What do you think?
Rate this book
Colonial Scouts #1
Alien Worlds
The Colonial Scouts are an elite group of explorers who seek out habitable planets for the Colonial Expansion Board. They travel through space via programmable wormholes.
Impani, a brilliant girl with a dark past, dreams of escaping the streets by becoming a Scout. Because she is homeless, she feels she must study twice as hard to get into the program. On the day before her final exam, however, a transporter malfunction sends her jumping uncontrollably from planet to planet. Although the error could be corrected from inside the wormhole, the Board decides she is too young to understand that level of tech.
Will she prove them wrong? Or will she die on an alien world.
Impani, a brilliant girl with a dark past, dreams of escaping the streets by becoming a Scout. Because she is homeless, she feels she must study twice as hard to get into the program. On the day before her final exam, however, a transporter malfunction sends her jumping uncontrollably from planet to planet. Although the error could be corrected from inside the wormhole, the Board decides she is too young to understand that level of tech.
Will she prove them wrong? Or will she die on an alien world.
- GenresScience FictionAudiobook
353 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne Smolen
40 books88 followersRoxanne Smolen is the author of the popular Cody Forester Novels (The Amazing Wolf Boy) and the new Brittany Meyer Novellas (Which Witch.) Like many authors, she started writing stories as soon as she learned how to hold a crayon. However, she didn’t write professionally until twenty years ago when she lost her eyesight. She has since penned several novels of science fiction and magical realism. Her heroes are often teenagers because she believes that young adults will change the world. She lives in South Florida not far from where the Brittany Meyer Novellas take place.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2009
A truly fascinating and well written fiction, this story reunites you with her Colonial Scouts and takes you to places never before imagined . . . but by the great mind of Roxanne Smolen.
August 18, 2017
My original Alien Worlds audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Impani escaped from the streets by being self taught in order to form part of the called colonial scouts. They are children used to explore habitable planets. In one of these explorations, the ring used for transportation gets corrupted and Impani and her partner get stranded on an unknown planet.
I first thought this was intended for young adults, but I think it would work better with young teenagers, since the average age of the characters is sixteen, and most of the time they are more immersed in the drama of younger ages than with the perils at hand.
I found the first half of the story a bit repetitive but with no evolution. The kids were traveling without control from one planet to the next quite fast. There is nothing of importance happening here apart from some interactions of the two main characters.
The second half is much more entertaining though, since the story starts moving forward, and the interactions among characters are more developed. There is also the resolution to a more important mystery.
If it were not for the first part I would have given four stars to the book. I understand that this book may not be attractive when read by an adult, but I think it could be quite compelling for young teenagers.
Jennifer Fournier's narration was okay. Her diction was clear and she transmitted the characters emotions, but there were a couple of issues. Her voice range is quite limited, and in many occasions it was difficult to discern who was talking, and I even got confused between narration and dialog. There were also audible breath intakes which distracted me from the story and noticeable audio edits.
I think this audiobook could work well among young teenagers, but in my personal opinion, it would benefit from being edited.
Impani escaped from the streets by being self taught in order to form part of the called colonial scouts. They are children used to explore habitable planets. In one of these explorations, the ring used for transportation gets corrupted and Impani and her partner get stranded on an unknown planet.
I first thought this was intended for young adults, but I think it would work better with young teenagers, since the average age of the characters is sixteen, and most of the time they are more immersed in the drama of younger ages than with the perils at hand.
I found the first half of the story a bit repetitive but with no evolution. The kids were traveling without control from one planet to the next quite fast. There is nothing of importance happening here apart from some interactions of the two main characters.
The second half is much more entertaining though, since the story starts moving forward, and the interactions among characters are more developed. There is also the resolution to a more important mystery.
If it were not for the first part I would have given four stars to the book. I understand that this book may not be attractive when read by an adult, but I think it could be quite compelling for young teenagers.
Jennifer Fournier's narration was okay. Her diction was clear and she transmitted the characters emotions, but there were a couple of issues. Her voice range is quite limited, and in many occasions it was difficult to discern who was talking, and I even got confused between narration and dialog. There were also audible breath intakes which distracted me from the story and noticeable audio edits.
I think this audiobook could work well among young teenagers, but in my personal opinion, it would benefit from being edited.
December 17, 2018
2.5 stars, it was kinda okay but I am finding it hard to give it 3 stars. I don't think I will continue with the series.
August 19, 2016
"Quantum Leap meets Disney Animation"
Let me start off saying this book is more geared toward beginning young adult (YA) readers, however some older reader may enjoy the journey the story takes you on. I enjoy science fiction very much and read to quite a few book in the genre, but this book seemed geared towards a younger group than I enjoy. I was happy to have a more modern science fiction book that that did not contain any vulgar language or even crude jokes. This is another reason I would feel comfortable recommending it to younger teen readers.
Would I recommend this book to others? It depends. I left wanting more, but for a younger reader who wants an exciting journey with action and warp jumps to new worlds, get this book. If you are looking for a deep science fiction story with deep character and storyline, you may not like this book.
The story’s concept and ideas was quite refreshing along with being presented well. The author did a good job of the initial story setup and quickly grabbed my attention and sucked me in at the start; good job. The book for me was more like watching a modern cartoon where there is always action and no real periods where the characters’ pause to reflect or have much internal dialogue. Because I listened to this in one sitting (during a long drive), I felt that in the beginning the action-based events seemed to come too frequently. Monster, jump, monster, jump, etc. Reader of the story will understand what I’m saying here. I would have also liked to have had some more suspenseful moments throughout the story. Often it was something like a character turns a corner and comes head-to-head with a new creature to face. I would have like to have seen a creature stalk the characters more, seen their fear levels rise, etc. The book often went from 5mph to 60mph in a second. Some of this may have been because the author geared the material at younger audiences and they want this constant action; I’m not sure.
I will say that I liked the author’s uniquely constructed worlds, environments and creatures. However, I would have like to have had a much deeper description of most of them. The author would often describe just enough to move to the next part of the story, so at times these items all seemed a bit flat for me. The characters were also somewhat flat. The author does give us a glimpse into the lives of the main characters throughout the storyline, but again I wanted more. I wanted to feel for them as they took this great journey. The romance, yes there is some of what I would call puppy love, also seemed very forced and in some ways unnatural. It reminded me more of those experiencing their first kiss, but these characters are nearly 20 years old. Some of the terms and sayings also seemed either cliché or would not be sayings I would believe to come from this society.
I would have like to have had more information and detail on the technology used and how this was created, tested, evaluated, etc. Maybe these items are coming in future books in the series or even a prequel. We are dropped into this story with a fantastic technology that is never really explained; apart from what it can do. I wanted to know who or how they discovered it, and more. The book provides very little here and again often just enough to carry the story forward or answer a question or resolve an issue in the book. For me, I was looking for more science fiction with my travels and would have enjoyed it more if there was. Tell me how the guns work, what they look like, do they require batteries or ammo?
I was a bit concerned with how the narration of the story would be for this book based on the narrator’s previous books listed on Audible. Overall she did a decent job with the book, but for me there were a few inflection and character distinction problems. At times it seemed the narrator was speaking as if the scene was action-filled, yet it contained no action. Sometimes it was difficult to know if these were a problem with the story or the narrator’s interpretation of the material. As of this review, this narrator has mainly performed short children’s books and this may have had some influence on her reading of this book. Often she did a good job of expressing a character’s emotion or emotional state.
There were a few narration issues that would take me out of the story, but they were few and far between. In a few places there were long pauses, swallows, audio interference, or other non-story related event that was on the recording which would pull me out of the story and it would take some time to get back into it.
This book was provided to the reviewer by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for a my posting a non-bias review.
Let me start off saying this book is more geared toward beginning young adult (YA) readers, however some older reader may enjoy the journey the story takes you on. I enjoy science fiction very much and read to quite a few book in the genre, but this book seemed geared towards a younger group than I enjoy. I was happy to have a more modern science fiction book that that did not contain any vulgar language or even crude jokes. This is another reason I would feel comfortable recommending it to younger teen readers.
Would I recommend this book to others? It depends. I left wanting more, but for a younger reader who wants an exciting journey with action and warp jumps to new worlds, get this book. If you are looking for a deep science fiction story with deep character and storyline, you may not like this book.
