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The Broker
A desperate man can overlook warning signs.
“Hello?”
“Is this Charles Haley?”
“Yeah!” Charles said loudly, trying to talk over the construction noise.
“My name is Emanuel Smith. I am an artificial intelligence sent by an alien species to establish a trading relationship with the people of your planet. I am calling to offer you the position of being our local broker.”
“Great!” Charles replied, thankful for the much-needed job offer.
Too bad it was so noisy in the parking lot. Charles missed the part about AI and alien species.
When he realizes what he has signed up for, the choice becomes even more difficult. Should he accept the opportunity and move forward, or back out and put his family at risk? But he was already in too deep. And by the time he discovers he has put the entire planet at risk, it was far too late.
“Hello?”
“Is this Charles Haley?”
“Yeah!” Charles said loudly, trying to talk over the construction noise.
“My name is Emanuel Smith. I am an artificial intelligence sent by an alien species to establish a trading relationship with the people of your planet. I am calling to offer you the position of being our local broker.”
“Great!” Charles replied, thankful for the much-needed job offer.
Too bad it was so noisy in the parking lot. Charles missed the part about AI and alien species.
When he realizes what he has signed up for, the choice becomes even more difficult. Should he accept the opportunity and move forward, or back out and put his family at risk? But he was already in too deep. And by the time he discovers he has put the entire planet at risk, it was far too late.
- GenresScience Fiction
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2022
105 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Williams
18 books3 followersCJ Williams is a husband and wife writing team. He was a military pilot, and she was an artist. Today, they live in Washington State, enjoy hiking in the Olympic Mountains, boating in the Salish Sea, and writing.
Librarian note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.
Librarian note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 2, 2023
Williams, CJ. The Broker. Kindle, 2022.
The Broker is my first encounter with indie sci-fi writer CJ Williams. I will follow his work with interest. The Broker is a near-future first-contact story with a few original elements. An alien AI shows up in our solar system and starts making spam calls to a few people who have in common that they are out of work and are caring for a sick relative. The AI’s pitch is that it is looking for someone to act as a broker for its interstellar bosses. They have some advanced auto-docs they want to trade for such Earth-made goods as booze, cigarettes, and Hershey bars. When the first auto-doc heals his daughter’s terminal cancer, Charley is hooked. There are millions to be made, but we are the rubes in this deal, and if we are not careful, the fast-talking AI will get the better of us. Fun. 3.5 stars.
The Broker is my first encounter with indie sci-fi writer CJ Williams. I will follow his work with interest. The Broker is a near-future first-contact story with a few original elements. An alien AI shows up in our solar system and starts making spam calls to a few people who have in common that they are out of work and are caring for a sick relative. The AI’s pitch is that it is looking for someone to act as a broker for its interstellar bosses. They have some advanced auto-docs they want to trade for such Earth-made goods as booze, cigarettes, and Hershey bars. When the first auto-doc heals his daughter’s terminal cancer, Charley is hooked. There are millions to be made, but we are the rubes in this deal, and if we are not careful, the fast-talking AI will get the better of us. Fun. 3.5 stars.
March 13, 2023
This was a lot of fun. I could sit here and pick holes in the plot and science, but why? This was meant to be enjoyable. The author didn't focus on the societal changes from miraculous technological gifts from space. This was the story of a man (the broker) his daughter and the rollercoaster ride of dealing with a suspicious alien A.I and the changes to their lives.
Want some fun? Read it.
Want some fun? Read it.
May 9, 2024
Goo book and he gets better
The story gains plausibility from its dialog and pacing. Believe this was an early one, because he uses the word scoff a lot, and the way he uses it commits the sin of which Mark Twain accused James Fenimore Cooper —that the words in a story should be the right ones, and not merely their second cousin. The other books of his of which I’ve read are not so clearly guilty of this.
The story gains plausibility from its dialog and pacing. Believe this was an early one, because he uses the word scoff a lot, and the way he uses it commits the sin of which Mark Twain accused James Fenimore Cooper —that the words in a story should be the right ones, and not merely their second cousin. The other books of his of which I’ve read are not so clearly guilty of this.
October 25, 2022
enjoyable read
Overall an enjoyable read. A little action, a little suspense, highlights of politics and miscommunication. I got a good laugh at the end so it was good. Definitely good authors. I recommend if you read an overview of a book by CJ Williams and find it interesting then buy it!
Overall an enjoyable read. A little action, a little suspense, highlights of politics and miscommunication. I got a good laugh at the end so it was good. Definitely good authors. I recommend if you read an overview of a book by CJ Williams and find it interesting then buy it!
November 6, 2022
Novel concept
Why not become a broker for space aliens when the product you're selling will benefit the earth, and what they want in trade is cigarettes and liquor. Lots of fun with a normal single Dad who takes the job because of his daughter, and finds himself unwittingly changing the world.
Why not become a broker for space aliens when the product you're selling will benefit the earth, and what they want in trade is cigarettes and liquor. Lots of fun with a normal single Dad who takes the job because of his daughter, and finds himself unwittingly changing the world.
November 20, 2022
Delightfully Unexpected
A well crafted storyline which repeatedly sends the reader in an unexpected direction right about the time they think they have the plot figured out. Decent character development, some magical tech and no major disasters or conflicts. The book ends on a positive note, promising a future HEA.
A well crafted storyline which repeatedly sends the reader in an unexpected direction right about the time they think they have the plot figured out. Decent character development, some magical tech and no major disasters or conflicts. The book ends on a positive note, promising a future HEA.
February 16, 2023
A delightful book with an original approach to first contact. Really enjoyed the mix of AI, Alien Sci Fi, business startup, and family dynamics. The pacing was fantastic, kept me engaged and hooked to the very end. I much prefer near-future sci-fi and this one delivered in many levels. Very well done!!
March 4, 2024
The Broker
Can you say "What the ever lovin' fxxk?". Wow! Alien gangsters, Thresholds, or Stargates to other galaxies, romance politics new technology? What!!!
Loved it would like to see more, oops forgot to mention Ai
Purchase it and read it was totally enjoyable! Thank the authors for another well done!
Can you say "What the ever lovin' fxxk?". Wow! Alien gangsters, Thresholds, or Stargates to other galaxies, romance politics new technology? What!!!
Loved it would like to see more, oops forgot to mention Ai
Purchase it and read it was totally enjoyable! Thank the authors for another well done!
March 30, 2024
Solid, thought-provoking soft sci-fi
If you like gritty, hard science-fiction, you may want to skip this one. It’s a thoughtful, well plotted tale that reminds me of the sci-fi I read as a kid. There’s no deep science here, just too-notch storytelling, excellent characters, and a fun plot with just enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning.
If you like gritty, hard science-fiction, you may want to skip this one. It’s a thoughtful, well plotted tale that reminds me of the sci-fi I read as a kid. There’s no deep science here, just too-notch storytelling, excellent characters, and a fun plot with just enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning.
July 22, 2024
Good book for a good afternoon
Enjoyable story.
Very character driven and no violence with alien interactions.
One thing I didnt like is how we are not shown how earth society or economy is changing with tbe inclusion of the new technology.
Also the main characters daughter is too ridiculous on occasions but otherwise a quick enjoyable book.
Enjoyable story.
Very character driven and no violence with alien interactions.
One thing I didnt like is how we are not shown how earth society or economy is changing with tbe inclusion of the new technology.
Also the main characters daughter is too ridiculous on occasions but otherwise a quick enjoyable book.
December 24, 2022
Interesting twists all the way through
An alien AI starts calling people on earth to set up some trading. But is it the long awaited first contact? Or intergalactic spam?
Loved the characters, and the repeated turns off the plot in unexpected directions. A delightful read.
An alien AI starts calling people on earth to set up some trading. But is it the long awaited first contact? Or intergalactic spam?
Loved the characters, and the repeated turns off the plot in unexpected directions. A delightful read.
February 12, 2023
Great read! Highly recommend this to everyone.
I missed a little sleep because of this book. Could not leave it without finishing it. I wish I could find more like it. Guess.it is better that I cannot do that - I need to get to bed and get some sleep. 'Night!
I missed a little sleep because of this book. Could not leave it without finishing it. I wish I could find more like it. Guess.it is better that I cannot do that - I need to get to bed and get some sleep. 'Night!
February 25, 2023
OMG!!!
This book is freaking BRILLIANT - full stop. I did not want this story to end, and am scratching my head to come up with a way to induce the author to immediately begin a sequel. READ IT!!!
This book is freaking BRILLIANT - full stop. I did not want this story to end, and am scratching my head to come up with a way to induce the author to immediately begin a sequel. READ IT!!!
March 25, 2023
Our world on the precipice of total destruction due to trading with aliens
Really enjoyed the story and the twists and turns! Most likely a true response based on our human nature. Lol. You'll love it.
Really enjoyed the story and the twists and turns! Most likely a true response based on our human nature. Lol. You'll love it.
April 21, 2023
Parts of it are too simplistic
While I understand that the narrative needs to move on, this could have been a really good story if the author did not try to simplify soo much. That kind of spoiled the story.
While I understand that the narrative needs to move on, this could have been a really good story if the author did not try to simplify soo much. That kind of spoiled the story.
March 5, 2024
Very Good
Really good story of advanced technology introduced and how it affects a culture. Right up until an untrained 20 yr old joined a group of military commandos on a raid. That was just ridiculous and is the reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars!
Really good story of advanced technology introduced and how it affects a culture. Right up until an untrained 20 yr old joined a group of military commandos on a raid. That was just ridiculous and is the reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars!
March 31, 2024
Good book
I rarely review books on Amazon. But this one is a real page Turner. I stayed up all night to read it! It's a really good science fiction book in The autor really knows what they're doing.
I rarely review books on Amazon. But this one is a real page Turner. I stayed up all night to read it! It's a really good science fiction book in The autor really knows what they're doing.
October 12, 2022
Broker to make you Broker'?
An Alien AI tries to suckered punch the Earth economy...selling old machines for cigarettes and booze....wild ride!!
Could not put it down!!
An Alien AI tries to suckered punch the Earth economy...selling old machines for cigarettes and booze....wild ride!!
Could not put it down!!
November 5, 2022
The Broker
An outstanding plot about aliens. The author had a great ideal. The characters and story line kept me captivated. Could not put the book down.
An outstanding plot about aliens. The author had a great ideal. The characters and story line kept me captivated. Could not put the book down.
November 10, 2022
Believe your AI, or your lying eyes???
The aliens arrive, but only represented by an AI.
It makes one man an offer no one would refuse.
This was a fun book, not too serious
The aliens arrive, but only represented by an AI.
It makes one man an offer no one would refuse.
This was a fun book, not too serious
November 21, 2022
My kind of science fiction 🤗
Some humor. Some tension. Little to no profanity. Good old capitalistic profit. AND Aliens!
A tiny bit of politics, of course. 😑
Some humor. Some tension. Little to no profanity. Good old capitalistic profit. AND Aliens!
A tiny bit of politics, of course. 😑
November 22, 2022
Intrestring and good
You want you know what they say about looking a gift horse in the mouth if you do you'll end up with a bunch of horses with big teeth
You want you know what they say about looking a gift horse in the mouth if you do you'll end up with a bunch of horses with big teeth
January 8, 2023
excellent work and it is very engaging.
The story line keeps the reader guessing about what is going to happen and then one does not want the story to end.
The story line keeps the reader guessing about what is going to happen and then one does not want the story to end.
January 16, 2023
Unique Plot, Feel Good Tech
I was drawn in by the premise and pleasantly surprised. Easy read and interesting concepts that moves the story along quickly. Well done!
I was drawn in by the premise and pleasantly surprised. Easy read and interesting concepts that moves the story along quickly. Well done!
January 20, 2023
Good narrative
This is a good story well written. Good set up for future books maybe? I thought the president angle was unusual and maybe unnecessary, but well explored.
This is a good story well written. Good set up for future books maybe? I thought the president angle was unusual and maybe unnecessary, but well explored.
March 11, 2023
Very nice read.
From a very first page to the last this story keeps you getting involved in wishing you can be a part of the future described in the story.
From a very first page to the last this story keeps you getting involved in wishing you can be a part of the future described in the story.
April 24, 2024
Better than the other one
More interesting. The "new science" that was discovered was more real. And it didn't claim erroneously to replace fossil fuels!
More interesting. The "new science" that was discovered was more real. And it didn't claim erroneously to replace fossil fuels!
April 27, 2024
Fantasy at Its Finest
Great fantasy get away. And that is why I read fiction. Will be reading more fiction by this author. The end.
Great fantasy get away. And that is why I read fiction. Will be reading more fiction by this author. The end.
May 8, 2024
Ten out of ten
Very good action. Excellent reading , I would rate it 10 out of ten. Would. Recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction!
Very good action. Excellent reading , I would rate it 10 out of ten. Would. Recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction!
December 26, 2024
Borrowed through Kindle Unlimited books and read using Alexa audio asset. Earth is approached by marketing Aliens. A man steps forth and makes a market for their superior technology.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews