Review: So-so book
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 27, 2013
This story had a good premise, but suffered greatly from lack of editing, particularly in regard to length.  I estimate there is 75% nature description to 25% action, or conversation moving the story along.  And although the author is good at this description and it is enjoyable up to a point, the over-abundance clashes with the life-or-death story line.What would have sold me on continuing the series would be just one chapter from the aliens' point of view.  Without that, it seems ludicrous that space-farers - or even just their robots - would fight intelligent life with nothing more than rocks.  Did they have a directive not to introduce alien technology, or merely self-preservation circuits?  Or, let readers know whether their machines were able to differentiate intelligent life from animal life.  Hint at their higher objectives for the visit, other than dissecting animals.  Too much was held back, like a tease that just becomes tedious rather than promising, and that lack was filled in by very repetitive description.It was tough to finish this one, and very tempting to skim the last third or quarter just to get to the action or conclusion.  Therefore, I won't be continuing the series.