Review: An enjoyable Sci-Fi with simple flaws that deny another star
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 17, 2013
A FAR TRAVELER, The First Alien, e-book (Smashwords Edition) by W. Blake Heitzman is not the usual science fiction tale.This plot has an alien stranded on earth where the required materials for ship repair do not exist. It centers on his contact, and contracting with, humans over a period of several thousand years in an effort to obtain these materials and return to his galactic home. The action occurs in the southwestern United States, Egypt and some other small sections of Africa. The approach is unusual in that it ranges from the important existence of Shamans and Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical biblical interpretation, to pseudo-science, corporate take-over, and activity by thugs in various vicinities.I believe that better characterization for Matt and Stephanie, along with more credible activity in areas, would have provided more enjoyable protagonists and some judicial editing to provide a shorter and more cohesive product all would have been helpful.In summary: Overall, an interesting read. The author states "People who read want their minds challenged." And, "Reading my stories should be fun and part of the fun is learning new things." In my opinion the author has succeeded with some reservations - I did not find much to "challenge the imagination" except for some stretches of credibility for otherwise mundane activity. However, the story is `fun' if by `new material' he means a `different' approach to a Sci-Fi tale. Reviewed by John H. Manhold, award winning author of fiction/non-fiction.