Adaptation: Book I

By: Pepper Pace

Narrated by: Steven Jay Cohen

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Carmella was still a teen when the Motherships first appeared dotting the skies over the Earth. For years the world tried to normalize while the silent Motherships hovered. And then they arrived, promising that they meant no harm. But within 10 years, 80% of the world's population would be wiped out.

Including everyone that Carmella loved.

The "blobs" took those that survived to another planet called Earth Two. But Carmella was an Earthling and she would kill the hated monsters that had destroyed her world before she would allow them to take her.

Carmella settled into a lonely existence on the now desolate earth - all alone except for her wolf. And then she sees it hiding, watching her - maybe to capture her and remove her from the only thing that she can still call her own - her world.

But Bilal is not like the other Centaurians. He is fully aware that he will never be like the humans that he's grown up with. Earth is the only home he knows and he feels that he is just as much an Earthling as any human. Shunned by his own kind, Bilal travels the Earth trying to capture an essence of the life that he could never be a part of and a world that would never accept him.

When he sees the black woman living all alone, his curiosity gets the best of him. He cannot stop himself from watching her and secretly growing more attached to the human. Bilal's quest to become human brings him to a decision that will forever change the course of human-kind. In an attempt to ease the woman's loneliness - or perhaps a need to recreate himself - Bilal impregnates the woman with his Alien DNA.

©2013, 2014, 2015 Pepper Pace (P)2017 Pepper Pace

that new love

It's a Wonderful story wonderful narrator I really fell in love and felt for the woman and the alien that loved her. I really need to be a book two.

I loved it!

Pepper Pace novels are awesome! Listening to one is great! Loved his voice with my story! 😍😗

Fun escape from reality

sometimes I want a book that is interesting, entertaining, yet doesn't require me to "overthink" it. This was just such a book. I enjoyed it. The narration was steady. Fine for the novel, but nothing exceptional.

Sci fi + romance= excellent

This story has everything I love. A strong black female protagonist, action, science fiction and romance. Listening to this novel feels like watching a movie and you'll lose yourself in the story and enjoy every minute. The narration by Steven Cohen added to the excitement.
Thank you Pepper Pace for another excellent read.

Love the Book

This book was amazing. It was engaging from page to page. Can't wait for the sequel.

A love story with a different twist

Any additional comments?

I was offered a copy of this book in audio format by the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

The Centaurians, called 'blobs' by the humans, arrived one day in their Mothership with no bad intentions, just sharing, learning and teaching. Their world was destroyed and they were seeking for a place to live. But ten years after their arrival, a deathly virus wiped out eighty percent of the human population. The remaining humans were taken by the Centaurians to a new planet, which they called Earth Two, where they could be surveyed by the Centaurians to try to avoid all the mistakes the humans are prone to.

Carmella is one of the humans that survived the virus, but refused to be taken to Earth Two, distrusting and hating the 'blobs', she reclaims her life on her planet, even if she has to make it alone.

The idea of this book was original, and the characters were quite developed. Even though this is considered a science-fiction book, the focus is on the characters, their evolution and their relationships. I enjoyed how natural and complex they felt. I had troubles liking Carmella though, she is bitter, stubborn and distrustful. On the other hand, Bilal is kind, even too much at the beginning of his relationship with Carmella. Nevertheless it is amazing how their relationship evolved, and I am glad I could witness it.

I missed more science-fiction in the book, and I found some of the details vague. When Bilal is talking to his friends in the first half of the book, it is not clear if they are in the Mothership or Earth Two. I guess it was Earth Two, since I don't think humans had a lot to do in the Mothership, but it seems he can go to Earth and back quite easily. Is Earth Two far? Do the Centaurians have FTL travel? Bilal's pod is mentioned, but Pace did not explain how they travel to Earth Two, since the Mothership has to stay hovering over Earth. I also found a bit far-fetched the explanation about why it had to stay there, and I found it hard to believe that the Centaurians did not come with another solution to the problem they were trying to solve like this since their science was almost magic (to my eyes).

I am not too keen on romance books, but the one in this book is not too overwhelming, since there is a bigger story at hand, so it felt fine. Be warned that there are several explicit sex scenes which may annoy some. I was okay with it, but in this case some did not add much to the story. And the word 'penis' appears many times in the book, so many that I couldn't help noticing it. I think I would have eliminated some of those mentions and include more variety in the sex scenes.

I really enjoyed Steve Jay Cohen's narration. It was the perfect for this book and he impersonated both Carmella and Bilal in an impressive way. Listening to him felt like listening to two different people with their motivations and problems. He was energetic when interpreting Carmella, transmitting how powerful her personality was, and very smooth when interpreting Bilal, a lost alien just wanting to win Carmella's heart.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to listen to a love story with a different twist. No need to be a sci-fi fan to be able to enjoy this one, since the science-fiction is quite loose.

Book three and a half stars, narration five.

The narrator had a very soothing voice. Well done

His voice quickly drew you into the story hope he does more for Ms. Pace

Best Syfi-fantasy I've read to date.

I loved thia story. Wounderful charter& fantastic story line. The Narrator did a great job. I also like that fact that this story was not ruined excessive sex scenes. I cant wait to read book 2.

Great book!

I could not stop listening to this book. The story is so gripping and so wonderfully narrated. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to start book 2.

Absolutely Amazing!

I will never understand why more books from Pepper Pace can't be found on audible. I LOVE her books, and this one did not disappoint. Very fun!