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.

Younger audience

This book is written for a younger audience. Not enough character depth or interesting plot to give me reason to listen to next book.

One of the best genre spanning works!! 5+STARS!!

In addition to being one of the best written series I've ever read the narrater; MacLeod Andrew's ability to give every person a distinguishable voice-personality further enhances the incredible character development done by the author. I really came to detest Dr. Stevens, weep for some significant personal losses, root for Heather, Jennifer and Mark, and urge Jack and Janet to, "Hurry...Hurry!" Truthfully, even the minor charcters stuck with me as impactful. I am so glad that the series is moderately long because I do not wish to say good-bye to my new friends.

This book has a little bit of every top genre. I highly recommend it!! It's an action/adventure, science fiction, spy thriller, suspense, coming of age with slight mystery and romance. I will not ruin any of your enjoyment by going into specific plot descriptions. Do yourself a favor and experience all Richard and MacLeod's books! Peace.

Too predictive for my tastes

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I first picked up this book because of my longing for a good space/alien/future tech series but now that I am into the second installment, I am just burnt out. I will finish the series (that is the obsessive compulsive in me), but I find that I am predicting the storyline 1 or two steps ahead of the author.Another problem I have here is the shear number of chapters, in the second installment I am only halfway through and at chapter 114. The chapter breaks leave the story too disjointed and feels haphazard.The story itself is also played out. Kids find alien ship, kids get super powers, kids try to over throw the evil doers.

1 of three and a good listen (for the genre)

Get them in sequence and buy them rather than use your credits as they are good value. His (theoretical and believable) grasp of the world of computers if fun. Not easy to put down

What a start!

The story was fresh for me. I'm usually submerged in epic fantasy, so this was a great distraction into a solid sci-fi series. I've read the whole series and you won't be disappointed.

What I enjoyed most the was solid development of the tech. Although it's sci-fi, the author does a great job of building up your understanding of the extra-earthly tech and study of it. The science felt solid (whether or not it was, I'm just a lay person...but that's who the book is written to entertain:)

You get very quickly immersed in the story of the three teenagers as protagonists. Could waited for the next chapter to get more of each. The POV changes are well done, written in different voices, showcasing the author's talent.

Very well done. Oh, and MacLeod does another great job. Becoming one of my favorite narrators.

Good but slow

A good story but kinda drags on with too many sub plots but well researched facts. Of course mr mcandrews really brings it to life

Keeps you at the edge of your seat

So my mom discovered this book a couple of weeks ago and kept telling me I had to read it...I checked out the blurb and was thinking I was not really in the mood for this type of book, and kept putting it off...after a few more "have you started it yet's" and finding out it was available as an audio I decided what the hell...$2.99 for the book then I can get the audio for $1.99....and when I finally finished the first book all I was left with was WOW....

First I want to say the narrator for this one was great....this is one of those books that with the wrong narrator it would just ruin the story. Writing style wise, it really reminded me of Michael Crichtonand his novel Next, while you have your main characters that the story focuses on, there are a lot of side stories being told and occurring alongside the main story (it may sound jumbled but if you have read Next you know what I am talking about).

I don't think this is really a spoiler, but read with caution...there are no aliens, this is really about the discovery of Alien technology and what we do with what we find....and man are some of things we do scary....not much more I can say without giving spoilers...but if you are a fan of Michael Crichton, Dan Brown or other similar authors definitely give this one a shot.

Slow Start, Great Last Quarter

The story definitely picked up speed in the second half to end with some nail-biting scenes. A couple of chapters had me on the edge-of-my-seat. Great fight scenes. I just bought the second book in the series.

Sequel?

I am surprised how many SciFi novels I read are about teens.
Maybe I am just catching up on my favorite genre, after a life of reading scientific, academic and technical documents.
That's ok, it gives me the chance to vicariously live the alternate lives I could have been…
There were a lot of loose ends at the conclusion of this story that have me searching…and there they are.
Also interesting how once I've purchased an audio book, it appears in Special Price Sales @ $1.99

Great first book in a series

Great first book in the series. Likeable main characters. Fun storyline. Scary villains'. Aliens possibly. 2 more books in the series I already bought because I enjoyed this one so much. The main characters are high school students but it does not detract from the story at all. This could be classified as YA, but readers of all ages would enjoy this series. Ends on a cliffhanger for sure.