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Harry Irons #1
To the Stars
TO THE STARS is the first book in a science-fiction trilogy concerning an intrepid group of space explorers in the year 2107. Harry Irons dreams of escaping poverty and an over-crowded Earth by gaining employment with the Braithwaite Corporation. After proving himself in a series of tests, Harry gets his wish and soon enough finds himself struggling to survive on an alien world. TO THE STARS was written for a general audience and is sure to satisfy both younger and older fans of alternative fiction.
506 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2010
77 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Thomas C. Stone
27 books19 followersMy fascination for speculative fiction developed during hot Texas summers filled with baseball, fishing, and reading. In college, I was a mediocre student, studying writing, classical literature, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science.
I have worked as a teacher, technical writer, systems analyst, martial arts instructor, and various other odd jobs.
My stories are primarily in the science fiction genre depicting characters under stressful and extraordinary settings. Even in a fantastic setting, I like to focus on my characters' reactions to what is happening to them.
I have worked as a teacher, technical writer, systems analyst, martial arts instructor, and various other odd jobs.
My stories are primarily in the science fiction genre depicting characters under stressful and extraordinary settings. Even in a fantastic setting, I like to focus on my characters' reactions to what is happening to them.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 23, 2024
Two stars is a gift. The characters are silly, the science is often wrong and the development choppy. Why not one star? Because it has an intriguing plot which almost overcomes its other short comings. An enigmatic leader and self-centered crew members explore uncharted space and stumble (maybe) on not one but two first encounters with sentient aliens. An imminent supernova adds the ticking clock.
Science gaffs: Geosynchronous orbit can not be achieved 600 miles above a planet which out masses earth. "Powerful electromagnets" do not "create near-zero-gravity." Alien hexadecimal signals can not be decoded (by a human) in "less than a minute" with no other referents. (Repeating symbols out of context may mean anything.)
A future earth with social mores of the twentieth, if not nineteenth, century. Fainting females? Quota manipulators? Silent, brooding male leaders? Each one for him or herself? (Well, some things never change.)
No pre-planning, no preparation, no team building, little trust, no debriefing, no accountability.
Hardly worth the time. Certainly won't read more of the series.
Science gaffs: Geosynchronous orbit can not be achieved 600 miles above a planet which out masses earth. "Powerful electromagnets" do not "create near-zero-gravity." Alien hexadecimal signals can not be decoded (by a human) in "less than a minute" with no other referents. (Repeating symbols out of context may mean anything.)
A future earth with social mores of the twentieth, if not nineteenth, century. Fainting females? Quota manipulators? Silent, brooding male leaders? Each one for him or herself? (Well, some things never change.)
No pre-planning, no preparation, no team building, little trust, no debriefing, no accountability.
Hardly worth the time. Certainly won't read more of the series.
March 28, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book, though I sometimes felt it was rather elementary. The twists and turns kept me going and I definitely wanted to turn the page to see what would happen next. The one problem I had with the book was references I thought an alien species might not make, even in their minds. Here is an example: an alien creature is supposed to have thought in its mind "the coast is clear." Of course, we westerners may well understand such a phrase, but I doubt that an alien creature would use such a phrase in its mind, especially since there was never any coast nearby in the story to make a real reference. Still, I would definitely recommend this novel to my science fiction loving friends.
September 16, 2012
This is a god-awful amateurish book. I haven't been able to finish it, and might not. None of the characters go beyond buffoonish stereotypes thus far, and the action is in the worst tradition of Star-Trek-redshirtism. "What, I shouldn't walk into the unexplored forest alone? Don't be silly, I'm not going far, and you can't tell me not to." Followed by sound of screaming and gore. The apparent villian of the piece may be the only character with common-sense.
April 6, 2019
Great story with a lot of action and cool adventures. Interesting concept and characters. I'm definitely going to read the next part :)
September 18, 2017
I judge my science fiction on a modified version of the Baen criteria: the scientific advances / future technology needs to be somewhat believable, if there are aliens they need to be presented in some realistic format with names I can pronounce in my head while I read, and must have some type of plot with circumstances - good or bad - with their resolution I can get my head around, believe, and be interested in turning to the next page to learn more; that's quite a mouthful, but we've all read a lot of bad science fiction over the years.
With all that being said, this book hits it on all fronts - I literally had a hard time putting this down while on an out of town trip, and became impatient when the stewardess announced all Kindles ahd to be turned off lest my Kindle somehow crash the 737. The author does a great job of explaining in somewhat layman's terms the gadgets and technological advances, the dialogue between the characters is to the point without a lot of fluff, and I found myself daydreaming a couple of times about the spacecraft and technology and what I would like to do if that was available now.
As I type this review, the Kindle version is being offered for free - grab it now while you can. This is Book 1 of a three-part series (hence the name trilogy), and I subsequently bought the others and enjoyed them. I think the regular Kindle price is $2.99 - when it revert to non-free status it will be well worth the $2.99 investment.
If you couldn't tell, I enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to reading more material from Thomas Stone!
With all that being said, this book hits it on all fronts - I literally had a hard time putting this down while on an out of town trip, and became impatient when the stewardess announced all Kindles ahd to be turned off lest my Kindle somehow crash the 737. The author does a great job of explaining in somewhat layman's terms the gadgets and technological advances, the dialogue between the characters is to the point without a lot of fluff, and I found myself daydreaming a couple of times about the spacecraft and technology and what I would like to do if that was available now.
As I type this review, the Kindle version is being offered for free - grab it now while you can. This is Book 1 of a three-part series (hence the name trilogy), and I subsequently bought the others and enjoyed them. I think the regular Kindle price is $2.99 - when it revert to non-free status it will be well worth the $2.99 investment.
If you couldn't tell, I enjoyed this one and I am looking forward to reading more material from Thomas Stone!
June 19, 2017
Although I enjoyed the book enough to look for additional books in the series, I have a few major problems with the characters, and the way the plot moves. There is very minimal world-building outside of a narrowly focused path driving Harry onto spaceship and each step of the way towards the ultimate end. The primary female protagonist is embarrassingly stereotypical blonde bimbo, the only black character also happens to be self-interested/unfaithful/turn coat. We get very little insight into star-faring aliens beyond "they are evil and want to kill all humans".
An upside, the painting of the primitive alien race and how they perceive advanced technology is well done an interesting.
Ever read a book that you find so familiar you think you've already read it before? Turns out I had read this book ~20 years ago, and didn't recognize it until I was far enough in to go ahead and finish re-reading. Of course, back then there were now sequels, not its part of a series, so I might have to check out the additional books.
An upside, the painting of the primitive alien race and how they perceive advanced technology is well done an interesting.
Ever read a book that you find so familiar you think you've already read it before? Turns out I had read this book ~20 years ago, and didn't recognize it until I was far enough in to go ahead and finish re-reading. Of course, back then there were now sequels, not its part of a series, so I might have to check out the additional books.
February 13, 2023
And then there were two.
An interesting bunch of characters in an all too believable corporation dominated society. Plenty of action and varied scenarios so well worth the effort of reading.
An interesting bunch of characters in an all too believable corporation dominated society. Plenty of action and varied scenarios so well worth the effort of reading.
June 6, 2019
To the Stars is the first book in the Harry Irons trilogy. This should not be read as a standalone as the story continues after this book. The book is okay though inconsistent.
March 5, 2017
To the Starts is a good read, but not original. It is a patchwork of themes/plot-points that we've all seen before if we have watched any sci-fi TV/movies or read many sci-fi books.
This is a 'spoilery' review, so be advised...
A young man with drive and amazing (linguistic) skills is selected to be part of the ongoing commercial exploration (exploitation?) of space. His crew leader has pulled strings for him (or so it seems) and he ends up part of a crew that gets 'unexpectedly' diverted to a planet that (as far as the everyone but the commander knows) has never been found before. Then there's aliens, two kinds, one advanced (grey men with superiority complexes & bad attitudes) and one primitive (simian/avatar -esque). Some crew members get kidnapped, some killed. We like some crew because they're cool, others annoy us, others are selfish and/or socially inept or just plain ol' butt-heads. The book would get an extra star from me for the arrangement of non-original ideas if it didn't have so many lapses in continuity of the explained and deus-ex-machina/serendipitous happenings. For instance, it's a heavy planet that makes you stumble when you walk and get tired fast... but let's walk for hours on end and only need a short nap. Or, let's just happen to get on the alien shuttle just in time to catch a ride back to orbit. And the explanation that the bad aliens were so easily foiled because they are arrogant is just a bit beyond my ability to accept. Now, from all that you might think I didn't like the book... no, actually, I did like it. It was an interesting read and had a lot of potential if the looseness was tightened up more. It'll never be a classic though. I've given it 3 out of 5 as a Good Read.
This is a 'spoilery' review, so be advised...
A young man with drive and amazing (linguistic) skills is selected to be part of the ongoing commercial exploration (exploitation?) of space. His crew leader has pulled strings for him (or so it seems) and he ends up part of a crew that gets 'unexpectedly' diverted to a planet that (as far as the everyone but the commander knows) has never been found before. Then there's aliens, two kinds, one advanced (grey men with superiority complexes & bad attitudes) and one primitive (simian/avatar -esque). Some crew members get kidnapped, some killed. We like some crew because they're cool, others annoy us, others are selfish and/or socially inept or just plain ol' butt-heads. The book would get an extra star from me for the arrangement of non-original ideas if it didn't have so many lapses in continuity of the explained and deus-ex-machina/serendipitous happenings. For instance, it's a heavy planet that makes you stumble when you walk and get tired fast... but let's walk for hours on end and only need a short nap. Or, let's just happen to get on the alien shuttle just in time to catch a ride back to orbit. And the explanation that the bad aliens were so easily foiled because they are arrogant is just a bit beyond my ability to accept. Now, from all that you might think I didn't like the book... no, actually, I did like it. It was an interesting read and had a lot of potential if the looseness was tightened up more. It'll never be a classic though. I've given it 3 out of 5 as a Good Read.
April 9, 2013
This book just doesn't hit the mark. The writing is rather flat and at times very cliched, and the plot is disjointed and uninspired. I don't mind suspending disbelief (this is sci-fi after all), but a story has to at least be somewhat consistent within itself, and unfortunately this story is not.
The characters are extremely shallow, but still manage to be motivationally muddled. If these are the best that humanity has to offer to be shot off into deep space explorations, then humanity must have really taken a tumble in the future. Of course you also get the classic "evil/unscrupulous corporations" meme as a backdrop, so there is that. There is also a love interest that just springs out of nowhere. No build up, no tension...strangers are suddenly lovers, seemingly just because the author wanted a love interest.
Also, if you are going to write sci-fi, you have to at least get some of the science part right. That aspect was pretty hard to get through. There was no attention to detail. Are we in zero-g or not? Didn't that shuttle in the hangar bay just blow up? Is a red-dwarf star light-years away really "going nova" (red dwarf stars do not super nova)? Is it really doing so in a day and a half? Very disappointing.
Also, just in general, are we expected to believe that deep space explorers in the future are less equipped communication-wise than a current day adolescent with a smart-phone?
Sadly, this read like middling fan-fiction.
The characters are extremely shallow, but still manage to be motivationally muddled. If these are the best that humanity has to offer to be shot off into deep space explorations, then humanity must have really taken a tumble in the future. Of course you also get the classic "evil/unscrupulous corporations" meme as a backdrop, so there is that. There is also a love interest that just springs out of nowhere. No build up, no tension...strangers are suddenly lovers, seemingly just because the author wanted a love interest.
Also, if you are going to write sci-fi, you have to at least get some of the science part right. That aspect was pretty hard to get through. There was no attention to detail. Are we in zero-g or not? Didn't that shuttle in the hangar bay just blow up? Is a red-dwarf star light-years away really "going nova" (red dwarf stars do not super nova)? Is it really doing so in a day and a half? Very disappointing.
Also, just in general, are we expected to believe that deep space explorers in the future are less equipped communication-wise than a current day adolescent with a smart-phone?
Sadly, this read like middling fan-fiction.
August 13, 2011
Not a bad book (I finished it...I won't finish a "bad" book).
It had some formatting/conversion issues that bugged me, like some entire paragraphs indented (not just the first line, but the entire thing) and misplaced hyphens. I've seen then before with RTF/Doc's that get converted to Kindle books. But at least there was no extra line between paragraphs (man I hate that and can't read books formatted that way...)
The story was interesting but the characters seemed a little over the top stereotypical. The scared guy, the computer hacker, the egotistical/selfish character, the silent knowing captain, the new guy who helps save the day, the evil corporation, etc.
Maybe best categorized as a space western?
In any case, again, a pretty good book with some interesting plot elements and twists where the good guys win and humanity reigns supreme...
It had some formatting/conversion issues that bugged me, like some entire paragraphs indented (not just the first line, but the entire thing) and misplaced hyphens. I've seen then before with RTF/Doc's that get converted to Kindle books. But at least there was no extra line between paragraphs (man I hate that and can't read books formatted that way...)
The story was interesting but the characters seemed a little over the top stereotypical. The scared guy, the computer hacker, the egotistical/selfish character, the silent knowing captain, the new guy who helps save the day, the evil corporation, etc.
Maybe best categorized as a space western?
In any case, again, a pretty good book with some interesting plot elements and twists where the good guys win and humanity reigns supreme...
August 21, 2012
Most of my issues with this book I suspect are due to the author's inexperience but I certainly enjoyed it enough to be interested in more by this writer.
