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on November 13, 2015
Got this free. What does a Nazi, a down on her luck reporter, an killer, an archaeologist, and paranoid General have to do with each other? I don't know and neither does the author. The book blends all the crazy UFO/Area 51 theories for one beautiful satire. But it wasn't. I was totally confuse to the time the action took placed, the killer mentions 9-11 and hints the action takes place a few years later but the heroes seem to find pay phones when they need them. The crazy general character would had been Sectioned 8 faster than an AOL 300 baud dial up. I discover that the paper back was published in 1998. HINT to the author and his editor, if you are going to update a book series please do a better job, or include an afterword mentioning it. Down grading it from a 3 to a 2.
on August 25, 2013
I have to admit, it took me while to get into and finish this book, the first in the Area 51 Series by Bob Mayer. Reading all previous reviews helped me understand that this book, like many in the new self printing series genre, is setting up the parameters for the rest of the books. It is difficult when you have to meet new characters and become familiar with new stories. But, honestly, I prefer the series as opposed to the stand alone novels because it gives me more time to spend living in another world, a world made up by a brilliant mind.
There was a lot of information crammed into these pages. The first half was difficult for me because it was a bit military and machinery heavy. However, this author ties it all up neatly in the end, with stunning revelations that sound actually plausible. I sped through the last quarter as the action, which was slowly building from the beginning, began to come together and the story came to a satisfactory and exciting ending.
There were a few grammatical errors which should have been fixed by now, but I don't down rate the self published for that unless it is written as a sixth grader! This one had some weaknesses in sentence structure, but not enough to turn me away. Indeed, the complicated story line being set up was difficult to grasp, but not impossible by any means.
If you are looking for romance, this book won't do it for you. If you are looking for a great Sci Fi plot, you will like this book. This is not YA, not because of language, violence, or adult situations, so if you have kids, I'd recommend it highly to older teens on up through all decades of adulthood. The plot is imaginative, intelligent, and very well explained. I am off to start the next book in the series. I only read this book at the recommendations of other reviewers, I really wanted to jump into the "real" first book of the series. I understand this is a prequel. Glad I read it, glad I understand the plot and premise, and can't wait to read the next book. I hope this series lives up to what other reviewers have written about it. I am reading it because of their glowing reviews. I'm review each book after reading it, so I have high hopes I have some great reading ahead of me!!
There was a lot of information crammed into these pages. The first half was difficult for me because it was a bit military and machinery heavy. However, this author ties it all up neatly in the end, with stunning revelations that sound actually plausible. I sped through the last quarter as the action, which was slowly building from the beginning, began to come together and the story came to a satisfactory and exciting ending.
There were a few grammatical errors which should have been fixed by now, but I don't down rate the self published for that unless it is written as a sixth grader! This one had some weaknesses in sentence structure, but not enough to turn me away. Indeed, the complicated story line being set up was difficult to grasp, but not impossible by any means.
If you are looking for romance, this book won't do it for you. If you are looking for a great Sci Fi plot, you will like this book. This is not YA, not because of language, violence, or adult situations, so if you have kids, I'd recommend it highly to older teens on up through all decades of adulthood. The plot is imaginative, intelligent, and very well explained. I am off to start the next book in the series. I only read this book at the recommendations of other reviewers, I really wanted to jump into the "real" first book of the series. I understand this is a prequel. Glad I read it, glad I understand the plot and premise, and can't wait to read the next book. I hope this series lives up to what other reviewers have written about it. I am reading it because of their glowing reviews. I'm review each book after reading it, so I have high hopes I have some great reading ahead of me!!
on May 7, 2013
I enjoyed this book. The author has a gift for entwining his story within what we know and what we think we know. I recommend it if you are a fan of historical conspiracies. In fact, if there was prize for who could incorporate the most amount of myth and legend into their premise, this author would win it no contest. His take on alien interaction with humans is very provocative. I've been an avid reader of sci-fi all my life and at this point it takes a lot to make a lasting impression on me, but Mr. Mayer has made a significant dent.
But be advised, there are ten books in the Area 51 series: if you like this first one then, in the great tradition of serial adventures where you just have-to-know-what-happens-next, you're going to to have to get the next one and the next one and so on... Which I have done. At least on the Kindle at $1.99 a pop it's not too painful. Read them in order! Good entertainment for the sci-fi fan and guaranteed to make you ponder many elements of his tale.
But be advised, there are ten books in the Area 51 series: if you like this first one then, in the great tradition of serial adventures where you just have-to-know-what-happens-next, you're going to to have to get the next one and the next one and so on... Which I have done. At least on the Kindle at $1.99 a pop it's not too painful. Read them in order! Good entertainment for the sci-fi fan and guaranteed to make you ponder many elements of his tale.
on May 28, 2017
As always Bob Mayer has turned out another successful series. I just finished book 1 and looking forward to book 2. What a great believable story he has created. Who knows there may a little truth to tale. I highly recommend that you take time to read the book.
Tom
Tom
on August 8, 2011
I don't normally write reviews - but this book is actually a pretty good spin on the whole "Area 51" deal and I plan on reading the series at this point.
That said, someone needs to fix the editing on this series, or at least the two I've read so far. There are hyphens where they don't belong, as though someone was typing from a copy that was written in block style to fill the page from edge to edge. When they do that, sometimes words get split to fit on the line, and they get split with a hyphen. Well, when the hyphen is physically typed into the kindle version, it makes the read really frustrating.
For example:
"The more radical theorists stated that, on their side of the barter, the hu-mans were allowing the aliens to conduct mutilations on cattle and other livestock and also--from the truly radical fringe--to abduct humans for various nefarious experi-ments."
Frustrating to say the least - but don't let it deter you from an otherwise good story and decent read.
That said, someone needs to fix the editing on this series, or at least the two I've read so far. There are hyphens where they don't belong, as though someone was typing from a copy that was written in block style to fill the page from edge to edge. When they do that, sometimes words get split to fit on the line, and they get split with a hyphen. Well, when the hyphen is physically typed into the kindle version, it makes the read really frustrating.
For example:
"The more radical theorists stated that, on their side of the barter, the hu-mans were allowing the aliens to conduct mutilations on cattle and other livestock and also--from the truly radical fringe--to abduct humans for various nefarious experi-ments."
Frustrating to say the least - but don't let it deter you from an otherwise good story and decent read.
on September 6, 2015
What do the Egyption pyramids, the stone statues on Easter Island, along with other archaeological wonders and the writings on them have in common? Area 51 gives an almost believable explanation. Is it just pure fiction? Possibly? Probably? Either way this book is a very good read.
on July 22, 2015
Based on the reviews posted on Amazon, I decided to give this series a shot. I am glad I did. The story line involves some of the ancient aliens stuff like the History Channel, which I find interesting but not definitive. Who knows? Science and religion involve faith at some levels. We can't see electrons and there are physical phenomenon which are hard to explain with pure science. The author uses his knowledge of the military to weave the fictional elements into a compelling story. The characters are well developed and the plot has enough twists without becoming confusing or hard to follow. There are similarities to Lee Child's Jack Reacher books. We are also currently living in Las Vegas now and grew up in New Mexico. Is there really a high tech federal lab in Dulce? I thought the elk ranch for Texas hunters was the BIG industry there! I have already downloaded the second book and will read the whole series eventually.
on October 14, 2015
I chose this book in Samsung Deals for October. Fast paced, action packed story that was hard to put down! The author weaves many UFO conspiracy theories and lore into the plot and ties them together in ways that make sense. This is one of those rare series booms that held my attention and kept me interested throughout, to the point I immediately purchased the second book in the series on finishing this one.
The only character I didn't like in this book was the reporter Kelly. She just didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the characters. There is one improbable scene where she asks a pilot something like "what azimuth are we on?". This question doesn't fit this character. She suddenly seems like a flight expert while in the rest of the book she was fairly dull witted. Might just be me but she seems out of place.
The only character I didn't like in this book was the reporter Kelly. She just didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the characters. There is one improbable scene where she asks a pilot something like "what azimuth are we on?". This question doesn't fit this character. She suddenly seems like a flight expert while in the rest of the book she was fairly dull witted. Might just be me but she seems out of place.
on May 9, 2016
The story is very intriguing. The action was intense and well written. My main issue with the novel as a whole is that the characters don't feel authentic. I would say only two characters in the whole novel act and react as you would expect their character to the whole way through. Everyone else has a flip-flop personality that goes from calm and cool to hot-headed and ready to fight and back again from one sentence to the next.
As I said earlier, the action is very well written. It is easy to follow and is definitely the highlight of the novel.
Unfortunately, the ending is also rushed. While the final action is good; the wrap-up and conclusion feels very rushed.
As I said earlier, the action is very well written. It is easy to follow and is definitely the highlight of the novel.
Unfortunately, the ending is also rushed. While the final action is good; the wrap-up and conclusion feels very rushed.
