Exodus 2012: A Mission to Save the Earth

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The characters perform their functions reasonably enough, but there's a lot going on so you don't really get to know them that well. And that leads me to my first main issue with the book - there just isn't enough meat on the bones. The skeleton is fine, there's a solid story and the writing is clean and brings the events and emotions across, but there's so much going on that nothing feels fully fleshed out. For a story like this I expected a bit more science in the mix, there's some there but it doesn't really dig into the challenges a mission like this would encounter.

Which leads to my second issue - there isn't enough peril going on. The political element adds some conflict, but considering the backdrop of the events and the difficulty of the mission it all feels a bit too easy. Apart from a few exceptions you never really feel that the individuals are in any real danger. And what should have been a momentous journey is skimmed through rather quickly. I did enjoy reading the story overall, but it could have been so much more epic.

Still I've bought the second so worth a read. Apr 11, Lilyn G. Devoid of dramatics, the story is established swiftly, proceeds without faltering, and wraps up with an ending clearly meant to make the reader want to continue with the second book. It thankfully manages this ending without making it a cliffhanger, which earns it serious points.

It has a bit more of the human element, and I never skimmed because the science elements got a little too much and went over my head. At the same time, the very fact that Exodus is lacking in dramatics also disappointed me a bit. Exodus skims over the one part where Christensen had the license to be dramatic, and give us the epic fall of humanity on Earth, at least. I found myself a bit disgruntled that the end was described with little more thought than one would give the bubbles of a fart in the bathtub. Regardless, it gave me a mild case of the pouts, but I got over it.

Overall, Exodus is a well-told story that leaves you needing more of the story. Nov 26, Ron rated it did not like it Shelves: Suspect the author has no idea what a scramjet is. Flares, not chaff, are used against heat-seeking missiles. The President of the United States would not hire a new National Security Adviser without a single face-to-face interview.

Plays to stereotypes, even when playing against them. Dec 14, Richard Abbott rated it really liked it Shelves: Although still nominally democratic, personal freedom has been almost entirely sacrificed to military and economic interests. Like so many stories these days, Exodus is part of a trilogy, and the story is left on the verge of the next stage. The plot is quite diverse, dealing with political machinations in the US as well as the selection process for the passengers, a glimpse of the scientific advances needed for the journey, and a little about the shipboard life on the way.

See a Problem?

So for example very little is said of the actual journey through space. Perhaps this was supposed to mirror the generally paranoid thinking of the society, but it felt rather unreal to me. As regards the rest of the world, Europe is largely there to provide scientific know-how for the project and then wave the ship goodbye, and no other countries get a look-in at all.

One scientific goal of the journey was to secure genetic diversity on the new world, and I suspect that in this regard, one would have to class the mission a failure. But again, perhaps this is really saying that political agenda always trumps scientific ideals. I felt there were some odd omissions. More seriously, having had a careful explanation before launch of the compelling need for exponential population growth from the start, nothing is then done about this. I feel sure that, especially in a centrally dominated society but for sound survival reasons as well, some fraction of the women would have been pregnant before landing.

But so far as the plot of the book is concerned, only politics, seen as the pursuit of authority and dominance, is important. Technically the Kindle version has been reasonably well produced. There were a number of typos, only a few of which interrupted reading. The prose style is very plain, and coming from a historical fiction background I prefer something richer. The main obstacle was the paragraph length which through most of the book was huge, often spanning multiple Kindle page turns.

I would strongly recommend that another edit trims this down into digestible chunks which fit better with an ereader page. I thought a lot about a final rating and felt in the end that the interest value of the plot just about pushed this from three to four stars.

I was never at serious risk of giving up and I did want to see the travellers through to their destination. Apr 19, Beau rated it it was ok.

Here is an example of colonization sci-fi. It seemed like the author could have gotten through this book without any characters. There was no blood flow. I wanted to shout, "clear" and fire the defibrillator. And, it wasn't as if there was a whole lot of science. I won't say what they are, but it seemed plausible. But what it was, was a lot of politics. Libertarians vs fascists, it looke Here is an example of colonization sci-fi.

Libertarians vs fascists, it looked like to me. The stars ratings on Goodreads indicate that the series improves gradually, since the 2nd and 3rd books have higher average ratings. I'll try the second one, it's what I do. But this was a story already told many times, without any more unique embellishment than one finds in the current liberal newspapers, or the northern bit of Idaho. The story is interesting, but the execution appears to be based on a creative approach to the literary devices most often found in successful storytelling. There are better efforts at colonization sci-fi.

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Editorial Reviews

One thing I love about my Kindle is the gems I find through its online library. I stumbled on this book while browsing idly in search of a modern deep space story, and I've enjoyed it a lot. It's written in contemporary style and has overall good pace, and of course the main premise is compelling, even though the science of it feels a bit weak at parts. Interestingly, while reading it I had the deep displeasure of watching the movie Melancholia, which is also about a star crashing apocalypse.

