Sci-fi for beginnerd

As my feelings about this book are identical to those of the first I have simply copy and pasted that review for this book and will do so far the third book and fourth book of the series.

I don't want to say too much right now as I'm writing this at a time when I'm half way through listening to the fifth book, and that alone should tell you something.

I usually only listen to educational books but fancied something a little less mentally taxing, and so went to browse the sci-fi section for a stand alone story. I found 'Not Alone' but wasn't immediately persuaded so added it to a list to enable easy location later, and continued searching. Obviously that search returned little else of interest so I started listening.

First impressions were not great. I felt the narration was dreary, and the story didn't seem to be going in the direction I expected or desired.

I increased the speed slightly to 1.20 which was much more pleasant, and the more I got used to his voice the less I could imagine anybody else reading it. Now half way through book five I feel it just wouldn't work with a different voice.

The story it's self whilst not what I expected, got more and more interesting to the point where despite seeking a stand alone story, I was thrilled to learn of additional books.

There are a few unnecessary additions to the story which lead nowhere and could easily be removed but not enough to lower my rating. Also worth mentioning is how easy things are for the characters. Many times circumstances just happen to be right which is quite obviously unrealistic, as is the statuses the main characters find themselves as, and their methods of achieving those statuses. Like I said though, this is sci-fi for beginners.

As for the characters themselves, I believe they are the reason I still listen. Witnessing how they develop themselves as well as how the relationships with each other develop is nice, although again it seems to happen very easily and exactly how the reader would want, with very little tension. The narrator gives each character - well...each of the main characters, the perfect voice, and the story details them to such an extent that I'm sure I'd recognise them in the street.

This series is perfect if you:

Are looking for your first sci-fi series.
Enjoy rolling your eyes at the obvious.
Are more interested in characters than story but still like a good story.

This series is not for you if you:

Are looking for a single book.
Consider yourself any further along than 'introductory' in your exploration of the genre.
You enjoy 'it could happen'.

The following three books in this series would receive near identical reviews from me as my feelings match my words. Currently my thoughts differ for the fifth book so I will likely write a different review, but of course I will complete the book prior to sharing my final thoughts.

1 person found this helpful

too much recapping and very slow

feels like there is alot of padding out of this story... I'm in two minds whether to waste anymore time and money on this series which is a shame because I've already vested alot of time and money so far

1 person found this helpful

The last 3 books should be one

Unfortunately, once I start a book, I finish a book. If I enjoy book one of a series i.e. get emotionally involved with characters, I am compelled to finish the series. So I listened to the bitter end, despite the clunky writing, the constant recapping (that would ensure a goldfish could remember the plot from start to finish) and the lack of flesh on characters. People’s motivations appear to change for poor reasons, so characters go against type. Some main characters are sidelined (in a variety of ways) to make room for others and this is irksome.

Apart from the (often times badly worded and way too extensive) recaps - sometimes reminding you of something you read earlier in the chapter - there is way too much telling. Explaining why a character does a relatively unimportant (therefore relevance?) thing, rather than relying on it being obvious or letting the character explain, makes it a tedious listen. Some things are also better left to the imagination than over explained.

The ideas are great, the plot could have been expanded in any number of ways, but as it was, the plot line could be condensed into a more entertaining and less wordy book 4, rather than the flabby and infuriating books 4-6.

1 person found this helpful

Best so far in the series!

This book is by far the best of the series, you won't be disappointed! I think because it is a bit shorter than the others, the story was better.

1 person found this helpful

getting samey

more twists on earth and elsewhere, need to see where its going. Will come back to it after other reads

Mind blowing

Totally loved it. So many twists and turns kept me hooked to the story big time.
Roll on book 5😁

Not the best in the series

I think that as soon as you put a baby in the story, it changes it. And it happened here.

That, plus a lot of choices which were much less reasonable than in the previous books.

I'll continue the series anyway though. Have to know..!

So thought provoking

Absolutely love the Not Alone Series. it could be real life. Narrater puts everything into the story and plays the characters well. a series with reading. getting book 5 now. cannot wait to get listening.

Slow to start but worth sticking with it

Took some time for me to get hooked. Stick with a slow start and you’ll be rewarded with incredible some incredible revelations.

Amazing as always 🙌

a brilliant run of books just gets better with ever chapter , archeology, aliens and special powers .
Riveting,,,