What do you think?
Rate this book
Element-X
When a huge alien spacecraft crashes on the island of Cuba, the world scrambles to investigate.
Secretive organizations have waited for generations for this opportunity, and they do not hesitate to send in recovery teams. Cooperation between nations breaks down as every government wants the newly discovered technology for themselves. Naturally, the Cubans have beaten everyone else, and the island is beginning to change. Aircraft flying reconnaissance are swatted from the skies. Commandos can't make a landing on the beaches without being annihilated.
Malena Marin is a new XCU agent with special abilities. She's sent with a team of veterans on a mission to secure the landing site or die trying. Unfortunately, the enemy knows they're coming.
As the conflict grows and turns increasingly violent, the aliens themselves enter the game. And they have plans of their own…
Secretive organizations have waited for generations for this opportunity, and they do not hesitate to send in recovery teams. Cooperation between nations breaks down as every government wants the newly discovered technology for themselves. Naturally, the Cubans have beaten everyone else, and the island is beginning to change. Aircraft flying reconnaissance are swatted from the skies. Commandos can't make a landing on the beaches without being annihilated.
Malena Marin is a new XCU agent with special abilities. She's sent with a team of veterans on a mission to secure the landing site or die trying. Unfortunately, the enemy knows they're coming.
As the conflict grows and turns increasingly violent, the aliens themselves enter the game. And they have plans of their own…
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2012
89 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
B.V. Larson
133 books1,525 followersBrian Larson is an American science fiction and fantasy author
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 27, 2013
From My Newsletter Number 55:
This review is on Element-X by B.V. Larson. This is the second book I have read by this writer.
The story starts out in South Florida where the main character, Marlena Marin, is trying to find a new job since she lost her analyst job in Virginia. She is approached by a mysterious man who offers her a high paying job with the X.C.U., a super secret government agency located in Key Largo. Since she really needs work, Marlena takes the job after an unusual interview with her new boss.
X.C.U. has a site in Cuba that needs investigating. Marlena is assigned to the team and they go searching for something called “Element-X”, which several countries in the world are trying to get a piece of for reasons you will soon discover reading the story. For a former analyst, working in the field is much more dangerous than Marlena bargained for.
After reading Steel World, I was expecting a lot more from this author. The story did not deliver the mystery, suspense, action or characters I was hoping for. I could not get emotionally attached to the main characters or to the plot. The story seemed a bit contrived and the explanations for what Element-X is, where it comes from and why it is so important are not fully explained.
I give this book three stars because it is well written and does contain an element of suspense as the story moves along, but nowhere near what I was hoping for. I will try one of the author’s better known series next since I was so impressed with Steel World.
This review is on Element-X by B.V. Larson. This is the second book I have read by this writer.
The story starts out in South Florida where the main character, Marlena Marin, is trying to find a new job since she lost her analyst job in Virginia. She is approached by a mysterious man who offers her a high paying job with the X.C.U., a super secret government agency located in Key Largo. Since she really needs work, Marlena takes the job after an unusual interview with her new boss.
X.C.U. has a site in Cuba that needs investigating. Marlena is assigned to the team and they go searching for something called “Element-X”, which several countries in the world are trying to get a piece of for reasons you will soon discover reading the story. For a former analyst, working in the field is much more dangerous than Marlena bargained for.
After reading Steel World, I was expecting a lot more from this author. The story did not deliver the mystery, suspense, action or characters I was hoping for. I could not get emotionally attached to the main characters or to the plot. The story seemed a bit contrived and the explanations for what Element-X is, where it comes from and why it is so important are not fully explained.
I give this book three stars because it is well written and does contain an element of suspense as the story moves along, but nowhere near what I was hoping for. I will try one of the author’s better known series next since I was so impressed with Steel World.
January 2, 2013
Excellent as usual! I thought the sketches throughout the book were a nice touch.
September 13, 2019
Interesting title. If you're a military scifi fan, you're likely to enjoy this one. There's not any space travel in this one, so if that's your thing, you might be disappointed, but there's plenty of aliens, space technology, and space ships too, even if the ship and tech all seem to be in the same place. Very cool story, though if the whole mercenaries for hire thing doesn't appeal to you, then this story isn't going to get your pulse going, but for those of us who like that sort of thing, this book has plenty of battles, alien vs. human, human vs. human, shadowy government agencies vs. aliens, and the whole nine yards, Except for the exploration of space, this book has everything you need to enjoy a fine scifi yarn.
October 23, 2019
Fast paced, but somewhat predictable
Good writing, few errors, and a solid plot. It's rather predictable, and the heroine is just a bit overpowered for being supposedly an untrained rookie, while her partner is rather weak for what is supposed to be a veteran. But it's not as bad as most the genre that's out right now.
His undying merc series is better, but this has the potential to become as good.
Good writing, few errors, and a solid plot. It's rather predictable, and the heroine is just a bit overpowered for being supposedly an untrained rookie, while her partner is rather weak for what is supposed to be a veteran. But it's not as bad as most the genre that's out right now.
His undying merc series is better, but this has the potential to become as good.
October 23, 2019
Great fun
Action packed fun! I'm a huge fan of the undying mercenaries series, and while this story plays out in a time thats closer to ours, I really enjoyed the characters banter and the interesting and original premise. I can only recommend this book, and can't wait to find out what happens next!
Action packed fun! I'm a huge fan of the undying mercenaries series, and while this story plays out in a time thats closer to ours, I really enjoyed the characters banter and the interesting and original premise. I can only recommend this book, and can't wait to find out what happens next!
January 13, 2018
Good read. The book has an open story line that can make a goo BV series
Good ideas here. Everything worked out too well for the hero, but that's common for a new story line. Good read
Good ideas here. Everything worked out too well for the hero, but that's common for a new story line. Good read
October 17, 2019
Good story
Larson is my favorite author cause his story characters have a certain swag to them. This story was no exception in the characters was unique in their own way. Not crazy bad but not all good. Just human.
Larson is my favorite author cause his story characters have a certain swag to them. This story was no exception in the characters was unique in their own way. Not crazy bad but not all good. Just human.
Read
October 24, 2019A quick read
Not enough information about the aliens. The book needed to provide further background to maintain a desire to continue to the next book. Too obvious that you need to buy a series to learn anything.
Not enough information about the aliens. The book needed to provide further background to maintain a desire to continue to the next book. Too obvious that you need to buy a series to learn anything.
November 25, 2019
Hard to put down.
Like any good si-fi read, the story kept pulling me back. A few gimmicks to hold the story together, but, nevertheless very entertaining. I look forward to other B.V. Larson works
Like any good si-fi read, the story kept pulling me back. A few gimmicks to hold the story together, but, nevertheless very entertaining. I look forward to other B.V. Larson works
December 4, 2018
3 maybe even 3.5 stars, Not a bad book. I think I will look for me by this author.
October 16, 2019
Good Read, looking forward to the next book in this series
October 22, 2019
Great story
B. V. Did it again. Very exciting story and gripping action. Seems like it is going to be a good series.
B. V. Did it again. Very exciting story and gripping action. Seems like it is going to be a good series.
November 6, 2019
Ok
Okay.
This review is forced, must be at least 19 words. It was not on par with other b v Larson novels I've read.
Okay.
This review is forced, must be at least 19 words. It was not on par with other b v Larson novels I've read.
September 21, 2020
Interesting concept for a story line
Good start to another adventure series. I hope there are more books to read or coming soon. Thanks for the story.
Good start to another adventure series. I hope there are more books to read or coming soon. Thanks for the story.
March 12, 2022
Great story!
A bit different than Larson's other stuff, but very good. As always great characters and an interestingly different story line. I hope this will be a series 🙏
A bit different than Larson's other stuff, but very good. As always great characters and an interestingly different story line. I hope this will be a series 🙏
March 7, 2023
Really enjoyed this!
Normally like to read Undying Mercenaries and found this instead. Good to read with a strong female lead, nice character development and a great story line!
Normally like to read Undying Mercenaries and found this instead. Good to read with a strong female lead, nice character development and a great story line!
September 30, 2023
Is this the start of a new series???
Great read. Different than the other series of books but so far, a great story line. Looking for another in the series!
Great read. Different than the other series of books but so far, a great story line. Looking for another in the series!
May 15, 2015
I am not sure whether I liked this story or not. It's about a young woman who worked for a CIA type organization and was fired and in desperation takes a job with another "black Ops" type organization because she needed the money that was offered. Then she discovered that she has some type special ability to sense the presence of something called Element X. And it's well into the story before we find that the "X" is in an alien space ship that has crashed in Cuba. And she is assigned with one other black ops person to go in and retrieve the "X".
The story has a kinda different twist because there are special operations people from other countries who are also trying to get to the "X". And one of these others i a guy who heads a Dutch team and he is ruthless in his dealing with the Americans. But they do get through a force field that is around the ship and get inside and find the huge ball of element X. They also encounter some aliens who fight to take their ship back. But the big fight is between the Dutch team and the two Americans. In the end the two Americans do get out of the ship and safely back to the US.
The story has a kinda different twist because there are special operations people from other countries who are also trying to get to the "X". And one of these others i a guy who heads a Dutch team and he is ruthless in his dealing with the Americans. But they do get through a force field that is around the ship and get inside and find the huge ball of element X. They also encounter some aliens who fight to take their ship back. But the big fight is between the Dutch team and the two Americans. In the end the two Americans do get out of the ship and safely back to the US.
September 8, 2015
Wasn't Element X from those old Bugs Bunny/ Daffy Duck cartoons?
I find it telling that if the roles were reversed, and it was a guy who was hired off the streets, in place of our Biologist, things would have turned out FAR differently.
If it was a guy, he would have been told to MAN UP(even though he was a rookie, fresh out of water, and super green behind the ears), and everyone would have died.
It's because of the special treatment she received that people are still alive.
Stereotypical women "feelings" gets in the way. I've seen both female and male Authors show, that when a woman leads with her "feelings" instead of logic on a battlefield, I get extremely pissed, and people in the book "gets dead".
Why do they always look for the nonexistent good in the other person? I get really peeved(and extremely pissed) when I see a female making good decisions, shooting people without qualms, trying to stay alive....
Then they trust the enemy, who they KNOW is going to betray them at the drop of the hat.... Is this suppose to make them more "human"? I hate martyrs( and self masochist) with a passion.
3/5 Stars
I find it telling that if the roles were reversed, and it was a guy who was hired off the streets, in place of our Biologist, things would have turned out FAR differently.
If it was a guy, he would have been told to MAN UP(even though he was a rookie, fresh out of water, and super green behind the ears), and everyone would have died.
It's because of the special treatment she received that people are still alive.
Stereotypical women "feelings" gets in the way. I've seen both female and male Authors show, that when a woman leads with her "feelings" instead of logic on a battlefield, I get extremely pissed, and people in the book "gets dead".
Why do they always look for the nonexistent good in the other person? I get really peeved(and extremely pissed) when I see a female making good decisions, shooting people without qualms, trying to stay alive....
Then they trust the enemy, who they KNOW is going to betray them at the drop of the hat.... Is this suppose to make them more "human"? I hate martyrs( and self masochist) with a passion.
3/5 Stars
August 21, 2014
Element-X.......
A different kind of tale, of the near future with government agencies racing and competing with each other to claim alien artifacts left by off-world visitors. We have been visited often by other intelligent species involuntarily. For inexplicable reasons there are recurring crashes of vehicle(ships) on our world and everyone wants the technology.
There's a lot of suspense and struggle in the process of acquiring the material, and a lot of fun in the reading of it. Enjoy.
A different kind of tale, of the near future with government agencies racing and competing with each other to claim alien artifacts left by off-world visitors. We have been visited often by other intelligent species involuntarily. For inexplicable reasons there are recurring crashes of vehicle(ships) on our world and everyone wants the technology.
There's a lot of suspense and struggle in the process of acquiring the material, and a lot of fun in the reading of it. Enjoy.
January 30, 2015
Good, interesting read
The book was a quick and engaging read. It could've been better with more character development and a bit more discussion of the ideas broached about the 'aliens' not being automatically classified as threatening enemies but rather crippled strangers in a strange land. I do like many other of Larson's other series and stand-alones. More XCU books please.
The book was a quick and engaging read. It could've been better with more character development and a bit more discussion of the ideas broached about the 'aliens' not being automatically classified as threatening enemies but rather crippled strangers in a strange land. I do like many other of Larson's other series and stand-alones. More XCU books please.
December 4, 2015
Excellent read!
B. V. Larson never fails to surprise me! This has a little bit of everything that both sci-fi and non sci-fi lovers will like. I couldn't put it down, and the reader was very talented and did a great job bringing all the characters, settings, well... the entire story, alive as well. I finished the whole book in one day. Thank you B. V., for sharing your wonderful gift with the world!
B. V. Larson never fails to surprise me! This has a little bit of everything that both sci-fi and non sci-fi lovers will like. I couldn't put it down, and the reader was very talented and did a great job bringing all the characters, settings, well... the entire story, alive as well. I finished the whole book in one day. Thank you B. V., for sharing your wonderful gift with the world!
March 17, 2016
This was a good start to what I assume will be a new series of books. I found it not quite as engaging as the 'Undying Mercenaries' series but a solid read none the less.
I like the portrayal of humanity as scavengers squabbling over the scraps of alien tech. This is one of the more believable scenarios of what happens if someone falls from space and lands on earth!
I like the portrayal of humanity as scavengers squabbling over the scraps of alien tech. This is one of the more believable scenarios of what happens if someone falls from space and lands on earth!
August 16, 2013
Couldn't get into this one. I'll just stick with the Star Force series that I'm totally obsessed with.
December 25, 2013
Fast starter.
Nice weekend read with an interesting concept, I quit enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book.
I always enjoy B.V. Larson.
Nice weekend read with an interesting concept, I quit enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book.
I always enjoy B.V. Larson.
April 10, 2014
What is this book about?
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews