The Galactic Now

The Assemblies of the Living, Book 2

By: Brent Clay

Narrated by: Samuel Peery

After first contact, humanity learns that the galaxy is a place of ancient and far-reaching authorities. The Earth has not emerged as an autonomous peer into a community of sovereign worlds, but as an involuntary entrant into a galactic society whose demands are not light. John Riley, the physicist who inadvertently touched off first contact with his research into gravitation, now sees that the implications of his discoveries lead to more than technical frontiers. The galaxy, the nature of the Universe itself, is not what humanity has believed it to be.

©2023 Brent Clay (P)2024 Brent Clay

Oftentimes thoughtful Sci-Fi, blending the known, the plausible, and just enough of the improbable to keep things interesting

The balance of my thoughts on this book are reflected in the title, but generally speaking, I thought it was not quite as good as the first installment. Also, I could have done without the author’s recurring need to dismiss religion and faith with pockets of pseudo-intellectualism. I also wish this book would have exchanged certain long-winded asides with material that advanced further the interplay between alien powers and alien worlds with humanity and Earth.

Exactly the type of sci-fi I love

A very thought provoking combination of hard-scifi, philosophy, religion and spirituality, is the exact kind of First Contact type of material I crave. What I love is that this book makes it more than just first contact with an alien civilization. It's also a type of "first contact" between humanity and the parts of ourselves that the scientifically minded may find alien. Just like relativity and quantum mechanics dont agree within a limited horizon, so to must we expand our minds to understand the big picture of the universe and our small place in it.

The Best Science Fiction Series I’ve Read or Listened To

The Galactic Now is an absolute masterpiece! I was completely captivated by the seamless blend of science fiction with believable characters and a gripping plot.

Also, the narrator's performance was beyond exceptional, breathing life into each character with such depth and authenticity.

The Galactic Now is a must-experience for any science fiction enthusiast! I am anxiously awaiting the next book!

a very unique take on first contact

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The only flaw might be too many characters that are used more as a backdrop for the developing story and don't stand on their own. Besides that, great concept, interesting ideas, intriguing plot, and some well done characters.

future possibilities

again like the 1st book lots of technical and physics and philosophical content was difficult to get through. that being said I did enjoy the book. I love to push my comprehension past my abilities trying to expand my understanding. it is a good exercise to reflect on our personal views of our society and who we really are.