Illiya

by J.J. Mathews

A.D. 3485


When it comes to First Contact, there are no second chances.


Taylor went along for the ride to help her mother survey a new planet, and the offer of a few extra course credits for doing field work certainly didn’t hurt.


A planet on the edge of disputed territory, sure, but the war with the Xathen had ended thirty years ago, and the Commonwealth had won. It didn’t matter that the first survey ship failed to return, things like that happened during wartime.


But this was just term break, with two whole months to work alongside her mother and get to know her better while she sharpened her Xenobiology skills in a verdant paradise.


With any luck, she would graduate early.


Then Taylor messed up, and people died.


Now she was lost, alone and struggling to survive, stranded ten thousand light-years from home.

Genres: Science Fiction

448 pages, ebook

Published May 24, 2018

About the author

James Jacob (J J) Mathews grew up with his nose stuck in books. A voracious reader in his youth, he devoured all of the science fiction and fantasy books he could find at the local library. J.R.R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, Ben Bova, Frank Herbert, Larry Niven, Voltaire, H. G. Wells and Greg Bear were some of his early influences, with many other authors added to his bookshelf as time went on. Broadening out to read more genres as an adult, he has always held a special place for fantasy and sci-fi.

Originally from Canada, he currently lives in Hamilton, New Zealand with his wife and three boys, and writes in his spare time.

Reviews

[Chiyaa Pasal · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, I found the book slow, with a lot of small details (the conversation between mother and daughter) but it did set things up well and seemed natural and not rushed. Using a new-bee on board the ship to talk to different people was a great way to both introduce the individuals and some of the tech / science.

However, the story quickly descended into blame everything on the young one (who happens to be the Captain’s daughter and is intelligent) and have her go through a guilt conscience and try to save everything on her own...

Then not longer after the daughter leaves which makes 3 crew members gone in a short period, someone looks at the Captain and says take a break as there is nothing much to do for now. And she agrees!!! Her daughter (whom she has only seen twice a year for 10+ years) disappears and she says ok to a nap?!?!?! She doesn’t seem overly stressed about her daughter’s overall predicament (while she said she was worried, I would have expected stronger actions).

Then everyone seemed to accept the judgement given pretty easily (I’ll not give details). My “plausibility scale” started to plummet and with it, enjoyment of the story.

It was an interesting premise and got somewhat better towards the end but Taylor throughout most of the book was just annoying. Things moved way too quickly (time scale wise) to fit well into my plausibility scale.

Will I run out and get another book in the series? No. Will I avoid reading another in the series? No. I did like that this could be a stand alone story and didn’t have a cliff hanger ending. It wrapped up but had enough of an opening to keep going.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : ebook )
"Run, little mouse, run"
More than a century before, an exploratory ship had landed on a planet the team had named Aeden, but within hours contact was lost and nothing further had ever been heard from them. An intervening war prevented any follow up. Until now. A small ship, the Zanzibar, was heading there with a crew of seven, including Susan, the captain, and her nineteen years old daughter, Taylor. A student, the teenager was hoping to graduate early after this trip plus it was a chance for mother and daughter to remedy time lost when Susan had been away so much of the past ten years since her husband died. But arrival on the planet took them all totally by surprise and Taylor has to grow from bolshi E teen to adult very fast if she hopes to survive.

JJ.Matthews has developed an intriguing planet and inhabitants, vividly portrayed, and the book, first in a new series, certainly establishes character and surroundings where the aliens really are little green men (though not so little), for any future volumes to come.. Enjoyable and, at times, a little bit thought provoking despite the very annoying girl.

[Thom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avoid strangers. Good advice. But being bound to a green alien… On his planet… Now that’s awkward.

Taylor Neeran is on an amazing field trip. A long, long, long way from home. But she’s with her mother, so how much trouble can a young girl get in, anyway?

So much trouble! Taylor is about to learn some life lessons the hard way. From Char, an embarrassing green alien. Lessons that will change her life. If she survives, that is.

J.J. Mathews has crafted an extra-planetary adventure that makes you wish you’d stayed home. His young protagonist finds herself is a world of trouble. Paired up with the most frustrating alien imaginable. Well perhaps Mr. Mathews can imagine some embarrassing and dangerous ways two reluctant strangers can spend some quality time together. Whether they like it or not.

Sometimes getting home is complicated. Sometimes it is impossible. A delightful tale of exploration and growing up that is out of this world. Get lost on a far-off planet called Aeden.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most interesting book. A survey ship is sent o explore a known planet.The initial survey team never returned nor was there any type of message. The ship's captain took her daughter with her in order to catch up on the years she had missedwhile her daughter was growing up. Although teh voyage was interesting the reunion was not too good. After reaching the planet they were greeted by natives who could speak teh universal language which suprised the crew. They had learned from the original crew.However, due to a misunderstanding, several of the natives were killed and that was unacceptable and they demanded that the person responsible had to remain on the planet for life. The only problem was it was teh captain's daughter Taylor.Not easy to accept but there was no choice and Taylor was paired with a native to learned about the planet. Not an easy task for both indivivuals. Bother must learn to live together but again, not an easy chore. Well worth reading.

[Connie Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I first got this for free from the author but I liked it so much that I turned right around and bought it. It is part coming of age for Taylor, part love story( not violin strings romance in the traditional sense) and part adventure on a verdant, foreign planet called Aeden. Without giving away spoilers, it is funny, terrifying, sorrowful, wonderful, hilarious, fast paced at times and always puzzling as to what comes next. Part first contact/ space opera/ romance in a way unexpected way. I don't like romance and it was not the central theme.

[Karen Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

I absolutely loved this book. Taylor is on a trip with her mum to a planet that hasn't been visited for over a hundred years, the first explorers had never returned.
Taylor does something wrong & the judgement of the elders was that she remain on the planet forever & Char must teach her their ways. Together they survive & learn & the planet has much to teach Taylor.
It's just a fab book all of the characters are so well written I can see them in my mins eye. I can see the flora & fauna & oh how I wish I could visit.

[Sing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, I almost stopped reading after the first couple of chapters which was mostly a mother and daughter harping at one another. I kept plodding along and things got better. I found the story is very similar to the movie Avatar. It is clear that this is just an intro to a larger story which I suspect will follow the Avatar pattern. Not really my cup of tea but I enjoyed the book after it got going.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These worlds are complex and authentic. Prior events have influenced the present, with myriad results. We get to see how Taylor Neeran begins to develop and find her strengths as she journeys on a survey ship with a crew that includes her mother. We get to see how the two learn to get along (or not). Taylor moves from one adventure to another, some of her making and others that she's confronted with. Great first book in the series...loved the cover too!

[Ahbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when authors create new worlds which are home to non-violent alien races. This is one such book. Mr Mathews creates a world with an array of customs and living things. It reminded me a little of AVITAR. The action really picks up after the ship lands on the planet, so don't give up if u feel the beginning is slow. One more thing: I LOVE Char!! Great scifi read if u like new, fresh ideas and wonderful character relationships!

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well crafted story. Mother and daughter are both drawn inexorably to the stars and their planets. This leads to the discontent which drives their relationship.

An attempt to mend this relationship pushes them to an unknown planet with unknown fates. The daughter learns and grows and stays - as she must.

[E Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first contact tale by an author with a great imagination and attention to detail. Well written, coherent storyline with surprises and twists. The characters, human and alien, were well enough written that you felt you got to know them.

[Suzee Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale of dystopian outer space life is so interesting, I had to reread parts of it so I was certain I knew what was happening in the scene I'd read. I fell in love with this story of outer space. I can't wait to read the rest of it. Thank you, J. J. Mathews.

[Leonard A Dalenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy read

A five star read for many reasons. New world, aliens, first contact, believable characters, unpredictable outcomes. Makes me look at other works by the author.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super imaginative and full of unexpected twists! I couldn’t put it down!

[Alberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the book

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun. Lots of adventure, aliens and drama. Would make a great movie or television series. #forvoraciousreadersonly

[Suzi Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, the characters were well written. The plot was new and held my interest. Sorry I’m not good at writing reviews or much else, but I do love to read. Great book.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well written, Gripping Story. Compliments to J.J. Mathews

[Mr Geoffrey Bowlt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good series of books to get your teeth into ! 1st book seems to set up all characters etc ,but really starts to get going about 1/2 way through -persevere ,it's worth it .

[Margaret Haigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for free from Facebook and surprisingly enough found it a really good read, will definitely read the next in the series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, unique plot and interesting characters. Will read more by this author.