Anomaly [Kindle Edition]

Peter Cawdron (Author)

Book Description

Anomaly examines the prospect of an alien intelligence discovering life on Earth. The technological gulf between mankind and the alien species is measured in terms of millions of years. The only way to communicate is using science, but not everyone is so patient.

Mankind's first contact with an alien intelligence is far more radical than anyone has ever dared imagine. With a technological gap of millions of years, mankind is barely able to recognise the arrival of an alien space craft outside the gates of the United Nations in New York.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

I loved that Anomaly was so different from other books I've read. It was truly original and fresh. The writing was tight and compact and I was especially intrigued by how the world as a whole reacted to the discovery of Earth by an alien intelligence that was patient enough to wait for us to learn about it. It was a smart book, rather than an action novel and I found it really difficult to put down. If you enjoy intelligent, fresh, speculative science fiction that makes you think, this book is for you!

Independent book review - TJ Hapney 

From the Author

Anomaly is a return to the non-violent, intelligent heroes of yesteryear 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 311 KB
• Print Length: 206 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Peter Cawdron at Smashwords (September 20, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005OJF0ZC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,717 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #23 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > First Contact

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 52 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Be challenged - read Anomaly... October 15, 2011

By mombasaborn

Format:Kindle Edition

Science, politics, religion are global concerns. How do we deal with these on a personal level? How do governments deal with these matters? Anomaly is science fiction: a visitor from outside earth starts to mess around with the status-quo and people begin to react. Personally, I don't understand most of the science discussed in Anomaly and I'm fairly skeptical about alien invasions. However, from the first page to the last this well-paced, easy-to-read, conversational-style adventure held my attention. It explores questions of scientific knowledge, political and religious differences; and humility. What do we do with all that we know? Would a visitor from space be impressed or disgusted with our behavior? Have a little think - read Anomaly!
Please note: I know this writer personally.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Concept December 27, 2011

By D. Jensen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't know StudioDude's occupation, but I *am* an English/Lit teacher and found Cawdron's writing better than 12th grade endeavors. Okay, the author has a way to go before he's up to the level of Michael Crichton or Iain Banks, but I enjoyed the philosophy behind the story. Anyone who has read some of my other reviews knows that I am not particularly kind. I generally expect much for my 99 cents.

The use of an elementary teacher stretched the bands of credibility, and, I confess, I was worried about the inclusion of Susan into the story at the beginning. I had visions of "Susan makes friends with the giant" scenarios. Thankfully, that didn't take place. David Teller could have been a bit more "educated" perhaps. I don't know the requirements to teach in New York, but a degree in Early Childhood Development is not the primary (no pun intended) degree that most K-12 teachers obtain. Perhaps a high school teacher (or community college instructor) would have made his place in the story a little more believable; however, since most high school and CC teachers I know tend to grow cynical, Teller's inherent kindness and native curiousness is perhaps well suited to our younger scholars.

The discussion at the interfaith meeting was too stereotypical--right down to the "southern evangelical minister" with his "southern accent" and hysterical ranting. If Cawdron really wanted to add realism to this discussion, he would have broken that particular mold. I don't envision Billy Graham going off the deep end, for example. In fact, the stereotyping seemed to cover the entire religious spectrum, and that was annoying. I hope that in future revisions/editions of this story, Cawdron will work on that further.

On purely technical issues, there is a bit early on when Teller is talking to his class when he uses two synonyms together (something like concept & idea) that caused me to shake my head. There are some typos--very few--some then's that should have been than's and vice-versa. There were British word usages like "bonnet" when all us "A-mur-i-cans" would say "hood". If Cawdron wants to portray himself as U.S. writer, he should use U.S. terminology. Last, formatting needs attention in the use of titles. Books, TV programs (but not network names) should be italicized. Oh yeah, he shouldn't be afraid to use the real word instead of "frack". We're all big girls and boys, especially since he does not pepper his dialogue with the epithet (it only appears four times).

I enjoyed the book; it was a nice afternoon's diversion. Then again, I wasn't looking for deep thought out of a starter book, just entertainment. The message Cawdron was trying to get across could have been more strongly stated, but I appreciate the approach to the issue. I hope we see David Teller in a future story (maybe he goes back for his PhD.). I hope we see more from a more experienced Cawdron as he polishes his craft. I wish him good fortune and happy "sailing".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining, rather sound science October 19, 2011

By O. R. Pagan

Format:Kindle Edition

"Anomaly" is the first e-novel that I read, and I loved it! I am not a very "literary" person, but I am a professional scientist. I loved the way chemistry was integrated in the plot, and I think that the little bit of the biology that it touched upon (I was left wanting more biology) was brilliantly used. I do not want to give details away, but let's just say that scientifically speaking, chemistry will be pretty much the same wherever we look in the universe. Biology, on the other hand, may be fundamentally different in other parts of the universe. I hope the author keeps writing, good job!

More About the Author

Peter was born and raised in New Zealand, travelled to the US and Scotland for several years, before settling in Australia.

Peter writes science fiction, specialising in action/adventure and hard science novels. His début novel, Anomaly, jumped into the top 100 best sellers for High Tech Science Fiction within days of being released and rose into the top 10 for over a month. With over a hundred review comments, from a wide variety of perspectives, Anomaly continues to stir the imagination of readers.

Galactic Exploration represents a return to the classic science fiction of the 50s, with a series of related novellas making up a grand story of exploration. While Monsters is a dystopian look at the importance of reading.

http://thinkingscifi.wordpress.com/