User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Original Review Here
When given the chance to be part of The Eden Paradox blog tour, I leapt at the opportunity. I already knew I loved Kirwan’s writing and was excited to see how he handled science-fiction. I guess, theoretically, that could mean I got my hopes up too high. Thankfully, however, the book was just as good as I hoped.
It had everything: dying planets, new planets as potential salvation, good aliens, bad aliens, aliens secretly controlling sect groups, humans nuking said aliens after being lured to their home planet… Not a book you can sum up concisely! Action-packed and full of suspense, I was unable to put it down.
There are various main characters. Micah: an analyst who ends up over his head. Kat: a communications expert who can commune via unconventional methods as well as through technology. Blake: the captain of the supposedly doomed expedition to Eden. Vince: high up in an organisation that seems to know everything. Gabriel: an assassin with an ulterior motive. Jennifer: an `assistant` with more answers and knowledge that she knows what to do with.
They are an eclectic group but the reader gets to know each in their own way. I liked and could empathise with all of the characters: a tricky feat given the combination of characterisations. Micah was definitely the favourite though: he knows he is out of his depth, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to save humanity. A classic hero, through and through.
Set in both the future and on alien planets means the reader is thrust into a world that is operating on very different rules compared to now. It meant that it took some reading before I could start to get to grips with what was going on. The numerous characters and narration view points on top of the whole alien-invasion-thing meant I couldn’t initially connect the characters and their situations with each other; I couldn’t relate to the world being built.
But once I got to grips with that world, I couldn’t put the book down. The tension is high and the pacing fast. Despite being a relatively long book, you aren’t given the chance to catch your breath as plans are revealed, deceptions uncovered and the fate of humanity quite literally resting in the hands of a few who dare to believe that it is worth saving.
It’s only been in the last year or so that I have properly started reading science-fiction. The Eden Paradox is proof that I made the right choice entering this genre. There is a lot to get to grips with: aliens, space, a futuristic Earth etc. But if you can get your head around it all, you are left with an intense and incredibly gripping tale.
Put it this way: I read this book for a blog tour. I am now planning on reading the rest of the series because it caught my attention so well.
If you’re a science-fiction fan, then this book is a definite must read!
Rating: really liked it
The story takes place far into the future and in almost half the scenes on a different planet, so it took some reading before I got to grips with it. The numerous characters and narration from each one's viewpoints made it hard to connect with them initially and sympathise with their situations, but if you can get your head around it all, you will find the story to be quite enjoyable.
So, a dying Earth, a new seemingly habitable planet, good aliens, bad aliens controlling secret sect groups, deepsea explorers, assassins, computer hackers/analysts (sort of), a spaceship crew that is more than meets the eye, a plot of domination and annihilation spanning millennia ... Yeah, quite a lot happening, and it comes with plenty of action and suspense, as well as twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
I won't go into detail with the characters because it don't want this to be a long review. Micah is worth the mention though: an analyst who is pulled deep into a plot devised by insect-like aliens hellbent on eliminating mankind. I think he gets the most "screentime" because he's the typical average guy who realises he's lacking a range of capabilities other characters have but he doesn't back down from the responsibility of saving the world.
Halfway through, I couldn’t put the book down. The tension and pacing pick up, but you have to be patient. I'm eager to see what happens next.
Rating: really liked it
CleverClever storyline, but difficult to read at times. The author writes well and tells a good story, but many people, I'm sure, will put the book down, unable to read through the complexities.
Rating: really liked it
An excellent book with great characters. It is about the human race who have almost destroyed the natural resources of the planet and have to look in the universe for a similar planet to colonize. They are led to Eden, which appears to be a planet similar to earth. Recon space rockets are sent and the 3rd one gets there after the first 2 were sabotaged. The humans are being manipulated by an alien race who feed on planets and their people and have subverted some who help them in their plans, on the basis that they will be rewarded. Opposing them are the sentinels who know the threat that exists.
To give more details would spoil the enjoyment of reading this outstanding book. Very highly recommended for Sci Fi lovers
Rating: really liked it
I generally struggle to find what I term good old-fashioned sci-fi but this free download from book bub hit the buttons.
Up-to-date storyline, nasty aliens and heroic earthlings. Great stuff.
With a bit of judicial editing to eliminate typos and repetitiveness this could be a contender alongside Heinlein or Frank Herbert's dune for excellent sci-fi
Rating: really liked it
Kirwin takes on a complex culture and diverse sci-fi world and throws us into the fray. He does a great job of showing us what many extraterrestrial sci fi fans already know: Earth is no longer the answer. This is a multi-faceted story with many different perspectives, groups (factions), and areas of political divide. The way Kirwin keeps up with it and still manages the story is impressive.
At some point the pacing lulls, but Kirwin is a seasoned writer and knows how to muscle through in a way that keeps the story interesting. Keep in mind this is the first in the series, so a lot of groundwork needs to be established.
The characters are well-developed, and the plot is written well even in the complexity. Definitely give this book a try.
Rating: really liked it
Sort of a mashup of Aliens meets Battlestar Galatica. There are lots of characters and several story lines and points of view going through the book which the author uses to drive his story forward at a breakneck momentum. I did find towards the end the technique of leaving the character at a cliffhanger when switching to another point of view to be predictable and the change in a couple of the characters at the end to be rushed. Like AG Riddle's Atlantis trilogy, I found the good guys more fleshed out and the villains too one dimensional. But did enjoy the book and am reading the next one in the series.
Rating: really liked it
A gripping story about a post-apocalyptic Earth divided between two opposing groups of nations, with the western citizens living in fear of a repressive police force. With only 10 years before the world becomes uninhabitable, the West is attempting to assess the possibilities offered by an alternative world using a new faster than light vehicle. The action is moved very quickly, switching between the viewpoints and actions of a number of groups and individuals, with numerous twists and turns leading to a denouement which paves the way for the next book in the series. Characters are well developed and believable and it is a really worthwhile read.
Rating: really liked it
The Eden Paradox, by Barry Kirwan, is an enjoyable read that will be relished by fans of science fiction.
Fifty years into the future, the earth has been maimed by war and is near collapse from heat exhaustion. Scientists have already found the vaccine for AIDS and robot soldiers have quelled rebel invasions. The 3-year long World War between the United Secular Nations and the ‘Big Five’ Religious Front countries has left half a billion dead and a shortage of food (beef has hit $300 a kilo), power and fuel.
Then a new planet is discovered: Eden, a green-purple world bathed in blood-orange sunlight, a planet filled with virgin lakes and forests, a place so beautiful it could be compared to pre-war Switzerland.
Now, the Ulysses, a faster-than-light ship carrying a crew of four astronauts, is on its way to Eden. The venture has given one last hope to mankind. If Eden fails, all humanity will see is an abyss.
Then one of the astronauts begins having strange nightmares about a desert-filled Eden and a horrific creature. The nightmares put the astronauts on edge. After all, there’s reason for concern: Ulysses isn’t the first mission to Eden. There were two before which failed miserably under mysterious circumstances. One stopped transmitting after an hour of arrival; the other one exploded five days before landing. Do the nightmares have any substance or in any way predict the future? What, in reality, is going on in Eden?
The Eden Paradox is a well-written, action-packed, suspenseful novel. Told in multiple points of view separated by chapters, the story moves mainly between two characters: Micah, analyst at Eden Mission Control on earth, and Blake, lead astronaut at the Ulysses. Micah feels he’s being thrust into a vortex of murder, deception and conspiracy; he feels coerced into a probably fatal role in a game he doesn’t understand nor cares about. Blake, on the other hand, is intend on protecting his crew, find out what’s really going on in Eden, and return to earth successfully. In spite of all the action, there are a lot of exposition and backstory in the first few chapters. There are also a lot of characters and it took me a while to identify with any one of them.
However, I have to say that the scenes are very film-like in nature and I felt as if I were watching a movie. Although the plotline is different, the pace and tone reminded me of the Alien series, which are one of my favorites. The author uses a lot of detail to bring his fictional world to life, and in this aspect he was quite successful. In short, even though I’m not an avid fan of sci-fi, I enjoyed the novel and would definitely recommend it to readers of the genre.
A native of Farnborough, England, author Barry Kirwan grew up watching planes at the annual air show. Unable to become an astronaut, he did the next best thing—become a science fiction writer. When he’ not working in air traffic safety, he can be found writing his Eden Trilogy and other stories. Visit him at www.barrykirwan.com.
Rating: really liked it
‘The rich make laws for others to follow…the holocaust was mere days away…’
British author Barry Kirwan, now living outside of Paris, has written academic articles about preventing disasters in nuclear power plants, oil rigs, and aircraft (his work experience has been in air traffic and nuclear power safety), four text books on human error, and nine novels – The CHILDREN OF THE EYE series of two books, and the four book series EDEN PARADOX, of which this is the initial novel. Both series explore alien motivations and how we react to them. He also writes under the nom de plume JF Kirwan, publishing 66 METRES, 37 HOURS, 88 NORTH, and THE DEAD TELL LIES – excellent thriller novels!
Barry takes science fiction writing to a new level. His polished prose lingers over character creation with such skill that his story becomes credible from the top. An example of this gift is found in his opening lines – ‘People rarely search for bodies in ceilings, Gabriel O’Donnell reminded himself. He should have a couple of hours before anyone discovered his latest victim Slipping unseen from the side door, he dissolved into the amoebic mass of dignitaries arriving for the fund-raiser at Eden Mission Control. He itched to shed his tuxedo and starched shirt, but he needed the camouflage, along with stolen emotion-ID that had required a messy killing, to secure entry. He blended in with the wealthy entourage decked in stark designer suits and power dresses…He let his eyes glaze over as if he, too, were rich enough to forget what was outside, an Earth maimed by War and near collapse from heat exhaustion Somewhere here was his target, but as yet he didn’t know who…’ Sound strangely familiar?
The provided synopsis of the book’s tale serves the novel well: ‘In 2063, Earth's overheated climate and war-ravaged cities are near breaking point. A new habitable planet is discovered within reach, but the first two missions have failed to return. This is the story of the third mission to Eden. What really awaits the crew of four as they make the long journey to this supposed uninhabited virgin planet, and what is the link to the secret 900 year old sect known as Alicians back on Earth? While Blake leads the Eden mission, a young researcher named Micah discovers a terrible truth that threatens the very existence of humanity.’
This is some of the most polished science fiction writing this reader has encountered. Not only is the story original, but also it is delivered with such style that it transports us into a world so credible that we feel as though we are physically accompanying the characters. First class novel – and a highly recommended one!
Rating: really liked it
All of the mind-opening futurethink, philosophy and technology of Peter F. Hamilton with the visual excitement of James Cameron. This book had me scrambling for the 2nd in the series while I was still 3/4 of the way through the first. The technology is bright and inspiring in spite of the philosophically dark perspective on humanity. It's an honest telling of what it means to be human and the challenges we face as an intellectually evolving species who remains war-like in our nature.
Rating: really liked it
Set fifty years into the future, this is a sci-fi thriller based around a dystopian world that follows multiple characters through their journey of interplanetary travel and the consequences. Kirwan treats the reader to a vivid and rich description of the settings for the story, enabling us to feel like we can truly see the landscapes.
The story is told from the perspective of several main characters which helps us to get a fully rounded view, while maintaining an ever-increasing pace. This is a classic sci-fi book with high-quality writing and an interesting plot. It will be popular with readers who enjoy Orson Scott Card and Robert Heinlein.
Rating: really liked it
A great sci-fi book for the first in a series. The introduction of characters is smooth, their development is complex. The action is evenly paced so you won't get bored with long descriptive chapters or full action non-sense.
Rating: really liked it
This is the first book I read by the author. The Eden Paradox is a sci-fi with a very complex yet interesting storyline. The story is set in fifty years into the future. The Earth's temperature is overheated, and war-torn cities are on the verge of collapsing.
The author gives the reader a vivid and detailed description of the story's locations, making us feel as if we can experience the surroundings for ourselves. It is more of old fashioned sci-fi with multiple characters. The plot is complicated, but the author uses his exceptional writing skills to weave all of the threads together into a satisfying and scary climax.
There were dying worlds, potential redemption worlds, good and bad aliens, aliens secretly managing religious groups, and humans nuking these aliens after being enticed to their home planet etc. Initially, it was a little hard to connect with the story and I couldn't relate to the universe that was being created. I couldn't put the book down once I got a handle on that world.
Overall an adventurous read.
Grab your copy here.
Rating: really liked it
The Eden Paradox was an intense and action-driven read about the end of the world. There was a lot going on in this book, and that’s why I loved it. The larger than life characters were very compelling and hooked me from early on, and the story pacing was very fast. Told from different perspectives it left me asking more questions than I expected. I found myself at certain points sitting on the edge of the couch literally about to fall off as sometimes the action got so intense!
I would be very surprised if anyone who purchased this book didn't enjoy it as much as I have. Highly recommended.
