This story is interesting most of the time.

Friends who are college professors embark on an exploration in the desert.

Surprisingly, they discover an ancient artifact which turns out to be a gate to a vast interstellar empire that seemingly vanished.

The narrative has its moments when it gets a bit bogged down while covering social issues.

However, the exploration parts bear a resemblance to the Rama series, which is quite captivating.

It makes one wonder about the mysteries and secrets that lie within this lost interstellar empire.

The professors' adventure takes them on a journey filled with excitement and anticipation.

As they step through the gate, they are greeted with a world beyond their imagination.

The story combines elements of mystery, exploration, and science fiction, making it an engaging read.

Despite the minor drawbacks in the social issue segments, the overall experience is one that keeps the reader hooked.

It leaves us with a sense of wonder and a desire to know more about this ancient and mysterious interstellar empire.

Ugh. It's a really confusing ripoff of "Stargate." The premise initially seems cool. Four academic friends embark on a journey to Africa to study a Stonehenge-like structure. However, to their surprise, it turns out to be a multi-portal that leads to several planets.

The plot then takes a rather convoluted turn by interweaving elements of slavery and racism. Additionally, one of the four friends just happens to be a descendant of a possible royalty or something similar. It all feels a bit forced and predictable.

The only somewhat interesting passage involves a twin-planet system that is connected by a sort of skyway. But overall, this story really doesn't have much to offer. It wouldn't even get one star if it weren't for the enthusiastic narrative by Harlan Ellison, who is himself a very respected S-F writer.

Fans, it's probably best to skip this one. There are far better science fiction stories out there that offer more engaging plots and original ideas.

Ear read 2023
5.8/10

It is okay. I listened to it while at work. The pace of the story was faster than I could keep up with most of the time. So, I had to go back and relisten. And I found that what I missed was not very interesting. It is a classic princess kidnapped story. But it kind of unravels into a mix of meh. I'm not sure if there is a sequel. But it was kind of left a little bit mysterious that way.

Perhaps if the story had been a bit slower-paced, I would have been able to better follow along and enjoy it more. As it was, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. The concept of a kidnapped princess is a tried and true one, but this particular telling didn't quite manage to capture my attention.

The mystery at the end did make me a bit curious, but not enough to really seek out a possible sequel. Overall, it was an average listening experience.

Too long and too boring! This is what I felt after experiencing this thing. Although there were some fun visuals, overall, there were not enough new concepts to maintain my interest. It was really a letdown. The characters in it were also extremely boring. They lacked any kind of charm or personality that could draw me in. And Ellison's narration was just so-so. It didn't have that special touch to make it stand out. He might be better off just sticking to writing. Maybe then he could create something more engaging and captivating. As it is now, this whole thing just fails to live up to expectations.

This book was okay.

I initially found it quite enjoyable. Up until around two-thirds of the way through, it was engaging and held my attention. However, then it took a turn and started delving really deep into politics and history.

I must admit that I only listen to these books, and usually, I'm doing something else simultaneously. So, my mind is slightly preoccupied with other things.

As a result, I couldn't keep up with the sudden influx of political and historical details. It just got too technical for me to process.

Consequently, my interest began to wane. I simply couldn't bring myself to finish it.

I think if I had been able to give it my full attention, I might have been able to understand and appreciate the political and historical aspects better. But unfortunately, that wasn't the case this time.

Overall, it was an okay book, but the shift in content towards the end made it a bit too challenging for me to fully enjoy.

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This is a decent piece of science fiction, but it's not one of his best works.

The story has its moments, with interesting concepts and a certain level of imagination. However, it lacks the depth and complexity that we've come to expect from his more outstanding efforts.

The characters could have been developed more fully, and the plot sometimes feels a bit rushed or underdeveloped.

Nevertheless, it's still an enjoyable read for fans of the genre, offering a glimpse into a different kind of future.

While it may not reach the heights of his greatest achievements, it does show that he still has the ability to create engaging and thought-provoking science fiction.

Overall, it's a solid effort that just falls short of being truly exceptional.

Great concept, but a little disappointing.

The overall idea of the book was quite interesting and had the potential to be a truly remarkable piece of work. However, as I reached the last fourth of the book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of letdown.

It seemed as if the author had suddenly run out of ideas and decided to wrap up the story in the quickest way possible. This abrupt ending left many loose ends and unanswered questions, which was a bit frustrating for me as a reader.

I don't know if the author has any plans for a sequel, but if there is one, I would definitely appreciate it. A sequel could potentially address the issues that I had with the first book and provide a more satisfying conclusion to the story.

Overall, while I was initially impressed with the concept of the book, the execution in the latter part left something to be desired. I hope that the author will consider continuing the story in a sequel and give it the proper ending that it deserves.

The work in question seemed strikingly similar to Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom series.

It had an air about it that made it feel as if the story had been penned way back in the 1950s and had only now, for some reason, seen the light of day.

One of the notable drawbacks was the lack of proper characterization. The characters felt rather two-dimensional and failed to truly engage the reader on a deeper level.

Moreover, the issues that the story addressed appeared to have held much more significance during the 1950s. In the present context, they seemed a bit dated and perhaps not as relevant as they once were.

Overall, while there were some elements that harkened back to the classic style of the Barsoom series, the work as a whole suffered from these shortcomings that prevented it from achieving a higher level of quality and impact.

A great book for fans of Jules Vern is a literary gem that offers a captivating adventure. Jules Vern is renowned for his imaginative and pioneering works that transport readers to extraordinary worlds. This particular book is no exception. It takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with excitement, mystery, and wonder. The story is richly detailed, with vivid descriptions that bring the settings and characters to life. Fans of Jules Vern will delight in the familiar themes and motifs that are characteristic of his writing. Whether it's exploring uncharted territories, encountering strange and wonderful creatures, or facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, this book has it all. It is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure and science fiction, and a testament to the enduring appeal of Jules Vern's works.

The story truly grew on me.

At first, I might have been a bit hesitant, but as I delved deeper, I found myself completely engrossed.

I would not mind at all having more of this wonderful narrative.

It is definitely different from what I have read before.

The unique plot, the well-developed characters, and the engaging writing style all contribute to its charm.

I am eager to see where the story will lead and what new surprises it has in store for me.

It has become one of my favorite reads, and I highly recommend it to others who are looking for something fresh and exciting.

I can't wait to explore more of the author's works and see what other amazing stories they have to tell.

Overall, this story has left a lasting impression on me, and I know it will stay with me for a long time to come.

I really like the concept of the story.

Most of the characters in it have a certain depth and are quite likable.

However, the reason why I only gave it three stars is that halfway through the book, some parts of the storyline became rather unbelievable.

To put it simply, they managed to figure out how to use an Alien Laptop without having something like a Rosetta Stone beforehand.

This lack of a clear explanation or logical progression in that regard really affected my overall perception of the story.

Despite the interesting concept and likable characters, this flaw in the plot prevented me from giving it a higher rating.

It made me question the credibility of the events and somewhat diminished my enjoyment of the reading experience.

Nonetheless, the story still had its redeeming qualities, and I did find certain aspects of it quite engaging.

Perhaps with a bit more attention to detail and a more believable storyline, it could have been a truly great read.