The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51

by Marcha A. Fox

It's May 1978 and a normal night at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah--until a bogey shows up in their air space. It gets even stranger when the UFO requests permission to land, then changes its mind, but by then F-16s escort it to the ground. A human girl in her early teens and a robot exit the craft, a strange botanical lifeform found onboard later that night by a USAF landing party. The vehicle, robot, and the strange plant are impounded and subsequently sent to Area 51.

NASA astrobiologist, Gabriel Greenley, PhD, is called in to study this new lifeform that at first appears similar to a botanical species known as oxalis. As a psi-sensitive, Greenley quickly learns the specimen is highly intelligent and potentially dangerous when he attempts to take a leaf sample. He backs off, frustrated, desperate to investigate the scientific details of this new botanical species that combines intelligence with a metabolism based on photosynthesis. Meanwhile, the specimen, a flora peda telepathis named Thyron from the planet Sapphira, is investigating his new environment through all frequencies of the electro-magnetic spectrum as well as his suite of psychic abilities that includes remote viewing.

Greenley eventually gets his leaf sample and makes a ground-breaking discovery that he can never share due to his security oaths and research agreement at this Top Secret facility. Eventually, however, he's confronted by an ethical dilemma that forces him to make a treasonous and potentially deadly decision.

A unique combination of hard science fiction, suspense, intrigue, and a touch of humor, this story has been described as a "dark version of ET: The Extraterrestrial." Strong characterizations, a mysterious setting loaded with intrigue, and unexpected plot twists make this an unforgettable tale whether you're a science fiction fan, botanist, UFO aficionado, or simply enjoy a good story.

Genres: Science Fiction

270 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2017

About the author

Marcha Fox was born in Peekskill, New York and has lived in California, Utah and Texas in the course of raising her family. She now lives in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

Her most recent work is the multi-award winning "Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy" written with Northern Cheyenne, Pete Risingsun. A cross-cultural conspiracy thriller, it has been praised for its skillful integration of modern political themes, suspense, and indigenous history and culture. Details are available on the series' website, https://www.Dead-Horse-Canyon.com.

Her passion for science fiction began as a child. While her first stories were written in 6th grade describing her teachers' planets of origin, her determination to write seriously in that genre knew no bounds, such that she went back to college in her 30s to obtain a bachelor’s of science degree in physics.

After graduation she spent over 23 years working in the aerospace industry, most of which was at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas where she held a variety of positions including technical writer, engineer and eventually manager.

Science and engineering experience notwithstanding, it’s the unexplained mysteries of the cosmos, such as psi phenomena, time travel and the concept of a universal consciousness, which fascinate her the most and provide the setting for her Star Trails Tetralogy. Centered on the Brightstar family who has been torn apart by a storm of political and scientific intrigue, they will stop at nothing until they are reunited. Find out more on https://www.StarTrailsSaga.com.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

UFOs, aliens, Area 51…no science fiction geek worth their salt hasn’t wondered what secrets lay beyond our planet or what secrets lay buried in one of the government’s most secretive facilities. Are you one of us Sci-fi geeks? Do you believe anything is possible? You’re in luck, Marcha Fox has a tale to tell, one that will entertain non-stop from start to finish!

THE TERRA DEBACLE, a fictitious tale of a captured extra-terrestrial being will tease your mind with Thyron, a sentient botanical life form with the power to communicate telepathically with NASA astrobiologist, Gabriel Greenley, his keeper, his potential tormentor and soon to be his greatest ally and friend. Not only can Thyron communicate, he can walk, no pot-bound plant here! He can even absorb information and stored data at will, something that, if practiced too often for too long of a time, causes a drunken effect which leads to forced dormancy…similar to passing out for humans? Who knows!?

Of course, Thyron is just a “thing” to be studied by many, but his relationship with Greenley becomes more than a cold, scientist to specimen thing and not only does it lead to some hysterical moments, it leads to danger for Thryon and an act of treason for Greenley. As much as I liked Thyron, I wanted him to go home, but will the military decide otherwise? Will they nip the relationship between Greenley and Thyron and potentially all of Earth in the bud? Is this one more dirty little secret at Area 51?

This is their story, science fiction at its best as secrets are uncovered, bonds are formed and one extraterrestrial neighbor fails to get a warm welcome to our planet. Marcha Fox has combined fact, fiction, speculation and just plain fabulous story telling in this fast, fun and furiously entertaining tale that may change the way vegans look at their food!

I received this copy from Marcha A. Fox in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Star Trails Tetralogy - Book 7
Publisher: Kalliope Rising Press (May 30, 2017)
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Genre: Scifi | Fantasy
Print Length: 263 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51
Star Trails Tetralogy, Book 7
By: Marcha Fox
Narrated by: T. W. Ashworth
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I haven't read the previous books but I had no problem with this book. It was a unique book in first contact, first contact with an alien plant life form. This plant life that thinks and communicates. It also travels. It is a very strange story (in a good way), I could picture this in a Twilight Zone show. No one but the scientist hears the plant communicate because the plant speaks directly to his mind. It is just silly enough, unique enough, and fun enough to work. Like I said...Twilight Zone....
There is a lot that goes on, it is weird and fun but totally out there but I had to keep listening. Great fun. The narrator did a great job of keeping this book going and not making it a comic or too serious. Just right!

[odedo1 Audio book worm. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marsha Fox writing style is pure joy, no mind boggling hard to understand science.
Excellent story and coupled with T. W. Ashworth narrating a beautiful masterpiece was born.

Fully recommend !!!

Accepted this audiobook for free as long as I honestly review it.

[Colm Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A JOY. A MUST-READ.

The first time I got the point of science fiction was when I went to see the film The Quatermass Experiment about ten years ago. Ignorance of both science and science fiction was forgotten. I was hooked. And the best thing I've experienced since then is The Terra Debacle (a book I received as a gift), a brilliantly conceived and finely crafted creation by Marcha Fox. In this tour de force she continually stunned my senses with her combination of scintillating science, communication skills, sheer virtuosity of style and side-splitting humor. The star turn is Thyron. He is a peda flora telepathis: that is, a bipedal telepathic who picks up information remotely (reminds me of my late Aunt Stella, except that Stella, to the best of my knowledge, was not a plant, which Thyron is).

The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51 is a joy, a must-read.

[Marcha Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my "latest and greatest" in the Star Trails series. Anyone who's read "A Dark of Endless Days" may have wondered what happened to Thyron and Aggie while they were detained at Area 51. Well, this is that story. If you're a sci-fi, UFO, Area 51, botanist, or alien encounter fan, I think you'll like it. It's got quite a bit of humor and a few teasers for stories yet to come. Get it for only 99c during the pre-order period that ends May 30 with its official release.

[Scott Skipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for Thyron. He is a peda flora telepathis; in other words a sentient, bipedal, telepathic plant. He not only communicates telepathically, he acquires knowledge remotely. While imprisoned at the infamous Area 51, he stumbled onto a treasure trove of information and overdosed himself by assimilating it, which caused him to lapse into a dormant state. This triggered a panic in Gabe Greenly, astrobotanist for NASA. Greenly nursed Thyron back to a healthy state and was rewarded with a handful of seedpods.

Thyron’s vegetable chauvinism makes him highly opinionated. He bristles at the nature of paper, he thinks lumber is a crime against botany, vegetarians are serial murderers, and a harvester is a weapon of mass destruction. He cuts Gabe some slack since he is a fruitarian and can gain sustenance without killing the fruiting plant. This makes for a strange relationship, because Gabe is bound by his security agreement, which forbids abetting an escape, and Thyron’s goal is to get off the earth at all costs, along with an artificially intelligent robot—since disassembled—and a humanoid girl.

Marcha Fox has not only created a phyla, she has invented multiple vocabularies. The psychic terminology is plain enough to understand, but you might want to read The Terra Debacle on an ereader with a built-in dictionary to help decipher the botanical terms. This is a brilliant story, extremely well written and with great character development. It is off-the-wall in a way that is similar to how Tom Robbins grabs the reader and shakes him. The research is profound and convincing. It is loosely aimed at the young adult audience, of which I am not a member; however, I recommend it for anyone who wants to venture into a leafy new world.

Release date: May 30, 2017

[Wanda Luthman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thyron!

I am a science fiction fan and thought I might enjoy a book a about a talking plant and boy, did I! Thyron, the name of the plant, is incredibly intelligent and has a sense of humor. I would liken him to a cross between the character on a show from a long time ago called Alf and the talking plant, Audrey, from The Little Shop of Horrors. The author does a great job of introducing the reader to the secrets of Area 51 while also making you pull for the aliens. It's a great read and part of a series by this author which I can't wait to dive into.

[Pamela Canepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a step off the usual sci-fi alien path. I liked the originality. Imagine! An alien plant form that can communicate with you telepathically and is brilliantly intelligent, yet empathetic while maintaining a keen survival instinct. Oh, we’d be fast friends! Gabe, the human with expertise in extra-terrestrial botanical life forms, is a likable guy, the only one smart enough to know what he’s dealing with. Then, there’s a ‘droid and a girl, all of them under lock and key or in the employ, in Gabe’s case, of Area 51. There is a lot of scientific wording but not enough to lose me, and the communication between the characters is enjoyable as well as the characterization of Thyron, the alien plant. Descriptions of his “peduncles” and eyes are quite interesting and not beyond belief. I am a big fan of Groot, but this is as if a house plant sprouted feet and eyes. The beginning of the book contains a lot of explanation and the plot slowly unfolds, but it all pays off. Wonderfully refreshing, with more action in the last half and a well-satisfying ending.

[Jeanne Foguth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prisoners of Area 51 could easily stand alone. While this story was covered in a previous book, it was from Crenna’s point of view (human girl). Prisoners in Area 51 is from Thryon’s perspective. For any of you who haven’t read this series, Thyron is a sentient, alien vegemal (part plant, part animal), though he identifies with plants) and one of my favorite fictional characters.
As with all her books, Ms. Fox’s science is sound (she is retired from NASA), but her degree in Physics didn’t teach her how to include humor, for instance Thyron’s horror over human use of paper OR his belief that the expression, ‘holy guacamole’ is a god vs. expression of surprise.

[John Podlaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sat in my "to read" library for the last six months and quite honestly, regret not having delved into this story much sooner. This my first book by Marcha Fox and was a joy to read. A spaceship, with three entities, crashes on Earth near Area 51 and those on board are quickly taken prisoner by the military. Theron is a telepathic plant that can think, walk, transport, communicate, and is smarter than anyone living on Earth. The other two, a human teenage girl and a robot complete the crew. The robot and ship were dismantled so the science used can be back engineered in hopes of duplicating it.

A botanist, Gabe, is brought it to study the plant and he soon finds himself best of buds. Gabe has the ability to telecommunicate and learns from the plant. During their bonding sessions, readers learn that Area 51 allows spaceships to land periodically to inspect the facility; representatives are part of an interstellar cabinet that is responsible for peace and safety throughout the galaxy. I soon thought that this book may be a portion of the movie, "Guardians of the Galaxy". At a risk to his career, Gabe helps the plant rebuild the robot and put together a plan for their escape from this planet. The man in charge of the facility wants them all dead and does everything in his power to stop them.

It's a fun story with a great ending. The author has a knack for making this story seem realistic...perhaps, it all is! Highly recommended if you are either a science fiction reader or somebody that just wants to see what the future might hold for them. Great job, Marcha!

[Angela Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy if this book from the author, via Voracious Readers Only, in exchange I will give a honest review.
Holy Guacamole, This was a really enjoyable read, with a quirky plant from another planet that is 'PSI sensitive and is sentient. Thyron is a great character with a sense of humour, he engages with a astrobiologist named Gabe who is also 'PSI' sensitive after arriving on Earth with a human Crenna and a bot named Aggie. Thyron needs to get Crenna and the bot and leave Nellis Air Force Base where they are being held. An interesting perspective from a plant's point of view, This is a really fantastic, and enjoyable story you should read.

[Qukatheg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Voracious Readers Only.

A very original story. Thyron is a plant based alien life form. After his ship crashes on Earth he is imprisoned at Area 51 and studied by astrobiologist Gabe Greenley. Eventually they become friends, and Gabe is tempted to keep Thyron's intelligence a secret in order to protect him. But when the base commander finds out anyway, they have to hatch a cunning plan to escape.

I absolutely loved Thyron! I loved his discoveries of planet Earth and humanity's various oddities, and his own alien perspective. And Gabe just seemed like an all-round great guy.
Such a fun read!

[Bikram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the publisher, in exchange for an unbiased review.

What I liked about the book -
This is an oddball sci-fi story which works mostly as humorous fantasy too. The characters are fun and I love that a large chunk of the story is told from the alien's perspective. It makes the book all that more entertaining. It certainly is unique and different than most of the books dealing with aliens.

What I disliked about the book -
The language used was very plain and bland. It could've been made more fun with better / juicier flair.

Narration -
Narration was well done by T. W. Ashworth. The delivery and different voices made it very fun listen.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Nothing on this low tech planet was ever easy."
May, 1978: After an alien space ship in need of repair lands on earth, two of the occupants leave before the ship can be searched. The remaining traveller is quickly found and, encased in a protective cage, transported with an 'expert', a natural biologist specialising in botony, to Area 51. Because Thyron, the alien, was a sentient telepathic walking plant, standing about two foot in height, and horrified to find himself on this primative, hostile and (from aplants eye view) cruel and barbaric world.

This inovative and gently humourous look at the earth from a plant's perspective is also a good S.F.thriller, nicely characterising several of the humans as well as the plant itself. The narrator, T.W.Ashworth, has a pleasant sing song delivery with good intonation and a smile in his voice. His interpretation of the individual character voicings is also distinctive and appropriate.

Overall, a fun book with a very firm basis in solid science fiction ideas. However, the constant stating of precise place and time, which takes between seventeen and twenty three seconds on every occasion, does become over intrusive.
My thanks to the rights holder of The Terra Debacle who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. It was pleasantly querky. An enjoyable read.

[Becky S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, really fun read. If you like plants with wit and intellect this is a great ending to an awesome series. The science is very cool and the imagination in this book taking place in Area 51 on Earth is fascinating and humorous. I loved it.

[Corben · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author - Marcha Fox - is a most intriguing individual. She’s moved from being a NASA rocket scientist to becoming an explorer of the hidden mysteries of the universe. What sort of discoveries will she make on her bold journey? Well, I for one, want to find out, and where better to start than through her Sci-Fi novels.

The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51 is a remarkable book with a highly original premise. Thyron is an intelligent and telepathic plant, retrieved from a UFO and taken for study by Gabe – a top botanist. The success of this story comes from the touching relationship that develops between Gabe and Thyron – man and plant. As Thyron struggles to make sense of Gabe and 1970s culture there are many moments of exquisite comedy that made me laugh out loud. I’m no botanist but the scientific descriptions and explanations seem entirely credible. Science has just begun to reveal that plants are a lot more aware of their environment than we previously thought possible. It does not seem beyond the bounds of possibility that, elsewhere in the cosmos, intelligent plant life has evolved. Like all good Sci-Fi writers, Marcha Fox opens our minds to these possibilities and makes us think “What if?”

As I write I can just see my office rubber plant out of the corner of my eye. I swear the leaves just moved … as if it’s trying to attract my attention.

For anyone that likes hard Sci-Fi delivered with great humour, I can thoroughly recommend The Terra Debacle. I loved it!

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped right into the seventh book of the Star Trails Tetralogy series and hoped I wouldn’t be completely lost not having read the previous books—I wasn’t! What I found was an amazingly well-written science fiction story set in the 1970’s with my new favorite character: Thyron the highly intelligent plant. I was immediately drawn into the story with the spaceship ending up on earth while a plant was hiding from authorities. Soon, the ships passengers: a young human girl, a robot, and Thyron ended up “contained” in area 51. An astrobiologist Gabe, is called in to help with the plant-life. Gabe soon finds out his sensitivity, helps him communicate with Thyron. This was my favorite part of the book. It was insightful and humorous with the relationship between human and plant. There’s also a lot of depth and research that makes this a fascinating journey with aliens, humans, plants and robots. The ending fueled my imagination. I’ll be reading the rest of this series and hope to explore and learn more about Thyron and friends! I highly recommend this book!

[Jay Cutts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've previously read Beyond the Hidden Sky and it was a great pleasure to be reintroduced to Thyron, the telepathic, walking plant from another planet! This story was thoroughly enjoyable. What I liked most about it was really getting to know Thyron, with his amazing range of abilities. You might think that a plant that can walk only very, very slowly and whose leaves are easily damaged by any creature with malicious intent would have a hard time surviving for long. But, no!!! He's an amazing botanical super hero. Will he ever escape the darkest dungeons of Area 51? Find out for yourself!

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy guacamole! What a great science fiction story about a plant that can talk telepathically, has "arms and legs" and has a sense of humor. The plant and robot are held captive in Area 51 after their spaceship lands on Earth. Gabe is the scientist who discovers Thyron's (the plant) capabilities and protects him from harm. I loved the ending.
Ms. Fox worked for NASA and has a degree in physics so her scientific knowledge is quite evident. A true joy to read.

[R.E. Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed books 1 & 2 of Marcha Fox’s Star Trails tetralogy, I was surprised to discover that a further book had been released chronicling the story of one of the secondary characters from the series: Thyron, an alien, sentient plant with powerful psychic abilities. Intrigued by the proposition, I downloaded the Terra Debacle and began to read, and within minutes, I was hooked.

Focusing largely on just two characters, the book’s narrative switches between the aforementioned Thyron and Gabriel, a socially awkward NASA scientist tasked with investigating him, and before long, an interesting and engaging relationship develops between the two. Although the concept of an alien, psychic, sentient plant may sound implausible, the author has employed good science to make the idea seem not just believable but endlessly fascinating too. Written with a dash of humour and strong characterisation, the book has the confidence to tell its story largely through dialog and science rather than action and as such is a breath of fresh air in the science fiction book market. I don’t mind telling you that by the end, I felt a little emotional having to bid farewell to these great characters.

Although the story makes references to characters and events from Marcha’s Star Trails book series (it runs parallel to the events in book two) you really don’t need to have read any other books in the series to enjoy The Terra Debacle - although I do urge you give them a try if you like good sci-fi. Kudos then to the author for telling the kind of story that is rarely seen in modern science fiction and succeeding admirably. It’s not often I have a book on-going on my Kindle that I can’t wait to get back to, but The Terra Debacle proved to be that rare beast – a compelling page turner. Well done, Marcha, and I do hope to see further books set in this universe.

[Roopkumar Balachandran · Rating 5 out of 5]

In May 30, 1979 a space ship crash lands and was impounded in Hill Air Force Base, Ogden Utah, the ship had three passengers one girl named Creena, a robot designed primarily for agricultural duties named AG4MI and the hero Thyron neither flora nor fauna known as flora peda telepathis, a telepathic walking plant. All are taken into custody.

Dr.Gabriel Greenley, astro-biologist who specialized in botany called into studying unique characteristics of Thyron. They both become close friends over time and they exchange their views telepathically, in authors point they have same psibrations. Thyron starts to grasp the knowledge from his place and hatches a plan to escape from Area 51. What was their plan? How did they break free from their confinement? Who helped them in their escape? all are beautifully answered by the author Marcha Fox.

The plot line is good, the back stories of Dr.Greenley, the thoughts of Thyron, his rhymes, intelligent villain Colonel Watkins, the encounter between Thyron and Watkins, how AG4MI and Thyron outwits humans are worth mentioning.

I cannot say that the book is fast paced but definitely the book has its entertaining values. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, though this novel is continuation story, it can be read as stand alone. Expecting to read other books authored by Marcha Fox.

[Cmoore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm at a bit of a loss on how to really review this book... On one hand I loved the story, it's really a fun concept, an alien, sentient, walking plant, and you guessed it, it's being held in a secret military base. I loved it, and it had a great ending, but... the language seems stiff and kinda simple, and the overuse of a certain colloquialism just about drove me crazy! Then the language issues were compounded by the strangely inflected narration... As a whole, the book felt as if it was written for a relatively young audience, but then a reference is dropped that only an adult would get... so not necessarily a YA book... hummm.
In summary, Terra Debacle is conceptually great, but it failed in the execution!

[Carole Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Terra Debacle: Prisoners at Area 51 by Marcha A. Fox is a smart, gripping blend of hard science fiction and suspense, where first contact takes an unsettling turn. With vivid characters, ethical tension, and a refreshingly original alien perspective, it delivers a thought-provoking, unforgettable twist on the classic UFO tale.