Mayb One thing I love about my Kindle is the gems I find through its online library. Maybe it made Exodus shine in comparison?

Dec 09, Martin Clark rated it really liked it. Excellent read Exodus kept me interested through out the entire book.

I'm a sucker for a good end of the world story and Exodus did not disappoint. My only real criticism would be that it moves along too fast. The chapters are very short and sometimes with too little detail. However, that will not stop me from reading the sequel, Aroura. Dec 14, Allen rated it really liked it.

Exodus takes place 60 years in the future. Science and technology have advanced significantly and America has drifted steadily toward corporate interest dominated fascism. The author seems to have taken great care to create a world that is believable and very familiar.

There is a generous cast of characters from many walks of life. Introduction to them was brief and superficial, the character development in this book wasn't particularly deep but as the first book in a series most of the time was Exodus takes place 60 years in the future.

Introduction to them was brief and superficial, the character development in this book wasn't particularly deep but as the first book in a series most of the time was dedicated to setting up the events that lead to the Exodus central to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I hope for a lot more character development. The author has set himself up for an excellent world building opportunity, I look forward to seeing what he does with it.

This familiarity of the world in this book makes the story that much more unsettling. It is very easy to look at the world today and imagine it heading in the very direction the author posits. The story revolves around a world-ending event that is entirely believable. I couldn't help but wonder what would we do today in the same circumstances.

This book is science fiction in great form. It doesn't just make you think about the future, it really makes you think about the world around you today. My one qualm with the book is that it can be really heavy handed at times, reiterating time and again how corrupt the government has become. Sure that's central to the story, but I'd have liked the author to give the readers a bit more credit. Trust them to come to this conclusion given the evidence of which there was plenty.

Sep 27, R. Exodus is a dystopian novel about the decisions made when a killer asteroid enters the Solar System and threatens all life on planet Earth. While not as heavy handed as such a topic could have made it, the story does give us a glimpse of the state of mind that might ensnare us all if we were faced with such a pending catastrophe.

The author, Andreas Christensen, didn't need to overwhelm the reader with heaps of technical jargon to tell his story, and the story flows better because of it. However, Exodus is a dystopian novel about the decisions made when a killer asteroid enters the Solar System and threatens all life on planet Earth.

However, the author could have spent a bit more time developing the characters as they are a bit flat. Additionally, there are some rather implausible scenarios: Mars just gets obliterated, but yet no one even thinks twice that it could happen to Earth. In another part, it is said that other countries are already working on solutions to the problem, but no one in the US has caught wind that the Earth is in danger? And to think that a 'space ark', for lack of a better term, would leave Earth without the President of the US is just downright naive.

The bright side is that despite all of the above issues, Exodus is an enjoyable read. It is one of the more highly polished indie novels that I've picked up, so I applaud Christensen for such a job well done. I liked the story and found it engaging. I am more interested in the novella that covers the alternate story — I I liked the story and found it engaging. I am more interested in the novella that covers the alternate story — I look forward to getting that one.

Certainly a well-crafted story with lots of converging subplots that prep you for the next books in the series. I picked up this book because the premise sounded similar to a novel that I have started to write. I wanted to see if it was too close to my idea to pre-empt my story. Although the underlying theme is similar — the world is ending, but for a different reason — we must find an alternate home somewhere in space — I think I hope I can make mine unique enough and match the quality of Exodus.

Mar 21, Randy rated it it was amazing. A rogue planet enters the solar system and obliterates Mars, then takes aim at Earth. Given only a few years to prepare, a star ship is constructed to carry a selected group of people to a distant planet. Taking over a hundred years, the ship "Exodus" arrives at Aurora. After the ship leaves, a large part of the rogue planet strikes Earth and virtually destroys most life. A second part of this story is that the United States has become a single-party country where big business and government es A rogue planet enters the solar system and obliterates Mars, then takes aim at Earth.

A second part of this story is that the United States has become a single-party country where big business and government essentially destroy democracy. Starting with a terrorism threat, this gives justification to the loss of rights. In my opinion this could be an extension to what we're seeing today where similar issues are occurring.

Will the new planet become a world where similar conditions occur, or will a new democracy be formed? I guess we'll find out in the next two episodes of this story. This was quite good 3.

I'm usually much more about the characters but I felt the writer handled the other aspects so well that I craved more of that. I will probably read the next in the series but not right away but I am glad that I finally got around to this one on my Kindle. Thoroughly enjoyable - albeit too short - science fiction tale in which a slightly future America has to deal with the knowledge that a rogue planet is about to crash into Earth and destroy not only all life but, more importantly, the authoritarian state that the US has become.

Approximately people are selected to leave Earth on the starship Exodus with the intention of settling on the distant but hopefully habitable Aurora and giving humanity a future. However, not all of the men and women Thoroughly enjoyable - albeit too short - science fiction tale in which a slightly future America has to deal with the knowledge that a rogue planet is about to crash into Earth and destroy not only all life but, more importantly, the authoritarian state that the US has become. However, not all of the men and women involved with the Exodus Project are as they seem.

In many ways, this book reminded me of early and pulp SF. There was a good amount of technical detail, but not too much. The main premise is plausible. Christensen's writing style is easy to read and moves quickly. But the characters are barely there. I enjoy books where the characters seem real and I become involved in their story.

Exodus has a few characters that have promise, but they are not developed. Perhaps later volumes in the trilogy will provide more depth. I received a complimentar In many ways, this book reminded me of early and pulp SF. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it. A very interesting trilogy beginning. Hoping that the next two books will be even better, so am reserving higher ratings for books 2 and 3 respectively. The story itself reminded me of a write up rendition of one of the Documentary Channel movies - Evacuate Earth.

Story has a lot of similarities with the materiel explored in the above mentioned documentary, but with many twists and turns. If you like science fiction, books about space, even dystopia this is a great choice. I wasn't disappointed, there was information and technical "spacey" terms and descriptions but not too much to be unreadable or to read.

Follow the Author

Something about space travel always interests me and I simply can't get enough. And to know there is a sequel awaiting me is just awesome! I think my diverse interests and background gives me a few valuable perspectives that enhance my writing, and although my main literary interest lies in the scifi and fantasy sphere, I enjoy a good thriller or horror now and then.

From my reviews I learn that different readers enjoy different aspects of my books. Some enjoy the adventure; some find a message of hope, while others have said they find themselves nodding as they read it. One of my favorite reviews for Exodus said that "This book is science fiction in great form.

It doesn't just make you think about the future, it really makes you think about the world around you today" When I was a kid, I used to draw cartoons and make up all kinds of stories. It still took many years before I learned one can actually reach an audience all over the world, and even longer before I actually finished a book.

Now I am thrilled to connect with readers and I'd love to hear from you as well! I love the process of writing, and sometimes feel like I'm living the adventures of my characters.

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I guess that's the trick; to write the books you'd love to read although I don't presume to know the formula for a bestseller - yet. So what's my best book so far? The one I'm currently writing Product details File Size: December 3, Sold by: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention looking forward science fiction well written next book character development looking forward good read new world forward to the next rogue planet thought provoking story line second book human race andreas christensen worlds collide forward to reading fast paced end of the world solar system.

Showing of 1, reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. I thought this series looked interesting but after reading the first book I won't be reading further. The book read like the outline to a really good book.

I felt like nothing was fleshed out. It jumped from one topic to the next almost at random. Finally it skipped over the most exciting parts of the story, then slightly mentioned them as past events such as the launch of the interstellar space craft or the destruction of the earth which was slightly fleshed out but did not go nearly far enough.

If you want to read the original story, try 's "When Worlds Collide. With due apologies to the author, "Exodus" reads a lot like "When Worlds Collide", circa , original story by Edwin Balmer. Being a novel rather than a movie, you get to know a lot more characters, and more about them.

Then there's the political twist here where the the current administration has become too powerful without checks and balances. There's a conspiracy to fix this on the "new world". And finally, we spend more time with the people fleeing Earth on the ship, named "Exodus"; including actually landing on the new world and setting up camp.

All in preparation for book two in the sequel. So what is there to like? The story flows without getting too wrapped up in any one person. I haven't read the sequel, but the first book has no details about what happens to Earth. In fact, there is an inference that Earth survives and may play a part in sequels. But that's just a guess considering how the author avoids any details of what actually happens on Earth. Should you read it?

If you haven't seen "When Worlds Collide", then Yes, it's a good yarn -albeit without the visual effects of a near miss planet encounter. But the idea of mobs rushing the "get-away" ships is all too probable. All-in-all, a good telling of the tasks, challenges, and problems facing Man trying to escape the end of the world. Devoid of dramatics, the story is established swiftly, proceeds without faltering, and wraps up with an ending clearly meant to make the reader want to continue with the second book. It thankfully manages this ending without making it a cliffhanger, which earns it serious points.

It has a bit more of the human element, and I never skimmed because the science elements got a little too much and went over my head. At the same time, the very fact that Exodus is lacking in dramatics also disappointed me a bit. Exodus skims over the one part where Christensen had the license to be dramatic, and give us the epic fall of humanity on Earth, at least.

I found myself a bit disgruntled that the end was described with little more thought than one would give the bubbles of a fart in the bathtub.

Regardless, it gave me a mild case of the pouts, but I got over it. Overall, Exodus is a well-told story that leaves you needing more of the story. Exodus stays plot focused, and reminded me pleasingly of Moonfall by Jack McDevitt. Astronomers have determined that the Earth will be struck a fatal blow by a rogue planet in about 12 years. The book covers how that was accomplished, and it ends shortly after arriving at such a planet. Essentially, the book ends just when the story seems to be getting started.

What I liked best was that the book tries to be reasonably scientifically accurate so no warp drives here. But there is little drama.

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