Price: $16.99 (as of Jul 21, 2024 07:24:36 UTC – Details)
By: Paul Dixon (Author)
An epic First Contact story on a galactic…
Reviews
Eliot Prescott –
Top Flight Sci Fi
Excellent novel. The central mystery is compelling. The characters are complex enough to be both believable and unpredictable. The descriptions of Ragnarok make you feel the cold and desolation. The writing is professional, allowing the reader to become immersed in the story. The science is speculative but solid.There are a few loose threads (e.g., what happened with the Carpathia’s real captain), rushed passages (e.g., the speed with which the field contractors figured out what had happened), and editing errors/typos (only three that I found), but none are serious enough to detract from the story.The story came to an ending but not a resolution. Three key characters are left in a sort of “now what?” stage, while three others are left standing at the edge of (or hanging onto) a cliff with potentially civilization-changing implications. In other words, this novel seems to end with the clear intention of a sequel, although none is mentioned, and we could be waiting a while given that the author has a day job.In short, this novel is well worth your time and money as a reader. Long-time sci-fi fans will appreciate the quality of the work (sorely lacking in much of the genre these days). I seriously hope that enough people buy the novel to encourage the author to produce the sequel. I’m ready to pre order #2!
Alex LaVilla –
Great read.
Great read. Interesting plot, philosophical conundrums and good characters. Well written.Highly recommended.At last a book with a satisfying ending.
Kindle Customer –
It’s been a little while…
since I looked forward to getting back to a story. This is, obviously, a “mysterious artifact” story, which I happen to like : ) Characters are well drawn and unique without being overworked – seemingly just by being who they are. The story unfolded smoothly and never dipped in interest for me. I think the author did a really nice job of creating drama while keeping a light hand on the reigns : ) I look forward to reading more of their work!
R. Harvey –
Enjoyable, harkens back to David Brin at his best
Glad to have discovered this book, and pleasantly surprised. The story, overall character and world development, were all very good. There is much more to be said however, and based on the ending, I’m assuming a sequel will come, which I will buy.The good: the book has an interesting premise, and the characters are interesting and were fleshed out enough that I started to care a bit about the outcome on their behalf. Without giving anything away, the “conditioning” of those working for the spacefaring corporations is terrifying, but not unbelievable that people would subject themselves to that for a payday. Nothing fell apart in the end, but I really was hoping for more resolution at the end. I await the sequel.Less good: Like almost every piece of modern science fiction, the story must include an LGBT character, almost always the smartest and most mentally stable of the characters, and this book is no exception. But this is almost a rite of passage now in the community. Nevertheless, I wasn’t smacked in the face with it, or the escapades of the two straight Generalist’s and their romance. I don’t particularly care to hear about a character’s sexuality unless it is essential to the plot, so this was just enough to flesh them out, (no pun intended) and no more.Some of the technology, particularly the pharmaceuticals and the propellant for the ships is also a bit far-fetched, but I didn’t have to stretch to see some plausibility, and the use of what are in the future commodity 3D printing is intriguing, and I look forward to learning more about where Mr. Dixon sees that going.
Oleg Alexandrov –
Disappointing
This is a book that started well, with a believable interesting world and many characters. Then it became more convoluted and implausible and it went on, then ended abruptly mid-story, with no resolution or explanation of any kind.
Josh and Amy –
slow, but good
This was a very low key story that was more about the process than the finding of an artifact. Really focusing more on the complexities of the people along the way and the strange cultural dynamics that result from future tech. I enjoy Authors such as Octavia Butler, N. K. Jemisin, Asimov, and Philip K. Dick and I really enjoyed this. It was almost relaxing to read. Interesting but not gripping, just an interesting and pleasant book. I liked that the ending was semi-open ended. If you like science fiction I’d say go for it.
DENNIS –
A story full of action and intrigue full of excellent characters who you want to succeed in solving the mystery of the artifact.The conclusions may surprise you and leave you with a mystery only partially solved.Great read.
Kindle Customer –
I found this book fascinating. I would highly recommend it to space junkies like me, and also to someone who has never read in this genre before. Good profile of the characters fully expanded. Simply a great story written by a great author.
Chris –
Really surprised finding this. No quotes or recommendations from other authors, seems like maybe it was self published and it did not disappoint!Well developed characters, interesting questions about who we are as a species and where we will end up, driven by a tight plot that keeps you guessing.Highly recommended.
Astare –
Overall I enjoyed this book which was entertaining and somewhat different to other first contact novels. It has many twists and turns. However, I thought the ending could have been better, somewhat like 2001 A Space Odyssey.
Stella –
Big glistening round objects on a cover signals first contact sci-fi, a favorite genre of mine, so I downloaded Carpathians by Paul Dixon. And I was not disappointed.In the far-future, corporate overlords send a haphazard group of adventurers (the captain, the scientist, the mystic, the traitor, and the specially-enabled youngster) into deep space, to investigate a presumed alien artifact. Absolutely terrific and well presented classic sci-fi with terrific characters, lots of science, excellent world-building, and a touch of archeology/deep time exploring the big question: can intelligent life avoid self-destruction.”I withheld a star because the story dragged a bit in the middle, but I’ll add a plug for indie authors… To my admittedly not very good eye, Carpathians lacked typos or other errors, in stark contrast to the other novel I read this month (the latest by a very famous traditionally published sci-fi author which cost twice the price and read like a second draft). If you know any sci-fi fans still dismissing indie authors, steer them toward Carpathians.
