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Genesis Earth Trilogy #1
Genesis Earth
THE ULTIMATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY ENDS WHEN YOU LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELF.
Michael Anderson never thought he would set foot on a world like Earth. Born and raised in a science colony on the farthest edge of the solar system, he only studied planets from afar. But when his parents build mankind's first wormhole and discover a world emitting a mysterious artificial signal, Michael is the only qualified planetologist young enough to travel to the alien star.
He is not alone on this voyage of discovery. Terra, his sole mission partner, is no more an adult than he is. Soon after their arrival, however, she begins acting strangely—as if she's keeping secrets from him. And her darkest secret is one that Michael already knows.
Twenty light-years from the nearest human being, they must learn to work together if they're ever going to survive. And what they discover on the alien planet forces them to re-examine their deepest, most unquestioned beliefs about the universe—and about what it means to be human.
Michael Anderson never thought he would set foot on a world like Earth. Born and raised in a science colony on the farthest edge of the solar system, he only studied planets from afar. But when his parents build mankind's first wormhole and discover a world emitting a mysterious artificial signal, Michael is the only qualified planetologist young enough to travel to the alien star.
He is not alone on this voyage of discovery. Terra, his sole mission partner, is no more an adult than he is. Soon after their arrival, however, she begins acting strangely—as if she's keeping secrets from him. And her darkest secret is one that Michael already knows.
Twenty light-years from the nearest human being, they must learn to work together if they're ever going to survive. And what they discover on the alien planet forces them to re-examine their deepest, most unquestioned beliefs about the universe—and about what it means to be human.
279 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2011
231 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Joe Vasicek
125 books103 followersJoe Vasicek fell in love with science fiction and fantasy when he read A Wrinkle in Time and The Neverending Story as a child. He wrote several unfinished novels in high school and took Brandon Sanderson's writing class at Brigham Young University.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
November 22, 2011
I really liked this book by Joe Vasicek. It sucked me in from the start and didn't let go until the end. The story moved at a perfect pace; not too slow, not too fast.
The plot is very creative--in a science-y, nerd-y kind of way. (Hey, I'm a scientist, so that's totally cool for me.) The technology, astronomy and geology were all very believable and realistic. I liked the action and the outcome.
The thing that was missing from the story was suspense and tension. There was some (in one particular scene--can't go into details for fear of spoilage), but not enough. I kept bracing for the conflict or tension in the latter scenes, but it didn't come. If there had been more tension (a good kind of tension *nudge nudge, wink wink* ;D ) between characters and conflict with their new environment, this would have been an over-the-top story.
Genesis Earth is a solid 4-star book and a definite read. If you like space & exploration, you'll like this!
The plot is very creative--in a science-y, nerd-y kind of way. (Hey, I'm a scientist, so that's totally cool for me.) The technology, astronomy and geology were all very believable and realistic. I liked the action and the outcome.
The thing that was missing from the story was suspense and tension. There was some (in one particular scene--can't go into details for fear of spoilage), but not enough. I kept bracing for the conflict or tension in the latter scenes, but it didn't come. If there had been more tension (a good kind of tension *nudge nudge, wink wink* ;D ) between characters and conflict with their new environment, this would have been an over-the-top story.
Genesis Earth is a solid 4-star book and a definite read. If you like space & exploration, you'll like this!
September 13, 2011
(Cross-posted from Frida Fantastic)
Genesis Earth is a space opera coming of age story. Michael and Terra are two young adults raised on Heinlein space station, and they’re charged with an important mission that could usher in a new era of space exploration. While they face the unknown, an innocent romance blooms between the two.
This book has a wonderful start. The conflict and paranoia between the two characters while they’re isolated in space is brilliantly done. I liked how they aren’t hyper-competent protagonists, but very flawed young people who happen to be on the most important mission for mankind. They take different approaches towards their obligations to the mission: while Terra considers herself free from expectations, Michael nearly collapses from the weight of his responsibilities. Their characterization and interactions are a strength of this book.
Vasicek’s prose and exposition are excellent. The pacing is slow, but it works in the story’s favour because it sets the mood and it makes the build-up fairly intense. The scene where the protagonists thaw from cryogenic sleep is particularly memorable. It’s heart-pounding and it really shows how fragile humans are out in the cold void of space.
