Starfire

By: B.V. Larson

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Two ships launch, but only one can come home with the prize - and no one suspects what they'll find when they get out there.

On June 30, 1908, an object fell from the sky, releasing more energy than a thousand Hiroshima bombs. A Siberian forest was flattened, but the strike left no significant crater. The anomaly came to be known as the Tunguska Event, and scientists have never agreed whether it was the largest meteor strike in recorded history - or something else. Alien artifacts have been uncovered since the 1908 event, and a new star drive is discovered. When another larger artifact is detected orbiting Jupiter, both NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency are determined to beat all rivals to the next treasure trove of alien tech.

©2014 B. V. Larson (P)2015 Audible Inc.

A new direction for BV Larson

Any additional comments?

This was more enjoyable than previous books, which featured only comic book characters and space shoot-em-ups. This was more like a Clancy thriller, especially at first. The characters were much better developed. Finally, it takes a lot to get me to write a review. That should count for something!

A new space race has begun

There are a number of favored locations often involved in contemporary science fiction when the main theme is aliens visiting planet earth. Two such favored locations, Area 51 and Tunguska, Russia are both involved in this stand alone sci-fi tale that comes from prolific story teller B. V. Larson. With one location being in Russia and the other in the US, these two cold war rivals once again find themselves in a high profile race, this time trying to be the first to get their hands on advanced alien technology. Despite this being a race between rivals, this book actually starts out rather slowly with a vast array of characters being involved in a series of seemingly unconnected events; however, Larson eventually weaves all of the various threads together. It is when the characters converge together and begin to interact that the story really takes off and finishes on a high note that leaves you wanting more.

In order to avoid spoiling any of this story I will merely state that for a lot of this book I was not all that into some of threads and the characters themselves. The disconnected nature of the story telling had me convinced that I would be glad this was a stand alone book and not a series, but by the time it was over I was disappointed that there is no sequel to move on to. If this was the start of a series I would have surely have picked up book two immediately to find out what the consequences were to the actions taken in the latter third of this book. Perhaps some day Larson will decide to tell that tale and if he does I will certainly be eager to hear it.

Edoardo Ballerini narrates this one and does a decent job with all the voices and accents.

Fun and entertaining stand-a-lone novel

I read this book because I was able to download it for free and was trying to decide which series to read next. This was a shorter stand alone novel and that is exactly what I needed. The book is not what I expected. I was expecting more science fiction, but the book seemed more mystery or thriller. I was reminded of the one James Patterson book I've read. But I'm not complaining. I did like the book. The story was interesting and compelling. There wasn't a lot of deep character development, but there wasn't really a single main character either. Overall I'm glad I read it and enjoyed it while I did.

Close Encounters

Alien space craft put to use with a new twist! But as with most encounters with an equal or advanced culture, things quickly run amuck.

Interesting concepts and story

Enjoyable story with some thought provoking concepts. Becomes a little 'unlikely' at the end. A good narration.