Night of the Aurora (Salmon Run - Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

J.A. Marlow (Author)

Book Description

"I started reading during lunch and was quickly lost in a well-paced plot and some very enjoyable characters. I didn't want to put the story down..." Kat Ross

A new life in Alaska, a massive aurora, and a hidden spaceship under the ice and snow...

For Hawk and Zach Callahan, getting to the small town of Salmon Run presents the first challenge. They think they have it made when they board the unique train that will take them through a dark roadless wilderness to their new home. The same night a massive Aurora Borealis strands them in the middle of nowhere.

An Aurora also affecting an alien spaceship hidden beneath the ice and snow...

Welcome to Salmon Run, Alaska! A place of wild animals, wild lands, and wild inhabitants... oh, and native legends come alive and an inter-planetary alien conflict at their backdoor.

Other Books in the Salmon Run Series:
Night of the Aurora
Alien Winter
The Singing Lakes
Secret Illusions
Specter of the White Death
Aurora Equinox

"I couldn't have asked for more of an adventure than joining the Callahan boys as the arrive in the frozen north to claim their inheritance..." Jerry Weinberg

"I would recommend this book for anyone who loves science fiction and wants a good read for either a rainy day or any day at all..." CJ Cristtize

Product Details

• File Size: 242 KB
• Print Length: 179 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475177658
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Star Catcher Publishing (March 5, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004QTOIO0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,039 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reaching Alaska May 28, 2011

By Gerald M. Weinberg

Format:Kindle Edition

In my long life, I've visited many countries and 49 of the 50 United States. My one significant omission is Alaska, which was always the one state I thought most worth seeing. Well, I may not manage to reach Alaska physically, but J.A. Marlow has taken me there--and on an alien spacecraft, to boot. I couldn't have asked for more of an adventure than joining the Callahan boys as the arrive in the frozen north to claim their inheritance--a "haunted" lodge in the wild, wild wilderness.

I could go on with my praises, but I'm now rushing off off to read the second book in this fun adventure series.

The Hands of God

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs work, but I bought two sequels April 15, 2012

By Lee Fleming

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't mind reading young adult science fiction, in fact, I enjoy it, but I think it should be labeled as that.

I found the story interesting and liked it enough to buy the next two books in the series. However, I didn't buy the fourth one -- I'm irritated at paying so much for novellas and will wait and see if book 4 ever gets cheaper. And the story is losing steam -- it's taking too long.

For the books that cost nearly three bucks (this one is a buck), the fact that 12 percent of content is devoted to describing, repetitively, the author's other books is, in my opinion, a marketing gaffe. Put a link to your website in and maybe links to the Amazon store, but don't waste my time and patience with page after page about your universe.

With that said, the main problem I've had with this, and subsequent Salmon Run books, is they all need a good editor (and copyeditor). The plots were good, parts of the books exciting even, but there were too many times where I had to re-read to figure who the heck was telling the story! For a while, it's Zach's viewpoint. Then it shifts to Hawk, then to yet another character -- very confusing. I don't mind shifting voices, but clue us in when it changes, please!

There are some sloppy mistakes, such as "your" for "you're" and a few typos. Not as bad as I've seen in many other indie books, but there should be none.

The chapter breaks are kind of strange -- breaking them up in the middle of an event is jarring. Again, a good editor would help with this. With all the books the author has under his/her belt, you'd think this would've been resolved by now.

Here's a thought: tighten these stories up, edit them to remove the voice changes without segues, fix the chapter divisions, and combine them (all 4 of them) into one novel. There's just not enough offered in each of the books to make them satisfying as stand-alones (especially at the prices you're charging.)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Adventure and sci-fi in Alaska November 21, 2011

By B. Fraley

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

NIGHT OF THE AURORA was a light and enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the glimpses of daily life in Alaska. The book was well-written, but I thought that there could have been more depth to the plot and character development. Although the book is appropriate for all ages, it seems to be aimed at younger readers. As an example, when Zach Callahan and his friend encounter the aliens in the spaceship, the encounter comes off as almost whimsical instead of frightening or sinister. These are just minor criticisms, as I liked the book and am looking forward to seeing how the Callahans deal with the harsh Alaskan winter in the forthcoming Salmon Run books.

More About the Author

It's said I was launched into space from birth and I haven't been back to Earth since.

There might be some truth in that.

As a reader I love science fiction with great plots, interesting characters, exotic locales, all accompanied by a sense of wonder with optimistic endings. As a writer, I love the same.

I love to visit with other science fiction fans, so come on by and say hello.