The Foundry: Book 1

By: J Fitzpatrick Mauldin

Narrated by: Andrew Tell

Length: 17 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

It is near the end of the 21st century. Persistent war, overpopulation, and climate change have caused poverty and natural disasters like mankind has never known. When a signal offering assistance reaches Earth from an alien entity calling itself the Foundry, humanity plans a mission to the stars for first contact. In the midst of this, Milo Hughes is just another five-year-old boy who wishes nothing more than to doodle with crayons and dig in the dirt, while his parents secretly plot to join the mission—whether they were invited or not.

Caught as stowaways aboard the interstellar vessel the Vasco Da Gama, the Hughes family must convince the ship’s captain to let them stay. Milo must start over, leaving everything behind for the 40-year mission. Twenty years to the Foundry, and 20 years back. If they can survive....

Not part of the mission plan, and living in the shadow of world-class scientists obsessed with their work, Milo has to grow up and find his own path and purpose. Can the Foundry help him? Can it help humanity? When Milo comes face to face with the mysterious entity, he alone can answer these questions. His survival, and all of humanity, depend on it.

©2022, 2023 Jeremy Fitzpatrick Mauldin (P)2023 Jeremy Fitzpatrick Mauldin

Couldn’t stop listening!!

"The Foundry" by J. Fitzpatrick Mauldin is a breathtaking journey that catapults readers into a world of wonder and grandeur. Mauldin masterfully crafts a universe that is both vibrant and detailed, making it impossible not to get lost within its story. The narrative not only encapsulates the human spirit but also begs the question: have you ever dreamed about reaching the stars? This novel takes that dream and makes it tangible, offering a story that lingers long after the last page has been turned. Truly, "The Foundry" is a shining testament to Mauldin's literary prowess and imagination. Don't miss out on this celestial adventure!

An all out bid to survive

Received as an audio review copy from the author, this is an honest review. Narrated beautifully by Andrew Tell, The Foundry is a poignant and profound adventure as in this future humanity has ruined its precious home, leaving them in the most desperate need of hope. And the mysterious Foundry may have it. For five year old Milo Hughes his life changes as his parents desperate for a better future and determined to be a part of the live changing mission, stowaway aboard one of the colossal ships. Growing up aboard a vast ship isn't easy for Milo as he experiences everything from budding romance to loneliness to getting into trouble for a prank that goes completely wrong to the battles to be independent when your life has been ordered to serve a purpose. And when the Vasco Da Gamma finally encounters the Foundry, everything becomes chaos and Milo and another crew member find themselves in and adventure that changes their lives forever... and shows just how vast space is and show bizarre alien life can be. An unexpected, unforgettable labyrinthine journey. Highly recommended.

great audiobook

In an dystopian future, humanity faces dire circumstances as war, overpopulation, and climate change ravage the planet. Caught in the midst of turmoil, young Milo Hughes and his family go away aboard an interstellar vessel bound for a first contact mission with an alien entity known as the Foundry. Milos journey unfolds against the backdrop if scientific obsession and existential question ultimately leading him to confront the enigmatic Foundry. With the fate of humanity hanging the balance Milo encounter holds the key to survival and the future of the species.

Engaging and thought provoking

This is a great, thought provoking book. I listened on a recommendation from a friend and now I can’t wait to discuss it. I look forward to getting to see more of this universe!

I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t put it down!

This book had everything that a good science-fiction story needs. Moments of suspense that kept you on the edge of your seat, mixed with moments of pure laughter while reliving your awkward teenage years. I truly enjoyed the story and loved the fresh take on space exploration. I’m a big sci-fi fan so this was right up my alley. Big recommend if your looking for a story based in space with adventure, discovery, excitement, and a healthy does of humor sprinkled in. Love it! The narrator did a fantastic job bringing each character to life with different voices and accents. As he read the story, I truly felt like I could vision all the scenes in my head. He showed real emotion in his delivery of the lines. Great job! Always helps to keep me interested in an auto book when the narrator takes the time to really act out the story. Thanks!!

Smart, Approachable and Fun

Enjoyable casual read. Short chapters that are easy to get through. Really enjoyed how the story progressed. Looking forward to the next book, the new threats and the next adventure.

An amazing story! definitely worth a listen

the story is very well written and thought out. For me, it feels like the author might be writing under a different name and is actually a veteran author, the writing is THAT good! The main character is very well written, to the point where you will go through a phase of liking the main character, then close to hating him, and then back to liking, and then loving the main character. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. only thing I wasn't fond of was the exploration of God in the book. It just felt a bit odd, though in consideration to how book one ends it makes some kind of sense and would in fact need to be touched on

Excellent story

Starts out a bit slow, but stick with it because it gets very good at a turn. Looking forward to book 2!

A Typical Space Opera

This book was billed as a Hard SciFi Space Opera … which for most people would be an oxymoron … and in this specific case hold true; although there is an inconsistent attempt to keep the science good, the primary focus is on the drama at the expense of the science. Fortunately the story is still entertaining, once you get beyond the extremely boring and frustrating prospect of a very young child (age 5ish) stuck on a 40 year deep space mission (presumably because the original crew might not make it the whole way). Unfortunately … that takes up a good portion of the beginning of the book.

The mission is a response to an ET message saying come find us … so the earth, in a desperate attempt to find help that might save humanity from its poor stewardship of the earth, sends out a handful of ships (redundant missions show how desperate the situation is). There is a lot of juvenile drama on the trip out until the finally get to The Foundry … and everything falls apart. Not only are we not alone, there is a veritable menagerie of aliens and they are not all friendly. One one side are competing philosophies on how to protect ALL life and a few trippy parts exploring post humanism and genetic manipulation (just a little). It does get a little over the top and preachy at times … but you should expect that with a space opera … so set phasers to max and just bring it … and have a little fun.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TheFoundry #FreeAudiobkFacebkGrp #KindleUnlimited

Good narrator, meh story

Found the main character unlikeable and the story full of “are you kidding me” moments