This series was an absolute surprise to me. I had not heard from this author before and randomly came across in iTunes bookstore. I figured I couldn't go wrong for the 4 dollars price tag, and ended up reading the entire saga. I am now on broadcast 4, and I am hooked! If you like the space odesseys type of stories, then this one is for you. The author's style reads in a similar way as the classic "Starship troopers" in a sense., but with a better character development and some very original ideas as to where we could be heading as space farer race. Enough details to really let the reader feel the story, yet the pace isn't bogged down and the writer carries it along very nicely. Origins constitutes the background elements and characters where the author sketches the outlines of his canvas, which you will find in the follow on books in the series in the form of "broadcasts". The story then becomes more intricate with plot developments, yet logical and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and believe it to be a must in any Sci-Fi bookshelf. A friend recommended this to me with the caveat that it was enjoyable 'pulp' space opera so my expectations weren't high when I started reading it. I was actually pleasantly surprised! The quality of writing was ok and the story rattled on at a good pace. Lalonde's weakest element is his characterisation. The captain of the First Light, 'Jonas' is so squeaky clean that his character begins to grate a little. His leading lady is also too good to be true as is his security office 'Oz'. The other characters are pretty much props and sketchy ones at that.There isn't one plot thread that stitches all of this together but if you view it as two or three Star Trek 'Next Generation' type stories strung together then that's about the cut and thrust of it. Not wondrous or mind expanding but a good yarn to take on holiday with you.
A very fun, easy to read sci-fi with pacing that reminds me of something close to a Star Trek, Farscape, Wing Commander and Mass Effect all rolled into one great book. Broadcast Zero is 3 books in one and I finished it faster than I finish some single books. The story follows an unknown prodigy crew using a prototype starship on an off the books mission into known space. There are personal character interactions, a little bit of diplomacy, battles in space against great odds and AI.I don't want to give anything away in the story in my review so I will close by saying I don't read much sci-fi because I am not a fan of the genre in books, I put my full recommendation behind this book. It was free on Amazon as it is part of a 13 book series or something, so there is no real reason not to get it and give it a whirl. :)
—Joshen1234
A very fun, easy to read sci-fi with pacing that reminds me of something close to a Star Trek, Farscape, Wing Commander and Mass Effect all rolled into one great book. Broadcast Zero is 3 books in one and I finished it faster than I finish some single books. The story follows an unknown prodigy crew using a prototype starship on an off the books mission into known space. There are personal character interactions, a little bit of diplomacy, battles in space against great odds and AI.I don't want to give anything away in the story in my review so I will close by saying I don't read much sci-fi because I am not a fan of the genre in books, I put my full recommendation behind this book. It was free on Amazon as it is part of a 13 book series or something, so there is no real reason not to get it and give it a whirl. :)
—Nish
I look forward to the next book and am curious to see if Ayan and Jonas ever meet again.
—solange1234love