The story’s concept and ideas was quite refreshing along with being presented well. The author did a good job of the initial story setup and quickly grabbed my attention and sucked me in at the start; good job. The book for me was more like watching a modern cartoon where there is always action and no real periods where the characters’ pause to reflect or have much internal dialogue. Because I listened to this in one sitting (during a long drive), I felt that in the beginning the action-based events seemed to come too frequently. Monster, jump, monster, jump, etc. Reader of the story will understand what I’m saying here. I would have also liked to have had some more suspenseful moments throughout the story. Often it was something like a character turns a corner and comes head-to-head with a new creature to face. I would have like to have seen a creature stalk the characters more, seen their fear levels rise, etc. The book often went from 5mph to 60mph in a second. Some of this may have been because the author geared the material at younger audiences and they want this constant action; I’m not sure.
I will say that I liked the author’s uniquely constructed worlds, environments and creatures. However, I would have like to have had a much deeper description of most of them. The author would often describe just enough to move to the next part of the story, so at times these items all seemed a bit flat for me. The characters were also somewhat flat. The author does give us a glimpse into the lives of the main characters throughout the storyline, but again I wanted more. I wanted to feel for them as they took this great journey. The romance, yes there is some of what I would call puppy love, also seemed very forced and in some ways unnatural. It reminded me more of those experiencing their first kiss, but these characters are nearly 20 years old. Some of the terms and sayings also seemed either cliché or would not be sayings I would believe to come from this society.
I would have like to have had more information and detail on the technology used and how this was created, tested, evaluated, etc. Maybe these items are coming in future books in the series or even a prequel. We are dropped into this story with a fantastic technology that is never really explained; apart from what it can do. I wanted to know who or how they discovered it, and more. The book provides very little here and again often just enough to carry the story forward or answer a question or resolve an issue in the book. For me, I was looking for more science fiction with my travels and would have enjoyed it more if there was. Tell me how the guns work, what they look like, do they require batteries or ammo?
I was a bit concerned with how the narration of the story would be for this book based on the narrator’s previous books listed on Audible. Overall she did a decent job with the book, but for me there were a few inflection and character distinction problems. At times it seemed the narrator was speaking as if the scene was action-filled, yet it contained no action. Sometimes it was difficult to know if these were a problem with the story or the narrator’s interpretation of the material. As of this review, this narrator has mainly performed short children’s books and this may have had some influence on her reading of this book. Often she did a good job of expressing a character’s emotion or emotional state.
There were a few narration issues that would take me out of the story, but they were few and far between. In a few places there were long pauses, swallows, audio interference, or other non-story related event that was on the recording which would pull me out of the story and it would take some time to get back into it.
This book was provided to the reviewer by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for a my posting a non-bias review.
April 13, 2015
Fracture is the first book in Roxanne Smolen’s Colonial Scouts Adventure series. Verifying the value and safety of planets for colonization is the mission of the highly selective and rigorously trained Colonial Scouts.
Scout cadets hone their craft with live exploration of ‘safe’ worlds. On her last mission before graduation, Impani, a brilliant hard-working cadet who’s risen from the tough city streets is cursed with the worst possible partner; Trace Hanson, a convicted criminal who used his family’s wealth and political connections to get into the academy. Just when she thinks things couldn’t get any worse the Impellic Rings (Smolen’s creative twist to wormhole travel without spaceships) malfunction. Instead of returning the cadets home, each gut-wrenching tug of the rings sends them to a random planet. Unable to control their destination the two polar opposites must work together to survive their tumultuous tour of the universe.
Fracture is a Sci-fi adventure story that’s about more than cool technology or exotic aliens. To be sure it contains superb examples of both. Smolen creates fantastic worlds populated by bizarre yet believable aliens. She invents marvelous technical gizmos. However, she’s an experienced author who understands a great story is not about technology, science, or the description of the scenery. It’s about creating compelling characters, and that is the strength of Fracture. Impani and Trace are teens and at its heart this is their story about overcoming their fears, preconceptions, and doubts to return home. We can each find a little of ourselves in the stranded cadets, and that connection is what makes us truly care about their fate.
Fracture features many action sequences, numerous conflicts, and teen romantic angst. Smolen handles all of these elements in an age appropriate manner. If Fracture was a movie it would be rated PG or perhaps even G. Targeted at the YA market it is also appropriate for strong MG readers and crossover adults who are interested in a fun-filled adventure. I highly recommend Fracture to any such readers.
Scout cadets hone their craft with live exploration of ‘safe’ worlds. On her last mission before graduation, Impani, a brilliant hard-working cadet who’s risen from the tough city streets is cursed with the worst possible partner; Trace Hanson, a convicted criminal who used his family’s wealth and political connections to get into the academy. Just when she thinks things couldn’t get any worse the Impellic Rings (Smolen’s creative twist to wormhole travel without spaceships) malfunction. Instead of returning the cadets home, each gut-wrenching tug of the rings sends them to a random planet. Unable to control their destination the two polar opposites must work together to survive their tumultuous tour of the universe.
Fracture is a Sci-fi adventure story that’s about more than cool technology or exotic aliens. To be sure it contains superb examples of both. Smolen creates fantastic worlds populated by bizarre yet believable aliens. She invents marvelous technical gizmos. However, she’s an experienced author who understands a great story is not about technology, science, or the description of the scenery. It’s about creating compelling characters, and that is the strength of Fracture. Impani and Trace are teens and at its heart this is their story about overcoming their fears, preconceptions, and doubts to return home. We can each find a little of ourselves in the stranded cadets, and that connection is what makes us truly care about their fate.
Fracture features many action sequences, numerous conflicts, and teen romantic angst. Smolen handles all of these elements in an age appropriate manner. If Fracture was a movie it would be rated PG or perhaps even G. Targeted at the YA market it is also appropriate for strong MG readers and crossover adults who are interested in a fun-filled adventure. I highly recommend Fracture to any such readers.
August 25, 2016
Alien Worlds follows the story of young cadet scouts. The cadets are going through an academy to become colonial scouts for the government to further space exploration and expansion. The story is very interesting and a different take on young adult sci-fi, which does have a slight love story, if you want to call it that.
I felt the writing was of a good quality and that the story progressed at a very nice speed. Some things about the story were irksome (how the characters acted for instance) however, I feel that it was appropriate due to their age in the story.
The narration was good, but not great. There were 'different' voices, to an extent, for the various characters, however, there were also long pauses or odd sounds coming through the recording at various times.
Overall, I do like the book, I think it will be a promising series. I look forward to completing said series as well.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
I felt the writing was of a good quality and that the story progressed at a very nice speed. Some things about the story were irksome (how the characters acted for instance) however, I feel that it was appropriate due to their age in the story.
The narration was good, but not great. There were 'different' voices, to an extent, for the various characters, however, there were also long pauses or odd sounds coming through the recording at various times.
Overall, I do like the book, I think it will be a promising series. I look forward to completing said series as well.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
August 21, 2016
The story moved at a fast pace (maybe too fast) and was interesting enough. It ended rather abruptly but it's part of a series so that wasn't completely unexpected. The characters seem much younger than the 16 and 17 year olds they are supposed to be, despite the fact that they are being sent to strange planets as scouts. Most of that was due to the way the narrator read I think. The narrator sounded like she was reading to very small children most of the time, over emphasizing everything. I usually enjoy YA and honestly this is not bad but I won't be getting the next in the series. Preteen girls would be a good audience for this, I think, but not older than that.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
December 5, 2018
Within the first few pages of this book I became hooked. The way environments, creatures, and people were described felt so fresh and engaging. I really enjoyed the writing style of the author and her creative use of words. The story itself was also interesting and really got me into what would happen next and how it would all end. I liked the characters and especially the main one and her partner on the mission. The whimsical characters and creatures, along with all of the action kept it very exciting for me. I’m really glad to know there are more books in the series! I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I’m so glad I got to read it and believe that other fans of science fiction and YA fiction would enjoy it too.
August 27, 2016
Overall, not bad. The characters seemed younger than they were said to be. There needs to be some work on character development. We have an obsessed ex boyfriend that we know nothing about. He isn't a major character, but he has a large enough role that some information would be nice. Same with the best friend. Not a bad read, but could use a bit of work. I will probably give the 2nd book a shot to see if there is improvement.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews