Pulpy and silly, but worth your time.

I am a big fan of Ellis's other works, and I went into this with no expectations...and, well. I sorta wish someone had prepared me for what I was getting into. It's a Saturday Morning Cartoon version of ARRIVAL, or ALIEN meets a magical girl anime. It's fun, but deep sci-fi it ain't.

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Couldn't stop listening

I loved this book. I finished The Carls Series by Hank Green recently and enjoyed it immensely, so I was a little worried about reading another first contact book so little apart because I didn't want to draw comparisons. I eventually did, though. but they were different enough that it wasn't the first thing to come to mind. I liked how the characters were written, even at their least likable points. I was invested in their destiny. Even with characters that we didn't spend a lot of time with (genome) or characters we weren't supposed to like. I saw a lot of the twists and reveals coming but I was still a little surprised by a few. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience for me and I am looking forward for part 2.

Note: I admit I bought this book because I like Lindsay's content and expected her book to be good, but I have to say it's not why I liked the book. If anything, it set my expectations higher. I did hear some of the lines in her voice, especially the really sarcastic ones, which I enjoyed as a little inside joke of sorts. I almost felt like maybe she should've voiced the whole thing herself but I do get why she didn't.

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Highly entertaining

Ellis has written a simply wonderful story that will keep you glued to what comes next. The production is excellent and I can’t recommend this enough.

Thrilling!

Lots of suspense and some really fun in-jokes if you are a fan of Lindsay Ellis' videos.

Good but didn't get me invested

let me first state that I did enjoy the book, right to the end. it lags a little at a couple points but is consistently enjoyable and the narrator was wonderful to listen to. Sadly, I never felt invested until a couple of last chapter reveals that, had they been dropped earlier in the book, could have gone a long way to helping.

Totally worth the read, though. get on it.

Slow start, well worth the wait!

I found the first few chapters really lagged and I left the book for awhile... but I’m here to say it’s well worth hanging in there! The story itself has great moments of action and suspense, combined with a genuinely fascinating plot. This the alien contact and tech is handled really well, with a fully realized world and culture. The central character at times seemed a bit too much like Bella from twilight but the relationship she has is far from it, keeping you guessing and invested til the last sentence.

An excellent story,

Lindsay has crafted an excellent story with one of the most thoughtfully constructed alien species I have seen in a long time. Coupled with a solid narration this is well worth it. I am really looking forward to the sequel coming this fall. Pre-order placed.

Wonderful story

This book started off a bit slow, but then omg was it a fun ride once it took off. I love this story so much and I hope there’ll be more books in the future.

Good SciFy from a new author.

Lindsay has crafted a very interesting sci-fi story containing believable human characters and very alien ETs.
I hope she continues to hone her craft of story telling.
My major complaint: The voice actor did a poor job at making the characters feel/sound different enough for it to not be confusing at times. Also, I don't recall too many happy moments, tones, or inflections. Looking back, this gives the overall emotional outlook a negative one.
Lindsay, please allow your characters time for happiness, triumph, jubilation etc in your next book. I spent many hours just feeling pitty for your characters. You have that skill mastered. keep up the good work.

Pretty good read

Story was interesting and well written. I thought there was unexplored depth still available in the alien species but I think heard a sequel is coming so maybe that is yet to come.

Overall worth a listen. Narrator is excellent and her voice acting makes the story easier to follow as the main character is often communicating with a voice that is in her head and being translated. Narrator helps make it clear whether character is thinking for herself or hearing the alien voice.