Eliot Prescott –
Top Flight Sci Fi
Excellent novel. The central mystery is compelling. The characters are complex enough to be both believable and unpredictable. The descriptions of Ragnarok make you feel the cold and desolation. The writing is professional, allowing the reader to become immersed in the story. The science is speculative but solid.There are a few loose threads (e.g., what happened with the Carpathia’s real captain), rushed passages (e.g., the speed with which the field contractors figured out what had happened), and editing errors/typos (only three that I found), but none are serious enough to detract from the story.The story came to an ending but not a resolution. Three key characters are left in a sort of “now what?” stage, while three others are left standing at the edge of (or hanging onto) a cliff with potentially civilization-changing implications. In other words, this novel seems to end with the clear intention of a sequel, although none is mentioned, and we could be waiting a while given that the author has a day job.In short, this novel is well worth your time and money as a reader. Long-time sci-fi fans will appreciate the quality of the work (sorely lacking in much of the genre these days). I seriously hope that enough people buy the novel to encourage the author to produce the sequel. I’m ready to pre order #2!
Alex LaVilla –
Great read.
Great read. Interesting plot, philosophical conundrums and good characters. Well written.Highly recommended.At last a book with a satisfying ending.
Kindle Customer –
It’s been a little while…
since I looked forward to getting back to a story. This is, obviously, a “mysterious artifact” story, which I happen to like : ) Characters are well drawn and unique without being overworked – seemingly just by being who they are. The story unfolded smoothly and never dipped in interest for me. I think the author did a really nice job of creating drama while keeping a light hand on the reigns : ) I look forward to reading more of their work!
R. Harvey –
Enjoyable, harkens back to David Brin at his best
Glad to have discovered this book, and pleasantly surprised. The story, overall character and world development, were all very good. There is much more to be said however, and based on the ending, I’m assuming a sequel will come, which I will buy.The good: the book has an interesting premise, and the characters are interesting and were fleshed out enough that I started to care a bit about the outcome on their behalf. Without giving anything away, the “conditioning” of those working for the spacefaring corporations is terrifying, but not unbelievable that people would subject themselves to that for a payday. Nothing fell apart in the end, but I really was hoping for more resolution at the end. I await the sequel.Less good: Like almost every piece of modern science fiction, the story must include an LGBT character, almost always the smartest and most mentally stable of the characters, and this book is no exception. But this is almost a rite of passage now in the community. Nevertheless, I wasn’t smacked in the face with it, or the escapades of the two straight Generalist’s and their romance. I don’t particularly care to hear about a character’s sexuality unless it is essential to the plot, so this was just enough to flesh them out, (no pun intended) and no more.Some of the technology, particularly the pharmaceuticals and the propellant for the ships is also a bit far-fetched, but I didn’t have to stretch to see some plausibility, and the use of what are in the future commodity 3D printing is intriguing, and I look forward to learning more about where Mr. Dixon sees that going.
Oleg Alexandrov –
Disappointing
This is a book that started well, with a believable interesting world and many characters. Then it became more convoluted and implausible and it went on, then ended abruptly mid-story, with no resolution or explanation of any kind.
Josh and Amy –
slow, but good
This was a very low key story that was more about the process than the finding of an artifact. Really focusing more on the complexities of the people along the way and the strange cultural dynamics that result from future tech. I enjoy Authors such as Octavia Butler, N. K. Jemisin, Asimov, and Philip K. Dick and I really enjoyed this. It was almost relaxing to read. Interesting but not gripping, just an interesting and pleasant book. I liked that the ending was semi-open ended. If you like science fiction I’d say go for it.
DENNIS –
A story full of action and intrigue full of excellent characters who you want to succeed in solving the mystery of the artifact.The conclusions may surprise you and leave you with a mystery only partially solved.Great read.
Kindle Customer –
I found this book fascinating. I would highly recommend it to space junkies like me, and also to someone who has never read in this genre before. Good profile of the characters fully expanded. Simply a great story written by a great author.
Chris –
Really surprised finding this. No quotes or recommendations from other authors, seems like maybe it was self published and it did not disappoint!Well developed characters, interesting questions about who we are as a species and where we will end up, driven by a tight plot that keeps you guessing.Highly recommended.
Astare –
Overall I enjoyed this book which was entertaining and somewhat different to other first contact novels. It has many twists and turns. However, I thought the ending could have been better, somewhat like 2001 A Space Odyssey.
Stella –
Big glistening round objects on a cover signals first contact sci-fi, a favorite genre of mine, so I downloaded Carpathians by Paul Dixon. And I was not disappointed.In the far-future, corporate overlords send a haphazard group of adventurers (the captain, the scientist, the mystic, the traitor, and the specially-enabled youngster) into deep space, to investigate a presumed alien artifact. Absolutely terrific and well presented classic sci-fi with terrific characters, lots of science, excellent world-building, and a touch of archeology/deep time exploring the big question: can intelligent life avoid self-destruction.”I withheld a star because the story dragged a bit in the middle, but I’ll add a plug for indie authors… To my admittedly not very good eye, Carpathians lacked typos or other errors, in stark contrast to the other novel I read this month (the latest by a very famous traditionally published sci-fi author which cost twice the price and read like a second draft). If you know any sci-fi fans still dismissing indie authors, steer them toward Carpathians.