While the first half is great, the book changes focus to something I couldn’t care much about. The big questions developed early on were meaty stuff: where should humanity go and what is the future of mankind? But instead of fully exploring those questions, the protagonist decides to shelve them and focus on carving out a life for himself.
The personal conflict of Michael deciding between what’s best for the mission and for his own life is actually good, and it’s not a conflict I often see in sci-fi. The problem is that Michael himself is uninteresting compared to the big questions that the story decides to ignore. I was willing to put up with Michael to see what he’d discover, but when he decides to focus on himself and his budding relationship with Terra, it’s hard to stifle the yawns. They’re the space equivalents of two young adults that have never left their small town: they’re boring. Do I care if they’d settle down and find a happily ever after? Not really. And it’s hard to take their romance seriously when there’s half a dozen unused Chekov’s guns littering the landscape.
I was also incredulous at Michael’s priorities. He finds a terrifying answer to the “future of mankind” question, and instead of pursuing it and possibly changing humanity’s fate, he decides to stick to the mission. I understand that he’s a strict-rule-abiding kind of guy, but I’m sure the folks back on Heinlein station would rather have him investigate that lead. I was surprised that Terra didn’t consider that a priority either. To be blunt, I thought that their subsequent accomplishments amounted to rearranging the furniture while the house burned down. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it bothered me that they didn’t recognize the weight of their decision.
Genesis Earth explores big sci-fi questions, but they eventually fade into the background as the puppy love between the two protagonists takes centre stage. Vasicek is a competent prose writer, he establishes the space setting really well, and he has good ideas. I’d like to see him tackle a concept-driven science fiction story. If you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure or one that thoroughly explores big questions, this isn’t it. But if you just want a coming of age story with a bit of romance set in space, this might be up your alley.
Note: A free review copy was provided by the author.
Genesis Earth is a space opera coming of age story. Michael and Terra are two young adults raised on Heinlein space station, and they’re charged with an important mission that could usher in a new era of space exploration. While they face the unknown, an innocent romance blooms between the two.
This book has a wonderful start. The conflict and paranoia between the two characters while they’re isolated in space is brilliantly done. I liked how they aren’t hyper-competent protagonists, but very flawed young people who happen to be on the most important mission for mankind. They take different approaches towards their obligations to the mission: while Terra considers herself free from expectations, Michael nearly collapses from the weight of his responsibilities. Their characterization and interactions are a strength of this book.
Vasicek’s prose and exposition are excellent. The pacing is slow, but it works in the story’s favour because it sets the mood and it makes the build-up fairly intense. The scene where the protagonists thaw from cryogenic sleep is particularly memorable. It’s heart-pounding and it really shows how fragile humans are out in the cold void of space.
While the first half is great, the book changes focus to something I couldn’t care much about. The big questions developed early on were meaty stuff: where should humanity go and what is the future of mankind? But instead of fully exploring those questions, the protagonist decides to shelve them and focus on carving out a life for himself.
The personal conflict of Michael deciding between what’s best for the mission and for his own life is actually good, and it’s not a conflict I often see in sci-fi. The problem is that Michael himself is uninteresting compared to the big questions that the story decides to ignore. I was willing to put up with Michael to see what he’d discover, but when he decides to focus on himself and his budding relationship with Terra, it’s hard to stifle the yawns. They’re the space equivalents of two young adults that have never left their small town: they’re boring. Do I care if they’d settle down and find a happily ever after? Not really. And it’s hard to take their romance seriously when there’s half a dozen unused Chekov’s guns littering the landscape.
I was also incredulous at Michael’s priorities. He finds a terrifying answer to the “future of mankind” question, and instead of pursuing it and possibly changing humanity’s fate, he decides to stick to the mission. I understand that he’s a strict-rule-abiding kind of guy, but I’m sure the folks back on Heinlein station would rather have him investigate that lead. I was surprised that Terra didn’t consider that a priority either. To be blunt, I thought that their subsequent accomplishments amounted to rearranging the furniture while the house burned down. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it bothered me that they didn’t recognize the weight of their decision.
Genesis Earth explores big sci-fi questions, but they eventually fade into the background as the puppy love between the two protagonists takes centre stage. Vasicek is a competent prose writer, he establishes the space setting really well, and he has good ideas. I’d like to see him tackle a concept-driven science fiction story. If you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure or one that thoroughly explores big questions, this isn’t it. But if you just want a coming of age story with a bit of romance set in space, this might be up your alley.
Note: A free review copy was provided by the author.
July 26, 2012
Sci-fi is not my genre, but the author is my own son! I read it in 2 days (fast, for me); after page 100, I did not want to put the book down. Had to see what would develop--see the story. I'm hosting the author at home for a few weeks, so it has been fun to discuss his characters, etc. in person. I look forward to more discussion.
July 20, 2011
So for my first review here, I was truly hoping to find something I could absolutely rave about to everyone. GENESIS EARTH by Joe Vasicek, ended up having a few things holding it back from those lofty hopes but overall it did turn out to be an enjoyable read.
Let’s get the mechanic stuff out of the way first. Cover looks pretty professional. Formatting for this book (Kindle version at least) was impeccable. Editing was pretty well done as well, a few small typos and missing ending quotation marks were found but nothing significant or distracting.
Okay I’ll start with the beginning, which in my opinion was the worst part of the book. The entire first chapter was an off-screen info-dump. The second chapter again was nothing but info-dump, this time done through several scenes of forced dialog. Now perhaps this type off screen force-feeding of back-story and facts are needed for YA audiences to appreciate what is to come, I don’t know. I was 15, like 15 years ago, so I can’t really look through that lens anymore. But it's unfortunate because this could be all a reader may get with a sample and it's not a true example of the overall quality of the writing. And I can say I wish the book had basically started with chapter 3 and filled us in on the back-story in digestible bites on the way. I mean the setup (minus some details) is summed up nicely in the efficient blurb, why did I just read 2 chapters of it?
Once the story gets going though, things get much better. We have a young duo going on a long journey to investigate the possibility (and probability) of extra terrestrial life on the other side of a wormhole. 1st contact. Cool stuff. Now they have to be somewhat young to survive the cryo-sleep-travel, which Vasicek pulls off well (meaning I didn’t feel like it was a contrived plot device to make it a YA novel). Mike is a good kid, studious, patient, and sensitive. Overall a thoroughly likeable Protagonist. And then there’s Terra, brilliant in her own right but with some mental issues that makes her distant and volatile.
I was torn on Vasicek’s decision to make her so deeply psychologically flawed. On one hand it seemed implausible that the people in charge of such an important mission would send someone so unpredictable out to be one of two people for an extended mission, let alone a ‘first contact’ mission. On the other hand though, it really livened the story up, providing a counterbalance for Mike’s do-gooder, sometimes bland personality. To confuse the matter more, with the amount of foreshadowing that went into her mental issues, I was expecting them to turn out to be a much more serious, more integral part of the story.
As we get further into the book, one scientific discovery is followed by another as the duo unravel some pretty significant and interesting mysteries. All the while a relationship begins blooming. Vasicek does an excellent job with his characterizations, dialog rings true, and the science used is explained adequately without going overboard. Parts of it with the ghost ship reminded me of Fred Saberhagen (which coming from me is a compliment) and the book kept me glued to it until the very end. The writing itself is proficient and at times exceptional (the unthawing scene was incredible!)…so why don’t I find myself raving about GENESIS EARTH?
Well, without giving away any spoilers, I never felt like there was a strong sense of conflict. The areas of highest tension seemed to come too early in the story and then were abruptly resolved. After that, there were no external conflicts left to resolve, the decisions after that (some of which were major, life-altering changes) were made in a seemingly capricious, ho-hum type of apathy negating the impact those internal conflicts could have presented.
All that being said though, overall this isn’t a negative assessment of GENESIS EARTH, I actually enjoyed the book. But the places in which I felt disappointed, I couldn’t help seeing all the things I felt should-have-been.
It is clear though that Vasicek has talent as a writer and while I don’t think this was a ‘home-run’, I do feel confident (from what I’ve seen here) that he is capable of writing truly excellent fiction. I really look forward to seeing what he can do with future works.
[-150to+ 50] Professionalism (Cover/Formatting/Editing): 50 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Characterizations: 100 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Plot/Pace: 50 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Writing/Prose: 100 Tribbles
Total: 300 Tribbles
Disclaimer: per rules of Sciencefictionaddiction(dot)blogspot(dot)com, I received a free review copy of GENESIS EARTH.
Let’s get the mechanic stuff out of the way first. Cover looks pretty professional. Formatting for this book (Kindle version at least) was impeccable. Editing was pretty well done as well, a few small typos and missing ending quotation marks were found but nothing significant or distracting.
Okay I’ll start with the beginning, which in my opinion was the worst part of the book. The entire first chapter was an off-screen info-dump. The second chapter again was nothing but info-dump, this time done through several scenes of forced dialog. Now perhaps this type off screen force-feeding of back-story and facts are needed for YA audiences to appreciate what is to come, I don’t know. I was 15, like 15 years ago, so I can’t really look through that lens anymore. But it's unfortunate because this could be all a reader may get with a sample and it's not a true example of the overall quality of the writing. And I can say I wish the book had basically started with chapter 3 and filled us in on the back-story in digestible bites on the way. I mean the setup (minus some details) is summed up nicely in the efficient blurb, why did I just read 2 chapters of it?
Once the story gets going though, things get much better. We have a young duo going on a long journey to investigate the possibility (and probability) of extra terrestrial life on the other side of a wormhole. 1st contact. Cool stuff. Now they have to be somewhat young to survive the cryo-sleep-travel, which Vasicek pulls off well (meaning I didn’t feel like it was a contrived plot device to make it a YA novel). Mike is a good kid, studious, patient, and sensitive. Overall a thoroughly likeable Protagonist. And then there’s Terra, brilliant in her own right but with some mental issues that makes her distant and volatile.
I was torn on Vasicek’s decision to make her so deeply psychologically flawed. On one hand it seemed implausible that the people in charge of such an important mission would send someone so unpredictable out to be one of two people for an extended mission, let alone a ‘first contact’ mission. On the other hand though, it really livened the story up, providing a counterbalance for Mike’s do-gooder, sometimes bland personality. To confuse the matter more, with the amount of foreshadowing that went into her mental issues, I was expecting them to turn out to be a much more serious, more integral part of the story.
As we get further into the book, one scientific discovery is followed by another as the duo unravel some pretty significant and interesting mysteries. All the while a relationship begins blooming. Vasicek does an excellent job with his characterizations, dialog rings true, and the science used is explained adequately without going overboard. Parts of it with the ghost ship reminded me of Fred Saberhagen (which coming from me is a compliment) and the book kept me glued to it until the very end. The writing itself is proficient and at times exceptional (the unthawing scene was incredible!)…so why don’t I find myself raving about GENESIS EARTH?
Well, without giving away any spoilers, I never felt like there was a strong sense of conflict. The areas of highest tension seemed to come too early in the story and then were abruptly resolved. After that, there were no external conflicts left to resolve, the decisions after that (some of which were major, life-altering changes) were made in a seemingly capricious, ho-hum type of apathy negating the impact those internal conflicts could have presented.
All that being said though, overall this isn’t a negative assessment of GENESIS EARTH, I actually enjoyed the book. But the places in which I felt disappointed, I couldn’t help seeing all the things I felt should-have-been.
It is clear though that Vasicek has talent as a writer and while I don’t think this was a ‘home-run’, I do feel confident (from what I’ve seen here) that he is capable of writing truly excellent fiction. I really look forward to seeing what he can do with future works.
[-150to+ 50] Professionalism (Cover/Formatting/Editing): 50 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Characterizations: 100 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Plot/Pace: 50 Tribbles
[-100to+150] Writing/Prose: 100 Tribbles
Total: 300 Tribbles
Disclaimer: per rules of Sciencefictionaddiction(dot)blogspot(dot)com, I received a free review copy of GENESIS EARTH.
June 17, 2017
“It was only after she’d left that I realized I had lied.”
From the title of the book and the cover artwork, I didn’t have high expectations from this book. I just hoped it could deliver a 3-star story so I wouldn’t feel I had wasted my time. The book far exceeded my expectations and was my favourite of 2016 and definitely one I want to reread at a later date (I rarely reread books – the last time was in 2007 when I read ‘The Giver’).
Despite how much I enjoyed the book, it didn’t seem to be headed that way.
The first two chapters were bland, boilerplate, paint by numbers sci-fi storytelling. The biggest surprise (which, at the time, seemed facepalm worthy) come towards in the second chapter - a team is selected to explore a newly discovered world. The surprise is in who is selected and the "personality" issues they have. I realize that stories depend on tension and conflict, but to me, it seemed the author was deliberately setting up an artificially forced situation between the characters selected for the mission.
In chapter 4, I encountered one of the most wonderfully written pieces of sci-fi I have ever come across. It was brilliant and economical in its use of language to describe the process of emerging from cryogenic deep freeze. This was a definite turning point in the book for me and I was willing to forgive the first 3 chapters if the rest of the book continued in this way.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. As I continued reading, I realized the author was going back to having characters doing questionable / unbelievable things. There was this constant yo-yo of writing between “Oh my god! Who writes crap like this?” to “Wow! That was incredible!”
My hope hinged on the book having enough brilliant parts to offset the “eye rolling” parts. I was wrong. I came to realize the problem was with me, not the author.
The story is told in first person from the point of view of the protagonist Michael. And this is key, what we read, what we see is filtered through his perceptions, his experience. Michael is not omniscient. Michael is not always rational. And this is why we get those face-palm / eye rolling moments – because Michael narrates events to us from his subjective point of view. As intelligent and rational as he is, he is fallible in his narration.
I think a lot of authors miss this distinction. Characters tend to be 100% objective observers (substituting for the omniscient third person narrator), with usually one large mistaken perception or gap in their knowledge. Or they are 100% basket cases, but completely sane about one thing nobody else believes . They are never reasonably objective with small bits of bias and prejudice slipping in.
I am not sure the ending will appeal to everyone, but I thought I thought it worked well.
I definitely want to read a sequel.
Some quotes from inside:
“Every AI mankind had ever created had been carefully restrained to keep it from becoming self-learning and surpassing its human masters.”
“I felt as if history had caught me with my pants down.”
“When we look long and hard at the things we most desire, the logic always breaks down. It all becomes nonsense at some point.”
From the title of the book and the cover artwork, I didn’t have high expectations from this book. I just hoped it could deliver a 3-star story so I wouldn’t feel I had wasted my time. The book far exceeded my expectations and was my favourite of 2016 and definitely one I want to reread at a later date (I rarely reread books – the last time was in 2007 when I read ‘The Giver’).
Despite how much I enjoyed the book, it didn’t seem to be headed that way.
The first two chapters were bland, boilerplate, paint by numbers sci-fi storytelling. The biggest surprise (which, at the time, seemed facepalm worthy) come towards in the second chapter - a team is selected to explore a newly discovered world. The surprise is in who is selected and the "personality" issues they have. I realize that stories depend on tension and conflict, but to me, it seemed the author was deliberately setting up an artificially forced situation between the characters selected for the mission.
In chapter 4, I encountered one of the most wonderfully written pieces of sci-fi I have ever come across. It was brilliant and economical in its use of language to describe the process of emerging from cryogenic deep freeze. This was a definite turning point in the book for me and I was willing to forgive the first 3 chapters if the rest of the book continued in this way.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. As I continued reading, I realized the author was going back to having characters doing questionable / unbelievable things. There was this constant yo-yo of writing between “Oh my god! Who writes crap like this?” to “Wow! That was incredible!”
My hope hinged on the book having enough brilliant parts to offset the “eye rolling” parts. I was wrong. I came to realize the problem was with me, not the author.
The story is told in first person from the point of view of the protagonist Michael. And this is key, what we read, what we see is filtered through his perceptions, his experience. Michael is not omniscient. Michael is not always rational. And this is why we get those face-palm / eye rolling moments – because Michael narrates events to us from his subjective point of view. As intelligent and rational as he is, he is fallible in his narration.
I think a lot of authors miss this distinction. Characters tend to be 100% objective observers (substituting for the omniscient third person narrator), with usually one large mistaken perception or gap in their knowledge. Or they are 100% basket cases, but completely sane about one thing nobody else believes . They are never reasonably objective with small bits of bias and prejudice slipping in.
I am not sure the ending will appeal to everyone, but I thought I thought it worked well.
I definitely want to read a sequel.
Some quotes from inside:
“Every AI mankind had ever created had been carefully restrained to keep it from becoming self-learning and surpassing its human masters.”
“I felt as if history had caught me with my pants down.”
“When we look long and hard at the things we most desire, the logic always breaks down. It all becomes nonsense at some point.”
