Rating: Summary: Mellow, enjoyable. Review: I disagree with the harsh reviews of this book, however, my opinion is somewhat colored by the fact I spent a mere dollar for this book at a "Dollar General" store. This book examines the first Taelon on Earth, Ma'el. And his first human companions, clearly this book was written as if Kevin Kilner was to be imagined as the lead male character, and Leni Parker was to be Ma'el. Ma'el's first two human protectors go on Ma'els journeys through a earlier period in Earth's history, and take to Taelon technology a little too well. It is also written in such a way that everyone they come across is well spoken and articulate, which in real life is not the case. I recommend picking this up in the cut-out bin at the carwash, or at a discount of some kind, but for Pete's sake, don't pay full price for it.
Rating: Summary: Mellow, enjoyable. Review: I disagree with the harsh reviews of this book, however, my opinion is somewhat colored by the fact I spent a mere dollar for this book at a "Dollar General" store. This book examines the first Taelon on Earth, Ma'el. And his first human companions, clearly this book was written as if Kevin Kilner was to be imagined as the lead male character, and Leni Parker was to be Ma'el. Ma'el's first two human protectors go on Ma'els journeys through a earlier period in Earth's history, and take to Taelon technology a little too well. It is also written in such a way that everyone they come across is well spoken and articulate, which in real life is not the case. I recommend picking this up in the cut-out bin at the carwash, or at a discount of some kind, but for Pete's sake, don't pay full price for it.
Rating: Summary: The First Taelon--Ma'el Review: I looked forward to this book with joy and trepidation. After the first EFC book being such a flop (in my opinion) I wondered what this one would bring. The first surprise was that the story was not of Boone,Lili and Da'an as the cover suggested but of the first Taelon Ma'el, who visited earth more than 1000 years in the past, which just goes to show you really can't judge a book by it's cover. While the story answered a number of my questions relating to the TV series (1st season), I found the story very slow moving. At times I had to force myself to continue. I also found a number of the chapters took us nowhere except that they were there. The relationship between Declan (the first protector) and Sinead was touching but the important parts later in their relationship were totally skimmed over. We receive insights into how Ma'el formed 'his' beliefs, the reasons behind 'his' warnings, and 'his' strong insistence that the Taelon Synod not proceed with their plan to come to earth. I found the ready acceptance of Ma'el's astounding technology by 'primitive' people a little hard to swallow. All in all an enjoyable tale although a little far fetched at times.
Rating: Summary: A Mixed Bag Review: I looked forward to this book with joy and trepidation. After the first EFC book being such a flop (in my opinion) I wondered what this one would bring. The first surprise was that the story was not of Boone,Lili and Da'an as the cover suggested but of the first Taelon Ma'el, who visited earth more than 1000 years in the past, which just goes to show you really can't judge a book by it's cover. While the story answered a number of my questions relating to the TV series (1st season), I found the story very slow moving. At times I had to force myself to continue. I also found a number of the chapters took us nowhere except that they were there. The relationship between Declan (the first protector) and Sinead was touching but the important parts later in their relationship were totally skimmed over. We receive insights into how Ma'el formed 'his' beliefs, the reasons behind 'his' warnings, and 'his' strong insistence that the Taelon Synod not proceed with their plan to come to earth. I found the ready acceptance of Ma'el's astounding technology by 'primitive' people a little hard to swallow. All in all an enjoyable tale although a little far fetched at times.
Rating: Summary: Deceptive cover but enjoyed this prequel Review: Just because Da'an, William Boone and Capt. Lily Marquette appear on the book's cover does not mean this story is about them. They are only referenced briefly toward the very end. This book constitutes a prequel for the EFC series, telling us lots about Ma'el's visit on earth and some humans who helped him. I felt fairly ripped off that the cover did not represent the content well at all. But in the end I did read an interesting story about Ma'el's adventures here on Earth and learned some things about what motivates the Taelons. I liked the first book in this EFC series better but this one was worthwhile, especially for people who are loyal followers of the saga via the TV series.
Rating: Summary: Deceptive cover but enjoyed this prequel Review: Just because Da'an, William Boone and Capt. Lily Marquette appear on the book's cover does not mean this story is about them. They are only referenced briefly toward the very end. This book constitutes a prequel for the EFC series, telling us lots about Ma'el's visit on earth and some humans who helped him. I felt fairly ripped off that the cover did not represent the content well at all. But in the end I did read an interesting story about Ma'el's adventures here on Earth and learned some things about what motivates the Taelons. I liked the first book in this EFC series better but this one was worthwhile, especially for people who are loyal followers of the saga via the TV series.
Rating: Summary: Okay book, but some disturbing problems... Review: On the whole, I found this book to be a passable entry in the EFC universe. However, I did feel that it lacked any kind of emotional charge for me. Declan and Sinead were relatively flat characters about whom I really didn't give a darn. I was also troubled by historical inaccuracies (e.g. who exactly were the "Saxon neighbors" Declan refers to? As far as I can recall, the Saxons didn't come to England until roughly 150 years after the book was set) and terminological questions (did the 4th century Irish call the big body of water between N America and Europe the "Atlantic" ocean?). Perhaps the biggest problem, which greatly distracted me once I noticed it, was the obvious haphazard editing job; I have rarely seen so many typos in a published novel. The worst, however, was the chapter headings marking the days of Ma'el's visit. After beginning with Day 112,537 and progressing logically to Day 113,089, suddenly we jump back to 112,138 in the headings while the action is obviously continuing normally in time. Very distracting and sloppy.
Rating: Summary: The first protector Review: The book is not what i expected, the question that stroke me 1st was:what are these characters doing on the cover, da'an, boone, and lili(provided you watch or watched efc)will not be mentioned anywhere in the book,the history information is poor, on another hand, the plot is interesting,it reveals some secrets about ma'el,and the ma'el's diary pages are interesting, how he slowly changes from emotionless taelon scientist doing research to a friend of his research, and their companion, and friend
Rating: Summary: Earth Final Conflict Prehistory Review: The book is well written though not a page-turner. It does not dovetail much with the series and presents oddly little new information about Ma'el who is portrayed largely as an eager, if bungling scientist. The dynamic between Declan and Sinead is well done as are all the character portrayals and their interaction. The ambience created by the author is fresh and vivid.As a piece of historic fiction, I found this piece very disappointing. It is poorly researched. The author portrays Ireland in 309 c.e. in a way it will not develop into for another 500 years, after Viking Colonization. A few examples, Irish names are used which do not enter the language until after the country is converted to Christianity (Sean, Seamus, Sinead), the portrayal of economic life dominated by the use of money instead of barter, the extent of international trade, roads, an understanding of germ theory and a city life long before there were any cities on the Island. This made me question other historical details after the scene moved to regions where I have less expertese such as Egypt and the silk highway in Central Asia
Rating: Summary: Earth Final Conflict Prehistory Review: The book is well written though not a page-turner. It does not dovetail much with the series and presents oddly little new information about Ma'el who is portrayed largely as an eager, if bungling scientist. The dynamic between Declan and Sinead is well done as are all the character portrayals and their interaction. The ambience created by the author is fresh and vivid. As a piece of historic fiction, I found this piece very disappointing. It is poorly researched. The author portrays Ireland in 309 c.e. in a way it will not develop into for another 500 years, after Viking Colonization. A few examples, Irish names are used which do not enter the language until after the country is converted to Christianity (Sean, Seamus, Sinead), the portrayal of economic life dominated by the use of money instead of barter, the extent of international trade, roads, an understanding of germ theory and a city life long before there were any cities on the Island. This made me question other historical details after the scene moved to regions where I have less expertese such as Egypt and the silk highway in Central Asia
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