The Second Ship

The Rho Agenda, Book 1

By: Richard Phillips

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1948, an alien starship crash-landed in the New Mexico desert and brought with it the key to mankind’s future. Code-named the Rho Project, the landing was shrouded in secrecy, and only the highest-ranking US government and military personnel knew it existed. Until now.

The US president is preparing to unveil one of the nation’s greatest secrets when three students stumble across the wreckage of a second ship outside of Los Alamos. With a single touch, the alien technology the government has spent untold resources trying to unlock is uploaded into the minds of three teenagers — teenagers who now know the frightening truth about the Rho Project.The battle for humanity has begun.

©2012 Richard Phillips (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Outstanding story I could not put down

Would you listen to The Second Ship again? Why?

Yes, in fact I have already started. The story has some great science and theoretical sciences, so in re-listening to the book I look forward to getting more details than on the first pass. This book is like movies that keep you glued to the screen. The second time you watch, you learn new info making the story even better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Second Ship?

Although I won't give away the actual details (don't want to spoil anything), my favorite parts were the clever uses of alien technology. Not your typical sci-fi story.

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

It wasn't just one, but the three high school students. They are the main characters and I found myself eager for the story to return to them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is the first of three books so I had no previous knowledge to base such a sitting on. However, now that I've completed the book, I would love to re-listen to it in a single sitting. Furthermore, when book two and three are released in the coming weeks, I will definitely plan my time to allow as much uninterrupted listening as possible. This is such a great story and I can't wait to hear more.

Any additional comments?

If the next two books maintain the same level of intensity and quality of their science I believe this book trilogy will land itself in my top 5 - maybe even top 3. It's that good! Cannot wait to get the next books!

Don't get this--Not

Okay as a whim I purchased this because it was so inexpensive. Big mistake. Started listening and could not stop. Lost sleep and now I have to buy #2 in series.

Fun Sci Fi!

I wasn't sure if I would like this book or not, but I have to say, I really enjoyed it. After a mildly slow start, the story kicks into high gear when it begins its focus on the three high school kids, who are the heroes in this book.

Anyway, my daughter and I listened to this on our car rides to and from activities, and both of us were hooked. We were both appreciative that the books's focus, while having three teen heroes, didn't settle for kid-like dialogue or plot lines.

While we both loved this, and we both look forward to book 2, the ending was a little disappointing. It's ending is an obvious continuation to book 2, which while fine for picking up the next book, left us a little unsatisfied and wanting a bigger, more explosive ending.

But, overall: a great listen, and a great book, enjoyed thoroughly by an adult and my young teen daughter.

Great listen, I enjoyed this book.

I found this to be a welcome distraction from my history listening...nice to get lost in science fiction.

great page turner but so preposterous

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Good page turner with a very interesting plot but the characters are soooo two-dimensional and their actions so preposterous at times it was so frustrating to listen to at times.

Has The Second Ship turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Clean, Entertaining Sci-Fi for YA

Sci-Fi as it used to be - beyond imagination, of course, but written with imagination. No explicit garbage, lots of action, hints of much more to come - what more could you ask? Keep stories like this coming!

The Second Ship

Since I live in New Mexico and have always been fascinated by the Roswell and Aztec UFO stories, I looked forward to this book. Alas, it didn't deliver as great a story as I anticipated.

I think my main problem with this book was the way the story jumped around. Part spy novel, part YA, part evil villain wanting to rule the world, part alien invasion, part religious zealotry and part psycho, it just didn't seem cohesive in the long run.

I found myself becoming bored after a few chapters, but kept listening. The last few chapters were pretty fast paced, but didn't engage me enough to want to finish the trilogy. I did enjoy the two teenage girls who were super intelligent (but this was only with some help). All in all, I would only recommend this book for those who are huge sci-fi/alien invasion buffs.

The narrator did a good job and kept the book moving along enough to keep me from losing interest.

Really a young adult novel, though not bad as that

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. This book was not properly or accurately presented. For what it is, I suppose the book is fine, but it is full of stereotypical characters and silly, cliched plot points. It reminds me of a Hardy Boys novel repurposed to about 1988.

What do you think your next listen will be?

None of this author's work. I may hand the book off to my 11-year-old daughter.

Good storey Good delivery

Well written, with good character development. Narration was well done. I once wrote a very short story in an English class with this sort of concept so it was especially interesting to me. Writing style reminded me a bit of Koontz one of my favourites so looking forward to more from this author.

awesome story

awesome story had some slow parts and some super gory parts. next level imagery on it.