January 4, 2018
When Earth starts decaying, a colony of scientist set out to create a wormhole in space. Two young scientist are sent on a forty year voyage to investigate an Earth-like planet and wind up six million years in the future. One of the first things the couple must do is learn to accept each other.
September 17, 2020
Great sci-fi adventure.
This is the type of book I love. The type that absorbs all of you into the storyline. The characters were so real and easy to identify with. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
This is the type of book I love. The type that absorbs all of you into the storyline. The characters were so real and easy to identify with. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
November 23, 2023
For kids like a story with no real action, suspense or intrigue. Its just a story of two kids in space. And light years is distance- not time, but the author obviously does not know this b
October 7, 2011
Genesis Earth is just a flat out good sci-fi story. While I didn't realize it before hand, it was clear throughout the story that it is geared towards young adults. The beautiful cover mirrors the great ideas and fantastic imagery found within. With only two significant characters and straight forward plot line, the book was a breeze to get through.
See the in-depth review at Sift: http://www.siftreviews.com/2011/10/ge...
Review by: Kevin of Sift Book Reviews
Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.
See the in-depth review at Sift: http://www.siftreviews.com/2011/10/ge...
Review by: Kevin of Sift Book Reviews
Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.
April 8, 2016
It's got a great beat and it's easy to dance to!
While this book may be better for young readers, I found it enjoyable and a worthy first installment for a trilogy. I would have preferred to see more exploration of the remaining technology, both in the ghost ship and planet. But, that's just more material for any sequels. Well worth the time and effort to read.
While this book may be better for young readers, I found it enjoyable and a worthy first installment for a trilogy. I would have preferred to see more exploration of the remaining technology, both in the ghost ship and planet. But, that's just more material for any sequels. Well worth the time and effort to read.
December 15, 2016
Enjoyed it
I had a hared time putting it down. The lack of gratuitous profanity and promiscuity was refreshing. It was fun reading it.
I had a hared time putting it down. The lack of gratuitous profanity and promiscuity was refreshing. It was fun reading it.
August 1, 2017
Interesting reading
Really liked the idea of the story. It was not what I expected. I was anxious to get to the next chapter.
Really liked the idea of the story. It was not what I expected. I was anxious to get to the next chapter.
July 8, 2023
Michael is the son of the team that leads the Heinlein Station, a pair of the most brilliant physicists Earth has ever produced. It was decided that their hypothesis should be tested two light-years from Sol. They would either prove their hypothesis, make it a theory, or disprove it. But when they were successful, they decided to send a manned mission through the wormhole as soon as possible. They knew the risks, and since Michael was the only planetologist on the station, he was picked to go along with Terra Beck, an astronomer. It was them, the children of the scientist of the station. They were the only ones that would be able to survive the cryofreeze. It would take eighty years for the round trip.
This epic adventure is the author’s debut book and a trilogy series starter. The physical world-building is lacking in the immediate vicinity of the characters, while the distant big picture has more definition. The ethereal world-building is very well done and even on point in places. The character interaction can be wonderful in places, especially before the protagonists reveal what was told them about the other.
This science fiction fable involves time travel, alien contact, and space exploration. I give it five stars out of five stars.
This epic adventure is the author’s debut book and a trilogy series starter. The physical world-building is lacking in the immediate vicinity of the characters, while the distant big picture has more definition. The ethereal world-building is very well done and even on point in places. The character interaction can be wonderful in places, especially before the protagonists reveal what was told them about the other.
This science fiction fable involves time travel, alien contact, and space exploration. I give it five stars out of five stars.
September 12, 2023
Wormholes
With how little we know about wormholes you think we would leave them alone but in science fiction it can be fun. A very common trope in sci-fi these days is expressing how much trouble the earth is in because of what humans have done to it. Because this is a reality in our lives I think it means a bit more. This story deals with a spacefaring group that travels to the other end of our solar system in the hopes that they can create a wormhole to some place that they can gain access to resources to help save the human race. The main body of the story deals with two humans who end up traveling together and slowly building a relationship while learning many things about the fate of the human race. This was definitely an interesting book and I very much enjoyed it. It was the first part of a trilogy and I hope to get the chance to get to the others at some point. It will be interesting to see how the human race progresses now that things have been altered unless of course it's how everything was meant to be in the first place. I guess I will have to read more to find out the outcomes.
With how little we know about wormholes you think we would leave them alone but in science fiction it can be fun. A very common trope in sci-fi these days is expressing how much trouble the earth is in because of what humans have done to it. Because this is a reality in our lives I think it means a bit more. This story deals with a spacefaring group that travels to the other end of our solar system in the hopes that they can create a wormhole to some place that they can gain access to resources to help save the human race. The main body of the story deals with two humans who end up traveling together and slowly building a relationship while learning many things about the fate of the human race. This was definitely an interesting book and I very much enjoyed it. It was the first part of a trilogy and I hope to get the chance to get to the others at some point. It will be interesting to see how the human race progresses now that things have been altered unless of course it's how everything was meant to be in the first place. I guess I will have to read more to find out the outcomes.
June 17, 2020
How do you compare the present and the future.
Wow what a brilliant book. It starts with a group of scientists travelling through space to help a dying earth. They create a worm hole to a distant place and send Michael and Terra through it. After awakening from cryogenic sleep they begin to head towards a planet deemed suitable for human habitation. Along the way they notice a ship travelling throughout the system from planet to planet.
They find out that they have travelled much further than they expected. An excellent look into the human nature and to humanity as a whole.
Wow what a brilliant book. It starts with a group of scientists travelling through space to help a dying earth. They create a worm hole to a distant place and send Michael and Terra through it. After awakening from cryogenic sleep they begin to head towards a planet deemed suitable for human habitation. Along the way they notice a ship travelling throughout the system from planet to planet.
They find out that they have travelled much further than they expected. An excellent look into the human nature and to humanity as a whole.
December 3, 2023
Earth is being destroyed by its inhabitants and a group
scientists are living on an asteroid where they have created a wormhole in space to provide way of travelling to stars beyond the reach of direct travel. The story is about two young adults who have been sent to investigate an earth-like planet that has been found about 40 years travel away past the wormhole, with the intention that they should report back as to whether the planet is suitable for colonisation. Undoubtedly a book for younger people, I found it a little slow moving and with some borrowed ideas.
However, it was still a fairly enjoyable read.
scientists are living on an asteroid where they have created a wormhole in space to provide way of travelling to stars beyond the reach of direct travel. The story is about two young adults who have been sent to investigate an earth-like planet that has been found about 40 years travel away past the wormhole, with the intention that they should report back as to whether the planet is suitable for colonisation. Undoubtedly a book for younger people, I found it a little slow moving and with some borrowed ideas.
However, it was still a fairly enjoyable read.
May 5, 2022
As the title suggests, this book is basically a story of a new genesis of humanity after a few thousand years of supposed human extinction. The story outlines the relationship of two almost strangers, both feeling like outsiders, a feeling I am well acquainted with. The main characters are very human and make several mistakes, usually about each other, but they grow closer, seemingly despite themselves. The story is a good one and the groundwork is mostly in this first book. I expect the rest of the trilogy to become better as the story unfolds. Yes, I recommend this book.
September 4, 2024
I really liked this book. Four and half stars would have been a more accurate score, perhaps. It's the first in a trilogy, but I'm not sure I'll carry on as the story gets darker in book two and I'm in the mood for upbeat at the moment.
Only two characters in it really, but I like how they, and the tale, develops. I think there were other ideas that popped up and could have been explored more. But if you like straight forward sci-fi, this is really good. I read it pretty quick - always a good sign!
Only two characters in it really, but I like how they, and the tale, develops. I think there were other ideas that popped up and could have been explored more. But if you like straight forward sci-fi, this is really good. I read it pretty quick - always a good sign!
October 18, 2023
The two main characters were so incredibly ill-prepared for the mission on which they were sent, both emotionally as well as strategically, that I found it very difficult to take them seriously and not picture them as two immature teenagers traveling through space. I thought it might be explained why these two were chosen but not trained, but it was not. If you can get past that then it's not a terrible story.
November 21, 2023
Michael and Terra are seeking a planet that has been emitting a signal.
Along the way, they connect with a spaceship with special technology. They arrive at the planet and study the inhabitants.
I had an issue with the sexist attitude that Michael had towards Terra. Only his opinion mattered; she didn't equal his intellect. Her intelligence was different to his and definitely needed to be considered.
Along the way, they connect with a spaceship with special technology. They arrive at the planet and study the inhabitants.
I had an issue with the sexist attitude that Michael had towards Terra. Only his opinion mattered; she didn't equal his intellect. Her intelligence was different to his and definitely needed to be considered.
December 8, 2019
The first sentence in the book was enough to capture me. Vasicek has a way with words and phrases let alone a story line.
The two main characters are real, not perfect. They make mistakes, suffer the consequences, yet eventually gain the wisdom to accept their views might be narrow.
This book should be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys space, and what ifs.
The two main characters are real, not perfect. They make mistakes, suffer the consequences, yet eventually gain the wisdom to accept their views might be narrow.
This book should be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys space, and what ifs.
January 8, 2020
Great book, one of many by this author, check them all out!
This is one of those Sci-fi books that you think about for weeks after you finish it, mulling over the possibilities in your head, all of the “what if’s “. Very intriguing book. It will make you want to check out his many other offerings.
This is one of those Sci-fi books that you think about for weeks after you finish it, mulling over the possibilities in your head, all of the “what if’s “. Very intriguing book. It will make you want to check out his many other offerings.
April 13, 2020
Interesting first contact story.
It was a little hard to follow in some places, particularly at the beginning of their adventure, but it quickly settled out. Joe left out a lot of details about some things, but I assume it comes back in book two.
The characters are a bit different and could be developed more, but I look forward to seeing what comes next.
A good read, however.
It was a little hard to follow in some places, particularly at the beginning of their adventure, but it quickly settled out. Joe left out a lot of details about some things, but I assume it comes back in book two.
The characters are a bit different and could be developed more, but I look forward to seeing what comes next.
A good read, however.
August 20, 2023
Interesting and enjoyable
Liked the Heinlein colony in space. Odd to think of the emphasis on collecting information and research that wouldn't reach their station until 80?years later. Seemed like it might have been irrelevant because the scientists on the station would have found another way to research through the wormhole.
Liked the Heinlein colony in space. Odd to think of the emphasis on collecting information and research that wouldn't reach their station until 80?years later. Seemed like it might have been irrelevant because the scientists on the station would have found another way to research through the wormhole.
June 8, 2019
This is a quest for discovery
With a "mission" you have parameters you work inside, but what happens when those parameters fail you? Read to find out how just two people can overcome what prejudices we put on others and, more importantly, ourselves.
With a "mission" you have parameters you work inside, but what happens when those parameters fail you? Read to find out how just two people can overcome what prejudices we put on others and, more importantly, ourselves.
December 4, 2019
Awesome story?!😍.BUY
A remarkable flowing story of amazing things captivate and breathtaking descriptions!! BUY IT NOW! 😍😍😍Oh yes, it has all you need to enjoy reading 📚!BUY IT!😍
A remarkable flowing story of amazing things captivate and breathtaking descriptions!! BUY IT NOW! 😍😍😍Oh yes, it has all you need to enjoy reading 📚!BUY IT!😍
January 19, 2021
Makes you want more
I like the way the story flows with hints and links which leave the reader wanting to see how the notion of Genesis will unfold.
A masterpiece of writing, more please
I like the way the story flows with hints and links which leave the reader wanting to see how the notion of Genesis will unfold.
A masterpiece of writing, more please
July 9, 2023
Not what I was expecting!
I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book or not, but the story has some intriguing turns that kept me coming back to it off and on all day until I finished the entire book in a day. I’m looking forward to what happens next in this story!
I wasn’t sure if I’d like this book or not, but the story has some intriguing turns that kept me coming back to it off and on all day until I finished the entire book in a day. I’m looking forward to what happens next in this story!
July 12, 2023
Genesis A Safe Exploration of Space Travel
Michael and Terra explore space their emotions, fears, and the unexpected future of the world. Interesting read about the future and humanity.
Michael and Terra explore space their emotions, fears, and the unexpected future of the world. Interesting read about the future and humanity.
July 12, 2023
Science
Very good. Plot and theme were very well thought out. Was sad the adventure was over. Enjoyed reading about their evolving lives. As a Christian I didn’t like the whole part about man evolving from apes but still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Very good. Plot and theme were very well thought out. Was sad the adventure was over. Enjoyed reading about their evolving lives. As a Christian I didn’t like the whole part about man evolving from apes but still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
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