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Outworld Ranger #0
Forbidden System: Benevolency Universe
The Benevolency Universe
A superintelligence called the Benevolence has ruled humanity for over three thousand years. Under its guidance we have spread amongst the stars and experienced an unprecedented age of peace, prosperity, and technological advancement. All of that is about the change.
While on a covert mission to spy on the Krixis, a telepathic alien race, Empathic Services agent Eyana Ora uncovers a plot to destroy all mankind. She launches a desperate bid to stop a group of insurgents from obtaining a secret super-weapon stored within an Ancient outpost on world sacred to the Krixis.
Gav Gendin is an archaeologist obsessed with the Ancients, an extinct race of highly advanced aliens. After years of searching, he locates one of their temples on an abandoned Krixis world. But when it turns out the system is guarded, his research expedition becomes a gamble that could cost him his life.
Neither one of them has a hope of accomplishing their missions without Silky, a snarky neural-interfacing AI companion. It's his job to piece together the secrets they each unearth, secrets that will shape humanity's future.
A superintelligence called the Benevolence has ruled humanity for over three thousand years. Under its guidance we have spread amongst the stars and experienced an unprecedented age of peace, prosperity, and technological advancement. All of that is about the change.
While on a covert mission to spy on the Krixis, a telepathic alien race, Empathic Services agent Eyana Ora uncovers a plot to destroy all mankind. She launches a desperate bid to stop a group of insurgents from obtaining a secret super-weapon stored within an Ancient outpost on world sacred to the Krixis.
Gav Gendin is an archaeologist obsessed with the Ancients, an extinct race of highly advanced aliens. After years of searching, he locates one of their temples on an abandoned Krixis world. But when it turns out the system is guarded, his research expedition becomes a gamble that could cost him his life.
Neither one of them has a hope of accomplishing their missions without Silky, a snarky neural-interfacing AI companion. It's his job to piece together the secrets they each unearth, secrets that will shape humanity's future.
188 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2017
230 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
David Alastair Hayden
21 books115 followersDavid Alastair Hayden writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Alabama. He studied history, literature, and religion at the University of Alabama.
David is also an avid collector of vintage manual typewriters, mostly from the 1950's.
To learn more about David's upcoming projects or to leave him feedback, please visit www.dahayden.com.
David is also an avid collector of vintage manual typewriters, mostly from the 1950's.
To learn more about David's upcoming projects or to leave him feedback, please visit www.dahayden.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 9, 2017
A great new book by one of my favourite authors, Forbidden System is a great start to a new Sci-Fi series. It's a Star Trek meets Indiana Jones world, with a lot of cool tech. The story alternates between POV of two interesting characters, an archaeologist and an empath, with a fun third character in the form of an AI who is of course my favourite. Eager to know where this series is leading to.
October 9, 2017
Interesting Sci-Fi...3 1/2 Stars
This first book, which is apparently kicking off 2 new series, is a very interesting start. It’s slow for those who love nonstop military sci-fi action. The authors universe-building and basic sci-fi concepts together with good character and plot-line development are what make this a good read. I give this 3 1/2 stars.
This first book, which is apparently kicking off 2 new series, is a very interesting start. It’s slow for those who love nonstop military sci-fi action. The authors universe-building and basic sci-fi concepts together with good character and plot-line development are what make this a good read. I give this 3 1/2 stars.
April 30, 2019
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
“Stop thinking Krixis at me! You are human. You are Eyana Ora of the Empathic Services. Human, damn it! Human!”
This was excellent. I read book one first, but I think that makes this reading even better. Because I was already attached to Silky and I already knew who Eyana was. And I was really keen to see how Gav and Silky got together.
“Ana, I love you.” “I didn’t…think you could…love…” “Nevertheless…I do.”
Silky is still the best thing about this series. I love him. As far as AIs go, he's brilliant. Quick-witted, semi-emotional, more human than human (hehe). He makes the stories, for me.
We do get to know Gav a little better. But in some ways, it made me like him a little less. Still, a very good addition to the series. And I would recommend reading it even if it is a prequel and we tend to ignore those once we've started the series.