Interesting exploration/ first contact (only you get two for the price of one) and still a third if you include the sentient spaceship, who I'd really like to hear more about. The storyline flowed quite well and the three main characters were quite well developed. I wasn't so impressed with the other crew members' development, though it was obvious they were developed to be specifically 'difficult' and self-serving but it was done to a somewhat irritating extent.
Definitely a strong flavor of the 50s "adventure to the stars" space opera themes but overall a fun summer read.
Interesting exploration/ first contact (only you get two for the price of one) and still a third if you include the sentient spaceship, who I'd really like to hear more about. The storyline flowed quite well and the three main characters were quite well developed. I wasn't so impressed with the other crew members' development, though it was obvious they were developed to be specifically 'difficult' and self-serving but it was done to a somewhat irritating extent.
Definitely a strong flavor of the 50s "adventure to the stars" space opera themes but overall a fun summer read.
July 8, 2013
I would actually have given it a 4 if not for the old fashioned dialogue and "feel" to it. Interesting plot because I Like stories that immediately take the reader to another planet and other cultures. Harry the main character was likable but he like the rest of the characters were Caricatures and stereotypical of "ages ago!" The ending begs for a sequel and hopefully Mr. Stone will rise to the challenge and give us characters that seem "real," and some fleshed-out dialogue. Plenty of action though!!
August 27, 2016
A Good First Contact
Linguistic specialist, Harry Irons, gets selected by corporate powerhouse Braithwaite as a crew member to explore new worlds. But mission Commander Fagan knows more than he let's on and may have his own agenda for the mission.
The world they discover has interesting aliens, some primitive aborigines, but a visiting ultra intelligent species proves dangerous and puts the whole mission in jeopardy.
Interesting aliens and a creative world offer a nice scifi story.
Linguistic specialist, Harry Irons, gets selected by corporate powerhouse Braithwaite as a crew member to explore new worlds. But mission Commander Fagan knows more than he let's on and may have his own agenda for the mission.
The world they discover has interesting aliens, some primitive aborigines, but a visiting ultra intelligent species proves dangerous and puts the whole mission in jeopardy.
Interesting aliens and a creative world offer a nice scifi story.
Read
October 31, 2015Pleasantly Surprised
Was looking thru the numerous books in the Kindle library and decided to pick this book because I hadn't read space fiction for awhile. Around about the third chapter I found I was hooked. Fairly light reading that held my interest. For those who want to relax with a good trilogy, this one hits near the top. Recommended for anyone who likes to escape for an hour or 2.
Was looking thru the numerous books in the Kindle library and decided to pick this book because I hadn't read space fiction for awhile. Around about the third chapter I found I was hooked. Fairly light reading that held my interest. For those who want to relax with a good trilogy, this one hits near the top. Recommended for anyone who likes to escape for an hour or 2.
June 16, 2012
I enjoyed the book but felt it got a little long. The pacing and editing could have used a little work. It's a fun adventure that feels like Avatar at times. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 11, 2013
That book is a nice example of good space-opera thing. It has a dynamic story with full entourage - a space, aliens (evil and good ones), stupid partners and so on and the beauty girl, of course :)
I gave it 4 stars for a little more predictability final then than may be.
I gave it 4 stars for a little more predictability final then than may be.
March 14, 2013
Overall this book was an enjoyable read. My only complaint was the writing was inconsistent. Some parts flowed and carried the story well. At other times I felt the story was a tag team writing effort lacking direction and pot marked with poor dialogue and execution.
December 12, 2013
Good read
I liked this book because it has a lot of action it's nonstop. I was never bored.on the negative they kept going from first names to last names so I got somewhat confused.Overall a good read and I will read the others in the series
I liked this book because it has a lot of action it's nonstop. I was never bored.on the negative they kept going from first names to last names so I got somewhat confused.Overall a good read and I will read the others in the series
January 20, 2014
The best book I've read for a while.
A great plot and well written. The book had many surprises and unexpected twists. Normally, I can guess where the book is going, but except for the last chapter the book kept me guessing.
A great plot and well written. The book had many surprises and unexpected twists. Normally, I can guess where the book is going, but except for the last chapter the book kept me guessing.
September 13, 2011
Another good freebie for kindle. I liked it enough that I'm considering buying the 2nd book in the series.
November 8, 2011
Quite a ride.
November 21, 2014
A good sci-fi book
Anyone who likes sci-fi and a good number of people who don't will enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the rest in the series.
Anyone who likes sci-fi and a good number of people who don't will enjoy this book. I can't wait to read the rest in the series.
July 28, 2014
The writing feels amateurish and a bit flat. The story is OK, it is a page turner even if the characters seem cliché. I won't be be reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews