It seemed like the author was trying too hard
929343
A little overly convoluted.  It seemed like the author was trying too hard.
2589574
Well. I wanted to believe that the author took some chemical and suddenly became a channel, but the effort feels somewhat juvenile and irresponsible in that it is silly and fear driven; and, this is from a guy who would believe almost anything!
2009633
This was  a book that I wanted to win from the [...] Early Reviewer group, and was glad to have won it. Then, I began to read. While the premise was an intriguing one, I felt that it was hard to follow in places, especially since I learned that it was a sequel to a previous book of Fischer's. There were, it felt like, a number of unresolved plot points that were important to resolve and never were.

Also, while a lot of spec. fic. and sci-fi books often fall into the "Now tell me, doctor" trap, it seemed as if Fischer deliberately did not go there, not explaining things enough, especially the religious conflicts. It is obvious from his writing that Fischer has a beef with all organised religion, since all get short shrift in this book, and most likely in his other book as well.

Would I pick up another of his books? Maybe if it were free, as I would not actively seek out and buy a book of his. I came away from this book feeling like rather than Fischer trying to show us the impact of science on our lives, instead he was speaking down to his readers by using language at once too simple and yet obfuscating. He never tried to get the reader to understand even a little of the math and science work that was going on behind the scenes to make something like Julia work and thus renders the entire story unrealistic masturbatory fantasy.
608951
I feel the author was attempting to justify his own actions more than helping the Tillman fund. Also there was a fair amount of grandiosity in his writing although it came across as faux modesty. Actually these two people were quite dissimilar.
1544418
I was really excited to read this book having lived in east africa for a few years and having close friends who have spent thier lives there.  I found it very very hard to finish.  What the author did is wonderful.  To raise so much money for the Congolese women is completely selfless.  But the book itself seemed almost self serving.  I felt like not much was told about the women, it was more about her.  I was also VERY put off by how she seemed to say something negative about every other person who was trying to help.  She seemed to come across as if she was the only person with the right attitude.  It just wasn't for me.
945805
I was enjoying the book for the first part but was turned off by the non-stop religious aspect.  I went back after giving up on the book in the 5th chapter and figured out that there was a God or Jesus reference on at least every second page.  It was too much.  I couldn't go on, I felt like the author was trying to convert me, not entertain me.
3916518
This book was a slog. A slog that I, somewhat regretfully, couldn't put down. The author just tries too hard, which makes the writing feel very weak and unnatural (consider, for example the five, overthought and silly uses of "umbrage"), but I was intrigued enough by the story and the overwhelmingly positive reviews that I read the whole thing. Oh well...
3459655
Maybe it was that I had to many expectations of the book. It was really hard for me to finish it
2876719
Although I was EXTREMELY impressed with parts of this book, somehow it didn't flow well for me. It seemed forced too many times in too many ways, with the same types of scenes becoming repetitive. Also, for me, the character switching needed more careful wording to help the reader easily track who was speaking. I think with some extra intense re-writing, this would have been the stunner it was meant to be all the way around. The premise was definitely out of this world. I think the author is genuinely gifted.
4562512
I realize that this may be a classic, but the authors style made it a challenge for me to care about.
656041
I tried to like this book but found it difficult. Everything was in quotes - character thoughts, writer descriptions, and what the character was saying. I liked the trueness of the conversations (no need for grammar or exact spelling as few people really speak this way) but sometimes I question whether a lawyer always speaks street. Misuse of words like to, too, their, there and the apostrophe s. Had promise and would have been better. A little editing and the authors gritty writing would have been appreciated.
1786602
I think this is a translation, and maybe that is why the language flow is cumbersome, and hard to read.
It also seemed he went on too long hinting at something awful and lie destroying, eventually making me tired
of the buildup and impatient with the whole book.  I didn't finish it.
708890
Approximate Lexile: 730

I really wanted to like this book, but the author made it very difficult. Looking at the high ratings on Goodreads, Amazon, etc., I frequently wondered if I was reading the same book. The writing is often stilted, with an emphasis on telling rather than showing, and the author lacks a fundamental understanding of how to use commas. I wondered how it got past an editor in its comma-less condition. After a little research, it appears that this book and its sequels are self-published. Any author who self-publishes should invest in a GOOD editor, not just one who got an A in English that one time.

So many things that bothered me the neighbors name appears to be Old Farmer Johnson. Likewise, Airman Buzz. Is Buzz his last name? How trite can we be? And does the author really think an airman whose job is to monitor the skies for incoming threats would be playing games on his smart phone while on duty? That seems to me like a one-way ticket to court martial.

Aoleon is the only real female character in the book, and she comes off as a little bit irresponsible.

The book says its aimed at middle grades; the simple language and straightforward plot make it more suited to grades 2-4. Then the author throws in a lot of science-speak that brings it back up to middle gradesor even high school. I get the impression that maybe he doesnt hang out with many kids, so hes not sure how they talk or think.

The illustrations are prettyespecially the ones of the planets as Aoleon is inbound toward earth.

Its sadthis book had potential, but it remains untapped.

Who would like this book: Kids grades 2-5 who like stories about space.

Possible objectionable material: Sneaking out a night. General mischief.

(I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review. As you can see, its an honest review!)
2936967
The author must have been in a rush to finish the book or just didn't have the ability to write a good ending.
234322
It had too much of a cookie cutter ending, like he was feeling pressured and just slapped it on so he could finish it and get his publishers off his back. The mystery hints he kept dropping in were not enough to hold the thin story together, especially with the lame ending.
1761796
I didn't like the author's way of writing the story.  Way too much extraneous information.  I think she was trying to be funny but didn't
quite make it.  I will not get any more of her books and usually I am pretty easy to please.
417610
This had the feeling of an authors first attempt at writing. I thought it slow at parts and in need of an editors attention.