Skid - The First Chronicle

by Keith Fenwick

Skid is an imaginative science fiction novel of considerable skill that pokes fun at all forms of political correctness, while also indicating there are dangerous signs of a disintegrating world that is not adequately taken care of. Readers will recognise these as parallels to life on earth. The plot addresses some serious themes, touching on issues as wide as the survival of any planet in the universe - from pollution, to the exploitation of natural resources - the pros and cons of collective versus individual action - organic versus synthetic food - survival with humour versus the alienating aspects of a form of political correctness. The use of humour makes the book work effectively - mainly through the reactions of the "offworlders," Bruce (from New Zealand) and Sue (from the USA). Both Bruce and Sue react in stereotypical ways as caricatures of the cultures they come from - the skilful and amusing portrayal of their characteristics allows readers to laugh at their own attitudes. Unlike many science fiction books, skid doesn't get bogged down in detail or stray so far from known worlds that you lose the plot. Aficionados of science fiction and anyone who enjoys a good read will enjoy this novel.

290 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2012

About the author

Keith Fenwick (1962) was born in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere and grew up in and around Hamilton, New Zealand. Many people would say this background endows a natural challenge for any young man making is way in the world. However, Keith prefers to believe the disadvantages of his early life and adolescence have been wonderful preparation for dealing with adversity and dealing with ambiguity in his adult life.

Ever the late starter Keith renewed a long time, latent passion for writing after she who must be obeyed bought a Kindle for his birthday a few years ago. He realized there now existed an outlet for his work that didn't rely on mainstream publishers and Amazon's simple and effective self-publishing tools have allowed him to finally realize his dream of being a published author.

While he is a long way off being able to live off his writing, Keith is now selling enough books he now feels comfortable describing himself a writer with a day job. He has written three science fiction novels, that have an element of quirky kiwi themed humor to them. While sci fi is the vehicle, these novels address a number of serious contemporary topics and ideas. Not least, what happens if you ignore the warning signs about your degrading environment until it is too late.

The First Skidian Chronicle, The Second Coming, and The Lifeboat are the first, second and third novels in the Skidian Chronicles Trilogy respectively. Though, as Keith has a fair bit to say there is already a fourth book in the creative pipeline and enough notes to fill a fifth and final novel in the series.

Keith's other interests include drinking 'lite' beer because hangovers eat into his writing time and high performance motorcycles. Keeping in the good books of she who must be obeyed is a high priority in his life. He is a firm believer in the quote "Behind every great man there's a great woman."

Reviews

[Dan Kalin]

Keith Fenwick kicks off The Skidian Chronicles series with this introduction to the alien race known as Skid. The basic concept is that of a civilization so advanced its citizens don't know how to do much of anything other than exist within it. Other authors have mined this for many years (examples include Asimov, Herbert, and even L. Ron Hubbard) but it still makes for an interesting read. The action starts with an existential crisis on Skid, their automated food supply systems are about to fail, so they decide to abduct some likely residents of Earth who can make it all better. Unfortunately, Skidians do not have the first clue of what they actually need. Regardless, in quick order, four solitary humans are snatched and the Skidian ship flees Earth once detected. Due to a series of early mishaps, two of the humans are dispatched almost immediately; leaving a female American travel consultant who was hiking in the woods on her way to a yoga class and an Australian, no .. (cough) I mean a New Zealander, farmer with his three semi-working dogs as the sole hope of the Skidians.

Fenwick has fun with the stereotypes of both Kiwi and American, as well as the advanced-but-do-nothing Skidians. The book is well-written and easily creates the world of Skid for the reader. The pacing of the story could use some work, as things run on a bit 3/4 of the way through and the ending is definitely abrupt. There are many plot points left hanging, which I assume will be picked up by the balance of the series. Nonetheless I very much enjoyed the book and am definitely interested in seeing what's next for the clueless Skidians.

(Disclosure: I received a free copy through Veracious Readers Only)

[Wanda]

This was a unique sci-fi novel, very different than those I typically read. I like the premise of the story. While there is an abduction of a man and woman from earth, the reason they were abducted is unique and causes one to think about how it relates to some political and environmental issues that are current topics of discussion. I enjoyed this author’s take on the subject. The Skidians are so used to having everything provided for them that they no longer have the desire to do any type of work, even under dire circumstances. The relationship between Bruce and Sue, the people from Earth is definitely strained at times but that is to be expected under the circumstances. There were also some places in the book that were so comical I found myself laughing out loud. The end of the book leaves unanswered questions which, I suppose, is the reason to buy the next book in the series. I have purchased "The Second Coming" and expect to read the rest of the series. :) Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of the book by the author through Voracious Readers in hopes of a review. I was not required to review and all opinions are my own.

[Meara Fisher]

 Skid is an interesting read. I enjoyed the exploration of a differing culture and world. However, I do not think Sue, an African-American woman, was characterized very well. Her speech patterns are more British or Australian to me (sorry, as an American, it’s a little hard for me to read the difference.) It depicted her as a whiny, weak character with very little use. I really hope that isn’t how the rest of the world sees Americans. Also, the use of New Zealand slang was a little hard to decipher, but that is more my fault than the authors.
     This book was a good read even considering the above. The people of Skid were beyond frustrating and I admired Bruce’s restraint in not just strangling them all. I also have no idea how he handled Sue. She is one of the most annoying characters I have ever read. I assume women like her exist, but I have met none. Fenwick does an excellent job of making you sympathize with Bruce, who is an alcoholic and borderline abusive towards his dogs, and hate most everyone else. So, yeah, give this book a try. Just look up New Zealand slang first! 

[Tina]

I really enjoyed this book. One of the main characters Bruce did get on ma nerves a bit but I think if he wasn't that way the book would have been boring as he was technically the main character. Love him or hate him he made the book!
Abduction, space travel, aliens? So close to humans physically could they just be an evolved species of human?
Book given free by author via voraciousreadersonly.

[Jo Gallifrey]

I started this book thinking it was just another sci fi book and finished wondering if it’s meant to be a commentary on humanity currently.

It’s very uniquely written in that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. However they are very real people which makes you feel slightly uncomfortable especially as you recognise parts of yourself in them. I liked that it challenged my usual style of reading because no one is a hero. However that won’t be to everyone’s taste.

The idea of an alien civilisation who has gone so far into technology that when that technology fails they have no idea how to feed themselves is brilliant - reminded me a little of the passengers in the ship in Wall-E! Their arrogance and superiority despite their society crumbling is really well written. I’m definitely reading the rest of the series.

[Eilean Rawson]

I was sent this book free from Voracious Readers. Keith obviously wrote this very much tongue in cheek and enjoyed himself. However, I found the characters a little too caricatured. Bruce was the portrayed as a good Kiwi bloke from about the 1950's, a rough diamond with no empathy or understanding of anything other than his own needs. Susan was the 'typical' ditsy bird swayed by the latest counselling service and without any sense of self worth. They were so far apart in any sort of understanding they were more alien to one another than to the actual aliens. There were some interesting concepts in the way that the Skidians has become so dependent on their technology that they had no concept of how to live. This was compounded by an over exaggerated social system that did not allow actual communication or individuality. Bruce was like the grit in the oyster of this situation and eventually they expelled the problem. She, on the other hand, was virtually a non-event. One wonders where the author hopes to go from here.

[Janine]

This book is infuriating! The aliens are ridiculously self-centered, arrogant, and full of themselves and their position in the universe. It is similar in vein to "The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" in how ridiculous the situation is on their home planet, and how they view their place in the universe (they feel they are superior to all). You have to keep reading because you have to see just how they managed to get here, and how they expect the humans to fix it for them.

However, the humans have issues of their own, and it really puts up a mirror to our own foibles, and how we need to learn to communicate better, to empathize more with others, and work on ourselves before judging. It makes you really think about what makes us happy, and what we want to achieve and have our lives mean. How easy it is to get in a rut and think someone else is running things properly and that everything that needs to be done to survive and advance is being taken care of by "someone else".

[Nicole]

Skid was an interesting take on a first contact novel with an alien species. I enjoyed the plot, and it had a lot of potential. It had a humorous feel, with a similar writing style to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

However, there were a few drawbacks to this novel. The pacing felt too drawn out. Not much happened that could not be summarized in a few chapters. There was too much exposition of character thought processes.

Additionally, the main male protagonist is the most likeable of the bunch, and he is not likeable at all. I could not immerse myself into the book as a result. The main female protagonist is weak, clingy and codependent. Her decisions are questionable, and the relationship she had with the male is reminiscent of Stockholm Syndrome. The aliens were arrogant and overconfident. The best part of the book were the dogs and the livestock.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4 because of the novelty factor. I received this book for free, and I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Monica Rotter]

Aliens kidnap two rural humans, hoping they might solve the aliens' problem of dwindling food production and keep their entire population from starving. You’d think this situation would impart some urgency to the aliens. Nope. They care, but not very much. Someone else will probably find a solution before they, personally, starve to death.

Skid was interesting, in a slow-moving, laid back, loosely written way. Wondering what would happen next kept me reading until the end.

Unfortunately, I was often kicked out of immersion in the story by head-hopping, excessive wordiness, and poorly cleaned/edited copy. I also found the main characters hard to like. Bruce was self-reliant, but he was also crude, given to fits of both anger and despair, and mean to his dogs. Sue was pretty useless, needy, and clingy. The aliens were fat and lazy and thought they were the most advanced beings in the universe.

[Sharon]

This book isn't like other sci-fi novels. It covers issues such as alien abduction, cultural differences, and the consequences of increasing automation coupled with decreasing skills with a healthy dose of humour. It helps that the two main characters spend much of the book in mutual incomprehension. I found the internal politics on Skid intriguing, though the solution was a surprise. I chuckled all the way through, and am planning to read the next in the four-book series.

[Vanessa]

I received a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

What I liked about the book:
-Great story that could easily be applied to earth which quite scares me
-Awesome humour
-Solid and complex world building

What I didn't like:
-The characters - I ended up hating all of them, especially Bruce, which made it really hard to get through to the end. I loved the story so much, though, that I wanted to know how it ends.

[Myra McCulloch]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

A tale that may well be a reflection of our future. A bachelor farmer and female tour guide are taken to Skid, a planet similar to earth, to help solve their food crisis
Skidians have been conditioned to do nothing as everything is automated in their lives and see any labour beneath them. Will the farmer save them?

[Margaret Reeves]

I enjoyed this book though I did find some of the verbiage confusing. The main character was definitely a little rough around the edges but this made the book more interesting. Looking forward to reading more of the Skidian Chronicles.

[Violet Henson]

I got a free book through Vicarious Readers Only. I had to stop reading after a couple chapters. It for some reason didnt pull me into the story enough for me to finish it.

[Anne Pyles]

Fun read! Believable characters find themselves in unbelievable circumstances and persevere. Very humorous. Can’t wait to continue the series!

[Francine Janse]

I couldn't put this book down. Very intriguing plot. Was easy to follow the story line but would have liked some more details about the aliens and their planet. Had a few questions at the end so hopfully they will be answered in the next book. Over all i liked it.

[Vix]

Skid is quite amusing as I think it’s a fairly accurate representation of what it would be like being abducted by pompous think-they-know-it-all aliens who need your help but don’t really care about needing it. However there were still some bits I found far-fetched like the knowledge Bruce has – I don’t see that from the history I’m told about him, plus anyone who would kick a dog is not a good person. Neither character was that likeable (even though I did side with them against the Skidians) but for some reason I disliked Sue more, even at the end of the book I’m still not sure who she is.

As infuriating as they are I did enjoy the portrayal of the Skidians but wish there was more interaction with them. I do want to know how the story continues as I have no idea which direction it would go which is enticing. If you want a light-hearted comical read then I would recommend Skid.

*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Shorel]

Should have stopped...but finished the book nonetheless. eh. It's a humorous story about a couple alien abductees and idiot aliens. Not continuing on...