Heaven's Shadow

I loved the premise. The story started out just fine . . . but then credibility was strained, and it became clear that the authors did not know where to go with the story they had crafted. That whole thing from the summary about "and they need our help" is just kind of thrown in there. It does not make sense, and it leads to nothing. When the book ended, I had to check to make sure that I had not accidentally hit fast forward or something, because the story just stops. It does not end, it just stops.

I listen to many books (5 per month on average). I only write reviews if the books are great or terrible (because, after all, most fall somewhere between).

This book started out well but unraveled so badly and so disappointingly that I would call it terrible.

If you like the genre, get something by Arthur C. Clark instead.

Heaven???s Shadow is a moderately better than average sci-fi tale. The supplied description that comes with the audiobook really needs a serious rewrite as it is quite misleading and contains a significant spoiler that is not revealed until nearly the end. Briefly, the story unfolds in the near future (mostly 2019) and revolves around the US and a coalition of Russia, India, and Brazil (exactly what has happened to China is never discussed) racing to reach and explore a newly discovered near earth object (NEO) that eventually settles into an orbit around Earth. The NEO reveals itself as an alien spacecraft and the rest of the story is unraveling the mystery of its purpose.

Much of the suspense comes from each individual isolated group not possessing the full story for the other players. Unfortunately, the tale suffers from many standard cliches and gimmicks. Political leaders regard the alien presence as hostile with no credence given to the likelihood that aliens sufficiently advanced for interstellar travel would not travel 10K years just to destroy earth. Suitcase nukes in the hands of fears for invasion of body snatchers does not end well either. The alien technology is novel, but is unevenly applied (the aliens didn???t design well).

The denouement was less than satisfying: a dead alien race has sought out other intelligent life to continue their failed defense from a more powerful adversary. While a sequel seems likely, the ragtag band of mostly unknowns that will give rise to future a generation of unknowns that will confront this virtual enemy does not inspire much anticipation.

The book was very interesting, however; a bit slow. Funny that a more advance, intelligent race cannot communicate effectively, this book is like a puzzle within a puzzle. Very weak ending.

I enjoyed this book, but for you Sci fi fans, this book is a very similar story to the Rama stories by Authur C Clarke and Gentry Lee. VERY similar story. Its all set up for a sequel which may also be a Rama story. Stay tuned we'll see!!

Not a formulaic apocolyptic, big rock heading for the earth book. This is a very interesting read that takes some big topics on without hesitation. It is supposed to be the first book of a trilogy, but after doing some research on the authors, who are primarily screenwriters, the rights to the books have already been sold to movie production houses, so I am not sure that the other two will ever get written as books. Too bad, because I would love to read the entire series.

I couldn't make it past the three hour mark. By the second hour, the characters were just reaching the alien ship, which at this time they still believe is an approaching asteroid. That entire time was filled partly with minutia about politics and NASA procedures, but mostly consisted of flash backs for the characters, specifically the shuttle captain. Nothing of any interest happened during that entire time. The narration was also read with all the passion of an instruction manual. Would not buy again from this author.

I love Big Dumb Object sci fi. I almost loved this but for the huge role some nearly meta-physical speculation plays in the story. This may appeal to listeners who enjoy supernatural science fiction. The story is well paced and suspenseful. If this becomes a movie, and is then successful, then perhaps 'Rendezvous With Rama' will finally happen.
Joe J. Thomas' narration is good and I'm surprised I hadn't heard him on audible before, he should do more.

it was really good but! it ended with 2 more books in mind so the ending was a little bit of a bummer but other then that it was really well done =D cant wait for the rest.