Fear the Sky

The Fear Saga, Book 1

By: Stephen Moss

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

"Real science in Science Fiction. This is a must read for fans of SF." >(John S. Gertsch, Amazon Reviewer)

Perfect for fans of Peter F. Hamilton, Iain M. Banks, and Orson Scott Card, Fear the Sky is a hard-hitting sci-fi thriller that will have you looking at the stars in a different way.

In eleven years' time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships' huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space. These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out. Their technology is vastly superior to ours, and they know they cannot possibly lose the coming conflict. But they, like us, have found no answer to the destructive force of the atom, and they have no intention of facing the onslaught of our primitive nuclear arsenal or the devastation it would wreak on the planet they crave. So they have flung out an advance party in front of them, hidden within one of the countless asteroids randomly roaming the void. They do not want us, they want our planet. Their Agents are arriving.

©2014 Stephen Moss (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Awesome new series!!

Incredible story and excellent narration! I can't wait to listen to book two! Hopefully it will come out soon.

An Interesting First Contact Twist

Where does Fear the Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed this book because it offered some interesting twists on the first contact/invasion storyline.

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

I found myself listening through this book faster than I usually do. If I have the block of time, this is a book I'd listen to in one sitting.

Covert alien invasion

Fear the Sky is the first book in the Stephen Moss Fear Saga. Earth has been surreptitiously invaded by an advance team of covert humanoid alien robots infused with specific alien intelligences and personalities. While the insertion is successful, a slacker physicist suspects something unusual has occurred and manages to get several others killed while investigating. One alien entity is a double agent intending to sabotage the affair out of moralistic and ethical concerns. Together, they cobble together a band of fellow secret agents who must revert to old school spy tradecraft to avoid detection. While the initial alien foray is thwarted, the larger invasion force is still en route, setting up Book 2.

The sci-fi elements are mainly advanced technology of weaponry, material science, and medical nanobots that can cure all infectious diseases. The insights of physics for deciphering anomalous meteors is well crafted. The old school spy tradecraft is also nicely rendered, although the explanations do tend to bog down a bit especially late in the tale. Of particular note is the inclusion of aliens with differing perspectives on politics and morality which is quite refreshing relative to the more typical fare of an alien monolithic mindset. There's also a nice diversity of talents and skillsets from the ensemble cast of Earth conspirators.

The narration is well done with an excellent rendition of both genders and solid pacing. The overall tone is a bit laid back which dovetails nicely with the main character, but can get a bit incongruous at times depending on the action.

I couldn't put it down!

This book captured me from the very beginning, and up until the last word I found myself looking for every chance to listen! Suspenseful, exciting, and fast moving. Can not wait to start book two!

I want more now!!!

Excellent!
Great story, previous to this book I listen to the Martian by the same narrator and by now my inner voice sounds like him. Can wait for the next book in the series.

Great into story for the series.

It sets up characters that you want to follow in the books ahead. I enjoyed the slow suspense of the events; it keeps you listening. It's a realistic story that takes place with our current technology.

Like x-com or x-files.

If you liked the cloak and dagger suspense of the x-files, or are looking for a story which could be described as an x-com narrative, then look no further. Superb performance, the gravely, rough sound of the narrator fits the theme perfectly.

Fear being engrossed by this book.

Where does Fear the Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Hard to say where it falls but I'm certainly finding it the perfect blend of first contact, hard science fiction and great storytelling. Also, as many listeners know RC Bray is a great narrator.

What other book might you compare Fear the Sky to and why?

I'm not good at literary comparisons. I know quality when I hear it and I listen and read a LOT. In the car I need a book that is relatively easy to follow but also intellectually engaging. This book does that well. The writer has also created believable characters and given them substantial depth (hence the 20 hours plus) Personally I really like that.

What does R.C. Bray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

RC Bray is the man. I'd listen to him read ingredients.

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

Impossible but I've certainly had a few driveway moments.

Any additional comments?

If you like Science Fiction you'll probably enjoy this book and perhaps be pleasantly surprised by the quality writing.

This needs to be a tv series!

Any additional comments?

I'm a nerd at heart and loved this story. The author did a great job at making me care about these characters. This needs to be a TV series, I don't want it butchered and put in to a two hour film. I cant wait for Fear the Survivors to come out on Audible.

Great Book

The best narrator there is. The story was different and kept my attention. Two words.