleak distance of space travel done the hard way. It is hard science constructed from credible technology a few short steps ahead of what is currently available.

The basic premise includes a nuanced reworking of Old Testament Genesis. It is a creation story without the attendant organised religion, and with a seemingly altruistic creator that remains absent yet omnipotent throughout.

Unquestionably, the truly colossal distances involved in space travel will be monotonous. It does not lend itself to the short span of human lifetimes or readers that require quick entertainment and conclusions. But the story cleverly distracts us by alluding to a developing mystery, leading us to believe that our patience will be rewarded if we stay the course.

The book is well written, and the narration is good. However, the foreboding menace that felt promised is never adequately rewarded in this first volume, and the reader must plan for the long haul. This is not necessarily a criticism, but I feel the author might have been a tad more generous with this first instalment to encourage me to follow.

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"Hal" if he was a good guy!

Different! interesting narration and captivating..amazing detail. centers around three characters but their journey logging years is enjoyable and intriguing.

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Great Storyline

Really well narrated - very slow burner that lights up so you need to stick with it - very wothwhile

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Excellent and totally unexpected!

When I read the description of this title I didn’t think much of it. But I gave it a go because I was up for something new and wow, I was completely blown away by this title.

It feels like Rendezvous with Rama in some respects and I love that. It’s totally original and it kept me gripped from beginning to end! I don’t want to say too much in case I spoil it but I recommend this to anyone with a love of hard-science fiction!

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interesting story with occasional howlers.

A proof read by someone scientifically literate would have helped.
Also did the text really say " conversation of momentum " instead of "conservation of momentum " or did the reader slip up ?
still I enjoyed the story.

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3 people found this helpful

Loved it!

I struggled at the start as I thought it was quite boring. It seemed very scientific (I know, sci-fi). However, along came Adam and Eve and it just got better. It became almost a fantasy style book with all the weird and wonderful scenery and creatures. On top of that the imagery made me want to draw the weird and wonderful things described. Can’t wait to listen to the next one!

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For the SiFi experts

If this is one of your first forays into SiFi, it's going to be too much. It was a struggle to say with the story only because (to me) it was just a step too far into the realm of unbelievable. I am sure for the SiFi buffs it's going to be another Brandon Q Morris hit. Narration was great and that's the only reason I stayed with the story. Good luck....enjoy.

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1 person found this helpful

worth a listen

Decent hard science fiction though it was never convincingly explained where any of the expendables came from (interstellar dust seems too improbable at one atom per cc). Written as a “diary” which worked well.

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A truly stunning and captivating read!

This will surely become a sci fi classic. So evocative was it that I felt at times liberated, at times claustrophobic. Totally believable, as a first novel in a series it could not have been better. I am invested equally in the future of a compassionate AI and his quasi human charges. Life is cheap. That doesn't mean you ever stop fighting for it. Good and evil intentions are balanced on a knife edge. At the moment, I am less worried about the future of the genetically enhanced Adam and Eve than of the cloned AIs both of whom seem destined to destroy eachother for the privilege of fulfilling their programming to support and care for the planet-seeding humans but also, paradoxically, to avoid loneliness. Engineered children and AIs; who will end up the more human, I wonder.

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I’m picky and I loved it

Ticked all the boxes for me. Clever thought experiment, good story line, great narrative voice and an excellent recorded reading. Hats off, thanks you guys x

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