Still Falling (Solstice 31 Saga: Book 1)

By: Martin Wilsey

Narrated by: Andrew Tell

Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Barcus is a working stiff looking for a good paycheck. When the Ventura and its crew enter orbit for a scheduled planet survey, the ship activates an automated defense system protecting the planet. Although the Ventura is destroyed in the attack, Barcus alone survives the harrowing fall to the remote planet surface. He struggles to remain alive and sane, and to discover why everyone he knew and loved on the Ventura was deliberately murdered.

Swinging between despair and fury, Barcus discovers that for every answer he obtains, there are more questions raised. Barcus is assisted by the Emergency Module, Em, his most useful tool. It is an artificial intelligence system contained in an all-terrain vehicle specifically designed to help him survive. Barcus soon finds himself in the middle of a planetary genocide of the local native population. He is unable to stand passively by as more people die, even if they are long lost colonists who fear "the Man from Earth" like children fear the monster under their bed.

Will Barcus ever find his way home? Will he find out who is responsible? Will his rage just burn this world down? Or will he find his soul in the eyes of a starving, frightened woman?

©2015 Martin Wilsey (P)2015 Martin Wilsey

Advanced technology indistinguishable from magic

Martin Wilsey's Still Falling: Solstice 31 Saga is a sci-fi variant of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, although by medieval standards, the Middle Ages were somewhat enlightened. A survey ship, on an undescribed mission to an inhabited planet is destroyed immediately upon entering orbit. The lone survivor, Barkus with the aid of an advanced, and heavily modified shuttle AI must survive and unravel the mystery of the planet where the culture is based around a high priesthood of "keepers" who control all the technology, which the rest of the population regards as magic and women are regarded as property, while most men are regarded as slaves.

The sci-fi elements are mostly confined to the AI variety. Spaceflight is feasible, but plays a minimal role. Implants and sophisticated medical technology is also on prominent display. A unique angle for the tale is that each chapter opens with a brief excerpt from a future investigation report that alludes to a judicial proceeding and sheds some insight into the current action. Something bad has subsequently occurred, but whether this involves a planet colonization gone wrong or some other event is unclear. Exactly what the survey ship was supposed to be doing is never outlined. Watching Barkus deliberately attempt to reset the planet's civilization is the main draw for the tale.

The narration is quite good, especially with the transition from human to AI.

A unique story.

This is an original story that is very creative.It has a good plot with characters you care about.

The performance by the Narrator is the key it is the glue that keeps you attached to this interesting story.




This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Space Man Vs. Medieval Planet

When the Ventura enters the orbit of the planet Baytirus it is immediately destroyed by the planet's defense systems. The sole survivor (that we know of) is Barcus, and together with EM (his modified Emergency Module and the most creepy human-like AI ever with its own agenda) he must survive on a planet that mostly resembles the middle ages. He also discovers that many villages are being attacked with no one spared and he decides to intervene while trying to survive on the planet (since he has some pretty strong robotic AI controlled 'friends' along with him which prove very useful).

The story started off great and was very interesting but then its pacing slowed down considerably and I felt that I was showered with details that really don't impact the greater story much (or at all) and while these details do allow for a better imagining of the scenario I found them to be mostly distracting (since not much is going on during these rather tedious descriptions).
Halfway through the novel, the story picks up again and proper pacing returns.
Every chapter is preceded by a short investigation report of the historical events that occurred during the story, I really loved those little tidbits of information and I hope these will be kept for the subsequent novels.

The narration of Andrew Tell is excellent, his performance is spot on and I felt I was listening to more of an Audio Drama at times. His voice and words are crystal clear (even when using various accents for the various characters) and it was a joy to listen to.

This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Good start to the series

This was a long and enjoyable listen with lots of action. There was quite a bit of graphic violence and descriptions of the atrocities done to dissidents and women so if that sort of thing bothers you, then you should probably pass on this one. The main character is driven to end the atrocities and is assisted by his AI unit who takes on a life of her own and appears to have her own hidden agenda. There is a narrative overlay that I didn't understand at first. It is snippets of a report done sometime in the distant future pertaining to the happenings on the planet and the main characters actions. . Something really bad is coming and he apparently was blamed for it. The story ends abruptly in a cliff hanger.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

One of the best stories I have heard

Would you listen to Still Falling again? Why?

Most likely I would

What was one of the most memorable moments of Still Falling?

The fourth day off

What does Andrew Tell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion and depth

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

I would if I could

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to part 2

great story

I think I might put the purchase of this book on my expense Report since I worked late several days because I couldn't stop listening.

well worth the credit and I'm wanting another book.

Nothing at stake in this book

I bought this book because the reviews were so positive and compared it favorably to The Martian, which I loved. However, I couldn't disagree more! Everything happens as if by magic with supposed advanced technology. There's an almost omniscient power at work so I never had any doubt that the main characters would survive or even be in jeopardy for more than a minute. I listened to the entire book mostly because I was too lazy to look for a different book and narrator was really good at keeping me engaged and hoping that something interesting might happen, but it never did. I guess the author is saving that for books 2 or 3.

Instructive

If my space ship is shot down over a planet where life is similar to medieval Earth, I will find this book invaluable as a survival guide. Having an almost omniscient AI and some trusty high tech weapons would also prove handy.

Still Falling

Any additional comments?

Excellent story and very clear audiobook Kept me entertained all the way through.. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

This audiobook was provided at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com

No ending

Any additional comments?

The story line is good all the way up to the end. Oh did I say end??? There is no ending to this book, it just stops. It is like the author just gave up on the story. So if you looking for a happy ending don't look for it in this book.

Excellent !!!

Another masterpiece was discovered writing by Martin Wilsey and together with Andrew Tell a perfect story was born.

Once I started listening to this audiobook I just couldn’t put it down , forget sleeping I just had to keep going and after 15 hours I want more !

Truly was worth it and I fully with all my heart
Recommend this book to all.


Even so that I got this audiobook for free I believe that I reviewed it honestly.

A full belly, warm bed and another day

When the survey ship Venture is unexpectedly destroyed by a defence system, Barcus and his critically injured friend barely escape to the planet's surface and, with the death of his companion, he is alone with only his escape module's AI (Em) and a couple of other aspects to help him. Winter is coming and he needs to prepare. The planet has a small population, scattered villages, still fairly primative, which are being systematically wiped out with almost no resistance. Angered by this and his own sense of loss of his fleet companions, Barcus rescues two young people, a woman and a youth, and learns of the barbaric treatment they endure under their masters, the Keepers, including, for women, no right ever to say no to any command, under pain of death. Theirs is the brutal life of a slave even lower than a hunting dog. Whilst still always hoping to one day escape this world and revenge the deaths of his colleagues, Barcus meanwhile turns his desire for revenge initially on the Keepers.

The book is well written with an excellent opening, full of interest and action, with good characterisation and world building. However, about of a third of the way into the story, the author turns his attention to the minutiae of daily domestic life withing the refuge that is being established and the gentle love growing between Barcus and the woman first rescued. Although initially interesting, as the action slowed, so did the attention of this reader who was then unable to fully commit to the story again even after the action and intrigue resumed.. Interspersed throughout the main tale, however, were brief excerpts from a future document, Solstice 31, Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript, which suggest that there is
something terrible to come.

Narration by Andrew Tell is first class, his reading well modulated, pacing good and the presentation aligned nicely with the text. Each character has a distinctive voice so that it is easy to forget that this is the work of a lone narrator. Mr.Tell's performance adds to the already good writing of the author. and enjoyment of the book as a whole.

I knew nothing of the book's content when I requested via Audiobook Boom and was freely gifted by the rights holder, a complimentary copy of Still Falling, Thank you. Despite my reservation mentioned above, I enjoyed the fairly lengthy listen and remain intrigued as to what happens next. I will be looking out for a follow-up book as the story is certainly not over.

I didn't predict that ending.

Although I enjoyed this story and it was well written and involving it so suddenly.