Well done.
“Stop thinking Krixis at me! You are human. You are Eyana Ora of the Empathic Services. Human, damn it! Human!”
This was excellent. I read book one first, but I think that makes this reading even better. Because I was already attached to Silky and I already knew who Eyana was. And I was really keen to see how Gav and Silky got together.
“Ana, I love you.” “I didn’t…think you could…love…” “Nevertheless…I do.”
Silky is still the best thing about this series. I love him. As far as AIs go, he's brilliant. Quick-witted, semi-emotional, more human than human (hehe). He makes the stories, for me.
We do get to know Gav a little better. But in some ways, it made me like him a little less. Still, a very good addition to the series. And I would recommend reading it even if it is a prequel and we tend to ignore those once we've started the series.
Well done.
September 8, 2017
Decent Read, Character Driven, With Many Writing Hiccups
"Forbidden System: The Benevolency Universe (Fall of the Benevolence Book 1)," authored by Mr. David Alastair Hayden, is a decent read, character driven, that is marred by numerous writing "hiccups," that cry out for a competent editing swept through.
The story takes place several millennia in the future. Humanity, guided by the "Benevolency," a super AI, is technologically advanced, spread throughout the galaxy, in conflict repeatedly with an sentient, telepathic, "tree-like," alien species. A entrepreneurial, xeno-archeologist, searches for remains of one of the "Ancients" races, spacefaring aliens, who apparently went extinct thousands of years in the past. He and his small team, investigate a site on a contested frontier boundary planet. Another storyline, one-hundred, eighty (180) years prior, has a human "empath," a spec operator, equipped with a near sentient AI "chippy," has followed a team of alien insurgents to the same planet, as they attempt to access an "Ancients'" weapon, capable of wiping out all of humanity.
Mr. Hayden's multiple storylines, contained within one overall story arc, is character driven. There are SciFi elements within-multidimensional space, FTL, robots, AI, aliens, etc. However, the stories are centered on three (3) characters only: the archeologist, the spec operator, and the near sentient AI. The latter two (2) are engaging, with the empathy dealing with a chosen life of solitude, and the AI teetering on the brink of sentience. The former, the archeologist, is pretty much a selfish, self-centered, and "Ancients" obsessed "so-and-so." He is a widower, with a young son, who occasionally expresses guilt at leaving his son with an android babysitter, while he goes on long voyages, bouncing around the galaxy. Frankly, it all seems too self pitying, all about himself, insincere, and not about son.
The author falls into many basic writing skill pitfalls-excessive use of the same words in passages and repeated throughout the book, leaps of credulity in much of the "science," formulaic action sequences when they occur (shampoo-like directions: lather, rinse, repeat), and the equivocation, cringeworthy misuse of "...but...," and similar poor sentence construction. A competent editing job, a brisk cleaning of the book, would increase its reading value.
"Forbidden System...," is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Forbidden System: The Benevolency Universe (Fall of the Benevolence Book 1)," authored by Mr. David Alastair Hayden, is a decent read, character driven, that is marred by numerous writing "hiccups," that cry out for a competent editing swept through.
The story takes place several millennia in the future. Humanity, guided by the "Benevolency," a super AI, is technologically advanced, spread throughout the galaxy, in conflict repeatedly with an sentient, telepathic, "tree-like," alien species. A entrepreneurial, xeno-archeologist, searches for remains of one of the "Ancients" races, spacefaring aliens, who apparently went extinct thousands of years in the past. He and his small team, investigate a site on a contested frontier boundary planet. Another storyline, one-hundred, eighty (180) years prior, has a human "empath," a spec operator, equipped with a near sentient AI "chippy," has followed a team of alien insurgents to the same planet, as they attempt to access an "Ancients'" weapon, capable of wiping out all of humanity.
Mr. Hayden's multiple storylines, contained within one overall story arc, is character driven. There are SciFi elements within-multidimensional space, FTL, robots, AI, aliens, etc. However, the stories are centered on three (3) characters only: the archeologist, the spec operator, and the near sentient AI. The latter two (2) are engaging, with the empathy dealing with a chosen life of solitude, and the AI teetering on the brink of sentience. The former, the archeologist, is pretty much a selfish, self-centered, and "Ancients" obsessed "so-and-so." He is a widower, with a young son, who occasionally expresses guilt at leaving his son with an android babysitter, while he goes on long voyages, bouncing around the galaxy. Frankly, it all seems too self pitying, all about himself, insincere, and not about son.
The author falls into many basic writing skill pitfalls-excessive use of the same words in passages and repeated throughout the book, leaps of credulity in much of the "science," formulaic action sequences when they occur (shampoo-like directions: lather, rinse, repeat), and the equivocation, cringeworthy misuse of "...but...," and similar poor sentence construction. A competent editing job, a brisk cleaning of the book, would increase its reading value.
"Forbidden System...," is recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
January 2, 2022
I might give this book 3 1/2 stars if I could. This is a prequel to the Outworld Ranger series. Prequels are often written for the fans, but I have not read the series. Nevertheless, it is pretty good... and a little spooky at times.
The story is about how an advanced AI came to be found and reactivated, thus becoming useful to the main character of the series. It is also about how the AI became deactivated (or at least really, really near shutdown) while saving its previous owner. It's a good story going back and forth in time. (Not time travel, but different characters, one in the past and one in the local present.
Any problems with this story? There seemed to be some assumptions made about what the reader knows or doesn't know about the significance of certain people and certain actions they take. I was in the dark about that, so there was always a slight sense that I was missing something. Not too terrible, but it was there.
Any modesty issues? I don't recall.
I would like to read this book again. I might get more out of it, and I would like to read the series.
The story is about how an advanced AI came to be found and reactivated, thus becoming useful to the main character of the series. It is also about how the AI became deactivated (or at least really, really near shutdown) while saving its previous owner. It's a good story going back and forth in time. (Not time travel, but different characters, one in the past and one in the local present.
Any problems with this story? There seemed to be some assumptions made about what the reader knows or doesn't know about the significance of certain people and certain actions they take. I was in the dark about that, so there was always a slight sense that I was missing something. Not too terrible, but it was there.
Any modesty issues? I don't recall.
I would like to read this book again. I might get more out of it, and I would like to read the series.
December 14, 2017
Nicely done
He describes his future universe with a great degree of detail. Since it takes place more than three thousand years in the future, he has a lot of room to play with technology, new species, interspecies relations, etc. The author uses it well and thoughtfully. The are no editing problems and the writing flows well, also.
There are plenty of species. There are interspecies wars. The main character is an "Indiana Jones" of the human Benevolency. I don't remember reading a main character being an archeologist before. Cool. There is a mysterious forerunner race that has left few traces. This really has everything. In such a rich stew, you aren't surprised that anything might happen.
I think that you'll like it.
He describes his future universe with a great degree of detail. Since it takes place more than three thousand years in the future, he has a lot of room to play with technology, new species, interspecies relations, etc. The author uses it well and thoughtfully. The are no editing problems and the writing flows well, also.
There are plenty of species. There are interspecies wars. The main character is an "Indiana Jones" of the human Benevolency. I don't remember reading a main character being an archeologist before. Cool. There is a mysterious forerunner race that has left few traces. This really has everything. In such a rich stew, you aren't surprised that anything might happen.
I think that you'll like it.
January 11, 2018
3 1/2 stars
This is a fun read with good character development and lots of mysteries to solve. The first protagonist is a self-centered, driven, and not completely likeable Archeologist that Hayden somehow keeps in the reader's good graces. The other main characters, an empath that is a loner, and an almost sentient AI are more interesting, more likeable, and a bit more promising as far as becoming identifiable with the reader.
The story about the mysterious "ancients" and their artifacts, and those who wish to obtain the artifacts and learn about the ancients, makes for lots of intrigue and adventure. I will buy the sequel.
This is a fun read with good character development and lots of mysteries to solve. The first protagonist is a self-centered, driven, and not completely likeable Archeologist that Hayden somehow keeps in the reader's good graces. The other main characters, an empath that is a loner, and an almost sentient AI are more interesting, more likeable, and a bit more promising as far as becoming identifiable with the reader.
The story about the mysterious "ancients" and their artifacts, and those who wish to obtain the artifacts and learn about the ancients, makes for lots of intrigue and adventure. I will buy the sequel.
October 23, 2018
Hate Flashbacks...But...
In the order that Amazon is feeding us this "Silky-related" Series (Outworld Ranger and Fall of the Benevolence), this installment is a Flashback. I hate most flashbacks, and I started out somewhat disliking this volume...until the substantial depth of the relationship between Silky and Eyana was revealed. For me, that was one of the most touching and deeply emotional piece of literature I've ever read in my long life.
I hope these series continue until Silky establishes his truely benevolent administration of the Universe in (hopefully) Volume 25 of the Dual Series.
In the order that Amazon is feeding us this "Silky-related" Series (Outworld Ranger and Fall of the Benevolence), this installment is a Flashback. I hate most flashbacks, and I started out somewhat disliking this volume...until the substantial depth of the relationship between Silky and Eyana was revealed. For me, that was one of the most touching and deeply emotional piece of literature I've ever read in my long life.
I hope these series continue until Silky establishes his truely benevolent administration of the Universe in (hopefully) Volume 25 of the Dual Series.
September 1, 2017
Great read and wonderful world building
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read that launched an intricate and developed world for the characters to exist in.
The action and storyline is well written and keeps you turning the pages.
The dialogue is not the strongest, but fits with the characters as they develop through the story.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a fast paced action sci-fi.
I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read that launched an intricate and developed world for the characters to exist in.
The action and storyline is well written and keeps you turning the pages.
The dialogue is not the strongest, but fits with the characters as they develop through the story.
Would recommend for anyone looking for a fast paced action sci-fi.
April 2, 2019
Archeology in the galactic future
This is a good story of finding the Ancients, the advanced race that occupied the galaxy before the arrival of human and their competitors. Set with the background of interplanetary war, It is not a battle saga, but sets the stage for the rest of the series. The author moves the story well, and the setting sees reasonable for what humans may experience in the future.
This is a good story of finding the Ancients, the advanced race that occupied the galaxy before the arrival of human and their competitors. Set with the background of interplanetary war, It is not a battle saga, but sets the stage for the rest of the series. The author moves the story well, and the setting sees reasonable for what humans may experience in the future.
April 23, 2021
Silky
Books about AI’s that have a personality and that are dependent on humans for every thing are hard for me to find and like. Here we have the story of Silky. A chippy that has laid inside a skull on a planet fo a century and still works. He hasn’t gone rouge or insane. Then we meet Gav who has a lot of memory gaps and we find out why. Love the snarky humor and the description of the different characters that will be in the future books.
Books about AI’s that have a personality and that are dependent on humans for every thing are hard for me to find and like. Here we have the story of Silky. A chippy that has laid inside a skull on a planet fo a century and still works. He hasn’t gone rouge or insane. Then we meet Gav who has a lot of memory gaps and we find out why. Love the snarky humor and the description of the different characters that will be in the future books.
September 3, 2017
Most unique scifi Ive read in a while
This book lets you have insight into ancient technology and sacrifices. Heroism and terror. It makes you cry for more. It is a blend of Arthur C. Clark's mystical ancient hindsight and Asimov's machine faithfulness and dedication. I can't wait for the next installment!
This book lets you have insight into ancient technology and sacrifices. Heroism and terror. It makes you cry for more. It is a blend of Arthur C. Clark's mystical ancient hindsight and Asimov's machine faithfulness and dedication. I can't wait for the next installment!
December 17, 2018
A good book, not enough action for me. A lot of world building first book in a series.
I enjoyed the characters in this book unfortunately one of them was killed, did not like the flipping back and forth between timelines. A lot of world building not enough action for me. But I will read the second book since the first book in the series usually is slower than its sequels.
I enjoyed the characters in this book unfortunately one of them was killed, did not like the flipping back and forth between timelines. A lot of world building not enough action for me. But I will read the second book since the first book in the series usually is slower than its sequels.
September 4, 2017
Really good read
Another good read from David Hayden. Doesn't matter what order you read his two (to date) Benevolency books, which is a sign of a good author. Sign me up for more of his work. Good science fiction, interesting concepts, good characters. Bravo.
Another good read from David Hayden. Doesn't matter what order you read his two (to date) Benevolency books, which is a sign of a good author. Sign me up for more of his work. Good science fiction, interesting concepts, good characters. Bravo.
January 14, 2018
Where is book 2
Loved the book already read the sequel books want much more of both series. For now I will just have to read all of your other series. Write faster I'm a avid reader
Loved the book already read the sequel books want much more of both series. For now I will just have to read all of your other series. Write faster I'm a avid reader
January 24, 2018
Great adventure!
I liked the characters and couldn't put the book down. I liked the back and forth of time periods and character building. A good guys win at a price but continue to persevere.
I liked the characters and couldn't put the book down. I liked the back and forth of time periods and character building. A good guys win at a price but continue to persevere.
February 16, 2018
Great story
I'm looking forward to reading more! The story line is good. Very different from my normal reads. There are mistakes missed in editing but easier to gloss over because the storyline stays active.
I'm looking forward to reading more! The story line is good. Very different from my normal reads. There are mistakes missed in editing but easier to gloss over because the storyline stays active.
May 15, 2018
Not what I expected
This started out a bit slow for me but, I started with this book so, I wasn't as invested. I am really looking forward to reading the first book. Excellent premise.
This started out a bit slow for me but, I started with this book so, I wasn't as invested. I am really looking forward to reading the first book. Excellent premise.
March 24, 2021
This started out goofy but I find myself immersed and longing for the next book in the series. It is a unique mix of scifi and adventure with snarky humour. I think you will love this series or find it distasteful. No in betwen. Unique genre in Scifi/Fantasy mix for readers
January 25, 2022
I really like this book!
I really like this book - great wit and humor, good plot, excellent characters, and did I mention, great wit and humor. Looking forward to more from this author.
I really like this book - great wit and humor, good plot, excellent characters, and did I mention, great wit and humor. Looking forward to more from this author.
July 21, 2017
Fantastic
A friend introduced me to these books and that are really good. I can't wait to read more about Silky.
A friend introduced me to these books and that are really good. I can't wait to read more about Silky.
November 11, 2017
A great start
This was a great start. Well written and hazelnut down. Looking forward to the next several installments. Bring them on!!
This was a great start. Well written and hazelnut down. Looking forward to the next several installments. Bring them on!!
April 19, 2018
Looking forward to the next one!
June 9, 2018
Captivating
Great start to the series. Character depth is good. A bit vague on some items, leaving you ready to explore the series..
Great start to the series. Character depth is good. A bit vague on some items, leaving you ready to explore the series..
December 4, 2018
Nicely done space opera!
June 14, 2019
Enjoyable story of how they met.
June 20, 2019
Great sci-fi
I really enjoyed reading this science fiction. Imaginative, fast moving and fun. The best part, this is a prequel. Enjoy
I really enjoyed reading this science fiction. Imaginative, fast moving and fun. The best part, this is a prequel. Enjoy
July 23, 2019
Good book
Enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the book . I will buy the next book. Easy read. I’m glad I noticed this was book 0 .
Enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the book . I will buy the next book. Easy read. I’m glad I noticed this was book 0 .
September 22, 2019
I was clicking through authors and came to this series and grabbed the prequel first.
Quite good. A little too predictable, twistless.
Quite good. A little too predictable, twistless.
September 17, 2020
Author Hayden has started a masterpiece!
As a prequel this set the tone and excitement and Intensity that for a very exciting series. I can hardly wait!!
As a prequel this set the tone and excitement and Intensity that for a very exciting series. I can hardly wait!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews