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Mydlands
Pioneer Horizon
A group of scientists and the Marines assigned to guard them are on the surface of planet Novus-147 assessing it for potential human colonization. When a deadly storm rolls in with no warning, they lose contact with the USS Calypso in orbit overhead.
Will they survive? Will they be able to reestablish contact?
Pioneer Horizon tells the origin story of the planet Nidus and its original settlers. It is part of Mydlands, a Creative Commons sci-fi universe.
This is a short story (approx. 14 minutes average reading time).
Will they survive? Will they be able to reestablish contact?
Pioneer Horizon tells the origin story of the planet Nidus and its original settlers. It is part of Mydlands, a Creative Commons sci-fi universe.
This is a short story (approx. 14 minutes average reading time).
27 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
8 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Denver Evans
5 books22 followersDenver is a fun-sized person who dislikes talking about herself in third person. (Feels pretentious, ya know?) She lives with her handsome hubby and an army of small gnomes that look suspiciously like the two of them combined. She spends her days desperate to write a good story without too many dumb typos.
She thrives on hearing from her fans. (Like, really!)
Denver Evans is the fantastical alter-ego of mystery/thriller writer, Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick.
She thrives on hearing from her fans. (Like, really!)
Denver Evans is the fantastical alter-ego of mystery/thriller writer, Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 22, 2018
Title: Pioneer Horizon
Written By: Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Ages: 13 & up
Introduction:
I needed a short read a couple nights ago, so I opened up this one. It's a sweet, short read that appears to set up a creative commons sci-fi universe.
Characters: 1/1
The characters were pretty good. Some of them seemed kind of flat, but they were engaging enough for me to keep reading.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue was good, realistic, and easy to understand. there was a little bit of scienc-y talk, but not much and it was all understandable by a non-scienc-y person.
Plot/storyline: .75/1
I wasn't really sure what the point of the story was besides to set up the Mydlands universe. It was interesting because they had a few things happen, but it wasn't terribly engaging.
Overall writing quality: .5/1
As mentioned above, the story seemed a little too much like a set-up and not enough like something you can just read
Un-put-down-ability: .75/1
Since this book was so short, it was hard to put down. Plus there was enough action to want to know what happened next.
Conclusion: 4/5
If you need a short read, this one is worth it. Especially since it's free right now on Amazon.
Written By: Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended Ages: 13 & up
Introduction:
I needed a short read a couple nights ago, so I opened up this one. It's a sweet, short read that appears to set up a creative commons sci-fi universe.
Characters: 1/1
The characters were pretty good. Some of them seemed kind of flat, but they were engaging enough for me to keep reading.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue was good, realistic, and easy to understand. there was a little bit of scienc-y talk, but not much and it was all understandable by a non-scienc-y person.
Plot/storyline: .75/1
I wasn't really sure what the point of the story was besides to set up the Mydlands universe. It was interesting because they had a few things happen, but it wasn't terribly engaging.
Overall writing quality: .5/1
As mentioned above, the story seemed a little too much like a set-up and not enough like something you can just read
Un-put-down-ability: .75/1
Since this book was so short, it was hard to put down. Plus there was enough action to want to know what happened next.
Conclusion: 4/5
If you need a short read, this one is worth it. Especially since it's free right now on Amazon.
July 18, 2018
This was a really cool story! I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but now I want to! It was a quick read, but interesting and makes me want more! Awesome! :)
June 11, 2020
I'm rating this a generous three stars, because I really liked the story as it was--it had a lot of good things that I liked, and it was exciting. Two stars just isn't enough for how much I enjoyed it. But I also had a few issues with it.
I wished this story had been so much more, and I know it could have been. There was so much unrealized potential. It was bittersweet and slightly frustrating for me, since it was almost the sci-fi adventure I wanted, but not quite. It was that, in a way, but only a shadow of what it could be, with just a little more depth. I was inspired by the story, as it was, but that inspiration and excitement was blocked and frustrated by wanting more.
I wish the author had edited it even more and added or expanded things, to go deeper, to explore in more detail what was there already. It felt like a fraction of what it could have been. I wanted more detail, more emotion, more flesh on the bones of a great idea that was half-realized.
I wish the story had explored the danger and the emotion of the main characters, but there was none. They just accepted what happened without contemplating it. I never felt the emotion of the characters, and it was never mentioned, but I wanted to see it.
I was also slightly confused by the ending, because some things were never explained. I would have liked it if there had been more depth and detail, and if the plot holes had been addressed. But as it was, I was left wondering The epilogue explained what happened after, but I was left with questions and unable to suspend disbelief.
The whole reason I wanted more was because the story is good as it is, not because it isn't. It was definitely exciting and gripping in many places. I love that it was a straight adventure, without another focus to detract from that.
I enjoyed two of the characters, in particular--the main POV character and her loyal guard. They were not very developed, but they had personality enough for me to like them, and they cared about each other. Some of the other characters weren't developed at all.
I've really enjoyed many of this author's books, and I did enjoy this one. It was a good read, and a genre of sci-fi that I really enjoy. I look forward to reading more by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick, including the other short stories in this series, if I get the chance.
I wished this story had been so much more, and I know it could have been. There was so much unrealized potential. It was bittersweet and slightly frustrating for me, since it was almost the sci-fi adventure I wanted, but not quite. It was that, in a way, but only a shadow of what it could be, with just a little more depth. I was inspired by the story, as it was, but that inspiration and excitement was blocked and frustrated by wanting more.
I wish the author had edited it even more and added or expanded things, to go deeper, to explore in more detail what was there already. It felt like a fraction of what it could have been. I wanted more detail, more emotion, more flesh on the bones of a great idea that was half-realized.
I wish the story had explored the danger and the emotion of the main characters, but there was none. They just accepted what happened without contemplating it. I never felt the emotion of the characters, and it was never mentioned, but I wanted to see it.
I was also slightly confused by the ending, because some things were never explained. I would have liked it if there had been more depth and detail, and if the plot holes had been addressed. But as it was, I was left wondering The epilogue explained what happened after, but I was left with questions and unable to suspend disbelief.
The whole reason I wanted more was because the story is good as it is, not because it isn't. It was definitely exciting and gripping in many places. I love that it was a straight adventure, without another focus to detract from that.
I enjoyed two of the characters, in particular--the main POV character and her loyal guard. They were not very developed, but they had personality enough for me to like them, and they cared about each other. Some of the other characters weren't developed at all.
I've really enjoyed many of this author's books, and I did enjoy this one. It was a good read, and a genre of sci-fi that I really enjoy. I look forward to reading more by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick, including the other short stories in this series, if I get the chance.
January 7, 2018
Hooray for more Mydlands! Even though the stories about the Wyatt family are my very favorite, I enjoyed this glimpse into the rest of space. This story is written a little more technically, but since it’s first person perspective of an exploring scientist that actually worked perfectly. ;) Adam was my favorite side character, but it was neat to see how the whole team interacted. I got happy shivers from that ending though. <3
Best quote: “You know how people talk about sleeping with one eye open?” He shrugged and then headed for the rocks. “I’ll go first.”
Altogether, I enjoyed this story of pioneers in space. ;)
Best quote: “You know how people talk about sleeping with one eye open?” He shrugged and then headed for the rocks. “I’ll go first.”
Altogether, I enjoyed this story of pioneers in space. ;)
December 19, 2020
Sci-fi isn't normally my thing, but I wanted to read this story because 1) Perry is an amazing author! 2) It's free on Kindle.
Overall, I didn't like this story quite as much as the author's other books, but I still enjoyed the read. I think it was written more as a prequel/backstory to the other books in the series. The ending was enjoyable (though I did feel that it ended just a bit too soon - I would have like to have known more of the story.) Pioneer Horizon held my interest, and I look forward to reading the other stories in the Mydlands series.
Overall, I didn't like this story quite as much as the author's other books, but I still enjoyed the read. I think it was written more as a prequel/backstory to the other books in the series. The ending was enjoyable (though I did feel that it ended just a bit too soon - I would have like to have known more of the story.) Pioneer Horizon held my interest, and I look forward to reading the other stories in the Mydlands series.
November 1, 2018
Reminds me of the castaway stories I've always enjoyed, only set in space. Even though we don't spend a lot of time in the fledgling colony, I love the possibilities it opens up for what it would be like settling an unknown planet--especially when that wasn't the original plan! I also like the way different personalities shine through even within a very short space. :)
Favorite quote--"Freeze-dried food had never tasted so...adequate."
Favorite quote--"Freeze-dried food had never tasted so...adequate."
January 23, 2018
Nice intro to a new world
Nice introduction to the characters on this world and how they ended up here. I liked learning about the world and that it wasn't a horrible place and that horrible things didn't happen to the people there.
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - none
Religion - none
Nice introduction to the characters on this world and how they ended up here. I liked learning about the world and that it wasn't a horrible place and that horrible things didn't happen to the people there.
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - none
Religion - none
January 27, 2018
A new colony, a new adventure
A perfect story for a new colony. Choosing it to be a short story was good as well, as establishing a new colony doesn't have to be overly deep and lengthy to tell.
Perry captured what would have been like to venture into the unknown, not expecting the worst that could happen, the fear and uncertainty when reality hits us, and survival or moving on with life.
A perfect story for a new colony. Choosing it to be a short story was good as well, as establishing a new colony doesn't have to be overly deep and lengthy to tell.
Perry captured what would have been like to venture into the unknown, not expecting the worst that could happen, the fear and uncertainty when reality hits us, and survival or moving on with life.
February 22, 2018
I love Sci-Fi, so this book was a no brainier to read. The plot was very original and the ending was amazing!
May 7, 2018
2 1/2 stars. Nice writing style and cool premise.
January 4, 2023
Does this count as a book? It’s really quite a short story. Fun to explore some of Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick’s other works. I’m pretty sure this one was from early in her writing life, as it shows signs of immaturity. It’s a fun seed of an idea that at several points I thought could become an interesting novel if fleshed out!
February 18, 2018
Reading this gave me a feeling much like I had while watching the beginning of the original Planet of the Apes. (Not that this short story has apes in it, or anything.) I started to "feel it" in the last third of the story, and it's a pretty intriguing setup for more.
May 2, 2018
Short story
I liked this shirt story a lot. The characters and plot are well done and i hope for a full length at some point, whether with the same characters or new ones that colonize plants.
I liked this shirt story a lot. The characters and plot are well done and i hope for a full length at some point, whether with the same characters or new ones that colonize plants.
February 10, 2018
Good premise but lots of rookie author mistakes that were distracting, such as excessive use of adverbs.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews