Customers say
Customers find the book’s storyline engaging with plenty of twists, and they appreciate the well-developed characters, with one review noting how women take on heroic roles. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback for its creative prose and natural intellect, while the world-building and fascinating science make it thought-provoking. However, the book’s pace receives mixed reactions, with some finding it good while others note it slows down in the middle. Additionally, customers disagree on the level of scientific content, with some finding it lacking.
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A quick rundown of this product’s key features:
An epic first-contact story on a galactic scale.
Humans have reached the stars. There is no evidence any other species survived its own sentience long enough to do the same. Until now, when the Magellanix deep-space scout Accipiter discovers the Artifact, a million-year-old alien construct resting in a dormant volcano on a faraway world.
Now, TransGalactic has sent the Carpathia to steal it. Two ships, two rival corporations, and a race only one of them can win.
The stakes are greater than they seem. The Artifact is more than just a technological marvel. It holds the key to humanity’s survival, and—perhaps—an understanding of our place in the universe at last.
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: Nancy Slayter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Entertaining book – I do highly recommend.
Review: First book I read by this author – was very pleased. Unlike so many of the new crop of science fiction writers trying to write a military scenario without a clue on how the military actually operates. Add in each seems to feel the burning need to have the Maverick officer that challenges the command at every oppportunity and yet is generally as dumb as a box and so indecisive and lacking in personal courage that their crews suffer. None of those issues are found with this author – decent story line, believable characters, plot has interesting twists and turns, a SF writer that still understands that travel in space is not instantenous but requires time measured in months if not years. Interesting this author does not feel compelled to introduce some kind of miracles in the last second that saves the good guy. Entertaining book.
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: terrifying corporate ruthlessness, race to first contact, deep truths about being human
Review: Fantastic diversity of characters’ identities and experiences. Interesting thought experiments on how far corporate exploitation and competition might go. Loved the touches of intense humanity I could relate to, especially on Planet Paradise. The references to ancient earth and the survival of explorer lore were lovely tidbits.Storylines were a little uneven, would love more focus on authentic human inner lives and more characters such as Nya vs the bizarre and cold inner worlds of the corporate operatives, e.g. would be interesting to hear Ian’s musings on fealty to TransGalantic or any of the big three in terms of the purpose and meaning of his life. Some flat characters such as Callie.That said, Paul Dixon is hella talented, creating a fascinating future universe and exploring deep questions about being human. I really look forward to reading what’s next in this series. (If you’re reading this Paul – thank you for the book. Also – side stories or books about corporate rebels or luddites would be fascinating. Humanity didn’t just universally accept corporate domination, right?!)
Reviewer: A. Rutter
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A surprisingly good story.
Review: This was my first exposure to Mr. Dixon’s writing. Early on, I did not think I’d really enjoy the series. By the time it finished, the story was amazingly good. Some of it was a bit wordy, but it did a really good job of telling a story.Carpathians is not an in-your-face action adventure. It does have all the usual elements: good folks, bad folks, and those undecided; villains as well as hero’s; and, of course, lovers (nothing graphic). I don’t think I really came to appreciate the series until the last 2 chapters. The ending was rather impressive, tying up all the various elements pretty nicely.In short, I rather did enjoy it. Might even try another by Mr. Dixon.
Reviewer: Kat
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Very good, borderline exceptional First Contact novel
Review: I read a lot. It’s my principal mechanism for relaxation from a career that can be pretty intense. I’ve been a science fiction fan since I first read Heinlein’s Red Planet in second grade back in the 1960s. I don’t have the budget to buy two or three $16 Kindle novels from known authors a week, so I read a lot of self-published authors whose books are free on Kindle.This might be the best self-published book I’ve ever read. It’s really that good. Let me share why I like it so much.First, the characters are differentiated, relatable, and sympathetic. This factor alone sets this book above even many novels from known authors published by legacy publishers. The main characters in particular are distinct, and their internal dialogue is natural and unforced.Second, the world-building is interesting and relevant to current events. In the far future, corporations have replaced nation-states as the seats of power. They are organized, amoral, and devoted to maximizing shareholder value. With the US government in the process of being dismantled by the world’s richest man, thinking companies could exercise this degree of control is both credible and cautionary. The author’s concept of “holocaust worlds” provides a new perspective on the Fermi paradox.Third, the plot is at the same time clear and complex. The main two rival corporations use different techniques to maintain control. When one of the main protagonists makes a world-changing discovery, its unexpected nature disables his conditioning. As a free agent for the first time since childhood, he makes a series of self-interested decisions seeking his own advantage by the only criteria he’s ever known, that of selfish advancement.Fourth, the writing is clear, has an internal rhythm, and is borderline elegant. That’s enough without spoilers.A few quibbles. The book could have used a more thorough editing. There are five or ten clumsy sentences, usually when subject or object are repeated in the same sentence. We’re not talking Craig Alanson clumsy, with nonstop run-on sentences and random shifts between first and third person in the same passage, but some simple errors that would have been eliminated by a more careful copy editor.Read the book. I’m eager for the author’s sequel, which is clearly implied by the ending.A very significant accomplishment by a self-published author.
Reviewer: C K Venkatraman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Review: I loved the straightforward way of writing, fast movement of the novel and a great plot. Read it in three sittings.
Reviewer: Kindle-klant
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
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Review: Kan mij niet boeien.
Reviewer: Tim Castle.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A most interesting and enjoyable read. Difficult to put down. A must for sci fi enthusiasts. New ideas to be explored.
Reviewer: Deane Zeeman
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: So imaginative! Really sympathetic characters! And riveting story with lots of linkages to our present geo-political challenges. I want sequels!
Reviewer: jumping jack flash
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Review: Was für eine Reise. Philosophie und science fiction in einer Geschichte zu einer spannenden Reise verwoben. Es tut mir beinahe Leid, dass diese Reise ein Ende gefunden hat.
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