Isolating Contact Book Review
Our egos crashed against each other as we fought over the minutiae of how to save the world. The answer was right there in front of us, but we had been too stubborn and self-absorbed to see it.
The only thing that could save humanity was humanity. Our humanity.
Synopsis
The truth has never set anyone free It’s 2032 and mankind is quite proud of themselves. Nuclear weapons have been destroyed and humans have earned their first contact moment. There’s peace with the mysterious alien visitors right up until the portal connecting their two worlds becomes operational, and only hours later, all Hell breaks loose. "Isolating Contact” is a fast-paced merger of science fiction and thriller told through the eyes of five strangers whose lives become entangled in an intergalactic conflict. Earth’s fate lies in the hands of a sociopath propagandist, her guerilla journalist nemesis, a hero pilot with a dark secret, a wannabe astronaut out for vengeance, and a mercenary on the lam. Sometimes as enemies and other times as allies, this collection of loners will shape the future of their species, if there’s to be one at all. The ugly truth behind why things went so wrong is buried out there somewhere, and it may cost them everything if they go digging for it.
REVIEW
In the year 2032, Ash Remington takes readers on an absolutely gripping ride through the galaxy in their debut novel, Isolating Contact. Book 1 of The Contact series, this fast-paced fusion of science fiction and thriller weaves together the lives of five strangers, each with their unique stories and destinies, all entangled in an intragalactic conflict that holds the fate of the Earth in its cosmic hands.
Emilia Vera, a brilliant yet enigmatic Argentinian, captivates with her sociopathic tendencies and an interesting redemption arc that adds depth to her character. Alexis X, the guerilla journalist with excellent taste in music and a penchant for singing her way through panic attacks, brings a relatable and quirky dimension to the narrative. American engineer and wannabe astronaut Malik Emmanuel, who undergoes a crisis of faith, understandably seeks vengeance for a horrible wrong done to him until a revelation changes his perspective. Ranbir Chopra, Earth’s hero pilot with a dark secret and motivations of his own, and Maya Fontaine, an ex-military member with a moral code that doesn’t always line up with the law, round out this eclectic group of unlikely protagonists.
Remington’s descriptive prowess is nothing short of remarkable, immersing readers so deeply into the story that one can feel the characters’ emotions and wholly imagine themselves in their world. Additionally, the characters’ individual stories are masterfully amalgamated into a compelling and dynamic tale, creating bonds among them that go beyond their diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, the pacing is relentless, keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.
As an Air Force veteran, one minor curiosity caught my attention—the absence (and lack of explanation for said absence) of the Space Force in this future world—but it doesn’t detract from the overall narrative. Moreover, the connection between a couple of the main characters develops rather rapidly, though, set in the context of an interplanetary cataclysm, this is also defensible. Finally, the focus and evolution of the primary characters was a bit uneven; however, this is difficult to manage with numerous main characters; it didn’t necessarily diminish any of them, or their stories; and I suspect they’ll each have their moments to shine throughout the series.
As our peculiar group of heroes face soul-crushing trials and some heart-wrenching plot twists, the author showcases excellent character growth, particularly for Emilia. The flawless storytelling seamlessly blends each character’s journey into the overarching narrative, and their growth is both well-developed and impactful.
The book explores themes of genocide, gore, violence, torture, suicide, and death, grounding the sci-fi thriller in some harsh realities. Isolating Contact is a riveting introduction to The Contact series, offering a low sci-fi experience appealing even to those not typically drawn to the genre!
Expected publication date is 29 January 2024 and it will be on Kindle Unlimited!
Author Profile
Hey gang. I’m Ash, debut author of Isolating Contact which is the first entry in a series of commercial, sci-fi, political thrillers. As a fan of storytelling, I’m seeking to interject a fresh perspective and provide a unique brand of fast-paced novels that challenge the repetitiveness of the current market. First and foremost, I want to entertain you. It’s my position that reading should be fun and that you should never stumble upon a paragraph where skimming is an option. You can glean whatever message suits you from the themes of my stories, but at the end of the book, I hope you had a good time.
TL;DR
- Rating: 4.5 stars | Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller | Pages: 331
- Book 1 of The Contact series
- CWs: genocide, gore, violence, torture, suicide, and death
- Low sci-fi thriller grounded in current reality (set in 2032-2033)
- Multiple POVs (5 main characters)
- Exceptional descriptive writing
- Several complex storylines flawlessly blended
- Substantial character development
- Would recommend – even to those who aren’t usually fans of sci-fi!
