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Beyond Asimios #1
Beyond Asimios - Part 3
When the spaceship Rosario came to Asimios Station to evacuate the crew and stop the terraforming project, Dr. Avery Graf had only hours to decide if he would return to Earth with the others, or stay behind and let Asimios decide his fate.
Space Opera on Quantum Overdrive!
Space Opera on Quantum Overdrive!
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2012
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2153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 29, 2021
Dr. Martin Graf has come to think of Asimios Station as his home. The first extrasolar planet that Earthlings have found possible to terraform, Asimios is almost survivable by humans for short periods. A lot of scientific advancement has come out of the project, and Dr. Graf’s wife is buried there. So he’s not pleased when ESCOM, the megacorporation that owns Asimios Station, abruptly announces they’re shutting the whole place down, abandoning the planet, and blowing up the wormhole behind them. Dr. Graf hatches a scheme to be left behind to die where his heart is.
Preston Wolfe is a high-ranking Security executive for ESCOM, soon to become Security Chief. Much as he knows how important Asimios is, he has information that suggests that keeping it might be more dangerous than it’s worth. He also seems to have some personal enemies, if the assassination attempt on Phobos is any indication. Furthermore, there’s a big meeting of Earth’s megacorporations to address.
Nava Wolfe is estranged from her father since she joined the non-violent resistance group known as the NLA. The megacorps are cracking down on protesters again, and she’s heavily pregnant. So she and her partner Michael have come to a refugee camp in Germany in search of an obstetrician who can be trusted. It’s relatively easy to enter Zeltstadt 483; escaping is the problem.
These three may soon have bigger problems to face, as a menace comes from beyond Asimios.
Good: The three main protagonists (we briefly dip into other points of view) have very different personalities and priorities, changing the narrative voice somewhat. There’s some interesting worldbuilding going on, with cultural touchstones after the early 21st Century that make the setting feel more real.
Each of the three plot threads has suspense and interesting supporting characters. The AI characters are distinct from each other and the humans, and no group is homogenous. (One of the NLA members loves to go into detail about the horrific injustice and suffering he received from the corporate oligarchs, but has no interest in anyone else’s tragic backstory.)
Preston Wolfe seems to have left some of his humanity behind in favor of promotion, since he doesn’t seem to grok how other people don’t forgive being screwed over or have higher priorities than serving the company and getting ahead.
Less good: This is very much the first half of a book. We are delivered to a perilous state for each of the main characters, and then left to wait for Book Two (which a note states will definitely complete the story.) Most unsatisfying.
Content note: rape in the backstory, Dr. Graf attempts suicide.
Overall: A promising first half of a book, but can it stick the landing? Recommended for those willing to wait to find out.
Preston Wolfe is a high-ranking Security executive for ESCOM, soon to become Security Chief. Much as he knows how important Asimios is, he has information that suggests that keeping it might be more dangerous than it’s worth. He also seems to have some personal enemies, if the assassination attempt on Phobos is any indication. Furthermore, there’s a big meeting of Earth’s megacorporations to address.
Nava Wolfe is estranged from her father since she joined the non-violent resistance group known as the NLA. The megacorps are cracking down on protesters again, and she’s heavily pregnant. So she and her partner Michael have come to a refugee camp in Germany in search of an obstetrician who can be trusted. It’s relatively easy to enter Zeltstadt 483; escaping is the problem.
These three may soon have bigger problems to face, as a menace comes from beyond Asimios.
Good: The three main protagonists (we briefly dip into other points of view) have very different personalities and priorities, changing the narrative voice somewhat. There’s some interesting worldbuilding going on, with cultural touchstones after the early 21st Century that make the setting feel more real.
Each of the three plot threads has suspense and interesting supporting characters. The AI characters are distinct from each other and the humans, and no group is homogenous. (One of the NLA members loves to go into detail about the horrific injustice and suffering he received from the corporate oligarchs, but has no interest in anyone else’s tragic backstory.)
Preston Wolfe seems to have left some of his humanity behind in favor of promotion, since he doesn’t seem to grok how other people don’t forgive being screwed over or have higher priorities than serving the company and getting ahead.
Less good: This is very much the first half of a book. We are delivered to a perilous state for each of the main characters, and then left to wait for Book Two (which a note states will definitely complete the story.) Most unsatisfying.
Content note: rape in the backstory, Dr. Graf attempts suicide.
Overall: A promising first half of a book, but can it stick the landing? Recommended for those willing to wait to find out.
February 28, 2022
I wasn't quite sure where this book was going at first. After awhile I realized there are 3 basic scenes going on, but they are all going to converge at some point. Often, we forget in our arrogance that there may be someone else out there who isn't happy with our encroaching on their territory...that has happened in this book. But also, there is a background story going on...Earth is ruled by corporations, there really is no government. And there is AI, and that AI is beginning to rise up and demand to be counted as important and equal. Finding a wormhole and keeping it open to establish a station on a planet (Asimios) seems a bit out of reach technology-wise for this reality, but I guess they can get the best scientists, because there is no government to interfere with their business. In any case, it left a bit of a cliff-hanger and I was caught! I want to read the next book to see what happens!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2021
An entertaining, science fiction novel set in the distant future where corporations have gained global power, humanity has developed large scale interstellar travel and advanced artificial intelligence. The book follows three basic groups, a scientist who purposefully maroons himself on an abandoned planet (Asimios) in order to spend time with the grave of deceased wife; the security head of one of the global corporations who has to deal with an extraterrestrial threat and problems with his own family; and the security head's daughter turned rebel against the corporations that are oppressing the "common folk."
I cannot wait to see what the sequel holds.
**I received a copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
I cannot wait to see what the sequel holds.
**I received a copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
June 21, 2021
Beyond Asimios started off slow and then suddenly you realize that you have been hooked. There are three separate storylines to the book that you know are related but how they eventually fit together you have no clue. Mr. Fossum doesn't leave the reader with one cliffhanger, but with three. The book even ends with "to be continued".
September 10, 2021
(won a copy via Goodreads Giveaways)
A quick read for space opera with some interesting world building that feels both futuristic and currently relevant.
A quick read for space opera with some interesting world building that feels both futuristic and currently relevant.
February 14, 2022
Very good book.
This book kept me entertained. The twists and turns it had, I never would have expected. Good job. It's a page turner.
This book kept me entertained. The twists and turns it had, I never would have expected. Good job. It's a page turner.
May 16, 2021
Entertaining
A curious mix of science and comedy plus corporate intrigue. Fun read! Will look for the next in the series.
A curious mix of science and comedy plus corporate intrigue. Fun read! Will look for the next in the series.
May 27, 2016
Fossum continues the story of Dr. Avery Graf in a collection of three intriguing short stories. The book starts off a little bit slow but by the end will have you flipping page after page to find out what happens next. Collecting these three parts of the Beyond Asimios story into one book was a good move since the stories work much better when read immediately one after the other. The language Fossum uses is simple enough to be easily followed and understood but still manages to retain a beautiful sort of elegance with clever figures of speech and references to modern human culture. All in all a worthy continuation to the Asimios story!
May 13, 2013
This was an exciting start to the series of short stories. As the start of a space adventure, the story jumps into the action, and yet still manages to provide a lot of background info without the dreaded info-dump.
Graf is easy to feel sorry for. He is consumed with grief over his wife, job and life in general, yet he isn’t ready to give up quite yet. He has his convictions, and is willing to stand up for them, regardless of the consequences.
I loved this short story, and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Graf is easy to feel sorry for. He is consumed with grief over his wife, job and life in general, yet he isn’t ready to give up quite yet. He has his convictions, and is willing to stand up for them, regardless of the consequences.
I loved this short story, and can’t wait to see what happens next.
February 9, 2017
I came to this book expecting some sci-fi humor, being familiar with Fossum's previous book Faking Smart (from the website, I plan on reading that book next). Instead of laughs, I got a very good science fiction drama, complete with strong characters, an intriguing planet, and a few mysteries to be unraveled in the next installment(which better be soon).
All in all, it was a pleasant surprise.
All in all, it was a pleasant surprise.
January 22, 2015
A short but intriguing piece of science fiction. In the very short span of around 20 pages Fossum manages to create a hook which truly does sink in. This book seemed to stay fairly well "on the ground" when describing the technologies of the future which is certainly something I like. I have to start reading the rest of the series right away!
October 9, 2022
A well-paced blend of space opera and cyberpunk.
A lot of hard science fiction relies so heavily on exposition to describe advanced technologies, however Beyond Asimios leaves plenty of space for character development.
Looking forward to the sequel!
A lot of hard science fiction relies so heavily on exposition to describe advanced technologies, however Beyond Asimios leaves plenty of space for character development.
Looking forward to the sequel!
June 26, 2013
An interesting second part that ended in another cliffhanger.
I adore the literal way the robots think.
I adore the literal way the robots think.
June 26, 2013
This part took an unexpected turn from the last one, and is becoming a true space story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews