The Trilisk Ruins (Parker Interstellar Travels, #1)

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The Trilisk Ruins (Parker Interstellar Travels #1)

by Michael McCloskey (Goodreads Author)

3.47 of 5 stars 3.47 · rating details · 129 ratings · 30 reviews

Telisa Relachik studied to be a xenoarchaeologist in a future where humans have found alien artifacts but haven't ever encountered live aliens. Of all the aliens whose extinct civilizations are investigated, the Trilisks are the most advanced and the most mysterious.

Telisa refuses to join the government because of her opposition to its hard-handed policies restricting civi...more

Kindle Edition, 308 pages

Published (first published December 21st 2005)

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Dec 31, 2011 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: signal, indie

I found this book by clicking an ad on a webcomic site.

It had its moments of interesting scifi. The aliens were nicely done but the humans were a bit flat. For most of the story they didn't seem to have a coherent goal other than to survive, and (when survival was not an immediate problem) to poke at alien artifacts with sticks.

(view spoiler)...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, science-fiction

Excellent. Well conceived and well written. (Could have used one more review by a human editor.)

I love well-done first contact books. And this is that.

One criticism of all first contact books: even the good ones like this agonize through the initial contact/ relationship/ communication, then rush forward as if all issues of context and language magically disappear. I suspect--super-intelligent aliens and computers notwithstanding--it won't be so.

It ends like the hook for a longer series, but it...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Steve Poling rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thing Michael McCloskey gets the balance right in "The Trilisk Ruins" (5 stars). The gubmint is the antagonist and it doesn't matter whether the administration is Republican or Democrat. (Both parties signed onto the USA PATRIOT Act after all.) The heroes are "criminals" who aim to misbehave. They spend a fair amount of time when they're in civilization scrubbing logs of incriminating evidence and bribing bureaucrats to overlook minor infractions. And they find the Feds like to infect everyone...more I thing Michael McCloskey gets the balance right in "The Trilisk Ruins" (5 stars). The gubmint is the antagonist and it doesn't matter whether the administration is Republican or Democrat. (Both parties signed onto the USA PATRIOT Act after all.) The heroes are "criminals" who aim to misbehave. They spend a fair amount of time when they're in civilization scrubbing logs of incriminating evidence and bribing bureaucrats to overlook minor infractions. And they find the Feds like to infect everyone's computer with dormant spyware.

None of this gets in the way of a ripping good yarn. The hero and her handsome male companions go rocketing off into space in search of treasure with the gubmint a few steps behind trying to stop them and/or steal the treasure for themselves. I figured the axe-grinding to story-telling ratio was fairly light-handed, but I should get a 2nd opinion from a statist.

Many times you'll read an SF story wherein the aliens are just like us, but with some prosthetic makeup on their nose and funky jewelry (Bajoran), or pointy ears and eyebrows (Vulcan), or spots on their skin (Trill). Why, you might ask Gene Roddenberry? Because more elaborate makeup and alien get-ups cost too much, he'd say.

McCloskey has no such constraints. He devises aliens with tri-lobed brains, or 20-lobed brains, and he gives them really alien forms. Like 40 limbs, no sense of smell or hearing, but a sense of mass. And he gives this a plausible explanation without getting bogged down in technobabble. High marks for making his aliens alien.

Often you'll read Science Fiction with artificial intelligences and lots of networked computers and there's a sense that technology is just magic with wires. Not so in "The Trilisk Ruins." Communications protocols, encryption, and other terms of the geek's art are handled intelligently without any hand-wavy bull.

"The Trilisk Ruins" is the first novel in a series. If you buy this and like it, be prepared to buy a few more follow-up novels. I just did.(less)

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Sep 12, 2012 Brett Roller rated it 3 of 5 stars

My new-found interest in Kindle-based sci-fi novels is leading me to tackle books I never thought I’d touch. A friend of mine had a mom who was obsessed with science fiction novels when we were kids. They had this really neat library balcony type thing and it was full of dime store novels in which the captain always looses his shirt in fights and runs off with the alien girl. At the time I thought it was all cheesy to the extreme. I held a similar view of tv shows in the genre until my brother g...more My new-found interest in Kindle-based sci-fi novels is leading me to tackle books I never thought I’d touch. A friend of mine had a mom who was obsessed with science fiction novels when we were kids. They had this really neat library balcony type thing and it was full of dime store novels in which the captain always looses his shirt in fights and runs off with the alien girl. At the time I thought it was all cheesy to the extreme. I held a similar view of tv shows in the genre until my brother got me started on Stargate: Atlantis. It turns out I’m willing to tolerate a bit of cheese if the science is sufficiently intriguing and the characters are fascinating. The question is, does The Trilisk Ruins by Michael McCloskey meet my now lowered standards?

Well, let’s see. McCloskey gives us a society of space faring humans who’ve discovered countless worlds full of alien ruins. They’ve never met a single live alien…until now! Dun duh dun! But before our heroes meet the alien with a high functioning brain all along his spinal cord and 40 legs we learn that humans no longer live under a free society. The government is increasingly oppressive and no longer allows citizens to own anything but the most basic robots and under no circumstances are they allowed to own alien artifacts. The heroine Telisa is an archaeologist whose access to archaeological sites has been strictly limited by the government. Which is ironic because her father is a highly decorated member of the space marines or whatever the soldiers are called that crack down on illegal tomb raiders. Naturally the girl joins up with some smugglers on an illegal salvage mission to find the coolest alien junk she can get her hands on.

The trouble starts when she opens her mouth. McCloskey’s dialogue is reminiscent of my sophomore creative writing course. It reads like the sexual confused drivel written by the spoiled kid trying to rediscover himself in the absence of his parents. The only thing lacking in this regard is excessive use of profanity and body part descriptions. Every interaction is awkward and dead pan; sterile in the extreme. Like reading a Dick and Jane book. The dialogue is logical and appropriate but any emotion it tries to convey is awkward and unformed. Telisa’s inner monologue is a train wreck in and of itself. She is constantly expressing worry in a way that comes across disingenuous and juvenile. It’s certainly no Ray Bradbury dissertation on modern man.

Based on McCloskey’s loose understanding of human relationships it should come as no surprise that alien’s inner monologues are fascinating and thought-provoking. His ability to describe human interactions from a non-human point of view is the saving grace of the book. Over the years science fiction writers have presented us with aliens that are largely humanoid, or if not they are perceived as vicious monsters. Few writers present us with the possibility of an alien race which complete lacks a basis for understanding humans in the way McCloskey presents. It is a fascinating thought experiment which I for one thoroughly enjoy undertaking.

As a result I’ve found very few first contact stories that I’ve not enjoyed and Trilisk Ruins is no different. The story held my attention but it never gripped me in a summer thriller sort of way. The plot moves along with little discoveries along the way spiced with bouts of action but the alien and its perceptions drive the story.

So what’s the verdict? Does the book meet my new standard? Well it’s not about to win any awards, but I won’t be running to Amazon to demand my 99 cents back either.(less)

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May 16, 2012 D.M. Dutcher rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

An interesting alien can't really save a pedestrian book. Telisa is an xenoarcheologist answering a job offer that turns out to be for a smuggling corp. She accepts, and goes with them to a planet that is rumored to contain Trilisk ruins. But the United Stations Space Force is also there, and smuggling is a death sentence when caught. The smugglers, the UNSF, and a marooned alien must deal with the puzzle of the ruins, a shape-changing facility that might be more of a prison than an archeologica...more

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Apr 14, 2012 James rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

I found The Trilisk Ruins to be an interesting start to a story. The author didn't focus too deeply on trying to explain the science of what was going on. And in some aspects it felt a little rushed, but overall I would say that I did enjoy the story.

The story focuses around Telisa Relachik, a Xenoarchaeologist in a time frame where Earth is being run by an oppressive government that appears to have grown out of the United Nations.

The United Nations Space Force controls everything that happens o...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Kio rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-english

After enjoying a few of McCloskey's other titles, I figured I should take a look at what seems to be his most popular novel. It's not bad, but to be honest I preferred the others.

It starts out OK enough, following an alien later nicknamed "Shiny." And the one thing really done well is that the alien isn't anthropomorphized at all - making aliens humanoid with a few tweaks in appearance and culture is, alas, something most sci-fi is all too guilty of. Shiny isn't like that at all, and (view spoil ...more

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Jun 06, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-fantasy

Positively channeling Hal Clement for style, character types and overall tone, the author sets up a FIrsr Contact between humans and a centipede-like, "Mission of Gravity" style alien within a strange ruin left by yet another alien species. Aside from an amateurishly done romantic subplot, not bad, not bad...credibly alien aliens, lots of futuristic and exotic tech, steady-on pacing.

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Nov 07, 2012 Allan Douglas rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Trilisk Ruins (Parker Interstellar Travels #1), by Michael McCloskey, is a futuristic tale. Mankind has achieved an efficient form of space travel and ventured out among the stars, but humanity and the people who try to manage it are not so very different from us today.

Among the stars, humanity has discovered evidences – artifacts – left by several technologically advanced alien races, but have not found any evidence that these races still survive.

Telisa Relachik is the daughter of a high ra...more

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May 15, 2012 Daniel Lemire rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the Trilisk Ruins, Michael McCloskey describes a far future universe where human beings have encountered alien ruins on diverse planets.
These ruins have obvious commercial values: alien artifacts are immensely valuable. Meanwhile, the government has restricted access to these ruins to its own military. The main character is a xenoarchaeologist who is frustrated by the lack of access to these new findings. She decides to embark with a bunch of pirates/mercenaries who hope to visit new alien ru...more

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May 01, 2012 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

I've gotta tell you, I nearly didn't make it past the first page. Chapter one, paragraph one: Telisa checking herself out in a mirror and describing herself to the reader in some detail. I sighed and nearly put it down right there, but talked myself into continuing because this was a book about space archaeologists. I'm happy to report it did get better from there, which I suppose says something about first impressions, but since that's not really what we're here to dissect, we'll skip over that...more I've gotta tell you, I nearly didn't make it past the first page. Chapter one, paragraph one: Telisa checking herself out in a mirror and describing herself to the reader in some detail. I sighed and nearly put it down right there, but talked myself into continuing because this was a book about space archaeologists. I'm happy to report it did get better from there, which I suppose says something about first impressions, but since that's not really what we're here to dissect, we'll skip over that and get into the meat of the book.

The truth of the matter is that this is almost a really good book. If it were made into a blockbuster movie, it would probably be a lot of fun to watch, but a book doesn't get special effects and buttery popcorn. There's a lot of tell in here, and not nearly enough show. I don't need every book to include an epic romantic subplot, but when I read a line like "It seemed like they never had time to be alone, ever since things had started going wrong. How many times had she daydreamed of a moment like this since she met Magnus?", my reaction shouldn't be "wait, what?" Telling me after the fact that she's been thinking sexy things about a dude doesn't count as building tension.

It's not just the relationships that suffer from too much tell, though. Much later in the book, Telisa has a conversation wherein she wonders nervously to herself if she should mention to the other person she suspects they were behind some awful things that happened earlier. These suspicions are firm enough in her head at this point she's ready to have a conversation about it, but it was neither mentioned or foreshadowed beforehand, so the line is just dropped in awkwardly, telling me what I'm supposed to think instead of gently leading me there and allowing me to experience things along with the characters.

I did enjoy the conflict between the smugglers and the big government, and the little bits about the aliens we hear is interesting, although considering they're stuck in an alien world, we don't really hear much. Granted, there's a second book in the works (the abrupt ending will attest to that), and it's possible more of the aliens will be explored there.(less)

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Jan 27, 2013 Maarten Hofman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although not as developed as the more profound Insidious, the Trilisk Ruins is easy to read and is probably McCloskey's most accessible book. It also has the benefit of being part of a series, in which the books really only get better, and due to their success, is likely to continue. Like all of McCloskey's books the Trilisk Ruins is professionally edited and available at a reasonably low price.

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Aug 02, 2012 Peter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book, I found it by clicking a link down the side of facebook (not ordinarily something I ever take for a recommendation). Despite its dubious origin I quickly found myself absorbed and by the time I'd read the first three chapters I was off to order (and pay priority postage) for part two. The aliens are ALIEN, the human society is frankly fascinating, and the entire premise of the books leaves me curious for more.

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Jun 15, 2012 Christopher rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Is this intended as a YA novel? It feels like a modest introduction to commonplace SF motifs. Anyway, a young woman with xenoarchaeological training takes a job as an alien artifact smuggler and gets more trouble than she bargained for, but not as much trouble or intrigue or strangeness or stylistic thoughtfulness as an adult reader would typically prefer. Recommended if you're 10 or 11.

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Apr 26, 2012 Per Gunnar rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

This book was okay(ish). For a book dealing with the research of alien (advanced) artifacts it was surprisingly void of the technical aspects of such a story. As a matter of fact, the book was rather stupid in places. It almost gave a feeling that they where investigating the artifacts by pooking at them with a stick.

The plot in general was also not the most intelligently thought out one but it was still mildly entertaining to read.

Fairly early on it was quite obvious that the author geared up f...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Dan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, science-fiction

Some judicious editing to remove needlessly, pointlessly, repetitively redundant content would have made this more enjoyable. It is a pity to need to lead with that comment, but readers should know that if they press on they'll be rewarded with an intriguing alien and some cool speculative science. The writing definitely improves as the story unfolds.

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Jun 13, 2012 Laz the Sailor rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi

This started out with some promise, and carried through with some good action in the middle. The initial premise of the maze and how the alien could deal with it was clever, as were some of the other first-contact issues (eg the alien can't hear sound). But the ending was truncated and left a lot of things unresolved.

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Feb 17, 2012 Emily Leathers rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, aliens, fiction, future, kindle, owned, read-preview, sci-fi

Acceptable premise, fairly interesting plot, but I had a lot of trouble connecting with the story at more than just-a-story level. I enjoyed the characterizations of the aliens.

One thing that drove me a little crazy was the author's insistence on explaining that characters were accessing their link each time they stared off into space. It felt insulting that he didn't expect me to be able to remember that, and it broke up the flow of the narrative. If he really thought it was going to be that ha...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Aubrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Saw this book in an ad, I think on a webcomic, and DLd it to my Kindle. I really liked this story! I felt maybe sometimes the characters seemed awk/stunted but the world building was compelling, and I love a good space adventure!

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Apr 02, 2012 Dodie Reed rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is about a xenoarchaeologist becoming a smuggler and going on her first expedition. It is a very good read and I will be looking for more of his books.

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Sep 26, 2012 Shelley rated it 4 of 5 stars

I quite liked this book. It had adventure, as well as an alien species and technology. I always enjoy Michael McCloskey's aliens. They are creative and well thought out.
I am looking forward to reading the next one, and hoping for some more about the relationship between Telisa and her father, who are on opposing sides.
Anyone who has read and liked the Insidious series (also by Michael McCloskey) will enjoy this book. That series also would provide a little more background on some of the techno...more

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Mar 07, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good development of the aliens but did not feel to attached to the characters.

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Feb 28, 2012 D.W. Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable sci-fi tale with some unexpected twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

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Jun 12, 2012 Derek rated it 3 of 5 stars

A nice start to a potentially very interesting series.

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Mar 30, 2012 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how I got this book but I enjoyed it very much. Plenty of action and aliens.

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Jan 19, 2013 J.D. Beckwith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, owned, ebook_only

394pp

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Mar 20, 2012 Roberto rated it 3 of 5 stars

Competent 99 cent pulp. That is a big compliment.

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May 14, 2012 Isaac rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Trilisk Ruins had some interesting ideas, but I found the writing style distracting from the story. I've never seen people "realize" the most basic things so often. The story would have been better if it only followed one set of characters, leaving at least some mystery for the reader to ponder.

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Nov 03, 2012 Pete Hopkins rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's not very good, but it's fun to read. McCloskey has a lot of trouble with believable humans but he's great at believable aliens. And, hey, the price is right.

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May 20, 2013 tak rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, space-opera

Really liked it, especially the portrayal of the aliens. In most other books they are just monsters, animals or far too anthropomorphised.

1 like · like · see review

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About Michael McCloskey

I am a software engineer in Silicon Valley afflicted with recurring dreams of otherworldly creatures, mysterious alien planets and fantastic adventures.

You can subscribe to announcements of my new releases here: http://eepurl.com/nExcb

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The Trilisk AI (Parker Interstellar Travels, #2)

The Trilisk Supersedure (Parker Interstellar Travels, #3)

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